I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 123 Liu Shan Feels Powerless for the First Time

"Husband, what does this mean?"

Zhang blinked her big eyes, which were full of confusion.

"If those people from Jiangnan find the tea to be of poor quality, it will be detrimental to the imperial court in every way."

Liu Shan stretched and said, "Then let me ask you, how do you know that the tea Zong Yu brought was of the highest quality?"

"This isn't what you said yourself, my husband. This tea is the first batch of spring tea this year; it took more than 30,000 buds to make just one pound..."

At this point, Zhang seemed to understand something. Looking at Liu Shan's mischievous grin, she also laughed.

"My lord, you are so wicked. What you asked Lord Zong to take to Eastern Wu, could it not be those inferior teas?"

"Although it's the same tea, the selected buds aren't the best ones; some are leftover scraps from the roasting process, so the flavor is a bit lacking."

Liu Shan frankly said, "Once you get used to drinking good tea, drinking inferior tea will inevitably taste bland. Therefore, we cannot give them such good tea from the beginning."

"I instructed Zongyu to take this inferior tea to Eastern Wu, and repeatedly told him to say that the tea production was low, to prepare two catties for King Sun Quan of Wu, and one catty for each of Gu Yong and other high-ranking and powerful ministers."

Zhang picked up her teacup and asked, "What about the imperial court?"

"Just plain water," Liu Shan blurted out, then immediately added with a grin, "However, I'll order the Six Departments to send over as much as Yun'er wants."

At this point, Liu Shan suddenly remembered something and ordered Wang Gui to bring up the food box.

After Liu Shan entered the room, Zhang noticed that Wang Gui was holding a food box and asked in confusion, "Husband, what's in this...?"

"Didn't Yun'er ask how much tea the imperial court produced and where it all went?"

"Besides reserving some for the palace and rewarding the court officials, I had the Sixth Minister take some tea leaves to the kitchen today to make some small trinkets. They have a unique flavor, and I brought them here especially for Yun'er to try."

These precious teas are so rare that none of the officials in the court have ever tasted them. You're going to use them to make food?

Isn't this a bit too wasteful?

Zhang craned her neck curiously, watching the food box slowly open to reveal round, brownish-red objects with cracked surfaces.

"This is... an egg?" Zhang asked after examining it for a long time.

"That's good. I had the kitchen cook it according to the recipe. Yun'er, you should try it." Liu Shan urged with expectant eyes.

The palace maid gently picked up one, peeled off the shell, and the originally white and tender egg white was imprinted with faint brown patterns, like a naturally formed brown gemstone.

"Husband, this egg... has a very fragrant tea aroma." Zhang smelled the tea fragrance, which was exactly the same as the tea she was drinking.

"Of course, these eggs are cooked with freshly brewed tea and are called 'tea eggs'."

"New tea...to boil eggs?"

Zhang found it hard to believe.

If Sun Quan and the ministers of Eastern Wu knew that you gave them inferior tea to drink, and then used the best tea to boil eggs, what would they think?

"Try it, these tea eggs are quite rare."

Zhang found it difficult to bring herself to eat.

After all, it's brewed with top-quality tea leaves, so it's priceless and unavailable.

But she couldn't resist Liu Chan's expectant gaze and the enticing aroma of the tea egg, so she brought it to her lips and took a bite.

The eggs were fresh and fragrant, with a perfect balance of saltiness and a strong tea aroma. Zhang's eyes were filled with amazement: "Husband, these tea eggs are delicious. I have never eaten such delicious eggs before."

Seeing Zhang's joyful expression, Liu Shan patted her head, his heart filled with warmth.

He sat down next to Zhang, his tone tender and affectionate.

"Today's court affairs have been numerous and I am somewhat tired. How about I stay in the Empress's Palace tonight to rest?"

Liu Shan had been working in the fields continuously for the past few days, and he was almost leaning against the wall to get out.

Upon hearing this, Zhang paused slightly in her movements, and the smile on her face gradually faded.

She lowered her eyes and remained silent for a moment, then raised them again, her eyes filled with determination. She gently shook her head and politely declined, saying, "Husband, no."

Liu Shan's smile froze instantly, and he asked, somewhat puzzled, "Yun'er, why is that?"

Zhang put down the tea egg she hadn't finished eating, her tone calm and earnest.

"My lord, now that the court has just been established, the gentry and former officials of Yizhou have different thoughts, and the harem is also an extension of the previous dynasty. Consort Liu and Consort Li come from prominent families in Yizhou, and their influence in the court is deeply entrenched. Since His Majesty took the concubines, he has favored Consort Wang alone and rarely shows affection to the two other consorts. I fear that this matter has already caused many gentry and officials to gossip in private."

"How dare they criticize my private affairs!" Liu Shan said, somewhat annoyed.

Zhang gently placed her hand on his chest to soothe his anger.

"As Empress, Yun'er should be a model of virtue for the nation and should not monopolize His Majesty's favor. Now, my husband wishes to establish the Imperial Academy and reform the papermaking process. There are many things to be done, and we must stabilize the court and win over the hearts of the noble families."

"A husband should bestow his favor equally upon both concubines, showing them more affection and appeasing their families' influence. This will reassure the court officials and allow them to assist His Majesty in implementing the new policies."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan frowned instantly, his heart filled with helplessness.

It wasn't that he didn't understand the power dynamics in the court; it was just that he had been busy with state affairs during the day and spending his nights with Consort Wang. Even though Consort Liu and Consort Li were as beautiful as celestial beings, they both felt as if their bodies had been hollowed out.

The will is willing, but the ability is insufficient.

"Yun'er, I know you are thinking of the bigger picture, but..."

Liu Shan wanted to struggle a little longer, hoping for a few more nights of peaceful sleep before launching another attack.

"My husband need not say more."

Zhang gently interrupted him, her tone still gentle, yet carrying an undeniable firmness.

"Yun'er understands her husband's feelings, but as an emperor, one cannot only indulge in personal affections. The stability of the country and the court are far more important than momentary feelings. Yun'er does not ask to be by your side every day, but only that her husband can sit firmly on the throne and that the country is peaceful and prosperous. That is enough."

Seeing Liu Shan's slightly dejected expression, she felt a pang of sadness, but still gently advised, "Consort Liu and Consort Li are both gentle and kind people, and their families have been of great help to you in implementing your new policies. Your visit will not only appease the harem but also stabilize the court, achieving two goals at once. Once the court is stable, you can come to Yun'er's palace more often."

Looking into Zhang's eyes, which shone with profound understanding and righteousness, Liu Shan was filled with mixed emotions.

He knew that Zhang's words were all reasonable, and as an emperor, he could not ultimately do as he pleased.

Just now in the imperial court, he finalized the grand plan for papermaking, which will inevitably require the support of various forces. The attitude of the Yizhou aristocratic families is crucial. Getting close to Consorts Liu and Li is indeed the most direct way to appease their families.

After a long silence, Liu Shan finally sighed softly, reached out and gently stroked Zhang's hair, his tone carrying a hint of compromise and a touch of tragic grandeur.

"I understand. I will follow Yun'er's arrangements."

Liu Shan stood up, took one last look at the still gentle and graceful Lady Zhang, and temporarily suppressed his feelings of love for his children.

He thought of the papermaking at the Imperial Academy, and of the future of Shu Han. He turned and walked out of Jiaofang Palace, heading towards the palace of Consort Liu.