CHAPTER 582: CHAPTER 488: FIRST GAME, OVERWHELMING_2

Prince Ming’s face was ashen: "It’s over, I can’t hide it anymore."

Eunuch Yu called out to Xiao Dazi standing outside the Jinluan Palace: "Bring it in."

Xiao Dazi and another little eunuch carried a table laden with a mix of fresh and wilted crops into the Jinluan Palace, placing it in front of the two Imperial Grandsons.

The courtiers glanced at each other, confused by the intention behind this setup.

Eunuch Yu announced, "Third question: Identify the crops."

Lu Qi’s gaze remained steady as he turned toward Lu Yuan.

King Qi chuckled and said, "Nephew, we agreed you’d start this round first. Surely you’re not waiting for Qi’er to spoon-feed you the answers again, are you?"

Lu Yuan strolled forward casually, picking up each crop on the table one by one as though they were cherished treasures: "Pumpkin, wax gourd, scallion, green onion, chives, garlic shoots, coriander."

As he spoke, he uncovered a tiny and seemingly unremarkable stalk from beneath the garlic shoots, "Wheat spike."

Emperor Liang’s tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed a bit.

This wheat spike appeared to be a chance inclusion, yet it was deliberately placed by him on purpose.

It seemed unrelated to the other crops, but only someone who truly valued grain would notice the preciousness of this stalk of wheat.

Now, it was Eunuch Yu’s turn to question Lu Qi.

Lu Qi replied, "Since elder brother has already answered, I won’t duplicate. He wins this round."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and said, "I won through my own skill; I don’t need your concession!"

The courtiers shook their heads in unison, thinking, "Arrogant, far too arrogant!"

"It’s not over yet."

Lu Yuan bent down, pulling open a drawer under the table.

The crowd was startled.

Could there be hidden compartments within the table?

"Salt, fennel."

Lu Qi said.

Eunuch Yu inquired, "What is the use of salt and fennel?"

Lu Qi answered, "They are used in cooking."

Eunuch Yu glanced at Lu Yuan.

The crowd anticipated Lu Yuan to blandly echo "Same as him," but instead, he suddenly spoke with conviction: "Salt can replenish energy, disinfect wounds, and be used for curing, preserving food from spoiling. Fennel, when mixed with grain, can repel insects and ants. If we also had chalk, it would be even better—it could prevent dampness, which is especially essential in the South."

The crowd was stunned and instinctively looked toward the Minister of Agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture nodded approvingly: "Prince Changsun speaks the truth."

Lu Zhaoyan let out a long sigh and said sorrowfully, "I remember there was a year when massive flooding struck the South, and Father sent troops for disaster relief, yet no one expected the granary provisions to become infested with pests and rot."

The crowd fell silent.

That particular flood in the Southwest had caused enormous losses—countless civilians were displaced, and many fell ill from consuming rotten food, worsening the already dire situation.

So many lives...

Though the courtiers belonged to different factions, not all of them were selfish or malicious.

They also hoped the people could live in peace and stability. After all, only under such conditions could their political careers prosper.

Prince Jin remarked, "Qi’er, there’s no need for you to be overly modest."

Prince Ming retorted mockingly, "Winning is deserved; losing is letting. If we’re talking about shamelessness, I’d say the Jin Prince Mansion takes the crown."

Prince Fu interjected again: "Hmm."

Prince Ming: "I don’t need your agreement!"

Emperor Liang waved his hand, indicating the competition to continue.

Eunuch Yu looked down at the examination scroll and addressed the crowd: "Fifth question."

He signaled to Xiao Dazi with his eyes.

Xiao Dazi hurriedly left the Jinluan Palace.

This time, he didn’t carry in a table or lift baskets but rather pushed a cart loaded with burlap sacks into the hall.

The crowd stared at the tightly secured sacks, guessing what crops might be stored within.

Eunuch Yu ordered, "Open them."

A total of five sacks.

Xiao Dazi untied the first one.

Lu Qi quickly identified, "Flour."

Eunuch Yu asked, "What is the price of flour?"

Lu Qi responded, "Six coins per pound."

Xiao Dazi moved to the second sack.

Lu Qi was quick to answer again: "Cornmeal, five coins per pound."

"Rice, nine coins per pound."

"Paddy rice..."

"Wheat..."

Lu Qi identified each item and stated its price, earning a nod of confirmation from the Minister of Agriculture for each answer.

It was clear that all of his answers were correct.

For an Imperial Grandson, this level of knowledge was truly remarkable.

It should be noted that many officials in the court were oblivious to the price of these grains and flour.

Prince Ming panicked: "Second brother, why isn’t your son saying anything now? Wasn’t he formidable just moments ago? Don’t tell me that he was bluffing earlier!"

Prince Fu commented, "Sixth brother, don’t be so tense."

Prince Ming retorted, "How can I not be tense? I made a bet with someone—if he loses, I’ll be ruined!"

Prince Fu froze: "You made a bet with someone again?"

With your mother—the Princess Consort Hui.

Forget it; that’s secondary. What’s crucial is the fact that he wagered ten thousand taels!

Though Consort Jiang did not get along with Consort Hu, she was not someone who acted on mere impulse. In her view, in terms of intellectual contests, Lu Qi had the upper hand.