CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 347: BEGINNING TO SET A TRAP

Several decades have passed.

The entire harem grew more intense, eventually forming shops and commercial streets.

A self-contained commercial ecosystem was established, with everything one might need available within the harem.

Under some secret guidance, certain ornaments, potions, and Dharma artifacts labeled as "Imperial Palace Exclusives" were secretly leaked, being auctioned at high prices and even becoming trendsetters.

The imperial palace’s golden brand was thoroughly utilized.

And these concubines lived up to expectations.

The various treasures they researched were of extremely high quality, after all, they were highly talented geniuses, specialized in their fields, and were also players who practiced frantically, so the quality was naturally unquestionable.

At this time, somewhere on the Divine Land Continent, within the financial oligarchy of the Wang Family.

"It seems that these harem concubines have already become His Majesty the Emperor’s private logistical team." From a high place, the Patriarch of the noble family appeared cold, "See if we can win them over."

"Second brother is an official in court, the seventeenth sister is a concubine, let them investigate."

Similar to these ancient prominent families, ancient holy land aristocracies, the most powerful holy son is generally the next Patriarch, and others who fail to seize power would be sent out to the realm of Li Tang, to participate in the imperial examination and enter the court as officials... Women have it worse, selected to enter the harem as concubines, stripped of the Power of Laws, becoming ordinary mortals.

This is the agreement between the dynasty and their scholarly families.

Simply put, the Patriarch inherits the throne, while the next-level talents of their family sell themselves to "Chang’an City" to be utilized, once entering Chang’an, one loses freedom, forced to work intensively by Li Shimin...

And the Human Emperor, bearing the responsibility of gathering talent from all over the world, is pushing the civilization of the entire Primordial Chaos era in Chang’an City, they too must assist.

"By the way..." The Patriarch of the Wang Family was indifferent, "Also send a few of my sons to Chang’an City for training, as an assessment for the holy son position this time."

...

At the court.

On this day, undercurrents began to surge, and many people submitted memorials.

An elderly minister adviced: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this time’s concubine examination, a large number of concubines from among the populace disgraced the decorum, neglecting embroidery and various etiquettes, they farmed, exercised, competed, and even set up the so-called ’Macau Royal Chess Venue’... it’s simply a different sort of casino!"

Another advising official stepped forward, loudly said: "This batch of concubines set up gambling in the harem, using the name of the royal family for the so-called ’Macau Royal Casino’, concubines coquettishly dealing cards online, what kind of example does it set in the harem? Please, Your Majesty, punish them to uphold the dignity of our Great Tang royal family!"

Li Shimin, sitting high up, felt somewhat troubled.

The folk customs of the Great Tang are bold and vigorous, in Chang’an City, the casinos, brothels, all kinds of industries prosper, and even have become a symbol of the flourishing age of Chang’an City, but involvement in gambling directly within the harem...

"These concubines have indeed gone too far."

"Although the casino is highly profitable, and they’ve even got croupiers dealing cards, which can earn quite a bit of income for me, it might easily leave a handle for criticism..."

Li Shimin pressed his forehead.

Have I allowed them too much freedom?

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

At this time, Prime Minister Ghost Witch Doctor stood up and said: "The so-called Macau Imperial Casino is merely an entertainment activity among the concubines and palace maids, a small gamble to relax... After all, in the deep palaces, playing some cards, or chess, is also a good pastime, it is said that this has become a traditional informal agreement within the harem."

Wei Zheng came forward, also said: "It is indeed such... In the harem, concubines playing cards, chess, and cricket fighting are normal..."

The other courtiers suddenly fell silent.

The two chief ministers directly supported them, how could they argue further?

No matter how they sneakily do things outside... Chang’an City is, after all, the Human Emperor’s territory, and the court here is also the Human Emperor’s edict, they still cannot make big moves.

And the Human Emperor is ultimately the strongest force, even the prominent families must show respect and fear.

The current Li Shimin has reached the pinnacle of the Human Emperor.

Li Shimin thought for a moment, looked at the courtiers debating below: "The concubines in the court are diligent and studious, this is also their personal interest... Entering the court shouldn’t suppress their humanity nor should they become puppets and marionettes in the harem... Since they have their own interests, it is not necessarily wrong, self-reliance can also save the state’s expenditure.... Moreover, I believe, most women are idle at home, this move may set a new trend in society, the harem perhaps can become a model."

At this moment, Zhu Zhengwei stepped forward, timely saying: "Your Majesty is wise, I suggest opening the concubine area of the harem annually, allowing the people of Great Tang Chang’an to meet these concubines, to know their efforts and interests... They are not concubines in the harem, just concubines with talents, and can meet the common people."

Zhu Zhengwei continued, "I believe this concubine trial can directly involve the common people, allowing them to rate! One to five stars rating, and also write evaluations of the concubines’ personalities, setting this on November 11th each year, calling it the Concubine Festival."

"Every year too?" At this moment, a minister next to him couldn’t help it, cursing: "May I ask, how long will this trial last? Could it be under the name of concubine examination, engaging in commercial affairs?"

"It’s focused on experimentation." Zhu Zhengwei said.

"Approved." Li Shimin slowly spoke, he had long anticipated such matters in order to make money, opening up the harem, even if it’s just the concubine area, would face criticism.

"Treachery reigns, treachery reigns!!"

That particular minister cried out in agony.

"Take him away." The Human Emperor waved his hand.

"Your Majesty, this move utterly contradicts the three obediences and four virtues..." Another minister came forward.

"Take him away and execute him." The Human Emperor said again.

Immediately, the entire court fell silent.

...

And the concubine area soon welcomed the event.

Some holy sons from various hidden noble families also quietly arrived in Chang’an City and entered the Beauty Palace.

The place was bustling with people, and the opportunity to visit the imperial palace was a big deal for them, and the products from the imperial palace were even more appealing.

Under various conditions, this time was simply an unimaginable grand occasion.

"What an improper sight!" A holy son from the Zhang Family said, looking at this marketplace like a prosperous street with all kinds of signboards.

"Wei Mei’s Potion Shop."

"Yangquan Restaurant."

"Grilled Octopus Skewers."

...

He casually bought a grilled octopus skewer, and upon eating it, he was stunned.

"What is this?"

"It must be demon-level culinary skills, with a touch of Daoist charm..." he was somewhat incredulous, looking towards his family advisor next to him.

After all, an uncommon talent in someone might be hard to discover in a lifetime, just like demon-level talent, their family only has one chef with this level of skill.

As his eyes swept around, he spotted a beautiful young girl baking wheat cakes, with pure yet slightly charming actions, skillfully baking the cakes, giving a sense of competence.

"May I ask this young lady, you..." He walked over, almost involuntarily.

"Oh, young lady Pan Jinlian greets Mr. Xiang!" When the girl spoke, her sweet, charming voice virtually shot the holy son’s heart straight into the heavens.

"One portion please." He softly said.

He quickly ate the wheat cake, and suddenly felt like throwing up, how could there be such nauseating culinary skills? Lacking culinary talent entirely, and selling wheat cakes openly?

"Is it delicious?" The concubine innocently asked, wiping the sweat from her forehead, presenting a breathtaking beauty.

He involuntarily said, not wanting to hurt the girl’s feelings, "Delicious, very delicious."