I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 216: I can guarantee it with my life!
"This is……"

Hearing these words, Zhao Guo was initially puzzled.

After all, in order to facilitate memorization in later generations, most of the solar terms in this formula were shortened to one word.

In addition, before this, even the solar terms in agricultural books were far from twenty-four, and some of the names were different. Therefore, even for Zhao Guo, it was difficult to immediately understand the meaning when he first heard them.

However, after a little thought, words such as spring rain, grain day, summer harvest, and frost still made him understand their meaning.

After carefully analyzing each word in the formula, Zhao Guo soon realized how much content was contained in Liu Ju's short four sentences.

The next moment, Zhao Guo opened his eyes wide, unable to hide the surprise and shock on his face, and saluted quickly:

"Your Highness is a man of great talent. I am sorry that I did not recognize him!"

"Your Highness, what are you talking about?"

Seeing this, Wei Kang became more and more confused.

He was like the majority of people who knew nothing about the agricultural solar terms. At this moment, he just felt like he had listened to a passage from heaven, or that Liu Ju and Zhao Guo had just spoken some secret code in front of him that only he did not understand.

code word?!
While feeling confused, a flash of inspiration suddenly occurred to Wei Kang's mind.

Why didn’t I think of this before!
You can also use code words when gathering information or contacting people!
This not only makes it less likely to reveal your identity, but also improves the reliability of information dissemination. Even when two strangers contact each other, their identities can be quickly confirmed!
Emmm...

After returning, should we first compile a set of code words, so that different code words are associated with different meanings, so that people who know the code words can accurately and secretly convey messages even in front of outsiders, making it impossible to guard against them?

"Master Wei Chang, you don't know that what Your Highness just said is one of the most essential knowledge in the agricultural classics, called the solar terms."

Zhao Guo also has some admirable ideas.
"The solar terms are a guide to farming that our ancestors summarized through practice. When to sow, when to weed, when to turn the soil, when to harvest, etc. can all be done according to the solar terms. This is the way of farming."

"However, compared with the records in the agricultural books I have studied, your Highness's formulas are clearer, more concise, and more detailed."

"It is obvious that your Highness's knowledge of agriculture is far superior to mine!"

"Eh?"

Wei Kang turned around and stared at Liu Ju in a daze.

"Your Highness, are you so proficient in farming?"

He doesn't understand!
Liu Ju is the crown prince. He never leaves the house and has no contact with farm work. It is normal that he cannot even tell the difference between wheat seedlings and leeks, right?

What's more, he is only seventeen years old this year. Even if he has been studying hard since the day he was born, how much can he learn?
Besides, Liu Ju was definitely not a person who studied hard.

At least he had lived in Bowang Garden for some time, but he had never seen Liu Ju studying seriously. The Prince's Tutor Dong Zhongshu was basically idle in Bowang Garden. Sometimes Dong Zhongshu wanted to give Liu Ju lectures on a whim, but Liu Ju always avoided the question and found various excuses to prevaricate.

And according to his investigation.

After Zhao Guo learned to read, he developed a strong interest in agricultural classics and has been studying them for more than ten years. It is no exaggeration to say that he is diligent.

In such a comparison, Liu Ju's achievements in agriculture are actually better than Zhao Guo's?
Wei Kang just felt that he had heard a huge joke.

But at this moment, Zhao Guo's extremely admiring look did not seem like he was just flattering Liu Ju...

What is going on? The more familiar I get with this cousin, the less I can understand him. How many unknown secrets does he have?
"Brother Zhao, you are too kind. I only know the basics."

Liu Ju smiled modestly and returned the greeting,

"The most important thing about agriculture is practice. Without practice, it is just empty talk. Therefore, compared with Brother Zhao, my little knowledge is really nothing to mention."

To develop agriculture that benefits both the country and the people, it still takes professionals like Zhao Guo to study and promote it.

Liu Ju is now showing off his skills just to respond to Zhao Guo's doubts and to create an image in front of him that he is not ignorant of command.

In this way, when he makes "suggestions" to Zhao Guo later, he can reduce some unnecessary doubts and arguments, and avoid Zhao Guo's inability to share the same ideas with him.

Even though he really didn't understand.

But he also really knows what the development trends of agricultural technology are and what technologies can indeed improve agricultural productivity. His "suggestions" can at least prevent Zhao Guo from taking detours to a certain extent.

"Your Highness is too modest. If Your Highness only knows the basics, then what am I? Am I really the useless waste that my father said?"

Zhao Guo bowed even lower and refused to accept the greeting.

"Brother Zhao, please stand up quickly."

Seeing that the expected effect had been achieved, Liu Ju immediately raised his hand to help Zhao Guo up, and then said,

"Let's get back to business. Brother Zhao's Daitian Method has achieved certain results, and my father is now determined to promote agriculture. It's a good opportunity to promote it throughout the country. Brother Zhao, don't refuse."

"But I think there is still room for improvement in this generation of Tian law..."

Zhao Guo is obviously still a perfectionist and still tends to be nitpicky.

However, if he was not a persistent person, he would not have become a rebellious son in Zhao Zhou's eyes, and he would not have achieved such achievements in history.

Liu Ju expressed his understanding, but did not agree, and said with a smile:

"Brother Zhao, have you ever thought that there is actually no conflict between promoting the Daitian method and improving the crop yield? The implementation of the method can increase the harvest by 20% and can also resist drought to a certain extent. It is a good thing that benefits the country and the people."

"During the implementation process, Brother Zhao can continue his research and will receive strong support from my father, the emperor, which will only make things more efficient." "After Brother Zhao completes the improvement, we can implement it. Nothing will be delayed. Isn't that right?"

"..."

Zhao Guo was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then after a few seconds he seemed to come out of his dilemma and nodded repeatedly:
"Your Highness, what you said makes sense. How could I have been so stupid before? This is exactly what I should have done!"

"By the way, there's one more thing."

Liu Ju thought for a moment and then guided,
"Brother Zhao seems to be interested in agricultural tools, such as tools for plowing and sowing. Does Brother Zhao have any ideas?"

"?!"

Zhao Guo's eyes widened again, and he looked at Liu Ju in surprise:

"How did Your Highness know that I had such an idea in my mind? Could it be that you can see through my heart?"

……

at the same time.

Greenhouse Palace.

"Prime Minister Zhao, didn't you claim that you had something important to discuss with me? Why are you hesitant now that you see me?"

Liu Che frowned and looked at Zhao Zhou who was standing in front of him with his head bowed.

"His Majesty……"

Zhao Zhou was really anxious this time.

After waiting for a long time in the guest hall of Bowang Garden, Zhao Zhou decided to play a big game in order to prevent Zhao Guo from getting involved with Liu Ju and Wei Kang, two rebellious sons, and eventually causing trouble that would implicate the Zhao family.

——Go to the palace to meet the emperor!
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that the Crown Prince recommended a man named Zhao Guo during the morning court session a few days ago?"

"remember."

Liu Che just nodded slightly, motioning Zhao Zhou to continue.

"I dare not hide the truth from your majesty. I have a useless and rebellious son in my family, also named Zhao Guo."

Zhao Zhou bowed, but seeing that Liu Che had already shown a suspicious look on his face, he hurriedly explained,
"Your Majesty, you don't know that this rebellious son has never read the Five Classics or the Six Arts since he was young. He has been idle all day long and has no skills. He has refused to change despite repeated admonitions. That is why, even though this rebellious son is already twenty-three years old, I still dare not recommend him to enter the palace as a palace attendant, for fear of betraying your Majesty's trust and breaking the rules of the palace."

"Then why did you bring this up today?"

Liu Che finally did not pursue the matter that he had concealed and did not report, but asked again.

"In reply to your Majesty, I just learned today that this unfilial son followed the example of Chen Xiang and Chen Xin behind your back, going against your Majesty's national policy and abandoning his studies to become a farmer."

Zhao Zhou bent his body even lower, and silently said that he would sacrifice his own relatives for the sake of justice.

"Abandoning Confucianism and becoming a farmer?"

Liu Che finally straightened up slightly after hearing this, looked at Zhao Zhou and said,
"You mean, the talent Liu Ju recommended to me who can take on the task of promoting agriculture is your second son? How old did you say he was? Twenty-three?"

This is a rather novel way of recommendation.

When others recommended Ren Zi to him, although he had to remain humble in his words, it was very rare to see someone like Zhao Zhou who would first belittle his own son and say that he was worthless.

After the belittlement, there is a sudden turn, which takes the tactic of first criticizing and then praising to the extreme. It is really a good method.

However, Liu Che expressed doubts about Zhao Zhou's subsequent words.

In Liu Che's eyes, a twenty-three-year-old was still an ignorant child.

Moreover, he was born in a wealthy family like Zhao Zhou. Even if he gave up being a scholar and turned to farming, he probably wouldn't be able to endure the hardship. How could he be responsible for promoting agriculture?

Even if Zhao Zhou wanted to take advantage of this incident to gain advantage, he was too eager and his behavior was really ugly!
But then again.

Although Zhao Zhou's abilities are mediocre, he is usually cautious and prudent. How could he do such a lowly thing today?
"Your Majesty has misunderstood. I am seeking an audience with Your Majesty today to clarify this matter with Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhou said solemnly,

"I can guarantee with my own life that this rebellious son is definitely not a talent recommended by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, let alone the responsibility of promoting agriculture. Your Majesty, please understand!"

"in addition."

"This rebellious son dared to go against the national policy and abandon his Confucianism to become a farmer. He has committed a serious crime and must be punished."

"I am a poor parent and cannot discipline this rebellious son. Therefore, I can only ask Your Majesty to punish him. Otherwise, if everyone follows his example and behaves in a rebellious manner, it will ruin Your Majesty's national policy, shake the country's destiny, and lead to a serious mistake!"

"?"

Liu Che became even more confused after hearing this.

This was the first time in his life that someone ran into the palace and earnestly requested him to issue an order to severely punish his son. He had seen people who sacrificed their own relatives for the sake of justice, but he had never seen anyone do it like this.

This should no longer be a means of recommendation, right?
But then again, his promotion of the Kong family was indeed an unshakable national policy...

(End of this chapter)