Vol 2 Chapter 16.1 (1/2)

Volume 2 Extra Story Part 1: Don’t tell me this is the Yaminabe special chapter

As the Governor of Yu state, just like in Xu state, it’s not like I have nothing to do. And the story this time begins from a certain Court session.

“Hai~~~ The food is getting worse and worse these days. Stupid eunuch, have you all been embezzling the food budget huh?” Emperor Xian of Han said as he sat lazily in the main hall, with one leg propped up on a eunuch nearby. And as he irritably complains about his private life, he unwittingly reveals a shady side of the goings-on in the palace.

“N, no I haven’t… I, It’s just your misconception.” The old eunuch’s frantic denial told us all we needed to know.

“Un, since you said so then I won’t pursue this further.”

… And as usual, Emperor Xian of Han lets it go just like that.

“But really, your meals have only been unpalatable for a few days so please bear with it for now your majesty.” State Uncle, who was kneeling in the first row, said.

Though he was kneeling, to be able to say such rude words show his true position in the Imperial Court.

—- Please bear with it your majesty!

… Looks like everyone’s a fan of State Uncle.

These fellows really don’t think much of the Emperor huh… Though I too am like them in this regard.

But thinking about it another way, he is the Emperor after all. As the Son of Heaven, his quality of life should generally be better and if he is unsatisfied with anything, it’s not like he can’t raise the issue but does he have to do it during Court? It’s doing things like this that diminish the majesty and reputation of Emperor Xian of Han.

“Your majesty, I will think of a way to resolve the matter of your meals.”

Just as Emperor Xian of Han was at a loss as to how to respond to the officials, Meng De saluted and kowtowed after flicking her dress with a serious expression as she proposed to seek a solution. As expected of Meng De, she will always fearlessly stand out at these times.

Over these few days, I have been privy to the fiscal situation of the country and learnt that it was not that tax revenue was insufficient. Rather, it was because of the many layers of officials in the bureaucracy who siphon off a bit at every stage before taxes reach the treasury.

“Un, as expected, the Imperial Chancellor is the one who truly understands.” Emperor Xian of Han nodded as he grabbed onto the lifeline that Meng De had given him. “Then I’ll leave the matter of improving my meals to you.”

“Your servant hears and obeys.” Meng De kowtowed once more.

Hai~~~ Though Meng De is doing this out of goodwill for the Emperor, I’m sure that the Finance Ministry won’t give Meng De any additional money for this.

“The next matter is… Fan Chou in Chang’an… Ah, how do you read this?” Emperor Xian of Han read falteringly from a scroll he picked up from the console table after moving on from the matter of his meals. “Ah… What do we do about this huh?!”

(TL: Fan Chou is a subordinate general of Dong Zhuo.)

How are we supposed to know what to do when we don’t know what’s going on and you have not finished reading yet?

“Your servant has already made the necessary arrangements to resolve this.” Meng De said seriously once more. “I have already sent 30,000 troops to suppress Chang’an. If nothing goes wrong, then we should be able to hear some good news by this afternoon.

“Though I don’t know how many 30,000 is, but good! … Ah…” Emperor Xian of Han looked the dozen odd scrolls on the console table that needed to be addressed and rubbed his creased eyebrows before– “Court is adjourned!”

You’re just giving up!!

Of course, I didn’t tsukkomi out loud.

Emperor Xian of Han got up exaggeratedly and didn’t even look at us before leaving, after which the officials slowly got up.

“Hai, my back hurts from kneeling so much… And my b.u.t.t as well.” I got up with great difficulty and felt like if I had to kneel for another half hour, my legs probably wouldn’t be able to carry me out.

“Maa, that can’t be helped. When I first started being an official, it was like that too. It gets better as time goes on.” Meng De said, probably to console me.

But I really don’t want to spend the rest of my life kneeling here. Leaving aside whether I make it back to my time or not, I can’t possibly waste my precious time here.

“Speaking of which, Meng De, why did you propose to be the one to improve the Emperor’s meals? That should be under the purview of the palace administration right.”

“Maa, I didn’t plan to at first, since taking care of even that would be a bit too much.” Meng De laughed dryly and stretched her back.

“But Xuan De, have you thought about the issue at hand?” Meng De’s expression became serious instantly and she looked at me in the eye while a bead of sweat streamed down her face.

“Wh, what is it?” I wanted to back off but I was caught by Meng De’s gaze and could neither look away nor leave.

“You’ve seen how Emperor Xian of Han is like. Can you imagine how he would be when he grows up, and due to a lack of nutrition, is as… Innocent as he is now?”

… I know, Meng De, you wanted to say dumb just now right.

“Now that you mentioned it, that is indeed a concern.” I finally understood how dire the situation was, and where Meng De was coming from when she made that decision.

“Right?!”

… But I feel like Meng De is more like a babysitter for Emperor Xian of Han. Though it is as Meng De said, it would be terrible if that kid becomes even dumber from a lack of nutrition.

“But Meng De, what are your plans?” I said as I looked at her. “You don’t have a budget for this, so how will you improve his meals? Are you going to pay out of your pocket every time and buy food from restaurants for him every meal?”

“No, I have my own plans of course, how could I possibly pay out of my pocket?”

“Then you’re…”

“Un, I have my own ideas.” Meng De cut me off with an ambiguous reply. “Ah, right, bring your subordinates to my house tonight.”

“Please don’t call them subordinates, it feels weird to me.” Calling them companions is so much better. “But why this all of a sudden?”

“Nothing much, I just wanted to invite you all over to my place for dinner.” Meng De blinked as she said so. “When the time comes, I’ll also tell you how I intend to solve the problem of the Emperor’s meals.”

“Haa… I got it.”

But why do you have to make it seem so mysterious?

“Also, don’t forget to get everyone to bring some ingredients of their own. It will come to good use then.” Meng De said before she left.

Ingredients?

… I think I know what we’re going to eat.

“Dinner at Meng De’s place?”

“Un, with everyone she said.” I replied to Yun Chang. “And she also said to not forget to bring ingredients.”

“Ingredients? Could it be that we’re going to cook there ourselves?” Zhang Liao said as she sat in the corner of the room. Seems like she always puts herself in places that are generally out of sight.

“Though there is that possibility, I don’t think so.” In my mind, I could see what it would be like already. “Cheer up everyone, we might be able to try something we haven’t eaten before.”

—- Oh~~~

“We’re really looking forward to it, right Red Hare.” *w.a.n.g*! Even Feng Xian had an excited smile on her.