Chapter 16: A Banquet at the Prince’s Residence

During the meal, Zhao Bin issued several directives.

First, prioritize the autumn harvest, maintain constant vigilance against the Jie tribe’s light cavalry, and ensure the protection of the common people.

Second, promote the forging and use of iron plows, encourage the reclamation of wasteland, and ensure an expansion of cultivated land by next spring.

Third, centrally manage the distribution and raising of livestock. The livestock provided must not be slaughtered or sold for the first two years; after three years, they may be disposed of at will (with the exception of cattle and horses, which are never to be slaughtered).

Prefect Lin Jingtang, Commandery Chancellor Cao Li, Registrar He Miao, Treasurer Yang Guangtai, Commandant Qin Fang, and Captain Wei Xiang sat around the table, gazing at the oddly shaped copper pot placed in the center.

Wei Xiang, feeling quite pleased, pointed at the pot and said, "My lords, look, this is the copper pot I had forged for His Highness the other day. It is also known as a 'hot pot.' Isn't it exquisite?"

He Miao looked at the pot, then at the platters of raw mutton and vegetables, and, recalling how the northern tribes boiled beef and mutton in large cauldrons, asked, "Your Highness, are we to eat the mutton boiled like this?"

"Lord He, that is a curious question—of course, we eat it boiled; one would hardly eat it raw," Cao Li replied with a chuckle.

"Hahaha!" The group burst into laughter.

Lin Jingtang then asked, "May I ask why Your Highness has deigned to host this banquet for us today?"

The others, hearing this, grew curious and turned their attention to Zhao Bin.

Zhao Bin smiled and said, "There is nothing particularly urgent. I have been in Yan City for some time now and have not yet had the chance to engage with you all in depth. Having recently gained some advantages, I thought I would share them with you. Come, let us eat and talk."

With that, Zhao Bin began to explain how to enjoy the hot pot, detailing the need for accompaniments like sesame paste, cilantro, sesame oil, and fine salt. As the group watched him demonstrate, their curiosity about the dish grew.

In truth, eating was simple enough, but Zhao Bin intended to turn this hot pot into a sophisticated culinary experience, complete with elaborate lore. When he eventually opened a restaurant in the capital, he would have a story to tell to extract silver from the noble houses, wealthy merchants, and prominent clans.

Wei Xiang, having visited the Prince’s residence most frequently, was familiar with the staff and felt at ease, whereas He Miao, Yang Guangtai, and Qin Fang, being first-time guests, remained quite reserved.

"Your Highness, if I may?" Wei Xiang said with a grin.

"Please, stand on no ceremony. Everyone, take your chopsticks, or the meat will lose its tenderness if it boils too long," Zhao Bin urged.

The tender grassland mutton, paired with the dipping sauce Zhao Bin had concocted, impressed everyone. For those tasting hot pot for the first time, it was a revelation; they had never tasted such delicious mutton.

A banquet is never complete without wine. Though Zhao Bin found the wine lacking the mellow depth of his past life, it was better than nothing. He ordered two jars brought out, and the main officials of Yan City began to indulge in a life of luxury within the Prince of Yan’s residence.

In reality, this "luxury" was only relative to the suffering of the common people; compared to the power-wielding aristocrats and great clans at court, this hot pot was hardly extravagant.

"The vermillion gates reek of wine and meat, while on the road lie the frozen bones of the poor"—this had never been an isolated occurrence in ancient times.

Zhao Bin wished to play the role of the aristocrat of this era, but his conscience told him he could not, nor could he bear to drink and feast while remaining indifferent to the plight of the people. He had to find a way to change this, or at least improve the current state of Yan City.

As the wine flowed and the conversation deepened, the topics shifted from the duties of governance to the definitions of officialdom and the common folk, and finally to the meaning of humanity and how one ought to live.

Listening to Zhao Bin’s words, He Miao, perhaps emboldened by the wine, sighed helplessly: "Alas, this borderland of Yan City has been fought over for hundreds of years, and the casualties among the people are countless. How many in the imperial court or among the great clans truly care whether the people of Yan City live or die?"

Yang Guangtai quickly interjected, "Lord He, be careful with your words. His Highness’s presence here as the feudal lord shows that the imperial court still values this vital border region."

"Brother Yang, why deceive yourself? Everyone knows His Highness was sent here as a result of being sidelined by the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi. I fear he may not meet a peaceful end," He Miao said, downing a cup of wine.

The others were shocked; while the sentiment might be true, it was far too bold for He Miao to voice.

Lin Jingtang and Cao Li rose quickly, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive him! Registrar He has spoken out of turn due to the wine. Please, Your Highness, we beg your pardon. We shall have him escorted home at once."

Zhao Bin waved his hand for them to sit. "Lord He speaks no falsehood. The struggle for the throne has been cruel in every dynasty. To have kept my life and come to Yan City as a feudal lord is already a stroke of fortune. As for whether I shall meet a peaceful end, that depends on my own destiny." Zhao Bin shook his head helplessly.

Silence fell over the group.

"Enough, gentlemen, do not be troubled. The Emperor is in his prime; my life is safe for the time being. I invited you here today not only to taste this hot pot but because there are matters I truly wish to discuss with you."

Lin Jingtang asked, "What does Your Highness have in mind?"

Zhao Bin stood up. "Since I have come to Yan City, I will not allow it to remain as dilapidated as it once was. Currently, the court can only station troops at the passes to defend against foreign enemies; they have no energy to improve the people's livelihood. Therefore, we must find our own way. I have learned a method for refining salt, and we can trade this salt with the Xianbei and Western Liao people for livestock.

"With cattle and horses, we can increase farming efficiency, expand arable land, and boost grain production. Furthermore, there is vast wasteland around Yan City suitable for grazing. By increasing our herds and adopting a strategy of mixed agriculture and animal husbandry, we can at least resolve the issue of food and clothing for the people of Yan City within a year or two."

Zhao Bin looked at He Miao. "Lord He, today’s mutton was not free. Since you have eaten it, you must help me work."

He Miao rose at once and bowed. "Your Highness, please command me. As long as it is for the sake of the people of Yan City, I will give my all."

"Good. That is all I need to hear. Starting tomorrow, I want you to conduct a fresh census of the households and farmland in Yan City. Register them all so that we may be prepared for the future distribution of livestock. Old Wei, send men to assist Lord He."

Wei Xiang stood up and replied, "As you command, Your Highness."

Zhao Bin gestured for them to sit and turned to the Treasurer, Yang Guangtai. "Lord Yang, the people are now in the midst of the autumn harvest. Lord Lin is advanced in years; I trouble you to assist him in managing the harvest affairs this year. Furthermore, I have had improved agricultural tools forged; promote their use and find ways to raise the productivity of the farmers."

"Yes, Your Highness. I shall certainly assist Lord Lin and handle the autumn harvest properly," Yang Guangtai replied.

"Commandant Qin?"

"Your Highness?" Qin Fang stood and bowed.

"While you are an official of the court and I technically have no authority to interfere, the defense of Yan City remains under your command. Tomorrow, the Xianbei will send several dozen fine horses. I gift these to you. Could you select men from the garrison to train and patrol outside the city? Though they may not be a match for the Jie cavalry in the short term, they can scout their movements and report in time, minimizing the losses and casualties among the people. Additionally, we shall establish a horse ranch near Yan City. As we trade for more, I will distribute some to the people for farming, and the rest will be entrusted to you. What do you think?"

"This subordinate thanks Your Highness on behalf of the troops and the people outside the city," Qin Fang said, his expression grave as he bowed deeply.

"It is I who should thank you, for it is my people you are protecting," Zhao Bin said. Having learned that Qin Fang was a subordinate of his maternal grandfather, he felt a deeper sense of favor toward him.

"Lord Cao, please come to serve at the Prince’s residence henceforth. I have other important matters for you to attend to."

"As you command, Your Highness," Cao Li replied gladly.

The moon rose, and the autumn air felt crisp and refreshing. After discussing a few more details, the group rose and took their leave.