Chapter 134: Saying What’s Favorable

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Saying What’s Favorable

"Guess what I’ve discovered!" Lizard Fei wore a mysterious expression, eager to claim credit. "After working day and night, I believe I have some ideas on how to increase the treasury’s revenue."

Lizard Fei presented the tax report he’d brought. "I discovered that Nantong City..."

"Hold on." A stream of dishes was carried to the table by the attendants behind him. Chi Jie, seated at the dining table, gestured for Lizard Fei to stand aside, completely ignoring the report he’d been presented.

As if spotting a particularly appetizing dish, Chi Jie’s gaze fell upon a large bowl sitting amidst a veritable mountain of meat. He chuckled. "Your timing is perfect. Someone has presented a unique dish. Sit, have a taste."

’Is this really the time to be eating? Does he have any idea what a gold mine I’ve just discovered? A poor Seventh-level City paid over three hundred million coins in taxes during a single rainy season!’

Such were the internal screams of Lizard Fei, Prime Minister of the South Desolate Empire.

But despite his internal screaming, he kept a smile fixed on his face. When it came to the Beast King, Chi Jie, anyone with an ounce of sense knew to maintain an attitude of absolute submission in his presence.

Of course, everyone knew the Beast King hadn’t won the throne through a peaceful transfer of power. He stood at the apex of the South Desolate Empire because of his unparalleled strength.

The Empire’s officials didn’t dare act presumptuously before the Beast King, not even when he was smiling.

With his smile in place, Lizard Fei thanked the King and took the seat an attendant pulled out for him. His gaze immediately locked onto the dish the King had been eyeing.

Uh...

Surprisingly, it was a large platter of stewed leg bones with some sort of brownish leafy vegetable, placed closest to the King. And though he had been invited to try it, an attendant merely placed a small, palm-sized bowl of it before him.

The larger platter, however, was served directly to the King. Chi Jie picked up a pair of silver chopsticks and began to leisurely savor the pickled cabbage and bone stew—the very same dish "she" had made and sold during her broadcast. His golden eyes shimmered, the very picture of someone relishing a delicious meal.

Smelling the unique, meaty aroma, Lizard Fei suddenly felt a pang of hunger despite having just eaten. He unconsciously lifted his chopsticks, plucked a piece of meat from the bone, and popped it into his mouth. In the daylight, his narrow, ice-blue pupils instantly rounded.

’So... so good!’

The flavor and aroma were perfectly balanced. The broth had completely infused the meat and bones of a rare horned ring worm. The mild sourness was just enough to tantalize, making him subconsciously crave another bite.

The small bowl was gone in an instant. Lizard Fei felt like he’d barely gotten a taste before it vanished.

He looked up, licking his lips. "King, the skill of the Empire’s chefs is truly astonishing. If I may be so bold, I’d like to ask for another bowl of this to take back for my female wife to taste."

Chi Jie finished the entire platter of pickled cabbage and bones with swift, elegant movements. He took a handkerchief from an attendant, wiped his mouth, and said slowly,

"It is quite good. You brought me Nantong City’s tax report. Are you saying you don’t know this dish’s origin?"

With that, Chi Jie rose and strode out of the dining hall, leaving Lizard Fei alone with the thin sheet of paper on the table.

At that moment, Lizard Fei’s first thought was not one of shame for his own haste—for rushing to report to the King about Nantong City’s high tax revenue without first investigating the specifics.

No, it was: ’The City Lord of Nantong City... he must have some of this pickled cabbage right now!’

’This... is... wonderful.’

The scent of the pickled cabbage and bone stew still lingering in the air, Lizard Fei practically scrambled to catch up with the Beast King. He suggested with narrowed eyes,

"King, my apologies. That was an oversight. The City Lord of Nantong City is also in Pantian City right now. Shall we summon him to inquire about the pickled cabbage?"

Chi Jie raised an eyebrow. ’According to Ying Kong’s recent report, the two properties she purchased are likely related to this pickled cabbage,’ he thought. Suddenly, he was somewhat intrigued as to how the City Lord of Nantong City had come to cooperate with her.

He gave a slight nod and turned to summon a palace attendant, ordering him to bring the City Lord of Nantong City at once.

...

After the Beast King’s coronation, Niu Ding, like all the other City Lords, remained in the capital.

Next up was the South Desolate Empire’s annual coming-of-age banquet for its young females.

This held little appeal for Niu Ding, who already had a Contract. The reason he stayed was for the most important event preceding the banquet—the Hunt.

The Hunt took place in the primeval mountain range behind the Imperial Palace in Pantian City. The prey within were all extremely dangerous and difficult to capture. It lasted for a full day and night, accommodating Beastmen who were active in the day as well as those who preferred the night.

The 202 City Lords could each dispatch their own parties to participate. They had to return with their catches by a set time on the second day, at which point they would be ranked based on the rarity and quantity of their prey.

The victors received a medal from the Beast King, the most impressive catch was served at the banquet, and it was an opportunity to show off one’s prowess before the young females. It was, in short, a thrilling event for all male beasts.

This was the first year of the new Beast King’s reign. Though his offering of pickled cabbage hadn’t earned him so much as a glance from the Beast King before, Niu Ding hadn’t given up. ’Soon,’ he thought, ’this Seventh-level City Lord will be getting a promotion—all thanks to economic revenue.’

Just then, Niu Ding received a summons from the Beast King of the South Desolate Empire. So nervous and excited that his nostrils flared, he immediately donned his finest attire and followed a guard into the Imperial Palace Main Hall.

Niu Ding didn’t dare raise his head to look directly at the Beast King. After completing his salute—palm to his forehead as he bowed—he remained standing before the throne with his head lowered.

Chi Jie looked down at the City Lord of Nantong City.

He could sense the City Lord’s excitement. He was familiar with this emotion; he saw it often in his subordinate Beastman officials and City Lords. They all came to him hoping for validation, praise, and reward.

The City Lord of Nantong City was no different.

How predictable.

Seated on his throne, Chi Jie rested a hand casually on the armrest. A slow smile spread across his lips as he asked, "The court official tells me you were the one who presented the pickled cabbage?"

Inside, Niu Ding felt like a young calf, bellowing with joy at the sky.

Outwardly, he remained respectful as he reported, "Yes, King. It is a new type of food that recently appeared in our Nantong City. I found its flavor to be excellent and made a point to present it to you."

"It is good," Chi Jie said with a nod, then asked nonchalantly, "Who makes it?"

"A Beastman in my city discovered this pickled cabbage and brought it to me. I saw its potential at a glance, so I bought the recipe and opened a Si Shi eatery. It’s thanks to this that Nantong City’s economy has risen during the rainy season, instead of declining."

Although Feng Si deserved most of the credit, Niu Ding conveniently altered the facts in his report. ’After all,’ he reasoned, ’Feng Si suddenly became female, so it’s not like she needs the credit anymore.’

He chose the version of events that was most beneficial to himself, hoping to show the King how clever he was, how capably he governed, and how he could surely lead Nantong City to even greater prosperity in the future.