Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 621: Chapter 311: Lao Ba Really Has Not Let Me Down_3

"The tenth prince is truly a genius, to have thought of something as wonderful as the heated bed," Sun Kui said with deep admiration.

The emperor, hearing Sun Kui describe his youngest son as a "genius," couldn’t help but show a proud and satisfied expression. He replied with a smile, "This boy truly is a genius." If he weren’t, how could he have such strange and wonderful ideas?

"A few years ago, the tenth prince thought of using cotton to make clothes and bedding, allowing everyone to keep warm. This year, he came up with the heated bed, ensuring everyone sleeps warmly at night. The tenth prince truly is everyone’s ’Little Sun.’"

When the emperor heard Sun Kui praise his youngest son as the "Little Sun," he couldn’t help but chuckle, "Little Sun?"

"Yes, I’ve heard the commoners praise the tenth prince as the Little Sun," Sun Kui said.

The emperor, full of curiosity, asked, "Why is he called the Little Sun?"

"Because the sun is warm, and the heated beds devised by the tenth prince bring warmth to the people, so they call him the Little Sun," Sun Kui laughed, "I think the name Little Sun suits the tenth prince perfectly."

The emperor laughed happily, "Little Sun, he really knows how to be praised."

At this moment, Sun Kui suddenly thought of the tenth prince’s name and exclaimed, "Isn’t the tenth prince’s name literally ’Sun’?" The character ’Yao’ means brightness and also has the meaning of the sun. "Your Majesty, you truly have foresight."

Upon hearing Sun Kui’s flattery, the emperor smiled and said, "When I named the tenth prince ’Yao,’ it was because Xiao Xiao once dreamed of the sun falling into her belly."

Sun Kui heard this for the first time and was shocked. Thinking quickly, he congratulated the emperor, "Your Majesty, this is an auspicious dream."

"I thought so too at the time. An old Taoist once told me that the tenth prince is the sun of the Great Zhou and will bring brilliant light to it."

"The tenth prince has indeed achieved it," Sun Kui said with some excitement, "Look at what the tenth prince has created; it has benefited the people, allowing them to have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear." The curved plow invented by the tenth prince increased grain production in many parts of the Great Zhou, allowing the people to have enough food. And the cotton clothes and heated beds not only kept people warm in winter but also ensured they slept warmly.

"That’s nothing; this kid has many abilities he hasn’t even used yet." The emperor smiled mysteriously, "If he were to bring out everything from his mind, the entire Great Zhou would undergo earth-shattering changes."

"I believe in the tenth prince’s abilities," Sun Kui did not catch the underlying meaning in the emperor’s words.

The emperor chuckled, "Right now, everything this kid has done is just child’s play."

Upon hearing this, Sun Kui was astonished, "Your Majesty, if the tenth prince has done such great things and they are merely child’s play, then what will count as a major endeavor?" Sun Kui thought the emperor’s expectations for Zhao Yao were high.

The emperor smiled meaningfully, "You will know in the future."

"Then I look forward to it."

At this moment, Sun Doudou walked in. He first bowed respectfully to the emperor, then reported, "Your Majesty, the Marquis An Yang requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, the emperor slightly raised his eyebrows and then revealed a thought-provoking smile, "He has finally come." He instructed Sun Doudou, "Let him in."

Shortly after, the Marquis An Yang entered. He first bowed respectfully to the emperor, then took out a memorial from his robe.

Sun Kui took the memorial and presented it to the emperor with both hands.

The emperor opened the memorial and saw content that was within his expectations. However, a furious expression appeared on his face.

"Marquis An Yang, is the content of this memorial true?"

"Your Majesty, this minister would not dare speak falsely. Every word in this memorial is true, and I have evidence," Marquis An Yang replied, "Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly."

The emperor’s face was gloomy, his tone contained anger: "How did you come to know of this matter?"

"It was during my son’s business travels in the Western Regions that he happened to hear about it; he then conducted an in-depth investigation," Marquis An Yang did not dare to conceal anything, "My son has been investigating this matter for years and finally found evidence, which led me to report it to you."

"Which son?"

"My fourth son, Wang Siqi," Marquis An Yang said honestly, "He has been conducting trade in the Western Regions for years and has made connections with some Xiongnu. This matter was learned from the mouths of those Xiongnu." Marquis An Yang had thought about attributing the credit to his eldest legitimate son, but he dared not, for this matter was of great significance, and if the emperor discovered it, he would surely send someone to investigate thoroughly, at which point it would be clear that it was his fourth son who discovered it.