Chapter Twenty-Two: The Method of Artificial Fish Farming

“May I ask, Your Majesty, which is more important—the people of the empire or the carp?” Wei Zheng, ever the formidable figure, boldly questioned Li Shimin.

“Of course, my subjects are most important!” Li Shimin replied in a deep voice. “Li Daozong, immediately investigate all cases where innocent citizens were wrongly judged because of the carp, and release those who are blameless!”

“Yes!” Li Daozong, Minister of Justice, answered promptly.

“Your Majesty is wise!” the officials echoed in unison.

At this point, whether Mo Village’s secret technique for keeping fish alive involved carp was no longer of any consequence—the discussion had veered far off course.

Censor Wang’s heart trembled. He had not expected that his supposed trump card would be completely disrupted by Grand Minister Su Lingnong; all his previous efforts had come to naught. With a furtive glance, he signaled Censor Du Lun beside him.

In truth, Censor Wang’s position was now precarious and his advantages lost. He had no desire to wade further into these troubled waters, but fate had left him indebted to Censor Wang, and today he had no choice but to repay it.

“Your Majesty is truly wise! From now on, the empire’s fisheries will surely thrive, and the fishermen will live in peace and prosperity. The people will enjoy the bounty!” Censor Du congratulated repeatedly.

“However, once the fisheries flourish, there may still be hidden concerns. I ask Your Majesty to look into them!”

“Oh? What concerns? Speak quickly!” Li Shimin commanded.

“Every autumn is a season of great harvest for the fishermen, but live fish are exceedingly delicate and often perish within a short time after leaving the water. If Mo Village would share the secret technique for keeping fish alive, it would be a blessing to fishermen everywhere.”

“Nonsense! The secret technique is Mo Village’s foundation, the hope of a thousand households for generations. Are you, Censor Du, intending to support these thousand families?” Cheng Yaojin roared in anger.

In this era, any family possessing a unique secret would keep it as a treasured heirloom, ensuring the family’s prosperity for generations. Even at the cost of their lives, they would not divulge it—passing from father to son, never to daughters-in-law, always holding something back, as proven time and again.

Even the street vendors selling braised meat kept their recipes tightly guarded. No matter how wealthy they became, they still acted like humble farmers, father and son sneaking into their room at midnight to mix the ingredients in secret. Such scenes would persist for generations, until their shop finally closed.

“A technique so beneficial to the nation and the people should not be hidden for selfish reasons. If Mo Village offers up this secret, surely the empire will not treat them unfairly.” Censor Du appeared righteous, attempting to pressure Mo Village with the weight of national interest.

He had to admit, his tactic was effective. The officials present, all followers of Confucianism, were accustomed to such things and saw nothing amiss. Even the Grand Minister could not help but be tempted; if Mo Village’s secret were revealed, countless lives throughout the Tang Empire would benefit.

A smile crept onto Censor Wang’s face; this was the outcome he and Censor Du had planned. He would play the villain, Du the gentleman. If Mo Village revealed their secret, Wang’s Fish Shop, with its enormous market share, could quickly overpower Mo Village’s fresh fish shop. Though they would lose the advantage of exclusivity, they could still secure their leading position and never again fear Mo Village’s competition.

“Nonsense! Mo Village is not present, yet you scheme to seize their family secret. How is the court any different from the Fish Guild that tried to kidnap Mo villagers in order to steal their technique?” Li Daozong snorted coldly.

As head of the Ministry of Justice, he viewed the secret technique as Mo Village’s private property; no matter the excuse, taking it would be theft.

Li Daozong’s words at once brought embarrassment to the entire court.

“But the secret is vital to countless fishermen in the empire!” Censor Wang protested, stepping forward himself.

Li Shimin was troubled, torn between the interests of countless fishermen and the thousand families of Mo Village. Should he sacrifice one for the benefit of all, or all for the benefit of one? He found himself caught between profit and principle.

“Your Majesty, Baron Mo Dun of the founding county has a petition to submit!” Qin Qiong’s voice broke the deadlock.

“Mo Dun!”

Every official remembered the name, while Censor Wang’s heart quaked—was Mo Dun about to accuse him before the emperor?

“Bring it forward at once!” Li Shimin commanded, intrigued to hear what this influential Mo family member would say.

“Yes!” Pang De took the memorial and began to read.

“I, along with five thousand villagers of Mo Village, beg Your Majesty’s audience. Mo Village has stood for twenty years. With too many people and too little land, hardship abounds, and every year we cannot meet our needs. The villagers often go hungry…” The memorial began with a lengthy lament.

“Every year we see daughters marry out, but never villagers marry in. There are eight hundred and sixty-three bachelors among the men of Mo Village,”

“Pfft!” Cheng Yaojin could not help but burst into laughter.

Other officials struggled to contain their amusement, faces reddening, and even Li Shimin’s lips twitched. Pang De himself was embarrassed.

“But Mo Village stands united, overcoming adversity. Since its founding, not a single villager has frozen or starved to death.” Pang De was moved; his own family had starved, forcing him to enter the palace. He knew how difficult such an achievement was.

“Mo Village is remarkable!” Cheng Yaojin praised.

Qin Qiong nodded.

The officials nodded.

Li Shimin nodded slightly.

For a village so poor, it was truly extraordinary to have come so far.

“However, hardship breeds transformation! Mo Village, determined not to burden the empire or bring shame to the government, persevered through countless experiments recorded in the secret writings of the Mo patriarch, and finally invented the technique for keeping fish alive.” As Pang De read, he envisioned the heroic struggle of Mo Village striving to save itself.

“I beg forgiveness. Such a technique, so beneficial to the nation and the people, ought to have been presented to Your Majesty at once. Yet selfish motives prevailed—five thousand villagers face hardship, and I was compelled to keep the secret to secure their sustenance. I beg Your Majesty’s compassion. Once Mo Village overcomes this year’s crisis, we will immediately share our technique with the world.”

Censor Wang’s face lit up; he had not expected Mo Village to offer voluntarily to reveal their secret. All his previous efforts, and the favor he owed Censor Du, were wasted.

Li Shimin quietly breathed a sigh of relief; now he need not be troubled.

“Excellent! Now the fishermen have a lifeline!” The Grand Minister rejoiced.

“There’s an even greater surprise, Grand Minister!” Pang De took another paper from the memorial and handed it to Li Shimin. “This is Mo Village’s method for artificial fish farming, presented for Your Majesty’s consideration.”

Li Shimin took it, quickly engrossed in its contents. After a long while, he exclaimed, “This is truly a marvelous method!”

Unable to wait, the Grand Minister stepped forward eagerly to take the paper and read it himself.