My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Seeing that all his companions had fallen one by one, leaving only himself and the Wise King’s “lackeys,” Sun Zhao knew the heavy responsibility was now on his shoulders.

His companions were all empty-headed; if they wanted to avoid being betrayed by the Wise King while still helping him count the money, he had to hold the last line well!

So Sun Zhao asked seriously:

“Your Highness, we’ve come this far, why not just be straightforward? What exactly is this big matter you’re talking about?”

Before three seconds passed, Sun Zhao’s face fell. “We’re all just a bunch of useless scholars and warriors. We’re not afraid to work for you, but we’re afraid if we mess this up, it’ll ruin your big matter!”

The promise His Highness made was really big, real and tempting. If Sun Zhao were honest with himself, he was actually tempted too. But this precaution had to be taken early.

If not, it could be deadly.

He was genuinely worried here, but the Wise King himself was very calm.

“Don’t worry, it won’t be.”

Wei Yu smiled, looking serious. “Rather than saying you’re working for me, it’s better to say you’re working for yourselves. Truly, I sincerely want to see you all stand on your own feet.” Sun Zhao was somewhat moved.

“When I saw you all like fighting crickets, I knew you’re all young people who love small animals. Your interests are good, and this big matter I have is just right for you!”

This unique feeling made the playboys feel valued. The sense of responsibility they had rarely cared about suddenly rose up.

Sheng Hong looked at him with burning eyes. “Your Highness, just tell us what big matter. We’ll definitely do it!”

Facing the gazes of the group, Wei Yu uttered two words:

“Biology.”

Huh?

Everyone was stunned.

Sun Zhao frowned, “Biology? What’s that? Living things or dead things? I’ve never heard of it before, the name sounds strange…”

Wei Yu smiled, “What we call biology is actually a field of study. Unlike the Four Books and Five Classics we studied since childhood, it records the knowledge about all living things in the world! It suits you people who love small animals.”

Regarding biology, Wei Yu originally planned for his Eighth Brother to study it and develop animal husbandry.

Unfortunately, his Eighth Brother refused to learn—stubborn to the end. No matter how much good advice was given, he just wouldn’t study.

With this obstinacy, Wei Yu had no choice; his animal husbandry development couldn’t be held back just because Eighth Brother refused to learn, right?

He had to find another way.

That’s the reason of the group of little lambs before him.

When Wei Yu realized there were wealthy idle people like Chang Ning in the capital, he knew he had the perfect candidates.

A group of pampered young people with status and family background, inexperienced in the world, carrying great wealth, playboys who didn’t fear others’ opinions or rigid filial piety…

Such easily deceived, wealthy, obedient people—wouldn’t raising pigs be a waste if they didn’t do it?

They were all hearing about biology for the first time, a bunch of empty-headed playboys. No matter how much Wei Yu hyped it up, they wouldn’t know if it was true or not!

“…Don’t just see us eating fine food and drink daily. That’s all accumulated by our ancestors, which made today possible. Common people may not have meat even a few times a year. What if we could make it so ordinary people could have meat every meal? Wouldn’t that be a great achievement?”

“You all studied history, right? Do you know how the paper we use now was invented? Right, by someone named Baili Xiu in Qi! See, even you who don’t read much know this. It proves that any matter benefiting the country and people gets recorded in history and praised by later generations…”

“Don’t think raising pigs is shameful or looks bad. If you can raise pigs so every family can afford them, and the people’s tables are filled with pork you raised, wouldn’t you feel a sense of achievement? Wouldn’t you feel you’re serving the country?”

“…”

No matter if at first they felt embarrassed or ashamed hearing about raising chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep, after Wei Yu’s repeated persuasion, the playboys’ heads got a bit hot.

They got excited by such a beautiful future vision.

What could they do? The prince was right!

Though they were all officials’ children and might be mocked for raising animals, weren’t they already used to being looked down upon?

Raising a few pigs might be insignificant, but if they raised hundreds or thousands, they’d be the true guardians of the people’s livelihood!

If their business grew bigger, like His Highness said, spreading pig farms all over Great Wei, maybe one day all the meat eaten by the world would be raised by them!

Many debts, no worries; many lice, no itch. What’s the worst that could happen if they went all in?

The chance to be recorded in history was right in front of them, and a single step might grasp it!!

Sheng Hong suddenly stood up and shouted passionately: “I want to raise pigs! I want to open pig farms all over Great Wei, and no one is allowed to compete with me!”

A young man passionate about raising pigs should have been a joke, but several people around looked indignant.

“No! Why can you raise pigs, and I can’t?”

“You raise chickens.”

“Pigs are much bigger than chickens, ducks, and geese. Who wouldn’t want such a good thing!”

“I’ll raise sheep! No one is allowed to compete with me…”

The pavilion became noisy again.

Wei Yu smiled as he watched them, eyes flicking to the dazed Sun Zhao.

What’s this guy doing?

Sun Zhao wasn’t doing anything.

He was just stunned, because of Wei Yu’s words.

Though spoken bluntly, the words made sense. Sun Zhao couldn’t deny that if done well, for their bunch of idle playboys, this might really be a chance to be remembered in history.

But why?

What merit or ability did they have to deserve the Wise King spending so many words to give them this opportunity?

Could it really be that he saw potential in them, truly thinking they were uncut jade?

Sun Zhao felt a bit embarrassed.

He thought for a long time and really didn’t see what was so worthy of greed in them. After all, courting their fathers and elders was definitely more worthwhile than courting a bunch of useless youths.

Maybe the Wise King truly believed they had talent.

After confirming Wei Yu’s intentions, deeply moved, Sun Zhao didn’t hesitate and expressed his willingness to join the Wise King’s grand plan to develop animal husbandry!

Sun Zhao stood up, calmed his unruly companions, and solemnly said to Wei Yu: “Your Highness, we’re all willing to study biology carefully. Whoever learns to raise chickens well will raise chickens; whoever learns to raise pigs well will raise pigs. As for who raises which animals, we won’t make things difficult for you!”

Wei Yu was very pleased, stood up, and shook his hand.

“Good, good. With those words, no matter the outcome, I’ll first thank all of you on behalf of the common people who can’t afford meat!”

“Your Highness! We will definitely work hard and improve!”

“Good, I believe in you all!”

Nearby, Chang Ning felt deeply betrayed: ?