The envoy from Southern Jin gnashed his teeth in hatred, but dared not speak his mind. They could not prove that the sweet potato was from Southern Jin, so it was Southern Jin's affair whom Eastern Jin chose to give it to.
However, they absolutely could not allow Eastern Jin to give the sweet potato to Northern Yuan or Western Yue.
If Eastern Jin were to give away sweet potatoes on a large scale, then Southern Jin's sweet potatoes would lose much of their value, and Southern Jin would not be able to leverage them.
"Your Majesty Wenzong," the envoy from Southern Jin said righteously, "although my Southern Jin cannot interfere in this matter, the sweet potato is of great importance. It would be best for Your Majesty Wenzong to reconsider."
Zi Cheng naturally heard the veiled threat in the envoy's words and chuckled, "Then, according to your wishes, how should I proceed?"
The envoy from Southern Jin desperately wanted to say that all the sweet potatoes should be returned to Southern Jin, and that Eastern Jin should not be allowed to give them to Northern Yuan or Western Yue. But they were not foolish enough to say such things publicly.
"Your Majesty Wenzong, we believe this matter should be discussed thoroughly."
Northern Yuan and Western Yue were displeased.
"What does your Southern Jin mean? Interfering even in Eastern Jin's affairs, do you wish to be supreme?" Lord Zhao mocked.
The old man nodded repeatedly, a look of disgust on his face. "It is your Southern Jin's business if you are unwilling to gift sweet potatoes to other countries. Now that Eastern Jin is willing, why are you making such a fuss?"
The envoys from Southern Jin almost bit through their teeth. Those were the treasure sweet potatoes of the nation.
Southern Jin had often leveraged sweet potatoes in the past, gaining significant benefits and advantages through them. That was why they were unwilling for sweet potatoes to become commonplace.
"Sweet potatoes are not common things; they cannot be given away casually."
Northern Yuan and Western Yue retorted.
"Your Southern Jin's reach is truly long. Do you wish to annex Eastern Jin? Such intentions are damnable!"
"Oh, oh, oh, listen to your Southern Jin's disgusting remarks. If your Southern Jin does not wish for something to be done, then Eastern Jin is not allowed to do it? What kind of twisted logic is this?"
The envoys from Southern Jin did not want to say more to these two countries and once again requested Zi Cheng to carefully consider the matter of gifting sweet potatoes.
Zi Cheng said with a smile, "My words are my bond. I have already agreed to give sweet potatoes to Northern Yuan and Western Yue."
Look, just as my uncle said, the alliance of interests of these three countries has been shattered by the sweet potato.
The envoy from Southern Jin wanted to say more.
But—
"Southern Jin seems to think highly of itself," Mo Lingxi's voice was devoid of any emotion.
Instantly, the Golden Hall fell silent as a chicken. The court officials either looked at the soles of their shoes or their sleeves. Even the envoys from the three countries lowered their heads. No one dared to speak rashly anymore.
Seeing this, Zi Cheng thought to himself that his uncle still had to step in. He had spoken for a long time without effect, but his uncle's single sentence worked.
Perhaps these troublesome matters should be handed over to his uncle in the future.
Mo Lingxi walked up to the envoy from Southern Jin and looked at them with the eyes of one looking at the dead. "Does it concern Southern Jin to dictate Eastern Jin's affairs?"
The envoy from Southern Jin turned pale and repeatedly said, "We dare not."
All of them deeply regretted it. If they had known that Prince Ming Rui would be angered, they would never have done these things.
Mo Lingxi stood with his hands behind his back. "I will say it one last time: it is not for any of you to dictate Eastern Jin's affairs."
No matter how unwilling the envoy from Southern Jin was for the sweet potatoes to be given to Northern Yuan and Western Yue, they dared not say "Yes" in front of the formidable Mo Lingxi.
It seemed they would have to find another way.
Mo Lingxi glanced at Zi Cheng.
Zi Cheng understood immediately. "Court is dismissed! Uncle, the envoys from Western Yue and Northern Yuan, follow me."
In the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Zi Cheng held his teacup, squinted, and smiled at the envoys from the two countries. "I can gift you precious sweet potatoes, but what benefits can you offer Eastern Jin in return?"
Lord Zhao and the old man exchanged a secret glance.
"Your Majesty Wenzong, my Northern Yuan is willing to exchange grain and medicinal materials."
"Your Majesty Wenzong, my Western Yue is willing to exchange warhorses."
Zi Cheng's eyes curved upwards, and he smiled most amiably. "I understand the intentions of both countries, but how much of these items should be given...?"
The envoys from Northern Yuan and Western Yue were all aware of the benefits of sweet potatoes. Both sides offered quantities that satisfied Eastern Jin.
Among them, Western Yue was the most eager to obtain sweet potatoes.
Western Yue had very low grain yields and its land was barren. The country had been searching for ways to increase grain production, so it would not let go of sweet potatoes.
Having obtained what he wanted, Zi Cheng was very happy and immediately stated that he would gift the sweet potatoes to the two countries when the warhorses and other supplies arrived.
To show his sincerity, he gave one sweet potato each to Western Yue and Northern Yuan.
Western Yue and Northern Yuan received them as treasures, holding them carefully and thanking him repeatedly. These were sweet potatoes with very high yields.
If they could obtain some sweet potatoes, they could plant them on a large scale next year, and they would no longer have to worry about grain production.
After the envoys from the two countries left, Zi Cheng and Mo Lingxi discussed dealing with Southern Jin.
"Uncle, now that we have such a good opportunity, should we deal with Southern Jin?"
Although he had no ambition to unify the countries, he would not tolerate Southern Jin.
Mo Lingxi was very calm. "There is no rush for this matter, and it does not require us to act."
Zi Cheng understood and smiled. "The tripartite alliance of interests has been dissolved. Next, Western Yue and Northern Yuan, in order to secure the sweet potatoes, will definitely quarrel with Southern Jin."
Northern Yuan and Western Yue were not unaware of Eastern Jin's intentions.
Even knowing this, Northern Yuan and Western Yue would still take the bait. Those were sweet potatoes with pleasing yields, and more importantly, sweet potatoes were not picky about location.
After discussing with Zi Cheng, Mo Lingxi went to the Imperial Hospital to visit Sheng Lengshuang.
Sheng Lengshuang still did not welcome him. She merely glanced at Mo Lingxi before continuing to discuss her condition with several imperial physicians. In the past two days, she had thoroughly researched the poison she had been afflicted with and discovered some strange aspects.
She discussed heatedly with the imperial physicians, occasionally offering her own ideas, and also obtained many valuable insights from them.
After the discussion, she took several prescriptions and returned to the side hall where she was temporarily staying, as if she had not seen Mo Lingxi trailing her at all.
"Sheng Lengshuang, I need to tell you something." Mo Lingxi eagerly leaned in.
Sheng Lengshuang's face was expressionless, and her tone was stiff. "Prince Ming Rui, speak directly. I do not wish to have much contact with you."
Mo Lingxi felt a pang of heartache. "It's about Zhou Wenxing. Zhou Wenxing has the remains of several former emperors, doesn't he? We can use this to our advantage."
Sheng Lengshuang's footsteps paused. "How can you use the remains of former emperors to your advantage? Zhou Wenxing's target is my mother."
Mo Lingxi whispered something into her ear. "What do you think?"