Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1269 - 4: Thunder Sword, Earth Realm Boat, Dream Palace!

"The treasure you mentioned, I have also heard about," Ji Che said. "It is said it has been completely lost, and it is unknown where it has ended up."

"I was fortunate enough to obtain some ancient texts from the Li Dynasty in the East Sea, perhaps I can search for it."

Ji Che couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this: "The world is vast, treasures are shapeless and formless, where does the Grand Minister of Agriculture intend to find them? Perhaps it's best not to expend energy on this."

Zhao Xing still did not give up: "I heard the former emperor once gathered the royal craftsmen to decipher some unsolved crafts, among which there were quite a few treasures from the Li Dynasty period."

"The former emperor once allowed me to select treasures in the Imperial Treasury,"

"Indeed, my ancestors were from a family of mechanical masters, the Grand Ancestor was especially a genius of his time."

"Early in Yuan Shou, I also gathered a group of royal craftsmen for this task, initially full of expectations, but for decades there has been little result."

Ji Che sighed.

The Ji Royal Family, as the wealthiest and largest landowner under heaven, receives countless treasures from all over as tributes each year.

Many of them are expensive and clearly valuable treasures, these are sorted into the Yuan Chen's Treasure House of the palace.

But even more are strange, difficult-to-value treasures.

For example, the tributes from the Four Seas Water Clan, when offering them to the Emperor, adhere to two principles: novelty and quantity.

What has the Emperor not seen? So first, they must satisfy the characteristic of novelty.

If that's not enough, then increase the quantity, to show sincerity.

Actually, the Water Clan is quite cunning too, clearly valued treasures are difficult to give, afraid of displeasing the Emperor if few are given, and painful to themselves if many are imparted.

But sticking to the principles of novelty and quantity when offering, it's equivalent to giving the Emperor a blind box."

"I might say this item could rival world-class treasures in value, although unlikely, mentioning it in reports sounds good too!

Thus, the palace's treasury is divided into two collections.

One is Yuan Chen's Treasure House, with clearly valued, mostly precious treasures, which the Emperor usually uses to reward ministers.

For example, Emperor Jing once gave Zhao Xing three opportunities to select treasures, from Yuan Chen's Treasure House.

The other is Yuanfeng Storehouse, which is a huge blind box of treasures.

Many come in each year and many are eliminated.

The royal family also knows this trick, asking for tributes is just for the attitude, pricing them would mean exploiting ministers by another name.

How could the Emperor do that?

Indeed, Emperor Jing often did just that.

During his reign, the inflow to Yuan Chen's Treasure House was larger than Yuanfeng Storehouse's.

But when Emperor Wu came, the Water Clan, vassal states, and secondary tribes (a generic term for surrendering groups from Southern Barbarians, Japan, Western Extreme State) returned to focusing on Yuanfeng Storehouse, with Yuan Chen's Treasure House supplementary.

It must be said there were indeed quite a few ancient artifacts, and Emperor Jing and Emperor Wu gathered royal craftsmen to decipher and release numerous sealed treasures.

However, Ji Che's vision was too elevated, regular treasures couldn't catch his attention, so he didn't care about opening blind boxes from Yuanfeng Storehouse.

When he first became Emperor, he was very enthusiastic about gathering many mechanical masters for the work.

Especially invested in several decoding projects left by Emperor Jing.

But gradually, he lost interest.

Finding one or two prizes now and then held no appeal.

Therefore, when Zhao Xing mentioned treasures from the Ancient Li Dynasty and Nightmare Sect, he certainly knew these items were good, but the problem was finding them.

"The Grand Ancestor used to say all talents under heaven are in my grasp; Your Majesty's blessings are unparalleled; I believe treasures have spirits and the virtuous possess them, surely already in Your Majesty's pocket!"

Ji Che, lacking in interest, waved his hand, thinking Zhao Xing might have a good idea: "Big brother, if you wish to browse the royal treasury, you need no reason, just go if you want to."

"As Grand Minister of Agriculture, if you discover something good that benefits the country, go ahead and move it to the National Treasury."

Zhao Xing said he acquired ancient texts from the Li Dynasty, which Ji Che did not take to heart, thinking it couldn't surpass what the Historian knows.

In his view, Zhao Xing was only seeking novelty as a new Grand Minister of Agriculture, taking charge of the National Treasury, wanting to see the Royal Treasury."

"Fine, then I'll go take a look." Zhao Xing saw Ji Che return to a more casual conversation, so he ceased calling him 'Your Majesty' with every word.

"Just right, I'll also go for a walk, visit my big sister." Ji Che stood up, strolling through the palace alongside Zhao Xing.

"She's about to get married, wonder what mood she's in again."

"What's up with the elder princess?" Zhao Xing curiously asked.

"She insists Liu Tianning fetch the Ice and Fire Lotus, Sky Sea Pearl... these are mythical items, where is Liu Tianning supposed to find them?"

Ji Che complained: "I've only heard of these things, back when she couldn't marry, she'd throw fits, now that she's getting her wish, she's stirring up trouble again, I really don't get it; what's going on in her mind?"

Zhao Xing laughed: "People always feel happiest nearing success, yet once truly obtained, they worry."

Ji Che pursed his lips: "I think, she's just getting on in years..."

"Ji Che!! Whom are you talking about?!"

Passing by Yonghua Palace, a colorful ribbon suddenly flew out from within, binding Ji Che tightly.

"Ah, big sister! I'm talking about Chancellor Tong's daughter..."

"Zoom—"

The ribbon flashed, pulling Ji Che into the palace.

"Even the Emperor can be bloodline-suppressed." Zhao Xing thought to himself, quickly flying away from Yonghua Palace.

...

Imperial Treasury, divided into Yuan Chen's Treasure House and Yuanfeng Storehouse.

Among them, Yuanfeng Storehouse is a thousand times larger than Yuan Chen's Treasure House.

It's even crafted using fragments of miniature worlds, specially made as storage space.