After their minds were read, the entire court trembled with fear.

Chapter 116 Fighting to go to jail?!

【Huh? Why aren't you continuing?】

How will they know about something so explosive if you don't tell anyone?

[Oh dear, this General of the Thousand Guards is really something; he hasn't seen enough of us.]

The General of the Thousand Guards remained silent.

Hmph, you, Shen Zhiyi, are so knowledgeable, you tell me!

The Naromu people do not intermarry with outsiders, nor is it merely intra-ethnic marriage; rather, it is an extreme practice involving marriage between parents, between parents and children, and between siblings—in short, anything that violates ethical norms.

So last night, when they heard that the prison provided food and lodging and didn't require any labor, the Roma people were overjoyed and spread the word, crowding over in an instant.

But the essence of humanity is the propagation of life, so last night they even engaged in a great harmony of life in the prison.

The old emperor's lips twitched.

Ah, Shen Zhiyi's words are really subtle.

To expect the great harmony of life is simply uncivilized.

When Shen Zhiyi told him, the General of the Thousand Guards quickly gave a perfunctory reply: "In short, that's the gist of it."

The civil and military officials present had not seen this ethnic group for a long time.

The Right Chancellor stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, this phenomenon did exist in the surrounding ethnic minorities and small countries a thousand years ago. However, now, after the enlightenment and cultural integration of our Chinese nation, they have become more intelligent. This old minister proposes that these Roma people must be educated.”

The Minister of Revenue then said, "Your Majesty, the Roma people are all foreigners. Why waste money trying to civilize them? I suggest that we expel them from the territory of Daye."

The newly appointed Minister of Personnel said, "I suggest that it would be better to kill him."

The civil and military officials present gasped in shock.

The Right Prime Minister's lips twitched violently. The young people these days are really aggressive, always ready to fight and kill.

"Isn't the Minister of Personnel being a bit too cruel?"

The newly appointed Minister of Personnel turned to the Right Chancellor and explained, "I have some knowledge of this ethnic group."

"Oh, Yanchen, tell me about it?" The old emperor sat up straight.

"This ethnic group was once tried to be educated by a scholar from the south. He took in a group of Roma people and taught them how to farm and read. Unfortunately, the effect was minimal. When the scholar caught a cold, the Roma people ransacked his house and moved to another place to continue begging and stealing, just like a real-life version of the farmer and the snake."

"Of course, these are not reasons for their inevitable death. May I ask my colleagues if they are willing to accept the existence of such a group of people in Daye who violate ethics and moral principles?"

The civil and military officials present shook their heads without hesitation.

Naturally, this is unacceptable.

There's really no need for any education or moral guidance. This tribe reproduces incredibly fast because their women are pregnant their entire lives. Damn it, it's the women who go out to steal and beg, while the men just sit there crying for food. I swear.

Shen Zhiyi began to attack, while the old emperor began to expel the Roma people.

But those who were driven out were only those from the vicinity of the capital; it is unknown how many such people there are throughout the entire Da Ye.

The old emperor simply issued an order, which was then passed down to the county level.

Those who refuse to be expelled will be executed on the spot, with no leniency whatsoever.

I strongly suspect that these two stingy people came up with this method simply to save money.

Minister of Revenue and newly appointed Minister of Personnel: How could that be? Everything they did was for the sake of Daye.

Because of the imperial court's intervention, the ethnic group soon realized that they could no longer survive in Daye and began to relocate voluntarily, but this happened much later.

*

[On the 16th day at noon, before the emperor had finished his lunch, he led the gatekeepers to inspect the distribution of porridge at the city gates. This showed his diligence in governing and his love for the people, even at the cost of his own appetite.]

The word "food" was used several times in that short sentence.

The old emperor reasonably suspected that Shen Zhiyi was accusing him of bringing her here without giving her lunch.

But he hasn't eaten either.

I'm so hungry, so hungry, so hungry!

Everyone present who could hear Shen Zhiyi's inner thoughts covered their ears.

I've never seen anyone sing so badly.

One or two looked at the old emperor as if begging for mercy.

The old emperor couldn't stand the gaze; in reality, he couldn't bear Shen Zhiyi singing anymore.

So they sent someone to bring over boxed lunches.

Yes, that's right, there are boxed lunches in Daye!

The food is packed in a food box, which has three layers, with different dishes on each layer, and each person gets their own food box!

It was still warm when it was delivered to me.

Shen Zhiyi's eyes lit up when she saw the boxed lunch.

When the old emperor saw the boxed lunch, his eyes widened in surprise.

[Oh no, oh no! The old emperor won't just take this away because they're eating such high-class takeout while the other side is distributing porridge, will he? But we're already here, it would be a waste not to eat.]

The old emperor reluctantly swallowed the words that were about to come out.

"Alright, alright, let's just grab a couple of bites already."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Those who hadn't eaten were grateful to the old emperor and began shoveling food into their mouths.

The old emperor wasn't very hungry, and seeing that the number of people queuing not far away was significantly less than yesterday, he felt quite relieved.

He began to question the city gatekeeper.

"How long have you been a gatekeeper?"

"Your Majesty, it has been five years."

Being a goalkeeper for five years isn't easy.

The city gatekeeper: ...He is, after all, a sixth-rank official! Although he has indeed held the position for quite a while, it's not like he's really required to guard this gate!

The old emperor suppressed his laughter and continued, "Then you must be very familiar with these people who always line up for porridge and pancakes?"

"It's natural!"

The city gatekeeper proudly puffed out his chest.

He knew this was a tremendous opportunity.

"Your Majesty, after so many years of recuperation, the people no longer have to worry about food and clothing. However, the Empress is kind-hearted, so this custom has been preserved. Some people come here when they have time to express their gratitude to the Empress and Your Majesty. In addition, the person who makes this porridge and cakes is very skilled, and I can't help but try a few bites every time."

Shen Zhiyi's eyes lit up.

[Exceptionally good craftsmanship?]

Can't resist trying a few bites?

[Are you still there tonight? Ugh, that old emperor always goes to bed so late, it makes it impossible for me to sneak in after get off work and grab a bite.]

Everyone stiffly turned their heads to look at Shen Zhiyi's food box, which was already empty.

6

The old emperor: This child seems to be really hungry.

"Ahem, is it really that delicious? Bring some over, let me have a taste."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The hot pancakes in hand chased away much of the cold.

Shen Zhiyi let out a satisfied sigh.

It's really delicious; it's better to watch some TV while eating.

This is the first time I've dealt with this gatekeeper. Let me see if he has anything good to offer.

Everyone present immediately turned their gaze to the city gatekeeper.

It was a look that carried one part pity, seven parts expectation, and two parts schadenfreude.