What does it mean to divert attention? When all kinds of things happened in the capital recently, one after another attracted countless surprises and attention, Zhang Shou's idea was to use a more sensational event to divert the attention of the people of the capital from the previous series of events to another thing that is easier for people to participate in.
So, he had this idea after inviting Ge Yong and the other two to lunch the night before, and immediately sent someone to deliver the letter to Zhu Ying, who had entered the palace early in the morning. As for her persuading the emperor, she didn't even spend a cup of tea...
At this time, seeing that Grand Secretary Kong and the other three cabinet ministers had left, Zhu Ying slipped out from behind the screen and said with a smile: "Looking at their faces, they looked like they wanted to have a big fight with Your Majesty on the spot to show off their integrity, but in the end they had to swallow their anger. It was really refreshing! Especially when Grand Secretary Kong just said that the censors' recommendation was rejected by the emperor..."
"Hey, his unexpected look is really interesting!" She sighed, and couldn't help reaching out to grab the wooden man in the emperor's hand. Then she stroked the fine and vivid patterns on the folds of the clothes, and said without raising her head, "But, Your Majesty, you agreed so quickly. When Ah Shou sent me the letter, I felt that it would take a lot of effort to convince you!"
"The idea of the imperial chef selection contest is quite interesting. Firstly, Zhang Shou cited in his letter the example of how he, his teacher, and the two old gentlemen were all difficult to please, so he thought that one person's recommendation was too arbitrary, which I think makes sense. Secondly, there have been too many things going on in the capital recently, and a festive program to make ordinary people happy and forget about the chaos is exactly what I want."
The emperor paused, then propped his chin with one hand and smiled with interest, "Third, I like excitement, and Zhang Shou's performance is a rare excitement in the capital in recent years! What's wrong with being able to have fun with the people? Ordinary people don't have much entertainment throughout the year. Now there must be a chef who wants to become famous and lure more people to try his dishes. Isn't that great?"
"The atmosphere of a prosperous era is not just about everyone being literate and knowing etiquette. Only when people have enough food and clothing can they have the spare time and money to hold grand events, where officials and citizens can enjoy themselves together. This is also the atmosphere of a prosperous era! Since Zhang Shou said he would make the plan, let him do it!"
Zhu Ying raised her eyebrows, and with both hands returned the wooden figure that she had been playing with so much that she couldn't let it go. Then she said with a smile: "Your Majesty forgot to say one thing... My and Ah Shou's birthdays are coming soon. It's also Mingyue's birthday. Did the emperor say anything? The last time Ah Shou and I celebrated our birthdays, we had a lively buffet. This time, we're in the capital!"
The emperor burst into laughter, then stared at Zhu Ying meaningfully and said, "Well, the first day of the imperial chef selection competition will be on August 15th, just as a celebration of your three birthdays! On this day, you three will host the event on my behalf! With so many people celebrating for you, what could be more lively than this?"
Zhu Ying came and left in a hurry. After receiving the emperor's promise, she left immediately in high spirits, but she did not mention the incredible frame-up case at all.