Chapter 307: Established Facts
"The emperor has high hopes for Master Hai, but he is too kind. More than half a year has passed, but the inventory of land in Jiangnan has progressed so slowly. Do you think you are worthy of the trust the emperor has placed in you?" Zhao Xing said indifferently.
Hai Wenyou clearly had the power to execute first and report later given by the emperor, but he lacked decisiveness when local officials tried to trip him up.
A few officials were removed only when they had no other choice.
In comparison, Mr. Yu was much more decisive. Whenever someone tried to make trouble, he would not investigate the land directly, but instead investigate the local officials.
This was also the reason why someone in Bian Jing impeached Yu Xianggong shortly after he arrived in Zhengzhou.
Officials from other states and counties were all shocked, and the subsequent investigation went much more smoothly.
"I have failed the trust of the Supreme Emperor and have no face to serve in the court. I am willing to resign and return to the countryside." Hai Wenyou gritted his teeth and said.
"Why?" Zhao Xing said coldly, "You're going to quit before you finish the job?"
"minister…"
Zhao Xing waved his hand to interrupt Hai Wenyou's words and said calmly: "I just want to ask you one question, can we complete the inventory of the farmland in Jiangnan this year?"
"Your Majesty, I can do it!" Hai Wenyou said firmly.
"Very good, just go ahead and do it, don't worry about anything else." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Hai Wenyou responded.
Zhao Xing's expression softened, and he looked at Yu Xianggong with a smile and said, "Old Xianggong will have to continue to work hard for a while."
"Your Majesty, you are too polite. These are what I should do." Prime Minister Yu bowed.
After chatting for a few minutes, Zhao Xing let the two go back.
"Sanshui, send someone to bring over Yan Kuan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites," Zhao Xing ordered.
"Yes!" Sanshui responded and hurried down to make arrangements.
At this time, Zhang Qingzhi walked in, saluted and said, "Your Majesty!"
Zhao Xing waved his hand and asked, "What's the matter?"
"The Ministry of Rites has sent us the rules for the beauty pageant." Zhang Qingzhi said, holding a folder in both hands.
Zhao Xing sneered when he heard this, "Normally, he would delay or postpone other matters, but he is so serious about choosing a concubine for me that the regulations have been sent to me shortly after the morning court session ended."
During this period, Zhao Xing also understood the nature of these officials in the court.
Things that are unclear about your authority can be postponed as much as possible, and things within your authority that don't have a clear time limit can be delayed as much as possible.
He is so lazy and leisurely when doing things.
She was so concerned about his selection of a concubine that she sent him the regulations before I even agreed.
Is this intended to create a fait accompli?
Zhang Qingzhi lowered his eyes when he heard this and did not respond.
"I won't look at it. Let someone send it back. Then let someone ask the Minister of Rites when it is his turn to make the decision for me." Zhao Xing said indifferently.
"Yes!" Zhang Qingzhi stepped back after hearing that.
Zhao Xing lowered his head and continued to work on the bundle. After about a cup of tea, Yan Kuan arrived.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!" Yan Kuan said with a salute.
Zhao Xing didn't say anything, just looked at Yan Kuan.
Yan Kuan felt uneasy all the way when he received the summons.
He had taken the lead in impeaching Zhao Xing's confidant Wang Anshi.
In Yan Kuan's opinion, given the emperor's health condition, he could still remain in office for many more years, and he would have retired by then.
Zhao Xing couldn't possibly cause trouble for a retired man just because of such a small matter, right?
Who would have thought that Zhao Xing would ascend the throne so soon.
Facing Zhao Xing's gaze, Yan Kuan's forehead was covered with cold sweat due to nervousness.
"Are you hot, Lord Yan?" Zhao Xing asked calmly.
"I just heard that Your Majesty summoned me, and I didn't dare to delay. I left in a hurry because I was indeed feeling a little hot," said Yan Kuan.
Zhao Xing smiled when he heard this. It seemed that Yan Kuan must be quite something to have managed to become the Minister of Rites.
He was obviously very nervous, but he still spoke so well in such a hurry.
"Stand up." Zhao Xing said calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When Yan Kuan stood up, he wiped the sweat off his face imperceptibly.
"Last year, Lord Yan went on a diplomatic mission to Liao and made both contributions and hard work. The Minister of Justice is old and wants to retire and return home. I intend to let you serve as the Minister of Justice. Do you think you are capable of doing the job?" Zhao Xing asked.
"minister…"
Yan Kuan didn't know how to answer for a moment, and his mind raced as he thought about Zhao Xing's intention.
When are officials promoted and asked whether they are competent for the job?
When Zhao Xing asked him whether he was capable of doing the job, he was telling him that he could be given the position of Minister of Justice or not.
Whether to give it to him or not depends on Zhao Xing's intention and his performance.
Yan Kuan naturally wanted to be the Minister of Justice, but how could he answer in a way that would satisfy Zhao Xing's wishes?
Zhao Xing looked at him with a smile and did not urge him.
"Your Majesty, although I have read the "Song Dynasty Criminal Code" before, I have not served as an official in the local area for many years and have almost forgotten it. Your Majesty trusts me, so I can give it a try. If there is anything I have done poorly, please bear with me." Yan Kuan said.
"It's okay. It's normal to have some omissions when changing jobs suddenly. If you have any problem, you can come to me." Zhao Xing said.
"Yes!" Yan Kuan replied.
"The appointment will be made in the next few days, Lord Yan, go back and wait." Zhao Xing said. "Yes, I'll take my leave!" Yan Kuan bowed and left.
After leaving Longtu Pavilion, Yan Kuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He understood that when he agreed to serve as the Minister of Justice, he had already become Zhao Xing's man.
From now on, no matter what Zhao Xing ordered, he would do it no matter how many people it would offend.
But he had no choice. If he refused, who knew if Zhao Xing would make things difficult for him because of what happened before.
…………
While Zhao Xing was busy handling government affairs, his concubines also received the imperial edict of enthronement.
Not only did they receive it, but their families also received the imperial edict.
No matter what they thought in their hearts, the enthronement had already been decided.
Except for the empress and four concubines and nine imperial concubines in the harem, the places where the other concubines lived were called pavilions.
Lanxun Pavilion
After walking around, Rulan curled her lips and said, "It's smaller than the courtyard of the East Palace, and the house is a bit old."
"I heard from someone that the emperor advocates frugality, and the residences of the concubines in the harem, except for the residences of the four concubines and the nine concubines, have not been repaired for many years. Naturally, they look a bit old. The East Palace was renovated a few years ago, so we just need to have someone clean it up properly later."
Minglan hugged Rulan's arm and comforted her, "Fifth sister was originally a concubine of the sixth rank, but now she has been canonized as a beauty of the fourth rank. She should be happy."
"Too."
Although Rulan had fantasized about whether Zhao Xing would appoint her as the ninth concubine, she was easily satisfied. When she heard Minglan say this, she became happy again.
"Why don't we go to Shulan's place and see what the Nine Concubines' residence looks like." Rulan suggested.
"But we just moved here and haven't packed our things yet," Minglan said hesitantly.
"It's okay. There are so many palace maids here. Just let Mama Hua and the others look after them." Rulan said.
Although the living quarters were not as good as when he was in the Eastern Palace, the number of servants had increased significantly.
After all, she was just the prince's concubine before, but now she is the emperor's concubine, and her rank has been raised from the sixth rank to the fourth rank.
"Then let's go over and take a look. Sister Shulan still has to take care of the children, so we might as well go and help her." Minglan said.
"Then let's go."
Rulan was also an impetuous person, and she immediately asked a palace maid to lead the way.
The area where the nine concubines lived was some distance away from where Rulan lived. It took them nearly a cup of tea to reach Huining Palace where Shulan lived.
"This palace is too big. It will be inconvenient to move around in the future." Rulan muttered.
The palace maids on Shulan's side who were brought from the East Palace all knew the two people. When they saw them coming, they hurriedly bowed and took them to the main hall.
"It's a coincidence that Concubine Sheng came here. Li Shunyi just came as well." said the palace maid who led the way.
"What is she doing here?" Rulan frowned slightly when she heard this.
"I don't know either." The maid shook her head.
Soon, the palace maid led the two into the hall.
"Your Majesty, Lady Sheng is here." The palace maid saluted.
Inside the palace, Shulan, who was talking to Li Shunyi, asked in surprise, "Rulan, why are you here?"
"I thought I'd come over to see if there's anything I can help with."
Rulan bowed to Li Shunyi and said, "Meet Li Shunyi."
"Thank you for your courtesy, Miss Sheng." Li Shunyi smiled and said, "I won't disturb you sisters' gathering. I'll come and talk to you next time when I'm free."
Upon hearing this, Shulan tried to persuade Li Shunyi to stay, then personally sent her to the door and watched her go away before entering the hall with Rulan and Minglan.
"Sister Shulan, what is she doing here?" Rulan frowned.
"I don't know either. She came over and said she wanted to see Sister Jing. After seeing her, she praised me for being blessed and said that His Majesty liked Sister Jing very much. Then you came." Shulan said.
"It's probably because we came here, but her purpose hasn't been revealed yet. Anyway, she's not a good person. Sister Shulan, you have to be more careful in the future." Rulan reminded.
"Fifth sister, maybe Li Shunyi just came to see Sister Jing." Minglan said and winked at Shulan.
Shulan understood and waved her hand, saying, "You all can leave."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, all the palace maids serving in the palace retreated, leaving only the three Shulan sisters and a few personal maids they brought into the palace.
"Maybe I have guessed Li Shunyi's purpose." Minglan said.
"What's the purpose?" Rulan asked hurriedly.
"Although there is no distinction between the nine concubines in name, there are still differences based on their titles. In terms of birth, Sister Shulan is not as good as Li Shun, but Sister Shulan was given the title Shuyi, which is higher than Li Shunyi. Naturally, she is a little dissatisfied. In Li Shunyi's view, this is all because of Sister Jing's existence." Minglan said.
"You mean she wants to harm Sister Jing?" Rulan exclaimed.
Shulan's face turned pale when she heard this, and she accidentally knocked over the teacup.
"Don't worry, Sister Shulan. She doesn't have the courage yet." Minglan consoled her and looked at Rulan and said angrily, "Fifth sister, can you please listen to me?"
Rulan stuck out her tongue and said, "Then hurry up and tell me."
"Li Shunyi deliberately told Sister Shulan that the emperor loved Sister Jing very much, just because he wanted Sister Shulan to take advantage of the emperor's love for Sister Jing and compete for the position of one of the four concubines." Minglan said.
(End of this chapter)