"Did you really wash it yourself?"

Zhao Wenqi puffed out his chest: "Of course, if you don't believe me, ask Fourth Imperial Uncle. He personally wrote the certificate of merit for me."

Zhao Changheng looked at the patch of red on the ground, pointed at it, and said, "Those are all your award certificates?"

"Yes."

Zhao Wenqi ran down again with his two little feet, gathered the red papers on the ground into a stack, and presented them to his emperor father.

Zhao Changheng looked through them one by one.

These certificates of merit include awards for chopping wood, hunting, helping with the fire, and even... not wasting a single watermelon?!

Some were signed Zhao Changqing, others were signed...

Who is He Youyou?

Zhao Wenqi: "It's my aunt."

etc!

Zhao Changheng suddenly felt that the name was somewhat familiar.

He summoned the eunuch with the best memory and asked, "Si Xi, why does the name He Youyou sound so familiar? Have I heard it somewhere recently? Do you remember it?"

Si Xi bowed and said, “Your Majesty, it is not surprising that you do not remember, given your busy schedule. This He Youyou is the righteous woman who was commended by the local authorities last month. At that time, because her nephew’s name clashed with that of the Second Prince, they specifically came to ask you whether you would like to bestow another name upon her.”

"Yes, yes, yes! I remember now! That's right, there was such a thing, the woman's name was He Youyou. Speaking of which..."

Zhao Changheng needs to give his kid a good talking-to.

He opened a book on his desk and took out a treasured memorial to the emperor.

Open it in front of the Second Prince.

He said earnestly, "The boy from Jizhou in this memorial shares your name and is also eight years old. Yet he was able to save the people of Jizhou from the plague of insects. Shouldn't we learn from his righteous act?"

Zhao Wenqi scratched his head: This story sounds familiar.

How to study?

"You should pay more attention to the common people and national affairs, and stop messing around with your chickens."

"Oh, and then?"

"Then... if you can achieve some merit, I will also give you a gold medal, which is even bigger than the one given to others."

When Zhao Wenqi heard him mention the gold medal, he reached into his waistband again, pulled out a glittering golden object, and handed it to his father, the emperor.

“Father, is this the kind you’re talking about? Didn’t you already give it to me? I like this one quite a bit, I don’t need anything bigger or heavier.”

Zhao Changheng was a little dumbfounded.

etc……

Let him sort it out...

Jizhou, He Youyou, nephew, Zhao Wenqi.

The Second Prince, Zhao Wenqi, Jizhou, Zhao Changqing, He Youyou...

He picked up the gold medal again and examined it from all angles.

The specifications, style, signature, and date on the gold medal...

They all match.

"No... uh... you discovered the insect plague?"

Zhao Wenqi also counted on his fingers.

He discovered the sorghum, and his aunt discovered that there were insects in the sorghum, which meant that he had discovered the insects.

It doesn't count as deceiving the emperor.

"Yes, that's right."

Zhao Changheng: Well... it's quite shocking.

It's best not to tell the Empress about this yet, lest she be too surprised, which would be bad for the baby in her womb.

From that day on, the two princes accompanied the emperor in the imperial study every day, helping him handle state affairs.

Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi was diligent and conscientious.

Whenever the emperor asked for his opinion, he would always do his best to give his thoughts and ideas, which Zhao Changheng would nod in approval of.

This child is teachable.

And Zhao Wenqi...

Zhao Changheng tossed several memorials to his second son, asking him to read them in full and summarize their main points.

It would be even better if you could read it aloud without stuttering and then paraphrase it.

As for what viewpoints and ideas are being expressed...

Being able to recognize all the characters is already quite an achievement; overthinking only adds to your worries.

While the father and son were earnestly discussing state affairs, Zhao Wenqi had already slipped onto the couch with his memorials in hand.

He rolled over and drooled in his sleep.

Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi whispered, "Father, I'll go wake up my second brother."

Zhao Changheng sighed, "Oh well, let him sleep. If he wakes up, we'll both be even more tired."

Although he was the emperor, he was still a soft-hearted father at heart.

While the two were talking, a palace attendant came in to report that Liu Shili, the Minister of Justice, was requesting an audience.

"Announce."

It was rare for the Minister of Justice to personally visit the Imperial Study.

According to the usual practice during the Great Reign, when the Six Ministries had matters to report, they would either present their reports at the morning court session or submit them through the Hall of State Affairs, waiting to be summoned by the emperor.

If someone goes directly to the Imperial Study to see the Emperor, it's almost certainly because it's something important, urgent, or crucial.

"Minister Liu, you've suddenly come to the Imperial Study to see me. Is there something urgent?"

Liu Shili knelt on the ground: "Your subject Liu Shili has an important matter to report."

Perhaps because he had worked in the Ministry of Justice for a long time, this Minister Liu had a particularly imposing presence, and his voice was booming.

They managed to wake Zhao Wenqi, who was on the bed.

He opened his eyes groggily and sat up halfway.

"Rise, my dear minister. What urgent matter do you have to discuss?"

Liu Shili stood up and presented a piece of paper and a file.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Justice has received a report that some people in the capital are forming cliques and appointing officials privately, which is suspected of treason."

Treason and rebellion are grave crimes.

According to the Great Law, the crime of treason not only punishes the ringleaders and accomplices with execution, but also extends to the extermination of nine generations of their family.

It must be taken seriously, but a conviction should not be made lightly.

The saying goes, "Seek benevolence within the law," and throughout history, the principle of "prudent use of punishment" has been emphasized.

Major death penalty cases had to be reported to the imperial court and approved by the emperor.

Such cases, which involve the execution of nine generations of a family, involve the lives of dozens or even hundreds of people. The Ministry of Justice dares not draw conclusions or make hasty judgments.

Zhao Changheng looked solemn.

"Does Minister Liu have any evidence that a criminal is plotting a rebellion?"

"Your Majesty, please look..."

Liu Shili stepped forward and unfolded the paper that he had just presented.

The paper was covered with densely written official titles and names.

"Before the criminal was handed over to the Ministry of Justice, he had already been tortured and confessed that he wrote the official names and personal names on this paper."

Private bureaucracy...

This is pretty much confirmed.

Zhao Changheng still felt somewhat uneasy.

This is his first year as emperor, and he has suddenly encountered such a huge case involving so many lives. He dares not close the case too hastily.

Just as I was hesitating, I suddenly heard a sound from under my feet.

"Father, let me see."

The little Second Prince tilted his head back, stretched out his hand, and, taking advantage of the moment when the Emperor wasn't paying attention, tore the paper off the Imperial Desk.

well……

Upon seeing this, Liu Shili became anxious and quickly squatted down.

"Second Prince, you mustn't do that. This paper is no joke."

They wanted to snatch it, but dared not, fearing they might damage the crucial evidence.

During the stalemate, the Second Prince said again, "This is not treason. It was written by someone while playing in a brothel to amuse the prostitutes."

Zhao Changheng was taken aback: "How did you know?"

Second Prince: "I've been to brothels."