Chapter 164

Chapter 164

The second day of the first lunar month in the forty-fourth year of Huayuan.

The weather was warm, and the sun shone on yesterday's snow, melting the snow at my feet quickly.

The aftermath of this snowstorm has not yet dissipated, and it is obvious that it will continue for some time until spring comes and all things come back to life.

After waking up from a sleep, Cai Fenglan was really dumbfounded to find out that his country had been destroyed.

He was unable to attend yesterday's sacrifice, so naturally he didn't know what happened.

Even though the people of the capital knew about the interrogation of the living Buddhas and the affairs of the southwestern barbarians, they had only just heard about the emperor's death.

Ji Yuan came back to change his clothes and told him what happened in the Temple of Heaven and Earth, so that he could understand it in detail.

Cai Fenglan was so shocked that he almost fell to the ground. He couldn't help but ask, "Is it so exciting?"

After saying that, he quickly covered his mouth: "So scary?"

Hear the death knell again.

The country is in mourning.

The old emperor is really dead.

To be precise, he died in the wilderness at around 11:00 p.m. on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

But this matter cannot be said casually.

It was the middle of the night, and he died in the suburbs. How is this different from leaving his body exposed in the wilderness?

But there were so many people accompanying them that within less than half a day, everyone in and outside the capital knew about this matter.

Who made everything that happened yesterday so shocking?

The old emperor's stupidity, the living Buddhas' deceptions, and the southwestern barbarians' cunning.

In recent times, many things, big and small, have been extremely shocking.

When they heard today that the old emperor had passed away, many people actually secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the incompetent old emperor died.

This is actually a good thing, right?

No bigger trouble occurred.

And looking at the old emperor's expression, if he were still fine, he might become superstitious about other living Buddhas again.

If we really gave the living Buddhas 50 million kilograms of rice seeds, they would be heartbroken to death.

There is also a saying that it was a punishment from God and the old emperor deserved it.

Otherwise, how could he die on the altar of heaven and earth?

In addition to these different opinions, there is also one difference.

That is, all the Tantric sects were quickly driven out.

In the past, people followed the old emperor’s example and believed in Buddhism and various religions, but now it’s too late to escape.

In Tianqi, there have been two rises of Tantric Buddhism in the past year, both interrupted by different events.

Looking at the ending of the old emperor, I guess no one would have such an idea again.

The people were in a state of uproar; it could not be described as sad, nor as solemn.

After all, it's the New Year, and there's so much to talk about this matter, so everyone wants to say a few more words.

The palace can’t take care of these things for the time being.

The old emperor is dead, so who will be the next emperor naturally becomes a question of the agenda.

In fact, there is no need to say more. The prince is still the prince. Even before the emperor died, he held the prince's hand and talked to him without even looking at the fifth prince.

Everyone knows that the matter has become a foregone conclusion.

But the settlement with the Fifth Prince cannot be omitted.

Concubine Xie is easier to deal with. She never cares about these things and just concentrates on being a concubine.

But Duke Xie, Grand Secretary Chu and others will have to be settled bit by bit.

Especially for Grand Secretary Chu, he was jumping back and forth, ready to rebel at any time, but the old emperor's death was too sudden, and he was not fully prepared at all, and was directly caught by Prime Minister Li.

Among the royal family, except for Duke Xie, all other dukes had no objection to the prince's ascension to the throne.

After all, it doesn't matter who is in charge, we are all family anyway.

Even though things are going so smoothly, we still have to be busy.

This incident was beyond everyone's expectations.

The old emperor's health has obviously improved.

Obviously he can still go out to offer sacrifices.

Is it all just a flash in the pan?

In the end, it’s all because of those pills!

It was not until the afternoon of the second day of the New Year that the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department prepared the preliminary rituals for the emperor's funeral.

Actually, this speed is fast enough.

In fact, it is just bringing out the old emperor’s funeral ceremony from three years ago.

After all, the old emperor's decline could already be seen three years ago.

In short, after all these events, the old emperor was confirmed to be dead.

It was Ji Yuan's first time to attend the emperor's funeral.

His position this time was not high, one reason was that his official position was not high enough, and the other was that some people in the royal family complained about him, thinking that he had made the old emperor lose face.

Obviously, the case could be investigated privately, but Ji Yuan investigated it all at once, and everyone in the city knew about it.

It's just that everyone is too busy now, otherwise the royal side would definitely demand an explanation.

When Ji Yuan heard these words, he was not in a hurry, and even followed the instructions and saluted politely.

How could he, a minor official of the fourth rank, understand these things?

Besides, he is going to work as an official outside soon.

It was not until the end of the first month of the lunar year that the old emperor was officially buried.

On the ninth day of the second month, the crown prince declined three times and finally ascended the throne.

The 35-year-old prince finally took that position.

When Ji Yuan looked up, the prince had already changed into the dragon robe, and the emperor's eldest grandson was wearing the newly made prince's clothes.

Everything has changed.

It seems nothing has changed.

Nothing changed in the court because of the old emperor's death.

It’s just that some people in the six departments have been replaced.

The previous Grand Secretary Chu was still under investigation, so a new Scholar Wen was invited to step down.

This Lord Wen is fifty-two years old this year. He has made remarkable political achievements and once served as the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture. It is most appropriate for him to replace the Grand Secretary Chu and the Minister of Revenue.

Moreover, he is also an aide to the Prince's Palace. He was previously unemployed at home, but now he takes up the post directly.

The Grand Secretary Wen was a very elegant man and did not look like someone who was in charge of accounts at all.

But the political achievements he has made are absolutely second to none.

When Wen Daxueshi saw Ji Yuan going to handle the paperwork for leaving Beijing, he smiled and said, "We can keep in touch more often in the future."

This is also a gesture of goodwill.

The same is true for other departments.

But back and forth.

The emperor is still the emperor, and the prince is still the prince.

Both Wenyuan Pavilion and Jixian Hall still exist.

We still have to wait and see whether many things have changed.

Before Ji Yuan left Beijing, he only went to see Prime Minister Li.

After this incident, Prime Minister Li seemed to have aged a lot.

But he didn't take the pill. He just looked at Ji Yuan with a hint of scrutiny.

Prime Minister Li looked at his cheap student.

Among the teachers recognized by Jiyuan.

The relationship between him and me as a master and disciple is the most indifferent.

But Prime Minister Li was sure that he knew him best.

Ji Yuan definitely has more than just passion.

He is not just a "capable minister".

Lord Chu had said before that Ji Yuan was like him, but Prime Minister Li was dismissive.

How could Ji Yuan, who is so devoted to the people, be like him?

But now it seems that they are somewhat similar.

But their image is only in the means, not in the inside.

So no matter what Ji Yuan thinks, I can definitely trust him when it comes to governing the world.

With this as a guarantee, you don't have to worry about many things.

Li Shoufu asked, "Are you sure you don't want to change places?"

"Many seats outside are going to be vacant."

Before, all the young talents in the capital city rushed out.

Now that there is a new emperor, they will probably all come back.

And with Ji Yuan's current reputation, he can go anywhere.

"It's better to stay. Things are different now." Li Shoufu made another suggestion, "Rubber Division."

"It is most appropriate to hand over the rubber company that you built up single-handedly to you."

Speaking of the Rubber Department, Ji Yuan raised a question: "Is the current Rubber Department, the 25th department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or will it be merged into the Ministry of Revenue?"

If it is still in the Imperial Household Department, it belongs to the royal family or the emperor's private property.

The profits were distributed within the royal family.

If it is returned to the Ministry of Revenue, it will belong to the imperial court and the world.

That is to be used as various expenditures throughout the country.

Prime Minister Li looked towards Ji Yuan.

He knew that the era was different.

"It will be temporarily returned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

This was the last government matter completed before the late emperor passed away.

Moreover, it has now been settled in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and all matters have been completed. The royal family will not let go.

Even if the new emperor agrees, other royal family members will not be willing.

The new emperor has just ascended the throne and will definitely not conflict with the royal family here.

Ji Yuan was not surprised by this answer and said, "I still want to go to Suzhou."

He went to Suzhou for two reasons: one was wheat seeds, and the other was steam engines.

As I said, places with vast land and sparse population are suitable for the research and development of these things.

The emergence of good varieties is not enough.

A more powerful machine is needed.

Li Shoufu was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay."

After that, the two were silent for a moment.

Before Ji Yuan left, Li Shoufu said, "I still have six years before I retire. Before I retire, the ownership of the Rubber Company must be returned to Tianxia."

Prime Minister Li is sixty-nine years old this year.

Normally, Sixty-Five should step down.

But when the late emperor was still in good health, he boasted that he could stay until he was seventy-five.

Having said that.

There are indeed still six years left.

But the Rubber Company's profits are terrifying.

Is it really possible to snatch food from the royal family's mouth?

Ji Yuan just said: "This matter should be dealt with sooner rather than later."

The sooner you start, the more likely it is that you will make less profit.

How could Prime Minister Li not know this?

How could the royal family, Duke Zhao, not know this?

Ji Yuan came out of Prime Minister Li's house and did not go to see Grand Secretary Chu.

There was no need to see him.

Besides, if he met someone like Chu Daxueshi more often, he might figure things out, so he was too lazy to cause trouble for himself.

Just like how he got away without showing up back then.

Now that the status has changed, why should he show up?

But what was surprising was that the emperor's eldest grandson actually came over on his own initiative.

When the emperor's eldest grandson saw Ji Yuan, he also took the initiative to persuade him to stay: "It would be great if you could stay in the capital. My prince's palace has just been built. It would be great if you could come and work there."

By the way, he is no longer the eldest grandson of the emperor, but a legitimate young prince.

Ji Yuan still saw the two Shujishi from four or five years ago beside the prince.

It was also a fate that they served as the prince's study companions together.

Now they are all officials of the Prince's Palace.

Being an official in the Prince's Palace means a bright future.

Many of the current positions in the court were held by officials in the Prince’s Palace when the new emperor was the crown prince.

For example, the Bachelor of Literature is one of them.

The current crown prince invited him to work in the crown prince's mansion and also to be an official in the court, clearly treating him as one of his own.

The prince even whispered, "Don't worry, your Highness has a very good relationship with my father, and it will never be the same as before."

The prince even blinked and smiled with extraordinary ease.

Ji Yuan also laughed and said, "The world is so big. It would be too boring if we were confined to the capital."

"I am only twenty-one this year, and I want to go out and see the world."

Speaking of this, the prince remembered what Ji Yuan said about overseas.

Across the ocean, you will find overseas continents.

It's really magical.

He had also read in the book that the place where Ji Yuan was going had the Gobi River Valley Desert, and at a glance, there were also endless grasslands and white, sparkling snow-capped mountains.

Everyone says that place is very hard, but Ji Yuan wants to go.

In fact, he wanted to go too.

Come to think of it, he had barely left the capital city many times.

The prince originally came to persuade Ji Yuan to stay, but now his face was full of envy.

How great it would be if I could be like Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan bowed and said, "I heard that there are extremely precious Ferghana horses over there. If we can get them, we will definitely send them to the capital."

The prince's eyes brightened even more, and he couldn't wait to let Ji Yuan set off immediately.

So when Ji Yuan was about to leave, the prince even saw him off in person.

Although such actions are somewhat extraordinary, no ministers in the court will stop it.

With Ji Yuan's reputation, the prince's farewell will only spread the story of the good relationship between the monarch and his subjects.

But after Ji Yuan left.

Many people reacted.

I forgot to talk to Ji Yuan about marriage again.

It’s also Ji Yuan’s fault, he never paid attention to this matter, plus because of the recent national mourning, everyone has neglected it!

The last time he was in the capital, the young ladies from various families were getting married, and this time it was a county princess.

What about next time?

Can he pick a celestial being next time?!

Before Ji Yuan left, he went to Xin Yi's dim sum shop again.

This time, I talked to Chef Xin and told her that Cheng Yisan was fine and asked her not to worry. I also told her that the Cheng family had overturned the verdict and the matter was settled.

Cook Xin almost cried out loud. She didn't notice that Ji Yuan had asked people to buy a lot of snacks to use as dry food for their journey.

In addition to this matter, Ji Yuan asked Cai Fenglan about the small country in the southwest.

I heard that some small countries helped capture the people from Jing country who were trying to escape, and after investigation, it was found that they really wanted to exchange for good breeds.

If nothing unexpected happens, the focus will be on punishing Jingguo and holding He Huiguo accountable.

Other small countries that do not participate in the affairs of the Living Buddha will be spared, and good seeds will be distributed according to the amount of tribute they pay.

Many people say that the new emperor's approach to handling things is relatively gentle.

Probably because of this, Ji Yuan, Cai Fenglan and others met many officials returning along the way.

Every time I stayed at the inn, there would always be people coming to visit me.

This is an era.

Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t know the name of Ji Yuan?

Ordinary people may not understand this.

But officials knew.

Ji Yuan did not refuse and greeted everyone with a smile.

He and Cai Fenglan headed westward, and this time they did not stop at Jianmeng Mansion, but went straight to Suzhou.

Why?

Because Cai Fenglan's family and the steam engine team formed by Ji Yuan had already set off before them.

If nothing unexpected happens.

They just happened to gather in Suzhou.

Suzhou, with its high skies and vast land, is majestic and magnificent.

Definitely a good place for them to realize their ambitions.

Ji Yuan was the governor of Suzhou, a fourth-rank official.

Cai Fenglan was Ji Yuan's assistant and a fifth-rank official.

Speaking of which, this was Cai Fenglan's first time being sent out to a distant place, and the reason why he could hold such a high official position was also due to Ji Yuan.

Of course, it’s also because Suzhou is too far away. Although the local trade routes are unobstructed, it’s too far from the capital, and few people are willing to go there.

However, one of the major drawbacks of the smooth local trade routes is that there are many bandits.

Ji Yuan, Cai Fenglan, and the servants brought by Cai Fenglan.

Their group of twelve people were stopped directly.

It’s different from the assassination in the last era.

That's a real assassin.

This time they were real robbers.

Ji Yuan looked at the official hats they were wearing and then at the official boots on their feet.

Is this also robbery?

Cai Fenglan got so anxious that he fell to the ground. When the wind blew away the sand, he could not even see it anymore!

"My 叆叆!"

The robbers, who were full of beards and riding on tall horses, shouted: "Shut up! If you want to pass through here, leave money for passage!"

Ji Yuan was still on horseback, his dagger had been drawn. He opened his package and took out the official seal.

"Do you want to rob more?"

I don’t recognize the official hat and boots.

You know the official seal, right?