Chapter 339 Late Night Heart-to-Heart
"What?!" In Han Xiangfu, Han Zongyun finally lost his temper when faced with his eldest son who was out to get information. "Are you saying that I was deposed by His Highness? There are many of our people in the court, why haven't we heard anything?"
The eldest son said with a bitter face, "Father, today Her Highness announced that at least half of the civil and military officials in Bianjing City will be laid off, presumably to make room for those in Jinzhou Prefecture. She also ordered everyone to report on their work on Friday as part of the assessment to determine if they can continue in office. Right now, the civil and military officials are all too busy writing reports, completely overwhelmed, and have completely forgotten what Father has instructed them to do."
"What kind of report?"
"His Royal Highness Prince Zhao has demanded that everyone write a future plan for their department, saying only those who write well will have a chance of staying. Furthermore, this afternoon, a certain Minister Zhao, along with dozens of people, set up several reporting points, urging the public to report corrupt officials. He also promised not only a reward for clues leading to witnesses, but also special protection. Every civil and military official has their share of dirty laundry, and now, on the one hand, they're fretting over their performance reports, on the other hand, they're worried about being reported by the public, and they're terrified of the inspection team. How could they possibly remember our Han family?"
"How could this be?" Han Xiang was greatly surprised, and then he thought that although the woman in Jinzhou Prefecture was a woman, she was always known for her toughness, and she was the one who had the final say in Jinzhou Prefecture. Maybe this time he would really end up losing more than he gained!
"Then Lord Luo and Lord Yan didn't plead for me?"
"It's said that after he opened his mouth to speak a few words, His Highness ordered that at least half of the civil and military officials in Bianjing City should be persuaded to withdraw. They are like mud-puss crossing the river and can barely protect themselves, so how could they dare to speak up for my father?"
Han Xiang felt a pain in his chest and his vision went dark.
"Dad!" Han Xiang's eldest son cried out, quickly supporting his father. "Father, this Prince Zhao is completely different from the previous emperor. He's very strong-willed. I know what you're thinking. You've been a veteran of three dynasties, holding a high position of power. Logically, the new emperor should visit you and ask you to come out of retirement... But this Prince Zhao is no ordinary person... We're afraid it might backfire! Or even... maybe she doesn't intend to keep you anyway!"
"Mistake!" Han Xiang cried out, regretting his decision. "The Jinzhou government only has departments, but no cabinet, let alone a prime minister. I'm sure it will be the same after she arrives in Beijing. No prime minister... I should have thought of this sooner!"
His son also panicked, "Dad, what should we do now?"
Han Xiang pondered for a moment, then frowned, "The only solution now is to ask Lin Han for mercy."
"Mr. Lin?" His son looked a little embarrassed. "Dad and Mr. Lin had a lot of disagreements back then—"
"Forget it. They say fortunes change. Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west. What else can I do except risk my dignity and beg for mercy? Could it be that His Highness really will persuade me to back down? Son, you're right. This Prince Zhao is indeed not easy to provoke. I'm afraid he can be manipulated by his subjects... I have no choice but to bow my head..."
On the first night that Xu Zhenying entered Bianjing City, many people suffered from insomnia.
There were royal relatives of the Zhou family who were trembling in fear that Xu Zhenying would remember them.
There are members of the Zheng family who are terrified of being retaliated against for forcing them to cancel the engagement.
And the Lian family members don’t know how to face Lian Qiuzhi.
There were also eight officials who were vomiting and unable to sleep and were dismissed by Xu Zhenying as an example to others.
But in Feng'er's room, there was peace.
Because the current situation is special, Feng'er has not moved out of the palace, but has randomly found a concubine's palace as a temporary residence.
Feng'er and Qian Zhenniang haven't seen each other for several years, so the two girls naturally want to sleep in the same bed and have a good chat about the changes over the years.
The two girls lay in bed, chattering about their experiences.
Feng'er did not hide anything in front of Qian Zhenniang, and spoke very proudly about her business in Bianjing City and the whole process of launching a coup in the palace.
Qian Zhenniang talked about what she did in Jinzhou Prefecture.
Both of them were impressed by each other's achievements, and when they thought about themselves seven years ago, they both found it hard to believe.
Yes, back then there was a slave and a divorced girl who brought unhappiness to her parents. Who could have imagined that many years later they would be able to stand on the top of the mountain and enjoy the scenery from above?
Feng Er sighed, "Thinking back now, the scene of exile really seems like it happened yesterday. In the blink of an eye, everything the girl said back then has come true. Sometimes it feels like a dream."
"I feel the same way. When your military report arrived, I couldn't believe it! We were all prepared for a major battle, expecting to capture Bianjing City and lose at least tens of thousands of soldiers. We never imagined such a peaceful handover. Feng'er, Your Highness is right. You made an invaluable contribution to this battle!"
In front of Qian Zhenniang, Feng Er didn't hide her pride at all, "What do you think...what reward will His Highness give us?"
"I guess... at most it'll be a promotion and a raise," Qian Zhenniang frowned. "Unlike the Great Zhou Dynasty, His Highness has never rewarded us with gold, silver, housing, cloth, or land. At most, he'll give us a few merit awards or a promotion."
Feng Er, however, was more open-minded. "A promotion is good. Those gold, silver, land, and so on, all belong to the common people and are from the national treasury. Our salaries are many times higher than those of officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and are completely sufficient for daily expenses. If anyone says it's not enough, then he must be a corrupt official who is only interested in pleasure!"
Qian Zhenniang sighed, "I'm afraid the officials below don't think so. Many people rebel just to gain the upper hand. Your Highness has been promoting ideological education, but there are still some people with low ideological awareness who only care about gold and silver."
"That's not a problem. We still have Minister Zhao from the Supervisory Department to back us up. His Highness always says that power needs to be checked. We can't follow the path of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"I agree with that."
The two girls lay side by side and began to talk about random things. Feng'er was completely open with Qian Zhenniang, and even told Qian Zhenniang about the day Xu Huiming hugged her and proposed to her.
Qian Zhenniang was shocked. She sat up in shock. "You actually rejected Master Xu's marriage proposal? Feng'er, you are clear-headed. Do you know who Master Xu is? He is your Highness's brother!"
However, Qian Zhenniang paused after she finished speaking, and then thought more.
She frowned slightly and almost immediately understood Feng'er's concerns.
Feng Er also said, "Sister Zhenniang, we are all the people His Highness relies on the most. Working for His Highness is fine, but getting involved in His Highness's family affairs always makes us feel like we are blurring the lines between public and private affairs."
Who says it isn’t?
She had this in mind when she rejected Xu Huijia.
After all, she and Feng'er were both Xu Zhenying's retainers. They could even be considered slaves, but this slave had become half-master, and she always felt awkward.
"Of course I understand you."
Qian Zhenniang said this, but she did not mention Xu Huijia's matter. Firstly, she was not as open as Feng'er and was a little embarrassed to bring it up; secondly, she felt that this was a trivial matter not worth mentioning, and if she mentioned it deliberately, it would seem that she cared about it.
"Not only that, I also feel that getting married is really not worth it for us."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Think about it, in the past, men worked hard outside, while women took care of the family in the backyard. Men were responsible for the outside, while women were responsible for the inside. They each had their own responsibilities and naturally complemented each other. When these two people got married, it was like opening a shop together. The man put in the money, the woman did the work, and the income was divided equally. But now, Feng'er has a lot of things, but at least she can handle it, which is better than many men in the world. If I get married, not only will I have to work hard outside, but I will also have to go home to manage the backyard. The sacrifices, interpersonal relationships, backyard management, and my husband's whole family will all fall on my shoulders——"
Qian Zhenniang, however, held a different opinion. "These matters... the housekeeper can handle them. You and I have already reached this position, so we don't have to do everything ourselves."
"That's true, but what mother-in-law could tolerate such strong women like you and me? Mothers-in-law all over the world naturally hope that their daughters-in-law are gentle and virtuous, never stronger than their own sons, and even less willing to let their sons bow down to their daughters-in-law. You're too idealistic when you say that. I can almost imagine that if we ignore the backyard because we work hard outside, I'm afraid we'll be accused of being unfilial to our parents. Not only that, I'm afraid the man's family will support you and beg you, but at the same time, they'll curse you behind my back for not being a woman. Why should I bother with all these troubles?"
"But Young Master Xu doesn't have such a problem. Don't forget, many of the Xu family's women are working outside. Your Highness's parents are both very good people. If you really get married with the Young Master, you might not have these troubles."
"Oh, my dear Sister Zhen!" Feng'er sighed. "Those are the Xu family! I shouldn't say this, but people have two hearts: one for the inside and one for the outside. Naturally, they don't have any demands on the Xu family. After all, they're all blood relatives. But a daughter-in-law is only a family member in name. If Master and Madam Xu really want me to sacrifice my career for the sake of the Xu family, what can I do? Do I have the right to refuse? His Highness gave me everything, so if His Highness's parents want to take it back, what can I do? Wouldn't that put me in a passive position? I don't want to make a losing deal."
Qian Zhenniang thought for a while and said, "You are right."
"That's right. By then, I'll be the breadwinner and breadwinner, and I'll also be responsible for carrying on the family line. You should have seen the data from the medical school. With our current medical conditions, the maternal mortality rate is as high as 5%. I don't want to risk my life just to give birth. That's not worth it. Not to mention, the pregnancy and childbirth will probably delay me for at least six months. Your career and mine are at their peak, and everyone under you is eyeing us covetously. How many people will rise up in the next six months to divide our achievements and take our place? So from an economic point of view, instead of marrying someone, it's better to find a son-in-law, choose a handsome one, and have a child with your surname. Isn't that better than marrying someone and enduring bullying?"
"But... do you like the man who is seeking to marry into your family?"
"Lower your requirements."
"It's exactly as you said. Strong women are hard to marry, and even if they do marry, they're still full of grievances."
"That's right. You and I will soon be made marquises and prime ministers. We've been working day and night for so many years just to avoid suffering some grievances. Why rush into marriage and cause trouble for ourselves?"
"But..." Qian Zhenniang said weakly, "I'm afraid that if I never get married, when I'm old, I'll be alone in an empty house. Do you think we'll feel lonely?"
"I'll accompany you if you're lonely!"
"That's different after all. The joy of family is a natural human emotion, just like wanting to eat when you're hungry and wanting to drink water when you're thirsty."
The two girls immediately fell into deep thought, sighing a bit, and both dreamed that it would be great if men and women could achieve true equality.
In this way, when they are out there making their own way, they can have hot tea and soup when they return home, and their parents will be taken care of, so they don't have to worry about anything.
No wonder men are keen on getting married.
This marriage system sounds more beneficial to men, but for women like them who have their own careers, it is simply a disaster.
"Alas, Her Highness is about the same age as us, and she still hasn't found a husband. I see that Old Lin is extremely anxious, and he's been openly and covertly urging Madam Xu to intercede for her, but Her Highness is just turning a blind eye. Why don't you think Her Highness has the same worries as us?"
Qian Zhenniang shook her head. "I don't know. In fact, sometimes I feel that His Highness is very pitiful."
"How pitiful?"
"I feel that most of the time... Your Highness is just like a wandering soul in this world."
Feng Er didn't want anyone to say anything bad about Xu Zhenying, so she corrected him immediately, "Her Highness is just determined in her goal! She only has our goal in mind, and can't accommodate anyone else, nor can she accommodate anything else in the world."
"Yes, yes, yes." Qian Zhenniang smiled, "Your Highness is naturally happy with everything."
Feng'er's eyes suddenly lit up. "Yes, His Highness is not anxious, so why should we be anxious? She is the one who needs to inherit the throne. She can withstand so much pressure, so why can't we?"
Qian Zhenniang was somewhat helpless: "Your Highness's mind is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Don't tell me that you want to follow in the footsteps of your idol in getting married."
"Why not?" Feng Er smiled excitedly, "I've decided. As long as Your Highness doesn't get married, I won't get married either. I'll stay with Your Highness!"
Qian Zhenniang hesitated a bit, but she was also influenced by Feng'er and smiled: "Okay, take me with you."
"That's great! At worst, the three of us can live together. When we get old, we can still go out and explore the beautiful scenery together. I don't believe that with our achievements, the people behind us would dare to treat us badly!"
Qian Zhenniang laughed and said, "Three people? I don't see any news about Xu Yinxi either. Even Madam arranged several visits to see her in the first half of the year, but the Fourth Miss simply used her busy official duties as an excuse and didn't show up."
Feng'er's eyes were full of gossip, "What kind of men does Madam Lian look for?"
"Of course, they have to be from clean families with many brothers, and most importantly, they have to be handsome. I think Madam Lian is also planning to marry into the family. But the fourth lady has the same stubborn temper as Your Highness, so I guess she won't consider personal marriage for a long time."
"Of us, only Xu Lezhi and Xu Anping are married. The rest are all focused on their careers. Just wait and see. Now that we have unified the country, we can no longer use the excuse of 'establishing a career first, then starting a family' to prevent the elders from arranging marriages. Besides, the elders of the Xu family from Jinzhou Prefecture will be here soon. Be careful that they don't mess up the matchmaking!"
Qian Zhenniang felt a little overwhelmed when she thought of the enthusiastic Madam Huang, Miao, Lian and others.
They are all Xu Zhenying's elders. If they really talk about marriage, how can she and Feng'er refuse?
Speaking of the people in Jinzhou Prefecture, Qian Zhenniang thought of something else. "Feng'er, do you know that Jiang Yongkang was dismissed from his post?"
Feng Er was stunned. Naturally, she had never heard of this before. She jumped out of the quilt in shock. "Dismissal?! Jiang Yongkang? How is that possible?"
Qian Zhenniang quickly made a "silence" gesture and lowered her voice, saying, "Don't make this matter public, and only spread it among the top brass. Everyone else thought Jiang Yongkang was injured on the battlefield and needed to recuperate in Jinzhou Prefecture for a long time. But only a few people knew that Jiang Yongkang might have been neglected by His Highness."
Feng Er changed her mind and then flew into a rage: "Jiang Yongkang must have done something to betray His Highness!"
"That's right. Your Highness has always been loyal and righteous, especially to the old man who was exiled with us. He has nothing to say about that. Just last time, didn't I write to you and tell you that we had found Li Zhaodi? We drank some wine that night and were all a little drunk. Later, Your Highness and Jiang Yongkang talked about something, and Your Highness suddenly turned against him and asked the Finance Department to settle a payment of nearly one million taels of silver to Jiang Yongkang. I saw that he meant to sever ties with Jiang Yongkang. Jiang Yongkang was so anxious that he vomited blood. After we sent him back, he became gloomy and unstable. Although Your Highness didn't explicitly say that he wanted to dismiss him, Jiang Yongkang himself never went on duty again. We all thought that Your Highness might have cut off all ties with Jiang Yongkang——"
"How could this be?!" Feng Er was furious. "Then you didn't even ask His Highness what happened?"
"How dare I ask! Didn't you see how furious Her Highness was at that time? I've been with her for so many years, and I've never seen her like that. This matter is definitely more serious than we thought. We can only speculate privately, and how dare we expose Her Highness's scars?"
"How could this be possible—" Feng Er was terrified, "That's Jiang Yongkang—he wouldn't betray His Highness, would he?"
Qian Zhenniang sighed as she mentioned this matter, "We all feel sorry for him. He's just one step away from unifying the world..."
Feng Er sneered, "Humph, what's the pity? Your Highness treats him like this, and now he won't even say a word to him. He must have done something to offend Your Highness! Maybe he's collaborating with the enemy or proclaiming himself king—"
Qian Zhenniang hadn't expected this, and was immediately terrified: "It can't be that way... Jiang Yongkang has made great contributions in the east!"
"That's right. Even with his outstanding achievements, he still managed to provoke His Highness's dislike. Just think about how serious Jiang Yongkang's crimes must have been! I'm afraid His Highness didn't chop off his head because he was showing some favor—" Feng'er gritted her teeth, "Who knows, he might be plotting to usurp the throne—"
"Be careful with your words!" Qian Zhenniang covered her mouth. "You are now in a high position of power. How can you be so outspoken as before? Since His Highness has already sentenced Jiang Yongkang, we shouldn't try to frame him!"
Feng Er snorted, "I'm just telling you. I wouldn't say anything outside."
"I'm glad you know!"
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