Chapter 812 The Four Think of a Solution
The promotion on the day the He family was celebrating their wedding was a double celebration.
Lady Sui had just been promoted to a second-rank lady at the beginning of the year, and six months later, she was promoted two ranks again, becoming a fourth-rank official in the Court of State Ceremonies.
These two incidents became a popular topic of conversation among the people of Beijing.
Cheng Wanwan sat in the carriage, and even through the curtain, she could hear the people on the street talking non-stop.
Do you think Lady Sui can rise further in rank?
"She will definitely be promoted again. I bet Lady Sui will become a first-rank imperial consort within a year."
"I bet that within three years, Lady Sui's position as Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies will be promoted another rank."
"Stop just talking. The gambling den is open. Let's go and place a bet. If Madam Sui gets promoted, we can all win money."
"..."
People on the street flocked to the gambling den.
Cheng Wanwan was both amused and exasperated. Her trivial matter had actually managed to get the gambling den to open. She really didn't know what to say.
"Mother..." Zhao Sidan looked at her with a worried expression, "Can we not go?"
Zhao Sanniu nodded vigorously: "Asab is a long way away, and it will take at least two or three months to go back and forth. If Mother goes to such a far place, Sidan and I will worry."
“I am the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, and it is within my duty to go on diplomatic missions to foreign countries. As a person, one cannot just enjoy the glory that comes with a position without doing practical things.” Cheng Wanwan said earnestly, “You two should also keep this in mind: to fulfill your duties and responsibilities in your positions.”
Zhao Sidan pursed his lips.
Although there was no war in Asab, the route to Asab would pass through the Yuezhi tribe, and the Yuezhi tribe was too chaotic; he was afraid something would happen to his mother.
However, he knew very well that once his mother made a decision, nothing could change it.
Not to mention, this is a political matter, a national matter, and an inescapable responsibility.
“Besides, I’ve never been to the northern frontier before,” Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. “If I go north with the Assab royal family, I’ll definitely receive the best hospitality and stay in the best palaces. I can travel comfortably, see the scenery, and experience the different landscapes and cultures. It’s like a publicly funded trip. How comfortable!”
Thinking about it this way, I suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.
For Cheng Wanwan, who hadn't traveled much in her previous life, being able to take this trip at public expense seemed like a bonus.
Seeing her expectant look, Zhao Sidan and Zhao Sanniu exchanged a glance and then sighed in unison.
After the mother and her two children arrived home by carriage, it was already dark.
Zhao Sidan said he had some important matters to discuss with his colleagues, and Zhao Sanniu said he was going to the military camp. The two left the courtyard and rode their horses toward the outskirts of Beijing.
The two rode their horses to De'an Lane on the outskirts of Beijing, where Cheng Zhao lived.
"Big Cousin!"
Zhao Sidan stepped through the door and headed straight for Cheng Zhao's study, where he found Shen Zheng there as well.
After Shen Zheng finished attending the He family's wedding banquet, he went straight back with Cheng Zhao, mainly to ask about some matters concerning the imperial court.
He knew that Cheng Zhao was smart, and sometimes when he was unsure about something, he would come to Cheng Zhao for advice before dealing with it.
"What brings you two here?" Shen Zheng stood up. "San Niu, it's so late, why aren't you on duty at the military camp? What are you doing here?"
Zhao Sanniu snorted: "Are you three civil officials allowed to discuss matters, but I'm not allowed to participate?"
He plopped down, took a sip of tea, and said, "Big Cousin, Si Dan and I are in trouble. We came to ask you what to do."
Cheng Zhao's expression turned serious: "What trouble?"
“It’s because of my mother’s promotion today,” Zhao Sidan sighed. “The imperial court has sent my mother as an envoy to the Kingdom of Asab. Autumn is approaching and winter is just around the corner. The roads are difficult to travel, and the round trip will take two or three months. What if something happens to her on the way?”
Shen Zheng frowned: "His Majesty has sent General He with troops to escort them, so their safety should not be a problem."
“There are troops stationed in the capital and imperial guards in the palace, yet accidents still happen all the time.” Zhao Sidan raised his eyes. “My third brother and I want to go on a diplomatic mission to Assab with my mother. Do you think it’s feasible, eldest cousin?”
Cheng Zhao holds the highest official position among them and has served in the court for the longest time. He was once a compiler in the Hanlin Academy and is now an official in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He has had contact with the Emperor and the Crown Prince, so he has a good understanding of the situation in the court.
He pondered for a moment before speaking, “The reason given by the court for this mission to Assab is to promote exchanges between the two countries, but there are actually ulterior motives related to Assab’s internal affairs. I don’t know the specifics. But one thing is certain: things will not be peaceful in Assab. San Niu and Si Dan’s worries are my worries as well.”
Shen Zheng also became serious: "Since there are other internal reasons for the mission to Asab, the court will definitely arrange for civil and military officials to go with him."
Zhao Sanniu's eyes lit up: "Zheng-ge is so smart. Since we can't stop Mother, I'll go with her. I'm a seventh-rank captain promoted by my master. It's not too much for me to go with her to escort the Assab royal family back to the capital, is it?"
“I’ll also try to see if I can go along,” Cheng Zhao said. “I have some connections with Lord Zhang.”
Shen Zheng rubbed his chin: "If you're all going, then I'll go too. I'll go back and ask my dad if he has any connections."
Zhao Sidan: "..."
Third Brother is looking for his master, Eldest Cousin is looking for Lord Zhang, and Zheng has his own father... So what about him? Is he just going to stand there and watch?
He was a lowly seventh-rank official who had just entered the court and had no connections in the court.
For the first time, he realized how important it was to build connections.
He rested his chin on his hand in distress and sighed softly.
On the way back, Zhao Sanniu comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll protect Mom. Don't overthink things."
Zhao Sidan was not at all at ease.
The third brother is the least intelligent of the four brothers; he's too easily fooled. Entrusting our mother to him seems even more dangerous...
Zhao Sidan barely slept that night.
The next day, before dawn, he went to the morning court, feeling dizzy and disoriented. The court also discussed the matter of escorting the Assab royal family back to the capital.
After the court session, he directly blocked the King of Qin's path.
No official of the seventh rank was qualified to speak directly with the King of Qin, but Zhao Sidan's mother was Lady Sui, the current ruler of the court.
"Your Highness, please allow me a moment to speak."
Zhao Sidan and the King of Qin walked to a relatively secluded spot near the entrance of the main hall.
The King of Qin unfolded his fan and chuckled, "You've always avoided me, haven't you? This is quite unusual."
Zhao Sidan touched his nose, coughed, and said, "I have an important matter to ask of Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will help me out without holding a grudge."
He briefly stated his request, his dark eyes gazing expectantly at the King of Qin… This was the only avenue he could seek; he could only hope that the King of Qin would put in a word with the Emperor and include him in the envoy's entourage…
The King of Qin paused, fanning himself: "You're a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, there's no way you'd be sent as an envoy to Assab. What are you daydreaming about?"
If anyone should go, it should be him.
I accompanied Lady Sui on her mission to Assab, and we spent two or three months together on the journey; who knows…
He snapped his paper fan shut: "I'm not going to waste my breath on you, I'm going to find my brother."
Zhao Sidan: "..."
Oh no, he's contacted the wrong person.
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