Chapter 231 Grandpa’s Goal
Gu Changxiao was jokingly counting the days until their wedding. He also quietly asked Jin Sui if she wanted to move back to the former "Ji Mansion" where the tunnel had been repaired.
Jin Sui stood on the side of Grandpa Ling and the Ministry of Rites this time, and said to Gu Changxiao very seriously: "I heard that men and women who still see each other a month before marriage will not grow old together after marriage."
Instantly extinguishing Gu Changxiao's eager heart, he hurriedly said: "Then let's not meet again. If you have anything to say, write a letter and send someone to pass it on."
She no longer had to investigate various institutions in the city with Gu Changxiao, nor did she have to accompany him in thinking about government affairs. She could hand over other matters to him on the pretext of preparing to get married. All Jinsui had to take care of was the academy.
Also, tinkering with new things in the space made Jinsui feel more relaxed. Sometimes the kang was too warm at night, and he slept until nine in the morning. It was the first time he experienced the feeling of waking up naturally.
On the other hand, Gu Changxiao was different. Not being able to see Jinsui made him feel like there was a void in his heart, and his temper became worse. Although he didn't order people to kill at every turn like he did in Chang'an.
But the emperor's face was dark, and all the officials were trembling with fear. Later they realized that His Majesty became irritable because he could not see the future queen. They all began to look forward to the wedding day.
They even blamed the Ministry of Rites for preventing His Majesty from meeting the future Queen. Now, we have to bear His Majesty's bad temper.
There were not many political affairs at the end of the year, only sacrificial ceremonies, and envoys from all over the country came to Beijing to attend the wedding of His Majesty. There were also New Year gifts from other places, and the border town was bustling with carriages entering and leaving the city every day.
What made the officials even happier was that every winter there would be natural disasters such as snowstorms and extreme cold, but there were none this year. Even the long winter in the north was warmer than last year.
Only in Minzhou did an epidemic break out again, but because the medicines sent from the border town arrived in time, it did not cause a large-scale outbreak.
In addition, there was a drought in Yongzhou last year, and the court reduced the autumn tax. Your Majesty did not forget this matter. When the year was about to end, you issued an edict in advance to exempt Yongzhou from the summer grain tax next year and provide relief grain.
This would have been impossible in the time of the previous emperor! The year before last, there was a severe drought in Longyou. Prince Yu was unwilling to exempt the autumn tax and even accepted a large gift from the local government, which almost caused a civil uprising.
Therefore, everyone paid more attention to sacrifices. They all said that God blessed Daxia and that the new emperor was born with the will of heaven. After he ascended the throne, even natural disasters became less frequent.
Gu Changxiao regretted very much that he should have scheduled the wedding before the New Year so that he could participate in various sacrificial ceremonies with Suisui.
If Jin Sui knew what Gu Changxiao was thinking, she would definitely be glad that the wedding was scheduled after the New Year, because the sacrifice was too rude and too tiring, requiring wearing eight layers of clothes, kneeling and bowing, and a bunch of red tape that was annoying.
What Jinsui has been concentrating on doing recently is checking accounts and inventory, because there will be many places where money will be needed next year, and he needs to make better use of the money he already has.
In addition, the dividends from the business cooperation with the Yan family came one after another. Except for the one from Yanzhizhai which was directly given to Liuyun at the Northern Frontier Royal Court, the rest were sent to the college.
Although the college did not make any money in the first two years, due to the "investment" of seven young masters from Yan's aristocratic families, her capital could not be used for either building the college or recruiting students.
She set a three-year plan for herself. The first was to promote medical care, at least to ensure that there was a public clinic in every town. The second was basic education, first building primary schools in border towns and Yandi, printing books, and recruiting teachers.
The third is maritime trade, which is also the most important, because only by making money from maritime trade can the first two have enough funds to operate. At the same time, Gu Changxiao can also build a navy and warships, and the court officials will not object.
She has not forgotten, and will never forget, the ultimate goal, which is to destroy Japan and put an end to the historical legacy and the tragedy that may happen a thousand years later.
The more plans are written, the more money is written. We need to make money! Money is needed everywhere. Medical care and education need money.
Building an army and warships would cost even more than the money in the country! It would take the whole country's efforts to succeed.
When it comes to making money, she thinks of Yan Jiu. She asked Grandpa Ling: "I can't meet His Majesty before marriage, so can I meet other men?"
Grandpa Ling had long known that his granddaughter's brain circuits were different from those of ordinary people, but it was still difficult for him to get used to it. He pulled his beard and asked, "Which foreign man do you want to meet?"
"Yan Jiu, the head of the Yan family."
Grandpa Ling raised his thick eyebrows and said, "I heard that His Majesty scolded someone again during the morning court today. What do you think his reaction would be if he knew that you met with the head of the Yan family?"
Jin Sui imagined it for a moment and laughed dryly, "Master Yan was also very busy before the New Year, so I'd better not disturb him."
She wanted to talk to Yan Jiu about the new shipping route, and also about expanding the workshop dedicated to maritime trade. Anyway, there was no rush, so let's talk about it after the New Year!
I have to change my character and not be so impatient. When the border town was first built, there was a lot of work to be done and nothing could be delayed even for a minute.
And it has a high tolerance rate. Even if she gives a wrong instruction, she can change it back at any time, so it's not a big problem.
The situation will be different in the future. Although the orders she gives as the queen may not concern the entire country like those issued by the emperor, those in power will never change their orders.
You must think twice before giving an order. Also, she doesn't have the personality of a fake cruel king who can act recklessly, use threats and inducements, or just overturn the table when she is unhappy.
From now on, her character will be the mother of a country. She must be dignified and steady. So many people admire her as the queen. She cannot let the people down!
Jinsui suddenly felt like she had a heavy responsibility on her shoulders. It was indeed more fun when she used a pseudonym, as she could blame the pseudonym for any bad things. But now it’s no longer possible, as the identity of the queen is welded to her, and she has to maintain a good persona!
Continue to write the plan, treat it as self-cultivation, and don't be anxious. Sometimes the superior issues an order, which is passed down through layers and completely changed by the time it is executed.
What was originally a benefit to the people has turned into something that annoys them, so it has to be planned carefully from the beginning.
Gu Changxiao deeply felt the feeling that one day without seeing someone feels like three years.
This was different from the time in Chang'an. Now he and Sui Sui were so close, but they couldn't see each other because of etiquette and rules. How could he be willing to do that? If the academy's wall wasn't difficult to climb over, he really wanted to climb in at midnight to see Sui Sui.
Fortunately, the two met for a legitimate reason a few years ago. That was when Baozhu gave birth to a baby boy, a five-pound baby boy delivered by a female nurse at her home.
Our Hei Hu who is thousands of miles away has become a father! Jin Sui will naturally attend the child's baptism ceremony.
I heard that the emperor participated in the baptism ceremony every year. Logically, Emperor Gu Changxiao should just give some gifts as a reward. Besides, Hei Hu was not at home, so there was no one to receive the emperor.
But Gu Changxiao insisted on going to see the newborn, and he said in a high-sounding way that General Black Tiger had been fighting outside and had a baby boy, and as the emperor he should celebrate for his subordinates.
All officials lamented that His Majesty was close to his subjects, especially the military commanders, who became more loyal to him. It turns out that when we are on an expedition, our families can be taken care of by His Majesty.
Only a few of Cheng Yu’s confidants understood that the reason His Majesty insisted on going was just to meet the Queen!
It really took a lot of effort! If it were up to His Majesty, he would insist on seeing the Queen, and it would be useless for the officials of the Ministry of Rites to stop him.
There is only one reason why His Majesty has been able to hold on until now, he truly loves the Queen and is willing to abide by these old rules for her, just because he is afraid of that ridiculous rumor that if they meet before marriage, the couple will not be able to grow old together.
Cheng Yu found it both funny and touching. It was the first time he saw such an innocent nature in His Majesty.
Originally, Baozhu thought that the third-day baptism ceremony would be held casually because Heihu was not at home and Shier Niang was not there either, so no one would host the third-day baptism ceremony for her and her child.
As a result, the third-day bathing ceremony was taken over by Chen Yunniang and Cheng Yu. She didn't have to worry about anything during her confinement. Chen Yunniang received the female guests and Cheng Yu received the male guests. They made the third-day bathing ceremony of the tiger cub the most grand banquet in the border town since the capital.
The future queen held the tiger cub in her arms when meeting guests because the weather was too cold and she was afraid the little one would get frozen, and she was also afraid that too many adults would come and infect the little one with some bacteria.
She didn't carry the baby to the front hall, but only showed it to the female guests in the back hall. She smiled and said that she would let everyone hold the baby after the full-month ceremony.
As a result, Chen Yunniang said that the emperor was waiting in the warm room and wanted to take a look at General Black Tiger's son.
How could Jin Sui not know what Gu Changxiao was planning! She personally carried the child over to show him. There were censors accompanying him, and Gu Changxiao attached great importance to that rule.
The two of them really exchanged a few words while holding the child. Gu Changxiao only took one look at Little Tiger, and his eyes could not move away from Sui Sui's face. He asked softly, "Sui Sui, are you okay?"
Jin Sui laughed: "I'm fine, I can eat and sleep, I'm waiting to get married, I'm not locked up. But your majesty, why are you so haggard?
Don’t lose weight! Otherwise the dress will have to be altered again.”
Gu Changxiao felt like he hadn't seen Suisui for a long time. He had a lot to say, but was interrupted by the crying of the child. He stretched out his hand and watched Suisui take the child away.
I couldn’t even hold the hand of my dear...
Fortunately, it was the New Year. The countdown to marrying Sui Sui into the palace began.
Grandpa Ling said that this was Sui Sui's last year at home, so they wanted to celebrate it in a lively manner. However, it was difficult to make it lively in the Taoist temple because it was too big and there were too few people. The female students from the college came to help decorate it for a day.
With window decorations and lanterns hanging, and fireworks at night, the atmosphere of the New Year is indeed very strong. Jin Sui personally cooked the New Year's Eve dinner, stewing beef pot, slicing mutton, and making dumplings.
Before the meal, they offered sacrifices to Ling's father and mother. Grandpa Ling stood by and instructed Jin'an to burn incense and paper. They also moved the pig's head and other offerings to the grave. Jinsui and Jin'an kowtowed together and snowflakes began to fall from the sky again.
It fell softly on the shoulders of the two siblings, and the sound of the wind came near and far, like a father's reluctant hand or a mother's sobs.
Jin Sui turned around and looked at the stone tablet, saying silently: "You should be reunited with the real Sui Sui in the underworld, right? I have done what I promised Sui Sui.
Moreover, I truly regard Grandpa and Jinan as my family, please rest assured that I will do my best to take care of them for the rest of my life."
The still burning paper money was blown by the wind, curling up on the ground, and then flying higher and higher, as if thanking Jinsui. They could rest in peace in the underworld.
Grandpa Ling looked at the flying paper money, sighed heavily, and patted Jin'an on the shoulder: "Let's go!"
Jinan looked at his parents' grave reluctantly and asked in a low voice: "Grandpa, can my parents rest in peace in the underworld?"
Grandpa Ling took the opportunity to preach: "Yes! But if you pass the imperial examination, get married and have children, they will feel more at ease. Grandpa is old, I don't know how many years he can spend with you? The days when the three of us are reunited together are one day less. I am not worried about you, but you, kid, hey, when Grandpa is gone, you must listen to me."
Grandpa's words made Jin Sui feel very sad, and he hurriedly said, "Grandpa, please don't say unlucky words during the New Year. You will live a long life!"
Grandpa Ling suddenly laughed: "When I was young, some people advised me to return to secular life and get married early, but I didn't want to. I didn't get married until I was thirty years old. Now I know I was wrong."
Grandpa Ling is like this, whenever we talk about sad things and everyone is in a low mood, he can immediately change the topic to make the atmosphere better.
Jinan was indeed led astray: "What did Grandpa do wrong?"
"If Grandpa had married and had children ten years earlier, he would have had grandchildren before he was fifty, and great-grandchildren by seventy! How wonderful!"
Jin Sui patted Jin An's shoulder and said with a smile: "Did you hear that? Grandpa just urged you to take the imperial examination, and now he's urging you to get married soon!"
Jin'an's mouth twitched. I'm only nine. No, I'll be ten after today. You're urging a ten-year-old to get married. Is that right? From the cemetery to the main hall, Grandpa kept telling Jinsui what he was going to do with the empty space.
"I heard that several large temples and avenues in Chang'an are going to be moved to the border town. Is that true?"
Jin Sui nodded: "Don't worry, they can't snatch your believers away. Those temples and Taoist temples in Chang'an look down on the humble and only receive distinguished guests. Unlike our Taoist temples, we truly practice equality for all beings."
Grandpa said proudly: "That's right! From now on, if you ask the people in the capital which Taoist priest they believe in, Grandpa's name will definitely be listed first!"
Jin Sui smiled and said, "You are more famous in Northern Xinjiang and Minzhou."
Jinan was even more surprised than Grandpa: "Why?"
"Because I put my grandfather's name on all the medicines for curing epidemics. Everyone in Northern Xinjiang and Minzhou knows that Taoist Ling's medicine is the most effective."
Jin Sui said to Grandpa seriously, "I have a few prescriptions here. Grandpa, you can really research a plague prescription. If you can find one, you will go down in history and stand shoulder to shoulder with Taoist Sun."
Grandpa Ling nodded: "There is a doctor in the Taoist temple. How do you think we should proceed?"
Jin Sui said the name of a disease, which surprised Grandpa Ling and Jin An: "Smallpox."
She explained the principle of how cowpox can prevent smallpox, and said that when she was treating cattle for herders in northern Xinjiang, she found cows with cowpox, and that's when she had this idea.
Unfortunately, she was delayed because she had too many things to do. She could give the research method to her grandfather and have the Taoist temple lead the research.
As long as the research is successful, my grandfather's Taoist temple will be able to surpass the Buddhism and Taoism from Chang'an and become the leader of Taoism.
Grandpa Ling immediately said that he would take on this task! In public, he wanted to benefit the people, and in private, he wanted to make a great contribution for Jin Sui and Jin An in his lifetime.
The queen Suisui has no help from her mother's family. If she can become the medical saint of the time, no one, whether it is the officials in the court or the dignitaries, will dare to look down on Suisui!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
