Chapter 391: Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage Begins
After Emperor Qianyuan was buried, the prince returned to the prince's mansion.
He was the most tired person today. He had been busy all day and was exhausted.
Lu Chenyang brought a bowl of noodles into the study and looked at him leaning tiredly in the chair, his eyes full of heartache.
Wang Shi did not return to the capital with him, so no one could stop the two from getting close. Lu Xueyin did not object to their meeting, so Lu Chenyang moved into the Prince's residence again - otherwise, why would the Prince acquiesce to Lu Xueyin's control of the palace?
But they are just giving back and helping each other.
"Eat something. You seem to have lost weight recently." Lu Chenyang said.
The prince looked at him and suddenly said, "When your sister becomes emperor in the future, let's go to Lingnan. You will be the county magistrate, and I will lead the troops for you. Actually, I can lead troops too, and I'm quite good at fighting. My uncle taught me when I was a child."
Lu Chenyang was stunned for a moment: "Going to Lingnan?" The prince nodded: "Well, weren't you going to Lingnan anyway? Even though it's a little late, that's the place Lu Xueyin rebuilt. Don't you want to take a look?"
Of course Lu Chenyang wanted to go, to see how his sister had changed. But wouldn't that be difficult? Even if the Crown Prince abdicated, he should stay in the capital, so that the new emperor could rest assured.
The prince saw his hesitation and said, "Don't worry, your sister is not such a petty person. She won't stop me."
Lu Chenyang subconsciously retorted: "She is confident."
The prince curled his lips: "I knew you would protect her."
The prince said, "But she is right. She is indeed confident. That's why she won't keep me in the capital. You have studied for many years and are full of talent. You deserve a place to display it. Go to Lingnan, see the places she has been, and take the miracles she created to the next level."
The prince always felt guilty that Lu Chenyang was delayed by him. Otherwise, he would have made some achievements as an official in the court and would not be worse than Lu Xueyin.
But now, Lu Chenyang's title of Six Yuan and Top Scholar is nothing but empty talk, with all the glory going to Lu Xueyin. Some even say that Lu Xueyin might have taken the exam for her brother.
This was, of course, nonsense; the imperial examinations, with their layers of scrutiny, certainly wouldn't allow a woman to slip through the cracks. Yet, someone believed it, and the Crown Prince was furious on Lu Chenyang's behalf.
"And I heard that the people there are very open-minded and don't think we are different if we are together." The prince said gently, "Lu Chenyang, we can definitely do it."
We can definitely be together. Lu Chenyang's eyes sparkled as he looked at the prince's handsome face and nodded.
After the funeral of Emperor Qianyuan, it was time to get down to business, which was the enthronement of the new emperor.
However, it is not known who this king is.
The Minister of Rites was the most cunning. After deciding on the funeral of the late emperor, he began to prepare for the coronation ceremony. He even prepared the dragon robe, but the size of the dragon robe... was not the same as the prince's.
The Minister of Rites expressed his support for Lu Xueyin through practical actions.
Some civil officials began to petition the prince to ascend the throne, but the prince was reluctant to express his position. However, in just one day, speculation and rumors were rampant outside.
Everyone knows what Lu Xueyin is thinking.
Whether it was the common people or the officials, everyone was discussing this matter. Because it was just speculation before, but now it seemed that this speculation was about to become a fact, many people began to feel uneasy.
Most of the people were peaceful and supportive of this matter. Who wouldn't want to live under Lu Xueyin's rule? Under her rule, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and their children could go to school.
In the past, Lingnan was synonymous with poverty, remoteness and backwardness, but now, who doesn’t want to live in Lingnan?
However, the reaction of the civil and military officials was very strong. Not everyone was as sensible as the Minister of Rites. They did not have any objections to Lu Xueyin. They affirmed her ability. They were dissatisfied with her gender.
One scholar-official publicly declared at the palace gate: "A woman in power is an act of rebellion against the Heavenly Gang! This is a blatant act against the world! How can a woman be emperor? It's simply ridiculous! If we have to submit to a woman, how can we, as men, live with dignity in this world!"
This statement was recognized by the old-fashioned people. "Yes, yes, as a woman, you should take care of your husband and children at home and manage the household chores. You are already capable. How can you be the master of the world? Lu Xueyin... Even Lu Xueyin can't do it."
"I admit that Lu Xueyin is different from many women. She is capable. But the fact that she can serve as an official in the court is already a kindness of the late emperor and Your Highness. Now she wants to become emperor? It's simply a foolish dream. Even if the prince has shortcomings, she can assist Your Highness and be a loyal minister. She can complement Your Highness and make the emperor and his minister a good match, which is also a story that will be passed down through the ages." Someone else said.
"Lord Li is absolutely right! That's exactly what happened! Lu Xueyin's ability to hold an official position was originally a crime of deceiving the emperor. At that time..." Never mind, there was no need to talk about that time. The man continued, "It was the late emperor's generosity that pardoned her crime. She is ungrateful and now has evil ambitions. This is simply treason."
These people were right at the palace gate, talking loudly and openly, just to express their attitudes.
They were all saying that the law doesn't punish everyone, so could Lu Xueyin kill them all? The punishment wasn't for the literati, and they were all scholars, so what was wrong with expressing their true feelings? The real fault was Lu Xueyin's wicked ambition.
They attracted the attention of the people. One of the sisters-in-law heard this and was furious: "Ah, what's wrong with being a woman? Why can't a woman be emperor? If you say that Lord Lu lacks ability or character, that's fine, but you have to use Lord Lu's gender as an excuse. Also, Lord Lu is impeccable in terms of ability and character, even better than you men! You can only use your two pounds of flesh to make a point. It's really amazing."
"What's wrong with being a man? In the world ruled by you men, people are starving to death and refugees are everywhere. Yanhui Pass was lost in the hands of you men, but it was recaptured when Lord Lu was injured. Where do you get the nerve to think that you men are better than women? You are scholars, but your face is thicker than my mother's heel!" Another woman also cursed.
The two people's words made the faces of the adults turn red.
"How disgraceful, how disgraceful! How...how can you be so vulgar!" an adult shouted angrily.
The woman said, "I'm just telling the truth, how can it be considered vulgar? You despise women, but it was women who gave birth to you and raised you, washed your clothes and cooked for you, and bore your children. You put down your bowl and cursed her, you're not vulgar, you just have no conscience."
Before Lu Xueyin showed up, she was protected by someone. When she heard about this, she curled the corners of her lips.
"This is the will of the people." Lu Xueyin said to Tan Feng beside her: "Look, they know in their hearts whether you have done good for the people. Who says the people are ignorant? In fact, they know it very well in their hearts."
Lu Xueyin looked at the report from the guards and said, "However, we still need to educate them and open more schools..."
Tan Feng said expressionlessly, "The Ministry of Revenue has also handed over the account books, and you have also seen them. Before you think about these things, why not think about the money?"
Lu Xueyin glared at him angrily.
The Minister of Revenue is a rather strange person. He neither agrees nor opposes Lu Xueying becoming emperor, but when Lu Xueying wants to see the account books, he cooperates very well and hands the things directly to Lu Xueying.
After reading it, Lu Xueyin understood why the Minister of Revenue was so cooperative, because... there really was not much money.
Lu Xueyin didn't even suspect that he had cooked the accounts, because she knew that there was no need to falsify the accounts.
There had been constant wars in recent years, leaving civilians destitute and displaced. Two years earlier, a natural disaster had struck. Lu Xueyin, already the Minister of State, had written to the Crown Prince, forcing him to provide relief in the form of money and grain.
The prince gritted his teeth and agreed. On the one hand, he had to ensure her supply of food and grass, and on the other hand, he had to buy food everywhere for disaster relief. It was really difficult - the Yilin Army had angered Lu Xueyin because they had robbed the disaster relief food.
Moreover, due to natural disasters, Lu Xueyin issued several decrees to reduce taxes. The past two years have been supported by Emperor Qianyuan's private treasury, so it is true that the national treasury has no money, and there is no need to falsify the accounts.
One more thing to add is that because the prince was willing to use Emperor Qianyuan's private treasury to buy food, the food supply has always been timely. Lu Xueyin remembers his kindness, so she is willing to treat the prince well and give him enough respect.
This is the only good thing Lu Xueyin thinks the prince has.
When Lu Xueyin saw the account book, even though she was prepared, she was still shocked and frowned.
As Lu Xueyin's close confidant, Tan Feng would constantly watch her and mutter, "Why are you so poor? Why are you so poor? It was hard enough for me to support Lingnan back then, and now... how on earth did Emperor Qianyuan accumulate so much wealth?"
Tan Feng felt sorry for her. Seeing her talking so much without considering her real situation at all, he couldn't help but remind her.
Stop dreaming and think about the silver in your treasury.
Lu Xueyin regained her sanity, but she was optimistic: "We should take it one step at a time. First, we should ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment, that they have enough food and clothing, and then we can promote universal education. Education is so important." Her eyes sparkled, "Those are the hopes for great achievements."
They will eventually grow old, and inheritance is important. Someone will take her place. She doesn't expect the kingdom she built to last for thousands of years, but she does hope that this peaceful and prosperous era can last forever.
Even though she knew it was just a beautiful wish, she still couldn't help but look forward to it.
The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and the memorial to the crown prince requesting the succession of a new ruler, which had been suppressed for a long time, was finally publicly approved on this day.
"I have received the memorials from all my dear ministers regarding the new emperor's succession to the throne. However, after thinking about it for a long time, I still feel that I am unable to take on this heavy responsibility." The prince stood in front of the throne. Behind him was the dragon chair. He was only one step away from the position of the emperor.
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers in the hall began to discuss the matter. Some of them, unable to hold their temper, immediately stepped forward.
"Your Highness, I am willing to die..." Some ministers wanted to make a desperate attempt.
The Crown Prince waved his hand. "Hear me." He spoke carefully, his expression calm. "Over the past few years, the people of the world have suffered terribly. As a son, I shouldn't discuss my father's merits and demerits. However, I am also the Crown Prince. Watching the people displaced, plagued by internal and external troubles, I feel so grief-stricken that I cannot commit suicide. All this is the fault of the late emperor, the fault of his ministers, and the fault of me, the Crown Prince. The late emperor failed to ensure the people's peace and prosperity, unworthy of being a king; the ministers failed to assist the monarch, unworthy of being subjects; and as a son, I failed to persuade my father, unworthy of being the Crown Prince."
The prince cursed everyone equally, not only his deceased father, but also himself. He didn't care about the lives of others, and of course, he didn't care about his own life or death.
What else can you say about this?
"The empire is now beginning to feel stable, but this has nothing to do with me, the ministers, or the late emperor. It was Lord Lu who single-handedly turned the tide. It was she who restored peace to the empire, allowing the people to live and work in peace. The throne should rightfully be held by the most capable." The Crown Prince's expression was stern, and he spoke in a resounding voice, "I voluntarily abdicate to Lord Lu."
Everyone's eyes fell on Lu Xueyin, and it was Lu Xueyin's turn to perform.
As everyone knows, for this kind of thing, Lu Xueyin has to be asked again and again, and urged three times before she can agree reluctantly, half-heartedly, and hesitantly.
This way, both parties can be saved...mainly Lu Xueyin's face.
It is no exaggeration to say that every Chinese person may be able to refuse the arms of a beautiful woman, may be able to refuse fame and fortune, but absolutely cannot refuse the vanity of being visited three times at his cottage. No one!
Lu Xueyin stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, your kindness is unacceptable to me. I beg Your Highness to rescind your order."
"Hmph, hypocrisy!" A minister snorted sarcastically without hesitation.
Lu Xueyin remained calm. How could a politician not be thick-skinned? She simply pretended not to hear anything. But she didn't refute it either. After all... after all, it was true.
She is a politician who is thick-skinned but can accept the truth.
Lu Xueyin puffed out her chest proudly.
Of course Lu Xueyin would not agree when it was first proposed, and she had to perform it twice later, so everyone had to have a process of acceptance.
However, many people could not accept it. After the court session, they ran outside the palace to sit in protest.
Lu Ning went to report to Lu Xueyin with an indignant look on his face: "Don't worry, sir, I have written down the names of these old stubborn people. I will beat them up one by one later."
Lu Xueyin: "... Stop it right there." She paused and said, "You don't have to do anything. It's so cold, they'll be freezing if they sit there all day."
Although the first month of the year is over, the weather is still very cold. The late spring cold snap is no joke.
Lu Ning was immediately delighted: "Let them freeze to death, and we can replace them with a new group of people."
Lu Xueyin smiled and said, "Don't worry too much. This should be the Crown Prince's concern."
The prince didn't care. What could he do? His only task now was to cooperate with Lu Xueyin to sing the story of the three visits to the thatched cottage.
These people are just supporting roles.
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