Chapter 349: The Little Scholar in Disguise as a Man and the Amazing Emperor 6
At the same time, the minister who had asked Yelu Zongzheng to grant him a name at the Encai Banquet also left the banquet and returned home. When he got on the carriage, his eyes were clear and the alcohol had dissipated. There was no trace of drunkenness on his face.
But he didn't understand why His Majesty asked him to ask for calligraphy in public, but gave the opportunity to the newly promoted top scholar.
Tsk, the emperor's mind is really unpredictable!
…
A few days later, Yelu Zongzheng adopted Cha Jiu's suggestion and proposed in the court that all officials should take the lead in donating money.
As expected, this group of smart ministers began to cry poorly.
Either he said that the last donation was only more than two months ago, and he was really short of money and couldn't come up with spare money; or he used the meager salary and the large number of people to support at home as an excuse to cry that he was poor and clean.
Yelu Zongzheng looked at the hypocritical behavior of this group of people, and suppressed his anger in his heart. He followed Cha Jiu's plan and said, "Since you are so poor that you can only eat thin porridge every day and can't spare a penny, I will not force you. Then change the donation to hold a blessing ceremony in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. At least let the world see the court's attitude towards the disaster-stricken areas in the southeast."
This time the ministers responded positively, and no one disagreed.
Yes, as long as you don't donate money or cut their flesh, what does praying mean?
It's just kneeling in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, just for show.
Unexpectedly, Yelu Zongzheng took real action.
The blessing ceremony was scheduled in the afternoon when the sun was shining brightly.
The floor in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was hot and there were no trees around to provide shade. The ministers, wearing heavy and stuffy court robes, had only been kneeling under the scorching sun for half an hour when they were already sweating profusely and complaining bitterly.
Many of them were already feeling dizzy and nauseous.
Yelu Zongzheng took the lead and knelt on the front cushion. He had not drunk a sip of water or rested for half an hour. How could the ministers dare to ask for water or rest?
Finally, one of the ministers in the blessing team couldn't bear it anymore and vomited to the side with his throat sticking out.
The turbid yellow stomach soup was mixed with vaguely visible food residues. The disgusting scene, coupled with the sour smell floating in the air, made the ministers around him vomit in an instant.
“Tsk!”
“Tsk!”
For a moment, there was a sound of groaning in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Without exception, these ministers vomited out what they had eaten at noon that they had not yet digested. The air was filled with a strong sour and rancid smell, and all the palace people covered their mouths and noses, wishing they could retreat as far as possible.
Only Cha Jiu and Yelu Zong Zheng looked calm in this stinking stench.
With the emperor's permission, Cha Jiu stood up from his cushion and walked among the ministers.
"Eight-treasure duck, crystal pig's trotters...Mr. Chen, your lunch is very good."
Cha Jiu walked up to Lord Chen, stopped, and roughly identified the food he had eaten at noon from the food residue.
"But I remember you told His Majesty during the morning court session that you couldn't afford to eat at home and that you only had porridge and side dishes. Sir Chen, you didn't lie to His Majesty in order to avoid paying the donation."
“I, I…” Lord Chen’s face turned pale. He covered his still churning stomach and stammered, unable to come up with an explanation for a long time.
Cha Jiu smiled and reminded: "Deceiving the emperor is not a small crime. However, if Lord Chen can generously donate money to help Your Majesty with the Southeast donation issue, perhaps the emperor will be very happy and this matter can make up for the sin."
That's all I have to say. Is there anything else Mr. Chen doesn't understand?
This blessing is just a sham!
The real purpose of your majesty and He Yanyang is to expose the lies of these people who pretend to be poor!
What a loss! It’s really a loss.
Lord Chen had no choice but to accept the defeat. With great sorrow he wrote down a considerable donation amount on the red paper presented by the eunuch and sent someone to his house to fetch the silver.
Next, Cha Jiu followed the same method and managed to scrape off a layer of fat from this group of stingy ministers.
However, there are some officials who are truly honest and love the people. Even if what they vomited out was plain porridge and salted vegetables, they still tried their best to donate money.
Upon asking, I found out that they had donated money to the disaster victims in Southeast China more than once, which led to their own difficult lives.
Cha Jiu secretly recorded the names of these people in a book and presented it to Yelu Zongzheng as a reference for their moral character when hiring them.
…
The weather was extremely hot.
Even Yelu Zongzhen, who was used to being exposed to the sun on the grassland, felt stuffy and uncomfortable at this moment.
But he watched from afar as Cha Jiu ran in the smelly garbage without drinking a drop of water and sweating profusely, but there was not a trace of complaint or impatience on his face. Instead, he carefully recorded every donation and took the trouble to share his worries.
Yelu Zongzheng couldn't help feeling distressed and deeply touched at the same time.
The imperial court needs such practical people.
He needs it around him too.
Yelu Zongzheng always put state affairs first in his heart, but when Cha Jiu presented the donation booklet, he did not even glance at it. Instead, he showed concern for her and said,
"I have ordered people to prepare tea and cakes to cool you down in the side hall. Go and have some first."
Cha Jiu was slightly startled, then hesitated: "Your Majesty, this may not be a good idea. Everyone is kneeling down..."
Her face was red from the sun, and there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead and the tip of her nose.
There were still a few strands of hair, wet with sweat, hanging on both sides of his temples.
Looks a bit wolfish.
But Yelu Zongzheng found her pleasing and lovable no matter how he looked at her, and his tone became gentler: "Go, no problem, you are my meritorious minister."
The court officials did a great job in donating money.
Yelu Zongzheng didn't need to look at the total amount of donations on the registration book.
Just by looking at the expressions of the ministers below, he knew that the amount of donations would not be small.
Having said this, Cha Jiu no longer refused. He thanked the man and went to the side hall to rest.
…
With the court officials taking the lead in donating, the noble families, wealthy businessmen, and gentry who had close ties with them could not be stingy and had to donate higher amounts to show their support and loyalty to His Majesty and the court.
The donations grew like a snowball, and before the end of the fundraising, a very considerable amount of money was received, which made Yelu Zongzheng very happy.
He was filled with joy and wanted to share it with others, but when he looked around, he saw only a trembling Concubine Li standing at the table serving food.
I lost interest instantly.
Yelu Zongzhen's harem had only a few concubines, and they were all taken in to check and balance the previous dynasty.
Both the grassland tribesmen and the Han officials wanted their side to be the first to give birth to a crown prince, but they did not know that the woman they were fighting so hard to get into the palace was someone Yelu Zongzhen had never touched.
Compared with women, handling state affairs and gradually realizing the blueprint for prosperity can make this emperor more excited.
But sometimes I also want to have someone close to me by my side.
Yelu Zongzheng thought for a moment and gave an order to his side: "Let Lord He come over and have dinner with me."
The young eunuch who was given the order looked confused. When he was about to ask which Lord He it was, Eunuch Zhang gave him a look and stopped him in his tracks.
After leaving the palace, Eunuch Zhang began to teach his adopted son a lesson in a frustrated manner.
"Who else does His Majesty value most now, besides Lord He Yanyang? You have followed me for so long, but you can't even master this little skill of eye contact. You are really useless!"
The young eunuch rubbed his painful temple aggrievedly.
Eunuch Zhang finally softened his heart and warned, "Remember, Master Xiao He is a favorite of His Majesty. It is normal for him to receive favors from His Majesty in the future. If you see or hear anything, don't be surprised. Just do your job well."
"I'll remember that, godfather." The young eunuch nodded carefully.
No matter what happened between your Majesty and Lord Koga, it's normal, don't be surprised!
…
After being summoned, Cha Jiu followed the young eunuch who led the way to the palace.
Yelu Zongzheng was having dinner. When he saw her coming, his sharp features softened a little and he gestured to the seat next to him: "Sit down."
Cha Jiu first declined: "I dare not."
Yelu Zongzheng smiled heartily and said, "There is nothing to be afraid of. You are my favorite minister and you have done a good job in donating money. Sit down and talk about personal matters. It's okay!"
Cha Jiu observed his expression and made sure that he was sincere and not testing her, then he sat down beside him.
The eunuchs who were attending him quickly set the table.
Yelu Zongzheng had a plate of steaming hot venison served and personally picked up a piece and put it into Chajiu's bowl.
He also reminded her, "I know you like to eat this, but it's hot in the afternoon and venison is a very nutritious food. Just take a few bites and stop. Don't be greedy."
Such thoughtfulness and consideration surprised not only Cha Jiu, but also Li Fei and the palace maids who were accompanying her.
Your Majesty is usually stern and cold. A single scolding from you can make people's hearts and minds tremble. Your majesty makes people shrink back. How could you be so close to anyone?
However, Yelu Zongzhen was just that kind of person. If he loved someone, he would treat them with kindness; if he hated someone, he would throw them into the abyss. His attitudes towards those he loved and those he hated were completely two extremes.
That's why people around them are afraid and dare not get close to them.
Li Bin and others were so nervous that they even hesitated to talk to him, let alone have the courage to compete for his favor.
"I am humbled and grateful for your kindness." Cha Jiu showed gratitude and was about to stand up to salute, but was held down.
Yelu Zongzheng helped her up while shaking his head and sighing.
The little champion is good at everything.
I was just too reserved in front of him.
"The money for disaster relief has been almost raised, and now we need to select officials to transport it." Things kept coming one after another, and Yelu Zongzhen always had endless problems to worry about.
Cha Jiu said: "I have several candidates."
She mentioned the names of the officials who were found in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and who truly served the people and lived in poverty.
Yelu Zongzheng smiled and said, "You are very observant. But you are not afraid of being misunderstood as forming a clique for personal gain by proposing candidates directly in front of me."
Cha Jiu said frankly: "I haven't thought about it that much. I only have one thought in my mind, which is to share your worries."
"What a relief for me!"
Yelu Zongzhen was pleased with her unconditional loyalty and pure heart.
The top scholar he personally selected is truly a treasure!
During the banquet, the emperor laughed heartily.
The atmosphere between the monarch and his ministers was extremely harmonious.
Eunuch Zhang was pouring wine for the two of them, and he was impressed by his sharp eyes and the right bet.
Cha Jiu looked at the full wine glass, hesitated for a few breaths, and finally said: "Your Majesty, I don't drink much. I'm afraid that drinking will delay my afternoon business."
Yelu Zongzheng didn't take it seriously and asked with a smile: "Could it be that you get drunk after three cups?"
Cha Jiu answered honestly: "No more than three cups."
Last time at the Encai Banquet, she only took a small sip to boost her courage, but her face turned red and she became intoxicated.
"Haha." Yelu Zongzheng waved his hand proudly, "Then you just drink three cups! We, the king and his subjects, have a great chat today. How can we enjoy it without drinking?"
The people of the grassland tribes have been drinking since they were born, and almost everyone has developed a character that cannot live without alcohol.
Yelu Zongzhen was naturally no exception.
Cha Jiu looked embarrassed.
She looked up at Yelu Zongzheng, and finally drank the full glass of wine under his encouraging gaze.
This wine is brewed from pure grains and is many times stronger than the green plum wine served at the Encai Banquet.
Cha Jiu felt as if his throat was scraped by a knife, causing a burning pain.
After a moment, her face flushed red, and her clear and bright eyes gradually dimmed and were covered with a layer of mist.
Yelu Zongzheng has not yet realized the seriousness of the matter.
He drank a glass of wine himself, and then filled the teapot himself, and asked, "How does this wine taste?"
Cha Jiu was already in a state of confusion.
She shook her head and said with a big tongue: "Good, very good..."
....
Before she could finish her sentence, her head hit the table hard.
Yelu Zongzheng's hand pouring the wine was still suspended in mid-air.
He was stunned at first, then looked at the drunk Cha Jiu, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
This He Yanyang is really sincere.
I can't drink more than three cups of wine.
I get drunk after one drink, so it's only three drinks!
Originally, Cha Jiu being so drunk was considered impolite in front of the emperor.
However, seeing that Yelu Zongzheng had no intention of blaming him, Eunuch Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to ask, "Your Majesty, how about I help Lord He down to the side hall to rest?"
Unexpectedly, Yelu Zongzheng waved his hand and said, "No need to go to the side hall. Yan Yang and I will take a nap in Yangxin Hall today."
There was intimacy and favor in his words.
Everyone was shocked by Cha Jiu's success.
People like Li Bin were thinking about how to pass the news to their family so that they could recruit the new number one scholar in time.
Eunuch Zhang and others treated Cha Jiu more cautiously.
…
Although Chajiu can't drink a lot, his drinking behavior is acceptable.
Her brain had been turned into a mush by the strong alcohol, and her consciousness was dull, but she was not talking nonsense or going crazy.
The palace maids said to her cautiously, "My lord, please raise your arms and let us take off your outer robe for you."
Cha Jiu's cheeks flushed and she raised one arm obediently.
The palace maid pursed her lips and suppressed her laughter: "My lord, you must also raise your other hand."
Cha Jiu obeyed and did as he was told.
Yelu Zongzheng was also standing not far away changing his clothes. Seeing her obedient and well-behaved appearance, he couldn't help laughing.
This palace is usually very dull and boring.
But the time he spent with Cha Jiu today, although short, made all his worries disappear and his chest was filled with joy.
The palace servants helped Cha Jiu take off her outer robe and boots, helped her to the couch, and then left tactfully.
Yelu Zongzhen also walked towards another soft couch.
But I heard the person behind me mumble: "Thirsty..."
He paused.
After drinking strong alcohol, people tend to feel dry and thirsty.
Yelu Zongzheng understood this, so he poured a cup of tea and walked over to Cha Jiu, saying, "Drink some tea and you won't be thirsty anymore."
His voice was deep and powerful, with a soothing force.
Cha Jiu opened his eyes with great difficulty. His eyes were soft and watery, hazy and dazed: "Hey, Your Majesty"
Yelu Zongzheng patiently answered her: "It is me."
Cha Jiu continued: "How come you have become five, six, seven or eight?"
Yelu Zongzheng: “…”
I'm really drunk.
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