Chapter 131 Who would be the most appropriate person to send to take over the disaster relief efforts?
Just then, Zheng Wenkai stepped forward.
He was a loyal subject who always put the emperor's wishes first.
Knowing the Emperor's concerns, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that what Chancellor Su and Minister Lin said is not without reason."
Cui Shiliang looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with vigilance, thinking that yet another person had come to kick him while he was down.
To everyone's surprise, Zheng Wenkai's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "However, Prime Minister Cui's concerns are not unfounded. The most important task at present is to rescue the Second Prince and stabilize the crisis. I believe that we need to dispatch a capable minister as soon as possible to Hebei Province to take over the disaster relief work, appease the rioting people, and lift the siege of Weizhou in order to resolve the current predicament."
The Emperor asked directly, "In your opinion, who is the most appropriate person to send to take over the disaster relief efforts?"
Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall exchanged bewildered glances.
In fact, everyone had a vague idea of someone in mind, but no one dared to speak up first.
After all, that person was currently under house arrest by imperial decree.
In the end, Su Jingzhi bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, among all the civil and military officials, I'm afraid there is no one more suitable than Her Highness the Eldest Princess."
Upon hearing this, not a single person in the hall voiced any objection.
Even Cui Shiliang, who had been very emotional, was unusually silent, hanging his head and remaining quiet.
Everyone knew perfectly well that no one was more suitable than the eldest princess to clean up this mess.
The Emperor was well aware that, apart from Que Nu, there was no other person who could salvage this mess.
If only I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?
If she had been sent from the beginning, there wouldn't have been so many twists and turns, and in the end, she would have had to turn the tide.
Finally, the Emperor sighed heavily, rubbed his throbbing temples, and said in a deep voice, "Issue my decree, proclaiming to the world that the Eldest Princess is to immediately assume the post of Imperial Envoy, carrying the imperial insignia, and proceed to Hebei Province to oversee disaster relief and quell the rebellion. Furthermore, three thousand light cavalry from the Imperial Guards are to be transferred to her command, to ensure the safety of the Second Prince and stabilize the situation in Hebei Province!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Everyone bowed in unison to accept the order.
Li Yuanzhao was practicing swordsmanship with Chen Yanqing at the princess's residence.
Dressed in a black outfit, with her long hair tied up high, she wielded a long sword that moved like a dragon emerging from its cave, her attacks fierce and swift, forcing Chen Yanqing to retreat repeatedly.
His sword barely managed to parry, but the force of Li Yuanzhao's sword made his hand go numb.
After only a few rounds, Li Yuanzhao's sword spine struck Chen Yanqing's blade precisely. With a "clang," Chen Yanqing's sword was knocked away and landed on the grass not far away.
Li Yuanzhao's sword tip was already firmly positioned in front of his throat, just inches away from his flesh.
Chen Yanqing knew that this was just an ordinary competition, but when he met Li Yuanzhao's cold eyes, he always felt a faint killing intent.
Just then, a servant rushed in to report, "Your Highness, Eunuch Xu, who is by His Majesty's side, has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
With a slight twist of her wrist, she created a beautiful sword flourish and deftly sheathed the longsword.
"Understood. Tell him to wait in the front hall; I'll be there shortly."
Half an hour later, Eunuch Xu, who had been drinking several cups of tea in the front hall, finally saw the Princess.
She had just finished bathing and changed into a bright red palace dress. Her dark hair was slightly damp, and her innate nobility was tinged with a touch of languor.
Eunuch Xu quickly stood up, not daring to show the slightest anxiety on his face, and respectfully bowed, "This old servant greets Your Highness the Princess."
After Li Yuanzhao sat down in the main seat, he raised his hand to help Xu Gonggong, saying, "No need for such formalities, Eunuch Xu."
After straightening up, Eunuch Xu said, "His Majesty specifically instructed this old servant to invite Your Highness to the palace for a chat."
Li Yuanzhao's eyes flickered slightly, and he understood.
If it were just a routine summons, why would it require the personal eunuch of the emperor to come and invite him in person?
With such a display, it seems the mess is beyond repair. Father is simply "showing goodwill before asking for a favor."
But she didn't point it out. She simply blew away the foam on the surface of her tea and said in a calm tone, "Oh? Father Emperor suddenly summoned me to the palace. May I ask what brings you here?"
Fine beads of sweat had appeared on Eunuch Xu's forehead.
He had been sitting in the front hall for a full half hour, but the princess in front of him remained calm and composed, showing no intention of moving.
The Emperor in the palace must be getting impatient too.
His tone was slightly more urgent than before, "This old servant does not know either, but I heard His Majesty's order to invite Your Highness to the palace immediately, saying that there are important matters to discuss."
When he said the words "important matter," he emphasized them, as if he wanted to directly say the emperor's urging to "quickly invite the princess to the palace."
But Li Yuanzhao seemed not to understand the deeper meaning in his words. After slowly finishing a cup of tea, he put down the teacup, stood up, and straightened the hem of his palace dress.
"In that case, let's go."
Inside the Yan Ying Hall, just as Eunuch Xu had guessed, the Emperor was extremely anxious, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.
Upon seeing Li Yuanzhao enter, before she could even offer her a greeting, he hurriedly stepped forward to support her, saying, "No need for such formalities. Why bother with these empty formalities with the Emperor!"
Then she turned to Eunuch Xu and said, "Why aren't you offering the Princess a seat?"
After Li Yuanzhao sat down, the Emperor took her hand, but swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he changed his tone and said, "Que Nu, let me take a good look at you. Have you lost weight in the past month?"
"Your Majesty, I am well and thank you for your concern." Li Yuanzhao replied calmly, without a trace of grievance or complaint in his tone.
The Emperor sighed and said, "I had no choice but to punish you by confining you to your quarters to quell the anger of the court officials. You won't blame your father, will you?"
Li Yuanzhao smiled faintly, "How could that be? Your Majesty's good intentions are clear."
"That's good. I've been missing you dearly for almost a month."
Li Yuanzhao raised his eyes and met his gaze directly, asking directly, "I wonder what urgent matter Father Emperor has summoned me to the palace for?"
She pretended to know nothing about what was happening in Hebei Province.
When the Emperor met her gaze, he felt a pang of shame for a moment before finally revealing the truth.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao did not immediately agree. Instead, he said, "Father, I think what Prime Minister Su said is absolutely right. Since the people's resentment arose because of the Cui family and Yuan You, if the court does not first set clear and just punishments, even if I go to provide disaster relief, I am afraid it will be difficult to appease the people's hearts."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor frowned slightly.
He felt that his daughter was making demands of him, as if she wouldn't take over the mess unless he dealt with the Cui family and Li Yuanyou.
Although he was displeased, he was also aware of the current situation.
If the chaos in Hebei Province is prolonged, it could escalate into a large-scale rebellion, which would shake the stability of the country.
After much deliberation, he finally relented and said in a deep voice, "Since you think so too, then issue an edict to remove Cui Shiliang from his post as prime minister and temporarily imprison him in his residence to await further orders. As for Yuan You... we will deal with him together after he escapes and returns to the capital, and after the details are investigated."
Li Yuanzhao sneered inwardly. Even in this situation, her father was still protecting Li Yuanyou, only willing to deal with Cui Shiliang as a formality, clearly forcing her to rescue Li Yuanyou safely from Weizhou.
But she remained outwardly calm: "Father is wise."
The Emperor hurriedly pressed on, "What about the matter of going to provide disaster relief?"
“It is my duty to share the burdens of the country and my father, and I would never shirk it,” Li Yuanzhao said respectfully.
"Good! You truly are my good daughter!" The Emperor finally showed a smile, then added, "This time, I have ordered Shen Churong to lead three thousand light cavalry to accompany you and assist you in quelling the rebellion."
Li Yuanzhao feigned a reluctant agreement, saying, "Your subject obeys."
She knew perfectly well that her father was worried she might have ulterior motives, so he deliberately sent Shen Churong, who was openly at odds with her, to control and monitor her.
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