Chapter 305 Extra Chapter: The Subjects' Sequel (Part 1) ^...
[Qin Liu Song]
Qin Liusong lived a glorious life as the head scholar of the academy and a confidant of the emperor.
When the new emperor passed away and the crown princess ascended the throne, Qin Liusong had also become Grand Academician Qin. He remained the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy and a confidant of His Majesty.
For decades, Qin Liusong has been assisting in discussions in the Zichen Palace, working until his hair turned white, but he still couldn't retire—and he didn't want to retire anymore.
"Lord Qin, I see ambition in your eyes."
One day after the new emperor ascended the throne, he asked him this question bluntly, full of doubt.
"That ambition has never been extinguished for decades. But you don't like to seek personal gain for your family, you don't wield power or cause trouble in the court, and you don't seek fame—what exactly are you after?"
Such a minister is even more terrifying to a monarch, because you only see his desires, but you can't understand what he wants at all.
Qin Liusong bowed respectfully, and after thinking for a while, he replied: "Your subject... initially wanted to climb the ranks."
He was so unwilling to accept it.
He spent his whole life striving and plotting, but achieved nothing. The new emperor was a wise and benevolent ruler, always surrounded by opportunities and miracles. Yet, he couldn't even touch a hair on the ground, remaining an insignificant nobody his entire life.
There was such a monarch who shone brightly throughout his era, a period of glory that all the people of Dingguo, future generations, and even the history books would acknowledge. Why couldn't he rise with the wind? Why couldn't he share even a sliver of his brilliance?
Why doesn't the bright moon shine on me?
How could Qin Liusong accept this?!
"Isn't it like that now?" The new emperor keenly noticed the wording in his words.
Qin Liusong did not answer, keeping his head down, but a smug, extremely pleased, and arrogant smile slowly bloomed on his face: "..."
Yes, that's right.
He was reborn and seized the opportunity, approaching the new emperor before he rose to power and becoming his confidant.
After that, Liuzhou reformed, prevented hurricanes, built roads with cement, used fertilizers for farming, reclaimed land in Lingnan, built factories and shops... Which policy detail revision was not his work?
Before and after the new emperor ascended the throne, he purged powerful families, adjusted official currency, and reformed the poll tax. Which of these actions was unrelated to him?
Aside from military affairs and women's education, which he was truly unable to participate in... all the deeds that could be recorded in great detail in history books, whenever a new emperor is mentioned, will invariably include the name of Qin Liusong!
He died without regrets!
Qin Liusong's only regret was that he did not follow the new emperor that year.
Ultimately, Qin Liusong still can't tell whether he's been busy all his life to leave a mark on history or to gain the favor of a new ruler...
A complex emotion flashed in Qin Liusong's cloudy eyes. He bowed deeply and said in a trembling voice:
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"With the late emperor's approval, this old minister has already achieved his wish."
Huang Dong
Huang Dong spent the first half of his life in guilt and self-blame, until he met the persistent Prince Rui, and everything was resolved.
“Mr. Anbang, do you understand? You just need to listen to me obediently and work for me—you won’t need to worry about these things anymore.”
That's what Prince Rui said to him.
Yes, he doesn't need to think about anything anymore. He can't bear those burdens, so he shouldn't let them bend his back. Someone will carry them for him; he just needs to do his job diligently—that's enough.
Huang Dong left feeling relieved, heading to Lingnan. He was to secretly oversee an entire island, mining silver and producing smuggled salt for his lord, and later, he was also tasked with overseeing agriculture.
Huang Dong knew what this meant, but he didn't care.
He just needs to do as the prince says.
—And that stay lasted a lifetime.
A humid island, food I couldn't get used to, a foreign language I couldn't understand, and subordinates with whom I couldn't get along at all.
Huang Dong gradually got used to it and began to love the boundless sea and the leisurely time he could spend studying rare architectural texts. He also loved the strange gadgets given to him by His Majesty, which would occasionally startle him with their noise.
Having not seen His Majesty for most of his life, Huang Dong felt no regret; he would receive messages from the Emperor privately every few days. Even the petty jealousy he once felt with Qin Liusong had been replaced by tolerance and amusement.
Qin Liusong has become incredibly brilliant, but he's no less impressive—
His discovery of Silver Island Prefecture has secured his place in history. Anyone who mentions this place will inevitably be reminded of him.
If Qin Liusong is His Majesty's overt right-hand man, then he is His Majesty's greatest hidden strength.
Be obedient and listen to me.
Your Majesty! I have succeeded.
[Chairman Mao]
Commander Mao was skilled in martial arts, but he was not particularly outstanding. When he escorted Prince Rui to his fiefdom, he thought his future was uncertain and was worried about his brothers' elderly mothers and relatives at home.
But who knew that while this Grand Commander was in office, the prince he followed would inexplicably become the Crown Prince and even ascend the throne?
He rose through the ranks to become the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, with the clever and capable You Zi assisting him. This was because His Majesty trusted them, entrusting them with the defense of the palace, and Grand Commander Mao did his best.
Later, as the battles continued, the generals achieved many victories, and they were all beaming with joy.
Commander Mao watched their enthusiastic discussion and sometimes felt a pang of envy. He once remarked to himself while drinking, "...When can I be like that? It would be worth dying for!"
"We can't do it, sir." Youzi shook his head and the wine bottle, as nonchalantly as before he became rich. "To be a general, you need to be literate and able to lead troops into battle. Are we capable of that?"
Chairman Mao was only talking; upon hearing this, he backed down and shook his head repeatedly.
"That won't do!"
He was self-aware enough that managing all the Imperial Guards was enough for him; he simply couldn't command a large army.
The position His Majesty gave him was just right.
"But what exactly is it that's so frustrating..." Commander Mao muttered through gritted teeth, unable to figure it out.
The traveler paused for a moment, then smiled.
Perhaps it's because His Majesty has so many incredible qualities that they rack their brains trying to get closer to him. No one wants to be left behind, and no one wants to admit that they are the ones who have been left behind.
The traveler suddenly shuddered at this thought and slapped Commander Mao on the back in a disrespectful manner: "Have you had too much to drink tonight! You can't drink anymore."
He was completely drunk!
Those two beggar boys who used to toil in the fields for food when they were young are now commanders of the Imperial Guards, and they're still dreaming of eating?!
"Come on, come on... come stay at my place for the night, I have to work tomorrow."
Commander Mao lightly scooped up Youzi with one arm, ignoring his furious struggles, and staggered out the door, grumbling on and on.
【Zhao Juer】
Zhao Ju'er was a craftsman, and his life was destined to end in the same way.
They learned their father's craft, followed their master, grew up, had children, and then passed on their artisan status and skills to their children...
But Zhao Ju'er was different from others in one way: he really enjoyed exploring things. As the adults would say, "This kid is mischievous, he plays with everything, his mind is always wandering!"
So Zhao Ju'er was often beaten with a big stick when he was a child.
—And then he caught the eye of Prince Rui.
Ever since arriving in Liuzhou, His Highness has always had some strange and wonderful ideas for them to do. Zhao Ju'er was so happy he almost choked. Now he could finally let loose! No one could stop His Highness, so he could openly take the opportunity to mess around with those mischievous things.
Later, Sister Bishu took charge of their business.
Zhao Ju'er was initially unconvinced, but whenever there were difficult or complicated issues they couldn't figure out, Sister Bi Shu would always have some ideas, often hitting the nail on the head. Zhao Ju'er then willingly followed Sister Bi Shu's lead.
Sister Bishu became Lady Fangbi of the Ministry of Works, and Zhao Juer became Lady Zhao.
On the night of his official appointment, his father, tears streaming down his face, pulled him close and repeatedly urged him, "You must do your job well, do you hear me? Don't let His Majesty down, okay?"
Zhao Ju'er replied spiritedly, "Understood, Father!"
But what Zhao Ju'er never expected was... that his nearly forty-year-old father would shine first, rather than him becoming famous?!
"Marine missiles, we still have to rely on me and Lao Liu!"
As war raged, the fame of the new weapon spread throughout Dading. Zhao Ju'er turned around and saw his father proudly patting his chest, his wrinkles smoothing out. It turned out he had secretly orchestrated something big!
So, is the father proud of his son, or the son proud of his father first?
【Bai Xuan】
Bai Xuan's proudest achievement was seizing the opportune moment to recommend himself to Prince Rui, which led to a dramatic turn of events, allowing him to reclaim power from the Bai family and lead them to glory. He is even a friend personally acknowledged by the current Emperor!
During the years when Bai Xuan was a wealthy man whom no one dared to offend, he boasted repeatedly about his achievements, even expressing some regret that he hadn't opened the Bai Family Restaurant in the capital. Although Luoyang was a treacherous place, he should have at least tried to compete there.
Not bringing his whole family to chase after His Majesty into the capital was something Bai Xuan would lament for the rest of his life.
But his wife, Wenjin, said that her husband was simply being hypocritical after getting the benefit.
Who doesn't know the behemoth of the South—the Bai family? Who doesn't know that Liuzhou and Lingnan were revitalized by the Bai family at all costs, and now Lingnan and Liuzhou have become veritable major grain-producing areas, of vital importance? His Majesty tacitly allows the Bai family to occupy such a crucial position, so who wouldn't give them a good deal?
When Princess Luoyang was born, His Majesty kept asking whether his children wanted to be his study companions.
Unfortunately, Bai Xuan's daughter was too old, so he had to send his youngest son to the palace—this child also gained some favor with the Emperor. He was the child Wen Jin had suffered a difficult childbirth at home, and Bai Xuan was almost in despair, prompting the Emperor to personally ride over and save him with new medicine.
It was extremely dangerous.
Zhang Xian
Zhang Xian never got married in her life, no matter how much her godmother urged her, she would just act cute and stubborn.
"Child, if word gets out that you are the daughter of a county magistrate, what are you afraid of?"
The wet nurse, Liu, was extremely anxious. As she grew older, she was constantly worried about the marriages of Zhang Ting and Zhang Xian, the brother and sister. But why was her daughter so determined to start as a minor official in the Ministry of Works? What could that meager salary possibly buy?
"Mother—just listen to me, His Majesty didn't say anything!"
Liu, the wet nurse, had spent half her life as a wet nurse. The most outrageous thing she had ever done was abandon her own children and husband to travel across mountains and rivers to protect her Second Prince. In other aspects, her views were unchangeable; she was anxious for His Majesty not to marry back then, and now she was anxious for the younger brother and sister not to marry.
Unable to explain her aspirations clearly, Zhang Xian could only hold onto Liu's arm and shake it back and forth, finally managing to persuade her once more.
Fortunately, such days did not last long. Since His Majesty's wedding, Nurse Liu had focused all her attention on the palace, hoping day and night for the birth of a new imperial heir.
Zhang Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief and continued to help the wool workshop improve its techniques.
She was just an ordinary official in the research department. She didn't have Lord Fang Bi's talent or Zhao Ju'er's skillful hands. All she had was courage and meticulousness. She had been unknown since childhood and hadn't really made a name for herself... But Zhang Xian was no longer timid after being separated from her brother.
She believed that even if she remained an unknown nobody in the future, so what? She was contributing to the people in the research department.
Even if her glorious deeds are not recorded in history books, as long as she has a clear conscience, lives up to her aspirations, and is worthy of her official position, she will be fine.
Even if she dies, she can rest in peace.
She was an ordinary person, she was Xian'er, the daughter of the Zhang family.
She's proud of herself too.
-----------------------
Author's Note: There are just too many subjects to write about, I really can't... To be continued in the next chapter.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com