Chapter 275 Silver Island Mansion Openly and Publicly Opens...
There's definitely something fishy going on here.
Two lifetimes have passed; how could Song Gu not know what kind of temperament the retired emperor was? He had previously caused quite a stir with his supposed asceticism, becoming furious and throwing things around inside, unable to bear this life of confinement without women or freedom of movement, forced to spend his days with tedious books. Now, the retired emperor's behavior… was it to deceive the new emperor?
Even though he couldn't figure out their purpose, Song Gu became more vigilant and resolved to occasionally give the Taoists a warning to prevent them from being bribed.
Qi Chengming looked at his gloomy expression and chuckled, knowing that he was overthinking things.
Before long, Emperor Hongren finished listening to the teachings, exchanged greetings with the old Taoist priest, and saw him off. Only then did he sit down opposite Qi Chengming and calmly ask, "Why have you come, my son? Speak plainly if you have something to say. I haven't finished my lessons for today."
Qi Chengming raised an eyebrow and cut straight to the point: "Why did Father Emperor put the elixir here? Aren't you afraid I sent it to harm you?"
Emperor Hongren glanced at him disdainfully and did not answer.
Of course he's afraid!
Ever since he was imprisoned and placed under house arrest, with the official explanation being that he wanted to cultivate Taoism and refine elixirs, Emperor Hongren was terrified that his extraordinary son might just kill him. Therefore, no matter what the Taoist priests in the side hall did, or how they refined elixirs, Emperor Hongren dared not touch a single drop; he valued his life very much.
only……
Emperor Hongren realized that the Taoists weren't bringing him any of the pills and other medicines they refined; it was as if they were using his territory to refine them. Once they were finished, they would pack them up and quietly send them away, without giving them any contact with him whatsoever.
On the contrary, the old Taoist priest who was specially assigned to preach to him explained orthodox Taoist classics, such as the "Baopuzi" and the "Durenjing," every word of which was precious, like a sumptuous imperial feast. Emperor Hongren was imprisoned here and felt very stifled every day, with nothing to do. Gradually, he began to listen attentively, and the more he listened, the more wonderful it seemed. A new idea gradually formed in his mind.
After he subtly inquired and learned that all the elixirs in the side halls were for His Majesty's use, Emperor Hongren spent several months pondering—his prodigious son's origins were extraordinary; even if he didn't want to admit it, he had to admit it, he was probably a star spirit descended to earth. Then… as his biological father, was it possible for him to cultivate immortality and become an immortal? Who doesn't yearn for longevity and immortality? Emperors especially yearn for it, and aging emperors are even more fanatical.
Emperor Hongren had never believed in these things before, but now, seeing his son's methods, he had no choice but to believe. The more he pondered them, the more fervent and eager he became. From then on, he listened to the old Taoist's sermons with even greater devotion and focus, no longer causing trouble from time to time, and settled down to diligently do his studies.
—This commotion really did attract that unfilial son.
No, it attracted the prince.
Emperor Hongren didn't really believe these exquisitely explained Taoist classics were useful. If they were, wouldn't everyone be practicing Taoism? The problem was—his good son must know the solution.
With his interests at stake, Emperor Hongren became as patient and gentle as an old ox, gazing steadily at the red pills and saying, "I have recently been cultivating my character and have gained many benefits, so I naturally know that my son is simply being filial to me. However, although reading these classics may enlighten the mind, whether one can cultivate immortality... I am not sure."
Qi Chengming had come today to test him, and with a thought, he reassured him: "Father, rest assured, what I want is for the people of Dading to live in peace and prosperity. As long as Father stays here peacefully, I will grant you an opportunity to cultivate immortality."
"Remove these red pills. I will send the real elixir later. It is very potent, and Father should not take too many. He must wait until his meridians are completely dissolved before taking the next one," Qi Chengming said after a pause.
Emperor Hongren, having achieved his wish, remained composed, though he slightly clenched his fists.
"What do you want me to do?" He didn't rush to ask for details about the elixir, but instead asked with great certainty.
"Father knows that the things I want to do after I ascended the throne are contrary to Father's ideas. Father also read that memorial back then." Qi Chengming said cryptically, "The security here is not good. Someone will come to find Father soon. Father knows what to say."
Qi Chengming always felt that Emperor Hongren was out of his mind when he opened up the right to privately mint coins, and that it was also a foolish move for him to easily give up the Liuzhou tokens no matter how much he tried to persuade him... Later, after thinking about it for a long time, he realized what was going on.
Where was it Emperor Hongren who acted arbitrarily?
It was clear that Dingguo was already rotten to the core and could no longer be squeezed dry with "silver notes." Emperor Hongren simply opened up the right to mint coins, hoping to fatten up someone else and then turn the spearhead against them. First, he would seize the private currency to keep Dingguo alive and replenish his own blood, and then confiscate the other party's assets, making a fortune by sucking their marrow dry.
Qi Chengming's "Liuzhou Ticket" was that big fat sheep.
Unfortunately, Emperor Hongren had absolutely no understanding of economics.
Now that he has ascended the throne, Emperor Hongren no longer needs to worry about making a series of foolish moves. He will do his best to save Dingguo—Emperor Hongren cannot hold him back here.
"……knew."
Emperor Hongren calmly agreed, which meant that the two had reached a deal.
Qi Chengming led Song Gu out the door. Looking at the Imperial Palace in the distance, Song Gu was speechless, unsure of which question to ask first. After sorting out his thoughts, he asked incredulously, "Is the Emperor Emeritus... really true?"
"Do you think my methods are real or fake?" Qi Chengming countered.
“Nature is truth…” Song Gu stopped there.
Qi Chengming nodded to him.
"All I need to do is make the Emperor Emeritus believe that he can truly attain immortality. I heard from Dai Xiyu that the Emperor Emeritus's hands have been trembling lately—he's getting anxious."
Song Gu then realized what was happening.
They need a lifeline.
The two had made a deal today, and the mutual benefit between them reassured the Emperor Emeritus, so he would no longer be a threat.
"But that elixir...?" Song Gu asked cryptically. The elixir he had commissioned was made from highly poisonous substances that the new emperor had explicitly forbidden to consume; its main purpose was to slowly kill the retired emperor. Could it be that His Majesty truly intended for the retired emperor to cultivate immortality?
"I will have someone prepare it again." Qi Chengming returned a look that conveyed absolute impossibility.
He's not the Leshan Giant Buddha; why would he not only abandon his enemy halfway but also help them ascend to heaven and become immortals? That's beyond my wildest dreams.
A day later, Song Gu heard that the Emperor Emeritus had summoned the imperial physicians, who, after analyzing the elixir, consumed a genuine "immortal pill."
From that day on, the Emperor Emeritus had a rosy complexion, a radiant spirit, and became as energetic as a young man, completely unlike his current frail appearance. He absolutely did not heed Qi Chengming's advice to only take one elixir per month, but instead shortened his schedule.
Song Gu knew... that this open conspiracy had already succeeded.
...
"Your Majesty, since the Emperor Emeritus ended his seclusion, some of my old ministers have come to the Imperial Palace to pay their respects."
This is a familiar-looking member of the Imperial Guard under Commander Mao coming to report.
Qi Chengming remained silent and waved him away. After this happened three or four times, Qi Chengming waited a while longer, but there was no further movement from the Imperial Palace, and even the rumors outside gradually subsided. Qi Chengming was very satisfied.
—Once we've been approved by Emperor Hongren, things will be much easier.
A few days later, the grand court assembly in early June arrived.
After listening to reports from various regions, large and small, Qi Chengming was nearing the end of the morning court session. He calmly gestured to Xiao Dezi to bring out a memorial, then dropped a bombshell with a smile: "This is a memorial from Huang Dong, the prefect of Lingnan, who, to celebrate my ascension to the throne and my wedding, is willing to offer 50 million taels of silver."
...How much?!
In an instant, the entire court fell silent. No one spoke first, all stunned by the news, as if they were doubting their own ears.
Their entire national treasury's annual output... is probably only around fifty million taels!
This prefect of Lingnan must be tired of living. He couldn't have sold himself for that much!
Faced with the curious and questioning eyes below, Qi Chengming gestured for them not to rush and asked Xiao Dezi to read the contents of the memorial.
Xiao Dezi read it aloud with great expression:
"...Your Majesty, I discovered an island twenty miles overseas, containing abundant silver mines. The island's inhabitants were ignorant and lived in hardship. I then sent people to educate them and provide them with a livelihood. The island's inhabitants now all address each other as subjects of the Great Ding Dynasty and have jointly offered silver as a gift..."
"On the occasion of Your Majesty's ascension to the throne, Heaven bestows the Silver Island in recognition of Your Majesty's virtue, to celebrate Your Majesty's glory... Your subject here expresses gratitude for the prosperity and flourishing of the Great Ding Dynasty, and Your Majesty's brilliance will be remembered for eternity!"
Huang Dong's memorial was extremely sycophantic.
All the important details were glossed over, but the flattery was repeated over and over again.
Regardless of whether Huang Dong's writing style is fluent enough after years of hard work, his substantial congratulatory gift has truly touched the heart of the new emperor!
Several of the reborn officials were immediately consumed by jealousy, their eyes turning red with envy. They suppressed their bitterness and felt extremely depressed.
Before the last few words of the memorial had even been read, some quick-witted courtiers knelt down with a thud to show their piety, moved to tears, and cried out: "Your Majesty's virtue moves heaven and earth; now you are expanding the territory, your martial prowess is truly awe-inspiring!"
The slower-reacting ministers immediately felt a headache coming on. They glared at him imperceptibly and then followed behind, repeating in unison, "Your Majesty expands the territory and is incredibly brave and mighty!"
...treacherous and sycophantic ministers!
All they know is to try and curry favor with His Majesty first, bah!
Qi Chengming had been holding back for so long, and this day had finally arrived. His smile widened, making no attempt to hide his joy.
"My dear ministers, please take a look."
Eunuch De passed the memorial down for the officials of the Six Ministries to examine closely. The memorial contained only a few minor details, omitting the true cause, and employing euphemisms. At the bottom of the memorial were requests for titles and honors for Huang Dong's adventurous discovery of Silver Island and for his subordinates who had contributed to its education of the people.
The buzzing in the court gradually subsided, and those who received the memorials focused intently, reading them in three lines at a glance.
Qi Chengming, having seen that he had reviewed the reports of the six ministers, announced in a deep voice: "Huang Dong, the prefect of Lingnan, has rendered great service and is hereby transferred to be the prefect of Yindao Prefecture. The grandfather of Li Fuqing, a meritorious citizen, has been exonerated and, along with Yin Yanbu, the Li brothers, and others, will serve in Yindao Prefecture to continue educating the people. There must be no mistakes..."
The officials all tacitly agreed, though their expressions varied, and they all seemed a little sore.
That nameless island, simply mentioned by Huang Dong in a memorial to the throne, was named "Silver Island" and became a prefecture. Those subordinates he had recommended for credit were all given official positions...tsk, how lucky they were!
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Author's Note: Our Mr. Huang has been lying low for many years, and now he has finally become famous throughout the land! Once this news spreads, there will be no one in Dingguo who doesn't know his name; his place in history is now secured!
(Later generations had to memorize this passage when doing history questions.)
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