114 Chapter 114
◎The new emperor ascends the throne◎
Wenhua Hall of the Imperial Palace.
Xie Mingzhuo took the information, which contained clear and detailed information about every word and action of Nag and the others.
"Fan Niang, come and see."
Meng Fan took it and, after reading it for a moment, couldn't help but smile. "Princess, it seems that Nag deliberately disguised himself as a merchant caravan to enter the pass in order to learn about the changes in Daqi. He wanted to assess whether his Khan could move south."
After several years of experience, Meng Fan is no longer the lady she used to be. After staying with Xie Mingzhuo for a long time and traveling frequently, she has completely changed. Her old acquaintances rarely see her and dare not recognize her.
The trade between the Central Plains and the grasslands has never been interrupted, but even if the caravans from the grassland tribes brought back a lot of information, it would be difficult for it to reach the royal court. Even if it did reach the royal court, Badan, Nag and others would not believe it.
Only by letting them see it with their own eyes and experience it personally can they feel the great changes that have taken place in Qi State.
Apart from the changes in people's daily lives, the border troops and war horses are no longer the same.
The caravan had no contact with the soldiers, but several small-scale conflicts were enough for the grassland tribes to face the reality. However, the Dada nobles were still deeply immersed in the "glory" of the past and dared not admit it.
I believe that during these days, Nag should have realized the growing gap between the two sides, and his confidence in moving south has been shattered again and again.
Xie Mingzhuo leaned back in his chair and said, "He doesn't dare."
"Yes, even if he dares, we can defeat them." Meng Fan was full of confidence.
Under the princess's governance, the country, which was once plagued by many problems, has now been completely transformed, and all walks of life are thriving.
Not to mention military construction.
Military discipline, military appearance, pay and other related systems are strictly regulated, and few people dare to withhold pay or abuse soldiers under the princess's nose.
Across the country, the military launched a literacy campaign and organized soldiers at all levels to study, which greatly improved the overall quality of the soldiers.
The grassland cavalry had long lost their advantage in front of their troops.
"Your Highness," Feng Caiyu hurried over with a smile on her face, "several ministers have just gone to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to propose to His Majesty the appointment of a crown prince."
This is the third time.
The cabinet ministers requested the emperor to make Princess Rong'an the crown prince twice before, but the emperor refused. However, there was no need to refuse again.
Xie Mingzhuo had been in charge of government affairs for several years, and everyone had seen the changes in the Qi Kingdom, so he had many supporters in the court and the country. It was an inevitable trend to ask for the establishment of a crown prince, and even if there were a few diehards, they could not make any waves.
Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Xie Changfeng always gets a headache when he sees ministers, but today he is full of energy and high spirits, looking at the cabinet ministers with a very gentle and amiable look.
"My dear ministers, what you said is absolutely right. Rong'an has always worked tirelessly day and night. Our Daqi has enjoyed good weather and good harvests in recent years, and the people have lived and worked in peace and contentment. Her contributions cannot be underestimated. Of course, the assistance of capable ministers like you is also indispensable. I am naturally relieved to leave the government to Rong'an."
Ministers: "Your Majesty is wise."
"But..." Xie Changfeng said carefully.
The cabinet ministers were startled. Could it be that the emperor wanted to change his mind?
"Last night, a Taoist immortal appeared in my dream and told me that I had a destiny to be an immortal. Now, the mundane affairs of the world have been taken over by someone with the destiny. I can focus on studying the Tao and no longer need to worry about the mundane world."
The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. Your Majesty, what do you mean...
"I have decided to abdicate and let Rong An inherit the throne. Do you have any objections?" Xie Changfeng looked firm, as if he would scold anyone who disagreed.
Everyone present was Xie Mingzhuo's supporter. The purpose of asking for the crown prince was to let the princess inherit the throne. Now that the emperor had abdicated directly, there was only one procedure missing. It was a done deal and there would be no more accidents. They were so happy that they couldn't wait to object.
He immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, please think twice!"
No matter what, the surface work must be done well. It is impossible for the ministers to agree as soon as the emperor says he wants to abdicate. This would make the emperor lose face.
According to convention, after three attempts, the ministers finally agreed to the emperor's abdication.
When a new emperor ascends the throne, all preparations will take at least several months, and time will also be given to foreign envoys to pay homage to the emperor.
Chu Jun, the director of the Imperial Observatory, once again demonstrated his professional skills and set the date of his enthronement on the first day of the first lunar month of the Bingyin year. It was the New Year, the whole country was celebrating, and everything was new. He could also directly change the reign title without having to postpone it.
When the news reached the people, most of them said "I know". They didn't care who was on the throne, they only cared about who could make them live a good life.
Facts have proved that during the years that Princess Rong'an was in charge of government, the living standards of the people increased significantly. In addition, newspapers continued to publicize her, and Princess Rong'an was very popular among the people.
Of course it would be best if she could become the emperor.
Only a very small number of stubborn and pedantic people wrote articles to curse secretly, but they could not cause any waves, so Xie Mingzhuo simply ignored them.
Dada Royal Court.
When they heard that Qichao was going to establish a queen, Badan and others' eyes popped out.
At this time, Nag had returned to the royal court and brought back what he had seen and heard in the border town of Qi Dynasty, and concluded that "it is temporarily impossible to go south."
Badan and other pro-war factions were feeling depressed and unhappy when they heard this. They also learned that Emperor Qi was preparing to abdicate and Princess Rong'an was about to ascend the throne. It was as if they had heard a fairy tale.
Before, when Princess Rong'an was in control of the government, Badan and others felt that Qi State was acting recklessly. Now, they increasingly believe that Qi State will destroy itself sooner or later.
Bataan's ambitions were rekindled.
The scene of Princess Rong'an shooting a tiger in the past has been forgotten by him. He only knows that it is ridiculous for a woman to be the emperor.
Maybe in another year or two, he would be able to lead his troops south and capture the capital of Qi State in one fell swoop.
Nag said at the right moment: "Khan, the new emperor of Qi State has ascended the throne and needs to send an envoy to attend the ceremony. I, your humble servant, would like to go."
After visiting the border town once, he became even more obsessed with Qi State. If the border town was so lively and prosperous, what about the capital?
Badan knew that he loved the Central Plains culture. After he went to the border town, he came back and talked to him in a long-winded way, constantly emphasizing the current development of Qi State, which made his ears callused.
The richer and more powerful Qi State became, the more restless he became.
Such a prosperous country is about to fall into the hands of a woman. It would be better to let him manage it.
When Nag goes to the capital and sees with his own eyes that there is a woman sitting on the throne, he might change his mind and hope that he will go south.
On the 20th day of the 12th lunar month in the Yichou year, the entire palace began to prepare for the new emperor's enthronement and the Spring Festival.
Important officials from all over the country also returned to Beijing to report on their work, including a Sichuan official named Xiang Jingze.
Three years ago, after the princess went to Sichuan and returned to Beijing, she promoted Xiang Yushi to be the director of the Sichuan Salt Administration. Xiang Tiju served for three years, worked diligently and conscientiously, and did not pay for salt business, which made the Sichuan salt business a new one.
After the advent of the steam engine, she introduced mechanized production, and the annual output doubled year after year. The price of official salt continued to decline, allowing many ordinary people who could not afford salt to eat salt to eat salt. The treatment of salt workers in the salt fields was also much better than before. The salt fields in Sichuan were in full swing and full of enthusiasm.
Her contribution to Sichuan's salt administration is immeasurable.
After returning to Beijing to report on my work this time, I will definitely be promoted to a higher level.
This is what the ministers thought in their hearts.
But no matter how much they thought about it, they still couldn't imagine that Xiang Tiju would directly reveal his identity as a woman when reporting on his work and explain the reason why he pretended to be an official appointed by the court.
A huge uproar suddenly broke out inside and outside the government.
The diehards immediately jumped out to criticize Xiang Jinghui, wishing to force him to death. The moderates listed Xiang Jinghui's achievements in detail, believing that his merits and demerits could offset each other, but he could no longer hold this position.
The princess's party did not react at all because the princess kept silent about it, only imprisoned Xiang Jinghui in the sky prison and sent people to guard him closely.
The diehards didn't know what Xie Mingzhuo was thinking, but the country had its own laws. For a woman to impersonate an official for four years, wasn't that a crime that would be condemned by the world?
Must be severely punished!
At the same time, newspapers also reported the news, which spread to all parts of the country, and Xiang Jinghui's name became known throughout the country.
When the people of Shu heard the news, they were all excited, especially the salt workers in the salt district. They pressed their bloody fingerprints overnight and jointly petitioned Xiang Jinghui.
They didn't care whether Xiang Tiju was a man or a woman, they only knew that it was Xiang Tiju who led them to a good life, and Xiang Tiju often mentioned to them the kindness and grace of Her Royal Highness the Princess. They believed that as long as the petition was sent to the court and to the princess, the princess would definitely give Xiang Tiju justice.
After the petition of 10,000 people was delivered to the capital, it caused quite a stir, and even the diehards did not dare to criticize it.
It was at this time that Nag entered the capital.
The petition was posted on the bulletin board under Zhengyang Gate, and countless people went to watch. Even the heavy snow did not dampen the enthusiasm of the people.
Na Ge squeezed in the crowd and saw the words on the bulletin board clearly. The words between the lines were all the true feelings of the people of Shu, which was very touching.
After reading it, he felt a burning warmth rising from his heart, both for the outstanding achievements of Xiang Ti Ju and for the deep friendship between officials and the people.
Having lived on the grasslands for decades, I had never seen such a scene before, let alone a woman serving as an official in the government, benefiting the country.
Along the way, the shock brought to him by Qi State was so deep and far-reaching that he could not even muster any thoughts of attacking the south.
Before New Year's Eve, everyone in the capital, from the imperial palace to the streets and markets, was busy as hell.
The emperor's abdication edict has been announced to the world, and royal family members and dignitaries from all over the country have rushed to the capital to pay their respects.
Xie Mingzhuo tries on the dragon robe in front of a full-length mirror.
The embroiderers in the palace had extremely exquisite skills, and the golden dragons on the robes were lifelike and invaluable.
Meng Qi nodded with satisfaction: "Shao Shao looks really smart in this outfit."
"I've finally waited for this day," Xie Changfeng said, as excited as a bird that has just escaped from a cage. He was extremely relaxed and free. "Shao Shao looks much better in this outfit than I do."
"Your Majesty, you're really getting lazier." Xie Mingshuo rolled his eyes. "If you're bored, why don't you come to our newspaper and be an anonymous artist?"
"What's the point of being a painter?" Xie Changfeng snorted. "Hurry up and tell the boss and the others to get a camera. My wife and I will travel around the country in the future and we'll want to take some pictures as souvenirs."
The pressure was on Xie Mingxuan. He glanced at his old father and said, "First, let's complete your and Xiaolin's plan to train grassroots criminal hunters."
Xie Changfeng: “…”
The road ahead is long and arduous, but fortunately Kobayashi is a doer and doesn't need to worry too much.
Speak of Cao Cao and he will appear.
Lin Fan, dressed in brocade clothes, walked into the hall and saw Xie Mingzhuo in front of the mirror. He couldn't take his eyes off him.
The amazement and lingering affection in his eyes could not be hidden.
Xie Mingzhuo let him look openly, and after a moment, he asked with a smile, "How is it?"
"Nothing could be more suitable than this." Lin Fan walked to her side, subconsciously moving closer, his upper arm rubbing against her shoulder.
Meng Qi snickered: "Boss, I suddenly have an idea. Come with me to Tiangongyuan."
"good."
Xie Mingshuo immediately understood: "I have something to do at the newspaper office, so I'll leave first."
As he raised his foot, he did not forget to pull Xie Changfeng, "Father, please come with me."
Xie Changfeng: “…”
When the palace door closed, there were only two people left in the room. Xie Mingzhuo and Lin Fan couldn't help but smile at each other.
Lin Fan held her hand and kissed it, his eyes full of concern. "After you ascend the throne, don't overwork yourself."
"I support so many officials, but they don't eat for free." Xie Mingzhuo took him to sit at the table. "But you, you are often away on business, so you have lost a lot of weight."
Lin Fan was shocked: "Really?"
He looked at his hands carefully, then touched his face. He couldn't tell if he had lost weight, but he felt that his skin was indeed a little rougher.
No, I need to take good care of it this winter.
There are so many people outside who covet the princess, he will definitely not let others find an opportunity.
"What are you thinking about?"
Lin Fan blurted out: "I want to maintain it."
I realized it was inappropriate after I said it, and I blushed.
Xie Mingzhuo couldn't stop smiling.
On the first day of the first lunar month of the Bingyin year, the new emperor ascended the throne.
Imperial clans, dukes, nobles, civil and military officials, and foreign envoys from all over the country gathered in the square outside Fengtian Gate to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension to the throne.
It was the first time that Nag saw such a magnificent palace. Under the gaze of the vast blue sky, it demonstrated the depth and splendor unique to ancient civilization.
A sense of awe arises spontaneously.
The white jade steps are dazzling in the golden sunlight. At the top of the steps, a golden dragon throne stands majestic and honorable.
The official voice of Mingzan is like a huge bell: "The music begins——"
In an instant, the court musicians played the grand music together. The solemn and dignified music penetrated the palace gate, crossed the palace wall, and spread in all directions.
Xie Mingzhuo, dressed in the imperial robes, walked slowly up the white jade steps, came to the dragon throne, turned around and sat down.
"kneel--"
Everyone knelt three times and kowtowed nine times on the imperial road to show their loyalty and submission.
The new emperor ascended the throne, changed the reign title to Xihe, and issued a general amnesty.
Xiang Jinghui in the Heavenly Prison was naturally pardoned and her merits were not diminished, but she did not obtain her official position through the imperial examination after all, so she could not keep her official position.
She doesn't care about official positions; she has already got what she wanted.
Her brother died unjustly, and the culprit had already received the punishment he deserved. She had also fulfilled her ambitions in the past few years and had no regrets in her heart.
She decided to give up all the paperwork and travel around the world again with her husband Yan Tai.
Before leaving, she knelt down and kowtowed deeply towards the direction of the imperial palace. When she stood up again, she concealed the reluctance and reverence in her eyes, mounted her horse, and rode away.
In three years, Xiang Jinghui and her husband traveled all over the famous mountains and rivers, exploring the customs and cultures of various places. They also learned about the court's decrees from newspapers, and their admiration for the empress became deeper and deeper.
She returned to her ancestral home in Fujian with her husband and two-year-old daughter. Due to the long journey, she missed the latest decree issued by the court. It was not until she arrived in the town and saw her fellow villagers whom she had not seen for nearly ten years and heard a teasing from them that she suddenly realized the truth.
The name Xiang Jinghui has long been famous throughout the country. When the villagers saw her, they mostly admired her but did not get close to her, but they showed great enthusiasm for the daughter in her arms.
"Oh, this kid looks smart. Maybe he can become the top scorer in the imperial examination in the future."
Yan Tai smiled innocently and replied, "It's a girl, not a boy."
"I know. What happened to my daughter? She can now take the imperial examination and become an official. Haven't you heard about it?"
"Yes, yes, maybe this girl can become a high-ranking official like Hui Niang in the future."
Xiang Jinghui asked in surprise: "What imperial examination?"
"The imperial court has said that both my daughter and my son will be able to go to school and take the imperial examinations. Hui Niang, you must teach them well in the future. Maybe our town will really have a female top scholar."
Xiang Jinghui was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud a few times, his brows lit up.
Why wait until my daughter grows up?
She can take the test herself!
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