9 Chapter 009
◎Henan Intelligence◎
Chang Wei was busy with government affairs today and had no time to teach, so he called a "substitute teacher".
The substitute teacher was named Yu Jiang, a sixth-rank lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. He was in his thirties, wearing a green official robe and had a solemn expression.
During the entire lecture, he never made eye contact with Xie Mingzhuo and just read from the textbook.
Compared with the gentle and humorous Chang Wei, this person is obviously not cut out for teaching, or perhaps he simply does not intend to teach with all his heart.
Xie Mingzhuo remained calm, continuing to diligently comprehend the meaning of the words in the book. She never liked wasting time arguing with others over issues that could be resolved in a single sentence.
This Minister Yu will no longer have the chance to visit Wenhua Palace.
After two hours of study, Yu Jiang immediately bowed and took his leave.
Adhering to the principle of "respecting teachers and honoring learning", Xie Mingzhuo stood up and escorted him out of the hall, and his etiquette was impeccable.
A gust of wind blew into the corridor, and a chill hit my face.
The weather is getting colder.
The maid Feng Caiyu came quickly, the goose yellow silk flowers on her hair trembling in the wind.
"Your Highness, the palace gate guard has come to report that the second son of Marquis Weining is requesting an audience outside the palace."
Xie Mingzhuo nodded: "It's time to come. Bring him to Wenhua Hall."
Feng Caiyu accepted the order and withdrew.
Outside the palace gate, Lu Er touched the manuscript hidden in his sleeve to confirm whether it was still there, then adjusted the scarf on his head, stroked his collar, and looked down at his shoes. They were good, without a speck of dirt.
After the guard on duty came to report, he confirmed again that the manuscript was safely kept, and then followed the palace servants into the palace gate.
Seeing that the route was wrong, he couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, sir, where are we going?"
"Wenhua Palace." The palace servant replied coldly.
Lu Er clenched his sleeves and stopped asking questions.
Wenhua Hall is located in the southeast of the imperial palace, not far from the palace gate, but it takes time for the palace servants to report back and forth. It took a full quarter of an hour for Xie Mingzhuo to see Lu Er.
Living in the palace allows one to live with family, get in touch with government affairs in a timely manner, and obtain the best educational resources, but it is inconvenient to meet outsiders.
If she had the time, she would have finished reading Lu Er's plan and sent him back to rebuild the pig farm.
"I, Lu Fang, wish Your Highness the Princess good health."
"No need to be so polite." Xie Mingzhuo called him over and told Feng Caiyu to serve tea and give him a seat. He casually asked, "Is your injury healed?"
Lu Fang sat upright, legs together, hands clasped together at the base of his legs, eyes slightly lowered.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have recovered."
He was born into a family of military generals and had been involved in many fights since he was a child. After being beaten with ten boards, he only suffered some minor injuries and would be fine after resting for a day or two.
"Well, take out the plan and let me take a look." Xie Mingzhuo glanced at him and felt that the contrast between this person and his name was quite big.
Although he had an extroverted name, his temperament was actually quiet and reserved. He was only particularly serious and bold when it came to raising pigs.
Lu Er took out the manuscript from his robe sleeve, folded it neatly, and presented it to Xie Mingzhuo.
The handwriting on the manuscript is neat and the wording is rigorous and sophisticated. From site selection to cost budget to breeding plan, it is clearly organized and can be considered a mature plan.
Xie Mingzhuo likes this kind of employees, who are quiet, meticulous and responsible in their work, and do not require too much worry from him.
"Yes, you are an expert in pig farming. I have no objection. Let's proceed according to this plan."
Lu Er's eyes sparkled, but he said modestly, "I still have many shortcomings, so I don't dare to call myself a 'master'."
"Don't underestimate yourself." Xie Mingzhuo took out a talisman. "From now on, report to me every month on the pig farm's affairs. With this, you don't have to go back and forth to pass the message. You can come to see me directly."
Lu Er took the talisman with both hands and said happily, "I will definitely live up to your trust, Your Highness."
"No matter how lowly a swineherd may be, he is still an official of the Shanglinyuan Supervisor. He no longer needs to call himself a 'commoner'."
Lu Er tightly grasped the talisman and kowtowed, saying, "I will take my leave."
When she turned around and left, she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes.
Xie Mingzhuo was infected by his emotions, and the heaviness that had been accumulating in his heart for the past few days dissipated a lot.
"Caiyu, Lu Er's personality is simple and straightforward, what about Lu Da?"
"Your Highness, I'm not entirely sure." Feng Caiyu recalled for a moment, "But I have heard of Censor Lu's deeds."
"What deeds?"
"During an autumn hunt, Prince Jingguo accidentally shot Censor Lu's horse. The horse went berserk from the pain, and Censor Lu was scratched on the face by a branch, nearly injuring his eye. He immediately jumped off the horse, beat Prince Jingguo, and broke his leg."
Xie Mingzhuo sat up straight: "What happened next?"
"Duke Jingguo loves his son so much that he went to Marquis Weining to ask for an explanation. Marquis Weining bluntly said his son was careless, and the matter was dropped."
Xie Mingzhuo couldn't help but praise: "Teacher, this person is well chosen."
He would avenge his grudges immediately and would not suffer any loss in secret. This kind of character might not be popular in official circles, but in a complicated situation like that in Henan, he might be able to achieve a surprise victory.
Lu Lian reported to the Kaifeng Prefecture Governor's Office with the imperial edict and appointment documents, and was warmly received by Governor Guo Duan.
"You must be exhausted from your journey, Censor Lu. I have already ordered some food and wine to be prepared. Why don't you come with me to the backyard? After dinner, I will have someone take you to the government office to rest."
Lu Lian said sternly, "I appreciate the good intentions of the Minister of Justice, but I have the Emperor's orders and dare not delay. I must go to the Dusi and the Fansi."
"Alas, I know you're carrying out the emperor's orders. As subjects, who among us doesn't share the emperor's worries?" Guo Duan advised with the tone of a veteran. "But even if you are loyal to the court, you can't neglect your health."
Lu Lian: "Your subordinate..."
"Besides, the governor and the magistrate are here, and they're waiting for you in the backyard. We can eat and talk at the same time, and it won't require you to make an extra trip."
Lu Lian looked surprised.
"Don't stand there, come here." Guo Duan waved.
Lu Lian had no choice but to bow and said, "Then I will be very disrespectful to refuse your offer."
The high-ranking officials at the provincial level in the Qi Dynasty included the governor, provincial governor, provincial judge and military commander.
The governor was originally a temporary official sent by the central government to the local area. He was usually given the title of Right Vice-Censor of the Censorate and was in charge of the military and political affairs of a province. Later, he gradually became a permanent official, and his status was equivalent to that of the provincial party committee secretary in later generations.
The left and right provincial governors were the chief executives of a province. After the establishment of the provincial governor system, the provincial governor's power gradually declined, and he later became a subordinate of the provincial governor, under whom were the left and right councilors, left and right councilors, etc.
The Censor was responsible for the criminal law and judicial affairs of a province.
The commander-in-chief was in charge of the military affairs of a province and was also supervised by the governor.
There were four people welcoming Lu Lian today, including the Governor Guo Duan, the Left Councillor of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Provincial Censor, and a middle-aged man who was not wearing an official uniform. Guo Duan called him Ma Xiucai.
Only the commander-in-chief Zong Zhen was missing.
In the palace, the five members of the Xie family finished their lunch and received the intelligence presented by the Jinyiwei.
The Jinyiwei's intelligence gathering was quite efficient, and the intelligence they obtained basically covered things that happened yesterday or the day before yesterday.
Xie Mingzhuo unfolded the secret letter and spoke under the curious gazes of the four people, "The day before yesterday, the decree arrived at the Kaifeng Prefecture Governor's Office. Governor Guo Duan immediately conveyed the decree to the Provincial Administration Commissioner, who ordered the Provincial Governor to immediately issue a written order to the subordinate prefecture and county offices."
Xie Changfeng nodded: "This governor is quite efficient."
"Yesterday, the decree was not sent to the various prefecture and county offices. Guo Duan met with the Left Provincial Governor Yang Kejian and spoke for a while. Yang Kejian left with a serious expression, and the Provincial Government still hasn't issued any documents."
Xie Mingxuan frowned: "Is there something wrong with Yang Kejian?"
"Anyone who works in the news knows that you can't jump to conclusions easily." Xie Mingshuo shook his index finger. "Would you like to hear more?"
Xie Mingzhuo continued reading, "After the court was dismissed at twilight hour, Han Jingyi, the Left Counselor of the Provincial Administration, returned home to meet a guest. The guest was Ma Yongfei, a wealthy merchant from Henan. He ran a carriage and horse business, the largest of its kind in Henan."
"I'm stunned." Xie Mingxuan looked bewildered. "How can he be both the Left Provincial Governor and the Left Councillor?"
Xie Mingzhuo explained with a smile: "Just think of one as the governor and the other as the vice governor."
"Who did the deputy governor meet with?"
"Chairman of the largest transportation company in Henan Province."
Xie Mingxuan suddenly understood: "I understand."
"Old Chang is right. You should go to Wenhua Hall to study as soon as you become wise." Xie Mingshuo said mischievously.
Xie Mingxuan nodded seriously.
His family members quickly integrated into this world, but he still felt a barrier and should really find a teacher to teach him.
But I don’t want Lao Chang.
Meng Qi asked curiously, "Did the Imperial Guard record the conversations between the provincial party secretary and the governor, and between the vice governor and the chairman of the carriage and horse company?"
"The Governor's Office is heavily guarded, and the Imperial Guards aren't omnipotent." Xie Mingzhuo shook his head. "There are indeed spies from the Imperial Guards at Zuo Canzheng's house, but they're quite cautious. They don't leave anyone inside the courtyard, and they have servants guarding the outside, making it difficult to get close."
"Isn't it said that the Jinyiwei is omnipresent?"
Xie Mingshuo laughed strangely and said, "They are not ants or spiders that can get in anywhere. Don't over-mythologize them."
"That's right."
"Where's Zong Zhen?" Xie Changfeng asked, "What was Zong Zhen's reaction?"
Xie Mingzhuo said helplessly, "Zong Zhen is not in Kaifeng Prefecture. According to investigations, he led his troops to Runing Prefecture. The military discipline is very strict, and even the Jinyiwei dare not pry into it rashly."
“…”
Xie Mingshuo clicked his tongue and shook his head: "In other words, none of the actions that should have been taken were taken, and none of the actions that should have been investigated were investigated."
Meng Qi was worried: "If we continue to delay, the victims will suffer even more. What about Shanxi and Shaanxi?"
"Shanxi's decree has already reached all prefectures and counties, and the next step is towns and villages. Shaanxi's decree has also been issued. Henan's administration is at a standstill, and it depends on how Lu Da acts."
"What if he can't make it?"
Xie Mingzhuo: "If there is still no progress in three days, the court will have to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys."
In this power struggle, one side would inevitably be drawn into the vortex and crushed to pieces. But as long as the capital was stable and imperial power remained, it would not be their family of five who would fail.
Speaking of the stability of the capital, it is time to make advance deployments.
The capital's current military strength includes the three major camps of the capital and the emperor's twenty-six personal guards.
At its peak, the three battalions had a strength of up to 700,000 troops. However, due to certain reasons, the strength of the three battalions was weakened and their combat effectiveness declined. Now there are only 170,000 troops left.
The twenty-six guards of the imperial army have no more than 150,000 men, totaling 320,000 men.
When she first came here, she guessed that there were no less than 200,000 troops because Princess Rong'an only had a vague idea of the military strength of the capital.
Three hundred and twenty thousand, more than she had estimated, yet the capital was easily captured by a group of refugees.
It's so weird.
When Xie Mingzhuo arrived at the martial arts arena, he was still thinking about this matter.
Suddenly, the sound of vigorous horse hooves was heard, and a reddish-brown horse with flying mane galloped from the other side of the martial arts field.
She looked sideways, but saw that the horse's back was empty.
Before he could react, the horse had already run to his side. A dashing figure suddenly jumped up from the other side of the horse's belly. His wheat-colored face was full of excitement and joy, but when his peripheral vision touched Xie Mingzhuo, he suddenly froze.
"Your Highness, Your Highness—Ah, Xiaofei, stop! Ugh—"
The horse's hooves were still in the air when Jiang Qing rolled over and landed on the ground. She immediately knelt behind the horse's butt and shouted loudly: "I, Jiang Qing, beg Her Royal Highness the Princess to be well!"
Xiao Fei didn't understand what she was doing, so he lifted his hind legs slightly and touched Jiang Qing's shoulder——
"Be careful!" Xie Mingzhuo stepped forward subconsciously.
Jiang Qing followed the force of the horse's legs, maintained the posture of kneeling, rolled on the ground for a few times, and continued to kneel on the ground with grass debris all over his body.
After discovering that the angle was off, she quietly straightened it.
Xie Mingzhuo: “…”
Master Jiang rushed over: "..."
I feel tired.
【Author’s words】
Send 100 red envelopes~
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