60 Chapter 060
◎The Princess Returns to Beijing◎
On August 21st of the Xinyou year, Xie Mingzhuo arrived in the capital.
It has been exactly five months since she traveled through time.
With only a dozen days left until the Emperor's birthday, most of the diplomatic envoys from all over the country have arrived in the capital, and many foreign faces have appeared in the streets and alleys.
Xie Mingzhuo was eager to go home and did not pay any attention to it.
She first secretly returned to the princess's residence, changed into the princess's regular clothes, and took a gorgeous carriage to the palace.
After three months of “recuperation,” it’s time to recover.
Before the imperial carriage entered the palace, the Jinyiwei arrived in advance to report the news.
Xie Changfeng immediately dropped the painting he was working on, Meng Qi and Xie Mingxuan immediately threw away the experiments they were doing, and Xie Mingshuo directly put down the manuscript he was reviewing, and they all rushed to Fengtian Gate.
Near noon, Xie Mingzhuo's carriage stopped in front of the palace gate.
She got off the carriage and walked through the Ye Gate with Jiang Qing and Feng Caiyu, and saw her parents and brother standing south of Jinshui Bridge.
Before she could speak, Meng Qi hurried over, disregarding the queen's demeanor, and hugged her, choking with sobs, "You've lost weight, you've lost weight."
Xie Mingzhuo had been relatively calm, but at this moment his eyes couldn't help but feel hot.
She patted Meng Qi's shoulder and replied softly, "I'm sorry to have worried Mother."
Xie Changfeng and his two sons also came over, feeling both happy and distressed.
They had heard about the dangers along the way, and even after seeing Shao Shao return safely, they were still frightened.
Wu Shanqing was also wiping tears.
"Rong'an has been traveling all the way and is exhausted. Let's go back and talk about it," Xie Changfeng suggested.
Meng Qi quickly agreed, took Xie Mingzhuo's hand, and went to the Qianqing Palace.
"Ayu, Aqing, you go back to the prince's residence first." Xie Mingzhuo only had time to say one sentence.
When they arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Xie Changfeng ordered the palace servants to prepare the meal, and all of the dishes he prepared were Xie Mingzhuo's favorites.
Some were serving soup, some were picking up dishes, some were peeling shrimps. None of the four of them were eating seriously. They were all circling around her.
Xie Mingzhuo felt amused and warm in his heart.
"Okay, everyone sit down and eat. Each of you eat your own food. I will tell you in detail after you finish eating."
Meng Qi was surprised: "Don't you need to go back and rest first?"
"No, I'm not tired." She really didn't feel tired and was full of energy.
Xie Mingshuo couldn't help but jokingly say, "He's truly a worker chosen by God."
After lunch, Xie Mingzhuo waved away the palace maids, hugged a thin quilt, snuggled into the soft couch, and told the four people about his experiences along the way.
She did not hide the dangers she encountered and even explained the details clearly, so that they would have a better understanding of this strange world and avoid being fooled in the future.
The four of them were terrified and gasped from time to time.
I feel sorry for Xie Mingzhuo and I am also grateful for the suffering of the people.
"Shao Shao, the more you say this, the more ashamed I feel." Although Xie Changfeng did not voluntarily sit on the throne, he is the emperor after all, and the lives of the people are closely related to him.
"It's too difficult. We can't even afford food and clothing, so how can we talk about development?" Meng Qi rubbed his brow. "I'm not an agronomy major, so I can't help even if I want to."
Xie Mingshuo: "There's no need to do everything yourself. There are experts among the people. There will always be someone who can come up with a solution."
"But we don't know when the talents will appear." Xie Mingxuan said.
Xie Mingzhuo smiled and said, "This is a policy issue. As long as the court is willing to open up the reward mechanism, talents will naturally emerge."
"That's exactly what I mean," Xie Mingshuo couldn't help but high-five her. "We still need to figure out a set of rules for how to implement it."
Xie Mingshuo nodded. "There are a few issues that I need to discuss with the court officials at tomorrow's court meeting. Many officials in Henan, Huguang, and Anlu have been dismissed. Many people are eyeing these vacancies, so we need to give them more consideration."
"I'll do as you say." Xie Changfeng said hurriedly.
Xie Mingzhuo didn't refuse either: "Where did that newly appointed Sichuan governor come from?"
"Ah?" Xie Changfeng looked bewildered. "Let me think about it."
Xie Mingshuo raised his hand: "I remember that he was the magistrate of Huizhou Prefecture in Nanzhili. What's wrong?"
The judge was of the sixth rank, and the director of the Salt Tax Bureau was of the fifth rank, which was a half-level promotion.
"Who recommended it?"
Xie Changfeng shook his head. "I don't know. The Ministry of Personnel nominated them, and I'm only responsible for approving them. Is there any problem?"
"According to the postman's description, he is not a very upright person." Xie Mingzhuo didn't say much and changed the subject. "How do you plan to deal with Prince An and his son?"
There is conclusive evidence that Prince Liang was plotting a rebellion. Although the people involved in the case have not yet been escorted to the capital, the evidence seized from Prince Liang's mansion, as well as the evidence provided by Xie Ni and some suspects, have all been urgently sent to the capital and presented to the emperor.
Among these evidences is the correspondence between King Liang and King An. King Liang is dead, and King An cannot stay either.
Meng Qi glanced at Xie Changfeng and said, "He is an accomplice. Prince Liang and Zhang Xiaofu are both dead, so he can't live alone. But we have never used the power to take people's lives, and we haven't made up our minds yet."
Having the power of life and death may seem impressive, but it actually tests one's human nature.
For a couple who have lived a peaceful life for half their lives, it is indeed difficult to bring this up.
Xie Mingzhuo was neither surprised nor disappointed.
She hopes that her loved ones can always be happy and peaceful, without having to bear heavy psychological pressure.
Too much desire for power will make people cold-blooded and heartless. Having her at home is enough.
She didn't want the originally harmonious family of five to eventually sink into the vortex of power.
When she is tired, it is enough for her to have a warm harbor to rely on.
Xie Mingzhuo said, "How about leaving this matter to me?"
"Shao Shao," Xie Changfeng said, feeling somewhat guilty, "Dad is holding you back."
"The best thing is that you are safe and healthy." Xie Mingzhuo didn't feel it was a burden at all.
She had killed people with her own hands, so it was not difficult for her to order the execution of a few people.
At 3 p.m., a pot of poisoned wine was delivered to Prince An's mansion.
At the same time, Xie Mingzhuo summoned Lu Fang to Wenhua Hall.
After not seeing each other for three months, Lu Fang looked a little tanned, but he was in higher spirits than before.
He was obviously very excited to see Xie Mingzhuo. After kneeling down to pay his respects, his first question was, "Is the princess well?"
Before leaving Beijing, Xie Mingzhuo used "illness" as an excuse to avoid seeing people. Someone as shrewd as Chang Wei wouldn't believe it, but a naive person like Lu Fang had no doubts.
"Ankang. I've read the report you submitted. Setting up a control group for observation and introducing high-quality pig breeds are both very good measures."
She asked Lu Fang to report his work to her every month, and Lu Fang strictly followed his instructions. Upon returning to the palace, three months' reports were placed on her special desk and sealed in a brocade box.
Lu Fang's handsome face was filled with joy as he added, "We're expanding the pig farm and are short of manpower. Can we recruit some more laborers?"
"You make the final arrangements for this matter."
"yes."
Xie Mingzhuo encouraged him a few more words and sent him away.
"Ayu, go to the Ministry of Personnel and have them compile the records of the appointment and dismissal of local chieftains and local officials in the southwestern provinces over the past fifteen years. Send them back to me after the court meeting tomorrow morning."
Feng Caiyu took the order and left.
The windows of Wenhua Hall have been replaced with glass, and the autumn sun shines directly in, the light is bright and warm.
Xie Mingzhuo found some books related to the southwest and occasionally took notes while reading them.
The pencil used was improved by my second brother and is suitable for shorthand.
After being away from Beijing for three months, my parents and brothers have come up with a lot of new things.
With the help of the superiors, these new things became a trend in government offices and spread to the streets of the city.
Businessmen who are good at discovering business opportunities will continue to improve their processes, reduce costs and improve efficiency when they find that they are profitable, thus creating a virtuous cycle.
At the hour of You, after having dinner with his family, Xie Mingzhuo returned to the prince's residence.
Feng Caiyu and Jiang Qing had already brought people to clean up. They changed the bed into an autumn quilt that had just been dried in the sun in the afternoon and had a fresh and dry smell.
Xie Mingzhuo took a long bath until her skin was wrinkled. She got up lazily, changed into soft pajamas, closed her eyes and half-leaned on the couch, while Caiyu helped her dry her hair.
The lights come on and the stars and the moon shine together.
The palace was completely silent, with only the occasional soft footsteps of palace servants. Over the past three months, the hardship of trekking through mountains and rivers and the hustle and bustle of living in the city seemed to have gradually faded away.
The auspicious beast incense burner emits green mist, the fragrance soothes the mind and gradually dispels the chaotic memories in the mind.
"Your Highness, I packed my luggage this afternoon and found a letter in it. I didn't know where to put it, so I put it under my dressing box."
Xie Mingzhuo opened his eyes and said, "Find a box later and put it in."
"yes."
After a moment, she said again, "Go get it."
Feng Caiyu followed her instructions, took out the letter from under her dressing box, and presented it to Xie Mingshuo.
The envelope was addressed to "Meng Zhuo himself".
Xie Mingzhuo took out the letter and looked at it carefully again. Only then did he realize that Lin Bantou's handwriting was quite elegant and had a hint of arrogance.
He is not afraid of power and has his own set of principles in mind when doing things. He is indeed a bit arrogant.
She took back the letter and put it aside.
Tomorrow's court meeting is the highlight, so she needs to rest early and recharge her energy.
Anlu County, Huguang.
Chen Shi invited Lin Fan to his home. Since he couldn't cook, he ordered a few dishes from the restaurant.
"Brother Lin, how are your master and the others?"
"I suffered some minor injuries, but I've been properly treated and am fine." Lin Fan looked calm, but his tone was a little depressed. "Brother Shen invited me here, but is there something you want to talk to me about?"
Chen Shi sighed, "Don't be sad. It's all because of that arrogant landlord. He hired the circus troupe but refused to pay."
After working so hard to perform, not only did they not get paid, they were also mocked by the landlord and driven out with sticks.
Naturally, they were furious and went to the government to file a complaint. However, the government officials accepted bribes and arrested them and locked them up for several days.
If it weren't for the Sixth Junior Brother's quick thinking, who took advantage of the chaos to run away and deliver a letter to him, Master and his fellow Junior Brothers wouldn't know how long he would have been imprisoned.
Just because of this incident, he missed the opportunity to go to the capital with Miss Meng.
So many days have passed, I wonder if she has arrived in Beijing safely.
Lin Fan raised his head and drank a glass of wine.
"Are you still thinking about Miss Meng? She didn't leave you an address before she left. The capital is so big, you won't be able to find her if you go there."
Lin Fan: "I was too hasty."
"Seeing you like this, I really can't bear it." Chen Shi stopped him from drinking the next glass of wine, "I'll give you a chance, do you want it?"
"What?"
Chen Shi lowered his voice and said, "Those who are plotting rebellion in the eastern suburbs will be escorted to the capital tomorrow. There are too many prisoners and not enough police officers. Would you like to come and help?"
"Of course I do!" Lin Fan said without hesitation.
Chen Shi took out a letter from his pocket with an expression that said "I knew it would be like this".
"When you arrive in the capital, go to the residence of my classmate from the Ministry of Justice, Cen Kui, and give him this letter. In it, I asked him to find out about any Jinyiwei girls in the capital named Meng. Since there are only a few girls serving in the Jinyiwei, it shouldn't be difficult to find them."
Lin Fan stood up abruptly and bowed deeply, "Brother Shen, I have great kindness. Lin Fan has no way to repay you."
"I'm not without selfish motives," Chen Shi lifted him up. "Tang Song is gone, and the court needs to appoint a new prefect. When you go to the capital, please help me find out who the candidate is and what he or she likes. Write to me in advance to avoid any difficulties in getting used to the new position."
His words were just an excuse.
Lin Fan knew it all, but pretended not to know, smiling and saying, "I'll definitely find out."
"Look, you laughed when you heard you were going to the capital," Chen Shi teased, "Do you really like that Lord Meng?"
He said "Mr. Meng" instead of "Miss Meng" as a subtle reminder.
From a friend's perspective, he didn't want Lin Fan to end up like a moth flying into a flame.
Lin Fan remained unmoved: "How can we know if we don't try?"
"Alright, I'll toast you with this glass of wine and wish you all the best." Chen Shi drank it all in one gulp and patted him on the shoulder. "With your skills and abilities, you're more than qualified to get a job in the government office in the capital."
Old Cen has always valued talent. He originally planned to recommend Lin Fan in the letter, but then he thought that it would not be a good idea to ask others to recommend him first. It would be better to let Old Cen speak in person after meeting the person.
Lin Fan smiled: "Thank you for your kind words, Brother Shen."
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