Inside the cold palace, a chilling wind blew to the bone.
Ulanara was curled up on the dilapidated bed, wearing only an old plain dress.
Having spent years living in the cold palace, its former splendor has long since faded.
She gazed at the waning moon outside the window, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness.
Suddenly, a commotion arose in the distance, with the words "Empress" and "conferment of titles" faintly visible.
She sat up abruptly, grabbed an old eunuch passing by, and asked sternly, "What's all the commotion outside? Who has been crowned Empress?"
The old eunuch felt a sharp pain as her withered, bony hand gripped his arm. Trembling, he replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is Consort Lin Jia, who just held her investiture ceremony today..."
"Lin Jia?!" Ulanara's pupils constricted sharply, her voice shrill and almost ripping, "That Han woman?! What right does she have—"
Before she could finish speaking, a metallic taste rose in her throat, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood...
The old eunuch was so frightened that he backed away repeatedly.
Ulanara laughed maniacally, her laughter filled with boundless hatred: "What a Yongzheng Emperor! What a Linjia Clan! How dare you humiliate me to this extent!! Hahaha..."
She suddenly grabbed the broken teacup on the table and smashed it against the wall, sending shards of porcelain flying everywhere.
The former empress never imagined that she would be defeated by a Han woman with no family background.
Back then, she poisoned Consort Nian and suppressed the concubines in the harem all to secure her own position as empress, but now...
"Lin Jia! You're nothing but a vixen! You've bewitched the emperor and brought chaos to the court!" Ulanara gritted her teeth, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
"I curse you... I curse you to a terrible death!"
Outside the Cold Palace, two guards listened to the ravings inside, exchanged a glance, and shook their heads.
One of them whispered, "It's better if they're crazy, at least they won't cause any trouble."
---
Former Dynasty - Qianqing Palace
The atmosphere in the imperial court after the investiture ceremony was surprisingly peaceful.
In the past, when various departments submitted memorials, there were always people who nitpicked and attacked each other. But now, the ministers are much more tolerant in tacit agreement.
The memorial submitted by the Vice Minister of War, with its somewhat hasty handwriting, would have been impeached by the censor in the past for being "perfunctory."
Today, however, the Manchu ministers merely flipped through it casually before stamping it with their seals.
"It's alright, just a minor mistake, nothing serious," Neqin waved her hand, her tone relaxed.
Zhang Tingyu, a Han official standing to the side, raised an eyebrow and chuckled inwardly.
These Manchu ministers, who used to be extremely strict about rules, have suddenly become "magnanimous" because the empress was born into the Han Banner Army and the future crown prince is very likely to have Han blood.
Now that the distinction between Manchu and Han has been broken by the Emperor himself, who would want to offend their colleagues over such a trivial matter?
What everyone tacitly understood was that the emperor's mood had noticeably improved since the edict of investiture was issued.
Previously stringent government approval processes are now occasionally being lenient.
"My beloved ministers," Yongzheng said, sitting high on his dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall, "I have observed that the affairs of the court have been running smoothly and all matters have been in harmony recently, which greatly pleases me."
The officials immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Yongzheng raised the corners of his lips slightly, then changed the subject: "However, I have summoned you here today for another matter to announce."
Everyone held their breath, and then the Emperor slowly said, "In late March, when the southeast monsoon rises, our merchant ships will set sail again."
These words caused an uproar throughout the court.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Prince Yu was the first to step forward, his face beaming with excitement. "My household has already prepared the goods and has been waiting for this day!"
Other princes and nobles echoed this sentiment, their eyes gleaming with greed.
Two years ago, those who participated in overseas trade made a fortune. Now that the opportunity has come again, who would want to miss it?
Emperor Yongzheng found the anxious looks on everyone's faces amusing. However, this was exactly the result he wanted.
"This voyage will still be escorted by the navy," Yongzheng said calmly. "Each family's share will be distributed according to their merits."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a dispute erupted in the hall.
"Your Majesty! My household spent 30,000 taels of silver on shipbuilding last year, and this time we need at least five ships!"
Five ships? You're dreaming! My Prince Jian's mansion contributed fifty thousand taels of silver!
Emperor Yongzheng watched coldly, letting them argue. It wasn't until Zhang Tingyu coughed lightly that everyone awkwardly fell silent.
"Alright." Yongzheng waved his hand. "The specific quotas will be determined by the Ministry of Revenue and submitted to me for review in three days."
The ministers dared not say anything more and could only bow and accept the order.
After the court session, Yunxiang walked side by side with Ortai and whispered, "His Majesty's move was truly brilliant."
Ortai stroked his beard and chuckled: "With the navy as the bargaining chip and profits as the bait, who in the entire court would dare to disobey?"
The two exchanged a knowing smile, their understanding unspoken.
The fleet that set sail this time was unprecedented in size, consisting of fifty elite frigates,
The number of merchant ships also increased by two hundred, with each ship equipped with at least twenty naval officers and soldiers, armed and on guard, to ensure navigational safety.
All expenses were borne by the participating merchants, while the imperial court was responsible for providing ships and naval personnel.
This arrangement not only reduced the burden on the national treasury but also allowed merchants to see huge profits to be made.
Immediately, applicants flocked to sign up.
Merchants in Jiangnan, hearing the news, quickly prepared their goods and were ready to load them onto ships at Taicang Port, waiting for the main fleet to sail south and join them.
The nobles in the capital were even more eager to compete. The stewards of Prince Yu's and Prince Jian's residences almost came to blows at the Ministry of Revenue over a larger share of merchant ships. The Emperor merely smiled faintly at this.
The candlelight flickered in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Emperor Yongzheng held a brush and reviewed memorials, while Lin Yun sat beside him, grinding ink for him.
"His Majesty announced the voyage today; the court must be quite lively now," Lin Yun chuckled.
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