Chapter 532 The tide has turned, and the people's hopes have been fulfilled!
A large majority of the concubines entered the palace later, and many had not yet been arranged to serve the emperor in bed before Emperor Renxiao passed away.
Shen Lanxi said helplessly, "They have served Uncle for a time, so I must make proper arrangements for them for him."
Liu Yan replied, "Your Majesty is benevolent."
"To prevent some concubines from being robbed of their money and mistreated by their families after returning home, the Ministry of Personnel and the Court of Judicial Review should visit them frequently."
The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Personnel stepped forward to respond.
Wei Dongzhu advised, "Your Majesty has now ascended the throne. For your safety, outsiders should no longer reside in the palace. I suggest that the concubines who wish to stay be moved out of the palace and reside in other palaces!"
Liu Yan replied: "Your subject reiterates this!"
"Your subject agrees!"
Most of the court officials stepped forward to reconsider, and Shen Lanxi nodded in agreement.
"Wang Bao, you can make the arrangements!"
"This old servant obeys the decree!"
Someone else suggested
"Your Majesty, shall the Shen family be brought into the palace?"
Shen Lanxi glanced at the minister who had offered the advice and calmly said, "Let's not make any arrangements yet. We'll make arrangements after we've cleared out the harem!"
"Your Majesty, I have made the following arrangements for the enthronement ceremony in half a month..."
While the capital was bustling with activity, Zhou Ruyuan was waiting.
Shen Lanxi, a woman, ascending the throne is tantamount to a hen crowing at dawn, violating etiquette and law, and is an absurd act. The officials will not agree, the people will not agree, and the regional vassal kings will not agree.
He only needs to patiently wait for someone to rise up in rebellion, at which point he can follow the will of Heaven and lead his army straight into the capital to take it.
Unfortunately, he waited and waited, and just as Shen Lanxi was about to ascend the throne, the officials did not make a sound, and the people were happy as if nothing had happened.
How could a mere woman be their ruler? Wouldn't they be filled with trepidation and fear? Shouldn't they be restless, filled with resentment, and even prone to riots and rebellions?
No, there wasn't a single rebellion. The people were busy farming, doing business, and all sorts of other things; nobody paid attention to Shen Lanxi's ascension to the throne.
Seeing Zhou Ruyuan's fury, Jiang Wuyai tried to persuade him, "Your Highness, those are just ignorant and unruly people. Why get angry with them? It's the busy farming season now. Why don't you wait and see if the people will start talking about this after the busy farming season is over?"
Zhou Ruyuan was still angry.
Jiang Wuyai sighed, "People will only care about who sits on the dragon throne after they have enough to eat and wear."
Zhou Ruyuan slowly loosened his grip.
“A woman ascending the throne and becoming empress would cause chaos in the court; even Heaven would not allow it.”
Jiang Wuyai raised an eyebrow but did not reply.
The following news report was so exciting that Shen Lanxi even had Wang Bao read it aloud in court.
"In Jiangnan, intercropping is used, with fish and shrimp raised in rice paddies and chickens and ducks raised in the mountains and forests. This not only prevents pests and diseases, but the manure can also be used as fertilizer to fatten the crops. Not only are the fish, shrimp, chickens and ducks plump and delicious, but rice production has also increased significantly. It is expected that Jiangnan will not only be able to pay its taxes for the second half of the year early, but also have 20% more to use for local charity schools and a lot more to build bridges and roads."
"Jiangbei is vigorously developing aquaculture and animal husbandry. After improvements, fishing boats can fish in more distant waters. This year alone, the catch has reached six million taels of silver. After deducting the three million taels of silver in taxes to be paid to the imperial court in the second half of the year, the remaining three million taels can be used to improve people's livelihoods. There is a capable tea grower in the area who has led dozens of surrounding villages to grow tea. The local government has given strong support and allocated funds specifically for the initial investment..."
"The Northwest has achieved a bumper harvest. Hundreds of pastures are not only providing our Great Zhou army with a steady supply of warhorses, but also meat and dried meat. The entire Northwest is now well-fed and can even supply other provinces..."
The court officials were overjoyed by the series of good news.
Which official wouldn't want to see the country prosper and the people well-fed and clothed?
This reminded them of their original aspirations when they were students.
Of course, they did not forget who brought about these changes in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Shen Lanxi was satisfied and let Wang Bao continue reciting.
"The Southwest has submitted to our Great Zhou, agreeing to the policy of dual governance, and they are willing to pledge their loyalty to Your Majesty. They also said that they will send congratulatory gifts on the day Your Majesty officially ascends the throne!"
Shen Lanxi nodded.
Wang Bao continued: "The Northwest Army offers its blessings to Your Majesty, wishing you a long life! We are willing to remain loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Zhou, and we swear to defend the territory of our Great Zhou to the death!"
"The Xiongnu, Persians, Tatars, and other northwestern tribes offer their blessings to Your Majesty, wishing you a long life..."
"The Dongchuan Army pledges its loyalty to Your Majesty, and is willing to go through fire and water for you..."
"The thirty-six prefectures, including Donglin Prefecture, Yonglin Prefecture, Pingchuan Prefecture, Xiyan Prefecture, You Prefecture, and Datong Prefecture, offer their loyalty to Your Majesty..."
"The Wolf Clan, the Eagle Clan, the Tiger Clan, and the other twenty-five clans of the Southwest offer their blessings to Your Majesty..."
More than an hour had passed since the long list was read aloud. During this time, Wang Bao's mouth was dry, but he was reluctant to hand over the task to his apprentice.
With each passage he read, he felt incredibly excited.
This is what everyone has been hoping for, a sign of a prosperous era!
After she finished reading, Shen Lanxi also seemed a little excited.
"Thanks to the kindness and support of all foreign tribes, states, and generals and officials of my Great Zhou, I will work diligently to create new glories for my Great Zhou!"
Wang Bao: "If there is anything to report, then the court is adjourned; otherwise, the court is dismissed!"
The officials left the court with mixed feelings.
On the way back, someone tried to speak, but they only exchanged glances before quickly parting ways.
The tide has turned, it really has turned.
Shen Lanxi is truly unstoppable now, and she is the one everyone wants!
...
The court robes had been rushed out, and Liu Yanhui personally presented them to Shen Lanxi to wear.
"Your Majesty, the closer we get to the eve of the coronation, the less we can afford to relax!" Liu Yanhui couldn't put her mind at ease until the coronation ceremony was over.
With the help of her maids, Shen Lanxi put on her dragon robe and crown.
"Liu Qing, come and see if my crown is crooked?" Shen Lanxi said calmly.
Liu Yan looked up at the person in front of her wearing a black and red dragon robe.
The dragon robe of the Great Zhou emperor was traditionally black, and it had always been worn by men. After consultation, the Ministry of Rites finalized five versions: four with dark black patterns, and one with a black base and dark red trim. Shen Lanxi chose the one with red trim.
Looking at it this way, it's even more eye-catching than the previous pure black, and His Majesty looks even more imposing in it.
The crown continued the style of the previous dynasty and was worn by men with their hair styled in a bun.
"Your Majesty, why not choose the other one?"
Three crowns were prepared: one for men to wear in their hair buns, and two for women. The men's crowns featured dragon patterns, while the women's crowns featured phoenix patterns.
Shen Lanxi's reason was very simple: "This one needs to be lighter and simpler!"
Liu Yanhui understood that she did not refuse to wear a women's crown, and her eyes fell on the elaborately crafted crown piled with various jewels.
This headdress must weigh at least ten kilograms. With such a headdress on one's neck, one's neck would probably break after the morning court session.
If asked, he would also choose something lighter.
"I will take it and make some improvements in a moment, removing the heavy parts."
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "It is Liu Qing who understands me best!"
Wei Dongzhu has arrived.
"There's something amiss in the harem!"
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