Chapter 164 Jiang Huai Gets a Promotion
The Emperor continued, “The Prince of Heng has sent a letter, mentioning that the march is long and this war will last at least half a year and at most a year. It is necessary to quickly gather supplies and send them to the front line. The Prince of Heng said that the Princess Consort has set up a charity hall in the countryside with thousands of embroiderers. Now they need to rush to make more winter clothes for the soldiers and send them to the front line. The Princess Consort thinks that this matter may be difficult to handle.”
The government also had clothing workshops responsible for making clothes and armor for the various armies in the capital, and there were also workshops in other places. However, the situation was urgent and more severe than their pre-departure plans. The weather was cold, and many soldiers could not withstand the cold and even caught colds.
Relying solely on military doctors seems insufficient. Although all preparations had been made to ensure everything went smoothly, the government now needs to summon a large number of civilian doctors to be sent to the border.
After understanding the situation, Jiang Fenghua said, "Jishantang was not established by me alone. In fact, when the floods occurred in Jiangnan last time, the ministers of the court also provided assistance... The Second Princess and the Third Princess also made a lot of help. I dare not take credit for it all."
She recounted what had happened.
The Emperor only knew that Jishantang had made a great contribution, but had never asked about the details. The Emperor said, "So that's how it is. I never expected that the people of my Great Zhou Dynasty would be so united. It is a blessing for me and a blessing for the Great Zhou."
The emperor seemed pleased. “In that case, I believe the difficulties the soldiers on the front lines are facing can be resolved as soon as possible.”
The Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and some ministers were waiting in the hall. When they heard Princess Heng mention that their women had participated in the flood relief efforts in Jiangnan and had been praised by the Emperor, they were all grateful to Princess Heng.
Only the Fourth Prince's expression was ambiguous, because the Fourth Princess Consort indeed disliked being with them and was even less sociable.
"If we are to complete this batch of cotton-padded clothes, how long will it take to get them ready and send them to the front lines?" the emperor asked again.
Jiang Fenghua respectfully said, "If we work together with the government to produce cotton-padded uniforms for 100,000 soldiers, they can be sent out in less than five days."
"In that case, Your Highness, please arrange for your subordinates to get things done as soon as possible. The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince will assist Your Highness in handling this matter."
The two men replied respectfully, "Yes." They never imagined they would one day be working with a woman in their lives.
The Fourth Prince usually appears timid and cowardly, and he does whatever others say. The Third Prince is somewhat capable, but he has a leg disability, so most of the time it is the Third Princess who helps him with his plans.
Fortunately, the Third Princess and the Fifth Princess had a good relationship. After returning, they listened to the Princess's advice and completed the task assigned by the Emperor as soon as possible.
This winter is colder than usual, and it has already started snowing. With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, we need to get it done as soon as possible.
Jiang Fenghua had made thorough preparations for this battle. In addition to Jishantang, she also had the help of the Jin family. They could make money while also serving the court. She had made all the necessary preparations.
Jiang Fenghua then said, "Your Majesty, I have another matter I would like to ask for your gracious favor on."
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. "What is it?"
"I have heard that Consort Yan has been ill for more than half a month, and Princess Yu has been serving her in the palace for half a month. I am currently heavily pregnant, and many things are inconvenient for me. I would like to ask Princess Yu for her assistance. Please grant me permission, Your Majesty."
She added, “During the last flood in Jiangnan, the Second Princess and the Third Princess not only donated money, but also personally taught the women of Jishantang embroidery. I also invited folk doctors to teach some women medicine, thinking that if they had a skill, they wouldn’t be unable to support themselves.”
"Oh, Jishantang has female doctors?" The emperor became increasingly interested. In his mind, women were useless except for giving birth.
"Yes, there are many others, and I will tell Father Emperor about them slowly when I have time."
The Emperor was pleased and said, "In that case, let the Second and Third Princesses assist you! If you need money, have someone write a report and submit it as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Father Emperor." Despite being heavily pregnant, Jiang Fenghua still knelt respectfully before the Emperor and performed a proper salute.
Jiang Fenghua wanted to rescue Princess Yu from Consort Yan. She had just asked about Princess Yu's situation and said it was very bad.
Consort Yan had long been disliked by the Emperor, and the Emperor never cared whether Consort Yan was alive or dead. After her son left the capital, she vented her anger on Princess Yu, repeatedly saying that she couldn't have children.
Jiang Fenghua just couldn't understand it. They were both from the Luo family and the same maternal clan. No matter what, Princess Yu was still her niece. Instead of showing pity and comforting her for not being able to have children, she trampled on her dignity.
After Jiang Fenghua left, the emperor suddenly put down the memorial in his hand and said to Cao De, "Go and bring Jiang Huai into the palace. I want to see him." It's not easy for a mere junior tutor to raise such a respectable daughter.
Having served the emperor his entire life, Cao De naturally knew his thoughts. "Yes, this servant will send someone to invite him right away."
When Jiang Huai received the news that the emperor wanted to see him, he was also startled. In his entire life, apart from the year he passed the imperial examination and was formally summoned by the emperor, he had always been like an invisible person when he met the emperor, and was not favored by the emperor at all.
He entered the imperial study with trepidation, bowed to the emperor, and said, "Your subject Jiang Huai greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
When the emperor met Jiang Huai, he felt that his temperament was not as good as his daughter's, and his appearance was not particularly outstanding. He thought to himself: How did Jiang Huai manage to give birth to a daughter who was so beautiful and had such an extraordinary temperament?
Jiang Jinyan was his eldest son and a handsome man.
Jiang Huai knelt on the ground, not daring to speak or raise his head. He was a little nervous. He had been teaching at the Imperial Academy and hadn't done anything wrong!
After a moment, the emperor said leisurely, "No need for formalities!"
Jiang Huai quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The emperor summoned him for no other reason than to find out how he had raised such capable children.
Jiang Huai became increasingly cautious, barely daring to breathe, and his legs began to tremble.
The Emperor said, "Would Young Master Jiang like to play a game of chess with me?"
Jiang Huai suddenly looked up at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, my chess skills are lacking and I am afraid that I may disturb your enjoyment. However, my third daughter is an excellent chess player. If Your Majesty wishes to find a chess partner, you may ask the Princess Consort of Heng to play a few games with you."
"Oh, your third daughter is quite capable."
Jiang Huai then showed confidence, looking proud, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. My daughter... Princess Heng has been intelligent and studious since childhood, and her chess skills are even better than her elder brother's. Although I am a teacher, my third daughter's knowledge is not much worse than mine. She is knowledgeable and has great talent. If she had given birth to a boy, she could have become the top scholar in the imperial examination."
When his third daughter was mentioned, Jiang Huai stopped stuttering and became bolder.
When he left, Madam Jiang had told him that the Emperor's summons were mostly related to his third daughter, because she was the only one connected to the royal family. They had been favored by the Empress and chosen their third daughter to be the Princess Consort of Heng. Besides being beautiful, their daughter was also excellent in all aspects, including her education.
Jiang Huai also picked out his daughters' good points, such as how his third daughter didn't like going out since she was little, and when she did go out, she did it secretly, which he certainly wouldn't mention.
The emperor did not press him further and chatted with him about academic matters.
Knowledge was no obstacle for him either; Jiang Huai answered fluently and spoke eloquently. For a moment, Jiang Huai was no longer reserved.
Jiang Huai never expected that the imperial edict promoting him would arrive at the Jiang residence the very next day, and that it was personally appointed by the emperor.
He was promoted from Junior Tutor Jiang to Grand Tutor Jiang, only slightly less favored than Grand Tutor Pan. After all, Grand Tutor Pan was also an imperial tutor with extensive experience, and no one dared to compete with him.
On another note, after receiving the imperial decree from the Imperial Study, Jiang Fenghua went to Consort Yan's palace.
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