Your Majesty is only eight years old. To be able to answer those two questions just now shows that he is gifted and can be called a child prodigy.
The concerns of myself and my colleagues have been dispelled.
This old guy Dong Taibao...that's enough, why is he still giving such difficult questions to the children?
Sure enough, this time Yan Jing thought for a longer time and did not answer for a long time.
Everyone waited for a moment, and even Uncle Dong Ping felt a little embarrassed and touched his nose guiltily.
Oh no, I was just curious and ended up embarrassing His Majesty.
He felt a little regretful. Why couldn't he control his damn curiosity?
Just then, Yan Jing finally spoke.
Her voice was very slow, as if she was considering it.
"Dong Taibao thinks that the people of Yunzhou cut willow branches...because they believe in some evil cult and want to ward off evil and avoid disaster?"
Dong Taibao blinked.
What else?
Yan Jing sat on the dragon throne. The little adult seemed to sigh and said something to the young eunuch who was standing quietly beside him. The young eunuch immediately turned around and left.
Yan Jing looked at Dong Taibao with a somewhat helpless tone.
"Taibao Dong is a veteran minister of three dynasties. Out of consideration for our friendship, I will give you something."
Uncle Dong Ping was a little confused and didn't understand what it meant.
Soon, the young eunuch turned back and walked in front of Uncle Dong Ping.
He was holding a wooden tray in his hand, on which was placed a thin square piece of wood, the material of which looked somewhat similar to willow wood.
Yan Jing asked the young eunuch to hold up the object, show it to everyone, and ask if anyone recognized it.
All the ministers looked at him sideways, and most of them shook their heads with a look of confusion.
Only the Imperial Censor Zhao Fangfei stood up and said:
"Your Majesty, this is a willow wood bookmark."
Bookmark?
The ministers showed expressions of astonishment.
The bookmarks they usually use are mostly made of bamboo or ivory. I have heard that bookmarks are made of willow wood.
Wood is easy to dry and crack, and if you are not careful, the splinters on it will prick your hands.
Making bookmarks out of willow wood doesn't sound very nice.
Zhao Fangfei carefully picked up the willow wood bookmark, with some unspeakable emotions in her eyes.
She said to Yan Jing:
"Your Majesty, I was born in Yunzhou, my family is poor, and I cannot afford to buy books.
There is a legend in my hometown that making bookmarks with willow wood that sprouts the most every year can bless the next generation of the family to have a scholar and change their destiny.
Later, the imperial court implemented the policy of "education through education", and many poor children had the opportunity to go to school.
In my hometown, the custom of collecting willow wood bookmarks has been preserved. "
Zhao Fangfei gently stroked the willow wood bookmark and smiled tenderly:
"I have a whole box of bookmarks like this in my home.
The last one is the year when I passed the imperial examination and entered the Imperial Censorate.
The Golden Palace fell into a brief silence.
Uncle Dong Ping said after a while, somewhat stunned:
"Could it be that the people of Yunzhou cut down willow trees every spring just for this?"
Zhao Fangfei nodded slightly.
Uncle Dong Ping's eyes trembled slightly. He remained silent for a long time, and the burning sensation on his cheeks became more and more severe.
This is the legacy of the people of Yunzhou in their pursuit of learning. Your Majesty has lived in the harem since he was young, and is aware of these ancient customs of the people's livelihood.
As a royal guard, he actually regarded this as some kind of evil custom...
Uncle Dong Ping's body trembled slightly, and after a moment he fell to his knees, his face full of shame.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed... so ashamed!"
"Please stand up, Grand Protector." Yan Jing finally said, lowering his eyes to look at Uncle Dong Ping.
"The Grand Tutor once said that I am a woman and have never been taught by the Imperial Tutor since I was a child, so I am not familiar with state affairs.
However, I have also visited the people privately and witnessed the various advantages and disadvantages of people's livelihood, and have gained some insights.
This willow wood bookmark was found by chance in Yunzhou, and I brought it back to the capital to remind myself to always remember the suffering of the people. "
Yan Jing paused for a moment, then said in a slow tone:
"Don't be sad, Taibao. I will give you this willow wood bookmark today. I hope you will remember what I said today. Let's encourage each other."
Hearing the words "the ruler and his subjects should encourage each other", Dong Pingshu burst into tears and prostrated himself on the ground.
"This old minister thanks God for His grace. Long live the Emperor—"
At this point, all the ministers were convinced and kowtowed and cheered along with Dong Pingshu.
"Long live the emperor—"
The sound spread far beyond the Golden Palace and lasted for a long time.
When all the ministers were bowing, Yan Jing turned his head away and winked at Qin Yuwei mischievously, as if waiting to be praised.
Qin Yuwei also winked at her, concealing her movements with her wide sleeves, and gave her a thumbs up, giving her a "real" look.
Yan Jing couldn't help but shake her little feet a few times.
When Dong Pingshu stood up, the young empress and the empress dowager still had solemn expressions.
Yan Jing said in a deep voice:
"Today, I have two more important announcements to make."
(P.S. The 621st chapter of the book club is finished, and I have started writing the sequel~)
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