Chapter 144 The Unloved Princess 19 (End)
As the days passed, under Lin Qinghuai's patient teaching, the newly-crowned emperor gradually learned how to be a king and how to check and balance the court.
Prime Minister Lin's proposal to punish the son of the Marquis of Zhenbei with a hundred strokes of the cane was also carried over in the chaotic expression of feelings that afternoon.
The Marquis of Zhenbei has guarded the Northern Frontier for generations. Logically, they should have returned to the Northern Frontier after Your Majesty ascended the throne. However, Your Majesty is surrounded by tigers and wolves. How can Wei Ce be willing to leave?
His achievements are sufficient. Under his intimidation, the northern border has been relatively well-behaved in recent years. It is enough to let his deputy general guard the northern border.
General Wei Ce, who had once vowed to devote his life to military service, quickly arranged a successor. However, fearing that things would get more complicated, and after confirming that his deputy general was capable enough, he happily went to ask for permission.
Lin, the Prime Minister in his crimson robe and jade crown, was also reporting matters in the imperial study. Upon hearing this, he smiled faintly and said, "The Zhenbei Marquisate has guarded the northern border for generations. If the generals are replaced in vain, I'm afraid the nomads in the northern border will not be at peace."
Wei Ce's smile froze.
"After all, the Crown Prince's deputy general has fought alongside him in many battles, and his achievements and abilities are beyond reproach. However, he has never held a commanding position. If he were to become a general, it would probably be inappropriate."
Nan Qiao felt a little worried when he heard this.
The nomads in the northern border are very wild and arrogant. During the reign of the previous emperor, they repeatedly harassed the towns and villages on the northern side of the Great Zhou and massacred many civilians.
Nomads are good at riding and shooting. They come and go quickly. After robbing small towns and villages, they will leave quickly, making it difficult to guard against them sometimes.
After the Marquis of Zhenbei, Wei Ce also became a mainstay in guarding the Northern Frontier. The people of the Northern Frontier had deep trust in Wei Ce. If he were to be replaced in vain, the Northern Frontier would inevitably be in a panic.
Not only will the nomads be secretly speculating about this, but I'm afraid even the people in the northern border will be talking about it.
Wei Ce glanced at Lin Qinghuai and said, "Minister Lin is absolutely right. I have my own considerations. I will also take my people back to the Northern Frontier when the time comes."
He was not a general who only knew how to defend the city. In recent years, he had often launched attacks on the nomads. The nomads were not as well-equipped as the garrison troops stationed in the northern border. After several fierce battles, they were at a disadvantage.
"Your Majesty has only been on the throne for a short time. The Xiongnu, the southern barbarians, and the nomads are ready to make trouble. Now that the court is stable, it is time to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys."
Killing the chicken to scare the monkey?
Nan Qiao's expression changed slightly, and he said, "You mean, attack the nomads?"
Wei Ce nodded: "It's winter now, and the nomadic horses are short of food and fodder, so they are weak."
The nomads were a troublesome people, with no fixed place to live, and they often harassed the people on the borders of the Great Zhou. When winter came, the grasslands lacked grazing grass, the horses began to weaken, and the nomadic pace gradually stopped.
Nan Qiao said calmly, "But the national treasury is empty now..."
Wei Ce glanced at Lin Qinghuai again and said with a smile, "Thanks to Prime Minister Lin, I have already consulted the Ministry of Revenue. The national treasury has received a large sum of silver in the past few days. After your majesty provided relief to the victims, there is still a lot left, enough for me to fight the nomads."
This was not only Wei Ce's selfish desire not to guard the northern border for his entire life, but also a good opportunity for the new emperor of the Great Zhou to establish his authority over the people around him.
After Wei Ce finished speaking, he stopped talking and just stood below, quietly waiting for the instructions from the emperor above.
Nan Qiao's eyes flickered as he looked at Wei Ce below him, somewhat undecided. After a long pause, he spoke:
"Wei Ce, are you sure?"
She knew that he had selfish motives in his heart. She had also read a lot of files in the past few days and knew that war was not a simple matter.
Although Wei Ce may not have much confidence in other aspects, when it comes to marching and fighting, he curled his lips into a smile, and his brows were full of high spirits.
"Your Majesty, I am sure."
These words made Nan Qiao feel at ease, but after all, it was a war with great importance, so she couldn't give orders immediately. She had to call people to discuss before making a decision.
The people from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue soon arrived at the Imperial Study. The people from the two departments had a heated exchange in the Imperial Study. It was the first time that Nan Qiao saw this scene and he found it a little strange.
Lin Qinghuai and Wei Ce were still sitting down at this time. They did not pay attention to the officials from the two ministries who were talking nonstop. They just listened casually, their eyes constantly looking towards His Majesty.
His Majesty's skin was as white as cream against his bright yellow dragon robe, a smile was playing on the corners of his rosy lips, and his dark eyes were staring at the officials in the imperial study who were spitting all over the place. His curious look made people smile knowingly.
Several people traveled far and wide to search for famous doctors and famous medicines. After a period of recuperation, the cold and pale face became more rosy, and the pink lips became a little redder.
Not only did his body become healthier, but his cold personality also became more lively. His pair of dark, bright and watery eyes often contained a smile, which was very charming.
Older scholars in the Great Zhou Dynasty considered beards to be a form of beauty. Nan Qiao was watching with great interest the elderly officials who usually exuded a scholarly air and were composed as they came and went. When they got excited, they couldn't help but pull their beards. It was truly eye-opening.
Nan Qiao pursed her lips, feeling a little dry. She picked up the teacup and took a sip. Just as she was about to put it down, her eyes inadvertently swept to the side, and she saw the two people staring at her blankly.
There are so many court officials in the imperial study, why is he acting so foolishly!
His Majesty was a little annoyed and angry. He opened his watery eyes slightly and glared at the two people inconspicuously.
As His Majesty's power in the court grows, the majesty that belongs only to an emperor gradually increases, but this lively and delicate girlish nature has also gradually emerged recently.
Lin Qinghuai was happy to see this change. His Majesty was very intelligent and had learned what he taught very well. He was moving step by step towards becoming an outstanding and competent emperor.
He thought it was a good idea to sit firmly on the throne of emperor while maintaining an optimistic attitude.
Officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue argued for a whole morning and finally reached a conclusion.
The Great Zhou needed to establish its authority at that time. Since it had collected a large amount of silver, the treasury had become much richer, and it was not difficult for the Ministry of Revenue to provide some military funds.
So, the final conclusion is that this battle can be fought!
Wei Ce was delighted with this conclusion. After several officials left, he stood up and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. There is nothing to fear from the nomads."
Nan Qiao was amused by his confident look. With a smirk, she said, "Then I will wait for the prince's triumphant return."
It was noon, time for lunch. Nan Qiao looked at the two men who were still standing in front of him, showing no intention of leaving the palace, and said with a smile, "It's time for lunch. I wonder if you two, my dear ministers, would be willing to have lunch with me?"
Originally intending to stay in the palace for a few more moments with His Majesty, he unexpectedly got the chance to have lunch with His Majesty. Wei Ce's eyebrows danced with joy, and even the usually calm and composed Lin Qinghuai's lips curled up into a smile...
*
It took nearly three months to fight the nomads. By the time Weice had dealt with all matters in the northern border and was ready to return victorious, it was already spring of the following year.
It was spring, when flowers were in full bloom. The imperial capital was bustling with activity and joy. The prince of Zhenbei Marquis entered the imperial capital with his personal guards.
Linxuan Tower was built facing the lake, just in time to overlook the main road of the imperial capital. In the private room, Nan Qiao opened the red window and looked down at the bustling street below with a slightly nostalgic look on his face.
Lin Qinghuai sat opposite her. Seeing this, he said, "Your Majesty, do you remember the scene when you first entered the imperial capital?"
Nan Qiao looked up at him and chuckled, "Everyone says Prime Minister Lin is the best at understanding other people's thoughts. Could it be that he really has the ability to read minds?"
Lin Qinghuai smiled and shook his head. Seeing that His Majesty had already drunk a cup of tea, he moved the teacup on the table and offered him the best fruits.
The tea in Linxuan Tower is indeed good, but it has a cold nature, so Your Majesty should not drink too much.
"Of course, I don't have such a heaven-defying ability. I simply recall the first time I met Your Majesty..." He shifted his gaze to His Majesty, "...the same bustling streets, the same Linxuan Building, the same private rooms."
"Everyone else was watching the envoys from vassal states presenting gifts to the capital, but I noticed a woman in a carriage in the distance, looking through the curtains."
Nan Qiao was startled for a moment, then a little surprised: "So you were in Linxuan Building at that time?"
Lin Qinghuai nodded, a faint smile in his dark eyes: "At that time, I was wondering whose daughter-in-law was born with such a pair of beautiful eyes that made me miss her after seeing them."
Prime Minister Lin still had that gentle and refined look, but the things he said often made Nan Qiao blush!
A blush appeared on her face, and Nan Qiao quickly turned her gaze away, looking at the street below, no longer paying attention to him.
This coquettish look made Lin Qinghuai's smile deepen. He was continuing to say something to ease His Majesty's embarrassment when the door of the private room suddenly rang.
Your Majesty is on a secret visit this time, and few people know about it... Lin Qinghuai had a bad premonition in his heart. He opened the door and saw a man in a brocade robe and a satin ribbon standing outside.
Qin Yizhi smiled and said, "Prime Minister Lin is well."
Ignoring Lin Qinghuai's slightly gloomy expression, Qin Yizi turned sideways and looked into the private room. When he saw the figure by the window, the smile on his face became even warmer.
Nan Qiao also saw him and said, "Qin Yizhi? Aren't you in Chu Court?"
Qin Yizhi glanced at the man standing guard like a door god and said, "I came back a few days ago, but I haven't had time to pay my respects to you yet."
Lin Qinghuai turned around and sat back at the table, watching Qin Yizhi walk into the private room with familiarity. Relying on his many visits to many places, he started chatting with his Majesty about all sorts of things.
Having grown up in Hanyun Temple, he rarely left the imperial capital after returning to the palace, and he was still curious about the places outside the imperial capital. Wei Ce and Lin Qinghuai, one of whom had previously guarded the northern border, and the other had always lived in the imperial court except for his exiles, naturally had not been to as many places as Qin Yizhi, a merchant who traveled extensively.
"Chuting is not as cold as the imperial capital, it's like spring all year round..."
"The Chu court produces a lot of fruits and vegetables. I have brought some back this time. I will bring them to the palace and let Your Majesty taste them. If Your Majesty likes them, I will ask the caravans under my command to buy more..."
"There's a fruit called lychee in Chuting. I heard it tastes sweet and sour, but it only ripens in the summer..."
Qin Yizhi's endless talk naturally aroused Nan Qiao's yearning.
Lin Qinghuai was naturally upset because other people had come into contact with His Majesty when they were alone together. However, this anger was extinguished in vain when he saw the longing and desire on his Majesty's elegant face.
Lin Qinghuai suddenly realized.
His Majesty is trapped by the throne.
Maybe I will have to stay in the palace for most of my life.
Your Majesty should also be yearning for places outside the imperial capital...
"Your Majesty, if you wish, you can also conduct a southern tour and explore the territories outside the imperial capital."
Nan Qiao was somewhat pleased by these words, but as an emperor, he still had many concerns: "Will this be too costly and wasteful?"
"No, Your Majesty is the Majesty of the Great Zhou. You must always visit other places in the Great Zhou to see how your people are doing."
After all, there was a precedent of southern tours during the reign of the previous emperor.
Lin Qinghuai had never mentioned it before because His Majesty was weak and could not withstand the fatigue of traveling.
Now that His Majesty is getting healthier day by day, His Majesty is not a bird raised in the imperial capital, but a golden phoenix soaring in the sky. The palace should not trap His Majesty, and His Majesty can go wherever he wants.
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