Chapter 167 Congratulations
Lin Haiqiong became more and more excited as she spoke, and even asked Song Yuzhu to select a girl of appropriate age from among the children of the ministers. There was no need to give her a position. Whoever gave birth to a dragon son first would be crowned queen.
His bullshit theory was actually agreed by quite a few people. After all, everyone knew what some officials were thinking.
Seeing that Zhao Xiao was about to lose his temper, Xu Bing interrupted Lin Haiqiong in time.
"Lord Lin is wrong. Although the emperor is in his prime, the issue of the royal succession cannot be resolved in a day or two. It is a good thing to appoint a crown prince as early as possible for the country and the people."
"Then you can't make the princess the crown prince. It's ridiculous for a woman to ascend the throne!" This old guy is very courageous. Relying on his age, he is not afraid of offending the emperor at all.
The two argued for a long time but to no avail. Finally, Song Yuzhu said, "Okay, I have made up my mind on this matter. You two adults don't need to argue anymore."
Lin Haiqiong took a step back with drooping eyelids and returned to her seat, the expression on her face was unreadable.
He knew that his words would not be able to stop the emperor, and saying them would only cause trouble for Song Yuzhu.
Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Personnel had the most money. When Yin Bogeng was in office, he could give him tens of thousands of taels of ice and carbon every year. Since Yin Bogeng was dismissed, Lin Haiqiong's ice and carbon gifts have been reduced by more than half. Cutting off someone's money is like killing his parents, so how could he not feel resentful?
Song Yuzhu was a little tired, so she waved her hand and asked them to leave. Xu Bing would continue to preside over the government for the next few days.
After the officials left, Zhao Xiao could not help but angrily said, "This old man is deliberately making things difficult for you!"
Song Yuzhu smiled weakly: "This is what participating in politics is all about. I'm not used to him not singing the opposite tune."
"Tongtong, come here."
Song Yutong walked up to him: "Royal brother..."
"Don't be sad, my dear girl. There are many restrictions on women in this world. I know that what Minister Lin said made you unhappy. If you indulge in this sadness, it will be exactly what they want."
Song Yutong said with a blazing gaze: "Don't worry, I know in my heart that I will be stronger than all the men in the world and leave them speechless!"
Song Yuzhu looked at her with relief. After her sister left, Zhao Xiao said, "I was a little worried when you wanted Yutong to succeed me. Now I think this child may be better than you and me."
"Of course. Let's see whose sister she is~" Song Yuzhu rarely made a joke, and both of them couldn't help laughing.
However, Lin Haiqiong offended Zhao Xiao. He found Liu Yanzi and asked Xuanyi Tower to secretly help investigate whether this old man was clean.
*
The news that the emperor was going to make Princess Changle the crown prince spread like wildfire, shocking all the officials in the court.
Everyone then realized that the more than 30 officials who were dismissed a few days ago had offended the emperor.
Song Bai and Jiang Rong also heard the news from other people, and the couple were shocked.
The next day, Jiang Rong sent Song Quan to the palace to deliver a letter, asking him to go home.
Song Yuzhu's body had not recovered completely yet, and no one could recover in one day after lying in bed for a week. However, in order to avoid worrying his parents, he still took Zhao Xiao back to the Song Mansion.
As soon as he entered the room, Song Bai noticed that his son was not feeling well, and immediately asked the servants to help him into the house and sit down.
"Yuzhu, what's wrong with you?"
Song Yuzhu clenched his fist and coughed twice: "It's just my old illness, it's okay."
He was in poor health and fell ill twice every winter, but Song Bai did not doubt it.
"I'll take some blood-replenishing and Qi-boosting medicine back later. It's cold so don't run back and forth."
"Okay." Song Yuzhu took off his cloak and handed it to Zhao Xiao beside him.
After a while, Jiang Rong also came, but her voice came before her.
"How can you let Tongtong be the crown prince? She is only eleven years old and still a girl. How can she take on such a big responsibility?"
Song Yuzhu quickly stood up and said, "I'm sorry, Mom, for not discussing this with you two elders in advance."
When Jiang Rong saw his frail appearance, her expression changed instantly. She grabbed his hand and said, "Are you sick again? Why do you look so bad?"
"I caught a cold a few days ago, but I'm almost well now."
"If I had known you were sick, I wouldn't have asked you to run back and forth." Because her son was born prematurely and in poor health, Jiang Rong has been blaming herself over the years.
The couple had a lot to say, but when they saw their eldest son's look, they were unable to utter a word.
Song Bai said: "Have you thought clearly about Tongtong being the crown prince? If you have a child in the future, where should you put her?"
Song Bai didn't know about his relationship with Zhao Xiao, and was still hoping that Song Yuzhu could give birth to a child as soon as possible.
Jiang Rong interrupted him immediately and said, "Tongtong is going to get married and have children. How can she start a family after becoming the emperor?"
Song Yuzhu smiled and said, "That's easy. She can marry any man she likes and start a family."
Song Bai still felt it was inappropriate: "Being an emperor is not a joke. If I don't do it well, I will be criticized by thousands of people."
Both husband and wife were worried. Song Yuzhu understood in her heart: "Mom and Dad, I understand what you said. Instead of asking me, you should ask Tongtong's thoughts."
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Yutong walked in from the door: "I am willing to be the crown prince and help my brother deal with state affairs!" In fact, she had come here just now, but stood at the door and did not dare to come in. She only came out after hearing what her eldest brother said.
"Brother, are you feeling better?" Song Yutong walked to his side, hugged his arm affectionately, his face full of worry.
"Much better."
Jiang Rong looked at the brother and sister and knew she couldn't persuade them. Both children came from her belly, and she knew their personalities very well. Once they made up their minds, even ten cows couldn't pull them back.
Zhao Xiao, who was standing next to him, added fuel to the fire, "Tongtong, think about it carefully. Once you become the crown prince, you will have no freedom. You can't go out and play as you please, and you can't be with your parents all the time."
Song Yutong nodded firmly: "I am willing to overcome these difficulties and be a good emperor like my brother!"
Jiang Rong's nose felt sore, and she turned her head away without saying anything. Song Bai sighed and said, "Since you have all made up your mind, we will not stop you. But there is one thing you must promise me. No matter what happens in the future, you two must not become enemies!"
Throughout history, there have been too many cases of fathers and sons fighting, and brothers quarreling with each other. Even he and his brother Song Qiao ended up splitting up over the family property.
Although Yuzhu and Tongtong were sixteen years apart, by the time Tongtong reached adulthood, Yuzhu would only be in her early thirties. She was afraid that her children would end up fighting over the throne.
Song Yuzhu smiled and said, "Don't worry, father. I plan to abdicate when Yutong comes of age and concentrate on studying medicine."
This is something he had been thinking about for a long time. He was in poor health and was not suitable for high-intensity work.
In the future, I will teach in the Medical College, develop drugs in the Research Department, and go out with Zhao Xiao in my spare time. I will definitely live a very happy life.
This matter was finally decided, and the ceremony will be officially held at the beginning of next year.
*
The festive atmosphere becomes stronger as the twelfth lunar month begins. This year, Shangjing is particularly lively because the thirty countries surrounding Daqi have come to pay tribute and pay homage.
This is the first time since the demise of the Sheng Dynasty and the establishment of the Qi Dynasty that so many countries have come to Daqi to celebrate the New Year.
Walking on the street, you can see many Persians with deep features and golden brown hair, and Indians with dark skin and full beards.
Among them are the familiar Goguryeo, Huizhi, Siam, Tubo and Jin people, etc.
In recent years, Daqi has developed rapidly, and Shangjing has become the center of many countries. Merchants from all over the country have come here to seek opportunities, and Shangjing has indeed brought them a lot of wealth.
A large carriage drove into Shangjing, with two men in foreign clothes sitting in it. One of them was the prince of the Jin Dynasty, Yelu Ta, and he was accompanied by his subordinate Amudan.
In recent years, the Kingdom of Jin took the initiative to show weakness and make friends with Daqi, secretly recuperating and developing gunpowder weapons.
The greed and brutality in his bones have not changed at all, and he is always thinking about this fertile land.
Amudan had come to Daqi once a few years ago. Now, after four or five years, he was amazed by the changes in Shangjing again.
As soon as you enter the city, you can feel the lively atmosphere. The clean and tidy roads are lined with red lanterns. In order to welcome the arrival of the New Year, special ice sculptures have been made.
There are pictures of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, various flowers, plants, animals, and this year's zodiac animal, the dragon. There are air gaps in the middle of these ice sculptures. When you put lighted paper lanterns on them at night, they are crystal clear and so beautiful!
"Why do they carve so much ice?" Yeluta asked puzzledly.
"Your Highness, it is probably for viewing."
Yeluta said disdainfully: "Won't it melt when the weather gets warmer? It's a waste of time and money."
Amudan sighed and said, "It is precisely because Daqi is so rich that it does not care about these wastes."
This was Yelu Ta's first time in Shangjing and he was very curious about the place.
In the past, he thought that Jindu City was the most prosperous city in the world. It had a solid city wall, the majestic Tianshan Mountains behind it, the Hera River flowing at its feet, the city was full of cattle and sheep, and the people were rich.
But compared with Shangjing, Jindu City is pitifully small and backward. Yeluta looked at the prosperous Daqi and his eyes turned red with jealousy.
"If the Taigu Sect had been able to defend Shangjing back then, this should have been our territory!"
Taigu Zong was his great-grandfather, who once led troops to attack Shangjing during the Tiansheng period. Unfortunately, he was counterattacked and suffered heavy losses, and finally died with hatred in his heart.
Amudan said: "Yes, but Your Highness, maybe you can inherit the will of the Taigu clan and incorporate Shangjing into the territory of the Jin Kingdom."
Yeluta said conceitedly: "That's for sure!"
The carriage headed towards the mansion, which was a place specifically for receiving foreigners.
"Your Highness, we are here."
Yelu Ta lifted the curtain and got off the carriage. He was very tall, more than a head taller than Amudan next to him. As his name suggests, he really looked like a small tower.
He was wearing a heavy sable cloak, had a full beard, and had loose hair braided into many pigtails with dyed cowhide.
The person in charge of receiving them was an official from the Honglu Temple, a middle-aged man in his thirties.
He brought the Jin envoy to his residence and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Please rest in this courtyard. If you need anything, you can tell the servants in the mansion."
"When can we see the emperor?" Yeluta asked.
"I don't know about this. The emperor will certainly receive you when he has time."
"You!" Yeluta was about to get angry, but Amudan beside him quickly stopped him. "Thank you, sir. There is nothing wrong here."
The official nodded and walked out. After everyone left, Yeluta said angrily: "How dare you, a lowly Central Plains person, speak to me in such a tone!"
"Prince, please calm down. This is not our Jindu City. I hope Your Highness will be careful with your words and actions." Amudan frowned and advised.
The eldest prince was supposed to come to pay homage this time, but he suddenly fell ill before leaving, so Yelu Ta volunteered to come.
The Khan of the Jin Dynasty had five sons. Except for the second prince who died of illness, the rest were all in their prime.
Among these princes, the one most loved by the Khan was the youngest prince, and the one most capable was the eldest prince. Only the third prince was neither likable nor smart, with a rude and violent personality. He often whipped servants to death in Jindu City.
This time when he came to Daqi, Amudan was really nervous and reminded him all the time, fearing that he would cause hostility between the two countries.
They rested in the mansion for three or four days, and finally received the news of entering the palace on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
