Chapter 276 Will there be civil unrest?
Murong Yu was in a very good mood yesterday, and he felt even more relaxed after meeting Pei Shu.
He slept well last night, but when he woke up this morning, the first expedited document he saw made his face darken.
What a bad omen?
He has been on the throne for more than 20 years, and the world is now at peace. How could there be a bad omen when everything is fine?
Murong Yu’s first reaction was to call Taoist Qingyang to ask him.
Taoist Qingyang came from Yuqing Palace with a sloppy appearance, and was still yawning when he reached the door of Ganyang Palace.
Murong Yu asked, "Master, have you observed the celestial phenomena recently? Have you noticed anything unusual?"
Taoist Qingyang lifted his loose hair and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know how to read the celestial phenomena. I only used divination in the past."
He had been in the palace for three years, spending his days reading and cleaning the courtyard. Murong Yu refused to let him go, but life had to go on. Everything he experienced in this world was part of his cultivation.
Murong Yu: "Last night, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory observed the stars and saw that the nation's destiny was unstable. Could you please give me some divination?"
Taoist Qingyang shook his head and sighed, "I've already said it before, if your cultivation is damaged, you won't be able to calculate anything."
Murong Yu was unwilling to give up and tried several times, but Taoist Qingyang insisted that he could not predict anything.
Taoist Qingyang also asked: "Your Majesty, I have been in the palace for three years, but I am unable to serve Your Majesty. Will Your Majesty allow me to return to the mountains to practice?"
Murong Yu still refused to give in: "Master, since your cultivation is not as good as before, why do you have to suffer outside? Why not continue your cultivation in the palace and leave when your cultivation is restored?"
Taoist Qingyang thought, then you want to trap me for the rest of my life?
But he glanced at the faint purple air on Murong Yu's head and said no more.
After Taoist Qingyang left, Murong Yu summoned Director Wan from the Imperial Observatory.
Wan Jianzheng's legs felt weak and he knelt before the emperor.
Murong Yu frowned and said solemnly:
"I ask you, when was the last time Mars was in the heart?"
Wan Jianzheng's lips turned pale, and he dared not utter the answer in his mouth, but under Murong Yu's gaze, he had to stammer:
"Your Majesty, since the founding of Dayu... this sign has never appeared before."
Murong Yu: "You mean, it only appeared in the previous dynasty?"
Wan Jianzheng had been reading ancient books all night last night, and he looked tired and anxious:
"Last night, I searched through the records and determined that the last time Mars appeared in the heart was in the thirteenth year of the Jinghe era of the previous dynasty."
Murong Yu's expression changed drastically, and his fingers suddenly clenched into fists.
Dayu founded the country about three hundred years ago, and three hundred years before that, it was the Sima family's world, and the country was named Yong.
In the last years of the Yong Dynasty, seven princes rebelled one after another. After years of fighting, the country's strength declined. Finally, Murong Cang, who had established a regime in the northeast of the Yong Dynasty, led his army south to capture the capital and establish Dayu. From then on, the world fell into the hands of the Murong family.
All the princes of Dayu Dynasty had to read history books and learn from the lessons of the previous dynasty's demise, and Murong Yu was no exception.
It was precisely because he had read it that he knew that the Rebellion of the Seven Kings broke out in the 14th year of Jinghe in the Yong Dynasty, and then the dynasty was destroyed.
Now, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory told him that the same sign of Mars in the heart appeared last night, just like thirteen years ago.
A deep and sinister furrow appeared between Murong Yu's brows:
"This matter concerns the fate of our nation. If you dare to leak a single word, you will be killed without mercy."
Wan Jianzheng bowed his head to the ground and said, "I dare not do that."
Murong Yu: "Go down."
After Wan Jianzheng left, Murong Yu overturned the teacup on the table.
Bang, the ground was covered with porcelain pieces, and the warm tea was still emitting wisps of smoke.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wang entered from outside, apprehensive and anxious: "Your Majesty, calm down. Your health is paramount."
Murong Yu seemed not to hear, and Wan Jianzheng's words were still echoing in his ears.
The previous dynasty fell due to internal strife within the imperial clan. Could it be that someone within the clan also harbored rebellious intentions? Could the Murong royal family also experience internal strife?
Murong Yu pondered for a long time in Ganyang Palace. This matter must not be known to the royal family, so as not to alert the enemy.
He sent people to call the spies hidden in the residences of various relatives and important officials in the capital, and asked them to report the situation in each residence in detail every day.
At the same time, he summoned Hao Ren into the palace again and gave him detailed instructions, asking him to pay attention to the trends of grain and grass transactions in the market.
Hao Ren received Murong Yu's order, and a trace of embarrassment appeared on his face:
"Your humble servant has duly followed the Emperor's orders. However, the grain and fodder trade has always been supervised by our Ministry of Revenue. I have no real power. If you wish to conduct a thorough investigation, the Ministry of Revenue..."
Murong Yu: "If I tell you to do something, just do it boldly. I'm here to support you. What are you afraid of?"
These words seemed to give someone a token of unimpeded passage, and Hao Ren said with relief:
"Your humble servant obeys your order!"
After Murong Yu arranged everything, he went to the East Palace to see the prince.
The Crown Prince is the heir apparent and also matters to the nation's destiny. Three hundred years ago, one of the reasons for the Seven Princes' Rebellion in Dayong was the death of the then Crown Prince, leaving everyone eyeing that position.
When Murong Yu arrived at the East Palace, Tutor Zhang had just finished teaching the Crown Prince.
Zhang Taifu: "This old minister pays homage to His Majesty."
Murong Zhen: "Father."
Murong Yu: "Please excuse the formalities. Master Zhang has worked hard in teaching the Crown Prince."
"It is an honor for this old minister to be able to teach the Crown Prince... ahem..."
Tutor Zhang is getting older now. His back, which used to be straight, has become a little bent in the past two years.
He has been having a sore throat recently. His throat is so dry and sore at night that he can't sleep well, and he feels uncomfortable talking during the day.
On the contrary, Murong Zhen straightened his back more and more in front of Master Zhang, and his height was almost as tall as Master Zhang.
His voice was fuller and no longer as childish as when he was a child.
After Tutor Zhang left, Murong Yu and his son sat in the hall and talked alone.
Murong Yu was very pleased to see his son growing up day by day:
"How's your schoolwork going lately? How's your health?"
Murong Zhen sat upright, always a little nervous in front of his father:
"Your Majesty, I am doing fine, except for... the occasional headache."
In fact, it is not occasionally, but often.
The headache I had before slowly came back.
Murong Zhen told the Queen Mother and Murong Yu about this last year.
The Queen Mother suggested that three thousand monks be sent into the palace to perform rituals to completely expel the evil spirit.
But Murong Yu disagreed.
One reason is that Murong Yu has never believed in Buddhism, and he thought that it was just a coincidence that the prince's headache was cured after Master Mingdeng entered the palace a few years ago.
Secondly, if one or two monks entered the palace, it would be fine. But if three thousand monks came in to perform rituals, wouldn't the whole world know that something ominous was happening in the palace? Rumors would surely spread.
Besides, there is already Taoist Qingyang in the palace, so the evil spirits dare not come to cause trouble.
The Queen Mother advised again, what if something happened to the prince?
Murong Yu said the prince possessed the aura of a true dragon and nothing would happen. Even if something did happen, it wouldn't be too late to invite three thousand monks into the palace.
Murong Yu refused to give in on this matter, and the Queen Mother did not insist any further, saying only:
"This is the emperor's biological son. Since the emperor has said so, I won't worry too much."
Murong Zhen knew to some extent that his father and grandmother had argued about this matter, and his father didn't like to hear him say he had a headache.
Just like now, when the emperor heard him say "I have an occasional headache", his face became a little gloomy.
Murong Zhen continued, "Although I occasionally have headaches...but they will be gone after a day or two of rest."
Murong Yu's expression softened somewhat. "Zhen'er, remember to have a balance between work and rest. Remember to rest when you're busy with your studies."
Murong Zhen: "Thank you for your concern, Father."
Murong Yu looked at the faint blue circle on his son's chin and remembered another thing.
The Crown Prince is thirteen years old, and it is time to choose a Crown Princess.
But now the celestial phenomena are not auspicious, and choosing a princess will inevitably cause a stir in the capital.
Murong Yu felt that now was not a good time, and after thinking about it, he decided not to mention it.
When Master Zhang walked outside the palace gate, he met Hao Ren.
Hao Ren saluted Master Zhang: "Master Zhang."
Zhang Taifu had rarely spoken to Hao Ren. He only knew that Hao Ren was a merchant who had been given a position as an official by the emperor's favor. He was completely different from those of them who had achieved their official positions through talent and learning.
Tutor Zhang didn't want to pay much attention to Hao Ren at first, but Hao Ren was very respectful when he saluted and spoke to him, just like his student.
Zhang Taifu stopped and asked, "Master Hao, what's the matter?"
Hao Ren: "I just noticed that Master Zhang has been coughing, so I wanted to give him a word of advice. Please take care of your health and get more rest."
Zhang Taifu nodded and said only one sentence: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Hao."
He showed no reaction on the surface, but he sighed in his heart. Everyone else would advise him, but the prince he had taught for many years had never asked a single question.
Tutor Zhang's carriage gradually went away.
For some reason, Master Zhang, who was sitting in the carriage, subconsciously looked back through the curtain of the carriage window and saw Hao Ren watching him from the spot.
Master Zhang's heart skipped a beat, and he somehow thought of Pei Lingyun.
That's how the child was when he was little. He would always watch his carriage go a long way before leaving.
Tutor Zhang suppressed his heartache and stopped thinking about it.
When Master Zhang returned home, he felt very tired and went back into the house to rest.
Mrs. Zhang felt sorry for her old man and kept saying:
"Just rest for a few more days and go back to the palace when your throat is better. Do you think it will only take a few days to teach the Crown Prince?"
Tutor Zhang didn't say anything, just resting his throat.
"You endure the pain and talk outside, but become silent when you get home." Old Madam Zhang scolded a few words angrily, then turned and left.
Mrs. Zhang walked into the courtyard and saw the servants carrying many bags of medicinal herbs to her:
"Madam, someone outside came and brought some herbs to Master. They said they were for his throat."
Mrs. Zhang knew a little about medicinal herbs, so she picked up one or two packets and opened them to see that they were all high-quality Fritillaria cirrhosa and Dendrobium officinale.
Madam Zhang: "Who sent it?"
The servant said, "I don't know. The person who delivered the herbs just said someone paid them to deliver it directly here."
Madam Zhang nodded calmly, "Perhaps it was given to you by one of your former students. Use this Fritillaria to make porridge and serve it to you in the evening."
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