In the second year of Jinghe, the spring examination came to an end.
Ning Heng was ranked third in high school.
For a while, the people who went to the Ning family to congratulate them almost broke down the door of Shou'an Marquis's mansion.
A few days ago, Shou'an Bo returned to Beijing with a concubine's son.
He was stationed in the southwest and could come back once every three years, but before Ning Wanyin came to power, he rarely returned to Beijing.
He had a large house in a city on the frontier, several concubines, illegitimate sons and daughters, and lived a carefree life. His wife who stayed in the capital served his parents, managed the household chores, and mainly served as his housekeeper, so he didn't worry much about them.
But things are different now.
His two children have become successful, it’s time for him to enjoy his life!
After Ning Heng was admitted to high school, the Shi family of Nanyang Hou immediately wanted to marry their daughter to him and form an alliance with the Ning family.
The Shi family found Cheng, but she declined.
Then he found Shou'an Bo again.
Shou Anbo agreed immediately.
Cheng had no choice but to enter the palace and ask to see the empress dowager.
Now, Ning Wanyin dares to bring her mother into the palace.
"Wanwan, I can't explain it clearly to your father. He insists on letting Heng'er marry the girl from the Shi family." Cheng shed tears sadly.
Ever since Ning Heng passed the imperial examination last autumn, many aristocratic families have been optimistic about Ning Heng and placed their bets in advance.
But Cheng asked Ning Heng for his opinion, and he said that he would not marry the daughter of a noble or powerful official.
So, when the Shi family came to discuss marriage, Cheng refused.
But unfortunately, Shou Anbo agreed.
Since ancient times, marriage is a major matter, and parents and matchmakers have to decide. The husband is the head of the wife, and Cheng Shi also has to listen to Shou Anbo.
So even though Cheng and Ning Heng disagreed, Shou Anbo could arrange Ning Heng's marriage on his own...
"My brother has achieved success in his studies and it is indeed time for him to start a family. I wonder if mother and brother have found a suitable candidate?" Ning Wanyin asked.
Cheng nodded and said, "Yan Shuyun, the daughter of the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household, comes from a famous family and is gentle and quiet. Your brother is also willing to marry her. The two families have been seeing each other privately and were waiting to decide, when your father suddenly intervened..."
The Shaoqing of Taichang Temple was a fourth-rank official in charge of sacrificial rituals and music, and was a sinecure.
But the Yan family is also a family of scholars, but they have no power in the court.
Compared with the Ning family which has no empress dowager, they are a perfect match.
Now that Ning Wanyin is here, it means she is marrying someone of lower status.
Cheng secretly felt that Ning Heng was worthy of the daughter of a duke, but if he didn't want to, that was up to him.
The marriage with the Yan family was about to be finalized. Although it had not been finalized, Cheng felt it was difficult to explain to the other party if she suddenly changed her mind.
Ning Wanyin seemed to be thinking about something. "Don't worry, mother. I will make the arrangements."
On that day, the Empress Dowager decreed a marriage between Ning Heng, the eldest son of Earl Shou'an, and the daughter of the Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Rites.
The news spread.
Both families were extremely happy.
The Yan family was feeling aggrieved. With the Shi family interfering, they naturally did not dare to fight for it, and for the sake of their daughter's reputation, they hid the fact that she had met Ning Heng.
Unexpectedly, the Queen Mother decreed that this marriage be completed!
Everyone in the Ning family was also very happy and congratulated Ning Heng.
Only Shou Anbo was very unhappy and complained to Cheng: "Why don't you think about your son? How can marrying a daughter like this help his future?"
"Daughter of the Marquis of Nanyang, you don't want such a good daughter-in-law, but insist on going to the palace to ask for an imperial decree to grant marriage. You ruined such a good marriage for your son, and he is your own son!"
Cheng always used to look forward to his return, but now that he comes back so often, she feels that it would be better for him not to come back.
Hearing her husband's accusations, she could only shed tears silently.
Ning Heng asked coldly, "Dad, are you dissatisfied with the Queen Mother's decree?"
Shou Anbo choked and said, "You don't know the seriousness of the matter. You will definitely regret it in the future. Forget it. It's such a good marriage. I will discuss it with others and save it for your brother."
Ning Heng frowned slightly.
He did not marry into the family of nobles and powerful officials in order to prevent the "power of external relatives" from becoming too great.
His sister is not only a daughter of the Ning family, but also the queen mother.
Would she be willing for the Ning family to marry into a noble family and become the second Xue family?
But Shou Anbo's plan never came to fruition...
The Marquis of Changping suddenly summoned him back to the southwest, saying that something had happened to the army he had previously managed. In short, if you don't come back to deal with it, it will be a big deal.
Shou Anbo had no choice but to return to the border in a hurry.
I plan to arrange it next time.
but……
He never returned to Beijing in his entire life.
Ning Wanyin had no feelings for him and only cared about what her mother thought. Cheng wanted him to come back, so she called him back.
If he doesn't want to, then he doesn't have to come back.
After the imperial decree of marriage was issued, the Ning and Yan families quickly got married.
After the wedding leave, Ning Heng went to the palace to express his gratitude.
"I have something I want to entrust to my brother." Ning Wanyin looked at Ning Heng and said in a deep voice.
While observing government affairs, she came up with some ideas for new policies.
He did not decide to take action until the war was settled, military power was consolidated, and prestige in the court was established.
She entrusted the task to Ning Heng not out of nepotism.
If Ning Heng married into the nobility just to form a clique and turn the Ning family into the second Xue family, then even if he was her own brother, Ning Wanyin would not use him.
She was first the Empress Dowager of Dayan, and then Ning Wanyin.
But now, Ning Heng is the most suitable candidate.
First of all, Ning Heng had lived in Jiangnan for several years and was familiar with the situation there.
Secondly, the most crucial point is that Ning Heng’s articles show that he has a heart for the country and the people.
Of course, if this heart is false, then Ning Wanyin will be replaced.
Ning Wanyin was not sure that she could choose the most suitable official, but she always had a backup plan.
"Your Majesty, please speak." Ning Heng's face showed a hint of seriousness.
Being able to make Ning Wanyin say the word "entrust" is no small matter.
"I plan to implement tax law reforms and start with a trial in a prefecture in Jiangnan. So I intend to appoint you as the prefect of Pingjiang Prefecture." Ning Wanyin said slowly.
The Great Yan State had been established for hundreds of years, and during this period, land annexation was serious, wealth was hidden in the hands of the wealthy, the people were poor, and the imperial court was unable to collect taxes.
Money is needed everywhere in the court.
Military expenditure in the southwest is also a huge expense.
Killing a few corrupt officials will still make the people suffer. It can only fill the hole temporarily and is not the right way.
It is imperative to implement tax reform.
The nobles and gentry would definitely oppose it, and Ning Wanyin knew very well that it would not be that easy.
But now most of the military power is in her hands. With her in the court and Ning Heng outside, she will ruthlessly crush all opposition voices from both inside and outside!
"Han Xun will go to Jiangnan with you. Qilin Guard will establish a Jiangnan branch from now on to cooperate with your actions." Ning Wanyin said.
The words were spoken calmly, yet they were mingled with blood and gore.
There has never been any reform without bloodshed, and the Qilin Guards are there to kill people.
Ning Heng looked at Ning Wanyin deeply. He had always known that his sister was a powerful person.
But the more you get to know her, the more you will realize her tenacity and courage, her strong heart, and her admirable talents.
As a woman in power, she dared to implement new policies without fear of rumors.
"I will definitely live up to the Queen Mother's trust!"
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