Chapter 056 The Emperor's Family Brotherhood
Lord Li was so angry that his face turned red. He pointed at them and shouted, "What nonsense!"
A general from the Hero Group said, "Don't talk nonsense. Who here doesn't have a dick? How can it be nonsense? Look at you, you have no common sense. Do you want me to take off my pants so you can check it?"
"Hahahahaha!" After saying that, the group of people laughed loudly again.
Lord Li was so angry that he was shaking: "How dare you say such dirty words in the court? You are worthy of being a warrior, so vulgar!"
In the past, people from the aristocratic families loved to mock the generals of the meritorious group for being uneducated. Every time the generals heard it, they would get angry. Lord Li thought that this time would be the same and he could anger them to death and turn the tables, but who knew that they didn't care at all.
"Yes, we are vulgar and Lord Li has no common sense, so eldest brother, please don't talk about the second brother. Lord Li is not a petty person. He should not dislike us brothers just because of a few words, right?"
"That's right, we all know that you are the most generous, Lord Li!"
"You..." Lord Li waved his sleeves in anger, "A rotten tree cannot be carved!"
Zong Zhengxiao sat at the top, watching them arguing with great interest.
The nobles knew that Zong Zhengxiao was trying to get away with it, so Lord Chen stepped out and said to Zong Zhengxiao, "Your Majesty, Lord Li is loyal to the emperor and loves the country. He took the initiative to stand up and remind Your Majesty, just hoping that Your Majesty would focus on state affairs and not indulge in fun, which would chill the hearts of the people."
Zong Zhengxiao was originally still watching the excitement, but when he heard what Master Chen said, his expression suddenly turned colder: "I have already said that I have been neglecting the government these days because I am seriously ill. You two masters can't bear to see me rest. You wish that I would drag my sick body to work day and night, and finally die young, right!"
Lord Chen and Lord Li knelt down at the same time: "I dare not!"
Zong Zhengxiao put away his joking thoughts, and his aura was fully released. His murderous eyes made the court officials tremble in fear and lower their heads. Even the people in the group of meritorious officials did not dare to make trouble anymore, and they all stood at attention obediently.
Seeing that everyone had finally quieted down, Zong Zheng Xiao continued, "Master Chen and Master Li said that I have been avoiding the mermaids recently. I wonder where you heard this from. Can you tell me? I also want to hear how well that person knows about it."
The people from the aristocratic families lowered their heads and curled their lips, thinking that you and we both sent people to monitor each other, and we know what each other is doing. What's so strange about this?
In fact, it was because Rong Yin's coma was too unexpected that Zong Zhengxiao was completely unprepared. Later, he was immersed in the pain of about losing Rong Yin and had no energy to check the situation in the outside world, so he was taken advantage of by the noble families.
However, surveillance cannot be brought to the surface, so Lord Chen could only say, "Your Majesty, I only heard about it."
Zong Zhengxiao: "Who told you that?"
Lord Chen: "I don't remember."
"Heh." Zong Zhengxiao sneered: "You are really my good subjects, using hearsay to question me. You have lived for so many years, don't you know that you need evidence for everything?"
Don't the noble families know what Zong Zhengxiao said? No, they know it very well.
But they are a noble family, a family that looks down on Zong Zhengxiao. When they come to question him, the noble family feels that they do not need evidence.
Zong Zhengxiao understood very well that they dared to openly oppose him only because they relied on the fact that he could not deal with them in a short time.
Even with the precedent of the He family, they had nothing to fear, because the reason why Zong Zhengxiao was able to wipe out the He family in one fell swoop was only because he had the right time, place and people. Such good conditions would not come again, and the aristocratic families would not give him a second chance.
Lord Chen said with a stern face, "I am a loyal minister and I am not trying to alarm you. I spoke in the court today only because I am worried that Your Majesty will go astray and bring suffering to the people of the world."
"Oh, then I should really compliment you." Zong Zhengxiao smiled, "Master Chen and Master Li have noticed even such a ridiculous rumor. I think they are very careful. So, the two masters, tell me, during the days when I was sick and recuperating, did anything catastrophic or irreparable happen because of my absence?"
Lord Chen choked and said, "No."
As an emperor, Zong Zhengxiao plays the role of a leader. The military and civil officials in Da Sheng's officialdom form their own system, and the responsibilities of each department have been determined long ago. Even if Zong Zhengxiao is temporarily absent, the country can still operate on its own.
Coincidentally, Zong Zhengxiao was away for a few days, and nothing happened during these days that required the emperor to make an emergency decision.
"But it's just my good luck this time." Lord Chen saw that he was at a disadvantage, and quickly added, "I just hope that Your Majesty will not neglect state affairs for fun in the future. After all, no one can guarantee that if this happens again in the future, you will not encounter an accident."
"Yes, you are right." After hearing what he said, Zong Zhengxiao actually nodded in appreciation.
Lord Chen was stunned and suddenly felt uneasy. Sure enough, the next second Zong Zhengxiao said, "Lord Chen asked me not to neglect my duties even when I was sick, and he said he was loyal. It seems that he has a good character of strict discipline for others and for himself, which is worth learning for me and all the court officials."
He slammed his hands together and smiled brilliantly: "How about this, from now on, all departments and government offices in the capital, no matter how big or small the official position is, are not allowed to be late or leave early, and no matter what the reason is, even if you or your family members are sick or dead, you are not allowed to ask for leave. I will also set up a supervisory department and transfer Lord Chen there to be in charge of supervising all officials and investigating which official will neglect his duties and fail to do practical work during his tenure..."
The more he spoke, the darker the faces of Lord Chen and the officials became.
Zong Zhengxiao seemed to think this was not enough, and continued, "Let's implement the monthly assessment system. What I mentioned before are the assessment standards. If someone fails the assessment, the lighter punishment is to deduct one month's salary, and the heavier punishment is to directly dismiss him from his post. How do you think that is?"
The court officials looked as if they were crazy, but Zong Zhengxiao seemed oblivious. He looked at Lord Chen with a smile in his eyes. "I was also influenced by Lord Chen's strict attitude, so I came up with such perfect rules and regulations. What do you think of my suggestions? As long as Lord Chen agrees, I and all the officials will firmly abide by these rules in the future."
Mr. Chen's face turned black.
If he disagrees, then he can only treat what he said before as bullshit, and their campaign against Zong Zheng Xiao will fail.
But if he agreed, he would be dead.
After hearing what Zong Zhengxiao said, both the people from the aristocratic families and other officials immediately turned all their hateful eyes towards him.
Everyone knows that Zong Zhengxiao deliberately put Lord Chen on the fire, and they were the fire being used. But who told the people from the aristocratic families to start trouble first? They can't do anything to the emperor, so how can they control a man named Chen?
No matter how domineering the people of the noble families are, they dare not go against the officials. Zong Zhengxiao's tactic of diverting disaster water to the east is a clever one.
"Cough cough." Lord Cui, who had been hiding in the line of civil servants and pretending to be dead, coughed lightly at this time.
After receiving the instructions, Lord Chen could only bow his head and say, "Your Majesty, such rules are too harsh. They are not good for the government and the officials. I was rash and wrongly blamed Your Majesty. Your Majesty is in poor health and should rest more."
Just now, both parties insisted on their own stories. The noble family said that Zong Zhengxiao had caused so much trouble in the past few days because of the mermaid, while Zong Zhengxiao always put all the responsibility on his own illness, and both parties wanted to force the other party to admit their mistakes.
Whoever acknowledges what the other party said has admitted defeat.
Zong Zhengxiao smiled, "It is a great virtue to know one's mistakes and correct them, but it is unreasonable to not be punished for making a mistake. How about this? I will deduct one year's salary from the two masters, Chen and Li, and use it to build the capital. It is a small punishment with a big warning, and it also fulfills the love for the people for the two masters. Is that okay?"
The aristocratic families are not short of money, nor do they care about this little salary, but when they came to pick a fight, they were counterattacked and defeated. Deducting their salary is a slap in their face, and the following sentence about their love for the people is an even more naked mockery.
But what can the noble family do? They can only accept defeat.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace." Lord Chen and Lord Li said with gritted teeth.
"This is what I should do." Zong Zhengxiao and the people from the Heroic Officials Group smiled like flowers.
After the court session, Zong Zhengxiao first went to Yu's study to meet with several ministers. Without the presence of the noble families, they could speak more freely.
Looking at the ministers' hesitant expressions, Zong Zhengxiao guessed that they must also feel that it was unnecessary for him to go to such lengths a few days ago for a merman.
Maybe he wanted to admonish himself, but didn't know how to start.
Zong Zhengxiao didn't beat around the bush. He stared at them and said directly, "I know what you want to say, but I can tell you that the mermaid is no longer my pet, but my teacher."
"What?" The ministers' expressions were filled with shock and confusion.
Zong Zhengxiao's eyes were mysterious and profound. "Think carefully, why did I only give you the right to make ice, fertilizer, and paper, which are good things that make money and benefit the people, a few days ago?"
Everyone was stunned for a few seconds, and then collectively showed an expression of sudden enlightenment.
"Is it possible?"
Zong Zhengxiao nodded: "That's what you think, so I can't let anything happen to the mermaid."
The ministers understood what Zong Zhengxiao meant, but their brains were unable to react for a while.
The main reason is that before they only regarded mermaids as the emperor's pets, but now they suddenly know that mermaids are actually big shots. The strong contrast makes them not know what to say for a while.
Zong Zhengxiao said, "After we leave here, you will all pretend that you didn't hear me say these words. I can't let his talents be exposed to others for the time being."
Nowadays, the noble families are still eyeing the royal family covetously. If they find out that Zong Zhengxiao actually possesses the treasure Rong Yin, they will certainly not let it go.
The ministers did not ask the emperor how a merman could know these things. They were very clear about the boundary of communication between the emperor and his subjects.
"I obey your command." The ministers said in unison.
When Zong Zhengxiao returned to Yinjiao Garden, Rong Yin was sitting on the couch reading a book without shoes on. Her calves were hanging down and swinging back and forth, and her feet were dazzlingly white.
Hearing the noise, Rong Yin raised his head and said to Zong Zhengxiao with a smile: "You're back."
Zong Zhengxiao walked over, pinched Rong Yin's chin, bent down and kissed her.
Rong Yin put the book down, put her hands around Zong Zhengxiao's neck, and responded enthusiastically.
Sixi next to him: smiling from ear to ear.
Lu'e next to her sighed.
By the end of the kiss, Rong Yin was already in Zong Zhengxiao's arms.
Rong Yin sat on his lap and asked him, "Did they give you any trouble during the court session today?"
Zong Zhengxiao had wasted a lot of time and energy trying to save him, so the people from the aristocratic family would not miss the opportunity to attack him.
"Yes, but I scolded them all back." Zong Zhengxiao told Rong Yin everything that happened in the morning court. He especially described the part where the noble families were speechless and could only admit their mistakes. He described it in great detail.
Rong Yin laughed when he heard this: "How dare they mess with you? I wonder how powerful your mouth is?"
"I also think that my mouth is very powerful. You, Yin, should be well aware of this." Zong Zhengxiao stared at Rong Yin's lips and spoke with a double meaning.
This is what young people who are experiencing love for the first time are like. They want to stick to each other all the time and become one with each other.
Rong Yin covered his lips and refused, "Your Majesty, please keep your mouth open while eating. If you bite it again, it will swell."
Looking at Rong Yinyan's red lips, Zong Zhengxiao realized that he had been too strong before, so he had to give up: "Okay."
But the tone was a little aggrieved.
Rong Yin came over and kissed him on the cheek, and said shyly, "This is a reward for being an obedient child."
Zong Zhengxiao was happy again. He was really easy to please.
After lunch, Zong Zhengxiao continued to handle official business from the previous night, while Rong Yin sat next to him and read a book.
The content he read were all geographical magazines, as well as maps of the country and surrounding countries, which he specifically asked Zong Zhengxiao for.
In ancient times, maps were considered important secrets. If Rong Yin hadn't had the support of Emperor Zong Zhengxiao, it would have been very difficult for him to get this thing.
Rong Yin wanted to know how the geography of this world was different from that of his world.
Fortunately, after reading it, Rong Yin discovered that although the two worlds have different historical backgrounds, their geographical environments are basically the same, which gives him more room to display his talents.
Rong Yin took a pen and paper and drew a mineral distribution map from his memory. He also wrote down the climate and specialties of each place. It was a simple map of the whole Dasheng.
However, according to the map given by Zong Zhengxiao, the territory of Dasheng only occupies the Central Plains and the southeast coast. Most of the areas in the north, west and south are occupied by other countries, large or small, and many important resources are distributed within the territories of those countries.
The only way to obtain those resources is to expand the territory.
It’s just that the war of the previous dynasty has only been over for a few years. If war breaks out again, it will probably cause dissatisfaction among the people.
Even if we have to force a war, we must be fully prepared. Weapons, troops, and food are all indispensable.
Rong Yin was thinking while writing and drawing on the paper. When Lu'e came in with tea and snacks and asked him and Zong Zhengxiao to rest for a while, the table was already covered with papers he had written on.
After being busy for a long time, Rong Yin was also hungry. He rubbed his eyes, stood up and pulled Zong Zhengxiao, "You are not allowed to be busy anymore. Accompany me to rest for a while."
Zong Zheng Xiao stood up with his strength, sat down with him at the table, and fed each other in a disgusting way.
When they were almost done eating, Rong Yin said, "Your Majesty, when you are done with your work in a few days, can you take me out of the palace for a walk? I have been here for almost a year, and I have never left this one-third acre of land."
Zong Zhengxiao wiped the cake crumbs from the corners of Rong Yin's mouth and agreed happily: "Okay, I'll accompany you to visit the capital."
"Brother Xiao, you are so nice~" Rong Yin acted coquettishly in a skillful manner.
Zong Zhengxiao pinched his face and said, "As expected of a mouth that just had a snack, it's really sweet."
"Hehe." Rong Yin laughed innocently.
At night, the two of them lay together in each other's arms. Zong Zhengxiao remembered that Rong Yin had been reading books all this time, so he asked him, "You only studied for a while but you memorized all the common characters in the book. Could it be that the characters in the two worlds are the same?"
Rong Yin leaned on Zong Zhengxiao's shoulder and explained to him: "It is indeed the same language, but you use traditional Chinese characters, and I learned simplified Chinese characters."
Then, Rong Yin told Zong Zhengxiao the difference between simplified and traditional characters, the reasons and effects of character simplification, and also explained the method for students in his world to learn to recognize characters.
Hearing that students in Rong Yin's world would all learn Mandarin, and that the method for children to learn to read would be more convenient and effective, and that simplified characters would be better able to eliminate illiteracy and improve people's literacy and cultural level, Zong Zhengxiao's eyes became brighter and brighter.
Rong Yin saw what he was thinking and said, "Times are different, and real conditions are different. A strategy that works well for us may not be suitable for Da Sheng."
Zong Zhengxiao rested his chin on Rong Yin's shoulder and said, "I understand, but I think some of it can still be used as a reference, such as the pinyin method of recognizing characters. If it can be promoted, more people in Dasheng will be able to read, and more and more people will participate in the imperial examinations and serve the court. This is a blessing for Dasheng."
In the past, the aristocratic class monopolized knowledge, and it was extremely difficult for common people to study and take the imperial examinations. Even though Zong Zhengxiao now strongly advocates imperial examinations, there are still only a few poor students who can overcome all the difficulties and pass the examinations before him.
The elite members of the ruling class have been stagnant for years, which is not good for the country or for him as an emperor, just like running water is always clean, while stagnant water will only rot and stink.
Only by allowing the flow of people from all walks of life can this country unleash greater vitality.
After listening to Zong Zhengxiao's thoughts, Rong Yin had a feeling that it was as he expected.
His Majesty is a wise ruler who loves his country and his people. He is willing to try anything as long as it is beneficial to Da Sheng and the people.
"Your Majesty is indeed very broad-minded." Rong Yin said with a smile.
Zong Zhengxiao said: "This is what I should do as an emperor."
Rong Yin added: "But not all emperors are as dedicated as you, Your Majesty. Some people, in order to maintain their rule, do not hesitate to adopt a policy of keeping the people ignorant. They suppress the spread of knowledge and prevent the people from becoming civilized, because reading can cleanse the mind and broaden the horizons. If there are too many people who can think, the emperor's position will be unstable."
He explained to Zong Zhengxiao the historical process of his world. With the development of the times, new systems will always emerge, and the feudal dynasty will inevitably go to extinction.
As for hindering national progress, the actions of the last emperor are the best example.
Zong Zheng Xiao touched Rong Yin's head and said, "I am not as great as you say. I did all this just to prove that I am a qualified emperor. I want to bring glory to the Zong Zheng family and go down in history. In the end, it is still a selfish act."
Rong Yin did not refute him, but asked him: "If Da Sheng's technology and culture can be developed to the advanced level of my world tomorrow, and the price is that there will be no imperial power in the future, and you, the Zong Zheng family, will not be able to become royal relatives, are you willing?"
Zong Zheng Xiao said without hesitation: "Of course I am willing! I don't have to work hard to enjoy the new world. Isn't it better than sitting in this position and fighting with those aristocratic families all day long? And I think with my ability, even if I don't become an emperor, I can still shine in all walks of life!"
As he spoke, he lowered his head and kissed Rong Yin on the cheek, "But whether I am the emperor or not, I hope you can stay with me forever."
"Of course I will accompany you. I like you, not the throne." Rong Yin responded to Zong Zhengxiao's feelings and changed the subject, "Look, you are willing to give up the throne, how can you be considered selfish? Such perseverance is not something that everyone can have. Don't belittle yourself in the future."
Zong Zhengxiao chuckled: "Thank you for the compliment from our A Yin, you are right."
"That's better." Rong Yin laughed, turned around and snuggled into Zong Zheng's arms. After taking a few deep breaths, she said lazily, "Go to sleep quickly. You'll be busy tomorrow."
"Okay, good night." Zong Zhengxiao kissed Rong Yin again.
In the following days, Zong Zhengxiao worked intensively from day to night, working overtime to handle the accumulated official business, and finally caught up with the progress of court affairs before the holiday.
The night before leaving the palace, Rong Yin soaked in the bathtub and drank up all the water. He even refused Zong Zhengxiao's attempt to get intimate with him, and was determined to save all his energy for shopping tomorrow.
Looking at Rong Yin who wrapped himself in a quilt and guarded him strictly, Zong Zhengxiao could only sigh: I am an emperor with no family status.
Because he went to bed early and was thinking about going out to play, Rong Yin woke up earlier than the other palace servants the next day. After opening his eyes, he did not stay in bed at all. After getting up, he went to bother Zong Zheng Xiao.
"Get up, get up, or I'll pull the quilt off you if you don't get up!"
Rong Yinqi sat on Zong Zhengxiao and shouted excitedly.
Zong Zheng Xiao had actually woken up a long time ago, but he deliberately teased Rong Yin and refused to open his eyes.
Rong Yin didn't waste any more words. He pulled the quilt aside, leaned over, grabbed Zong Zhengxiao's shoulders, and lifted him up.
"Don't sleep anymore. If you don't wake up, I'll throw you out of bed."
Zong Zhengxiao sat up, held Rong Yin in his arms, and said with his lips close to his ear: "It's awake, both it and I are awake."
Rong Yin was stunned for a moment, feeling the burning sensation in her lower abdomen, and couldn't help thinking: Morning is indeed a time of vitality.
At this time, Lu'e's voice came from outside, saying that she would come in to help them wash and dress.
Rong Yin pushed Zong Zhengxiao away, jumped off the bed, and threw the quilt back to Zong Zhengxiao.
"Cover it up and wait until the swelling subsides before taking it down. Don't scare the girls."
Zong Zhengxiao, who was ruthlessly abandoned both in the morning and evening, did not know for a moment what the point of being an emperor was.
After washing up, Rong Yin urged Lu'e to help him choose clothes and tie his hair. He even wanted to eat breakfast outside the palace.
Seeing the excited Rong Yin, Lu'e also became happy. She chose a goose-yellow outfit for him that suited the season, and then tied his hair into a simple high ponytail and fastened it with a hanging jade hair rope. His youthfulness was unstoppable.
Zong Zhengxiao still maintained his previous daily style, but took off all the royal symbols, looking like a steady, serious and handsome young man.
Rong Yin put his hands behind his back and leaned over, deliberately saying, "You dress so old-fashioned, if we go out, will people think we are father and son?"
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