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."

如今世家依舊對皇室虎視眈眈，若發現宗政逍居然擁有戎音這個寶貝，定然不會善罷甘休。

大臣們也沒問皇上一個鲛人為什麽會知道這些東西，君臣之間的交流界線在哪，他們還是很清楚的。

“臣遵命。”大臣們齊聲道。

宗政逍回到銀鲛園時，戎音正靠坐在軟榻上看書，鞋子也不穿，小腿耷拉着來回搖蕩，雙足白得晃眼。

聽見動靜，戎音擡起頭來，笑着對宗政逍道：“你回來啦。”

宗政逍走過去，捏起戎音的下巴低頭就吻了上去。

戎音放下書，伸手勾住了宗政逍的脖子，熱情回應。

旁邊的四喜：眉開眼笑。

旁邊的綠娥：唉聲嘆氣。

吻到最後，戎音已經被宗政逍抱進了懷裏。

戎音坐在他的腿上，問他：“今天上朝他們有沒有為難你？”

宗政逍為了救他浪費了不少時間和精力，世家那邊的人應該不會放過這個攻擊他的機會。

“有，不過都被我罵回去了。”宗政逍把早朝時發生的事情都告訴了戎音，特別是世家被自己怼得啞口無言只能低頭認錯的部分，他講得特別細致。

戎音聽得直笑：“他們是怎麽敢惹你的啊，不知你這張嘴有多厲害？”

“我也覺得我嘴巴太厲害的，這點阿音你應該深有體會。”宗政逍盯着戎音的唇瓣，一語雙關。

初嘗情滋味的小年輕就是這樣的，巴不得時時刻刻都黏在對方身上，與對方融為一體。

戎音捂住他的嘴唇，拒絕道：“陛下還是留着嘴吃飯吧，再咬就腫了。”

看着戎音嫣紅飽滿的唇，宗政逍也意識到自己之前确實太用力了，只得乖乖放棄：“好吧。”

不過語氣有些委屈。

戎音湊過去在他臉蛋上親了一口，羞澀道：“這是對聽話乖寶寶的獎勵。”

宗政逍又開心了，果真好哄。

午飯後，宗政逍接着昨晚的進度處理公務，戎音則坐在他旁邊看起了書。

看的內容都是些地理類的雜志，還有全國和周邊各國的地圖，他特意跟宗政逍要來的。

在古代，地圖算是重要機密了，若不是背靠宗政逍這個皇帝，戎音想搞到這東西還真不容易。

戎音想知道，這個世界的地理情況和他的那個世界有什麽不一樣。

幸運的是，看完後戎音發現，兩個世界雖然歷史背景不同，但地理環境方面基本重合，這樣他能發揮的餘地就多了。

戎音拿過紙筆，把自己記憶中的礦産分布圖畫了下來，順便把各地方的氣候和特産都寫了上去，算是一份簡略的全大晟地圖。

不過根據宗政逍給的地圖來看，大晟國土只占着中原和東南沿海，北、西、南三個方向的大部分地區都被其它或大或小的國家占據，而不少重要資源都分布在那些國家的境內。

唯一能得到那些資源的辦法，就是開疆拓土，擴大大晟版圖。

只是前朝戰亂才過去幾年，若是再起戰事，怕是會引起百姓不滿。

即便要強行開戰，也得做好萬全的準備，武器、軍隊、糧草，缺一不可。

戎音邊想邊在紙上寫寫畫畫，等到綠娥端着茶水點心進來，請他和宗政逍先歇會兒時，桌上已經鋪滿了他寫過的紙張。

忙碌半天，戎音也餓了，他揉揉眼睛，起身去拉宗政逍，“你也不許忙了，陪我休息會兒。”

宗政逍順着他的力道站起身，和他來到桌前坐下，膩歪地互相投喂起來。

待吃得差不多了，戎音才道：“陛下，等過幾天你忙完了，可以帶我出宮去逛逛嗎？來這裏快一年了，我還沒離開過這一畝三分地呢。”

宗政逍替戎音擦去嘴角的糕點碎屑，愉快地應下：“好，我陪你把京城都逛個遍。”

“逍哥哥，你真好~”戎音熟練地撒嬌。

宗政逍捏捏他的臉：“不愧是剛吃了點心的嘴，确實甜。”

“嘿嘿。”戎音笑得單純傻氣。

晚上，兩人相擁着躺在一起，宗政逍想起戎音這段時間一直在看書，就問他：“你只學了一段時間就把書上的常用字都記住了，難不成兩個世界的文字是相同的嗎？”

戎音靠着宗政逍的肩，跟他解釋：“的确是同一種文字，不過你們用的是繁體，我學的是簡體。”

緊接着，戎音就把簡繁體的區別，文字簡化的原因和作用都告訴了宗政逍，順便把自己那個世界學生學認字的方法也說了。

聽見戎音那個世界的學生要統一學習官話，并且孩子們學認字的方法更方便有效，且簡化字能更好地掃盲，提高百姓的識字水平和文化程度，宗政逍的眼眸越來越亮。

戎音看出了他在想什麽，道：“時代不同，現實條件也不同，在我們那裏是良方的策略，不一定适合大晟。”

宗政逍将下颚抵在戎音肩上，道：“我明白，不過我覺得其中一部分還是能借鑒的，比如那個拼音認字方法，如果能推廣開來，大晟識字的人變多了，就會有越來越多的人參與科考、報效朝廷，這是大晟的福氣。”

從前士族階級壟斷知識，百姓想要求學和科考是極難的，即便如今宗政逍大力推崇科舉，但能一路披荊斬棘考到他面前的寒門學子依舊是少數。

統治階層的精英成員常年固化，無論是對國家還是他這個皇帝來說都沒好處，就像活水永遠幹淨，而死水只會腐敗發臭。

只有讓各階層的人員流動起來，才能讓這個國家爆發出更強大的生命力。

聽完宗政逍的想法，戎音有一種果然如此的感覺。

他家陛下是個愛國愛民的明君，只要是有益于大晟和百姓的事，他都願意去嘗試。

“陛下心胸果然寬廣。”戎音笑道。

宗政逍道：“這都是我作為皇帝該做的。”

戎音又道：“但不是所有皇帝都能像陛下你一樣敬業，有些人為了維護自己的統治，不惜采用愚民政策，他們打壓知識的傳播，阻止民衆開化，因為讀書能洗滌心智開拓眼界，會思考的人多了，皇帝的位置就容易坐不穩。”

他跟宗政逍科普了他那個世界的歷史進程，随着時代的發展，新制度總會出現，而封建王朝必将走向滅亡。

至于阻攔國家進步，末代帝王的所作所為，就是最好示例。

宗政逍摸摸戎音的頭，道：“我沒有你說的那麽偉大，我之所以做這些，不過也只是想證明我是一個合格的皇帝，我想光耀宗政家，想名垂青史，總歸來說還是自私自利的行為。”

戎音沒有反駁，而是問他：“如果大晟的科技和文化水平明天就能發展到我那個世界的先進程度，而代價是以後都不會有皇權的存在，你們宗政家也做不成皇親國戚了，你願意嗎？”

宗政逍毫不猶豫地道：“當然願意！我都不用努力就能享受新世界了，那不比坐在這個位置上，整天跟那些世家大族争來鬥去快活？而且我覺得以我的本事，即便不做皇帝，也能在各行各業大放異彩！”

說着，他低頭在戎音臉上親了一口，“不過無論我是不是皇帝，我都希望你能永遠陪着我。”

“我當然會陪着你，我喜歡的是你，又不是皇位。”戎音回應了宗政逍的感情，又把話題掰回去，“你看，你都願意舍棄皇位了，哪裏算得上自私自利，這樣的毅力，可不是人人都能擁有的，以後不許再妄自菲薄了。”

宗政逍輕笑：“謝謝我們阿音的誇獎，你說得都對。”

“這還差不多。”戎音笑了一聲，轉頭窩進宗政逍懷裏，深呼吸幾次後懶懶道：“快睡吧，明天你還有得忙呢。”

“好，晚安。”宗政逍最後又親了戎音一下。

之後的幾天宗政逍都是高強度工作，從白天忙到晚上，加班加點處理堆積的公務，終于在休沐日前趕上了朝政進度。

出宮前一晚，戎音泡在浴池裏狠狠地吸飽了水，連宗政逍要跟他親密他都拒絕了，堅決要把所有精力都留給明天逛街。

看着把自己裹進被子裏，對他嚴防死守的戎音，宗政逍唯能嘆氣：我是一個毫無家庭地位的皇帝。

因為提前睡覺，心裏又念着出去玩，戎音第二天比宮人們都要醒得早，睜開眼睛後也半點不賴床，自己爬起來的同時，還要去折騰宗政逍。

“起床了起床了，再不起來我就要掀被子了！”

戎音騎坐到宗政逍身上，興奮地大喊大叫。

宗政逍其實早就醒了，但他就是故意逗戎音，死活不睜開眼睛。

戎音也不廢話，直接把被子扯到一邊，俯身扣住宗政逍的肩膀，把人搬起來。

“不許睡了，再不醒我就把你丢下床去。”

宗政逍坐起身，把戎音摟進懷裏，嘴唇貼着他的耳朵道：“醒了，我和它都醒了。”

戎音愣了一瞬，感受着小腹處的滾燙，忍不住想：早晨果然是生機勃勃的時間。

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?"