Chapter 327 The Delayed Palace Examination
Chapter 327 The Delayed Palace Examination
The spring of the twenty-seventh year of Zhang Yuan was destined to be a turbulent spring.
Many people in the court were involved in this dispute. Just as it was written in the book Su Jin had read, the capital was full of fear and all officials were in a panic. The most uneasy ones were the old and important officials. Even officials who had retired were implicated. They were dragged out and thrown into prison at an age when they had one foot in the coffin.
The emperor’s majesty is as wrathful as thunder.
Everyone can only bear the emperor's wrath, and no one's plea is of any use.
People outside were in panic, but ordinary people's lives were still peaceful. After all, the fire in the palace could not burn everyone.
Zhao Jingcheng was still holding on to the incident involving Concubine Zhuang, so the government affairs were handed over to Prince Rui and Prime Minister Dou Qin. This year's spring planting was also given attention, and the high-yield new grain seeds were sold to loyal ministers and generals who were not implicated. When the grain was ripe, the emperor would keep some for his own use and would continue to recycle the grain.
The tenants on these farms also received a lot of food, and some even got grain seeds, but they could not sell them because of strict control in the capital. However, many meritorious officials and old ministers got seeds in their hometowns and started farming.
These seeds are gradually becoming popular. I believe it won’t be long before all the people of the Great Zhou will be able to have enough food to eat.
Zhao Jingyu was indifferent to what his royal brother did.
During this period, many people came to him and asked for help.
If it were in the past, Zhao Jingyu would definitely have tried to persuade her, but now, he had no interest in persuading her at all.
Don't advise others to do good without experiencing their suffering. This is what Ning Ruolan said, and Zhao Jingyu deeply agrees with it.
Dou Qin put down the memorial in his hand and said tentatively: "Your Majesty, there is one thing I don't understand."
"Please speak, Prime Minister Dou."
Dou Qin said, "I'm afraid this food can't be stopped from leaking out. Sooner or later, it will spread around the world. How long can we keep it under control?"
"If we can hold out for a year, our Great Zhou will grow stronger. I have already sent out a fleet, which brought back corn and potatoes last year. I hope we can bring back more food this time. As long as our Great Zhou grows stronger, the rest will not be a problem."
Dou Qin agreed with him, and after a while, he asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think of Xie Huaiguang?"
Zhao Jingyu was a little surprised, and then he realized that what he had just said was just an opportunity, and what Dou Xiang really wanted to ask was actually this.
He couldn't help but put down the memorial and subconsciously asked, "What does Prime Minister Dou think?"
Dou Qin lowered his eyelids and pondered for a while. He looked around to make sure that there was no one around. Then he stood up, closed the doors and windows, and sat down next to Zhao Jingyu again. He lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Concubine Zhuang had a son. Although a charred body of a boy was found after the fire, no one could confirm that it was the prince..."
Zhao Jingyu was suddenly shocked: "What Prime Minister Dou meant is..."
Dou Qin stared at Zhao Jingyu's expression and confirmed that even Prince Rui had not heard any news of this. He became even more confused.
"This old minister is just guessing."
"But the age doesn't match..."
Zhao Jingyu thought carefully.
"The two are four years apart in age. If the prince were still alive, he would be 26 now, but Xie Huaiguang is only 22 now..."
Dou Qin nodded: "Maybe I am worrying too much, Your Majesty, just pretend you didn't hear it."
Pretend you didn't hear?
Is it possible?
Prince Rui heard about this matter and his mood gradually became heavy.
If we look at it from the perspective of Dou Qin, then everything makes sense.
Why did the emperor suddenly become so open with Xie Huaiguang? Why did the two brothers always discuss matters together, but now there are three of them?
Is Xie Huaiguang really Concubine Zhuang’s son?
And it is very likely that the emperor already knows about this.
But why don’t you even tell yourself?
Zhao Jingyu thought of Concubine Dong and Concubine Hui in prison, as well as all the high-ranking officials implicated, and he understood in his heart that his royal brother did not want the news to leak out.
I heard that Concubine Dong has been secretly searching for the whereabouts of this prince for more than ten years. Doesn’t that prove that the prince is really not dead?
Zhao Jingyu's expression became more solemn. He raised his head and wanted to talk to Dou Qin in more detail, but saw that Dou Qin was leaning against the table, drowsy.
After all, I'm getting old and I really can't handle such heavy official duties.
Zhao Jingyu called the palace maids and put a cloak on Prime Minister Dou before continuing to read the memorials under the lamp.
Soon, a young eunuch brought a food box and whispered, "Your Highness, this is the midnight snack sent by the princess herself."
princess?
Zhao Jingyu's expression did not change, he just whispered: "Put it aside."
The young eunuch smiled apologetically: "The princess said that you must eat it while it's hot. It's not good for your health if it gets cold."
Zhao Jingyu frowned slightly, but still nodded: "Got it, go down."
The young eunuch bent down and left. In the huge imperial study, there was only the sound of people quietly flipping through memorials.
After a while, Zhao Jingyu suddenly thought of something and subconsciously turned his head to look at Dou Qin: "Gu Zilu will be in mourning in March this year, right?"
Prime Minister Dou was stunned for a moment, then he suddenly realized: "If Prince Rui hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Yes, I was already in mourning before the palace examination."
Back then, Gu Changqing died after the joint examination and before the palace examination. Naturally, the three-year mourning period should also end after the joint examination and before the palace examination.
In this case, doesn't that mean Gu Zilu can take part in this palace examination?
"I am confused, I will add Gu Zilu's name right now!"
The Palace Examination will be held one month after the Joint Examination. It is almost here now. There is still time, not yet in time!
Facing the bloody court, Gu Zilu's participation in the palace examination was extremely good news.
When the memorial was sent to Zhao Jingcheng, the emperor approved it without even thinking about it, and also said that he wanted to read Gu Zilu's paper himself.
He could have won the top six places in one go, but his plan was interrupted by Gu Changqing's death. But now, he can finally continue.
Over the past few months, Zhao Jingcheng had been suppressing his anger, and finally he felt a little relieved because of the appearance of Gu Zilu.
Soon, the news reached Su Jin's house, and Gu Zilu, who had been living there to study, finally smiled.
He had made preparations long ago, but who knew that he would have to wait for three years. Now that the mourning period is over, he can finally take part in the palace examination without any worries.
Thinking of this, he got up and went to Su Jin's residence to explain the matter.
"Can we go now?"
Su Jin was also very happy. He could only say that he had finally gotten rid of the influence of this dead man, which was very good.
As the palace examination was approaching, Su Jin ordered someone to make a new set of clothes for Gu Zilu, to represent a new look, and sent him to the palace for the examination.
On the night before the palace examination, Su Jin went to the ancestral hall in person to burn incense for Yuan.
I just hope that the days ahead will get better and better.
Su Jin closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. The dark tablet shook slightly and finally calmed down.