Chapter 66 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
He Fei chatted with his mother for a while, and seeing her expression gradually relax, he felt more at ease. Then he stood up and took his leave, going straight to the emperor's bedroom.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw the emperor half-leaning on a recliner, holding a book in his hands with a focused expression.
He Fei deliberately raised his voice and saluted respectfully, "Your Majesty, may you be well!"
The emperor raised his eyes and glanced at him coldly, with a hint of impatience in his tone: "I am not deaf, please sit down."
He Fei didn't say much and sat down as he was told.
As soon as he sat down, the emperor put down the book in his hand, glanced at him calmly, and said with a hint of imperceptible concern: "Jia Jia, are you okay?"
He Fei was slightly stunned, then smiled and replied: "When I left, she was fine and in good spirits. However, I can't say whether she will cry her nose red after I leave."
The emperor frowned slightly, and his tone was filled with a hint of reproach: "Why don't you stay with her for a while, child? It's so cold, and she's alone in the imperial mausoleum. She must be lonely."
He Fei spread his hands and pretended to be helpless, "Brother, you are wronging me. It was Jia Jia who drove me back. She said that I had to spend the Little New Year and New Year's Eve with Mother. I was just following orders."
The emperor snorted lightly, his tone tinged with mockery, "You're quite good at making excuses. But Jiajia is a sensible child. Don't be so indecisive, or I'll punish you."
He Fei nodded in agreement with a smile on his face: "I won't change my mind! Jia Jia is so nice, I can't bear to make her sad."
The emperor's lips curled up slightly, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. "I have read the memorial you submitted to me. The ideological education you proposed is indeed sound. Loyalty to the emperor and patriotism are excellent concepts. Do you mean to establish an officer in the army specifically responsible for political education? This idea is interesting, but you need to write the plan in more detail. There must be a specific plan for implementation and selection of personnel."
He Fei nodded seriously. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will write out a detailed plan as soon as possible to ensure that every step is implemented. This official position is not only responsible for ideological education, but also for supervising military discipline to ensure that the soldiers are united in mind and effort."
The emperor nodded with satisfaction, his tone becoming more serious. "This year's snowstorm is very serious. As for the Jin Kingdom, I'm worried that they will come to plunder the border after the spring. What do you think?"
He Fei pondered for a moment and replied, "Brother, the Grand Princess has reported that the situation is indeed not optimistic. My suggestion is that instead of passively defending, we should take the initiative. We can trade with the Jin Kingdom, exchanging grain for their horses, or even rent their land. This will not only relieve the pressure on our horses, but also enhance our military strength."
The emperor's brow relaxed slightly, a flicker of approval in his eyes. "Your proposal is a good one. The Jin Kingdom is short of food, and we are short of horses. We can both take what we need. However, the specific implementation method still needs to be carefully considered. When you return, write a detailed plan, and I will discuss it with the ministers."
He Fei nodded in agreement, his tone firm: "Yes, Your Majesty. I will write out the plan as soon as possible to ensure it is foolproof."
The emperor leaned back in the recliner, tapping the armrest with his fingers, his eyes deep and steady.
He slowly began, "I'm planning to replace the Jiedushi. Please help me draw up a list of talented, loyal, and reliable ones. Also, I want the third brother to defend against the Japanese pirates. What do you think?"
He Fei frowned upon hearing this, and after thinking for a moment, he replied, "Brother, it's probably not the right time for Third Brother to go and defend against the Japanese pirates. His legitimate son and daughter haven't yet entered the court to serve, and their foundation is not yet stable. If we rashly send him out, I'm afraid someone in the court will use this to cause trouble. It's better to wait for some time, until his descendants have established a firm foothold in the court, and then send him out."
The emperor nodded slightly. "You are right. I was just too impatient. Let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it when the time is right."
The emperor looked at He Fei again, his tone unquestionable: "After the new year begins, you will attend the morning court for me. Don't always hide in the imperial farm, you must participate more in the affairs of the court."
The emperor said casually, "How are your potatoes?"
He Fei's face suddenly showed a bit of pride: "Brother, the potato harvest is estimated to reach 400 kilograms per mu! This is a big breakthrough. The people will have a much better life in the future."
The emperor nodded. "Yes, you have done a great job. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
He Fei scratched his head, a sly smile on his face: "Brother, forget about the credit, can I make a small request in return?"
The emperor raised his eyebrows, his tone teasing: "Oh? You have another request? Tell me."
He Fei cleared his throat and said in a serious tone, "Brother, I want to take two months off and take Jiajia to Jiangnan for a trip. The potatoes are ripe, and it's just the time when Jiajia is leaving the imperial mausoleum. I want to take her out to relax."
The emperor couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You really know how to pick the right time. The potatoes have just come into fruition, and you're already thinking of taking Jiajia on a trip? No, you can't do that until later. Oh, and give me the pesticides and nutrients, by the way?"
He Fei blinked: "Brother, these are all in Jiajia's hands. I don't have them. I thought she gave them to you?"
The emperor rubbed his temples, a headache forming in his heart as he thought of Jiajia, who had just been imprisoned in the imperial mausoleum for three months. Given her temper, she must have been fuming for a long time. If he asked for pesticides and nutrient solution now, she probably wouldn't even let him in.
He raised his eyes to look at He Fei, his tone filled with helplessness and command: "As Jia Jia's husband, you are the most suitable person to handle this matter. Go to the imperial mausoleum, talk to her, and ask for the pesticide and nutrient solution."
He Fei was suddenly at a loss for words. He spread his hands and said, "Brother, you're really putting me in a difficult position. You know Jia Jia's temper. Besides, as her eldest cousin, you've been the one who spoiled her since she was little. You personally issued an imperial decree, saying that she could walk freely in Kyoto and everyone had to respect her. You also conferred her the title of First Rank County Lady. She listens to you the most. Just go ask her in person and it will be granted."
The emperor was choked by He Fei's words and was speechless for a moment. There was a bit of dissatisfaction in his tone: "You kid, you are good at shirking responsibility. I am the emperor, how can I go to the imperial mausoleum in person to ask for things? What will it say if it gets out?"
He Fei smiled and said in a relaxed tone: "Brother, you are the emperor, who dares to spread your words? Besides, Jiajia has respected you the most since she was a child. If you go, she will definitely give you the things without saying anything. If I go to ask for it, I am afraid I won't even be able to get in the door, and I will be scolded by her."
The emperor's tone was somewhat compromising: "Alright, alright, I get it. You, boy, always give me problems."
Seeing that the emperor had relented, He Fei quickly struck while the iron was hot: "Brother, don't worry. Although Jia Jia has a bad temper, she is very sensible. If you go there in person, she will definitely understand your painstaking efforts. Besides, if you go, you can also check on her life in the imperial mausoleum to prevent her from getting bored there alone."
The emperor waved his hand, his tone filled with a hint of doting: "Alright, stop talking nonsense here. I'll think about it. Go and do your thing first, and don't get in my way."
He Fei bowed with a smile, then turned and walked out.
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