Chapter 134: Preparing to welcome the emperor, Mu Xue had a plan in mind...
Mu Xue already had a plan in mind for welcoming the emperor.
She picked a day and summoned all the officials of the Metropolitan Government and the garrison commanders to the Princess's residence to discuss matters.
These people also heard about the emperor's visit next year, and were whispering in private. Deputy Governor Ha Feng was particularly excited. His role model, Shanxi Governor Galin, made his mark during an inspection by the emperor, and since then he has been promoted to a high position. There are so many officials in the world, how can it be so easy for the emperor to see them? Especially for these border officials, who are far away from the emperor, unless they have someone in the court or make great contributions, they rarely have the opportunity to show their faces to the emperor.
This is great. The great Buddha, His Majesty, has come to us. If we don't seize this opportunity, wouldn't we be a grandson? We must make good preparations, buy some new official robes and boots, practice our words in front of the emperor, and strive to make a splash.
There were many people who had similar feelings. Mu Xue sat on the throne, and when she glanced around, she saw several faces full of excitement and expectation.
This expression is completely different from the way they used to be when they would always refuse to do something.
Mu Xue lowered her eyes, looked at the imperial kiln white porcelain covered bowl, took a sip of hot tea, and then said calmly: "I believe you have all heard the news that Khan Ama is preparing to naturalize. I called everyone here today to discuss the reception. We are far away from the capital, and the emperor rarely sets foot here. This is a rare opportunity. It's okay for me, after all, I am a princess, but your official career is different. If you prepare well for the reception and are lucky enough to be favored by Khan Ama, you may rise to prominence in the future."
These words made all the officials and generals smile, as if they saw a bright future for themselves.
But the next moment, the princess put down the teahouse and said in a stern voice: "However, if you do not do well, your life and property may be in danger. You have heard that when His Majesty was on a tour to the south, the governor of Jiangxi was disrespectful in welcoming him, so he was dismissed from his post, arrested, shackled for three months, flogged 100 times, and made a slave."
Mu Xue also heard this news from the officials who had just returned from the capital to pay their respects. They said that the governor's reception was a mess. After finally welcoming the emperor, Emperor Kangxi asked him about local affairs, but he knew nothing and just stammered. Emperor Kangxi was angry and immediately sent him to prison.
As soon as the voice fell, the smiles on the faces of the civil and military officials present disappeared, replaced by a solemn look. Everyone knew that the princess was well-informed, and since she mentioned this, it must be true.
If the reception is not done properly and he ends up like that unlucky governor, it would be fatal.
Du Tong Shuo Dai raised his eyelids and glanced at the princess, thinking quickly in his heart. After all, he was older and had experienced more things, and he would never dare to underestimate the princess. After thinking for a while, the princess said this at this time, first politely and then violently, which frightened most people. What was she trying to do?
Judging from the character of this little ancestor, one thing leads to another, and there is probably something else to say.
Sure enough, after everyone trembled and said that they would make every effort to make preparations and welcome the emperor, the princess said leisurely: "The matters of welcoming the emperor are complicated. Besides, since His Majesty has arrived here, he will definitely meet the Mongolian nobles. At that time, in addition to the local tribes, the nobles of the northern tribes will also come to see the emperor. There are so many things to deal with, you must handle them carefully."
Shuo Dai reacted very quickly and immediately clasped his fists: "Princess, you are right. There are so many things to do to welcome the emperor, and they involve the Mongolian princes. With so many things, it is necessary to have a virtuous person to take charge and direct them. I would like to ask, who else in Guihua City can take on this task except you, Princess?"
Ha Feng also realized it, glanced at Shuo Dai, and suddenly lifted his official robe, knelt down, and said in a loud voice: "I kneel down and ask the princess to take charge of the reception. We are willing to obey the princess's orders and carefully prepare for the reception."
This kid's shameless skills are really better than his teacher's. Shuo Dai turned his head away and looked at him with disdain, then adjusted his mood and continued to ask the princess to do something.
Everyone asked this, and Mu Xue tried to refuse several times, but finally agreed reluctantly.
"Since you all have elected me as the general manager, I will have no choice but to obey your orders." Mu Xue raised her head slightly, and the pearls and jade on her temples sparkled in the sunlight.
"When it comes to welcoming the emperor, it's nothing more than where to meet him, where to stay, and what to show His Majesty. To show respect, we must go out of Guihua City to welcome him from afar. Where will the emperor stay? This is a trivial matter. My princess's mansion was built only a few years ago, and the furnishings are relatively new. Your Majesty can repair it in the princess's mansion when the time comes. Then level the large open space outside the princess's mansion and use it as a place for the entourage or the princes of Mobei to set up their tents."
"I think the most important thing is what His Majesty can see when he comes here. To be frank, no matter what good things we say to His Majesty, in the end, what he sees is believing. The street scenes, the people's homes, and the places where merchants trade that he sees with his own eyes are all true. Good is good, and bad is bad. I have been with His Majesty in the palace for so many years, and I know it in my heart, but he is very smart. No one can bluff him."
Mu Xue said: "So we have to prepare in advance. Now that everyone is not busy in winter, we need to clean up the streets, maintain order, tidy up the barracks inside and outside, and strengthen the soldiers' training. The documents in the office need to be sorted and filed, and the tax accounts need to be checked clearly. When the emperor asks, we must answer fluently..."
In short, let’s create a civilized city like the Qing Dynasty version.
She had actually wanted to have such an event for a long time. As she settled here, Guihua City developed rapidly, and more and more people moved in from all over the country, which also brought some problems. For example, with more people, more camels, more cattle and horses, there was more garbage like cow dung on the road. It was okay if there were people watching the streets around the princess's mansion. A little further away, if you were walking on the road and accidentally stepped on a soft thing, there were not a few people who cursed loudly.
There are many similar livelihood issues. Mu Xue saw it and asked the stewards of the Princess's Mansion to handle it. However, with more and more people settling down, it is definitely not possible for the stewards of the Princess's Mansion to take care of all aspects.
She had previously tried to get the officials of the governor's office and the soldiers in the military camp to do something together. The idea was good, but the reality was more troublesome. Although they would do something if she asked, they were lazy and procrastinated. Just like the beads on the abacus, they would not move unless they were moved. Not to mention uniting to make every aspect of the city better.
Now we can finally take advantage of the opportunity to prepare for the reception and gather these scattered pieces of sand into one.
Mu Xue thought about it for a long time and came to this conclusion. She was from a city on the grassland, and her family was poor. She couldn't compare to the prosperous places like Jiangnan, where there were many wealthy families who could spend a lot of money to welcome the emperor. Emperor Kangxi knew this in his heart, and I believe he would not blame her.
If the way of using money to build a luxurious reception mode doesn't work, then try another way. What does an emperor want to see when he comes to the border town? Isn't it to see the people of the three ethnic groups of Manchu, Mongolian and Han communicate harmoniously, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the Mongolian princes are united and stable?
She worked towards this goal, improving the infrastructure, tidying up the city's appearance, and showing him everything he wanted to see.
After Mu Xue briefly explained the general principles of the reception to the officials and generals, she waved her hand, and the female stewards standing on both sides of the throne immediately came forward and distributed paper rolls. The paper rolls clearly stated the various tasks.
The deputy general flipped through the pages and said in surprise: "So, we want the soldiers to clean the streets and ditches? This..."
Mu Xue said, "It's all for the purpose of welcoming the Emperor, and we need more manpower. Not many people are needed from you, just assistants, mainly the officials from the Governor's Office, and the Princess's Office will also send people. The military camp is mainly for training, so that His Majesty can see the majestic appearance of the soldiers."
Shuodai, Hafeng and others were flipping through the pages, with a bit of reluctance on their faces.
What the hell is this... The princess is really managing her own household like a woman. She has to plan a special place to bury the garbage and supervise the people to enforce it. Those who don't obey will be fined. These are all trivial matters, but they are so troublesome.
So he stammered and said some excuses.
Mu Xue only said one sentence to fight back: "Everyone, Khan Ama will live in the princess's mansion at that time. If any adult can perform well in this welcoming event, I don't mind saying a few good words in front of Khan Ama."
She pointed at Yunqi who was holding documents next to her and said, "There are people who are responsible for recording everyone's contributions. This princess will report who is capable, who is ineffective, who is dedicated, and who is perfunctory."
Everyone tacitly kept silent and stopped making excuses.
For the sake of your future and the official hat on your head, it doesn't matter if you're a little tired.
After a long and noisy discussion, the sun set and everyone dispersed.
Mu Xue stood up from the throne and stretched: "It's really not easy."
Yunqi laughed: "It's thanks to the princess's wisdom that she caught them, otherwise it would be difficult to push these officials to do things."
The princess got the point right: they were afraid of losing face in front of His Majesty, and they wanted to show off in front of His Majesty. It was like the princess holding candy in one hand and a whip in the other to spur on the officials.
Mu Xue also laughed: "These people are all smart people. They are used to shirking their responsibilities. There is no way. You should calculate the expenses for welcoming the emperor with the chief clerk Mu Sen, and then go to the governor's mansion to discuss how to divide it. As long as it is not too extravagant, it is okay for the princess's mansion to pay a little more."
After the meeting was over, Muxue walked quickly to the back hall. Dorji was playing with the little princess, and when he saw her coming, he smiled and said, "Finally, the meeting is over. Is there any difficulty?"
"Everything is under control." Mu Xue smiled and stepped forward to pinch the little princess's cheek. "When you meet your emperor, don't be too naughty, understand?"
The little princess replied "OK".
The eunuchs carrying the meals came in one by one with two tables to set the meals. Muxue sat down and said to Dorji, "Your personal soldiers should also be trained well, and the overall situation of the Tushetu Khanate should be compiled into a document. The Khan might want to read it when the time comes."
"Don't worry, I know."
Dorji put a piece of mutton into her bowl with his chopsticks. "If you need me, just let me know."
Mu Xue slowly ate the mutton and said, "You think it would be best to inform the Khans of the other two tribes in Mobei and ask them to come over early in the spring."
Teach him some words of rhetoric in advance, and then show Emperor Kangxi the peace and development of Mobei today.
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