Yang Zhen's handsome face flushed slightly. "I am ashamed. My father was also an examiner for the palace examination, which makes him susceptible to favoritism and corruption."
This is also what he feels is the only shortcoming.
At that time, his father, Yang Ting, applied to resign from his position as an examiner for the palace examination, but the emperor did not grant his request.
Instead, it became his regret.
Su Wanwan shook her head: "Lord Yang is too old-fashioned."
"Your Excellency has been renowned for your talent since childhood. You were taught by Grand Secretary Li, and your father is a Grand Secretary. It would be truly disappointing if you didn't become the top scholar."
Yang Zhen felt a chill run down his spine, and his breath hitched.
This praise was so high that it made him a little dizzy.
Su Wanwan changed the subject: "Sir, you are well-read. What are your thoughts on the current chaos caused by the bandits?"
Yang Zhen quickly focused his attention, his brain working at lightning speed.
"The primary task in suppressing the bandits is to ensure the safety and well-being of the people."
"Only when people have a place to live and enough food to eat can they live and work in peace and contentment. As the saying goes, only when ordinary people have stable property can they have a stable mind."
"Therefore, if a capable minister who can provide famine relief and bring peace to the people is chosen to reside there, the rebellion will be quelled."
Su Wanwan then followed up with, "Are there any suitable candidates you would recommend?"
Yang Zhen was stunned.
Clearly, Su Wanwan was well-versed in what he was saying and agreed with it completely, so she didn't even pause and went straight for the names.
His own sister and wife seemed to be only good at domestic affairs, and basically knew nothing about politics.
How could I know it so well?
Did this woman grow up eating books?
Su Wanwan frowned when she saw that he remained silent.
"Did Grand Secretary Yang mention this?"
Yang Zhen felt a surge of emotion.
Empress Su truly trusted and relied on her father.
Yang Zhen took a deep breath, his heart pounding.
His father hasn't mentioned this matter to him recently.
To avoid any suspicion that Yan Ge'er might infiltrate the palace and influence Empress Su.
However, since Empress Su has already asked this question, he might as well give it a try.
“Yongxiu remembers that my father used to praise He Jian, the Minister of Justice, saying that he started as a county magistrate, and his disaster relief and people’s livelihood and his proposals for famine relief were very insightful. He was a good official who worked for the well-being of the people.”
Su Wanwan's eyes stung slightly.
These days, scheming and plotting against those cunning and treacherous ministers is exhausting.
Such innocent and simple words could only be heard from a young man like Yang Zhen who had just entered officialdom.
She looked down at Yan Ge'er and said softly:
"Did you hear that? A good official who works for the well-being of the people is the true capable minister who governs the world."
Yan Ge'er listened, completely bewildered, and nodded, half understanding.
Yan Ge'er looked disappointed.
His mother didn't even ask him.
Su Wanwan immediately made a decision: "Lord Yang, would you be willing to take on one more student?"
Yang Zhen looked at Yan Ge'er.
He still vividly remembers the child's composure under pressure.
"Fortunately, it was repaired."
Now that Yan Ge'er is getting older, she doesn't have much time to teach him personally, so it's necessary to find him a teacher.
However, Yan Ge'er's identity is special after all, and his daily comings and goings to the East Garden could easily lead to problems.
She moved her teaching location to a small house next to the Ganqing Gate.
In this way, both Yan Ge'er and Yan Ge'er can study there.
In fact, this also semi-publicly revealed Yan Ge'er's status as a prince.
Yang Zhen's identity was too special.
With him taking the lead, the officials and scholars under Chief Minister Li, as well as the people under Grand Secretary Yang, were naturally all as if they had been injected with chicken blood.
At the same time, Su Wanwan issued another pardon.
Those criminals who were sentenced to death but whose circumstances were questionable, as well as those who were exiled, were all punished with a reduction of one level in punishment.
With several announcements released simultaneously, public sentiment was greatly reassured.
At the end of April, an unusual celestial phenomenon occurred: Jupiter was visible during the day.
People all over the world cheered and rejoiced.
Jupiter is a lucky star.
Jupiter visible during the day is an auspicious sign, representing a harbinger of national peace and prosperity or major changes.
Even God came to the rescue.
Su Wanwan took the opportunity to dismiss the original Minister of War and appointed He Jian, the Minister of Justice, as the new Minister of War.
...
When Lu Xingjian received these secret reports, the corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a smile.
Wanwan is getting more and more skilled.
Two years ago, he even went to Yansui to urge him to return to the capital because of political difficulties.
He is now doing very well in Beijing all by himself, so he has no worries about the future.
Even the matter of revealing Yan Ge'er's identity was done unilaterally, with the facts being released first.
Good news kept coming from the suppression of the bandits.
Yang Hu and his men traveled from Huai'an to Henan, and then by boat to Huguang. However, they were chased by the commander of Huangzhou and fled in disarray, abandoning their armor and weapons, to Jiangxi.
Before they could catch their breath, they were defeated again by the local army led by the commander of Xingzi County, Jiangxi Province.
This greatly boosted the morale of the Ministry of War.
The greatest advantage of bandits was their horseback riding, which allowed them to travel hundreds of miles a day. Their movements were unpredictable, making them difficult to capture.
But once they're on the boat, their advantages disappear, and capturing them becomes much easier.
The Ministry of War immediately submitted a memorial suggesting that the Censors General of Jiangxi, Huguang, Zhili, Henan, and Nanjing (the area around Nanjing) should join forces to intercept and kill the enemy, with the aim of annihilation.
If a thief passes through the area and cannot be apprehended, the imperial inspector shall be ordered to investigate.
In this way, the vital rivers that blocked the Great Liang Dynasty became nooses that strangled the bandits.
...
Lu Xingjian had not returned by the time of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Father Su Nan returned to Beijing with his cousin Su Wanying.
Only one person entered the palace to pay homage.
Su Wanwan glanced behind Wan Ying several times to make sure no one was coming before asking, "How is my father?"
Su Wanying's tears fell instantly.
"My second uncle... encountered bandits on the road and was injured... I'm afraid he won't recover."
Su Wanwan staggered back two steps.
"How is that possible?"
Su Wanying wept uncontrollably, gritting her teeth, "It was those bandits led by Liu Qi! Sister, you must avenge Second Uncle!"
Su Wanwan felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Liu Qi killed his father?!
Su Wanwan was in a daze, her face was pale, her body swayed, and she collapsed to the ground.
When Lu Xingjian received this news, he was already on the grasslands outside the Great Wall, having set up an ambush and waiting for Dayan Khan to step in again.
His face instantly went expressionless, and he ordered, "Set off immediately and return to the capital!"
Gu Ziyu: "Now? Are you crazy?"
"If the Tatars ambush us on the road, it will be very dangerous!"
Lu Xingjian's eyes were bloodshot. He mounted his horse and roared, "Back to the capital!" Before he finished speaking, he galloped southward at breakneck speed.
Helpless, Gu Ziyu had no choice but to lead the imperial guards to follow.
Several horses died along the way, and they were ambushed twice, but they finally made it back to the capital.
Su Wanwan is still not awake.
When the imperial physician saw Lu Xingjian's haggard and disheveled appearance, his face showed surprise and fear.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has taken the medicine, but it has not been effective."
"Your Majesty, I have carefully examined this bottle of pills. Some of them are made of flour and have no medicinal effect whatsoever."
Lu Xingjian gasped.
"Save them first!"
The imperial physician quickly reported, "The medicine has just been taken; we must wait."
A murderous glint flashed in Lu Xingjian's eyes: "Investigate thoroughly, find out who switched the Empress's medicine."
After checking everything, nothing was found to be abnormal.
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