Chapter 19 Giving Glasses
Now there is no movement from the King of Han, but Zhu Zhanji has already begun to prepare to deal with people related to the King of Han. It can be seen that the matter of the King of Han is not a simple rebellion. Zhu Zhanji probably considered this a good opportunity to enhance his control over the entire court.
The throne was changing from old to new, and the emperor was young and his ministers were powerful. There were also many old ministers who had followed Zhu Di for a long time. Even though these court officials were cautious, Zhu Zhanji really needed an opportunity to establish his own prestige, at least not let these ministers easily look down on him as the emperor.
As for the Prince of Han's rebellion? If he truly had the ability to rebel, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until today? He could only instigate some minor palace intrigues, things that were not to be publicly discussed. Zhu Zhanji clearly had no fear of him and even treated him generously, hoping that the Prince of Han would let down his guard.
Good uncle, if you don’t rebel, how will the emperor’s nephew have the chance to take action?
Shi Lin specifically told Zhu Yuhuan all this because he was worried that Liu Yongcheng and the King of Han were on good terms and would implicate Zhu Yuhuan, his student.
Zhu Yuhuan was naturally grateful for Liu Yongcheng's assistance in probing the Prince of Han for Wu Miaosu's involvement. However, upon reflection, Liu Yongcheng, though a military man, was no fool. Even with Saihazhi's assistance, such a tangible connection could implicate his entire family if he were held accountable, creating a dangerous situation. A close official like him, unless authorized by Zhu Zhanji, would generally avoid the Prince of Han. Who would dare to approach him rashly? Zhu Yuhuan could grasp this, let alone Liu Yongcheng.
Therefore, it is very likely that Liu Yongcheng used the channel of serving Zhu Zhanji to do Zhu Yuhuan a favor, thus being loyal to the emperor and patriotic at the same time.
Just looking at the way Zhu Zhanji doted on Wu Miaosu as usual, it seemed that he didn't know the true situation of Wu Miaosu's identity. It can be seen that Liu Yongcheng probably did not report the matter.
Liu Yongcheng helped Zhu Yuhuan a lot for the sake of Zhu Di, so Zhu Yuhuan naturally had to repay him with Qiong Yao.
As for whether Liu Yongcheng knew that Zhu Zhanji had instructed the Jinyiwei to play such a "Mission Impossible" drama, that was not a problem for Zhu Yuhuan to consider.
"Huanhuan pays homage to Grandma, and to the Consort Xian, Consort Hui, and Consort Jing."
"Get up," Empress Dowager Zhang said with a smile, "Our princess has taken some time off to visit Grandma?"
Not only did Zhu Yuhuan have a heavy workload, he also had to take care of the blast furnace in the palace and the charity hall outside the palace. The already limited free time each month was now even less available, and the original greetings once every three days had to be changed to once every five days.
Empress Dowager Zhang teased him a few times, and Zhu Yuhuan said obediently: "Other things are certainly important, but filial piety comes first among all virtues. Huanhuan naturally dared not neglect to pay his respects."
Consort Li Xianfei had the best relationship with Empress Dowager Zhang. Seeing this, she smiled at her and said, "Look, this gentleman was well-invited. Our Huanhuan is becoming more and more eloquent."
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled sweetly at Zhu Yuhuan and said, "You, you never come here for no reason. Tell me, what are you doing here?"
Zhu Yuhuan brought the books from the charity hall and said, "Mother asked Grandma to take a look at these books."
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said, "This is your mother's business. Why are you showing it to me?"
"Grandma is the most capable person. Mom is worried that she may have done something wrong, so she wants to ask Grandma to review it."
The female official beside Empress Dowager Zhang noticed the Empress Dowager's gaze and stepped forward to take it.
Before Empress Dowager Zhang could speak, Consort Li Xianfei said, "Last time during the Qianqiu Festival, we were all away. His Majesty bestowed the charitable hall with an imperial calligraphy. The Empress Dowager is now helping to oversee it. We, the concubines of the late emperor, should also contribute our efforts and do some good deeds."
Zhu Yuhuan had long guessed that something like this would happen, so she just smiled and said, "The charity hall is meant to provide a livelihood for the common people, so the ladies don't have to worry about it." She asked Huai En to bring a small box and said, "This is a new toy made by the blast furnace craftsmen. Huanhuan wanted to send it to Grandma to take a look first."
Naturally, everyone knew that Zhu Yuhuan had built a blast furnace in the imperial city, but it had been such a long time since Zhu Yuhuan had made any move. When she suddenly brought up the matter today, everyone naturally became curious.
Empress Dowager Zhang said "oh" and waved to Huai'en, saying, "Bring it here." She picked up the small box herself, and saw two small copper rings inside, connected in the middle, with two legs on both sides.
Concubine Zhao Hui was a little confused and asked, "What is this?"
Zhang Jingfei, who was the youngest sitting on the other side, noticed something special at first glance and said in surprise, "Isn't this Xixiong? How come..."
Her father, Duke Ying, Zhang Fu, like Liu Yongcheng, had followed Zhu Di from a young age. Having accumulated a substantial family fortune over the years, he naturally knew all about these rare finds. Furthermore, although a military commander, Zhang Fu was also deeply committed to studying. In his youth, he often attended lectures at the Imperial Academy, a remarkable achievement at the time.
Concubine Zhang Jing was much younger than Empress Dowager Zhang and others. In addition, she was the daughter of an old nobleman. Although she had no children, she escaped being buried alive with the emperor. She got along well with the concubines in the palace and was considered lucky compared to Concubine Guo.
Zhang Jingfei quickly understood what she was saying and said, "This... looks like colored glass in the middle? But where can you find such transparent colored glass..."
The so-called "叆叇" is actually glasses, which is nothing new. Previously, they were often connected and fixed with silk, which was quite inconvenient. In comparison, the pair of glasses made by Zhu Yuhuan were much more convenient.
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile, "Actually, this is fired glass. My great-grandfather once gave my father a blue-green brush washer. It was light and unique, and my father always treasured it. So I asked for the method and made it myself for fun. I didn't expect the fired glass to be so clear and bright that I didn't want to paint it."
Of course, she wouldn't say she relied on her memory, or that she had the craftsmen try dozens of different materials before finally creating this glass. She simply said it was a fluke. In reality, this glass was far inferior to modern craftsmanship, but considering the help she could provide, it was already quite a feat for these craftsmen to be able to create it.
Only then did Li Xianfei understand and exclaimed in amazement, "It's so clear, just like water."
Empress Dowager Zhang didn't mind her new things. She put them on and looked around as she said. She said, "This is indeed more convenient than a reading stone. It's very light."
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile, "'A concave mirror, a small one is easy to use, a large one is straight, it is said to be in the middle and outside and inside.' This is the principle of the 叆叆. The fired glass is indeed lighter than crystal. Remembering that grandma said the original reading stone was not very useful, I tried to make a few 叆叆 using glass. These are much more comfortable to wear than the reading stone. If you feel that they are not good enough, you can just use a new one."
Concubine Li Xian, standing by, praised: "Look, our Huanhuan is so filial. Like Your Majesty, he always keeps the Empress Dowager in his heart."
Empress Dowager Zhang was very pleased to hear this and said, "This thing is only useful to people like us who are older." She looked at Concubine Zhang Jing and smiled, "Your father is also old. He loves studying with those students. Ask Huanhuan to send him a pair later."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuhuan immediately said respectfully, "It just so happens that Huanhuan will have to go out of the palace to visit the charity hall on behalf of the Empress in a few days. I will go there in person then."
She came here for this very purpose, and now that her grandmother had given her a pillow, of course she took it obediently.
Concubine Zhang Jing hurriedly said, "Such a small matter can be left to the palace servants. Why should the princess make another trip?"
Zhu Yuhuan said seriously, "When my great-grandfather was still alive, he once said that Duke Ying was 'the commander-in-chief during the southern expedition. He made careful plans and made clear decisions. He led the troops and fought bravely without regard for his own life. He was able to ensnare the evil leader and crush the rebellion.' As a junior, it is natural for me to send him off in person."
Although Zhu Zhanji was the emperor, these nobles were all old people who followed Zhu Di. Zhu Zhanji naturally treated them with kindness. Even the emperor was like this, let alone Zhu Yuhuan, a princess.
Empress Dowager Zhang had absolute confidence in her granddaughter's ability to judge the situation. She smiled at Concubine Zhang Jing and said, "Huanhuan is right. You are also her elder, not to mention the Duke of Ying."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhang Jing expressed her gratitude, "I thank the Empress Dowager for her grace on behalf of my father."
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