On the second day after the Emperor approved Duke Hai's book, the Emperor actually announced a grand court meeting. Thus, early in the morning, the capital's various large government offices and small yamen were once again bustling with activity. The Jia residence was no exception, especially Jia Zheng. The sky had yet to break when he rode to the palace.
Jia Zheng sat in the carriage and thought of the Emperor's long sorrow, but his own family had nothing to eat and could not share the Lord's worries. He could not help but sigh with guilt. She remembered that she had wanted to test Baoyu yesterday so that she could teach him to study seriously. In the future, when he took the imperial examination, he would become a useful person, but her mother…
Sigh!
Jia Zheng felt frustrated in his heart. He felt that he was not sitting in a carriage, but rather in a burning furnace. Even his face was hot. Jia Zheng lifted the curtains of the carriage and the wind blew in, making him feel a little more comfortable. However, when he saw the foggy and unlit streets, the silence and the sound of horses kicking and grinding, he felt that it was very similar to the poem-like desolation after the war. He thought of the Emperor and couldn't help but feel flustered.
When they arrived at the palace gate, the carriages of the court officials had already rushed into the palace one after another. Jia Zheng called for Lord Shangguan Wang, who had parked his carriage far away by the roadside and lifted the curtain to look at him. However, he waited until the third whip woke up, but did not see Lord Wang, so he called him directly to the Ministry of Works.
When Jia Zheng arrived at the Ministry of Works, he was actually welcomed by two colleagues. When the two colleagues saw Jia Zheng, they bowed and congratulated him.
Jia Zheng hurriedly returned the greeting and asked where the joy came from.
"Official, oh, Official, your brother-in-law has made another great contribution this time. The Emperor is very happy!”
Jia Zheng thought for a moment and indeed thought like the sea. His heart lightened up a little and he hurriedly pulled his colleague to ask for details. Naturally, it was another round of conversation. Then, several colleagues said that there were many things to do today. The three departments would probably be discussing in the palace. Lord Wang, who was in charge, would not come back. Everyone dealt with the documents on their own cases and went back.
At court, the Emperor was delighted and asked the Yellow Gate to read out the official document that Ruhai had reported to the Emperor. He praised Ruhai a few times and the officials understood his meaning. Naturally, they all praised Ruhai for his ability and the Emperor's understanding of people.
The Emperor praised Ruhai for being a capable official who had always been reassuring and said,""The flood at this pass is serious. Zhen knows about it and is worried day and night. It is because the border is not reassuring, so I have not personally asked about it. This flood has been going on for a long time, and the number of casualties is increasing day by day. I also know why the various tribes are not going to provide disaster relief. Fortunately, Lin Ruhai is far from the capital and has the heart to resolve this matter. Zhen is in a good mood today, so don't kneel down and beg for forgiveness. Just properly support Lin Ruhai's disaster relief measures and don't miss out on those who have contributed.”
The officials and workers naturally agreed and expressed their loyalty.
The Emperor then asked the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue about the arrangements for the disaster relief, and whether there was enough money and food. He also said that the war was urgent, and military rations and materials had to be guaranteed first. Speaking of money and food, the Ministry of Revenue was naturally worried. After saying a few numbers, they said that the money and food for disaster relief were not enough, so they could only think of ways to raise it.
Since he said that he wanted to raise money, the Emperor did not care. He only said,"If you want to raise money, then go ahead. I will hand it over to you. However, if there is a lack of military or disaster relief, I will only hold you responsible.”
After talking about the disaster relief, there were other things to discuss, such as military victory and defeat, or the method of peace proposed by the barbarians. It was always annoying. The Emperor was so angry that he almost fainted again and said,"If you want me to cede territory, pay compensation, and beg for peace, what's the difference? I can't be the ruler of a subjugated country!”The rules were set.
The emperor was the son of heaven, the father of the emperor. If the emperor became a prisoner of defeat and the king of a nation, what would become of the officials? Because of the Emperor's angry words, the officials were all like frosted eggplants. After the court session, they all sighed and their faces were expressionless.
Thunder fell from the sky, but government affairs had to be done. Because of the disaster relief, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Revenue were discussing and working in the palace and could not come out. When it came to the reward for the disaster relief, the first one was actually a woman, so the Ministry of Personnel was in a difficult position.
"Since ancient times, no woman has ever been rewarded or conferred an official position. This Lin Ming is the leader. She will definitely contribute to the disaster relief.”
"This Lin Ming has some tricks up his sleeve. That Zhang family is one-track minded. It's not easy for us to be sandwiched between the two sides. Moreover, her achievements were not small.”
"This Lin Ming is also from a noble family. Her father, Lin Zhidong, and brother, Lin Jiliang, were generals who died for their country. The Emperor had just issued the order to recruit soldiers, and the most important thing was to reward the families of the generals. Moreover, she was Lin Ruhai's niece, and it was obvious that Lin Ruhai had recommended her.”
"Not only Lin Ruhai, but many people in Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou also praised and recommended her. If this Lin Ming was a man, we would naturally use him generously. But she is a woman and can't be an official. What can we do? In my opinion, a woman's meritorious service is nothing more than a decree.”
"A decree? She hasn't left the palace yet, so if she wants to issue an edict…This matter needs to be handled with great caution. I think it's better to seek the Emperor's ruling.”
The three departments had come up with a few plans for Lin Ming's reward. The first was to give him a decree, then to give him treasures. Finally, they had secretly prepared an empty official position in the Imperial Academy and presented it to the Emperor. They did not know which one would be used.
After deciding on the reward, the three departments discussed how to raise money for disaster relief. They came up with a number, but the Ministry of Revenue lacked money, so they couldn't take out the money that Ru Hai had requested. Thus, they gave the official reply and asked Ru Hai to think of a way to raise money.
After the emperor left the court, he wanted to return to the small study to work, but he had a headache. The empress came to invite him again, saying that the empress dowager and the imperial concubine were urging the selection of talents and asked the emperor to appoint a saint. The Emperor was furious. When it came to the war and the disaster, the court was short of money and needed money everywhere. Didn't the palace know how to be thrifty? He scolded the Empress.
The Empress was dignified, but advised the Emperor to pay attention to the dragon body and not to be angry and hurt the body. With the Empress's gentle encouragement, the Emperor's anger had at least subsided a little, and the three memorials to request for a reduction in the cost of Lin Ming's reward had come again at this time.
The Emperor opened the book and saw that the chief contributor was a woman. There was no precedent for her to be bestowed, so he asked the Emperor to make a ruling. He said angrily," They're getting more and more clear about how to do things. First, they hung the flood and watched hundreds of thousands of disaster victims die. Now, they even want me to personally reward them!"”
The Empress looked at the book and advised," They are too cautious about disaster relief. But women have never been involved in government affairs. Even if they are rewarded, they are given a shade. They are not rewarded for political merit." This woman surnamed Lin had made such a great contribution, and there was no precedent for them to come and ask for the emperor's will. " I haven't served Your Majesty for a long time." The Empress showed the book to the Emperor." Which one do you think is feasible?"”
When the Emperor saw this, he shook his head and said,""Tell them to draw it up again." The little yellow door was about to come to pick him up, but was stopped by the Empress.
The Empress smiled and said," For unmarried women, a decree will probably affect their marriage. This first option seems to be the most suitable, but it is the least suitable." For the third option, it would be most suitable if she was a man. However, she was a woman, so there was no need to mention it. The second option is still useful. What does Your Majesty think?”
The Emperor shook his head and said," It's just that money is too light. Besides, this is the time to use people. We should reward them handsomely."”
The Empress smiled and said," His Majesty is thrifty and cherishes the people. He is unwilling to choose a servant. The Empress Dowager has long urged me to be anxious. Coincidentally, there is a woman who needs a generous reward. I have thought of an idea.”Finished talking, the empress's beautiful eyes glanced at Yuan Chun who was standing at the side and smiled warmly.
Yuan Chun was surprised that there was a woman who had made a great contribution to the court, and her name was even on the Emperor's imperial table. Although he did not know who this woman was, he had already developed a lot of admiration in his heart. Suddenly, the Empress glanced at him and thought that she had revealed her expression. His heart could not help but flash. Fortunately, she was also a dignified and decent person. Although she was a little emotional, she was still able to keep her composure.
There were many things to do today. Lord Wang from the Ministry of Works had been in the palace discussing matters and did not return to the Ministry of Works. Jia Zheng and the others dealt with the documents on their own cases. At dusk, the clock struck and they returned home.
When he returned home, Jia Zheng was still in the carriage. The sky had just turned dark, and it was also dark and drowsy. However, at this time, Jia Zheng felt carefree. Looking at the commoners passing by along the street, he also felt quite peaceful.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。