Chang'an is good

Chapter 662: Traveling and Getting Drunk (End of Text)

But Cui Jing did not think that he was making concessions or sacrifices.

He did not hand over power to prove his loyalty.

If he handed over the Xuan Ce Army to someone else in order to prove that he had no ulterior motives, it would be an extremely irresponsible and frivolous act.

The existence of Xuan Ce Army is too special. It should not be controlled by others and become a hidden danger that threatens the imperial power. He will not threaten her, and naturally he will not allow others to threaten her.

Apart from Li Shang, there shouldn't be another General Xuan Ce in this world.

There is no need to say how much covetousness Xuan Ce's army had suffered. The reason why Cui Jing took over Xuan Ce's army on his own initiative was because he did not want to see it destroyed.

He never thought that the Xuan Ce Army belonged to him, he was just keeping it for someone else.

Now that the person has returned, the property should be returned to its original owner.

This was something he had wanted to do a long time ago. There was no need to consider or make a decision on this matter, and it had no direct relationship with whether or not he wanted to become the emperor's spouse.

He has been working on the handover of this matter for some time, and now that everything has come to an end, the time has come.

Looking at Cui Jing's figure, Wei Shuyi felt that he should be the least surprised among the officials present.

In the silent hall, the emperor did not refuse. She said, "Mr. Cui has a sincere heart for the country, the people and me, so I will follow Mr. Cui's wishes."

Zhai Xi stepped forward, bowed, solemnly took the military token, and presented it to the emperor.

After a lapse of twenty years, the military token once again returned to the hands of its former owner.

All the officials in the hall finally regained their composure and almost all looked towards the young man in purple robes.

The last dark cloud that hung in their hearts and over the new dynasty suddenly dissipated at this moment, and the sky was clear from then on.

The other party took the initiative to do something big that they wanted to do but didn't dare to do easily.

As for removing the post of general, it would be most appropriate for Cui Jing, who had voluntarily resigned from the position, to make the initiation... There is no more peaceful and safer way to transfer military power than this!

Some officials were so moved that they wanted to cry, and even began to believe what Wei Xiang said before...

Is this General Cui acting out of a sincere desire to serve his country and his people, or are they really obsessed with love?

Or maybe it's both?
If it is true, then we should thank God. Having such a loving brain is a blessing to the country!
Looking at Cui Jing again at this time, most officials just felt that he was unusually pleasing to the eye.

"..." Cui Jing himself could also sense that everyone's gaze towards him suddenly became peaceful, beautiful and full of love.

If Cui Jing could hear other people's thoughts, he would know that many people's thoughts were strangely overlapping at this moment - [Well, let him be the choice for the empress! ]

——For a person who offers such a true and precious love as his dowry, what else can these ministers choose from?

But today we are discussing government affairs, and proposing to establish an emperor at this time would make them seem too snobbish and fence-sitters... Wait a few days and choose a good time!
However, His Majesty the Emperor did not give them a chance to speak.

The next day, a decree was announced from the Ganlu Temple.

It was an imperial edict enthroning Cui Jing.

The edict said:
【Cui Jing, the Grand Commander of Bingzhou, is a man of both civil and military talents, with noble virtues and loyalty. When I was still unknown, he accompanied me and supported me. We were in the same boat, supported each other with all our strength, and shared life and death. Now that I have ascended the throne, I need to choose a good match to settle the hearts of the people and the country for the sake of the inheritance of the country. Looking at the world, the only one who can be made the emperor's spouse and the son-in-law of the royal family is Cui Jing.】

However, another imperial edict said: "He has made outstanding contributions in repelling the barbarians in the north and driving back the Tibetans in the west. He is the pillar of the country. In recognition of his merits, he is specially conferred the title of Prince of the Holy Guard, with a fief of 8,000 households, purple clothing, and nine-chapter emblems. 】

When this decree was issued, there was an uproar in the court and the country.

Prince Protector?

There had never been such a title in the Great Sheng Dynasty, and it was rare to grant titles to princes of different surnames, let alone the spouse of the emperor... This is going to be a new system!
There was a lot of discussion everywhere, with people analyzing whether this move was appropriate.

The officials were ready to accept Cui Jing as the emperor's husband, but why did a prince named "Saint Protector" suddenly appear? Can't he just be the emperor's husband?
"Where does the word 'husband' come from..." This edict has been announced to the public and spread everywhere. An official holds the edict copied and issued by the Secretariat and reads it word by word in a low voice: "The spouse of the emperor, the son-in-law of the royal family..."

The only thing missing is the word "husband".

The title "Emperor's Husband" has always been a casual title used in various places, but this word did not appear in this official edict.

Realizing this, the officials exchanged glances.

The word "husband" is an evolution of the word "sky". It is considered natural for a woman to regard her husband as her sky. This kind of doctrine has long been deeply rooted and cannot be changed in a short period of time...

It doesn't matter how people address each other in private, but if the word "husband" appears in a formal edict, it is very likely that people will make a big fuss about it in the future. And if Confucianism continues to flourish, there will be more trouble and controversy.

This change could not be completely eradicated by a single female monarch. Before that, the emperor only needed to have a spouse but not a husband.

Therefore, the decree to confer the title of "Prince Protector of the Holy Saint" appeared in the same edict, which was worth considering...

The emperor did not intend to give anyone the opportunity to make trouble about the relationship between Cui Jing and her chosen partner, but he also did not intend to allow others to use etiquette and laws to completely trap Cui Jing in the palace because of this relationship.

The Prince of the Holy Guard, there has never been such a title in the Great Sheng Dynasty. Because there is no precedent, and he is of the highest rank, what he can do in the future is up to the emperor to decide...

Like a Chinese cup, it is empty, and how much wine to pour into it is entirely decided by the emperor.

The Prince of Protection can lead troops or supervise various regions... He has no real job and does not directly take up an official position to participate in politics, but he has a legitimate identity and can exercise all kinds of power in accordance with the emperor's orders.

His power comes directly from the imperial power and is only controlled by the imperial power. He is the emperor's companion and will be the safest and most powerful guardian of the imperial power.

After figuring out the underlying intentions, the official holding the imperial edict asked after a moment of silence, "...What should we do now?"

There was another moment of silence.

The silence eventually turned into a sigh and four simple words: "That's it."

The imperial edict has already been issued by the Secretariat, so can they still cause trouble?

Besides, one of them has just handed over his military power, and the other is the emperor who holds all the power...There has only been peace for a few days, so they should quit while they are ahead.

Some officials were more open-minded: "It's a good thing, it would be a pity to discard such a talented person..."

"Our new king is very good at employing people..."

"He's more than just a good user of personnel..." the older official sighed.

The new monarch was also very good at using her imperial power. She actually understood the truth of rites and laws, and knew that the emperor was not bound by rites and laws, but came to cultivate the highest rules of rites and laws.

She wanted to use the emperor's husband to do things, but at the same time she didn't want to be trapped by the word "husband", so she did not follow the harem etiquette and instead conferred the title of Prince Protector of the Saint on him.

He is bold and resolute, dares to trust and employ people, but fortunately he also thinks carefully and weighs the pros and cons.

"But we have to keep an eye on it, just in case it gets out of control someday..."

"We want to keep an eye on the Emperor, but he might be keeping an eye on us on behalf of the Emperor."

"The time to worry is still to come."

"It's hard to be an official without worries..."

The officials talked, sighed, or tried to please each other, but no one objected. Finally, the older official sighed again, stroked his beard and said to himself: "We are really going to see the signs of normalization..."

He emphasized the word "化".

His old bones suddenly felt like he was sitting on the back of a strong, young horse...

He was afraid that his old bones would be broken and he would be thrown off the horse, but at the same time he couldn't help but look forward to the new scenery ahead.

He wanted to live a few more days in this officialdom to see what this bold emperor could do to change the world.

"Let's go to the Ministry of Rites and see how they plan to prepare for the emperor's wedding..."

"Walk around..."

In the Ministry of Rites, Cui Lang held the imperial edict in his hand, closed his eyes, and shed two tears.

His superior Wang Yue: "…Sir Cui, why are you crying when it is such a happy occasion?"

Cui Lang choked up and said, "It's because of this great joy..."

There are some things that cannot be said. If said, it would seem arrogant, offensive and ungrateful. However... ever since he was appointed as an official to the court, there were a few moments when he did wonder if it would be a pity for his elder brother, with all his abilities, to be trapped in the harem.
It was a mutual wish, and his elder brother was willing, so there was no need for an outsider like him to say much, so he did not say much. But when he saw the imperial edict bestowing the title of first-rank prince... he was happy for his elder brother from the bottom of his heart, and also ashamed that he still underestimated the vision and decision-making of the new monarch.

Moreover, if my elder brother were just a minister, he would not be able to hold such great power for long as he would attract attention. From now on, as the Prince Protector of the Saint beside Your Majesty, you will be protected by the Saint and can display your talents more safely and securely.

"They are all smart people, and they are all caring people..." Wang Yue said with a smile: "This is truly a blessing for the country."

Cui Lang wiped away his tears and regained his joy and excitement: "I wonder if my elder brother has received the imperial edict!"

After Cui Jing handed over the military command yesterday, he returned to Xuan Ce's mansion to arrange the handover of the remaining matters.

The imperial edict has been delivered to Xuan Ce Mansion.

Amid the surprised and delighted gazes of Yuan Xiang and others, Cui Jing came to his senses, and immediately left Xuan Ce's mansion, mounted his horse and went into the palace.

Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival.

It was a rare occasion that Li Suining finished her official duties early. When Cui Jing arrived, she was seen squatting under a ginkgo tree that was just beginning to turn yellow in the palace courtyard, playing with a few cats with Adian, without any imperial dignity.

She was wearing ordinary colorful clothes. The kitten did not recognize the real emperor and bit and pulled the corner of her skirt, but she was not angry.

Seeing him coming, Li Suining turned around, smiled, and called him, "Cui Jing, come here quickly."

Cui Jing walked over, holding the roll of bright yellow silk in his hand.

He said: "I have never heard your Majesty mention this matter before-"

"I thought you could guess it." Li Suining stood up and said, "So you didn't guess it, so you dare to hand over the military power? Cui Lingan, you really don't want anything."

"You are too easy to bully." She looked at the outstanding young man in front of her: "You are no longer a member of the Cui family, and you have returned Xuan Ce Mansion to me. You have nothing left. If I bully you in the future, you will have nowhere to go. That would be too pitiful."

Cui Jing looked at her with amusement: "Your Majesty is the emperor. If you want to bully me, the palace can't protect me."

"That's true." Li Suining seemed to think about it seriously: "Then I will try to bully you less in the future."

Cui Jing lowered his eyes and looked at her, and said softly: "But Your Majesty, this is not only a family matter, but also a state matter."

"Of course I know it's a matter of state." Li Suining also looked at him: "Aren't you going to forge a sword for me? How can you forge one if you have nothing? Besides, I still have a lot of things I need you to do."

"Cui Jing, I like you, but I also value you."

She said calmly: "You have your merits and talents. If I trap you in this palace for the rest of your life just because I like you, then how am I any different from a tyrant who squanders the gifts of nature?"

Having said this, Cui Jing also said truthfully: "I don't want to add obstacles to your majesty because of me."

But the young female monarch, dressed in gorgeous clothes and a shawl, stood under the ginkgo tree with one hand on her waist and said, "Who dares to stop me?"

"I hold the military power of the world and I am the most promising emperor." She raised her chin slightly and said seriously, "I have done things that benefit the country, the people and myself, and I have no regrets."

"Besides, I believe that the help you bring to me must be thousands of times greater than the resistance. Why is this little trouble worth mentioning?"

If you are afraid of trouble and avoid right and wrong, what kind of king are you?

Cui Jing's eyes showed a relieved smile, but he still said clearly: "There must be someone who wants to use me to cause trouble."

"Then you will be the bait and fish for me." Li Suining: "Didn't you say that I could trust you if I wanted to? Now I am willing to trust you, but don't you trust yourself?"

Cui Jing looked at her, and heard her finally say with a tone of promise: "Cui Ling'an, you must listen to me, protect me and help me. I will also protect you very well."

Cui Jing's heart was touched. Holding the bright yellow silk, he finally responded politely: "Yes, Cui Jing accepts the order."

Li Suining smiled with satisfaction, raised his hand and grabbed one of his wrists: "Then let's go."

Cui Jing looked at her: "Where are you going?"

Ah Dian had already jumped up: "His Highness said he wanted to leave the palace!"

"Didn't I say I wanted to rest for a whole day? It happens that tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival and we don't have to go to court." Li Suining grabbed Cui Jing and left: "The autumn weather is high and refreshing, it's a good time to travel, get drunk, and sleep. Let's go."

She wanted to tour the capital, get drunk at Dengtai Tower, and then have a good sleep!
Ah Dian ran after him: "Let's go play!"

"Your Majesty, wait for your maid!" Xier, who had also changed into casual clothes, lifted her skirt and ran after him.

Zhai Xi stood in the corridor, watching the figures go away with a smile on his face.

The sky was not completely dark yet, but the big yellow moon had already climbed up the branches of the ginkgo trees.

The sky is gray-blue, the clouds are rolling, and the bright moon is casting a brilliant light.

There is no curfew during the three days of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the city is decorated with lanterns and fireworks as bright as day.

"Mother, mother!" A little girl gently pulled her mother's sleeve: "I just saw a beautiful fairy!"

"where is it?"

The girl pointed her finger.

Amid the bustling crowd and bright lights, there was no trace of the couple.

No one knew that it was a distinguished person coming, and when they looked up, they saw only the peaceful and beautiful scene of Chang'an.

……

……

(End of text)
The main text is finished, thank you all for your company for nearly two years!
The weather is bright and clear in autumn, which is a good time to eat, get drunk, travel and sleep (but I still have to write a sequel and talk to the orange next door)

I'll start writing the extra chapter after I've taken a couple of days off! According to everyone's suggestions, I've prepared more than ten chapters!

(A special thanks to my book friend [Porcupine], I had never decided which title to give Xiao Cui, and finally I chose the "Prince Protector of the Saint" suggested by this book friend. Thank you very much!)
I still have a lot to say. I will chat with you all after I finish writing the extra chapter~
good night.