The ministers begged me to ascend the throne

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the imperial court started writing and resumed the early dynasty.

It was just dawn, and the gate of the palace in the imperial city was already full of ministers.It stands to reason that after the new year and the festival, they should be radiant and energetic to go to court, but the reality is just the opposite. They are all sluggish, haggard, yawning, as if they haven't slept well.

From the time the court sealed the pen to the present, the ministers have not gone to court for more than 20 days.Just after the Shangyuan Festival, they suddenly went to court, and they were naturally a little uncomfortable and unaccustomed.

Before going to court, the ministers yawned quickly, otherwise they would be severely punished if they yawned during the court.On the morning of the first day of the new year, the ministers did not want to be punished.If you are punished in the early morning on the first day of the new year, you will be unlucky for the whole year, maybe something big will happen.Don't look at the ministers who have read poetry and books one by one, but they are all very superstitious.

He Xiang and Xue Taichang stood at the front, they were chatting and laughing, and they seemed to be in a very good mood.No, they looked very excited, as if they were expecting something.

The other ministers kept staring at them, guessing in their hearts what they were discussing with the emperor in those days and days ago.

From the eighth day of the eighth day, the emperor called He Xiang and the others into the palace to discuss something from morning till night.Even on the Lantern Festival yesterday, Xue Taichang and the others entered the palace in the afternoon and did not leave until the evening.

During the Chinese New Year period, no matter how other ministers inquired about it, they still hadn't found any news.

Although I don't know what it is, but judging from the excited expressions of He Xiang and the others, it must be something extraordinary.

"It's going to be morning soon, my heart is beating so hard." Xue Taichang stretched out his hand to cover his chest, his face was full of excitement, "I have lived most of my life, and I have never been so nervous like now."

He Xiang stroked his beard and said with a smile, "I've never been so excited before."

Xue Taichang said with a smile all over his face: "You don't know that I've been so excited these days that I can't even sleep."

He Xiang carefully looked at Xue Taichang's face, and joked: "I see that you look good and radiant, and you seem to be a few years younger."

"Hahahahaha..." Taichang Xue couldn't help laughing out loud, "I have looked in the mirror these few days and found that I have become much younger, and the wrinkles on my face have also decreased." After he finished speaking, he also deliberately looked at the Looking at He Xiang, "He Xiang, you look radiant and look much younger."

He Xiang said with a smile: "When people celebrate happy events, they feel refreshed."

"I'm not afraid of your jokes when I say it. I have been full of energy these days, and my whole body seems to have endless strength." Xue Taichang said with a smile, "My appetite has also improved a lot. Now I can Eat three bowls of rice."

He Xiang raised his eyebrows in surprise: "Are you so happy?"

"Of course I'm happy. As long as I think about this matter, I feel as excited as a young man." Xue Taichang said with emotion, "This matter is really great, and it has never been done before. To put it bluntly, we created history."

"Yeah, it's a very great and remarkable thing." Although this time has become very busy because of the imperial examination, this busyness is very valuable. "Yes..." He Xiang almost said the words "His Majesty the Tenth Highness". He quickly changed his words and said, "The emperor made history, and we are honored to witness the occurrence of this historical moment."

Xue Taichang nodded in agreement: "You're right." He had just finished speaking when he suddenly thought of Grand Master Liu in Sichuan, and laughed gloatingly, "It's a pity that Grand Master Liu missed such an important event."

He Xiang couldn't help laughing when he thought of Grand Master Liu's expression when he learned about this, "Old Liu would be very jealous of us if he knew about it."

"Hahahaha, I can't wait to see Lao Liu's jealous and envious face."

The other ministers saw He Xiang and Xue Taichang laughing and wondered what they were laughing at.

At this moment, the palace door opened, and the ministers walked in one by one.

It's not yet the time to go to court, and the gate of the main hall of Chengguang Hall has not yet been opened.The ministers should first go to the side hall to wait.

As soon as they sat down, the eunuchs brought hot tea.

The capital city in the first lunar month was still very cold, the ministers had just stood at the palace gate for a while, their hands and feet were already freezing cold.Go forward and drink a cup of hot tea, just to warm up your body.

The emperor is also drinking tea.After drinking tea, he got up and went to Chengguang Hall.

At this time, Sun Kui kindly reminded the emperor: "Your Majesty, there is still a while before the morning court."

The emperor stopped in his tracks, turned his head and gave Sun Kui a strange look: "Can't I go to court early?"

Go to court early? !
Sun Kui was very shocked. He cast his eyes out of the window unconsciously, wanting to see if the sun is rising from the west today?

Seeing Sun Kui's expression of hell, the emperor raised his foot angrily and kicked him.

"What's your expression like?"

Sun Kui came back to his senses and looked at the emperor worriedly.

"Your majesty, are you alright, do you want to see the imperial physician?" The emperor actually wanted to go to court early, so he must be sick, and he was seriously ill.The emperor shouldn't have a fever, right?

"Ouch!" Sun Kui was kicked by the emperor again.

"Where do I look sick?"

"Your majesty, you actually want to go to court early. This...you have never gone to court early in all these years, especially the early court on the first day of the new year." Sun Kui was very worried, "At this time of the year, Your spirit is not very good, and you really don't want to go to court, you... are a little abnormal."

The emperor put his hands on his hips: "I'm in a good mood today, can't I go to court early?" After speaking, he kicked Sun Kui again, "Quickly stand up for me."

Sun Kui quickly stood up and followed behind the emperor with a face full of unease: "Your Majesty, if you don't wait until the court, you should ask the imperial physician to take your pulse. After all, the imperial physician has not given you a safe pulse during the Chinese New Year."

The emperor turned around and stared at Sun Kui gloomyly: "Just say one more word, and I will send you to see your grandma right away."

Sun Kui was so frightened that he immediately shut his mouth and put on a very cute look.

The emperor hummed a ditty and walked briskly towards the main hall of Chengguang Hall.

Sun Kui followed behind, feeling more and more that today's emperor is very abnormal, this is not the emperor he knew.Although the emperor seldom does not go to court these years, it does not mean that the emperor likes to go to court. On the contrary, the emperor hates going to court very much.Every day before going to court, the emperor would complain and dislike being the emperor.It has never happened before that I am as active as I am today, and I am going to the court in advance.

What happened to the emperor today?
Sun Kui walked behind the emperor, not forgetting to observe whether the sun is rising from the east today.

Well, there is no sun today, and the sky is overcast.

Sure enough, today's emperor is abnormal!
The ministers had just entered the Chengguang Hall, and before they stood up, they heard Sun Kui's voice from outside the hall.

The emperor is here!

The ministers were very surprised at first, and then hurriedly stood up.As soon as they stood up, they saw the emperor striding in.The ministers hurriedly knelt down and saluted: "See the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor!"

It was rare for the emperor to sit dignifiedly on the dragon chair today, and he waved his hand lightly: "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor looked at the ministers standing below, and said in a joking tone: "It seems that the New Year and the festival are going well for the loves, and I see that many people have become more mellow."

The obviously round ministers all blushed.During the Chinese New Year, I ate too much fish and meat, and I didn't control it deliberately, so I gained weight accidentally.

"The New Year's food for my lovers is good, I am very pleased."

It is not sure whether the emperor is really happy, or fake happy.The ministers were so frightened that they knelt down together and pleaded guilty to the emperor: "I am guilty, I beg the emperor to forgive me."

"I don't blame you, what crime are you asking for?" The emperor raised his hands to the ministers kneeling on the ground, "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The ministers stood up tremblingly.

"It's a good thing to gain weight, but I don't want my lovers to come to court with their chubby bellies." The emperor just imagined the picture, and felt his eyes hurt.

When the ministers heard this, their hearts tightened, and they hurriedly said: "I dare not." The ministers who gained a lot of weight during the Chinese New Year were already frightened and sweated all over their faces.From today onwards, they have to eat less and must lose weight quickly.

"Today is the morning court on the first day of the new year, and I have two things to announce."

Hearing what the emperor said, the crown prince and Dai Wang immediately raised their hearts.

Is it true that the father really wants the fourth child to be prosecuted?
Although the king of Chu was calm on the face, he was unknowingly tense in his heart.

The Emperor stood up and came forward.

"The first thing, I announce the cancellation of expropriation and investigation."

what?
The ministers of the Manchu Dynasty thought they had heard it wrong, and all of them had expressions of disbelief on their faces.

What did the emperor say just now?
The emperor naturally noticed the expressions of the ministers, and said to them again: "You heard me right, I announce the cancellation of expropriation and investigation."

Cancel expropriation and investigation? !

Does the emperor know what he is talking about?

The ministers looked horrified.

Zhen Guogong immediately looked at He Xiang and Xue Taichang and the others. Seeing that their expressions were normal, without the slightest surprise, he knew that they had known about this for a long time.

Could it be that during this period of time, the emperor is discussing with He Xiang and the others to cancel the expropriation and investigation?

The ministers whispered something.On the first day of the new year, the emperor announced the cancellation of conscripts and inspections. Are they acting violently?

Yushi Zhongcheng came out and was about to say something, but the emperor raised his hand to stop him.

"Second thing, I announce that the imperial examination will be held from this year, and officials will be selected from the imperial examination." The emperor's voice was very loud, "In the future, no matter whether it is an official of the imperial court or an official of each local yamen, they must be selected from the imperial examination. .”

Imperial Examination?

What is this?
When the ministers heard it for the first time, they didn't understand what it meant.

"He Xiang, Xue Taichang, tell everyone in detail what the imperial examination is all about."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He Xiang and Xue Taichang went out to face all the officials.

"The imperial examination is..." He Xiang first told the officials, what is the imperial examination, and then what is the content of the imperial examination.

At present, the Great Zhou has not stipulated which books are the Four Books and Five Classics.Before, when Zhao Yao proposed the imperial examination to the emperor, he said by the way what the Four Books and Five Classics are.At that time, he felt that the Four Books and Five Classics were too few, so he talked about the other nine classics, that is, the Four Books and the Thirteen Classics.

He Xiang told the officials in detail, which books are the Four Books and Thirteen Classics, and then they will be tested in the imperial examination.

Next came Xue Taichang, who explained to the officials how to hold the imperial examination in detail.

The more the ministers listened, the more frightened they became, and their expressions became more and more horrified.

The eighth-level officials of the imperial court were all from aristocratic families, and only the second-level officials were from poor families.When they heard that the imperial examinations would be used to select officials in the future, they were more frightened than shocked.They knew in their hearts that once the imperial examinations were implemented, they would be finished.

After spending the whole morning, He Xiang and Xue Taichang finally finished talking about the imperial examination, and the court was in an uproar.

Before going down to court, the emperor announced with a serious face that the imperial examination is imperative and no objection will be accepted.If someone objects, it will be dealt with as treason.

Rebellion? !

The ministers gasped in fright.

The emperor knew that the aristocratic families would definitely unite against the imperial examination, and he warned all the ministers that he would not mind cleaning the court like it did more than ten years ago.Also, no matter who opposes it, he will definitely punish it severely.And the consequences of his severe punishment are not something they can bear.

Before going down to court, the emperor called some ministers to Dongnuan Pavilion.Next, they will discuss the exam questions for the three exams this year.

Before the next dynasty, the imperial examination had already been announced in the capital.

The literati and students in the capital were naturally very excited when they learned about this.The vast majority of students support the imperial examination, but a small number of literati must oppose it because they come from a family.

The aristocratic families could not accept the imperial examination. They felt that the imperial examination was a conspiracy of the emperor to exploit and weaken them.

It only took half a day, and the imperial examination caused a sensation in the capital like a tsunami.Everyone was discussing the imperial examination, only Zhao Yao was busy packing.

Early tomorrow morning, he will go to Jinling by boat to visit Mr. Meng.His whole mind is on this, and he doesn't care about the imperial examination at all.

At this moment, he is having lunch with Concubine Liang and the others in Kunde Hall.

During the meal, Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen kept telling Zhao Yao to pay attention to safety, to take care of himself, and to eat well...

Zhao Yao didn't think they were annoying, he listened very carefully, and assured them that he would write back every few days to reassure them.

After lunch, Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen called Tong Xi to the front again and asked him repeatedly what he had brought.After confirming that he hadn't forgotten anything, they were relieved.

They knew that Concubine Liang had something to say to Zhao Yao, so they didn't stay long and left soon.

Concubine Liang said everything that should be said.She was reluctant and worried about her son going to Jiangnan, but she couldn't stop her son from going.

"Go to Jiangnan and be honest, don't make trouble." Concubine Liang was not worried about her son's safety, she believed that the hidden guards sent by the emperor could protect her son.However, she knew her son's temperament well, and knew that it was impossible for him to go to the south of the Yangtze River without causing trouble.Even if he doesn't take the initiative to cause trouble, he will draw his sword and help to do something.

"Mother Concubine, what you say is as if I often make troubles." Zhao Yao said a little unconvinced, "Also, when will I make troubles." He has always been very obedient and never took the initiative to cause troubles.

"I'm afraid that if you become a hero, you will go around fighting against injustices." Concubine Liang warned, "Be careful when you go out, and don't reveal your identity easily..."

Zhao Yao patiently listened to Concubine Liang's instructions.Although Concubine Mu looked calm on the surface, she could hear her worry from her tone.

"Concubine Mu, I'm so smart, it's impossible for me to put myself in danger, so don't worry."

Concubine Liang didn't say anything more.She was afraid that if she continued speaking, she would not be able to bear it...

"Aren't you still going to find your second uncle? Go."

"Mother and Concubine, I'm leaving." Zhao Yao pretended not to see Concubine Liang's red eyes, and left the Kunde Hall with joy.

After her son left, Concubine Liang could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes.

Gui Xing brought a cup of tea: "Madam, if you are reluctant to part with Your Highness, let His Highness stay."

"No matter how reluctant I am, I can't keep him." Concubine Liang wiped the corners of her eyes with a towel, "Don't let him go now, but he will still leave in a few years, and he will go farther away by then."

"My lady..."

"The emperor proposed the imperial examination in the morning, and the capital will become very lively in the future. It is not a good thing for Yaoyao to stay in the capital. It is better to let him go to the south of the Yangtze River." Concubine Liang's face was full of reluctance, but her eyes were firm, " Besides, he has never met his parents before, this time when he goes to Jiangnan, he can go to Yangzhou by the way, meet them, and help me to be filial to my parents."

"Master and wife will be very happy to see His Highness."

"Father and mother are probably already looking forward to it."

Concubine Liang was right, Liang Shuren and the others had been looking forward to Zhao Yao's arrival since years ago.

Mrs. Liang would ask Liang Shuren every day where Zhao Yao was and when he arrived in Yangzhou.

"Has your Highness left? When will you arrive in Yangzhou?" Mrs. Liang hurriedly asked when her husband came back.

Liang Shuren understood his wife's anxious mood, and smiled softly at her: "Your Highness will only leave tomorrow, and it will take more than a month to arrive in Yangzhou."

"It will take so long." Mrs. Liang really couldn't wait for a moment, "Yangzhou is close to Jinling, let's go to Jinling to see His Highness first."

"How do you get seasick?"

"I take medicine." In order to see her precious grandson, Mrs. Liang is willing to do anything.

"Your Highness went to Jinling to visit Mr. Meng. After he finishes watching, he will come to Yangzhou to find us. What are you in a hurry for?"

Mrs. Liang glared at Liang Shuren: "Are you in no hurry?"

"I'm not as anxious as you are." Liang Shuren said, "Besides, it doesn't matter how anxious we are."

Mrs. Liang said with self-blame: "It's all because of my useless body, otherwise I would have seen Your Highness and Your Majesty long ago."

"You also know that your health is not good, so don't think about going to Jinling to see His Highness, but wait for His Highness obediently in Yangzhou."

"Is it safe for Your Highness to take a boat?" Mrs. Liang said, "Or send someone to pick up His Highness, and then accompany His Highness to Jinling."

"You don't need to worry about that. His Highness wrote to say that the Emperor will send someone to escort him to Jiangnan."

Zhao Yao, who was far away in the capital, sneezed several times, causing He Lianfang to look at him worriedly.

Zhao Yao smiled at He Lianfang: "Someone must be talking about me."

"When you go to Jiangnan this time, don't forget to go to Suzhou."

"Second Uncle, don't worry, I will go to several state capitals in the south of the Yangtze River." It is rare for him to go to the south of the Yangtze River, and he must go to every place in the south of the Yangtze River, otherwise he will go for nothing.Besides, after going to Jiangnan this time, I don't know if there is any chance to go again. "By the way, I plan to go to the Qiantang side."

He Lianfang asked suspiciously: "What are you doing in Qiantang?"

"To be precise, I want to go to several places by the sea, and then recruit some powerful boatmen and let them go to Lingnan."

After hearing this, He Lianfang immediately understood what Zhao Yao meant.

"You want to turn Lingnan into a dock?"

Zhao Yao nodded: "That's right, Lingnan is also close to the sea, and it is close to countries like Annan. It has advantages over places like Qiantang."

He Lianfang nodded slightly and said, "That's true."

"Since the opening of the sea ban, several places by the sea have undergone earth-shaking changes." Zhao Yao sighed, "The money brought by sea transactions should not be underestimated. Lingnan's geographical location is superior, why can't we do sea transactions?"

"how do you want to do it?"

"Second Uncle, do you know what is the most popular in Central Plains?"

He Lianfang blurted out: "Tea." Tea has always been the most important, popular and profitable item in maritime trade.

"Yes, it's tea." Zhao Yao said seriously, "In addition to tea, our porcelain, silk, and embroidery are also very popular. In the past few years, when the envoys from foreign countries came to Dazhou, they frantically bought these thing."

"You also want to sell these things in Lingnan?"

"It's natural. The most important thing is that we have to transport the goods from Annan's countries to Dazhou for sale."

"Aren't the good things in Annan's countries just like gold?"

"Of course not only gold, but also jade." Zhao Yao said, "Second Uncle, you forgot that there are a lot of jade over there."

"There are a lot of jade over there, but the craftsmanship is poor, and the carved jade is not good."

"We can buy their jade, and then we can sell them the exquisite carved jade articles." Zhao Yao said with a bright face, "Second uncle, in fact, gold and jade are not the most valuable things, the most valuable things are Spices over there."

He Lianfang showed surprise: "Spice?"

"Yes, there are not only rich spices, but also a lot of varieties, but people there don't know how to use them." Zhao Yao only recently remembered spices, "Second Uncle, didn't you find that the spices in the Western Regions are very popular in Dazhou?" Is it popular? The spices in Annan’s countries are better than those in the Western Regions, do you think this business can be done?”

"I can do it." Although He Lianfang didn't like incense, the aristocratic families liked it and were willing to spend money on it.

"Spices will make a lot of money. We have to start the spice business before others find out." In the history of Zhao Yao's world in the dream, spices were very valuable, and many people made a fortune by selling spices. "So, I want to build several fleets in Lingnan in advance. When I go to Lingnan as an adult, I must build Lingnan into the largest port in Dazhou."

Today's chapter update is not very well written, after thinking about it, I decided not to update it.I deleted it anyway and will rewrite it tomorrow.Old irons, don't wait for an update tonight.

Historically, spices from Southeast Asian countries were really very valuable.In the Tang Dynasty, spices were very popular.At that time, people were still fighting for incense.The heyday of spices was in the Song Dynasty, when more than 100 kinds of spices were imported.

By the way, the pepper we are familiar with was originally a spice, not a condiment.Pepper had a very high status in the Tang Dynasty. At that time, when a rich man ransacked his house, he found 88 stones of pepper, which is equivalent to 64 tons today.At that time, it was a symbol of great wealth.

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