20demayo Chapter 270 Emperor Xia scolds his son...
Chapter 270 Emperor Xia scolds his son...
Eight hundred miles express is the fastest way of communication in this era.
Gu Jingzhi's urgent report from Ningzhou arrived in the capital within a few days and landed in the hands of Emperor Xia. Emperor Xia held the report with an indescribable smile in his eyes.
"This Gu Qing is truly a pillar of our Great Xia. Not only is he an expert at governing the region, but he can also come up with solutions to even this kind of difficult problem in the shortest possible time. He is truly a national hero!"
Wei Xuan and Tian Shu stood on either side. Wei Xuan said with a smile, "That's because Your Majesty is good at identifying and employing people. If Your Majesty didn't trust and use them, even a genius would be mediocre!"
"Ha ha!"
Emperor Xia's face flushed, as if he was very pleased with Wei Xuan's flattery. He smiled and said:
"I only said that at the time. Ningzhou does have a superior geographical location, but there are too many variables involved. If we're not careful, the news could easily leak out. I originally just wanted to test him, but I didn't expect him to give me such a big surprise!"
"In just six months, he not only brought order to a desolate Ningzhou, but he even surveyed the terrain. He's used up every available resource in Ningzhou. He's truly a man of great talent!"
"Ha ha!"
Wei Xuan laughed and said, "If he knew that Your Majesty praised him so highly, he would be so happy that he would be beside himself!"
"hehe!"
Emperor Xia simply said casually, "You know, I had no choice but to transfer him to Ningzhou. Not long after the land policy was implemented, the Crown Prince was targeted. If the two of them had stayed in the capital, I'm afraid they would have been constantly busy dealing with those schemes, which would have wasted his talent!"
"However, when it comes to sharing the burdens of the imperial court, Gu Qing, despite his young age, can truly be a role model for the current dynasty!"
"Your Majesty thinks so highly of him. This is also his blessing!"
Wei Xuan still looked cheerful, and then asked, "So, Your Majesty has granted his request?"
"if not?"
Emperor Xia said calmly, "Since he can come up with a solution to the court's problems, I naturally cannot discourage my subjects from sharing the country's worries!"
"In that case, Your Majesty must approve it as soon as possible. Winter is just a few months away, and I'm afraid these aliens are ready to make a move. We need to give them enough time to ensure that nothing goes wrong!"
"Well!"
Emperor Xia pondered for a moment and said, "I think they had already started preparing when they proposed this method. You're right. If we follow the normal rules, this back and forth would be too time-consuming!"
"I intend to select a general to go there. Firstly, to assist them in establishing the military camp, and secondly, to collect and draw files and pictures of this military camp. Wei Qing, who do you think would be the most suitable person to go this time?"
"Well, I'm not familiar with military affairs, so I can't help Your Majesty with your worries, but..."
Wei Xuan thought for a moment and said, "It would be inappropriate to send a senior general from the imperial court. Your Majesty might as well select a young and reliable general to go, preferably one who is in charge of the logistics of this war. This way, he can familiarize himself with the situation as quickly as possible!"
"Hmm! Now that you mention it, I have a candidate in mind!"
Emperor Xia smiled and said, "Now that this matter has been finalized, I will summon all the tribes to complete it as soon as possible!"
"Then I will not trouble Your Majesty any longer. I still have a lot of official business to attend to at the Ministry of Rites. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to take my leave first!"
"Well! Go ahead!"
Emperor Xia waved his hand. After Wei Xuan left, he looked at Tianshu and asked, "Is there any new information from the Crown Prince?"
Although the Crown Prince was dismissed from the position of heir apparent due to previous events, in Emperor Xia's heart, he, the eldest son, was still the ideal candidate for the Crown Prince.
Therefore, he still addressed him like this in front of his close ministers.
Tianshu remained respectful as always, stating expressionlessly, "Nothing else is wrong. It's just that during the autumn harvest, His Highness fell in love with a woman, and a few days ago he even took her into his backyard!"
"???"
Emperor Xia's eyes turned cold, and his tone was emotionless as he asked, "Him? Busy taking a concubine?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Tianshu didn't dare look at Emperor Xia, but continued in a deep voice, "The Inner Guard reported that the woman didn't seem like a good person. Not only did the Qiao family feel dissatisfied with Your Highness, but even Marquis Gu has been secretly wary of her and has had people targeting her!"
"Since he's not a good person, why didn't Gu Jingzhi stop him?"
Emperor Xia was a little angry. He had high hopes for the prince. He had heard that when the prince arrived in Ningzhou, he learned to work in the fields like the common people and brought his family with him.
He was happy about this for a long time.
As a founding emperor who rose from a peasant, he was well aware of the sufferings of the people.
Now that his heir is able to set an example, he is very satisfied both as a king and as a father.
However, there are too many spies in the capital, so every time Gu Jingzhi sent back a report about the prince, he handled it in a low-key manner, with the purpose of protecting him.
After all, in the past six months, his eldest son has experienced many assassinations and accidents.
I didn't expect that only a few months had passed?
The eldest son whom he had favored actually followed others in taking concubines, and even brought disgrace upon the Qiao family!
Not to mention that the Qiao family was originally sent by him to protect the prince, just take Qiao Shuwan as an example. Emperor Xia was particularly satisfied with this daughter-in-law. Not only was she known for her virtue, but her handling of relationships between superiors and subordinates was impeccable.
Such a woman would be unhappy about this matter, and the problem must lie in other aspects.
When Tianshu heard the emperor's question, he said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, let alone Marquis Gu, I'm afraid even Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess... can't handle this matter!"
"what?"
Emperor Xia was stunned for a moment, then he asked angrily, "What on earth is going on?"
"Yes, yes... Your Highness had an affair with that woman without a matchmaker, so, so..."
"Bastard thing!"
Emperor Xia grabbed the teacup on the imperial table and slammed it to the ground. "What does that rebellious son want to do? Doesn't he understand his situation? Is he going to force me to appoint another crown prince in the capital?"
Emperor Xia only needed to think about it for a moment before he knew what was going on.
Tianshu just said that the prince had an affair with someone without a matchmaker during the autumn harvest. During this period, Gu Jingzhi must have been busy with the autumn harvest, so he overlooked this!
Emperor Xia was slightly disappointed.
As a man, liking beautiful women is not a problem, especially since the prince is a royal family member. If it is for the purpose of continuing the family line, then there is nothing wrong!
But if the people in the court knew that he acted in such a disregard for etiquette, it would definitely cause an uproar and further damage his reputation.
He finally understood why Gu Jingzhi didn't dissuade him.
A woman who goes to great lengths to get on a man's bandwagon has no regard for her dignity. If she uses extreme means, it will probably cause a big uproar.
Moreover, this is his eldest son's family affair, how can the ministers persuade him?
"Since both Gu Qing and the Qiao family are dissatisfied with this matter, do they have any solution?"
"His Highness is taking a concubine and holding a family banquet! Marquis Gu, the local officials, and the Qiao family... were all absent, and they didn't bring any gifts..."
Oh?
This is a solution.
In an instant, Emperor Xia knew what Gu Jingzhi and the Qiao family meant!