Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2147 The Imperial Concubine's Banquet in the Han Palace, Two Envoys from the Han Dynasty to the Northern Barbarians

"My beloved ministers, though there are difficulties, they are not insurmountable. Promoting education is a long-term endeavor that will benefit the present and future generations."

"We are born in this era of great change, how can we falter and stop? We should forge ahead with determination to lay a solid foundation for peace and prosperity for future generations!"

"Yu, I entrust this matter to my beloved ministers!"

Wang Yu rose and bowed deeply to the cabinet ministers.

Upon seeing this, the officials naturally stepped forward to return the greeting.

With the emperor displaying such a solemn expression and posture, his subjects naturally had to respond accordingly.

"Prime Minister, this matter concerns a plan for the next century. Is the Prime Minister willing to take on this responsibility?" Wang Yu turned his gaze to Zhao Anling, the head of all officials, and asked.

Wang Yu planned to entrust Zhao Anling with the task of establishing official schools and popularizing education.

"This concerns the long-term prosperity of our great Han Dynasty, and I have no choice but to shoulder this responsibility!"

Although Zhao Anling's mood was heavy, his fighting spirit was extremely high.

He knew he wouldn't be prime minister for much longer. A year? Two years? Or perhaps three more?
As a representative of the veteran officials of Yanbei, he knew from the beginning that his position as prime minister was merely a temporary measure and that he would eventually relinquish it.

Now, that day is finally approaching.

However, compared to Wang Dangzhi, any civil official would feel honored to have accomplished so many things that could have an impact on future generations before his retirement!
If this succeeds, Zhao Anling will be renowned for all time. His name will shine brightly in the annals of history.

No one in his era could surpass him.

There's no other reason than that if this matter is truly accomplished, the significance it represents will be immense.

As long as he succeeds in doing one thing, in the future, when people talk about the popularization of education, everyone will think of him, Zhao Anling, just like when people talk about Confucianism today, everyone will think of the sage Confucius, the Confucian sage from a thousand years ago.

Starting with that Confucian ancestor a thousand years ago, not only did Confucianism emerge, but private schools also appeared and gradually flourished until today, with schools of all sizes appearing in the private sector.

However, even so, although private schools were extremely prosperous, only a small number of people were qualified to receive education. Among all the educated groups, ordinary people accounted for at most five percent.

Compared to the combined numbers of aristocratic families, poor families, powerful families, and wealthy merchants, what is the number of ordinary people?
But how vast is the gap between these educated populations?
Therefore, if this matter is accomplished successfully, it will truly make one famous for all time, deserving several pages in the history books!
Even if they fail, history will still record a significant chapter in their lives.

This is an irresistible temptation for every scholar, and for some, it would be worth risking their lives.

Inside the cabinet, the sandalwood incense in the copper chamber had long since burned out, but the eight vermilion imperial edicts, "Education is the first priority in a century-long plan," shone even brighter on the sandalwood desk, under the pensive or thoughtful gazes of the many ministers. They were heavy with weight, yet also burning hot.

Bringing private schools into official schools and vigorously promoting education—both of these tasks were bound to be fraught with difficulties.

But equally, each one is magnificent and epic.

The sunlight outside the window moved quietly, casting long, slanted shadows on the smooth, golden brick floor, silently measuring the weight of the Wenyuan Pavilion's foundation for future generations.

In the corner, the official in charge of recording the daily events, who had been standing at attention with his hands at his sides, breathlessly taking notes, moved his pen across the plain paper, making a soft scratching sound as he recorded this heavy yet powerful moment:
On the 25th day of the 12th month of the third year of the Yuan Shi era, the Wenyuan Pavilion convened to discuss a grand plan for promoting education. Various difficulties were presented, and six ministers—Zhao, Guan, Yao, Zhang, Kuai, and Zhuge—analyzed them meticulously. Zhang Zifang, the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, then presented the final strategy before the Emperor. Thus, the foundation for a century-long education of people was laid.

With everything settled, Wang Yu realized that it was almost dark.

"Zhao Gao, Mingzhu's birthday banquet should be starting soon, right?"

After taking a bite of the pastries on the table, Wang Yu slowly stretched before leisurely calling over Zhao Gao, who was standing to the side.

Today happens to be Helian Mingzhu's birthday. Before this, Wang Yu had already allocated a large sum of money to host a banquet specifically for the Imperial Noble Consort. Furthermore, he had invited the families of all the court officials to participate.

Even the Empress's birthday, or even Wang Yu's own birthday, had never been celebrated with such a grand banquet. This was arguably the first time Helian Mingzhu had ever done so among all the concubines.

However, most of the ministers did not say much, even though the court had spent a lot of money during this period due to Guan Zhong's actions.

However, neither Zhao Anling nor Guan Zhong objected to Wang Yu using such a large sum of money from the national treasury to hold a birthday banquet.

If this birthday banquet is truly just for the sake of a birthday celebration, then we should offer some advice to Zhao Anling and Guan Zhong.

However, things are different if there are other political motives behind a birthday party.

During such a special period, they had to win over this Imperial Noble Consort.

Recently, or even since the first year of the Yuan Shi era, Guan Zhong began to dredge some of the silted-up river channels, repair roads in various places, especially troop transport roads, and some other major projects.

Therefore, the country is spending money everywhere. To get these few people to agree to spend such a large sum of money on a banquet, if there weren't specific circumstances, they would have had to speak out against it.

As Guan Zhong's reforms continued, the new land policy was implemented. With the replacement of the previous poll tax with a land tax, the court gradually uncovered a large number of hidden people.

At the same time, with the reform of land tax and the court's vigorous crackdown on land annexation, a large number of ownerless wastelands were enlisted by the court during the war, which greatly helped the court solve the problems of resettling displaced people and rewarding soldiers.

Following the land and farm tax reforms, policies to encourage childbirth were implemented.

With vast tracts of land at its disposal, coupled with the emergence of high-yield crops like corn and potatoes, the imperial court naturally sought to transform these resources into productivity and population.

For example, the original land tax was one-tenth of the land area, but for households with three or more sons, the tax was reduced to one-fifteenth. In addition, military service and corvée labor were also reduced to some extent.

The incentive of land tax was used to increase people's willingness to have children, thereby achieving population growth.

A larger population can further boost productivity, creating more wealth and resources to support future conquests and the unification of the world.

"Your Majesty, the palace maids from the Empress's side have just come to invite you!"

"His Majesty is discussing important state affairs with his cabinet ministers, so I have temporarily kept him waiting outside the palace!" Zhao Gao replied quickly.

Inside the palace at this time, although it was already the dead of winter, it was still warm as spring under the heat of the charcoal fire.

Even within the warm and cozy Great Han Palace, some flowers that bloom in other seasons can still be seen.

Today, the trees surrounding the entire Han Palace are covered with lanterns, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Thus began the birthday celebration of Imperial Noble Consort Helian Mingzhu, one of the three most honored women in the entire Han Dynasty harem.

In the entire Han Dynasty harem, in terms of status and position, only Empress Huangfu Jingya could surpass Helian Mingzhu by half a head, and another Imperial Noble Consort, Bai Ruolan, could be on par with her.

Of the remaining palace women, none could rival Helian Mingzhu in status. As for the Empress Dowager, she and the Emperor Emeritus resided in a separate palace, not within the Han Imperial Palace.

As the most important event in the capital city of Tianjing during this period, noble families and civil and military officials have naturally made many preparations for today.

Although it was inconvenient for the court officials to directly offer birthday wishes to the Imperial Noble Consort, the women in her household entered the palace early in the morning.

The main venue for birthday celebrations was the inner palace, where it was considered inappropriate for any male animal other than members of the imperial family to be present. In fact, even some members of the imperial family would avoid being in the inner palace as much as possible to prevent any appearance of impropriety.

However, this did not affect the lively atmosphere of the birthday celebration.

"The Imperial Noble Consort looks younger every year; she's practically a fairy descended from heaven."

"The Imperial Noble Consort is a woman of extraordinary talent, no less capable than any man!"

……

Princesses, duchesses, marquises, and the families of various ministers gathered around Imperial Noble Consort Helian Mingzhu and took their seats in a grand hall.

Throughout the entire capital city of Tianjing, the wives of officials with titles, or even those whose families had officials of rank above the seventh grade, would personally come to the palace to offer birthday greetings. Some even brought their daughters along to broaden their horizons.

The enormous palace was bustling with activity.

On the contrary, the fruits and pastries on the table were completely ignored.

Wang Yu specially allocated a batch of silver from the national treasury to hold this grand banquet, and invited the families of the officials below him to attend.

In fact, officials' families would hold a celebratory banquet for the Imperial Noble Consort in the inner palace, while the officials would have a separate banquet in the front hall.

Which of the nobles or officials in the Han Dynasty would dare not give them face?

Besides, Consort Helian Mingzhu is not involved in the struggle for the empress's position or the crown prince's position, so the officials have nothing to fear.

Furthermore, diplomacy involving wives also existed in this era.

Whether they were nobles or officials, they didn't mind letting their wives participate in such occasions to broaden their networks.

"Your eldest son is sixteen now, right? I heard he wants to join the Imperial Guard?"

"Yes, sister, could you please talk to Commander Xue?"

…………

The ladies of each household communicated warmly and exchanged their resources.

And the birthday celebration gradually moved to the part that everyone was most interested in.

That's a birthday gift!

Although the families of these officials were all of high status, they still did not have the opportunity to present gifts to Helian Mingzhu individually.

Their gifts were given to the corresponding palace maids in the form of a gift list when they entered the palace, and there were naturally people in the palace who were responsible for storing and classifying the gifts.

Only a small number of people with close relationships to Helian Mingzhu, such as relatives, were able to directly deliver gifts to him.

However, Helian Mingzhu's status was special; her relatives were all in the Golden Horde. Naturally, the one in the Golden Horde who doted on this younger sister would send someone to deliver a birthday gift to her.

Besides these, the only other concubines in the harem who could directly present gifts to the Imperial Noble Consort were the other concubines.

Just as things were getting lively, the Empress arrived with her entourage.

Everyone in the hall, including today's protagonist Helian Mingzhu himself, rose to pay their respects to the Empress.

"No need to be polite!"

"On this joyous occasion, there's no need for such formalities!"

“Especially Mingzhu, who is pregnant…” Huangfu Jingya quickly took a few steps and helped Helian Mingzhu up.

She was well aware of the purpose behind setting up such a grand scene and celebrating Helian Mingzhu's birthday.

To put it bluntly, Wang Yu was just putting on a show!

Huangfu Jingya remained clear-headed, fully aware that her husband, the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty, was just like her deceased father—almost a cold, impersonal political machine.

They also have their own feelings, but compared to the fate of the nation, those feelings take a backseat.

If feelings are so strong, then Huangfu Jingya doesn't believe Wang Yu has any deep feelings for Helian Mingzhu.

Perhaps Wang Yu also had feelings for Helian Mingzhu, but this was probably based on the fact that the Han Dynasty needed the Golden Horde behind Helian Mingzhu.

It was precisely because of the Golden Horde that Helian Mingzhu received such great favor after entering the palace.

Especially recently, Wang Yu has been finding excuses to reward him, and the probability of him staying overnight at Helian Mingzhu's place has increased significantly.

Many people know that the Han Dynasty is about to start its next war, and at that time, it will likely face interference from the Wu and Tuoba tribes.

Therefore, at that time, the Great Han needed the Golden Horde to help them bear some of the pressure.

Perhaps, she, the Empress of the Great Han Dynasty, was no different from Helian Mingzhu!
As the Empress of the Han Dynasty, she was also a tool for Wang Yu to win over the hearts of the former officials of the Han Dynasty.

However, in this harem, it's not that they're afraid you have value, but that they're afraid you have no value.

Whether it was someone of value, such as the Empress, or the two Imperial Noble Consorts Bai Ruolan and Helian Mingzhu, or even Xu Qing and Ye Wanqing, Wang Yu would visit their palaces every few days.

In contrast, apart from the initial period, once the novelty wore off, Wang Yu would hardly visit Bai Qian, Duanmu Rong, and Su Daji's palaces even once a month.

Even women like Wei Zhixuan, Yin Lihua, and Cai Wenji, Wang Yu might not think of them for a whole month. He might only suddenly remember that he had such a concubine in his palace when they met.

Meanwhile, at the Han imperial palace, during the celebration of the Imperial Concubine's birthday, Wang Yingkan and Kuai Tong, officials of the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonies, entered the land of the Northern Barbarians one after the other.