I studied in modern times

Chapter 953 Visiting Cai's Mansion
The news of Cai Que's return to Beijing reached the palace.

Zhao Xu immediately sent an envoy to express condolences and gave imperial gifts.

Afterwards, the two palaces, upon receiving the news, also sent envoys to express their condolences.

This is the tradition of Zhao Song.

Ministers above the rank of Taizhi could enjoy the courtesy of birthday greetings and gifts.

When you reach the level of the fourth level, you will start to bless your parents and wife.

As for the prime minister?

Not only parents and wives can receive condolences and rewards on their birthdays, but even festivals can also receive condolences and rewards.

If you get sick, you can have the imperial physician visit you and the emperor give you medicine.

In addition, the deceased ancestors of three generations can also be posthumously honored (the official positions and treatment will vary depending on their status, official rank, and the relationship between the prime minister and the emperor).

Enjoying the same treatment as the prime minister himself.

When he was sent out as an official or returned to the capital, he would be comforted and rewarded.

After Zhao Xu ascended the throne, he further expanded and improved the treatment of ministers at relevant levels.

Officials in Beijing who are above the rank of Taizhi can enjoy regular medical consultations from the Imperial Medical Bureau and the establishment of disease-related files.

For those above the fourth level, there is a specially assigned imperial physician who is responsible for the health of the individual and his parents, wife and children.

At the level of prime minister, there is the service of a professional medical team led by a Hanlin medical officer and assisted by several Hanlin medical officers.

What was truly shocking was the courtesy that Cai Que received afterwards.

It was the afternoon of the same day that Cai Que returned to Beijing.

Chongrenfang, where Cai Que's residence was located, was controlled by a large group of imperial guards, and no outsiders were allowed to enter or leave.

Then, the eunuchs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs began to sweep the house.

Clean up all the snow, dirt and household garbage in the streets.

This is a clean street!
Standard operation before the emperor goes out!

As a result, the entire Bianjing knew that the current emperor would visit Cai Que's residence in person to comfort the former prime minister, the minister who had made great contributions in supporting the establishment of the crown prince.

Sure enough, in the evening, the emperor drove out of the imperial city, and accompanied by his attendants, he arrived at Chongrenfang with music and drums playing all the way.

When the imperial carriage arrived at Chongrenfang, all the families living there brought their families and set up incense tables at their doorsteps to respectfully welcome the imperial carriage.

Zhao Xu sat in the imperial sedan chair and looked through the curtains at the incense tables and ceremonial settings at the doorsteps of every household along the way.

It is worthy of being a wing of the inner city.

There were several families with spears lined up in front of their doors.

This means that this family had ancestors who had served as prime ministers or generals of the three yamen.

When the carriage passed by another house with spears lined up in front of the door, it stopped at the door.

Immediately, the dragon-patterned five-element banner, a symbol of the emperor, faced the family's door and saluted.

Suddenly, the entire Chongrenfang was shocked!

The young emperor, sitting in the sedan chair, lifted the curtain, revealing a young but already heroic face.

"Duke Wang Xiangmin is a minister of the emperor's father's meritorious service. When I pass by Duke Xiangmin's old residence, I should show my respect!"

Wang Xiangmin is Wang Shao.

The former Deputy Privy Councilor and founding marquis of Taiyuan County.

The leader and first meritorious official of Xining's frontier expansion.

Even many of the current court policies in the northwest were established by Wang Shao.

To be frank, the first person Xiang Zonghui and Gao Gonghui should thank for being able to grow cotton in Xihe is Wang Shao, and then Li Xian.

Wang Shao's career now has a successor - his eldest son Wang Hou, who is now the Tongpan of Hezhou. He works in perfect harmony with the Hezhou governor Zhong Pu. During last year's war, Hezhou rushed to the aid of Xige City, and the logistical supplies and resettlement of the wounded were all thanks to Wang Hou.

After the war, Wang Hou was rewarded according to his military merits. He was promoted from Tongzhilang (the first rank of court officials, eighth grade) to Chaofenglang (seventh grade), and was given an additional position as Zhimige. He remained the Tongpan of Hezhou, but was granted the right to make direct reports to the emperor.

This was naturally a compliment from Zhao Xu.

It was probably because Wang Hou was his favorite general in his previous life - during the Shaosheng period, he took the initiative to change from civil to military resources.

After that, he made many military achievements and was promoted from the chief and deputy envoy of various departments to the horizontal class - he was appointed as the deputy envoy of Dongshanghemen and the governor of Huangzhou.

Naturally, Zhao Xu would promote such trusted henchmen if there was a chance, and would create opportunities to promote them if there was no chance.

Now he took the opportunity of visiting Cai Que's mansion to praise his father's achievements and help his reputation.

At the same time, this was also a political declaration - personally endorsing the legitimacy and justice of Wang Shao's expansion of the frontier.

From today onwards, if there are people who are blind enough to slander Wang Shao or spread rumors about him, saying that Wang Xiangmin regretted expanding the border and killing too many people in his later years, I will punish them!

There were even rumors that Wang Shao developed sores and rot all over his body in his later years, which was the retribution for his excessive sins in his early years.

Then don't blame Emperor Zhao for his ruthless approach.

Yes……

Zhao Xu had issued an edict and sworn an oath in front of all the civil and military officials in the court - except for the ten unforgivable crimes such as treason, no one would be punished for their words.

But why do we have to use literary inquisition to target people?

Among the criminal codes, there are charges of murder and extermination of a clan!

……

The emperor treated them with special courtesy, and everyone in the Wang family was filled with fear and trepidation.

At this time, Wang Shao's widow, Yang, who was named Lady Jiang, had passed away.

The head of the Wang family in Beijing now is Wang Shao’s youngest son, Wang Cai, also known as the Thirteenth Son, who is preparing for the imperial examination next year.

Therefore, after a moment of panic, the Thirteenth Young Master, under the recommendation of his family, led his entire family to the front of the Xiaoyao Chariot, kowtowed and said, "I, the Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and I, together with my entire family, respectfully wish His Majesty the Emperor a long life of health!"

Zhao Xu looked at the young man in his twenties kneeling before him and saw his immature appearance. He said, "You must be the Thirteenth Prince of the Xiangmin family that my father praised to me, right?"

"I am deeply terrified and unworthy of this honor!" Wang Cai bowed again.

Zhao Xu looked at him, thinking of Wang Shao's contributions and his brother Wang Hou's loyalty and bravery, and wanted to give him some advice: "Have you studied hard at home?"

Wang Cai immediately bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, since I have received the grace of the court, I have been determined to serve the country. I have been working hard at home to study the sage scriptures. Now I have passed the Kaifeng Prefecture Lock Hall Examination and am ready to work hard to prepare for next year's imperial examination!"

Zhao Xu listened and groaned, then said to Wang Cai, "Good!"

"Since you have read the books of the sages, you should follow their teachings!"

As he spoke, he gently said: "We should take benevolence and righteousness as the way, loyalty and forgiveness as the teaching, respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance!"

In the last sentence, Zhao Xu deliberately raised his voice a little.

Wang Cai listened but didn't react. He just bowed again and said, "Yes!"

"I will follow your teachings!"

It was not until the imperial carriage went away and he stood up that he suddenly felt his heart palpitating. He looked at the carriage and trembled all over.

because……

During the three years of mourning, he fell ill once and felt the fragility of life. He began to yearn for the legendary immortals and to read stories about gods and monsters in the hope of finding the secret of immortality.

…The carriage continued to move forward, and soon arrived in front of a mansion with spears lined up in front of the door.

Cai Que, wearing a purple robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a wide-legged hat, had led his entire family to pose in front of the gate.

When the carriage approached, Cai Que led his entire family to greet it.

"I, the Grand Secretary of Guanwen Hall, the Governor of Fujian, the Judge of Quanzhou and the Supervisor of Quanzhou Maritime Customs, the Senior Pillar of the State, the Emperor has bestowed a purple gold jade belt, a fief of 4,500 households, and a fief of 1,400 households. I, your humble servant, respectfully welcome the Emperor and wish His Majesty the best of health!"

Zhao Xu sat upright in the sedan chair, listening to Cai Que's familiar Fujian accent. Countless memories from his previous life flashed back in his mind.

During the Shaosheng period, the Yuanyou cases were examined, and testimonies were given from everyone from Gao Shichong to Gao Shijing, from eunuchs in the inner court to female officials, as well as many people who were present at the time.

Naturally, there are also remnants of Zhao Xu's own vague memories of his youth.

In the autumn of the sixth year of Yuanfeng, Que and the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Zhang Li reported to the emperor in Chongzheng Hall. The emperor suddenly became overwhelmed with grief and said to Que: The affairs of the world may have come to this!
Que was shocked and asked: May I ask the reason?
The emperor said: What can I do since you are young?
Que said: Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, but suddenly you say something ominous. May I ask the reason?
The emperor asked: Can the affairs of the world be managed by a long-term ruler?
Que said: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Yan'an is the eldest son. I don't know anything else! I don't know what it means!"
The emperor said: If you can really consider the country, you should plan early!
Que and Xu advanced together: We, the ministers, dare to defend to the death!

Thus, there was the most impressive childhood experience in Zhao Xu's memory - in the spring of the seventh year of Yuanfeng, he was held by his father's hand and appeared in the Jiying Hall.

It was also during this meeting in Jiying Hall that his father made careful arrangements for him.

Wang Anli was sent to govern Jiangning, and Li Xian and Lu Shengqing were ordered to perform the rituals between the monarch and his subjects. Soon after, they were ordered to return to their respective towns. He also personally announced that the Prince of Yan'an would get married next spring, and Sima Guang and Lu Gongzhu would be his mentors.

This was later proved to be the result of months of secret discussions and planning between Cai Que and Emperor Zhao Xu's father.

Then came those fateful days, with the swordplay before and after the crown prince was appointed.

Some of them were witnessed by Zhao Xu himself.

When the crown prince was being chosen, he was held in the arms of his grandmother-in-law and witnessed and heard with his own eyes and ears the arguments between the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Xiang.

Some of them were only discovered later.

For example, Cai Que sent his wife and mother to the palace to discuss matters with Empress Dowager Xiang.

For example, what Cai Que and Zhang Dun said in the capital hall about Wang Gui's forcing him to abdicate: If you say so, he will obey; if you don't say anything, you will die!
Finally, Wang Gui was forced to say those words: The Lord has a son!
For example, Yan Da expressed his attitude to the Queen Mother before appointing the crown prince - if anything unexpected happens, the Prime Minister will lead all the officials, and Da will lead the generals to fight for it, and there is no choice but to die.

What he didn't know was that the swordplay and saber-beating happening in the dark were the fundamental reasons why he was appointed as the crown prince and was able to ascend the throne smoothly in his previous life.

Otherwise, let’s just look at the fragments in Zhao Xu’s memory.

Judging from the character of the Empress Dowager and Zhao Hao's behavior and arrogance in the palace.

Let alone ascend the throne.

The fact that he was able to live to adulthood was a result of the Empress Dowager's deep love for her grandson and Zhao Hao's kindness.

That's why.

Cai Que, Yan Da, and Zhao Ru must all die!

Must die too!

How can the Empress Dowager feel at ease if they are not dead?

If they don't die, Zhao Hao's entire family will die!

Even if the Gao family is not exterminated, they will all be exiled to Lingnan, or even exiled to Shamen Island!
Therefore, the car cover case is bound to happen!
Even if there weren't any, someone would fabricate other similar cases.

That’s why Cai Que was demoted to the position of Yingzhou Beijia and settled in Xinzhou.

Therefore, even Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang and even Liu Zhi were so scared that they wet their pants while trying to persuade him.

But the Empress Dowager said with a grim face the famous words: This mountain can be moved, but this state cannot be moved.

She just wanted to demote Cai Que to death - because after being demoted, Cai Que kept shouting about what happened in the eighth year of Yuanfeng everywhere.

How can she feel at ease if Cai Que is not dead?

……

Recalling these things in his mind, he looked at the purple-robed prime minister in front of him who was prostrating himself on the ground.

With the help of Tong Guan, Zhao Xu got off the carriage and walked up to Cai Que.

"Sir, please stand up!" He personally stepped forward and helped up this man, who had mixed reviews from the outside court, and could even be called a 'treacherous villain', but to him, he was the most loyal prime minister who could not be more loyal.

This prime minister worked hard to help him become the crown prince and the emperor.

Cai Que was terrified and deeply moved, and stood up with the help of Zhao Xu.

Then, he looked at the young master who was still young but had grown a lot taller, almost reaching his chin, and said, "Your Majesty's feast day is approaching, yet you still come to my house in person. Your grace is so great that I am deeply grateful and don't know how to repay you!"

Zhao Xu chuckled at Cai Que's compliments. Then, looking at the former prime minister, whose hair had turned white and whose beard had begun to turn frosty, he could not help but sigh with emotion, "My husband has aged a lot!"

He remembered that Cai Que was not yet fifty when he left Beijing.

Now that I have returned to Beijing, I am only 52 years old.

But his temples are already gray and his beard is white.

"I am already fifty-two years old!" Cai Que asked, "How can I not be old?"

"But, I see Your Majesty, you are full of vigor and majesty, your laws are growing, like the sun hanging high in the sky, your blessings are spreading all over the world, your virtues are spreading to the people, and the whole world is celebrating and rejoicing!"

Zhao Xu laughed loudly: "This is all due to the blessing and support of the two sacred palaces, the loyal service of the ministers, and the concerted assistance of the elders!"

"It is not a small achievement. You have worked hard in Fujian and made contributions to the country. It is your contribution that makes me feel at ease!"

Cai Que may have countless personal moral issues in other aspects and other matters.

However, this time he was sent to Quanzhou, taking charge of the power of Fujian and presiding over the construction of the Maritime Customs.

However, it is rare and has received unanimous praise from Fujian scholars, local gentry, merchants, and wealthy people.

Because he really works hard for his hometown and can be said to have devoted all his energy to it.

This can be seen from the fact that he had only been 52 years old for two years, but his temples were already gray and his hair and beard were white.

no way!
Before he went there, Fujian was in a mess because of Wang Zijing, the people were resentful, and there were troubles and problems everywhere.

The Quanzhou Maritime Customs had to be built from scratch.

In addition, the compilation and supervision of Fujian's salt law, tea law and various local futures contracts also required his hard work.

He has no way to shirk responsibility or slack off.

If these things are not done well, you will be criticized by the elders in the future!

When people from Fujian do things for their hometown, they will never turn back, and will never regret it.

A typical example is Mulan Slope.

In order to build this project, Fujian people worked for decades in a row, and two of the project advocates died - Qian Si Niang and Lin Congsheng.

Then, the baton was passed to the Cai Jing brothers.

This brother, relying on his official position in the court, begged for alms everywhere and cried to everyone he met about the dangers of Mulanbi and the sufferings of the people in his hometown.

Relying on various forms of begging and selling sympathy, it took him ten years to raise millions of strings of private funds, mobilize most of Fujian's wealthy businessmen and people in a favorable position, and with the support and tilt of the imperial court's policies, he finally accomplished his mission.

If the people of Fujian could be so united over the Mulan Slope, how much more so over the opening of Quanzhou Port and the reforms of the Tea and Salt Laws which affected the well-being of the entire Fujian Province?

Under the earnest expectations of his fellow countrymen, Cai Que had no other choice but to work hard every day and ask the court for various policies, funds and talents.

Of course, Tsai does have selfish motives.

The opening of Quanzhou Port and the reform and adjustment of Fujian's tea and salt laws are all things that benefit the entire Fujian Province.

As long as it is done, he and his descendants will benefit endlessly!
It is no exaggeration to say that from now on, even if everyone in the world scolds him, Fujianese will never say a bad word about him!
(End of this chapter)