Jiuxi

Chapter 582 [The Queen Mother is ill]

In the fifteenth year of Jianwu, on April 30th, it was a minor auspicious day for the national funeral ceremony.

This was the twelfth day since the death of the late emperor. The Qi Dynasty used days instead of months to mourn, and the Xiaoxiang Day was the anniversary ceremony.

The successor emperor changed his clothes and wore a cloth crown, a white silk robe, a black silver belt, and silk shoes.

Civil and military officials changed their attire to cloth headbands, blue shirts, waist sashes, and cloth trousers.

The emperor and his ministers mourned and paid tribute in a side hall of Fuqing Palace.

After the matter was completed, all officials left the palace.

The same was true for the two prime ministers. After all, there were still a lot of government affairs that needed to be handled during the national mourning period, and the operation of the court could not come to a standstill.

Apart from Shen Yulai, the commander of the imperial guards who was guarding the palace, only Lu Chen was left behind by the crown prince.

"I have agreed with Prime Minister Li and Prime Minister Xue that the ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow."

Li Zongben had a calm expression and looked quietly at the young marquis sitting opposite him.

Lu Chen bowed his head and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness. This is a blessing for all the people of Da Qi."

Seeing his serious and humble demeanor, Li Zongben couldn't help but say affectionately, "I kind of miss the time when we chatted in Mo Garden. You weren't so respectful back then."

This moment and that moment.

At that time, you did have the title of crown prince, but there is no two suns in the sky and no two rulers in a country. I only need to be responsible to the emperor, so there is no need for me to put on airs in front of you to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Although you are only the heir to the throne now, the coronation ceremony has been prepared. In two days, your title will be changed, and many things will naturally change.

Lu Chen's expression remained unchanged, and he said, "There is a difference between the ruler and his subjects, how dare I lose my manners?"

Li Zongben smiled slightly and did not continue to dwell on the matter.

He knew very well the reason for Lu Chen's change of attitude, but he also knew that he was not the late emperor. Most of his past contacts with the young marquis were superficial. There would definitely be some estrangement and unfamiliarity in a short period of time. This was human nature and there was no need to rush for success.

He took a sip of the fragrant tea and calmly changed the subject: "I am very curious about the situation in Jiangbei. Can you give me a detailed introduction?"

Lu Chen asked, "What aspect does Your Highness want to know?"

"Whatever."

Li Zongben said slowly: "People's livelihood and economy, military preparations and military appearance, and most importantly, the people's support."

Lu Chen did not forget that the heir in front of him had been regent for more than half a year. Although he was more like a human-shaped jade seal during this period, it was impossible for him not to pay attention to the situation in Jiangbei.

Whether it was the reports submitted by the imperial court or the intelligence secretly collected by the Weaving Bureau, Li Zongben would certainly review them one by one.

In short, what he really wanted to ask was probably the last four words.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen said carefully: "Your Highness, the people in Jiangbei are having a hard time, especially the people in the homeland that was previously occupied by the Pseudo-Yan."

Li Zongben's expression was slightly solemn, and he motioned for him to continue.

Lu Chen said, "Your Highness should understand. Because of some things that happened back then, many people in Jiangbei lack trust in the court of Daqi. They don't know how much the late emperor has done in the past ten years, nor do they know that the people in Jiangnan are actually living quite well. Even if they occasionally hear about it, it is difficult to change their inherent impression."

Li Zongben nodded.

Lu Chen sighed and said, "But the Pseudo-Yan and even the Jing Kingdom treated these people cruelly. Your Highness, do you know that there is a Seven Star Gang in Baotai Mountain to the north of Dingzhou?"

Li Zongben said, "I know that one of the two women that the emperor has arranged for you to marry is the daughter of Lin Jie, the leader of the Seven Stars Gang. I also heard that this leader Lin is ranked first in the martial arts rankings of the martial arts world."

"It's just a joke, not worth mentioning."

Lu Chen brushed it off and then said seriously, "Sixteen years ago, before the fall of the old capital, the Seven Stars Gang had more than 8,000 members, including the elderly, the weak, women and children. Your Highness, do you know how many there are now?"

Li Zongben looked at him quietly.

"More than 46,000 people."

Lu Chen looked solemn, and then said: "These newly added 30,000 people did not flee to Baotai Mountain with their families to become bandits. Almost every one of them has blood debts on their backs. Their relatives died at the hands of the nobles of Jinglian and the hawks and dogs raised by the powerful people of Pseudo-Yan. Some people even lost their entire family, and only he escaped. Tens of thousands of blood debts mean tens of thousands of broken families, and this is only the territory around Baotai Mountain occupied by Jingguo and Pseudo-Yan. If it is magnified to the entire Jiangbei land, I don’t know how many families have been broken and how many bones have been left."

A murderous look appeared on Li Zongben's face, and his palms unconsciously clenched the cup, with the blue veins on the back of his hands clearly visible.

Lu Chen took a long breath and sighed, "No matter if it is Duke Rong or Commander Li, the most stringent requirement for the border soldiers is military discipline. Because the situation of the people in Jiangbei is too miserable, if our army cannot be distinguished from the enemy, how can they be loyal to Da Qi? In that case, the Northern Expedition is just a fantasy."

Li Zongben slowly let go of the cup and asked sincerely, "In your opinion, what specific measures should the court take to win over the hearts and minds of the people in Jiangbei?"

Lu Chen thought for a moment and said, "The most direct way is to reduce the pressure on their shoulders. Your Highness, Jiangbei has been at war for years, and the people are in urgent need of recuperation. If we can make them well fed and clothed, on the one hand, we can win over the people's hearts, and on the other hand, we can also make the border troops feel more at ease. After all, many of the border troops are from Jiangbei." "That makes sense."

Li Zongben nodded slightly and said, "When the court meeting is held after the coronation ceremony, you will propose to reduce the taxes of the three states in Jiangbei, and then the officials in the court will discuss it. How about it? I know this is not a military matter, but you have been in Jiangbei for a long time and have the best understanding of various aspects of the situation. You also know the current situation of the border troops. You are the most suitable person to propose this policy. I can let others propose it, but it is far less important than your words."

Lu Chen looked at his sincere eyes and was a little dazed for a moment.

This gaze seemed somewhat similar to Li Duan's, but also slightly different, but it was difficult to determine clearly at this moment.

He did not hesitate for long, lowered his head and said: "Your Highness, please be considerate of the people of Jiangbei, and I will naturally do my duty."

Li Zongben said with both relief and trepidation: "To be honest, I am still very scared. My father worked hard for Da Qi all his life, even at the cost of his own life, just to leave me a less difficult situation. I am afraid that I will make a mistake and fail to live up to my father's expectations. Fortunately, there are two prime ministers, Li and Xue, in the court, and Duke Rong, Duke Huai'an and you in the border areas, otherwise I really don't know how to govern."

For Lu Chen, it was not convenient to respond to these words.

Li Zongben is not Li Duan. After all, Lu Chen is not that close to him. Sometimes he can speak frankly, and sometimes he must remain silent.

Just like this moment.

Seeing this, Li Zongben changed the subject and asked, "Where is Zhai Lin Wang now?"

Lu Chen's heart trembled, and he said calmly: "Jiangbei, Jingzhou Xunyang City."

Li Zongben pondered and said, "I want to hear your opinion on how to place Wang An, a famous scholar."

Lu Chen said calmly: "Your Highness, although it is said that we should promote people with talent regardless of their relationship, Wang An's status is different from others. I should not make random suggestions. This matter should be decided by Your Highness. Of course, Your Highness can also ask for the opinions of Prime Minister Li and Prime Minister Xue. They are definitely better at handling this kind of thing than I am."

Li Zongben stared into his eyes and said slowly, "The Wang family of Zhailin is the most powerful family in Jiangbei. The brothers Wang An and Wang Cheng are very famous. Moreover, they have made great contributions in the wars in recent years. The court will definitely reward them generously. I have an idea in my mind. I will reward the Wang family with gold, silver and land, give Wang An a noble position, and select several talented scholars from the Wang family to serve as officials in the court. This way, the Wang family can set an example for the Jiangbei nobles."

Lu Mo remained silent.

Li Zongben didn't take it seriously and continued, "As for Wang An's elder brother Wang Cheng, I heard that he is a great writer in the northern land. I think he is not keen on fame and fortune. Can I let him be a guest official of Fengya Academy?"

Only then did Lu Chen respond, "Your Highness, this arrangement is very appropriate."

Li Zongben said with emotion: "Although I had the experience of being the regent in the past six months, I now understand how hard my father has worked all these years. Lu Chen, I know you are still a little unfamiliar in your heart, but I hope you can understand that everyone knows that my father trusts you. I dare not compare with my father, but I will definitely not go against his will."

Lu Chen stood up and said, "Your Highness, your words are too serious. How dare I doubt your Majesty?"

"I know you won't."

Li Zongben motioned him to sit down, and then said, "It's just that I don't like to hide things, I just say it straight. By the way, I have sent someone to Jingzhou to convey the imperial edict, asking Lord Huai'an and his relatives to return to Beijing, and Liu Shouguang to temporarily take over the post of Grand Commander of Jingzhou. Lord Huai'an has worked hard these years, and he insisted on leading the army even though he was seriously ill. I really don't want him to continue to work so hard, and I hope he can return to Jiangnan to recuperate as soon as possible."

"Your Highness's kindness will surely be appreciated by Duke Huai'an."

A faint smile appeared on Lu Chen's face.

He had heard from Xue Huaiyi a long time ago that the soil and water in the south of the Yangtze River were more suitable for Li Tianrun's recuperation. Li Zongben's decision was indeed wise and decisive, and there was no delay due to procedural issues.

Just at this time, a eunuch in his thirties asked for a meeting.

After paying his respects, the eunuch, who had an ordinary but slightly restrained face, said nervously, "Your Highness, there is news from the Cining Palace that the Empress Dowager is not feeling well."

Li Zongben's face slightly changed, and he said in a deep voice: "When I went to pay my respects to the Queen Mother this morning, she was fine. What happened? Did you not serve her wholeheartedly?"

The eunuch knelt down with a plop and said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, please calm down. How dare we not serve you attentively? The Queen Mother just said she was a little depressed, but it's nothing serious."

Li Zongben stood up and asked, "Have you summoned the imperial physician?"

The eunuch bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, the imperial physician has already gone to the Cining Palace."

Li Zongben looked gloomy and calmed his breathing.

Lu Chen also stood up and looked at the scene with an obscure gaze.

When he was about to bow and leave, Li Zongben suddenly turned around and said, "Lord Lu, please come with me to visit the Queen Mother."

Lu Chen really didn't expect him to make this request.

Wait... Cining Palace?

Looking at the helplessness in Li Zongben's eyes, Lu Chen's words turned into agreement.

"The minister obeys the order."

(End of this chapter)