spend time

Chapter 832: The Prince

In the blink of an eye, it was already the ninth year of Zhaoping.

This is the ninth year since Her Majesty ascended the throne. Almost all the important officials in the Daliang court are the emperor's confidants, and government affairs are running smoothly. All the armies are training hard, competing with each other, presenting a gratifying atmosphere.

This year, Her Majesty the Empress was twenty-five years old, in the prime of her youth.

After Princess Baoer's eighth birthday, she has grown into a heroic little girl.

Princess Baoer had four tutors, two of whom were well-read and talented Hanlin scholars who were responsible for teaching Princess Baoer classics, history, and literature. Prime Minister Chen and Minister Feng also served as tutors, and every five days they would take half a day to teach Princess Baoer how to handle government affairs and taxes.

Princess Baoer’s tutor, Tutor Wu, is Song Yuan.

Her Majesty was too busy to teach her daughter martial arts in person, so she entrusted this important task to her most trusted commander, Song. Occasionally, when she had some free time, Jiang Shaohua would practice martial arts with her daughter.

Baoer has an outstanding talent for martial arts, even better than Jiang Shaohua when he was young. Unfortunately, Jiang Shaohua's supernatural power could not be passed on to his daughter. However, as the princess of Daliang and the future heir to the throne of Daliang, Princess Baoer is surrounded by masters, so she does not need to become a top master.

What was even more rare was that the young Baoer was quite interested in government affairs. Jiang Shaohua had to review memorials every night, and Baoer often stayed by her side, grinding ink for her mother and listening to her mother and Prime Minister Chen discuss government affairs.

Prime Minister Chen smiled privately to the Empress, "The disciple is better than the master. Princess Bao'er is smart and perceptive, and she will become a great person in the future."

Jiang Shaohua was also very satisfied with his daughter and said with a smile: "Bao'er is already eight years old. I plan to appoint a crown prince this year."

According to Daliang custom, a child is considered to have been raised to the age of eight. However, it is still a little early to appoint a crown prince at this age.

Prime Minister Chen thought for a moment and whispered, "Your Majesty, are you sure you won't get pregnant again?"

Prime Minister Chen expressed his meaning very tactfully.

If Jiang Shaohua only had Princess Baoer, it would be natural for Baoer to be the crown prince. But Jiang Shaohua was so young, if he had another son in the future, people would think that the throne should be passed on to his son. Princess Baoer would be in an awkward situation.

So, you must think carefully before making a decision.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Prime Minister Chen and said, "I will not have any more children. Having Bao'er is enough for me."

Prime Minister Chen nodded, indicating that he understood: "I will prepare to appoint a crown prince right away."

Jiang Shaohua hummed and said, "Let the Ministry of Rites submit the memorial first."

This is to let Minister Dong step forward first and build momentum for the appointment of the crown prince. In the past few years, Minister Dong has spared no effort to promote the reform of the imperial examination system, and he has almost been criticized as a lonely man. However, Minister Dong's support from the emperor is also visible to the naked eye, and his status is so high that no one can shake it.

Prime Minister Chen went to the Dong family in person and had a long secret conversation with Minister Dong.

At the grand court meeting a few days later, Minister Dong submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of a crown prince. Minister Dong was a man of great learning and talent, and his writing was first-rate. This memorial was written with great passion, and it made people's blood boil.

The ministers also reacted in a subtle way. On the one hand, they were mentally prepared. After the Empress gave birth to Princess Baoer, there has been no good news. Princess Baoer started to learn martial arts at the age of four, and all her treatment was in line with the training of a crown prince. Now the Empress wants to appoint a crown prince, who else can she appoint if not Princess Baoer? On the other hand, they felt a little awkward. The Empress sat on the dragon throne in Daliang, and the crown prince was Princess Baoer. Doesn't this mean that in the next few decades, Daliang will be ruled by women?
Nowadays, Nanyang schools are opened everywhere in Daliang, and more and more girls are studying there. Every three years, the imperial examinations have produced batches of female Jinshi. Among officials in various places, the number of female officials has rapidly increased from a few to a considerable number.

If this continues, a large number of female officials will emerge in Daliang's officialdom. The customs and habits of Daliang will also change dramatically.

The ministers were unhappy from the bottom of their hearts.

However, Minister Dong was the Minister of Rites, and it was only natural for him to submit a memorial to the emperor to appoint a crown prince. Ministers Yang, Ding, and others also seconded the proposal. The appointment of a crown prince was a matter that the ministers could not tolerate any opposition from.

Censor Cao jumped out and said, "Your Highness is gifted and intelligent, and is both civil and military. I ask the Emperor to appoint Her Highness as the Crown Prince."

Minister Dong couldn't help but glance at Censor Cao.

This Censor Cao spent 50,000 silver coins to get the position of Censor. When Minister Zhang fell from power, Censor Cao did not hesitate to distance himself from Minister Zhang. In recent years, he has always thought about what the emperor wants, and has become the emperor's lackey.

Sometimes, villains are much more useful than gentlemen.

Her Majesty smiled at Censor Cao and said, "What Censor Cao said is very much in line with my heart."

After receiving the emperor's praise, Cao Yushi was full of energy and boasted about Princess Bao'er. In his words, Princess Bao'er's talent in reading and martial arts was unparalleled in the world. She could understand memorials at a young age. She was simply the best child prodigy in history. This was a treasure bestowed upon Daliang by God. Such a Princess Bao'er was born to be the crown prince of Daliang.

Minister Dong twitched his lips slightly. In terms of shamelessness and rudeness, he was far inferior to Censor Cao, and he still had to continue practicing.

Led by Censor Cao, the ministers began to speak out one after another in support of the establishment of a crown prince.

The important matter of establishing a crown prince was thus decided.

After the grand court meeting, Jiang Shaohua returned to the Showa Hall in a good mood.

Princess Baoer came over with sparkling eyes, bowed first, then threw herself into her mother's arms: "Mother, am I really going to be the crown prince?"

Jiang Shaohua was strict with her daughter's schoolwork, but she was also gentle and loving in private. She smiled and hugged her daughter's little body: "Mother is the emperor, and you are her only child, so of course you have to be the crown prince."

Princess Baoer was very happy. After a while, she suddenly thought of something and asked, "Is it because I am your only child that you have to make me the crown prince? Or is it because I am good enough to be the crown prince?"

Jiang Shaohua bowed his head and looked at his daughter: "Establishing a crown prince is a big deal, we can't be willful and wanton. If you are mediocre and incompetent, I would rather choose an heir from the Jiang clan than make you the crown prince."

"Since you started learning to read at the age of four, I have been paying close attention to your words and deeds. After four years of observation, I decided to make you the crown prince."

"If you want to wear the crown, you must first bear its weight. Being the crown prince is much more tiring than being Princess Baoer. After the crown prince is enthroned, you will follow me to court."

Princess Baoer was quite brave and courageous: "Don't worry, mother. I will study hard and will never let the ministers laugh at me, let alone let you down."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and held his daughter's hand: "Okay."