Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 719 Daily Life Notes

Expansion requires sufficient land and population, which in turn necessitates a large number of official positions. The desire for promotion and wealth—such a simple idea.

Even the most loyal Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends to Zhao Zhen were eager to be the first to explore new frontiers.

If Zhao Zhen were to forcefully suppress it, it would only backfire.

After saying this, Ji Xuan prepared to return to the Kingdom of Gao.

Zhao Zhen pulled Ji Xuan and lay down on the warm stone and sandalwood couch. He hadn't had a satisfying night with Chen Liqing in Yanxi Palace the previous night.

After a chaotic and disorderly time, Ji Xuan glared at Zhao Zhen and huffed, "Your Majesty, couldn't you have waited until night? If the Imperial Attendant Yang Jiong finds out and records it, Your Majesty will be branded as a decadent and licentious tyrant."

"Hahaha, I had already foreseen this. In ancient times, the left historian recorded events and the right historian recorded words, so as to prevent mistakes and inform future kings. I have long ago determined that the duties of the Imperial Diarist are to only record events of the previous dynasty. The affairs of the harem are recorded by the four scribblers in turn, and then sent to the Imperial Diarist for inclusion in the register."

As he spoke, he asked Guihua to bring over the daily records for Ji Xuan to review.

On the 20th day of the ninth month of the first year of Jingze, the king entered Yanxi Palace and discussed martial arts with Consort Chen Liqing. He stayed there that night.

On the 21st, at dawn, he practiced martial arts and then went to the Jinshen Hall to manage state affairs. At noon, he went to the Yikun Palace and had lunch with Consort Fang Jinzhi and Consort Fan Qi. After noon, he went to the Jinshen Hall to manage state affairs and met with Consort Zhao, who was also in charge of the Capital Market Trade Office, Ji Xuan, to discuss the trade affairs of the Gao Kingdom.

The records are crystal clear, and anyone who reads them would have to say that His Majesty Zhao Zhen was diligent.

Ji Xuan rolled her eyes at Guihua after reading it, tossed the daily records aside, and said, "I'm going back to Shufangzhai to rest today, and I'll go to Gaoguo tomorrow."

After speaking, she gracefully walked out of the [Hall of Prudence].

Zhao Zhen also got up with the help of Guihua and the other three, and the group then went to the elephant house.

The elephant stable supervisor, Ruan Pashan, and his assistant, Ruan Laweimeng, were leading a group of people circling around a baby elephant. This baby elephant was the offspring of one of the female elephants sent from the Kingdom of Dali Xuanren Miaoxiang.

The four elephants and four rhinoceroses sent by the Dali Kingdom were housed in elephant stables and in Liangshan pastures.

The Liang Kingdom now has a herd of sixteen elephants, and Emperor Zhao Zhen is very fond of these elephants.

A well-trained elephant is usually very docile.

As soon as you step into the elephant enclosure, you see the newborn elephant calf using its short, thick trunk to catch its mother's tail, its pink ears flapping back and forth like two tender lotus leaves.

Two newly emerging tusks, sparkling and lovely.

Seemingly sensing that Zhao Zhen was observing it, the baby elephant released its mother's tail and clumsily walked towards Zhao Zhen.

After taking three or five steps, its feet slipped, and a straw tripped it, causing its round body to fall to the ground.

Then, the baby elephant struggled to its feet and began to trample the straw at its feet. Raising its head and raising its little trunk, blinking its beady black eyes, it returned to its mother's side and continued to chase after her tail.

Zhao Zhen and the others laughed heartily after reading it.

"Director Ruan, how is the construction of the new elephant stable progressing? Is there anything that needs to be changed?"

"Your Majesty, the new elephant stables are very well constructed and have a large site. As instructed by Supervisor Zhao of the Imperial Household Department, genealogical records have also been completed."

"Good, take good care of the elephant herd. Here's a Buddha's Hand citron."

As he spoke, Zhao Zhen stepped forward and began to caress the little elephant.

Buddha's Hand took out a handful of gold and silver melon seeds, had the female guards give them to Ruan Pashan, and then went up to pet the baby elephant.

Compared to the enormous adult elephants, the newborn elephants felt completely different to the touch. After enjoying themselves, Zhao Zhen and the others left the elephant enclosure.

Inside the Yunbao Tower, Feng Xi, the Treasure-Seeking Rat, the supervisor of the Imperial Treasury of the Taifu Temple, was waiting.

This place was newly built by Zhao Zhen, specifically to store all kinds of treasures.

The reason I am here today is that Feng Xi acquired a treasure in the State of Lu and has specially brought it to me.

As Zhao Zhen entered the building, he saw the gleaming white jade galloping horse displayed in the hall.

White Jade Galloping Horse (Tier 3: A celestial horse from Kunlun descended to the mortal realm and can travel ten thousand miles in a single day.)
Effect 1: Increased Production. Placed on pastures, it increases the production of fine horses and slightly increases the size of the horses.

Effect 2: Strengthening.

After looking at it, Zhao Zhen exclaimed, "What a treasure!"

Feng Xi laughed and said, "I haven't let Your Majesty down. I couldn't tear myself away from this jade horse when I saw it. I used ten Yang-Boosting Pills, ten bottles of Essence-Returning Ointment, and three hundred taels of gold to get it from this man."

“Hey, what a spendthrift. With this, if we put it on the ranch, it would be the foundation of a family business for a thousand years.” Zhao Zhen said bluntly.

“Your Majesty, what’s there to be upset about when a son sells his father’s land? I’ve investigated, and although this fellow won’t say much, he’s not from Lu. I wonder which fallen noble family he’s from.”

“Without the ranch, this treasure is useless to him. This fellow isn’t stupid; he sent it to the auction house, which I happened to witness, and we made a private deal. I dared not linger and quickly turned back, fearing that I would be stopped by the nobles of the auction house.”

"Before leaving, I gave him my address and invited him to visit Liang."

Feng Xi said with a hint of smugness.

Zhao Zhen jokingly said, "You think you can squeeze some money out of him?"

"Heh heh, after all, he's a young nobleman, maybe even a member of the royal family of some country. He might have some good stuff. It's just a small step, whether it's worth it or not, there's no harm in taking a few shots."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "You've been to quite a few places already. Put aside your treasure hunts in other countries for now. Liang Kingdom has now incorporated many prefectures and counties. Go and secretly investigate the specialties, spiritual plants, spiritual seeds, and treasures of each prefecture. Make sure you thoroughly investigate all government-owned items."

"In addition to your secret investigations along the way, Li Congji, the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, also went to various prefectures and counties in a high-profile manner to urge the establishment of files and registers. By comparing the two, we can reduce the number of omissions."

"I've already given instructions to Li Shaojian. If you encounter any difficulties, you can seek his help. He's highly skilled in martial arts and has troops from both capitals with him, so protecting you will be a piece of cake."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take care of it."

After Feng Xi took his leave, Guihua had already written the daily records.

The king entered the elephant stables, where a baby elephant was born. He was overjoyed and rewarded the stewards and servants. Soon after, he went to the [Treasure Pavilion] and met Feng Xi, the [Treasure-Seeking Rat], the supervisor of the Imperial Treasury of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and obtained the [White Jade Galloping Horse]...

That night, Zhao Zhen naturally went to Shufangzhai to rest.

The daily records were also marked one by one.

As for the [White Jade Galloping Horse], it was escorted to the Yangma Island Ranch the next day.

Entering October, the Liang Kingdom once again bordered the Southern Song Dynasty under Emperor Gaozong (Zhao Gou). The various prefectures and counties of Liang, having prepared in advance, either remained inactive or launched surprise attacks according to pre-arranged strategies.

However, Zhao Zhen did not have his mind on this.

A message from the Cao Kingdom diverted Zhao Zhen's attention.

(End of this chapter)