Do you know: I am the crown prince

Chapter 430 Don’t you think it’s funny?
If it were anyone else, Chen Yao would not give up so easily.

What's more, others don't have that much courage.

Therefore, the most suitable person to rule the north now is none other than the Duke of England.

"Since Your Majesty has said so, I have no choice but to risk my old bones to do the job." When the Duke of Ying heard what Zhao Xing said, it was difficult for him to refuse.

"Haha, the father-in-law is still strong and healthy. It will be no problem for him to serve the country for a few more years. After this matter is over, the father-in-law should take a good rest. I plan to build a military academy, and the father-in-law can be a teacher." Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Military Academy?" The Duke of England was stunned when he heard this.

“Most of the generals in the army today are the sons of military families with military honors. Although there are some capable ones, most of them are just relying on the influence of their ancestors and muddling through in the army without any ambition to make progress.

I want to set up a military academy. All the sons of nobles and talents selected through the military examination who want to take up real positions must study in the academy and be appointed based on merit!" Zhao Xing explained the role and purpose of the academy in detail.

The Military Academy is actually a military academy. Before that, the children of nobles could directly serve in the army through the help of their titles.

If Zhao Xing directly canceled the title, not only would the military generals be unwilling to do so, but the civil officials would also not agree.

After all, they could also get titles. Who knows if Zhao Xing would cancel their titles after abolishing the title of General Xunjue?
Even if Zhao Xing would not do so, those generals would probably take the initiative to petition because they would feel unbalanced.

Therefore, if Zhao Xing had this intention, he would face opposition from all the civil and military officials in the court.

The existence of the Military Academy is a compromise.

He did not abolish the titles bestowed on military generals and nobles, but could only grant them honorary positions.

If one wanted to hold a real position, one had to study at the Military Academy and compete with those who were selected through the military examination.

If they can't do it, then they are wastes.

As descendants of military nobles, they could not even beat those selected from the public, so they had no face to cause trouble to Zhao Xing.

After hearing this, the Duke of England smiled and said, "Your Majesty, now that you have said this, I look forward to the establishment of the Military Academy as soon as possible. I am so excited to think that I will have the opportunity to teach and educate people in my lifetime!"

"Don't worry, I will build the Military Academy next year." Zhao Xing said with a smile.

After chatting with the Duke of England for a long time, Zhao Xing hosted a banquet for him and also asked people to invite Zhang Guifen and Zhang Feng over.

Zhang Guifen became pregnant in May last year and is now seven months pregnant.

The Duke of England was very happy when he saw his daughter with a big belly and rosy face, and he drank a few more glasses unconsciously.

After the banquet, the Duke of England was helped away by Zhang Feng.

"Father is old, but he still likes to drink. I didn't even notice that he was drunk. Now my mother will scold me when I go back."

Zhang Guifen watched Zhang Feng helping his father leave, feeling both worried and amused.

"The husband and wife have been together for many years, and their relationship is still so good. It's really enviable." Zhao Xing said with a smile.

The Duke of Yingguo could definitely be considered a good man in ancient times. He had only one wife and never took a concubine in his life.

"Your Majesty, it sounds as if I and your concubine cannot do this in the future," Zhang Guifen said angrily.

"Haha, I said something wrong. In the future, when the queen and I are old, we can be as loving as the father-in-law and his family." Zhao Xing said with a smile while hugging Zhang Guifen.

"Yeah." Zhang Guifen nodded and leaned in Zhao Xing's arms.

…………

As the year draws to a close, Zhao Xing finally has some free time.

On the night of New Year's Eve, Zhao Xing held a banquet in the palace to entertain members of the royal family.

The next morning, Zhao Xing changed into his crown and robes and went to the Daqing Hall to attend the New Year's Day court meeting.

The grand court assembly held at the beginning of every year is a court ceremony of the highest standard that began in the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Not only would vassal states and friendly countries send envoys to present gifts and congratulations at the grand court meeting, but local prefects would also come to the capital to participate.

With the addition of civil and military officials in the court, the number of people was very large. Usually, even in the morning court, Zhao Xing wore ordinary clothes, but on the day of the grand court meeting, he had to wear the crown.

This was the first grand court meeting after Zhao Xing ascended the throne.

From today onwards, the Song Dynasty will officially change its era name to Xuanwu!

The crown and robes were very heavy, with the hems stretching for several meters. When walking, a group of eunuchs supported them from behind.

Normally, Zhao Xing would go directly to the imperial platform from the rear hall to receive worship from all officials.

But today Zhao Xing needs to enter from the main entrance of the hall.

When Zhao Xing walked to the entrance of the hall, the eunuch who was holding up the hem of his clothes behind him put it down, and Zhao Xing slowly walked into the hall dragging his clothes.

There's no way. The hem of the clothes is too heavy and I can't move it faster.

Zhao Xing didn't understand why the ancient crown and robes were designed like this. Could it be to make him feel the weight of the country?

"His Majesty has arrived!" the eunuch in charge of the palace shouted.

All the officials bowed and stood, until Zhao Xing walked onto the imperial platform and sat on the dragon throne. The eunuch in charge of the palace shouted, "Bow!"

All the officials knelt down and shouted in unison: "Your Majesty, we are here to see you!"

Zhao Xing looked at the officials kneeling below, raised his hand and said, "Stand up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" All the officials stood up after expressing their gratitude.

At this time, a group of eunuchs came in one after another carrying trays loaded with wine.

Soon each official was holding a wine jar filled with wine.

Zhao Xing also held one in his hand.

Next, officials from the lowest to the highest ranks toasted Zhao Xing in turn.

When toasting, people will first say some auspicious words, then drink the wine and go back.

All the officials toasted him one by one, but Zhao Xing naturally couldn't drink it.

You have to know that there are hundreds of civil and military officials today, including the governors of various states and regions. How could Zhao Xing drink all of them?

He only had to wait for all the officials to toast in turn, say a few polite words, and finally drink the wine in the glass.

The whole process lasted nearly an hour, and Zhao Xing even felt a little dozed off.

After the toast, Zhao Xing looked at Sanshui. His uncle understood and stepped forward with the imperial edict and began to read it.

The content of the imperial edict was very simple, which was to announce the change of the reign title to "Xuanwu" to the world.

After the decree was read, it was time for local officials to report local conditions to Zhao Xing.

During the grand court meetings of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the emperor would receive the princes and learn about the situation of each prince's governance area.

After Qin unified the country, the grand court meetings became places where local officials reported to the emperor on the situation in the areas they governed.

Simply put, it can be regarded as a "performance report" by the local chief official.

Naturally, these officials would only choose the good ones to speak, and after listening to a few of them, Zhao Xing felt a little bored.

"and many more!"

After one prefect finished his speech, he stepped back. When another prefect was about to step forward, Zhao Xing interrupted him.

"I just listened to the stories of several prefects. According to you, the whole world is peaceful and prosperous. I guess the next officials are similar. But is the world really peaceful?"

Zhao Xing looked around at everyone and said calmly, "Last year, floods hit Jiangzhou and other places. The governor of Jiangzhou colluded with the Wizard Cult and sold the grain stored in Jiangzhou for disaster relief to the Wizard Cult at a low price. The Wizard Cult has money to buy grain. Will they directly recruit soldiers and rebel in a few years?
The imperial court has a law banning witches, but no one has caught a witch for so many years. And yet you are here telling me how the people under my rule live and work in peace and contentment. Don't you think it's ridiculous?"

(End of this chapter)