Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 331 "Both Sons and Daughters"

The reception room on the left side of the main hall of the Imperial Household Department is a rarely used place.

Because within the entire imperial city, with the exception of the Imperial Stables, all other internal government offices were subordinate to the Imperial Household Department. Following the palace's extremely strict hierarchy, eunuchs and female officials who arrived were expected to report and receive orders directly in the main hall. Being able to speak standing up was considered high-ranking.

The only regular guests were lecturers sent by institutions like the Cabinet, the Hanlin Academy, and the Imperial College. However, a dedicated rest area was set up in the inner study hall. In line with the principle of respecting teachers, the Imperial Household Department provided top-notch, one-on-one service for the lecturers, so they didn't need to go to the main reception room to get some fresh air.

When Cao Huachun brought the grandparents to the reception room, the eunuchs had already laid out the tea sets and pastries as instructed. After they sat down, Cao Huachun looked at a eunuch who was serving the tea and ordered, "Go get me a set of paper and pen."

"Yes." The eunuch took the order and left quickly.

Cao Huachun smiled at Liu Ying and asked, "Miss Liu, is her name just 'Zheng' or..."

"My name is just Yan." Liu Yan answered timidly.

"how to write?"

"Female Prime." Liu Yun stretched out her finger and gestured in the air a few times.

"That's a good word!" Cao Huachun praised. "Did your grandfather give it to you?"

"Yeah." Liu Ying nodded.

Cao Huachun then asked, "How old is Miss Liu Yun?"

Liu Yun was stunned for a moment. "Next year it will be Double Eight."

Cao Huachun looked at Liu Heqing again. "There shouldn't be anyone here yet, right?"

The "Great Ming Code" states that it was decreed in the third year of the Hongwu reign that men must be sixteen and women fourteen, and must be allowed to marry; otherwise, no marriage would be permitted. However, neither the public nor the government took these ancestral rules seriously. Parents in the common people commonly arranged marriages for boys and girls before they reached marriageable age. A recent and prominent official example is the late Emperor Wanli. When he married his empress in the sixth year of his reign, she was only thirteen, and he himself was only fifteen.

Of course, there are counterexamples, and they are more recent. Crown Prince Zhu Changluo didn't hold his wedding until he was 19, which made him considered an older bachelor compared to his eccentric father.

"Of course not." Liu Heqing shook his head quickly.

"That's good, otherwise it would be troublesome." Cao Huachun regained his previous smile.

Two eunuchs came over, one bringing paper, a brush, and a pen holder, while the other brought an inkstone with a thin layer of ink. They placed the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the coffee table beside Cao Huachun and said, "Young Ancestor, please."

"Hmm." Cao Huachun picked up the pen, saw that it was already dipped in ink, and quickly wrote down what he had asked earlier on the paper. After writing it down, he asked again: "Envoy Liu, which household in Mixiang, Dongjiang is your residence located in?"

"Probably a household with the character Wu." Liu Heqing then realized that Cao Huachun was not just chatting.

After finishing, Cao Huachun signed his name on the paper. He wrote lightly, using only a small amount of ink. The ink dried as soon as he stopped writing, but he still blew on it twice before handing it to the eunuch who had brought him the paper and pen. "Take it to the Internal Selection Office and have Deputy Li take note of it."

"Yes." The eunuch took the paper and glanced at Liu Yun with some envy. As far as he could remember, Liu Yun was the first person who had the eunuch commander personally take the time to record basic information.

"Miss Liu Yun." Cao Huachun also looked at Liu Yun. At this time, his face was less smiling and more solemn.

"Yes!" Liu Yun replied.

"From now on, you are Liu Siyao of the Siyao Department of the Shangshi Bureau." Cao Huachun said.

Liu Heqing was the first to react. He stood up and bowed to Cao Huachun, thanking him: "Thank you, Minister Wang, and Admiral Cao, for your kindness."

"Thank you, Minister Wang, and Admiral Cao, for your kindness." Liu Yong also stood up and bowed to Cao Huachun like his grandfather.

"You don't have to be polite, Mr. Liu. My father and I are just doing things according to the emperor's will." Cao Huachun returned the greeting to Liu Heqing.

"Thank you, Admiral Cao," Liu Heqing said, flashing a chrysanthemum-like smile. He quickly walked over to Cao Huachun and pulled out a few banknotes from his sleeve pocket. "Admiral Cao, this is just a small token of respect." He tried to pull Cao Huachun's hand, attempting a hidden trick.

But Cao Huachun's face immediately turned stern. "Take it away."

"What are you doing?" Liu Heqing was puzzled.

"Envoy Liu, you are also someone who often walks around in the palace. Have you never heard of it at all?" Cao Huachun sat back and looked up at Liu Heqing coldly.

"What did you hear?"

"My palace is now very concerned about clean governance. Some time ago, many slaves were arrested by the East Factory for their dirty deeds. After the trial, those who were not sentenced to death were exiled to the Xiao and Ding mausoleums to serve as mausoleum guards." Cao Huachun raised his head, stared at Liu Heqing's eyes, and said slowly: "Are you going to take me to guard the spirits of the ancient sages too, Liu Yuanshi?" In order to avoid suspicion, he even handed over the silver he had received from Luo Sigong.

"That's not what I meant." Liu Heqing was obviously embarrassed. "I just..."

"If that's not your intention, then put it away." Cao Huachun raised his teacup. "You have diligently cared for the Emperor's health. That is the best reward we servants can offer you."

"This..." Liu Heqing still did not move.

"Put it away." Cao Huachun skimmed off the floating tea and took a sip. "If Envoy Liu has nothing else to do, please go back."

"Well!" Liu Heqing put away the banknote. This was the first time in his life that he had given money to a eunuch, but the eunuch refused to take it.

Liu Heqing turned around, walked to Liu Ying, and squatted down to hold her hand. "Ying'er, Grandfather won't say much to you. You are a good child every day, and you must be even better in the palace." Tears suddenly welled up in his eyes, and his voice choked.

"Grandfather. Are you going back?" Liu Ying was infected by Liu Heqing's emotions, and her eyes turned red.

"Grandfather is still at the yamen." Liu Heqing asked for half a day off for himself.

"When can I go back?" Liu Ying asked.

"When you can go back, you can go back." Liu Heqing's pupils shrank. He had not yet told Liu Ying the most basic rule in the palace: long-term or even lifelong service.

"Grandfather." Liu Ying was a little dazed, but not stupid. She immediately understood the hidden meaning behind her grandfather's words, and tears immediately fell like strings. "I also want to buy candied haws for my little brother."

"Grandfather will bring it to him for you." Liu Heqing patted Liu Ying's head and left without looking back.

Liu Ying jumped down from her chair, but after taking only two steps, she was stopped by the eunuchs in the courtyard. She didn't struggle or cry loudly, but just stood there sobbing silently.

Cao Huachun had seen this so often that he was practically desensitized. He approached Liu Yun and whispered, "Don't cry. Envoy Liu still has to go to the palace to check on the emperor's pulse. He'll be there. I entered the palace at twelve and haven't been back home in nearly twenty years. Even after my biological father died, I could only cry in the palace with my godfather. You're lucky." The consolation backfired, and Liu Yun cried even harder.

--------

After about a quarter of an hour, Hu Shangshi hurried to the reception room. She completely ignored Liu Ying, who was sitting in the guest seat with red eyes. Her eyes and mind were filled with Cao Huachun, who was sitting in the main seat.

She came to Cao Huachun, knelt down, kowtowed politely, and said in a breathy and trembling voice: "This servant pays homage to the young ancestor. I beg your forgiveness for keeping you waiting for so long."

Cao Huachun didn't let Hu Shang eat, but just said, "Look up."

"Yes." Hu Shangshi straightened up.

"Come here." Cao Huachun waved to Liu Yun.

Liu Ying walked to Cao Huachun's side and gave him a complaining look, as if it was he who had caused her to suffer this misfortune of not being able to return home.

"Let me introduce myself." Cao Huachun ignored her and looked down at the kneeling Hu Shangshi. "This is the head of the Shangshi Bureau, Hu Yizu, and your immediate superior."

Hu Shangshi was visibly stunned for a moment. She raised her head and glanced sideways at Liu Ying. But Cao Huachun didn't speak to her, so she didn't dare to ask any questions.

"Mr. Hu," Cao Huachun called out.

"I'm here." Hu Yizu turned his head immediately.

"This is Liu Yun, the granddaughter of Imperial Hospital Director Liu," Cao Huachun said. "Miss Liu is proficient in medicine and was specially summoned by the Emperor to serve as the Imperial Pharmacist."

"The quota for the chief pharmacist is full." said Hu Yizu.

Including the "female historian" who was in charge of the department's documents, the Ministry of Pharmacy had a total of ten official vacancies, but now, except for the female historian who had no rank, all of them were eunuchs. When Cui Wensheng was the director of the Imperial Pharmacy, he also held the title of Minister of Pharmacy.

"We will assign them other tasks later." Cao Huachun's words shocked Hu Yizu.

"Excuse me, Admiral, what mistakes did they make?" asked Hu Yizu.

"'The servants in charge of the palace medicine are all useless.'" Cao Huachun's tone was very calm and his tone was very gentle. "These are the emperor's exact words."

The emperor's evaluation of the imperial physicians was relayed to Wang An by Liu Ruoyu, who was present. If the palace staff responsible for medicine and food hadn't been replaced, and the emperor's comments included Cui Wensheng, the implication would have been directed at the previous team. Wang An would likely have dismissed all officials from the Pharmacy Department, from top to bottom.

"I was too talkative." Hu Yizu's scalp suddenly felt numb, and she quickly bent down and curled up on the ground.

Hu Yizu's humble demeanor startled Liu Heng. His fear and trembling completely reversed her impression of Cao Huachun. Before this, she had only considered him an honest, upright, handsome, and gentle middle-aged man who wasn't very good at comforting people. But now, it seemed, there was much more to him than that.

"Alright. The Emperor isn't talking about you." Cao Huachun said to Hu Yizu. "Get up."

"Thank you, Admiral." Hu Yizu stood up with his head lowered, not daring to look directly at Cao Huachun.

"Liu Siyao's first assignment is to serve Concubine Shao personally at Jingren Palace. This is an order from His Majesty. You'll be there later. As for where to stay, you..." Cao Huachun thought for a moment. "Forget it, I'll make the arrangements. I remember there are vacant side rooms in Jingren Palace. Pick one that's clean, spacious, and sunny for Liu Siyao to live in. She'll live alone. If you can't find one ready-made, find one that suits and have the people inside move in. If the Jingren Palace steward asks, just say it was my order."

"Yes." Hu Yizu replied.

The Imperial Household Department generally didn't directly interfere in the affairs of a single palace or hall, as they were too trivial. But whenever the Imperial Household Department wanted to intervene, it could take over. In palace affairs, the only person who could challenge the Imperial Household Department was the head eunuch of the Qianqing Palace. Even the head eunuch of the Ciqing Palace had to be subservient. Li Jian had suffered a lot from Zhang Cheng's bullying in the past.

Cao Huachun looked at Liu Yun again. "Your official uniform hasn't been arranged yet. Someone from the Needlework Bureau will come and take your measurements and tailor it for you later."

"Thank you, Admiral Cao."

"I have to go get some work." Cao Huachun stood up and patted Liu Ying's head again. He suddenly thought it would be a good idea to adopt a goddaughter who knew medicine. He could even have a son and a daughter. "The palace has a lot of rules. I'll let Hu Shangshi explain them to you slowly."

"Yeah." Liu Ying nodded obediently.

"Please teach through entertainment. Don't look so stern like an old woman. You are not old, are you?" Cao Huachun also gave Hu Shangshi a smile.

"Yes." Hu Shangshi blushed. Cao Huachun didn't see.

--------

In the main hall of the East Office, newly appointed Vice Admiral Liu Chengxi sat behind his desk, reviewing a case transferred from the Shuntian Prefecture Office. After only a few lines, he realized this might be a major case.

Just when Liu Chengxi was about to finish reading the files, Zheng Shiyi and his brothers returned to the Dongsifang Yamen.

"Admiral." Zheng Shiyi and others came to Liu Chengxi's desk and saluted.

"Why are you back?" Liu Chengxi closed the file. He looked up and immediately noticed Zheng Shiyi's dejection. "And you all look so dejected?"

"Our job was taken away by people from the Northern Pacification Office." Zheng Shiyi said.

"Ah?" Liu Chengxi's eyes widened. "How dare they?" Liu Chengxi stood up and shouted, "Prepare the car!"

"What are you doing?" Zheng Shiyi was shocked.

"Of course, we should go to the Northern Pacification Office to ask Tian Tongzhi for an explanation." Liu Chengxi said indignantly.

"Admiral, I haven't told you the reason yet." Zheng Shiyi was moved.

"Let's talk about it on the way." Liu Chengxi took action immediately.

"No, no, no!" Zheng Shiyi hurriedly stopped Liu Chengxi and said in a very fast speed: "Admiral! The captain in charge said that they received the task from Wei Dang of the Western Factory." Zheng Shiyi then remembered that he had not yet exchanged names with the other party.

The words "Western Factory Wei Gong" were more effective than ice water. As soon as Zheng Shiyi said them, Liu Chengxi calmed down. "Why? All the missions have been reported and prepared. The Western Factory can't break the basic rules."

Liu Chengxi gave up the idea of ​​confronting him in court. But at this point, he still planned to get to the bottom of the matter before reporting to the Commandery. Since Luo Sigong hadn't stepped down and Tian Ergeng hadn't been promoted, it meant that Wei Gong from the Western Depot didn't have enough influence with the emperor to sway the Imperial Guard's personnel. This lawsuit still had a way to go.

(End of this chapter)