The prince is more stable

Chapter 982 Birthday Family Banquet
Zhao Xiaoqian is twenty-three years old this year, which can be described as the prime of his life.

However, because he was the emperor, his birthday would be remembered by countless people no matter how young he was.

This was a perfect opportunity to flatter the emperor. Whether in the inner palace or the imperial court, everyone hoped that the emperor would hold a birthday banquet so that they could present something or do something at the banquet to gain the emperor's attention.

Of course, there were also some upright officials who did not want the emperor to hold a birthday banquet.

According to custom, an official's birthday banquet is not simply a matter of holding a feast; preparations must begin well in advance.

Many precious ingredients had to be transported from all over the country six months in advance. Not only that, but it also required a lot of manpower and resources to carry out a large-scale project or to find some auspicious omen as a birthday gift.

The emperor's birthday celebration was a major event for the entire nation. If the emperor was particularly vain, he might even undermine the foundation of the country in order to celebrate his birthday.

This is not an exaggeration. Look at that old witch Cixi in later generations. She diverted the military funds of the Beiyang Fleet to celebrate her birthday. This is a true story.

Zhao Xiaoqian is a pragmatic person; apart from fishing, he has little vanity.

At his level of status, he wouldn't compete with others in wealth or pride. He wouldn't care how many people flattered him or how grand the celebration was for his birthday.

The whole world belongs to me. If I want it, it's just a matter of saying a word. Is it necessary to go through all this empty formalities?

Therefore, in order to stop it in advance, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately issued an edict to all officials in the country, informing them that the emperor should not celebrate his birthday and that all officials should perform their duties.

Local governments must report and obtain approval according to normal procedures whenever they use corvée labor for construction projects. If any government uses the pretext of celebrating the emperor's birthday to carry out any wasteful or extravagant activities, the Inspectorate will investigate and prosecute them.

To Zhao Xiaoqian's surprise, the imperial decree actually drew praise from all the civil and military officials.

Originally, he really didn't want to celebrate his birthday, and he didn't want to waste money and resources on this little bit of vanity. The imperial treasury was waiting for money and supplies for the Northern Expedition, which was Zhao Xiaoqian's lifelong ideal. How could he waste money and supplies on this trivial matter and delay his great cause?

But in the eyes of the court officials, this young emperor, who was at an age when he was vain, actually had such a temperament, refraining from celebrating his birthday and not putting on a show, and even strictly restraining local officials from wasting money and resources on birthday celebrations. He was simply a wise ruler for all time!
For a time, civil and military officials submitted memorials praising the emperor's wisdom, frugality, and self-discipline, calling them virtues that should be recorded in history to be remembered for eternity.

Over the past six months, due to the new policies and various conflicts involving the Censorate, the relationship between the emperor and his ministers had become quite tense and adversarial. However, Zhao Xiaoqian did not expect that this decree would actually ease the tense relationship between the emperor and his ministers to a great extent.

Okay, just be happy.

Over the past six months, Zhao Xiaoqian has received a lot of criticism and rarely hears unanimous praise, but he has not become arrogant.

He has now seen through the true colors of his ministers. They praise you today, but only for today. Who knows what might happen tomorrow, and they'll immediately turn on you and curse you again.

It's unclear when this bad habit started, but it seems that only by vehemently criticizing the emperor can a subject be considered a qualified minister and earn a reputation for integrity and loyalty.

The so-called "pure stream" was not unique to the Ming Dynasty; in fact, it existed as early as the Tang and Song Dynasties. It's just that some emperors had rather volatile tempers, and under such emperors, officials dared not speak out for fear of losing their lives.

However, there were also some stubborn and unscrupulous officials. They secretly submitted a memorial, strongly suggesting that the Emperor should hold a birthday banquet to give his officials a chance to prove themselves.

The most outstanding among them was Cai Jing.

Cai Jing's competence is actually not bad, but his scheming... well, he's just a bit eccentric at the moment, not evil.

Having served in the court for many years, he only realized one thing: no matter what, he had to cling to the emperor's coattails. That way, no matter how the political landscape changed or how the factions clashed, he could ensure his own safety.

The Emperor's birthday was such an important event that it was an excellent opportunity for him to make a good impression. How could Cai Jing let the Emperor have a low-key birthday celebration? If the Emperor did, how could he make a good impression?

Among the memorials suggesting that the Emperor hold a birthday celebration, Cai Jing's words were the most vehement and earnest, almost pleading with the Emperor to hold a birthday banquet, even if it was just a boxed lunch.

Your Majesty is so young, and this is your first birthday since ascending the throne. If you are unwilling to burden the people and waste resources, I can bring my own ingredients…

In short, on Your Majesty's birthday, I wish Your Majesty happiness and joy, okay? Your Majesty does not wish to celebrate your birthday, for then I will be gone on that day. Promise me you will be happy and joyful. How can I live without Your Majesty? Your Majesty, please take me with you...

Zhao Xiaoqian read Cai Jing's memorial expressionlessly, then threw it on the table, gritting his teeth and cursing, "What a treacherous face!"

But... why do I feel inexplicably warm inside?

No wonder so many emperors throughout history, knowing full well that this man was a treacherous minister, still chose to heavily rely on him, trust him, and turn a blind eye to his various perverse actions, corruption, and illegal acts.

A treacherous official can become a treacherous official if he has the power to do so.

In terms of personal ability, they were certainly no less capable than loyal ministers. In terms of emotional value to the emperor and flattery, they were far superior to even the most sycophantic loyal ministers.

Even an emperor is a baby who is several hundred months old and needs care and affection. The treacherous minister treated the emperor like a baby, always holding him in his hands, coaxing and spoiling him, and racking his brains day and night to find ways to make the emperor happy.

And what about the loyal ministers? Loyal ministers treat the emperor like their father. You old geezer, stop talking nonsense, you've lived in vain, why don't you just die... send me money!
The third day was Zhao Xiaoqian's birthday.

Because of the imperial decree, the Imperial Palace was quiet on the birthday, just like any other day.

Early in the morning, the palace servants brought Zhao Xiaoqian's mother, Lady Feng, into the palace. Then they sent someone to the Chu Prince's residence to ask if his father was coming.

To be honest, this divorced couple is almost enemies. Unless it's something important, Zhao Xiaoqian usually doesn't want the two of them to be in the same frame. However, today is their birthday, so it would be inappropriate for either of them to be absent from a simple family dinner.

Not long after, Lady Feng entered the palace and met Zhao Xiaoqian. After chatting for a while, Lady Feng took Di Ying's hand, stroked her pregnant belly, and looked at her with a look of relief and happiness. The two women then went to the side to whisper to each other.

At this moment, Zhao Hao also scurried into the Funing Palace and sat down in a chair. He and Madam Feng were originally smiling, but when the couple saw each other, their faces immediately turned cold, they let out an angry snort, and then turned their heads away, pretending not to see each other.

The two weren't a pair of bickering lovers; they genuinely disliked each other.

Zhao Xiaoqian watched this scene quietly and sighed deeply.

Who will feel sorry for me, this child who grew up in a single-parent family and has a psychologically unstable personality...?

They said they didn't want to have a big celebration, and their birthday was indeed very low-key.

At noon, Zheng Chunhe and the palace maids brought out dishes, all simple home-style dishes. Zhao Xiaoqian's parents and concubines sat around the large table. He invited his parents to sit in the head seat, then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Today is the seventh day of the first lunar month. The court is still on holiday for the New Year, and the affairs of state are not too complicated. Zhao Xiaoqian made an exception and asked Zheng Chunhe to serve wine. He first thanked his mother for her hardship and suffering many years ago for giving birth to him.

He raised his glass again to thank his adoptive father, Zhao Hao, for raising him over the years. Although Zhao Hao was somewhat careless and unreliable in taking care of him, he still managed to grow up, albeit stumbling along the way.

Zhao Hao's eyes reddened with emotion, while Madam Feng lowered her head and quietly wiped away her tears, revealing a bright and loving smile.

"It's so nice to have the whole family together..." Zhao Xiaoqian said contentedly, "If someone were to fire a red cannon at us right now, wow! We'd be wiped out, and become the MVP!"

"Pfft—!" Zhao Hao immediately spat out the wine, then glared at him angrily.

Feng was furious, and regardless of whether he was the emperor or not, she raised her hand and slapped him hard.

Di Ying and the other wives and concubines covered their mouths and lowered their heads to laugh. They were probably already used to Zhao Xiaoqian's unreliable remarks.

"On such an auspicious day, what nonsense are you spouting!" Madam Feng retorted angrily.

"I just had a sudden realization and a sudden feeling... Alright, I was wrong, forget I said anything." Zhao Xiaoqian shrugged nonchalantly.

Madam Feng glared at him resentfully, then hugged her grandson Zhao Hao tightly as he sat in her lap, and whispered earnestly, "Hao'er, when you grow up, you mustn't learn from your outspoken father, do you hear me?"

Zhao Hao nodded blankly and perfunctorily, pointing to a bowl of pork bones on the table: "Eat, eat! The bones are great, eat!"

Feng carefully brought him a bone stick and inserted a bamboo straw into it. Zhao Hao sucked the marrow from the bone stick with a satisfied expression.

"This child has shown remarkable intelligence since he was little. He will definitely be better than Qian'er when he grows up," Madam Feng said with a loving smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian was displeased: "Mother, it's acceptable to elevate your grandson, but don't use me as a stepping stone. Where do you see that he's better than me?"

Madam Feng glared at him and said, "Anyway, I'm better than you. I'm pleasing to the eye in every way. Unlike you, who's been like a silent gourd since childhood. You're not even willing to talk to strangers. It wasn't until a few years ago that you suddenly became clever. I don't know how, but you suddenly developed a lot of skills. It's very strange."

“My son is trying to calm himself down…” Zhao Xiaoqian pointed at Zhao Hao and said, “This guy can’t even control his bladder now. I really can’t see what’s so great about him.”

Mrs. Feng was too lazy to pay attention to him, probably because she couldn't see her grandson's current merits and was at a loss for words to refute him.

Turning her head to look at Di Ying and Niaoniao, and then looking around at the concubines, Madam Feng slowly said, "You will all bear children for Qian'er in the future. The imperial family is different from ordinary people. There are many conspiracies and schemes and evil people trying to seduce you. You must keep your minds upright and not easily believe the instigation of others."

"You have both been with Qian'er since the beginning, and you have been through thick and thin together. As your mother, I hope that you will continue to respect and love each other in the palace, especially after you have children. Whether it is favor or the throne, do it according to Qian'er's wishes. Do not scheme against each other in private, and speak openly about everything."

The concubines all rose and bowed, respectfully expressing their gratitude for the instruction.

Then Madam Feng looked at Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "You should treat your wives and concubines, as well as your children, equally. You must be impartial and fair so that the country and the family can be at peace."

(End of this chapter)