The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 300 The Retired Emperor Doesn't Care

Chapter 300 The Retired Emperor Doesn't Care
Phoenix Palace.

A palace maid glared indignantly at the eunuch before her.

The eunuch didn't care at all and said with a smile, "It's not that we don't listen to Aunt Baoqin, it's just that the palace's expenses are fixed. A penny more or a penny less is not allowed. It must be exactly how much is allowed."

Baoqin was a first-class maid in the Jia family. Although the eunuch's words seemed reasonable, Baoqin was used to such things and would not be fooled by the eunuch.

Just as he was about to retort, a voice came from behind him.

Baoqin, don't argue with your father-in-law. He has his reasons.

Baoqin turned around and saw Yuanchun at the palace gate, feeling extremely wronged.

The young lady was promoted to the position of Minister of the Phoenix Palace and given the title of Virtuous Consort.

Because of the retired emperor, there was no empress in the palace.

My daughter is a Noble Consort, the highest-ranking concubine below the Empress, and holds the power of the Palace Attendant. She should be in charge of the affairs of the six palaces, but in reality, she has no right to manage even her own palace, let alone other palaces.

I thought the servants in the Jia family were the best at judging people, but after entering the palace, I realized there were people more capable than me.

The people in the palace are the most opportunistic.

The young lady wasn't always like this back in the manor. She didn't care about this or that, and she always gave in. She was quite like the dull and taciturn second young lady that the sisters in the manor used to describe.

"You're not even listening to me anymore?"

Yuan Chun's expression remained calm.

"Yes!"

Baoqin quickly curtsied and obediently went back.

The eunuch didn't care at all and still smiled, "The Imperial Concubine is reasonable and doesn't make things difficult for us servants. No wonder everyone says the Imperial Concubine is good."

Yuan Chun ignored the eunuch.

He took Baoqin back to his palace.

The eunuch, feeling embarrassed, left dejectedly, muttering, "What imperial concubine? Consort Wu is the real imperial concubine."

Both are visits to relatives.

Consort Wu returned home early in the morning, while Consort Jia stayed until evening, neither of them staying for very long.

Besides, what imperial concubine would be completely indifferent to the emperor's inquiries?

To this day, the emperor has never visited.

As the adopted son of Eunuch Xia, who guarded the six palaces, he naturally had to fulfill his filial duties to his godfather. The things that his godfather had to do but couldn't do were naturally done by his sons.

However, the masters of the Jia family were truly able to endure it.

That's a bit tricky.

The old man left that place and waited until he reached a spot. When he saw the person at the door, he smiled and asked, "Is Godfather here?"

"Shhh."

The people at the door, feigning mystery and nervousness, said, "The ancestor has arrived."

"what!"

Although he knew they couldn't hear him inside, the old man still subconsciously lowered his voice and even bent over, "Why has the old ancestor come to see the godfather?"

"who knows."

There are several ancestors in the palace.

The ancestor was Dai Quan, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and an old man who served the retired emperor.

The second ancestor was Qiu Shi'an, the chief eunuch of the inner court.

Then there was Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch in charge of the three emperors and six palaces.

The eunuch began to murmur, wondering what was going on today. His godfather was someone close to the emperor, and the old ancestor never came to visit.

Waited for a while.

Several figures appeared at the doorway.

Everyone in the courtyard bowed their heads and kept their hands down, not making a sound.

Xia Shouzhong personally escorted Dai Quan.

Accompanying Dai Quan was a eunuch in his thirties or forties, Mingli, the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and Dai Quan's godson.

They are both godsons.

The eunuch lowered his head and stole glances at Mingli, feeling envious.

Rumors are circulating in the palace that this person is likely to become the fourth ancestor. I'd be satisfied if I could become the sixth, seventh, or eighth ancestor someday. It's just a pity that although the difference in status seems small, they are actually worlds apart.

The eunuch dared not look any longer and quickly lowered his head.

"Eunuch Xia, please wait!"

Mingli bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, while Dai Quan wore a broad smile.

Xia Shouzhong said respectfully, "Please take care, Ancestor."

Dai Quan reached out and patted Xia Shouzhong on the shoulder. Xia Shouzhong bent over even more. He only came to his senses after Dai Quan and his group left the courtyard, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Godfather."

The eunuch approached and called out, "Why are the ancestors here?"

Xia Shouzhong glanced at the eunuch and couldn't help but laugh.

The eunuch was puzzled.

"It's quite a coincidence, it's also related to your Fengzao Palace."

Each palace had a chief eunuch, who was in charge of the affairs.

The highest-ranking eunuch was the eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, followed by the eunuch of the Kunning Palace. Xia Shouzhong was the Grand Eunuch of the Six Palaces, in charge of the entire Six Palaces, so he was naturally the highest-ranking. However, the eunuchs of the Qianqing Palace served the emperor and were not afraid of the Grand Eunuch of the Six Palaces.

Ultimately, it depends on the actual situation.

Xia Shouzhong was not only the chief eunuch of the six palaces, but also the emperor's most trusted eunuch. Therefore, neither the eunuchs of the Qianqing Palace nor the Kunning Palace could threaten Xia Shouzhong.

This is also why Xia Shouzhong was able to become one of the three patriarchs.

The head eunuch of Fengzao Palace was of high status, and he was also Xia Shouzhong's adopted son. In fact, the eunuchs in the entire palace had a very high status.

However, no one would complain about their low position.

The palace had a strict hierarchy, unlike the officialdom outside. In many cases, official rank and grade were not the most important things. Many officials would even give up their official positions to pursue a good reputation. But for eunuchs, everyone wanted to climb the ranks.

That eunuch also belonged to the "Ming" generation, and his name was Mingde.

Mingde asked curiously, "Everything is fine in Fengzao Palace. My son is keeping a close watch on things. What could possibly happen?"

After he finished speaking, he looked very uneasy.

Xia Shouzhong smiled and said dismissively, "Be nicer to that master."

Mingde breathed a sigh of relief. It was alright that he wasn't blamed. However, he became even more curious and dared not make a mistake. He asked carefully, "Is it because of this?"

"Yes and no."

Xia Shouzhong did not continue to explain, but said something vague and ambiguous.

Mingde knew his godfather couldn't say anything.

It seems something has happened that I'm unaware of.

What could possibly be about that Lord?

Her father was a pedant. Although the relationships were complicated, he could talk to anyone, yet he couldn't say much to anyone. He seemed very capable, but in reality, he had nothing to show for himself.

Just as my godfather said, the foundation is too weak.

The reputation at the top is good enough, but there is little support at the bottom. The larger the size, the more easily it collapses.

Only those unaware of the details would be intimidated by the immense reputation of the Jia family.

It wouldn't be fair to say that this title is useless, otherwise the emperor wouldn't have placed his bets here. The emperor didn't have many bets to begin with, but it was truly unexpected that the Jia family would be so empty-handed.

There used to be a guy named Wang Ziteng who caused quite a stir, but he's quieted down in the last two years.

Has another notable figure emerged?
Mingde had a vague idea of what was going on.

And they are confident.

Having climbed up the ranks all by himself with no one to rely on, he is not only adept at understanding people's hearts, but also at analyzing situations.

The retired emperor was indeed the emperor of the palace.

If everyone already knows something, then it's not his turn. Even if he broke his head, he couldn't get in. So he sought opportunities to curry favor with the emperor. There were plenty of people who were eager to curry favor with the emperor, and eventually, he climbed up the ranks.

That person was most likely won over by the Emperor Emeritus.

Mingde shook his head.

If you don't advance, you will retreat.

In recent years, the emperor had won over some new talents, and his momentum was becoming more and more stable. Who knew that the retired emperor would take action and successfully cut off the talent channel? Both the old and the new were on the retired emperor's side. What would the emperor do in the future?
The saying "a new emperor, a new court" remains true.

The emperor uses veteran officials, while the crown prince is surrounded by newcomers, ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next.

It stands to reason.

The retired emperor already has enough people around him.

The emperor only had a few capable people around him.

Does the retired emperor really not consider the consequences?

With both the old and the new officials in the hands of the retired emperor, wouldn't they worry about a new emperor bringing a new court?

Even he himself understood this principle, so how could the Emperor Emeritus not know it? Mingde hesitated. "No."

Mingde lightly slapped himself, thinking that he had to go back and curry favor with the authorities. He couldn't push things too far, because who knew what the future held? It was best to leave himself a way out.

A family of Jia's standing, no matter how the court changes, will not easily fall.

The more Mingde thought about it, the more he realized it, and the more he regretted it.

Mingli regretted it more and more.

"If I had known that Wang Xin was so promising, my son should have spent more time with him."

Following behind Dai Quan, after listening to his godfather's words, Mingli said regretfully, "Speaking of this matter, I have met this person before."

Mingli recounted the old story of Wang Xin training new troops and testing firearms in the Beijing garrison.

"Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. My son thought this person was good and had some ability, and he supported him at the time. I just never expected him to be so successful. I really regret it."

Mingli looked annoyed.

Dai Quan laughed and said, "Even the Emperor Emeritus didn't foresee this, so how could you have?"

Dai Quan always believed that the smartest person in the world was none other than the retired emperor.

The retired emperor also thought Wang Xin was capable, and isn't he just like Mingli now?

Wang Xin was indeed very capable.

I have no idea how this person trained.

He was very skilled at fighting Japanese pirates.

They also had a knack for dealing with the Hu people.

The Japanese pirates were in the south, and the nomadic tribes were in the north. Wang Xin seemed to know their weaknesses perfectly well.

While others were still analyzing and debating, like blind men touching an elephant, he had already seen through everything and crushed the Japanese pirates and the Hu people with every step.

That mandarin duck formation.

It may seem unassuming, but it is actually a deadly weapon specifically designed to defeat Japanese pirates.

He came up with the idea that others couldn't, and that's a real skill.

The same applies to dealing with the Hu people.

Using commerce to subdue the barbarians—how could he even come up with such a thing?

You only realize how powerful these things are once you've done them; who could know beforehand? It was as if he had witnessed it all firsthand, taking each step without hesitation—even the retired emperor would be ashamed of his own lack of skill in this regard.

"This man is indeed skilled in leading troops; he is like a military genius."

"If you ask my son, he's more like a military strategist."

Mingli recalled this person's behavior and reputation, and couldn't help but laugh.

Dai Quan hesitated.

"Being a military strategist is no easy task."

"It's hard to say about others, but this person has the support of Grand Secretary Zhang. Now even his godfather has been persuaded by Grand Secretary Zhang. With the support of his godfather and Grand Secretary Zhang, even a dog could be helped up."

Mingli said arrogantly.

Dai Quan, however, lacked his godson's optimism.

The godson's only focus is on the capital.

Dai Quan, however, knew that the Great Zhou was facing a significant crisis, such as the threat from the barbarians.

The threat posed by the barbarians was not unseen; on the contrary, many people submitted memorials, including young scholars from the Hanlin Academy, local censors and prefects, and so on. Everyone told the court how great the threat of the barbarians was.

However, a threat is still a threat, and the court is simply powerless to address many issues unless they are urgent.

Ultimately, there were just too many messes to clean up.

It's just a competition of who's worse.

“They beat up the Prince of Nan’an’s men. What if it was someone else? Now that their men have been beaten, they have to come and apologize. Even the princes can see the weight of this person. You should have a broader perspective.”

Dai Quan offered a subtle warning.

Zhou Daofeng had a son named Zhang Jifu. The retired emperor said that Zhang Jifu was a bit slow-witted and had some shortcomings.

You can't tell it yourself.

Zhang Jifu was extremely capable.

He dared not compare himself to Zhou Daofeng. Among his godson, Mingli was the most outstanding, but he still had too many shortcomings and had a rather arrogant attitude towards the world.

Do they really think they can have the final say just because they live in the palace?

"That's what Godfather said."

Mingli dared not refute and obediently replied.

What he was thinking was, without the support of Zhang Jifu and his godfather, and even the indulgence of the retired emperor, who was Wang Xin?

What good is it if you're so capable?

However, there was no need for him to be stubborn. Wang Xin was, after all, a talented person, and he was worth winning over.

The colorful sedan chair was carried by everyone.

Just consider it as saying nice things.

Dai Quan knew his godson's personality; the more easily he changed his mind, the less he really cared. He sighed helplessly.

Seeing her godson makes her feel annoyed.

Dai Quan returned to the palace alone and approached the retired emperor cautiously.

The retired emperor was basking in the sun.

Except for the most important matters, the retired emperor did not concern himself with any affairs of the court, leaving everything to the cabinet and the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Zhou Daofeng also did not concern himself with worldly affairs.

Zhang Jifu is in the cabinet, which means that most of the affairs of the court are now handled by Zhang Jifu in consultation with me.

Dai Quan knew very well what the Emperor Emeritus needed him to do.

He stared at Zhang Jifu.

Zhang Jifu was also very sensible and obedient to the Directorate of Ceremonial, seemingly unconcerned about the criticisms from the Qingliu faction.

Since Dai Quan had shown such courtesy, he naturally reciprocated.

unconsciously.

After Zhang Jifu joined the cabinet, the power of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Grand Secretariat not only increased significantly, but their relationship also entered the most harmonious period in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and their power reached its peak.

"Ah."

The retired emperor groaned.

He was too lazy to bother with it, but his unease prevented him from letting go, and he showed a frustrated expression.

Dai Quan casually rolled up his sleeve and gently stroked the Emperor Emeritus's forehead.

"Ah."

After a while, the retired emperor regained his spirits and said sullenly, "Zhang Jifu came looking for you?"

"Yes, they asked a servant."

Dai Quan took the initiative to say, "Grand Secretary Zhang is very concerned about matters in the palace."

Nothing is kept from the retired emperor.

As for whether Grand Secretary Zhang's intentions were taboo, whether they involved him, or whether they would arouse the suspicion of the Emperor Emeritus, Dai Quan didn't care. Not hiding things from the Emperor Emeritus was the only thing he cared about in his life.

The retired emperor didn't care.

He had long seen through Zhang Jifu's intentions.

Including Wang Xin.

The so-called "using merchants to control the barbarians" is nothing more than allowing powerful merchants to grow in order to gain their support.

None of them were loyal ministers.

However, there are hardly any loyal ministers in the world.

How could these rising stars possibly have loyal subjects to an old man like him?

The smarter a person is, the less they believe in this kind of thing.

But smart people have an advantage: they know what they can and cannot do, and they won't make stupid mistakes like fools.

It's better than someone who can't wait to die, isn't it?

Seeing that the Emperor Emeritus did not speak, Dai Quan breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

Zhang Jifu's thoughts.