Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 63 Getting to Know Zhao Zongquan!
Xinzheng Gate.

Bianjing, the capital of the country and the administration of the people, had a rigorous city layout and an intricate structure.

To enter the palace for an audience, one must pass through three city gates.

That is, the outer city gate, the inner city gate, and the imperial city gate.

The outer city gates, including both water gates and city gates, totaled twenty-one. They were designed for military defense, material transportation, and trade, and were long-term garrisoned by a large number of imperial guards.

There were a total of ten gates in the inner city, two each in the east and west, and three each in the south and north. The residents of the city were often officials and dignitaries.

This place was also the most important and bustling area of ​​Bianjing.

There are six gates in total, heavily guarded, and inside them lies the palace.

The outer city, inner city, and imperial city walls were interconnected and symmetrical along the central axis, which formed the rigorous layout of Bianjing City.

Xinzheng Gate was one of the twenty-one outer city gates of Bianjing (Kaifeng).

This gate was also the designated city gate for the imperial family's entry into the capital.

These days, due to the arrival of members of the imperial family in the capital, officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs are often stationed here.

Jiang Zhao had to stay at all times.

The Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs are, after all, large departments, so they can be rotated appropriately.

He is different.

He was neither an official of the Ministry of Rites nor an official of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, yet the Emperor had specially appointed him, making it impossible for him to take turns working.

Because the members of the imperial clan traveled at different paces, sometimes it would take one or two days for any of them to arrive in the capital.

Ten steps away from Xinzheng Gate, two tea tables were set up, where Jiang Zhao and several officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, who were in charge of welcoming guests, were leisurely drinking tea.

"drive!"

A carriage bearing a half-zhang-long red flag came from afar, followed by several men on horseback.

"coming!"

Jiang Zhao and the two officials exchanged a glance and stood up together.

Since Zou Yan proposed the Five Elements theory during the Warring States period, successive dynasties have used the mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements to explain issues of power struggles and changes, and to demonstrate the legitimacy and orthodoxy of the regime.

The Great Zhou, on the other hand, identified itself with the element of fire.

The half-zhang-long red flag had faint dragon patterns on it, which was the symbol of the imperial family.

In less than ten breaths, the carriage bearing the Huode flag had already arrived at the city gates.

An elderly man in his forties stepped down from the carriage, and several men on horseback also dismounted, their eyes darting away as they gazed at the majestic city wall.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is a member of the royal family from a small place, someone who hasn't seen much of the world.

Jiang Zhao stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "I am Jiang Zhao, a Hanlin Academician. I have been waiting here for a long time on His Majesty's orders. May I ask if Your Excellency may inform me of your identity so that I may make arrangements for the next steps?"

Neither humble nor arrogant, but polite and courteous.

This is Jiang Zhao's way of greeting people; at least it leaves a good impression.

Jiang Zhao?

The carriage curtain was drawn back, and two people stepped out.

A middle-aged man with a calm expression and cautious demeanor, and a young man of eighteen or nineteen.

The middle-aged man glanced at the city with a hint of reminiscence, then looked at Jiang Zhao.

He knows this person!

The proposer of the secret succession law.

If it weren't for Jiang Zhao, he probably would never have had the chance to go to the capital again in his life.

But this opportunity leaves one unsure whether to be happy or worried.

"I am Zhao Zongquan from Yuzhou, and I have come to the capital by imperial decree."

These two men were Zhao Zongquan and Zhao Ceying, father and son from Yuzhou.

Zhao Zongquan smiled awkwardly, his demeanor revealing his cautiousness, as if he was afraid of making a mistake.

Decades of suppression have long since dulled his edge.

Furthermore, he recognized Jiang Zhao. This was the Grand Secretary's disciple, a figure renowned throughout the land.

In the future, he may well become a renowned figure who governs the country.

That is why he became even more cautious.

The situation of royal family members without power is truly complicated.

"Lord Jiang, these are the documents and seals." Even the usually sharp-tongued Zhao Ceying became obedient, presenting the documents proving his identity in a proper manner.

Documents and seals, which are proof of household registration and travel itinerary, require official approval and are difficult to forge.

Jiang Zhao remained expressionless, took the documents and seals, and without even turning the pages, said, "This place is less than two li away from the residence designated by the Emperor, and it takes less than two incense sticks' worth of travel by carriage. May I ask if you would like me to lead the way?"

After speaking, he politely returned the documents and seal.

Zhao Zongquan smiled kindly, but hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Could we walk there?"

On the one hand, it was his first time in Beijing, and given his special status, he really didn't dare to be too conspicuous.

He also stayed at the Guangqin residence for some time.

That's the heart of Bianjing City. Taking a carriage there would be inappropriate.

On the one hand, he also wanted to see the cultural charm of Bianjing.

He hadn't been to Beijing for decades, and couldn't help but feel nostalgic.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, sir," Zhao Zongquan added.

"I am but a fifth-rank official and am truly unworthy of the title 'Sir'. If you gentlemen do not mind, you may address me by my given name or my official title; it is all the same."

As Jiang Zhao spoke, he gestured to the side: "Please!"

Zhao Zongquan and Zhao Ceying both breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Zongquan was a cautious and meticulous person, while Zhao Ceying was visiting the capital for the first time and seeing such a large city wall.

Walking, with your feet firmly on the ground, undoubtedly gives you a sense of security.

The three walked into the city, while the other guards followed slowly, leading the horses and carriages.

Jiang Zhao pointed ahead and explained in detail: "Two hundred steps ahead is Shuntian Gate, with Jinming Pond and Qionglin Garden to the left and right respectively."

"This Jiang, I wonder why His Majesty has summoned us to the capital?"

Zhao Zongquan explained, "Jiang Shidu, you may not know this, but I, Zhao Zongquan, am merely a member of the imperial clan from a poor and remote place. I have neither reputation nor talent. What merit do I have to be ranked among the six imperial clan members?"

As Zhao Zongquan spoke, a look of worry appeared between his brows.

In order to live a better life, he stayed in Yuzhou for a long time to keep a low profile and avoid attracting the attention of the imperial court, so as not to suffer again.

Unexpectedly, Meng was ranked as one of the six royal family members, which made people feel inexplicably uneasy.

Originally, he shouldn't have asked such a profound question when he first met Jiang Zhao.

But he had no connections in Bianjing, so if he wanted to know something, he really had no choice but to ask him.

Jiang Zhao glanced around and said softly, "Since the death of the young prince nine years ago, many officials have advised the emperor to establish an heir. Until a year ago, a disobedient person submitted a memorial, which angered the emperor."

Zhao Zongquan nodded slightly. This matter had caused quite a stir and was the starting point of Jiang Zhao's rise to fame; it had already spread throughout the world.

"After that incident, the officials deliberately set aside some time for the Emperor to have children, but to their surprise, it was completely ineffective."

Thus, the officials, who had long been suppressing their anger, grew increasingly impatient, culminating in a recent joint remonstrance by all of them. The Emperor was furious and intended to adjourn the court, but unexpectedly, the leading official, Grand Chancellor Fu Bi, grabbed the Emperor's robe, preventing him from leaving.

Upon hearing this, both Zhao Zongquan and Zhao Ceying were taken aback.

I knew the calls for establishing an heir would be loud, but who knew they would reach this level?
"After this incident, the emperor and his ministers fell out, and the emperor skipped court several times." Jiang Zhao sighed, looking sorrowful and compassionate: "The emperor doesn't hold court, and the ministers don't govern. What can be done about the country and its people?"

"Jiang felt that the matter of establishing an heir could not be dragged on any longer, so he submitted a secret proposal on establishing an heir, which was intended to allow the emperor to establish an heir on his deathbed. Thus, the matter of summoning six members of the imperial clan to the capital came about."

"I see!" Zhao Zongquan sighed, and said nothing more.

The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong are very powerful, so if he keeps a low profile, theoretically there shouldn't be any major problems!

He was a descendant of the founding emperor and had always been cautious and timid, so he had virtually no presence.

The matter of the throne is none of his concern!

　Today's update is 12,000 words.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)