freenovelworld Chapter 326 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 40
Chapter 326 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 40
The court was busy with its affairs, and the matter of the Empress raising Zhao Xu was left unresolved by the Emperor.
The Cao family and some people whose interests were connected with the Cao family dared not raise the issue at this time, lest they incur the wrath of the authorities.
Half a year after the relocation, an economic belt was gradually established with the Tatars. The emperor also put Di Qing in charge of this matter. In this year, the fourth year of Huangyou, Di Qing was promoted to deputy privy councilor for his meritorious service in leading the army south to conquer and quell the rebellion.
In an era that did not value military generals, Di Qing's ability to rise to the position of Deputy Privy Councilor is evident.
The fact that the Emperor entrusted the task of cracking down on smuggling to Di Qing shows that he trusted Di Qing a lot. He also transferred Han Qi back to Bianjing to take full charge of the matter, with Lin Jingya as his deputy.
Some ministers, seeing that they could not gain any benefit, began to sabotage Han Qi, Lin Jingya, and others. Fortunately, Han Qi was experienced and things proceeded steadily without chaos.
In mid-June of the fourth year of the Huangyou reign, Fan Zhongyan passed away on his way to take up his post. News of his death did not arrive in Bianjing until mid-July. Upon learning of this, the Emperor was deeply saddened and personally inscribed a stele for him, which was named "Stele Commemorating the Worthy" and given him the posthumous title "Wenzheng".
Many ministers acted according to the emperor's mood; when the emperor was in a bad mood, the Tatar economic zone progressed rapidly.
……
The Sheng family, far away in Yangzhou, were not so well informed. Two years ago, the Sheng family married their eldest daughter, Sheng Hualan, to Yuan Wenshao, the second son of the Marquis of Zhongqin. The Marquis of Zhongqin was in Bianjing, and Yuan Wenshao was a minor official of the seventh rank.
Three years have passed since the Bai family's empress gave birth to the prince. Next year will be the year of the officials' assessment. If Sheng Hong does not seize the opportunity, he will have to wait another three years.
Sheng Hong, leveraging all available resources, was transferred to Bianjing. He was skilled in management, and news from the court that a Tatar economic belt was to be established presented a good opportunity. If he seized the opportunity, he might be promoted.
At this crucial moment, if news of domestic discord or discord among his wives and concubines were to spread, the higher-ups would certainly report him.
Upon leaving the yamen, Sheng Hong went to Shou'an Hall to discuss with Old Madam Sheng before even changing his clothes. A year ago, Wei Xiaoniang died in childbirth, and Old Madam Sheng raised Sheng Minglan.
"May Mother be well!" Sheng Hong bowed.
Grandma Sheng gestured for Mama Fang to take Minglan away. After Minglan left, Grandma Sheng looked up and asked, "What is it?"
"What are you saying, Mother? Can't your son come to see you if there's nothing wrong?" Sheng Hong joked.
Changing the subject, Sheng Hong said to Old Madam Sheng, "But, I really have something to discuss with you today."
Then, Sheng Hong told Old Madam Sheng about the major events that had occurred in the court. The more Old Madam Sheng listened, the more she felt that there was a chance. Back then, in order to marry the third-ranked scholar of the Sheng family, she did not hesitate to become an enemy of the Marquis of Yongyi’s mansion, and finally got her wish.
Unfortunately, her life was not as she wished. Her father, Sheng Hong, favored his concubine over his wife, and even her only son was murdered. All these years, she raised Sheng Hong to prove that her initial choice was not wrong, and that she would return to Bianjing.
"The court must be short of people for this matter. You should perform well in the next six months. Disorder at home is a major taboo." Old Madam Sheng glanced at Sheng Hong.
Sheng Hong smiled awkwardly. He did feel sorry for Shuang'er and was a little biased towards her, but it hadn't caused any trouble at home!
"My son knows," Sheng Hong replied perfunctorily.
Old Madam Sheng was unaware that this son, like his father, favored his concubine over his wife and even caused the death of his own son. After Wei Xiaoniang died in childbirth, if it weren't for Wang Ruofu, the eldest daughter-in-law, giving Wei's younger sister an explanation, the matter might have been blown out of proportion.
"It's good that you know what's going on. This is your chance, this upheaval in the court. If you don't seize it, who knows how long it will take to plan the next time?" Old Madam Sheng glanced at him and said.
"Since you say that Marquis Jiayi will be the deputy in this matter, and Marquis Jiayi has a relationship with the Earl of Yuan'an, and we also have a friendship with the Earl of Yuan'an, we should make good contact with him." Old Madam Sheng understood the intricacies of those aristocratic families all too well.
"My son understands."