Chapter 133

【Merit Two: Iron lock on the Cao gate.

Her brother Cao Yi was enfeoffed as a Duke, and she burned his private letter asking for a promotion in front of him, setting up the "Cao Family Instruction Monument" at the palace gate:

"Any member of my clan who dares to visit the Three Departments in the name of the Empress's family, the old supervisor guarding the monument may cane their knees."

Throughout the Northern Song Dynasty, no one from the Cao family entered the Two Prefectures.】

On the celestial screen, Empress Cao, in front of her brother Cao Yi, threw a private letter asking for an official position for a Cao family member into a fire basin; the flames swallowed the paper and also reflected her firm and solemn face.

Immediately after, a "Cao Family Instruction Monument" was set up in a prominent place at the palace gate, the inscription on the monument was resounding and carried unquestionable majesty.

The scene flowed, and throughout the Northern Song Dynasty, Cao family members were either local officials or held idle positions, with no one entering the power centers of the Secretariat or the Bureau of Military Affairs.

"Burned the letter and set up the monument... the old supervisor guarding the monument may cane their knees..."

Liu Che saw this and couldn't help but applaud:

"Good! What a great iron lock on the Cao gate, what a sensible empress who understands the great righteousness!"

"The disaster of the relatives of the empress lies in being arrogant because of favor and being insatiable. The empress being able to constrain her mother's family so strictly and prevent trouble before it happens is truly a great fortune for the country!"

His evaluation of Empress Cao in his heart reached a new height.

This was not just "sensible"; this was having a clear political mind and a strong sense of responsibility.

"Throughout the Northern Song Dynasty, no one from the Cao family entered the Two Prefectures..."

Ying Zheng's eyes revealed admiration, "Words and deeds are consistent, orders are followed and prohibitions are enforced. To be able to constrain the family to this extent, it is impossible without great wisdom, great perseverance, and great public spirit."

"This woman's virtue lies in being able to restrain herself, and even more in being able to restrain her relatives. Rare, truly rare!"

Li Shimin praised: "This is the true mother of the world! Not being selfish with her relatives, taking the country's affairs as the priority."

"Setting up a monument to make it clear and warn others shows her determination even more. With such an empress, it is difficult for the relatives of the empress to become a disaster, and how much mental effort can the monarch save? The Zhangsun family..."

He glanced at Empress Zhangsun, and Empress Zhangsun immediately understood and said warmly:

"Your Majesty, please rest assured; your servant and my brother will definitely abide by our duties and never dare to have any extravagant thoughts."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up excitedly,

"It seems our Zhu family also needs to set up such a monument! No, our rules must be even stricter than this!"

"In the future, whoever dares to rely on being a royal relative to bully the people or interfere in state affairs, I will kill one for every one!"

Empress Ma was also deeply impressed: "Being able to constrain her closest relatives to this extent requires great courage and determination."

"Empress Cao's move preserved the clean name of the Cao family and maintained the discipline of the imperial court; her merit is immeasurable."

Zhu Di also said: "Relatives of the empress abiding by their duties is a blessing for both the country and the family; Empress Cao is far-sighted."

【Merit Three: Reconciling three generations.

When Emperor Yingzong was ill and suspected that Shenzong was not his own son, she carried the late Emperor Renzong's imperial decree "Imperial Son Succession Decree" into the Funing Hall late at night, weeping and saying, "How can Your Majesty bear to let the late Emperor's intention of choosing a successor be eaten by rats and worms?"

When Shenzong wanted to use Wang Anshi's reform, she used the name of "Grandmother bestowing tea" to invite Sima Guang and Han Qi to sit behind the screen in the Chuigong Hall, allowing the monarch and ministers to hear the direct words of the old ministers.

Although it did not stop the reform, it planted the seeds of moderation for the 'Yuanyou Reform'.】

In the scene, Emperor Yingzong was seriously ill and suspicious, and Empress Cao (who was already the Empress Dowager at this time) carried the late Emperor's decree into the palace late at night, and with a combination of tears and reason, resolved a possible father-son suspicion and court turmoil.

In another scene, Emperor Shenzong was determined to reform, and Empress Dowager Cao used the name of "bestowing tea" to cleverly arrange for the old ministers to "accidentally meet" the new monarch.

This allowed Shenzong to hear different voices, and although it did not stop the reform, it left room for policy adjustments in the future.

"Reconciling the suspicion of imperial succession... as a grandmother, carrying out the strategy of stabilizing the country..."

Li Shimin watched with turbulent emotions.

This ability to stabilize the situation with family affection, ritual, and righteousness at a critical moment could not be done by anyone who was not highly respected and wise.

This had already exceeded the scope of an ordinary harem; she was a true pillar of the country.

"Carrying the decree late at night, weeping and telling the late Emperor... this scene is moving."

Liu Che was also moved, "To be able to stand up at a time when the monarch is suspicious and the country might be shaken, and resolve the crisis with the irrefutable decree of the late Emperor and sincere feelings—this Empress Cao is truly a meritorious minister of the country."

"Using the name of 'bestowing tea' to let the monarch and ministers hear direct words... brilliant!"

Ying Zheng's eyes flashed with approval, "Not remonstrating forcefully, not interfering in politics, but using such a clever way to let the emperor hear different opinions and urge him to think deeply."

"It both fulfilled the duty of remonstrance and preserved the dignity of the monarch and ministers, and avoided fierce confrontation. This political wisdom and handling method can be called perfect."

"Although it did not stop the reform, it planted the seeds of moderation..." Zhu Yuanzhang pondered.

"Not hitting hard, leaving room; this Lady Cao knows how to use softness to overcome hardness and look at the long term. Major state affairs sometimes cannot be rushed; they need time to grind and fit. Her cup of 'tea' was brewed at the right time!"

Cao Cao clapped his hands: "Brilliant plan! Truly a brilliant plan! Using the name of a family banquet to carry out the reality of remonstrance. It both fulfilled the affection between grandmother and grandson and fulfilled the duty of assisting in governance."

"What is even more rare is that she was not stubborn and did not forcefully reverse the emperor's will; she just provided another perspective and planted the trigger for change."

"This thorough grasp of power and the situation is something Cao also deeply admires."

Liu Bei sighed: "Reconciling father and son, bridging monarch and ministers—this cannot be done by anyone who is not great in benevolence, wisdom, and courage."

"Empress Cao experienced three dynasties and always acted from the perspective of the country's stability, not obsessed with power, not selfish, only thinking of the common people of the world; she is truly a model of a virtuous empress through the ages."

【Summary: She is like a mulberry tree growing in the cracks of the palace wall; when the gale of court factional strife blows, there is always someone who regains their reason because of the cool shade under the tree.】

【When a palace maid wondered why she always planted cheap ramie, she stroked the hemp stem and said: "Silk warms the noble, this thing can wrap the frostbite of soldiers."】

The final summary and scene were full of lingering meaning.

That mulberry tree in the cracks of the palace wall symbolized Empress Cao's transcendence, resilience, and protective role in intense political struggles.

And that sentence about ramie and soldiers' frostbite showed her benevolent heart of caring for soldiers and the people to the fullest.

"Mulberry tree in the cracks of the palace wall... cool shade under the tree..."

Li Shimin muttered repeatedly, his eyes full of appreciation and emotion.

"What a great metaphor! Providing a piece of peace in the storm, and retaining a piece of clarity in the noise of strife."

"This Empress Cao is the 'wind-calming pill' of the Great Song court and the 'ballast stone' of the imperial family."

"Silk warms the noble, ramie wraps the soldiers..."

Liu Che took a deep breath, "These words are simple, but they say everything a monarch or empress should have in their heart."

"Why would the noble lack silk? But soldiers need ramie to resist the cold. To always think of the suffering of the most grassroots soldiers—this heart can shine with the sun and moon."

"Well said!"

Zhu Yuanzhang praised loudly, "These words hit the mark!"

"Those who are officials and emperors should think about the people who are suffering below; this Empress Cao is my soulmate!"

"Sister, you should remind me more in the future; don't just look at these ministers in front of you, think more about the soldiers on the frontier and the farmers in the fields!"

Empress Ma smiled and nodded.

【The celestial screen specially bestows the following rewards:

Ten years of added lifespan;

Eight years of favorable weather in the reign of Song Renzong;

The physical fitness of all soldiers in the Song Dynasty is doubled.】

The rewards were announced, causing another shock.

Ten years of added lifespan! This was much more generous than the three-year rewards of the previous two!

Eight years of favorable weather—what it means to an agricultural country goes without saying.

And "doubling the physical fitness of all soldiers" was simply a godsend.

For the Northern Song, which had huge border defense pressure, this reward was like charcoal in the snow, making the defense as solid as a rock.

"Ten years of added lifespan... good, well-deserved!" Liu Bang was so envious his eyes went straight.

"Doubling the physical fitness of soldiers..."

Liu Che, as the Martial Emperor, knew exactly what this meant.

This meant that for the same army, the combat effectiveness could double several times.

Border defense would be more solid, and there would be more confidence in expanding territory; this reward was too practical!

"Eight years of favorable weather, doubling the soldiers' physique..."

Li Shimin sighed, "This is a reward for consolidating the foundation and strengthening the military, which perfectly matches Empress Cao's virtue of valuing agriculture and caring for the military throughout her life. The celestial screen's bestowal is just right."

"Doubling the soldiers' physique? Wonderful!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was amused, "Now those soft-legged soldiers of the Song Dynasty can be a bit tougher?"