[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-207":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558373,2024,"Chapter 207: Seeking Counsel","shao-song-chapter-207",207,"\u003Cp>\"Was Feng Erguan involved in this matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the court and public requested the establishment of an empress, especially after generals at the level of Regional Commanders from outside the capital joined in through official memorials, His Majesty was naturally stunned for a moment. And after being stunned, his first reaction was naturally to ask Yang Yizhong, the know-it-all who had delivered the memorials before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Erguan naturally referred to Feng Yi... Actually, Feng Yi's nickname was originally Fifteen-Lang, but because His Majesty insisted on simplifying the Eunuch Bureau, many well-known eunuchs were thrown into Yangzhou. For a long time, the Eunuch Bureau had only one Chief Eunuch Lan Gui, in charge of confidential documents and liaison with the court, and one Deputy Eunuch Feng Yi, in charge of miscellaneous affairs in the rear palace. Because there were only these two, the Chief Eunuch was always called the Great Officer, and Feng Yi also earned the title of Second Officer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why he asked about Feng Yi first, it was naturally because this fellow had a prior record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, at least I am not aware of it...\" Yang Yizhong answered without hesitation, immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu slowly nodded but pressed further: \"So this matter has nothing to do with Yanfu Palace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Yang Yizhong show a slight hesitation and did not answer directly: \"Your Majesty, if I may speak bluntly, the palace has limited personnel and limited funds. Many places have lost internal and external income, and Feng Erguan has suffered a loss once, so he naturally appears clean. But Yanfu Palace is not just the eunuchs, and those with financial resources are not just Feng Erguan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu snorted a laugh and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Yang Yizhong's hint was already very clear. Yanfu Palace had only these few people, and those with power and money were not many. Besides His Majesty himself, there were only two consorts, two Imperial Guard Commanders, and two eunuchs who had any influence. And since it wasn't the eunuchs, and Yang Yizhong had directly mentioned the word 'financial resources,' it basically meant he was directly pointing at the two consorts who had their own family backing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lady Wu's family was famously wealthy, having once monopolized the pearl trade in the capital. And once a luxury like pearls achieved a monopoly in the then Eastern Capital, it basically meant monopolizing the entire Great Song's pearl trade, so they were called the Pearl Wu Clan. As for Pan Xianfei, her family was slightly inferior, but they couldn't help that this family had been close to the palace for generations, with several generations serving in the Hanlin Medical Institute (the later Imperial Hospital, under the Hanlin Academy). In an era of such peace and prosperity, even if they weren't wealthy at the start, after several generations they naturally became top-tier rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both families were now in the Eastern Capital. Lady Wu's father was often summoned, and Pan Xianfei's father, Pan Yongshou, after returning, directly became the Medical Director of the Hanlin Medical Institute. They both had easy access to the rear palace. Add to that the frugality of the palace... How could these two wealthy families possibly be unwilling to spend money for their own daughters to use?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did you really think His Majesty's self-mocking joke about being a kept man was groundless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if so, Zhao Jiu instead didn't want to pursue it further, because he simply didn't have that feudal imperial awareness of 'I won't give it to you, so you can't take it'... Especially for Pan Xianfei, wanting to be empress was almost human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, people aren't made of wood or stone; who can be heartless? According to His Majesty's simple, straightforward male thinking, if he had taken her body, why shouldn't he give her a marriage certificate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, he had also taken Lady Wu's body. If one had it and the other didn't, it would inevitably seem a bit scummy... But it seemed this situation wasn't his fault either; from the start, both of them had their official titles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhengfu, what do you think about this?\" After lowering his head and thinking for a long time, Zhao Jiu closed the memorial from Wang Yan's subordinate on his desk and asked Yang Yizhong helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong didn't react at first, still thinking His Majesty wanted to assign blame, so he answered cautiously: \"I think it's because Your Majesty only has Lady Wu accompanying you in and out, and the Wu family has ample financial resources, so Pan Xianfei is a bit uneasy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm asking you... what do you think should be done about establishing an empress? Should we establish one or not?\" Zhao Jiu said bluntly, helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong was stunned for a moment before replying: \"This is Your Majesty's private matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of damn private matter is this!\" Zhao Jiu pointed at the desk full of memorials and documents, utterly speechless. \"You, Yang Yizhong, are talking nonsense with me here face to face? Even if it is a private matter, it's a private matter that has to be discussed publicly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong also looked utterly helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, I'm not just asking you alone. I'm just starting with you.\" Zhao Jiu quickly reassured him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Yang Yizhong nod slightly, then said seriously: \"I believe such a stir is absolutely not something a few people could incite. It's because the Jin army has not yet been defeated, and people's hearts are unsettled. Therefore, seeking temporary stability is understandable... If establishing an empress can calm people's hearts, why not do it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's true, but isn't there that saying... 'Until the Xiongnu are destroyed, how can we have a home?'\" Zhao Jiu first nodded, then shook his head. \"Given the current situation, it's impossible to hold a grand ceremony, and I'm unwilling to waste manpower on such matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keeping it simple is also possible.\" Yang Yizhong said with a bitter smile. \"Even just a single edict would be fine... Even here in the Eastern Capital, I think if we release the frozen pork stored in the cellars, one piece per family, I doubt anyone in the capital would oppose it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu, refuted into silence, paused for a moment before finally telling the truth: \"I think these two, Pan and Wu, are enough for my lifetime. At the very least, before the Jin are destroyed, I don't plan to expand the rear palace... So, if Pan Xianfei is promoted to Empress, what about Lady Wu? Conversely, if Lady Wu is promoted to Empress, what about Pan Xianfei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong was slightly startled, then fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm asking you...\" Zhao Jiu urged. \"If I don't ask you about this, am I supposed to go ask the Chancellor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong still didn't speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu gritted his teeth: \"Yang Yizhong, just tell me if it's feasible... Can we establish two Noble Consorts at the same time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong, with no other choice, finally steeled himself and said: \"I think it's possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it's settled.\" Zhao Jiu was suddenly relieved. \"I'll follow your advice. I'll go to the Chongwen Institute right now to speak with the Councilors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, this His Majesty, ignoring everything else, simply stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Yang Yizhong was dumbfounded, completely panicked... He had only come to deliver a routine memorial from a Royal Army Regional Commander; how had it turned into 'I'll follow your advice'?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing His Majesty already walking out, this trusted imperial confidant, who had fought many battles and had subordinates who had become Commanders while he himself was still a Regional Commander, quickly caught up and spoke repeatedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty must explain to the court and public: first, that you deeply miss Empress Xing and do not wish to establish an empress; second, that until the Xiongnu are destroyed, you will not expand the rear palace...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally.\" Zhao Jiu didn't look back, directly stepping out of the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong, flustered, hurried to catch up, completely ignoring Lan Gui and the others who had stepped aside earlier, and earnestly added: \"Even if you only establish Noble Consorts, Your Majesty must still distribute the frozen pork...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Gui and the others came forward to greet him, and Yang Yizhong stamped his foot in frustration... but was momentarily powerless... How could he not know that His Majesty must have already had a plan in mind and had deliberately put on this act to make him, a man everyone could bully, take the blame?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, in broad daylight, everyone had seen him alone with His Majesty for a moment, and then His Majesty, who had been 'dazed' before, suddenly made a decision. Where could he even explain himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, in the past, before Pan Xianfei had arrived, the Wu family had come to the Eastern Capital first. At that time, he had had dealings with the Wu family for official business... This was impossible to wash clean; he had a motive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, would Pan Noble Consort ever give him a good look?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Lady Wu would be grateful? But what use was Lady Wu's gratitude to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, how would the outside officials see him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Yang Yizhong almost felt a bit of resentment... but could only be helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, how could he not know that having taken this position as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he was destined to be a solitary minister? Besides, he knew full well that over at the Chongwen Institute, there was also a Lord Lu Xiang who would inevitably have to 'follow his advice'... To share the blame with the nation's Prime Minister, others would be envious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, in late November of the third year of the Jianyan era, the Jin army had been inactive for a long time, and the Eastern Capital was idle and restless. Therefore, the court and public advised and urged the establishment of an empress to boost morale. However, His Majesty, citing his deep longing for Empress Xing and the fact that the Jin were not yet pacified, did not wish to start a family, only established Pan and Wu as Left and Right Noble Consorts. He also issued a clear edict, swearing not to expand the rear palace until the Jin were destroyed. Furthermore, because the war was not over, no grand ceremony was held; only sixty thousand catties of frozen pork were distributed as a reward to the entire city of the Eastern Capital, and three hundred thousand bolts of silk to the entire Royal Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the ceremony, public opinion calmed somewhat, and His Majesty left the Eastern Capital to inspect the Yellow River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, once His Majesty had left the city, rumors began to spread incessantly throughout the Eastern Capital court and public. It was said that His Majesty had originally intended to follow the public's wish and establish an empress. At that time, the hierarchy between Pan and Wu was clear; once an empress was established, only Pan would be supreme. But Chancellor Lu Haowen had a grudge against Pan Xianfei, and Yang Yizhong, the Imperial Guard Commander in charge of the Imperial City Bureau, was close to Lady Wu's family. Both were uneasy, so they advised from inside and outside to elevate both consorts equally. His Majesty, caught in a pincer movement, lost his balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the rumors spread, Supervising Secretary Li Jing submitted a memorial of impeachment, accusing Yang Yizhong of interfering in imperial family affairs and requesting his execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memorial arrived when His Majesty was already at the Yellow River. He ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>",1951,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","8926304ae063e017baba0858514af7a91bccb5b90e5c643d7769340930307d48","shao-song-chapter-208","shao-song-chapter-206",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]