Dugong

Chapter 79 Recalling Bitterness and Feelings
"I examine myself three times a day..."

Li Ping'an sat alone in the duty room, carefully reflecting on his actions that day in accordance with the teachings of the sages, making up for any oversights as soon as possible, and dealing with any dangers in advance.

"By making an example of someone, we have initially gained control of the Imperial Horse Administration!"

The fact that one of the three chickens was deliberately left alive was not because Eunuch Gao was sensible or willing to offer up the silver, but because it was destined from the beginning that Eunuch Gao would survive.

Firstly, as the art of war says, "Surround three sides and leave one open." Leaving one alive is to give the eunuchs under your command a way out. Pressuring them too hard will push them to the enemy.

Secondly, the saddlery and horse training grounds must be firmly under control, while the outer stables are far from the imperial city and are not key official positions.

Li Ping'an was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, and under the guidance of his godfather, he had already grasped the principle that "human affairs are the foundation of governance."

Murder is merely a means to achieve control over personnel.

"Seizing the Qing Si Trading Company will yield at least two or three hundred thousand taels of silver, enough to replenish the imperial treasury and demonstrate our loyalty and capabilities to His Majesty!"

Li Ping'an was appointed Admiral by His Majesty, not to show off his power.

Once you become an official, you have to get things done.

If he's afraid of this and that and dares not do anything, it won't be long before Li Ping'an has to go back to Cining Palace, and he might not even be able to continue as the chief eunuch.

There are plenty of eunuchs in the palace who are willing to do their jobs, not afraid of being tired or dying, only hoping to gain the emperor's favor.

Therefore, on the day Li Ping'an took office, he killed Leng Gonggong's adopted son and seized Leng Gonggong's share of the profits, which was his way of submitting a pledge of allegiance to His Majesty.

"However, Eunuch Leng is currently very powerful, and we can't afford to offend him too much!"

Li Ping'an couldn't figure out which side Eunuch Leng was on. Back then, he took the initiative to instigate the "overthrow of Chu," which earned him the favor of the late emperor and led to his promotion to the position of Chief Inspector of the Inner Palace.

Whether they are actually from the Yuanfei lineage is hard to say!

Li Pingan pondered for a moment, then came up with an idea.

"When we handed over the embezzled silver, we shifted all the blame onto Eunuch Tao, giving Eunuch Leng a chance to shirk responsibility and escape punishment, and also taking this opportunity to test His Majesty's attitude!"

His Majesty will surely send someone else to investigate the Qing Si Trading Company case and find out that Eunuch Leng embezzled silver.

If he were to be directly demoted to the imperial mausoleum to live out his days, Li Ping'an would be delighted. However, if he were to be harsh on him afterward, it would mean that Eunuch Leng was highly regarded, and he would have to be careful.

If His Majesty does not react, then we can launch a full-scale retaliation.

"Reading really is useful!"

Li Ping'an took out the "Rites" from his sleeve. Following his godfather's advice, he should thoroughly understand the "Book of Changes" before studying it, otherwise his thoughts would become chaotic and contradictory.

Before reading, I imitated Xiao Fangzi, Xiao Yuanzi, Grandpa Sun, and others, learning their expressions, actions, and methods. Although this was useful, it was not systematic.

After reading, I gained a clear understanding of loyalty, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. I integrated various methods into one and developed my own "way" for handling official duties!
……

child time.

Most of the eunuchs had finished their shifts and were resting.
After leaving his duty room, Li Ping'an inspected the three courtyards of the Imperial Horse Stables, chatting with the young eunuchs on night duty at the Inner Stables.

He didn't mind the filth of the stable and sat directly on the straw mat.

“Our family came from a poor background. Back then, we begged for food on the streets and slept under bridges at night. We dreamed of a stable to shelter us from the wind and rain!”

Li Ping'an waved to stop the eunuch from moving the tables and chairs, and sighed at the hardships of the past.

Few palace eunuchs come from wealthy families; they only enter the palace when they can no longer make a living. They deeply empathize with Eunuch An's experience.

Hearing the commotion, the young eunuchs from the nearby stables and hay sheds gathered around, mustering their courage to approach Li Ping'an. At first, they were a little nervous and fearful, but under Li Ping'an's command and encouragement, they each recounted their past sorrows, and moved by the scene before them, they all wiped away tears.

Li Ping'an comforted us, saying, "We all come from humble backgrounds. Now that we're in the palace, we should stick together for warmth. In a few days, our family will share some money and send it to our parents."

The eunuchs quickly kowtowed, thanking Eunuch An for his generous gift.

As the conversation reached the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), Li Ping'an instructed the eunuchs to perform their duties diligently, assuring them that under His Majesty's rule, everyone had a bright future.

As she left the Imperial Stables carrying a red gauze lantern, she noticed a young eunuch following behind her.

"Little Jingzi, is there something you want to say to me?" "Reporting to the Admiral..."

Xiao Jingzi hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "I work in the hay shed. One day I overslept in the haystack and discovered that Eunuch Ji had poisoned the hay."

Li Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly: "What else did you see?"

Xiao Jingzi shook her head: "No, Eunuch Ji left without saying anything."

"Very good, we understand."

Li Ping'an looked Xiao Jingzi up and down a few times, then said with a smile, "I find you very pleasing to the eye. Would you like to become relatives with me?"

Xiao Jingzi is very perceptive. Upon hearing the word "relatives," her legs naturally bent and she knelt down.

"Greetings, Godfather!"

Li Ping'an nodded and said, "Do your job well and keep a close eye on the hay storage room. Once we take down Eunuch Ji, I'll promote you to the head of the department."

You can't get promoted immediately after taking in a godson; you have to keep him hanging on with empty promises.

Only after handling the task well and offering a pledge of loyalty, thus completely binding themselves to Li Ping'an, will they be promoted to official positions.

Xiao Jingzi kowtowed repeatedly: "Godfather, don't worry, I will live in the hay shed from now on."

"You're a good kid."

Li Ping'an patted Xiao Jingzi on the shoulder, thinking to himself that the method taught by Eunuch Chu was indeed effective. Taking the time to condescend to talk with the little eunuch would yield unexpected results.

The eunuchs are like ants in the eyes of nobles, unworthy of attention or concern, but they are everywhere in the palace, and you never know what secrets they might overhear or witness.

Return to Cining Palace.

Li Ping'an changed into the official robes of the chief eunuch, entered the main hall, sat down in a chair, and dozed off.

early morning.

The young eunuch on night duty in the palace saw that Empress Dowager Zhou was showing signs of waking up, and hurriedly came over to whisper in her ear: "Chief Eunuch, the Empress Dowager is about to lift the curtain."

Li Ping'an suddenly opened his eyes, straightened his clothes slightly, and stood closest to the phoenix bed to serve.

Standing behind Rong Gonggong was another old eunuch, also a former subordinate of Chu Gonggong, who had once protected the outer perimeter of the Cold Palace and prevented Yuan Fei from assassinating him.

Empress Dowager Zhou awoke, and the chief eunuch lifted the curtain.

Li Ping'an handed over a hot towel: "Your Majesty, this servant will help you wash your face."

Empress Dowager Zhou was very pleased. Xiao Anzi was indeed filial and loyal. He was not proud or arrogant at all after being promoted. She said, "Xiao Anzi, you will work at the Imperial Horse Administration. Xiao Rongzi will serve me."

"Your Majesty, let alone the Imperial Horse Administration, even the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs cannot compare to you."

Li Ping'an helped Empress Dowager Zhou wash her face and change her clothes, accompanied her to breakfast, and then helped her to the side hall to chant scriptures and worship Buddha.

Only after everything was concluded did he bow and withdraw.

Eunuch Rong was already waiting in the side room. He reported, "Yesterday at noon, Her Majesty the Empress came to Cining Palace to pay her respects. After chatting for a while, she left."

On the day His Majesty ascended the throne, he conferred the title of Empress upon his principal wife, Lady He.

Empress He came from a humble family. Her father was only an assistant minister in the Ministry of Works. Her ancestors could be traced back to the He family of Tongcheng, which could barely be considered a collateral branch of a prestigious family.

Li Ping'an asked, "Did the Empress go to Cining Palace?"

"went."

Rong Gonggong said in a deep voice, "I sent someone to inquire. They went to Cining Palace first, and then Cining Palace, which displeased the Empress Dowager quite a bit."

"Coming from a scholarly family, yet he disregards etiquette!"

Li Ping'an lowered his eyes, pondering how to warn the He family that they should first pay their respects at Cining Palace before going to Ciqing Palace for a talk.

(End of this chapter)