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

Chapter 142 The eldest daughter-in-law is seriously ill!
Civil and military officials were arranged in an orderly manner.

Throughout history, in the power struggles of officialdom, the losers are left to languish in obscurity.

Although Cai Xiang, Du Xi, and Wang Tao were unwilling, they could only bow respectfully and return to their ranks.

After this fight, all three of them were destined to suffer.

In particular, Cai Xiang and Du Xi.

Entering the capital to serve as an official has always been a noble and respected position.

The prominent families and officials of Fujian Road were all watching their every move.

At that time, in order to cultivate their reputation, the two secretly spread some policies, which were praised by prominent families and officials in Fujian.

Political struggles, in the final analysis, are all about resources.

Now, the duck that was about to be in their hands has been snatched away by someone else.

The disappointment felt by the prominent families and officials of Fujian must have been indescribable.

In particular, some impatient prominent families and officials may have already begun to undertake water conservancy projects.

Without policy support, they suffered in silence.

The whispers of curses, barely audible yet deafening, echoed through the air.

It was almost predictable that their prestige would decline significantly.

In the middle of the left column, Sheng Hong, a secretary in the Ministry of Rites, held a tablet and stared at his son-in-law, his heart filled with great shock.

Since arriving in Beijing, the son-in-law was soon sent to a post outside the capital to expand territory and stabilize the borders.

Therefore, he had never actually witnessed his son-in-law's political struggles.

This time, I saw it!
How cruel!

Its momentum was so strong that it was almost suffocating.

Wang Tao's single slip of the tongue was seized upon by his son-in-law, whose reprimands echoed throughout the palace.

If you fall behind even by one word, you're doomed.

Wang Tao is the flaw, no need to elaborate.

Cai Xiang and Du Xi were both high-ranking officials in purple robes.

In particular, Cai Xiang, who was the Minister of Revenue, a second-rank official, had already reached the very edge of the pinnacle of civil service.

Such a character only went through a few rounds.

Is this the young Grand Secretary?

……

The disaster relief plan for Huainan East Circuit was finalized, and the court discussions continued.

However, apart from suppressing rebellions, providing disaster relief, and holding sacrificial rites, there has been really nothing major happening lately.

The vast majority of matters discussed in court were trivial and mundane.

Of course, the so-called trivial matters are relative to those of the third rank and above. For officials of the fourth and fifth ranks, they still carry considerable weight.

Some minor discussions, once implemented across the two capitals and fourteen circuits, become policy for the people and cannot be ignored.

About half an hour.

Emperor Zhao Zhen pressed his hand against his stomach, occasionally frowning, and his breathing gradually became heavy.

The civil and military officials exchanged glances, and tacitly refrained from submitting any further reports on state affairs.

Lately, the Emperor's health has been deteriorating.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

"The court session is over—"

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies let out a sharp, long cry, and all the officials retreated in unison.

Dozens of officials from Huaidong gathered together unintentionally.

"Thank goodness for Minister Jiang during the disaster relief efforts in Huaidong!"

Han Yi, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, cupped his hands and sighed sincerely.

Disaster relief in Huaidong often involved millions of strings of cash.

Originally, according to the plan of dozens of officials in Huaidong, it would take at least ten days of political infighting before they could possibly seize some resources from Fujian Road.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhao actually managed to defeat Cai Xiang and Du Xi.

It has to be said that standing on the same side as someone like Jiang Zhao is indeed much easier.

"Minister Han, you flatter me. I was merely speaking out for the people of Huaidong." Jiang Zhao nodded gently and cupped his hands in greeting.

"For disaster relief in Huaidong, grain should be transported from the Grand Canal and delivered within twenty days if possible. I, Wang, will keep an eye on this matter," interjected Wang Fuzhi, the Minister of Agriculture.

Political infighting is only the beginning of disaster relief efforts.

From now on, whether it's water conservancy projects or specific disaster relief procedures, someone will have to keep a close eye on things to prevent Cai Xiang and Du Xi from doing anything underhanded.

As the Minister of Agriculture, his duties were to jointly manage the grain and grain prices of the entire country with the Director of Revenue.

The Ministry of Revenue's allocation of funds to purchase grain, along with the corresponding purchase ledgers, would certainly have to pass through his hands.

“I, Zhou, will also be keeping an eye on the water conservancy projects being built in Huaidong,” said Zhou Mengyang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.

"The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate have issued decrees to strictly investigate corruption, which should also curb the greed of their subordinates," said Qiao Zhizhong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Having finally secured two or three million strings of cash in funding, they couldn't just stand by and watch some petty officials embezzle it.

"If Vice Minister Jiang ever needs anyone in the future, please let me know," said Lü Zhen, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief.

More than fifty officials nodded in approval.

Since fellow villagers exist, they must have a reason to exist.

After this incident, if Jiang Zhao intends to compete for a cabinet position, the more than fifty officials of Huaidong will certainly do their utmost to support him.

"Thank you for your trouble." Jiang Zhao politely cupped his hands in greeting.

As they spoke, the dozens of people walked in unison toward the tavern outside Donghua Gate.

It's rare for fellow villagers to be so united, so we'll definitely drink until we drop and expand our social circle.

As dusk settles, the alleyways are bathed in the glow of lanterns.

Jiang Mansion.

Jiang Zhao loosened his official robes and slowly entered the mansion.

When dozens of people gather, they inevitably drink some fermented rice wine.

Fortunately, given Jiang Zhao's status, no one dared to urge him to drink.

"call."

Jiang Zhao took a deep breath and shook his head.

People from the same hometown may be from the same hometown, but when it comes to political infighting, they fight harder than anyone else.

Only when he enters the cabinet can he be of any use.

"Officer."

Sheng Hualan moved lightly, wearing a dark green long dress with fan-shaped sleeves, and stepped forward to support her husband.

Upon entering the courtyard, hangover soup, hot compresses, and hot water buckets are all readily available.

Enjoying his wife's service, Jiang Zhao let out a long sigh of relief.

With her eyes gently closed, a low, almost inaudible sobbing sound drifted over.

Jiang Zhao was taken aback.

Why is there a crying sound?

The low sobbing was none other than Sheng Shulan.

Sheng Hualan leaned closer and whispered, "Previously, the eldest wife caught a cold, and the husband sent Physician Zhao to Youyang to treat her."

"Doctor Zhao went to Youyang, took the patient's pulse, diagnosed the condition, prescribed some medicine, and brewed the decoction."

"However, no matter what treatment she received, her condition did not improve. Therefore, Physician Zhao specially wrote a letter to the capital, saying that the cold had entered her body and that medicine was no longer effective. Only acupuncture could relieve the pain of the eldest daughter-in-law."

"The eldest wife is already terminally ill."

Sheng Hualan explained, "The eldest mother-in-law is seriously ill, and Sister Shulan is worried, so she started to cry."

Seriously ill?

Jiang Zhao nodded knowingly, not surprised at all.

Bianjing is quite far from Youyang; the straight-line distance is seven or eight hundred li.

If one travels by both water and land, one has to take a detour and it takes a considerable amount of time.

At the end of the twelfth lunar month, a few people were still on Xihe Road.

A message was sent from Xihe Road to the capital, eventually reaching Physician Zhao. Physician Zhao was instructed to request leave from the Imperial Hospital under the pretext of "returning home" and to travel to Youyang for treatment. This process would take at least a month.

It's perfectly normal for minor illnesses to develop into major ones.

For a woman in her sixties, once she becomes seriously ill, it's almost a death sentence.

The so-called imperial physicians' treatment was merely "leaving it to fate and doing their best."

"Prepare some valuable medicinal herbs and have them sent over."

"Shulan, let her set up an incense table in the courtyard and chant sutras to pray for blessings," Jiang Zhao instructed.

Sheng Hualan nodded quickly.

To be taken as a concubine is already a very kind and loving solution.

Even if the grandmother of the legal wife or the first wife is seriously ill, this is likely how it will be handled.

Unfortunately, Bianjing is quite far from Youyang.

Whether by water or land, considering the bumpy ride, it would take at least ten or twenty days to arrive.

It will take twenty days to descend from Youyang, and another twenty days to reach the capital, plus a period of mourning.

In other words, she must not serve her husband for at least forty days.

is it possible?
Let alone the saying "a woman should obey her husband after marriage," a woman has no obligation to mourn her grandmother's death, even if the husband truly agrees to let his wife go to Youyang.

You dare?
Forty days!
If a husband and wife are separated for forty days, you'd be terrified!
Since we are far apart, the only way to express my filial piety is to send some herbs, set up a private altar, burn incense and bathe, and sincerely pray for blessings.

I don't seek real effectiveness, I seek peace of mind.

(End of this chapter)