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

Chapter 298 A Glimpse into the Lives of All Beings! His great achievements are known throughout the land!
It's close to 7 PM (戌时).

Donghua Gate.

The brocade cage hangs high, and people come and go.

Along the main thoroughfare, tea stalls, restaurants, bakeries, and entertainment venues all opened for business.

Liu's Tea Stall.

On a five-foot wooden table sits a pot of tea and two small dishes.

Three or five men sat leisurely for a while.

"Old Liu, how's business these days?" someone asked casually, picking up a piece of food.

Judging from his appearance, he was slightly chubby, and even had a belly.

"That's it."

"The market is neither good nor bad, just enough to make a living."

Opposite him sat a man with a long beard, who looked to be in his forties.

"Hey!"

"Still trying to make a living."

The fat man shook his head in disbelief, giving him a "I know you too well" look, and said, "Recently, there has been a bumper harvest of long-grain rice, and I've heard that many maritime merchants are passing off long-grain rice as polished rice, specifically to fool the Arabs."

"Old Liu!" The fat man leaned forward, winking and grinning, and asked, "You dare say you didn't do it?"

Long rice, also known as Champa rice.

Compared to "Champa rice", the name "long rice" is easier to remember and also fits the slender characteristics of Champa rice grains.

It's unclear who gave it that nickname, but it gradually became the common name used by ordinary people.

As for the Arabs, they were the Arab empires in Central Asia.

Compared to other regimes in the East Asian cultural sphere such as Champa, Srivijaya, Zhenla, and Dali, the Arabs were far from the Central Plains and did not have a particularly good understanding of Central Plains culture.

Of course, that makes them even easier to deceive.

"I'm an honest man, I earn money with a clear conscience." Old Liu has a typical square face, is in his forties, and looks quite honest and reliable.

"Old Liu is an honest man, do you believe that?" The fat man chuckled, then looked at the others.

Three or five burly men looked at each other, then burst into laughter, creating a joyful atmosphere.

"I really didn't do it!" Old Liu said, his face flushed. "I'm just a middleman. I've never been to the Arab world, let alone made money off the Arabs."

"Old Chen is slandering me! He's slandering me!"

"Hey!"

"Just admit it," the fat man was about to say.

"Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale!"

Just then, the newspaper vendor, carrying a basket of newspapers, shouted:
"A great unification, a monumental achievement for all time!"

"The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun have finally returned to their homeland!"

"The Emperor has bestowed generous rewards upon the entire realm, bestowing titles of nobility upon dozens of earls!"

"Yelü Hongji wept bitterly. Why did he come to this?"

"Thirty coins a piece, first come, first served!"

His shouts drew the attention of several people.

"Ouch!"

The fat man suddenly became interested and waved, saying, "Let's take a picture."

"No, give me five, one for each of us!"

"That's quite extravagant!" one person laughed.

A short while later, five newspapers were delivered.

The newspapers didn't contain much information; they were mostly about the great victories of the Northern Expedition, things to talk about, but not in great detail.

After all, if it really involves classified information, it certainly wouldn't be published.

Conversely, once it's been printed, it probably isn't that important.

Even so, it still caused the group to exchange glances, their hearts filled with excitement.

"How long ago was it? Who would have thought that the Liao Kingdom would suffer such a great defeat!"

Old Liu picked up the newspaper, glanced at it, and couldn't help but sigh.

"I never even dared to dream of this before," Old Chen shook his head.

"The Great Zhou Dynasty has become powerful!"

One of them murmured, "We have become strong!"

"Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale!"

"Newspapers for sale!"

The shouts were deafening.

Newspapers were sold one by one.

In an instant, expressions of sentimentality filled the capital.

……

The Duke of Yue's Mansion.

ancestral hall.

The left and right sides are designated as the Zhao and Mu, and the sacrificial positions are fixed.

There were about thirty to fifty ancestral tablets in all directions, all of them perfectly clean and free of dirt.

"call!"

Gu Tingye picked up a stick of incense and solemnly placed it in the center of the incense burner.

The wisps of smoke, sometimes scattered, sometimes gathered, have a unique incense aroma.

With a calm gaze, Gu Tingye stood upright with his hands at his sides, looking at the several rather special memorial tablets one by one.

To be precise, there are five.

Therefore, the Marquis of Ningyuan posthumously conferred the title of Duke of Chen, Duke Gu Hongzhong, on his spirit tablet.

Therefore, the Marquis of Ningyuan posthumously conferred the title of Duke Rongguo, Gu Gong, whose personal name was Yan Kai, a spirit tablet.

Therefore, the spirit tablet of Gu Tingyu, the eldest son of the Gu family.

Therefore, the posthumous title of Lady Bai, wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan, was conferred upon her the title of Lady Rongguo.

The spirit tablet of Lady Qin, the mother of the late Marquis Ningyuan.

Gu Hongzhong, Gu Yankai, Gu Tingyu, Bai Shi, and Xiao Qin Shi!

Gu Hongzhong, the progenitor of the Gu family, has his memorial tablet placed in the center.

Since its inception and continuation to the present day, the Gu family has had three individuals who made outstanding contributions.

One of them is the ancestor Gu Hongzhong.

This man was quite courageous. Despite being a mere outlaw, he resolutely pledged his loyalty to Emperor Taizu during the chaotic Five Dynasties period. In his later years, he rose to the rank of Military Commander and was granted the title of Marquis of Ningyuan, a hereditary title that remained unchanged throughout the country.

Second
Gu Tingye slightly raised his gaze and looked at the memorial tablet of his elderly father, Gu Yankai.

To be honest, Gu Yankai, the father, is not bad!

In fact, it can be described as excellent!

In fact, the rise of the Gu family began with the father, Gu Yankai.

From the founding ancestor down, several generations of Ningyuan Marquises were not capable of anything.

For several generations, they were all typical second-generation descendants, without exception, enjoying the afterglow of their ancestor Gu Hongzhong.

They even owed the Ministry of Revenue hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, forcing Gu Yankai, the eldest son who had not yet inherited the title, to "deceive" Bai's eldest daughter into marriage.

The difference lies in the fact that none of the Ningyuan Marquises were particularly bad; they had a certain awareness of power and would occasionally try to maintain their base in the army.

This meant that while the Ningyuan Marquis lineage was declining, it did not decline to the point of being like the Qi State Duke lineage, where even the Duke had to fawn over his wife and become "henpecked."

The turning point in the rise and fall of the Ningyuan Marquis lineage actually fell on Gu Yankai.

He was not yet thirty years old, but he had already made a name for himself in the military.

Subsequently, he steadily and surely gained power step by step, eventually taking charge of the government.

From then on, the Gu family rose from decline to prosperity, becoming a powerful and well-known family in the capital.

In fact, this is also the history of the rise and fall of the vast majority of military and noble families.

One generation's success is enough to support several generations of people living comfortably!

If generations continue to lie dormant, decline is inevitable.

Then, they will simply rely on their hereditary family status to receive welfare benefits and continue to enjoy the legacy of their ancestors, or perhaps one of them will rise to prominence and continue to prosper for generations to come.

As for the third person who made outstanding contributions, it is naturally him, Gu Tingye!
"call!"

Gu Tingye picked up a stick of incense, wiped his hands, and placed it in the incense burner.

Offering incense is traditionally a ritual to worship Heaven, Earth, and Man, which is commonly referred to as offering three sticks of incense.

Gu Tingye gazed silently at his father's memorial tablet.

After a long pause, he slowly said:

"Erlang is far more capable than you think!"

The more power he held, the more it concerned the rise and fall of the family, the more he understood his father.

The Gu family had been in decline for a long time, and it was rare to see any signs of prosperity.

The only thing he could worry about was the issue of "successor".

If the heir is unsuitable, the once-prosperous lineage of Marquis Ningyuan could be immediately reduced to its original state.

Ironically, what you worry about most is what happens most often.

The eldest son was exceptionally gifted but was born sickly; the second son was unruly and uneducated; and the third son was weak-willed and too young.

Anyone would feel uneasy!

Gu Tingyu, Bai Shi, and Xiao Qin Shi!

Gu Tingye gazed at each of the three memorial tablets, his expression growing increasingly complex.

Especially when gazing at the memorial tablet of Madam Qin, one's gaze couldn't help but linger for a moment.

Gu Tingye had very mixed feelings about Madam Qin.

Before Xiao Qinshi revealed her true nature, he regarded her as his own mother, wishing her a long and healthy life, fearing that he would be unable to be filial to her when she was no longer there.

Xiao Qinshi's true nature was revealed, but before her death, he regarded her as an enemy and hated her to death, almost wishing she would die.

During the period after Xiao Qinshi passed away, he felt extremely relieved and at peace.

But as time goes on...
"Ugh!"

Gu Tingye sighed, picked up the incense sticks, and silently lit them.

As for Lady Qin, to say I don't hate her would be an understatement; in truth, I do hate her.

Anyone who is perceived as a close relative betrayed will harbor deep resentment.

Her older brother and elderly father were also poisoned by her; the heart of this wicked woman is truly cruel.

But if we're talking about hatred, it's not necessarily true.

After all, Madam Qin used the method of "praising to death".

Gu Tingye truly and genuinely enjoyed the care and concern shown by Madam Qin!

Such constant care is something even a biological mother could not provide.

The key point is that without his strategy of praising him to death, he might not have developed such an unruly personality in his teens.

Since he wasn't lawless, he certainly wouldn't have recklessly headed south to Huaizuo upon learning of his maternal grandfather's death.

As a result, the opportunity to get to know Zichuan was lost.

Gu Tingye shook his head.

Life!
Sometimes, what you encounter might not be a bad thing at all!

Just like ten years ago, who would have thought that a mere playboy could suddenly rise to prominence, become famous overnight, and even be promoted to Duke and hold power in the Privy Council?
All of this stemmed from a chance encounter during a southward voyage—one a scholar, the other a warrior.
"Tingwei is a good boy."

"After the Liao and Xia dynasties are destroyed, Erlang will try to get the emperor to grant him a first-class noble title."

"From then on, he lived a life of wealth and happiness, with everything going smoothly."

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

Shou'an Hall.

Grandma Sheng, Sheng Hong, and Wang Ruofu gathered together.

At the age of seventy-two, Madam Sheng was in good spirits and had a kind and gentle demeanor.

Wang Ruofu picked up a newspaper with words like "Great Unification" and "Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun" printed on it. It was a report of victory regarding the return of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to their homeland.

Sheng Hong sat upright, occasionally saying something, which drew the attention of the two men.

"what?!"

"My son got promoted?" Wang Ruofu exclaimed with delight, standing up abruptly and raising his voice involuntarily.

"Keep your voice down."

“Bai’er is the Vice Prefect of Yunzhou.” Sheng Hong stroked his beard, pressed his hand down, and calmly explained, “With an army of 100,000 marching north to Yanyun, coordinating supplies and equipment is by no means easy.”

"Now that Yanyun has been acquired, it is a great achievement unprecedented in a century. Shouldn't His Majesty reward us handsomely?"

"It is only natural for military officers to be granted titles and civil officials to be promoted."

Sheng Hong seemed unsurprised.

Of course, he was genuinely used to it.

Since the opening of the border at Xihe, the "era of territorial expansion" has begun, and there have been five major rewards to date.

In just over ten years, there have been five major campaigns, including those against Xihe, Xifeng, Yanyun, Jiaozhi, and now the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. As a result, the corresponding rewards and honors have become commonplace for all those who entered the imperial court, whether civil or military officials.

Wang Ruofu, who was unfamiliar with politics, nodded with a half-understanding and asked excitedly, "Then what has Bai'er been promoted to?"

"Hedong Road—" Sheng Hong paused mysteriously for a moment, and just as Wang Ruofu was getting impatient, he slowly said, "Deputy Transport Commissioner!"

Perhaps worried that Wang Ruofu wouldn't understand official ranks, Sheng Hong added, "Fifth rank."

"A fifth-rank official?!"

Wang Ruofu's eyes lit up with joy: "My son is truly remarkable!"

When it came to official titles, Wang Ruofu didn't quite understand.

But she still understood official ranks.

A fifth-rank official—that's a red-robed official!

Her husband, Sheng Hong, was always hardworking and conscientious, and he was adept at navigating social situations. It took him nearly twenty years of maneuvering to finally rise to the rank of a fifth-grade official.

Bai'er has only been in office for eight years!

Isn't this the demeanor of a Grand Secretary?
"Changbai is a man of upright character and is highly regarded by Zhao Ge'er."

Grandma Sheng interjected with a smile, "With Zhao-ge'er looking after him, as long as he's willing to do things and do good things, he'll certainly have a bright future."

“Mother is absolutely right,” Sheng Hong nodded in agreement.

Entering officialdom boils down to three main points:

I can do it!

Some people say you're capable!
Those who say you can do it must actually do it!
The eldest son, Changbai, passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-three and became a probationary official, making him one of the best among them. His abilities were certainly not in question.

With the support of her virtuous son-in-law Jiang Zhao, it's natural that "some people say you're capable."

As for whether my son-in-law Jiang Zhao is suitable or not?

As the Grand Chancellor who shoulders the responsibilities of two capitals and fourteen circuits, he is second to none in the world!

With such a brother-in-law, Changbai is destined for a bright future.

"Hi~!"

"oops!"

Wang Ruofu sat there, his heart growing more and more excited. He couldn't sit still any longer and stood up, saying, "Changbai's promotion is truly a joyous occasion. It must be blessed by our ancestors and the gods."

“Mother, husband, why don’t we go to the ancestral hall together to burn some incense and pay our respects to the Bodhisattva?”

"this--"

"Hi!"

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, looking indifferent, and shook his head repeatedly.

"It's cold and windy late at night, how can we let Mother go to the ancestral hall?"

"Besides, the Bodhisattvas and the Immortals are all fake; Changbai's real talent and learning are the real thing."

The implication was that he was somewhat "materialistic," advising his wife against blindly following feudal superstitions.

Wang Ruofu rolled her eyes, but without any regard for propriety, she stood up, bowed, and withdrew.

It takes about the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

Sheng Hong walked slowly out of Shou'an Hall with his hands behind his back.

"Is Madam still in the ancestral hall?" Sheng Hong summoned his trusted aide and asked in a low voice.

"I've already returned to Wei Rui Xuan," Dong Rong replied.

"Ok!"

Sheng Hong stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, his eyes flickered slightly, and then walked towards the ancestral hall.

He was not a superstitious person, nor did he seek the blessings of his ancestors or gods.

The main problem was that I was a bit cold, but luckily there were candles in the ancestral hall, which made me a little warmer.

Really!

I never lie!
……

Kunning Palace.

"King Yan?"

As Xiang picked up the document, he was startled.

In just a moment, his eyes were filled with joy.

Swallow!
This title is no ordinary one.

This is a title with special significance.

Emperor Taizong, Emperor Zhenzong, and the late Emperor—three emperors in a row were all granted the title of Prince of Yan. If the Emperor were to bestow the title of Prince of Yan upon Shen'er, it would be hard to believe that there was no deeper meaning behind it.

He twice served as regent and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan!
"Shen'er, you must not slack off in your studies."

Holding her son's hand, Madam Xiang gently instructed, "Your eldest son is knowledgeable in astronomy and geography. Remember to regularly seek his guidance in learning literature and calligraphy, and do not slack off in the slightest."

"Ah."

"My husband is the best." Zhao held the rice cake in her small hands, took a bite, and nodded repeatedly.

Ms. Xiang smiled gently, feeling increasingly at ease.

It has been seven years since the fourth year of the self-governing period.

The emperor was only thirty years old, full of energy and vitality, so he naturally took in quite a few concubines.

To this day, there are already fifty or sixty imperial concubines with official titles.

Zhao Jun, Zhao Shen, Zhao Xian, Zhao Xu, Zhao Jia, Zhao Ti, Zhao Bi, Zhao Wei, Zhao Ji!
The dragon has nine sons; this was a goal set by the government.

On May 13th, Consort Xing gave birth to a son, the sixth son of the emperor, named Zhao Ti.

Apart from the eldest son Zhao Jun who died young, the other sons are all still alive and healthy.

A rough count shows that there are still five sons alive.

The struggle for the throne among princes has always been fraught with danger, and with the final outcome still uncertain, no one dares to relax even for a moment.

Fortunately, his son Zhao Shen had already gotten close to the eldest son's powerful connections.

This man was a ruthless figure who single-handedly brought about the unification of China.

Whether it's domestic governance or military training, it's top-notch.

If Shen'er just obediently clings to the thigh, there will be no worries!
……

(End of this chapter)