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

Chapter 117 The eldest daughter-in-law catches a cold!

Snowflakes drifted down, forming a dense carpet, and the wind swept across the green tiles, causing icicles to hang from the eaves.

Pacification Division.

Jiang Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing outwards.

Footsteps gradually began to sound.

"grown ups."

Zhao Ceying, Zhao Zhong, Zhao Shicheng, Zhao Shiyi, and Zhao Shiqian arrived together and bowed in unison.

After spending several years together, they all learned a lot about Jiang Zhao and had a fairly deep impression of him.

This is a first-rate loyal minister, capable minister, and virtuous minister!

They can offer advice and strategies, plan strategically, and solve the problem of establishing an heir apparent.

They could also decisively send troops to expand their territory and pacify foreign tribes.

They could even govern, cultivate land, and achieve 70-80% self-sufficiency in food supplies for the border troops, becoming a pillar of the region.

Such a person is worthy of the emperor and can bring peace to the people. He is a famous minister who is hard to find even in history books!

Jiang Zhao turned around and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

Since the political situation in Xihe got back on track, he has paid more attention to several members of the imperial clan.

Considering the secret designation of an heir, he did not show favoritism.

He paid considerable attention to all of them, from the spirited Zhao Ceying to the unpopular Zhao Zhong, the foolish Zhao Shicheng, and even the mediocre Zhao Shiyi and Zhao Shiqian.

Occasionally, when a few people have questions or doubts, he will answer them one by one.

In particular, Zhao Ceying was indeed a member of the imperial clan with great courage and determination.

They possess both the courage to reform corrupt practices and the determination to expand their territory.

Compared to the remaining four people, Zhao Ceying's level of understanding was far superior, and the doubts in his mind were also much more difficult to resolve.

To answer Zhao Ceying's questions, one must start from a strategic perspective, using the two capitals and fourteen routes as a framework, and explain to him the difficulties of expanding territory and the impact of reforming corrupt practices.

However, answering questions is one thing.

Jiang Zhao is not fond of being a teacher!

In comparison, the focus is more on discussion rather than simply imparting knowledge.

"Ugh!"

Jiang Zhao sighed softly and waved his hand, saying, "Gentlemen, let's go into the office for a chat."

The group entered one after another, took their seats on the left and right, and were served tea by a junior official.

"Why do you sigh, sir?" Zhao Ceying asked, taking a sip of hot tea.

Jiang Zhao slowly walked to the main seat, his face showing a look of reminiscence.

“In the past, when I first entered Xihe Road, I began to expand the territory.”

Jiang Zhao sighed and shook his head: "In the blink of an eye, five years have passed."

"People say that if a monarch expands the territory and achieves unification, he can be ranked as high as Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang. His ministers can also become famous ministers who will be remembered in history and praised for generations."

"Knowing is one thing, being able to do it is another. I wonder if I will ever see that scene in my lifetime."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhao picked up a secret letter, put it down, and said, "It's nothing but a few sighs, not worth mentioning."

Several members of the royal family understood, and none of them were without a hint of longing.

An emperor through the ages!

Jiang Zhao, as a minister, aspired to become a renowned minister in history.

As members of the imperial family, they naturally aspired to become emperors for all time.

Zhao Ceying needs no introduction; he is a man of great ambition and heroic spirit.

The remaining few, though lacking in ability, still harbored lofty ambitions.

Throughout history, every emperor with ambition, without exception, wanted to become a great emperor for all time.

However, how exactly one becomes one remains a mystery.

Compared to previous dynasties, it was undoubtedly very clear that the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty would become a great emperor for all time.

Achieve unification!

Once unification is achieved, surpassing one's ancestors will be effortless, and becoming a legendary emperor will surely be within one's grasp.

Of course, compared to enjoying themselves, the group also faced a difficult problem—how to become emperor!

This difficult problem dampened the hopes and dreams of the group considerably.

However, if they were to ascend the throne one day, their aspirations would only grow stronger.

Jiang Zhao stood up and passed down the secret letter in his hand: "The Emperor has appointed me to serve as an official in the capital, and the young masters must also go to the capital as well."

After the secret message was sent out, the group looked around and their expressions revealed their understanding.

No wonder Jiang Zhao sighed inwardly.

This trip to Beijing, with the intention of expanding into new territories, is truly uncertain when it will be possible.

But, going to Beijing?

Several people had different expressions.

Entering Beijing means the test is over.

And the test will affect the position of crown prince!

"When will we arrive in the capital?" asked Zhao Shiyi, son of the Prince of Yan.

His father, the Prince of Yan, was renowned for his virtue and was one of the two most likely candidates to inherit the throne.

This time, he went to the frontier to undergo trials, and he did not make any mistakes, which is already quite good.

Overall, the father, the Prince of Yan, still had a significant advantage.

“The end of January, I suppose,” Jiang Zhao replied. “Recently, my subordinates have also been writing some documents about their political achievements and accomplishments, which they will take to Bianjing.”

The five members of the royal family understood and nodded in unison.

Jiang Mansion.

The stove fire burns brightly, used for brewing tea and cooking wine.

Jiang Zhao held the book in his hand, occasionally pausing to ponder.

Sheng Hualan and Sheng Shulan each held a bowl of pear soup made with red dates, pears, and honey, taking sips every now and then.

When it's freezing cold, sitting by the fire and drinking a cup of pear soup can warm you up.

Jiang Huaijin and Jiang Heng were both dressed in cotton robes, holding some pastries in their hands. They ran around from time to time, or snuggled in their birth mother's arms.

"Mistress." With a soft call, Sheng Hualan's personal maid, Caizan, stepped inside, holding a letter, and presented it to her.

Sheng Hualan was surprised. She handed the pear soup to the maid and began to read the letter.

"Ok?"

Sheng Hualan read for a while, her expression changing slightly.

"What's wrong?" Sheng Shulan asked softly, taking a bite of the pear.

Sheng Hualan shook her head silently and handed over the letter.

Upon reading it, Sheng Shulan's expression changed instantly, and her eyes reddened.

Jiang Zhao glanced sideways at his wife.

“The eldest daughter-in-law caught a cold,” Sheng Hualan explained.

The Sheng family clan was divided into two branches.

The lineage is descended from the second son of the family, the third-ranked scholar, Master Sheng, also known as the Sheng Hong lineage.

Since Sheng Hong passed the imperial examination, this lineage has devoted itself to politics and pursued an official career.

The lineage is inherited from the patriarch of the eldest son's family, namely the Shengwei lineage.

The Shengwei lineage has always been involved in business.

The first and second wives, one lineage was in business and the other in politics. Money could influence politics, and politics could protect business; they had always been on the same page.

The old lady of the eldest branch of the family, that is, Sheng Shulan's grandmother.

Previously, the main branch of the family had contributed significantly to Sheng Hualan's elaborate wedding procession.

An elderly woman in her sixties or seventies caught a cold; if she could be cured, that would be the greatest blessing.

If it can't be cured, it will only last a year or two at most.

Jiang Zhao sighed, "Have someone take my name card to the capital and ask Physician Zhao to come to Youyang to take a look."

Recently, he has to prepare for his trip to Beijing.

Once you enter the capital, you must report to the emperor.

Governance, border defense, land reclamation, taxation, and ethnic integration.

He had to pay attention to every aspect, and simply didn't have the energy to go to Youyang.

At that time, he will have to go to the capital with five members of the royal family and a group of officials from the Korean faction.

A high-ranking official of the third rank would certainly not change his route just to visit a merchant.

"Thank you, my husband." Sheng Shulan wiped her eyes, her every move delicate and pitiful.

Since the imperial physician had made a diagnosis, the best course of action was to "do one's best and leave the rest to fate."

To be honest, it's really too difficult to cure a woman in her sixties or seventies.

Sending the imperial physician was simply a matter of "doing one's best" and putting one's mind at ease.

Jiang Zhao stood up, patted the beauty's head, and looked at the falling snow with his hands behind his back.

Grandfather is seventy-four years old!

……

Chapter 118: A Glimpse into the Lives of Those Taking the Imperial Examination!

Bianjing (Kaifeng)

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

Wei Ruixuan.

Several maids quickly spread out a few robes. Wang Ruofu reached out and carefully touched them, muttering to herself, "For the spring imperial examination, Bai'er's clothes must be taken very seriously. If she accidentally brings a robe with a lining and the Imperial Guards find it, she might be disqualified from the examination."

"Last time, I remember there was a scholar who was driven out and waited for three years in vain."

Just then, Liu Mama, Wang Ruofu's personal maid, walked in, carrying a knee pad.

"Sixth Miss specially had it delivered, saying that she was worried about the cold and hardship at the examination hall and that it was a knee pad she embroidered for Brother Bai."

As he spoke, he handed over the knee pads.

"Ok?"

Sheng Rulan was surprised and took the knee pads.

Wang Ruofu glanced at it and couldn't help but praise, "Your hands are truly skillful!"

The imperial examinations were held in February, and the snow had just melted, making the examination hall quite cold.

A pair of knee braces is indeed very necessary.

In this respect, she hadn't thought of anything and hadn't considered embroidering knee pads.

Fortunately, Ming's knee pads filled the gap.