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

So he's a true evergreen in politics?

Amid the debate among the officials, Zhao Zhen remained unconcerned and continued, "I have already decided on the person to be adopted as the Crown Prince, and in accordance with the secret method of establishing an heir, I have signed two copies of his name, one hidden in my possession and the other placed behind the plaque."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the officials immediately understood the situation.

Need to complete the necessary procedures!

The adoption of the grandson of the emperor and the adoption of a member of the imperial clan differ in two aspects: the procedures are different, and the elders adopted are different.

The adoption of the crown prince meant that he was to be adopted by the King of Wei, and a new sacrificial ceremony had to be held.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree." Minister of Rites Sun...

Compared to the shock of the officials, he was more pleased.

After all, his youngest daughter was already engaged to Jiang Zhao's younger brother, Jiang Xu.

The more capable Jiang Zhao is, the more the Sun family will benefit.

After giving the main instructions, Zhao Zhen's expression softened: "Recently, I have been unwell. Therefore, all government affairs, large and small, shall be temporarily handled and approved by the Grand Secretariat, and then discussed and shown to the officials in court. If there are no objections, they may be issued and implemented. If there are any memorials that cannot be decided, they shall be submitted again."

"Yes." Han Zhang nodded.

All the officials remained silent, not daring to utter a sound.

Generally speaking, the process for handling government affairs involves submitting documents to the Cabinet, which then provides comments and suggestions before submitting them to the Emperor for final approval.

Nowadays, it is no longer necessary to present it to the emperor; it can be issued after discussion during regular court sessions.

This means that some of the emperor's power was delegated to the cabinet and the regular court.

Even though the court was filled with arguments and conflicts, it cannot be denied that the monarch's power had indeed declined.

The official's health is indeed quite poor.

"Let's disperse."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

Ningyuan Hou Mansion.

The main hall was guarded by dozens of servants, and strangers were not allowed to enter.

Gu Yankai hunched over, occasionally letting out a few low breaths.

"How's the marriage process going?" Gu Yankai asked.

"The betrothal gifts have been given, it will be soon," Gu Tingye replied hastily.

The process involves several steps: betrothal, asking the name, accepting auspicious gifts, presenting betrothal gifts, setting the wedding date, and the wedding ceremony. Among these, the three steps of betrothal, asking the name, and accepting auspicious gifts can be completed in about half a month.

The process of presenting betrothal gifts, or giving them as part of the engagement, often takes about two months to prepare.

Now, we've reached the point of tax collection in just one month, which is quite urgent.

Gu Yankai leaned against the wooden chair, looking rather weak: "I can still hold on for a while longer."

"With my passing, the livelihood of dozens of people in the Gu family will rest on your shoulders. Remember, since you rose to power because of the young Grand Secretary, you must stand firm and obey his every command..."

Gu Tingye nodded in agreement.

……

Chapter 160 Jiang Zhi Passes Away!

The seventh day of the third month in the third year of the Zhiping era.

The end of Yin hour (5 o'clock).

Jiang Mansion, Yiyang Hall.

The embers flickered, glowing like tiny beans.

On the long rattan couch, which was six feet long and three feet five inches wide, Jiang Zhao supported his grandfather in a half-lying, half-sitting position.

The old man had bright, piercing eyes and was remarkably vigorous.

More than ten clan elders and Jiang family members gathered together, silent and filled with sorrow.

A 75-year-old man, who has been seriously ill for a long time, suddenly becomes radiant and healthy, like a withered tree suddenly sprouting new life. This is not a good thing.

"Zhao'er."

With a wave of his withered hand, the old man said calmly, "Have someone cook me a bowl of mutton soup."

“In the past, I preferred mutton soup. Unfortunately, I haven’t had it for half a year since I became seriously ill.”

I have abdominal bloating and edema, making it difficult to eat, yet I'm not hungry.

For Jiang Zhi, eating or taking medicine was an unspeakable torment.

Therefore, there was no desire to taste the mutton soup.

However, this time is destined to be different.

"Second brother, third brother," Jiang Zhao called out, grasping his grandfather's hand.

"Yes."

The two nodded quickly and ran out.

"Help me sit up." Jiang Zhi patted his grandson.

Jiang Zhao nodded, shifted his body back, and reached out to support his grandfather's back.

More than a dozen clan elders and Jiang family members stood solemnly, their faces serious.

A dying speech!

Jiang Zhi pondered for a moment, then glanced around and said, "Under heaven, there are many powerful families, some of which have been corrupt and arrogant and have perished, while others have just established themselves."

"It has been nearly a hundred years since the Jiang family established itself. Far from declining, it has become more and more prosperous. The reason for this is nothing more than unity, fairness and integrity."

Jiang Zhi instructed, "After I leave, you must work together in harmony. Do not emulate those corrupt and incompetent people who bring shame to our family."

More than ten people quickly bowed and said, "We will remember the teachings of our ancestors."

Jiang Zhi nodded, his eyelids drooping.

One moment they're full of energy, the next they're exhausted.

"grandfather."

Jiang Zhao quickly called out, "The mutton soup hasn't been served yet!"

"Lamb soup?"

Jiang Zhi frowned, but forced himself to stay awake: "Let's talk for a while. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll never wake up again."

With a grandson like Jiang Zhao who could support the Jiang family, the old man was not afraid of death.

Even when he speaks, there's an inexplicable calmness about him.

"Thinking back to those days, when I entered officialdom through the imperial examinations..."

"and then?"

"And then, this old man..."

"Any more?"

The grandfather and grandson, one speaking and the other constantly echoing and playing the straight man.

During this time, elders and younger generations kept coming to investigate, quietly observing without daring to utter a sound.

About half an hour later, Jiang Zhi's eyelids drooped, and he was drowsy.

"Mutton soup!"

"The mutton soup is here!"

A startled cry jolted the old man awake, rousing him slightly.

"Come."

A bowl of mutton soup was passed to Jiang Zhao, who held a soup spoon, scooped up some tender bits of meat, and fed them to his grandfather.

"what!"

"Little lamb!"

After just one bite, Jiang Zhi could tell: "The meat of this lamb is the most tender, and it is only lamb meat that I can barely chew."

"They're both good kids." Jiang Zhi looked at his two grandsons, Jiang Xiao and Jiang Xu, and nodded with satisfaction.

"call."

Jiang Zhao gently blew on the mutton soup and fed the old man little by little.

After a while, he had swallowed about seven-tenths of the bowl of mutton soup.

"I can't eat anymore." Jiang Zhi waved his hand, his eyelids drooping, half-open and half-closed.

Dozens of people watched, not daring to make a sound.

Even Jiang Zhao couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

After about an incense stick's time, the old man let out a hoarse gasp and peacefully closed his eyes.

His withered hand trembled and then fell limp.

"Father."

With a cry of grief, Jiang Zhong collapsed to his knees.

"Dad!"

Hess staggered to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

Sheng Hualan quickly covered her eldest son's eyes with a handkerchief.

As for Jiang Heng and Jiang Xun, they were too young, so in order not to leave a shadow on the children, they were not brought to the nursing home.

Jiang Huaijin pulled at his mother's hand and knelt down, imitating her.

"grandfather."

Jiang Zhao helped the old man lie down and then bowed deeply.

The clan elders and Jiang family members had almost all arrived and bowed in unison.

For a moment, the hall was filled with sobs and cries of despair.

As dawn breaks, the sky turns a pale white.

The plain lamp weeps, the white gauze shrouds the lamp.

The Jiang family, from top to bottom, were dressed in mourning clothes or white mourning clothes, and the sound of wailing was incessant.

Servants kept going back and forth with "death notices" to inform people of the death.

Main hall.

Led by Jiang Zhao, there were more than ten people.

They may be elders or the main male members of the family.

To symbolize their grief, they all wore hemp clothing, mourning caps, hemp belts, and plain shoes.

At this moment, more than ten people were gathered around a wooden table about ten feet long.

On it, a map of Huaizuo is spread out, which records the topography of Huaizuo.

"Uncle, how is it?"

Jiang Zhao glanced around and focused his attention on an elder who was skilled in feng shui.

When my grandfather passed away, it wasn't enough to just grieve and weep.

There are many things to do when it comes to burials.

From the day of death, there are specific customs and traditions surrounding the initial encoffining, the final encoffining, and the funeral rites.

Xiaolian, which is the first day after death.

During this period, the sons and daughters-in-law must wipe the father-in-law's body in preparation for burial.