Chapter 206

Chapter 206

The Xingping Emperor and Fan Zhao's father were childhood friends.

During the dangerous battle in which Empress Guo was pregnant and assisted the Xingping Emperor in leading troops, resulting in a miscarriage, Fan Zhao's father also died for his country, having fallen under the enemy's sword.

At that time, the Xingping Emperor was twenty-seven years old, while Fan Zhao was only eight.

From that point on, the Xingping Emperor raised Fan Zhao as if he were his own son, personally teaching him martial arts. After the Xingping Emperor's eldest son died from an epidemic, his care for Fan Zhao did not waver, and he took Fan Zhao with him wherever he went.

Empress Guo also treated Fan Zhao with the same care and affection as a mother would.

With such a deep bond, now that Fan Zhao was planning to remarry, the Xingping Emperor definitely needed to inform Empress Guo.

Empress Guo frowned as she listened.

The Xingping Emperor said, "I'm not very satisfied with the Pan family either. However, among the families we know well, Feng Ji’s daughters are either already married or too young, and Lu Gong has only one daughter, who is just thirteen and doted on like a precious gem."

Empress Guo replied, "I'm reserving Qiu'er for Bao-er. None of you should even consider her."

At present, the imperial family needed to strengthen alliances through marriage to stabilize the court, so she had chosen a primary consort for her son from the old loyal families of Luoyang. After a couple of years, when the empire was more stable, she would also select a great general as a father-in-law for her son, ensuring he had both civil and military support.

The Xingping Emperor continued, "I understand. My point is that the Xiao and Qi family daughters have better pedigrees than the Pan family girl, but he's bothered that they are widows."

Empress Guo sneered, "With the number of concubines and bed warmers he has, he can host two full table settings. Yet he still has the nerve to be picky about the bride?"

The Xingping Emperor sighed, "If he could only give up his drinking and womanizing and become more steady in his actions, I'd dare to let him lead troops outside."

Empress Guo said, "He does have many faults, but his loyalty to you is unmatched. I only nag him because he doesn’t know how to pick a suitable wife. If he were as wise and valiant as Luo Xiao and Xiao Zhen, I'd be concerned for Bao-er’s position."

No matter how capable Luo Xiao and Xiao Zhen were, they were still just subjects. Fan Zhao, however, shared an additional father-son bond with the emperor, and if he were too clever, it could threaten the prince's status.

The Xingping Emperor waved his hand, "Don't worry. Fan Zhao would rather die than harbor such thoughts."

Empress Guo replied, "He might be a bit foolish, but with a clever in-law family whispering in his ear, who knows what could happen."

The Xingping Emperor said, "That depends on what the Pan family whispers. Promotions and wealth are minor matters. If they dare to incite Fan Zhao against us or Bao-er, he'd be the first to chop off their heads."

After a moment of eye contact, Empress Guo smiled at her husband, "No need to rush. Let’s observe carefully. The Pan family might only be interested in Fan Zhao’s title as Marquis; they probably don't have such grand ambitions."

"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine." A palace maid brought a bowl of herbal medicine to the door and respectfully reminded her.

Empress Guo smiled, "Come in."

As the maid entered, the familiar smell of medicine spread through the room.

Looking at Empress Guo's gaunt profile, the Xingping Emperor felt a sudden pang in his heart.

When she first married him, she was skilled in horse riding, spear wielding, and archery, but after that miscarriage, her vitality was greatly damaged. She became afraid of the heat in summer and the cold in winter, needing to take medicine for most of the year.

He had hoped that after capturing Luoyang, she could finally enjoy a peaceful life, but he had a pile of state affairs to handle, and she had more and more matters to attend to.

——

In early June, Crown Prince Han Bao married Crown Princess Wang Shi.

There were four major noble families in Luoyang, with the Wang family at the top. The Wang family had produced numerous prime ministers in the previous dynasty, and even now, the head of the Wang family held the position of Minister of Personnel. Among the four generals defending the southern line of the capital, one was the younger brother of the Wang Minister, and another was the brother-in-law of the Wang Minister.

The Wang family was tactful. During the time when Imperial Uncle Dou was in power, the Wang family only served the imperial court, neither vying for power nor credit. Imperial Uncle Dou, while eliminating rivals, also had to rely on such capable and well-connected families. If he had offended them, the combined power of the noble families would have been sufficient to rebel against him, and the Dou family alone couldn't have competed with several major noble families.

When the Xingping Emperor came to attack Luoyang, Wang Shangshu was in the city, pacifying Imperial Uncle Dou, while secretly sending messages to his brother and brother-in-law who were leading the troops, instructing them to delay their advance. Whoever emerged victorious between the Han and Dou clans, they would pledge loyalty to the winner.

The Wang family had influential connections all over the empire, and only with their support could the Xingping Emperor implement his reforms to overhaul the bureaucracy and restore livelihoods without resorting to military force.

For the crown prince’s ceremony, Tong Sui, Madam He, and Lin Ningfang were invited to the palace to witness the event.

Empress Guo had little time to entertain them, so the ladies of the court chatted in small groups.

Madam He stayed close to Lin Ningfang and remained reserved. If others didn’t speak to her, she would watch and learn silently. If they did speak to her, she still appeared awkward and reserved. It was better to risk looking foolish than to say something wrong and give others ammunition. When it came to her family’s future, Madam He didn’t care about being mocked for her humble origins.

After all, she was a village-born daughter-in-law. It was normal for her to seem unsophisticated.

In truth, Empress Guo’s background might not even compare to some of the noble ladies from Luoyang. The families of Feng Ji, Lu Gong, Fan Zhao, and Luo Xiao, who were all from the Jizhou faction, had more modest backgrounds. For instance, Fan Zhao’s mother, Madam Fan, had only been of the hundred-household rank, not much better off than Madam He, the daughter-in-law of a fallen thousand-household rank family.

Fan Zhao disliked the arrogant demeanor of the Luoyang nobles, and Madam Fan didn’t care for the polished etiquette of the noble ladies either, as their elegant bearing made her feel vulgar by comparison. At times like these, Madam Fan actually preferred people like Madam He and Madam Qi, who were less sophisticated, so she specifically called them over for a chat.

“While the Duke and the Marquis were following the Emperor to fight the traitors, what did you ladies do to occupy yourselves at home?” Madam Fan asked casually.

Madam He looked at Madam Qi.

Madam Qi, who was even more timid than Madam He, thought that Madam He wanted her to speak first, so she said, “Just sewing clothes and taking care of the grandchildren.”

Madam Fan then looked back at Madam He.

Madam He said, “I’m pretty much the same, but I’m not as fortunate as you. I only have one grandniece and one grandnephew. I don’t even have a grandson of my own yet.”

She intended to flatter Madam Fan. Seeing Madam Fan look toward Lin Ningfang, Madam He’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly added, “Oh, I’m not eager for a grandson. The young pair is still young, and they’ve only been recently reunited after being busy with the war.”

Madam Fan smiled and said, “You’re a caring mother-in-law who truly cares for your daughter-in-law.”

Madam He’s face turned red with embarrassment.

Tong Sui was talking to Madam Feng and, hearing the conversation, glanced at Madam He’s blushing cheeks and smiled.

When it was time for the ceremony, the officials from the Ministry of Rites brought the Crown Princess back, and the ladies immediately ceased their casual talk. Led by the palace attendants, they went in an orderly manner to witness the ceremony.

——

After the banquet, Tong Sui and the other two ladies returned home first, and it was only half an hour later that Xiao Zhen returned, reeking of alcohol.

He went to bathe first, then lay down on the bed wearing only his underpants, took Tong Sui’s hand, and placed it on his chest, exhaling deeply, “I really don’t like being forced to drink.”

Drinking one or two bowls is enjoyable, but after five or six, it feels like fire in your belly.

Tong Sui teased him, “You can’t handle this? There are several more rounds to go.”

Xiao Zhen looked at her and said, “I’m suffering now, and you’re still laughing. If it were our horse, you’d have felt sorry for it by now.”

Tong Sui then put down her book and came over to rub his chest.

Whether it was because of his unwavering gaze or the alcohol fumes he exhaled, Tong Sui soon felt her face becoming hotter than his chest beneath her palm. To break the silence, she said, “I saw the Crown Princess. She’s both dignified and beautiful, truly a lady raised in a noble family.”

Xiao Zhen said, “They’re just delicate flowers. If you throw them into the mountains, they wouldn’t last two days.”

Tong Sui replied, “They’re doing well as ladies of noble families. Why would you think of throwing them into the mountains? Everyone has their fate. Some are born to enjoy blessings, and they don’t have to endure hardships. Those with bitter fates have to earn their warmth and wealth bit by bit. But just because you can face adversity doesn’t mean you should look down on those born into wealth. Everyone has their strengths.”

Xiao Zhen said, “I don’t look down on them. I just don’t like hearing you praise them. You’re superior to all of them together.”

Tong Sui's face heated up. "You can flatter me with that, but don't say it outside. I'm not afraid of being laughed at, but you should be."

——

In early July, shortly after Tong Gui's wedding, the Xingping Emperor, who had earlier in the year dispatched four envoys to Liaozhou, Jinji, Qingzhou, and the southern regions of the capital, saw them return in quick succession.

As Qiao Changshun and his colleague were assigned to the distant Liaozhou, they had not yet finished inspecting all the prefectures and counties.

The Xingping Emperor, together with his two chancellors, heard the reports from the four envoys. After dismissing the eight envoys, the Xingping Emperor's expression darkened. "The prefects and county magistrates were relatively honest and returned most of the embezzled land and money, but the aristocratic families and the border generals, who wield military power, still occupy vast tracts of land and have only returned a small fraction of the silver. Clearly, they show no remorse and intend to remain corrupt officials."

Wei Qi sighed. "Confiscating someone’s wealth is akin to taking their parents’ lives. Local officials, lacking power, can only comply with the imperial court. Generals like Lü Sheng of Liaozhou, Chen Wang of Liaozhou, Huang Qicheng of Qingzhou, and the four southern generals all rely on their support of the Emperor and their military might. They won’t easily relinquish what they’ve taken."

Song Lan added, "They refuse to return the wealth, and the aristocratic families follow suit, returning only a token amount."

The Xingping Emperor slowly clenched his fists.

Seeing this, Wei Qi picked out some good news. "Fortunately, Zhao Liangchen fully backs the Emperor. With Zhao Liangchen restraining Lü Sheng in Liaozhou and Feng Duan keeping Chen Wang in check, the Emperor can gradually consolidate military power in those regions."

Song Lan agreed, "What Prime Minister Wei says is true. Although the aristocratic families and border generals still control vast tracts of land, the land returned by other officials is sufficient to provide every poor farmer in the northern regions with land to farm. The Emperor has just ascended the throne, and the next two years are critical for stabilizing public sentiment and restoring livelihoods. Once the people are prosperous and the national treasury is full, we will have the means to consolidate military power and reform the aristocratic families."

The Xingping Emperor slowly unclenched his fists and looked at the two. "I hope so."

Wei Qi asked, "Your Majesty, how do you plan to reward these eight envoys?"

The Xingping Emperor replied, "The four civilian envoys will be appointed as prefects of Liaozhou, Ji Prefecture, Qingzhou, and the five southern prefectures to strengthen governance in those areas. The four military envoys will be assigned as deputies to the four southern generals."

Lü Sheng, Chen Wang, and Huang Qicheng had merits in supporting the Emperor and were important border generals. For now, they will not be touched. The four southern generals were all former officials of the previous dynasty. Since they refused to return their lands, the Emperor will first send people to divide their military power.

From west to east, the four southern generals were stationed in Jingzhou, Han Prefecture, Jiangzhou, and Hezhou.

The Xingping Emperor transferred Pan Yong to Hezhou, the closest to the eastern imperial capital, Jinling.

If Pan Yong could truly gain control of Hezhou's military power, he would be qualified to become Fan Zhao's father-in-law.