(Add more chapters. Look carefully, there's still one more chapter. Yes, I missed the plot.)
Jiang Huaiying had his own army and Yan Kingdom was added to the north of An Dynasty. The common people were not affected for the time being, but the atmosphere in the court was a little tense. Emperor Chongzhen kept a straight face all day long and all the officials were trembling. Everything else went on as planned. It was the calm before the storm.
The most eye-catching thing at the moment was the selection of the harem. Before the local beauties were sent to the capital, the officials in the capital had already taken action. In less than half a month, there were more than a hundred beauties registered on the list of Kunling Bureau's beauties.
On the third day after Yu Shu took charge of the Taichu Taichu, she transferred Madam Lü from the Taichu Library and restored her position. She was also appointed as the Right Commander of the Kunling Bureau. Situ Qinglan, as her aide-de-camp, listened to Madam Lü's orders and monitored her every move for Yu Shu. So the list of the first batch of beauties sent to the palace for the selection was just released and it was sent to Yu Shu's desk.
Yu Shu just glanced at it and asked someone to make a copy and send it to Empress Xia Jiang. She didn't interfere with these chores.
One day, she called Wen Shao 'an and asked him if he would like to be a supervisor in Taishi Library. His official position was still the same as the sixth rank. At first glance, it seemed that he was no longer a Celestial Commissioner, but he had more real power than he did in Kunling Bureau. He was demoted on the surface but promoted on the surface.
Yu Shu told him seriously, "Right now, there are many people in the three departments and two bureaus who don't like me. I will clean them up in the future. You are going to Taishi Library this time to supervise the dean and clean up the unhealthy practices. Secondly, help me find talents and train some useful people. You can wait for a year and a half, and then I will promote you to Taicheng Bureau. I will keep the position of Shaoqing for you. "
Taicheng Bureau was in charge of the examination and audit of officials. The chief officer was Cao Zuoling and the adjutant was Shaoqing. Shui Yun once took this position and made a lot of trouble for Yu Shu. She almost couldn't pass the examination. Yu Shu thinks that Wen Shaoan is calm and has the demeanor of Ren Qiming. The key is that he is loyal to her. With a little experience, he can be entrusted with important tasks.
Wen Shao 'an readily agreed to her arrangement. He returned to Kun Ling Bureau to pack his things and went to Taishi Library the next day to take up his post.
Just as Yu Shu was taking over the Celestial Commissioner in an orderly manner, bad news came from the Blackguard — Zhu Muzhao suddenly fell ill overnight and his life was in danger. When she heard the news, she rushed to the Zhu Family without stopping.
*
*
*
The Zhu Family was known as the head of the Twelve Families in the capital because they had produced a total of four Great Instructors. Zhu Muzhao had very few brothers and sisters to begin with. In his generation, he only had Zhu Qingjue to carry on the family line.
Hearing that Zhu Muzhao was seriously ill, the first to arrive was the Marquis of Rong En, Yin Tianhou, who had also retired. As the Prime Minister of two dynasties, Yin Tianhou's position was extremely high. In the end, he retired after achieving success. He could be called a role model for all officials in the world. Few people knew that he and Zhu Muzhao were more than ten years apart. When they were officials in the court, they often disagreed with each other on politics. In fact, they were a pair of friends who appreciated each other despite the difference in age.
Yin Tianhou sat on the chair beside the bed and looked at his dying friend with red eyes. He said with tears, "Tianwen, what's wrong with you? Even Ah Jue can't see what's wrong with you. You can't even live if you say you can't. I'm still waiting for you to retire and go sightseeing with me. Don't lie to me. What's wrong with you that you have to wait for death? "
Zhu Muzhao opened his eyes weakly and squeezed out a smile. He said faintly, "I just feel too tired and want to rest. Don't cry. You're already so old. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Yin Tianhou usually studied the art of Qi Huang. He felt his pulse and saw that it was very shallow. He also saw that his eyes were empty. He knew that Zhu Muzhao really couldn't live. He wiped his tears and held back his sadness. He said, "What do you want to tell me? Just say it."
Zhu Muzhao said, "Old Brother, go. Don't bring more trouble to yourself. Listen to my advice. Take advantage of these two years to find a quiet place to live. Don't stay in the capital. If you can avoid this disaster, you can live to a hundred years old. You'll have a house full of children and grandchildren.
Yin Tianhou nodded with tears in his eyes. He said, "I'll listen to you. I'll leave when you're done."
While he was grieving, Zhu Qingjue came in with Yu Shu. When Yu Shu saw the bedridden and sickly Zhu Muzhao, she was shocked. Half a month ago, when Zhu Muzhao accompanied the imperial edict to the Directorate of Astrology to announce her succession, he was still in good health and didn't show any signs of illness. How could he be so sick in just half a month?
She stopped walking and pulled Zhu Qingjue back to the door. She asked him in a low voice, "What illness did Master Zhu have? Why is he in such a critical condition?"
Zhu Qingjue's eyes were full of pain. He shook his head in confusion. He said in a weak voice, "I can't diagnose."
Yu Shu looked at his unkempt beard and black and blue eyes. She knew he couldn't do anything and did not ask further. At this time, Yin Tianhou's voice came from inside the room. "Ah Jue, your father is calling for you. Come in!"
Zhu Qingjue and Yu Shu quickly entered the room. Yin Tianhou moved to the side. Zhu Muzhao struggled to raise his hand. Zhu Qingjue quickly knelt beside the bed and held his hand. He moved closer and said, "Father, please bear with it. The medicine is almost ready. Drink it and sleep. If there's anything you want to say, wait until you wake up."
Zhu Muzhao gently shook his head. He raised his eyes and looked at Yu Shu. He tried to see her face clearly. He opened his mouth and said, "Lotus Room, come here. I have a request."
Yu Shu obediently walked to the bedside. Yin Tianhou saw this and knew that he was making arrangements for his funeral. He wiped the corner of his eyes and silently left.
"Please say it. I'm listening." At this moment, her feelings were extremely complicated. Since the man before her was the enemy that killed Xue Rui's father, and she owed him a debt of gratitude, it was difficult to say if she wanted him to live well or if she didn't want him to die like this.
She thought he was going to ask her to find the Book of Fairy Maiden and protect the Celestial Commissioner. She didn't expect that he would ask her to do something else in the end.
"After I die, there will be no one to support the Zhu family. I only have one son, Qingjue. I'm afraid that he can't keep the family business. Can you help me take care of him?" The implication was that he wanted to matchmake her and Zhu Qingjue.
Yu Shu thought she heard wrong. Zhu Qingjue also shouted in disbelief, "Father?"
Zhu Muzhao ignored him and continued to look at Yu Shu. He was indeed making a request and not threatening her. After a short moment of surprise, Yu Shu shook her head and refused him, "I'm sorry, I can't promise you."
Zhu Muzhao did not give up and said, "This son of mine can be considered a man of striking appearance. Although he lacks a bit of ambition, he is honest and upright and very kind. If you agree to marry him, the Zhu family business will be handed over to you as a betrothal gift. "
As the head of the twelve prefectures, Zhu Muzhao's family business had reached a level that Yu Shu couldn't imagine. But he knew that without him, Zhu Qingjue wouldn't be able to keep this kind of wealth. In the end, it would either fall into the hands of others or it would be a loss of both people and wealth.
Who would have thought that Yu Shu still shook her head and promised him, "Don't worry, even if I don't have a good relationship with Zhu Shixiong, in the future I will definitely protect the Zhu Family, until the day I can no longer protect it."
Although Zhu Muzhao was disappointed, he did not force her. After confirming that her promise was true, he was so tired that he closed his eyes. He felt that his consciousness was gradually blurring, and his voice became unclear. Zhu Qingjue held his hand tightly and moved closer to him. Only then did she hear what he was saying.
"Father, the Celestial Commissioner didn't die in my hands. I protected it …"
Zhu Muzhao had been in power for more than ten years. When he was dying, the person he couldn't let go of the most was his only son, Zhu Qingjue. What he couldn't forget was the oath he made to his late father.
Zhu Qingjue knelt by the bed and sobbed. Yu Shu reached out her hand to check Zhu Muzhao's breath. Her face was sad.
A powerful minister of a generation passed away peacefully just like that. The sharp sword hanging over Yu Shu's head finally disappeared. But the first thing she felt was not relief or happiness, but sadness. She couldn't tell why.
"Zhu Shixiong, don't be sad." She patted Zhu Qingjue's shoulder and turned to go outside to announce the death.
Marquis Rong 'en was old. He cried so hard that he couldn't catch his breath. In the end, he was supported by Yin Yuanrong. The Celestial Commissioner and other officials came one after another. Ren Qiming took the lead and knelt in the courtyard for a long time, crying non-stop.
Yu Shu didn't criticize them. She quietly helped Zhu Qingjue take care of Zhu Muzhao's funeral. It was obvious that she wanted to take this opportunity to show that she was close to the Zhu family and dispel some people's greed.
*
*
*
That night, Yu Shu hurriedly brought Zhu Muzhao's obituary to the palace to see the emperor. Emperor Chongzhen looked very sad. After listening to her recount of Zhu Muzhao's life, he immediately issued an imperial edict. He was conferred the title of Count Shunchang, which would be inherited for three generations.
This was the last benefit Yu Shu could get for the Zhu family. The emperor was not a nostalgic person. After a while, it would be difficult for him to remember the benefits of Zhu Muzhao.
Late at night, Yu Shu hurried back to the Zhu family with the fresh imperial edict. The deceased was conferred the title of Count Shunchang. Zhu Qingjue inherited the title of Count Shunchang at a young age, but he didn't feel the slightest joy. Only those relatives who needed to rely on the power of the Zhu family were happy.
In this way, Yu Shu left early in the morning and returned late at night. She stayed in the Zhu family for seven days. In accordance with Zhu Muzhao's last wish, the coffin was put into the coffin after seven days. She and Marquis Rong 'en, one on the left and the other on the right, carried the coffin. They walked for ten li, which later became a story.
After the funeral, Yu Shu returned to the Celestial Commissioner. She clearly felt that the respect of the officials below her was not superficial, but more sincere. Thinking about it, she knew that it was because she had kept vigil for Zhu Muzhao and unexpectedly gained some loyalty.
After another three days, Zhu Qingjue suddenly came to visit with an unexpected person.
"This is Gu Hong," Zhu Qingjue introduced him to her. "I don't know where my father found this servant. After my father died, he kept pestering me, annoying me. Gu Hong's martial arts are excellent, so I thought he would be useful to you. I sent him to you, so you can take him in. "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
