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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 264: Jiangdu
Xiao Chanyan sighed. Uncle was indeed capable, and he had made significant contributions in persuading Xue Ju to surrender. As long as he was willing to bow his head, the Emperor would not overlook him.
However, the younger generation in her family, including her elder brother, were not reliable, which was why she was so eager for her son to take charge of the Eastern Palace.
Officials from the Southern Aristocracy rarely emerged from the Court, and the Xiao Family showed signs of decline. Meanwhile, Consort Zheng's backing from the Xingyang Zheng Clan, though not particularly prominent in court, had a strong presence in both civil and military affairs.
Their influence was considerable, especially since the five prominent families often intermarried, allowing for internal consensus on many issues.
"Your Highness, the more you do, the more mistakes you make; doing nothing means no mistakes at all. If things go well, it will be a legitimate position for your eldest son."
Xiao Chanyan nodded at these words. She had initially thought the same way, but as she watched her son grow day by day without receiving his rightful title, she began to feel anxious.
The main issue lay with the Emperor; his attitude was too ambiguous. As a mother, how could she not plan for her child's future?
"A few days ago, I heard His Majesty mention that this trip aims to promote talented individuals in Jiangnan. Uncle and my brother should select a few truly capable scholars for His Majesty."
"Understood."
As they were both outsiders, it was inappropriate for them to linger with the Queen for too long, so they quickly took their leave.
Xiao Xuan remained silent while Xiao Yu spoke to himself: "Once you enter the palace gates, it's like diving into an ocean; there is only a path forward and no way back. No matter what kind of woman she is, in the end, they all become the same."
However, being reprimanded by Li Jian Cheng and facing enormous expenses to rebuild the Summer Palace while the people had yet to find stability meant that large-scale construction could not be undertaken. This applied not only to Jiangdu Palace but also to Summer Palaces across the realm.
The conflict between the Emperor and the courtiers soon spread throughout various prefectures in Jiangnan. After four years since the founding of the nation, those who had been marginalized from court felt a great sense of Imperial Favor sweeping through Jiangnan.
The final decree ordered the closure of the palace where Emperor Yang was harmed and Liuzhutang, while officials from the Ministry of Rites were commanded to head to Wu Gongtai for a grand sacrificial ceremony and to summon Monastic Daoism in preparation for the relocation of the tomb.
As they set off, the Emperor instructed the officials from Qintianjian to arrive early and seek out a feng shui site in Jiangnan as the final resting place for Sui Emperor Yang Guang.
Upon arriving in Jiangdu, the courtiers immediately dispersed to search for talented individuals who had remained in obscurity, which astonished the Jiangnan Scholar Society that had been closely monitoring the situation.
The Emperor and Empress welcomed the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager to Jiangdu Palace, where the two esteemed figures resided in Great Thunder Palace. The Emperor and Queen took up residence in Return of the Wild Geese Palace. Local officials submitted reports stating that the Summer Palace was a place haunted by Emperor Yang's spirit and should be rebuilt before anyone could move in.
"Xuan'er, you must remember that she is ultimately the Queen. Her son bears the surname Li. Even if he has my Xiao Family blood within him, it does not mean he will treat the Xiao Family well. In the end, a family must rely on its own descendants," said Xiao Xuan.
As an elder brother, how could Xiao Xuan not notice that his sister, once so serene and graceful, had become increasingly unfamiliar?
The two boarded their Treasure Ship, and Xiao Yu suddenly remarked to his nephew, "The Queen has changed somewhat."
Xiao Yu recalled his sister during her time at Jin Wangfu; she had not changed much then, but after becoming Queen, she had grown distant.
However, the family had indeed let her down; she had once expressed her desire never to see anyone from the Xiao Family again.
It is important to note that in the eyes of the Southern People, the Lanling Xiao Family was originally established in Shandong and only migrated south during the Yongjia Rebellion. They were not considered native Jiangnan gentry and thus could not represent Jiangnan.
Currently, aside from the Xiao Family, most officials from Jiangnan were merely employed at Hongwen Academy National University. Very few had entered the Six Ministries, let alone Zhongshu Shangshu to participate in state affairs.
The rapid rise of Shandong gentry was primarily due to the Noble Families of Guanlong focusing their efforts on suppressing Jiangnan. During Emperor Yang's reign, there had been intentions to replace Guanlong with Southern Aristocracy. Consequently, after the establishment of Tang Dynasty, Guanlong instinctively suppressed Southern Aristocracy vigorously.
This allowed Shandong gentry to seize opportunities. The Tang Dynasty was not a small nation confined to one corner; there were few members of Noble Families of Guanlong, most of whom were involved in military affairs. State governance required capable individuals; if these people were not used, others would have to take their place.
Historically, after Li Shimin dealt with Guanlong, he had to face the dominance of the Shandong Gentry. Even while compiling the Clan Chronicle, the illustrious royal family found themselves overshadowed by the Cui Clan.
Now, however, the emperor was actively inviting the Southern Aristocracy into the court. Whether it was a tripartite balance of power or a struggle between two tigers, one family could not be allowed to dominate.
Li Jian Cheng was currently engaged in battles against the Turkic tribes in the north, annihilating the Tuguhun in the west, and swallowing up the Liao Region in the east. It was indeed a time of great imperial authority.
With the Court and Guanlong weakened, the Royal Family under attack, and Shandong struggling to find its footing, there was naturally no significant force to organize against the emperor's will.
The Jinyiwei stood ready with their blades, prepared to cleanse both upper and lower ranks at any moment. No one doubted the emperor's resolve anymore; many powerful families had already paid with their lives as proof.
Faced with the goodwill openly displayed by the emperor, families like Zhu, Zhang, Gu, Lu, Wu, Yu, and Yao from the Southern Aristocracy dared not miss this opportunity.
They hurriedly brought their most outstanding offspring to Jiangdu Palace for an audience with His Majesty. Additionally, they quickly arranged for slightly less prominent relatives to seek out officials tasked with finding talented individuals.
To their surprise, those officials were not interested in noble offspring but were focused on searching for down-and-out commoner scholars.
This served as a cold splash of water on the overly enthusiastic Southern Aristocracy; the emperor's lofty intentions were indeed difficult to fathom!
But could they afford to give up their positions in court? Could they resign themselves to being marginalized and exploited?
Thus, they hesitated in their steps. Across Jiangnan, auspicious signs began to appear frequently, spreading news of His Majesty's virtuous deeds among the populace.
Yet unexpectedly, while the emperor did not reprimand those officials or commoners who presented auspicious signs, he also offered no rewards. Each family could only proceed respectfully for an audience with him.
“How does the Empress feel?”
The Dou Family had been in good spirits these past few days; she could even walk outside for a moment, breathing in the moist air and admiring the beautiful scenery. Who wouldn’t want to live a few more days?
"Indeed, it lives up to its reputation. However, my child, this also shows the harm of extravagance; one should take this as a lesson.
I see that the Summer Palace is already quite splendid enough. In the future, there should be no more construction. The blessings of man are finite; one must cherish them and take care of oneself for longevity."
Li Jian Cheng supported his mother as they walked slowly through the pavilions and towers. "I understand, and I will certainly heed your teachings, Mother."
The Dou Family pointed to a pavilion, and Li Jian Cheng helped her over. Li Wei stepped forward first to lay down a thick cushion.
"My child, since your mother has spoken, let me say a few more words."
"Mother has instructions; I am listening."
The Dou Family whispered, "The Queen is not as she once was. This is not her fault; it is yours.
Chengzong is your legitimate eldest son, and he is now five or six years old. He shows great talent; why do you hesitate to establish him as Crown Prince?"
………
(End of Chapter)
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