It was Haishi, and the emperor was still sitting at the imperial table reviewing the memorials.
Sun Kui hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and reminded the emperor that it was getting late and it was time to rest.
The emperor ignored Sun Kui's reminder and continued to review the memorial.
At 4:00 pm, Sun Kui once again reminded the emperor that it was time to sleep.
The emperor was annoyed by Sun Kui's words, so he had to stop writing, closed the memorial in his hand, raised his eyes to Sun Kui, and said with slight dissatisfaction: "How come I noticed that you are getting more and more verbose."
Sun Kui hurriedly said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I have to think about your dragon body. You can't review the memorials all the time without rest. This is not good for the dragon body. Empress Zhaoyi has repeatedly told me that I must always remind you to rest." ." The smart and witty Sun Kui did not say thank you to the Queen, nor did he say Concubine Rong gave an explanation, because if he said this, the emperor would definitely not listen. However, as long as he said that it was Empress Zhaoyi who told her, the emperor would definitely listen.
The emperor laughed angrily and kicked Sun Kui on the butt: "You kid can use Xiaoxiao as a cover."
Sun Kui said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you only listen to the words of Empress Zhaoyi. This servant can only use Empress Zhaoyi as a cover."
"Okay, let me wash up."
The emperor sat on the couch and soaked his feet. He held a little figure in his hand and looked at it. This little figure looked exactly like him. It was a birthday gift given to him by Zhao Yao.
Sun Kui squatted at the emperor's feet and was washing his feet. When he saw the emperor taking out the little figure given by Zhao Yao again, he flattered him and said, "His Highness the Tenth Highness carved it really well. I didn't expect His Highness's hands to be so skillful."
The emperor smiled and said: "In order to carve this little man for me, this brat pricked several holes in his ten fingers, and he still kept it a secret."
"The Tenth Highness didn't tell you, just to prevent you from worrying." Sun Kui continued to pat the dragon's fart, "Your Majesty, the Tenth Highness has you as his father in his heart, otherwise he wouldn't have carved such a good villain."
The little man in the emperor's hand is very lifelike in both eyes and expression, very similar to the emperor himself.
"My love for this brat is not in vain." The emperor said this in a doting tone.
"His Royal Highness is a filial child."
The emperor raised his feet, put down the little man in his hand, took the towel from Sun Kui's hand, bent down and wiped his feet.
When he bent down, the blood jade worn on his chest jumped out of his collar.
The emperor finished wiping his feet. Sun Kui quickly brought a basin of clean warm water and asked the emperor to clean his hands.
After drying his hands, the emperor stuffed the blood jade back into his collar. When the blood jade was pressed against the chest, a touch of warmth filled the chest.
"My chest has always been warm since I wore this piece of blood jade." Although the emperor is not afraid of the cold, this piece of blood jade is Zhao Yao's filial piety, and he has always worn it close to his chest.
"Your Majesty, didn't His Highness the Tenth Prince say that this piece of blood jade can also relieve pain?" Sun Kui asked curiously, "Your Majesty, do you think it is useful?"
"It is of some use." When the emperor was young, he often fought abroad and suffered many injuries, both large and small. Several times he was fatally injured and almost died. These injuries have now healed, but they left a lot of scars on his body. There was a wound of about an inch on the emperor's heart. This seemingly inconspicuous small wound almost killed the emperor.
Although the injury has healed, it left sequelae because it was too serious at the time. Whenever it's cloudy or rainy, or when you're too angry, you'll feel a dull pain in your heart.
In addition to the wound on the heart, the wounds in other places will hurt when it is rainy. There is no way to completely cure these sequelae, and there is no way to completely alleviate them. The emperor has been holding back all these years.
Even though the emperor was strong and agile, he had many health problems. Only the personal eunuch Sun Kui knew this, and no one else knew.
In rainy weather, the emperor often couldn't sleep because of the pain in his body. He had no choice but to divert his attention by reviewing memorials.
Every time, Sun Kui felt very uncomfortable when he saw the emperor frowning and holding back the pain while reviewing the memorial.
In the past two years, Imperial Physician Feng used acupuncture and medicinal baths to relieve the emperor's pain. Although there is still no cure for these pains, it can at least relieve some pain.
Now that he has this piece of blood jade, the pain left by these stubborn diseases on the emperor's body has been reduced.
Some time ago, the weather was cold and gloomy, and the emperor was not in pain as much as before and could not sleep. Although it still hurts, it is really less painful than before, and at least it can make him sleep.
"This piece of blood jade given to you by His Royal Highness is so thoughtful." Sun Kui thanked Zhao Yao in his heart for giving the emperor this piece of blood jade.
"This was not a gift from him, it was a gift from his second uncle."
"Although Second Master Liang bought the blood jade from the Western Regions, His Highness must have asked Second Master Liang to buy it."
A pleased smile appeared on the emperor's face: "This boy has a filial piety."
"Your Majesty, look at the cotton-padded clothes and quilts made by His Highness, as well as the hot water bottles made from pigs. These are all treasures for winter." Sun Kui was full of admiration for Zhao Yao, "His Highness the Tenth Prince can think of using cotton to make cotton-padded clothes. And quilts, it’s really amazing. Thanks to the blessing of His Highness, everyone in the world can wear warm clothes, drink warm clothes, and sleep warmly."
The emperor naturally knew where Zhao Yao's whimsical ideas came from. He smiled and said: "This brat is not smart in reading, but he is smart in these."
"His Royal Highness Ten is still young. When he grows up, he will definitely study hard."
When Sun Kui saw his son, he did not dare to talk to the emperor anymore and hurriedly persuaded the emperor to stop.
The emperor was also a little sleepy. After lying down, he waved his hand and asked Sun Kui to retreat.
It's not Sun Kui who's keeping watch tonight, it's his disciple Sun Doudou who's keeping watch.
Sun Doudou stood guard at the door of the emperor's chamber. Although there was no wind, the late winter night was still very cold. Fortunately, Sun Doudou carried a hot water bottle in his arms, so that he would not be frozen during the night vigil.
In addition to Sun Doudou, the guards guarding the entrance of Chengguang Hall can also use hot water bottles to warm themselves up at night.
Because of the emergence of hot water bottles, soaking pigs has become a hot commodity. No one wanted the pigpa in the past, but now the pigpa is clamoring for it.
"Master, don't worry, I will take good care of you." Sun Doudou gently patted the hot water bottle in his arms and said to Sun Kui with a grin, "Now that I have the hot water bottle, I am no longer afraid of the cold when I stay awake at night."
"It's easier to fall asleep if you're not afraid of the cold. Don't sleep to death at night."
"Don't worry, I will never sleep to death."
Sun Kui gave a few more instructions before returning to his room.
Someone had already tidied up his room, and there was a charcoal fire that made the room very warm. Several hot water bottles were also placed on his bed to warm the bed.
After washing up, Sun Kui lay on the warm bed with a hot water bottle in his arms and let out a comfortable sigh.
"His Highness Ten is such a good person." This winter has become less cold because of His Highness.
The guards guarding the palace gate would drink wine to warm themselves up during the winter vigil. Without drinking, their bodies would not be able to withstand the cold winter nights, but now that they have hot water bottles, the night vigil becomes much warmer.
"Boss, His Royal Highness is so smart. He actually came up with the idea of making this hot water bottle out of pig water." The palace guard who spoke held the hot water bottle in his hands with a smile on his face. "This is something that most people can't think of."
Chang Yi smiled and said, "Isn't it? Thanks to the hot water bottle made by His Highness, we were much warmer during the winter night vigil."
"There are also cotton-padded clothes and quilts." The guard at the palace gate said, "My parents are not in good health. They complain about the cold every winter. They are often too cold to sleep at night. Now that we have quilts made of cotton, they can also With hot water bottles, my parents can sleep soundly at night."
"Cotton is indeed a good thing. The emperor has decreed that cotton should be planted on a large scale. By then, quilts and clothes will be warmer."
Not only the guards guarding the palace gate were saying good things to Zhao Yao, but also the soldiers in the Imperial Guard and other military camps were saying good things to Zhao Yao. Of course, ministers and people also thought of him well.
Cotton and hot water bottles kept the people of Zhou Dynasty very warm this winter.
Zhao Yao not only asked Liang Run to buy all the cotton from Wusun and other countries in the Western Regions, but also bought a lot of cotton seeds. However, winter is not suitable for planting cotton, so planting will start in April next year.
Zhao Yao asked Liang Run to keep half of the cotton seeds he bought, and gave the remaining half to the emperor.
Zhao Yao also asked Liang Run to buy a lot of land specifically for growing cotton. He also asked Liang Run and others to buy cotton in the Western Regions every year.
The cotton-padded clothes worn by everyone in the palace and the cotton-padded clothes worn by many common people in the capital were all issued by the court and did not charge a penny.
This was Zhao Yao's request when he gave the cotton to the emperor. The reason why he gave away free quilts and cotton-padded clothes was to prepare for his future cotton business. After everyone sees the benefits of cotton, they will not only voluntarily grow cotton, but also willingly buy cotton clothes and quilts.
In April next year, the imperial court will distribute cotton seeds to the people without taking any money. When the cotton harvest comes, the people just remember to return the seeds distributed to them by the court.
Because of the cotton and hot water bottle incident, Zhao Yao's reputation among the people has increased a lot. Many people already believe that Zhao Yao is a boy sent to the human world by Bodhisattva to save people who are suffering.
In the twelfth lunar month, because the weather was too cold, the Wende Palace was closed and the princes did not have to study. Although the weather is getting colder, Zhao Yao still often runs outside.
Some time ago, Zhao Yao asked Liang Zhaoyi and the others to make gloves and gave some gloves to He Lianfang.
He Lianfang also suffered a lot of injuries when he was young, and his foundation was damaged. When winter came, his health became worse and he was often bedridden. However, this winter, thanks to cotton-padded clothes and hot water bottles, he was not bedridden like last year.
"Your letter." He Lianfang took out a letter from her arms and handed it to Zhao Yao.
Zhao Yao took the letter and asked curiously again: "Second uncle, who is this friend of yours?"
He Lianfang still replied: "You don't know him."
"I don't know him, you can tell me."
Some time ago, Zhao Yao began to receive letters from his friends from He Lianfang. Every month, He Lianfang's friend would write two letters to Zhao Yao.
What is written in the letter is not a great principle, nor is it the content of the book, but a matter among the people.
He Lianfang told Zhao Yao that he asked his friends to write to him in order to let him know the affairs of the people, so that when he grows up and goes to Lingnan, he can better manage and take care of the people in Lingnan.
Zhao Yao had no doubts and was very happy to write to He Lianfang's friend.
He Lianfang asked Zhao Yao to call his friend "third uncle".
Zhao Yao was very curious about the identity of his third uncle, but He Lianfang only told him that his third uncle was a farmer and had no special identity.
Zhao Yao did not believe that the third uncle was a farmer. He thought that the third uncle was a reclusive master. If Uncle San was just an ordinary farmer, he would not be able to write meaningful content.
Every time his third uncle wrote him letters, they were about some civil affairs, but there was a deeper meaning behind these things.
Of course, he doesn’t just write about folk affairs, Sanshu also writes about some historical matters.
"He doesn't want to tell you who he is." He Lianfang said indifferently, "Don't ask who he is again."
"Okay, I won't ask anymore." After Zhao Yao finished speaking, he hurriedly read the letter written by his third uncle. Like the previous letters, the third uncle first wrote some interesting folk stories in the letter, and then started to write about historical events. This time it is written about the history of the Chen Dynasty. It is about how Emperor Chen Yuan ascended the throne at a young age and faced the situation where powerful ministers controlled the government. He carefully planned and planned every step to defeat the powerful ministers and control the affairs of the government.
Zhao Yao knew this period of history, but when he read it, he read it as a story and did not read it carefully. Now after reading Third Uncle's letter, he realized that there are so many ways behind this history.
At the end of the letter, the third uncle asked Zhao Yao, why was Emperor Chen Yuan able to defeat powerful officials?
Zhao Yao read the letter and handed it to He Lianfang.
He Lianfang took the letter and read it carefully. After reading it, he felt in his heart that Zheng Xilin was really suitable to be the emperor's master. Every historical story written for Zhao Yao has profound meaning and progresses step by step.
Zheng Xilin's letter to Zhao Yao was arranged by the emperor. Zheng Xilin did not want to be caught by the emperor and sent to the capital to continue serving as a Taiwei, so he could only agree to write a letter to teach Zhao Yao the emperor's mental skills.
In order not to arouse Zhao Yao's suspicion, the emperor asked He Lianfang to hand over Zheng Xilin's letter to Zhao Yao, and asked He Lianfang to claim that it was written by his friend.
He Lianfang and Zheng Xilin knew each other, but they were not friends. However, He Lianfang still agreed with Zheng Xilin very much.
He Lianfang admired Zheng Xilin's talent. Apart from the Yiyong Prince, Zheng Xilin was the second person He Lianfang admired.
At the beginning, He Lianfang suggested to the emperor that he find someone to teach Zhao Yao the emperor's mental skills, and it was Zheng Xilin who had his idea.
Zheng Xilin did not disappoint He Lianfang. Every letter he wrote not only had a deep understanding of the emperor's mind, but also contained many strategies.
After He Lianfang read it, he asked the same question as Zheng Xilin.
"Why do you think Emperor Chen Yuan was able to defeat powerful officials?"
Zhao Yao thought carefully and said: "First of all, Emperor Chen Yuan was cautious and showed weakness to powerful officials."
He Lianfang asked: "After Emperor Chen Yuan ascended the throne, the powerful ministers petitioned to return the government to Emperor Chen Yuan. However, Emperor Chen Yuan refused this request and also granted the title of powerful minister. Why is this?"
Zhao Yao replied: "The powerful minister's report that he wanted to return the government to Emperor Chen Yuan was an excuse. He wanted to test Emperor Chen Yuan, but he did not really want to return the government to Emperor Chen Yuan."
He Lianfang asked deliberately: "Why do you think it is a test?"
"The powerful minister has been in control of the government for a long time, and he has the final say on all major affairs in the court. How could he return the government to Emperor Chen Yuan?" Zhao Yao said, "He submitted a memorial and proposed to return the government. On the one hand, he wanted to test Emperor Chen Yuan. What is Emperor Chen Yuan thinking? On the other hand, it is just to show off. After all, the ministers of the court and the people of the world are watching."
"Why did Emperor Chen Yuan refuse the request of his powerful officials to return the government?"
"Emperor Chen Yuan knew in his heart that this was a test for him. If he agreed, it would be over. He had just ascended the throne and had no power in the court. He was no match for the powerful ministers. Once he agreed to the powerful ministers' request, it would be tantamount to telling the powerful ministers that His ambition, as well as his fear and dissatisfaction with powerful officials."
"The powerful officials supported Emperor Chen Yuan to succeed because they saw him as powerless and weak in the court. In fact, the powerful officials wanted Emperor Chen Yuan to be his puppet. Emperor Chen Yuan knew in his heart that when he was incapable of resisting the powerful officials Before, he would not let powerful officials be dissatisfied with him."
"He had three purposes in issuing a decree to confer powerful ministers: the first purpose was to express his gratitude to the powerful ministers for supporting him in becoming God, and at the same time, he also expressed to the powerful ministers that he would not be able to handle government affairs. Without the powerful ministers, he could not do anything. The second purpose was to To help the powerful officials, let everyone in the world know that it is not the powerful officials who control the government and are unwilling to return it, but that he, the emperor, needs the powerful officials and does not want the powerful officials to return the government. The third purpose is to make the powerful officials let down their guard against him."
He Lianfang nodded with satisfaction: "That's good, continue."
"Emperor Chen Yuan has also been holding back, obediently playing the role of a puppet emperor who can't live without his powerful ministers, but at the same time he secretly cultivates his own people. In the few years after he ascended the throne, he placed his own people under the noses of powerful ministers. , but the powerful ministers saw that these people were not holding important positions and did not take it to heart."
He added: "Emperor Chen Yuan pretended to be very grateful to the powerful minister, and kept adding official positions or titles to the powerful minister and his family, and praised the powerful minister higher and higher. In this way, the powerful minister and his family became more and more unruly, He’s also becoming more and more greedy.”
"The powerful minister and his family did many outrageous things, which made the people complain. At the same time, many ministers were dissatisfied with the powerful minister, and they gradually favored Emperor Chen Yuan and surrendered to Emperor Chen Yuan. Emperor Chen Yuan also secretly bribed many powerful ministers."
"When the time was right, Emperor Chen Yuan annihilated the powerful minister and his family in one fell swoop. Although Emperor Chen Yuan tolerated this for ten years. During these ten years, Emperor Chen Yuan had always given the powerful minister and his family supreme honor and status. Only then did he let Powerful ministers let down their guard against him and considered him nothing to worry about.”
"Actually, this is flattery."
"Praise for killing?" He Lianfang heard this word for the first time and didn't know what it meant, so she asked, "What is flattery for killing?"
"It is to praise someone high, make them proud and complacent, and make them fall or fail." Zhao Yao said, "Emperor Chen Yuan used praise to kill powerful officials."
"That's a good word." He Lianfang was used to Zhao Yao coming up with words he had never heard of before from time to time, but every time Zhao Yao said a word he had never heard of before, it was described very aptly.
He praised Zhao Yao: "The analysis is good."
"Emperor Chen Yuan is a tolerant person, but I might not be able to endure it." In the first few years when Emperor Chen Yuan ascended the throne, the powerful officials did not take him seriously at all. Not only that, his son also humiliated him in front of the palace people and blatantly stole his concubines.
"Chen Yuandi couldn't help but die. If you were reduced to that point, you would be as tolerant as him."
"Maybe." Zhao Yao added, "It is precisely because of this that Emperor Chen Yuan can be a good emperor."
"After Emperor Chen Yuan destroyed the powerful ministers, he took control of the government and has been steadily controlling the government. There has been no more disagreement. Why do you think this is?"
"The art of checks and balances, Emperor Chen Yuan is really good at the art of checks and balances." Although the third uncle did not write in detail in the letter, he could tell that Emperor Chen Yuan was very good at the art of checks and balances. "My father is also good at the art of checks and balances."
Hearing what Zhao Yao said, He Lianfang asked with interest: "How does your father use the art of checks and balances?"
"This is how father plays..."
The next chapter is a transitional chapter, and then the male protagonist grows older.
It’s the end of the month, please give me your monthly pass!
(End of chapter)
