The sixth day of June is the Insect King Festival.
There are only two days left before the Insect King Festival, and this matter was discussed during the court meeting.
The Ministry of Households manages agricultural affairs, and the Ministry of Rites manages activities such as blessings and sacrifices. The affairs of the Chongwang Festival are left to the Minister of the Ministry of Households and the Minister of Rites to jointly handle.
On the day of sacrifice, the emperor would personally burn incense, kowtow to heaven and earth and pray for blessings. At the same time, he would also need to deliver speeches to civil and military officials and the general public.
The manuscript of the emperor's speech was drafted by the Hanlin Academy.
The top three Jinshi of this year had outstanding literary talent and brilliant writing, so the Hanlin Academy handed over the drafting of the first draft to the three of them.
Cheng Zhao said to his two colleagues: "I am from a farmer's family and I know a lot about these farming affairs. Leave the farming-related content to me. I will leave the rest of the sacrifices and prayers to Master Fu and Master Xie."
Both Fu and Xie were from aristocratic families, and they didn't know anything about farming, so they naturally nodded.
In half a day, the first draft was drawn up and handed over to the Grand Master of the Hanlin Academy. After reviewing and revising some details, the Grand Master took it to the emperor for review.
The emperor's daily routine consisted of reading excerpts and articles. This prayer manuscript was nothing surprising to the emperor, so he was ready to stamp it after just one glance.
However, when he saw the middle part, his eyes froze.
"...When there is a severe drought and the fields are dry, ditches are dug...If there is a locust plague and locusts are overflowing, lantana has a miraculous effect...All things in the world are in conflict with each other. Choose their own way to fight against them, just like the gods banished them. Come down and have a good harvest..."
Every word is written about farming, but every word reveals the character of Sui'an people.
The emperor raised his head: "Who made this prayer?"
The Hanlin University Scholar raised his hand and said, "Returning to the Emperor is the work of three people who won the top prize in this year's new subject."
"This year's Tanhualang must be Sui'an's nephew." The emperor smiled, "This Tanhualang is not only handsome, but also has an exquisite mind. Please let him come."
The academician of Hanlin was beating the drum in his heart. In the past few days, the word "Sui'an people" has been criticized by everyone, and Cheng Zhao, as the direct nephew of the Sui'an people, was summoned by the emperor at this time. I don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.
Although the emperor has a smile on his face, anyone who has been around the emperor for a long time knows that the emperor's inner joy and anger are not consistent with his outer performance.
He turned around and returned to the Hanlin Academy, called Cheng Zhao over and gave a serious warning: "...remember to be careful in your words and deeds, say what you should say well, and don't say what you shouldn't say..."
Cheng Zhao remembered it carefully and then walked towards the imperial study.
Although he was on errands at the Hanlin Academy in the palace and not far from the Imperial Study Room, except for seeing the emperor up close on the day of the imperial examination, he never had the opportunity to meet the emperor.
This opportunity was created by himself, and it was also his only opportunity.
When he arrived at the door of the imperial study, Cheng Zhao took a deep breath, straightened his official hat, then bowed his head and walked in. He saluted respectfully: "I have seen the emperor."
The emperor threw the paper in front of him and said quietly: "Did you write these sentences?"
Cheng Zhao lifted his robe and knelt down: "I don't dare to hide it. These few sentences are clearly about man conquering nature, but in fact they are to let the emperor remember the contribution of the people of Sui'an."
The emperor showed a calm expression: "So, you want to come to plead for the people of Sui'an?"
Nowadays, there are a lot of rumors about the people of Sui'an, and there is even a main war faction, which inexplicably claims to go to war with Assab.
This matter is actually a conflict between the Ye family and the Sui'an people. One is Yun's natal family, and the other is the sixth-rank imperial wife. The rank of these two families is not high. No matter what, it will not be his turn. The emperor came to resolve it... But this matter is getting more and more outrageous, and an explanation must be given to the public... Both parties are at fault, but according to what everyone said, the people of Sui'an are obviously more at fault, so they can be punished a little. It's over.
However, the emperor did not intend to punish him too harshly. After all, the people of Sui'an had made great contributions to the court and the country, and such talents could not be allowed to develop a rebellious mind.
"Wei Chen didn't dare to plead for the Sui'an people." Cheng Zhao lowered his head, "It's just that Wei Chen felt that since the Insect King Festival is to pray for a good harvest, and the reason why the Sui'an people became Sui'an people was because of the regenerated rice , How many people have been saved from hunger. It is better to let the people of Sui'an participate in the Insect King Festival and sincerely pray for all the people, which will be considered as making up for the mistakes... Please also ask the emperor to give the people of Sui'an this opportunity."
After he finished speaking, the emperor did not speak, and the imperial study became quiet.
Cheng Zhao knelt on the ground, a layer of sweat forming on his palms.
He is a new official of the seventh rank, but he dares to make demands to the current Holy Lord. Even if the Holy Lord removes him from his official position at this time, he deserves it.
Although he expected all the consequences, he still wanted to take the gamble.
He knelt motionless, waiting for relief.
"You do have some courage." The emperor suddenly said, "It's not impossible to give this opportunity, but this so-called making up for one's mistakes does not go to the Ye family."
Cheng Zhao felt relieved and said quickly: "After the sacrifice is over, the people of Sui'an will publicly apologize to Master Ye in front of everyone and let the Ye family suffer."
The emperor nodded. He was able to bend and stretch. This Sui'an person can be regarded as a noble man.
Apologizing in public, even if the Ye family is unwilling to do so, they can only let the matter go.
He appointed her on the spot and asked people from Sui'an to accompany the Queen to the Insect King Festival.
Coming out of the imperial study, Cheng Zhao was soaked to the skin. The pressure of being in the same room as the emperor was really unbearable.
But at the same time, he also understood that getting used to getting along with the emperor and understanding the emperor's personality and preferences would be of great benefit to his future career...
Today is the first time he has stepped into the royal study, and there will definitely be a second or third time in the future...
Cheng Zhao took the oracle back to Cheng Wanwan's residence.
"Zhao'er, what I have to do next is like walking on a knife's edge. If I do it well, everything will be worry-free. If I go astray, our official positions will probably be over." Cheng Wanwan Looking up at him, "Are you willing to take a gamble with me?"
Cheng Zhao nodded without hesitation: "I will obey Second Aunt's orders in everything."
Cheng Wanwan carefully explained her next plan.
The people present were Cheng Zhao, Shen Zheng, and Zhao Sidan. After hearing this, the three of them could not say a word.
Cheng Zhao has a conservative personality and doesn't like to take risks. He can't say anything against it at this time, because if the Ye family doesn't deal with it cleanly, after the Asab envoy leaves, the second aunt will have no one to rely on, and she will become a fish on the chopping board of the Ye family. ...Even if the second aunt can successfully leave the capital, he and Sanniu will become a thorn in the Ye family's side.
Even if it means self-destruction, the Ye family must be brought down.
Shen Zheng looked serious: "Godmother, I have full authority to cooperate with you."
Zhao Sidan also wanted to say something, but was stopped by Cheng Wanwan. She said earnestly: "Sidan, you will most likely enter the officialdom in the future. Let you listen to this now to let you know in advance the dangers of the officialdom. You Let’s see how mother deals with the Ye family, and learn from it.”
Zhao Sidan's eyes were full of worry: "But I'm afraid..."
"Don't be afraid." Cheng Wanwan patted him on the shoulder, "The worst-case scenario is that you'll be stripped of your title and go back to your hometown. At worst, you'll have to start from scratch."
Shen Zheng grinned: "That's right, at worst, I can go back to Dahe Village and live a free life."
