The imperial capital of Daqian, Luoyang.
Outside the imperial city.
Prime Minister Zhuge Shang, as the head of the civil service, as usual, along with all the civil and military officials in the court, waited for Zhao Shan's triumphant return at the city gate.
Officials have long been accustomed to welcoming the Holy Emperor's triumphant return.
The emperor often went out to fight, defeated the Northern Wei Dynasty, destroyed Xiliang, crushed the Jin Kingdom, and swept all directions. Under such frequent battles, the emperor often returned triumphantly, and officials were naturally used to it.
Not only that, people are used to it.
The emperor is used to winning.
It would be surprising if the emperor did not win one day.
Now Zhao Shan destroyed Wu Wang Zhao Gou and recaptured Yangzhou, bringing Yangzhou back under control and the imperial court's strength further strengthened. Now Guanzhong, Jingzhou and Yangzhou are connected, and they are connected from north to south.
The visible prosperity of Da Qian can sweep the world, so that the mental outlook of the ministers in the DPRK is getting better and better.
Zhuge Shangren was at the front, while Du Gangfeng, Qi Shanjun, Shen Yuanqing and others were at the rear.
Everyone was talking quietly in twos and threes.
Of all the people, only Xiao Yan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, did not come.
As the deputy prime minister of the imperial court, Du Gangfeng was in charge of the Yushitai. He was able to monitor officials all over the world and had great power. Although Du Gangfeng's influence and authority are not comparable to Zhuge Shang, he is second only to Zhuge Shang.
Privately, the two have a good relationship and work well with each other.
Du Gangfeng lowered his voice and asked: "Prime Minister Zhuge, Your Majesty is about to return to Luoyang in triumph. Have you thought about what to do about Xiao Shangshu?"
"Not yet!"
Zhuge Shang shook his head and answered without telling the truth.
Things involving Xiao Yan should not be disclosed casually. Even though he had a good relationship with Du Gangfeng, Zhuge Shang did not say much.
Du Gangfeng said sternly: "Xiao Shangshu is the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and is responsible for the transfer of personnel in the imperial court. His official position is of great importance and must be selected early. Otherwise, it will be bad if Xiao Shangshu delays important affairs of the court."
Zhuge Shang smiled and said: "When Your Majesty returns and I report it, I will know what to do."
Du Gangfeng nodded and said no more.
"Your Majesty is back."
Suddenly someone in the crowd shouted.
In an instant, everyone looked forward and saw Zhao Shan's army returning in triumph with the army.
Zhuge Shang waited patiently. Not long after, a large number of teams led by Zhao Shan approached Luoyang City.
Zhuge Shang took the lead to go out. When the team approached the returning army and approached Zhao Shan, Zhuge Shang saluted and said: "My lord, Zhuge Shang, welcome your majesty's triumphant return."
"I respectfully welcome His Majesty on his triumphal return!"
All the officials spoke at once.
When officials saw Zhao Shan, their faces were full of excitement.
Zhao Shan had been in charge of the government for many years and had already convinced everyone in the court. Zhao Shan's prestige did not come from power, but from battle after battle, which established Zhao Shan's supreme majesty.
Zhao Shan turned over and dismounted, glanced at Zhuge Shang, Du Gangfeng and others, and immediately noticed that Xiao Yan was missing.
However, Zhao Shan remained calm.
Zhao Shan waved his hand and said: "Thank you for your hard work, gentlemen, Ping Shen!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone thanked Zhao Shan and stood up together.
"Go back to the palace!"
Zhao Shan ordered again.
Following Zhao Shan's order, the group began to return to the city.
After entering the city, Zhou Huhou and Li Jiye led their respective armies to station themselves. There were also soldiers detaining Abe Zhongyuan and others who followed them into the city to station themselves. In addition, Zhang Yingxue, Yu Qinghuan and other female family members also followed Zhao Shan back to the palace.
Back in the palace, the two women were taken to the harem for placement.
Zhao Shan called Zhuge Shang, Du Gangfeng and Fang Weihu to the main hall alone to discuss matters.
Zhao Shan looked at Zhuge Shang and asked straight to the point: "Zhuge Qing, what's going on with Xiao Yan? You're greeting me today, but he didn't come in person?"
Zhuge Shang said: "Your Majesty, Xiao Shangshu is ill."
Zhao Shan was a little surprised and asked, "What's going on?"
Zhuge Shang replied: "On May 18th, when Xiao Shangshu returned home from handling government affairs, he fainted as soon as he arrived at the door and got out of the carriage. Not only did he break a leg, he was also sick. "
"The doctor diagnosed that there is something wrong with Xiao Shangshu's lungs and he has difficulty breathing. There is no cure."
"The Queen has also arranged for someone to visit me for this purpose."
"Even the imperial doctors were helpless. As time went by, Xiao Shangshu's condition became worse and worse, and he is now bedridden."
Zhuge Shang said: "Originally, I wanted to arrange for someone to inform His Majesty of the news about Xiao Shangshu in advance, but Xiao Shangshu insisted that it would affect His Majesty's war on the front line, so he said that he could not inform His Majesty and had to wait for His Majesty's return."
Zhao Shan nodded.
Xiao Yan's tenure as Minister of Civil Affairs was generally pretty good.
Although Xiao Yan once ignored government affairs and did not interfere in anything in order to protect himself. After Zhao Shan took power, Xiao Yan became mature and devoted himself to the country and worked conscientiously.
This is worthy of recognition.
Zhao Shan nodded and said: "I will deal with some things first and will go there in person later."
Changing the topic, Zhao Shan continued to ask: "What is going on in the DPRK right now?"
Zhuge Shang opened his mouth and said, "To report back to your majesty, everything is going well in the court. Especially with Prime Minister Du's Yushitai investigating lawbreakers and picking up those who violate laws and crimes in the local area, everything is going well in the court and the local area. Overall, it is good."
Zhao Shan praised: "You and Du Qing work very well together."
Zhuge Shang said humbly: "Your Majesty has given me the reward. It's all Prime Minister Du who has done a good job. I have gained a good reputation, but Prime Minister Du has suffered a bad name. I feel guilty."
Du Gangfeng said: "Prime Minister Zhuge is too humble. This is my responsibility."
Seeing that there was not much going on in the court, Zhao Shan nodded and further said: "With Yangzhou included in the governance, we must clear up the relationship between the court and Yangzhou as soon as possible to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Although it is not yet possible to connect along the Grand Canal, from Guanzhong to Jingzhou, and from Jingzhou to Yangzhou has been connected, this is what we need to take advantage of."
Zhuge Shangdao: "I understand!"
Zhao Shan arranged for Fang Weihu to further sort out military affairs before letting a few people retreat. But he didn't go to the backyard immediately, and arranged for someone to call Zhang Xu.
After Zhang Xu entered, he said: "I pay homage to Your Majesty."
Zhao Shan asked: "How was the situation in Luoyang City during this period? How was the situation in the palace?"
Zhang Xu is more cautious now.
Previously, Zhang Xu's family was the dominant one in the eunuch system, because Zhao Shan divested the Dongchang controlled by Zhang Xu. After Gao Yuan's rise, Zhang Xu and Gao Yuan acted as a check and balance, which made Zhang Xu no longer dare to be as willful as before.
Zhang Xu said respectfully: "Your Majesty, everything in Luoyang City is normal and there is nothing major. Only in Luoyang today, there are many businessmen from the Western Regions. The coming and going of Luoyang makes Luoyang overcrowded and more and more prosperous. The palace is under the Queen's control. Under governance, everything goes smoothly.”
Zhao Shan asked: "Is there something fishy about Xiao Yan's illness?"
"No!"
Zhang Xu shook his head and replied, "Xiao Shangshu fell ill, so much that he fainted and broke his leg. He is getting older, so naturally it will be difficult for him to continue."
Zhao Shandao: "Go down."
"Slave, please resign!"
Zhang Xu bowed respectfully and then withdrew.
Zhao Shan then got up and headed towards the harem.
He entered Cao Mengchan's palace and saw Cao Mengchan nursing a child. When Zhao Shan led troops to attack Zhao Gou, Cao Mengchan and Wanyan Zhi were both pregnant. After more than half a year, they both gave birth to children.
Zhao Shan's eyes lit up when he saw Cao Mengchan nursing the child.
After giving birth to a child, Cao Mengchan became plumper and looked more graceful and luxurious, with a mature and charming aura.
When Cao Mengchan saw Zhao Shan come back, because the child was still nursing, she said softly: "Your Majesty, I cannot salute you. Please forgive me."
Zhao Shan sat down directly on the side, waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter, you can just nurse the child and don't worry about me."
Cao Mengchan said while breastfeeding the child: "Your Majesty, the child is almost four months old and is a daughter. The child's name has not been given yet, so Your Majesty came back to pick the name."
Zhao Shan said without hesitation: "Let's call her Zhao Xi and grant her the title of Princess Yongle."
After Cao Mengchan thanked her, she changed the subject and said, "My concubine and I have a baby, and there is sister Wanyan Zhi. I gave birth to a daughter, and she gave birth to a son, and she hasn't named her yet."
Zhao Shan said: "I know, and I will go and see it later. I am often away from home, and you have to take care of everything in the palace. Thank you for your hard work."
"I don't have to work hard."
Cao Mengchan said calmly: "I know that Your Majesty has great ambitions and ambitions to revive the foundation of our ancestors. How can I hinder Your Majesty? Only Your Majesty can unify the world and be worthy of our ancestors."
Zhao Shan praised: "You should marry a virtuous wife. I married Chan'er. It was indeed right."
A hint of shyness appeared on Cao Mengchan's face.
The emperor's praise is the greatest comfort and encouragement.
All the efforts in the palace are worth it.
Cao Mengchan continued: "The two women your Majesty brought back, Zhang Yingxue and Yu Qinghuan, have been arranged separately."
Zhao Shan explained: "Both Zhang Yingxue and Yu Qinghuan are from a wealthy family in Yangzhou, and it was a marriage deal between me and a wealthy family in Yangzhou. Zhang Yingxue is a little more philistine, and Yu Qinghuan is more innocent. The management of the harem is left to you, Chan'er." "
Cao Mengchan nodded.
She and Zhao Shan were talking. After a while, the child was full, babbling and dancing, and had a smile on his face. The child who is more than four months old has grown up a lot. His skin is white and tender, he has big eyes, and he is very well-behaved.
Zhao Shan teased the child, but the child was not afraid of strangers, grinning and giggling.
Smiling broadly.
Zhao Shan teased him for a while, but the child started crying and was no longer as happy as before. Zhao Shan handed the child to the wet nurse and talked to Cao Mengchan.
Cao Mengchan spoke for a while, but frowned slightly, looking a little uncomfortable.
Zhao Shan asked anxiously: "Chan'er, what's going on?"
Cao Mengchan raised her hand to rub her breasts, frowning and said, "I'm a little engorged, because the milk is so good, and Xi'er doesn't eat much, so the congestion is a bit uncomfortable."
Zhao Shan's eyes lit up and he said confidently: "This matter is too simple. I am the best at it. I specialize in treating difficult and complicated diseases."
