My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 91

Chapter 91: Unforgettable Original Intention

Pei Shengrong thought to himself, There have been several disaster reliefs in Youzhou. Could it be that the officials who went each time did not have any shady dealings? Why didn’t they say anything? Was it because there was resistance, or did they realize something?

The courage he had had at that time had turned into a bit of cowardice now that it was time. Could the Pei clan of Hedong protect him? Would it affect his future official career?

Laifu: “If you have something to report, report it. If not, the court is dismissed.”

No other official stepped forward.

Pei Shengrong’s mind went back to the time when he had met the common people in Youzhou, who were digging for Guanyin clay to eat. They knew that it couldn’t fill their stomachs, but they still dug for it.

The houses had been destroyed. They didn’t have to be. As long as the river dikes were well-built, they wouldn’t have had to suffer such hardship.

How many people had died, and how many had drowned?

If no one said anything, then more people would die. They wouldn’t even know how they had died, only thinking that it was a natural disaster.

So what? When they had gone to Youzhou, they had been served with big fish and meat. The common people below were eating congee mixed with mud. The grain shops were making a fortune. The officials had received the court’s disaster relief without any loss and could even make a big profit.

Thinking of this, Pei Shengrong saw that Emperor Pingjing was about to stand up. He took a step forward and presented his memorial. “I have something to report.”

Emperor Pingjing nodded. Laifu took Pei Shengrong’s memorial and handed it to him.

Pei Shengrong said, “I was a member of the disaster relief team in Youzhou. It was a shocking sight. Many houses and farmlands were destroyed. Before I went, I had checked the records of the Ministry of Works. The river dikes in Youzhou had only been newly built for less than two years. Logically, there shouldn’t have been such a major loss so soon. When I was in Youzhou, I visited some people and found the remnants of the river dikes. I discovered that the construction of this dike had cut corners, which had led to it being destroyed without any resistance when the flood came.”

Emperor Pingjing frowned at the memorial, his expression inscrutable.

Hearing this, the Minister of Works was a little nervous. He had not participated in any corruption in Youzhou. He was not a fool to get directly involved in such a thing. He was afraid that it was done by the people below. His gaze fell on the Vice Minister of Works.

Vice Minister Ning’s back was drenched. He had been warned by his entourage that Pei Shengrong knew too much. He had thought that he would not submit a memorial, and that it would not be so soon.

He had planned to call Pei Shengrong before him today to threaten and entice him, but he hadn’t expected him to be so impatient.

If he had known, they should have gotten rid of him when they were in Youzhou. How could they have let him return to the capital? Now, if His Majesty were to be serious, none of them would be able to escape.

Emperor Pingjing: “Minister Hong, go and investigate the matter in Youzhou, as well as the names mentioned in Minister Pei’s memorial. Bring the prefect of Youzhou to the capital for questioning. Have I been too lenient with you, or have you long regarded your official positions as your own private property? Some people are officials in the capital, but their hearts have flown to the local places. They are so good at making money that even I am ashamed.”

“I still remember that the silver confiscated from the prefect of Yongzhou was three million taels. The annual revenue of the national treasury is only six million. A local prefect’s silver alone is half of the national treasury!”

Emperor Pingjing was in a rage. He had checked and found that this prefect of Youzhou had also been appointed after he had ascended the throne. Although he should not be angry with Empress Dowager Xiao, he was still dissatisfied with her.

During his father’s reign, the national treasury was at least balanced. After he had ascended the throne, it was in deficit every year. If Empress Dowager Xiao had been extravagant and had built temporary palaces, there would have been court ministers to advise against it. She had only built one for her own worship, and the other expenses were not large, and had been embezzled by the corrupt officials below.

If she had the power, why didn’t she put the country first? To appoint people by favoritism, could the court be governed well?

A trace of coldness flashed in Emperor Pingjing’s face. “This time, a thorough investigation will be conducted. No matter who is involved, as long as the evidence is conclusive, they will be brought to justice. Otherwise, the laws of the Ningxing Dynasty will be a mere scrap of paper. I will not let them get away with it. Minister Hong, if you have any difficulties, you can come directly to the Panlong Hall to find me without having to report. Also, if any court minister can provide clues, I will consider it.”

Liu Wangsheng thought to himself that the court would be in turmoil for a while again. After seeing Emperor Pingjing off, he couldn’t help but think that His Majesty was really different from the late emperor. If the late emperor had encountered such a thing, he would have just turned a blind eye. But His Majesty was more serious. From another perspective, he should be more concerned with the power in his own hands.

With such an emperor, Liu Wangsheng, as the prime minister, did not have much power in his hands.

After Pei Shengrong had finished, his back was already drenched. Seeing that he had not yet left, Song Changxu reached out and patted his shoulder.

This time, Shen Liang did not go to the Imperial College first, but stayed behind to look at him with concern.

Seeing the two of them, Pei Shengrong relaxed. There was still a moment of confusion in his eyes.

“I said it?!”

Song Changxu said with a smile, “You said it.”

Seeing this, Shen Liang asked, “Did you know long ago, Brother Song?”

Pei Shengrong quickly said, “I only told him when I ran into him in the dining hall a few days ago.”

Shen Liang complained, “Alright, after I stopped eating in the dining hall, I’ve become a little distant from you two.”

Pei Shengrong patted Shen Liang’s shoulder, his expression relaxed. “You still know. You’ll have to treat Brother Song and me to a meal and a drink on the holiday.”

Shen Liang smiled and agreed. The three of them walked out of the Jinluan Hall together. Shen Liang was silent for a moment and then said, “You’ve suffered this time, Brother Pei. I know your personality. This matter was still too difficult for you.”

Pei Shengrong took a deep breath. “What are you talking about? What personality do I have? I just feel that an official should be upright and not let his official robe be stained. The salary we receive is not much, but it is also provided by the common people.”

Pei Shengrong touched the jade pendant on his waist. “My family is still quite rich. I don’t have to worry about food and clothing, and I also don’t care much about the salary. Only when I went to the local places did I realize that seven or eight taels of silver a month is something an ordinary family can’t earn in a year. Why not eat meat?”

“We can still speak up for them in the court. They want to speak for themselves, but their voices can’t even be heard. And so, the local officials, most of whom are Jinshi, still have to exploit, deceive, and fool them. We study and become officials for our families, but isn’t it also to take on the world as our responsibility, to hope to make some political achievements and benefit the common people?”

Shen Liang’s heart stirred. He looked at Pei Shengrong and suddenly sighed. “The world is difficult.”

After the three of them had separated, Song Changxu was even more friendly to Pei Shengrong. Brother Pei said he didn’t care about the salary, but he did. After he was promoted, his salary was nine taels of silver, which was already a lot for him.

Song Changxu sighed at his own poverty.

Back at the Ministry of Personnel, he had Ding Minde hand over the files of those with mediocre and outstanding political achievements. It seemed that Youzhou and the court would have another batch of vacant official positions. He had to make plans early.

“Sir Song has sorted it out.”

Song Changxu began to look at the files. Most of the officials with good political achievements had already been transferred. There were also some with mediocre political achievements. Song Changxu had seen a few good seedlings. For those with mediocre political achievements, he had to consider it more carefully. If they were really mediocre, he couldn’t recommend them.

After a while, Ding Minde came in and said, “Director Zongzheng is here. Would you like to go and welcome him, Sir Song?”

In the future, Director Zongzheng would be his direct superior.

Song Changxu remembered that he had been a prefect in a local place. How had he come so quickly? He got up and asked, “How did Director Zongzheng come so quickly?”

“A few months ago, Director Zongzheng submitted a request to His Majesty to go home to recuperate. His Majesty granted his request. This time, when he received His Majesty’s decree, he immediately rushed back from the county below the capital.”

Song Changxu had read Zongzheng Jia’s file. He was indeed a person with a weak body, but under normal circumstances, he would finish his work first and then fall ill.

Director Zongzheng had always been in the local areas. Even if his political achievements were good, he had always been sick in the later stages, so before his weakness, he would always be considered unstable, and his personality was also arrogant.

He had been in the local areas all these years.

For some reason, he had caught Emperor Pingjing’s eye this time. When Song Changxu reached the entrance of the Ministry of Personnel, he recognized Director Zongzheng. He looked a little weak and young, only twenty-five or twenty-six.

Director Zongzheng squinted at Song Changxu, and also at Director Li behind him. He cleared his throat. “You must be Zhuangyuan Song.”

Song Changxu quickly went forward and said, “I dare not, Sir Zongzheng.”

Director Zongzheng was just here to get to know him. He smiled kindly. “No need for such a grand display. You can go on with your work. I still have to go and see Sir Jian. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other in the future.”

Everyone answered “yes.”

Director Zongzheng took his men to his office and then went to find Jian Xi.

Song Changxu had made an appearance in front of his new superior. He went back to his workstation and started to work.

He would know what kind of personality his new superior had after he had interacted with him in the future. It was enough to just make a good first impression.

Song Changxu had chosen a few good seedlings this day and would present them to Director Zongzheng tomorrow.

He stood up and stretched. The sunset had painted the sky red. Song Changxu walked out of the Ministry of Personnel. There were not many officials left in the imperial palace.

He went out of the imperial palace to buy a bowl of lamb soup. The weather was gradually getting colder. A bowl of lamb soup would be warm when he got back.

Song Changxu was at ease. He also saw someone selling rouge. He thought of buying a box of rouge and fragrant balm for Xu Zhizhou, as well as a box of bath pearls.

When he returned home, only Cheng Ge’er was there. He went to change his clothes and came out to ask, “Where is your uncle-in-law?”

“My uncle-in-law has taken my father to the Bobo Chicken shop. My grandmother said she wants to go back,” Xu Cheng said, and arranged his wooden carvings in a row.

Song Changxu: “How about you and your father stay here, Cheng Ge’er? The residence is big enough, and you can also make new friends.”

Xu Cheng was a little surprised and a little hesitant. “But I promised Xia Ya that I would go back and tell her about the capital. I also have other friends in the village. I won’t be able to see them in the future.”

Song Changxu thought that this was indeed a problem. He thought for a moment and said, “I still think it’s better to stay in the capital. You can go and see your friends in the village during the New Year. When you’ve learned to read, you can go back to the village for a few years. If you’re not satisfied, you can come back.”

Xu Cheng wanted to nod. He said, “Thank you, uncle. I still have to listen to my father.”

Song Changxu patted his head. “Of course. Your father’s advice is also very important.”

When Xu Zhizhou came back, it was just in time for dinner. At the table, Liang Su said, “We’ve been here for so long. If we don’t go back, it won’t be good when winter comes. Besides, we still have to go back to harvest the crops. We plan to go back in a few days.”

Cao Qin also nodded.

Song Mingyan had gone to the Bobo Chicken shop with Xu Zhizhou today. He was a little hesitant about his suggestion. He looked at Xu Cheng again and made up his mind.

“Mother, I plan to stay here with Changxu and help them with the shop.”

Liang Su said, “That’s good too.”

Mingyan had been single in the village. After Changxu had become successful, many people had said it to his face, but there were still rumors and strange gazes. Some people wanted to get close to Changxu and wanted to marry Mingyan.

It was not a good feeling to stay in the village, and there was also Cheng Ge’er. It was naturally better in the capital than in the village. The experience was different.

Xu Zhizhou said, “Mother, you can go back this year and bring my father with you next year. You can rent out the land at home and collect the rent every year. My elder brother is in the capital. It’s right for you to be reunited.”

“We’re all in the capital. If anything happens in the future, we won’t be by your side. You’ll feel bad, and we’ll also feel bad when we hear about it.”

Xu Zhizhou was persuading Liang Su, but he was also persuading Cao Qin.

Liang Su was moved by Xu Zhizhou’s words. She also thought that it would not be convenient for the old couple to be in the village in the future.

“I’ll go back and discuss it with your father. If we want to come, we’ll write to you in advance.”

Cao Qin also nodded. She had been with Zhizhou and Zhici recently, and she also preferred to be in the capital.

In the village, they still had to work. Farming was not an easy job. Without their two sons, she and Xu Sunzheng could not farm too much.

If they hadn’t experienced it in the capital, they would probably have been determined to stay in their hometown. Now that they had experienced the good life in the capital, they wanted to stay.

At night, after Xu Zhizhou and Song Changxu had washed up, Xu Zhizhou sat at the dressing table. He found that there was a box of rouge, fragrant balm, and also bath pearls on it.

“Did you buy these for me, husband?” Xu Zhizhou asked happily, turning his head.

Song Changxu pretended to be reading. Hearing his question, he looked up and said, “I did. I saw someone selling these after work and just bought them.”

Xu Zhizhou came over and kissed his cheek. “That’s great. The bath pearls were just used up, and now they’re replenished.”

Song Changxu: “Then I can also use the bath pearls.”

Xu Zhizhou hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

Song Changxu was used to it. He lowered his head and read for a while. After Xu Zhizhou had blown out the candle, he got into bed.

“Since Mother and the others are leaving, we should buy some more things for them to take back in the carriage. Anyway, it’s no trouble.”

Song Changxu nodded. “We can. We can’t go back empty-handed. Also, I guess my parents will be coming over next year. Then the whole family will be in the capital.”

Xu Zhizhou: “I think so too. Then it will be just like that. If my husband gets a few more rewards from His Majesty, our family’s money will be more and more.”

Song Changxu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. “Do you think it’s so easy to get His Majesty’s favor?”

Xu Zhizhou said innocently, “But my husband definitely can. He’s gotten it twice already.”

Song Changxu thought of the memorial he had submitted about the Ministry of Works today. He didn’t know what would happen.

“Go to sleep,” Song Changxu said, and tucked in the corner of Xu Zhizhou’s quilt, sleeping with him.

.

Emperor Pingjing had been reviewing the memorials until very late. He had put Song Changxu’s memorial aside. Considering that he had just been promoted, Emperor Pingjing had kept his contribution in mind and would promote him when he had enough experience.

Also, Pei Shengrong was also a good seedling. This court lacked people who were honest and dared to speak. If everyone cherished their own reputation, or pretended to be deaf and dumb when they encountered the rich and powerful, there would be fewer people who did real work. Instead, those who were cunning and catered to their superiors would be in high positions. This would not do.

Emperor Pingjing trusted the people he had newly promoted more. After all, they were all young ministers and had not yet been completely corrupted.

He went to the Fengyang Palace. Xiao Yurong had just finished his pregnancy-protecting medicine and was eating a piece of candied fruit. Seeing Emperor Pingjing come, his face was filled with joy, and he was about to greet him.

Emperor Pingjing quickly stopped him. “I’ve said that you don’t have to greet me after you’re pregnant, so you don’t hurt yourself.”

Xiping silently withdrew with the tray.

Xiao Yurong was happy in his heart, but he still said, “The rites cannot be abolished.”

Emperor Pingjing thought of Xiao Yurong’s previous appearance. In his eyes, there were no etiquette. He would even tease him in the past.

To not be lectured by his mother and uncle, Emperor Pingjing also felt that he was being too petty to argue with a small ge’er. He had a bit of tolerance for this little cousin.

Thinking of what Minister Hong had said about the people involved in the Xiao family, Emperor Pingjing did not want to talk about this matter with Xiao Yurong for the time being.

He helped Xiao Yurong to sit down. Seeing that the fruits on the table had all been replaced with plums, he took a bite and found it a bit sour.

He poured a cup of tea, and it was all warm water.

Xiao Yurong said, “Your Majesty, the imperial physician has told me to drink less tea, so I don’t have trouble sleeping at night. It’s better to drink more warm water.”

Emperor Pingjing took a sip of warm water. He tapped his fingers on the table. “That’s good. You should listen to the imperial physician.”

“Didn’t you go to the Buddhist temple to offer incense? How was it?”

Xiao Yurong knew that his mother had been sent to the Huguo Temple by His Majesty. He had gone there before not only to pray to the Buddha, but also to see his mother. He smiled. “My mother is fine at the Huguo Temple. I also drew a lot when I was praying. It was a top-grade one. I think the child of Your Majesty and me will be a good one.”

Emperor Pingjing’s gaze softened when it fell on Xiao Yurong’s stomach. “After he’s born, I will find a good teacher for him.”

Xiao Yurong was pregnant, and Emperor Pingjing was just here to sleep. Xiao Yurong was not a generous person. His mother was not in the palace, and he was the highest-ranking in the harem. He would not remind His Majesty that he should take in concubines and find someone to talk to.

Emperor Pingjing’s hand was on Xiao Yurong’s stomach, touching it from time to time. It was already showing a little.

He asked casually, “Have the Xiao family’s people come to see you recently?”

The tips of Xiao Yurong’s ears were slightly red.

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: I’ll buy things for my husband. [Rainbow fart]

Little Xu: Then I’ll reluctantly let you use a little. [Pats head]