Do you know: I am the crown prince

Chapter 55: The Eastern Palace Team
"Father, why did you confer an imperial decree on Fang, a woman who had just entered the family? I think this is too much favor to the Zhu family."

When Zhao Xing finished school, he learned that his father had conferred an imperial decree on Fang, so he went to Longtu Pavilion to ask for an audience with his father.

His uncle is a kind of person who shines brightly when given a little sunshine. After being disciplined by his uncle, he has become a lot more obedient over the past year.

With his father rewarding him so much now, Zhao Xing was worried that he would start to become arrogant again.

"hehe."

The emperor smiled slightly and said, "This reward is not for the Zhu family, but for the Fang family. You asked for it, and the Fang family agreed. Naturally, I have to give benefits to the Fang family. I also do this for the world to see."

"But wouldn't it be better for Your Majesty to just reward the Fang family directly?" Zhao Xing asked doubtfully.

"The Fang family has never lacked favors. Look at this." The official took a bundle and handed it to Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing took it and looked at it. There were many names and official titles written on it.

The official positions were all those of the Eastern Palace, and those names were all important officials and nobles in the court.

"You will move to the Eastern Palace in the early spring after the New Year, and it is time to arrange for the Eastern Palace's ministers. These are the candidates I have temporarily decided on." said the emperor.

Generally, after a prince is conferred the title of crown prince, a team of officials for the Eastern Palace should be established.

However, because Zhao Xing was still living in the palace at that time, the emperor did not make any arrangements.

Zhao Xing looked at it carefully and found that according to the list drawn up by his father, Grand Chancellor Han Zhang would be the Prince's Junior Tutor, Chancellor Yu would be the Prince's Junior Preceptor, and Duke Yingguo would be the Prince's Junior Protector.

The Minister of Rites was the Left Chancellor, and the Minister of Personnel was the Right Chancellor.

Hai Wenyu, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, served as the director of the Zhanshiyuan.

Ningyuan Marquis Gu Yankai and Qingyuan Marquis Fang Zhou were appointed as the left and right commanders of the imperial guards.

The rest of the positions were held by important officials in the court.

"Father, are you going to transfer Marquis Qingyuan back?" Zhao Xing asked in surprise.

"I do have this intention. Marquis Qingyuan has been in the north with General Gan for many years. Now that the north is stable, it is time for him to return to Bian Jing to rest." said the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I feel that since Marquis Qingyuan has been in charge of the north for many years and is very familiar with the northern border, it would be better to let him stay in the north. Although the north has been peaceful for many years, I have heard that in the autumn and winter seasons, small groups of cavalry often entered the Song Dynasty to plunder. The defense measures created by Marquis Qingyuan have caused the Liao Kingdom to suffer a great loss, and in recent years they have almost dared not come to plunder. Once Marquis Qingyuan returns to Beijing, the people near the northern border will be harassed by the Liao again." Zhao Xing said.

After the Treaty of Tanyuan, Liao and Song entered a period of peace.

However, small groups of cavalry from the Liao Kingdom often entered the territory of the Song Dynasty to plunder, which is commonly known as raiding the grass and valleys.

The northern border was undefended and impossible to defend. For this reason, the Song Dynasty sent envoys to the Liao Dynasty many times to question them, but the Liao Dynasty explained that it had nothing to do with the Liao Dynasty and that the envoys were not sent by the Liao Dynasty.

Although they knew it was the Liao Kingdom that did it, the Song Dynasty had no actual evidence and lacked confidence, so they did not dare to go to war with the Liao Kingdom and could only endure it.

Later, the Marquis of Qingyuan went to the north to take charge, and took great pains to build a defense system, which caused a small group of Liao cavalrymen who were raiding the valleys to suffer heavy losses. This made the Liao Kingdom restrain itself a lot.

Zhao Xing dared to advise because his father wanted to transfer Marquis Qingyuan back. He simply wanted to transfer him back, not because he was worried that he would become powerful and influential.

The regular army of the Song Dynasty was composed of imperial guards, as were the border troops, and there was a system of rotation for guarding the border.

According to the rules, they must be rotated every three years, which completely eliminates the possibility of military generals commanding their own troops.

"When I transfer Marquis Qingyuan back, I will naturally send someone else to take over. With the defensive measures created by Marquis Qingyuan, the successor only needs to follow the same rules, and the effect will be the same. There will be no impact." said the emperor.

"There is no problem in following what your Majesty said, but officials and generals all want to show their talents, so how can they follow the old rules? If the successor does not follow the method of Marquis Qingyuan, the people in the north will suffer. Your Majesty, the people in the north have suffered enough." Zhao Xing said.

"What you said makes sense. Then let Marquis Qingyuan continue to rule the north." The official said after hesitating for a while.

In his opinion, it made no difference whether Marquis Qingyuan was transferred back or not.

He just felt that Marquis Qingyuan had been separated from his family for many years, and wanted him to come back and reunite with his family.

What Zhao Xing said made sense, so he thought about it and agreed.

"After you move to the Eastern Palace, you will have to start learning how to handle government affairs. I will order someone to copy the notes that I review every day and send them to the Eastern Palace. You must read them every day. If you don't understand something, you can ask Master Hai for advice, or you can come to the palace to ask me. In a few years, I will let you serve as the prefect of Kaifeng and take over government affairs." said the emperor.

"I will study hard and live up to my father's expectations," said Zhao Xing.

"Yes." The official nodded and said, "Go."

"I'll take my leave!" Zhao Xing bowed and walked out. ...

After Sun submitted the letter of thanks to Empress Cao, she soon received her permission.

Although the decree to confer the title of Lady of Imperial Concubine was issued by the emperor, it was the empress who was responsible for receiving the Lady of Imperial Concubine when she came to the palace to express her gratitude.

The relationship between the royal family and ministers in the Song Dynasty was not as strict as that in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

In addition, Sun was Zhao Xing's aunt. When Empress Cao met Sun and Fang, she was very kind and even rewarded them with some jewelry and cloth.

After chatting for a while, without waiting for Sun to speak, she asked someone to take them to sit with Concubine Zhu.

……

"Greetings, empress!"

"Sister-in-law, there's no one else here, no need to be so polite."

Concubine Zhu waved her hand, asked Sun to sit down, then waved to Fang and said with a smile, "Come, come closer, let your aunt take a look."

"Yes."

Fang walked slowly forward and came in front of Concubine Zhu.

Concubine Zhu had someone bring a soft stool and pulled Fang to sit down in front of her. She looked at Fang, took off a white jade bracelet from her hand, stuffed it into Fang's hand, and said with a smile: "This is a gift from your aunt."

"Your Majesty, this is too expensive." Fang quickly declined.

"I told you to call me aunt."

Concubine Zhu glared at her in reproach and said with a smile, "It is a gift from the elders, accept it quickly."

"Yes." Fang had no choice but to accept it and bowed, saying, "Thank you, aunt."

"That's right. It is said that girls from noble families are generous and generous. You should not be restrained. Now that you have entered the Zhu family, you need to give birth to new branches for the Zhu family as soon as possible." Concubine Zhu said with a smile.

Fang blushed slightly when she heard this and said, "My niece knows."

"Sister-in-law, you can have lunch here with me at noon and go back later." Concubine Zhu said.

"Yes." Sun smiled and nodded when she heard that.

"Sister-in-law, is everything okay at home?" asked Concubine Zhu.

"It's all good. Now that Yu'er is married, I feel relieved and am just waiting to hold my grandson in my arms." Sun said with a smile.

"Did you hear that? Your mother-in-law is pointing a finger at you." Concubine Zhu said with a smile.

Even though Fang came from a noble family, she was only a sixteen-year-old girl after all. She felt a little embarrassed to be teased like this, and lowered her head with a red face.

Seeing that she was shy, Concubine Zhu did not continue teasing her, but started chatting about family matters.

Under Sun's deliberate guidance, the topic unknowingly turned to her daughter Zhu Danzi.

Sun hinted that she wanted to marry her daughter to Qi Heng.

Zhu Shiquan mentioned this to her yesterday, and after thinking about it carefully, she was indeed moved.

Qi Heng has a good family background and is very motivated. He can be said to be an ideal son-in-law.

Moreover, the prince also thinks highly of Qi Heng. The marriage between the two families will not only ensure a good home for her daughter, but will also be helpful to the prince.

After hearing this, Zhu didn't think much about it. She just said that if she had the chance, she would test Princess Pingning's intentions.

At noon, after Sun and Fang had lunch in the palace, they chatted with Concubine Zhu for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.

After leaving the palace and getting on the carriage, Fang hesitated for a moment and said, "Mother-in-law, I think you shouldn't have mentioned that just now."

Thanks to Lü Bu, Yunjiang’s Xiaoyaoyou, and book friend 2023…3721 for their monthly ticket support.

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(End of this chapter)