Chapter 228: Inspecting the East Sea Base
“Then let’s move the wedding reception forward. The Empress and I will share a carriage, and it won’t delay the sacrifice,” Gu Changxiao whispered to Suisui, “I’ll lead the Black Feather Army for the reception, and have the Tuntian Army escort the bride. How about it?”
Jinsui chuckled, it felt like a military wedding.
“Okay, my students can be flower children.” As they spoke, their anticipation for the wedding grew even more.
With the send-off location confirmed, Jinsui no longer visited the Prince’s Residence before the wedding. She spent every day at the Academy, where officials from the Ministry of Rites discussed wedding details.
One of Jinsui’s main tasks was to try on the auspicious robes.
The auspicious robes were truly heavy, layer upon layer. The headdress weighed ten jin, and the waist ornaments weighed five jin. Jinsui felt like she was turning into an iron coat rack, only able to stand stiffly. Any turn of the head or bend of the waist would cause jewelry to fall.
“Can we reduce some of the accessories? If I have to wear this all the way to the Imperial Palace and then for the sacrifice, my neck will break.”
The matron from the Ministry of Rites hurried to say, “Miss, please bear with it. Let’s practice first. These are all passed down from our ancestors; they cannot be casually changed, as it would be inauspicious.”
If this were in Chang’an, the matron from the Ministry of Rites would not be so polite and gentle! No empress would complain about the weight of the jewelry.
Of course, no empress would dare suggest altering the auspicious robes to be lighter. Everyone who came from Chang’an knew that Miss Ling was different.
Jinsui didn’t intend to make things difficult for her subordinates. The officials from the Ministry of Rites all looked as if their faces had grown as long as a donkey’s. Gu Changxiao often came up with new ideas, which even Jinsui found quite annoying.
What emperor, on his wedding day, would be so concerned about every trivial matter? He even inquired about what incense to burn in the bridal chamber and the temperature of the underfloor heating.
Other emperors on their wedding day simply showed up and paid no attention to anything, letting the Ministry of Rites handle the procedures.
Since the Emperor was so involved, the soon-to-be Empress should be less demanding and not cause trouble for the officials. The ceremonial robes couldn’t be changed, so Jinsui wore the same style every day, practicing walking for half an hour, as the sacrifice required the Empress to stand for that long.
The wedding was not far off, and the rule that men and women could not see each other before the wedding applied to both royal and commoner families.
For the weddings of past emperors, cases like Gu Changxiao and Jinsui were rare. Many only saw what their spouse looked like on their wedding night. When the emperor was young, the Empress Dowager would inspect them before the wedding.
However, Gu Changxiao visited the Academy every few days, citing various reasons: state affairs concerning the refugee camps or land reform, military matters like building warships or gunpowder, agricultural matters like expanding the cultivation area of new high-yield crops, and trade matters concerning Northern Frontier trade and the opening of new sea routes for sea merchants. And, of course, wedding matters.
It wasn’t just the Emperor; many officials also came to the Academy to find Jinsui. Although His Majesty had returned and resumed court sessions, some previous matters had been handled under Miss Ling’s supervision, and they still needed her advice.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites initially tried to stop them, saying the Empress was learning etiquette and rules and was not suitable for receiving guests. Later, they couldn’t stop them anymore; they were completely unable to stop them!
Jinsui herself was also annoyed. Learning rules was always the most troublesome, especially palace rules, but they couldn’t be abolished.
Either don’t marry into the royal family, or if you decide to marry, you must learn the etiquette that pertains to the imperial family’s dignity.
One day, Gu Changxiao rode his horse to see her. “Suisui, do you have time? Let’s go to the East Sea.”
Jinsui pointed to the ten-jin Phoenix Coronet on her head. “No time, I’m playing with this.”
Gu Changxiao chuckled. “We’ll go and come back quickly, then you can play with it again.”
The matron removed the Phoenix Coronet, and Jinsui’s head instantly felt lighter, her neck able to turn. Jinsui changed into thick leather clothes for going out and asked curiously, “What are we going to the East Sea for? Did something happen?”
Upon arriving in the courtyard, she discovered that Yan Jiu had also come. It was his first time at the Academy, and Chen Yunniang was introducing him to the Academy’s plans.
Jinsui suddenly remembered that Yan Jiu had returned from Chang’an, and they hadn’t met yet!
She quickly smiled and greeted him, “Lord Yan, hello.”
Yan Jiu felt a tremor in his heart. Lord Yan. From now on, Miss Ling would no longer call him ‘Jiulang’.
Looking at her bright smile, Yan Jiu lowered his gaze, concealed his heartache, and cupped his hands in greeting, “Miss Ling.”
Jinsui quickly asked, “Are you going to the East Sea too? It seems like something important has happened.”
Yan Jiu said softly, “Miss Ling, please don’t worry, nothing has happened. It’s just that His Majesty wants to plan the harbor construction, and this important task has been entrusted to the Yan Clan.”
Gu Changxiao stepped forward to help Jinsui onto the horse. He disliked seeing Yan Jiu and Suisui chatting so happily, so he interjected,
“After spring, the East Sea Base and Mingzhou Port will both have their harbors rebuilt, and sea merchant trade will be officially opened.”
Jinsui was overjoyed. “That’s great! With prosperous sea merchants, the navy will also prosper.” Her little days were approaching.
She then suggested, “What about Minzhou Port?”
Gu Changxiao shook his head. “Minzhou Port will not be opened for now. I plan to open the southern ports in three years. When the navy is not strong, opening ports will be detrimental to the local area.”
Jinsui nodded. “That’s true. Without a strong navy escort, the coastal prefectures in the south will only attract pirates and exploitation by local gentry.
However, we must guard the southern islands well, station heavy troops there, and load gunpowder and catapults onto the ships. We must not give pirates any opportunity to harass the coastal populace.”
Opening the maritime ban was a major event. The gentry and merchants saw extremely high profits overseas, while the common people saw more employment opportunities, allowing them to find short-term jobs in the city during the farming off-season.
Fishermen saw the opportunity to go out to sea with the ships and earn more wages. However, the imperial court had to consider the safety of coastal prefectures, the issue of pirates in maritime trade, and so on.
Jinsui had previously told Gu Changxiao that he would have more expenses in the future, referring to this. The navy was being built almost from scratch, as were the official warships. Therefore, in the beginning, we could only open a limited number of ports and control the outgoing ships.
When the imperial court’s warships become powerful enough to traverse the four seas, then coastal ports can be opened, and all historical issues, including those with Japan, can be resolved.
The road to the East Sea Base was also easy to travel. In addition to an official post station along the way, there was also a large inn built by the Yan Clan. This area had land rented by the Yan Clan to grow cacti, harvest cochineal, and other herbs.
This was Twelve Niang’s business, but Yan Jiu and Yan Shiyi attached great importance to their sister’s business. Even though Yan Jiu didn’t care about the profits from the Rouge Shop, and even though Twelve Niang had married into Chang’an and was not currently present,
the two brothers never considered transferring the core staff of the Rouge Shop. Instead, they sent more capable stewards to manage the Rouge Shop for Twelve Niang. This also made money for Jinsui, as the Rouge Shop was particularly popular in the Northern Frontier, and Jinsui received forty percent of its profits.
To her shame, she hadn’t provided any new formulas for the Rouge Shop in a long time. As for the profits, she directly gave them to Liu Yun in the Northern Frontier as funding. Liu Yun was responsible for rescuing Han Slaves in the Northern Frontier and looking after merchant caravans going there.
When a place has an inn and workshops, it quickly develops a market, and then gradually grows into a small town.
Gu Changxiao didn’t show it on his face, but he kept asking Jinsui in a low voice, “There were no people on the road to the base last time. Why are there so many people now?”
Jinsui pointed to the wheat fields. “Some refugees have come here to reclaim land. The tomatoes and fruits grown in the sandy land here are particularly fragrant. The Tuntian Army has also come to reclaim land. Further ahead are the base’s workshops and salt fields. Once there are more people, it prospers.”
Gu Changxiao was greatly amazed. “It’s only been this long, and I almost don’t recognize the road. Suisui, you are truly amazing. If the border city is handed over to you, it will surely become the wealthiest city in the land within a few years.”
Jinsui quickly said, “Don’t praise me. This is Cheng Yu’s credit. He said that the maritime ban would be lifted sooner or later, so the East Sea Base needed to be developed early. He also arranged workshops for some overseas high-demand goods here.”
“Look, over there they are preparing to build a silk transit warehouse. Silk transported from Shu Province and Jiangnan will be transited here for export.
Over there is the textile workshop. Cotton and rabbit wool are bought from the Northern Frontier, spun into cloth here, and sold overseas for extremely high profits.
Over there, they are digging reservoirs for the papermaking workshop. Papermaking causes severe water pollution, so wastewater is not allowed into rivers. They have specifically dug new ponds and dug channels for waste disposal. Our paper doesn’t need to travel far; Goryeo and Japan are willing to pay high prices for it.”
Speaking of this, Jinsui thought of something amusing and asked Gu Changxiao with a smile, “Do you know what other goods Goryeo and Japan like from us?”
Gu Changxiao saw her smile like a little fox and his heart stirred. He smiled, “Could it be glazed glass?”
Jinsui praised him greatly. “Your Majesty’s calculations are amazing!”
Gu Changxiao cupped his hands. “It’s nothing, it’s because my teacher taught me well.”
They looked at each other and both laughed. The people following them also smiled. Although they couldn’t hear what His Majesty and the soon-to-be Empress were saying, seeing them laugh so happily made the cold journey worthwhile.
Only Yan Jiu, he kept glancing at Jinsui’s retreating figure, recalling the night they stayed up late discussing the Thirty-Six Stratagems and made a promise to discuss them again by candlelight. Unfortunately, this promise would never be fulfilled.
“Goryeo people really like glazed glass, far more than people in the Northern Frontier. It’s similar for the Japanese. Alas, if we go to fight the Japanese in the future, will we carry back a ship full of glazed glass from their national treasury?”
“Right, I heard from Lord Yan earlier that Japanese pirates were plundering the coast of Minzhou. Once our navy is built, we must station troops in Minzhou. I heard that sacrifices are prevalent there, and that needs to be guided as well.”
Gu Changxiao nodded. “The roads from land to Minzhou are difficult, and the court’s control over Minzhou is not as strong as in the Central Plains. If we can control Minzhou from the sea, we can also educate the people and eliminate bad customs.”
“Minzhou has many epidemics. I plan to, in the future, under the Empress’s name, form a medical team to go deep into remote prefectures like Minzhou and Dianzhou, spread medical knowledge, and educate the people. What do you think?”
Gu Changxiao nodded repeatedly. “The Empress has the power to bestow titles upon female officials, but historically, empresses’ female officials only managed the harem.
Suisui can absolutely grant female officials more power. For example, the medical team you mentioned, if led by female officials and escorted by the Black Feather Army.
Female officials will receive salaries and official positions, but they will receive them from the Empress, not the imperial court. Even civil and military officials have no right to object.”
Jinsui’s eyes lit up. That’s right. If my team of female officials grows, and I have my own established group, not involved in politics or military affairs, but only benefiting the people, officials will have no reason to object.
This way, I can do even more! Besides the medical system, I can also establish education, postal services, banks, and merchant associations.
Isn’t this what a mother of a nation should do? What’s the point of fighting for power in the small confines of the harem?
She said excitedly, “First, thank you, Your Majesty! However, my female officials all have important roles. Your Majesty, please don’t make me manage the trivial matters of the harem midway. If you do, I’d rather live at the Academy forever.”
Gu Changxiao chuckled. “Did I not make myself clear? Is Suisui asking for a promise in such a roundabout way? Then I will tell Suisui again, I, Jun Yanqing, love only Suisui in this life.
My harem will also forever have only Suisui.”
Jinsui raised her hand. “Let’s seal it with a clap.”
Gu Changxiao immediately clapped with her three times. Jinsui laughed, “Then it’s settled. Your Majesty, don’t worry, I won’t change my mind either.”
Gu Changxiao’s gaze instantly sharpened. He glanced at Yan Jiu, then thought of King Batel, who had imprisoned Suisui in the Divine Palace.
I will not give Suisui a chance to change her mind, nor will I give any of you any opportunity!
It was still a long way to the East Sea. Magistrate Liu led people to greet them. This was our Captain Liu, who is now Magistrate Liu. The East Sea Base has now reached the scale of three prefectures.
Although these two official positions belong to different systems, it was a special decree from His Majesty, so no one could object.
Magistrate Liu regretted, “We should have waited for His Majesty to arrive before harvesting the winter Chinese cabbage.”
Harvesting Chinese cabbage had already shocked people from Chang’an several times. Magistrate Liu wanted to shock Gu Changxiao as well. Jinsui chuckled, “His Majesty already knows about the high yield of Chinese cabbage; he doesn’t need to see it in person.”
Magistrate Liu gave an honest smile. Although he had been promoted this year, he had aged considerably. The current base was much harder to manage than the old Tuntian Camp. Our Magistrate Liu managed during the day and had to study by lamplight at night.
He wasn’t studying like teaching children, but learning to draw maps, build water conservancy, and so on, otherwise, he couldn’t keep up with the development!
This situation applied to all the old officials in the border cities. Even the former Captain Huang, now General Huang, who used to be proud of receiving a telescope as a gift from Leader Ling, now had no mood to show off to people from Chang’an.
When officials from Chang’an arrived, he felt a sense of crisis and deeply regretted not having studied the Thirty-Six Stratagems properly before. Now, neither Leader Ling nor Lord Cheng could lecture in the military camp anymore; he could only self-study.
To avoid being surpassed by officials from Chang’an and embarrassing His Majesty. After all, in the eyes of Chang’an officials, they, the old generals of the Black Feather Army, were His Majesty’s trusted confidants.
Gu Changxiao’s visit to the base this time, besides inspecting the harbor with Yan Jiu, was also to see the gunpowder workshop.
As before, Jinsui did not let him enter the workshop. “A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, let alone His Majesty. I’m not saying the workshop is unsafe, but there are hidden dangers, and we cannot gamble.”
Seeing that Gu Changxiao still wanted to go in, she said coldly, “Don’t talk about divine protection or anything like that. What if there are spies from the Prince Yu’s Faction? How about this, if you insist on going in, I’ll go with you. At worst, we’ll be blown up together.”
This made Gu Changxiao back down. “I won’t go in, then. Don’t be angry, Suisui.”
“I’m not angry! You lead troops into battle, and there are risks, but this is different. Can you give me some more time? Once the safety system for the gunpowder base is complete, I will definitely let you visit.”
Even if he couldn’t enter, he could watch the catapults test-launching gunpowder. This had been performed for officials from Chang’an several times, and after each performance, the officials became much more compliant.
This time, it was a drill for His Majesty, and Lord Yan was also present. General Huang was very excited.
