Chapter 231: Grandpa’s Goal
Gu Changxiao amusingly calculated the days until the two would marry. He then quietly asked Jinsui if she wanted to move back to the former ‘Ji Residence’. The underground tunnel there had already been repaired.
Jinsui, this time siding with Grandpa Ling and the Ministry of Rites, seriously told Gu Changxiao, “I heard that men and women who meet a month before marriage cannot grow old together.”
This instantly extinguished Gu Changxiao’s restless heart, and he quickly said, “Then let’s not see each other anymore. If there’s anything, write a letter and send someone to deliver it.”
Without having to investigate various institutions in the city with Gu Changxiao, without having to accompany him in thinking about state affairs, and using the excuse of preparing for marriage to hand over other matters, Jinsui only had to manage the Academy.
She also tinkered with new things in her space. Jinsui suddenly became much more relaxed and at ease. Sometimes, when the stove was too warm at night, she would sleep until nine in the morning. It was the first time she tasted the joy of waking up naturally.
In contrast, Gu Changxiao was different. Not seeing Jinsui made his heart feel like a piece was missing, and his temper grew. Although it wasn’t to the point of ordering executions at the drop of a hat like in Chang’an.
But when the Emperor’s face darkened, the officials trembled. They belatedly realized that His Majesty had become irritable because he couldn’t see the future Empress. They all began to look forward to the wedding day.
They even blamed the Ministry of Rites, asking why they prevented His Majesty and the future Empress from meeting. Now, we have to endure His Majesty’s bad temper.
There weren’t many state affairs at the end of the year; it was all about sacrifices. Envoys from various countries also came to the capital to attend His Majesty’s wedding. Local areas sent New Year’s Gifts, and carriages constantly entered and exited the border city, making it very lively.
What made the officials even happier was that every winter, there were always natural disasters like snowstorms and extreme cold. This year, however, there were none. Even the long winter in the Northern Border was warmer than last year.
Only Minzhou experienced an epidemic again, but because the medicine sent from the border city arrived in time, it did not cause a large-scale outbreak.
Furthermore, Yongzhou suffered from drought last year, and the imperial court reduced the autumn tax. His Majesty did not forget this matter. As the end of the year approached, he issued a decree in advance, exempting Yongzhou from next year’s summer grain tax and providing relief grain.
This would have been absolutely impossible during the Former Emperor’s reign! Two years ago, during the great drought in Longyou, Prince Yu refused to exempt the autumn tax and accepted heavy gifts from the local officials, nearly causing a peasant revolt.
Therefore, everyone attached even more importance to the sacrifices, saying that Heaven blessed Great Xia and that the new Emperor was born with the mandate of heaven, and natural disasters had even decreased since his ascension.
Gu Changxiao deeply regretted not setting the wedding before the end of the year. That way, he could have participated in various sacrifices with Suisui.
If Jinsui knew Gu Changxiao’s thoughts, she would definitely be glad that the wedding was set for after the New Year, because sacrifices were too impolite and too tiring. Wearing layers upon layers, kneeling and bowing, a pile of tedious rituals was incredibly annoying.
What Jinsui had been focusing on recently was balancing accounts and checking inventory, as there would be too many expenses next year, and she needed to clarify her existing silver.
Coupled with the continuous delivery of dividends from the business cooperation with the Yan Clan, except for the Rouge Shop’s dividends, which were directly given to Liu Yun at the Northern Frontier Royal Court, the rest were sent to the Academy.
Although the Academy didn’t make money in the first two years, thanks to the ‘investment’ from seven young masters of the Yan land gentry, her principal was not used for building the academy or recruiting students.
She set a three-year plan for herself: first, to promote medical care, ensuring at least one public clinic in every town. Second, basic education, starting with elementary schools in the border city and Yandi, printing books, and recruiting teachers.
Third, maritime trade, which was also the most important. Only by earning money through maritime trade could the previous two have sufficient funds to operate. At the same time, Gu Changxiao could build a navy and warships, and the court officials would not object.
She had not forgotten her ultimate goal, and never would: to destroy Japan. To preemptively end that historical issue, which could lead to tragic circumstances a thousand years later.
The more plans she wrote, the more the underlying theme was one word: ‘money’! She needed to make money! Everywhere required money. Medical care needed money, education needed money.
Building an army and warships was so expensive that even emptying the treasury wouldn’t be enough! It was something that could only be achieved with the strength of the entire nation.
Speaking of making money reminded her of Yan Jiu. She asked Grandpa Ling, “I can’t meet His Majesty before the wedding, but can I meet other men?”
Grandpa Ling had long known that his granddaughter’s thought process was unusual, but he still found it hard to get used to it. He tugged his beard and asked, “Which man do you want to meet?”
“Yan Jiu, the Lord Yan.”
Grandpa Ling raised his thick eyebrows. “I heard His Majesty scolded someone again at the morning court today. What do you think his reaction would be if he knew you were meeting the Lord Yan?”
Jinsui imagined it for a moment and chuckled dryly, “The Lord Yan was quite busy before the New Year. I’d better not disturb him.”
She wanted to discuss the new shipping routes with Yan Jiu, and also the expansion of workshops exclusively for sea merchants. Anyway, there was no rush for this, she would wait until after the New Year!
She needed to change her personality, not be so impatient. When the border city was first built, everything was in disarray, and not a moment could be wasted.
Moreover, the margin for error was high. Even if she gave a wrong order for a moment, she could always change it back, and it wouldn’t be a big problem.
The situation would be different in the future. The orders she, as Empress, gave, although not as crucial to the nation as the Emperor’s, the most taboo thing for a person in power was to issue orders and then change them.
She had to think thrice before issuing an order. Also, she no longer had the persona of the Fake Li King, who could act recklessly, threaten, bribe, or flip the table if displeased.
Her future persona would be that of the mother of the nation, dignified and steady. So many people admired her as Empress; she couldn’t disappoint the people!
Jinsui suddenly felt the heavy responsibility on her shoulders. It was indeed more enjoyable to be in her persona. After all, any bad thing could be blamed on the persona. But now, the identity of Empress was permanently fixed on her; she had to maintain her persona!
She continued writing her plan, treating it as self-cultivation, and not rushing. Sometimes, when a person in power issued an order, it would be relayed through layers, and by the time it was executed below, its original purpose would be completely distorted.
What was originally a matter beneficial to the people would become something that annoyed them, so she had to plan thoroughly from the beginning.
Gu Changxiao deeply understood the feeling of “a day apart feels like three autumns.”
This was different from when they were in Chang’an. Now, they were so close, yet they couldn’t meet due to etiquette and rules. How could he be content! If it weren’t for the difficulty of climbing the Academy walls, he would have really wanted to sneak in at midnight to see Suisui.
Fortunately, before the New Year, they had a legitimate reason to meet. That was Baozhu giving birth. A female doctor was called to assist, and she successfully gave birth to a five-jin baby boy.
Our Hei Hu, who is thousands of miles away, has become a father! Jinsui naturally had to attend the baby’s third-day ceremony.
Hearing that Suisui was attending the third-day ceremony, it would have been appropriate for Gu Changxiao, as Emperor, to simply bestow some gifts. Moreover, Hei Hu was not at home, so there was no one to receive the Emperor.
But Gu Changxiao insisted on seeing the newborn. He put it eloquently: General Hei Hu was fighting on the front lines, and he, as Emperor, should congratulate his subordinate on the birth of his son.
The officials marveled at His Majesty’s closeness to his subjects, especially the military officers, who became even more loyal to him. They realized that when they were on distant campaigns, their families could receive His Majesty’s care.
Only Cheng Yu and a few trusted confidants understood that the reason His Majesty insisted on going was simply to see the Empress!
He was truly going to great lengths! If it were according to His Majesty’s nature, his insistence on seeing the Empress would have been unstoppable, even if the Ministry of Rites officials tried to block him.
The only reason His Majesty could hold on until now was that he truly loved the Empress and was willing to abide by these old rules for her, all because he feared that nonsensical saying about couples who meet before marriage being unable to grow old together.
Cheng Yu found it both amusing and touching. It was the first time he had seen such a pure and innocent nature in His Majesty.
Baozhu originally thought the third-day ceremony would be casual, as Hei Hu and Miss Yan were not present, and no one would host it for her and the child.
However, the third-day ceremony was taken over by Chen Yunniang and Cheng Yu. She was in confinement and didn’t have to worry about anything. The female guests were hosted by Chen Yunniang, and the male guests by Cheng Yu. They managed to turn the little tiger cub’s third-day ceremony into the grandest banquet since the founding of the capital city.
The future Empress held the little tiger cub to greet guests. Because it was too cold, she feared chilling the little one and also feared that too many adults might cause the cub to catch some bacteria.
She didn’t bring him to the front hall, only showing him to the female guests in the back hall, smiling and saying they could hold him at the full moon celebration.
Unexpectedly, Chen Yunniang said that His Majesty was waiting in the warm chamber and wanted to see General Hei Hu’s son.
How could Jinsui not know Gu Changxiao’s intentions! She personally carried the child over to show him. With accompanying censors present, and Gu Changxiao still valuing that rule,
The two really only spoke a few words on the pretext of holding the child. Gu Changxiao only glanced at the little tiger cub, his gaze unable to move away from Suisui’s face. He softly asked, “Suisui, are you alright?”
Jinsui chuckled, “I’m very well. I can eat and sleep. I’m preparing for marriage, not imprisoned. On the other hand, Your Majesty, why have you become so haggard?”
“Don’t lose weight! Otherwise, the wedding attire will have to be altered again.”
Gu Changxiao felt as if he hadn’t seen Suisui for a very, very long time, with a thousand words to say, but was interrupted by the child’s cry. He stretched out his hand, watching Suisui carry the child away.
I couldn’t even hold Suisui’s hand…
Fortunately, it was the New Year. The countdown to marrying Suisui into the palace had begun.
Grandpa Ling said this was Suisui’s last New Year at home and it should be celebrated with great fanfare. However, it was difficult to create a lively atmosphere at the Taoist temple; it was too large and had too few people. The female students from the Academy helped with the decorations for a day.
They pasted window decorations and hung lanterns. At night, when the fireworks were set off, the festive atmosphere of the New Year was indeed strong. For the New Year’s Eve dinner, Jinsui personally cooked a beef stew, sliced lamb, and made dumplings.
Before the meal, they first paid respects to Father Ling and Mother Ling. Grandpa Ling stood by, instructing Jin’an to offer incense and burn paper. He then moved the offerings, such as the pig’s head meat, to the graves. Jinsui and Jin’an kowtowed and bowed together. Snowflakes began to fall again.
They fell gently on the shoulders of the two siblings. The wind whispered from afar and near, like a father’s reluctant hand, like a mother’s sob.
Jinsui turned to look at the stone tablet and said silently, “You must have reunited with the real Suisui in the Yellow Springs, right? I have fulfilled my promise to Suisui.
Moreover, I truly consider Grandpa and Jin’an as family. Please rest assured, for the rest of my life, I will do my best to take care of them.”
The burning paper money was blown by the wind, rolling on the ground, and then flying higher and higher, as if thanking Jinsui. They could rest assured in the Yellow Springs.
Grandpa Ling looked at the scattering paper money and sighed heavily, patting Jin’an’s shoulder, “Let’s go!”
Jin’an cast a reluctant glance at his parents’ graves and asked softly, “Grandpa, will my parents be at peace in the Yellow Springs?”
Grandpa Ling took the opportunity to lecture, “Yes! But if you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, and then marry and have children, they will be even more at peace. Grandpa is old and doesn’t know how many more New Years he can spend with you.
The days when the three of us, grandfather and grandchildren, are together are fewer each day. I’m not worried about your sister, but you, alas, when Grandpa is no longer here, you must listen to your sister.”
Grandpa’s words made Jinsui feel very sad. She quickly said, “It’s the New Year, Grandpa, don’t say such inauspicious things. You will live a long, long life!”
Grandpa Ling suddenly smiled, “When I was young, someone advised me to leave the monastic life early and get married, but I refused. I didn’t marry until I was thirty. Now I know I was wrong.”
Grandpa Ling was like this. Whenever he spoke of sad things and everyone was feeling down, he could immediately change the topic to a new one and improve the atmosphere.
Jin’an was indeed led astray, “Where was Grandpa wrong?”
“If Grandpa had married and had children ten years earlier, he would have held his grandson before fifty and his great-grandson at seventy! How wonderful.”
Jinsui patted Jin’an’s shoulder and laughed, “Did you hear that? Grandpa just urged you to pass the imperial examination, and now he’s urging you to get married soon!”
Jin’an’s mouth twitched. I’m only nine, no, I’ll be ten today. Are you urging a ten-year-old child to get married? Is that reasonable?
From the graveyard to the main hall, Grandpa kept telling Jinsui what he planned to do with the empty land.
“I heard that several large temples and Great Taoist Temples in Chang’an are going to move to the border city. Is that true?”
Jinsui nodded, “Don’t worry, they won’t steal your followers. Those temples and Taoist temples in Chang’an are arrogant and only receive distinguished guests. Unlike our Taoist temple, which truly practices equality for all beings.”
Grandpa said proudly, “That’s right! If people in the capital are asked which Taoist priest they believe in, my name will surely be at the top!”
Jinsui smiled, “Your reputation is even greater in the Northern Frontier and Minzhou.”
Jin’an was even more surprised than Grandpa, “Why?”
“Because I put Grandpa’s name on the medicine for treating the epidemic. The Northern Frontier and Minzhou both know that Taoist Master Ling’s medicine is the most effective.”
Jinsui then said seriously to Grandpa, “I have a few prescriptions here. Grandpa, you can really research a prescription for plague. If you succeed, you will surely be recorded in history, standing alongside Taoist Master Sun.”
Grandpa Ling nodded, “There are doctors in the Taoist temple. Suisui, how do you think we should proceed?”
Jinsui named a disease, which startled both Grandpa Ling and Jin’an:
“Smallpox.”
She explained the principle of cowpox vaccination for smallpox prevention and said that when she was treating cattle for herdsmen in the Northern Frontier, she had discovered cattle with cowpox. At that time, she already had this idea.
Unfortunately, she was delayed because she had too many things on her hands. She could give Grandpa the research methods, and the Taoist temple could lead people in research.
As long as the research was successful, Grandpa’s Taoist temple would surely surpass the Buddhist and Taoist temples from Chang’an and become the head of Taoism.
Grandpa Ling immediately stated that he would take on this task! For the public good, he wanted to benefit all people. For his private reasons, he wanted to earn a great achievement for Jinsui and Jin’an within his lifetime.
Suisui, as Empress, had no support from her maternal family. If he could become the medical sage of the era, no one, whether court officials or powerful figures, would dare to look down on Suisui!
