"The mistress is still as fair as ever, and no one can disagree with that."
"According to what you gentlemen have said, should we submit a memorial to express our gratitude? The mistress has done a lot for Madam Xie, and Madam Xie should not stand idly by at this moment."
A slightly older member of the Xie family waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about it, don't worry about it, this is the Marshal's family matter."
Li Ling and Zhao Gongming were at the same table. Zhao Gongming specifically asked Li Ling, "Sir, does His Highness no longer intend to groom the Fourth Prince?"
Li Ling said, "It is not appropriate for us, as his subjects, to speculate too much about the affairs of our lord, especially with so many other people here."
In Li Ling's eyes, the Xie family had always been outsiders, and he himself was stubborn and could not change. He could submit to the Xie family leader, but he would never submit to this group of Xie family members.
Zhao Gongming sighed, "The royal family is dwindling in number, and the lineage of the late emperor still needs the fourth prince to continue it."
“Then you’re mistaken,” Li Ling suddenly said. “I don’t see the Marshal as someone who would want to continue his lineage, and the Princess is no exception as his wife.”
"The fourth prince is young and has no intention of having any offspring within the next ten years, so we will have to find offspring from the royal family."
Even though most of the members of the Si clan were from concubines, they were still closely related to Si Xitong by blood. Given that Jiu Jin was taking in so many members of the Si clan, it's hard to say that this wasn't a consideration on their part.
The remaining members of the Si clan will likely become the main force in strengthening the Si clan. This proves that even the seemingly useless members have value, as Xie Lanzhi said.
Zhao Gongming couldn't help but shake his head: "The Fourth Prince is very talented, it's a real pity that he has faded from the political scene like this."
Li Lingdao said, "Then it depends on Your Highness's opinion. No matter how talented he is, he can't surpass Your Highness!"
Some time ago, the Xie family wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Si family. In the future, there will be more and more marriage alliances between the Xie and Si families. Even though Marshal Xie has not yet lifted the restrictions, many people have already secretly made their engagements.
For example, the general claimed to be punishing his two daughters, but he was also secretly supporting Si Maogong of Luping Company. His younger daughter was even engaged to Si Maogong, only lacking a legitimate title.
The eldest daughter was sent to a low-level military camp to retrain. In a month or two, although she wouldn't become a junior general, she would at least be promoted to the rank of captain.
The Xie family has been preparing to seize the power they need and to cultivate the influence they need, and their underhanded tactics have never stopped.
Similarly, Jingchen's daughter was also currying favor with the Xie family.
Nowadays, the Xie family is as sought after as gold. Even ordinary members of the Xie family are being married into merchant families. Xie family schools are springing up everywhere, teaching students both martial and academic skills.
Xie Lanzhi's conquest of the land has brought immense benefits to the Xie family. The Southern Regions are a major granary, and with the recent recapture of the Nine Jin states, the southern and central regions now belong to the Xie family. Their combined territory is twice the size of Shiguo Prefecture, only two provinces smaller than the Xiongnu. Of the nine provinces, the Xiongnu control four, Xie Lanzhi controls two, the Northern Regions two, and Shiguo Prefecture one.
After the major battles in the south and central regions during the chaotic period were basically over, the region was under the rule of a single ruler and the environment was stable. As a result, a large number of people from the north and central plains moved south to the territory conquered by the Xie family.
In the sweet potato fields of Tianjing, two boys were carrying water to irrigate the vines when the imperial edict arrived.
The gatekeeper, enduring the stench of urine, handed the official document and seal to Si Xinian and then hurriedly left.
Si Xinian took it without saying anything, found a clean spot near the melon patch, put it down, and then continued weeding.
Xie Shangguang carried out two buckets of water. Seeing his calm expression, he asked curiously, "He treated you like that, aren't you angry?"
"Why am I angry?" Si Xinian said, "There are still two acres of weeds that haven't been pulled."
Now, half of Si Xinian's conversations always involve sweet potatoes. Xie Shangguang was already annoyed by his constant mentions of sweet potatoes.
"I understand. No one is completely indifferent to their future." Xie Shangguang carried the water over, muttering as he went, "The mistress isn't a petty person. She wouldn't treat you like this. The fact that she's bestowing such a title upon you means you're too stubborn to admit your mistake and have disappointed her."
"You're stubborn and don't know how to please the mistress. If you just coax her and admit your mistake, it will all be over."
Si Xinian chuckled coldly and said, "What about the marshal? Has she forgiven you?"
Xie Shangguang replied with an air of self-righteousness: "The Marshal is someone who won't listen to either soft or hard tactics. If I do this, not only will it not appease her, but I might even be kicked back to the Southern Region."
Si Xinian didn't say anything more.
Xie Shangguang asked curiously, "Are you really not bothered? The mistress has entered the Golden Palace to govern, and is already half the ruler of Tianjing. Her power is immense, and it would be easy for her to make you a king."
"Hmm." Si Xinian said, "Shi'an, Shi'an is enough."
May he live a peaceful life. In the past, he always worried his father and elder sister. His father once said that as long as he was safe and sound, that would be enough.
The title of Marquis of Shi'an, bestowed upon him by his eldest sister, was also his father's dying wish. She helped him fulfill it.
But his father never acknowledged his elder sister's imperial status until his death. This always disappointed Si Xinian. However, he thought that his father had even entrusted his elder sister's dowry to Li Li, not him.
His eyes dimmed slightly: "I was too immature."
"Everyone is disappointed in me."
"You really don't know any better, and I'm quite disappointed in you. So, could you do the manure-carrying later?" Xie Shangguang said, ruining the atmosphere.
Si Xinian's lips twitched: "You should do it. This is something we absolutely cannot tolerate."
Xie Shangguang: "Tch. It's just poop, can't you help me share some of the burden?"
Anyway, the two of them are already the biggest laughing stock in Tianjing. Those on the shore aren't afraid of getting their feet wet.
"Oh, what a miserable life, I'm off to collect manure."
"You've worked hard, General Carrying Manure."
"Sweet Potato Prince, get back to pulling the weeds!"
Marquis Shi'an held only a nominal position, receiving only a salary and a residence. Right next to Prince Dun's mansion, where Si Bogong now resided, he too had been granted the title of Prince Lu.
The Emperor appointed the Imperial Envoy to manage the clans of the Si clan.
After the battlefields of the Six Jin were cleaned up, the various regions of the Nine Jin were reorganized and reassigned. The Xie clan members were all assigned to places they were satisfied with. Most of the remaining clerical positions were vacant. In addition, the Xie clan had studied in official schools for three years, so many people avoided clerical positions.
Most of the vacant official positions ended up in the hands of scholars who surrendered to the authorities in various regions.
Xie Lanzhi did not force these unworthy members of the Xie family. One cannot become fat in one bite, and putting incompetent people in important positions would only make them redundant officials.
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 11:06:53 and 18:33:53 on December 12, 2021!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: after17 (10 bottles);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 66 Little Phoenix is a Good Student
At this time, the imperial examination became especially important.
When she learned that the Ziguang Palace of the Nine Jin had already held ten-day, monthly, and quarterly examinations before she had even conquered the various Jin states, she was surprised to learn that the imperial examinations only lasted for half a year, so there were at most quarterly examinations.
Ten-day mini-exams, monthly exams, mid-term exams, quarterly exams, and major exams.
After six months, a total of thirty outstanding scholars were selected from the nine provinces, and all of them were assigned to various provinces.
Si Maogong was the Duke of Luping of Jin, in charge of the government affairs of Jin. A general of the Xie clan left 5,000 men to guard Jin.
Most of the rulers of the various Jin states have abolished the title of Du Han, and the Seven Jin states have reverted to the title of King, no longer referring to themselves as rulers. Meanwhile, the ruler of the Nine Jin states, Prince Feng Ning, has returned to the rightful position in the Golden Palace.
The civil servants of Jin were basically appointed by the nine Jin states. Because these people were humble and worked for the Xie family, handling miscellaneous affairs for the Xie family without complaining or vying for credit, they were truly loved and admired by the Xie family.
They were considered to be excellent ministers cultivated for the Xie family.
The Xie family praised it highly, and the word reached Xie Lanzhi.
Xie Lanzhi couldn't help but facepalm: "They really have no sense of crisis."
The more thoughtful something is, the easier it is to replace.
The Xie family also sensed the crisis and is now desperately sending their children to school. They believe that once this talent shortage is over, more people from the Xie family will soon be entering clerical positions.
She specifically asked Si Xitong, "When you were training them, did you secretly give them special training in some area?"
Si Xitong seemed not to understand what she was saying. She shook her head, the hairpin swaying slightly, like a butterfly hovering in mid-air.
Xie Lanzhi really liked the hair ornament that was tilted at the side in her hair. She stared at the golden hair ornament and said, "To put it simply, did you do something to tamper with things, and specially create a service for the Xie family?"
"However, I am truly astonished that you were able to cultivate such a high level of character in just six months."
Si Xitong finally understood what she meant.
She explained to her, "These people already had a foundation; they were all descendants of impoverished aristocratic families. Having suffered a lot, they naturally knew how to seize opportunities."
"What I'm doing is simply adding a step-by-step recommendation to the exam questions. This allows scholars to connect with the common people and personally solve their problems. The more civil affairs they resolve, the faster they accumulate experience."
Many scholars in Shanxi grow sweet potatoes. After planting them, they need to write an essay to submit to Si Xitong.
Recommended steps?
"Does it mean going to the countryside?" Xie Lanzhi was surprised again: "Little Phoenix, you're even using 'going to the countryside' in advance?"
Si Xitong blinked, looking quite puzzled: "Going to the countryside is quite fitting. I'll use it from now on."
Xie Lanzhi immediately covered her face: "Actually, Bu Jian is more elegant. Don't let me lead you astray."
"Simple and unpretentious, yet facing reality head-on." Si Xitong really liked some of these modern words she used, and even wrote them down: "Going to the countryside, economy, civil servant, service, peanuts and sweet potatoes."
"Bus, swipe card, scan code. Milk tea." This is what Si Xitong heard from Xie Lanzhi telling her story.
“And holy crap. Awesome, 666.” Si Xitong even made a 666 gesture.
Xie Lanzhi: "......"
Xie Lanzhi heard these words from Xiao Fenghuang herself. With an incredulous look in her eyes, she raised her arms and shook the sieve, gently straightening the little girl's posture and pressing down her "666" gesture.
Her eyes inexplicably welled up with tears, and with an expression of an innocent, pure white flower feeling deeply hurt and tainted by her own actions, she said to Si Xitong, "Little Phoenix, let's just remember the first half. It's best to forget the rest as soon as possible."
Si Xitong adopted a humble attitude, like a good student: "Lan Zhi once said that governance cannot be divorced from the masses. This is not only a folk saying, but also a way to understand people's livelihood and serve the people."
Then she blurted out, "Follow the Party."
A bolt from the blue left Xie Lanzhi's mind completely blank.
Nothing is more awe-inspiring than these words coming from the mouth of a future emperor.
At this moment, she felt as painful a realization as she reflected on her actions. Little Phoenix, Little Phoenix, she was only seventeen years old, the perfect age for learning.
She also liked to imitate herself, so naturally she unconsciously learned other things as well. Although they didn't fit her image, she couldn't refute them.
Si Xitong said, "Lanzhi, the 'Party' you speak of must be a sage ruler who will be remembered for all time."
Xie Lanzhi didn't know how to answer her, because this was a group that ordinary people could join. If everyone were a saint, there would be saints everywhere.
She could only nod helplessly: "Little Phoenix, you learn so quickly."
"Did I say something wrong? You seem a little upset?" Si Xitong originally wanted to learn more about the leader of that party, Lan Zhi's world.
Her expression, which seemed to be both introspective and gratified, was extremely complex.
Xie Lanzhi shook her head, touching her chest to calm herself down: "Don't worry, I'm just not used to it yet, I'll get used to it eventually."