"My lord, His Majesty ordered to summon Madam."
Lin Shuping came to Liu Zhao's side and whispered.
Liu Zhao frowned slightly, "Do you know the reason?"
"It is said that His Majesty is worried about the refugees outside the city, so he summoned his wife to ask about the specific situation."
Liu Zhao shook his head slowly, "As for the situation of the refugees outside the city, it's the same to ask the Ministry of Household Affairs. I'm afraid it's not that simple for the emperor's grandfather to summon Xiao Jiu at this time."
Lin Shuping whispered, "My lord, is it possible that Your Majesty is watching the emperor's grandson?"
"No nonsense."
Lin Shuping quickly apologized, and then peeked outside the door, but no one was listening.
He also said: "Your Majesty doesn't think so, but it doesn't mean that other people don't think so. Madam's ability is second to none among many grandchildren's wives. Your Majesty has always valued Madam. Now, at such a critical moment, His Majesty suddenly summoned Madam. No deep meaning."
Liu Zhao stared at Lin Shuping, "Even if there are deep meanings, you have to hide your guesses and not reveal any traces."
The boy's eyes are so scary.
Lin Shuping shivered for a moment, "This old slave will always remember the teachings of the young master."
Liu Zhao said again: "Go outside and watch, don't let people come in."
"The old slave complies."
There are people coming and going in the Yamen of the Ministry of War.
Liu Zhao sat in the signing room, like an old monk in meditation, no one knew what he was thinking.
…
Gu Jiu went all the way to Xingqing Palace smoothly, and after being informed, he followed the servants to the palace to meet the emperor.
She had known for a long time that the Son of Heaven suffered a stroke and was paralyzed. After seeing it with her own eyes, she discovered that the Son of Heaven's condition was more serious than she had guessed.
"My daughter-in-law kowtows to Your Majesty!"
"Excuse me. Get up and talk."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gu Jiu stood up and lowered his head slightly to show respect.
Out of the corner of his eye, he paid attention to the movement of the emperor.
The emperor couldn't play the right hand, so he couldn't review the memorials, so he had to ask someone to write for him.
But listening to the voice, the emperor spoke clearly. It's much better than the ambiguous situation in the rumors.
It seems that the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital have all used their real skills to recuperate the emperor's body.
"What's the situation outside the South City Gate?"
The emperor asked calmly.
Gu Jiu bowed slightly, "Your Majesty, everything is going according to plan. At present, half of the refugees have moved into new houses. The remaining half of the refugees, after this winter, will all move into new houses by March or April next year at the latest .”
"Oh! You surprised me. I didn't expect things to go so smoothly. You not only solved the food problem for the refugees, but also let them live in new houses. It's amazing!"
"Thanks to His Majesty's blessing, the refugees have the opportunity to live in new houses."
The emperor wanted to laugh, but couldn't.
He hehe twice, it was rare for him to be happy since he had a stroke.
"You are very capable."
Gu Jiu looked sincere and fearful, "My grandson's daughter-in-law is just luckier than ordinary people."
The emperor waved, "Come closer, let me take a good look at you."
Gu Jiu felt a strange feeling in his heart, subconsciously raised his head to look at the emperor.
The emperor looked kindly.
She looked at Chen Dachang again.
Chen Dachang stood beside the bed like a piece of wood. When His Majesty didn't need him, he would consciously reduce his sense of existence.
Gu Jiu took a deep breath and walked forward slowly.
"Come closer."
Gu Jiu continued to move forward until he was two steps away from the dragon bed.
This is a relatively safe distance.
The emperor raised his head and searched her face with cloudy eyes, as if he wanted to find something.
Immediately afterwards, Gu Jiu heard a proposition.
"Have you ever thought about what will happen to the project outside the South City Gate when the new emperor succeeds?"
Gu Jiu turned pale with shock.
Even Chen Dachang, who was calm and restrained, changed his expression slightly.
Gu Jiu's mouth was dry, "Your Majesty is as blessed as heaven, and you will surely live a long life."
Other than that, any answer would be fatal.
The emperor laughed hard, "It seems that you are also very clear that the smooth progress of the project outside the South City Gate is due to the support of you. When the day is gone, and the new emperor succeeds, he may not be willing to give it to you. Opportunity allows you to continue operating Nanchengmenwai.”
Gu Jiu was sweating profusely, she couldn't figure out the meaning of the emperor's piercing of the window paper.
Are you testing her, or watching her joke.
"Don't be afraid, I didn't intend to scare you." The emperor suddenly comforted Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu felt very weird at the moment.
This is not the Son of Heaven in her impression.
The emperor in my impression would not care about other people's lives.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." She showed weakness appropriately.
The emperor took a breath and continued: "Outside the south gate, you have managed it very well. It is a great achievement that tens of thousands of refugees can be properly resettled. No one can erase your credit. But just in case , I still need to make some preparations in advance.”
Gu Jiu felt uneasy.
She secretly glanced at Chen Dachang.
Obviously, Chen Dachang didn't know that the Son of Heaven would chat so deeply beforehand, so he had no scruples at all.
"If you have any ideas about outside the South City Gate, just ask them."
Gu Jiu took a deep breath, "Outside the south gate, it's up to His Majesty to decide."
"Oh! Don't you worry that after a hundred years, the new emperor will make things difficult for you and won't allow you to continue operating the project outside the South City Gate?"
Gu Jiu said: "In order to operate outside the Nancheng Gate, the granddaughter-in-law raised hundreds of thousands of taels and borrowed three million taels from the Shaofu Bank. If someone in the palace does not let the granddaughter-in-law continue to operate, the loan of several million , the granddaughter-in-law is 100% not up to the mark."
"You threaten people with money, it may not work." The emperor seemed very happy. Maybe it's because Gu Jiu didn't play any tricks and was always telling the truth.
Gu Jiu bowed and said, "Besides, it's the imperial court's turn to worry about how to resettle the tens of thousands of refugees outside the city."
The Son of Heaven nodded, "Refugees are the most annoying thing for court officials. They wish that even if the refugees die of starvation, they will starve to death at home. Don't cause trouble for the government, and don't go out to flee famine and cause trouble.
However, no one is willing to wait for death. The common people cannot survive in their hometown, so they can only flee famine and become refugees. In the past, the refugees who fled famine to the capital hung their lives on gruel every day.
When the weather warmed up in spring, the government forcibly drove them away. It's been like this year after year. During this period, no one cares about how many refugees died of disease and hunger. It was you who changed this situation. "
Gu Jiu was terrified, "My grandson needs a lot of labor to build a house. There are a lot of young labor among those refugees, it's a pity to waste it."
The Son of Heaven nodded approvingly, "You're right. Letting those young laborers go to the mountains and watching them become bandits is not only a waste, but also ruins the country. You can organize the young and strong laborers among the refugees and make them keep their lives. very impressive."
"The grandson's daughter-in-law is not as good as your majesty said. The grandson's daughter-in-law just happened to be at the right time and did what she should do."
In front of the emperor, Gu Jiu still needs to be humble.
The emperor smiled, "Just in case, I plan to set up a county outside the south city gate in advance. If you have any ideas, feel free to tell me."
Gu Jiu's heart beat faster and her palms were sweating.
I'm coming!
Finally, a county will be established outside the south gate.
She took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible: "Your Majesty really wants to set up a county outside the South City Gate, but my granddaughter-in-law has only one request."
"Say!"
"My daughter-in-law hopes that someone I recommend will be the first magistrate of this county. The project outside the Nancheng Gate will continue, and my daughter-in-law does not want anyone to hinder me."
The emperor smiled, "You don't hide yourself at all."
Gu Jiu lowered her head and said, "In front of His Majesty, grandson-in-law doesn't dare to play tricks."
The emperor asked: "Who do you want to recommend as the first county magistrate?"
Gu Jiu took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and said as calmly as possible: "The grandson-in-law recommended Gu Yu to be the first county magistrate."
"Why recommend him?"
Gu Jiu said calmly: "He has a reputation for raising people, and he has been practicing with his father for many years, and he understands the people's livelihood and economy very well. He also has rich experience in dealing with small people's disputes. With his knowledge and ability, he can't be a high-ranking official in the court, but he Absolutely the best candidate for county magistrate. No one is more suitable for this position."
"Oh! Where is he now?"
"He's currently working as an errand in the household department, an eighth-rank petty official."
The emperor smiled, "It's not shocking to be a junior official of the seventh rank. I will consider the person you recommended."
Gu Jiu couldn't hide his excitement, "My grandson-in-law thanked Your Majesty on behalf of my elder brother, Gu Yu."
"Don't get too excited. There is a county outside the south city gate, and many people are staring at the county magistrate's position. Your clan brother has no other advantages except rich experience."
Gu Jiu hurriedly said: "These granddaughters-in-law are all aware of it. Therefore, His Majesty needs to worry about it."
The emperor stared at her, "Are you sure I will help you?"
Gu Jiu blinked, "I believe His Majesty doesn't want the resettlement of refugees outside the South City Gate to be abandoned halfway. And as the news of the capital spreads all over the world, more and more refugees will flood into the capital in the future.
Without grandsons, these refugees would hang their lives on a daily meal of porridge as in the past, and be driven out in the early spring. "
The emperor heheed twice, "You are not humble at all."
Gu Jiu hurriedly lowered her head, "My daughter-in-law is just telling the truth."
The emperor waved his hand and told all the servants to step back.
Chen Dachang's expression was uncertain.
"Back off!" The emperor was a little impatient.
Chen Dachang led his people, and hastily bowed and retreated.
What does the emperor mean by this move
Only Mrs. Zhao is left alone to speak in the palace, what does the emperor want to say? Is it to explain what happened afterward
Or is it about the crown prince
Various thoughts swirled in Chen Dachang's mind, and there was a hidden worry in his heart.
It is extremely rare for the emperor to drive him out and leave someone alone to talk.
He was a little uneasy.
Gu Jiu was also disturbed.
What does the emperor mean
What would you say if you left her alone
Is it too late for her to leave now
Don't send propositions!
She only has one life, and she really doesn't want to die.
She also hopes to live a long life.
"His Majesty?"
"Don't panic, I just have something to say."
At this moment, the emperor is a sick old man. What the majesty of the emperor is completely useless.
"Sit down, you're tired from standing. I feel tired even when I look up at you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Gu Jiu sat down on the round stool beside the bed, looking very upright.
The emperor took a breath, talking too much today.
"Among so many princes, who do you think is suitable to inherit the throne?"
Gu Jiu: "..."
I told you not to send her proposition questions, how could she dare to answer such terrible questions. She is not tired of life.
She looked terrified, "Establishing the crown prince is related to the country and the country, and the fate of the country for a hundred years. The granddaughter-in-law is just a woman, how can I discuss this matter. Your Majesty, why don't you call the courtiers to discuss it together."
"It's okay! There is no third person here, so you can say whatever you want, I forgive you for your innocence. Even if you say that King Lining is the crown prince, I will understand."
The Son of Heaven looked at Gu Jiu expectantly.
Gu Jiu was under great pressure, "The grandson's daughter-in-law doesn't understand state affairs, and she doesn't know who is suitable to inherit the throne."
"Oh? Why do I feel that you are not telling the truth."
"My daughter-in-law is indeed telling the truth. My daughter-in-law dare not lie to Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled, "I want to hear your real truth."
Gu Jiu lowered her head, how could she dare to tell the truth when making such a proposition.
"If you don't tell the truth, how can I let you go."
The emperor suddenly increased his tone, as if threatening.
Gu Jiu felt wronged.
"Your Majesty really wants to hear my daughter-in-law tell the truth? But the truth is not pleasant."
The emperor tried his best to put on a smiling expression, "I am alive today, do you think I still care about whether the words are easy to hear? Now I only want to listen to the truth, not flattery."
Gu Jiu nodded, "I see."
"Then are you willing to tell the truth?"
Gu Jiu pondered for a moment and said, "The grandson's wife doesn't know much about the uncles. If you want to say who is suitable to inherit the great line, you don't have an answer in your heart. This is the truth."
"Where is King Ning?" the emperor asked.
Gu Jiu shook her head, "My daughter-in-law is not sure if the prince is suitable."
"According to what you mean, no prince is suitable?"
Gu Jiu nodded, "In my eyes, no one is suitable to inherit the great line. Because no one is born suitable to be an emperor."
The emperor smiled, "If you say this, it means you didn't say it. You are clearly opportunistic."
Gu Jiu looked innocent, "This is indeed the truth of my daughter-in-law. My daughter-in-law doesn't think that someone is born suitable for sitting in that position, they are all cultivated the day after tomorrow.
But even if you have received the acquired training, when you actually sit in that position, there will still be problems of one kind or another. After all, as an emperor, the test is leadership and balance. "
The emperor nodded, "There is some truth to what you said. It seems that I am a failed father and emperor, and I failed to cultivate a qualified heir."
Gu Jiu buried her head very low, feeling like she was about to die.
She actually said so many outrageous things in front of the emperor, the emperor will not settle accounts after autumn.
The emperor stared at her, "The tall one is taller than the short one, among the many princes, who is the best?"
Gu Jiu shook her head, "My daughter-in-law doesn't know."
She really doesn't know.
She and the princes have been separated for a generation, and they only meet once or twice a year, and they can't speak a word, so there is no way to talk about understanding.
If you don't know, why make a judgment.
She felt that the emperor's mind must have been flooded. It was inappropriate for a layman to ask her such an important matter.
If you want to ask, you should also ask the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs.
Although the ministers of civil and military affairs all have selfish motives, they have been in frequent contact with the princes anyway, and have a good understanding of their character and ability.
The emperor smiled, "Don't you know? Actually, I don't know either."
In the past, the Son of Heaven thought he knew every son.
Now, facing the succession of the throne, when it was necessary to choose an heir as soon as possible, the emperor suddenly discovered that he didn't really understand his sons.
If you don’t understand, how should you choose
Gu Jiu couldn't help, so he could only remain silent.
The emperor is also silent.
In the dormitory, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, making her breathless.
After an unknown amount of time, the emperor opened his eyes and looked at her, "Manage the project outside the Nancheng Gate well, do things wholeheartedly, and don't disappoint my expectations of you."
"My daughter-in-law obeys the order!"
"Back off!"
"Your Majesty, take care of your health, my granddaughter-in-law will leave."
Gu Jiu bowed and left the bedroom, heaving a sigh of relief.
"return!"
Gu Jiu trembled all over, and looked back at the emperor.
She was about to leave, but the emperor went crazy again and asked her to come back.
The emperor stared at her, "I heard that Liu Zhao didn't take a concubine, is it because of you or because of him?"
Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses in a blink of an eye, and said calmly: "Maybe grandson's daughter-in-law has more reasons."
The emperor frowned, "You didn't let him take a concubine?"
Gu Jiu nodded boldly without denying it.
The emperor was curious, "Why? Liu Zhao is the emperor's grandson, and he doesn't even have a concubine around him. It's really outrageous."
Gu Jiu took a deep breath, and boldly said: "My granddaughter-in-law won't allow my son to take a concubine because my grandson-in-law doesn't allow anyone to threaten my child's interests. Bastards and concubines are not allowed."
"You have a pretty good idea." The emperor said ambiguously, "Liu Zhao's identity is the emperor's grandson, so he can't live without a concubine."
Gu Jiu said: "If the son insists on taking a concubine, then I will do whatever it takes to protect the interests of me and my child."
"How are you going to use any means?"
Gu Jiu smiled softly, "I have money, and having money can turn ghosts around. I have spent a lot of money, and I can't believe that I can't solve a few women."
The emperor smiled, this smile is very natural, "You are confident. Step back!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"