The matter of franchise is of great significance. First of all, the person who undertakes this important task must represent the emperor, and the image of the person who represents the emperor must be positive. Secondly, this trip to various prefectures cannot solve the franchise issue overnight, which means that the time away will be relatively long, so the person who goes must put down the things in his hands. Finally, this person must be afraid of power, so that some people will not use this to threaten him.
The emperor thought for a moment and asked, "What do you think of Lixian?"
Du Kedun, Lixian, full name Shen Lixian, is the emperor's original wife, Princess Yuan, and the younger brother of the former Empress Shen. After the emperor registered, the rank of the successor concubine was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, and the original wife, Princess Yuan, was named Empress. In this way, the Shen family became the Cheng'en Marquisate.
This incident caused quite a stir at the time. But what could be done? The emperor was already the emperor, and no one could rule over him. Besides, there was nothing wrong with making the original princess the queen in theory.
The late emperor loved the emperor and wanted to make him the crown prince, so the Shen family that he was to marry must be a big family, and the Shen family has a good reputation. But what happened to Princess Yuan when she was with the late emperor
Not many people knew about what happened back then, and Du Ke was one of those who knew about it. After returning from the palace banquet, Princess Yuan passed away, and was actually carried into the harem. Even if the late emperor loved his son, it was impossible for him to share the same woman with him. Although the late emperor and the emperor were framed in this matter, there was no way out, and Princess Yuan became the only victim.
Because of this incident, the late emperor felt guilty towards the emperor, and at the same time, there was a rift between them.
Although Du Ke knew some inside information, he didn't know that the emperor had a subsequent emotional entanglement with Princess Yuan, who became a concubine, and even had a son. Although this son was born out of adultery, it is undeniable that he is also a legitimate son. The son of the emperor's first wife is more legitimate than the son of the second wife.
However, because of Princess Yuan's affair with the previous emperor, no one would accept such a legitimate prince.
The Emperor had planned that if he succeeded in seizing the throne, he would change Princess Yuan's identity and then marry her back. She would still be his legal wife and their son would still be his legitimate son. However, Princess Yuan felt ashamed of her identity and she set herself on fire.
When the emperor saw that Du Ke did not answer immediately, he narrowed his eyes and asked: "Do you think it is appropriate to honor the wise man?"
Du Ke came back to his senses and said hurriedly, "I have no such intention. The son of the Marquis of Cheng'en is a contemporary talent, who has achieved success at a young age. Looking at the entire capital, there are very few who can compare with him." Du Ke was praising him sincerely. Shen Lixian was indeed a great man. The only people who ranked with Shen Lixian back then were Wei Ting and others. "It's just that the son of Shen is not from the Ministry of Revenue. Moreover, we still need to go to Yunxiang County to discuss the details with Qin Fang."
The emperor said: "According to your opinion, you are the most suitable person to go for this matter? You and Qin Fang are familiar with each other, so it will be convenient for you to discuss matters."
Du Kexin tensed up and said, "I have absolutely no such intention."
The emperor waved his hand to show that he cared: "You are indeed the most suitable person for this matter, but if you go, what will happen to the Ministry of War? Who can take over the Ministry of War in your place? And you will only be gone for one or two days."
Du Ke really had no intention of going there by himself. Traveling to faraway places was something he was willing to do.
The emperor added: "As for matters concerning the Ministry of War, the old minister will be in charge for the time being. When it comes to joining the agency, you will be in charge. Let Lixian be your deputy, and you two will go to Yunxiang County together."
Du Ke was stunned. It turned out that the emperor had this idea from the beginning. "Your humble servant..."
The emperor said, "Okay, it's settled. Lord Du, this matter is of great importance. My treasury depends on you."
Du Ke felt a great pressure: "I obey your order."
The Emperor: "Please step down and arrange the matters at hand."
Du Ke: "I will take my leave."
After Du Ke left, the emperor said to Chief Chi: "Call Shen Lixian."
Manager Chi: “Yes.”
After a while, Shen Lixian entered the palace, and Chief Steward Chi stood guard at the door of the imperial study and did not enter. Every time the son of Marquis Cheng'en came, the emperor would order him to guard the door of the imperial study to prevent anyone from breaking in.
"Your humble servant pays respect to His Majesty." Shen Lixian is the eldest brother of Empress Shen, and he is only thirty years old this year. The Shen family was once favored by the late emperor. As a family with a long history, the Shen family has great potential and is highly regarded by the world. However, because of Empress Shen's affairs, the late emperor gradually changed his attitude towards the Shen family.
How to say it? The matter of the late emperor and Empress Shen was not the fault of the two parties involved, but... In the case that the late emperor was wrong, Empress Shen was wrong even if she was not wrong. For example, if the situation was wrong at that time, you, a married woman, should commit suicide to protect your innocence, etc. Moreover, when the late emperor saw the Shen family, he would think of that absurd thing, so after the incident of Empress Shen, the important position of the Shen family in the court was slowly replaced by others.
The Shen family later lived a relatively quiet life.
Until the emperor ascended the throne.
After the emperor ascended the throne, the Shen family was promoted again. Many people had no objection to this. Especially the Imperial Noble Consort's family. At first, they thought that the emperor would take another daughter of the Shen family as a concubine. But after two years, they didn't see the emperor's move, so the Imperial Noble Consort's family was no longer worried. After all, the Shen family had no one in the harem, so what were they worried about? Moreover, the Imperial Noble Consort's family had no grudges with the Shen family. If it was a daughter's division, Queen Shen was already dead, so could they still care about a dead person
Therefore, the Shen family has always enjoyed relatively peace in the court.
However, no one knows the emperor's real purpose in supporting the Shen family.
Emperor: "No need to be polite. Lixian, have you ever blamed me over the years?" Shen Lixian was his study partner when he was still a prince, and his fate with Li Ling also began because of this. Shen Liling is the maiden name of Empress Shen. Li is the homophone of Li, and the fact that a woman can be ranked in the same order as a man shows Shen Liling's status in the Shen family. "I once swore to protect her for my whole life, but let alone for my whole life, I didn't even protect her for half a lifetime." When talking about this, the emperor's eyes were slightly red. She was the only woman he had ever loved in his life, as beautiful as a flower, but because of him, she became a victim in the competition for the throne.
Back then, he had never thought that brothers would resort to such dirty tricks to compete for the throne. However, this move was really cruel, and it made his father feel guilty and alienated when facing him.
Shen Lixian said, "I dare not, and this matter is not the fault of the emperor." Although he said this, he was full of hatred in his heart. They used to be the best brothers. When he was a prince, he was his companion. When he was a prince, they were relatives. He once swore to assist him well, but he lost his sister's life.
Even though the fight for the throne was dangerous, and even though he knew he couldn't be blamed for this, he still couldn't let go of his sister's matter.
Yes, the late emperor knew about Empress Shen, and the Shen family was also one of the educated youth.
Emperor: "There is something I have never told you. In fact, I and Li Ling have a child."
Shen Lixian's indifferent expression suddenly changed: "Your Majesty, what did you say?"
The Emperor: "Back then, after Li Ling entered the palace, my father placed her in the cold palace. The cold palace was filled with people I arranged. I did not sever my relationship with Li Ling, so we have a child. In terms of age, he is the second child." The son of the Imperial Noble Consort is the first. "Lixian, that child is my legitimate son. I suppressed the Imperial Noble Consort's position because I don't want to have another legitimate son."
Thinking that it was his sister's only child, Shen Lixian got a little excited: "Where is that child?"
Emperor: "Back then, Li Ling took advantage of the sudden change in the palace to send the child away. She set herself on fire and killed herself, so that no one knows the whereabouts of the child."
"It's not possible." Shen Lixian said, "Even if my sister took advantage of the sudden change in the palace to send the child away, the child needs someone to send him away, so there must be an educated youth. Who sent the child away? You must know it, right? Or does the emperor simply not want to find out?"
The emperor was also very angry about his attitude: "I have been looking for her for the past two years. When the palace suddenly changed, when I settled the palace and went to the harem to find Li Ling, she had been burned to death. Moreover, there were not many missing or dead palace maids at that time, so there was no way to find her. Even those palace maids who survived, on the one hand, were people around Li Ling, and Li Ling would not have entrusted the child to them. On the other hand, if they took the child away, how could they still be in the palace?" The only thing the emperor did not expect was that after the nanny settled the child, she came back and walked out of the palace openly.
Shen Lixian has slowly calmed down: "What is the emperor's intention in telling me this matter today?" The emperor would not tell him about this for no reason, so, what he is going to do next is related to the child
The emperor said, "Recently, there is a person around me..." He told the story of Qin Fang and potato flour, "I want you to go to various prefectures across the country with Du Ke. On the surface, you will be Du Ke's deputy and participate in the franchise agency business together, and secretly look for that child."
Knowing the existence of the child, even if the emperor said otherwise, Shen Lixian would desperately look for him. But it is true that the Shen family is not an ordinary family in the capital. If they suddenly look for a child, no matter how careful they are, the news will leak out, so it is best for him to find a reason to leave the capital to look for him.
The emperor added: "I will temporarily let you take charge of the people I have. They have been looking for the child. Also, this is the child's portrait."
Shen Lixian took the child's portrait and saw the person in the portrait. His eyes reddened: "These eyes really look like my sister."
The emperor sighed, feeling very sad: "This was drawn by Li Ling herself when the child was four years old. Now, he is six years old, and I know what he looks like, but his facial features should have opened up a lot. Look, although his eyes are like Li Ling, the outline of his face is still like mine."
Shen Lixian was somewhat disgusted by the emperor's words, but he had to admit it. "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, the child's identity is very embarrassing. Even if he is found, Your Majesty will not be able to recognize him. How about... treating him as a child of the Shen family, my child, and raising him in the Shen family."