Jinxiang Palace in the early morning. In the inner hall of the East Palace, Fu Jinzhan said softly: I will not be out for a while, just stay here and listen. Today, His Majesty has to discuss important matters with the ministers.
Guo Shao took his eyes off the memorials and blueprints on the table, looked at Fu Jinzhan and nodded. He stood up, looked at the towering double-eaved palace outside the window, and couldn't help saying: This position is just a step up. The world is still big, and the four directions are not obedient to the king's rule, and even threaten the Central Plains. At this time, there is still a long way to go.
Fu Jinzhan said: The world has experienced wars for a long time, and not everything can be accomplished overnight.
Guo Shao paced a few steps, then suddenly raised his head, his eyes fixed. However, one day, the Great Zhou will stand at the top, conquer the world, and establish an unparalleled foundation.
Fu Jinzhan was infected by his ambitious eyes and became a little excited. She said in an encouraging tone: I believe that Your Majesty will be able to accomplish great things.
At this moment, Guo Shao realized that he was a unique person in this world and now held great power. He had no reason not to surpass the ancients. He felt the energy in his body expanding.
At this moment, the eunuch Wang Zhong came in, bent down and said respectfully: Your Majesty, the ministers are here.
Guo Shao clasped his fists and said goodbye to Fu Jinzhan, then turned and walked out the door. A group of followers surrounded him and brought him to a spacious and bright room. He raised his head and walked calmly to the upper chair.
All the ministers immediately knelt on the ground and respectfully shouted "Long live the emperor".
Stand up and take a seat. Guo Shao raised the sleeves of his yellow robe and said.
A group of people thanked him and carefully sat down on both sides. The palace was silent for a while, and then Wei Renpu stood up and said: "After discussing with the Privy Councilor Wang Shijun, I have something to report."
The eunuch Wang Zhong who was standing next to the throne looked up at Guo Shao slightly, then said: Deputy Envoy Wei, please speak.
Wei Renpu pondered for a moment, then looked around and said: The internal affairs of Liao are in chaos, and there are rebellions from time to time, but it has not yet reached the point of disintegration. Youzhou is a place that Liao must save. To recover the lost territory, there is no tricky way, and we can only compete with Liao to see who is better.
According to the opinions of several colleagues in the Privy Council, we must be prepared for a long-term war with the Liao Kingdom. After all, it is a competition of national strength and military power. We advocate that we temporarily change the national policy of attacking the north first and then the south, and temporarily put the Northern Expedition on hold. First send troops to attack and destroy the Southern Han Kingdom that is provoking the Great Zhou; rectify the northwestern states, and replenish the imperial army's war horses. After our country has recuperated and calmed down the internal troubles, we will then attack the north to compete with the Liao Kingdom.
Guo Shao turned to look at the prime ministers and the generals of the imperial guards and asked them what they thought.
Everyone gathered together to discuss the matter. Although they only expressed their opinions in a few words, it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. People had weighed their options beforehand. Even Guo Shao had thought about it over and over again beforehand and supported the Privy Council's proposal because they could not immediately launch a northern expedition.
He was a little impatient, as he could not think of a better solution than the ministers.
Guo Shao quickly left the palace, and the ministers also took their leave and returned to their respective offices to work.
Guo Shao felt a little complicated at this moment, as if he had swallowed a breath of air. He felt that he should make a big move in this era, but what he had to do was to endure, and he had no choice for the time being.
He sat in the study with a bad look on his face. One person's mood would affect everyone around him, because Guo Shao was the emperor.
From Wang Zhong on duty to the eunuchs and palace maids below, everyone was very careful, fearing that they would be caught in the crossfire. As the saying goes, "To be with the emperor is like being with a tiger." The emperor's power was very great, at least in the palace. He could kill these slaves with no status with just one word. If he was unhappy, how could everyone not be on tenterhooks
In fact, Guo Shao was not angry. He recalled that even though he became the emperor, he had never killed anyone indiscriminately, even the lowest-ranking slaves.
At noon, Guo Shao did not leave Jinxiang Hall, but asked the palace servants to bring in lunch in the East Hall.
He had not been active for the past few days, so he had a poor appetite. Most of the food served was heavy fish and meat, which was difficult to digest. He ate a little and then put down his chopsticks.
Wang Zhong hurriedly asked carefully: "Your Majesty, what would you like to eat? I will ask the imperial kitchen to remake it."
When Guo Shao turned to look at him, he found that the maids standing by him had hurriedly bent down and were standing there in fear. Guo Shao immediately realized something.
He shook his head and said: Forget it.
Wang Zhong hurriedly said: The imperial chefs are all the best chefs.
Seeing how nervous they were, Guo Shao smiled and said nothing, then stood up and left the table.
Wang Zhong waved his hand and asked the maids to take the things away. His mind flashed back to Guo Shao's disapproving smile when he left the table. It was a little stiff, like a sneer. Wang Zhong took a breath, wiped his white and fat forehead with his sleeve, looked back at the people around him and said in a deep voice: Your Majesty is not in a good mood today, you all be careful
"Yes," several people answered hurriedly.
A young eunuch said: There are a lot of dishes left. Eunuch Wang, please give me a plate to try.
Wang Zhong pointed at a plate of braised chicken and waved his hand. The eunuch was so happy that he thanked him profusely. Wang Zhong couldn't help but scold him: "A plate of meat makes you so happy, you useless thing!"
The young eunuch said: Is there anything more comfortable than eating delicious food in this world
When Wang Zhong heard this, he thought about it and realized that it was true. Food and sex are two major pleasures, and they are eunuchs, so they lack one of them. Food is the only important pleasure. Wang Zhong feels the same way, because he is also a foodie, otherwise he would not be so fat and white.
Now he thought that the emperor had no appetite at all, which was a big deal.
Wang Zhong was usually very cautious, fearing that he would lose his current position. In the past few years, the emperor changed his ministers in the palace. Many eunuchs had worked hard to get to the top, but once the emperor changed, they would be out of office. The emperor would usually appoint his own people to important positions. Wang Zhong was a eunuch around the previous emperor, and he was also involved in the power struggle. It was not easy for him to still sit in such a high position.
Just then, Jing Niang came to talk to him about business.
Although Jingniang worked in the Bingcaosi, the Bingcaosi belonged to the Privy Council, and women could not hold official positions; Jingniang wore the badge of the Huangchengsi. Wang Zhong was the eunuch in charge of the Huangchengsi, and he had some official dealings with Jingniang.
Wang Zhong was absent-minded and suddenly asked: I heard that Madam Huarui is quite good at cooking.
Jingniang was stunned by such a nonsensical question and looked at him with a frown.
Wang Zhongdao: Madam Huarui seems to be on good terms with Jingniang. Can you invite her to the palace and serve a table of delicious food to the emperor
Jingniang said coldly: The official's intention
Wang Zhong shook his head vigorously. He knew that Jingniang was someone who often visited the emperor. If she spread rumors about the emperor's intentions and was charged with forging an imperial edict, who would be able to take the consequences
He said: It's just a guess by some people. The emperor wants to taste Madam Huarui's cooking skills.
Jingniang looked cold, neither refusing nor saying anything. Wang Zhongxin cursed: Who are you trying to scare? If I hadn't been favored by the government, I wouldn't be afraid of you.
After a long while, Jingniang said: Send someone to wait outside the palace gate this afternoon.
Wang Zhong asked hurriedly: Which door
West. Jingniang left without even looking back, obviously without any courtesy.
Jingniang felt uncomfortable. She could not control herself. She did not care that Guo Shao had three concubines and six courtyards, but she felt uncomfortable every time she knew that he was good to other women. However, she would still obey Guo Shao's wishes, even if it was wrong. She did not know why. Maybe it was the influence of her childhood experience, or maybe she wanted Guo Shao to realize who was best for him.
She left the palace swiftly and took a carriage to the Duke of Qin's Mansion.
Meng Chang and Lady Huarui personally welcomed her into the living room. Although Meng Chang was the Duke of Qin, he was very polite to Jingniang, a woman. He exchanged a few pleasantries and was about to find a topic to compliment her.
Jingniang said bluntly: I came here today to see the madam.
Meng Chang was stunned for a moment, his face looked very embarrassed, and he quickly stood up and said: You guys talk, I'll step aside first, haha, it's really inconvenient for women to talk with men present.
Jingniang looked at him with a sneer and thought to herself: You are very good at finding a way out for yourself.
Madam Huarui moved her stool, approached Jingniang affectionately, and said softly: I have no relatives or friends in Tokyo, so I am good friends with Sister Jingniang. You haven't come for so long, and I was worried that you had forgotten me.
Jingniang's expression warmed up a little. She knew that what Lady Huarui said was right. She was just a weak woman. Jingniang's mind was different from other women. Those women often schemed against each other, but Jingniang had sympathy and protection for weak women. She had taken in a group of poor women when she built a Taoist temple.
Jingniang spoke quite frankly, and immediately said: I am not only here to see Madam, but I also have a favor to ask of you.
Madam Huarui smiled and said: "Let alone one thing, even if I can do ten things, I will definitely help Sister Jingniang." It's a bit strange that Jingniang has something she can't do in Tokyo and wants to ask me for help.
Jingniang said: The emperor wants to eat the food you cook.
Madam Huarui was stunned for a moment, feeling a little surprised. She observed Jingniang's expression and saw that she did not show any happiness. After a while, she said: This is really unexpected.
Maybe it's a bit abrupt, Jing Niang said.
Madam Huarui shook her head and said: This is indeed something I can do. The reason why the emperor summoned me to the palace is indeed
A trace of sadness flashed across Jingniang's face, and she said coldly: Maybe he really just wants to eat the food cooked by Madam.
Madam Huarui smiled bitterly and said nothing. After a moment, she moved her face closer to Jingniang's side and whispered: "In front of the emperor, I will stand on Jingniang's side, and we will never betray each other."
Jingniang didn't say anything. She looked back at the door and said, "You can think of a reason to go to the palace. When can you leave?"
Madam Huarui looked down at herself and said hurriedly: "Please trouble me, sister, to wait for me for a moment. I need to at least change my clothes."
Jingniang said: How long will you wait
Madam Huarui pondered and said: Half an hour or one hour.
Jingniang frowned and said: It will take half an hour for you to change clothes, and I will wait for Madam for an incense stick.