MM Racing Chapter 129 Undercurrents in the Southern Song Dynasty
Chapter 129 Undercurrents in the Southern Song Dynasty
Seeing this, Zhao Yu smiled and didn't continue the topic.
He looked at Lan Fenghuang and asked seriously, "By the way, is there any way to temporarily alleviate the symptoms of the Dream-Startling Gu? The emperor has already taken the bait, so we have to give him some sweetness to make him trust me more."
"Hmph, they're there when they need you, and they're gone when they don't," Lan Fenghuang muttered. "You Han people are just so good at scheming."
Despite her complaints, she still took out a black pill from the pouch at her waist and handed it to Zhao Yu.
"Give him this, and it will prevent him from having nightmares for three days, and it will also alleviate his heart palpitations."
Zhao Yu took the pills, looked up, and couldn't help but feel a little moved: "Thank you so much. I didn't expect you to have prepared them for me so early."
Lan Fenghuang originally wanted to say a few more teasing words, but when she saw Zhao Yu's sincere eyes, she suddenly froze.
She always enjoyed teasing Zhao Yu and watching him become flustered.
But now that she saw Zhao Yu was truly moved, she was at a loss for words.
The two stared at each other for a moment, and then the room fell silent.
Zhao Yu was the first to come to his senses. He coughed lightly and put away the pills: "Well, I'm going to deliver the medicine to the Emperor. Do as you please."
After saying that, he turned and quickly walked out of the room.
Lan Fenghuang stood there, watching Zhao Yu's departing figure, her eyes flickering uncertainly.
She raised her hand to touch her burning cheeks and gently bit her lip.
After parting ways with Lan Fenghuang, Zhao Yu lightly flew onto the roof and sneaked into Zhu Houcong's bedroom, silently putting the pill into his medicine.
That night, Zhu Houcong slept exceptionally well, without even a nightmare.
When he woke up, it was already noon the next day.
"How long have I been asleep?"
Zhu Houcong rubbed his eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated, all the fatigue of the past few days gone.
"Your Majesty, you have been asleep for five hours." Huang Jin hurriedly stepped forward, his face full of joy.
"Master Qingxuan's method is indeed effective; you can finally get a good night's sleep."
"Master Qingxuan..."
Zhu Houcong muttered to himself, a glint of fanaticism flashing in his eyes: "Indeed, he is a highly accomplished master. Go and convey my decree: reward Master Qingxuan with one hundred taels of gold and one thousand bolts of brocade."
After this incident, Zhu Houcong trusted Zhao Yu even more.
He not only treated Zhao Yu as an honored guest, but also spent several hours each day discussing scriptures and philosophy with him. He also ordered the Wanshou Palace in the West Garden to be renovated and used exclusively for Zhao Yu's residence.
The news sent shockwaves through the entire city of Beijing.
Everyone knows that the emperor has gained another highly sought-after favorite.
This Qingxuan Zhenren was young, yet he enjoyed the emperor's deep trust. Even Yan Song, the Grand Secretary, treated him with utmost respect.
For a time, countless officials and dignitaries inquired everywhere, all curious about Zhao Yu's background.
In just a few days, the effects of the pills given by Lan Fenghuang gradually wore off, and the Nightmare Gu flared up again, plunging Zhu Houcong back into nightmares.
This time, given the previous comparison, Zhu Houcong found it even more unbearable.
He disregarded everything else and immediately issued an imperial edict, calling on all civil and military officials in the capital and gentry from all over the country to contribute grain to pray for the emperor's well-being.
Once the imperial edict is issued, who dares to disobey?
Moreover, with Yan Song leading the way, officials who wanted to curry favor with the emperor rushed to donate grain.
Truckloads of grain were continuously transported to Beijing from all directions.
In just over ten days, the capital's grain reserves increased several times over.
As a result, grain prices in the market have plummeted, with rice prices, which had been high, suddenly falling to levels seen in previous years.
The people benefited from this and praised the emperor's wisdom. As a result, the Qingxuan Zhenren also gained a good reputation among the people.
Seeing the officials so "loyal," Zhu Houcong's heart was filled with joy as the people's morale soared.
The rewards bestowed upon Zhao Yu became increasingly generous. He was not only granted the title of "True Man of Profound Mystery and Manifest Teachings," but also a Taoist temple located in a prime area of the capital, which he was granted to live in outside the palace.
Of course, while some people praise Zhao Yu, others disapprove of him.
In recent days, upright officials in the court have submitted memorials one after another, advising the emperor that Zhao Yu is a charlatan who spreads heresies and misleads the public, and that he should not be obsessed with Taoist practices, but should be diligent in his duties.
But Zhu Houcong was never one to listen to advice.
The more officials advised him, the more he felt he was right.
In his view, these officials who impeached Zhao Yu were simply unwilling to part with their meager savings and were unwilling to be loyal to the emperor.
While his view is indeed correct to some extent.
Ultimately, all the memorials impeaching Zhao Yu were kept hidden by Zhu Houcong and never issued, disappearing without a trace.
After this incident, the court officials also understood Zhu Houcong's thoughts, and Zhao Yu's residence outside the palace was always bustling with visitors.
Looking at the mountain of grain, Zhao Yu knew it was time to send it back.
He reported to Zhu Houcong that he needed to go into seclusion for a few days to improve his cultivation.
Zhu Houcong believed this without a doubt and immediately granted the request, also ordering that no one should disturb the Pure Mystery Master's secluded cultivation.
After arranging everything, Zhao Yu had a thought and his figure disappeared from the Taoist temple.
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Lin'an, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Imperial Palace, the Hall of State Affairs.
Qian Xiangzu and Lei Xiaoyou sat facing each other. The table in front of them was piled high with official business to be dealt with, but neither of them had the mind to deal with it.
"Lord Ji Zhong," Qian Xiangzu said, his voice filled with resentment, "we were both prime ministers, but now we've only earned the title of 'seal' (a symbol of authority). Although the current emperor is intelligent and decisive, his methods of governance are truly inappropriate."
"The Emperor has actually entrusted all state affairs to that unknown Huang Yaoshi, and even established some kind of cabinet to divide the Prime Minister's power. If this continues, how can we possibly stand in the court?"
During the previous coup, Qian Xiangzu changed sides immediately and sided with Zhao Yu.
He thought that after Shi Miyuan fell from power, he could naturally become the sole prime minister and take control of the government.
But to his surprise, Zhao Yu had already made preparations and appointed Huang Yaoshi as the Grand Secretary to handle daily government affairs.
As a result, the Council of State Affairs was rendered powerless and became merely an institution for issuing official seals.
How could Qian Xiangzu accept this?
Huang Yaoshi was a renowned figure in the martial arts world, and everyone admired his reputation as the Eastern Heretic. However, in the imperial court, he was merely a scholar without any official rank.
Even if Emperor Zhao Yu held real power, it was impossible for anyone to be truly convinced.
But Huang Yaoshi, through his own skill, actually managed to set up the cabinet.
Scholars often belittle each other, and Huang Yaoshi's demonstration of his abilities only intensified the court's rejection of him.
Lei Xiaoyou put down his brush and shook his head helplessly: "Brother Xingzhi, please calm down. It's normal for the Emperor to be wary of us former ministers of the late Emperor after he has just ascended the throne. The country is facing difficulties right now, and we should prioritize the well-being of the nation and deal with the immediate challenges first. As for the affairs of the cabinet, we need to proceed slowly."
Compared to the ambitious Qian Xiangzu, Lei Xiaoyou was much more easygoing.