Read Novel Full Chapter 247
Chapter 247: Secret Dispatch
The imperial envoy first presented himself to the emperor, and Governor Zeng, who had returned to the capital as a governor, waited in the side hall.
Not long after Li Yu entered the imperial study, Governor Zeng heard a loud crash and the emperor’s enraged voice: “Luo’s! Why doesn’t he just let me appoint him as a minister directly?”
The eunuchs serving in the imperial study knelt on the ground, while those outside in the side hall kept their heads bowed, completely silent. Hearing that the emperor’s fury was related to the paper-making issue, Governor Zeng’s initial apprehension eased, but he remained seated with his head lowered, concealing his emotions.
Inside the study, Li Yu was already kneeling. “It is my fault.”
The emperor sat back on the dragon throne, supported his forehead, and took several deep breaths before speaking to Li Yu. “It is not your fault. It is the Luo’s who are insatiable.”
He wanted the family members to restore their positions from the previous dynasty—how absurd! Why didn’t he ask for the Da Qi to be changed back to the Da Qian?
Li Yu was silent for several breaths, then cautiously suggested, “If not, should I make another trip to Meishan? Although the Luo’s and the Dou’s are in-laws, they may not be entirely united.”
The emperor rubbed his temples but did not immediately respond. Instead, he asked, “You mentioned that Sanlang came to the capital with you?”
The emperor’s use of “Sanlang” was a familiar and intimate address. Li Yu nodded. “Yes, Sanlang is waiting in the side hall for Your Majesty’s summons.”
The emperor nodded. “You have traveled a long way. Rest at home for now. We will discuss the trip to Meishan later. Let Sanlang come in.”
Li Yu understood that the emperor did not wish to discuss the paper issue further at the moment. He responded, bowed, and left. Upon arriving at the side hall, he informed Governor Zeng that the emperor had summoned him, and with a cautious expression, watched as Governor Zeng thanked him and proceeded to the imperial study before leaving the palace himself.
When Governor Zeng entered the imperial study, the eunuchs had already tidied up the room. He promptly performed his greetings. Although the emperor was in a bad mood, seeing Governor Zeng reminded him of the recent tribute from Shezhou, and a faint smile appeared on his face. “Get up, Sanlang. What brings you to the capital?”
Governor Zeng did not immediately rise. “I have a matter to present to Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at the Eunuch Cen, who bowed slightly and gestured to the other eunuchs to withdraw. The eunuchs in the study, as well as those outside, were cleared away, leaving only Eunuch Cen to guard the outer area.
“What matter does Sanlang wish to present? Speak.”
Governor Zeng did not immediately respond. Instead, he took out a secret dispatch from his sleeve. To ensure secrecy, he had only completed it at the last post station before entering the capital, writing it by the light of an oil lamp before dawn. From the post station to the palace, he had not left the dispatch’s side for a moment.
He stepped forward and presented the dispatch to the emperor with both hands. The emperor, puzzled by the extreme caution, glanced at Governor Zeng before opening the dispatch. As he read through it, his eyes widened in surprise and joy. He quickly finished reading the entire dispatch, his eyes glowing as he looked at Governor Zeng. “Is what’s written in this dispatch true?”
Governor Zeng smiled. “How could I dare deceive Your Majesty?”
He then took out another paper, carefully sealed with oiled paper, and presented it to the emperor. This time, the emperor accepted it swiftly, unsealing it to reveal several drawings. He examined each one closely and laughed heartily. “Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!”
Three repeated exclamations of approval!
Outside, Cen the eunuch subtly moved his ears and raised his eyes, curious about what had made the emperor, who was just furious, suddenly so pleased. However, accustomed to serving the emperor, Cen quickly lowered his gaze, adopting a meditative demeanor as if he were a monk, pretending to be oblivious.
Inside the imperial study, the emperor continued to scrutinize the three drawings and samples. According to Governor Zeng, two of the drawings depicted the paper-making process and principles, created by the Sang family. The other samples illustrated different results from varying soaking times: three, five, and seven days.
The emperor was in high spirits, reviewing the dispatch again.
Governor Zeng admired that Sang Luo was willing to present such a method to the court. The dispatch praised her efforts, detailing how the Sang family discovered the court’s paper shortage, contacted the Fan family, and urgently produced paper despite personal risk. It also included Sang Luo’s response when asked about rewards, all of which were included in the dispatch, highlighting her contributions and declaring it a Da blessing for the Da Qi, the emperor, and the people.
The emperor’s expression softened, and he contemplated praising Sang Luo, but he remembered Governor Zeng’s request to protect the Sang family’s secrets. He suppressed his enthusiasm, only smiling broadly and saying, “Very well, I approve your dispatch.”
Approval meant that Sang Luo’s wish for a reduction in paper prices was granted, making it more affordable for the common people.
Governor Zeng thanked the emperor, requested the dispatch back, and said, “I have overstepped, Your Majesty.” He then lifted the lamp shade from the imperial desk, burned the dispatch until not a single word remained, and threw the remaining paper into the copper basin.
He also requested the emperor’s drawings, used the imperial study’s writing supplies, and meticulously recreated the three drawings by Sang Luo. The emperor stood by, and after Governor Zeng completed the reproductions, they compared them to the originals. Finding no discrepancies, Governor Zeng burned the original drawings as well, leaving no trace behind.
The emperor cherished the drawings like treasures, locking the paper-making methods in a hidden compartment, keeping only the water mill drawing. He smiled at Governor Zeng and said, “Your grandfather has arrived in the capital. Has Li Yu informed you?”
Governor Zeng smiled and nodded. “Yes, I plan to visit my grandfather as soon as I leave the palace.”
The emperor waved his hand with a smile. “You’ve been away for years, first on military campaigns and then managing Shezhou. It’s rare for you to return home. I won’t delay your reunion with your grandfather. Go home for now, and come to the morning court tomorrow. You’ve contributed a lot by offering the water mill, and I will reward you.”
Governor Zeng took his leave and left the palace. The young eunuchs watched him quietly. Cen’s young apprentice asked in a low voice about the emperor’s sudden change in mood. Cen gave him a look and a few words of reprimand, then turned to attend to the emperor.
Cen, understanding the emperor’s improved mood, took the opportunity to chat. He served the emperor a cup of hot tea and said with a smile, “It’s all thanks to Governor Zeng. Your Majesty’s smile has returned. You may not have seen it yourself, but in the south, where I accompanied Li Yu, Shezhou has recovered remarkably quickly. The people’s lives are almost back to normal, with farming, raising livestock, and even pig farming in villages. The emperor was truly taken aback.
“How did this happen?”
He regretted sending Governor Zeng away from the palace.
Cen smiled as he recounted the achievements of Concubine Fan, making the emperor praise Governor Zeng for having a virtuous wife.
Cen then shifted topics and asked, “But the good conditions in Shezhou aren’t solely due to the governor’s wife. Your Majesty, guess the age of Sang Luo, who created the curved plow?”
The emperor’s brows lifted with curiosity about Sang Luo. He considered her expertise in farming and guessed she was in her forties or fifties. “But since you asked me to guess, she must be younger—perhaps a young woman or an old lady past her years?”
Cen smiled, praising the emperor’s wisdom. “Your Majesty is correct. She seems to be under twenty. Li Yu was quite surprised.”
“Under twenty?” The emperor looked up in astonishment.
“Yes, she is probably just eighteen or nineteen. She has a remarkable understanding of farming. Her reputation in Shezhou surpasses even that of the governor’s wife.”
The part about the Sang family in Shezhou was narrated: “The locals refer to this Sang lady as a ‘goddess of mercy.’ During her years in the mountains, she taught the mountain people how to make tofu from commonly found leaves, identified and encouraged the cultivation of yams, and helped turn poisonous wild taro into edible food. Her contributions to the people’s survival were immense.”
He also described how the young and strong men of Daxing Village protected the local villagers, and how they brought people out of the mountains after learning of the court’s policies. The emperor was deeply interested.
“By the way, Sang Luo’s husband and younger brother have also passed the provincial exams. When I went to Daxing Village, I saw the two brothers wearing the uniform of our Da Qi’s provincial scholars.”
The emperor understood. It was no wonder Sang Luo was considering paper-making.
He squinted slightly, a smile tugging at his lips. Sang Luo, not yet twenty, with scholars in her family—this was indeed excellent news. It warmed the heart of the emperor of the Da Qi even more than the recently acquired paper-making method.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk. A commoner’s background might not be ideal, and if they were to enter the capital, it would likely take three years. But the emperor thought that with Sang Luo’s contributions to the plow and paper, three years seemed too long.
He knew the first few batches of scholars coming to the capital would likely face the most challenges and be targeted by the influential families. But three years was acceptable. Fortunately, Sang Luo was inherently kind, concerned about the people’s livelihood, and trusted Governor Zeng and his wife. Neither the curved plow, paper, nor the water mill had been delayed in reaching the court.
The emperor, thinking of this, smiled again, feeling very pleased.
As for the Luo and Dou families, let them drag things out if they wished. The emperor was happy to watch the drama unfold. Just imagining the reaction of the Luo family’s old man when he learned the court had established a paper mill was enough to make him feel all his frustrations dissipate.
What a relief!
…
The next day, during the morning court, Governor Zeng Ziqian was rewarded by the emperor for presenting the water mill. Although the reward was only money and goods, not particularly substantial, his wife Mrs. Shi’s deeds in Shezhou were greatly praised by the current emperor in court, and she was granted the title of a Third-Rank Lady.
A Third-Rank Lady!
Given that the Da Qi had only recently unified, and most officials hadn’t even had the chance to petition for titles for their wives and mothers, let alone have them granted, the Third-Rank title was notable. The position of Third-Rank Lady was even higher than that of the Zeng family’s matriarch.
From now on, high-ranking officials’ wives in the Da Qi would likely look to Mrs. Shi as a model. The officials, holding their court scepters, observed in silence. Everyone praised the emperor’s move in their hearts.
Those with modest means, while feeling the pinch of their household finances, had to figure out how to handle things elegantly. Those with deep resources were less concerned, understanding that following in Mrs. Shi’s footsteps might not bring much advantage. However, they could still contribute to the emperor’s collection of money and resources, benefiting their own reputations.
What truly captured the attention of various influential families was Zeng and Mrs. Shi, especially Mrs. Shi. A well-educated daughter meant that any family with eligible sons would first consider marrying someone from the Fan family.
…
When Zeng Ziqian returned to the capital, the focus on the water mill and the honors for Mrs. Shi drew all eyes. Even Old Governor Zeng hadn’t considered other matters.
The establishment of the paper mill by the court would not happen for another two months. No one knew where the paper-making method came from. The emperor had even ordered the palace servants to search through many court records, with some speculating that the method might have been found among them.
Of course, these were just speculations. Some influential families with an interest in the imperial examinations felt regret, but it was only a minor regret. Despite the emperor’s kindness, his gentle demeanor had not prevented him from conquering the Da Qi and dealing with numerous warlords.
When the emperor’s interests were at stake, the families might not support him openly and might even oppose him covertly. But as long as most families supported the emperor, no one dared to act foolishly or challenge imperial authority. After all, they were beneficiaries of the new dynasty, unlike the Luo and Dou families.
The only ones truly stunned were likely the Luo and Dou families, who had long controlled the paper-making techniques and used it as leverage in negotiations with the emperor. But who cared?
Among the court officials and scholars, only Li Yu might have suspected that the paper-making method was related to Governor Zeng, as he had mentioned the trip to Meizhou, and the emperor hadn’t brought it up since. The timing was too coincidental.
Li Yu chuckled. “Well done, Zeng Ziqian!”
He truly had to praise the matter. Not only did it vent the frustration of him and the emperor caused by the Luo and Dou families, but it also allowed the emperor’s educational and examination policies to continue, with the profit from paper-making helping to fill the treasury. Li Yu felt a sense of relief.