Not long after the imperial edict was posted, Meng Anzhi found Jin Shanyao and told her about the new emperor's possible selection of concubines.
After listening, Jin Shanyao repeatedly. In her view, the animal kingdom has always been a place where the strong are respected, and whoever is stronger deserves to have more mates.
Anzhi's strength is top-notch even among humans... supporting a few men wouldn't be a problem.
She took Meng Anzhi's hand, her face full of satisfaction, "The fact that you can notice these things shows that you've grown up. Don't worry, we don't need to be envious of what others have."
As she spoke, she got up, took a large sheet of paper from the shelf, and spread it on the table. "Auntie will write a notice and post it. Although I don't have a man, I'm very good at judging men. Just by looking at them, I can tell whether they're suitable or not."
Meng Anzhi quickly interrupted her, "Auntie, it's not me choosing a concubine, it's the emperor choosing a concubine."
"Yes," Jin Shanyao dismissively, "He can choose his, we'll choose ours. Don't worry, with your abilities, supporting a few men won't be a problem. But you'd better keep a close eye on them, don't let them cause any trouble at home."
several???
She and Anci lost both their parents at a young age and had no other relatives. Anci was the only male in the family and was now fourteen years old. According to the law, she could not be registered as a female household member, so she had to find another way.
She had originally intended to "leave the father and keep the son" to eliminate future troubles, but she was afraid her aunt would disagree. Now it seems she was worrying too much.
Meng Anzhi picked up the paper from the table and, under Jin Shanyao's surprised gaze, spoke, "Auntie, I don't plan to get married, I want a child..."
"Oh, I didn't say you should get married... Men are just for amusement and entertainment."
Upon hearing this, Meng Anzhi gasped. She had always known that her aunt was unconventional, but these remarks still shocked her.
Meng Anzhi couldn't help but ask, "Is Anci also doing this to relieve boredom?"
"Oh, he's not... He's quite the fighter among males, he could keep several women... But he's different from you, you understand pharmacology, what does he understand? Look how badly Lu Chi's father was drugged and tricked by a woman, it's impossible to guard against..."
Meng Anzhi quickly interrupted her, "Alright, Auntie, let's not talk about him anymore... Let's talk about the father leaving the son."
Jin Shanyao. "Hmm, who did you say you wanted to go to?"
"Auntie, when it comes to having a baby... genetics are very important, so the father has to be smart, followed by looks and height. I'd like to try Zhao Zhiyuan; he's not only smart but also has his own opinions."
Jin Shanyao thought back to Zhao Zhiyuan; she had practically watched that child grow up, and he was indeed intelligent and quick-witted...
"Okay, I agree."
Meng Anzhi couldn't help but laugh out loud. What good is her aunt's agreement? Zhao Zhiyuan's agreement is the only one that matters.
Jin Shanyao secretly sized her up and tentatively asked, "You like that boy?"
Meng Anzhi, "He's full of cunning, and his child won't be any worse."
During the period of national mourning, the new emperor would not hold a selection of consorts, and there is still more than a year... We cannot rush things; everything must be planned carefully. After all, Zhao Zhiyuan is not someone who can be easily fooled.
Medication is absolutely forbidden, lest it harm the child's mental development in the future.
Before long, it was time to plant medicinal herbs.
Meng Anzhi had no choice but to put the matter aside for the time being and returned to Qingzhou Prefecture with Dahuang, Qing He, and Zhou Xiaosi. This trip lasted for two months.
The Golden Palace.
Xiao Yuan sat on the dragon throne and waited until all the officials had finished reporting before speaking, "Do my esteemed ministers have anything else to say?"
"Your Majesty..." Chancellor Cai stepped forward, holding a bamboo tablet. "The river in Jianghe County, Pingcheng Prefecture, is repaired every year, but it still breaches every year. The amount of disaster relief funds allocated by the court each year is enormous and has become a heavy burden."
Your Majesty, I humbly request that the Ministry of Works and the Censorate each dispatch officials to conduct an on-site investigation to determine whether the problem stems from dereliction of duty by local officials or from inappropriate river management strategies, in order to prevent future problems.
Xiao Yuan looked at the Ministry of Revenue, "How much does the imperial court allocate to Jianghe County in Pingcheng Prefecture each year?"
"Your Majesty, the amount varies each year. Last year, a total of 800,000 taels of silver was allocated for river dam repairs and disaster relief..."
Xiao Yuan looked at the Minister of Ministry of Works with a stern face.
The Minister of Ministry of Works said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, the local people call the river in Jianghe County, Pingcheng Prefecture, ' the Harmful River.' The terrain here is unique, the soil is loose, and the dikes are extremely difficult to reinforce due to the geographical conditions."
Chancellor Cai immediately retorted, "Is Lord Li shirking responsibility?"
"Every word I have said is true, and I have no intention of shirking responsibility whatsoever."
Xiao Yuan raised his hand to interrupt their argument, "We can take a look at the specifics of the river. Does Lord Li have anyone suitable for this important task?"
The Minister of Ministry of Works harbored a secret resentment towards Chancellor Cai, but due to personal grudges, he was implicated and had no choice but to compromise. "Your Majesty," he said, " Zhao Zhiyuan Lord Zhao is familiar with water conservancy projects; he is the perfect candidate..."
Zhao Zhiyuan's fingers tightened suddenly around the bamboo tablet. He had thought that Chancellor Cai's transfer to the Ministry of Works was merely a ploy to cut off his career, but now he realized that the other party intended to kill him.
Xiao Yuan nodded and looked at the Imperial Censor, " Lord Fang... this way."
Fang Shu stepped forward and went through all the officials in his mind, unable to make a decision... At this moment, Meng Anci stepped forward, "Your subject is willing to go to Jianghe County Pingcheng Prefecture."
Fang Shu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Meng Anci's voice. He was a favorite of the emperor and was young, so it wouldn't matter if he messed up his job. Most importantly, he had no background and wasn't afraid of offending anyone.
Xiao Yuan's eyes softened slightly. "I am very pleased that Minister Meng is willing to share my burdens... The two of you will go to Pingcheng Prefecture together to see whether it is a matter of the river or a matter of people."
A sinister glint flashed in Chancellor Cai's eyes. This time, he would ensure that Zhao Zhiyuan would never return.
As Meng Anci left the Golden Palace, the officials who passed by couldn't help but show disdain. He was really desperate for a promotion. Before Lord Fang could even speak, he jumped out first.
How many prefects have Pingcheng Prefecture had? Has the river been repaired yet? They're really courting death...
Zhao Zhiyuan beside Meng Anci, "You finally got promoted to the Censorate, why get involved in this mess?"
Meng Anci said indifferently, "Why did you stand up for me when I was imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review?"
The two looked at each other and smiled, then said no more.
When Jin Shanyao learned that Meng Anci was going to Pingcheng Prefecture to investigate local officials, she was caught in a dilemma. On one hand, Meng Anzhi was farming in Qingzhou Prefecture, and on the other hand, it was Meng Anci's first time traveling far from home.
She couldn't help but sigh... Could this be what the books meant by being deeply worried about someone?
Jin Shanyao wanted to send Yasheng to deliver the message, but Yasheng had already enlisted in the army and was now eating military rations... flying all over the seas hunting Japanese pirates.
Fu Congzhao wrote a letter saying that Yasheng had done a great service by helping them capture the spies in the military camp, but there was one problem: it wouldn't eat anything no matter who fed it. It had to hunt for itself...
Jin Shanyao sighed deeply, then looked at Meng Anci tentatively and asked, "Should I go with you?"
"Use..." Meng Anci decisively, his surprise evident in his eyes.
Jin Shanyao smiled helplessly, "Alright... I'll have Xiaoli send a letter to Anzhi later, so she can stay home and wait for us."
Meng Anci emphatically. He used to be incredibly envious watching his sister and aunt go out alone. Now it was finally his turn... Hehe, just thinking about it made him happy.
This is exclusive favor.
That evening, Xiaoli rushed back to Qingzhou Prefecture with the letter. When Meng Anzhi learned that her aunt was going to Pingcheng Prefecture with Meng Anci, she was not disappointed, but rather very worried that Meng Anci might encounter danger on this trip.
After all, they were going to someone else's territory to investigate, and they could encounter danger at any time. She immediately wrote back, urging the two of them to take good care of themselves and not to be reckless; she also reassured them not to worry about home, as she would take good care of everything.