Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 207 Discovering She Is a Girl

In the fourth year of Heqing, three major events occurred at the grand court of Qi. The first was that because of Zhao Guiyan's rebellion, His Majesty pondered the cause and believed that it was because the nobles maintained troops and ignored the laws of the court, so he issued an edict: From now on, dukes and marquises are not allowed to maintain more than 200 private soldiers, and those below them are not allowed to maintain more than 100. Garrisons with more than 10,000 soldiers are not allowed to lead an army alone for more than five years, and they must be exchanged with neighboring states and counties every three years.

When this decree was issued, the nobles who came to attend the court meeting were in an uproar. It seemed that His Majesty issued this decree in order to weaken the power of the nobles, so as to prevent the army from only recognizing generals and not the emperor.

The second imperial edict was to check the land and household registration, especially the Buddhist community.

It seems that even Your Majesty is going to follow the example of the emperor of the Southern Dynasty and destroy Buddhism! Although this edict is a disaster for Buddhism, it is indeed beneficial to the country's tax revenue. Buddhism accounts for 70% of the world's wealth. If all of it can be collected into the national treasury, the country will be rich and the people will be strong. In the future, whether it is the westward expedition or the southward expedition, there will be nothing to fear.

The third imperial edict was to revise the "Linzhi Ge" (later known as the "Law of Northern Qi"). This code of law was originally compiled by dozens of people including Feng Longzhi, Cui Xian, Li Yang, Wei Shou, etc. It began during the reign of Emperor Wenxuan Gao Yang and has just come to an end. It has a total of twelve chapters and 949 articles. It was already completed, so why did it need to be revised again?

At this time, the right prime minister "Xie Zhen" standing beside the emperor spoke up and said, "Although the Qi Law has been established, many people ignore its existence. Emperor Shenwu and Emperor Wenxiang ordered people to formulate it in order to use it to restrain the people of the world. If the prince breaks the law, he will be punished the same as the common people. If we cannot treat everyone equally, it will surely cause chaos in the country!"

As soon as Xie Zhen finished speaking, all the nobles in the court turned their eyes to "Xie Zhen" who was standing at the lower right of the emperor.

There is both appreciation and hatred. After all, whether it is checking household registration or enforcing laws, it infringes on the interests of these nobles.

Just when these nobles were thinking about their own things, His Majesty issued the fourth decree, which was about mutual trade. The envoys of the Southern Dynasty were about to come to Qi, and the alliance with Southern Chen had to be maintained, and mutual trade was one of the ways to do so.

When the ministers did not understand the significance of the mutual trade, Xiao Jinyu explained: "Your Majesty will open counties such as Bazhou and Nanqiaozhou as places for merchants from Southern Chen and Northern Qi to do business. For example, horses, cattle and sheep from Qi can be sold to Southern Chen, and grain, silk or fine wine from Southern Chen can be sold to Qi. This mutual benefit can not only benefit the people's livelihood and the country, but also promote domestic economic development."

Agricultural production in the South has always been stronger than in the North. In addition, silk weaving, casting, shipbuilding, and papermaking are all more developed than in the North.

Last year, the five states of Bing, Fen, Jin, Dongyong and Nanfen were hit by insect pests and drought, causing serious damage to the national strength of Qi. If it is really possible to exchange horses, cattle and sheep for grain and silk from the south, this trade is indeed a good idea.

After these four decrees were issued simultaneously, Gao Zhan retired from court and immediately returned to Zhaoyang Palace to enjoy himself with the beauty.

Someone couldn't help but sigh: "Your Majesty issued so many imperial decrees at once. Maybe it was Xie Zhen's idea. It seems that since Xie Zhen came to your side, your Majesty has become much more diligent!"

"Yes, although some of the imperial edicts seem to infringe upon the interests of the nobles, they are extremely beneficial to the development of the country. If they can be implemented and carried out, our Great Qi will surely become strong and unify the world..."

Some praised him, while others ridiculed him: "He is just a Han boy, how can he be capable? Unless he has the ability to suppress those nobles, he will be able to implement these decrees!"

Xie Zhen naturally ignored the opinions of these court officials. Gao Changgong was very angry and uncomfortable when he heard these discussions, but he finally endured it.

Gao Yanzong couldn't help but congratulate them both. More importantly, Lu Lingxuan was finally dead!

"I heard that His Majesty gave her a cup of poisoned wine last night, causing her to die in the Dali Temple prison. After her death, her body was thrown into a mass grave. It seems that no one came to collect her body. Tsk, her precious son Mu Ti Po didn't even have the courage to collect his mother's body!"

"Has Mu Ti Po still not been found?" Gao Changgong asked.

Gao Yanzong bowed his head and said, "Yes!"

Gao Changgong felt a little uneasy. When did Lu Lingxuan discover that "Xie Zhen" was A Yu? Did her son Mu Tipo know about this?

He had promised her that he would not allow anyone to destroy her body after her death and would just throw it into a mass grave, but what was her intention?

Just for dignity after death?

"I hate men the most in my life, so I hope that after I die, I will not be humiliated by anyone..."

These were the last words the woman said to him.

"Chang Gong, what are you thinking about?"

While he was thinking, he suddenly heard Xiao Jinyu calling him, and he smiled back: "I was just thinking that Ah Yu really has the talent to be a prime minister. The suggestions you put forward for His Majesty can indeed improve the shortcomings of my Qi State! But..."

Xiao Jinyu smiled and interrupted:

"Okay, I will go and resign to His Majesty later. Although these policies can solve some problems and benefit the country's development, they require talented and courageous people to implement them. I definitely can't do it alone!"

After saying that, she went to Zhaoyang Palace alone. At that time, Gao Zhan actually let Feng Lingyi lie in front of the palace with a veil over her, and he was admiring the beautiful body.

Not only did he watch it himself, he also asked He Shikai, Gao Yuanhai, Bi Yiyun and other treacherous ministers to appreciate it together.

Xiao Jinyu took a look and felt a little angry. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she heard Gao Zhan calling out, "Xie Qing is here. Come quickly. How about you come and take a look at this beautiful woman's body?"

Xiao Jinyu secretly clenched his fists, turned around and walked to Gao Zhan, then handed the resignation letter in his hand to Gao Zhan.

"Your Majesty, I am here to ask for your resignation. I hope your Majesty will grant my request!"

Gao Zhan was shocked by this. He quickly asked Feng Lingyi to put on her clothes and retreat to the bedroom. He asked Xiao Jinyu sternly, "I just promoted you to the position of Right Prime Minister. Why do you want to resign?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "Your Majesty, I have said that retiring after achieving success is the hermit way advocated by my Xie family. Now Your Majesty has fulfilled my wish, which has greatly increased the reputation of my Chenjun Xie family. It is time for Xie Zhen to resign and retire!"

"No, Mr. Xie, do you think that I am not doing a good job as an emperor and are disappointed in me?"

Xiao Jinyu lowered his head and did not give a direct answer. He only said, "Your Majesty, please grant me your blessing!"

Gao Yuanhai and Bi Yiyun both looked at her in surprise. They had never heard of someone saying he wanted to resign just after reaching the pinnacle of power. Was Xie Zhen crazy?

Only He Shikai had a gloomy and suspicious look on his face.

After the three of them left the hall, Gao Zhan said to Xiao Jinyu, "Thank you, sir. Come to me!"

Xiao Jinyu didn't know what he was going to do, so she just took a few steps forward. Unexpectedly, Gao Zhan suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.

The moment their bodies touched, Gao Zhan's expression suddenly changed, and he looked at the delicate skin on her neck in surprise.

"Why do you want to resign? Tell me the real reason?"

Xiao Jinyu said: "I am still young and weak, I am afraid I can't help Your Majesty suppress those nobles. I think Zhao Yanshen is more qualified than me to be the right prime minister of a country!"

Gao Zhan suddenly smiled: "I'm afraid this is not the real reason?"

After saying that, he actually stretched out his other arm and suddenly wrapped it around her waist, wanting to hug her tightly. At this moment, Gao Changgong rushed in, suddenly pulled Xiao Jinyu over, and without even saying a word, he quickly walked out of Zhaoyang Palace holding Xiao Jinyu.

Gao Zhan had a gloomy expression and suppressed his anger without saying a word. Feng Lingyi tactfully hid aside.

Instead, He Shikai ran in and said flatteringly, "Your Majesty, what happened? Don't be angry, don't be angry!" After saying that, he actually went forward to rub his shoulders and back.

Gao Zhan pushed him away and sighed vaguely: "So Xie Qing is actually a woman?"

"What?" He Shikai seemed not to hear clearly.

Gao Zhan laughed loudly, as if recalling some past events: "No wonder... No wonder when I hugged her that day, I felt her warmth and fragrance, her skin as white as cream. She has been by my side for so long, and I only found out today that she is a woman, hahahaha..."

"A woman actually became the prime minister, the head of all government officials? Your Majesty, this woman is deceiving the emperor, should she be punished?"

"Punish her? Why should I punish her? I am not against women being officials, otherwise I would not have promoted Lu Lingxuan to participate in government affairs. Didn't my second brother also make her a female official of the third rank, Guanglu Dafu?

I'm just wondering, what kind of woman is she? Or, whose woman is she?"

"Your Majesty, did His Royal Highness Prince Lanling just rush in and carry Xie Zhen away?"

Gao Zhan's expression suddenly changed.

Feng Lingyi in the bedroom also secretly tightened the veil in her hands, and her expression changed slightly.

"Your Majesty, you appointed Princess Lanling as the Imperial Historian's Consort in June this year. Have you never summoned her to observe the celestial phenomena?"

……

After returning to Prince Lanling's Mansion, Gao Changgong immediately called Xie Yuxuan and Ling Ye and asked them to take Xiao Jinyu away quickly.

Xie Yuxuan was puzzled: "Why? Prince, a few days ago you suspected that my sister didn't want to give birth to your child, and today you want to drive her away? You..."

"Ah Xuan, stop talking. His Majesty discovered my identity as a woman, and Chang Gong was afraid that I would be in danger, so he wanted me to leave Qi State and seek refuge, right?"

These words shocked both Xie Yuxuan and Ling Ye.

Gao Changgong nodded and hugged Xiao Jinyu tightly. "Although I am reluctant to let you go, I can't let anything happen to you. Before they react, leave Yecheng quickly and take my mother with you!"

"It's too late, Chang Gong. Even if we escape from Yecheng, we will still be caught up by the Imperial Guards. This is not a fundamental solution to the problem. And leaving you alone in Yecheng is even worse!"

Gao Zhan may not kill her, but he will definitely hate Chang Gong!

"I am willing to reveal my identity as a woman and let them judge me!"

"It's true that I'm a woman, but that doesn't mean I'm guilty!"

For some reason, when Gao Changgong heard Xiao Jinyu's words, the scene in his dream appeared in his mind again. This feeling made him extremely painful and uncomfortable.

"Chang Gong, what's wrong with you?"

Noticing something was wrong with him, Xiao Jinyu quickly pulled him aside and took his pulse.

Gao Changgong suddenly clenched her hand and begged, "Ayu, this time you listen to me and leave Yecheng, okay? I'm here, I can find a way to let Yanzong escort you away!"

"But you will die!" Xiao Jinyu interrupted, "I will protect my own life, and I will also protect your life!"

"Don't think about the bad things. Trust me! Think about the good things more!"

Good things?

For example, on the painting boat in the Southern Dynasty, she raised her head, looked at him from afar and smiled. The throbbing warmth at that moment was enough for him to remember for the rest of his life.

For example, when she said she wanted to marry him, the completely unexpected surprise made him immersed in it for a long time. Later, when he brought her to Qi State, it felt unreal. He thought she might regret it and leave at any time, until he heard what she said to Cui Heng, and until that night, when she performed the Zhougong Ceremony with him without any regrets.

He felt her sincerity.

But precisely because this sincere heart was so pure, he felt even more guilty.

"Ah Yu, you've been so good to me, I can't bear it. Even if I have to let you live and die with me, I still can't bear it. It's our Gao family that has let your mother down..."

"I can't let you follow in your mother's footsteps!"

Xiao Jinyu just hugged him in her arms and said firmly: "No!"

At this time, Ah Xiu ran in anxiously and said, "Prince, Princess, someone in the palace just brought an order from His Majesty, saying that he wants you to enter the palace together!"