Chapter 468: Chapter 437, Imperially Commanded Madam_1
In the nineteenth year of Yongxing, November, a sensational event occurred in Ningmen Prefecture that shocked the entire Daxia—the Jiang Family discovered a gold mine at Ningmen Pass.
As soon as the news broke, officials throughout Daxia were in an uproar.
Yan Residence, the main courtyard.
“Father, what did you say, the people of the Jiang Family found a gold mine? Is that true or false?”
Daohua’s eyes widened as she stared incredulously at Yan Zhigao.
Wasn’t she the one who discovered the gold mine?
Even if the Emperor was stingy and was reluctant to reward her, the credit should have fallen to Xiao Yeyang, or at the very least, that Mister Wu. How had it suddenly become the Jiang Family now?
Yan Zhigao glanced at his agitated eldest daughter and frowned, “What kind of behavior is this? How many times have I told you that you must remain calm in the face of events? Jittery and frantic, where is the demeanor of a lady from a great family?”
Daohua sat upright again, but her brows were knotted, and her face was tight.
Because of Lord Wu, Lord Five, and because of Xiao Yeyang, she thought her credit for finding the gold mine was a sure thing, something nobody could take away from her, but now it had all fallen apart. How could she not be agitated?
“Father, is this news reliable? Who did you hear it from?”
Yan Zhigao glanced at his eldest daughter, whose brows betrayed her sullen mood, “The Emperor himself praised the Princely Heir of the Jiang Family in court. Could there still be falsehood in that? The gold mine is at Ningmen Pass, and now the area has been brought under military control.”
“Actually, it’s quite good that the people from the Jiang Family found the gold mine. After all, the interests involved with a gold mine are too vast, and not just anyone can bear such credit.”
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Not to mention, even the people of Prince Duan were spotted within the territory of Ningmen Prefecture, which was quite unusual.
The affairs of the Imperial Family are always complex and multifaceted, and they, the officials with no significant backing, are best to participate less in such matters.
Madam Li sat to one side. Seeing that Yan Zhigao’s teacup was empty, she refilled it, then spoke with a hint of concern:
“Historically, lands that produce gold, silver, or copper mines are always governed by the Emperor’s confidants. Now that a gold mine has been found within the territory overseen by my lord, will you be reassigned elsewhere?”
Yan Zhigao also fell silent, “That will depend on the Emperor’s intentions. However, Ningmen Pass has always been a strategic military location. Even if the Emperor decides to appoint someone to take over there, it should not affect other areas of Ningmen Prefecture. I will most likely continue my post here.”
Madam Li’s expression relaxed slightly, “I hope so.”
It had not been easy for their family to establish itself in Ningmen Prefecture, and it had not been easy for my lord to sort out the government affairs. If they were to be transferred now, all of his hard work throughout the year would be in vain.
Moreover, moving was also a troublesome matter.
Daohua wasn’t listening to the conversation between Yan Zhigao and Madam Li; she sat sullenly to one side, with the thought of her title of county princess evaporating from her mind.
…
Beijing, Imperial Palace.
Eunuch An respectfully saw off the Empress Dowager and returned to the main hall, only to see the Emperor with an angry expression, going through the petitions. He cautiously walked to the side, not daring to make a sound.
“Slap!”
The Emperor’s face was stern as he threw the brush in his hand to the floor, the chill in his eyes intensifying.
Eunuch An’s head dipped even lower. The Empress Dowager had come personally to the Emperor to ask for rewards over the Jiang Family’s discovery of the gold mine, which left the Emperor very displeased.
After all, the knowledge of the gold mine was originally disclosed by the Emperor to the Jiang Family. And initially, the Jiang Family had wanted to monopolize the gold mine.
Just then, Wei Qi entered. Seeing the brush on the ground, his eyes flickered, and he quickly knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, the Little Prince has sent a Hidden Guard with a secret message that he wants to deliver in person.”
The Emperor suppressed the rage in his heart, “Let him in.”
Soon, the dust-covered Hidden Guard entered. One could tell that he had been without rest for several days. After kneeling and bowing, he carefully took out the letter from his bosom.
Eunuch An stepped forward to receive the letter, examined it thoroughly to ensure there was nothing amiss, and then presented it to the Emperor.
The Emperor took the letter with some surprise, “We just corresponded recently, what is Yangyang writing for at this time?”
After opening the letter and reading it for a while, the Emperor suddenly stood up. Even his usually composed demeanor couldn’t hide his excitement. He read the letter several times over before bursting into joyful laughter.
Eunuch An and Wei Qi exchanged a glance, both a bit astonished. It had been a long time since the Emperor had been this happy.
The Emperor glanced over the gold mine map again, pacing back and forth in the hall for a while. Once he had calmed down, he waved his hand to signal everyone in the hall to leave, except for Eunuch An and Wei Qi.
After everyone had left, the Emperor took his seat on the Dragon Throne again, “Yangyang writes that they have discovered another gold mine.”
Upon hearing this, both Eunuch An and Wei Qi’s eyes widened in shock, and after a moment of stunned silence, they congratulated him in unison.
The Emperor tapped his fingers on the desk, “This gold mine is only known to Yangyang and the three siblings of the Yan Family. Wei Qi, get ready. You leave for Zhongzhou today. You will personally oversee the mining of this gold mine.” He narrowed his eyes as he added, “Remember, the news must not be leaked.”
The previous gold mine, once the Jiang Family publicized it, became common knowledge—something everyone knew about, even those who shouldn’t. Now, with officials from all over watching, there was not much that could be moved.
This new discovery, he intended to handle covertly; on the down-low, there was a lot that could be done.
Wei Qi responded solemnly, “I will fulfill the command.”
The Emperor looked at the letter again and fell silent.
Both gold mines were discovered by the girl of the Yan Family, and with her connection to the Empress Dowager and her uncle, it was impossible not to bestow a reward. Yet, the timing for such a reward was not quite right.
After some thought, the Emperor turned to Eunuch An, “Didn’t Provincial Governor Dong Jiancheng recently submit a memorial about the taxation and achievements of various prefectures in Zhongzhou?”
With a quick thought, Eunuch An knew what the Emperor was asking and nodded with a smile, “Yes, indeed, and it specifically mentioned the achievements of Magistrate Yan in managing Ningmen Prefecture. They said he made notable contributions to governing Ningmen.”
The Emperor remarked with a smile, “Yan Zhigao is quite capable. The promotion of high-yield wheat varieties to other provinces has increased tax revenue significantly. He’s a competent official.”
If the lesser ones cannot be rewarded, then reward the greater.
The next morning, during the court session, some officials praised the achievements of the Jiang Family in finding the gold mine and petitioned the Emperor to reward them. The Emperor glanced at the officials and then prominently brought up Yan Zhigao, lavishing praise on him.
Seeing this, the officials who were pondering a transfer to Ningmen Prefecture discarded their ambitions.
By praising Yan Zhigao at this time, it was clear that the Emperor wanted to keep him as the Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture.
That very afternoon, two imperial edicts left Beijing, heading straight for Ningmen Prefecture.
…
Several days later, at the Yan Residence in Ningmen Prefecture.
The entire Yan Family knelt in the great hall, listening respectfully as the eunuch read the imperial edict.
“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: during his tenure as Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture, Yan Zhigao has been dignified and righteous, taught loyalty and encouraged merit, with sincere devotion to his duties. His mother, Madam Zhang, imparts education and word both morning and evening, never forgetting the diligence of raising a child, bringing honor and grace to the family; his wife, Madam Li, maintains her conduct with modesty and virtue. Thus, in extending Our grace, We confer upon you the title of ‘Gongren’ of the fourth rank.”
Daohua knelt on the ground. She didn’t fully understand the complex and elaborate words in the middle, but she understood the last two sentences.
Her grandmother and mother had been appointed as ladies of the imperial edict.
Daohua quickly glanced at her foster father and saw a clear look of surprise on his face. Her mind instantly started to ponder.
Could it be that the Emperor’s reward for her grandmother and mother was because of the gold mine?
After the eunuch finished reading the edict, he looked at Yan Zhigao with a smile, “Magistrate Yan, receive the edict and express your gratitude.”
Yan Zhigao raised his hands high, his face full of reverence, “Your servant offers thanks for the Emperor’s magnificent grace. Long live, long live, forever.”
Seeing that it had ended just like that, Daohua felt an indescribable disappointment.
It turned out her title of county princess was indeed gone!
Following the crowd, Daohua stood up and saw her grandmother and mother happily accepting the imperial edict garments. Her disappointment somewhat faded. Well, the Emperor hadn’t totally disregarded her contributions after all, at least her family received some reward.