Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 59 Meeting Empress Cao

In the imperial palace, Wenhua Hall, the air is filled with the fresh scent of ambergris.

As per the custom, Zhao Han came here to lecture Zhao Zhen on classics and history. He was seen wearing a dark green official robe, holding a scripture, and standing beside the imperial desk.

Zhao Zhen was wearing a light yellow casual suit today, and the jade crown in his hair was shining with a warm luster. Compared with the past, his face showed a bit more kindness and relief.

After the lecture was over, Zhao Zhen did not let Zhao Han leave.

She looked at him thoughtfully, and suddenly remembered a memorial she had reviewed last night.

After thinking for a moment, I decided to test him with this.

So, Zhao Zhen pretended to be idle and said, "In the passage from the Book of Documents: Wu Yi, which we were discussing today, I thought of a line about the difficulty of harvesting. I thought of a ready-made example."

"Droughts have been raging in Zhejiang and Zhejiang for days, and locust plagues are even more severe, with Xiuzhou being the worst hit. Yesterday, I submitted a memorial requesting the imperial court to send an additional 60,000 dan of grain."

"If this matter were left to you to decide, how would you handle it?"

Zhao Han's heart suddenly tightened when he heard this.

He knew that the government was testing his abilities. If he gave an inappropriate answer and displeased the government, many people would be demoted and exiled to serve as officials in a cold and harsh place.

So, he calmed his mind, pondered for a moment, and then said solemnly: "Sixty thousand dan of grain may seem like a small amount, but behind it are the lives of millions of people."

"The autumn harvest is approaching. Although the harvest won't be as good as in previous years, it will at least allow the people to survive this winter."

Zhao Zhen raised his eyebrows, his eyes slightly fixed, and there was a hint of surprise in his tone.

"According to your opinion, shouldn't I issue an order to allocate grain?"

Zhao Han's voice was calm and firm. He cupped his hands and said, "Going back to the government, it's true that we shouldn't allocate grain directly."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly became quiet.

Zhang Maoze, who was standing by, was shocked and couldn't help but secretly glance at the official's expression.

This official who ruled the country with benevolence hated to see the common people suffer the most.

His Highness actually refused to allocate food relief... Why would he just walk into the trap for no reason...

"I'll give you another chance. Think of your answer." Zhao Zhen took a deep breath and stared at Zhao Han.

Zhao Han bowed deeply and said, "I think not only should we not allocate grain, but we should also raise the price of grain as soon as possible."

Zhao Zhen's brows furrowed even deeper.

"I hope the emperor will listen to my detailed explanation."

"With severe drought and locust plagues hitting Liangzhe, grain prices are bound to rise sharply."

"Local government officials can purchase grain at prices higher than the market price as soon as possible. Grain merchants are driven by profit and will go to great lengths to transfer grain from Huguang, Jianghuai and other areas to Liangzhe."

"You can also order each prefecture and county to set up special grain purchasing points, issue passes to grain transporters, and exempt them from commercial taxes along the way."

"Once grain continues to flow into Liangzhe, grain prices will naturally fall. Even if some grain merchants intend to hoard goods at a high price, that's fine."

"By then, the government can open its warehouses and release grain to stabilize prices, and new grain will continue to arrive. If grain merchants who have hoarded grain don't sell it at a low price, the grain will just rot in the warehouse."

"In addition, we can encourage the merchants and wealthy families in Liangzhe to indulge in feasting, drinking and entertainment, build gardens and pleasure boats."

"This move will quickly withdraw their hot money and prevent it from flooding into the grain market and causing turmoil."

"Secondly, it can provide some livelihood for the people affected by the disaster."

"This is just my humble opinion, and I hope your Majesty will understand it." After saying this, Zhao Han bowed calmly, without a trace of anxiety between his brows.

Zhao Zhen tapped his fingers on the table, quickly pondering the merits of this method in his mind.

A moment later, he cast a particularly appreciative glance at Zhao Han. "Excellent! This is a brilliant move! It won't harm the foundation of the court, and it will save millions of lives!" "Do as you say. If the disaster in Zhejiang is successfully alleviated, I will reward you handsomely!"

Zhao Han exhaled lightly and replied calmly, "I am only fulfilling my duty. Being able to share your worries is already a great honor."

Zhao Zhen looked at him with a sidelong glance, as if suddenly remembering something. "I remember that you haven't chosen a courtesy name yet?"

"To your honor, I have not yet chosen a courtesy name."

In this dynasty, men's courtesy names are usually chosen by their family elders or teachers when they reach the age of twenty.

Some may advance their studies five or six years due to reasons such as imperial examinations or official careers.

For example, when Sheng Changbai was thirteen years old, Sheng Hong gave him the courtesy name Zecheng.

Sheng Hong's courtesy name, Xiu Jin, was chosen for him by the old lady herself.

"In that case, why don't I grant you a courtesy name today." Zhao Zhen tilted his head slightly, his eyes falling gently on Zhao Han.

I kept thinking about what kind of courtesy name would be suitable for this unique child of mine.

Zhao Han was stunned when he heard this, and hurriedly bowed and said, "I am deeply honored to receive a name from the emperor. It is truly a great honor!"

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

After a moment, Zhao Zhen clapped his hands and chuckled, "Got it!"

"The Book of Changes says: Great is the Qian Yuan, the source and origin of all things."

"Yuan represents the beginning of heaven and earth, the origin of all things. How about your courtesy name be 'Cheng Yuan'?"

Zhao Han frowned and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, these two words are a bit too strong. I am afraid..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Zhen interrupted with a smile, "Too heavy? I think it suits you very well."

His eyes gleamed with anticipation, and he thought to himself: "Inherit the righteous path of heaven and earth, carry on the past and forge ahead! I hope you will live up to this reputation in the future!"

At this moment, a guard bowed and entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."

Zhao Han lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, may I withdraw first?"

"It's okay, just stay here, I still have something to say to you!"

Soon, Empress Cao appeared wearing a gilded phoenix crown, a navy blue phoenix robe, and an orange-red cloud-patterned silk shirt. She looked graceful and elegant. Surrounded by a group of palace maids, she had the demeanor of a mother of the country.

Although Empress Cao is over 40 years old, her skin is as smooth as jade due to proper maintenance, and her eyes still show the charm of her youth.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Han quickly straightened his clothes and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Queen. May your Majesty live a thousand years."

Empress Cao nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Zhao Han for a moment, with a faint smile on the corner of her lips.

"Stand up. I heard that the emperor has been summoning you for lectures recently. After seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed an outstanding person."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Hanping stepped aside politely.

Empress Cao stepped in front of Zhao Zhen and whispered, "Your Majesty said a few days ago that he wanted to drink the lotus leaf soup that I personally cooked. I specially brought it to you today. Your Majesty, please try it while it's hot."

Zhao Zhen looked at the lotus leaf soup on the table, which was as smooth as jade and still emitting wisps of hot water, and smiled slightly, saying, "It's amazing that the Queen still remembers it."

"Lord Zhao, come and try it too." Queen Cao suddenly looked at Zhao Han.

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Han's eyes, and he whispered, "My Lady, this... I'm afraid it's not appropriate..."

Empress Cao always had a decent smile on her face.

"That's alright. Lord Zhao is highly respected by the government. It's not like he can't even have a bowl of soup here."

(The Empress Cao in The Story of Minglan is a bit old. The picture is the Empress Cao in Qing Ping Le)
　Please read it, please read it~ I am throwing a tantrum and begging to read it~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)