Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "If good officials are not employed, how can the Jin Dynasty not perish?"

Kang Guojun's father was Kang Gongbi, whose ancestral home was Wanping. He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

When he surrendered to the Jin Dynasty, he was just a minor judge in the Liao Dynasty.

When he was a county magistrate in the Jin Kingdom, he was unable to collect taxes due to natural disasters, so the grain transport department sent people everywhere to arrest people and urge them to pay their taxes.

Kang Gongbi submitted a memorial pleading for the release of the arrested people, and the local people even erected a shrine in his honor.

Later, when he was transferred to another position, Kang Gongbi remained kind and honest. He even misappropriated grain to provide relief to disaster victims. At that time, he was in charge of the granary and was not a local official. Violating regulations to allocate grain for disaster relief would have resulted in execution.

More than 100,000 Jin people rebelled, killing countless officials and gentry in southern Liaodong.

Only after Kang Gongbi was arrested was Hou Gai, the leader of the rebel army, personally released him.

Kang Gongbi's superiors and colleagues were all killed by the rebel army.

Because the common people know who the truly good officials are.

Zhao Yuan said, "Hou Gai, who released your father, is now a seventh-rank military officer in the Ming Dynasty."

"He was old and was transferred back to the Privy Council after the Jin dynasty was destroyed."

“I asked him about Liaoning, and he said that when the Jin Dynasty ruled Liaoning, they only encountered one good official: your father.”

Kang Guojun cupped his hands and said, "I will always remember my father's dying words."

Chapter 3551 Experience in Governing the People

"I believe you are a good official, otherwise why would you be ostracized in the Jin Kingdom?"

Zhao Yuan said,

"Since you came in first place this time and have experience governing the people in the Jin Kingdom, you don't need to take the Ministry of Personnel's final examination again."

"When an official position becomes available, he will be directly appointed as the prefectural judge."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Kang Guojun quickly rose and bowed in gratitude.

Zhao Yuan said, "Go, and do a good job as an official."

Kang Guojun bowed and took his leave, feeling extremely pleased.

He felt stifled in the Jin Kingdom, but found his direction in life in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhao Yuan picked up his pen and continued reading the memorial.

Summer has arrived again, bringing with it a series of floods.

Fortunately, in the past two years, with the restoration of farmland to lakes and the active construction of water conservancy projects, the extent of flood damage has been relatively reduced.

However, Fujian was hit by a typhoon this year, and many prefectures and counties were affected. Quanzhou City was flooded for three days.

Merchant ships in Quanzhou's outer harbor were also severely damaged, and the coastal boat people were in dire need of the imperial court's assistance.

The draft bill sent by the cabinet proposes to reduce or exempt taxes for disaster-stricken areas as appropriate.

Zhao Yuan first wrote "Approved" and then wrote in red ink: "If the boat people in Fujian who are affected by the disaster wish to immigrate to Taiwan County, they can take this opportunity to be given food and farming tools and live a semi-farming and semi-fishing life along the coast of Taiwan."

"Taiwan's coastal plains are rich, and grain and sugar production is increasing year by year. We should encourage immigrants to cultivate the land."

After finishing her workday, the female official came over holding a plaque.

Which concubine he would spend the night with was all arranged in advance.

Although the emperor could change his mind temporarily, Zhao Yuan would basically not do so.

There are also a certain number of days each month, which are not arranged in advance and the emperor can choose for himself.

Zhao Yuan suddenly remembered something and asked, "Isn't Yelü Chongyuan fifteen years old?"

The female official remembered clearly: "She turned fifteen four months ago."

“Go to Yelü Chongyuan’s place,” Zhao Yuan said.

Whether they were civil or military officials or concubines in the harem, Zhao Yuan treated them all with respect and would inform them in advance where they were going.

To avoid them suddenly arriving and causing chaos in the interviewee's home.

Zhao Yuan lay down for a short rest in the Chuigong Hall, and the female official took the opportunity to make arrangements.

Yelü Yan, who had been in the palace for over a year, heard that the emperor was coming and hurriedly made preparations to receive him, happily dressing up in front of the mirror.

After tidying up, he repeatedly asked the palace maids what looked inappropriate about himself.

When Zhao Yuan arrived, the food and wine were already laid out.

"Your Majesty, may you be well!" Yelü Yan, accompanied by palace maids, bowed in greeting.

This Liao princess grew increasingly beautiful.

Zhao Yuan's appetite was immediately piqued. He took the other's small hand and asked, "Are you feeling lonely being so far from home?"

Yelü Yan was overjoyed: "The noble ladies in the palace are all very kind. I often play with them and don't feel lonely at all."

"That's good. Let's go inside and talk. I'm a little hungry." Zhao Yuan pulled Yelü Yan into the house.

The two sat down, and the palace maid Jin Feng quickly poured them wine.

Zhao Yuan thought of Wu Qimai: "Is there a Jin princess in your courtyard?"

Yelü Yan pointed to Jin Feng and said, "This is it."

Zhao Yuan examined it carefully and gradually formed an impression.

He had seen Jin Feng once before, and compared to the last time, her features had matured considerably, and her baby fat had disappeared.

It's even prettier than last year.

Zhao Yuan asked, "Is your mother of the Bohai ethnicity?"

Jin Feng replied, "The Li family of Liaoyang."

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "I suppose your mother must have been a beauty. Wu Qimai was born with such a face, yet you are so good-looking."

Jin Feng was happy, but dared not reply, afraid of displeasing Yelü Yan. She just stood there with a blush on her face.

After thinking for a moment, she replied, "My mother works in the laundry department."

"How old are you this year?" Zhao Yuan asked again.

Jin Feng misunderstood and replied, "Thirty-two."

"puff!"

Zhao Yuan quickly shut his mouth to steady himself, almost spitting out his wine: "I was asking you, not your mother."

Even so, three words came to Zhao Yuan's mind—"mother and daughter X".

Although he was itching to try it, Zhao Yuan restrained himself.

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"

Jin Feng was so excited that she immediately knelt down. Even being transferred to be a maid was a hundred times better than staying in the laundry department to wash clothes.

Zhao Yuan then said, "You are also a princess of a fallen kingdom, your life as fleeting as duckweed. From now on, you shall change your name to Wanyan Ping."

First there was Yelü Yan, then Wanyan Ping.

Add Li Qinglu to the mix.

That's pure bad taste!

.....

Of the twenty scenic spots in Wangchuan, six have been restored so far.

Zhao Yuan personally gave the instructions, Li Qingzhao and Wen Xiaomei provided suggestions, and the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works went to design and supervise the construction.

Construction is still ongoing, and the emperor has not yet moved to Wangchuan Villa.

That day, Zhao Yuan returned from the experimental fields outside the city, and a eunuch immediately reported: "Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent over a woman who was once Wu Qimai's concubine."

"I understand. Arrange a cleaning job for her," Zhao Yuan said casually.

The eunuch quickly explained, "His Majesty has already bestowed upon her the title of Noble Lady."

Zhao Yuan was extremely angry, as the rumors about him being a "good wife" had spread throughout Kaifeng and Luoyang.

Now that another one has been sent over, wouldn't that just confirm this stigma?

After a moment of annoyance, Zhao Yuan said, "Bring her over here."

Chapter 3552 Wanyan Ping

This Jin Dynasty concubine, who was just over thirty, washed clothes in the laundry department for a year and a half, and was even beaten and humiliated by the female officials.

Her hands were calloused, and she looked somewhat haggard.

But today I dressed up, put on new clothes, and did my makeup.

The combination of her haggard appearance and stunning beauty made her even more captivating.

The woman was extremely nervous at this moment. She secretly hid her calloused hands in her sleeves and bowed in greeting using the etiquette she had just learned from the Ming Dynasty.

Zhao Yuan couldn't help but take a few more glances and asked, "What's your name?"

The woman replied, "Li Zhen."

Zhao Yuan, appearing to be a serious person, said to the eunuch, "Promote her to the rank of Grand Consort (a third-class imperial concubine), and find her a courtyard to settle down in."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Zhen knelt down and kowtowed excitedly.

The ranks of imperial concubines in the Song Dynasty remained unchanged in the Ming Dynasty, but a few new titles were added.

The lowest rank of concubine is Guiren, followed by Cairen, Meiren, and Jieyu.

Above the title of Jieyu are a bunch of second-rank imperial concubines.

Among the second rank, Taiyi, Guiyi, and Shuyi are the most prestigious, and the next rank above them is Fei (imperial concubine).

All concubines were of the first rank, with the Imperial Concubine being the highest-ranking.

Li Zhen stood up, stole a glance at Zhao Yuan, then lowered her head again, her heart filled with even greater joy.

This emperor had a dignified and upright appearance, and he was clearly a virtuous and blessed person. By ancient standards of beauty, he was considered a handsome man.

He's miles ahead of Wu Qimai!

Zhao Yuan took two steps, then suddenly stopped: "Give her one watermelon, and remember to collect the seeds."

However, Zhao Yuan returned from the experimental fields with two large baskets of watermelons and brought them to the palace.

The eunuch was very efficient. He carried a watermelon in his arms and led Li Zhen to choose a place to stay. He also had a female official arrange for palace maids to serve her.

After choosing a palace, Li Zhen bowed and asked, "I still don't know the honorable name of the people from the border region."

The eunuch quickly said, "With the Empress Dowager here, I dare not address her as 'noble.' My name is Yang Mao, and my nickname is Yang A-Liu. You may call me A-Liu, my lady."

Li Zhen pointed at the watermelon: "What is this?"

The Jin Dynasty also had watermelons, but they were considered cheap and were mainly used as a backup water source when marching on the grasslands.

Yang Mao replied, "This is a watermelon. The Emperor has been cultivating it for several years, discarding bitter seeds each year and selecting only the non-bitter ones for cultivation."

The palace maids for this courtyard haven't been assigned yet. Yang Mao said, "If you're going to eat watermelon now, please remember to collect the watermelon seeds and write down the number on paper."

Li Zhen became increasingly confused as she listened, fearing she had made a mistake, and quickly ate it while the eunuch was still around.

The two immediately began cutting the melon, and the eunuch even went to fetch a knife.

Soon after, two palace maids arrived and were also invited by Li Zhen to eat melons.

While cutting the watermelon, Yang Mao explained, "This kind of watermelon is different; the seedlings were soaked in Shennong water (colchicine solution)."

"His Majesty said this is a tetraploid. It can also be used as a parent to crossbreed with ordinary watermelons to cultivate triploid seedless watermelons."

Li Zhen was completely bewildered, and felt even more that the Emperor Emeritus was extremely knowledgeable.

Yang Mao received a slice of watermelon and said, "Spit all the watermelon seeds onto the paper, but leave the weak seeds as well. Record the number of seeds in this watermelon."

"This tetraploid watermelon has fewer seeds than the diploid variety, making seed saving even more important."

Li Zhen exclaimed in admiration, "Eunuch Yang truly lives up to his reputation as His Majesty's trusted advisor; his expertise in agricultural matters is remarkable."