The most arrogant in history

Sang Buyi and Ma Zhao had the same idea and stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, a son-in-law is different from a son. You are now the emperor and cannot mourn for your father-in-law."

Ye Kun waved his hands: "The father-in-law treats me as his own son, and I treat him like my own father. Although I am the emperor, the emperor must also respect family affection and human relations, right? You do not approve of the emperor observing mourning, so I will observe mourning for my father-in-law as a private person. I have made up my mind, and there is no need to discuss it further."

He Kangju and others had no choice but to give up.

Ye Kun changed into mourning clothes and accompanied Jiang Yourong in mourning in front of the coffin.

Jiang Youbao asked, "Your Majesty, how should we handle my father's funeral?"

Ye Kun pondered and said, "When my mother passed away, everything was kept simple so as not to disturb the people and to set an example for the people to keep funerals simple. Now that the father-in-law of the emperor has passed away, I think we should keep it simple."

Jiang Youbao understood immediately and nodded:

"Then let's take the example of the emperor's mother, the late empress dowager. Her body will be kept for three days and then buried. Apart from relatives and friends, no condolences will be accepted from officials and people in Zhuo County."

Having been the emperor's uncle for many years, Jiang Youbao is now very sensible.

Know how to read people's expressions and know how to obey Ye Kun's intentions.

Ye Kun nodded and praised: "The uncle of the emperor has set an example by holding a simple funeral for the emperor's father-in-law. He will surely be praised by the people."

Jiang Yourong said, "But Your Majesty, what if I can't come back within three days? If my father is buried before I come back, won't I not even be able to see my father's remains?"

Ye Kun comforted her, "Don't worry, Queen. I have already notified the Grand Canal patrol speedboat to travel day and night to bring Third Sister and her husband back."

The patrol speedboats on the Grand Canal are steam-powered.

If you drive at full speed, you can get from Xingyang to Zhuojun in one day and one night.

Jiang Yourong nodded, feeling relieved.

That night, Ye Kun, as a son-in-law, kept vigil for his father-in-law all night.

Jiang Yourong was very moved and tried to persuade Ye Kun to go and rest several times, but Ye Kun insisted on keeping vigil all night.

The next morning, Jiang Yourong's third sister Youcai and brother-in-law He Quan arrived together.

Seeing that her sister was talented, Jiang Yourong burst into tears again.

Youcai was stronger, hugged his sister and said:

"Sister, you are now the queen, you must take care of yourself. Father is already over 60 years old, which is considered a long life. And father's second half of his life, thanks to the care of brother-in-law, he also enjoyed wealth and honor, and his life was worth it. Now that father is gone, we still have to mourn and take good care of mother."

Jiang Yourong then stopped crying and nodded slightly.

Youcai met Ye Kun again and said, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself and get more rest."

"I'm fine." Ye Kun nodded and asked, "How long did it take to get from Xingyang to Zhuojun?"

"Only 24 hours. This is all thanks to the Grand Canal opened by my brother-in-law, and the steamboat. The speed is really fast, faster than riding a horse. And the boat is stable, so we can rest on the way."

"That's good."

Ye Kun looked at He Quan again: "You guys stay at the mourning hall, I'll go help the uncle and arrange some matters."

Although the funeral was said to be simple, many dignitaries from Zhuo County still came. Each of them had their own reasons, which made it impossible for you to refuse.

Ye Kun helped Jiang Youbao arrange affairs and receive guests. He was polite and approachable throughout.

A day later, the father-in-law was buried in the northern suburbs of Zhuo County.

Jiang Youbao built a thatched hut here to mourn for his father.

Ye Kun ordered Prince Ye Feng to stay here with his uncle, mourn for his grandfather for seven days, and study with peace of mind.

At this time, it was the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Jiang Yourong was in a bad mood because of her father's death, so she handed over the palace's Spring Festival arrangements to Xie Baochan and Liu Yuejuan, and stayed at home, refusing to see visitors.

Ye Kun also knew Jiang Yourong's sadness and tried to spend more time with her.

Jiang Yourong said, "Your Majesty, the New Year is coming soon. You should go and arrange state affairs. Do what needs to be done. Don't let my father's death affect the officials and people of the capital."

"Your Majesty is right. I will arrange it."

Ye Kun ordered the eunuchs and maids in the palace to take good care of Jiang Yourong while he went to arrange state affairs.

In the Western Regions, Zhuge Hong has taken office and has arrived in Jincheng County. He has sent a telegram saying that everything is proceeding according to plan.

Zhao Biao also sent a telegram saying that the army was short of food and hoped that Ye Kun would urge Jincheng and Chang'an to transport food and fodder.

Ye Kun deliberately delayed the call for a few days, telling Zhao Biao that he was busy and sad because of the death of the father-in-law, and that he was not in good health. Also, because the Spring Festival was approaching, the state affairs were busy and he had no time to rest all day. He had already instructed Zhuge Hong to handle the food and grass matters, so Zhao Biao could wait in peace.

Zhao Biao wanted to rebel, but he couldn't understand what Ye Kun meant.

According to Zhuge Hong's advice, Ye Kun gradually decomposed Zhao Biao's military forces and then controlled his food supplies. The next step was to show his cards.

New Year tributes from Jiaozhi, Tianzhu Peninsula, Liaodong, Donghua Peninsula, the Little Wise King of Western Xiongnu, as well as Donghua Changdao and Yizhou Island have all been delivered.

A large amount of gold and silver among the tributes were collected into the national treasury.

There were also large quantities of ivory, rhino horns, natural gemstones, various delicacies from land and sea, animal skins, etc., all of which were selected by the palace in the first batch.

Ye Kun issued an order: "All the tributes from various places will be collected into the national treasury. Those that are difficult to preserve will be sold in the inner city by someone arranged by the Ministry of Finance and Taxation. The princes and ministers can buy whatever they like. The imperial palace is no exception. They can buy whatever they want with their own money.

After the selection is completed in the inner city, the remaining ones will be sent to the market for sale.”

In fact, these days, ivory, rhino horns, bear paws, sable skins, tiger bones, etc. are not precious at all because there are so many of them.

The ivory and rhinoceros horns of the Kushan Empire are not as valuable as glass mirrors when traded with Ye Kun.

Bingbing sent someone to report that the tumbler girl designed by Ye Kun will be officially unveiled in Wanmin Square tonight.

Ye Kun nodded and agreed to go watch it tonight.

Jiang Yourong naturally had no intention of watching it.

Ye Kun took Xie Baochan and Liu Yuejuan to Wanmin Square.

The square was crowded with people, and there were bright searchlights on both sides, making the square as bright as day.

Countless vendors were selling small toys and snacks in the square, and the sounds of their calls could be heard one after another.

The fireworks of the world are so beautiful.

In the small square in front of the Grand Theater, four young ladies wearing long skirts were swaying, singing and dancing, and interacting with tourists.

It was the first time for the officials and people of Zhuo County to see such singing and dancing. They all had smiles on their faces and watched and cheered.

Bingbing naturally accompanied Ye Kun on the inspection and laughed softly, "The emperor is really good at playing and came up with such a plan."

Ye Kun smiled and said, “There are still many things I can play with.”

"I will wait and see." Bingbing smiled and said:

"By the way, Your Majesty, General Cherry will be here tomorrow. This time, Sister Cherry has brought several singing and dancing troupes from Jinling to liven up the New Year celebrations in the capital."

Ye Kun nodded: "Tomorrow night, let's receive Yingtao at the State Guesthouse. I will attend in person. After dinner, I will find out more about the Jinling Song and Dance Troupe and see if there are any interesting programs."