The wives of the concubines are empresses

The Emperor and Master Yun asked about the situation on the scene and then looked at the eight painters.

“How do the painters feel about painting this time?”

Middle-aged Male Painter A: "Your Majesty, I feel that I have gained a lot from this trip. I feel like I am sharing the joy with the people. Moreover, we are the ones responsible for the painting records, so I feel a sense of honor."

The eight painters all stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I second the motion."

"Your Majesty, I second the motion."

Shangguan Wanjun picked up the Longjing tea, took a sip and put it down.

"I intend to set up a separate painter department, which will be managed by me personally."

The painters were all stunned when they heard this: They must have heard it right, the emperor actually wants to set up a painter department?

Does that mean that they will be valued and have opportunities to get promoted and make money?

When Shangguan Wanjun said this, even the adults in the Hanlin Academy were shocked.

"Taifu, please say a few words."

Tutor Yun raised his eyes and looked at the emperor, then prepared to stand up, but Shangguan Wanjun raised her hand to stop him.

"Sit down, I rarely look up."

Master Yun bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Taifu Yun lifted his official uniform and sat down. "Your Majesty, I believe that the establishment of a painter department is necessary, and it can also play a role in supervising all officials."

The emperor is young, so it is a good thing for him to have some power of his own so that he doesn't have to be controlled everywhere.

He also realized that the emperor was no ordinary person. Under her leadership, the Yuan Dynasty would surely reach a higher level and achieve national prosperity and people's strength.

"In that case, let's leave this matter to Concubine Wu and the painters. Find a suitable government office for them."

Everyone stood up and bowed, "I obey your order."

"I accept the decree."

"From today on, all the painters will be ninth-rank painters. Two of them will remain in the palace, and the remaining two will serve as teachers in the folk academy, responsible for teaching students how to paint.

The other two reported to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple, taking turns on duty every day.

There are two more people who are responsible for folk painting, and we have to collect the money to fill the national treasury."

All the ministers were deeply shocked and immediately understood the emperor's intention.

Some painters even had tears in their eyes and looked excited.

"I thank the Emperor for his concern for the country and the people. I will never give up even if it means death. I will never change my mind."

Following his statement, other painters also expressed their opinions.

From now on, they are all people holding official positions.

"Well, do your best. You are the 18th-level official. I hope you all work hard. I will clearly distinguish between rewards and punishments, and I will always be watching you with my sharp eyes. Don't be lip-service and betray the emperor's grace."

The ministers bowed and said, "I will follow the emperor's instructions and will not let him down."

The officials of the Hanlin Academy who watched the entire process were also extremely shocked.

At the same time, they also secretly encouraged themselves in their hearts, because they heard the emperor's intention.

Shangguan Wanjun glanced at Aunt Cheng, and soon Aunt Cheng came in with silver and cakes and waited quietly by the side.

"Everyone has worked hard today. I will reward each of you with one ounce of silver and a serving of lotus cake."

The eighteen officials of the Hanlin Academy, eight painters and Concubine Wu’s propaganda costs totaled twenty-seven taels, plus the cost of pastries was ten taels, which made the Minister of Revenue in the Ministry of Revenue very distressed.

However, when he thought about the fact that the painters could make money to fill the national treasury, his expression improved a little.

The fact that the emperor always gave her a date afterward had made him understand the emperor's thoughts to some extent.

Shangguan Wanjun, who was eating lotus cake, felt as if she had forgotten something and frowned slightly. The ministers were stunned when they saw her.

What's wrong with the emperor?

“By the way, painters, you can compile the records of painters in the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple and other departments. You can also discover talents on a daily basis, including teachers and court painters.

Talents are not limited to gender, age or status. Children of aristocratic families, ladies of prominent families and eunuchs in the palace are also accepted. A reward of 100 coins will be given for each talent discovered.

A publicity booth was also set up outside the Golden Throne Hall, where the top three talents were advertised in newspapers, with the names rotated every seven days.

If you register for one consecutive month, the first place will be rewarded with 300 wen, the second place will be rewarded with 200 wen, and the third place will be rewarded with 100 wen.

If you log in and report for six consecutive months, you will be rewarded with one or two taels of silver.

The purpose is not the reward, it's the honor, do you understand? I will also go to see it from time to time."

After listening to the emperor's words, Concubine Wu had an idea in her mind.

"Your Majesty, I believe this measure can be used in all departments."

Shangguan Wanjun's eyes lit up and she exclaimed in surprise.

"Well, what the Imperial Concubine said is true. Then let's target the entire department. As for this mission..."

The ministers accepted the emperor's glance, and finally the emperor's eyes stopped on each official one by one.

"How long have you been an official? What is your name? How old are you?"

The middle-aged official was stunned. "I have been an official for ten years. My surname is Wang, my name is Chaohou, and I am already forty-two."

Shangguan Wanjun stood up and walked closer to take a look. Although the Queen was already 42 years old, her figure was still upright.

Although she circled around him, he remained as tall and straight as a pine tree.

Looking at the scholar's elegance and his fixed gaze, he seems to be a man of firm character.

"What rank is it now?"

"I am a seventh-rank official."

"I've been promoted to the sixth rank starting today and will be in charge of poster matters. As for the art guarantee, please work with the studio department and assign two painters.

We are currently short of staff, so we will wait for them to register and then see if there are any suitable candidates."

"By the way, painters going to various departments, grab the paper balls to decide. Two out of three wins. Let's start now while it's still early and make the final decision."

Taifu Yun cut the rice paper into eight pieces and wrote the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on each of them.

The eight painters nervously grabbed pieces of paper and finally decided on the candidate.

"That's settled. I've thought of something. Do you think the designer of this embroidery pattern could also be a painter?

It seems that both architecture and carpentry require design. Why not join the ranks of painters and enrich your profession?

Besides, the scope of your search for talent is much wider. The more I think about it, the more feasible it seems. Let us arrange it this way."

The ministers were all dumbfounded as they watched the emperor arrange things just by opening and closing his mouth.

The ministers left the palace with their rewards. Shangguan Wanjun, in a very good mood, went directly to Shufei Palace happily.

"The Emperor has arrived."

Princess Gao Zihao, who was working hard on writing a storybook in the study, was startled when she heard the announcement. She quickly put down her red brush and stood up to go out to greet him.

Seeing Concubine Shu Gao Zihao walking hurriedly over, Shangguan Wanjun smiled with her eyebrows curved and her dimples on both sides were so cute that Concubine Shu's heart trembled.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you and welcome you."

"My beloved concubine, please excuse me. What have you been doing these past two days?"

Shangguan Wanjun walked straight past Shufei and slowly sat down on the chaise longue.

"My husband is writing a storybook."

"Oh, it started so soon, then I'll go take a look."

Shangguan Wanjun, who hadn't even sat down yet, walked into the study under the guidance of Concubine Gao Zihao.

Shangguan Wanjun didn't mind smelling the familiar scent of pen, ink, paper and inkstone. After all, she had gotten used to it after spending more than a month together day and night.

Princess Shu Gao Zihao picked up the written notebook and respectfully presented it to Shangguan Wanjun.