Chapter 902
Rectifying Officialdom
Chapter 902 Rectifying Officialdom
Pan Xiaohei skipped and hopped behind Pan Jun, occasionally running up to her and turning back to look at her: "Why did you go to Yu Qian instead of the Emperor?"
Pan Yun tucked his hands into his sleeves to ward off the cold: "When it comes to reforming officialdom, the words of powerful ministers are more effective than those of the emperor."
And their emperor wasn't the type to bring up topics on his own initiative; someone always had to speak up.
Is there anyone more suitable than Yu Qian?
Sure enough, before the New Year was over, Yu Qian submitted a memorial after two days of deliberation, requesting the emperor to rectify official corruption. He pointed out that the corruption in the court in recent years was due to the inaction of county officials and the dominance of gentry in the countryside, and believed that this was due to the emperor's laxity and the ineffective supervision of the Censorate.
The emperor must set an example for his subordinates; if he wants his officials to truly serve the people, he must first do so himself.
The emperor readily agreed.
As a result, the number of meals in the palace was reduced. The emperor set an example by not only reducing the quantity of his meals but also eliminating the most expensive dishes. The empress followed suit.
Empress Dowager Sun and Empress Qian, who had moved to the West Palace, followed suit.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the emperor proposed releasing a group of palace maids, which would allow them to return home and reunite with their families, and also reduce the expenses in the palace.
Therefore, when Deng Maoqi arrived in the capital with Xue Shao and Yang Shan, it was during the most bustling time in the capital.
Many people gathered outside the palace gates to watch the palace maids leave the palace.
They all came to ask for the hand of a palace maid.
Deng Maoqi and his brothers stood at the palace gate, curiously tiptoeing to look.
Seeing several men in patched clothes among the queue, he couldn't help but say, "Can men like this really ask for a wife from the palace?"
Xue Shao, who was waiting with him to be summoned, glanced at the scene and then turned to ask the guard at the gate, "How long can palace servants stay in the palace?"
The guard said, "Forty-five days. Today is the twelfth day since the imperial decree was issued. The beautiful, young and talented palace maids have long since left the palace. Now, those who are still around the 30th of the lunar year have no family members to pick them up."
Xue Shao frowned slightly, watching the palace maids gather in twos and threes to look at those people, occasionally stepping forward to ask a few questions.
Xue Shao's gaze swept over the men. After bringing Deng Maoqi into the palace to meet the emperor, he would hurry to the Dali Temple.
"Young Master Xue is back?"
"Lord Xue was very pleased with his meritorious service. Although he didn't say it, he was very happy."
Xue Shao thanked them one by one and stood respectfully outside his uncle's office waiting for him to get off work.
Xue Xuan quickly finished processing the documents in his hand and came out to follow him: "You must be tired from your journey. Why aren't you home to rest? What are you doing here?"
Xue Shao: "Second Uncle, when I came back I saw palace maids gathered at the palace gate, saying that the palace was going to release people."
Xue Xuan: "That place was specially designated for palace maids to meet their relatives and arrange marriages. What, you also want to marry a palace maid?"
“No,” Xue Shao said, “I’m worried that the people who come in are of mixed quality. The palace maids left home when they were young and have spent decades in the palace. I’m afraid they don’t know the dangers of the outside world and might be deceived…”
Xue Xuan: "If you can think of it, surely the palace can too? Don't worry, the two empress dowagers and the empress have ordered the Northern Garrison to guard the gates of the imperial city. Anyone who wants to marry a palace maid must report their household registration and assets. Empress Qian and Empress Wang have also contributed money to provide dowry for each palace maid. Those who can enter the palace gates may not be wealthy, but at least their families have been good for three generations."
Xue Shao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Xue Xuan paused, turned to look at him: "This matter was suggested to the two empress dowagers by your imperial advisor friend. It seems you two are both worried about the same thing."
Xue Shao lowered his head: "Second Uncle, I want to be transferred to an inspection post."
Xue Xuan remained silent for a long while: "Have you thought this through? Being an inspector is not only hard work, but you might also lose your life."
Xue Shao: "Your Majesty is now tightening your belt and releasing palace maids, which clearly indicates your intention to rectify official corruption. The emperor has set an example, and all officials in the country will naturally follow suit. I am willing to inspect the country for Your Majesty."
Xue Xuan asked expressionlessly, "Where do you want to go?"
Xue Shao: "Jiangnan." "Last time you were the Imperial Inspector of Jiangnan, you almost lost your life and were eventually dismissed. Do you dare to do it again now?"
Xue Shao lowered his head, but his back remained straight, showing no sign of backing down.
Xue Xuan knew he couldn't persuade him, and he didn't want to try.
He simply patted him on the shoulder, sighed, and said, "If you have any difficult decisions, write to me."
Xue Shao agreed.
Pan Yun was the Imperial Advisor, so it was quite easy for court officials to see her; they could simply request an audience at the Imperial Observatory.
Moreover, it would be easy for Pan Yun to leave the palace.
Xue Shao wasn't in a hurry to see her at all.
Sure enough, the next day after attending the grand court assembly, he turned and walked to the Imperial Observatory, where he saw Pan Yun sitting on the observatory, meditating and basking in the sun.
Xue Shao climbed the steps and stood quietly to the side watching her.
Pan Xiaohei was delighted to see Xue Shao. With a meow, she jumped onto him and exclaimed excitedly, "Finally, a familiar face has arrived! You have no idea how bored I've been in this palace."
Xue Shao hugged it and chuckled: "Don't you cultivate? Besides Pan Yun, aren't Lord Yin and his apprentice also acquaintances of yours?"
Pan Xiaohei: "They're even more boring than Pan Yun. Every day it's either all sorts of official documents or stargazing and cultivation. It's not fun at all. I miss Miaohe."
Pan Yun also opened her eyes and took out a futon and placed it opposite her.
Xue Shao sat down cross-legged and said, "We parted ways when we got near Quanzhou Prefecture. When I came back, I inquired and heard that they hitched a ride to Japan, and the Taoist priests from the Celestial Master's Mansion escorted them all the way out."
Pan Yun smiled and said, "I will remember this favor from the Celestial Master's Mansion."
Xue Shao: "The Jiangxi Provincial Administration Commission wanted to sculpt golden statues for the patriarchs of Sanqing Mountain, but when they went up the mountain, they found that no one was in the Sanqing Temple. Your senior brother was not there, and the temple was entrusted to the villagers at the foot of the mountain to manage."
Pan Jun's lips curled slightly: "Look, I'm all alone now."
Xue Shao: "...I feel that Abbot Wang is spiritually connected with you. I heard that he went down the mountain to travel on the second day after the new emperor ascended the throne."
This was because they had predicted that Pan Yun would become the Imperial Advisor, and they went out to avoid trouble.
Pan Yun knew that Wang Feiyin hadn't left; he was definitely hiding in a cave in the Sanqing Mountains, cultivating in seclusion.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows, and he has the most burrows in the mountains.
Xue Shao hesitated, then said, "I'll be transferred to another post next year..."
Pan Yun replied readily, "See you next year."
Xue Shao immediately felt relieved. Did this mean that she was also going to leave the capital?
Of course Pan Yun had to leave Beijing. The world is so big, how could she stay in the capital forever?
With the arrival of the new year, a new atmosphere emerged. The new emperor officially changed the era name to Jingtai, marking the first year of the Jingtai reign.
The princes from various regions sent New Year's gifts, and several high-ranking princes were ordered by the emperor to come to the capital to offer their congratulations and pay their respects to Empress Dowager Sun.
After Empress Dowager Sun moved to the West Palace, she, along with Empress Qian and the late emperor's concubines, devoutly performed rituals and rarely left the palace.
Empress Dowager Wu was an indecisive and invisible woman; she was only granted the title of Consort Xian because she gave birth to Zhu Qiyu.
Her son's ascension to the throne was unexpected, and her becoming empress dowager was also unexpected, so she listened to her son in everything.
Zhu Qiyu had a good temper, but Empress Wang was straightforward and strong-willed, so she was in charge of all matters in the harem.
(End of this chapter)