Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 245 The Significance of the Golden Bead

No matter how hard they tried to cover up the Liang family's affairs, it was certain that Prince Rui would be implicated in the end, and Emperor Xuanning knew it very well.

As long as King Rui escapes unscathed, he will definitely take revenge on the auditors later. This is also the inevitable outcome.

For a time, Emperor Xuanning was in a dilemma.

Allowing the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice to investigate would inevitably damage the reputation of the royal family. If Prince Rui were to be released, the officials who had helped him uncover corruption would be in jeopardy. If such cases arose in the future, who would dare to step forward and help him?

"Alright, don't worry. He works for me, so I can't be afraid after completing a task. It just so happens that he helped the Ministry of Works to manufacture the water dragon cart, which is so beneficial to the country and the people. I haven't decided how to reward him yet, so I'll take this opportunity and promote him to the rank of Earl of Jian'an without waiting until he turns sixteen."

Concubine Rong thanked on Rong Tang's behalf, and Emperor Xuanning laughed heartily, "Why do you need to thank him on his behalf? Let him do it himself. I haven't seen him for a few months, and I didn't realize this kid has so many tricks up his sleeve. I want to see what else he has left to show."

On the way to court, Emperor Xuanning said to He Daban, "Draft two imperial edicts. One to promote Consort Rong to the rank of Xian Consort. The other to promote Rongtang to the rank of First-Class Jian'an Earl and bestow a gold pearl."

He Daban agreed without giving it much thought, but then he couldn't help but reflect. Rong Tang's promotion wasn't unusual, but the bestowal of gold beads held special significance, typically reserved for royal children, and the number of gold beads determining status. Emperor Xuanning had nine, Prince Han was the only prince to receive seven, Crown Prince Han and His Royal Highness Prince Rui both received five, Prince Huai and Prince Yong both received four, and the other princes only received three. Since the founding of the Dai Viet Dynasty, no official or noble outside the royal family had ever received this honor.

This wasn't to say that Rong Tang was now equal to a prince after acquiring the pearl; it was the significance of the event that was different. If he had the first pearl, he could potentially acquire the second. Once he had enough golden pearls, he could theoretically rival any prince or noble. It wasn't even ruled out that he might one day become more powerful than any prince or noble.

As expected, the court had no objection to Rong Fei being promoted to Xian Fei, and no one said anything about Rong Tang being promoted to Jian'an Earl in advance. However, the golden pearl bestowed upon him caused a huge uproar among the civil and military officials, especially the party of Prince Rui, who opposed it most strongly.

This time, Emperor Xuanning did not play the role of a good guy or try to smooth things over. He went against the majority's objections and insisted on giving the golden bead.

He said to his ministers, "What you object to is that the golden pearl is exclusive to the royal family. There is no precedent for rewarding outsiders. But there is a first time for everything. Eighteen years ago, the Earl of Jian'an exchanged his military merit for his daughter's bloodline to inherit the title, and I agreed. Today, Rong Tang's contribution of presenting the blueprint of the water dragon carriage is enough to be exchanged for a golden pearl. If others make great contributions to the country in the future, I can also reward them with golden pearls. I have made up my mind, Minister of Rites."

Wei Shangshu stepped out and said, "I am here."

"You hold the imperial seal and confer the title of Consort Rongxian."

The ministers were in an uproar. Usually, promotions in the harem were announced by the emperor's close eunuchs, and the concubines were already overjoyed. But now, a virtuous concubine was promoted and conferred the title by the Minister of Rites himself. That was an honor only for the empress, and it really gave Concubine Rong enough dignity.

"He Daban,"

He Daban bowed, "This old servant is here."

"You will personally go to the Jian'an Earl's Mansion to issue an imperial decree and bestow gold and pearls."

The ministers were moved again. This time, they sent an eunuch, but it was He Daban, the emperor's childhood playmate and closest friend, who went in person. This showed that the emperor had already accepted Rong Tang as a trusted minister. Although he was still young and had not yet entered the officialdom, his future was already bright.

Taifu Xie's eyes flickered, and he took two steps forward, "Your Majesty, I..."

"Your Majesty is holy."

The one who spoke was Lord Chang, the Left Inspector-General.

"Throughout history, those who prioritized the well-being of the people were considered great sages. Prince Rong, at such a young age, was able to offer the blueprints for a water dragon cart to alleviate the water shortage in farmland. This merit surpasses even the ingenious creation of a fan. A reward of gold and pearls is absolutely appropriate. Your Majesty is wise."

As soon as he opened his mouth, the entire Censorate started to flatter him, which made Emperor Xuanning very happy. For many years, these censors either scolded him or praised him.

"Well! Master Xie, what do you have to say?"

Just as Grand Tutor Xie was about to speak, Prime Minister Zheng stepped out and stood in front of him. "I and Grand Tutor Xie agree. Rong Tang has made great contributions and deserves a reward."

Xie Taifu: "..."

Duke Du stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this summer has been a severe drought. Rainfall in the Shangjing area has been several times less than in previous years, with not a single downpour in three months. If it weren't for these water dragon carts that have saved countless rice paddies, I'm afraid this year's autumn harvest would have been severely reduced. I haven't visited the fields, but I've heard from the steward in charge of the farms in the prefecture that the fields where the water dragon carts have been installed have not been affected. The early rice and sorghum are ready for harvest, and the grains are plump and firm. The steward also said he would lend the water dragon carts to the villagers who didn't buy one. The people are praising Your Majesty as a wise ruler for bringing about this auspicious sign."

Emperor Xuanning's tonsils were clearly visible when his mouth was open. He was very pleased and left the court while he was happy, so that no one would affect his good mood.

After the officials left the court, many of them seemed to have a strange illusion. Prime Minister Zheng and Grand Tutor Xie looked at Prince Rui with meaningful eyes. Prince Rui also looked very gloomy when he returned to court after two months.

When everyone had almost left, Prime Minister Zheng caught up with the Left Censor Chang, "Chang, who asked you to speak well of Rong Tang? Was it... was it him?"

"Who is he? I'm sorry I don't understand what the Prime Minister said. Farewell."

Prime Minister Zheng gazed at Lord Chang's back and fell into deep thought. If others didn't know, how could he not know? The Left Censor-in-Chief wasn't close to any of the princes; he only listened to Zheng Changzhi.

Some people say that since Lord Chang listens to Zheng Changzhi, isn't he Prime Minister Zheng's man? Actually, that's not the case.

Prime Minister Zheng knew very well that while some of his people might be Zheng Changzhi's people, none of Zheng Changzhi's people were his. He had only helped to bring down the eldest son of the Liang family because the eldest son also wanted to bring down the Liang family, not to help his father.

He originally thought it would be difficult to bring down the Liang family, but he didn't expect his eldest son to do it quietly.

It's a pity that his eldest son has an unparalleled mind and superhuman means.

He Daban took the imperial edict to the Bo's Mansion to announce it. When he learned that Rong Tang was in Rongjia Village, he didn't mind running a little further. He asked the eunuchs and palace guards to circle the imperial city, and finally went through the west gate with gongs and drums and headed straight for Rongjia Village.

At that time, Rong Tang had changed into coarse cloth clothes and put on straw sandals under his shoes. He was going to the field to watch the villagers harvesting early rice, so as to prevent some villagers from not knowing the height and damaging the dormant buds.

He Daban couldn't find anyone dressed in gorgeous clothes in the distance. He leaned his hands on his back and looked around, but all he saw were muddy people.

It was not until his godson found the village chief, and the village chief Rong Dajiang went to find Rong Tang, that He Daban could see clearly that among the muddy crowd, there was a young man with a figure as tall as a bamboo walking towards him.

"Hey, Prince Rong. No, I should call you Little Uncle. Go wash up and burn some incense, receive the imperial edict, and then follow me back to the capital to express my gratitude. Seriously, I've met countless sons of noble families, but not one of them is willing to work in the fields to harvest rice. Aren't you tired?"

Rong Tang walked towards the village while wiping sweat from his face, grinning broadly, "We're not harvesting rice. Xiaotang and I don't know how to do farm work. We're just doing an experiment to see if we can increase the yield. This is the first time for the villagers, so we'll have to watch them."

As he spoke, he returned to the new house. He went to take a bath and change his clothes. Chuncao set up the incense table. After a while, he came out. The master, servants and several Rong family masters knelt together to receive the imperial edict. They were all very happy.

Rong Tang received the order and dragged He Daban aside. He asked in confusion, "He Daban, Your Majesty has no silver, so it's okay if you don't give any reward. Is this gold bead a token of your appreciation?"