Zhao Hanzhang sat silently. The civil and military officials seemed to sense something. They slowly restrained the smiles on their faces and the joyous congratulations, raising their vigilance and standing properly.
The young emperor had also been laughing happily. He turned to Zhao Hanzhang and said, “Congratulations, Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant and Minister Fu’s great joy is also a joyous occasion for the nation.”
Just as he finished speaking, he noticed the court hall had become rather quiet. His heart jumped, and he thought he had said something wrong. He became anxious and helpless, instinctively looking down for Xun Fan, but couldn’t find him. Only then did he remember that Xun Fan had caught a cold and was ill, so he hadn’t come to court today.
He could only look nervously at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang, seated one step to his lower left, seemed to sense his fear and helplessness. She smiled at him gently.
The young emperor breathed a sigh of relief and sat properly without moving. It seemed this had nothing to do with him, so he pricked up his ears to listen.
Zhao Hanzhang had already turned to face the officials below, saying, “But among this official’s colleagues, there seem to be quite a few who are single. Previously, it was because the realm was in chaos and turmoil, and it wasn’t good to burden descendants. But now the warfare has ceased. Everyone, you should also share in the nation’s joy. As the saying goes, ‘Marry a wife for a good New Year, marry a husband for a good festival.’ While the holidays haven’t yet arrived, why don’t you all arrange your happy occasions?”
The civil and military officials were shocked. What was Zhao Hanzhang trying to do?
Just because she was getting married, did she want the entire court to hold happy occasions with her?
Everyone couldn’t help but exchange glances, not daring to speak for the moment.
Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t expecting them to respond immediately either. After dropping this huge bombshell, she waved her hand. “Today’s court assembly ends here. Everyone go back and think it over. If you find someone suitable, arrange the betrothal and prepare to marry. If not, I can also introduce some prospects for everyone.”
She then smiled up at the throne. “Perhaps those who want glory can also request His Majesty to grant marriages.”
The young emperor hadn’t expected it to involve him. Hearing Zhao Hanzhang mention him, he immediately nodded and said happily, “Anyone who wants an imperial decree for marriage, just come to me and I’ll grant it.”
The officials thought: They make it sound as if they could immediately find marriage partners. However…
Quite a few people shamefully felt tempted. This was an imperial marriage grant—a great honor at any time, not easily obtained.
And now they could get it just by asking.
But they were only tempted for a brief moment. The civil and military officials looked at the young emperor, then shifted their gaze to Zhao Hanzhang and suppressed the temptation.
Forget it. Having the young emperor grant marriages would make their marriages even more complicated. Right now, the young emperor and Zhao Hanzhang got along well, so naturally everyone was fine.
But there were at least ten more years before the young emperor came of age. Who knew what would happen in those ten years?
So better not. They didn’t dare let the young emperor grant them marriages. Besides, among those present, how many weren’t Zhao Hanzhang’s people?
If they had to choose someone to be involved in their marriage, then…
They turned their gazes to Zhao Hanzhang.
Now it was Zhao Hanzhang’s turn to shiver. She had only said that casually—she had no real intention of matchmaking for them. However…
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes.
Marriage united two families. In the court, it also had the advantages of forming alliances and developing power bases. The marriages of the court’s civil and military officials indeed required careful consideration.
As soon as the court assembly ended, both Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were surrounded.
Both were not young but had no wives or children. Now they held high positions and great power. No wonder everyone was tempted.
Those who already had grown children couldn’t help but ask Ji Yuan and Ming Yu about their intentions. My daughter is also very virtuous, well-read since childhood. These past two years, she’s read even more books. I think you’d have common ground.
We don’t mind at all that you’re older. How about becoming a son-in-law?
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu ignored them. Hmph, wanting to become their superior’s father-in-law? Why don’t you just fly up to heaven instead?
Meanwhile, the civil and military officials who had recently married suggested they could become brothers-in-law, or perhaps, older and younger brothers-in-law?
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu finally managed to deal with them all and immediately went after Zhao Hanzhang.
Fu Tinghan, walking at Zhao Hanzhang’s side, saw them approaching and nodded to Zhao Hanzhang. “I’ll go back and prepare the data then.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded.
Fu Tinghan nodded to Ji Yuan and Ming Yu and turned to leave.
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were both very respectful to him. Although their official ranks were no lower than Fu Tinghan’s, they still bowed to him. After seeing him off, they stepped forward.
Ji Yuan was about to complain when Zhao Hanzhang spoke first. “Scholar Ji, have you not married for so long due to physical reasons?”
She looked concerned. “Should I have the palace physicians examine you? If they can’t help, I’ll search among the common people for famous doctors.”
Ji Yuan’s face instantly flushed red. “My lady, you clearly know the reason. I’ve said before that with the realm unsettled, I dare not marry.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “The realm is now settled.”
Ming Yu, standing beside them, interjected, “Is the realm truly settled?”
He said, “The four southern provinces of Jiangnan and Jiangdong remain unsettled. The Western Qiang and Northern Xianbei tribes, and even Youzhou is occupied by the Duan clan. The territory the court currently controls is less than half of what it was during the Han Dynasty. How can we speak of settlement?”
Zhao Hanzhang’s mouth fell open as she looked at the serious Ming Yu, then at the earnest Ji Yuan. She decided to speak plainly. “Two scholars, I need people to open wasteland and farm, I need people to pay taxes. From the Later Han to now, warfare has been constant. From the Rebellion of the Eight Princes until now, natural and man-made disasters have been continuous. The nation has lost so much of its population—nine out of ten households are empty. So we need people to have children.”
“Look at the two of you. How many eligible officials in the court are currently single? You two—one is Director of the Secretariat, the other is Chief Censor. If you don’t lead by example, does that make any sense?”
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were stunned, clearly not having expected this reason.
Zhao Hanzhang examined their expressions and continued, “Two scholars, please rest assured. I will not forget my responsibilities. If you marry and have children now, I can definitely protect their safety. Moreover…”
She paused before saying, “The dynasty’s future still depends on the younger generation. Scholars Ji and Ming are so intelligent—if you don’t leave descendants, it would be too great a pity.”
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu looked at her silently, as if she were already quite old herself.
Zhao Hanzhang met their gazes and sighed. “Two scholars, I may still hold the reins for ten or twenty years, but what about thirty or forty years from now? Even if I have descendants, they’ll still need people to assist and help them.”
Ji Yuan and Ming Yu felt their hearts stir at these words. They exchanged glances and asked, “Who does my lady want us to marry?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Marriage is a lifelong matter—naturally it depends on what you two scholars prefer.”
Ming Yu asked carefully, “What about a woman from the Zhao clan?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “The daughters of my Zhao clan are good, but there are many fine women in the realm. Why don’t you two scholars cast your eyes a bit further?”
The two understood then. Zhao Hanzhang didn’t want them to marry into the Zhao clan, but who they actually married was up to their own wishes.
Ming Yu and Ji Yuan exchanged glances, both unconsciously breathing a sigh of relief.