Xiao Che nodded. When Yu Mingjing recommended Minister Lu, he had already considered future events. The death of Minister Lu alone was not important, but only he could drive the entire plan forward.
"This young man possesses both literary and military talents, with the bravery of a general and the strategy of a civil official. In the future, he and Scholar Xie will surely be your left and right hands," the Sage looked up at Xiao Che. "However, the Yu family cannot become too powerful."
"What does Father mean by that?"
"The Sixth Daughter of the Yu family must not enter the palace," the Sage's tone was stern.
That day outside the Guandi Temple, he had dared to seek her out publicly. If seen by the wrong people, gossip had already reached him.
"Father, your son has absolutely no such intention," Xiao Che quickly knelt down.
"How dare you say you have no feelings? You know best what that jade pendant represents and how it came into the hands of the Sixth Daughter of the Yu family. If the Sixth Daughter of the Yu family had not taken this jade pendant, forcing the Military Governor to lend troops, even if the Cui family had survived, they would have been reduced to commoners, and it would have taken a hundred years to recover."
"Regarding the broken engagement, your son has always felt indebted. That jade pendant was given to her by your son before he went to war, promising to grant her one wish."
"Are you saying that you will only be at peace if I bestow a marriage upon her? Or perhaps I should adopt her as my goddaughter and marry her off to Tubo?" the Sage's voice carried authority.
Xiao Che's expression became panicked. "Father, your son did not mean that. Your son... knows he was wrong. I beg Father not to send the Sixth Daughter far away."
The Sage narrowed his eyes, looking at his kneeling son. He sighed inwardly. Emotions indeed make people foolish. The Yu father and son held military power; how could he marry a Yu daughter away?
"In your position, as long as you reveal even a hint of your feelings, someone will always find a way for you. What will you do if a great mistake is made then? If you want the Sixth Daughter of the Yu family to enter the palace, her father and brother can no longer hold military power. They can only be dukes in name only. You decide."
If his subordinates used this to control him, it would be the beginning of a foolish ruler. A ruler cannot have any weaknesses, especially not emotions.
"The Yu father and son are born commanders, capable of great responsibility. Your son understands the gravity of the situation and your good intentions, Father. I will be more self-disciplined and cautious in the future," Xiao Che said.
In fact, he had long understood that he could not let Sixth Daughter enter the palace. Not only did his father disagree, but the Yu father and son also disagreed.
Yu Mingjing had hinted more than once that she was his only sister and that he only wished for his sister's peace and happiness. Before leaving the capital this time, he had made it clear that he would not allow his sister to enter the palace.
He had promised to protect her like an elder brother, but he had not expected that even his slight feelings would harm her.
What he found shameful, others might not.
"Get up!" The Sage could not bear to see him kneel for so long.
Although the weather had warmed up, the ground was still cool.
Zhang Ying heard the Sage tell him to get up and quickly ran over to help him. He knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was the Sage's most cherished son, and the Sage was afraid that the Crown Prince was too benevolent and would be exploited, not truly blaming him.
"Thank you, Father."
"The selection of female officials this time is a precedent for our Great Wei. I heard that you have appointed the Crown Princess as one of the main officials for this selection?" The Sage asked Xiao Che to sit down. Zhang Ying, with his keen observation, brought hot tea and then quietly retreated to the side.
"Yes, because they are female officials, your son has many inconveniences. The Crown Princess selects virtuous and capable individuals with great order. Even the Empress Mother has praised her. That's why your son thought of having her select officials alongside the Six Ministries." Although Xiao Che had no romantic feelings for Luo Lingyi, he greatly admired her abilities.
She was indeed the daughter of a military family, capable of both leniency and severity, fair in her dealings. The consorts in the Eastern Palace also greatly admired her, and the inner court was harmonious.
The Sage nodded. "Handle this matter as you see fit. This is the first batch of female officials. Those selected must have true talent and learning, capable of serving our court."
Although the poison in Luo Lingyi had been resolved, it had damaged her body, and it was unlikely she would have many children. If she could secure her position as Crown Princess, she could also check the Mo family.
Currently, even before the child in Mo Liangdi's womb was born, there were rumors that she was carrying the eldest grandson of the Emperor.
"Yes!"
Jiangzhou
Although the Jiangzhou official school had not been completed for half a year, due to the books from the Cui family, its reputation had spread far and wide. Many scholars traveled thousands of miles to visit, and the school grounds were already insufficient.
Fortunately, the villa was built against Lu Mountain, and there were no other residences nearby. Xie Jia'an had already requested the Prefect of the Prefecture to allow for expansion.
With the strong support of the imperial court, the Prefect of the Prefecture approved without hesitation. If students from the academy passed the imperial examinations in the future, it would also be a credit to him as the Prefect. Since the locality did not have to bear any expenses, there was no reason to refuse.
The imperial court's promotion of the imperial examination system was for the welfare of the people. Even if one could not become a scholar, passing the Xiu Cai examination was a leap in social class.
Although the common people had no money, the trees on the mountain did not cost silver. They had plenty of strength and cut down the thickest ones to send to the academy. Every family came to help, and the new school buildings were soon completed.
Once the Jiangzhou Academy was stabilized, the imperial court could use this model to establish official schools in various prefectures. The templates for those books had been mostly carved, and they could then be printed on a large scale and distributed in all official schools.
Teachers who had previously taught in aristocratic families could also teach in various official schools. Within five years, the influence of official schools would completely replace the former clan schools of the Five Great Clans.
"Young Master, Madam Hua is waiting for you in the room," Liao Kong said as he saw Xie Jia'an return.
The Sage already knew the true identity of Fengming Tower, so Hua Chaofei no longer concealed it and frequently visited the academy.
Before the new year, Hua Chaofei had gone out on business, expecting to be away for at least half a year. To his surprise, he returned in less than three months.
Hua Chaofei sat casually in his usual chair, with his legs crossed, drinking tea, looking quite uninhibited.
"You came back quite quickly this trip!" Xie Jia'an sat down in the seat below him.
"Are you disappointed that I came back to bother you?"
Xie Jia'an raised his eyebrows, too lazy to argue with him. Hua Chaofei, seeing him still so indifferent, found him to be a rather uninteresting person.
"Don't you want to know what news I brought back?"
"Is Tubo really making moves?" This was Xie Jia'an's greatest concern.
Hua Chaofei nodded. "The one who succeeded to the throne in Tubo is the second prince, Ba Ze Bu. He has always been ambitious, obsessed with ruling the Central Plains, and deeply hates the Han people."
"How could he have succeeded to the throne?" Xie Jia'an frowned.
He had visited Tubo with his father and had the honor of meeting the eldest prince of Tubo, Ba Ze Yi. He was very proficient in Han culture, deeply respected Chinese culture, and after the Great Wei and Tubo signed a peace treaty, he had always advocated for peace between the two peoples and sent people to the Great Wei to learn farming techniques.
He was the eldest son; the Tubo throne should have been inherited by him. How could it be his younger brother, Ba Ze Bu?
"It can only be said that good people don't live long. His uncle, Ke Mu Er, rebelled. He took an arrow for his father and died on the spot. Although the King of Tubo had many sons, his favorite was Ba Ze Yi. Ba Ze Bu was his full brother, so the King of Tubo gave the throne to him."
"Why did Ke Mu Er suddenly rebel?"
"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you. Ba Ze Bu's strategy of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, was well executed. To be honest, I like his ruthless nature."