Chapter 1437 - 1344: First Birthday Selection Ceremony

These matters need not be reported by Zhao Shen; just observing the increasing interactions between Lingnan and the Central Plains will tell you enough. With Yuan Li’s people’s pervasive influence, although the market in Lingnan is small, it spreads across various places like scattered stars, making it difficult for Zhao Hanzhang to remain unaware.

Yuan Li made a special trip to Lingnan to ensure Zhao Shen was merely fulfilling his duties without ulterior motives, and only then did he return to Luoyang reassured, writing a comprehensive report for Zhao Hanzhang.

When Yuan Li came to report, Zhao Hanzhang was in the study discussing matters with Ji Yuan and other Council Hall ministers. It was a small meeting, so the eldest prince, who had just turned one, was also present.

Mingming was relaxing here. To foster a bond between mother and daughter, the Empress Dowager often sent people to inquire if Zhao Hanzhang was busy and in good spirits.

As soon as they learned she wasn’t too busy and in a pleasant mood, they would immediately bring Mingming over to play in the hall for half to one hour. When the child and Zhao Hanzhang started getting restless, the wet nurse would promptly take the child back to the harem.

Thus, in Mingming’s little mind, being with her mother was relaxing, free, and fun;

In Zhao Hanzhang’s heart, the child was so adorable and interesting that it seemed like taking care of her was quite enjoyable.

The bond between the mother and daughter quickly warmed.

At this moment, Mingming was crawling around the hall. She was almost able to walk, crawling like a little crab on the beach, skittering around.

She crawled around the pillar twice, seemingly interested in it, and stood up while holding the pillar to touch the designs on it.

Chasing the designs, she unknowingly took two steps while holding the pillar. Her body wobbled, and she immediately stopped to stabilize herself. She seemed to find it amusing, and after stabilizing herself, she slowly began to walk around the pillar. Upon seeing her mother sitting ahead, she let go of the pillar and, with her little hands held out, walked towards her mother. After two steps, her body wobbled, and with a plop, she fell to the ground...

The ministers in the hall were startled, first checking on the eldest prince, then quickly turning to observe Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang paused briefly, then continued her conversation, with her peripheral vision constantly on the little one sprawling on the floor.

After falling, Mingming immediately looked up at her mother. Seeing that she wasn’t looking in her direction, she quickly propped herself up and sat down, sheepishly glancing around. When she realized no one was watching her, she plopped towards her mother quickly, crawling...

She crawled to her mother’s feet, pulled herself up by her legs, squeezed firmly against her leg, looked up to meet her mother’s gaze, and flashed a big smile, nestling closely at her leg without moving.

Zhao Hanzhang tenderly stroked her soft head and held her in her arms.

The ministers quietly breathed a sigh of relief. The eldest prince was truly sturdy and adorable, not shedding a single tear.

Mingming stared with her round eyes at the newly arrived Yuan Li.

After saluting Zhao Hanzhang, Yuan Li also respectfully saluted Mingming before taking his seat to report on his investigation in Lingnan.

This time, not only did he operate in Guangzhou, but he also quietly ventured into Jiaozhou and Ningzhou, staying for three days at the intersection of the three states. He told Zhao Hanzhang, "The market at the intersection of the three states can be expanded to integrate Jiaozhou and Ningzhou, making them reliant on Guangzhou and the Central Plains, thus curbing any further unrest."

Ji Yuan remarked, "Governor Zhao’s educational policy is a wise one. Though results may not be evident in the short term, in five or ten years, the children who first receive education will mature, no longer acting on brute force and instinct but using wisdom and reason to compete, understanding loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, thereby mitigating the threat from Lingnan."

Ming Yu also acknowledged Zhao Shen’s achievements in Lingnan over the past two years, generously praising him, "A tiger father has no dog son, congratulations to Minister Zhao."

Ming Yu was among those who initially opposed Zhao Shen’s appointment in Lingnan, fearing that as a noble young man, he might not adapt to the tribal conflicts of the south and could end up assimilated by the tribes.

Zhao Ming’s expression was calm, showing no sign of pride.

Ming Yu retracted his gaze, internally criticizing that both generations of the Zhao family were rather peculiar, with each father seeming to oppress the son, yet the son never truly defying the father.

On the surface, they may seem neither kind nor filial, but in reality, everyone knew that they were exemplary in their filial piety.

Zhao Hanzhang was also quite pleased with Zhao Shen’s political achievements in Guangzhou and, like Zhao Ming, planned for him to stay a few more years to further improve governance in Guangzhou.

Subduing the enemy without fighting is the best strategy.

"For the eldest prince’s first birthday banquet this year, please invite the inspectors of Jiaozhou and Ningzhou to the capital," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Send a telegram for Zhao Shen to submit the documents to the inspectors of Jiaozhou and Ningzhou."

Seizing the opportunity while it’s hot, Zhao Hanzhang also wanted to meet the two inspectors.

Ji Yuan agreed, and Yuan Li was about to arrange for people to receive them along the way.

Internally, Jiaozhou and Ningzhou were not stable. Since they dared to invite the two inspectors over, they naturally wouldn’t harm them, but the internal conflict might still occur.

If the inspectors of Jiaozhou and Ningzhou were killed by internal forces on their way to the capital, it would severely embarrass the court and potentially spark political struggles or even wars, which they wished to avoid most.

The court needed to take control of the situation.

After Zhao Hanzhang set the goal, she took Mingming away, leaving the tasks to Ji Yuan and his team.

Jiaozhou and Ningzhou soon sent a reply via the Guangzhou telegraph station, stating they would certainly come to Luoyang to attend the eldest prince’s first birthday banquet, while indirectly inquiring about the tribute the Imperial Family desired.

The sudden amiability of the two state inspectors didn’t trouble Zhao Hanzhang. Through the Guangzhou telegraph station, she conveyed that she did not require precious tributes, only the blessings of the people from the two states. If possible, they could share with her the customs of their states and bring some of their commonly grown crops and seeds.

Also invited to the capital to present gifts was Beigong Chun.

Since Zhao Hanzhang ascended the throne, he had been guarding the frontier. This time, he returned to the capital mainly to have an audience with the emperor, report on his duties, and strengthen the bond between ruler and minister.

Mingming’s first birthday banquet was held with great pomp. Her full moon and hundred-day banquets weren’t held, so this birthday banquet was her formal introduction to civil and military officials. Even the elders of the Xiping Zhao Family applied to attend through Zhao Song and Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

During this birthday banquet, she intended to officially name Mingming.

Indeed, as Hua Country’s eldest prince, she had been born a year without a formal name, only having the nickname Mingming.

The red cloth for the "choosing ceremony" was spread out in the Taiji Palace, a large piece, adorned with gifts for the ceremony from Mrs. Wang, Princess Hongnong, Zhao Song, Zhao Hu, and other family members, encompassing nearly all the items Zhao Hanzhang had encountered in her life, all presented beautifully.

Some auspicious gifts were made especially dazzling.

Zhao Hu, as always astute, knowing Zhao Hanzhang values agriculture, presented a string of rice and wheat ears. The rice ears were crafted from gold, each grain plump and golden yellow;

The wheat ears were carved from jade, emerald green, with the wheat ears slightly drooping, looking exceptionally beautiful.

He actually wanted to present a golden abacus as well but was sternly stopped by Zhao Song, so he had to give up, which Zhao Dong ended up gifting.

Angry, why was it okay for Zhao Dong to gift it but not him?

Zhao Hanzhang placed the Jade Seal on the red cloth, right in front of Mingming.