Chapter 2469 - 2443: Is There Something I Can’t Know?

Early in the morning, Manbao put on her official attire and prepared to go out. She saw Bai Shan already dressed and waiting for her when she reached the front yard.

She jogged over, raised a smiling face, and asked, "Why are you so fast? Have you been waiting long for me?"

Bai Shan shook his head with a smile and said, "I just got here a while ago."

Beside them, Bai Erlang impatiently reminded, "Hurry up, or I’ll be late for the palace."

Only then did the three of them board the carriage.

They had just returned home yesterday afternoon after playing for several days, so Manbao was a bit tired, and she dozed off a bit in the swaying carriage.

Upon arriving at the imperial city, Bai Shan got off first, and the carriage continued to take Manbao and Bai Erlang to the palace gate.

Manbao was to attend the grand morning assembly, while Bai Erlang was to go to Chongwen Pavilion for his studies.

He was a bit melancholy, immersed in the thought that soon both of his little companions would be able to leave the palace and return home every day, enjoying street fairs and fun, while he was trapped within the palace.

Manbao consoled him, "Don’t be sad. In a few months, you’ll have exams. You should focus on studying. If you pass this time, you won’t have to return to the palace to study in the winter. But if you fail, you may have to continue being the crown prince’s study companion even after you marry Mingda."

This prospect was slightly terrifying, and Bai Erlang snapped awake with a shudder.

Manbao continued, "If you keep failing, the emperor might just keep you in the palace as a study companion, and Mingda can stay in the capital. Imagine, if you don’t pass in five or six years, you might end up studying with your son."

Bai Erlang was stunned by this and was completely dazed when he arrived at Chongwen Pavilion.

Yin Huo couldn’t help but look at him, "What’s wrong with you?"

Why was he so lost as soon as he entered the palace?

Bai Erlang clutched his chest and said, "It’s terrifying..."

Yin Huo had a questioning look, what was terrifying?

Unaware of having scared Bai Erlang, Manbao headed to the great hall for the morning assembly and then returned to work at the Imperial Hospital.

The emperor had ordered people to find test subjects of various age groups they needed. If suitable, they might start trials next month. Once this trial’s results are obtained, if positive, they could start vaccinating against cowpox after the new year.

Because they had to wait for the trial results, they had some time to observe how the Wang Family methodically dealt with the Ma Family.

Of course, this matter was not very public, but many people knew about it privately.

Unfortunately, after Bai Shan joined the Hanlin Academy, he had to go to the palace every day to listen to edicts, record decrees, and other such tasks.

Thus, he learned that the Censorate had sent someone to investigate the Governor of Daizhou for dereliction of duty. After confirming it was true, he was demoted to marshal of Quzhou, dropping two ranks.

This man was Ma Hongzhong’s uncle, considered the most prominent figure of the Ma family. It took him eight years to rise from marshal to governor.

Bai Shan drafted the edict for his demotion, then sent it to the Imperial Secretariat for review. After it was reviewed, Bai Shan leisurely took a detour past the Imperial Hospital on his way back.

Manbao was heading to the harem for a consultation and, upon seeing him, raised her hand in greeting and curiously asked, "Why are you taking this route?"

"Heading back to Taiji Hall," Bai Shan smiled at her, unable to resist sharing with her, "The Wang Family’s matter, the Cui Family got involved."

Because the Governor Ma’s fault, neither too minor nor too severe, involved disputing territories with nearby states and some dereliction, ruling a bit harshly, though still within the law, just not very friendly to the soldiers and civilians under his rule.

But strict management isn’t necessarily bad.

Considering the emperor’s usual lenient attitude, he would probably reprimand him and let him reform. "When His Majesty brought this up, Left Scattered Rider Li said that since Daizhou was originally a frontier, the people there are rugged. They should be treated with leniency to win over the populace and ensure military satisfaction. Governor Ma did the opposite, and though it might not be apparent now, over time, grievances may arise, and if natural or man-made disasters occur, rebellion could easily ensue."

Unlike previous emperors, this emperor, rebel-born himself, wouldn’t kill rebels mercilessly, especially among the common folk.

He believed that rebellions were of two kinds: one, lured and coerced by others, in which case the instigator was to blame, his crime heinous!

The other, driven to rebellion to survive, in this case, the emperor and local officials were at fault and must issue a self-reproach edict.

Thus, speaking of rebellion, the emperor wouldn’t just accuse the people of stupidity or treachery but would seriously contemplate the causes. After a moment of reflection, he found the Left Scattered Rider’s reasoning sound and decided to reassign Governor Ma from Daizhou. Since he acted strictly, he should be sent to a prosperous region, like Jiangnan, where crime was rampant but not publicized.

"Coincidentally, the Governor of Chuzhou was impeached for corruption, so the emperor suggested transferring him there, but Left Scattered Rider Li pointed out that Chuzhou was near Yangzhou, where the Jiangnan salt tax was already problematic; a vacancy there shouldn’t be filled arbitrarily. Finally, they decided on Quzhou and even demoted him from governor to marshal."

Manbao humbly asked, "This Left Scattered Rider Li..."

"He’s a son-in-law of the Cui Family."

Among ten officials in court, at least five were directly or indirectly related by marriage to the Cui family. Bai Shan said, "Since the Cui Family got involved, this matter will soon be over. Wouldn’t you want to inform your scholarly sister-in-law? It would be best to stay home for a while recently."

Now is the time to keep a low profile.

Manbao nodded repeatedly, "I’ll go find her after court."

Then Bai Shan returned to work.

His current position was next to the secretary, sitting on the left and right, one recording the emperor’s words and deeds, the other eavesdropping on political discussions. Occasionally, he would draft decrees, locate missing folds for the emperor, and possibly be called by the emperor for opinions. It was far more tiring than attending classes—it required full focus.

Newcomer Bai, oh, I mean Bai Walker, wasn’t quite accustomed.

But in the eyes of Wei Zhi and others, Bai Shan adapted exceptionally well and performed excellently. In just a few days, he was able to respond to the emperor’s questions; even if sometimes his answers weren’t great, at least he understood the conversation, and his replies were measured, right?

Wei Zhi expressed great satisfaction.

The emperor was also quite pleased and recently enjoyed talking to him. When the ministers left, the emperor kept Bai Shan, asking him, "Why do I feel that the memorials impeaching the Governor of Daizhou have increased? Li Meng’s handling seems somewhat severe; is there something outside I’m unaware of?"

Bai Shan didn’t expect the emperor to ask him this kind of question, which was... not exactly a state affair, right?

So he wasn’t sure how to respond; he instinctively looked up at the emperor, who couldn’t hear his answer. It was just a casual inquiry, but now the emperor couldn’t help but turn his head to him and ask, "What, is there something I shouldn’t know?"