Chapter 634 - 486: Who Will Go to Dongshan? (Part 2)

"Yes!"

Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze was the closest and naturally arrived first, followed by Chief Minister Tang Jing. Ever since he became Chief Minister, he had always been the first to arrive at the cabinet to start work. Today, he was intercepted halfway through and did not know why the Emperor had summoned him so early.

However, seeing Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze also present, he felt reassured that this should not be an issue concerning only himself.

After waiting for a moment, Fuj Qingzhu, the esteemed physician, arrived.

Tang Jing quickly bowed respectfully. Fu Qingzhu held an exceptional status, never interfering with court politics, and focusing solely on the Emperor’s physical and mental health. He was someone who could have private conversations with the Emperor, and thus, was not a person to offend, especially given his exquisite medical skills.

The Crown Prince naturally bowed to Fu Qingzhu as well, as it was commanded by the Emperor that he treat Fu Qingzhu with the respect due to an elder.

Fu Qingzhu returned their bows in kind.

The Emperor had not yet arrived, and the three did not know the situation. However, a flash of concern appeared in the Crown Prince’s eyes. Pei Jian had sent him a private eagle message, and he knew something about the situation, but since the Emperor hadn’t spoken, he, as the Crown Prince, certainly couldn’t speak first.

So, he pretended he knew nothing.

The last person arrived, gasping for breath was Leng Qingfeng, the head of the Imperial Pharmacy. As he entered and saw the three people in the hall...

"Greetings, Crown Prince, Mr. Tang, Mr. Fu," Leng Qingfeng wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly paid his respects to the three.

Not long ago, the Emperor had granted Fu Qingzhu the rank of Earl. Although this title was non-hereditary, as long as the Fu Family did not bring ruin upon themselves, prosperity was likely.

Moreover, having a title greatly changed one’s treatment and standing.

In the Da Li Dynasty, bestowing titles for medical abilities was rare, with only three instances in history. One was a founding-era individual who repeatedly saved the founding emperor and his ministers, earning honors and a title; their lineage still carried influence in the Imperial Physician’s Court. Another was the Hu Family of Medicine King Valley, whose marquisate was hereditary, passed down from the previous dynasty, which the new dynasty routinely reconfirmed, considering Medicine King Valley’s neutrality in secular power shifts. Granting them a marquisate posed no harm to the court.

The third was Fu Qingzhu.

Although his title grant was contentious, for the resolute emperor, his decision was unopposable.

Fu Qingzhu’s role in gradually restoring the Emperor’s health justified an earlship, albeit a third-class one.

Noble titles in Da Li were divided into eleven ranks; Viscount and Baron each had one rank, the Earl had three, while the Marquis and Duke had two. Above them were the Grand Prince and Prince.

An Earl was equivalent to a third-class official, whereas the position of the head of the Imperial Pharmacy was fourth-class, like the Minister of Justice.

Usually, the Viscount and Baron were seldom directly bestowed but used for downgrading inheritance. Once reaching the Viscount’s generation, only military achievements could maintain the rank without further degradation. Otherwise, one must petition for a court-appointed role, which is non-heritable, essentially concluding that lineage’s prestige unless future generations made government careers.

Fu Qingzhu’s title followed such a course; after three generations, his descendants must rely on their efforts.

"The Emperor arrives!"

As the Eunuch announced, Zhao Rui, wearing his formal robe, entered through a side door, followed closely by Mr. Yao and two palace maids.

"Your subject, my prince, greets Your Majesty!"

"No need for that; bring two chairs over for Mr. Tang and Mr. Fu!" Zhao Rui gestured with a wave, ordering nonchalantly, his face expressionless.

The Crown Prince and Leng Qingfeng did not receive this courtesy.

As the Emperor’s son, the Crown Prince stood while his father sat; Leng Qingfeng’s rank was too low for such a courtesy.

In an instant, the hall fell silent with no one daring to speak. Fu Qingzhu, not involving himself in political matters, would not be the first to break the silence.

The Crown Prince tightened his lips, deciding to remain silent, not wanting to be the initiator.

Leng Qingfeng, with the lowest status present and observing that none of the high-ranking figures had spoken, refrained from speaking as well, not knowing what to say.

The responsibility fell to Tang Jing, the newly appointed Chief Minister, who could no longer hide behind Lien Yanru as an assistant minister. He had to speak.

"Your Majesty has summoned us four for an important matter; I request your guidance!"

"Yao," Zhao Rui nodded, calling for Mr. Yao to hand over the document bearing the signatures of Su Mobai, Pei Jian, and two others.

"Here is the memorial from Mr. Su and the four from Dongshan Prefecture. Pass it around, starting with Mr. Tang," Zhao Rui said, his voice low.

A memorial from Dongshan Prefecture—did this indicate an agreement on the Marquis Lingyang case?

Tang Jing speculated but was puzzled about its connection to the Imperial Pharmacy and why the Emperor had called Leng Qingfeng.

With a hint of doubt, Tang Jing rose, accepted the document from Mr. Yao, and, upon reading it, almost lost his balance, nearly stumbling backward.

"Smallpox!"

What a terrifying term; anyone aware of the smallpox epidemic in Jezhou thirty years ago knew the calamity it wrought. Half of the national treasury was spent combating it, incurring years of debt. New emperors suffered through years of hardship repaying these debts.