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"The son has met his mother."

Emperor Taikang coughed a few times while cupping his hands in greeting.

Empress Dowager Zheng hurriedly stepped forward and held Emperor Taikang's hand, and asked with careful concern: "You were fine the past two days, why did you suddenly cough? Have you called the imperial doctor?"

Emperor Taikang coughed and replied: "Yesterday, I went to the garden for a walk. It was probably because the wind was strong that I had a cough. I have already called Dr. Ji to take a look. Mother, don't worry."

How can you not worry?

Putting aside the fact that Empress Dowager Zheng's honor and wealth all came from Emperor Taikang, just talking about the love between mother and son, Empress Dowager Zheng's concern for her only son was by no means an act.

Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Emperor Taikang's thin figure and his face that was red from coughing. Her heart was filled with worry, and she stretched out her hand to pat Emperor Taikang's back.

Emperor Taikang coughed for a while and calmed down a little. He opened his mouth and asked, "The queen specially asked me to come here. Is there something important?"

Empress Dowager Zheng calmed down and told the story about the new type of shaft plow presented by Princess Nanyang: "...the Ai family tried it yesterday. The new type of shaft plow is indeed very labor-saving and much faster than the ordinary shaft plow."

Emperor Taikang was very happy when he heard this, and immediately said: "This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. I will summon Prime Minister Wang to the palace immediately!"

Empress Dowager Zheng said: "The emperor directly summoned the Minister of Industry to the palace and gave the Ministry of Industry the task of promoting the new shaft plow. There is no need to discuss such matters with Prime Minister Wang."

Emperor Taikang had a soft ear and had listened to his mother's advice since he was a child. When he was the crown prince, Prime Minister Wang also held the position of prince's tutor. He was also very convinced of the capable and capable Prime Minister Wang.

Now that he sits on the throne and becomes the emperor, he is still used to asking Prime Minister Wang for his opinion on everything. Hearing what Empress Dowager Zheng said, she immediately hesitated: "It's not good to bypass Prime Minister Wang like this!"

Empress Dowager Zheng snorted: "This beam belongs to the Jiang family and belongs to the emperor. Why does the emperor have to ask a minister about what he wants to do?"

To say so would be to belittle Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang was the late emperor's most important minister and the head of the hundred officials. In the last emperor's will, it was also mentioned that the new emperor should respect Prime Minister Wang.

Is this an ordinary minister?

Seeing that Empress Dowager Zheng was unhappy, Emperor Taikang softened his tone and said, "Don't be upset, Queen Mother. I mean, this is a good thing. Even if Prime Minister Wang knew about it, he would never stop it."

Empress Dowager Zheng intervened in the government affairs, privately reviewed the government affairs on behalf of the emperor, and supported a group of ministers through her influence on Emperor Taikang.

Prime Minister Wang was not a good person either. He suppressed many of the officials brought up by Empress Dowager Zheng. In just a few years, the court was divided into three factions: the Prime Minister's Party, the Queen Mother's Party, and the Neutral Party that insisted on being loyal to the emperor...

"Everything depends on Prime Minister Wang. If this continues, all the ministers in the court will bow to Prime Minister Wang. What dignity does the emperor have?"

Empress Dowager Zheng frowned and her tone suddenly became severe: "Does Your Majesty know that the people outside the palace only know Prime Minister Wang and not the Emperor?"

Emperor Taikang had a really soft temper. He did not get angry when Empress Dowager Zheng was so angry with him. Instead, he coaxed his mother in a good voice: "Don't be upset, Queen Mother. Prime Minister Wang is loyal and devoted to state affairs. He has a good reputation both in the government and in the public, and he is deeply loved by the people." The people love me. They are extremely respectful to me and never disrespect me. This is as far as the Queen Mother said."

Queen Mother Zheng was choked.

Yes, Prime Minister Wang Rong has a very good reputation. The person whose reputation is not so good is that of the Empress Dowager Liang, the leader of the restless harem.

In the eyes of civil servants and military generals, it was a big taboo for the Queen Mother to interfere in politics.

Seeing Empress Dowager Zheng's unhappy look, Emperor Taikang couldn't bear it. He thought for a while and said, "This new type of shaft plow was presented to the Queen by Princess Nanyang. The promotion of the new type of shaft plow is a major event that benefits the country and the people. The Queen should be credited with the first contribution."

Empress Dowager Zheng looked much better: "The Ai family is not fighting for this credit. The Ai family is doing it for the emperor's consideration. The Ai family is the queen mother, and she is extremely noble. Why do you want this credit? The Ai family hopes that the Daliang court will be safe and that the people will be safe. Live and work in peace and contentment, and hope that the emperor can become a wise king and not be influenced by powerful ministers." No matter what, my mother always thinks about her son. There is no need to worry about how much publicity and how much selfishness there is in these words.

Emperor Taikang nodded obediently: "I will keep everything my mother said in my heart."

Queen Mother Zheng smiled with satisfaction.

After talking about business, Emperor Taikang asked casually: "Isn't the queen planning to take Princess Nanyang into the palace? Why is she nowhere to be seen?"

Empress Dowager Zheng, who had been drunk by Eunuch Zhao last night, was no longer annoyed when she mentioned this matter: "It is inevitable that the little girl is reluctant to leave home, so let her go for now! Wait a year or two before the Ai family sends someone Nanyang County will take her into the palace."

Emperor Taikang nodded.

When King Nanyang was alive, both mother and son were very afraid of this powerful vassal king who had great reputation both in civil and military affairs. It was Prime Minister Wang's idea to send Zuo Zhen to take charge of the Nanyang Army, and it was also in line with Emperor Taikang's wishes.

Once King Nanyang died, only ten-year-old Jiang Shaohua and Lu Junma were left in the Nanyang Palace. For Emperor Taikang, most of this serious problem has gone away.

It would be best to take Jiang Shaohua into the palace. If she doesn't want to come and wants to stay in Nanyang County, it's not a big deal.

After talking about business, Empress Dowager Zheng said with a smile: "Your Majesty, please stay for lunch today! The Ai family sent people to the study and called the prince over. Baohua and the others also came together. There are so many people and it's so lively."

Emperor Taikang readily agreed.

……

Emperor Taikang was weak and had few heirs. He had two sons and one daughter.

The eldest daughter Jiang Baohua is the direct daughter of Empress Ji and is fourteen years old this year. Prince Jiang Song is the daughter of Concubine Li Guifei and is thirteen years old this year. There is also a two-year-old little prince, the son of Fan Guiren.

Empress Ji died of a serious illness three years ago. Empress Dowager Zheng personally educated Princess Baohua, and also brought the Lord of Dongping County and the Lord of Huaiyang County into the palace to accompany Princess Baohua.

As for the prince, he entered the study room to study at the age of five, surrounded by four companions of similar age.

One is the 12-year-old young master Zheng Chen, the direct son of An Guo Gong and the direct nephew of Empress Dowager Zheng.

One is the youngest son of Prime Minister Wang, the thirteen-year-old fourth son Wang Jin.

There is another one who is the direct cousin of Concubine Li Guifei's nephew, the prince, named Li Boyuan, who is fourteen years old this year.

The last one is Jiang Yi, the prince of Gaoliang.

The King of Gaoliang was the third prince who had his brain burned out. After Emperor Taikang ascended the throne, he conferred the title of King of Gaoliang on the third prince. The fiefdom of Gaoliang County is far to the south of Daliang, thousands of miles away from the capital. The King of Gaoliang was stupid and unable to govern the vassal territory, so his family of three stayed in the capital.

The prince of Gaoliang is one year younger than the prince. He has been studying with the prince in the study since he was four years old.

Empress Dowager Zheng sent people to the study to deliver oral instructions. Soon, a group of handsome young men and women in luxurious clothes came together.

Queen Mother Zheng glanced at her, a little surprised: "Why didn't Zixian come?"