Early in the morning, Song Zhiyuan arrived at the Zhengyang Palace in the palace, where he and the ministers submitted various morials. After a short half-day, the ministers withdrew, and Emperor Chu stretched lazily, gesturing for Song Zhiyuan to follow, and walked outside the hall.
Wanhe Palace is a sumr palace, architecturally designed to welco the wind and water, and every detail complents each other perfectly. Even while standing in front of the corridor outside Zhengyang Palace, mountain breezes sweep in, dispersing much of the sumr heat.
With his hands behind his back, Emperor Chu looked at the glazed palace roofs and the green lake pathways in the distance, asking Song Zhiyuan, "I heard from Eunuch Zhou that you returned late last night. But this morning, I see you’re full of joy. Is mother and child safe?"
With a gesture of respect, Song Zhiyuan, filled with joy in his tone, replied, "Thanks to the Emperor’s great fortune, even though Madam had a difficult labor, both mother and child are safe."
"Is it a boy?"
Song Zhiyuan nodded affirmatively, saying, "A little rascal, born weighing less than five jin. As the birth was difficult, my mother chose the nickna Dang Ge."
"Egg? Like the dog-egg of the commoners?"
"Dang as in ’danger’, a homophone for egg, thinking a humble nickna would ensure survival."
Emperor Chu remarked, "I didn’t expect the old lady to have such inclinations. What about his formal na?"
"That hasn’t been decided yet. I’m still thinking," Song Zhiyuan replied. "He’s my youngest, and not easily arrived, so I just wish for his health and safety."
"Your youngest, does this an you’re not planning to have more children?" Emperor Chu turned to look at him.
Song Zhiyuan shook his head: "Madam’s health suffered with this birth, and even if it didn’t, her age stands as a limit. Who would dare risk it? Two legitimate children are more than sufficient; I am content."
Emperor Chu laughed: "Indeed, having too many sons isn’t necessarily a good thing; it invites conflict. This youngest of yours ca born to us with difficulty, lighting the day with brilliance and the night with brightness. Does the na Yu appeal to you?"
Song Zhiyuan’s heart stirred, and he bowed deeply: "Thank you, Emperor, for bestowing the na."
The na Yu, aning bright and outstanding, perhaps isn’t born from chance but divine hope upon seeing the rainbow that appeared when Dang Ge was born.
Emperor Chu walked slowly along the corridor, turning to matters of governance: "This year’s civil servant evaluations and promotions have Pri Minister Fan recomnding Zeng Congguang as Minister of Civil Affairs of Anhui."
Song Zhiyuan wasn’t surprised and responded: "It seems, the elder has already chosen his successor. Zeng Congguang’s achievents over the past few years lay before you, beyond dispute. Especially in water managent, he handled matters impeccably; this ministerial position is well-earned."
Emperor Chu turned to look at him and said, "You certainly praise him quite impartially."
Song Zhiyuan chuckled: "I speak truthfully; there’s no point in speaking false for the sake of disparaging him. Besides, Pri Minister Fan is also considered Zeng Congguang’s ntor; recomnding him isn’t surprising, especially as Zeng Congguang truly proved himself capable."
Falling a step behind Emperor Chu, he said, "Emperor, I possess ambition and competitiveness, but what I do is for the nation and people. Regardless of being allies or opposition, as long as they contribute to our Great Qing, I won’t hesitate to praise and appreciate. Actually, the achievents Zeng Congguang’s made comfort your heart, don’t they?"
A capable official managing a region excellently proves their prowess. Having such officials ans even as an emperor, waking with laughter; he wouldn’t care if the official belonged to his favored party.
The most important thing is to achieve good work.
Moreover, well-managed regions are stable, thus not requiring excessive silver tael allocations for support. Like in water managent, annual floods displace the populace, and isn’t it the National Treasury’s silver taels that need constant filling?
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