Volume 4 is in the ascendant Chapter 510: The Chu State’s Sacrifice
Bai Tu, a kind person, a pure person, a person who is free from vulgarity.
Originally, the officials of Chu State would not talk too much about the harem of the King of Chu. After all, since the time of Yangzhou Prefecture, Bai Tu had rejected proposals in this regard more than once, showing his stubbornness. Moreover, Bai Tu had separated the King of Chu from the Chu State since the establishment of the State of Chu. Now, no one would mention it...
The harem of a ruler is a key part of the exchange of interests. Even though Bai Tu has completed many exchanges of interests through the method of "investment", making many people feel at ease in other ways, it still makes everyone very concerned.
However, the situation this time was obviously special - Lu Kang, the Grand Secretary who had worked diligently and made great contributions to the State of Chu, had retired. No matter what request he made, Bai Tu had no reason to get angry. In fact... for such a not-too-excessive request, it was difficult for him to even say no.
When Lu Kang said this, the other gentlemen were stunned at first, and then the officials of the Jiangdong gentry showed excited expressions one after another.
Many people instinctively looked at Xu Rong - because it was a grand court meeting, Xu Rong, as the Grand Historian, was also at the table.
Even because of the special nature of the position of Grand Historian - the power is not great, but it is closely related to matters such as sacrifices, so although he is not involved in court affairs on normal days, he still sits quite close to the front during grand court meetings!
The Chu State actually attached great importance to sacrifices, but the changes in the rituals were great and the sacrificial items were also different from before.
In the eyes of the common people, the biggest difference is that the "sacrificial day" of the Chu State gradually developed into a "festival" and an "anniversary". The responsibility of the Taishi Bureau changed from predicting auspicious days for sacrifice to setting corresponding commemorative days. In disguise, it changed from predicting to "setting" the so-called auspicious days!
For example, the fifth day of February was established as the "Military and Civilian Unity Day", which is the anniversary of the first battle between the Yangzhou garrison troops recruited and trained by Yuan Shu and the rebels in Qu'a.
According to the official statement of the Chu State, this great victory was achieved with the sacrifice of the grassroots generals in the army and the assistance of the people of Qu'a...
On this day every year, corresponding activities would be held in various parts of the Chu State, such as organizing opera troupes to perform in the army to sing the praises of the spirit of unity between the army and the people; encouraging middle and high-level generals to serve in public welfare organizations that serve the widows, the orphans and the lonely, and serve as laborers for a day to show that the army has not forgotten the people; encouraging the organization of other activities to entertain the army and the people, and rewarding grassroots generals, etc.
June 23rd was the day when Bai Tu recruited the talented Huang Yueying from Jinling. It is also considered the day when the Chu State first recruited female officials. As for the then chief guard Lü Lingqi... she was closer to Bai Tu's family general, so Huang Yueying was more representative. Therefore, this day was established as "Women's Day" by the Taishi Bureau.
The workshop will give female workers a half-day paid holiday. The "Women's Rights Protection Association" headed by Lv Lingqi will organize various compassionate activities on this day and vigorously publicize and commend outstanding examples.
The so-called outstanding role models are naturally outstanding working women - block out interference such as using women's virtues as evaluation criteria!
Since it is Queen Lu Lingqi of Chu who is the nominal executive, there naturally won't be any "evil practices" that can distort the selection criteria.
In addition, among the people, influenced by some unknown gossip, it seems that there is a custom that wives pour a cup of Gaolu tea for their husbands on this day. It has even gradually developed into pouring a cup of Gaolu tea for men on this day as a hint of confession...
It is said that Huang Yueying, the greatest mechanical engineer of the Chu State, tested the King of Chu in this way. It was because she passed the test that the era of great development of the Chu State began.
To some extent, these can all be seen as "rituals", but they are more folk-oriented. Even official activities are mostly entertainment activities such as parades with floats.
It is very different from traditional sacrifices, and is even the opposite in solemnity. It focuses more on spreading influence among the people, rather than paying a high cost and performing some face-saving rituals.
In the beginning, because of the establishment of these festivals and anniversaries, many officials had opinions about Xu Rong - although they knew in their hearts that this was not Xu Rong's own intention, but after all... impeaching Xu Rong seemed more moderate!
However, with Bai Tu's strong support and the unconditional support of the Jiangdong gentry, Xu Rong's position was quite stable even though he was impeached many times.
And through the "confrontations" of the past few years, everyone has come to understand how gentle on the outside but strong on the inside this young girl is, and she cannot be shaken by some impeachment and attacks!
But at this time, Xu Rong lowered her head, her face was obviously red, and she seemed too embarrassed to raise it...
In order to avoid leaking the matter in advance, Lu Kang did not discuss it with anyone else. He only mentioned it to Xu Rong and hinted it to Xu Rong's father!
"Ahem, now that the State of Chu is on the rise, the king and you all should focus on state affairs..." Bai Tu was unable to say no immediately.
Firstly, this was Lu Kang's request before he retired, so it was very important. Secondly... Lu Kang had just said something like "Tai Shi Xu has always had high hopes for the King of Chu", which gave Bai Tu even less room to maneuver!
If it were someone else who dared to "force the emperor to abdicate" like this, Bai Tu would definitely let him know how to wear small shoes comfortably.
but……
How could Bai Tu blame Lu Kanglin for being willful for a moment before his retirement?
"Your Majesty, please allow me to report this to you! In my opinion, although Your Majesty has two sons now, the family is still not prosperous. Moreover... the Queen is known for her kindness. If Your Majesty does not take a concubine for a long time, it may damage the Queen's reputation and Your Majesty's reputation!"
This statement is not without reason today. For example, in history, Sun Quan's wife, the uncrowned queen Bu Lianshi, was most praised for her tolerance and the fact that she took the initiative to arrange for Sun Quan to find a concubine.
The Han Dynasty was not superstitious about the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues", and their views on women's chastity, etc. were different from the concepts of the time after the rigidification of Neo-Confucianism.
However, resistance to "jealousy" has already been formed. The only difference is that in the rigid period of Neo-Confucianism, if a wife was jealous, it was simply unfaithful to her husband. But now... if the family is not peaceful, it not only means that the wife is unfaithful to her husband, but also means that the husband is "incompetent in managing the household." The Han people recognize that both parties have equal responsibilities.
Of course, in the State of Chu, ordinary ministers... no matter whether they are the Grand Secretary or the Minister of the Six Ministries, if they dare to "kidnap" Bai Tu with this matter, they will definitely not end up well. Not only will Bai Tu be unhappy, but the queen's father, Lu Bu, will probably also make him suffer, except... Lu Bu himself.
That’s right, the person who just stood up from the chair and spoke was Lu Bu, the Privy Councilor and also the emperor’s father-in-law!
White picture: ...
Seeing that Lu Bu had already spoken, the other Jiangdong nobles could no longer wait and stood up and bowed in the direction of Bai Tu, arguing one by one that Bai Tu's harem needed to be expanded.
Although other Chu officials did not support it, they were just watching the fun and did not bother to really oppose it.
In fact, everyone knows the reason why Lu Kang hopes Xu Rong will enter the harem of the King of Chu - the Xu family is not among the four surnames of Jiangdong, but it is also a first-class family of Jiangdong aristocrats, and ten years ago it was not inferior to the Yu family and the Wei family...
It is only because of the "unprecedented changes" in the past decade that the development requirements of each company have become higher, and the Xu family has gradually weakened due to the lack of top-notch talents.
However, after Xu Rong was recommended as the Grand Historian, the Xu family not only returned to the first echelon of the Jiangdong gentry, but even had the potential to become the second core besides the Lu family.
After all, everyone knew that Xu Rong was recommended for reasons other than her ability. Xu Rong's qualifications and achievements in stargazing made her the only woman of Jiangdong age who could become a court official...
Is the reason for being a court official just to observe the stars and set up strange festivals?
Of course not!
The Jiangdong nobles, who knew the truth, naturally supported Xu Rong as a group.
However, Bai Tu has been stuck in this regard and has been regressing in recent years, and many people are worried, especially... Before, they could use the excuse of "not reaching the appropriate age", but now Xu Rong is almost twenty years old!
Even according to what the State of Chu advocated, Xu Rong had already reached the marriageable age.
At this moment, Xu Rong felt her face getting hot - when people were talking about her marriage and recommending a concubine to the king, she was also present... This kind of thing is not something that everyone can experience, so naturally she felt even more embarrassed.
Lu Kang had indeed mentioned this matter to her clearly before. After all... Old Man Lu understood that if something went wrong and Xu Rong herself had no such intention or even had resistance in her heart, he would have a hard time explaining it.
However, the experienced Lu Kang noticed that although Xu Rong was a little embarrassed when the matter was mentioned, she did not resist.
This is indeed the case. In Xu Rong's heart, her favorite thing to do is undoubtedly doing math problems. Only math problems can make her happy.
Requirements for future husbands...
It would be great to be able to do math problems together!
Firstly, Xu Rong knew some of the intentions from her father when she first became the Grand Historian, so she was well prepared . Secondly... Xu Rong knew from Pang Tong that many of the math problems she did were solved by Bai Tu!
To Xu Rong, each math problem is a touching love letter.
The days and nights I spent doing exercises were all spent tasting the taste of love (?)...
So when Lu Kang brought up the matter again, Xu Rong was still very willing in her heart.
Her contact with Bai Tu in recent years was not rare. After all, Bai Tu would often ask her to do some strange things in private, such as setting up festivals and anniversaries.
Although she was mentally prepared, after Lu Kang brought up the matter at the court meeting, Xu Rong was still distracted and dazed, not knowing how it ended.
I only know that when I came out of Jiangshan Garden, many people congratulated me, and... unconsciously, they seemed to be a little more respectful to me?
Originally, although the Grand Historian had little power but a high position, and was considered a top figure in the court, he would not be flattered by other court officials, especially... since Xu Rong was a woman, many people would be embarrassed to do so!
"Rongrong, don't forget to go to the Chu Palace later... It's still early now, let's go a little later, during dinner time." Lu Kang reminded her.
"Ah? Ah! I mean...thank you Uncle Lu for reminding me." Xu Rong said in shock, and at the same time she finally figured out what had just happened.
Of course, although Xu Rong’s incident also had an explosive effect, he is obviously not the protagonist of the current disbandment.
In front of the Jiangshan Garden, all the ministers watched Lu Kang get on the carriage...
Lu Kang might come to Jiangshan Garden again in the future, but it is no longer his obligation - Lu Kang, who has been giving advice to Bai Tu and coordinating the internal interests of the Bai Tu Group since his time in Yangzhou Prefecture, officially withdrew from the court today.
