Chapter 302: Chapter 302
After finishing the busy affairs of my father's funeral, An Ning's life quickly returned to its normal routine.
With the imperial army's northern campaign successfully concluded, unprecedented prestige achieved, and the crown prince now formally participating in court politics, An Ning felt increasingly more relaxed.
If there was anything noteworthy this year, it was that in early June, the over-seventy-year-old Ouyang Xiu repeatedly submitted resignation requests citing old age and declining strength.
An Ning tried to persuade him to stay multiple times, but the elderly minister remained resolute:
"Human life passes in a fleeting hundred years, merely a mayfly's moment in the vastness of heaven and earth. To have witnessed our Great Song Dynasty reach such splendid heights within my lifetime—this humble official has no regrets left in this life!"
"Now that our Great Song Dynasty produces talents in abundance and flourishes prosperously, it is time for this official to retire..."
Bathed in the morning's faint light, the septuagenarian's eyes seemed to glisten with moisture.
An Ning ultimately nodded and approved his resignation, then with a grand gesture, bestowed a series of honors and gifts.
And this Minister Ouyang, on the very second day of his retirement, happily packed his bags and moved into the Guiyuan Villa that An Ning had renovated earlier, becoming neighbors with the now octogenarian Fan Zhongyan.
Within the villa grounds, there were not only mountains and waters where one could leisurely watch blossoms fall in tranquil courtyards and streams flow beneath small bridges, but one could also go lakeside fishing when the mood struck. Most importantly, the facilities inside were truly exceptionally comprehensive.
It even featured the latest improved underfloor heating technology from the Ministry of Works, making every winter as warm and gentle as springtime. Come summer, several huge wind-powered water wheels on the estate rotated continuously, keeping the entire villa pleasantly cool.
Seasonal vegetables and fruits, along with various delicacies, were available in abundance.
Coupled with the particularly artistic gardens and diverse flowers, it truly represented the ultimate paradise on earth.
Of course, what attracted people most and made countless ministers yearn for it was the medical conditions inside.
By An Ning's personal decree, every retired minister qualified to reside there received specially customized medicinal meal plans daily, and dedicated imperial physicians would check their pulses every three days.
Various high-quality medicinal herbs were never spared...
As for the final results, one only needed to look at the several ministers who had retired earlier—each becoming more energetic and vibrant! Clearly enjoying many more years of life!
As humans, who doesn't fear death? And who wouldn't want to live long and enjoy blessings, especially when bestowed as supreme honor by the current ruler. How could this not make people yearn for it?
Most importantly, having reached this level, as long as one remained alive, they represented the greatest political resource for their family...
Watching yet another minister happily settle into his new residence, the assembled ministers couldn't help but watch with envious, red-eyed gazes.
Who knew if they would live to see the day...
"So this is why back then, Mother, when you almost completely abolished the hereditary privilege system, aside from some minor resistance, it didn't cause much backlash at the time?"
"As long as you leave some leeway, the vast majority of people won't stake everything on one throw, or even fight to the death regardless of consequences..."
Beside the imperial desk, Zhao Xi, dressed in a blue gauze palace robe, pondered thoughtfully:
"The more one possesses in hand, the less likely they are to take extreme risks—is this what you want to tell your daughter, Mother?"
Inside the hall, the familiar purple jade incense burner continued slowly emitting white smoke.
Having just celebrated her fifteenth birthday recently, our crown princess's method of reviewing memorials had already become quite proficient. She could even manage to banter with her mother while reviewing them.
Handling two tasks simultaneously without any delay!
From the inner chamber soon came An Ning's clearly amused voice:
"Yes, but all these have an absolute prerequisite—that you possess sufficient power and even prestige, making others feel that opposing you has little chance of success, and might even endanger their family's lives, making it not worthwhile..."
When risks far outweigh potential gains, and there's a decent retreat path available, who would stake everything on one throw?
Not to mention distant examples, like the Cao family back then, which didn't excessively intervene during her earlier power struggle with Empress Cao over control of the inner palace.
Aside from her methods being indeed swift and ruthless, making it unwise to needlessly offend a formidable person who holds grudges, a significant reason was undoubtedly Cao Xi by her side.
"Xi'er, whether exercising benevolence or employing thunderous methods, as a ruler, you shouldn't have only one aspect. The appropriate measure in this, Xi'er, still needs you to grasp yourself!"
"Understood, Mother!"
Casually tossing the reviewed memorial aside, looking at her increasingly captivating mother before her, Zhao Xi blinked rapidly:
"By the way, how does Mother think I performed last time?"
An Ning couldn't help but smile and nod:
In fact, it was more than just well! To manage the vast imperial court at fourteen years old, even with her father and several capable ministers assisting, yet still be able to command these people and handle governmental affairs in an orderly manner during this period—how could it be merely summarized as "well"!
Recalling the particularly docile behavior of the ministers recently, An Ning looked up again, gazing at someone with a light laugh:
"Although Academician Sima and several other ministers are somewhat overly conservative and rigid, they are after all advanced in years, and there's nothing to criticize about them publicly or privately. Xi'er, don't go too far!"
If handled poorly, making people abandon their responsibilities would be terrible!
After all, working under their longtime rivals all these years has been frustrating enough.
"Understood, Mother!"
Zhao Xi couldn't help but chuckle!
Sustainable development—she understood!
As they prepared to establish military academies and promote talented individuals regardless of gender, time passed gradually amid the mother and child's teaching and learning...
During this period, the crown princess's abilities and skills became increasingly confirmed. It had to be said, some people seemed naturally suited for this kind of work.
Over these years, discerning observers had clearly seen that their crown princess could truly be described as having precise vision and decisive, efficient actions. Last year, when handling Jiangnan textile manufacturing, some foolish individuals attempted to take advantage of the crown princess's youth.
The result? Within months, two of the four local prominent families in Yangzhou were utterly ruined, quickly devoured by various small and medium-sized forces below them. Not only that, but their influence in the court was completely uprooted all at once!
The key point was that from beginning to end, no one understood how she accomplished this. No matter how they investigated, it only appeared as ordinary competition among scholar-official families!
But was it really just coincidence?
Truly worthy of being the official's child!
The ministers couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Even Zhang Dun, who had been promoted to chief councilor last year, couldn't contain his proud delight, and even in the evening couldn't resist telling An Ning:
"Our Xi'er is truly a natural-born ruler!"
If she remembered correctly, this person had said this more than once already!
However, after this campaign, much of the various speculative thoughts arising from the crown princess's exceptionally outstanding appearance quickly diminished!
Of course, there were still many persistent individuals.
Seeing the crown princess approaching twenty with the Eastern Palace still vacant, quite a few people were watching closely. Even An Ning, in her leisure moments, couldn't help but curiously ask:
"Academician Su's eldest son, Chief Steward Han's Yuán'er, and that new top scholar..."
Listing one by one the men who had been rather close to her daughter recently, An Ning rarely watched her completely unperturbed daughter with leisurely composure.
However, the next moment, she heard the other party ask puzzledly:
"Why must we choose just one from among them? Can't we take them all?"
Seeing that her daughter was serious, after a brief pause, An Ning suddenly laughed:
"Of course you can, but in the future, regarding the rear courtyard, Xi'er, you'll probably need to devote some effort to management."