EMHTC -Chapter 43 A goddess of childbearing appeared in a certain county. This person…

The elderly emperor walked out of Wuying Hall with an expressionless face, followed by a group of officials who were also trying their best to suppress their expressions. In his mind, the events of the twelfth year of Tiantong kept replaying in a vivid and endless loop, with new details constantly emerging. Closing his eyes tightly, the emperor took a deep breath, but he could not expel the lingering voice from his head.

He just couldn’t understand! Why couldn’t Xu Yanmiao interpret the gesture as a normal act of camaraderie between a ruler and his minister? What was wrong with an emperor holding a minister’s hand? It was a sign of favor!

An emperor could even sweet-talk his minister, professing his fondness, expressing his desire to care for him, suggesting they rest shoulder-to-shoulder for the night, or describing the harmony between ruler and minister as akin to that of fish and water.

If an emperor truly valued someone, he could create a unique position for them, command others to bow to them, or even bend the law for their sake. The emperor felt aggrieved.

I’m really not into men! he thought. I’m not like those emperors of past dynasties who indulged in both men and women!

Meanwhile, Xu Yanmiao continued flipping through the historical records, sensing something odd. It felt like someone was watching him. Turning around, he saw an official from the Ministry of War. “What’s the matter? Is there something on my face?” he asked.

The Official gave Xu Yanmiao a resentful look. “Nothing. I just think it’s great that you were able to escape danger tonight.”

If only we could also escape danger and not have to hear about our superior’s romantic escapades anymore, the Official thought bitterly.

“Yes! I feel the same!” Xu Yanmiao exclaimed, still shaken. “Tonight was incredibly perilous.”

He shuddered. “If not for…”

If not for the emperor seeing through the former Crown Grandson’s scheme to discredit the ministers of the court…

Xu Yanmiao wasn’t naïve. He knew he wasn’t the real target. He was merely a pawn the former Crown Grandson used to drag down the Minister of Rites, the General, the scholars of the Hanlin Academy, and others.

But the emperor wouldn’t tolerate such a blatant power play. That’s why he helped Xu Yanmiao cheat.

“If not for the emperor’s wisdom, I might have been wrongly imprisoned,” Xu Yanmiao said solemnly. “From now on, I’ll be more cautious with my words and actions, avoid mingling with outsiders, and never form factions.”

【It’s much safer to enjoy gossip! The political scene is far too treacherous. One wrong move, and you’re cannon fodder.】

【Let me see… Tiantong Year 15…】

The Official stared at him blankly. So… you’re going to keep digging into the emperor’s private affairs?

The subsequent New Year’s Eve activities went smoothly. No one caused trouble, except for Xu Yanmiao who continued reading historical records and the emperor who wore a face darker than the bottom of a pot.

The next day, during the New Year’s Day court assembly, everything proceeded as usual. However, before the session ended, the emperor suddenly announced his intention to tour the Nine Provinces.

The local officials visibly panicked.

Not only did the emperor plan to tour the provinces, but he had also sent the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) to notify deputy governors to take charge during the inspection.

This was clearly a surprise inspection to evaluate local governance and expose any corruption or exploitation of the people! By making this announcement during the assembly, it was evident he didn’t want anyone tipping off the local officials.

And indeed, that was precisely the emperor’s plan. With everyone present, he proposed selecting a few officials to stay behind in the capital while the rest prepared to depart immediately.

What? Too tiring? I’m over sixty, and I’m not complaining! What are you whining about?

The Crown Prince chimed in enthusiastically, “Exactly! Exactly!”

He then added, “Your Majesty, I request to accompany you on this tour and learn from your example. As for managing state affairs, the Prime Minister can handle it!”

Wow! Throwing your uncle under the bus at the first opportunity! So this is where the former Crown Grandson learned it!

The Crown Prince’s uncle, Prime Minister Dou: “???”

【You’re such a wonderful nephew.】

The emperor didn’t think much of it. As long as someone stayed behind to oversee the capital, it didn’t matter. “Fine. The Crown Prince will accompany me, and the Prime Minister will remain in the capital.”

The lower-ranked officials didn’t even bother trying to voice their opinions. However, the second-rank ministers exchanged glances, each determined to secure a spot on the tour.

Understood. Spots are limited. Push others out, and I’ll get in!

The Minister of War stepped forward, shaking his sleeves dramatically. “Your Majesty! The Ministry of Works is tasked with designing new workshops, and the Ministry of Revenue manages the resources. The Ministry of War currently has no pressing matters. I humbly request the honor of accompanying you.”

【Whoa! A direct attack! Ruthless! What a cutthroat move!】 The Minister of Works glared daggers at him.

“Your Majesty! While workshops are indeed important, they can be supervised by my deputies. I, however, can inspect dams, assess granary conditions, and evaluate irrigation, farming, and transportation projects…”

“But the Ministry of War is unique,” the Minister of Works interjected. “It oversees critical funds like the courier fees, horse procurement funds, fuel allowances, and maintenance costs for postal stations. Without the Minister of War in the capital, who will manage these funds? Should we transport them on the road? What if they’re lost en route?”

The Minister of War fumed. “You!”

【This is politics at its finest! Ministry of Revenue, are you just going to let the Ministry of War walk all over you?】

The Minister of Revenue sighed, “Your Majesty, I am willing to either stay behind or accompany you as you see fit. However, the Ministry of Justice has numerous cases awaiting review, and leaving the capital would delay justice for many civilians seeking resolution to their grievances.”

The Minister of Justice panicked. “Why are you dragging me into this?!”

And so it went, with officials from various ministries sparring fiercely. The provincial military officers watched in awe.

【These central officials wield the Thirty-Six Stratagems like pros! Even resorting to beauty traps!】

The Minister of Rites argued, “You all plan to leave deputies behind, but the Ministry of Rites cannot. Either both I and my deputy stay, or we both go.”

The emperor eventually made the final decision:

“The Prime Minister stays behind.”

After all, the Crown Prince ran off.

“The Minister of Works stays behind.”

The workshops really are important. Let’s finish them while Xiao Baize is out of town.

And with that, the officials prepared for the grand tour.

“The Minister of Rites shall remain in the capital. Once the New Year’s ceremonial matters in the capital are resolved, he may ride with haste to join us,” decreed the emperor, acknowledging the abundance of ceremonial responsibilities during the New Year.

“As for the others, the Ministers of Personnel, Revenue, Justice, and War shall accompany me.”

On New Year’s Day, the streets of the capital resonated with the thunderous crackle of firecrackers. The joyful explosions echoed through the city as the people exchanged cheerful greetings, “Happy New Year!”

During the court assembly, the ministers who had been selected to accompany the emperor displayed triumphant, almost frozen smiles—so unwavering that their cheeks threatened to cramp. They practically appeared ready to light celebratory firecrackers of their own.

Prime Minister Dou wore an expression of resigned frustration.

If not for his nephew, the Crown Prince, who had so eagerly volunteered to oversee the capital, he might have suggested the prince govern in his stead. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works silently vowed revenge on the Minister of War, marking him for future retaliation. Let’s see how you manage when you need my department’s help, he thought bitterly.

The Minister of Rites, however, wore a mysterious smile. The emperor had given him a loophole: resolve his department’s business, and he could leave the capital. His determination was absolute—starting from the second day of the New Year, the entire Ministry of Rites would work overtime!

The emperor’s journey, ordinarily a grand spectacle of pomp and military might, had taken on a different form. “We’ll disguise ourselves as a merchant caravan!” the emperor insisted. “Otherwise, people a hundred miles away will know it’s me, and where’s the surprise in that?”

With no choice but to comply, the general in charge of security devised a makeshift caravan. To the untrained eye, it appeared to be a procession of merchants hauling riches and goods. In reality, the wagons were laden with hidden weapons, and the entourage was densely guarded, with sentries every five paces and lookouts every ten. The “merchants” could transform into a deadly fighting force at a moment’s notice.

The caravan moved steadily, crossing the Luo River before boarding boats to reach Yanshi County by evening. Disembarking, they rested for the night.

The emperor, seated atop a wagon, summoned Xie Luoshui to his side. “I hear you spent the past two months living, eating, and sleeping on the river. Even steering boats at times?”

Xie Luoshui knelt before him. “Your Majesty, you once declared that if I found grain crops across the sea, you would confer a noble title upon me. Does that promise still hold?”

The emperor nodded, realizing she couldn’t see his gesture, and clarified, “The word of the Son of Heaven is law.”

Her eyes burned with determination. “Your Majesty, Luoshui is ready!”

The court had prepared a fleet of treasure ships and assembled skilled navigators. Xie Luoshui’s task was simple yet harrowing: survive the voyage, reach the distant lands, and return with crops like potatoes, corn, or sweet potatoes to enrich the empire’s agriculture.

The emperor, smiling, handed her a specially crafted official seal. “You will descend the great river, pass through Kaifeng, Xuzhou, and Jinan, and reach Bohai. Three hundred ships await you there, prepared for your command.”

Her hands trembled as she accepted the seal. “This servant thanks Your Majesty for the immense favor!” At that moment, she heard a voice.

【Wow! So this is Yanshi County!】

Xie Luoshui’s expression remained calm, but her pupils betrayed her shock. That voice…

The emperor, unbothered, responded, “That’s the voice of Baize, the sacred beast! Baize is the guardian spirit of our Great Xia!”

He elaborated, “It was Baize who revealed to me the strength of your constitution and the existence of foreign grains. That’s why I promised you a title.”

Baize? The name echoed in Xie Luoshui’s mind, as though an unseen snowfall blanketed her thoughts. Could this mythical creature truly have guided her?

The emperor continued proudly, “Baize is an auspicious beast, capable of comprehending all things—”

【Oh, right! This place has the emperor’s so-called ‘lost gem of the sea,’ doesn’t it?】 the voice interjected again.

Time seemed to freeze.

The emperor sprang up, furious. “Impossible! Absolutely not! If I had fathered anyone, they would already be in the imperial harem! This must be another of that little bastard’s slanders!”

Xie Luoshui blinked. But didn’t you just say Baize knows all?

【Ah, wait,】 the voice mused. 【Not a lost gem… It’s more like the emperor’s miraculous blessing that caused someone to conceive… What’s it called again? Oh, right—‘The Deliverer of Children’!】

The court fell silent as this revelation sank in.

The commander of the central army stepped forward shamelessly. “Your Majesty, though I have eighteen adopted sons, I only have four biological children. I’m already fifty-seven this year. If Your Majesty would bless me as well, perhaps each of my eight concubines could bear twins?”

The emperor’s expression twitched violently, and he all but snarled, “There’s no such thing as ‘The Deliverer of Children’!”

But the story spread quickly. Yanshi County’s magistrate had previously petitioned the emperor, lamenting his childlessness. The emperor, idly amused, had responded with a single word: “Procreate.”

As luck would have it, the magistrate’s wife conceived shortly thereafter. Grateful and elated, the magistrate had the emperor’s written response engraved on a stone tablet, proclaiming to all that the emperor was a bringer of children. He even claimed that touching the inscription while observing a rainbow had ensured the pregnancy.

The emperor could only grimace as the absurdity of the tale spiraled out of control.

Meanwhile, amidst the commotion, officials overheard Baize yawning. 【Few children? That’s normal. Riding horses every day during wartime must have done a number on their… equipment.】

The court erupted in silent panic. The general, however, chuckled contentedly. “Good thing I already have no heirs.”