Chapter 8: Auspicious Emperor

  Ye Zhaodao didn't expect that after having a grand discussion with Su Hongniang in the morning, he would be summoned by the Prince to enter the Warm Phoenix Pavilion as soon as he returned to the mansion. It turned out that there was news that Emperor Xianfeng wanted to meet this young noble who understood Western affairs.

  "Familiar with the Western virtual and real", is actually the close prince Hu's son helping his son in front of the emperor, originally wanted to plan a scattered minister for his son, but did not expect Xianfeng Emperor to take it seriously.

  Prince Zheng was naturally worried that his son would show weakness in front of the Emperor, so he repeatedly instructed him. Fu Jin grabbed Ye Zhao's hand and fell to tears, fearing that her son would make a mistake and offend the imperial family. In front of Ye Zhao, she blamed Prince Zheng for not being content with their current wealth and status as a noble prince, but instead wanted to go to that terrifying place to serve others.

  Later, the Queen Mother got angry and slammed her hand on the table, scolding "Unreasonable!" before storming off. Ye Zhao could only try to comfort his mother, now knowing what she was worried about, thinking to himself when he would be able to take off this useless crown prince hat of his.

  ……

  Ye Zhaowas awarded a third-class hat when he was in his swaddling clothes, and at the age of sixteen, he was again awarded a first-class hat. He rarely wore court attire, but now he wears a dragon robe with five claws and nine dragons, hangs court beads, and wears a red tassel official hat with a ruby on top.

  In the Southern Study of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, together with the Imperial Princes, I kowtowed to Emperor Xianfeng, my sleeves fluttering like horse hooves. The hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and an air of imperial majesty. As I glanced around, it seemed as if the entire room was bathed in a golden glow.

  "Give the king a seat." A clear voice, gave the king some face, after all, it was the emperor's last will. According to the rules, Ye Zhao could only kneel on the ground and answer, completely unlike the scene in movies where the emperor meets his ministers.

  But Ye Zhao couldn't help but be curious, and out of the corner of his eye, he sneaked a peek, only to see a slender young man sitting upright on the soft couch. The person was indeed handsome, but his face was pale with faint spots, which were left over from his bout of smallpox in his youth. This was Xianfeng, who had succeeded to the throne due to his sincere and childlike devotion to the Daoguang Emperor, despite being less intelligent than the Sixth Prince.

  "It was only a few days ago that I saw you, and I said, why can't our family's children become like Zhou Peigong? Why can't they excel in both martial arts and literature?"

  Prince Zheng's face turned red and white, and he didn't dare to interrupt either.

  Ye Zhao could only kowtow repeatedly: "I deserve to die, I'm not worthy! I've failed the emperor's kindness, my crime deserves a million deaths!" In his heart, he bitterly smiled, this kind of humiliation was unavoidable.

  Xianfeng's tone eased: "Looking at your memorial, there are a few words that are in line with my intentions. As the ruler of this vast empire, I am not afraid of a few uncouth barbarians who do not know etiquette. These barbarians are still fighting among themselves."

  Ye Zhaowu bowed his head again and said, "Reporting to the master, my teacher lived in Hong Kong Island for a few years and is familiar with things over there..." Ye Zhaowu carefully explained the current situation of countries such as England, France, America, and Russia. Of course, he didn't mention their political systems, industrial structures, or the rapidly developing railway networks that spanned across oceans, nor did he mention the telegraph lines that had already been set up. He only briefly mentioned the giant warships and sharp firearms that the Chinese people had already seen.

  At this time, even talking about buying firearms seems out of place. From the beginning of Emperor Xianfeng's reign, a group of princes and ministers were extremely tough on Western countries and did not think they had lost the war ten years ago. Learning from barbarians? It's likely that just saying it would get you spat to death by the stars.

  Although it was said that it took more than half a time, Xianfeng interrupted and asked a few questions during this period. Although some of the questions were ridiculous, Ye Zhao still answered according to his intention, so Xianfeng nodded repeatedly.

  "Who would have thought, who would have thought that the foreigners' place is also in such a mess? Why didn't anyone tell me about this before?" Xianfeng said as he lifted the tea lid.

  "The Emperor's benevolent policies and love for his people will soon bring all corners of the world under his rule, and the barbarian tribes will submit to him in no time." When it comes to flattering words, just focus on serving the intoxicating soup, the more excessive the better.

  Xianfeng sipped his tea lightly and said slowly, "You're not young anymore, you can't just hang around at home all the time. Tell me, which government office do you want to work in?"

  Ye Zhao hastily kowtowed, with a grateful and tearful expression: "Thank you, Master, for your kindness. I will follow your orders, of course. As for my own ambitions, naturally it is to go to the battlefield and kill the long-haired rebels, to ensure that your Majesty's reign is forever secure." But in Ye Zhao's heart, he actually hoped that the Northeast would be opened up, so he could go there to train troops and compete with the old Maozi. However, firstly, he had no foundation, and even if he went now, what could he accomplish? Could he stop the old Maozi from advancing east just with his passion? Secondly, since the Emperor asked him directly, he couldn't reveal his own thoughts.

  Xianfeng didn't expect Ye Zhaowei to say that, and he was taken aback for a moment. He let out a soft sigh and said, "It's not easy for you, young as you are, yet you understand the bigger picture. I've always been waiting for a Manchu youngster to speak up, but I didn't expect it to be you who spoke out. Our Manchu dynasty can't always rely on outsiders."

  Ye Zhaofu fell to the ground, quietly listening to Xianfeng's emotions. Later, the rise of Han Chinese officials such as Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang was actually due to the fact that there were no Manchu nobles who could be used, and the Eight Banners Army had already shown its weakness in the battle against the Taiping Army, having become so corrupt that it was unable to withstand a single blow. From the time the Qing dynasty entered the pass, the Manchu imperial family had always been the true rulers of this land, and no matter how high-ranking Han officials were, they were nothing more than running dogs in the eyes of the nobles.

  "As you are familiar with foreign affairs and cannot let them go to waste, here's what we'll do: you will make a trip to Shanghai and inform the various barbarian nations to take care of the customs duties."

  Xianfeng spoke lightly, but Ye Zhao almost choked to death. Was he afraid that the wind would be too strong and his tongue would slip? What? Pass on orders to various barbarians? Handle the tariff matter? Do any of these barbarians take our sacred teachings seriously?

  Ye Zhaoming understood the meaning of Xianfeng, and the Small Swords would make trouble. They had just captured the county seat of Shanghai, and Wu Jianzhang, the supervisor of the Jianghai Customs, escaped to the concession area to set up a temporary customs office. However, foreign merchants were not interested in it, making the temporary customs office useless. The Shanghai customs revenue was the main source of military pay for the Jiangnan Great Camp, so it's no wonder that Emperor Xianfeng was anxious and furious.

  Ye Zha actually quite wanted to go to Shanghai for a stroll, to come into contact with various "barbarians", after all the current West is in the budding stage of modern civilization, and also closer to his own past world, thinking that he might have more common language with these barbarians.

  Ke Ye Zhao did not want to go to Shanghai with the title of Imperial Commissioner, as it was a position that came with great rewards but also severe punishments. Many had been punished while holding this position, including Li Hongzhang and Senggelinqin.

  But no matter how unwilling, Ye Zhao could only bow his head in gratitude: "Your Majesty's cultivation is the good fortune of my life, I will not disappoint your high expectations, Master, and I will do a great job."

  Xianfeng nodded slightly: "You'd better not waste My painstaking efforts this time you're going out."

  ……

  On the way back, due to the strict guard, there was a horse-drawn incense burner leading the way in front, and several imperial guardsmen following behind. The prince and Ye Zhao each sat in a sedan chair, so it was inconvenient for them to converse.

  But as they entered the East Alas Gate of the Wang Mansion, the Prince got off his sedan chair and beckoned Ye Zhao over, asking in a low voice, "This errand won't be easy to handle, will it?"

  Ye Zhao didn't think he was worried, and smiled: "It's up to people, who can be sure?"

  The king pinched his shoulder hard and seemed to have let out a sigh of relief.

  Before long, an imperial edict was issued, appointing Yixiang, a first-class baron and general of the Imperial Guard, as the high commissioner to handle affairs at the Jianghai Pass north of the Yangtze River. He was ordered to proceed to Shanghai to negotiate with the foreigners.

  As soon as he received the official seal, Ye Zhao would set off immediately.