In just two or three days, the imperial decree inviting old officials back into service had arrived in the hands of many retired officials.
Some were delighted, while others were distressed.
"The Emperor still remembers you, Lord Tong. Congratulations, congratulations."
The former Prime Minister, the Empress' father, Tong Zhiqiu, with his rosy face, received the imperial decree with a feigned smile.
Turning to the accompanying Imperial physician Xu, Tong Zhiqiu flatly declined, "As long as the Emperor needs me, I will spare no effort. There are many refugees around Hangzhou, if Imperial physician Xu is free, he could attend to their medical needs."
"I am still quite robust, there's no need to trouble Imperial physician Xu."
Saying this, Tong Zhiqiu, tearful, knelt down facing the north direction of the palace and kowtowed three times, "I will set off immediately."
"It's my fortune to serve the people!"
"I am willing to stand for the people until the end!"
His voice resounded like a great bell.
The people who had gathered around to watch the excitement brought by the arrival of the imperial decree in Hangzhou, could not help but line up spontaneously, seeing him off.
Tong Zhiqiu did not delay. Upon receiving the imperial decree, he immediately boarded the carriage heading for the capital.
"Wow, the Empress' father is setting off!"
Xiao Chuchu, who was concerned about her pig-raising business and also keeping an eye on whether the Empress was up to no good, tuned into the live broadcast of the Tong Family early in the morning.
While drinking her porridge in Xiao Yunzhou's arms, she licked her little mouth like a kitten and watched the drama unfold in her mind.
"It's only been the time it takes to drink a cup of tea since he received the imperial decree, and old man Tong has already set off~ None of the other retired officials are as quick in their actions as him!"
"This performance is indeed worthy of a former Prime Minister!"
Xiao Yunzhou gently wiped the porridge from his daughter's mouth, but his expression gradually turned icy.
Hangzhou is a few days' journey from the capital even for a fast horse.
Did Lord Tong set off without even packing his personal belongings? He had the carriage ready for a long journey within the span of a tea break?
What does this suggest?
Xiao Yunzhou closed his eyes, picturing the lean old man who had always been impeccably dressed and groomed when teaching him as the Crown Prince.
That old man Tong was a clean freak.
He would be anxious if he didn't change his clothes.
But now, he got straight into the carriage as soon as the imperial decree arrived, without even taking the time to pack a change of clothes... What does this imply?
It implies that the Tong Family had been prepared, they had received the news of his recall to the capital well in advance!
The news of the imperial decree reaching Hangzhou was slower than the Tong Family's information network!
"Oh dear, the people are moved by Lord Tong's dedication and his words about burning until the end. His leaving-the-city carriage is surrounded by people, making it impassable."
"Wow, the people even presented him with the Umbrella of the Masses! They say Lord Tong is like the celestial canopy, sheltering the people!"
Xiao Yunzhou was taken aback.
This Tong Zhiqiu certainly seized the good reputation for the public convenience methods that he, as the Emperor, had thought of.
Did this old man ever think of coming out of retirement to do something for the people before he was summoned?
Now, the old man was being seen off by all the people...!
"The students from the Tong Family School, many of whom are scholars, came to see off old man Tong, shedding tears and vowing to learn from him."
"The prefect of Hangzhou also came to see him off."
Xiao Yunzhou closed his eyes.
[Sigh, Old Master Tong stands on the carriage, his old tears flowing freely. He tells everyone to go back, not to obstruct the city gate and prevent the common people from entering and leaving, from going to the market to exchange goods.]
[He tells the scholars to study well, then he will be at ease.]
Xiao Yunzhou's chest heaves.
Are the scholars studying for the Tong Family, or for the imperial court?!
Xiao Chuchu smacks her lips, oblivious to the fact that the pace at which Xiao Yunzhou is feeding her the milky paste has slowed down.
She's engrossed in the live broadcast.
In a short while, she reaches a crucial point and becomes so excited that she forgets all about the milky paste.
[Ah, Old Master Tong brushes off the imperial physician sent by the Emperor.]
[He tells his son who is with him to ride fast and head to the capital city.]
[Once he gets to Tong Manor in the capital, he will fall ill.]
Xiao Yunzhou's eyes widen.
[He says his old bones can't handle the bumps on the road, which is normal.]
[He also says that the Emperor is his student. In Jing Country, filial piety comes first, then the teacher-student relationship.]
[The Emperor will certainly come to visit him, the teacher who rushed to the capital city for his student and fell ill from exhaustion.]
[At that time, everyone in the world will know who the Emperor values more.]
[Things the Emperor cannot handle, he will have to visit him thrice at his thatched cottage and ask for his help.]
Xiao Yunzhou, enraged by what he hears, slams the spoon of milky paste on the table.
Xiao Chuchu in his arms is startled, her heartbeat abruptly stops.
Xiao Yunzhou takes a deep breath, "Wei Zheng, don't make a sound if there's nothing wrong."
Wei Zheng, who is standing nearby, is puzzled: "???"
“Aren’t you going to get a golden spoon? You clumsy thing, it doesn’t matter if you scare me, but what if you scare the little princess?”
Wei Zheng, who has not moved an inch, is speechless: "……"
He looks down at the stone bricks under his feet.
Did he just……move?
*
"In two days, like the wind flashing like lightning, the Emperor's teacher, Old Master Tong, who is 59 years old, falls ill as soon as he arrives at Tong Manor in the capital city."
"His high fever doesn't subside, and he is delirious."
"That night, a stream of physicians are invited into the Manor."
In the Tong family carriage, the third son of the Tong family, tells his father, Tong Zhiqiu, about their plans and arrangements after arriving in the capital.
"Upon hearing the news, many of the capital's scholars rush over, anxious to know the condition of Master Tong, whose students are all over the world."
"Knowing that Master Tong is unconscious, they are all anxious and refuse to leave the outside of Tong Manor."
"Dad, at this time, when you hear that the scholars are surrounding the Manor, despite your own high fever, you forcibly get out of bed, go out and tell everyone that the state affairs come first, and you are insignificant."
Old Master Tong, Tong Zhiqiu, listens to his third son's planned drama, twiddles his beard, squints his eyes, and nods in approval with a smile.
The third son of the Tong family continues, "Then, among the scholars, someone proposes to go to the nearby villages to promote the imperial court's pig-raising method on your behalf."
"When the Emperor comes to see you, he will be surrounded by scholars, who will volunteer to go in your place."
Tong Zhiqiu nods with a smile, "Good, let's do it this way."
At that time, the Emperor would dare not ask him to handle the pigsty matter anymore.
And if this pigsty matter can be successful, it would also be he, Tong Zhiqiu, who, despite his serious illness, came to the capital and inspired thousands of scholars to join the wave of promoting the new pig-raising technique.
His reputation, Tong Zhiqiu's, will be further enhanced.
The third son of the Tong family also smiles as he envisions the future grand event, "At that time, the Eldest Prince will also have a maternal family with a great reputation."
"All scholars under heaven will surely support the Eldest Prince."
Tong Zhiqiu was in high spirits, stroking his beard, "Hmm, you personally prepare the medicine for feigning illness."
"Be careful, don’t let others get the residue of the medicine."
"If anyone asks, just say it's for your wife who's having menstrual irregularities."
The third son of the Tong Family promptly agreed.
However, as he was holding a packet of medicinal herbs, about to store it in his sleeve and get out of the carriage, he felt the carriage stop.
Soon a voice came.
"The Emperor——!"
The third son of the Tong Family trembled suddenly.
Tong Zhiqiu's rosy old face showed a moment of surprise.
The Emperor... why did he appear on the way?!
They hadn't reached the capital city yet!
The Emperor was supposed to visit him after he fell ill!
"It's the Emperor!"
"The Emperor said he couldn't bear to see his teacher suffer on the road, so he came to escort the teacher himself!"
"He wants to take the teacher's pulse personally every day!"
Old Master Tong and the third son of the Tong Family: "??!"
As they were shocked and rushing down from the carriage, preparing to kneel and give salutations, they were gently and pretentiously supported by Xiao Yunzhou, who was holding Xiao Chuchu.
"Teacher, long time no see," Xiao Yunzhou smiled.
Old Master Tong was just about to be polite, but he heard Xiao Yunzhou chuckle.
"Hmm? Tong Xinzhi, what's that bulging in your sleeve?"
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