Chapter 86: A goddess of childbearing appeared in a certain county. This person (2 / 2)
“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.