noffsinger Chapter 442 The Emperor and Empress's Wedding, Clearance Sale!
Chapter 442 The Emperor and Empress's Wedding, Clearance Sale!
Dou Zhan led his group back discreetly.
Along with them came the remains of the late emperor and his ancestors.
Wangyue Village was the first place to build an ancestral hall for the late emperor, which, by a stroke of luck, suited the Dou brothers' wishes.
They moved the ancestral hall here, and Wangyue Village rose in status, becoming the place where the royal family worshipped their ancestors every year!
In the past, when princes made mistakes, they would be exiled to guard the imperial tombs and waste their lives.
But given that the imperial tombs are located in the prosperous and powerful Wangyue Village, going there would be no different from falling into a quagmire!
Fortunately, later, when the princes made mistakes, they were all demoted to commoners and allowed to go wherever they wanted, but they were not to be near the imperial mausoleum.
After the Dou family held a ancestral worship ceremony, they established their capital at Lingsi Prefecture.
After all, Kyoto was burned, looted, and destroyed beyond recognition.
If it were to be rebuilt, the cost would be beyond what a new emperor could afford.
However, Ling Si Mansion is different. It is the last stronghold of the Qianyu Dynasty. It has been exploited by the people and the palace is very large. Although it is not yet completed, it is easier to make minor improvements in the details.
Ultimately, it's because the national treasury is empty and they can't squeeze out any more money!
When the emperor and empress get married, a general amnesty shall be granted.
This gave the former crown prince Yin Bi, who was imprisoned in the dungeon of Wangyue Village, a glimmer of hope for the future!
But he underestimated Dou Zhan, and even more so Dou Weiyi's "despicable" nature!
If a general amnesty is to be granted, then let it be a general amnesty!
But what they do before the amnesty is none of anyone else's business!
So Dou Weiyi went straight for a complete clearance sale!
Before the Emperor and Empress's wedding, all the condemned prisoners were dragged out and executed, in order to eliminate any potential threats and ensure a clean sweep!
All other criminals, regardless of the severity of their crimes, were enslaved and sold off.
Even the fly that has committed a crime will not survive until the day of the emperor and empress's wedding!
It has to be said that this also made Dou Weiyi a fortune!
What grand wedding of the emperor and empress, and a general amnesty!
It's like granting a general amnesty to the air!
Because the cell was completely empty; there wasn't a single person in it!
Qin Shen, who had been promoted to historian, picked up his pen and glanced at Dou Weiyi, who was drooling and counting his silver coins. He didn't know how to write anything.
Qin Shensheng's pen hovered over the paper for a long time without falling, her brows furrowed, and she couldn't help but say, "Dou Weiyi, how am I supposed to write this straight with your pen?"
The text describes a grand wedding ceremony where the emperor and empress were granted a general amnesty, and all prisoners were executed.
Dou Wei, his hands spittle-covered, counted the banknotes until his eyes gleamed, without even looking up: "Just tell the truth!"
"We're doing this on behalf of Heaven, revitalizing the national treasury, and incidentally clearing away hidden dangers. We're also cleaning the streets for the Emperor and Empress's wedding – how auspicious!"
Qin Shen put down her pen and rubbed her forehead: "Auspicious?"
"History should record benevolent governance!"
You, on the other hand, kill death row inmates and sell slaves, making a fortune. Is that something to be proud of?
Are later historians forbidden from criticizing emperors and empresses for using the guise of amnesty to carry out actual killings?
Dou Wei tucked the silver into his arms and grinned so wide his eyes disappeared: "Qin Shen Shen, you're so confused!"
Minor offenses resulted in slavery, providing a means of survival and even allowing individuals to generate income.
Severe crimes are punished with immediate execution to ensure the peace and tranquility of the people; this is called combining kindness and severity!
Besides, the national treasury is empty, and this money is all going to be handed over to the imperial palace in Lingsi Prefecture. I haven't pocketed a single penny!"
Qin Shen rolled her eyes.
Indeed, he didn't, because last night he transferred the silver to his fleet.
He also transferred a batch of silver to the Ministry of Works in Wangyue Village to order cannons to be loaded onto ships and sail to other places to show off the country's power and carry out "voluntary trade"!
Your bombardment certainly made others "voluntarily" comply.
However, it is true that Dou Weiyi's fleet later made people very willing to join.
The cannon fired, sounding like a torpedo, blasting over countless fish in the sea.
Other states, thinking it was the arrival of a "son of the gods," rowed out in boats to collect the fish that had been blown up by the explosion.
The shore was instantly crowded with small boats, with men, women, and children all pitching in to catch fish with great enthusiasm. Even children were leaning over the side of the boats, reaching out to grab fish, their laughter drowning out the sound of the waves.
At first, everyone was afraid that the loud "boom" was divine punishment.
But seeing that the frying only fish didn't hurt anyone, they became bolder and chased after the fleet, hoping for a few more "heavenly thunder" sounds.
So much so that whenever his fleet arrived at a certain place, people would chase after him and demand that he "fire the cannons"!
As the fishermen hauled their boats full of fish and were bowing and thanking the "gods" around the fleet, Qian Yan'er raised a large flag and shouted, "I am the commander of the Yue Dynasty's navy!"
"We have come to establish trade on the orders of our Prince. If you are willing to exchange your local specialties, then divine thunder will frequently aid you in your fishing from this day forward!"
When everyone heard about this good news, they were all delighted!
They immediately rowed over, carrying pearls, spices, and kiwis, piling them all over the deck, hoping the fleet would stay a few more days and fire a few more cannons.
Qin Shen Shen later added this passage, her pen twitching as she wrote.
In the end, he wrote: "Prince Dou ordered his men to take cannons out to sea. The first bombardment caught fish all over the sea. People from other states thought it was divine help and they all voluntarily went to trade, and maritime trade flourished."
Finally, I couldn't help but add a small note: "The cannon fire and the fish overturned; trade was voluntary—a tale of wonder for all time."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Before they knew it, the emperor and empress were getting married, and the whole country was celebrating.
Gao Mengli put a hairpin in Ayu's hair and covered her head with a red veil.
"Ayu, you look beautiful today!"
Ayu's cheeks were burning hot under the red veil, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Gao Mengli.
Mengli personally placed a red veil over her head, and her life was complete.
As the firecrackers went off, she took one last reluctant look at Gao Mengli, her eyes crinkling and her lips curving into a smile, before turning and walking away.
Mengli, it doesn't matter if I can't be by your side in this life. It's enough that I can protect the prosperous life you want!
The red veil on her head concealed the longing in her eyes, but it couldn't hide the sweet smile on her lips.
The moment he stepped out the door, Dou Zhan was already waiting under the eaves.
His bright red wedding dress accentuated his gentle features. Upon seeing her emerge, he immediately reached out and firmly took her slightly cool wrist. "Ayu, I've come to pick you up!"
A red carpet was laid out to the main hall, and all the officials stood solemnly.
Ayu was led to a stop by Dou Zhan.
As the master of ceremonies announced the greetings, Ayu bowed in response to the master of ceremonies' instructions.
As she bowed to heaven and earth, she silently prayed: May the heavens protect my Yue Dynasty, ensuring its peace and prosperity, and may Mengli enjoy lasting peace year after year.
When she paid homage to the emperor, she raised her eyes and glanced at Dou Zhan beside her, her eyes clear: From now on, I will be of one mind with Your Majesty, guard this country, and live up to Meng Li's trust.
As the ceremony concluded, the wind stirred the banners outside the hall.
Gao Mengli stood at the head of all the officials, looking at the emperor and empress standing side by side, her eyes full of smiles.
As if sensing something, Ayu turned her head slightly.
Through the red veil, facing each other from afar, the corners of his mouth curved even more gently.
She will keep her promise to Mengli.
That night, Dou Zhan, slightly drunk, was ushered into the new house.
He stumbled against the doorframe, his steps unsteady. He raised his hand to rub his forehead and laughed and cursed.
He had just turned around when he saw Ayu sitting upright on the edge of the bed, her wedding dress made even more radiant by the red candlelight. He instantly woke up and immediately ushered Dou Weiyi and the others out of the bridal chamber, then quickly closed the door.
"Ayu, I'm sorry I'm late!"
He quickly ran to the bedside and sat down, looking somewhat nervous.
Although his love for Ayu was initially based on physical attraction, she was the most precious person in his heart, and that was genuine!
"Ah, Ah Yu, let's... let's go to bed!"
After Dou Zhan finished speaking with a flushed face, he pulled off the "belt" from his waist, revealing a soft sword!
With a few clangs, the short dagger in the boot, the dart pouch at the back of the waist, and the poison needle pouch in the lining of the clothes all fell to the ground, making a clattering sound.
As he unbuttoned his inner lining, he muttered, "Hehe, I can't sleep without this when I go out. I didn't dare take it off even though it's my wedding day."
Ayu nodded seriously, and her movements of undressing became quick and efficient.
As the red wedding dress was removed, hidden arrows in her wrists, poisoned hairpins in her hair, and packets of sleeping pills in the hidden pockets of her skirt were taken out one after another and placed on half a table.
Even the earrings were made of silver needles that could be poisoned.
Dou Zhan raised an eyebrow: "Good heavens, Your Majesty, you're even more thoughtful than I am..."
Ayu glanced at him sideways: "Isn't this to protect yourself from others? You and I have both walked on the edge of a knife, and we won't feel at ease if we lose one of these things."
After saying that, he reached out to remove the jade pendant from his neck. The pendant was hollow, and inside were three bone-piercing nails as thin as cow hair.
As he spoke, he took out ten hidden weapons as thin as cicada wings from his mouth, making Dou Zhan, who was standing to the side, tremble with fear.
His eyelids twitched even more. He reached out and pinched her mouth, looking it up and down from all sides: "My dear aunt, aren't you afraid of getting something stuck in your teeth while eating with all that stuff in your mouth?"
Ayu turned her head to dodge, picked up the ten thin-bladed hidden weapons with her fingertips, and casually placed them on the corner of the dressing table. "Oh well, I'm used to it!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Dou Zhan lunged forward.
Fueled by alcohol and a touch of passion, he reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, bending down to kiss her.
Just as his lips were about to touch her cheek, Ayu suddenly tilted her head, and with a flick of her tongue, she managed to pry out a small, bright red nipple from between her teeth.
"Don't worry, we forgot to remove the poisonous part!"
Dou Zhan abruptly stopped, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably. "That's it, right?"
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he stopped abruptly as he leaned forward.
He immediately reached out and carefully touched her hair, collar, and cuffs. "Let me check again. I don't want you to find something that pricks me while we're kissing."
Ayu laughed as he touched her, and slapped his hand away: "Nonsense, is a veteran of the battlefield afraid of this?"
"Hehe, no one?! If not, then it's my turn!"
Dou Zhan was delighted when he heard this!
He ripped down the bed curtains, obscuring the erotic scene, leaving only the flickering red candle beside the bed!