Chapter 104: Chapter 74: Constructing the Imperial Mausoleum

Qiankun Hall, Zheng Yi was resting with his eyes closed.

Yesterday, after retiring at Yonghe Palace, Consort Shuu, now Noble Consort Yang, fainted twice due to excessive excitement, and Zheng Yi had to just hold her through the night.

“Yang Huan, Noble Consort Yang… last night was still too impulsive, after all, Yang Huan was involved in treason!”

Zheng Yi’s mind was filled with countless thoughts, constantly pondering his conversation with Yang Huan last night.

“However, this matter doesn’t really count for much; by precedent, the Emperor can have two Noble Consorts. Now that both positions for Noble Consort have been decided, it extinguishes others’ ambitions.”

“Besides, deciding whom to bestow as a Noble Consort is a family matter of mine, and no one can say otherwise!”

“The urgent matter now is regarding the Emperor’s Mausoleum.”

“Among the twenty mausoleums of the Great Yu Dynasty lies hidden cultivation secret techniques, no matter what, they must be excavated!”

At this point, his eyes suddenly brightened, “Right, I seem to remember there was a tomb raider who disguised as a Feng Shui master last year when I issued the Immortal Seeking Order.”

“Seems to be called… Hu Bayi?”

“Is there really such a person?”

“Cheng’en!”

Liu Cheng’en walked in quickly and respectfully, “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”

“Do you remember a tomb raider who pretended to be a Feng Shui master last year to deceive and win rewards; is he still around?”

Liu Cheng’en thought for a moment and replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, this person is still in the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s prison and hasn’t been released.”

As the eunuch close to His Majesty, his memory has always been good.

If His Majesty wanted to know something, and you couldn’t answer in time or said something wrong, wouldn’t that be committing treason?

“Bring him into the palace, I have questions to ask.”

“Yes!”

Liu Cheng’en quickly left, and Zheng Yi continued to dwell on the matter.

Half a day later, Liu Cheng’en brought a middle-aged man, who had changed clothes but still looked extremely pale and had a slight limp, to Qiankun Hall.

Along the way, Liu Cheng’en kept instructing this person.

“When you meet His Majesty below, do not look directly at His Majesty! Do not look around at will, understand?”

“Yes, I understand, I understand!”

“Today His Majesty might pardon your crime evidence, forget the hardships you suffered in the Imperial Prison, otherwise no one can save you!”

“Yes, yes, yes, thank you, eunuch, for your guidance…”

Soon, the two arrived at Qiankun Hall, and Liu Cheng’en led him straight in.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the person has been brought.”

As soon as the words fell, he hurriedly rushed over and lay on the ground, his rear end raised high.

“Commoner Hu Bafeng, greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!”

Hu Bafeng?

Zheng Yi recalled, indeed, this person’s name was Hu Bafeng, not Hu Bayi.

“Rise.”

“Yes, yes, yes…”

“Your Majesty.”

Liu Cheng’en quickly came up, holding a dossier in his hand.

“Your Majesty, this is the dossier extracted from Hu Bafeng by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, detailing all the crimes he has committed over the years.”

Zheng Yi glanced at it and gestured to have it placed before him.

Surviving from the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s prison, it seems this Hu Bafeng is also quite a clever person.

As long as he confesses all guilt, although he cannot escape physical suffering, at least his life is spared.

He started browsing through Hu Bafeng’s dossier, while Hu Bafeng knelt on the ground, anxious and uneasy.

Meanwhile, Zheng Yi was clicking his tongue in wonder.

According to the dossier, Hu Bafeng was one of the leaders of the Northern Sect tomb raiders, having excavated over thirty ancient tombs, profiting by over a hundred thousand taels of silver.

He excelled in Feng Shui technique, locating grand tombs and ancient graves, either calling for companions or operating alone, to raid the ancient graves.

Unfortunately, this time his greed got the better of him, and he was encouraged by others to enter the palace pretending to be a Feng Shui master to deceive for the Emperor’s reward.

Ultimately, he was caught by Zheng Yi and Zhao Suling and thrown into the Imperial Prison.

His followers, upon seeing Hu Bafeng imprisoned, fled in haste, and no one knows where they are now.

“Hu Bafeng.”

After a long time, Hu Bafeng felt his knees lose feeling, only then did he hear Zheng Yi call him, and he quickly responded, “Your Majesty, I am here.”

“You are quite talented; I admire you very much.”

Zheng Yi stated bluntly, “I have a task for you; if done well, I can pardon your crime of deceiving the emperor, and you may even become an official, enjoy endless riches, and even return home gloriously and become an officer.”

“Are you willing?”

“Return home gloriously!”

Hu Bafeng looked up sharply, thinking if he could survive, who would want to be a tomb raider?

Recalling his elderly parents and wife at home, suffering humiliation because of him, he said excitedly, “Your Majesty, this commoner is willing, I am willing!”

If what His Majesty said is true, able to become an official, get rich, and return home gloriously, only a fool would refuse.

“It’s very simple.”

Zheng Yi continued, “I need you to excavate an ancient tomb for me.”

“Tomb raiding?”

“Hmm?”

Zheng Yi frowned, “It’s protective excavation, understand?”

“Yes, yes, I understand.”

Hu Bafeng asked cautiously, “Which ancient tomb does your majesty want me to, uh, protectively excavate?”

Zheng Yi did not answer directly but tapped on the table, “You will know when the time comes.”

“I now appoint you as: Tomb Raider Captain, a fourth-grade Military Officer.”

“What? A fourth-grade Military Officer!”

Hu Bafeng was stunned on the spot, immediately kneeling and continually kowtowing, “Your Majesty values me so highly; I am truly grateful and will repay in any way I can. Even if Your Majesty wants me to die in the future, I will not frown an inch!”

Zheng Yi said, “I won’t let you die; if you die, who will do my work?”

“Your position as Tomb Raider Captain is created by me and is a standalone military branch, specializing in protective excavation of ancient tombs, directly commanded by me.”

“Currently, under the Tomb Raider Captain, there is only you. You need to personally write letters to summon the colleagues, friends, and disciples you know one by one.”

“The more people you call, the more under your command, the greater the rewards I will give you, understand?!”

“Yes, yes… I, uh, no, I, uh, understand!”

“Step back now. When to excavate and which ancient tomb to dig, I will inform you in due time.”

“Yes, yes, I understand!”

Hu Bafeng promptly stood up, barely able to contain his joy, as he headed out of the hall.

“Cheng’en.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Call two Shadow Guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards to keep an eye on him, and arrange a residence for him outside the palace. Should there be any unusual actions, seize him immediately.”

“Understood!”

“Today, have him write letters to summon tomb raiders across the realm, but do not make this widely public as I have great use for it.”

“Understood!”

…

Today at the Great Court.

Numerous courtiers looked at Zheng Yi seated on the Dragon Throne in astonishment, noting that it had been more than half a month since the last Great Court session.

His Majesty had just completed a selection process a few days earlier, so why hold a Great Court session today?

Could it be… that there is some important announcement to make?

“If there is anything to report, do so; if not, the court is adjourned!”

Following these words, the hall fell silent for several breaths until a Ministry of Rites official suddenly stepped forward and respectfully said:

“Your Majesty! Consort Shuu of the Yang Clan is descended from Yang Ni, she should not be conferred as a Noble Consort.”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

Soon, several more officials stood up, seconding this statement.

Zheng Yi glanced at the few courtiers at the forefront, seeing Lu Xiangqing and Cui Jinghao remaining silent, and immediately said, “This is a matter of the Harem, to be handled by the Empress Dowager, Empress, and Consort Duann, you as ministers of the previous dynasty should focus on the realm!”

“Do not be concerned with this matter!”

“This…”

The few in the middle were dumbfounded, having no choice but to say reluctantly, “As Your Majesty wills!”

Then an official from the Hanlin Academy stood up and said, “Petitioning Your Majesty, I have a report.”

“Speak!”

“The newly appointed First Place Scholar, Runner-up Scholar, and Third Place Scholar wish to observe governance in Yongzhou ahead of schedule, what is Your Majesty’s stance?”

“Observing governance ahead of time?”

Zheng Yi said, “Have these three chosen their locations?”

“Yes.”

“Newly appointed First Place Scholar Cui Xiazhao, will go to Chang’an County, serving as the Chief Clerk.”

“Runner-up Scholar Li Ziyang, will go to Weinan County, serving as the Magistrate of Weinan County.”

“Third Place Scholar Wang Anshi, will go to Yanchang County, serving as the Judicial Officer of Yanchang County!”

Zheng Yi pondered over the familiar details and said, “In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed, approved!”

“These three will observe governance for three years, by then assessed on their governance achievements, and allocated accordingly.”

“Understood!”

After handling a few minor matters, Zheng Yi suddenly said, “My beloved ministers, I have another matter to discuss with you all.”

Hearing Zheng Yi say this, all the ministers present held their breath and listened intently.

“I am preparing to construct an Imperial Mausoleum for myself, what do you all think?”

Constructing an Imperial Mausoleum!

Many ministers looked at each other, though building a mausoleum for oneself while alive is a common matter for an emperor.

But… isn’t this a bit too soon!

Lu Xiangqing immediately stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty is in the prime of life, why burden the people and resources to build a mausoleum?”

“The urgent matter is to suppress the northern rebellion and Wu Country invasion, and the issue of Pseudo-Yan’s autonomy, Your Majesty…”

“Indeed, Your Majesty, you have only ruled for five years, and are in the prime of life, it is not suitable to build a mausoleum.”

“Your Majesty, the late emperor spent eighteen years building the Imperial Mausoleum during his lifetime, at a tremendous cost…”

“Hope Your Majesty will reconsider!”

A dozen courtiers were clearly opposed, while some seemed undecided.

Zheng Yi said, “I have plans for the Wu Country invasion, northern rebellion, and Pseudo-Yan’s autonomy.”

“I am fully aware that building the Imperial Mausoleum cannot be accomplished overnight, therefore initially only reconnaissance and mapping will be conducted, without excessive use of people’s resources for large-scale construction.”

“This…”

Lu Xiangqing and others hesitated for a moment, at which point Cui Jinghao stepped forward and said:

“Your Majesty, an Emperor’s Mausoleum is a national matter, crucial for securing Great Yu’s dragon vein and state stability, I second this!”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

Soon, many ministers expressed their support, causing a chaotic debate between the opposing sides.

Zheng Yi clapped decisively, saying, “I have made up my mind about constructing the Imperial Mausoleum, there is no need for further persuasion, my beloved ministers.”

“As the northern rebellion, Wu Country invasion, and Pseudo-Yan’s autonomy have strained the national treasury, I will not use treasury funds or conscript labor; it will be overseen by the Tomb Raider Captains and new recruits from the Imperial Guard, with all expenses allocated from the internal treasury.”

Hearing this, the ministers present realized Zheng Yi’s determination and ceased their arguments.

And when Lu Xiangqing heard that the Emperor would finance the mausoleum construction himself, he immediately stopped arguing and stepped back, saying, “We second this.”

“We second this!”

Finally, Jia Yongshao, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, suddenly stepped forward and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, all the palace halls have been built, and the main hall, Jiaotai Hall, is also completed.”

“However, since Jiaotai Hall was destroyed before, its name is tainted with bad luck, please rename this palace!”

“It’s finished?”

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment and immediately said, “The newly built palace shall be named ’Baiyu City’, to be used for my cultivation and rest.”

“Regarding the special chamber I’ve instructed you to construct, is it ready?”

Jia Yongshao’s expression changed slightly, as if recalling something, his eyes full of shock and admiration.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, all matters instructed by His Majesty of Baiyu City have been completed.”

“Tonight, it can be put to use.”

“Indeed!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep