Raising chickens and pigs and digging for wild vegetables, the county magistrate's promotion wa

Chapter 288 Li Shanchang: I have long admired the name of the Imperial Son-in-Law

The 26th day of the 12th month of the second year of the Hongwu reign.

Just three days after the Lunar New Year, Magistrate Yang was taken to the palace by Liu Jizu.

Emperor Zhu, dressed in a leather cape, sat solemnly on the dragon throne in the Qianqing Palace. After Magistrate Yang, guided by the master of ceremonies, completed his audience with the emperor, Emperor Zhu instructed Chen Zhong to read the imperial edict.

"The proclamation reads: The relationship between husband and wife is the fundamental principle of human relations. Marriage should be conducted at the right time, as it is a matter of great importance. I hereby appoint you, Magistrate Yang, as the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant. You must not be arrogant or disrespectful, but maintain strict discipline in your household to uphold the principles of kinship. Obey my words without fail."

Magistrate Yang immediately bowed to Emperor Zhu and said, "Your subject, Yang Shaofeng, the Imperial Son-in-Law and Commandant, thanks Your Majesty for your great grace."

Emperor Zhu nodded slightly. Chen Zhong stepped down from the imperial steps and handed the edict to Magistrate Yang. Then Liu Jizu led Magistrate Yang out of the palace, and the entire process of bestowing the imperial edict was more than halfway complete.

As for the remaining matters, such as bestowing court robes and ceremonial regalia upon the imperial son-in-law, they would have to wait until Magistrate Yang returned home, when Chen Zhong, that dead eunuch, along with officials from the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs and the Ministry of Rites, would deliver the gifts to Magistrate Yang's doorstep.

After Chen Zhong and others delivered the imperial son-in-law's court robes and ceremonial regalia to Magistrate Yang's residence, the entire conferment of the imperial edict was finally completed.

Next, Magistrate Yang stayed in Beijing to celebrate the New Year, waiting for the thirteenth day of the first month of the third year of Hongwu's reign, when Emperor Zhu and Empress Ma would formally bestow titles upon Jin'er and Yu'er.

The process of bestowing titles upon Jin'er and Yu'er had nothing to do with Magistrate Yang. He neither needed to attend the ceremony nor was he given any rewards. The highlight for Magistrate Yang was the wedding day itself, which was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

However, the fact that the palace did not require Magistrate Yang to appear did not mean that Magistrate Yang could be idle.

The sons of Xu Da, Tang He, and Li Shanchang, such as Xu Yungong, Tang He, and Li Qi, all the second-generation nobles of Huaixi, needed to be introduced to and entertained by Magistrate Yang. After all, Chang Yuchun had only taken so many second-generation nobles as laborers because of Magistrate Yang's marriage, and Magistrate Yang could not possibly stay out of it.

What's even more crucial is that Magistrate Yang also has to accompany Chang Mao and Chang Sheng to pay respects and express gratitude to the elders of these second-generation families, and the gifts that should be presented are also indispensable and must be carefully prepared.

After all, these second-generation nobles from Huaixi were originally supposed to appear as the maternal relatives of Jin'er and Yu'er. Now that they have been captured by Chang Heitan to serve as bridesmaids for Magistrate Yang, it means that the second-generation nobles will be beaten up by the princes. The gifts sent by Magistrate Yang include part of the cost of medicine.

Of course, if it was just about buying gifts, or about getting acquainted with the nobles of Huaixi, Magistrate Yang had nothing to worry about.

The problem is that among the nobles of Huaixi, there is another one named Li Shanchang...

Therefore, when Magistrate Yang followed the Chang brothers, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng, to the neighborhood where Li Shanchang lived, his heart began to pound with anxiety.

To Magistrate Yang's surprise, Li Shanchang's son, Li Qi, was already waiting outside the Li residence. Upon seeing Magistrate Yang and the Chang brothers, Li Qi came forward from afar and bowed to Magistrate Yang, saying, "Li Qi greets Commandant Yang."

After exchanging greetings, Li Qi said directly to Magistrate Yang, "Brother Yang, my father has been waiting for a long time. Please."

Have we been waiting for this long time?

Was he waiting alone, or did he bring others with him?

While pondering to himself, Magistrate Yang smiled and returned Li Qi's greeting with a cupped-fist salute: "Young Master Li, please."

Li Qi smiled, then gestured with his hand, leading Magistrate Yang towards the inner courtyard of the Li residence.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the Li residence, Magistrate Yang finally met the renowned Li Shanchang.

He didn't have the fierce, ruthless look of a wolf or eagle, nor did he have any distinctive features like triangular eyes or a hooked nose; he just looked like an ordinary old man.

Upon seeing Li Shanchang, Magistrate Yang immediately bowed and said, "I, Yang Shaofeng, the Imperial Son-in-Law and Commandant, pay my respects to Lord Li."

Li Shanchang quickly stood up and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "I dare not accept such a great courtesy from Your Highness, please sit down and let's talk."

Seeing Li Shanchang's friendly attitude, Magistrate Yang was slightly relieved and returned the greeting with a smile and a cupped-hand salute, saying, "Thank you, Lord Li."

After everyone was seated, Li Shanchang glanced at Li Qi and instructed, "Qi'er, take Mao Ge'er and Sheng Ge'er to the kitchen and have someone prepare some wine and dishes."

Li Qi followed instructions and left with the Chang brothers, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng. Li Shanchang then turned his gaze to Magistrate Yang, looked him up and down, stroked his beard, and said with a smile, "I have long admired the name of the Imperial Son-in-Law. Today I finally get to meet you. I realize that hearing about you is not as good as seeing you in person, and seeing you in person is even better than hearing about you."

Magistrate Yang cupped his hands and said, "Lord Li is too kind. I am young and ignorant, and act rashly. I do not deserve such praise from Lord Li."

Li Shanchang chuckled and said to Magistrate Yang, "Why is Your Highness so modest?"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Shanchang said with a smile, "Actually, I had long wanted to pay you a visit, but considering that Your Highness has been busy with official and mundane affairs recently, I have not been able to make the trip. Now that Your Highness has graced us with your presence, I must do my best to answer some of my questions."

Magistrate Yang became even more vigilant.

I have no connection with Li Shanchang. This old guy came up with such a sincere attitude of seeking advice. Who knows how many traps he will dig for me later!

After the steward and maids brought tea, Li Shanchang waved them away and then looked at Magistrate Yang with a serious expression, asking, "May I ask, Your Highness, what do you think if all the people in the world were classified as farmers, or if all household registrations were unified?"

Magistrate Yang was momentarily dumbfounded.

Li Shanchang continued, "To be honest, Your Highness, the Emperor and I were discussing this matter just a few days ago. However, there are still many things we don't fully understand, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to ask Your Highness for some advice."

Magistrate Yang thought for a moment and then tentatively asked, "Does Lord Li mean that His Majesty and the court intend to abolish the household registration system and turn all the people in the country into farmers?"

Li Shanchang first nodded slightly, then shook his head slightly, and said, "His Majesty has this intention, and I agree with it, but it has not yet been discussed in court, and the officials in the court are not aware of this matter."

"Furthermore, even if this matter is discussed in court, it will first be piloted in the Shandong Provincial Government and will not be rolled out nationwide."

"Furthermore, the Semu, Kipchak, Hui, and Pu families of Quanzhou may not be included in this list."

As Li Shanchang finished speaking, Magistrate Yang frowned.

Li Shanchang's words revealed quite a lot of information.

Sometimes, the key point in officialdom isn't what was said, but what wasn't said.