What can Zhao Zhen do now? He's all muddled, his mind is completely muddled. He knew there would be trouble, but he didn't expect it to be so much trouble.

  Zhao Xi asked Niangniang's words, which was already expected of his father's situation.

  So-called reform is just a redistribution of interests, which has been the same since ancient times.

  During the implementation of the new policy, Zhao Xi's intention was to use the imperial court's new policy as an opportunity to introduce this accounting method and have a pilot project in the Song Dynasty.

  It's just unexpected that the gentlemen of this dynasty would fully accept new things.

  Zhao Xi felt a bit embarrassed from the bottom of his heart, he didn't mean to design his parents into this.

  "Your father did not want to see such a chaotic situation. At present, all are demoted to their original positions below the sixth rank, and the gentlemen in the imperial court have not yet given up, seemingly intending to push it further."

  This is only the sixth rank, and the Ciming Palace has already been occupied by imperial decree. If Old Fan had stubbornly held on to the second or third rank, what would have happened? Would she be a national lady, a county mistress, or would the Yanfu Palace be surrounded by high-ranking court officials?

  "Your Majesty, I think this method of accounting is not yet perfect and should be tested in a less important department first. Once it is proven to work well, it can be implemented throughout the imperial court without delay."

  Politics is about compromise; it's not war, which requires unwavering courage.

  The national dynasty has accumulated heavy burdens for a long time and absolutely cannot take drastic measures to cut through them cleanly.

  Lao Fan, you have a strong sense of integrity and are upright and honest, but you can't assume that the entire national official system is like you.

  Some things take time.

  The goal is to defeat the enemy, not to die together. If we continue like this, I'm afraid the enemy won't be defeated, but we'll be finished first. This can't go on.

  Zhao Xi did not want to get involved in court affairs, his age limited his own play on the one hand, and more importantly, he did not want the scholar-official class to understand his court wisdom too early.

  A child's cleverness and political wisdom are two different concepts, also in the impression of scholars.

  "Xier can discuss it with your father."

  "Mother, if I were to mention it to Father, he would naturally discuss it with the officials in the imperial court. As a child, I am not suitable to discuss state affairs with the officials in the imperial court."

  "Xier is intelligent and everyone knows it, but what about state affairs?"

  "Your Majesty, it's different. The ancestral teachings of our dynasty are to share the world with the scholars and officials. This has already determined the balance between the imperial family and the scholars and officials. It's not suitable for you to discuss state affairs with your father during his reign. Besides, you're still young, I'm afraid this will lead to more trouble."

  Zhao Xi couldn't help it, even in front of the queen, he didn't want to be too demonic. But he had gone too far, a small trick, and now he couldn't clean up the mess, so he could only be a bit more demonic in front of the queen.

  She's indeed a freak! When Empress Cao heard Zhao Xie's words, she stared at him again. It had been a long time since she was so surprised to stare at this child.

  Originally thought Xier's cleverness was a normal thing, but today she suddenly found out that Xier is also so insightful about politics and human nature.

  "Xī ér, is it from reading books?"

  "Learn from history, and you will know the rise and fall."

  Go ahead and shout! Hopefully this nonsense can fool the queen.

  It's been suspended! The new accounting method has finally been suspended after all.

  As soon as this proposal came out, it was almost a one-sided situation in the imperial court, and even Du Yan, who was known for his composure, also supported the suspension.

  Fan Zhongyan was not reconciled, and his intention had not been exhausted. However, none of the implementers of the new policy, except for him, whether it was Fu Pi, Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu, Wang Su, or Yu Jing, came out to support him.

  A single tree cannot support a house!

  His Majesty the Emperor, in his official capacity, threw out this topic at an early court session, apparently intending to suspend it.

  What's called a pilot isn't it just getting people familiar with it? Isn't it just letting those worms fill in the loopholes for the new accounting method?

  Fan Zhongyan believed that when it was again widely disseminated, there would be no more problems with any of the officials.

  My official family, isn't it also hesitant about the new policy?

  Fan Zhongyan was deeply worried about it, including the backbone of the new policy, and had this worry.

  ……

  Zhao Xi told his uncle's family before New Year's Day that on the same day the court was closed, the food factory would also stop work.

  It's not just the name of the food factory that makes people like Niangzijia uncomfortable, it's also what Zhao Xi said about giving those palace maids a holiday, which makes them uncomfortable.

  What's going on? I've never heard of Neiyuan having a holiday before.

  In this matter, Zhao Xi is the boss. Without cookies, they can't think of a way to make more money.

  Besides, who really still bears that burden on New Year's Day?

  Zhao Xi also asked the empress for money, and on New Year's Eve, he scattered a large amount of money. In the past, officials' families would also receive rewards on New Year's Day, but never as generously as Prince Wang.

  The people in the inner courtyard also knew that the rewards given by the officials had to go through the gentlemen of the Politburo, but the king's rewards were purely his own money.

  It's still good to have a career, even if it's in the inner courtyard, you must have your own career.

  Xi'er did so, and the empress had no choice but to follow suit.

  So the entire inner court, from the high-ranking consorts down to the palace maids and even those who picked jasmine flowers, all received rewards.

  It's clear that this reward comes from Prince E's private house.

  So, in the imperial palace of the Great Song Dynasty, there was a secret that everyone kept under wraps... the cookie affair.

  No one can get by without money, and no one will provoke all the people in the inner courtyard.

  Empress Cao was worried that the officials in the government would eventually find out, but from New Year's Day to New Year's Eve, she surprisingly didn't hear any rumors, and even when the imperial edicts came into the palace to offer congratulations, no one mentioned anything about Xi'er being related to the cake cookies.

  When mothers like to hear others praise their children, the nannies naturally know what words can touch the mother's heart.

  Boasting and exaggerating about the King of Hubei, but no one linked the cake and cookie business to Xi'er.

  The pre-temple officer has changed, but the inner attendant palace girl has changed internally. The imperial city officer's personal followers have not changed. It is still the same group of people, but the inner garden has a completely different atmosphere.

  Empress Cao also understood... It was all caused by Qian!

  Last New Year's Eve, the King of E was seriously ill, and the entire city of Bianliang stopped all its revelry, even the brothels and wine shops were not as bustling as they used to be.

  This year is different. The King of Wu is blessed with good fortune, not only is he healthy and free from worries, but also exceptionally intelligent. Therefore, the whole city of Bianjing is filled with celebration on this Lantern Festival night.

  Zhao Xi also had the good fortune of seeing the world outside the palace walls for the first time.

  Standing by the column of Xuande Gate, Zhao Xi thought of climbing up to take a look outside several times.

  Looking at Bianliang decorated with lights from thousands of families, it really shocked him.

  He wasn't unfamiliar with the splendor of lights, but when he saw the lights stretching from the imperial city gate to the limits of his vision, that kind of excitement was simply irrepressible.

  These are not uniform lamp lights, but different styles of human lanterns in every household.

  This was also Zhao Xi's first time seeing a crowd like that in over a thousand years.

  The lanterns shone brightly, illuminating the entire Bianliang, which was packed with people. The people were bathed in the starry light of the lanterns, filling the whole city with joy.

  This is the Lantern Festival evening of Bianjing.