Chương 748: The Selection of Concubines is Underway

At this moment, Guan Ning, the Minister of Rites, was calculating the expenses for this year's imperial examinations in each province using an abacus. He was so overwhelmed with calculations that he kept muttering to himself:

"Why are there so many more candidates this year...? The exam paper budget is almost over budget... and the examination hall's cells also need renovation. Everything costs money, and the Ministry of Revenue is so stingy..."

The abacus beads rattled and clicked, making him dizzy.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a shrill announcement rang out from outside the hall, like a thunderclap: "The imperial edict has arrived—" Guan Ning was so startled that he dropped two of the abacus beads.

He hurriedly lifted his official robe and ran out, straightening his clothes as he ran, wondering to himself: What imperial edict is this that's so urgent? Could it be that something's gone wrong with the imperial examinations again?

The room full of officials and clerks quickly ran out and stood in neat rows below the hall.

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict stood in the hall, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud in a drawn-out tone.

He read it aloud with clear and distinct pronunciation, and every word was pronounced perfectly.

From the selection criteria for imperial concubines, including age and family background requirements, to the three-tiered screening process and the supervision by three departments, and the strict prohibition against favoritism and extravagance, each rule was stricter than the last.

Guan Ning stood below with his hands clasped in respect, his eyes widening as he listened, until his heart was pounding in his chest.

My goodness! The Crown Prince is choosing a consort!

It's a nationwide audition! They have to send the candidates to Beijing in just three months!

This is a momentous task. If done well, it will be a cause for national celebration, and everyone will be rewarded; if done poorly, the entire Ministry of Rites will be implicated, and they might even lose their official positions.

"promise."

After Guan Ning finished bowing, he respectfully accepted the imperial edict with both hands, as if he had received a hot potato.

After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, he had just turned back to the hall when the officials there instantly erupted into a commotion, as if the water were boiling.

"Oh my! His Majesty has finally remembered the Crown Prince's marriage! Our Ministry of Rites has been waiting for far too long!"

"My goodness, the Crown Prince is choosing a consort? This is a matter of national importance! Even more important than the imperial examinations!"

"Three months? From the county to the prefecture to the province and then to the capital, with each level of screening, that's a tight schedule that could break a person's legs!"

"The three departments must oversee this! The Ministry of Rites, the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard—they must all be watching closely, and there can't be the slightest bit of shady dealings!"

Everyone was talking at once, some excited, some worried, and some eager to get started.

Guan Ning placed the imperial edict on the desk and tapped it with a "thud" to silence the noise:

"What's all the noise about! Everyone, get yourselves together. If we do this job well, it will be a great achievement for the country, and everyone will be credited; if we mess it up, we'll all be in trouble, and no one will escape it."

He immediately made the decision to assign tasks, and acted swiftly and decisively:

"The Ministry of Ceremonies, immediately follow His Majesty's edict, write down the selection criteria and elimination rules in detail, down to every step, and have them printed as official documents. Send them by express courier to all provinces, prefectures, and counties across the country, ensuring that every county receives them within half a month!"

"The Ministry of Personnel shall immediately vacate the residences of the princes, prepare hundreds of rooms, and equip them with bedding and toiletries, in preparation for the young ladies to settle in the capital. Their food and lodging shall be properly arranged. They shall not be mistreated, nor shall they be extravagant. They shall be treated according to the rules."

"The priests, hurry to the palace to submit your credentials and coordinate with the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Bureau of Palace Attendants. Request that the inner court send senior female officials, midwives, and experienced nannies to form a final review panel. They are more familiar with the palace rules than the Ministry of Rites; the second round of selection will depend on their expertise."

"Furthermore, immediately notify the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds specifically for the selection of imperial concubines. The accounts must be clear and transparent, and every penny must have a destination. No one is allowed to embezzle the funds."

One of the managers muttered under his breath, looking astonished:

"My lord, isn't the selection of the Crown Princess even stricter than the selection of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)? The Jinshi only has three essays to be tested, but this one has to check family background, look at appearance, touch body, and examine character. It's a three-fold screening from head to toe!"

"Shouldn't those chosen be perfect people?"

Guan Ning glanced at him sideways and said in a serious tone, "Nonsense! This is the future mother of the nation, who will be the mother of the world in the future. How can we not be strict?"

Remember this well... I will not accept daughters of noble families. If any court official dares to offer their relatives to me, I will go directly to His Majesty. No amount of pleading will work.

His Majesty detests favoritism and corruption above all else. Anyone who dares to interfere in this matter should not blame me for being ruthless.

The crowd below responded in unison, "Yes!"

Soon, the Ministry of Rites was operating at high speed, with each department performing its duties and keeping everyone extremely busy.

Some were writing official documents, some were tidying up the premises, and others were coordinating with the inner court. The entire Ministry of Rites was like a clockwork mechanism, whirring away.

Within two days, the selection team for the inner court was in place.

The team was led by Zhang Mama from the Shanggong Bureau. She had been in the palace for more than ten years, rising from a lowly palace maid to a high-ranking official. She had a very sharp eye; she could tell almost anything about a young lady just by glancing at her. She could tell if she had any problems or what her personality was like with a high degree of accuracy.

His deputy was Eunuch Liu from the Directorate of Ceremonial, who was in charge of discipline and investigating family backgrounds. He was known for his impartiality and ruthlessness.

As soon as the two met, Granny Zhang spoke first, her face as stern as iron: "This old woman doesn't tolerate any nonsense. If there's even the slightest deviation from the rules, no amount of pleading will help."

The Crown Princess is the future Empress; there can be no ambiguity. If we choose the wrong one, none of us can bear the consequences.

Eunuch Liu nodded in agreement: "I'm in charge of investigating family backgrounds and keeping an eye on discipline. Anyone who dares to use connections or engage in underhanded tactics will be reported directly to His Majesty without mercy."

Guan Ning smiled and said, "With you two overseeing things, I'm relieved! If the three of us work together, we'll do this job perfectly, and His Majesty will be pleased."

Within a few days, official documents bearing the seal of the Ministry of Rites were sent to every province, prefecture, and county of the Han Dynasty by express messengers on horseback or by train.

The courier galloped swiftly, kicking up dust all the way, to spread the news of the Crown Prince's selection of a consort to every corner of the Han Dynasty.

When the official document arrived in Qingyuan County, a northern province, the county magistrate was squatting in the backyard of the yamen, eating a watermelon.

The dog days of summer have just passed, but the autumn heat is still fierce. He was holding half a watermelon, scooping it out with a spoon and eating it, his face covered in juice, looking very content.

The junior official rushed in with the official document, his face changing color:

"My lord! My lord! An official document from the capital! The Crown Prince is selecting a consort! And he's chosen from our county!"

"puff--" The magistrate nearly spat out a mouthful of watermelon flesh. He quickly put the watermelon down, wiped his hands on his official robe, took the document, and almost threw the watermelon rind away.

He slapped his thigh and exclaimed loudly, "Hey! The Crown Prince is choosing a bride in our county! This is an incredibly joyous occasion!"

That afternoon, county government officials carried red notices and posted them at the four gates of the county seat and in all the towns and markets.

The red background with black characters, stamped with the county government seal, was written clearly.

The village head and township security officers also got involved, knocking on doors and shouting as if announcing good news:

"Attention everyone! His Highness the Crown Prince is selecting a consort! Families with unmarried daughters aged 18 to 22, from families with clean records and no criminal record, are welcome to register at the county government!"

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If you're chosen, you'll be the Crown Princess, and later, the Empress!

The county town was instantly in an uproar, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured into a pot of oil.

Everyone was talking about it—on the streets, at the market, and even on the kang (heated brick bed) at home.

If a family has a daughter of suitable age, the parents get together and whisper among themselves, their eyes lighting up:

"Really? The Crown Prince is choosing a consort? Our daughter is just twenty, why don't we sign her up and give it a try? If she's chosen, our family will be set for life!"

..................

Regarding Liu Ce's temple name and posthumous title.

Temple names: 1. Zhongzu, 2. Liezu, 3. Shengzu Posthumous title: 1. Emperor Shenwu (his reign title was also his posthumous title) 2. Emperor Zhaowu 3. The Radiant and Martial Holy Emperor (Breaking with Tradition) Dear readers, if you have any other suggestions, please feel free to offer them.