Chapter 4

Chapter 4

8:00. I returned to Yangxin Hall to handle state affairs and review memorials.

The Late Emperor was the most diligent. In his thirteen-year reign, he personally annotated 22,000 palace memorials and 190,000 formal reports.

That was why the plaque hanging in Yangxin Hall read: “Diligent in Governance, Close to the Worthy.”

But I cannot do that. Managing to write replies in my own hand is already the limit of my ability.

So after I ascended the throne, I had the plaque changed to: “It is Hard to Be a Ruler.”

Of course, when it comes to important formal reports and memorials, I will certainly review and respond to them seriously.

As for palace memorials, it depends. If I have time, I will reply.

But there are always certain memorials I really do not feel like answering.

Year 3, Third Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well. My complexion and appetite are both excellent. Do not worry too much about me.

Year 3, Fourth Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well.

Year 3, Fifth Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well. I have gained a little more weight.

Year 3, Sixth Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well.

Year 3, Seventh Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well.

Year 3, Eighth Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well.

Year 3, Ninth Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well.

Year 3, Ninth Month, Twenty-Second Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Submits the record of sunshine and rain, along with the prices of rice and grain.

I: I am well.

Year 3, Tenth Month, First Day.

Capital Textile Commissioner: Respectfully inquires after Your Majesty’s sacred health.

I: I am well.

…

I gave you a memorial box, not so you could send me greetings every month!

You even made me write the wrong reply on a memorial!

Year 5, Fifth Month, Twenty-Fifth Day.

Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang: Submits mangoes and other native products from the foreign settlements.

I: Noted. Such things are all useless. There is no need to send them again.

Year 5, Sixth Month, Twenty-Third Day.

Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang: Submits mangoes and other native products from the foreign settlements.

I: Noted. Since mangoes were something I had never seen before, I originally wanted to have a look. Now that I have, they seem utterly useless. There is no need to send them ever again.

Year 5, Seventh Month, Twenty-Eighth Day.

Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang: Submits mangoes and other native products from the foreign settlements.

I: Noted.

I told you not to send them, and you still sent them!

Do I look like someone who loves mangoes?!

The Empress broke out in a rash after eating them and has ignored me for several days already!

Stop sending them!

…

Year 5, Eighth Month, Fifteenth Day.

Governor-General of Fujian and Zhejiang: Submits tea leaves from Mount Wuyi and other goods.

Noted.

Why are there no mangoes this time? Are they out of season?

…