The news that King Chu and Zhang Gong had completely recovered Shu reached the capital, making everyone in the court very happy and excited.
Recovering Shu has always been the emperor's wish, and it was also the last wish of the late emperor. When the late emperor was dying, he repeatedly told the emperor that he must kill Han Zhong, that turtle grandson, and take back the land of Shu. Now, it is a great joy for Dazhou to finally take back the land of Shu.
The emperor issued a decree to reward the soldiers who made contributions to the recovery of Shu. The emperor also generously rewarded Han Zhong's eldest son who took the initiative to surrender to the Zhou Dynasty.
Before rewarding Han Zhong, the emperor discussed with the ministers how to reward him. Many ministers proposed to make Han Zhong's eldest son king and let the Han family be stationed in Shu for generations. This would make the Han family loyal to the court from generation to generation. However, He Xiang and Liu Taishi thought this proposal was not good.
He Xiang and others felt that naming Han Zhong's eldest son a king with a different surname and allowing his descendants to inherit the throne for generations would only make them more ambitious. In the future, the Han family would inevitably rebel and continue to occupy Shu.
The land of Shu has been taken back, and it is a city of the Zhou Dynasty. It should not be left to one family to take charge of it for the rest of our lives. The land of Shu must be controlled by the imperial court, so that the land of Shu can completely belong to the imperial court.
The emperor agreed with He Xiang's view and did not support the canonization of Han Zhong's eldest son as king. He decreed that Han Zhong's eldest son be canonized as the governor of Shu, and he would continue to be in charge of Shu. Not only that, he was also rewarded with a lot of gold, silver and jewelry.
Although Han Zhong's eldest son can continue to be in charge of Shu, the power in his hands will be reduced a lot. The imperial court will send new officials to serve in Shu. As for the former Shu officials, most of them followed Han Zhong's youngest son in rebellion. Those who should be beheaded were beheaded, those who should be exiled were exiled, those who should be jailed were imprisoned, and those who should be demoted were demoted.
As for the officials who followed Han Zhong's eldest son, most of them could stay in their posts, but they could not hold important positions as before.
In addition to the purge of the officialdom in Shu, the aristocratic families, squires, businessmen, etc. in Shu were also purged.
Most of these aristocratic families, squires and businessmen rebelled with Han Zhong's youngest son. The emperor ordered King Chu and Zhang Gong to confiscate these people's homes, and the property they confiscated was shocking.
Neither the emperor nor the ministers expected that Shu was so rich, and the property they copied was even more than the money in the national treasury.
If he had known that Shu was so rich and had so much food, the emperor regretted not attacking Shu earlier. If we conquer Shu early, the national treasury will be rich.
This time the emperor sent Taishi Liu to Shu to handle the follow-up matters. The land of Shu is not small and there are many things that need to be dealt with. Taishi Liu will have to stay in Shu for the New Year this year and will not be able to return to the capital until next spring.
The emperor left the military affairs of Shu to Zhang Gong and Song Dekang to handle together. A few years ago, Song Dekang had handled military affairs in Yangzhou. He had experience in this area, so it was most appropriate to send him to assist Zhang Gong.
Zhang Gong had to stay in Shu to handle military affairs and had no time to return to Beijing with the King of Chu to receive the reward. However, he sent his son back to Beijing to receive the reward.
Before the end of the year, the King of Chu led the soldiers who suppressed Shu and returned to Beijing in triumph. The King of Wei naturally followed the King of Chu and the others back to the capital. Now, they are on their way back to Beijing.
Before King Chu left to return to Beijing, the emperor originally wanted to issue an order to take Princess Chu and King Chu's son back to Beijing. However, Princess Chu was pregnant and could not travel far away for the time being, so the emperor had to let her stay in Liangzhou for the time being. As for the son of King Chu, because he was too young and because Princess Chu did not come to the capital, the emperor also asked him to stay in Liangzhou.
The emperor issued a decree to marry Li Houci to the King of Chu as his concubine. Concubine Li personally requested this marriage decree from the emperor.
Li Houci was determined to marry the King of Chu, even if it was the concubine, she was willing. If she cannot marry the King of Chu, she will become a monk. Li Pushe and the others had no choice but to help her.
Zhao Yao had gone to see Li Houci before and advised her not to put all her thoughts on King Chu. She could do what she wanted to do and also do something meaningful. However, Li Houci loved King Chu too much. She was taken into the palace by Concubine Li to raise and cultivate her since she was a child, and she knew that she would marry the King of Chu when she grew up, so she was the King of Chu in her heart since she was a child. When she grew up, she was suddenly asked to marry someone else, but she couldn't do it.
Zhao Yao saw that Li Houci was very affectionate towards the King of Chu, so he couldn't persuade her to do other things.
At this time, Zhao Yao was at the Prince Chu's Mansion, checking on the re-decoration of the Prince Chu's Mansion.
After King Chu left the capital, the palace of King Chu had been empty and no one had cleaned it. Now that King Chu is about to return to the capital, the palace of King Chu will naturally need to be renovated.
Zhao Yao checked it carefully and found that there was no problem, and felt relieved. At this moment, he was sitting on the kang, drinking tea and eating snacks.
A month or two ago, Zhao Yao got the kang out. During this period, the people in the capital all made kangs at home. Naturally, the Prince of Chu’s Mansion also wanted to do it.
"Your Highness, this is the Prince of Chu's Mansion, not your home. Is it appropriate for you to sit on the kang of the Prince of Chu's Mansion and drink tea and have snacks like this?" Tongxi complained.
Zhao Yao said very shamelessly: "Fourth brother's home is my home, and besides, Fourth brother won't care." After saying that, he rolled up on the kang, "It's so warm and comfortable."
"Your Highness, I really admire you!" Tong Xi said, giving a thumbs up to Zhao Yao, with a look of admiration on his face, "You actually made such a warm kang, it's really amazing!" Since His Highness, After getting out of the kang, everyone praised His Highness for his intelligence.
Zhao Yao waved his hand and said humbly: "It's not a big deal." In the dream, Zhao Yao's hometown had a kang, but he never remembered it. He only remembered this a month or two ago. If he had thought of it earlier, he wouldn't have had to suffer the cold in the winter these past few years.
"Your Highness, with the kang, we don't need to be afraid of the cold when sleeping at night." Tongxi also had a kang in his house, and it was very warm to sleep at night. "The kang is really a good thing."
Zhao Yao said proudly and proudly: "Nothing I have made is good."
"Yes, yes, your highness, the things you come up with are all good things."
At the same time, the emperor also sat on the Kang to review the memorial.
Since the creation of the kang, the emperor basically did not review memorials in the Imperial Study Room, but moved to Dongnuan Pavilion in Chengguang Hall to review memorials.
Sun Kui brought a cup of tea and said in a respectful tone: "Your Majesty, please take a sip of tea first."
The emperor happened to be thirsty, so he put down the memorial in his hand and took the tea cup from Sun Kui. He opened the tea cover and found that it was chrysanthemum tea. He raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Sun Kui: "Chrysanthemum tea?"
"Your Majesty, you seem to be a little angry. Drink some chrysanthemum tea to calm down the heat."
"When did I get angry?"
"Your Majesty, the imperial doctor said that if you sit on the kang all the time, you will easily get angry."
The emperor said nothing more, lowered his head and drank. I don’t know if I’m getting angry or not, but it’s true that I’ll get thirsty easily if I sit on the kang all the time. The emperor drank tea from time to time.
After drinking tea, the emperor collapsed facelessly on the pillow. Hearing the cold wind howling outside the window, he sighed: "It's so comfortable and warm." Since the Kang was introduced, except for going to court, the emperor basically stayed in the Dongnuan Pavilion all day long, even sleeping. "The kang that Xiao Shi made is really a good thing."
"Isn't that right? Since I got the kang, I no longer have to worry about being woken up by the cold when I sleep at night." Before there was a kang, he would put a few Yubazi warm quilts in his bed before going to bed at night. When sleeping, he would also hold a Tangbao in his arms, but Yubao could not stay warm forever. Basically, it would not be warm at midnight, and the bed would become cold, and he would wake up from the cold at that time.
He is older now and often wakes up from the cold on winter nights. However, since I got the kang, I no longer have to worry about the bed getting cold in the middle of the night, and can sleep warmly all night until dawn.
"This kid finally did something good this year." The emperor had already made a plan to promote kang in all parts of the Zhou Dynasty, especially in the cold places in the north.
Every winter, it gets very cold in the north, especially in the north. Many soldiers guard the northern border. Because the weather is too cold, some soldiers and people freeze to death every year. Now that there is a kang, the soldiers and people in the north no longer have to fear the cold weather.
When the kang was finished, the soldiers and people in the north sat on the hot kang and all cried with emotion.
Because of this incident, His Royal Highness Zhao Yao not only gained a wave of goodwill among the people, but also earned a wave of fame in the military camp.
As long as they lie on the warm kang, the people and soldiers will feel grateful to His Highness from the bottom of their hearts.
The emergence of kang also saved many lives. Every winter, in addition to many people freezing to death, some people also die from charcoal poisoning. Now that there is a kang, there is no need to burn charcoal for warmth day and night, and there is no need to worry about death from poisoning.
"Your Highness the Tenth Prince is truly a god. He could come up with something as good as the kang." Sun Kui admired him wholeheartedly.
When the emperor heard Sun Kui describe his youngest son as "god-man", a look of pride appeared on his face. He said with a smile on his face: "This kid is a god." If he is not a god, how could Xiao Shi have such fantastic ideas in his head.
"A few years ago, His Highness the Tenth Prince came up with the idea of using cotton to make cotton-padded clothes and quilts so that everyone could wear them warmly. This year, His Highness the Tenth Prince came up with a kang to keep everyone warm at night. His Highness the Tenth Prince is really for everyone. the little sun."
When the emperor heard Sun Kui praising his youngest son as a "little sun", he couldn't help but smile and said: "Little sun?"
"Yes, I heard that the common people praised His Highness as the little sun." Sun Kui said.
The emperor asked curiously: "Why the little sun?"
"Because the sun is warm, and the Kang made by His Highness brought warmth to the people, so the people praised His Highness as the Little Sun." Sun Kui said with a smile, "I think the title Little Sun is very suitable for His Highness. .”
The emperor smiled happily and said, "Little Sun, you really know how to praise."
At this time, Sun Kui suddenly remembered the name of His Highness Tenth, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Isn't His Highness's name the sun?" The word "Yao" means bright, but also means the sun. "Your Majesty, you are truly foresighted."
Hearing Sun Kui's flattery, the emperor smiled and said: "Back then, I named Xiao Shi [Yao] because Xiaoxiao dreamed that the sun was setting in her belly one day."
Sun Kui was shocked when he heard it for the first time. His mind was spinning quickly and he hurriedly congratulated the emperor: "Your Majesty, this is an auspicious dream."
"I felt the same way at the time. An old Taoist priest once told me that Xiao Shi is the sun of the Great Zhou and will bring brilliant light to the Great Zhou."
"His Royal Highness Tenth has done it." Sun Kui said with a somewhat excited tone, "You see, everything His Highness has made has benefited the people, allowing them to have enough food to eat and warm clothes." The Quyuuli that His Highness made before made Grain production increased a lot in many places during the Great Zhou Dynasty, allowing the people to have enough to eat. There are also cotton-padded clothes and Kangs, which not only keep people warm in winter, but also allow them to sleep warmly.
"It's nothing, this kid still has a lot of skills that he hasn't used yet." The emperor smiled mysteriously, "If this kid gets everything out of his head, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty will undergo earth-shaking changes. "
"My servant believes in the ability of His Highness Tenth Highness." Sun Kui did not hear the hidden meaning of the emperor's words.
The emperor chuckled and said: "What this boy makes now is just a small joke."
When Sun Kui heard this, his face was filled with astonishment and he said: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Tenth Highness has made such a good thing, and it is just a small fuss. So what is the Tenth Highness going to make to make a big fuss?" Sun Kui I feel that the emperor's requirements for Zhao Yao are a bit high.
The emperor smiled meaningfully: "You will know later."
"The slave is looking forward to it."
While talking, Sun Doudou walked in. He first saluted the emperor respectfully, and then reported: "Your Majesty, Marquis Anyang wants to see you."
When the emperor heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly, and then raised an intriguing smile on his lips: "We are finally here." Then he ordered Sun Doudou, "Tell him to come in."
A moment later, Marquis Anyang walked in. He first saluted the emperor respectfully, and then took out a memorial from his arms.
Sun Kui took the memorial and handed it to the emperor with both hands.
The emperor opened the memorial and saw what he expected. However, there was a furious look on his face.
"Anyang Hou, is the content in your memorial true?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not lie. Everything I said in the memorial is true, and I have evidence." Anyang Marquis said, "Your Majesty, please take a closer look."
The emperor had a gloomy face and an angry tone: "How did you know about this?"
"My son accidentally heard about it when he was doing business in the Western Regions. He then investigated the matter in depth." Marquis Anyang did not dare to hide anything, "My son has been investigating this matter for the past few years, and finally found evidence. This is why I will report to you."
"Which of your sons?"
"My fourth son, Wang Siqi." Anyang Hou said truthfully, "He has been doing business in the Western Regions over the years and got to know some Huns. This matter was learned from the people of those Huns." Anyang Hou thought about it. The credit for this matter should be placed on the head of the eldest son, but he did not dare, because this matter was a serious matter. After the emperor learned about it, he would definitely send someone to investigate the matter thoroughly. When the time comes, he would definitely find out that it was the fourth son who investigated the matter. from.
The emperor looked at Sun Kui and ordered: "Go and bring Wang Siqi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wang Siqi had been waiting at the entrance of the palace for a long time, and soon he was taken into Dongnuan Pavilion by Sun Doudou.
Sun Kui took Sun Doudou out of Dongnuan Pavilion and guarded the door. Not long after, the emperor's roar was heard, scaring Sun Kui and the others to their knees immediately.
I don’t know what Anyang Hou and his son said to the emperor. The emperor was very angry.
After Anyang Hou and his son left, the emperor called the secret guard over and ordered him to investigate some things.
The secret guard Jia took the order and left Dong Nuan Pavilion. Seeing him come out of Nuan Pavilion, Sun Doudou asked his master in a low voice: "Master, what is the identity of this master?"
Over the years, Sun Doudou has seen the secret guard Jia many times, but she has never known his identity. She only knows that he is a secret guard. Of course, I don't know what his name is.
Sun Kui glanced at Sun Doudou: "Why are you asking so many questions?"
"I'm just curious."
"If it's not something you should know, you can't ask." Sun Kui pursed his lips towards the back of the hidden guard as he left. "This lord's identity is unusual, and it's not something you can ask about."
After hearing this, Sun Doudou made a cute gesture: "I understand, Master."
Sun Kui didn't talk to his apprentice anymore and hurried into Dongnuan Pavilion. As expected, he saw the fragments of tea cups lying on the ground. He hurriedly knelt down to clean them up. Then, a new cup of chrysanthemum tea was brought.
"Your Majesty, please calm down and don't let your anger break the dragon's body."
"I'm not angry." The gloom on the emperor's face disappeared instantly, and the thunderous and angry look just now was nowhere to be seen. "How was my performance just now?"
"Ah?" Sun Kui was stunned. It took him a while to react, and he said with a surprised expression, "Your Majesty, you were acting just now."
"Yes, I acted well."
"Your Majesty, your anger scared the slaves just now." Sun Kui asked with confusion on his face, "Why are you acting?"
"Because I have known about what Marquis Anyang reported for a long time." The emperor clicked his tongue and said, "Lao Ba really did not disappoint me."
His Highness the King of Wei?
Weren't they Anyang Hou and his son just now? Why is His Highness King Wei involved? Shouldn't it be His Highness King Zheng?
Sun Kui was full of questions, but he didn't dare to ask.
The emperor said nothing and continued to review the memorial.
Anyang Hou and his son were sitting on the bullock cart returning home. Marquis Anyang's face was full of joy, and his eyes looking at Wang Siqi were full of love.
"You have made great contributions to the Wang family this time, and the emperor will definitely reward our Anyang Marquis Mansion generously."
Wang Siqi said obediently: "Dad, this is what I should do."
Marquis Anyang smiled happily and said, "You have never let me down in your work these years. I am very happy."
"This is all thanks to your trust in me, dad." Wang Siqi's face was full of joy and excitement, "And dad, you have cultivated me."
Seeing the fourth son's eyes full of admiration and gratitude, Marquis Anyang looked at him with even more kindness.
"It's your own fault. You've been smart since you were a child."
Wang Siqi's eyes turned slightly red after hearing this. In fact, I feel very disdainful.
In the bullock cart, there was an atmosphere of fatherly kindness and filial piety. The atmosphere in the Anyang Hou Mansion was not good.
Zhao Yao stayed in the Prince of Chu's Mansion for a while and then went to the Prince of Wei's Mansion. However, he did not go in. Instead, he asked the housekeeper at the door if anything had happened in Prince Wei's mansion and if his eighth sister-in-law was okay.
The housekeeper told Zhao Yao that everything was normal in the palace and nothing happened. After hearing this, Zhao Yao left with peace of mind.
"Your Highness, why don't you go in? Why are you asking at the gate of the palace?"
"Of course it's to avoid suspicion." Zhao Yao said, "My eighth brother is not in the house, but my eighth sister-in-law is. My brother-in-law comes often, and the influence is not good."
"Your Highness, how old are you?"
Zhao Yao glared at Tongxi: "I'm not young anymore." He added, "The main reason is that I don't know how to get along with Eighth Sister-in-law." Eighth Sister-in-law is a person who is described as gentle at best and nerdy at worst. Eighth sister-in-law likes reading very much. No, to be precise, she is obsessed with books. She can't help but immerse herself in reading every day. "Go to the second uncle's place."
He Lianfang was playing chess with herself when she saw Zhao Yao coming and asked him to play chess.
The master and apprentice fought happily on the chess game before stopping.
He Lianfang sat on the kang and chatted with Zhao Yao.
Ever since he got the kang, he has sat on it all day long and never went out to bask in the sun.
Zhao Yao sat opposite He Lianfang, drinking milk tea and eating snacks.
At this time, the butler who seemed to be unable to speak came in and handed He Lianfang a rolled up note.
After He Lianfang took it and opened it, he opened it and looked at it, then said to Zhao Yao, whose mouth was full: "The Marquis of Anyang brought Wang Siqi into the palace to expose the Marquis of Jingyang's collusion with the Huns."
Zhao Yao hurriedly finished the snack in his mouth, almost choking because he ate too fast.
"Why did Anyang Hou and his son expose Jingyang Hou?"
"Your eighth brother wants to give Wang Siqi a great service and make Wang Siqi more useful in the Wang family."
"No matter how much Wang Siqi is used, the Marquis of Anyang will not let him replace his eldest son as the eldest son of the Marquis of Anyang."
He Lianfang said with a half-smile, "I guess it won't be long before the eldest son of the Anyang Marquis Mansion will die."
"It's impossible. It's impossible for Bage and the others to get rid of the eldest son of Anyang Houfu in the capital." Zhao Yao felt that He Lianfang's guess was wrong, "Besides, since the two legitimate sons of Jingyang Houfu were assassinated in the Western Regions, other aristocratic families They don’t even dare to let their legitimate son leave the capital and travel far away.”
"Your eighth brother is quite capable." He Lianfang said, "Just wait and see, he will make Wang Siqi the heir apparent of the Anyang Marquis Mansion."
Zhao Yao still thought it was impossible.
"By the way, Meng Changce is going back to Jiangnan."
"He's going back to Jiangnan so soon." Zhao Yao looked surprised, "I thought he would go to the north."
"The weather in the north is so cold that Meng Changce's body cannot bear it."
"Too."
Meng Changce has been giving lectures for more than half a year and has traveled to many places. It is time to return to his hometown of Jiangnan to give lectures.
"There is something wrong with Meng Changce's health."
Zhao Yao asked hurriedly: "What's the problem?"
"He became weak, but it's nothing serious. He has to go back to Jiangnan to recover for a while."
Zhao Yao felt relieved when he heard that there was nothing serious.
"Mr. Meng is eighty or ninety years old. He has been giving lectures in various places in the north for the past six months. He will definitely become acclimatized and it is normal for his body to become weak."
"Cough cough cough cough..." Mr. Meng, who was nervous about Zhao Yao, was on the boat back to Jiangnan. He was wearing a tiger skin cloak, sitting at his desk, writing something intently.
"Sir, you have been writing for two hours, it's time to rest." The book boy brought a cup of hot tea, "Please drink some hot tea to warm yourself first."
"I'll drink it after I finish it."
"Why are you so anxious? It's too late to write again when you return to Jiangnan."
Mr. Meng said: "It will be too late to write when I return to Jiangnan." He felt that his body was gradually getting weaker again. When he returned to Jiangnan, he was afraid that time would be running out.
The bookboy couldn't persuade Mr. Meng, so he could only stand aside and sigh.
Ladies, please take a day off. I had insomnia yesterday and am not in a good state today. The content I wrote looks like shit. I will not update it tonight. I will update it tomorrow.
I finished writing a chapter yesterday, but I wasn’t satisfied with the content, so I didn’t update it. I updated a little more today, and I should be able to resume double updates in two days.
It’s the end of the month, fellow veterans, please vote!
(End of chapter)
