Of course Yang Fan was happy to see the girls get along well with each other.
In the next few days, Yang Fan finally lived the life of a wealthy landlord.
What only made him a little depressed was that Princess Changle always used various reasons to shirk Yang Fan from staying overnight when she saw that Gao Yang could not move for several days due to the trauma caused by the wedding ceremony.
Of course, there were several women in the backyard, and Yang Fan was not short of women, so he was not in a hurry to eat Princess Changle.
Sometimes, the vague ambiguity can deepen the relationship between two people.
Three days passed by in an instant, and Yang Fan planned to take Chang Le and Princess Gao Yang back home.
Returning to one’s home is also called “Guining” or “returning to one’s parents’ home”.
According to the marriage customs of the Han people, returning home is the first time that a newlywed couple returns to their parents' home to visit relatives. The couple pairs up and pays homage to the woman's parents, which is naturally an indispensable etiquette in ancient times.
Even if His Majesty Li Er is the emperor, he cannot avoid such customs.
Of course, a courtesy was required when returning home. Looking at the gifts pulled by more than a dozen carriages, Yang Fan's eyes twitched.
Wu Meiniang is such a generous girl. The return gifts are more than ten cars. Many people don't need so many gifts when they get married. She is really rich.
However, Yang Fan didn't want to think about it. If he married two princesses at the same time, if he didn't prepare more money, he would lose the Yang family's face.
Besides, the door-returning ceremony should not be an odd number, but an even number, which means that the couple will be in pairs and will be together for a hundred years. An odd number is unlucky.
There are two brides this time, which is equivalent to preparing two gift lists for one person. Of course, there are a lot of gifts.
Yang Fan, Chang Le and Gao Yang took a carriage and stopped outside Chengtian Gate. At this time, there were already a group of maids waiting.
More than a dozen carriages carrying various gifts were led to the palace gate on one side, where they were counted and recorded by the palace's housekeeper.
The weather in December is a bit cold, so Yang Fan and the others certainly can't wait here.
Under the guidance of the old eunuch Wang Huangui, several people walked towards the Manna Hall.
As the saying goes, people become better with age, not to mention a thoughtful eunuch like Wang Huangui.
Along the way, Wang Huangui and Yang Fan kept talking and seemed very familiar with each other.
Now Yang Fan's rise is unstoppable.
The prince-in-law, county prince, and country prince who are nearly twenty years old...
Wang Huangui has seen a lot, but for a young county official like Yang Fan, who is about to become a high official, Wang Huangui cannot help but look at him differently.
What's more important is that in all dynasties, there have never been two high-ranking princesses promised to one person.
It can be predicted that as long as Yang Fan goes to Jiangnan, as long as he works steadily and makes corresponding achievements, he will definitely be promoted to a central official of the empire after returning to Beijing.
Even the position of a prime minister is very possible.
Yang Fan walked beside Wang Huangui and asked while chatting and laughing: "I am about to leave for Jiangnan after the end of the year. It is only more than a month ago. Last time I heard you always said that your hometown is at the foot of Wuyi Mountain and there are still some tribesmen there?"
"As you know, Mr. and Mrs.'s fiefdom is in Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, just one step away from Wuyi Mountain. If my father-in-law has anything to convey or take care of, just say it's okay."
Wang Huangui bowed slightly and said gratefully: "I thanked the Prince Consort, but all the sisters in the family are deceased, but one of my brother's nephews is quite talented. If the Prince Consort needs some people who are familiar with the local area, he can be trained under his command. Of course, if he doesn't get the chance to be on the stage, the master doesn't have to give the slave face, the slave girl has bought him several acres of thin farmland, and as long as he works hard, he should be able to have enough to eat."
Wang Huangui was very grateful that Yang Fan still remembered his last promise.
This is a good opportunity for his Wang family members to rise. Of course, everything depends on whether Yang Fan can take advantage of it.
If future generations don't live up to expectations, he won't force it.
Over the years, although His Majesty's restraint on eunuchs has been very strict, the power is still considerable.
The reason why he did not let his clan members get involved in officialdom was that he was waiting for an opportunity. Wang Huangui felt that this opportunity was now ripe.
As Li Er's confidant eunuch, although he is not allowed to make friends with foreign ministers, he is not allowed to participate in political affairs.
But now that Yang Fan has spoken out, Wang Huangui naturally follows suit...
Besides, if the clan members are really talented, it will be a great help to Yang Fan, so why not?
Yang Fan smiled slightly and said: "Father-in-law, you are being humble. As long as your nephew can have one-tenth of my father-in-law's wisdom, I will definitely put him in a good position. I'm afraid your nephew will think that my temple is too small to accommodate him." !”
Yang Fan said this, of course, not to praise Wang Huangui.
Wang Huangui can become Li Er's confidant eunuch, so of course he has his own means of survival.
Not to mention other things, whether it is brains, eyesight or adaptability, they are definitely first-rate.
Since he said that his nephew is quite talented, it must not be much worse.
What's more, this time he went south to an unfamiliar place, and Yang Fan also hoped to find some familiar people to guide him.
Wang Huangui smiled calmly: "The consort is really overrated. The old slave is just a eunuch, how can he be wise?"
"But I heard that my nephew has traveled to many places in the south of the Yangtze River in the past few years. It should be helpful for the father-in-law to understand the customs and customs there."
Yang Fan chuckled and said: "It's been a long drought and rain and dew. I don't know who to ask for advice on the customs and customs of Jiangnan. It's such a timely rain!"
"If father-in-law is free, you can send me a letter home, otherwise you will think I am a liar!"
Wang Huangui was inexplicably moved: "Thank you, sir. It happens to be the New Year's Eve, and I was just thinking of writing a letter. I will explain it clearly."
Wang Huangui knew that as long as his nephew was not a wimp, he would be able to enter the officialdom in the future.
Not to mention other things, as long as they are protected by Yang Fan, their own clan will be considered a prosperous clan in the place from now on.
Glancing at Yang Fan gratefully, Wang Huangui lowered his head and didn't say much. Some words don't need to be said out loud, just keep them in mind.
While talking, they came to the gate of Ganlu Hall.
Wang Huangui bowed slightly and said: "Your Majesty once ordered that when the princess and the consort arrive, just go in directly. The old slave is waiting outside the palace. If you need anything, let me know."
Yang Fan clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, father-in-law!"
Chang Le and Princess Gao Yang also smiled and nodded to express their gratitude, and then joined hands with Yang Fan to enter the gate of Ganlu Hall.
Wang Huangui looked at Yang Fan's back and became slightly distracted. After today, this Fu Ma Ye may be about to soar into the sky!
Chang Le and Gao Yang walked side by side. They just walked into the gate and looked around. There was no one around. Then he asked in a low voice: "Why does your husband want to make friends with internal servants? According to the law of the Tang Dynasty, foreign ministers are not allowed to make friends with internal servants."
Yang Fan chuckled and said: "Madam, this crime is not a small one, please don't harm me! Furthermore, His Majesty once said that no matter one's origin, only one should be judged by his talents. Didn't Wang Huangui say that his nephew is quite talented? When I recommend talents to the imperial court, I am not forming cliques!"
"Of course, if your wife is considerate of your husband, then hurry up and add a fat boy to our Yang family. When they grow up quickly and can contribute to the court, you can resign for your husband and become a happy master. What do you think?"
"I'm too lazy to pay attention to you. If you want a fat boy, go find your sister... Humph!" Of course Princess Changle knew what Yang Fan meant. It was obvious that Yang Fan deliberately said this to her before consummating the marriage. Her pretty white face suddenly became full of tears. He looked at Hongyun, rolled his eyes, and pretended not to understand.
With that said, he took Princess Gaoyang's little hand and walked quickly towards the palace.
There was a charcoal fire burning in the hall, mixed with sandalwood, which seemed very comfortable.
His Majesty Li Er was dressed in bright yellow clothes and was sitting on the dragon couch, holding a book in his hand and reading with gusto.
Yang Fan walked a few steps quickly, prostrated himself on the ground with Chang Le and Gao Yang, and shouted: "My son, I have met my father."
His Majesty Li Er put the book in his hand aside and said with a chuckle: "My son and mother must be polite, beautiful and shuer. The weather is a bit cold, so hurry up and come to your father. It is warm here. You have been there for several days. Quickly let your father see if he has lost weight?
Chang Le and Gao Yang obediently stood up and snuggled next to His Majesty Li Er, saying coquettishly: "Father, it's true. We are not going up mountains of swords and seas of fire. How can we lose weight in just a few days?"
His Majesty Li Er looked at his two daughters with a doting look on his face and said, "You are my father's darlings. Although it has only been a few days, in my father's heart, it feels like three autumns have passed. I am worried about you every day. The days are like years, I’m just waiting for you to come back.”
"Father, I miss you too!" Chang Le and Gao Yang held Li Er's arms, their bright eyes filled with moisture, and their voices were sobbing.
His Majesty Li Er calmed down, forced a smile, patted his two daughters on the shoulders, and said: "Go and hang out with your mother and aunt. They miss you too. Since they are here, then stay for a few more days. The New Year will be approaching soon, so you should spend more time with your brothers and sisters."
"We don't want to act like children, lest this bastard Yang Fan makes fun of our father and daughter who can't hide their tears."
Princess Changle looked at Yang Fan with a half-smile and asked, "Husband, is this really the case?"
"Madam, Your Majesty is joking!" Yang Fan felt as if he had eaten a fly.
This Li Er has no good intentions. He is obviously trying to sow discord between them as husband and wife.
Princess Gao Yang also raised her pretty face and said proudly: "Father, don't worry. If he dares to laugh at us, let Sister Changle ignore him again. Let's see if he dares?"
His Majesty Li Er laughed in surprise: "Haha, okay, we, father and daughter, will work together and ignore him. Let's see what this kid can do!"
Unfortunately, Li Er didn't know that Gao Yang was ignoring her and not letting Princess Changle and Yang Fan consummate their marriage.
Knowing that Li Er had gone astray, Princess Changle couldn't help but blush slightly, and secretly glared at Gao Yang.
Afraid that Gao Yang would say any nonsense again, he hurriedly got up and pulled Princess Gao Yang away from the Manna Palace.
Seeing Li Er drive away his wives, Yang Fan looked depressed and looked at His Majesty Li Er with dissatisfaction.
Are there any fathers like you?
He actually openly united with his daughter to oppress his son-in-law. Is there any royal law?
Watching his daughter leave, His Majesty Li Er looked at the hesitant Yang Fan with a smile, and asked: "Why, we have a deep love for each other as father and daughter, but we have joined forces to bully you. How dare you have any objection?"
Yang Fan curled his lips: "How dare you, my son?"
The meaning is obvious, it’s not that I don’t have it, but I don’t dare.
Seeing Yang Fan's depressed look, His Majesty Li Er was obviously in a good mood and couldn't help but laugh.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have it or if you don’t dare, you have to endure it no matter what!
He raised his hand and motioned for Yang Fan to sit at the bottom, and then asked: "I will go to Jiangnan after the new year. Do you have any plans to deal with it?"
When it came to the topic, Yang Fan looked solemn and said: "Not only are there many noble families in Jiangnan, there are also some Shanyue people who are not under the jurisdiction of the imperial court and the local area. It is difficult for them to have a high sense of belonging to the imperial court."
"Of course, this is not unbreakable. As long as Your Majesty is willing to delegate power, I can defeat them one by one, and even make them docile and willing to be driven by the imperial court."
Shanyue is the general name for the descendants of the Guyue people who were distributed in mountainous areas such as Jiangnan Road (today's Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Fujian) during the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, and is a branch of Shanbaiyue.
As a result of the long-term ethnic integration since the Qin and Han Dynasties, Shanyue is no longer much different from the Han people, including some Han people who entered the mountains to avoid government taxes and servitude.
These people had a very low sense of belonging to the imperial court. Li Er sent Zhang Liang to encircle and suppress the Shanyue people several times, hoping to get these people to live out of the mountains and accept the jurisdiction of the imperial court, but the effect was not very good.
Now Yang Fan says it can be easily solved,
His Majesty Li Er was of course shocked.
Qing Qing thought that this kid didn't know the complicated situation over there and had no plan. Now it seems that Yang Fan is obviously well prepared.
Sure enough, I didn’t let myself down!
As an emperor, he certainly knew the complexity of the land south of the Yangtze River.
Not only were the gentry rampant, but there were also many bandits. Therefore, the court's control over Jiangnan was very weak.
Yang Fan wrote so lightly that Li Er was surprised and a little suspicious at the same time.
This problem has been left over for a long time, and Yang Fan can really solve it easily.
If it were that simple, wouldn't it make other people look incompetent?
Thinking of this, Li Er couldn't help but ask: "What can I do?"
Yang Fan confidently said: "For the seven Jiangnan nobles, we must win over some and suppress some. For mountains and bandits, those who obey will prosper, those who resist will perish, and those who disobey must be suppressed with thunderous means. Of course, the premise of all this is Your Majesty has given me sufficient authority."
After hearing Yang Fan's words, His Majesty Li Er hesitated!
If this approach is followed, the land of Jiangnan may usher in a bloody storm.
Fortunately, if it succeeds, the imperial court will be able to firmly control the land south of the Yangtze River in the future.
If it fails, the court will inevitably experience turmoil.
As an emperor, and striving to become the first emperor throughout the ages, Li Erxia was of course not willing to have China appear under his rule.
Moreover, only by completely controlling the land south of the Yangtze River can he carry out the Eastern Expedition without any worries.
After all, the land of Jiangnan is rich in food. Only with the full support of Jiangnan can the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
Although Yang Fan has developed a high-yielding crop like Zhenguan sweet potato, it will take five or ten years to fully promote it.
It's been such a long time, and of course His Majesty Li Er doesn't want to wait any longer.
The most important thing is that Li Er has felt that he has some physical problems recently.
It turns out that as long as you take Fanseng's pills, you will be energetic for most of the day.
Nowadays, taking pills can only last for one or two hours, and people are very tired after the effects of the medicine wear off.
Although Li Er knew there was something wrong with the pill, unfortunately, he could no longer get rid of his dependence on the pill.
In order to realize the dream of one emperor through the ages, it is only possible to achieve this goal by raising materials for the Eastern Expedition as soon as possible.
Then, the land south of the Yangtze River is particularly important.
The amount of food and grass supplies required for the Eastern Expedition to Goryeo must be astronomical, and it was only possible with the full support of the fertile Jiangnan.
This time, His Majesty Li Er also gave Yang Fan careful consideration when asking him to go to the south of the Yangtze River.
Only people like Yang Fan, who are unconstrained and unconventional, can break the status quo in Jiangnan.
So, His Majesty Li Er gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, I will give you the maximum room to perform. I hope you will not disappoint me."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured that your trip to Jiangnan will not disappoint you. If there are no accidents, there may be unexpected gains!" Yang Fan endured the joy in his heart and patted his chest to assure him.
"Oh, Lian wait!"
After saying that, an old man and a young man chatted happily in the Manna Hall, making hair-raising laughter from time to time.
This made the chambermaids and maids waiting outside curious.
This prince-in-law is indeed extraordinary. I have never seen any courtier or prince-in-law so popular with His Majesty!
Even Changsun Wuji, his uncle, was not so close to the emperor, right?
After talking for a while, His Majesty Li Er seemed very satisfied and said with a smile: "Then I will wait for the good news. I hope you will not disappoint me. After you return home, the imperial edict will be delivered soon. I will let others arrange it as you said." Send it to you."
"In addition, the New Year is approaching. During this time, you should spend time with Changle and Gao Yang at home. You don't need to come to court every day. After the Lantern Festival, you will be ready to set off."
After speaking, Li Er waved his hands slightly tiredly and said nothing more.
"promise!"
Yang Fan was extremely happy to receive His Majesty Li Er's assurance and was full of expectations for his trip to Jiangnan.
