A night of silence.
It's half past nine o'clock the next day.
When the eastern sky is filled with wisps of glow.
From the Qingyun Courtyard, the ancestral residence of the Zhu family, the sounds of sharp blades piercing the air were heard one after another.
The head of the Zhu family, Zhu Guangli, dressed in thin brocade clothes, held a green steel sword and waved it wantonly in the cold morning wind.
The sound of sharp blades cutting through the air came from the green steel sword in his hand.
A corner of the courtyard.
A graceful middle-aged woman held a snow-white cloak in her hands and stood quietly under the eaves.
He looked calmly at Zhu Guangli who was waving the three-foot green peak in his hand wantonly in the courtyard.
If you look closely, it is not difficult to find that there is a hint of worry under his calm eyes.
And she is the daughter of the Meng family of Zhuo County, the mistress of the Zhu family and the wife of Zhu Guangli, the Ming matchmaker.
She is also the biological mother of Zhu Zongting and Zhu Wanning.
After a while.
Zhu Guangli panted and slowly put away the three-foot green peak in his hand.
Then he walked slowly towards the middle-aged woman.
"Master, will you return to Yunzhong today?"
Mrs. Meng slowly stepped forward and gently put the snow-white cloak in her arms around Zhu Guangli.
"After saying hello to my father, I will return to the clouds."
Zhu Guangli handed the green steel sword in his hand to the maid beside him, and then slowly answered.
"It's the twelfth lunar month."
Mrs. Meng paused while adjusting her cloak, and then spoke softly to remind her.
Zhu Guangli sighed deeply when he heard this, and then slowly held Mrs. Meng's cold hands.
"People's livelihood in the clouds is already very difficult."
"Now it's time for the two countries to go to war again."
"Food prices are getting higher and higher."
"But there's another snowstorm in Liaodong."
"As a result, the price of charcoal and firewood in the clouds increases day by day."
"As a husband without talent, I served as an official in Yunzhong for three years."
"It can only protect the people in the clouds from hunger and cold."
"Now, my husband is about to step down from office."
"Once my husband leaves office, who will be willing to suppress food prices and charcoal prices for thousands of people in the clouds?"
"I'm afraid of my husband."
"My husband is afraid that as soon as he steps forward, the people in the cloud will starve to death or freeze to death."
"Therefore, if you can be your husband for more than one day in the clouds, let it be more than one day."
"At least... at least I have to protect them through this year."
Zhu Guangli had a sad look on his face and spoke slowly.
He served as an official in Yunzhong for three years, although he was not considered an honest official. Although he will also use his power for personal gain.
However, under its governance, the people's livelihood in Yunzhong County is mostly stable.
Although the food is not exquisite and the clothing is not gorgeous.
But food can satisfy the hunger and clothing can cover the body.
People in this era really don’t want much.
Just have enough food to satisfy your hunger and enough clothing to cover your body.
It is precisely because of this that Zhu Guangli is regarded as the "Master Qingtian" in the hearts of the people in Yunzhong.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Meng frowned and sighed softly.
How could she not know the unforgettable feeling in her husband's heart as the one who was always by his side?
As early as when Zhu Wanning and Xu Yi made their engagement.
Zhu Guangli had already anticipated today's results.
He even wrote a resignation memorial early.
In the next month or two, Zhu Guangli used a big stick and candied dates in his hand to frequently suppress the price of grain in Yunzhong and suppress the powerful and powerful families in Yunzhong.
For a time, the people's livelihood in Yunzhong climbed several levels.
However.
What is supposed to come will eventually come.
Early twelfth lunar month.
The arrival of a secret letter from the capital made Zhu Guangli, who had not been in bed for three years, stay in bed for two full days.
Two days later, Zhu Guangli dragged his sick body and copied the resignation memorial he had already written.
again and again.
Leaving Yunzhong City with the resignation memorial.
Zhu Guangli seemed to have completely looked away. After getting up from the hospital bed, he once again waved the big stick and candied dates in his hand towards the aristocratic families and dignitaries.
Calculating the time, the decree to retain the capital will arrive in the clouds within five days.
After three words and three concessions.
Zhu Guangli's career will be completely ruined.
As for whether he can continue his career in the future.
It depends on whether the original decision was correct.
Calculate carefully.
He served as the governor of Yunzhong County.
At most there is still more than a month left.
Inside the Qingyun Courtyard, the ancestral residence of the Zhu family.
This was accompanied by two sighs from Zhu Guangli and his wife, one after the other.
The huge Qingyun courtyard suddenly fell into a dead silence that could be heard as a needle dropped.
I do not know how long it has been.
Mrs. Meng slowly raised her head and looked at her husband.
"Your Majesty may be able to help me regarding the price of charcoal."
Mrs. Meng recalled the news she overheard yesterday and spoke slowly.
"Your Majesty? How can Your Majesty help me?"
Zhu Guangli was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then asked full of doubts.
Mrs. Meng thought for a while, then slowly said: "Yesterday, I accidentally heard people chatting about the newly opened Chaijia Coal Mill in the city."
"The Chaijia Coal Shop has been open for a few days, but there are still very few customers in front of the door."
"Yesterday, for some unknown reason, several long queues formed in front of the Chaijia coal mill since noon."
"And each long dragon is several miles long."
"My servant was curious and made many inquiries before finding out."
"It turned out to be a newly sold item in the Chai Family Coal Shop. It is nearly round in shape, dark in color, and porous on the surface."
"Their name is briquettes."
"It is said that the briquettes only need to be ignited and placed in a special stove, and they will burn for three to six hours."
"You can also boil water and make rice during this period."
"And this thing is restricted by the king's order. It can only be sold for five coins in Yan land."
"Even the special stove only costs five hundred cents."
"In this way, a family of six can spend the entire winter with only seven to eight hundred yuan."
"Although people's livelihood in Yunzhong is very difficult, most people can still afford seven to eight hundred yuan at home."
"If I can get a batch of briquettes from the prince."
"If you go in, you can force the Tunqi family."
"Withdrawal will ensure that the people can spend the winter safely."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Guangli frowned and asked uncertainly, "Is this really what Madam said?"
The words are over.
Without waiting for Mrs. Meng to answer.
Zhu Guangli spoke slowly again and murmured to himself: "If this thing is really what Madam said, then this thing should be an important weapon to save the world and the people."
After hearing this, Mrs. Meng slowly shook her head, and then replied softly: "I just heard someone mention it accidentally. I don't know whether it is true or not."
"However, as Ting'er is the special envoy of the palace, he has been traveling frequently with the palace recently. If you are real or fake, you will find out if you ask Ting'er."
Zhu Guangli nodded slightly when he heard this.
When he was about to wave his hand to summon the servants.
The servants from the door quickly walked into the courtyard.
"Master, the young master, the young madam, and the young master are outside the door asking to see you."
The concierge's servant came forward, bowed deeply and bowed his hands in salute.
"Ting'er?" Zhu Guangli paused slightly upon hearing this, then chuckled and said, "Please come to the study."
"Yes." The servant agreed, then slowly turned around and walked quickly out of the courtyard.
After the figure of the concierge's servant gradually disappeared in the courtyard.
Mrs. Meng smiled and said softly: "I will go to the kitchen to make some pastries first. Cheng'er loves the sweet-scented osmanthus cake I make the most."
The words are over.
Mrs. Meng turned around and headed towards the kitchen without stopping.
"Put less honey, Cheng'er's teeth are about to change!"
Zhu Guangli's expression changed slightly, and then he shouted loudly.
"I understand, sir, please relax."
Mrs. Meng waved her hand without looking back.
…
…
After a while.
In the study room of Qingyunyuan, the ancestral residence of the Zhu family.
Zhu Zongting, who had a pair of thick dark circles on his face, gently knocked on the study door.
"Enter."
"yes."
After getting permission from Zhu Guangli.
Zhu Zongting gently opened the door and stepped in slowly.
"My son, Zongting, pay homage to your father."
Zhu Zongting gently closed the door, then slowly moved forward, bowed deeply and bowed his hands in salute.
The Tian family is not the only one with weak family ties in this world.
The more rules aristocratic families have, the weaker the family ties between father and son are.
"sit."
Zhu Guangli nodded slightly and then motioned Zhu Zongting to take a seat in front of him.
Zhu Zongting was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then slowly moved forward and sat down slowly in front of Zhu Guangli.
Obviously, this kind of treatment has never been given to him since he turned fifteen and officially entered his hair-cutting years.
After Zhu Zongting slowly took his seat.
Zhu Guangli raised his head and glanced at the thick dark circles on Zhu Zongting's face, and then slowly asked, "I'm troubled."
Zhu Zongting, who knew his father's temper well, did not think about anything else.
After nodding slightly, he told Zhu Guangli exactly what Zhu Huaimin said last night.
After a while.
Zhu Zongting stood up slowly, bowed deeply and bowed his hands, saying, "My son is stupid. I have been thinking hard all night but still can't get any results. I hope my father can solve my confusion."
After the words fell, Zhu Zongting couldn't bow to him.
Zhu Guangli stared at his legitimate son speechlessly for a moment.
Then he slowly said, "Get up and take a seat."
"Thank you father for clarifying my doubts."
Zhu Zongting, who bowed deeply and bowed his hands in worship, felt relieved when he heard this.
Then he slowly stood up and sat down again.
It was not his nature to break the casserole and get to the bottom of it, but this matter was too important to the entire Zhu family.
He is the next head of the Zhu family, and he is the next head of the family without any doubt.
I don't want to be an afterthought in this matter.
That's why I had to think hard that night.
That’s why I asked today.
After Zhu Zongting slowly took his seat again.
Zhu Guangli lifted the teapot with lowered eyelids and slowly poured two cups of hot tea into it.
Slowly push one of the cups of hot tea in front of Zhu Zongting.
Zhu Guangli slowly raised his eyelids and asked, "My father ordered you to read the Di newspaper often, do you follow it?"
The so-called Dibao, also known as Dichao.
Each county in the Great Zhou Dynasty always placed an official in the capital.
Used to copy national policies, imperial edicts, memorials, and anecdotes about the capital.
For the people of counties and counties to understand the country's government decrees.
Because it is published once a month, most people call it Twelve Di Bao or Twelve Di Chao.
However, as time went by, there were no major events in the capital for a long time.
Nowadays, the so-called "secrets of the capital", "talents and beauties", "romances" and other matters occupy the most space in Di's newspapers.
Of course.
If the same Di newspaper falls into the hands of different people, the "content" they can see will naturally be different.
When Zhu Zongting heard this, he nodded deeply and said, "Go back to my father and report to his residence in Beijing. I have never missed reading a single letter."
Zhu Guangli nodded slightly, and then slowly asked again: "In that case, how many major events have happened in North Korea this year?"
The words are over.
Zhu Zongting counted his breaths in deep thought.
Then slowly
He opened his mouth and replied: "In the first month of the year, the prince completely got rid of the sinful body by pacifying the victims of the disaster in the capital."
"And in this month, I ask your Majesty to grant me a marriage."
"In February, the Huns invaded Xialuo, Guangning, and Ning counties in our county, and captured more than 10,000 officials and civilians."
"In March, the prince led hundreds of thousands of people affected by the disaster in Guanzhong to clear the waterways in Guanzhong."
"In the end, hundreds of thousands of Guanzhong victims were able to return to their homeland."
"Finally, the severe drought in Guanzhong that had plagued the imperial court for more than a year was completely subsided."
"In April, the prince was awarded the title of Prince Yan."
"In the same month, a group of corrupt officials headed by Song Guogong Zhang Yongnian were pushed to the entrance of the vegetable market for questioning."
"At the end of the same month, Wang Ye's series of basic mathematics books will go on sale."
"As soon as this book came out, countless aristocratic families rushed to buy it."
"In May, two major events occurred in the capital this month. One was the prince's wedding, and the other was the army's expedition."
"In the same month, the prince officially left the capital and became a feudal lord."
"In June, heavy rain poured down in Guanzhong for several days, but because the prince led hundreds of thousands of Guanzhong victims to dredge the river, it did not cause major flooding."
"In the same month, locust plague broke out in many places in Hanzhong. Fortunately, the local government responded promptly and did not cause too much damage."
"In October, General Li Guangli fought against the Xiongnu King Zuogu Li in the Mogan Valley and was defeated miserably."
"In the same month, Li Ling, the left Shaoqing of Dali Temple, was appointed as the general of the expedition to the north. He led 5,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry and a large amount of baggage to reinforce Mobei."
"In the same month, Your Majesty mobilized all the vassal princes to assist Mobei. Except for the prince, the remaining vassal princes all need to send five thousand troops."
"In the same month, Zheng Guogong Ji Kai opened his family and ordered him to be executed for his crimes."
"In November, General Yu Yafu under the command of King Dai rushed to Minghu Mountain in Mobei with five thousand elite cavalry."
"Joined with the general Li Liyingwai who was besieged on Minghu Mountain."
"This battle ended with the Xiongnu King Zuogu Li fleeing in panic and our army winning a complete victory."
"In the same month, General Zhengbei and the generals under various vassal kings arrived at Minghu Mountain in Mobei."
"In the same month, the Yellow River's diversion trend became more apparent, potentially affecting several counties along the way and putting millions of people at risk."
"In the same month, a snowstorm broke out in Liaodong."
When Zhu Zongting finished speaking.
Zhu Guangli just nodded slightly to show his approval.
"What did Ting'er see from these major events?"
Zhu Guangli slowly raised his head, looked into Zhu Zongting's eyes, and then asked.
Zhu Zongting frowned slightly when he heard this.
After pondering for a moment, he slowly answered: "In troubled times, people are in dire straits."
Zhu Guangli nodded slightly, and then slowly asked again: "What about other things?"
As soon as this statement came out.
Zhu Zongting's brows instantly furrowed.
I do not know how long it has been.
Zhu Zongting just came back to his senses and replied in a low voice: "Maybe the country will be in chaos."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Guangli looked out the window in disbelief, and then slowly asked, "How can you see it?"
Zhu Zongting replied in a low voice: "One is to provide disaster relief in Guanzhong."
"This disaster took more than a year to subside, and hundreds of thousands of people were affected during this period."
"There are hundreds of officials, big and small, involved in this disaster, and among them is the Duke who has been hereditary and neglectful."
"If the country is not rich, how can it bring peace to its people?"
"How can the people be at peace if the officials are not able to govern properly?"
The words are over.
Zhu Zongting paused for a moment, then spoke in a low voice again: "The second is the Battle of Mobei."
"Since the decisive battle in Mobei, the two countries have not fought a war of arms for more than ten years."
"But at the beginning of this year, the Xiongnu used their weapons and invaded our Yan land and captured my people."
"The intention is to force me to go to Mobei and fight again."
"If we win this battle, we can keep the border stable for more than ten years."
"If we lose this battle, our Western Region will be in great danger and the Silk Road will be cut off."
"Therefore, no matter how difficult it is, our country must win this battle."
"However, our first battle in Mobei ended in failure."
"Tens of thousands of soldiers shed blood in Mobei, and tens of thousands of people lost their loved ones."
"When two countries are at war, they are fighting with their soldiers, but they are fighting for their national strength."
"Although we will win a great victory in another battle, the damage to our country's strength will be irreparable."
"If you're even more aggressive, anyone with a discerning eye can see what the vassal king's intention was with his order."
"How can discord between countries be a good thing?"
After saying this, the confusion in Zhu Zongting's heart gradually disappeared, replaced by a sense of clarity.
Zhu Zongting paused for a moment, then whispered again: "The third is natural disasters or man-made disasters."
"The snow disaster in Liaodong has now spread to several surrounding counties."
"The number of people affected by this disaster is at least hundreds of thousands."
"However, the Liaodong officials did not want to deal with it and just sat back and watched the wealthy families drink the blood of the people."
"If this disaster is not eliminated, there will definitely be chaos in Liaodong."
"In addition, the Yellow River changed its course."
"According to Di Bao, this diversion of the Yellow River involves several counties."
"The number of people involved is as high as millions."
"If there are no effective countermeasures, there will probably be disasters along the Yellow River."
The words are over.
Zhu Zongting slowly picked up the cold tea in front of him.
With slightly trembling palms, he slowly brought the cold tea into his mouth.
A cup of ice cold tea is poured into the stomach.
Zhu Zongting's body trembled slightly and he slowly spoke in a low voice: "Internal... internal... internal and external troubles, officials... officials... officials can't manage it well... ..."
"The disharmony between the country and the country, this... this is the sign of the ruin... of the country."
Zhu Guangli looked at Zhu Zongting, who was gradually sorting out the entire context under his guidance.
After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly and asked again: "What role did His Highness, King Yan, play in these major events?"
As soon as this statement came out.
Zhu Zongting was stunned on the spot for a moment.
peaceful.
A tranquility as audible as the drop of a needle.
Deathly quiet.
I do not know how long it has been.
Maybe an hour long.
Maybe two or three quarters of an hour.
Zhu Zongting gradually came back to his senses and murmured in a low voice: "The disaster relief in Guanzhong was quelled by the prince."
"The Guanzhong River was dredged by the prince with hundreds of thousands of victims."
"The Duke of Song Dynasty, Zhang Yongnian, and hundreds of other officials were sent to the prison by the prince himself."
"Zheng Guogong Ji Kai was also impeached by the prince, and was eventually executed."
"The Battle of Mobei...The prince did not participate in the Battle of Mobei."
"No! That's not right! That Northern Campaign General Li Ling was recommended by His Highness the King of Jin. To a certain extent, the person recommended by His Highness the King of Jin can also be..."
"Snowstorm in Liaodong...Snowstorm in Liaodong...The prince has ordered the Song Company to transport briquettes, coal stoves and other heating items to Liaodong..."
"After careful calculation, except for the locust plague in Hanzhong and the diversion of the Yellow River, the prince has not been seen."
"The rest of the matter may have been settled by the prince, or there may be some shadow of the prince behind it."
"As for the prince's role in these major events..."
"Of course it is to save the world and save the people..."
Thinking about this.
Zhu Zongting couldn't help but fell into a longer silence.
The confusion that had plagued him all night was completely gone.
Instead, there was constant trembling of body and mind.
"Blessings come from disasters, misfortunes come from blessings."
"This matter is not necessarily a bad thing for our Zhu family."
Zhu Zongting couldn't help but think of Zhu Huaimin's long scene last night.
Every word spoken in the hallway.
"Blessings come from disasters, misfortunes come from blessings."
"If it's really as I thought."
"Then the fact that my father and his clan members lost their official positions is really not a disaster."
"If it's really as I thought."
"The Zhu family may transform from the Shanggu Zhu family into the Capital Zhu family in the future."
Zhu Zongting murmured to himself.
At the same time, it became increasingly difficult for him to control his emotions.
The trembling in his body became more and more obvious.
