The first day of April.
After Zhao Mengqi stood up, Huang Gou immediately came forward with his official uniform in hand, "Alang, there is a court meeting today. If you go now, you can still make it in time."
Seeing Huang Gou's expectant look, Zhao Mengqi was a little puzzled, "Why do you feel that you are more proactive than me about going to court?"
Could it be that the emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is?
"Alang, not counting the last time with Ningmen, you have only attended one court meeting. It has been so long, so you must go once, otherwise the ministers will almost forget you."
"If you forget, just forget. I'm not the leader of the trip. I want them to remember what I'm doing. I guess they don't want to see me, so I'd better not go, so as not to hate each other."
"But... after this official uniform is ready, Alang hasn't worn it yet. In a few days, I'm afraid he won't be able to wear it."
These days, Zhao Mengqi's growth rate has suddenly accelerated. In just one month, he has grown more than an inch taller. Looking at the trend, it is still increasing.
Even though he has been here for nearly two months, Zhao Mengqi is still not used to the clothes at this time. Although they are gorgeous and beautiful, they are very troublesome to put on and take off, and they are very particular.
Especially the court clothes worn at the last court meeting, which took half an hour to put on under the service of seven or eight people, left a deep impression on Zhao Mengqi.
"Forget it, just putting on any clothes can make you exhausted..."
But Huang Gou continued to persuade, "No, this is a public uniform. It's not much more troublesome than regular uniform. How about I ask Qian to come in and help you wear it?"
"What are you calling her to do? Let her sleep a little longer."
I think back then, Zhao Mengqi would tease Qian Duo from time to time, but now he has become considerate. It's not because of long-lasting love, but because he bowed to money.
Zhao Mengqi felt a little shameless after buying such a large piece of land from the Qian family without spending a penny.
Later, when he moved into this village, he discovered that it was clearly a garden worth a million dollars. The only trace of shame left in his heart made him feel a little embarrassed. In addition, he also gave away a copy of the Qian family's book, which was a priceless treasure. "Notes on the South China Sutra", so after his conscience was discovered, he no longer targeted Qian Duo. Even though Qian Duo didn't appreciate it and would sneer at him from time to time, he just silently remembered that good men don't fight with women.
Huang Gou seemed a little unwilling to accept it, and raised the official uniform he held in his hands, "Alang, are you really not going?"
"I'm not going." Zhao Mengqi shook his head and put on a training shirt by himself before he seemed to realize something. "I mean, Huang Gou, you don't want to see me wearing this, right?"
Thinking of the last time he wore court clothes, Huang Gou felt inexplicably excited, as if the noble court clothes were on him.
"Um..." Huang Gou became a little embarrassed when his young master saw through his thoughts, "Little... Actually, our clan has never even served as a court official before, so..."
Zhao Mengqi understood that he was half a member of the Huang family, so wearing court uniforms could be considered as fulfilling Huang Gou's wish.
"Hey, do I need clothes to show my identity? I think you are crazy. After all, you are my mother's clan brother. I should actually call you uncle..."
"Farewell, Alang, no one can bear this!"
"Haha, that's what I'm saying. If I really yelled, I might have harmed you... By the way, there should be some young men similar to mine in your clan. Ask someone to ask if they would like to come to the palace. Guardsmen serve as soldiers.”
When Huang Gou heard this, he was overjoyed and said, "Thank you Alang for your kindness!"
"It's not a favor. Even if they come, I won't take special care of them. Everything will follow the rules. If you want to get promoted, you have to work hard on your own."
Zhao Mengqi said so, but in fact he definitely felt that people from his mother's clan were more reliable, and he would always be slightly more inclined. It cannot be said to be nepotism, but Chinese people naturally have such a concept.
Huang Gou actually understood, so he hurriedly said, "It's a blessing for Alang to allow them to come. The palace guards are responsible for your safety, so naturally there can't be people who mess around. If they dare to slack off, I don't need Alang to tell me." Just drive them home immediately.”
Zhao Mengqi still trusted Huang Gou. He nodded and without saying anything else, he left the room and went to practice.
After practicing, he would have breakfast with his sister as usual.
"Mother Jian, are you still used to living here?" Zhao Mengqi asked casually while biting into a sheep stuffed bun.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Han gave her a resentful look, "Fourth brother, you are so busy these days that you almost forget about Jian Niang."
"Uh!? What's the matter? Don't I have dinner with you every day?"
"It's just breakfast for a while, and then I don't come back at night..."
"Hey, wasn't I just in the front yard? What's wrong? Did Qian Duo bully you again?"
Qian Duo was happily eating wontons, but she was furious when she heard this, "Who bullied her!? The day before yesterday, her cat ran up a tree and refused to come down. My mother caught it for her! Little bean sprouts, Tell me, you bastard brother, did I bully you?"
Zhao Han was not afraid of her at all now, sticking out his tongue, "A little bit... no."
Zhao Mengqi felt relieved when he saw his sister's obviously more cheerful temperament. He glanced at Qian Duo and said, "You are really a big cat with your temperament."
"You're the cat!" Chan Duo protested with a fist.
At this time, a small yellow door came in and announced, "Your Highness, there is a letter from the palace, saying that Princess Huifeng will come to the house soon, so you can make preparations."
…
Zhao Mengqi looked at Zhao Fei who got off the carriage and the string of oxcarts carrying boxes and cages behind him, and was speechless.
Unexpectedly, this girl actually went to talk to Lao Zhao, and Lao Zhao would actually agree to her leaving the palace. Damn it.
"Fourth brother, have you prepared a yard for me? If not, I can live in the same yard as Jian Niang." Zhao Feng smiled like a flower.
Zhao Han glanced at her alertly, said nothing, and just looked at his brother with doubts.
Zhao Mengqi noticed his sister's confusion and rubbed her little head, "Don't be afraid, Madam Finiang won't be like before, but it's up to you whether you want to live with her or not."
In fact, Zhao Mengqi would be happy to see someone accompany Zhao Jin so that she would not be lonely all the time. However, Qian Duo, like her natural enemy, couldn't get along. If Zhao Feng didn't have bad intentions, she would be a good candidate. .
"Oh... okay then." This girl is still not very good at rejecting people, especially when others are kind to her.
Zhao Feng stepped forward and took Zhao Jin's hand as if she was very familiar with it, "Hehe, as a sister, I want to get rid of Jian Niang, please take care of me."
At this time, two more bullock carts came from a distance. Judging from their shape, they should be used by young ladies.
Who is coming?
Zhao Mengqi frowned, waiting for the bullock cart to approach, and saw several young ladies getting down from it.
When he saw one of them, Zhao Mengqi's heart jumped suddenly. The person covered by the gauze was not Wanwan or someone else.
Before he could say hello, Qian Duo rushed over behind him.
"Sister Wanwan, Niang Qiao, Niang Zhen, Niang Huan, Niang Yan, you are finally here. You have been suffocating me to death for a while."
Seeing Qian Duo's joyful expression, Zhao Mengqi guessed that most of these young ladies were her best friends and had been invited by her to be her guests.
This girl really forgot her identity as a maid...
Zhao Mengqi also slandered. In principle, his Prince Yan's Mansion was really the property of the Qian family, and the so-called identity of Qian Duo's maid was probably not taken seriously by the entire Song Dynasty.
When these young ladies came up to greet them one by one, Zhao Mengqi had no choice but to return the gift politely. After all, they were not familiar with each other, but his eyes lingered on Wanwan unconsciously for a few more breaths.
He glanced at Zhao Han subconsciously and found that her eyes were timid, but also vaguely filled with expectations. After thinking about it, she still didn't ask any more questions.
"Niang Niang, you are half the owner of Prince Yan's Mansion. Please help greet her later and keep an eye on Niang Niang. She may be a little afraid of strangers."
After telling Zhao Feng, Zhao Mengqi looked at Qian Duo again, "Please entertain the guests well. I have something else to do, so I'll go out first. My dear ladies, please forgive me. Xiao Wang has some errands to do, so I won't accompany you."
After saying that, I felt something was wrong. The tone just now was like a husband giving orders to his daughter-in-law. Oh my god, this subtle influence is really scary.
Shaking his head, Zhao Mengqi hurried away.
It's not that he would be afraid if he saw too many young ladies, but it was really something.
After walking a few steps, I couldn't help but look back at the Yingying Yanyan at the gate. These little ladies were all pretty good-looking.
What are you thinking about? Foolish king!
He slapped his cheek and gave himself a warning.
Walking quietly into the carriage, Zhao Mengqi and his accompanying guards arrived at the construction site beside the East Pool.
The land is being leveled here, boundary stakes have been laid in some places, and foundation digging has begun in some places.
In addition, there are many people busy in the pool beside the pool. They clean out the shallow silt and pile it in specific places. Firstly, they deepen the pool and increase the water capacity. Secondly, they can use the silt to plant flowers and trees in the future. base soil.
There are not many people on the entire construction site for the time being, about five to six thousand people. There are also many people making bricks, quarrying stones, and preparing other building materials elsewhere.
The person in charge of the scene was Lu Jiancheng, who was going to be the supervisor. When he saw King Yan coming, he hurried over to pay tribute.
"Weak minister Lu Feng, I would like to pay my respects to His Highness."
"No need to be polite, thank you for your hard work, Inspector Lu." Zhao Mengqi has always been very kind to people who work for him.
"It's not hard work or hard work. It's an honor for me to serve His Highness."
In the officialdom, there are always a few stubborn people, and most of them are willing to surrender to power, and even flatter people. Even if they cannot please people, they will not offend those in high positions.
This Lu Feng is quite normal, neither arrogant nor humble, but he still retains a certain amount of reserve.
Zhao Mengqi was quite pleased with Lu Feng. Through some understanding, he knew that he was a person who was willing to do things, which was enough.
"Work hard, I will never treat meritorious ministers poorly." Zhao Mengqi believes that power does not come from titles, but from someone who is willing to obey orders.
So why are others willing to listen to you and serve you? It’s not because you can give them what they want.
Lu Feng's eyes shone with hope and he was slightly excited, "Your Highness, don't worry, I will fulfill my duties and complete the construction of the school with the best quality in the shortest time."
"Well, I believe you." Zhao Mengqi nodded, "By the way, where are the clan members?"
"The eldest sons are carrying earth in the southeast corner. Your Highness wants to take a look? I will guide you the way."
"No, just go about your business and pay more attention to construction safety."
After sending Lu Feng away, Zhao Mengqi walked around the East Pool and arrived at the working area in the southeast corner.
When they were not far away, they saw a group of clan members dressed in brocade clothes, staggering towards the low-lying area carrying two earthen baskets.
There is no way. At this time, many jobs can only rely on manpower, and the efficiency is low.
Zhao Mengqi stopped and recalled the construction sites he had seen when he was a child. Although there were no machines, there were still dump trucks for transporting sand.
There shouldn't be any technical threshold for this thing. Let the craftsmen try to make it later. It shouldn't be a big problem. If it can be used, it can at least improve some efficiency.
Zhao Mengqi came closer again and found that the more than twenty eldest sons all looked miserable.
The originally gorgeous robes were covered with mud stains, and some were even torn in many places. I carried the burden and moved it step by step. From time to time, I moved the pole to the other shoulder, but I gritted my teeth in pain and gritted my teeth. Grit your teeth and continue to persevere.
You have to persevere. If you don't complete the prescribed tasks, you will have nothing to eat.
This group of child laborers, ranging from twelve to sixteen, was obviously the work of Zhao Mengqi.
Euphemistically speaking, building their own school with their own hands is their first lesson.
I’m not sure if I’ve learned anything else, but I’ve learned it thoroughly about the pain of labor and the pain of starvation.
Zhao Mengqi gave Qian Xiaopang a look, and then Qian Xiaopang shouted with a smile, "Your Highness, please take a rest first and come here. Your Highness has something to say to you."
