But when Li Hao arrived at Ouyang Xiu's place, he found Han Qi's carriage was there before he even entered.
Now Li Hao planned to go back first. Anyway, there was no need to rush what he wanted to say.
After all, judging from Zhao Zhen's physical condition, there won't be any problems in the recent period.
So Li Hao ordered the coachman to turn around and go back home. While the coachman was operating, he was discovered by a boy from Ouyang Xiu's family.
I saw him walking up and saying, "Master Li, are you here to see my master for something? Why are you leaving right after you arrived?"
Li Hao pointed at Han Qi's carriage and said, "Isn't it because the Grand Prime Minister Han is here? The Grand Prime Ministers are talking about something, how can I disturb them?"
Anyway, I'm not in a hurry to find Mr. Ouyang. I'll come back tomorrow. "
After hearing this, the boy said nothing and directly helped Li Hao's driver to turn the carriage around.
But just halfway through the adjustment, Ouyang Xiu was seen sending Han Qi out. The boy quickly stopped and ran over.
Hearing the noise, Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu looked in the direction where the boy was running, and happened to see Li Hao and the carriage that was turning around.
It was inappropriate for Li Hao to leave now, so he quickly got out of the carriage and went to greet Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu.
As soon as Li Hao walked in and said hello, he saw Han Qi joking: "What's going on with you? Why are you leaving right after you arrived? Could it be that you saw me here and wanted to avoid me on purpose?"
Li Hao hurriedly explained: "What are you talking about? It's mainly because you two are talking about things, how can I disturb you.
Besides, I don't have anything important to do here today. I just have some family matters that I want to ask my uncle for private advice. "
Hearing this, Han Qi continued: "Speaking of which, I have to congratulate you. I heard that your wife is pregnant now. This is a great news.
But why did I hear that you specifically asked for leave from an official because of this matter, and stopped giving lectures to the prince? "
Li Hao replied: "This is true. My wife is not pregnant just now. I was really worried about it, so I took a few days off."
The officials were kind and did not blame me. They also allowed me to rest until the beginning of next month before I went to the palace to give lectures. "
After hearing this, Han Qi said: "Yes, officials are kind and considerate to their ministers, and we should really be grateful.
Therefore, we must be more diligent in our work to live up to the emperor's favor.
Speaking of which, the salt tax reform you are doing now is very good.
It can not only increase the court's taxes, but also reduce the burden on the people. You must improve this matter.
This matter should be prioritized, and other unimportant things can be put aside, what do you think? "
Hearing these profound words, Li Hao was stunned for a moment before replying: "Thank you so much for your advice, I will keep it in my heart."
Han Qi also smiled after hearing this and said, "Okay, since you are here to ask Mr. Ouyang about something, I won't disturb you anymore."
After saying that, he turned around and left. After Han Qi left, Li Hao and Ouyang Xiu entered the house together.
When the two of them were alone, Li Hao said, "Uncle, what does Mr. Han mean by what he said today? He doesn't want me to be the prince's companion."
Ouyang Xiu replied: "You are the British father's son-in-law, and you are in charge of the Salt and Iron Department. The money and soldiers are all related to you.
Naturally, Mr. Han is not willing to let you get too close to Zhao Zonghan, otherwise it will threaten Zhao Zongquan's position. "
Li Hao naturally knew this truth, but what puzzled Li Hao was why Han Qi said it in public today.
So he said to Ouyang Xiu: "The truth is correct, but why did Mr. Han say this to me in front of my uncle? Could it be that he wanted to test my uncle's attitude."
Ouyang Xiu disagreed with Li Hao's question.
He said: "Xianggong Han knows best what my attitude is, and he has no need to test me.
But what he said today is a bit strange. Anyway, you should pay more attention to it. "
Li Hao nodded in agreement, and then curiously asked Han Qi about the reason for his visit today: "Mr. Han never comes to his uncle's house when he is fair. Why are you here today? Is there something wrong?"
Ouyang Xiu said: "There is really one thing. Mr. Han came here today to say that he had received a tip.
It was said that there was something strange going on in Xixia, so he came to discuss it with me. "
Hearing this, Li Hao was shocked. If Han Qi could work hard, this change would be quite big.
But after the Battle of Chuanzhai, the Song Dynasty and Xixia reached a peace agreement in the fourth year of Qingli.
Since then, there has been no large-scale war in the northwest. Why did Xixia suddenly move?
So he quickly asked: "What is the specific change? Why haven't I heard similar news from the northwest? Where did Mr. Han hear it?"
Ouyang Xiu explained: "Didn't Grand Prime Minister Han originally serve in Shaanxi Road, and he also presided over the war with Xixia, so he has some sources of information in Xixia.
However, this news has not been confirmed yet, so I did not tell it to the court again.
Today, Prime Minister Han came to me to discuss who would be sent to Xixia to verify the accuracy of some information. "
Li Hao said: "I just sent people to investigate the situation. Don't we need to let the Northwest Army prepare in advance?
If Xixia suddenly sends troops during this period, the Northwest Army will easily suffer a loss if it is not prepared. "
Ouyang Xiu has naturally considered this point: "Of course I know what you said, but after all, the truth of this matter cannot be determined.
The top priority now is to send people to understand the situation first. As for the generals in the northwest, I will also write to them to be careful. "
Seeing that Ouyang Xiu had a plan, Li Hao said nothing more.
However, this sudden news still interrupted Li Hao's thoughts and made him forget the purpose of coming here.
It was Ouyang Xiu who took the initiative and said, "By the way, what exactly do you want to say when you come here today? It's really your family's private matter."
After Li Hao came to his senses, he immediately said: "My uncle is so busy with official duties, so I don't need to trouble my uncle for the little things at home.
What I am talking about today is about the Queen. "
Then Li Hao explained the relationship between the Cao family and Zeng Chaosheng's family, and also told Zeng Chaosheng's current actions.
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu frowned and said, "You mean, Queen Cao may have other plans in mind now."
Li Hao replied: "I can't tell you the specific situation, but Zeng Chaosheng suddenly became the commander of the Imperial Guard this time. This appointment is too sudden.
Moreover, Zeng Chaosheng was too hasty to do things, and he always focused on safety when serving in the palace. Even if he didn't understand this principle, didn't Wei Guogong also understand it?
But he still did it. If he had no other purpose, I don't believe it. "
Ouyang Xiu also nodded in agreement and said with emotion: "It seems that we really have a deep love for each other. Our empress has been with the little prince for a long time, and the relationship has become much more real."
Regarding Ouyang Xiu's emotion, Li Hao did not pay much attention to it, but asked directly: "I asked Yang Wenyuan to find a solution for the Imperial Guards. Most of those people are from the Imperial Guards.
With Yang Wenyuan coming forward, at least some people can be guaranteed not to be won over by Zeng Chaosheng. Coupled with the presence of the people in front of the palace, there is a high probability that the situation in the palace will not get out of control.
Then I wanted to ask my uncle, what should we do next? "
Ouyang Xiu also fell into deep thought at this time. After all, this matter involved Queen Cao, and Ouyang Xiu had to act cautiously.
Li Hao didn't bother him, just sat aside and waited for Ouyang Xiu's answer.
After thinking for a while, Ouyang Xiu said: "Besides Yang Wenyuan, does anyone else know about this?"
Li Hao replied: "I don't have any more here. I told Yang Wenyuan just because I needed him to do things.
I never mentioned this to anyone but him.
But the relationship between the Cao family and the Wei family is not a secret. Since the British public knows it, there is no guarantee that others will not know it.
Although other people may not know what happened in the palace, they may not think of it. "
Ouyang Xiu replied: "We can't control other people, we can only handle our own affairs first.
Pay more attention to things in the palace, and make sure that even if something goes wrong, you have the ability to put things right.
As for Queen Cao, let's wait and see what happens and see what choices she will make, right? "
After hearing Ouyang Xiu's words, Li Haodang immediately agreed.
After getting an answer that was of little use, Li Hao finally let go of his worries.
Next, Li Hao thought about going home to see his wife, so he didn't stay at Ouyang Xiu's house longer.
But this time when he went back, Li Hao found that his home had become quite lively.
The Sheng family, Wang family, Huining Hou family, Yongchang uncle family, and the eldest lady of Ouyang Xiu's family who Li Hao just went to all came here. No wonder Li Hao didn't see Mrs. Xue at Ouyang Xiu's place. Of course, she is also in this crowd. Li Hao's mother-in-law.
However, there is more to people than that, except for these elders.
Young women from Rulan, Hualan, Pinlan and other families also came, and I didn't know what they were talking about when they gathered together.
However, Li Hao could still understand when other people came over, but since Li Hao tried to find a way to send the Kang family out of Beijing.
Mrs. Wang didn't want to talk to Li Hao for a while. Why did she come here today and bring the Wang family here? This made Li Hao quite curious.
But Li Hao naturally wouldn't ask the reason at this time, and the scene was too noisy, and Li Hao couldn't stand it.
Sure enough, no matter in modern times or in ancient times, when there are many women gathered together, they are quite noisy.
So after Li Hao came in and saw the ceremony, he quickly left and ran to keep Li Jian company.
It wasn't until Yinshi passed and everyone else left that Li Hao slowly went to find his wife.
But before she even said a few words, Zhang Guifen's topic turned to the matter of taking a concubine for Li Hao.
However, at this time, Li Hao only thought that Zhang Guifen was deliberately looking for trouble and wanted to find his fault to make things difficult.
Then he said: "Didn't we discuss this topic a few days ago? I just need a wife, and there is no need to take a concubine."
But Zhang Guifen said: "I am pregnant after all, and it is not convenient for me to be around my husband if I am pregnant in ten months.
If I don't give my husband a concubine, I'm afraid everyone will say I'm jealous.
So I have asked these two girls, Biying and Qiuyun, both of them are willing to be concubines. If you like them, you can see which one you want, or you can accept both. "
Hearing this, Li Hao felt that this was Zhang Guifen's deliberate temptation. This was not a concubine for him, but he was clearly trying to plant a confidant.
Moreover, given the power of the British Crown Prince in Bianjing City and Zhang Guifen's temperament, Li Hao didn't think she really cared about this reputation.
So he said: "Madam, what I said before is true. I really have no intention of taking a concubine. Otherwise, let's forget about it."
Hearing Li Hao's rejection again, Zhang Guifen only thought that Li Hao didn't like these two girls, so she thought about going outside to look for them.
The reason why Zhang Guifen thinks so is also caused by her communication with a group of married women today.
Under the indoctrination of these people, Zhang Guifen also felt that men are inherently lustful and cannot withstand the test.
Rather than letting Li Hao look for her outside, he might as well find an obedient concubine to live happily.
And the situation in my own family is the same. Although my parents are also loving, there is no shortage of concubines in the family.
So Zhang Guifen really didn't listen to Li Hao's rejection just now.
As for Zhang Guifen's thoughts, Li Hao really didn't know at this time. Seeing that she didn't continue to speak, he just assumed that the matter was settled.
It wasn't until one day that Zhang Guifen actually found some beautiful girls for Li Hao from outside that Li Hao was stunned.
Of course, that was something for later. Now Li Hao was pulling Zhang Guifen to talk about himself, which didn't end until Zhang Guifen felt sleepy.
But soon something big happened in the court, which forced Li Hao to put his family affairs aside.
The people sent by Ouyang Xiu and Han Qi to find out the news quickly rushed to the northwest. After some investigations.
In the end, the report came back, saying that Xixia was indeed preparing for war with the intention of provoking a war.
At the same time, the guards of Yongxing Military Road and Qinfeng Road also submitted memorials and confirmed the matter.
This caused a stir in the court. After all, the three previous battles with Xixia, the battles of Sanchuankou, Haoshuichuan, and Dingchuanzhai all ended in failure.
Now that we are at war with Xixia again, a large number of civil servants really don't have much confidence.
So the court was quickly divided into two factions, one faction advocated war, and the other faction advocated peace.
The main fighting faction was headed by a group of British military generals, plus some civilian officials.
They felt that the treasury was now full, enough to support the imperial court to launch a large-scale war. Moreover, the imperial court had learned the news in advance and could make preparations in advance to have a chance of winning against the Xixia army.
A group of officials from the peace faction believe that even if they win this battle, there will be no benefit, and they have the experience of peace talks in the fourth year of Qingli.
So I just feel that Xixia wants to start a war this time, just to get more coins.
Then it would be better to send someone to talk directly. If you give some money, the war can be calmed down, and there will be no need to mobilize troops and troops to fight.
And maybe the money Xixia needs is not as much as the money spent on sending troops to fight, so why bother.
Naturally, the war faction disagreed with the views of the peace faction, so the two groups started a big quarrel in the court.
However, as the heads of the civil servants, Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu did not speak, and the civil servant group could not be unified.
But even so, the civil servants of the peace faction still relied on their sharp words to make them evenly matched with the war faction.
Zhao Zhen, who had a headache from the quarrel between the two sides and didn't know what to choose, turned his attention to Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu and began to ask them for their opinions.
Of course, the main goal is to ask Han Qi. After all, he really led troops to fight the Xixia people back then.
Although I lost miserably at the time, I gained experience after all.
After hearing Zhao Zhen's question, the court became quiet, and everyone was waiting for Han Qi's answer.
