Dahan first prince

Chapter 173 Qu Nihou, it's time to return to Handan

The breath of spring and March, along with the refreshing cool spring breeze, quietly descends on the land of Guanzhong.

Feeling the apparently warmer temperature, the instincts of the people in Guanzhong deeply engraved in their blood were also quietly awakened.

——Spring plowing.

As early as 2000 to 3000 years ago, when Emperors Yan and Huang lived, the skill of cultivating crops for food has been controlled by the wise Chinese nation.

In the following thousands of years, the changes of Chinese civilization in the past dynasties basically revolved around farming.

——The land is not enough to grow, so go outside and drive away those barbarians who drink blood!
——There is not enough food, so we should reform internally and drive out those tyrants who oppress the people at the bottom, such as Chi You, Shang Zhou, etc.!
Not only internal innovation, external conquest and expansion, but also ancient Chinese rituals, sacrifices, and even the birth of astronomy are closely related to agriculture.

——The sacrificial ceremony that originated in the Chinese civilization first, the chief priest prayed to the gods and gods first, that is, good weather and good harvests;

——From ancient times to the present, the etiquette system still exists in the Han Dynasty. It is also every spring that the emperor personally opens the Jitian to persuade the world to farm;
Even star officials in ancient times observed the stars for the same purpose of formulating a calendar so that agricultural production can be "at the right time", so that the people can clearly know: when to sow seeds, when to water, and when to weed. , when should harvest.

It is in this kind of inheritance that has been passed down for more than 5000 years that farming has become a "talent" deeply engraved in the blood of the Chinese nation.

Even in the 21st century, the Chinese people who successfully landed on the moon, the first question they want to figure out is still: Can food be grown on the moon...

This is still the case in the modernized later generations. Today, the Han Dynasty is still in the feudal system of agricultural civilization, let alone - when March comes, all farmers' attention is focused on the upcoming spring plowing.

Just when everything was recovering and Chang'an City, which had been bleak for a whole winter, was gradually being bustling with people and gradually becoming prosperous, the tranquility of Qunihou's Mansion in Shangguanli was broken by a sudden news. in chaos...
·
"what?!"

"gone?!!!"

Qu Ni Hou Mansion, back hall.

Hearing the words of the servants outside the hall, Chen Ping hurriedly got up from the couch, without caring about arranging his clothes, he opened the door.

Looking at the servant outside the door with a serious face, Chen Ping did not forget to ask in a cold voice while he was anxious for his belt: "Tell me carefully!"

Hearing the words, the servant forced himself to adjust his disordered breathing before bowing to Chen Ping.

"Report, report to the king."

"At the hour of Chen, the crown prince left Weiyang from Sima Gate in a chariot, joined Marquis Jiancheng in the arsenal, and a lieutenant of the First Department of the Southern Army, and immediately headed north and went straight to Sanyuan!"

"I went to ask the people in the north of Weiyang Palace, and finally got one of them to say that the prince said to the people along the road: "I dare not stay in Chang'an for a long time before the construction of the canal is completed."

"The slave asked again, and got the people's words: The crown prince has completed the dredging and narrowing of the Zhengguo Canal before winter, but the work of fixing the soil has not yet been completed."

"Today the crown prince leaves Chang'an to go to Sanyuan, and returns to Chang'an again. I'm afraid it will be summer and April..."

Hearing the servant's report, Chen Ping's complexion only sank a little bit, and when he heard the phrase "the prince is leaving, he will not come back in a month", Chen Ping's face completely darkened.

"Um······"

After pondering for a while with a sullen face, Chen Ping accelerated the speed of his hands.

After tidying up his clothes quickly, he raised his head when he saw Chen Ping buzzing.

"Go quickly to the prime minister's mansion and hand over the greeting card!"

"After a while, I will go to the Prime Minister's Mansion in person to meet Xiao Xiangguo face to face!"

When he gave the next order in a calm tone, Chen Ping's complexion couldn't help but become even uglier.

——The current Chen Ping is an envoy sent by the emperor Liu Bang!
This time in Chang'an, Chen Ping has a mission!

On the day he returned to Chang'an, Chen Ping immediately entered the palace and read out the emperor Liu Bang's imperial edict to Prince Liu Ying.

For example, Chen Ping had obtained detailed countermeasures from Liu Ying regarding the upsurge in grain prices in Guanzhong.

For Zhao Wang Liu Ruyi, Liu Ying has also made it clear that her family ugliness should not be publicized.

As for the situation of Liu Ying's renovation of the Zhengguo Canal, even if Liu Ying is not there, Chen Ping can go to the Shaofu and get a brief understanding of the situation from Xiao He.

But one more thing is that Chen Ping must meet Liu Ying in person and alone.

——Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin!
Before departure from Handan, Emperor Liu Bang made repeated orders: You must ask Liu Ying alone about this matter, and ask Liu Ying to give a solution as soon as possible. Xiao He and Lu Zhi must not be allowed to make suggestions for Liu Ying!
Chen Ping was also very clear in his heart: this matter was almost entirely a test for the crown prince Liu Ying, and would directly concern the emperor Liu Bang's attitude towards the 'Yi Chu' matter!

If this matter is not handled well, Chen Ping will return to Chang'an this time, not to mention making a contribution. After returning to Handan, Liu Bang will be in a good mood if he will not be kicked twice by the emperor Liu Bang!
"Eh!"

"On that day, I shouldn't let my family run away!!!"

Gritting his teeth and stomping his feet, Chen Ping raised his head with a sullen face, only to see the servant who left just a moment ago ran back panting again.

"What are you doing in a daze?!"

"Hurry up!!!"

With an extremely shrill roar, the servant hurriedly knelt down on the ground, and before he could explain, he saw the figure of another servant of the Hou Mansion outside the backyard.

Seeing the servant rushing towards him, he didn't even bother to catch his breath, so he looked at Chen Ping panting.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

"Emperor, queen, the queen sent someone to invite the prince into the palace!!!"

·
Walking into Weiyang Palace under the guidance of the palace servants, and taking off his cloth shoes and sword outside Xuanshi Hall, the anxious look on Chen Ping's face also quietly dissipated for a while.

——Because at the gate of the palace, Chen Ping found another pair of cloth shoes.

"Who could it be..."

"What is the reason for the Queen's call..."

With this doubt, Chen Ping handed the untied saber to the eunuch beside him, then adjusted his clothes again, and walked slowly into the oath hall.

"Qu Ni Hou Chenping, I would like to pay homage to the queen..."

A well-regulated singing, naturally attracted Lu Zhi's friendly greeting.

"Qu Nihou don't need to be too polite~"

Raising his head in response, Chen Ping finally saw the figure who entered the palace before him, kneeling in the palace with a flat face.

——Just now, Chen Ping undoubtedly wanted to visit Xiao He.

He came to the side of the hall with doubts on his face, knelt down on the banquet, and before Chen Ping could speak, he heard Lu Zhi's signature gentle tone resounding in the hall.

"Since last year, Qu Nihou went out with His Majesty, and he has been half a year old in a flash."

"If it wasn't for this time, Your Majesty sent Qu Nihou as an envoy to return to Chang'an. I don't know when I will see Qu Nihou again..."

After two polite greetings with a smile on his face, Lu Zhi raised his head with a gentle face, and looked at Chen Ping with a rare kindness in his eyes.

"Your Majesty is in Handan, can everything go smoothly?"

"There's another war, what's the problem?"

Hearing Lu Zhi's two questions, Chen Ping had no choice but to temporarily put aside his doubts, and slightly bowed his hands to Lu Zhi who was headed up.

"Your Majesty, everything is fine, and the war, although it is a little bit extended, is not too difficult..."

Hearing the words, Lu Zhi just nodded with a gentle face, and even the strength that was always in his temperament seemed to have disappeared.

"That's good, that's good..."

After whispering twice, Lu Zhi raised his head with a little affection.

"I heard from the Crown Prince that Qu Nihou returned to Chang'an because His Majesty entrusted him with state affairs."

"Now, it has been several days since Qu Nihou returned to Chang'an; I wonder if Qu Nihou has finished what His Majesty entrusted?"

As he said that, Lu Zhi smiled to himself as if he was afraid of Chen Ping's misunderstanding.

"Your Majesty is currently stationed in Handan. Although there is no danger of war, he is the pillar of the Quni Hou Kingdom, and he is your Majesty's most trustworthy counselor."

"Is it appropriate for Fear Qu Nihou to always be by His Majesty's side?"

Hearing Lu Zhi's previous two questions, Chen Ping hadn't reacted yet, but thought that Lu Zhi was dominated by the desire to control again, and wanted to know what task the emperor Liu Bang had given Chen Ping.

But when he heard the latter sentence, and felt Lu Zhi's intention of "seeing off guests" which he hardly concealed, Chen Ping's expression froze.

"When your Majesty was about to set off for the expedition, he sent Marquis Jiang back to Chang'an, and told Xiangguo Xiao about the Marquis of Huaiyin..."

Thinking secretly, Chen Ping raised his head thoughtfully, and looked at Prime Minister Xiao He, who was kneeling not far from Lu Zhi's side, with a calm expression on his face...
"In addition to sending Marquis Jiang to sue Xiangguo Xiao, His Majesty seems to have informed Xiahou's eunuch about this; and Xiahou's eunuch went to sue Qu Zhouhou..."

"Um······"

Thinking of this, Chen Ping finally raised his head and looked at Lu Zhi with dark eyes.

"Could it be..."

As he was thinking about it, he saw that the smile on Lu Zhi's face did not change, he only spoke more gently.

"Qu Nihou?"

Confused by this soft call, Chen Ping only thought for a moment, then hesitantly bowed his hand to Lu Zhi.

"It is exactly as the family said: I am returning to Chang'an, and I have to entrust my Majesty with state affairs, and I want to ask my family face to face."

"One of them is His Majesty's detailed strategy to stabilize the price of grain in Guanzhong when he asked about the construction of the canal and the high price of grain in Guanzhong.

After saying a word in a deep voice, Chen Ping involuntarily looked at Xiao He, narrowing the corners of his eyes slightly tentatively.

"This matter, the family went to the day before yesterday, and Yuchen was fully informed."

He spoke slowly, seeing that Xiao He was still the same as before, as if he had been immobilized, Chen Ping had no choice but to turn his gaze back to the Lu Zhi who was standing above him.

"Secondly, it is King Zhao."

"Your Majesty got Xiao Xiangguo's words: In the past few years, King Zhao and the Changlingtian family had close contacts."

"A while ago, the Changling Tian family wanted to seek to cause a turmoil in grain prices in Guanzhong, and they were also involved in the assassination of the prince. King Zhao is a relative of the clan and his majesty's own son, so there is no reason for him to stay out of the matter."

As he said that, Chen Ping involuntarily cast another glance at Xiao He, but he didn't stare at him as he did just now. After making sure that Xiao He's expression hadn't changed, he naturally turned his gaze back.

Telling the first two things, Chen Ping couldn't help frowning when he saw Lu Zhi's face was still full of a smile.

Just as Chen Ping was secretly weighing whether to tell the story of Han Xin in front of Lu Zhi, he saw Lu Zhi smiling and turning sideways, nodding slightly to Xiao He.

Then, Xiao He stood up from his seat with a stiff face, and cupped his hands towards Lu Zhi like a walking dead, and immediately picked up a one-foot-square wooden box not far behind him, walked forward with dull eyes, and put the wooden box on the ground. In front of Chen Ping.

Before Chen Ping moved his suspicious eyes from Xiao He to Lu Zhi, who was headed up, Lu Zhi smiled softly again.

"Zong Qu Ni Hou does not say anything, I also know that Qu Ni Hou returned to Chang'an because His Majesty entrusted him with the murder of the crown prince."

With a smile to himself, Lu Zhi shook his head in an easy-going manner.

"Only a while ago, the crown prince was assassinated in Changling. People in Guanzhong were panicked, and there were many discussions about things."

"The construction of the canal has not yet been completed, and spring plowing is imminent. The prince has to go to Sanyuan first, focusing on state affairs."

After saying that, Lu Zhi smiled meaningfully, raised his head slightly, and pouted at the wooden box in front of Chen Ping, not forgetting to say: "If you get this thing and return to Handan, Qu Nihou's mission on this trip should also be taken care of." Can you do everything?"

Listening to Lu Zhi's obviously easy-going tone, but the words that made people shriek, Chen Ping turned around with a dull expression.

He raised his head and looked at Xiao He with some hesitation, but he still couldn't get any useful confidence from Xiao He's rigid expression like a wooden stake.

Qiang Zi shook his mind, took another deep breath, and Chen Ping stretched out his hand, and gently lifted the lid of the wooden box.

In an instant, a pungent lime smell hit Chen Ping's mouth and nose, causing Chen Ping's face to freeze.

When he saw clearly that there was a human head wrapped in lime inside the wooden box, Chen Ping couldn't help but be surprised even if he was slightly prepared!
After closing the wooden box in a little panic, Chen Ping's face was filled with shock!
He forced himself to adjust his heavy breathing, barely suppressed the horror on his face, just turned his head, and saw Lu Zhi standing up from the soft couch with a smile on his face.

"In the seventh year of the Han Dynasty, Han Xin privately hid the remnants of Xiang Chu's crime Zhong Lixuan, and was relegated to Marquis of Huaiyin for His Majesty."

"Last year again, Han Xin and Chen Xi, the same generation, planned to cooperate with the inside and the outside, so as to make a countermeasure..."

"Furthermore, Han Xin, together with the Changling Tian family, first wanted to drive up the price of grain to disrupt the Guanzhong; after failing to do so, they sent the dead to assassinate the prince and Chujun in Changling!"

With a cold reprimand, Lu Zhi's face was fixed without bluntness, and he looked at the corner of Chen Ping's eyes, and could not help but squint quietly.

"Marquis Xin of Huaiyin, who has repeatedly violated the laws of the country without repentance, is guilty of the family!"

"Liu Ruyi, the king of Zhao, is a family member but not self-respecting. He joins forces with thieves such as Changling Tian and Huaiyin Marquis Han Xin, shameful Liu Zai!"

As he said that, Lu Zhi's tone sank a little, and most of the anger on his face subsided a little.

"The crown prince thinks of Zhao Wang's brotherhood, and cannot bear heavy punishment; however, the master of the palace behind me, I can't just sit back and watch Zhao Wang go wrong, and insult the reason of the country."

"I have issued an order: before your majesty's class, Zhao Wang and his mother are all confined in the palace; wait for your majesty to return to Chang'an, and then deal with it."

After saying that, Lu Zhi finally clasped his hands in front of his belly and looked at Chen Ping with a cold expression.

"In this way, Qu Nihou's mission should be completed."

"Take a break for a whole day, Qu Nihou, and return to Handan to serve His Majesty..."

Listening to Lu Zhi's declarative tone, telling these things that obviously haven't happened, Chen Ping was stunned.

He looked at Xiao He full of hesitation, but saw Xiao He, still the same as before, with an ancient expression on his face, kneeling and sitting on the side of the hall with distracted eyes...
"Ugh······"

Sighing secretly, Chen Ping finally could only raise his head, and bowed his hands to Lu Zhi with mixed expressions.

"Sir, take orders..."

"Tomorrow, I will set off and return to Handan..."

(End of this chapter)