Empress Mi Benji

Chapter 162

"It's just a team of dancers. How can we not support them? Is it possible that King Xia is still short of food?" King Zhao laughed and said, Zhuang Xun's image as a countryman was confirmed.

"The people are lacking. When I was in charge of Jiannan Road, the ten houses and nine empty houses were poor and the people were poor. The family was destitute. I felt deeply guilty. I am the official of my parents. If I can't guarantee the peace and food and clothing of the people in this area, how can I face the world.

In the second year of Yue, King You ruled tyrannically and conquered the country of You, taking the southeast of You. The people of You were exhausted and frugal, and they did not dare to slack off. Now the northwest of You has been restored with the help of the kingdom, but it has been ravaged several times. It was rebuilt and revived. Don't dare to waste luxury. "

Zhuang Xun also drank too much wine and said sarcastically that this luxurious banquet was all splendid and the attendants' clothes were all high-end silk and satin. However, he didn't like it.

I just don’t know if these people can understand it. He also likes to watch beautiful women dancing, provided that he is worthy of the people who support him.

But it was obvious that these people didn't understand. Most people looked at Zhuang Xun as a psychopath.

The emperor's dancer actually said that she was poor and couldn't afford to support her. The reason why she was poor was to feed those mud-legged people.

I wonder if there is something wrong with Zhuang Xun, otherwise why would he say such uninformed words? Or he is stupid because of reading, and what he says is unrealistic.

"What King Xia said is true, but if you don't take good care of yourself, how can you govern the people of Li? Especially if a benevolent monarch like King Xia falls ill due to frugality and exhaustion, it will be a loss for our country, Zhao."

A slightly fat man came forward and said that Zhuang Xun knew as soon as he had a drink that he was one of the two protagonists in the last fight for wealth, Taipu Hao.

"Yes, the beauty of voice and color can cultivate sentiments. King Xia did not understand the benefits. Don't refuse the love and mercy of the Holy One. This is the top dancer that none of us have ever had."

Song Fengchang, who wears a mustache, also echoed that the fight between the two was eclipsed in front of King Zhao Baili Ziyun, and he already felt uncomfortable. The two of them were compared to the dancers at home a few days ago, and the dancers at home were in front of the dancer hired by King Zhao today. , I can’t keep up with him in all aspects, be it his skills or his beauty.

They were so greedy that they were drooling. Zhuang Xun, a barbarian from the Northeast, actually despised him and thought he couldn't afford it. He was really a bumpkin.

"Yes, if King Xia doesn't need it and is short of money, I can exchange money with King Xia."

Hao Taipu looked at the dancer who was still dancing gracefully, and deliberately dug a hole and said that he really liked the palace dancer, and also meant to mock Zhuang Xun, and to manipulate Zhuang Xun's impression in front of King Zhao.

After all, Zhuang Xun resold the reward from King Zhao in front of King Zhao. Wherever he put his face, King Zhao would definitely hate Zhuang Xun.

As soon as he said it, the officials below immediately snickered and whispered to each other.

"Haha, is this the king of that place in Jizhou? That's too vulgar."

"How can I be called a king if I can't even support a dancing girl? Haha..."

"No one plays music during the meal."

"What's the use of having enough food for the common people? It's going to be troublesome if they have too many children..."

Zhuang Xun could hear some of them and some couldn't, but he understood the joking smiles on everyone's faces.

Suddenly, he felt the same way Lu Xun saw the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. Zhuang Xun did not feel that he should be ashamed. He only felt that the people in front of him had turned into wolves, tigers and leopards, with blood flowing from the corners of their mouths.

"Then it would be better to ask your Majesty to reward me with the same amount of gold and silver. I am not qualified to enjoy the elegant music that your Majesty can enjoy. Your Majesty took pity on me and rewarded me directly. I will use part of it to attract dancing girls and the other part to buy clothes for the people. Winters are warm.”

Zhuang Xun pretended to be drunk and did not fall into Hao Taipu's routine, and then said half-yin and yang: "All the gentlemen sitting here must ensure that the people under your rule have no worries about food and clothing. Xun doesn't have the ability of you, and most of the people are just Wearing cotton clothes, Xun can only share the suffering of the people."

It's a pity that his yin and yang tone was really regarded as drunk talk. None of these people looked ashamed, because most of the people in the court would never be like Zhuang Xun in this life, really going deep into the farmhouse and talking about the people. Life, let alone none at all, can also be said to be close to zero.

Therefore, not only did he not feel Zhuang Xun's sarcasm, but he raised his head proudly, as if anyone who did not behave like this meant that he had failed to govern the people under his jurisdiction.

"It is commendable that King Xia has this kind of thinking. The people are like water and the king is like a boat. Only if King Xia has this kind of thinking can he establish his own business in Jizhou."

As King Zhao, he also didn't feel affected by Yin and Yang. At least all he saw were well-dressed people, even in Nancheng where civilians lived.

"I will build a mansion for you in Jinyang, and send the dancing girl there. It will all be done with royal support and at no cost to you. I will reward you with gold and silver and cloth, and you will bring it back to the Xia Kingdom so that the people will not be without clothes."

King Zhao said generously that he had changed his view of Zhuang Xun a little, so that he was like the koi carp raised by his mother. Although his knowledge was shallow, his heart was kind.

"Xiao Wang, thank you for the reward from the Holy Emperor." Zhuang Xun thanked him, but he was a little discouraged. He felt that he didn't see what he wanted to see, and he didn't want to stay any longer. He bowed and staggered after taking two steps.

He also wanted to have a quarrel with these angry ministers and nobles (they were drunk), give them a good whipping, and let them understand the importance of treating people as human beings, but he did not expect these people to give in like this.

It's not that they gave in, but Zhuang Xun's yin and yang didn't attack well enough. None of these people understood Zhuang Xun's yin and yang. Zhuang Xun's fist hit the cotton, and they fell into a chicken-and-duck situation.

But even if they understand Zhuang Xun's yin and yang, they probably won't care. Instead, they think Zhuang Xun is sick.

"King Xia is drunk, please help King Xia go down to rest." Zhuang Xun looked very much like he was pretending to be drunk, so King Zhao did not embarrass him. After all, it was not a banquet to show Zhuang Xun's power.

The maid on the side helped Zhuang Xun up. Zhuang Xun lowered his head and followed the maid out, leaving such an uncomfortable environment.

"My dear friends, I will continue, but can anyone write a poem..."

The voice of King Zhao came, and Zhuang Xun sighed. He was extremely ill, extremely ill. Siqinmi was like a white lotus that could grow in the mud, but Zhuang Xun couldn't bear such an environment.

If he were in the officialdom, he would probably be swallowed up. While closing his eyes and thinking about the complacency of these people, Zhuang Xun had a bad feeling and wanted to go back to find Li Rusi. He didn't want to be in this place anymore. .

The pure jade hand wiped Zhuang Xun's cheek with a handkerchief, which was cool and soft. Zhuang Xun opened his eyes and saw Mrs. Jiang and Lan Qiu, no one else.

"Mrs. Jiang, you." Zhuang Xun wanted to stand up, but was held down by Mrs. Jiang.

"Aren't you accustomed to the environment in Zhao country?" Mrs. Jiang said softly as she wiped Zhuang Xun's forehead with a handkerchief.

"Some are different from Zai Xia and Yu." Zhuang Xun blinked, his heart skipping a beat as he looked at Madam Jiang's beautiful face so close at hand.

But thinking about the positions of both parties, he closed his eyes and seemed really drunk.

"You are right. The slave family has heard it. They are all idiots. Don't pay attention to them." Mrs. Jiang wiped the sweat from Zhuang Xun's face.

"I understand, just do what you should do. Does Mrs. Jiang agree with what I say?" Zhuang Xun said hopefully. After discussing with Si Qinmi, he already knew Mrs. Jiang's position, and he still hoped to win her over.

He didn't know Mrs. Jiang's identity as the Queen Mother of the State of Zhao, nor did he know that the State of Zhao was Mrs. Jiang's hard work, so his efforts were destined to be in vain.

Only later did he learn that he could only hold this woman in his hands by attacking Zhao State, entering Jinyang, and using his more progressive path to destroy the path that Mrs. Jiang thought was perfect.

She is the Queen Mother of the Zhao Kingdom, and she is not just a lover. She has her own thoughts and will, and she is a woman who needs Zhuang Xun to conquer her with force.

However, Zhuang Xun knew nothing. He applied his previous experience to the current situation and wanted to invite like-minded friends.

"I agree, but it is too idealistic. The slave family has said before that no matter how fair and beautiful your highness is, you will eventually be monopolized by the landlords of the aristocratic families. It will only be one generation, and no more than two generations at most."

Mrs. Jiang retracted her hand and sat beside Zhuang Xun's bed. She did not choose to smash everything because it took too long. First, seize power to consolidate power, then suppress, smash everything, and finally rebuild. It would take too much time, and the weak There is too much time, and foreign enemies are also watching.

She unites the aristocratic families to govern the world. Compared with the aristocratic families seizing power, the country will not have a country, which is much better. This structure is also very stable. Moreover, even if everything is smashed, it will not exceed 70 years before a new aristocratic family landlord will be formed. Finally, It has become what it is now.

"I also told you, Mrs. Jiang, even for one generation." Zhuang Xun raised his head stubbornly, his eyes meeting Mrs. Jiang's phoenix eyes.

"I know, if the Zhao Kingdom unifies the world, there will definitely be another distribution." Mrs. Jiang promised Zhuang Xun, smiling softly, as if she had given in.

"Is it really possible?" Zhuang Xun remained skeptical, having seen Zhao Guo's psychedelic operations.

"Definitely, but I didn't expect you to say this at the banquet? Do you think it's too extravagant?" Mrs. Jiang continued to ask, her eyes gentle.

Zhuang Xun knew clearly that she was a liar who could lie and coax people, but he still hummed. King Zhao didn't like these scenes that showed the prosperity and power of the Zhao country.

"You are right, but get used to it. It doesn't matter if you can't blend in with these people. I'm sorry, Zhao Guo has let you down like this."

After getting Zhuang Xun's whereabouts from Lan Qiu's report, Mrs. Jiang understood the sarcasm of Zhuang Xun's words and came to be her close sister. She was afraid that Zhuang Xun and other powerful people would be angry and upset.

"What do you have to apologize for? It's not your fault. You will soon be from Xia." Zhuang Xun held Mrs. Jiang's hand.

Mrs. Jiang didn't break free. After hearing Zhuang Xun's words, she smiled and said nothing. She didn't say she was fully responsible, but at least half responsible. She made these aristocratic families live so well.

You have to pay for what you get. Since you can get taxes, land taxes, and business taxes from big families, you can get elite soldiers from small families and powerful people, and the royal power has also expanded to the extreme where you can't fall out of favor, then naturally, in some aspects you can only Let go of the part and allow aristocratic families to increase their income above the bottom line. For example, Zhuang Xun heard that to do a certain business, he needed permission from a certain aristocratic family.As for going to the Xia Kingdom, it was impossible for her to go. She was not a lover, and the Zhao Kingdom was also her inheritance. She never dreamed that one day she would dedicate this inheritance with her own hands.

"Mrs. Jiang, when can I marry you? I want to go home." Zhuang Xun said bluntly, holding Mrs. Jiang's hand, feeling a little impulsive after drinking.

It also revealed his true thoughts. He really couldn't stay in the Zhao Kingdom and wanted to return to the Xia Kingdom quickly. There were no exquisite pavilions and pavilions there, but he felt at ease.

"Drink next time." Mrs. Jiang smiled and dealt with the drunk Zhuang Xun. Zhuang Xun looked so drunk that he was also in a daze.

"Oh..." Zhuang Xun realized that he was impulsive and quickly let go. Even with his eyes a little helpless, he didn't know whether he was acting or showing his true feelings.

"You have to meet your relatives first, didn't you say? The Queen Mother also wants to see you. How can it be so easy?"

Mrs. Jiang said slowly and patted the back of Zhuang Xun's hand. Zhuang Xun felt tired for a while and felt that what Mrs. Jiang said made sense: "That's right. Let's meet your parents first."

"Go to sleep." He blew a gentle breath of fragrance onto Zhuang Xun, and Zhuang Xun closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Mother, will the State of Zhao really distribute land again?" Lan Qiu asked when Zhuang Xun was sleeping.

"It will be easier to unify the world, and it will be much easier if you are the emperor." Mrs. Jiang did not lie to Zhuang Xun here.

"It was impossible before we unified the world. After all, the talents in each country are from aristocratic families, the generals and generals are also from aristocratic families, and some technologies are also from aristocratic families. If you want to bypass the aristocratic families and compete for world hegemony, it is basically impossible. Jizhou is a remote and remote place, and Zhuang Xun He doesn’t quite understand how difficult it is.”

Mrs. Jiang walked towards the cabinet on the side while talking about something like truth, which in her perception was the truth.

"Mother, why?" Lan Qiu couldn't understand when she saw Mrs. Jiang slowly covering Zhuang Xun with a blanket.

"Why?" He took out his handkerchief and wiped Zhuang Xun's hand, then stuffed it into the blanket.

"Doesn't the empress not like King Xia You?" That's why she asked her to marry him on her behalf. She couldn't understand Mrs. Jiang's current actions.

"How could you not like him? The Ai family watched him become king all the way, but it's just not the kind of love you think. The Ai family regards him as a descendant, a nephew, and he will become a disciple of the Ai family in his next life. If the Ai family doesn't If you like him, why would you want to marry him?"

After giving Zhuang Xun a gentle look, Queen Mother Jiang stood up. The fish she raised was the best koi. Cats and dogs have feelings after being raised for a long time, let alone people. It was quite different from what Zhuang Xun thought. That’s all.

"How is Yu Guo?" Mrs. Jiang looked at Zhuang Xun sleeping soundly and smiled softly on her sexy red lips.

Bringing Zhuang Xun to the State of Zhao was naturally for the State of Yu. As soon as Zhuang Xun came to the State of Zhao, Mrs. Jiang had already started to make plans, and now there is some progress.

"King Donghua has connected all the princes to prepare for a coup."

Based on the intelligence, Lan Qiu told Mrs. Jiang that the State of Zhao was preparing to support King Donghua, so the series was also a series with King Donghua.

"Let him pay more attention to the movements of the old King Yu. After all, there are senior brothers from the Ai family, so it is not that easy. Alas, it is really impossible to support the wall with mud. Worry about this and that."

Mrs. Jiang showed a headache, as delicate as Xizi, but considering that this was a coup in a country thousands of miles away, it was not surprising.

"Isn't this something that can't be helped? King Donghua is a bit arrogant, but he is the strongest among the princes, and the other princes are more troublesome."

Lan Qiu and Mrs. Jiang were running around. They had seen what King Donghua was like, so they also had headache expressions.

"It would be great if the Ai family could arrange things in the Yu Kingdom, but it's a pity that we have to deal with this little guy." Empress Dowager Jiang pointed her green-white jade finger at Zhuang Xun's eyebrows, and Zhuang Xun frowned in discomfort before she happily let go.

"There is no way. My Majesty wants to use this method to trick King Xia You into the Kingdom of Zhao. My Majesty, you have to be here to stabilize him, and you don't want to break up with him immediately."

Lan Qiu covered her mouth and said with a smile. She felt that Mrs. Jiang's actions were also very confusing. She didn't want to get married but she used this method to attract people.

"It's not because of the eldest lady's advice. Our Lady Xuannv is very partial. I am afraid that her plan has long been based on the idea of ​​​​capturing Zhuang Xun if he doesn't come. She just let the Ai family deceive her, and why? It has always been hinted that Zhuang Xun likes Aijia, so in order to deceive Zhuang Xun, Aijia can only use all the chips it can give, after all, it can eliminate a hidden danger."

Mrs. Jiang showed a helpless look and was full of resentment towards Xuan Nu. However, Xuan Nu was in seclusion at the moment and could not feel her resentment, so she could only express to Lan Qiu that the queen was full of yin and yang.

"Is that so? Why is Empress Xuannv so partial to King Xiayou? Did King Xiayou pour some kind of ecstasy soup into Empress Xuannv?"

Lan Qiu laughed and said, how partial it is to be able to make Xuannv so partial, even if she has to dedicate herself to cultivating merit, she still wants to arrest Zhuang Xun.

"Who knows, the Ai family is still looking for a chance to ask. Maybe he is the destined match for Empress Xuannv, but you also know that Empress Xuannv likes to marry men."

Mrs. Jiang herself was confused. She had known that Xuannv could forcibly kidnap people. What conditions did she use to invite Zhuang Xun at such a high price?

She even doubted whether Xuannv and Zhuang Xun worked together to trick her. However, Zhuang Xun was forcibly captured and Xuannv was recuperated in seclusion. It was not intentional by the two of them.

If Zhuang Xun doesn't cooperate, then Xuannu is uneasy and kind-hearted. Fortunately, she is in seclusion, otherwise she will basically not be able to escape, and there is basically no way to use proxy marriage. Xuannu, not to mention force, I don't know what means to use, she will definitely convince Myself, I shudder just thinking about it.

"I like to be paired with a good man, and I won't sacrifice my merits and cultivation. There must be some other reasons." Lan Qiu fell into thinking, but there was a key connection point missing, so she couldn't think of it.

How could they have thought that Xuannv, who has great cultivation and great magic power, would be moved by mortal hearts, come to defend her man, and forcibly build a road to the sky for him. She said she would not favor you, but in fact her body is so honest, and she can see your You are too lazy to be an idle prince even if you try hard to harm your merits.

"Stop talking about it. It just so happens that you are going to marry Zhuang Xun on behalf of the Ai family. Hold this golden lock and transform into the appearance of the Ai family. Most people can't tell the difference. Even a powerful god like the empress can't tell the difference without careful inspection. You will find that as long as there are no clues, she will not check carefully, and the Ai family is still worried about the Yu State and wants to go to the Yu State."

Mrs. Jiang took out a golden lock from her pocket and hung it reluctantly on Lan Qiu's chest. While introducing the power of the golden lock, she told Lan Qiu to pay attention to it.

In fact, she still felt that Xuan Nu was abnormal. She hid away during the honeymoon period when Zhuang Xun was still in Zhao State.

"Mother, when are you leaving?" Lan Qiu asked in a daze before she could react.

"He came to visit the Ai family, and in the next few days, it was too late and there was no time to control the situation in the Yu Kingdom."

God knows how long Empress Xuannv will be in seclusion. The longer she stays, the less safe she feels, so she should leave immediately.

"You act like Aijia, and Aijia will cover you up." Suddenly feeling urgent, Mrs. Jiang ordered Lan Qiu.

"Okay." Lan Qiu made a magic formula. It had the same heavenly fragrance, as beautiful as peaches and plums, but her movements were a little stiff.

Mrs. Jiang stepped forward, bit her finger, and the essence and blood was dotted on Lan Qiu's eyebrows. Mrs. Jiang, played by Lan Qiu, became animated.

The two of them stood together. Except for their different clothes, they were like two sides of a mirror. For a moment, it was impossible to tell who was the real Mrs. Jiang. Only then did Mrs. Jiang nod with satisfaction.

Lan Qiu changed back to her original self, feeling a little embarrassed and at a loss as she said, "Isn't it a good idea to look like a queen like this?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. It's just a flesh and skin. Immortals and Buddhas hate it when others look at their faces. The Ai family doesn't care. Why should you care? This will satisfy him and prevent him from having any rebellious intentions until the situation in Yu country stabilizes. "

When the situation in Yu State stabilized and the three-legged force was formed, Zhuang Xun found out that no matter how incompetent and furious, Zhuang Xun could only follow the pace of Zhao State and leave. Before that, it was better to stabilize Zhuang Xun, and Mrs. Jiang kept an eye on him. Zhuang Xun doubled his eyeliner several times just to be sure.

A thousand days to be a thief, a thousand days to guard against thieves, it would be best if Zhuang Xun did not have the idea of ​​​​escape. It was also because of this thought that she came to comfort Zhuang Xun.

It's a pity that Zhuang Xun is now rebellious, and it can't be solved by just relying on her comfort. However, she chose the most proud and arrogant way of playing.

Zhao Guo is a real dragon trapped in the shoal, and Zhuang Xun is not the same. The carp has just crossed the dragon gate and its head has just grown horns. At this time, Mrs. Jiang, who came to restrain Zhuang Xun, made a big mistake that affected her fate and underestimated the enemy.

"You take care of him. If you are familiar with him, the Ai family will leave first." Mrs. Jiang explained, also with the intention of letting the two of them get along.

"I understand." Lan Qiu sat next to Zhuang Xun. After Mrs. Jiang left, her black and white eyes stared at Zhuang Xun.

Zhuang Xun turned around irritably. Hong Cha Cha's face was all red from drunkenness. She imitated Mrs. Jiang's technique and wiped Zhuang Xun's sweat.

He smiled when he saw Zhuang Xun's relaxed expression, and then fell into deep thought again, staring at Zhuang Xun and thinking about many things in his mind.

There was admiration when I saw Zhuang Xun for the first time, there was laughter that made fun of him for not overestimating his abilities, there was shame in front of Zhuang Xun and her farmers after thinking too much, and she was so embarrassed that she had already walked fifty miles, especially today when I heard Zhuang Xun's words to all the officials. Taunting her, bringing back memories.

She is the daughter of a guilty minister who was rescued by Mrs. Jiang. Mrs. Jiang taught her Taoism. Mrs. Jiang is both a teacher and a mother to her, and her kindness is like the ocean.

What should I do.

(End of this chapter)