Shengshichun

Chapter 398 Confidant
To become a crown prince, there are so many things to learn. Yang Yi has his advantages, but his disadvantages are also obvious. Having been wandering outside since childhood, he is always a step behind in terms of knowledge. And the knowledge of governing a country is the most profound and there is no shortcut to it.

It was as if he had gone back to the age of ten and started over again from the point where he broke off.

In addition to Tutor Gu teaching personally, the emperor also arranged for Academician Shen and Academician Wu from the Hanlin Academy to take turns teaching.

One of them taught national history, while the other two taught poetry and philosophy. Apart from the time for study, the rest of the day was spent going to the Qianqing Palace to follow the emperor in reviewing memorials.

Fu Zhen entered the palace several times and often saw the emperor in the Qianqing Palace, with his hands behind his back, verbally commenting on piles of memorials. Yang Yi would offer his own opinions, and the father and son interacted with each other without the tension they had when they first met. Of course, they were still not as close as ordinary fathers and sons, and Yang Yi rarely talked to the emperor about anything other than political affairs.

Despite this, the queen often stayed by their side, watching them with tenderness and satisfaction. Occasionally, she would give a few words of her own opinion. But more often, she would persuade the emperor to let Yang Yi try on his own.

As his studies deepened, Yang Yi had more and more affairs to deal with.

After the snow stopped in the first month of the year, the emperor sent Pei Zhan to lead an envoy to Dongzi.

The tiger talisman of Dongzi must be returned, and at the same time, it is imperative to establish diplomatic relations with Dongzi. Originally, Yang Yi was the most suitable person to lead the team for this mission, but there was no reason for the crown prince of any country to go on a personal mission.

Pei Zhan was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Revenue, officials from the Imperial Household Department, as well as Liang Zhi, Cheng Chili, and He Zhao, who had participated in the capture of Lian Yang's party in the northwest and were now tasked with inspecting the frontier terrain.

The team was huge, stretching from Donghuamen all the way to the North City Street two miles away.

Fu Zhen, Pei Yu, Mrs. Pei, and Liang Chen and his wife went to the north gate to see them off.

The sunshine after the snow shines on the earth, and everything is bright wherever you look.

Fu Zhen held the two copper keys that Pei Zhan had stuffed into her hands before he left, and her heart was also brightened.

She didn't like separation, especially after Liang Ning had encountered that disaster.

But this time is different. This time, they are going there with the hope of making peace between the two sides and jointly maintaining peace on the border. It is a beautiful farewell.

Da Zhou needs peace, and Dongzi needs it even more. Years ago, the two countries signed an alliance through letters, opened a horse market on the border, and encouraged exchanges between the two groups of merchants. Dongzi has excellent horses, weapons, and minerals, while Da Zhou also has excellent silk, porcelain, and food. These exchanges will greatly promote the prosperity of trade between the two places.

The people of the Great Zhou, who have long been plunged into poverty due to war, will also have more opportunities to make a living.

Finally, we don't have to fight anymore.

Finally I can spend more time with my family.

Xie Yu was also in the team, staring blankly at the direction where the team was going, muttering, "This trip will also take two or three months."

She and Liang Zhi were already engaged in the twelfth lunar month. This pair of enemies still quarreled when they met and missed each other when they were apart.

"It's only two or three months, not long. I'll be back just in time for spring to arrive."

Fu Zhen raised the copper spoon in her hand, squinting her eyes and raising her lips to look at the sunlight that drew out the golden edges. Pei Zhan left her a copper spoon, one of which was the key to the armory in the general's mansion, and the other was the key to his study.

"I know your biggest dream is to become a female general. During the days I'm away from Beijing, you can go to the weapons room to pick out the weapons you are good at and practice hard. There are also many military books in the study, many of which I captured when I fought Dayue. They are very useful for fighting in the northwest terrain.

"I have already discussed the decree with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. After the Spring Examination, the court will reopen the military examination and allow women to participate. When the time comes, you can apply for the position. With your ability, it will not be a problem for you to be among the top three. Then it will be a natural progression for you to join the camp and become a female general."

Fu Zhen could hardly believe it: "Are you kidding me? Is the prince just talking?"

"Of course not." Pei Zhan leaned against the pillow, holding her hand against his chest, "The court lost many generals in the past few years, and the court was originally short of sufficient generals. After the Northwest was settled, in view of Lian Yang's evil deeds, I proposed to the palace to send troops to Dayue, which would inevitably require a group of veterans to go.

"Although we don't have to fight, the army cannot be weak. To develop national strength, we must focus on culture. To protect the country, we must not neglect military power. The court is in need of talents. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Master Gu both agree with my proposal, so it has been decided."

Originally, after defeating the Dayue Kingdom that year, the Great Zhou did not station troops in Dayue due to insufficient national strength, and allowed them to govern themselves. Now with Lian Yang as an example, although the chances of someone else stirring up such a stir are slim, no one is willing to leave them even the slightest chance.

Therefore, not long after Yang Yi entered the East Palace, he decided on this strategy during the morning court one day. Even if the national strength was insufficient, Da Zhou still had to send troops to Dayue, and Dayue had to obey the takeover.

"There are many women with outstanding abilities in our dynasty. It is a waste to confine them all in the inner palace. Just like you and your mother-in-law, you are both outstanding women. The Great Zhou can use your martial arts and talents, and it can also use your mother-in-law's business skills. You should all give full play to your strengths and contribute to the prosperity of the Great Zhou. Don't you agree?"

Pei Zhan kept talking until almost dawn.

When Fu Zhen woke up, he was already dressed, and he even ordered breakfast for her while she was sleeping.

I don't know when it started, but Fu Zhen, who originally regarded herself as the elder, gradually got used to his care. After being married for more than half a year, not only did their ideas change, but even the way they got along with each other changed.

They became more and more comfortable together, whether they talked or not.

Just as Fu Zhen had said she would come to see him off, he waited until she finished breakfast before ordering them to set off.

"Sister, don't you miss the general?"

Xie Yu blinked and looked at her pitifully.

Perhaps for her who is young and inexperienced, even the sadness of parting needs someone to accompany her.

"No." Fu Zhen put away the copper spoon. "When they are here, we have a way to live. When they are not here, we have to live another way." She smiled and turned around. "Let's go to Wanbinlou to drink tea and eat Gudong soup. Wait for them to come back riding the spring wind and stepping on the flowers!"

A man who supports her in participating in the martial arts examination and working hard to realize her dreams would never want her to be lonely and worried when he is not around.

In her eyes, he is not only her husband, but also her confidant.

"Ah, gudong soup!" Xie Yu followed her footsteps happily, "No wonder Master told me not to return home after sending him off, but to go to Wanbinlou to eat mutton before leaving. It turns out there is mutton soup to eat! Then I have to tell my father that I am not going back today! I will live with my sister!..."