My clone is on the other side of the starry sky

Chapter 316 The Wind Rises in Wuhan

Wuhan, the capital of the dynasty.

In fact, Wuhan was originally just Han. Later, the empress succeeded to the throne. In order to distinguish herself from Han, Wuhan was established.

The Imperial Palace, Wu Yuan's bedroom.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!" Ah Qing knelt beside Wu Yuan's couch with his arms bare, looking terrified.

"Oh, get up." Wu Yuan put on her clothes, touched her saggy cheeks, looked at the young man with red lips and white teeth in front of her, shook her head and chuckled: "I'm old, it's normal for you to be like this."

"Your Majesty is not old, I am... a little tired today!" Ah Qing said quickly.

"Get up, no guilt." Wu Yuan stretched out her hand, lifted Ah Qing's chin, looked at the young man's energetic body, and asked with a smile: "Ah Qing, how many years have you been in the palace?"

"Your Majesty, I have been favored by your Majesty since I was six years old and have been raised in the palace for seventeen years." Ah Qing bowed.

"I remember your surname is Xue." Wu Yuan stood up, walked to the dressing table, looked at the old face in the mirror, and sighed: "When I adopted you, I still had some beauty, but it's a pity that time has passed. Forgive me."

Xue Qing stood up quickly, came behind Wu Yuan, helped her comb her hair, and said softly: "Your Majesty, if you can get the seal of the mountains and rivers, won't your Majesty be able to stay young forever?"

"Mountain and river seal?" Wu Yuan sighed and said: "Easy said? I wonder where the mission to the Ming Dynasty is now? I don't know if I can wait until the mission returns in my lifetime."

"Your Majesty, didn't the Emperor of Tomorrow explain the method of obtaining the Mountain and River Seal that day?" Xue Qing asked curiously.

"It's clear, but if I want to use it, I'm afraid even the ministers in the DPRK will not agree." Wu Yuan sighed.

Xue Qing was puzzled: "Why is this?"

"Why?" Wu Yuan sneered and said: "I am a virgin and occupy the throne. The ministers are dissatisfied. However, I am old and have only a few years to live. Therefore, the ministers can tolerate me sitting on the throne. But what if The method of immortality for kings, I am afraid that the one hundred and eight palaces of Wuhan will immediately rebel. There are too many people who want to sit in this position, and in the eyes of the officials, I am not in the right position. A slight change in the world may cause The world is in turmoil, don’t forget, since Jian Zheng is gone, it means that the Taoist Alliance will become the biggest factor of instability."

"So... Your Majesty wants to ask Ming Dynasty for help?" Xue Qing understood. There must be Wu Yuan's confidants in the mission.

"Daqian and Wuhan are thousands of miles apart. At least in the short term, there will be no disputes. If he is willing, I am willing to help him contain the power of other countries. Under the encirclement and suppression of many aristocratic families and Taoist alliances in Daqian, he can capture all the land of Jiuzhou. Expelling the Taoist League, the Ming Emperor should have the power to compete with the Taoist League."

"What's the matter?" Wu Yuan glanced at the young eunuch who appeared at the entrance of the palace. He had been waiting there for a long time. It seemed that he had something important to do.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Sima would like to see you." The young eunuch bowed.

"Ask him to wait at Zhaowen Hall." Wu Yuan stood up and said.

"Yes!" the little eunuch agreed, bowed and took a few steps back, then turned and left.

"Come with me to meet Mr. Sima." Wu Yuan put on the yellow robe under Xue Qing's service and stretched out a hand.

"This... Your Majesty, isn't it appropriate?" Xue Qing felt happy in her heart and quickly lowered her head, not daring to let Wu Yuan see his expression.

"You are not an eunuch. At the age of twenty-three, it is time for you to become an official. If my guess is correct, Sima Xian should be here for the imperial examination." Wu Yuan said with a smile as he walked.

Xue Qing suppressed the joy in his heart and said doubtfully: "As far as I know, there are no descendants or disciples of the Sima family participating in this scientific examination."

"No, but there are other surnames. However, this year's top pick was won by a businessman. Naturally, some people will be dissatisfied." Wu Yuan recalled it and said, "I remember that kid's name was Li..."

"Li Xiude is good at both civil and military affairs. Not only is he number one in literature, but he is also number one in martial arts. That's why His Majesty appointed this person to be the number one scholar." Xue Qing said quickly.

"Yes, that's the child." Wu Yuan smiled and said: "As people get older, their memory is much worse than when they were young. I remember that when I was a concubine to the late emperor, I had a photographic memory of the files, but now... Alas~"

"Your Majesty has a mountain in his chest. The more things he remembers in his chest, the slower he will naturally be. If your majesty's chest was full of rivers when he was young, now it is the boundless sea." Xue Qing said with a smile.

Wu Yuan smiled and said nothing. With the support of Xue Qing, she arrived at Zhaowen Hall. There was already an old minister waiting in the hall. It was Sima Xian, the first-rank prime minister of Wu Han Dynasty. Unlike Jiang Song who had been a great leader in the past, Sima Xian was a military official. The head of the top clan in South Korea, he is worthy of being ranked under one person.

"Master Sima, there is no need to be polite." Wu Yuan stretched out her hand to give him some support and said with a smile, "You and I have been close friends for many years. Now that there are no outsiders present, there is no need for those red tapes."

Sima Xian glanced at Xue Qing calmly and saw that he had no intention of leaving. He knew in his heart that in the past, he would never let Xue Qing stay by his side when discussing matters. Now that Xue Qing does not leave, Wu Yuan has no intention of expelling him. You probably understand what Wu Yuan is thinking.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sima Xian stood up.

"Why did Mr. Sima think of coming to find me today?" Wu Yuan sat on the throne, looking at Sima Xian and said with a smile. "I didn't dare to disturb His Majesty, but what happened today is indeed a bit serious." Sima Xian bowed.

"Oh?" Wu Yuan looked at Sima Xian: "What's important?"

"The State of Yue has frequently invaded its borders recently. In January, the six southwest prefectures sent back seven urgent reports, asking the court to send more troops to guard the border. However, last year's floods caused the treasury to be empty. The court is now short of food and salary. I came here just to talk to Your Majesty. Let’s discuss this matter.” Sima Xian said solemnly.

"I also know that due to the floods last year, the imperial court has levied more taxes on the people to help the victims. If more taxes are imposed, I am afraid it will cause turmoil in various governments." Wu Yuan nodded and said thoughtfully.

"Your Majesty, I also feel that it is inappropriate to increase taxes on the people, but the border is in a critical situation, so I have an idea that can solve the urgent problem." Sima Xian bowed.

"What do you think, Aiqing?" Wu Yuan asked with a smile.

"I can't speak highly of you, but I remember that business in the seven southeastern prefectures is booming, but there are many suspicions of tax evasion. I think that we can increase the commercial tax by 10% in the seven southeastern prefectures, and then send people to check the taxes. Anyone who evades taxes will be punished. No mercy should be tolerated, this will relieve the urgent need." Sima Xian bowed.

"It's a good idea. This merchant has evaded taxes. Now when it's time for the court to use the money, if they are willing, it's easy to talk to them. But if they don't want to, no wonder the law is ruthless. In addition, officials from various governments must also investigate this matter thoroughly. They have nothing to do with it." Wu Yuan nodded.

"I obey the order." Sima Xian bowed and said.

After chatting some more about home affairs, Sima Xian took his leave and left the palace.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Sima doesn't seem to have mentioned anything about Li Xiude." Xue Qing looked at Wu Yuan doubtfully.

"You are still too naive." Wu Yuan shook his head: "Go and find out, where does Li Xiude live and what is he doing?"

“Yes.” Yes, my family is engaged in silk weaving business."

"Look, Li Xiude is about to be in trouble." Wu Yuan sighed: "I thought they just wanted to fight for a manor, but now it seems that they are more anxious than me."

"Your Majesty, how should we protect Li Xiude?" Xue Qing asked curiously.

"Why do you want to protect it?" Wu Yuan asked.

"Isn't this the talent you like?" Xue Qing asked doubtfully.

"There are many talents in the world. Li Xiude is young and full of energy and doesn't know how to hide his edge. Just watch, something will happen soon. And if Sima Xian takes action, I'm afraid I won't be able to forgive him for the mistakes he makes by then." Wu Yuan sighed.

I also blame myself for this. If I hadn't wanted to establish a women's court and lost the opportunity to cultivate confidants, I wouldn't have been so tightly controlled by these clans now. I was still too young at the time.

……

The capital of Wuhan was originally called Qingdu. Later, when the empress Wu Yuan succeeded to the throne, not only was Han changed to Wuhan, but Qingdu was also changed to Wudu. Although it was also quite impressive, compared to Tiandu back then, Still a little less bold.

The green air in the sky only condensed thirty-six Confucian statues, which were much worse than the original Tiandu. However, the women in Changlefang were no worse than the spring-filled Oiran back then.

"Where does the red-sleeved girl seem to be interested?" Lu Fengxian took a sip of wine, held the woman in his arms and looked at a group of chattering scholars in the distance, and asked with a smile.

I don’t know if I should say it’s not the right time. It’s just when the results of the Wuhan and Han imperial examinations are released. The women in Changlefang want to get close to those candidates who are famous on the list. They want the oiran to accompany them, and the price is higher than usual. It took five times to invite one.

Sure enough, money is still somewhat insufficient in the face of power.

"My guest, I'm joking. I just heard that the top scholar in Jinke is coming to Changlefang today, and I'm a little curious." The oiran named Hongxiu poured a glass of wine for Lu Fengxian and explained with a chuckle.

"It seems that I, a commoner, disturbed Miss Hongxiu's elegance." Lu Fengxian looked at the noisy students below, stood up and said, "In this case, Miss, come with me to have a look. I also want to see what the number one scholar looks like, Zhan Zhan Talent.”

"My guest, Hongxiu did not mean this." Seeing Lu Fengxian stand up, Hongxiu apologized quickly.

"Girl, you don't have to be like this. I really want to see it. Let's go downstairs to find a table and take a look. It's just me who wants to go, it has nothing to do with the girl." Lu Fengxian pulled up his red sleeves and said with a smile.

As an oiran, you still have the professional ethics you should have. If someone pays you to stay with them, saying that you want to see another man in front of them, even if it is true, is against professional ethics. Naturally, Hong Xiu would not agree. But Lu Fengxian insisted on taking her to see him, and he was secretly happy in his heart. Since ancient times, beauties have loved talented men. In fact, ugly women also love them, but no one cares about it. Although this guest looks a bit rough, he is a man who understands women's feelings and warmth. , if you want to spend the night in Changlefang later, you can ask him to stay overnight...

(End of this chapter)