Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 153 Narcissistic Surprise
In the small courtyard of the Gu family in Liangzhou City, Gu Deshui, who had been away for a few days, finally came back. Not only did he come back, but he also brought home a small bag of grain. Everyone in the family smiled happily, "Uncle..."

"father……"

"Get water..."

Gu Deshui handed the grain bag to his mother, and hurriedly pulled his father into a secluded small room. The family members were puzzled, "Grandma, why did Dad take Grandpa away?"

"Perhaps your father has something to say to him."

"Why don't you let us listen?"

"Probably not something a child can hear."

"Oh, grandma, what could that be?"

Gu shook her head: "Grandma doesn't understand either."

In the small wing, Gu Deshui said excitedly: "Father, the king of Beijun is probably different from the generals before."

"What's the difference?" Old Man Gu asked.

"He wants to be here permanently."

The old man stroked his beard: "It's strange. The former general wanted to leave and escape when he saw Liangzhou. Can he stay here permanently?"

"It should be possible." Gu Deshui said, "Father, judging from the few days I've been with them, they definitely want to stay permanently."

"If you stay here, you have to eat food..."

"I need to drink more water." Gu Deshui said: "That Ma Erniang wanted to go out to visit the mountains and play in the water, so I brought her to Beishan where there is water."

"Did you take them up to the top of the mountain?"

"Well." Gu Deshui said excitedly: "There are a lot of people in Beijun Wang. Going with them this time not only avoids wild animals, but also provides food and water. I easily climbed to the top of the mountain."

"Is there still so much water on the top of the mountain?" Old man Gu's eyes sparkled.

"Father, Duo, the appearance of falling down is extremely spectacular."

Old man Gu stood up excitedly, his cheeks were flushed with excitement, "It would be great if he could connect the underground canals and dry wells to Liangzhou City along Beishan."

"Father, I reckon it can."

"Really?" Old man Gu grabbed his son's arms with excited hands, "How did you know that?"

"Along the way, Ma Erniang asked things, all about water and food. I don't think she's going to visit mountains and rivers. I think she has ideas and wants to do something."

"It's good to have an idea, it's good to have an idea." Old man Gu asked again worriedly: "It's just that she is a woman who asks if it will be useful?"

"Father, I think the king of Beijun dotes on her very much, so it should be useful!"

Old man Gu said: "Since ancient times, when a man dotes on a woman, it means money or obedience. Can he build a canal for Ma Erniang?"

"As long as Ma Erniang wants to build the canal, I think it can be done." Gu Deshui recalled the plot when the two got along, "Not only did the king of the North County hug the carriage, but when Ma Erniang was about to reach the top of the mountain, Ma Erniang couldn't get up. If you can’t walk, the king of Beijun carried you up the mountain.”

"Looks like there is hope." Gu Deshui said, "Deshui, quickly take out the canal repair map from your ancestors, let's show it to Ma Erniang, and see if she can repair it or not?"

"All right, Dad!"

In the yamen of Liangzhou Prefecture, Wei Ren asked the people in the yamen to sort out the fields and other materials, but what he got was perfunctory at first glance, and he was so angry that he tore it up several times, "Master Sha, what do you want?" Don’t want to be the magistrate anymore?”

Prefect Sha shrank his head and looked at Wei Ren: "If the businessman doesn't come, it's meaningless for me, the prefect, to do anything."

"What do you mean by that?"

Prefect Sha curled his lips: "The income of the Liangzhou city yamen depends entirely on merchants coming to do business and pay taxes. Now that you are here, without merchants, there will be no taxes, and without taxes, there will be no money. How can I be a prefect."

"Master Sha, you have to be responsible for your words."

"Mr. Wei, this old man knows. You asked me about good, middle and low-grade fields, and I told you that there is only one kind of land—sand, gravel, and gravel, which cannot grow food."

"Whether or not the plant will be planted is not up to you, nor is it up to me. It's up to the king of Beijun." Wei Ren squinted his eyes and spoke in a neither hasty nor slow manner, but it made people feel a sense of urgency.

Prefect Sha is not afraid on the surface, but he is still afraid in his heart. He thought, it seems that he will not be able to become an official.

Even when there is no expression on Wei Ren's face, there is a slight smile on his face. At first glance, it is easy for people to feel close to him, and feel that this person is easy to get along with. In fact, this half smile is his shrewd coat. Only experienced people can see it.

"Then let the king of Beijun decide, and I will leave." Prefect Sha shook his sleeves and walked away.

Wei Ren stared at his back, without even a shrewd smile on his face, stood up slowly, and carefully arranged his robe until there were no wrinkles.

Seeing that his clothes had been tidied up, the entourage stepped forward, "Mr. Wei, the king of Beijun is back."

"Out of town."

"Yes, Mr. Wei."

It's almost time for dinner, Aunt Shan, Xing'er and the others are very busy, the little boss's family has been out for a few days, the bumps are tasteless, they are preparing to cook some light and nutritious dishes.

"Except for the bean teeth and the small green vegetables that grow in water, there are really no fresh vegetables to sell." Aunt Shan was distressed.

"Aunt Shan, pickled radishes are also delicious, how about some?"

"That's the only way!" Aunt Shan said again: "I'll make some sweet bean curd."

Xing'er nodded, turned around to go to work, but was taken aback by the person who came, but she didn't show her emotions well, even if she was frightened, it would not be obvious, she lowered her head and saluted, "Mr. Wei..."

"Do you have any snacks? I'm so hungry." Wei Ren smiled a little bit when he was expressionless. This smiling face looked lively and bold, and he was a little ruffian. His facial features were not like Xia Zhen's It's amazing, but it's not bad, just standing there casually is very expensive.

"Yes!" After finishing speaking, Xing'er went to get some snacks, because Ma Min'er likes snacks, they always have them prepared, and the subordinates of the King of Beijun will give them some when they come to ask for it, but there are not many people who eat snacks , or not many people dared to ask for snacks, except General Zhang and Wei Ren, and even Xiaowen didn't ask for snacks easily.

Wei Ren, who was so busy that he was so busy, had time to think, this little lady is amazing, even when blocked by a handsome young man like me, her expression remains the same, she has determination!
Uh... narcissism... or habit of guessing people?Haha... I don't know.

Xing'er wrapped a handful of sanzi in oiled paper and came over without saying a word, bowed her head in salute, raised her hand slightly and handed the things to him, after handing them over, she took a few steps back and went back to her own business.

Wei Ren looked at her probingly, opened the oil-paper bag casually, took a piece of sanzi and put it in his mouth, and ate it. Seeing that she was doing things by herself, he turned and went to find Xia Zhen.

Arriving at the door of Xia Zhenying's account, a small bag of sanzi had already eaten most of it, and the rest was handed over to Xiaowen at the door. After receiving the silk head from the waiter, he wiped his hands and straightened his robe before letting Xiaowen report .

"Mr. Wei is here—"

Xia Zhen's voice came out from inside the account, "Let him in."

"Go in, sir." Xiaowen watched him go in, looked at the pan in his hand, and said in a low voice, "Why didn't I expect to ask Xing'er for one?"

Jing Mo glanced at him with his sword in his arms, "How do you know that he took it from Xing'er, maybe Aunt Shan?"

Xiaowen snorted at him, "Anyway, if I go to ask for something, I will definitely find Xing'er, who doesn't like to get close to the little lady, I can't find a woman like Aunt Shan, that's so boring."

Shocked and disdainful, he didn't even bother to reply.

Xiaowen angrily took the sanzi and stuffed it into his mouth, "There is no oil or water in this place, so you can only eat some fried sanzi."

In the tent, Wei Ren has already given a summary of the intelligence department in Fucheng. It is concise and to the point, which does not match his slippery appearance.

Xia Zhen's frowning brows were never loosened, "The surname is Shabu, you can lick him tomorrow, and find a reliable person to bring it up."

Wei Ren followed Ning Mei, "Jun Wang, in fact, I wanted to lick him on the first day, but no one can use him if I lick him."

The father and son of the Xia family were all worried, yes, they are all military generals, there are literati who can be used, even if there are, they are also aides in the army, and they mainly focus on military affairs.

Seeing that the Xia family's father and son hadn't spoken, Wei Ren said, "For the affairs of the Liangzhou government, even if I have talents among the staff, it is not advisable to promote them."

"But why?"

"We are newcomers and are not familiar with the affairs here. Capability alone is not enough."

Grandfather said that although Wei Ren is slippery, he has few advantages in taking one step and thinking three steps. Xia Zhen nodded slightly, agreeing with his words.

"But in the yamen, I have also noticed that those people are the same as Sha Zhifu, they are not outstanding."

Xia Zhen said helplessly: "During this time, you should bear it first."

"Yes, the king of the county."

Xia Zetao took a breath and stood up, "It's getting late, I'm going back to the city first."

"I'll send my father off."

A few people left the tent together, and just as they were about to leave, Ma Min'er arrived, "General, Mr. Wei—"

Xia Zetao felt cordial when he saw his future daughter-in-law: "Er Niang, you just came back with Zhen'er, why don't you take a rest?"

"Thank you, General! Come here and invite you to dinner."

"Oh, it wasn't you who reminded me, I forgot about dinner."

"Don't you feel hungry, General?"

Xia Zetao frowned slightly, "I don't seem to feel hungry during this time."

"General, you must have worked too hard and hurt your spleen and stomach."

Xia Zetao chuckled lightly, thinking, ten years of vagrancy would have already hurt him.

"General, tonight, there is a yam ball soup that invigorates the spleen and stomach. Let's eat some before going back to the city?"

"Then eat something before going back to the city." For some reason, Ma Zetao felt that this future daughter-in-law was like a daughter, which made him relax unconsciously, as if he had a taste in an instant.

"Let's go together, Mr. Wei!"

"Thank you ma'am!" Wei Ren smiled.

Ma Min'er was already close to Xia Zhen, he reached out and took her hand, and the two went to eat together.There is a large canteen in the camp, and the stove built by Ma Min’er is a small canteen, and it’s a small canteen for big coffee, haha...

Aunt Shan, Xing'er and the others had already set up the table. Several small tables were put together to form a generous table. There were probably a few people who wanted to eat, and Aunt Shan already had a good idea of ​​how many people were going to eat.

There are also guards and others, but they can only eat on the sidelines. No matter whether the camp is simple or not, the reality is really like this, and the classes are quite distinct.Usually there are three dishes and one soup, but today there are two more dishes, because the big and small generals are here, so I have to add dishes to the two big guys.The combination of meat and vegetables is a delicacy on the table in Liangzhou city where material is scarce.

"General, is the food still to your taste?"

Xia Zetao nodded, "Not bad, very fresh, quite tasty."

"General, Chef Lei's craftsmanship is also very good."

Xia Zetao smiled, "Well, but I still think the dishes here are fresher."

"Hee hee, there is MSG in our dishes."

"MSG?"

Ma Min'er nodded, "It's an umami stuff extracted from fungi."

"No wonder." Xia Zetao said, "I will eat more from now on."

"Okay, General, come here when you are free."

Xia Zetao turned his head, "Zhen'er, it's not a problem whether you want to move to the city or not!"

Xia Zhen glanced at the young daughter-in-law, "Do you want to move?"

Ma Min'er said: "If you organize people to dig the canal, not only will we not be able to move to the city, but we will have to move closer to Beishan."

"Then don't move, and go to Beishan tomorrow."

"Have you decided to dig the canal?" Ma Min'er asked in surprise.

"Yeah." Xia Zhen lowered her head to dig a mouthful of rice, and continued: "Pingding's food can be transported for three months, or even five months, but not half a year, one year...it's unrealistic."

"Yes, it's very unrealistic!" Ma Min'er strengthened: "First of all, let's not talk about whether the two small mansions can support the other three big mansions, even the transportation will consume a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources."

Xia Zhen nodded affirmatively, "So the first step is to repair the canal."

"Great."

Seeing that the day of Chunxi is getting closer and closer, Ma Dalang stays in Fengjia Bieyuan to study during the day, and after evening, he goes to a small restaurant where the students gather for dinner. After eating, participating in the students' policy discussion can not only broaden the scope of knowledge , and can make friends, he likes this atmosphere very much.I often go back late at night!
Remembering Xiaodong's instructions, Peng Xiaohe reminded in a low voice: "Mr. Da Lang, Haishi is (10 o'clock in the evening), and it will take half an hour before we walk back. We will wash up after we go back. It's getting late, and it will affect tomorrow's work." learned."

Ma Dalang was in a state of excitement, when he heard Xiaohe's reminder, he moved his buttocks. At the end of the period, he left the wine shop, and there was almost no one on the street except the yamen who patrolled the street.

"It's so late?"

"Yes, Mr. Da Lang, the little boss said, I would rather get up earlier than stay up too late, which would hurt my mind and body."

Ma Dalang nodded, "Sister is right, let's go back."

The master and servant returned to the small courtyard of Feng's house with a lantern, and the old man who watched the courtyard opened the door: "Young Master Ma, you are back!"

"Gumber, I'm sorry to make you wake up to open the door again."

"My lord, you are being polite. It is the old man's duty to entrust you to me."

"Thank you Gamper!"

"Master Ma, Yao Sanniang came here at night, waited for you for a while, and left without seeing you back."

Ma Dalang's ears turned red unknowingly, "I don't know if she came..."

"It is said that the old man asked you to bring food to you."

"Master is so kind!"

"Put the food on the table. It's cold. Ask Hegeer to warm it up for you. Go to bed early after eating."

Ma Dalang didn't know how to thank Mrs. Jiang, but when he thought of the third lady Fengluo Yaofeng, his face flushed again, and he hurried into the living room, seeing the food boxes on the table of the Eight Immortals, neatly placed, his heart warmed, It is always a pleasure to be cared for and cared for.

In Prince Ning's mansion, in the middle of the night, there was still light in a certain courtyard, reflecting Xin Chang's shadow, "Prince Xia, the surname Xia has brought his daughter-in-law who has never been married to Liangzhou."

"Isn't it peaceful?"

"Yes, the king of the county."

Liu Zaili was facing the roof on his back, with his arms hanging by his sides, his posture was lazy, his expression was low and lonely, "How is Liangzhou?"

"Go back to the king of the county, if the emperor doesn't adjust grain for Liangzhou, Liangzhou city will be a dead city."

"Dead City?"

"Yes, the king of the county, it is a barren land, and all the people are supported by the court. Now, there is no food, and people either starve to death or flee Liangzhou. Without people, Liangzhou is just a city. Is it an empty city?"

Liu Zaili raised his head, "Pay close attention to Xia Zhen's movements, I want to see how Xia Zhen can secure her position as king of the North County."

"Yes, the king of the county."

"and also……"

"Prince, what's the matter?"

Liu Zaili turned his head to look at the dark guard, and said something in a low voice, after the dark guard listened, he nodded, "Yes, the king, I understand."

Zhuang Hao has been living in the Beijun Palace in the capital. This mansion was awarded to Xia Zhen by Emperor Yuantai. He has been living in the north since he returned to the north, but he has always lived in the guest courtyard, not in the main courtyard or other courtyards. .

He was sitting cross-legged on the floor in a Taoist robe, playing chess with himself. The beating oil lamp and the silent night made his figure look graceful. The sliding door was gently opened, "Sir, there is news from the north."

"Come in and talk."

"Yes, sir." The guard entered the room and closed the door behind him: "Sir, the little general encountered a problem in Liangzhou City."

"What's the problem?"

"10,000+ troops have nowhere to stay."

Zhuang Hao stopped Luozi's hand and raised his eyes: "Liangzhou's land boundary is the largest in the five northern prefectures, so how come there is no place to garrison troops?"

"Sir, Liangzhou, Liangzhou, is a desolate land, barren land, no food grows at all."

Zhuang Hao's eyes tightened: "Except for the little general, who else followed to Liangzhou?"

"Mr. Hui, are you asking the general or the staff?"

Zhuang Hao took a deep look at the guards, and he shrank his head in fright, "The general came to Liangzhou one step ahead of the young general. The gentleman who followed the young general was named Wei, and his name was Ren. The main generals were You Zhang, Gu and others... "

Zhuang Hao asked: "Has Erniang Ma followed?"

"Followed."

Ma Hao grinned lightly: "Look at how these two couples can solve the difficulties in front of them."

"Sir, no one has ever solved the predicament in Liangzhou. The court is supporting the population. Can General Xia solve it?" the guard asked.

Zhuang Hao sent a cool breeze: "Wait until you see it."

"Yes, sir!"

The guard walked forward, and the hidden guard entered the room behind: "Sir——"

"How about it?"

"The king of Yancheng County sent people to watch the north, and watch the little general."

"What else..." Zhuang Hao asked with narrowed eyes.

The dark guard replied: "A few men in black have left Beijing tonight, where are they going?"

"Watch me."

"Yes, the king of the county."

-

It was almost midnight when Xia Zetao returned to the courtyard in the city. As soon as he entered the courtyard, his wife Zhao Suxin was waiting at the door, and when she saw him, she exclaimed happily: "Zening...Zening..."

"Why are you still not sleeping?"

"If you don't come back, I won't be able to sleep."

Xia Zetao took a deep breath secretly, then turned his head, "Chunping, bring the red bean, red date and lotus seed soup to the table in the small room, and my wife and I will eat it together."

"Husband..." Zhao Suxin was very happy to hear her husband like this, and took his arm without any hassle. Xia Zetao paused for a moment, but did not refuse, and went to the wing with her.

"Husband, this soup is really delicious."

Xia Zetao smiled slightly, "The food from Er Niang's family is delicious."

"Second mother?"

"Your future daughter-in-law."

Zhao Suxin was a little surprised: "Her?"

"Ok!"

"She is with Zhen'er?"

"Ah."

"But they're not married yet?" Zhao Suxin put down the spoon in surprise.

Xia Zetao said disapprovingly: "Zhen'er is away all year round and has no one to take care of her. It's good to take her with you."

"But...but this is against the rules,"

Xia Zetao raised his head coldly, "It stands to reason that you don't have to come if I come to the border of Liangzhou to garrison troops."

"Husband, but I am the wife you Mingmei is marrying, why can't I?"

Xia Zetao moved the lotus seeds in his mouth, feeling extremely bitter, "Eat it while it's hot, and go to bed immediately after eating."

"But Zhen'er and Erniang..."

"You don't have to ask."

"It's so unruly, how can you not ask?"

Xia Zetao suddenly put down the spoon in his hand, and his anger boiled up when he saw it, but thinking that his son would move the army to Beishan tomorrow, he was very busy, so he held back his temper, and said ruthlessly, "You used to If you haven't asked Zhen'er, then you don't need to ask now, let alone in the future."

"Zening, what are you... talking about?" Zhao Suxin turned pale.

Xia Zetao stood up: "Tomorrow, our army will move north. There are many things to do. I'm going to sleep."

"Then... then... Zening..."

Xia Zetao's back disappeared without a pause before her eyes.

"..." Zhao Suxin trembled and muttered for a long time without uttering a word.

Seeing that she was about to faint, Shuang Lian hurried over to help her, "Madam...Madam..."

Zhao Suxin turned her head, but her eyeballs seemed to be unable to move, "Shuang... Shuanglian, then... Zening doesn't like me anymore..."

"Ma'am, what nonsense are you talking about, the general is just too busy and tired..."

"It's not that you don't like me?"

"...No...Yes...Of course it's not that I don't like you..." Shuanglian felt that the words were oozing panic, but she had to comfort her, otherwise she would fall down, and it would not be her who suffered, "Madam, you Look, the general also specially brought you some soup, you...you can eat it quickly, I heard that red beans and red dates are good for your skin, you eat it, and you become more beautiful, does the general like you again? !"

"Is it because I'm getting old?"

"No, but you'll be prettier if you eat this..."

"Oh..." Zhao Suxin finally stopped shaking, and sat down, "Then I'll eat more, and I'll look better, so my husband will like me again."

Shuanglian frowned, but she had no choice but to coax her, "Ma'am, hurry up and get the spoon..."

……

In the early morning of the second day, Xia Zhen took action and led the army to move north. Not only that, but one-third of Xia Zetao's army followed and stationed in Beishan. They marched day and night. After two days and two nights, they arrived at Beishan.

When old man Gu and his son found out the city to send the blueprints, the outside of the city was already empty, "My God, did they really go to Beishan?"

"Father, what should I do?"

"I still have to ask, go and send the blueprint!"

"Oh oh oh." Gu Deshui hurriedly ran away, "Father, then you go back alone, I'll go after them!"

Old man Gu flicked his hands, "Go, go..." Lifting his chin, he stared into the distance with great difficulty, without moving for a long time.

Today, the yamen is very deserted, almost no one is there. Mr. Wei, who is in charge, has already camped with the King of Beijun. I heard that Sha Zhifu had a few words with Mr. Wei, but he didn’t come to work. Only a few small officials came to help Huang Junyao.

A few petty officials gritted their mouths and teeth, talking about their family's idiosyncrasies, and they leaned next to Huang Junyao while chatting, "Huang Lang, your handwriting is beautiful, I'm so envious!"

Huang Junyao smiled, continued to copy his brochure, and asked casually: "I copied it to Shajiazui, who of you said it was from Shajiazui just now?"

"Me!" A small official replied with a smile.

"How's the land in Shajiazui?"

"It's okay, my mother planted some millet, and it grows okay."

Huang Junyao smiled and continued to write, asking a few words from time to time, and answering their questions. Unknowingly, at noon, the homes of the petty officials were behind the yamen, and they all went back to eat. Only he took a dry biscuit, After eating cakes with boiled water boiled by the servants in the yamen, lunch is over.

In the afternoon, those small officials went to the Yamen to take a look, and found that the magistrate and other high-ranking officials did not come to work, they all left one after another, and the last small official who left shouted, "Mr. ?”

"Walk--"

"Are you going to grind your teeth there?"

"In the tea room."

"Oh, me too, let's go together."

"Okay!" Huang Junyao put the copied document aside, followed the petty officials to go out and grind his teeth.

Xia Zhen's army marched and set up camp, and it took five days before and after, before finally settling down.

Xia Zhen was patrolling outside, planning training and building defenses with Zhang Nianmei and others. Ma Min'er looked at Gu Deshui's dilapidated drawings in her hand. The drawings were too old and dilapidated. It's been worn out.

After lying on her stomach and looking at it for a long time, she had a general impression in her mind, "I will draw a new copy, and you can show it to your father to see if there are any mistakes in the drawing."

"Okay, okay." Gu Deshui was also a little embarrassed. This drawing was memorized in his heart when he was a child, but he couldn't say it out of his mouth. Whatever it is, as long as you understand it.

Although she is a student of economics, in order to focus on engineering, Ma Min'er has learned simple three-dimensional views and three-dimensional drawings. It shouldn't be a problem to draw a culvert. Ruler, I lay on the table and drew for a long time, asking questions while drawing, and got it right.

"I'm just drawing a rough idea, and I need to find a master like your father to revise it to make it more accurate."

When Ma Min'er was drawing the picture, Gu Deshui had been standing by the side all the time, and he had long been impressed by the little lady's ability. No wonder she was able to become the future daughter-in-law of the King of Beijun at such a young age. It turned out that she had real skills.

"Ms. Ma, your drawing is so good, I'll take it back and show it to my father." Gu Deshui turned to go back.

Ma Min'er asked Shan Xiaodan to take the money and grain, and said, "Master Gu, just go and call people like your father, and call them over. The king of Beijun will pay you and give you food. Let's build a culvert together." Irrigate the fields and grow crops."

Ma Deshui has been waiting for this sentence, and when he heard this, he was so excited that he almost cried, "Really, Miss Ma?"

"of course it's true."

"God, it's great, it's great..." Ma Deshui yelled and left Beiying, and went home to find his father.

Wei Ren was about to visit the yamen when Xia Zetao rode over.

"The general—"

"Mr. Wei is going to take the horse..."

"Get ready to go to the Yamen."

"Oh." Xia Zetao jumped off the horse, "Where's Zhen'er?"

"The king of the county has returned to the tent."

"Then I'll go find him." Xia Zetao said as he left, his long entourage followed, and when he walked up to Wei Ren, he said: "The document that Huang Xiaoli in the yamen asked to bring."

Wei Ren was puzzled, and stretched out his hand to take it. After turning a few pages, he was pleasantly surprised, and hurriedly followed the general, "I'm going to find the county king too."

(End of this chapter)