If the business woman does not help the poor, the villain's dream of prosperity will be shatter

Zhou Min didn't say anything, so Qin Shu accompanied him silently.

Her feelings towards Zhou Min are actually quite complicated.

It is not love between men and women, but it is different from others.

The two of them use each other, are suspicious of each other, but also appreciate each other.

If we ask who knows oneself best in this world, both Zhou Min and Qin Shu would think of each other at the same time.

When fighting side by side, there is a tacit understanding between us.

The two sides fought each other, and it was a thrilling match between two evenly matched opponents.

Just as Zhou Min understood Qin Shu.

Qin Shu also knew Zhou Min.

He was a monarch with great talent and vision.

He is a wise ruler who cares about the world and has compassion for the people.

He also had the ambition to expand territory and dominate the world, but he was by no means a reckless and warlike person.

He knew in his heart that what the Zhou Kingdom needed now was not to expand its territory, but to accumulate strength to become a stronger country.

He could see through Qin Shu's plan, and he also understood the significance of Qin Shu's move to the Zhou Kingdom.

He just wasn't willing to give in.

He was unwilling to accept that he, as the king of a country, was threatened and controlled by a little woman.

I had to agree to her request.

Although Qin Shu is now a Jiedushi, he holds a high position and great power.

But the Jiedushi was ultimately a subject of the emperor.

When his term of office is over, the emperor can summon him back to the capital.

Whether to succeed, or to be appointed to another position, and when to take office, all depend on the emperor's edict.

If there is poor political performance or dereliction of duty, the emperor can also issue an imperial decree to reprimand, punish or demote the person, and there are still national laws to follow.

But if a city is built on the border between the two countries, Qin Shu will be the city lord.

A true local lord.

Although it was still a vassal of the Zhou State, it was independent of the two countries.

Moreover, the new city can only be guarded by Qin Shu and Qin Shu's descendants from generation to generation, and they are hereditary princes.

Not only was the emperor not allowed to interfere in the city lord's affairs, he also had to issue decrees and bestow rewards from time to time to show his appeasement.

To put it simply, although it is not completely out of control, it is not completely under control either.

Zhou Min was so angry that he wanted to curse.

How to do?

Kill Qin Shu?

To be honest, Zhou Min really didn't dare.

Without Qin Shu, the imperial court could not suppress Fu Rong, the head of the Fu family.

The Northern Barbarians will no longer be afraid and the peace talks will fail.

The Northern Barbarians' army is marching southwards. How long can the Great Zhou hold out with its national strength?

Should we reject Qin Shu’s request?

Although Zhou was the victorious party in this peace talk, it did not have an absolute advantage over the powerful northern barbarians.

Qin Shu mentioned before that the failed country had to cede land and pay tribute. A weak country is not qualified to propose this condition in front of a strong country.

After considering it this way, Qin Shu's suggestion is the most beneficial to Zhou State.

And there is only one chance.

Once you miss it, it will never come back.

Once this city is built, it will serve as a solid barrier standing on the northern border of the Zhou State.

Except Fu Rong and Qin Shu, no one else is capable of being the city lord.

It was unknown how long it had been before Qin Shu heard Zhou Min let out a long sigh.

She knew that the matter must be accomplished.

Zhou Min chuckled helplessly, "Qin Shu?"

Qin Shu bowed respectfully and said, "I am here."

"You really are able to seize every opportunity to bargain with me and get the maximum benefit you want."

Qin Shu was not modest at all. "Your Majesty, I come from a merchant family, so it's my instinct to be thrifty."

Zhou Min laughed angrily, "You are born into a merchant family, so you are quite proud of it?"

Qin Shu said: "I have always been proud of my father and have never felt that merchants are inferior to others."

Zhou Min was filled with awe and nodded silently.

Qin Shu smiled and said, "So Your Majesty approved what I said?"

Zhou Min glared at Qin Shu speechlessly, "If you can convince Beiyi, I will have nothing to say. But the tax can only be exempted for three years."

Qin Shu couldn't help but widen her eyes: Isn't this too stingy?

She thought about it and smiled, "But just building the city, I asked, it will take three to five years. Three years of taxes, I'm afraid it won't even make back the money for building the city. Your Majesty, how about we wait until the issue of illegal salt in Linbei Road is resolved, and then give the salt permit?"

Zhou Min's face turned red with anger. "You collect salt taxes in Linbei Road, do you want to take the salt vouchers as well? I think I might as well give the throne to you."

Before Qin Shu could speak, Zhou Min said, "I cannot give you the salt permit. But I will give you the labor service in Linbei Road and Hedong Road. The Beiyi people will also have a part in the city construction, and when the time comes, let them provide labor service as well."

"Don't think I'm easy to deceive. After five years of building the city, doesn't your governor's office have any income? I heard that you bought a lot of shops and land in Linbei Road in one go."

Qin Shu laughed dryly and bowed quickly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I still have..."

"You're not done yet." Zhou Min interrupted Qin Shu angrily, "I also have a request."

Qin Shu quickly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Zhou Min looked at Qin Shu, carefully observing the expression on her face, "I want the method of making muskets and cannons."

Qin Shu did not hesitate for a moment and nodded in agreement, "When the musket and artillery technology is perfected, I will present it to Your Majesty."

Seeing her so happy, Zhou Min was stunned.

I originally thought that he would have to deal with Qin Shu somehow.

He couldn't help but ask, "Have you already decided to give it to me?"

Qin Shu smiled slightly, "It is the honor of every subject to learn literary and martial arts and sell them to the emperor. I am no exception."

She thought for a moment and added, "When the Great Zhou becomes strong, I can stand up straight in front of the Northern Barbarians."

Zhou Min sighed with deep emotion.

Before he could finish his sigh, Qin Shu said, "Your Majesty, I have two more things I would like to ask for your approval."

Two pieces?!

Zhou Min held back half of his breath, and before he could get angry, he heard Qin Shu say, "Two private matters."

The remaining half of his breath turned into a cold snort, and Zhou Min glanced at Qin Shu, "Tell me about it?"

This woman is too scheming. If you are not careful, you will fall into her trap.

Qin Shu said softly, "A'er and I love each other and would like to get married. But my parents both died four years ago. I am alone and there is no one to arrange my marriage. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant an imperial decree for A'er and me to get married."

After saying that, Qin Shu took two steps backward on her knees, put her hands in front of her forehead, and bowed her head deeply.

Zhou Min felt hatred and pain in his heart, and looked at Qin Shu for a long time without saying a word.

His Adam's apple kept rolling, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart.

He really didn't want to issue this decree, but after hearing Qin Shu say this, he felt distressed and sad.

He personally delivered the woman he loved to another man.

This is probably the most difficult and painful decision in the world, right?

Qin Shu remained kneeling for a long time and could not get up.

Zhou Min finally let out a long sigh, "Who do you think I am? I promised you to let you go, how could I go back on my word?"

"I have already drafted the imperial decree granting marriage, and I had planned to wait until the peace talks were over before reading it out. Who would have thought that you would be so impatient?"

Qin Shu then kowtowed again, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhou Min was silent for a moment, then asked, "Aren't there two things? What's the other one?"

Qin Shu said, "I'm sure Your Majesty also knows what happened in my family four years ago."

Zhou Min nodded slightly.

Qin Shu continued, "At that time, I swore that after I became successful, I would bring my parents out of the Qin family's ancestral land in a grand manner."

She smiled bitterly and said, "But the Qin family will definitely not agree to this."

They also hoped to keep Qin Jingyuan's spirit tablet in the clan, hoping to gain the greatest benefits for their own clan members under the name of Qin Shu.

How could he agree to Qin Shu's request to move the graves of Qin Jingyuan and Zuo Shi?

Instead of going through so much trouble to negotiate with the Qin clan, it would be better to directly ask the emperor to order the tombs of Marquis Zhongping and his wife to be moved out of the Qin clan.

In a line of its own.

Zhou Min thought for a moment and asked softly, "This is just your idea. Your father was born in the Qin family, so he may not be willing to rest in peace in a foreign land."

Qin Shu twitched her lips slightly, "My father is not my grandfather's son. When my father was young, he was abused by my grandmother and left home to become an apprentice at the age of seven."

"Over the years, in order to repay my grandfather's kindness, I have been supporting Qin Jingchang's family. Every year, I also donate a lot of money to support the clan school, so that clan members can study for free."

"But." Qin Shu's eyes were filled with sarcasm, and she sneered, "My parents' gratitude was exchanged for the destruction of our family. The clan members even let the murderer who killed my parents live in their old house."

"If my father knew about this clan, I think he would not want to stay there."

This time Zhou Min agreed readily, "Okay, I promise you. When you plan to carry the coffins of Marquis Zhongping and his wife to the north, just tell me. I will order the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites to handle this matter personally."

Qin Shu was so emotional that tears quickly overflowed from her eyes.

She bowed solemnly and said with a sob, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"