Fragrance in the wind

Before the founding of Chunyu State, due to the long-term war in the north, the people were displaced, their household registrations were moved, a large number of fields were barren, and it was difficult for the state to collect taxes.

After the reunification of the north, the state issued an edict on land reform, which distributed the land held by the government to farmers according to the population, some of the land would be returned to the government after a certain number of years of cultivation, and some of the land would be returned to the government after his death.During this period, farmers have to pay rent and tax to the government, and undertake certain corvee and military service according to regulations.

At that time, the implementation of this land system played a very important role in the restoration and development of agricultural production. In addition, during the Emperor Wen's period, Laozi's "governance by doing nothing" was adopted. The economy was restored, the society was relatively stable, and the population gradually increased.

Over time, cracks gradually appeared in this land system.As the economy grows, the population increases, and the wasteland becomes less and less. At this time, there are not many lands that the imperial court can use to grant land. In addition, private land has not been eradicated, and even coexists with public land.

After traveling in Zizhou for three years, the most obvious phenomenon of land annexation occurred during the locust plague in Shanyin County. Farmers ran out of food and fled one after another, or sold their land to the aristocracy, which intensified private ownership of land.

The autumn harvest of this year is coming soon, and all kinds of phenomena are constantly reminding those in power that it is time for reform.

Zizhou shared his thoughts with Zhi Li Nei Shilan Zhengchu, the other party frowned for a moment, and then was mercilessly rejected.

Zizhou was a little surprised, so he put down the memorial in his hand and asked him why.

Lan Zhengchu thought for a while, and replied: "It's not that I haven't thought about His Highness's idea, but the time is not yet ripe."

"When do you mean?"

"Based on the current situation of His Highness, I'm afraid it's intentional but powerless."

Zizhou's eyebrows twitched, in other words, he was overthinking his own strength. He knew that Lan Zhengchu's words were straightforward but to the point, but he didn't care.

"To put it bluntly, His Majesty is only temporarily in power now. His Majesty is still here, and the East Palace is still there. Although His Majesty's protection is currently available, it is only temporary. His Highness is not stable, and his wings are not yet full. Do less."

What an asylum, but only for a while, although the words are rough, but the truth is revealed. Regarding the current situation, although the ministers in the court are afraid to speak, they all look at him with a little bit of eyes. Disdain.

Zizhou tanned slightly, his eyes flashed for a moment, and he still did not give up: "Could it be because of my own interests, I just watched such a big loophole exist. It's just as simple as you and me."

"If you can't take care of it now, what will happen in the future? It can also be said that His Highness can't even protect himself, so how can he protect others!"

As soon as the words came out, Zizhou was stunned for a while, then waved his hand, and Lan Zhengchu silently exited the study.

He was the only one left in the study, and the only sound was the cicadas outside. Lan Zhengchu's last words broke everything.

Although the prince was dispatched to the border, it can also be said that he has mastered 50 soldiers and horses of the border guards.Think about it, what about him?The Yulin Army only listened to the emperor's deployment, and the Shence Army could not move anyone without a soldier talisman. Even if Shan Junyuan was on his side, it would not be able to do anything at all.With his current position and authority, he can only deploy imperial guards, and this poor force was also given by his father.

The current situation made him suddenly think of Chun Yufeng back then. At his age, he should have endured these things, maybe even worse.He is obviously full of passion and superior, but he can't do anything. The feeling of being ostracized is not as good as an ordinary person living at ease.He remembered that at that time, he occasionally heard Fu Zhi vaguely mentioning that the emperor father had to be controlled by others even the most basic three meals a day.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the orange-yellow flowers on the sweet-scented osmanthus tree are in full bloom, clusters, clusters, causing the whole Xianyang Palace to overflow with fragrance.

The beauty of sweet-scented osmanthus does not lie in its appearance, but is beneficial to the body and mind. For example, wine made from sweet-scented osmanthus, cakes made from sweet-scented osmanthus, and meals mixed with sweet-scented osmanthus are all lovable.Therefore, autumn is not a season for killing everything, but for Zizhou, it is also a turning point of his destiny.

The mid-autumn royal banquet, which is held every year, was temporarily canceled by Chun Yufeng when it was approaching, citing poor health.Some ministers still thought about meeting His Majesty at the banquet and chatting with His Majesty, but I'm afraid it was in vain.

On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival this year, the palace was much quieter than in previous years.And the Zhaoyang Hall became lively.

The table is full of delicacies, and there is an exquisite porcelain plate in the corner of the table, and there are three square osmanthus cakes in the plate.

Zizhou's eyes glanced subconsciously, and the line of the corner of his lips was slightly retracted, a little displeased.

Only a childish voice said: "This is a birthday present that I spent three hours making for my father. I know that my father will definitely like it."

"Chunyu Ling!" Seeing him like that, Zizhou couldn't help but scold him, "How old are you? Why don't you understand any rules, can you break into the royal father's bedroom at will?"

"Royal Father..." Chunyu Ling looked at Chun Yufeng begging for help, pointed at the person behind him and said, "Brother Huang, he's pissing me off again!"

Chunyufeng looked at Zizhou intently, although his expression was the same, his tone was even lower: "Your brother is right, don't barge in again next time."

Hearing this, Chunyu Ling glared at Zizhou, and said angrily, "Father is eccentric."

"Fu Zhi!" Zi Zhou immediately said, "Take this sweet-scented osmanthus cake, Father doesn't like it!"

"No!" Chunyu Ling held the sweet-scented osmanthus cake in his arms and rubbed his back against Chun Yufeng, "Father, look at Brother Huang, he is bullying me!"

"This..." Seeing this, Fu Zhi was in a dilemma.

Chunyu Feng pushed the Eighth Prince away without a trace, gave Fu Zhi a withdrawn look, and then said: "Stop making trouble, it's Father's birthday today, why don't you have a good meal?"

Zizhou froze for a moment and said nothing, Chunyuling hummed arrogantly when he saw that the round had been won.

The three of them sat separately, Chunyu Ling insisted on sitting in the middle, and after eating a few mouthfuls, his eyes rolled around, and he said again: "Father, Brother Huang gave you something, let me take a look."

Chunyufeng was stunned for a moment, then deliberately glanced at Zizhou who was opposite him, and then smiled again: "Your brother is busy, you have to help your father with a lot of government affairs every day, so you don't have time to prepare gifts."

"That's right!" Chunyu Ling leaned closer to Chunyu Feng's ear, whispering: "Father is so partial to him, he doesn't even prepare a present for Father, how stingy!"

What he said happened to fall into Zizhou's ears, and he couldn't help but think: Isn't it just sweet-scented osmanthus cake!While his eyes were flowing, he took advantage of Chunyu Ling's inattention and stuffed three pieces into his mouth one after another. Because he didn't have time to swallow it, he could only chew it in his mouth.

The two were startled for a while, then seeing Zizhou's embarrassed appearance, they laughed at each other, even Fu Zhi hid aside and snickered for a while.

Zizhou didn't care too much, he had finished chewing, took a sip of the soup and put the sweet-scented osmanthus cake in his mouth, raised his eyebrows and said: "Chunyu Ling, where is the gift you gave to the emperor?"

Only then did Chunyu Ling come to his senses, his facial features stunned for a moment, "You..."

Zizhou looked at him proudly, and commented by the way: "It's too sweet! Don't make it so sweet next time, Father doesn't like to eat things that are too sweet."

This time Chunyu Ling really cried out of anger, wiped his tears and ran out of Zhaoyang Hall.

As soon as he left, Zizhou also felt that he was in a hurry, what was he trying to do to a child, so he ordered Fu Zhichai to go out and have a look.

There are only two people left in the dormitory here, and they will glance at me from time to time, and I will glance at you.Even the air is filled with something unusual, which is indescribable and indescribable.

Chunyufeng still ate silently, Zizhou put down the bowl and chopsticks, and finally said: "Actually, I have plans to give Father a present."

"Really?" Chunyufeng was slightly surprised, "Why don't you take it out and have a look?"

"It's right in front of Father, Father...can't you see it?"

"Zhou'er..." Chunyu Feng called out uncertainly.

Zizhou raised his hand, slid across Chunyufeng's deep outline casually, and said, "I will always be with my father, watching how my father becomes ugly and old."

"Are you sure?" He looked at him, his dark eyes were as deep as water.

Zizhou thought for a while, and then responded.

"Are you willing to swear?" He suppressed the passion in his heart, and said in a trembling voice, "Right now?"

"Then what's the problem?" He was about to raise his hand, but was held down by Chun Yufeng, and he held it tightly. He glanced out the window and said, "Let's swear under the moon."

Zizhou was taken aback.Chunyufeng reminded: "You forgot, that was our first meeting, and it can be regarded as our guide."

Autumn nights are as cool as water, Han Zhe stays at the foot of the stone steps and mourns, and the full moon, which looks like a jade wall, hangs high above the palace.During the Mid-Autumn Festival of that year, Su'e from the sky rushed to the Yaochi Banquet, and when she heard his miserable cry on the way, she led that person to him.

Under the shadow of the moon, he held his hand and walked silently all the way.When they came to the osmanthus tree full of buds, the fallen flowers fell silently like snow, and a black figure and a purple figure knelt on the ground.

"I, Chunyu Zizhou, would like to stay by Chunyufeng's side for the rest of my life, never leaving."

Under the moonlight, he stared back at Chun Yufeng. At this moment, his face looked a little pale and heart-wrenchingly melancholy. Maybe he should hate him, but he couldn't hate him anyway.

During the prayer, the two of them calmed down a little, closed their eyes, and seemed to feel the rich, refreshing fragrance in the wind. After smelling it for a long time, the smell would linger in their noses for a long time, just like he was obsessed with someone.

"Zhouer, are you sincere?"

"of course."

"Even if it's a lie to me, I'm willing to believe it again." Chun Yufeng closed his eyes and murmured.

After praying, Zizhou opened his eyes, and saw the servant standing in the corner, hesitating.

He lowered his eyelashes and reminded lightly: "Father, it's time to drink the medicine."

That night, Zizhou had a nightmare. In the dream, Ah Ning was dressed in red, with a ferocious face, and the cry of a child, sarcasm of flesh and blood. Suddenly, he was strangled by a pair of skinny hands. Panting, he struggled to open his eyes, the picture suddenly dissipated, and everything returned to calm.

On this day, the prime minister presented a memorial, which contained a list of officials suspected of corruption in the four counties of Wancheng, Duyan, Yuyang, and Xi'e under the jurisdiction of Nanyang County.Then the sixth prince ordered Tingwei Mansion to send people to Nanyang County to supervise the case.

Half a month later, Ting Weiqing submitted the results of the investigation to the imperial court, and after Zizhou read it, he felt very indignant.

The deeds of officials involved in corruption and bribery in the past dynasties are definitely the most indispensable cases. Even if the emperor has the heart, he may be beyond his reach.And if this incident is to be pursued, I am afraid it will involve a lot of people.

First, there was the case of Sanchuan county magistrate molesting young girls, coupled with the corruption and bribery this time, local officials frequently made mistakes in their style of work, and the people are the closest to these local officials, and they are also the most direct victims. This time, I can't be soft-hearted.

The prime minister, the imperial historian, Tingwei, Zhi Li Neishi, and the important ministers of the five major dynasties of Fengchang have been discussing with the sixth prince in the study for three consecutive days.

The final result was in front of Zizhou, but he hesitated for a moment when he picked up the pen.

There are more than a hundred people involved in this case, as long as he swipe lightly, how many people will lose their families because of this.

Lan Zhengchu had a delicate mind, so he naturally saw the hesitation in his writing, so he said indifferently: "Your Highness, don't forget how many innocent people have suffered far more than this because of their selfish desires. The embankment of a thousand miles was destroyed by an ant's nest. The hidden dangers brought to the country by the improper atmosphere of officials are not limited to these."

After hearing this, Zizhou didn't hesitate any more.Putting down his pen, he told Feng Chang: "The vacant positions will be filled by excellent talents selected from the Taixue. The Qing family should pay more attention to these matters."

"Yes, I will start to do it after I go back."

After discussing things, it was the evening of another day.He didn't let Su Le follow, and left the study alone.

The weather was getting colder, and the sweat on his forehead dissipated in an instant. He was a little cold, and his head hurt a little.

Chun Yufeng, this is what you want to see!

I didn't understand you in those years, and now I have to experience it for myself, and you really did it.You put me on the top of the clouds, watching me crumbling, and having to rely on you, don't you be afraid that the clouds under your feet will be blown away by the strong wind one day, and you and I will be smashed to pieces!

Forget it, if you die, you die together, what's wrong with that?

Unknowingly, he stood in front of Zhaoyang Hall again, but he just glanced at it, then turned his head and went back.Someone must report this matter to him, and it would be superfluous for him to go. On the contrary, seeing him feels uncomfortable, so it is better not to see him.

The next day, the results of the processing were announced to the world in the form of a yellow list.

"Local officials in Nanjun took advantage of their positions to form cliques for personal gain, amass money, and used bribery, persecution, intimidation, violence, kidnapping, etc. to win over local forces and attack political opponents. For direct participants, beheadings were shown to the public, and those who committed minor crimes were dismissed from their official posts and confiscated. All the money that was embezzled by his family was turned over to the national treasury. Other officials took this as a warning, and the Yushifu inspected all officials from time to time, and those who embezzled and accepted bribes, withheld imperial funds, and military officials ate empty quotas, will be severely punished." Attached: List of those involved.

As soon as this list came out, there was a lot of shock in the ruling and opposition parties. Some people applauded, some gritted their teeth, some trembled in fear, and some shook their heads and sighed.

Presumably today's morning court will be very exciting, but because of the absence of the protagonist, the officials had to disperse Shi Shiran.

The sixth prince was ill. It was said that he had suffered from the wind and cold. He had a fever for two days and fell unconscious on the couch.The emperor stood guard before the collapse, taking care of him in his clothes.

Fu Zhi looked at Zizhou, who was still in a coma and kept talking nonsense, and asked worriedly, "Did your Majesty be a bit harsh this time?"

"There are some things he has to go through by himself, Zhou'er is very strong, I believe he will make it through." He took Zizhou's hand and put it to his mouth and kissed it lightly.

"Your Majesty's body is not as good as before. Last time I caught a cold and coughed until now, but I haven't seen any improvement. You should go back and rest. Are there any slaves here?"

"If he can't wake up, I will be restless. What's the use of going back? I'm not alone."

Seeing Chunyufeng's distraught look, Fu Zhi couldn't persuade him anymore, he could only hope that His Highness would wake up soon.

In the early morning of the third day, the weather seemed to be fine. The sunlight poured through the window lattice onto the ground, and reflected bit by bit on the eyelids of the person on the couch.

The unconscious person on the couch was stunned by the sun and opened his eyes. He squinted his eyes and saw the figure lying on the side of the bed. After watching silently for a while, he slowly raised his hand and was able to touch him.

Chunyufeng's body moved a bit, he raised his head and looked at Zizhou sleepily, the joy in his eyes shocked him, but his tone was very calm, "Wake up!"

Zizhou nodded slightly.

Chunyufeng leaned over and murmured in Zizhou's ear: "I believe that Zhou'er will get through it, and Zhou'er will become stronger in the future, even without the company of the emperor, he will be alone."

Zizhou listened quietly, blinking his eyelashes silently, tears streaming down the corners of his eyes slowly.

Looking at each other for a moment, Chunyufeng suddenly turned around and coughed violently for a while.Tears welled up in Zizhou's misty eyes, and he moved his lips, but he didn't know what to say.

In this big investigation, the discussion on this matter in the court did not stop because of the illness of the sixth prince.

The young man recovered quickly, and after another day, Zizhou's complexion improved a lot.The officials in the early court were even more entangled in this matter. You criticize me, I expose you, in order to argue for the benefit of the dispute, and the face of the dispute is red.

Having experienced a lot, the advantage is that you can look at it with a normal heart.Just like Zizhou now, he watched the ministers below speak impassionedly, but he himself became more and more calm. When the other party stopped, he asked, "Is it finished?"

The ministers usually looked at him in surprise, so he added, "Who has anything to say?"

Some ministers suddenly realized that the sixth prince had changed his strategy.It's like when you accumulate a punch and hit it hard, only to find that the opponent is soft and elastic, and after you hit it, it bounces back softly.

The ministers had no choice but to keep silent, and Zizhou waited for a while, tired of waiting, so he stretched himself and yawned, "Sanchao!"

The ministers all dispersed, and the noisy debate dissipated with their departure.

Zizhou stood on top of Dan Bi in the front hall of Xianyang Palace, and everywhere he looked was the cold palace and guards with expressionless faces.He knew it was time to go to the study, because the paperwork that had been pressed for four days was waiting for him to approve it, and everything was not sloppy.

Suddenly a little tired of the present day, tired of the cold here, tired of the loneliness here, tired of the troubles and hypocrisy here.I also suddenly understood why in the history books there are kings who smile for Bomei and would rather overthrow the world. The world will think that beauties are too beautiful, and kings are lustful, but they never understand their loneliness.

And at this moment, he is so glad that he is not alone, that palace has a warm name, that person will tolerate everything for him, will point out the direction when he is lost, and will silently wait for him just so that at the end of a boring day he can The first meeting had left an indelible imprint on his heart over time.

He suddenly wanted to see him very much, but another voice told himself that there were still so many things at hand, and he could only go to see him when he was done.So he used this method to keep himself silent for a whole day in the memorial.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Le's voice suddenly sounded, "Your Highness, Director Fu is here."

Zizhou's heart tightened suddenly, could something be wrong with his father, he quickly said: "Let him in."

After seeing the ceremony, Fu Zhi said, "Your Majesty has set up a few dishes in Zhaoyang Hall tonight, please come over and pay for it."

Seeing this, Zizhou felt relieved, thought for a while, and said, "I still have paperwork that I haven't finished approving, please tell father not to wait for me, and eat first."

"Frozen three feet is not a day's cold. Your Highness is exposed to wind and cold, so don't overwork yourself. Your Majesty is also painstaking."

Zizhou rubbed his sore eyes, and he complied when he was really tired.

The first staff on duty in the palace have already started working.Zizhou entered the Zhaoyang Hall, and found that the table was still full of dishes. Chunyufeng was wearing a coat, sitting at the table with his head propped up, seemingly waiting for a long time.

"Have not eat yet?"

Hearing the voice, Chunyufeng opened his eyes, stared at the other party somewhat tiredly and lazily, and said, "I've been waiting for you."

Hearing this, Zi Zhou's heart beat inexplicably, he lowered his head slightly to hide his embarrassment, and sat down with his clothes tied.

The two of them didn't speak, the air surrounding each other became heavier, and it was so stuffy that it was hard to breathe.

After the hot food came back, Zizhou ate it bit by bit, and he silently accepted the food Chunyufeng gave him.

After eating, the two rinsed their mouths respectively, and Chunyu Feng tried to break the silence, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

"No!" Zi Zhou answered very simply, Chun Yufeng smiled, knowing how true the other party's words were, he said, "How about having a plate with your father?"

Zi Zhou stared at him and thought for a moment, then he replied.

During the game, the chess became more and more chaotic, and in the end there was not even any rules at all.

Chunyufeng frowned slightly, and reminded lightly: "Keep your heart in the confusion, and then distinguish right from wrong, and don't be confused by those words."

Zizhou's fingertips trembled, and he glanced at him involuntarily. After Fang finished speaking, Chunyufeng coughed again, glanced at the thin silk in his hand for a moment, then regained his composure, and moved the thin silk without any trace. Silk is behind her back.

Zizhou saw all this, and he said with a suppressed voice: "On the day of the winter festival, father really intends to climb to the top with his son to worship the sky?"

"Of course!"

But at the moment when the servant brought the decocted medicine, Chunyufeng didn't look at it, "Put it there!"

"Yes!" After putting away the soup and medicine, the servant bowed and retreated.

Resisting the moistness in his eyes, he raised his hand to lift Chunyufeng's chin, the corner of his mouth raised a sinister arc, and sarcastically said: "If you want to wipe it, just wipe it clean, what's the point of leaving this? On purpose? Let me pity you?"

Chunyufeng's face was a little scary pale, he was actually very unaccustomed to such a strong Zizhou, whose sharpness could pierce his lungs, his eyes gradually moved away from him, and fell on the steaming bowl of soup.

The bowl of thickness lay between the two of them, like an insurmountable gap.

As if it had become a habit, he stretched out his hand to pick up the decoction and put it to his mouth without hesitation, but was accidentally snatched by Zizhou and threw it to the ground.

"Is it worth it? Is it worth it for you?" After finishing speaking, he ran out of Zhaoyang Palace crying. He had to admit that people are always forgetful. He seemed to have forgotten how to hate him, but he remembered I love him deeply.

Fu Zhi immediately followed in. Seeing the scene in the room, he couldn't help worrying: "Your Majesty... are you okay?"

Chunyufeng's shoulders stiffened slightly: "I'm fine!"

"Is it time to let His Highness know the truth?"

After hearing Fu Zhi's words, Chunyu Feng couldn't help thinking about it, and then replied: "These days are quite chaotic, wait a minute..."