Huan Rong

In the early morning, there was another light rain in Jiankang City.

The pattering rain spread into patches, and the hazy rain and mist danced like a veil, drifting from the Qinhuai River to both sides, gradually covering the entire city.

The day before yesterday was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and the market was closed in the city.

Yesterday was another heavy rain, the flow of people in the city was not abundant, and the business was pitifully low.

Today, when the rooster crowed, the shop assistants in the shop went out to check one after another. Seeing that the sky was gloomy, with rain clouds all over the place, and there were sporadic raindrops falling suddenly, the shop assistants wiped their faces, showing a bitter expression.

"It's raining again, it's been half a month, and there are still a few sunny days left in January!"

Complaints are complaints, the work that should be done must be done, and you can't be lazy for the sake of wages.

The sky was getting bright, and the shops opened one after another, and the shopkeepers began to be busy, some put away the door bolts, and some put up the cover.

"There is no big market today and tomorrow, so business must be better."

In front of two adjacent food shops, the waiters were busy cleaning the front door, while taking time to chat.

"I don't think so."

The older man was quick and quick, cleared the front of the door in twos and threes, and hung up the cloth again.Looking up at the sky, he couldn't help shaking his head.

"[-]% of the business is not good on such a day."

Food shops are no different than others, and business is always worse on rainy days.

"If you ask me, except for the ones in Dongshi, regardless of the big and small cities, when encountering such a rainy day, it will take some time to cool off."

"really."

The shops in Dongshi mentioned by the two were both opened by Huan Rong, and they sold Yandu goods, including sea salt, jewelry, wooden cage decorations, and animal skins and bulk goods from the north.

Recently, there has been an additional food shop, which specializes in bacon and dried meat, as well as non-sour steamed cakes and meat-stuffed Hubing, which are full of fresh taste.Due to the different materials used, the price ranges from high to low, and there are long queues every day.

According to the words of the people in the city, bacon and jerky can be kept for a long time, so it is very cost-effective to buy.

In addition to eating at home, it is still easy to buy some expensive hospitality gifts.Especially dried meat, with some sweet and spicy flavors, both adults and children like it, and the daily shipments are amazing.

Both guys have bought it once, and once they eat it, they will never forget it.

"There will be new dried meat next month. I don't know the price."

"I heard it's venison, and the price can't be lowered."

"Venison? I really want to buy some..."

The topic of the two began to deviate, from worrying about business to dried meat.When the shopkeeper heard it, he coughed on the spot, and the two of them immediately fell silent and began to work hard.

The shopkeeper nodded in satisfaction, and walked back to the store with his hands behind his back.Thinking of the jerky in the buddy's mouth, he couldn't help but salivate.

It is also a food shop, but it is still an old shop. It has been run by two generations of father and son. It has been in the city for more than 20 years, and the dishes cooked with care are not as good as a new shop. I am really unwilling.

The sky is gradually brightening, but the rain is getting heavier.

Half of the shops in the shop were open, and two merchant ships sailed up the Qinhuai River, approaching the pier one after another.

Hard-working boatmen and porters appeared by the river bank, and sometimes ox carts and pedestrians with umbrellas passed by, and Jiankang City, which had been silent for a night, began to be noisy again.

On the north bank of the Qinhuai River, thirty carts lined up, braving the rain.

The first one was pulled by bullocks, with baffles standing in front of the carriage, and the sign of Huanfu on the carriage.The health servant in the car held a long whip, and every time he flicked it, it was accompanied by a crisp explosion.

The convoy moved along the river bank, and soon reached Qingxili, crossed two stone bridges, came straight to Lizhong, and stopped in front of a large house on the left.

A few months ago, this house was still owned by Yu Xi, but now it is owned by Huan Rong.

Huan Da Sima is still here, Huan Rong has not divided the mansion, so there is no guarantee that no one will miss such a big house.

But there was a voice from the palace, and Princess Nankang was watching, this house was successfully designated as Huan Rong's private property, and Sima Huan couldn't get his hands on it, let alone Huan Rong's concubine brothers.

Since Yu Xi escaped from Jiankang, the servants in the mansion lost the protection of their masters, and most of them became farm slaves again, while a few of them came to Yu You's house and remained servants, but their life was no longer the same as before.

The house was left vacant and never cared for.

After the wind and sun, the once prosperous place is still overgrown with vines.

Huan Rong returned to Jiankang and entrusted Xun You and Zhong Lin with the matter of hiding the gold.After the two took orders, they did not rush to transport the gold and silver out, but brought people into the courtyard, and began to clean up the weeds in the courtyard and repair the damaged houses.

This move was not small, and quickly attracted the attention of others.

When Yin Kang's family at the opposite door learned that the house had changed hands and the neighbor became Huan Rong, they couldn't tell what it was like to hear the knocking sound from time to time.

After Yin Kang gave up, Mrs. Yin was still uneasy.

What happened two years ago is rarely mentioned.Occasional gossip is not too much.After all, Huan Rong was involved, so there was no guarantee that he would not be used by others to sue Nankang Princess.

The rumors gradually subsided, and Yin's reputation was preserved.The Yin family's Liuniang stayed in the temple outside the city in the name of praying for her mother, and she didn't know when she would be able to return.

Even if he came back, he still missed the cardamom years, and couldn't book a good marriage.

Even if it was Yu Youzhi and Yin Jia's fault, with the power of the Huan Mansion and the prestige of Princess Nankang, it is not easy to get the current situation.Thinking of the Liu Niang of the Yin family outside the city, Mrs. Yin still couldn't help but feel sad.

Knowing that things cannot be changed, one simply ignores one's eyes and one's ears, restrains one's family not to inquire, let alone report the situation across the door, as if there is no such neighbor.

The accident made things easier for Xun You and Zhong Lin.

The two had made a plan, and the one they were guarding against was the Yin family who was at the opposite door.

After a few days, the other side was extremely quiet, there was no light or dark prying, and the two of them were stunned for a moment.Knowing the beginning and end of the Shangsi Festival the year before last, I just shook my head and laughed, and at the same time breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's true that people are not as good as heaven."

By avoiding the neighbors who need to be guarded most, the plan of the two went smoothly.Soon, the house was cleaned up, the former carved beams and painted buildings regained their brilliance, the weeping willows on the bank revived, and the muddy pool water became clear.

Before the fifteenth day of the first month, Xun You specially sent someone to send news to the mansion.

Knowing the plan of the two, Huan Rong tried every means to persuade Princess Nankang to go to Qingxili first on the day of entering Taicheng, and bring the gold and silver gifted to Queen Mother Chu with her.

"The two Scheerens brought several large carts with them when they entered the city. Jiankang is well known to everyone."

"Er Xinde's house, it is only natural to transport the belongings and precious things into the new house."

"When I enter Taicheng today, it's the first time I meet the queen mother, so there is nothing wrong with giving some gifts."

Instead of trying to hide it, it is better to give an aboveboard reason and directly transport the gold and silver into the palace.

"These carts have built-in organs, and the load capacity is far beyond ordinary." Huan Rong took out a blueprint and showed the interior of the cart to Princess Nankang.

"Thirty cars will enter the residence, three will be sent to Taicheng, and the rest will return to Yandu with me. There will be no suspicion."

Yu Xiren was in Jingkou, and the gold book was entrusted to Xi Yin.Judging from the feedback, the quantity should be correct.

What Huan Rong has to do is to divide up the real gold and silver, send [-]% to Taicheng, take the rest with him on the journey, and share half at Jingkou to complete the task.

"So simple?" Princess Nankang was very skeptical.

"I was thinking badly before. If you want to be unobtrusive, it's not good to be complicated." Huan Rong smiled.With the addition of one year old, the childishness of the boy is reduced a little, and the temperament is more calm.

After discussing with the mother and son, the time to leave the mansion was advanced, and they went to Qingxili first and then to Taicheng.So there was a scene of [-] carts lined up in a long line, moving along the north bank of the Qinhuai River.

After arriving in Qingxili, Huan Rong didn't care to appreciate the surrounding scenery, so he ordered the driver to speed up and arrive at Zangjin's house as soon as possible.

"Guaer." Princess Nankang suddenly said.

"Mum?" Huan Rong turned around, with a questioning expression on his face.

"Don't panic, and don't be impatient." Princess Nankang smiled.

"Remember what I said to you yesterday. When you see the Queen Mother, no matter what she says, don't nod easily. If you can't handle it, just keep silent. Everything is up to me."

"promise."

Huan Rong solemnly agreed, remembering what he did just now, he couldn't help but feel hot in his ears.

Still not calm.

The healthy servant raised his long whip, and the copper bell on the steer's neck rang softly. Walking in the cold rain, clouds of white mist sprayed from its nostrils.

After the ox cart stopped, the healthy servant jumped off the shaft.

There was already a healthy servant waiting in front of the gate, so there was no need to order, so he quickly laid wooden boards on the stone steps for the carts to enter the mansion.

There was a lot of movement in front of the door, and after a while, several servants were looking across the stream.

Huan Rong was simply generous and generous, not covering up, asking Princess Nankang to stay in the car, and jumping off with the shaft of the car, raised his chin, glanced across the stream, and performed a lively and high-spirited young man.

After about half a quarter of an hour, the servants dispersed one after another.I also want to know how they will report it, it is nothing more than Huan's Langjun "rich".

"Acting skills really need to be honed."

Seemingly dissatisfied with Cai Cai's performance, Huan Rong muttered twice, touched his chin, and walked into the mansion.

Xun You and Zhong Lin bowed to Princess Nankang, and then took out the book, which was half as much as Princess Nankang's income.

"This is?" Huan Rong raised his eyebrows.

"To tell you the truth, when cleaning the pond in the backyard, I got more than ten boxes of gold, fifty dendrobiums of pearls, two corals, more than a hundred silk cloths, and many bronze, gold and silver artifacts. My servant, Kong Yu, took a closer look, and should It belonged to the court of the previous dynasty. Due to the age of the box, part of the silk cloth has faded and corroded, so it cannot be hidden by the Yu family."

"A thing from the former court?" Huan Rong was surprised.

Can you dig treasures by digging casually?

"For fear of leaking the news, the servant ordered people to hide the things and make another book. How to deal with the things in the book depends on Minggong's will."

Xun You's tone was steady, and he didn't feel guilty at all.It didn't seem to be hinting to Huan Rong that this was really a windfall and was not known to others.The Duke of Ming is now the governor of Youzhou. After taking office, he will need money to rebuild the city, resettle the refugees, and form a caravan.These gold and silver treasures come at just the right time, and it is the best policy to swallow them all alone.

Huan Rong looked at Xun You, then at Zhong Lin, seeing that the expressions of the two were exactly the same, the corners of his eyes twitched uncontrollably.

Sure enough, like attracts like?

Huan Rong shook his head, no, this is derogatory.

Those who are near vermilion are red, those who are near ink are black?

Huan Rong continued to shake his head, still something was wrong.

After thinking about it, I really can't find a suitable word to describe it. No matter what I do, I will take myself into it.The assassin Huan could only look up at the sky and remained silent.

Then I thought again, isn't it love of money? What's wrong with loving money?

He is happy!

"cough!"

Huan Rong coughed and winked at the two of them.

Xun You and Zhong Lin understood, so Huan Rong didn't need to say much, they bowed their hands and went down to make arrangements.

Looking at the backs of the two, Huan Rong suddenly felt that if he was an emperor, he must be a "faint emperor" who loves money.

The three monarchs and ministers are bundled together and cast aside by the gentleman.

Shaking his head, it's all going on.

He must have not slept well last night.

The carts were divided into three, loaded with gold, silver, pearl and agate, and several pieces of jade and amber.

"The Empress Dowager doesn't like gold and silver, but only loves amber, especially this kind."

Princess Nankang opened the small box, and inside was an amber wrapped in a grass stem.I don't know how many years have passed, the amber has a golden color, and a circle of air bubbles surrounds the grass stem, making it more and more precious and rare.

"Amber is not hard to find, but there are very few like it. It is very interesting to make it into an ornament." Princess Nankang picked up the amber, obviously a little fond of it.

"How is it compared to coral?" Huan Rong asked subconsciously.

"Of course coral is better." Princess Nankang closed the small box, tapped Huanrong's forehead with her finger, and just brushed the red mole between her eyebrows, "I'm not timid, dare to see my mother's jokes?"

"Don't dare." Huan Rong hurriedly begged for mercy.Thinking of the appearance of Princess Nankang yesterday, compared with the present, I feel that I am thinking too much, but I am still a little uncertain.

"Mother."

"kindness?"

"I heard that the scenery in Youzhou is pretty good, mother, would you like to see it?"

"Guaer..." Princess Nankang slowly put away her smile, and her voice was a little dull.

"If you don't like Youzhou, why not go to Yandu?"

Huan Rong looked at Princess Nankang expectantly, and said in his mouth: "Yandu City is newly built, and the shops are not as lively as Jiankang. According to the people of Shishe, there have been many Hu merchants recently. My mother and aunt have not seen each other for many years. Leaving Jiankang, why not go for a walk and stay for a while."

Princess Nankang shook her head slowly.

"Mom, can't you?"

"No way." Princess Nankang sighed, threw the wooden box containing the amber aside, stroked the back of Huan Rong's head, with a hint of sadness in her smile.

"I can't leave Jiankang, not in this life."

Since she married into the Huan family, her fate in this life has been doomed.

Just as the Empress Dowager Chu could not leave Taicheng, she could not take half a step in life or death, she could not leave Jiankang, not even in this life.

In the early years it was for Huan Wen, but now it is for Huan Rong.

No amount of friendship can match the interests of the Jin Dynasty. The Empress Dowager Chu will not let her go, and neither will the families in Bird Clothes Lane and Qingxili.

Born in the royal family, experienced military turmoil, and spent half her life in power, Princess Nankang saw it very clearly.

Knowing Hu Qian's hexagrams, she became more and more aware that she could not leave Jiankang until she died.If one day, her existence would embarrass her son, and even risk making him lose everything, she had only one choice, and the only one.

The world says that being a mother is strong.

For the sake of the child, she could raise her sword to face Huan Wen, or give up everything else.

"Gua'er, Mom can't leave."

Princess Nankang smiled gracefully, like a peony in full bloom.In Huan Rong's eyes, there was endless sadness.

For a moment, his heart seemed to be pressed down by a huge stone, and he felt unspeakably uncomfortable.

"However, your aunt can." After a pause, Princess Nankang said, "If there is a day, you should be filial to your aunt, just like you are filial to your mother."

"promise."

Huan Rong lowered his head.

He understood Princess Nankang's hint, but he would rather not understand.

Slowly lowering his eyes, he has never been so eager for power.

Only with great power in his hands can he keep everything he cherishes, his mother, Mrs. Li, and all those who should be protected.

In the world, what kind of power is the most important?

In an instant, a thought flashed through my mind.

Huan Rong bit her cheeks hard, tightened her ten fingers one by one, and firmly clenched them into her palms.In less than two breaths, he tasted a bit of fishy sweetness in his mouth, leaving a deep red mark on his palm.

The car drove through the imperial road, and the government offices on both sides were still closed, and there was silence.Here and there, there were a few unextinguished lights, flickering in the gloomy rain.

The ox carts drove to the gate of the palace, and the eunuchs of Changle Palace were waiting by the side.

The car door was pushed open, and the eunuch stepped forward to salute, bending extremely low.

"I have seen Your Highness."

"Meet the magistrate."

After two words, Princess Nankang nodded, and the eunuch immediately signaled behind him, and four palace guards took over the position of the coachman, driving the cart into the palace gate.

With the order of the Queen Mother, Princess Nankang was in the car, so there was no need to check the car, and it went straight into Taicheng.

Huan Rong entered the palace for the second time, and his mood was completely different from before.

People have seven emotions and six desires, and they will protect their weaknesses.

Knowing the imperial power and politics did not prevent him from being dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager Chu, staring at the gate of Changle Palace, a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.

"The road is wet and slippery, Your Highness, please be careful."

The eunuch reminded, Princess Nankang pressed Huan Rong's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Gua Er, come with me."

"promise."

The mother and son walked into the hall, and with a creak, the door closed.

The eunuchs and the guards in front of the palace stood guard on both sides, the sky became more and more gloomy, and there were a few faint thunderclaps.

In the inner hall, two rows of bronze lamps stand by the wall, the candles are bright, but there is no smoke.

A screen inlaid with red sandalwood stands on the side, with a unicorn pattern carved on it. As far as Changle Palace is concerned, it is inevitable that it is a bit discordant.

There is a gentle aroma in the room, which is refreshing.

The Empress Dowager Chu is sitting upright, wearing a silk silk palace skirt and wearing a Taiping bun.She didn't wear a bun, but only tied a red phoenix hairpin in her hair, and a long string of tassels hung from the mouth of the phoenix, all made of twisted gold threads.Three Hepu beads were wrapped at the end of the tassel, all of the same size, and all of them were rare golden.

"The Queen Mother is well."

The princess of Nankang was blessed, and the Empress Dowager Chu returned a half gift.

It was not as grand as Huan Rong imagined, but more like an ordinary "visiting relatives".

"Gua'er, I have met the Queen Mother."

Huan Rong cheered up, took half a step forward, put his hands on the ground, and performed the Jishou salute.

"Get up."

Empress Dowager Chu spoke with a smile, like a kind elder.He signaled Huan Rong to sit closer, looked him carefully, and couldn't help laughing: "Nankang, I really envy you."

"Why did the queen mother say that?" Princess Nankang was also smiling, but her eyes seemed to be covered with veils, making it hard to see clearly.

"Gua'er grows so well, and has both talents and virtues, not inferior to Wang and Xie Langjun. If I was born in Sima's family, why should I worry now?"

This is not easy to answer, and I can't answer it.

Princess Nankang didn't answer, but just smiled and picked up the tea.Huan Rong lowered his eyes, but also remained silent, as if he didn't understand.

Fortunately, Empress Dowager Chu didn't have any temptations in her heart, she just expressed her feelings and didn't continue to talk.Looking at Huan Rong in front of him, thinking of Sima Yao, the son of Prince Langya, he couldn't help but sigh secretly.

Needless to say, the importance of appearance in the Jin Dynasty.

Sima Yao's mother was a Kunlun servant girl, and she was born much darker than others.Even if the facial features resemble Sima Yu, in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, where men can be powdered, they still belong to the ranks of "ugly people".

Empress Dowager Chu chose Sima Yao mainly because of his background.After seeing him in person, although it is not very eye-catching, he can barely accept it.Anyway, you don’t need to watch it every day, and you will get used to it after a long time.

Seeing Huan Rong today, comparing their appearance, words and deeds, some dissatisfaction was suddenly magnified infinitely.

She really regretted why Huan Rong was not born in the Jin family.If so, there is no need to help a maidservant's son ascend to the throne.

Seeing Queen Mother Chu's expression, Princess Nankang couldn't help but sneer.

If she had known the hexagrams that Hu Qian had actually revealed, the Empress Dowager Chu's reaction would have been completely different, let alone her present thoughts.

On the day Huan Rong entered the palace, Qin Jing and Qin Yu happened to lead their troops into Pengcheng.

After several days of siege, the food stored in the city was completely consumed, and the defenders lost their fighting spirit. When the city gate was breached, no less than a hundred people knelt down and surrendered.If it weren't for the opponent's delay in launching an attack, and they didn't dare to venture out of the city, they wouldn't have defended until today.

Reinforcements from Ye City?

Can't count on it at all!

Qin Jing rode his horse and galloped past, hardly encountered decent resistance, and it was impossible to "keep no prisoners".

Qin Yu was also a little regretful, looking at the Xianbei defenders who were kneeling on both sides of the road, as honest as a quail, he couldn't help but click his tongue twice.

"Is this really Xianbeihu?"

Not to mention the Xianbei elite, even the miscellaneous Hu who became a bandit can't compare.

The siege lasted eight days, but it took two hours to capture the city.

The servants of the Qin family didn't have any casualties. Those who were injured were purely unlucky.

"But a few arrows, two slaps can be counted, but you still haven't been able to dodge? Go out, let alone under the command of the Fourth Young Master, I will be ashamed for you!"

The servants of the Qin family were in a hurry, Pengcheng fell in the first battle, and Xiapi County became the nearest target.The Xianbei prefect learned of the battle situation, without saying a word, took his confidant Qu out of the city overnight, and rushed straight to Lanling County.

Qin Jing and Qin Yu led the troops to arrive, and the defenders in the city had already run away, except for the people of the Han family, there was not even a miscellaneous Hu.

Don't blame the barbarians for running away, it's really because the two brothers have too much reputation.

Qin Jing went to several counties and counties in succession, without taking any prisoners in every battle; Qin Yu built Jingguan in Liang County, scaring off the Xianbei reinforcements on the spot.Rumors about them seemed to have wings, and quickly spread throughout the country of Yan, even the Di people and Tuyuhun had heard of them.

Qin Jing didn't care about this, and still fought what should be fought, what should be killed, and the army was invincible.

Qin Yu scratched his head, feeling a little wronged.

"Isn't it just a mound of earth? How can I say that I am more fierce than Ah Zheng? I am much more approachable than him. Zhang Canjun, are you right?"

Zhang Yu was noncommittal, neither saying yes nor no.Being questioned too much, he simply used his language skills to catch Qin Qi's eyes, turned around and left.

"Ayan, Alan, tell me!" Qin Yu shook his head and turned to his brother to seek approval.

Qin Jue and Qin Xuan glanced at each other, while looking at the sky speechlessly.

The fourth brother stopped being mad, and the third brother started committing crimes again. Can this day be more exciting?