Prince Consort

Yan Chong glanced at Xie Ze'an, as if he wanted to see a good show.After being separated for many years, Xie Ze'an has grown taller, more handsome, and more capable than before.So no matter what happened, Yan Chong didn't worry about Xie Zean, he just wanted to see how Xie Zean would deal with it, and went back to Xie Hui and the others to have a good talk.

Seeing Yan Chong's expression, Xie Ze'an didn't understand what Yan Chong was thinking?

Xie Ze'an reluctantly walked ahead and followed the yamen servants out.Seeing the two people lying on the ground, Xie Zean was slightly surprised, and called two yamen servants, "Come and help, help the two gentlemen to the back yamen." He looked at Yan Chong, "Brother Yan, you come too Help me out."

After being separated for a long time, Yan Chong and Xie Zean still had a tacit understanding. Hearing Xie Zean call "Sir", he immediately stepped forward to help one of them.After helping him to the back office, the tall and thin middle-aged man called out again: "Wine, wine! Serve the wine!"

Xie Ze'an did not rush to bring the wine up, but gently persuaded him: "Small drinking is pleasant, but heavy drinking is harmful to the body. Mister, let's wait for the wine to calm down." After finishing speaking, he stopped talking and waited around With that, Yuyan rushed out.

Yan Chong was on official business and couldn't stay longer. Seeing that Xie Zean didn't plan to talk to him at all, he laughed angrily: "Give me a ride."

Xie Ze'an was planning to send Yan Chong off, so he picked a horse and drove Yan Chong out of the county.Seeing that he was far away from the county government, Xie Zean said: "The two gentlemen just now are very famous."

Yan Chong said, "Why haven't I seen it?"

Xie Ze'an said: "There are a lot of high-level people you haven't seen before. Those two gentlemen just now are. If I hadn't met Mr. Ye Weng a few times, I'm afraid I wouldn't recognize them. In my opinion, these two people went to seek refuge. Duanwang's."

Yan Chong was taken aback: "Prince Duan?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Yes, King Duan." He looked ahead, "King Duan likes to make friends with strange people and hermits. In comparison, King Duan wins their hearts even more."

Yan Chong's face darkened: "Sanlang, you have something in your words."

Xie Ze'an said: "I didn't want to tell you, Big Brother Yan, because I was afraid you would be distracted. But if I didn't say it, I was afraid that you would be defenseless. I'm afraid Duan Wang is not as quiet as he looks. He usually does a lot of things. A man does not kill with a sword."

Yan Chong felt awe-inspiring: "Sanlang, are you sure?"

Xie Ze'an said: "I think people seldom make mistakes, it's better to be careful."

Yan Chong nodded, reined in his horse and said, "What are the origins of those two gentlemen just now? Can you keep them?"

Xie Ze'an said: "These two people have a recognizable body shape, and they are addicted to alcohol. I heard Mr. Ye Weng mention that they should be 'Er Du'."

Yan Chong turned his head abruptly: "Er Du?"

You can't blame Yan Chong for making such a fuss, Yan Chong has heard of this name a long time ago.

"Er Du" is a pair of twins. Although they don't look alike at all, they are equally talented.The two have been inseparable since childhood, have a great understanding, and cooperate seamlessly in everything they do. It is said that even if the two places are separated, they can still clearly express each other's thoughts.

When the elder Sun Lin was not in danger, and Fang Baocheng hadn't left yet, the two men, one tall and one short, had joined the army to help the elder Sun Lin with logistics affairs, and the elder Sun Lin was full of praise for all kinds of whimsical calculations.It's a pity that after repelling the Xixia army that time, the two left without leaving a trace.

Changsun Lin was very regretful at the beginning, and said repeatedly in the letter: "I can't keep them."

Yan Chong knew his friend's temper, so the person who could make him praise him like this must be very remarkable.Thinking of the lost friend, Yan Chong felt a little sad. He mentioned the matter of the eldest grandson to Xie Zean, and reached out to pat Xie Zean on the shoulder: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself, just do your best."

Xie Ze'an said with a smile, "I never put pressure on myself."

Yan Chong thought about it, and felt that Xie Zean was not lying. This guy never knew what pressure was.He pulled the rein: "Then say goodbye and remember to meet your grandfather when you are free."

Xie Ze'an nodded, not seeing him off, but watching Yan Chong leave from where he was.After sending Yan Chong away and returning to the county office, Xie Ze'an saw Dai Shi standing upright at the gate of the back office waiting for him, and couldn't help asking: "What happened?"

Dai Shi said: "Those two gentlemen were arguing for a drink, even His Highness was alarmed."

Xie Ze'an said: "It's okay, I'll go talk to Yan Ning." After speaking, he turned to find Princess Yan Ning.

Seeing him coming back, Princess Yanning asked, "Who are those two gentlemen?"

Xie Ze'an said: "The two famous hermits, who helped Uncle Changsun before, are very capable and have a strange temper. Don't worry, people like them always have a little eccentricity. Their quirk is that they are addicted to alcohol."

Princess Yan Ning immediately thought of King Duan's good reputation outside, so the two of them suddenly appeared in Liangzhou, maybe they were rushing for King Duan.If King Duan had two more helpers, it would not be a good thing no matter what.She said with concern: "Since this is the case, you must find a way to keep them."

Xie Ze'an nodded, and told Princess Yanning to rest well, and go to see "Er Du" by herself.Before entering the door, I heard the short and fat middle-aged man say: "Let's go, there is no wine here!" The tall and thin middle-aged man also answered: "Yes, yes, leave if there is no wine!"

Xie Ze'an said: "Don't worry, gentlemen, there is certainly some wine, but you can't drink it now, you have already drunk too much."

The tall, thin, middle-aged man sneered coldly: "No one has ever dared to say that we drink too much, and the more I drink, the more sober I become."

The chunky middle-aged man nodded straight: "I'm more confused when I'm awake."

Xie Ze'an cupped his hands at the tall and thin middle-aged man: "Mr. Du Qing," after shouting, he attacked the short and fat middle-aged man again, "Mr. Du Xing. It's not that I don't want to part with wine, it's just that good wine is hard to come by. If I don't drink it soberly, I won't be able to drink it." beautiful."

Du Qing and Du Xing looked at each other, Du Qing said first: "Do you have good wine?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Of course there are good wines. The owner of Jinyulou is my friend."

Du Qing said: "The name Jinyulou is really tacky."

Xie Ze'an said: "It's a wine and meat business, if it's not vulgar, how can I make money."

Du Xing said: "I've heard a song, it's very elegant."

Xie Zean said without changing his expression: "The words written by Mr. Qin are naturally elegant, so Jin Yulou just borrowed them. People are always greedy. My friend wants to earn money from ordinary people, and he also wants to earn money from elegant people."

Du Qing said: "This Mr. Qin's Ci is so good, how come no one has seen him?"

Xie Ze'an wasn't embarrassed at all: "What's so strange about this, many people who wrote good words in the past didn't even keep their names, such as 'There are flowers that can be folded straight, don't wait for no flowers to break branches', so A good poem, but the author is anonymous."

Du Qing said, "You can really tell."

Du Xing asked, "How did you know our names?"

Xie Ze'an said: "I met Mr. Ye Weng a few times when I was in the capital. He told me that there are many strange people in the northwest, and Mr. Ye Weng mentioned the two gentlemen. Mr. Ye Weng said that Mr. Du Xing, you like to say 'I I'm more confused when I'm awake', Mr. Du Qing, you like to say 'I become more sober when I drink', so I can call out the names of the two gentlemen."

Du Qing closed his eyes and was very dissatisfied: "Pretending to be a hypocrite, I won't give you a drink."

Du Xing smiled kindly: "How is Mr. Ye Weng?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Mr. Ye Weng is still very healthy. I learned a set of boxing from him, and I often play it when I have nothing to do. I hope to live a long and healthy life like Mr. Ye Weng."

Du Xing said, "We want to sleep now, so go ahead."

Xie Ze'an didn't say much, and simply left.

Du Qing sat on the bed with drooping eyelids and said nothing.Du Xing said: "Don't just think about yourself, tell me, what do you think of this kid?"

Du Qing said, "Didn't I say that? It's just a hypocrisy."

Du Xing said: "It's quite hypocritical, but it's also quite straightforward."

Du Qing said: "It's very scheming to deliberately mention Mr. Ye Weng in front of us."

Du Xing was a little uncertain: "Then you don't like it?"

Du Qing said: "Did I say I don't like it?" He opened his eyes, "Such people live a long time, do you want to work for the dead? You love you, I don't."

Of course Du Xing didn't love him either. They left Changsun Lin at the beginning because they found that Changsun Lin's character would kill people - either himself or the people under him.Although they thought they were capable people, they also believed in the saying that "the country is easy to change and the nature cannot be changed", so they left.The death of Changsun Lin proved their speculation and made them more cautious in "choosing the master": first, people must be smart enough; second, they must be trustworthy enough.

These two conditions sound simple, but there are very few who can meet their requirements.

After listening to Du Qing's words, Du Xing was still not sure: "But can he compare to that one?"

Du Qing said: "Although that person has a better posture, he is not following the right path after all."

Du Xing said: "The more you talk about it, the more confused I become. You also say that kid is scheming, and you say that kid is on the right path?"

Du Qing said, "Aren't you scheming?"

Du Xing said, "It's not too late, I'll die early."

Du Qing said, "Aren't you following the right path?"

Du Xing understood that resourcefulness has nothing to do with walking the right path.If the means are used well, you can go further on the right path.Just like the name Jinyulou, it is kind in the eyes of vulgar people, and kind in the eyes of elegant people. This is the state that should be achieved in life and work.

Du Xing said, "Then shall we stay?"

Du Qing was noncommittal: "At least leave after drinking good wine."

Du Xing clapped his hands and smiled: "Yes, drink and drink!" After speaking, he fell on the bed and fell asleep soundly.

Du Qing sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to rest.

At noon, Xie Ze'an personally invited them to dinner.Princess Yan Ning followed. Although there are few servants here in the county government office, they are all people who need to use them. The simplest home-cooked dishes are also well prepared.Dai Shi brought up the wine and filled a large bowl for Du Qing and Du Xing.

Du Qing was attracted by the wine, but Du Xing stared at Dai Shi's hand for a while, and asked: "This is the hand holding the pen, why do you work as a servant?"

Dai Shi stood up straight without being humble, and replied: "The hand of a servant, can't it hold a pen? Besides, when I am around officials, I don't think I am a servant, I think I am an upright person."

Du Qing sneered: "How can an upright person bend over?"

Dai Shi said: "Why can't you bend over and do your job? If you don't even want to do your job, what's the point of being upright?"

Du Xing clapped his hands, and laughed straight away: "Eloquent! Eloquent! It should be clear!"

After the good wine, Du Qing didn't say any more, and poured it into a big bowl in one gulp.When the wine entered his throat, his movements slowed down, as if he wanted to slow down even his breathing, so that the comfortable and beautiful feeling could stay for a while longer.At least Xie Ze'an didn't lie about this matter, there is indeed good wine here, even though they have been immersed in the wine country all year round, they still have to praise it!

Du Xing was also stunned, and waved to Dai Shi: "One more bowl!"

Dai Shi slapped the lid of the jar, and sealed the fragrance of wine in the jar.Xie Ze'an smiled slightly: "You can't drink too much wine..."

Du Qing and Du Xingjiuchong were hooked up, losing all demeanor, they all glared at Xie Ze'an.

Xie Ze'an said: "If you two gentlemen don't dislike it, you might as well stay here for a few more days. I have stayed here for a long time."

Du Qing and Du Xing saw that Xie Ze'an was motionless under his stare, they had no choice but to eat vegetables listlessly.After drinking good wine, they all felt that all they drank was sewer water, which was tasteless.Looking up at the altar of wine in Dai Shi's hands, the two couldn't help but hate themselves for revealing their weaknesses too early and being manipulated by others!

The old god Xie Ze'an was picking up vegetables on the ground for a meal, and when he was [-]% full, he raised his eyes and glanced at "Er Du" who didn't know how to eat, and motioned Dai Shi to fill three bowls of wine, and raised a bowl to invite: " I respect both gentlemen!"

Du Qing and the two thought that they would not be able to drink today, but when they saw the full bowl of wine in front of them, they were both angry and happy. They glanced at Xie Ze'an with complicated emotions, and began to savor the wine carefully.

Du Qing and Du Xing settled down in Tianling County from now on, they walked around here and there, and they didn't say anything to Xie Ze'an, as if they were reluctant to stay just to wait for the bowl of wine on every meal.

Xie Ze'an has never expected to have a domineering aura in himself, to make others trust him wholeheartedly as soon as they meet, as long as he does things as usual.He was busy for a few more days, when the county government suddenly welcomed another visitor, it was actually his grandfather Liang Jian.

Liang Jian has been guarding Xijiang with Xie Hui and his wife. Later, in Yan Chong's plan, important people should cooperate with Xixia, so Liang Jian chose the leader.Hearing that Xie Ze'an and Princess Yanning were coming, Liang Jian handed over the work in hand to the "successors" he had cultivated in the past few years, and came back to find them.

The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, and before reminiscing about the past, Liang Jian drew his sword first.Xie Zean's scalp was numb, and he quickly drew out his sword to deal with it. Liang Jian's sword had seen blood, and the sword was fast and ruthless. Xie Ze'an could only dodge with skill. After holding on for a while, Liang Jian directly picked out his sword , Said: "You are just lazy, you won't work hard when no one is watching."

Xie Zean stretched out his foot and kicked the sword towards Xie Dalang: "Dalang, go!"

Xie Dalang did not know when he had appeared, he firmly caught the sword kicked by Xie Zean, and glanced at Liang Jian.Seeing that Liang Jian didn't speak, Xie Dalang jumped into the open space and began to compete with Liang Jian.Xie Dalang couldn't speak, but his eyes and ears were much sharper than ordinary people's. His swordsmanship was passed down by Liang Jian and Xie Hui, and he combined their strengths ingeniously, so he was on par with Liang Jian.

After all, Liang Jian was old, and after a long time, his breath would inevitably become a little unstable.Xie Dalang noticed this keenly, he retreated while fighting, and finally leaped Xu Yuan, and retracted his sword.

Liang Jian said: "You kid still let me go, right?"

Xie Dalang paused and shook his head.

Liang Jian didn't care about him, he was happier than anyone else that his younger generation was promising.It's a pity that Xie Dalang can't speak, otherwise the Xie family would produce another famous general.Although this worldly famous general is worthless, for Daqing who is surrounded by dangers, one more is more protection.

Liang Jian said, "Ning'er is here too?"

Xie Ze'an nodded and led Liang to pick it up.

Liang Jian met Princess Yan Ning and asked straightforwardly: "Ning'er, you have always loved and respected your Nine Emperor Uncle the most, why don't you live in Liangzhou City?"

Princess Yan Ning froze, and said with a wry smile: "The emperor's uncle has changed. It's my wishful thinking that he is still the emperor's uncle from back then. Being in the royal family, I should have realized it earlier."

Liang Jian fell silent, the royal family has no father and son, let alone they are not even father and son?Fortunately, there is still a Prince Gong, otherwise the brothers and sister Yan Ning would have nothing to rely on, and I don't know what kind of chaos it would be.He said: "Among the royal family, your six emperor uncles are trustworthy. Grandpa Sanlang and I watched him grow up, and we know his character well. If you really have something to do with your majesty, you can talk to you guys." Uncle Six discuss it."

Princess Yan Ning thought that before Zhao Yinglin left, she often summoned Prince Gong and Prince Duan.

These two people seem to be two extremes, King Gong is the most ambitious among the kings, but King Duan is the most desireless among the kings.Now it seems that those who are full of ambition are open and upright, while those who have no desires and desires hide a lot of thoughts.

The human heart is indeed the most difficult thing in the world to grasp.

Princess Yan Ning let out a low sigh.

Liang Jian said: "Don't worry, I won't leave after I come back this time, let me see what your Uncle Nine Emperors is planning."

The small county government gradually became lively.Xie Ze'an didn't need to worry about this. He organized the cotton farmers to harvest the cotton, and then sent someone to teach the women how to process it.

Busy until the end of September, many people have cotton-padded clothes and quilts in their homes.

Xie Ze'an also received cotton honey from cotton farmers when he was on tour, which is sweet, delicious and nutritious.He tasted it and thought it was very good, so he immediately asked someone to go to the cotton farmer's house to see if he could learn from it and accumulate some experience in beekeeping.

Food sources these days are still too monotonous, so it’s okay for rich people, they can easily eat whatever they want. Ordinary people still can’t afford basic things like salt, sugar, and oil, let alone chicken, duck, and fish.Xie Ze'an has a lot of ideas, but he can't chew them all, so he can only solve the most important problem of food and clothing first.

After all, he is a novice. Although he did not do badly in his job, he should not be too conceited.It's easy to make money by yourself, but it's not easy to lead everyone to make a fortune together.

Xie Ze'an returned to the county government office with cotton honey, preparing for his first winter in Liangzhou.

People in Liangzhou City have seen such a good thing as "cotton". It looks white and light, but it is very warm after wearing it.The winter in the Northwest is terribly cold, but after having it, I am no longer afraid of it. The north that blows away has become a paper tiger, which only roars and no longer freezes people.I don't know where it started, but all the children in the streets and alleys sang: "Flowers are not praised by others, and flowers are not to be smelled. They are just offering flowers to give warmth, and they are just using flowers as clothes."

The nursery rhyme was catchy, and the benefits of cotton spread like wildfire, spreading inside and outside Liangzhou.Tianling County was not originally considered wealthy, but this winter, after entering the city, the people of Tianling County spent a lot of money and bought a lot of things. When others asked, they all praised the new county magistrate.

Liangzhou City is close to Xixia, and many Xixia people came across the border to inquire about the news. After hearing about this thing, they quietly bought a batch and brought it back to the Xixia Palace.Although the Emperor Xixia was young, he was not an ignorant person, and he became worried when he saw this thing.It is expedient to bow down to the Daqing court, who wants to bow their knees for a lifetime?But if Daqing gets richer and richer, the hearts of Xixia will disperse sooner or later.

The Xixia Emperor said: "We also want to grow this cotton. We must not live without what we have over there!" They." Although these wealthy businessmen are not slippery, they are the most resourceful when they encounter problems. As long as they promise a lot of profits, there is nothing they can't do.

The first snow fell in the northwest first, and some people were happy while others were worried.

Zhao Chongzhao soon received the "quilt" and "cotton coat" sent back to the capital by Princess Yanning. Although there were better things in the palace, Zhao Chongzhao happily asked someone to change them.After opening and reading Princess Yanning's letter, Zhao Chongzhao felt sour again.

He knew that Xie Zean and Princess Yanning were praised by others, after all, his eyes were always fixed there.My younger sister and brother-in-law get along well, and he should be happy for them, but seeing his younger sister write in the letter that they set up an iron rack in the courtyard, grilled meat on skewers, and brushed it with fragrant and sweet cotton honey , couldn't help secretly hating that he wasn't there and couldn't be with them.

Zhao Chongzhao was depressed, so he asked someone to find Cai Dong, Yao Qingze and others, and set up a stove and iron frame in the gazebo to barbecue with them according to the instructions in the letter.What disappoints him is that although Cai Dong and others love and respect him, they are always separated by a layer and cannot be as close as Xie Zean.

Zhao Chongzhao felt very boring, but still greeted Cai Dong and the others to have a barbecue.Seeing the piece of meat creaking on the iron net, Zhao Chongzhao seemed to be beside Xie Zean.

Such a fresh idea must have come from Xie Zean, Xie Zean always has new ideas.

Zhao Chongzhao coated the roast meat with several layers of honey, put it into his mouth after it was cooked and took a bite.It was obviously roasted very fragrant, but it didn't taste good in his mouth, not to mention sweet, he only felt bitter.

Bitter to the heart.

This is his first year as emperor, winter is here, and the end of the year is approaching, but he can't go to see his sister and Xie Ze'an—because he is the king of a country, he can't leave the capital for too long.

He also couldn't call Xie Ze'an back - because his sister was in poor health and couldn't stand the repeated toss.

When will he see them again?

next year?

The year after next?

Zhao Chongzhao paused.

The others also stopped and looked at Zhao Chongzhao.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Keep baking, don't look at me." He walked to the edge of the pavilion and leaned on the railing, only to see fine snow drifting from the sky.

——Sanlang, is it snowing over there too?

——I dare not even write such a sentence to you.