Zhuo Qihua

In Xiangfu Palace, Emperor Yong'an is playing chess with Zhuo Ji.After so many years of training by Emperor Yong'an, Zhuo Ji's chess skills have finally improved.Emperor Yong'an, who was forty-two, also began to grow a beard five years ago. Although the beard was not long, it was no longer as smooth as before.Zhuo Ji also no longer disliked Emperor Yong'an growing a beard, as he did as the Romans did.At Emperor Yong'an's current age, not growing a beard would make him look too frivolous as an emperor.With the rapid development of the national power of the Mata country, the strength of all nations coming to court is fully displayed, and the kingly aura in Emperor Yong'an becomes more and more intense.Even Lin Xieshan and Shi Yu, close ministers around Emperor Yong'an, have become more and more respectful in front of him in the past two years.Inside and outside the palace, Zhuo Ji was the only one whose attitude towards Emperor Yong'an remained unchanged.

It is a kingly aura that makes people involuntarily submit, respect, apprehensive, cautious, and cautious.That is the unique temperament that the absolute ruler of the world will have inadvertently, and it is difficult for the best actors to perform.Surroundings, the territory of Mata country is constantly expanding.Overseas, Mata country has established dozens of bases.Those newly discovered continents now also have cities belonging to the Mata people.The attitude of the Matato people towards the natives of the New World is to establish friendly diplomatic relations, and to use their own strong strength and development speed to make the other party submit gradually, rather than oppress them with bloody means.

Every year, countless merchant ships shuttle through the large and small ports of Mata country.Every year, overseas country leaders send people to congratulate and pay tribute.Overseas, everyone who has heard of Mata country will look forward to and be in awe. It is the real paradise and Eden in their minds.The merchant ships of the Mata country are the only existence that the pirates dare not provoke, because the artillery and long guns of the Mata country are really terrible.

Feng Xi bowed in from outside and reported: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness King Qin has returned to the palace and is waiting outside Fengtian Hall."

Emperor Yong'an and Zhuo Ji put down the chess pieces in their hands at the same time, Zhuo Ji looked very happy: "King Qin is back!"

Emperor Yong'an: "Send him to Xiangfu Palace, let him follow his mother and father to see him."

"Yes."

Feng Xi withdrew to spread the word.Emperor Yong'an looked at Zhuo Ji: "It's a few days earlier than I expected."

Zhuo Ji: "It must be that after receiving His Majesty's imperial decree, he hastened all the way. In the past four years, King Qin can only come back twice a year, and the Queen Mother and Brother Yao miss him very much." For Emperor Yong'an, the young King Qin and King Qi Zhuo Ji was distressed when he was sent to the border to practice, but he also agreed.

Emperor Yong'an raised his hand, and all the servants in the room retreated quietly.Emperor Yong'an looked at Zhuo Ji and said: "This time I summoned Chen Mu and Chen Mu to return to the capital, the ministers in the court should have guessed what I meant. Chen Mu, I'm afraid you are not confused."

Zhuo Ji smiled and said: "Your Majesty is in the prime of life, but it's always better to cultivate the prince sooner rather than later, so let's guess."

Emperor Yong'an sighed, Zhuo Ji pursed his lips and smiled without saying a word.Emperor Yong'an had regrets, and his regrets were also the regrets of many ministers in the court.King Qin is excellent, the only thing he regrets to Emperor Yong'an is that he is not Zhuo Jisheng.

Grabbing Zhuo Ji's hand, Emperor Yong'an said: "Sometimes, I still think about what it would be like if you could give me a son and a half daughter. It will definitely be better than Chen Huo."

Zhuo Ji: "Then maybe I won't be able to have a son."

Emperor Yong'an: "It doesn't matter if you don't give birth. Brother Wang, the princess... After all, you gave birth to me, and they will be my favorite children."

Emperor Yong'an had more than a dozen children, but none of them was loved by him.Zhuo Ji said with a faint smile: "In life, there must always be some regrets."

Emperor Yong'an hummed: "If you dare to make me feel sorry, let's see how I treat you in my next life."

Zhuo Ji smiled lowly.

After waiting for a while, Zhang Xian reported outside the door that His Royal Highness King Qin had arrived.Emperor Yong'an Xuan.As soon as Qin Wang Nan Rongchen came in, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "I kowtow to my father, I kowtow to my mother and father."

Emperor Yong'an: "Get up."

Zhuo Ji: "Get up."

King Qin kowtowed again, then stood up.Zhuo Ji smiled and waved: "Come here and let me have a look, I'm a little thinner than the last time I came back."

The King of Qin stepped forward with a smile, and said affectionately: "My son is full of muscles, but he looks thinner in clothes."

Zhuo Ji squeezed King Qin's arm: "It's strong." Then he said with emotion: "I've grown taller. Well, I'm becoming more and more manly."

The King of Qin grinned and said: "This time, when I returned to Beijing, I brought some gifts to Father Huang and Shun's mother, all of which are special products from the Northwest."

Zhuo Ji nodded: "You have a heart."

Emperor Yong'an said at this time: "Just came back, go to see your imperial grandmother and your mother, then go back home and rest. The steam locomotive of the Academy of Sciences has entered the trial operation stage. You have waited so long for your mother and father, and finally you can I can see the results."

King Qin's eyes lit up: "Is the locomotive finished?"

Emperor Yong'an: "It's finished, I'll wait for you and Chen Mu to come back."

King Qin clapped his hands excitedly: "That's great!"

Zhuo Ji: "Go to see the Queen Mother and your parents, then hurry back to the mansion and rest, I'm tired from the journey."

King Qin: "I will go now, my son will leave."

Emperor Yong'an: "Go."

After saluting, Qin Wangxing left in a hurry.If you want to say what he and Chen Mu are looking forward to the most in the past few years, it must be the steam locomotive.

King Qin happily left Xiangfu Palace. When Xiao Ding saw his master's smiling face, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately asked excitedly, "Master, why are you so happy?"

King Qin: "The steam locomotive is finished, and it can be put into trial operation when Chen Mu comes back."

Xiao Ding's heart instantly fell to the bottom: "Master is so happy, just because of this?"

The smile on King Qin's face stopped.Xiao Ding shrank his neck, and twitched his mouth: "Slaves talk too much, please punish me master."

Outside the gate of Xiangfu Palace, King Qin did nothing.He glared at Xiao Ding, and quickly left for the Shoukang Palace where the imperial grandmother was.When there was no one left in the middle of the road, King Qin said in a low voice: "I know what you are thinking, this is just this time, don't make another example!"

"Yes!"

Qin Wang regained his mood and went to Shoukang Palace.For the crown prince, it is absolutely impossible for King Qin to say that he has no idea.But he studied with Shun's parents since he was a child, and his vision is no longer limited to this small palace.He will use his own strength to obtain the position of the prince, rather than relying on those shady means.He has this ability, even if it is not in Mata country, there is no place in the world where he can smash the sky?

The Queen Mother was very happy when King Qin came back.Holding Qin Wang's hand, the distressed tears came out.The grandson went to the northwest border at a young age, how could the Queen Mother not feel distressed.But she can't stop it, the emperor has his own reasons for making such a decision.After talking with King Qin for a while, the Queen Mother asked King Qin to go to Huayang Palace quickly.King Qin rushed to Huayang Palace again.Seeing her son, Huang Guixie also burst into tears.Holding my son's hand, looking at it and touching it, I felt that my son had lost a lot of weight.

After drinking the chicken soup his mother and father had prepared for him, and talking with his mother and father for half an hour, King Qin resigned.He is already a prince and an adult, so he cannot stay in the harem for too long.

In Xiangfu Palace, the coolness brought by artificial fans and ice blocks dissipated the heat of summer.Zhuo Ji stretched his bare feet on the soft handmade carpet that was tributed from overseas.Because Zhuo Ji writes all the year round, his shoulders and neck need to be relaxed frequently.In the new Xiangfu Palace, it is as luxurious as it is, as luxurious as it is, as exquisite as it is exquisite.Many treasures of Emperor Yong'an who paid tribute from overseas were placed in Xiangfu Palace.

Each main palace of Danyang Palace is a small three-story building with a two-story auxiliary building.Xiangfu Palace is the main palace of the entire Danyang Palace after Fengtian Palace and Houde Palace, the queen's residence.Zhuo Ji monopolizes the entire Xiangfu Palace by himself.The West Palace is where his personal laboratory is located.There is also a swimming pool at the back of Xiangfu Palace, which was built by Emperor Yong'an for Zhuo Ji alone.When it was hot, Emperor Yong'an would take Zhuo Ji to swim here.

In Tianyu Palace, Zhuo Ji's residence and his treatment are comparable to those of the queen.At the beginning of the design of Tianyu Palace, Emperor Yong'an bluntly stated that Zhuoji's Xiangfu Palace should be built on the scale of Houde Palace.The powerful and rich Emperor Yong'an no longer concealed his monopoly on Zhuo Ji, and the most important thing is that no minister has come out to object!

Emperor Yong'an sat on the sofa and admired Zhuo Ji stretching.Zhuo Ji, who was nearly 30 years old, lost the youthful youthfulness on his face, and became more mature and charming—even though Zhuo Ji didn't like this word—but Emperor Yong'an still wanted to describe it like this.It is a kind of charming charm that has been favored for many years and has never been bothered by feelings.And Zhuo Ji's wise mind and grand layout make his charm unmatched.Not only has he won the emperor's heart from Emperor Yong'an for more than ten years, but many important officials in the court are also loyal to him.

After Zhuo Ji gradually let go of the Zhuo Yuan Trading Company and his advice on the government of the Mata country, and devoted himself to writing books and focusing on education, Emperor Yong'an was unwilling to let Zhuo Ji show his face too much.Some researchers from the Fourth Academy who guessed Zhuo Ji's ability—the title of "craftsman" has been replaced—every time they saw him, their eyes lit up, and their admiration was beyond words.The love (admiration) of Zhuo Ji by Lin Xieshan, Shi Yu and others in the court sometimes even exceeded that of the emperor.The way those men looked at Zhuo Ji displeased Emperor Yong'an.That is the displeasure of being desired for one's own treasure.Emperor Yong'an was very sensible and would not punish his officials or take it out on Zhuo Ji because of this. His method was to reduce Zhuo Ji's appearance.At this point, he will always be an emperor with a strong desire for monopoly.

Emperor Yong'an already had a lot of gray hair on his temples. Behind the rapid and smooth development of the Matata Kingdom is the hard work of Emperor Yong'an and his officials.On the contrary, Zhuo Ji's charm has greatly increased, but his appearance has not changed much.Age brought him nothing but a more exciting temperament.Emperor Yong'an hadn't drafted for more than ten years. He had political considerations, but most of them were here with Zhuo Ji.In this life, he couldn't promise Zhuo Ji a lifetime of being a couple. There will always be other concubines in his harem.What he can give Zhuo Ji is to be as exclusive as possible and not to invite new people into the palace.

After stretching, Zhuo Ji broke out in sweat.Xiaohui stepped forward and handed over a wet towel.Zhuo Ji exhaled, wiped the sweat from his forehead and neck, and said to Emperor Yong'an, "Your Majesty, I'm going to take a shower."

Emperor Yong'an came back from a certain thought: "Go."

Zhuo Ji went to the bathroom to take a shower.There is no longer only a bathtub in the bathroom, but also a shower.Tianyu Palace has a brand new water supply system, or in other words, the entire Xixiang City has the most advanced water supply and drainage system in the world today.Water heaters are still a long way off, but showers are no longer a dream.There is a special boiler room in the palace, and the noble masters of each palace can take a hot bath at any time.

When King Qin returned to Beijing, he knew everything he should know.Compared to King Qin's previous return to Beijing, King Qin's return to Beijing this time has caused an undercurrent among the courtiers.Shi Yu, Marquis of Xingle, paid a visit to Lin Xieshan, Duke of the Sui Dynasty.The two sat face to face in the study room where no one else was present. Shi Yu asked directly: "Duke, Your Majesty suddenly called King Qin back to the capital this time, but did you make a decision?"

Lin Xieshan poured himself a cup of tea slowly, and said, "Your Majesty has also announced that the King of Qi will return to Beijing. The steam locomotive can finally be put into trial operation. Your Majesty must call the two Highnesses back to Beijing first."

Shi Yu: "However, His Majesty sent King Qin's personal guards to take King Qin back to the capital. The steam locomotive is in trial operation. According to the past practice, King Qin will also rush back to the capital before the Evergreen Festival. It will only wait for more than a month. Why do you need to make a special order?"

Lin Xieshan raised his eyes: "If Your Majesty really cares about King Qin, does Marquis Xingle have other candidates?"

Shi Yu didn't hide his words: "Your servant, I just feel unwilling."

Lin Xieshan picked up the teacup, took a sip, put down the teacup and said, "It doesn't matter if you are unwilling. If you don't want to, you and I can only accept the reality."

For so many years, the spirits like Lin Xieshan have also seen that Yuchu has never been able to conceive a dragon heir. It is not because of physical problems, but because of reluctance and reluctance.Shi Yu clenched his fists: "The merits of Chu Chu cannot be announced by the world. For the sake of the stability of the country, Chu Chu refused to give birth to dragon heirs... Every time I think of this, the heart of the minister..."

Lin Xieshan: "That's '俍俍'." It's His Majesty's maid!Regardless of Lin Xieshan's last sentence, Shi Yu should understand the meaning of his warning.

Shi Yu shut up.

Lin Xieshan: "As His Majesty's close ministers, you and I must not exceed the rules. In the past two years, Chu Chu has rarely left the palace."

Shi Yu's jaw tightened, and he could naturally see the reason.

Lin Xieshan: "You and I are not worth it for you, but we know what you really want. If your majesty makes a decision, it must be what you want to see. What you and I can do is to do our duty."

Guan Minghui is the uncle of King Qi, and Shao Pingqiu is the uncle of King Qin. They must have selfish intentions.But for people like Lin Xieshan, Shi Yu, Qin Su, and Pan Yuzhi, there was only one candidate for the best crown prince in their minds—the prince born out of Yuzu.But things didn't work out, year after year, there was still no news from Zuo Chu's belly, and they gradually tasted the deep meaning in it, and saw Zuo Chu's exquisite thoughts.And just because they saw it, their hearts were even more aggrieved.

After a long time, Lin Xieshan said something like talking to himself: "I really don't know what the prosperous age in your heart looks like."

Shi Yu looked at Lin Xieshan, but Lin Xieshan said nothing.

At night, Emperor Yong'an held Zhuo Ji in his arms, and the two lay on the bed chatting.Emperor Yong'an said: "When the railway in Mata country is built, I will take you to visit the scenery of Mata country."

Zhuo Ji: "Okay. I really want to see the peace and beauty of this world."

Emperor Yong'an: "Where do you want to go most?"

Zhuo Ji replied without thinking: "Jiangnan."

Emperor Yong'an's eyes were deep: "You used to be from Jiangnan?"

Zhuo Ji, who had not mentioned the "past" in front of Emperor Yong'an for many years, nodded: "Well, I am from the south. After the world was in chaos, I went all the way to the north. I used to dream of going back to Jiangnan before the end of the world to have a look."

Emperor Yong'an: "Okay, after the railway is built, we will go to Jiangnan at the first stop."

Zhuo Ji: "Brother Yue and Zhaoyi are both from Jiangnan."

"Yes."

Zhuo Ji: "That can just take them to the south of the Yangtze River to visit relatives."

Emperor Yong'an: "Yes."

It's all little things.

The two chatted about the prospect of the trains in Matata country being fully rolled out in the future, and Zhuo Ji fell asleep while talking.Although he still dreams now, he is no longer always awakened by nightmares like before.In the past two years, Zhuo Ji's sleep has improved a lot, even if Emperor Yong'an is not by his side sometimes, he can still sleep well at night.

Emperor Yong'an was going to court on the second day, and it happened that King Qin came back, so naturally he had to go to court with him.Not long after dawn, Emperor Yong'an got up.Zhuo Ji was still sleeping in the big soft bed, and Emperor Yong'an walked out of the bedroom as usual before letting Zhang Xian and Feng Xi wait on him to get dressed.After simply eating a few pieces of snacks and drinking a cup of soy milk, Emperor Yong'an left Xiangfu Palace and went to court.