Chapter 214 Farewell

Chapter 214 Farewell

Chapter 214 Farewell
In recent days, a piece of news came out in the capital: Luyang Hou Shao Xun planned to open the water mills in more than 30 areas of Jingu Garden and four areas of Shao Garden to people for grinding flour in a nearly free manner.

The news did not cause much of a sensation, it was merely circulated among the people as a topic of conversation after dinner.

The reason is very simple. There are not many people growing wheat now, so there is not much demand for grinding flour.

Perhaps, only when it is really needed, can this news once again top the “hot search list” and be talked about by people.

On May 16, 5,000 prisoners from the first battalion of the military farm army arrived outside Jingu Garden.

They waved various farm tools listlessly and worked busily in the fields under the supervision of five hundred Yamen Army soldiers.

If you listen to their inner voices, the words "hungry" and "tired" will definitely appear most frequently.

But they couldn't be lazy, because the soldiers of the Yamen Army were as fierce as wolves and tigers, staring at them closely. Anyone who was slow would be whipped.

Don’t treat prisoners as human beings!

Everyone lamented in unison, following the general in rebellion, running all the way from Qingzhou to Luoyang, just to be slaves and farm the land?
But the world is like this, no one can be blamed.

When they were forcing the young men to burn, kill and loot, did they care about what others thought? Having the current life of "free food and accommodation" is already a blessing from heaven.

A large group of scholars, men and women, came to Jingu Garden today.

Shao Xun said that some "scenic spots" will be open, so they are really open for people to visit, play and gather at will.

Wang Yan also came because Shao Xun was leaving.

"I have sent Chu Zhong to take a look at the land on the northern edge of Guangcheng Lake. We can build a large villa there." Wang Yan was in high spirits. It seemed that the gift from Shao Xun was very much to his liking.

Older scholars like to travel in secluded forests and springs. If you start from this aspect, you will hit the mark every time.

"Yu Min and Yu Ziju are about to become the Minister of the Interior." Wang Yan looked at Shao Xun with complicated eyes and said.

If this boy had a better family background, wouldn't the two money-losing girls in the family - obviously, these are the original words quoted by Old Wang from Guo - have been married off?

"Oh? That's good!" Shao Xun was a little excited.

Although the Shizhong was ranked below the Nine Ministers, it was a position of real power. "All confidential matters and important plans were under his jurisdiction, as well as imperial edicts and documents."

In short, the Shizhong had access to too many core secrets. Some imperial edicts had not yet been written, but the Shizhong had already participated in the discussion and decision-making. If he revealed a little to Shao Xun at this time, it would be extremely useful.

The Yu family is now in great power.

The main branch, Yu Hua, worked in Sima Yue's court, but he had the lowest official position and actual power.

Of the two branches, when Yu Min served as the Zhongzheng of Yingchuan County, he was responsible for evaluating the children of scholars in the county and assigning grades to the aristocratic families. He had a wide network of contacts and should have accumulated quite a few favors, so he was considered to be very successful in Yingchuan.

Yu Chen was the prefect of Ji County and he did a very good job in the position.

Shao Xun mentioned him several times in front of Wang Yan, and the old Wang admired him very much because the governors north of the Yellow River often lost their troops and territory, but Yu Chen was as steady as a rock. If this wasn't a capable minister, what else could he be?
Alas, I did have foresight. There are many benefits to marrying into the Yu family.

Before leaving, he went to Uncle Cao's house and asked this highly respected old minister to come forward and help him act as a matchmaker so that things would go smoothly.

Uncle Cao always likes to help young people, so he would definitely not refuse such a favor that is earned for free.

As if he knew what Shao Xun was thinking, Wang Yan suddenly said, "The Shao family of Weijun has a good family tradition. How about you form a clan alliance with them?"

"Union clan?"

Wang Yan nodded and said, "In the past, the Grand Tutor Yuan Wei of the Later Han Dynasty and the Eunuch Yuan She formed a clan alliance, which was said to be beautiful - well, there are many benefits. If you want to form a clan alliance with the Shao family of Wei County, it is actually not difficult. When Shao Xu and Shao Sizu were military officers in Ye Prefecture, they knew Lu Zhi. It might be very convenient for him to act as a matchmaker. The life of the Shao family of Wei County is not very good now, and they should also want to make friends with you. If it is really impossible, I can also write a letter..."

"What does Situ want to do?" Shao Xun asked in surprise.

"Forget it, just pretend I didn't say anything." Wang Yan might have regretted his impulse. He coughed and changed the subject. He said, "The court wants to use troops in Hebei and Bingzhou. Will you go?"

"Situ, we need to give people a break." Shao Xun said with a smile, "My troops are exhausted from the long battle and need to rest."

"Okay." Wang Yan nodded.

The deployment of troops in Bingzhou and Hebei was actually led by Sima Yue, who mobilized troops from Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Bingzhou, part of the imperial guards, and several counties, totaling tens of thousands of people.

Maybe they will really fight, or maybe they will just make a gesture and not really fight.

Wang Yan was not very interested, but he still cooperated with Sima Yue where necessary.

What he is busy with now is mainly the promotion of winter wheat in the counties of Sizhou proposed by Shao Xun.

Changing people's agricultural habits is not an easy task. In fact, it requires a lot of complex and meticulous work, which is mainly carried out at the county level.

Fortunately, there is still time. I hope more people will switch to growing winter wheat by then.

The Huns were too restless.

******
Before leaving, Shao Xun brought gifts and visited Concubine Pei.

When he was heading to the study, he met Princess Lu of Fanyang again. Shao Xun stopped and bowed.

Lu looked at him strangely, returned the gift and left in a hurry. After arriving in the study, Concubine Pei made a pot of tea herself.

Shao Xun took a quick look and saw the little bear celadon lamp he had given him on the desk. There was still lamp oil in it, and it looked like it was used frequently. He immediately felt relieved.

"When the gates of Luoyang were closed, I was a little worried." Concubine Pei casually mentioned what happened ten days ago and bent down to pour a bowl of tea for Shao Xun.

The weather in mid-to-late May is already a bit hot.

Concubine Pei was wearing a double-crotch shirt, and when she bent over to pour tea, her beauty was faintly visible.

Shao Xun even had an illusion: when he returned home from the battle, his wife was wearing loose home clothes, chatting with him while pouring him tea and serving him snacks.

"Luoyang has been in constant war this year, and it will be even more chaotic next year." Shao Xun retracted his gaze and said, "The Wang Situ has gone to Guangchengze to find land to build a villa. The princess might as well send people to build a manor. Luoyang is still too dangerous."

"Will Luoyang City be broken?" Concubine Pei was a little surprised.

"It shouldn't happen now, but it's hard to say in the future." Shao Xun said, "If you feel that the courtyard is quiet, you can send someone to Hedong..."

"I heard that the Huns attacked Pingyang and Hedong counties. What's the situation there now?" Concubine Pei was a little worried.

After Sima Yue left for Juancheng, the shogunate followed him. She and the prince lived in Luoyang, and it was indeed difficult for them to get news from all parties in a timely manner.

"Counties without troops cannot stop the Xiongnu." Shao Xun said, "Pingyang and Hedong are rich. After taking these two counties, the Xiongnu can use them as a base to attack Hongnong in the south, and then go to Yiyang and Luoyang."

When Concubine Pei heard that the Huns might occupy Hedong County, she looked a little worried.

My mother's family is right there. How should I get along with the Huns when they become the new masters of Hedong?
"Don't worry." Shao Xun saw her worry and said, "Liu Yuanhai has rules and regulations, he won't do anything rash. He will just ask for some money and food, and at most send a few distant relatives to serve as officials. It's not a big deal."

After saying this, he patted Concubine Pei's hand to comfort her.

Concubine Pei subconsciously wanted to retract her hand, but Shao Xun simply held it tightly.

The study was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Both of their heartbeats were so violent that it seemed as if the pulses could be transmitted through their arms.

"I—" Concubine Pei pulled back her hand with force again. After taking a deep breath, she said in a trembling voice, "You have built such a large family business in Guangchengze. You must be in need of people, right? I can write a letter and ask you to recommend a few talents. It's better to help you than to help the Xiongnu."

"Okay." Shao Xun also withdrew his hand.

There was no strong rejection or rebuke, no slapping, and he could even feel that Concubine Pei didn't really use much force when she tried to pull her hand away the first time. He finally felt relieved.

The children of the Pei family are of course excellent and can offset the influence of Lu Zhi's faction.

If we fight back against the Huns in the future, perhaps we can get some convenience.

Employing their people will have a demonstration effect, attracting more talents to join them, and making them more famous. In short, there are many benefits.

"You have three forts in Yiyang, isn't that dangerous?" Concubine Pei suddenly thought of this and asked nervously.

"It's not my dock, it's our dock." Shao Xun corrected.

Concubine Pei rolled her eyes at him. This guy always changed the subject to something sexy and ambiguous.

"However, you are right. Yunzhong Sanwu will become a frontline in the future and it will not be very safe. So I want you to build a separate house in Guangchengze, so that you can have a place to stay if Luoyang is in chaos." Shao Xun said: "Yesterday Wang Yan mentioned to me that Wang Yan, the uncle of the king, also seems to want to find a place in Guangchengze. No one is a fool. In the next few months, more and more officials may send people to the south. If the princess goes there, it will not be conspicuous."

Concubine Pei didn't say anything.

Shao Xun was a little anxious and said, "Pei Shiliu is smart and capable. He can do this well."

"What will happen if I go..." Concubine Pei sighed and said softly.

This was difficult for Shao Xun to answer. After all, he had just gone to the Yu family a few days ago, preparing to unite with them and make great strides in the south.

In the end, he is still a scumbag. He seduced the eldest sister-in-law, wanted to marry a beautiful girl, and kept a concubine of the younger brother at home.

Concubine Pei noticed his stunned look, calmed down her chaotic mood, and said, "Wait a few more months. When more people have gone there, I will send Pei Shiliu south again."

"Okay." Shao Xun breathed a sigh of relief.

Concubine Pei looked at his anxious expression, her mood improved, and she poured him some more tea.

The sun was setting, and Shao Xun didn't want to stay any longer, so he got up and said goodbye after drinking his tea.

After leaving the Taifu Mansion, he did not stay there. Under the escort of his personal soldiers, he went out of the Jinyang Gate and headed south to Liang County overnight.

This matter has come to an end, and his main focus from now on will be on training troops, farming, and other matters that lay a solid foundation.

If the foundation is not strong, the earth will shake.

If you are not good at the complicated work behind the scenes and cannot handle the trivial and complicated affairs behind the scenes, you will not have the opportunity to perform on stage.

His current status was not obtained through Kai Wushuang, but through farming.

(End of this chapter)