Food bloggers made fortunes in ancient times

Time flies, and it is already the summer of Kangrui's tenth year.

Over the past year or so, the world situation has undergone tremendous changes.

Prince Chen's army was unstoppable, conquering several cities in succession and heading straight for the capital.

Emperor Kangrui was still seriously injured and the situation in the court became more and more chaotic. Various princes took the opportunity to establish their own regimes, and the Jin Dynasty was already in turmoil.

In the south, the King of Qi occupied the wealthy land south of the Yangtze River, in the north, the King of Yong was eyeing it covetously, and in the west, the King of Qian had his own army and was powerful. Local tyrants set up their own factions, and the court's decrees hardly ever went beyond a hundred miles of the capital.

However, after Prince Fu's death, Yizhou was quickly taken over by Li Yanche. Relying on 50,000 surrendered soldiers and the foundation of Jianping Prefecture, he was able to gain a firm foothold in just one year.

He acted decisively and ruthlessly. He first cleared out the opposition forces in Yizhou and incorporated the local garrison. Then, while Prince Chen's army was tying down the troops in the capital, he quietly annexed several neighboring prefectures and counties in Jizhou, and his power grew day by day.

Zhan Qingyue assisted in the administration and made plans, managing Yizhou in an orderly manner, ensuring sufficient food and grass, and gradually gaining the support of the people.

The title of the young prince was already quite intimidating in the south.

Even other princes no longer dared to underestimate this fourteen-year-old boy. They tried to win him over or test him secretly, but were all rejected by Li Yanche neither harshly nor softly.

Song Yan would occasionally receive letters from Li Yanche, which were mostly brief greetings, occasionally mentioning the customs and people of Yizhou, but rarely talking about the war.

He knew that Li Yanche didn't want him to worry.

Over the past year or so, Yunshan County has been surprisingly peaceful.

In the ninth year of Kangrui, Songzhou remained standing after being besieged by the coalition forces of the two kings, becoming a rare peaceful place in the troubled times.

Refugees continued to pour into Songzhou from Jizhou and Huaixin, seeking refuge.

Song Yan's farm also took in many refugees, including skilled craftsmen, literate scholars, and even a few doctors proficient in medicine.

Song Yan classified them into different categories. Those with skills were assigned to weaving workshops, sauce workshops and other workshops, while those who could read were asked to teach in the newly built schools or help handle the farm accounts.

The size of the farm has expanded a lot without people noticing, and new houses are lined up one after another.

The sound of reading in the school and the clacking of looms in the weaving workshop interweave into a vibrant scene, forming a sharp contrast with the chaos outside.

Meanwhile, the situation in the capital was becoming increasingly critical.

Emperor Kangrui was bedridden, the Crown Prince was incompetent as regent, and there were many factions in the court, which were fighting against each other.

King Chen's army is at the gate of the city, attacking fiercely day and night, and the city's defenses are in danger.

It is said that Emperor Kang Rui refused to allow Luo Tinghan to lead the Northern Frontier Cavalry to the south for help, for fear of inviting a wolf into the house.

The court ministers knelt down to make remonstrances for three days, but all they got in return was an imperial edict ordering the dispatch of troops to Liaodong.

The Liaodong Garrison was thousands of miles away, and it would take more than a month to reach the capital city even on horseback. How could distant water save a nearby fire?

No matter how the court advised him, Emperor Kangrui remained stubborn and would rather wait for the city to fall than let the Northern Frontier Army set foot into the capital.

Kang Ruidi is suspicious by nature and indecisive. Now that he is seriously injured, he is even more suspicious and refuses to listen to any advice.

The formation of this character was largely influenced by the previous emperor.

When the previous emperor was in power, he strictly guarded the northern border, fearing that the northern border army would become resentful because of Zhou Lingyue's incident and rebel.

Emperor Kang Rui had been influenced by his surroundings, and his fear of the Northern Frontier Army had already penetrated into his bones.

Now that the capital is in danger, he would rather trust the garrison troops far away in Liaodong than let the cavalry from the northern border, which is nearby, come to the capital to defend the king.

When the court officials saw this, they were disheartened.

Some people secretly contacted Prince Chen, intending to surrender the city; some packed up their belongings and prepared to flee the capital; and some held on to a glimmer of hope, guarding outside the palace day and night, hoping that the emperor would change his mind.

In the court, people were in panic and the order of the past was no longer there.

When Song Yan heard this, she couldn't help but click her tongue in disgust.

This Kang Ruidi really played a good hand of cards badly.

The Northern Frontier Iron Cavalry is the most elite force of the Great Jin Dynasty, and Luo Tinghan is a rare general. If they can be transferred south, there may be a possibility of a turnaround.

But he missed the opportunity because of his own selfishness.

With such suspicion and jealousy, it's no wonder that he has ended up in this situation.

In the late summer of the tenth year of Kangrui, news finally came from the capital.

Conrad collapsed.

***

Beijing.

In an inconspicuous two-story courtyard in the west of the city.

Hearing the funeral bells coming from the palace, Shu Changwen quickly stood up, changed into plain clothes, and kowtowed from afar in the direction of the palace.

There wasn't much sorrow on his face, but rather a complex calmness.

Emperor Kangrui has passed away, the crown prince is still young, and Prince Chen's army is approaching. The world of the Great Jin is finally going to change.

"Husband." Wu came out of the house, "Are you going to the government office today?"

Shu Changwen shook his head: "Forget it, the court has been in chaos these days, and it would be useless for me, a small official, to go there."

He is now the head of the Ministry of Works, a low-ranking official. On weekdays, he is responsible for trivial matters such as repairing city walls and rivers. In this chaotic world, he can't really cause any trouble.

"During this period of time, let's stay at home and don't go out." Shu Changwen sighed, "Let's wait until the situation stabilizes."

Mrs. Wu nodded and said worriedly, "It's very chaotic outside. I heard from Aunt Zhang who was buying vegetables that people in the west of the city have started to steal food."

"I'll go buy some more rice, flour, grain and oil, just in case." Shu Changwen said as he was about to go out.

At this time, there was a knock on the door outside the hospital.

"Who is it?" Shu Changwen couldn't help but be alert. He stood sideways in front of Wu and asked loudly.

"It's me, big brother." A clear voice of a young man came from outside.

Is it Lin Yifeng? !

Shu Changwen walked quickly forward and opened the gate. Lin Yifeng had also changed into plain clothes and was standing outside the door with a serious expression.

"Yifeng?" Shu Changwen was a little surprised. "Why are you here at this time?"

"Brother, I'm going to the palace to attend the funeral soon, so I'll keep it short." Lin Yifeng spoke quickly, "The capital is going to be in chaos in the next few days."

"Brother and sister-in-law, just stay at home and don't go anywhere. Someone will deliver rice, flour, grain and oil to your door later. It will be enough for you to eat for a month."

After hurriedly explaining everything, Lin Yifeng turned around and tried to leave, but was stopped by Shu Changwen: "You...you have to be careful."

Lin Yifeng turned around, raised his flamboyant eyebrows slightly, and said confidently: "Don't worry, big brother, I know what to do."

As soon as he finished speaking, he strode away, his plain robe fluttering in the wind in the alley, and soon disappeared around the corner.

Shu Changwen looked at his back for a long time without moving.

Mrs. Wu walked forward and gently held her husband's hand: "Yifeng is a child who values friendship and loyalty."

The emperor has just passed away, the situation in the capital is treacherous, and everyone is in danger, but Lin Yifeng is still concerned about their safety. This friendship is truly rare.

Shu Changwen sighed and closed the door: "He is now an editor in the Hanlin Academy. Although he has no real power, he is still a close minister to the emperor. It is even more dangerous at this time."

When Mrs. Wu heard this, her eyes became more worried: "Then should we..."

"No need." Shu Changwen shook his head. "Yifeng has always acted prudently. Since he said he knew his limits, he must have made some arrangements. We just do as he says."

Half an hour later, someone brought several large bags of rice, flour, grain, oil, fresh vegetables and meat, as well as long-lasting pickled vegetables and bacon, etc., enough for the three of them to eat for a long time.

The person who came to deliver the things was a handsome young man with extremely delicate eyebrows and eyes, giving people a feeling that it was difficult to tell whether he was male or female.

He said his surname was An and he was the third child in the family.

Shu Changwen immediately understood the identity of the visitor.

Three of a kind.

One of Shu Changyu's subordinates.

Shu Changwen and Wu looked at each other, and tacitly moved the supplies into the inner courtyard and bolted the gate tightly.

The sky above the capital was covered with dark clouds, the sound of funeral bells was still lingering, and the whole city was shrouded in depression.

Inside the palace, the prince was dressed in mourning, kneeling before the coffin, his young face filled with confusion and fear.

He was only ten years old and had no idea about the intrigues in the court, let alone the bloody storm he was about to face.

Prince Chen's army was eyeing the city covetously outside, and the ministers in the court had their own ulterior motives. The throne was like a hot potato to them.

"Your Highness, it's time to read the imperial edict." The Minister of Rites reminded in a low voice.

The prince took the imperial edict tremblingly and slowly unfolded it under the gaze of all the ministers.

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims: I, a humble man, am the heir to the throne... The Crown Prince is a man of great virtue and filial piety, wise and accomplished, and is fit to succeed the throne..."

This prince, who was only ten years old, ascended the throne in front of the coffin at a time of turmoil and became Emperor Hongqi.

At the same time, in Liaodong, thousands of miles away from the capital.

After sending away the eunuch who came to read the imperial edict, Wu Meng couldn't help but spit: "Bah! You're not so enthusiastic about distributing food and wages, but the imperial edict to mobilize troops came faster than anyone else!"

"Old Wu, what do you say?" Brother Ying came over and asked.

"Go, why not?" Wu Meng threw the imperial edict on the table, "Pass the order down, the whole army is ready to march in three days."

"Are we really going to help the king?" Brother Ying's eyes suddenly widened, and the scars on his face looked ferocious, instantly outlining a ferocious appearance.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Wu Meng raised his hand and slapped him. "The journey from Liaodong to the capital is long. It won't take too long to walk for a month, right?"

Brother Hawk is the boss of the Thanos Gang and his name is determined. He has never been hit on the head by anyone.

He subconsciously wanted to glare, but Wu Meng slapped him firmly. He immediately grimaced: "Old Wu, you are really strong!"

Wu Meng raised his foot and was about to kick him: "Hurry up and pass the order! You are dithering, do you want to get beaten?"

Brother Ying quickly dodged back, grabbed the whip on the table and ran away, shouting as he ran: "You are older, I will give way to you."

"This bastard!" Wu Meng cursed with a smile, watching Brother Ying's back disappear outside the tent. The smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a deep look.