Golden Branch

In the Celestial Empire, the emperor is evaluated by four words: civil and military achievements.

The requirements for the heir to the throne are basically within this framework.

In terms of "martial arts", Yang Chong is far ahead.

He conquered half of the northern border and the entire southern border. His achievements were difficult to match, not to mention the insignificant King of Chu Yang Yi, but even his father Yang Ji.

It was precisely because Yang Chong's military achievements were too great that Yang Ji, as his father and emperor, felt threatened and wanted to promote Yang Yi and suppress Yang Chong.

However, it is unrealistic to suppress Yang Chong in terms of "martial arts".

Unless Yang Ji or Yang Yi can defeat the powerful foreign enemies such as the Turks, Tubo, Gaochang, Tuyuhun, Goguryeo, etc.

A new problem arises. If there really is such an opportunity to expand territory, Yang Chong will never sit idly by and watch Yang Yi achieve great things.

As long as Yang Chong, the number one war god of Dayu, is around, Yang Ji and Yang Yi will no longer be able to achieve anything in "martial arts".

If military power fails, then try civil governance.

Although Qin Shi Huang was described as a tyrant in history books, he left behind a unified country and the Great Wall for future generations.

Yang Ji unified the world and completed half of Qin Shi Huang's achievements.

The remaining half——

During the southern expedition, the rivers in various states and counties played a huge role.

Yang Ji realized the importance of river transportation, and he couldn't help but have an idea: if the various rivers were connected to form a grand canal from south to north, it would not only solve the current problems of grain transportation and connecting the north and the south, but would also be recorded in history and benefit future generations.

This is definitely a feat that will benefit the present and future generations.

If successful, Emperor Yang Ji would surely become a wise ruler in both civil and political affairs.

Of course, Yang Ji learned the lesson of the Qin Shi Huang's construction of the Great Wall, which aroused popular uprising. He planned to set up a river office on the basis of Yang Rui's river management, and slowly dredge and connect the river.

Do not impose forced labor in a high-profile manner, do not waste excessive manpower and money, and proceed step by step.

For a few years, or even more than ten years, as long as he could outline the prototype of the Grand Canal during his reign, he would still be credited with the first place in "civil governance".

The successor kings continued to dig, which only improved his plan and made his name as a saint king more perfect.

Of course, in addition to establishing his own prestige and earning fame, Yang Ji also did not forget his plan to promote Yang Yi and suppress Yang Chong.

In the grand project of the Grand Canal, Yang Ji would share some of the credit and even push Yang Yi to the front.

Yang Yi was also in a higher position, so it was impossible for him to go into battle personally, at least not at the beginning.

Yang Yi also needs a follower to take the lead.

Looking at the court and combining Yang Rui's actions in Yizhou, Yang Yi discovered that Lou Rang was an excellent "pawn".

Push him to the front, charge into battle, and if he encounters danger, he can "sacrifice pawns to save the king"!

That's why Yang Rui said that there was no need to target Lou Rang.

With Lou Yu's current means, he could easily let Lou Rang die on the way to "taking office" without making any noise.

But, no need!

Yang Yi needs Lou Rang to be the vanguard and scapegoat, and Yang Rui also needs Lou Rang and others to personally experience the difficulty of dredging the river.

Yang Rui seems to have been doing well in recent years, but in fact, he has gone through countless ups and downs.

The Yi River incident that year was just one of them.

Yang Rui attacked the bandits' lair directly, but was unable to completely eliminate the bandit problem.

As long as there is river transportation and as long as there is profit, "water bandits" will never disappear.

After killing one batch, a new batch will quietly emerge.

In the past three or four years, Yang Rui experienced more than a dozen assassination attempts, big and small.

There are also the enticement and infiltration of various forces...

The officials in the court only saw the achievements Yang Rui made in utilizing the river, but they did not know how much Yang Rui paid.

To say something that may sound self-boasting, if someone else did the same thing, they might not be as successful as Yang Rui.

Just because Yang Rui succeeded in turning sections of the river into transportation hubs and money-making tools doesn't mean others can do it too.

Especially for a physically disabled, twisted-minded dandy like Lou Rang, haha, does he really think that the title of "general manager" is just about giving orders?

The "general manager" is not only majestic and superior, but also has to bear too many responsibilities and burdens.

The issue of river channels involves interests from all aspects and involves tens of millions of people. Even if a tiny detail is neglected, it may lead to a catastrophe.

Even Yang Rui left some hidden dangers when he was in charge of the river.

Once these problems break out, they will become major events.

Yang Rui can handle it, but it will take too much effort, manpower and financial resources.

It still takes time.

Yang Rui was willing to spend time to dig a large canal.

Unfortunately, "others" are unwilling to do so. They are unwilling to give this great credit to Yang Rui.

...That's good too. If someone takes over, Yang Rui can leave with all his achievements in glory and with a clean slate.

Once the new manager takes office, if problems arise on the river again, it will not be Yang Rui's fault, but the manager's incompetence!

Yang Rui didn't need to tell Lou Yu these words word for word.

Lou Yu thought about it briefly and figured it all out.

He looked at Yang Rui, his eyes still so calm, but Yang Rui felt a sharp murderous intent disappear in an instant.

Lou Yu gave up the idea of ​​killing Lou Rang.

"When?" Leave?

Lou Yu, who is in the voice changing period, would not speak if he could, and if he had to speak, he would try to be as concise as possible.

Fortunately, Yang Rui was familiar with Lou Yu and was smarter, so even if Lou Yu's words were not complete, he could still understand what he meant.

"Three days later, I will leave Xiao Wuji and Lou Rang to take over!"

Logically, as the former "general manager" of the river, Yang Rui should have stayed to welcome his successor Lou Rang and carry out all the handover work.

However, Yang Rui did not hold the official position of "general manager". When he came to Yizhou, he was only there to clear the river.

He was able to connect and penetrate the river channels in Yizhou, Qingzhou and other places. This was due to his ability and the extra work he did beyond his duties.

He can do it, but he doesn't have to do it.

After all, there was no so-called river office at that time, and there were no specific responsibilities. Yang Rui had too much flexibility and subjectivity in his work.

And the most important point is that Yang Rui has a noble identity.

No matter how much Yang Ji disliked the King of Qi, the King of Qi was always a noble and superior prince.

And Yang Rui, the Prince of Qi, is also a noble grandson of the emperor.

Even Yang Ji felt embarrassed to speak up when he was asked to hand over the work to a low-ranking official.

Yang Rui would not lower his status.

Given Yang Rui's status and achievements, even if he just patted his sleeves and left, the most trouble-finding censor would not dare to impeach him easily.

However, Yang Rui left behind his trusted associates and handed over all matters to his successor "minor". He was definitely magnanimous and gentle, and lived up to the reputation of Prince Yang as an upright gentleman!

"Will he stay?"

Lou Yu continued to be frugal with his words, and the "he" he was referring to was naturally Xiao Wuji.

Lou Yu and Xiao Wuji can be considered "fellow students", and both of them follow Yang Rui.

However, as a member of the royal family of the previous dynasty in the southern border, Xiao Wuji's status in the northern border is a bit awkward.

He is not as "loyal" as Lou Yu, a descendant of a noble family in the northern border.

Yang Rui admired Xiao Wuji and was willing to support him.

But it's not as good as the way he treats Lou Yu. There is a sense of closeness in his appreciation.

Xiao Wuji has a very clear understanding of his identity, situation, etc.

He will not resent Yang Rui's "partiality" nor will he be jealous of Lou Yu's "favor". He will only do his own thing well, assist Yang Rui wholeheartedly, and even help Lou Yu.

After a few years of getting along, Lou Yu, who was the coldest at heart, also felt more satisfied and appreciative of his little friend Xiao Wuji.

Lou Yu reluctantly treated Xiao Wuzhi as half his own.

Well, you can’t blame Lou Yu for being too cold. Even a friend like Wang Mian, who grew up with him and worked with him a lot, is only “half” in Lou Yu’s eyes.

Lou Yu has only one person who is his own, and that is his fat girl!

Yang Rui, the "brother" who is both a teacher and a friend, a father and a brother, is just half a brother in Lou Yu's heart!

"I would like Wu Ji to continue his training in the river, but Lou Rang may not agree!"

Yang Rui still has some unfinished business, and needs Xiao Wuji to stay behind to "finish it up."

But, "a new emperor means new ministers."

Xiao Wuzhi is his man, and there is a great possibility that Lou Rang will not be able to tolerate the new general manager.

"Zhechongfu?"

Do you need my help to arrange Xiao Wuji in the Zhechoufu in Qizhou, Qingzhou and other places?

Lou Yu continued to communicate with Yang Rui in concise language that only close people could understand.

Qi was the fiefdom of the King of Qi, but the Zhechoufu of two important prefectures in Qi were directly governed by the Ministry of War.

The general in charge of the previous Zhechoufu was an old subordinate of the King of Qi.

Two years ago, the King of Qi went on a southern expedition, but the imperial court did not allocate troops, food, etc.

It was all thanks to Yang Rui in Qi who continuously transported troops, ships, food, silver, money, etc.

The officers and soldiers of Zhechoufu were also replaced.

The sage took the opportunity to place his own people in the position. Considering Lou Jin's previous roots in Yizhou and his relationship with the King of Qi, the sage simply gave the task of "adding sand" to Lou Jin.

Lou Jin selected one or two useful generals from among his deputy generals and sent them directly to Qizhou and Qingzhou Zhechoufu to take up their posts.

From then on, the garrison in Qi changed from Yang Chong's men to the Lou family army!

Lou Yu, the "former young master", has some respectability in the two Zhechou Mansions.

It is fine to give Xiao Wuji an inconspicuous position in Zhechou Mansion, whether it is a civil official or a military official.

"...Also!"

Yang Rui thought about it and nodded slowly.

It would be a good thing if Xiao Wuzhi could enter Zhechou Mansion.

Yang Chong was the King of Qi, and Qi was his fiefdom, but Yang Chong's focus was never on a state or a city, but on the entire world.

Even so, Qi, as the foundation of the Qi Palace, cannot be completely abandoned.

Placing one or two trusted confidants in Qi and into the Zhechou Mansion was a "first move" for Yang Rui, who was used to preparing for a rainy day.

It may seem like just a casual move now, but it may work wonders at a critical moment.

"……treasure!"

A trace of reluctance flashed across Lou Yu's deep eyes.

Yang Rui caught it accurately and said softly, "No need to be like this. You will be going to Beijing in a few days!"

It's just a temporary separation.

Lou Yu won't stay in Yizhou for long.

He is a tiger cub and a young dragon, and he wants to go to wider mountains and forests and more vast oceans.

The capital is where Lou Yu should go.

After some days?

Lou Yu's heart skipped a beat. Are they going to take action?

Realizing that the opportunity he had been waiting for was about to arrive, Lou Yu's blood began to boil.

After lying dormant for many years, he grew, learned, and waited.

He must seize this opportunity, establish merit and hold power... In this way, he will no longer be afraid of Lou Jin, he can become a true strong man, and can protect the most important person to him.

Fatty, when that day comes, I will make sure you can do whatever you want without fear!

Trying hard to suppress his inner excitement, Lou Yu's delicate and childish face remained calm and composed.

He bowed and said goodbye to Yang Rui solemnly: "Take care!"

……

Chang'an, Prince Qi's Palace.

Concubine Jiang displayed all the ceremonial attire, perfectly portraying the behavior of a favored concubine who becomes arrogant due to her favor.

She even went a little beyond the rules; the carriage she rode in, the servants and guards that accompanied her, etc., all vaguely followed the regulations for a princess.

In addition to the super luxurious carriage she was riding in, the carriages behind her were also extremely luxurious.

Concubine Jiang's carriage was almost reaching the gate a few blocks away, and the last carriage in the team had just left the side door of Prince Qi's mansion.

"...Whose noble family is this? Why is there such a grand ceremony?"

"Prince Qi's Palace! Didn't you see the Prince Qi's Palace logo on the carriage?"

"Princess Qi is traveling?"

"What?! This is the Prince of Qi's concubine preparing to return home to visit her family!"

"A concubine! Just a concubine, how dare you flaunt yourself in public like this?"

"What do you know? This Concubine Jiang is no ordinary concubine. She is a stunning beauty and the most favored person of the King of Qi. Even though she is a second marriage, she has been favored for many years!"

"...The King of Qi is actually a man who cherishes beautiful women?" Lust blinds his mind! He favors his concubine over his wife!

"Who doesn't love a beautiful woman? The King of Qi is wise and powerful, but he's also a man!"

"It's just pitiful for the Princess of Qi. I heard she's the Prince of Qi's biological cousin. They've been married for over twenty years, yet she's being dominated by a concubine..."

Everyone was talking about it, and there were a few people with strange expressions in the crowd.

They kept a close eye on Concubine Jiang's team, trying to find any problems.

However, apart from being ostentatious and extravagant, there was nothing unusual about Concubine Jiang.

They only paid attention to Concubine Jiang's oversized carriage, but did not notice that in one of the carriages in the convoy sat the Princess Qi's youngest daughter and two grandsons of the eldest house!

Moreover, another incident soon "proved" that the King of Qi was indeed "crazy" in his love for the beauty.

As soon as Concubine Jiang left the capital, the Ministry of Personnel issued the appointment document:

Wang Lin, the governor of Yizhou, was promoted to the position of Vice Minister of Works.

The Governor of Zhongzhou, who was of the fourth rank, suddenly became the Vice Minister of the Six Ministries, who was of the fourth rank.

Although they are both of the fourth rank, there is still a difference between the upper and lower ranks.

Moreover, even if they are of the same rank, Beijing officials are one level higher than local officials.

The key point is that Wang Lin entered the Six Ministries. Although he was not in the most important Ministry of War or Ministry of Personnel, he still held real power.

With the official position of Vice Minister of Works, it would not be too difficult to enter the Ministry of War, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Personnel, etc. in the future.

Maybe there is still hope to enter the center!

Regardless of what the powerful officials in the capital said, Wang Lin, upon receiving the appointment document, was overjoyed, feeling that he had finally waited for the opportunity to rise rapidly and return to the top...