Golden Branch

"rest assured!"

After Lou Yu finished laughing, he slowly said, "And me!"

Wang Lin’s downfall was already expected by “everyone”.

To put it bluntly, Wang Heng and Lou Yu even "condoned" his behavior just to get him to go back to Yizhou.

Now, things have come true, and all the arrangements Wang Heng had made before have come into effect.

And Lou Yu will also take on the responsibility of protecting Wang Heng.

Yizhou is the territory of the Lou family. Even if the Wang family is completely confiscated, Wang Heng will not end up on the streets.

And Cui Zai, a mere clerk in the county government, would not allow it even if he wanted to seize Wang Heng's property by force.

"...I want to see, even if the imperial decree to confiscate property is issued to Yizhou and Hedong, who would dare to take action!"

Lou Yu spoke domineering words in his unpleasant, hoarse voice.

Gratitude towards Lou Yu appeared on Wang Heng's chubby little face.

It turns out that friends who grew up together are more reliable.

With Lou Yu around, no one dares to bully her.

However, after being moved, Wang Heng still said seriously: "Brother, there's no rush!"

"It's such a small matter, there's no need to trouble you, brother."

"I'm not someone you can easily mess with... I'll handle this matter."

What she transferred out was not just the shops, fields, and manors.

Cui Zai wanted to take advantage of her as a fat sheep and bully her, the daughter of a convicted official, and he also wanted to see whether her followers and guards would agree.

Lou Yu raised his eyebrows. Oh no, the fat girl didn't look like a fat rabbit anymore, but more like that raccoon.

On weekdays, it seems to be eating and playing naively and is heartless, but when the critical moment comes, it will show its sharp claws.

"Okay! Then you can play with them first."

Lou Yu doted on Wang Heng the most and always obeyed her in everything.

Now that she had spoken, Lou Yu was naturally not dissatisfied.

Wang Heng smiled with her eyebrows curved, and she nodded obediently, "Yes! Thank you, brother! Don't worry, if I have any difficulties, I will definitely ask you for help!"

……

"Wang Lin was convicted? Dismissed from office? His property confiscated?"

Half a month later, the official document from the court arrived in Yizhou.

Lu Huaijin received it as soon as possible and read it carefully.

He was surprised, surprised, and somewhat expected.

Lu Huaijin, who has been immersed in officialdom for many years and knows its rules well and has an extremely keen sense of smell, smelled a different scent from this incident itself.

"here we go?"

"Is the King of Chu (the Saint) going to formally take action against the King of Qi?"

Wang Lin was just a pawn, the signal for the start of the war.

His "fall" was not just due to the superficial evidence of his crimes, but was the beginning of the King of Chu (the saint) targeting the King of Qi.

Next, the King of Chu will press forward step by step, and the King of Qi's situation will become increasingly difficult.

The first to be eliminated were unimportant civil officials like Wang Lin.

Next, it should be the generals under the command of King Qi.

Lu Huaijin looked towards the capital, oh no, to be exact, towards the northwest.

The Southern Expedition has ended and the world is unified.

This does not mean that the Dayu Dynasty has no external enemies.

In fact, the Dayu Dynasty was still surrounded by powerful enemies.

For example, the Turks were a serious threat.

For example, Tubo, Gaochang, and Goguryeo.

"The new dynasty has just been established, and the struggle for imperial power is ongoing. The Dayu Dynasty is still facing many crises."

"The Turks might take this opportunity to march south and plunder Dayu."

"The Saint previously placed more emphasis on the southern expedition and was somewhat lenient towards the Turks."

"Now that the north and the south are united, the sage should use military force against the Turks."

"...The King of Qi, a god of war known for his invincible military achievements, probably won't have the chance to participate in this great war."

Lu Huaijin thought quickly.

Although he was far away in Yizhou, he knew the court very well.

The sage has long been wary of the King of Qi.

The King of Qi had already surpassed his master in achievements, and with the unprecedented feat of conquering Jiankang, he had no more titles to offer.

If he were to go again to fight against the Turks and continue to expand the territory, even if the sage had the absolute advantage as a king and a father, he would not be able to easily suppress the King of Qi.

It is imperative to take credit and share power.

Therefore, even if the imperial court sent troops to fight against the Turks, and even if the King of Qi had the greatest chance of victory, the sage would not use him.

Put the King of Qi aside and push the King of Chu or another prince to the throne, and then call upon the generals under the King of Qi to follow the general to fight.

First, it can ensure the smooth progress of the war.

There are no mediocre people under the King of Qi's command. Any one of them is a brave general who has won every battle.

With these brave generals as deputies to assist the commander-in-chief, even if the Turks could not be defeated, the war would not be lost.

Second, it can reduce the power of the King of Qi.

Without the support of those great generals, the King of Qi became a commander without troops.

Even though he was very famous, without his supporters, he would become an idle prince.

It’s a good plan, killing two birds with one stone.

But, will the King of Qi obediently allow himself to be plotted against?

Sitting and waiting for death is not a foolish thing to do for a superior who has fought for many years and has a large army.

Lu Huaijin had never dealt with King Qi directly, but he had met Yang Rui and had contact with Lou Yu several times.

Yang Rui is gentle and refined, but also decisive and ruthless.

Lou Yu is young, but quite shrewd.

These two people can more or less reflect the behavior of King Qi.

Lu Huaijin did not think that the King of Qi, who was able to raise a legitimate eldest son like Yang Rui, who was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, was a little lamb to be slaughtered at will.

He also didn't believe that a prince who was able to conquer most of the country would have no ambition for the throne.

Even if the King of Qi was foolishly loyal and filial, disregarding his personal gains and losses and serving only his king and father, those who followed him would not agree.

Many of the brave generals under the command of the King of Qi were heroes who participated in the fight for the world after the fall of the previous dynasty.

They all have great ambitions and pursue imperial power and wealth.

They just met the more powerful King Qi, were impressed by his personal charm, understood the huge difference between fluorescence and bright moon, and then became his disciples.

The lord they chose should be more ambitious and be able to become a monarch "mandated by heaven", rather than a coward who would obediently allow himself to be bullied.

Regardless of whether it was the King of Qi's own wish or he was coerced by his powerful generals, he would not allow the saint to suppress him or his younger brothers such as the King of Chu to steal his credit.

Lu Huaijin couldn't guess what kind of "resistance" the King of Qi would have, but the King of Qi would definitely take action.

Of course, the main battlefield of these battles was in the capital.

At worst, it’s still the Northwest grassland.

Yizhou is far away from the center of power and has also escaped the circle of right and wrong.

As long as Lu Huaijin sits firmly in the Governor's Mansion, doesn't rush to take sides, and doesn't act without authorization, he won't—

But, wealth and honor are achieved through risk.

Even if he couldn't get involved in the fierce fighting in the capital, he still wanted to join in a little.

The river camp is full of hidden dangers and is ready to explode at any time.

Lou Rang, although he is a saint, is stupid and short-sighted.

Lou Yu, a little follower trained by the Prince of Qi, is smart and steady.

The balance in Lu Huaijin's heart kept swinging.

"My dear, Shiwu Niang wants to see you."

Suddenly, the servant's voice was heard outside the door.

Lu Huaijin looked up, and his chaotic thoughts were instantly restrained.

Shiwu Niang? Lu Jialan?

Lu Jialan ranks fifteenth among the sisters in the family.

She might have other names elsewhere, but in Lu Huaijin's governor's mansion, she was just "Fifteenth Lady".

Lu Huaijin frowned slightly. This cheap niece was also a stupid and bad person.

As soon as Lu Huaijin took office, he received a letter from his family informing him that all the members of Lu Huaixin's family had been pardoned.

Lu Huaijin and Lu Huaixin are brothers from the same clan. They studied together in the clan school and were classmates.

Although the friendship between brothers and classmates is not too much, Lu Huaixin is already dead.

Death is the greatest thing, so Lu Huaijin was willing to take care of Lu Huaixin's family within his ability.

The other female family members chose to return to Beijing, and most of the younger women asked Lu Huaijin to help them find a suitable husband.

Only Lu Jialan did not want to return to Beijing or get married, and wanted to stay in Yizhou.

It’s okay to stay!

As the local emperor of Yizhou, Lu Huaijin had a large family and great wealth, so it was not difficult for him to raise an extra niece.

However, Lu Huaijin did not expect that Lu Jialan would be so stupid.

A married woman insisted on going to Dongshan Academy to study with a group of unmarried young girls.

Well, reading is a good thing.

If Lu Jialan is truly eager to learn and can achieve success, Lu Huaijin is willing to help him.

But she went to Deyin Hall not to study, but to——

Wang Jia Jiuniang is just a chubby little girl.

He was "exiled" by his family and left alone in the countryside of Hedong.

Apart from eating, drinking and having fun every day, even after becoming a disciple of a famous teacher, his performance was mediocre.

Lu Huaijin wouldn't pay attention to a little girl like this if it weren't for Concubine Jiang and Lou Yu behind her.

Yes, Lu Huaijin followed Wang Heng.

On the way to take up his post, Lu Huaijin investigated and studied the various forces and leading figures in Yizhou, Hedong and other places.

Lou Yu is the top priority, and Wang Heng, whom Lou Yu protects, is also within Lu Huaijin's scope of concern.

Lu Jialan only knew that Wang Heng was not liked by her stepmother and biological father, and was abandoned in a farm in the countryside.

However, Lu Huaijin thought of Wang Heng's biological mother who was the favorite concubine of the King of Qi, and her brother who grew up with her.

Wang Heng, perhaps due to some shortcomings in status, you don’t have to curry favor with her, but you also don’t have to offend her without reason.

She's just a fat girl with no ambitions. She has no impact on the overall situation and does not harm your own interests. Why should you provoke her?

As an adult man, Lu Huaijin really couldn't understand Lu Jialan's little thoughts, which were called disgust but were actually jealousy.

"...If you really want to target them, then plan carefully, find the right time, and strike with one strike."

"She's so good! On her first day at the academy, she went up to me and mocked me in person. What use is this kind of verbal sarcasm other than just a quick tongue?"

Not only was he retorted back, but he also had something to hold against him.

Sure enough, Lou Yu seized the opportunity and brought the man out in less than half a day.

Lu Huaijin was too embarrassed to send someone to ask Lou Yu for mercy——

It’s better for such an idiot not to go to Dongshan Academy and bring shame to the Lu family and the governor’s office.

Being embarrassed is the least of the problems.

Lu Huaijin was worried that she would continue to do stupid things and bring him trouble.

Although Lu Huaijin had already drawn a red line around Lu Jialan's name in his heart, he did not show it.

Apart from not fulfilling Lu Jialan's delusion of returning to the academy, he still took great care of Lu Jialan's food, clothing, housing and transportation - raising a little girl would not cost much money, but would earn him a good reputation for caring for the clan members and the younger generation.

Not a loss!

But soon, Lu Huaijin realized: Damn it, I still lost!

Listen to what Lu Jialan is saying——

"Uncle, I heard news from the capital that Wang Lin has been stripped of his official position for deceiving the emperor."

"...The Wang family has been operating in Yizhou for nearly ten years. Back when Wang Lin was in Hedong, he took advantage of the war to seize a huge amount of wealth."

"And Wang Heng. Although she's stupid and obese, the people around her are the most opportunistic. She's an unmarried young girl, yet she possesses wealth comparable to that of a nation."

"Not to mention anything else, half of the land surrounding Dongshan Academy alone belongs to Wang Heng."

"And the manor where Wang Heng currently lives was also registered in her name long ago."

"Also, Wang Heng owns shares in many of the shops, docks, and fleets along the Yi River."

Lu Jialan had no idea that Lu Huaixin was full of disgust towards her, and was still excitedly snapping her fingers.

You don’t know until you calculate it, and you’ll be shocked when you do.

Wang Heng, who was only thirteen years old, already had such a huge fortune.

Even if you just do a rough calculation, it’s a huge number in the millions!

This is no less than the wealth accumulated by a family over hundreds of years.

After all, large families have a lot of wealth and a lot of people, so they need to spend money everywhere, so they can accumulate less wealth.

What about Wang Heng? There is only one of her. Even if she loves to eat and is greedy, how much can one person eat and spend?

Money!

It's all money!

In the past, Wang Lin was an official, and Wang Heng had the protection of Lou Yu, so naturally no one coveted her property.

But now, Wang Lin has become a criminal official. Even with Lou Yu's help, he cannot openly disobey the emperor's order - the confiscation of the Wang family is the emperor's will!

The most Lou Yu could do was to take in Wang Heng, whose property had been confiscated, but he couldn't protect those properties for her!

And all of these can be used to benefit your family.

Her cousin is the governor of Yizhou.

At the beginning, Wang Lin relied on the convenience of his official positions such as magistrate of Hedong and governor of Yizhou to gain so many benefits.

When Lu Jialan thought of the Wang family’s wealth, he became very excited.

Even if these things don't end up in her hands, she will be happy as long as Wang Heng is in trouble and penniless!

Lu Huaijin: ...Wang Lin was greedy for money, so he ended up being dismissed from office and his property was confiscated.

You want me to learn from Wang Lin and use personal interests for public benefit. Do you want me to repeat the mistakes of Mr. Wang?

So stupid!

The calculation is written all over his face!

Such a fool will most likely end up losing more than he gains.

Got it!

It’s better to lock up this bastard, so that he won’t get out and cause trouble for his family!

……

Lu Huaijin made a decision and took immediate action.

Cui Zai also set his sights on the Wang family's many industries in Yizhou.

However, when Cui Zai went to the county government office to check the fish scale book for verification, he was shocked to find that:

"What? These actually became the dowry of Qi Wang's concubine Jiang?"

How can it be?

Cui Zai's aunt was Wang Lin's second wife, so she naturally knew some of the "old stories" of the Wang family.

Not to mention that Jiang herself was not of high birth, when she married Wang Lin, she did not have a very generous dowry.

Let’s just say that Jiang’s entry into the Yang family was hasty and awkward.

The Wang family had no time and were unwilling to prepare any dowry for her.

She took a maid, some simple clothes and jewelry, and quietly entered the side door of the Yang family.

Now, there are so many shops and lands under the name of Jiang...

"Humph! This little trick is just a trick used by the women in the inner chamber. How could it fool me?"

Cui Zai smiled coldly, but still decided to treat Wang Heng as a fat sheep and swung the first knife.

……

Wang Heng: ...are you so brave?

Well, I might as well take this opportunity to show my loyalty!

PS: Thank you for your reward for climbing Boshao Snow Mountain, thank you for your subscription, monthly ticket and recommendation, thank you all for your support, ?(′???`)