Golden Branch

"Amian, are there really such wild animals as iron-eating beasts in the world?"

Wang Heng just said something when chatting with Wang Mian. Wang Heng didn't even take the initiative to say that she wanted to see it with her own eyes, but Lou Yu sent dozens of people, spent nearly a year, and traveled thousands of miles from the southwest to get the iron-eating beast.

Not to mention the money spent.

This is just the initial expense. After the iron-eating beast is brought in, special slaves will need to be arranged to serve it.

Since Wang Heng was six years old, her pony, deer, and little brain axe... all the birds and beasts in Lou's fortress came from this way, and they were all well raised and cared for.

So, even though Wang Heng now has a rustic, inexpensive tabby cat with her, she is not short of rare pets.

"My dear, should the iron-eating beasts and bamboo be shipped to Yizhou first, or should they be sent directly to the capital?"

The guard dressed in Hu clothing asked respectfully.

My husband will go to the capital soon, and his future career, marriage, etc. will also be in the capital.

Everyone in the Lou family has been busy recently.

Industries need to be accounted for and processed.

The warehouse needs to be cleaned up and packed.

Some of the things have been sorted out and are being transported to the capital.

There is also the zoo in the backyard, and the birds and animals, big and small, have also begun to arrange their "migration".

At this time, if new iron-eating beasts are transported, they can be transported directly to Yizhou, or they can save the process and be transported directly to the capital.

This requires the master to decide.

Lou Yu pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Let's transport it to Yizhou."

After all, it is the pet that Ah Heng has been thinking about. Now that it has been obtained, let Ah Heng enjoy it first.

Besides, he has handed over the entire Lou family to Aheng.

How to place and transport her pets should also be decided by Ah Heng.

……

Wang Heng received the news quickly.

She hurriedly called Wang Mian, and the two of them ran to Lou's Fortress as soon as possible.

The two sisters, Zheng Shisan and Zheng Shiliu, had already been waiting at the drawbridge outside the fortress wall.

The four little girls successfully "met" together, and the group went straight to the "backyard" of the Lou family's fortress.

The so-called backyard is actually a huge open space.

There are stables, servants' courtyards, and a zoo exclusively for Wang Heng.

Four black and white, round and plump iron-eating beasts, two large and two small, were placed in the zoo.

"Oh my god! It's really rolling!"

Wang Mian's eyes widened when he saw the familiar animals in the cage.

The iron-eating beast, the national treasure, appeared in front of him so vividly from thousands of miles away in the southwest.

Before the time travel, Wang Mian went to various zoos several times and saw living drums with his own eyes.

However, in later generations, the rolling ball is a national treasure that can only be viewed from a distance and not played with.

Now, Gungun is just a wild beast, a "prey" like tigers, bears, etc.

Can be hunted and kept in captivity.

Well, okay, the newly caught Rolling is still wild and dangerous.

If it’s big, don’t even think about touching it.

It’s a small one, but I can look forward to it.

"Rolling? Another name for the iron-eating beast?"

Wang Heng was also a little excited. This iron-eating beast looked round and furry, with two small eyes with dark circles around them, which made it look very cute and interesting.

Wang Heng fell in love with him instantly.

Hearing Wang Mian's exclamation, Wang Heng felt that she was worthy of being her A Mian, who was knowledgeable and had good writing skills. Not only did she know many strange things, but she could also always use the most appropriate and accurate words to describe and summarize them.

Rolling?

Hey, these iron-eating beasts are just rolling around.

"...That's right!"

Wang Mian was shocked by Lou Yu's generosity.

He was indeed the top dignitary in ancient times. He could capture national treasures whenever he wanted and keep them as pets whenever he wanted.

Well, okay, there was no wildlife protection law in ancient times, and GunGun was just a wild animal like bears, leopards, and tigers, not a national treasure.

But the conditions in ancient times were also difficult.

Gungun is a bear, not a cat. As long as it survives the cub stage, in the wild, it is a beast high in the food chain.

Without hot weapons or anesthesia, relying only on cold weapons and manpower, the amount of manpower, material resources and financial resources required to capture the wild beast alive is unimaginable for ordinary people.

...And this was all just because of Jiu Niang's casual remark.

Putting aside Lou Yu's perversion, it is really hard for anyone to match his feelings for Jiu Niang.

"Jiu Niang, Lord Lou is so good to you!"

Love is not expressed in words, but in actions.

Lou Yu is indeed rich and powerful. Many times, he doesn't have to do everything himself, and can accomplish things just by talking.

However, many men often cannot even do this.

Because they don't hold their loved ones in their hands and keep them in their hearts.

"Well, brother is good to me, and I am closest to him!"

That's why she wanted to be siblings with Lou Yu for life.

If they became husband and wife, she would regard him as her heaven, and they might not be able to be as close and free of grudges as they are now.

Wang Mian: ...

After silently sympathizing with someone for a few seconds, Wang Mian's mind was attracted by the soft and cute rollers again.

The big one dared not to reach out.

But, two cubs can be RUA at will.

The servants who were responsible for taking care of the iron-eating beasts followed the little girls' instructions, used bamboo to lead the two big ones away, and then quickly took the two small ones out of the cage.

Wang Heng quickly reached out, hugged the small, chubby ball and caressed it.

Alas!

The fur is a bit hard, not as soft as the raccoon's.

But, it still feels good to the touch.

The key is that this little thing is so cute and it completely hits the human aesthetic.

The ears are round, the face is round, and the body is round.

It has a small tail and short legs. It can still form a ball when held in your arms, and it can also roll into a ball when placed on the ground.

Ahhhhh!

How can there be such a cute little creature in this world?

Wang Heng's heart was about to be melted by Gungun.

Wang Mian was more excited than Wang Heng.

Wang Heng was born into a wealthy family and was spoiled and pampered by Lou Yu. It could be said that she had everything she wanted.

All kinds of birds and beasts have long become her pets.

Rolling is just one of them.

Wang Heng was not a person of later generations and did not know the value of the word "national treasure" to the Chinese people.

In Wang Heng's opinion, GunGun is indeed cute, but he is just a pet that she can control at will.

Wang Mian is different. In her heart, GunGun is a national treasure, a priceless treasure that can only be admired from afar but not touched.

After living two lifetimes, I can finally touch and hug... Ahhhh, Wang Mian feels that there is no regret in life.

"Can a large iron-eating beast be tamed?"

Just as Wang Mian was holding little Gungun and secretly sighing that her life was perfect, Wang Heng's voice rang in her ears.

Wang Mian: ...Jiuniang, what do you want to do?

Taming the rolling?

and then?

The servant had already answered: "Reporting to the lady, it can be tamed!"

As long as it is a wild beast, it can be tamed by humans.

Adult iron-eating beasts are tall and ferocious, and can compete with tigers, leopards and other beasts.

But, this thing seems to be easy to coax.

A handful of bamboo and a piece of meat can make it let down its guard.

Of course, humans tamed wild animals not only through bribery but also through suppression by force.

Chains, whips... can always tame!

Wang Mian heard the servant's words, which sounded lighthearted yet cruel, and quickly said, "Well, Gun Gun is indeed easy to tame."

"They are also foodies. In addition to bamboo and meat, they also like milk."

Basins of milk and the like are simply magical tools for taming cats.

If she could even exchange her own cubs for basins of milk, what about others?

Wang Heng has always trusted and relied on Wang Mian, and she believes whatever she says.

"Go get some milk!"

Wang Heng turned around and gave an order to the maid.

Soon, the maid brought over two basins of milky white and sweet milk.

Needless to say, Xiao Gungun was directly attracted by the milk.

Although the two older ones were still wary of the bipeds, from the time they were captured to the time they were transported to Yizhou, which lasted three or four months, the bipeds kept them locked up but did not beat or abuse them, and they even provided them with good food and drink.

Life in the wild is indeed free.

But after becoming a caged creature, he no longer had to worry about food and drink.

When it comes to having enough to eat and eating well, freedom and other things don’t seem to be that important.

Now, they are drinking the sweetest milk they have ever tasted. The big bears feel that their lives as bears have no regrets.

Isn't it just bowing down to the two-legged beasts? All they want is bamboo shoots, meat, and pots of milk!

Gungun, who was already half tamed, completely prostrated himself before Penpennai.

They even obediently allowed the servants to put collars and bridles on them.

"Amian, you're right, the iron-eating beast is really interesting!"

Sitting in the small carriage, Wang Heng was very happy watching the black and white horses pulling the cart hard.

Wang Mian felt a little excited in the numbness: "Mom, I've made it! I can actually ride on a beast cart pulled by a national treasure!"

……

Wang Heng's interest in the iron-eating beasts lasted only half a month, and then she handed them over to special servants to take care of them like other pets.

At most, I would occasionally think of it, stroll over, touch it, or enjoy the rolling cart.

Wang Heng has more things to do.

She not only had to help Lou Yu manage the Lou family's assets in Yizhou, but also her own.

She, Wang Heng, is also a wealthy woman who is as rich as a country.

In addition to private property, Wang Heng is also the head of the Wang family and has to consider the future of the entire Wang clan.

Wang Heng specifically sought out several clan elders and the more outstanding young men of the new generation, asking for their opinions. After considering the actual situation, she made a decision.

"Father, I have discussed with my clansmen that the Wang family will continue to stay in Hedong and guard the Dongshan Academy."

"The clan will select several outstanding men to accompany me to the capital."

"When the time comes, whether you continue your studies or seek a career in government, I will help you."

Wang Heng was an ancient native. Although she had no parental relatives, she would not "neglect all her relatives."

She knew the importance of clan, and understood that no matter how powerful she was, she still needed a strong family.

As long as the Wang family is not full of self-righteous, profit-seeking fools like Wang Lin, Wang Heng is willing to support them.

If the Wang family prospers, her status as a daughter of the Wang family will become more noble.

"Ah! Ahh!"

Wang Lin is indeed a disaster that will last for a thousand years.

He was hit on the head and was in a coma for two or three months, but he was able to wake up.

In later times, it would be considered a miracle.

In ancient times when medical care was not well developed, Wang Lin's resurrection was even more of a "myth" -

It must be the filial queen Wang Jiuniang, whose filial piety is so touching that it moves heaven and earth.

The story of Wang Heng personally tending to the sick had already spread in Yizhou, Qi and other places.

Wang Heng's reputation as a "filial daughter" was as good as gold.

Even without the honor of a princess, she could still be highly praised and admired by the world just by virtue of her "reputation for filial piety".

If this dynasty were to compile Biographies of Women, Wang Jiu would definitely occupy a page.

Wang Lin's awakening directly added a layer of divine light to Wang Heng's golden reputation.

God is indeed merciful, and filial piety can indeed move the gods of heaven and earth.

With a daughter who is so pure and filial, even the living dead can be awakened!

Wang Heng: ...Great! If you're a scourge to your own father, then let him live. It can't be a bad thing!

Because Wang Lin just woke up, but like Madam Xie, he was unable to speak and had difficulty moving.

Such patients only needed maids and servants to take care of them, and some medicine and money and food, but it would not cause too much trouble to Wang Heng.

Just keep it.

Wang Heng was still too optimistic, or rather, she underestimated Wang Lin's desire for power and wealth.

Upon hearing that his daughter had been crowned a princess by her "rival in love", Wang Lin did not feel ashamed but was very excited.

In his excitement, he, who was originally unable to speak, was able to sob and utter a few words.

At this moment, hearing his daughter's plan for the Wang family's future, Wang Lin stiffened his neck, his face twisted from exerting too much force, drool oozing from the corners of his mouth, yet he still managed to utter a few words with difficulty: "I, I... want to... go to Beijing!"

Wang Heng: ...You've become such a horrible state, and you still want to fight your way back to the capital?

What?

Could it be that you still want to become an official?

Wang Lin stared at Wang Heng fiercely and intently with his slightly cloudy eyes.

If she doesn't agree, he will not let this unfilial daughter go even if he dies or turns into a ghost!

Wang Heng: ...You scumbag dad, whether I am filial or not is not up to you.

As for Wang Lin's wish to go to Beijing, Wang Heng did not make a decision in a hurry. She wanted to ask her mother.

After all, Amu is Wang Lin’s ex-wife.

If Wang Lin entered the capital, along with Wang Heng, the princess's daughter, their past grievances and hatreds would be brought up again.

These things will not only affect Concubine Jiang's reputation, but may also affect the saint's preference and favor towards her.

Wang Heng must seek her mother's opinion!

"Father, don't worry! The most important thing for you now is to take good care of yourself."

Let’s put aside the dream of wealth and glory for now.

If Wang Lin still refuses to calm down, Wang Heng will let Wang Lin know what a true "unfilial daughter" is!

……

Wang Heng wrote a letter to Concubine Jiang and ordered someone to deliver it to the capital on a fast horse.

By this time, it was already October.

In early winter, the first snow fell quietly on this day.

Amidst the falling snow, a group of people arrived at Hedong.

The angel from the Ministry of Rites has arrived, delivering the imperial decree.

When Wang Heng received the news, she quickly ordered the middle gate to be opened and went out to greet him in person.

Government offices in Yizhou, Hedong and other places also heard the news and rushed to watch the ceremony.

Outside Wangjiazhuangzi, Lu Huaijin, the Hedong County Magistrate, and other officials, the teachers and students of Dongshan Academy, and the surrounding villagers all stood there, unafraid of the wind and snow, waiting...