Golden Branch

The prince looked at Lou Yu intently, "Han Zhang, have you thought it through?"

"Yongzhou is a central province, located in a remote area—"

According to the official rank of Dayu, the Governor of Zhongzhou was of the fourth rank.

Lou Yu is now the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, a fourth-rank official. If we simply calculate based on rank, there are three levels from the fourth rank to the regular fourth rank, which is a full promotion.

However, Yongzhou is not a prosperous place, and officials from Beijing who are transferred to local areas need to be promoted.

Otherwise it is not promotion but demotion.

The prince has always valued Lou Yu very much and had planned his career path early on.

Going to Lingnan, even to be the governor of a state, was considered "exile" for Lou Yu.

The prince had never thought about it, and was even more reluctant to do so.

Lou Yu's background and abilities can play a huge role in the capital and in the court.

During the four years since he entered the officialdom, he compiled history, presided over the "Clan Records", and cleared up the backlog of cases in the Dali Temple... He did every task almost perfectly.

He is the most useful sharp weapon for the saint and the prince, and he can always make the supreme father and son feel refreshed and satisfied in the court.

Not to mention the crown prince, even a saint would not want to demote Lou Yu so early.

However, the situation in Yongzhou is indeed tricky.

The local Yi Liao rebellion was not that troublesome. What the prince was most worried about was the Crown Princess.

From a rational point of view, Lou Yu's decision is actually the most appropriate.

He went to Yongzhou as the governor. He first collected all the illegal deeds of King Yong and then dealt with them on behalf of the emperor. It took another one or two years to completely appease and even educate the local barbarians.

Lou Yu should be able to handle the affairs of Yongzhou properly within one term.

Back in the capital, the Miao girl's request was met, and she could then provide proper treatment for the Crown Princess.

A major hidden danger in the Eastern Palace can be eliminated.

only--

The prince is used to being strong and doesn't like the passive and helpless feeling of being manipulated.

"I went to Yongzhou not only to deal with these problems, but also to thoroughly understand the poison!"

As if he could hear the prince's inner voice, just as the prince thought of "not being controlled by others", Lou Yu whispered:

"Ani promised that as long as the court was willing to send an 'angel' to Yongzhou to seek justice for her people, she would first stabilize the Crown Princess's illness and would never let her die before the matter was resolved. However, the poison is too strange, and she cannot be controlled by a madman forever."

"I have already sent someone to Mount Li to deliver a message, inviting Taoist Li to go to Yongzhou with me!"

"Master Li has traveled extensively throughout the world, but has never been to the southwest, so he is not familiar with Gu poison."

"I will go to Yongzhou with her and have her go deep into the southwestern mountains. With the help of Taoist Li's medical skills, perhaps we can understand the poison and even find a way to break it."

"Your Highness, this strange poison, which can kill people invisibly, must be controlled by our own people."

"Although Ani's actions were justified, they were still disrespectful to the emperor and violated the law."

"If you are being oppressed by a powerful force and you know to come to the capital, you should follow the proper procedures and go to Jingzhao Prefecture and the Dali Temple to complain, praying for the government and the saints to make a decision, instead of hiding in the dark and using poison to murder the nobles! Using this as a threat and trying to force the monarch."

"Today, she was oppressed and poisoned the Crown Princess. If she is not satisfied tomorrow, she will dare to kill the king!"

Lou Yu's words were full of righteousness, showing both the nobility and arrogance of the powerful and the discipline and loyalty of a subject.

His words touched the prince's heart directly.

Yes, that’s the truth!

Annie and others did have their reasons, but they were not reasons for her to murder the noble man.

Such a perverse and vicious person is definitely not the kind of good citizen that the superiors are satisfied with.

The prince considered it carefully, weighing the pros and cons for a long moment before slowly nodding his head. "Han Zhang is absolutely right. Well, since you're willing to help me, I'll grant your wish!"

Then let Lou Yu go to Yongzhou first.

Of course, the prince would not really treat such a loyal minister unfairly.

"Han Zhang treats me with all his sincerity, and I cannot let him down."

"Let me make some plans for Hanzhang..."

He will definitely reserve the position of Dali Temple Minister for Hanzhang and will never let Hanzhang down.

……

After Lou Yu came out of the East Palace, he went to Baifu Palace on the way.

Well, since I'm here now, I might as well go visit my mother and brother on behalf of Ah Heng.

There is also the matter of the Eastern Palace. Although it has nothing to do with Concubine Jiang and her son, it is difficult to "stay out of trouble" when they are in the huge nest of right and wrong in the imperial palace.

Lou Yu would not reveal the secrets of the Eastern Palace directly, but he could give some appropriate hints.

"I wish the Imperial Concubine good health!"

Lou Yu saluted respectfully.

When Concubine Jiang saw Lou Yu, her eyes became especially bright.

She smiled lightly, looking elegant, graceful, and beautiful. "Get up! We are all family, no need to be so polite."

"Han Zhang, I heard that you and Ajiu went to Mount Li the day before yesterday?"

Concubine Jiang did not sleep well that night. She knew something happened in the Eastern Palace and guessed that it was Yang Cheng.

However, Concubine Jiang had no idea what exactly happened, whether the incident was serious, and what impact it would have.

Concubine Jiang would naturally be cautious, but she was at the edge of the vortex and might be affected even if she didn't want to.

Concubine Jiang didn't want to spy on anything, she just wanted to protect herself and her son.

"Aheng missed the academy and her teacher, so she went to Mount Li."

Lou Yu reported truthfully.

Concubine Jiang's eyes flickered. "Academy? Could it be the Lishan Academy that was so highly praised a few days ago?"

Lishan Academy, a place for teaching and educating people.

The children of the powerful and wealthy in the capital, and even the wealthy and prominent families in the surrounding states and counties, all vied to go there to study.

There was also the famous scholar Shen Du as the principal, and many great scholars from Hongwenguan, Guozijian and other schools as teachers. Even talented women in the capital, such as Wei Prajna, accepted offers from the academy.

It can be said that there are so many famous teachers.

Oh, yes, there is also Ajiu.

She is no longer the poor fat girl whose father was unkind and whose mother remarried. She has the dignity of a princess and the talent of a willow catkin. Even though she cannot show up in public due to mourning, she is still known for her talent of "being good at calligraphy".

Concubine Jiang knew that Wang Heng was going to Mount Li not only to take a look, but also to teach students.

Students? College?

Concubine Jiang came up with a solution last night, but it was too abrupt and there was no justifiable reason.

Lou Yu came today, and the "reason" was also delivered to Concubine Jiang.

"Hanzhang, does the academy offer elementary education?"

Concubine Jiang's eyes flickered and her smile became more beautiful.

“…Yes!” Even if you didn’t have it, you have it now!

They are all smart people, and understanding the elegant meaning of music is basic knowledge.

Lou Yu only listened to Concubine Jiang's one sentence, and combined with the turmoil in the palace, he guessed Concubine Jiang's intention.

He gave the answer firmly without much hesitation.

"that would be great!"

Concubine Jiang clasped her hands together, seeming a little surprised, "Jiulang is three years old now, it's time for him to start his education!"

"But he is young, and the Saint and I have spoiled him. Even though we have a strict teacher, we are reluctant to let him go."

"Ajiu is different. She is not only a teacher, but also the eldest sister. Behind her is Mr. Shen, a famous scholar and great scholar."

"Han Zhang, why don't you just send Jiulang to Mount Li and let Aheng teach him. If he can get guidance from Mr. Shen, it will be a blessing for Jiulang!"

Concubine Jiang just wanted to send her son out of the palace as soon as possible to temporarily avoid the storm that was about to break out.

Although the reason of "studying" is a bit far-fetched, it is reasonable.

Lou Yu: ...Great! After all, he's his brother-in-law, so he has a responsibility to protect him.

"Yes! I obey your command!"

Lou Yu bowed in response.

As for taking the prince out of the palace, whether the saint would agree was not what Lou Yu had to worry about.

As the number one person in the harem, Concubine Jiang has been favored for more than ten years. In front of the saint, she still has some dignity.

Lou Yu sat in the main room drinking tea, letting Concubine Jiang make the arrangements.

Half an hour later, Concubine Jiang had taken care of everything.

The sage orally ordered that the ninth prince be allowed to leave the palace and study at the Lishan Academy.

Lou Yu: ...Yeah, I knew that Concubine Jiang was quite capable.

When he entered the palace, he was alone.

As he prepared to leave the palace, Lou Yu held the three-year-old prince in his arms, followed by the prince's tutor, eunuchs, palace maids, and a group of guards dispatched by the Saint Concubine Jiang.

The commotion was quite loud, and the already nervous Eastern Palace heard the news.

"Did the Imperial Concubine Mother hand Jiulang over to Hanzhang? Did she ask him to take him to Mount Li?"

The prince received this news just after he got the interrogation reports of the people in the Eastern Palace.

His hand, which was pinching the Jingming acupoint, paused slightly.

Suddenly, he thought of something.

"...What a great Imperial Concubine! No wonder she has been able to maintain her position as the most important person in the harem despite all the ups and downs she has faced over the years."

She is worthy of being my father's favorite woman. She is not only beautiful but also smart.

Concubine Jiang does not fight or compete, but she will not really allow herself to be bullied.

He wanted to frame her and use her as a scapegoat... Concubine Jiang's skills would never allow such a situation to happen.

Sensing that a storm was coming in the palace, he immediately sent his son out to hide.

He still used the rather presentable excuse of "studying".

Even if someone guessed her true intention, it would be difficult to stop her.

It is a serious matter for the prince to study.

Stopping others from doing their job is not what a gentleman does.

If someone questions Concubine Jiang's "seeking the far away rather than the near", there is also reason to retort: ​​"Nearby", are there any famous scholars and teachers like Shen Du?

No!

And there is one in the Lishan Academy in the distance!

Even if I can't become Mr. Shen's disciple, just being able to get some guidance from him is also a great opportunity.

Concubine Jiang set an excellent example, and the prince felt that he could emulate her.

"Someone, please invite Lou Shaoqing over!"

The prince had a lot to consider. He was worried about Xiao Dalang's injury, and even more worried about the many problems that would arise from Xiao Dalang's injury.

For example, Xiao Sanlang.

The prince has only two legitimate sons. If the eldest son is "disabled", the third son will attract much attention.

No matter what Donggong thinks, there will always be people who are "smart" and want to get some "merit of following the dragon".

The prince didn't want his eldest son to be hurt, nor did he want his second son to be exploited.

So, let's send Xiao Sanlang out of Beijing and away from the vortex of right and wrong. This way, we can protect Xiao Sanlang and comfort the injured Xiao Dalang!

Wang Heng, who was far away in Mount Li and still unaware of the situation: ...So what?

My high-end, classy aristocratic academy is about to be turned into a royal kindergarten?!