Golden Branch

Ashlin took Anu and went to the inn angrily.

She wanted to sit back and wait for Wang Heng to come and beg her.

Wang Heng: ...What are you thinking about? Although daytime is perfect for dreaming, I can't be so wishful thinking.

The reason why Wang Heng acted in front of Ashlin was just to find out her conspiracy.

Ashlin's biggest trump card is the secret medicine.

Wang Heng already has the plug-in Wang Mian. As long as she confirms that Ashlin has hidden the secret medicine, she will be able to guess all of Ashlin's plans.

That's enough!

Lou Yu will handle the next thing.

Wang Heng is not a fool who would cause trouble just to prove herself.

She knew very well that protecting herself and the baby in her belly was the most important thing.

Knowing the other party's intentions but still rushing forward is not courageous but extremely stupid.

As early as the moment the secret guards found the black ointment from Ashlin at the post station, Wang Heng and Lou Yu had a tacit understanding.

The "fishing" plan has been completed, and Wang Heng has retired!

Of course, Wang Heng is well aware of the principle of "performing a complete performance" and knows that even at the last moment, she must not get carried away and "blow herself up."

There are some things that there is no need to tell the other person the so-called truth.

At a moment like this, there is no need to "kill people and destroy their hearts".

She is a teacher, but not the enemy's teacher. The other party has not even given her tuition, so why should she "give her all" to him?

If you can hide it, hide it and let the other party die unjustly.

The night Wang Heng arrived in Nanzhou, while resting, she also did not forget to let people spread the word -

Princess Langya and the governor's wife were both delicate and strong, and they had worked hard on the journey, and happened to be pregnant.

This noble lady fell ill just after arriving in Nanzhou and needed to take care of her pregnancy.

During the period of recuperation, the backyard of the Governor's Mansion will be closed to visitors.

As for the noble man, he neither goes out to socialize nor refuses visits from guests!

The families of officials, both great and small, in Nanzhou Prefecture, as well as the families of officials in the several counties under its jurisdiction: ...I understand! We all understand!

It is a big deal for a woman to be pregnant, not to mention that the princess is of noble status, so there must be no mistakes.

There really is a title of nobility that is inherited in his family.

The founding duke of a county, the title was hereditary.

In order to pass on the glory and wealth to future generations, heirs are particularly important.

That's not just a child, but also the key to the family's inheritance.

Anyone who disturbs the princess's pregnancy and thus affects the Lou family's offspring will become a mortal enemy of the Lou family!

Originally, upon hearing that the new governor's wife was a princess, many noble ladies and officials' wives in Nanzhou were quite interested.

She is the legitimate daughter of Prince Langya, a true noble lady from a noble family.

There is also a favorite concubine named Amu, who is not of royal blood but is deeply favored by the royal family.

It is no exaggeration to say that there is no such noble person in their Nanzhou.

What Wang Heng brought to the local women was not only a distinguished birth and noble status, but also the prosperity of the capital Chang'an and the wealth and splendor of the Dayu Dynasty.

While Wang Heng was still on the road, the ladies of Nanzhou, big and small, were discussing:

Princess Langya has a mother who is the most beautiful woman in the world. Isn’t her appearance also unparalleled in the world?

Princess Langya once studied under Mr. Shen, a famous scholar in China. Is her talent really comparable to that of a scholar?

Appearance, talent, and even the world model and Chang'an fashion that Wang Heng brought were all eagerly discussed by the female relatives.

They also looked forward to Wang Heng's arrival.

There's no way. They are from a small place and have never seen the world. Now a real noble person has finally come. How can they not be excited?

Everything that happened afterwards also proved that the noble ladies were not excited for no reason, and Wang Heng was indeed not an ordinary woman.

Before the people arrived, a large group of people coming to repair the government office had already arrived.

The government office, which had not been repaired for decades, was completely renovated in less than half a month.

There is also the manager of the princess's mansion who is buying up land outside the city. Wow, he is really rich and generous.

The most eye-catching thing was the scene when Governor Lou and Princess Langya entered the city.

Hundreds of guards in full armor, dozens of slaves in exquisite costumes, a magnificent four-wheeled carriage... the long team stretched for two or three miles!

Such a scene was rarely seen by ordinary people, even the wealthy and officials.

Princess Langya is indeed noble!

It really opened the eyes of everyone waiting!

Then, the nobleman closed the door and refused to see visitors!

Everyone:...

While it was unexpected, it also felt normal.

Princess Langya is so noble and she is pregnant, so we cannot worry about her.

It’s a pity that they can’t visit the governor’s residence as soon as possible and experience the style of the aristocratic family and the splendor of Chang’an.

Only Ashlin, who had been waiting in the inn for two or three days, heard the news.

She couldn't help but curse inwardly: Spoiled! Hypocritical!

It's just a pregnancy, what woman wouldn't get pregnant? But she is like this!

But Wang Heng just refused to go out and refused to accept visiting invitations, and she had such a legitimate reason. Ashlin had no choice but to be angry!

……

The next day, early in the morning.

After arriving in his "new home", Lou Yu did not feel any discomfort. He slept well all night and got up on time.

As usual, he practiced in the yard. Half an hour later, Lou Yu washed and changed his clothes again.

When I returned to the dormitory, Wang Heng had also gotten up.

He helped Wang Heng to the main room, and the couple had breakfast.

The servants removed the dining table and replaced it with a tea table. Wang Heng and Lou Yu chatted for a while:

"Aheng, what are your plans for today?"

"Continue packing, clearing out the warehouse, and putting away your belongings!"

"Well! Let the stewards and servants do it, don't tire yourself out!"

"I don't need to. Brother, don't worry! Besides, I will send someone to do some shopping. Brother, is there anything you need?"

"I don't have any urgent needs, Ah Heng, just do what you want."

"Okay! I understand! By the way, brother, the former governor is coming to visit you today?"

"Well, probably saying goodbye and taking the opportunity to do me some favors!"

"What does he have?" Something that can be exchanged with Lou Yu?

As for what the former governor wanted, Wang Heng knew without asking. He simply wanted to establish a relationship with the Duke of Qi's Mansion so that he could have someone to rely on in the capital!

"I need specific information about the various local forces in Nanzhou..."

Lou Yu did not try to guess what the former governor had; he only cared about what he needed.

If the former governor could satisfy him, he would be willing to trade with him.

In the morning, in the study room.

"Lou Langjun, Nanzhou is located in a remote area, with many Yi peoples, and the relationships between local gentry are complicated."

"There are several prominent families in the prefecture, such as Li, Cheng, and Fang, who have occupied the area for nearly a hundred years."

"They were originally a family that migrated from the Central Plains and settled down in Nanzhou. Over the past few decades, they have continuously intermarried with local people, even with the Yi people in the mountains."

"They have occupied most of the fertile fields, forests, and salt wells in Nanzhou!"

The former governor took out a dozen documents.

Among them are the genealogies of several local powerful families, as well as fish scale books.

But the most important thing is the "salt well".

"Nanzhou is not near the sea or lake, so there is no sea salt or lake salt."

"Because it is far away from the Central Plains, with many mountains and rivers, transportation is inconvenient, and it is difficult to transport salt from the Central Plains to Nanzhou."

"Fortunately, there are salt wells in Nanzhou, which can still meet the salt needs of the people..."

The former governor was very clear about the importance of things, and he focused on sharing the "salt affairs" of Nanzhou with Lou Yu.

Salt wells are not like the sea, they are not inexhaustible.

"The salt wells, big and small, in Nanzhou and its subordinate counties have long been divided up by the powerful families."

"I am useless. I have been in Nanzhou for more than ten years and have only been able to get a share of one or two salt wells."

"Moreover, after years of mining, these salt wells have dried up!"

As the former governor spoke, he took out a map and several deeds from his sleeve pocket.

I have to say that the former governor was very sincere.

Not only did he take out the fish-scale book that marked the cultivated land and forests in Nanzhou, he also showed a map that marked the large and small salt wells.

Lou Yu wore the mask of a gentle and elegant gentleman, and neither his eyes nor his expression showed any emotional fluctuations.

He nodded politely, took the documents and checked them one by one.

Fish scale books, maps, etc. are all real.

The genealogy of the local wealthy families and their many businesses in Nanzhou are also true.

The secret guards and spies sent by Lou Yu in advance, as well as the caravan under Wang Heng's name, arrived in Nanzhou as early as a month or two ago and conducted investigations and infiltrations in all aspects.

Perhaps, due to time constraints, we cannot investigate too deeply.

However, based on these clues, we can confirm the various situations reported by the former governor.

It’s all true!

The former governor is very sincere!

The sincerity shown by the former governor was not only in providing information, but also in transferring all his business operations in Nanzhou over the past decade to Lou Yu.

Including the salt wells just mentioned by the former governor, as well as many fertile fields and forests.

These are all real estate, he can't take them away!

You can stay and take charge of things, but people will forget you once you leave.

Nanzhou is already remote, and the emperor is far away. The court's decrees may not be fully implemented, let alone a mere transferred former governor?

Rather than being useless, it is better to use it as a favor.

"...Thank you, Senior. I have a humble request—"

The former governor showed enough sincerity, and Lou Yu was willing to trade with him.

He pretended to be embarrassed and said, "Nanzhou has many local rituals. Yu liked them very much, so he ordered people to buy a lot of them."

"Senior will be leaving for the capital soon. I would like to trouble you to transport these earthenwares to the capital and give them to your relatives and friends."

Before Lou Yu finished speaking, the former governor became extremely excited.

This wasn't Lou Yu asking him for help, it was clearly Lou Yu trying to make connections for him in the capital.

Duke Qi’s relatives and friends are basically all top dignitaries.

Even if the former governor just showed up in front of these people, he could gain some support.

"Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Lou!"

The former governor stood up, crossed his arms, and bowed deeply to Lou Yu.

Perhaps Lou Yu had shown sufficient sincerity, and the former governor, in his excitement and impulsiveness, lowered his voice and said, "Nanzhou is adjacent to Shuzhou, and the King of Shu is very fond of Nanzhou's tea and camellia..."

Lou Yu's expression remained calm, but a slight thought occurred to him: Is the former governor implying that the King of Shu is involved with various forces in Nanzhou?!