Golden Branch

"Ministry of Revenue?"

Wang Heng pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Alright!"

Although the Ministry of Revenue is not as important as the Ministry of Personnel, it is also a very important office among the Six Ministries.

Land, taxes, finances... these matters are complicated, but all of great importance.

If Lou Yu went there, it would be easy for him to make political achievements and realize his grand ambition of ruling the country.

"Brother, when will you return to Beijing?"

Wang Heng knew Lou Yu too well. The fact that he said this showed that he had already started planning this matter.

The Saint and the Crown Prince have already made a clear decision, and matters concerning Nanzhou, Southwest China, and Southern Xinjiang are also being finalized. Lou Yu has even secretly planned the specific time.

"It's the flood season now, and the sea is rough and rough, so it's not suitable for travel."

Lou Yu had a plan in mind. He said slowly, "We'll set off again in autumn!"

"Okay! Then I'll start preparing too!"

Wang Heng secretly calculated in her heart that it was June, the hottest season of the year.

Nanzhou is humid and hot, and the South China Sea adjacent to Nanzhou has entered the flood season.

This year is better. There are no hurricanes at sea and no major disasters have been caused to the coast.

But the sea is still not calm enough.

Wang Heng stayed in Nanzhou for more than a year, most of the time in the provincial capital, but she had seen maps of Nanzhou and the surrounding areas.

Recently, Lou Yu destroyed Nanbang and incorporated several small countries including Nanbang into Nanzhou, expanding Dayu's southern border to the maximum extent.

New South is no longer an inland area, but directly on the vast ocean.

With the sea, we can transport by sea.

During this period, Lou Yu ordered people to repair several existing docks.

The fleet under Wang Heng's name also expanded its routes from the East China Sea all the way to the South China Sea.

In the past year, most of what Lou Yu had earned in Nanzhou, Lingnan and other places was transported to the East China Sea by sea via fleets.

Then it was delivered to the capital via the Grand Canal.

If one only looks at the map, Lou Yu and Wang Heng's fleet seems to have made a huge circle.

After all, the straight-line distance from Nanzhou to the capital is not long.

However, in reality, Nanzhou and the capital are separated by mountains and the natural barrier of Shuzhou. If you take the land route, it is far worse than taking a detour by sea.

Moreover, after years of development and training, the fleet is relatively familiar with the major sea areas of Dayu.

They are more adept at utilizing natural conditions such as climate and monsoon.

As long as there is no sudden hurricane or tsunami, sea transportation by fleet is indeed more cost-effective than land transportation.

The prince could never forget Lou Yu who was far away in Nanzhou. It was not only because Lou Yu was his confidant, but also because even if Lou Yu was not in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, he was in Nanzhou, continuously sending boatloads of wealth and goods to the prince.

Lou Yu confiscated the wealth of the local wealthy families in Nanzhou and the accumulation of several major families over the past hundred years. He kept a portion of it as funds for operating Nanzhou, and sent two-thirds back to the capital.

After the Shu Palace was overthrown, he had been plundering the wealthy Shu Province for nearly ten years. His property was equivalent to the income of the Dayu treasury for two or three years.

Lou Yu was not polite and confiscated all of them.

One third was retained by the Shuzhou government office and used for local construction expenses such as building bridges and roads, digging canals, etc.

The remaining bulk was also transported to the capital by fleet.

There was also the fall of Nanbang. Although Nanbang was located in a remote area and the King of Nanbang was just a clown, the wealth seized by the Nanbang Royal City was indeed huge.

Ivory, rhino horn... pearls, agate, various gemstones... rare woods such as nanmu and sandalwood... precious medicinal materials such as dragon blood tree and dendrobium... boxes and ships full of them, which took two or three months, should have been signed for by the prince's men by now!

It can be said that although Lou Yu is not in the capital, he can always rely on his considerable wealth to make his presence felt time and time again.

Although he was not in the Ministry of Revenue, he still helped the prince solve a large part of the food and salary problems.

Other ministers who went to wild places such as Lingnan and Nanzhou would only complain about their fate and long for transfer.

However, Lou Yu took drastic measures and advanced cautiously in these areas.

Not only did he quell the rebellion, but he also expanded the territory and obtained so many gold and silver treasures.

He is so "useful" that, not to mention that he is the prince's confidant, even if he was once the prince's enemy, the prince would still find ways to win him over and subdue him.

As I said, in the court, there is no absolute right or wrong, gratitude or hatred, only eternal interests.

Lou Yu used his real "political achievements" to tell the supreme father and son in the capital: He, Lou Yu, is very useful!

"Yes! It's ready!"

Lou Yu listened to Wang Heng's words and nodded. "Although we haven't been in Nanzhou for long, we have gained quite a bit!"

Lou Yu is not a saint who puts public interests above private ones. What he likes most is to "balance public and private interests".

He sought the greatest benefits for the prince and the court, and he also allowed, and even indulged, his wife to manage their small family.

Wang Heng came to Nanzhou not just to fish, nor to have a child.

She was stationed in the provincial capital and guarded Lou Yu's backyard.

In addition, she also expanded the caravan's territory to Nanzhou.

Wang Heng used caravans to transport all the local "local rituals" of Nanzhou to the inland, coastal areas, and even the capital.

Wang Heng also did not let go of Yuezhou, Yongzhou and other Lingnan areas.

Treasures such as pearls and corals, precious ingredients such as abalone and bird's nest, as well as fresh and dried fruits, grains and sugarcane... Wang Heng's caravan is already experienced, and now it is just expanding its territory. With the support of the local biggest official, it is too easy to run the business.

Over the past year or so, Wang Heng made huge profits in Nanzhou by relying on caravans and fleets.

Except for the farmlands, sugarcane plantations, rubber plantations, docks, etc. that cannot be taken away, all other gold, silver, treasures, medicinal materials, wood, silk, brocade, porcelain, wood, jade, etc. must be transported back to the capital.

Not to mention the final transportation, just the sorting and packing requires time and manpower.

"Don't worry, brother, leave all this to me!"

This was not Wang Heng’s first “migration”. A few years ago, they had this experience when they moved from Yizhou to the capital.

Moreover, this time, Wang Heng has many more advantages than last time:

First, she was no longer a child, but a married lady.

Secondly, Nanzhou was Lou Yu's territory. Especially after annexing Nanbang, Lou Yu became famous in southern Xinjiang and even Lingnan.

A local tyrant with prestige and power will naturally get twice the result with half the effort.

Lou Yu looked at the energetic Wang Heng, a smile in his eyes: "Heng is very capable, I am relieved to leave the household affairs to you!"

"But, Ah Heng, even when you're busy, you still have to take care of your health!"

"There's still plenty of time, no need to rush. It's just a few valuables, you and Anan are the most important!"

Lou Yu's words were not just polite remarks, but came from the heart.

To him, his wife and daughter are everything.

He was already rich enough to rival a country, and more wealth was just icing on the cake for him.

If this would tire Ah Heng out, he would rather not do it!

……

After the couple reached an agreement, they started to get busy.

But plans are not as good as changes.

Just when Lou Yu planned his return date and began to make arrangements in Nanzhou, an earthquake occurred in the neighboring Shuzhou.

The earth shook, and even Nanzhou felt the tremor.

"The dragon turns over! A catastrophe descends from the sky!"

Although Lou Yu captured the King of Shu, he was only the Governor of Nanzhou after all.

Shuzhou has its own officials.

However, Lou Yu never positioned himself as just the chief officer of a state.

Moreover, since he had confiscated the Palace of the King of Shu, he had a connection with Shu Province, and he could not sit idly by and watch the natural disasters in Shu.

After receiving the news of the earthquake in Shuzhou, Lou Yu wrote a letter to the prince immediately.

In addition to the 800-li express, there are also birds such as carrier pigeons and kites.

Not only did he report the disaster in Shu in the shortest possible time, he also volunteered in a secret letter, saying that he wanted to take people to the disaster area to help the Shu governor with matters such as pacifying the people and providing disaster relief.

Lou Yu also urgently allocated food, medicine and other supplies, mobilized the troops of the Protectorate, and rushed directly to the disaster area.

Wang Heng also temporarily put aside the matters at hand and found the treasure bag that Wang Mian gave her.

"A Mian is truly a genius, warning in advance that there will be many earthquakes in Shu!"

Wang Mian not only gave reminders, she also wrote a lot of hot and cold knowledge related to earthquakes.

She especially focused on post-earthquake rescue and epidemic prevention.

Wang Heng followed the list drawn up by Wang Mian and began to order people to collect supplies and organize rescue operations.

On Lou Yu's side, it was official help.

Wang Heng organized the women of Nanzhou to make private donations and provide rescue efforts.

The husband and wife, one public and one private, help each other.

They temporarily put aside their own tasks and rushed to support Shuzhou with all their strength.

This is not only a political achievement, but also an accumulation of merit.

Lou Yu and Wang Heng did not believe in ghosts and gods, but they knew how to be respectful.

Respect the laws of nature, respect the gods, respect... the human heart.

They were born into wealthy families and now hold high positions.

When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes.

Do more good deeds and accumulate more merits, even if not for them as a couple, then for their children.

Being parents for the first and only time, Lou Yu and Wang Heng wanted to give their child the best of everything.

Li Mingtang also started to move. She was a kind-hearted doctor who saved the world.

Now, disaster has befallen us and people are suffering. How can she just stand by and watch?

If I have to say something utilitarian, there are many injured and sick people in the disaster area, and there may be epidemics. As a doctor, Li Mingtang can have more cases and gain more clinical experience if he goes there!

Li Mingtang brought his medicine boy, guards, a group of more than ten people, and the medicinal materials that he had urgently raised in Nanzhou, and prepared to go to Shuzhou.

Wang Heng stopped her and said, "Don't worry, Master. I've already gathered manpower and supplies. You can accompany my people to the disaster area!"

Li Mingtang was not alone, but had many followers.

But, it’s still not enough!

Wang Heng had much more troops, including a convoy and guards, totaling nearly a hundred people.

Not only can it ensure safety along the way, but it can also provide the greatest possible rescue efforts when arriving in the disaster area.

Li Mingtang had known Wang Heng for several years and naturally knew the character and skills of the Princess of Langya.

Her preparations were the most thorough.

"...Thank you!"

Although Wang Heng did not say it explicitly, Li Mingtang knew that Wang Heng asked her to travel with someone not because she wanted to use her as a miracle doctor, but because she wanted to help her and protect her!

Li Mingtang appreciates it!

After expressing their gratitude, Li Mingtang and others joined the rescue team organized by Wang Heng and headed straight for the disaster area.

The entire month of June was shrouded in gloom.

However, thanks to the support of Lou Yu and Wang Heng, the damage was minimized to the greatest extent.

The couple also helped a lot in post-disaster reconstruction.

Time has entered the end of July.

Little Anan is almost five months old and has grown his first tooth.

Following the parenting experience books sent by Wang Mian and Zheng Shisan, as well as the advice of experienced women such as the mother-in-law and the wet nurse, Wang Heng began to add complementary foods to her daughter.

Egg yolks, fruit puree, rice noodles, minced meat... Wang Heng had both power and money, and she only pampered one daughter. She really did her best and was extremely perfect.

The little girl was raised very well.

The red wrinkles that appeared when he was born have long since faded away, and the whole person is white, plump and tender.

A perfect fusion of his parents' superior genes, little Anan is so delicate and looks like a fairy at such a young age.

Big round eyes, a small but straight nose, and a small mouth that is red and moist, with beautiful lip shape.

A cold white skin, so white that it can glow.

The chubby little arms and legs, like lotus roots, are a delight to look at.

With his mouth open, revealing a small tooth, little Anan was laughing happily, with strips of silver hair hanging from the corners of his mouth.

Wang Heng, who has always been very clean, didn't even think it was disgusting to see her daughter drooling.

She could even take out a handkerchief and wipe her daughter herself.

"Xiao Anan, we are going back to Beijing soon. Are you happy?"

"In the capital, there are grandmas, aunts, uncles, aunts, and aunts..."

Wang Heng and Lou Yu were not closely related and had already established their own families, but their respective families were very large.

Even if we don't count these people, there are still quite a few close relatives and friends of the two.

Having been away from the capital and separated from her relatives and friends for a year and a half, Wang Heng still missed them quite a bit.

Since her daughter was born in the remote Nanzhou, and because of matters concerning Nanbang and the King of Shu, Wang Heng did not dare to publicize it too much.

Therefore, no big banquets were held on important days such as the daughter's third day bath, full moon, and hundred days.

Wang Heng felt somewhat guilty: "Ah, I really wronged Anan!"

She is obviously the most noble young lady in the Duke's Mansion and the most dazzling pearl in the capital, but for various reasons she cannot shine and prosper.

"I did wrong her. But it doesn't matter. We will be back to Beijing soon!"

Lou Yu also felt indebted. He sat cross-legged on the carpet, smiling as he watched his chubby daughter happily playing with toys with her little butt sticking out. He whispered, "Calculating the time, we should be able to reach the capital before Anan turns one."

"Then we'll hold a grand birthday party for Anan!"

This is not only to hold a banquet for the children, but also to announce to the dignitaries in the capital: Princess Langya and Duke Qi have returned to the capital!

The couple has been away from the center of power for nearly two years, and some people seem to have begun to forget their existence.

Although there will be no blind bullying, there is also less respect.

Lou Yu won’t bother with irrelevant people, but the necessary deterrence must still be given!

When he returns to Beijing and joins the Ministry of Households, he will compete with various forces and face more and newer challenges.

This was the first formal banquet after returning to Beijing, so he naturally wanted to perform well.

……

Capital, East Palace!

"... Did Xiao Dalang make the master angry and leave again?"

The Crown Prince single-handedly raised Lou Yu and Xiao Wuji, but he felt helpless towards his own son...