Golden Branch

"Sister!"

Wang Chang, also dressed in mourning, followed Wang Heng and, together with Wang Erlang and others, carried Mrs. Xie's coffin to the ancestral temple outside the city.

The Wang family's ancestral tomb is in Yizhou, and Mrs. Xie's coffin must be sent back to her hometown for burial on an auspicious day.

Wang Heng had already made plans. After the funeral, she would arrange for her troops to escort Wang Erlang and have him carry the coffin back home.

As the only disciple of Wang Lin and the only legitimate grandson of Lady Xie, Wang Chang did not change his surname even though he followed his mother to remarry. He was still a descendant of the Wang family. He had to mourn and observe filial piety for the passing of Wang Lin and Lady Xie.

A few years passed, and Wang Chang had grown into a handsome young man.

Cui's appearance was ordinary, but Wang Lin was beautiful. With the combination of the two, although Wang Chang could not compare with Wang Heng's top-notch beauty, he was also quite handsome.

Especially his temperament, which is elegant and refined, fully demonstrates the nobility and splendor of a child from a noble family.

Wang Heng glanced at Wang Chang. From his clothes and the demeanor between his eyebrows, it could be seen that he was living very well in his stepfather's house!

Cui was not a good wife, nor a good stepmother, but she was devoted to her own flesh and blood.

"Wulang, I heard that you have been admitted to the Hongwen Academy? General Dou is indeed kind to you. You must study hard and remember the kindness of your master."

In Dayu, "Sir" is not a respectful title for officials, but another name for father.

Cui married Dou Wu for the second time, and Dou Wu became Wang Chang's stepfather. Calling him Wang Chang's "sir" was Wang Heng's affirmation of Dou Wu as the eldest daughter of the original wife.

Wang Chang was only Dou Wu's stepson, but he was able to benefit from his influence and enter the Hongwenguan, which only the children of powerful and wealthy were qualified to enter. This is enough to prove that Dou Wu was kind to Wang Chang.

It is true that the Dou family was a family of military honors, and Dou Wu's several biological sons were not good at studying.

However, if Dou Wu really did not value Wang Chang, he would not give him a person with an outsider's surname even if it meant wasting the quota.

Dou Wu still gave it to him. Perhaps it was because he loved the woman and the people in her (he valued Cui, so he also valued the burden she brought with her), or perhaps it was because he was a kind father to Wang Chang.

But no matter what the reason, Wang Chang should be grateful to Dou Wu.

As the eldest sister, although Wang Heng and Wang Chang do not have a deep sibling relationship, she still has the responsibility to teach her younger brother.

"Thank you for your admonition, sister. I saved it! My Lord, you have treated me with kindness, and I will also respect and be filial to you!"

Wang Chang bowed and spoke, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude for Dou Wu.

Wang Heng sensed his sincerity and felt relieved, but she couldn't help but feel some pity for Wang Lin:

Father, you see, your only legitimate son doesn't miss you at all, but is so filial to his stepfather!

Wang Heng was definitely not sympathetic to Wang Lin, she was simply "gloating" -

That’s right!

If a father is unkind, he cannot blame his children for being unfilial.

"I know you are sensible and reasonable, I just said it casually."

Wang Heng nodded, sent away the guests who came to the funeral, placed Madam Xie's coffin, and then spoke some personal words with her brothers and sisters.

Wang Heng suddenly thought, "General Dou has gone to the northwest and has not been in the capital for the past two years. You are in the Hongwenguan. If you encounter any trouble, you can go to the government office to find your brother-in-law!"

Dou Wu is the sage's confidant. In recent years, the sage has been using military force against the Turks.

Two years ago, Dou Wu was transferred from the Yulin Guard to the northwestern border city and has not returned to the court until now.

As a son of the Wang family, although Wang Chang lived in the Dou family and was protected by Dou Wu, his surname was Wang after all.

The Hongwenguan was full of powerful people, and he was just a burden who followed his mother's remarriage.

The Dou family values ​​it, but outsiders may not know it.

Perhaps, in the eyes of the world, Wang Chang is just a poor little guy who is disliked by the Wang family and disliked by the Dou family.

He was only in his teens, and if he rashly entered a place of fame and fortune like Hongwenguan, he would easily be bullied.

As the head of the Wang family and the eldest sister of Wang Chang and others, Wang Heng naturally has to protect her own children.

This was by no means an overflow of sanctity on her part, but was done for the dignity of the Wang family and her Wang clan.

"...Yes! I understand! Thank you, sis!"

Wang Chang saluted with his arms crossed.

He is no longer a child and has long understood the truth.

He knew that his mother was not kind to his sister and others.

When my mother and father divorced, there was an inside story that could not be told to outsiders.

Mother...I'm sorry to so many people in the Wang family.

My sister was the first to be affected.

The fact that his sister didn't hate them was because she was magnanimous. How could he dare expect his sister to repay his grievances with kindness?

At this moment, the elder sister really put aside the past grudges. Wang Chang was not only moved, but also felt deeply guilty and ashamed.

"They are all siblings, there is no need for outsiders!"

Wang Heng smiled magnanimously.

Well, the reason why she was so magnanimous was because she knew that Lou Yu had helped her to avenge Cui's viciousness in her early years.

The initial miscarriage, and Wang Lin’s injury...Lou Xiaobian’s actions caused the Cui family to lose all their reputation.

When Cui married into the Dou family for the second time, she did not continue to make trouble. It was not only because the men in the Dou family were difficult to bully, but also because her reputation was too bad.

Being unkind to her children and disrespectful to her husband, if Cui's surname was not Cui, she would have been despised by everyone and sent to a nunnery to live a life of seclusion.

As for Dou Wu, although he held a high position, he was of low status.

If Cui hadn't had a bad reputation, she would never have married him even for the second time!

Although Cui lived in the Dou family, she lived a good life.

However, this "good" is also relative.

If Cui's reputation wasn't so bad, she could have married better!

Lou Yu played an indispensable role in her terrible reputation.

The most important point is that Wang Heng did not suffer any real harm at the hands of Cui. Instead, she accidentally got the best brother and husband in the world.

Wang Heng was not grateful for Cui's scheme, but she did not hate her either, and she would not vent her anger on Wang Chang.

Wang Heng was even willing to take care of Wang Chang.

It's not just blood ties, nor is it just the responsibility of the head of the family, but also because Wang Chang is useful.

Wang Chang's talent is far from comparable to Lou Yu's, but it's not too bad either.

He is also the stepson of the Dou family and has a good relationship with his stepfather, stepbrother, etc.

With Wang Chang as the intermediary, Wang Heng began to have contact with the Dou family.

Wang Heng and Lou Yu are both top dignitaries, but the more connections and relationships they have, the better!

Just like this time, Dou Wu actually moved to the northwestern border town.

Lou Yu once said that there would be a war between the imperial court and the Turks in the end.

The saint will completely flatten the grassland, and the great battle to eliminate the Turks will be the biggest stage for military generals to achieve great achievements!

Dou Wu is not a veteran military hero in the North, but he was able to join this feast relying on his military exploits and the emperor's favor. He has a bright future!

"Uh-huh!"

Wang Chang nodded obediently.

He lived a good life in the Dou family. Both his stepfather and stepbrothers were very kind to him.

But, and I’m not afraid to say something unscrupulous, deep down in Wang Chang’s heart, he still feels an inexplicable unease - after all, my surname is not Dou.

I am from the Wang family of Yizhou.

Now, with the approval of the head of the family, the vague sense of belonging in his heart finally came true.

I have not been abandoned by my family. I have my clan and my sister behind me!"

As he grew older and left home to go out into the world, Wang Chang began to understand the importance of clan and close relatives.

Wang Heng showed enough goodwill, and Wang Chang was happy to respond positively.

He did not betray the Dou family, but he wanted to have a "root" that truly belonged to him!

In the future, he will keep in touch with his sister more often.

Oh, yes, and my brother-in-law.

His brother-in-law was once a scholar in the Hongwenguan Hall and now holds a high position. He is a rare young talent in the Dayu Dynasty.

When he arrived at Hongwenguan, some people heard that he was the younger brother of Princess Langya and the brother-in-law of Lord Lou. They couldn't say they looked up to him, but they didn't dare to bully him easily either.

But at that time, my sister and brother-in-law were still in Nanzhou, and his relationship with the Wang family was still in a delicate state.

Now, his elder sister returned to Beijing and made a promise in person. Wang Chang felt that his wandering heart finally had a place to rely on!

……

After the funeral, everyone in Wang’s house continued to observe mourning.

As a granddaughter who married out, Wang Heng only had to observe a three-month mourning period.

However, Wang Heng is no longer an unmarried woman. She is not only herself, but also the wife of the Duke of Qi.

She couldn't shut herself away from visitors and concentrate on mourning.

Just pay attention to it in your daily life and still attend the banquets and gatherings that should be held.

Fortunately, it was only a few months, so if I dressed more simply, it would pass.

After enduring the mourning period for Madam Xie, Wang Heng's character as a filial daughter was completely fulfilled.

Wang Heng didn't like socializing to begin with, and now that she was in mourning, she liked staying at home even more.

Unless there are necessary social events, Wang Heng basically stays in the yard, playing with her fat daughter or chatting with visiting girlfriends.

When I have free time, I will also compile teaching materials.

Lishan Academy is her hard work. Even if she cannot teach regularly, she will continue to instill her thoughts and other ideas into students through books.

"A Mian, I heard that your cotton cloth and cotton clothes have been completely popularized in the capital?"

Wang Heng held a teacup, watching the children play while chatting with Wang Mian.

Wang Mian came to visit her best friend as usual, but this time she was not alone, but with three friends.

Her triplets are two years old. They are plump and fair, and have lively personalities.

Three little kids who didn't look very similar, wearing thin clothes, were running, jumping and rolling around in the main room where the heating was already on.

Anan was only six or seven months old and could not crawl yet. He could only sit staggeringly, waving his chubby arms and making "ah ah ah" sounds at his three happy brothers and sisters.

The children's wet nurses, maids, etc. all stood by, watching and serving them without missing a beat.

"Yeah! It's been almost three years, and I'm finally seeing some results!"

When talking about cotton, Wang Mian was also quite emotional.

Alas, in ancient times, it was really not easy to promote new things.

There is no internet or developed consultation system here, so we can only rely on word of mouth.

Two or three years ago, Xiao Wuzhi led a large army to capture Gaochang, and Wang Mian asked him to enclose land in Gaochang and plant a large amount of cotton.

In the first year, the output was not enough, but it was enough to support Wang Mian's cotton cloth workshop.

In the second year, production began to increase, and Wang Mian began to promote cotton cloth and cotton clothing.

This year is the third year, and easy-to-use cotton products have finally been promoted to a certain extent. Ordinary people, even some wealthy families, have begun to accept cotton cloth and cotton clothes.

Especially cotton-padded clothes, which are the real winter artifacts for ordinary people.

You know, not everyone can afford silk and cotton clothes, or big woolen clothes.

The people at the bottom of society could only use reed fluff, thatch, etc. to keep warm during the winter.

The soft and light cotton, when covered in thick layers, can actually withstand the severe cold of winter.

Moreover, the cost is not high.

Wang Mian got cotton and promoted this emerging industry, which not only made money, but also benefited the people and the country.

So, she never thought of making huge profits from cotton.

Many times, she would even lose money just to promote cotton products faster and better.

Although Wang Heng was far away in Nanzhou, she was not unfamiliar with the various operations of the eldest daughter-in-law.

Firstly, she had information channels that allowed her to quickly and accurately learn about the major and minor events in the capital.

Secondly, Wang Mian would write to her and take the initiative to mention his daily life.

Thirdly, even though Wang Heng consciously cut off ties with Wang Mian in certain industries, the two of them still had a deep bond.

Wang Heng did not initially participate in the cotton industry.

However, Wang Heng owns a large proportion of the shop space required for weaving, selling and other processes.

Therefore, Wang Heng was very clear about Wang Mian's emphasis on the cotton industry and the gradual promotion of cotton products in the capital.

"It's still not enough!"

Wang Mian was not satisfied.

Cotton is far more practical and cost-effective than linen.

It is currently only being promoted in the capital and its surrounding areas, and has not yet become an industry nationwide.

What Wang Mian wants is to benefit the whole world.

"But what are the difficulties? Manpower? Shops? Money? Or specific policies?"

Wang Heng sensed Wang Mian's urgency, so she asked softly.

Coincidentally, her brother is now the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the country's taxes and the court's finances.

An important source of income for the Dayu Dynasty was mulberry and hemp.

If Wang Mian's statement is true, cotton can replace hemp, or serve as a great supplement, then the court will have new tax revenue!

Lou Yu and Wang Mian may be able to achieve a "win-win" situation!

"...all of them! I'm currently short of people, space, money, and relevant policy support!"

Cotton is a good thing, but promoting new things is really difficult.

Wang Mian has always relied on his own strength.

That's why there are so many difficulties.

If you can have the help of a good girlfriend and her husband, you may be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Wang Heng listened to Wang Mian's story and said slowly, "How about this, Amian? Write a plan and I'll give it to my brother to see if he can help you!"

Wang Mian nodded quickly: "Okay! I'll do it when I get home!"

At this moment, there was a faint noise outside.

Wang Heng raised an eyebrow, "What happened outside?"

They were in the main courtyard on the central axis of the Duke of Qi's Mansion. It was away from the streets and separated by several layers of courtyards, but they could vaguely hear sounds, which showed that something was going on outside!

"Reporting to the princess, urgent news has arrived in Beijing from eight hundred miles away: great victory! Great victory in the northwest!"

The guards came running in, their respect mixed with unconcealable excitement.

When talking about the word "great victory", I couldn't help but feel happy.

Great victory!

We finally won the battle!

Although the Eastern Expedition was weakened, the Northwest achieved a great victory!