Golden Branch

Wang Lin was hesitant, with an inexplicable gloom on his face.

He knew it was not easy to change his ways.

However, since it concerns his career and the rise and fall of his family, he couldn't help but waver.

At this moment, the servant's voice sounded outside the door: "Sir! I have something to report."

Wang Lin heard it clearly and was one of his trusted confidants whom he had always relied on.

He placed the letter on the desk and said coldly, "Come in!"

The servant agreed and pushed the door open.

Standing before the desk with his hands hanging down, the servant respectfully replied, "My lord, news has come from the Qi Palace that the Prince of Qi wants to investigate all the hidden households and fields on both sides of the Yi River."

Wang Lin's eyes flashed. Yang Rui looked gentle and elegant, but he acted decisively.

Back then in Hedong, Wang Lin, as the newly appointed county magistrate, also conducted a thorough investigation of hidden households and fields in Hedong.

Firstly, it can increase the income of the county government, add population, reclaim wasteland, etc., which are all real political achievements.

Secondly, the so-called hidden fields are actually fertile fields with excellent locations and fertile soil. They can only be sold again after being confiscated by the government.

Wang Lin could use his position to "buy" these fertile fields as soon as possible.

Thirdly, it can also weaken the power of local powerful families and establish the prestige of the county government.

When Yang Rui, the prince of Qi, returned to his fiefdom, he also wanted to investigate the hidden households and fields. His purpose was similar to that of the king's granary.

If he wanted to dredge and manage the river, he needed sufficient laborers.

The hidden households identified can fill this gap.

The fields and land on both sides of the Yi River are of great value. Due to natural disasters and wars in recent years, local powerful families and gangs have taken the opportunity to invade and occupy them.

Good farmland has become an abandoned riverbed.

The land with an excellent location has become a wasteland.

...How could Yang Rui tolerate all these chaos and the harm to the public interest for personal gain?

The most important point is that Yang Rui wants to bring the Yi River back under the control of the imperial court (Prince Qi's Palace?).

It's okay for all forces that rely on water to gain some benefits.

But, they can’t just eat the meat while the court drinks the soup!

What's more, Yang Rui, the prince of Qi, cannot afford to be restrained from all sides on the Yi River.

"He's quite decisive, cutting off the source of the trouble, using drastic measures!"

Wang Lin fully agreed with Yang Rui's approach.

If it were him, he would do the same.

only--

"Those people won't spit out the meat they've eaten, nor will they sit and wait to die!"

"Our prince is young and too impulsive."

Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish, and governing a local area cannot be done arbitrarily.

If they are forced into a desperate situation... The water in the Yi River is wide and deep. Not to mention one person, even dozens or hundreds of people can pass through without leaving a trace.

When Wang Lin wanted to investigate the hidden households and fields, he had made preparations in advance, borrowed soldiers from Lou Jin, and reached a temporary alliance of interests with Lou Jin.

Even so, Wang Lin encountered many obstacles during the process.

Yang Rui also went to the Lou family to borrow soldiers, but things are different now. Lou Yu is just a child, and the main force of the Lou family army has been transferred from Yizhou.

Even Lou Yu would be implicated if he got involved.

Wang Lin himself was an official, and he knew very well that people involved in government affairs had dirty hearts.

In order to bring down political enemies, they can use any of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, such as killing with a borrowed knife, framing others, and shifting the blame to others.

A storm is brewing in the capital, with the King of Qi and the King of Chu fighting each other. People and families, both related and unrelated, may be drawn into it.

If Wang Lin really surrendered to the King of Chu, he would use Lou Yu to stir up trouble.

Yang Rui borrowed soldiers from Lou Yu, but Lou Yu died in Hedong because of Yang Rui.

As Lou Yu's biological father, Lou Jin was sad and angry, and he also took his anger out on the Qi Wang family.

Lou Jin was originally "neutral", but because of the "pain of losing his son", he may have sided with the King of Chu and became an enemy of the King of Qi.

Wang Lin's brain was working rapidly, and his fingers couldn't help tapping on the table.

Logically, he has a good relationship with the Lou family, and his Jiu Niang and Lou Yu are childhood sweethearts.

After three to five years, maybe we can become relatives.

But, even if it is a relative by marriage, compared with one's own wealth, the latter is still more important.

Wang Lin didn't want to confront the King of Chu just for Lou Yu.

However, Wang Lin also did not want to offend Lou Jin, so he would not really agree to King Chu's request to openly attack Lou Yu.

"...It's better not to help either side."

After much hesitation, Wang Lin finally made a decision.

He took the candlestick, lit the candle, and took out several letters.

boom!

The thin letter paper was lit, and in the firelight, Wang Lin's face was half bright and half dark.

……

After several days of consideration, Mrs. Lou finally made up her mind: Let's go! Let's get going!

She ordered people to wait at the gate of the fortress. After two days, Lou Yu finally arrived.

Lou Yu has been following Yang Rui on both sides of the Yi River these days.

After being busy for a few days, Yang Rui sympathized with Lou Yu as he was still a child and gave him a day off.

Lou Yu missed his fat girl, so he rushed back to the fort.

Unexpectedly, just after crossing the moat and before entering the city gate, I saw the servants of the Zheng family.

Lou Yu frowned slightly.

But soon, he thought of Yang Rui's appearance and quickly returned to his gentle appearance.

You must not show your anger on your face. You must learn to perfectly control your emotions and expressions!

This was the first skill he wanted to learn from Yang Rui.

Lou Yu controlled his expression perfectly, and his voice was warm and gentle: "Did you come here specifically to wait for me? But what instructions does my great-aunt have?"

Seeing that Young Master Lou was covered in dust and had a look of fatigue between his brows, yet still so gentle and elegant, the servant couldn't help but sigh in his heart:

As expected of a child from an aristocratic family, he is well-mannered and knows the rules.

The young master was so polite to me, not because he was a servant and had any dignity, but because he loved me and loved my dog.

People respect and are filial to their elders, so they look up to the people sent by their elders.

"Who said that Young Master Lou was naughty and spoiled? Slander! Defamation! Young Master Lou is a well-educated, gentle and respectful man!"

The servant secretly complained.

His face showed some admiration for Lou Yu and some contempt for those rumormongers.

Lou Yu was sitting on the horse, looking down from above, and he could just see the servant's expression.

He curled his lips slightly. It seemed that his learning had been quite effective after following Yang Rui around these days.

"The Madam is waiting in the main hall of the guest house. She has something to discuss with the young master!"

The servant himself did not realize that he was extremely respectful to Lou Yu.

Lou Yu nodded to the servant, indicating that he understood.

In fact, he did not say anything about "respecting the wise and humble oneself", but just a nod of his head still moved the servants: the young man was very humble, and he was not arrogant because of his own nobility, nor did he look down on the person in front of him because he was a humble person.

This is what gentlemen call a "benevolent gentleman".

Lou Yu rode his horse into the city, passed through the farmland and the outer city, and came to the inner city.

He did not go back to the main courtyard directly, but went to the courtyard where the Zheng family was staying.

"Dalang, you're back?"

Upon hearing the announcement, Madam Lou quickly straightened up and waved at Lou Yu who was striding towards her.

"Greetings to my great aunt!"

Lou Yu bowed and saluted.

Every gesture he made was as smooth as flowing water, and even a picky person like Madam Lou could not find any flaws.

There was a flash of surprise in Mrs. Lou's eyes: I haven't seen Dalang for a few days, and he looks even more pleasing to the eye.

Mrs. Lou couldn't tell the specific changes. She was still the same person, and her voice was still the same, but she gave people an inexplicable feeling of favor.

However, Madam Lou asked Lou Yu to come over because she had something important to tell him.

Without giving it any thought, she asked Lou Yu to sit down in front of her and went straight to the point: "I came here to discuss something with you."

"Thank you, great aunt. If you need anything, please let me know!"

Compliments must be spoken beautifully.

As for whether you can or are willing to do what the other party says, that is a matter for another time.

Anyway, Lou Yu just asked the other party to "please give your instructions" but did not guarantee that he would do it.

Lou Yu smiled gently, like a good boy who respected his elders.

"It's nothing serious. We were originally going to Beijing, but we were passing through Yizhou and wanted to come and see you!"

"In the blink of an eye, we have been staying in the fort for more than half a month, and it is time to set off for Beijing."

Mrs. Lou was very pleased to hear what Lou Yu said. Her face, which had been reserved all the time, was now filled with a loving smile. "I've really bothered Dalang these days!"

"Grandma, you are too polite. We are all relatives. I am worried that I am too young to entertain you well and have neglected you and my cousins!"

Lou Yu continues to play the role of a gentle and kind boy.

Mrs. Lou became more and more satisfied.

Just then, she heard Lou Yu mention "cousin" and followed his lead, saying, "I'm not being rude! Dalang is excellent! Not only me, but Achi and the others also highly respect and admire you, my cousin."

"Speaking of your cousins, there is something I want to discuss with you—"

"Grandaunt, please speak."

Lou Yu spoke gently, but he was muttering in his heart: What does old lady Lou want to do?

Want to leave Zheng's daughter in Hedong?

I think I mentioned before that I would let Douyacai and the others study at Deyin Hall.

However, Lou Yu did not realize how strong the desire to study was among the little girls of the Zheng family.

Zheng Chi is better. He reads books and practices calligraphy on weekdays.

Concubine daughters like Zheng Shisan all did some maid work, or worked as housekeepers, or in the kitchen.

In the few times that Lou Yu met them, he never saw them doing anything related to studying.

"I've told you about this before. Achi and the others want to study at Deyin Hall, but they're afraid that staying in Hedong will bother you—"

Mrs. Lou finally felt a little embarrassed.

It’s not that he felt he was taking advantage of a child, but he thought of Zheng Yi’s plan.

Showing beauty to please your superior?

Alas, the dignified Zheng family has actually fallen to the point where they have to rely on women.

Mrs. Lou felt sad, ashamed and angry.

"Achi and the others?"

Lou Yu keenly grasped the key point. Didn’t Old Lady Lou just leave bean sprouts?

Doesn't she look down on those illegitimate granddaughters?

The grandmother, not the maternal grandmother, is of the same bloodline as her son, but they are divided into different levels.

The good girl from the Zheng family was treated as a slave by her.

Lou Yu really couldn't understand what Mrs. Lou was thinking and doing.

But now, Madam Lou wants to keep both her legitimate granddaughter and her illegitimate granddaughter?

how?

Did she change her gender?

Are you finally going to treat your illegitimate granddaughter as a human being?

Lou Yu had a lot of complaints in his heart, but his face was warm and gentle, and he waited patiently for Madam Lou to speak.

"Yes! Besides Achi, there are two or three others, and they all want to study!"

Having said this, Mrs. Lou paused for a moment.

She tried her best to act normal, suppressing her shame and anger as she said, "Besides, there are two cousins ​​back home who are also eager to study. They wrote to me and begged me to go. I couldn't bear to refuse, so I sent someone to pick them up—"

Lou Yu: ...Two or three cousins ​​are not enough, there is even a cousin?

and many more!

cousin? !

After Lou Yu celebrated his birthday, he became eleven years old.

She is older than him, only about twelve or thirteen years old, which is the age for marriage.

What is Old Lady Lou going to do?

Specially brought two granddaughters who are ready for marriage from Zheng’s hometown?

Lou Yu has not yet come to his senses and is still ignorant about matters of love.

But he is smart.

Especially when following Yang Rui, he saw some wealthy families running to Yang Rui to offer their beauties, and Yang Rui was also surrounded by maids who served tea and water and added fragrance to his appearance.

The door to a new world was opened to Lou Yu:

It turns out that it can still be like this!

He flatters his superiors and relies on women to make profits for his family!

Lou Yu realized that Yang Rui was not only a gentle gentleman, but also a grown man.

He has needs in some aspects.

The wealthy families and river transportation forces on both sides of the Yi River are also trying to take advantage of this.

"...Wouldn't Old Lady Lou also want to use this method to curry favor with Yang Rui and then seek benefits for the Zheng family?"

Lou Yu finally stopped thinking like a child.

He began to come into contact with the adult world, a strange, novel, yet extremely charming world.

"It's a good thing that my cousin is interested in studying!"

While Lou Yu was secretly guessing, he did not neglect the conversation with Madam Lou.

He said with a smile: Several cousins ​​can stay, and cousins ​​can also stay!

Lou Yu's family is wealthy and he can afford to support a few of his relatives.

As for whether these cousins ​​will be restless and cause trouble for me... hehe, let's talk about it after something happens.

By then, he will occupy the moral high ground and have the initiative.

No matter how much Old Lady Lou wants to take advantage of her seniority, it depends on whether public opinion agrees.

When Mrs. Lou heard what Lou Yu said, her eyes suddenly lit up.

He, this is agreed.

Lou Yu didn't miss Madam Lou's satisfied expression. Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he asked, "Besides Ah Chi, who else is there? Is it Shisan Niang?"

Lou Yu didn't care about Zheng Shisan, but he didn't forget that this cousin was smarter and more sensible than Zheng Chi, and realized the importance of the fat girl.

If he had to keep Zheng's cousin, Lou Yu would rather choose someone who knew how to please the fat girl.

Mrs. Lou's smile froze slightly. She didn't want to choose Zheng Shisan.

On Lou Yu's birthday, Zheng Shisan's unauthorized decision-making made her very unhappy.

After the birthday banquet, Madam Lou severely punished Zheng Shisan: Since you like to show off and cook, then you should be a fire-making girl in the kitchen!

To this day, Zheng Shisan is still working in the kitchen, covered in dust and dirt.

However, since Lou Yu took the initiative to mention Zheng Shisan, Madam Lou knew that she had to keep Zheng Shisan even if she was unwilling:

"Yes! Haha, there is Thirteenth Lady!"

PS: It’s the first day of December, please support me with your monthly ticket!

PPS: The second update will be at noon, mua!(*╯3╰)