The happy life of a prodigal

Fang Xiu stood up, saluted the Emperor Chu, and bowed.

Hearing the voice of Emperor Chu's "granting a seat" from the Nuan Pavilion, the little eunuch guarding outside was startled, and hastily moved a stool.

"Fang, Mr. Fang, please sit down..."

The little eunuch forced a smile and trembled.

Fang Xiu looked indifferent, glanced at him, and sat down.

Seeing his cold eyes, the little eunuch felt a 'thump' in his heart, and retreated helplessly.

The Emperor Chu glanced at the little eunuch with a thoughtful look on his face.

After a while, he suddenly asked: "Tea-horse trade, reform land return, is this your answer?"

The Emperor Chu's question was completely out of routine. One moment he was talking about wine, but the next moment, he was talking about military affairs.

but......

Fang Xiu knew that this...was the real purpose of Emperor Chu's summoning him into the palace.

From this point of view, reviewing that article is in line with Chu's current predicament.

Fang Xiu replied without any hesitation, "It's the minister's answer."

The Emperor of Chu was silent for a moment, and then said: "If the tea-horse market can be implemented, it is certainly a safe policy, but there are many people with long-term vision in the grasslands, and they will not allow this policy to be carried out. Therefore, it is still superficial."

Indeed, once the imperial court implements the tea-horse trade, the grassland ministries will definitely unite and cut off the trade between the two sides. In the long run, whether the imperial court can sustain it is a huge variable.

As the supreme ruler of a country, Emperor Chu would never take the risk of carrying out this policy.

Fang Xiu thought for a while and said: "I think that the tribes in the grassland have conquered each other for a hundred years, and there have been countless battles, big and small. Now that the Qiyan tribe has risen, the relationship between the tribes has eased a little.

But... How can the hatred accumulated over the past century be easily resolved? His Majesty can send envoys to lobby the various ministries. Whoever implements the tea-horse trade first will be rewarded with more benefits.

Even if it doesn't succeed in the end, in the long run, there will be gaps between the various ministries. If there is no food, no salt and iron, and they are suspected by the Qiyan Ministry, they will definitely be annexed.

At that time, when the tea-horse exchange market is launched again, there will be responses from all ministries, because they have to do so! "

Chapter 50 Questions in the palace

Emperor Chu listened casually at first.

After all, it is unrealistic to exchange tea and horses, and to reform the land and return it to the people.

Xuan Fangxiu just wanted to know his real thoughts and how to implement them, and he had to discuss with the cabinet ministers.

But now, he suddenly discovered...

What Fang Xiu said is not only logical, but also very reasonable, which coincides with his thoughts in many ways.

such as……

Why are the tribes of the grassland always suppressed endlessly?

It is because the imperial court regards the grassland tribes as a whole, regardless of war, negotiation or trade, they are all treated as the same.

If the tea-horse market is implemented and infighting among the various ministries is provoked, the imperial court can sit back and enjoy the benefits.

In the past ten years, the northern border has no worries!

The more Emperor Chu thought about it, the more he felt that this method was feasible, but his face remained calm, and he just said indifferently: "Speak."

Fang Xiu looked at Emperor Chu, and continued: "Reform the soil and return it to the flow, you can plan it slowly, first push favors, and then go to the market, control the lifeline of the southwestern chieftain, and then you can implement the change of the land and return it to the flow, without salt, iron, money and food , Southwest chieftain has to submit obediently."

The Emperor of Chu had no expression on his face, and asked, "If the chieftain rebelled, what should we do?"

Fang Xiu replied: "Long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. These chieftains will always turn against them every now and then. As long as they can be suppressed temporarily, the national policy can be implemented. At that time, the Southwest can be settled."

Hearing this, Emperor Chu was completely overwhelmed by Fang Xiu.

The problem of the helplessness of the rulers and ministers in the court has been analyzed so thoroughly by such a child.

And being able to prescribe the right medicine and propose a solution is really... amazing.

He couldn't help but took a deep look at Fang Xiu, suppressed the shock in his heart, and said: "I heard that you are usually idle and ignorant, but seeing you today, you feel that the rumors are not true."

Fang Xiu said: "Your Majesty has learned from you."

Emperor Chu got up, walked in front of Fang Xiu, and asked suddenly: "The injury on Zhang Wen's head was caused by you?"

Zhang Wen?

I heard those forbidden soldiers call the little eunuch Zhang Gonggong, so it should be him.

I don't know how to mention the injury on the head of the little eunuch.

It's really good to accompany you like a tiger.

Fang Xiu complained secretly, looked up at Emperor Chu, saw that he didn't seem to be angry, and admitted frankly: "I was injured by the minister, and the minister died."

"You are honest..."

Emperor Chu didn't get angry, but asked indifferently: "Do you know what crime should be for beating the imperial envoy?"

Although his tone was flat, it gave people a great sense of oppression.

Fang Xiu forced himself to calm down, and replied: "I know, it's just that Eunuch Zhang insulted me, and I got angry for a while, and I suffered from brain disease a few days ago, so I was unconscious, so I punched Eunuch Zhang."

The little eunuch was just a small person, but when he went out to pass the decree, he represented the emperor.

To beat an imperial envoy, to put it bluntly, is disrespectful to the emperor and has the intention of treason. Even if asked to beheaded, he can't say anything.

But the Emperor Chu knew that the child in front of him, who had not yet reached the crown, was a queen of Zhongliang, and it was absolutely impossible for him to have the intention of treason.

Although he is ignorant on weekdays, he has no courage to beat the imperial envoy.

Why did it end up like this...

Perhaps as he said, Zhang Wen's slave, relying on his status as an imperial envoy, was domineering, which made Fang Xiu feel that he had been greatly insulted.

Coupled with brain disease, it came to such a point.

Even so, he is the imperial emissary of the palace after all, representing the face of the royal family.

If Fang Xiu is not punished, he will inevitably be favored and arrogant.

Thinking of this, Emperor Chu put on a straight face, and said coldly: "Beating an imperial envoy is a capital offense... However, I think your ancestors of the Fang family have done a lot of hard work, so I will spare your life today."

Fang Xiu heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Although he knew that it was impossible for the emperor of Chu to punish the only son of a court official because of a small eunuch, his heart was still in his throat.

Hearing what he said at this moment, that heart finally fell to the ground.

The Emperor of Chu continued: "Death crimes can be pardoned, but living crimes cannot be pardoned. You will be punished to copy the Four Books and Five Classics ten times. In the autumn of the next year, you will take part in the imperial examination as an official student.

At that time, if you fail to pass the exam, I will punish you severely! "

Participate in the imperial examination?

Fang Xiu looked confused: "Kechen is the Empress of Wu Xun..."

The Emperor Chu looked at him, and said coldly: "What about Wu Xun? Did the laws of Great Chu stipulate that after Wu Xun, you are not allowed to take the imperial examination?"

Speaking of this, he snorted coldly, and said sharply: "You are already the body to be punished, do you still want to resist the order?"

Fang Xiu lowered his head: "I dare not, but..."

"All right!"

Emperor Chu picked up the article, waved his hand, and said, "I'm tired, go down."

This......

Fang Xiu looked at Emperor Chu and always felt that he was dragging him into a boat of thieves.

Obviously, he had never thought of becoming an official, so he participated in the review this time only because of his will.

Why is it inexplicable, after taking part in the review, I have to take the imperial examination again.

and……

This time, if he fails, he will be fined heavily.

It's just...strange.

After hesitating for a moment, seeing that Emperor Chu didn't seem to give up the idea of ​​letting him take part in the imperial examination.

With a helpless face, Fang Xiu got up and bowed to the Emperor Chu: "I...resign."

After Fang Xiu left, Emperor Chu put down the article in his hand and looked at his back as he left.

After a long time, he said, "Pour tea."

Outside the Nuan Pavilion, Liu Cheng walked in with a pot of warm tea.

The Emperor Chu drank the tea in one gulp, and asked: "Just now, did you hear what Uncle Anping said?"

Liu Cheng lowered his head and said in a soft voice: "Your maidservant only heard a few things clearly."

Emperor Chu raised his eyes, glanced at him, and said with emotion: "I have studied literature and history throughout the past dynasties, and among the lessons I have learned, I have always listened to and believed.

I know in my heart that if you listen too much, you will not understand, and if you believe too much, you will be dark, so I always keep it in my heart and take it as a warning. Unexpectedly, today, I will repeat the same mistakes. "

Hearing this, Liu Cheng's old face showed horror, and he knelt on the ground in a hurry, and kowtowed heavily.

"Slaves will die."

After a while, blood oozes from his forehead, dyeing the carpet in the Nuan Pavilion red.

After all, this person has been serving him since he was a child, and for so many years, even a dog has feelings.

Seeing him like this, Emperor Chu couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted, and said: "I know, you just believed in the rumors in the market, this lesson, keep it in your heart, don't do it again next time, get up."

"My servant thanked Your Majesty Long En."

Regardless of his bloody head, Liu Cheng knocked heavily on the ground again.

"Go down."

Chu Huang waved his hand and said.

Liu Cheng lowered his head in fear and retreated slowly.

Emperor Chu poured the last bit of wine on the table into the jade cup, took a sip, and read the article thoughtfully.

The tea-horse trade, reforming the land and returning to the people...

Can it be implemented smoothly as he said?

Chapter 51 Homecoming

Fangfu.

Xiu'er sat on the stone bench in the yard, her eyes were red and swollen, she stared straight ahead.

The big eyes that used to be agile seem to have lost their spirit at this moment.

She sat quietly in a familiar position, as if there was a figure beside her, telling her nice stories and drawing beautiful lanterns as before...

But she knew that from now on, that figure would only exist in memory and would never appear again.

Thinking of this, her nose couldn't help but feel a little sore, and she held back her tears.

I don't know how long it has passed, but the tears can no longer be controlled.

The little maid buried her head between her legs, and there was a whimpering sound.

"Why is Xiu'er crying? Who messed with you?"

A voice came from the front, and the girl suddenly raised her head, staring blankly at the familiar face, a tear streaked her cheek involuntarily.

Seeing the weeping face of the little maid, Fang Xiu couldn't help feeling pain in his heart, and hurried over to wipe away the tears from her face.

Softly said: "Say, who bullied you, the young master will help you vent your anger!"

Feeling the real touch on her face, Xiu'er realized that the person in front of her was not a hallucination caused by longing.

"Master!"

Tears welled up in her big beautiful eyes, and in an instant Fang Xiu felt a delicate body in her arms.

The normally shy little maid would never do such a thing.