Huaiyu is slightly cool

"Fifty catties each of abalone and bird's nest, ten [-]-year-old ginseng, a pair of millennium ganoderma lucidum, six live deer and live golden pheasants, a pair of fresh bear paws, ten mink skins, five black bear skins, three white fox skins, and one tiger skin. Zhang. In addition, additional meals were sent to the army: thirty thousand catties of river fish, ten thousand catties of chicken, ten thousand catties of duck, five thousand catties of goose, five thousand catties of eggs, ten thousand catties of pork, five thousand catties of beef, and five thousand catties of donkey meat. One thousand catties, three thousand catties of mutton."

After reading the list in his hand, Liao Qiwei took out another exquisite gift list, put it on the top of those gift lists, and said to Zhou Huai: "Here is another gift list, all of which are jewels, jade, antique calligraphy and paintings, and some rare ornaments. The governor said it was for the eldest lady to play with."

Zhou Huai glanced at Liao Qiwei with a half-smile, but didn't answer. He just looked at the woman standing in front of him respectfully, his eyes flickering.

Liao Qiwei was very calm, let Zhou Huai look at him, and continued with a smile on his face: "His Royal Highness also received a gift list of the same value, but there are more good wines over there." Know.

"It's quite rich."

Zhou Huai finally opened his mouth, and at the same time leaned back on the back of the chair, frowning and thinking about something.

Yanzhou encountered natural disasters many times. Zhou Huai thought that the officials and people here were poor, so he turned the good people into bandits. Now the governor of a state bribes Zhou Huai in disguise, and he is not shy about doing it. This is worth thinking about.You must know that Zhou Huai's crackdown on corruption is not inferior to the famous Ming Dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang.The Huai Court has also clearly issued regulations long ago: All owners of Huai’s business, if they corrupt more than 5000 taels of silver, they will be sentenced to three years of hard labor; It is decided that those who have corrupted more than [-] yuan will be put to death immediately, and if it is more serious, the family may join together and the whole family will be killed.

The Huai Court has strict regulations, and corruption among officials and the military is the most taboo, and the inspection is strict. If any false claims are found, they will be sent to Zhou Huai as a serious case, and they are never relentless.Like this time when Zhou Huai took people to Yancheng, the public funds drawn out by the Huai Court were not enough for her to stay for so long, and the follow-up expenses were all subsidized from her private treasury.But the highest governor in this state, who dared to commit crimes against the wind, who gave him the courage?

Liao Qiwei seemed to see Zhou Huai's doubts, and said with a faint smile: "Qi Shouzheng, the governor of Yanzhou, is the second son of Qi Yushi in Beijing. Until the crown prince supervised the country, no one in the court was willing to come to the northwest. Unluckily, he was recommended by the governor of Yanzhou who returned to Beijing. All matters were handled by Xu Changan, the staff member beside him. Xu Changan was a failed scholar who failed many times. Later, he spent all his wealth to find someone to make connections with. He wanted to get to know the fourth prince Wuliangcheng, but in the end he only climbed to the level of Qi Shouzheng. Yes, I followed Qi Shouzheng to do things. This person is radical and rebellious, his words and deeds are bold and outrageous, his methods are vicious and quick, and he is restless. In the past three years, the officialdom in Yanzhou has been messed up by him, and all parties are constantly fighting for power. But in terms of background, I’m afraid there really isn’t one.”

Zhou Huai tapped the confession brought by Wu Guisi, who was standing beside him, shook his head and said, "So you can conclude that there is no one behind them? If it's just a simple collusion between officials and bandits, why didn't the person I sent to investigate send back any information?" News? Now that the gangsters are being suppressed, if they jump the wall in a hurry, they should run away overnight, instead of coming to me to pay for the disaster knowing that their lives are in danger! They came together, maybe because they think I can’t find out or naively think that the law will not blame everyone ? I think the bigger possibility is that the people behind them gave up on them and forced them to come forward to bear all the responsibilities. This method is a bit like the third brother Zhou Hao's, instead of directly killing the abandoned children, but squeezing the last bit of use value To delay time, or to divert the tiger away from the mountain? What is he going to do next?"

After Zhou Huai finished speaking, he looked at Liao Qiwei with a calm face, his eyes were deep, but his expression was still calm and he asked: "Recently, you have made mistakes one after another. Could it be that you are dissatisfied with me? Or, have you found a new employer?"

Liao Qiwei narrowed his eyes slightly, and immediately lowered his head to admit his mistake: "This subordinate is loyal to the young miss, and dare not have any disagreements! This time, it was the subordinate who was ineffective and trusting others, which caused the young lady to be injured. Fortunately, the young lady returned safely, otherwise I would Ten thousand deaths cannot be absolved of the blame, and now, I will let the eldest lady handle it."

Zhou Huai turned a blind eye to it, and asked to himself: "I asked you to take someone to escort her back to the Huai Courtyard, why did you act without authorization in violation of the order?"

Liao Qiwei's eyes were slightly cold, and there was still a bit of anger hidden, but he still explained obediently: "The frontier army of the Qiang Kingdom has changed, and an army of ten thousand people on the other side has suddenly disappeared. Emperor Zhao sent an urgent letter, suspecting that the other side may detour to raid the border for a few days. I want my subordinates to lead troops over to see the situation and discuss whether to re-arm the city. Seeing that the eldest princess has sufficient manpower, my subordinates wrote back to Huai Yuan to report the situation, and set off to investigate the situation first."

When Liao Qiwei said this, he still had to look at Zhou Huai with a calm expression: "My subordinates think that the change of Qiang soldiers and horses is more important than the safety of the eldest princess, and they also think that she is not worthy of the eldest lady."

Zhou Huai sneered, his eyes were cold, and he asked her mercilessly: "Who gave you the right to act without authorization? Why do you say she is worthless? Liao Qiwei, who do you think you are?"

Zhou Huai was not annoyed that Liao Qiwei killed him first and then made his own claim. She knew that Liao Qiwei had always wanted to use the power of the Northwest to avenge the Xiao family's grievances.However, because of the grievances between Liao Qiwei and the eldest princess, Zhou Huai has always been worried about Liao Qiwei.What she can't tolerate the most is that her subordinates don't distinguish between public and private affairs, don't obey orders and interfere in her private affairs without authorization!

Liao Qiwei turned pale and pale, thinking of the unscathed eldest princess, a trace of embarrassment and resentment flashed in his eyes, and finally turned into forbearance and coldness hidden in his eyes, but his face was respectful, and he bowed respectfully and said: "This subordinate knows Wrong, please calm down, Miss, this subordinate is willing to be punished."

Seeing her like this, Zhou Huai took it lightly, sighed, and eased his expression: "Make your own decision, according to the regulations of the Huai Yuan, you should suspend the job for investigation, and then hand it over to the cabinet for deliberation. But the matter in Yancheng Above, if you make the most of your contributions, then your merits and demerits will be offset, and this will not be the case.”

"Thank you, Miss. But this bandits incident, due to intelligence errors, almost caused a catastrophe, and my subordinates feel uneasy..."

Zhou Huai glanced at her, waved his hand, and signaled that there is no need to say more, this matter is completely exposed.After calling Liao Qiwei to sit down across the table, he began to discuss business matters: "Mo Ziqi has already sent over the land leaseholders of the four cities on his border, and the rent will be offset by past debts and interest. I have already mobilized 20 30 workers will go there, and when the North Tower [-] is completed next month, the [-] people will also be transferred there, and it should be completed before the year. I have already sent a letter to Shen Hui, asking her to put down other things in her hands and concentrate on He will probably stay in Yancheng for a long time to handle all the affairs of Huai Yuan’s relocation.”

Liao Qiwei also readjusted her posture and sat opposite Zhou Huai. The cold light of resentment just now was covered by gentleness. She approached Zhou Huai with a smile and said without any barriers: "I would like to listen to the eldest lady."

"You put Zhou Hao on my watch. Mo Ziqi succeeded in restoring the country, and Zhou Hao has always been on good terms with him. Seeing that Mo Ziqi has regained the country in just a few years, he is impatient and doesn't want to Don’t hold back any longer. There is also the Qiang country, the weapons used in the exercise can only scare for a while. After the other party finds out my reserves, they will definitely take action. Also, there are still ten granaries in the Northwest that are not full. It just so happens that the weather is good this year, so I will leave it to you to handle the autumn harvest."

Zhou Huai told Liao Qiwei one matter and asked him to do it, as if treating a confidant, with trust and reassurance everywhere,

Liao Qiwei responded with a nod and a smile on his face, but his fists were clenched under the table, his nails were almost bleeding from his palms.

So again!Not only did he not allow himself to participate in such an important matter as the relocation of Huaiyuan, he didn't even tell him in advance, and those drudgery who needed to run around would pick on him.

After so many years, he was still like this, always guarding against her.No matter how hard he tried, Zhou Huai and her always seemed to be separated by something, and their faces and hearts were at odds.

For so many years, Liao Qiwei has watched Zhou Huai step by step create the unparalleled Huai family business kingdom, form the township valor group, set up hundreds of bodyguard bureaus across the country to train tens of thousands of bodyguards, and also established the "Gathering of the World's Talented Talents" Northwest College, even the [-] elite troops, and the tower-like things that are being secretly built in Jingguo and Zhaoguo.There are so many places that need to employ people, but Zhou Huai never asked her to intervene. She mentioned that she wanted to participate in it, and Zhou Huai rejected it for a small position. Except for letting her manage the finances, she can't do anything else. Participation seems to be a confidant and close minister, but it is always under Zhou Huai's monitoring, and there is no trace of high power.

Liao Qiwei has been guessing why Zhou Huai is so guarded and even alienated from him.Obviously she was by Zhou Huai's side the longest, but the decision-making of the branch chamber of commerce, the control of the local volunteer team, the dispatch of the General Escort Bureau, and the position of dean of the Northwest College set up in Huaiyuan, and even the military power of the Northwest Army, so many high-ranking positions None of the real power fell on her head.

"Qiwei? Liao Qiwei?!"

"Ah?" Liao Qiwei came back to his senses, looked at Zhou Huai's dissatisfied eyes on him, rubbed his face, forced himself to regain his sleepless spirit, and smiled, with a bit of sourness in his smile.

"What are you thinking? Or are you feeling unwell?"

Liao Qiwei shook his head slowly, facing Zhou Huai's probing gaze, his heart moved, and before he could make up his mind, he said it first: "There is something that I think should be reported to Miss Jie. Information from the Qiang Kingdom It is said that the eldest princess helped Gongxi Yunjing return to the Qiang country, and she may intend to join hands with the Qiang country."

Zhou Huai didn't even think about it, and shook his head directly to retort: ​​"Xiao Yu's speculative character may have such thoughts, but she won't. She let Gongxi Yunjing go back to the Qiang Kingdom alive, but she didn't want me to go to war with the Qiang Kingdom, because no matter what Whoever loses wins is not good for Jing Guo, and she knows better that I will not lose."

"But..." Liao Qiwei finally couldn't help but say it: "I heard that the eldest lady wants to hand over the political affairs and people governing the northwest to the eldest princess?"

"Who did you hear?"

Liao Qiwei suddenly became aggressive: "Is it groundless or does Miss really have such a plan?"

Zhou Huai's eyes flickered, and he looked up at Liao Qiwei, and without hiding it from her, he said directly: "The current prosperity of the ten states in the Northwest is just an illusion. A beautiful mansion piled up on the sandy ground, without a foundation, is all copied and mechanically applied. How many people understand the principles? Those people study hard for fame and work hard to support their families, but no one has ever taken the initiative to study those who used a pile of Iron and a few liters of oil can run on the sky. The ten states in the Northwest have built hundreds of colleges in various places in the past few years under my management. As a result, more than 6000% of the people who can’t read Chinese characters refuse to accept learning new things. , just like the generator and glass light bulb in my Huai courtyard, there are still many people who think that it is my fairy art. If the foundation is weak, I can still allocate funds to send people to teach, but those people don’t even know how to do it. There is no foundation! Jingguo now has nearly [-] million people, and the ten prefectures in the northwest account for more than half. The elites cultivated and selected here will be moved there, and when the imperial court accepts the governance of the Northwest, they will regain their territory, and even if they cannot establish Utopia, they will no longer be restricted by anyone."

Liao Qiwei was shocked by what Zhou Huai said, and sensitively felt Zhou Huai's inadvertent murderous intent. He could not help but look deep, and asked thoughtfully after a long time: "If you want to be unrestricted, why don't you act first?" ?”

"Because it is necessary to maintain the style of a gentleman."

Liao Qiwei resisted the urge to roll his eyes, but he still said angrily, "Miss is teasing me?"

"Okay, then change it, because it can stand after it is broken, and it can't stand without breaking."

The changes in the northwest did not satisfy Zhou Huai. What she wanted was to be reborn from the ashes, or die forever.Either she was born until she was born, or she died completely. Either of the two extremes will do. If it still doesn’t work, then move on to another place, because she lacks the time to let the water flow slowly and subtly.

Liao Qiwei couldn't understand Zhou Huai's thoughts, she only knew that the relocation of Huaiyuan was a huge expense, and the bank might not be able to afford it.Moreover, with the army trained by Zhou Huai and those powerful weapons, there is no need to give up the Northwest at all.No matter how good Zhou Huai's reasons were, just because she wanted to hand over the northwest to the eldest princess instead of the crown prince or any other prince, it meant that all this was for the eldest princess, so what if the eldest princess died in the northwest?