Funing Hall

Outside the hall, Aunt Cheng and Rantao were standing together talking.They were acquainted with each other before, Aunt Cheng served Zhao Cong together with Rantao before she was pointed out to come to the princess mansion.At the beginning, Aunt Cheng was personally sent by the late Emperor to Zhao Cong's side.

The two of them haven't seen each other for a long time, and they have something to say.

Aunt Cheng smiled and said, "Rantao is twenty-two this year, right?"

"No, when I was selected to enter the palace, you were the one who made the records. You even gave me cakes. In a blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed."

"It's you who behaved well and were clever. You were sent to serve His Majesty at the age of nine. You are the only lady who entered the palace with you now." Aunt Cheng gave a thumbs up.

Rantao smiled: "It's also thanks to my aunt's support."

"Are you still planning to leave the palace now?"

Rantao is a maid from a good family who was chosen to enter the palace. She is also a female official, and she is also His Majesty's personal female official.

Rantao smiled when he heard this, "Auntie, I don't care about you, you know what's going on in the palace. I plan to serve His Majesty in the palace all my life."

Aunt Cheng smiled: "You are still young, how do you know how long your life is, maybe, good things are waiting for you ahead." Aunt Cheng knew about Xiao Tang, but she couldn't say anything about it. His Majesty hasn't spoken yet.And in the end it is about the innocence of the daughter's family, so don't talk nonsense.

Rantao only thought she was joking, smiled and said a few more words, then went to find Chaxi to ask questions.

"Finally, what's the matter, why is your face so ugly." Rantao had already sensed that something was wrong with her.

Chaxi bowed her head: "Sister Rantao, it's all because of my incompetence."

"When did you learn to say these useless words? Just pick the important ones!"

"When we were in the Prince's Mansion, Ji Xiang and I accompanied Mr. Xiao Lang to meet Mrs. Shan, and after the meeting..." Cha Xi recounted the situation.

After hearing this, Rantao frowned: "You guys are so confused!"

"Sister Rantao..."

"Dang even should scold me back! How can someone bully our little man like this?!"

"I'm afraid that there will be a quarrel, and your Majesty's reputation will be bad."

Rantao sighed: "Chaxi, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the only one in the world. Who dares to talk nonsense? Anyone who has no official position and dares to disrespect His Majesty will be convicted! That little man from the Duke of Wei's mansion who doesn't know the rules Ladies, what is there? Although they are not commoners, they have no official position or title. If they want to make trouble, Zongzheng Temple will have to punish them! Moreover, if they really want to make a scene in their Weijun Palace, they must be the first to be frightened. !"

"I'm confused!"

"Well, Your Majesty cares most about Xiao Langjun. He has been wronged, and His Majesty doesn't know how to feel bad. Cha Xi, you have to remember. In the past, in the palace, we had to avoid the limelight of Queen Mother Sun. But in the future, we will No! We can't stand up, how can we help His Majesty? At this juncture, none of us is allowed to be weak."

"Sister Rantao, I really know I was wrong, I will definitely change it."

These little maids are not very smart, Cha Xi is the smartest among them, but luckily her mind is pure.Rantao secretly sighed, luckily he could still teach.When His Majesty is more stable, she will also train some newcomers, and I only hope that Cha Xi will be able to stand up by then.

"I have to tell His Majesty about this matter when I go back. Our little man can't be wronged in vain."

"But, Sister Rantao, what's going on..."

Rantao knew what she meant, it would have been fine if she had scolded back immediately, how should she vent her anger now?Could it be possible to send someone to Wei Junwang's mansion to find out those three boys and fight them again?That would really be ridiculed by the world.

"See how His Majesty acts."

"Yes..." Cha Xi was a little apprehensive. After all, she was not good at doing things.

Rantao saw that she immediately faltered, and wanted to persuade her, but saw two maids from the princess' mansion leading a man towards them.The two of them were originally standing in the corridor talking, but when they saw this, they retreated to one side, lowered their heads and closed their eyes, and saluted together when the man came in front of them.

Just wait for him to pass.

Unexpectedly, the man stopped in his tracks.

Rantao frowned, she was a palace lady after all, so she looked up.

It was a rather handsome man, dressed as a scholar, and when he saw her look up, he smiled at her a little embarrassedly.

Rantao was very surprised.

The man's face suddenly turned red.

It was still the servant girl of the princess' mansion who said softly: "Mr. Xiao, the princess is waiting for you."

The gentleman just came back to his senses, laughed again in a bit of embarrassment, and walked forward with the maids.

Rantao vaguely felt that this surname was somewhat familiar, but it was not a big deal, she couldn't figure it out.She looked at their backs and refused to think about it until they disappeared at the end of the corridor. She looked away and said to Cha Xi: "Let's go to the corridor too."

"Yes."

Hand in hand, they also walked towards the end of the veranda.

Practice makes perfect, and painting is a skill that Zhao Shishi has practiced for more than ten years in his previous life.

Especially the flowers and birds that he is most familiar with. During those ten years, he did not know how many birds and flowers he painted.He painted these, both fast and good.He lowered his head and painted carefully. He started to paint very quickly, and he planned to finish the painting quickly.

But the Zhao Cong brothers and sisters didn't avoid him, they were talking about something that he was interested in, so he gradually slowed down.It seems that they are immersed in painting, but they are actually listening to their brothers and sisters talking.

"Brother also knows that Mr. Lin is the husband of Grand Tutor Dou Zan, and he was a senior scholar Fang who came to my princess mansion as a guarantor. Over the years, he has been teaching my younger sister to study. He has real skills. He went to meet Xiao Tang How many times, I will praise him when I come back.”

"Since his family is poor, he has not forgotten to study all these years, and he was able to pass the No. 2 exam, so he is quite capable."

Zhao Zongning nodded: "That's not true! Mr. Lin is not very familiar with him, and he didn't dare to ask too many questions. I only know that it is not easy for him to read this way. From Jiangning Mansion to Beijing, he can't even afford a boat. People write something, and the money they earn is used to buy books, paper and pens. He came all the way to the capital."

Zhao Cong couldn't help sighing, if it is possible to find the person who invented movable type printing in this era, how great would it be?After all, books are too expensive, there are still too few scholars, and it is very difficult to study.

"Mr. Lin invited him to the mansion, and he didn't seem timid. Mr. Lin didn't say that he was here to see you, brother, but Mr. Lin said that he is a smart person, and he seems to have guessed it." Zhao Zongning said, while saving money. I took a piece of dried peach in the box and ate it.

Mr. Lin, Zhao Cong can be trusted, but he has to see it with his own eyes to know what kind of person he is. Eyes are also a very magical thing.

Zhao Zongning even ate two pieces of dried peaches, feeling a little tired, took a sip of tea to relieve his boredom, saw that Zhao Cong was silent, and said: "Brother, don't worry, just talk to him as usual."

How could Zhao Cong worry about this, he was quite happy to see someone who might be useful again.But my sister was worried about him, and he didn't take her kindly seriously, so he answered "yes" with a smile.

Zhao Shishi listened to it from the sidelines, and he couldn't help but feel some waves in his heart.

After listening to this conversation, Zhao Cong went out of the palace today to meet the scholar named Xiao Tang?He searched hard in his mind for a long time, but he couldn't find this person from the memory of his previous life. He should have been an insignificant person.

But Zhao Zongning took a fancy to him, and the person Zhao Zongning liked couldn't be underestimated.

But in the whole Song Dynasty, every three years, there are so many state capitals, so many Jieyuan, not everyone knows it, let alone everyone can hang up in front of Zhao Cong and Zhao Zongning, this is a mere No. 2 Why did the two of them care so much?

Zhao Zongning laughed again: "However, Xiao Langjun is quite handsome, and he is worthy of Sister Rantao."

Zhao Cong laughed: "Princess Baoning is still thinking about being a matchmaker."

"Brother—" Zhao Zongning was about to say more when Aunt Cheng from outside the hall came in and said, "Your Majesty, princess, Mr. Xiao Lang has arrived."

Zhao Zongning wiped his hands with a handkerchief, stood up and said, "Brother, if you talk to him, I'll go and rest in the back, wearing homely clothes, it's not easy to meet guests."

Zhao Cong nodded, it is true that Zhao Zongning cannot do this for him, he said softly, "Go."

Zhao Zongning looked at Zhao Shiqi again, and asked, "Little Eleven, is the painting finished?"

She is obviously only two years older than Zhao Shishi, but she always pretends to be an elder because of her "stupid" temperament with Zhao Shishi through her status as an aunt.

Zhao Shishi felt dissatisfied, but he also knew that he had to leave again, and he could no longer listen to the following words.

He also wanted to know what was the relationship between Xiao Tang and Ran Tao.

The people around Zhao Cong, how come one is more mysterious than the other?

No wonder those people had to kill Zhao Cong in their previous life.

Zhao Zongning also said: "Let's go, play with Ninth Aunt in the back, and bring this painting to the yard to paint." She called the servant girl, who packed up the paper, pen and ink, bent her legs, and retreated first.

"Let's go." Zhao Zongning called again.

Zhao Shishi looked at Zhao Cong, but Zhao Cong was also chasing him away: "Go. Let Mr. Liulang of the Xie family accompany you. He is a very interesting person."

It was not bad to stay with Xie Wenrui, so Zhao Shiyi followed Zhao Zongning out.

Walking out of the main hall, two maidservants and a man were walking down the steps. The man bowed his head, not daring to look up.Zhao Zongning walked around the upper corridor leisurely, Zhao Shishi followed her, walked a few steps, turned around at the end, and saw Xiao Tang who was climbing up the stairs.

The side face looks upright, and he looks like a really upright person.

"Where is the person?" Zhao Zongning turned around and asked without seeing him.

He withdrew his gaze, walked to Zhao Zongning, and turned around the veranda together, just in time to bump into Rantao and Chaxi who were oncoming.

The two of them saluted with a smile: "All blessings, princess."

"Okay, there is no need to be polite in my house. You can go to my brother's place? Don't go, he is busy there, you follow me to play in the back yard! The palace is so boring, my backyard is so boring. It’s interesting, I’ve recently circled a few fawns, come and see them together!”

Rantao and Chaxi looked at each other, and responded with a smile.

Zhao Zongning was even happier and took them forward together.

Zhao Shishi glanced at Rantao, what about her?Do you also know that Xiao Tang?And what is the relationship with that Xiao Tang?

Sensing his gaze, Rantao also glanced at him quietly, sighing again in her heart.

When he was in the Prince's Mansion, when the Prince of the County introduced the little ten-year-old gentleman, the little gentleman who had little expression trembled his eyelashes rarely.If she guessed correctly, it was Mr. Xiaoshi who bullied him in the backyard today.

Mr. Xiao Lang is a member of their Palace of Funing, how can he let others bully him.

Bullying him means that they don't have Funing Hall in their eyes. When she returns, she will tell His Majesty that this Duke of Wei's mansion is not as friendly as the Prince of Wei's show.

Chapter 34 There is no whitehead between a man and a woman, let alone the two men?

The backyard of the princess mansion is even more beautiful than the backyard in the palace.In the corner of the backyard, there is a dedicated area surrounded by a few deer walking slowly.Zhao Zongning was very interested in feeding them with the blue straw wrapped in silk handkerchiefs by the maids. The maids not only had to take care of Zhao Zongning, but also thought the small animals were interesting, so they played together.

Even Ru Rantao, who is as steady as he is, laughs from time to time, and Cha Xi has been involved in it for a long time.

In Zhao Shishi's ears, there was only the laughter of the girls.There were no outsiders here, they played very recklessly, besides, Zhao Zongning had that temperament, so the maids around him were naturally also lively.

Zhao Shishi sat on a stone bench a few steps away, watching them play.

Zhao Zongning also asked him if he wanted to feed the deer.

Just a joke, he used to hunt with a bow and arrow in his previous life, so for such a small deer, he can hit every arrow with every arrow.Why are you here now, feeding the deer with the little ladies?

Naturally, he remained motionless to show his refusal.

Zhao Zongning had fun by himself, but he didn't force him, so he asked Xie Wenrui to accompany him.

These days, although Zhao Cong has not given Xie Wenrui an official position, he is still just an ordinary guard for the time being, but whenever Zhao Cong goes out to Funing Palace, he is always called to accompany him.Calling him, but not the head of the guard, the guards are all noble children, who can't see what it means?

The chief guard was appointed by the Queen Mother, but Xie Wenrui was appointed by His Majesty.

But it's really hard to say which direction the wind will take in the palace. Most of the aristocrats are timid and rely on their titles to continue their lives, so they really dare not act rashly.

Zhao Cong used this trick to get rid of the rough and pick the best, and if there was someone who was bold and sensible, he would be willing to accept it.If not, after he takes over the government, all go home and play in the mud!

Even if it is a fool, there are too many people rushing to be Zhao Cong's fool, these guards are not worthy.

On the contrary, there are also a few who are obedient and take the initiative to get close to Xie Wenrui. Zhao Cong secretly sees it and needs to be investigated.

Xie Wenrui has a solid eye and doesn't know how to coax others. He stood beside Zhao Shishi and said dryly, "Little Lang, why don't you continue to paint?"

Sitting like this all the time is not a problem.Furthermore, for some reason, this young man who was supposed to be a fool always made him a little panicky.

For example, at this moment, when he said this, the little man turned his head and looked at him with dark eyes, which made him take a step back involuntarily.

Zhao Shishi glanced at him, looked away, picked up the pen on the stone table, and continued to paint.

It was almost the end, and after a while, he made this painting.

Xie Wenrui said sincerely: "Xiao Langjun's drawing is really good!" He also suggested, "It would be even better if I mentioned a poem in the blank space!"

Zhao Shishi thought to himself, what an idiot, who is going to write poems?

You thank Wenrui for mentioning it?

Zhao Shishi wanted to tease this idiot, so he simply pulled out a blank piece of paper and wrote: You write a poem.

Xie Wenrui was taken aback for a moment, he really thought this young gentleman was an idiot, he couldn't prevent him from understanding the words!His heart was sour again, could it be that he is a mute?Disappointment suddenly appeared on his face.

Zhao Shishi wrote again: Hurry up.

Xie Wenrui said guiltily: "Young Lord, I don't have any talent in reading. I don't read much. I really don't know how to write poems or lyrics."

Zhao Shishi wrote: Then who wrote it?

Xie Wenrui's face turned red again, it was he who proposed the topic poem.

Seeing Zhao Shishi's eyes, he finally felt happy. Xie Wenrui was just as dumb as in his previous life.He waited leisurely for Xie Wenrui's next words.

Xie Wenrui racked his brains and thought for a long time, and felt even more guilty: "Xiao Langjun, I really can't think of it!"

Zhao Shishi was still waiting to write, and Zhao Zongning asked not far away: "What are you talking about? Xiao Shishi really doesn't come to feed the deer? It's fun!" He looked over and shook his head with dignity.

"Okay." Zhao Zongning was not disappointed either, and continued to tease the deer.

When no one of them paid attention to this place, Zhao Shixi continued to write: You mention a poem, if you don't mention it, I will tell His Majesty that you bullied me.

"..." Xie Wenrui was dumbfounded, how could it be like this?

Zhao Shishi wrote again: You know me about this matter.

After he finished writing, he looked up at Xie Wenrui.

Xie Wenrui blushed, thought for a long time before saying: "Xiao Langjun, I really don't know how to do it. Can I ask someone else to write it for me? I know a scholar who is very good at composing poems and lyrics. He never mentions it to others easily. I'll go ask him, okay?"

Zhao Shishi secretly "tsk", it turned out that Xie Wenrui had known Gu Ci so early.Hearing Xie Wenrui mention the people he knew in his previous life, he couldn't help but think of the scene with Xie Wenrui at that time.Xie Wenrui is a very righteous person, he also values ​​friendship and is very loyal.Although people stay a little bit, but almost everything is good.

Except for one thing, Xie Wenrui is a broken sleeve.In other words, he didn't know whether Xie Wenrui had broken his sleeve,

Xie Wenrui is his subordinate, and he just does the errands well. He doesn't care who Xie Wenrui likes, or whether he likes girls or boys. At first, he really didn't know about it.

And Xie Wenrui originally had a young lady who was betrothed, but died of illness before marrying, and later coincided with various wars, Xie Wenrui was in his 30s and never got married.

After he ascended the throne, the court finally calmed down, and the elderly Marquis Wu'an wanted to make another marriage for Xie Wenrui, and the one he asked to marry was the third wife of Huang Shangshu's family.They were originally a well-matched couple, and Mrs. Huang San was also unmarried because of the war, and she was nearly thirty years old.

Unexpectedly, Xie Wenrui crossed Marquis Wu'an and personally went to the Huang Mansion to cancel the marriage and return the Geng Tie that his parents had already exchanged.

The third lady was thin-skinned, she lost face when she was rejected like this, and hanged herself in the boudoir. There was a lot of trouble, but luckily she was rescued in the end.

Huang Shangshu was also a person who followed him early, and he cried directly to him, begging him to make decisions for Mrs. Huang, and he didn't know about Xie Wenrui.

He called Xie Wenrui to him for questioning, but Xie Wenrui was a good idiot, and said that he already had someone he liked.

Zhao Shishi asked who it was again, and he said it was Gu Ci.

He is not the kind of person who has never seen the world, and he also knows that many gentlemen are very masculine.But people are good and good, why not marry a wife and have children?It's good for Xie Wenrui, he would rather disobey his father and make trouble with the Huang family than repent.

He was so busy with political affairs that his head got really big, seeing that the Huang and Xie families refused to give in to each other, he was so angry that he simply didn't care about it.

Until his death, the matter was still unresolved, and he didn't know what happened to Xie Wenrui and Gu Ci in the previous life.

Zhao Shishi looked at Xie Wenrui, who was just now.

He didn't believe that Xie Wenrui and Gu Ci could really get along well.There is no whitehead between a man and a woman, let alone the two men?

In this life, Xie Wenrui actually knew Gu Ci again.

It seems that there will be another toss.

He didn't speak, just looked at Xie Wenrui secretly, Xie Wenrui was still young at this time, and he looked even more disturbed by him.

Only then did Zhao Shishi nod his head, and wrote again: You know and I know.

This is to promise Xie Wenrui to go to Gu Ci to write poems. Anyway, these two are destined to be friends, and it doesn't matter whether he stops or not.Besides, how can he take care of these private matters of his courtiers?Even if Xie Wenrui has a dozen or so concubines in his family, even if they are all men, as long as there is no trouble, he can't take care of their backyard, and he doesn't bother to take care of it.

He also happened to use this matter to deal more with Xie Wenrui, after all, he was his subordinate.

Xie Wenrui assured: "Don't worry, Mr. Xiaolang, you and I know about this matter." He was afraid that Zhao Shishi would come to His Majesty to sue him, so he naturally responded immediately.

As soon as the words were finished, Zhao Zongning walked over and said as he walked, "Did you finish the painting?"

Zhao Shishi kept silent, stretched out his palm, quickly and neatly crumpled the piece of paper he was writing on, and wrapped it in his palm.Zhao Zongning just walked to the table, looked down at the painting, and praised: "It's really good!" She looked at it for a long time, and went to pull Zhao Shishi, "Come! Ninth Aunt said I would give you a bird, so I must give it to you!" , you can choose from me! As long as you like it, feel free to take it back!"

Not for nothing, besides, Zhao Shishi really likes birds, so he got up and went with Zhao Zongning.

Before going, Zhao Shishi turned his head and glanced at Xie Wenrui, his eyes were calm, but he was hiding a warning that he didn't know whether it was a warning or not.

Xie Wenrui: "..."

After they walked away, Xie Wenrui scratched the back of his head, as if something was wrong, but he couldn't tell.

When Mr. Lin invited Xiao Tang to the mansion, he said that a distant relative who was a good student came to the mansion and wanted to discuss some knowledge with him.As for this relative's name, he didn't mention a word, only that he was the seventh in the family, and it would be good to call him Qilangjun.

Xiao Tang is indeed a smart person, a distant relative of the princess' mansion, or Lord Qilang, who else could it be except the one in the palace?What's more, he just saw Rantao—it should be Rantao.When he got engaged to Rantao, he was eight years old and Rantao was only three years old.The parents of the two families got along very well, so they made an engagement for them.

But the last time he saw Rantao was when he was ten years old. At that time, Rantao was five years old. He went to Yangzhou with his parents to give a gift to Rantao's family.Rantao wasn't called by that name back then, she had her own boudoir name, and she was still young, so she grabbed a handful of candy and handed it to him with a smile, and said crisply, "Brother, eat candy!"

He grew up reading sage books, even when he was ten years old, he knew that this was his future wife, and immediately blushed, he didn't dare to look at her again, but remembered Rantao's face.

There is a tear mole on the surface of the dyed pottery.

When he saw the female officer in the female official uniform in the veranda just now, he guessed that it should be Rantao.He shouldn't have looked up at her, and Yu Li was at odds, but he couldn't help it.

After all, we haven't seen each other for more than ten years.

With his family in decline, it is really helpless to withdraw his relatives, and he dare not delay Rantao.Over the years, he has written letters to people, written various poems for the lord of a wealthy family, and provided poems to the booksellers in Jiangning Mansion. He made money to buy books and study. There is only one thought in his heart: to read, when official.

Rantao was already a female official in the palace, he didn't dare to climb high, he only hoped to see her again.

He also looks forward to revitalizing the Xiao family.

And that's the only way.

He was thinking about these things in a mess. For a while, it was the hard study and hardship of the past ten years. For a while, it was the scene of his parents passing away. A strange yet vaguely familiar face.He was indeed a little apprehensive. What was waiting for him inside was not ordinary people, but the only official family in the world.

After Mr. Lin went in, he came out and said with a smile, "Mr. Xiao, please."

Xiao Tang straightened the old but neat gown, lowered his head and followed Mr. Lin in.

Chapter 35 Suddenly, a little unspeakable panic rose from Zhao Shixi's heart.

The officials had no intention of revealing their true identities, and Xiao Tang did not reveal them either.After he entered the room, he did not raise his head, but closed his eyes respectfully, listening to Mr. Lin say: "Mr. Qilang, this is Xiao Tang, Mr. Xiao Lang."

After finishing speaking, Xiao Tang saluted with Mr. Lin.

Then there was a gentle and peaceful voice: "Mr. Lin and Xiao Langjun don't need to be too polite."

Only then did Xiao Tang raise his head, and glanced at the first seat.

When Zhao Cong came out of the palace, he only wore ordinary clothes, not even red, and only a frost-colored robe.He didn't wear a crown on his head either, only a jade hairpin was inserted in the bun.Clear and light clothes, and even a light and light person, sitting on the first seat should not be underestimated.

Xiao Tang is indeed a smart person, but when he first wandered outside the princess' mansion, he really didn't want to take the opportunity to get close to His Majesty.It can be known from his reluctance to accept funding from the Taoist family back then that this person has a certain arrogance. Although he is a bit pedantic, it has also made him grow a lot over the years.In the end, he didn't knock on the door of the princess's mansion, not because he was timid, but because he was afraid that the nobles would think he was impure.

Smart people are naturally bold, and even though Queen Mother Sun's words are nice, he doesn't believe them.He is a very talented scholar, but this is not enough, otherwise Chun Wei, who is this year, would have passed the exam.He didn't think that the Empress Dowager Sun was really as she said, the government was obviously suppressed by the Empress Dowager Sun, and it was difficult for her to govern herself.

Therefore, he actually didn't have too much hope for His Majesty today. After all, if the emperor was really capable, how could he be suppressed like this?He was even worried that His Majesty would be harmed by Queen Mother Sun in the future, and he would get involved with Tao.

But at this moment, as soon as he saw His Majesty himself, he knew how ridiculous his thoughts in the past were.

This was outside the palace, and seeing someone he wanted to receive under his command, Zhao Cong naturally didn't pretend.

Seeing that Xiao Tang was about to size him up, he glanced at Mr. Lin, and Mr. Lin made another salute before retreating.

Zhao Cong smiled and put down the tea cup in his hand softly, and stretched out his palm to the high chair on the right: "Mr. Xiao, please sit down."

"Thank you Qilang-jun." Xiao Tang didn't hold back, thanked him and sat down.

Zhao Cong likes this kind of straightforward person, so he didn't want to be around anymore, and asked directly: "I don't know how old Xiao Langjun is now?"

"Seven out of [-] students this year."

"According to what Mr. Lin said, Xiao Langjun was the No.2 in Jiangning Mansion's solution test last year?"

"Yes."

Zhao Cong asked with a smile: "Why did Xiao Langjun wait until he was 26 years old to take the exam?"

Xiao Tang smiled wryly: "To tell the truth, Mr. Qilang, the student's family is poor. After the parents passed away, the house was mortgaged, not to mention, and the family still has some debts. The student is unwilling to give up studying, but the books and paper are expensive, and the student usually takes some writing. I earn money from my work to buy books, and I have to pay off the arrears, which was delayed until last year to be used as a reference."

"Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, among the 2 champions, ten of them are from the Jiangning Mansion. Xiao Langjun took the exam for the first time, and he was admitted to No. [-] in the Jiangning Mansion, which shows Xiao Langjun's talent and learning."

Xiao Tang stood up and cupped his hands: "I am ashamed to be a student."

"Sit down and talk." Zhao Cong lowered his hands and asked, "What is Xiao Langjun studying for?"

Xiao Tang didn't hesitate: "When I was young, I read books to be sensible, and to meet the expectations of my parents."

"What about now?"

"It's still for the sake of reason."

If Zhao Cong just felt that he was fake, he was a little disappointed.

Xiao Tang said again: "But it's more important to be an official, to be that high official."

There was a smile in Zhao Cong's eyes, it was interesting to say this, he motioned Xiao Tang to continue.

Xiao Tang sat upright, looked at him, and said, "Only by being sensible can great things be achieved, and students can reflect on and urge them daily, so that they can really become an official, a high-ranking official. Being an official is the expectation of parents, for Revitalize the family. Being a high official is for the students' own ambitions and ideals, and it is the future of the Song Dynasty. The students are ordinary people. They have to think about their parents and cannot leave the family. They also want to win glory for the clan and honor their ancestors. But as a man, As a scholar, I have read history books since I was a child, and watched the history of the previous dynasties. I have all kinds of emotions and thoughts in my heart, but I can’t put them into practice. Only when I become an official, can a student do something for the people of the Song Dynasty. Only then can we truly participate in this alternate history.”

Zhao Cong nodded, he was very satisfied with Xiao Tang's words.

Regardless of whether Xiao Tang really thinks so, or deliberately pleases him, but he can say these words, it can be known that he really has such thoughts.This is also the person Zhao Cong really wants to use. A person who is too selfless is as hypocritical as a person who is too selfish. Only the person who can distinguish between what he needs and what the world needs is the one who can be used.

"Xiao Langjun is a person with big ambitions, so according to what you see, what should you do to truly do practical things for the people of the Song Dynasty?"

"This—" Xiao Tang looked up at him.

"But it doesn't matter."

Xiao Tang took a careful look at Zhao Cong. Although it was the first time they met, he realized that His Majesty was not as easy to fool as the rumors said.But the way His Majesty looked at him at this time really didn't look like a 16-year-old gentleman.

It is such a gentleman who has become an official who is known to be cowardly and sickly, and who is not allowed to govern himself.

The palace is indeed a wonderful place, Xiao Tang thought to himself.

But only such a majesty can arouse the hearts of followers, and no one likes to support a mediocre person.

"The student is from Shezhou. When he entered Beijing, he walked all the way. Passing through Suzhou, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Haizhou and other state capitals, from south to north, there are indeed some discoveries."

"Please say."

Xiao Tang was flattered by Zhao Cong's word "please", the one sitting first was the emperor, and he could talk to him like this, he couldn't help sitting upright again, and respectfully said: "Mr. Qilang, after the founding of the Taizu, He once advised Jiangnan to grow more wheat, beans, millet, etc., and Jiangbei to grow rice. During the Taizu period, the government also specially opened up farmland to try to grow rice in Jiangbei. The students were not talented, so they read outdated people's notes and residence newspapers. At that time It is true that a lot of farmland has been opened up, and it is said that it has reached more than 1. The students are from the south of the Yangtze River, and they have seen with their own eyes that many things such as wheat and beans in the south of the Yangtze River are planted, and the harvest is good.

But the students came back to the north for the first time. When they first entered Xuzhou, they found that rice was rarely found in the local cultivated fields.The students didn't believe it, and went to Haizhou and Mizhou one after another, but found that these two places were not as good as Xuzhou.It was not until the students entered the Jingxi Road and got closer and closer to Fengfu that they saw the trace of rice.This is completely inconsistent with what was recorded in the notes and the residence newspaper.And it is less than a hundred years since the founding of the country. "

After Xiao Tang said this, he looked at him again.

Zhao Cong nodded.

"Students think that in order to do practical things for the people of the Song Dynasty, the people must first have food to eat, so that the land on which the people depend for survival can produce food. But the students have seen with their own eyes that many state capitals are far away It is not as good as Jiangning Mansion, nor is it as good as Kaifeng Mansion, the students see a lot of people who can’t even eat. Maybe it’s okay if you can’t eat for a while. If you can’t eat for a long time, what do you think will happen?”

Zhao Cong smiled: "The people have their own capable people. When that day comes, it is not impossible to push out a leader to attack Tokyo City together. It doesn't matter whether it is the imperial army in the capital, the local garrison, or the Xiang army. If you don't train for a long time, It’s all useless. The big deal is to fight to the death.”

This kind of thing has happened a lot in history.

When Xiao Tang heard this, he was so frightened that he immediately knelt down on the ground. Although he meant this, he didn't expect His Majesty to say it so directly, he was afraid of offending His Majesty.

Zhao Cong was not in a hurry to tell him to get up, instead he took a sip of tea from the teacup, looked at him and said in a warm voice: "Mr. More scenery? Alas, there is a saying: 'It is better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books'. I really envy you, you can travel this journey freely."

Zhao Cong no longer concealed his identity, Xiao Tang kowtowed: "Student Xiao Tang, I have met Your Majesty."

"Get up, you have already seen my identity."

"His Majesty--"

"You are a wise man, I love to talk to wise men, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhao Cong didn't say any more, and said directly: "I will be in charge of the government, and next year I will open the Enke, Xiao Lang-jun is ready. I will wait for you in the Jiying Hall, and I will wait for you to tell me more about the scenery."

"Your Majesty!" Xiao Tang raised his head sharply.

"also."

Xiao Tang listened carefully.

"What is the purpose of studying and becoming an official? Have you missed a reason?"

Xiao Tang is indeed a smart person, his cheeks and ears turned red, and he knelt down on the ground again.

"My female officer, not everyone can marry."

Xiao Tang took a breath and said solemnly: "Student understands."

Zhao Cong put the teacup on the table, with a crisp voice, Mr. Lin from outside the hall walked in.

"Send Mr. Xiao Lang out of the mansion."

"Yes."

Xiao Tang kowtowed to Zhao Cong again, stood up from the ground, saluted without saying a word, turned around and followed Mr. Lin out of the main hall.

Everyone left, Zhao Cong sighed.

When will he be able to go out and see this piece of land that belongs to him.

He also wants to go to Suzhou, to Haizhou, to every state capital.

When Chen Shi came out of the palace, Zhao Cong was in good spirits.

But what a tiring day it was, especially riding in a carriage and talking to many people. After Xiao Tang left, he didn't need to support him any longer, so he lost his strength, and he didn't bother to move when he sat on the high chair.He closed his eyes and counted the time, calculating when would be the most suitable time to get Empress Dowager Sun down, and when it was appropriate, Empress Dowager Sun could only obediently hand over the imperial treasure.

Mr. Lin sent Xiao Tang away, and then walked in quietly.

"His Majesty."

Zhao Cong opened his eyes: "Mr. Xiao is gone?"

"Yes."

"I heard from the princess that you wanted to help him, but the princess stopped you."

"Yes, Xiao Langjun is really struggling."

"Mr. Lin doesn't need to be like this. Xiao Tang is a person with high aspirations, but he is rarely willing to keep his feet on the ground. If you give him money, it is an insult to him. If you really help him, he will feel uncomfortable. People with big ambitions, Who cares about the temporary constraints."

"Your Majesty is right."

"Okay, go to the backyard and call the princess, I'm planning to go back to the palace now."

"Yes." Mr. Lin saluted and hurried out.

Zhao Cong's face was obviously tired, and Zhao Zongning, who originally wanted to stay with him for a while, immediately asked him to return to the palace.

"Brother, go back! There will be more time in my house in the future! Brother, go back and rest!"

Zhao Cong smiled, and didn't hold back anymore: "My brother has gone back, I'm really tired."

Zhao Zongning frowned: "The imperial doctor in the palace is so useless, he can't cure brother's illness at all!" Only she dared to say such direct words.

"It's because I'm weak, it has nothing to do with the imperial doctor."

Zhao Zongning was a little sad: "My sister will definitely help my brother find a miracle doctor."

Zhao Cong smiled: "Genius doctors are all pretense." He stood up, his right foot was a little weak, and he almost lost his footing, and someone beside him immediately supported him.

He looked down and saw that it was Zhao Shishi again.He smiled and patted Zhao Shishi's head, no longer in the mood to tease him, pulled his wrist out of his hand, supported Rantao's extended hand, and the group walked out.

Zhao Zongning personally helped him into the carriage, and as soon as he got into the spacious carriage, he leaned against the couch in the carriage.Rantao covered him with the silk blanket, her face full of distress.

Zhao Zongning looked even more uncomfortable, Zhao Cong opened his eyes and looked at her: "