In late October, water had already frozen over at Yinshan Pass. When they tried to protect the wall, the ice had already grown to half a foot thick, and they were still pouring water down one spoonful at a time to thicken the wall.
"Not bad, right? Master Hua's idea, I want to see how they break through the gate of Yinshan Pass."
It is indeed a good idea. If the city walls can be poured in this way, Yinshan Pass will be safe until the weather thaws. Of course, the premise is, "Is the city cleaned up?"
"I dare not say all of them. If there are some hidden ones that have not been cleared out, I can't do anything. I know what you are worried about. Don't worry, as long as those people in the capital are safe and don't send all those evil spirits to me, even if there are still some hidden ones, I can prevent them." Wu Yong's smile was as cold as the wind on the city wall. "I closed the black market. At this time, there are still people selling tea bricks and food on the grassland. Please honor this general first."
Gu Yanxi looked at the dark grassland in the distance, wondering if there were people hiding there, and said calmly: "If someone is still eyeing this little profit, then it will move. No one can do anything to you. I will take care of the matters in the capital."
Wu Yong smiled, and there was some warmth in his eyes. It was because he knew there was such a person there that he could be less cautious.
"Let's go and welcome you."
It was said to be a welcoming party but no alcohol was drunk. Gu Yanxi had been running around for several days, and even though he had some dry food prepared by Azhi, it was nothing compared to a bowl of steaming hot soup in this cold winter.
After dinner, Gu Yanxi took the package to Hua's house. Wu Yong wanted to go with him but was rejected. Wu Yong was helpless and wanted to say something but finally shut his mouth. He would see it anyway if he went there, so why should he say anything.
At this time, all the men of the Hua family's generation were in the main house where the Hua family lived.
"Dad, I suggest leaving the little ones at home first." Hua Pingyang is now the one with the most say in this generation. He was the first to break the silence without saying anything. "Although they have improved a lot, they are still young. Once something happens, they will inevitably panic and will not be able to react in time. Luckily, they were only injured this time. If something really happens, you will be the one who suffers."
Hua Pingyu took over the conversation, "Zhi'er promised that she would protect all the family members in the capital and wait for us to return. We can't be inferior to her."
Hua Yizheng looked at the others, "Do you think so too?"
"I'll listen to my elder brother." Hua Yichen sighed, "The method Zhi'er left behind is a good one, but we also have to consider the current situation. If the war hadn't started, it would have been helpful for them to follow the army every day, but the current situation is different after all, so we can't generalize."
Seeing that everyone else agreed, Hua Yizheng nodded, "I will talk to General Wu and put them under Pingyu's command."
Hua Pingyang frowned, "Will it be inappropriate? There are quite a lot of people."
"There is no special care for those over fourteen." Hua Yizheng said solemnly, "We were exiled because our homes were confiscated. We are not here to enjoy life. You might as well think about what other people's exiles are like. You should remember the good and cherish it. If anyone wants to take advantage of you, then just go back to the quarry."
Everyone's expression was startled, and they suddenly realized that they had become more relaxed in the past six months, forgetting that they were criminals. If it weren't for everyone working together and still digging stones at this time, how could they have done what they wanted or not.
"This can be considered a blessing in disguise. Under normal circumstances, they would not have the opportunity to get involved in local political affairs." Hua Yizheng looked at his eldest son, "You should pay more attention to it."
"Yes, father."
Hua Yi was just about to scold them a few more times when he heard Chen Shan come to report, "Master, a distinguished guest has arrived."
Distinguished guest? There were also days when Wu Yongping came to visit. Chen Shan would not call him a distinguished guest. What would that mean
Hua Yi's heart skipped a beat. Before he could make any move, the man had already appeared in his sight. It was indeed him! He subconsciously glanced behind him. Even though he didn't allow anyone to come over, he couldn't help but feel disappointed when he didn't see him.
Gu Yanxi noticed his expression, held his hand and performed a junior's greeting, saying, "Azhi received a letter from the old man the day before she left. She didn't dare to disobey him, so she asked me to bring the letters from everyone in the family."
Hua Pingyang took the letter and asked, "Is Zhi'er feeling better?"
"She is being taken care of." Gu Yanxi bowed to the others again. "I couldn't stop her from coming. Fortunately, the letter from Elder Hua arrived in time. It's too cold in the north, and it would be best for her body not to travel. She said it's a good idea to adjust her schedule to avoid the cold months."
"It's hard for her." Hua Yizheng smiled and shook his head. He didn't think about anything before, and lived in harmony with an old man like him day by day. But now, he has to plan everything. He was as free as he was before, and he is as busy as he is now. He knows his girl's personality very well, and it is really hard for her.
After the host and guest sat down and tea was served, Hua Pingyu couldn't wait to ask, "My father-in-law's letter was not clear. Why did the emperor involve Zhi'er in the canal construction? Even if she is a girl, she is limited in intelligence. Are the many civil and military officials in the court not as good as Zhi'er?"
"The emperor is attracted by her ability to make money." Gu Yanxi patiently explained, "Some time ago, there was a rumor in the capital that Ah Zhi had the Midas touch. When she talked about the several businesses she had accumulated, everyone found that each of her businesses had a promising future. The emperor got to know the rumor and became interested. He wanted to build this canal to cover up his decades of failure, but he was short of money."
"Be careful with your words!" Hua Yi was frowning. The Hua family has been loyal to the emperor for generations and cannot bear to hear such words. Even though the Hua family is in such a situation now, even though his granddaughter is in the hands of the emperor, he is still angry, but some things are already deeply rooted in his bones and are difficult to change.
Gu Yanxi lowered his eyes and felt sorry for the royal family. Villains were kept in the court and sucked the blood of Daqing, while loyal officials were exiled thousands of miles away. This was the achievement of his uncle the Emperor.
"Someone deliberately spread the rumor? How did he know that the emperor wanted to build a canal?"
"I have already investigated the matter. It was the Wei family who spread the word. It was just a coincidence. He originally wanted to make Ah Zhi more famous so that others would covet Ah Zhi, but he didn't expect to attract the emperor."
"Wei Rongwen!" Hua Yi was gritting his teeth in hatred.
"He has learned his lesson." Gu Yanxi roughly recounted how the Wei family held a Qing Tan meeting but was severely slapped in the face by Ah Zhi. "Now Wei Rongwen has been transferred from the Ministry of Revenue to the Ministry of Rites. When I came out, the emperor found fault with him and punished him with a year's salary. The emperor no longer likes him, so he can no longer expect to have smooth sailing in the future."
The Hua family members could not be happy. Even if Wei Rongwen was beheaded, it could not change the fact that Zhier was bullied by him.
Hua Pingyu, as the father, reacted even more. He could easily come up with any anecdote on weekdays, but now he was so angry that his body was shaking and he could only curse, "Bullying the weak with your power, how shameless!"