After recuperating for such a period of time, Zhang Fu's injuries have almost healed.
But Cheng Qianye took his health into consideration and seldom asked him to do any work. Whenever he had something to ask, he would try to go to his residence in person to ask for advice.
Zhang Fu sat at the table, took the tea from Xiao Xiu, and frowned slightly: "The master is here, why are you still brewing this? Go and get Mi Yunlong."
Xiao Xiu put a fur blanket on Zhang Fu's legs, pressed it tightly, and replied in a habitual manner: "The one in the master's hand is naturally Miyunlong. But the doctor has instructed that the master cannot drink tea, only this."
Zhang Fu shook his head helplessly, and had to hold up the health-preserving Eight Treasures Tea in his hand and let Cheng Qianye drink a cup.
"How is your recovery? It's only early autumn, sir, are you already feeling cold?" Cheng Qianye asked with concern.
Zhang Fu smiled, "It's all right now. Xiao Xiu might have been frightened by the miserable state he was in when he first came back. He was so nervous that even when Lord Zhou came to discuss new policies with me, he would stare at him and not let him stay too long, which was very embarrassing for me."
"Zixi is a workaholic. He works day and night. I often have to persuade him. Zhang Qing, you must not learn from him." Cheng Qianye turned to look at Xiao Xiu, "You are doing very well. Keep taking care of your husband like this and put his health first."
Zhang Fu shook his head and sighed: "My Lord, please don't indulge him anymore."
Xiao Xiu, however, did not show any sign of arrogance. He crossed his arms, saluted, and retreated steadily and properly.
Cheng Qianye looked at the figure who retreated to the door and stood there with a sword in hand.
This boy who was once handsome and gentle, and who only knew how to blow pink bubbles around her, had grown up against the wind and become such a tough and brave man.
"Xiaoxiu has really grown a lot after this incident. She is completely different from what she was back then. This is all thanks to your good teaching, Mr. Zhang." Cheng Qianye said with emotion.
Zhang Fu also looked at the figure outside the door: "He can be where he is today, he should really thank the opportunity given to him by the lord. If I were in Xiao Jin's position, I might not have spared his life."
What he said was that Xiao Xiu discovered Cheng Qianye's identity and should have been executed, but Cheng Qianye spared his life.
Cheng Qianye recalled the past and felt deeply moved. His kindness at that time was not in vain.
Zhang Fu turned his gaze to Cheng Qianye and bowed his head in greeting: "My lord, you have a unique vision, treat people with sincerity, and always use talents in an unconventional way. It is really admirable. I have had the honor of meeting Lord Zhou Zixi recently. Lord Zhou is really a rare genius. I heard that he was found by my lord in the slave market, which is incredible. From Yu Dunsu to Mo Qiaosheng, and then to him. Sometimes, I really have to admit that my lord has a good eye and luck."
Cheng Qianye felt a little embarrassed. She had cheated in this regard and did not deserve Zhang Fu's praise.
Zhang Fu changed the subject: "I heard that the Lord announced in public that he would choose Mo Qiaosheng as his consort?"
"Ah, yes, that's why I came here." Cheng Qianye said, "Mei Zang Pei Zhen directly proposed a marriage proposal in the hall, and I didn't want them to focus too much on Cheng Qianye's identity. I wanted to stop their thoughts on the spot. So I didn't have time to discuss it with you."
Zhang Fu looked at her silently.
Cheng Qianye said generously: "Of course, I do like Mo Qiaosheng."
"But, as a princess..." Zhang Fu frowned.
"I know, you don't have to say it." Cheng Qianye raised his hand to interrupt him, "It is indeed not appropriate to keep this identity. When we return to Bianzhou, let her 'die of illness' after a while."
She smiled bitterly: "Since we are destined not to be public, then having a name is a small consolation."
Zhang Fu stopped talking.
The lord showed his depressed mood in front of him without any concealment.
Discussing one's personal affairs with him openly and honestly is a sign of trust and closeness to him as a subject.
He was a little hesitant, for he knew that his lord wanted to retain the identity of a princess, and if he planned carefully, he could do it.
But in fact, he was very worried about Mo Qiaosheng.
Although this man came from a humble background, one has to admit that he is a very talented leader.
With the trust of his lord, he will surely become a pillar of the army in time.
In fact, no matter how many men the lord favored, it was not a problem for Zhang Fu. But if he favored only a general like this who held military power, it would not be a blessing for the country.
Autumn harvest time,
Cheng Qianye left Helan Zhen to guard Zhengzhou City.
He returned to Bianzhou from Zhengzhou with all his civil and military officials and some troops.
Before the army set out, Helan Zhen invited a few familiar brothers to have a drink.
After a few cups of wine, he put his arm around Mo Qiaosheng's neck and said, "Sure, brother. The lord really thinks highly of you and actually recruited you as his consort."
Mo Qiaosheng's face flushed slightly.
"You don't have to worry. Princess Qianye is a noble princess. But I have also had the honor of meeting Shuyan. She is a gentle, polite, beautiful and graceful princess." Helan Zhen punched him on the shoulder. "You are so lucky."
A general on the seat started to make a noise, "General Mo went to Gaojing to fetch the princess himself. He must have won the princess's favor along the way. That's why the lord granted the marriage. If we had known there would be such a good thing, we would have fought with General Mo to go there, hahahaha."
Helan Zhen was not happy: "You should take a piss and look at yourself. With your face, no one would look down on you, not to mention bringing the princess from Gaojing to Bianzhou, even if you brought the princess from the south to the north."
"Qiao Sheng, although I will stay in Zhengzhou, you must not forget me on your wedding day with the princess. I will report to the lord and ask him to allow me to go back and attend your wedding."
Yu Dunsu advised: "Brother Helan, although the Quanrong have been defeated by us twice, they are not easy to deal with. Zhengzhou is a barrier between us and the Quanrong. You are guarding this place alone, so you must be extremely cautious."
Helan Zhen was drinking happily and nodded randomly.
At this moment, the wine is flowing and the atmosphere is lively.
Yu Dunsu didn't want to say too much and dampen everyone's interest.
A long time later, when he recalled this moment, he still hated himself for not reminding him more.
After returning to Bianzhou,
Cheng Qianye made an important decision.
The capital of Jin State was moved from Jiangcheng to Bianzhou, and Bianzhou was officially renamed Bianjing.
This undoubtedly sent a thunderbolt through the old-established aristocratic families in Jiangcheng, and was met with fierce resistance from the court officials.
But when General Yu Dunsu, who had no aristocratic family background, led his troops and marched into Jiangcheng in a mighty manner.
The Queen Mother and those ministers who supported their lord began to pack their luggage leisurely and prepare for the move.
There seemed to be no intention to seek everyone's consent.
Fengchang Zhao Jikao hurried to the residence of Taibao Wei Sibu.
They saw that several important officials from their faction had already gathered in their positions.
"This is too much, too much." Zhao Jikao stepped forward quickly and said angrily, "You said you want to move the capital, so you move the capital. The lord doesn't even take us seriously now."
However, there was no chorus of agreement in the room as he had imagined. Some people were sighing, while others were looking at him in silence.
"What's wrong with you gentlemen? Aren't you angry?" Zhao Jikao sat down in his seat with a puffed-up look.
"Brother Zhao." Wei Sibu, who was sitting on the main seat, sighed, "The Lord is no longer the same as he was before. He wants to move the capital, and we are really helpless."
"How can we be so helpless about this?" Zhao Jikao shook his sleeves.
He looked around and realized that many people were missing. "Where is the Grand Commandant, Sir Wu? And Sir Zhang and Sir Xiao?"
"The Grand Marshal has come out early in the morning to express his support for the lord's decision. Now he is probably leading his troops and following General Yu around to serve him." A minister present mocked.
"This fence-sitter." Zhao Jikao cursed.
But then he couldn't help but slowly lower his head.
The lord now has a large army under his command, and in the court he has the strong support of the powerful Helan family, the Yang family of Empress Dowager Yang, the Xiao family to which the internal envoy Xiao Jin belongs, and the in-laws of these families.
Even among these people, many saw that the situation was not good and turned to the lord early. Now even the military commander Wu, who held the military power, had stated his position.
Indeed, I no longer have the ability to compete with my lord.
How did it come to this
Wei Sibu, the Grand Guardian who was sitting in the main seat in the middle, turned around and pointed at the map behind him.
"My lord, you have now established a firm foothold in Bianzhou, and have opened up a passage from Bianzhou to Zhongmu. Recently, you have defeated the Quanrong and captured Zhengzhou." He made a large circle with his hand, "Look at these lands. They are already half of the land of Jin."
"The new policies he has implemented are very popular among the people. Now he has a strong support among the people. The country's finances are also rising steadily. Even the princes abroad no longer dare to look down on him like they did in the past."
He finally sighed and said, "I advise you to put aside your past thoughts, and when you arrive in Xindu, behave well in front of the lord and try to keep your official position."
Inside Bianjing.
Lu Yao, the chief steward of internal affairs, has been so busy these days that he has hardly had time to rest.
Bianzhou was changed into the capital, and all the ministers and nobles in Jiangcheng had to move there one after another.
It just so happened that Cui Youyu, the original Sikong of Bianzhou, was promoted by his lord to be the Grand Sikong of Jin State, and was ordered to dredge the old canal Honggou near Bianjing and open up shipping from Zhengzhou to Bianjing.
Therefore, the task of building more government offices and palaces and settling more personnel fell entirely on Lu Yao alone.
Lu Yao wiped the sweat off his head. He was sitting in a carriage, rushing to Madam Tianxiang's residence. He planned to find out what the master's wife thought, and see how to arrange for the master's harem personnel.
The house next to Madam Tianxiang's residence is the residence of the lord's biological sister, Princess Qianye.
Madam Tianxiang was a remarkable woman. As the lord's principal wife, she not only did not work properly, but also turned the mansion given by her lord into a "women's school" for some common women to attend.
But the lord's twin sister, Princess Qianye, was even more special. As a princess, she was sent as an envoy to the Quanrong and was able to successfully negotiate with the famous Queen Mother of the Quanrong and even signed an alliance.
The princess who returned to Bianliang after making such a great contribution was very low-key and lived next to Lady Tianxiang's "Women's School".
She usually stays at home and rarely goes out for social events. The attendants in her mansion are also very simple, all of whom she selected and brought in by herself. She never accepted Lu Yao's kindness to add more staff to her mansion.
When passing by the tightly closed door, Lu Yao looked around and thought to himself: Come to think of it, it has been a few months since I came to Bianjing, and I don’t think I have seen the princess again. When I was serving the lord, I could occasionally see this princess.
At this moment, the door creaked open.
The princess, holding up her skirt, stepped out of the threshold. Then she turned around and pulled out a black figure. She said with a smile, "Come on, today is a holiday, let's go shopping."