Shen Wen and his party walked towards the lake. Shen Wen was worried that they would not be able to find it. At dawn, he saw a sign on the side of the road with the word "water" written on it and an arrow drawn. Probably in order to prevent people from being illiterate, water patterns were drawn on the bottom.
They walked along the road for a while, and when they saw too many people, they left the main road again, rested for a day, and set off again at night. Fortunately, there would be a road sign every other way, and after walking for two nights, I finally arrived at the lake.
At night, the lake has a wide shore. It was so dark that I couldn't see anything clearly. Everyone discussed whether to wait until dawn to take a look, and camped among the trees on the shore.
At dawn, there was the sound of patrolling gongs. Everyone thought it strange, and they all went out of their tents to watch. I saw four or five yamen servants, one of whom was playing a gong, followed by a middle-aged man in official uniform, walking along the shore of the lake.
When they stopped near the convoy, a yamen servant shouted, "You have heard this! Go to the lake to fetch water and don't fight! Don't bully the weak! Don't rob property! Anyone who violates the law will be punished immediately!"
These people have experienced water grabbing and man-eating cities, and now they actually feel uncomfortable seeing someone law enforcement here. Seeing that these yamen servants were carrying knives and swords, Zhang Yunzheng quickly clenched the swords in his hand. A yamen servant pointed at him and said, "You! You can't bring weapons when fetching water!"
Ji Wenzhao hurriedly saluted: "I've seen the officials! We've been there, where people were robbed and cannibalized. Weapons are only for self-defense."
The yamen servant nodded and said, "Even so, in our county, fighting with weapons is not allowed! Violators will be dealt with strictly!"
Ji Wenzhao said with emotion: "No wonder we saw road signs along the way. The county magistrate is really our savior. Dare to ask the chief's name?"
A yamen servant said: "My master is the county magistrate He."
Ji Wenzhao saluted again: "In this troubled world, anyone who can uphold the law is a righteous person. County Magistrate He accepts my salute."
The middle-aged man waved his hands with a tired face, and said: "There is no need to be too polite, as long as everyone abides by the rules and laws, it will be the blessing of our county." After speaking, he walked forward with a few yamen servants.
There were many people who came to draw water by the lake, but because of this small group of government servants passing by, people did not fight for it.
Zhang Yunzheng untied his sword and said to the others: "There are too many people over there, we can't drive the carriage over there, lest someone have evil thoughts. Those of you with weapons, guard the carriage here, and I will take a few people to fetch water .”
Shen Wen has lightness kung fu, so he wants to go with him, Ji Wenzhao, Duan Zengshi and Lin go together, while the fourth prince, Yan Shi and Su Wanniang stay in the car.
Carrying water bags on their backs, they walked to the middle of the lake, only to see a piece of white ice. Someone had already smashed the ice on the shore, and people submerged the container in the water to draw ice water.
Walking down once was not enough, the second time, the fourth prince and Yan Shi also joined, walked to the middle of the lake, and then came back with a heavy water bag,
When the water bags were full, they set off, wanting to leave the lake as soon as possible, and there were more and more refugees around.
Suddenly, the sound of shouting and fighting came from a distance, mixed with the sound of gongs. Zhang Yunzheng looked at it with a frown and said, "I'm going to take a look."
Ji Wenzhao hesitated: "We have benefited from it, so we should help the leader..."
Zhang Yunzheng said: "I'll come as soon as I go..." While speaking, he ran away in a flash. The two men who followed him chased after him, so naturally they couldn't keep up with his footsteps.
Shen Wen frowned, looking at the direction Zhang Yunzheng was going, hesitating whether to go too.
Ji Wenzhao asked: "Since Second Miss Shen is able to pinch and count, and she has schemes, why doesn't she come up with some ideas that can save the country and the people?"
Shen Wen shook his hand: "No!"
The fourth prince turned his face to look at her: "You sound like you don't want to bother at all?"
Shen Wen rolled his eyes at him, then looked into the distance, "There is no way! This kind of famine is both a natural disaster and a man-made disaster. Under the current situation, there is nothing to do."
Ji Wenzhao frowned and asked, "What can't be done?!"
Shen Wen said: "It takes two hours to talk about the background of this kind of incident, and I can't sum it up in one word." His tone was particularly impatient. Ji Wenzhao was very unhappy about being robbed, and whispered to the fourth prince: "She is just worried about that stupid boy, so rude!"
Shen Wen was about to go there when he saw Zhang Yunzheng rushing back in the distance, and when he came to him, Shen Wen found two blood spots on his face, and hurriedly asked: "Did you..."
Zhang Yunzheng said unhappily: "Of course I wasn't injured! Worrying is a curse, you know? Don't underestimate people!"
Shen Wen said angrily: "Who underestimated you?!"
Ji Wenzhao coughed to cover up his words: "You're so stupid!"
Zhang Yunzheng froze for a moment, then suddenly grinned: "Are you worried about me?"
Shen Wen firmly said: "No!"
Ji Wenzhao said, "Let's go quickly!"
Zhang Yunzheng looked back: "My people will leave as soon as they come back."
Ji Wenzhao asked, "What's the matter?"
Zhang Yunzheng said: "Snatch the food! Now that there is water, people start to grab the food. The county magistrate led people to stop him, but the other party was too hard-working, and a few yamen servants couldn't stop..." As he was speaking, two of his subordinates He and two yamen servants came over, both of them were injured, one saluted and said: "My master thanked the strong man for his help."
Zhang Yunzheng said: "It's nothing, it's hard for your county magistrate to dare to do things at this time, aren't you afraid?"
A yamen servant nodded and said, "My master is a man. We admire him, so we plan to put our lives on it."
Ji Wenzhao said: "Say hard work to your county magistrate, and say that there are always people who appreciate him."
The two yamen servants went to salute, and they set off again, heading towards Shen Wen's wine cellar.
Ji Wenzhao was thinking about Shen Wen's words, and as soon as he arrived at the camping place, he walked up to Shen Wen who had just got out of the car and said, "Okay, now that we have camped, tell me why there is no other way?"
The fourth prince often wandered around with Ji Wenzhao, so he also came over at this time.
Shen Wen sat on the side of the car, with his feet hanging in the air, and asked, "Tell me first, why do we have...officials."
Ji Wenzhao said: "Officials, that's just management. You see, we have traveled this way, and where there are no officials, there are people who cannibalize people. Today, where there are officials in charge, it is much safer."
Shen Wen nodded and said: "The role of officials is to manage, protect social stability, and help the weak. Then take a look, has the court played a role now?"
Ji Wenzhao said: "The severity of the drought is beyond what the imperial court can bear. The imperial court has distributed relief many times, and now the granary is empty, and the officials have no food to put. Naturally, they cannot control the people."
Shen Wen said: "The failure of the imperial court was not because of a shortage of resources, but because of mistakes in decision-making and huge waste."
Ji Wenzhao thought for a while, nodded and said, "That's true..."
Shen Wen said: "No, yes, it must be. Now the population is only 100 million. In the future, this land can accommodate 400 million people. After careful cultivation of the fields, it may even reach 600 million..."
Ji Wenzhao lost his voice: "What?! So many people?!"
Shen Wen sighed: "Of course, that's not a very good thing, but I just want to say that if managed properly, this kind of disaster should be completely avoided."
The fourth prince said: "That's right, the city that eats people is not without water."
Ji Wenzhao frowned tightly: "How can I manage it properly?"
Shen Wen said helplessly: "This is difficult. Generally speaking, if a country really wants to have long-term stability, it must have support from various aspects. For example, it must have a reasonable system, a developed economy, and advanced technology. knowledge..."
Ji Wenzhao raised his hand: "Stop! These... are different from what Shi Ji or Zi Zhi Tong Jian said..."
Shen Wen rolled his eyes, "Of course it's different. First of all, let's talk about the system. A system is a track that can restrict people's behavior. In simple terms, it is to share porridge. Now there are a lot of hungry people who want to share a pot of porridge. If there is no manage… "
Ji Wenzhao rushed to say: "Then we must serve them together. If the porridge is overturned, no one can get it. So there must be a personal leader."
Shen Wen wrenched his fingers: "Then the most primitive leader is a powerful person who has the power to subdue everyone. He can share porridge, but he also holds the power to distribute."
The fourth prince expressed his understanding and said: "That is to say, if he divides the porridge, who else will he care about?"
Shen Wen nodded and said: "Some people will try their best to share evenly, but people are not perfect, they have seven emotions and six desires. If everyone is starving..."
Ji Wenzhao clapped his hands: "Then I will give more to myself, and more to my relatives and friends! I understand, this is the rule of power and rule of man you mentioned last time!"
Shen Wen said: "So, when power and interests are combined, people will compete to be the emperor, the local emperor, and the person who holds the power to distribute porridge."
The fourth prince nodded: "Of course there will be corruption."
Shen Wen said: "The biggest embezzler is the emperor!"
Ji Wenzhao laughed: "You scolded the emperor again."
Shen Wen said: "There is a man named Huang Zongxi who said that as a king, he thinks that the power of the world's interests belongs to me, and I take all the benefits of the world for myself, and take all the harm of the world for others! The public of the world! All the good things belong to oneself, and all the bad things are given to others. One's own private interests become the universal goal of the world."
Ji Wenzhao nodded and said: "This means that I would rather let the world bear the burden of the people than let the world bear me!"
Shen Wen sneered and said: "Regard the world as a great inheritance, and pass it on to the descendants, and enjoy endless enjoyment! Treat the people of the world as the private property of the king, and they can only be dogs, not masters."
Ji Wenzhao frowned and thought for a while, then nodded and said, "It's really like this. But if it's not like this, who will govern the country?"
Shen Wen curled his lips: "Anyone can do it! You know, the king is the only one who is the greatest harm in the world! With the centralized power system of the emperor, the country is in trouble!"
Ji Wenzhao said: "However, since ancient times, there have been wise emperors..."
Shen Wen interrupted and said: "It's useless! No matter how wise you are, ten of them can't stop one prodigal son! What's more, most of the emperors are fools! There is a particularly virtuous emperor in a distant country. Well, he also wrote books like Meditations, encouraging people to pursue loftiness and kindness, and he is regarded as a saint among people. But he passed the throne to his son. As soon as his son came to power, he first killed thousands of people, many of whom were in the past People who have fought against him and defeated him. He let the other party hold a wooden sword, and he uses a real sword to experience the pleasure of those enemies who killed him with his own hands. Naturally, this country will not last long."
Ji Wenzhao smiled wryly: "After all, he is still on the throne. The crown prince is not on the throne now, so he set up the killing knife first. The ring of killing has already been issued."
The fourth prince said cautiously: "Third prince, he is not such a person."
Shen Wen looked at him: "Where's his son? Where's his grandson? Surely none of them? In the future, when the barbarians take over the country, will the emperor of the barbarians be merciful? Instead of killing people like hemp?"
The fourth prince was speechless.
Shen Wen said: "This system that combines power with the interests of resource mobilization puts the gains and losses of power above moral and human beliefs. In order to obtain power and the benefits that come with it, people will ignore All guidelines…”
The fourth prince said: "Old Master Yan said that those who are greedy for profit will use any means. So is it useful to educate people's hearts with morality? You see, we met Magistrate Lu along the way, and Magistrate He who sticks to his post?"
Shen Wen asked: "How can the governance of the country rely on personal cultivation? Didn't the eunuch who took office on the horse, those who corrupted and formed a party, have studied moral classics? Hasn't the prince read the books of sages?"
Ji Wenzhao said: "People say that desires are hard to fill, and that's the truth."
Shen Wen said: "The person who distributes porridge also manages the distribution, just like the person who manages money can also spend money. The concentration of power will inevitably lead to greed."
Ji Wenzhao asked: "You already know how to criticize, can you talk about how you can change it?"
Shen Wen looked at Ji Wenzhao: "You already know how to change it."
Ji Wenzhao was taken aback: "How did I change it?"
Shen Wen said: "Didn't you share the can of wine that day, and then let everyone choose by themselves?"
Ji Wenzhao suddenly let out an ah, and then remained silent for a long time.
The fourth prince thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "But when governing the country, how can we prevent those who can share wine from sharing it?"
Shen Wen said: "It is the rule of law and the rule of the people..."
Ji Wenzhao raised his hand, not letting Shen Wen continue, and said after a while: "I know that the rule of the people is to let the people choose for themselves, that is, which bowl of wine they choose. I know that the rule of law is that someone is watching from the side, so that people don't mess up." Come… "
The fourth prince interrupted and said: "The person who doesn't share the porridge colludes with the person who distributes..."
Ji Wenzhao nodded again and again: "Yes! For example, I have agreed with you to share the biggest bowl. If you choose, give me a kickback... But who will distribute it? Isn't it the emperor?"
Shen Wen shook his head: "It can't be."
Ji Wenzhao slapped his fist into his palm: "That's right! The person assigned cannot be the emperor!"
Shen Wen felt that Ji Wenzhao was really smart, and praised him: "In this world, it's not easy for you to understand to this extent!"
Ji Wenzhao sighed, "This is impossible. How can the emperor abdicate? Then Cao Cao will be in charge?"
Shen Wen said: "In other countries, there is an emperor, but a constitutional monarchy is implemented. That is, the emperor is still in power, but only does some charity work, and the governance of the country is handed over to the chief minister. The chief minister is changed every few years and is elected by the cabinet. It came out. The responsibility of the chief assistant is to distribute the porridge, but how to divide it should be discussed by the public, governed in detail, and act according to the law... "
Ji Wenzhao nodded and said, "According to the opinions of the people? We talked about whether I should stay at the border or not. Everyone agreed, and you have to agree too."
Shen Wen said: "Probably that's what it means."
Ji Wenzhao really shook his head: "This is impossible."
Shen Wen agreed: "It is indeed impossible. Which emperor wants to give up power? Just leave a false name? Which power minister does not want to be emperor for selfishness? If you want to guarantee that kind of system, you must have laws. The customs of the people are in conflict. Farming civilization pays attention to relatives and favors. Who can be really impartial? The law pays attention to honesty, but the people have no food and can eat people. What's more, if you want to do this, many people will say that it is not in line with the way of the ancestors, because I have a habit of worshiping in China for many years. This is the lack of knowledge... and things like this, if there is no millennium, hundreds of millions of people will not die, and you will not wake up if you don't get beaten to the head by a Western power."
Ji Wenzhao frowned depressingly: "Will it be so bad? Imperial power is also beneficial, right? The crown prince wants to repair water conservancy. If there is no Beirong, the court will respond to all calls. Compared with everyone discussing back and forth, wouldn't it be more convenient to do things?"
Shen Wen looked at the sky: "Will the silver sent by the imperial court be exploited layer by layer? Will the officials be corrupt? Will the materials be cut corners and falsified? Is the project built just a scumbag project? Time-consuming, labor-intensive, labor-intensive, and material-consuming, nothing will be achieved in the end?"
The fourth prince said with emotion: "It can be seen that before the drought and flood are cured, the officials must be governed first!"
Ji Wenzhao was desperate: "Isn't this coming back again? Under the current system, in order to maintain official positions, officials must protect each other, gangs form cliques, family alliances, entanglements are difficult to understand. Orders cannot be ordered, and feelings cannot be communicated..."
The fourth prince said melancholy: "The people are full of complaints. How many of them are unworthy emperors and how many are weak officials. Who can tell clearly?"
Shen Wen said: "This has nothing to do with people. Among all the wrestling, the regulations on relevant interests are the most controlling. For example, if I ask you to transport people by boat, the person who boards the boat will pay you, okay?" Or do you get to the other side and the person who presses the boat pays you?"
Ji Wenzhao laughed: "Of course, the person who boards the boat should pay for it!"
The fourth prince asked: "Why?"
Ji Wenzhao said in a low voice: "I'll take the money and drive everyone into the water, and come back to transport a boat!"
The fourth prince was startled: "It is possible to do this?!"
Shen Wen nodded and said: "It's really like this, it happened in history. There was a government... the imperial court did this, and it turned out that many people on board died. If the payment method was changed, people would not die. The ship did not The crew has not changed, but the result has changed. In this, the interest is an invisible hand."
Ji Wenzhao clapped his hands and said, "Listening to what you say is better than reading ten years of books! I have read all the books, but I have never read such a truth!"
The fourth prince said to Shen Wen: "You know so much, you can become the emperor's teacher."
Shen Wen wrinkled his nose: "What bothers me the most is the emperor! What do you say to him? Please give up your power for the sake of the country, the people, and the future of China? Don't marry so many wives? Don't live in hundreds of houses? Don’t eat hundreds of dishes at once? Don’t give the person you like a high salary? Live like a commoner? But when there is a disaster, go to appease the people in trouble, give them hope and encouragement? Which one do you think The emperor wants to hear this? Anyone who wants to be an emperor doesn’t have the idea of taking advantage of the world? Is it because I want to kill myself by saying these crazy things?”
The fourth prince said: "Actually, the third prince has a bold heart, maybe he will agree with you!"
Shen Wen shook his hand: "I don't believe it. He agreed for a while, but he couldn't agree for a lifetime! No one can resist the temptation of extreme power! Think about it, everyone is servile to you, speaks kind words to you, Don't you like it when you hold it up to the sky? You have countless treasures in the world, you can do whatever you want, and people will always give you good things from all over the world. Don't you feel happy? In the early Han Dynasty, there were only a dozen palace ladies, but later, There are only a few thousand people. It is natural for an emperor to be more luxurious and lustful from generation to generation, you can have thousands of beauties to enjoy, are you not tempted?"
The fourth prince stammered: "No... actually... those... nothing interesting..."
Shen Wen asked: "What do you think is interesting?"
The fourth prince wants to say, I already have enough treasures, silk and satin, someone who treats me well, and the most beautiful woman... I don’t want too much, he is afraid of being accused by Shen Wen, so he replied: "I just wanted... someone to play chess with me."
Shen Wen pulled the corner of his mouth.
Ji Wenzhao, who was frowning and thinking on the side, suddenly said: "Actually, if the monarch and the ministers are of the same mind, you can still try to start. After all, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. If you really want to start a change, you can't do it in a day and a night. Ten years, twenty years, three years. Ten or forty years is not enough? I started teaching new institutional concepts from a young age, and made two or three generations change their minds. Can this dynasty be changed?"
Shen Wen said: "Master Ji, you are too optimistic. How many people here are illiterate? How many people rely on their families or family status to survive? How to educate people? How to listen to the opinions of the people? If you want the people to choose talented people , then some people will take money to bribe the people in order to be elected. If you want officials to abide by the law, you must have complete laws and independent supervision, but those who want to make money every day will find ways to bribe and collude , Let the supervisors join forces, and the supervisory organization is useless... These things affect the whole body, and the difference is so great that I don't even bother to think about it!"
Ji Wenzhao said: "That's why women can't do anything! I am afraid of difficulties and dangers, and I am timid and afraid of getting into trouble! I will try everything! Tell me about the cabinet and the House of Representatives when you have time. I really want to be an official in the future." , I want to be a big one! If I get the position of prime minister, I will reform!" Seeing that he has become prime minister, he is very confident.
The fourth prince especially encouraged him: "Xiu Ming is so talented, he will definitely succeed!"
Shen Wen pouted disapprovingly, and Ji Wenzhao geared up: "I have to do what I like, first win the trust of the emperor!" He asked the fourth prince: "What does the third prince like? Does he like playing chess?"
The fourth prince shook his head: "No, he... I heard that he likes swords, you can find some swords and something for him, he will like it."
Ji Wenzhao touched his chin: "Don't tell me, I really read a book about swords, called Qiankun Weapons Book, I can tell you about it, tell me what the third prince might like, I'll let someone go Copy a piece or two…”
Shen Wen was not interested in Ji Wenzhao's political enthusiasm, so he jumped out of the car and helped Su Wanniang cook.
In fact, the fourth prince thought about what Shen Wen said in his heart, and he didn't bother to think about it any more. He would rather go to Su Wanniang's side. This kind of arduous task of changing the world is really not what a person like him wants to do. But Ji Wenzhao was not afraid of hardships, and began to talk about his grand ideas. As a chess player, Ji Daguo respected him and often played chess with him. At this time, he had to borrow an ear.
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In Pingyuanhou's mansion in the capital, Pingyuanhou flipped through several secret letters repeatedly, frowning slightly. After Zhang Yunzheng and the others entered the disaster-stricken area, they disappeared. Marquis Pingyuan felt a little regretful that he hadn't established an information point earlier, otherwise he would have known about their movements at this time. But he also knew that in a famine year, disasters and chaos abounded, how could the transmission of information be guaranteed? Even if there is a stronghold, it cannot be protected...
Marquis Pingyuan sighed, and picked up another piece of paper, which was written by Zhang Yunming, saying that he was coming back.
This is another thing that made Ping Yuanhou angry: Zhang Yunming just opened his mouth and said it without asking himself if he agreed! The mansion is surrounded by the emperor's eyeliner, who are on the alert, just waiting for his son to cast a trap. It's all right, what is he doing back here? ! Ping Yuanhou suspected that Zhang Yunming had heard the news that the fifth princess had become a monk. Although Zhang Yunming is not so much more mature than Zhang Yunzheng, but he is still young at heart after all, he probably wants to come back to meet the fifth princess...
Marquis Pingyuan shook his head, ready to have someone bring a letter to Zhang Yunming, not allowing him to return to Beijing!
He had dealt with the matter almost, and when it was time for dinner, Marquis Pingyuan went to have dinner with Mrs. Li. Mrs. Li, Zhang Yunjin and Zhang Yunzhao were already waiting at the table. Since Miss Shen came, Zhang Yunjin had eaten and slept well again, and recovered her health. Zhang Yunzhao blushed from practicing martial arts, and looked stronger than before.
After the two children were greeted, people began to serve the dishes. Zhang Yunzhao stared at the dishes, obviously hungry. Eagerly waiting for Marquis Pingyuan to put down the chopsticks so that he could start eating.
Mrs. Li said to Zhang Yunzhao: "Son, don't stare like that."
Zhang Yunjin usually eats by himself in the yard, but Li Shi was afraid that she would not eat well, so he let her come over and eat under his nose. Hearing what his mother said, Zhang Yunjin looked at Zhang Yunzhao with a smile: "That's right, isn't that like a little beggar?"
Mentioning beggars, Ping Yuanhou thought that Zhang Yunzheng was in the disaster area right now, and the clothes he prepared were in the style of refugees.
Mrs. Li glanced at Ping Yuanhou. The two husbands and wives for more than 20 years had a telepathy, and she also began to feel depressed.
After the meal, Mrs. Li found a time when no one was around, and asked Marquis Pingyuan: "Those two... What's the news?"
Marquis Ping Yuan didn't want to make Li Shi worry, so he replied: "Well, it's okay..." Li Shi's fingers tightened while holding the silk. Marquis Pingyuan suddenly noticed wrinkles around Li Shi's eyes, his beautiful and tense face relaxed a little, and his chest felt a little sentimental, he really wanted to make Li Shi happy, so he said: "Da Lang, he said he would come back..."
Li's eyes suddenly lit up: "Really?!" But then she quickly said: "No! Go and have someone tell him not to come back! It's not safe here!" After she finished speaking, there were tears in her eyes Light.
Although it's not uncommon to see Li's tears in recent years, Ping Yuanhou can't take it lightly, and impulsively said: "It's okay, I will arrange it." He found a reason for himself in his heart and said, Zhang Yunming The kind of people who are obedient and obedient will probably not listen to themselves. What's more, he might be on the road at this time. When the time comes, arrange for servants to intercept Zhang Yunming outside the capital and take him to one of Li's villages, as long as he doesn't enter the city.
Instead of being happy, Mrs. Li cried, "Really want to come back? Or don't come back... I'm afraid..."
Marquis Pingyuan repeatedly comforted him: "Don't let him enter the city, only outside the city. You have so many Zhuangzi, they can't control every one of them."
Li Shi stopped crying and muttered: "I have to prepare something for him..."
Ping Yuanhou hurriedly said: "Nothing is needed."
Mrs. Li began to yearn: "I haven't seen you for so long, do you think he will grow taller like that child?"
Ping Yuanhou twitched his lips: "He has grown up a long time ago, not like that kid!"
When Zhang Yunzheng was mentioned, Li Shi became worried again: "I've always felt a little uncomfortable recently, and I miss him very much. That kid is straightforward and likes to offend people. This time when he went out, Da Lang didn't follow him. You won't fight with people on the road, will you?"
Marquis Pingyuan knew that Zhang Yunzheng was going with the second lady of Zhenbeihou's mansion, and seeing Zhang Yunzheng's careful preparation for this journey, that boy probably wouldn't make a fuss in front of that girl, so he chose words to comfort Mrs. Li: " There are very stable people with him, so he shouldn't be allowed to get into trouble."
Li was surprised: "Really? He doesn't even listen to your words, and someone can make him not get into trouble?"
Ping Yuanhou was also a little unbalanced, coughed and said: "This little brat, has grown up."
Lee said: "As long as it keeps him safe, we will thank him in the future."
Ping Yuanhou answered vaguely.
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The prince has recently felt the coldness in the court.
In the past, whenever he had a suggestion, there would always be officials from the Lu family to help him. As soon as he was more critical of the third prince, someone would add bricks and tiles over there. But now, when he speaks, there is no one to answer him! The room of His Royal Highness looked very empty, and the prince had the illusion that he was standing naked in front of everyone.
For a day or two, he thought it was just a coincidence, but after three days, he knew that it was Lu's intention to snub him!
The prince felt angry from the bottom of his heart: what are you? ! How dare you treat me like this? ! Bengong will be the emperor in the future! Can destroy all of you! But then, he was gripped by fear.
After speaking again and being rejected by others, the prince fell silent in the hall. And the third prince said as always: "Father, the disaster is serious now, and the people are displaced. It is just time to recruit refugees and form reserve soldiers..."
In the past, the prince's civil servants would jump out and say: His Highness the Third Highness is poor, if he gathers refugees, it will be a serious disaster...
But now, the upward voice said: "What His Highness the Third Prince said is reasonable..." "I heard that Chen Bing on the border of Beirong, this matter should not be underestimated..."
After this matter was finished, someone unexpectedly said: "His Royal Highness, the third prince, is getting old. The man should be married when he is a man, and the woman should be married when he is a woman. Don't go against the custom. We should discuss marriage matters..."
Cold sweat dripped from the prince's armpits. For a moment, his heart beat extremely fast, and he felt his face start to heat up, but then, his heart beat slowed down again. His whole body was cold, and he shivered unconsciously.
After the end of court, he returned to the East Palace, managed to summon a few confidantes and sent away those suspicious eunuchs and maids, the prince asked in a low voice: "What's going on?! Why did someone mention the third prince's marriage? !" If the third prince marries a wife and has children...
A person finally summoned up his courage and said: "A month ago, Third Prince Shen from the Zhenbeihou Mansion and the Third Prince went out of the city together, and someone heard them say that the Third Prince confirmed his marriage to Miss Shen from the Zhenbei Hou Mansion. Therefore, some There are rumors that someone is about to write a letter to the emperor to allow her to marry... "
The prince slapped the table: "Shameless! How dare they respond to him like this!"
An aide hurriedly comforted: "Your Highness, don't worry, now, the emperor doesn't want the third prince to marry Miss Shen, lest the third prince's side grow too big and out of control. So, if the third prince really believes in Miss Shen, His Highness doesn't have to worry about it." , the emperor will definitely not agree."
The prince clenched his fists: "Then he'd better keep being so stubborn! Don't change his mind!"
Thinking about Chen Bing at the border, the prince asked, "Why hasn't there been any letter from the north? What happened to the fourth princess? How many people have you sent?"
The aide said: "There are already seven groups of people."
The prince had a very bad feeling in his heart, but there was also a faint excitement.
An aide whispered, "Our envoys haven't returned yet. Is it possible that something happened?"
Another staff member said: "If something happens, it will prove that Bei Rong has indeed harbored unruly intentions, but in that case, the fourth princess will..." More bad luck than good luck.
The crown prince felt bitterness and hope rushing into his heart at the same time, wanting to cry and laugh, he said after a long time: "Send someone again, separate for ten days, keep sending until someone comes back!"
Everyone seemed to be quiet for a while, and an aide carefully asked: "Your Highness, can we reconcile with the Crown Princess?"
The prince asked anxiously: "What's the matter?!"