The emperor looked at Zhou Shuren approvingly, "Last year, many people in our country starved to death due to food shortages. I am very sad. This year, the whole country is frugal just to save food for the people. As Marquis Zhou said, our country can't give much food."
So first come first served, don't hesitate.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, feeling excited. Why? Because the envoys from more than a dozen countries spoke Chinese, so there was no need for translation this time. It was obvious that they had studied Chinese very diligently in recent years.
The only thing that made him unhappy was that envoys from various countries still used their own country's language when communicating with each other.
The emperor is sitting on the Diaoyutai, these days, whoever has food and absolute weapons is the boss. The emperor is not in a hurry. If it weren't for the envoys from various countries urging him, he would have wanted to delay for some time.
Old Lord Wen was depressed. The emperor trusted Zhou Shuren too much, and the tacit understanding between the monarch and his subjects made him feel powerless. He really didn't understand. There were many talented people in the court, but the emperors of two dynasties only valued Zhou Shuren. No, there was also the prince. The prince was very diligent in going to the Ministry of Revenue. He was so diligent that he wanted to go to the Ministry of Revenue to block the prince. Just thinking about it made him want to vomit blood.
The prince took a hint from his father and stepped forward, "My Lords, the people of all countries are waiting for food to save their lives."
There was sarcasm in Zhou Shuren's eyes. Some countries are for the people, while others are for the powerful. The grain they get in return is divided up layer by layer, and very little remains in the hands of the people. In the end, the people still have to rely on themselves.
Zhou Shuren took over the conversation and said alarmist things, "Everything is possible only if we are alive. If we really wait until the starving people riot, I'm afraid it will be difficult to return home."
Everyone in the hall wanted to look at Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren smiled slightly, as if the dangerous remarks just now were not made by him.
The emperor clenched his palms, and he thought of his father's dream again. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Only when the people live in peace and security can the imperial power be stable. He was not afraid. With Zhou Shuren, the imperial power was now very stable.
The envoys from various countries' ambitious hearts to argue were pierced and they instantly lost their momentum. Some of them were even very anxious, which showed that the ruling authorities had oppressed and enslaved the people.
Everything went smoothly afterwards. With someone taking the lead, people started choosing the supplies they wanted to exchange, and some people still needed to think about leaving the palace.
The emperor was not satisfied, "They actually exchanged rice, flour and other fine grains for coal, but not a single one for minerals."
Mr. Wen, "The initiative is in our hands. The only thing we can exchange for coal is coarse grain."
Zhou Shuren didn't interrupt and let others discuss the rest of the matter.
At Prince Liang’s Mansion, Rongchuan brought his son to see Prince Liang.
King Liang was extremely surprised, "Why did you come back?"
This man had suffered in his childhood, and now he has regained all the wealth and prosperity he lacked before. He couldn't help but feel that Rongchuan was so lucky.
Rong Chuan, "I'm idle at home anyway, so I want to go out for a walk. Fourth brother also knows that I went to the grassland. A lot of things happened in the grassland. I should have gone to the battlefield, but in the end Fourth brother went there. I never had the chance to listen to him talk about the battlefield, so now I brought my son here to listen."
King Liang did not think much about it. Although he was not in the capital, he also knew the difficulties of dividing the grassland. This man went on a killing spree and came back to cultivate himself in the temple. "If you don't find it annoying, I will be happy to talk about it."
Ze'er smiled and said, "Fourth uncle, nephew, will pour you some tea."
Prince Liang sighed, "I can still drink the tea poured by the Prince of Qin. Your other uncles must be jealous."
This man is the emperor's beloved grandson. Although they are all grandsons of the emperor, they are divided into different levels according to the emperor's preference. It is difficult for his son to see his father, and even at family dinners, the emperor will not pay attention to him.
Ze'er, "My nephew is a junior, and it is the duty of the junior to pour tea for the elders."
Prince Liang felt sad because this was the grandson that his father had brought up and taught, and his father's heart was all for the legitimate son.
Rongchuan sensed his fourth brother's emotions but said nothing. The legitimate and illegitimate children were always at odds with each other, and he would not try to comfort his brother, who was too fake.
King Liang's emotions soon faded, and he talked about what he encountered on the battlefield in Northeast China. "The artillery was so powerful that it took away many lives like minced meat. The scene at that time was very shocking."
When he used the artillery, he was also shocked for a long time.
King Liang really had no one to talk to, so it was rare for Rong Chuan to come to see him. They talked for a long time and expressed a lot of their thoughts. "If I were not in poor health, I would definitely build up the Northeast before coming back."
Rongchuan just smiled and said, "Stop dreaming. If you still want to build it well, your brother will not agree. "Now there are more and more foreign people gathering at the border. It will be a problem sooner or later. It's better to solve it early to avoid trouble later."
After a pause, he continued, "There are unusual movements in the two countries on the northeastern border."
When Prince Liang heard this, he narrowed his eyes. This news had not spread widely, which showed that it was a secret. The emperor really trusted his brother. He lowered his eyes and said, "Have some tea."
Rongchuan achieved the purpose of this trip and clinked his glasses with a smile.
At the Wu residence, Zhulan received the news and came to see Song Lan, "Is the child okay?"
The frost on Song Lan's face disappeared, "Old Madam, you are here. I am sorry to have worried you."
Zhulan's hand had already touched the child's forehead. This was Wu Ming's youngest son. "How could a healthy child fall down?"
Song Lan wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "This child is playful. He wanted to go out in the middle of winter. I didn't keep an eye on him for a while, and he fell down the stairs. Fortunately, he knew to protect his head and wore the thick cotton pants you sent him, so he was not injured or frightened."
Zhulan's heart was pounding. She liked Wu Ming's legitimate youngest son very much. He was strong and sturdy. The child was also diligent in coming to the Zhou Mansion. He hurried over when he heard that he was injured. However, she was not Wu Ming's mother after all. "The affairs of this mansion are still left to you."
Song Lan was furious. She didn't take the concubine seriously, even if she was given to Wu Ming by someone else. As long as she had a son in her heart, it was enough. She didn't treat the concubine harshly when she was pregnant. There was no need. She was too kind. "I'm sorry to have made you worry."
"What does the doctor say?"
"I've already taken some soothing medicine. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."
Zhulan touched the child's cheek, her little face was warm, "If it really doesn't work, send the two children to the Marquis' Mansion."
Song Lan planned to do so, but she didn't want to say it out loud first. After all, she was not the mother-in-law. She also wanted to send the child back to her parents' home, but sending the child back to her parents' home would be a big deal. "Thank you, godmother."
"What's the trouble? There are many children at home, and it's just right for them to play together."
Zhulan was about to leave after agreeing to send the child over tomorrow. She was here to see the child, but just as she put on her cloak and before she walked out, she heard someone shouting outside, "Madam, help me, Madam, help me."
Bamboo orchid, "... "
The old lady must be calling her! Although she wanted to watch the fight up close, she didn't want to get involved because of her status.
Song Lan's face turned dark. How many people in this mansion had been bribed? How could they be so well-informed
Zhulan cleared her throat and said, "I'm not going out for now."
She could still hear the shouting. What a bad old woman! Why doesn’t she cover her mouth