"Father, calm down," the prince said in a slightly cold voice, "Jingzhou is indeed barren and basically empty. It is understandable that General Zhou and Prime Minister Qi are reluctant to let their children go. At this time, the emperor's beheading of Zhou Zonghan may chill the hearts of many scholars."
"Then what do you say?" The emperor's question was obviously angry.
"Father, why don't you dismiss him from his official position on the grounds of poor health, and since you don't want to go to Jingzhou, let him live as a commoner, Father, it's not worth being angry about him."
The emperor took two deep breaths, and said to the two trembling veterans on the ground: "Since the prince intercedes, listen to the prince. You two go down too. If it happens again, I will see if I will change my mind and not kill you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."
General Zhou and Prime Minister Qi kowtowed and left. The emperor was still a little angry, so he asked, "Zhou Xu, Zhou Zonghan is your elder brother, don't you know about this?"
Zhou Xu shook his head and said, "I really don't know."
The crown prince interjected: "Zhou Zonghan is the son of General Zhou and his concubine's room. I have seen him once or twice, but this person is indeed unavailable."
"Why?"
The prince then told the story of the day when Zhou Zonghan said bad things about Zhou Xu. He didn't add any details, but just repeated Zhou Zonghan's original words to the emperor.
The emperor shook his head, sighed and said, "Well, if you treat your brothers like this, you may do something like fish and meat in the future."
This day, Zhou Xu was still having dinner in the Prince's East Palace. During the meal, Zhou Xu's slender eyebrows and eyes slightly curved, "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."
"You and I don't need to say thank you, besides, I don't like Zhou Zonghan either."
"oh?"
"Because you don't like it. But why don't you just let the emperor kill him and keep him for what?" In fact, it was Zhou Xu who sent Zhou Zonghan to Jingzhou. He mentioned it in front of the prince, but he didn't expect the prince to It really did.
Zhou Xu smiled lightly and didn't speak, because Zhou Xu knew that Qi Lan was a time-traveling girl who would make a lot of money with Zhou Zonghan, and two years later, there would be floods in the south, and then there would be a terrible plague, and at that time, He wants Qi Lan and Zhou Zonghan to take out all the money and use it to help the people.
Of course, Zhou Xu himself will also be in business in the past two years. After all, he doesn't want to be too stretched when the time comes.
Zhou Zonghan didn't expect that it turned out that he had been dismissed before he took office, but at this time he had nowhere to cry.
Prime Minister Qi has completely severed ties with Qi Lan now, and General Zhou didn't like him in the first place, so he did a lot for him this time, but in the end, he and Prime Minister Qi were made to look old together, so Zhou Zonghan only I can nestle at home and sigh a long time.
A few days later, Zhou Xu felt that the time was almost up, so he found someone to quietly pass a message to Zhou Yong. General Zhou who knew the news was furious because he knew that Zhou Zonghan secretly kept the child, and it was almost two years old.
In a rage, General Zhou drove Zhou Zonghan out of Zhou's house angrily, and the resentment in Zhou Zonghan's heart finally overwhelmed him.
Seeing Zhou Zonghan who was throwing things madly, Qi Lan wondered for the first time whether she married the right person or the wrong one? Could it be that the husband she wanted was this man who depended on begging and charity for everything
So what about Jingzhou, she is willing to go to suffer with him, why is he a big man but not willing
So what if they are dismissed from office, they can do business and farm, why does it seem like the sky is falling to Zhou Zonghan
So what if they were kicked out of Zhou's house, they couldn't survive, why Zhou Zonghan could use this as an excuse to destroy their current small family
Holding her son who was about to come back, Qi Lan's disappointment was written on his face.
At the beginning of time travel, she thought that she was the sweet daughter of the sky, and she didn't bother with the concubine. She felt that everyone was equal, and she even preferred the concubine in her heart, because she thought that the concubine would treat her better because of her status as the granddaughter of Prime Minister Qi. , but the result
The reality gave her a loud slap in the face. She went to ask her natal family again and again for Zhou Zonghan, for Zhou Zonghan to give her child to others, and even for Zhou Zonghan's so-called "I can't stand it anymore, I like you too much" and agreed. His practice of consummating the house before marriage.
In the final analysis, many of her beliefs are actually unworkable in this ancient world that has existed for hundreds of years. It is as if the legitimate sons of this world are valued more than the concubine sons. Similarly, most legitimate sons are more important than the concubine sons. Temperament and self-cultivation, at least, because the requirements are different, the education they receive is different.
But she is already married, so what
At this moment, Qi Lan finally realized that she really couldn't do many things from the perspective of modern women. For example, if she was in modern times, she could get divorced, but what about in ancient times? There is only one talk about divorce, but who can live a good life after being divorced
Swallowing the pain in her heart, Qi Lan softly comforted Zhou Zonghan: "Husband, let's go into business. I can make hot pot, clothes, and jewelry. Our life will not be bitter..."
Zhou Zonghan, who crazily dropped things for a long time, finally calmed down. He stared blankly at Qi Lan, hugged her for the last time, and whispered: "Lan'er, I was wrong, I was just too angry, and I will Don't lose your temper like this again. Lan'er, I only have you now, Lan'er... "
Qi Lan was hugged by Zhou Zonghan and wanted to cry, but she couldn't cry anymore, because she found out that Zhou Zonghan's routine was to get angry, throw things, hug her, and beg for forgiveness. It was like this every time, every time...
Patting Zhou Zonghan on the back, Qi Lan said: "Husband, I still have a little dowry, we sell it, and then go to the city to open a hot pot restaurant. When the hot pot restaurant grows bigger and rich, I will open it again." A fashion design building."
Qi Lan used to study clothing tailoring and design, so she is very confident in this aspect. The reason why she chose to open a hot pot restaurant first is because she thought that ordinary food shops would not lose money, but clothing design requires a little Word of mouth, it is impossible to make a profit within a year.
"Hot pot restaurant?"
"Yes, hot pot is a very popular way of eating in Sichuan and Sichuan. I'll make it for you to try next time. If you think it's delicious, how about we start?"
"Well, I listen to you, Lan'er."
Qi Lan nodded and didn't say anything. She had indeed listened to her, so what's the use of having such a husband
Because of this husband, she was accused by thousands of people and kicked out by her natal family, and now she has to sell the last bit of her dowry, which is really ridiculous.
In fact, Zhou Zonghan in the previous life was similar, and he succeeded with the help of Qi Lan. Unfortunately, in this life, Zhou Xu is not the original Zhou Xu, but Zhou Zonghan is still the same Zhou Zonghan who has no ideas but only has a temper.
Qi Lan's hot pot restaurant opened quickly, and Zhou Xu didn't oppose her, but secretly asked people to start a business of desserts and cakes. The newly built annexes were all built by Zhou Xu's architects, and in the end Zhou Xu even made a big deal, opening a bank.
In the first year, the bank was only opened in the capital, and in the second year, there were Zhou Xu's banks in more than a dozen major cities across the country.
In the third year, the bank's business was very good. In October of the same year, there was a flood in the south, and hungry people were everywhere.
At this time, the emperor's health is getting worse and worse. The affairs of the court are basically controlled by the prince and the third prince. The two are evenly matched. Not surprisingly, the throne must belong to the crown prince.
That's why the third prince started to worry, because no one knows whether the emperor will die in the next moment, and when the emperor dies, it is only natural for the prince to ascend the throne. If the prince has already ascended the throne, and he seizes the throne again, then It was a crime of treason, so he would definitely make a move before the emperor died, and he also saw this opportunity to make a move, that is, he would definitely try to get the prince to go to the south for disaster relief and let him die in another place.
The food funds for disaster relief were allocated, but one month later, the disaster situation in the south became more serious, and a new epidemic was even added: the plague.
People in the south were panicked, and people in the capital were also panicked, because the treasury was short of money, and the emperor issued a command, hoping to gather all kinds of forces to help the south.
At this time, Zhou Xu was no longer in the Imperial Academy, but went to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the fundraising matters in the capital happened to be handed over to Zhou Xu.
In fact, Zhou Xu didn't pay much attention at first, until he personally went to Jiangnan, and after returning, Zhou Xu began to raise funds with all his heart.
What does it mean to live in dire straits, what does it mean to be overwhelmed by mourning? People who have never seen such a scene really cannot understand.
Jiangnan's leaflets about how severe the disaster are are being sent to the capital every day, but the funds raised have not been enough. Those funds, add and add, are only three million taels.
But less and less, at least rescue the emergency first, after all, winter is coming, when the time comes, under the double oppression of hunger and cold, millions of starving people may become millions of rebels, so although the emperor is not in good health, he still supports it. Get up and discuss disaster relief matters with everyone.
During the discussion, one of the three princes proposed to ask the prince to go to the disaster relief in person, but the prince's faction naturally disagreed, and the two factions quarreled fiercely. In the end, the prince, who had been silent all along, said, "Father, the child volunteers to go to the disaster relief."
After the prince finished speaking, someone came out to dissuade him: "Your Highness, this is not an easy matter. If the hungry people want to be full, how can this three million taels be possible? If you want to keep warm, you need to have four million taels." , but there is still a big gap in the funds raised. At that time, if there is a riot of hungry people, the consequences will be disastrous, and His Royal Highness, please think twice."
"That's right, His Royal Highness, now the emperor needs to recuperate physically, and His Royal Highness needs to take care of the government affairs, how can you go to the disaster relief at this time, besides, disaster relief, how can you come back in a day or two, at least one or two months, at least a year, His Royal Highness, please think twice."
…
Someone from the third prince's group wanted to come out to speak, but the prince turned his palms to silence everyone and said, "Father, but can I ask you for someone?"
"explain."
"Zhou Shilang, he has always been my best friend. I need someone to discuss with me. Zhou Shilang can also help me manage the disaster relief money, in case there are moths in the middle who are greedy for the country's money."
"Oh, I knew you would let Zhou Shilang accompany you. Originally, I wanted him to stay and help the third child. Forget it, I'd better go with you and remember to come back safely."
"It's the royal father."
Zhou Xu kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Majesty Long En."
Zhou Xu and the crown prince looked at each other again above the main hall, and the corner of Zhou Xu's mouth curled slightly, as if he had expected the crown prince to do so.
In fact, Zhou Xu really expected it, because after the past two years, he has already figured out the prince's temperament, which is basically the same as his lover in the previous two worlds, that is: if you want to tie Zhou Xu to the waistband, you will never marry him. Let Zhou Xu leave their side. As for the others, Zhou Xu doesn't care, and they don't even care.
But before going to Jiangnan, Zhou Xu had to do a few things.
Late at night, in Zhou Xu's room, Zhou Xu asked Ye Qi: "Who is the most powerful among the prince's dark guards?"
"I."
"Okay, let's get rid of you first, you have to protect the prince. What about the second?"
"Nine at night."
"Where are the normal guards, who is the most powerful?"
"White pine."
"Okay, you can go back and ask the prince to give me Ye Jiu and Bai Song."
"yes."
Zhou Xu wanted these two not for others, but for his elder brother Zhou Yang, because in the past two years, he had already found out some clues, that is, the person who wanted to harm him was in this Zhou family, and Zhou Xu also He has already guessed a rough idea, but there is no evidence, so he can only secretly protect this brother who is too gentle.
This matter was easily resolved, and then Zhou Xu went to Zhou Zonghan's house. At this time, Zhou Zonghan was the number one merchant in the capital. It may be a bit false to say that he is rich, but half the national treasury is really worth it.
Qi Lan is very business-minded. She opened one family after another in Hot Pot City, and the clothing design shops only follow the high-end route. After two and a half years, the two of them have accumulated a lot of wealth. However, for the donation from the South, they only gave Fifty taels.
In fact, the two of them didn't want to give them their private property, and Zhou Xu really had no excuse to ask for it. However, after seeing the difficulties in the south, Zhou Xu felt that he could do anything.
After leaving the Zhou Mansion for more than two years, it is not an exaggeration for the current Zhou Zonghan to say that he is rich and unkind.
Zhou Zonghan was actually very disgusted with going into business at the beginning, but the business of the hot pot restaurant turned out to be extremely hot, which gave him a new sense of accomplishment, especially after seeing so much money falling into his pocket.
Zhou Zonghan, who never knew what it means to do whatever he wants, has really started to do whatever he wants. He bought more than fifty maidservants in one go to serve him, and he also bought more than forty servants. I even started to visit brothels, especially the most beautiful in the capital: Chen Mudan.
Qi Lan once took care of it, but couldn't take care of it. Later, she just ignored it. Anyway, her heart died, because Zhou Zonghan's excuse for rebutting was too simple: "What's wrong with a man who has three wives and four concubines, Lan'er, you will always be my wife."
Zhou Zonghan's words seemed gentle, but in fact he stabbed Qi Lan's heart with a knife.
Qi Lan is a modern woman, and the word "principal wife" really chilled her, so she simply stopped caring about Zhou Zonghan, and she was only in charge of her own clothing business.
When Zhou Zonghan saw Zhou Xu, his face darkened in an instant, but Zhou Xu smiled slightly and said, "Long time no see, Mr. Zhou."
"What's the matter with you, Zhou Xu, I don't seem to have any relationship with your Zhou family now."
"Yes, I have something to do. I want to ask you to donate more money to the south. You also know that the treasury of our country is a little short of money when there is a flood in the south."
"Hmph, you won't be allowed to make the decision. I said no, can you still grab it?"
"The disaster victims in the south are all suffering, Mr. Zhou, are you not giving me face, or are you not giving face to the people in the south?"
"All the people in the south are starving to death, and it has nothing to do with me. They all got the plague, and it has nothing to do with me. It's ridiculous. Zhou Xu, please go back."
"All the disaster victims in the south starved to death, and it has nothing to do with you? Hmph, with just one sentence, I can give you a death sentence." A slightly old voice sounded, and a person walked out from behind Zhou Xu. It's just that he was wearing a commoner suit, and on the left and right sides of the emperor were the crown prince and the third prince.
Zhou Zonghan's eyes were dull, and he knelt down silently, "Cao Min sees the emperor."