In the first year of Yong'an, the new emperor opened Enke, and students from all over the country flocked to the capital.
The excitement diluted the sorrow of the late emperor's funeral, and street vendors and markets reappeared, but the fireworks place was still quite deserted.
At the same time, carriages from vassal countries moved into the inn under the arrangement of Honglu Temple.
Those people in Beirong spoke stammeringly, which made the people in Honglu Temple feel headaches just listening to them.
"What a coincidence, they actually bumped into each other."
Fu You'an couldn't help but sigh. It was Enke and a foreign guest. No wonder the courtiers had lost a lot of weight. The old guy, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, cried six or seven times in front of him.
But understanding is understanding, and what needs to be done must still be done.
"Tell someone to keep an eye on that side of the inn," Fu Youan added.
"Is the Emperor worried?"
"It's more than just worry."
Fu Youan sneered. Those ambitious guys who came to court this time must be here to test.
At this juncture, Beirong cannot show any weakness.
"Then let's keep them cold for a while, wait for Enke, and then we can have a banquet together."
Qiao Chen made a suggestion, and Fu Youan agreed.
So those foreigners who had just arrived in the capital were left in the cold at the inn. But Fu Youan was cold to them, and they could not be cold to this group of capital officials.
Princes, nobles, officials, big and small, and even the harem all gave a gift.
Shen Jiao is the only one in the harem now. I guess those people heard that Shen Jiao was very favored, so the gifts they gave her were quite big.
Looking at the precious stones and colored glass in the wooden box in front of her, as well as a flower-and-bird clock, Shen Jiao said softly, "She's quite good at being a human being."
He was bleeding profusely as soon as he entered Beijing, so he must be planning something big!
Shen Jiao fiddled with the wings of the blue bird on the clock, "It's quite exquisite. I heard that the person who gave the gift is from Takla?"
"really."
"The Takla clan, good at horses, a group of rough prairie men, why did they bring a clock?"
"It's just foreign stuff. We have been doing business with the outside world for several years and have opened up sea trade. It's normal to buy and sell some things to each other."
Fu You'an walked in and listened to Shen Jiao's question, so he answered, and then continued, "Takla came here because he wanted to be exempted from this year's annual tribute."
"Crying too much?"
"Hmm. If you are so poor, why would you be so generous with gifts? I think you are saving money secretly and want to go back to Nancheng."
Fu Youan snorted disdainfully.
Nancheng was originally Takla's territory. In the past few years, it invaded Beirong and was occupied by Fu Youan's army. Over the years, he has not given up and tried every means to get Nancheng back.
But when it comes to the territory in Fu Youan's hands, it can't be taken away so easily.
Fu Youan walked up behind Shen Jiao and hugged her waist, "Jiaojiao has collected a lot of good things these days."
"Yes~"
Shen Jiao leaned her head back slightly, "I still rely on You'an's strength, otherwise how would I get so many good things."
"Do you like Jiaojiao?"
"like."
"Then let them come twice a year from now on."
Shen Jiao immediately became happy. Sheeping wool was not such a good way to do it. "Then you will be scolded to death by them."
There will be heavy bleeding once and for all. No matter how much money you have, you can't lose like this.
"I don't care about the reputation."
Can fame be eaten?
Fu Youan obviously doesn't want fame, he wants money. Only with money can he support the army, ensure people's livelihood, and stabilize the country.
Therefore, he did not believe what the civil servants in the court said, "Money is something external to one's body."
If it was really something external to the body, then why would it be a salary?
If everyone really works hard for nothing, they will starve to death sooner or later, or Beirong will be disbanded within a year.
"The courtiers also received a lot of gifts, right?"
Although Shen Jiao's words were a question, her expression was very determined.
Fu Youan nodded lightly, "Normal."
"Do you still plan to follow the original rules and let them return home with a lot of rewards?"
"They are running high and low and sending me their country's worthless things. Why should I let them return home with a full load and make myself suffer losses?"
Fu Youan has no intention of doing such a stupid thing.
Shen Jiao saw that he knew what he was thinking, so she didn't mention it again. Instead, she raised her hand and touched his cheek, "My eyes are dark. Let's go to bed early tonight."
"That……"
"Don't touch me."
Fu Youan looked slightly depressed, "We are just newly married."
Shen Jiao bent her knuckles and tapped his head, "Don't worry, let's wait until you finish your work. I'm serious, otherwise you will move to Qinzheng Palace tonight."
"You're driving me away?"
Fu Youan stared slightly and looked at Shen Jiao unhappily, his hand not forgetting to hold her tight.
"I'm not driving you away, I'm just letting you have a good rest."
Shen Jiao quickly coaxed Fu Youan.
Fortunately, Fu Youan was still very coaxable in front of Shen Jiao. After a few words, he smiled again and led her to eat.
This time Enke opened with great fanfare, and not surprisingly, many of the applicants were from Jiangnan.
Literary styles have always been popular in the Jiangnan area, while students from the North are slightly behind.
After the palace examination, the new imperial examination candidates attended the night banquet of the day together with the subjects.
Fu Youan and Shen Jiao arrived a little later. When they arrived, the palace was already in a commotion, with humans, ghosts, and snakes mixed in, making it hard to understand.
Shen Jiao's eyes moved slightly and she whispered: "I'm afraid it won't be peaceful tonight."
"So Jiaojiao must be careful later. Although I have made adequate preparations, it is difficult to prevent anything from happening." Fu Youan also whispered.
Shen Jiao gently squeezed Fu Youan's palm, "Don't worry, I will protect you."
When Fu Youan heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry for a moment.
He needed Jiaojiao's protection in the past because he was poisoned and couldn't use his martial arts. Now it was naturally his turn to protect Jiaojiao.
However, Fu You'an saw that Shen Jiao was interested, so he naturally let her go and said in a deliberately weak tone, "Then I'll rely on Jiao Jiao."
Just do it.
He will definitely have an in-depth communication with Jiaojiao tonight, so thank you Jiaojiao!
When he stood in front of the people, Fu Youan still held Shen Jiao's hand, but his face was not as gentle as before. His eyes glanced downward, looking a little scary.
For a moment, the entire palace fell silent.
Shen Jiao beside him looked at Jiaojiao as weak, but her eyes were no weaker than Fu Youan's.
When the ministers of the vassal country who came to worship saw this, they felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Of course they don't want another wise emperor to emerge from Beirong, otherwise they will be suppressed and unable to stand up.
But Fu Youan...
Thinking of the losses I suffered at the hands of Fu Youan in the past few years, no matter how I looked at this man, he didn't look like a foolish king!
Fu You'an ignored the ministers who had different thoughts and just encouraged the new imperial examination candidates with a few words, and then listened to the chamberlain read about the gifts sent by the vassal country.
Shen Jiao looked down from time to time, with a look of scrutiny in her eyes, which was so sharp that it made people feel panicked.
Especially those who had ulterior motives in their hearts were even more panicked.
As for the singing and dancing in the palace, or the competition between the officials of the vassal country and the candidates of the new imperial examination, she didn't care at all.
She had seen too much, and this little fuss could not enter her eyes at all.
But apart from that, Shen Jiao also paid attention to Fu Youan.
When she looked at Fu Youan, her eyes were obviously much softer and sticky, like scooping out a spoonful of honey and pulling on the golden sweet strands.