In the first year of Yongning, the emperor of the Qianyuan Empire passed away, and the temple was named Daozong.
After several months of turmoil, the eldest prince Wenyou was crowned Dabao and became the new generation successor of the empire.
According to logic, after the new emperor ascends the throne, he should change his reign name, which is called Gaiyuan.
In the imperial court, there were ups and downs due to the reform of the Yuan Dynasty, and there was never a precise tone.
It was only recently decided that the new year would be changed to "Xuanhe", which is known in history as "the first year of Xuanhe".
Xuanhe is similar to Yongning, both of which mean praying for good weather and peace for the country and the people.
The little emperor had no right to speak. Under the arrangement of Prime Minister Yuwen, he passively knocked down the seals one by one to ensure the basic operation of the empire.
As the position of the Queen Mother of Yan, who listened to the affairs behind the curtain, became more and more stable, she was unequivocal and powerful in the palace. Every time she looked at the court, the curtain was hung behind the throne, and all political affairs, big and small, were foreseen.
The Empress Dowager Yan was a strong person. Although she said several times that "I have no place for my old age, the prime minister must make the decision." However, in the court, how could it be that the scholars had the final say?
With the return of General Yang Ming, although General Yang Ming is not as strong as before, he is still a general, and his long-term reputation has given him a high status in the hearts of the warriors in the city of God.
Above the court, the clan group headed by Lieutenant Rong gradually showed its prominence with the support of the Queen Mother Yan.
After a period of confrontation, a three-legged situation gradually formed between Yu Wenji, Rong Taiwei, and Yang Ming. Among them, Yu Wenji had the strongest say and was also the prime minister of the dynasty. He was inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people.
After the three-legged confrontation was formed, the Queen Mother of Yan gained more power, and many officials in the capital began to fall in love with the Queen Mother who listened behind the curtain.
After the Queen Mother gradually gained power, she began to enfeoff royal family members on a large scale.
Among them, the Yan clan headed by Yan Da were promoted.
Young Yan Da became the representative of the Yan clan. On the premise of becoming Zhi Jinwu, he received another reward. Now he has been named Linxiang Hou, Zhi Jinwu, and serves as a doctor. He has unparalleled power and respected status.
Several other princes and daughters of the late emperor were ennobled. The older "eldest princess" was named "Princess Anyang", the second prince Wen Yan was named "Prince Gong", and there were also some princesses and princes.
They all have enfeoffments, but most of them are still young and still live in the palace.
The two sons of the late emperor were both born to Empress Yang. Empress Yang had no desire and had withdrawn from the fight for many years. After Concubine Yan took charge of the harem, Concubine Yu and Concubine Xiao, who were originally relatively strong, also disappeared and made no sound.
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On the first day of the first year of Xuanhe, the Empress Dowager Yan convened everyone in the palace and held a dinner. All the ministers from the DPRK and the Central Government attended.
——
In the first year of Xuanhe, Youzhou Prefecture.
The new year is coming. In the past year, Youzhou Prefecture has experienced turmoil, but the overall situation is prosperous.
The leader of Youzhou Prefecture, General Pingbei Cao Su, was a hard-working warrior who attached great importance to the development of agriculture and commerce. He encouraged major families to open caravans, designated free trade zones in the city, reduced or even exempted some taxes, and promoted urban development and progress.
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Youzhou Prefecture quickly recovered its vitality, the effects of population agglomeration continued to add up, and various advantages gathered together.
The voices of support for Cao Su in the city are getting louder and louder. The major families that used to have some "criticisms" have now lost their voices and are hiding in the city to earn money in silence.
As long as these families are doing serious business, they can get support from Cao Su.
Any family that attempts to get involved in the two bottom-line indicators of "land and population" will not be treated favorably by Cao Su.
In order to please Cao Su, some families voluntarily gave up some land and population and gained more and better conveniences in the city.
Cao Su took back the land and population, further released the demographic dividend and increased food production.
The imperial court changed the year name, and the New Year atmosphere became more intense. Every household in Youzhou Mansion hung up red lanterns to celebrate the upcoming new year.
Before the Chinese New Year, Youzhou Prefecture received another heavy snowfall.
It snowed heavily for three days and three nights, from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day.
Lanterns were also hung up in the general's mansion, and two couplets were posted on the door. They were two couplets written by Pingbei General Cao Su himself -
"The majestic and loyal heart will shine forever with loyalty shining upon the sun and the moon"
"Bless the people and the country for thousands of years, and the mountains and rivers will last forever"
The strokes are vigorous and powerful, and they are hung vertically at the door. Everyone entering and leaving the general's mansion can see this couplet immediately.
When he was young, it was rare for Cao Su not to practice.
He personally held a dinner party in the general's mansion and invited everyone to attend.
At the General's Mansion dinner, officials of all sizes from Youzhou Mansion gathered together. In addition, some heads of big families also attended. This dinner was a family banquet and no official business was discussed, so everyone who came to attend could also bring their relatives.
As a result, the number of people attending the dinner may exceed a hundred people. Fortunately, the city lord's mansion occupies a very large area and can accommodate everyone.
——
An hour before the dinner, the Xiao family.
Xiao Xu, the head of the Xiao family, was sitting in the courtyard. A maid of fifteen or sixteen years old knelt down in front of him.
With tears streaming down her face, the little maid reported to the head of the family in a whimpering voice: "Master, Miss, she is still unwilling. Miss said that Cao Su is a vicious person, and she will not go to see him even if she dies."
"Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!"
Xiao Xu's face was very ugly, and he was furious after hearing such "wrong" remarks.
He slammed the stone table suddenly, pointed at the little maid and cursed: "Are you talking nonsense in front of the lady on weekdays?"
"No! It's unfair, Master!"
The little maid quickly bowed her head and complained: "It's because of the You family's affairs!"
You family?
Only then did Xiao Xu realize that the You family, one of the five major families in the past, was now reduced to ashes.
It seems that his daughter Xiao Zhuyan used to have a very good best friend who was also from the You family, but he was so busy on weekdays, how could he really pay attention to these things?
Therefore, I did not expect that my daughter would become dissatisfied with Cao Su because of the destruction of the You family.
This made him feel helpless and waved his hand slightly: "Go down and stay with the lady."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The little maid hurriedly stood up, her legs and feet were a little soft from kneeling for a long time. After bowing, she hurriedly left the courtyard.
After she left, an old man next to Xiao Xu came over: "Master, if the young lady doesn't go,"
He said with some pity: "I heard that General Pingbei held a family banquet today. It seems that he intends to select girls of the right age from the tribes in Youzhou to get married. It turns out that the young lady is of the right age, with appearance, figure, talent and learning. I want to come to Cao Cao
Su will also like it."
"It's all just speculation and has no basis."
Xiao Xu shook his head, feeling quite sorry in his heart.
The current Cao Su is different from a year ago. The current Cao Su has not only pacified Tuxian Mountain, Yangjia Mountains "Youdi Mansion", Li Xingxi and other hidden dangers, but also sorted out the economic, political and cultural development of the entire Youzhou Prefecture.
Well organized.
Everyone in the Youzhou Mansion dared not disobey, and some families that had connections with Luo Jian also silently severed ties.
And Cao Su is only twenty-one years old this year. The most shining star of the empire, the overlord of Youzhou, has a bright future.
Being related to Cao Su, this is definitely a good strategy to bring the family's strength to a new level.
I heard that several other major families will bring girls of the right age from various ethnic groups to today's dinner to see if they can create a spark of love for General Heping Bei.
But having said that, Pingbei General Cao Su never mentioned that he would choose a woman to marry.
All the rumors came out of nowhere, but everyone thought it was reasonable and reasonable. After all, General Pingbei was also twenty-one years old. From the perspective of life events, he was not young at this age.
The more Xiao Xu thought about it, the more uncomfortable he became. What if, what if, what if a daughter from another family fell in love with Cao Su?
I heard that there is a beautiful concubine in Cao Su's house. Cao Su himself should be the kind of person who loves beauties. If other families get in touch with Cao Su, with such a relationship, the Xiao family can still remain the first family in Youzhou Prefecture.
esteemed status?
His expression suddenly changed. He had already reached the door, but suddenly his expression changed and he changed direction.
"Hey, Master?"
The old man beside him was slightly startled and stepped aside.
Xiao Xu walked directly into a certain courtyard. Under the surprised eyes of the maid in the courtyard, he came directly to the door of the young lady's house.
"Hey, Master?"
The maid was anxious. Didn't she ask her to accompany the young lady? Why did the master of the house suddenly come over again?
The head of the house still looked menacing, which made her face turn pale, and she didn't dare to do anything to stop him.
The old man and others all stood outside the house. Xiao Xu walked forward and knocked on the door.
"Dong dong dong——"
"Zhuyan?"
Xiao Xu shouted in a deep voice.
However, there was no sound in the house.
Xiao Xu frowned slightly. This child is getting more and more outrageous. Now he is standing outside the door. Why don't you come out to see him?
He directly reached out and pushed open the door.
"Squeak——"
The door was unlocked, and Xiao Xu walked directly into his daughter's boudoir.
He glanced around, and his expression suddenly changed. He saw that the room surrounded by a faint fragrance was actually empty!
Zhu Yan's personal maid who followed Xiao Xu in was also stunned.
Xiao Xu suddenly turned around, his face was as gloomy as water, his eyes contained cold murderous intent, he stared at the maid, walked up to her, then raised his palm and slapped her hard.
Xiao Zhuyan's personal maid was slapped by Xiao Xu and fell to the ground. Her mouth was bleeding and her eyes were black.
"Tell me, where is Zhu Yan?"
The discerning guard also quickly pulled out his knife and put it on the maid's neck.
The maid's face was blank, her eyes were filled with tears after being slapped, and her face was swollen: "I really didn't know that the young lady was in the room all the time and never went out at all."
"Bastard thing!"
Xiao Xu was furious and wanted to beat the maid to death on the spot.
The old man next to him glanced at the guard beside him with a knowing look: "What are you still doing here? Why don't you go out and look for it?"
"Miss doesn't know martial arts, how did she escape? Someone must have helped her. Check carefully to see where she has been and who she has met recently. Don't leave anything out!"
The old man thought quickly, and after quickly making arrangements, the guards left one after another.
And he whispered next to Xiao Xu: "Master, it's almost time to leave, the dinner is about to begin."
Xiao Xu's face was very ugly. After a long time, he breathed a sigh of relief: "In the past, I indulged Zhu Yan too much, which made her lawless and dared to run away from home."
"After I find her, I must discipline her well. Even if I cannot marry General Pingbei, I will help her find another family to marry."
Xiao Xu angrily walked away, and the old man followed closely.
Another steward found someone to pick up the maid on the ground and take her to another place to prepare for severe torture.
Xiao Xu walked out of the courtyard gate and rode a carriage to the general's mansion.
General Pingbei's Mansion is located in the center of Youzhou City. The Xiao family's carriage made a "squeaking" sound as it passed through the soft snow.
Xiao Xu was sitting in the carriage and smelled the fragrance coming from the street, including sweet-scented osmanthus cake, steamed buns, rice wine and other fragrances. As night approached in Youzhou Mansion, there was more of a hint of human fireworks.
"Master, we're here."
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived outside the general's mansion.
At this time, red lanterns had been hung up in the General's Mansion, and there was a buzz of people inside and outside the mansion.
Xiao Xu got off the carriage and as soon as he stepped into the snow, he heard someone greeting him enthusiastically: "Brother Xiao, you came very early!"
Xiao Xu heard the news and turned out to be the Jiang family, one of the old families in the city.
The head of the Jiang family is a skinny old man. He wore a purple robe today, showing a bit of wealth. Looking to the side, he saw a little girl of fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a goose-yellow shirt.
Her waist was as thin as a smoked willow in early spring, and her willow eyebrows were curved, delicate and beautiful. After seeing Xiao Xu, she nervously bowed.
Xiao Xu secretly scolded Mr. Jiang for being a shameless fox.
"Brother Xiao, did you come alone?"
Old Man Jiang asked Xiao Xu with a smile, knowingly asking.
When Xiao Xu heard this, he didn't look good on him, and nodded stiffly: "Since it's a family banquet, why bother bringing so many people."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Brother Xiao is not right. General Pingbei's mansion is such a big place. Are you still afraid that General Pingbei won't have a place to sit down?" Old Man Jiang teased.
Xiao Xu looked at him for a moment, his words filled with pride.
Xiao Xu snorted coldly. In this situation, he didn't want to argue with Old Man Jiang.
The two walked forward side by side, presented a small gift that they had brought, and then walked into the general's mansion.
Pingbei General's Mansion occupies a very large area, and many banquet tables have been placed in the huge courtyard. In addition, there are specially set banquet tables in the hall. From the hall to the courtyard, there are many servants walking back and forth, placing food
, fruit and wine.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
At this time, a hearty laughter came from behind the two people.
The laughter was so wild and wild that the two of them sounded unfamiliar and turned to look back.
I saw a tall and strong man walking towards the two of them with long strides. The man had a broad forehead and broad nose, and was wearing a fur tiger suit. The smell of northwest wind and sand hit his face.
"It turns out to be the head of the Ma family."
The person who came was none other than Ma Liao, the head of the Ma family.
The Ma family can be regarded as a new big family in Youzhou Prefecture. The Ma family, who came from the northwest, brought their own germplasm resources to Youzhou Prefecture and cultivated a group of excellent war horses. They gradually became popular in Youzhou Prefecture.
Having established a firm foothold, it is said that General Pingbei also has a close relationship with Cao Su. The eldest son of the Ma family, Ma Chao, is now working under General Pingbei.
Next to Maliao was a middle-aged man wearing a white robe. After seeing the two family heads, he smiled slightly and nodded.
This is Bai Jing, Maliao's sworn brother.
On the other side of Ma Liao, there is also a beautiful little girl, only fifteen or sixteen years old. She is taller than the girl from the Jiang family, with a high nose, big eyes, round and slender legs, and a cheerful temperament, like
Rouge horse on the grassland.
"You two, please!"
Maliao also knows the heads of the Xiao family and the Jiang family, and has had several contacts with them in the past year.
Now we met again at the General's Mansion, and warmly greeted the two of them to go inside.
Xiao Xu felt even more uncomfortable when he saw that even a reckless man like Ma Liao knew how to bring his own girl to the banquet.
Several people walked into the hall together. There were several stoves in the hall. Charcoal fires were burned in the stoves, which made the room much warmer.
In front of the high seat in the middle of the hall, Zhongjin, an important scribe under Cao Su, was arranging the servants to do their work.
This Zhongjin looks ugly, but he is tall. He is wearing a black dress today, and he actually looks a bit extraordinary.
"Oh, the heads of the family are here, please take a seat quickly."
When Zhongjin saw several family heads arriving, he took the initiative to greet them.
"Brother Zhongjin, where is General Pingbei?"
What they were most concerned about was not where they were sitting, but where General Cao Su of Pingbei was.
Zhongjin smiled and said: "The general will be here shortly. Don't be anxious. Please take your seats first."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw another person walking outside the hall.
The man was tall, surrounded by blood-evil aura, his face was as sinking as water, and he was very cold.
"General Hong Ding, please take a seat."
It turned out that some of Cao Su's senior generals had arrived.
After Hong Ding arrived, Wang Qing, Du Ning, Heng Xuesong, Zhang Ke, Li Li, Luo Yi and other generals also arrived. In addition, there were also young generals like Shi Yong and Ma Chao. The young generals had shallow qualifications and low rankings.
Can only sit outside.
There was a buzz of people inside and outside the hospital, all waiting eagerly.
Not long after, Cao Su walked out from the backyard like a dragon and a tiger.