This was what Yuan Qingling was worried about. She asked frustratedly: "Why is Beitang so poor?"
Fourth Master Leng said: "The people are doing well, but the imperial court has spent too much money on water conservancy, suppressing bandits in the north, and war in the northern desert. In addition, in recent years there has been drought in the northwest and floods in the south of the Yangtze River. Since the emperor ascended the throne, the country's middle school
It has never stopped. However, the situation in the Taishang Dynasty has gradually become tight, because a few years before the Supreme Emperor abdicated, he began to promote agriculture and suppress business, but failed year after year. Not only did the imperial court fail to receive taxes, but it also had to subsidize people's livelihood.
The emperor is still working hard to govern, otherwise the Northern Tang Dynasty would not be what it is today if it continues to decline."
Yuan Qingling looked at the fourth master and couldn't help but admire him, "You are actually trying to survive through cracks, and you can actually make your industry so big, which is amazing."
The fourth master said: "The Northern Tang Dynasty had been prosperous for many years, and the people also accumulated wealth. In addition, the wealthy merchants and marquises had saved a substantial fortune. Furthermore, the population was large and the needs were great. It was just that the court did not have favorable measures. If there were any
If that were the case, commerce would flourish and the Northern Tang Dynasty would have prospered long ago. The prince proposed to revitalize commerce this time, which is the right path, but some people must be sacrificed."
Yuan Qing Ling said: "Who is willing to be the one who is sacrificed?"
“Let’s see who’s going to suffer, shall we?
Just like Princess Meng Yue, she committed a crime by messing with a bad man!"
Yuan Qingling felt even worse after hearing this. This girl, Meng Yue, has always come to greet her since she became a disciple. She is a well-behaved and sensible child.
Princess Ji has always been resourceful, but what she faced this time was not the intrigues and intrigues outside, but the current emperor's policy measures.
That's not something she can fight on her own.
"Is there any way?"
Yuan Qingling asked.
Fourth Master Leng put down the cat, looked at her and said: "Actually, the royal princess and princess may seem to have great glory, but they are the least able to control their own destiny, especially when the country is trying to break this deadlock.
, they will become victims at any time, isn’t Yu Wenling the same?
The emperor did not fully understand my details, so he betrothed the princess to me. Meng Yue is his granddaughter. I am afraid he will not care. I can only tell you this, even if it is not Liu Chao, it will be someone else.
You can stop it the first time, but you can't stop it the second time."
And its cruelty?
But how true it is! After returning from Lengzhai, Yuan Qingling waited in the mansion until Lao Wu came back, and told Lao Wu about the matter.
Lao Wu said: "Fourth Master is right. Father will agree. The sky is high and the Emperor is far away over there in the south of the Yangtze River. It is the second most prosperous place in the Northern Tang Dynasty. Fourth Master should also have many properties there. He is familiar with the Li family."
In this situation, the second young master of the Li family is afraid that he is really such a person with evil intentions."
"What should we do?
Is there any way?"
Yuan Qingling asked nervously.
Lao Wu thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry too much. Even if my eldest brother comes to the palace tomorrow to talk about this matter, my father will definitely send someone to find out first. At least it will take a while to implement it. We still have time to think of a solution."
of."
The next day, Yu Wenhao asked Xiao Hongchen to send someone to the south of the Yangtze River to find out whether the second young master Li Chao had really killed someone.
On the third day, Emperor Ming Yuan summoned Yu Wenhao into the palace. After mentioning this matter to him, he sighed, "I didn't expect Meng Yue to be twelve years old. I always thought she was a seven or eight-year-old girl. In a flash,
, and she is almost at the age of marriage."
Yu Wenhao said: "Father, Meng Yue is still young, so there is no need to rush to get engaged, right?"
Emperor Ming Yuan stretched out his hand and pressed it, "It's twelve. After it's settled, you can stay for another four or five years. I've heard people mention this Li Chaozhen in the past, saying that he has done many good things in the Jiangnan area, building bridges and paving roads, and helping the poor.
Opening an academy so that poor children can learn to read is a good place for good deeds."
Yu Wenhao said: "Father, Li Chao is a good person, but it doesn't mean that his son also has such a kind heart."
Emperor Ming Yuan said: "If the family tradition is good, the descendants will be virtuous.
However, it is still necessary to understand clearly whether this is the life-long event of the princess. Send a few people to Jiangnan to see if the Li family has really done any good deeds. If it is found to be true, the matter will be settled.
Alright."
Yu Wenhao knew that he couldn't say too much now, so he agreed, "Okay, my son will send Xu Yi there tomorrow."
Emperor Ming Yuan nodded slightly and then looked at him, his eyes seemed a little complicated, and said: "Stay and have dinner with me!"
Yu Wenhao was a little surprised when only Yuan Qingling had such an honor.
Dinner is okay, four dishes, one soup, and rice.
Among the four dishes, there are two meat dishes, two vegetarian dishes, and chicken soup. The portions are not large, but the presentation is very beautiful.
Emperor Ming Yuan asked him, "Do you want to drink?"
Yu Wenhao shook his head, "My son has been drinking less recently, and I don't like it."
"She thinks about your health."
Emperor Ming Yuan said.
Yu Wenhao nodded silently.
The atmosphere was a bit silent. The father and son rarely spoke affectionate words. In the past, they only talked about business together. When they really sat down to have a meal, they wanted to chat about family matters, but they couldn't.
Because, family affairs are a pain in the hearts of both of them at the same time.
Emperor Ming Yuan felt guilty for his son, not only because he had his mother and concubine executed, but also because he actually cared the least for Lao Wu.
He is neither an elder nor a direct descendant, and he has been sensible since he was a child. Even if he puts it there without any effort, he will not grow into a crooked tree. A sensible child always makes his parents worry less and pay less attention to him.
By now, Yu Wenhao was able to take charge of his own affairs, while Emperor Ming Yuan felt exhausted and mentally exhausted from the day-to-day tedious political affairs, and began to rely a little on his son.
After eating, he put down his chopsticks, turned away from the people waiting around him, and asked: "Have you ever blamed your father for the matter of your mother and concubine?"
Yu Wenhao wiped his hands and lowered his eyes, "No, it's the mother and concubine's fault."
"I gave her many opportunities."
Emperor Ming Yuan's voice sounded like he was sighing, "But she didn't even hold on to it. You're right, she really brought it upon herself."
Yu Wenhao's eyes were heavy. He had been keeping this matter deep in his heart and didn't want to mention it. He always felt that if he buried it for a long time, he would slowly forget it.
Now that his father mentioned it, he felt the discomfort in his heart rising again.
It was at this moment that he suddenly understood Lao Qi.
Lao Qi was very disappointed with Chu Mingcui, just as he felt that the mother-in-law had brought her own fault, and felt that her fate was right, but if he was too disappointed in his heart, he would still feel pain and discomfort.
Chu Mingcui died, and he deserved it, but it didn't mean that Lao Qi couldn't help but feel upset because he cared about Chu Mingcui.
But fortunately, there was only the love between him and Chu Mingcui as husband and wife, and there was no involvement of flesh and blood. Presumably, he would be able to forget it soon.
"What are you thinking about?"
Emperor Ming Yuan saw that he was distracted for a moment and asked.
Yu Wenhao gathered his thoughts, raised his head and said, "Thinking of Lao Qi and Yuan Yongyi, I feel that they should actually be together."
"Isn't that girl from the Yuan family engaged?"
When Emperor Ming Yuan thought of that girl, he liked her very much, but it was a pity.
"Yes, we are getting married soon, and my fiancé is Lu Yuan, the top scholar in martial arts."