In late October, the Daliang court sent a secret message to the "Yuanzhong Fortress" urging Zhao Hongrun, the prince of the East Palace, to return to Daliang as soon as possible.
Think about it, from the end of May to October, Zhao Hongrun, the prince of the East Palace, disappeared in Daliang for nearly five months. The court finally survived until the Wei army defeated Lin Hu and captured the Hetao area, but the prince was still stuck in the Hetao.
It is no wonder that Du You, the Minister of Rites, was so anxious that he was willing to return to Daliang.
"Brother, I think it's best for you to go back to Daliang immediately. Otherwise, I'm afraid Mr. Du You will personally lead a team to get the person."
When they were having a drink with the Marquis of Yan, Zhao Jiang, and the Marquis of Huan, Zhao Xuan, Zhao Hongrun's younger brother Zhao Xuan joked with a smile.
Beside, Yanhou Zhao Jiang also nodded with a smile.
In fact, the generals of the Wei army had a vague feeling that this war against Lin Hu was still unfinished, but for the "Southern Yan Army" under the command of Yanhou Zhao Jiang and the "Northern First Army" under the command of Huanhou Zhao Xuan, it was just the right match.
After all, the former was almost wiped out in the "Battle of Shanyang", while the latter suffered more than half of its casualties in the "Battle of Yongqiu". These two armies, which have added a large number of new recruits, need this.
Various levels of war hone soldiers and generals.
It is worth mentioning that because he also made great contributions in this war, Zhao Hongrun decided to restore the royal titles of the two brothers Zhao Jiang and Zhao Xuan after returning to Daliang. After all, Zhao Hongrun was trying to reduce their titles.
Sometimes, it is just a formality. In fact, anyone with a discerning eye can see this.
As for Zhao Yuanzuo, the King of Southern Liang, in fact, long before the former's auxiliary general Pang Huan defeated Huan Hu in Suiyang County, Song County and expelled the latter to the Song and Lu area, Zhao Hongrun had already restored this man's title to the king, but he still only allowed this man to be king.
He went out to fight when Wei needed him, but he had to stay in Daliang during normal times. Although Zhao Hongrun had said that he was not afraid of this uncle Wang, in the end he was still a little concerned about it.
Because this man is really quite dangerous.
After gathering with brothers Zhao Jiang and Zhao Xuan, Zhao Hongrun invited the generals of the Wei army the next day, including Chengling King Zhao Shen, Anping Hou Zhao Tan and other nobles who led private armies.
At this banquet that was both a celebration and a farewell, Taiyuan Shou Lian Pi, one of the top ten tycoons in Bukwon, Korea, attended for the first time as a Wei general with his deputy Yu Xi - Zhao Hongrun had appointed Lian Pi a few days ago.
Lian Pi was appointed as the "Yunzhong Shou" and Yu Xi was appointed as the "Yunzhong Commander", thus entrusting the entire Yunzhong County to Lian Pi.
Regarding this appointment, 90% of the Wei generals supported it, but there were also a small number who were skeptical or wary - it was not that they did not trust Lian Pi, but that the place "Yunzhong County" was too important.
If Lian Pi pretends to defect to Wei, then Li Mu of Yanmen County will effortlessly enter the hinterland of the Hetao area through Yunzhong County, and the "multi-point defense deployment" in the Hetao area will lose at least half of its effect.
However, after waiting for the generals of the Wei army who were suspicious of Lian Pio, after having a drink with Lian Pio, they all dispelled their suspicions. In their opinion, a man who drank so freely would definitely not be a good person.
Evil person - although this reason sounds ridiculous, it is undeniable that this is what military communication is all about in this era. As long as a person has a heavy drinker, he seems to be able to get along anywhere else.
Three days later, after the Wei army rewarded all the troops to celebrate their victory, Zhao Hongrun bid farewell to the Wei troops who temporarily needed to be stationed in the Hetao area, and rode back on his war horses the same way.
During this period, Qin Shaojun Yingying also joined Zhao Hongrun on his journey, preparing to return to Daliang with her husband.
I have to say, it feels like watching my wife travel back and forth between Qin and Wei from time to time in the past two years, playing the roles of "Qin's Crown Prince 'Qin Shaojun'" and "Qin's Princess 'Ying Ying'" who married to Wei.
It's really strange.
"How long can you stay in Daliang this time?"
On the way back to Daliang, Zhao Hongrun asked Qin Shaojun how.
I saw Qin Shaojun sitting on the horse stroking his hair, and replied with a chuckle: "It should be half a year."
To be honest, Qin Shaojun is not beautiful, at least unlike Su Ran and Yang Yan Xing. The beauty of the latter two is called glamorous. As for Qin Shaojun, in fact, when he resumed women's clothing, his appearance was far less beautiful than Su Ran and Su Ran.
Sheep tongue apricot, on the contrary, when she was wearing men's clothes, her neutral beauty made Zhao Hongrun's heart flutter.
Especially when he learned that Qin Shaojun was secretly admired by many daughters of the Daliang family, Zhao Hongrun felt even more secretly happy, and he didn't know why.
"Half a year?" Zhao Hongrun was stunned when he heard this, and said with both envy and ridicule: "You are quite comfortable being the crown prince. You only need to show up in Xianyang every once in a while..."
"..." Qin Shaojun glanced at her husband lightly, but said nothing and turned away to chat with Zhao Que.
Zhao Hongrun looked puzzled: "Am I right?"
Beside him, Zhao Que pursed his lips and smiled.
It seems that only she can understand the anxiety in Qin Shaojun's heart. She is watching Mi Jiang's son Zhao Wei and Su Ran's daughter Chu Chu getting older and older. Yang Yanxing and Oona, counting the days, also come to the Hetao area when Zhao Hongrun comes.
Zhang Jun gave birth to children one after another, and now she, Zhao Que, and Qin Shaojun are the only common wives in the family. There is no news about her pregnancy. How can this not make them anxious?
Perhaps because of this relationship, the relationship between Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que became increasingly close. Within a few days of their reunion in the Hetao area, they became best friends who talked about everything.
A few days later, when Zhao Hongrun and his party returned to Fenyinjin, a special envoy sent by the Daliang court had already arrived at the port with a boat waiting for the return of Zhao Hongrun, the prince of the East Palace.
This messenger, Zhao Hongrun, was no stranger to him either. He was none other than Tang Ju, a candidate who took the exam with Jie Zigui back then. After passing the top grade in high school, he became a disciple of Du You, the Minister of Rites, and became the disciple of this Master.
The right hand man, now, has also been promoted to the position of Lang Guan.
"Master Du You, is he about to explode with anger?"
After boarding the ship specially made to pick him up, Zhao Hongrun greeted Tang Ju.
Possibly due to the influence of Du You, the Minister of Rites, Tang Ju, who was stern at first, has now become more youthful and mature. He replied seriously: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is joking. Your Excellency, the Minister, is loyal to me, Wei Chidan, and I hope to assist Your Highness in the future."
Become the wise king of my great Wei..."
Balabala, a lot of advice, Zhao Hongrun rolled his eyes when he heard it, almost wondering if Du You was here in person.
Taking the waterway is very convenient. In only four or five days, Zhao Hongrun and his party arrived at Bolangsha River Port from Fenyin.
Today's Bolangsha River Port may not be as prosperous as Daliang, but in terms of liveliness, it completely surpasses Daliang and has become the leading free trade port in the Wei Kingdom. Even the "Luocheng Free Trade Port" has been built for many years.
"Trading River Port" is not as lively as Bolangsha.
It’s no wonder, after all, Bolangsha River Port is the only market in the entire world that is open to any country or force in the world. No matter which country in the Central Plains you are from, even if you are a nomad, as long as you have
Wei's copper coins can be used to do business in this port.
It is precisely for this reason that the value of copper coins minted by the Wei State is getting higher and higher now, and businessmen from various countries have gradually become accustomed to hoarding some.
Even because the purchasing power of Wei's copper coins was small and inconvenient for bulk trade, businessmen from various countries had appealed to the Ministry of Household Affairs in Daliang more than once, hoping that Wei would mint a high-value coin.
This is also a headache that the Ministry of Revenue has been having recently. After all, there are no effective anti-counterfeiting methods in this era. If the Wei State really mints a high-value coin in accordance with the requirements of those merchants, then it will not be long before all parties
The powerful forces would secretly mint a large number of counterfeit coins, exchange them for copper coins in Wei State, and seek profits from the difference.
This is no small amount of money.
When passing by Bolangsha, Zhao Hongrun considered that it would not be appropriate to return to Daliang empty-handed, so he took Qin Shaojun, Zhao Que and the Zongwei around Bolangsha Port City. On the one hand, he wanted to make an unannounced inspection of the security of the port city.
With the degree of prosperity, on the one hand, it is also to buy some gifts.
His father and the emperor had a share, his mother and concubine (Concubine Shen Shu) had a share, and each of the female relatives in the family had a share.
Especially for Oona and Yang Yanxing, when they gave birth, Zhao Hongrun was thousands of miles away in the Hetao area. Although the two women's personalities would not complain, he could coax his own woman appropriately.
What's wrong?
There is also the concubine Wu Gui. Zhao Hongrun promised his sixth brother Zhao Zhao to take care of the former, so naturally he cannot be left behind.
"As for the Queen and the Queen, Your Highness must not be left behind, otherwise some people will inevitably accuse Your Highness of favoring one over the other and not being filial."
Zongwei Chief Lu Mu reminded from the side.
Zhao Hongrun frowned slightly.
In fact, Lu Mu is right. Even if Zhao Hongrun is not the child of Queen Wang, and the two have had little contact in the past, at least Zhao Hongrun, sitting in the position of Crown Prince of the East Palace, must treat Queen Wang like Concubine Shen Shu, and even address him as "King".
The queen is the mother, this is the traditional rule.
To be honest, Zhao Hongrun didn't have a very good impression of Queen Wang. After all, this woman ruined her two sons. The eldest prince Zhao Hongli left Daliang sadly and still doesn't know where he lives in seclusion. The old prince Zhao Yu was once broad-minded.
, who had countless followers, eventually burned himself in the Jinxiu Palace, which was inseparable from the Queen Wang.
While Zhao Hongrun was taking Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que to visit the Hong Kong city incognito, Tang Ju, an official from the Ministry of Rites who went to Fenyinjin to pick him up this time, secretly sent someone to report to the court first, as if he was worried about His Royal Highness the Prince of the East Palace.
Sneak away again.
This distrust made Zhao Hongrun feel helpless.
After waiting for a long time to visit the Hong Kong city, Zhao Hongrun and others returned to Daliang with the purchased gifts only an hour before dusk.
Returning to Daliang and the palace, Zhao Hongrun took the lead in going to Ningxiang Palace to say hello to his mother-in-law. He secretly hoped that the gift purchased in Bolangsha Port City could alleviate the resentment in the mother-in-law's heart. After all, he could not even say hello this time.
Without fighting, he sneaked to the Hetao area and stayed there for nearly five months. God knows how angry this mother-in-law would be.
But what surprised Zhao Hongrun was that when he came to greet her with Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que in a worried mood, Concubine Shen Shu was actually in a very good mood, which made Zhao Hongrun feel incredible.
After asking, I found out that both Oona and Yang Yanxing had given birth to a baby boy for Zhao Hongrun, giving Concubine Shen Shu two more grandchildren, so she was in a very good mood.
Of course, although Concubine Shen Shu was in a very good mood because she had two more grandchildren, Zhao Hongrun could not escape the necessary preaching.
No, while Qin Shaojun, Zhao Que, Lu Mu and others watched and laughed secretly, Zhao Hongrun was called to the side hall by Concubine Shen Shu, where he was scolded.
I'm not blaming Zhao Hongrun for sneaking into the Hetao area without even saying hello, but I'm blaming Zhao Hongrun, a father, for actually leaving Daliang when his son was born.
In the end, Concubine Shen Shu ordered Zhao Hongrun to find a good name for her two grandchildren as soon as possible.
At the same time, Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que secretly complained in their hearts after learning that Wu Na and Yang Yanxing had given birth to a baby boy.
Especially Qin Shaojun Yingying, after all, she is an equal wife, and if she gives birth to a son for Zhao Hongrun, the baby boy can be named "Shangjun" right after birth and have Shangshui County as a fief.
Although this is a special treatment that only she, the princess of Qin, has, the problem is that there is no movement in her stomach so far. How can this not make her feel anxious?
So, she quietly asked Zhao Que for advice. Unfortunately, Zhao Que himself was very anxious - although Zhao Que had learned many ways to charm men because he was a nightingale, and with these methods, Zhao Hongrun, her husband, became obsessed with her.
, but the seeds were sown again and again, but there was no movement. What could she do?
"...otherwise, please ask Mi Jiang?"
Zhao Que secretly said to Qin Shaojun.
I still remember that at the beginning of this year, when Zhao Hongrun, Mi Jiang, Zhao Que and others were under house arrest by the old prince Zhao Yu, Mi Jiang used a few inconspicuous pills to bring down the guards who were guarding Prince Su's Mansion at that time.
Zhao Que was amazed.
Only then did Zhao Que realize that this lady, who in the past had only a superb swordsmanship, was actually a witch and was good at preparing witch potions. There must be medicines in the witch potions that can help women get pregnant, right?
"Mi Jiang?"
Qin Shaojun frowned slightly, feeling unhappy.
After all, although she and Mi Jiang have resolved their conflicts, Mi Jiang's current status as the Crown Princess of the East Palace has been taken away from her. To say that Qin Shaojun has no grudges is obviously to deceive himself.
In her eyes, she and Mi Jiang should be equals, and Mi Jiang also recognized the matter at that time. In this case, he humbly begged Mi Jiang, even though Qin Shaojun already understood Mi Jiang's character and clearly understood this temperament.
A weak woman will not deliberately make things difficult for her, nor will she do so reluctantly.
"Is there no other way?" Qin Shaojun asked Zhao Que.
Zhao Que thought for a moment and said, "I'll try to contact my sister. She may have some ideas..."
Of course, Qin Shaojun knew that Zhao Que's sister was Zhao Ying, who now manages a waterside pavilion and nightingale. When she married Zhao Hongrun, it was Zhao Ying who replaced her, so that the two roles of "Qin Shaojun" and "Qin Princess Yingying" could be played at the same time.
Appeared at the wedding hall.
Compared with Mi Jiang, Qin Shaojun is still willing to entrust Zhao Ying, and Zhao Ying is also their husband's woman, and so far, she has not given birth to a child to Zhao Hongrun.
Well, there is a common language here.
A moment later, when Zhao Hongrun finally got through Concubine Shen Shu's preaching, at Concubine Shen's urging, he went to Ganlu Palace and Fengyi Palace in person to present a gift to Emperor Wei and Queen Wang.
As for Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que, they were left in Ningxiang Palace by their mother-in-law, Concubine Shen Shu. Apparently, Concubine Shen was going to give lessons or encourage these two "unsatisfactory" daughters-in-law.
Giving Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que expressions of helplessness, Zhao Hongrun left Ningxiang Palace as if running away.
For his father, Emperor Wei, there was no need for politeness between father and son, so Zhao Hongrun simply asked Zongwei Mu Qing to bring gifts to him.
According to what he said, if he remembered to bring a gift to his father instead of just carrying two rabbits back home, his father would be secretly happy.
As for Empress Wang and Concubine Wu Gui, Zhao Hongrun actually paid a visit in person with gifts. The only difference was that he was just perfunctory with Empress Wang and Concubine Wu.
Hongzhao entrusted her and sincerely treated her as a mother to support her.
All in all, after dusk, Zhao Hongrun was finally able to return to the East Palace and reunite with the girls, including Qin Shaojun and Zhao Que who had returned from Ningxiang Palace.
During this period, Oona and Yang Yanxing were in very good moods because they both received gifts from their husbands, and they gave birth to a baby boy for her husband. They had already forgotten the little thing that their husbands were not around during the birth.
Resentment.
Even Miss Su was devastated by the fact that Mi Jiang, Oona, and Yang Yanxing all gave birth to boys, but she gave birth to a daughter. She had been looking worried in recent days. After receiving Zhao Hongrun's gift, her mood also changed.
Much improved.
Only Mi Jiang was as calm as ever. Except for the fact that Zhao Hongrun said lightly "Back?" when he came back, he then focused on his son Zhao Wei, making Zhao Hongrun vaguely feel that "the husband is not as favored as the son after all."
Loss and helplessness.
That night, the family reunited, Zhao Hongrun chatted with the girls until late at night, and then rested in Qin Shaojun's room.
He is not stupid, how could he not see the eagerness in Qin Shaojun's eyes when he saw the children born to Mi Jiang, Su Ran, Oona, and Yang Yanxing? It's just that this kind of thing can't be done in a hurry.
At dawn the next day, Zhao Hongrun was supposed to go to the Xuanzheng Hall to preside over the morning court, show his face in front of all the officials in the court, and express the meaning of "His Royal Highness has returned to Daliang", but in the end, he still pretended to know nothing and ignored it as if nothing had happened.
Early morning.
Regarding this, he said plausibly: I have just returned from the front line to reward the troops, you have to let me rest for a few days, right?
As for how many days this "a few days" actually means, Zhao Hongrun actually has no idea. Anyway, as long as the officials in the court don't come to urge him, then just rely on it, and it will take one day at a time.
What I didn't expect was that at Chen time of the day, when Zhao Hongrun was sleeping drowsily with Qin Shaojun in his arms, Du You, the Minister of Rites, came to the East Palace in person.
When Zhao Que came to Qin Shaojun's room to wake up Zhao Hongrun, Zhao Hongrun felt incredible: Isn't it? You won't let me calm down for even a day?
At that time, Zhao Hongrun was so angry that he really wanted to issue an edict to tell this guy Du You to retire as soon as possible, otherwise his life would never have passed.
But in the end, reason prevailed over impulse, prompting Zhao Hongrun to put on his clothes with a glum look on his face and go to the front hall of the East Palace to meet Du You.
"Lord Du You, can't you just let me rest for a few days?"
When meeting Du You, Zhao Hongrun couldn't help complaining: "Although the morning visit is very important, I have just returned from the front line of the battlefield. Can you at least give me a two-day break?"
"Morning court?" Du You glanced at Zhao Hongrun and said calmly: "The minister did not come for the morning court... Today's morning court, the minister had already guessed that His Highness the Crown Prince would not go obediently, so he did not come for the morning court.
I don’t have any expectations.” After saying that, he deliberately added: “To be precise, none of the ministers in the court have any expectations for this.”
"...My credibility won't drop to this point, right?"
Zhao Hongrun was speechless for a long time due to Du You's words. After a while, he cautiously asked: "Then why did Master Du You come here today...?"
Hearing this, Du You raised his hand and said sternly: "It's because South Korea sent an envoy to present his credentials to me, the Wei Dynasty... That Korean envoy actually arrived in Daliang four days ago.
I have been waiting for His Highness the Crown Prince, and I thought that since His Highness the Crown Prince has returned to Daliang, this is the only thing that cannot be delayed, otherwise, others will accuse me, Wei, of not knowing etiquette."
Zhao Hongrun felt relieved, scratched his chin thoughtfully, frowned slightly and asked, "Then Ambassador Han, do you want to see me?"
Du You nodded and said meaningfully: "I think that this Korean envoy came here just to ask for an audience with His Majesty the Crown Prince... I have also asked Your Majesty for instructions on this, and His Majesty also thinks so."
"I see……"
Nodding, Zhao Hongrun thought about it, snorted softly, and said with a smile: "It seems that the Koreans are eager to reveal the news that they have defeated Dong Hu to my great Wei..."
Seeing that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had figured out the purpose of the Korean envoy so quickly, Du You, the Minister of Rites, secretly praised in his heart: Although His Highness has a lazy personality, his talent is beyond words. He thought about it for a long time.
His Highness can see through it at a glance.
"I think South Korea is also worried that after defeating Lin Hu, the Wei Dynasty may use the momentum of victory to use troops against South Korea, so it sent people to reveal the news early and let the Wei Dynasty give up..." Speaking of this, Du You guessed
: "Perhaps South Korea paid a heavy price for defeating Dong Hu this time."
"No, you are wrong."
Zhao Hongrun shook his head.
Because he got the secret message that Crow Qi quickly sent back from Ji County, Yuyang County, Zhao Hongrun knew very well that South Korea did not suffer much loss in defeating Donghu this time. Instead, it was to build the 50,000 heavy cavalry and let South Korea
The vitality is severely damaged.
Thinking of this, he said with some regret: "What a pity. I originally thought of using some excuse to use troops against South Korea before South Korea defeated Dong Hu..."
Du You nodded in agreement, it was indeed a pity.
But now that the matter has come to this, there is no point in regretting it, so he advised: "Now that the matter has come to this, I, the Wei Dynasty, will still focus on the Hetao for the time being. As for South Korea, let's maintain the current situation for the time being... South Korea needs time.
To recuperate, in fact I, Wei, need more time."
Zhao Hongrun nodded thoughtfully.
Since South Korea can't move for the time being, let's solve the problem of Song County first.
After all, even scabies can make people feel upset.