On August 14, General Huwei and the governor of western Liaoning, Ran Sheng, led a hundred cavalry guards from the county governor of western Liaoning, two thousand miles away, to Yecheng to pay homage to his brother Chen Caozhi and his sister-in-law Xie Daoyun.
, don’t be angry and be proud, and have the bearing of a powerful general——
Ran Sheng congratulated his brother Chen Caozhi on the birth of his son and daughter. This time he brought 100 northern pearls, 20 Goguryeo century-old ginseng, and 20 sable skins from western Liaoning as gifts for Chen Bozhen and Chen Fangyu's brothers and sisters.
, and a pair of famous male and female foals will be delivered to Yecheng in a few days -
Chen Caozhi first asked Ran Sheng about the situation of governing western Liaoning, and then showed Ran Sheng a family letter. This was a new family letter that Huang Xiaotong brought when he returned from Qiantang at the beginning of the month. The patriarch Chen Xian, his sister-in-law Ding Youwei, and Run'er wrote to Chen Caozhi
Ran Sheng was mentioned in his letters, praising Ran Sheng for his bravery and good fighting skills, for his contribution to the country and for his family's glory. Ran Sheng was very happy to read the letter. He also looked at the picture of the two babies lying on their stomachs painted by Run'er, and praised: "Little Run'er
Madam, you are so good at painting——" He took a long breath in his chest and slowly exhaled it.
Ran Sheng asked his sister-in-law Xie Daoyun about the current situation of Chenjiawu in detail. He was very pleased to learn that the family was prosperous and Uncle Jing was in good health. He also said to Chen Caozhi: "Brother, Senior Minister Gao asked me to return to Jiankang in due time to see the emperor.
I wonder if the trip can be made this year? When will brother return to Jiangdong?"
Chen Cao said: "Your sister-in-law Xie is also pregnant, and the Jizhou registration examination has not yet been completed, so I am planning to set off back to Jiangdong in April next year."
Ran Sheng quickly congratulated his brother and sister-in-law and said, "Then I will rush to Yecheng before April next year and go back with my brother."
Chen Cao said: "Very good. You are twenty years old this year. Uncle Jing asked me to choose a good woman to be your wife. I will arrange the marriage next year."
Ran Sheng hesitated and said: "Brother, this is not urgent. I am used to living alone."
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "You are already twenty years old, why are you not in a hurry? Zongzhi is sixteen and Runer is fourteen, so they should be thinking about marriage."
Ran Sheng lowered his head and remained silent.
…
On August 15th, the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Caozhi hosted a banquet for his staff at the Governor's Yamen. In the evening, he returned to Bingjing Terrace to celebrate the festival with Ran Sheng over drinks and fruits. Xie Daoyun came out and sat for a while before going in. Murong Qinchen did not show up.
Yesterday, he saluted Ran Sheng across the curtain. Ran Sheng was reluctant to answer the salute. Murong Qinchen was a little afraid of Chen Caozhi, a younger brother of the clan. It was said that this man hated the Xianbei people for some reason. What made Murong Qinchen quite gratified was that
, Phoenix Murong Chong has defected to the Lord Fuyu and has a place to stay——
Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng were sitting in the courtyard drinking. The moon was bright in the sky and the night was dark. The wind brought the fragrance of the osmanthus trees in the Tongque Garden. Chen Caozhi was rarely so leisurely. He and Ran Sheng were drinking and chatting. First,
Talking about the gold hidden in Xuanguang Palace, and then talking about the past events in my hometown, drinking wine makes me sad, and I feel homesick even more——
Ran Sheng drank to his heart's content tonight, and Chen Caozhi did not restrain himself. When the wine reached its fullest, worries arose from the bottom of his heart. Ran Sheng suddenly put down the wine cup and ordered the waiter to step back temporarily. Then he knelt down and said, "Brother, Ran Sheng has something to do."
Although I know I shouldn’t say it, I have been depressed for several years. Today, I boldly confessed it to my brother under the influence of alcohol. First, I want to ask my brother for forgiveness——”
Chen Caozhi saw that although Ran Sheng smelled of alcohol, his speech was clear and he was not talking nonsense after drinking, so he said: "Although you and I are not blood brothers, we are brothers and sisters. How can I blame you for your words? Just tell me."
"
Ran Sheng gritted his steel teeth and uttered a few words: "Brother, I like Run'er."
For a moment, the bright moon hung high, the courtyard was silent, and everything seemed to be still——
Ran Sheng mustered up the courage to say these words. The smell of alcohol on his body turned into cold sweat, soaking his back and clothes. He lowered his head and waited for his brother Chen Caozhi's scolding——
Chen Caozhi's shock can be imagined, but when he thought about it carefully, this was not a sudden thing. It was Run'er who taught Ran Sheng how to read and write, so Run'er respected and loved him very much. Run'er gradually grew up and became beautiful.
Cute, it’s not unusual for Ran Sheng to like Run’er, but——
Chen Caozhi said: "Xiao Sheng, I won't blame you for this, but it's difficult for you to marry Run'er. Of course I know your real name, but my fourth uncle doesn't know, and my sister-in-law doesn't know.
My son doesn’t know, they all regard you as my distant cousin of the Chen family. Even if I explain it to them, you still can’t restore your original surname. Marriage is not a matter for two people, but a matter for the entire family.
"
Ran Sheng sat down on his knees with his head bent, his fists on the ground, tears falling drop by drop, and said: "Ran Sheng is an unfilial son. He can't get rid of his fate no matter how hard he tries, but I really like Run'er. If Brother A is willing to let Run'er
If my son marries me, I am willing to resign from my official position and live in seclusion with Run'er. If I dare to disobey Run'er in the slightest, I will be struck by thunder!"
Chen Caozhi was well aware of Ran Sheng's temperament. Ran Sheng was true to his words and resolute in his deeds. Ran Sheng was willing to resign and retire for Run'er, which was something that Chen Caozhi could not do when he was Lu Weirui. Of course, Chen Caozhi was willing to resign and retire.
Cao Zhi believed that he would be able to marry Lu Weirui through three matchmakers and six betrothals. Ran Sheng obviously did not have that confidence, because the difficulty of marrying Run'er was far greater than when Chen Caozhi married Lu Weirui -
Chen Caozhi sighed softly and said: "Xiao Sheng, this is not something I can decide. The most important thing is Run'er. You like Run'er, but does Run'er like you? This is no longer a marriage that can be determined by parents and matchmakers.
Both men and women must have such a heart. You are willing to go into seclusion, but is Run'er willing to go into seclusion with you?"
Ran Sheng shook his head and said: "I don't know if Run'er likes me, but I really like Run'er, and I am willing to do anything for her -"
Chen Caozhi sensed signs of danger. Ran Sheng's emotions were so fervent that if they could not be properly guided, they might lead to uncontrollable adverse consequences. After a moment of silence, he asked: "Xiao Sheng, do you want Run'er to have a good life?"
?"
Ran Sheng responded: "Of course."
Chen Cao said: "Then you should consider Run'er's feelings. Next year when the two of us return to Qiantang, I agree with you asking Run'er like this in person -"
Ran Sheng hurriedly said: "Brother, I don't dare." Ran Sheng dared to take the enemy general's head among thousands of troops, but he did not dare to express his feelings in front of Run'er. Run'er was a fairy, and Ran Sheng felt ashamed.
Chen Cao said: "You can express your feelings through letters first."
Ran Sheng said with a bitter face: "My calligraphy is too ugly. Brother, please help me test Run'er's feelings. If Run'er is willing, I will marry her through fire and water. If Run'er refuses -
"
At this point, Ran Sheng paused and his voice became lowered: "——If Run'er refuses, then I have no choice, and I will go back to Liaoxi."
Chen Caozhi patted Ran Sheng on the shoulder: "I can't ask this for you. I will arrange an opportunity for you to ask Run'er yourself. If you want to marry Run'er, how can you not have so much courage!"
Ran Sheng straightened his back and said, "Brother, you have taught me a lesson."
…
That night Chen Caozhi stayed with Xie Daoyun. While talking about Ran Sheng, he put his palms into Xie Daoyun's skirt and gently rubbed her belly. Xie Daoyun was three months pregnant and her belly was already slightly bulging——
Xie Daoyun showed no surprise and said: "I have known that Xiao Sheng likes Run'er for a long time. Mr. Chen, since Xiao Sheng is not a descendant of the Chen family, why did you ask him to recognize his ancestor and return to the clan?"
There was nothing to hide in front of Xie Daoyun, so Chen Caozhi revealed Ran Sheng's true identity. Xie Daoyun was surprised and said: "So that's it. It's really difficult for Xiao Sheng to marry Run'er."
Chen Cao said: "Chen Yu and Chen Zisheng are now famous all over the world. It is difficult to assign another identity to him."
Xie Daoyun said "Yeah": "Yes, if Xiaosheng suddenly changes his surname to something else, and then marries Run'er, wouldn't it be a big joke? There will be a lot of criticism from both the government and the public, which will greatly damage the reputation of the Chen family in Qiantang.
, but if Runer really likes Ran Sheng, what will you do, Chen Lang? Do you want Xiao Sheng to marry Runer?"
Chen Cao said: "If Run'er loves Ran Sheng as much as her ugly aunt loves her ugly uncle, then I am willing to make it happen and let them live overseas."
Xie Daoyun smiled, put his hand on the back of Chen Caozhi's hand that was caressing her belly, and said: "Run'er was still young when she was with Xiao Sheng. In the past two years, Xiao Sheng has been away in the army. How can we vow to grow old together?
Its feelings! But Run'er is not a vulgar woman, she has fantastic ideas, and it's hard to say that she makes decisions that surprise us."
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "A Yuan, do you know? What Run'er admires the most is you, who dares to dress up as a man and go out to study and become an official."
Xie Daoyun smiled and did not answer, but said in his heart: "That's because I met you."
…
The registration inspection in Jizhou ended in mid-September. The registration inspection presided over by Chen Caozhi was carried out vigorously and no one dared to hide. More than 40,000 people left their homes and 200,000 people were admitted privately by the big landowners in the counties of Jizhou.
Refugees without legal family registration were forced to surrender this time. Although they resented it, they could barely accept it, because Chen Caozhi promoted many children of aristocratic families to serve as officials, and his politics were clear and his tax burden was also slightly reduced -
—
Although Chen Caozhi reduced some taxes, because he obtained a large number of manor lands from Xianbei nobles, this inspection added nearly 200,000 new people who could serve and pay taxes, and the manor lands owned by the government could be leased out for farming.
, there will be a large amount of tax revenue by next year, and the Jin Dynasty court has not yet determined the taxes to be paid by the Hebei states, so all the taxes in Jizhou for at least one year can be controlled by Chen Caozhi at will——
In early December, news came from Jiangdong that Huan Wen was officially accepted by Jiuxi, wearing a big chariot with a tiger and a sword on his feet, and went to the temple to pay homage to an unknown person. Chen Cao Zhi knew Huan Wen's next plan and coerced the court to make him the King of Chu. Huan Wen usurped the throne.
The pace is becoming more and more urgent——
At the same time, news also came that Huan Huo, the former governor of Jingzhou, died of illness, and Yuan Zhen, the governor of Yuzhou, died of illness. Yuan Zhen's son Yuan Jin was called to Jiankang to serve as a regular servant of Sanqi. The post of governor of Yuzhou was taken over by Huan Xi——
The Lord of Qin, Fu Jian, followed Wang Meng's plan and sent Duke Fu Rong of Yangping to Jiankang to negotiate peace with the Jin Dynasty. Fu Jian expressed his willingness to remove the title of emperor and only call him King of Qin——
Due to his poor health, Huan Wen no longer had any plans to conquer Guanlong in the north, and he was unwilling to let Chen Caozhi or others accomplish this great feat, so he advocated for peace with Qin, which was successfully concluded.