lady, please calm down

Chapter 291 Willing to be Qin Shubao

The 28th of the first month.

The third prince of Da Qi, Liu Chi, led his entourage to Caizhou.

This is his second time here.

When Chen Chu got married last year, the two parties had already been in contact, so this meeting was much more harmonious.

After the lunch banquet, brothers Chen Jingyan and Chen Chu accompanied Liu Chi to the post house.

"Your Highness, Mr. Han and Mr. Dong will be elected as academicians of our Caizhou Academy of Literature. Your Highness will also personally award the certificates to the two academicians on the second day of February. They will win the Fuchang Ten Years' Pioneer Justice Award' selected by the Press Industry Development Foundation. The editorial department of "Da Qi Qiyao Journal" also needs His Highness to come."

After talking for a while, Chen Jing'an talked about Liu Chi's itinerary.

This time I specially invited him here just for this matter. As a royal heir, he can always make these two freshman awards look grander.

"It's easy to talk." Liu Chi, who was in his twenties, was wearing a moon-white sweater and had a friendly and elegant smile on his face.

The matter of 'awarding' can't really be said to be that important, but it's not unusual for Liu Chi to go out of his way to reward him.

In the current situation in the court, the eldest prince Liu Linshen has the support of the rear party headed by Qian Yinian. In addition, many military generals are even more inclined to his eldest son.

Among them, Shan Ninggui, the general of Hussar and the governor of the Jingnan Army, and Li Qiong, the military commander of the Taining Army, were Liu Lin's loyal supporters.

Behind Liu Chi were only Prime Minister Li Bangyan and a group of incompetent literati. There was an extreme lack of military men who could make the final decision at critical moments.

At the beginning of last year, when Chen Chu was in Tokyo, Liu Chi tried to create an opportunity to meet Chen Chu by chance under the name of "Flower Tasting Party".

Unexpectedly, Chen Chu hurried back to Caizhou before the flower tasting party began.

Liu Chi was quite dissatisfied that a small governor dared to turn a blind eye to his appointment, but he had no choice but to do so.

In the following year, the situation in Huaibei suddenly turned upside down.

First there were floods, then chaos.

Only when you are shaken can you know your capable ministers.

Chen Chu defeated Ying and Shou, killed the leader of the thieves, and took the opportunity to actually control the land of the three prefectures with only the power of one government, officially becoming a force that no one can easily ignore in the territory of Daqi.

Later, Chen Chu first clashed with Li Qiong, the military commander of the Taining Army, and then turned against Sun Changhao, the sister-in-law of Wu Weiguang, a cadre of the rear party.
At this moment, Chen Chu almost eliminated the opportunity to attach himself to the eldest prince.

Liu Chi was overjoyed when he learned about it, and came to Caizhou in person on the occasion of Marquis An's wedding in October last year.

Although there was no in-depth communication at that meeting, the atmosphere was quite good. Marquis Lu An was respectful and polite, and not at all as domineering as the rumors outside said.

Liu Chi knew that these local military leaders were masters who did not see rabbits and did not let go of hawks. If they were not given some practical benefits, they might be difficult to conquer.

Thinking of this, Liu Chi pursed his lips and smiled softly, saying, "Marquis Lu An, do you still remember what I promised you when I came here last time?"

"Oh? Which one is His Highness talking about?" Chen Chu pretended to be confused.

Liu Chi chuckled and said, "This is the post of Huaibei Jiedu Envoy."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Chu had a look of surprise on his face, but before he could say his words of thanks, Liu Chi waved his hands respectfully and said, "After I returned to Tokyo last time, I will This matter was reported to his father, and Li Zaizhi also said: Lu Anhou is loyal to the emperor and the country. This time the chaos in Huaibei is quelled, he is like the mainstay of the country. He should be appointed commander based on his merit and control the troops of the three prefectures!"

Speaking of this, Liu Chi sighed again, "However, Qian Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel, Wu Shangshu of the Criminal Ministry and others repeatedly obstructed Lu Anhou on the grounds that he was young and had been over-promoted. If it hadn't been for them, Lu Anhou would not have opened the Jie Commander's Mansion. I’m afraid the will will arrive years ago.”

Below, Chen Chu showed an angry expression at the right moment.

Liu Chi first said how much effort he and Li Zaizhi had put into Chen Chu's promotion to Jiedushi, and then said that Qian Yinian, Wu Weiguang and others were in the way.

Isn’t this the effect we want?

I hate, I hate them okay.

'Clang~' Chen Chu put down the tea cup so hard that the lid of the cup was knocked to the table, and Gululu felt better for a while.

Seeing this, Liu Chi was quite satisfied, but he still persuaded with a kind face: "Hey, don't be upset, Marquis Lu An, the country will not treat its meritorious ministers badly! After Li Zaizhi and I argued hard, Marquis Lu An of Huaibei The Commander-in-Chief has been appointed, and the emperor's paintings and banknotes have been handed down. The announcement will be made at the beginning of next month."

"Your Highness, this is true!" Chen Chu stood up excitedly.

It seems that Liu Chi's trip was not just to help present awards, but he must have had the intention of 'showing kindness'.

Seeing Chen Chu's huge reaction, Liu Chi smiled without saying a word and looked at brother Chen Jingyan. Chen Jing'an smiled quickly and said: "Marquis Lu An, how can His Highness come all the way here to joke with you? Please thank Your Highness quickly!"

"Haha, thank you Your Highness, I, Chen Chu, am willing to serve Your Highness from now on!"

Chen Chu cupped his fists and saluted with a grateful look on his face.

Liu Chi was quite satisfied with the words "willing to serve His Highness". The only thing he was not satisfied with was that he thought that Chen Chu would have to kneel down to thank him for this great favor, but unexpectedly, he just cupped his fists and saluted.

This military leader is good at everything, but his knees are a bit stiff!
However, since Liu Chi planned to conquer and recruit Chen Chu, he was mentally prepared as Corporal Li Xian said, "Marquis Lu An, when you and I met last year, we mentioned that Caizhou would hold a luggage exhibition in February this year. Please ask me to find it." The issue of spokesperson is now starting to take shape."

"."

Chen Chu was stunned for a moment before he remembered about the 'spokesperson'.

When the two met for the first time last year, they were not familiar with each other, so naturally they couldn't do anything close to each other, so they could only casually chat about some interesting things in Caizhou.

Although most of the craftsmen brought by Chen Chu from Tokyo were old and weak, after all, they came from the Ministry of Works General Supervisor who originally only served the Zhou royal family, and their craftsmanship was the best in the world.

There are many cobblers in the craftsmen's households. In addition to helping soldiers build and repair armors, they also make exquisite handbags for women.

However, after these women's handbags were launched last year, they were priced at more than ten taels, which scared away many customers.

Mao'er had discussed with Chen Chu to lower the price. After all, the cost of a bag was less than three taels of silver.
Chen Chu said: Luxury goods are for rich people to show off. If everyone can afford them, then they are just showing off.

Subsequently, Caizhou started soft advertising for this luggage brand called "Huarong" on the [-]th.

The propaganda focused on these craftsmen. For example, the cobbler Chang Gui was described as a family of cobblers who specialized in serving the royal family for more than ten generations.

What exquisite craftsmanship is unparalleled in the world, what selection of Northland second-layer calfskin, what exclusive tanning technology, what Zhou Taizong fell in love with the Queen at first sight because of the handbag.
Anyway, no matter if it is far-fetched or not, just stick to the royal family and love.

This kind of publicity has some effect, but not too much.

All in all, handbag sales remain tepid.

In order to increase its popularity, holding a luggage exhibition was put on the agenda.

Last year, when Chen Chu met Liu Chi, he accidentally mentioned this matter. He originally wanted to take the opportunity to present the flower handbag to Liu Chi's mother, Concubine Xiang, who was favored by Liu Yu.

If Concubine Xiang often wears colorful handbags on weekdays, I think it will set off a trend among the ladies of the Qi Dynasty.

This was the reason why he mentioned the 'spokesperson' in the first place, but he didn't understand why Liu Chi suddenly mentioned it at this time.

Seeing Chen Chu's confusion, Liu Chi suddenly said in a friendly tone: "She loved the handbag that Mr. and Mrs. Yuan Zhangxian gave to her mother very much last time. However, her mother once said that she stayed in the palace all day long and no one could see this bag. So, this time I specially brought Jiarou here to support this exhibition."

Oops, this Liu Chi is quite considerate.

Knowing that Chen Chu's family wanted to use the royal family's name for this business, he not only acquiesced, but also brought people to the platform.

From this we can also see how much Liu Chi wanted to win over a powerful general to join his side.

"Your Highness is concerned about trivial matters." Chen Chu stood up and said with emotion: "Your Highness, the polite and virtuous corporal, has the style of Taizong of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Hahaha~"

Liu Chi laughed, and Chen Chu compared him with Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. The latter was not only an emperor through the ages, but the key was that he stepped on the corpses of his brothers and ascended to the throne.
At that time, at this time, there seemed to be a little bit of similarity.

After laughing heartily, Liu Chi said casually: "Then Yuan Zhang is willing to be my Qin Shubao?"

Who is Qin Shubao?He was the vanguard who helped Li Shimin kill his brothers, and the one who came to the palace with an iron mace to force Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan to abdicate.
The two brothers Chen Jingyan watched their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses, just pretending not to hear some overtones.

Chen Chu laughed, cupped his hands and said, "I am willing to serve His Highness!"

Seeing this, Liu Chi was overjoyed and immediately called the guards guarding the door to come in. After a few words, the guards went out immediately.

After a while, a palace concubine brought in a girl about sixteen or seventeen years old.

The palace dress is dragging on the ground. She is obviously in her best years, but the colors of her clothes are all depressing gray and dark blue.

She is tall and has a refined appearance, just like a narcissus that is gentle but not demonic.

His eyelids were drooped, he couldn't see clearly, and there was a sense of indifference all over his body.

Brothers Chen Jingyan and Chen Chu glanced at the girl, then turned to look at Liu Chi, wondering why the latter suddenly called a woman to come in.

But Liu Chi chuckled and said, "Jiarou, raise your head."

After hearing this, Chen Jingyan and Chen Jing'an hurriedly stood up and saluted, "I have met Your Highness."

Liu Chi waved his hand casually, indicating that the two of them didn't have to be so polite. Then he looked at Chen Chu with a smile and said, "Yuanzhang, how about Jiarou? How about being the spokesperson for your handbag?" "."

Chen Chu didn't realize until he saw the two brothers Chen Jingyan saluting. The woman in front of him was actually a princess? ? ?

But what surprised him even more was Liu Chi's attitude. Chen Chu wanted to find a royal child to be his spokesperson. There was no need for Liu Chi to call someone over, right?

Let’s not talk about the differences between men and women. Let’s just talk about Liu Chi’s tone. It was as if someone had brought a kitten and puppy to show to others.

Especially the phrase 'How is Jiarou? ', In a daze, Chen Chu thought he had arrived at a certain club. Liu Chi turned into a marketing manager and brought a girl into the private room and asked: Brother, how is this?If it doesn't work, I'll change it for you.
Although Liu Chi was not pimping, Chen Chu was still puzzled by his contemptuous attitude that was almost indifferent to the feelings of the other party.

"Pretty good, pretty good" What else could Chen Chu say, he couldn't really say 'change a batch'.

Just now because of her brother's words, Jiarou did obediently raise her head, but she saw that her clear face was neither happy nor sad, with no expression at all, and her clear eyes were lowered, looking at the ground.

As if everything in the world has nothing to do with her.

At the beginning of the application period.

The three of them said goodbye and left the inn. On the way back, Chen Chu, who was puzzled, finally asked: "Mr. Yanagawa, the princess just now is Liu Chi's sister. Why did he look down on his sister like that?"

Chen Jingyan seemed to know more about this matter. He lowered his voice and said proactively: "I heard that Princess Jiarou's mother was originally just a maid of the Holy Emperor when he was in office in the local area. After the princess was born, she was raised as an aunt. When the princess was less than six years old, her mother died again. Died young."

"Even if she doesn't have a mother, she is still the daughter of the Holy Emperor? He doesn't care?" Chen Chu asked strangely.

"The Holy One has 23 women, can he take care of them? Besides, after the Holy One ascended the throne, the main wife was granted the title of Empress, and the concubine was the mother of Princess Jiarou. She left the house and has not even been given a title so far. The people in the palace She is used to acting according to the prevailing circumstances, and her birth mother is treated lightly, so who would take her as a princess with no roots seriously?"

Chen Jingyan shook his head and Chen Jing'an also sighed and said: "There is no family affection in the Tian family."

Several people were silent for a while, and Chen Jing'an suddenly said worriedly: "Yuan Zhang, are you really planning to wade into the muddy waters between the two emperors?"

Chen Chu looked around, then chuckled and said in a low voice: "The third prince is weak, let's encourage him so that he dares to compete with the eldest prince."

That night, Xu time.

In the backyard of Caizhou Posthouse, Jiarou brought a maid. A few feet away, it was Cao Xiaojian, the governor of Caizhou's left-behind department.

As soon as they met, Cao Xiaojian kowtowed to the ground and said, "I have met Her Highness the Princess."

Jiarou's indifferent and calm face finally showed a trace of emotion, and she heard her whisper, "Cao Banban, please get up quickly."

Cao Xiaojian stood up and took a closer look under the dim light. He couldn't help but choked up and said: "We haven't seen you for a year. The princess has grown taller, but she has also lost weight."

"Cao Banban also has hair on his temples, so he needs to take care of himself."

Jia Rou whispered, and Cao Xiaojian wiped his tears and said: "I'll save you, I'll save you."

In fact, Cao Xiaojian is not old, less than 30 years old.

But after he purified himself and entered the palace, the first person and only royal heir he took care of was Jia Rou. It can be said that he watched the little girl who was only a few years old slowly grow up.

To put it bluntly, he and Jia Rou had an almost father-brother-like relationship.

But a princess who has no mother to protect her and is neglected by her father is not very privileged. The palace had to send someone to act as an imperial envoy to go to the war-torn Tongshan Mountain, which was regarded as a dragon's nest and a tiger's den at that time. This unfortunate job with the risk of losing her life fell into Cao Xiaojian's head.

Unexpectedly, people were moved to work, but Cao Xiaojian used this incident to become the governor of the whole government.

Compared to Ouchi who always had to look at people's eyes, working with Lu Anhou was undoubtedly much happier.

The only thing that worried him was that Jiarou no longer had anyone around him.

The master and the servant looked at each other in silence. Cao Xiaojian had a lot to say to Jia Rou, but the little palace maid standing beside him stood there and refused to leave.

"Ahem, go ahead and do your work first. You don't need to wait here anymore."

Cao Xiaojian confessed, but unexpectedly, the little palace maid said: "Wang Auntie told me that I will always stay with the princess."

"No need now!" Cao Xiaojian frowned.

"But Grandma Wang said"

The palace maid wanted to continue talking, but Cao Xiaojian interrupted and yelled: "Is your master Wang Ainai?"

After staying around Chen Chu and the warriors for a long time, Cao Xiaojian's body was naturally tainted with a bit of cold air. The palace maid was so frightened that she didn't dare to say anything anymore. After hesitating for a few moments, she finally walked away hesitantly.

"Farther!"

Cao Xiaojian said again, the palace maid had to retreat again.

When he felt that the palace maid could no longer hear his conversation, he hurriedly took out a stack of cargo tickets from his arms and stuffed them into Jia Rou's hands, and whispered: "Your Highness, take these cargo tickets back. If you need them, just go there." The branches of the four major banks in Tokyo are exchanged for gold and silver. Only when His Highness has money can he reward his servants and win people's hearts."

"It's not easy for Cao Banban to save some money. I can't accept this money."

"Your Highness, I have a lot of money now! Hehe, I followed Lu Anhou to kill the thieves and got a Shouzhou Zhuangzi and some money. With the money, I bought the stocks of Sihai Commercial Bank and made a lot of money recently. Shouzhou Zhuangzi The old slave also asked someone to take care of it. When His Highness left the palace, the old slave handed over Zhuangzi to His Highness.

Although Zhuangzi's income was not much, his victory was stability.It’s not easy for Your Highness, you must save some personal money for emergencies.”

At the end of the story, Cao Xiaojian became emotional and made Jiarou blush.

At this time, I saw a middle-aged grandma walking out of the side room of the post house. The grandma also saw Cao Xiaojian and Jia Rou and couldn't help but walk over quickly.

"Your Highness, put the money away quickly, Grandma Wang is here."

Cao Xiaojian hurriedly whispered a reminder, and Jiarou, who had her back to Wang Aina, did not turn around and put the cargo ticket into her arms with a concealed movement.

"Hey, when Cao Dujian came here, why didn't he inform His Highness the Third Highness beforehand? Although Cao Dujian had served the princess before, he is now a foreign minister. When a foreign minister has a private meeting with the princess, Cao Dujian Overstepped”

Aunt Wang walked to the two of them and said slowly.

Jia Rou had regained her composure, and even the unpleasant word "private meeting" failed to cause any change in her expression.

This concubine Wang came from beside Concubine Xiang. Cao Xiaojian is not afraid of her now, but he knows that if he offends her with his temper, the old godly woman will definitely make things difficult for Jiarou after returning to the palace. He couldn't help but put on a smile and took out a tablet from his sleeve. With snowflakes and silver, he offered it with both hands, "What Aunt Wang said is true, but I was the one who was rude. I'll leave now."

Grandma Wang lifted her sleeves slightly, and the silver ingot offered by Cao Xiaojian was transferred into her cuffs.

Seeing her accepting the money, Cao Xiaojian said in a flattering tone: "Your Highness Jiarou has no one to take care of her in the palace. Please pay more attention to her."

"What did Governor Cao say? How can I say that there is no one to take care of you? In these years, His Highness Jiarou's food and clothing are not provided by the Imperial Concubine? Are you complaining that the Imperial Concubine has treated His Highness Jiarou harshly?"

"Oh, I said the wrong thing with my stupid mouth, don't worry about it."

"Humph~"

Wang Aina snorted coldly, turned to look at Jiarou who was standing silently, and said: "It's late at night, please go back to your room to rest!"

This tone was simply a command.

Jia Rou remained calm, glanced at Cao Xiaojian, and followed Wang Aina back to the back house of the post house.

After a few people walked away, Cao Xiaojian cursed in a low voice, "Bah! You're a bully!"

At the beginning of Haishi.

In the back house of the post house, Wang Aina never left Jia Rou's bedroom, urging her to change clothes.

Jia Rou naturally saw what she wanted to do and just resisted with silence.

"Hey, doesn't the princess take off her clothes when she sleeps? If the princess has difficulty with her hands and feet, I will call Luo Yun and the others to help her take off her clothes!"

After that, two palace maids were called in.

Seeing that her arms couldn't reach her thighs, Jiarou had to stand up and take off her coat.

Wang Aina and two palace maids surrounded her. Under such all-round surveillance, the droopy ticket that Cao Xiaojian just gave her could no longer be hidden.
'patta~'

The cargo ticket tied with a thin thread fell to the ground. Before Jiarou could pick it up, the palace maid named Rao Yun flexibly leaned down, picked up the cargo ticket first, and handed it to Wang Aina as if taking credit.

Jiarou took a step forward, raised her hand and grabbed one end of the cargo ticket.

Wang Aina, who was holding the other end of the cargo ticket, quickly raised her head and stared at Jia Rou.

The two looked at each other silently for a while, and finally Jiarou slowly let go of her hand.

"Hehe~"

Grandma Wang smiled proudly, and then said in a strange tone: "On weekdays in the palace, if the imperial concubine hadn't taught you, raised you, and protected you, how could you have grown up so safely? Wealth is the source of disaster. Your Highness has hidden such a large amount of money. It’s a misfortune rather than a blessing, I’d better leave it to the imperial concubine for safekeeping after I return to the palace.”

Jiarou lowered her indifferent eyes and whispered: "What I taught you is that Jiarou knew she was wrong."

(End of this chapter)