lady, please calm down

In mid-May, Zhang Shu led Liu Shuping and his family back to Tokyo on Qinfeng Road at night.

How to deal with Liu Shuping depends on the wishes of the King of Chu.

However, in the letter from the King of Chu in late May, he simply stated that "Liu Shuping will be imprisoned for the time being", and the rest of the content was to invite Fan Gongzhi and Zhang Shuye to go south to Anfeng.

Since Jiarou's southern tour, Fan Gongzhi, who was stationed in Tokyo, has become the nominal highest official in Tokyo. The King of Chu suddenly invited him, and the Qi court immediately noticed something.

Many people's eyes instantly focused on Xiao Anfeng.

On the second day of June, the day Fan and Zhang arrived in Anfeng, Jia Rou and Chen Chu met them in Zaoyuan.

Regarding the scandal between the eldest princess and the King of Chu, Fan Gongzhi had heard about it for a long time. At this time, the two appeared together, seemingly intending to tell the world.

Thinking of this, Fan Gongzhi was even a little relieved. In any case, he and the late emperor were both monarchs and ministers. In the current situation of Qi State, the eldest princess and more than a dozen sisters were simply fish on the chopping board of the King of Chu.

Life or death, it all depends on the Huaibei clan. Last year, he even heard rumors that some people were preparing to do harm to the eldest princess.

Later, the eldest princess was taken to Caizhou.

Not to mention being granted the title of Wife and Yinzi. If this was a posthumous title when he died, it would still be possible. Fan Gongzhi felt quite ashamed to live to receive this honor.

Then, Jiarou said sadly: "Gong Fan is an old minister of the late emperor. To Jiarou, he is also his teacher and father. If Gong Fan doesn't want to go to the northwest, Jia Rou will not force him. If Gong Fan insists on begging for his body, Jiarou didn't stop him, but he couldn't let Mr. Fan, who had worked hard all his life, return home in such a miserable state."

As soon as he thought of this, Fan Gongzhi quickly bowed and saluted, and said: "Please allow me to report my old age. I am old, and if I continue to occupy this position, I will be a corpse. Please have mercy on me, and allow me to enjoy my old age."

Speaking of this, Jiarou suddenly called out: "Eunuch Huang, write the edict."

There are still a lot of rewards behind.

In this situation where four kingdoms stand side by side and disputes continue, it is a good ending for the eldest princess to follow the King of Chu.
From this, Fan Gongzhi thought that his eldest princess was not in Tokyo. Ordinarily, he, the ruler of a country, should not leave the center lightly.

This weak support was especially valuable when Jia Rou had just taken over as regent and the enemy of the King of Chu was unknown.

In the future, the generals of the Western Army will probably still have a certain degree of influence in the northwest, but the previous state of military and political control will definitely not return.

Also, Fan Gongzhi and Zhang Chunxiao are the only former officials of Liu Qi left in the Qi court.

After saying that, Chen Chu stood up and bowed to Fan Gongzhi.

In this way, it will be difficult to be caught between His Highness and the King of Chu. The King of Chu and His Highness have a relationship between men and women, but the King of Chu will not pity this old man!

Lao Fan couldn't help but hesitate. He was getting old and he really didn't want to go into this muddy water.
In silence, Chen Chu and Jia Rou made eye contact again, and then heard Jia Rou say in a gentle voice: "Mr. Fan, when my father was buried and my brother made trouble, Jia Rou became a daughter and was terrified and had no one to rely on. For many years after that, everyone Lai Fangong often taught and urged Jiarou, so that Jiarou gradually learned to manage politics."

This refers to the time when Chen Chu led the people of Tongshan to occupy Caizhou and killed Zheng Yi.

Now that the King of Chu's reputation has been at its peak after another great victory in Tokyo, Fan Gongzhi, who was over seventy years old, suddenly recruited Fan Gongzhi, who guessed that the King of Chu no longer needed Liu Qi's old ministers like him to support his appearance, and it was time to retreat.
Sure enough, as soon as the King of Chu opened his mouth, he listed the achievements of Prime Minister Fan in recent years, and said humbly: "Back then, I was still in a humble state, and it was all thanks to Zhang Bingbu and Prime Minister Fan to speak kindly for me in front of the late emperor. Speaking of which, Prime Minister Fan is more important than me to the king. It’s a blessing!”

Fan Gongzhi couldn't help but be shocked. The edict praised him so much that he didn't mention it anymore. The key is that this reward is too generous!
During the two hundred years of Zhou Qi, there were only a handful of civil servants who were granted the title of Duke, and he was the only one in the entire Qi Dynasty.

Zhang Chunxiao defected to Huaibei completely and rarely communicated with Jiarou. However, Fan Gongzhi had taken care of Jiarou overtly and covertly over the years.

Some clues can be seen from the fact that the King of Chu sent his wife's brother Qin Shengwu as his deputy general into the northwest. Qin Shengwu's troops were the first to equip themselves with firecrackers. His status was aloof. With the princess as a big tree, he would not be easily attacked. win over.

The soybeans standing on the side were quickly grinding and laying paper. Fan Gongzhi was puzzled, but he heard Jiaju say: "I have a virtuous prime minister, Fan Gong, who knows the mainstay of the two dynasties. I commend him for his diligence and loyalty, and specially authorize him to be canonized. In recognition of his merits, he was granted the title of Duke of Zheng, promoted to a bachelor of Zhaowen Hall, and made his wife a first-class lady."

But in the final analysis, the King of Chu wanted to take this opportunity to end the history of the Western Army's generals obeying the call but not the propaganda, and his intention to completely integrate the northwest into the Qi political system was very clear.

If the King of Chu gets angry, the entire Fan family will be in trouble.

While distracted, Jia Rou's edict had been dictated. Fan Gongzhi subconsciously raised his head and saw Jia Rou's eyes were slightly red, but the King of Chu next to him frowned and suddenly said: "Your Highness, no one can take responsibility for the northwest issue except Prime Minister Fan!"

Seeing that Lao Fan was so nervous at this time, he couldn't help but said: "Prime Minister Fan, the country is indeed in a period of employment. Now there is a matter that only the highly respected Prime Minister Fan can take charge of. Prime Minister Fan, Lao Ji Fufu, please ask Prime Minister Fan to help the country again. "

Seeing the sincerity of King Chu, Fan Gongzhi couldn't help but be confused and asked cautiously: "King Chu, what is going on?"

Jia Rou didn't expect Fan Gongzhi's reaction to be so big, so she couldn't help but look at Chen Chu again.

These years have not been easy for Jiarou. As the head of the officials and an old minister of Liu Qi, Fan Gongzhi is walking on thin ice.

The last sentence was added by Jiarou herself. Jiarou was obviously a little emotional and her voice trembled slightly.

But he didn't expect that he would eventually raise such a powerful minister.

Your Highness, please stop being stubborn and let me live a good life for a few more years.

And if Fan Gongzhiruo goes to the northwest, he will do this offending job for the King of Chu!

He is also Zhe Yanwen's brother-in-law. In the future, he will guard the northwest, and the Zhe family will not be too resistant.

Chen Chu laughed and suddenly said: "Is Mr. Fan more expensive than Geng this year?"

Fan Gongzhi was in a trance for a moment, feeling a bit overwhelmed, but he still said respectfully: "The talent of the King of Chu is like a cone in a bag, and it is difficult to hide the sharpness, and the lower officials dare not take credit."

When Fan Gongzhi heard this, he panicked. He thought that the eldest princess and the King of Chu could not reach an agreement on whether to retire, so the eldest princess asked to stay.

At that time, Fan Gongzhi knew that Chen Chu was a young man. The reason why he spoke for Chen Chu was out of the need to fight for power with Qian Yinian, Wu Weiguang and other later parties.

"Oh?" Chen Chu was surprised and looked at Jiarou who was sitting at the top. Jiarou, who had been silent until now, said: "Although Prime Minister Fan is in his mid-seventies, he has always been in good health. Now the country is still in chaos. , Prime Minister Fan must abandon this palace and leave~"

Chen Chu originally wanted Jiarou to settle well in front of Fan Gongzhi, which would also fulfill the relationship between Fan Gongzhi and the Liu family.

As soon as Chen Chu opened his mouth, Fan Gongzhi knew what was going on. This time Jin Xia invaded from the northwest, several generals of the Northwest Army suffered heavy losses. Zhejia was left with half a breath, and the Tong family only had a single seedling left. Liu Shuping was killed. When escorted to Beijing, Feng Shuangyuan was even more guilty of losing the city. Although he performed actively afterwards and regained the city, his military governor was definitely not safe.

"northwest!"

Fan Gongzhi, who heard that the main show was coming, was mentally prepared and said hurriedly: "I am already seventy-five years old. I have been feeling weak recently and have been feeling dizzy all day long. I am here and I am about to beg for the body of Your Highness and the King of Chu. To return home."

Hearing Jia Rou's words at this moment, Fan Gongzhi couldn't help but have mixed feelings.

Now it seems that in addition to political considerations, King Chu also has some sincerity towards the eldest princess.

"King Chu, don't talk anymore. Since Mr. Fan has decided to leave, I can't bear to stop him."

Jiarou's words were filled with sorrow, like a little girl abandoned by her elders in the wilderness.

Fan Gongzhi knew that His Highness was playing a double act with the King of Chu, but he still gritted his teeth and said: "Your Highness, King of Chu! I am willing to die and go to the northwest!"

Whether it was the great honor of becoming a duke or the painstaking performance of His Highness and the King of Chu, Fan Gongzhi knew that the northwest party was inevitable.

Otherwise, it would seem a bit shameless.
On the third day of June, a piece of news came out from Anfeng that shocked Da Qi officialdom. Fan Gongzhi, an old minister of Liu Qi and prime minister, was granted the title of Duke of Zheng and concurrently deputy privy envoy, leading the Northwest Festival and overseeing the military affairs of the Northwest Fourth Route.
In the current situation, the four northwest generals are weak, and they really need an important minister to take charge in order to avenge Xixia's southern invasion last year.

But no one expected that it would be Fan Gongzhi; nor did they expect that the King of Chu would actually give him the huge authority of deputy privy envoy and overseeing the military affairs of the four routes!
But when I calm down and think about it, this appointment is extremely appropriate.

Looking at the four directions, it is inevitable to fight with the remnant forces of the Western Army generals who were once like the Tu emperor. Fan Gongzhi is an old minister of Liu Qi, which means there is a buffer zone between the Western Army and the King of Chu.

If Huaibei officials are directly dispatched, whenever there is a conflict between the two sides, no matter how the King of Chu handles it, some people will think that he favors the Huaibei faction.

Secondly, Fan Gongzhi is already old, and his trip to the northwest should be his last mission before taking office. Even if he is given great power, he will not lose his power.

Thirdly, the King of Chu used this as a reassurance to his old ministers, who could also be reused and granted the title of duke or marquis.

This move was not only seen by Liu Qi's old ministers, but also by Zhou officials.

Otherwise, how could the King of Chu deliberately grant Fan Gongzhi the title of Duke of Zheng in Anfeng?
Thinking about it this way, it seems that it is not too unacceptable for an old civil servant to survey the northwest.

After digesting this matter, the minds of the ministers immediately became active. Fan Xiang went to the northwest, and the phase was vacated! After Daqi defeated the Jin-Xia coalition last year, it has clearly gained the ability to dominate the world. By then the King of Chu will change his dynasty. The founding prime minister is destined to leave his name in history!

At present, the forces in the Da Qi court are divided into two factions, one is Liu Qi's old ministers, and the other is the Huaibei faction.

The Huaibei faction is far stronger than the old ministers, but the former's influence in the court can be subdivided into two factions: Cai and Chen.
As for who will win this phase, no one can say for sure.

But since the news of Fan Gongzhi going to the northwest to take office reached Tokyo, the house of Cai Yuan, the Minister of Civil Affairs, suddenly became lively.

There was an endless stream of officials coming to visit, but within two days, Cai Yuan announced that he was ill and closed the door to thank visitors, maintaining his usual low-key style.

Such a nonchalant appearance made the outside world speculate whether Cai Shangshu had received word from the King of Chu and was secretly appointed?
The eighth day of June.

Caizhou Yaqian Street, Huaibei Jinglue Mansion.

"Your mother has been missing Ayu recently, and she has not thought about food or tea. You and your wife should accompany your mother to Anfeng for a visit."

Chen Yingjun, a fellow student from Yingzhou who was hastily recalled, couldn't help but smile bitterly when he looked at his father who was pretending to be relaxed.

On weekdays, my mother and Ayu are together in Caizhou, and they can see each other every now and then.

My sister's family just went to Anfeng from Caizhou to stay for a short stay last month, and her mother thought that she needed to run over and take a look in person?
Chen Yingjun had been an official for several years. Naturally, he heard the news of Fan Xiang's journey to the west. How could he not guess what his father was thinking.

After thinking about it, Chen Yingjun advised: "Dad, my father is the manager of Huaibei, and my uncle is the prime minister in Anfeng. Even if Yuan Zhang is broad-minded, he will not easily let his father and uncle serve as governors of Qi Zhou. Look, let’s forget about this.”

"What are you talking about!" Chen Jingyan unnaturally picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, and said displeasedly: "It's just that your mother misses Ayu. Come over and take a look."

"Dad! You can just hide it from others and let mother go visit you now. Who knows that you want Ayu to blow her pillow?"

Chen Yingjun exposed his father without giving face.

It is true that just looking at the contributions of Lao Chen and Lao Cai, it seems that whoever should be the prime minister of Qi is worthy. When the strength is equal, the pillow wind becomes important.

Chen Jingyan felt embarrassed. He placed the tea cup heavily on the table and said directly: "So what if your uncle is the Prime Minister in Anfeng? Since Yuanzhang was slightly cold, my family has been threatened with the lives of the entire family. Help him with all your strength! In all these years, has my father done anything that harmed Huaibei and Yuan Zhang’s interests? Yuan Zhang knows what I am like!”

Seeing his father start talking, Chen Yingjun said again: "I know that my father has the character and ability to be a prime minister, but after all, my uncle..."

Before Chen Yingjun finished speaking, he was interrupted by his father: "Shou Lian is Shou Lian, I am me! I was the one who introduced your uncle to Yuan Zhang!"

As soon as these words came out of his mouth, Chen Yingjun felt that his uncle had risen from being a commoner to becoming the prime minister of Zhou Dynasty, which seemed to stimulate his father.

On the side, Ms. Tan saw that the two men were having a bad conversation and couldn't help but whisper: "Youngjun, your father went to the palace last month to discuss the military expenditure in the northwest. He was very angry with Concubine Cai. I think your sister will be stabilized by Concubine Cai in the palace." Come on, your father is doing this to make it easier for you brothers and sisters to be good people in the future."

This was Tan's understanding from a woman's point of view, and she also meant to speak for her husband. However, when Chen Jingyan heard this, not only did he not appreciate it, but he became even more unhappy and said: "I want to fight for this position, how can it be because of this trivial matter! I am doing this for the public good and not for personal gain! If I can get what I want, I can promote the method of enriching the people of Huaibei in Daquan!"

Father and son know each other, and Chen Yingjun knows that since his father held the Watermelon Festival in Tongshan and experienced the love of all people, he has indeed been dedicated and dedicated to the people for many years.

Therefore, he believed his father's words of "serving the public and not seeking personal gain". After all, by now, Chen Jingyan had long since given up on his desire for money and sex.

What he seeks is the highest pursuit of a literati, the reputation of a virtuous prime minister that will last forever.

Even if he is a little selfish, he just doesn't want to be compared with his younger brother all the time.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Yingjun said one more thing, "Dad, Uncle Cai may not have this intention. If you two argue like this, it will always hurt the harmony."

"Uncle Cai and I are fighting, and it's a gentleman's fight. We won't use dirty tricks."

At this point, Chen Yingjun and Tan both looked over. You are ready to instigate your daughter to blow pillows, how can you call it a dispute between gentlemen?
When Chen Jingyan and his wife looked at him like this, he realized that it was not a glorious thing to rely on the ties of in-laws to get to the position. He couldn't help but hesitated, and then quickly adjusted himself, only to hear him say again: "Besides, Yuan Zhang might be happy to see me and you Cai Uncle, let’s give it a try.”

Tan couldn't help but said in surprise: "How can you say this?"

"Now there are not many Liu Qi old ministers left in the court, and our Huaibei family is the only one. If a new prime minister is appointed this time, our Chen family and Cai family have reached a tacit understanding in private. No matter whether they recommend Cai Yuan or me, Yuan Zhang is worried."

Tan seemed to understand, but Chen Yingjun naturally understood and explained to his mother in a low voice: "Mom, what dad means is that although the five Tongshan clans are one body, once Yuan Zhang comes to the world in the future, the four of us will We are all ministers. If there is too much tacit understanding between our family and Uncle Cai's family, then whether it is Yuan Zhang or the Chen and Cai families who have the final say in this court."

The ninth day of June.

Early in the morning, Chen Yingjun and his wife accompanied their mother to Caizhou East Ruhe Pier, preparing to take a boat south and cross the Huaihe River to Anfeng.

After an in-depth conversation yesterday, Chen Yingjun understood his father's intentions, but he still felt a little disdainful of such behavior, and even couldn't help but compare his father with Uncle Cai.

Not talking about their abilities, but just talking about their bearing, their father was far inferior. According to the news he learned, Uncle Cai, who stayed in Tokyo Central, was not in a hurry. He closed the door early to thank guests, and showed a high attitude of not being surprised at all.

Hey, daddy, look at Uncle Cai!
In the middle of the night, Chen Yingjun helped his mother board the ship.

Just as he stood firm at the bow of the boat, he saw several cool sedans coming from a distance. Chen Yingjun took a closer look and saw that those who got out of the sedans were Cai Yuan's second son Cai Kun, his wife You, and his mother Wang.

There is a common family friendship among the five families in Tongshan, so they naturally recognize each other.

When Cai Kun and Chen Yingjun saw each other, they were both stunned. It was too late to hide in the cabin.

Because Cai's mother, Wang, was the oldest, Chen Yingjun and his family had to disembark to see the ceremony.

"Brother Cai~"

"Brother Chen~"

Chen Yingjun and Cai Kun greeted each other without any embarrassment.

But Wang and Tan had already held hands affectionately.

"Mrs. Chen, where are you going so early in the morning?"

Mrs. Wang smiled kindly, and Mrs. Tan also smiled innocently, "Mrs. Cai, I am a good-for-nothing. Ayu has been away from Cai for half a month, so I couldn't sleep because of her, so I went to see her today. I wonder where Mrs. Cai is going?”

"Haha, poor parents in the world, I still want to go to Anfeng to see my Hua'er."

"Haha, let's go together, we just want to be with you on the way."

"Haha, that's fine, it's just a good time to get closer to Mrs. Chen~"

The two ladies held hands, one said, "Let's go together and stay with each other on the road," and the other said, "This will help us get closer."

But when the two of them walked to the dock, they let go of each other's hands and got on their own boats.

Those words just now were just air.

On the occasion of parting, Chen Yingjun and Cai Kun said goodbye.

The latter smiled and said: "Master Chen is very close to Concubine Chen and his brother and sister. He left his job in Yingzhou to go to Anfeng to have a look in person."

No matter what Chen Yingjun thought about his father's seeking a relationship, when they went out, they were a family. Hearing the connotation in Cai Kun's words, Chen Yingjun couldn't help but smile and said: "To each other, isn't Brother Cai also going to Anfeng to visit Concubine Cai in person? Really? However, I am ashamed to say that my visit to see Ayu is just a reason."

"Oh? Then what is Master Chen's real purpose of going to Anfeng?"

Of course, Cai Kun knew the real purpose of Chen Yingjun's family going to Anfeng. Hearing him take the initiative to admit it, he couldn't help but wonder.

But Chen Yingjun laughed and said, "I miss my little nephew!"

"."

Cai Kun's smile faltered, he forced out a haha, turned around and went to his boat.

What a big deal! Wasn’t it just that she gave birth to a baby boy for the palace? The position of the princess is as secure as Mount Tai, so what will happen if your sister has a son! (End of chapter)