spend time

Chapter 404 Leaving
Before Jiang Shaohua could say anything, Feng Changshi stood up angrily: "We just donated grain last time, why are you asking for grain again? Do you really think that our Nanyang County is a granary?"

"Princess! You can't agree to it this time! If this continues, all the grain stored in Nanyang County will be requisitioned as military rations."

Donating grain to the court and the north is fine, saving thousands of people is also a great merit. Why should we donate grain for military rations? Daliang has 400,000 regular troops, and the annual consumption of military pay and food is an extremely scary number. At least 60% of the annual taxes are used to support the army. Nanyang County cannot fill this bottomless pit!

Chen Changshi also said in a deep voice: "Feng Changshi is right. We cannot agree to collect military grain. I will write a memorial to reject this matter."

"Two chief secretaries, please calm down!" Jiang Shaohua was not angry, his eyes were as calm as ice and snow: "This document was officially sent by the Ministry of Revenue after the court discussion, which means that the emperor has given his approval. The Empress Dowager did not say anything about such a big matter, which shows that the Empress Dowager also agrees."

The two chief secretaries, Chen and Feng, looked at each other.

At present, the princess's biggest support is the protection of the Empress Dowager and the support of the Emperor. Now the Empress Dowager and the Emperor both want to collect grain from Nanyang County, and there is also a Prime Minister Wang who is eyeing Nanyang County covetously. How can the princess refuse?

The arm cannot twist the thigh. When the official document arrives, it is impossible to send it back with empty words.

"Then we should file a petition to the emperor to complain. We in Nanyang County don't have much food left." Feng Changshi quickly came up with an idea: "Reduce the amount of food the court has collected from the army by half."

Chen Changshi was obviously more familiar with the princess' temper: "What does the princess want to exchange with the court for this matter?"

Jiang Shaohua hummed, "I have already sent the memorial to the court requesting merit for Cui Du. Now the document for collecting grain has arrived, but the imperial decree for reward has not arrived. It is obvious that someone is playing tricks. If this batch of grain is not delivered, Cui Du's reward will be delayed."

Feng Changshi was so angry that he wanted to curse: "Mr. Cui has made real contributions, why are you delaying?"

"There are many reasons to make things difficult for you." Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "For example, Cui Du is still young, and there are no such young officials in the Daliang officialdom. It won't be too late to wait two or three years before rewarding him."

"For example, Cui Du is a descendant of the Cui family of Boling. When rewarding the descendants of the Cui family, you can't bypass the Cui family of Boling. In short, Prime Minister Wang has plenty of excuses and methods."

Feng Changshi had an unpleasant look on his face, and it was obvious that he wanted to "greet" Prime Minister Wang's family.

Chen Changshi thought for a moment and whispered, "I understand what the princess means. The princess wants to use this batch of military rations to shut up Prime Minister Wang and get a reward for Master Cui as soon as possible."

"That's right! Prepare military rations according to the figures in the official document." Jiang Shaohua's eyes were slightly cold: "In addition, this princess will write a memorial to the court, asking the court to confer a title of nobility on Cui Du."

Chen Changshi and Feng Changshi were both shocked: "Princess! Isn't this request a little too much?"

There are five ranks of nobility in Daliang: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Zheng's title is Duke of Anguo. Generally speaking, nobility is gradually promoted. With Cui Du's contribution in growing new crops, it is no problem to be awarded the title of Viscount. The princess secretly helped and originally planned to ask for the title of Earl for Cui Du. Now that he asked for the title of Marquis, even Chen Feng, the chief secretary, felt that it was a bit too much.

Jiang Shaohua raised his eyebrows and sneered: "One by one, they are asking for food from Nanyang County and eating my food. How can they have the confidence to refute my memorial!"

"This memorial will be written by this princess herself! When the imperial edict of awarding the title arrives in Nanyang County, the grain will be allocated."

Jiang Shaohua had made up his mind, so Chen Changshi and Feng Changshi said nothing more.

Jiang Shaohua thought for a moment, then called Song Yuan in again and whispered, "Commander Song, please write a letter to the Cui family first, and then go to the Cui family in Boling in person after a few days."

Since Cui Du was born into the Cui family of Boling, there were some things he could not do without the Cui family, and the proper procedures had to be followed.

Song Yuan nodded in agreement. Publicly, he was the commander of the princess's personal soldiers. Privately, he was Cui Du's uncle. He was the most suitable person to go to the Cui family.

……

That afternoon, Zheng Chen ordered everyone to pack up and prepare, and set off for Beijing the next morning. Doctor Jiao looked at Zheng Sheren's tense and ugly face, and swallowed the question that was on his lips, and only asked: "I will send a message to Doctor Tan."

Zheng Chen nodded slightly.

Doctor Tan was surprised when he heard about this and wanted to ask a few more questions, but Doctor Jiao was very tight-lipped and refused to say anything.

Actually, it's not hard to guess. He must have hit a wall with the princess and got hurt, so he got angry and left!

Tan Lang secretly mocked in his heart and went to tell Wang Jin about this. Wang Jin was silent for a moment and said, "We will also set off together and return to Beijing together. It will be safer and more secure on the road."

Finally willing to leave.

Doctor Tan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "I'll send the order right away and have everyone pack their bags."

The Imperial Guards were leaving, making quite a commotion. However, the princess had no intention of hosting a farewell banquet. Zheng Chen, who waited in the room until dark, felt completely chilled.

Jiang Shaohua, you have indeed always been the most cruel and ruthless woman in the world.

In my previous life, you let me down, and in this life, you still let me down.

This is the path you chose, and you are standing on the opposite side of me. Then in the future, don't blame me for being cruel and ruthless.

The next morning, Zheng Sheren and Wang Sheren left together.

There was no open quarrel between them. Jiang Shaohua personally escorted the two imperial envoys to the city gate and said goodbye to them very politely.

Zheng Chenjun's face was solemn and he said nothing. The atmosphere was quite awkward.

Wang Jin had to try hard to speak, trying to make the atmosphere more relaxed: "After today's separation, I don't know when I can meet you again. Please take care of yourself, Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Take care of yourself, Mr. Wang. And Mr. Zheng, when you get married, I will definitely send you a generous gift."

Wang Jin could hardly laugh anymore.

Since the day he met Jiang Shaohua, there was no one else in his heart. Even if he got married according to his father's order, what was there to be happy about?
The princess knew exactly what he was thinking, yet she still said these words, which was no different from stabbing him in the heart with a knife.

Zheng Chen suddenly said, "It's getting late, we should set off."

Wang Jin responded, bowed to the princess again and said goodbye, then mounted his horse and left Nanyang County in a cloud of dust.

The more anticipation and hope you have when you come, the more sad and lost you will be when you leave.

Wang Jin couldn't help but look back.

The tall and sturdy city gate became smaller and smaller, and the figure of the girl outside the gate was no longer visible.

After today's separation, we may never meet again. Thinking of this, Wang Jin's nose was full of bitterness. He turned his head to look at the side, Zheng Chenjun's face was expressionless, his eyes were looking straight ahead, and he never looked back.

……