spend time

Everyone surrounded Jiang Shaohua and led him into the main hall to take his seat.

Jiang Shaohua didn't rush to talk about personal matters, but first asked about the many trivial matters in the palace over the past six months.

Feng Changshi had been holding back a lot of words for a long time, so he spoke first: "In the past six months, we have sent grain seeds and three shipments of grain to Pingzhou. Each shipment was 20,000 dan, which adds up to 60,000 dan of grain. In two months, it will be the autumn harvest. The grain in Pingzhou is growing well this year, and after the autumn harvest, we should be able to be self-sufficient."

Lu Cong, the governor of Liaoxi County, has been doing the work of the governor of Pingzhou. Nanyang County has continuously sent food, grain seeds and medicinal materials, and secretly sent hundreds of personal guards to protect Lu Cong's safety and stabilize the order in Pingzhou. Now the people in Pingzhou have settled down.

Some of the remnants of the Pingzhou rebel army hiding in the dark laid down their swords and became ordinary people, while some were unwilling to do so and wanted to fish in troubled waters to burn, kill, rob and abuse. As long as they showed their tracks, they would be wiped out by the brave guards.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, and then asked Chen Changshi: "What's going on in the court recently?"

Chen Changshi reported in a deep voice: "Wang Yi has been imprisoned, but the Ministry of Justice has not yet interrogated him. The case of Eunuch Lan and Eunuch Yuan in the palace has caused a lot of uproar, and the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Li have almost fallen out. The Zheng and Li families are also not on good terms in the court."

"Yesterday, I just received the latest news. Censor Jiang and Doctor Wang each submitted a memorial impeaching Duke Anguo for openly selling official positions in the Ministry of War."

Chen Changshi had already sent the first two pieces of news to Jiang Shaohua. Before he could send the last piece of news, Jiang Shaohua returned to the palace, so he just happened to hear something new.

Jiang Shaohua frowned instantly: "Minister Wang? Isn't he the Duke of Anguo's man?"

Chen Changshi said calmly: "In the officialdom, everyone is scheming against each other, and there are countless thoughts. The Duke of Anguo made a mistake by trusting Minister Wang too much, and now even his true colors have been exposed by Minister Wang."

"This impeachment hits the nail on the head for Duke Anguo. This time, Duke Anguo will have to pay a heavy price."

As expected of Prime Minister Wang, if he doesn’t take action, it’s fine, but when he does, it’s with overwhelming force.

However, Empress Dowager Zheng and Duke Anguo took action first, attacking General Zuo and Wang Yi one after another. How could Prime Minister Wang not fight back?
"Now it all depends on who can hold out the longest and have the last laugh." Chen Changshi sighed softly, "In fact, no matter which side wins or loses, the court will be in chaos."

The two parties had always been fighting fiercely. This time, they were even more outspoken and put all their conflicts on the table. They attacked and opposed each other, and they were determined not to stop until they killed the other party.

Jiang Shaohua had no expression on his face and said coldly, "It will take at least seven or eight days for the news to reach Nanyang Palace from the capital. We don't have time to respond, and it's not appropriate for us to get involved in these things. We should continue to remain silent and don't make any moves."

Chen Changshi nodded: "The princess is right. We will not wade into this muddy water for now."

The good reputation that Empress Dowager Zheng had built up over decades was destroyed overnight.

This is the way the world is. A man taking a concubine is considered romantic, while a woman being too close to a man is considered restless. Moreover, Empress Dowager Zheng has been a widow for many years and is very old. If the eunuch's unclean castration is exposed at this time, I wonder how many unpleasant and harsh rumors will be raised.

At this time, it would be wise to keep a certain distance from Empress Dowager Zheng.

Jiang Shaohua hummed and looked at Shen Gongzheng: "Shen Gongzheng, is the workshop still busy these days?"

The workshop worked day and night, making armor and weapons every day. Shen Mu was tall and thin to begin with, and now he was even thinner. He was a man of few words, never complaining, and when asked by the princess, he simply replied, "I can handle it, princess, please rest assured."

Yang Zheng took the initiative to report the situation of the Criminal Office without waiting for the princess to ask. Overall, the number of cases received by the Criminal Office was decreasing. Nanyang County was prosperous and peaceful, and the people were honest and sincere, all of which were the achievements of the princess's governance.

Yang Zheng's flattery made Jiang Shaohua smile slightly even though he was in a depressed mood.

Immediately afterwards, the chief clerk reported on the storage situation in the warehouse.

Jiang Shaohua asked casually with a smile: "Master Wen is sixty-three this year, right? Do you have any plans to retire?" The plump Master Wen immediately said: "I am energetic every day and not tired at all. I am willing to continue to serve the princess."

Not only did Master Wen do his job well, he also brought his eldest grandson into the palace to find a job. This was because he was optimistic about the future of Nanyang Palace and was unwilling to give up now.

Jiang Shaohua knew what was going on, and said with a smile: "Master Wen is working diligently, and this princess has seen it all. Since Master Wen has no intention of retiring, this princess is relieved."

Lu Xuan, who had been silent the whole time, coughed and said with a smile, "Princess, the Lu family of Fanyang sent someone to pay respects to you. When you are free, you may as well meet them."

Needless to say, the person who came from the Lu family was the handsome young man Qiao Sanlang. The Lu family still refused to give up on the marriage!

Jiang Shaohua looked at Lu Xuan and announced slowly: "This princess has returned to the mansion this time to discuss an important matter with everyone."

"This princess has reached the age of marriage and plans to arrange a marriage this year. There is no need to rush the wedding. The wedding date can be set in three years, when she turns eighteen."

Lu Xuan: "..."

A group of officials: "..."

Lu Xuan was so shocked that he lost his composure and stood up suddenly: "Who does the princess want to get engaged to?"

Isn't this obvious?
Jiang Shaohua remained calm and pointed at the young man sitting next to him: "Changning Earl Cui Du."

Cui Du stood up and bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan: "Cui Du greets the future father-in-law."

Lu Xuan: "..."

Jiang Shaohua was the first to be amused. He smiled at Cui Du and said, "Why are you calling your father-in-law when you haven't even gotten engaged yet? Okay, sit down first."

Cui Du grinned and sat down obediently.

"Father, please sit down too." Jiang Shaohua turned his head and instructed in a gentle voice.

Lu Xuan wanted to speak out against the marriage, but sadly Jiang Shaohua gave him an indifferent glance. Somehow, his legs went limp and he sat down.

"This princess is happy with this marriage, and so is Earl Changning." Jiang Shaohua said with a smile.

Of course, it doesn’t matter whether others are happy or not.

Chen Changshi was the first to recover from his shock and said quickly, "Since the princess wants to get engaged, I will write a letter to propose marriage to Cui Shi of Boling."

Feng Changshi immediately took over the conversation: "I will find the list of betrothal gifts when Lu Junma married into the family. I will see whether the betrothal gifts for Cui Shi of Boling can be increased or decreased as appropriate."

It's just talk to increase or decrease as appropriate. There will be no reduction. It's just a matter of seeing how much to increase.

Feng Changshi kept calculating in his mind.

Apart from anything else, considering Cui Du's contribution to Nanyang County in recent years, the betrothal gift should not be compromised. Moreover, with the vision of the Cui family of Boling, not only will they not leave betrothal gifts, but they will also give more "dowry". It is a good deal no matter how you think about it. (End of this chapter)