spend time

Chapter 562 Distinguished Guests (Part )

Eunuch Zhao came to watch the ceremony on behalf of Empress Dowager Zheng and was settled in the palace.

Soon after, guests who came to Nanyang County for the princess's wedding came to the Nanyang Palace in waves. Compared with the grand scene of the princess's coming-of-age ceremony last year, it was even more spectacular.

Last year, most of the people who came were the legitimate children of the northern families, and the governors of various states also sent their confidants to deliver gifts. This year, many family heads came in person. There were also more than a dozen county governors and two governors who came in person to watch the ceremony. For example, Yingchuan County, Ruyang County, Shunyang County, Liang County and other places are not too far from Nanyang County, and fast horses can arrive in a few days.

Xue, the governor, was of course coming, and Fang, the governor of Luozhou, was also coming. By the way, Lu, the governor of Pingzhou, who was officially appointed by the court, also wanted to return to Nanyang County to congratulate the princess. However, Jiang Shaohua wrote a letter to Pingzhou in advance, asking Lu Cong to focus on the official business of Pingzhou.

Pingzhou is too far from Nanyang County, and it takes two months to go back and forth. Now Pingzhou cannot be separated from Lu Cong.

Lu Cong had no choice but to give up the idea and instead sent his confidant to secretly deliver a big gift back to the palace.

This gift was not recorded on the gift list, it was a secret letter. After reading the letter, Jiang Shaohua raised his lips and asked someone to invite Chen Changshi and Feng Changshi over.

After reading the secret letter from Governor Lu, the two chief officials were overjoyed: "Governor Lu is indeed smart and capable. He has made great achievements in Pingzhou in just two years."

"With this large salt mine, the people of Pingzhou will no longer have to worry about having salt to eat. We can also transport the salt to various states and counties in the north for sale. This is a great thing!"

That's right, Lu Cong's great gift was the discovery of a large salt mine in Pingzhou. Lu Cong did not report this to the court, but secretly presented it to the princess. Once this matter was spread, it would be a crime of harboring evil intentions and he would lose his official position and beheaded.

"Lu Cong wants to show his loyalty to me by offering the salt mine." Jiang Shaohua said with a smile, "If I don't accept it, it would be a waste of his kindness, so just accept it!"

"Please keep this land deed, Mr. Feng."

A thin piece of land deed was stamped with the official seal of the government and the governor. The ten thousand acres of "wasteland" on this deed was recorded in the name of Jiang Shaohua. In other words, this piece of land with salt mines was completely owned by Jiang Shaohua.

According to Daliang law, minerals such as iron ore and salt mines belong to the imperial court no matter on whose land they are discovered.

However, the law is one thing, and reality is another. Which of the aristocratic families that have occupied the local area for many years does not have some property hidden in the dark?
When this matter was exposed later, Jiang Shaohua could defend himself in front of Emperor Taihe with confidence, saying that he had no idea that there was a salt mine in the wasteland donated by his subjects.

Feng Changshi happily received the land deed and had already started planning how to open a salt mine and sell contraband salt.

Chen Changshi laughed softly and said, "There are so many people coming to congratulate the princess on her wedding. Such a grand occasion is really beyond our expectations."

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "There has been a war going on in Sizhou. The Rouran cavalry occupied six counties in succession, burning, killing, looting and abducting many young and strong people. The imperial court sent reinforcements, but they were no match for the Rouran and suffered heavy losses."

"The noble families in the north have their foundations in the north. Once the border troops are defeated and the Rouran barbarians are plundering everywhere, they will be the most vulnerable. Therefore, they are the most panicked and frightened right now."

"This princess provided food and troops to help the border troops deal with the Rouran barbarians. It is reasonable for them to surrender to this princess in a panic by congratulating her."

Chen Changshi looked at the princess deeply and said, "So, the princess took the initiative to offer military rations and sent people to deliver military rations to Sizhou. She never concealed her intention. She wanted to show her true strength to all the officials of the prefectures and counties and the noble families in the north. She wanted them to be willing to submit to her."

The princess is carrying out her conspiracy openly. Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "This princess is providing food, soldiers and manpower, firstly to show her loyalty to the emperor, secondly to help the border troops, and by the way to show the strength of the Nanyang Palace. It is a win-win situation!"

Even Chen Changshi had to admire this skill: "The princess's move was indeed brilliant, and the effect was remarkable."

After a pause, he smiled and said, "I have received many visiting cards in the past few days, and many people want to see the princess. I declined them all on the grounds that the princess is about to get married and it is not appropriate for her to see outsiders."

Jiang Shaohua said: "Chen Changshi can handle these people. I plan to meet Fang, the governor of Luozhou, in person."

Chen Changshi nodded: "I will arrange it right away."

Among so many distinguished guests, the only one who was truly qualified to meet the princess was Governor Fang.

Luozhou and Jingzhou are neighbors, but in terms of land and population, Luozhou is far less than Jingzhou, and naturally not as rich as Jingzhou. What's worse is that there is no garrison in Luozhou, only a few hundred soldiers guarding the city.

Seeing that the border troops were always fighting, Governor Fang felt uneasy, so he came to Nanyang County with generous gifts. After waiting for a day, he was summoned by the county lord himself.

Governor Fang was greatly encouraged. Before meeting the princess, he went to see Governor Xue privately: "Governor Xue and the princess have been dealing with each other frequently, so he must be familiar with her temperament. I hope Governor Xue can give me some advice."

Governor Xue said meaningfully: "Although the princess is a woman, she has lofty ambitions and a broad mind. As for the princess's methods, I think Governor Fang has heard about them a long time ago, so there is no need for me to elaborate on them one by one."

"How to treat the princess depends on what Governor Fang wants to do when he comes to the Nanyang Palace this time."

Governor Fang and Governor Xue had some personal connections, so he shamelessly whispered, "To be honest, Brother Xue, the court is far away. If there is any trouble, it will be out of reach. By the time the court sends troops, all my people will be dead. I know that Nanyang County has a strong military force, so I want to surrender to the princess. If there is any change in Luozhou in the future, the princess is willing to help."

Governor Xue smiled and said, "That depends on whether Governor Fang is sincere."

You want the princess to agree to send troops to Luozhou at any time with empty words? This is just a daydream!

Since Governor Fang had come, he naturally made some preparations. After hearing Governor Xue's "reminder", Governor Fang felt a little relieved and went to see the princess with all his energy.

This audience went much more smoothly than the governor had imagined.

Jiang Shaohua's wedding was imminent, her complexion was ruddy, her complexion was very good, and her mood was very good. She spoke much more gently than usual: "Luozhou and Jingzhou are adjacent to each other, just like lips and teeth."

"If anything happens in Luozhou, Governor Fang can just have someone send a letter to this princess. This princess will not stand idly by."

Governor Fang was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly to thank the princess for her grace.

Then, he naturally offered some "local specialties" of Luozhou: "Princess, Luozhou is a poor place, far inferior to Jingzhou. This small hill is a wedding gift prepared by this humble official for you, please accept it."