Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 324: Wang Kang and his family affairs come to an end, Xie Yuying comes to Beijing
In the palace.

When all the officials heard that Zhao Xi was going to confer the title of Marquis of Wanhu on Wei Yuan, everyone was in an uproar.

Some people couldn't help but whisper to each other.

"Marquis of ten thousand households? Isn't this too much?"

"Even if he is a founding father, he is not a marquis!"

"The Duke of Ying has fought in hundreds of battles and made great contributions to the country. Although he holds the title of Duke of the country, he only enjoys the tax revenue of a thousand households."

"."

If Zhao Xi only gave Wei Yuan the title of "Marquis of Champion", the officials would not have any objection at all.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery is a marquis, and the Marquis of Champion is also a marqui

But Zhao Xi's intention was to confer the title of 'Marquis of Ten Thousand Households' on Wei Yuan, which was a huge difference.

Doesn't it break the rules set by our ancestors to have military merits with fiefdoms?
After everyone discussed it, some old officials, such as Fu Yanguo, the former Privy Councilor and now the Deputy Privy Councilor Zhao Gai, etc., successively objected:

"Your Majesty, although the soldiers at the front have won a great victory, the Liao bandits have not been driven out of the country. I am afraid it is a bit too early to reward them now."

"Please think twice, sir."

"Your Majesty, I think we should wait until the commander drives the enemy out of our Great Zhou before we can reward him!"

"."

Although Zhao Xi is young, he has gained considerable prestige in the court after a series of events, such as smashing the stone tablet erected by Taizu.

Those old ministers had served Zhao Zhen for many years, but they still found it difficult to understand Zhao Xi's childish and unstable character.

Therefore, they did not dare to oppose openly.

Even the core members of the new dynasty, such as Wang Anshi and Fan Chunren, felt that Zhao Xi's reward was too hasty.

However, Zhao Xi wanted to reward.

"No need to say more, gentlemen. I have made up my mind."

"I rewarded the commander to calm the troops and encourage them to prepare for battle and win the battle."

"If you have any further objections, please wait until the war is completely over."

The voice just fell.

The messenger he had sent out returned to the palace to report.

Zhao Xi asked, "How many troops does General Wei plan to send to support the battle in Yanbian?"

The eunuch knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the commander said that the Liao army still has the strength to fight, so it is not appropriate to divide the troops at this time."

Shouldn't we divide our forces?

Fu Yanguo sneered, "If we don't divide our forces, will we have to hand over all of Shaanxi to Xixia?"

Even Zhao Xi, who always relied on Wei Yuan, frowned slightly.

I have already told Wei Yuan very tactfully that I hope he will divide his troops, but he still won’t do it?

Do I really have to issue a few decrees myself?
Before Zhao Xi could say anything, the eunuch's voice came to his ears again.
"General Wei said that our Great Zhou and Tubo are friendly countries, and Tubo regards our Great Zhou as the superior country of the Heavenly Dynasty. All it takes is an order from Your Majesty to send Tubo troops to attack Xixia, and then the danger in Yanbian will be resolved."

"General Wei also said that there had long been a rift between Yeli Yuqi and Li Yuanhao. Even though the Xia ruler had approached Yeli Yuqi before Xixia attacked our Great Zhou, the most he could do was not to stab him in the back, and he would never help Li Yuanhao resist the Tubo troops."

After listening to his long speech, Zhao Xi felt as if a fog had been cleared away, and suddenly his mind became clear. He smiled and said:

"How could I forget about Tubo!"

"That Zuosiluo also gave me initiation and taught me the Buddhist scriptures, so he can be considered as half of my teacher."

"I will write a letter first, asking Zuo Silu to send troops. If they hesitate, I will issue an order later!"

To be honest, although Zhao Xi is young and precocious, his precocity was very limited before.

A few years ago, when Zhao Xi discussed military strategy with several children of military honor families, he was still not as good as them.

But now, Zhao Xi's wisdom is far beyond his peers.

This is most likely related to initiation.

It was after the initiation that Wei Yuan gained a more thorough understanding of the art of war.

It has to be said that this authentic secret Tibetan initiation method is indeed somewhat "weird".

It seems like there is a kind of magical power that can tap people's potential prematurely, just like a person who is born with a special vision and double pupils, whose skills are envied by God.

Without a very strong destiny, it is difficult to withstand the effects of this kind of vision or 'spell'.

Having said that, the main force that invaded the Great Zhou this time was the Liao army, and Wei Yuan never took the Western Xia seriously.

The territory of Western Xia is smaller than that of the Great Zhou in terms of area. It borders various countries and has no Jiangnan water town as a barrier to rely on, so it is destined to be difficult to develop.

Even if emperors like Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang were born, a good cook cannot cook without rice.

After leaving the court.

Wang Anshi asked to see Zhao Xi.

The latter took the initiative to speak: "The king's teacher came to see me, is it because of my reward to the guard teacher?"

Wang Anshi nodded and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, your favor to the Marquis of Wei is extremely rare in history."

Zhao Xi was a smart kid. "Master Wang, why do you think the Liao army reached Bianjing so quickly after marching south?"

Wang Anshi said thoughtfully: "The enemy is desperate and our army is unprepared. It is difficult to resist step by step."

Zhao Xi shook his head and said, "What the king master said is not important in my opinion."

"Our army was defeated in the first battle with the Liao army. They were like tigers and wolves, and our army was like lambs to be slaughtered."

"I have thought about it and it comes down to one thing: the status of my Great Zhou generals is too low."

"It was so low that even ordinary people looked down on those soldiers who fought for their country and called them soldiers."

"There is even a popular saying among the people that good men don't join the military."

"If this continues, who will dare to fight to the death for our Great Zhou?"

"Rather than rewarding the guards, I want to raise the status of military commanders so that all the brave men of our Great Zhou can fight for our country!"

"."

May 28th, the eighth year of Jiayou.

In the mansion of Marquis Guanjun.

Zhang Guifen ordered people to prepare a carriage and leave the city.

On the way, many people saw the carriage with the words "Loyal and Brave Marquis" engraved on it, and they all willingly gave way.

"Is it the carriage of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion?"

"Who's in the car?"

"Hasn't the emperor already promoted Marshal Wei to a higher rank? He should be Marquis of Champion now."

"The imperial edict was issued only yesterday. I think the words 'Loyal and Brave Marquis' Mansion' will be changed in the next few days."

"Master Wei deserves to be named Champion Marquis!"

"."

Zhang Guifen, who was sitting in the carriage, heard some noises from outside.

She was honored by it.

This honor is the result of her husband and countless soldiers who fought for their country and fought bloody battles.

Some people say that all the champions and marquises in every dynasty died young and died an unnatural death.

But Zhang Guifen didn't believe this.

In his opinion, the title of Champion Marquis of Wei Yuan belonged to the soldiers of the Northern Expedition rather than to Wei Yuan.

After she arrived outside the city and waited for about half an hour, Uncle Zhang, the housekeeper of the Duke of Ying's mansion, finally spoke:

"Girl, the people are here."

Zhang Guifen said "hmm".

In a carriage not far away, there was a pregnant woman sitting. This person was Xie Yuying.

The maid Xiaohong lifted the curtain and saw the carriage of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery in front of her. She said, "Miss, the Marquis's mansion has sent someone to pick us up."

Xie Yuying did not dare to be careless at the moment, and looked up in person, only to see a carriage with three horses at the head, and subconsciously said:

"Could it be that the Madam has come in person?" Xiao Hong exclaimed, "Miss, what should we do? How about driving the carriage over first and meeting the Madam in the Marquis's Mansion?"

Xie Yuying shook her head and said, "No, who are we? How can we drive the carriage over there? Ask the driver to stop, and I will walk over there."

The maid Xiao Xing said, "Madam, you are still pregnant."

Xie Yuying said: "You have come all the way here, it won't be a problem."

After saying this, she got off the carriage.

Xiao Xing and Xiao Hong followed her closely.

When they arrived in front of the luxurious carriage, Xie Yuying stopped, bowed deeply and said, "I don't know."

Before she could finish her words, Zhang Guifen had already lifted the car curtain and smiled at her.

At this moment, Xie Yuying seemed to be distracted.

I instantly realized that the person sitting in the carriage was Zhang Guifen.

In fact, she had imagined countless times in her mind what Zhang Guifen would look like.

But after seeing the real person, she realized how big the gap between her and the other party was.

Not to mention her appearance, just talking about her temperament, she is completely defeated.

She had never seen such a heroic woman, and even she was subconsciously moved.

"Your servant Xie Yuying greets the Madam."

Xie Yuying bowed again obediently.

The two maids behind her, after seeing Zhang Guifen's appearance and temperament, felt a sense of awe in their hearts, and followed Xie Yuying's example and bowed deeply.

Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "You are pregnant, it is inconvenient for you to stand for a long time, get in the car."

Having said that, he closed the car curtain.

Xie Yuying stood there in a daze.

Do you want to get on the Marquis’s carriage?
this.
While he was hesitating, Uncle Zhang, who was holding the reins and driving the car, said, "Madam asked you to get on, so just get on."

Then, the small wooden ladder of the carriage was lowered.

With the help of two maids, Xie Yuying slowly got into the carriage.

She followed Zhang Guifen's gaze and sat aside, appearing extremely restrained.

Zhang Guifen looked at her big belly and couldn't help but think of her own pregnancy, and said with a smile:

"The Marquis originally planned to bring you here after the war to defend the country was over."

"But I don't know when this battle will end. My Lord thought that I should bring you here while your belly is not too big yet."

Xie Yuying nodded and said, "Madam, I would never dare to step over the threshold of the Marquis' Mansion."

Zhang Guifen said earnestly, "Since you are already pregnant with the Marquis's child, it is only a matter of time before you marry into the family. Don't be impatient."

Sooner or later, that is to say, not now.

So where to go now?
Xie Yuying asked in confusion: "Madam, where are we going now?"

Zhang Guifen said, "Of course, I'll go back to the Marquis' Mansion."

Xie Yuying was flattered and said, "Didn't Madam say..."

Zhang Guifen said: "You are pregnant with the Wei family's child. Now that you have come to Beijing, my eldest sister and second sister both want to meet you."

The eldest sister and the second sister.
Xie Yuying was a little flustered, "Madam, I only brought some Jiangnan specialties. I am going to see my elder and second sisters like this."

Zhang Guifen smiled and said, "My elder sister and second sister don't take this too seriously. Besides, I have prepared some for you. When you return to the Marquis' Mansion, you can say that you prepared it."

Xie Yuying said: "How dare I..."

Zhang Guifen shook her head and said nothing.

As the carriage continued to move forward.

Suddenly, Uncle Zhang said, "Madam, it seems that the people in front of us are from the Kang family. They seem to have committed a crime."

Hearing this, Zhang Guifen lifted the car curtain and saw dozens of people from the Kang family, all tied together with heavy iron chains.

The head of the Kang family and Mrs. Kang stood in the first row. Both of them were tortured beyond recognition, especially Mrs. Kang, who was dressed in rags and there was not an inch of healthy skin on him.

Zhang Guifen looked at Lady Kang Wang.

And Queen Kang also noticed the carriage from the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Mansion.

She suddenly seemed to go crazy, and screamed hysterically: "Zhang Guifen! You deserve to die! You and the Wei family deserve to die! I will not let you go even if I become a ghost!"

Not far away, Old Mrs. Wang was about to burst into tears.

Zhang Guifen, who was sitting in the carriage, did not respond at all, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

At this moment, an officer from the yamen slapped Kang Wangshi hard and said angrily:
"How dare you! How dare you insult Lord Wei's family? Are you looking for death?!"

In addition to him, there were twenty-three detectives.

It seems that the Kang family will be escorted to exile.

Zhang Guifen closed the curtain and ordered Uncle Zhang to continue driving the carriage forward.

Just yesterday, in the afternoon when Wei Yuan was conferred the title of Marquis of Guanjun, Zhao Xi ordered people to move the old man of the Wang family out of the Taimiao.

On trumped-up charges, the Wang family was ordered to leave the capital immediately and be sent back to their hometown, with no right to return to the capital for the rest of their lives.

As for the Kang family, they were all exiled.

If Sheng Hong had not asked Wei Shuyi for help, Wei Shuyi would have informed Zhang Guifen of Sheng Hong's request.

I’m afraid that even Wang Ruofu will be implicated by the Kang and Wang families.

Ever since she experienced childbirth, Wei Shuyi is no longer a kind person. She asked Zhang Guifen to plead for mercy because she was considering the fact that Wei Yuan valued Sheng Changbai.

In the carriage.

Xie Yuying was curious about the people who had just been escorted, but she didn't dare to ask, so she had to keep her doubts to herself.

Seeing her in a daze, Zhang Guifen thought she was thinking about the Kang family and said with a smile:
"Those people were exiled by His Majesty because they offended our Wei family."

Xie Yuying was shocked.

She had long thought that the Wei family must be a family of transcendent military merit with great authority in the capital.

But who would have thought that some families would be exiled by the imperial court simply for offending the Wei family?

This is incredible.

The more Xie Yuying thought about it, the more frightened she became, but at the same time, she felt somewhat relieved.

Even though she had no status and could not enter the Marquis's Mansion, she was still Wei Yuan's woman.

With this identity, she can give birth to the baby in her belly, raise it well or settle down in the capital.

She liked staying in Jiangnan, not because she didn't want to come to the most prosperous and wealthy city of Bianjing.

But the water in the capital is too deep.

Except for Wei Xingtou who has a strong backer, who among these women in the secular world dares to say that after arriving in the capital, they will not be eaten to the bone by the powerful people in the capital?

When they arrived at the Marquis' Mansion, Xie Yuying and Zhang Guifen got off the carriage.

The former saw the front of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion, the two lifelike stone unicorns, the twelve halberds standing in front of the mansion gate, the three-entry and three-exit gate, and the nine-step high staircase.
Only then did I know what a truly powerful family is, and only then did I know how high the threshold to enter a marquisate is.

The nine thresholds of the Marquis' Mansion were added by Zhao Xi after he ascended the throne. Originally there were only six.

Six is ​​noble, nine is respected.

There are 108 steps in front of the hall where officials attend court.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, unless the emperor granted special permission, if any powerful family had more than six steps, it would be considered a violation.

At this time, Baozhu was waiting in front of the mansion gate. When she saw Zhang Guifen, she bowed deeply and said, "Madam, the eldest sister and the second sister have arrived, Miss Minglan is here too, and Mu Ge'er is crying and wants to see you."

Zhang Guifen laughed and said, "Is it because Minglan bullied Mu Ge'er again? Mu Ge'er wants to find me as a backer?"

Baozhu smiled and helped her across the steps, "Who knows? Anyway, there's something wrong with the way Muge'er looks at Miss Minglan."

Zhang Guifen smiled and shook her head. When she stood in front of the mansion gate, she suddenly turned around and slowly spoke to Xie Yuying who was standing there in a daze:

"What are you standing there for? Go into the mansion and see the eldest and second sisters."

(End of this chapter)