At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 256 Meeting Master Xun on the Road

The east gradually brightened, the sun rose at dawn, and ascended from between heaven and earth. The golden rays of light swept across the mountains, fields, and rivers, and finally sprinkled on the land of Xiliang.

Shuiyun Mountain is bathed in the rosy glow of the sky, and the air is filled with the faint fragrance of plants and trees.

The many white cranes in Guanyu Lake were already familiar with each other. When they saw Xiao Han, they were not afraid but came closer, flapping their wings and playing in the lake in front of them.

"cluck"

He scattered two handfuls of rice husks into the water. Hearing the sound, several ducks from under the old willow tree immediately rushed over.

However, he was beaten by the white crane and fled away in fear. He could only hide in the distance and watched the white crane eat his food.

Everyone is angry but dares not speak out.

“What a bully.”

Xiao Han took out a handful of husks from the bamboo basket and threw them down, scolding with a smile: "It's just me, Master. If Qingyao sees you bullying her ducks, I will chase you off with a stick."

It's not to be alarmist, but Qingyao has done such a thing.

For a while, she found that the poultry she raised were not growing tall, so she secretly stayed in the bamboo forest nearby.

She found that every time she walked away, these white cranes would land and not only steal her food, but also beat her ducks.

In a rage, he picked up a stick and drove them out of Guanyu Lake. Unfortunately, these guys were thick-skinned and ran back soon.

"You feed them again."

A familiar voice came into Xiao Han's ears. He turned around and saw Qingyao coming over with puffed cheeks. She complained, "Ever since I asked you to feed the ducks, all the money has gone to those white cranes."

She took the bamboo basket, squatted down, and called them with a strange sound from her mouth. The white ducks seemed to see their savior and gathered around her.

"Tomorrow I'll go find Tiger Chi and borrow a crossbow."

"Okay."

Xiao Han smiled and said, "Remember to give me a bite."

……

Mid June.

Xiao Han took Ning Xi for a walk around the eight counties. The crops in various places were growing very well. Looking around, the entire Xiliang land was shrouded in green.

The rice seedlings in the five counties of Youzhou and Xiliang are the best. The fields in Xia Pi and Shangdang were newly reclaimed in recent years, so their growth is a little worse.

The land in the five counties of Youzhou is not barren, but in the past few years, Jizhou has been aggressive in military expansion and imposed extremely high taxes.

In addition, due to the confrontation with Xiliang last year, a year of farming was abandoned. After being incorporated into Xiliang, the decrees of the Xiliang government were implemented to reduce taxes and encourage farming. The government provided seeds and farm tools. The more land was reclaimed and the more grain was grown, the more rewards would be received.

In addition, last year's work-for-relief program helped build a large number of canals, dredge rivers, and level the land.

These factors combined have completely brought unprecedented vitality to the five counties of Youzhou.

The carriage moved slowly on the flat and wide official road. In addition to Qingyao and Shen Pei, there were only Hu Chi and seven or eight personal guards, all dressed in casual clothes.

"how."

The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Ning Xi, the Marquis of Xiliang, stuck her head out and looked around. Everywhere she looked, there were green seedlings. On both sides of the official road, there were crisscrossing paths, and in the fields, there were many farmers weeding.

“Perhaps, this is the Utopia.”

She whispered, "Just now I heard the passing vendors talking about my husband's new policy."

"Over the years, I have been promoting new policies and opening up trade routes in Xiliang, and the results are beginning to show."

Xiao Han said: "This is still the first year of implementation in the five counties of Youzhou. Every year in the future, the five counties will undergo earth-shaking changes."

By then, people from the other two states will flock here, and without support, what’s the use of having the title of Marquis of Zhenbei?

"This is called conquering the enemy without fighting."

Ning Xi sighed: "It is a waste of my husband's talent to be the Marquis of Xiliang."

"Hahaha."

He laughed.

The carriage went along the official road all the way to Changshan.

The setting sun burst into a bright golden light, and the mountains and fields were shimmering.

Every half an hour, a cavalry team would patrol the official road.

"My Lord, we are just ahead of us, Guocheng." Shen Pei said, "We can rest in Guocheng tonight and continue our journey tomorrow."

Just finished.

A carriage drove over and stopped in front of Xiao Han's carriage. The middle-aged man driving the carriage got off, clasped his fists and asked, "Is the one in front Xiliang waiting for the carriage?"

Shen Pei's right hand was ready to draw the dry knife at his waist at any time. Qingyao rode forward, her pretty face cold, and asked: "Who are you?"

"I am Master Xun from the Academy, my second disciple, Chen Li."

The man introduced himself.

The carriage curtain opened and Xiao Han got out.

"Exactly."

Chen Li nodded and also lifted the curtain. An old scholar with gray hair on his temples walked out. He had a peaceful expression on his face. Although he looked a little thin, he was actually very strong.

His steps were vigorous and powerful, his eyes were focused, and his hands were folded: "I am Xunlong, and I am honored to meet you, Lord Marquis."

"Master Xun, you are too polite."

Xiao Han bowed to express his respect.

"How did the Master recognize me?"

He was curious.

"I traveled lightly and without fanfare, and I had no soldiers accompanying me."

"Hahaha."

Master Xun stroked his beard and said calmly, "Although the Marquis does not show off, these seven or eight guards, although wearing coarse cloth, are like tigers and wolves, full of murderous aura, and are not ordinary creatures. In addition, I heard that the Marquis would patrol the counties in spring and autumn, so I made some guesses."

"Master, you have a keen eye. I admire you."

Xiao Han flattered him lightly.

Master Xun, whose real name is Xunlong, is the ancestor of the Xun family in Changshan. He is of an incredibly high generation, and should be Xunying's great uncle.

When he was young, he traveled around the world, looking for famous teachers, acquired a wealth of knowledge, and was promoted to the position of Guanglu Dafu of Taichang Temple.

Later, he resigned from his official position and retired to the imperial palace to practice. It has been more than 40 years since then, and he has countless disciples.

In Confucianism, he is a very high-ranking figure. Such a great figure should not be made an enemy unless necessary.

"I heard earlier that you were going back to Changshan to visit your relatives. I wanted to go and meet you, but I got busy and forgot about it. Please forgive me."

He patted his forehead, looking apologetic.

"My Lord, you are responsible for the eight counties of Xiliang and the millions of people. How can you think of an old man like me?"

The Master shook his head: "If I alone feel the public affairs, then I can't bear it."

"Master, have you traveled through the five counties of Youzhou?"

Xiao Han asked.

"I left and watched it."

Master Xun nodded: "What I saw and heard really made my eyes light up."

"Master, you are too kind."

He clasped his fists and said, "I have an unwelcome request, Master, I wonder if you can agree to it."

"Master Marquis, please tell me."

"Although Xiliang has some vitality due to my painstaking efforts over the years, I am a military general and I have a bad reputation."

Xiao Han said calmly, "Although we have issued a recruitment order and recruited many talented and capable people, there is still a lack of capable officials in various parts of Xiliang."

"I am so bold as to want to borrow your father and son's talent and reputation for a while."

"Hahaha."

Master Xun laughed, "Marquis Xiliang is really straightforward and doesn't hide anything."

"Under the Master's wise eyes, hiding is useless."

He shook his head.

(End of this chapter)