You have truly caused me great suffering!

When news of the mass arrest of officials from the Mizhou Maritime Trade Office reached Taiyuan, Chen Shao was recuperating at home.

Because he had been supervising the construction of irrigation ditches quite often during the agricultural assistance program, he even personally wielded a shovel a few times to encourage everyone.

This caused him to catch a slight cold, and his throat has been a little sore for the past few days.

Chen Shao leaned against a soft couch, and Chun Tao sat on the edge of the bed, haphazardly wiping his face with a hot towel.

She had just taken a shower, and her face was fair and rosy, looking incredibly healthy; there was no sign of illness at all.

Chen Shao said with a smile, "This person is strange. Back then, he slept with his weapon as a pillow and on the ground. He was soaked in the torrential rain in Hengshan for seven days and did not get sick."

Madam Lin curtsied and said with a smile, "As the saying goes, when righteousness resides within, evil cannot invade. Appropriate exercise keeps the heart and blood vessels in place, which in turn house the spirit. This can alert the mind and promote the flow of qi and blood to the body's surface, thus granting temporary immunity to all diseases."

"It's okay to do this occasionally, but overdoing it will cause harm. The way to maintain health is to do things gradually and steadily, so that yin and yang can be in harmony."

Chen Shao thought about it and felt it made a lot of sense. This was also why those outstanding people who devoted themselves to starting businesses often did not live long.

Li Shimin, who personally conquered the country and led every battle, only lived to be in his fifties.

Those like Li Sanlang and Li Longji, who started taking care of their health from a young age, were able to live long lives.

Emperors Qianlong and Yongzheng are also good examples.

Ultimately, if you are good at enduring hardship, you will suffer endless hardships and eventually be plagued by all kinds of illnesses, dying a miserable death.

Chen Shao secretly reminded himself that overwork is harmful, and everything should be done slowly and steadily.

Because he can't afford to die.
His legacy rests on his shoulders; if he were to suddenly die, it would be even more tragic than Chai Rong's fate.

"That makes sense. I'll trouble you, Madam Lin, to prepare some health-preserving medicine for me to take regularly."

Lady Lin smiled and said, "Shishi has already started working on it. Your Majesty is truly a blessed man."

"If that's how you put it, then I won't argue with you. Meeting Shishi is a great blessing!"

Chen Shao, who was chatting idly, took the urgent report handed to him by the maid, glanced at it, and smacked his lips.

Qu Da left alone again.

Although I was traveling alone, this time it was a little better because I had arranged things beforehand.

At that time, he told himself that the officials of the Mizhou Maritime Trade Office were intentionally obstructing the Dingnan Army from opening a naval port.

Chen Shao's reply to him was to act as he saw fit.

As a result, he directly shut them down.

Although it was a bit sudden, it doesn't seem to be a problem.

The Dingnan Army, as a group with vested interests, needs someone like Qu Duan to prevent people from thinking that anyone can play dirty tricks against them.

Seeing that Chen Shao had begun to deal with government affairs, Madam Lin quietly withdrew, leaving only Chun Tao by his side.

It wouldn't be appropriate for him to pretend he knew nothing about the Maritime Trade Office.

However, how to give Bianliang an explanation without delaying the important work of his subordinates still requires careful consideration.

After thinking it over, Chen Shao felt that he still had too little contact with Bianliang.

The people sent were very capable and of high caliber, but there were too few of them.

Bianliang should be the next priority.

Back then, if I had sent Liu Guanglie, he could have accomplished a lot, because he was my cousin.

Strictly speaking, he was his only remaining relative or influential figure.

In this day and age, blood ties are still highly valued. When Liu Guanglie talked to people in Bianliang, he was able to represent himself very well.

Chen Shao couldn't help but sigh once again at how difficult his family background was.

Although Old Zhu started with just one bowl, he also has a brother-in-law, a nephew, and a great-nephew.

Since the clan isn't helping, we can only rely on ourselves and strive to expand our lineage, starting with this generation.

Chen Shao stroked Chun Tao's back and laughed, "Chun Tao, they all gave me sons and daughters, why didn't you give me one?"

Chuntao said with a grin, "That's too much suffering. I'm not going to give birth. Let my older sister give birth for me."

"She'll hit you again if she hears that."

Chun Tao wrinkled her nose, instantly looking a little unhappy; clearly, the beatings she received each time were no joke.

"You're really stubborn. You know you'll get beaten up if you say certain things, but you still insist on provoking her."

Chun Tao looked aggrieved, hugged Chen Shao's neck, and said, "You don't know, she was deliberately stirring up trouble."

As she spoke, her face fell. "It's no use telling you; you're definitely on her side."

It's common knowledge that Chen Shao favors Li Shishi, and he himself would never defend himself against it.

Who is Li Shishi? She was the founder of the Dingnan Army and a shareholder, and she and he were deeply in love.

Ignoring Chun Tao's complaints, Chen Shao held her in his arms and began to consider whether he should send more people to Bianliang.

After Geng Nanzhong's death, someone should fill the vacancy.

As one of the first two ministers to enter Bianliang, Geng Nanzhong was still very important.

With his loss, the Dingnan Army's power in Bianliang City and the imperial court has shrunk considerably.

If you want someone to fill this hole, it would be best if they were in the same ecological niche as Geng Nanzhong.

There are very few people like this around Chen Shao, which is why, despite his initial disdain for Geng Nanzhong, he still placed him in a high position.

Sitting on the bed, Chen Shao pondered this matter, but he slowly began to think about other issues.

Now that I've gained this momentum, very few people like Geng Nanzhong will take the initiative to come and join me.

These scholar-officials of the Song Dynasty were still reluctant to part with the Song Dynasty at heart; they truly loved the Song Dynasty.

Chen Shao shook his head and smiled bitterly. He knew he would never get involved with the Zhao family on this track; everything in excess is as bad as deficiency.

During the Five Dynasties period, the military men caused too much trouble, so the Song Dynasty could only govern the military through civil administration, thus creating a situation of "ruling the world together with the scholar-officials".

But this cut was indeed a bit too heavy, leading to the current situation.

Chen Shao, having risen to power through military force, naturally needed to make changes.

The scholar-official class of the Song Dynasty would not have been unaware of this principle.

Once Chen Shaozhen truly changes the dynasty, their lives won't be as comfortable as they were during the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, they are not in a hurry to surrender.

Let's wait and see. Chen Shao has no clan, so no one can say for sure whether he can make it to the end.

What if he unfortunately dies young?
Even after a dynasty falls, there are still many remnants and descendants, let alone the Song Dynasty today.

After much deliberation, Chen Shao still didn't know who to send, and he didn't trust Cai Jing.

If Cai Jing were completely one of their own, things would be much easier. In short, the development is too fast, and the talent pool can't keep up.
The only thing that made Chen Shao feel fortunate was that the current emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Huan, was a "good person".

Zhao Huan's cooperation actually relieved a lot of pressure on Chen Shao, allowing him to focus on outwitting the Song emperor.

Never underestimate the influence of the word "emperor".

Even though he was the last emperor, his appeal was extraordinary.
-

The next morning.

Chen Shao arrived at the government office.

A group of officials came forward to greet him, and Chen Shao smiled and said that he was fine, but his throat was still a little uncomfortable.

After sitting down, Chen Shao said, "Geng Xidao was unfortunately killed. I intend to go to Bianliang and send another minister."

"Gentlemen, please advise me on who would be suitable to send. If someone is the right person, please feel free to speak your mind."

Upon hearing that they were to go to Bianliang, the officials showed little interest. Staying by the side of the Prince of Dai was the best way out at the moment.

Even just becoming a familiar face can bring unexpected benefits in the future.

Chen Shao turned his gaze to Li Tangchen, a professor at Taiyuan Academy, whose students were many of the local scholars.

It would be most appropriate for him to make the recommendation.

Li Tangchen shook his head inwardly, but stepped forward helplessly and said, "Zhao Ding of Jiezhou is skilled in both literature and martial arts. His family is a prominent clan in Hedong. The Prince of Dai may consider him."

Chen Shao immediately agreed; Li Tangchen wouldn't speak without reason.

What position does Zhao Ding hold now?

"He was appointed as the county magistrate of Changdao County, Minzhou."

Zhao Ding's official position is too low. Chen Shao then turned his gaze to Zhang Xiaochun.

His original intention was to ask Zhang Xiaochun to make some recommendations, but he didn't expect Zhang Xiaochun to misunderstand his meaning.

He stepped forward and said, "Then I will go to Bianliang!"

Everyone looked at him with a hint of admiration, and Chen Shao nodded and said, "It would be best if Lord Yongxi were willing to go."

Although Zhang Xiaochun was not as well-connected or senior as Geng Nanzhong in the scholar-official circles, he was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) during the Yuanyou era and rose through the ranks to become a Bachelor of the Longtu Pavilion, the Pacification Commissioner of Hedong Road, and the Prefect of Taiyuan!

Having accumulated sufficient experience, returning to the capital to take up a post is a matter of course.

Chen Shao didn't let him go not because he didn't want to, but because he felt that Zhang Xiaochun probably didn't want to leave, and he couldn't force him.

I didn't expect Old Zhang to show such generosity.
Actually, he has always been quite selfless.

Most of the time, they work quietly.

Since Zhang Xiaochun volunteered to go, he is capable and experienced, so Chen Shao shouldn't wrong him.

He immediately offered a large number of rewards, including a thousand taels of gold and silver, and also gifted a luxurious mansion in Bianliang.

The surrounding officials were all somewhat surprised, not expecting the Prince of Dai to be so generous.

Should I also recommend myself?
Of course, they were just thinking about it. If they were really given the chance, they would probably still stay by Chen Shao's side.

Li Tangchen then pointed out several sons of prominent families in Hedong, as well as some outstanding students from poor families in Taiyuan Academy, and asked if they should accompany Zhang Xiaochun to the capital.

Chen Shao naturally agreed, and Zhang Xiaochun himself had no objections.

During this trip to the capital, he needs some subordinates to help him establish a firm foothold in the court and for future development.

Of course, the forces of the Dingnan Army in the court will also help him.

Geng Nanzhong's official positions were Signatory Privy Councilor and Vice Minister of the Chancellery.

He was the representative of the Dingnan Army in the Privy Council, holding a very high position and a very important status.

Naturally, some foundation is needed.

Chen Shao also sent the list of officials that Geng Nanzhong had previously linked to to Zhang Xiaochun.

Since you're willing to make sacrifices, I'll naturally provide you with the best conditions.
-

Fuzhou.

Liu Guanglie, clad in light armor, stopped his horse in the suburbs and watched the Fuyan army pass by one by one.

They were heading south, supposedly to guard against the Tibetans.

It goes without saying who they are guarding against at these locations.

Yao Gu has never been very honest, and Liu Guanglie wants to completely block Yao Gu's way out of the mountains in the original territory of Huanqing Army, namely Huanzhou and Qingzhou.

During this period, killing Yao Gu was the only task for the Fuyan Army.

Of course, Yao Gu might not dare to come out of seclusion.

The purpose of undertaking such a significant task is to eliminate all potential threats.

Liu Guanglie glanced back at Fuzhou City, his expression complex.

With the crack of a whip, he spurred his horse and rode away.

Inside the Liu residence in the city, Liu Yanqing and his son Liu Guangshi were drinking tea in the guest room.

"he's gone?"

Liu Yanqing, holding a teacup, looked at the Liu family retainers standing in the hall and asked coldly.

"He's gone. I saw him leave with my own eyes."

The guards wanted to say something more, but when Liu Guanglie left, he turned back several times, looking towards Fuzhou.

But he was immediately interrupted by Liu Yanqing, "Good riddance!"

At this moment, Liu Guangshi looked slightly worried and said, "Father, I have a bad feeling. Maybe we should just give up. Chen Shao's army is strong and well-equipped now, and we can't defeat him."

"You bastard!" Liu Yanqing cursed, "Do you expect me to hand over our ancestors' legacy to that Chen fellow?"

Liu Anshi, the younger brother, also said, "Brother, don't boost others' morale and diminish our own. So what if Chen Shao? He started as a grain transport commissioner and rose to his current position. Why can't we?"

Liu Guangshi lowered his head and sighed inwardly. Selling the family business to the Chen family was not a big deal.

It's simply a matter of price.

But unfortunately, his half-brother was Chen Shao's cousin.

Moreover, they are cousins ​​who grew up together and are very close.

I had never even looked at Liu Guanglie before, so I didn't know anything about his relatives.

They only found out later, after Chen Shao had risen to prominence, that Chen Shao would visit the Liu residence during festivals.

It turns out that Chen Yuexian took such good care of her nephew.

Liu Guangshi knew that what his father was truly upset about was never the relationship between Liu Guanglie and Chen Shao.

Rather, he himself did not gain any benefit from the relationship.

Instead, they lost all of Fu Yanjun's wealth.

This is worse than killing him.

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the courtyard.

Liu Yanqing frowned, got up and went to the door.

Liu Guangshi and Liu Anshi followed.

A group of armored soldiers poured into the courtyard, led by Wang Qi, who had always followed Liu Guanglie with a carefree attitude.

"Wang Qi! Are you trying to rebel?!"

Wang Qi laughed and said, "That's strange. You're not my sovereign, and I'm not your subject, so how can you say I'm rebelling?"

"What are you trying to do by barging into my residence with your men?"

"I am ordered to escort Lord Liu to Yongle City to retire." Wang Qi laughed, "I really envy Lord Liu and the two young generals. Yongle City is great! It is prosperous now and doesn't even lack water!"

"I believe that if you can live out your lives in Yongle City, your lives will have been worthwhile."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yanqing flew into a rage, shouting, "Summon Liu Guanglie to see me!"

Once they were escorted to Yongle City, supposedly for recuperation, they were actually detained and controlled.

The Zhong family had by this time completely submitted to Chen Shao's command.

"Third Brother has already led his troops out. Today's events are all arranged by Third Brother," Wang Qi said with a smile. "Old Liu, please!" (End of Chapter)