Do You Know?: Rule the World

Zhao Han enjoyed her service and chuckled, "That's right, after all, she is the eldest daughter of the Wang family."

At this moment, Chang Qing bowed and stood outside the screen, saying respectfully, "Your Highness, Lord Zhongjing Marquis requests an audience and is waiting in the main hall."

When Zhao Han heard the three words "Zhongjing Hou", his eyebrows raised slightly.

The Zheng family of Marquis Zhongjing has always kept themselves out of trouble in the court over the years and has never participated in any party struggles.

It is a well-known family of integrity and also one of the most prominent and kind families in the capital.

Like the Ningyuan Marquis Gu family, they made their fortune through military achievements, but in terms of actual power, they far surpass the Gu family.

This is also the reason why Zhao Zongquan married his sister-in-law Xiao Shen to the second son of the Zheng family after he ascended the throne.

Lord Zheng Bingwen, the old Marquis of Zheng, is nearly seventy years old, and it is rare for him to come to visit on his own initiative.

Thinking of this, Zhao Han patted Hua Lan on the back of her hand.

In the main hall.

When Lord Zheng saw Zhao Han from afar, he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "This old minister pays his respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhao Han stepped forward quickly and gave him a false helping hand: "Old Marquis, there is no need to be so polite."

"My Lord, you have devoted yourself to the court over the years. I feel bad for accepting such a generous gift."

Old Marquis Zheng straightened up, looked at Zhao Han inconspicuously, and a hint of approval flashed in his tiger eyes.

After some pleasantries, he put down his teacup, stroked his beard, and said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I came here for my second son, Zheng Xiao."

Lord Zheng has two sons.

The eldest son, Zheng Jun, was appointed as the Pacifier of Hedong Road at the age of 26 and stationed at Yanmen Pass. He was one of the few young generals in the court.

The second son, Zheng Xiao, is the young General Zheng, who has a good family background, character and appearance, but he has not yet joined the army.

Seeing the confusion on Zhao Han's face, Old Marquis Zheng sighed softly and said with a wry smile, "I am already old, and my eldest son will inherit the title in the future. The only thing I am worried about is that bastard Zheng Xiao."

"Although the eldest daughter-in-law in the family treated him very well and took good care of his food, clothing, housing and transportation since he was a child."

"But even as an old man like me, I still hope that he can achieve fame and honor with his own abilities, so that he can have a wife and children, bring honor to our family, and make all the hard work I've put into cultivating him over the years worthwhile."

"I originally planned to have him follow my brother to Daizhou and train at Yanmen Pass for a few years."

"He insists on joining your Highness's Cavalry Battalion and has been begging me for days."

Zheng Xiao wanted to come as early as when Zhao Han was recruiting elite soldiers.

But the political situation was unclear at the time, and Lord Zheng was worried about getting involved, so he stopped him.

"Parents who love their children will always plan for them. The old marquis has great intentions, and I understand them. It's not difficult to join the Cavalry Battalion..."

Before Zhao Han could finish, Old Marquis Zheng patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Although Xiao'er is a useless person, he has been training martial arts with me for many years and has mastered archery, horse riding, and shooting. What's more rare is that he can endure hardships!"

"Even if he starts from the lowest level as a soldier, he will never bring shame to His Highness!"

Seeing his sincerity, Zhao Han smiled.

"Your Excellency is too kind. I have long heard of Zheng Erlang's talent. Since Your Excellency is willing to give him up, I naturally welcome him."

Upon hearing this, Lord Zheng stood up excitedly and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your help!"

"Tomorrow morning, I will have this brat report to Commander Pei!"

"If he slacks off in the slightest, he will be punished according to military law!"

-

After several days, the Western Xia envoys were about to enter the capital.

The news that Mrs. Wang from the Kang family lent money at high interest rates was also widely spread in the city.

Many officials' wives had never expected that Wang Ruoyu, who appeared to be adorned with gold and silver and relied on the old Grand Tutor Wang to be somewhat respectable, was actually doing such things behind the scenes.

The Kang family, which was already deserted, was now in even worse situation.

Kang Haifeng watched the Sheng family's prosperity rise, and was repeatedly provoked and insulted by Wang Ruoyu.

That day he specially prepared generous gifts and wanted to visit a few of his good colleagues, hoping to find a way to be reinstated.

Unexpectedly, after a complete setback, everyone tried to avoid him.

Some even advised him not to think about becoming an official anymore. He had lost his job due to being reprimanded by the government, and now he was lucky not to be punished.

Kang Mansion, backyard.

Kang Haifeng frowned and looked at Wang Ruoyu, "If it weren't for the fact that you spent three years in mourning for my parents, I would have divorced you long ago based on what you've done in the mansion over the years!"

Wang Ruoyu has been very angry these days.

She wanted to drag the Sheng family into the blame, but she had no evidence, and even several managers of the bank had disappeared.

She stiffened her neck and shouted, "Divorce letter? Divorce me now if you dare!"

"I'm afraid without my Wang family behind me, your Kang family would have collapsed long ago. If you have the guts, you should first make up for my dowry!"

"I'm lending money at high interest because you have concubines everywhere in your courtyard!"

"If you dare to divorce me, I will expose all your affairs to the world and let everyone see what you have done to the Kang family, once a noble family!"

Kang Haifeng blushed at her words.

In a fit of rage, he swung his arm and slapped Wang Ruoyu in the face.

"Snap!" With a crisp sound, five bright red fingerprints suddenly appeared on Wang Ruoyu's face.

"Kang Haifeng, you dare to hit me!" She covered her face and widened her eyes in disbelief.

Kang Haifeng looked at her coldly and said sternly, "If you dare to do anything wrong behind my back, I will tell everyone that you are insane and nail you to the door and lock you up!"

"No matter how powerful your Wang family is, don't even think about me releasing you!"

Chapter 105 Qi Silk and Lu Silk, Liao Abandoned by Shi (Two in One)

Dutingyi was an important place for the Zhou Dynasty to receive foreign envoys.

It is responsible for the daily life, food, and etiquette of the envoys from various countries. Moreover, this place is close to the center of the imperial court, and the envoys' coming and going are all under the eyes of the imperial guards.

Envoys from the Liao Kingdom were usually placed here first, followed by envoys from the Western Xia Kingdom, on the west side of Duting Posthouse.

As for the negotiation with the envoys, it was the responsibility of important officials in the court, including Hanlin scholar Hai Ning and Minister of Rites Han Zhang.

The night was as dark as ink, but the lights in Wenhua Hall were still bright.

Zhao Zhen sat upright in front of the imperial desk, his ochre-yellow uniform gleaming softly in the candlelight.

Zhao Han, Han Zhang, Zhang Fu and other old ministers are all here.

Everyone agreed that the Hengshan area was a strategic point on the Zhou-Xia border, and that they must take this opportunity to build more forts south of Hengshan, such as Suizhou and Yinzhou, to weaken the offensive capabilities of Western Xia.

As for the annual gift, forget it.

In recent years, Xixia has used our dynasty's money to support its army and buy horses, and then turned around and invaded our border whenever they were not satisfied with something. How can this be justified in the world?

"Can they really agree to this?"

"When I met with them today, I saw the envoy's eyes. He seemed very dissatisfied."

Xue Pu stroked his beard, feeling that he would have to spend a lot of time talking tomorrow.

If the talks break down accidentally and a fight breaks out, it will be a real commotion.

Zhang Fu snorted coldly, then stood up and said, "The soldiers in the army have just won a victory and received rewards. Their morale is high!"

"If they're not convinced, then fight again!"

"Close the market and ban the use of white salt. Let's see how long they can hold out!"

When Han Zhang heard this, his old face suddenly frowned and he shook his head repeatedly.

"The ban on blue salt benefits the country but harms the people. It strengthens the border but provokes the enemy. Judging from the current situation, the gains do not outweigh the losses."

Qingbai salt is a specialty of Western Xia. It is bluish-white in color, pure in texture, cheap and sweet in taste, and is deeply loved by the people of Da Zhou.

It has even become the hard currency for private trade in the northwest border and the most important economic pillar of Western Xia.

Once the entry of blue and white salt is strictly prohibited, Xixia will immediately fall into trouble.

The prices of necessities such as rice, cloth, and tea skyrocketed, making it difficult for people to make a living, causing widespread public resentment and even leading to unrest.

But if the Western Xia are pushed too hard, they will never sit idly by and wait for death. They will definitely resort to force, even the whole country's strength.

After all, this situation has happened more than once.

Zhao Zhen looked at Zhang Fu's excited expression, waved his hand gently, and motioned him to sit down.

"My dear, please sit down and don't get too excited."

"I know you are eager to serve your country. If there is a suitable opportunity to go to war, you will be the first one I think of."

Zhang Fu heard this, and although he was still unwilling to accept it, he could only bow and say, "I obey your order."

Zhao Han stood aside, silent for a long time, then slowly swept his gaze over the faces of the ministers. He said quietly, "If Xixia still wants tea, silk, and money, we can try another way!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at him with confusion, including Zhao Zhen on the throne.

"Do you remember how Guan Zhong brought the State of Lu to its knees without bloodshed?"

Han Zhang thought about it and nodded repeatedly.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi and Lu were neighbors.

The State of Lu was famous for its high-quality silk, and Guan Zhong, as the prime minister, was well versed in economics.

It was suggested that Duke Huan of Qi and his ministers take the lead in wearing silk from Lu, and that the nobles of Qi buy silk at high prices.

Seeing the profitability, merchants from Lu State spread the word widely after returning home, and guided the entire Lu nation to abandon grain production and grow mulberry trees, focusing on silk production and gradually abandoning agriculture.

A year later, Qi suddenly banned grain shipments and stopped purchasing silk. Lu was forced to submit to Qi due to food shortages.

"Han'er, what are you planning to do?" Zhao Zhen rubbed his hands and asked impatiently.

Zhao Han smiled slightly. "Xixia has herds of sheep and horses numbering tens of thousands. They are rich in wool, but very little cashmere."

Zhang Fu frowned, his face full of doubt as he said, "A few years ago, when I was stationed at the northwest border, I heard the herdsmen mention it."

"Wool mostly comes from sheep, while cashmere comes from goats. Although goat meat is good, it is extremely rare to produce cashmere."