Love Affairs in Chang’an Chapter 252: The arrival of the little devil

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In the early morning of the next day, Qin Mubai arranged a warship and invited Xiao Yuan and some officials and craftsmen accompanying him on the boat, and went to Xihecao to investigate the terrain.

When he arrived at the river port and wanted to change to a small boat, Xiao Yu felt a little trembling in his legs. Such a small boat, if someone accidentally fell into the river, someone from the side would not die, but that would be too shameful. So he sat cautiously in the cabin, as if he was holding his breath in front of an enemy, he didn't dare to move his butt. The people in the boat made their heads laugh.

Several shuttle boats traversed the harbor road for a long time, until the heads of Xiao Yu and others were turned dizzy, and finally they reached Shizipo. Xiao Yu was already dumbfounded. When he disembarked, he kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered: "With such a complicated terrain, vertical and horizontal harbours and bends, how can the boats and horses transporting stone and building materials come in? Lost? If you want to build a royal cemetery and palace here, it's just a dream!"

"Elder Xiao Ge, now you always know what the humble job said is true, right?" Qin Mubai stomped hard and pointed to the ground and said, "The vastness of the rivers and swamps is just one of them. The ground is hard here. If you want to build a palace here, you can’t even bury the foundation, how can you get the law? Furthermore, if you want to build a palace above, it will inevitably collapse the underground palace below. Therefore, if you don’t have to spend several years and months, there will be no It may be done."

Xiao Yu picked up a rock with serious thoughts and knocked it **** the ground, and shook his head in embarrassment: "It's really a hard rock. Presumably, when Yang Guang built the tomb in this secret tomb, he had already used large stones to top the palace. The wall has been consolidated, and now it is impossible to build a palace on top of it."

"So, we have to change our plan." Qin Mubai said, "In fact, this place was once a snake island, on which tens of thousands of snakes lived."

"What?!" Xiao Yu almost jumped up when he heard the words, yelling: "Snake!!!"

"Elder Xiao Ge, don't panic, listen to the humble position and finish speaking." Qin Mubai held back a smile and said, "In the past half month, the humble position has sent nearly a thousand civilian men and soldiers who are good at catching snakes. The snakes on the island are almost hunted and driven, and a lot of snake repellent powder has been sprinkled on the entire island. Now, there are basically no snakes on this small island."

"Oh, that's it, that's it..." Xiao Yu still wiped his forehead with some fear, and muttered, "No wonder you haven't started work, it turns out you are dealing with a snake disease on the island."

"Exactly." Qin Mubai said, "If these beasts are not dealt with, if the prince or Jiang Xia is bitten by the time, then that is a very bad thing, what do you think?—— We just said that we need to change the plan. Elder Xiao Ge is willing to listen to the humble opinion?"

"Well, you said." Xiao Yu nodded.

"Humble duty means to clean up the island, place plants, flowers, and trees, lay carpets, and build temporary altars for the ceremonies. As for the river course, I can use military service to recruit civilians and dig one. You can pass through the river channel of the large warships and go straight here. At that time, you can avoid letting the Prince and King Jiang Xia take the shuttle boat. What do you think?"

"Yes, it's good... But, after all, this is Emperor Yang's tomb, so hastily arranged things?" Xiao Yu still said unwillingly.

Qin Mubai moved his eyes and motioned him to step aside, and said in a low voice: "Elder Xiao Ge, please forgive me for your humble words. Although Yang Guang is the emperor, he is also the king of the former dynasty. The reason why your majesty Is willing to sacrifice to him, firstly because he has a broad-minded and open mind, and secondly, it is also for the face of passing on the jade seal of the country. Do you think that your Majesty really admires and loves Yang Guang in his heart? That is absolutely impossible! You are always Yang Guang’s brother-in-law. Your identity is sensitive. His Majesty sent you to preside over the sacrifice to show your selfless heart. However, if you are too true, you will make this sacrifice vigorous, even on a scale. After surpassing the ancestors of the emperor Wude, can the emperor feel happy? At that time, the Manchu civil and martial arts will not say that you Xiaoge is the elder of the former Sui Dynasty, and you will not forget the subjugated Yang Guang in your heart? This is not great!"

After Xiao Yu heard what Qin Mubai said, the expression on his face did not change much. After all, he is also an old man who has been in the court for decades. Although he is straightforward and strong, it does not mean that he is really stupid. When faced with a critical problem, he is very good at hiding his emotions.

"General Qin, I think you are worrying too much." Xiao Yu said, "Yang Guang is my brother-in-law, but he is also the cousin of the current emperor? The old ministers are on orders, how do the emperors assign them, old officials There is no difference in how to do it. If someone really speculates and criticizes the veteran because of this, the veteran will have no fear at all and will not care about it."

Qin Mubai blinked, and cursed secretly in his heart: Old fox, his mouth is so hard!

"But having said that, the previous plan of the old minister in Chang'an did not know the terrain in advance. Moreover, three months was too hasty. However, the three plans I made ——Qinghe Road, Jianming Hall, and Cultivation Cowl, you overthrew me if you didn't do anything, it is too unreasonable." Xiao Yu wrinkled his brows, stroked his long beard, and said, "Let's do it. I am not embarrassed by you, you also let me have an explanation to His Majesty the Emperor. Let’s make a compromise."

"What plan?" Qin Mubai asked.

"The river does not need to be cleaned up for the time being. As you said, it is enough to excavate a river that can enter a large warship. The prince and the king of Jiang Xia can also be frugal, but if the two of them are condemned... "Xiao Yu stopped talking.

"Don't worry, I'm responsible." Qin Mubai said coldly, "What else, go on."

"Also, I don't have any opinion on setting up a temporary altar. But sooner or later, the Ming Palace will be built. As for how to build it, it is the work of the craftsmen. You don't need to worry about General Qin." Xiao Yu said, " Besides, you're just acting as the governor, aren't you?"

Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel a little irritated. This Xiao Yu is really desperate for face, regardless of other people's feelings, no wonder the popularity is so bad. But right now, arguing with him is really meaningless, so let's say Quan and promise him.

"Well, I can only do this." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "When King Wu returns, I will hand over the state affairs to him. Right now, I just set up a temporary altar."

"Okay, let's do it!" Xiao Yu straightened his color and said loudly, "Return!"

"Elder Xiao Ge, you don't want to enter the underground palace and pay homage to Emperor Yang?" Qin Mubai asked deliberately.

Xiao Yu scowled: "He is the emperor of the former Sui Dynasty, I am the minister of the Tang Dynasty, and I have a private worship ceremony?-nonsense, Xiuxu, go back!"

Qin Mubai and the people next to him were a little bit dumbfounded, and they scolded in their hearts: If this is heard by Yang Guang who is lying down—your brother-in-law, you must jump up and tear your mouth! This Xiao Yu really has a messy mouth, no wonder he is often demoted!

In the next two months or so, the whole of Xiangzhou was busy. The state capital has deployed corvee and used more than 20,000 civilians to dig the river day and night. A large river of more than 20 miles, connecting the Han River directly to Shizipo, directly razed the former "Qifeng Wutong Mountain" to the ground.

Qin Mubai personally designed the river course to level Wutong Mountain, his intention is also quite deep.

The site of this mausoleum must have been selected by Feng Shui, and the location of the mausoleum must have been artificially renovated and laid out, making the unity of nature and man strong.

Emperor Qi Feng Shui does not take advantage of the stability of Datang Jiangshan Sheji. It's one thing to believe it or not, but since Li Ke knew about it, then Qin Mubai would also confess to him. When he got to the emperor, it made sense. After all, they came and went to make the emperor relieved.

Invisible, Qin Mubai "has done a great deed for Datang Sheji."

But that's weird. After Wutong Mountain was razed, most of the waterbirds in the Xihe trough disappeared, and no more snakes appeared on the stone slope. Could it be that as Li Ke said, the snake is in the shape of a dragon?

The construction on the stone **** has also begun. Numerous rowing boats travel through the river day and night, transporting plants, flowers, trees, and building materials. Although it is only a "temporary altar", its scale is not small. On the stone **** where there was no grass, ten thousand stones and soil were moved abruptly and planted with plants and flowers. The towering forest of steles, the stone roads made of white marble, and the murals of the Shima Shiren Tiangong are all available.

Two months later, the little stone **** was almost "changed". What used to be a bare and desolate area, now it is almost becoming a secluded place like a paradise, without losing its dignity and magnificence.

In the past two months, Qin Mubai has been extremely busy. But he was not in vain, and if he was not careful, he took advantage of this and made a small fortune.

Xiangzhou has been involved in such a large-scale project, which used tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, and it cost a lot to eat and drink every day. Xiao Yu brought from Chang'an a lot of money allocated by the court for sacrifices. Of course, he must be responsible for paying for the clothing, food, housing and transportation of the servants and craftsmen. In this way, the hundreds of thousands of stone grains and salt in Qin Mubai's hands could be sold.

Instead of going to other states and counties to buy food, it is better to call the nearest one! Nearly 20,000 soldiers and civilians who participated in the project had to eat 400 shi in one day, 12,000 shi in a month, and nearly 25,000 shi in two months.

So, Qin Mubai accepted the money from Xiao Yu with his left hand, handed him the grain and salt stored in his treasury with his right hand, and then put the money into his pocket.

The money is comfortable and comfortable. You don’t need to pay taxes or worry about bad debts. It saves stores and manpower. After two months, more than two million yuan was easily obtained.

Although the money is not much, it is enough to sell the store and pay the rent.

Qin Mubai had already looked at the storefront. Nowhere else, it is the two most prosperous shops in the busiest city of Chengbei Port in Xiangyang, that is, the two large shops that Duan Rongji and Ouyang Jun have run across the street-Zhengchang Lianghao and Yongye Salt Factory!

After Duan Rongji, Ouyang Jun, Zhao Chong and others were arrested together, these two shopping malls were sealed off by the prefectural government office, and the mansions and shops were returned to the government. In these days, merchants from far and near have to cross the threshold of the state capital and have tried all kinds of ways to buy or rent these two stores, but they have not succeeded.

The reason is very simple. Li Ke and Qin Mubai had an agreement long ago, but Wu Meiniang left it there! Qin Mubai has also been waiting for Wu Meiniang to come to Xiangzhou, where she can open shops again, but will bear the name of "Wu" from now on.

These two shops are not small, especially the extremely hot shops, the rent is quite expensive. Qin Mubai, a poor and white official, could not get the money to pay the rent, so the shop was always unresolved.

It's fine now. All the food sold to Xiao Yu is cash. After getting the money, Qin Mubai didn't warm it up, and directly handed it to Cao Zheng, Yin Cao of Xiangzhou Prefecture, where he paid the rent for five years.

Of course, "discount" is necessary.

Clear the river road, repair the altar, sell food, and sell the storefront. For two months, Qin Mubai played like a pipa, "pushing his hands for the pipa and attracting the hands for the pa", having fun over the clouds and rain.

Xiangzhou discovered the Yang Emperor's mausoleum and was going to hold a grand ceremony spread like wildfire, and soon spread throughout the world. Many tourists and ladies come here to watch this grand event. This is like we are holding a large-scale sports meeting or expo in a certain city, attracting countless business opportunities.

Xiangzhou is originally a port city with an active commercial port, and there are always an endless stream of business travelers, traveling like a carp. It is even more prosperous now, with boats calling and offshore day and night, or full of goods or full of pedestrians.

Two months later, the inn in the port city in the north of Xiangyang was full of seats every day. Even the old bustards and girls in Yingyuan were restless night and night, pained and happy.

When Yin Cao's officials came to Qin Mubai with the tax accounts, his faces were all smiles. He said that since the founding of Datang, Xiangzhou has never been as lively as it is now, nor has it collected so many taxes.

"Compared with the year before, this month's tax revenue is more than three times that of the time!"

Qin Mubai just smiled, and secretly said: Who would have thought that only Zhao Chong gave me a few maps hidden in the Yexiang bucket, and now the entire Xiangzhou will be detonated? This should be Lee Ke's political achievements, right? ...Well, the emperor sent me to assist Li Ke, and that is my political achievement. Not bad, the blind cat dragged the dead mouse!

A few days later.

Qin Mubai returned to the military office to take care of some military affairs. Not long after sitting down, two royal sergeants rushed to the military office to find Qin Mubai, saying that King Jiang Xia had arrived in Xiangzhou!

Qin Mubai was immediately stunned: No way, I came so soon, there is still half a month before the sacrifice! Besides, shouldn't King Jiang Xia come at the same time as the Prince? They want to come, can they scream in advance and not let us meet?

"General Qin, Elder Xiao Ge asked the villain to come and send the army to the post and meet His Royal Highness King Jiang Xia! You quickly prepare, and go ahead!" The sergeant said anxiously.

"That's good." Qin Mubai got on his horse, and went straight to the post in Xiangyang County.

At the Guanyi, Qin Mubai saw the car in the courtyard at a glance. Qin Mubai didn't think too much about the ordinary purple-green car that the prince and the county prince used to travel. When I walked into the Guanyi, passed the three-way corridor and came to the outside of the hall, I happened to hear Xiao Yu inside saying:

"My lord, you and the prince have all arranged your travel arrangements. I will ask you to move and drive later. You will live there more comfortably."

"It's okay." Jiangxia Wang Li Daozong's voice was as loud and bold as ever, and he laughed twice, "Old Xiao Ge, you are old in Xiangzhou, you must have a bad life. It is impossible to be Qin. Didn't Mu Bai treat you well? Look at your old look, tsk, your face is yellow and thin and full of sores, could it be bitten by mosquitoes?"

"Hey, don't mention it!" Xiao Yu gave a wry smile, and then replied, "The old official really has something to do, and he wants to plead with the prince."

"What's the matter?"

"It's... the house of the prince and the prince were rebuilt by expropriated houses. Moreover, these two houses were left by Duan Rongji and Ouyang Jun, the criminals in the Xiangzhou case." Xiao Yu's voice Lowered a bit, as if embarrassed, he whispered, "If there is anything wrong, please ask Wang Ye Haihan."

"Let me and the prince live in the prisoner's old house?" In Li Daozong's voice, there was indeed some discomfort.

Qin Mubai curled his brows a little annoyed, and stood by the window beside the door, without going in. I just wanted to hear what Xiao Yu wanted to say. Most of the sergeants guarding the door knew Qin Mubai, so they didn't dare to publicize it.

"This...this is actually not the intention of the old minister." Xiao Yu said, "The old minister insisted on building a line between the prince and the prince. But Qin Mubai had to disagree, saying that it was a waste of time and money. It’s too late. Qin Mubai is a local official with authority. The veteran is under the eaves and has to bow his head, so he has to let him do the work."

"Oh, you are accusing Qin Mubai, Elder Xiao Ge!" Li Daozong laughed loudly.

Qin Mubai heard a trace of teasing in his laugh, as if he was teasing Xiao Yu.

"Uh, this... the old minister didn't mean this, it's not the intention!" Xiao Yu's behavior was also strange, and suddenly he turned back and begged for mercy.

"Elder Xiao Ge, you are so ashamed!"-Suddenly, there was a crisp and tactful female voice with a few domineering and charming voices in the hall!

Qin Mubai is too familiar with this voice, and he trembles in his heart--"My dear, why did I say that King Jiang Xia came in advance? It must be coaxed by this girl. Well!"

Who else can it be? ——Of course it is Princess Goyang and the little devil Linger!

"Uh!...His Royal Highness, why did you say this?" Xiao Yu asked princess Gao Yang, a bit unconvinced.

"Are you the prime minister, or the senior official appointed by the emperor to be responsible for the rituals, how do you say "people have to bow their heads under the eaves"? Dare to love Mubai, he still has no respect and commits a crime against you, an old man. Or, you are too incompetent, you can't control even the little officials in a small place like Xiangzhou?" Princess Gaoyang said like a gun, "By the way, building a new corridor is indeed a waste of money, admiration. Bai is an official of Xiangzhou's parents and should be for the sake of the local people. Is it possible that you think he did something wrong? Do you want him to search and torture the thousands of people up and down Xiangzhou in order to please the prince brother and the emperor of Jiangxia? Isn’t it worth the loss of plucking the meat to repair the wounds? So, even if the prince’s brother and the uncle of Jiangxia are living in the brand-new Xingyuan Mansion, can they live in peace of mind? Fortunately, you still have the name of the minister of the brachial on the mouth of the three dynasties. I don’t understand the truth. If I let my father know, do you think he praises Bai or refutes you?"

"Haha!" Jiang Xia Wang Li Daozong laughed aloud, "Gao Yang, your clever mouth is getting tougher. I want to ask, is there any difference between admiring Bai and refuting Xiao Ge? "

"It was originally!" Princess Gao Yang was so powerful that she didn't give Xiao Yu a chance to speak at all. She took advantage of the victory and pursued, "What happened to the prisoner's mansion? After the confiscated officials, it was from the Datang government's mansion. Now. We are a royal family, and we live in an official house. It’s perfect. I don’t think Mu Bai has done anything wrong. Elder Xiao Ge, you are anxious to speak ill of Mu Bai as soon as you enter the door, right? Where did he offend you? Or, if you see him too capable, you are eager to destroy his prestige because you are afraid that he will cover your limelight? Wow! Elder Xiao, you weren't the kind of jealous and capable person before, what now Has it become like this?"

"Uh...um...this, this!" Xiao Yu was so speechless that Princess Gao Yang was blocked in the conversation, and she was anxious, her mouth groaning.

"Okay, Gao Yang, you can spare Elder Xiao Ge!" Li Daozong smiled, came out to make a round, and said, "He didn't say anything bad about Qin Mubai. It was just a matter of fact. Look at you, but I haven’t married before, so I just turned to others. In case I accidentally scolded Qin Mubai one day, wouldn’t you stabb me with a knife?"

"Hehe, of course not!" Princess Gao Yang began to act like a baby, and said, "Where can I be stabbed with a knife for such a cute old man Jiang Xia? At most...bite! "

Qin Mubai couldn't help but laugh outside the door, then turned around and walked in, smiling: "It seems that I came at the right time, everyone is having a good chat!"

"Wow, Mu Bai, you are finally here!!"

Princess Gao Yang jumped up with excitement, and did not hesitate to throw away the elbow of Li Daozong that had just been rolled, and flew towards Qin Mubai!

……

Xiao Yu, who was on the side, wiped off the cold sweat on his forehead, smiled bitterly at Li Daozong, and said in a low voice: "The old minister is not afraid of the heavens and is not afraid, even the emperor's dragon scales on his neck dare to reach out and remove Three pieces. Only...I'm afraid of this girl!"

"Then you dare to slander Qin Mubai in front of him? It's really a life and death!" Li Daozong whispered in joy, "This king advises you to be careful from now on. In case you are remembered by that girl If you have a grudge, it will be miserable! — Don't look at this king like that, let alone expect this king to help you. In the world, there are probably only two people who can deal with that girl. One is in Chang'an; It's in this room."

The old face of Xiao Yu was trembling, and his heart started to go up and down.