In early September, Zhu Xiu and Chai Rong returned to Chanzhou.

As winter approaches, the temperature in the north drops off a cliff, and light outer clothes can no longer resist the coolness of late autumn. Zhu Xiu puts on a satin round-neck robe, and also adds a robe when going out.

It's a pity that his magic weapon to keep out the cold, a set of cotton-padded clothes and trousers made of pure cotton, was left in Kaifeng. In the cold winter when heavy snow falls, he still can't survive the winter with just these clothes, and he has to wear a sheepskin jacket.

Nowadays, cotton cultivation is only promoted on a small scale in Wuyue, Panyu, Yongzhou and Yazhou in the Southern Han Dynasty. In Jingzhou and other places, Zhu Xiu vigorously supported cotton farmers more than two years ago. Unfortunately, the efforts were limited and the results were limited.

It's always been bad.

That set of cotton clothes and trousers was woven from the cotton produced in the first cotton field in Jingzhou.

Those mulberry and hemp farmers who switched to cotton only saw this suit of clothing and touched it with their own hands before they believed that Bai Diazi could really be used to make clothes.

In the first two days after arriving in Chanzhou City, Zhu Xiu pretended to meet with local officials at all levels and convey his thoughts and concerns to the soldiers and civilians of Chanzhou, who was far away in Kaifeng.

He also pretended to be a censor, and under the respectful leadership of the judicial and financial officials such as Jiedu Judge and Tuiguan, he inspected the judicial trials, financial expenditures and other work in the area under the jurisdiction of the Zhenning Army.

As for the other county government offices outside Chanzhou City, Zhu Xiu was too lazy to go there himself, so he asked Chai Rong to secondment several civil servants from Jiedu Prefecture and ordered them to go to each county to inspect the work on his behalf.

Within two days, all the errands of Zhu Xiu, the inspector and censor, were successfully completed.

I took another half a day to write a eloquent report, stamped it, and Mingguanyi rushed to Kaifeng.

In the report, Zhu Xiu praised Chanzhou's civil, political and military work in all aspects, presented facts and reason, and used key data such as population growth, tax revenue, and field output over the years to speak to His Majesty the Emperor Ming.

Under the governance of Taiyuan County Duke, the state is thriving and prosperous.

The report did not mention Chai Rong's personal achievements, but it told Uncle Guo one fact: in Chanzhou, Chai Rong was conscientious and managed well.

For the rest of the days, Zhu Xiu lived in the Jiedu government office and pestered Wang Pu to play chess, drink tea, and chat all day long. Sometimes when Chai Rong had free time, he would sit down and play chess with Zhu Xiu all day long.

Since arriving in Jiangning, Zhu Xiu has never been as relaxed and comfortable as she is now for more than half a year. She is worried about Wu Youdi's condition and often wakes up at night, tossing and turning, and is lost in thought.

In the warm study room, Zhu Xiu and Chai Rong sat opposite each other, with a chessboard in the middle and hot fragrant tea beside them.

"Haha, the mountain-climbing cannon hit a hippopotamus, Chenghui, I accept it with a smile!"

Chai Rong smiled and picked up a black horse crossing the river on his own chessboard and put down his red square cannon.

Zhu Xiu held his forehead in annoyance. Chai Rong's progress in chess far exceeded his expectation, and many tricks and routines were learned by himself without a teacher.

This may be the basic quality of a great military strategist.

Seeing that his pawns crossing the river were running out of artillery, horses and chariots, Zhu Xiu was secretly worried, rolled his eyes, coughed and said: "Brother, do you know why I suggested that you not write a formal apology, but use a letter from home?"

In the form of "Nothing else," it is only used to express a son who is far away in a foreign land and misses his father?"

Chai Rong's attention was indeed attracted and he hurriedly asked: "I vaguely understand it, but I can't explain it clearly."

Zhu Xiu successfully used the river-crossing pawn to eat the red pawn, and said with a smile: "The deeper meaning is actually not difficult to guess. Brother just needs to understand that the official is the emperor, the emperor of Zhou Dynasty, and he is an old father who is nearly fifty years old.

.”

After a pause, Zhu Xiu said softly: "Now, my brother is the only living son of the official family."

Chai Rong's hand paused while playing chess, his brows furrowed, and he didn't even notice that the chess pieces were in the wrong position.

Zhu Xiu was secretly delighted, and he drove straight in with a chariot commander and killed a red square cannon.

Chai Rong suddenly didn't realize it and murmured: "What do you mean, in my father's heart, he actually wants me to be a son rather than a minister?"

Chai Rong was stunned that he had made the wrong move again, and Zhu Xiu used a crappy horse to block the red coach.

"Brother, please remember that you are first the son of an official family, and then you are the Duke of Taiyuan County in the Great Zhou Dynasty and the military governor of Zhenning Army.

Being a good son and doing your duty as a son of man is more important than any political or military achievements!"

Zhu Xiu's heavy artillery was in position and cooperated with the lame horse, completely trapping the red coach.

Chai Rong took a deep breath, cupped his fists and said, "Thank you Wencai for your advice. I know what to do."

Chai Rong gathered his mind and returned his attention to the chessboard, only to realize that the situation was over. His own camp had been unknowingly killed by Zhu Xiu's sneak attack, and his commander was trapped in the camp.

"Uh..." Chai Rong was helpless and shook his head helplessly.

"Hey, I accept it!" Zhu Xiu humbly bowed his hand.

"Dongdongdong~" The study door knocked, and He Hui's voice came from outside:

"To inform you, the Madam of the Fu family has entered the city and is currently resting in the Fu family's residence."

"I know, prepare your carriage and horses, and then go with me to visit Mrs. Fu." Chai Rong ordered.

He Hui accepted the order and resigned.

Zhu Xiu was surprised and full of suspicion: "But Mrs. Fu? How could she come to Chanzhou?"

Chai Rong's eyes were slightly evasive, he coughed unnaturally, and said with a smile: "Fu's family has some properties in Chanzhou. Mrs. Fu will often stop by to take a look when she travels between Yunzhou and Kaifeng..."

"By the way? From Kaifeng to Yunzhou?" Zhu Xiu's tone was strange, and his eyes were full of ridicule and ambiguity.

Whether traveling by land or water from Yunzhou to Kaifeng, Chanzhou is not a transit point.

Mrs. Fu's so-called "sooner" is really a long way to go.

Chai Rong looked stunned and glared at him angrily: "Ms. Fu and I are old acquaintances. What's so strange about meeting friends?"

"Hehe~ That's right~" Zhu Xiu joked with a smile, "I'm afraid Madam Fu will have to meet with her brother several times within a month. Instead of traveling back and forth, it's better to stay in Chanzhou so that she can have a long talk with her brother... I'll see you later.

Madam Fu, this is what I suggest..."

Chai Rong blushed and said hurriedly: "You must not!"

Zhu Xiu laughed: "Why not! My brother and Mrs. Fu are both single, have similar family backgrounds, and match their looks. They are a match made in heaven!"

Chai Rong rubbed his palms vigorously and said hesitantly: "I haven't yet... I still don't know Madam Fu's intentions..."

Zhu Xiu shook her head in disgust. Mrs. Fu is willing to come to Chanzhou to visit you, so what else can she not understand?

Do you want a woman to take the initiative and say that she won’t marry anyone but you?

"Brother, you must listen to me on this matter..."

Zhu Xiu dragged Chai Rong out of the study and used his two lifetimes of experience in dealing with women to teach Chai Rong through words and deeds...

Outside the official office, two tall horses were ready. Chai Rong went to change his clothes and tie his hair again at Zhu Xiu's suggestion. Zhu Xiu put on a thick cloak and stood at the foot of the steps to wait.

He Hui came forward, clasped his fists and whispered: "Master Zhu Hou, if you have offended me before, please forgive me! From now on, I will serve under the king together with Lord Zhu. Please ignore the past grievances and forgive me."

Take care of me."

Zhu Xiu glanced at him sideways, cupped her hands and said with a smile: "General He, you are so polite. I have long forgotten those things in the past. From now on, you and I will live in harmony."

"Haha~ Mr. Zhu is so refreshing!" He Hui was overjoyed. He took out two heavy little goldfish from his arms like a magic trick and stuffed them into Zhu Xiu's hands.

That's real gold cast into the shape of a carp.

"A small gift is not a sign of respect!" He Hui's posture was extremely low.

Zhu Xiu weighed it and said with a smile: "General He is so polite!"

Seeing Zhu Xiu put away the little goldfish casually, He Hui secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that Zhu Xiu would hold on to the past grudges and refuse to make peace with him.

Ranwen

He Hui finally understood that Zhu Xiu's status in Chai Rong's heart was unique, and even Wang Pu, who was deeply admired and trusted by Chai Rong, could not compare with him.

He wanted to serve under Chai Rong safely, and he could not offend Zhu Xiu if he offended anyone.

Chai Rong went out dressed in a purple robe and a jade crown. He was handsome, tall and high-spirited. He was really a great husband.

"If I were a woman and saw my brother's appearance today, I'm afraid I would immediately bow down to his extraordinary magnanimity!" Zhu Xiu sighed exaggeratedly.

"Haha, let's go!" Chai Rong got on the horse.

Zhu Xiu also quickly got on his horse and followed him, and the group headed towards Fu's mansion.

He Hui watched them go away, feeling sorry for the two little goldfish and spitting hard on the ground.

Chanzhou City is about a quarter of the size of Kaifeng City. The Fu Family Pavilion is located in the east of the city, near the city gate and far away from the military camp in the north of the city. The environment is relatively quiet on weekdays.

Zhu Xiu didn't know whether the Fu family had any business or property in Chanzhou, but with Fu's financial resources, he could buy and buy without any pressure in any prefecture or county across the country.

So when Chai Rong took Zhu Xiu to a large house called Donghu Guanshe in the east of the city, Zhu Xiu was not surprised at all.

East Lake is a scenic spot in Chenzhou. It is said that the Fu family's ancestors once made their fortune here, so most of the Fu family's villas outside the main family home are named Donghu Guanshe.

"The Duke is here, please come quickly!" When the servants saw Chai Rong, they hurriedly opened the middle door with a smile and respectfully invited him in.

Chai Rong nodded to the old servant and said "Thank you".

He looked familiar, obviously he visited frequently.

Zhu Xiu winked and smiled meaningfully.

Chai Rong pretended to be calm and followed the old servant through the courtyard to the living room of the central house.

Two women wearing fine velvet cloaks walked quickly to greet them. When they took a closer look, they saw that they were Fu Jinzhan and Fu Jinhuan.

Zhu Xiu's heart skipped a beat, why was Mrs. Fu also here?

"Haha, look, madam, who I have brought here." Chai Rong cupped his hands and said with a smile.

Fu Jinzhan saw Zhu Xiu following Chai Rong from a distance, and he smiled happily and said: "It turns out to be Mr. Zhu, a rare guest!"
To be continued...