Gao Mingyue and Han Qiaoer ran to the front office again holding hands.
They both stood on tiptoe and took a look, only to see two guards still standing at the door of the Yizheng Hall, holding the door tightly. It was obvious that confidential matters were being discussed inside.
Gao Mingyue has never tried whether she can go in at such a time.
She doesn't want to make things difficult for others.
"Let's go sit on the porch for a while."
"Okay." Han Qiaoer's toes were still on the ground. He was dangling back and forth and said with his head raised: "The empty bowls have been brought out. They have eaten."
"Let's go."
"I really want to shout, 'It's time for you to come out.'" Han Qiaoer whispered.
"It's okay. Let me tie your hair. Your bun is already loose."
"Okay, sister-in-law Lin's hair looks great today."
"People can only get pierced after getting married..."
The two of them were sitting there enjoying themselves and chatting softly. After a while, they heard voices coming from the other side of the meeting hall.
It was Li Xia, Han Qi'an came out talking.
"The autumn harvest is approaching. This is the first year that we will be exempted from land tax after recovering the lost land. The treasury can only receive land rent, which is already a number."
"I'm most worried about officials taking advantage of me when collecting rent. Sir, please keep an eye on me."
"Don't worry, Alang."
"If I'm not here, there will be officials who dare to disobey Sir's words. However, I have told Shi Jun, Lu Xiufu and others that Sir can cooperate with them in supervision."
"Yes, Director Shi and others are all honest and capable people."
"They will only do better than me." Li Xia said with a smile: "I can rest assured about government affairs. In addition, I have transferred Huhu back, and the military power is still there. If anything happens, sir, I will take care of it..."
"Alang, Madam and Qiao'er are over there."
"Okay, by the way, it's the same sentence. When I set off, Mr. Han will definitely ask again. He is old. There are some things that you must not tell him. Just tell him about his work."
"Alang is taking too much trouble... Qiao'er, you are too arrogant! How dare you let Madam comb your hair?!"
"Sir, please don't scare this kid... You two, send your husband back home..."
A few people stood and chatted for a while, and then the three of them led by Li Xia walked into the backyard in a row.
"Brother Li has been too busy recently."
"Of course you have to make arrangements first before going to Lin'an to report on your duties."
"Does Commander Shu's duty report come once a year?"
"Not really, it depends on the person. In the past, Zhang Jun seemed to be running around every year. If he ran around more, the court would feel more at ease."
"Lin'an is really nice."
Li Xia smiled and said: "I also miss the prosperity of Lin'an. Have you written down the gifts you want to bring?"
"We've written it. We wrote three full pages." Han Qiaoer said, "Forget it, Sister Gao, it will cost more than a hundred dollars."
"It's okay, do you know what I'm doing in Lin'an?"
"Let me guess...you want money?"
"Um."
"I mean, after writing so many memorials, the imperial court still doesn't give me the money." Han Qiaoer said loudly, "Brother Li went to ask for it personally and emptied the treasury."
"It won't be a big deal if the house is emptied, but I won't give up until I get the money."
"..."
The two were chatting happily, but Gao Mingyue, who was walking in the middle, was a little worried.
It wasn't until she returned to the room and turned off the lights that she hugged Li Xia and asked, "Is everything going to be okay?"
"Huh?" Li Xia smiled and said, "Why is there something wrong?"
"You've been smiling more than before lately...it seems like you did it on purpose."
"You don't like my smile." Li Xia frowned and said, "Then we'll have to do this."
Gao Mingyue pursed her lips helplessly, and asked softly: "Can you take me with you?"
"I'm going to Lin'an, and I want to have a good time. It's too inconvenient to bring my family with me."
With him joking like this, Gao Mingyue could feel that he was hiding something and didn't want her to worry.
But she didn't say anything, lest he worry about her.
"Obviously there is a beautiful Qiaoer hidden in the house, but I just want this."
"I made an agreement with my husband today, and I'll take care of you when I get back."
"Then...it doesn't matter if you are romantically involved. It really doesn't matter. The court is generous and I'm sure there will be many rewards for you to enjoy a lot of happiness. I'm not jealous. As long as you remember...you should come back to see me earlier."
She was smart after all. She felt something and gave such a warning.
Li Xia stopped joking deliberately, turned sideways, looked into Gao Mingyue's eyes, and said: "I'm sure nothing will happen to me. We have been to Kaifeng together. You must trust me in this regard."
"Have you lost your old career?"
"I practice hard every day, not only for my skills in bed."
Gao Mingyue turned her back and whispered: "People say it's serious."
Li Xia has posted it.
"Well, let's be serious. You are my wife and you help me take care of Hanzhong. I care about this very much."
Gao Mingyue wanted to turn back, but couldn't.
"Don't worry, your wife's mother-in-law has been in charge of the country for more than a hundred years. She can take care of your home...don't worry about it."
"You too, don't worry about it. If it doesn't work out, I plan to go north to Shandong or Henan to persuade the northern princes to ally with us. As long as we have allies, the court will not dare to touch me easily."
"good."
"In addition, you wait for my news. If my letter arrives, you take our confidants and go south to Dali. Remember, Aji has no official status. I left her in Hanzhong just to make her obey your orders. I ordered her to secretly
We have trained an elite force, which is also our private army..."
"I've written it down, I won't make any mistakes."
"There are many more things. I will write you a note. You can write it down and burn it. If you are afraid of forgetting, ask Qiaoer to memorize it."
"Okay, Qiao'er and I will write it down together. Don't worry, we are very strict with our words."
"Well, the worst outcome is nothing more than this. I can survive on your food."
"Okay, I'll take you boating on the Erhai Lake...well...it's so late today, I'm afraid you'll be tired."
“Not tired, the soft rice is delicious.”
"Well……"
~~
When she got up the next day, Li Xia saw some tears on Gao Mingyue's face and hurriedly stretched out his hand to wipe them away for her.
"Are you still worried?" He smiled and, regardless of whether it was reasonable or not, said something else.
"It is always better for me to apply to return to the court to report on my duties than to wait passively and be transferred back to the central government by the court. When I return to the court to report on my duties, after all, I am still the commander-in-chief of Shu. The soldiers and people of Shu are looking forward to it, waiting for the commander-in-chief to come back to the court to ask for money and food. But if the court is
The transfer order arrived first. I am now nameless..."
Gao Mingyue didn't respond, so she pursed her lips and listened to what he said.
"Huh? Are you still angry when you wake up?"
"No."
"Then you're still crying."
Gao Mingyue had no choice but to pull Li Xia, put her ear against his, and whispered softly.
"If I hold you so high...see if you cry..."
This complaint also seems gentle.
"Seeing that you are working hard, I have no choice but to work harder."
"I really hit you."
"..."
"Are you relieved?"
"I already trust you, but I just...can't bear to let you go."
"We still have half a month to go. At least this is within our control..."
~~
Half a month can be said to be slow, but it can also be said to be fast.
Li Xia tried his best to arrange various affairs, including the emotions of the people around him, as well as the government affairs and military affairs under his rule.
He has completely regained his former composure and is more confident and bold.
In addition, gradually, many people in Hanzhong and even across Sichuan and Shu heard the news.
"The Commander-in-Chief of Shu wants to return to Beijing to repay last year's war and ask for money and food to provide relief to Shu..."
~~
"real?"
"is not that right?"
In a teahouse, a square piece of wood was slapped on the table with a "pop" sound, which attracted the attention of many people.
"How many years have the Sichuan-Sichuan war been going on? It's been too long, right? Since the Mongolian Tatars were driven out last year, Commander Li Jie has taken charge of Sichuan and Shu. He has vigorously built water conservancy projects and reclaimed acres of land to revitalize the vitality of the Shu land!"
"Of course, of course!"
"Regain your strength, what are you missing?"
"Of course it's money!"
In this chorus of shouts, the news spread further and further...
~~
But on August 16, the Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed, more than twenty cavalrymen, each with three horses, were already rushing along the Han River from the east towards Hanzhong City.
"Hush!"
Just arrived in Chenggu County.
An extremely tired horseman whined and fell to the ground.
"You... follow me to deliver the edict. The rest disperse."
"yes……"
A dozen riders dispersed and went in different directions.
They will wait for two days in various places. If Li Xia refuses to return to the court according to the imperial edict, they will contact Hanzhong officials and deliver a secret imperial edict from the emperor.
"Where is Wu Qiwei, the magistrate of Gucheng?! The emperor is on official business!"
"..."
"Wu Qiwei has seen an angel, but he doesn't know what is important."
"Be sure to ask more questions and arrange a post. When the time comes, you will be dispatched!"
However, after the messenger entered the post house and rested for half a day, he suddenly heard a commotion on the long street.
"..."
"Is the commander really going to Lin'an to ask for money and food?"
"Build bridges, build roads, build water conservancy projects!"
"Build another workshop? I also need to find a job..."
"Cows! Cattle! I can't rent cattle..."
"Go to the river and shout! Let the commander hear you..."
"..."
The messenger was furious and secretly cursed these foolish people.
Regardless of whether the imperial court had money and grain to transfer to Shu, even if it did, it would not be such a haphazard arrangement.
I live in a remote area and just don’t understand the rules...
He strode out of the post house and followed the crowd towards the Han River. When he looked up, he was stunned.
I saw three large ships going down the river, and the flags flying on the bows were really "Jiedu Envoy of the Zhenxi Army, Envoy of the Sichuan Pacification System..."
But considering the time, I'm afraid the edict has not yet reached Hanzhong City.
Did Li Xia...know that the messenger had arrived, set off early, and received the edict on the way?
Why was Li Xia unwilling to return to the court according to the imperial edict? Li Xia was eager to go to Lin'an.
"Bah! Dog Officer, I'm looking forward to returning to Lin'an to seek a position as a capital official! It's a waste of time to trouble Grandpa! Dog Officer!"