Xiao Yilai already has the attributes of a sickly beauty, and she puts on a dress similar to mourning clothes. She is affectionate and pitiful, which arouses men's protective desire.
Luo Youdu's mouth was a little dry, so he pretended to be calm and said: "Second Lady came just in time. I asked the kitchen to prepare stir-fries from the Central Plains. You Khitans don't see that often..."
Iron pots have only become popular in the Central Plains in recent years. The Khitan has not had the same reforms in mining, smelting, and forging technology as in the Central Plains. There is no such thing as an iron pot. For ordinary food, roasting, steaming, and boiling are the first.
Dading Mansion has opened trade routes with Youzhou and Datong Yunzhong, and many supplies from the Central Plains have arrived at Dading Mansion first.
Xiao Yi lazily said: "I have been trapped in my house for many years, and I am ignorant about things in the world. Thanks to meeting Your Majesty, I have seen a lot of the world. Only then did I realize that in just five years, the world has changed so much, and there are many more
A rare thing.”
What she was referring to was the telescope.
The telescope can be used in the military, and it played a vital role in this showdown with the Khitan. Luo Youdu did not give her the telescope in a coquettish way, but just lent it to her to look into the distance.
Xiao Yilai knew how to show off his charm, and his charming eyes were full of admiration.
Luo Youdu was in a happy mood, and it was a happy thing no matter what to have a woman like Xiao Yilai admire him. Moreover, he also saw Xiao Yilai's little thoughts, and was quite proud of himself. However, in just a few months, he
Unknowingly, he was fascinated by a strange woman like Xiao Yilai. It seemed that he was still very charming.
"Let's go and have a few drinks with me to warm up."
In autumn in Dadingfu, the temperature has dropped.
After discussing political affairs in the conference hall all afternoon, my hands and feet were cold.
During the Northern Expedition, Luo Youdu mostly drank local kumiss, which was not to his taste.
Now Dading Prefecture also has famous Central Plains wines such as Dukang, Fenjiu, and Jimo Old Wine. He originally wanted to invite Han Lingkun and Shi Shouxin to have a few drinks together. But Xiao Yi was lazy, and Han Lingkun and Shi Shouxin naturally pushed back.
Xiao Yilan saw Luo Youdu letting go of his attitude towards him, his eyes showed a bit of joy, and he quickly followed behind.
When we arrived at the dining hall, before we even entered the hall, the unique apricot blossom aroma of Fenjiu was already hitting us.
Fenjiu, a kind of fine wine brewed with apricot blossoms, has a mouth-watering aroma after being cooked over a hot fire.
The two of them took their seats, and soon four exquisite side dishes, stir-fried mutton, stir-fried lungs, stir-fried ginkgo, and stir-fried crabs, were put on the table.
This was really the first time Xiao Yilai had seen stir-fry, it was very novel.
Luo Youdu did not ask anyone to serve him, but filled himself up with wine and said, "Try it!"
Xiao Yilanzhi picked up a piece of mutton, without covering his face, and chewed the food slowly.
Luo Youdu generously admired the beauty's meal. Seeing that she swallowed the food, he asked: "How does it taste?"
Xiao Yi lazily squinted his eyes and chuckled, and said: "It's amazing, this is my first time to taste such delicious food. The taste of fried mutton is far more delicious than steaming and roasting."
Luo Youdu said: "Customs are different. I often eat steamed and stir-fried food in Beijing, but rarely grilled food. On the contrary, I think barbecued food is more flavorful. It would be better if there were more seasonings and a little spiciness from chili peppers."
"The spiciness of pepper?" Xiao Yilai looked curious and asked, "What do you mean by this?"
Luo Youdu said: "When we call spicy, its taste is equivalent to pungent. The taste of ginger, dogwood, mustard, and pepper is even pungent, so it is called spicy. But there is another kind of food, located east of Sakhalin Island, on the sea.
On the other hand, there is also a piece of land there, and chili peppers are produced here. The spiciness of chili peppers is another kind of taste."
Xiao Yilan said in astonishment: "Is there an end to the other side of the sea?"
"Of course there is an end. The size of this world is far beyond your imagination... In the West, in addition to the familiar Rome, Tianzhu, and Dashi, there are also Ghaznavids and Seljuks..." Luo Youdu briefly talked about the earth in this era
The various forces in the world immediately said: "In the next ten years, I will focus on the Western Regions, meet with the Western countries, and let them know that in addition to God, there is a person named Luo Youdu in this world. Ten years later, my navy will
We will reach the other side of the sea. When the time comes, we will bring the chili peppers and let the second wife have a taste."
Luo Youdu said with excitement, this is also his future plan.
He will definitely take back the Western Regions. Only when the Western Regions are stable can the stability of the Silk Road be truly maintained. In the two years since he sent troops to Khitan, the Western Regions have been very unstable because of the feud between Li Shengtian and Karakhan in Khotan. Originally, the Western Regions were not peaceful.
Stable Silk Road profits plummeted.
This directly caused the development of Liangzhou, Longyou, and Guanzhong to be greatly affected, which was far less than expected.
Fortunately, before the expedition, Luo Youdu had laid out a plan in the South China Sea. Now the situation in the South China Sea is stable, and offshore shipping in the south of the Yangtze River is developing rapidly. The two major ports of Quanzhou and Guangzhou have almost monopolized most of the profits in the South China Sea. Ocean profits are also increasing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
It brought huge profits to the court.
The profits brought by maritime trade made up for the economic harm caused by the overland Silk Road and kept the finances of the Dayu court healthy.
Faced with the huge benefits brought by maritime trade, an extreme argument has emerged in the Dayu court.
Focus on developing maritime trade and abandon the land Silk Road with mediocre prospects.
Luo Youdu sneered at this.
Although it is true that the future development trend is the Maritime Silk Road, it does not mean that we have to abandon the Silk Road on land.
The development of a country must be comprehensive, rather than just focusing on one place and walking on only one leg.
Abandoning the land Silk Road is equivalent to giving up the Western Regions. Abandoning the Western Regions means being unable to control the West and unable to convey the country's influence to the West.
In addition, the Dayu court not only concentrated on the separatist forces in the south of the Yangtze River, but also benefited from the development of the Western Regions, Liangzhou, Longyou, and Guanzhong.
For the development of Liangzhou, Longyou, and Guanzhong, the Western Regions cannot give up.
When Liangzhou, Longyou, and Guanzhong develop, they can also better deter the West. The relationship between them is mutually reinforcing.
As for going to the American continent, there is no rush.
The main mode of navigation now is inland sea sailing, which is to go along the coastline.
To go to the American continent, you need to cross the sea. Without the coastline as a reference, the gap between the two cannot be calculated based on reason.
With current navigation and shipbuilding technology, it is not enough to achieve this, and it will take time to settle.
Xiao Yilai looked at Luo Youdu's high-spirited appearance, a trace of obsession flashed in his eyes: This is the real hero, the most ideal husband...
Xiao Yilai's vision is extremely high. The cause of all this is her father Xiao Siwen and the huge Xiao family...
The Xiao family of Khitan's Bali clan is the most noble surname family except the Yelu royal family.
Affected by Luo Youdu's interference, Xiao Siwen's three daughters became one.
Faced with this situation, Xiao Yilai, the only child of the Xiao family of the Khitan descendants, naturally needs to shoulder the glory of the family.
Xiao Yilai returned to Linhuang Mansion in Shangjing and began to receive various trainings. Xiao Siwen also kept instilling in her the idea that she would marry the emperor and become the Queen of Khitan in the future.
Xiao Yilaan also thought so. The daughter of the Xiao family was naturally the Queen of Khitan.
Although times have changed, Xiao Yilai is aware of his situation and does not think about the queen, but the vision he has cultivated does not look down on ordinary people.
I would rather be a heroic concubine than a mediocre wife.
As the emperor of the most powerful empire in this era, Luo Youdu was ambitious, heroic and courageous.
Where in the world can there be a more ideal husband than him?
Xiao Yilai had already fallen into the trap, but he had been unable to find a solution until that day when he was guarding Yelu Xian's body as his adopted sister. He keenly noticed something strange and specially made this exquisite costume with his own hands.
Compared to the Central Plains woman's euphemism, Xiao Yilai is even more direct. After all, she has been trapped by herself for five years, is already past the age of marriage, and has no elders in the family. She can't count on her elder sister?
Although in Khitan, it is common for sisters to work together with the same husband, but it is obviously inappropriate for my sister to be the matchmaker.
After much deliberation, I had no choice but to take action myself.
Xiao Yilai raised his glass: "I would like to take a glass of wine to Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty that all your wishes will come true and that you will achieve the great deeds of Emperor Qin and Han Dynasty."
Luo Youdu said: "Drink with the Second Lady!"
Luo Youdu was a talkative person, with beauty in front of him, and he talked about the affairs of the world from all over the world.
Xiao Yilai was astute and not as knowledgeable as Luo Youdu, but he dealt with it appropriately and had a great time talking with him.
The two of them were drinking and chatting. Time passed by and it was late at night, and the atmosphere gradually became subtle.
Xiao Yilai seems to be too drunk, his cheeks are flushed, and coupled with his elegant and charming appearance, which is similar to that of plain clothes, it makes people feel excited.
It is absolutely true that wine is a matchmaker for sex.
Under the stimulation of good wine, the two of them moved their positions unknowingly.
Luo Youdu, who has been away from the war for two years and has not known the taste of meat, after all, does not have the ability of Liu Xiahui. He cannot remain calm in the face of beauty.
It was just that Xiao Yilai, who had just had her first menstruation, was faced with an old man who had been lying on the bed for a long time. She was already weak and could not bear the battle, and could not walk normally for two days in a row.
Luo Youdu naturally stayed in Dading Mansion for two days because he had to handle official business in Dading Mansion.
It wasn't until the third day that we headed south.
The window paper was pierced, and there was a beautiful woman by my side on the way south, so it was a smooth journey.
After entering the territory of Youzhou, wherever the victorious army went, people lined the streets to welcome them and ate pots of wine to welcome the king's army.
Brother Yelv Xiu, Yelu Xianshi, and Yelu Xiezhen looked at the people on both sides of the official road and saw them shouting excitedly: "Long live Dayu, long live your Majesty..." and could not help but secretly marvel.
Brother Yelvxiu sighed: "I heard from Xian Ning that the people of the imperial court respected His Majesty more than the gods and Buddhas. I didn't believe it at first. Now it seems that Xian Ning was not lying."
Yelu Xiezhen also looked shocked and whispered: "At first I thought it was just a show, but later I found out that even on the official road far away from the villages and towns, I met passers-by who were traveling far away. They were like this when they saw His Majesty's triumphal return
The army, they didn’t hide at all. Instead, they came together and cheered. This is definitely not the behavior of a local official to please His Majesty..."
Yelvxian said appropriately: "No wonder he is obsessed with Bianjing, no wonder he is sure that Khitan is not his opponent. This gap is really too big."
Brother Yelvxiu said excitedly: "If I can serve under such a wise king and holy master, I will have no regrets in this life!"
Xiao Yilai looked at the traveling scholar who was shouting "Long live" on the official road and his face was flushed with excitement. He couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, you are amazing. I have never seen such a popular emperor, even in books.
Never seen it..."
Luo Youdu paused and said: "Actually, I'm not that great. It's just that in the past hundred years, they lived too hard! They were too easy to be satisfied..."
The level of chaos in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was no less than that of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, with complete breakdown of rituals and music and moral decay.
Only by losing can we know how to cherish. Only by experiencing this era can we know that peace is hard-won.
With the unification of the world, the chaos of the Five Dynasties has subsided.
People who have experienced turbulent times when life was at stake have never dared to expect to live a prosperous life. Just having a place to sleep and staying away from the dangers of war can provide spiritual satisfaction.
As for labor?
That is the least worth talking about.
What does sweating and hard work mean compared to peaceful days?
Luo Youdu undoubtedly achieved this.
The imperial court of Dayu was in ruins and was waiting to be revitalized. Although it was far from reaching the point where the people could enjoy their work, living in peace was no longer a problem.
The strong national power gave them a sense of peace and security. As long as they worked hard, they could support their families and save a little money in good harvest years.
This kind of life was unimaginable ten years ago.
Therefore, the people love the current Dayu soldiers and the Dayu Emperor who brought them a peaceful life from the bottom of their hearts.
Faced with such simple people, is there any reason not to make their lives better in the future?
The further south you go, the more spectacular the queue is.
However, compared to the situation in the north, the south is a little more snobbish.
The prosperous life has led to far more gentry in the south than in the north. In order to express their loyalty to the court to local officials, they contributed money and effort.
All kinds of wine and food are ready...
The closer you get to Bianjing, the more serious this situation becomes.
This is something that cannot be avoided.
However, it is undeniable that most people in the Dayu court trust and love them from the bottom of their hearts.
After crossing the Yellow River, Luo Youdu did not go directly south to Bianjing, but left his army to rest and regroup, and led some of his trusted generals to Chanzhou.
Guo Rong's Qingling Mausoleum is buried here.
Before Guo Rong ascended the throne, he was based in Chanzhou and had deep feelings for Chanzhou.
His tomb is also buried here.
The scale of the mausoleum is not large, which was what Guo Rong meant during his lifetime.
As an extremely frugal emperor, Guo Rong did not want to waste his labor even before he died of illness. He repeatedly emphasized that everything should be simple. He did not send palace attendants to guard the mausoleum, did not use gold and silver to accompany the burial, and used paper clothes to bury him. The only requirement was that twenty nearby households should be exempted.
As for the corvee workers, let them take time to clean and clean the tomb so that it does not become abandoned.
Luo Youdu stood in front of the Qing Mausoleum, looking at the portrait of Guo Rong painted by the court painter, and every detail of the past came to mind.
The person who was the best to him when he came to this world, apart from Lao Hu who took care of his daily life, was Guo Rong who had the kindness to meet him.
"You carry it on your back!"
Luo Youdu said something.
When Han Lingkun, Gao Huaide, Shi Shouxin and others heard this, they immediately turned their backs.
Luo Youdu lit the incense, bowed respectfully, and said in his heart: "Your long-cherished wish has been fulfilled for you."