Zhao Si leaned back in his chair and said: "We have to think about it carefully. First of all, we cannot choose from noble families. The dominance of relatives by relatives has always been a shortcoming of the former Han Dynasty. As the queen just said, we want to choose from Liu Fa, Wang Zhen, Guo
Yong waited for several senior generals in the army to choose a girl to enter the East Palace, with the intention of winning over her."
Zhao Si and Zeng Shuhua had always spoken very clearly. Zhao Si was on an expedition while Zeng Shuhua was in charge of supervising the country. The two of them had already had sufficient tacit understanding and trust in their hearts.
"I know my lady's difficulties. Talented people must have a high self-esteem and are unruly in their talents. Especially the many generals who destroyed the country and plundered the land, they are even more unruly in their hearts. They are tame in front of me, but they are unruly in front of me.
Not necessarily with Starling. It’s just that once a cooperative relationship is reached, they are no longer king and subject, and the relationship is all maintained by interests.”
"We set the ancestral system and our descendants will follow it. Over time, it is difficult to guarantee that Wang Mang and Liang Ji will appear. So we cannot start this method."
Zhao Si made a little point, and Zeng Shuhua understood. She quickly said respectfully: "I am impatient and almost made a big mistake. Please ask the officials to punish me."
My queen, you are such a smart person, how can you not think through the consequences of this? I think you are deliberately provoking this conversation in order to get a clear attitude from me.
Zhao Si waved his hand, "This matter has not been completed yet, so it doesn't matter. I know that my wife will discuss all important matters with me and will not make decisions easily. I can trust you."
Zeng Shuhua smiled, knowing that the officials had seen through her little trick and didn't take it to heart. The couple was playing tricks, and it was interesting only if they could see through it. If they couldn't see through it, there would be something wrong, and something big would happen.
"According to the official statement, the aristocratic family and industrial and commercial giants should not be considered for the time being. So, the official family wants to choose a poor girl for myna to marry?"
Zhao Si shook his head, "Officials are below the seventh rank, those with honorary titles are above the fifth rank, and the rest should not be chosen by those who are not officials or honorary, and those who are rich and wealthy businessmen..."
"When the official said this, I know what I am doing."
Zeng Shuhua changed the topic and talked about another matter, which was related to Zhao Si.
"Guan Jia, after talking about myna, it's time to talk about yours."
"My business? What is my business?"
"Guan family, I am very surprised that I did not bring back a new sister from this Western Expedition. However, I have to do what I was supposed to do. Guan family, shouldn't it be time to add some new people to the harem?"
"Why do we need to add new people? Aren't we living a good life?" Zhao Si asked with surprise on his face.
Zeng Shuhua looked at Zhao Si and found that he really didn't seem to be faking it, but she still felt a little sore and uncomfortable.
"In the official family, my concubine is nearly forty years old. She was able to give birth to ten brothers in the past two years, all thanks to the blessing of her ancestors and the life-saving efforts of several Chinese doctors. Sister Ming, Concubine De, Concubine Gong, Concubine Shu, and even the youngest Concubine Li,
He is already thirty-three years old. He is old and yellow, and his health is not good. I am afraid it will be difficult to give birth to an heir for the official family."
Zhao Si was stunned for a moment, yes, time is flying, and my concubines are all in their thirties. In today's era, mothers in their thirties are considered advanced mothers, and they are more dangerous than mothers in their mid-twenties.
The coefficient is much higher.
Zhao Si sat up straight, leaned forward, and gently held Zeng Shuhua's hand.
….
"Why do you say this, Madam? We have been harmonious and mutually supportive for twenty years. Madam, please do not say such things. Speaking of children, well, Concubine Li has one more child in her belly. Do the math, I have ten princesses, thirteen.
The prince is almost as good as my father. Moreover, many more of my children have survived than my father."
"I am satisfied and have nothing to regret."
My father gave birth to fourteen princes and ten princesses, but they were divided into thirteen concubines. He only belonged to six, which was much more efficient. Moreover, eight of his fourteen princes died in infancy, and ten of them died in infancy.
Seven of the princesses had died early, and only three of them had died in infancy. This was another great victory.
So, I really have nothing to regret.
Zeng Shuhua looked at Zhao Si, her eyes flashing.
After being silent for a while, he said quietly: "I am the master of the harem. If the harem is deserted and the heirs are not prosperous, how will the world and future generations treat me?"
?」
"I would say you are virtuous." Zhao Si replied without hesitation, "You don't care what others say. My father had so many princes and princesses, how many of them survived in the end? Only three of my princes and princesses died in infancy. These are all yours.
, the credit of the master of the harem. This alone is enough to silence everyone."
Zeng Shuhua looked at Zhao Si gratefully, but still refused to give up.
"It is my concubine's duty to take care of the harem. I ask the officials not to embarrass me..."
Zhao Si looked at Zeng Shuhua and blinked.
"Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"
Zeng Shuhua hesitated for a moment, "Master Li has admired the officials for a long time, and the officials also praised her very much..."
"Stop!" Zhao Si immediately interrupted, "Is the imperial concubine asking you for help? She is crazy! She was living in Goulan at first, but she is free at least. At the same time, she comes from a famous family, and she is the righteous daughter of Su. She can also sing.
A scene about a talented and well-known girl who meets the Thirteenth Prince by chance. What’s going on with Mr. Li?”
"Master Li was in her teens when she was in her prime, and she was in her prime. Her talent and beauty made her an admirer of Bianliang. Wouldn't it be great if the officials accepted her?"
Zhao Sidan smiled and said, "Madam, please don't test me again. Don't worry, I won't be tempted by her even if she is a fairy from the Nine Heavens. I will make it clear to the imperial concubine and let her give up her intention. Regarding the matter of accepting a concubine,
Don’t mention it again.”
"The officials are really as hard-hearted as iron. I heard that after Master Li heard about the talents of the officials, he did not think about food and rice and thought about them day and night. How can the officials bear this?"
"What can't I bear to do? I'm not a lyricist or poet, and I don't have time to mourn the autumn and the spring. Those who admire my talents and learning will be disappointed sooner or later. Master Li, I have heard the poems written by her from the imperial concubine, and they are indeed very interesting.
Among the women I know, she is probably second only to Concubine De in terms of talent and learning."
"But I know that her temperament is completely different from that of Concubine De. Concubine De comes from a famous family and knows how to be tolerant, so she can stay in this deep harem. Master Li has been in a miserable life since he was a child, and he is sentimental. If he were to be included in the palace, the novelty would be over.
, she stays alone in the palace... Haha, with her temperament, she will go crazy sooner or later."
Zeng Shuhua said with a half-smile, "It sounds like the government is all in her favor?"
"It's not all for her own good, at least I can't harm her."
After sighing, Zeng Shuhua continued: "The official families, the Koryo Kingdom, the Li Yue Kingdom, and other vassal states are all eager to offer their daughters to the palace, which makes the official family happy."
Zhao Si waved his hand and said unceremoniously.
"Goryeo, Li Yue Kingdom? Haha, they are not qualified to offer girls to the palace. I accept concubines Gong in order to win over the Mobei tribes; I accept concubines Shu in order to appease the Khitan and Xi people. I really think I am just greedy for their bodies.
In the two countries of Goryeo and Liyue, the royal families are dark, their character has been ruined, and if they are unlucky, they will exterminate their families and their heirs. Why should I mess with it? If I really want to covet the beauties of the two countries and destroy them, how will I choose!"
Zhao Si glanced at Zeng Shuhua, who was thoughtful, and continued: "There are always ministers and ministers who advise me to take Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty as a warning. They resorted to military aggression and the country was poor and the people were poor. I will not follow in the footsteps of Han Wu. The disaster of witchcraft and
Madam Gou Yi, you can’t follow in your footsteps. I can’t be wise all my life and end up in a fight like this.”
Zeng Shuhua was silent for a while, and finally sighed leisurely, "The official family has great ambitions and is arrogant. The love between children is long. In the official family, I am afraid it is the same as this Sizhu singing song."
Zhao Si smiled, and the two of them raised their heads in unison and looked at the bright full moon.
The night sky is silent, the sound is slow, the silk and bamboo are flicking, the strings are bright and the music is clear, and it comes slowly, as if it is coming from another world.
*The year and month of Li Shishi’s birth is unknown, but what is certain is that there were indeed more than two Li Shishis in Kaifeng Prefecture (with the same name and surname, as mentioned in the previous chapter). The Li Shishi we are familiar with was born around 1190, and there are several
