Mother Chen poked Chen Xiaoruan's forehead with her finger, "You just said that you know you feel sorry for your mother, you damn girl."
Chen Xiaoruan smiled and looked at Chen Zhao again, "Zhao'er, have you listened to your parents? Have you studied hard recently?"
Chen Zhao, who is only six years old this year, replied crisply, "Yes, I didn't want to be literate before, but my mother said that only by studying hard can I meet my sister. In order to meet my sister, I studied very hard."
When Chen Xiaoruan was at home, she loved this younger brother the most. Every time Chen Zhao made a mistake and Chen's mother wanted to hit him, Chen Xiaoruan always stopped him.
Hearing what his brother said, Chen Xiaoruan felt a little sad. After he left, he didn't know if he would feel lonely at home alone.
Touching Chen Zhao's head, Chen Xiaoruan said comfortingly, "Zhao'er is so obedient. Mom didn't lie to you. Didn't you meet my sister now? You must continue to study hard in the future."
"Yes!" Chen Zhao nodded vigorously, as if making a promise.
A child is so innocent, how could he know that as he grows older, it becomes less and less likely to see his sister.
Mother Chen spoke again, "Actually, Mom brought Zhao'er here today because she has something to ask of you."
"You said."
"Last year, schools opened. Didn't Zhao'er fail to pass the exam? This year, three more schools opened in Xiangyang, but there are still many people who signed up. I guess they still have to take exams."
"Although Zhao'er works hard, my mother is worried that if he fails the exam, he will have to go further away."
A total of fifteen schools were built in Jingzhou, four in Xiangyang, three in Jiangling, and one in each of the four counties of Jiangxia, Xunyang, and Guizhou. Fancheng and Xinye added up to one, and then Wancheng also had one.
Xiangyang and Jiangling, these two big cities, are the most densely populated places in Jingchu. They are also the first to enjoy the preferential policies of the government, so naturally there are more people.
Chen Zhao is six years old and has reached the age where he should receive an education. Neither his mother nor his father are willing to let him wait for another year.
Besides, if you wait another year, who knows if the government will build a school again? Will it still be built in Xiangyang?
"My husband will not tolerate interference in government affairs in the backyard. Although this matter is not a government matter, it is hard to say. My daughter will do her best."
"Hmm, it's up to you whether you can do it or not. Don't make the Marquis of Chu angry."
At night, Liu Cong had just finished exercising and was preparing to fall asleep with Sun Shangxiang in his arms.
Sun Shangxiang suddenly leaned on his chest, "Husband, there is something I want to tell you."
Liu Cong suppressed his sleepiness and said, "Just tell me."
"Xiao Ruan's younger brother, Chen Zhao, wanted to study in a university in Xiangyang, but he was worried that he wouldn't be able to get in, so he begged to come here."
Liu Cong's sleepiness disappeared immediately, "Why didn't she tell me directly?"
"When she talks about things in the backyard, it's best to tell the wife first. If she decides to tell the husband without authorization, even if the husband agrees, where will the wife be? This will damage the prestige of the wife."
"This girl is really smart and thoughtful." Liu Cong raised his eyebrows, "So you agreed to her?"
Sun Shangxiang punched his chest with a fist, "Aren't we discussing this with you?"
"Okay, I agreed to say hello to Yi Ji in a few days."
The Ministry of Etiquette is responsible for all the work of the school, so Liu Cong said hello to Yi Ji.
"So easy?"
"Otherwise? Go to sleep."
Sun Shangxiang lay down with a strange look on his face, his eyes wide open and he couldn't figure it out.
When he was thinking about it, Liu Cong turned over and pressed his thigh on Sun Shangxiang's delicate leg. "This is not a big deal. I can agree to it. Besides, for thousands of years in China, isn't it just a matter of human relations?"
For Liu Cong, he can accept the corruption of some petty officials, as long as you do things well. Not to mention such a trivial matter?
"Besides, this girl Chen Xiaoruan is really sensible. The most important thing is that she has already begged you. How can she let your image of a big sister fall from the altar?"
"She not only wants to thank you, but also owes you a favor. This establishes your prestige and stabilizes your position."
Liu Cong always thought of her, and Sun Shangxiang felt warm in her heart, "Ah!"
"If you don't sleep, give me a son!"
The next day, as soon as Liu Cong arrived at the meeting hall, Jiang Wan reported a piece of news to him.
Zhang Song is on an envoy to Xudu!
"My lord, Zhang Song is from Yizhou. He has a high and powerful position. If we can win over him, we will win twice the result with half the effort in conquering Shu in the future!"
Liu Cong nodded, "What Gong Yan said is true. Duan Kun, let the Jinyiwei take action immediately. Zhang Song will most likely be left out in Xudu. The Jinyiwei must try their best to bring Zhang Song back to Jingchu!"
"promise!"
"My lord, Yizhou, don't drive Zhang Song, and pay homage to your majesty. Long live my emperor!"
"Plain body."
"Yizhou has not paid tribute for many years. What is the reason?" As soon as Liu Xie finished speaking, Cao Cao asked Zhang Song.
Zhang Song cupped his hands and said to Cao Cao, "Prime Minister, the world is in chaos, thieves and thieves are rising everywhere, and the road between the imperial court and Yizhou is not safe. This time I am also here to see you Mao!"
"Haha, how come the world is in chaos and thieves are on the rise when I am alone in the north?"
"Liu Bei from Hanzhong, Liu Cong from Jingchu, Sun Quan from Jiangdong, Ma Chao from Liangzhou, Han Sui, and Gongsun Kang from Liaodong are all isolated in their localities. How can we say there is peace?"
"Short and ugly, speaking arrogant words!" Cao Cao immediately stood up and left the hall!
Zhang Song is only five feet tall and ugly. What he cares most about is what others say about his appearance!
"You are so arrogant, how dare you make the Prime Minister so angry!"
"Yes, you simply don't take the imperial court seriously!"
"Retreat!"
Cao Cao had his own considerations for the envoy from Yizhou. Zhang Song came to pay tribute earlier than in the original history, which only shows that Liu Bei posed a greater threat to him than Zhang Lu.
The school affairs office had already inquired about the news, and Zhang Song hoped that Cao Cao could send troops to attack Liu Bei.
It is a pity that Cao Cao has just decided on the strategy of garrisoning the fields to support the people, and last year he solved Ma Teng through diplomatic means. How could he easily mobilize his troops?
For six days, Zhang Song was not received by Cao Cao again, and finally couldn't help but go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to ask for an audience in person.
Zhang Song's servant bowed to the gatekeeper of the Prime Minister's Mansion and said, "Please tell me, Zhang Song, the special envoy of Yizhou, wants to see the Prime Minister."
"Huh?" The doorman looked arrogant and let out a soft cry, rubbing his fingers continuously.
"What do you mean?"
"Give me money! Are you so blind?"
"You?!" The servant was a little angry. After reporting this to Zhang Song who was sitting in the carriage, he came back and took out a handful of money and handed it over.
The doorman didn't even answer the call, he sneered and said, "Haha, how can I pay a beggar with this little money?"
Zhang Song got off the carriage directly, took out two gold cakes from his arms, and motioned to his servants to pass them over.
The doorman took the gold cake and said with a smile, "Wait a moment!"
Seeing the figure of the doorkeeper running in, Zhang Song sighed and said, "I didn't expect that the Central Plains court would be like this. A mere doorman of the Prime Minister's Mansion would dare to blackmail foreign envoys like this."
After waiting under the sun for two hours, at dusk, Zhang Song was informed of the interview.
Zhang Song entered the hall of the Prime Minister's Mansion and saw Cao Cao and a group of civil and military officials holding a banquet. While the singing girls were dancing, the Prime Minister's Mansion was filled with laughter and laughter.
Holding back the aggrieved feeling of being neglected, Zhang Song walked to the center of the dancing girl as if there was no one around and said, "Zhang Song, Special Envoy of Yizhou, may I ask the Prime Minister why I am so neglected?"