"Yes, yes, our Mei Niang is a second-grade imperial concubine, so you have to be more careful!"
Yang Fan was so happy that this girl didn't want to think about the time when she asked for sex in the daytime.
Although he said this, his hands naturally wrapped around Wu Meiniang's slender waist and hugged her into his arms.
Although Wu Meiniang felt that it was difficult to end Yang Fan's anger, Xiao Shiyun and her daughters were at home again.
But he still leaned into Yang Fan's arms like a cat, with a look of enjoyment on his face.
I can only comfort myself by saying that the weather is a bit cold and I need to find some warmth.
Speaking of which, Wu Meiniang's character is somewhat strong, just like the strong women of later generations, and it is difficult for her to show such a meek side.
But such women especially admire powerful men, especially those as profound and wise as Yang Fan...
Unconsciously, Wu Meiniang found that she had completely surrendered to Yang Fan's charm, so she became more and more dependent on Yang Fan.
Of course, Wu Meiniang did not forget the topic just now, and couldn't help but ask: "Husband, please tell me quickly, what do you think about Huating Town?"
Yang Fan did not answer immediately, but asked: "Can Mei Niang guess why your majesty designated Suzhou as a fiefdom in our house? Why do I, my husband, value Huating Town so much?"
Wu Meiniang pondered for a while, then showed a look of astonishment: "His Majesty's Sacred Heart is dictatorial. Every word, every action, every move must have a deep meaning, and my husband's wisdom is unparalleled. He obviously values this place so much, and he obviously also has a deep meaning."
"In Meiniang's opinion, the reason why Your Majesty designated Suzhou as Langjun's fief is mainly to deal with the Jiangnan gentry."
"Today's Jiangnan can be said to be the Jiangnan of the Jiangnan gentry. Back then, Emperor Yang of Sui was so arrogant and arrogant that he had nothing to do with the Jiangnan gentry. The three expeditions to Korea not only failed to weaken the Jiangnan gentry, but instead used his own capital to do so.
In the end, we can only compromise with the Jiangnan nobles obediently."
"Now that my husband is about to go south, if he wants to turn Jiangnan into the court's food and grass supply base, he must break the monopoly of the Jiangnan gentry. This will inevitably affect the interests of the Jiangnan gentry. Some time ago, they framed my husband for plagiarism as a test.
and fight back.”
Yang Fan nodded in disbelief. The future Empress Wu Zetian's political acumen was indeed outstanding.
Even with more than 1,000 years of experience, Yang Fan only just figured out why His Majesty Li Er made him the Grand Governor and made Suzhou his fiefdom.
But Wu Meiniang was able to figure out the stakes just by relying on her own speculation. She was truly a strange woman.
Yang Fan also wanted to hear her opinion, so he continued to ask: "What would Mei Niang think if I placed the Governor's Palace in Huating Town?"
Seeing that Yang Fan was very sure of her analysis, Wu Meiniang became even more bold, and with a slight smile on her lips, she said: "Husband, Meiniang thinks it is feasible. Looking at the whole Jiangnan, Suzhou, Yangzhou and Hangzhou are the most prosperous, and they are also the foundation of the Jiangnan gentry."
"But these places, where the Jiangnan family has been operating for hundreds of years, are intricately intertwined and as stable as a rock."
"My husband wants to create a situation in Jiangnan and break this deadlock. If he goes directly to the place where the Jiangnan gentry is the strongest, he will definitely be blocked. But if he goes too far away, how can he defeat the divisions among the Jiangnan gentry."
"In addition, Huating Town is affiliated to Suzhou and is located between Suzhou and Hangzhou. It suits these conditions. Therefore, Mei Niang thinks it is feasible for her husband to establish a governor's residence here."
Seeing Yang Fan smiling and saying nothing, Wu Meiniang was a little puzzled: "Husband, according to Meiniang's understanding, Huating Town is located in a remote place and the transportation is very inconvenient. Although this place is easy to control, how can you tell me how prosperous it will be once it is built?"
It will surpass Junyangfang, which really makes Mei Niang a little confused."
Due to the limitations of the times, Wu Meiniang certainly did not know the importance of the geographical location of Huating Town.
Yang Fan hugged the soft and delicate body in his arms, smiled softly, and said: "Mei Niang is right, the reason why Your Majesty gave me the imperial edict of Suzhou and appointed me as the Governor of Jiangnan Road is because you want me to let go of my hands and feet.
Have a big fight.”
"Think about it, since Suzhou is my fiefdom, if I establish the Governor's Office in Huating Town, I will have the final say in the appointment and dismissal of all officials there. Within my fiefdom, if the Jiangnan gentry dares to mess around, who will
If you don't like it and kill it directly, who can care?"
"It doesn't matter if Huating Town is poorer now. Junyangfang was still a wilderness back then. Isn't it more prosperous than Chang'an now?"
"Furthermore, Mei Niang, you have forgotten one thing. Xue Rengui is building sea ships in Quanzhou. As long as we build a caravan and we control overseas trade, are we afraid that Huating Town will not be able to develop?"
After hearing what Yang Fan said, Wu Meiniang's heart suddenly became enlightened.
I couldn't help but sigh, my husband is my husband, he really thought more carefully than she did.
In fact, Yang Fan was even more surprised.
Wu Meiniang was able to guess almost everything based on her own guessing. She was simply a monster. Her extraordinary political talent was indeed extraordinary.
It's just a pity that this talent can no longer be used in the court to guide the country and hold the world in hand!
However, as the saying goes, what is lost is what is gained, maybe Wu Meiniang in this life can create a new world around her.
Thinking of this, an idea popped up in my mind.
If Wu Meiniang were to manage the "Shanghai City" in the future, I wonder if she could be allowed to show her talents.
The more Yang Fan thought about it, the more feasible it became, and he said with a smile: "Meiniang, do you want to be an official and go to the south of the Yangtze River to help your husband build Huating Town into the most prosperous city in the Tang Dynasty?"
"This..., can women really be officials?" Wu Meiniang looked confused and seemed unbelievable.
Although there were many women serving as officials in the Tang Dynasty, these people were collectively called female officials.
Female officials are mainly divided into internal officials and external officials. The female official system in the Tang Dynasty was inherited from the Sui Dynasty. The majority of female officials were internal officials, who were divided into six bureaus and twenty-four divisions.
In fact, they are responsible for washing clothes, cleaning, and serving the emperor, prince, princess, queen, etc. within the palace.
There are also some female external officials, such as dyeing cloth, making scented wax, planting flowers and plants, holding feather fans and other insignificant tasks.
But these officials are completely different from the officials mentioned by Yang Fan.
You must know that Yang Fan can open a government office, which is equivalent to appointing officials by himself. These officials are officials who govern a party.
What's more, if Huating Town is really like what Yang Fan said, it will be even more prosperous than Junyangfang when it develops.
In addition, Huating Town is located in Suzhou, Hangzhou, Yangzhou... these prosperous areas in the south of the Yangtze River.
Once the Jiangnan gentry are disintegrated and the entire Jiangnan land is in their hands, the prosperity of Huating Town will definitely be no worse than that of Guanzhong, or even better.
Now that Yang Fan actually asked her to control this place as a woman, Wu Meiniang was completely moved.
What kind of maverick man would have such an idea?
Yang Fan simply handed over his future and destiny completely to her.
Wu Meiniang felt so honored to be valued by such a man!
Looking at the excited Wu Meiniang, Yang Fan chuckled.
This bitch is indeed a restless woman. When she heard that she could become an official, her eyes were filled with stars.
However, Yang Fan didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
If Huating Town is really developed, Yang Fan is really worried about letting outsiders manage it, but Wu Meiniang is the most suitable candidate.
In Yang Fan's view, as long as nothing happens to him, Wu Meiniang will never escape from her Wuzhishan.
So Yang Fan said without hesitation: "As long as you want to be an official, of course you can. What's more, we are a family. What's mine is yours. There is no need to distinguish it so clearly. I only feel relieved if you help me look after it!"
"
"However, if I want to go there, I have to deal with those Jiangnan nobles first, otherwise it will be very dangerous to go there."
Hearing Yang Fan's affirmative words, Wu Meiniang was so moved that she couldn't help but kiss her.
Yang Fan couldn't help but laugh, and naturally enjoyed it.
Although it is impossible for Wu Meiniang to ascend to the throne of God in this life, it is still possible for her to be a working emperor for the rest of her life.
No matter what, the working emperor is also an emperor!
Of course, this boss can only be yourself.
****
Winter is the most poetic!
It's a bit cold in Chang'an in December, and snow is its messenger, like a group of flying silver butterflies dancing gracefully in the air.
The heavy snow in the sky covered the trees with a thick quilt and spread a silver blanket on the earth.
The mountains have become fatter and the ground has become whiter.
Literati and elegant guests are the happiest when it snows. Not only can they enjoy the endless snow scenery without any worries, but they can also show off their coquettishness, recite poems and compose poems.
With nothing to do and nothing to worry about, Yang Fan rarely relaxed in the past few days.
The daily noise and worries disappeared in an instant, leaving behind just a touch of tranquility.
In winter, there is no splendor of spring, no boldness of summer, no beauty of autumn, but it is like a poem with profound and broad artistic conception, which deeply intoxicates people.
Yang Fan was also drunk, not because of the snow scene, but because of the wine.
There was nothing I could do, because I had received such a generous reward from the emperor, and officials from the court and the central government came to congratulate me one after another. It would be strange not to be drunk.
What's more important is that Su Dingfang, Wang Xiaojie and other subordinates united to deal with him, which made Yang Fan a little frightened.
I have been drunk more often in the past few days than in the two years since I traveled to the Tang Dynasty.
At this time, in the main hall of Yang Mansion, a group of friends came to kill the rich man.
They are all good friends and brothers in the same trench, so of course Yang Fan cannot refuse.
He ordered the kitchen to prepare ingredients and set up a large table in the hall. The hot pot was steaming.
Cheng Chumo, Li Jinghuan, Chai Lingwu... a group of young people rolled up their arms and sleeves around the hot pot, waiting to eat to their heart's content.
Yang Fan walked in holding a wine jar, and Cheng Chumo said: "Brother Yishan, this hot pot is still the most delicious here. Although you have given all the methods to my cooks, they can't make it taste like yours."
Come on, your cooking is authentic. I ate here before the Chinese New Year. You won’t mind, right?"
Yang Fan smiled slightly: "I used to be poor, and I might be afraid of you being short of money. Now our family is not as rich as the country, but we still have a lot of food. Besides, what else can brothers say, do you mind?
Everyone laughed loudly, and Li Jinghuan laughed and said: "What Brother Yishan said is, not to mention the income from Junyangfang, but from the several fiefdoms that His Majesty just awarded, the combined taxes there will be enough for Brother Chumo to eat even if he breaks his belly."
Let’s talk about good things, brothers.”
Chai Lingwu also laughed loudly and said: "Yes, the master has been promoted and made a fortune this time. He should go to Piaoxiang House to treat us to a meal, and he should ask a few of the best girls to accompany us and sing songs."
Yang Fan sat down with the wine jar in his arms and said: "Let's forget about Piaoxiang Tower. That place is owned by the royal family. If the two princesses knew that they were fooling around there, they would not look good. Besides, the family is full of wine and meat, so what's the point?
What girl do you want, come on, let’s try this wine and see how it tastes?”
Seeing Yang Fan holding the wine jar and placing it on the table, Cheng Chumo picked it up and opened the seal. A strong aroma of wine filled the air, and he suddenly wondered: "What kind of wine is this? Why does it smell so good?"
Yang Fan patted the wine jar and said proudly: "This wine is called 'Bamboo Leaf Green'. I am not boasting. I want to drink this kind of wine, but I am the only one who doesn't have it here, not even in the Forbidden Palace. This wine has been stored in the cellar for nearly two years."
, it should taste very good.”
As he said this, he carried the wine jar and poured wine into the wine bowls in front of everyone, but it was only a shallow bowl, not full.
Chai Lingwu smelled the strong aroma of wine and shouted: "Master, you are too picky. How can you drink such a small amount?"
Yang Fan said with a smile: "Try it first. As long as you can drink it, it's enough for today!"
To dare to underestimate this kind of wine is to seek death.
Yang Fan had distilled this wine several times, and it was at least over 70 degrees.
This kind of wine was almost rare in later generations, let alone in the Tang Dynasty.
Even the Moutai and Wuliangye wines that Yang Fan had redeemed from the system before... the alcohol content of these wines was only over 50 degrees.
The wine is over 70 degrees and has been stored in cellars for nearly two years. Even a person who can drink it will have to get down if it is the first time he drinks such a high alcohol wine.
Chai Lingwu had a good capacity for drinking, so naturally he didn't believe Yang's words. He raised his head and drank the wine in the bowl in one go.
"Hiss, so spicy!"
A wave of heat filled the top of his head, causing Chai Lingwu's face to turn red instantly.
The wine slid down the throat like alcohol, like a red-hot knife, burning the throat.
Flowed into the stomach, the wine was like a fire burning in the belly.
Chai Lingwu closed his mouth and held his breath, resisting the burning sensation, and finally breathed out after a long while.
I clicked my tongue and took a deep breath, feeling the fragrance lingering on my lips and teeth, with a long aftertaste.
"It's such a good wine. It's more refreshing than the Erguotou I drank at Master's place before!"
Feeling the continuous aroma of wine, Chai Lingwu praised it.
Cheng Chumo and others were all good drinkers. Seeing Chai Lingwu's praise, they all raised their wine bowls.
After one bowl, this wine is really strong!
But it feels mellow and refreshing, without any pungent taste. It tastes very enjoyable, and it has obviously been cellared.
Of course, Yang Fan was not to be outdone and kept silent.
For a while, everyone started drinking freely.
When the wine was getting hot, Li Jinghuan hugged the wine jar and sighed: "What a pity. After the New Year, brother Yishan will go south. I don't know when we brothers will get together to drink together again!"
"The journey to the south of the Yangtze River is long and dangerous. Today, Jinghuan borrowed flowers to offer Buddha a toast to all brothers."
Cheng Chumo has already found a job in Jiangnan, and Chai Lingwu has also applied to His Majesty Li Er to travel with Yang Fan.
Several good friends, like Du He and Fang Jun, have been going to Jiangnan for more than a year.
Among the few people, only Li Jinghuan stayed in Chang'an, which was of course a bit sad.
Chai Lingwu was a little drunk. Hearing this, he put the wine bowl heavily on the table and said in a muffled voice: "Brothers fighting tigers, father and son are fighting. The master is going to Jiangnan. Although he brings the holy emperor with him, there must be many people who will obstruct him.
, as brothers, of course we must accompany each other with our lives, unlike you, Li Jinghuan, who only knows how to be carefree."
Li Jinghuan was stunned at first, then blushed and said angrily: "Chai Laoer, how can you underestimate Yu so much? If my father hadn't been in Tubo, why wouldn't I have accompanied my brother to Jiangnan to try his luck?"
Chai Lingwu's eyes were drunk and he sneered: "That's nice to say, isn't it just an old lady who has to take care of me? Not to mention that no one dares to touch your county prince's palace, even if someone dares to touch it, if something happens to our brother, we will go with you even if it means mountains of swords and seas of fire.
"
Li Jinghuan was about to explode with anger. Huo Di stood up, pointed at Chai Lingwu and said, "You, Chai Laoer, are the only ones who talk about loyalty? I, Li Jinghuan, am not as good as a pig or a dog?"
"My sister has already reached hair age, and people come to her door every day to propose marriage. If there is no man in charge of the house, she may be snatched away."
"If you can help solve the problem, I will immediately apply to His Majesty to go to Jiangnan together without any hesitation."
Chai Lingwu snorted and stopped talking.
He's good at fighting, but he can't do Tai Chi with others.
Nowadays, Li Daozong is far away in Tubo, and he can be said to be a powerful feudal official.
Everyone wants to marry Li Xueyan to marry Qin and Jin.
Especially those aristocratic families were even more eyeing upon Li Xueyan.
Without Li Jinghuan, these people would be really difficult to deal with.
Seeing that Chai Lingwu didn't speak, Li Jinghuan became even more angry and shouted: "Aren't you Chai Laoer very capable? Hurry up and find a way to do it?"
How could Chai Lingwu give in as the drunkenness was getting stronger? He stood up immediately, stiffened his neck and said, "Isn't it just that you want those people not to have any ideas about your sister? This is not simple. Isn't it enough to find someone to marry her?"
Li Jinghuan laughed angrily: "Haha, do you think my sister is a cabbage? Just find someone to marry you casually? If it's so easy to find, why do you need to tell me?"
Before Chai Lingwu could speak, the drunken Cheng Chumo interjected: "It's hard for brothers to have a drink together. Why are you arguing?"
"Brother Jinghuan, let me tell you. Chai Laoer is right. Can't you just find a husband for sister Xueyan?"
"You said it's hard to find, but our Yishan brothers are ready-made. Her Royal Highnesses Princess Changle and Gaoyang have condescended to marry our Yishan brothers. Isn't it possible that our Yishan brothers are worthy of Sister Xueyan?"
Unexpectedly, Cheng Chumo, who had been quarreling with him, would help him. Chai Lingwu was immediately overjoyed: "Brother Chumo is right, my master is both civil and military. As long as Xue Yan marries my master, whoever dares to take Xue Yan's idea again will see if I don't
Cut him to death!"
Hearing what they said, Li Jinghuan was quite moved.
Yes, isn't Yang Fan the best candidate? My sister seems to have been paying close attention to Yang Fan!
Therefore, Li Jinghuan looked at Yang Fan critically, just like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law.
Seeing that three people were actually involved in him, Yang Fan felt helpless.
Two of the women in my family have not been eaten yet, so how can I think of provoking other women?
Just as he was about to say a few words of reprimand, he saw two girls suddenly appear at the door, with the same pretty face and the same bright and moving face.
Ah!
Aren't these the Cheng Yuzhu, the youngest daughter of the Cheng family, and Li Xueyan, Li Jinghuan's sister, whom we haven't seen for a long time?