In the first year of Lu Yin, the official Wuhai led his troops to occupy Jiyi, and Jihou fled to Yan. (Literature Hall granted the title of marquis in the current Wuji territory, so Jiyi was renamed here. In the second year of Lu Yingong, official Wuhai led his troops to the north again. Invading the Jiji, it was renamed Wuji, taking the meaning of the Jiji.
Wuji is close to Taihang in the west and Hutuo River in the south. It has flat terrain and fertile fields. It is a famous place in the north of Jizhou. However, the winter here is also very cold.
At this time in previous years, people would always save firewood early, and like the otakus of later generations, they would wrap themselves in quilts for a month or two without going out or getting out of bed.
There is no way, the winter in Hebei is too cold, and not every household is equipped with warm winter clothes. A set of winter clothes is placed next to the bed, and it is sometimes the case that whoever goes out wears it. For most of the winter, the whole family is wrapped in quilts and suffering. Well, there's nothing surprising about it.
Of course, this situation is limited to poor families, and wealthy families like the Zhen family are definitely not included.
Snowflakes have fallen outside, flying like catkins, shrouding the sky and the earth, making everything in the world hazy, like a dream world.
The whole city of Wuji was quiet, only the laughter of children sounded from time to time, echoing quietly. Children are always very energetic. Apart from hunger, nothing can stop them from yearning for the outside world. Adults can't, and neither can the cold.
It's a peaceful and peaceful scene, but how long can it last? With a silent sigh, Zhendao walked into the door of his house that he had been away from for a long time.
"The Fifth Young Master is back!"
To Zhen Dao's surprise, it was snowing outside, but there were a lot of people standing in the yard, all maids, and a large group of Yingying Yanyan. When they saw him coming back, they all turned around and saluted, as if they were lining up to greet him.
However, he knew that this was impossible. As a son of a concubine, he had no chance to promote filial piety and integrity as an official in his personal future. He could only take care of the humble business affairs of the family and run around outside. In the Zhen Mansion, his status was equal to The stewards are all about the same, and there may be some private flattery. But such a grand welcoming ceremony will definitely not happen.
"Fifth brother, you are back. Did you bring me a gift this time?" When the soft voice, as soft as freshly baked Gaotang glutinous rice candy, sounded in the crowd, Zhen Dao laughed: "Yes, Of course there is. If it doesn’t belong to anyone else, it won’t belong to you, little sister.”
"What is it?" The crowd parted, and a petite figure, Pingting, stepped out, her crescent-like beautiful eyes wide open, like a quiet deep spring in the mountains and forests. People couldn't help but want to find out.
"Uh..." Zhen Dao was slightly in a daze. Although they could be regarded as growing up together, he still didn't understand how this half-sister grew up like this.
It’s not that she has a bad temper. Among the several direct brothers and sisters of the Zhen family, the youngest sister is the least arrogant. Even when she treats servants or refugees outside, she is always kind and considerate as a common man. He came to persuade his father to help the victims because of his crime. When it comes to gentleness and kindness, no one in the entire Zhongshan Kingdom can compare with him.
What Zhen Dao didn't understand was her gentleness and charm.
Zhen Dao is less than thirty years old this year, but he has been wandering the world for more than ten years. Recently, he even traveled across the oceans and visited the legendary overseas fairy islands. His experience is quite rich. But he has never I have never seen a woman from such a young age who showed such charming charm.
Every frown, every smile, every word and every action seems to have been well-rehearsed, all moving and sultry. However, she does not have any pretense, and her expression is so innocent. These two contradictory qualities constitute
The unique charm of the young daughter of the Zhen family.
Zhen Dao often thought that for such a charming and charming woman, even his brother had to deliberately avoid her to avoid embarrassment. I really don't know who would be able to tolerate her in the future.
The elders in the family often say that their young lady has the beauty to conquer the country, and her future husband must be a prince or general, and it is not surprising that her mother will be the best in the world. It is useless for the unlucky people to marry her home, because they cannot bear it.
If you start, you will definitely lose your lifespan and end up dying early.
Zhen Dao just laughed at these words. He didn't dare to make any assertions about good luck or anything like that, but according to common sense, if the younger sister's husband was a person with weak concentration and poor health, he would definitely not live long.
However, both the father and the mistress were convinced that they had been looking for a husband for their little sister a few years ago. The standard was that he must be a prince or general. Zhen Dao's long trip back this time had something to do with this.
"Bring the gift over..." Zhen Dao waved his hand, signaling for the servant to bring the gift, and let the younger sister choose. Then he asked the steward: "Where is father?"
"The master went to the city guard's mansion early in the morning." The steward replied respectfully.
The steward of the inner palace is a middle-aged woman. Because of the peculiarities of the second lady, Mr. Zhen did not trust the presence of men around her, so he made the inner palace look like the inner courtyard of a palace.
Being able to serve as a steward of the inner government, this woman is also very shrewd and knows that the fifth son of a concubine cannot be treated as an ordinary concubine. The Zhen family allows the concubine to take care of chores, just to find something for them to do, but this fifth son
He was bold and careful, and managed the affairs of the merchants in the house in an orderly manner, and the scale of the industry was also booming. In the past ten years, the Zhen family's wealth had soared several times.
Such a person, no matter how bad his background is, is still someone that these servants need to fawn over.
"City Shoufu?" Zhen Dao's expression changed upon hearing the voice, and his brows knitted together.
"The imperial envoy from Chang'an has already passed through Fan Yang, bringing with him the imperial edict calling Liu Shijun back to the capital. It is said that Liu Shijun has no intention of obeying the edict and denounced it as chaos... I heard that most of Hebei is now preparing for war. Seeing this
It's a big chaos again! It's easy to live a peaceful life for a few years. When will this chaotic world end?"
Half sighing, half telling, the female steward explained the current situation very clearly.
"I see..." Zhen Dao nodded and guessed the reason why his father was summoned. There is no doubt that Liu Yu did not intend to give in, but was going to fight to the end. Summoning the local wealthy families was nothing more than ordering each family to
Provide money, provide food, provide troops, assemble the army and prepare for war. In the usual sense, princes follow this routine before going to war.
"I wonder how my father will reply?" Zhen Dao murmured, as if talking to himself. But the silver hairpin he handed over without any trace in his hand said it all. The head of the hairpin was carved with a Luan bird.
, among the sparkling silver light, it looks more graceful and luxurious.
"Of course I don't want to. In a war, whoever gets involved will be unlucky, but..." The female steward's eyes widened, then she raised her hand and skillfully put the silver hairpin into her sleeve.
He said with a colorful smile: "I heard that the city guard has issued strict orders. Anyone who disobeys will be treated as a collaborator and will be severely punished!"
Zhen Dao nodded slightly and thought. Liu Yu or Wang Men were already jealous, but his father had great ideals but not much courage. If someone yelled at him like this, he would definitely give in. But in this way,
Wouldn't my plan be in vain? This is not good. I have to find a way.
His thoughts were surging on his side, while Zhen Mi and the maids on the other side were already exclaiming in surprise.
"Is this a makeup box? It's made of silver! It's so beautiful!"
"There are also silver combs, silver chopsticks, and silver steps. My god... has the fifth master dug up an ancient treasure? How come there is so much gold and silver?"
In the Han Dynasty, gold and silver had not yet been circulated as currency, but existed as treasures. Most of the luggage Zhen Dao carried contained such things. They were suddenly displayed in front of everyone, and they were like jewels. He was a member of Zhen's family.
Few country bumpkins I saw every time were still dazzled by it.
It was very quiet in the snowy sky, and the cheers and exclamations were extremely loud, which soon alerted other people in the mansion. People kept coming over to ask questions, and then joined the exclamation.
"Fifth brother, where have you been this time? It's been a great harvest!" The person who spoke was the third oldest brother Zhenyao. There are four brothers above Zhendao, three are direct descendants and one is a concubine. Zhen Yao is the direct descendant.
The youngest son, the most favored, usually met Zhen Dao with his nostrils. This time, he was dazzled by the gold and silver, but he became very friendly.
Zhen Dao smiled slightly, thinking about convincing his father that these gold and silver might be an opportunity: "It's nothing, I just went to sea..."
"Going to sea?" Zhen Yao was so surprised that he screamed, his eyes rolled, and his expression suddenly became horrified: "Could it be..."
Zhen Dao raised his index finger to his lips and stopped him: "Hush! That's right, it's just as the third brother thought, but this matter cannot be made public. It's better for us to keep silent and make a fortune."
"So... there really is a fairy island overseas? Is it really as full of gold and silver as in the legend?" Zhen Yao's mind was spinning very quickly. It's no wonder that when it comes to making a fortune, even a blind person can open his eyes. Who can become stupid?
?
"The rumors are a bit exaggerated. Is there really a place where gold and silver are everywhere?" Zhen Dao laughed and said: "Actually, there are many mines and it is easy to mine. Especially the place called Ishimi, which has a whole silver mountain at a glance.
Until the end, silver of this purity does not need to be mined, it can be picked up anywhere, but later processing is more time-consuming and laborious..."
"He He..." He said it casually, but Zhen Yao and several other Zhen family disciples almost drooled when they heard it.
"Isn't this the land of gold and silver? The mountains of silver as far as the eye can see? No wonder Emperor Qin had to go to sea no matter what, because he was not looking for the elixir of life, but for the mountains of gold and silver on the fairy island.
!”
"Now we are so prosperous! Hey, that's not right, doesn't the fleet belong to the Cavalry General? Fifth brother, why did you get so many things back?"
Zhen Daoqian smiled and said: "Fourth brother doesn't know something. General Hussar kept his promise and was generous with his wealth. He didn't take any of the profits from his first trip to sea. He only said that after the official mining in the future, he would collect taxes from the profits of the miners...
In fact, this trip is not to collect gold and silver, it is just to explore the path. When the mining is officially started, what will this little thing mean?"
"So, fifth brother, are you qualified to undertake mining?" Zhen Yan, the second child who had been putting on airs all the time, couldn't help it anymore.
"The rules of the Hussars General have always been to support the brave. Although my little brother has no skills, he has taken the lead because of his courage. As long as he doesn't repeat it in the future, he can buy a ship, hire workers, and sail out to sea next year.
Went to Treasure Island to pan for gold.”
"Wow!" There was a burst of cheers, and several children of the Zhen family were very happy. Is there any way to get rich faster than mining the gold and silver mountains? In the past, everyone didn't believe the rumors when they heard it from outside, but now it is true.
The things you have are laid out in front of you, it’s okay if you don’t believe it!
"Fifth brother, you said you won't do it again in the future..." The eldest brother of the Zhen family, Zhen Yu, died young. The second eldest brother, Zhen Yan, is the head of the second generation of the family. Now he has promoted Xiaolian and served as the head of Quliang.
Others are much more perceptive.
"It's just that you always stand on the side of the Cavalry General. At least you can't antagonize the enemy. It's very simple, isn't it?" Zhen Dao replied in a very relaxed tone, but Zhen Yan's brows suddenly furrowed tightly, and the others also stopped.
There were cheers and the atmosphere became heavy.
"Second brother, what's the problem?" Zhen Dao knew the reason, but he asked carefully.
"This... oh, it's hard to explain in words!" Zhen Yan sighed and shook his head: "Let's discuss it together after father comes back. Good things take a long time, and it's really not a coincidence."