From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 517

Being young and being a duke, holding the Beijing camp, and having a high reputation, these points added together, in the eyes of the cabinet ministers, are definitely not a good thing for the court.

But the merits are ironclad, and they can't refute or interfere, so they can only take one step at a time.

"Lord Yang, if this continues, Zhou Yuan will sooner or later be a first-class duke, and his prestige will only get higher and higher."

Xu Shigong walked out of the palace with a face full of anxiety, whispering: "There are wars to fight in the south and in the north. The foreign enemies are gone, but the merits have raised a behemoth. What if..."

Yang Guozhong waved his hand and interrupted directly: "Lord Xu, be careful with your words. The Duke of Weiguo is now the pillar of the country. Don't worry about it."

Xu Shigong looked at Yang Guozhong's back as he left quickly, and couldn't help frowning.

He sighed secretly: "Of course you don't care, old man. You are seventy years old, and it's time to retire, but what should we do?"

He was worried and thought of many possibilities, but in the end he could only shake his head and sigh.

After all, His Majesty trusted the Duke of Wei too much, and now no one can say anything.

This great victory and this reward naturally made some people happy and some people sad.

When these elders were worried, Zhou Yuan felt relieved.

As the biggest enemy of the Jin Dynasty, the Donglu had retreated, which at least meant that the Jin Dynasty would not be in danger of collapse in the short term, and other minor illnesses and pains were no longer a concern.

"My husband, I think the ceremony should be a little more grand."

Zhao Jianjia sat on the couch and said softly, "It's meaningless to keep everything simple, and it's unfair to Ningyue and Qu Ling. Besides, you are a duke, and you have to hold a wedding in accordance with your noble status. The people below also rely on you for face."

"Father wrote to say that everything should be done according to the highest regulations. Don't worry about the money. He will find a way."

Zhou Yuan was also at a loss, and waved his hand quickly, saying, "Don't, write back to your father-in-law and tell him that the money is not a big deal. It doesn't make sense that he has to make up the difference. "

"But you're right. The wedding regulations are there, and there's really no way to save money. I'll transfer some money recently, specifically for the wedding."

Zhao Jianjia chuckled and said, "Qu Ling also wrote to me, saying that there's no need to worry about spending money, her dowry is very generous."

"It is said that the Qu family has been slowly becoming more high-profile recently, because of my husband's title of duke, they have also cleared the haze, and Qu Shuyuan has started to give lectures at Jinling Academy."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Everything is going well. The influence of the family is all good. The only regret is that Ningyue has returned home to live. "

Zhao Jianjia rolled her eyes at him and said, "They are about to get married. How can they still stay here? It is too against the rules."

"Mother Xue Bo came and asked her to move back. We can bring her back when the time comes."

Zhou Yuan lay on the chair, as if he had thought of something, and couldn't help asking, "Where is Li Yu'an? I haven't seen her these few days. Where did she go?"

Zhao Jianjia tilted her head and said, "I really want to know?"

Zhou Yuan was stunned and said, "She actually greeted you but didn't tell me?"

"Because she was afraid that you would be angry."

Zhao Jianjia said quietly, "She left for Shenzhou the day before yesterday and said she was going to see Miss Yan."

"Ah? What the hell?"

Zhou Yuan stared and said, "No, she went to see Wanyan Daichan? Why?"

Zhao Jianjia said, "On the one hand, she is worried about Cai Ni, and on the other hand, she has a good relationship with Miss Yan and wants to have a good chat with her about the future."

Zhou Yuan fell into deep thought.

So, does Li Yu'an want to get something for Goryeo in advance?

Or does she want to help Wanyan Daichan win the throne and control Donglu?

The latter possibility is not very high. Wanyan Daichan plays more of a religious role in Donglu and is unlikely to fulfill her political demands.

However, if she can plant the seeds of power in Wanyan Daichan's heart in advance, it should be a good thing in the end.

The previous battle of Shanhaiguan was just a resolution of the years of conflict between the Jin Dynasty and the Eastern Tartars, but it was not a duel of fate.

In about two or three years, the two nations will face a real life-and-death battle. At that time, how to deal with ethnic relations will lay the foundation for a hundred years of peace.

Li Yu'an's trip should still be very meaningful.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yuan stretched and said, "Don't think about her. Has the Zhongnan Mountain replied?"

"Yeah."

Zhao Jianjia said softly, "Master Su Youzi replied, saying that Chenxi is still in seclusion on the cliff and has no plans to come out. She will definitely not be able to make it to the wedding this time."

"This girl is too strong. I couldn't persuade her when I was there, let alone a letter."

Zhou Yuan said, "Then wait, wait for her to come out one day. At that time, she may really be able to complete the redemption of her life."

Zhao Jianjia squinted and said, "You only think of Chenxi?? This morning I received two letters from the south. "

Zhou Yuan looked at her in surprise and couldn't help laughing: "Are they from Qinshui and Xiaoying?"

Zhao Jianjia said: "Yes, they asked when you would go south. They must be waiting anxiously and miss you."

Zhou Yuan sighed and smiled bitterly: "The stall in the south was handed over to Qinshui. She must be too busy, but she really can't go recently."

"At least I have to wait until you give birth next month before I can go south with peace of mind."

"The affairs there are very important. I should go there anyway."

Zhao Jianjia said softly: "Family affairs are equally important. My husband, don't forget what you promised me. Ziyuan has been waiting for you for a long time. "

"That girl..."

Thinking of Ziyuan's sweet face, Zhou Yuan felt guilty. Although she was eighteen or nineteen years old, she was born with a cute baby face, like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old child.

"I know, let's arrange it during this period."

He stood up and said with a smile: "Come on, my lady, let's go out for a walk. Speaking of which, I haven't accompanied you to go shopping for a long time."

Zhao Jianjia's eyes also lit up, and then she asked tentatively: "Is it okay? My body..."

"Yes!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Have you forgotten what Li Yu'an said? You are in good health, and proper exercise will help the health of the fetus."

"That's great! I've wanted to go out for a walk for a long time!"

She excitedly held Zhou Yuan's hand and giggled: "Let's go to the six major lanes in the north of the city. I believe you will be surprised by the changes there. "

The two of them quickly got on the carriage and went to the Six Great Lanes accompanied by Zi Yuan and Qing Yuan.

To be honest, Zhou Yuan was indeed shocked.

This place is no longer the smelly outer city shit and urine street. After the rectification of Shenjing, it has made great progress. The concentration of population has created huge domestic demand, which has made all industries here flourish.

Due to the turmoil in Shenjing in the past few months, many big merchants in the inner city have left. This place has seized the opportunity and has become the largest market street in Shenjing.

If Zhou Yuan must use a word to describe all this, he can only use "prosperity".

"It's Lord Zhou!"

"It's the Duke of Wei!"

Some merchants recognized him, and countless people around him were excited and gathered around.

They shouted, crowded, and smiled.

Some merchants even shouted: "Lord Zhou, you are now a Duke, and you still miss our folks in the Six Great Lanes! ”

“Lord Zhou, if it weren’t for you, our Six Great Alleys wouldn’t be what they are today!”

Just when it was getting lively, the crowd in the distance parted, and Qiu Yuanren hurried over with a group of people.

He was also extremely excited, and immediately knelt on the ground, shouting loudly: “The subordinate Qiu Yuanren, I pay my respects to the Duke of Weiguo! I pay my respects to Lord Zhou!”

A group of people couldn’t help but kneel down with him.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said: “Everyone, get up, I’m bringing my wife here for a stroll, why are you making such a big scene?”

“Qiu Yuanren, if you disturb my wife’s interest, I won’t forgive you.”

Qiu Yuanren waved his hand quickly, signaling others to get up and disperse.

He walked over in small steps, and laughed in a low voice: “Lord Zhou, this is not a scene I made, but the villagers love you. Everyone knows what the Six Great Alleys looked like two years ago. "

Zhou Yuan nodded, and while greeting the people around him, he whispered: "You call yourself a subordinate, are you an official now?"

Qiu Yuanren was a little embarrassed, but more excited, and whispered: "Thanks to your great blessing, I am now a small clerk in the North City Military Department, and I also work in the Ministry of Revenue, responsible for regulating merchants and maintaining business order."

Speaking of this, he almost couldn't help kneeling down again, saying: "It's all thanks to your guidance, otherwise I, Qiu Yuanren, wouldn't be here today!"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Stop flattering me. I'm getting married on the 24th of this month. You can bring a few people to participate. Don't have too many people, just find a few representatives from the six major lanes."

"Don't make the gift so heavy, you know I don't like this."

Qiu Yuanren seemed to have heard great news, and he was so excited that he stuttered: "Yes... yes... thank you, sir. "

After sending Qiu Yuanren away, Zhou Yuan took Jianjia's hand. The two looked at each other and recalled the time when they first arrived in Shenjing two years ago.

That period was relatively difficult, but... it was when the dream began.

Zhao Jianjia's face was full of happiness. She hugged Zhou Yuan's arm and whispered: "Husband, time flies so fast. I am going to be a mother too."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "It's very fast. Who would have thought that the Six Great Lanes could undergo such earth-shaking changes in just over a year. "

"Actually, IThe people of our Great Jin are hardworking, intelligent, and creative. As long as there are no harsh rules to restrict them, they can live well on their own. "

"The so-called governance of a country is essentially to let the people govern the country."

"The people are the greatest power."

Zhao Jianjia smiled but did not speak. She did not understand what her husband was saying. She just felt so happy and wanted to live like this forever.

It is enough to stay by her husband's side, watch him work for the people, take care of his life, and give birth to children for him.

The once arrogant talented woman is gradually fading away, and now this virtuous wife with maternal radiance is becoming clearer.

Does time change people, or do people change time?

The meaning of everything may not lie in the essence of things, but in whether the soul is happy.