Chapter 131 Let's do some calculations for him
After reading the letter, Qin Yanzhou said, "Mother, don't worry. I will keep this agreement safe and won't give Marquis Wu'an any opportunity to take advantage of it. If Marquis Wu'an ever betrays you, I will not only take you away, but I will also make him regret his actions."
"We will spare no expense for this." A chilling light flashed in the young man's dark eyes.
Dai Li smiled and patted her son's shoulder, "This is still a long way off, and perhaps the worst-case scenario won't happen."
Looking at her son in front of her, a memory suddenly popped into Dai Li's mind.
"Qin Yanzhou is about to come of age; it's time for a man to marry and a woman to be married... I didn't say he should get married immediately, I just felt that this important life event could begin to be planned..."
Qin Changgeng's words still echoed in my ears.
Dai Li suddenly asked, "Zhouzhou, what do you think of this winter hunt?"
The topic changed quickly, and the young man clearly hadn't figured out what Dai Li meant. He nodded and said, "That's good."
Qin Yanzhou then added, "It went very smoothly."
With the divorce agreement in hand, it meant that the mother not only won the bet, but also seized the opportunity to change the stakes as well. As for the rest, Madam Shi and Qin San were not held accountable, and all of the Shi family's guards were released.
So, in conclusion, everything went smoothly.
Dai Li knew her son had misunderstood, so she coughed lightly. "It's not about that. Mom just wanted to ask you, did Zhouzhou meet any girls he liked during this winter hunt?"
Qin Yanzhou was slightly taken aback, a look of confusion appearing in his eyes, before shaking his head.
Dai Li wasn't surprised. She carefully said, "Mom isn't asking these questions to pressure you into marriage. It's just that it's normal for someone your age to have feelings for someone. In modern times, Zhouzhou would be in college by now, and probably already has a girlfriend like many other boys. But here..."
Dai Li sighed, her helplessness and sorrow beyond words.
Worried that her son might feel pressured, Dai Li added, "It's different here than in modern times. We value 'arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers,' and it's not acceptable for young people to date on their own. If Zhouzhou has a crush on a girl, I'll probably have to step in and invite her and her elders over to our house."
“Mom, no need.” The young man shook his head again. “I didn’t mean that.”
Dai Li sighed inwardly again.
That means he didn't meet any girls he liked during the winter hunt. Well, Zhouzhou is still young; he'll only be twenty after his winter birthday, so there's no rush.
"If you find someone you like in the future, Zhouzhou, just tell your mother, and I'll take care of everything for you," Dai Li instructed.
Although he didn't think he would need it, Qin Yanzhou still nodded and thanked his mother.
*
When Dai Li returned from her son's place, the noodle soup she had ordered earlier was delivered to the main courtyard.
Just now, Qin Shaozong had unilaterally unleashed a thunderous rage, but now that Dai Li has returned, she seems to have completely forgotten their conflict, and with a gentle expression, she takes the initiative to chat with him:
"A timely snow promises a good harvest; it seems next year will be a good year. Wheat has a shorter growing cycle and a much higher yield than millet, so everything is fine, except that it requires more water. Now that the dragon-bone waterwheel has spread throughout the north, Your Majesty, why don't you have the farmers plant more wheat next year?"
If she said anything else, Qin Shaozong could hold his tongue for a while, but when it came to food...
"What you say, Madam, is exactly what I've been planning. An army cannot afford to be short of food, and next year I intend to order the farmers in the north to change their grain varieties," Qin Shaozong said.
Nothing is more direct than giving an order.
Once a government order is issued and local officials supervise it at each level, with rewards and punishments used in combination, it will quickly take effect.
Dai Li immediately flattered him, "Your Excellency is truly farsighted. With the addition of the curved plow, the results will be twice as effective. I imagine that in just two or three years, the North will become a vast granary that the whole world envies. At that time, who in the world can rival Your Excellency?"
When Qin Shaozong saw her smiling face, the anger that had been pressing on his chest was neither able to dissipate nor remain so; it was still rampaging like a disobedient wild beast.
He simply stretched out his long arm, pulled her over, and with his other hand he held and pinched her chin, making her tilt her head back, and then kissed her deeply.
Dai Li wrapped her arms around his strong back and began to respond to him.
The anger, which hadn't manifested in words, now burned like fire from his lips and tongue. Dai Li, who was biting and sucking his tongue, could sense all of his anger, displeasure, and underlying resentment.
The objective has been achieved; now it's time to stroke the fur gently.
So Dai Li tried her best to please him, but she underestimated his anger. In the end, her tongue was sucked until it hurt, but he still didn't intend to let her go.
Dai Li turned her head to the side, pretending to be dizzy.
Qin Shaozong pinched her soft cheeks and made her moist lips open slightly with a "pop". "Madam's mouth is really amazing. It can make the paddy fields burn with wildfires and make rain clouds drift down from the dry land, bringing a sweet rain from the sky."
With her cheeks pinched by him, Dai Li couldn't speak, so she just blinked innocently at him.
Qin Shaozong suddenly remembered something and released her cheek: "When Madam was abducted by the Qinglian Sect, did they threaten you into doing anything else?"
A glint of light flashed in Dai Li's eyes.
The fact that Qin Changgeng could ask this question means that the matter of the "divorce agreement" is now in the past.
The soup noodles were already on the table, and Dai Li simply sat down first. "No. At the time, I told them about the curved plow purely to gain their trust and prepare for the subsequent escape. Even if they had a plan, they didn't have time to implement it."
Because she ran away during the celebration.
Qin Shaozong turned the jade thumb ring.
Just as he had guessed, when he found her, she had no injuries.
He suddenly changed the subject, “Madam, you should personally choose Qin Yanzhou’s courtesy name, and let Nalan Wugong perform the capping ceremony for him. On the day of the two boys’ coming-of-age ceremony, all the prominent families of Yuyang will come to witness the ceremony. Nalan Wugong is renowned, and having him personally perform the capping ceremony for the boys will greatly benefit them in the future.”
Dai Li thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Qin Shaozong sat beside her watching her eat noodles, his eyes gleaming with a sinister green light. Once Dai Li put down her chopsticks, he reached out again, saying, "The wildfire is not yet extinguished; please, Madam, do not be stingy with your rain."
Dai Li: "..."
*
As the sun sets and rises, a new day arrives as scheduled.
Early this morning, a news report from the south traveled a thousand miles to reach the Qin residence.
The Qin residence, study.
Qin Shaozong stared blankly at the secret report on the table, his aura heavy and oppressive.
The strategists living in the Qin residence exchanged glances, all seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.
"...My lord, Liu Jingzhou rose to power through his wife's family. His brother-in-law later died mysteriously. Regardless of whether there was any foul play involved, just looking at how Liu Zhanguo became the leader of his wife's family, the Sun clan, and then defeated a host of competitors to become the governor of Jingzhou, it's clear that he's ruthless and cunning. Now that Yizhou is under his control, and he's also won over Shi Wuji, the poison master who was once under Fan Tianshi's command, it's no exaggeration to say that Liu Zhanguo, the governor of Jingzhou, is unparalleled in the south," Sheng Ran said in a deep voice.
Cui Shengping nodded, "That's true, not to mention that Ye Yangzhou also intends to form a marriage alliance with Liu Zhanguo. Once the Liu and Ye families form a marriage alliance, this south... will probably be the Liu family's domain."
The three provinces of Jingzhou, Yizhou, and Yangzhou cover a vast area. If these three provinces were connected, their area alone would surpass that of any three provinces to the north.
Qin Shaozong held the tiger-shaped pen rest and idly stroked its back. "The situation in the world is now roughly clear."
The Han emperor is young, and the current court is controlled by Chancellor Dong Zhou and Empress Dowager Wang, creating a subtle power struggle.
Regardless of their secret rivalry, and regardless of whether the surrounding provinces had ulterior motives or other plans, at least on the surface, the neighboring Liangzhou, Sizhou, and Yuzhou were all aligned with the imperial court and were more obedient than the other provinces.
A year ago, Bingzhou was annexed by him, and from then on, the north was completely under the control of "Qin". Now, the situation in the south is also becoming clearer.
The imperial court, located in Chang'an, Yongzhou, and the surrounding Sizhou and Yuzhou formed an east-west strip that separated the north and south.
Whether he wanted to march south or Liu Zhanguo wanted to go north, they would inevitably have to pass through the buffer zone in between.
"My lord, the court is now besieged on both sides. Prime Minister Dong and the Empress Dowager must be having a hard time sleeping and eating. I personally believe that this situation will not last long." Cui Shengping stroked his long beard.
The reason I say it won't be long is that the current King of Han is young and sickly, and I heard that he fell seriously ill last winter.
With a weak ruler and powerful ministers, even if the surrounding governors outwardly submit, they undoubtedly have their own agendas. The imperial court, acting as a buffer, is teetering on the brink of collapse, and once it does, both the north and south will likely experience simultaneous unrest.
After all, it's all about taking advantage of chaos; the more chaotic the situation, the better. As for how much profit one can ultimately gain, that depends on individual skill.
Nalan Zhi was silent for a moment, then asked, "My lord, what are your thoughts on Nangong Qingzhou's suggestion of a marriage alliance?"
The letter from Qingzhou was delivered the day before yesterday, but Qin Shaozong put it aside at the time and it was never mentioned again.
"Let's observe further," Qin Shaozong said calmly.
With the postponement of the marriage proposal letter and the subsequent statement "Let's wait and see," everyone could tell that he wasn't very enthusiastic about the suggestion.
As a strategist, one must not only plan for oneself, but also for others. And here, "others" specifically refers to one's superiors.
Often, one must go against the current. Therefore, Cui Shengping said, "My lord, you and Nangong Qingzhou jointly conquered Yanzhou, dividing it in two. As a result, Nangong Qingzhou is no longer the governor of a single province. If the Northern Lands and Qingzhou form an alliance, it will not only strengthen our side but also create a buffer zone with Qingzhou as the boundary. I personally believe this marriage is worthwhile. May I ask what concerns my lord may have?"
If a marriage alliance were to take place, the countries from north to south would be the northern regions, Qingzhou, the imperial court, and the southern powers.
Sheng Ran nodded in agreement: "The eldest daughter of Nangong Qingzhou is of noble status and can be the wife of the Third Young Master. If there are other noble ladies in the future..."
He thought about it and realized that there weren't many people who hadn't clearly chosen sides, and even if there were, they couldn't compete with Nangong Xiong's power.
“She can become the Third Young Master’s concubine,” Sheng Ran added.
Nowadays, the harems of wealthy young men are often filled with women, or at least several. This is not just due to their own lust, but also to alliances formed between those in power.
Especially for a powerful ruler, his children would either marry into one faction or form an alliance with another. They would be ranked in order of importance, with those from powerful maternal clans who arrived early becoming wives, and those from less powerful clans or who married later becoming concubines.
A family like Qin Shaozong, whose two sons are both unmarried, is extremely rare.
At this moment, Qin Shaozong said, "Yun Ce is not yet married and is older than Qin San. Why did Hai Qing and Chong Liang both skip him and mention Qin San instead?"
Both Cui Shengping and Sheng Ran were taken aback.
The lord's tone remained calm, and his words, though seemingly mild, were surprisingly shocking.
This was a difficult question to answer, so Cui Shengping carefully said, "My lord, the eldest son's coming-of-age ceremony is in a few days. Has he told you about... the matter of recognizing his biological father?"
Qin Shaozong said he had never done so.
Cui Shengping's thoughts raced.
Never?
If the eldest son does not acknowledge his biological father, then he will remain under the lord's name. According to the order of seniority, it is indeed inappropriate for the third son to marry before the eldest son has even married.
But the eldest son...
"My lord, do you intend for the eldest son to marry the legitimate daughter of Nangong Qingzhou?" Sheng Ran asked hesitantly.
Qin Shaozong, sparing with words, said: "I'll see."
None of them could figure out what their superiors meant.
He said he wanted to support the eldest son, but he didn't agree to let the eldest son marry the legitimate daughter of Nangong Qingzhou. He also said he wouldn't support him, but that didn't make sense, because he had clearly interrupted Sheng Ran just now.
They were not keen on the Third Young Master having a wife from a powerful family.
Qin Shaozong suddenly called out Cui Shengping's courtesy name, "Haiqing, could you please perform the capping ceremony for Yun Ce?"
Cui Shengping quickly sat up straight, saying, "I am extremely honored."
This winter, there's been more than one young man reaching adulthood. Cui Shengping then asked, "My lord, what about Young Master Qin's coming-of-age ceremony..."
Qin Shaozong: "What do you think about handing over Qin Yanzhou to Wugong?"
Nalanzhi bowed and accepted the task.
After exchanging a few more words, the group bowed and took their leave. At this moment, Qin Shaozong said, "No merit, you may stay."
Nalan Zhi was left behind.
Cui Shengping and Sheng Ran paused briefly, then left the study together. After they had walked a short distance, Sheng Ran whispered, "Hai Qing, what do you think the lord means by this?"
Cui Shengping was older than Sheng Ran and also older than Qin Shaozong. But at this moment, he stroked his beard back and forth, and finally shook his head, "The lord's thoughts have always been as deep as the ocean, unfathomable. It would be better to wait until after the coming-of-age ceremony, then everything will be clear."
"You're right..."
*
Inside the study.
The door closed again. Qin Shaozong looked at Nalan Zhi not far away and gestured with his hand to the seat next to him, "Wugong, sit down."
"What are your orders, my lord?" Nalan Zhi asked, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Qin Shaozong said in a deep voice, "Haiqing comes from the Cui family of Hedong. Let's not talk about Chongliang for now, but they have been openly and secretly helping Qin San. It has been in vain. Qin Yanzhou is a rough gem. Now that he has become your apprentice, I hope you can polish this gem and help him with his calculations."
Nalan Zhi's pupils narrowed slightly.
Author's Note: Here I am [droopy-eared rabbit head], please give me some nutrient solution [hands clasped in prayer]
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