Chapter 143 (End of Main Text) She would never...
With the fall of the Yin state and Liaozhou falling to the Zhou dynasty, Emperor Yuanxing, while overjoyed, also needed to quickly select a general and a governor to oversee the people's livelihood in Liaozhou.
Emperor Yuanxing has already chosen a general, namely the veteran general Li Chong, whose military achievements and reputation can deter some of the remaining forces of the Yin Kingdom and the local bullies in Liaozhou. After Li Chong goes to Liaozhou, Xiao Lin can be promoted to the position of general of Jizhou.
As for the selection of the governor of Liaozhou...
The governor is a high-ranking official of the second rank, holding great power and influence. However, Liaozhou is located in the northeast, where winters are harsh and the region has only recently been conquered. Even if the people of Liaozhou hate the tyrannical Emperor Yin, they may still feel attached to their Yin identity, making them difficult to govern. Therefore, Emperor Yuanxing must select an official who is capable of fulfilling the duties and who is willing to take on this challenging task. Otherwise, even if Emperor Yuanxing forcibly sends someone to Liaozhou by imperial decree, the person may still complain and be perfunctory in their duties.
Emperor Yuanxing had just mentioned this matter at court, and before the ministers could begin to recommend or discuss it, Pei Xingshu, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward with his official tablet in hand and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Liaozhou to pacify the people."
Xiao Yu glanced sideways behind him. If it were a matter of patriotism, Xiao Yu would also be willing to take on this task, but he was currently holding the position of Right Chancellor. In addition to sharing the emperor's burdens in handling state affairs, the two chancellors of the Secretariat were also responsible for recommending talented individuals to the emperor. If Xiao Yu always thought of himself first in everything, it would seem as if the dynasty had no other talented individuals besides him.
After Pei Xingshu spoke, some low murmurs arose in the court. Some were surprised that Pei Xingshu, the Minister of Revenue, would be willing to abandon the powerful and influential people in the capital and go to Liaozhou, which was two or three thousand miles away. Others admired Pei Xingshu's actions.
Emperor Yuanxing pondered for a moment. He knew that Pei Xingshu had stayed in the capital to serve as an official after passing the imperial examination with the third-highest rank in the imperial examination. He had served in the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works. He was qualified to serve as the governor of Liaozhou. However, considering that Pei Xingshu had not directly interacted with the people of the prefecture and county, Emperor Yuanxing still asked, "If I appoint you as the governor of Liaozhou, how does Minister Pei plan to govern Liaozhou?"
Pei Xingshu smiled modestly, and then, as if he had prepared in advance, listed his five policies for governing Liaozhou. In addition to popularizing the existing national policies of the Great Zhou Dynasty in Liaozhou, improving the livelihood of Liaozhou people, and increasing the population of Liaozhou, Pei Xingshu even put forward a suggestion that surprised Emperor Yuanxing: to transfer laborers from Jizhou to complete the half-finished Great Wall in northern Liaozhou, just like when the North-South Canal was dug, so that it could be connected with the Great Wall in northern Liangzhou, Jinzhou, and Jizhou, and completely keep the cavalry of the two barbarian tribes outside the Great Wall.
As early as before the year when Emperor Yuanxing granted Li Chong permission to send troops to Liaozhou, Pei Xingshu had already predicted that Liaozhou would fall to the Great Zhou, and that the court would definitely select a minister to serve as the governor of Liaozhou.
Pei Xingshu had joked with his wife that with Xiao Yu in the Secretariat, it would be difficult for him to become prime minister. Indeed, Pei Xingshu did have ambitions to become prime minister, but his decision to go to Liaozhou was not because he could not be promoted if he stayed in the capital. Rather, he simply wanted to go to the place where the court needed him most, to do something practical for the people of Liaozhou, and to contribute to the unification of the Great Zhou.
Many people are qualified to be the Minister of Revenue, but not everyone can govern Liaozhou well and win the unwavering loyalty of its people to the Zhou Dynasty.
Emperor Yuanxing sensed Pei Xingshu's ambition, and since all five of Pei Xingshu's policies for governing Liaozhou suited his wishes, Emperor Yuanxing officially appointed Pei Xingshu as the first governor of Liaozhou in the dynasty.
After the court session ended, Pei Xingshu didn't even glance at Xiao Yu, but Xiao Yu approached him for the first time, frowning as she asked, "Have you discussed such a big matter as going to Liaozhou with your elder sister?"
Pei Xingshu: "Of course, I would never do anything behind Lan'er's back that would upset or frighten her."
Xiao Yu: "...Although I have done it, it was all due to the circumstances, and I didn't have time to go back and inform Fu'er."
Just like in the imperial examination back then, Emperor Gaozu's question happened to be about how to revitalize the country. Xiao Yu had no choice but to leave the examination room halfway and run to tell his wife how to answer the question. Also, during the late emperor's northern expedition, his advice was all put forward on the spot based on the late emperor's decision. Even if he knew that the late emperor did not like to listen, he still had to speak.
"Will you go by yourself, or take your elder sister with you to your new post?" Xiao Yu then asked.
Pei Xingshu: "I'll go first, and then bring her over once things have stabilized there. Don't worry, Lan'er and I were already deeply in love when we got married, and I've never upset her or hurt her feelings. Now that our two children are married, it's better to bring her over to keep me company than to leave her alone in the capital watching her children be so affectionate. When you were first demoted, Fu'er had only been married to you for a short time and didn't know you at all. The second time, she was willing to go to Jizhou to stay with you for a longer period, but her two children at home are still young, and you couldn't bear to let Man'er and her brother be separated from their mother, right?"
Xiao Yu: "...Fu'er and I have long been in love, there's no need for you to worry or say anything more."
His wife insisted on going with him to his post. He couldn't bear to see her suffer. If she didn't go, Xiao Yu would only be relieved that she wouldn't have to suffer, and he would never doubt her feelings for him.
Pei Xingshu stopped and looked at Xiao Yu with a puzzled expression: "So what exactly do you want to tell me by coming over here?"
Xiao Yu: "...You were born in Jiangnan, I'm afraid you can't withstand the cold of Liaodong winter."
Pei Xingshu: "..."
glaring at his brother-in-law, Pei Xingshu turned and left.
Xiao Yu didn't care whether Pei Xingshu would freeze in Liaozhou; he was just worried about his sister who would have to suffer the cold with Pei Xingshu.
Upon returning home that evening, Xiao Yu first spoke to his wife about the matter.
Luo Fu hadn't heard a word from her sister. It was too late that day, so she went to her sister's place early the next morning.
Roland was packing Pei Xingshu's bags because Pei Xingshu was leaving the next morning. Roland didn't want to wait a few more months and decided to go with her husband.
The older sister was calm enough. Luo Fu couldn't bear to part with her sister and buried her face in her back, shedding tears.
Roland laughed and said, "You should be angry. I would rather suffer in Liaozhou with your brother-in-law than stay in the capital with my parents and sister."
Luo Fu wouldn't be angry. She and Xiao Yu were often separated for long periods of time, and she understood how different the longing for family members was from the longing for one's spouse. This was true for women, and it was true for men as well. The difference in thickness between the letters Xiao Yu wrote to her and the letters he wrote to his mother-in-law was proof of this.
Roland tied a knot in the bundle in his hand, turned around, and helped his sister up, saying, "Alright, alright, you're over thirty and still acting like a child. Besides, what if your brother-in-law gets jealous if you go back with swollen eyes? You didn't cry this hard when he left the capital back then, did you?"
Luo Fu: "..."
When did Xiao Yu leave the capital and she never cried?
Roland was most worried about the two elderly people in Ganquan Town.
Luo Fu pretended to be angry: "What do you mean by that, sister? Do you think you're the only one who's filial to our parents, while I just care about my own happiness and don't visit them? Besides, there's also our brother. You just need to focus on taking good care of yourself and your brother-in-law."
At dusk, both families went to Ganquan Town and stayed at the mother's house for the night. At dawn, Luo Lan and Pei Xingshu set off directly from there.
After seeing his sister and brother-in-law off, Xiao Yu had to go to his post. He took Xiao Hong, who was also going to study at the Imperial Academy, with him. The father and son rode off quickly, while Luo Fu and Cheng'er stayed behind to have lunch with their parents before leisurely returning home.
Only then did Wang Qiuyue dare to complain to her youngest daughter: "I used to say that Yuanzhi was stupid, but now I realize that your brother-in-law is also stupid. He gave up a good official position in the capital and insisted on going to Liaozhou."
Luo Fu knew that her mother was just too reluctant to let go, and didn't really resent her brother-in-law. She smiled and coaxed her, "Mother, it's okay to say this to me, but don't tell the neighbors here. They've long been envious that both of your sons-in-law are high-ranking officials. Now you're even complaining that your eldest son-in-law went to become a second-rank prefect. They'll definitely curse you for showing off behind your back."
Wang Qiuyue patted her youngest daughter, feeling both amused and exasperated.
.
As for the Marquis's residence, Xiao Lin and Li Huaiyun had already gone to Jizhou. Now that her sister and brother-in-law were gone, Luo Fu felt uneasy because she had lost two close relatives she often saw. Especially in the first few days, she ate less than usual.
That evening, Xiao Yu returned and happened to see Luo Fu looking at a painting that Pei Xingshu had made for the two sisters when they were still in Guangling. Xiao Yu stood next to his wife and looked at it for a while, then pointed to the lines of Luo Fu's cheeks in the painting and said, "This part doesn't look like her face. Your face isn't that round."
Luo Fu: "...I was only twelve years old that year, and my face was rounder than when I was fifteen or sixteen."
Xiao Yu looked at it more closely and said, "Brother-in-law, your painting skills are not good, but your wife is so beautiful. Her real appearance must be even more beautiful than this painting. It's a pity that I am far away in the capital and have no chance to see her."
Luo Fu glared at him, but the corners of her mouth curled up.
As Luo Fu lay down to sleep, she glanced at Xiao Yu, who was staring intently at her as he approached. Noticing his overly focused gaze, Luo Fu subconsciously touched her face and casually asked, "What are you looking at?"
Xiao Yu: "Judging from Madam's longing for her elder sister, if Madam treats her elder sister this way, then Madam must have had it even harder when I was in the countryside all those years?"
Luo Fu laughed: "No, I was having a great time when you weren't around, so I didn't miss you at all."
Xiao Yu didn't believe it, so he pulled his wife over and put down the curtain again. He then asked his wife, who was sweet-talking to everyone but would never say a word of love to him, for a sum of money.
After getting through this period, Luo Fu gradually cheered up again.
Before they knew it, it was the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Yangmei (Chinese bayberry) tribute fruit sent from Kuaiji County in Yangzhou arrived at the palace again.
During the reign of the late emperor, except for the year when the North-South Grand Canal was first built, when the late emperor rewarded Xiao Yu with a whole basket of grains, Xiao Yu was only given one plate of nine grains each year, which was already the highest among the officials. When Emperor Yuanxing took the throne, Xiao Yu's share increased to two plates, and this continued for three years. But this year…
As soon as Xiao Yu returned in the evening, Luo Fu interrogated him: "This year, the Emperor only rewarded us with a plate of bayberries, and he specifically said that they were for Father. Tell me, did you do something to offend the Emperor?"
Xiao Yu lowered his eyes. The Right Chancellor, who disdained to lie but was very afraid of his wife, habitually lowered his voice: "Yesterday, an imperial censor impeached a prefect of Yizhou for favoring a concubine, which caused his wife to return to her parents' home in anger. This was a case of lax household management and moral corruption. After reading the memorial, the emperor wanted to dismiss the prefect from his post. This clearly shows that the emperor still cares about the late emperor's deposition of the empress and wants to severely punish officials who have favored concubines. Naturally, I had to give my advice."
Xiao Yu had no intention of taking concubines, but he would not criticize officials who kept concubines, nor would he include it in an official's performance evaluation, unless the official's favoritism towards his concubines actually caused a death.
Luo Fu: "Did the Emperor hear that?"
Xiao Yu nodded, but Emperor Yuanxing was clearly not happy.
Luo Fu sighed. There are so many officials in the world, and those like Xiao Yu who do not take concubines are extremely rare. If Emperor Yuanxing really dismissed the prefect because an official favored a concubine, there would be one more way for officials to attack their political enemies. For example, Li Chong, the general of Liaozhou whom Luo Fu knew, was a man who favored his concubine and neglected his wife. But Li Chong had the talent to defend the border. How could he be dismissed just because he was fond of beautiful women?
Therefore, Xiao Yu's advice was correct. The emperor can punish officials according to the law, but he cannot reward or punish them excessively based on personal likes or dislikes.
But he was the emperor after all. If Xiao Yu displeased the emperor, he would have to bear the consequences of falling out of favor or gradually falling out of favor.
"I knew it. Just because you were once the emperor's tutor doesn't mean you can rest easy from now on."
After lying down, Luo Fu gently bit Xiao Yu's shoulder.
Xiao Yu pulled his wife into his arms and held her close, looking into her eyes filled with reproach and resentment, and asked, "Will you be disappointed?"
Rosanne snorted and bit his still-beardless chin again.
What's there to be disappointed about? They've been married for almost twenty years. How could she not understand Xiao Yu?
He was loyal to the emperor, the country, and even more loyal to his own heart. He dared to discipline the founding emperor, he dared to discipline the late emperor, and when it came to the young emperors and students, he would promptly offer advice and reminders.
While Ralph might have a headache with such a husband, she also admired him and had long since fallen in love with him.
She would never be disappointed by this; she only hoped that Xiao Yu's luck would continue to be good, and that the two of them could spend their lives together without any major incidents.
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Author's note: Here we go, the main text ends here!
Well, Xiao Yu and Fu'er are a very special couple among the dozens of books I've completed so far. One of them was repeatedly demoted, imprisoned, and almost beheaded for speaking out, while the other had no one to rely on but to find ways to save her husband's life. Their story doesn't have the typical "sweet and satisfying" feel of other male and female protagonists, but I'm glad I finally wrote such a special couple. There may be some shortcomings, but I will always be proud of this attempt. Thank you all for your support along the way. I love you all!
P.S.: I'll start updating the epilogue tomorrow. Both the epilogue and the extra chapters will be updated separately. I just haven't been able to do two updates lately [poor face].
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