Xu Di asked, "Granny, why are they all from the capital? Xiao Jiu and Zheng Boyuan are getting married in Hexi, why aren't there any estates or shops from Hexi accompanying them?"
Granny Lu sighed and said, "Third Master said that after the marriage, Zheng's position will probably be changed. Once it's changed, we don't know where he will be assigned. Hexi is where Third Master started his career, and it's also where the Zheng family started their career. Anyone who remembers the good things our two families have done will treat our Ninth Miss and Zheng well. But that's also what the Third Prince and his family are afraid of. Let's wait and see where Zheng will end up."
Upon hearing this, Xu Di felt that his father's thinking was very thorough. The Third Prince, that petty and vindictive man, would not stand by and watch Zheng Boyuan grow powerful in Hexi. As for the Southwest, that was the territory of the First Prince's maternal family. Even if the Third Prince wanted to go there, the First Prince would not allow Zheng Boyuan to go there. The general guarding Liaodong was a former subordinate general of the Zheng family, and he was most likely to go to Yuzhou.
After analyzing the situation, Xu Di began to think about what he should prepare for Xu Zhi if they really went there. The climate there was different from that of Ganzhou, and there were many ethnic minorities there. Most of the current military forces of Daliang were deployed in the northwest, northeast and southwest, including Yuzhou. The military deployment there was not very strong because it bordered Xiyan.
When the world was in chaos and heroes rose up, the founding emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty, along with his brothers, occupied a large area of land. However, a small portion of the land was occupied by the Western Yan. Later, the Great Liang had to deploy its limited military forces to the north. The land of the Western Yan was barren and not very rich in resources. Over time, the Western Yan could only manage to make a living and posed no threat to the Great Liang. Therefore, the Great Liang and the Western Yan coexisted peacefully. The Western Yan mainly deployed its military forces to the west, which was located on a plateau. There were many nomadic tribes on the plateau that frequently raided the Western Yan.
To be honest, the Great Yan and the Great Liang were actually interdependent. No matter which one had a problem, the other would not benefit. Because of this, the line bordering the Great Yan, stretching from Ganzhou all the way south to Yuzhou, was mostly along a rather treacherous river. If it weren't for this natural barrier called the Wu River, the Great Yan would have been destroyed by the Great Liang long ago.
Seeing that Xu Di was deep in thought, Granny Lu did not disturb him. She simply put the land deeds into a carved mahogany box and poured Xu Di a cup of tea.
Xu Di dipped his finger in the teacup and drew a simple map of the Liangshan area on the kang table. He then asked Granny Lu, "Granny, where do you think Zheng's son will go?"
Granny Lu frowned and said, "It's really hard to say. What I'm afraid of is that the Third Prince will insist on sending the Zheng family's son to the southwest. The Wang family, who are stationed there, are the First Prince's maternal relatives. They have been stationed there for many years and naturally don't want others to interfere. As for Liaodong, that's even more impossible. The Liaodong garrison is the old troops of the Zheng family. If the Zheng family's son goes there, he will naturally be treated well. As for other places, it's hard to say. It might be Lingnan or Yuzhou."
Upon hearing the name Lingnan, Xu Di's mind went blank. Yes, Yuzhou and Ganzhou are so close, why not send people to Lingnan?
Xu Di was surprised that Granny Lu would think of Lingnan, and asked with great interest, "Granny, why did you think of Lingnan?"
Granny Lu sighed and said, "I heard that Lingnan is close to the sea, and pirates often come ashore to kill and burn. Our new son-in-law grew up in the capital. How can he be so close to the water? Since the Third Prince is going to cause trouble for people, he should send them to the place where trouble is most likely to occur."
Upon hearing this, Xu Di couldn't help but laugh heartily and said, "Granny, people say that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. This saying is so true. Hearing you say this has enlightened me. As long as we can think of something, that's victory. There are always more solutions than problems. If we encounter difficulties, we can think about it carefully and always find a way to solve them. Even if Brother Zheng is sent to Lingnan, we're not afraid. My maternal family has been operating there for many years. Even if the whole family moves back to the capital now, do you think we can just give up those connections? My uncle and his family are in the shipping business, so naturally they will return from the ports in Lingnan."
Upon hearing Xu Di's words, Granny Lu couldn't help but laugh and said, "Now that you mention it, it would be a good place for our Ninth Miss to go to Lingnan with the Zheng family's son."
Xu Di said, "I wouldn't dare say it's a good place, but Zheng's son went there with me before, so he at least has some understanding of the environment there and won't be at a loss once he goes there."
Granny Lu said, "In that case, it's best if Ninth Miss doesn't take this dowry with her. I'll discuss it with your mother and we'll put it at home for a few years and have the steward look after it. When Ninth Miss returns to the capital, we'll give it to her."
Xu Di nodded and said, "Granny, this arrangement is the best. Zheng Boyuan is not in a good situation right now. Xiao Jiu is determined to follow him wherever he goes. The two of them should spend these two years together to cultivate their relationship. When they return to the capital, we can return these things to Xiao Jiu."
Granny Lu nodded and asked, "Did Di'er come to see Granny Lu for something?"
Xu Di said, "There are too many things to do at home, and Yuexi is the only one busy. She's been exhausted these past few days. Granny, do you think we should send her two helpers?"
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