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

Chapter 558

On May 24, at noon, the weather was fine and the wind was gentle.

The governor of Jiangsu and several officials from the provincial government rushed to Yangzhou overnight, and after a short rest, they went to the dock with the Yangzhou prefect and others.

All the officials of Yangzhou, big and small, were present, and the core figures of the eight major families followed behind, looking at the large ship coming from afar.

The big flags on the ship were flying, and the soldiers were as tall as pine trees, with extraordinary momentum.

The breeze was blowing, and the waves were sparkling.

Qin Zhaoxian, wearing an official robe, stood at the front of the dock, looking at the majestic ship, and couldn't help laughing: "Young Duke, Governor of Three Provinces, I didn't expect that my Great Jin would also have such a brilliant person!"

"Brother Yuntai, we are both from Yunzhou, and we also have women of marriageable age in our family. Why didn't you discover the great talent of Duke Weiguo?"

Everyone laughed.

The prefect of Yangzhou, Yue Lingkang, also looked embarrassed and waved his hand, saying, "You are joking, Governor. The daughter of Duke Weiguo and Lord Zhao has been engaged since childhood. Even if I want to make a move, I don't have the blessing!"

Qin Zhaoxian looked at Zhao Cheng and blinked his eyes and said, "Lord Zhao is worthy of being the top scholar in the imperial examination. You have a good eye for people. You have taken a person who has not appeared in hundreds of years into your palace early. It's really enviable."

Zhao Cheng laughed out loud, obviously in a very good mood, and bowed, saying, "If you are interested, it's not too late now. Zi Yi has only married three wives, and there is still one vacant room."

Qin Zhaoxian was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Then I must seize the opportunity. When the time comes, you can also help me say a few good words. I also want to get some light from the Duke!"

Everyone present couldn't help laughing. Although they were all joking, the atmosphere on the scene was indeed good.

However, the people from the eight major families behind them all looked heavy-hearted, and were obviously worried.

"Here they come."

Someone exclaimed, and everyone hurried forward.

The ship docked, and first teams of soldiers got off the ship and stood on both sides to make a path.

Then Zhou Yuan walked out of the cabin, wearing a python robe, with a dignified bearing and a sharp gaze. His temperament was indeed no longer the same as before, which was enough to give people pressure and attract people's attention.

Qin Zhaoxian took the lead and saluted: "I am the governor of Jiangsu, Qin Zhaoxian, and I will lead the provincial government and many officials from the Yangzhou government office to welcome the Duke of Weiguo!"

"Welcome the Duke of Weiguo!"

Dozens of officials, big and small, including people from the eight major families, all bowed.

Zhou Yuan hurried to Zhao Cheng's side, helped him up, and said respectfully: "Father-in-law, please don't embarrass me."

"Please don't be polite, I am a military officer, I don't care about so many formalities."

Then everyone stood up.

Zhao Cheng smiled and said: "Zi Yi, you have worked hard all the way. The governor and the prefect have prepared a very sumptuous welcoming banquet for you."

He didn't say much, knowing that this was not the time to reminisce about the past, so he gave up the venue.

Qin Zhaoxian bowed and said: "Duke Weiguo, you are also returning home in glory, don't refuse, we also want to hear about the interesting things in the previous war."

Everyone laughed along, and the work of supporting the joke was done very well.

Zhou Yuan was not rigid, and said directly: "Let's go, have a few drinks."

The group got on the carriage in a mighty manner and went directly to the restaurant arranged in advance.

After a round of greetings, they sat down to eat, and the atmosphere was not bad.

Qin Zhaoxian raised his glass and said with a smile: "Everyone, let's toast to the Duke of Weiguo. Without the Duke of Weiguo's bravery, there would be no stability in the Jin Dynasty!"

Everyone raised their glasses with a respectful look.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Stability is not the goal. Your Majesty wants prosperity and rejuvenation, so you sent me to the south."

"You are all the pillars of the Jin Dynasty, so you must help me inspect the salt business!"

The smiles of everyone present became awkward, and they clinked their glasses and drank.

Qin Zhaoxian then said: "Duke of Weiguo, what is the reason why your majesty sent the Duke of Weiguo to inspect the salt this time? Is it because you found some major corruption case?"

The key question came, and everyone's ears perked up.

Zhou Yuan said seriously: "Salt affairs are related to the foundation of the country. I don't want to play tricks with you or say polite words."

"The Jin Dynasty has been established for 400 years. The country has accumulated contradictions and the problems of all parties have penetrated into the bone marrow. Internal and external troubles, natural disasters and man-made disasters, the current Jin Dynasty can be said to be full of wounds and pus everywhere."

"However, since your majesty ascended the throne, you have the ambition to prosper the Jin Dynasty and the plan to revive the Jin Dynasty. Therefore, you have strengthened the army to resist foreign invaders, fought civil wars to suppress bandits, enacted laws to protect land, and inspected salt to adjust the tax base."

"Now, suppressing bandits to recover the Central Plains and strengthening the army to fight foreign invaders have achieved remarkable results in these two aspects, but the annexation of land and the chaos of salt affairs still need to be solved urgently."

"This official went south to inspect the salt industry to sweep away the filth of the salt industry, eliminate the problems of the salt industry, protect the people's food base, and protect the heavy taxes. "

"You are the pillars of the court. You should share the worries of the emperor. You should cooperate with this official to investigate the corruption in the salt industry, eliminate the accumulated malpractices in the salt industry, and restore the prosperity of Jiangnan."

This impassioned speech made everyone present silent for several times, and the atmosphere in the whole hall became strange.

Until Qin Zhaoxian said: "Good! Well said! The Duke of Wei is worthy of being the right-hand man of your majesty! These words are really inspiring and make us ashamed. "

"For many years, the Great Jin has suffered a lot. How dare we, the ministers, not take the world as our responsibility, share the worries of the emperor, and benefit the people. "

"The Duke of Wei is ambitious to inspect the salt industry. If there is anything you need to cooperate with, please speak frankly. We will do our best. "

After these words came out, other people spoke up and expressed their attitudes.

Among the eight great families, only the Bai and Song families looked depressed and forced themselves to smile.

The meal was very enjoyable. After it was over, Zhou Yuan went home directly with his father-in-law.

"Ziyi, I really didn't expect it!"

Zhao Cheng also drank a few more cups. At this moment, his mood was surging: "The events of Yunzhou are still vivid in my mind, as if it were yesterday. Now I am the Duke of the current dynasty, with power over the court and the country, and the favorite of the Majesty."

"Tell your father-in-law the truth. Are you and the Queen really just a minister and king? Or... are you not only a favorite, but also a minister under the skirt?"

Zhou Yuan immediately widened his eyes and looked at his old father-in-law in horror, wondering: "Old Taishan, this is not allowed to be said. Of course, the relationship between the Majesty and I is the relationship between the monarch and the minister. The so-called minister under the skirt is just a rumor of political enemies. "

Zhao Cheng said: "That being said... but it is said that you did not even let go of old women in their 40s and 50s in Shenjing..."

"Father-in-law!"

Zhou Yuan hurriedly said: "This is pure slander. You must not believe it. Jianjia and I have a deep love for each other. How could I harm those old women? Even if Ziyi is lustful, he would not be so confused."

Zhao Cheng nodded and chuckled: "Is this why you married two more wives?"

Zhou Yuan laughed dryly, still a little embarrassed, and whispered: "Father-in-law, don't tease me. Once you enter the marquis's house, it's like entering the sea. Many times you have no choice."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Zhao Cheng couldn't help laughing: "In the whole Jin Dynasty, who doesn't know that you, the Duke of Wei, are romantic and suave! Everyone says that you are capable and scheming, but they also say that you have a fatal flaw, which is lust. ”

“The Bai family has prepared a banquet tonight. They plan to present the best girls in the family. Bai Bing and Bai Xue are the most outstanding women in Yangzhou. They are also admired for being twins.”

“Bai Bing is the elder sister. She likes to wield swords and spears and is fond of Taoist metaphysics.”

“Bai Xue is the younger sister. She likes poetry and is quite literary.”

“They are all celestial beings, but they are specially sent by the Bai family to serve you. How will you deal with it tonight?”

Zhou Yuan said seriously: “Father-in-law, don’t you know me yet? As the saying goes, a thousand-foot-high wall stands firm, and a man without desire is strong. I already have three wives, Jian Jia, Ning Yue and Qu Ling. Can I still be conquered by women? It’s ridiculous.”

Zhao Cheng said: “Then will you go to the Bai family’s banquet tonight?”

“Go!”

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said: “It’s not because of women, but I want to see what the Bai family thinks. ”

“They are also one of the most important links in the Jiangnan Salt Administration.”