surnamed Wang

In Xie'an Town, almost half of the area was occupied by the unfinished royal palace that had been built for three years, and most of the remaining half was requisitioned by the stationed troops.

The common people crowded into narrow huts, but wherever new houses could be built, thatched huts were built. The roads, which were not considered spacious, became narrower and darker. It was better in winter, but in summer, it was full of unpleasant stench of excrement and urine. The young and the strong chose to leave here.

The mountains in the southwest are undulating and the trees are luxuriant. It is far from the bitter cold in the northwest. However, since King Wu came, the people have been disturbed and complained.

In the first year of coming here, he started to build the royal palace, and he worked harder than building his own ancestral tomb. He clearly knew that there was a mansion next to him that was not in use, and he surrounded half of Xie'an Town in one breath.

The people who originally occupied the land, regardless of men, women, or children, were all used by him to fill in the labor. The thatched cottages and wooden houses turned into rubble overnight.

Working in the palace, two meals a day, just eating without wages, living in shacks built of planks and thatch from the old houses of the people, dozens of people live in Datongpu, the summer is extremely hot, and a fart can smell the dawn.

The women were sent to wash and cook, and were responsible for the food and clothing of the entire palace and military camp every day. They lived in a slightly better place, and it still leaked rain in summer and wind in winter.

If you have Zhang Zheng's face, you can go to the general manager to try your luck, and maybe you will be selected into the Queen Wu's harem. From then on, you don't have to worry about making a living.

Everyone knows that King Wu has unique preferences. He doesn't favor the beautiful and delicate princesses, but prefers peasant women who go up and down the mountains. He has an inexplicable preference for married women. The one he often takes by his side relies on one person. A widow who can support a large family.

The widow's surname is Feng, she is barely handsome, she is tall and strong, she is born with supernatural powers, one person can plow an acre of land in half a day, and the speed is not inferior to that of cattle. There are even rumors in the outside world that the King of Wu intends to abolish the Zhengwang Concubine and appoint Feng as his new wife. concubine.

Apart from lust, the vassal king whose real name is Wang Siheng is also extremely greedy for money. He governs two prefectures, six prefectures and thirteen counties. It was originally a poor place where grandma didn't love and uncle didn't love. Since he came, the tax has been raised by [-]%.

The [-]% of taxes naturally went into his pockets. In addition, there were filial money from officials and gentry from all over the country, road money from merchants and travelers, court salt and iron...even if it was a stone, it could still yield oil.

In this way, he would still cry to the imperial court every year, turning a blind eye to the army and people's livelihood that should cost the most money, and pouring money into the palace without any responsibility for the vassal king.

……

The backyard of the palace is winding and secluded. This place was specially built by King Wu for the princess. The princess likes peace and quiet. After moving her family here, King Wu immediately ordered people to build a residence according to the courtyard of a woman’s family.

The concubine's surname is Liu, and her first name is Mujin. She has been familiar with four books and five classics since she was a child, and her knowledge is much more profound than that of Wang Siheng, who is a vassal king.

Liu Mujin lived in an inconspicuous two-story building, with phoenix trees planted in front of the building, plantains planted in the back, and several clusters of pillars in the courtyard. It was rainy and foggy in the southwest, and it was raining heavily, and the rainwater hit the leaves, rustling So, at this time, women like to sit by the window and open the casement, listening to the sound of rain quietly.

The sky is gloomy today, and the rain has not been waiting for a long time, but an unexpected guest has come.

Wang Siheng appeared downstairs with his general belly upright. After knocking lightly on the door, he stood for a long time before he was allowed to enter. There were some vassal kings, relatives of the emperor, and relatives who did not give him face.

"Lady." Wu Wang walked upstairs and spoke softly.

The woman was sitting by the window with her back on her back, lightly showing the book coupons, writing lightly, as if she didn't hear the other party's words.

Another stick of incense, the woman put down the rabbit hair in her hand and turned around, her beauty was rarely matched even in the entire dynasty.

"I heard that you want to establish another concubine?"

"Miss, you are ice and snow smart, how can you trust outsiders' gossip?"

"Yes or no, don't forget your identity."

The woman tidied up the scrolls, took out two letters from her sleeves and handed them to the other party, saying:
"It was written by Sima Kuan and Bi Jiewei, the commander-in-chief of the Nanyang Prefecture, and Bi Jiewei, who were sitting in the camp together. Although I didn't read it, I guessed it.

Fu Ling is your old department. After many years of life and death, the problem is not big. Sima Kuan has always been sincere, and it will take some effort to persuade him. "

Liu Mujin took out another letter with a wolf's head paint seal, handed it over and said:

"There is a lot less action in the capital, and the faces of the nearby prefectures have disappeared these days. Presumably, your image of the Wude Prince has reassured them."

Wang Siheng took the letter, nodded and said with a smile: "It's also thanks to the lady's arrangement."

The woman didn't appreciate it at all, and said in a cold tone:
"Next, we will send soldiers to reclaim the fields and expand the military town as planned. I'm going back to the capital, and I'll leave it to you."

Hearing that the other party was going back to her natal home for the first time in three years, the man asked:
"Why did you suddenly think of going back?"

"After all, we will meet again next time. I don't know what will happen. During the time I'm not here, you can help me flip through the scrolls from time to time."

"Don't worry, lady."

The man grinned, and he could vaguely see that he was a handsome young man back then, but now he is so fat, if he doesn't have the title of prince, he will be regarded as a pork seller when he walks on the street.

……

The two first met in Liu's mansion, when he was the general commanding the three armies, she was a talented woman well-known in the capital, and Liu Muqing was still a little-known member of the Ministry of Industry, Wailang.

It is rare for two men, one civil and one military, to become close friends. They often visit each other's mansion in their spare time. Both of them are past the marriageable age but have not married for a long time. The outside world suspects that they have an ulterior relationship.

In the second year of the dynasty 670, the first emperor passed away, and Wang Siheng was transferred back to the capital with a decree to assist the young emperor together with Liu Muqing, who had just made his mark in the official department.

At that time, the Liu family was not so blatant. Wang Siheng, the emperor's uncle, had always raised the little emperor as a wise king. Later, the Empress Dowager Liu Zhi began to cultivate cronies and control the government. The emperor gradually became estranged from the uncle.

The most difficult thing for Wang Siheng to accept was that Liu Muqing, who was always considered a good friend, turned to work under the Empress Dowager, and her official position climbed all the way.

In the fiercest years of civil and military struggles, in order to avoid becoming an enemy, Liu Muqing retreated bravely, entered the Qingwen Pavilion full of young people, and worked as a servant and consultant Lang Guan for several years. Returning to the court, he became the envied Li Shouzai.

Although the relationship between the two has dropped to a freezing point, Wang Siheng managed to pry away the other's younger sister during this period. Even though they are married, there are still people who gossip, saying that the two men, Wang and Liu, are bound by ethics and cannot have lovers who will eventually marry. Only then did he settle for the next best thing and marry Liu Cainv.

The words were not harsh, but they were disgusting enough. They were made up by those idle young ladies for their own entertainment. Some even published a picture book of stories, which spread widely.

This scene always seems familiar... (End of this chapter)