There is a kind of scholar

Chapter 780
Princess Lanling is known as the "Female Prime Minister of Daliang".

Entered the decision-making center of the imperial court as "Shang Shu Ling".

The Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Punishment are all under her command. The Ministry of Household Affairs is in charge of the money and food of the treasury, so she knows everything about the situation of the treasury.

Su Xian and others were silent for a while after hearing this.

Yes, Daliang has been experiencing many disasters in the past few months.

First, there was the infiltration of the Liao Kingdom, which secretly hid troops in Youzhou in an attempt to seize Youzhou and then attack the Central Plains; then, the Yellow River overflowed and the remnants of the previous dynasty stirred up trouble, which can be described as a natural and man-made disaster; and finally, the Liao army invaded on a large scale, not to mention Bianzhou. Even Taiyuan has been captured...

In response to this series of disasters, the money and food in the treasury were spent like running water.

Now, there is really no extra money left in the national treasury to prepare for the establishment of the "Longwu Army".

After everyone was silent for a while, the Queen suddenly asked:
"What's your plan?"

Although this matter is full of difficulties and seems tricky, the Queen is determined to build the "Dragon Warrior Army" and must find a way to solve this problem.

Yan Dashan responded and bowed: "Your Majesty, the troops must be good but not numerous. We can recruit fewer soldiers in the early stage. One or two thousand soldiers are enough."

"Not bad!"

The Queen nodded. If only 2000 people were recruited in the initial stage, the treasury should be able to squeeze out enough.

Princess Lanling also offered advice and said:

"Your Majesty, I have recently been running a 'white sugar' business and have accumulated some money. I have decided to donate all of it and then donate the 'white sugar' workshop to the court to relieve your majesty's worries."

The Queen was stunned for a moment, then she was overjoyed and said: "My young lady is so filial, I am very relieved!"

Su Xian finally put forward his opinion and said:

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness Princess, I have an idea that can not only solve the problem of money and food needed by the 'Longwu Army', but also quickly fill the national treasury."

The Queen immediately looked sideways at Su Xian with a smile on her face and said, "Oh? What is Su Aiqing's clever plan? Can it really fill the treasury quickly?"

She was really overjoyed. The money and food needed to build the Longwu Army was a problem, but the empty treasury was an even bigger problem, which had been bothering her for many days.

Su Xian replied:

"Your Majesty, this method is not a brilliant idea, and it is very simple. All we need to do is reopen the 'Ping'an City' and resume trade with the Liao Kingdom."

"..."

As soon as Su Xian finished speaking, the atmosphere in the imperial study room changed slightly.

The smile on the queen's face froze, and Princess Lanling and Yan Dashan were also slightly stunned.

Restore trade with Liao?

From a fundamental point of view, the Queen and others were not willing.

You know, the Liao army had invaded Taiyuan some time ago. How could such an ambitious Liao country still do business with them?

The smile on the Queen's face disappeared completely, her expression was slightly complicated, and she said slowly:

"Business with Liao was something I tried my best to promote. At that time, I thought that trade could appease the ferocious beasts in the north and bring long-term stability and peace to the Central Plains."

"However, you have also seen what happened before. We failed to stop the iron hooves of the Liao Kingdom from moving south, and I am not stubborn. I admit that doing business with the Liao Kingdom was a wrong decision!"

"..."

Su Xian was not in a hurry and said:
"Your Majesty, there are three main reasons why I propose to resume trade with Liao."

"Oh? Su Aiqing, please tell me." The Queen became interested.

Su Xian talked eloquently and said:

"First, when major countries intersect, interests come first. Restoring the 'Ping'an City' and Liao's trade can earn a lot of money. We use this money to build the 'Longwu Army', which is equivalent to using the enemy's funds to strengthen our army. Wouldn't it be great? Zai?"

"Second, the situation between us in Daliang and the Liao Kingdom will definitely ease in the future. We have eight small khans in our hands, which can deter the Liao Emperor from using weapons easily."

"Furthermore, the current prince of the Liao Kingdom, Nalan Jie, often wears the clothes of a Central Plains scholar. He has always admired our Central Plains culture and is a staunch 'pro-Liang faction'."

"A hundred years after the current Emperor of Liao, the crown prince of Liao ascends the throne, and there will be peace and stability between Liang and Liao for at least a hundred years. This is the general trend."

"Third, the trade in the past few years has actually caused some Liao people to subtly change their impression of our country, Daliang. This is especially obvious among the younger generation of Liao country."

"If trade is suddenly interrupted, this influence will definitely disappear!"

"Trade is indeed a means to stabilize the Liao Kingdom. Your Majesty's previous decision was not wrong."

"Moreover, we now have the deterrent measures of the Eight Khans. If this move is 'hard', then the trade is 'soft'. The combination of hardness and softness will definitely hold back the Liao Kingdom and completely solve our potential threat to the north. !”

"..."

As soon as Su Xian finished speaking, Yan Dashan and Princess Lanling agreed at the same time: "What the Taiwei said is reasonable. Please give your Majesty a clear understanding."

The Queen pondered for a long time, and finally nodded slowly, cast an approving look at Su Xian, and said: "What Su Aiqing said makes sense. How can a game between great powers focus on hatred! But, how do we restore trade?"

Su Xian was about to make suggestions. Unexpectedly, at this moment, a female official urgently asked for a meeting, saying that General Shi, who was guarding the north, sent someone to send an urgent report of [-] miles.

"Submit quickly!"

The empress straightened her sitting posture with a serious face. General Shi's [-]-mile rush report?Could it be that the situation in the north has changed again?

Su Xian and others were also worried. Although they had eight major khans in their hands, it was unlikely that the Liao Emperor would cause trouble, but they could not rule out the possibility of something unexpected happening within the Liao Kingdom.

Soon, the report was delivered to the Queen. It was a package wrapped in layers. After untying it, Nangong Wan'er exclaimed: "Your Majesty, this is a credential!"

"credentials?"

"The letter of credence sent by the Liao Kingdom?"

Su Xian and others breathed a sigh of relief, as long as it was not an urgent report from the border, then they began to speculate again, what exactly is the content of this letter of credence?
The Queen opened the letter of credence, looked at it for a while, then her expression changed slightly, with a hint of joy, and finally closed it, looked at Su Xian and said with a smile:

"This is the letter of credence requested by Emperor Liao to restore 'Ping'an City'!"

Princess Lanling and Yan Dashan both looked happy, thinking that this was God's will, and asked the Queen to immediately grant Su Xian's request to restore "Ping'an City" and Liao's trade.

The Queen's smile faded slightly, but she did not immediately agree. Her face turned dark, and finally ordered a small court meeting. She was ready to listen to the opinions of the ministers.

……

After some time.

The Umrah meeting was held as scheduled.

Most of the prime ministers agreed to restore the "Safe City".

Qian Zhongshu was the only exception. He firmly opposed it, but in fact he was not opposed to the restoration of Ping'an City, but opposed to the "preparation of the Longwu Army".

Not surprisingly, the Longwu Army will be organized by Yan Dashan. Dashan is close to Su Xian, and Su Xian is an ally of Princess Lanling...

As the saying goes, "the ass decides the head", there is no right or wrong in this kind of thing, only a difference in position.

The Queen was finally irritated by Qian Zhongshu's quarrel, and said calmly: "Qian Zhongshu is in charge of Zhongshu Province. If Zhongshu Province does not agree, this matter cannot be carried out."

Qian Zhongshu was overjoyed when he heard this, thinking that his persistence had worked.

Unexpectedly, the Queen continued:
"It is the general trend to open trade with Liao and restore the 'Safe City'. Therefore, in order to reduce constraints, I am considering whether to hand this matter over to Su Aiqing for special handling?"

"..."

Su Xian, a high-ranking Taiwei, also opened the "Taiwei Mansion". The Taiwei Mansion is a yamen that can bypass three provinces and six ministries and go directly to Tianting!

After the Queen finished speaking, not only the expressions of the ministers changed slightly, but Qian Zhongshu felt as if he had been shot in the neck by an arrow, unable to say anything in opposition.

In the end, he had to bow his head...

The restoration of "Safe City" was thus decided.

Of course, there are many factors involved in this kind of thing, and the two countries still need to continue negotiations and games. They are not so quick to resume trade. Now they are just setting a tone.

……

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it is already four days later.

Today is the 24th of the twelfth lunar month.

As the New Year approaches, the city of the divine capital gradually becomes lively. From the imperial offices to ordinary people, everyone is preparing for the New Year's Eve festival in a few days.

Relatively speaking, Fan Yanghou's Mansion is busier than ordinary people.

Because, in addition to preparing for "the first New Year's Eve in this world", Su Xian also has to prepare for the wedding celebration on the 29th of the twelfth lunar month!

The 29th of the twelfth lunar month is an auspicious day for getting married. It has been designated as the day for Tang Shuwan's marriage a few months ago.

Now it's finally close.

But in fact, Su Xian is still very idle. He has Liu Huixiang, a virtuous wife, and Lin Chuan's father, Lin Youcai, to help take care of everything. Everything is organized and step-by-step.

As a first-class and powerful Taiwei, Su Xian should be busy with national affairs. How could he be hampered by the love between his children?

Even if Su Xian wanted to intervene, Liu Huixiang wouldn't let him.

No, early this morning, Su Xian went to a certain area in the north of the city, where the "Longwu Army" was specially established.

The daily drills of Longwu Army officers and soldiers are carried out here.

In the past four days, Yan Dashan has moved out of the Marquis Mansion and carefully recruited more than [-] people. Everything is going smoothly...

"Son!"

Upon learning of Su Xian's arrival, Yan Dashan immediately led his troops to greet him outside the camp gate.

Su Xian got off his horse, looked at him and warned:

"Young Master, you don't have to be so polite. Now that you have left the Marquis Mansion, you can call me Lord Marquis, General, or Lieutenant in the future, but you must never call me Young Master again."

"Yes, Young Master." Yan Dashan nodded solemnly, just like before.

"Eh..." Su Xian held his forehead, slightly speechless.

"Oh, I forgot, Lord Marquis!" Yan Dashan immediately changed his mind. He was a member of the military, so he called Su Xian his "military position".

"..."

Su Xian nodded, exchanged a few words and then entered the camp together.

The two thousand newly recruited officers and soldiers of the Longwu Army were all young and strong men, and they had always admired the Yan family, so they had only been there for two days and they already looked the same.

In other aspects, such as tents, armor, weapons, food, food, etc., Su Xian did not find any problems and said that Dashan's arrangements were very safe.

After visiting the Longwu Army camp, Su Xian didn't bother him too much, waved his hand and left the camp.

He affects Yan Dashan's performance here.

After leaving the camp, on the way back to the city, Su Xian couldn't help thinking to himself:

"Now that the mountains have separated from the Hou Mansion, the position of commander of the Hou Mansion's soldiers is now vacant... Should I choose Zhou Wei? Or Guan Ping? Or let Zhi Lan take charge?"

He was thinking wildly all the way, and he couldn't figure out the reason until he returned to the Hou Mansion.

When entering the mansion, the concierge informed that Zhou Wei, who had lived in the brothel for several days, had finally returned.

And he was carried back on a stretcher!

Su Xian immediately decided to visit Zhou Wei and thought to himself: "In terms of skill, Zhou Wei is obviously much better than Guan Ping. Given time, he can even be as good as Zhi Lan."

Soon, he came to the northwest corner of the mansion, where Li Qingniu lived in seclusion.

However, this place, which had always been quiet and quiet, was extremely noisy today. Far away, Su Xian heard a person wailing... That was Zhou Wei.

Taking a closer look, Su Xian couldn't help but be dumbfounded——

As expected, Zhou Wei was lying on a stretcher, his clothes were messy, he had lost a lot of weight, his eyes were dull, and there were lip marks on the side of his face that had not been wiped clean.

Li Qingniu was holding a slender thorn stick and stood beside the stretcher. While cursing Zhou Wei, he beat him severely with the thorn stick without sparing his hands.

The surroundings were surrounded by Butterfly Valley experts who were watching the excitement, but they did not dare to step forward to persuade him.

Zhou Wei was beaten until he screamed. When Su Xian arrived, the clothes on his arms, chest, abdomen, and legs had been torn by wattle sticks, and he was suffering from flesh and blood.

"Wow...Master is merciful, but my disciple knows his mistake..."

"I told you to be disobedient! I told you to stay in a brothel overnight! I told you not to come back for several days!"

Li Qingniu would be beaten whenever he cursed.

The beating made Zhou Wei dodge left and right on the stretcher. He neither dared to escape nor could he avoid it. It was like a scene of "parents teaching naughty children"!

Su Xian looked at Zhou Wei who was shouting non-stop, and couldn't help shaking his head secretly, and said to himself: "Although Zhou Wei's skills are good, he is not experienced in the world and looks like a child. How can he be qualified to be the commander of the Marquis's personal soldiers?"

"..."

When Su Xian shook his head secretly, the Butterfly Valley experts who were watching had already noticed him.

They didn't dare to persuade the furious Li Qingniu, but Su Xian should be able to do it. After all, he was Li Qingniu's close disciple, so he still had some weight.

To be honest, they couldn't bear to see Zhou Wei being beaten like this...

However, the masters of Butterfly Valley were suddenly stunned at the same time, and their hearts were stunned, because Su Xian, who they had placed high hopes on, turned around and... left!
gone!

He just watched Zhou Wei being beaten, didn't he give some advice?

Su Xian did turn around and leave.

After all, only when a child encounters the lessons of his parents can he have a real childhood and "grow up".

Furthermore, Li Qingniu had been holding back a lot of anger these past few days, and it would be impossible not to let him vent it out.

He gradually moved away, and Zhou Wei's wailing was finally no longer heard.

He came to another place in the mansion, where Guan Ping lived temporarily.

When Su Xian arrived, Guan Ping was squatting in the courtyard grinding needles. The steel needle in his hand reflected bursts of light, and the whetstone had also been grinded by him to create a deep groove. He looked extremely serious.

"Second Senior Brother!"

He found Su Xian, quickly put down his work, stood up to greet him, and wiped the dust and water stains on his hands with a rag.

"Guan Daxia is sharpening needles again?"

Su Xian smiled and waved his hand and said, "I have something I want to talk to Master Guan about. I hope I won't disturb you."

"Second Senior Brother is joking. No need to disturb. Senior Brother, please take a seat." Guan Ping is a relatively calm person, even close to being dull. His expression when he warmly greeted Su Xian to sit down seemed a bit unnatural.

Of course, the unnaturalness is not because of pretense or reluctance, but because I haven't treated others like this for too long, and I feel a little uncomfortable.

Su Xian asked after sitting down:
"Guan Daxia is very skilled, and he is only between thirty and forty years old. He is in his prime, why did he choose to remain anonymous and follow the master?"

"..."

Guan Ping and his group of Butterfly Valley masters, except Zhou Wei, are actually Li Qingniu's "slaves".

As far as Su Xian knew, Li Qingniu gave them a medicine, and they needed to take the antidote regularly, otherwise they would bleed to death...

(End of this chapter)