In the fourth year of Yonghui (653 AD), the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, two hours of Si.

In Yonglefang in the east of Chang'an City, Wu Kang was sent out by gifts. The three fat men led the way, Chu Shenke and Lin Pinglang guarded him and returned to Yongxingfang Wu Mansion. The reason for visiting Changsun Wuji was that he was entrusted by Changsun Quan to report the good news that the princess in Xincheng gave birth to a baby boy, which was conveyed by Changsun Wuji.

After being entrusted by someone to be loyal to someone, after getting Li Jiu forgave him, he immediately made a blacksmith while it was hot. Changsun Quan had a bad intention and wanted to use a knife to kill people. His methods were a little immature. How could Changsun's old fox not see through? He was not his wife, so he was too lazy to care, let alone Li Jiu would not pursue it.

The entire visit process was kept to the lowest point and held great respect. Although the camps were different and there were still dirty things between each other, they admired the old guy's talent. Just writing the "Tang Rule Commentary" could win respect. After a while, I felt that he was as stable as Mount Tai and had the confidence of being in power in the court and the people.

After all, the elders of the three dynasties, the head map of Lingyan Pavilion, and Li Er's important officials who entrust orphans have confidence in their capital. However, throughout history, there are very few important officials who entrust orphans and can achieve a good death. He has no strength to usurp the throne, and Sima Yi cannot learn from Duke Zhou to return power in time. Li Jiu is not a coward, and he will not be able to escape death sooner or later.

Thinking of Li Jiu, I couldn't help but feel scared when I remembered the morning scene. At that time, Li Jiu was so murderous that he almost scared him to pee. Mei Niang was also scared to death. It was not because of blasphemy of the princess, but because she was cheated by her nephew Li Hong, and others cheated her father and uncle.

The one and a half year old kid were lying in Yang's arms and giggling. Mei Niang wanted her uncle and nephew to contact her, so she handed her to Kang Lang to hug her. When something happened to her, she smiled and smiled. When she saw her uncle's face, she was so scared that she couldn't coax her.

Li Jiu's face turned dark at that time, thinking that his son was scared and he immediately called him Hun'er, and he was in a mess. However, Wu Kang heard unusual from the crying, and "tuberculosis" blurted out. In his previous life, his nephew didn't take good care of him when he was a child. He had tuberculosis and his crying was exactly the same.

But he poked a hornet's nest again. Li Jiu didn't understand "tuberculosis", but he could understand "illness". The imperial physician said that he was healthy, what are you? He dared to curse my son and didn't want to live anymore. The emperor was angry and couldn't bear it. Wu Kang was shaking like a sieve. In desperation, Mei Niang brought out the excuse of "hysteria".

"Hysteria" saves life. Li Jiu also knew that Wu Kang had this problem, so he stopped pursuing it and took his son away with a dark face. He was still fantasizing that the king and his ministers reported it to each other and were appreciated by Li Jiu and reached the peak of his life. The reality was too skinny and it made Li Jiu dislike him. The governor should be old.

Mei Niang led her into the wing room and asked about tuberculosis. Wu Kang was not sure and did not dare to tell the truth. This disease was unsolvable in the Tang Dynasty. She was perfunctory and fooled her and comforted her that she was fine. She also said that she had lived in childhood and was cured when she grew up.

But my aunt didn't believe it. Wu Kang was forced to swear and finally fooled it. Tuberculosis is a chronic disease and gradually developed into tuberculosis. Li Hong died young and died suddenly at the age of 23. It is probably because of illness. If Li Hong is in good health, he will definitely inherit the throne and the only orthodox queen will be gone.

The soul traveled outside the sky, heard the familiar local accent, and stopped instantly. Turning around, I saw a middle-aged man, about 60 years old, thin, gray-bearded, and energetic. He wore a purple robe, tied a thirteen-shredded gold and jade belt, hanging a silver dagger on the left, and a sharp stone (wist stone) on the right.

Only a third-rank or above can wear the same purple robe. This one still has a Hangzhou accent. Recalling the portrait given by Lu Qian, his mind was so vivid that he understood the identity of this person. He stepped forward and bowed his fists and spoke in Hangzhou's local accent: "Wu Kang, the governor of Wuzhou, see Chu Pushe."

This person is Chu Suiliang, Li Er's important official, the Minister of Order, and the Minister of Shangshu Youpushe (from the second rank), and was awarded the title of Duke of Henan County. He was 57 years old this year, with his courtesy name Dengshan, and was one of the four major calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty. He is from Qiantang County, Hangzhou (Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province), a fellow villager in this life; his ancestral home is Yangdi County, Yuzhou (Yuzhou City, Henan Province), and a fellow villager in his previous life.

When a fellow villager meets a fellow villager, he shoots two shots behind his back for two lifetimes. He takes the nickname "Wu Yan" by him; he also promotes the two limerick poems. Wu Kang is very depressed, but he does not show it, pretends to be respectful and humble, and puts his attitude to the lowest point.

Chu Suiliang was also confused. It was rumored that Wu Ling would revenge his grudges. He should be cold-eyed to me. Why are he so humble? The so-called "No need to be polite to attack the smiling person" and I don't even control you. So I smiled and said, "Mr. Wu doesn't need to be polite, please get up quickly."

Seeing the scar on his face, I remembered the rumors in the market and had a much gentler attitude. Although I hated his flattery, I valued his merits and had an educational habit: "Some of what the governor of Wu did are beneficial to the country and the people, and some are not desirable. The Wuzhou local tribute list, the addition of chicken mushrooms last year and sorghum wine this year is all because of you."

Wu Kang humbly accused the crime, and Lao Chu became even more excited: "Every time the tribute is added, the people will pay more burdens, and the sages will pay more extravagance and desires. The nickname is 'wu jealous', which comes from this. As an official, you should benefit the other side, and do not make your future and build the suffering of the people."

This hat is a bit big, Wu Kang did not argue, and he was hypocritical to be taught: "What Mr. Chu said is reasonable and the welfare of the people is the way to be an official. Sorghum wine has always been managed by the Lu family, and the officials have also learned recently that it is extremely prosperous in the capital, but..."

After a change of the topic, he retorted without a trace: "Your Madam Chu also knows that the grains that make sorghum wine are coarse grains that are difficult to swallow. Drinking sorghum wine in the people means drinking less rice wine and saving corn invisibly. If the entire Tang Dynasty drank sorghum wine, it would be a reward, right?"

Lao Chu said lightly: "I have seen this and allowed sorghum wine to exist. Governor Wu, taking advantage of the opportunity is not the right way, you should learn from the governor of Yuezhou. In May this year, the governor of Qin sent a document asking for blue and white snakes to convert the land rent of the people. I discussed with the court officials, and realized that it was a benevolent government, so I asked the saint to approve it."

Seeing Wu Kang's doubts, he continued to explain: "Blue and white snakes are specialties in Yuezhou, with the most near Jinghu. This snake is green and non-toxic. It is considered as bait to cure cramps and fistulas, and removes the muscles and kills three insects. The effect is very good. A large number of dry snakes entered Chang'an, some entered the Imperial Hospital, and the rest entered the two cities, with a shortage of supply. Wu Governor, this is the welfare of the people."

In Yonghui's version of "The Snake Catcher", Wu Kang couldn't help but feel secretly happy. Suddenly he thought of something, and his face turned pale. Seeing this, Chu Suiliang thought Wu Kang was angry and muttered, "The rotten wood cannot be carved." He left with a dark face.

Staring at Lao Chu's back, his eyes gradually became blurred. When he thought of the terrible consequences, his eyebrows were twisted into pieces. He stayed for nearly two quarters of an hour, and it was not until the three fat man reminded him that he could barely come back to his senses. He looked at Chu Suiliang leaving the direction and said, "The rotten wood cannot be carved." He also turned his face and walked away with his sleeves.

When I returned to Wu Mansion at noon, all the guests were in the seat, all of whom were small officials of the seventh and eighth rank. They were friends of the Wu brothers, and they were all speculators who wanted to rely on Mei Niang's relationship to get promoted and make money slightly. However, Mei Niang had not become the queen yet, and Wu brothers were all small officials, so how could they care about them?

He went back to the living room to say hello, sat upright in front of the low couch, next to Mei Niang and Wu Shun. The Tang Dynasty regarded the left as the emperor, and Yang was in the main seat, Wu Shun, Wu Meiniang and Wu Kang on the east side; Wu brothers on the west side, with bad looks and resentful eyes.

I was too lazy to pay attention to them, but I had no good ending anyway. After dinner quietly, I greeted Yang. After half an hour, Yang was sleepy and was sent back to the backyard by Wushun. The Wu brothers went out to see him off, and Mei Niang pulled him out of the living room, followed by two caring eunuchs and walked towards the secret wing room.

With a bad taste, he suddenly opened his arms and hugged the old sister's shoulders, like a good friend of the later generations. Mei Niang trembled and rolled her eyes to him, and she was too lazy to pay attention to it. The two eunuchs behind her were stunned, and they didn't hurried over to guard the door until they entered the house.

Turn on the dog licking mode, circled around her twice, and pinched her shoulders behind her and massaged her. He laughed strangely, "Before I met my sister, I thought that Xiaoqing was the most beautiful woman in the world."

Wu Meiniang rolled her eyes, her eyes full of contempt. Wu Kang came to the front and made a serious statement: "The old lady has a good appearance and a better face. She has a phoenix eyes, a wide forehead, and a dragon and tiger spirit. She is rich and noble, and she is majestic. She will always have a noble help from her. She will definitely be able to be in the world."

When Mei Niang said itchy, she rolled her eyes again, pushed away her claws and snorted: "Sit honestly, don't touch her hands and feet. How old is it? But Kang Lang, my sister's biggest wish is to be the queen. Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu, both of them have fallen out of favor and will be deposed sooner or later."

Speaking of this, he sighed: "The last time the first-rank Chen Concubine was disturbed by Han Yuan and came to Ji, and Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang did not take action. If the saint made me the queen, the court would have been quarreled, and Changsun Wuji would also take action. The success was minimal, and Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu would not support me."

Wu Kang pondered for a moment and lowered his voice, "Don't worry about those two old foxes. They are all speculators and will definitely spare no effort to support them. If the power is compared to the cook cakes, the Guanlong clan will eat too much, and the others will definitely be dissatisfied. I guess, not only Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong, but also Cui Yixuan will support them!"

Mei Niang's eyes lit up and she laughed: "I'm very happy to see this. It's too early to discuss this topic when I accumulate enough support. Kang Lang, I will return to the palace later and don't stay here. As long as I leave, Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang will definitely be slutty and ask for sorghum wine."

"Dream in the daytime, the wine can only be my sister's." Wu Kang sneered and moved Hu stool to her. He took out a brocade bag in his arms and stuffed it into her hand and said, "A total of 100% of the wine stocks were given to the Lu family in Wuzhou, and the rest were all here."

The two of them touched their knees, and their posture was very intimate. Mei Niang was not used to it and her face turned red. She lowered her head and took out a small bag, and also had a document. The document was a contract letter, Red Sorghum Sancheng Co., Ltd., which contained Wukang's palm prints, hand seals, and winery seals.

Mei Niang was a little moved. The red sorghum was making a fortune every day and was listed as a gift for Wuzhou. She was coveted by countless people. If she hadn't been suppressed, she would have been robbed openly and secretly. After being moved, she put away the documents and reached out to untie the secret, but was stopped by her big hands.

Wu Kang was mysterious: "During the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang gave Zhao Yun three tricks, putting three tricks to help Liu Bei escape from Eastern Wu. Zhou Yu lost his wife and his troops, and was broken by the golden sores of anger, and he was unconscious and eventually died. This is my trick to open it when needed most, otherwise the trick will fail."

Mei Niang glared at him, put it in the brocade bag again, patted her gently. The eunuch came in, respectfully put the brocade bag away, left the house and brought it to the door. She glanced at him and continued to despise: "I am also familiar with the Three Kingdoms, and I don't have the tricks. Also, aren't there all the shares? Where are the other 60% gone? Sure enough, even men's words are not trustworthy."

It was a little unfair, and Wu Kang swears: "In the world, I am only honest with two people, one is Jiu Niang and the other is Mei Niang. The other 60% of the wine stocks are in the tricks... Let's change the topic. Today I left the Taiwei Mansion and met Chu Suiliang. He gave me a handle. Do you want it?"

Mei Niang was even more disdainful and said sarcastically: "Come on, Chu Suiliang is so cunning. Can you take his hand?"

Wu Kang was unhappy: "What expression? A wise man will have a mistake! Listen to me slowly... On the grasslands in the north, countless evil wolves are active, they bite cattle, sheep and horses to death. Herders often hunt but will not kill them all. They also regard wolves as their totem. Do you know the reason?"

Mei Niang frowned slightly and gradually fell into deep thought. After a moment, her red lips opened: "The grassland cavalry is powerful. If the Khan gave the wolf-catching order, it would be better to kill them all. Looking at the history of the grassland, no one gave such an order. Can the wolf protect them?"

Even if it is not the best, it is not far away. This is really smart. Wu Kang praised: "The biggest disaster in the grassland is not that the wolf is a hare, the hare is a disaster, and the wolves are the natural enemies of the hare. If there is no wolf, the hare will lose its natural enemies, and the hare will become a disaster. It won't take long before the grassland is gone, the livestock will starve to death, and the nomadic people will perish."

Very satisfied with her shock, and then fooled: "Wolfs eat hares and hares eat grass. This is the simplest food chain. If the food chain is destroyed, the ecology will be imbalanced and will cause disasters. Today Chu Suiliang said that Yuezhou is rich in blue and white snakes, and the court agreed to the people to catch snakes and rent them for land."

Speaking of this, I stopped and saw her thinking hard, so I sat next to her. Time passed by and I quickly felt bored. I stood up quietly and studied her hair bun. It seemed like a half-turned bun. Cui Xiaoqing's favorite hairstyle, combed all her hair on the top of her head, turned forward to form a high bun, and inserted a golden flower bead hairpin.

Soon he was full of interest. At the beginning of the second year of Yonghui, Empress Wang went to the Temple of Greetings to let Mei Niang grow her hair. In just three years, she grew from a cute bald nun to grow her hair and waist. It was unscientific! She couldn't help but feel curious, and leaned closer to her head to study, reached out to touch her gently.

Gradually I discovered the clues that there were many wigs, which were really interesting. It turned out that the beautiful wigs were popular in the Tang Dynasty. I was very interested and suddenly I was beaten on my chin, bit my tongue hard, and I felt so painful that I jumped and gasped.

Mei Niang also said oh, touching her head and getting up. Seeing that he grinning and bloody frothing from the corner of her mouth, she quickly went over to support her and rushed outside the door and shouted anxiously: "Sanliang go get the medicine quickly, four cents prepare hot water quickly, why did you bite your tongue?"

The steps outside the door were rushing, Wu Kang wiped his tears and stopped him with a bitter face: "Don't be busy with your tongue, you can't apply medicine. I said, "Sister, you are the same as Xiaoqing, what are you doing in a hurry? You are studying your hair, but suddenly you come here like this, do you want to hurt me to death? Ouch..."

When her forehead was knocked, Mei Niang said contemptuously: "What hair should I study? Is it for Xiaoqing? Such a big person, don't be frivolous... Kang Lang, you just said, is Chu Suiliang's handle related to snakes? There are few snakes and many rats? Will there be rat disasters in Yuezhou?"

Wu Kang was stunned. He could think of it as a female president! He coughed twice and gave a thumbs up: "I am so smart, I am so impressed. All things in this world, all living beings, have the ability to settle down and the ability of a mouse..."

The sound of the wind running was strange, which made her cover her mouth and chuckle, and pushed him to the chair. The knocking sound was heard. Just now, the eunuch came in, and Mei Niang took the teacup. Wu Kang picked up his arms, lay back, and opened his mouth twice.

Take a few sips comfortably and continue to talk about science: "Snakes can survive and hunt rats; rats continue their race and rely on their super breeding ability. If all the descendants of a pair of mice survive every year, there will be nearly 5,000. According to this efficiency, the world belongs to rats, and they can eat everything."

Very satisfied with her desire for knowledge, and then pretended: "The fact is not the case. The mice have many natural enemies, such as cats, snakes, weasels, owls... which are what we call night owls. They are responsible for eating mice and maintaining ecological balance."

Mei Niang was completely enlightened and took the sentence and said, "Cats are kept at home and cannot be a climate. Weasels steal chickens and night owls are ominous. When people see them, they will kill them, so there are very few snakes. Snakes are the main force in catching rats. Yuezhou catches snakes in large quantities, and rats must be flooded. Is that true?"

Wu Kang praised, Mei Niang rolled her eyes and sat beside him and sighed: "The rat disaster has been around since ancient times, and it is all small, at most two counties. A small disaster with small scapegoat is enough, and the governor of Yuezhou is not involved. It cannot involve Chu Suiliang. Kanglang, thank you for your hard work, but the handle is not big enough."

He looked a little cute. Wu Kang snapped his fingers and exposed the news again: "Yuezhou is different, there is 800 miles of Jinghu. This year, the country is drought, but Yuezhou has good weather and rain, and the rain is more abundant than in previous years, which has led to a sharp increase in the lake surface."

Sighing lightly, he continued: "My subordinate Chu Shenke said that in March every year, the water of Jinghu Lake rises sharply. Millions of mice are homeless. With Jinghu as the center, they are radiating around. In addition, the snake catches in Yuezhou, and the rats have no natural enemies. The rat disaster is inevitable, and the scale will definitely shock the court."

After explaining the principle, we will give examples to prove it: "Chen Shuozhen rebelled and sent people to Yuezhou to purchase medicinal materials. A rat disaster has occurred, but the scale is not large. Next March, Jinghu will rise, and the rat disaster will completely explode, which may endanger Wuzhou... Alas, full of melancholy!"

After about ten minutes, Mei Niang finally spoke: "The disaster that can shake the court must be responsible. The two culprits raised the snake to pay the tax and promoted the snake to pay the tax. Kang Lang was right, this is Chu Suiliang's handle. As long as he talked about... the food chain, no one can refute it. Such a big handle, it would be great if he didn't believe it or not to use it for me!"

Judging from her excited appearance, Wu Kang didn't want to pour cold water on it. The next year, Li Jiuli, you are the queen, and Lao Chu is a firm opposition, so don't hold too much hope. After pondering for a moment, he said sadly: "Sister returns to the palace, and I will go back to Wuzhou too. It's boring to stay without you."

"Bah! Tell Cui Xiaoqing about your sweet words," Mei Niang glared at him and said earnestly: "It's better to go back earlier and control the situation earlier. If you are busy in March next year, don't come to Chang'an. Adding a seal of Zhaoyi is just a form."

Wu Kang was so happy that he promised to come. Because next April, something big will happen, and if handled properly, you will have no worries in your life.
Chapter completed!