Yangzhou Lujiang County, Wancheng City. Although it was only a small county, the people who lived here were all people who could shake the entire Yangzhou.
There was a mansion with two words written on the door. In the garden, a middle-aged man with sharp eyebrows was drinking tea and admiring the flowers while fishing.
This man was none other than his father-in-law, Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian. Lü Bu was a hero, Lü Bu was a tiger and wolf, Lü Bu was a god of war, and Lü Bu was a bloodthirsty killer. These were the evaluations of Lü Bu by the outside world. However, no one knew that this man called Lü Bu also liked to drink tea and admire flowers. He also liked to sit by the pond for an entire afternoon. Although he might not be able to catch many fish in his basket, he was still able to smile.
He was Lü Bu, a mysterious man. Today, his luck seemed to be good. His fishing basket was already filled with two or three small fish.
"General!" Just when Lu Bu was about to continue fishing and fish for the evening banquet, a personal guard came in from behind and knelt before Lu Bu.
"En?" Lü Bu frowned. This was because ever since his beloved son-in-law took charge of Yangzhou, Yangzhou had slowly developed. Lü Bu did not manage the government affairs. This was because Lü Bu felt that Liu Mang could take charge alone. Another reason was that Lü Bu wanted to avoid arousing suspicion.
That's right, he wanted to avoid arousing suspicion. In this country, one mountain cannot have two tigers. If there were, then it would be a male and a female. If not, then one would die and one would be injured.
In the past, Lü Bu was in charge because Liu Mang was a newcomer. He did not know how to pacify the people and how to lead the army to conquer the world.
But slowly, Liu Mang's jaw dropped. He began to have his own forces, starting from the City Guard. Slowly, Liu Mang subdued Huang Zhong, Xu Sheng, Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, and the others. Slowly, he gathered literary talents like Xu Shu, Zhuge Liang, and Lu Su by his side.
Liu Mang's wings gradually hardened. Originally, after Shouchun was built, Gao Shun and the others wanted Lü Bu to go to Shouchun to preside over the important matters. However, Lü Bu refused. Not only did he not go to Shouchun, but he also handed over all of Lujiang's matters to Chen Gong or Gao Shun and the others. Lü Bu would only take on the role of commander-in-chief if he couldn't solve the problem. Otherwise, he would be like a rich man who retired after accomplishing his mission.
Therefore, instead of saying that Yangzhou was the Lü Bu's Army's Yangzhou, it was better to say that it had changed its master to Liu Mang's Yangzhou.
Whether it was Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Liu Biao and the others in Jingzhou, they were no longer afraid of Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian, but the King Of Shu, Liu Mang.
It was because of this leisurely life that Lü Bu could calm down and fish. He found pleasure that he couldn't find in the past. Fishing naturally required silence. Lü Bu also said that when he was fishing, no one was allowed to disturb him.
Now that this guard dared to interrupt Lü Bu, something must have happened.
"General, Military Advisor Chen Gong requests an audience!" The guard knelt down and said to Lü Bu.
"Gongtai is here?" Lü Bu froze for a moment. Chen Gong usually stayed in the governor's mansion. Lujiang was left to Chen Gong. It could be said that Lü Bu basically didn't do anything. Everything was done by Chen Gong.
"Go to the main hall and let Gongtai in!" Lü Bu said to his guard.
"Yes!" Lü Bu quickly changed his clothes and went to the main hall. Chen Gong had been waiting for a long time.
"Sorry to keep Gongtai waiting!" Lü Bu apologized to Chen Gong.
"Fengxian, what are you talking about!" Chen Gong said with a smile. He and Lü Bu had not seen each other for many days. In the past, they were monarch and minister. But now, their identities seemed to have changed a lot. Were they superior and subordinate? Or were they two good friends? The monarch and minister relationship had passed.
Because Chen Gong's master was now the King Of Shu. In terms of official position, Chen Gong was even higher than Lü Bu. This was the position that Liu Mang left for Chen Gong. However, Lü Bu had the title of the cabinet. He was also the father-in-law of the King Of Shu, Liu Mang. So Chen Gong didn't dare to act rashly.
"In the past, in order to see Fengxian, I also waited in the main hall!" Chen Gong winked at Lü Bu and smiled.
"Haha! Chen Gongtai, you are beating around the bush and scolding me for delaying meeting you, right?" Lü Bu said angrily. Now that the two were no longer bound by the monarch and minister relationship, they spoke more casually. Back then, when Chen Gong wanted to see Lü Bu, Lü Bu refused. Why? Because Chen Gongtai's honest advice was unpleasant to the ear. Lü Bu was young and frivolous back then.
He had the title of the world's number one general. In addition, it was difficult for the eighteen feudal lords to enter Hulao Pass. It could be said that he had obtained great glory at a young age. He had a halo above his head. As for Chen Gongtai, he was like a wet blanket.
Lü Bu was the world's number one martial artist. He directly said that a boorish man's courage could only fight against a thousand people, not ten thousand people.
Lü Bu fought against generals in Hulao Pass. He also said that with the elites of Western Liang, it was not a good idea to fight against generals instead of defeating the enemy's main force.
Lü Bu stood on his own and Chen Gongtai started again. General, you are surrounded by enemies. General should be careful.
Who would like to see such a wet blanket?
"Well, I know that you, Chen Gongtai, are a busy man. Lujiang still needs your guidance. Tell me, why did you come to my residence?" Lü Bu smiled and asked Chen Gong.
Chen Gong nodded. "I do have something important to see you, Fengxian! Fengxian, please take a look! " As Chen Gong spoke, he took out a stack of paper from his bosom. The paper was very good. It was as smooth as a woman's skin. The printing on it was also very exquisite.
"Is this what you came up with?" Lü Bu wasn't someone who didn't know anything. He looked at the paper that Chen Gongtai gave him. There were flags of various armies and the symbol of the Hero Palace. These were the papers that Yangzhou wanted to convert copper and gold into paper money.
"Fengxian, it's not us, it's him!" Chen Gong shook his head and smiled bitterly. They were already old and couldn't keep up with Liu Mang's pace.
In Chen Gong's eyes, Liu Hanyang was still the person who would kneel and blame himself for the death of a few of his subordinates.
"Yes, it's him!" Lü Bu also nodded. Lü Bu's era had passed. The current Lü Bu was just a symbol in Yangzhou's army. They had the God of War behind them.
Lu Bu spread out the banners. The banners printed on the banners made him click his tongue in wonder.
"This is the Formation Breaker, this is the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, this is the City Guard, and this, this is the Black Flag Camp!" Lü Bu recognized them one by one. How could he not? A few days ago, whether it was the Formation Breaker or the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, they all came to him. Even the blockhead Gao Shun came to him and said that he was bigger than the City Guard.
Because the flag of the Formation Breaker was printed on the paper, the flag of the City Guard was printed on the paper. Therefore, Gao Shun didn't accept it.
However, Lü Bu couldn't change these things. He could only let nature take its course.
Liu Mang also didn't favor one and discriminate against the other. In the future, the paper would naturally change. Because no one could guarantee that no one would be able to catch up with the imitation. Some techniques would be conquered sooner or later. For example, if a modern person wanted to make a fake ancient copper coin, it would be more accurate than the ancient copper coin.
This was the power of technology.
Liu Mang's intention was to print the flag of the army that contributed the most to Yangzhou. This way, he would be able to mobilize all the elites in Yangzhou's army.
"Is this the only thing?" Lü Bu smiled as he looked at Chen Gong. If it was only about the paper, Chen Gong wouldn't be like this.
"Of course not. Fengxian, these are just less than ten thousand coins. Look at this!" Chen Gong said as he handed over another paper to Lü Bu.
"En?" When he saw this paper, Lü Bu's eyes widened. It wasn't because of the value on the paper. This was a hundred gold paper. Although a hundred gold was not cheap, it wasn't enough to catch Lü Bu's eyes. What really made Lü Bu's eyes widen was the thing printed on the paper.
It was no longer the flag of the army. Instead, it had become the portrait of a person. This person's portrait was none other than their Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian.
"This, this?" Lü Bu didn't know what to say. In the end, he said, "Isn't this nonsense?"
Just when Lü Bu was at a loss and Chen Gong was laughing, a beautiful voice sounded. "How is this nonsense!"
Chen Gong turned his head and saw a beautiful middle-aged woman. He immediately stood up and bowed.
"Gongtai, there's no need to be so polite. Our families have been friends for many years. Just treat us as relatives!" The middle-aged woman said to Chen Gong.
"Yes, madam!" Chen Gong nodded. This person was Lü Bu's wife, Madam Yan.
Madam Yan walked over to Lü Bu and sat down beside him.
"Why are you here?" Lü Bu frowned. This was the meeting hall. How could a woman come in?
"Aren't you cultivating your mind? This Gongtai is not someone else. Why can't I come in? " Madam Yan rolled her eyes at Lü Bu. To be honest, Madam Yan used to be afraid of Lü Bu. Everything depended on Lü Bu. She didn't know what to do next.
But now, the situation was clear. Lü Bu didn't have to go to war. With his son-in-law in Yangzhou, their family could enjoy peace. So slowly, the head of the family became Madam Yan.
The relationship between the husband and wife also had the same sentiments as before. Their conversation became more casual.
"Madam Yan is right! I came here to talk about private matters! This is the Lü Mansion. Madam Yan naturally has the right to go! "Chen Gong chimed in.
"Didn't you always mutter that Mang 'er didn't care about you because he didn't come to see you? Now you see it! Mang 'er still has you in his heart. Be happy! "Madam Yan said to Lü Bu.
"Hmph, isn't it just drawing a portrait?" Lü Bu said with disdain.
"Drawing a portrait? Sigh, I don't like what you're saying. What do you mean by drawing a portrait? Do you know what this is? It's a denomination of a hundred gold coins. The whole of Yangzhou uses this thing! "Madam Yan said to Lü Bu.
Madam Yan said with a proud expression. This was because only big businessmen or those nobles could have a hundred gold coins.
It was a great honor for her husband to be listed on this denomination. When she went out, she would point at the denomination and say, "See? That's my husband's face!" So Madam Lü was a senior in the circle of nobles in Lujiang. Naturally, she was happy. Madam Yan even thought of asking her son-in-law to put her name on the denomination.
But it was just a thought. In this era, women's rights had not yet become widespread. There were only two possibilities for a woman to have prestige at home. The first was that the woman's family was very powerful, such as a princess. The second was that the man really loved his wife.
Or else, according to the words of the big-eared thief, brothers were like hands and feet, while women were like clothes.
Would you care about a piece of clothing? If it was broken, it would be thrown away. If it was dirty, it would be thrown away. Lü Bu was obedient to Madam Yan because he loved his wife.
"The whole of Yangzhou uses this thing?" Lü Bu frowned. "What about the gold coins?"
"The gold coins have been kept in the treasury by His Highness!" Chen Gong said to Lü Bu.
"What if someone doesn't want to use it?" Lü Bu asked doubtfully.
"Don't want to use it? Basically, there is no such thing in Yangzhou. If you don't use it, it is difficult to do business! " Chen Gong said to Lü Bu. Now, if you want to do business in Yangzhou, you need to use the gold coins as collateral. If I don't accept the gold coins, how can I use it? Please go to Yangzhou's gold bank to exchange it.
And those merchants are about to leave. Sure, you can bring your friend to the bank to exchange. If I confirm that you are one of the merchants, then I will exchange it for you, without a single bit of difference.
It was precisely because of this that many merchants directly brought their gifts to do business. In any case, these gifts could go to any gold shop in Yangzhou to exchange for gold.
"Such a small piece of paper is worth a hundred gold coins?" Lü Bu couldn't help but look at it curiously. He looked at his own portrait on the paper and felt that it was a little similar. His dashing eyebrows were quite handsome.
"What are you looking at? What is there to look at? You are not young anymore! Do you still think you are the young man from back then? "Mrs. Yan said to her husband.
"I am just looking!" Lü Bu was also a little embarrassed. "At least that kid has a little conscience!" Lü Bu was quite satisfied. Wasn't life to make a name for oneself?
He, Lü Bu, had done it. With this kind of gold coins, as long as Yangzhou didn't praise it, it was bound to continue to circulate. He, Lü Bu, would also rise with the tide.
The biggest gold coin in Yangzhou was the one with Lü Bu's portrait on it. It was worth a hundred gold coins. The people even named him Gold Lü Bu.
"Sigh, this son-in-law is good in all aspects, but why is there no sign of Ling 'er's pregnancy?" Mrs. Yan began to feel melancholy again.
Because until now, Miss Lu hadn't given birth to any children for Liu Mang. Fortunately, there was no sign of the other concubines there. However, there was a barbarian concubine who was pregnant. This didn't matter. A concubine's child couldn't inherit Liu Mang's great cause. Even if Liu Mang was willing, his group of subordinates wouldn't be willing because it involved the issue of bloodline.
Those group of great scholars, especially the old stubborn ones led by Qiao Xuan, would never allow a person with a foreign bloodline to inherit this great cause.
"This can only mean that your daughter is disappointing!" Lü Bu was also a little angry at this question.
"Hmph, my daughter is disappointing. My daughter isn't your daughter. How can you talk about your own daughter like that?" Mrs. Yan was also angry and said to her husband.
Chen Gong was a little embarrassed because this was a private matter. So, Chen Gong quickly excused himself and left the Lü Mansion.
"This can't go on. Someone, come and give me a brush and ink!" Lü Bu suddenly had a strange idea.
"What do you need a brush and ink for?" Mrs. Yan asked Lü Bu in confusion.
"To write a letter!" Lü Bu rolled his eyes and said, "I want to give a military order to that boy. I must have a grandson within a year!" Lü Bu seemed to have made up his mind.
"Enough!" Mrs. Yan snatched the brush and ink from Lü Bu's hand.
This matter of having a child could be given a military order. Should they make a military order that if they couldn't have a son, they would be dragged out and beheaded?
"Then what do you think we should do?" Lü Bu also felt that it was a bit ridiculous, but there was no other way.
"I heard that Hua Tuo, Zhang Ji, and several other Godly Doctors are in Shouchun!" Mrs. Yan said to Lü Bu.
"We can go to Yangzhou Hospital and find a few Godly Doctors to help!" Mrs. Yan continued.
"En! You go! " Lü Bu nodded. He had heard of Zhang Ji and Hua Tuo's reputation. Although they weren't as exaggerated as reviving the dead or regrowing flesh and bones, they were still rare Godly Doctors.
"What do you mean I'll go? What will you do if I go? " Madam Yan asked her husband.
"You go and find Zhang Ji and Hua Tuo. I'll stay in Lujiang and Wan City!" Lü Bu looked at his wife innocently and said.
"Sigh, I'm the emperor who is not anxious but the eunuch who is anxious! I'm just a woman. If I go to Shouchun, will the two Godly Doctors care about me? You, the general, don't want to go, but you want me to go? Does this make any sense? " Liu Mang established the Six Ministries. The Ministry of War was reserved for Lü Bu, but Lü Bu was unwilling to go.
"Then what are you going to do?" Lü Bu asked Mrs. Yan.
"What can I do? Go with me! "Mrs. Yan gave her husband an ultimatum.
Lü Bu wanted to argue, but it ended in failure. Mrs. Ren and Mrs. Cao wanted Lü Bu to go to Shouchun because they also wanted to go to Shouchun to have a look. They always said that Shouchun had changed, but they really haven't been there. They wanted to go and have a look.
Lü Bu had no choice. The next day, several carriages set off from the Lü Mansion. Dozens of cavalry followed behind. There were no more bandits in Yangzhou. If there were, they would have been wiped out by the Xiliang Cavalry. Lü Bu's Armed Police Department was also waiting for the bandits' contributions. Therefore, the journey was very safe. However, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry was still worried. If Lü Bu had not reprimanded them and retreated, there would be 5,000 people following them now.
… …
"What! My father-in-law is here? " Liu Mang's eyes widened in the main hall of Shouchun. He seemed to be unable to believe the news.
"Yes, Milord. Wen Hou's carriage is less than 20 li away from Shouchun!" The messenger reported to Liu Mang.
"This, this, it's over, it's over!" To be honest, in the past, Liu Mang was not afraid of Lü Bu because he and Lü Bu were peers. It could even be said that he was Lü Bu's savior. Who would be afraid of someone they had saved? However, it was different later on. He married Lü Bu's daughter and became Lü Bu's son-in-law.
From peers to juniors. As the saying goes, if one can pull a river, one can be magnanimous. If one has no desires, one can be strong.
If you marry someone else's daughter, you naturally have to worry about your father-in-law. What's more, Liu Mang had found several sisters for Miss Lü.
Lü Bu's temper was good now. If it was in the past, Lü Bu's temper would have been bad. He would have brought his Sky Piercer to Liu Mang to talk about life and ideals.
Even so, Liu Mang tried not to talk to Lü Bu as much as possible. He was afraid that it would be awkward if they met. He was even more afraid that his father-in-law would beat him up on a whim.
Although Liu Mang was at the peak of second-rate, no matter how much he practiced, he could not compare to Lü Bu's martial arts.
If he was beaten up, he could not say anything and had to smile apologetically.
Therefore, Liu Mang had always been afraid that Lü Bu would come to Shouchun. However, the more afraid he was, the more he would come.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!" Xu Shu hurriedly coughed at Liu Mang. In front of outsiders, how could he call him by his father-in-law's name?
Liu Mang did not care about this name. "My father-in-law, did he come alone or did he come alone?" Liu Mang wanted to find out. If his father-in-law Lü Bu came alone and rode a warhorse with armor and weapons, then Liu Mang should run as far as possible. His life was not enough to play with.
"Lord Wen Hou came with his family!" Fortunately, the messenger said the answer that Liu Mang wanted to hear the most.
"Family?" Liu Mang asked with an expression as if he had just escaped death.
"Yes!" The messenger nodded. "There are several carriages and the journey is very slow!"
"That's good, that's good!" Liu Mang came back to his senses. "Pass down the order. Have all the civil and military officials of Yangzhou go to the Shili Pavilion and prepare to welcome Lord Wen Hou!"
The etiquette needed to be done. If there was no Lvbu's Army, then there would not be today's Liu Mang's Army and there would not be Yangzhou's foundation.
Yangzhou did not belong to Liu Mang alone. It was better to say that Yangzhou was fought for by Liu Mang and Lü Bu together. However, Lü Bu retired after achieving success.
Liu Mang was just about to go to the Shili Pavilion to welcome his father-in-law. However, he thought that if his father-in-law attacked him on the spot, he would lose a lot of face. In order to not be attacked by his father-in-law and also to have a shield, Liu Mang decisively went back to the King Of Shu's residence and brought his protective talisman, Miss Lu, with him.
If he was attacked by her father, he still had a wife to protect him.
They quickly arrived at Lü Bu's carriage. If not for Madam Cao's unwell body, they would have arrived at Shouchun a day earlier.
Liu Mang quickly brought Miss Lu to welcome them. Lü Bu did not put on any airs. However, Madam Yan reprimanded Liu Mang as his mother-in-law. Liu Mang could only stand at the side and nod.
Zhuge Liang stood at the side and could not help but be angry. "How can a dignified man be like this? This is simply a great disgrace, a great disgrace! "
"Oh? This is a great disgrace? Could it be that when you see my mother in the future, you dare to put on airs as the Minister of Justice? "An indifferent voice sounded.
Zhuge Liang's face immediately changed. "Madam, I am just saying! My lord is a real man! " “
Lu Su and the others wanted to laugh but did not dare to laugh in front of Zhuge Liang. It was their lord's idea to bring Zhuge Liang's wife along. He knew that Zhuge Liang would make sarcastic remarks. With Madam Huang, he would be more honest.
Today, he saw that the Zhuge Family's rules were strict. Today was an eye-opener.
"Laugh, laugh. If you don't laugh, you will suffocate to death!" Zhuge Liang rolled his eyes and said to his colleagues speechlessly.
"Hahahaha!" Zhentian's laughter rippled through the Shili Pavilion.
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