The reason why they were so slow was that even though Gu Yun had hurriedly made a round trip between the capital and Jiangbei, there were still many unfinished business at the front line. It was just right for Changgeng to recuperate during this period of time. Only when Changgeng's daily activities were no longer hindered did the two of them head back.
On the way back, they happened to encounter a busy scene along the canal.
The factory that was being built did not look too good. Dust was flying everywhere. Regardless of whether it was the craftsmen, coolies, or the civil officials and imperial merchants, all of them were covered in dust and grime. However, it was still considered orderly.
The workers were provided with two meals a day. After noon, a group of young and strong refugees who had just put down their butcher's knives gathered together and fished out a nest of coarse grains from a large iron cart.
Gu Yun had once disguised herself incognito to take a look around. She saw that the inside of the nest was very solid after breaking it open. Millet was millet, flour was flour, and it was very heavy in her hands. It could not be compared to the precious meat and jade plates that flowed freely in the capital's Yuan Lou. It could not even be considered simple tea and plain food. However, when a group of men who had just finished work gathered together, each holding a piece of dry food and dipping it in the sauce that the foreman brought from home, it looked very reassuring.
As they neared the capital's suburbs, Gu Yun rode a horse and followed Changgeng's carriage. Along the way, they chatted about this matter. Changgeng smiled and said, "The craftsmen and whatnot were probably hired from outside to be foremen and lead everyone to work. Most of the remaining laborers were directly recruited by Duke Du from the refugees who were recruited. In the future, wherever they moved bricks, they will stay there and continue to hold onto this bowl of rice. For this reason, I heard that Duke Du requested an imperial edict from the Canal Office as a guarantee in the name of the imperial court. Unless they want to leave, the factory will not chase them away. They will stay here for the rest of their lives. "
No one was more eager to settle down and take root than the displaced people. If these refugees were allowed to build their own new homes, they would be able to work steadily and happily. There were very few who would cheat. Du Wanquan only needed to take care of their meals and even saved a lot of money. Old Madam often called him "Good Samaritan Du" behind his back. When they prayed to the Bodhisattva, he was always included. This person was really shrewd.
"It's a good thing," Gu Yun thought for a while and asked, "In this way, other than the family members not reducing the rent, it's a bit like a military household. It's just that the civilians are different from the military. What if there are people who don't do their jobs or commit crimes?"
"The Grand Council," Changgeng said, "Before I left, I told Jiang Hanshi and it has already been issued along with the imperial edict.................................................................. Do............................................................................
Gu Yun was stunned, then she laughed and said, "Why? Is there a way?"
"Yes," Changgeng said, "As long as more than half of the old people who have worked in the factory for more than ten years are willing to be his guarantor, that person can stay and can also report to the higher-level Canal Office. In fact, even if this is the case, there may not be no problems after a long time. When the time comes, we can slowly change it. There's no reason to do it overnight."
Gu Yun asked, "How long have you been planning this?"
"This is not what I thought," Changgeng said with a smile, "It's just that when I first came into contact with Duke Du, I had such a vague idea. After such a long time of paving the way and constantly discussing with them, I only came up with this little idea after more than a year. Duke Du and his group have traveled all over the world in their lives. They have even traveled to the Western Hemisphere many times. They are experienced and knowledgeable, and their reactions are fast. However, they lack a way out. I built a way out for them, and they can choose Daliang. "
A scholar has the pedantry and feelings of a scholar, and a businessman has the cunning and skills of a businessman. In essence, there is no good or bad. It only depends on where the person at the top is willing to go and take advantage of the situation.
"Oh right, Zi Xi, I also heard Duke Du say that the westerners have a very, very long type of carriage." Changgeng poked his head out of the window of the carriage and said with a bit of excitement, "It's placed on the railroad tracks and runs very fast. However, it's different from a large eagle and a giant kite. It can pull many sections behind it. Then, wouldn't it be able to transport as much as it wants? It's much better than the Canal, but it takes up a lot of space. It's not easy to plan for a long route. I can use this opportunity of acquiring land to build a factory to set aside a place for that thing. Speaking of which, I really have to thank Yang Lu and his party for being diligent in buying land and buying land. It saved me a lot of trouble. Duke Du plans to start along the Canal and ask people to build one to try. Now that the Jiangnan front line is in a stalemate, it's rather troublesome to transport provisions, purple gold, and lighters back and forth from the capital. If it can be built one day … "
Gu Yun didn't have much insight into the national economy and people's livelihood, but he was extremely sensitive to defense and military matters. He only heard a few words and understood the meaning. He hurriedly said, "Speak more carefully."
Changgeng didn't continue speaking. He waved his hand at him as if he wanted to whisper something. Gu Yun urged his horse to catch up a little. He bent down slightly and asked, "What is it? Is there something that can't be revealed right now?"
"It's not that I can't say it, but …" Changgeng hesitated slightly.
Gu Yun was a little confused for a moment. He didn't know how to keep this secret. At this moment, Chang Geng suddenly poked his head out of the car and quickly took advantage of him on the lips.
Gu Yun, "…"
Changgeng's gaze turned. When he saw that the carriage was blocking and no one was paying attention, he whispered, "Let me do it again when we get home tonight, and I'll show you the blueprint."
Gu Yun held the reins and leaned back slightly, "How many times have I let you do it? You're either acting coquettishly because you're injured or acting shamelessly with me. No way. "
Changgeng was good at everything except for one thing. He was too controlling, especially when it came to Gu Yun. He hated that he couldn't even dress and feed him. Usually, he would deliberately restrain himself and try his best not to make Gu Yun uncomfortable … but when they were in bed, he couldn't care so much.
Changgeng whispered softly, "Godfather, if I don't serve you well, I can learn diligently."
Gu Yun, "… Son, you don't have to work so hard."
They had already passed Beidaying's encampment, so Gu Yun didn't wear any armor. He only wore a casual robe with sleeves that were wider than his waist.
Changgeng reached out and grabbed his sleeve, shaking it left and right without saying a word.
When they passed by a village on the road, they happened to see a three or four-year-old child crying and pulling an adult's sleeve, making a scene and asking for candy. Since then, Changgeng didn't know what went wrong, but he learned it verbatim and wanted to carry it forward.
When he was young, there wasn't a single sleeve in the world that he could pull. Now, even though he looked indomitable, he always seemed to have regrets and wanted to make up for it by taking Gu Yun's body.
Gu Yun laughed and had goosebumps, "No means no. Let go. Your Highness, do you have any shame?"
Changgeng wasn't willing to let go. He looked like he wouldn't give up until he was publicly called a "homosexual".
When Shen Yi and Jiang Chong brought people out of the city to welcome them, they saw Yan Wang sitting in the carriage from afar. He was poking his head out and talking to Gu Yun. Gu Yun let his handsome horse wander around lazily. There was a smile in the corners of his eyes, but the corners of his mouth were tight and he ignored him.
Yan Wang said something for the first time. Gu Yun knocked on the back of his hand, forcing him to involuntarily let go of his hand.
Yan Wang didn't seem to give up and said something again. Gu Yun pulled down the curtain of his carriage, as if he didn't want to see, so that he wouldn't be upset.
When Yan Wang pulled open the curtain and poked his head out for the third time, Gu Yun finally couldn't hold back his laughter. He waved his hand as if he was afraid of him, seemingly compromising.
Jiang Chong stared blankly.
Shen Yi sighed and said, "Fortunately, the Grand Marshal does not have any children of his own. Otherwise, he would definitely spoil a devil incarnate who would surpass his father. I think he can't even say 'no' three times to His Highness King Yan. If you can't do it twice, you can ask him for the third time and he will definitely agree."
Jiang Chong still hadn't recovered from his shock, "I thought that Marquis hasn't been in the capital for a long time, so he and Yan Wang are only foster father and son. It seems that their relationship is really deep."
As soon as Shen Yi heard the word 'relationship', his thoughts went astray. Just now, he lamented that Gu Yun couldn't be a strict father, but in his heart, he cursed, "Zi Xi, this thing who is blinded by lust, has never been serious in his life. What kind of morality is he spreading in broad daylight?"
The 'blinded by lust' Gu Yun's nose felt a little itchy. He turned his head and sneezed. As soon as he turned his face, he saw the Lord Jiang, who had a face full of 'I'm very relieved to see you', and Commander Shen, who had a face full of 'pay attention to your image, don't you feel ashamed'.
Yan Wang, who had regained his composure, was invited into the palace before he could get off the carriage.
Shen Yi stared at Gu Yun with condemnation. Gu Yun, who had just agreed to a humiliating matter, was now regretting it. He asked in a bad mood, "What are you looking at?"
The old keeper, Commander Shen, reproached righteously, "It's not that I want to say this, but sometimes you are too outrageous."
Gu Yun, "What's wrong with me?"
Shen Yi, "Like a pervert whose soul has been seduced by a vixen."
Gu Yun, "…"
This was really a 'winter thunder' or a 'summer snow' grievance, yet he still couldn't defend himself … He really wanted to cut off all ties with Shen Yi.
Fortunately, before he could do anything to Commander Shen, Shen Yi blocked his mouth with proper business, "I calculated that you should arrive in a few days, so I didn't send anyone to deliver a letter to you. There are two important things I have to tell you. First, Bei Man's Calais Yinghou has sent someone over."
Gu Yun's expression changed.
Ever since the Black Iron Battalion took a breather and quelled the chaos in the west, they had been eyeing the north covetously. To a large extent, they had relieved the pressure on the defense of the north border. The Black Iron Battalion was Calais Yinghou's lifelong nightmare. With them around, the 18 Wolf King didn't dare to act rashly.
However, the north border had always been barren. They had to look at God's face to raise some cattle and sheep. In this battle, Daliang had already exhausted his family's resources, let alone Calais Yinghou, who had been focused on revenge and had neglected production.
In the long run, it was natural that they couldn't afford it.
Gu Yun, "To negotiate?"
"Yes," Shen Yi nodded, "This matter didn't have time to go to court. The Emperor summoned a few of us to the palace to discuss the other party's conditions. Do you know how I feel?"
Gu Yun's eyebrows twitched.
Shen Yi said, "It's just like when the old Wolf King increased the supply of Purple Gold and proposed to use himself as a hostage. The wording and tone were familiar. They were humble and sincere. The conditions were very straightforward. Zi Xi, do you believe them? "
Gu Yun pondered for a moment and slowly said, "I don't really believe them. The barbarians are different from the westerners. The westerners are just greedy, but the barbarians are feuds. Especially Calais Yinghou."
Shen Yi hurriedly asked, "What do you mean?"
"Since Calais took over the 18 tribes, he hasn't done anything other than taking revenge on the Central Plains," Gu Yun said, "Now that they are here to negotiate, there are only two possibilities. Either Calais has been usurped by someone in the 18 tribes, or he has some bad ideas."
Shen Yi said, "We can't rule out the possibility that the 18 tribes really can't hold on …"
"No, it's not winter yet. I don't believe that they are at the end of their rope," Gu Yun said, "Listen to me, Calais is a mad dog. A mad dog doesn't care if it eats meat or grass. It only cares about biting people. Oh right, what did the Emperor say?"
"The Emperor …" Shen Yi paused for a moment and lowered his voice, "This is the second thing I want to tell you. The Emperor might not be doing well recently."
Gu Yun was stunned.
"Now, the imperial court meeting has been changed to once every fifteen days, on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. Other important matters that need to be discussed will be brought to the small imperial court meeting and handed over to the Grand Council to be hosted and uploaded to the Warm West Pavilion, waiting for the Emperor's approval. I feel that the Emperor is becoming more and more unable to stand the noise of a group of people at the imperial court meeting," Shen Yi whispered, "On the first day of the lunar month, during the imperial court meeting, the Emperor stood up and stepped on his dragon robe. He almost rolled down from the imperial throne hall on the spot and was caught by the imperial guards in front of the hall. As a result, here …"
Shen Yi pointed at his calf, "He directly fell and broke it. He can't get out of bed until now. I feel that this might be the reason why he hurriedly summoned Yan Wang to the palace."
Gu Yun was taken aback. "Can you break your bones if you fall? This is too much. "
"The imperial physicians didn't dare to speak and couldn't find a reason. Later, they asked Miss Chen to take a look. Miss Chen said that he was overworked for many years and his diet was not good. His bones were loose and broke when he fell. Some people said that the previous Emperor was …"
No wonder the imperial physicians were all tight-lipped. Only Chen Qingxu, who often ran outside the borders, dared to speak the truth.
This country was too torturous.
Shen Yi looked around and saw that the people who came out to welcome Yan Wang had left with Jiang Chong. Gu Yun left the personal guards in Beidaying and only had a few family guards by his side. He lowered his voice and said to Gu Yun, "Because of the Lu family's matter, the Imperial Consort was also implicated and was directly stripped of her position. Although nothing happened on the surface, she was basically banished to the Cold Palace. The Crown Prince is so young and his mother's family doesn't have much help. If the Emperor really … What do you think he means by urgently summoning Yan Wang to the palace? Is he entrusting me to him or … "
Gu Yun glanced at him and Shen Yi automatically shut his mouth.
That year, when the imperial city was about to fall, Li Feng had mentioned passing on the throne — — not to the Crown Prince, but to Yan Wang.
Back then, when the country was destroyed and the family was destroyed, the little Crown Prince indeed couldn't support a country with the surname Li. Although the country was not recovered, Bei Man had already sent people to ask for peace. After recuperating for a few years, he would definitely have the strength to fight. Would the Emperor still pass on the throne to his younger brother and not his son?
Gu Yun suddenly remembered the time when the Imperial Guards rebelled. Li Feng suddenly mentioned something unrelated to him, "Yan Wang was abused by Nubi when he was young."
Li Feng did not seem like someone who would take the initiative to ask. It was very likely that Changgeng took the initiative to ask him. What kind of occasion would it be?
Although Changgeng and Li Feng were brothers, they were not close. Gu Yun knew that Changgeng was a little wolf cub. He would never take the initiative to confess his childhood wounds to gain sympathy, unless … A thought flashed through Gu Yun's mind. She suddenly thought of a possibility: Oh right, Prince Yan had been an adult for several years. Why did no one care about his marriage? Even if it was inconvenient for others to mention it, could it be that Li Feng had forgotten?
Therefore, the Emperor Long An's mindless words that day probably had a second half to it — "He harbored a grudge and was unwilling to marry and have children."
If Yan Wang didn't have an heir, it meant that in the future, no matter what, no one could shake the position of the little crown prince. Therefore, he might be able to hand over the important task to Changgeng.
Li Feng had been letting the little crown prince interact with her. On one hand, it was to ease the relationship, and on the other hand, it was to pave the way for his son.
The thoughts of these people …
Shen Yi: "Do you think there is a possibility that the Emperor will pass the throne to Yan Wang?"
"Shh — — don't mention it again," Gu Yun said, "Don't get involved. Remember what we are doing."
Shen Yi hurriedly responded, "Actually, I still have one more thing … Oh, it's a private matter."
Gu Yun looked at Shen Yi in surprise, "What?"
Shen Yi scratched his ears and cheeks for a moment, "Are you very familiar with Miss Chen?"
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