Xie Ji no longer wanted to get involved and stayed in the Xie family's small territory in Yifan. Many members of the Xie family had once planned to go to Yifan to get a share of the spoils. Now that they heard that Yifan was about to go to war, many of them backed down.
Xie Lanzhi's final instruction was: "Tell the clan that unless there are other major issues, they shouldn't come to me for everything."
After the royal guards left.
After receiving Xie Lanzhi's orders, many members of the Xie family in Tianjing gave up on pursuing any further benefits. They had no choice but to send their children to the imperial court. The court now had a selection mechanism and was already being lenient with the Xie family. Unfortunately, many members of the Xie family were illiterate. Those who had even a little education were basically all in high positions.
Those who hadn't received an education didn't want to pursue martial arts, and it was too late for them to pursue academics. Many members of the Xie family began educating them from a young age. For a time, no one realized the hidden dangers that would linger in the Xie family for decades to come.
That is to say, the Xie family was originally a martial and powerful clan. Now, however, they have abandoned their roots and turned to the examination hall, challenging themselves with something they are not good at.
Therefore, the talents that Xie had cultivated for martial arts were instantly overwhelmed in the examination hall.
The imperial examinations in Tianjing have now changed from annual minor examinations to major examinations every three years. Those who pass the major examinations can directly enter officialdom.
Xie Lanzhi was not unaware of this crisis, but unfortunately, the Xie family itself was incompetent. She could only help them temporarily, not permanently. Then she thought of Xie Ming in the Southern Region and the border, and the entire Xie family.
She thought that in the future, the Xie family, the Southern Region, and the Xie Ming Xie Gathering would be the most prosperous and developing lineage.
The Xie family in Tianjing is basically finished.
Xie Lanzhi waited for Si Xitong to return.
Si Xitong brought back news that was neither good nor bad, but also somewhat expected. The Northern Hu and Xiongnu on the Red River border had finally begun to station troops there, equipped with firearms, just like in Huayin Kingdom.
After finishing their meal, Xie Lanzhi and Si Xitong held hands and went to the garden area to digest their food.
It's May now, and looking at the cosmos flowers in the garden, their flower language symbolizes resilience and growth in adversity.
She specially picked a cosmos flower and gave it to Si Xitong. Si Xitong put the cosmos flower on her left ear and smiled at Xie Lanzhi: "How is it?"
Xie Lanzhi said, "People are more beautiful than flowers."
"You suddenly praised me today. It seems you have something else to ask me." Si Xitong lowered her hand and combed the hair that was draped over her shoulder. Xie Lanzhi combed her hair back.
She should have asked much earlier, but something came up and she'd been putting it off until now. Now, however, she's a little embarrassed to ask.
"Since you don't want to talk about it today, let's talk about it tomorrow." Si Xitong turned around and walked towards the flowerbed.
Xie Lanzhi immediately grabbed her wrist: "When are you going to get rid of that man named Wu Shang?"
Si Xitong turned to her and said, "The matter of Wu Shang is not as simple as it seems, but it is not complicated either."
"I will handle it."
Xie Lanzhi immediately let go of her hand. Si Xitong felt her hand go empty, so she took her hand and said, "The ancient Mu clan in the Northern Region has always been a force to be reckoned with, especially since the Yelü clan's attitude towards the Mu clan has always been ambiguous."
"Now that Wu Yuejun has gone there, it is a heavy blow to the Yelü clan."
"As for Wu Shang, I never personally received him when he came to Tianjing. Nor did he ever ask to see me."
Xie Lanzhi recalled her fiancé in the original story, who was utterly heartless and used her little phoenix to exchange for rice, causing the little phoenix immense suffering. Thinking of this, she wanted to tear Wu Shang apart right now.
Seeing the hostility on Lan Zhi's face, which seemed to be more than just jealousy, Si Xitong realized that Lan Zhi might know more than just jealousy. Perhaps she knew something else.
She said, "But why do you harbor such deep hostility towards him?"
"I don't know how to say it," Xie Lanzhi said in a complicated tone. "Anyway, I don't have a good opinion of this person. Not because of me, but because of how he treats you."
Xie Lanzhi felt that her hints were already quite obvious.
This ancient matriarch of the Yelü clan will inevitably decline sooner or later; otherwise, Wu Shang wouldn't have sold Little Phoenix for a stutter.
Thinking of this, Xie Lanzhi's eyes turned cold. She quickly said, "Perhaps I'm overthinking it."
Si Xitong didn't miss the coldness in her eyes. Since Lanzhi didn't like it, then she would let go. No one was more important than her wife.
As for strategy, it doesn't necessarily have to be developed through the Wushang side. Just contact Wu Yuejun directly.
The two gradually dropped the topic. However, during their conversation, Si Xitong inadvertently revealed that the newly built state guesthouse housed foreign envoys and dignitaries from various countries.
The new Tianjing is now like a prime location, attracting powerful and influential people to move here. Si Xitong welcomes all comers, whether they're doing business or exchanging favors. Every step she takes is perfectly calculated.
After their walk, Xie Lanzhi escorted Si Xitong to Jianzhang Palace. She knew she still had a lot of official business to attend to.
"Little Phoenix, an eight-hour workday is fine," Xie Lanzhi reminded her. "Any longer and you'll see me for an hour less, and hear fewer of my sweet words. If you stay up late or work all night, it means you're missing out on sleeping with me for one less night in every day and night of your life."
"One night may be very little, but over time, in a cycle, we may miss hundreds or thousands of nights in our lifetime."
Si Xitong's expression suddenly darkened: ......
She took it seriously.
In truth, Xie Lanzhi only said that so that Si Xitong could have a balance between work and rest. After saying that, she returned to Lanzhang Palace without a care in the world, leaving Si Xitong with a sullen face, biting her lip, calculating her losses.
So much so that when Zhang Changle came to report, he didn't dare look up at Si Xitong. With each piece of news he reported, he began to doubt whether he had done a good job. Until his master asked what time it was and how many hours had passed?
The scribe beside her tallied the four hours. Si Xitong then decided that this would be the standard time for ending court sessions thereafter. As for information delays, efficiency, and so on, she needed more talented people to solve these problems.
Since Xie Guang's departure, the Grand Council has been left with only Wu Qiu, Li Ling, and Wei Zhao, the Minister of Works. Wei Zhao usually oversees the Ministry of Works and rarely comes there.
Since the birth of his grandson, Master Sibo has semi-retired. In the head pavilion, only Wu Qiu and Li Ling remain to issue orders. The others simply need to follow orders.
In addition, Si Xitong ordered a reform of information flow. Si Bogong suggested that more post stations be built in various places, since the roads in Tianjing were so well-maintained that travel back and forth would be quick and there was no need to worry.
But it's different in other places. The farther away, the harder it is to manage.
Lord Sibo was worried about not having enough manpower, so he hoped to transfer Xie Shangguang and Marquis Shi'an Si Qinian from Bingzhou. It would also be best to transfer Marquis Luping to Tianjing as well.
Wu Qiu supports Xie Shangguang's appointment. Li Ling also hopes Si Xinian will come. Now that the Fourth Prince poses no threat to His Highness, the ministers no longer dare to support him. Therefore, the time has come to appoint him.
As for private projects, Si Bogong thought of the businesswoman from the Shi State Mansion, Sun Mei.
After that businesswoman arrived in Tianjing, she was greeted by a flood of guests. It seems she has a wide network of connections.
Si Bogong recommended this person to Si Xitong.
Si Xitong immediately hired Sun Mei and started the road construction project.
Meanwhile, Xie Lanzhi wasn't idle either. There were no capable people left in the Xie family. Furthermore, the Xie family's morale had recently plummeted. Some were already hoping to invite Xie Guang back to the Xie family.
Xie Lanzhi went to Xie Guang's house carrying the wishes of these people.
Mrs. Wang seemed somewhat flattered. She asked a neighbor to call her husband back.
Xie Guang was still guarding the gate of the Ziguang Hall. Recently, people from various countries claiming to be princes or nobles had been coming to seek refuge with him. Seeing his arrogant demeanor, Xie Guang could only endure it.
Later, a theft case happened, which exposed a notorious bandit who had impersonated a prince and sought refuge in Jiujin. They then raided the bandit's home and discovered 200,000 taels of gold and silver.
The money was immediately deposited into the national treasury. Then the official rewarded him with a bag of rice. The rest were silver, cloth, and other valuables.
Xie Guang was a little annoyed, but he could only accept it. He knew that this was Shangguan deliberately tormenting him. That's how it is for people at the bottom; they have to live by the nose.
It wasn't until his neighbor finally found him after several transfers in carriages that he was told that a very important person had come to his residence.
Xie Guang's superior immediately released him and even presented him with a bolt of silk. Xie Guang seemed somewhat flattered, wondering who it could be. Could it be his third brother, Xie Xia?
Just as Xie Guang was happily returning home, he saw the marshal helping him fetch water in the courtyard.
The burly man suddenly burst into tears, his snot and tears streaming down his face, startling Xie Lanzhi so much that she dropped the bucket.
After Xie Guang had finished crying, Madam Wang went to the kitchen to prepare some side dishes.
He finally calmed himself down and sat on the stool, fidgeting restlessly, just like a student being randomly selected for a lesson.
Xie Lanzhi raised her glass to him and said, "It's been almost a year since we last saw each other."
"Marshal, I heard you were injured in Weidu. Perhaps you shouldn't drink." Xie Guang raised his glass and carefully clinked it against hers.
Xie Lanzhi drank it all in one gulp. She put down her cup and watched as Madam Wang placed a plate of cured meat in front of her. Then she turned and left.
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 19:47:32 on February 8, 2022 and 19:46:57 on February 9, 2022!
Thank you to the little angels who threw landmines: 30517382 and Hongyan (1 each);
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Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 200 Rivals are always eyeing each other with intense hatred.
She said, "Madam Wang, please sit down as well."
"Perfect timing, I have two things to inform you."
Madam Wang wiped her hands and sat down next to Xie Lanzhi, looking somewhat reserved.
Xie Lanzhi smiled and said, "You must have all heard about what happened in Weidu."
Xie Ying suffered greatly in Weidu and almost died. Fortunately, she was lucky enough to not only find the treasury but also help Xie Lanzhi eliminate An Shan. If Xie Ying hadn't thrown silver at An Shan, Xie Lanzhi wouldn't have been able to get rid of An Shan so quickly. She might have had to pay an even higher price to deal with this executioner.
Xie Lanzhi told Xie Guang about the petition from the Xie clan.
Xie Guang fell silent. Logically, this should have been a good thing for him. There was a war going on outside, and he was a skilled commander; he might even be reinstated. Anyone would have tried to do that.
Or accept it on the spot.
Perhaps someone from the Xie family had hurt him too deeply. Or perhaps it was something else. The lives of those 30,000 people were something Xie Guang couldn't get over.
He used to be a high-ranking general, free to act without considering the desires or demands of the common people. He only cared about those in front of him. Now, he's a commoner, having served as a city general for only a year, witnessing the fickleness of human nature. Actually, he's quite lucky. At least the marshal didn't drive him out of Tianjing.
Once he leaves Tianjing, his remains might not even be found. Not to mention, there's now a chance of him being reinstated. His daughter has also rejoined the army.
Actually, he thinks things are fine as they are now.
Faced with Xie Guang's silence, Xie Lanzhi expressed her understanding and said she would give him more time to consider. As for the house, she had already bought a courtyard house for them near Sibogong.
Mrs. Wang usually lives alone at home, and is physically weak, so her personal safety is a concern.
Xie Lanzhi said, "Madam, you will move there from now on. That is the district under Xie Ying's jurisdiction."
Madam Wang looked at her husband; in fact, she wanted to go, at least to see her daughter.
Xie Guang said, "Madam, you go first. I'll go home every now and then when I'm not on official business."
Madam Wang's eyes reddened, and she said with some reluctance, "The Marshal is right, you should still think about it."
"A true man should never have no opportunity to use his talents."
"Isn't this how you usually teach Ying'er? How come you do it differently when it comes to yourself..."
Xie Guang could only silently pour the wine. Seeing that the old married couple had something to say, Xie Lanzhi took her leave first.