"Hmph!" E Yufang slapped the case fiercely and glared at the two people on his left and right: "Which of you did this? You haven't brought it here."

The two men hurriedly left the case and fell to the ground to plead guilty: "I deserve death for my crime!"

"You dare to take responsibility and don't shirk, okay!" E Yufang squinted his eyes and said word by word: "You two are fighting to the death in the court, and you are quite united in harming the country and the people. Tell me! Why?

Making adulterated cake gold?"

"Your Majesty, this matter is my minister's idea and has nothing to do with others." Prime Minister E shook his gray beard and said with a sigh of relief: "I am in charge of the treasury, military resources and national expenditures. The war to exterminate the enemy has consumed a huge amount of money.

During the war preparations, the army used military formations to conduct military formations, and had to consume seven to eight hundred kilograms of copper every day. Therefore, during the First World War, the country's accumulated copper materials for several years were all lost. The state treasury was already empty, and there was no surplus.

Want more money to buy salt? I have no choice but to do this."

"My son is also involved in this matter." Prince E said calmly: "My son knows that the losses in the army are huge. In order to avoid leakage, the prime minister does not allow the palace craftsmen to make gold cakes for fear that the matter will be exposed. It is my son who enabled me.

This batch of gold cakes made by the military weapons foundry was decided upon by the ministers and the prime minister, and was only intended to support our country in this difficult time, with no other intention."

Now it was the turn of Ehou Yufang who couldn't sit still. He straightened up and leaned forward and asked: "How is it possible? Is our Eguo's treasury actually in such a state? Didn't we seize all its treasury after the extermination of the enemy?"

Why are you so embarrassed?"

"Your Majesty." Prime Minister E's old voice was trembling: "The beauty who built the palace in Zhen and bought out the Qianlu Pavilion has squandered all the treasury of the country. We still have to transfer food and supplies from our own treasury.

To appease the hearts of the people of Fan, this consumption is even greater than fighting a war. Due to the war, the homeland of Fan needs to reduce taxes for at least two years before it can produce anything!"

When E Yufang heard this, he felt his temples buzzing. He managed to put his elbows on the table and murmured in a low voice: "In this way, you came up with a way to adulterate the cake gold to tide over the difficulties.

?Haha, this is great. The salt road is cut off. Will the price of salt in our country skyrocket and the common people will lose their minds?"

"Your Majesty, don't be impatient!" E Yun, who had been prone for a moment, finally got the chance to speak: "Although the Jimo salt market accounts for 80% of the world's salt market, Qi salt has left Qi territory, can the Tang family's agreement still be maintained?

"

"You mean -------" E Yufang frowned.

"I have been traveling on trade routes for many years, and I know very well that Luoyi is the place where all kinds of goods are distributed in the world. Qi Yan passes through here to go south to Jianghan, and to the west to Hangu, which is also a hub. I am willing to go to Luoyi to collect salt for our Hubei.

The state reopens the salt road." E Yun generously requested the order.

"No!" Ehou Yufang said flatly: "You have been expelled from the Jimo Salt Society and cannot appear in this profession again. Your Majesty!"

"My son is here!"

"You quickly handed over the affairs and went to Luoyi to reopen the salt road to atone for your past sins. But there was a mistake, huh!"

Everyone can hear the pronunciation of these words: But there is a mistake, this prince should move his seat. Prince E was covered in cold sweat, lowered his head and replied: "Promise, I will definitely live up to my mission."

In the Qi Palace in Linzi, a small banquet was being held for Rongyi, the envoy of King Haojing. Qiwu Marquis Lu Shou enthusiastically raised the barbarian to encourage him to drink, but Rongyi did not refuse, and he was already a little tipsy as he pushed the cup and changed the cup.

"This is Donghai's Chao Chicken, specially prepared for His Majesty the King. Please try a chopstick." Lu Shou said, pointing to a bronze tripod on the table in Xinduan.

Rongyi looked down and saw a steaming steamed chicken in a bronze cauldron on the table. The fine charcoal at the foot of the cauldron was glowing with bright red flames. There was also a cauldron of oily and bright red stewed dates. He chuckled and said, "The name of the East China Sea is Chaoji, this name is interesting and tight, I wonder what the significance is?"

Lu Shou chuckled: "This chicken is born on the coast of the East China Sea. It is commonly known as the long-crowing chicken. Its cry is clear and ear-piercing. One song can penetrate the roar of the sea tide. However, this chicken does not crow at the turn of dusk and dawn, but only when the sea tide rises. It crows continuously with the sound of the tide, so we all call it the Tide Chicken of the East China Sea."

"The world is so vast, how can there be such a strange chicken?" Rong Yi was very surprised.

"The Donghai Chao Chicken is steamed in a copper cauldron. Its meat is as fresh as fish and as clear as bamboo shoots. It is a delicious meat for vegetarians."

"Such miraculous things must be extremely difficult to find."

"There are three difficulties in getting this chicken.

." Lu Shou lightly knocked on the desk: "First, the mountains are high and the rivers are dangerous, and it is so far away that no one can reach the shore of the East China Sea. Second, it is difficult to catch. This chicken is half home and half wild. When the tide is high, it flies to the coast and crows. At night, when the tide is about to recede, the cries are particularly high-pitched and sad. Only when caught at this time can the chickens be completely different from ordinary chickens. Thirdly, it is difficult to raise. Tide-calling chickens cannot be away from the sea for more than ten days, otherwise they will become hoarse and die. .”

"So, this chicken has just been shipped back?" Rong Yi was a little surprised.

"I learned about the king's envoy's whereabouts and took the time to transport him back from the East China Sea. Today is the sixth day since the king's envoy left the sea."

After being silent for a long time, Rong Yi sighed with emotion: "The Marquis of Qi is so attentive. It seems that it will be a blessing for Princess Bo Ji to marry into the Qi Palace."

As soon as the words fell, the huge hall suddenly felt like a bucket of cold water was poured on the head. Everyone remained silent and only focused on shaking chopsticks. Rongyi didn't care, he carefully tore off a piece of chicken from the cauldron, closed his eyes and gently put it in his mouth. Inside, he chewed it gently. Suddenly, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Oh, it's really delicious."

After all, he is the king's envoy. Besides, the marriage with the Zhou royal family was decided by Lu Bushan, the Marquis of Qi. Lu Shou agreed to it on the bedside of his father before his death. It was impossible not to accept this. Lu Shou still insisted. Scalp picked up the conversation: "I heard that Princess Boji was pregnant last year. I wanted to send an envoy to discuss the wedding date, but the royal envoy arrived first. How about asking a fortune teller to divine the auspicious date?"

"The wedding date will come in autumn. According to my opinion, if the wedding is not to be completed this autumn, please send envoys to Haojing to welcome the bride. The emperor will divine the date of the wedding in order to wait for the husband and wife to be harmonious and prosperous."

"Easy to say, easy to say. Just follow what the envoy said." The smile on Lu Shou's face lasted for a long time, and his muscles felt a little sore.

"Your Majesty—" A tender cry, accompanied by the sound of jingling rings and the smell of fragrance, a tall, tall, and beautiful woman entered the palace. She was seen wearing a scarlet dress inlaid with gold. Wearing brocade clothes, a big hairpin with five phoenixes and Chaoyang gold threads and beads and a ruby ​​on the head, earrings with red coral and red gold tassels, and a pair of red gold necklaces and red treasure lock necklaces hanging on the chest. Snow-white oval face A pair of big eyes, bright and looking, seeming happy and angry at the same time.

Rong Yi knew in his heart that this was probably the Dang girl who caused the two cousins ​​to quarrel. On such an occasion, the palace family should not come without being summoned, but this girl was so careless, and Lu was present. No one in the clan looked surprised, it seemed like he was very favored in the harem.

Dang Mengzheng gave the blessing first and confessed his crime: "Your Majesty hosted a banquet for the king's envoys, and I shouldn't have come to show off my shame. But I heard that I came here for the wedding of the king and the princess of the Zhou Dynasty, and I live in the deep palace.

My companion, I am really overjoyed, and Qing'er is a little uncomfortable, so I would like to ask the king to wait and take a look."

What? Rong Yi felt a shiver in his heart. Now that the concubine has given birth to his eldest son, it seems that Princess Boji will be able to bear the marriage.

"What's wrong with Qing'er?" Lu Shou was obviously very concerned when he heard this.

"Oh, it's nothing. It's just that she vomited milk again. This child eats too much and often chokes."

"After that, I will go back to the palace to have a look."

The two of them were answering one-on-one as if no one was there. The chamberlain on the side felt rude and deliberately cleared his throat. Only then did Lu Shou come back to his senses and pointed at Rongyi and said, "This is the lecture by the servant of Emperor Haojing on reading Rong."

Mr. Yi, why don’t you show your respects quickly?”

Dang Mengyi walked down the stairs, bowed to Rongyi Yingying, and said with a smile: "I have heard of Mr. Sir's name for a long time, and it is like thunder in my ears. Seeing him today is a comfort to my life."

"I dare not accept your wife's praise, Rong Yi is ashamed."

"Princess Boji is about to marry into the Qi Palace, and she and I will become sisters. I have something to give to you as a token of my sincerity. Please pass it on to me sir." Dang Mengli waved his hand as if he were the first to come, and the maid next to him waved his hand.

A tray was presented, and inside the brocade box carved with red sandalwood was a box full of huge East beads, each one plump, round and bright.

"This is a clam pearl produced in the East China Sea. It is also a gift from your Majesty on weekdays. I am just borrowing flowers to offer to the Buddha. Please transfer it to Princess Bo Ji, Sir, so as not to appear vulgar." Dang Mengyu took the bead box with both hands and raised it to Rongyi.

Under the nose, it would be impossible for him not to respond.

"Madam, this is very inappropriate. I forgive Rongyi for not obeying your order." Rongyi's attitude was indifferent but firm.

"Oh? What's wrong?" Dang Mengzhui was obviously very unhappy at the sudden rejection.

"Marriage matters depend on the orders of parents and kings, and the words of matchmakers. Before the official date of marriage, an unmarried daughter cannot give or receive private gifts from her husband's family. Since the wife has entered the Qi Palace, she is also a member of her husband's family, and the gifts can be

Including it in your Majesty's betrothal gift can also show your lady's sincerity. However, if Rong Yi accepts this gift, it will damage the princess's good reputation. I hope my lady will understand clearly."

These words were polite and dignified, and they also vaguely refer to various aspects of Dang Mengxu's concubine status and the unruly path he took to enter the Qi Palace. Even though Dang Mengxu was favored, at this time,

Unconsciously, I felt like there was a light on my back. I couldn't hold the bead box and put it down. I couldn't send it out, which was very embarrassing.

It was the Marquis of Qi Lu Shou who broke the awkward atmosphere. He waved his hand and the chamberlain stepped forward to take the bead box, turned around the screen and left. Dang Mengxu concealed his anger and reluctantly said: "Sir, please use it slowly, concubine."

I have to go back to the palace to take care of Qing'er, so I won't accompany you."

"Madam, walk slowly!"

Rong Yi said this, but his heart was full of murmurs: It seems that this is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Princess Boji's fate depends on her ability and luck. But it's okay, if she goes well in Qi Palace,

I won’t rely on my mother’s family anymore. This is just right.

Starting from May of the seventh year of King Zhou Li, a heavy rain plunged the entire Luo River Valley into the vast haze. The old rain was a continuous rain. "Zuo Zhuan" says: "Every rain will last for three days."
Chapter completed!