Thirty-three, the Marquis has many happy events

Li Yu issued an order to the Honglu Temple and formally appointed Zhou Xuan as the Marquis of Xinzhou. He was a second-ranked person with a fief of 1,000 households and hereditary 1,400 mu of Yongye land.

Zhou Xuan felt a lot of emotion: "I finally have fields, and if I have fields, I have roots. One thousand four hundred acres, it's so big. My buddy has become a landlord. Haha, I promised Lai Fu to let him have a peasant wife, mountain springs, and some fields, and now I can cash it out."

The eunuch reported: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is here."

Li Jian stepped inside, first greeted his father and mother, admired Zhou Xuan's paintings, and exclaimed a few words. When he learned that Zhou Xuan was granted the title of Marquis of Xinzhou, he was overjoyed and said repeatedly: "Congratulations to cousin Xuan, when his cousin moved to the Marquis' Mansion, I must come to ask for a glass of wine."

After Li Yu returned to Zichen Palace, Zhou Xuan talked with Xiao Zhou Queen for a while. Zhou Xuan was knowledgeable and spoke in a funny way. He casually picked a few short stories from "Yuwei Caotang Notes". The queen, prince, eunuch, and palace maid in the Nanshu study all listened with relish, and even the sulking Princess Qingle listened with tilt.

The young Zhouhou Fengyan was very happy and said, "Nephew Xuan will go to the palace to chat with his aunt in the future. Ajian will pass on the will of this palace and give the Xinzhou Hou Zhou Xuan to inspect the fish talisman, so that he can enter and exit the palace freely, and the Jinwu Guard will not be investigated and blocked."

Seeing that it was not early, Li Jian said, "Mother, cousin Xuan still has to play chess at night. Yesterday, he lost to Huang Xingjian by half a son, which is a pity."

Xiao Zhouhou smiled and said, "It's my fault. I asked Nephew Xuan to paint a portrait for a day yesterday. It's very hard. Jian'er, please send your cousin Xuan out of the palace - Nephew Xuan. If you have time, go to the palace to spend more time with your aunt."

After Zhou Xuan resigned, he and the Crown Prince Li Jian came out of the "Hua'e Xianghui Tower". The two walked slowly, talking about the Tang people's wealth and poverty. Zhou Xuan said: "I thought about it for a long time last night. It is imperative to increase taxes and labor services, but we must proceed step by step. I have a suggestion, isn't the Tang Dynasty a lot of wealthy businessmen? These merchants often have millions of wealth and are suffering from low status. If the court issued an order to allow merchants to pay tribute and donate officials, it would be just a false title. For example, donating 100,000 taels of silver to an eighth-rank official, it is estimated that it will take less than ten months, and the treasury can collect millions of silver."

Zhou Xuan wanted to implement the later donation system for hundreds of years in advance. Li Jian felt whimsical and hesitated: "Although this idea is good, it is afraid it will be difficult to implement. The two prime ministers of Dongtai and Xitai cannot be approved. Merchants have always been the last of the four people. Letting merchants become officials will surely cause great criticism from scholars, farmers and workers."

Zhou Xuan shook his head and said, "It is so difficult for the Tang Dynasty to implement a government order? If this doesn't work, then it won't work. When the northern troops go south and wars are everywhere, it will be too late to regret it."

Li Jian sighed: "The father is concerned about inaction and governance, the law is loose, and the people are used to being distracted. It is still difficult to reverse it at this time. Moreover, if I try my best to implement the new policy, Li Kun and his party will take the opportunity to restrain and win people's hearts."

Zhou Xuan said: "Most people follow the crowd and follow the trend. We must find ways to manipulate public opinion and guide the people. I have an idea. Don't Tang State have a mansion report? We must expand its circulation, not only to officials, but also to ordinary people. It is not possible to rely on hand-copying. Using printing technology, print tens of thousands of copies, and all the thirty-six states of the Tang State will distribute the content. As for the content, it is to analyze the situation of various countries, let the Tang State know the situation of the country, and advocate that 'the rise and fall of the country is responsible for every man'—"

Li Jian praised: "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the country, and cousin Xuan said it very well!"

Zhou Xuan smiled and continued, "With such a public opinion basis, it will be much easier to implement the new tax system. As for the matter of asking merchants to donate officials, this can set a model. After the news of the mansion is out, if a merchant donates huge sums of money to the treasury in a timely manner, shouldn't such a patriotic businessman be particularly honored? No one should object to the imperial court awarded an eighth-rank official title. Since the precedent is set, it will be easier to donate officials in the future."

Li Jian said: "The businessman did not know in advance that there was an official, so how could he donate this huge amount of money? It would be difficult to wait for such a businessman."

Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "Brother Jian, you don't have to worry about this. You know my Hu Shang friend Abu. He is rich and has a loyal and patriotic heart. I will do this for him for the first time, so that the merchants who donate silver will line up in the future."

Li Jian was overjoyed and held Zhou Xuan's hand and said, "The wisdom of cousin Xuan is really Guan Zhong. Zhuge is hard to reach. I will go to handle this matter immediately. Di Bao is in charge of the Secretariat. Lord Qi Zhangqi has a good relationship with me. If it is Wei Xuan from the Secretariat, it will take another twists and turns."

Zhou Xuan said: "This mansion is aimed at ordinary people. The words should be as easy to understand as possible. Don't talk too much. You should start from the things that the people care about. For example, compared with the Northern Song Dynasty, Southern Han Dynasty, Wu Yue countries, the people of the Tang Dynasty lived the best life. To let the people understand this, compare it, to maintain such a happy life, you have to make some efforts."

Li Jian nodded repeatedly, and was about to go to the Secretariat for excitement. Zhou Xuan grabbed him and asked, "Brother Jian, what's going on with Princess Qingle? I had a fight with me in Nanshu Room."

Li Jian was shocked and said, "Huozhu quarreled with you? Cousin Xuan took care of her. Huozhu didn't do this before. Since she married Liu Shousu, the crown prince of the Southern Han Dynasty, her temper has become worse and worse. There is no way. She was born in the imperial family and sometimes she is not as free as the ordinary people."

Zhou Xuan suddenly said, "Your Highness the Princess is pitiful, but it is not good to take your anger on others. Brother Jian also wants to persuade her."

Li Jian smiled bitterly and said, "Huozhu doesn't listen to me, but Li Kun, who is good at sweet words, and he is deceived by him in the palace."

Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "So that's it. Brother Jian, please go and go. I will go back to Fenghua Military Palace and I will play chess tonight."

Zhou Xuan returned to the shore of Mochou Lake. Judge Fan and Chief Gu were also very well-informed. He knew that Zhou Xuan was granted a title of marquis. He came to congratulate him and changed his name to "Marquis of the Kingdom, Marquis, Marquis of Zhou".

The Sun brothers had moved here and said with a smile: "The title of marquis and the destruction of enemies is the two great pleasures of life. Brother Zhou met them all in one day, which is really gratifying."

Wei Jue's strange death has spread throughout the Beijing residence. The Sun brothers heard about this at noon and shouted happily and toasted repeatedly.

Sanchi came over and whispered: "Master, the fake mother of 'Meixianglou' was sent to the Dali Temple's Criminal Prison Office for questioning and was released on the same day. At present, Dali Temple is sending people to investigate the traces of the two missing women of 'Meixianglou'."

Zhou Xuan nodded and said, "I understand." He returned to Meixiang Xiaoyuan and went up the second floor to meet Niannu.

Niannu was talking to Yang Xiaopin, and she was basically talking. Yang Xiaopin just nodded and shook her head. Yang Xiaopin's pure beauty made Niannu feel ashamed of himself, and he was even more grateful for being able to enter the Zhou sect. When he saw Zhou Xuan coming in, he quickly saluted and said, "Master", and he didn't dare to yell "Young Master Qicha, Youth Master Zhou Qicha".

Yang Xiaopin was still the same, just politely, looked at Zhou Xuan deeply, and sat down, as quiet as a secluded orchid.

Zhou Xuan asked: "Niannu, can you recognize the person who would have you on the Qinhuai River that day?"

Niannu said, "I recognize it, it's Mr. Wei from Hongzhou."

Zhou Xuan nodded and said, "Well, he is the son of the Zhennan Jiedushi. He died yesterday."

Yang Xiaopin raised his head, his beautiful eyes full of surprise.

"Die?" Nian Nu said in shock: "How did you die?"

Zhou Xuan said lightly: "Of course he was killed. According to the people on Wei Jue's ship, a woman named Lin Ning took away Mr. Wei. Lin Ning had been singing in the 'Meixianglou' for several days."

Nian Nu looked at Zhou Xuan calmly and thought to himself: "Lin Ning is Ningning. Didn't you and your subordinates knocked down the night before yesterday? Later, he disappeared. The master now said that Ningning killed Wei Jue. What does this mean?"

Niannu is a smart person. The more he thinks about it, the more he becomes, the more he is afraid. He kneels down and says, "Please save Niannu."

Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "It's good that you understand. Don't worry, you won't have anything to do. Since you enter my Zhou Sect, I have to protect you, otherwise what will I do if I become this marquis! You can change your name to Nian Nujiao for the time being, the name of the Qupai, haha."

Niannu let go of his heart: "Thank you the master to give me a name."

Zhou Xuan touched Yang Xiaopin's little hand, went downstairs and went to play chess with Sanchi and Sichi to the Imperial College.

This is the eighth round of the Lantern Festival chess battle. The Fenghua Army is against the chess players of Zhennan Protectorate, leading Lai Xiushan, who is ranked ninth among the 18 chess players. He was only a small loss in Huang Xingjian and defeated Wu Weinan, who was ranked seventh. He was strong, but Wei Jue's death obviously affected the chess players of Zhennan Army. Lai Xiushan lost to Zhou Xuan first, and the third chess players also lost to Sanchi, and only two defeated Sichi, and Fenghua Army defeated Zhennan Army two to one.

When Zhou Xuan left the Imperial College, the judge of Zhennan Protectorate came out and said, "Zhou Xuan, stop."

Zhou Xuan said coldly: "Did you call Zhou Xuan? Are you offending Shangguan? Do you know?"

The judge asked angrily: "What kind of Shangguan are you? I only know that Mr. Wei's death is inseparable from you. Did that Lin Ning be bribed by you?"

Judge Fan, who was waiting for Zhou Xuan to return together, heard the quarrel and walked over and sneered: "Judge Zhu, this is the newly appointed Marquis of Xinzhou by His Majesty. He is from the second rank, and the position of the judge is from the fourth rank. Why don't you offend Shangguan? Why don't you apologize to Marquis Zhou?"

"Marquis of Xinzhou!" The judge of Zhu, the Zhennan Protectorate, was shocked. Wei Jue died untimely. He was a judge, and it was impossible for Wei Bo to blame him for losing his head. So he wanted to find the murderer as soon as possible and give an explanation to Wei Bo. He was puzzled by Lin Ning's turn against him. The only explanation was that the woman was bought by Zhou Xuan. Instead of killing Zhou Xuan, he killed Wei Jue. Therefore, he proposed to the Dali Temple Minister to arrest Zhou Xuan, but was rejected. It turned out that Zhou Xuan was granted the title of Marquis. Zhou Xuan was the nephew of the queen. Isn't it normal to be a Marquis? There is no other way. He had to wait for Wei Dupu to deal with this matter himself. How could he fight with the Marquis of the State?

Judge Zhu said, "The subordinate is reckless." He retreated in shame.

Judge Fan whispered: "Mr. Marquis, you must get rid of the roots. Although Wei Jue died, Marquis is still in trouble. Only the Marquis's Jiedushi Yi Ren can rest assured."

Zhou Xuan knew that Judge Fan believed that he had eliminated Wei Jue, so he said, "Wei Bo colluded with the Southern Han Falcons and had long been determined to rebel. Once Wei Jue died, if Wei Bo came to Jinling, he would be punished."

Judge Fan was secretly surprised by Zhou Xuan's methods, such as playing chess, which was linked together. Wei Bo was not separated from Hongzhou, so there was no way to deal with him, but if he came to Jinling for the death of his son, it would be much easier to deal with him. He said, "Wei Bo has a close relationship with King Jing, so it is not easy to move him."

Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "King Jing is still on his way to Chengdu, and he has not been able to come back for a month. Judge Zhu quickly reported the news. Wei Bo will go directly to Jinling by water. I don't need half a month. Wei Bo will arrive in Jinling. I believe that the Eastern Palace is willing to take this opportunity to establish his authority, and can cut off King Jing's wings and kill two birds with one stone. Why not do it?"

Marquis Zhou was far-sighted and planned, and Judge Fan was only admired. However, Ms. Fan still had something to worry about, saying: "Marty, Marquis Lin, Majesty, intends to send the second lady to the East Palace. Yesterday, the Empress also summoned the second lady, but there was no movement. Marquis and the Empress are close relatives, so what if you have a shortcut to say something to the Empress?"

Zhou Xuan thought to himself, "It's weird if I can make a suggestion!" He said, "Don't worry, Lord Fan, I will find an opportunity to mention it. The second lady will become the imperial concubine in the future. If you are lucky, you may become the queen. Then I will become the queen's brother, so beautiful!"

Judge Fan smiled and said, "Yes, yes."

When they returned to the shore of Mochou Lake, they went back to their residences. Zhou Xuan went to his room and saw that the small bed had been moved away. Xiao Qiu was frightened by his big belly. He held his stomach all day and was worried, fearing that his stomach would get bigger after sleeping with his son-in-law for a night. When he heard Zhou Xuan come back, he quickly came out to serve Zhou Xuan to wash up.

Zhou Xuan is so happy that he takes a bath almost every day. The little girl used to hand in bath towels and clothes, but she didn't avoid it. Now she is stretching out her hands when handing over things, and she tries to stay away as much as possible.

Zhou Xuan looked funny and comforted her and said, "Don't worry, it doesn't matter if you only sleep for one night. Look at my son-in-law, Que'er and Miss Shine'er. It's only one older after so many days, right? Okay, don't be frowning. I'll take you to Miss Lin's place to have tea and listen to the piano tomorrow night. It's very fun. Go to bed early now."

The little girl got happy and went back to her room to fall asleep.

Zhou Xuan felt that today was a good day, and he had a title, and he won again. The enemy died. Will there be another happy event and be more happy?
Chapter completed!