“Laoye, this is the news from the palace.” The servant walked behind Liu Liu with a stooped back, delivering a letter with both hands.

Liu Liu, dressed in his regular robes, stretched out his hand to take the letter. He had his own eyes in the palace. As an official now, who hadn’t planted a few people in the palace?

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After reading the letter, Liu Liu laughed: “The Emperor is a romantic man, and he actually still has the inclination to play keeping a mistress in a golden house.”

The servant was Liu Liu’s old servant who had followed him for a long time. He looked very simple and honest, but he had a clever head. He knew what could be asked and what could not be asked. At this time, he also showed a smiling face: “The Emperor is young, at the age where one likes to have fun.”

“Don’t know which Niangniang has such a good fate.”

Liu Liu sneered: “If she is a Niangniang, would she still have sent this letter to me? What can be said about those things in the palace?”

The old servant was a little surprised: “If it isn’t a Niangniang, then could she be a palace maid? This…..”

Since ancient times, there was no lack of palace maids being promoted to be part of the emperor’s harem, but Han Lin’er was different. The women in his harem were almost all chosen by Liu Futong. Him pampering a palace maid, wasn’t that slapping Liu Futong’s face?

“That palace maid has some ability.” Liu Liu walked into the house, burned the letter, and said, “Although she has no status, she is able to be by the emperor’s side, and even the imperial study room she can enter and leave at will. Forget about the Empress, even Noble Consort Li can’t match her. If she is a fool, then fine, but if she is a fool, how can she win over the Emperor?”

The old servant said: “In the end, it is a matter of the harem, which has nothing to do with the imperial court, moreover it will not be in the way of Laoye’s business.”

Liu Liu: “This is not the case. The imperial court and the harem have always been interconnected. The affairs of the Emperor have never been divided into family affairs and national affairs. Everything can be considered family affairs.”

The old servant didn’t understand: “What does Laoye mean?”

Liu Liu smiled and said, “That palace maid’s surname is An. She is the younger sister of a minor official in the north of the city. She has no father and no mother. Only her elder brother and sister-in-law are alive. If I can recruit her brother and sister-in-law before anyone else, wouldn’t I have complete control of her?”

The old servant understood: “Laoye is wise! Laoye is wise!”

“So go prepare the gift for me and send it to the An family. Also set up a table at the Hongyun Restaurant, and invite that palace maid’s brother to the restaurant.” Liu Liu, “She is by the emperor’s side, and naturally knows the emperor’s movements better than others, know more than others, and naturally there will be more benefits.”

Although Han Lin’er had no real power, no officials were willing to offend him either. After all, Han Lin’er was young, and Liu Futong’s advanced age was also a fact. When Liu Futong died, Han Lin’er would inevitably regain power. At that time, all officials would have to once again find their positions.

Liu Liu didn’t want to wait until that time to find a way out.

An Laosi was shocked when he learned that Liu Liu had invited him for a drink and he was in a state of extreme excitement all day long. He and his wife had been in Anfeng for too long. After staying for so long, they still had not yet made any progress and he didn’t even know what to write in the reports sent to Lin Yuan. An Laosi had been working as a minor official and all the money he brought before were all used up in bribery and getting things in order, so now he really depended on his salary for a living.

Lady An was doing well socializing with the women of nearby families, and she also took up some needlework to subsidize the family.

An Laosi had been depressed for a long time. He tried to look for ways everywhere, but when it came to the interests of others, the routes he could find were very limited.

He believed that he could climb up by his own ability, but time waited for no one, he didn’t have the time to do things gradually.

Liu Liu’s invitation gave him a boost of energy.

An Laosi’s depression was swept away instantly and he said to his wife: “This is probably Hong Xiu’s credit.”

Lady An said worriedly: “Don’t know how she is doing in the palace. She hadn’t sent a letter back for many days. Before there would at least be the occasional oral message to tell us that she is safe and well in the palace.”

An Laosi: ​​”Believe me, the South Bodhisattva has definitely not forgotten Anfeng, he will attack here in the next year at the latest.”

Lady An: “And how do you know?”

An Laosi smiled and said in a low voice, “You don’t understand people like the South Bodhisattva.”

“In the eyes of people like them, everything in the world belongs to him.” An Laosi said, “So what he wants, he must get in his hands. Now that the imperial court has barely any strength left to hold up against a single blow, and the South Bodhisattva has also taken Hanyang, Anfeng is the last stumbling block.”

Lady An: “You go and sound it out, that Liu Liu is looking for you, it must be because of Hong Xiu. If Hong Xiu has the favor of Han Lin’er, then that’s fine, but if she has caused trouble…..”

An Laosi: ​​”Don’t worry, if she really caused a serious incident, it would not be Liu Liu who comes to me. At this time, the government soldiers should have us surrounded. Oh you, you are at a loss the more concerned you are.”

Lady An smiled: “Yes, I actually forgot about this.”

An Laosi changed his clothes and went directly to the restaurant Liu Liu spoke of.

This restaurant could be regarded as the most luxurious restaurant in Anfeng. The people who come to dine here were either high-ranking officials or wealthy merchants. They wore silk and satin and ate expensive delicacies.

An Laosi felt a little amused.

They rebelled against the Yuan Dynasty, and they talked about finding justice for the common people of the world. But now that they were in power, how were they any different from the Yuan Dynasty?

Those high-sounding words were in fact, just a way to seek one’s own interests.

“Brother An has come.” Liu Liu was a capable person, able to advance and retreat when necessary. He was even willing to call a minor official like An Laosi brother. Liu Liu smiled, “I have heard of brother An’s name before. You are a capable official and I had always wanted to see you, but unfortunately I have been busy with government affairs, and only now have the free time to do so.”

An Laosi looked very flattered, he tried hard to act as an ordinary minor official who was narrow-minded and short-sighted. He laughed: “This, I, you really praise me too much! It’s all part of my duties! Much thanks to Lord Liu for thinking so highly, this humble one is really, really…..”

As he was talking, his eyes reddened and he cried directly: “This humble one is dedicated to my duties and is diligent everyday. Having gotten these words from Lord Liu, this humble one has not done it in vain!”

Liu Liu’s smile was a little stiff, thinking that this person was probably not able to be dealt with by just handing him a small official post.

“Come, come, sit down first, sit down and talk later, us brothers can drink and chat.” Liu Liu filled the wine cups.

After a few cups of wine, An Laosi became more talkative.

“Lord Liu, you don’t know, I came here as a refugee and I was separated from my family. Only my wife came to Anfeng with me.” An Laosi cried sincerely, “I finally established a footing here and even found my sister. But before our family even had enough time to reunite, my sister entered the palace.”

“We grew up together and I know she has a timid nature with one of her own opinions. She is timid but she is beautiful. I am afraid that she will suffer in the palace.” An Laosi spoke with a sniffling nose, “Although I don’t have much ability, I can still feed and support my family. I don’t want anything else, I just want the whole family to be together.”

Liu Liu saw that he was drunk enough, and asked, “Your sister has a timid nature?”

An Laosi nodded: “She hasn’t liked talking since she was a child. In our village, when other children bullied her, she only dared to cry secretly. Our parents bought her sweets only to have other children take it away from her but she only dared to say that she ate it herself. With that kind of temperament, how is she fit for living in the palace?”

Liu Liu filled An Laosi’s wine cup again, and smiled: “You can’t say that. Smart people have a place for smart people, and timid girls are not bad girls. Maybe they are even more worthy of affection.”

An Laosi stared at Liu Liu in a drunken daze: “What do you mean…..someone is interested in my sister?”

“Which lord is it?”

Liu Liu looked at him with a half-smile, as if everything was in tacit understanding.

An Laosi suddenly widened his eyes, and he seemed to sober up in an instant. He stammered and asked, “Could it be…..”

Liu Liu smiled and said, “Brother An, you have a good sister.”

An Laosi: ​​”This…..this…..”

Liu Liu: “This is her good fortune. Of the women in the world, how many have her good fortune?”

The expression of An Laosi was shocked and disbelieving.

Liu Liu said: “This official also thought about it, brother, you have never had any bad records, and you are also literate. Why don’t you come and be my clerk? The salary will be more than what you have now, and it will be easier to climb up in the future.”

Liu Liu’s meaning was very clear. It was equivalent to directly saying to An Laosi: “I am helping you because of your sister. Since I have helped you, I will also benefit from it. We are all sensible people, so don’t pretend to be confused while knowing the truth.”

After drinking all night, An Laosi would be taking up his new post tomorrow.

After he went back, he said to his wife: “Hong Xiu has now done quite well in the palace and she is quite favored by Han Lin’er. Otherwise, Liu Liu would not spend such efforts to win over a minor official like myself.”

After thinking about it, the Lady An said: “I imagine Liu Liu has planted a lot of his own people in the palace, as not many people outside know that Hong Xiu has gained such favor, otherwise our courtyard should be buried in invitations and gifts at this time.”

Treating people according to their social status. Many people didn’t have to learn this thing at all as they were born with the skill.

An Laosi got a big basin of hot water, put it under his wife’s feet, and rolled up his sleeves to wash her feet for her.

After coming to Anfeng, the couple acted in the role of a poor couple. He spent all their savings to buy a minor official post, and he had to rely on the wife to do needlework to subsidize the family. Over time, An Laosi had really changed somewhat. He would never do something like wash his wife’s feet, since in his opinion, it was not what a man should do.

While washing his wife’s feet, An Laosi said, “I just don’t know when Hong Xiu will send us a letter. It would be better to be able to see each other. I imagine she has already collected a lot of news these days.”

But his wife didn’t listen to what he was talking about. She suddenly said, “I know why Liu Liu came. It was Hong Xiu who revealed the news of her favor to Liu Liu.”

An Laosi said strangely: “Why disclose it to him? Although he is a high official, he is of little use.”

Lady An sighed at her husband’s habit of overlooking things. She reminded: “Du Zundao.”

An Laosi: ​​”…..”

He took a breath and said to his wife: “Hing Xiu is really…..really too daring…..”

Lady An also felt admiration: “She has scheming and ability, as well as daring and decisiveness. An Laosi, you are inferior to her.”

An Laosi: ​​”…..How do you call your husband?”

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Lady An couldn’t help but laugh: “If you ever fix your habit of overlooking things and stubbornness, I won’t say anything about you again, and instead praise you day and night, what do you think?”

An Laosi shuddered: “I can do without praises day and night…..”

He also muttered in a low voice: “I don’t know where you learned it, you are more and more able to talk back and choke people with your words.”

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Hong Xiu knelt on the ground, with her head resting on Han Lin’er’s lap, listening quietly. Her current identity was very ambiguous, she was not a concubine, but she was not a palace maid either. She was like Han Lin’er’s pet, appearing when she’s called and leaving when she’s waved away.

Even so, Hong Xiu didn’t dare to show impatience.

When Han Lin’er looked for her, the most he often talked about was his childhood and adolescence.

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Han Shantong was still alive at that time. He admired and respected his father, always thinking that one day he would have his father look at him with pride.

But before he could have his father be proud of him, his omnipotent father died, and he had to go on the run while being protected by his uncles in order to become emperor.

However, this title of emperor was not passed to him by his father, and Han Shantong was not the emperor when he died. His position as emperor was unjustified and undeserving.

After the uncles pushed him to this position, they tried every means to control him. Although he was the emperor, he was not even as powerful as a small official. He could only be the emperor in the harem. His favorite officials and those who he was willing to entrust important tasks to had been killed by Liu Futong.

And more than one were killed.

Han Lin’er’s inner feelings of frustration and humiliation were increasing day by day, and never diminished.

But he was not a brave man by nature, he did not dare fight against Liu Futong.

He also didn’t dare to confide to the concubines in the harem. Although he lay on the same bed with them, the closest relationship in everyone’s eyes, Han Lin’er was not stupid. He knew that these concubines had their own families, and their families all listened to Liu Futong. He, the emperor, was not so valuable in the eyes of those people.

Hong Xiu was different. She was just a palace maid who was not valued by the empress. She did not have an excellent family background, she had not even received a good education and was illiterate. Moreover, she had the same experience as him, a great father who died young, under pressure from the outside world. They were so similar.

Han Lin’er stroked Hong Xiu’s hair, and he said softly, “Xiu’er, only you understand Zhen.”

Hong Xiu’s voice was very soft: “This slave understands.”

Han Lin’er sighed, as if thinking of something again, he suddenly said angrily: “What else does he want? Now the military tally is in his hands, and Zhen can’t intervene in the army affairs. He is also in charge of overseeing whoever enters the harem. And even during morning assembly, Zhen can’t even interject a word now.”

“What’s the point of being an emperor like Zhen? He is so domineering, so why does he let me be the emperor? Might as well hand it over to him instead, and let him be the emperor, which would be much better than Zhen’s current humiliating situation!”

Han Lin’er’s expression was angry and helpless.

Hong Xiu understood that this man was a cowardly man. He was not stupid. On the contrary, he was very smart, but he dared not change. He was afraid that if he lost in the battle with Liu Futong, he would lose even his current position. This throne was the only thing he had now, and without this throne, he would be even worse off than ordinary people.

It was as difficult as climbing the sky to get him to fight for power with Liu Futong.

Hong Xiu let out a sigh. She thought she could encourage Han Lin’er’s ambition, but now it seemed that he did not lack ambition. He only lacked courage, and courage could not be encouraged. She could provoke Han Lin’er into anger, but the anger was short-lived. When the anger subsided, Han Lin’er would choose to be hesitant and silent again.

“Your Majesty, the imperial tutor also wants to share your worries for you.” Hong Xiu said softly, “Maybe it’s just because the imperial tutor is too concerned about you.”

Han Lin’er sneered: “You don’t know. Zhen only appointed a small official before. But he ordered a team of soldiers to capture and kill him and then appointed himself as the imperial tutor and Taibao (TN: very high official in ancient China). From beginning to end, no one asked for Zhen’s opinion. As the monarch of a country, Zhen can’t even appoint an official. What’s the point of being an emperor then?”

He repeated over and over, saying only those few words, either “Zhen’s position as the emperor has no meaning”, or “It is better to let the imperial be the emperor”.

Hong Xiu could only comfort him continuously.

“Your Majesty is the lord of the world, I imagine the imperial tutor is just being momentarily stubborn.” Hong Xiu whispered, “There is no difference between a courtier and a concubine.”

Han Lin’er was amused by Hong Xiu’s words: “What an official can do, a concubine can’t do.”

Hong Xiu showed a timid look: “But both officials and concubines want to be favored by the emperor.”

Han Lin’er narrowed his eyes: “What they want is the favor of the imperial tutor.”

Hong Xiu stopped talking.

Han Lin’er thought that Hong Xiu was frightened, and said softly, “Zhen can only say these things to you. Zhen knows that Xiu’er is different from others.”

He sincerely believed that Hong Xiu loved him, and not the throne under his ass.

“Zhen wants to make you a concubine!” Han Lin’er said suddenly, “Zhen can’t control the court, but can’t Zhen control the harem at least?”

Hong Xiu was taken aback by Han Lin’er’s whimsy. She wanted to persuade him from the idea. After all, although she had no position now, she was always able to be by Han Lin’er’s side. For her, this was better than staying in the consort’s palace and waiting for Han Lin’er to come.

Hong Xiu looked at Han Lin’er with tears in her eyes.

Hong Xiu weeped: “This slave doesn’t want a position…..this slave just wants to be by Your Majesty’s side. If you confer a concubine title, this slave can only stay in the consort’s palace. If Your Majesty forgets this slave, what would this slave do?”

She clutched at her chest, and her tears couldn’t stop streaming: “Every time this slave thinks about this, this slave will feel an unbearable chest pain, and can’t sleep at night at all.”

Han Lin’er believed that Hong Xiu loved him. In this harem, Hong Xiu had no foundation. After following him, it was equivalent to falling out with the empress, so Hong Xiu would definitely hold onto him tightly. Her only means of having a standing in the harem was Han Lin’er’s favor.

Han Lin’er was very confident about this.

Hong Xiu could not do without him.

This was the first time Han Lin’er had experienced this feeling of being desperately needed.

He was not needed in his court as Liu Futong was in control of everything. Since the officials he appointed were killed, the civil and military officials of the imperial court no longer wasted energy on him, but instead focused all their energy on how to please Liu Futong.

And the women in the harem…..the women in the harem had their own way of surviving. They need Han Lin’er’s favor, but it was not that they couldn’t live without his favor. They were all selected by Liu Futong and compared with the emperor Han Lin’er, the most important in their hearts was their family.

Han Lin’er clearly understood how isolated and helpless he was in this palace.

The officials only wanted to rob him of power, and the concubines just wanted to give birth to his heir.

Even Noble Consort Li, Han Lin’er believed that even if he no longer visited her or favored her, she could live well in the palace.

So this emphasized Hong Xiu’s preciousness even more. This woman’s life was entirely dependent on him. He was her heaven and her earth.

In front of her, he was more like a real emperor than ever.

If he was gone, she would lose everything.

Han Lin’er stroked Hong Xiu’s beautiful face, kissed her with lingering affection, embraced her, but did not touch her further.

Hong Xiu had always wondered why Han Lin’er didn’t touch her. She had a way to conceal the fact that she was not a virgin. The women in the brothel would use these methods all the time. The brothel keeper always wanted to sell their first nights a few more times so that she could make more money.

After Han Lin’er left, Hong Xiu sat at the table and poured herself a cup of cold tea. It had been a long time since she passed any news to An Laosi and the others. Although she was with Han Lin’er, Han Lin’er himself did not have any intention of fighting Liu Futong for power. Even if she had the ability to reach the sky, she couldn’t use it at all.

She was more anxious in her heart than anyone, but she had to remain alert to deal with Han Lin’er and the empress.

The empress was also anxious. She tried every means to send Hong Xiu to Han Lin’er with the purpose of making Hong Xiu a concubine and have her live in or near Consort Li’s personal quarters, so that she could cause Consort Li to have a miscarriage which would then allow her to continue to securing her position as empress.

However, Hong Xiu was not conferred a concubine title despite a long time having passed, and it was impossible for her to ask Han Lin’er about it either.

After all, only when Han Lin’er believed that Hong Xiu was not acting on her orders could Hong Xiu get close to Noble Consort  Li.

Hong Xiu unfolded the secret letter sent by the empress.

The empress was asking why she hadn’t been conferred a concubine title, and why she hadn’t approached Nible Consort Li.

In addition to questioning, the empress also played on her emotions, expressing that she was worried that Hong Xiu could not sleep all night, she regarded Hong Xiu as her own sister, and promised that as long as she gave birth to a child in the future, she would be willing to let Hong Xiu raise the child together.

In the end, she also asked if Han Lin’er didn’t love Hong Xiu. If Han Lin’er had no interest in Hong Xiu, she would continue to think of other ways.

Hong Xiu looked at this letter and felt that although the empress was the mother of a country, she was also quite lamentable. Perhaps she was no different from a prostitute like herself.

The empress begged her in the letter, begged a little palace maid who had all the hopes of the empress pinned on her.

Hong Xiu burned the letter.

If this letter were to circulate, she could forget about establishing a foothold in the palace.

Moreover, her goal was never the empress, but Han Lin’er. Her gaze was not on the harem, but on the imperial court.

The empress was just her springboard which she used to approach Han Lin’er. She had achieved her goal, and the empress naturally lost any value and usefulness.

Hong Xiu but her lip, she was now in the harem, and she was just a small palace maid unable to touch the imperial court at all.

It would be better if she was a man. She could cut off that thing to be a eunuch, which would result in a better situation than she was in now. After all, the eunuchs were able to make contact with officials, and no matter what she would be able to think of more ways.

The more it was like this, Hong Xiu knew that she should be calmer. She found a eunuch and asked him who Han Lin’er had summoned to see. She would give him some benefits, no more, no less. If she gave too much, it would feed the eunuch’s appetite, and it would be more difficult to ask him to do things in the future.

She didn’t worry about whether the eunuch would suspect anything. After all, it was common for the imperial concubines to inquire about the emperor’s movements, and everyone knew about this.

The eunuch told Hong Xiu: “His Majesty has summoned Liu Yuanshi.”

Hong Xiu stuffed a gold bracelet in the eunuch’s hand.

Liu Yuanshi referred to Liu Liu, who had been given the official position as Ping Zhang Yuanshi and had real power.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

He was conferred his title with Du Zundao back then, but Du Zundao was killed by Liu Futong.

Hong Xiu finally had a smile on her face.

She knew where to start.

She, a woman controlled by Han Lin’er, could not incite his ambitions.

But an important official with real power could.

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“Incapable ruler!”

Whether it was on the streets or at the end of the alley, the common people were all talking about Xu Shouhui.

This was a very rare phenomenon. Generally speaking, even if there was no deliberate control from above, the common people would not talk about those in power.

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Even if this person in power had become a past tense.

Every time Sun Yunzhou went out on the streets, he could hear the common people say this.

This time he finally couldn’t bear it, and went forward to argue with a porter: “Why do you say that the emperor is an incapable ruler?”

Porter: “What kind of emperor is he? Who made him the emperor? Is his claim righteous? It’s just to bully us common people!”

Sun Yunzhou quoted a lot of scriptures and classics.

Porter: “I don’t understand! You scholars all speak incomprehensibly, who knows what you want to say.”

“I just know that when surnamed Xu became the emperor, my life didn’t change for the better. It was after the South Bodhisattva came, did I have work to do, and I didn’t need to give gifts and act like a grandson to anyone!”

“Whoever allows me to live a good life, whoever is the sage ruler!” The porter dropped these words and left with his goods.

Sun Yunzhou was left standing on the streets with a dazed expression.

It seemed that overnight, the common people dared to talk about the Tian Wan regime’s political power. They had countless grievances, and the pain the minor officials brought to them was always engraved in their hearts, and these sins were naturally placed on Xu Shouhui’s head.

If Xu Shouhui was a sage ruler, how could he let the munir officials oppress the people?

The common people didn’t care if Xu Shouhui had any real power or not. After all, they understood simply that the emperor was the lord of all things, and saying that he had no real power, the people wouldn’t believe it at all.

When Sun Yunzhou returned home, he was devastated and at a loss.

His daughter asked with concern: “Father, what’s wrong? Has something troubling happened?”

This was his only daughter. He taught and educated her personally and so she was the only person in this family who could understand him.

He also gave her a boudoir name: Sun Yao.

“Yaoyao.” Sun Yunzhou smiled with some difficulty, “Father is fine, you go to rest first.”

Sun Yao: “Father, don’t lie to me. Mother said that since the Southern King entered Hanyang, you never smiled again.”

Sun Yunzhou leaned on the chair, and he asked, “Yaoyao, do you also think the emperor is incapable?”

Sun Yao didn’t speak.

Sun Yunzhou looked at his daughter: “Yaoyao, tell the truth, father won’t blame you.”

Sun Yao said: “Father, this daughter would rather he be an incapable ruler.”

Sun Yunzhou looked at his daughter in disbelief.

Sun Yao continued: “The incapable ruler can at least control the government. He must have power to be incapable. How can he be incapable if he has no power? He is a weak ruler! A weak ruler is worse than an incapable ruler!”

Sun Yunzhou: “That was not chosen by the emperor himself, it was Ni Wenjun…..”

Sun Yao took her father’s hand and said earnestly: “Father, don’t worry about those things anymore. Now that Hanyang has changed hands, you are no longer an official. Although your daughter is not male, I am willing to be a pillar of support for the Sun family. Even if the emperor is still the emperor and General Zhao repulsed Ni Wenjun, there will still be a second Ni Wenjun.”

Sun Yunzhou closed his eyes.

Sun Yao said: “Father, this daughter asked about it. I heard that all the places under the rule of the Southern King can recruit son-in-laws. Daughter can also find a husband to marry into the family. I won’t have to leave father and mother, and my children, whether boy or girl, will all be surnamed Sun.”

Sun Yunzhou heard a hint of excitement from his daughter’s words.

He suddenly understood, and he asked his daughter: “What do you think of the Southern King?”

Sun Yao didn’t even think about it: “Daughter has observed his actions, and sees that he is intelligent and decisive, holds heavy power but knows how to judge and use people. Moreover, he is different from ordinary people. I have heard that in Gaoyou and the other places, women can work, establish households and support themselves. They can find husbands to marry into the family and be buried in their own ancestral grave…..”

Sun Yunzhou suddenly understood that every unpredictable and incomprehensible policy of the Southern King could gain a certain part of the people’s heart.

Women set up households and find husbands to marry into their family. To them, it seemed very absurd, but it caused women all over the world to go crazy for it.

The benefits were in their hands. If the Southern King was here then the benefits still existed. If the Southern King was gone then the benefits would also be gone. Women were not fools. They would inevitably support the Southern King for their own interests.

Those lowly people who had never been of much regard by others could now live a life without worries under the rule of the Southern King. Thinking about it, it was quite obvious that they would also inevitably become the most loyal supporters of the Southern King.

Sun Yunzhou leaned on the chair, and he asked, “I heard that there are female managers under the Southern King, and women can also be officials.”

Sun Yao smiled and said, “Father, what do you think of your daughter?”

Sun Yunzhou looked at his daughter. This young woman was raised and educated personally by him. She was like him when he was younger, ambitious and full of curiosity about everything. She would choose what she thought was right, just like him before, and then walk on the chosen path without any regrets in this entire lifetime.

Sun Yao said: “I heard that the Southern King is still using the officials from Hanyang. Father, you have a long history of political achievements, and you have no bad marks on your track record as an official. If you are…..”

Sun Yunzhou interrupted his daughter: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

He had never reprimanded his daughter in such a heavy tone before. Sun Yao was stunned. She looked at her father: “Father, don’t you know what the situation in our family is like now? You say you have a plan, and so you sold the shops, the land, and even the ancestral house. All the valuables in the family are gone, and not much of mother’s dowry is left. Are we supposed to sit idle and eat ourselves out of any remaining savings?”

Sun Yunzhou lowered his eyes. He knew that now he was in a desperate situation, the money was spent, and Hu Yu was dead. He originally thought that Hu Yu was the last road he could take, but he did not expect that Hu Yu was just a bait to lure the snake out of the hole. Every movement of his was seen in the other’s eyes.

That Southern King was really not a simple person.

If Xu Shouhui could have half of this Southern King’s ability…..

Sun Yunzhou sighed.

If he did, then would Ni Wenjun even rebel? Would they be where they were now?

“Father, Hanyang has changed hands.” Sun Yao said softly, “You going to work under the Southern King now will not be considered a betrayal. Since ancient times, legitimacy belongs to the victor and people of insight have been willing to follow the sage ruler. The sage ruler and the virtuous officials complement each other. Now that you have a ready-made sage ruler in front of you, why won’t you let go of your stubbornness?”

“You once told this daughter that there are not many choices one can make in this life, either because of one’s status or because of circumstances. And now you not only have status, it also happens that the Southern King is short of people.”

Sun Yao’s words were both light and soft: “Following the Southern King, you might immediately be able to serve as an official and work for the well-being of the people of the world. Looking at the actions of the Southern King this whole way, he has put the people first in everything he did and the government decrees he issued. Isn’t he the kind of monarch that father wants?”

Sun Yunzhou glared at his daughter: “You saying so much is just because you want to recruit a husband to marry into the family!”

Sun Yao coquettishly said: “This daughter doesn’t want to leave father and mother, this daughter wants to continue caring for my parents.”

Sun Yunzhou patted the back of Sun Yao’s hand: “Don’t force your father, let father think some more.”

He still couldn’t get past the hurdle in his heart.

In his opinion, all the virtuous officials in the world should only dedicate themselves to their only monarch until death.

If the monarch was humiliated then his ministers shall die, and when the monarch died his ministers shall follow.

Sun Yunzhou sat in the study for the entire night.

On the rice paper, he wrote down the places the Southern King had passed through over these years, and listed what policies the Southern King had issued.

He wrote carefully, and he read it over carefully after writing.

When he closed his eyes, what appeared in his mind was everything that had been gained after the Southern King issued his decrees.

Was he wrong? Sun Yunzhou was a bit at a loss.

He followed Xu Shouhui and believed that no matter what the monarch over his head was like, the minister should be “loyal until the end.”

But now he had yet to die, but his monarch had already pledged his “loyalty” to another. Even the daughter he raised personally was willing to become a commoner of the Southern King because women could be officials and women could have their husband marry into the family.

In the early morning of the next day, Sun Yunzhou called his doorman to send Yang Shaowei an invitation, asking Yang Shaowei over for a visit.

Yang Shaowei tidied up his clothes and said to the servant who came to report: “Keep the invitation, I already said, I want him to come and beg me in person!”

The servant knew Yang Shaowei’s temperament well and did not persuade him, but said: “Gongzi, if it drags on too long, the South Bodhisattva…..”

Yang Shaowei had made a vow in front of Lin Yuan, and the shorter time it took, the more proof of his capabilities it would be.

There was no need to lose dignity in front of Lin Yuan for the sake of venting his anger.

Yang Shaowei took a deep breath: “Prepare the carriage, I will go there now.”

When they really become fellow officials in the same court, then he’ll slowly settle accounts with Sun Yunzhou.

“This Yang Shaowei has a similar temper to his teacher.” Lin Yuan looked at the report in his hand, and had a clue about how Yang Shaowei did things. He said to Chen Baisong, “This person, being too temperamental is not a good thing. I plan to send Yang Shaowei to you.”

Chen Baisong was taken aback: “Give him to me? What use do I have for him?”

There was an undisguised dislike.

Chen Baisong disliked that Yang Shaowei thought too much.

Most of the soldiers in the army were straightforward and simple-minded. They repeat the same tasks day after day in the barracks.

If Yang Shaowei came and brought with him the way of officials to the barracks, it would not be of any benefit.

Lin Yuan smiled and said, “Do you think you can’t cure him?”

Chen Baisong looked at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan: “I leave him to you, and you can think of how to handle him. He is not on the right path now. You will be responsible for bringing him onto the right path.”

Since Lin Yuan had spoken, Chen Baisong could only take his orders.

“Song Shizhao handed over a good disciple, and he even learned all of his teacher’s pettiness and jealousy.” Lin Yuan smiled on his face but his eyes were cold, “but I only need one Song Shizhao.”

Everyone had their own place. As for those who could influence political power, the fewer the better.

Chen Baisong: “Understood, I know what to do.”

Lin Yuan: “Only by giving him to you can I rest assured, Bai Song, don’t let me down.”

Chen Baisong opened his mouth, but did not say a word.

Lin Yuan closed his eyes, his face appearing tired. He leaned on the soft cushion: “In three months, we are going to Haozhou. Hanyang can only be given to people who can be trusted.”

Chen Baisong: “You are going to let Yang Shaowei…..”

Lin Yuan: “I have given him an opportunity, and the rest will depend on his own good fortune.”

Yang Shaowei was a smart and wise man, but his intentions were too biased and extreme. If he couldn’t be corrected, it would be difficult for him to amount to much.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

It was likely because of this that Song Shizhao sent Yang Shaowei over with him to Hanyang. He seemed to care nothing about his disciple on the surface, but he actually also had a kindly and amiable heart.

Just don’t know if Yang Shaowei would hate him or respect him more when he learned this.

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