bookcurios Chapter 268 Taking the Children to Weizhou
Chapter 268 Taking the Children to Weizhou
The Wang family, as a prestigious family with a long history, has deep roots and wide branches. Not only is it deeply rooted in Bingzhou, but even in the distant Langya area of Yizhou, there are also descendants of the Wang family, although most of them are small branches and their brilliance is not as dazzling as the main branch.
This time, Weizhou won the battle and took over the two counties. The imperial court's decree swept across this newly acquired territory like a spring breeze, clarifying the ownership and responsibilities.
Back then, the King of Yan generously gave up the two places of Weizhou on the basis of a lease agreement. Now, Lingqiu and Guangling counties are under the jurisdiction of Weizhou, and the formality of the "lease" is still maintained. However, this time the sweet fruit has quietly fallen into the pocket of Dai County, and all the profits belong to it.
Zhao Hengzhen's clever move was like pouring a bucket of cold water on the restless hearts of some people in Bingzhou, extinguishing them invisibly and making it difficult for them to have any covetous thoughts anymore.
With the influx of 200,000 troops and tens of thousands of civilians from Longxi, the ancient city of Weizhou suddenly became full of unprecedented vitality and bustle.
As soon as Zhao Sheng set foot on the soil of Luancheng, before he could rest for a moment, he was called upon to a new mission and had to set off for Weizhou immediately.
Thinking of his newlywed wife Li Shuya, he couldn't help but feel guilty about not giving her enough company since their marriage except for short trips to Jing County and Shigang Village.
"Shuya," he whispered softly, his eyes filled with tenderness and apology, "Why don't you come with me on this trip to Weizhou? Bring our children with you. Although home is warm, the world outside is just as wonderful."
Li Shuya was filled with an indescribable joy when she heard this. Since she got married, her world seemed to be limited to this small home and the occasional short trips she took with Zhao Sheng.
There was a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes, as if she could already see the blooming flowers and the blue sky in that unknown land.
"Ning Yue and Xin Yue are both going, they will definitely be happy. I'll go talk to them."
She was happy but didn't say it, hiding her feelings under the guise of making her child happy.
Only because Zhao Sheng was a little silly in this respect would he believe what she said was true.
Guangchang County is about to harvest wine this year. If it is to be brewed, the winery will have to expand on its original basis. Previously, it used low-alcohol wine from major merchants for distillation.
Hu Yifei and Zhou Cang are now in Luancheng Winery. Zhao Sheng plans to transfer one of them there, but he doesn't know who is suitable.
While Li Shuya was looking for her daughter, Zhao Sheng, accompanied by Liang Dong, went to the workshop to find the two of them.
"The Guangchang County Winery is going to expand, and they're going to make wine there. Who of you two has better craftsmanship?"
Zhou Cang looked at Hu Yifei and said, "Of the two of us, Hu Yifei has the better craftsmanship, and he has learned more characters than me recently."
"Look at your future. Now there are teachers in the workshop to teach you how to read and write. If you don't study hard, there will be more people who will surpass you in the future. What will you do?"
In response to Zhao Sheng's questioning, Zhou Cang grinned and touched the back of his head: "I'm really stupid, but I'm not vague at work."
Hu Yifei knew that Zhao Sheng let them learn to read for their future, so he stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Brother Zhou Cang is a bit simple, but he is really serious about his work."
"Well, I know that, but if you don't make progress, it will be difficult for me to promote you."
Zhao Sheng frowned and looked back and forth between the two of them.
Hu Yifei quickly said, "Sir, Brother Zhou Cang will definitely work hard in the future. I hope you will give him a chance."
Zhou Cang also quickly expressed his opinion: "Sir, I will study hard in the future and will not let you down."
Zhao Sheng sighed. "Alright, this time, since Hu Yifei pleaded for you, I'll give you a chance. Hu Yifei, you'll go to the Guangchang County Winery and be in charge of the expansion. Zhou Cang, you have to work hard too, and learn more about reading and winemaking techniques."
The two were overjoyed and responded in unison: "Thank you, sir!"
……
Although it is the beginning of spring, the weather under the northern sky is still as harsh as winter. The cold wind is like a knife, cutting every inch of exposed skin, as if to completely deprive the world of warmth.
The vast snowfield is covered in silver and white, it is really "thousands of miles of ice and tens of thousands of miles of snow", spectacular and shocking.
In the carriage, the flames of the stove jumped, emitting a warm orange-red glow, which formed a sharp contrast with the cold world outside.
The flame was like a small life, burning tenaciously in the cold wind, bringing a glimmer of vitality and hope to this icy journey.
The two children, wrapped tightly in thick blankets, nestled in the broad embrace of Zhao Sheng and Li Shuya, their faces brimming with peace and happiness. Their breathing, audible in the silent carriage, carried a hint of childish innocence.
Xiaotao also came along this time. She was wearing a thick cotton coat, and her little face was red from the cold, but she still had a bit of childish determination.
Since Li Hongniang passed away, Xiaotao took her place, not only taking care of the two children, but also fulfilling the duty of being a concubine.
However, Zhao Sheng took into consideration Li Shuya's deep affection for Li Hongniang and Xiaotao's young age, so he never let her actually take on those tasks.
Outside the carriage, the cold wind was howling, stirring up clouds of snow dust. It seemed that the only sounds left in the world were the whistling wind and the rumbling of the carriage.
But inside the carriage, there was a completely different scene: the warm firelight, the children's laughter, and the occasional whispers of Zhao Sheng and Li Shuya, forming a warm and harmonious picture.
This scene, in this vast and bitterly cold northern land, is like a tenaciously blooming flower, emitting the light and warmth of life.
The atmosphere in the car was relaxed and a bit lazy. Li Shuya opened her red lips slightly, and with a hint of subtle seriousness in her tone, she said to Zhao Sheng beside her: "Prince Consort, you should think carefully about what I mentioned last time."
Zhao Sheng seemed to be pulled back from some distant thought when he heard this, with a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Oh? What are you referring to, Madam?"
Li Shuya smiled slightly, and there was some deep meaning in that smile: "Firstly, it is about taking Zhao Zhen into the mansion and giving her the title of co-wife to comfort her heart after years of waiting.
Besides, the other girls in the mansion have also reached the age of marriage, so why not let them formally become members of our family as concubines?"
Xiao Tao, who was standing by, blushed unconsciously after hearing this.
Thinking back to the nights she spent with Zhao Sheng, although they slept on the same bed, he always fell into a sound sleep and seemed unaware of his feelings for her. She couldn't help but feel a little sad and helpless.
"I'll have to ask Zhen'er for her opinion on the matter you mentioned. After all, I don't know what she's thinking. As for Wandong and Wanqiu, we must also respect them and ask for their opinions."
"By the way, what are your plans for Wanchun?"
"I haven't really thought much about the girls you mentioned. As for Xiao Tao, since she's my personal maid and we have that kind of relationship, I'll naturally give her the status she deserves and won't treat her unfairly."
Zhao Sheng secretly rejoiced, feeling that this era was truly relaxed and comfortable. He was fully aware that Xiao Tao's age and the fact that they were sharing a room together made things difficult for her. But he had already made up his mind about this feeling.