When the snow covers thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, the eaves of the majestic hall are hung with ice, and unlike previous years, the winter of Changle Palace this year is exceptionally warm.

Between the warm brocade tent curtains, the palace maids and attendants walked back and forth lightly. In the light fragrance of tea, the Empress Dowager Dou, who is already over eighty years old, has a relaxed expression and bright eyes.

"The spirit of the Empress Dowager has been particularly strong recently, and she is simply getting younger and younger, which is really the envy of those of us who are good students who are younger generations!"

"No, old man! Although the body is still quite strong, this forgetfulness is indeed getting bigger and bigger. No, yesterday, the Yuan boy finally entered the palace once, thinking that he had left him something good, but he forgot to bring it to him before leaving. Haha, I don't know if I will complain about my stinginess when I go back. ”

"He dares! Dare to say half a complaint, see if the old man doesn't slap his mouth! ”

"You! Look at it, look at ......, it's also this age, and it's still such a grumpy temperament. That's what I'm saying, who's going to let you beat him? That kid has a good heart! ”

"Uh...... The Empress Dowager forgives me, but the old minister's temperament is easy to change, and his nature is difficult to change. Hehe! ”

After a few conversations, the words are relaxed and the atmosphere is harmonious, but they are idle words.

Xiuyu, the chief manager of Changle Palace, who was standing on the side, saw that the Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister Dou Ying, who had entered the palace today, had been sitting behind the case for a long time, worried that she would feel cold, so he signaled to the following officials who were waiting, and one person had already gone to the big fireplace in the corner of the hall, and added a few pieces of round wood to it, and the burning fire became more vigorous, making people feel warm like spring just by looking at it.

"However, that kid still knows how to respect the old and be filial, and when he has fresh objects, he doesn't forget to give them to your ancestors." Dou Ying felt the warmth in the hall, and looked back at the red-hot fireplace inside, with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Yes, this is what he has a heart for. It's really good, this winter, the whole palace is warm, and it is much more comfortable than the previous days. In addition, there are few worries recently, which is a rare leisure time in so many years. ”

When Empress Dowager Dou said this, she saw that Dou Ying was listening quietly, and then gradually changed her tone.

"With fewer things to worry about, the mood will naturally be different. You, you have to learn from me in the next step, and let go of those who should let go! It's time to retire and enjoy a few years of happiness, and leave the things that worry about labor to their young ones. ”

Dou Ying was slightly stunned when she heard this, and then she understood the meaning of these words. The Empress Dowager is going to let herself take the initiative to abdicate and make way for Xian.

In fact, from his heart, he was tired of sitting in that seat a few years ago. Those intrigues and tricks are really not what he is good at.

It's just that everyone has always seen him standing there as representing the interests of the Empress Dowager. Therefore, even if he wants to regress, he can't decide for himself, and today I heard that the Empress Dowager Dou was finally relieved, but she was in the middle of it, and she couldn't help but feel relieved.

"What the Empress Dowager said is extremely true! When today's Spring and Autumn Period is at its peak, just when it is determined to innovate, it is the time when a large number of young talents are needed to assist, and the old ministers and others naturally should not fall in love with the stack, hindering the road of backward and capable people, it is not good. Hehe! ”

Empress Dowager Dou was afraid that this nephew would have any resistance to her proposal, and when she heard him say this, her tone was indeed sincere, and it should be from the bottom of her heart, and she was also greatly relieved in her heart.

"It's great that you can think so! It shows that although the years are getting old, the heroic mind of the year has not changed, and the mourning family wants to reward you well for this Han family, and it is not in vain that you have paid for your hard work and contributions to the Han family over the years. ”

The Empress Dowager Dou, who Dou Ying listened to, changed her name, said it so formally, she was moved in her heart, and hurriedly avoided the seat and left, bowed down in front of the steps, and said that she didn't dare to be the ancestor with such a good reputation, and what the old minister did was the duty of the courtier!

When the big thing was decided, it was as if they had let go of their worries, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly relaxed. Xiuyu hurriedly beckoned the waiter to change the old prime minister with new tea, and talked about some light topics.

Not long ago, when Dou Ying went to Changle Yuan, he promised some of the conditions of Yuan Zhao, in fact, it also contained a lot of the meaning of the Empress Dowager Dou, of course, these do not need to be said explicitly, but everyone knows it.

Speaking of it at this time, Dou Ying was very emotional. When he was entrusted by the Empress Dowager Dou to do this, he still had more feelings of help in his heart. However, after watching and understanding during this period of time, the previous thinking has been very different.

"Original...... In Changle Hou's heart, there is such a warp and weft! However, in just a few months, a splendid blueprint has been planned on the former wilderness. In time, it will not be difficult for what the kid said to be a reality. If this can really be done, it can be regarded as living up to the high expectations of the Queen Mother. ”

"Alas! You don't know, this son has an extraordinary background, and he is an auspicious person of my Han Dynasty, and this is said by the former Emperor Wen Di Tuomeng. Although this matter is a little illusory and unbelievable, there are some mysteries in the world. After observing for so long, everything he did was beneficial to the society and the country, and he had to make people believe what Emperor Wen said in his dream! ”

Empress Dowager Dou was the first time she said such a thing to her courtiers except for the emperor, and when she saw Dou Ying showing a look of surprise and disbelief, she knew that he didn't believe it in her heart, so she continued to say it lightly.

"No matter what his background is, looking at the things he does is always beneficial and harmless to the Han family. So you still have to help him if you can help him, and if you are not in that position in the future, your time will be relaxed, so try to use your ability to help him. ”

Dou Ying nodded solemnly and promised that even if the Empress Dowager didn't say it, he would do it. Because the interests of many noble families headed by him have been firmly tied to the future that Yuan Zhao will create.

"Lao Ji is in the bush, and his ambitions are thousands of miles. The martyrs are in their twilight years, and their hearts are strong"! The warmth lingered in the Changle Palace, and the dialogue between the Empress Dowager, who had decided to gradually fade out of the court, and the outgoing Zaifu continued, but Yuan Zhao, who was in the cold wind, did not know that anyone was talking about him like this.

In fact, in this winter, the construction of Changle Plateau has not yet begun.

This is because it takes a lot of time to settle the homes of all the people. There are now twice as many people working on the land as they did when they started.

Since two months ago, according to the emperor's decree, the remnants of the gangs in the world, the counties and counties across the country have heard the wind and have not dared to slack off, and the garrison military forces from all over the country have been dispatched to pursue and encircle and suppress, and the gangs have been imprisoned and convicted.

It turns out that under the iron fist of the powerful dictatorship of the state, any dark force is vulnerable! This iron law applies to any dynasty.

Except for a few people who were beheaded for the most heinous crimes, according to the second edict issued by the emperor, these people who were imprisoned in prison were all escorted to Chang'an as guilty and sent to another place.

At this time, in the middle of winter, the weather is cold, and there will naturally be some tragic and casualties on the escort road, but the little minions have no human rights, so there is no need to elaborate on it.

With fear and anxiety about the future fate, batches of prisoners who were escorted to Chang'an were transferred to Changle Yuan and became the labor force of this little marquis.

With the arrival of batches of people, the dwellings that were hastily built some time ago are obviously not enough. Fortunately, local materials were used, and the construction was extremely fast, and no one was lost due to cold and hunger.

Yes, the food supply is abundant. This was obtained by Yuan Zhao who went to the emperor to fight a lawsuit some time ago.

The last thing that the Han Dynasty lacks now is food!

The most obvious benefit of the "rule of Wenjing" is that the county and county government offices in various places are abundant, and some of the old grain that has been piled up for several years is still there.

Therefore, when Emperor Liu Che smiled and waved his pen, approved Yuan Zhao's request, and ordered him to go to Taizhong Doctor Zheng to allocate grain, this important minister of Jiuqing, who was in charge of the world's money and grain, was very happy, and led Changle Hou to Chang'an Xizhimen Grain Station with a relaxed attitude, and ordered the defenders to open the heavy warehouse door.

"Changle Hou, give you an hour's time, pull as you like, pull as much as you want!" Dr. Zheng is very generous.

The first time he came into contact with the heritage of the Han Dynasty, Yuan Zhao's eyes widened. What else can you do!? With a wave of his hand, the wagon procession from the Nie Yi family began to load grain.

It's a pity ......! An hour later, Yuan Zhao looked at the more than 30 carts that had been loaded, and then looked at the huge mountain piles that were not seen in the grain tun, and he was a little regretful, he knew that the emperor was so generous, so he brought more carts and horses.

Good thing that's enough! This winter, it can already support the past. When spring comes, the situation will naturally be different.

The grain was pulled back to Changle Plateau and filled with ten grain tuns. Then, in the big wooden house that he temporarily used as a place for deliberations, he received Zheng Shishi, who had followed him here despite the severe cold.

It is said to be a large wooden house, but it is actually a flat-roofed hall made of huge logs cut down. In the corner, in the furnace built according to the method instructed by Yuan Zhao, the bonfire was flourishing.

Dr. Taizhong looked around outside and felt very cold, so he warmed up by the fire for a while, and looked around, feeling very curious.

However, seeing that the furnishings in this hall are different from other places, they are lined up from the high-backed tables and chairs that have never been seen before, all of which are made of logs, simple and clumsy, and have a unique style.

Zheng sat on it and tried it at that time, and his legs and feet, which usually sit on his knees, were a little uncomfortable at first, but it didn't take long, and after indulging his body, he really felt very comfortable.

"Changle Hou is really scheming, very comparable! It's amazing how clever even these ordinary things can be done. ”

Zheng looked at Yuan Zhao, who was making him tea, and then at the general who sat back on the chair and read intently after greeting him, and said sincerely.

"These things? It's just for the convenience of use, it's all a small craft, but I can't afford to be praised by Lord Zheng. ”

"But that's not what I say, small can be big! From these little things, you can see how a person behaves. I'm just talking about things, but I'm not trying to please you, kid! Hehe. ”

Yuan Zhao heard him say this, and also made a few jokes with him. Zheng was kind and flexible at that time, and he was not comparable to those old-fashioned ministers, so it was very easy to get along with him.

"This time, I would like to thank Lord Zheng for his generous help. With this batch of food, I finally feel a lot more at ease. Yuan Zhao put a cup of tea in his hand, and his tone was sincere.

"You don't have to thank me for this, this is Your Majesty's intention, how dare this official take credit! Ha ha. ”

Although he said this, Yuan Zhao naturally knew his role in this. After receiving the order, relax secretly, and let yourself get what you need, this affection still has to be kept in your heart.

"It's just that Changle Hou knows? When you asked for your Majesty's help, there was a lot of criticism among the courtiers. After pausing for a moment at this point, seeing Yuan Zhao's serious attitude, he nodded slightly and continued.

"There is a minister, on the snow field that day, there was a large number of treasures and gold and silver brought by the Liuyun Gang that were privately swallowed by Changle Hou, but is there such a thing?"

Zheng stared at Yuan Zhao's eyes at that time, his face was serious, and he asked seriously.

The general, who was looking down at the military book, glanced at the two of them for a moment, and then continued to read.

Yuan Zhao's face did not change, and motioned for Zheng to drink tea while it was hot.

"Well, Liuyun helps those people, they're desperately poor! I searched all over my body and didn't find a few taels of silver, which was not enough to compensate for trampling on the treasure land of this marquis. There is a big sword, and if anyone is interested, they can come and take it by themselves. Hehe! ”

"Oh, I see! When the official went back to restore his life, he started to play the same thing. In fact, His Majesty has said a long time ago, Changle Hou is dedicated to the public, how can he covet any treasures. It's just that some ministers have to ask His Majesty to investigate and deal with it strictly, and as a last resort, my old man has to brave the cold to come to you, alas! But it's hard. ”

The one who read the book of soldiers almost couldn't help jumping in surprise after listening to this answer between the two! At that time, the cart full of gold, silver and jewelry was obviously covered up by himself!

Yuan Zhao is young, so it's just a matter of talking. This...... This Taizhong doctor, who is usually an upright official, also started to mess around with him?

Yuan Zhao and Zheng Dang glanced at each other, laughing, one old and one young, tacitly understanding in their hearts.