"Grandmother, you seem to have lost weight, are you not used to eating the food in Beijing?"

"Grandmother, why don't I find you a cook who is good at Minzhou cuisine."

“……”

Duanmujun and Duanmufei went out in person to attract Mrs. Li to the Zhaohui Hall, and the sisters affectionately held one of Mrs. Li's arms, walking all the way and talking.

Duanmu Xian in the Zhaohui Hall heard the laughter of his grandfather and grandson from a distance, and his expression was even more complicated.

When the three of them entered the hall, Duanmu Xian had already returned to normal and greeted Mrs. Li casually.

After that, several people sat down in the hall, and Duanmufei went to make tea for Mrs. Li in person.

Duanmuxian smiled and greeted Mrs. Li: "In-laws, it just snowed in the capital a few days ago, and it was a lot colder, the capital is not warmer than Minzhou, and the in-laws should pay attention to their bodies." Have you bought enough charcoal? ”

Duanmuxian was already thinking about whether to let Duanmu Jun send some silver frost charcoal to the Li Mansion tomorrow.

"The charcoal is ready, thank you for your concern." Mrs. Li said with a smile, "I have long been used to this kind of weather, have my in-laws forgotten that my Li family has been stationed in Mozhou for many years?" ”

Mozhou is located in the northeast of Dasheng, but it is colder than the capital.

Duanmu Xian was stunned and laughed. He really forgot that the Li family was transferred from Mozhou to Minzhou thirteen years ago.

At this time, Duanmufei brought the freshly brewed tea to Mrs. Li.

Duanmu Xian's eyes flashed, and he said with a smile: "In-laws, try the tea made by the four girls, the craftsmanship of the four girls making tea is a must." By the way, four girls, didn't you say that you prepared plum blossom tea for your grandmother? ”

"Yikes!" Duanmu snorted in a low voice, she almost forgot about the plum blossom tea.

Bi Chan hurriedly said: "Fourth girl, the slave will go and get it for you." ”

Duanmuxian's face froze, and he was about to say more, when he saw Duanmufei stand up and said, "I'll go by myself." I also embroidered a forehead wipe ...... my grandmother, "and she wanted to add a few more stitches to that forehead."

Duanmu Fei hurriedly took Bi Cicada away, Duanmu Jun looked at her in a hurry, and couldn't help but shake his head.

As soon as Duanmu Fei left with his front foot, a housekeeper came in a hurry.

"Big girl," the housekeeper curtsied and saluted Duanmuxian, and the corner of her eye glanced in Duanmuxian's direction without a trace, "The Wang steward in Zhuangzi came to send this year's account book, and wanted to say goodbye to the eldest girl." "In the wax moon, Duanmujun is getting busier and busier, and Zhuangzi, shops, etc. from all over the country have sent account books and New Year's gifts.

Duanmujun was still a little hesitant, but Duanmuxian had already spoken: "Sister Jun, if you have something, go away." ”

Mrs. Li also smiled and agreed, since the two elders said so, Duanmujun left with the housekeeper in a good manner.

Watching Duanmuxian walk away, Mrs. Li put away the smile on the corner of her mouth, looked at Duanmuxian thoughtfully, and vaguely realized that Duanmuxian had something to say to herself.

As if to verify Mrs. Li's guess, Duanmuxian sent the big maid to guard under the eaves outside, and only the two of them were left in the Chaohui Hall.

"In-laws," Duanmu Xian didn't go around in circles, and asked straightforwardly, "Last time, you said that Sister Jun might have a sweetheart, but did you inquire?" ”

"......" Mrs. Li looked at Duanmu Xian with a complicated expression.

In fact, Mrs. Li wanted to talk to Duanmuxian about this several times, but she always hesitated and couldn't open her mouth every time.

These days, Duanmujun will go to Xiangyun Lane from time to time to greet her, and Mrs. Li has also persuaded her a few times, but Duanmujun just laughs, soft and hard.

Mrs. Li really has no problem with this stubborn girl.

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

Mrs. Li sighed secretly in her heart, and said hesitantly: "Sister Jun, she ...... She did have someone she wanted. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and there was a hint of hardship in her voice.

Duanmu Xian's eyes lit up when he heard this, but he immediately felt that Mrs. Li's expression was a little wrong, moved his eyebrows, and said in his heart: Could it be that the son's family background is not good enough?

"Is it a lift, or is it a door? No matter how bad it is, it's a merchant, so you might as well ...... it" Duanmuxian stroked his beard and said, he felt that family background was not a problem, after all, he didn't need his granddaughter to marry.

"Neither." Mrs. Li interrupted him, her eyebrows furrowing even tighter.

Her face showed hesitation again, and she wanted to speak and stopped, and her heart was heavy.

Duanmu Xian chuckled in his heart, feeling bad.

It stands to reason that even if the son's family background is not good, and he has talked about this, Mrs. Li should not hesitate, unless......

Moreover, in the eyes of her eldest granddaughter, it is impossible for someone who is too unbearable to enter her eyes and her heart, and the person she can see must be enough to stand side by side with her, or to make her look up.

There was a dead silence in the hall, and there was silence.

The thought in Duanmu Xian's heart came up again, and his heart was as complicated as if he had knocked over the five-flavor bottle.

"In-laws," Duanmuxian looked at Mrs. Li and asked cautiously, "Is it difficult...... Could it be ......?"

Duanmu Xian has always been decisive and straightforward in his words and deeds, and he has been in a high position in the first assistant over the years, and he has a kind of calm and relaxed attitude from top to bottom, and he has never seen him stumble so stumbling like he on weekdays.

Although Duanmu Xian didn't say his name, Mrs. Li understood, because Duanmu Xian's complicated expression was the same as when she first learned about it.

Ay!

Mrs. Li sighed in her heart again and nodded heavily.

"I've asked...... Mrs. Li also didn't say Cen Yin's name, her expression was obscure, "Sister Jun, she admitted." ”

Duanmuxian's heart sank suddenly, his fists clenched unconsciously, and he looked at Mrs. Li face to face.

The hall was quieter, only the cold wind outside the hall was howling, as if shouting something, and at some point, fine snowflakes floated in the gray sky, falling with the wind one after another......

Mrs. Li sighed and said: "In-laws, I have also persuaded Sister Jun several times, but Sister Jun, she is just like her mother, and her temperament is very stubborn. ”

Thinking of her deceased daughter, Mrs. Li's expression became more and more complicated, helpless, distressed, and sentimental......

Duanmuxian felt that his throat was astringent, and picked up the teacup, but he picked it up, and put it down irritably, and said: "I can't watch this girl go down a dead alley to the end...... "Why does this girl have to hit the wall, this character is the same as his rebel!"

remembered that the eldest son Duanmu Lang had to abandon literature and martial arts, and Duanmu Xian felt powerless in his heart.

The two old men were relatively speechless, and their mood at this moment was rarely synchronized: their children and grandchildren are all debts!

In the silence, I saw two slender shadows walking through a moon cave door, Duanmu Fei and Duanmu Jun came back together, the sisters smiled and laughed, and the crisp and happy laughter seemed to inject a vitality into a pool of stagnant water.

"Grandmother," Duanmu Fei stepped over the threshold with a light step, and handed the forehead wipes in his hand to Mrs. Li, "Look at the forehead I embroidered for you." ”

The forehead is embroidered with the auspicious pattern of begonia gold and jade, Duanmu Scarlet in addition to the color embroidery, but also thought of the circle of mink hair, and cleverly embellished some fine jewelry, elegant and not too luxurious.

Mrs. Li couldn't put it down, and praised: "Sister Fei'er's craftsmanship is getting more and more skillful." ”

"Grandmother, I'll put it on for you." Duanmufei put it on Mrs. Li with her own hands, and proudly showed off to Duanmujun, "Sister, you see, is it very suitable for grandmother?" ”

Mrs. Li is wearing a purple sandalwood dark Eight Immortals carved silk gown today, which matches the brown forehead embroidered by Duanmu very well.

Duanmujun was very supportive, and nodded again and again: "It's very suitable." ”

Looking at the three of his grandfather and grandson, Duanmu Xian seemed to be separated from them by an invisible barrier, his expression was in a trance, and his heart was still a little heavy.

His gaze lingered on Duanmujun, and he couldn't help but sigh.

Originally, their Duanmu family didn't need their eldest granddaughter to marry, but the eldest granddaughter has been biting on the idea of not marrying all these years, and he only hopes that the eldest granddaughter will open up as soon as possible and choose a husband who is satisfactory to her.

Unexpectedly, this girl finally changed her mind, but she chose "that person".

Thinking of that person, Duanmu Xian's body stiffened, and his heart was entangled: If this is really as Duanmu wants, people outside are afraid that they will talk about their Duanmu family selling their granddaughter and ruining the reputation of the Duanmu family.

Hey, this is secondary, after all, he can sit upright, and the most important thing is that Duanmujun is only eighteen years old this year, and now he is young Mu Ai, but she is still growing in this life!

Ten years later, twenty years later, the love and sweetness of youth are exhausted, how should I live my life......

The more Duanmu Xian thought about it, the more he felt his chest tightened.

At this time, Duanmu Fei looked at Duanmu Xian, looked like he was begging for reward, and said, "Grandfather, I also embroidered a belt for you, you wait patiently for a few days, I will definitely be able to finish the embroidery before the Chinese New Year." ”

Duanmu Xian came back to his senses at this time, stroked his beard casually and smiled: "Okay, grandfather knows that you are filial." ”

Duanmuxian turned his head to look at Mrs. Li, "A few days ago, I said that she made plum blossom tea well, and this girl has been thinking about making more plum blossom tea for her in-laws and Minzhou." ”

There is a kind of flavor in his words: "Lao Wang sells melons and boasts".

Mrs. Li's eyes narrowed with a smile, and she said to Duanmufei: "Your grandfather must be happy when he finds out." I'm better than him, so I tasted the tea made by Sister Scarlet first. ”

As she spoke, Mrs. Li seemed to think of something, and said, "I also received a letter from Minzhou early this morning, and your grandfather and uncle won another battle last month...... In a few days, the New Year's gift over there should also be delivered. "The Li family won the battle, so naturally they were able to pay a lot of good things, just to add makeup to their two granddaughters.

Duanmu moved his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Grandmother, have there been Haikou in Minzhou recently?" ”

"yes, and it's getting worse." Mrs. Li nodded and said in a deep voice, "Since the opening of the sea ban, although the trade along the coast has surged, those pirates have been lured like cats that smell fish. ”

"Your grandfather and they have to encircle and suppress almost every year and a half, but they can only let these people settle down for a month or two, and they will start to make chaos again, so many merchants dare not go to sea, and the sea trade has been greatly affected."

Duanmuxian picked up the teacup, half-lowered his eyes, and said with emotion: "The Li family has also worked hard. ”

As the first assistant, of course, he also knew about this situation, and sighed in his heart: Hey, these widows are like the spring breeze blowing and growing like the inexhaustible weeds.

In recent years, there are not only the dangers of the south and the north, but also civil strife in various places, frequent disasters, and the imperial court cannot make ends meet.

However, in the past year or so, the trade tax has indeed been much less than when the sea ban was first opened, which is caused by the rampant pirates and pirates.

In the final analysis, it is also to blame that the imperial court cannot pay military salaries now. In recent years, Minzhou's navy has been almost self-sufficient, because there is no money and insufficient troops.

Sometimes, the navy heard that there were Japanese robbers robbing ships, but by the time the warships arrived, they had already been empty.

Like now, to be able to concentrate troops to encircle and suppress the Japanese once every six months, the Li family has also done their best.

With the precarious state of the imperial court now, it is unlikely that it will send troops to support Minzhou for a while, and it can only wait for the end of the war in the north and south before settling accounts with these Japanese robbers.

Duanmuxian rubbed his eyebrows, and sighed in his heart that Shoufu was embarrassed.

At this moment, Duanmu Fei suddenly smiled and said, "How about learning those dart games outside?" ”

The so-called dart bureau is the business of "collecting people's money and eliminating disasters for others", and the merchants give silver, and the dart board will send the dart master to protect them and their property.

Duanmu Xian raised his eyebrows, thoughtful.

The meaning of the four girls is......

"Ask those fleets to collect money?" Duanmu Xian muttered.

Mrs. Li opened her eyes slightly in surprise.

"yes." Duanmu took a sip of tea, nodded with a smile, and said methodically, "First plan out a few routes in the waters around Minzhou, and let the navy strengthen patrols on these routes. ”

Mrs. Li was stunned by Duanmufei's "whimsy", and after a while, she came back to her senses and said, "Isn't this okay?" "It's simply unheard of.

"......" Duanmu Xian was silent and slowly drank tea. The little granddaughter's idea is said to be whimsical.

Duanmu continued with a smile: "In this way, first, the problem of military salaries in Minzhou can be solved; Second, the sea area is vast, and the official planning of the route can make those merchant ships relatively concentrated, so that the navy will not be exhausted; Thirdly, these caravans going to sea are registered, and you can also beware of those Japanese caravans disguised as ordinary caravans. Wouldn't it kill three birds with one stone? ”

My sister is so smart! Duanmu Jun's eyes burned, and he felt that his sister's idea was really wonderful.

Duanmu sipped two sips of tea, moistened his throat, and continued: "Although my grandmother, grandfather and uncle have won consecutive battles over the years, every time they fight, even if they win a big victory, their troops will be somewhat damaged. ”

Mrs. Li clutched the handkerchief in her hand, and her face showed a hint of intention.

As a general's daughter, she is most touched by what Duanmu Fei said, her San Lang and Shiro both died at sea. The battlefield is changing rapidly, and no one can guarantee that the next person to die will not be their own loved ones.

"The robbing of merchant ships by the Japanese is due to speed and opportunity, and generally a large number of men and horses will not be dispatched, and if the navy is allowed to patrol along the way, even if the Japanese rob merchant ships by chance, the loss will be much less."

"Over the years, there have been wars and turmoil, and it is not easy to recruit soldiers, and the armaments of Minzhou have not been changed for several years, right?"

"Whether it is raising troops or weapons and equipment, these all require silver, but now the treasury is empty, and there is really no silver to allocate it...... The caravan can keep themselves safe with some silver, which is mutually beneficial for both the caravan and the navy. As long as the caravan can return to sea safely, then trade will naturally flourish again. ”

"Besides, the navy is tired and tired, so they can't let their military pay not be enough to support their families, right?"

Duanmu scarlet winked playfully at Duanmu Xian.

She just said these words not so much to Mrs. Li, but to Duanmu Xian.

In fact, not only the navy, but also the ordinary soldiers in the south and north who are fighting on the front line are barely able to make ends meet, they are in the most dangerous front line, and they use their lives to defend the integrity of Dasheng and the people, and their lives will be lost at any time, and the military salary is what they deserve.

The treasury is empty, and it can only be released first, but Minzhou can try to make money on its own and change the status quo.

Duanmuxian's eyes became deeper and deeper, and his lips pursed into a straight line.

He originally thought that Duanmufei's suggestion was somewhat whimsical, but the more he listened, the more he felt that this might not be a feasible plan.

With the current situation in Minzhou, it has fallen into a dead end of repeated cycles, and if you want to solve this dead end, you must either wait for Dasheng to settle down, and then transfer troops to Minzhou; Either they have to be bold and bold in their work, and perhaps this method can really reverse the predicament of Minzhou and maritime trade.

If the emperor was still sober, it would not be easy to implement this plan.

The emperor is happy to keep the success, he just wants to keep the country and guard his so-called prosperous world, but Cen Yin is different, Cen Yin is a person who deals with the world and deals with the government from the overall situation, and he is bold and decisive.

If Cen Yin had it, he would have agreed......

Duanmu Xian stroked his beard slowly, thinking in his heart, why don't he talk to Cen Yin tentatively tomorrow.

If he can take the sea trade to a higher level and fill the emptiness of the treasury, he will also have more silver on hand to allocate it, which is full of holes, and there are too many places where silver is needed......

Thinking of Cen Yin, Duanmu Xian's thoughts couldn't help but turn to Duanmu Jun, and glanced at her quickly, the feeling in his heart was so complicated that it was difficult to describe in words.

Hey, why is it Cen Yin!

Duanmu Xian was immersed in his own thoughts, his expression was in a trance, and he didn't even notice a maid hurriedly entering the hall.

"Fourth girl, Second Lady Zhang brought the fifth girl of the Zhang family to ask to see the girl." The little maid bowed to Duanmu Fei.

As soon as Duanmu Fei heard that the little cousin of the Zhang family was coming, she was happy and couldn't wait to stand up, but then she thought that her aunt suddenly came with her little cousin without telling her, and there must be something important.

Mrs. Li saw that there was a guest at Duanmu's house, and said to Duanmu with a smile: "Sister Jun, I'll go sit with you." ”

Duanmujun happily agreed, and the grandfather and grandson left the Chaohui Hall and went to the inner courtyard.

Duanmu Fei let people lead Chu and Zhang Lan to the True Fun Hall.

Inside the hall, there is a charcoal basin, warm as spring, outside the hall, the cold wind is howling, and there is still a dense light snow in the air, and a little snowflake falls on the cloak and turns into water droplets.

Duanmu gathered his cloak and walked forward against the oncoming snowflakes, and after a while, his cheeks were blown red by the cold wind.

It's cold!

Duanmu Fei almost shrunk into his cloak, and it wasn't until he came to the True Fun Hall that he felt alive again.

Chu Shi and Zhang Lan had already sat down on the circle chair at the bottom of the head, and the maid also served tea to the two guests, and in the hall, the fragrance of tea, plum and incense were intertwined.

"Second Mrs. Zhang, Fifth Girl." Duanmu Fei handed the cloak to Bi Chan, walked quickly to the Chu family's mother and daughter, and greeted her.

After the three of them sat down, Chu smiled apologetically, and did not beat around the bush, and said bluntly: "Duanmu Fourth Girl, I and the little girl rashly came to visit and asked the girl not to be surprised, there is really a matter to ask the girl for help." ”

"Second Mrs. Zhang, don't be polite." Duanmu said with a smile, his eyes couldn't help but look at Zhang Lan twice, and said in his heart: The little cousin is still so cute.

Zhang Lan wore a lilac-colored long jacket inlaid with mink fur today, with a blue lotus-colored horse-faced skirt, and a hosta with a white rabbit carved on the tail on the double flat hairpin, which echoed the white rabbit fluttering butterfly embroidered on the long jacket.

Chu Shi froze and said, "I heard that something happened in Jinzhou, so I want to ask the girl to help ask Grandfather Ling about it." ”

When the Chu family mentioned Jinzhou, it was thought that it was related to Second Master Zhang, Duanmufei's expression also became solemn, and he asked, "Mrs. Zhang, what happened to Jinzhou?" ”

Chu Shi sorted out his thoughts and said: "The Zhang family sent Lilly to the capital from their hometown for a few years, and when they passed through Jinzhou, they said that there were people and bandits in Taikang City, Jinzhou, who killed local officials. I would like the girl and Duanmu to inquire about my master's situation, I haven't received a letter from my master for a month. ”

Zhang Wenche has been going to Jinju for more than three months, and at first he wrote back to Beijing from time to time, but in the last month, there has been no news.

Chu often tossed and turned during this period of time, nightmares, yesterday she heard her hometown come to give a New Year's gift and talked about the incident in Jinzhou Taikang City, she was even more worried, this morning I went to the Xuanguo Mansion to inquire about the news, and the old lady Chu asked her to come to Duanmu's house.

Duanmu Fei didn't know much about Jinzhou, and it was not suitable for the maid to ask, so she got up and said, "Second Mrs. Zhang, you and Fifth Miss Zhang are here for a while, and I'll ask my grandfather." ”

"I'm tired of the girl."

Chu and Zhang Lan both got up and blessed themselves, and watched Duanmu Fei leave the True Fun Hall.

Without Duanmufei, the hall fell into silence.

Chu sat back a little uneasy, picked up the teacup and brought it to his mouth, and he didn't know if he drank it, so he put it down again.

Zhang Lan looked at Chu Clan worriedly.

During this period of time, although the Chu family did not say it, it has always been as if nothing happened, but knowing her mother Mo Ruonu, Zhang Lan can also guess that her mother is worried about her father's safety from her mother's subtle performance on weekdays.

All she can do is help her mother deal with the housekeeping of the house, so that her mother doesn't have to worry too much.

"Mother, father must be fine." Zhang Lan hesitated, but still said in relief.

If something happens to my father, it is impossible for the court to have no news at all.

Of course, the Chu family also understands this truth, but if it is about itself, it will be chaotic.

Chu Shi stretched out his hand to his daughter and shook her cold little hand. My daughter has always been afraid of the cold, and she went out in a hurry today and didn't bring a hand stove.

"Sister Lan, drink more hot tea to warm up." Chu said softly to his daughter.

Zhang Lan responded obediently, and when the Chu mother and daughter finished drinking a cup of tea, and the maid added new tea, Duanmu Fei came back.

It was only a lot of tea, and the snow outside suddenly became bigger, flying like goose feathers, even if the maid held an oil-paper umbrella to block the snow, there were still a lot of snowflakes floating on Duanmufei's cloak.

Duanmu Fei gave Chu's mother and daughter a reassuring smile, which made Chu's heart that was originally hanging in the air a little more steady.

Duanmu Fei said: "Second Mrs. Zhang, my grandfather said that the imperial court has not received any news about Jinzhou Taikang City. However, Second Master Zhang is now in Datong City, Taikang City is in Jinzhong, and Datong City is in Jinnan, so Second Master Zhang should not be involved......"

Duanmuxian was also very surprised after learning about Taikang City, combined with the fact that the Chu family had not received Zhang Wenche's letter for a long time, Duanmuxian suspected that something was wrong with the post station and post road from Jinnan to Jinzhong.

Therefore, after Duanmu Xian heard about it, he didn't care about Xiu Mu today and hurriedly went out.

------Off topic------

Good morning! I bumped into the cover with someone else, so I changed it again. I'm almost ready to collect all the seven-colored gourd babies.

It's time to meet your parents after the bright road......