The secret room was silent, only Ji Lan's voice. She seemed to have thought of all the problems that could arise. The perfect plan, the perfect retreat, everyone is convinced. Ji Lan's intelligence seems to have transcended the boundaries of her own age.

The fourteen-year-old cardamom girl is about to usher in the most important year of her life. Whether he can change the fate of being manipulated at the age of Jilu, Ji Lan's fifteen years old is particularly important. She didn't have time to splurge anymore.

"The hour is getting late. First of all, I would like to grieve you to rest in the barracks for one night. Tomorrow, Dai Bichang will escort you away. ”

After Zhu Shi and Zhu Shi took office, on the grounds of taking care of the fiefdom, they took a detour to come here for a secret meeting. Their retinue was still resting in the post house ten miles away from Yunmeng.

"The old man stayed for a few days. Don't go. ”

Ji Zhang repeatedly bearded.

As an uncle to visit his niece, he was in the past.

"Uncle must not be left behind, and no suspicion shall be aroused."

Hearing Ji Lan's words, the old man seemed to be a little displeased, and made a straight face. Seeing this, Ji Zhou hurriedly persuaded him.

"Yes! Uncles and nephews catch up, and there is time. I also asked my uncle to put the overall situation first. ”

"Uncle cherishes Lan'er and treats my brothers and sisters like fathers. Lan'er is grateful for her uncle's kindness. I'm done here. Lan'er will rush to Qicheng to meet her uncle. Lan'er... I really don't want to... Marry into another country. Please forgive me. ”

Obviously, the niece's emotional intelligence is very high, and she listens to a lot of words. Ji Zhang's tense face gradually soothed. Unexpectedly, the teachers were courteous and helpful:

"Yes! Sima Zhang, who is also a veteran of the Four Dynasties, is he so angry? For the sake of Gongzilan, my teachers went to the soup and fire. ”

Ji Zhang was immediately angry.

"You know what a! Yuan'er's girl is quirky. The old man's beard was almost plucked out by her. I'm hiding here because I don't want to see my ancestors. It's okay to stir things up here. ”

The gang chattered and began to pull up the parents' shortcomings. Hearing Wang Xu's bewildered face.

"Isn't this a plot to rebel? Can you pay attention to it, hey! If it's okay, can you let me go home and sleep first? It's already time! Lao Ziming still has to go to work! ”

There was a grumbling and shouting in my heart. Thinking that Ji Lan's sister must be a crazy girl. In the future, you will have to stay away from your ancestors who loved to pluck their feathers. Wang Xu shrugged his shoulders and glanced at Situ Shi, both of whom shook their heads helplessly.

Soon after, the secret meeting ended. Wei Dai was busy settling Sirao's residence. Ning Chang led the way in front with torches, Wang Xu and Ji Lan followed behind with short Ge, and the three of them were like soldiers patrolling the night, slowly walking towards the city. Winter will be in a few days. The wind in the middle of the night was blowing on my cheeks, and I could already feel the chill that was coming.

"You have to be attentive to the people around you. Especially the dancing girl. ”

"Oh! The lord is quiet? I know... She is a spy sent by the king. ”

Wang Xu looked casually, Ji Lan walked in front of him, and her expression was very complicated.

It seems too intimate to call the subordinates like this. The two have known each other so far, and Ji Lan doesn't dare to call Wang Xu by her single name, not to mention that Wang Xu has never called her so affectionately. Suddenly, the woman's jealousy sprouted. Stammered and asked:

"Son... Quiet? You... Mo not... She's... Accepted as a concubine? ”

Wang Xu's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly climbed along the pole.

"How so? I'm also forced to be helpless. I'll be sixteen next year. If there are no more children, according to the marriage decree issued by the lord, Wei Xu will really marry the woman. The lord also doesn't want to see Wei Xu for the sake of the great cause, and the family is restless, right? ”

Ji Lan paused.

"Now that the government has been returned to you, you are in charge of all the major affairs of the field."

Wang Xu immediately blossomed. Dozens of couples and men in their village have maintained a fake husband and wife status due to the marriage law. It's been a year, and if you don't revise it, I'm afraid... Many reorganized families are like him, and they have begun to fake it. In particular, the marriage of the blacksmith Fengbo still haunts him. At this time, Ji Lan asked faintly:

"Wei Xu! We... Will it be successful? I'd like to hear your thoughts. ”

Since the boss is so open-minded, he doesn't bother to hide it, and he must come up with some constructive suggestions.

"On the surface, it seems perfect. But the lord overlooked two things. ”

At this point, Wang Xu looked around cautiously. When talking about rebellion on the street, he was a little weak-hearted. Then, after thinking for a moment, he considered the words. Channel:

"First, if you succeed by chance. It is very likely that the four kingdoms of Yue, Qi, Jin, and Chu will intervene in this regard. The relationships on the outside are too complex and difficult to deal with. It is not easy to get the support of the child. Second, there was no big fault on the part of the song. If they stick to each other, the people's hearts will turn back. How can the lord fight for it? And why do you insist? ”

It's not that Ji Lan didn't think of the stakes. It's just that time is pressed right now, so she can only do it and see. The woman was silent for a long time. The surrounding atmosphere is quiet, and only the footsteps of Sanrao can be heard.

"Don't worry, my lord. There are already countermeasures to these things. ”

Before they knew it, the three of them had already walked outside the gate of the Yi Lord's Mansion. Ji Lan really wanted to talk to Wang Xu at night, but it backfired, so she had to give up. The woman smiled goodbye at her and was about to turn around and enter the house. I saw Wang Xu take a step forward and said:

"Tomorrow afternoon, please talk about the wine shop."

"No! Everything in mind. You and I don't have to meet, next time. ”

Wang Xu's ghostly smile was very treacherous.

"The lord was drinking in the liquor store. It does not appear, nor does it leave a letter to give a handle. Rest assured! ”

With that, he waved his hand and turned to leave. Ning Chang hurriedly followed, leaving Ji Lan alone in place.

Could it be that there is a secret room hidden in a wine shop? But that's not right. If we don't see each other and don't leave letters, how can we communicate?

Ji Lan stood for a long time, but still didn't understand. Puzzled, she walked slowly towards the house. The door to the lord's mansion was then shut. Ning Chang escorted Wang Xu all the way to the alley next to the main street, and the two of them had nothing and returned home. It's as natural as a soldier routinely patrolling the neighborhood he is in charge of.

Wang Xu's home was located at the back of this bustling main street, and he looked up and smiled knowingly. After walking a few steps, he came to the outside of his own courtyard wall.

In the dark city, the lights of the buildings flickered, like a lighthouse to guide him home. The warm yellow light sprinkled in the courtyard through the window lattice, and the silhouette of his wife sitting by the window and waiting suddenly warmed his heart.

After hiding the uniform, before he could knock on the door, he heard the rapid footsteps of a woman coming down the stairs.

"The beloved is back? The concubine prepared ginger soup to warm your body. ”

Ah Ji pushed open the door and saw her husband returning home, so she went to the kitchen outside.

"No need. It's so late. Let's rest early. ”

Wang Xu pushed Ah Ji into the house, then closed the door and brought the latch.

He knew that the stubborn woman would stay at home and wait for him to return.

After all, the door locks used in the houses at this time were wooden, and there were no mechanisms inside. It's on the door, and it doesn't even have a keyhole, it's just for scary. Rely on the latch inside the door to guard against robbers. Wang Xu went out late at night, and it was inevitable that Ah Ji would wait and stay at the door. He pushed Aji upstairs.

"That's right! The servants and maids who have been given by the king, have you ever come to see your wife today? ”

"It's not that Concubine Sakura has been staying at home today."

"If the lady likes to study medicine, it is good to do it and support her husband. Leave the affairs of the family to the next person. I don't want my wife to work too hard. ”

"Taking care of the beloved's daily life is the responsibility of the concubine. And how can we talk about labor? ”

Wang Xu picked up the hot water in the copper basin and began to clean his face, and Ah Ji handed over the towel.

"Still tired? This hot water must have been prepared before I got home, right? Ay! Madame is doing well, can she help me share my worries? You think, there are only thirty servants and clerks in Zaifu, and there are eleven people under him. Cleaning the courtyard all day is much more leisurely than the lady. ”

"They are also miserable people, and it is rare for them to live a good life. Don't be harsh on a beloved. ”

"Where am I to blame them? The lady should do good deeds and help her husband. I have to be busy with the affairs of the field all day long, and I have to be annoyed by those people. They are rewarded by the king, and they can't be sent away, which is really troublesome. If Madame doesn't care, then I will go to your medicine house to hide in the future. ”

Wang Xu blinked, with a look of grievance, begging for love. Aji couldn't help him, pursed his lips and smiled.

"Got it. Ming Concubine went to the Zaifu to inform the servants and maids. Just a while ago, Uncle Li mentioned to his concubine that he would add an extra meal to the children in the school hall. I'm worried that I can't find the cook. ”

Since the school hall began to teach at three o'clock. This time period is also the time when Fangsheng workshops are working. Many students had to bring some dry food and take it to the school hall to eat. Usually the teaching lasts for three hours, and there is no rest in between. And the art of archery and defense is extremely physically demanding. Students faint from time to time.

"Okay! Okay! It's better to take the singer with you. ”

Seeing that her husband was bad, Ah Ji smiled coquettishly while taking off her robe for Wang Xu. Afterwards, the two were wrapped in quilts and leaned side by side on the head of the bed. If a female spy goes to be a cook, this is new. Wang Xu thought about it and thought it was funny, and he was secretly happy in his heart.

"That's right! I forgot to tell you. Tomorrow's husband will repeal the marriage decree. You tell the good news to Uncle Feng and Widow Zhang. After two days, they will be married. This time it must be fast, no one can stop it. ”

Aji raised his eyebrows. However, after a moment, he frowned again.

"But Widow Zhang has already made a promise."

Widow Zhang's fake marriage has allowed someone to be a concubine. Wang Xu rubbed Ah Ji with his shoulder, raised his eyebrows, and smiled evilly.

"It doesn't matter! Tomorrow's husband will change Widow Zhang's edition. The people in the workshop also changed. ”

Aji admires her husband's crooked talent. Husband and wife chattered, and the parents were short, until they were ugly, and then they slowly fell asleep.

Second, Wang Xu went to the government early in the morning. The first major task was to amend the family registration information and move the women who had fake marriages out of the man's household register. The work is really cumbersome, and this matter can't be faked to other officials, after all, the impact is not good. He used his knife to pick up the twine thread connecting the bamboo slips, and at the same time brandished the seal knife to engrave words on the empty bamboo slips.

Subsequently, Qiu Youzi Jing was summoned to help connect the bamboo slips on the side.

At this time, the family register is casual and simple. It is only a more comprehensive description of the male head of household. In a concise word, summarize the situation at home. And after the marriage, the woman only indicates the original surname, which is considered to be completed. For a standard family of five, basically five pieces of bamboo slips can be summarized. The blank space is reserved for future heirs and family members who have a record of meritorious service to the country or crimes.

Every time Wang Xu changes a woman's household registration, he has to tear down a piece of bamboo slip. He has long been accustomed to lettering, but he is not so patient when he compiles books with hemp rope.

An hour had passed, and the book was organized. At this time, Wang Xu was holding his household registration, looking at the record about Aji on it, and couldn't help frowning.

"Ah Shi, Wei Nu, Ji."

The wife's record is really sloppy enough.

According to legend, Ah Shi came from after Yi Yin of the Shang Dynasty, but the name of Ah Ji obviously did not come from this. Ah Shi has the same sound as, and it sounds extremely unelegant. So, he waved his pen.

"Ji's surname is Wang, Wei Nu, Ji. After the crown prince of Nailing. ”

He knew that Aji cared most about his status as a slave. Anyway, Ji Jin's descendants are all in Zhongshan Kingdom, and they have lived with the Beidi people for several generations. Aji could have seen the lineage of Di Rao, which happened to borrow the origin of the surname Wang. Even if they were suspected, the officials of the patriotic state would not run to investigate this matter. Doesn't it hurt to be an egg?

Thinking of this, Wang Xu removed his household registration information from the record about Aji, but handed the forged identity to Qiu Youzijing. The woman had a pair of skillful hands, and after a while, all the bamboo slips were sorted out. Wang Xu pointed to the bamboo slips scattered on the copper case and told the other party.

"Zijing! Burn all these bamboo slips. ”

The woman nodded and began to tidy up the desk. Wang Xu summoned the officials to discuss the affairs of the field.

In the winter, the official duties of the government will be much easier. The construction of Dongcheng has been arranged, and only waiting for the approval of the Situ Mansion can be levied and labor can be levied and the construction can begin. Previously, I was worried that the newly appointed Situ and Wei Hou wore a pair of pants. If the approval is delayed for a few months, it will seriously affect the development of Yunmeng in the coming year. Now that the money, food, soldiers and horses are all on Ji Lan's side, it is smooth sailing to do things, without any scruples.

At this moment, Wang Xu and a group of officials were talking about the construction of a salt-making workshop in the saline-alkali land in the mountains.

A servant was overjoyed, knelt beside the desk of the guest seat, and arched his hand:

"The Humble Ones have sent men to search and try to dig up the brine. I didn't expect it to be a salt mine down there. ”

"Really?"

"There is no lie. The fineness of the salt mine is also excellent. ”

Wang Xu was overjoyed. I talked to Aji about it that day. His wife also advised him not to buy or sell the salt. After all, the salt in the mainland cannot compete with the cheap sea salt in Qi. Wang Xu also calculated that the cost price of salt after the boycott was consistent with the price of salt sold by Qi State. There is basically no profit. But he couldn't stand it, the yellowish salt. Thinking that he has dense cotton cloth, filter and distill it a few times, get some refined salt, take the high-end route, and then sell it to Chaoge's gang of powerful people, it will definitely make a lot of money. I don't want to step on shit luck, so I dig out the salt mine directly. This saves a lot of the cost of firewood.

"Excellent! I'll leave it to you, and I'll do it today." You go to the treasury to allocate money and food, recruit artists, and set up a workshop as soon as possible. Salt can be produced in winter. ”

Everyone was happy and chatted enthusiastically. Suddenly, there was a "bang" sound in the hall. Wang Xu looked back and saw the bamboo slips scattered all over the ground under Qiu Youzijing's feet. Those were the records of the books he had told the woman to burn.

"Damn it! That's it. ”

Qiu Youzijing hurriedly bowed down and apologized, and picked up the scattered bamboo slips. After a moment of silence in the hall, Wang Xu and the others continued to talk about salt making. The woman held the bamboo slip and retreated into the inner hall with her heart. Immediately afterward, she fetched the fire tray and began to burn it.

Qiu Youzi squatted quietly beside the brazier, holding a bamboo slip in his left hand, looking at the short handwriting on it, and then the woman's eyes became confused. Her right hand caressed the ground, groped for the scattered pieces of bamboo on the side of her legs, grabbed one from time to time, and gently threw it into the brazier.

The room was filled with white smoke. It seemed that the feeling of the smoke and dust did not affect her in the slightest from examining the short line. Qiu Youzi whispered softly:

"Aji... Aji..."

Or the probability of this ordinary name appearing in nearly 10,000 families in the country is also very great. It's like shouting in the street: "Weber! Your mother called you home for dinner. "A few people turned back.

The fourth-oldest woman in the family is called "Aji", and there are not a few. Especially a woman who has no surname and is from a poor family. Nothing out of the ordinary, it seems.

However, her sister, who has been separated for nearly eight years, is also called Aji. Qiu Youzijing vaguely remembered that her sister at that time was only six years old and couldn't even pronounce her name.

"Qiu Youziyun..."