Zheng Sichu drank all the wine in the cup and asked, "Brother Xuan, can't you ban Fushou Paste in one fell swoop?" ”

Xuan Minglei smiled bitterly: "I proposed this proposal last year. It's just that you also know that the republic is not good at all, and it doesn't matter if anyone says it, it has to be approved by the council. When my motion was introduced, it didn't even pass the first round of discussions. ”

"Why?"

"It's not that the Ministry of Rites said that Fushou Paste is already the largest imported product, and the tax collected has accounted for nearly 10% of the total tariff, and once it is banned, the salaries of subordinates and soldiers at all levels will not be paid."

Zheng Sichu frowned when he heard this: "It's really short-sighted. Fushou and anointing are very bad, greedy for small profits, and eventually suffer a big disaster. Isn't there anyone in the House who sees this now? ”

"Although Brother Tan agrees with me, Director Wang firmly disagrees."

Although nominally a province of the Great Qi Empire, Wuyangcheng has actually become a country of its own, and still retains a full set of republican teams. Corresponding to the empire's six-ministry system, Wuyangcheng adopted the five-ministry director system, and the Ministry of Rites in charge of celebrations, diplomacy and finance, in fact, concentrated the power of the empire's rites and households, because it was the most important of the five ministries and departments to take on the heavy responsibility of the entire ruling government's operating funds. The director of the Ministry of Rites is named Wang Zhiqing, a very talented person, who took over this post after the director of the Ministry of Rites was impeached and removed from office for supporting the peace talks. It is precisely because of Wang Toqing's high position and talent that he can't help but be a little self-serving. Coupled with the separation of military and political affairs in Wuyangcheng, even if Xuan Minglei is the deputy commander, he can only put forward a proposal, and cannot order the five ministries, so although Xuan Minglei said in the motion that if he allows Fushou and Anointing to overflow, there will be no money to raise, and there will be no available soldiers. However, Wang Toqing felt that the Fushou Paste Trade was still conducive to the collection of wealth, and the ban would make it difficult for the army to raise salaries, so he only needed to take advantage of the situation and strictly prohibit the soldiers from smoking. In the parliament, Wang Zhiqing's influence was far greater than that of Xuan Minglei, and since Wang Zhiqing meant this, the parliamentarians naturally echoed his views, and as a result, Xuan Minglei's motion was rejected in the first round. Zheng Sichu has now been completely excluded from the political situation in Wuyangcheng, and he really doesn't know anything about this kind of insider. Hearing Xuan Minglei talk about it, he couldn't help but be stunned for a while, and poured another glass of wine and drank it all.

Xuan Minglei saw that he didn't speak, knowing that this old friend really had a talent for the world, but now he could only grow vegetables and raise chickens in his backyard. Such a quiet and peaceful day is undesirable for ordinary people, but for Zheng Sichu, it is tantamount to a handsome eagle with its wings cut off, and the depression in his heart is really indescribable. He also poured himself full of wine and said: "Brother Zheng, it's hard to say, if there is really no way, I will discuss with the great unification system, and find out the benefits and disadvantages of this matter one by one, and the great unification system should be able to understand." ”

Zheng Sichu heard Xuan Minglei say this, and asked, "Do you want my brother-in-law to use the final decision?" ”

"Yes."

The Great Unification System was originally the supreme head of the republic, and now the imperial system has been restored, but Wuyangcheng still retains the republican system, so this position has been retained in Wuyangcheng. The current ruler's name is Chen Qianxin, who is Zheng Sichu's uncle. Chen Qianxin was the director of the Ministry of Industry at that time, and he was one of the best craftsmen in the world, but he was very wooden and never quarreled with others, so after the peace talks between the north and the south, Wuyangcheng obtained autonomy at the expense of the Great Qi Empire, and the first general system was served by Chen Humility, who was the oldest and not disgusted by all parties. Chen has been modestly in the big system for many years, and he is really doing nothing. Fortunately, the five ministries are effective, the ruling government is running smoothly, and Chen is also quiet, and he usually has time to discuss various equipment research with his apprentice Hua Shiwen, that is, when there is any initiative, he will come to the council to preside over the meeting. Although the law stipulates that the general system has the final decision, Chen has never used this power. However, the final decision is not what the general government says, and it is still up to the government to decide. However, with the decision on the general unification, the original three discussions were shortened to the final discussion of the five ministries and departments and the five major military generals to increase the reunification. At this stage, Xuan Minglei is confident that he can compete with Wang Toqing.

Zheng Sichu said: "However, in this way, Director Wang is bound to treat you as an enemy." ”

Wang Toeqing is indeed extremely talented, but he is also a bit of a stingy person. Xuan Minglei directly handed over this motion, which had been rejected once, to Chen Humbly and put it forward, making it clear that he wanted to bypass Wang Toqing. Others can not take it to heart, but in Wang Toqing's eyes, this is a direct challenge to himself, and he will definitely oppose this proposal even harder. In this way, it is equivalent to a decisive battle between the military and the government. In the past, when Zheng Sichu was the commander of the Southern Army, he also encountered this situation. That time was solved by unusual means, but it also made the southern army completely lose the strength to compete with the northern army, and Wuyangcheng was able to retain the republican system to this day, in fact, it mainly relied on the tolerance of the Great Qi Emperor. Despite this, the people of Wuyang City did not agree with Zheng Sichu's original plan for peace talks afterwards, so much so that Zheng Sichu was removed from the position of marshal in the following council meeting with an unprecedented high vote. More than ten years of peace have passed, although the emperor is tolerant, after all, Wuyangcheng is not allowed to vigorously develop military strength, resulting in the status quo that Wuyangcheng is more political than the army, so the current strength of Wuyangcheng is not what it used to be, and it cannot be compared with when Zheng Sichu was the commander. If Xuan Minglei did this, it would be a repeat of the mistakes of the past, and Zheng Sichu would be very worried when he thought about it.

Xuan Minglei said: "There is no way to treat me as an enemy." In the end, we can't blindly give way to the things of the world. If there is no way to retreat, then there will be no return. ”

Zheng Sichu shook his head and said, "It's always inappropriate to break up like this. What's more, although my uncle-in-law is a ruler, he really can't afford such a heavy responsibility, and this plan may not work. ”

Although Zheng Sichu has done nothing over the years, he often reflects on why he ended up like this. It was clear that he had to do it in order to preserve the republican system, but as a result, he was not recognized by those who benefited him. Come to think of it, it is a people-oriented, people-oriented republic, and almost everything has to be discussed by the parliament, which is not as efficient as the imperial system at such times. The final decision on the grand unification system is actually inherited from the republican period of the past. At that time, the great power of the first generation was very strong, but it was also stubborn and self-serving, so this clause was left with a clear violation of the republican concept. However, the ability of the later generations of great control was far less than that of the first generation, and the time for concurrently doing the great control was also very short. From top to bottom, the ruling government felt that this article should have been abolished a long time ago, but since it was useless, it did not care about it for a while. If Chen suddenly uses this power, I am afraid that it will cause misunderstanding among the people, but not only will Xuan Minglei and Wang Toqing become even more intimate, and the contradictions between the military and the government will also be greatly intensified, and I am afraid that the situation will be even more out of control.

This is what Zheng Sichu is most worried about. He briefly talked about this concern, and Xuan Minglei listened with a cup at first, and his face became more and more solemn. He is not an impulsive person, but this matter is really not as far as Zheng Sichu thought. Listening to his analysis, Xuan Minglei also felt that his original idea was indeed inappropriate. After Zheng Sichu finished speaking, he said, "So, Brother Zheng, what do you say is the best policy?" ”

Zheng Sichu pondered for a moment and said, "If you want to come to this matter, you still need to get the approval of Director Wang. I don't think he's a person who doesn't know what is important, Brother Xuan, if you put down your shelf and go to have a deep talk with him and explain to him the stakes in this, I think Director Wang should be able to understand. ”

Xuan Minglei sighed: "Brother Zheng, you haven't set foot in the power field for more than ten years. Do you know who Wang Toe Qing is? ”

Zheng Sichu was stunned and said, "Isn't he the director of the Ministry of Rites?" ”

"The director is right. But do you know that he is Li Dianyuan's cousin? ”

Zheng Sichu was stunned and muttered: "It turns out that there is still this relationship, and he resents you because of this matter?" ”

Xuan Ming Lei really didn't want to say it to Zheng Sichu, but at this point, he could only nod.

The name Li Dianyuan is also quite sensitive in Wuyang City. Li Dianyuan was originally a small official, because of his strong ability, it was because of Zheng Sichu's recommendation that he rose step by step, and at the last moment of the confrontation between the north and the south, Li Dianyuan even became the supreme governor of Wuyang City. Li Dianyuan insisted on fighting with the north to the end, even if he did not hesitate to end up together, so that he had a violent conflict with Zheng Sichu, who proposed peace talks between the north and the south, and even prepared to get rid of Zheng Sichu to solve this obstacle. That time it was Zheng Sichu who won the final victory, and Li Dianyuan was also discredited and committed suicide in anger. Although Li Dianyuan was actually used by another mysterious force, if Li Dianyuan's approach was followed, Wuyangcheng would have already become a scorched earth today, but in the eyes of the forgetful people of Wuyangcheng, Zheng Sichu, who bowed to the Northern Empire, was a traitor, and Li Dianyuan, who was full of righteousness, could still be a hero anyway. Especially in the next ten years of humiliating peace, Zheng Sichu was labeled as "betraying the country for glory", and Li Dianyuan, who was Zheng Sichu's sworn enemy, was even more sympathetic. Especially in the mind of Wang Toqing, who is a cousin, his cousin has done his best for the country, and it is really unfair to get such an end, so he has more resentment towards Zheng Sichu than others. Xuan Minglei is Zheng Sichu's confidant, even if Zheng Sichu takes all the infamy on himself, Wang Toe Qing still has no good impression of Xuan Ming Lei, and it is really difficult to talk openly and honestly with Wang Toe Qing in order to get him to understand.

Xuan Minglei saw that Zheng Sichu was deep in thought, and he didn't know what he was thinking. It's just that back then, he and Zheng Sichu cooperated with the two land and water, and he was known as invincible in the world, knowing that this old friend was resourceful, maybe there was really a good way, so he was happy to drink wine cup after cup, while holding two chopsticks and dishes. Mrs. Zheng has been busy with housework every day over the years, and her cooking skills have improved, and these two pots of stir-fried vegetables are also full of color, flavor, and shape, one of which is a pot of bacon fried leeks, but the root of the leeks is generally thick and thin, and the bacon is also cut into slices of general size, most of which are cut and repaired to the shape. He chewed bacon in his mouth, but there was a strange sourness in his heart, and he said in his heart: "Little junior sister used to never cook because she wanted to play the pipa, but now it is completely different for Brother Zheng." ”

Just thinking about it, I suddenly heard Zheng Sichu say: "Brother Xuan, let's take a look in four or five days." ”

Xuan Ming Lei Daqi asked, "Four or five days?" Can he change his mind in four or five days? ”

Zheng Sichu said indifferently: "Try it." ”

Xuan Minglei was even more surprised, and asked, "Brother Zheng, what do you have in mind?" ”

"If you say it, it won't work, and I'm not completely sure. But if you can succeed, Director Wang should take the initiative to come to you. ”

Xuan Minglei is even more strange, the heart of Wang Toe Qing has a very good face, and he generally does not sell other people's accounts at all. Two years ago, one of his subordinate scribes made a mistake when copying and issuing documents, and it was originally just a fine according to the law, but because this scribe was his nephew, Wang Toqing said that he could not follow his own interests, so he should be dealt with severely and the scribe was dismissed. He really has a grudge against Zheng Sichu, and he will not sell his face in public or private, so he really can't figure out how Zheng Sichu wants to convince him. It's just that Zheng Sichu said this, even if he didn't believe it, he couldn't refute his face, nodded and said, "Okay, anyway, it's not in a hurry for a few days." Come, drink and drink, your lychee wine is really good, you can sell it on the market. ”

Zheng Sichu knew that he was addicted to alcohol, and he had no moderation. Back then, he would get drunk every time he drank, and every time he got drunk, when Zheng Sichu first met him, Xuan Minglei was drinking and was going crazy. Now that he is the second marshal, it will be a big scandal if he goes crazy with alcohol again, and the edict is strict, so he always stops drinking lightly. Seeing that he was eating a cup of food, he persuaded: "Brother Xuan, you should also drink a few glasses." Xuan Cishuai went crazy all the way home, but he didn't look good. I've got you a jar of unopened wine, so take it home and drink it slowly." ”

Xuan Minglei was indeed tightly controlled at home, and it was rare to drink wine freely, so he wanted to take the opportunity to drink two more glasses at the Zheng family, but Zheng Sichu broke it in one gulp. Fortunately, the two of them had a good relationship, and they didn't care about face, so they smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zheng." As he spoke, he took out a small purse from his bosom and pushed it over, saying, "The wine money is for you." Seeing that Zheng Sichu was about to push back, he said with a blank face: "Brother Zheng, if you don't accept it, then I don't want your wine anymore, and I won't bother you in the future." ”

Although Zheng Si Chu's family is not a huge index finger, but because he has no public office, life can't help but be a little tight, otherwise Chu Hanbai would not have to go to the black boxing stadium to boxing to earn medicine money for female classmates. Even though Xuan Minglei and a few friends usually have a heart to help, they are always rejected by Zheng Sichu, but this time Xuan Minglei is also hard-hearted and speaks very seriously. Zheng Sichu was choked by him, but he couldn't speak, and said with a dry smile: "It's okay, it's better to be respectful than to obey." ”

Xuan Minglei saw that he accepted it, so he smiled and said, "This is it." He lowered his voice again and said, "Brother Zheng, in fact, I think you shouldn't be too wintery, even if you go to Fog Cloud City, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are against your original intention." ”

In the peace talks between the north and the south that year, Zheng Sichu and the emperor of Great Qi formed an alliance in front of the battle, turning hostility into jade silk, bringing peace to Wuyangcheng for more than ten years. Later, the emperor also knew that Zheng Sichu was extremely unsatisfactory in Wuyang City, and asked him to go north several times to take up a post, but each time he was politely declined by Zheng Sichu. Hearing Xuan Minglei talk about this, Zheng Sichu sighed: "Brother Xuan, please don't mention this again. My heart is republican, and I will never bow my knee to the monarchy. ”

Xuan Minglei sighed secretly. Of course, he himself is more in favor of the republican system, but he has to admit that the empire in the north has not only restored the imperial system, but has actually absorbed the advantages of the republic in many places. Like the empire's six-part Shangshu system, it is the same as the five departments of Wuyangcheng, and a cabinet is set up above the six ministries as an advisory body to the emperor. The six ministries submitted the motion to the cabinet, and after deliberation by the cabinet, it was signed by the emperor, and although the emperor had the final decision-making power, it was actually only a power of approval. This set of processes is derived from the republican parliamentary system, although it is somewhat tighter than the parliamentary system, but it is different from the empire of the previous dynasty that the emperor monopolized power. Sometimes Xuanming Lei thinks that the cabinet system is actually more efficient than the parliamentary system, for example, the matter of banning Fushou and ointment, because the emperor himself does not like Fushou ointment, so it is not allowed to sell, although the northern territory is vast, but there is no place to sell on the surface, far less than almost every street and alley like Wuyang City, and it is everywhere. And Wuyang City is always banned because the Ministry of Rites does not agree. Thinking about it this way, Xuan Minglei also had to admit sadly that with a wise emperor under the leadership, the imperial system may not be unacceptable. What's more, in terms of the inheritance of the throne, the emperor also issued the electoral system, and the elector elected the next emperor. The five marshals and the six scholars of the empire were the eleventh electors, and the cabinet ministers with greater power did not have the right to elect the emperor, just to prevent the disadvantages of excessive concentration of power after the cabinet ministers supported the young emperor. The emperor was in his prime, and his consideration of the problem was so clear and clear, even if he was unconvinced, he couldn't help but admire it a little. Although he didn't want Zheng Sichu to devote himself to the emperor's command, he also knew that Zheng Sichu was destined to do nothing in Wuyang City, and even with his little junior sister, he could only go around the stove, even as an outsider, Xuan Minglei was not worth it for the two of them. Come to think of it, the emperor appreciates Zheng Sichu's talent, and Zheng Sichu can only show his strengths by going to Fog Cloud City. Just listening to Zheng Sichu say that there is no such possibility, Xuan Minglei felt a little sorry in his heart, but he was also a little relieved.

What is the gratification? Xuan Minglei didn't think about it at the time. When he returned home with a jar of wine and put the jar away, he was suddenly stunned.

If Zheng Sichu goes to Fog Cloud City, he may become an enemy with himself one day!

This thought suddenly jumped into his mind, and the bold Xuan Minglei couldn't help but be a little scared. At present, Wuyangcheng is still a special district of the empire despite its autonomy, and the imperial flag is still raised at the highest place at the ceremony on July 17 every year, and the republican flag is lowered at half-mast. But Xuan Minglei also felt more and more the undercurrent surging in Wuyang City. Once this dark current is clear, it may be the day when the long-term peace will be broken.

The empire and the republic are destined to fight to the death.

As soon as he thought of this, Xuan Minglei couldn't help but be at a loss for a while, and he couldn't say a word anymore. He looked in front of him, although it was just an ordinary cupboard in front of him, but his eyes became more and more fierce, as if he saw the smoke and fire of war rushing to the sky, as well as the blood like waves.

At this time, Zheng Sichu was helping his wife clean up. After a few drinks with Xuan Minglei, there were not a few dirty dishes, he was washing hard, and suddenly a shout came from outside the door: "Fu Yanrong, there is a letter!" ”

When Mrs. Zheng heard this, she hurriedly wiped her wet hands and said, "It's here." ”

It was the messenger who came. She took the letter, but before anyone came, she shouted, "Ah, it's my brother!" ”

Zheng Sichu was still washing the dishes, and couldn't help but stop and said, "Is it Brother Yanshu?" This year, he's here to write the book. ”

Because Wuyangcheng surrendered to the empire, the empire would send an envoy every year to escort Wuyangcheng's tribute this year and the latest household registration, military rations and other information back. In the eyes of some young people, this was a great humiliation, so every year when the envoys came, the ruling government was like a great enemy, in order to prevent the young men with excess energy from taking to the streets to demonstrate against the imperial envoys. Although there were many in the ruling government who believed that submission to the empire was contrary to the belief in the republic, it was clear that this relationship between the two sides was the most realistic and feasible at present, and could not be easily broken. All in all, it's time for the envoy to come.

Mrs. Zheng walked in at this time and said, "Yes." Si Chu, he said he was going to come and talk to you. ”

Zheng Sichu smiled bitterly: "I am going to go north again." ”

In the past ten years, the emperor has come three times to invite Zheng Sichu to go north. This kind of face is really bigger than the sky, even Zheng Sichu is a little moved. It's just that after graciously thanking the envoy's invitation two years ago, I didn't expect that the emperor still refused to give up, and even Fu Yanshu was sent out this time. Fu Yanshu is the head of the four kings of water, fire, earth, and wind, and is the highest figure in the northern army, so it stands to reason that he should not serve as an envoy to Wuyang City. It seems that in order to convince Zheng Sichu, the emperor is also a little desperate.

Mrs. Zheng said, "Yes." Si Chu, you're not going, are you? ”

Zheng Sichu hesitated for a moment and asked, "What do you mean?" ”

Mrs. Zheng was surprised: "If I say I want to go north, do you agree?" ”

"Of course."

Mrs. Zheng laughed: "Of course you will." No home is no country, you always say. But if I really want you to go to Fog Cloud City, you will definitely not be happy in this life. ”

Zheng Sichu's heart swelled. I have been married to my wife for seventeen or eighteen years, and we have experienced a lot of things together, and there has never been a moment when I have the same heart and soul as I am now. He didn't say any more, wiped the last bowl dry and put it in the cupboard, paused and said, "Ah Rong, I may have to stay outside for two days these days, Hanbai, you watch more, don't let him run around." What he was implicated in last night was supposed to be a smuggling ship of Fushou Anointment. ”

Chu Hanbai's son, who is not afraid of heaven and earth, is very disobedient to discipline, especially to Zheng Sichu's father, because the textbooks say that he betrayed the country to seek glory, Chu Hanbai didn't listen to it, but what Mrs. Zheng said about him, Chu Hanbai even though he didn't want to, he still listened to his mother. Mrs. Zheng was on the side when she heard Zheng Sichu and Xuan Minglei talk about Fushou and Anointing, and said, "Okay." Si Chu, you have to be smaller. ”

She didn't ask her husband what he was going to do, but she absolutely believed what he was going to do. Watching her husband walk out of the door, she suddenly had an inexplicable palpitation in her heart, and couldn't help but look at the sky.

April in Wuyang City is already entering the rainy season. At this time, the sky is gradually overcast, and a rainstorm is about to come.