After a long journey, Xu Hao passed through Chengdu without entering, and went directly to Dali, Yunnan Province. originally planned to get a good chance of settling down with Mu Chun, but the family deliberately inspected the border village, making it clear that they didn't want to see him.

Xu Hao stayed for three days, feeling angry in his heart, and when he left, he bewitched Mu Hui into the inner house for a while, and the brothers abducted Mu Chun's daughter-in-law and Mu Qingshuang away, and slowly went to Chengdu to meet Mrs. Mu and Ning Xue's mother and daughter.

When he arrived at the Shu Wangfu in Chengdu, Zhu Chun, the king of Shu, was not in the palace and was still in the local rebellion. Seeing that it was about to reach Layue, Xu Hao asked Mrs. Mu not to wait any longer, and Mrs. Mu nodded in agreement to leave for Beijing the next day, given that the eldest son was undoubtedly much faster to travel alone.

In this way, Xu Hao led the Jinyi Guard to follow and protect all the way, and the convoy carrying the Mu family's daughters traveled day and night, slowly or by water or land, and went out of Sichuan to take an official ship down the Yangtze River.

Because of the Mu family's daughters, it is inconvenient to communicate with Mu Ningxue secretly, Xu Hao is very depressed, and Ningxue is not like this, there is a lover close at hand, but he can't see each other to relieve the pain of lovesickness for many days, and the most troublesome thing in the world is nothing more than this.

When he arrived at Anqing Mansion, seeing that he was about to enter Beijing, Xu Hao heard that Mu Chun had caught up, so he simply left Mu Hui to nominally continue to protect the Mu family's daughters, but in fact he was reunited with his family, and he arrived in Beijing first with a hundred brocade guards.

Qianqing Palace East Warm Pavilion.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Hao, who had just returned to Beijing and came to meet him immediately, and said with relief: "Thank you for your hard work this time, come, accompany me to eat, and talk about what I saw and heard along the way." ”

Xu Hao smiled and nodded, and now sat next to the emperor, Gonggong Li ordered the palace people to send a bowl of oily rice.

"Tell the imperial dining room to serve two of his favorite meat dishes, he is not used to vegetarian food."

Zhu Yuanzhang was very aware of Xu Hao's habit of treating meat as his life, and said with a rice bowl. And the emperor's dinner is still the same, two plates of exquisite green vegetable tofu and a large bowl of soup, as well as four plates of delicious side dishes, and a pot of tribute wine.

Xu Hao took the bowl and put it on the table in front of him. He said: "This year's locust plague, the minister is afraid that there will be other disasters in the next few years, please Bixia remind the household department to make preparations in advance, raise food to stabilize the price of grain in the disaster area at any time, reduce taxes in the disaster area as appropriate, and help the people." “

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Can you observe the sky?" What do you see? ”

Xu Hao explained: "The minister does not understand the celestial phenomena, but recently read the local ancient books and county chronicles, this large-scale locust plague is often accompanied by a great drought, as the saying goes, the drought is extremely locust. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly couldn't swallow. simply put the dishes and chopsticks back in place, and the angry Li Gonggong frequently gave Xu Hao a look, signaling Xu Hao to change the topic and not affect Bixia's appetite.

Xu Hao smiled and pointed at Gonggong Li and said, "It's the minister's sin that makes Bixia lose her appetite." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Gonggong Li and said with a smile: "Don't pay attention to him, this eunuch can't tell which is more important and which is lighter, and he will be in a hurry when I am hungry." This people can't eat, why don't I be as anxious as he is? ”

Xu Hao said: "Bixia, do you know if locusts can be eaten? After frying and frying, it is no less than meat, and it is not only for people to eat. Chickens, ducks and geese are released to eat locusts every day, which grows faster and the meat is tender and delicious. The minister thought that he could encourage the people to raise more poultry and eat them at home. The government purchased and supplied dignitaries and wine shops and inns in the city, and the minister thought that it could somewhat alleviate the pressure of the imperial court for disaster relief. ”

"Hmm." Zhu Yuanzhang listened attentively and said in a deep voice: "You continue." Tell me everything you know, and I won't blame you for anything. ”

"Yes." Xu Hao also recently saw the tragic situation of no harvest in the farmland, and desperately recalled the locust control methods in the novel, so he said this.

Xu Hao sorted out his thoughts and said: "The so-called locust god is probably the ancients in the face of overwhelming flying insects, and the heart rose up with irresistible awe, in fact, the locust is just an ordinary insect, just like the herdsmen on the grassland, when the climate is suitable, the population reproduces in large numbers, in order to feed a large number of people, they have to go south to rob our Central Plains Dynasty, when the climate is not good, the cattle and sheep cannot survive and lack food, or they have to go south to loot to maintain their own survival. Therefore, locusts are a kind of disaster in the world, and when the climate is dry, they will lay a large number of eggs, which has nothing to do with the gods. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly: "It is still necessary to worship, and while stabilizing the people of the world, it also reminds the king to reflect on himself." Your advice is very good, and this year I will give an order to the local area to encourage the people to catch locusts. Well, one liter of insects will be awarded two liters of rice, and there will be more chickens and geese at home, and I will take the lead in tasting the taste of locusts, and set an example. ”

Xu Hao was immediately convinced, and secretly said that he was worthy of being an old comrade Zhu with rich experience in governance, and as long as someone reminded him a little, he would immediately understand how to solve the problem. In fact, natural disasters are not terrible, as long as the people of the government work together, what disasters can't survive? The most terrible thing is that it will always be a man-made disaster, and with the emperor taking the lead, it will undoubtedly make the victims be inspired, and the officials will not dare to neglect their duties.

Xu Hao was in high spirits for a while, and said: "Mobilizing the people to exterminate locusts is undoubtedly the most active and effective, and local governments must pay attention to this matter, in addition, we must ask the household officials to investigate it, locusts will lay eggs in ditch blisters, if you can find out in time to eradicate the eggs or larvae, the locusts will be much less, and the life span of locusts is only two or three months." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang stared deeply at Xu Hao, who was talking, and subconsciously sighed: "You are really my second Liu Jiye." ”

"Bixia has an overreputation, the ministers are sparse and shallow, and they can't compare to the sincerity of the deceased."

Xu Hao instantly felt creepy, his eyes couldn't help drooping slightly, and his heart said that he wouldn't even have this amount of tolerance, right?

Zhu Yuanzhang urged with great interest: "Go on, if there is any good way, if it works, I will definitely reward you." ”

Xu Hao was suddenly a little disheartened in his heart, thinking that Liu Bowen was such a genius? was suspicious because of his great knowledge, and as a result, Hu Weiyong, who was aware of his intentions, was given a whole life, no matter whether he was poisoned or angry, in short, Zhu Yuanzhang's indifferent attitude at that time played a decisive role, which made the loyal Liu Bowen die early. And as a traverser, don't blame the emperor for comparing himself to the second Liu Ji, is it also implying that he will follow in his footsteps?

Xu Hao's heart turned over the river, and he still smiled on the surface and talked about some aspects such as the granary to stabilize grain prices, Zhu Yuanzhang felt very disappointed, these methods are all perennial by the household department, and there is nothing unusual.

Xu Hao's heart was on guard and refused to say anything more. Pick up some irrelevant things and tell them to the emperor, but Zhu Yuanzhang didn't notice the strange appearance of the young courtier in front of him, and when he said that he was happy, he ate two bowls of rice in a row, and his eyebrows danced with Gonggong Li's eyebrows.

Unconsciously, more than an hour passed, Xu Hao got up and said goodbye: "Bixia, please rest early, and the minister should also go home to say goodbye to the elders." ”

"Hmm." Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and said with a smile: "You kid is too used to getting by, every time I send you to do something, you will give me some surprises, so you can't always take the initiative to share my worries?" I want to be busy with government affairs all day long. You juniors are good, eating, drinking and having fun, don't you know that it is not easy for your ancestors to fight the country? ”

Xu Hao smiled: "Yes." The minister must review what he has done and correct it. ”

"Duplicity." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and waved his hand: "You have made a meritorious service, I can't help but reward you, so I will restore your official position as a pacification envoy, and you don't need to stay in the Xingtaifu Temple, otherwise you will be wronged by your talent, and it is better to stay by my side from time to time." ”

"Yes." Xu Hao had been prepared for this. After bowing deeply to the emperor, he strode towards the outside of the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the tall back of the young courtier, gradually put away his smile, and ordered: "Spread my message." Xu Yaozu was promoted to Jinyi Wei for 1,000 households, and Xu Wen and Xu Ji were for 100 households. ”

Gonggong Li reminded in surprise: "Bixia, the three of Xu Yao's grandfather and son are the blood relatives of Lord Xu. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said lightly: "I know that Xu Hao has made a lot of contributions. It's a pity that he is too young, so he naturally wants to reward his relatives. ”

"Bixia Shengming." Gonggong Li has followed the emperor for so many years, and he immediately understands it. Secretly said that Xu Yao's grandfather and son are probably not of the same mind as Xu Hao, otherwise the emperor would never stuff the whole family into the brocade guard.

Gonggong Li thought of Xu Hao's good coming, and deliberately said, "Did the slave go over to tell Lord Xu the good news?" ”

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head slightly, and said in a deep voice: "No need, you remember this matter first, and remind me after the New Year, and it is not too late to make an order after the first month." Let Xu Hao spend a good year at home, and there is no need to go into the palace to watch the night. ”

At that moment, Gonggong Li was waiting for the emperor to return to Dongnuan Pavilion, and while Zhu Yuanzhang was dealing with state affairs, he quietly instructed a confidant to send the news out overnight.

Xu Hao, who had been talking to the elders like this, habitually went to the study first, so he received the news, and said in his heart that this is the so-called emperor's technique, the way of balance, right? Sure enough, he couldn't hide anything from the emperor.

Xu Hao was not surprised that Uncle and Xu Wen entered Jinyiwei to balance himself, and he was not disgusted, he had never planned to be authoritarian, it was best for the uncle to take refuge in Zhu Yunwen from now on, and the future of the province would be affected by himself.

But what's going on with the second brother Xu Ji? What kind of brocade guard does Haode show not do? There must be a reason for the incident, and someone has to be sent to check on weishenme.

Xu Hao pondered about this matter and returned to Jiangxuezhai, the eldest sister rushed over to visit him with red leaves, and then the second sister came one after another, cousins Xiao Yushi and Yuelan also came to join in the fun, and Zuihou's sister-in-law Zhu Qiaoqiao came with pearls.

Xu Hao put away his thoughts, looked at the embarrassed pearl with his head down, saw that his life was delicate and lovely, his skin was unusually fair and delicate, and praised: "If people are as their name suggests, Li Qiu is blessed." By the way, I brought back a lot of gifts, and specially bought two pairs of gold-inlaid jade name locks for the two of you, two men and two women, a total of four, in addition to a lot of Shu embroidery and Xiang embroidery, Xianghua bracelets, Xiangfei bamboo fans or something, there are more people tonight, forget it, and let Xiangling Xiangxuan send you home when you turn around. ”

Pearl pursed her lips and smiled, and Wanfu said, "Thank you, Third Young Master." ”

Zhu Qiaoqiao, who was standing on the side, smiled and asked, "What about me?" What are the gifts? ”

Xu Hao said proudly: "I got some good jadeite from Burma, what jewelry does my sister-in-law need, I will send it to the palace to ask a craftsman to polish it." ”

Zhu Qiaoqiao sneered: "What kind of good thing? I also gave Li Qiu a set a few days ago, you asked Pearl, did your man give it to you? ”

Pearl nodded hurriedly, and Xu Hao said speechlessly: "There are many jadeites in Myanmar, and what I get are the rarest treasures, which are priceless." ”

"Yo, where did you come from? Take it to your sister-in-law and enjoy it. Zhu Qiaoqiao was interested, and looked at him with bad intentions, "You just have a little money, can you afford it?" It must have been cheeky to ask for the Mu family. ”

Xu Hao smiled: "No, I exchanged it for tea." This trip to Yunnan, I have to bring some things over, otherwise it would be a pity to go in vain, and my brother has made a small fortune more or less, and the big guys can have a good year. ”

Zhu Qiaoqiao smiled and said, "You are shrewd." Okay, let's go inside, and don't keep my sisters waiting. ”

Xu Hao accompanied his sister-in-law into the house, because the weather was cold, the girls were disgusted by the empty and cold in the flower hall, and they were all crowded in his bedroom.

The fire is burning, the air in the house is as warm as spring, there are too many women so that the aroma is too greasy, and the chatter is extremely noisy.

Xu Hao asked Musk Yue to open the window and bring in fresh air, he walked into the back room and changed into clean clothes and came out, and saw that the girls had taken off their cotton jackets of various colors, and the thin satin clothes were clinging to the delicate and convex body, with their necks open and their sleeves rolled up, and they were busy taking off bracelets, earrings and other jewelry, and untying their hair.

Only Zhu Qiaoqiao and Pearl and the others became intact in their clothes, but because the room was really stuffy, they unbuttoned the first two buttons on their chests, revealing a touch of white greasy.

Xu Hao didn't care, it was commonplace in spring, summer, autumn and winter every year, sometimes when he walked into the sisters' yard, he ran around with a maid wearing just a belly pocket, and compared to the camisole shorts of later generations, what is this in comparison?

And the girls are also calm, they don't care about being looked at by Xu Hao, they have lived in the same garden for many years, they don't look up and look down, they don't treat him as a man, they regard him as a best friend.

At this time, Xu Cuiyun said: "What are you going to play at night?" Why don't you open a poetry club? ”

Seeing this, Xu Hao and Zhu Qiaoqiao objected in unison, Xu Hao walked to the middle of the red leaves and green bamboos and sat down, and said: "Writing poems all day and night, it's too cheesy, play something else." ”

Xu Cuiyun was embarrassed: "Mahjong is exhausting, and it is not suitable for us to play, do you still have a table in the east and a table in the west, wouldn't it become a gambling house?" ”

Hongye said with great interest: "I have a new wine order, which is spread in the yamen, let's play this, whoever loses will be punished for drinking." ”

Xu Qinglian pointed to her sister and sighed: "Now your wine and wealth are one color short, fortunately you are a girl." ”

Xu Hao has always followed the red leaves, and said with a smile: "Sister, you just let the red leaves play, I agree." ”

Hongye immediately became proud, and made a grimace at the eldest sister, making Xu Qinglian shake her head helplessly, and joked to Zhu Qiaoqiao: "Sister-in-law, why are you standing outside?" It's that I'm used to the rules. (To be continued......)