Chapter 143 Etiquette

Anle Pavilion.

The air was filled with heavy snow. Looking south from the attic, one could see a thin layer of ice on the surface of the Bian River, as if it was still and motionless.

Miao Chengtian clasped his hands, bent his body, and followed behind someone, looking very respectful.

"My lord's sudden arrival in Bianliang really made me extremely frightened..."

In front of her, a nobleman wearing a mink cloak and a white robe underneath, was standing by the railing with a jade crown on his head, gazing at the Bian River with his phoenix eyes. Just by looking at his figure and back, one could tell how heroic and handsome this nobleman was.

"Everyone in the world says that Zhongyuan Anle Pavilion is a paradise on earth, a paradise on earth, and its fame has spread to Fengxiang. Speaking of which, I also have a 10% stake in this place. I want to take a look at my property, so why not?"

Sure enough, when she turned around, the pair of eyes that should have been charming were only heroic and intimidating. Even Miao Chengtian was distracted by the look and quickly lowered his head.

"That's not what I meant. It's just that your body is worth a lot of money. How can I...if someone finds out, it will be too dangerous. Besides, Fengxiang can't do without you..."

The empress dressed as a man did not answer, but just looked at the snowy scenery of Bianliang indifferently: the Bian River beside Anle Pavilion, the Daxiangguo Temple looming in the snow in the distance, and the capital of Daliang, which was much more prosperous and crowded than Fengxiang.

It is prosperous, peaceful, yet full of vitality, and filled with a sense of violence that seems to be able to suppress this chaotic world.

Here, there is the richest population in the world, the most elite imperial army, and the most confident. The flames of war that permeated the four lands seemed to have no impact here at all. Or, in other words, this is the last piece of pure land in the world.

Looking around the whole world, there is no other city that can compare to the giant city under our feet. It seems that the whole world is under its feet and cannot move.

After a long pause, she said, "Since my brother disappeared thirteen years ago, I have never left Qi. Now that I am back in the Central Plains, it feels like a lifetime ago. Qi and Guanzhong are both desolate, and the people are in poverty, even having difficulty getting enough food. But the closer we get to Bianzhou, the more prosperous the people are, as if it were a dream.

Everyone says Zhu Wen is cruel, but he was able to create this magnificent scene with his own hands..."

Miao Chengtian hesitated and remained silent.

She understood very well the disappointment of her own empress. Qi was isolated in a remote corner, sandwiched between Liang, Shu and Jin in Guanxi and could hardly move. Even though the empress stayed up all night to devote herself to government affairs, absorb refugees, open up channels for communication, and take measures to benefit the people, under this situation, she could only protect the people of Qi from the harassment of war and barely build a relatively peaceful shelter.

But the scene you see when you enter the Central Plains is very likely to make you feel disappointed.

Zhu Wen owned the entire Central Plains. No matter how many wars he fought, he had a huge population and rich land to squander. Even though he had been engaged in wars for years, he was still a paperhanger who could create a magnificent scene. In comparison, the empress seemed to be even worse than a paperhanger.

"The decline of Qi is not your fault." After a long time, Miao Chengtian spoke to comfort him.

The empress shook her head, as if she disagreed with this point of view, but did not say anything.

What she said just now was not out of frustration. She just thought that for Qiguo, she still had a lot to do. At least she couldn't be satisfied with the status quo, and didn't seek hegemony, but only wanted to make the people on her own small piece of land prosperous.

Because apart from her identity as the Empress of Huanyinfang, the name that comes to mind first is Prince Qi Li Maozhen!

After thinking for a while, she suddenly said, "It's not without reason that Xiao Yan joined Zhu Wen. Daliang is rich, and he has seen this scene before, so it's no wonder that he looks down on our Qi country."

This abrupt remark made Miao Chengtian stunned for a moment, and he subconsciously lowered his voice and said, "But Xiao Lang... Xiao Yan is not really working for the Zhu family. In fact, he is more like working for you, young master. At present, the secret agents of Huanyinfang have been laid out in Hebei and Huainan, and even slaves have made friends with many dignitaries of the Liang Dynasty.

And with Anle Pavilion in hand, in such a large city like Bianliang, I can be the first to know about any disturbance. For you, this should be a sharp weapon."

The empress closed her eyes, not objecting, but not agreeing either.

To put it bluntly, Xiao Yan just looked down on her Qiguo, and she had no other choice. In fact, judging from the current situation, Qiguo could not easily offend this bad guy Tian Anxing. Otherwise, it would be an irreparable disaster for Huanyinfang.

The benefits of cooperating with it are undoubtedly incomparable.

But the disadvantages are also obvious. The two have been tied together in just one year. However, Xiao Yan can hold her weak spot, but she cannot kill him. He is already Zhu Wen's man, and there are too many things he can manipulate. There is room for mediation in any direction.

On the contrary, Huanyinfang, whether it is the horse shop, the grain shop, or even this Anle Pavilion, can hardly function without the bad people and can only be paralyzed. Even if Xiao Yan has evil intentions, everything will be suppressed by Zhu Wen with all his strength.

This is the reason why the empress personally went to the Central Plains this time.

She leaned against the railing again, with her back to Miao Chengtian, and spoke slowly.

"The world is bustling with people, all for profit; the world is bustling with people, all for profit. There are no eternal allies in the world, and no unbreakable alliances. Based on your understanding of Xiao Yan, how long can the cooperation between the Bad People and Huanyinfang last?"

Miao Chengtian was stunned for a moment, but she was so smart that she reacted immediately. Was the empress worried that cooperating with Xiao Yan would be like courting disaster?
She thought for a moment and said respectfully, "If Tian Anxing is really loyal to the Tang Dynasty, I think that as long as the Liang Dynasty still exists, the alliance between our two families can continue to be maintained and exist."

The empress closed her eyes and thought for a long time without saying a word.

Seeing that she had been silent for a long time, Miao Chengtian changed the subject and said with a smile: "Why worry, sir? Miss Xue'er has a close relationship with Tian'anxing. Even if there is no interest binding, Tian'anxing will not regard us as enemies just based on this relationship. In other words, I think that not only do we need Tian'anxing, but does Tian'anxing not need us?

If they really fall out, the arrangements made by Tian Anxing will also be exposed. He is a rare smart person and will not do such a self-destructive thing. "

The empress nodded and said, "I don't doubt him now. This time I came to the Central Plains, I just wanted to see how the secret agents in various places were operating. I am also very curious about this big change. The horse shops and grain shops, the people there have really had some unique ideas. This winter, I have a rare chance to relax. I haven't been out of Qi for thirteen years, and I have really forgotten how unfamiliar the Central Plains are."

Miao Chengtian covered his mouth and chuckled, "Then let me take you around Bianliang?"

The empress nodded slightly.

But at this moment, a maid suddenly went up to the attic.

"Madam, Manager Duan Chengtian said he has something important to discuss. He looks like he's in a hurry."

"Tell him to wait a moment, I will be there soon." Miao Chengtian said seriously, and explained to the empress in a low voice: "Duan Chengtian is the main person in charge of Anle Pavilion left by Tian'anxing. The matter of 'takeout' is in his hands, and I am not allowed to interfere."

At this time, another maid walked in quickly, "Manager Duan said that the matter is urgent and can't wait any longer..."

Miao Chengtian was a little surprised and went out immediately.

But at the same time, footsteps were heard outside, which showed that the situation was indeed urgent.

After a moment, a child's figure stood behind the bead curtain with fists clasped, and there was some panic in his voice.

"Madam, someone in the palace has sent a message to Master, saying that Master's official position is likely to be taken away, and Anle Pavilion will also be closed down. Master means that things that shouldn't appear should be destroyed as soon as possible, so as not to be caught. Those who can be sent away should also be sent away as soon as possible..."

Miao Chengtian's expression suddenly changed and he turned to look at the empress, but the latter took it calmly, her phoenix eyes fixed on the door.

"Is the news true?"

Luo Xiaobei outside the door obviously didn't know there was a man in the attic. He was subconsciously stunned for a moment, and then said: "The one who delivered the message was the eunuch Ding Zhaopu in the palace. This man received a lot of benefits from you, Master said that before the decree is issued, we should quickly transfer people."

Miao Chengtian nodded to the empress, confirming that there was an eunuch named Ding Zhaopu. The empress frowned and said calmly, "Things that could easily reveal evidence can be burned, but don't move the personnel for now, and don't let the Anle Pavilion panic. If you hastily move personnel, it will easily alert the enemy. How your husband will be dealt with is unknown before the order is issued. If he is exposed this time, he will be put to death."

Luo Xiaobei outside the door scratched the back of his head and seemed to think it made sense.

Miao Chengtian said without hesitation: "Xiao Bei, tell this to Manager Duan. Don't panic. Don't expose yourself to anyone who has ulterior motives."

"it is good."

Luo Xiaobei had just nodded when he disappeared from the spot.

The Empress's face was indifferent, and she said with interest: "It seems that this Tian Anxing has made many enemies in the Liang Dynasty? As far as I know, the war in Hebei is not over yet? Is someone going to start to attack him now?"

Miao Chengtian was also confused, but she was a little anxious and apologized, "I will go check it out right away."

After saying that, she left in a hurry.

The empress just nodded. She was just a guest here and there was no need to do anything more.

In fact, Ji Ruxue was always by Xiao Yan's side, and secret letters were sent to Fengxiang almost every month. Judging from the information in the letters, Xiao Yan's war in Hebei should be going quite smoothly.

But the last letter was before the decisive battle with Li Cunxu, and the empress could not judge who won the battle. However, as the King of Qi, she was naturally well-known for Li Yazi's name.

Now it seems that Xiao Yan was defeated in Hebei... When the news reaches Bianliang, he will naturally be criticized. There are many intrigues in the court. Although Xiao Yan has just entered the officialdom of the Liang Dynasty, it is normal for him to have political enemies. The empress does not find it strange.

But as she continued to think deeply, a beautiful smile appeared on her face.

If Xiao Yan really suffered a great defeat in Hebei, perhaps she could still benefit? By then, she would be attacked by her political enemies and would certainly not be able to gain a foothold in Bianliang. She might even be completely defeated and abandoned by Zhu Wen.

At that time, it was hard to say whether Xiao Yan would be desperate, but given his age and qualifications, it was probably difficult for him to achieve anything in the Daliang officialdom. According to his personality, he would definitely not be willing to do so. As long as the empress extended an olive branch at the right time, Xiao Yan might really devote himself to the Qi Kingdom and work wholeheartedly for her, the King of Qi.

She was very clear about Xiao Yan's abilities. Judging from the letter sent by Ji Ruxue, even if he was defeated by Li Cunxu in the end, it would not be considered a stain.

He was able to control Youzhou and Yuyang with 800 cavalrymen, and even forced Li Cunxu to fight him. This skill alone made him the best commander the empress had ever seen. Not to mention, this great defeat might make Xiao Yan less aggressive, making it easier for her to control him.

Moreover, Zhu Wen would be furious that Li Cunxu had taken Hebei and ignored the fact that Xiao Yan's 800 cavalry had made a great contribution. On the contrary, she didn't care who controlled Hebei, and it would even be better if it was not in Zhu Wen's hands.

"..."

Thinking of this, the Empress already thought that—

It would be a good thing if Xiao Yan was defeated.

The most important thing is that Xiao Yan brought with him a lot of wealth: The Bad Guys.

If they can really be recruited into our army, not only will the worries of seeking the skin of a tiger be eliminated, but most importantly, with this help, the Qi country can be said to be even more powerful!

The empress tapped the wooden railing with her fingers and began to think seriously about this idea. She even planned how to recruit the frustrated Xiao Yan. Then she thought, if she could get this Xiao Lang, she would probably wake up laughing in her dreams, right?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but laugh.

In the current situation, the survival of Anle Pavilion seemed less important. How to ensure that Xiao Yan could reach Fengxiang safely was the top priority.

Need to contact Ji Ruxue as soon as possible!

The empress had a clear idea and was going to do Xiao Yan a favor first. She would help him minimize the damage to Anle Pavilion, and then contact Ji Ruxue to ask Xiao Yan not to return to Bianliang, so as to avoid being trapped here and unable to escape.

At this time, a loud roar was heard faintly from a distance.

The snow was flying everywhere, but the empress had a very sensitive hearing and could immediately hear what the roar was.

"Hebei... The cavalry commander Xiao Yan... conquered all 24 prefectures in Hebei..."

"..."

The empress stood by the railing with her hands behind her back, gently covering her eyes, and remained silent for a long time.

"Young Master, Young Master... great joy!" Behind him, Miao Chengtian rushed to the attic in surprise and joy.

"Don't make a sound."

The empress spoke in a cold tone and sighed: "This palace has lost a great general."

"?"

Miao Chengtian looked suspicious.

Then, the empress pondered for a moment, and suddenly said: "This palace intends to take Ji Ruxue as her adopted sister..."

"!"

Miao Chengtian was so shocked that he even stopped addressing her: "Why do you say that, Queen? Ji Ruxue is just a..."

Suddenly, she was stunned and stopped where she was, and then she carefully guessed, "You want to?"

The Empress spoke in a steady tone.

"I want to give this young master Xiao a gift."

After saying that, she walked down the attic without thinking.

“Send people back to Fengxiang and tell them to prepare.

"I want to become a relative of Xiao Yan!"

Miao Chengtian stood there in a daze.

Is this gift too expensive?
But before she could think about it, the news of the great victory was like a huge wave, sweeping across the entire Bianliang in an instant.

A hot star is rising in a way that no one expected.

(End of this chapter)