mesbooks Chapter 272: The confused duo, showing off their expressions...
Chapter 272: The confused duo, showing off their expressions...
"In the spring, we in Ningzhou suppressed bandits and expelled nearly 300,000 mountain dwellers from the mountains. Out of..."
Gu Jingzhi explained the situation to Wei and Zhou, and then said, "So, the civilians needed to build the military camp and transport food and fodder... I would like you two to select them from among these criminals!"
Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance, then laughed and said, "I thought it was something else. Actually, Brother Gu has helped us a lot with this matter. Originally, conscripting civilians would have been a waste of money and lives, but now Brother Gu has a way to solve it. This is perfect!"
The two agreed without thinking.
However, Gu Jingzhi said seriously: "You two, although they are criminals, I have already issued a strict order earlier. These criminals are to be subjected to forced labor, but their lives must not be taken at will. They are not allowed to freeze to death or starve to death!"
"I need you two to give me a guarantee on this matter!"
It's not that Gu Jingzhi doesn't trust them, but in this era, criminals have no human rights. Transporting food and fodder is a tough job, and the military management is extremely rough. Not to mention these criminals, even the usual corvée labor has resulted in deaths.
Therefore, Gu Jingzhi must have this guarantee.
Ningzhou had only been pacified not long ago. If something went wrong, it would definitely be a blow to the prestige of the government.
After hearing this, Wei Ming said solemnly, "Brother Gu is so kind. He even treats criminals like this. I admire him!"
"Since Brother Gu has made a promise, Brother Zhou and I will definitely not let him go back on his word!"
"it is good!"
Gu Jingzhi smiled and said, "With the two of you guaranteeing this, I'm relieved! You just arrived today, so please rest up in the government office. I'll have someone prepare some wine and food later. Stay in the government office tonight, and Lin Feng will take you there tomorrow!"
"Brother Gu, there's no need to rest! Besides military matters, we're here for another matter!"
Wei Ming looked outside the door and found no one there, so he whispered, "His Majesty gave me a letter and asked me to pass it on to that person!"
Oh?
Prince?
Over the past six months, Emperor Xia has ignored his eldest son. This time...
Is it because of that incident?
Gu Jingzhi said calmly, "Since this is something His Majesty has instructed us to do, we can't delay any longer. You two should wash your faces first and change into your armor. I'll take you there!"
The prince has been living a comfortable life recently, although he was quite dissatisfied with the fact that Gu Jingzhi and the Qiao family did not give him face.
However, with the comfort of the new concubine, life instantly became enjoyable. Apart from quarreling with Qiao Shuwan every now and then, there was nothing else!
only……
Emperor Xia happened to come here at this time. Could it be because of this matter?
Gu Jingzhi's intuition has always been very accurate. He felt that it was most likely because of this matter, but he did not ask too much. Instead, he asked someone to take Wei and Zhou to go and receive the guests first!
……
Ever since Gu Jingzhi discovered the prince's affair last time, he has never been to the courtyard where he lives. During this period, Qiao Shuwan has only visited Gu Jingzhi twice.
When he came to this courtyard again, the servant guarding the gatehouse saw Gu Jingzhi and hurried forward: "I pay my respects to the Marquis of Xiling!"
"Is your master here?"
"In the……"
The servant nodded hurriedly, "My Lord, please go inside and have some tea first. I'll send someone to invite the Lord immediately!"
"Ok!"
Gu Jingzhi nodded, then glanced at Wei and Zhou and walked into the yard!
The three of them waited for a short while before they saw the prince come into the front hall. Upon seeing Gu Jing, he asked with a rather indifferent expression, "How come Lord Gu has time to come to my humble abode today?"
"..."
Got it!
It seems that he is feeling strange!
Gu Jingzhi didn't show any enthusiasm, just pointed at Wei and Zhou and said calmly: "Brother Zhou, an old friend came to visit and said he wanted to see you, so I brought him here!"
Seeing that there was someone nearby, Gu Jingzhi no longer addressed him as usual, but just called him Brother Zhou!
"???"
The prince turned his head, his face suddenly confused, and then a look of joy appeared on his face!
"Wei Ming, Zhou Yun...why are you here?"
"Zhou, Brother Zhou..."
The two were still a little uncomfortable with this title. Wei Ming said, "Ayun and I came to Ningzhou to handle some matters. Master Zhou asked me and my brother to bring a letter to Brother Zhou!"
letter?
When the prince heard that his old father had written to him, his first reaction was ecstasy.
Father has not forgotten him...
The prince looked at Wei and Zhou expectantly. Gu Jingzhi held the teacup, glanced at the prince's concubine, and frowned slightly!
This woman seemed to be very ignorant of the rules. In this hall, the master was meeting a guest. She was not the mistress of the house, and secondly, she had nothing to do with him, yet she came into this hall.
Gu Jingzhi put down the teacup calmly.
"Brother Zhou, the old man asked Wei and Zhou to deliver a message. I'm afraid it's an important matter. You..."
The tone of voice is self-evident.
After hearing this, the prince felt a little unhappy, but after seeing Cong, he suddenly thought of his identity and situation, and then he became serious.
"You all go down!"
The prince gave a light order, and the servants hurried out one by one after hearing it.
Cong Shi seemed to have not heard anything and continued to act as if nothing had happened. The prince frowned slightly when he saw this, but he did not get angry. He just looked at Cong Shi and said, "You go back to your room first, I'll be there soon!"
"Gah?"
Cong was stunned.
This is the first time!
Ever since she was brought into the mansion, even as the mistress of the mansion... she was able to rely on her favor and not suffer any loss. Unexpectedly, today...
She glanced at Gu Jingzhi, a hint of gloom flashed in her eyes, and then she flicked her sleeves and left.
"Clang!"
Gu Jingzhi threw the teacup on the table and stood up without saying a word.
When the prince saw this, his heart suddenly skipped a beat!
Thinking of Cong's behavior just now and Gu Jingzhi's identity... it was suddenly like a bucket of cold water was poured on my head.
He could be rude to Qiao Shuwan because she was his wife.
But Gu Jingzhi was a marquis of the current dynasty, a nobleman of the Great Xia Dynasty, and had many merits. No one could touch him unless he committed a serious crime that would result in confiscation of property and exile.
Cong was just a little concubine, yet she dared to show disrespect in front of him...
This is...
Gu Jingzhi straightened his clothes and said calmly, "I am only leading the way for the two of them. Now that we have met His Highness, I will not disturb His Highness from attending to his household affairs!"
The word "family affairs" was emphasized with particular emphasis, and even Wei Ming and Zhou Yun, who were unaware of the situation, could hear a different meaning.
And that one just now...
Before in the capital, I had only heard that the prince had a principal wife and a concubine, but I had never heard of anyone else. Judging from that person's attitude, the relationship between the two seemed very different!
The two of them silently watched Gu Jingzhi leave with an expressionless face, as well as the prince's unhappy expression.
I kept screaming in my heart.
What the hell!
What happened in the end?
How come there have been so many changes in the past six months? Also, what's going on with that woman?