As the capital of Zhao, Xiangguo is one of the few majestic cities in the north today.

As the northern parts were all ruled by Zhao State, the scale of Xiangguo's city was becoming increasingly grand, and it was no longer limited to the Jianping Old City, which began to be built during the Yongjia Period. It has been built many times over the past decade. Today, Xiangguo City is located in Longgang in the north and Yiling in the west. The Xiang River passes through the city, and the city is extremely grand.

The surroundings of the city are vast and fertile fields, and a large number of fields and manors are established by the river, all of which are the private property of the current sect kings, generals and ministers. There are a large number of working people distributed in the fields, with short brown shirts or clothes not covering their bodies, and they are leaning between the fields and ditches, with numbness and bitterness in their expressions.

Most of these people were from Jin, and there were also many mixed Hus of different shapes, all of whom were plundered from all directions and were divided into slavery and slaves from the powerful and wealthy families. They were engaged in heavy labor every day, but the continuous output in the field had nothing to do with them.

The rich slaves of the Chinese who had their own clothes and dressed in the fields, commanding their strength to cruise and supervise the workers. Those who were slow to do so would beat them, and many people would die in the fields. However, in the current world, human lives are the least valuable. Those corpses who died after suffering from torture were buried directly in the fat fields of Gouling, or were dragged by iron hooks and fed the tiger, wolf and beasts raised.

In addition to many manors, there are roads with all kinds of connections. These roads do not need to be repaired. They have fought frequently for decades. I don’t know how many iron cavalry wheels roll by, and have already been trampled and crushed to a great extent.

In recent years, as the situation in the north gradually stabilized, large groups of people gathered no longer as frequently as in previous years. However, there were still many people coming and going on these roads, with huge trucks loaded with goods from all over the country, and sent to Xiangguo City for the extravagance and enjoyment of the princes and nobles. There were also refugees who were recruited or plundered by various parties, escorted or plundered, escorted by hemp ropes, and then divided into enslaved by high-ranking people.

This type of enslaved people live in the surrounding area of ​​Xiangguo! They are the cornerstone and foundation for maintaining the prosperity of this city, but this prosperity has nothing to do with them.

Although there is no shortage of fertile soil in this state, there are also fixed numbers of things that come out, and most of them will be included in the private warehouses of each family. The only thing these people can desire is that they can live in such a torment even if they cannot survive. One day they cannot stand it, and death will come.

The manor is further inside, and there are several major military camps in the middle school of the country. A large number of civil servants and servants are stationed here, so they do not have to bear the farming production, but they have to open mountains and log wood, build stones and piles, and build the city even more powerful.

This labor is undoubtedly even heavier. Every day, people will die in the camp inside and outside. The bodies are burned to ashes because of the chance of plague, but more are buried deep in the soil. But no matter how many people die, the scale of these major camps is always small and can be supplemented at any time.

Now, Zhao Lord Shi Le has repeatedly promoted the political power. In order to persuade Sang, he has opened up large areas of land in the west of Xiangguo City, and even established a special village. He has selected hundreds of Kinki Rakuten families to live and farm and weave. Sometimes the emperor would even come here in person, bringing the princes and nobles to cultivate their hometowns to guide and educate the people.

However, between the Jitian and the city, there are several extremely large construction sites, building Mingtang high platforms to demonstrate the prestige of the country. Some of the magnificent pavilions and towers have been built, while others are still working hard to work.

The stone steps on the construction site are all dark brown, which is stained with blood by the craftsmen who cannot bear the hard work and beating. The surrounding land is so colorful, the weeds grown are particularly dense and vigorous. Whenever the emperor arrives here, in order to prevent the blood stains of the corpse from ruining the scenery, they all need to be washed frequently with water, sprinkled with sprinkles to cover up the blood, and spread thick brocade, which is a magnificent and prosperous scenery.

When you get closer to the city, the houses and courtyards are lined up one after another, with almost no idle land. Those who can live here are the beloved tribes of the Mihu tribe, or the craftsmen who have passed on many skills.

Although it is still outside the city, it is already a paradise of heaven in the eyes of those slaves who work hard all day long but cannot see hope.

In this area, you can already see many high-level official residences. For example, Zhang Bin, the Youhou, who had many achievements in his early years, died, but the emperor was very nostalgic and did not forget the Youhou's achievements in Jianping. He specially built a mansion for his family as a place for reproduction, and even specially sent elite guards to protect the family.

Even though there are many vicious Chinese people who are coveted by others, they usually dare not offend the old residence of the Youhou in light of time, so their family members and children can still maintain them.

The only thing that is not beautiful is that he dares not leave the mansion easily. After all, although the emperor is in love, it is not easy to use the men who protect the mansion. He always has to offer some bribes to drive him. Although the Youhou in his early years had done his best and received a lot of rewards, his children have lost their positions and it is inevitable that there will be inconvenience to sit in the empty house.

Previously, a wife from the mansion left the mansion to worship Buddha, and then there was no news, and even the soldiers who were following the guards disappeared. Similarly, the haze was frequently shrouded over the Youhou Mansion, which made people feel relieved.

Surrounding the Jianping Old City, the scale of the building suddenly became more grand. An ordinary mansion covers an area of ​​more than acres, with high doors and deep walls, and isolates the inside and outside. It is the mansion of Chinese people or Hu Haoshang.

These mansions are each in a separate territory and rarely connect with each other. Trees are planted in the wall to isolate outsiders to spy. At the same time, there are many arrow towers, horse stables, and camps in the courtyard wall. They can be said to be strictly controlled. Even if they live next to each other, they dare not slack off. In addition to their own tribes, they rarely interact with outsiders. Although they are in a city, they are like independent fortresses and docks.

Among these mansions, there are also many large gates with a vast area of ​​more than ten hectares. Just from the scale of the gate, you can see that the owner is powerful and dare not offend easily. Even many Chinese people who are used to being fierce in the outer city must restrain their minds and dare not be presumptuous.

Now, in the emperor's letter, several of his dear adopted sons, such as Pengcheng King Shikan, General Shi Cong, who led their troops outside, also had family members here.

The Xiang River passes through the city, and there are many palaces and towers on both sides of the straits. The clan and kings each have their own villas. Even if they are not there, they often have strong slaves and soldiers inside, collect bribes and collect goods, and each accumulates fat and paste. There are many barns and armories nearby, which store a large amount of goods for the people and military.

This is the core of the real city. In recent years, the emperor has been very virtuous and political, and has built various schools. He also selected many families of the Jin people, who were ruled by many of the Jin people, to live in Chongrenli, and sent elite guards to guard them, so that the unruly people among the people would not invade their lives. Most of them were famous families in Shandong, Hebei and Hedong.

Opposite the river is the palace. The tall and majestic buildings in Jiande Palace are like mountains, which makes people dare not look directly at. There are Yongfeng City and Yongchang City on both sides, both of which are independent of the city, and each of them is a small city with heavy troops guarding the palace.

Going further north, there is the location of the imperial guards, with tens of thousands of soldiers and many war horses. Once there are changes in all directions, you can protect the capital and suppress the rebellion outside. It can be said that the golden cup is forever and there is no danger inside and outside.

The autumn is clear and the atmosphere is cool, and the court meeting is at the same time. Between the Zhengyang Gate and the Qianduan Gate, the soldiers of the imperial guards stand out in a mighty place, and the sound of horse hooves comes one after another. A large number of generals with cold armors dismounted here. Those who have made outstanding contributions and enjoyed honors will walk to Jiande Hall under the guard of the soldiers on both sides of the left and right, and then stand still and wait for Xuan to see him.

On the other side of the palace, there is a place where nearly a hundred Taiwanese officials wait for the imperial edict. Compared with the people on the opposite side, they are strong and full of courage, and the momentum here seems a little weaker.

The officials were meticulous in their clothes and belts, and there were many servants around them, but their momentum was weaker. They looked around, either lowered their heads and kept silent, or gathered with people who were familiar with them and talked in a low voice, but they didn't dare to look directly at the gazes of the fierce generals on the opposite side, either disdainful or joking.

Among these officials, the most important one is Cheng Xia, the right Guanglu official. Cheng Xia has a thin face, three long beards, a crown and a body with a strong temperament. He looks no different from the Shizuo Gao family, and is very elegant. At this time, many officials from Taiwan Province were surrounded by him. Although there was no communication between them, he had already shown a tacit understanding in his position.

Xu Guang, the Zhongshu Ling, who was closest to Cheng Xia, was a middle-aged man with a round face and a slightly fat body. His slightly narrow eyes looked at the opposite side without showing any expression. Then he took a step forward and whispered in Cheng Xia's ear: "Today's court meeting, the King of Zhongshan was absent for no reason. As a minister, he was not indifferent to the rituals of the king. It was really a minister's etiquette!"

When Cheng Xia heard this, he subconsciously looked up at the opposite side, and then he found that there were many eyes on the opposite side, with brutality and gimmicks in his eyes. His thin cheeks couldn't help but tremble, and his slightly narrowed eyes also flowed in cold light, and a cold snorted from his nose.

"The Lord has been a little more restrained in recent years, and his work has slowed down. He is often insulting evil, which is not a good attitude."

Xu Guang looked at Cheng Xia with a worried look and whispered. They are useful as counselors. Although they are now in high positions and are in charge of the Taiwan Strait, it does not mean that they can rest assured.

Several years ago, Chengxia's family tragedy was tyrannical by the King of Zhongshan, and his wives and concubines were humiliated. It is said that there has never been any such a horrifying atrocities in ancient and modern times! Even if they are ministers in the same palace, they are gloating, but they still have the same sympathy and pity for each other. The arrogant soldiers and generals rely on their bravery and do not take them seriously, such as the senior officials of Taiwan Province at all.

The ridiculous Lord actually felt that those thugs rely on martial arts were available. You should know that these senior officials in Taiwan Province represent the lord's majesty and were even humiliated and bullied! In other words, these fierce generals didn't care about the lord's majesty at all. How could such a chaos be a blessing for the country!

When Cheng Xia heard this, his eyes flashed, and he noticed that there were not many people looking at him directly, and then sighed and whispered: "The Lord is old..."

As he said that, his eyes passed over the towering palace and turned to the east, where the Prince's Palace was located.

He was so humiliated by the King of Zhongshan Shi Hu, but the Lord was unable to severely punish the King of Zhongshan to seek justice and face for him. If there is no resentment in his heart, how could it be possible? But Cheng Xia also understood that in the Lord's eyes, their subordinates who followed him at the moment, no matter how many strategies they made or how loyal they expressed, they were just outsiders and would never be attracted to them.

For example, Zhang Bin, the Right Marquis who died in his early years, had a strong belief in him and was in a benevolent manner, but in fact he was also using and guarding himself, and at the same time he was accused of suppressing Zhang Bin. After all, the Jie clan had few people and had fewer people to control more. In the mind of the master, how to guard against the Jin people's counterattack was the first priority!

If there was any idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor and serving the country in order to achieve fame and fame, then with Shi Hu's abuse a few years ago, no matter how many unrealistic dreams there were, Cheng Xia had already become cold to the emperor. So he gradually understood in his heart that no matter how kind the Lord looked, the people of Jin people would never have the opportunity to take charge of the situation!

The hope is only lies in the crown prince. Only when the crown prince can take charge of the country in the future can they have real dignity and opportunities!

In fact, not only Cheng Xia thought this way, but now many court officials gathered around him have more or less enlightenment. It is no longer a secret that the king is kind and the outside is jealous and the inside is jealous. The benevolent and enlightened crown prince is their only hope for standing in the court!

As the uncle of the crown prince and mother clan, Cheng Xia had natural advantages in his identity and was naturally widely praised and supported by court officials. However, this identity is not a good thing for Cheng Xia.

The Lord has been alienated from him in recent years, and probably has taken care of him as a disaster to Zhao Jin Zhun in his heart. Not only did he not let him get too close to the prince to exert influence, but he also specially promoted the Zhongchang Shi Yan Zhen to supervise the prince. Earlier, the crown prince had given him hundreds of personal guards to protect his family, but was immediately rebuked by the Lord that the guards were not allowed to privately receive the guards and ordered to return them.

Moreover, in recent years, the masters have consciously promoted some of the northern sects. They not only want to stabilize internal governance, but also divide the ruling power of Cheng Xia and others. The noble families of the noble clan have a lot of reputation and are extremely high in the local area. They are far from comparable to Cheng Xia's humble origins. With a little power, they will make an internal and external leap forward.

It is conceivable that even if the crown prince succeeds to the throne in the future, Cheng Xia will never think of crossing those people to take over the court. The most outstanding one among them is the Guo family in Taiyuan. The Guo family has already been well-known in the Jin Dynasty, similar to the famous Chinese and Korean scholars Pei Xiu and Jia Chong from Hedong and Pingyang, who all married Guo family.

When the emperor was in charge of Wei, he was a disciple of the Guo family and was mostly cared for. Now, Guo Yin served as the Minister of Taiwan Province in the court, and Guo Quan and others were the chief military officers outside, which was very popular.

In front of them, there were hostile opposition from a group of powerful generals such as Shihu, the king of Zhongshan, and behind them, there were many Wangzongs of Taiyuan, such as Guo family, who were pressing forward step by step. Although Cheng Xia was the uncle of the crown prince, he was in a difficult situation. Not to mention that the crown prince has not yet taken over the power, even if he has already obtained the position, Cheng Xia could not imagine that he could turn the situation around immediately.

The situation seemed to be in danger, but Cheng Xia also knew that there was something available to him. The Lord also wanted to use them to restrain the King of Zhongshan, so it was not time to abandon it. For example, he moved the King of Zhongshan from Yecheng earlier, detained Xiangguo, and let the crown prince hold power to control Yecheng. It was not convenient for the Lord to do these things personally, and there were still a few evil people to block the population.

Therefore, Cheng Xia also kept his mission in mind and made frequent statements with Xu Guang on the Lord to be careful of the King of Zhongshan. Although it was not effective, it was also a statement, indicating that they would never surrender to the King of Zhongshan!

Fortunately, the King of Zhongshan is not without opponents. Shi Sheng, who guards Guanzhong, Shi Lang, who guards Luoyang, Shi Cong, Henan, and Shi Kan, who is in Xuzhou, are all resentful to the King of Zhongshan. Although these people are also rude to Cheng Xia, they are not willing to see the King of Zhongshan dominate the family, and it can be said that there is a possibility of unity.

At today's court meeting, the topic should be about Yuzhou. Last year, taking advantage of the turmoil in Wu, the lord ordered Shi Cong and other generals to send troops to defeat Shouchun and eliminate Zu's residence. He was in a great mood. Although he did not continue to move southward and all Yuzhou was included as a territory, there were many dispatches and many management.

But unexpectedly, the Southern Thief was so bold and unsustainable. In the new chaos, he sent troops north and started the battle lightly. What's even more excessive is that Huang Quan, who was guarding Hefei, was so unusable that he was wiped out by the Southern Thief in the south!

This failure is not worth mentioning, but it is an unacceptable stain for the destiny of the country today! Therefore, after receiving the reward, the Lord was also furious. Today, he summoned civil servants and military officials from both home and abroad to discuss how to deal with it and recover this shame!

Cheng Xia was very nervous about this. After all, Huang Quan used it out of his recommendation. Although he intended to weaken the wings of the King of Zhongshan, he did not expect that Huang Quan would be defeated so ugly. Therefore, Cheng Xia was also prepared to bear the blame later, especially the ridicule and embarrassment from the King of Zhongshan.

Cheng Xia breathed a sigh of relief when the King of Zhongshan did not attend today. The lunatic was unscrupulous in his work and could not judge it with common sense. Huang Quan died in the southern land, and this account would inevitably be recorded on his head and retaliated.

However, the words of a colleague made Cheng Xia's breath again: "A few days ago, a team of people galloped into the city and entered the residence of the King of Zhongshan. It is said that it was a messenger sent by Huang Quan..."

Hearing this, Cheng Xia could not be calm. Hefei was too far away from Xiangguo, so the war report was not detailed. Huang Quan's defeat was full of doubts, and there might be internal information that the war report had not been mentioned. Cheng Xia did not have a good source of information outside, so it was difficult to obtain any detailed information.

Before Huang Quan was about to lose, he sent an envoy to meet the King of Zhongshan. What is the inside story? Or, would the King of Zhongshan have a plan in southern Henan?

Because he has too little strength, Cheng Xia couldn't help but think a lot about any unusual movements and did not dare to slack off. Even if there was no inside story about this matter, he still signaled people to step up inquiries in this regard. Whether the King of Zhongshan has plans to go south or not, it is always good to be prepared.

Many ministers gathered outside Jiande Hall for a long time and were unable to summon him, so they became turbulent. It was not until the sun was over, and a tall figure came out through the hall and said to everyone: "The Lord is a little uncomfortable today, so I will stop the day. Please go to the temple office and guard it, and discuss it again in the future."

Hearing this, everyone's discussions became louder. The civil officials were fine, but they were a little surprised or worried about the Lord's Holy Body's behavior. The military generals pointed at the man Xuan Zhi and cursed a few words. The man was Yan Zhen, the current favorite of the Central Constable, and he was also unwilling to be watched by the powerful generals.

Cheng Xia and Xu Guang looked at each other, and they were also suspicious, not sure whether the Lord was really uncomfortable or had other plans. But then again, since this year, the Lord has made many moves to stop the court, and they dared not look at the ban. They just sighed in their hearts that the Lord is indeed full of depressed ambitions, which is far from the efforts of his early years.

Everyone retreated. When Cheng Xia was boarding the bus outside Yongfeng Gate on the side of the palace, an official next to him suddenly walked upstairs with a flattering smile on his face, "Please stay a little while. Recently, a strange man was registered in my hometown. He was a master of the Shijun, the Taoist Master of the Tianshi in the South. He came north because of the chaos and struggle in the south. He had many supernatural abilities, especially the use of the elixir of the Spring and Preservation Pill. What I saw was the essence, and I dare not enjoy it alone. I would like to recommend a noble man to Guanglu."

Cheng Xia was full of thoughts at this time, and after hearing this, he just waved his hand and said, "I've remembered it, let's wait until the time is free."
Chapter completed!