Chapter 9: The Female Prime Minister of Daliang: Princess Lanling
The next day.
The sun is shining brightly in the morning.
The street where Su Xian lived was called "Jiaolou Street". It is said that it got its name because there was a "corner tower" at the corner of the southeast city wall.
But after decades of changes, that corner had long been demolished due to its dilapidated state, leaving only a bare section of the city wall.
Even so, the name "Jiaolou Street" was retained.
At the end of the street, at the corner closest to the city wall, are Liu Huixiang's home and the tofu stall.
This location is really bad, too remote.
However, the tender tofu made by Liu Huixiang is cheap and delicious, and has many regular customers.
Here, an old lady carrying a small bamboo basket walked across two streets to buy fresh and tender tofu.
"Huh? Why didn't you open the door?"
The old lady was puzzled, and then she shouted loudly: "Sister Zhang, Sister Zhang, isn't the tofu stall open yet?"
"Sorry, I'm really sorry, our stall is closed today. Please come back another day." Zhang Cuihua's voice came from inside the closed door.
It turned out that Su Xian went to Liu Huixiang's house this morning to check on the stinky tofu and said that everything was normal and it could be enjoyed tomorrow.
After hearing this, Liu Huixiang decided to use all the tender tofu today to make stinky tofu...
So the tofu stall is still closed today.
The lady who came specifically to buy tofu was turned away.
The old lady turned around and walked more than ten steps, just in time to meet Shopkeeper Luo walking out of the antique shop.
"Manager Luo, why isn't your tofu stall open today?" The old lady obviously knew Manager Luo, and started chatting with him on the street.
"Not only was it not open today, it was not open yesterday either."
"Why is that?"
"Auntie, you don't know this. Nephew Su and Tofu Xishi are collaborating on a delicacy called something..." Shopkeeper Luo frowned slightly and finally said, "Stinky tofu!"
Hearing them talking about stinky tofu, neighbors and passers-by gathered around.
Almost everyone is talking about it and is pessimistic about stinky tofu.
The old lady said, "I know Sister Zhang from the tofu stall. She is not a boastful person. She closed her stall for two days just for the stinky tofu. This is definitely not a simple matter."
"Sister Zhang is not stupid. Could it be that stinky tofu is really a delicacy?"
"Hiss, after hearing what you said, it seems to make some sense."
At this time, someone said, "Su Xian is a nerd. He doesn't study hard, but goes to make stinky tofu...On our street, only Su Xian's family treats Tofu Xishi well. Hey, do you think Sister Zhang and Tofu Xishi...are they playing with Su Xian out of gratitude?"
“That’s right!”
“That makes sense!”
"But I heard that stinky tofu is a lost delicacy that Su Xian found in ancient books. The records in the ancient books should be correct."
"Recorded in ancient books?"
Shopkeeper Luo, Uncle Liu, and anyone with a bit of education all stood in awe after hearing this.
Nowadays, books and scholars are both precious things.
Since stinky tofu is a delicacy recorded in ancient books, it is different.
"We will know the truth tomorrow. Let's wait and see: Is the stinky tofu a lost delicacy recorded in ancient books, or is it just Su Xian's nonsense?"
Shopkeeper Luo said finally.
Everyone nodded.
…
…
Leshou County is a "central county".
This shows that the number of households in Leshou County has reached more than 3,000.
The county seat of Leshou County is of medium size, neither too big nor too small. The county government office is located in the center of the county seat.
In the afternoon, in the back hall of the county government office.
The county magistrate Tang Ju, as well as the county assistant, the chief clerk, the county lieutenant and others were gathered in the back hall to discuss matters.
I don’t know what funny thing they were talking about, but the county magistrate and everyone else clapped their hands and laughed, and the laughter echoed throughout the back hall.
At this time, a clerk outside the door reported: "My Lords, an urgent document has arrived!"
The so-called "Mingfu" is a respectful title for the county magistrate.
"Come in." County Magistrate Tang Ju still had a smile on his face.
"Mr. Governor, I have received an urgent document from your Excellency. You also conveyed a message: Please ask Magistrate Tang to handle it immediately without any mistakes!" The clerk entered the back hall and presented a scroll.
The so-called "Shijun" is a respectful title for the governor of a state.
The governor is equivalent to the "mayor" in later generations, and is the immediate superior of Tang Ju, the county magistrate.
"Oh, express it quickly."
Tang Ju did not dare to delay. He took the scroll, untied the silk ribbon, unfolded it and read it carefully.
The county magistrate, the chief clerk, the county lieutenant and others all remained silent and stared at Tang Ju's face.
Soon, the smile on Tang Ju's face slowly disappeared, and his expression turned solemn.
Everyone's heart was in turmoil, wondering what the document actually said.
After a while, Tang Ju put down the scroll, his expression still solemn.
The county magistrate asked, "Mingfu, what does the official document say?"
"The official document says that the court recently received secret information that some people in Youzhou, Mozhou, Yingzhou, and Cangzhou are conspiring and colluding with the Liao Kingdom in the north to rebel!" Tang Ju said slowly.
"make……"
Everyone was shocked and some people almost fell off their chairs.
Yingzhou, where Leshou County is located, belongs to "Hebei Road". To the north is Mozhou, and north of Mozhou is "Youzhou".
North of Youzhou is the territory of Liao Kingdom!
The Liao people were brutal and often went south to invade the border. Not to mention Youzhou, even Yingzhou had been plundered several times by the Liao army.
"You can rest assured, this is a serious matter, and the court will not sit idly by." Tang Ju was still calm. "The court will send ministers to Youzhou to find out those who are secretly colluding with the Liao Kingdom!" Tang Ju said.
"May I ask, sir, how many soldiers and horses will the ministers sent by the court bring?" asked the chief clerk.
"One hundred thousand troops."
"That's good, that's good..." The county magistrate, the chief clerk, the county lieutenant and others all breathed a sigh of relief. As long as there were a large army in charge, there should be no problem.
"Her Majesty has issued a special decree." Tang Ju continued, "Send the current Shangshu Zuo Pushe and Princess Lanling to lead an army of 100,000 to guard Youzhou!"
"In addition, Her Majesty also conferred Princess Lanling with various titles, including 'Hebei Dao Demotion Envoy' and 'Hebei Dao Marching General Manager'. She holds the power of life and death and appointment and dismissal of officials in the prefectures and counties of Hebei Dao!"
After hearing this, the county magistrate and others, who had just relaxed, became nervous again and exclaimed, "Princess Lanling?!"
Princess Lanling is the youngest daughter of the current Queen.
It is said that Princess Lanling is not only as beautiful as a graceful and elegant peony, but also highly appreciated by His Majesty for her talents.
As a princess, she served as the "Shangshu Zuo Pushe" of the Daliang Empire, which was equivalent to the "Prime Minister" of the empire.
People call her "the female prime minister".
However, Princess Lanling is too power-hungry. She is deep-minded, decisive, cunning and extremely vicious. If you are not careful, you will be defeated in her hands.
The number of officials, both big and small, who fell into the hands of Princess Lanling was so numerous that it was frightening.
The county magistrate and others screamed in shock when they heard that the person sent by the court was Princess Lanling, and they felt that a disaster was about to happen.
"Don't worry, Princess Lanling will go to Youzhou from Hejian County and will not pass through Leshou County." Tang Ju smiled slightly.
Hejian County, the seat of Yingzhou prefecture, has an unobstructed official road that leads directly to Youzhou.
It is the preferred route to Youzhou.
"That's good, that's good. As long as Princess Lanling doesn't come to our Leshou County, everything will be fine." The county magistrate wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
