Chapter 322: Drink from the Golden Cup

The reason why the ghost soldiers in the Tianjing Soldiers’ Tomb were unable to patrol the world of the living before.

There are three reasons.

The first thing is to maintain the blockade and confidentiality of information within the military tomb to prevent the Shinto from breaking through the military tomb.

But after the last rebellion in Tianjing, the emperor fell from the throne again, and in fact released the power of the White Emperor and part of the power of the Nine Ancient Gods. The protective barrier of the Tomb of Soldiers has been torn into a hole, and then the evil soldiers inside are blocked to prevent information leakage, so its actual use is almost useless.

The second is that the ghost soldiers are in a state of hunger all year round. If they are asked to patrol the world of the living and face a large number of living people, it is difficult for them not to have evil thoughts and suck the blood of the living people.

Now the Queen of Heaven has evolved a part of the Taixu Illusionary Realm as the Nether Moon. Although it cannot yet illuminate the entire underworld, it can at least illuminate the soldiers' tombs, relieving the hunger of most of the ghost soldiers in the tombs, allowing them to absorb the pure moonlight to sustain themselves in the underworld and have enough food. Then, when the ghost soldiers patrol Tianjing, they will not target the living people.

After all, the ghost soldiers also know that absorbing the essence and spirit of living people will eventually be a road of no return. Now that the Netherworld has Mingyue, it can provide everyone with enough food, at least the vast majority of the ghost soldiers will be well fed, so they will no longer take risks.

Third, the Emperor of Daxia used to be a saint, and Tianjing was his "kingdom of God", so there was no need for patrols by ghost soldiers. But now that the Emperor of Daxia has completely fallen from the realm of sainthood, patrolling by ghost soldiers who can pass through most walls at will can effectively stop some of the Shinto conspiracies.

And the whole thing indeed falls within the jurisdiction of Zhou Tieyi, the son of a general and the inspector general of the Zhushen Division.

Especially when combined with the previous Confucianism, Mei Juncang's memorial highlighted one thing.

While other officials were thinking about fighting for power or saving their fathers, only Zhou Tieyi was thinking about official business today.

You guys don’t talk about business, so fine, I’ll talk about business today!
It was said at the small court meeting that there was little official business, and the officials had fallen into a misconception, thinking that the two memorials left by Zhou Tieyi were also about fighting for power, but now when the contents of the two memorials were revealed.

Even Sansi couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

This method is high.

There is no harm without comparison.

The two things Zhou Tieyi reported were originally about being loyal to the emperor and serving the country. Even if they slapped the face of the Emperor of Daxia, the Emperor could not say a word against it.

Now, in contrast to the "loyal ministers" in the court, Zhou Tieyi's noble character is even more prominent!
He is worthy of the emperor, worthy of his disciples, and can control the situation with all the officials.

Mediate the central government and manage state affairs.

Everything is in harmony and everything is complete!
The Emperor of Daxia and all the officials remained silent.

Behind the pearl curtain, the Queen sighed softly, "Loyalty to the king and the country is clear."

Although just now, she still vaguely supported Mei Juncang to temporarily take over Zhou Tieyi's position as the director of the Inspection Institute of the God-Slaying Division.

She also wanted to weaken Zhou Tieyi while supporting him in suppressing Confucianism.

But now, it concerns Bingzhuan, Mingyue, and the expansion of her authority from the Netherworld to Tianjing, so she has to speak for Zhou Tieyi.

With her position, she not only has to please the emperor, but also has to express her own political intentions and attitudes, even if it means risking offending the emperor. Otherwise, why would she go to court? Wouldn't it be nice to stay in the harem and read memorials?

The Great Xia Emperor put down the second memorial expressionlessly, thought for a moment, and commented, "A capable minister in governing the country."

This is Mei Qingchen's evaluation of Zhou Tieyi. Now that the Emperor of Great Xia has said it in front of all the officials at the court meeting, the meaning is different.

Especially when compared with the 'loyal ministers' in front of him, Zhou Tieyi's perspective on problems and his ability to do things are highlighted.

The Queen continued, "Both of these strategies are good ones."

Since it is a good strategy, it should be rewarded, even if it is an honorary reward.

The Great Xia Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Send an order to hasten the journey a thousand miles, and reward a golden cup of imperial wine!"

······
All the ministers left the court. The ups and downs of today's court meeting, Zhou Hou's strategic planning and winning battles thousands of miles away really opened everyone's eyes.

In the past, they might have said that Zhou Tieyi was so powerful because he was favored by the emperor.

But at today's court meeting, it was obvious that the emperor's favor was about to leave Zhou Tieyi, but Zhou Tieyi forcibly kept the emperor's favor. This is real ability!

In the carriage.

Si Lu Qingkonggui and Mei Juncang sat opposite each other.

Qingkong Gui was naturally very satisfied with this disciple who was not a disciple. He looked at Mei Juncang's deep eyes and his snow-white hair and sighed, "How long did he start to plot against me?"

Mei Juncang's expressionless face suddenly showed a smile, "Who?"

Qingkong Gui said unhappily, "Who are you talking about?!"

At this moment, he really felt that Mei Juncang had learned three points of Zhou Tieyi's skills, at least the ability to make people angry.

"He asked me to recommend you for merit. I thought it was reasonable at first, but it turns out he was waiting for me here."

Qingkong Gui then pondered for a moment, considering the entire layout process.

It was flawless, and that's why even Si Lu fell into the net!

No, Qingkong Gui's eyes were fixed. He thought carefully again, when did Zhou Tieyi start to set up this trap?

If it wasn’t for the time when I went to the Railway Chamber of Commerce by myself, it should have been earlier!

which time?
Suddenly, a trace of horror flashed in his eyes.

He remembered that his son Qingkong had asked him to congratulate Zhou Tieyi on his eighth rank, that he had given him a copy of the Great Xia Tian Constitution with his own annotations, that Zhou Tieyi had asked Mei Juncang to pick him up, and that his son had come back to tell him that Mei Juncang was a talented person with great potential, the seed of their Legalist school! After thinking it through, Qingkong Gui's voice was more solemn than ever before, "It's not unfair to lose."

Mei Juncang did not answer. He looked through the curtain at his father who was still kneeling outside the Meridian Gate and asked, "Si Lu, will the teacher win this time?"

This time it was Qingkong Gui who did not answer. The carriage fell into a long silence and drove down from Yujing Mountain.

······
Six thousand miles away.

After the first day, Zhou Tieyi beat Qin Yu with a stick, which made his crime even more serious.

The officials of Shantong Prefecture were all worried.

The unparalleled power of the Duke of Zhou can be seen from this.

And precisely because of this severe punishment, no one dared to hold a welcoming banquet like before, and they didn't even dare to mention it in front of Zhou Tieyi, for fear of being singled out as an example.

Because they really couldn't understand Zhou Hou's methods.

There are so many rumors about Marquis Zhou in Mingjing, and before Marquis Zhou came, the heads of various departments and their advisors had repeatedly analyzed Zhou Tieyi's character.

But seeing is believing.

Even though Zhou Tieyi was laughing, there were still people who wanted to accept the punishment and were willing to accept this punishment that could be fatal.

Just this one move was enough to make the officials of Shantong Prefecture lose their way!
Everyone pretended to be dead, but Zhou Tieyi was not one of them. After a night's rest, Zhou Tieyi gradually became familiar with the surrounding environment.

It’s not that he doesn’t like fine clothes and beautiful maids, it’s just that he is particular about his bed.

Since ancient times, suspicious people have been familiar with their beds, so he needed to spend a day to familiarize himself with the environment.

When the guards took control of the surrounding environment, when Bai Mei placed his frequently used things in familiar places, and when the surrounding things gradually became familiar, Zhou Tieyi's condition suddenly returned!

He first summoned Zhu Qingtai, the governor of Taihang.

When Zhu Qingtai stepped into Zhou Tieyi's yard with caution and worry, he was still thinking about what Zhou Tieyi wanted to express about Qin Yu's incident yesterday. But after entering the mansion and greeting Zhou Tieyi, Zhou Tieyi's first words surprised him.

"Although I advocate frugality, you didn't even prepare a welcoming banquet for me. Aren't you looking down on me?"

The news that Marquis Zhou was going to hold a welcoming banquet spread like a whirlwind throughout the Shantong Prefecture in an instant.

When the officials who were still hiding in their official residences, feeling anxious, heard the news, they felt relieved.

They are not afraid of Zhou Tieyi's extravagance, or that he drinks a lot, they are just afraid that he doesn't drink!

Lord Zhou, why didn’t you say so earlier?

If you had told us earlier, we wouldn't have to hide in the official residence and worry all day!
It’s really hard to guess what Lord Zhou is thinking!

The officials then went to He's house first and met with He Qigong, hoping to learn from He Qigong how to receive Zhou Tieyi and how much extravagance would be appropriate.

He Qigong thought seriously about Zhou Tieyi's extravagance in the past, and how even if the officials in Tianjing were frugal now, Zhou Tieyi was still extravagant, and replied.

"Marquis Zhou was so busy with official business that he didn't even invite him to a banquet for a king or a prince. So it would be reasonable for us at Shantong Mansion to host a banquet for Marquis Zhou."

The officials below were of course a little hesitant, "Wouldn't this be too ostentatious? The Confucianists and Legalists are watching us."

He Qigong smiled confidently and said, "Since Lord Zhou mentioned the welcoming banquet, he must have his reasons. We just need to follow his instructions. Why should we care about the Confucianists and Legalists? Besides, even if there was no welcoming banquet, would the Confucianists and Legalists let us go?"

What He Qigong said made sense, so the officials of Shantong Prefecture held a royal banquet for Zhou Tieyi at the largest restaurant in Shantong Prefecture, the Golden Tower.

Shantong Prefecture is worthy of being described by the wife of the Minister of Works as "not inferior to the prosperity of Tianjing".

On the eight-story exquisite building, black stone lamps hung down like necklaces, illuminating the whole room with splendor in the gloomy night of Tianjing.

Zhou Tieyi's carriage was led into the Linglong Tower and he got off. The officials of Shantong Mansion were still a little worried. What would they do if Zhou Tieyi just walked away at this time?

However, seeing the golden building in front of him and the magnificent scene, Zhou Tieyi said to his attendants, "It is better to share happiness with others than to enjoy it alone. Have you prepared food for the people around us?"

The officials of Shantong Prefecture breathed a sigh of relief.

To repeat, they are not afraid that Zhou Tieyi eats a lot or uses a lot, they are just afraid that Zhou Tieyi does not eat or use anything.

It only costs a few dollars to send food to ordinary people.

"Please give me your instructions, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Tieyi pointed at the building in front of him and said, "Since this is a grand banquet to celebrate my becoming a marquis, then I will entertain the guests for three days. I will set up a buffet in front of this building for three days. Since I, Zhou Tieyi, have come to Shantong Mansion, I will make sure that the people of Shantong Mansion have enough food to eat. This is what we call sharing happiness with the people!"

Cui Wanxia from the Legalist family moved his lips. If it were an ordinary person, he would have stopped it long ago, but now he decided to wait and see.

After entering the banquet, Zhou Tieyi really didn't talk about any business at all. He just drank and ate with big gulps.

Even the officials of Shantong Prefecture relaxed.

"Fill it up, fill it up for Zhou Hou!"

(End of this chapter)