Chapter 56: The Crown Prince's Favorite Concubine

  At dusk, Crown Prince Liu Ziming and his entourage galloped through the pagoda tree forest.

  "Lord Liu, this Liangjiazhuang is indeed a good scenery." Liu Ziming's eyes were deep-set, his gaze was like the ripples on the lake surface, his nose was slightly hooked, and his lips were thin, slightly curled up, as if he always had a scornful smile.

  "The young master." Mr. Liu hastily cupped his hands and said, "The scenery of the countryside cannot be brought into the grand hall." Liu Ming looked at Liangjiazhuang with a faint sigh in his heart, unaware of what was about to happen to the people in this village.

  At the wine banquet hosted by Marquis Ma Mingyuan, he cleverly mentioned Chen Si Niang from Liangjiazhuang. The young master's eyebrows were raised at that moment, and it was clear that he was moved. If not, why would the young master come to this remote place of Liangjiazhuang?

  Measuring land and fields, personally taking charge of everything, this is a good phrase for the young master to take back and deceive that old governor.

  Mr. Liu also had a kind thought and quickly pressed it down.

  This is his chance to curry favor with the young master, and this rustic gentleman has a promising future. Although he knows that being a sycophant and serving as someone's claws and teeth goes against the "benevolence, righteousness, and morality" he learned, Liu still knows that this is an opportunity that others would fight for but can't get, so he might as well let his conscience be eaten by dogs.

  Li Yang led his son's wife Chen Si Niang, Kang Shu and Wu Shi three brothers and others to welcome at the village entrance.

  "Madam Liang Yang has arrived to pay her respects to Young Master Shi and Lord Liu!" Madam Liang Yang knelt down, and the crowd knelt together in welcome.

  "Raise your heads!" Liu Zimeng waved his whip, but didn't call on everyone to get up.

  The three Wu brothers were secretly annoyed in their hearts, but they did not dare to make a move. The two men behind Liu Ziming sat upright on horseback, motionless as mountains.

  The Wu brothers, who had seen the world, still hadn't seen anyone as terrifying as this martial artist. With just a glance, their skin felt like it was electrocuted.

  Yang Erjie of Yang's Ancestral Hall in Liangjiazhuang also hid without a trace, the thick official power came from afar, she had no way out.

  Everyone raised their heads, but Liu Ziming felt as if his heart was about to jump out.

  He recalled his treatment at Majiabao.

  The charm of the countryside is not in grand halls, but Liu Ziming enjoyed the ultimate pleasure in Xunfang Tower.

  Liu Ziming even has a feeling of having just seen the world now.

  He didn't know that the Huajiantang sect, in a city where mountains and rivers meet, would actually be more restrained in their actions. Many of the sect's disciples appeared with a gentle and elegant appearance, while the women cultivated by Huajiantang were charming and emotional.

  Liu Ziming was deeply impressed by Ma Mingyuan's words. However, Ma Mingyuan then said that the women in Xunfang Building were not as beautiful as the number one beauty of the Twelve Linked Caves, and were like chewing wax in comparison.

  This praise made Liu Ziming's appetite suddenly open up.

  Introduced by Ma Mingyuan, Liu Ziming went straight to Liangjiazhuang.

  After sitting for a while at Chenjiawu, Liu Ziming was like a cat on hot bricks, constantly urging Governor Liu to set off.

  A widow who has married three times, now remarried but her husband ran away. The widow plus a wife, the first beauty, Liu Ziming thinks about it and his blood boils.

  Liu Zimeng's little heart rose to his throat, he was afraid that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

  How beautiful can the number one beauty in the countryside be?

  But when the young woman next to the old lady, said to be the number one beauty, lifted her head, Liu Ziming was stunned as if struck by lightning, and a pimple on the corner of his mouth that was originally dull in color suddenly became red and shiny.

  What a stunning beauty in this countryside!

  No wonder Ma Mingyuan had a weird expression when he mentioned Chen Si Niang, "Are you Chen Si Niang?" Liu Zimeng's face suddenly lit up.

  "It's a civilian woman." Chen Si Niang replied, displeased in her heart. Liu Zi Ming's gaze was too naked, it was as if he wanted to strip her bare. Chen Si Niang thought to herself that things didn't look good and today might not end well. Subconsciously, she glanced at the old lady.

  Li Yang's face slightly flushed with anger, he stepped aside and said: "Please, Young Master!"

  Chen Si Niang felt slightly relieved.

  If Liu Ziming makes any demands, such as offering herself as a concubine in exchange for the safety of the entire village, nothing else comes to mind, and it's absolutely doable for the other twelve villages. After that, no one will think you're a hero, and you'll still be drowned by spitting stars.

  Chen Si Niang had worries in her heart, even if she was a female Zhuge Liang, she couldn't be the master of her own fate in this era.

  In Liangjiazhuang, it seems prosperous and becomes a respected person, everyone looks up to him. If Liu Ziming makes some unreasonable demands, Mrs. Lao might agree, then Chen Si Niang would be like falling into an ice pit on a summer day, unable to survive in the world again.

  Everyone was like a crowd of stars supporting the moon as Liu Ziming and Master Liu were invited into the Liang family's main house in Liangjiazhuang.

  The host and guest sat down. Liu Ziming glanced at Liu Ming. Liu Ming understood, cleared his throat and said: "Bring the land deed here."

  Chen Si Niang said to Liang Kang: "Uncle Kang, quickly go get the land deed."

  The land deed was already prepared, and Director Liu took it over to read: "Liangjiazhuang has a total of 364 households, with a population of 2,323 people, and a total of 3,620 mu of land. First-class land is 800 mu, second-class land is 2,100 mu, third-class..." Director Liu would nod his head every time he read an eight-character sentence.

  Having finished speaking, Magistrate Liu closed the land register and looked around, saying: "The prosperity of Liangjiazhuang is renowned far and wide. Today I see it for myself, and indeed it is so. In my opinion, all 3,620 mu should be classified as first-class."

  Mr. Liu said that the tenant farmers and craftsmen of Liangjiazhuang, who were standing respectfully outside the main house, immediately looked displeased on their faces.

  The common people have simple ideas: taking care of the Liang family is like serving the great heavens, not having food to eat is due to corrupt officials, and paying taxes on first-class land is much more.

  Feeling the "resentment", Liu Zimeng shifted his buttocks slightly, fortunately there were two people supporting him from behind.

  "Each household will receive one hundred bolts of silk." Lord Liu threw out another sentence.

  "What?" someone exclaimed, is this still human?

  Liu Ziming's eyes swept behind him, and the surroundings immediately fell silent.

  Mr. Liu tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "Then it depends on the sincerity of Liangjiazhuang."

  "Please enlighten me, sir." said Liang Yang's wife.

  Liu Ming glanced at Chen Si Niang, his eyes lit up and then quickly retracted, saying: "The scenery of Liangjiazhuang is quite beautiful, the fields and villages are like a peach garden, Young Master's wife, I wonder if you can take the young master to visit?"

  Chen Si Niang's face turned pale. Liang Yang Shi's heart skipped a beat, and she had already noticed something was off earlier. She didn't think that the mastermind would actually be her daughter-in-law. So she said: "My daughter-in-law is currently pregnant, if the young master wants to visit the common people, he can send someone else."

  Liu Ming smiled and said, "A few days ago at Ma's Fort, I heard Ma Mingyuan mention that when the contract for the Liang family's land and property was signed, he was also unwilling. He glanced at Liu Ziming and said, "It was the young master who said it, so let's just forget about past matters."

  Li Yang's face immediately turned white. Even Wu Shi, the three brothers outside the main house, understood that when an official family makes a move, they can turn their faces at will and come up with any reason to invalidate the Li family's land deeds. This is ruthless! Wu Tu saw clearly that the so-called young master's cunning eyes never left Madame Er.

  Liu Ziming was pleased with himself, but if he were to use this tactic to coerce the Ma family into letting one of their innocent daughters serve him in bed, Liu Ziming wouldn't dare. The Ma family may be small, but they are also a noble family, while the Liang family is a humble household that has been driven out. Even if they were to brazenly demand it from them, would they dare say no?

  Liu Ziming had already imagined the scene of taking this little girl out to play and pulling her into a small grove. If she was afraid or refused, that would be even better, Liu Ziming thought, his mouth suddenly drying up.

  Li Yang's lips trembled, his face turned white and then red, and his whole body shook. Chen Si Niang quickly stood up and said: "Since the young master has a hobby, I will be the guide."

  Li Yang glared at his daughter-in-law and thought to himself, "Is she trying to climb high branches?"

  "It's just that the life of a common woman is bitter, how can she be on an equal footing with the son of a noble family?" Chen Si Niang changed the subject and said: "The common woman has been married three times, all of whom died unexpectedly on their wedding day..." Chen Si Niang was about to continue when Liu Zi Ming interrupted her: "Fourth Lady, there's no need to say such things. It seems that those coarse and vulgar men are not worthy of you."

  "Yes, the crown prince is the current emperor's grandson, noble beyond compare, and rarely is he kind and virtuous. So, young lady, don't be too hard on yourself." Liu Ming also hastily said.

  Chen Si Niang felt a sudden tightness in her chest, what "self-blame" was this? This wicked young man who bullied men and women, Chen Si Niang couldn't even bear to look at him, and had to force down the nausea in her heart, saying: "Wu Tu, Wu Huo, Wu Jin, come with me to take the young master on a tour."

  Liu Ming glanced at Liu Ziming, thinking to himself whether he should just let Chen Siniang go alone. However, Liu Ziming ignored him and stood up, rubbing his hands together as he said, "Alright, we'll head out now. I'm getting a bit impatient."

  Liu Ming also stood up, thinking to himself that he was stupid. With those two bodyguards around, anyone who approached would probably be liked by the young master, and might even enjoy being humiliated in front of others.

  Liang Yang also quickly stood up, his voice trembling: "Wife... wife..."

  Chen Si Niang gave her mother a reassuring look and said, "The first thing worth seeing in Liangjiazhuang is the separate courtyards of the Mo and Wu families."

  One night, Liangshan discussed with Chen Sima the importance of Mo Wu Bi Yuan to Liangjiazhuang. Chen Sima's answer can be summarized in two points: Prosperous economy; Increase influence.

  Liáng Shān said Chén Sì Niáng's idea is correct but still not specific enough.

  The Mo and Wu families originated from the Mohist school, one of the powers of the Hundred Schools of Thought. With their down-to-earth and practical power, they are even more prominent in the world. The two families produce weapons and production equipment, a force that countries dare not offend.

  Liáng Shān gave an example, if someone made an extreme move against the Mò Wǔ Bié Yuàn, given the style of the two families, they might impose a ban on weapons and advanced production equipment. This punishment is very severe. Therefore, Liáng Shān instructed that once Liáng Jiā Zhuāng encountered trouble, they should shift the trouble to the Mò Wǔ Bié Yuàn, even if it was a major disaster, such as bandits launching a large-scale attack that couldn't be withstood, everyone in Liáng Jiā would hide in the Mò Wǔ Bié Yuàn. At this time, the Mò Wǔ Bié Yuàn played the role of an "embassy". Also because of this, the Mò Wǔ Bié Yuàn was given a large mansion, which has been expanded over the past three years and can accommodate one or two thousand people.

  Chen Si Niang hadn't heard of "embassy" before, but she understood what her husband meant. Now was the time for trouble, and since other means couldn't be used to deal with it, they had to take the person to Mo Wu's villa to have a good look around, hoping that the other side would retreat in fear.

  Liu Ziming visited the Mo Wu Bieyuan for a while, and when he came out, his face had changed.

  He understood what was on this young woman's mind, no more than saying that the Liang family and the Mo Wu family had an unusual relationship. A fire rose in his chest, wherever he went, women were sent to him with a white cloth, and a widow who had been married three times dared to look down on him?

  Liu Ming was shocked, how great was the power of the Mohist school, he, a Confucian scholar who was not favored by the Mohists, knew it best.

  After leaving the Ink Martial Courtyard, in front of him was a hill formed by a pile of earth, with bamboo forests and pavilions. Liu Ziming's face twitched slightly, and he said coldly: "The scenery is quite good here, Fourth Daughter accompany me to take a look at that pavilion."

  Chen Si Niang's face suddenly turned red, her body slightly trembling. The three Wu brothers behind her were even more furious, and they immediately surrounded the second lady. One of Liu Zi Ming's bodyguards lightly let out a "hum" sound, and the three Wu brothers suddenly felt dizzy and numb in their heads and limbs.

  Chen Si Niang suppressed the anger in her heart, curtsied and said: "I'm not feeling well, please excuse me, young master."

  "Oh, is that so?" Liu Ziming shot out two sharp glances and looked around, saying: "Then the Liang family village will probably change its surname."

  "There is justice in this world, no one can cover the sky with one hand." Chen Si Niang couldn't help but say.

  "Haha!" Liu Ziming burst out laughing, shaking his head and saying: "You people are truly ignorant and fearless. In XinYe, I am the heavens! Wang Han Ma Chao, please invite Fourth Niang to ascend the mountain."

  "Yes, Crown Prince!"

  Wu Huo's temper flared up the most, and he had been extremely patient all along. He took a step forward: "If you want to move Second Madam, first get past..." Before he could finish speaking, a surge of great force arrived, and he flew up like a kite, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and was thrown out more than ten meters away.

  Wu Tu and Wu Jin's eyes widened in shock, but they didn't look at Wu Huo. Instead, their hands suddenly held an object, and they shouted: "This is the Thunderbolt Bullet from the Mo Workshop!"

  "Protect the crown prince." King Han shouted, Ma Chao immediately stepped forward and blocked Liu Zimeng.

  Thunderbolt?! Liu Ziming was startled and hastily retreated several steps. He had heard of this thing, anything within three feet would be reduced to powder if thrown over.

  "How dare you?!"

  "This is rebellion!" Liu Mingshan knocked off his hat and shouted loudly.

  "Agreed!" Liu Ziming woke up and said, "Fourth daughter, if you surrender to me, everything will be spared. Otherwise, when the great army arrives, both jade and stone will be burned."

  Wu Tu sneered coldly: "I'll let you all burn together with jade and stone right now."

  "Is this how you treat your guests?" Suddenly a voice came from the air, Chen Si Niang was taken aback at first, then her face lit up with joy, and she shouted loudly: "Master!"

  A figure in green robes appeared as soon as the voice fell.

  It was sunset, with the sky full of afterglow, and Liangjiazhuang looked like a paradise on earth. But Liangshan's joy of returning home vanished in an instant, because there were several flies in front of him.

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