I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 351 The Difficulty of Marrying Off a Daughter

"What is it, Father?"

"Your previous reforms of the salt administration in Jiangnan were excellent. Yesterday, I received a report from the Salt Inspector that the salt tax collected this year is more than double that of previous years. This has not only enriched the national treasury but also ensured that the people of Jiangnan can afford salt."

Emperor Wu'an's eyes were filled with affection and pride. "The salt inspector's memorial said that almost every household in Jiangnan has set up a longevity tablet for you, praying for your peace and health every day."

Tang Zhao smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Father's discerning eye for talent!"

Emperor Wu'an was overjoyed, but then sighed and said, "When news of your death reached Jiangnan, the people there cried out in despair, and many people spontaneously formed a procession to come to the capital to pay their respects to you."

"I've heard that some people in remote areas have even invited shamans to perform rituals to sacrifice young boys and girls, hoping that the King of Hell will send you back to the human world."

Tang Zhao was greatly alarmed.

"Don't worry, the sacrifice failed because the salt inspector stopped it," Emperor Wu'an said. "Now that you have come back to life, the people of Jiangnan should be at ease."

It also keeps those with wicked intentions in line with their ways.

Tang Zhao understood the implied meaning from the zither music: "Does Father mean for me to go to Jiangnan again?"

“Indeed!” Emperor Wu’an nodded. “The matter of the dead coming back to life is too bizarre. No matter how the court explains it, there will always be people who do not believe it. Why don’t you go to Jiangnan again and let the people of Jiangnan see it for themselves?”

Tang Zhao felt that this matter was indeed inextricably linked to him, so he readily agreed, "No problem!"

Emperor Wu'an's eyes showed anticipation.

Tang Zhao blinked and asked very tactfully, "Does Father have anything else for Zhao Zhao to do?"

Emperor Wu'an feigned politeness, "Won't you be too tired?" After all, Zhao Zhao had just woken up and needed to rest.

“It’s because you’re too tired,” Gu Ci said first. “Going to Jiangnan is fine, but we’ll have to wait until Zhao Zhao has fully recovered.”

If you want to get things done, choose people from among all the civil and military officials in the court, instead of specifically targeting Zhaozhao!
Emperor Wu'an said impatiently, "I'm talking to Zhaozhao, why are you interrupting?"

Gu Ci stood his ground, "Zhao Zhao is my wife. As her husband, can't I speak up for her?"

Emperor Wu'an scoffed, "Is your wife some kind of noble status? Zhao Zhao is a first-rank princess personally bestowed by me!"

No matter how noble a princess is, she is ultimately an appendage of her husband, while a princess is an independent individual!
What's more, Gu Ci's title of prince was given to him by his father!

If that brat angers him, he'll strip him of his princely title, turn the Prince of Zhan's mansion into Princess Zhaoshan's mansion, and let that brat Gu Ci become the prince consort!
The Queen sat in her chair drinking tea, not getting involved in the conflict between the father and son.

Tang Zhao glanced at Gu Ci, then at Emperor Wu'an, and decisively chose the stronger patron. "Father, don't get angry, or you'll hurt yourself," she said, as she picked up the tea and offered it to Emperor Wu'an with both hands.

Emperor Wu'an snorted coldly at Gu Ci, took the tea, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Zhaozhao, your father asks you, are you willing to go to Jiangnan to continue the reforms?"

Tang Zhao held down Gu Ci's hand, "I'm willing!"

"Very well!" Emperor Wu'an gave his son a defiant look. "I hereby appoint you as a first-rank imperial envoy to inspect the Jiangnan region on my behalf and to manage its affairs!"

Tang Zhao felt it necessary to ask clearly, "What rank of official can you kill?"

Emperor Wu'an was filled with mixed feelings. Why couldn't this child understand how to win people over with virtue and influence them with love?

Tang Zhao's eyes were filled with condemnation. "Do you think your idea is realistic? Realistic?"
Emperor Wu'an took off the token from his waist and handed it to Tang Zhao, saying, "I'm giving you this golden token. Seeing this token is as if I were here in person. Officials below the third rank can be executed first and reported later!"

Tang Zhao stroked the gold medal with obvious delight, grinning broadly to reveal his pearly white teeth. Emperor Wu'an, still concerned, reminded him, "Don't kill too many people; the imperial examinations are still a month away!"

Now that they've all been killed, the court has no one to fill the vacancies.

Tang Zhao nodded obediently and said, "Father, don't worry, Zhao Zhao knows how to behave."

It's good that you understand. After seeing his daughter and resolving this important matter, Emperor Wu'an returned to the palace with the Empress, feeling relieved.

Gu Ci stood there, looking dejected.

Tang Zhao waved to Li Mama and the others, and Li Mama and her people retreated with smiles.

Tang Zhao poked Gu Ci's face, "Poor thing, you're so angry you look like a pufferfish."

Gu Ci asked, puzzled, "What is a pufferfish?"

"There's a type of fish that swallows water when threatened, and then its whole body swells up into a ball, like this," Tang Zhao said, puffing out his cheeks to mimic a pufferfish.

Gu Ci forced a smile to his lips.

“I want to go to Jiangnan. Jiangnan is so wonderful. It’s both prosperous and pleasant. I used to live in the South,” Tang Zhao said, touching his dry skin. “After staying in the North for so long, my skin has become dry.”

Gu Ci raised his hand and touched Tang Zhao's chapped cheek. "If you want to go, I'll go with you. I'm just worried that your body can't handle it."

Tang Zhao tiptoed closer to his ear and whispered, "Father only said that I should inspect Jiangnan, but he didn't say how long the inspection would last. Jiangnan is so big, it's normal to inspect it for a year or two. Let's treat it as our honeymoon."

Although Gu Ci didn't know what a honeymoon meant, it sounded sweet and something to look forward to.

Gu Ci's mood immediately improved, and the two happily went to the dining room for dinner.

In the palace, Emperor Wu'an was not very happy. He rarely had time to visit Consort Qin in Chuxiu Palace, but Consort Qin kept pestering him to choose a consort for Gu Fu.

Could it be that he, as the father, didn't put in the effort to find a good son-in-law for his daughter?
However, Consort Qin's requirements for choosing a son-in-law were far too demanding! Not only did he have to come from a good family, be good-looking, have good character, be talented in literature and martial arts, but he also had to be gentle, tolerant, and considerate!

Where is he supposed to look? Huh? Where is he supposed to look?!

Even if there really is such a perfect man in this world, how can we guarantee that he would be willing to marry Gu Fu?
Based on Gu Fu's status as a princess?
Do not make jokes!
The powerful and aristocratic families in Luoyang, who had survived through several dynasties, were unwilling to marry a princess who had only a title but no real ability and take her back to serve. Would the powerful and aristocratic families in Jiangnan be willing to do so?

Emperor Wu'an's face turned cold. "If you continue to make trouble, I will agree to Tibet's marriage proposal!"

Consort Qin was terrified, "Your Majesty!"

Emperor Wu'an stormed off to Fengyi Palace. The Empress, who was about to retire for the night, glanced at the furious Emperor Wu'an and asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?"

Emperor Wu'an dismissed the palace attendants and servants, took off his boots, and got into bed. "It's still about Fu'er's marriage."

The Empress understood; Consort Qin was causing trouble again.

"As a mother, I can understand Qin Zhaoyi's urgency and strong will."

The only daughter stayed at home and became an old maid. If it were an ordinary family, it wouldn't be so bad, but she was the grandson of a dragon and a phoenix. Even if it's not that a family with a daughter has a hundred suitors, she should at least have no trouble getting married.

But those who came to propose marriage were either too young or widowed men remarrying.

Given Consort Qin's temperament, how could she possibly allow her daughter to become someone else's second wife?
The situation remained deadlocked, and Gu Fu's marriage became the talk of the town in Luoyang.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating what kind of good husband Gu Fu will marry!