My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 471 Too Many Women Isn't a Good Thing

The snow stopped in the evening, but it was still very cold.

Gao Yu was used to it.

Compared to Huai Shuo, Shandong is considered a 'warm' place, and coming from a cold region, he has a natural advantage in resisting the cold.

Moreover, given Gao Yu's current power, he can use charcoal for heating without interruption.

The room was warm and cozy. Gao Yu stood by the window, feeling the chill of the north wind, before closing the window.

"We need to find an opportunity to send someone to India and Central Asia to get cotton seeds, and then promote them... so that the cold winter will no longer be fatal to the people."

The cultivation of cotton became widespread around the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Before that, people could only rely on reeds, thatch, and other materials to fill their clothes to keep warm.

To light a fire for warmth?

That's just overthinking it.

Why is firewood listed first among the essential necessities of life: rice, oil, salt, and cooking oil?
Timber is the only 'energy source' in this era. The mountains all belong to owners, and the trees on the mountains are their private property. How could they be allowed to be cut down at will?

Woodcutters would chop firewood and sell it at home to earn food; they wouldn't be willing to burn it for warmth at home.

In winter, people can only endure it.

Back then, Gao Yu sent Liu Taozhi to the Western Regions with the Lou family's caravan to trade. They even brought back two Indians. Liu Taozhi did see cotton products in India as he had said. However, Gao Yu was of low status at the time and didn't even have his own land. He had the energy and resources to plant cotton seeds and even further promote cotton textile technology.

at the moment……

With the fertile lands of the Central Plains in his hands, he could begin to consider such beneficial policies for the people.

"My lord, what is cotton?"

Yang Changchu leaned closer from behind, his face full of confusion.

"This is something used in the Western Regions to keep warm. If we can obtain this, the people under my rule will no longer have to fear the cold winter."

Gao Yu was actually quite clear about this as well.

Even if cotton were introduced, it wouldn't really stop people from freezing to death. If cotton-padded clothes were available, they would most likely be a 'luxury item' at first. He had read a lot of information, and it was true that a single piece of clothing could be passed down through three generations. It was common for a cotton-padded coat to be worn by several generations of a family.

But the introduction was ultimately a good thing. From the beginning, he encouraged the farmers and craftsmen under his command to study planting techniques, improve productivity, and increase cotton production so that it could become a daily commodity that truly benefited and brought blessings to the people.

Yang Changchu seemed to understand but not quite, “My husband cares deeply for the people; this is truly a blessing for them.”

Gao Yu then pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead, saying, "It is my blessing to have such a virtuous wife as Chang Chu."

Yang Changchu did indeed manage the backyard very well. Although she was not the oldest, she was able to mediate the conflicts between Gao Yu's wives and concubines, so that Gao Yu did not have to worry about trivial matters at home.

In the true sense.

Behind every successful man is a good woman.

Yang Changchu pressed her face against his chest, enjoying the rare tenderness. It was a good thing that Gao Yu had seen all her efforts.

The two embraced for a moment. Although Yang Changchu was reluctant to part, she took the initiative to break free. "Husband, why don't you go and see the princess and the other sisters?"

"I just got back, and you're already kicking me out?"

"With Aze by my side, I won't be lonely every day. Princess Yongtai and the others, on the other hand, spend every night alone in their empty rooms, longing for their husbands to return. How could I be so greedy?"

The princess Yang Changchu was referring to was not the one from Southern Liang, but rather Yuan Miao…

Yuan Miao was Princess Yongtai.

"Are you really willing to let me go?"

Gao Yu chuckled, with a hint of teasing in his voice.

Yang Changchu simply turned his back and refused to look at him.

"So I'm really leaving?"

Gao Yu deliberately made loud footsteps, then gradually lowered them. Yang Changchu turned around abruptly upon hearing the sound, only to find Gao Yu standing there with a smile on his lips, looking at him.

Her little secret was exposed, and Yang Changchu's cheeks flushed red. She was both ashamed and angry. Despite being a wife and mother of a son, she stomped her feet shyly like a young girl, "Husband!!"

Gao Yu smiled and opened his arms to pull her into his embrace again, stroking her back tenderly, "You've suffered."

Yang Changchu pounded his chest with her small fists for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. "My husband is blessed by Heaven and has the ambition to govern the world. He wants to act as Heaven's representative to herd the people and bring them good fortune. I cannot help my husband, but I also cannot be a burden to him."

She took another step back. "My husband, please go ahead. Also, take some time to visit the princess of the Southern Dynasty."

"Ah."

Gao Yu nodded and softly agreed. Before Yang Changchu could react, he stepped forward, hugged her, kissed her, and then turned and left.

Yang Changchu stared blankly at his retreating figure, gently touching her lips with her fingers, her eyes filled with reluctance.

She had waited for Gao Yu in Taishan County since she was a child, and finally got to marry him as she wished. However, they were often separated, and even when they were together, she had to push Gao Yu away herself for the sake of peace in the family.

does it worth?
As long as Gao Yu cherishes her kindness, it's all worthwhile.

After leaving Yang Changchu's house, Gao Yu glanced at Zheng Dache again and received the same answer.

When she came to Erzhu Yuechan's side, she followed suit.

To Gao Yu's surprise, Erzhu Yuechan was not that mature. Seeing that Gao Yu was stubbornly refusing to leave, she...

Erzhu Yuechan pouted, "Does Uncle really want me to offend people? I also want Uncle to stay overnight..." This familiar and nostalgic form of address.

Immediately, the image of Erzhu Yuechan boldly raiding him at night when he was in Xiurongchuan flashed into his mind. Her face was full of youthful innocence, her eyes were shy yet filled with excitement, and she obediently called out "Uncle".

"Then I'll go."

Gao Yu chuckled and shook his head, then left Erzhu Yuechan's room.

The number of women in the inner courtyard had unknowingly grown to quite a few...

And this doesn't even include the princesses of the Southern Dynasty and the Xie family women who came as part of their dowry.

His own children were still so young that they could not carry out the most effective political means of winning people's hearts through marriage.

When I take over Hedong, Hexi, Guanzhong and other places in the future, the best way to appease the local powerful families will still be through marriage alliances. The number of women in the inner court will probably have to increase.

For men, this is somewhat of a 'happy problem'.

Gao Yu glanced at the situation and decided to skip over Cui Zhifan's side. Her daughter, whom she had given birth to, was still breastfeeding, so he decided not to disturb the mother and daughter.

Finally, Gao Yu arrived at Yang Lingyi's room.

She is rather withdrawn and has little presence in daily life, almost like a transparent person.

Hearing the door being pushed open, he saw that it was Gao Yu who had come in.

Yang Lingyi was stunned for a moment, then timidly asked, "Husband...husband?"

You've been married for so long, why are you acting like you just got married?
Gao Yu beckoned to her, and Yang Lingyi obediently came to his side. With a gasp, she was pulled into Gao Yu's arms. As soon as Gao Yu looked down, he saw that her cheeks were already incredibly red.

"did you miss me?"

Such explicit and straightforward words made Yang Lingyi's face turn as red as an apple.

She didn't dare to answer, only nodded slightly, and then her body tensed up because Gao Yu's hands had begun to get restless.

As Gao Yu felt her delicate skin, he said, "I have already found a marriage for Zunyan."

"Whose daughter is she?"

“She is my niece, the one you met that day, Aying…”

Yang Lingyi trembled uncontrollably, like a fish out of water, gasping for breath. But upon hearing this, her eyes widened, and she mumbled, "This... how will our seniority be determined in the future?"

"Should I call him 'brother' when I see him? Or..."

This brain circuit.

Gao Yu picked him up by the waist and laughed loudly, "Let's call each other whatever we want."

Yang Lingyi was so frightened that she clung to him tightly, feeling Gao Yu's strong and powerful arms, and slowly closed her eyes.

The other side.

Yuan Miao stared intently at his door like an owl, waiting and waiting...

Unable to wait any longer, she pushed open the door and went out into the yard, where she faintly heard some familiar voices from another direction.

She subconsciously clenched her fist, then loosened and clenched it again several times.

Although he had shown favor to Yuan Mingyue, once was not enough.

Yang Lingyi looked rather pathetic, with tear stains on her face, utterly exhausted, and fast asleep, her strength completely depleted.

Even Gao Yu didn't notice when he got up.

Seeing that it was gradually getting light outside, Gao Yu did not linger there for too long, hoping that Yang Lingyi could get pregnant smoothly.

He had just pushed open the door when he saw someone standing outside, staring intently at him like a statue waiting for its owner.

Strange people.

Gao Yu was taken aback. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Yuan Miao.

Yuan Miao looked tired, and her face and lips were pale, clearly from being cold.

"Miao'er..."

Gao Yu forced a smile, trying to comfort and reassure her.

Yuan Miao ignored him.

She strode forward, staring at him expressionlessly, giving Gao Yu no time to react, grabbed his arm, and practically dragged him in another direction.

I don't know where they got such strength.

Until Gao Yu was dragged into the room.

There was a snap.

Yuan Miao slammed the door shut, stared at him with a resentful look, and approached him step by step.

"It's my turn now!"

"I'm telling you! Don't even think about leaving so easily!"

(End of this chapter)