Chapter 195 Gifts from the People of Liaodong on the Eve of the Wedding

"Very well, my beauty, I will choose a day to marry you."

Liu Fu deliberately acted like a rogue, behaving lewdly in front of Xiao Ying'er, making her fair face blush red, like a bright, juicy apple.

"Pooh!"

"You lecherous scoundrel, you're so shameless!"

Although she said that on the surface, Xiao Ying'er still covered her face and ran away from Liu Fu with a shy expression.

Up until now, Liu Fu and Xiao Ying'er have only had a hugging and cuddling relationship, and have not developed any further.

Firstly, this is the person he truly loves, not a dissolute woman like Consort Wu of Liao, so he must treat her seriously and not toy with her feelings.

Secondly, the two gradually developed trust and familiarity with each other, a process that was also extremely beautiful. Xiao Ying'er wanted to leave herself as a fruit for Liu Fu to enjoy on their official wedding day, and Liu Fu was naturally happy to do so.

This is what truly represents the feelings between the two, a slow and steady progression. Ultimately, Ying'er will always be his.

That night, Xiao Ying'er buried her head in Liu Fu's arms.

Liu Fu thought of the Xiao family of the Liao Kingdom and asked:

"You've been in the Later Han Dynasty for so long, are you homesick?"

"Hmph, I don't want to!"

Although Xiao Ying'er said this, her defiant, girlish demeanor clearly showed that she was still thinking about it, but she just didn't say it out loud.

"Alright then, I'll start preparing for our wedding now. As for your family, I'll inform the Liao Emperor and have them send the Xiao family members over to witness our wedding. What do you think?"

Hearing Liu Fu's words, Xiao Ying'er choked up.

This was something she strongly resisted.

It's quite a contradiction.

Xiao Ying'er was unhappy from childhood to adulthood. Her parents only loved her brothers. As a girl, she was destined to be married off and left to fend for herself. She was only used to cultivate her talents in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and other arts, and then to be given to high-ranking officials and nobles to curry favor with.

She hated that family since she was a child!

But then again, these are her relatives after all. If she were to marry Liu Fu on her wedding day without the blessings of her family, parents, and elders, it would be a bit of a regret.

"Then... on the wedding day, see them one last time. Never let them rely on your power afterward, otherwise they will take advantage of you and act arrogantly."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

…………

Soon after, news of Liu Fu's upcoming wedding spread quickly.

When Liaodong learned of this news, the people immediately began preparations.

It was as if Liu Fu's marriage was a bigger event than the weddings of their own relatives. Many people even went from street to street to make arrangements for the event, wanting to contribute their own small share to the whole of Liaodong and to this prince Liu Fu on his wedding day.

Within the imperial city of the Later Han Dynasty.

When Liu Laowu heard that Liu Fu was getting married, he was naturally extremely excited.

How could one not have their future heir marry early and give birth to a grandson for the emperor?

Only by doing these things early on can the entire Later Han dynasty be stabilized. Liu Laowu obviously understood this point. However, when he proposed that Liu Fu return to the capital of Later Han to get married, and on the day of the wedding, he directly appointed Liu Fu as the crown prince and Xiao Ying'er as the crown princess, he was still in a difficult situation.

Liu Fu, that rascal, actually submitted his resignation again.

"Hey, you little brat, I've tried to give you benefits time and time again, but you won't take them. I've tried to reason with you, but you're still the emperor of the Later Han Dynasty. Even though the scene of all nations paying tribute is only possible because of your reputation, you little brat, I'm still your father. How can you not give me any face?"

"How can we be emperors if this happens?"

But to be honest, this time it wasn't that Liu Fu disrespected his own father, Liu Laowu; he really had a reason to hold this happy event in Liaodong.

The people of Liaodong had long regarded Liu Fu as a savior, because he broke the monopoly of the four major families and powerful clans, allowing these people to finally own their own land.

It was thanks to Liu Fu's vigorous promotion that everyone was able to grow sweet potatoes and potatoes, which greatly increased grain production to dozens of times the previous amount, allowing them to have enough to eat and no longer worry about hunger.

It was precisely because Liu Fu ordered the construction of water conservancy projects in various places that the people were able to benefit.

It was also his order to establish schools throughout Liaodong that enabled ordinary people to afford education and have the opportunity to take the imperial examinations, which gave more and more families hope for a better life.

People's livelihoods are constantly improving, and the lives of the people in Liaodong are getting better and better.

These people are sincere and honest; if you treat them well, they will remember your kindness.

Naturally, I can't forget you.

When everyone treated Liu Fu as a benefactor, they naturally regarded his marriage as a matter of utmost importance, and the level of concern they had for him was unimaginable.

Even Zhuge Liang, Xun Yu, Hai Rui, and others in the imperial court, when they sat together chatting, couldn't help but sigh:

"Although I, Hai Rui, have been upright and honest throughout my life, and the historical records given to me by the King are all positive in their evaluation of me, and I am also remembered and affirmed by many people, I am still far inferior to the King."

Bao Zheng, the prefect of Kaifeng, a man of immense historical prestige, also felt a pang of emotion at this moment:

"Although Bao Zheng can solve cases, that's all he can do, clear people's names. As for improving people's livelihoods, which is a matter of great importance to the survival of ordinary people, Your Majesty has always spared no effort in doing so. Since Your Majesty treats the people so well, the people will naturally give Your Majesty a fair return!"

Xun Yu finally began to talk freely, his face beaming with smiles, appearing extremely relaxed and happy.

The king I encountered here was not like Cao Cao I met during the Cao Wei era; I was no longer given an empty food box and forced to hang myself.

His own suggestions and strategies were truly put to use under Liu Fu's command, and the ambitions that he had not been able to realize in the past could now be fully realized.

I failed to meet a wise ruler last time, but I have met one here.

Even Zhuge Liang lamented the same thing.

Everyone had been discussing that on Liu Fu's wedding day, they should also present him with a special gift as a testament to the meeting and understanding between the ruler and his subject.

At this very moment, the entire Liaodong region, and even the entire Later Han dynasty, was preparing congratulatory gifts for Liu Fu's wedding.

Moreover, there was absolutely no coercion involved; everyone did it voluntarily and spontaneously from the bottom of their hearts.

Liu Fu also knew that he would definitely see many unexpected surprises on his wedding day.

But I never expected that there would be so many surprises!