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Three months ago, news of the great victory on the Wei River reached the capital, causing shock to both the government and the public. All parties were either happy or worried. Even Zhou Shangjing, who had always been calm and calm, was surprised for a while.

At that time, Huo Zhengyuan was the only one who behaved unusually calmly. He suddenly found a reason for bad feng shui and the old house, so he decided to move and move the entire Huo family to an alley not far from Zhao's house.

.

The newly moved Huo Mansion is smaller in area, and the environment is not as quiet and elegant as before, but it only takes one stick of incense to walk to the Zhao Mansion. From that time on, the daily movement and contact between the two families was limited.

It's becoming more frequent and closer.

There is no doubt that Huo Zhengyuan is an extremely smart person - he never loudly cheers for Zhao Junchen or charges into battle, and he never actively expresses his loyalty or flatters him; his sense of existence is very low, and he always

Hidden behind the scenes, some people who don't know the details may even mistakenly think that he is just a fringe figure in the "Zhao Party", and he is rarely affected during party struggles... But Huo Zhengyuan often uses some seemingly inadvertent "little actions"

, prove his position and role to Zhao Junchen.

Zhao Junchen always liked smart people, so he used him more and more.

This time, after receiving the summons from Zhao Junchen, Huo Zhengyuan arrived at the Zhao Mansion earlier than Li Chengru precisely because the two residences were close to each other.

Just as Li Chengru hurried to the Zhao Mansion, Huo Zhengyuan had a stiff smile on his face, sitting in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, and together with Zhao Junchen...listened to Xu Qingyan's bragging.

*

Under Huo Zhengyuan's helpless gaze, Xu Qingyan stood in the middle of the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, dancing with joy, foaming at the mouth, and eloquently recounting his "glorious" experiences during this period.

"Young Master, and Academician Huo, you two don't know that the Zheng family has been divided into one party for many years. Every member of the clan is arrogant and arrogant. I have been repeatedly slighted since I first landed on the island.

I also encountered several threats, but I was negotiating with them on behalf of the young master. Every move I made meant the young master’s face, so how could I back down and show weakness?

Every time I encountered a provocation, I would fight tit for tat and never give in! If I wanted to argue verbally, I would always silence them. If I wanted to compete with each other, Xiao Lin had never met an opponent and defeated several of the younger generations of the Zheng family.

After this provocation, they finally did not dare to underestimate us and allowed us to meet Zheng Zhilong, the old man of the Zheng family!

The old man of the Zheng family was able to get into such a big business because his vision was very different. From the first time he saw Xiao Lin and I, he could tell that we were different. Coupled with my strong arguments, he not only

He made the decision on the spot for our future cooperation with the Zheng family, and also recognized Xiaolin and I as our grandnephews in public. That’s a close attitude..."

Xu Qingyan always couldn't help but get carried away when he was boasting. This talk was full of flaws. With Huo Zhengyuan's eyesight, he could naturally see through it at a glance and didn't believe it at all.

Apart from anything else, the Zheng family has been the king and hegemon at sea for many years, and is powerful and divided into one party. Zheng Zhilong is a thousand-year-old fox who is as sophisticated and calculating as Zhou Shangjing. How can Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin be easily convinced?

However, for Zhao Junchen's sake, Huo Zhengyuan not only couldn't expose him at this time, but also had to listen quietly, trying hard to maintain a smile on his face, nodding his head in approval from time to time, and cooperating with Xu Qingyan's talk about sex, but he felt uncomfortable all over.

On the other side, Mo Xiaolin, who returned to the capital with Xu Qingyan, looked embarrassed at this time and hesitated to speak. Apparently, he also thought that Xu Qingyan's bragging was too much.

Huo Zhengyuan couldn't help but observe Zhao Junchen's reaction out of the corner of his eye, but found that Zhao Junchen's expression was calm, without any reproach, and without any intention of interrupting. He just let Xu Qingyan do whatever he wanted.

"I have long heard that Xu Qingyan is an uneducated person, but he is a close friend of Zhao Gechen and has been with Zhao Gechen for many years. His father is also very kind to Zhao Gechen, so

Zhao Gechen has always been the most trusting and close to him...

But now it seems that Zhao Gechen's attitude towards him is more than just trusting and close to him? He is simply deliberately conniving... Sigh! I have long felt that with Zhao Gechen's status and wise vision, he still favors such a ruffian. It is really a big deal.

It should be, if you lose your identity, it may create hidden dangers in the future and become a flaw around Zhao Gechen... We must find an opportunity to give Zhao Gechen a few words of advice..."

And just as Huo Zhengyuan was thinking secretly, Xu Qingyan's lengthy self-promotion finally came to an end.

When Xu Qingyan finally stopped talking, Huo Zhengyuan and Mo Xiaolin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the awkward atmosphere in the room had dissipated a lot.

On the other side, Zhao Junchen tapped his fingers on the table. After pondering for a moment, he looked up at Xu Qingyan and asked slowly: "In other words, the Zheng family has indeed agreed to cooperate with us?"

Xu Qingyan talked a lot. Putting aside the exaggerated words, this was the only definite conclusion that Zhao Junchen could draw.

Xu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, his expression becoming more and more smug and frivolous, and said: "If I personally take the initiative, this cooperation will naturally be negotiated! Then you only need to send someone to discuss some details with the Zheng family, and the matter will be completely settled!"

Zhao Junchen nodded in approval and said: "Actually, I arranged for the two of you to have contact with the Zheng family. I didn't originally have many expectations. I just wanted to make preliminary contacts and act as a frontline. I never thought that you would directly facilitate it.

This cooperation is an unexpected blessing! With the help of the Zheng family, many of my plans can be accelerated... Qingyan, Xiaolin, you have done a great job this time, it is really a great achievement! Tonight,

I will personally celebrate your success."

Upon receiving Zhao Junchen's praise, Mo Xiaolin quickly bowed to show his humility, while Xu Qingyan became more and more proud.

Just when Xu Qingyan was getting more and more proud, Zhao Junchen took a deep look at Xu Qingyan, his eyes were quite meaningful.

Then, Zhao Junchen picked up the untouched tea cup, stood up and handed it to Xu Qingyan, and added: "You have been telling the story for so long just now. Your mouth must be dry now. Take a few sips of tea first."

, moisten your throat, and take the opportunity to sort out your thoughts... Then, you need to tell me and Academician Huo your experience during this period again... This time, don't exaggerate, and don't miss anything.

Details, I want to hear the most authentic information!”

As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, the proud expression on Xu Qingyan's face suddenly froze, and then turned into embarrassment and ridicule.

Zhao Junchen ignored Xu Qingyan's embarrassment and continued slowly: "I have always been greedy and push myself to the limit. If this cooperation has not been negotiated yet, it will be fine, but now that it has been negotiated, I will endure it."

I can't help but want to go further. I hope that we can take the initiative in cooperation and control the overall situation, and we don't want to be used by the Zheng family in turn!

Therefore, before formal cooperation, we must have a detailed grasp of the current situation of the Zheng family, and we must not make too many misjudgments... Qingyan, you have had many contacts with the Zheng family during this period, so what first-hand information do you have?

, it is of great significance to our next stage of negotiations and future layout! Just now, I saw that you were really lucky to have traveled thousands of miles, so it didn't stop you from showing off, but now you are bragging.

That’s enough, we’ve had enough fun talking about sex, it’s time to get down to business!”

Hearing that there was no sarcasm or blame in Zhao Junchen's words, but his tone was very serious, and the look in his eyes was meaningful, Xu Qingyan's expression gradually became serious, and even a little nervous.

After drinking a large gulp of tea, Xu Qingyan's expression had returned to calmness, and then he used a completely different serious tone from before to tell Zhao Junchen and Huo Zhengyuan all the experiences he and Mo Xiaolin had experienced in the Zheng family.

The two talked about it.

This time, Xu Qingyan's complaint was completely without any bragging. It could be described as detailed and objective, without any attempt to avoid the important, nor did he hide his shameful experience of falling into the sea. He even completely blocked his subjective emotions. The content was detailed and trivial.

From the few words spoken by the Zheng family, to the price level in Taiwan, from the different personalities displayed by the core members of the Zheng family, to the decorative style of the Zheng family mansion, everything is missing.

There are many descriptions that seem meaningless, but they can infer some more core things from the side.

Obviously, Xu Qingyan really paid attention during this period and kept everything he saw and heard in his heart. Now he is very organized when expressing his opinions. It seems that he has considered reporting to Zhao Junchen in advance.

Xu Qingyan's transformation not only surprised Huo Zhengyuan, but even though Zhao Junchen had been with him for many years, he had rarely seen such a serious attitude from Xu Qingyan, and a trace of relief flashed in his eyes.

*

In fact, Zhao Junchen had already seriously considered Huo Zhengyuan's concerns.

In recent years, due to various circumstances, Zhao Junchen's power has expanded too fast. Not only has it exceeded Zhao Junchen's own expectations, but the growth of the people around him has gradually been unable to keep up. In many cases, even those who have always been

Fang Ru, who is smart and capable, will also feel powerless when dealing with certain affairs - this is one of the reasons why Fang Ru is willing to gradually delegate power to Zhang Yu'er.

In this case, let alone Xu Qingyan, who has always been frivolous and unskilled.

However, Xu Qingyan is Zhao Junchen's long-term follower and confidant. He knows most of Zhao Junchen's secret plans and is often responsible for running errands and liaisons. He must not continue to be incompetent and frivolous.

As Zhao Junchen's power expanded more and more rapidly, the threat he posed to Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing could not be ignored, and the pressure and threats he faced became stronger and stronger. With a character and ability like Xu Qingyan's, naturally,

It will become a flaw and hidden danger around Zhao Junchen, and someone might take advantage of him at some point.

Although Xu Qingyan's loyalty is extremely rare, loyalty does not mean everything. If Xu Qingyan fails to grow, it may not be a good thing for him to stay with Zhao Junchen.

Of course, Zhao Junchen still cares about his old relationship and has been trying to cultivate Xu Qingyan.

Zhao Junchen has never been a talkative person, but every time he makes plans and arrangements, he always takes the trouble to explain his deep considerations to Xu Qingyan, and often analyzes the changes in the situation between the government and the opposition to Xu Qingyan, just to open up new opportunities.

Xu Qingyan’s vision strengthened Xu Qingyan’s methods.

Moreover, Zhao Junchen also repeatedly gave Xu Qingyan many opportunities to practice and prove himself.

Initially, Zhao Junchen asked Xu Qingyan to manage the "Tongji Temple", but Xu Qingyan's vision, awareness, and thoughtfulness were far from enough. This not only slowed down the progress of Zhao Junchen's various plans, but also caused the "Tongji Temple" to have a

There were signs of losing control, so Fang Ru was forced to take over.

Later, Zhao Junchen handed over the task of contacting and subduing Guan Wuyuan to Xu Qingyan, but Xu Qingyan still failed to complete the task well-until Zhao Junchen took advantage of the opportunity of the Shaanxi-Gansu War to personally tame Guan Wuyuan, Guan Wuyuan always existed

There are signs of yang and yin going against each other, swinging left and right.

Later, Zhao Junchen once again handed over the task of secretly kidnapping and guarding Liang Fuchen to Xu Qingyan. Xu Qingyan's performance this time was somewhat improved, but there were still serious flaws. If Zhao Junchen hadn't been prepared and personally cleaned up the mess,

All his efforts will be in vain and come back to bite him.

In short, Zhao Junchen has been teaching Xu Qingyan and giving Xu Qingyan opportunities, but Xu Qingyan's performance has always been unsatisfactory. Whenever Zhao Junchen wants to hand over a task to Xu Qingyan, he will

We must also take into account the possibility of Xu Qingyan messing up the matter, and spend more effort to formulate another plan, ready to wipe Xu Qingyan's butt at any time.

This time, Zhao Junchen arranged for Xu Qingyan to go to Taiwan to have secret contact with the Zheng family, still with the idea of ​​letting Xu Qingyan take the opportunity to prove his worth... Even as the situation in the temple changed drastically, Zhao Junchen became increasingly intolerant of having people around him.

There are obvious flaws, this may be Xu Qingyan's last chance.

If Xu Qingyan still cannot prove himself this time, then Zhao Junchen will have no choice but to let him leave the capital and return to his hometown. From now on, he only needs to support his parents, enjoy wealth, and be a rich man with peace of mind; even if Xu Qingyan is not willing to leave then, he will die or die.

Zhao Junchen can only be a pure errand boy and follower from now on, but he will no longer have access to Zhao Junchen's core secrets.

This is also the reason why Zhao Junchen's eyes just looked at Xu Qingyan were full of meaning.

Fortunately, Xu Qingyan's performance this time was generally satisfactory, and he discovered Zhao Junchen's desire to take the exam in time, quickly reversed his frivolous mentality, and proved his growth and awareness to Zhao Junchen.

In fact, Xu Qingyan can promote the cooperation between Zhao Junchen and the Zheng family this time, which does not mean anything. After all, the Zheng family also has its own interests to consider. Zhao Junchen is now the most powerful official in the temple second only to Zhou Shangjing. As long as the Zheng family

If you want to use Zhao Junchen to expand your own interests, this cooperation will naturally hit it off.

The reason why Zhao Junchen really thinks that Xu Qingyan has grown up is because when Xu Qingyan first came into contact with the Zheng family, although he lost face because of his accidental fall into the sea, which can be said to be a bad start, he was still able to adapt to the situation and respond in time.

Choosing the most effective strategic adjustment, playing the clown without hesitation and giving all the glory to Mo Xiaolin, these are enough to prove Xu Qingyan's awareness.
To be continued...