After returning to the residence, Chen Bingxian helped the shaky Zhu Biao into the house, while Chen Rongyan stayed behind to entertain Zhang Jinhe. After all, the Zhang and Chen families have been friends for generations.
The two of them sat down in the living room. Zhang Jinhe was the first to speak: "Brother Chen, which room does Mr. Yunze belong to? Why have I never heard of him?"
Chen Rongyan smiled and said: "The young master is naturally the son of my father, but he has been raised in Suzhou and rarely returns to his hometown."
Zhang Jinhe nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He always felt that something was wrong, but the interests of the Zhang and Chen families were harmonious, so it was naturally impossible to get to the bottom of it.
After taking a sip of tea, Chen Rongyan asked: "Brother Zhang has been in Pingliang Mansion for a while, right? What business are you busy with?"
Zhang Jin shook his head and said: "Brother Chen was joking, what kind of business can be done in the disaster area? After transporting the last batch of disaster relief grain and grass from Jiangnan, he planned to go back. However, two days ago, I received news that Mr. Chen's family was coming. Pingliang Mansion
The water is very deep now. I am thinking about the generations-old friendship between our two families, so I decided to stay and help, so that I can have a companion when I go back."
Chen Rongyan stood up and thanked him, but he also knew what the Zhang family meant. He probably heard that the Chen family came on behalf of the East Palace, so he naturally wanted to blend in. Even if he could mention the Zhang family when reporting on errands, it would be enough.
No matter how good the relationship between the two families is, they are still not the same family. It is okay for the Chen family to be one step ahead, but the Zhang family cannot just watch it fall further and further behind, otherwise they will not be family friends but superiors and subordinates.
Zhang Jinhe continued: "Brother Chen also saw what happened just now. They just want to bully Mr. Chen because of his young age and inexperience and induce him to antagonize the imperial envoy Wang. You have to be careful. After all, he is an imperial envoy with imperial guards."
Zhang Jinhe paused: "There is something I shouldn't say. Isn't it inappropriate to entrust such a big errand to such a young master? The Chen family is now the leader of our Jiangnan gentry, and also represents the people of the Eastern Palace. If it is really with the Holy Lord
If there is a conflict between the imperial envoys and ministers, it will be difficult to control the matter."
Chen Rongyan did not answer but asked again: "Brother Zhang did not join the group of people just now?"
Zhang Jinhe stretched out his thumb and stroked the two curls of beard on his lips, frowned and looked at Chen Rongyan, and then said in a deep voice: "Indeed, not since the General Secretary personally wrote to the head of the family, the head of my family has issued a strict order,
Any member of the Zhang family who dares to sell grain to Shaanxi and Gansu will be severely punished by family laws and clan rules. I, Brother Chen, also know that the rules of the Zhang family are strict, but I don’t have the guts."
Chen Rongyan nodded. The Zhang family has always been friendly to the outside world, but the rules are strict internally. Anyone who dares to go beyond the slightest will be bruised, not to mention serious ones. Therefore, among the Jiangnan gentry, only the Zhang family has very few
Rich playboy.
There was silence in the lobby for a while, and then Chen Rongyan said: "Brother Zhang made a good move unintentionally, so please stay and help."
Zhang Jinhe's eyes lit up: "Brother Chen, don't worry, I will never ask any more questions."
Zhang Jinhe's thoughts were racing at this time. Unlike the officials in Shaanxi and Gansu, who only knew about His Highness the Crown Prince through rumors, they, the Jiangnan nobles, had crossed the threshold of the East Palace with one foot after all, so they naturally knew what kind of person His Highness the Crown Prince was.
.
What's more, even if His Highness the Crown Prince is short of money, there is no need to use such a troublesome method as selling food. As long as the Jiangnan nobles sell their properties, they will make up for the shortfall of silver for His Highness. That is a huge fortune.
And no one would be reluctant to part with it. After all, the gap between the current crown prince and the emperor is probably only one coronation ceremony. The other princes have no sense of existence at all, and there is no hope of making a comeback.
As much power as they have, they can have as much wealth. The problem of the Jiangnan gentry today is that their wealth exceeds their control. If Zhu Biao hadn't intervened, the others would have pounced on him after Li Wenzhong took the first bite.
.
Chen Rongyan thought about what Zhu Biao might ask for a while and asked Zhang Jinhe: "What is the current situation in Pingliang Mansion?"
Zhang Jinhe said slowly: "Before Wang Qin's arrival, about fifty carloads of corpses were transported out of the city every day. After Wang Shijian came, the situation improved, but there are still more than twenty carloads of corpses transported out every day."
Chen Rongyan figured it out after a little calculation. It seems that the deterrent power of the imperial envoys is indeed very great. No wonder these people just acted a little too eagerly and even targeted young people. From a certain point of view, this is not a good thing
The face of the Chen family.
Afterwards, the two of them talked for a while before Zhang Jinhe resigned. Chen Rongyan personally escorted him out of the door and went straight to the backyard. On the way, he met his cousin Chen Bingxian and directly ordered: "Go and look around, the security guard at home is probably there too."
I'm a little overwhelmed, so go and comfort me, and also take a look at the situation in the city. You can't always trust what others say."
Chen Bingxian responded: "In the past, I also had contacts with many shopkeepers in Pingliang Mansion, so I will contact them now."
"Don't be too showy, there are too many people staring at us."
Chen Bingxian led a few people out of the house, while Chen Rongyan walked outside Zhu Biao's house and asked Zhao Huai'an to come in and report. Zhu Biao was lying on the bed to rest. He was really a little confused after drinking.
After a few words of concern, Chen Rongyan recounted the content of his conversation with Zhang Jinhe. After listening, Zhu Biao closed his eyes and ordered: "I guess someone will come to invite you in the evening. Then you can tell me that I'm not feeling well and can't get up."
Now, it’s up to you to prepare the banquet. Remember, pay attention to them. Don’t refuse but don’t agree too quickly. Explore their background carefully.”
Chen Rongyan bowed and promised: "Master, don't worry, drinking, feasting, and gossiping are my strengths, and I will definitely do it beautifully."
Zhu Biao waved his hand, Chen Rongyan bowed and took three steps back, then turned and left. Liu An's face looked better. The merchants were just not disciplined enough. He reminded them several times before remembering that if they were in the palace, they would be
Paint the stuff that lasts a lifetime.
Liu An saw that His Highness was still feeling a little uncomfortable, and the room was stuffy, so he quickly took out a clean kerchief, poured it into water and gently folded it on His Highness's forehead...
Zhu Biao felt a condition on his forehead and he felt a lot better. However, he was not sleepy at all due to the alcohol. He just felt hot and dry. It seemed that he was indeed a little sick after traveling all the way and being acclimatized.
After feeling it silently, I felt that the problem was not big, but I still had to be careful, so I asked: "Have you gone to see the doctor?"
As soon as these words came out, Liu An became a little nervous: "Please, Your Highness, you are really unwell, this... this is not possible! There is an imperial physician accompanying Wang Qin Envoy, please go and fetch him immediately!"
Zhu Biao felt irritated when he heard his fuss: "Okay, I'm just a little tired. Let's wait until the doctor sees it."
Liu An was about to cry: "No, I don't trust this country doctor. What if his medical skills are not good? If my godfather knew that I let such a person treat you, I would have to tear my slave alive."