While Zhao Junchen and Xiao Wenxuan were strolling and chatting, Xu Qingyan had already summoned the Zhao family's driver who had been waiting outside the street. <-> Then after Zhao Junchen and Xiao Wenxuan got on the carriage, they left first and went to Tianhai Tower to make arrangements.
But after entering the carriage compartment with Zhao Junchen, Xiao Wenxuan could not help but frown slightly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
For no other reason, Zhao Junchen deliberately concealed his identity and was not pompous when traveling away from home this time. From the outside, the carriage he took was low-key and ordinary except that it was larger and the style was low-key and ordinary. However, the interior decoration was anything but low-key and ordinary. Although they are not very luxurious or luxurious, various objects, whether it is a cushion decorated with Shu brocade and jade or a low table with carved sandalwood, are not treasures that can be bought with money, and cannot be obtained unless they are of high status.
Especially the blue and white breast-foot stove placed on the low table. As far as Xiao Wenxuan knew, it had always been a tribute. Apart from the royal family, only some high-ranking and close ministers could receive the emperor's gift.
Involuntarily, Zhao Junchen's identity became more and more mysterious in Xiao Wenxuan's eyes. It seemed that he was not as simple as an ordinary rich man or an official young master. Spiritual Domain
Unfortunately, although Xiao Wenxuan intended to inquire about Zhao Junchen's identity, Zhao Junchen always avoided talking about it. He just avoided the topic and talked about some gossip with Xiao Wenxuan. After several insinuations, he saw a hint of impatience in Zhao Junchen's expression. Xiao Wenxuan knew what was going on and stopped prying.
Not long after, the carriage arrived at the Tianhai downstairs.
When Zhao Junchen got off the carriage, the shopkeeper of Tianhai Tower, who had already known in advance that Zhao Junchen was coming and was waiting in front of the door, hurriedly came up to him with a look full of flattery.
Next to him was Xu Qingyan, who had come to make arrangements in advance.
"Oh, I heard that Sir, you are not feeling well these days. I am worried to death." The shopkeeper of Tianhailou originally wanted to call Zhao Junchen "Sir", but in the middle of the sentence, he suddenly remembered Xu Qingyan's previous instructions, but he hurriedly He changed it to "Young Master" and eventually became a nondescript "eldest Young Master". While trying to please him, he also did not forget to get closer to Zhao Junchen and continued: "I think of you, Young Master, who has been taking care of the common people these days. You are so kind." , apart from being grateful, I am even more anxious. I wish I could go to visit the young master immediately, but I am a humble citizen. I cannot enter the young master’s mansion, so I can only leave some kind thoughts in the concierge. I wonder if you can receive it, sir."
Although Zhao Junchen often comes to Tianhai Tower and has met with this shopkeeper many times, Zhao Junchen really doesn’t know this person’s name. He only remembers his surname Zhang. As for the so-called "little things" that shopkeeper Zhang sent to Zhao Mansion. "Feelings", Zhao Junchen was even less clear about it. After all, there were too many people coming to Zhao's house to give gifts every day, so how could Zhao Junchen remember them all? They were just recorded in the account book and under Fang Ru's care.
So Zhao Junchen just nodded and said with a smile: "Shopkeeper Zhang is interested."
Consciously getting closer to Zhao Junchen, Zhang Zhang couldn't help but be overjoyed, and continued to flatter him with a red face: "These days, the common people have been sincerely praying to the Bodhisattva day and night. I hope that you can recover as soon as possible, sir. Sure enough, you are protected by gods and Buddhas. , I can't do anything about the young master's minor ailments. Today I saw the young master leave the house. I think he has recovered, and the common people will feel at ease."
While talking, Zhang Zhang, the shopkeeper, led Zhao Junchen to Tianhai Tower and continued to ask: "I heard from Brother Xu that Master, you want to eat squirrel fish today. The grassroots have ordered the cooks to prepare. It will be ready soon, but I don't know." Young Master, do you want to go to the quiet and elegant room? Or go to the window seat upstairs?"
Zhao Junchen said casually: "Let's go to the seat by the window upstairs. Although the private room is clean, it is too stuffy."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, shopkeeper Zhang agreed and took Zhao Junchen and others to the best seat on the Tianhai Tower. However, he waited aside like an ordinary waiter with no intention of leaving.
Zhao Junchen didn't care about this. He just sat down and smiled at Xiao Wenxuan: "Brother Xiao, I don't know, but the squirrel fish in this restaurant is amazing. Ever since I accidentally ate it, I have been thinking about it and I will order it every time I come here."
The last dish, but I came here several times, but few of the people who ate this dish with me were close friends. On the contrary, I had to be cautious and intrigued from time to time, so this delicious dish lost a bit of flavor. Today, together with Brother Xiao, I finally
It’s time to taste it.”
Although this Tianhai Tower is not the most famous restaurant in the stable, it is still considered luxurious and high-end, and the diners are all well-known and wealthy people. Xiao Wenxuan comes from an average family, and it is his first time to visit a restaurant of this level.
He was cautious and was secretly looking at the decoration style of Tianhai Tower. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, he couldn't help but said: "Young master, although you don't want to reveal your identity, you must have a distinguished status, extraordinary, and a wealthy family. Since you like it so much,
This squirrel fish, why not teach the chef in Fuzhong how to make this dish?"
The shopkeeper nodded quickly, and just as he was about to say something, Zhao Junchen laughed and said, "That's not possible. The reason why this squirrel fish is delicious is not only because it is a delicacy in itself, but also because I can't eat it all the time."
That's why I thought about it. If I really got the recipe and could eat it every day, but I lost the thought, no matter how delicious the dishes were, they would become ordinary. It would be better to just let them stay.
This shop allows me to come here from time to time to have a toothpaste. As the saying goes, if there is gain, there will be loss, and if there is loss, there will be gain. This squirrel fish is like this to me, and the same is true for you and me in this world, Brother Xiao
Do you think this is true?"
Xiao Wenxuan was stunned for a moment, always feeling that Zhao Junchen's words had a profound meaning. After thinking deeply, he nodded and said: "Young Master Gaoming, although he just commented on a dish, it has a profound meaning, implying the profound meaning of the words 'gain' and 'lose'.
As Young Master said, if there is gain, there must be loss, and if there is loss, then there is gain, this should be the truth in the world."
Xiao Wenxuan's expression darkened slightly as he spoke, but he felt sad when he thought that he had wanted to seek fame and fortune by joining the corrupt official Zhao Junchen, but in the end it was all in vain. Although he had lost his usual reputation, he had gained nothing.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan like this, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, but changed the topic and pointed directly at Xiao Wenxuan's thoughts at this moment. He then said: "But then again, not everything in this world may be like this. For example, Brother Xiao, these days
You sacrificed a lot, even giving up your reputation and good fortune? But in the end you got nothing, why does Brother Xiao think this is?"
Xiao Wenxuan was stunned again, frowned and thought for a moment, but could not think of an answer. He could only say: "I hope you can give me some advice."
The smile on Zhao Junchen's face gradually faded, he looked directly into Xiao Wenxuan's eyes and said slowly: "Because you haven't lost enough."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xiao Wenxuan's body shook slightly.
Previously, Xiao Wenxuan had the mentality of "you will gain only if you lose". He did not hesitate to give up his reputation, cut ties with his past friends, and moved closer to Liu Zimin, hoping to build a relationship with Zhao Junchen
, and eventually became his own help in the imperial examination.
But he didn't expect that not long after, he would be squeezed out by Liu Zimin and others.
In the end, I got nothing.
Originally, Xiao Wenxuan just complained about God's unfairness and bad luck, and he was not a good person and always offended others without realizing it, which was why he ended up in such an embarrassing situation.
But now I think about it, when Liu Zimin attracted the recent imperial examination candidates.
More emphasis is placed on family background and talent, and temperament is only a reference. Moreover, those recent imperial examination candidates who were attracted by Liu Zimin have not yet experienced officialdom. How many of them can really please everyone?
Why am I the only one being excluded?
After being reminded by Zhao Junchen and thinking deeply, Liu Zimin finally figured out that because he had not lost enough, he could not gain anything.
I want to be able to truly rely on Zhao Junchen.
Not only do you have to give up your name and figure.
We must also give up our own nobility and reserve, and we must also give up our thoughts of becoming a "good official" and an "upright official" in the future.
Embracing the consciousness of colluding with Zhao Junchen from now on.
Only with such awareness and sacrifice can one be truly accepted by Liu Zimin and others.
Otherwise, he will look reserved and aloof all day long, and he will be reluctant to flatter and say nice things. From time to time, he will also reveal his thoughts of "I am not the same as you". Even if he has a good temper and does not offend others, so what.
Not to be excluded?
After thinking about it, Xiao Wenxuan sighed softly.
But he knew that even if he figured it out now, it was already too late.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan's appearance, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, shook his head, and said nothing more.
This Xiao Wenxuan is considered a talent, and it is commendable that he is not bound by secular concepts. Moreover, meeting him means that he is destined. If he can be accepted as a disciple, it will be useful whether he becomes an official or a staff member, but
He had to figure it out himself and be willing to be used by Zhao Junchen, so Zhao Junchen didn't say much, just mentioned a few points, and then let Xiao Wenxuan think for himself.
Not long after, the squirrel fish dish that Zhao Junchen liked was personally presented by shopkeeper Zhang. Along with a few Tianhailou's signature side dishes, all the dishes were prepared.
Zhao Junchen picked up the dishes and chopsticks and was about to invite Xu Qingyan and Xiao Wenxuan to taste them together. Suddenly, there was a noise at the entrance of Tianhai Tower, and it seemed that many guests had arrived.
Xiao Wenxuan subconsciously turned his head to look downstairs, his expression suddenly changed and his body stiffened.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan's appearance, Zhao Junchen and Xu Qingyan also looked down, but they saw the leader Liu Zimin at a glance.
Compared with the last time they met, Liu Zimin's clothes are now much more luxurious, and her expression and temperament are much more elegant. It seems that she is doing well these days with the help of Zhao Junchen's name.
Behind Liu Zimin, there were more than 20 scholars in Confucian attire, chatting with each other, and it was very lively.
Obviously, the scholars in Confucian attire brought by Liu Zimin were exactly the imperial examination candidates he had gathered these days who were willing to take refuge with Zhao Junchen. They were also the "Zhao Party's reserve army" in Zhao Junchen's eyes.
And Zhao Junchen came here today precisely to meet them!
Xiao Wenxuan's expression became more and more stiff, he nodded, and said stiffly: "Sir, look at the leader of this group of scholars, it is Liu Zimin who has become famous through the name of Zhao Junchen these days."
Zhao Junchen nodded, half-smiling but not smiling.
On the other side, Liu Zimin came to Tianhai Tower and greeted the waiter to book a table while looking around for something.
When he saw Zhao Junchen sitting upstairs, his eyes lit up at first, but when he saw Xiao Wenxuan next to Zhao Junchen, his expression changed slightly.
Then, under the greeting of the waiter, along the stairs, Liu Zimin and more than 20 people walked toward the seats upstairs. (To be continued. Mobile phone users please go and read.)