Not only did Zhan Shanchang's expression change, but the more he thought about it, the uglier he became.
If Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao still refused to let Wen Guanliang go in the end, impeaching him and accusing him of various crimes, Wen Guanliang would certainly not have a happy ending and he would not be able to escape the blame. But equally, as Wen Guanliang's former disciples, whether it was Zhan Shanchang, Tong Huan, or Zuo Lanshan, Gu Quan and others will also get into trouble.
After all, every one of Wen Guanliang's crimes was inseparable from them.
Thinking of this, Zhan Shanchang asked in a solemn voice: "Sir, do you mean that not only are we not going to seek any benefits this time, but we are also going to help Wen Guanliang?"
"There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests." Zhao Junchen said a famous saying from later generations, and said lightly: "Since Wen Guanliang is no longer in power, for our own sake, we should pull him in."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, although Zhan Shanchang was still a little reluctant, he was a man who understood current affairs after all, so he finally nodded in agreement.
Seeing Zhan Shanchang like this, Zhao Junchen smiled softly and said: "This afternoon, you call Mr. Zuo and Mr. Tong to my house, and you must make this meaning clear. Also, this 'Yuerongfang' It has been open for a month now, everyone has shares, and we have to share the dividends."
Zhan Shanchang couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard Zhao Junchen mention the dividends from "Yue Rongfang".
As a shareholder of "Yue Rong Fang", although he only holds 3% of the shares, Zhan Shanchang has been keeping an eye on the business of "Yue Rong Fang".
Nowadays, the production and manufacturing of Yizi is under the responsibility of the internal treasury, and most merchants from all over the country are still waiting to take delivery of the goods. Although they know that the business of Yizi is promising, they are all ready to start, but it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice, so Yizi has only made a little, but there is no goods in hand. , they can only wait.
But only "Yue Rongfang" has never been short of supply. Taking advantage of its exclusive operation, it has now opened branches all over the states and counties in Beizhili, and even in important cities in Shandong and Henan provinces. With a branch, business is booming and money is being made every day. In this way, even if it is only 3% of the shares, you can get a lot of dividends.
The so-called money and money are just dispensable things to Zhao Junchen, and he does not pay much attention to them. Although "Yerongfang" is making money every day, in Zhao Junchen's view, it is just a tool to win people's hearts.
Judging from Zhan Shanchang's expression, the effect is good.
Just when Zhan Shanchang was fantasizing about how much dividends he could get, Zhao Junchen pointed to the bean curd stall not far away, interrupted Zhan Shanchang's trance, and said: "Master Zhan, this is it. The bean curd here tastes good. Over the years, we have I am used to eating big fish and big meat, but I occasionally try this folk light taste, and I think it will have a different flavor."
Although Zhao Junchen spoke in a relaxed and plain tone, looking at the greasy table on the bean curd stall and the noisy and mixed customers around him, Zhan Shanchang smiled reluctantly and just said: "Since the adults like it, then the lower officials will also like it. .”
Seeing Zhan Shanchang's reluctance, Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed, and just led Zhan Shanchang to the stall.
It was late this morning, and there were not as many customers at the bean curd stall as there were yesterday. After Zhao Junchen and Zhan Shanchang sat down, he shouted to Old Man Liu: "Old Master Liu, please bring two bowls of tofu puffs and half a pound of fried dough sticks."
Although Xu Qingyan was a bit domineering, he always adhered to his duties in front of outsiders. At this time, he was like Wen Guanliang's long companion and did not sit down, but waited not far away.
While Old Man Liu was preparing the bean curd fried dough sticks, Zhao Junchen suddenly remembered his thoughts about the Spring Examination last night, and asked Zhan Shanchang: "By the way, how are the preparations for the Ministry of Rites?"
Emperor Deqing transferred Zhan Shanchang to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs a few months ago. However, in fact, Zhan Shanchang did not go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to take up the post under the pretext of "handing over work". Instead, he stayed in the Ministry of Rites, integrating officials from relevant forces and doing various tasks.
Various arrangements were made to prevent the newly appointed Minister of Rites, Zhang Xuan, from removing all the forces he had managed to manage in the Ministry of Rites after he left the Ministry of Rites.
You know, Zhang Xuan came from Huang Yourong's family, and Huang Yourong was notoriously greedy for power.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Zhan Shanchang quickly said: "Back to your lord, all the personnel of the Ministry of Rites are fully prepared, and we will never leave anyone with any clues."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "In that case, you should come to the Ministry of Revenue to take up your post in the next few days. We can't just keep delaying it. But before you come to the Ministry of Revenue, you have to make it clear to those in the Ministry of Rites. As long as
If they work hard for me, I will never let them suffer. If you have to fight, fight. Don't show weakness just because the other party is a senior official. Even if they can't stay in the Ministry of Etiquette in the end, I can find another one for them.
Some good positions to do things.”
Seeing Zhan Shanchang nodding, Zhao Junchen specially warned: "Especially for the next Spring Examination, I have decided to take advantage of the opportunity to recruit a group of talents under my sect, so let our people participate as much as possible in related matters, even if they can't play any role.
, but at least you have to understand everything.”
Zhan Shanchang nodded repeatedly to express his understanding.
In fact, if Zhao Junchen hadn't asked him to integrate the forces of the Ministry of Rites, Zhan Shanchang would have taken up his post in the Ministry of Husbandry.
Among the six departments, although the Ministry of Rites is the most honorable, it is also the most important to Qingshui Yamen. Zhan Shanchang also has Shangshu Wanrong, Zuo Shilang Bao Wenjie and others there who are restrained in everything.
He was one of his own, and Zhao Junchen was covering him, so he felt extremely comfortable.
...While the two were talking, Old Man Liu had brought the bean curd fried dough sticks in front of Zhao Junchen and Zhan Shanchang. However, he did not leave as usual. Instead, he stood in front of Zhao Junchen, as if he wanted to say something.
Seeing outsiders, Zhao Junchen and Zhan Shanchang stopped discussing the affairs of the DPRK and China, and both looked at Old Man Liu. Among them, Zhan Shanchang frowned, obviously deeply dissatisfied that Old Man Liu was standing here and getting in the way.
However, Zhao Junchen looked kind and asked: "Old Zhang Liu, what's the matter?"
Mr. Liu nodded, with a simple smile on his face, and said: "Sir, today's bean curd fried dough sticks, even if I treat you to eat them, I don't have to pay for them. This is a thank you to you for treating me these days."
Taking care of my business.”
After a pause, Old Man Liu showed an embarrassed look on his face again, and said: "However, in the next period of time, Master, I'm afraid you will have to go to other stalls to eat tofu fried dough sticks."
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, but he understood in an instant and asked: "I see, it's almost the New Year, and my father-in-law is going home. I wonder where my father-in-law lives? Who is there at home?"
With a happy smile on his face, Mr. Liu said: "Old man, my home is in Qu County, North Zhili. I have children, a daughter-in-law, a grandson and a granddaughter."
Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, and said: "My father-in-law, you are now full of children and grandchildren."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen turned to Xu Qingyan and shouted: "Qingyan, go find a piece of red paper or red cloth."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Mr. Liu already realized what Zhao Junchen was going to do. He showed a look of embarrassment on his face and quickly waved his hands and said: "Oh, Master, you can't do this, you can't do it."
Zhao Junchen just smiled and said nothing.
After a while, Xu Qingyan found a piece of red cloth from somewhere, and Zhao Junchen wrapped a few pieces of broken silver in it. He stood up and stuffed it into Old Man Liu's hand and said, "Old Master Liu, it's not easy for you to make money, and so do I."
Don't let it go free of charge. You are old, and these New Year's red envelopes are for your grandchildren, so please don't refuse them."
Although Old Man Liu wanted to refuse, he was used to seeing copper coins and treasures. Although it was just broken silver, it was really tempting. In the end, he accepted it hesitantly, and then even said thank you.
On the other side, seeing that Zhao Junchen was so polite to Old Man Liu and showed no signs of being a corrupt official, Zhan Shanchang was thoughtful.
After Old Man Liu left, Zhao Junchen sat down again, looked at the bustle on the street, and murmured to himself: "When people get busy, they forget the passage of time. Unexpectedly, it is almost the New Year, and ordinary people's homes are
, I’m afraid you’ve already started preparing for the New Year, right?”
Zhan Shanchang smiled and nodded, but asked: "Sir, what gift are you planning to give to His Majesty this time?"
For ordinary people, the New Year is just a day of joyful reunion, but for officials in the DPRK and China, it has a special meaning.
Otherwise, Emperor Deqing’s birthday is the first day of the Lunar New Year!
At this time, it was a great opportunity for all the officials in the court to please Emperor Deqing, and every time Zhao Junchen gave Emperor Deqing the best gift, he was always the best.
For example, last year, on the fifty-fourth birthday of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen gave Emperor Deqing a birthday robe with 540 small pearls on it, forming ten characters for "longevity".
Can't put it down.
After listening to Zhan Shanchang's inquiry, Zhao Junchen nodded thoughtfully and said with a smile: "I have prepared a few things."
"A few?"
Zhan Shanchang was stunned. Zhao Junchen actually gave more than one gift this year. It seemed that Zhao Junchen's birthday gift to Emperor Deqing this year was another big deal.
However, although he was curious, Zhan Shanchang knew it and didn't ask.
At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind the two of them.
"Brother Xu, you are indeed here."
When Zhao Junchen turned around, he saw Liu Zimin and Liu Rui walking quickly towards Zhao Junchen with a look of surprise on their faces.
After yesterday's conflict, the relationship between the two brothers seemed to have returned to normal. Liu Zimin was still walking in front of him arrogantly, and Liu Rui was still holding a big package and followed carefully behind.
However, after greeting Zhao Junchen, Liu Zimin actually pulled Liu Rui to sit next to Zhao Junchen, and he sat next to Liu Rui, one seat across from Zhao Junchen.
Obviously, Liu Rui did not expect that Liu Zimin would act like this. After sitting down, because he had never been so close to a strange man, when he saw Zhao Junchen looking at him, he couldn't help but lower his head in a panic, his fair-skinned face
There was also a blush on her little face, but she was no longer as stubborn as she was yesterday.
Seeing such a scene, Zhao Junchen glanced at Liu Zimin thoughtfully.
Obviously, what Zhao Junchen told Liu Zimin not to embarrass Liu Rui yesterday caused Liu Zimin to misunderstand something...