"Hahaha, hahahaha, Mr. Xiao, the weather is really nice today, don't you think so?"
King Hao laughed heartily a few times, and strode away without waiting for Duke Xiao to speak, leaving only Duke Xiao standing there with his chest heaving.
The emperor intended to weaken the power of his Xiao family. But how could a Minister of Household Affairs need to spend a lot of time to convey the decree? It was just for the eyes of the civil and military officials of the dynasty.
King Hao sent someone to report the news to the Chu family in advance.
Princess Guo didn't know why, so she just pulled Chu Yunxi in surprise.
"Xi'er, this is really a good thing. The third brother's status as a businessman will not last long. If he can have an official position with him, it will be easier to propose marriage in the future."
Only then did Chu Yunxi remember that Jun Lingyun had told her to ask her third brother if he wanted to be an official.
At that time, she took power as a matter of course and had not yet found a chance to ask Third Brother that the edict was about to come down. She did not know what Third Brother thought or whether he was willing to do so.
But just as Princess Guo said, if the third brother wants to find a well-matched young lady, this official position is still necessary.
"Come here, go quickly and invite your father and brothers back to receive the order."
Chu Yunxi quickly sent his servant out to find someone, especially his third brother Chu Wenjin. If he was not here, how would he receive the order?
Chu Wenjin was at Yipin Trading Company, checking the situation. Today, some businessmen from out of town wanted to buy goods. They were still negotiating prices with the shopkeeper.
"Third Young Master, Third Young Master."
When Chu Wenjin heard that his servant was looking for him, he thought that the prince had some use for his food. He hurriedly asked:
"But my sister is looking for me?"
The boy scratched his head.
"Yes and no. Oh, Third Young Master, please go back to your residence quickly. The emperor's decree will be delivered to our residence soon."
"What imperial edict? To whom is it addressed?"
Chu Wenjin was confused, and the businessmen present also listened carefully. After all, given their status, the word "imperial edict" was really far away from them.
Now the person they want to trade has received the emperor's imperial edict, and they don't know whether it is good or bad. If something happens, they have to run away quickly and stay away from this trading house.
Chu Wenjin never acted under the name of General Chu when he was outside, and most of his public appearances were left to his shopkeepers. Therefore, not many people outside the capital knew his true identity.
Unless his family has official connections and is well-informed, he should only be regarded as the head of a first-class trading firm.
This businessman has obtained the imperial edict, so it is not the most likely that he will commit a major crime and be imprisoned.
But I heard the young boy say:
"Third Young Master, this is an imperial edict for you. You will be named the Minister of Household Affairs by the Emperor."
The businessmen on the side began to discuss excitedly.
"How big an official is the Minister of Household Affairs?"
"You don't even know this? He is the second-in-command of the Ministry of Revenue. The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the national treasury. How big of an official do you think he is?"
"This, this, a businessman can also be a high official?"
"This is also the first time I've heard of it."
"Shopkeeper, I have signed this contract. According to the price just discussed, everything in my shop will be supplied by Yipin Trading Company from now on. Come on, bring me the contract and give me your thumbprint."
Those who are smart have already reacted and are about to sign a long-term supply contract with Yipin Trading Company.
When other businessmen saw this, how could they be willing to lag behind? They had long heard that Yipin Trading Company's goods were good and the prices were fair, so they came all the way to inspect it in person. Now they could actually get official connections. Wouldn't it be a huge profit?
?
After all, when they usually want to spend money to seek protection from officials, it all depends on whether the official is willing to accept it.
The shopkeeper of Yipin Trading Company was suddenly surrounded.
"Okay, okay, come one by one, everything is there."
Before Chu Wenjin could figure out why he was going to become an official, he was already dragged away by the servant.
"Third Young Master, please hurry up. The Master, the Eldest Young Master, and the Second Young Master have all returned home. We can't keep the eunuch waiting for a long time."
When Chu Wenjin returned to the mansion, sure enough, General Chu, Mrs. Chu, Chu Wenzhong, Princess Guo, Chu Wenhong, and Chu Yunxi were already waiting in the courtyard.
"Jin'er, come quickly."
Chu Wenjin obediently stood beside Mrs. Chu and General Chu to greet his family.
"Father, mother, eldest brother, sister-in-law, second brother, and sister, you are all here."
"The emperor personally bestows an official position on you. It is your honor and the honor of our Chu family. You should always be grateful to the emperor and loyal to the imperial court."
General Chu looked at his son proudly, and the whole family was smiling.
"Yes, father, please keep this in mind."
Chu Wenjin was a little embarrassed. He was not good at literature or martial arts. Although his father and mother had never been prejudiced against him, they had never been so proud of him.
"Good boy, my official position is now higher than that of my eldest brother. From now on, my eldest brother will have to rely on you to take care of me."
Chu Wenzhong patted Chu Wenjin on the shoulder, saying that his brother had become successful, and he was also proud of it.
"Brother, please don't break me."
Chu Wenjin scratched his head. In front of Chu Wenzhong, he still looked like a boy who was inexperienced in the world.
"Official circles are not as free as shopping malls. Third brother, you should think twice before doing anything in the future."
Chu Wenhong was as rigorous as ever and gave his younger brother, who was about to enter the officialdom, a good marriage.
"Thank you, second brother."
Chu Wenjin was cared for by the whole family and smiled brightly.
Mrs. Chu may not have been so happy for a long time. Since the last time she had a fetal movement, she has been protected by the whole family. She is not allowed to know any news and is protected like a porcelain doll.
Now that she is more than five months pregnant, she has finally taken care of the fetus and no longer has to eat or sleep every day.
All her children gave her peace of mind. Only Chu Wenjin, she had been worried about. She was afraid that he would regret the path he chose when he was young, and that because of his status as a businessman, he would have to find a small job in the future.
A woman from a household becomes a wife.
Now she is considered complete.
The father-in-law who delivered the message arrived soon, attracting many onlookers along the way.
"The third son of General Chu's Mansion, Chu Wenjin takes over the order!"
The father-in-law's voice was loud and clear, and even the people watching outside the mansion could hear roughly what he said.
"By God's blessing, the emperor decreed that the third son of the Chu family, Chu Wenjin, is an outstanding financial and businessman. He cares about his family and country and is a role model for merchants all over the world. He is now named Chu Wenjin as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. I hope you will not forget your original intention and forge ahead.
OK, admire this."
"Chu Wenjin accepted the order and thanked the Lord for his kindness."
The onlookers outside the door were already in a frenzy.
"The Chu family is really in full swing."
"Yes, I wonder whose daughter is lucky enough to marry into the Chu family."
"You must have a family background like that of a prince, general or minister to be worthy of it."
After seeing off the father-in-law who declared the decree, Chu Wenzhong hurried back to the palace. Although extra people were sent to guard the East Palace, he was still uneasy, so it was better to guard peace of mind by himself.
The general's mansion became lively again, and people came to congratulate him in an endless stream.
It was not because of the high position of the Minister of Household Affairs, but because of the importance the emperor attached to the Chu family. Even when the emperor was still ill, he could personally issue an order to Chu Wenjin, which showed that he wanted to put the Chu family's thoughts into good use.
But this time, the Chu family did not accept all the congratulatory gifts like the time when the prince came to the general's house to hire. Instead, they turned them away and only accepted verbal congratulations.
This actually led to more officials coming. After all, you can get a favor without losing a penny, so why not do it.
Just prepare some presents presentably and carry them over, and then carry them back.