The hall was spacious enough, with walls on three sides. There were neat armchairs on both sides. There was a sandalwood incense table in front, with several jade objects arranged on it. In the middle was a jade brave, which was the most conspicuous in shape. He looked around
The entire hall, in terms of luxury, is indeed not inferior to those of the mansions of dignitaries.
Guo Chuzi sat on his right side. He stood up and was a little taller than Magistrate Chen, but his body was not strong. He had a wheat-yellow face, a square outline, a big head, and a swollen forehead.
, his eyes are particularly small. He is wearing a dark black gown, tightly wrapped, and quite majestic.
"This... I'm sorry, what should I call you?" Guo Chuzi's voice was deep and strong.
"Brother Guo, this is the magistrate of Taizhou. I came to Jiangdu because of a small matter. I want to have a few words with the magistrate." Wen Zhong patted Chen Tongpao on the shoulder and said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you!" Tongpao Chen bowed his hands in salute.
Guo Chuzi looked at him and said, "Please sit down."
Tongpao Chen sat down, but none of the three of them knew what to say. After a dull moment, he spoke first and broke the silence: "I heard that you are the largest wealthy businessman in Yangzhou. Even the Lu family, which I know well,
Their hands and eyes are so overwhelming... I didn't believe it at first, but after meeting you, I felt a sense of calmness."
The words "Lu family" were loud and clear, and the word "Lu family" stung the nerves of the big businessman all the time. The flesh on his face obviously trembled slightly. This was not a painful twitch, but a joyful excitement. He learned from Chen Tong
He heard the off-screen voice in the robe's mouth and knew that this person didn't just come from afar just to say a few flattery words.
He watched Tongpao Chen with great interest, and listened to him continue without interrupting.
"I have been to the Lu family several times, and they said they have a very good relationship with you...I have admired your name for a long time at that time!" Chen Tongpao smiled easily.
Wen Zhong turned around and glanced at Chu Zi. He seemed to have no reaction and was still pretending to be deep in thought.
"I have long wanted to go to Jiangdu to meet you, but Yizheng said they wanted to arrest the prisoner. Out of caution, even I, the magistrate of Taizhou, suspected it, so I couldn't get away for a while. I thought it would be a pity, but now I bump into
Shopkeeper Wen just happened to bring me here. As the saying goes, 'There is no perfect path for man', it is really true!"
After hearing this, Guo Chuzi nodded as if he was confident, walked with his head held high, and then smiled kindly at him and said, "You are a very good person."
Chen Tongpao was as calm as water, even calmer than Chu Zi.
"Thank you very much for your compliment," he said.
Guo Chuzi was about to have a good talk with him when he saw a servant coming out from the curtain on the left, cupping his hands and saying to him: "The banquet for the reception has been arranged, and the magistrate has already sat down with all the officials.
Just waiting for you guys to come in."
Guo Chuzi and Wen Zhong looked at each other, then grabbed Chen Tongpao and told the servant: "Tell the magistrate that you still need help with the outside affairs. You can take the Taizhou magistrate to see the magistrate first. I will
Come back later."
The servants repeatedly said yes, and without saying a word, they carefully helped Magistrate Chen in.
"If nothing else, I'm just curious, why does Brother Guo value a magistrate so highly?" Wen Zhong turned around and asked deliberately.
"I never want to reveal to others..."
"But now you have to rely on my help." Wen Zhong interrupted him without any explanation.
"That's right, that's right." Guo Chuzi nodded, then faced him and said, "Shopkeeper Wen is such a shrewd person, he should be able to understand what he said. You know him better than I do, so I just want to ask you, he
Are you from Lu Zhengfu?"
"I'm not sure if you ask that. I can only say that I don't know yet. But he came to Jiangdu... just to pay off their debts." Wen Zhong answered rigorously.
"Since he is close to the Lu family, and yet he came here with you and said those words, it is obviously to surrender. But he also mentioned that 'Yizheng wants to arrest the prisoner', I am afraid it was not an unintentional talk..."
Wen Zhong was also thinking carefully, and suddenly patted his head, "Isn't that enough!"
Guo Chuzi couldn't figure it out, and immediately became surprised. Just as he was about to press him, he heard someone calling from behind the curtain: "Master Magistrate, tell you two to stop working so hard and come in for a drink!"
"Tell me, sir, I'm coming soon!" Wen Zhong replied, and hurriedly took Chu Zi away.
The two of them opened the curtain and came in, sat down on their seats, moved the cups and chopsticks, and started to lively, eating and drinking with the magistrate, laughing endlessly. During the banquet, Chu Zi praised Chen Tongpao for being smart and capable, and said
He had many benefits in his political achievements; Wen Zhong said how loyal and trustworthy he was, and he had countless complimentary words.
In addition, Tongpao Chen himself was well-spoken and modest in his behavior, which made the prefect look upon him with special regard. After the banquet was over, the prefect pulled him aside and said, "It would be a pity for a person like Magistrate Chen to go unused in Taizhou."
Okay. If there is an opportunity to support you in the future, I will try my best to help you. Don’t forget my kindness when the time comes." Chen Tongpao hurriedly bowed his head and thanked me, and then made peace with Wen and others. They came out.
After they were sent to the door, Chen Tongpao said goodbye: "No need to bother you two to see me off. I will pack my bags and return to my apartment today without wasting your time. My husband is very affectionate to me and will say nothing to you from now on."
I will definitely repay you… and say goodbye.”
"Don't be polite, magistrate. Don't forget, if there is any trouble in the future, you can report it to Jiangdu. We will share the same hatred." Guo Chuzi's tone was soft, showing that he was very close to him.
"Understood." Tongpao Chen replied briefly, then turned around, mounted his horse, and slowly turned out of the alley.
"You must treat such a person well and never offend him." Guo Chuzi sighed and turned towards Wenzhong.
Wen Zhong just smiled lightly: "Brother Guo is still too sentimental. It's no use, he doesn't care about these things at all in his eyes."
Chen Tongpao walked into the apartment, packed his things, and without saying a word, he took Zhuo Lengping out of the city and returned to Taizhou. The journey was uneventful, and within a few days, the two of them arrived in Taizhou and called the guard Mo
To make a statement, I first went to the mansion to place Zhuo Lengping, luggage and other items. After finishing the arrangements, I left and went straight to the Yamen.
"I haven't told you everything, why did Mr. Lu send you here?"
The Prime Minister of Meixian County was sitting in the second hall, and opposite him was the steward of the Lu family who had been here before.
"Mr. Mei..." The steward frowned and was about to speak.
"Zhixian Chen is here!"
When the Prime Minister of Mei County heard this, he suddenly turned around and was so frightened that sweat dripped from his head.
"First, please get out of the way, get out of the way!" Mei County Prime Minister stood up, pushed away the chair, and grabbed his hand firmly.
"Meixian Cheng, what's wrong with you?"
Mei Xian Cheng's hands were trembling. When he saw Tongpao Chen standing at the door, he was so anxious that he couldn't even utter a word.