After Long Ao came to the study, he saw Li Zhen and said: "President, the battle report from the south has been sent back. Yang Banhou led two brigades of troops to attack Xi Yinglong, and finally returned in defeat. Now, Yang Banhou has returned He was stationed in Guangxi and did not continue southward."
Li Zhen raised his eyebrows and asked, "We lost unexpectedly. Are you sure the result is correct?"
"Yes, we lost." Long Ao said with certainty.
Li Zhen suddenly fell silent and sighed slightly. Originally, he thought that if Yang Banhou defeated Xi Yinglong and captured Vietnam first, he would save one thing and not have to lead his people south to Guangxi. Now Yang Banhou Ban Hou failed and returned, and Li Zhen had to go there in person. It was not easy to deal with brothers Xi Yinglong and Xi Changzhen, and it required a certain amount of energy.
Long Ao thought for a while and asked: "President, how do you reply to this letter?"
Li Zhen replied decisively: "Inform Marquis Yang Ban to stand by and wait for me to go south."
Long Ao asked again: "Do I need to tell you the specific time of going south?"
Li Zhen shook his head and said: "No, we can't decide for the time being. We have to wait for my affairs in Beijing to be settled before we can go south. Don't make it public about Yang Banhou's defeat. Don't let Ruan Lele know about it, lest Ruan Lele and Ye Chengzhong become anxious. Understand."
"Understood." Long Ao replied.
Li Zhen waved his hand, and Long Ao turned around and left.
Next, Li Zhen began to speed up the handling of matters in Beijing, whether it was the construction of a monument in the center of the city, the acceleration of the establishment of the prestige of the court, the promulgation of new orders on education reform, etc., everything was carried out in an orderly and rapid manner.
…
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, a carriage came from the west of Beijing.
There were only three people accompanying him, which was a small number.
In the carriage, sat a middle-aged man about forty years old. He was wearing a thick cotton robe, a small round hat, and a pair of cloth shoes. He was very simple and looked like a very ordinary middle-aged man. , he has double eyelids, a high nose bridge, plump cheeks, two small mustaches on his lips, and a smile at the corner of his mouth, giving people a feeling of being pampered and unfazed, especially the middle-aged man sitting quietly, with a calm look. The feeling makes people calm down unconsciously.
Next to the middle-aged man sat an old man, about fifty years old.
The old man leaned against the carriage, looking lazy, and said slowly: "My boss, we have been invited to Beijing this time. We are almost there now. Have you thought of a countermeasure?"
The middle-aged man shook his head gently and said: "No, just take it step by step. I believe that Li Zhen will not deceive others. Old Liu, after we enter Beijing, try to keep a low profile and not involve too many things. We will deal with the matter as soon as possible." Leave, do you understand?"
The old man smiled and said: "Don't worry, boss, Lao Liu will not disgrace the Qiao family."
The middle-aged man is clearly Qiao Zhiyong, the head of the Qiao family.
When Qiao Zhiyong was at home, he got an invitation from Li Zhen to invite him to Beijing. At that time, Qiao Zhiyong agreed without saying anything. He had not celebrated the New Year when he left home, and now it is already after the New Year. Qiao Zhiyong nodded and stopped talking. Talk, pick up a book and read it carefully.
…
Presidential Palace.
Li Zhen first received the news that Qiao Zhiyong had arrived in Beijing. When Long Ao told him, Li Zhen thought about it for a long time, because in later life, Li Zhen had watched the TV series "Qiao Family Courtyard" on TV. Through TV, I have a certain understanding of Qiao Zhiyong's behavior, but that is what later generations performed. Li Zhen is also looking forward to it in his heart.
Qiao Zhiyong governed his family with Confucianism, and Li Zhen had a good impression of such a Confucian businessman with a bookish temperament. Therefore, Li Zhen looked at Long Ao who came to report the news and asked: "Brother Long, where is the place where Qiao Zhiyong is staying."
Long Ao said: "Pingfu Inn is a very small and ordinary inn."
Li Zhen said: "Let's check again and determine the specific location. I will visit you in the evening."
"yes."
Long Ao immediately went to investigate and prepare for Li Zhen's night visit.
After nightfall, the city of Beijing is brightly lit and lively. Because there is no curfew, you can still see people coming and going on the streets, as if it is a city that never sleeps. Pingfu Inn is the most inconspicuous inn in the small alleys of Beijing. Qiao Zhiyong stayed here.
The room is inside, and Qiao Zhiyong is heating his feet.
Next to him, there was also sitting the old man Lao Liu who had followed Qiao Zhiyong.
Old Liu soaked his feet in hot water, his legs were as red as red pig's trotters, but he squinted his eyes slightly, looking like he was enjoying himself, and said slowly: "Master, when we arrive in Beijing, I guess Li Zhen will also get it." We received the news, please tell us when Li Zhen will see us."
Qiao Zhiyong said: "I don't know, President Li is busy with affairs, so it is normal for us to wait for a while."
Old Liu said: "My boss, you are the one who can hold on."
Qiao Zhiyong smiled, then picked up the handkerchief and wiped his feet, sat on the bed, took out a book to read by the light, but Lao Liu couldn't stand it anymore, yawned and said: "Master, I If you’re sleepy, go to sleep first.”
Qiao Zhiyong glanced at Lao Liu and continued reading.
At about 8:30 pm, there was a gentle knock on the door outside the room.
Qiao Zhiyong put down the book in his hand and looked up. Lao Liu, who had been sleeping, suddenly woke up. Lao Liu stretched out his hand to stop Qiao Zhiyong from getting up, and said warily: "Who is it?" When going out, he always pays attention to caution, and Lao Liu seems to be particularly cautious. Be careful.
"I'm Li Zhen, here to meet Mr. Qiao."
A soft voice came from outside the room. Old Liu was stunned for a moment after hearing it, and then quickly put on his clothes.
Almost instantly, he rushed to the door, then took a deep breath before opening the door. Old Liu was old and slightly stooped. He looked up at Li Zhen who was standing at the door, looking carefully, as if distinguishing. What is so special about Li Zhen, a big man?
Li Zhen smiled slightly and looked at the old man standing at the door, feeling quite embarrassed.
This old man opened the door without inviting anyone in.
It was inconvenient for him to say directly, please let me in, so he could only wait with a smile on his face.
Qiao Zhiyong saw Lao Liu's gaffe and immediately ordered: "President Li, Lao Liu usually talks about what kind of person you are, thinking that you can calm the world and drive away the Tatars and Russians. You must be the one." He is a great man. He has always imagined what you look like in his heart. Now that he sees your true face, he is a little embarrassed. Please forgive me, President Li."
After a pause, Qiao Zhiyong shouted in a low voice: "Old Liu, don't invite President Li in yet."
Old Liu woke up with a start and said: "President Li, please, please."
The old man wanted to slap himself. After all, he was a well-known person, but it was really embarrassing just now. He was staring at others stupidly. It was really embarrassing.
When Li Zhen saw Qiao Zhiyong, he raised his hands and said, "Mr. Qiao, I take the liberty of asking you to come from Shanxi. Please forgive Mr. Qiao for my intrusion at night."
As soon as he came up, Li Zhen lowered his posture and spoke in a neither humble nor overbearing manner.