The location Zhang Zhao chose was in Beicheng, a wine shop in an alley.
This is a place Zhang Zhao often comes to. Although the place is remote, the food and drinks are good.
Moreover, beef is also available.
Zhang Zhao and Zhuge Jin sat down and ordered meat and vegetables. Zhang Zhao personally filled Zhuge Jin's glass.
Zhang Zhao picked up the wine bottle and said with a smile: "Ziyu, Zhuge Liang went to Nanjing County to serve as the county magistrate. You are working by the king's side, and your uncle is the Minister of Rites. The future of the Zhuge family is unlimited."
"This glass of wine is for you."
There was kindness in Zhang Zhao's words.
Zhuge Jin was cautious in his heart and had a humble look on his face, and replied: "Gong Zhang has given me the reward. My second brother went to Nanjing County to work, which is very difficult and difficult to handle. As for me, although I stay by the king's side, I walk on thin ice every day and am trembling with fear."
"No matter what, I am what I am today, and the Zhuge family is what they are today, all because of Zhang Gong's support. If it weren't for Zhang Gong, I would not have been able to get into the king's eyes, and my second brother's construction of Nanjing city would not have gone smoothly."
"This glass of wine should be my toast to you. Thank you for your care and guidance."
Zhuge Jin held the wine bottle, raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.
Zhang Zhao had a smile on his face.
Zhuge Jin was a man who knew how to be grateful. In fact, the people he brought out, whether they were Kan Ze, Zhuge Jin, or Xue Zong, who would be transferred soon after following him, all had good conduct.
These people are all kind-hearted people.
Zhang Zhao supported them and tried his best to teach them without any thought.
Zhang Zhao drank from the wine glass and talked about official affairs with Zhuge Jin. One of them was the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, and the other was the chief reporter next to Lu Xuan. They had good vision and information. They talked about official affairs and the atmosphere was very
of harmony.
After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.
Zhang Zhao put down the wine bottle and said with a smile: "I invite you out for a drink today. On the one hand, I want to catch up on old times, and on the other hand, I have something to tell you."
Zhuge Jin sat up straight and expressed his stance: "Mr. Zhang, as long as I can do whatever I can, I will never refuse."
He made it clear in one sentence.
Do your best!
The scope is wide and there is room for maneuver.
Zhang Zhao stroked the beard under his chin and said calmly: "I have now taken on a task, choosing a concubine for the king. I heard that your sister Zhuge Rong is of the right age, so I am going to include her in the list.
First, what do you think?"
Zhuge Jin was stunned for a moment.
He was very surprised.
Unexpectedly, Lu Xuan wanted to choose a concubine.
Zhuge Jin came to his senses and asked, "Mr. Zhang, is the matter finalized?"
Zhang Zhao said directly: "The king has approved it, so it is confirmed. I have listed many candidates, and your sister is one of them. If you agree, prepare a portrait of Zhuge Rong and send it to me."
Zhuge Jin simply couldn't refuse.
After all, the key to what has been decided is Zhang Zhao himself.
To refuse would be to offend Zhang Zhao.
Zhuge Jin nodded and said: "I have no objection to Mr. Zhang's arrangement. It's just that my sister's personality is quite hot, and I'm afraid she will disappoint Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Zhao smiled softly, waved his hand and said: "What kind of women are not in the king's harem? You don't have to worry about this. What's more, no matter how hot a woman is, she won't become popular in front of the king."
Zhuge Jin said: "Trouble Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Zhao smiled and said: "There's nothing to worry about. Speaking of which, once your sister is selected, I will also rely on your Zhuge family. Because I looked through everyone's candidates and found that the Zhuge family is the most suitable. Of course,
The premise is that your sister Zhuge Rong's appearance is passable."
Zhuge Jin nodded.
The two chatted and had a drink, and the host and guest enjoyed themselves.
Zhuge Jin watched Zhang Zhao leave and stretched out his hand to wipe his face. The slight trace of drunkenness on his face disappeared and was replaced by a trace of worry. Although the matter was settled, it still depends on what his sister said?
Zhuge Jin left the wine shop and walked back, walking in the cold wind. When the cold wind blew, he was completely sober.
When he returned home, it was completely dark.
In the house, the lights are brightly lit.
Zhuge Jin washed up, changed his clothes, and went to his uncle Zhuge Xuan's yard. Seeing Zhuge Xuan, Zhuge Jin got straight to the point and talked about the concubine selection mentioned by Zhang Zhao, and Zhuge Rong was included in it and needed a portrait.
matter.
Zhuge Jin asked: "Uncle, how do you think this matter will be arranged?"
After Zhuge Xuan heard this, he was not worried at all. Instead, he showed a smile and praised: "This is a good thing, why are you looking so sad? We previously chose someone for Rong'er in Liyang County, but she didn't like it.
"
"So, let it go."
"Our family settled in Shu County, and we also chose a family for Ronger. We liked it, but Ronger didn't. The family's situation was good, and there was no need for her to get married or to wrong her, so we didn't force her.
"
"As a result, marriage has been put on hold."
Zhuge Xuan became more and more anxious as he spoke, and said: "Rong'er is already twenty-one years old now. She is a big girl and an old girl. Look at other women. People who get married at the age of sixteen or seventeen have children. Ron'er has always been
What's the point of staying at home?"
Zhuge Jin sighed and said, "Rong'er doesn't want to get married because he has no one in the family to take care of the backyard, so he refuses."
Zhu Ge
When you get married, you have to get married."
Zhuge Jin nodded and said: "Since uncle supports it, I will call Ronger here. Uncle, please tell her about the matter and then prepare Ronger's portrait. I will give the portrait to Zhang Shangshu early tomorrow morning."
Zhuge Xuandao: "Okay!"
Zhuge Jin arranged for someone to notify him. After a while, Zhuge Rong came to the study and saluted: "Uncle, eldest brother."
Zhuge Xuandao: "Sit down."
Zhuge Rong sat down and was a little confused. Why did he call her so late at night?
Zhuge Xuan looked serious and said directly: "Rong'er, King Wu is choosing a concubine. Now that you have been included as a candidate, your portrait is needed. Whether you can be selected is still unknown. I will tell you about this."
Zhuge Rong was stunned for a moment after hearing this.
The concubine of King Wu.
Lu Xuan's handsome and handsome face instantly appeared in her mind. After all, good looks are always pleasing to the eye, and she doesn't reject it.
Zhuge Rong smiled slightly, with a hint of shyness, and said, "I listen to my uncle and eldest brother."
Zhu Ge
Zhuge Rong said: "I listen to my uncle."
Zhuge Jin replied: "Don't worry, uncle, I will arrange everything."
Zhuge Xuan waved his hand and said: "It's getting late, let's all go down and rest."
Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Rong left the study together and went to rest separately.
The next morning, Zhuge Jin invited a painter early to paint Zhuge Rong's portrait carefully. Then Zhuge Jin took the portrait to Prince Wu's Mansion and handed Zhuge Rong's portrait to Zhang Zhao before going to work.
Zhang Zhao's eyes lit up when he saw Zhuge Rong's portrait. Zhuge Rong was very beautiful, especially his big bright eyes, with a little dimple faintly visible at the corner of his mouth. He also had the ability of a woman and a bookish air on his body.
This woman is indeed beautiful.
Zhang Zhao felt more at ease after reading it. He didn't hand it over immediately. He had to collect the portraits of all the other women. After all, he selected a total of eighteen women.
Zhang Zhao spent four days collecting all the women's portraits before heading towards Lu Xuan's study with a pile of women's portraits.