Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 213

Chapter 213 An Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land
Just as they were about to enter the city, Qin Mubai and the others found a hidden forest to change their robes and armor. Then, they disguised themselves as merchants as before. Only then did they ride their horses into the city and return to the inn.

Just as he was about to enter the room, he collided head-on with Chen Yan who was about to leave the room. When Chen Yan saw Qin Mubai, she was stunned for a moment, and then she smiled, “I didn’t even recognize you when you turned into such a dangerous person. In an instant, you’re more than ten years older!”

“Haha!” Qin Mubai smiled and greeted her into the room, removing her disguised beard and hair accessories. “I’m just about to go to the Prefecture. Why don’t you come with me? You’re familiar with Li Ke anyway.”

Chen Yan thought for a moment and nodded, “Alright, I have nothing else to do. I was just about to go out for a walk.”

“Then let’s go! I was just about to talk to Li Ke about the water ghost in the West River Channel, so you know a little about it. Perhaps you can tell us something.”

The group of people left the inn and headed towards the secretariat’s mansion.

When Li Ke’s new official took office, everything was fine. He did not set up another palace, but simply tidied up the mansion behind the secretariat palace and used it as a residence. Qin Mubai was familiar with the officials of the Secretariat and the personal soldiers of the Prince’s Mansion, so they traveled unhindered. Constable Zhou Jiu was even more excited when he saw Qin Mubai, and greeted him step by step, leading him to Li Ke’s residence in the backyard.

When Li Ke heard that Qin Mubai was here, he laughed loudly and said from afar, “Aiya, rare guests!”

“Just taunt me!” Qin Mubai smiled.

“Who said hello to you? I clearly said hello to Maiden Chen.” Li Ke smiled and said, “It’s been a long time, Hero Chen. Is everything alright?”

“Not bad.” Chen Yan smiled and replied, “It’s just that I almost killed a beheaded ghost in this precious land of Xiangzhou.”

‘”Heh, that’s none of my business. I didn’t take up my post at that time! Now, I’m such an honest official. How can there be any more injustice? Furthermore, even if I’m a fool, no one dares to injure Maid Chen. Otherwise, there will definitely be people who will fight me to the death, haha!” Li Ke laughed mischievously.

“I really can’t stand you. You just brag nonsense when we meet.” Qin Mubai shook her head and smiled, “I have some serious matters to discuss with you. Could it be that she just stood on the edge of the stairs and said it openly?”

“Oh, it’s Xiao Wang who is rude, he is rude! Guests, please come in and talk! Someone, make tea and welcome the guests!” Li Ke swaggered into the room.

Qin and Chen looked at each other, shook their heads and smiled, and followed.

Li Ke was still used to it, and he could not leave tea anywhere. Moreover, he had brought that exquisite and expensive set of golden tea set from Chang’an to Xiangzhou, and even the beautiful lady who made tea was still the same.

The three of them sat comfortably, chatting and waiting for tea. When the tea was ready, Li Ke rejected the idlers and began to talk about the main topic.

“Tell me, what did you gain from today’s military parade?” Li Ke said straightforwardly.

Qin Mubai said, “The people of the military manor don’t work hard. They just pretend. The Divine Fish Ship is useless, and the White Wave Navy has its surface. In short, the military manor of the Xiangzhou Prefecture doesn’t intend to seriously exterminate the thieves. Instead, it is doing all sorts of tricks to confuse the public.”

“As expected.” Li Ke nodded and threw an account book to Qin Mubai. “Quan Wanji checked the accounts of Yin Cao, Liang Cao, Jun Cao and Fa Cao and found these problems. Over the years, xiang zhou to exterminate thieves pay countless money, crown the first of all expenses, far more than advise class nongsang. Actually, Xiangzhou was very wealthy. Just those few docks could bring in billions of dollars. However, most of this income was used to support the soldiers, but the water ghosts in the West River Cao were getting more and more fierce. “I really doubt whether I should use this money to support the soldiers or to support the thieves.”

Qin Mubai flipped through the ledger for a while and frowned, “Since the Military Manor did not act, the Secretariat Manor has colluded with the Military Manor.” Xiangzhou tolerated adultery from head to toe, no wonder the West River Cao’s water ghost suppression was becoming more and more lawless. Right now, I’m thinking of a question. The reason why His Majesty the Emperor sent you here and asked me to be your assistant, I’m afraid I’ve heard a lot about the West River Cao Water Ghost. Otherwise, why would a small Xiangzhou need to send you to guard it? ”

“Watch over? I like that word. It seems like I’m very capable.” Li Ke smiled mockingly, “Let me tell you this, it wasn’t father who sent me here, it was me who prepared this place long ago.” Back in Anzhou, I heard that Xiang Zhou was rich, but Xiang Zhou’s secretariat was as diligent as a horse watching a flower. I didn’t know what was right, so I was curious-could it be that such a good secretariat was unwilling to do it? Why do you have to leave after working for a few days? In recent days, I have only vaguely figured out the reason. ”

“Apart from the fact that the water ghost has been banned repeatedly, is there any other reason?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Of course.” Li Ke said, “Another important reason is that the officials and gentry in Xiangzhou are very close to each other, outsiders can’t insert needles into water.” The Prefecture of Governor-General, the Prefecture of Military Affairs, and the local wealthy gentry formed their own factions, and they had their own leaders and common interests. As a result, no matter which secretariat and commandant were transferred, they were isolated and excluded. On the surface, the governor and the governor had the most power and authority, but in reality, they could only be left alone. “When an official arrives at a place like this, who will be able to live long?”

“Looks like His Highness has smelled something.” Qin Mubai asked, “You can tell who is the Earth Overlord on this piece of land in Xiangzhou?”

“Sima Wei and Du Chengyuan, Commandant Guo Yi and Commandant Du Chengyuan, respectively.” Li Ke said word by word, “Just these two people.”

“Indeed” Qin Mubai nodded.

“So you also feel it?” Li Ke’s eyes lit up and he asked.

‘”I don’t know about the Secretariat Manor. In the Military Manor, the General Colonel is indeed the leader of Du Chengyuan’s horse. This is my first appearance today, so he gave me a disgrace. Fortunately, I have a hundred cavalry following me. Otherwise, I will really lose face and lose face.” Qin Mubai sneered, “But don’t worry, it will be easy to deal with him in the end. I just don’t know how powerful they are in Xiang Prefecture and how many people are implicated behind them.”

“Take your time! We’re new here, we need to stand firm first.” Li Ke nodded and said, “Fortunately, I am a prince. I have my own men and a group of people. Otherwise, there is nothing I can do to them if they are alone.”

At this time, Chen Yan smiled and said, “How about I go out for a walk? Why don’t you guys talk about it properly?”

“Oh? Haha! Looks like we’re being rude!” Li Ke hurriedly raised his teacup and said, “We have already finished talking! Come, little Wang Jing has a bowl of tea for you. You should apologize.”

“How dare you?” Chen Yan replied with a bow and a smile, “I feel that the two of you are more intimate than when you were in Jiangzhou. This time, you are working together again, but the location has changed from Jiangzhou to Xiangzhou. I wonder how much noise you plan to make this time?”

“Haha!” Li Ke pointed at Qin Mubai and laughed loudly, “I don’t have the guts! Actually, he instigated me to do everything, it’s none of my business!”

Qin Mubai shook her head and smiled, “Chen Yan, now do you know what it means to sell a friend for glory? Everyone says that it’s good to meet someone from another country, but meeting someone like His Highness is a bad thing.”

“Eh? When you said that you met someone from another country, I remembered something.” Li Ke hurriedly stood up and walked into his study. He took out a letter and handed it to Qin Mubai. He said, “You have a lot of friends. There are old friends visiting you from this place in Xiangzhou. The barracks can’t be entered, so he found someone to find the secretariat’s mansion and asked me to hand over the letter to you.”

“Who could it be?” Qin Mubai opened the letter curiously. It turned out to be a letter from Wu Meiniang. At first, he thought that Wu Meiniang had come to Xiangzhou for a while, but after reading the letter, he realized that she hadn’t come. She had just sent someone to deliver a letter. The letter contained no more than an expression of longing, and it mentioned that he had to find a shop in Xiang Zhou. The letter said that the renovated Qin Immortal Pavilion (formerly the number one wine in the world) had already opened and business was not bad. Now is turnover, presumably not long, there will be more than money to open branches in Xiangzhou.

The person who sent the message, Qin Mubai, knew Zheng Anshun, the young master of the Zheng Clan who had cooperated with Wu Meiniang to open the “Number One Wine Under Heaven”!

“Zheng Anshun?!” Qin Mubai’s eyes lit up and she asked Li Ke in surprise, “Is he in Xiangzhou?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?” “You know him very well. Why are you so excited?” Li Ke said in a slightly stunned tone.

“No. Where is he?” Qin Mubai asked.

“He left a note saying that if you have a letter, please bring it back to Chang’an. You can go find him.” Li Ke took out a piece of paper and handed it to Qin Mubai.

Qin Mubai opened his eyes and clapped his hands excitedly, “Great! What a coincidence! Heavens help me, haha!”

Li Ke and Chen Yan looked at each other and asked, “Why are you so excited?”

“Let me sell it first. You will naturally know about it in the future.” Qin Mubai laughed loudly and slapped him a few times. He called Baiji, the guard beside him, and handed them the paper. He told them to go to the city to find Zheng Anshun according to their address, so they must invite him to the mansion for a chat.

Li Ke curled his lips into a chuckle, “What is this guy up to again? Whenever I see his confident and mysterious appearance, I know that there will definitely be a good show to watch!”

Chen Yan smiled and said, “You two know each other’s roots.”

“There’s no need to say that!” Li Ke raised his eyebrows and said, “Brother! Those who know brothers are brothers!”

“Haha! Then, Brother Wang Ye, I will lend your flowers to Buddha today.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Everyone can be considered to have reunited in a different place once they arrive in Xiangzhou. How can they not hold a banquet to celebrate?”

“No problem!” Li Ke clapped his hands and smiled, “Judging from your expression, I knew that you must ask Zheng Anshun to help you! Alright, I’ll compensate you for the banquet table and help you. Besides, there’s still a beauty here today. Little Wang is very happy!”

Chen Yan shook her head and smiled, “Your Highness is a romantic figure of the Heavenly Spring Noble Stage. Chen Yan is like a piece of grass in your eyes. How can she become a beauty?”

“Hey, you can’t say that!” Li Ke smiled and said, “Chen Nuxia’s elegant demeanor is unparalleled! Even though Little Wang has read all the flowers, he has never seen a strange Qiba like Chen Nuxia … Qin Mubai, you are so lucky!”

‘”Eh!” Qin Mubai pretended to be stunned. “What are you doing to me again?”

“Pretend! This guy is the best at pretending!” Li Ke pointed at Qin Mubai and scolded him with a smile, “I have long heard of your glorious deed of saving the beauty of heroes. The head of the prison came to me pitifully and without tears to beg for mercy. Your face is covered with your great seal-you are so mighty, General Qin! Take the prisoner away from my secretariat prison and leave me a slip of IOU!”

“Haha!” Everyone laughed heartily.

…

The three of them chatted with each other over refreshments, chatting and laughing happily, but they were also happy. Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already dusk. The banquet arranged by Li Ke has been prepared, and the people sent to find Zheng Anshun have not returned yet.

Just as everyone was getting impatient, Zheng Anshun came!

Zheng Anshun was the eldest young master of the Zheng Clan, the richest man in the Tang Dynasty. He was 25 years old and had an impressive bearing. Rumor had it that he was proficient in rhythm and learning. He was polite and modest. He was also a famous romantic figure in Chang’an. It was unknown how many young women in Chang’an would never forget him in their boudoirs.

The Chang’an Zheng Clan had completely changed the world’s prejudice against merchants.

For a long time, officials despised businessmen and were ashamed to make friends with them. The social status of merchants was inferior to that of farmers and blacksmiths. No matter how rich they were, it was useless.

However, this was not the case with the Zheng Clan in Chang’an. They were an alternative type of merchants.

Early in the year of Wu De, Zheng Fengchi, the patriarch of the Zheng Clan, had already established a friendship with Li Yuan, the Emperor of Wu De. He had repeatedly subsidized Li Yuan’s food and money, which was called “the righteous merchant of the Great Tang Dynasty” by Li Yuan. Up to now, the Zheng Clan’s home had such a golden signboard written by Li Yuan. From then on, the Zheng Clan became an imperial merchant of the Great Tang Dynasty. The Zheng Clan represented most of the monopolies of the Imperial Court, such as “money, grain, salt, cloth, iron,” and so on. In addition, if there was a war in the Great Tang, military grain would often be transferred to the Zheng Clan for collection and sale.

Over the past twenty years, the Zheng Clan’s status in Chang’an has been increasing day by day, and most of the people who came in contact with them were royal officials. Although the Zheng Clan obeyed the rules of the merchants, and none of their sons and nephews participated in the entrance examination, nor did any of them join the army, they had a lot of friends in the official and military circles. The trade routes of the Zheng Clan covered the entire Tang Empire and the wilderness of other countries, and the friends of the Zheng Clan also covered the entire world. It was said that the Zheng Clan’s caravan had a group of people who were proficient in various Hu languages in order to deal with foreign businessmen. The Zheng Clan’s Young Master, Zheng Anshun, was skilled in several Hu languages. He had always been alone from south to north, so he did not need to bring anyone to translate from the side.

Qin Mubai had only met Zheng Anshun a few times and did not have a deep relationship with him. Not long ago, when she first met Wu Meiniang, Wu Meiniang deliberately used words to provoke Qin Mubai, saying that following Zheng Anshun was far better than following him. Because of this, Qin Mubai felt somewhat jealous.

Today, seeing the living Zheng Anshun, Qin Mubai sighed, “I should be jealous!” This fellow is too handsome, and his bearing is so elegant … His family is rich and gentle, and he is knowledgeable and handsome. Such a man is simply a female killer!

“I, Zheng Anshun, greet His Highness King Wu and General Qin.” Zheng Anshun smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. His words and actions made people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze.

“Tsk tsk!” Li Ke smiled and shook his head, “Mubai, this king has a feeling of’gathering like a kind ‘today.”

“What do you mean?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Don’t you think that each of our three grown men is more handsome than the other?” Li Ke laughed loudly and said, “Of course, you’re a little bit lacking.”

Qin Mubai and Zheng Anshun laughed together. Next to them, Chen Yan couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh, “I’d better go. I don’t think I can take it anymore!”

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