Chang'an is good

After the luncheon was over and the officials were sent away, Chang Suining went to the study room with Wang Changshi, Wang Yue and Yao Ran.

Wang Yue and Wang Changshi were chatting and laughing about the banquet. Yao Ranxing stood beside Chang Sui Ning, speaking little as usual.

Yao Ran has a quiet temperament and doesn't like to be noisy at heart, but every time there is a formal banquet or important occasion, she will always be by Chang Sui Ning's side and is rarely absent. Yao Ran knows that this is a reflection of how much the adults value her.

As far as Chang Suining is concerned, since she wants Yao Ran to be her eyes and act on her behalf, then she must give Yao Ran enough respect so that the people below will pay attention to Yao Ran's voice.

And Yao Ran has never let her down. Over the past year, Yao Ran's growth and progress are also the epitome of Jiangdu. Like Jiangdu, Yao Ran is also rapidly reborn.

While speaking, Chang Suining first looked at Yao Ran with a smile, then looked at Wang Yue and Wang Changshi, and said: "In the past half year, thanks to your presence, I can feel at ease outside, and Jiangdu can have the stable and upward scene it has today. .”

Wang Yue said hurriedly: "We are all following the footsteps of your Excellency. This is your credit. How dare your subordinates pretend to take the lead?"

Since he started this, Wang Changshi naturally followed suit.

"Such a road cannot be walked by one person. It must be the result of the concerted efforts of Jiangdu." Chang Suining said with a smile without humility: "This is our contribution."

Wang Changshi stroked his beard and smiled: "Yes, yes."

Wang Yue also laughed.

Several people were chatting and laughing, and came to the outer study room. They were in a very good mood. Wang Yue, who had drank a few glasses of wine at the table, looked at the spacious study room in front of him, and suddenly felt emotion in his heart.

With such a big stall in the Governor's Mansion, naturally he and Guan Lin had more staff than him, but in this study, apart from Ran Nvshi, the only ones who usually sat there were him, Guan Lin, and Luo Ze who was helping out at the side.

The staff and civil servants are all in the front office, and their number has gradually increased to nearly a hundred people. According to the instructions of the adults and the chief historian, they are roughly divided into seven departments, which are responsible for handling the affairs of Jiangdu's Qicao. Because the affairs of each department are different in severity , and now the number of people in charge of department accounts is still the largest.

These Qianqi offices are called Qianqitang in the governor's mansion.

After the hectic adaptation in the early stage, the Jiangdu Governor's Office is now able to achieve clear duties and orderly management.

On weekdays, the affairs of Jiangdu and the counties within its jurisdiction are mostly screened and handled by the first seven halls. Simple matters are summarized in a unified manner, while important matters are individually selected and sent to the outer study room for approval and refutation by "Qian Shen" and Wang Yue. Finally, Yao Ran and Wang Changshi reviewed it before distributing it for execution.

Therefore, this outer study is a place where the governor's government makes important decisions and is not accessible to ordinary people.

Wang Yuesi felt in his heart that this study, in the entire Jiangdu city, was probably similar to the existence of the three provinces of the DPRK and China.

And as your Excellency is promoted to the Jiedu Envoy of Huainan Province, the value of their study will probably be the highest in Huainan Province in the future...

What a responsibility and what an honor?

I think he had a difficult official career and his temper was as rotten as a ball of rotten noodles stewed in an old mother's pot. He took advantage of coming early. Otherwise, if he came to invest at this time, he would only be qualified to work in the first seven halls at most.

Thinking of this, Wang Yue couldn't help but become emotional again, and secretly decided that he must work harder and harder to repay the favor of the governor.

Wang Yue, who was moved and agitated in his heart, couldn't help but shed some tears in his eyes when he walked into the study room, so he collected them with his sleeves.

This scene happened to fall in the eyes of Luo Guanlin, who stood up and saluted Chang Sui Ning: "..."

Wang Wangshan was wiping tears again - this was the fourth time he had seen him since he returned home yesterday.

As soon as Wang Changshi stepped into the study, someone came to send a message, saying that he was invited to go to Qianqi Hall and asked for advice on something.

Wang Changshi bowed to Chang Suining and left together with the messenger.

"Can Mr. Qian have lunch?" Chang Suining casually asked Luo Guanlin with concern as he sat down at the main table.

"Sir, I've already used it." Luo Guanlin's attitude was lukewarm, but "not cold" was already a huge improvement.

He is destined to be unable to participate in a banquet with many people, but Chang Sui Ning always invites people to invite him, and sometimes even invites him personally, such as yesterday.

When his mother, who came home late from the silk weaving workshop yesterday, asked about it, he said that Chang Sui Ning's move was just a way to save face. He scoffed at this, and the next moment, his mother stabbed him in the nose with her finger——

His mother poked him hard on the bridge of his nose and forehead while scolding him as a "stupid thing": "What happened to your face-saving skills?" The governor has so many things to do, and he is willing to put in the effort to save your face. This is your blessing! Do you have to have adults openly ignore you and let the people below you also despise you, so that the hard and smelly bones in your body can feel comfortable? 】

...The people below did not dare to look down upon him, but because he always refused, over time, rumors secretly began to spread in the governor's house, saying that not only did he have a sharp appearance, but he was also very arrogant and withdrawn, and difficult to get along with - although This is also true.

However, this makes people think more highly of his ability to deify him... He is ugly and has a bad temper, but he can be so valued by the governor, how capable he must be?

"Today evening, I will host a banquet for you alone. I hope you will appreciate it." Chang Suining said with a smile.

"The adults are busy, so there is no need to specially host a banquet for someone." Luo Guanlin said calmly, "I am not someone who cares about someone."

"No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat." Chang Suining said, raising his hand to open the summary of affairs prepared by Yao Ran on the desk, and said: "I'd like you two gentlemen to explain everything in detail to me today." There’s progress.”

Before Luo Guanlin could respond, Wang Yue had already started to clear his throat and picked up the booklet he had prepared.

Wang Yue smiled and looked at his friend at the same time, conveying his intention with his eyes - give him more opportunities, he will stay by your side for a long time!

Luo Guanlin fell silent.

Wang Yue and Yao Ran were mostly talking next, but Chang Sui Ning would occasionally ask Luo Guanlin a few questions.

After talking like this for more than an hour, Xi'er came to bring refreshments.

Chang Sui Ning drank half a cup of tea when suddenly someone came to deliver a message, which was reported to her by Ah Zhi: "Girl, someone came to see me in front of me. It is said that his surname is Zheng. He claims that he and the girl have made an appointment, and he is here to keep the appointment."

Chang Suining reacted, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurried to meet him.

Seeing that she was leaving in such a hurry, Wang Yue couldn't help but say with surprise, "What is the origin of this distinguished guest that makes you value him so much? His surname is Zheng...Old Qian, do you know who he is?"

Hearing that Wang Yue's voice was hoarse, Luo Guanlin glanced at him: "Drink your tea and do your thing."

There is no one Wang Wangshan who doesn’t inquire about him.

Luo Guanlin did not make any comments in front of him, but he was also thinking secretly in his heart. When he mentioned the surname Zheng, he would naturally think of the most famous surname Zheng in the world, the Zheng family in Xingyang...

The Zheng family was nearly wiped out last year. After that, they were lucky enough to survive. However, all the clan members who were exempted were expelled from Xingyang. It is said that most of them are now looking for a way out... Could this visitor have something to do with this Zheng surname?

Chang Suining quickly came to the front hall.

The person waiting here was wearing a gray cloth gown, and his short beard seemed to have been specially trimmed before arriving. His appearance was simple, and his temperament was elegant and calm.

Hearing the sound of salutes outside the hall, he hurriedly turned around and raised his hand to salute: "Chang Governor——" "Mr. Zheng." Chang Suining walked up to him, raised his hand to support his arm, and said with a smile: " Sir, I finally remembered the appointment in Xingyang last year."

Zheng Chao raised his head and smiled: "Lord Governor Lao, I still remember you."

"Mr. Guancang is so talented, how can we not miss him?" Chang Suining raised his hand and led Zheng Chao to sit down and talk, saying, "I haven't seen you for a year, sir."

Zheng Chao exchanged pleasantries and sat down. During this period, he also looked at Chang Sui Ning. Over the past year, she had grown taller, and the official robes and robes of the Jiedushi Emperor were added to her body, making her look even more imposing. Hidden.

Zheng Chao sighed secretly in his heart. When Xingyang saw her, he knew that this girl was definitely not a thing in the pond, but her achievements in just one year were still beyond his expectation.

He came all the way to Jiangdu City, and as long as he walked, he heard rumors and achievements about her.

After entering Huainan Road, the voices became even more noisy. Such a person is really rare in the world.

The two sat down to drink tea and talk. Chang Suining casually asked about Zheng Chao's experiences in the past year, and said: "I occasionally heard about Mr. Zheng Chao in Jiangdu. He traveled all over the world and taught selflessly. Wherever he went, Everywhere, everyone from top to bottom is impressed and praises Mr.’s virtue.”

Mr. Zheng's efforts over the past year have not been in vain, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he has been plated with gold.

Hearing this sentence, "Everyone is impressed by Mr.'s virtue", Zheng Chao smiled and said: "Where is it..."

Although it is an exaggeration, it is indeed the case.

Because he helped the poor literati all over the world, he did have a good reputation among the people. Wherever he went, the powerful, powerful, or literati would treat him with courtesy, either out of sincere friendship, or out of using him to win over him. people's hearts...

This is the "top" in "all the top and bottom are impressed".

As for "down", in these troubled times, thanks to my nephew's "martial virtue", I can help him.

His nephew gave him not only "martial virtue", but also the capital to remain aloof and selfless. He never accepted donations or donations from others, but could always help others, so his reputation and virtue became more and more profound...

But this "capital" is now broken.

Thinking of this, Zheng Chao sighed bitterly in his heart.

About four or five months ago, Ling An's funding suddenly shrunk. After a month, it became even more meager. Compared with the initial wealth, it seemed as if a mountain of gold had turned into two strings of copper plates.

Also sent was a letter from Ling An. In the letter, Ling An said with shame: "The military expenditure is very large, Jing is getting poor, and he is no longer able to support his uncle."

For Zheng Chao, this was like a bolt from the blue... Since this kid didn't have much savings, he had made it clear before, so he could save some money! Looking at the way he gave the money earlier, he thought he wouldn't be able to spend it all!

The nephew's "cut off" made Zheng Chao go from being free with money to being too free, so free that money no longer wanted to be trapped in his pocket.

As the saying goes, it is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality, not to mention that he comes from a noble family. Although he has suffered from injustice and cold looks, he has never really tasted the pain of lack of money.

At first, Zheng Chao had the idea of ​​​​tightening his waist and enduring it for a while, but he soon discovered that it was not the case.

Money was used for carriage, horse, food and accommodation. Not only did he have to support himself, but he also had to support the "martial virtues" given to him by his nephew...a group of guards who secretly protected him.

He had never cared about it before, but when he was short of money, he discovered that all those people could eat a lot, which made him sweat profusely and make him feel restless.

He began to try to accept gifts from "confidants" on the way, but what was chilling was that his reputation for not accepting gifts from others had spread, and people gradually felt that giving him gold and silver was an insult to him. , so no one dared to mention it...

The only good thing is that I am still willing to invite him to dinner.

But people didn't ask for it every day, so Zheng Chao's traveling status quickly deteriorated from poverty to poverty.

If not, he wouldn't have been able to make up his mind so quickly to come to Jiangdu to seek refuge with Chang Sui Ning.

Later in the conversation, Chang Suining signaled Xi'er to step back and change tea.

As Xi'er exited, the other servants in the hall also silently and contentedly exited.

"When we parted ways in Xingyang, Mr. Zheng mentioned that he wanted to find someone who could bring peace to the world. I wonder if Mr. Zheng has anyone in mind now?" Chang Sui Ning asked in a pleading tone.

Zheng Chao sighed noncommittally, and after a while he said: "According to my opinion, the power is now seriously divided, and only Prince Rong's Mansion in Yizhou is showing some signs of returning home..."

He said without hesitation: "Along the way, many people have privately mentioned to me the virtues of King Rong, and I have also stopped near Yizhou...According to what I have seen with my own eyes, there are indeed many knowledgeable people gathering in Yizhou nowadays, and King Rong never turned him away."

Chang Suining knew this very well. Not only knowledgeable people, many forces and officials also showed signs of favoring King Rong secretly and wanted to support King Rong to "rectify the chaos" and revive the Li family.

Putting aside everything else, when it comes to returning home, the identity of the Li family always has an irreplaceable advantage in this chaos.

Therefore, it was time for her to seriously consider something.

Faced with Zheng Chao's description of the current situation of Prince Rong's Mansion in Yizhou, Chang Sui Ning did not express his opinion. He only asked: "Since you are close to Yizhou, you must be attracted by Prince Rong's reputation. In that case, why did you pass by and not enter?" Sir, if you take the initiative to go there with your reputation and knowledge, you will be treated with honor and respect by the King."

Zheng Chao smiled and sighed: "To be honest, Zheng did have such thoughts when he joined Prince Rong's family."

Chang Sui Ningjing waited for him to continue.

"But I thought about it again and again, but in the end I couldn't make up my mind..." Zheng Chao shook his head slightly, thinking: "In this year, I can say that I have seen the suffering of the world before seeing the division of the overall situation, and then I have seen myself. The ego.”

He said: "Zheng has no ambitions and does not aspire to the heights of the temple. Fame, fortune and wealth are just like floating clouds to me..."

Chang Suining might have to think twice about what others said, but when Zheng Chao said it, she had no doubt that if Zheng Chao really had the desire to join the power field, he would have plenty of opportunities when the Zheng family was powerful.

So although she was looking forward to Zheng Chao coming, she was not worried that Zheng Chao would be abducted.

On the contrary, she had already expected Zheng Chao to come. This belief stemmed from the fact that she held a "treasure weapon" - this "treasure weapon", to Zheng Chao, was comparable to a sack.

"As for supporting the 'Ming Lord'...it seems that I am not inferior to Zheng." Zheng Chao mocked himself and said frankly: "Besides, fighting for power is not what I like, nor is it what I am good at."

Thinking back to the past when he faced those hypocritical faces in his clan, or those who disagreed with him, he usually responded in a crazy and depressed way... If he arrived at Prince Rong's Mansion, with so many advisers scheming, he was afraid that he would go crazy everywhere, then I'm afraid the scene isn't pretty.

Therefore, he made a heartfelt decision - come to Jiangdu.

Thank you all for your monthly votes and tips, good night~