Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 292 4.88 The "No. [-] Family in Jiangnan" That No One Can Shake

Volume Four

4.88 "The first store in Jiangnan" that no one can shake

The next morning, at the entrance of the Zhen family manor in Jinling City, Zhou Yang looked around boredly. It had to be said that the mansion was built to a high standard. It was basically surrounded by mountains and rivers. Not far away was the Xuanwu Lake Royal Garden, which reflected the Zhen family’s surroundings. The close relationship between the family and the royal family is the foundation of the world-famous "First Family in Jiangnan".

"Hahaha, I didn't expect Brother Zhou to come to the door. I'm late!" Just as I was thinking about something, I heard a loud laugh from the door, and then a young man strode over, wearing a snow-white round collar. He was wearing a gold-rimmed brocade robe and had a calm face, which could be said to be extraordinary handsome. "Come, come, brother Zhou, please come in quickly, otherwise outsiders will think that the Zhen family does not know how to treat guests."

Zhou Yang was quite stunned. He really didn't expect that he would be received so warmly today. He didn't know the young man in front of him, and no one introduced him. Fortunately, he had seen Zhen Lang. The young man's appearance was similar to that of Zhen Lang. They are [-]% similar, but much calmer and more mature. Considering his self-proclaimed "brother" just now, the identity of the visitor is not complicated.

"My younger brother has met Brother Zhen!" This young man is of course Zhen Jue, the eldest son of Zhen Yingjia and the recognized heir of the Zhen family in Jinling. Regardless of the rumors outside or the image in front of him, this young man is worthy of the title of "The Young Master of the Aristocratic Family". Since he calls himself "As a brother," Zhou Yang followed the stick and called himself "little brother." "I came uninvited. I hope you can forgive me. The main reason is that there was a little misunderstanding yesterday, which delayed it."

"What are you talking about? What about my second brother? As an elder brother, I can't understand? What's more, after those dog slaves came back, I also figured out the situation. It was the unimproved things in the Wang family that made us misunderstand. ." Zhen Jue said without hesitation, "Turn over the page." "By the way, my father is in the study. Since Brother Zhou is here, why not meet him together."

"Is this - what's the inconvenience?" If he hadn't known that the Zhen family would definitely be doomed, Zhou Yang would really have felt a bit "flattered" to have the eldest son of the Zhen family greet him in person. This courtesy left people speechless. Now, It was made clear that the head of the Zhen family wanted to receive him in the inner study. Except for the governor level, no one from the entire Jinling City could come.

"Brother, what's the inconvenience?" Zhen Jue laughed, stretched out her hand to hold Zhou Yang's left arm and pulled him through the door. She also waved her hand to let the people below to take away the Li brothers and ten who were following. The soldiers made arrangements, "To be polite, Brother Zhou has been in Jinling for only a day. Why haven't you come over to sit here? Are you worried that our Zhen family has no food or wine?"

"Brother Zhen is joking, how can I dare?" Zhou Yang smiled bitterly and clasped his fists, apologizing all the time. There was nothing we could do about it. Even if Jufan was still the Supreme Emperor, the Zhen family would be the "No. [-] family in Jiangnan" that no one could shake. Even the first-level governor of Jiangnan didn't have the guts to carry the label of "looking down on the Zhen family", "Aren't you young and ignorant, and don't dare to disturb the true God?"

"Okay, I haven't heard of your boy's reputation before. There was indeed some misunderstanding between my second brother and Mr. Xue. Didn't they break up a long time ago?" Zhen Jue smiled and recounted another conflict from the past. "Turn over the page." "We're here. You're lucky. My father happens to have nothing to do today. He originally had a few visits. I heard that you're here and I pushed him away."

"I don't even know what to say." Zhou Yang could only smile bitterly.

There is no doubt that with his official position of just one thousand households in Daye, the fifth rank, he is not so interested in the Zhen family. An ordinary fifth-rank official will go to the Zhen family after sending a notice in advance, and will not know whether he can enter the house; The only thing that deserves attention is the benefits he brings, or his status as the son-in-law of the Xue family. Of course, the label of "disciple of Rongguo Mansion" is indispensable.

The Zhen family's manor is very grand. It even has a special channel to divert running water into the Xuanwu Lake not far away. The family can row boats. Regardless of the size or regulations, they can basically be labeled as "violation" or "transgression". crime.

But these have all been solved by the Supreme Emperor during his southern tour, because during his six southern tours to Jinling, he stayed at the Zhen family four times. After coming to the house, he personally served tea and food to the old lady of the Zhen family, who was the former wet nurse, and the title was even more embarrassing. The whole audience was stunned by "my old man"!
To put it bluntly, the Zhen family is the die-hard confidant of the Supreme Emperor and a status symbol placed in Jiangnan. Although they did have repeated conflicts with the Jiangnan clan when they first came here, they finally gained a firm foothold after "reaching a consensus", but now they have Having been established for more than 20 years, its status as "the first in Jiangnan" is recognized throughout the world.

Of course Zhou Yang knew that the Zhen family's final fate would be "property confiscation", but if he dared to say that now, it would be considered a lunatic. Ridiculing "coolness", he definitely has no courage to attack the Zhen family, because the Supreme Emperor is still there!
"Haha, I have heard of Mr. Zhou's reputation for a long time. When I saw him today, he is truly well-deserved!" As soon as the two of them arrived at the door, Zhen Yingjia, who was sitting on the couch in front of the window reading, put down his book with a smile and stood up. Zhou Yang broke through the defense, "Your Excellency's presence today has really made the house shine!" "President Zhen has defeated me!" Zhou Yang smiled bitterly and walked in first, gritted his teeth and knelt on the ground, respectfully following the instructions. As a junior, he had no choice but to salute. The rules these days are so bad. It was clear that he wanted to show off his power, but he really couldn't resist. "I'm here to visit you today, just to apologize."

"Okay!" Zhen Yingjia was very satisfied with his attitude, but she still let him kowtow and then helped him up with a smile, "Why is the CEO going down? When I was in the capital, I was also working with Cunzhou (Jia Zheng's cousin) and Enhou (Cousin of Jia She) My brother, since you are a disciple of the Rongguo Mansion, you are one of my own, so it’s not too much for me to call you a good nephew, right?
What's more, I've been dealing with that old boy Xue Xun a lot these days, and I've been tricked a lot by him. Next time we meet, if he doesn't bring some rare goods from overseas, I'll see if I don't arrange for people to stop him. He lived at the pier, making it impossible for any of his seagoing ships to get out, and even losing money would make him cry. "

"My nephew has met my uncle!" Zhou Yang smiled wryly and saluted again.

Zhen Yingjia was worthy of his status as the head of the Zhen family. He could only half-listen to all the words he said. However, he later "threatened" him like a joke. If he dared not take it seriously, maybe it would become a reality. The Xue family No matter how big the fleet is, it has to find a place to stay before it can realize its profits. But in Jinling, the Zhen family really has the ability to make it impossible for any ship to come in or get out!

"Okay, we've seen each other now, I won't stop you young people from having fun." Seeing someone breaking into a cold sweat, Zhen Yingjia nodded and waved to Zhen Jue, telling them to get out, "For me Treat them well and don't neglect them; if you have anything to say, just say it directly, it won't be annoying to go around and around."

"Don't worry, father!" Zhen Jue bowed respectfully and pulled Zhou Yang out of the door.

Like most large manors of this era, the Zhen family manor is also divided into a front yard, a main yard, and an inner yard. There are cross-yards on both sides, and there are dozens of small yards inside. Who lives where, and what kind of guests come. There are strict rules regarding which door to enter, which person from the Zhen family to receive, and where to arrange the banquet.

Zhou Yang was given enough face by being received by the head of the Zhen family in the study. He expected to have a seat and tea here, which can only be said to be overthinking; then he was taken to the east by Zhen Jue. Across the courtyard, this is the territory of the legal heir of the Zhen family. It is not until Zhen Jue's own inner study that the guests and hosts sit down.

"Speaking of which, when Brother Wei first heard about the reputation of Brother Zhou, it was from the letter from the second brother Lian of Rongguo Mansion." After sitting down, they naturally wanted to talk about something. Zhen Jue's intention was obviously to build relationships, "At that time Zhou The brother hasn't made a century-old agreement with the Xue family sister, and to tell you the truth, he doesn't care too much for the brother.

It wasn't until the news came from His Highness Yongchang that Brother Wei really got to know Brother Zhou. Speaking of which, when Brother Wei went to Beijing with his father to meet the Holy Spirit, he had the audacity to call His Highness Yongchang 'aunt' when he saw her. Her temperament Brother Wei knows very well that habits are not tolerated. To be praised by His Highness, Brother Zhou really appreciates Brother Zhou's ability. "

Speaking of which, if we really talk about seniority, Mrs. Zhen is Emperor Longwu’s nanny, Zhen Yingjia is Emperor Longwu’s nanny brother, and since Princess Yongchang is the eldest daughter of Emperor Longwu, she should theoretically be of the same generation as Zhen Jue; but according to the rules of the feudal era, no one can It cannot be higher than the royal family, nor can it be seniority. The "nanny" is said to be an elder, but in fact she can be treated like a servant. In this way, the Zhen family as a whole has been moved down a generation, which is right up there.

"That's just a compliment from His Highness Yongchang, and it shouldn't be taken seriously." Zhou Yang actually wanted to tell him that you should call me "uncle", but after thinking about it, forget it and just continue chatting. "My little brother is just helping His Highness Yongchang. Your Highness has done a few small things, and to be praised is already a blessing for three lifetimes, how dare you expect more?"

Both of them are just "representatives". Zhen Jue can't make decisions about the Zhen family's major events, and Zhou Yang can't make decisions for Xue Xun, so they can only be carried in a sedan chair. Hello, I'm good, everyone. After some nonsense, After another sumptuous but completely lackluster banquet, and finally an appointment to "come back often in the future" that no one believed in, we said goodbye and went home. Just like that, the day had passed.

It wasn't until he was far away that he turned back to look at the splendid Zhen family manor. He didn't speak for a long while. At the same time, Zhen Jue stood at the door, watching Zhou Yang's back disappear, and his expression kept changing.

(End of this chapter)