The waiter brought Mr. Chen into the hall.
The hall is spacious enough, with walls on three sides. There are neat armchairs on both sides. There is a sandalwood incense table in the front, with several jade objects arranged on it. In the middle is a jade brave, which has a magical shape and is the most conspicuous. He looked around the entire hall. In terms of luxury, it was indeed not inferior to those mansions of dignitaries.
Guo Chuzi sat on his right side. He stood up and was slightly taller than Magistrate Chen, but his body was not strong. He had a wheat-yellow face, a square outline, a big head, and a swollen patch on his forehead, which made his eyes appear to be extraordinarily small. He wore a dark black gown, which was tightly wrapped and looked quite majestic.
"This... I'm sorry, what should I call you?" Guo Chuzi's voice was deep and strong.
"Brother Guo, this is the magistrate of Taizhou. I came to Jiangdu because of a small matter. I want to have a few words with the magistrate." Wen Zhong patted Chen Tongpao on the shoulder and said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you!" Tongpao Chen bowed his hands in salute.
Guo Chuzi looked at him and said, "Please sit down."
Tongpao Chen sat down, but none of the three of them knew what to say. After a dull moment, he spoke first and broke the silence: "I heard that you are the largest wealthy businessman in Yangzhou. Even the Lu family, which I know well, They can't compare with their hands and eyes... I didn't believe it at first, but after meeting you, I felt a sense of calmness."
This opening was very resounding, and the word "Lu family" stung the nerves of the overly large businessman all the time. The flesh on his face obviously trembled slightly. This is not a painful twitch, but a joyful excitement. He heard the voiceover from Chen Tongpao's mouth and knew that this person didn't just come all the way to say a few flattery words.
He watched Tongpao Chen with interest, and listened to him continue without interrupting.
"I have been to the Lu family a few times, and they said they have a very good relationship with you...I have admired your name for a long time at that time!" Tongpao Chen smiled easily.
Wen Zhong turned around and glanced at Chu Zi. He seemed to have no reaction and was still pretending to be deep in thought.
"I have long wanted to go to Jiangdu to meet you, but Yizheng said they wanted to arrest the prisoner. Out of caution, even I, the magistrate of Taizhou, suspected it, so I couldn't get away for a while. I thought it would be a pity, but now I bump into Shopkeeper Wen just happened to bring me here. Well, as the saying goes, 'There is no perfect path for man,' it's true!"
After hearing this, Guo Chuzi nodded as if he was fully confident, walked with his head held high, and then smiled kindly at him and said, "You are a very good person."
Chen Tongpao was as calm as water, even calmer than Chu Zi.
"Thank you very much for the compliment," he said.
Guo Chuzi was about to have a good talk with him when he saw a servant coming out from the curtain on the left, cupping his hands and saying to him: "The banquet for the reception of the wind has been arranged, and the magistrate has already sat down with all the officials. Just waiting for you guys to come in."
Guo Chuzi and Wen Zhong looked at each other, then grabbed Chen Tongpao and told the servant: "Tell the magistrate that you still need help with the outside affairs. You can take the Taizhou magistrate to see the magistrate first. I will Come back later.”
The servants repeatedly said yes, and without saying a word, they carefully helped Magistrate Chen in.
"If nothing else, I'm just curious, why does Brother Guo value a magistrate so highly?" Wen Zhong leaned over and asked deliberately.
"I never want to reveal to others..."
"But now you have to rely on my help." Wen Zhong interrupted him without any explanation.
"That's right, that's right." Guo Chuzi nodded, then faced him and said, "A smart person like Shopkeeper Wen should be able to understand what he said. You know him better than I do, so I just want to ask you, he Are you from Lu Zhengfu?"
"I'm not sure if you ask that. I can only say that I don't know yet. But he came to Jiangdu... just to pay off their debts." Wen Zhong answered rigorously.
"Since he is close to the Lu family, he came here with you and said those words, which is obviously to surrender. But he also mentioned that 'Yizheng wants to arrest the prisoner', I'm afraid it was not an unintentional talk..."
Wen Zhong was also thinking carefully, and suddenly patted his head, "That's it!"
Guo Chuzi couldn't figure it out, and immediately became surprised. Just as he was about to press him, he heard someone calling from behind the curtain: "Master Magistrate, please stop your busy work and come in for a drink!"
"Tell me, sir, I'm here right now!" Wen Zhong replied, and hurriedly took Chu Zi away.
The two of them opened the curtain and entered, sat down on their seats, and then moved the cups and chopsticks, making a lively scene, eating and drinking with the magistrate, laughing endlessly. During the discussion at the banquet, Chuzi praised Chen Tongpao for being smart and capable, and mentioned many benefits of his political achievements; Wen Zhong said that he was loyal and trustworthy, with countless complimentary words.
In addition, Tongpao Chen himself also spoke well and behaved modestly, which made the prefect really look at him in a special light. After the banquet was over, the magistrate pulled him aside and said, "It would be a pity if a person like County Magistrate Chen is wasted in Taizhou. If there is an opportunity to help him in the future, I will try my best to help him. Don't do it then." Forgot my kindness." Chen Tongpao hurriedly bowed his head and thanked him, and then came out with Guo and Wen.
After being sent to the door, Tongpao Chen said goodbye: "There is no need to bother you two to see me off. I will pack my bags and return to my apartment today without wasting your time. My husband is very affectionate to me and will say nothing to you from now on." I will definitely repay you… and say goodbye.”
"Don't be polite, magistrate. Don't forget, if there is any trouble in the future, you can report it to Jiangdu. We will share the same hatred." Guo Chuzi's tone was soft, showing that he was very close to him.
"Understood." Tongpao Chen replied briefly, then turned around, mounted his horse, and slowly turned out of the alley.
"You have to treat such a person well and never offend him." Guo Chuzi sighed and turned towards Wenzhong.
Wen Zhong just smiled lightly: "Brother Guo is still too sentimental. It's no use, he doesn't care about these things at all in his eyes."
Chen Tongpao walked into the apartment, packed his things, and without saying a word, took Zhuo Lengping out of the city and returned to Taizhou. The journey was uneventful. Within a few days, the two of them arrived in Taizhou. They asked the guards not to make any noise. They went to the mansion first and placed Zhuo Lengping, luggage and other items. After the arrangements were completed, they left and went straight to the Yamen. .
"I haven't told you everything, why did Mr. Lu send you here to do it?"
The Prime Minister of Meixian County was sitting in the second hall, and opposite him was the steward of the Lu family who had been here before.
"Mr. Mei..." The steward frowned and was about to speak.
"President Chen is here!"
When Mei Xian Cheng heard this, he suddenly turned his head and was so frightened that sweat dripped from his head.
"You, please get out of the way first, get out of the way!" Mei Xian Cheng stood up, pushed away the chair, and grabbed his hand tightly.
"Meixian Cheng, what's wrong with you?"
Mei Xian Cheng's hands were trembling. When he saw Tongpao Chen standing at the door, he was so anxious that he couldn't even utter a word.
