Kong Chen took Yan Qi into a tavern.
He has always been cautious in everything he does.
Yan Qi didn't want to show his whereabouts too early, so he couldn't go to a place that was too ostentatious. There were many people in his house, so it wasn't suitable for him.
The environment of this tavern is elegant and suitable.
Kong Chen and Yan Qi went up to the second floor and found a seat by the window to sit down.
"Mr. Yan, we have to deal with it simply because of the temporary arrangement. Don't blame me."
Yan Qi laughed: "I'm just a little servant, how can I have so many requirements? As long as I have a place to shelter from the wind and rain, that's enough."
Kong Chen joked: "You, a servant, have even got your hands on the young lady. No one has ever done it before and no one will come after you. You can be called the best flower picker in the world."
"Dangdang Daoyuan, it's just the right time to give me the reputation of being the best flower picker in the world."
"My Daoyuan is bestowed upon me by Mr. Yan. Without Mr. Yan's help, I might not even be able to keep my Wu Sha Hat."
The two exchanged pleasantries.
Yan Qi sipped the wine and looked outside.
He practiced Wushan Yunyu Sutra and was able to see at night.
Looking up, I saw that forward, forward, and further forward, there was a large bright light, stretching from the sky to the moon, stretching as far as the eye could see, like the infinite blue of a lotus flower.
Yan Qi felt strange: "This place is in a remote place, so why is it so lively with the lights flickering in front of it?"
Kong Chen was stunned for a moment: "Oh? There is a bright light somewhere, why can't I see it?"
Yan Qi sweated profusely.
He had forgotten that after practicing the Wushan Yunyu Sutra, he could not only see far, but also have night vision. How could Kong Chen, an ordinary scholar, compare with a 'master' like himself?
"Master Kong, that's right there, about seven or eight miles ahead."
Yan Qi pointed in the brightly lit direction.
Kong Chen suddenly realized it and looked at Yan Qi in surprise: "Can Mr. Yan see so far away? There is the famous Gusu Fengqiao."
Yan Qi nodded: "Where is Gusu Fengqiao? I heard that many literati will definitely travel around when they come to Suzhou."
Kong Chen said: "The Maple Bridge spans the Shangtang River. It has beautiful scenery and a long history. Literati and poets painted here and never left. Because of this, the Shangtang River is prosperous. There are countless flower shops and beautiful women on the riverside."
Yan Qi smiled narrowly: "Since ancient times, beauties have been matched with wolves. Those literati and poets are nostalgic here, firstly to find historical sites, and secondly, probably to win the smiles of gorgeous beauties, right?"
Kong Chen sweated profusely: "A beautiful woman is matched with a wolf? Shouldn't it be a talented man and a beautiful woman? Haha, this metaphor is perfect. Mr. Yan, I'm afraid you are also one of the wolves, right?"
Yan Qi made no secret of it and was quite proud: "Not only that, I am also the most lustful wolf."
The two laughed, got along well with each other, and were in a good mood.
After drinking a few glasses of wine, Kong Chen changed the subject and said meaningfully, tentatively: "Young master Yan came to Suzhou to participate in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce. What insights can you gain?"
Yan Qi smiled narrowly: "How can I know anything? When I arrive in Suzhou, I am not familiar with the place, and I have to rely on Master Kong Chen for protection."
Kong Chen chuckled: "As long as Mr. Yan is in need, I will leave no room for anything and help you with all my strength. However, Suzhou Weaving has a special position and independent power. Even if I want to intervene in specific affairs, I am unable to do so."
Yan Qi nodded: "Am I such a ignorant person? I don't want Mr. Kong Chen to intervene in specific matters. As long as you can help me with the outside world, I can find every opportunity to make a big difference."
Kong Chen lowered his voice and knocked on the table: "A few days ago, Tao Donghai came to Suzhou, visited Xie Sanjia, and stayed in Xie Sanjia's house for four days before leaving."
"oh?"
Yan Qi frowned.
This news is worth a fortune.
Jiade made contact with the middle, and Tao Donghai and the top three hit it off.
It is very possible that these three people are working together and collaborating.
Moreover, the Tao family's clothing industry suffered a complete failure, and Suzhou became the last straw for him to make a comeback.
Tao Donghai would most likely ask Jie Sanjia to suppress the Lin family in order to give the Tao family a chance to move around.
Yan Qi nodded: "Lord Kong Chen, is there any other news?"
Kong Chen took out a list of names: "These are all members of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce. They all have extraordinary status and are either rich or noble. Some of them have already visited Jie Sanjia, some have gone out immediately after visiting, and some are currently working in Jie Sanjia." Stay overnight. Here you go, here’s the list.”
"Especially Jie Siwen, who came here at the same time as Jie Siwen, and is still from the same family. Jie Siwen also has a business in the capital, and it is very big. By the way, do you know what kind of business Jie Siwen is in?"
Yan Qi asked: "What business?"
Kong Chen frowned: "Water transport!"
"oh?"
Yan Qi looked at the list and studied it carefully: "It seems that Jie Sanjia is here with a huge force."
Kong Chen snorted: "It's just because of Prime Minister Yang's favor. Otherwise, where would Suzhou Weaving be able to get Jie Sanjia?"
Yan Qi smiled: "Why do Lord Kong Chen say that? Maybe Jie Sanjia is a very capable person."
Kong Chen shook his head: "Master Yan doesn't know something. Suzhou's weaving industry has a special status. It controls the light handicraft economy and has unlimited financial opportunities. To sit in this position, it takes more than just ability. When Prime Minister Cao was in power, he once said: Candidates for Suzhou Weaving must have an overall view, not be greedy for money, be stable, not aggressive, and be able to withstand pressure. In other words, talent must be there, but it is secondary. What is important is stability and an overall view."
Yan Qi nodded: "Prime Minister Cao is really powerful, I deeply agree."
Prime Minister Cao is Qiuxiang's father.
I never imagined that my cheap old father-in-law could be so powerful.
However, since ancient times, loyal ministers have always had a bad life.
It’s sad to think about it.
Kong Chen continued: "So, Prime Minister Cao once made a rule: in order to prevent accidents, candidates for Suzhou Weaving must be over forty years old, and must have the experience and qualifications to take on major responsibilities. Young people, even if they have Ability cannot be selected."
Yan Qidao: "This is a precautionary measure. Although there are some prejudices against young people, national affairs cannot be taken lightly. Hehe, I still want to give Prime Minister Cao a thumbs up."
Kong Chen was very surprised: "I didn't expect that Master Yan was not only good at business, but also studied the strategy of the country. I admire him. I admire him."
Yan Qi smiled calmly.
Do you still need to admire this? Studying national strategy is my old profession. Brother Qi, I studied this in my previous life.
Business is my side job, okay?
Kong Chen sighed: "However, since Prime Minister Cao left the throne, all the rules he had formulated have been changed one by one. Whether it is the six ministries or the promotion and removal of local officials, they have changed beyond recognition. I thought Suzhou weaving was the top priority. It is heavy and will not change. Unexpectedly, it will be its turn in the end.”
"Regardless of whether Jie Sanjia is capable or not, just because of his age, it makes people worry. Moreover, Jie Sanjia has always been in the study room. He is a swordsman and his like. He mainly provides advice and assists the government, and has never taken on a major responsibility alone."
"But this time, he actually landed in Suzhou and took on a big responsibility. It's really... too abrupt."
As he spoke, Kong Chen was extremely worried.
