please remember
address
While Zhao Junchen and Xiao Wenxuan were strolling and chatting, Xu Qingyan had already summoned the Zhao family driver who had been waiting outside the street. [Read the full text] After Zhao Junchen and Xiao Wenxuan got on the carriage, they left first and went to Tianhai Tower to make arrangements.
After entering the carriage compartment with Zhao Junchen, Xiao Wenxuan couldn't help but his expression was slightly condensed, and his eyes showed a thoughtful look.
Without him, Zhao Junchen deliberately concealed his identity and was not ostentatious when traveling away from home this time. From the outside, the carriage he took was low-key and ordinary except that it was larger and the style was low-key and ordinary. However, the interior decoration was anything but low-key and ordinary. Although they are not very luxurious and luxurious, various objects, whether it is a cushion decorated with Shu brocade or jade, or a low table with carved sandalwood, are not treasures that can be bought with money, and cannot be obtained unless they are of high status.
Especially the blue and white milk-foot stove placed on the low table. As far as Xiao Wenxuan knew, it had always been a tribute. Apart from the royal family, only some high-ranking and close ministers could receive the emperor's gift.
Involuntarily, Zhao Junchen's identity became more and more mysterious in Xiao Wenxuan's eyes. It seemed that he was not as simple as an ordinary rich man or an official young master.
Unfortunately, although Xiao Wenxuan intended to inquire about Zhao Junchen's identity, Zhao Junchen always avoided talking about it. He just avoided the topic and talked about casual matters with Xiao Wenxuan. After a few insinuations, Xiao Wenxuan saw a hint of impatience on Zhao Junchen's expression and stopped prying.
Not long after, the carriage arrived at the Tianhai downstairs.
When Zhao Junchen got off the carriage, the shopkeeper of Tianhai Tower, who had already known in advance that Zhao Junchen was coming and was waiting in front of the door, hurriedly came up to him with a look full of flattery.
Next to him was Xu Qingyan, who had come to make arrangements in advance.
"Oh, I heard that Sir, you are not feeling well these days. I am worried to death." The shopkeeper of Tianhailou originally wanted to call Zhao Junchen "Sir", but in the middle of his words, he suddenly remembered Xu Qingyan's previous instructions, but he hurriedly He changed it to "gongzi" and eventually became the nondescript "eldest son". In addition to pleasing. He also did not forget to close the relationship with Zhao Junchen, and continued: "I think of how kind you have been to the poor people in these days, and I am grateful. I want to go to the young master's house to visit you immediately. However, the lowly status of the poor people is so great." . I can’t enter the young master’s residence, so I can only leave some kind words in the concierge. I wonder if you can receive them, sir.”
Although Zhao Junchen often comes to Tianhai Tower and has met the shopkeeper many times, Zhao Junchen really doesn't know this person's name and only remembers his surname Zhang. As for the so-called "little wishes" that shopkeeper Zhang sent to the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Junchen was even less clear. After all, there were so many people coming to the Zhao Mansion to give gifts every day, so how could Zhao Junchen remember them all? It is just recorded in the account book and taken care of by Fang Ru.
So Zhao Junchen just nodded and said with a smile: "Shopkeeper Zhang is interested."
Consciously getting closer to Zhao Junchen, Zhang Zhang couldn't help but be overjoyed, and continued to flatter him with a red face: "These days, the common people have been sincerely praying to the Bodhisattva day and night. I hope that you can recover as soon as possible, sir. Sure enough, there are gods and Buddhas protecting you. , I can't do anything about the young master's minor illnesses. I saw the young master leave the house today. I think he has recovered, and the common people will feel at ease."
While talking, Zhang Zhang, the shopkeeper, led Zhao Junchen to Tianhai Tower and continued to ask: "I heard from Brother Xu that Master, you want to eat squirrel fish today. The grassroots have ordered the cooks to get ready. It will be ready soon, but I don't know." Young Master, do you want to go to the quiet and elegant room? Or go to the window seat upstairs?"
Zhao Junchen said casually: "Let's go to the seat by the window upstairs. Although the private room is clean, it is too stuffy."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, shopkeeper Zhang agreed. After taking Zhao Junchen and others to the best seat on the Tianhai Tower, he waited aside like an ordinary waiter with no intention of leaving.
Zhao Junchen didn't care about this. He just sat down and smiled at Xiao Wenxuan: "Brother Xiao, I don't know, but the squirrel fish in this restaurant is outstanding. Ever since I accidentally ate it, I have been thinking about it and I will order it every time I come here." The last dish, I came here several times, but few of the people who ate this dish with me were close friends. On the contrary, I had to be cautious and intrigued from time to time, so this delicious dish lost a bit of flavor. Today, together with Brother Xiao, I finally It’s time to taste it.”
Although this Tianhai Tower is not the most famous restaurant in the capital, it is still considered luxurious and high-end, and the diners are all well-known and wealthy people. Xiao Wenxuan comes from an average family, and it is his first time to visit a restaurant of this level. He was cautious and was secretly looking at the decoration style of Tianhai Tower. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, he couldn't help but said: "Young master, although you don't want to reveal your identity, you must have a distinguished status, extraordinary, and a wealthy family. Since you like it so much, This squirrel fish, why don’t you teach the chef in Fuzhong how to make this dish?”
The shopkeeper nodded quickly, and just as he was about to say something, Zhao Junchen laughed and said, "That's not possible. The reason why this squirrel fish is delicious is not only because it is a delicacy in itself, but also because I can't eat it all the time." That's why I thought about it. If I really got the recipe and could eat it every day, but I lost my thoughts, no matter how delicious the dishes were, they would become ordinary. It would be better to just let them stay. This shop allows me to come here from time to time to have a toothpaste. As the saying goes, if there is gain, there will be loss, and if there is loss, there will be gain. This squirrel fish is like this to me, and the same is true for you and me in this world, Brother Xiao Do you think this is true?"
Xiao Wenxuan was stunned and felt that Zhao Junchen's words had a profound meaning. After thinking deeply, he nodded and said: "Young Master Gaoming, although he just commented on a dish, it has a profound meaning, implying the profound meaning of the words 'gain' and 'lose'. As Young Master said, if there is gain, there must be loss, and if there is loss, there is gain, this should be the truth in the world.”
As he spoke, Xiao Wenxuan's expression darkened slightly, but he felt sad when he thought that he had wanted to seek fame and fortune by joining the corrupt official Zhao Junchen, but in the end it was all in vain. Although he had lost his usual reputation, he had gained nothing.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan like this, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, but changed the subject and pointed directly at Xiao Wenxuan's thoughts at this moment. Zhao Youyue hammers the frozen haze spring and tries to find out the name and friends of Mingji who practices playing cards, but in the end he finds nothing. Why does Brother Xiao think this is? "
Xiao Wenxuan was stunned again. He frowned and thought for a moment, but he couldn't think of an answer. He could only say: "I hope you can give me some advice."
The smile on Zhao Junchen's face gradually faded, he looked directly into Xiao Wenxuan's eyes and said slowly: "Because you haven't lost enough."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xiao Wenxuan's body trembled slightly.
Before. Xiao Wenxuan has the mentality of "gain only after loss". He did not hesitate to give up his reputation, cut ties with his past friends, and moved closer to Liu Zimin, hoping to build a relationship with Zhao Junchen and eventually help him in the imperial examination.
But he didn't expect that not long after, he would be squeezed out by Liu Zimin and others. In the end, I got nothing.
Originally, Xiao Wenxuan just complained about God's unfairness and bad luck, and he was not a good person and always offended others without knowing it, which was why he ended up in such an embarrassing situation.
But now I think about it, when Liu Zimin attracted the recent imperial examination candidates. More emphasis is placed on family background and talent, and temperament is only a reference. Moreover, those recent imperial examination candidates who were attracted by Liu Zimin have not yet experienced officialdom. How many of them can really please everyone? Why am I the only one being excluded?
After being reminded by Zhao Junchen and thinking deeply, Liu Zimin finally figured out that because he had not lost enough, he could not gain anything.
I want to be able to truly rely on Zhao Junchen. Not only do you have to give up your name and figure. We must also give up our own nobility and reserve, and we must also give up our thoughts of becoming a "good official" and an "upright official" in the future. Embracing the consciousness of colluding with Zhao Junchen from now on. Only with such awareness and sacrifice can one be truly accepted by Liu Zimin and others.
Otherwise, he will look reserved and aloof all day long, and he will be reluctant to flatter and say nice things. From time to time, he will also reveal his thoughts of "I am not the same as you". Even if he has a good temper and does not offend others, so what. Not to be excluded?
After thinking about it, Xiao Wenxuan sighed softly.
But he knew that even if he figured it out now, it was already too late.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan's appearance, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, shook his head, and said nothing more.
This Xiao Wenxuan is considered a talent, and it is commendable that he is not bound by secular concepts. Moreover, meeting him means that he is destined. If he can be accepted as a disciple, it will be useful whether he becomes an official or a staff member, but He had to figure it out on his own before he was willing to be used by Zhao Junchen, so Zhao Junchen didn't say much, just mentioned some points, and then let Xiao Wenxuan think for himself.
Not long after, the squirrel fish dish that Zhao Junchen liked was personally presented by shopkeeper Zhang. Along with a few Tianhailou's signature side dishes, all the dishes were prepared.
Zhao Junchen picked up the dishes and chopsticks and was about to invite Xu Qingyan and Xiao Wenxuan to taste them together. Suddenly, there was a noise at the entrance of Tianhai Tower, and it seemed that many guests had arrived.
Xiao Wenxuan subconsciously turned his head to look downstairs, his expression suddenly changed and his body stiffened.
Seeing Xiao Wenxuan's appearance, Zhao Junchen and Xu Qingyan also looked down, but they saw the leader Liu Zimin at a glance.
Compared with the last time they met, Liu Zimin's clothes are now much more luxurious, and her expression and temperament are much more elegant. It seems that she is doing well these days with the help of Zhao Junchen's name.
Behind Liu Zimin, there were more than 20 scholars in Confucian attire, chatting with each other, and it was very lively.
Obviously, the scholars in Confucian attire brought by Liu Zimin were exactly the imperial examination candidates he had gathered these days who were willing to join Zhao Junchen. They were also the "Zhao Party's reserve army" in Zhao Junchen's eyes.
And Zhao Junchen came here today precisely to meet them!
"Why, Brother Xiao knows these people?"
Turning around, Zhao Junchen asked Xiao Wenxuan knowingly.
Xiao Wenxuan's expression became more and more stiff, he nodded, and said stiffly: "Sir, look at the leader of this group of scholars, it is Liu Zimin who has become famous through the name of Zhao Junchen these days."
Zhao Junchen nodded, half-smiling.
On the other side, Liu Zimin came to Tianhai Tower and greeted the waiter to book a table while looking around for something.
When he saw Zhao Junchen sitting upstairs, his eyes lit up at first, but when he saw Xiao Wenxuan next to Zhao Junchen, his expression changed slightly.
Then, under the greeting of the waiter, along the stairs, Liu Zimin and more than 20 people walked toward the seats upstairs. (To be continued. Please read.)
