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"What?! People from the capital?" Zhao Deqing couldn't help being surprised, and he didn't dare to neglect, and quickly said to the clan elders beside him: "Quick, come with me to greet you outside the house!"
Although Zhao Deqing is the head of the Zhao family in Yangzhou and the elder of Zhao Junchen's family, and Su Xiqing and Xiao Wenxuan are only Zhao Junchen's staff, Zhao Deqing knows very well that Zhao Junchen actually does not like to see the Zhao family in Yangzhou and still has some resentment in his heart , Now it is only because of the grace of Emperor Deqing that he recognizes his ancestors again. 【Read full text】
Therefore, the Yangzhou Zhao family's status in Zhao Junchen's heart may not be higher than that of his own staff!
In this way, seeing Zhao Junchen's staff coming to visit, Zhao Deqing naturally did not dare to act like the head of the Zhao family. Not only did he go out of the house to greet him in person, but he also called all the elders of the clan around him - to You know, the prefect of Yangzhou came to visit a few days ago, and Zhao Deqing just said "invite him in".
All the elders of the Zhao family also understood the connection, so they did not complain at all. They all stood up quickly and followed Zhao Deqing to greet him outside the house.
In fact, because these elders all have descendants who are competing for the places in the Imperial Academy and the palace, and they know that the allocation of these places is actually determined by Zhao Junchen's words, at this time Zhao Junchen sent his staff to say Maybe it was just to deal with this matter, so their expressions at this time were even more enthusiastic and courteous than Zhao Deqing.
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But he said. Outside the Zhao family's mansion, Su Xiqing and Xiao Wenxuan were waiting here. Waiting for the reception from the Zhao family.
At this time, Su Xiqing looked indifferent. He looked like it was natural, but Xiao Wenxuan's expression was a little uneasy. From time to time he glanced at the door of the Zhao Mansion, and then glanced at Su Xiqing next to him, looking like he was still wanting to talk.
Although Xiao Wenxuan was born in Juren, his fame and fame were far beyond that of Su Xiqing. However, Su Xiqing was an old man under Zhao Junchen and had served as a staff member for many years, so his experience and knowledge were far beyond that of Xiao Wenxuan. Now Xiao Wenxuan and Su Xiqing came to Yangzhou to work together, with Su Xiqing taking the lead. However, Xiao Wenxuan's main purpose was only to study, so although he had different opinions at this time, it was difficult to express them openly.
However, Su Xiqing is an exquisite and clear person. He has served as a staff member and master for many years. He is the best at observing words and expressions. When he saw Xiao Wenxuan, he seemed to be reluctant to speak. Naturally, he understood that Xiao Wenxuan had other thoughts in his mind, so he said: "Mr. Xiao, I see that you look a little uneasy. Why?"
Xiao Wenxuan hesitated. Finally he said: "Senior Su, this is where Lord Zhao's clan is, and the people we are going to meet next are all the elders of Lord Zhao's clan. But now we don't take the initiative to visit, but let them come out of the house to greet them. Isn't it too arrogant? Yes? If it spreads to Mr. Zhao in the future... What's more, we come to Yangzhou to do business this time. We still have to rely on the Yangzhou Zhao family..."
Su Xiqing smiled slightly and explained: "Mr. Xiao, you must remember that we are Lord Zhao's staff, not disciples of the Zhao family in Yangzhou. Everything we do should be based on Lord Zhao, and we must not mess up the priority. We came to Yangzhou this time to guide the Yangzhou Zhao family on what to do next, and what we are doing is mainly anti-customer affairs! If we want them to be convinced, we must be more arrogant at this time, give them a little power, and let them understand that we are behind With Mr. Zhao's support, otherwise as landlords, they will only think that we are weak and can be bullied, and naturally they will not act seriously according to our instructions."
After a pause, Su Xiqing continued: "Do you still remember the skills of a staff that I taught you? When a staff handles affairs, they first need to consider the personality of the leader, and with Mr. Zhao's temperament, as long as we can handle him well Don’t worry about anything else you explained. Let’s not mention that Mr. Zhao himself doesn’t like the Zhao family in Yangzhou. Now that they recognize their ancestors and return to their clan, they are just using each other. Even if Mr. Zhao really values the Zhao family in Yangzhou, and we want to give If Mr. Zhao offends the Yangzhou Zhao family due to his work, there is no need to worry, Mr. Zhao will naturally make peace for us."
Xiao Wenxuan was already smart, but he just lacked experience. Now when he heard what Su Xiqing said, he suddenly realized and said: "So that's the case. Senior Su has thought carefully and Wenxuan has learned a lesson."
After saying that, Xiao Wenxuan also changed his natural look, waiting for the Zhao family to come to greet him.
Xiao Wenxuan and Su Xiqing did not wait long, but after a while, the door of the Zhao family mansion opened wide, and then Zhao Deqing led a group of Zhao family elders to appear and quickly came to Xiao Wenxuan and Su Xiqing.
"Are you two aides in Mr. Zhao's residence? Nice to meet you! I don't know what to call you?" Zhao Deqing said with polite words.
Su Xiqing was not so polite, she just nodded slightly and replied: "My name is Su Xiqing, and the person next to me is Xiao Wenxuan."
Then, without waiting for Zhao Deqing to speak, Su Xiqing took out a secret letter from his arms, handed it to Zhao Deqing, and said: "This is the secret letter written by Mr. Zhao to you, and it is also the proof of the identity of the two of us. According to Zhao Deqing, Your Majesty, from today until His Majesty's southern tour, we will stay here temporarily and help you prepare for various matters."
Zhao Deqing opened the secret letter and saw that it was indeed a letter from Zhao Junchen. The content was exactly what Su Xiqing said. So he nodded repeatedly and said: "This is naturally excellent. It is inevitable that the two of you can serve as staff in Mr. Zhao's house." He is a man of great talent, and with two of my Zhao family members helping me, I will have nothing to worry about next."
With that said, Zhao Deqing stretched out his hand and said, "Two of you, let's go into the house and talk in detail."
Su Xiqing still looked matter-of-fact, nodded, and walked towards the Zhao family mansion without being polite.
On the other side, Xiao Wenxuan saw that Zhao Deqing did not blame him and his arrogance at all, and the last trace of worry in his heart dissipated, so he followed Su Xiqing's example and walked towards the Zhao family mansion first.
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But they said that after Su Xiqing and Xiao Wenxuan came to the living room of Zhao Mansion, their attitude became more and more arrogant, and they did not wait for guidance from Zhao Deqing and others. He took the initiative and sat down on the front seat.
Seeing the attitudes of Su Xiqing and Xiao Wenxuan, Zhao Deqing and others did what Su Xiqing expected. Not only did he not get angry, but he became more polite and humble. Seeing that the first seat was occupied by Su and Xiao, Zhao Deqing didn't show any dissatisfaction and actually sat aside consciously.
Seeing Zhao Deqing's performance, Su Xiqing secretly nodded, thinking that the head of the Zhao family was not a fool. At least he understood his true status now, and he also knew how to be patient and not be dazzled by the glory of the past few days. .
But, a person like this. It is even more difficult to make him completely obey his orders.
Therefore, Su Xiqing became more and more aggressive. After Zhao Deqing and others sat down, he first picked up the tea and tasted it carefully for a while, and then asked slowly: "Clan Chief Zhao, you went to the capital to visit my Lord Zhao a few days ago, and Zhao Your Excellency also told you some things at that time, how are you doing with these things now?"
Zhao Deqing said quickly: "I hope these two gentlemen know. We have been working hard on what Mr. Zhao has asked us to do. Now all the unmarried women of the right age within the eight clans of my Zhao family have gathered together. Waiting for Mr. Zhao The young children of the Zhao family have been studying hard in recent days to compete for the places in the Imperial College. In addition, in order to welcome His Majesty's visit, our Zhao family has spared no expense in gold and silver. We have made every effort to renovate the Zhao family's mansion. Everyone above and below also practices etiquette. When the time comes, they will never embarrass Mr. Zhao..."
After Zhao Deqing reported everything he had done these days, Su Xiqing nodded first, and then said casually: "Clan Chief Zhao did a good job, but did you forget something?"
"Forgot?" Zhao Deqing was slightly stunned.
Seeing that Zhao Deqing still didn't understand what he was referring to, Su Xiqing's face suddenly darkened and she said coldly: "When you came to Beijing, Mr. Zhao gave many instructions to the Zhao family to restrain their behavior. You can no longer do the usual things of bullying men and women and running rampant in the countryside. Not only can you not do these things, but you must also build bridges and pave roads and help the poor. Only in this way can you establish a reputation throughout Yangzhou... You can do these things. ?”
Zhao Deqing nodded repeatedly and said: "Of course we dare not neglect Mr. Zhao's instructions. Everything will be done according to Mr. Zhao's wishes..."
However, before Zhao Deqing could finish speaking, Su Xiqing snorted coldly, looked at Zhao Deqing with a smile but not a smile, and said: "I forgot to tell Patriarch Zhao that today is the third day since I came to Yangzhou. The reason why I came here today is The reason for the visit is that I have been collecting news and observing developments near Yangzhou in the past two days."
After saying that, Su Xiqing gave Xiao Wenxuan a wink.
Xiao Wenxuan understood what Su Xiqing meant, so he stood up and listed them one by one: "A month ago, shortly after you, the leader of the Zhao clan, just returned to Yangzhou from the capital, Zhao Wenchang, a descendant of the Zhao clan, visited Xinghua and Baoying Er. The county forcibly purchased 67 acres of fertile land, paying about 130 taels of silver, and the actual payment was 35 taels of silver. These fertile lands originally belonged to the Zhang family, a gentry in the area. Unfortunately, because of the Zhao family's connections with Mr. Zhao, they failed. I dare to be angry but dare not speak..."
"Twenty-eight days ago, the Zhao family, together with the Yangzhou magistrate, purchased 17 private houses behind the Zhao family's mansion at one-third of the market price in the name of expanding the Zhao mansion to prepare for His Majesty's visit, and provided more than 60 people with People are displaced..."
"Nineteen days ago, Zhao Qishan, a son of the Zhao family, molested a good girl in the busy city and beat the girl's father, which caused a lot of discussion among the people of Yangzhou..."
"Thirteen days ago, Zhao Xuanran, Zhao Wenzhi, and Zhao Wenwei, three children of the Zhao family, stayed overnight in a brothel together. During this period, they boasted about Mr. Zhao's power in the capital and what would happen to the Zhao family in the future with Mr. Zhao. how……"
"Seven days ago, Zhao Xingzu, the elder of the Zhao family, suddenly visited the Niu family in Yangzhou, which had always had a quarrel with the Zhao family. Relying on Mr. Zhao's relationship, he publicly humiliated Niu Jinwen, the head of the Niu family, and Niu Jinwen fell on the bed so angry that he still can't get up. It caused an uproar..."
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As Xiao Wenxuan listed everything that the Zhao family had done in the past few days, Zhao Deqing and all the elders of the Zhao family turned pale, especially when some of them were pointed out at themselves or their descendants. The elder of the Zhao family was even more panicked.
"Clan Chief Zhao, do you need us to continue talking?" Su Xiqing sneered: "I never expected that the Yangzhou Zhao family has such great ability and can do so many things in a short period of time! If Mr. Zhao knew I guess you will be equally amazed, right?"
After hearing Su Xiqing's words, Zhao Deqing trembled slightly.
He understood that Su Xiqing was threatening him.
Originally, Su Xiqing had been extremely arrogant since she appeared, and had no respect for him, the head of the Zhao family. Although Zhao Deqing did not show it on the surface, he was filled with hatred in his heart, and he just kept forcing himself to endure it.
However, now that the matter has fallen into the hands of others, Zhao Deqing did not dare to have any resentment anymore, and just said: "I hope you two gentlemen know that these actions are not our original intention, but the Zhao family is It’s a big clan with many people and different thoughts. Even if I want to take care of it, I can’t.”
"Oh? Are you unable to control it? Or don't want to control it? Or even indulge in private?" Su Xiqing sneered and said: "If you really want to control it, how come these Zhao family members who have bullied men and dominated women and run rampant in the countryside are still here? Not punished? If you do something wrong but not punished, how can you, Chief Zhao, restrain your clan members?"
On the other side, Xiao Wenxuan also said: "I think when Patriarch Zhao was in the capital, Mr. Zhao also said that now our emperor likes to visit privately incognito. If the Zhao family behaves like this, His Majesty will I found out during the private visit in private, so where does Mr. Zhao put his face? Those instructions Mr. Zhao once gave to Patriarch Zhao were not without purpose, let alone a few polite words. I hope Patriarch Zhao will not make a mistake! "
Seeing that Zhao Deqing was about to say something, Su Xiqing waved his hand and ordered: "Next, I hope that Patriarch Zhao can handle all these matters in the shortest possible time! All the occupied fields will be returned to others, and all the land that was forcibly purchased will be returned to others." Money must be replenished for the houses of the people, and the children of the Zhao family who have done something wrong must also be punished! In addition, a porridge shed will be opened immediately outside Yangzhou City to provide free food to the nearby poor. Also, I heard that the recent peach blossom flood will be We have arrived, but several counties around Yangzhou are short of money to build dams, and the Zhao clan leader also needs to donate some money for this. Of course, everyone who needs to do these things knows..."
After hearing Su Xiqing's various instructions, Zhao Deqing hesitated for a moment, knowing that he did not have the capital to object now. Although it would cost a lot of money, he still gritted his teeth and agreed.
As Zhao Deqing began to follow Su Xiqing's instructions, the host and guest between the two were also in different positions, and Su Xiqing also took the opportunity to completely take the initiative!
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But after Zhao Deqing agreed, Su Xiqing saw that her goal had been achieved, so naturally she would not push for an inch, and her expression suddenly became much more relaxed. She said with a smile: "You can correct your mistakes if you know them, and there is no great way to do good. If Patriarch Zhao corrects his mistakes, then these things will happen." Naturally, the two of us will not tell Mr. Yu Zhao that he knows!
By the way, I heard from Patriarch Zhao just now that all the women from the eight clans of the Zhao family have gathered and are just waiting for Mr. Zhao’s selection, but I wonder if you can let me and the other two meet first? According to Mr. Zhao's instructions, the two of us also need to understand some situations first. After all, entering the palace is no trivial matter. It is very important. Although there are men and women on guard, we can't care about it now. "
To this, Zhao Deqing naturally agreed.
However, just as he was about to lead Su Xiqing and Xiao Wenxuan to the West Courtyard, Zhao Deqing suddenly remembered that there was a conflict in the West Courtyard at this time, and he didn't know whether it had subsided. If it hadn't subsided, if Su and Xiao saw it, wouldn't it be arousing? People laugh at you?
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