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Previously, Zhao Junchen cleverly misled Emperor Deqing's judgment, causing Emperor Deqing to regard Zhao Shancai as a member of the "Zhao Party". The impact of this incident on Zhao Shancai's future can be said to be immeasurable and extremely far-reaching.
Therefore, after hearing Zhao Junchen's invitation, Zhao Shan hesitated for a moment, but in the end his desire to "avoid suspicion" prevailed.
After all, Emperor Deqing had just directed and acted a good show here, and there might still be spies from the factory guards around. If the secret conversation between him and Zhao Junchen in the car came to the ears of Emperor Deqing, it would probably be a big deal. It will further deepen Emperor Deqing's misunderstanding.
Therefore, Zhao Shancai declined politely and said: "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Zhao, but it is getting late and the students dare not delay your schedule. Moreover, the students also have their own carriage and driver, so we should go back separately."
Seeing Zhao Shancai's cautious look, Zhao Junchen sighed helplessly, but did not force it. He just nodded to Zhao Shancai and left in his carriage.
*
When Zhao Junchen returned to the Zhao family's ancestral home in a carriage, it was late afternoon and the sky was already dark.
On this day, Zhao Junchen was extremely busy, without a moment of free time - he first attended his "returning ceremony" in the morning, and then met with several leaders of the Huizhe merchant gang before lunch, and then he didn't even have time to eat At lunch, I was summoned by Emperor Deqing and rushed to Slender West Lake to accompany him. I also witnessed another game between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing...
Therefore, after returning to the Zhao family's ancestral home, Zhao Junchen looked quite tired, and for a while he just wanted to take a good rest.
However. Zhao Junchen had just entered the gate of the Zhao family's ancestral house, and before he had time to rest, he received a report from Xiao Wenxuan, saying that Su Xiqing had finally returned from doing something.
Jiangnan has always been a place of cultural gathering, and during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was The masters, staff, think tanks, etc. who came from all over the south of the Yangtze River are famous all over the world! Among the imperial officials, from the governor to the county magistrate, they generally hired a number of masters to help them handle government affairs, and regarded these masters as their confidants, personal assistants and right-hand men. As the saying goes, "There is no government without a curtain." The role played by these masters, staff, and think tanks is also obvious to all.
A few months ago, Zhao Junchen sent Su Xiqing and Xiao Wenxuan to Yangzhou in advance for two purposes: one was to arrange the affairs of the Zhao family in Yangzhou. Secondly, he also wanted to use Su Xiqing's connections in Jiangnan to recruit several talented and experienced masters for himself, and then build his own staff team based on this.
Naturally, Su Xiqing did not dare to neglect Zhao Junchen's plan - since arriving in Yangzhou, Su Xiqing wrote letters everywhere to contact the more famous masters, ministers, literati, etc. from all over the south of the Yangtze River who were free at home. They all received invitations from Su Xiqing.
In the past few days, Zhao Junchen was busy with various affairs of the Zhao family. Su Xiqing was also not idle. For those famous masters who were more arrogant or unwilling to go out, Su Xiqing spared no effort and traveled around. They all visited in person, tried every means to persuade and invite, and spared no effort in setting up a staff team for Zhao Junchen.
In fact, because of these things, Su Xiqing didn't even have time to attend Zhao Junchen's "Returning to the Clan" ceremony!
For Su Xiqing's good fortune. Zhao Junchen naturally saw it in his eyes, and he also remembered Su Xiqing in his heart. It is foreseeable that after the formation of the staff team. Although Su Xiqing's vision and knowledge are slightly lacking, his status is definitely not low due to his contribution to forming a staff team for Zhao Junchen - of course, this is why Su Xiqing's attitude is so positive!
Now, the plan to build a staff team that has been in preparation for several months and has kept Su Xiqing busy for several days has finally taken shape.
Therefore, after hearing Xiao Wenxuan's report, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but feel a little happy and asked: "Oh? Su Xiqing is back from doing things? How many people did he invite?"
Xiao Wenxuan replied: "Master Su has successfully invited a total of thirty-seven people this time. Most of them are very famous friends of Master Su in Jiangnan. They have all followed Master Su to Yangzhou. In order to settle them, my subordinates I rented two courtyards next to the Zhao family's ancestral home and let them live there temporarily while waiting for your further arrangements."
After a pause, Xiao Wenxuan continued: "My subordinates also observed it and found that Master Su's vision is indeed accurate. The people he invited all seemed to be experienced and intelligent people, but I don't know when you plan to meet them." Will they meet?"
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "It's too late today. These people rushed to Yangzhou in a tiring carriage. Let them rest for the night. I will see them tomorrow... Well, especially Su Xiqing, he has been here for the past few days. It’s really a blessing, and it’s time for him to have a good rest.”
Then, Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, and then said: "However, Su Xiqing did his best. Originally, I only planned to form a staff team of ten or twenty people, but he actually invited thirty-seven people in one go... But, Having too many people is not necessarily a good thing. When people are in chaos, it is not easy to control, and there might be trouble. We may have to conduct some assessments and eliminate some people."
Xiao Wenxuan said: "Master Su and his subordinates also meant this. Sir, you are a second-rank official of the imperial court. Naturally, you cannot refuse everyone who comes. It is also appropriate to make a selection. However, when Master Su invited them, he made There are many promises. If we finally invite them and then eliminate them, it will be tantamount to humiliation for those eliminated, and I am afraid it will make them hold a grudge..."
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "You don't have to worry about this. I am short of manpower now, and the people Su Xiqing invited are all famous masters from all over the south of the Yangtze River. Since they are here, I will reuse them. Now I have to go through a selection process just for the sake of excellence. The so-called elimination means that they cannot join my team of staff and become my trusted helpers... Don't worry, even if they fail the assessment, I will not drive them away. Of them, if they are a little less good, I will also recommend them to those colleagues in the court who are close to me. Even if they are not very capable, I can arrange for them to be responsible for managing the various properties of Zhao Mansion. In short, I will not turn them away. It’s right outside the door.”
"My lord, you are still thinking long-term and carefully." After Xiao Wenxuan complimented him, he asked: "But I don't know how you plan to assess them?"
After Zhao Junchen thought about it for a moment, he said: "The method is very simple, it just requires some props... Wen Xuan, take advantage of tonight, help me prepare some things..."
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…(To be continued)
