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On the evening of this day, Zhao Junchen held a banquet and laid out a banquet.
The banquet was very simple and low-key. Apart from Zhao Junchen, the only invited guest was Li Xun, and the only company were Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin.
After the banquet started, Zhao Junchen got straight to the point and brought up the matter of Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin recognizing Li Xun as their adoptive father.
Li Xun was also a smart man, and he quickly guessed Zhao Junchen's intention, and naturally he readily agreed to Zhao Junchen's proposal.
Li Xun can now see that Zhao Junchen really wants to establish a relationship with Annanbo's Zheng family. If it weren't for Annanbo's Zheng family, Zhao Junchen would never pay too much attention to Li Xun.
Zhao Junchen originally wanted to recruit a member of the Li family for his own use, and then use this member of the Li family as his representative to contact the Anan Bo Zheng family.
It's a pity that the characters and abilities displayed by the younger generations of the Li family obviously do not meet Zhao Junchen's requirements. Either they have unpleasant personalities, they are not good at dealing with people, or they lack some dexterity and eloquence. .
Therefore, Zhao Junchen simply selected two suitable candidates from among his cronies and asked them to recognize Li Xun as his adoptive father. This could be considered to have some relationship with the Zheng family, and then he could use this relationship to establish relations with the Zheng family. Contact was made.
After understanding Zhao Junchen's thoughts, Li Xun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Li Xun was not a good official, he came from the imperial examination after all, and his mind was still full of loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, and the justice of the court. He always felt that the gap between the Annan Bo Zheng family and the court was too deep, and that he would definitely end up badly in the future. , so he has never wanted his family to be too closely connected with the Annanbo Zheng family, and was worried that when the Annanbo Zheng family was unlucky, it would implicate the Li family.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen's decision was exactly what Li Xun wanted.
*
"My child meets his adoptive father!"
Following Li Xun's happy agreement, Zhao Junchen immediately asked Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin to offer tea to Li Xun and pay homage.
Li Xun smiled broadly and his expression was full of relief, as if his two adopted sons were great people.
After drinking the tea brought by them, Li Xun took out a fine jade pendant and an emerald Buddha pendant and gave them to Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin respectively as meeting gifts.
"From now on, these two little brothers are my adopted sons! You are both Mr. Zhao's confidants, and you will have a bright future in the future... It's a pity that my situation is not good, and I can't give you much! But these two ornaments have been with me for many years, and they are worth some money. Now they are given to the two little brothers as a meeting gift! If the two little brothers become prosperous in the future, I hope they can take a little care of the Li family."
While speaking, Li Xun had already stuffed two gifts into the hands of Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin respectively.
After hearing Li Xun's request, Mo Xiaolin always valued friendship. He thought that after he recognized Li Xun as his adoptive father, he had a passionate relationship, and it was natural for him to take care of the Li family in the future, so he was very happy. He quickly agreed with a solemn expression; Xu Qingyan was a little reluctant and just felt it was a bit troublesome, but he took a look at the jade pendant in his hand, and after a little estimate of the price in his mind, he reluctantly nodded and agreed.
After seeing Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin agree to his request, Li Xun's old face became more relieved.
Li Xun knew very well that he was about to collapse. Even if Zhao Junchen kept his promise, provided protection and saved the Li family, after losing such a pillar of the Li family, the Li family would inevitably be helpless. Rapid decline.
Although Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin are white men, as Zhao Junchen's confidants, even a fifth-grade prefect must be cautious and dare not neglect them when meeting them.
What's more, these two people are about to contact the Anan Bo Zheng family on behalf of Zhao Junchen, and they may be able to take charge of their own affairs and become world-renowned figures.
At that time, as long as the two of them still remember this incense relationship and take care of it a little bit, it will be enough to protect the Li family's Zhouquan.
After some etiquette and procedures, the matter of Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin recognizing Li Xun as their adoptive father was finally over.
Then, everyone sat back on the banquet and started the next topic.
Zhao Junchen turned his eyes to Li Xun and said: "I will leave Shanxi Fucheng tomorrow, but Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin will stay here. They will escort Governor Li's people all the way back to their hometown in Fujian, and then go to Taiwan Meeting with Zheng Zhilong... I have a very tight plan. I hope Governor Li will arrange his family's itinerary as soon as possible so that they will not be delayed for too long!
In addition, I also hope that Governor Li can write a letter to Zheng Zhilong, solemnly introducing the two of them, so that Zheng Zhilong will not be despised... But let's not mention their relationship with this cabinet for the time being. "
After hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, Li Xun nodded repeatedly and said: "I hope Zhao Junchen can rest assured. During this period of time, Xiaguan has sold all the clan property, and the clansmen have already made preparations. At most, they only need one or two In a few days, Xiaguan's clan members can follow these two little brothers to Fujian... As for Xiaguan's letter to Zheng Zhilong, it will also be written before tonight, and will be handed over to Zhao Gechen for review."
Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction, then turned his eyes to Mo Xiaolin.
At this time, Mo Xiaolin's expression was still a little confused, and he obviously still didn't understand where his future destiny would go.
During the Xiaochuan River War, Mo Xiaolin disguised himself as Zhao Junchen, went to the battlefield in person, attracted the enemy's attention, and killed many enemies with his own hands. This incident has become one of Zhao Junchen's legendary deeds. Many Imperial Guards soldiers They all saw it with their own eyes, as did the soldiers of the border army. Zhao Junchen was widely publicized about his amazing military force and bravery in combat, but he kept it secret.
But precisely because of this, Mo Xiaolin obviously cannot return to the Forbidden Army, and Zhao Junchen cannot arrange him to serve in the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Army, otherwise there is a risk that Zhao Junchen's use of a substitute will be leaked. Once it is leaked, it will greatly damage Zhao Junchen's reputation in the military.
Therefore, Mo Xiaolin had seemingly died in the battle. He had been hiding among Zhao Junchen's bodyguards for this period of time and had never had a chance to show his face.
After noticing the confusion in Mo Xiaolin's expression, Zhao Junchen's eyes paused for a moment on the hideous scar on Mo Xiaolin's right cheek.
Mo Xiaolin's appearance is 60% to 70% similar to Zhao Junchen's, and he can be said to have a handsome appearance. He is even suspected of being a pretty boy, but after having such a hideous scar on his cheek, his whole temperament also changed. The earth-shaking changes will give people a feeling of ferocity and tenacity.
Such an image and temperament obviously met Zhao Junchen's requirements, so Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction and asked, "Has the injury on your face healed?"
Mo Xiaolin nodded quickly and said, "He has fully recovered!"
Ever since he joined the army, Mo Xiaolin had suffered a lot because of his too "girly" appearance, so he didn't care at all that his appearance was ruined. When he answered Zhao Junchen's inquiry, there was even a trace of satisfaction on his expression. .
Zhao Junchen nodded again and said: "I know your ambition very well. You want to stand out and be noticed by everyone. I have promised you that I will definitely give you a future in the future, at least let you become a Qianhu... ...However, I am a civil servant after all. Apart from the choice of the Imperial Guards in the capital and the Shaanxi-Gansu border army, I don’t have many connections in the army. However, your situation is a bit special. Obviously you cannot stay in the Imperial Guards in the capital and the Shaanxi-Gansu border army. You are among the Ganbian army, so it is really difficult for me to arrange for you at the moment!"
After a pause, Zhao Junchen said again: "But this time, it is a good opportunity. If you want to get ahead, you are not the only way to be a soldier! Your bravery and character are the easiest to win over Annanbo." Favor and trust, as long as you can help this pavilion promote cooperation with the Annanbo Zheng family, you will become an indispensable link between this pavilion and the Annanbo Zheng family!
What is the status of this court? What kind of power does Annan Bo's Zheng family have? I think you all understand in your heart! Once you become the hub between the two parties, even if you don't want to stand out and attract everyone's attention, it will be difficult! At that time, whether you want to be an official, do business, or still want to be a soldier, it will be easy. "
After hearing Zhao Junchen's analysis, Mo Xiaolin pondered for a moment and finally understood his future direction.
As Zhao Junchen said, he just wants to stand out and be in the spotlight, but he doesn't have to choose the path of being a soldier.
In fact, in this era, military personnel were inherently inferior to officials and merchants.
As a result, Mo Xiaolin's expression no longer showed confusion, and he nodded solemnly and said: "Thank you, Mr. Zhao Ge, for your advice. I understand! I will definitely do my best to serve Mr. Zhao Ge, and try my best to please An Nanbo." We will do our best to promote the cooperation between you and Annan Bo with our trust and favor!"
Zhao Junchen nodded again, then turned to Xu Qingyan and ordered: "After the Li family has packed up, you and Mo Xiaolin must do your best to help them return to their hometown in Fujian, and you must not be negligent! Zheng Zhilong is not only He is not only the King of Taiwan, but also the Commander-in-Chief of Fujian and the Governor of Fujian. His fleet goes in and out of Fujian ports every day, and his business and contacts are all over Fujian. I will ask you and Mo Xiaolin to personally escort the Li family members back to their hometown in Fujian, that is I deliberately let Zheng Zhilong see the sincerity of the two of you. The Li family is also the clan of Zheng Zhilong's adoptive father Li Dan. After this news reaches Zheng Zhilong's ears, he will look at you highly and trust you more! "
After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued: "After you go to Taiwan to meet Zheng Zhilong, you don't have to hide your relationship with me, but don't mention my desire to cooperate with Zheng Zhilong at the beginning. Wait until you win the initial victory. After gaining Zheng Zhilong’s trust and favor, talk to Zheng Zhilong about the matter again!
At the same time, I will also write a letter to Zheng Zhilong and prepare a batch of gifts. After you win Zheng Zhilong's trust, you can give him my letters and gifts...
Well, after I return to the capital, I will open a 'Four Seas Trading Company' as soon as possible. This trading bank will be responsible for ocean business and will also operate in Fujian. If Zheng Zhilong agrees to cooperate, you will go to Xiamen to find it. The shopkeeper of this business. "
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen had already decided on the person to be the shopkeeper of this "Four Seas Trading Company".
After Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin saw Zhao Junchen's serious instructions, they both nodded in agreement.
Then, Xu Qingyan couldn't help but ask: "What if Zheng Zhilong doesn't agree to cooperate?"
Zhao Junchen said with a smile: "Then you stay with Zheng Zhilong, keep pestering him, trying to please him, and wait until he agrees!"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xu Qingyan suddenly looked bitter.
After Zhao Junchen saw Xu Qingyan's expression, he shook his head and laughed: "Don't worry, as long as Zheng Zhilong is not an old fool, he will definitely agree to cooperate! I sent you two to see Zheng Zhilong just to reduce the trouble in the early stage. !...I gave Zheng Zhilong a very generous offer!"
On the other side, Li Xun was a little restless. He didn't know why Zhao Junchen wanted to talk about these confidential matters in front of him.
Although Zhao Junchen didn't reveal too much, Li Xun thought it was better to pretend that he didn't hear it.
Therefore, Li Xun deliberately changed the subject and asked: "Mr. Zhao, you are also aware of the imperial court's fear and precautions against the Ananbo Zheng family. If you reach a cooperation with the Ananbo Zheng family, aren't you afraid of attracting attention?" The suspicion of coming to the court?"
Zhao Junchen glanced at Li Xun, but asked in return: "Do you think the court will be less suspicious and wary of me? It is precisely because Zheng Zhilong and I were both jealous and wary of the court, so we should join hands. Let's work together...
Governor Li, I’m not talking about you. You have always been aloof from Annanbo’s Zheng family. You are afraid that getting too close will arouse the scruples of the court. But in fact, if your relationship with Annanbo’s Zheng family is closer, , you will not be reduced to what you are today... Of course, if your relationship with Zheng Zhilong is too close, you will not be able to sit in the position of second-grade governor. Everything is a choice. "
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Li Xun's expression suddenly changed.
The imperial court's attitude towards An Nanbo's Zheng family was quite a bit like treating them as enemies, while Zhao Junchen's attitude towards them was quite a bit threatening to the invaders' self-respect.
But gradually, Li Xun's expression became thoughtful.
After the banquet was over, Li Xun had secretly made a decision in his heart.
*
The fact that Zhao Junchen hosted a banquet for Li Xun that night and asked Xu Qingyan and Mo Xiaolin to recognize Li Xun as their adoptive father did not attract many people's attention.
On the next day, Zhao Junchen, with the courtesy of Shanxi officials and merchants, left Taiyuan City again and continued towards the capital.
After a day's rest in Taiyuan City, everyone in Zhao Junchen's team had recovered some of their physical strength, and their walking speed had also accelerated.
Three more days later, Zhao Junchen finally arrived ten miles away from the capital.
There, under Kuai Ma's advance notice, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, who greeted Zhao Junchen on behalf of the court, had been waiting for a long time.
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In the past few days, Chongzi has been sorting out the follow-up plot. The number of chapters is a little short, and the progress of the plot is also a little slow.
Normal updates will resume on the 10th of this month, so please wait patiently.
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