There are three major cities in Luoyang, each with its own characteristics. The biggest characteristic of Bei City is that there is nothing "tacky", it is of high quality, it is rarely poor and abject, and it is rarely noisy and chaotic. After all, the main value of its existence is to serve the capital. To serve the "upper class".
In Luoyang City, apart from the Imperial City, the most prestigious place is obviously the several squares along the Luoshui River outside the south gate of the Imperial City. They are where the residences of the top dignitaries are located, simply because they are closest to the main entrance of the Imperial City.
In addition, Beicheng is the place where powerful people gather. Almost all the upper-class dignitaries and bureaucrats have their residences in Beicheng. In addition to the rich, there are also wealthy people.
In this context, compared with the Southern Market and the Western Market where the common people of Guizhou are gathered together, the Northern Market is naturally more high-end. Even some daily purchases within the palace are carried out in the Northern Market.
Likewise, the hierarchy is clearer and the disparity between high and low is even greater. At the same time, under the appearance of prosperity, that suffocating sense of confinement quietly wraps around everyone. But just like a besieged city, people outside the city always try their best to get in...
Although he does not hold an official position, as a wealthy businessman in the world and a wealthy man in Luoyang, Kang Ning is still qualified to live in Beicheng, and he is in the core prosperous area, neighbors with powerful people, and is surrounded by nobility.
In recent years, after putting aside the family business, Corning focused his remaining energy on chasing powerful people. Even if he could not complete the change of status, he could only actively get closer and build his own moat and protective umbrella.
At the same time, money is of great use most of the time. For this, Corning has enough confidence and understanding. So what about the powerful? When wealth accumulates to a certain level, it is enough to leverage them and even control them. The effect of spending money (borrowing) in recent years has been very obvious.
At this time, the Bafang Building is in the best time to open its doors to receive customers. There is a large flow of people, and most of them are well-dressed people who come for the delicacies of Bafang.
In the deepest part of the third floor, the elegant room with the most luxurious decoration and the most exquisite environment is where Kang Ning is receiving guests. As a well-known property under its banner, the Bafang Building is also the place where Kang Ning usually interacts with people. In comparison, no matter in the city, Both the "Kangzhai" and the "Kangyuan" outside the city are rarely used. There are too many over-the-counter furnishings inside...
What Kang Ning received was an old man with the same white hair as him. His face was full of grooves, but he was energetic and radiant. He was dressed in an exquisite brocade robe and exuded a low-key and luxurious temperament.
The old man is not a powerful person. Of course, in terms of relationship, he is still relevant. He is Zhao Xian, a big businessman who is also famous in the capital. Different from Kang Ning's "self-made man" and hard work, Zhao Xian's business path is much smoother, and the resources he can utilize are more abundant. He has the attribute of white gloves. After all, he is a retainer of the late Lu Guogong Zhao Kuangzan.
Thanks to Emperor Liu's special care for "Yan Fan" in his early years, Zhao Kuangzan actually took the opportunity to earn a lot of wealth after entering the court. Among the nobles, if they are rich, they can be said to be unparalleled. By.
With the explicit or covert support of Zhao Kuangzan, Zhao Xian, a warrior born as a domestic slave, transformed himself into one of the most powerful business giants in the Han Dynasty in less than thirty years. In terms of security and stability, it is obviously not comparable to Corning. .
In the final analysis, Corning's biggest shortcoming is that it does not have a solid and reliable political backer. Even if it is a guest of the powerful, the relationship is not reliable, and there are even some who are hiding their swords and plotting wealth.
Kang Ning has made a lot of efforts, but a person's luck will not always be so good, and it will not always be smooth sailing. In the early years, Wang Zhang was considered one, but unfortunately he fell too quickly and his power was kept fresh for too short a time. Wang Zhang's political influence was completely ruined by his grandson Zhang Jin's misdeeds, and even Kang Ning was implicated to a certain extent behind the scenes.
The most reliable one was the Kang family. Although Kang Yanze was only an uncle of Hechuan, he was also a distinguished military aristocrat. However, the old grievances are too deep, and there have been fights for family property. Over the past few decades, they have already become enemies. ...
Therefore, in comparison, Zhao Xian's origin may be humbler. He was just a child servant picked up from the dead by Zhao Yanshou, but with his backing to Lu Guogong's Mansion (the former Dongping Prince's Mansion), his life was much more prosperous. The risks are also much less.
As both are big businessmen, there are not many conflicts in business, and there are even many areas for cooperation. In addition, Kang Ning is willing to flatter, so the relationship between the two is naturally not bad. In the face of Kang Ning's invitations from time to time, Zhao Xian will also be there whenever he is free. They will all give face and attend the meeting in person.
Both of them are nearly seventy years old, but they can drink wine and eat meat, and the atmosphere is very harmonious. The topics of conversation are inseparable from major events in the capital and some court "secrets" related to them, and are purely business matters. , but we talked less.
When he was slightly drunk, Zhao Xian took a sip of tea to rinse his mouth and asked casually: "Xiongtai's caravan has transported another batch of military supplies to Anxi. Counting time, it will be back to Beijing soon!"
Hearing Zhao Xian mention this matter, a flash of thought flashed in Kang Ning's eyes, he smiled indifferently, and responded: "Brother Zhao really listens to all directions! He is on his way back, but it may take some time before he reaches Beijing.
Nowadays, there is no profit to be made from this business. After all, Anxi is too far away. Thousands of miles away, the war is going on, and the missions assigned by the Ministry of War have to be accepted. Fortunately, we only need to send weapons to Suiye and bring back some local products there, so we won't suffer any losses..."
Seeing that Kang Ning was involved in the military supplies transportation business here, Zhao Xian couldn't help but smile. He actually knew a little about Kang Ning's situation. Seeing that he still had an appetite, he said slowly and authentically in a reminding tone. :
"The imperial court sent more than a dozen baggage transport teams to Anxi. Brother Kang, do you know which one is the most special among them?"
Upon hearing the question, Kang Ning was slightly surprised. He frowned and thought for a while, then his face suddenly changed slightly and he said, "What Brother Zhao is referring to, could it be..."
The words were not spoken, but Kang Ning's hand pointed to the west, which was both the direction of the imperial city and the direction of the East Palace. Facing Kang Ning's gaze, Zhao Xian said softly: "Brother, I have been chasing after the rich and powerful these years. Such a noble person is right in front of me and within reach, how can I ignore him?"
Previously, the emperor's grandson Liu Wenhuan personally escorted a batch of weapons to Anxi in accordance with Emperor Liu's oral instructions. To this day, he has not returned to Beijing. As for Liu Wenhuan, for a person of Kang Ning's status, it is impossible to get in touch with him at ordinary times.
But Zhao Xian woke up the dreamer with one word and seemed to point out a clear path...
He had some concerns in his heart, but his face remained calm. He raised his glass and gestured to Zhao Xian. Kang Ning naturally changed the subject and said: "Recently, the matter of enfeoffment in Beijing has been very popular. I would like to ask Brother Zhao to give me some advice on this matter." .”
In response, Zhao Xian raised his eyebrows and said to Kang Ning in a surprised tone: "Brother, I have been operating overseas for many years and have cultivated and cultivated extensively. I clearly want to ask you for advice. Brother, I am here. Maybe we can have our own fiefdom for reclamation in Nanyang?”
"Brother Zhao is joking!" Hearing this, Kang Ning immediately shook his head and sighed: "I have also studied the feudal government. It is the treatment given to the nobles. How do businessmen like us get the qualifications? Even if we are successful in business, maybe in the end Just reduced to someone else's wedding dress..."
"I don't think so!" Zhao Xian still looked as leisurely as he said: "His Majesty's edict does not clarify that only nobles in overseas territories are eligible to be enfeoffed. On the contrary, the right of the kings to subdivide the enfeoffments is clear and clear. .
As long as the situation in Nanyang is clear and the feudal kingdom is customized, brothers only need to join hands to acquire the land and the population. Even if they cannot become the lord of the territory, they will still have a good chance as a direct subject of the feudal king.
No matter how bad it is, asking for a status and a name from the powerful, and at the same time protecting the land and property, with the relationship that Brother Kang has managed over the years, it is not difficult to do it..."
