Inside the restaurant.
Bai Yan led the man to the attic of the elegant room. As soon as he entered the elegant room, he saw Guo Kai, who was in his mid-thirties.
At first, Bai Yan looked at Guo Kai, whom he had never met before, and frowned slightly.
But then.
When he heard the man's introduction, Bai Yan looked surprised.
"Junzi Xu, this is Prime Minister Jianxin!"
The man introduced Bai Yan.
When Bai Yan heard the name Jianxin Jun, he immediately knew that the man in front of him was none other than Guo Kai, the Prime Minister of Zhao State whom he had missed for a long time.
At the beginning, Duke Jin once said that Guo Kai was born in the Guo family of Jinyang, Taiyuan.
This Guo family has an extraordinary background. Its ancestors can be traced back to the period of King Wu of Zhou Dynasty.
King Wu of Zhou granted his uncle Guo Shu to Dong Guo, which was originally in Xingyang. Before and after Zhao Jianzi opened up Jinyang, the descendants of Guo Shu moved to Jinyang, and their descendants took the surname Guo. From the Jin and Zhao dynasties, the Guo family has always been Rich family.
This is why Guo Kai was originally the companion of King Zhao Yaoxiang and Zhao Yan, rather than his slave.
Being able to read as a companion to Mr. Zhao, one can imagine Guo's status in Zhao.
"Xu Zixiao, I have met Prime Minister Zhao!"
Bai Yan raised his hands and saluted Guo Kai slowly.
Bai Yan didn't expect to see Guo Kai in this way.
Looking at Guo Kai, who was in his thirties, with a round face and a black mole between his nose and mouth, Bai Yan was full of curiosity.
It is hard to imagine that Guo Kai, who was just in his thirties and had no good appearance, not only got rid of Lian Po, but also made Guo Kai the prime minister of Zhao after two generations of Zhao kings came to the throne.
"No need to be polite!"
When Guo Kai saw Xu Zixiao, he smiled and returned the greeting.
I guess the noise just now under the restaurant might have attracted some people's attention.
"When we met today, I wanted to have a few drinks with Mr. Xu in this restaurant, but I never wanted to forget to bring the fine wine from the mansion."
After Guo Kai finished the ceremony, he looked at the young Bai Yan, explained to the surroundings, and then handed over his hands again: "I wonder if Mr. Xu can give me a favor and follow Guo Kai to the mansion to drink and have fun!"
When Bai Yan heard that he had just come here and was about to leave, he felt strange and quickly thought of the noise he had just made.
"Xiang Guo's kindness, Zixiao never dares to say goodbye!"
Bai Yan cupped his hands at Guo Kai.
Seeing this, Guo Kai nodded with satisfaction and made a 'please' gesture.
Bai Yan raised his hand to return the salute, watched Guo Kai walking in front, and followed behind to leave.
Sitting on the carriage driven by Guo.
Bai Yan looked at Guo Kai and knew why Guo Kai was looking for him. Apparently, the matter of grain and millet had reached Guo Kai's ears.
Although it was surprising that Guo showed up at the meeting in this way, it was actually a good thing.
Because Guo Kai is here, Gongzijia will be more urgent.
Listening to the movement outside the carriage.
Bai Yan didn't believe it.
Knowing that he has thirty thousand stones of food and grass, Gongzi Jia would not send anyone to monitor him.
Although he didn't know it was Guo Kai just now, it's impossible that Gongzi Jia didn't know about the noise he made.
Along the way.
Bai Yan was chatting and joking with Guo, but when Guo Kai asked where the Xu family belonged to, Bai Yan always changed the topic and kept silent.
Guo Kai was also a sensible person. Seeing that Bai Yan didn't say anything, he didn't ask any more questions.
Half an hour later, Dang arrived at Guo Kai's mansion.
Bai Yan followed Guo Kai out of the carriage and entered the mansion. The first thing Bai Yan felt about the spacious mansion was that it was rich.
Compared with Zhang Mansion in Xinzheng, Guo Kai's mansion does not have the same heritage accumulated over decades as Zhang Mansion, but Guo Kai's mansion is better in that the courtyards, pavilions, and corridors along the way are all very exquisite and novel in workmanship. .
After a while.
Bai Yan followed Guo Kai to the main hall of the mansion. After some polite remarks, Bai Yan came to a wooden table and knelt down.
"I wonder if Mr. Guo called Zixiao over today, but there is something important?"
After Bai Yan knelt down, he looked at Guo Kai, raised his hands and asked.
In the main hall.
Guo Kai, who was sitting on his knees, looked at Bai Yan with a smile on his face when he heard Bai Yan's question.
"Open, I heard that Mr. Xu came to Handan to sell grain!"
Guo Kai said slowly. As he spoke, he looked at Bai Yan three times calmly. This was obviously observation.
After seeing all the concubines in the mansion coming up, Guo Kai reached out and motioned for four of them to go to Bai Yan.
"Mr. Guo is really well-informed! Zixiao is impressed!"
When Bai Yan heard Guo Kai's words, he pretended to be surprised, then he cupped his hands and smiled.
However, when he saw four young women approaching him with their thin shirts revealing their naked bodies, Bai Yan was still a little emotional. Guo Kai was indeed as rumored, and he was quite accomplished in beauty.
"Handan is only that big!"
Guo Kai smiled and shook his head slightly.
This sentence is quite showy, but I have to admit that Guo Kai is absolutely well-informed in terms of information because he knows that Bai Yan has food when Gongzi Jia blocks the news.
Otherwise, as Guo Kai, he would never meet Bai Yan in person.
"Gentleman, drink!"
When Bai Yan was about to speak, a pure-looking woman leaned close to Bai Yan's ear and spoke softly.
Ears are the most sensitive parts of people, even Bai Yan is no exception.
However, Bai Yan was interrupted, and the beautiful women on the left and right leaned on Bai Yan's arms.
"Open, I'm very curious, Mr. Zhao Jia, how much do you want to give Mr. Xu!"
Hearing Guo Kai's inquiry, Bai Yan came back to his senses and looked at Guo Kai.
Facing Bai Yan's gaze, Guo Kai didn't care.
"I invite Mr. Xu to come here today. I just want to ask, and there is no malicious intent!"
Guo Kai said.
Bai Yan thought for a moment, looking at the pitiable women on the left and right, and when he met this woman's weak eyes.
"If it is sent to the Zhao army, it will cost five hundred yuan per stone. If it is sent to the people on behalf of the people, it will cost three hundred and fifty yuan per stone."
Bai Yan said.
After saying that, Bai Yan was also thinking about how to use Guo Kai to add fire to this situation.
"Oh? Why are they so different from the same grains?"
Guo Kai held his two beautiful concubines in his arms, frowned slightly, and looked at Bai Yan in surprise.
"Mr. Guo doesn't know that the value of this food depends on whether it offends the State of Qin. If it does not offend the State of Qin, Mrs. Xu is willing to just take some hard-earned money."
Bai Yan explained.
Hearing Bai Yan's words, Guo Kai was completely surprised, and then he couldn't help laughing.
"Wonderful, very wonderful!"
Guo Kai sighed with a smile, then put away his smile and looked at Bai Yan who was being served by the girls.
"I heard that Mr. Xu brought five thousand shi of grain and grain with him on this trip."
Guo Kai said.
When Bai Yan heard Guo Kai's words, he realized that Guo Kai didn't know how much food he had here.
"What is this, Mr. Guo?"
Bai Yan looked at Guo Kai with interest.
Guo Kai on the other side smiled heartily when he saw Bai Yan's appearance.
"It's not just a villain. In fact, the young master Zhao Jia only cares about the people of Daidi. However, as the prime minister of a country, Guo Kai, in addition to Daidi, also has to consider other places in the entire Zhao Kingdom. Not to mention the distance, even the city of Handan also needs food. millet."
Guo Kai's face seemed helpless and exhausted, and finally he raised his hand in the direction of the Handan Palace.
"Adhering to the principle of dedicating oneself to the State of Zhao and sharing the worries of our king, today Guo Kai would like to ask Mr. Xu to sell grain and grass to Guo Kai."
As Guo Kai said this, he put his hand on his chest and then motioned to Bai Yan.
The words have been spoken to this extent and can be said openly.
"Of course, Guo Kai will not let the Xu family suffer. Guo Kai is willing to buy the Xu family's five thousand dan of grain and millet for five hundred coins and one stone. What does Mr. Xu think?"
Guo Kai asked with a smile.
In the main hall.
As Guo Kai's words fell, he gradually became quiet.
Bai Yan didn't speak in a hurry.
Looking at Guo Kai's appearance, Bai Yan didn't even have to think about it. If Guo Kai accepted the grain, he would definitely not hand it over to Zhao Wangqian. Even if he could hand over half of it, it would be impossible.
If Guo Kai could hand over grain and grain to King Zhao and Prime Minister Zhao, how could the country of Zhao be destroyed in the future?
Just when Bai Yan lamented that Guo Kai was determined to snatch grain from Gongzi Jia.
Suddenly a servant came hurriedly.
"Sir, Young Master Zhao Jia is outside the mansion and wants to see you!"
The servant came to the main hall and bowed his hands in front of Guo Kai.
"What?"
Guo Kai was surprised when he heard what the servant said. He didn't expect Gongzi Jia to come so quickly.
Guo Kai looked at Bai Yan doubtfully.
Facing Guo Kai's gaze, Bai Yan shook his head, indicating that he had not informed Gongzi Jia.
See this.
Guo Kai was even more puzzled.
"Let Young Master Zhao Jia come in."
Guo Kai said softly, and then looked at Bai Yan: "Excuse me, Mr. Xu, please go to the back room for a while. There will be a maid to serve Mr. Xu."
Guo Kai originally wanted to ask Bai Yan to avoid it, but at the moment he didn't want to have a conflict with Young Master Jiazheng.
However, just as he finished speaking, a sound was heard outside the main hall.
"No need!"
The person who spoke was none other than Gongzi Jia, a member of the Zhao Wang clan who had met Bai Yan several times.
Under Bai Yan's gaze, Gongzi Jia strode from outside the courtyard to the main hall, with servants not daring to stop him along the way.
Even though Guo Kai was the Prime Minister of the Zhao State, and even the Jianxin Lord of the Zhao State, compared to Gongzi Jia, although Guo Kai had status, he was far inferior to Gongzi Jia in terms of bloodline.
Gongzijia is a serious clan member of King Zhao, and what he represents behind his back is the royal family clan.
"Master, why are you like this?"
When Guo Kai saw Gongzi Jia, he raised his hands and saluted, frowned, and asked softly.
After hearing Guo Kai's words, Gongzi Jia glanced at Bai Yan, who was surrounded by women, and then turned to look at Guo Kai.
"Then you have to ask Mr. Guo!"
Young Master Jia's tone refused to give in.
At this time, Bai Yan took out his arms from the arms of the girls, stood up and saluted the young master Jiaji.
"Zixiao, I have met the young master!"
Bai Yan saluted.
When Gongzi Jia saw this, he looked unhappy, but he returned the greeting to Bai Yan.
"I am the Prime Minister of Zhao. I heard that Mr. Xu came to Zhao with grain, so I made a special inquiry. I dare to ask you, sir, what's wrong?"
Guo Kai glanced at Bai Yan, then looked at Gongzi Jia and asked.
"If there is anything wrong, you should ask Prime Minister Guo. Is Prime Minister Guo collecting grain for Zhao State, or is he collecting grain for his own personal gain?"
Young Master Jia looked at Guo Kai angrily.
Others are afraid of Guo Kai, but his son Jia Ke is not.
"The real purpose is to share the worries of my king and buy food for the State of Zhao."
Guo Kai raised his hands in the direction of Handan and said.
At this moment, Guo Kai looked at Gongzi Jia with a rather unkind look. However, there were royal family members standing behind Gongzi Jia, and many civil and military officials in the court were interested in Gongzi Jia, so he had no chance.
"If he was buying grain for the State of Zhao, why was Prime Minister Guo secretive, inviting Mr. Xu to his house, and deliberately avoiding Zhao Jia?"
When Gongzi Jia heard Guo Kai's words, he laughed absurdly.
"If Prime Minister Guo spent his own money to buy grain for the State of Zhao, can Zhao Jia pay a visit today and be a witness?"
Gongzijia said.
As soon as these words came out, Guo Kai's expression changed, and even Bai Yan looked at Gongzi Jia in surprise.
Bai Yan didn't expect that this young man's words and deeds would be so 'hard' and truly merciless.
Guo Kai knew that if he really paid for the five thousand stones of grain and millet in Bai Yan's hands at the price just now, it would be equivalent to a loss of two hundred and fifty gold.
"Today, Guo Kai just heard that Mr. Xu had food. He asked about it and reported it to the king on a certain day. He was just worried that Mr. Xu would misunderstand."
Guo Kai did not answer Gongzi Jia's words, and emphasized that inviting Xu Zixiao over today was just to ask if there was food.
"Then I dare to ask Mr. Guo if there is any result. If nothing happens, Jia has something important and wants to invite Mr. Xu to go to the mansion. Can Mr. Guo make it convenient?"
Gongzi Jia looked at Guo Kai and asked,
"It's natural!"
Guo Kai simply said four words.
"Then thank you, Mr. Guo!"
Gongzijia saluted Guo Kaiji. After Guo Kai returned the salute, he turned to Bai Yanji and saluted.
Bai Yan also quickly returned the gift.
"please!"
Gongzijia said to Bai Yan.
Bai Yan nodded, and before leaving, Bai Yan bowed his hands to Guo Kai and saluted.
"If you have time someday, Zixiao will come and visit Prime Minister Guo again!"
Bai Yan said to Guo Kai.
When Gongzi Jia saw this, he did not blame him, because Gongzi Jia also knew that Guo Kai was the prime minister of Zhao State, and if Xu Zixiao offended, there would be countless troubles.
Therefore, Gongzijia can also understand Xu Zixiao's principle of not offending both parties.
"One day, if you open it, you will definitely have some good wine ready!"
Guo Kai smiled at Bai Yan and returned the favor.
After the ceremony.
Guo Kai stood there, looking at the back of Gongzi Jia and Bai Yan leaving, his smile slowly disappeared, but was replaced by anger.
After a while.
Guo Kai bent down, picked up the wine bottle on the table and threw it to the ground.
Accompanied by a loud noise.
Guo Kai's two beautiful concubines, as well as the women who had just served Bai Yan, were all trembling with fear.
"Zhao Jia!"
Guo Kai gritted his teeth and said Gongzi Jia's name with fierce eyes.
Inside Handan City.
The sun was scorching, and Bai Yan was sitting in Gongzi Jia's carriage.
"Young master, you arrived quickly enough!"
Bai Yan looked at Gongzi Jia's warm and angry look and teased with a smile.
As soon as these words came out, Gongzijia's expression changed. Bai Yan had obviously sensed the fact that he knew about the surveillance.
"It's a very important matter. Jia doesn't dare to be careless. I hope Mr. Xu won't be blamed!"
Gongzijia sighed, raised his hands to Bai Yan and said.
Bai Yan returned the gift with his hand, indicating that he understood.
Looking at Gongzi Jia, following the contact, although he has never met Zhao Wangqian, Bai Yan can still feel that if Gongzi Jia succeeds to the throne as King Zhao, and Li Mu leads the army.
If Qin wanted to destroy Zhao, it would be as difficult as climbing to heaven!
"Just now, Guo Kai only knew that Zi Xiao had five thousand stones of grain and millet in his hand. Zi Xiao never told Guo Kai that there were thirty thousand stones!"
Bai Yan said to Gongzi Jia.
When Gongzi Jia heard this, his face lit up. He was not only happy because he learned that Guo Kai didn't know much, but more importantly, he could feel that Xu Zixiao was leaning towards him.
"Thank you Zixiao!"
Gongzijia said with his hands raised.
However, before Gongzi Jia could finish speaking, Bai Yan pretended to sigh carelessly after returning the gift.
"Just now, the scholar Xiao Xiao observed Guo Kai's character. He really couldn't believe that the King of Zhao actually appointed such people to be prime ministers. If the young master had succeeded to the throne, how could the Zhao Kingdom have ended up in such a situation."
Bai Yan sighed and shook his head with regret.
As the saying goes, the speaker is unintentional, but the listener is intentional. Gongzijia couldn't help but sigh when he heard that even Xu Zixiao, a descendant of the Xu family, who had just come to Handan to do business, saw him and Guo Kai.
It is a lie that Gongzijia is not touched in his heart.
After all, as the eldest son of Zhao State, he was the one who should succeed to the throne. If he succeeded to the throne, how could he use a villain like Guo Kai.
How could Zhao State have no food available now?
Thinking of the tragic situation of Zhao State today.
Gongzijia's eyes turned red, and a hint of unwillingness flashed in his eyes.
"How dare you disobey your father's wishes?"
Gongzijia said pretending not to care, but how stiff and embarrassing that smile was, how could Bai Yan not see it.
Bai Yan knew that Gongzi Jia's words could be interpreted as other meanings.
But on the surface, after hearing what Gongzi Jia said, Bai Yan stopped saying anything. As if he had just sighed unintentionally, he turned his head and reached out to lift the curtains, looking out the window at the streets and pedestrians.
(End of chapter)
