Gu Cheng was a little tired and wanted to say something more, but the sound of horse hooves in the distance made both father and daughter lose interest in talking.
"coming!"
Gu Cheng's spirit was shaken, and he turned around and ordered the servants in the mansion: "Come here, open the middle door!"
Chen Kan led his lieutenant to ride horses and walked not far from the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion, when he saw Gu Cheng approaching with a reluctant Gu Tao.
Seeing this, Chen Kan didn't dare to ask for help, so he quickly jumped off the horse and led the horse away.
Although anyone with an eye could see that the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion was about to sunset, as long as Gu Cheng did not die, the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion would become the top wealthy family in the Ming Dynasty.
"My nephew came late, and Uncle Lao waited a long time. It's all my nephew's fault!"
Chen Kan met Gu Cheng, who laughed and said: "Hahahahaha, my nephew, what are you talking about? Why should the family be so divided? Please come in quickly."
The two exchanged polite words, and Gu Cheng introduced Chen Kan into the mansion and told Gu Tao and Gu Xingzu: "Inform them and hold a banquet."
This was what Chen Kan was waiting for. If he hadn't been so hungry outside the city just now, he wouldn't have even planned to eat the dry food he brought with him.
This time he came to visit Gu Cheng, and it could be said that a large part of the reason he came was to get some food.
But just as Gu Cheng gave the order, he saw Gu Tao looking unhappy.
Chen Kan looked at Gu Tao's angry little face and couldn't help but smile: "Why, has Sister Tao encountered something troublesome recently?"
"Hmph, I want you to take care of it!"
Gu Tao rolled her eyes at Chen Kan and planned to leave, apparently still remembering the last time Chen Kan bullied her.
Chen Kan didn't expect that Xiaoni would hold such a grudge, so he had to touch his nose and stop talking.
Gu Cheng smiled bitterly and said, "This child, Xiao Tao, has been spoiled by me. Please don't blame me, my dear nephew."
"How could that be? What did Uncle Gu say? Sister Tao is straightforward and innocent, which is good."
After living two lifetimes, Chen Kan didn't care about a little girl. It would be a good idea if she didn't come, so as not to affect his mood while eating.
"well!"
Gu Cheng sighed. He was now in his seventies, and even if he wanted to educate his daughter, he no longer had the energy.
Besides, his current descendants are only one boy and one girl, so he is really reluctant to teach him a lesson.
I just hope that Gu Xingzu, the eldest grandson, can take care of her troubled sister-in-law for the sake of his grandfather.
Chen Kan didn't say any more. In his opinion, the little girl Gu Tao just had a bad temper and a bit of princess disease. She would suffer a lot when she got older. She could change herself without anyone else's education. come over.
The two walked to the living room arm in arm.
After a while, the delicious food like flowing water was carried up by the adults of the Hou Mansion.
Gu Cheng took a silver pot from the servant and said with a smile. He personally poured a glass of wine for Chen Kan and said with a smile: "My dear nephew, try it. This wine is brewed with water from the Chishui River. It tastes great." It’s mellow, but it’s a pity that Guizhou has high mountains and long roads, so it has never been known to the outside world.”
Chen Kan took the wine glass from Gu Cheng with a flattered look on his face, then took the jug over and said politely: "How can an elder add wine to a younger one? Uncle Gu has offended my nephew."
After saying that, he also served Gu Chengman a drink.
Seeing this, Gu Cheng nodded with satisfaction.
He admired the cleverness in this young man.
It's a pity that such a young man looks down on his unruly daughter.
If his daughter could live up to her expectations, and with Chen Kan taking care of her, at least three generations of the Gu family would be able to thrive.
Although he felt regretful in his heart, Gu Cheng didn't show it on his face.
"My dear nephew, please drink!"
"Uncle please come first."
The two of them had a full drink, and Gu Cheng smiled and said, "How about it, my dear nephew, does it taste good?"
Chen Kan thought about it for a while and couldn't help but praise: "It's really a good wine, soft but not strong in the mouth, and has a long aftertaste."
"Ha ha ha ha"
Gu Cheng laughed loudly and said, "That's right, this wine can only be drunk in Guizhou. If my nephew likes it, I can have some prepared for you when you leave."
"Then thank you uncle."
Chen Kan wasn't polite to him either. It was just a little drink, and it didn't count as accepting a bribe. Besides, Gu Cheng was so enthusiastic this time, so he probably wanted something from him.
Although favors are favors and transactions are transactions, it would be great if the favors could be maintained while trading.
Seeing that Chen Kan didn't refuse, Gu Cheng smiled even more happily.
After just looking around the living room, Gu Cheng's laughter stopped abruptly.
"Xing Zu, go call your sister-in-law. How is it that you have to ask someone to treat you to a meal?"
Gu Xingzu, who was sitting with him, couldn't help but shrink his head, then got up and trotted away.
"This evil girl makes my wise nephew laugh."
Chen Kan couldn't help but feel a little funny in his heart. The most difficult-to-discipline children in other families were naughty sons, but it was better for Gu Cheng to become a naughty girl.
"It doesn't matter..."
Chen Kan shook his head and responded, feeling sad for Gu Cheng in his heart.
It's quite pitiful that you still have to plan for your children and grandchildren at a very old age. What a pity for the parents in the world.
Gu Xingzu soon returned to the living room, but the expression on his face was not very good.
He scratched his head and said bravely: "Grandpa, my sister-in-law said she doesn't want to eat."
Hearing this, Gu Cheng was so angry that he puffed his beard and glared, and said angrily: "Huh! If you don't eat, you will be punished. If she wants to be hungry, let her be hungry. Tell the kitchen not to cook for her today!"
"oh!"
Gu Xingzu, the dignified eldest son of Zhenyuan Marquis, could only do errands at this moment.
The only thing Chen Kan could do was to watch with a cold eye on the Gu family's housework.
Fortunately, Gu Cheng is a pretty good grandson, and obedience is also a great advantage. If Gu Xingzu was as willful as Gu Tao, Chen Kan can bet that after Gu Cheng's death, the Zhenyuan Marquis lineage would decline within three years.
Soon Gu Xingzu left and returned again, sitting alone and eating food with his head down moodily.
Seeing this, Chen Kan waved to him and said with a smile: "Nephew Gu Xian, sit down and eat. Can you pour some wine for me and the old Marquis?"
Gu Xingzu glanced at Gu Cheng blankly, then suddenly became energetic and hurriedly ran to the two of them to pour wine for them.
Although he has never been exposed to officialdom or politics, he is a disciple of a big family after all. How could he not know the meaning of Chen Kan's words.
Obviously, Chen Kan intended to promote him.
Thinking that this uncle, who was only a few years older than himself, had rescued him just outside the city, he suddenly became very fond of this uncle who was too young.
When Gu Cheng saw this, a smile appeared on his face, which was so angry with Gu Tao.
When he hosted a banquet with Chen Kan this time, he really had something to ask for. He wanted Chen Kan to take care of the Gu family as much as possible for his sake. However, he didn't expect that Chen Kan would be so righteous and seemed to have completely seen through his intentions. Average thoughts.
While he was happy, the heroic side of his nature couldn't help but show off, and he kept asking Chen Kan to invite him to drink.
Chen Kan was also willing to accept anyone who came. Although he didn't like to drink strong alcohol, he drank according to his taste. Gu Cheng helped him a lot last time in Shu, although in the end he wanted to force his daughter to be his concubine. The matter broke up unhappily.
But he still had a good impression of Gu Cheng in his heart, not to mention that the two families were family friends.
Apart from Fang Xiaoru, the only person in the world who cares about him is probably the old marquis in front of him.
Besides, Chen Kan naturally had an agenda for making friends with the Gu family.
Any relationship cannot be maintained forever by friendship alone. Since both parties have their own intentions, there is a relationship of interest. If interests are bound to friendship, then the relationship is unbreakable unless something happens. greater good.
Chen Kan has never thought of maintaining his relationship with the Zhenyuan Houfu by relying on close friendship. Even if there are only three people left in the Zhenyuan Houfu, they are still Houfu, and they cannot be tied together by close friendship.
As for Chen Kan's plans for the Zhenyuan Hou Mansion, Chen Kan would not say it clearly, but Gu Cheng, who has matured into a mature man, must understand.
What else is there for Chen Kan to do with his Gu family?
Nothing more than the word military power.
Chen Kan wanted to insert his hands into the army. Without the permission of these veteran generals, even with the support of Zhu Di, it was basically impossible to do it.
If nothing else, Li Jinglong, the leader of the noble family, would not agree.
However, the Yongle Dynasty was another rare great era. Whether it was great navigation or the expansion of territory, it was inseparable from military power. If Chen Kan wanted to make a difference in the Yongle Dynasty, he would definitely not be able to avoid it. Open honor and military power.
The decline of the Gu family is inevitable. If Chen Kan had not intervened, it was unknown whether Gu Xingzu could successfully inherit the title.
But if Chen Kan intervenes, even if Gu Xingzu succeeds in inheriting the title, he will definitely follow Chen Kan's lead because of his friendship with Gu Cheng.
Gu Cheng's connections in the army were what Chen Kan was plotting.
At the beginning, Fang Xiaoru gave Chen Kan six words: "A gentleman is a friend but not a party."
Chen Kan believes that it is perfect to use it here.
He will not form cliques for personal gain, and all his starting points are to make Ming Dynasty more prosperous.
In this process, fame and fortune are just corresponding gifts.
With everyone's interests aligned, the atmosphere of the banquet naturally became high.
Even Gu Xingzu, who was pouring wine for the two of them, was forced to drink a few glasses by Chen Kan who was in high spirits. It was obvious that there were only three people in the banquet, but they were drank by three people and it felt like a loud crowd.
Hearing his old father's heroic laughter coming from the living room, Gu Tao became furious.
She thought her father would feel distressed if she didn't come to dinner, but she didn't expect that she was overthinking it.
It turns out that not eating was the right choice for her.
She had never seen her father so happy.
Thinking of this, she felt a little unbalanced in her heart. Why should he?
"snort!"
Gu Tao wanted to rush into the room and say a few harsh words, but the hunger in her stomach woke her up.
Since it's unnecessary for her to come to the living room, then it's okay for her to go to the kitchen to eat, right?
She angrily walked towards the kitchen and yelled: "Come here, cook for me, I'm hungry!"
No one paid attention to her, which made her even more angry. She kicked open the kitchen door, but there was no one there.
