The author said: It’s Chinese New Year, who can show some support…
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Zhou Cijing followed the two princes straight to the inner city. When they stopped in front of Qiu Yi's mansion, he realized that the word "humble abode" was not too modest at all. After getting off the horse and entering through the door, the three of them sat down in the main hall. Zhou Cijing sighed, "Confucius said: A gentleman is always poor, but a villain is poor and frivolous. Your Highness Yi is so poor, he is really a model of civility. I have been in the market for a long time, but I didn't expect that Your Highness Yi, who is so noble, still has such character. The famous general of our dynasty, Dai Luanxiang, once said: 'If military generals are not afraid of death and civil officials do not love money, the world will be peaceful.' Looking at it now, Your Highness Yi is really worthy of being a young hero!"
Qiu Yizi was embarrassed by Zhou Cijing's words and didn't know how to reply. Zheng Miao said, "Master Zhou, please don't underestimate my brother. Didn't you see the horse under his crotch and the sword on his waist? One is a Ferghana horse and the other is a precious sword from the Western Regions. If we talk about their value, I'm afraid that even the master's building in Guangyang can't exchange for one of them!"
After hearing this, Yizhi hurriedly took off the sword from his waist and handed it to Zhou Cijing for viewing. Then he remembered that he was here to invite Zheng Miao and Zhou Cijing to dinner, so he said "Please stay with me" and left the table to walk towards the kitchen in the yard to see if there was anything else to serve them.
Unexpectedly, the lame gatekeeper, Old Wang, knew that Qiu Yizhi had gone to Zheng Miao's house early in the morning and would have lunch there as usual before returning, so there was no food prepared at home. This made the adopted son of the King of Youyan very embarrassed. He searched through boxes and cabinets and finally found half a jar of white radish pickled by Old Wang in the corner. There was also some leftover rice in the pot on the stove, but the weather was hot, and although it had not deteriorated, it smelled a little sour. Qiu Yizhi hurriedly poured half a can of sugar into it, soaked it in hot water and stirred it evenly. He picked up a few grains of rice with his hands and tasted it. It was sweet and delicious, so he divided the sweet soaked rice and pickled white radish into three portions and served them together.
In the hall, Zheng Miao talked with Zhou Cijing for a long time. When he saw Qiu Yizhi coming back, he asked loudly, "My dear brother, you have been away for a long time. I wonder what kind of food you prepared?"
Qiu Yizi's face had already flushed red. He placed the three bowls of rice in his hand on the table and said to the two distinguished guests with a shameless face, "Please enjoy." But he did not dare to say another word.
Zhou Cijing had an engagement, and he had to have a feast with wealthy businessmen in Guangyang City at noon, so he ate very little breakfast. He was already starving now, and he didn't care what kind of food was in front of him. He picked up the bowl and chopsticks without hesitation and shoveled rice into his mouth, taking a bite of pickled radish from time to time. As he ate, he actually shed tears.
Qiu Yizhi felt even more embarrassed when she saw this. She thought Zhou Cijing was used to eating delicacies from land and sea, and was reluctant to eat this crude meal because of her face, so she cried out of grievance. Just as she was racking her brains to think of how to make things right, Qiu Yizhi saw Zhou Cijing had already eaten a bowl of rice and slowly put down the bowl. Then she heard him say, "Excuse me... Although I was born in an official family, my father died early, and my mother raised me up alone, hoping that I could pass the exam and bring glory to the family. However, I am not talented and learned, and I failed many times. I became rich in the business world, which really let my loving mother down... To be honest, my mother raised me with this white rice and radish..." As she spoke, she sobbed.
Zheng Miao then realized that the most famous man in Guangyang City, Zhou Cijing, also had such a grudge in his heart. He felt ashamed of his profound knowledge and quick response, and hurriedly comforted him: "My brother wanted to follow the example of the ancient sage Mr. Xigu and treat the master with white rice, white water, and white radish. He only hoped that the master could sympathize with the hardships of the people. I didn't expect that I would touch the master's heart. It's really a great sin! I apologize on my brother's behalf!"
Zhou Cijing then took out the Suzhou embroidery handkerchief from his bosom, wiped his tears, and said, "Your Highnesses, I appreciate your deep feelings! I will never forget your kindness in helping the poor. I heard that the prince has taken in countless rioters, and I am afraid that the government finances will be unable to cope with it. Your Highnesses, just tell me the number, and I will not refuse."
Zheng Miao waved his hand and said, "I am responsible for the resettlement of more than 100,000 rioters. The matter is going smoothly, but I would like to thank Mr. Zhou for his care for the people and his sympathy for the court." After saying that, he bowed slightly to the people present.
Zhou Cijing hurriedly responded, "Of course, of course. If the two princes and the Youyan Palace need my services, please feel free to ask. I will not refuse even a single word."
Qiu Yizhi quickly took over the conversation and said, "I have a small matter right now and I need the help of Mr. Zhou. The Prince of Youyan's Mansion has encountered a troublesome matter. I wonder if you have heard of it?"
Zhou Cijing glanced at the two of them and said, "But the court has been impeaching the prince recently?"
Qiu Yizhi had heard that wealthy businessmen had always been closely connected with officials, and that such a big disturbance in the court could not be concealed, so he said, "My adoptive father has already submitted a letter to the emperor. I believe that with the emperor's wisdom, this disturbance will gradually disappear."
Zheng Rong has always been highly valued by the emperor, which is a fact known to all the court and the public. This trust is far from being shaken by a few censors and petty officials. Therefore, Qiu Yizi's words sounded reasonable to Zhou Cijing, and he kept nodding in agreement.
Qiu Yizi continued, "However, after this dispute, my godfather also had other considerations..." As he spoke, he subconsciously looked around and said, "Originally, only my godfather and my brothers knew about this. Mr. Zhou, please don't spread it. If others find out, I will think that the master is trying to alienate us father and son, and I will not admit it then."
Zhou Cijing heard this and said: "That's natural, that's natural!"
After hearing this, Yizhi continued, "My adoptive father thought that the world is no longer the same as it used to be, and it is difficult to distinguish between good and evil. If he does not pave a way for his descendants while he is at the top of his position, the consequences will be disastrous if they are framed by treacherous officials in the future. That is why he asked the court to confer titles on my brothers. I am jealous, but it is not that the descendants of a noble family do not have such a blessing, so I asked my father to reward me with the title of Xiaolian, and I am going to the capital to go around and make a name for myself!"
Zhou Cijing was originally a scholar who had just earned a reputation in the past few years. He knew the intricacies of this very well, but he asked, "With the prestige and connections of the prince, it is really easy to do this. Why would you need me?"
Qiu Yizi grinned and said, "Master Zhou, you don't know this. My adoptive father has always been very self-respecting and never interacted with officials in the court. Besides, the family education in the Youyan Palace is the strictest. Look at my brothers, they were all awarded the title of marquis based on their military merits. When did they ever take advantage of my adoptive father? This time, I got the title of Juren, which is a great honor given to me by my adoptive father. How can I ask him to trouble for such a mundane thing? I hope Master Zhou will understand."
Qiu Yizhi's words made sense, and Zhou Cijing couldn't help but believe it. He pondered for a long time before asking, "Then I wonder how I can serve His Highness Yi?"
"Well, I have heard that Mr. Zhou is a famous Confucian businessman, and he has exchanged poems with the officials in the court. Therefore, I dare to ask you to introduce me to him. I will then reveal my identity. I believe that you will do me a favor and give me a position for the sake of my adoptive father..." Qiu Yizi replied.
Zhou Cijing knew in his heart that this so-called "poetry and lyrics" was just a polite name for paying tribute and bribing officials. As for seeking an official position, although he had coveted it for a long time, the people in the capital looked down on his identity as a businessman. He gave countless silver and treasures, but he couldn't get what he wanted. However, now an opportunity fell from the sky. With the status of being second only to the King of Youyan, the officials of the six ministries were busy trying to curry favor with him, so how could they make things difficult for the adopted son of the royal family in such a trivial matter? Not only would he do a favor for himself, but he might even be able to get a position by borrowing the opportunity. At that time, even if he was appointed as a Yuanwailang in any department, the title of "Yuanwai Zhou" would be extremely famous!
Thinking of this, Zhou Cijing couldn't help but smile and said, "Your Highness, this is a great event. It is an honor for me that you can think of asking me to handle it. I will definitely help you!"
After chatting about the Chamber of Commerce for a while, Zhou Cijing stood up to say goodbye. Before leaving, he exchanged the two bottles of "Junshan Chunlu" wine he brought with him for the jar of pickled white radish with Qiu Yizi.
The next day, Qiu Yizi got up early and went to the Prince of Youyan's Mansion first. He reported to his adoptive father Zheng Rong about his conversation with Zhou Cijing yesterday. He also said that Zhao Chengxiao was born with supernatural powers and was extremely reliable, and it would be of great use to have him by his side on this trip. He also asked his adoptive father to allocate two more horses and send his trusted men to travel back and forth between Luoyang and Guangyang to exchange information.
All of the above were proposed by Qiu Yizi after careful consideration for an entire afternoon. Zheng Rong specially summoned Zhong Li Kuang to discuss them in detail. After finding nothing wrong with them, he agreed to all of them.
When Qiu Yizhi said goodbye and left the palace, she happened to see Yiran coming back from outside. She hurried forward to greet him and said, "I was sent to Luoyang by my adoptive father to do some work. I'm sure you know about it. I don't know when I can go home and see you again!"
Yi Ran was already in love, and she knew the meaning of Qiu Yizhi's words. She felt a little sad, but she said very toughly, "You haven't even left the house yet, and you're already thinking about going home? Aren't you afraid of disappointing the prince and Mr. Zhongli?"
Qiu Yizi didn't expect that the sentence he had been thinking about for a long time would be countered by Yiran like this, so he could only laugh at himself and said, "My princess, your advice is very polite. I will remember it."
"Well, it's good that you know!" Yiran said, patting Yizhi's shoulder, "Don't worry. In a few days, I will let Yelu go to Luoyang in the name of delivering tribute. If you need him, just tell him. It will be like adding a helper to you."
Qiu Yizi nodded and said leisurely: "I know what you mean!"
After leaving the palace, Qiu Yizi did not stop and made an appointment with Zheng Miao to go to Zhou Cijing's residence.
Zhou Cijing was actually a very busy man. He was talking to several wealthy businessmen. When he heard from his servants that the two princes wanted to see him, he hastily sent the businessmen away. Seeing that it was getting late, he prepared a banquet and talked with the two princes while eating.
Zhou Cijing was indeed a wealthy man. He served famous dishes such as Jiuzhuan Large Intestine, Lotus Abalone, Crab Roe Scrambled Eggs, Tai Chi Prawns, Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Longjing Shrimp, etc. The ingredients were good and the cooking was exquisite. Even though Qiu Yizhi was full of worries, she ate very happily, but she did not dare to delay. She told the host Zhou Cijing that this matter should be done as soon as possible. She had discussed it with her adoptive father and had to leave early tomorrow morning, so Zhou Cijing needed to prepare.
Zhou Cijing was also eager to get an official position, but he didn't expect Qiu Yizhi to be even more anxious than he was, leaving him unprepared. But he didn't dare to go against the wishes of the adopted son of the King of Youyan, lest he delay his future. He thought about it and said, "I didn't expect that Your Highness would be so swift and decisive, and I was caught off guard. I can leave these businesses to my sons and nephews, but there are some matters in the Chamber of Commerce that I can't explain in time, so I hope that Your Highness can take care of me in your busy schedule."
Zheng Miao was originally the nominal president of Guangyang Chamber of Commerce, so he naturally could not refuse this matter and nodded in agreement.
Qiu Yizhi had to say goodbye to Zheng Xin and Zheng Sen, and she also had to sort out some household affairs, so she only tasted a few bites of each dish, then left. She was busy for the entire afternoon before she finally lay down to sleep. (To be continued)