Next, Situ Mingyue, who was in a happy mood, asked about the basic situation of Northern Luzon. Wu Feng also picked up some introductions to the unique local customs. Situ Mingyue smiled and nodded repeatedly. It was rare for some knowledgeable ministers to see His Majesty the Emperor. When you are in a good mood, you will join in the conversation and laugh.
There were also several ministers with gloomy faces who did not join, including Minister of Military Affairs He Zhiqiu and Minister of Interior Lu Wenfu. There are also a few people who are not satisfied in their hearts, but they have to pretend to be happy on the outside, which is really embarrassing.
Happy time always passes quickly. When Situ Mingyue asked about Wu Feng's residence, he learned that Wu Feng did not have a residence in the Imperial Capital, so he immediately gave Wu Feng a large house located in the southeast section of Guihu Avenue in the Southern District of the Imperial Capital. , this was originally owned by a count in the empire, but this marquis became a victim in the official struggle between the imperial court and the central government. He was sent to the border as early as three years ago. This house was confiscated by the empire, and his family members went with him. , became an empty house, so it was given to Wu Feng by His Majesty the Emperor and became Wu Feng's residence in the imperial capital.
After the dynasty was over, Wu Feng, who was secretly happy, chatted and laughed humbly with the ministers who went to the dynasty together, and at the same time, he got to know some other ministers in the dynasty whom he did not know yet under the introduction of Wei Zhongxing, the imperial minister of culture, education and health. Wu Feng's humble conversation and low-key style, coupled with the great respect of officials who were older than him, at least on the surface, quickly won the favor of many ministers who had no conflict of interest with Wu Feng.
Considering that he still had considerable hostility from the opposition forces in the court, Wu Feng kept a low profile after entering the city. There were more than a hundred guards, but Wu Feng only brought 20 into the imperial capital. In addition, Qin Shuangying and Gu Yunxia were also daughters. Dress up as a man and disguise yourself as two personal guards to protect Wu Feng. After all, the imperial capital has been separated from Wu Feng's sphere of influence, and there is a mixture of fish and dragons, so the danger has increased. Qin Shuangying feels that the pressure has doubled. Even Gu Yunxia, who was originally a little relaxed, couldn't help but become serious when she saw Qin Shuangying's nervous look.
Wu Feng, who had just walked out of the palace gate, had not thought about where to go when an official who had been waiting outside the gate had already come forward to greet him.
"Sir Li, Zhang Deli from the Welfare and Logistics Department of the General Administrative Department has met you." The visitor looks like he is a low-level official in the empire. This status may be considered a figure in other places, but it is simply not worth mentioning in the imperial capital. It’s explained that they are just a handyman.
"Oh, Master Zhang is so polite." Wu Feng replied kindly.
"My humble duty is to take you to see the house given to you by His Majesty the Emperor. I wonder if you are free right now?" Zhang Deli, who was dressed as a poor man, asked respectfully with a humble look on his face.
Wu Feng was stunned. The efficiency of the General Administrative Office was really high. He had just left the house and was already waiting for him. "Okay, you can lead the way."
The group came to the east section of Guihu Avenue, and Wu Feng discovered that this place was not too far from the Imperial Military Academy where he had studied, and it was also located in the same place as the residence of Duke Marco, the patriarch of Angel's family, the Huey family. On a street, only Duke Marco's residence is in the west section, which is still quite far away from the mansion given to Wu Feng.
Walking into the courtyard of the mansion, Wu Feng noticed the courtyard almost at first sight. It was located at the end of the eastern section and the environment was very elegant. It seemed that it was surrounded by some poets and writers, which was similar to where Duke Marco was located in the western section. The situation in this area where wealthy families gather is quite different. The courtyard is divided into three levels and is a courtyard with a strong Tang ethnic flavor.
After entering the gatehouse, it is the first level. This should be the residence of the servants. It is large in area, but simple and plain, with the side rooms on both sides arranged neatly and orderly. Near the gate, there is a sidewalk leading to the east side yard, which is a side yard where vehicles and horses are parked. It is enough to park three or five carriages. The stable is clean and tidy, but it has not been cleaned for many years, so it looks a bit dilapidated. In the middle of the outer courtyard stands a banyan tree that is difficult for three people to hold. It seems that no one has come in for a while, and many dead branches and leaves are scattered on the ground.
After passing through the gate of the outer courtyard, we entered the middle courtyard. The area of the middle courtyard is smaller and appears more compact. The colors of the rooms on both sides are much brighter and brighter than those of the outer courtyard. In particular, there is a small pond in the courtyard with a few dead lotus plants standing in the water. , a small bridge crosses the pond, with winding corridors on both sides, which looks particularly elegant. This middle courtyard is usually where servants, maids, maids and other female servants live. A small door on the left leads to the small courtyard next to it, which should be the laundry room. and kitchen, and the corridor on the right leads to the west side courtyard, which is the guest room.
After passing through the main entrance of the central courtyard, you enter the inner courtyard. The inner courtyard is very spacious. Directly opposite is the main living room. A row of dark carved wooden chairs have been covered with a lot of dust and spider silk. On the wall next to it is a delicately framed calligraphy and painting. Still hanging on it, the words "Indifferent and bright, quiet and far-reaching" still show the glory of the original owner. To the east of the main living room is a small reception room, and next to it is a large study room. To the west, through a small door, there is the residence of the concubines. A winding corridor connects five or six small courtyards. The larger one is where the owner's wives, concubines and minor children live.
Behind the main house is a unique small garden, with a few ancient trees and a small pavilion. However, it has not been managed for a long time and is overgrown with weeds, shivering in the cold wind.
After taking Wu Feng to visit, the clerk surnamed Zhang secretly observed Wu Feng's face. Seeing that Wu Feng was very satisfied, he was also secretly happy. Wu Feng then politely declined the offer to help recruit servants and servants, but generously gave He was given a reward of three gold coins, and he went away with great gratitude. Before leaving, he also told Wu Feng that if he needed anything, he could just ask someone to recruit him at the General Administration Office, and he would be on call. Wu Feng also thought this person was quite interesting and agreed to him with a smile.
Thinking that he has no other residence in the imperial capital, although there are many empty houses in Gu Ji's place, if someone is careful and understands carefully, it is inevitable that the relationship will not be discovered. Wu Feng does not want to expose the relationship between Gu Ji and himself prematurely. Placing a hidden object in the imperial capital will play a far greater role than other aspects. ]
He can't always live in an inn. This is neither convenient nor a long-term solution. Who knows how long he will stay in this imperial capital. Thinking of this, Wu Feng made up his mind to make arrangements immediately for what the emperor had given him. This house is a good place to stay as soon as possible.
After Zhang Deli left, Wu Feng, Qin Shuangying and Gu Yunxia took a good stroll around the house before going out with satisfaction. The two daughters also like this mansion very much, especially the elegant and quiet environment in the inner courtyard, the spacious and independent small courtyard, the exquisite and unique small garden in the back, and even the small forest in the garden, which have deeply won the love of the two daughters.
The Eastern District of the Imperial Capital is a famous commercial and entertainment district. There is a famous large market in the middle of Cathay Avenue to the north. There are huge luxury shops in the market. What is strange is that although the shops are luxurious and rich, there are only some soft chairs. There are brocade stools and no other products. Some beautifully dressed servants stand at the door, but they do not greet the guests. Only when the guests step into the store, these servants will warmly greet them. There are no signboards hanging outside these shops, but everyone in the Imperial Capital knows that every shop here is engaged in the same industry. This is the most famous slave market in the Imperial Capital.
Wu Feng and his party were a little stunned when they came here. Although Wu Feng was from the Imperial Capital, he had left home since he was a child. After joining the army, he had no time to set foot in these places. He only knew about the famous slave market in the Imperial Capital and planned to buy a few slaves here. I went back to work as a handyman, but I didn't expect to find that there were so many shops here that I had no idea where to start. I couldn't help but regret that I should have left Zhang Deli behind and let him lead the way and act as a consultant.
Qin and Gu have never been to such a place, not to mention the guards who are following them. They all come from lower-class families and were promoted to Wu Feng's guards after fighting bloody battles with Wu Feng. Where have I seen these? scene. While he was hesitating, a voice came from behind: "Master Li, Master Li!"
Wu Feng was a little surprised. Could it be that he would meet an acquaintance when he walked to the entrance of this slave mall? I just entered the imperial capital!
Turning his head, he saw a luxurious four-wheeled carriage parked quietly beside him. Judging from the skill of the charioteer, he knew that the passengers in this carriage were no ordinary people. Several horse guards followed closely. Having already dismounted, one of them walked to the side of the car and gently opened the door. A thin, monkey-like old man slowly stepped out of the car.
When Wu Feng saw it, he was about to say hello when a luxury carriage screeched to a halt next to him. Even the guards around him became alert, worried about any accidents. Wu Feng was stunned. This carriage came unexpectedly. Could it be that it was also looking for him
Just as he was thinking about it, the door of the carriage opened automatically. It turned out that there was a mechanism designed on the door of this carriage. The driver only had to pull it lightly and the door would open automatically. A middle-aged businessman jumped out of the car, with a smile on his face, and rushed up to the thin monkey-like old man, holding Wu Feng's hand tightly, "Oh, Mr. Li, you worked so hard to find me. , fortunately I am well-informed and finally found you here."
The thin old man next to him turned pale with anger and said angrily: "Gong Quanran, why are you so rude? Didn't you meet Mr. Li first before you saw me?"
The middle-aged businessman pursed his lips and said with a smile: "Boss Wan, I'm sorry for you today. You see, I was the one who met Mr. Li first, right? You'd better make an early morning tomorrow!"
"Presumptuous! Even if your eldest brother comes, you don't dare to talk to me with this attitude. You Jiangnan people are so uneducated!" The thin monkey old man was so angry that he almost couldn't breathe.
"Then you should go talk to my elder brother. He is waiting for you in Gusu City. Go slowly!" The middle-aged businessman ignored the attitude of the old man and only wanted to greet Wu Feng.
Seeing that a quarrel was about to break out between the two, Wu Feng had no choice but to hold back his temper and help them resolve the issue, "I mean, you two, you two are both respectable people, so making such a big fuss on the street might damage your image. , if there’s anything, let’s come down and discuss it, okay?”
Seeing Wu Feng speak, the skinny monkey old man held back his anger and greeted Wu Feng, "Master Li, congratulations. I heard that His Majesty the Emperor appreciates you very much. It's rare for you to return to the imperial capital. I'm already relaxing We have settled down and are waiting for your visit. In the afternoon, we will go to the Pinhua Building to take a break. In the evening, the Imperial National Theater will have its first performance of the classic ballet "Romeo and Juliet" by the Royal Ballet of the Kingdom of Milan. I wonder if you are interested?"
He ignored the middle-aged businessman next to him as he spoke, obviously not taking him seriously.
A flash of anger flashed in the middle-aged businessman's eyes, but he resisted the urge to get angry. He just stared coldly at the thin monkey-like old man. Under the piercing gaze of the middle-aged businessman, the thin monkey-like old man remained the same as before, as if there was no one else around him. This made the middle-aged businessman even more angry.
Seeing this, Wu Feng knew that if he didn't resolve it, the two of them might really have a bitter feud, which would not do him any good, so he smiled and patted the two of them on the shoulders to show affection: "I Speaking of you two, we are all businessmen and friends of Li, so why is this necessary? I want to buy a few slaves here today. Your Majesty has rewarded me with a residence. I have no other family members in the imperial capital, so I have to Buy a few slaves to serve as servants. If you two are interested, how about we go shopping together?"
The thin monkey old man is Wan Renming, the owner of Wanfeng Bank, one of the four major banks in the imperial capital. He is also the first financial giant in the empire to develop in the northwest. He has been friends with Wu Feng for several years, and the middle-aged businessman is the second largest in Jiangnan. Bank - the second boss of Jinling Bank and an acquaintance of Wu Feng. He was the leader of Jinling Bank when it entered Jinzhou and was warmly welcomed by Wu Feng. The headquarters of Jinling Bank opened by him and his elder brother Gong Rending is located in Gu, Jiangnan County. Su Mansion, but because the two were originally from Jinling Mansion in Donghai County, in order to show that they did not forget their roots, they named their bank Jinling Bank.
Both families are members of the Imperial Financial Guild, but they have been incompatible with each other since ancient times. In addition, the business community in the Imperial Capital and the business community in Jiangnan have always looked down on each other, so they are not harmonious. When they meet today, they are naturally at odds with each other and refuse to give in.
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