Su Xuan smiled and said, "Since you like it, I'll show you around."
The Countess nodded, "Okay."
About an hour later, the Countess came to say goodbye. Zhulan presented her with the gift she had prepared. Seeing the sparkling eyes in the Countess's eyes, Zhulan's mood also improved a little.
Su Xuan sent the Countess away and came back, "Mom, she wants to buy my merchant ship."
Zhulan, "Does she have this money?"
Although the time of contact was short, she discovered that the countess was not rich and obviously did not inherit much property.
Su Xuan admired her mother-in-law's observation skills very much. The first time she received a gift, she didn't realize that the countess was not wealthy. If she hadn't talked frankly today, she would have observed for a few days. "No, so you want to give it to me over the years."
Zhulan became interested, "Instalments?"
Su Xuan heard this word, it was really accurate, "Yes, she won't take advantage of me. Before she pays off the money, I will take 20% of the merchant ship's income until the money is paid off."
Zhulan asked, "How much do you know about this countess?"
Su Xuan, "All I know is what she said. She told me very frankly that she didn't inherit a lot of gold coins, but only a large piece of land."
That's why she had the courage to come to a place where gold was everywhere. It was obvious that she was a very brave girl.
In the following days, Su Xuan was very busy, and Zhu Lan would sometimes pay attention to her.
At the Ministry of Revenue, the retired emperor took Zhou Shuren and changed into casual clothes, and the two of them came to the place where there were the most foreign shops.
Zhou Shuren couldn't guess the emperor's intention, "Do you want to buy anything?"
The Emperor shook his head, "I just want to see more."
Zhou Shuren was not very interested in the things in the foreign shop. There were all kinds of good things in modern times. He just took a few glances and followed the emperor.
The emperor visited several shops and said, "Today I will also try the foreign restaurant."
Zhou Shuren knew that when the restaurant was first opened, it caused quite a stir in Beijing. People were curious and wanted to try it for themselves no matter how expensive it was.
This resulted in the fact that, although the taste was not as good as that of the exquisite dishes, this Western restaurant was still quite crowded.
The emperor had also heard about it. He held the knife and fork in his hand, looked at the lamb chops in front of him, frowned, and didn't know where to start cutting.
Zhou Shuren hadn't held a knife and fork for a long time, and he felt very unfamiliar with it. Looking at the lamb chops, he really had no appetite.
The emperor didn't want to make things difficult for himself, so he put down his knife and fork. He didn't want to see a doctor after eating. "The emperor is planning to send someone to stay abroad permanently."
Zhou Shuren drank coffee. Let’s not talk about food, the coffee was pretty good. “It’s pretty good. There are many foreigners living in the capital city at the post station now.”
The emperor looked at Zhou Shuren drinking the dark coffee mouthful by mouthful, frowning, "Isn't it bitter?"
At that time, foreigners gave me a lot of it, but after tasting it, I didn't want to drink it again.
Zhou Shuren, "It's OK, the taste is quite unique."
The emperor looked at him strangely. Zhou Shuren's taste was really special. "There are quite a few in the palace. I'll send some to you later."
Zhou Shuren was thinking of not wanting to waste it, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The emperor continued, "This trip will come back every few years."
Zhou Shuren was very shrewd. The emperor would not say this to him for no reason. "What do you want to tell me?"
The Emperor said, "I think your second son is good, and the Emperor is also optimistic about him."
The last time he sold ships, Zhou Changyi showed his ability to stir up trouble. Moreover, Zhou Changyi was good at languages and had research on foreigners, so he and the emperor chose Zhou Changyi.
Zhou Shuren touched the coffee cup with his fingertips, "Changyi's official rank is not high."
The emperor saw through Zhou Shuren at a glance, "It is indeed not high, but he is the second son of the earl, this status is enough."
Zhou Shuren, "..."
Oh, he was always called Lord Zhou and he even forgot that he was an earl.
The emperor added, "If he wants to lead the team, he must be able to suppress others."
Zhou Shuren looked at the emperor expectantly. What he meant was that his son would be promoted!
The emperor retired stopped talking, picked up the coffee cup and took a sip, then pretended to be too much, it was so bitter that his face was distorted.
Zhou Shuren, “… .”
He really wanted to laugh.
Today Zhou Shuren understood why the emperor wanted to see him, so he let Changyi know in advance and let him take the initiative. After all, it would take several years to go to a foreign country, and no one would want their son to go there.
After dinner, Zhou Shuren left his sons behind and told Changyi the emperor's idea, "This is your chance. Of course, if you don't want to go, Dad won't force you."
It all depends on Changyi's own choice. No matter what the future holds, he is only responsible for setting the ladder.
Chang Yi asked, "Dad, do you know which country we are going to?"
Zhou Shuren asked back, "So what if I know?"
Chang Yi knew that his question was a little silly. Indeed, it didn't matter whether he knew it or not. Chang Yi thought about it carefully. Several years would pass. This meant that when his daughter got married, he, as a father, might not be at home and would have to be separated from his wife for several years.
Zhulan knew that the emperor and the emperor emeritus were aware that not many people would take the initiative to go, so she informed Zhou Shuren in advance. In a strange country, Chinese people are really not as good as foreigners in making trouble. It would be great to be an official in your own country. Not everyone can leave their homeland.
Boss Zhou opened his mouth, as the eldest brother he couldn't help his younger brother.
Changzhi thought a lot. If his second brother agreed, he would definitely be promoted as long as he came back.
Chang Yi naturally knew that if he followed the routine, his promotion would be very slow. Thinking of his two sons, Chang Yi clenched his fingers slowly, "Dad, my son wants to go."
Zhou Shuren hummed. He had planned this for his second son back then. Now he was the calmest. "You can complete your small goal ahead of schedule this year."
Chang Yi understood, "My son will be promoted?"
"Nine times out of ten."
Chang Yi no longer felt conflicted. As long as he could get promoted, all the difficulties could be overcome.
Zhulan looked at the changes in her second son and thought, what a man he is.
Zhou Shuren told his sons to just keep the news to themselves so as not to leak it.
In the following days, the emperor also took action and met with many foreign officials stationed at the post stations. The shrewd ones could guess something.
Mingyun finally returned to the capital. Zhulan held on to her grandson's clothes and refused to let go. "Mingyun has been wronged and has lost weight."
Mingyun touched his belly and said, "Grandma, I'm not thin."
On the contrary, he has gained some weight.
Zhulan, "Nonsense, I've obviously lost weight."
Li also spoke up, tears welling up in her eyes, "The damn Zhao family bullied my son. Look how much thinner he has become because of the bullying."
Mingyun, "..."
He'd better not say anything. The more he talked, the thinner he became.
Zhulan saw the food being served, "The servant came back early to report the news, so grandma asked the kitchen to prepare it. You must be hungry, come and eat."
Mingyun was not hungry, really not hungry. He had eaten all the way in the carriage and his stomach was full now.
Facing grandma and mother, he was silent for a moment, then sat down and ate obediently.
Ming Teng and the others were shaking their shoulders. It was rare to see the eldest brother looking so sad but without tears. It was so funny.