Chapter 178: Back to Yangzhou
Three days later. Zhang Fan once again entered Yangzhou City. This is his second home in this era.
Yangzhou City in summer. It wasn't your average heat. Although it is closer to the north than Quanzhou. But after all, Yangzhou is still some distance from the sea. So it's hot here at the same time. And there is no moisture of the moist sea breeze. Except for the slight wind with yellow sand that blew from time to time. It's almost time to catch up with the capital.
However, Zhang Fan and his entourage have adapted to this situation. Needless to say, the factory guards among them. Although in the eyes of others. These are bullying lords. But they still at least have some of the temperament of a martial artist. This kind of hot weather is not difficult for them; Others were born in the South. Like Ruan'er. has long been accustomed to the situation; Of course. Zhang Fan also went through this month's baptism. I don't become too disgusted with this heat.
It was Richard and Joanna, the two overseas guests. Two men who had previously lived on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Perennial bathed in the Atlantic Ocean dynamic that pleasant afterlife. Where has this heat been felt. If it weren't for the fact that there are ice cubes that are hard to find in the summer. The two almost doubted that they would die of heat here. Come to think of it. The two couldn't help but think about it. Fortunately, the two of them ran into Zhang Fan when they went ashore. Count of this empire. It's still a real power. And the more hospitable earl. Otherwise, I will definitely suffer.
The only one who is indifferent to the weather is Zhu Yijun, who was still cursing this hot day some time ago. He has been with Ruan Er for the past few days. Not to mention how happy I was. Zhang Fan has only seen this kind of heat in people who are in love. But he also clearly knew that there was absolutely nothing like that between Zhu Yijun and Ruan Er. This couldn't help but confuse him again.
Speaking of Ruan'er. Zhang Fan intends to make a final test. Of course. This temptation was not directed at Ruan Er. He asked Wang Meng to do everything he could to find the news of Fang Zhenqian, the former sect leader of the Five Poisons Sect. And inadvertently revealed it to Ruan Er. Watch her have and react. This is Zhang Fan's final temptation. That day, he listened to Yingyue's words. I can't help but feel in my heart that maybe I was really wrong this time.
The imperial court sent to Yangzhou City again. How could the big and small officials and businessmen in the city not come to greet them. I would like to toast you with a glass of water and wine. This time, it was Wang Dezhao, the prefect of Yangzhou, who took the lead and stepped forward. In front of Zhang Fan, there was another burst of praise for merit. Count what Zhang Fan did in Quanzhou. The credit is exaggerated countless times. Zhang Fan, who listened to it, felt that even a thick-skinned person would not be able to bear it. And the officials behind Wang Dezhao also echoed for a while. It seems that they don't despise these sycophants that Wang Dezhao said at all. I even feel a little inadequate. Something to add one by one.
Zhang Fan really can't stand this disguised spiritual bombardment. almost snatched the water and wine from Wang Dezhao's hand. Drink it in a hurry. This can be regarded as escaping a "catastrophe".
Later, it was like the last time Zhang Fan first came. It was some big businessmen from Yangzhou who came. However, Wang Dezhao went through the last oolong incident. This time it's much more cautious. He personally went to Zhang Yufang's mansion and asked him to come with him. This time, Zhang Yufang was arranged in the front row to greet Zhang Fan. It didn't sound like much. If Zhang Yufang doesn't come. Zhang Fan would not blame Wang Dezhao or anything in the slightest. But that's what it looks like now. This made it difficult for Zhang Fan to step down. Anyway. Zhang Fan has now recognized his ancestors and returned to his ancestors. Zhang Yufang is his uncle. And now this scene. In the end, it was to let Zhang Yufang salute Zhang Fan and mess up the generation; still let Zhang Fan salute Zhang Yufang, thus confusing his dignity. This couldn't help but embarrass the uncle and nephew who were close at hand. I don't know what to do when I look at each other. The other merchants who came with him were somewhat aware of this picture. They all know the relationship between Zhang Yufang and Zhang Fan. Some of them are secretly gloating. They weren't looking at Zhang Fan's jokes. I want to know what kind of little shoes Zhang Fan will give Wang Dezhao to wear because of this embarrassment. But Wang Dezhao happily did a good deed on the side. He didn't realize how much trouble he was going to get into for this good deed.
In order to relieve this embarrassing situation. The businessmen on the side all bent down to salute Zhang Fan. They didn't care how Zhang Fan and Zhang Yufang should solve the problem of etiquette. The most important thing is that they have to show it. I didn't see anything.
It was not easy to relieve this awkward atmosphere. Zhang Fan just said some official words and left in a hurry. He and Zhang Yufang are on the same road. After all, in Yangzhou. This is where he belongs. Although for Zhang Fan. He didn't want to disturb his uncle's family too much. After all, he's busy with things. Someone came to him all day long. It was quite inconvenient to get in and out of my uncle's house. But Zhang Yufang was strongly invited. And if he still wants to refuse Zhang Yufang's words. Doesn't that seem a little impersonal? Zhang Yufang may think that the grievances of his previous life are still entangled in Zhang Fan's heart.
"Uncle. It's a good day at home. "Sitting in the same carriage as Zhang Yufang. Zhang Fan asked casually.
"It's okay, it's okay. Everything is fine at home. Zhang Yufang said. In fact, there are many things that he can't say. No. It's indescribable.
Since Zhang Fan returned to Yangzhou with a prominent identity to recognize his ancestors and return to his ancestors. The Zhang family's life has changed entirely. Of course. There are always two sides to change. There are good and bad.
There are indeed many good places. The Zhang family's business in Yangzhou City and Sifangzhou City is not something that can be described as hot now. Not all of them. Including some ordinary people, they are flocking to it. After all, the Zhang family makes jade. This stuff itself is not cheap. The big customers are still those wealthy officials and businessmen. It's just that the quality and quantity of things they buy have changed radically. And they have a very strange request. That is, you must ask the shopkeeper of the store to tell Zhang Yufang which family bought the jade of the Zhang family. also tried every possible way to meet Zhang Yufang.
The jade in many of the Zhang's shops is now in short supply. Orders from all parties. The reminder kept running to Zhang Yufang's desk. Fortunately, Zhang Yufang has always been a businessman. He instructed his master to polish and carve jade. There must be no mistakes due to rushing work. Not only should the quality of the work not be compromised. On the contrary, we need to strive for excellence more than before. Don't smash the signboard of the Zhang family.
Zhang Yufang and Zhang Fan's cousin Zhang Yan are both busy with the Zhang family's jade business. In addition, this period of time is because of Zhang Fan's influence. The Zhang family's business suddenly became booming. Both of them are busy. For many banquets, it can also be pushed. If you can't push it off, you have to keep a low profile. Zhang Yufang also often admonished Zhang Yan. You can only sigh about jade or business matters. But don't promise anything else. Although Zhang Yan is not much older than Zhang Fan. But I also know how powerful it is. Therefore, I also remember my father's teachings. Never deviated.
But the biggest change is the woman of the Zhang family. Whether it is Zhang Fan's aunt Wang, who is already a wife. It's still sister-in-law Han. or his cousin Zhang Ting, who has not yet left the cabinet. The lives of these people have changed dramatically because of Zhang Fan's arrival.
Women are already more gossipy. And also has a natural vanity. Now the father and son of the Zhang family are busy with business. It's very busy on weekdays. Rarely at home during the day. In this way. It became their job to go out or invite other women to their homes to meet and talk. Wang and Han became the leaders of the married women in the city of Yangzhou. Many people's wives and wives are vying to have a relationship with them. Or make friends with them. It's good to show yourself more different. You can make friends with the most important people in the city. Of course. Privately. These women will also gossip. Passed on the gossip to each other about the two women of the Zhang family. Then speak ill of each other about them. It's just jealousy. And the Wang family and the Han family didn't care about this kind of slanderous words at all. On the contrary, I feel that it is a kind of capital to raise my worth. After all, there are not many opportunities to be envied.
Let's talk about Zhang Fan's cousin Zhang Ting. This is even more incredible. Zhang Ting is a young lady who has not yet come out of the cabinet. There were not a few people who pursued her in the past in Yangzhou City. After all, although the Zhang family is only a merchant family. But after all, there is a large sum of silver. Most of her suitors are also the children of merchants. Xiang borrowed her and the Zhang family to unite. Expand your business. It's only natural. And now. The number of people pursuing her has increased dramatically. Moreover, the camp has also expanded compared to the previous merchant children. Many children of official families also expressed their courtship to Zhang Ting by Xu Ci. Even people from various states and counties around Yangzhou came to ask for relatives. Its purpose is self-evident.
And for Zhang Ting. The most significant change was in her social aspect. Just in the city of Yangzhou. There are not a few women who want to become close friends with Zhang Ting. And they all have almost the same purpose. Zhang Fan. These are also young girls who have not yet come out of the cabinet. Who hasn't had this kind of dream of flying on the branches and becoming a phoenix. However, when they knew that Zhang Fan had already married. Although there was a brief loss and jealousy of Ru Xue who could get such good luck. But right now. A new round of sales pitches to myself began. It's not that Zhang Ting doesn't know what kind of thoughts they have. But because she doesn't want to turn her face with these women who are holding her now. So they all acquiesced. But they never thought of really helping them match Zhang Fan or anything. What is this for? Zhang Ting herself can't say clearly. It's just that she always feels melancholy when she thinks of Zhang Fan.
Think about what's going on at home lately. Zhang Yufang really didn't know how to talk to Zhang Fan. He immediately skipped the conversation. Speaking of something else.
It didn't take long. The carriage stopped in front of Zhang's house. It's just that Zhang Fan, who hadn't entered the house yet, received an invitation to a banquet for him in the evening. Entertaining him was also his main goal. Liu Shan.