More than ten days later, Jizhou, in the city of Jingcheng.

"My lord! The subordinates are incompetent, and I hope that the lord will forgive his subordinates......" Zhen Yan stood in front of Zhang Yan and said in a respectful voice.

Yes, it is Zhang Yan, since Zhang Yan rose and became a hegemon in Zhongshan, Changshan and other places, as the Zhen family, a giant businessman in Zhongshan, it is naturally impossible to be ignored by Zhang Yan. In fact, except for Zhongshan, all the wealthy merchants and landlords who occupied the place were targeted by Zhang Yan.

Some people chose to flee, such as Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping, while the Zhen family stayed.

In order to protect the family, Zhen Yi, the head of the Zhen family, chose to give in to Zhang Yan, so that although the Zhen family was still a wealthy merchant in Zhongshan on the surface, he had been secretly helping Zhang Yan buy various military supplies. Even in the past, when Zhang Yan sent troops to merge with the state, because Zhen Yi had been a county commander, he was directly appointed by Zhang Yan as a military advisor to go on the expedition together.

Although this situation sounds a little contemptible, it has to be said that with Zhang Yan's big backer, the Zhen family's status in Zhongshan has risen sharply. Perhaps, this is also the reason why Zhang Shiping and others left? If you are not willing to be attached, then your business will definitely not be able to get those wealthy businessmen who choose to be attached.

And just two years ago, Zhen Yi died of illness, and Zhen Yan, who was only 16 years old, was praised by Zhang Yan as the head of the family. In this regard, the Zhen family does not have too many objections, after all, Zhen Yi has already chosen to rely on Zhang Yan during the period, so as long as the Zhen family can be preserved, what about the rest? And in addition to not having a crown salute, Zhen Yan is indeed the only candidate for the head of the family.

"Forget it, I can't blame you for this." Zhang Yan chuckled when she heard this, but then her expression became serious again, "The matter of horses, since it doesn't work in Bingzhou, then you can go to Youzhou to buy it." More expensive is more expensive, but it has to be fast! ”

"Please rest assured, this matter will be handled by his subordinates!" Zhen Yan replied respectfully.

Seeing this, Zhang Yan nodded and said, "As long as your Zhen family works well for me, I will definitely not treat you badly." Even...... I can recommend you as officials, after all, the imperial court has given me the qualification to promote filial piety, although it may not be useful in other places, but in Zhongshan and Changshan, the county order or the county guard or something......"

Zhang Yan pointed and said with a smile, although the territory given to Zhang Yan by the imperial court was only a mountain area north of the Yellow River, but after all, its main force had been raging in Changshan and Zhongshan for many years. Whether it was Wang Fen before or the newly appointed Jizhou Assassin Shi now, they all subconsciously ceded Changshan and Zhongshan to Zhang Yan to manage.

Although this is a bit contemptible, no matter what, that Zhang Yan is now also an official of the imperial court. And the new Jizhou Assassin doesn't think he can stay here for long, so why bother making more trouble?

"Thank you, my lord!" Hearing this, Zhen Yan hurriedly thanked him. The tone was very excited. Well, although he himself works for Zhang Yan, in addition to protecting the Zhen family, he does have the idea of being an official, but he never thought that Zhang Yan would take the initiative to bring it up, and depending on what he meant, he was ready to reuse himself?

"Well, let's go......" Zhang Yan nodded and said, but just as Zhen Yan was about to leave, Zhang Yan's voice suddenly floated over again, "By the way, I'm going to find a time to take your sister Zhen Jiang as a concubine, you can choose an auspicious day for the zodiac." ”

Hearing this, Zhen Yan was stunned for a moment, but before he could speak, Zhang Yan spoke again, "I believe in the loyalty of the Zhen family and you, but sometimes the in-laws will be more reliable." I think you should understand this. Speaking of this, Zhang Yan's tone obviously had a hint of threat.

“…… This is the honor of the subordinates......" Zhen Yan was silent and did not flick his fingers, and then said respectfully. As Zhang Yan said, in-laws are undoubtedly more trustworthy than many forms in many cases.

Offering her sister in exchange for glory and wealth and the peace of the family sounds very shameful, but what other choice can Zhen Yan have? Revolt? If Zhang Yan really wants to destroy the Zhen family, it is estimated that he will just turn down his palm, and no one will avenge the Zhen family.

After all, a local wealthy businessman and the Montenegrin army, which is known as a million-strong army, obviously don't need to think too much about which side the imperial court should appease. Therefore, when Zhen Yan returned home, he directly sent his sister Zhen Jiang to Jingcheng City, even if Zhen Jiang was only 14 years old, and he had not even been able to hold the ceremony.

And in this regard, no one in the Zhen family has any objections, and even many people are happy, because in their opinion, from now on, their Zhen family will definitely be more wealthy!

Seeing that the Zhen family was so deferential, Zhang Yan was immediately overjoyed, and immediately appointed Zhen Yan as the county magistrate of Jingcheng County, and the affairs of the Zhen family were changed to his mother Zhang Rong to take care of them. and said that after his crown salute, he would recommend it to the imperial court.

In April, the three dukes were replaced again, in November last year, Cui Lie, the chief lieutenant who spent money to buy the position of the three dukes, was dismissed and succeeded by Cao Song, the great farmer, but this year, Cao Song was removed because of a little trivial matter, and was succeeded by Fan Ling, the Shaofu of Yongle.

It's just that this old man didn't stay in the position of captain for too long, because in June, because of a strong wind blowing in Luoyang, the dignified captain had to step down and was succeeded by Ma Riwa, the captain of the shooting sound.

In August, Situ Xu Xiang was dismissed and replaced by Sikong Ding Palace, and the vacant position was replaced by Guangluxun Liu Hong. Yes, Liu Hong, not Liu Hong, maybe it was the Spirit Emperor Liu Hong who felt that this name was very kind, so he deliberately removed Xu Xiang for him?

Well, many times Sangong is indeed just a mascot-like existence, but even so, he is nominally the leader of a hundred officials, how can he change the leader so casually? Perhaps, the Spirit Emperor did this because he was worried that the power of the scholar would grow again, right? After all, no matter how powerful the eunuch's power is, as the emperor, he can take it back at any time.

However, it was obviously impossible for the scholars to be so willing, and they met with Yang Biao and the Yuan brothers from time to time to discuss, trying to regain the dominance of the court. But obviously, whether it is He Jin, who is a relative, or the eunuch Zhang Rang, it is impossible to easily let the scholar regain the upper hand.

It's just that Spirit Emperor Liu Hong obviously doesn't care much about the struggle between these courtiers, for him, as long as the tripartite balance can be maintained, then it doesn't matter how they make trouble.

"But you can't let them fight like this all the time, every time they go to court, there are always endless arguments......" Liu Hong hugged several concubines, enjoying their service while pondering in his heart.