When Yangzhou was in turmoil, Xuzhou was still singing and dancing. Xuzhou Beijia Mizhu held a birthday banquet of his own at home, inviting all the wealthy businessmen and wealthy families in Xuzhou.

Mi Zhu was inspired by the investment promotion conference held by Liu Wei in Chang'an, and Mi Zhu also held a small investment promotion conference in Xuzhou in the name of celebrating his birthday. The purpose is to bid for the porcelain agency rights of the four prefectures of Yu, Xu, Jing and Yang, which they have obtained, to the agency at the county level.

Mi Zhu's idea is very smart, and the result of holding the investment promotion conference made the money he invested in Chang'an quickly recovered, after all, porcelain is a thing that everyone looks at is red.

More importantly, after Mi Zhu and his party in Chang'an, he learned about the intention of the Son of Heaven to start supporting industry and commerce, and the future commercial development is unlimited. And this time, through this small investment conference, he will gather all the powerful businessmen in Xuzhou around him, and then slowly integrate them, and he will become the leader of Xuzhou businessmen. At that time, I will definitely gain a lot in the future business development.

Compared with the bustle in the lobby in the front yard of Mifu, the house in the backyard is deserted.

Mi Zhen sat by the window of a small building, looking out against the railing. The remnant sun hung in the west, dyeing the sky a dusk.

The sound of drums in the vestibule sounded in unison, and bursts of music came into the back house, Mi Zhen didn't pay any attention to the pleasant music outside, just looked at the sky in a daze.

Seeing her like this, the personal maid Qian'er couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you thinking about that person again?" “

Mi Zhen's face turned red, and she said angrily: "Qian'er, don't talk nonsense! “

Qian'er grew up with Mi Zhen since she was a child, and although the two are master and servants, they are like sisters. How could Mi Zhen's heart not be known. After returning from Chang'an, Mi Zhen never forgot the chance encounter in the palace.

Qian'er knew that the person Mi Zhen was thinking about was the young Son of Heaven today, but the status of the two was very different, and one was in Luoyang and the other was in Xuzhou, and the possibility of another intersection was very small, Qian'er didn't want to see Mi Zhen being burdened by the love of the mirror, so she persuaded her: "Miss, we are just a commoner, and the Son of Heaven is supreme, how can we think about it." “

Mi Zhen was silent. In fact, Qian'er said that she also thought about it on weekdays, but she had feelings in her heart, but she could never cut it off.

Every time I think about this, I am sad.

Originally, her brother Mi Zhu brought her to Chang'an to prepare to send her to the palace to accompany the Son of Heaven, in order to achieve the purpose of glorifying the lintel, but Mi Zhu did not say a word about this matter after returning from Chang'an, and was just busy with things and business contacts in the state every day, but he didn't know that Mi Zhen had already sprouted since she returned from Chang'an.

"Let's go to Luoyang!" The silent Mi Zhen suddenly came out with such a sentence.

Qian'er was taken aback. She had never gone far alone in her life, and the only time she went out was when she returned to her hometown Xiaopei to visit her parents and sister Gan Mei accompanied by others. And Mi Zhen often goes to business with Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, but that is accompanied and protected by many people, and now the two of them are on the road......

Qian'er was frightened, and dissuaded Mi Zhen and said: "It's a long way to Luoyang, and now it's in chaos, just the two of us can't get there." Besides, even if we arrive in Luoyang, the Son of Heaven lives in the palace, which is not something we can easily see. “

"I just want to be closer to him." Mi Zhen said faintly.

Qian'er was silent, she didn't know how to persuade Mi Zhen, and she knew that Mi Zhen had a strong personality, and she would never look back once she thought about it.

hesitated in his heart whether he should tell Mi Zhu or Mi Fang about Mi Zhen's dangerous thoughts, and Mi Zhen suddenly said, "Qian'er, go and call the second brother." “

Qian'er was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Mi Zhen wanted to do, but she called Mi Fang as ordered.

Mi Fang was already a little drunk at this time, and after following Qian'er up the small building, she saw Mi Zhen sitting there, so she smiled and said, "What is the third sister looking for me?" “

"I've been bored lately, and Zhen'er wants to go out for a walk." Mi Zhen said.

When Mi Fang heard this, she immediately said happily: "It's just right, I also want to take the third sister out to have a look." ”

Mi Zhen has been depressed since returning to Xuzhou, staying in the house and not even going to the back garden of the house. Mi Zhu was busy and didn't pay attention, but Mi Fang saw it in her eyes and hurt in her heart. Although I haven't had the opportunity to ask Mi Zhen why she is like this, Mi Zhen proposed to go out today, and Mi Fang was naturally overjoyed.

"In two days, I will take my third sister to Xiapi for a walk. I heard that Pi Cheng Zhen Rong built a Futu Temple, the spirit is magnificent, there is a pagoda in the temple, the gold plate is set up, the heavy building is built below, the tower body is nine layers octagonal, each side is inlaid with a copper mirror, the top of the tower is also equipped with a copper mirror facing the sky, people call it 'Nine Mirror Tower'. Every day, Zhenrong will gather in the tower to recite Buddhist scriptures, many Buddhist believers will go there to worship, and the Buddha bathing festival will be more lively. ”

Mi Zhen was not interested in the Nine Mirrors Pagoda that Mi Fang talked about endlessly, and took advantage of Mi Fang's speech, Mi Zhen asked with a smile: "I vaguely heard that the eldest brother was going to send you to Chang'an?" ”

Mi Fang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly patted her head and said apologetically: "Oh, look at my memory!" It's okay, I'll send a few people to accompany you. ”

"It's not in a hurry to go to Futu Temple, why don't I accompany my second brother to Chang'an?" Mi Zhen said with a smile.

Mi Zhen's words made Mi Fang excited, and the wine also woke up more than half.

"You're going too?" Mi Fang's eyes widened.

"With me assisting the second brother, it will definitely get twice the result with half the effort." Mi Zhen showed a look that was completely for Mi Fang's good.

Mi Fang was not a fool, and immediately shook her head and objected: "No, no." Now that there are frequent wars outside, I am going to be a light car, and it is quite dangerous for you to go with it. ”

Mi Zhen said unhappily: "Didn't you take me with you last time you went to Chang'an, why do you want to say that it is dangerous this time." ”

Mi Fang explained: "The last time I went to Chang'an was to show our strength, there were more guards, and the pomp was also large, and the cost was huge. And this time it's just an ordinary errand, and it can't be so many guards and so much expense. ”

Mi Fang then persuaded Mi Zhen: "If the third sister wants to go for a walk in the distance, after a while, the eldest brother and I will go south to Yangzhou to discuss the right to sell porcelain, maybe I can take you." ”

Mi Zhen didn't want to go to Yangzhou, and continued to say to Mi Fang: "Second brother, little sister just wants to go out for a walk now, and she is not afraid of any danger." Besides, the second brother is strong in martial arts and has extraordinary skills, and he will be able to protect his little sister. ”

Mi Zhen touted for a while, which made Mi Fang a little fluttering, bowed her head and pondered, Mi Zhen then said: "If the second brother is still not at ease, just go to Luoyang and leave me there, I can take a look at the customs of Luoyang." ”

Mi Zhen wanted to go to Luoyang, Mi Fang didn't know her thoughts, and she didn't think about it elsewhere. After a while, he said again: "The third sister really wants to accompany her, so I have to inform the eldest brother." ”

If Mi Zhu knew that he could still do it?

Mi Zhen stopped Mi Fang and said: "I can talk to the eldest brother about this matter, and the second brother may not agree to it." ”

Mi Fang nodded in agreement.

***************

Compared with the lanterns of Mi Mansion, which is very lively, although the mansion of Yuan Peixiang Chen Qi is also a gathering of guests, it is relatively elegant and quiet. The celebrities who come and go, and the guests who come to Chen's Mansion are all heavyweights in Xuzhou.

Guangling Taishou Zhao Yu, Zhizhong Wang Lang, Chen Qi's son Diannong Lieutenant Chen Deng, as well as Cao Bao, a lieutenant from the Cao clan of Xuzhou, and Zhang Zhao, a native of Pengcheng who had just been released from prison.

Zhang Zhao was very famous when he was young, but he was very modest. Tao Qian admired his talent and wanted to summon him into his command, but he was unexpectedly rejected by Zhang Zhao. Tao Qian thought that Zhang Zhao was despising him, so he arrested Zhang Zhao and put him in prison. Thanks to Zhao Yu and Chen Deng's many words, he was rescued.

This time, everyone gathered together to celebrate Zhang Zhao's escape from prison, and secondly, Chen Qi and Chen Deng, father and son, also wanted to take this opportunity to unite the famous and wealthy families in Xuzhou to fight against the growing strength of the East China Sea Mi clan.

It is too much to say that the confrontation is a bit excessive, but the Chen family, as a prominent family in Xuzhou, has always despised the Mi family, which started in the form of nouveau riche, and since Mi Zhu came back from Chang'an, he has united the wealthy families of Xuzhou with great fanfare, and there is a tendency to make the Mi family the first wealthy family in Xuzhou.

This series of actions aroused the dissatisfaction and jealousy of the Chen clan and other Xuzhou orthodox clans, so Chen Jue decided to unite with other Xuzhou clans, hoping to suppress the development of the Mi clan in Xuzhou.

Before talking about business, Chen Jue took out the tea purchased from Luoyang, brewed it and shared it with everyone, drinking tea while chatting.

The habit of drinking tea has just emerged in Xuzhou, and everyone still thinks that tea is relatively novel, so at the beginning, everyone's topic still revolves around tea tasting.

Until he saw that everyone was chatting about the same, Chen Qi, as the host, coughed lightly and led the topic to Mi's family.

"Recently, Mi Beijia has made a lot of noise!" Chen Qi said seemingly casually.

When Cao Bao heard this, he immediately said disdainfully: "Jumping clown, it's not worth mentioning." The Mi family started with goods, and the foundation is not right, how can there be a Chen family of scholars. If Chen Gong makes a move, the Mi clan will definitely be defeated, and we are all willing to support Chen Gong. “

Cao Bao said impassionedly, but Chen Qi frowned after hearing it. The Chen clan and other Xuzhou clans just wanted to suppress the development of the Mi clan in Xuzhou, even if they used the means, they were gentle and silent, rather than fighting together with open guns. That will not only easily cause both sides to lose, but if Xuzhou is in chaos, Tao Qian will not agree.

Cao Bao's words are suspected of provocation, but their purpose is self-evident. The Cao family is second only to the Chen family and the Mi family in Xuzhou, if the Chen family and the Mi family lose both, the Cao family can just benefit from the fisherman.

Chen Qi was angry in his heart and was noncommittal to Cao Bao's words. At this time, Zhao Yu said on the side: "The Mi brothers started their careers as businessmen, although they are huge, they are not the right way in the end, and it is difficult to get into the hall of elegance. Why should my generation care? Besides, everyone is Tao Fujun's subordinates, if there is a dispute, it will not look good with Tao Fujun. “

Zhang Zhao also agreed with Zhao Yu's point of view, and echoed and said: "Shinong industry and commerce have their own value, but Shi is the first, and business is the last business. Businessmen seek profits, it is difficult to become an atmosphere, and scholars accept the words of the master, cultivate themselves with virtue, establish a business, report to the country, cooperate with the son of heaven to rule the world, benefit the people, and peace and peace. This is the avenue, why fight with businessmen who chase small profits? “

Everyone, you don't really want to suppress Mi's thoughts at all, Chen Jue understands that these people will have such an attitude, to put it bluntly, their interests are different, so they will have their own ideas, and it is difficult to integrate them together.

In fact, such problems will be encountered anywhere, including Mi Zhu's side. Moreover, businessmen are heavily profitable, and such problems will be more serious. However, Mi Zhu had porcelain in his hands, and others needed porcelain. Everyone has a common interest goal, and they can quickly gather around Mi's.

Everyone couldn't talk about the suppression of the Mi clan, and Wang Lang diverted the topic and said: "Do you know that the Buddhists in Xuzhou are becoming more and more prosperous now? “

When Zhao Yu heard it, he immediately said happily: "Buddhism advises people to be good and evil, to save their desires and to go to luxury, so that people can keep to themselves and be good." I have had several conversations with the leader of Xuzhou Buddhism, Zhenrong, and I have benefited a lot. Buddhism flourishes in Xuzhou, and it is also a symbol of Xuzhou's stability and prosperity. “

Wang Lang frowned and objected: "Zhao Guangling's words are wrong. When we receive the words of our masters and sages, don't we hear that our sons are silent and that our powers are confused? Zhenrong opened the Buddha in Xuzhou, with the belief in Buddhism exempted from military service as a lure, more than 1000 believers, each time the Buddha pomp was huge, and the cost was many, all of which came from the grain of Guangling, Xiapi and Pengcheng. Taking advantage of the position of transporting grain, Zhenrong swallowed up public funds to recruit private believers, and his actions were hateful and his heart could be punished. If it is not stopped, I am afraid that it will be another Yellow Turban Rebellion. “

Zhang Zhao also interjected on the side: "Buddhism seems to lead people to goodness, but in fact, it is not. Emperor Ming Chu Wang Ying believed in Buddhism, but in the end he still gathered people to rebel, it can be seen that although the teachings of Buddhism are good, but if the cunning villain has bad intentions, it is also a disaster to use Buddhism to deceive people! “

Wang Lang and Zhang Zhao both opposed the unlimited development of Buddhism in Xuzhou, but Zhao Yu didn't listen to the words of the two, shook his head and said: "The Buddha is melted and worshipped, and the prince of the palace also acquiesces." “

"The prince of the house does not know the harm, sooner or later there will be chaos in Xuzhou!" Wang Langdao.

Chen Qi couldn't help but sigh in his heart when he saw Wang Lang, Zhang Zhao, and Zhao Yu talking about suppressing the Mi clan to suppressing the development of Buddhism in Xuzhou.

In the final analysis, the current situation is due to the difference in everyone's interests.

Chen Qi did not have a deep understanding of the harm of Zhenrong in Xuzhou, and was more worried about the impact of the large-scale development of Mi Zhu and other businessmen in Xuzhou on the status of traditional Confucianism.

It's just that these people are not aware of the problem, or simply ignore it subconsciously. kept arguing about the issue of suppressing Buddhism, and in the end there was no consensus, so it was a discord.

Everyone left, and Chen Qi left his son Chen Deng alone to ask for his opinion.

Chen Deng basically didn't speak just now, but kept his head down and thought about the dynamics of the imperial court and today's thoughts. He did not participate in the Chamber of Commerce in Luoyang, and Xuzhou was far away from the court, so he had a vague guess about his own wisdom that the Son of Heaven could only rely on. But even such a vague idea shocked him in his heart.

"What the Son of Heaven is thinking, don't you want to change the sky." Chen Deng said faintly.

Chen Jue was taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "What does Deng'er mean?" ”

Chen Deng sighed softly. There is so little evidence to support it, and he can only provide a general direction. He didn't want his father to worry, so he said, "The child doesn't know much either." Just ......"

"Don't you want to help business and destroy Confucianism today?"

can give birth to a smart son like Chen Deng, and Chen Qi's wisdom is not much less. Just from the fact that Liu Wei held an investment conference in Luoyang, he saw a little clue, but he was just a little bit of an idea like Chen Deng, and even he was not confident. And now Chen Deng also has this idea, which makes him a little more convinced, and he said that bold guess.

Chen Deng shook his head and said, "It's not that serious. It's just that I think that today's children are young and promising, forge ahead, and do not follow the rules and regulations. And the world is in turmoil, the avenue is difficult, it is the time when the poor think about change, the possibility of the imperial court to destroy Confucianism is not, but the situation of Confucianism will change. “

"If that's the case, what should we do?"

Although he could vaguely guess the trend of the imperial court, Chen Jue was most concerned about the interests of his family.

Chen Deng was silent.

To be honest, he didn't like the court's support for businessmen, but like his father, he was more concerned about the interests and fate of the family.

If the imperial court really wants to change the situation of Confucianism's supremacy, will they, the scholars and doctors who cultivate themselves with Confucianism, still be able to gain a foothold in the court? Or if they embark on the path of confrontation with the imperial court, who will be the lord who can rely on them to assist?

Tao Qian is definitely not good, he can be regarded as a master of success at most, this has to be said to a person with great talent, if it is to whether he can keep Xuzhou. The two brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu seem to be powerful, but in fact, they also have their own shortcomings. As for Liu Zhang, Liu Biao, and Liu Dai, those people are all inactive. Only Cao Cao in Yanzhou is relatively good, but I don't know what will happen in the future.

Chen Deng would also think about the heroes of the world in his heart in his spare time, and finally found that the real strength was still the imperial court.

Now that the imperial court has a stable territory, the soldiers are well fed, and they have a righteous reputation, it will not be difficult to calm the world in the future. If I confront the imperial court, I am afraid that I will not get any good results.

Chen Deng's heart was entangled, and the color of depression appeared on his face. Seeing him like this, Chen Jue also guessed what he was thinking, sighed and said, "If I knew this was the case, we would also send someone to Chang'an." “

Chen Deng comforted his father and said: "No matter what, our Xuzhou Chen clan is a big family, even if the imperial court really wants to support merchants and suppress Confucianism, it will not be done overnight, and it still needs to be gradual and compromised." As long as our strength in Xuzhou is still there, the imperial court will not underestimate us! “

Chen Deng's words were also very reasonable, Chen Qi nodded, and asked again: "In this case, what should we do in the future?" “

Chen Deng said: "Wait and see. “

**************

Just more than ten days after the birthday banquet in Mifu, Mi Fang led a team of people to Chang'an, accompanied by Mi Zhen and her personal maid Gan Qian.

Mi Zhen's entourage actually did not pass Mi Zhu's consent, and she also knew that Mi Zhu would not agree at all. The reason why it can come out is completely by deception.

A few days ago, Mi Zhen heard the news that Mi Zhu was going to Pengcheng with Tao Qian, and took advantage of the fact that Mi Zhu was relatively busy and chaotic in those days, Mi Zhen took Mi Fang to find Mi Zhu.

First, he asked Mi Fang to wait outside, and Mi Zhen entered the inner room by herself to see the eldest brother.

"Big brother, Zhen'er recently wanted to go to Xiapi to see the pagoda." Mi Zhen said to Mi Zhu.

Mi Zhu was sorting out the accounts and official documents in the state at this time, and he was very busy, how could he bother to pay attention to Mi Zhen, and asked without raising his head: "But the Nine Mirror Pagoda of Futu Temple?" ”

Mi Zhen replied, "Exactly." Zhen'er originally wanted the second brother to take me there, but he wanted to prepare for going to Chang'an, and said that he had to ask the eldest brother to agree. ”

Mi Zhu didn't think much about it, and replied casually: "It's okay." Find time for me to talk to Zifang (Mi Fangzi). ”

"The second brother is outside, if the eldest brother really agrees, we will go and tell him."

couldn't help but say, Mi Zhen dragged Mi Zhu outside. Seeing Mi Fang standing in the courtyard, Mi Zhen didn't approach, but shouted at him from afar: "Second brother, the eldest brother has agreed to let me go out." ”

Mi Zhen said vaguely, Mi Fang was about to ask in detail, Mi Zhu nodded at him and said, "You go by yourself, you don't have to bother me about such things." ”

Hearing Mi Zhu's promise, Mi Zhen immediately bowed down and said, "Thank you, big brother." ”

After saying a trot, he pulled Mi Fang away.

Although Mi Fang had doubts in her heart, she didn't ask again when she saw that her eldest brother was so busy, and a few days later, she really left Xuzhou with Mi Zhen and rushed to Chang'an.

By the time Mi Zhu came back from Pengcheng and learned about it, they had already gone far and couldn't catch up.

With excitement and apprehension, Mi Zhen walked to the place she wanted.

To be continued, stay tuned for the next chapter