The sixteenth elder brother fiddled with the cigarette holder in his hand. Pretend. Cao Qian couldn't help but feel sorry! "This jade cigarette holder has been playing with the sixteenth master for half a month, and he hasn't played enough?"

Brother Sixteen raised his eyebrows. With a little smugness, he said: "It's not enough, it's not enough, I always want the cigarette holders of this internal affairs office to be all over the grassland, let's think about new tricks!" ”

Seeing that Cao Yu was puzzled, Yi Du stood aside and said: "Huruo, it's only been less than half a month, and the Internal Affairs Office has already recorded this amount because of this cigarette holder business!" As he spoke, he held out a slap in the face. Flipped

Although Cao Mei knew that there were many people using cigarette holders recently, he was surprised when he heard it: "So many? Didn't you use craftsmen from the capital? Is there still a delay on the way? ”

Seeing Cao Mei like this, the sixteenth elder brother became more and more proud, and his chin was raised high.

Yi Duli knew about the friendship between the sixteenth elder brother and Cao Liang, and saw that he had no intention of concealing it and whispered: "To the outside world, it is said that it is a craftsman in the capital. Actually, it was a craftsman from the palace. The sixteenth master said, this work is not delicate. If you can't produce a good one first, you will get used to their eyes, and then you won't be able to sell for a good price in the future. Use the ones here to sell them first, and when they buy almost them, the ones on the other side of the capital will be fine. When the time comes, the carving is excellent, and the styles are more, and they will not pay for the silver a second time. ”

This remark is all to make Cao Mei look at the sixteenth elder brother with admiration.

The sixteenth elder brother was a little embarrassed, looked up at the sky, and said, "It's weirdly hot outside, so I'm still sitting at the table to talk." ”

Cao Yu personally led the sixteenth elder brother and Yi Du to sit on the upper seat, in order to be quiet, this side is on the innermost side of the flower hall, separated from the rest of the table by a screen.

There were few guests who knew the sixteenth elder brother and Yi Duli, and when they heard that the two of them were here, they came forward to greet them.

At this moment, the sixteenth elder brother remembered that there was still something he hadn't said to Cao Yi, beckoned him over, and said in a low voice: "I saw Fu Peng in the morning, you know that you have a birthday, and you will come over." He said that he would come with me, but somehow Hongming knew about it and said that he wanted to come with Fu Peng. ”

Fuzhang is Cao's nephew. Connected by blood, the two uncles and nephews have met a limited number of times, but they are really close to each other.

Plus Bao Ya also recited Fuzhang. So Fu Peng didn't come with the sixteenth elder brother, and Cao Yiben was still a little disappointed. However, when he heard the name of "Hongming", Cao Mei only had a headache.

Although Hongming was not knighted, as the son-in-law of the "Great General King", he was in the limelight in Rehe for a while

The Mongolian princes who came to the dynasty, in addition to the filial piety prepared for the emperor, were these princes and elder brothers. Among the emperors and grandsons, Hongming is the only one. This treatment. Only Brother Hongzhe when he was with Hu a few years ago can compare.

There are even Mongolian princes with their families, who are already inquiring about Hongming's family affairs. I heard that he didn't marry Zhengfujin or Fangfujin, and he was even more enthusiastic about him.

Because of this, these days, there are more and more Mongolian princesses who bring Mongolian Gege to Concubine De to ask for peace

If you are a bystander, you know that this hot grandson brother will come to congratulate him on his birthday, and he must feel that there is light on his face, but Cao Mei can't avoid it.

Seeing that Cao Yi's brows were furrowed, and he could squeeze flies to death, the sixteenth elder brother was a little unbearable, and said: "He is not a child either, and he knows how to avoid it, even if he comes, he will not stay for long, so you can bear with it." ”

Cao smiled bitterly. What else can you do if you can't bear it?

At this moment, I saw Wu Sheng coming quickly, and said, "Master, the eldest brother is here, and the elder brother from the fourteenth master's mansion is also coming." ”

Buxiao said that this is the arrival of Fu Peng and Hongming.

Cao Mei stroked his forehead and walked up to greet the guest in person.

When I arrived in the courtyard, I saw Fu Peng and Hongming coming from inside. If you want to talk about Cao Liang's side, the sixteenth elder brother also comes often, but every time he takes it.

Fuzhang and Hongming are two gorgeous clothes, with a golden belt under their waists, and the identity of the nobles can be seen at a glance.

Seeing that there were a few guards behind them, Cao Wei couldn't help but sigh. It's just that now is not the time to say this, he stepped forward. wanted to give a gift to the two, but he was held up by Hongming.

"Brother-in-law, they are not outsiders. What are you doing with all these nonsense? It's called Fu Peng uncomfortable. Hongming smiled very closely, as if Cao Rong was his brother-in-law.

Fu Peng was originally a junior, and the moment Cao Mei saw the salute, he had already avoided it sideways.

After listening to Hongming's words, he also said, "Yes, uncle doesn't have to be polite. Today's uncle's birthday, but the nephew is late. As he spoke, he solemnly took the gift of his son and nephew, and said: "I wish my uncle happiness is like the East China Sea, and his longevity is better than Nanshan." ”

Fu Peng is Xiao's father and looks Xiao's mother, although he is only fourteen years old, he is already about to catch up with Cao Yuan. The childishness on his face faded, and the heroic spirit of a teenager remained.

Don't say that Baoya saw this nephew. It hurts so much that even Cao Rong feels happy when he sees this nephew.

He nodded and said, "Brother Cheng, your aunt has been talking for a long time. Your aunt also sent people to the front yard to ask about it, and you went to see your aunt and your aunt first. ”

Fu Chang responded, looked at Hongming who came with him, and said, "Second uncle, nephew will go to the elders first."

Hongming waved his hand and said, "Go, go, and take me to say hello to the two Gege."

Just said that I would go to see Uncle Sixteen first, and then go back to say hello to the two of you. ”

Chu Yu is his cousin, Bao Ya is his sister, everyone is an equal, even if you don't have to ask An to see the ceremony, you should see it. It's just that recently, because of family affairs, Hongming has seen a lot of female dependents, and he can't stand the verbosity, and he will disappear if he can.

When Fu Peng heard this, he respectfully responded to the work, but he was relieved in his heart.

It has been more than half a month since Baoya arrived in Rehe. The aunt and nephew only saw each other twice, and each time they met in a hurry. Today, in addition to paying tribute to my uncle's birthday. Fuzhen still thought about the concubine and saying a few words with her aunt.

If Hongming follows him, it won't be cheap for the aunt and nephew to talk more.

On Hongming's side, after giving instructions to Fu Peng, he said to Cao Yi: "Uncle Sixteen has also arrived, right?" Before going to the palace, I went to the official office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and said that the sixteenth uncle came out with a few subordinate officials. ”

Cao Yu motioned to Wu Sheng to lead Fu Peng to the second gate, and then replied to Hongming's words and brought this cheap brother-in-law to the flower hall.

Even if the household department and the subordinate officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who ate the banquet did not know Hongming, they could not help but take a few more glances when they saw the yellow belt on his waist.

But there are clever ones, who think they are smart and whisper to their fellow people: "That is Lord Cao's nephew, the eldest brother of Pingjun Wangfu."

"Huh? Didn't you say that in the year of the king of Pingjun dancing spoons, he raised the palace? This doesn't look as good as the weak crown, but it's more than fourteen or five? The other wondered.

"It's just a young man's steady. If it weren't for the prince of Pingjun, where would he be so close to Lord Cao? The man in the first said: "They all say that Uncle Xiao, this result is true, look at the eyebrows, what else is there to say"

He swore an oath, Cao Mei passed by with Hongming, and listened to it.

Hongming couldn't laugh a little, holding the folding fan in his hand, he didn't shake it, he didn't shake it. Looking at Cao Si, I wondered how he introduced his own body to everyone

Cao Mei only didn't hear or see it, and his face was still as usual. led Hiroaki to the upper seat.

Although Hongming was embarrassed, it was difficult to stop Cao Ming, telling him that he was regarded as Fu Peng and needed him to explain to others, so he had to follow Cao Mei inside.

Finally, there is a subordinate official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who knows Hongming, and when he saw him passing by, he got up and saluted, and called him "Second Elder Brother"

So. Others heard it. I have to say a few more words, what "not the prince, but the second elder brother of the county king's mansion" and "the second elder brother is from the concubine, not from the county king Fujin" Yunyun.

For a while, even He Hongming looked old. There are all rhetoric.

"It is said that the king of Pingjun and Fujin Qinse are compatible, and it seems that they don't want to let the eldest son of the concubine block Fujin, and many people speculate like this. After all, among the common people, it is common for the eldest son to write under the rank of son-in-law, regardless of age.

But they forgot that the clan was different from the common people. The major events of the heirs are recorded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The family house burns jade plates, the older is the old, the younger is the young, where will there be no distinction between the young and the young for the sake of the concubine.

Hiroaki's expression became more and more stiff. Cao Chu almost couldn't help laughing.

I didn't expect this to be a bit of a kung fu. He got a cheap "nephew"

It's really ignorant and fearless, if these people know, what they whisper and talk about is not the "concubine brother" of the county king's mansion but the emperor Sun Hongming, who is in the limelight, and a few dare to talk to each other.

In the screen, the sixteenth elder brother and Yi Du Li were talking lively. From the Mongol princes. He had already got a business opportunity, and wondered whether to ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to increase production and sell cigarette holders to Russia.

Every year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs buys a large number of leather goods and precious stones from Russia, and sells them tea, silk, porcelain, etc., if only they could exchange cigarette holders and cigarettes for more goods from Russia.

Hearing Russia, Ituli's eyes lit up.

As long as it involves trade with foreign nations. The oil and water in this are not a little bit of a star. Although Ithuri was not short of money, he was not a saint either. Can you be happy when you see the fat difference?

You must know that the real "fat difference" does not need to take the initiative to be greedy for ink. In that position, eating filial piety everywhere, you can mix and be full, and you can still have decency.

When Cao Mei was the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he carried out bidding and "contracted" foreign trade. Now, although he is no longer in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. But with the sixteenth elder brother in charge, this "bidding" is still going on.

Therefore, most of the foreign trade was in the hands of the imperial merchants below.

"Sixteenth Master, since these cigarettes and cigarette holders are "made in-house" by the Internal Affairs Bureau, this business is still arranged by the Internal Affairs Bureau, so as to save those businessmen, such a good idea for the blind Sixteenth Master. Iduli said busily.

"If the hands and feet of the person handling it are not clean, it will make people feel uneasy, and it is better to bid." Go out and make people happy. The sixteenth elder brother said casually.

It's not that he can't trust Ituli. But this also involves cigarettes, which are cooked under the name of the ninth elder brother.

With Brother Jiu's greed, knowing this business opportunity, how can he let it go obediently?

The sixteenth elder brother did not want to fight with him. It is better to go through "bidding" and "contract" the foreign trade of cigarettes and cigarette holders to the few companies under the Ministry of Internal Affairs that take the foreign trade route.

Yi Duli has to say that Cao Po has already led Hongming to arrive.

He had been on an errand in the Internal Affairs Office for several years, and he knew Hongming, so he got up and said, "The slave has seen the second elder brother, please second elder brother." ”

Hongming knew that he was the brother-in-law of the thirteenth elder brother, but in this capital, the most important thing is this crooked relative.

If Yiduli's bachelor's father was alive, Hongming would still be a little polite, but now he just waved his hand and said, "Go down,"

Yidu has been in charge of the Minister of Internal Affairs for several years, but it is only the official position of "Agency" or the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it is a five-grade official position, so naturally it will not be placed in the eyes of Hongming.

He was also annoyed that he was mistaken for Cao's "nephew", and he didn't notice that Yi Duli was sitting under the head of the sixteenth elder brother before the ceremony. It was only when he went to the subordinate officials of the Sixteenth Elder Brother that he sent people down.

At this time, Hongming had already turned to the sixteenth elder brother, and called "sixteenth uncle" in his mouth.

Yi Duli was so slighted, his face flushed, he clenched his fists fiercely, and walked out.

Seeing Hongming so polite, Cao Mei was already furious in his heart.

In the end, it is raised in the palace, which is a little clever, and it is also annoying. Although Yi Duli's grade is low, he is a guest of the Cao family at his age, so where can he be allowed to drink around?

Cao Wei took a step sideways, stopped Yi Duli, and said, "Uncle, stay here"

Hearing the word "uncle", Yi Duli did not ease his senses until Cao Po spoke again, and the sixteenth elder brother and Hongming stopped greeting. They all looked at Itulli, and he came to his senses and understood this

"Uncle" is called himself.

"Huh? What if? Iduli was a little puzzled.

Although it is from Cao Song's side. It is also common for Cao Mei to call "uncle", but the two of them are both officials, and Yi Duli is a subordinate, so he doesn't like to put the score of his elders and feels trembling, and he is on the same page as Cao Mei.

Although Cao Rong never left the word "adult" on his lips, and he was a little respectful in private, Yi Duli did not dare to be a senior.

Now, after being scorned by Hongming, he got two "uncles" from Cao and Yi Du Lizhi felt that his eyes were sour.

Cao Liang had already pulled his sleeve, pulled him to the table, and said, "I specially asked someone to prepare lotus white, and I want to have a good drink with my uncle today."

The sixteenth elder brother saw Hongming unceremoniously sending people before, and he didn't care about Yi Duli, so he was only surprised. You know, this Hongming is usually a clever person, why did he come to celebrate his birthday today, but it seems to be with a heart?

The sixteenth elder brother was puzzled, so he looked at Hongming and guessed what had happened.

He didn't know that Hongming was treated as a cheap "nephew" and downgraded by one generation, and he was annoyed in his heart.

Now, Cao Liang's crisp two "uncles" reminded the sixteenth elder brother of Yi Du Lilai, and he felt that something was wrong, and hurriedly said: "Yes." Lao Yi, what are you going? Sit down, and the master will work with you to fill Cao Grain. The master has a lot of silver to prepare for his birthday gift, and he is distressed, today we have to let Cao Liang break the bank. ”

Cao Zhu couldn't see anything on his face. The sixteenth elder brother has a deep relationship with him, but he knows that he is annoyed.

Even the sixteenth elder brother spoke, and Yi Duli was no longer embarrassed, and said with a forced smile: "Since this is the case, it is better for the slave to be respectful than to obey his fate,"

Hongming realized it later, and then he remembered that Yi Duli was not only the in-law of the Thirteenth Elder Brother's Mansion, but also the in-law of the Cao family."