Xu Liang looked at Xu Changkun and was silent, waiting for Xu Changkun to speak first.

Xu Changkun had a trace of restraint on his face, a trace of embarrassment on his face flashed, his gaze wandered, looking around the layout in the study, and finally, his gaze met with Xu Liang's gaze.

"That...... San'er ......," Xu Changkun called out curtly.

Hearing the name San'er, Xu Liang's brows furrowed imperceptibly, he casually took a book from the desk, flipped through it casually, and asked in a faint tone, "Do you have anything?" ”

Xu Liang is a little embarrassed about Xu Changkun's name, is he directly called Xu Changkun's name? He is his own father in the end, but if Xu Liang wants to call him father again, Xu Liang has a grudge and can't say it.

Yes, Xu Liang used an honorific title "you" instead of everything.

Xu Changkun's expression was gloomy for a while, he hesitated, and said: "San'er, you are the pride of our Xu family, I won't mention the past." I heard that you initiated a Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, uh, that, you know, our Xu family also has some industries in Ji'an Prefecture, and there are also a few shops and factories under its name. This time, I rushed to the capital with your aunt to accompany Jiang'er to study, and on the other hand, I want to join your Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in the name of the Xu family in Ji'an Prefecture. ”

Xu Liang was slightly taken aback, and looked at Xu Changkun with scrutinizing eyes. With the growth of Liang Ji's business, and Xu Liang's success in pulling the two bigwigs of Emperor Chongzhen and Zhu Chunchen, the Duke of Chengguo, into the water, the reputation of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce has become higher and higher, and many businesses have joined in. At present, there are more than 60 members.

Moreover, these are the firms that join the Chinese Entrepreneur Association. They are all businesses with considerable assets and fame in the Ming Dynasty, and in terms of the scale of the business name of the Xu family in Ji'an Prefecture. The main business of the Xu family is land and land products, and as for commerce and trade, it is really not a big business.

Although Xu Liang didn't understand how Xu Changkun could have such an idea for a while, this was really a trivial matter for Xu Liang, so Xu Liang waved his hand easily and said: "This kind of thing, you can go directly to Yan Qi, he is the president of the Beijing branch of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce." ”

Xu Changkun's face turned red, and he was embarrassed again. After a while, he said, "I've already talked to President Yan, but it's just ...... Just ......"

"Just what?" Xu Liang asked suspiciously, Yan Qi knew the relationship between Xu Liang and the Xu family in Ji'an Mansion, and logically speaking, he should not refuse Xu Changkun's application for membership.

Xu Changkun sighed lightly and said: "Actually, it's no wonder that President Yan is doing this, when I told President Yan, President Yan showed me the instructions for joining the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, which requires that the assets under the name of the firm must be more than 100,000 taels of silver. That one...... The assets of our Xu family's firm. but it was less than a hundred thousand taels of silver. ”

After listening to Xu Changkun's words, Xu Liang suddenly remembered that it seemed that Feng Suqin had mentioned to Xu Liang a while ago that in order to improve the specifications and standards of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce Committee has passed a proposal on the instructions for joining the Chinese Entrepreneur General Chamber of Commerce, which is indeed a clear requirement for every firm to join the Chinese Entrepreneur Association. The assets under the name must exceed 100,000 taels of silver.

In fact, Xu Liang also strongly agrees with this approach. There are many chambers of commerce in the Ming Dynasty. Many small chambers of commerce set very low barriers to entry in order to attract firms. Even small business owners who run small grocery stores are members of the Chamber of Commerce. This move by the Chinese Entrepreneur Association is undoubtedly an important guarantee for improving the specifications of the Chamber of Commerce.

Xu Liang frowned, looked at Xu Changkun, and asked, "Since that's the case, what do you mean by telling me now?" ”

Xu Changkun seemed to be very unaccustomed to this way of speaking, and after listening to it, he was embarrassed for a while, he rubbed his hands and said: "I know that this membership rule was decided by the Committee of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, but in the final analysis, the committee was created by you San'er, I think, can San'er come forward to say a word for his hometown and let the Xu family join in." In this way, it will be very beneficial to the development of the Xu family in the future. ”

Xu Liang understood, Xu Changkun said a lot, in fact, he just wanted to go through the back door from Xu Liang and join the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce exceptionally. However, this made Xu Liang embarrassed, although with Xu Liang's ability to control the Chamber of Commerce, it was not difficult for the Xu family firm to join the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. However, Xu Liang did not want to do this, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce must not be Xu Liang's family, and the committee members are not only Liang Ji's family, and the articles of association of the Chamber of Commerce clearly require that all members must comply with the requirements of the Chamber of Commerce, no exceptions, no exceptions.

Xu Liang didn't want to be special, otherwise as soon as this example was opened, the articles of association of the chamber of commerce would be reduced to an empty word written on paper in the future.

Today, Xu Changkun can join exceptionally, and tomorrow there will be Zhang Changkun, Zhao Changkun or something, and join exceptionally.

Xu Liang frowned and groaned, looking very embarrassed.

Fortunately, Xu Changkun is also good at observing his face, and when he saw that Xu Liang was embarrassed, he said generously: "Heh, I'll just try to say it, since San'er is embarrassed, forget it." ”

When Xu Liang heard this, he said apologetically to Xu Changkun: "Since the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce has regulations, even if my Liang Ji is one of the committee members, I can't set a precedent for breaking the regulations." It is impossible to get the Xu family firm to join the chamber of commerce. However, I came up with a workaround. ”

Xu Changkun was originally disappointed, but suddenly heard that Xu Liang actually had a workaround, and couldn't help but regain hope, you must know that the businesses in the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce are all big businesses, and joining the Chamber of Commerce, just the trade between the members of the Chamber of Commerce enjoys a nine-percent discount, but it is a huge profit margin.

Xu Changkun couldn't help but look at Xu Liang expectantly.

Xu Liang spread his hands and explained: "You see, my Liang Ji was originally a member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, in fact, the business name in my hometown can be completely under the name of Liang Ji, and enjoy the same rights as members of the Chamber of Commerce like Liang Ji." ”

Xu Changkun was moved to hear this, and he noticed that Xu Liang's use of the word "hanging", that is, the Xu family in Ji'an Province did not operate as a separate business name, but as part of Liang Kee, and conducted business transactions in the name of Liang Kee. In this way, the name of the Xu family in Ji'an Mansion will inevitably fade.

Immediately, Xu Changkun thought that if the Xu family's business name could be attached to Xu Liang's Liang Ji, wouldn't it mean that the Xu family would become a part of Liang Ji? Thinking of the Xu family for generations. For the first time, there was a high-ranking official like Xu Liang, the future of the Xu family. Isn't it just to rely on Xu Liang to carry it forward?

On the other hand, Xu Liang agreed to put the Xu family under Liang Ji's name. It shows that the estrangement between Xu Liang and the Xu family in Ji'an Mansion has gradually faded.

Xu Changkun had been doing everything possible to repair the relationship with Xu Liang, and now that he had such a good opportunity to send it to the door, he was naturally overjoyed, and immediately smiled sharply: "It's really good that San'er can come up with such a way to get the best of both worlds." I, I'm going to arrange for someone to dock with Liang Ji. ”

With that, Xu Changkun walked out of the study with ease.

The days passed calmly for a few days. The date of Chongzhen's three-year palace examination is getting closer and closer, and the eyes of the court have fallen on the matter of the palace examination, and Xu Liang's Guanglu Temple Yamen, who is responsible for the preparation of the Qionglin banquet, is also nearing the end.

One day, Xu Liang led Shen Congliang, the secretary of Guanglu Temple, Wang Qinian, and an official of the Fourth Department to make a final inspection of the layout process of the Qionglin Banquet.

From fine wines, good food, to cold food. Desserts, and even the utensils for stuffing, Xu Liang and the people of Guanglu Temple carefully checked them to make sure that there were no omissions. Xu Liang praised the officials of Guanglu Temple with satisfaction, and after the subordinate officials retreated happily, Xu Liang and Wang Qinian walked aside. Gossip.

"Guanglu Temple has been busy with the Qionglin banquet since June, and now everything is finally ready. Only the east wind is owed. Xu Liang sighed, "Shen Congliang is this person." For the feast, he is still very familiar with it, and with him, the official has saved a lot of things. ”

Wang Qinian nodded in agreement.

Xu Liang said again: "Next, just wait to see Chongzhen's three-year palace test, which is the most important thing in the court." ”

This time, Wang Qinian first nodded, then chuckled and shook his head.

When Xu Liang saw his appearance, he couldn't help but ask funny: "What do you mean by Qi Nian?" One nod, the other shake your head? ”

Wang Qinian was half a step behind Xu Liang, and chuckled strangely: "My lord is right, the palace test is indeed the next most important thing in the court. But it may not be the next most important thing for you, adult. ”

Xu Liang was taken aback, stopped, and looked at him suspiciously. Xu Liang was still quite appreciative of Wang Qinian's mind and strategy, so he asked with a smile: "Qinian, how do you say this?" ”

Wang Qinian glanced around, and saw some subordinate officials of Guanglu Temple passing around the two from time to time, so he made a gesture of invitation to Xu Liang and said, "My lord, this is not the place to talk, let's talk in another place." ”

Seeing this, Xu Liang went to the study of Guanglu Temple with Wang Qinian, and ordered the Tsing Yi guards on duty to guard the door, and the two closed the doors and windows tightly. Xu Liang stood with his hands in his hands, stared at Wang Qinian, and asked, "What do you mean by those words?" ”

Wang Qinian restrained his smiling expression, and said solemnly to Xu Liang: "Lord, just outside, I said that the palace test is not the most important thing for the lord to do next, it is because, for the lord, you have a more important thing to do." ”

More important than the temple exam? Xu Liang was puzzled and looked at Wang Qinian blankly.

When Wang Qinian saw Xu Liang's appearance, he knew that Xu Liang hadn't thought of the idea, so he said: "Lord, Qinian will give you a hint, what major events have happened recently that have affected the court situation?" ”

Xu Liang thought for a while, and then said: "Whoever affects the court situation, it is naturally Yuan Chonghuan, the former governor of Liaodong, who was executed by Ling Chi!" ”

Wang Qinian asked, "What else?" ”

"And?" Xu Liang thought for a while, and then said: "I heard that the thieves in the northwest are getting more and more troublesome, and Yang He, the governor of the three sides, is already helpless, and His Majesty is very dissatisfied with him?" ”

Wang Qiqing sighed, shook his head and said: "Lord, with all due respect, Yuan Chonghuan has been in prison for almost a year, he will not die, and his impact on the court situation is limited, at most it has broken Sun Ge's heart." And the chaos in the northwest has not affected the situation in the DPRK for the time being. ”

Xu Liang was even more dazed, and simply shook his hand and said, "Then what other big things can be!" ”

Wang Qinian looked at Xu Liang and said with a look of annoyance: "My lord, the biggest thing that affects the court situation is naturally the lack of two cabinet ministers in the court!" Cao Ge is dead, and Cheng Ji is destined to return to his hometown! At the moment, what could be more important to the Lord than winning a place as a deputy to the Cabinet? ”

Becoming a base life? Cabinet Vice-Assistant? Xu Liang suddenly realized. That's right, how could I have missed such an important thing! Cheng Jiming resigned, so the position of the second assistant of the cabinet is vacant! Although the second assistant is not as important as the first assistant, he is also the second-in-command of the cabinet and a figure who has a great influence on political affairs.

Xu Liang suddenly became serious, walked around the room, and thought about it, however, he looked at Wang Qinian dejectedly, and said: "Qinian, I thought about it again and again, the level of the cabinet assistant is too high, too far away from us, and the competition for the second assistant must be very fierce." Let's not get involved. ”

Wang Qinian said: "The lord didn't think about it for the future? Do you want to keep in front of this idle Guanglu Siqing? ”

Xu Liang thought seriously for a while again, spread his hands and said helplessly: "Qi Nian, you know, I, Xu Liang, am from a human background, and I can't get along with Shu Jishi, and I don't have to think about the position of a cabinet scholar in this life." ”

When Wang Qinian heard this, he immediately cried and laughed. He looked at Xu Liang and said seriously: "Lord, I naturally know that non-Shu Jishi is not allowed to be a scholar." Your lord, you will never be able to serve as a university scholar. I mean, even then, if we can't do it ourselves, then at least we have to get an adult who is close to us. ”

Xu Liang understood a little, looked at Wang Qinian in shock, and said, "You mean, we want to interfere with the appointment of the deputy assistant to the cabinet?" ”

Wang Qinian nodded heavily, walked up to Xu Liang, and analyzed with his fingers: "Cheng Jiming suddenly resigned, and now there are three candidates who are qualified to serve as deputy assistants to the cabinet: Sun Chengzong, Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi. Sun Ge Lao is also the governor of Jiliao, and the part of Liaodong is still inseparable from him for the time being, so Sun Ge Lao can basically rule it out. For the rest, they can only choose one of Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi. Before Wen Tiren entered the cabinet, he was a scholar of the Ministry of Rites and had profound qualifications, and before Xu Guangqi entered the cabinet, he was the left waiter of the Ministry of Rites, although he was still the emperor of the Son of Heaven, but before entering the cabinet, he had always been Wen Tiren's subordinate. ”

Wang Qinian looked at Xu Liang fixedly, sighed lightly, and said, "My lord, the court of the Ming Dynasty is a place where seniority is very serious, and the cabinet is especially so. If we do nothing, I can guarantee that the person who will serve as the deputy assistant to the cabinet will be Wen Tiren! Lord, think about it, among the few adults in the original cabinet, the first assistant Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren, and Cao Yubian are in a group, and now we have killed a Cao Yubian, if we let Wen Tiren be the second assistant again, then wouldn't we be busy in vain? ”

Xu Liang's eyes widened when he boarded! looked at Wang Qinian in shock, with a look of fear: "If you don't say it, I really didn't realize it!" Hurry up, go and call Huang Daozhou, let's check and calculate, no matter what, we have to mess up Wen Tiren's secondary dream! (To be continued.) )