The young waterway of the Huangpu River is not yet as famous as it would be, even among Shanghai locals. The port wharf on the river is mainly moored by large ships going to sea, and no one will come here when they are idle. This makes the place far less lively than the port near the river to the west, but since February, there has always been a crowd of people gathered in the port, nothing to do, just waiting.

Wait for Xu Yuanzuo to come back.

Behind these people stood a family. These families were either political vassals or business partners of the Huating Xu family. Of course, they will not only send people to wait for Xu Yuanzuo here, but also send people to the Xu family's mansion in Huating, hoping to get one or two opportunities. However, the current situation is very troublesome, Xu Fan and the other three brothers are unable to protect themselves, and they dare not show their heads at home. Xu Jie's attitude has always been unclear, and he didn't even see his past protégés, let alone give a word of approval.

The only thing that people can look forward to is Xu Yuanzuo, who is far away overseas and heard that he is coming back.

This "soon" has been "coming" for more than a month before further news came that Xu Jinglian's fleet was replenished in Zhoushan and would be back soon.

This "soon" and "fast" for more than half a month, just when there were fewer and fewer people on the dock, a big ship finally hoisted the "Xu" flag and appeared at the junction of the river and the sea under the escort of two equally huge sea ships.

The crowd waiting on the dock instantly boiled.

Xu Yuanzuo stood on the deck, looked at the gradually clear port, and the crowd on the dock, and said with a smile: "Seeing so many people picking me up, I feel quite like a person." ”

Luo Zhenquan said with a smile: "Zuo Ge'er was originally a character. He paused, and then said, "But it seems that the news from Zhejiang is true." ”

When Xu Yuanzuo's fleet docked at the port of Zhejiang for supplies, he had already been reminded by several bigwigs in Zhejiang. However, the big guy's speech is always ambiguous, and the clouds and mountains are foggy, so even if Luo Zhenquan and others around Xu Yuanzuo hear about it, it is difficult to guess what level of influence it is.

Of course, Xu Yuanzuo attaches great importance to this matter. Half a month of stay in Zhejiang is to go to the Shijia who has a friendly relationship with the Xu family. One can inquire about the situation, and the other is also convenient to find out the other party's attitude. The former can only be regarded as incidental, because the situation is very simple, that is, Gao Gong wants to take revenge on Xu Jie, and the means are also very clear - to weave a charge of embezzlement of the mansion by Gu Shao's accusation. This crime is not punishable by death. But extremely disgusting.

The key to Xu Yuanzuo is to look at the attitude of these powerful people. If you ride on the wall at this moment, or directly turn against each other, then of course there will be no friendship in the future. For Xu Yuanzuo, who knows the original script of history, the Xu family is bound to be able to rise again after surviving this catastrophe, and the Xu family can still rest with the country. Gao Gong was not so lucky.

Under the wave of Wanli's great opening-up, selecting the right partner is also what needs to be done at present. So Xu Yuanzuo didn't mind eating a few bowls of closed-door soup in Zhejiang, anyway, he wrote it all in a small book.

Luo Zhenquan saw that Xu Yuanzuo didn't speak, and said, "Brother Zuo." It seems that you are quite determined. ”

"yes, what are you afraid of?" Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "If it really doesn't work, I'll go to Guangdong to seek refuge with Mr. Lin." "I have the experience of accompanying the funeral, coupled with the relationship with Lin Keming and Jin Lan, Xu Yuanzuo and the Lin family are already one. This is said in a false and real way, so that Luo Zhenquan is a little unsure whether it is true or false.

"Don't worry, with me, can I still get over the hurdle?" Xu Yuanzuo smiled: "Gao Gong has this temperament, and he is too impatient to be a feudal official. Not to mention being in the center. It's not that I say, there's no cover for him. He couldn't even work as a shoufu for a month. ”

Luo Zhenquan's brows were still tight: "That's going to be boiled." ”

Xu Yuanzuo smiled, and said secretly in his heart: It's not as long as you think.

"And what about these people on shore?" Luo Zhenquan looked at the welcoming team that was getting closer and closer, and was a little worried.

"Let's just say I'm in a hurry to go home and talk to them another day." Xu Yuanzuo said.

Luo Zhenquan went as promised. He has to lead someone to open the way for Xu Yuanzuo first, and he can't ask Zuo Ge'er to squeeze out in the crowd.

Xu Yuanzuo got off the boat, got into the carriage, and left in a hurry. Didn't talk to anyone.

An Dewang had to wait for the night to be dark and windy before he could get off the boat, hiding on the boat at the moment, and seeing Xu Yuanzuo rushing away in the enthusiastic crowd, he couldn't help but feel relieved: It seems that my lord has found a good guide, and he has a very high reputation in the Ming Kingdom. Loved by the locals.

Under the protection of the guards, Xu Yuanzuo did not stop in Shanghai City, and galloped directly towards Huating. The Kang family also sent people to wait for him on the road, but they did not say a word about the direction of the government and politics, but only told Xu Yuanzuo that there were still two big ships that could be launched in June. This is enough to show that the relationship between each other is indestructible.

Xu Yuanzuo knew that Kang Chenghe's vision would not be bad, and Kang Pengzu's character would not be bad, and this promise was a matter of course. The Tang family, who was also in Shanghai, also sent an invitation, hoping that Xu Yuanzuo would go to his home as a guest in his spare time, and meet to go north together when the south wind rises. Considering that the Tang family is also an outlier in the court and has a close friendship with the Jin party, this contempt for Gao Gong is also a matter of course.

Xu Yuanzuo received some letters expressing his stance along the way, and at the same time, he also learned about the estrangement of some powerful families. These things don't even need to use his brain stock, and they are directly written by Cheng Zhongyuan in a small book.

Xu Jie had already moved to the villa in Tianma Mountain, which seemed to be hiding quietly, and at the same time, it was also convenient for Xu Yuanzuo to go directly to him after he came back. These days, the eldest of the three sons can be calmer, and the two younger ones are simply restless, crying and crying at every turn, for fear of being taken away. This made Xu Jie very painful, and he hated that iron could not become steel.

"Master, Brother Zuo'er is back." Xu Cheng hurriedly entered the study: "Summoning now?" ”

"Let him freshen up and have some snacks first." Xu Jie's desk was in writing, but he was not writing a letter, but he was just writing the Tao Te Ching.

Xu Cheng calmed down and said, "Brother Zuo'er came after bathing and changing clothes, and he ate in the city. ”

Xu Jie put down his pen and said, "In that case, call him in." ”

Xu Cheng saw the joy on the old man's face, and unconsciously his face bloomed with brilliance, and the haze that had been condensed in his heart for days suddenly dissipated. He sometimes thinks that the biggest turning point in his life is probably the day he met Xu Yuanzuo. That day, there was a young man who didn't want to be paid, and in an almost demagogic way, he thought that "this son has a lot to offer"—at least in retrospect.

Xu Yuanzuo entered Xu Jie's study accompanied by Xu Cheng. With the joy of reuniting after a long absence, he greeted the ceremony, and slowly told what he had seen and heard about his trip to the south. was a little low when he reported the news of Lin Dachun's funeral, but he quickly jumped out.

Xu Jie listened quietly, occasionally nodding in agreement, until he heard that Xu Yuanzuo accompanied the funeral, and then said, "Master and apprentice, father and son." As it should be. ”

Xu Yuanzuo finished talking about what he had seen and heard along the way, and stepped into the main topic: "Father, I heard that Gao Gong has started?" ”

Xu Jie nodded as if nothing had happened: "The newspaper has already been issued." For the time being, the old man has not been implicated. ”

Xu Yuanzuo also sighed like an outsider, and said, "This time, the most affected person is probably Brother Chun." How did he do this time? In fact, as soon as Xu Yuanzuo entered the door, Xu Cheng told him two things: first, this time the matter was big; The other is the title of Xu Yuanchun's gold list, but the ranking is not good.

Xu Jie knew that Xu Yuanzuo was asking if Xu Yuanchun's ranking was affected by the high arch, and replied: "I will try not to talk about him, I have read his strategy, and it is indeed low to be in the top three." Surely he doesn't have to think about it. ”

Xu Yuanzuo shook his head slightly. Said: "The high arch is too much. ”

Daming has come to this day, and has basically formed a set of unspoken rules of officialdom. Sanjia Citong was born as a Jinshi, not only has a worrying future, but even has a bad reputation. In the next few decades, there will be only one Shen who has always successfully counterattacked with the rank of one hundred and thirty-six in the top three and entered the cabinet as the first assistant. However, although the exam ranking is low, he is also from a Jishi background. Xu Yuanchun was in the top three, and he couldn't enter the Hanlin Academy. According to the rules of officialdom, I have no chance with Gefu in this life.

Xu Yuanzuo didn't expect Xu Yuanchun to be able to go to high school, but the imperial examination was really unpredictable. Originally, Xu Yuanchun, who was a jinshi in the second year of Wanli, was actually on the list in advance. However, the ranking has fallen from the second to the third, and it is really difficult to estimate the profit and loss.

Xu Jiedao: "The dust has settled, and it is useless to think about it." ”

"I'm afraid that Gao Gong will do things in the ministry again." Xu Yuanzuo said: "If it is sent to the land of Huguang and Yungui to be a county, I am afraid it will not be beautiful." ”

"I have sent him a letter to ask him to find an opportunity to come back from his illness." Xu Jiedao.

Xu Yuanzuo breathed a sigh of relief: "It's so good." ”

Xu Jiedao: "Aren't you worried about your father-in-law?" ”

"Don't worry." Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "Brother Chun will definitely cry blood, and ensure that his righteous father is safe - well." He happened to fall ill by the way, and he will go home to recuperate. ”

Xu Jie pursed his lips and didn't laugh.

"But the two uncles...... Maybe I'm going to have to suffer a bit. Xu Yuanzuo said: "The kid will send someone to follow behind to take care of them, and try not to ask them to eat too much." ”

Xu Jie nodded slightly: "That's very good." ”

Xu Yuanzuo saw that Xu Jie was still waiting for him to continue, so he said, "When the kid entered Beijing last year. The shops in the capital have been resold. Here in Jiangnan, we only supply bulk commercial goods, even if the high-arched doglegs want to find trouble, they have to withstand the pressure of the Jiangnan family. ”

The prosperity and loss between powerful families are not because of good friendship or simple kinship. There are political positions as well as economic interests. The economy, as the basis of the superstructure, is the most susceptible to influencing political positions. Gao Gong does not level the entire Jiangnan, if you want to move the foundation of the Xu family here, it is a fool's dream.

"I'm afraid, I'm afraid that someone on our side is ready to move." Xu Yuanzuo said. I am not afraid of external pressure, but I am afraid that someone inside will want to re-divide the pie and take this opportunity to betray the Xu family and open a gluttonous feast. Gao Gong would certainly be happy to see it, and as soon as someone comes out, someone will naturally follow.

Xu Jie's heart had long been thinking about Xu Yuanzuo's closure of the shops in the capital, and at this moment, listening to Xu Yuanzuo himself, he knew that this kid was simply a chess player like a national player. If you sell it yourself, the loss will definitely not be as big as being turned off. However, this matter seems to be before Gu Shao entered Beijing to file a complaint, which shows how far this son has seen.

——Walk calmly, step by step, everything is not out of the chest, what a talent!

Xu Jie said secretly in his heart.

Xu Yuanzuo saw that Xu Jie still didn't say anything, so he had to continue: "So the kid wants to adjust this year's financial matters. The year-end bonus of the previous year will be repaid first. Then add a sum of Liaohong, distribute it to the family, and at the same time donate another sum to the Guangji Association to open two colleges, the medical school and the agricultural college. ”

Xu Jie actually had a feeling that he couldn't keep up with his thoughts: "It is as it should be to issue a year-end bonus to strengthen the momentum and deter the small." But the benefits of Liaodong were thrown out so early, aren't you afraid that people will flock away? Now the Xu family may not be able to withstand it. ”

"It's because I can't stand it that I call them all here." Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "When they come, they will know that only the Xu family can withstand it." ”

Xu Jie still didn't believe it, and said, "Jinglian, do you have a business in Liaodong?" How do you say such big things? ”

"It's true that my grandson didn't run Liaodong, but my grandson believes that Li Chengliang has run Liaodong well." Xu Yuanzuo said with a smile: "Of course he can't affect the government, but he will never spit out the profits of Liaodong to others." In any case, only our family can transport the sea cucumber out intact now. ”

Xu Jie was silent for a moment and said, "I thought you were going to abandon the pawn to protect the car, but listening to you say this, it seems to be luring the snake out of the hole?" ”

"Well, Father can say that, but these people are bound to come to our side." Xu Yuanzuo said.

Xu Jie nodded and said, "The old man will naturally come up to the table to ask for the grace of the saint." ”

Xu Yuanzuo bowed and said: "The grandson is incompetent, and the eldest father is humiliated." ”

Xu Jie smiled faintly, took another piece of paper from the bookcase, and said, "Although Zhenheng Hall failed in the trial, it is not without good news. Look at this. ”

Xu Yuanzuo stepped forward to take the piece of paper, and when he looked at it, it was a familiar name, and he was overjoyed: "Zhang Zigai really won the champion!" ”

Longqing Xinweike, the first place on the gold list is Zhang Yuanchen in Shaoxing, Zhejiang!

Xu Yuanzuo was originally worried that with Xu Yuanchun's outlier, it would also have an impact on the selection of the champion, but now that Zhang Yuanchen has become the champion as always, this joy is really indescribable. This is not only a human favor, but also a practical benefit.

"Our bookstore can be called Dingjiatang." Xu Jie said leisurely: "No matter what, he also helped edit the "Collection of Ancient Trainings", and he also lectured here. ”

There are also many Jinshi from Nanzhi Zhejiang on the list, and all of them are people who have registered on the editorial board of "Ancient Training and Collection". If the name of Dingjiatang is given here, the relationship between these people can be brought closer invisibly. Above the officialdom, one more relationship means more affection, and no one will refuse.

And Xu Yuanzuo knows that Zhang Yuanchen is only the first champion to come out of Dingjiatang, if there is no accident, there will be more!

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*(To be continued.) )