Xu Liang's original intention was not to deliberately snub Cha Kexi, but not to alarm some people. Some people refer to the trilateral governor Hong Chengchou.

Since the incident between Cao Bianjiao and He Qi, Xu Liang has understood that the relationship between him and the trilateral governor Hong Chengchou has been estranged to the extreme, and he can only maintain a superficial relationship between superiors and subordinates, and there is nothing to do, Xu Liang will not go to Guyuan, and Governor Hong will not summon Xu Liang.

Regarding the whereabouts of Cha Kexi and his entourage, the cousin Yiwei who was in charge of following up was continuously transmitted back to the Shaanxi Governor's Yamen.

On the eighth day of the second month of the fifth year of Chongzhen, Cha Kexi and Carl and a group of about 20 people finally arrived outside Chang'an City. Xu Liang led Luo Baiguan, Wang Qinian, Tietou and Chen Yu, Wang Dazhuang, Wu Side and other cronies to welcome them to the city gate in plain clothes, and went straight back to the governor's yamen after picking up Cha Kexi.

The number of guards in the governor's yamen has been tripled, and the officers and soldiers of the patrol department are guarding the vicinity of the yaliu to ensure that there will be no arsenic leakage.

In the lobby of the governor's yamen, Xu Liang politely beckoned Cha Kexi and Carl to take a seat, and glanced up and down at the two guests who came from afar, Xu Liang found that the third son of Tulu Pan Sutan was not special except for being taller and wearing the unique clothes of ethnic minorities, the key thing that surprised Xu Liang was that this Cha Kexi could still understand Chinese and could speak.

Compared with Fang, Carl Manthorn is an old acquaintance with Chen Yu and others.

After the delicate dim sum was served by the maids, Xu Liang gestured to Cha Kexi: "Come, Prince Cha Kexi, on behalf of the Shaanxi Governor Yamen, this official welcomes the arrival of Prince Cha Kexi and Karl Manthorn!" This is our most mellow wine in Shaanxi, two of you try it. ”

Chakosi took a sip and hissed. said hello, and then arched his hand towards Xu Liang and said, "Respected Lord Xu." Xiao Wang came this time and brought my father with him. The meaning of Turpan Sutan, I hope that the trade between Lord Xu and us in Turpan can be further expanded. ”

Xu Liang laughed, pointed at Karl Man, and said with a smile: "Cha Kexi, my friend!" Our official's caravan has been in great business with you, Lord Karman, for a year! Over the past year, we have had a great time working with Mr. Carl. Now that Lord Sutan wants trade to expand, this official agrees very much. This official has an idea, in the five years of Chongzhen, Liang Ji's business can open more than a dozen city-states in Tulupan! ”

Carl listened. Nodding again and again, he happily gestured to Xu Liang with a wine glass: "Lord Xu, I am very happy to deepen cooperation with Lord Xu again!" ”

Xu Liang laughed. The high-ranking officials of Shaanxi who sat with them in the hall also laughed with them.

Seeing this, Cha Kexi didn't have much smile on his face, and when Xu Liang's laughter stopped, Cha Kexi shook his head and said, "Honorable Governor, what my father means is that when Lord Xu's caravan enters Tulupan, it will carry medicinal herbs in addition to it. In addition to cloth, porcelain, and tea, I also brought more pig iron and salt. We in Turpan are very short of these two things. My father said that as long as Lord Xu agrees to provide these two things, we are willing to pay a high price for them! ”

Xu Liang listened. His face changed slightly, and then he turned his head and asked Woodside. "Shopkeeper Wu, didn't we bring pig iron and salt into Tulupan last year?"

Woodsted's heart was pounding. Before coming into contact with Karl Manthorn, Xu Liang set the tone for himself, Chen Yu, Wang Dazhuang and others, and everything else was easy to say, except pig iron and salt could not be brought into Tulupan. And Woodside is indeed such a strict person with a business name. However, it is inevitable that there will be greedy businessmen who will quietly bring some in.

A fine sweat broke out on Wu Side's head, and he replied hesitantly: "If you go back to your lordship, since pig iron and salt are also prohibited items in our Ming Dynasty, in order not to cause trouble to the business, the business has not dared to bring pig iron and salt. ”

Xu Liang smiled at the corner of his mouth when he heard this, and said apologetically to Chakexi: "Prince Chakexi, you heard it too!" It's not that the official's business name is stuck and won't give it to you, but these two things are really prohibited items. ”

Chakosi and Karl glanced at each other, and Chakosi begged again: "Honorable governor, Xiao Wang also knows your difficulties. But in business, the greater the risk, the higher the reward! My father said that we Turpan people are not insatiable people, as long as Lord Xu promises to bring 10,000 catties of pig iron to Turpan this year, the amount of nitrate and sulfur that we supply to Lord Xu in the whole of Turpan will be three times as much as before! I've heard Karl Man say that Lord Xu is very much in need of nitrate and sulfur! ”

Xu Liang's face was slightly gloomy, and when he saw that Cha Kexi and Carl were staring at him, he looked up to the sky and smiled, raised his glass and said: "These things that Cha Kexi said, after all, the matter is big, let's not rush at this time, how about choosing another time to talk about it?" Come on, drink first, drink! ”

With obvious disappointment on their faces, Chakosi and Karl took a small sip in response.

Xu Liang groaned, signaled to Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang, and the two got up one after another, walked towards Cha Kexi and Prince Carl with wine glasses, and said with a friendly smile on their faces: "Carl, my old friend, let's have a drink......

Xu Liang took the opportunity to ask Wang Qinian, the political counselor of Shaanxi next to him, and said: "It seems that this Cha Kexi came to Chang'an for pig iron and salt!" This old boy's appetite is really not small, and his mouth is 10,000 catties! His grandmother's, how many weapons can be made with 10,000 catties of iron! What's the rest of the schedule? ”

Wang Qinian thought about it for a while, and then said: "According to the plan, after the banquet, the afternoon should be the time for the adults to discuss with the two envoys!" Then I went to the yamen of the patrol division to watch the drill of the officers and soldiers of the patrol division. In the evening, the opera troupe was invited to sing in the yamen. ”

Xu Liang frowned and said: "As soon as Cha Kexi came, he made it clear that he wanted pig iron and salt, and the official hasn't figured out how to deal with them yet, so the afternoon discussion will be postponed first, and I will take them to watch the drill of the Patrol Division first." ”

Wang Qinian nodded, and when he saw Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang returning to their seats, he smiled and said to Cha Kexi: "Third Prince, when our adults learned that you were coming, we specially arranged the on-site drill performance of the Patrol Division. ”

Cha Kexi thought for a while, looked at Xu Liang, and said, "Lord Governor, Xiao Wang thinks that it is important to talk about this year's trade affairs first, and after negotiating the big things, Xiao Wang also has a letter to bring back to his father." Only then did I have the heart to watch the drills of your army. ”

Xu Liang couldn't help but secretly scold this Cha Kexi for having a tendon in his brain, and he didn't know the truth that the guest was as he pleased! Xu Liang waved his hand and said, "Hey." It is rare for the third prince to come to our Shaanxi, and when he arrives here, he can rest assured and boldly live for a few days. A few days. When can't you sit down and talk? Things are not rushed. Besides, the drill of the patrol division has been some time, and the official is about to ask the third prince and Lord Karl to give some guidance. ”

Cha Kexi saw that Xu Liang insisted on this, so he had to give up.

Later, Cha Kexi once again mentioned the matter of pig iron, and Xu Liang talked about him left and right, and diverted the topic. When the banquet was almost over, Xu Liang proposed to go to the Yamen of the Patrol Division.

Everyone got up one after another, and when they were about to go out, they heard a hearty laugh outside the door.

"Oh, this is the prince of Chakexi from Turpan, right? Ben saw it. Sure enough, it's a talent! In the surprised eyes of Xu Liang and others, Hong Chengchou, the governor of the three sides, suddenly appeared outside the lobby of the governor's yamen, and strode over with an exaggerated expression, and behind Hong Chengchou, two staff officers of the governor's palace and more than a dozen guards.

Cha Kexi and Karl looked at Hong Chengchou in amazement, and asked in surprise, "Lord Xu, is this ......?" ”

Xu Liang's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice: "This is Hong Chengchou, the governor of the three sides. Lord Hong! After that, Xu Liang said to Hong Chengchou expressionlessly: "The lower officials have seen Governor Hong, but they don't know that the Governor is coming, and he is not welcome. ”

Hong Chengchou didn't care. With a generous expression, he waved his hand and said, "Guozhong, hurry up and be exempt." Speaking of which, it was the Governor who came to visit and disturbed the banquet of Guozhong, and it was the Governor's who did not do it! ”

Cha Kexi saw that Xu Liang's tone was actually very polite to this Governor Hong. Then he asked in surprise: "This Lord Hong, who is the higher official between you and the governor?" ”

Hong Chengchou listened. Immediately glanced at Xu Liang and chuckled maliciously. Pointing at Xu Liang, he said, "The third prince is a good question!" Who is the biggest official between the governor and Lord Xu, how can this governor be embarrassed to say. Guozhong, you might as well tell the third prince! ”

Chakoxi and Carl looked at Xu Liang expectantly.

Xu Liang glanced at Governor Hong coldly, and said to Cha Gexi: "The third prince is joking, this official is the governor of Shaanxi in the third grade, and Lord Hong is the trilateral governor of the second grade, and he is the superior of the official!" In terms of official position and grade, it is naturally Governor Hong! ”

When Hong Chengchou heard this, he smiled and waved his hand: "Alas, Guozhong's words made the governor embarrassed. You and I have been friends for many years, and we still talk about who is big and who is small! Sounds raw! ”

Xu Liang responded coldly: "The Governor is humble, one is one, two is two, how dare the lower officials mess with the rules!" ”

Hong Chengchou pointed at Xu Liang and sighed: "Alas, Guozhong you, you are still this stubborn!" ”

Xu Liang interrupted him and said, "Your Excellency the Governor suddenly visited my governor's yamen, I don't know what advice you have?" ”

Hong Chengchou listened, the smile on his face did not decrease, and he said enthusiastically to Cha Kexi and Carl: "This governor is far away in Guyuan, so I heard that the third prince of Turpan and Carl Manthorn are coming to Chang'an!" Ahem, Turpan is a friendly neighbor of my Ming Dynasty, and the third prince has arrived, how can the governor not come over in person? ”

As he spoke, Hong Chengchou changed his words and asked Cha Kexi with a smile: "Third Prince, I heard that this governor is here to talk about the trade between Shaanxi and Turpan, right?" The Governor is the Governor of the Trilateral Governor, and the affairs of the entire Northwest are the final say of the Governor! What does the third prince want, just ask Ben Governor! ”

When Chakoxi and Carl heard this, their eyes suddenly lit up, and they looked at Governor Hong happily and asked, "Is what the Governor said true?" Are you also interested in deepening your cooperation with Turpan? ”

Governor Hong patted his chest and promised: "This governor is the governor of the three sides, can't the third prince still believe my words?" ”

Chakosi spoke incoherently excitedly, "Then, let's sit down and talk in detail?" ”

Governor Hong smiled and said: "Third prince, this is the governor's yamen, it is not very convenient to talk about things, the governor has booked a private room in the big restaurant outside, how about the third prince please move to the restaurant with the governor to discuss in detail?" ”

Cha Kexi nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay." ”

Karl Man saw that Xu Liang and the others were very ugly, and he was afraid that he would offend Xu Liang in vain, so he said anxiously: "That...... Third Prince, you came to discuss with Lord Xu, the governor of Shaanxi, on the order of Lord Sutan, should you listen to Lord Xu first? ”

Unexpectedly, Cha Kexi listened, but shook his head, and said angrily to Karl: "Karl, this king mentioned the matter of trade to Lord Xu several times just now, and Lord Xu talked about him left and right. I don't have enough sincerity to talk about it! Now that Lord Hong, the governor of the three sides, has personally arrived in Chang'an City, since this king can talk to the governor in person, there is no need to waste time with Lord Xu! With that, Cha Kexi said to Governor Hong: "Governor Hong, let's go!" ”

Hong Chengchou probed his hand and said, "Third Prince, please!" ”

After that, Hong Chengchou led the third prince Cha Kexi out. Seeing this, Karl Manthorn hurriedly confessed to Xu Liang and the others, and hurriedly followed Governor Hong.

Xu Liang and a group of cronies stood at the door, watching Governor Hong lead Cha Kexi and Karl and swagger out, and couldn't help but turn blue with anger!

Wang Qinian asked cautiously, "My lord, what should I do now?" ”

Xu Liang clenched his fists with both hands, released them again, and clenched them again, obviously angry. After a long while, Xu Liangchang exhaled and sneered: "In the past, the official thought that although Hong Chengchou was against the official, he was still a decent gentleman!" Now it seems that Hong Chengchou is so shameless that he has no bottom line! Iron Head! ”

Xu Liang shouted in a deep voice.

The iron head was stunned, and hurriedly responded: "Yes." ”

"Arrange the Tsing Yi Guard Detective Department and keep an eye on the restaurant chartered by Hong Chengchou, I want to know their every move in the restaurant! Find out what you talked about, what you ate, find out for me! Xu Liang suppressed his anger and shouted: "Also, find out how Hong Chengchou entered the governor's yamen!" On such a long journey from the Chang'an City Gate to the Governor's Yamen, we didn't get any news at all! What does Tsing Yiwei eat?! The news that Cha Kexi came to Chang'an, how did he know that Hong Chengchou was far away in Guyuan? ! Check, check it all out for me! ”

Xu Liang was in a very bad mood, and he didn't even have a good tone with what he said, and the iron head listened tremblingly, so he hurriedly ran out and arranged for someone to investigate. As for Luo Baiguan, Wang Qinian, Chen Yu, Wang Dazhuang and Wu Side and others, after seeing Xu Liang's instructions, they entered the study with black faces, and several people looked at each other, and then dispersed lightly.

In the evening, the iron head who arranged for the Tsing Yi guard to investigate the matter returned to the governor's yamen in disgrace, stood in front of Xu Liang, and said dejectedly: "Young master, Hong Chengchou is too ruthless, not only contracted the entire restaurant, but also replaced the people in the restaurant, from the guy to the shopkeeper, to the people of the Governor's Mansion, and the front door and the backyard are all arranged with soldiers from the Governor's Mansion. ”

Xu Liang listened, his hands paused slightly, and then he pondered with a solemn face. (To be continued.) )