Episode 2 Bribery

Nanjing, like the capitals of other dynasties, was traditionally divided into "outer city" and "inner city", and the inner city was divided into "imperial city" and "palace city". However, in the 30s of the 30th century, the city wall between the "inner city" and the "outer city" was gone, and only the city wall of the outer city, that is, the city wall of Nanjing, and the wall of the palace city, that is, the Forbidden City.

However, Nanjing people still habitually refer to the area near the Forbidden City, roughly in the area of Changping East Road and Yudao Street, as the Imperial City. Different from the Xinjiekou commercial district and the Qinhuai River leisure and living area, it is mainly an administrative area, which has the feeling of high-end CBD in later generations, but it is not a "business CBD", but a "government CBD". The main military and political institutions of the Ming Empire are located here, such as the official residence of the first assistant on Changping East Road, the first bureau of Dongchang, the capital garrison headquarters, and the headquarters of the People's Guard on Yudao Street.

For the convenience of military and political bigwigs, there are also some restaurants here. Although there are relatively few, they are all upscale and low-key. One of them is the "Shang Chun Yuan" restaurant where Xiang Xiaoqiang asked Xiao Qiang to pick up the wind for 14 grids at noon today.

Xiang Xiaoqiang has been busy with the fate of the Ming Dynasty during this time, and he has no time to enjoy the wealth he has received. He improvised to invite Fourteen Gege to dinner, but found that he didn't know a restaurant worthy of her. I still recommend it to him for a stomachache. This guy is now familiar with the high-end places in Nanjing.

It's not like those big restaurants in the bustling area of Jinling, which are resplendent and brilliant.

This area is very quiet, and like most restaurants in the "Imperial City", Shang Chun Yuan is not ostentatious at all from the outside, with white walls and tiles, small doors, and an old bluestone inlaid on the wall, engraved with the words "Shang Chunyuan". But after entering, there is a cave, like a small private garden, divided into several entrances, the outermost private courtyard, parked a few cars.

Xiang Xiaoqiang's car also slowly drove in and stopped. The driver came down to open the door to Xiaoqiang.

As soon as Xiang Xiaoqiang got out of the car, another car jumped into his eyes. It was a big white car. Cream white body, beige canvas canopy, logo is Rolls-Royce.

White Rolls-Royce!

Although there are a few such cars in Nanjing, Xiang Xiaoqiang has a feeling that this is the mysterious white Rolls-Royce. He stared at the car, almost forgetting to open the door for Fourteen Gege and the two ladies.

Shang Chunyuan's two maids dressed in the traditional Ming Dynasty small bibi greeted them, opened the car door on the left and right, and bowed.

Fourteen Gege and Qiu Yu came down first, holding hands very affectionately, and continued to whisper. Then Xiuxiu got down by herself and stood quietly aside.

Suddenly, she also saw the Rolls-Royce, and then glanced at the license plate, and her little face turned white. In particular, she saw that Xiang Xiaoqiang was also very interested in this car, and she became even more nervous.

Xiang Xiaoqiang circled around the car, didn't study anything, woke up, and quickly turned around to apologize to Fourteen Gege, and then asked the two maids to take them in. A few people were just about to walk into the courtyard on the next floor when they suddenly heard a "bang" behind them, like the sound of a car door closing. Xiang Xiaoqiang subconsciously looked back and saw that the white Rolls-Royce was starting.

Xiang Xiaoqiang stared intently at the people in the cab, while Xiuxiu turned around, turned her back to the car, biting her lip, and her face turned pale.

“…… Jiang Meilu? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang muttered suddenly.

When Xiuxiu heard this name, she immediately turned her head and looked into the car, and saw that it was Jiang Meilu who started the car, and immediately relaxed her whole body, and her face was bloody again. …… Xiuxiu's reactions were all seen by Fourteen Gege.

Why is she so afraid of this car? …… Fourteen Gege observed Xiuxiu and secretly guessed.

Jiang Meilu in Rolls-Royce had already turned the steering wheel and was about to fall backwards, when she suddenly saw Xiang Xiaoqiang.

Jiang Meilu's face was first surprised, and then she looked very happy, first beckoned in the car, smiled and nodded, and then immediately put out the fire and came out.

She closed the door lovingly, then walked over quickly, and said with a smile:

"Lord Xiang, long time no see!"

Xiang Xiaoqiang also smiled:

"Director Jiang, what a coincidence!"

Jiang Meilu's eyes turned around, and he had already seen several women behind him, and immediately bowed to Fourteen Ge Yingying with a smile, and said respectfully:

"The concubine has seen Her Royal Highness the Princess."

Fourteen Gege hurriedly helped him and said with a humble smile:

"Deputy Director Jiang, please hurry up, don't dare to be a ......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang had long found that the women of the Ming Dynasty were very good-looking. Place your hands on your waist, bow your legs together and bow slightly, and lower your head and neck, between "Wan Fu" and "Knee Bend". Even if you don't wear traditional clothes when you salute, just a dress or even a military uniform, it looks very charming.

Especially for a woman like Jiang Meilu, who is in very good shape, it is even more pleasing to the eye.

Xiang Xiaoqiang was laughing, and suddenly heard "Deputy Director Jiang", he was stunned for a moment, and said with a smile:

"Hehe, I haven't seen you for a few days, Deputy Director Jiang has been promoted."

Jiang Meilu hurriedly humbly, looked at Xiuxiu, and patted her arm very affectionately. Xiuxiu also looked at her affectionately and greeted her in a low voice:

"Deputy Director Jiang."

Because there was only one Xiang Xiaoqiang who knew the identity of Xiuxiu Dongchang here, they didn't say anything, and they tacitly agreed.

Xiang Xiaoqiang introduced Qiu Yu to her, then glanced at the white Rolls-Royce, and said with a smile:

"What a beautiful car! Deputy Director Jiang's newly purchased car? ”

At the beginning, the report reported by the security team that there were a total of ten double-row white Rolls-Royces in Nanjing, and it did not say that Jiang Meilu also had one. Could it be that she bought it newly? Can she afford such a car now?

Jiang Meilu "shh

"Hehe, it was given to me by a friend, and I can't afford to buy a new one...... How's that, pretty, right? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang was secretly surprised. He didn't dare to think that this was Jiang Meilu's own car, so he asked this just to test it. I didn't expect Jiang Meilu to be so rich now.

Xiang Xiaoqiang knows that although Nanming is rich, the automobile industry is not as good as Europe and the United States, and there is only one car in this era, which is already a symbol of wealth and status, not to mention that this kind of Rolls-Royce is very expensive even if it is second-hand, and it is by no means something that the deputy director of the East Factory can afford.

He casually glanced at the license plate and memorized the number. Then he laughed:

"Deputy Director Jiang is alone, this is ...... Coming to eat? ”

"Yes, come for lunch," Jiang Meilu said with a smile, looking at the rank of major in the fourteenth grid, "Lord Xiang is also here......?" ”

"Hehe, Her Royal Highness Princess Liaoyang came to the headquarters for the first day today, and everyone came out for lunch."

After a few people said goodbye, they saw Jiang Meilu drive this white Rolls-Royce and go out to Xiaoqiang. Then, he immediately asked Xiuxiu to take out a pen and paper and write down the license plate number.

……

The box is elegant and secluded, with a charcoal fire, and it is warm. Xiang Xiaoqiang first asked for fourteen grids to order. Fourteen Gege excused himself for a few words, ordered two dishes, and handed the menu to Xiang Xiaoqiang with a smile. As soon as Xiang Xiaoqiang heard these two dishes, he knew that they were all Qiu Yun's favorite dishes. Fourteen Gege was in the car with Qiu Yu just now, whispering very affectionately, it seems that this Nizi's preferences have been taken.

Fourteen Gege showed favor like this, Xiang Xiaoqiang understood, Xiuxiu understood, and even Qiuyu understood. Qiu Yun seemed very moved, she has always been good to her, and she has to be very good to others. She grinned and stuck out her tongue at Fourteen Gege, as if to say, "Thank you!" ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang is also very satisfied. It's a good thing that Fourteen Gege can take the initiative to make friends with his wife, and the two can get along amicably. But it seems that it is limited to Qiuyu, and she is slightly distant from Xiuxiu. More precisely, it seems to be a bit precautionary.

Moreover, Fourteen Gege was in front of her, and as long as she was willing, the princess would hold her shelf high.

Maybe it'...... Men and women should be treated differently? …… Maybe she's protecting her fragile dignity?

Xiang Xiaoqiang didn't know what dishes Shishigege liked to eat, but since she grew up in Japan, it was right to order a few light and fresh fish. He estimated that he ordered a few delicate seafood, and sure enough, Fourteen Gege looked at him with great appreciation and smiled with satisfaction.

Because I have to deal with a lot of things in the afternoon, the white wine that Xiang Xiaoqiang ordered is just right with the seafood main dish.

During the banquet, the three girls frequently toasted each other, looking happy, and Xiang Xiaoqiang was very satisfied. However, it can also be seen that Fourteen Gege and Qiu Yu seem to be very close, and they have almost become good sisters who talk about everything, and she toasts with Xiuxiu, mostly courtesy. It was Xiuxiu who seized the opportunity to take the initiative to toast her husband several times. Xiang Xiaoqiang saw that Xiuxiu was a little lost - the good sisters in the past were now snatched away by Fourteen Gege.

But Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that Qiu Yu was like this, very casual, far less sensitive than Xiuxiu. He happily toasted a few drinks with Xiuxiu, comforting and encouraging her with his eyes.

……

When Xiang Xiaoqiang ate these dishes, he was secretly tongued several times. The taste is absolutely beautiful, not to mention, just the few pieces of seafood he ordered for the fourteen grids turned out to be all fresh. A golden moray eel was actually kept in a fish tank, and the chef pushed it into the box with a small cart and fished out in front of them.

Xiang Xiaoqiang once attended a classmate's wedding, and saw a similar one in the seafood department of that restaurant, with a price tag of 20,000 yuan. It's still a seaside city. …… As for how much this moray eel is worth here, it doesn't matter how much it costs to get this sea water alone, just because Nanjing is 108,000 miles away from the coast.

But don't talk about 20,000 yuan now, it's 20,000 Mingyang, and Xiang Xiaoqiang can afford it. He had one thing on his mind now: he drove a Rolls-Royce to this kind of restaurant, just for a casual "lunch...... Is this still the original Jiang Meilu?

He knew that since the New Year's coup, the expansion of Dongchang's power was certain. But what is the specific, Xiang Xiaoqiang has not paid much attention. Judging from Jiang Meilu's expenses, the people in Dongchang are much richer than before......

However, when Dongchang tried so hard to help himself go north to save people and help himself carry out a coup d'état, isn't this what people are trying to do? Now people are just reaping the original investment.

The East Factory is a privileged department, and if its rule really starts to deteriorate, then the next step will spread to other ordinary departments.

Xiang Xiaoqiang felt very uncomfortable. He knew what Nanming was ahead of the Northern Qing Dynasty in all aspects, and what did he rely on to make so many Northern Qing people flee south at the risk of death every year.

……

After eating, he instructed Xiaoqiang to settle the bill. But the maid said very respectfully that the adult's meal money had already been settled.

Xiang Xiaoqiang was surprised and looked at the three girls. They've always been here, and no one has gone out. The three of them also looked at each other. Then Fourteen Gege asked:

"Who settled the bill for us?"

The maid smiled and bowed gracefully and replied, "The gentlemen did not want the adults to know their name, but only that it was a great honor for them to have the privilege of entertaining them with a light meal."

Xiang Xiaoqiang and Fourteen Gege looked at each other and smiled. I've only seen this kind of thing in it, but I didn't expect it to hit my head today. It seems that when a person reaches a certain status, there will be people who will try their best to please him like this.

But Xiang Xiaoqiang can't stand this kind of dumb riddle. He laughed and said:

"No, you'd better tell them who they are. It's not a lot of food, but I'm not used to it. ”

The maid was still the same, smiling, and bowed down very gracefully so that the adults did not have to ask about the cost of the meal. He also said that if you come to this restaurant again in the future, no matter how much you want, it will be recorded in the accounts of those gentlemen.

Looks like there's more than one meal! Xiang Xiaoqiang couldn't stand it, even Qiu Qian couldn't stand it, they asked again and again, but the maid just smiled and didn't answer.

Xiang Xiaoqiang was impatient and commanded:

"Qiuyun, you can ask!"

Qiu Yu said "oh" very obediently, then stood up, took the maid aside, took out her ID and shook it, and said something softly and viciously.

The maid immediately turned pale with fright, bowed down to make amends, and said it all.

“…… Those people are from Yuhua Cong Automobile Company? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang's heart was relieved and understood.

Yuhua Cong Automobile Company was one of several automobile companies that I met with in the morning. Obviously, they want the People's Guard, and even the Ming Army, to purchase their cars, so they are so arrogant. Compared with the order of tens of thousands of cars, how much is this meal? …… It's definitely not going to end like this, and there will be heavy bribes - bribes next.

Knowing that this was the case, Xiang Xiaoqiang felt a little more at ease. In his experience, a meal is relatively normal. Although it is a little more expensive. Anyway, whether to buy Yuhuacong's car or not, it's in your own hands. A meal doesn't mean much.

He is not at all interested in making money by virtue of his power. He is far from interested in money now. Xiang Xiaoqiang is not short of money to spend now. The commander's salary is very high, and in addition, by speculating in international futures, bonds, and stocks, he is already a lot of money. Soon, the "mining plan" will be put into practice, and it is no longer a dream to be rich and rival the country. Money can't tempt him anymore.

Xiang Xiaoqiang grinned, while wearing his coat, he walked out with the girls, and smiled at the maid:

"Since the gentlemen of Yuhua Cong are so polite, this commander will give them face. …… Tell those gentlemen that the product is good and the price is good...... Otherwise, it's useless to ask this commander to eat jade cabbage! ”

The maid hurriedly bowed and agreed.

Xiang Xiaoqiang saw that Xiuxiu kept glaring at him, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly, very anxious, as if signaling him to refuse this meal. But Xiang Xiaoqiang felt that Xiuxiu was too sensitive. It's just a meal.

……

Several people left.

In the next box, a person came out, smiled faintly, and asked the maid:

"He accepted?"

"Back to Master Hou, accept it."

"Good."

……