During the Hongshi period, the Great Zhou Dynasty was founded for more than 100 years. The permanent residents and floating population of the capital have reached 600,000, and the central capital can no longer live, so they build houses outside the city wall in the south of the city to live, and slowly form an outer city. By the time of Jiaqing, the number of permanent residents and floating population had reached one million, and the population of the outer city had increased to more than 300,000. In the 28th year of Jiaqing, the construction of the outer city wall began, and the project was huge, and it was completed in the 32nd year of Jiaqing in more than four years.

There are five gates in the outer city, and the Suzaku Gate is in a straight line corresponding to the South Main Gate, the left side is the Left Gate, the right side is the Right Gate, the east side is the East Ping Gate, and the west side is the West Ding Gate.

The construction of the outer city was completed by Cao Shu, the second assistant of the cabinet. The design is one horizontal and three vertical, straighten the street, when the construction of the outer city has become a scale, the demolition of the house is more, involving a lot of people, which may wish to have the royal relatives, and finally only straighten one horizontal and one vertical, that is, the straight street of the Zhuque Gate to the main gate, the Pingding Street of the East Pingmen to the West Dingmen, the Pingding Street is not centered, but the Pingsha Street with less house demolition is straightened by the south translation, and the Pingsha Street is changed to Pingding Street. The left gate is also the city gate on Wenda Street, and the city gate is the right gate on Wujin Street. Cao Shu can build the outer city wall in four years, it is not easy, such as handed over to others, no one can not repair, the construction period is short, the funds are huge, there are many disputes, the most annoying thing is that the funding gap is too large, there are craftsmen who can not get the wages to stop working, fortunately Cao Shu has a good schedule, and the east and west are finally completed, and the hard work of these four years is not to be said in words. As a result, Cao Shu was awarded the title of second-class Xiu Wenbo and was listed on the Shulu list.

On August 22, the 35th year of Jiaqing, just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the meaning is still unfinished, it is already a prosperous middle capital, and it is full of joy.

At the junction of Chongyang Street and Xingye Street in the inner city, there is a Risheng Teahouse. Judging from the name, it means to be promoted to become rich, so many high-ranking officials and nobles have been gathered, and ordinary people can't get here. First, the Risheng Tea House only supplies famous tea and refined dim sum, the price is naturally extraordinary, and the more private rooms and private rooms, the higher and lower the people. Second, the guys who guard the door are some villains who welcome the high and the low, and they know that the people with status and status in the capital are not far from ten, and they can be distinguished from a person's clothes, and they will make things difficult when they encounter people in coarse cloth and rotten clothes, and they can't even enter the door of the teahouse.

These people in their mid-thirties who cowered and dodged in front of the gate were blocked out by the men guarding the door. This is a scholar, very Sven, dressed plainly, and his speech is not tactful, seeing that it doesn't make sense, he took out a 2,000 taels of Hengtong ticket, shook it in front of the guy's eyes, and said angrily: "This is always okay, right?".

As soon as the guy saw the silver ticket, he knew that he had looked away, and suddenly changed his face, nodded and stretched his hand into the teahouse, accompanied by a smiling face, "It's a small one who has eyes and doesn't know Mount Tai, please inside the master!", the scholar was not polite, the two thousand taels of Hengtong ticket was held in his hand, and he entered the Risheng teahouse with peace of mind.

At this time, the scholar was full of style, threw a tael of silver back, and said proudly, "Take me to a private room!".

I didn't think that the guy who came with me quickly took the money. And quickly replied: "The master is so refreshing!" Please follow me.", he said and hurriedly trotted in front of the scholar, bowing down to lead the way.

Go upstairs to a private room and invite the scholar inside. There is a reason why the Risheng Tea House is expensive, and the private rooms are luxuriously decorated, all of which are sandalwood tables and chairs, antique porcelain, and famous paintings and calligraphy, which are a lot of inputs. Immediately came in and carried a pot of boiling water, the attentive Xiao Er, very skillfully brewed a cup of good Longjing, and immediately flashed to the side.

The guy was still smiling, and he was a completely different face from the one he had just had at the gate. Very flatteringly, he asked, "Master! What kind of tea and delicious snacks?", the tone of his voice was very low, for fear of offending this distinguished guest and being reprimanded by the boss.

The scholar seemed to be coming to the Risheng Teahouse for the first time, and he seemed very restrained, "Let me introduce it first!" Let's see if there's anything I like.", deliberately avoiding the man's gaze as he spoke, not wanting him to know that he was at a loss.

This is of course the man's forte, and he casually said, "The most famous are the big eight pieces and the small eight pieces, the fluff cake, the chanter cake, the champion cake, the butterfly roll, the seven-star noon, the big oil cake, the big roll and the width of the cake are the big eight. Flant .....".

Suddenly, I heard the scholar interrupt: "Okay! Put melon seeds and peanuts first, and it's not too late to wait for Xu Gongzi to come and order it!", the above dim sum has never been heard of by the scholar, and he is not interested, the important thing is that the noble Xu Gongzi likes it.

The guy didn't understand what he meant, and asked blankly: "There are many kinds of melon seeds and peanuts, I don't know which ones you want?"

The scholar was visibly impatient, glaring at him angrily, "Pick the most expensive one, and serve it on the same plate!".

"Okay!".

"I don't know what the master is talking about that Xu Gongzi?", I thought that the guy would stop, but I didn't want to speak again.

When he met an eventful fellow, the scholar couldn't bear it anymore. Turned around and reprimanded: "And that Xu Gongzi, Xu Panlong, the second son of Xu Du Yushi.", spoke loudly, Yin obviously wanted to drive people away.

I thought that the guy would not be entangled anymore, but the guy nodded hurriedly and apologized: "It turned out to be a friend of Xu Gongzi, I offended a lot just now, please forgive me!" The villain is really blind to the dog's eye.".

The fast change of the guy, of course, is not for himself, it is completely Xu Panlong's prestige. Thinking about it in a blink of an eye, it is better to take advantage of the situation to show his majesty, and scolded: "Later, Gongzi Xu is here, bring me here!", the scholar no longer had the decadence when he entered the door, and he was secretly happy in his heart.

The guy quickly responded, "As soon as Xu Gongzi arrives, the villain will bring it immediately, please wait!", said and beckoned the little two who were standing on the side to wait, and then left himself, and closed the door with a smile when he went out, for fear that the scholar would be angry again.

Seeing that the guy left, the scholar was still restless, and couldn't help but walk back and forth, very nervous. When I came to the window, I pushed open half of the window very gently, because I didn't care about the scenery of the capital when I came, and took advantage of this free time to look at the bustling streets outside, and see those different scenery and interesting things.

People passing by the Risheng Teahouse, although they are in a hurry, they can't help but look back, just because their hearts are curious, but they can't get close to the leisure place.

Not long after, the crowd was agitated, especially some small ladies who were waiting for girls, and they surrounded them, and some screamed. At this time, a twenty-five or sixteen-year-old handsome son, surrounded by many families, came to the front of the Risheng Teahouse.

That boy is mature and handsome, elegantly shaking a paper fan, dressed gorgeously and fashionably, and has a good appearance, which is not inferior to Pan An. Seeing people are all smiling, with an amiable and approachable appearance, the first impression is that they will treat people of any status well, so that the women who see them can't help but stop and stare at it.

Someone couldn't help but shout: "It's Xu Ergongzi!", this sound made those who hadn't noticed it involuntarily look over here, and those who were close immediately gathered around, wanting to see the demeanor of the Xu family's son.

This person is the son of Xu Yongjian, the imperial envoy of the right capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the fourth of the nine sons of the capital, Xu Panlong, the second son of Xu who is known as Qiao Erlang, and the family around him hurriedly blocked the flow of people, for fear of disturbing his master.

Xu Panlong, who has already married a family, is an obedient child who is married to his uncle and cousin. I think that Xu Yongjian divorced his wife in his hometown and married the daughter of a powerful person for the sake of his career, relying on his father-in-law's relationship and relying on Cao Shucai. Xu Panlong is their first son, and it is only because of his hometown wife who has the eldest son Xu Jinglong that he ranks second.

Although Xu Panlong is smart and yin, it is a pity that he is not interested in reading when he is young, coupled with his mother's pampering, he abandoned his studies and did not succeed in his career. How can I be good at observing the face and color, and the clever tongue is like a spring, and coax the parents to be happy. helped his father manage the family business, sold his official position, handled various social relations, and supported the family power, but he was a good hand.

How can he not be unhappy in recent years, just because the eldest brother from his hometown has overshadowed him, and the eldest brother Xu Jinglong is talented and not inferior to him. As soon as he came to the capital, he challenged the Poetry Academy, which shocked the Shilin world, but he didn't expect the infamous Xu Yongjian to have such a good son. Two years ago, I took the exam and won the Tanhua in one fell swoop. The most valuable thing is that he is not on the same front with his father, but he worships Luo Yan, the leader of Qingliu, as a teacher, mingles with Qingliu, and is released to Jiangnan Yizhi County. Xu Panlong raised his head at this time, he has been handy in the past two years, and he has done the things assigned by his father in an orderly manner.

I saw Xu Panlong hurriedly waved his hand, "I, Xu Panlong, also have one mouth and two eyes, there is no difference, don't hinder the pedestrians who come to live, disperse!", the speech is very friendly, so that there is nothing to be faulted with. As he spoke, he walked into the Risheng Teahouse, and the onlookers raised their heads on stilts, looked inside the Risheng Teahouse, and slowly dispersed reluctantly.

The waiting guy immediately greeted him and bowed, "I've seen Gongzi Xu!" Your guest is waiting for you in the private room on the second floor.", he said and stretched out his right hand, and rushed to the front to lead the way.

Xu Panlong walked in front, followed by a master and a middle-aged man, and the rest of the family stayed outside the teahouse.

When he came to the private room on the second floor, the scholar just wanted to salute, but he saw Xu Panlong, who came in slowly, just glanced at it, immediately stopped it, and asked very caringly: "You are Qian Xingqi?".

The scholar guessed that this person was going to see Xu Panlong, and he was a little at a loss, and replied with trembling hands; "I've seen Xu Gongzi! The contemptible person is Qian Xingqi.".

Xu Panlong looked like a calf, but he didn't pay attention to it, and sat directly on the main seat and tidied up his clothes. Seeing that Qian Xingqi was still standing, he pointed to the seat opposite, "Please sit!".

Qian Xingqi gave his hand again, "Thank you Xu Gongzi!", and then sat down opposite Xu Panlong a little timidly, and after sitting down, his hands were still uncomfortable, and he didn't dare to look at the famous Xu Ergongzi.

Xu Er Gongzi not only has a father who is in the official residence, but also looks the most handsome of the nine sons. Although he has no talent and no official position, how can his father be greedy for money, show up for him to do some illegal things, intercept some silver, and be generous in public places, so as to gain a reputation and be known to everyone, ranking high among the nine sons of the capital.

Xu Panlong smiled indifferently, and pointed to the master who came with him, "This is Master Liao's best friend of Master Qian, and you are from this family.".

Although he is a master, but following the imperial envoy of the right capital, he is naturally superior, Qian Xingqi hurriedly stood up and waved his hand at the master to greet, "Hello Master Qian!".

Master Qian was not in a hurry to return the salute, just nodded, "Master Qian has worked hard all the way, I always heard Brother Liao mention you, please take a seat!", it seems that he knows Qian Xingqi's temperament quite well, otherwise a master would not have such an attitude towards someone who will be an official in the future.

Master Qian instructed the guy: "Serve the best tea and four snacks, you stay outside and don't let people approach!", the guy has long lost his temper, bowing his waist at nearly ninety degrees, "I'll go and order, go on as soon as possible!", said and turned his head and left with a depressed face, he was just a servant of people.

After serving tea and snacks, the middle-aged man who came with them also went to the outside of the private room. There were only three people left in the room, Xu Panlong and Qian Xingqi sat opposite each other, and Master Qian stood behind Xu Panlong.

Qian Xingqi is a cowardly and unspeakable reader. Xu Panlong is not good to speak first. So Master Qian said: "Master Qian doesn't know the current situation in the capital, I want to talk about it for you.".

Qian Xingqi immediately stood up and waved his hands, "I'm new here, please ask Master Qian for advice!", his attitude was very sincere.

Master Qian was not polite, and said casually: "Since the thirty-third year of Jiaqing, a number has been popular in the capital. One emperor, two kings, three parties, four nobles, five beauties, six honest officials, seven talents, eight generals, nine sons, and the Cao family and ten tigers are famous in the world. The people in the officialdom are familiar with it, and they truly reflect the current situation in the capital.", he glanced at Qian Xingqi as he spoke, and saw that he was surprised, it must be the first time he heard of it.

Master Qian said without stopping: "The first emperor refers to the current emperor Jiaqing Emperor, and the second king refers to the third son of the emperor, Zhao Luyu, and the fifth son of the emperor, Zhao Luzin. Today, the emperor is only an adult and King Fu, who will succeed to the unification, not who can participate.", inadvertently looked at Qian Xingqi, which was a reminder to him.

Then moistened his throat and throat, "The three parties are the Cao Party, the Zhejiang Party and the Qi Party. Our lord is the imperial envoy of the right capital of the Imperial Procuratorate, Xu Yongjian, Lord Xu, one of the ten tigers of the Cao family, the lord can take a fancy to you, this is your blessing, and it will definitely make your official fortune prosperous.", there was a smug face between the words, and there was a somewhat disdainful expression.

Qian Xingqi listened with relish, but he didn't notice it, just waiting for him to continue.

When Master Qian saw him like this, he was even more interested. Busy continued: "Since the leader of the Zhejiang Party, Peng Yuan, was overthrown by Cao Shoufu, the Cao Party is a dominant party, and although the other two parties have a lot of people, they have no backbone and cannot become a big climate. Voting under our master's door is the most wise move.", before he finished speaking, he looked at Qian Xingqi's performance, stared at him and stopped talking.

Qian Xingqi didn't come over at first, when he saw the two staring at him. Hurriedly stood up, took out a silver ticket from his sleeve, handed it to Xu Panlong, and swore solemnly: "I am willing to take Xu Du's imperial history as the horse's head!" Please accept my thoughts.".

Xu Panlong glanced sideways, it was a silver ticket of two thousand taels of silver, and he didn't put it in his eyes. Stretching out his hand and pressing it, he said very elegantly: "I see that Mr. Qian is a talent, and I can't bear to let the court lose a beam, not for money!".

When Qian Xingqi heard this, he was in a dilemma and didn't know what to do next. At this time, Master Qian came forward, "Although our lord is a clean breeze with two sleeves, but other officials eat meat, they still have to take a look, and they can't lose my master, do you say?", he stretched out his hand as he spoke, and he was not in a hurry to pick up the silver ticket, but was waiting for Xu Panlong to speak.

Xu Panlong was embarrassed, raised his hand and nodded, and said, "Just like Master Qian said, it's just a little bit up and down.".

At this time, Master Qian stretched out his hand, took the two thousand taels of silver tickets, took it in his right hand and patted it with his left hand. sighed and said: "Qian Gongzi probably doesn't know today's market, it's not much of a problem to win Qian Gongzi, but I'm afraid that there will be a mistake, so I have to buy test questions just in case, I have to ask for five hundred taels. If you let go of a county, you must have three thousand taels. Our lord still has to put 1,500 taels upside down.".

Qian Xingqi became even more nervous when he heard this, it seems that he didn't bring so much silver with him to Beijing this time. Xu Panlong noticed the sudden change in Qian Qixing's expression and blamed Master Qian, "Who told you to talk too much!" The lord takes a fancy to Mr. Qian as a person, and he is willing to spend more money.".

Master Qian hurriedly complained, "I just let people be the hard work of the white son, I spent my energy in private, and I have to take a lot of silver, and I have done good things without letting people know, I really feel worthless for the son!", with a pile of grievances, but a loyal look. If you are a thoughtful person, you can see at a glance that one person sings with a red face and the other with a white face.

Qian Xingqi is a sincere person, and hurriedly expressed his intentions, "I keep in mind Xu Gongzi's affection, I will smash the pot and sell iron for the 1,500 taels of silver, and I will make up for it as soon as possible.", he was so anxious that he was about to kneel down for Xu Panlong, but there was a table in front of him, and it was not easy to get down.

Xu Panlong behaved very affectionately, stood up and walked to Qian Xingqi. patted him on the shoulder and comforted: "Your family Master Liao has already told me, is it possible to trap me in injustice, as long as you remember that it is my Xu family who helps you!"

This made Qian Xingqi, who didn't want to kneel, couldn't help but feel excited, and willingly knelt down in front of Xu Panlong, and said with tears in his eyes: "I will definitely repay each other with all my heart, live up to the cultivation of Xu Du's imperial envoy, and if there is betrayal, I will not die!", said and cried even more sadly, his mood seemed out of control, and he was sincere at a glance.

Xu Panlong helped him up, pretending to comfort him with infinite emotion, "Don't take it to heart!" Mr. Qian is already the doorman of my Xu Mansion.", he patted Qian Xingqi's back with both hands, and now he really received a person's loyalty.