afterglow

Chapter 240 Planning to divide the cake; the dinner party for entering the circle

Compared with the turmoil in the Ming Dynasty, the dignitaries are more concerned and concerned about the Raiders of the Wa Kingdom recently.

The conclusion of everyone's private discussion is that the emperor and the imperial court are likely to be able to make up their minds. As long as the European countries can accept the proposal, calmly withdraw from the Japanese archipelago, and redefine the sphere of influence, then it can be said that it is inevitable for the Ming Dynasty to send troops to Japan.

Even if countries such as Britain, France, the United States and the Netherlands disagree, or only agree to part of it, apart from shaking the attitude of some people in the imperial court, it should not be able to change the result of sending troops.

That being the case, the dignitaries will naturally have to consider the distribution of benefits after the war.

For Daming, the land of Dongying is a typical place where the military value is greater than the political value, and the political value is greater than the economic value. Although the total amount of benefits that can be obtained is not much, who can refuse the money that is easily "looted"?
Most of the famous companies such as Mitsubishi Foundation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Kobe Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., and Nakajima Aviation Co., Ltd. have survived to this day, or have still appeared.

These enterprises have a long history and developed rapidly during the Meiji Restoration period. Although Japan collapsed after betting on the fortunes of the country and returned to the state of separatism, the basic industrial needs of each vassal and the injection of Western forces allowed them to continue. development so far.

In addition to these well-known enterprises and companies, there are also some industrial foundations in various counties and cities. Even if there is no heavy industry, there is still more or less light industry.

Now, the dignitaries of Ming Dynasty have already set their eyes on this big or small piece of fat, thinking about how to carve it up for the better in the future.

No matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat, and even a dollar of money stolen for nothing can be earned.

In the past few days, some nobles and wealthy businessmen who have been close to Zhu Lingjing have successively sent their cronies and confidants to explain and discuss their respective intentions and goals, hoping that she can help them and coordinate the future distribution of benefits.

For example, in Pingdu Bofu, the Lichang Industrial Group under its name is mainly engaged in light industry, and only a few heavy industries are involved. They are eyeing Wakayama County, hoping to take the main position when taking over the ownership of local factories and companies.

"The attitudes and intentions of all parties have been expressed one after another, and they have been thinking about it these days. We can probably make a general decision for today's dinner." Zhu Lingjing looked at her nails and said casually: "You also want to be there, formally dressed, Regular clothes."

"Understood." Zhou Changfeng nodded.

Oh ho!Is this really being brought to a long experience?Finally the day came.

It is not difficult to get in touch with people in the upper class, and you can meet them occasionally, but it is not easy to integrate into their circle. If no one leads you in, you may have to wait for them to come to you.

In Daming, which has its own national conditions, there are many powerful and wealthy people, and they can get in touch with one or two from time to time in ordinary life.However, for example, the distant branches of the royal family like Zhu Lishuo have a high social status, but they are only relative to ordinary people. They are still far away from the small group of people who affect the decision-making of the Ming Dynasty. Zhou Changfeng said to this Cognition is very clear.

Zhu Lingjing's willingness to take herself to such a dinner party means real recognition and acceptance, and it is also the starting point for her to formally enter the decision-making level.

The well-dressed Zhou Changfeng hesitated before leaving whether to bring his saber, would it appear too high-profile?Is it too low-key without a belt?

But in the end, he slung it across his waist, straightened his skirt, aligned the leather belt of his waist, and waxed his leather boots until they were shiny.

The dinner was held at Tonghui Hotel, west of Tongjimen Avenue. What Zhou Changfeng didn't know was that when he led his army to fight the British and Indian troops in Demaji last year, the dignitaries of the capital had already held a celebration banquet here.

The sun was setting and the sky was darkening, showing a deep blue-black color, dotted with stars.

When Zhou Changfeng arrived by car, the street lights were turned on on time, and the neon lights of the shops and buildings flickered one after another. If you look down from the sky, you can see that the whole city has turned into a sea of ​​lights in an instant.

The recent poor security situation has led to more guards accompanying the dignitaries. Many cars have several cars full of guards at the front and back.

Zhou Changfeng, who was standing at the entrance of the hotel, was a little at a loss. He was unfamiliar with the place, and Zhu Lingjing hadn't made it clear before whether he could enter directly with the invitation card.

At this time, a burst of footsteps and a familiar voice came from behind, "Oh, it's quite early."

Luo Fu, who was also wearing a navy uniform, walked slowly, but he couldn't help being startled when he saw the Yanling knife slung across his waist, "What are you doing with the knife? You won't cut people today."

"According to the dress code, ordinary clothes should indeed wear a knife." Zhou Changfeng was a little helpless, and then pointed to the direction of the door and asked, "Should we continue to wait or go in directly?"

"You come with me."

"By the way, why are you here?"

"Why can't I come?" Luo Fu smiled, and pointed at himself, "It's not applicable here to see people recognized by officials."

After depositing the exclusive Yanling knife rewarded by Yingtian martial arts, the two verified their identities and walked straight into the magnificent hotel lobby.

The dinner party was held on the sixth floor. At this moment, many people have arrived, and there are many waiters who are coming and going and arranging tableware and fruits.

Zhou Changfeng, who stepped out of the elevator, was surprised, because this was completely different from the banquet with dozens of tables he had imagined.

There are only about twenty tables as far as the eye can see, but the furnishings of the environment are very unique, and the distance reserved between each table is just right, neither too restrictive nor too far away.

Next to it, a young woman with a pretty face and a top and bottom is standing next to a lyre, but she is not seated.

Under the leadership of the waiter, the two came to an ebony wood Eight Immortals table.

"This is the seat for you two." The male waiter left after handing over his hands.

Zhou Changfeng glanced at the table on the right back, and if he guessed correctly, that was Zhu Lingjing's exclusive seat.

He turned his head to Luo Fu and asked, "How many people are here today?"

The latter just took a piece of orange, and replied casually: "Not too many, not too many, eleven or two, they are all big figures in politics, military and business between the government and the opposition."

In this kind of interest-exchanging conference directed at the core, the participants are undoubtedly close partners, at least temporarily, their interests converge and they are on the same front.

In fact, Zhou Changfeng has always been very curious about what kind of existence Zhu Lingjing is now, how high her political status is, and how much influence she has.

After waiting for a cup of tea, it was about a quarter past six, and those big bosses who were rarely seen at ordinary times finally arrived one after another.

The young man at the front is tall, looks like he is in his 30s, quite elegant, seems to be more gentle?
"Look, this is Yu Yongyu, the Pingdu Bo of the current dynasty. He is okay with his own people, but he is notoriously narrow-minded to outsiders, and he will take revenge." Luo Fu introduced in a low voice.

Behind him is a middle-aged man who looks equally approachable, with a slightly fat body, and the first impression can be said to be simple and honest.

"Xu Zhiyan has become the president of Jiangsu and Zhejiang Shipbuilding Group from scratch. He is a good businessman. A few hundred years ago, he would have been indistinguishable from Shen Wansan. The large and small shipyards in Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Wenzhou It's all under his banner."

"I seem to have heard of it." In Zhou Changfeng's impression, Zhu Lingjing had talked about this person to himself, and Xu Zhiyan and Xu Zhanming were related by relatives.

And this Jiangsu-Zhejiang Shipbuilding Group, which includes almost all shipyards in Zhejiang Province, not only mainly engages in the construction of civilian ships, but also accepts a large number of orders from the Navy, and is good at building small and medium-sized ships. , gunboats, and torpedo boats are all produced in its own shipyards.

After that, nine people came one after another, and Luo Fu introduced them to Zhou Changfeng one by one.

To the latter's surprise, it was obviously a gathering of dignitaries who were close to Zhu Lingjing, but there were also princelings who came, and they were [-]% hardcore princelings - Donggong Zhanshi Wu Zhengren.

Is this here to observe in a fair manner?
"As far as appearance and demeanor are concerned, these powerful people seem to be okay." Zhou Changfeng thought for a while, then turned his head and said in a low voice.

Luo Fu on the side snorted, and replied: "Indeed, but it's just a perception, in fact, they are all ruthless people who eat people but don't spit out their bones."

He glanced at it and joked, "Aren't you the same? You are usually kind, but in fact you are more ruthless than anyone else."

Recalling his experience in the disaster-stricken area of ​​Caozhou not long ago, Luo Fu felt that Zhou Changfeng was also a resolute and decisive character, which perfectly fit the rumored image.

The main character of the dinner party arrived long after everyone was seated.

Dressed in black and purple clothes, Zhu Lingjing came slowly on high heels, with several hairpins with pendants tied into her hair.

Everyone standing or sitting at the scene stood up straight, bowed their hands, and saluted.

"Today we're talking about happy things, why bother to be polite, let's all be more relaxed." Holding a folding fan, Zhu Lingjing walked calmly and came to the seat at the square table that was vacant for only one person.

As far as the seating arrangement is concerned, there are eighteen tables in total, and she occupies one table alone. Zhou Changfeng, Luo Fu, and a middle-aged person have a table for three, and they are located in front of Zhu Lingjing on the left.

"I haven't seen you for several months, Your Highness looks even more elegant." Someone praised.

This sentence started, and the dignitaries present all praised him one after another, and the praises were not repetitive.

This kind of mutual flattery has no practical significance, but it is an indispensable process for an active atmosphere.

"Everyone is in good spirits. I think business is booming recently." Zhu Lingjing said with a smile, "Let's have dinner first, and then we can talk when we have fun."

So, a few seconds after her words fell, the musician who had been ready at the side touched the expensive custom-made lyre, and the melodious and profound sound immediately filled the banquet.

The waiters, men and women, came in a file with trays and served plates of exquisite delicacies.The presentation of the plate is also very particular, and the arrangement of meat and vegetable dishes is well arranged.

After Zhu Lingjing moved the chopsticks first, the other people present did so.

The atmosphere became active as a result. These bigwigs with extraordinary status and power beyond imagination talked and laughed like ordinary people having a dinner together. Except for the gaffe of shouting, such a dinner was still in the same place as ordinary people. within the bounds of the imagination.

"Let me tell you all, the order of the Princess's Mansion." The middle-aged man with square half-rim glasses and thick eyebrows lowered his voice, and said with a smile, "I have heard of the prestige of Chief Zhou for a long time, and I really admire it. "

"It's still a lot of jokes, seniors are overrated." Zhou Changfeng toasted each other, and then drank his daughter's warm red and yellow wine in one gulp.

Although it was the first time they met, Zhou Changfeng knew that this family order was the real one of his own, and to some extent was more important than Luo Fu.

The Princess Mansion naturally has its own official office and subordinate officials. During the Hongwu period, the Family Commander was set up to be in charge of the affairs of the Princess Mansion.

However, in the 23rd year of Hongwu, the family commander was changed to the middle envoy, and eunuchs were instead appointed as ordinary civil servants.

Now that there are no eunuchs and eunuchs, the imperial court directly restored the old system more than 500 years ago.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, I don't know who took the lead, and the topic gradually changed from trivial chatting in all over the world to serious business.

Pingdu Bo Yu Yongyu said with a smile on his face: "I have a side branch with a lot of ambition. I want to try to make a living in steelmaking and chemical industry. That kid is stubborn, he feels he has a chance, so he insists on giving it a try."

"It's not like making clothes, food and other light industries. Iron and steel smelting and chemical manufacturing are very troublesome. You have to do what you can. If you don't have the skills, you have to work hard. If you don't succeed, you will be ridiculed." Wu Zhengren said in a tone. He replied flatly.

The conversation between the two may seem like a family chat, but the actual meaning is completely different.

"'There is a younger generation who is determined to engage in heavy steelmaking and chemical engineering, but the water is not easy'. This means that all the heavy industry business in Daming has been occupied by others. He is very dissatisfied if he can't grab it."

"'He said he was stubborn and refused to listen to persuasion, but he wanted to try when he had the opportunity'. This means that he has made up his mind this time, and he must make a ready-made while taking advantage of the attack on the Wa country."

"'Do what you can, if you fail, you will be ridiculed', this is to warn Bo Pingdu not to be too greedy, if you take too many benefits, others will be dissatisfied."

Fang Shujun took a sip of his wine and "translated" the encrypted conversations of these dignitaries to Zhou Changfeng.

The latter couldn't help complaining in a low voice: "There are no outsiders here, aren't you tired of talking like this?"

"People are used to talking and listening, so naturally it doesn't matter, you will get used to it after listening more."

"..."

Because Wu Zhengren represented the prince's faction, his attitude made everyone a little unhappy, and they felt that this was deliberately suppressing them.

what?We are not allowed to carve up the Wa country after we take it?How can you mess around with cutting the cake?
Even if you don't expect to get a big head, is it too outrageous if you only give sporadic crumbs?
As a result, the atmosphere at the banquet suddenly became much tenser. Although the faces of the dignitaries still had smiles on their faces, their words became more sharp.

On one side are the "insiders" who are closer to each other, and on the other side are the princelings. Zhu Lingjing weighed it for a while, and said in a casual way: "It is very good to be brave in pioneering and working hard. As long as you are not too prodigal, I will I think it should be supported."

(End of this chapter)