Big man

The next morning, the semi-new car drove out of the underground parking lot of the Times Hotel, and drove straight to an ancient courtyard.The courtyard house is the residence of Mr. Xiao.

The old man has lived here for decades.

The car stopped at the entrance of the alley as usual, Xin Lin and Hei Lin stayed in the car, and Xiao Fan walked into the alley alone.

It's spring, and all kinds of plants in the courtyard are full of green leaves, fluttering in the wind, and full of vitality.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Xiao Fan stepped into the courtyard, he saw the old man pacing slowly in the yard, Xiao Zhan accompanied the old father to circle around, and the father and son did not talk.

This is normal between Xiao Kede and Xiao Zhan and his son.Often, except for work matters, the father and son don't have much in common.Walking around in circles together, maybe a few minutes before saying a word or two.

"Xiaofan is here?"

The old man reacted faster than Xiao Zhan. When he saw Xiao Fan, he immediately showed a happy smile and waved to him repeatedly.

It has been six months since Xiao Fan disappeared. He didn't even show up at home during the Spring Festival. He just called to pay New Year's greetings, saying that he had some business out of town and would not be able to make it back soon.

The old man didn't say anything, but he was really worried.

Xiao Fan's sickness before leaving the capital could not escape the old man's eyes.Even though he didn't know about changing one's fate against the heavens, let alone the saying of heaven's secrets and punishment, but after taking the medicine sent by Xiao Fan, the effect was immediate, and his condition healed quickly.The old man faintly felt that Xiao Fan had paid a huge price for this.

If you don't even go home during the Spring Festival, something extremely serious must have happened.

Now that Xiao Fan suddenly appeared, the old man felt very relieved and very happy.

"Grandpa, Dad."

Xiao Fan strode over to greet his grandfather and father.

"Yeah. You're back, are you okay?"

Xiao Zhan asked, his tone was still steady, even a bit rigid, but the concern in his words was still revealed.The old man is worried about his grandson, so why isn't he worried about his son?

Although Xiao Fan was disappointed by his refusal to pursue an official career, a son is a son, and blood is thicker than water.

Seeing Xiao Fan's steps are light and energetic, Xiao Zhan felt at ease.

Xiao Fan's true energy was damaged, and it was difficult to return to the perfect state in a short time, which was only relative to his own previous state.Compared with ordinary people, he is still a master with abundant internal energy and invincible.

"Dad, I'm fine."

Xiao Fan replied with a smile.

"Your medicine is good and very effective."

After a while, Xiao Zhan said something.

In terms of Xiao Zhan's character, this is an extremely great affirmation.Since Xiao Fan insisted on applying for the Taoist Academy, this was the first time Xiao Zhan affirmed him in this way.

It was no wonder that Xiao Zhan had no choice but to be convinced when the facts were before his eyes.At least in terms of medical skills, Xiao Fan is indeed very good.

So far, Xiao Zhan still cannot accept "theology" such as physiognomy and divination. Xiao Zhan still believes that the quick recovery of the old man's illness should be attributed to the medical skills of Chinese medicine.

Xiao Fan would not be in a hurry to "instill" his father's knowledge of spells.

It's a gradual process.

Moreover, whether Xiao Zhan believes in physiognomy or divination is not the key, as long as Xiao Zhan does not hinder Xiao Fan from performing these spells.

Xiao Fan was not indiscriminately modest, and said with a smile: "It should have an effect. It is made from more than 100 kinds of precious medicinal materials."

This is not a lie to deceive each other. There are indeed more than 100 kinds of precious medicinal materials for refining the "Great Repayment of the Universe". Medicines such as fresh bear bile and jade dragon brain are not so rare in comparison.There are more than a dozen kinds of rare medicines that are not comparable to Wuyang wood.It almost wiped out the accumulation of generations of ancestors of the Promise Sect.

When Xiao Fan said this, Xiao Zhan was even happier.

It seems that after all, it still depends on the power of the medicine stone, and the so-called astrology technique is just a gimmick.

This explanation is most in line with Xiao Zhan's psychology.

While Xiao Fan was talking to his grandfather and father, he carefully looked at the faces of the two elders, but it was a blur, and he couldn't see any clues.The so-called blurring of faces in physiognomy does not mean that the appearance of the old man and Xiao Zhan has changed, but some changes in complexion and texture.This kind of complexion and texture, which ordinary people can't see at all, is only valuable in the eyes of a physicist.

Xiao Fan knew very well that the "Great Repayment of the Universe", which fell short of success, completely messed up the secrets, and the power of the secrets completely obscured the reasoning of the main characters of the Xiao family, and "refusal" to investigate.

It's just that Xiao Fan is not yet sure whether the cover of heaven's secrets only works on him, a physicist with a direct blood relationship, or whether it covers all physicists in the same way.

It seems that we still need to find a suitable opportunity to verify it.

Fortunately, the second senior brother Wen Tian has already settled in the capital, so it is not difficult to verify.

It may not be so convenient to arrange for the old man and father to meet Wen Tian, ​​but it is not a problem to take Xiao Tian to the second senior brother's place.

Of the Xiao family's grandparents, father and son, Xiao Tian's fate is the most valuable, and the emperor's fate is supreme. As long as they can deduce Xiao Tian's next fortune, they may be able to speculate on the fate of the entire old Xiao family.

Seeing that Xiao Fan couldn't stop looking at him, the old man smiled and said: "Why, do you see something famous?"

With a little joking meaning.

After all, the old man is someone who has dealt with Xiao Fan's master Zhishui Patriarch, and even talked with Zhishui Patriarch once, but he does not reject Xiao Fan's "theory".

Xiao Fan quickly replied with a smile: "Grandpa's complexion is very good, his body has fully recovered."

The old man smiled and said: "I also feel very energetic now, and I can walk for two or three hours a day. On the contrary, at a young age, I always lose my energy. This is not good."

Xiao Zhan was suddenly criticized by his father, his black face blushed slightly, and he said, "Father, it's not that I can't cheer up. I'm more concerned about the key work, and I'll be fine after this period. I won't be so busy all the time. of."

The old man shook his head and said: "Liberation, how many times have you said this, and when can you really let it go? I still say that, to be handsome, you must understand the general situation, and don't worry about the details. Zhuge Liang is such a smart man." , because of the problem of having to do everything by myself, the end result is very bad.”

Xiao Zhan sighed lightly.

Why doesn't he know what's wrong with him?I like to do everything by myself.But once such a habit is formed, it is not so easy to change.

Xiao Fan suddenly said: "Dad, maybe there is something I can help with."

"you?"

Xiao Zhan's eyes widened immediately, with a look of disbelief on his face.

You are already a "monk". How can you help Minister Xiao with his work?

In a sense, Xiao Zhan and his department are in charge of major national affairs, at least in a certain field, the whole country must follow Xiao Zhan's instructions.

The old man said lightly: "Liberation, if you want to change your problems, you have to start by trusting others. Xiao Fan is your son, no matter whether he can really help you or not, at least you have to trust him. The intention is definitely not fake."

Xiao Zhan nodded and said, "I believe that."

Xiao Fan smiled and said, "Dad, during this period of time, do you have some disagreements with Uncle Lu about work? They don't agree."

Xiao Zhan raised his eyebrows and said in surprise, "How do you know?"

The so-called Uncle Lu, whose name is Lu Hong, is also a second-generation descendant of a family of the capital. He is currently the executive deputy minister of another department. He is a few years younger than Xiao Zhan, less than fifty, and he can be regarded as a young man among senior cadres.The Lu family is not considered a first-class wealthy family in the capital, and there is a certain gap compared with such an influential wealthy family as the Xiao family.For a long time, because of the friendship formed between the two old men during the war years, and the work affiliation after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Lu family and the Xiao family have been relatively close, and are basically regarded as one by other wealthy families and political forces.

But strictly speaking, the Lu family and the Xiao family cannot be regarded as their own people, that is to say, the Lu family is not a member of the "Xiao family", but an ally.

In politics, there is a very fundamental difference between allies and their own people.

This difference became more obvious after Mr. Lu passed away the year before last.Lu Hong himself has his own political ideas, which are not completely consistent with Xiao Zhan.

After the death of Mr. Lu, the Lu family and Lu Hong himself immediately became the targets of all major political forces.

Among them, the Wang family stretched the longest and had the most distinctive attitude.

If Lu Hong could be drawn over, it would mean that the entire old Lu family and surrounding forces would move closer to the "Wang Clan" as a whole, which would be a major loss for the old Xiao family.

One ebbs and another.

Because of this, the old Wang family spared no effort in wooing the old Lu family.

It so happened that this year, Xiao Zhan's ministry and Lu Hong's ministry were going to jointly formulate a national policy. Xiao Zhan discussed with Lu Hong in person, but the result was not satisfactory.

Lu Hong hoped that his department would take the lead in this new policy, with Xiao Zhan's department assisting.

This point is exactly what Xiao Zhan has no way to compromise.

Who will take the lead is very particular.

It not only involves the two departments, but also involves the prestige of the Xiao family and Xiao Zhan himself.If this policy is led by Lu Hong's ministry, it means that Xiao Zhan has started to make concessions in exchange for Lu Hong and the Lu family continuing to be allies of the Xiao family.

In political games, this is a very common phenomenon, nothing more than compromise and balance.

The key point is that Xiao Zhan's character determines that he can't do this, so as not to make people laugh.

Among the second-generation children of a wealthy family, Xiao Zhan is known for his strength and toughness.

Minister Xiao will never lose face like this.

The two discussions broke up unhappy, and Xiao Zhan felt very unhappy about it.

Xiao Fan smiled and said: "Dad, many people have heard of such a big event. Maybe I can try this, maybe I can really convince Uncle Lu."

Xiao Zhan's face darkened immediately, and he said with some displeasure: "Can such a thing be used as a joke? How much do you know about the inside story? How to persuade Lu Hong?"

Just kidding.

Lu Hong is the second-generation standard-bearer of a dignified family and a senior official at the deputy ministerial level. Don't talk about convincing Xiao Fan, even meeting Lu Hong will take a lot of trouble.

Is this something you can just say? (To be continued.)