Aspirations

Chapter 149
Lian Ruohan quickly jumped to the side, refused to accept Zheng Hao's gift, and said with a smile: "Zheng Tong ordered not to kill the little girl, the little girl is only for business, how can she share the worries of the emperor and benefit the people?"

Seeing that Lian Ruohan was still unwilling to tell the real reason for withholding the supply of iron ore, Xia Xiang guessed that Lian Ruohan must have difficulties, so he stopped asking.However, he is clear that Lian Ruohan's actions are definitely not just for business, but for the grand plan of besieging Guangjin Commercial Firm.Lian Ruohan must be clear about what Guangjin Commercial Bank is really planning.

"It's not fundamental to only stop the supply of iron ore. Only by cutting off the supply of horses, leather and grain can we get rid of the bottom line." Zheng Hao thought for a moment, "Xia Xianzun, in my opinion, it's better to let Haojing Changzai directly buy Guangjin Commercial bank, if this is the case, Guangjin Commercial Bank will not be able to toss about anything any more."

"Not good, not right." Xia Xiang shook his head, with a mysterious smile on his face, "If you want to achieve great things, you must have food, horses, bows and arrows, and weapons. Not to mention that it is impossible to buy Guangjin Trading Company, Guangjin Commercial Bank won’t sell it either. It’s just that good times always exist. As long as they propose to buy Guangjin Commercial Bank, they will startle the enemy. If they are forced to rush, the other party will jump over the wall in a hurry, and it will ruin the big thing. It’s better to let them continue and wait for the right time When you are mature, take it in one fell swoop."

"What if raising a tiger is a problem?" Zheng Hao thought for a while, and felt that it was inappropriate, "Inappropriate, it is not appropriate. When the opponent becomes powerful, the tail is too big to lose, and even the emperor can't control it, don't you want to let it go?" The other party does whatever they want?"

Xia Xiang sighed and shook his head: "His Royal Highness Xingwang is too big now, so there is no need to wait until later."

"So, don't we have no chance of winning?" Zheng Hao looked frustrated, and turned around a few times, "I might as well resign and go home and stay out of it. It would be great to be a free agent, why risk my life? If you lose, your reputation will be ruined. If you win, what if you get promoted to three ranks in a row? I have a lot of fertile land and a thousand fortunes, and being an official is not just for money."

"Well said, being a good official is not for money!" Seeing that Zheng Hao's mind was wavering, Xia Xiang deliberately persuaded Zheng Hao. After all, as the general judge who can restrain Cui Xiang the most, Zheng Hao's importance is self-evident. "As a child of an aristocratic family, Zheng Tongjuan is well-clothed and well-fed. He has never known the hardships of life for the common people, but he became an official and seeks blessings for the common people. It is a great good. It has always been difficult for the poor to give alms, and it is difficult for the rich to practice Taoism. Being an official is also a practice. It is good practice. Zheng Tongpan was born rich and honored, and he does not forget the sufferings of the people and sympathizes with the hardships of the people's livelihood. I salute you!"

Xia Xiang crossed his hands and bowed deeply.

As soon as Zheng Hao was put on by Xia Xiang's high hat, he suddenly felt fluttering, and his heart was full of pride. He stretched out his hand to support Xia Xiang, and laughed: "Xia County respects the words seriously, and I have won the award. I am an official, but it is a I just want to do my best for the country and the people. Although I don’t forget the hardships of the people and I can sympathize with the people’s livelihood, but I still haven’t reached the road of “the saint has no permanent heart, and the people’s heart is the heart.” I should restrain myself Restoring the rites and working hard to govern, I hope that one day I can truly worry about the world's worries before worrying about the world's joys."

Cao Shuli and Lian Ruohan looked at each other and smiled, Xia Xiang sometimes had a dignified and dignified look, which made people look awe-inspiring.Sometimes he has a playful smile and looks completely out of shape, which makes people suspect that he has not grown up yet and is still a child at heart.What he did just now, but he used a high hat to make Zheng Hao submit. Is he a serious Xia Xianzun, a young man with a childlike heart, or a scheming official?Both of them couldn't help being delighted by Xia Xiang's wit and change.

"I figured it out, Xia Xianzun, I figured it out, the first one, the first one!"

Cao Shujun jumped up, and waved vigorously at Xia Xiang and the others, beaming with joy: "I'm sure I'll win today!"

The few people did not stop at the moment, and quickly came to Cao Shujun and the others.Cao Shuli asked in a low voice as she walked, "Sister Lian, why did Mr. Xia Lang want them to compete?"

Lian Ruohan's eyes lingered on Xia Xiang's back for a moment, and a gleam of joy flashed in his eyes: "Of course it is for the sake of calculating the total cost of resettling the refugees. It's really hard for him, and he always thinks about the people. He just No matter how old you are, it’s really rare to have the heart of being a parent and an official.”

"Hmph, sister Lian, don't praise him too much. He is really thinking about the refugees and the common people. Why didn't he think about it for you? After all, they figured out how much it would cost to resettle a family of refugees, so you can save trouble." Cao Shuli guessed Xia The purpose of Xiang's question.

"He has a conscience." Of course Lian Ruohan knew Xia Xiang's intentions, but she just saw through and didn't want to reveal it. She didn't want Cao Shuli to say it, so she stopped hiding it. In order to help him, I hope he can serve as an official and benefit one side."

"I've figured it out too." Not to be outdone, Li Chi stepped forward and came to Xia Xiang, "Xia Xianzun, I suggest that Cao Langjun and I write the answers on paper and submit them to Xia Xiang." The county lord has a look, in case someone cheats."

"Okay, this is the best. I was afraid that you would secretly modify your answer after listening to my answer." Cao Shujun jumped up quickly, not to be outdone, "Bring a pen, ink, and paper. "

Xia Xiang and his party went out to play, so naturally they didn't bring pen and ink with them. Fortunately, Cai Wen had a wink, and hurried to the kiln to get pen, ink and paper. After Cao Shujun and Li Chi finished writing, they handed it to Xia Xiang.Xia Xiang opened it and took a look, then pulled Cai Wen aside, and the two whispered something.

Cao Shujun glared at Li Chi unconvinced: "Li Qilang, you are doomed. When you want to apologize to me later, be serious, be serious, don't deal with it, you know?"

Li Chi laughed, and turned around to look at Zheng Mingrui: "Brother Zheng has been proficient in arithmetic since he was a child. Claiming to be number one. Am I doomed? Cao Shujun, you are doomed.”

"Xia Xianzun, hurry up and announce the answer, who is the most accurate?" Cao Shujun was furious, and hurriedly urged Xia Xiang, "I don't believe it anymore, I have the help of Mrs. Xiao, who is known as the most amazing woman in the world, and I can still lose to you A rascal? What kind of aristocratic family, but a playboy."

As soon as these words came out, Zheng Mingrui's face changed slightly, and Zheng Hao also showed a slight unkind look.Fortunately, Lian Ruohan's expression was calm, and he didn't show any dissatisfaction.

Xia Xiang glared at Cao Shujun, and blamed Cao Shujun for talking nonsense. He put Li Chi and Cao Shujun's answer sheet away without opening it, and said loudly, "After the judgment of my officer and Cai Wen, Mr. Cao Lang and Mr. Cao Li Qilang's calculations are correct, so the two won't decide the outcome. A draw!"

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, unable to believe that it was a draw.Cao Shujun leaned in front of Xia Xiang and smiled shyly: "Master Xia, how could it be a draw? I must have won, no, let me see the answer, I don't believe that Li Chi can calculate as accurately as I do."

"I don't believe it either." Li Chi was even more unconvinced.

"I judge you two to be a draw. If you two disagree, I don't care, hum!" Xia Xiang's expression changed, and he left in a huff.

what happened?Cao Shujuan couldn't understand why Xia Xiang was suddenly angry. He glanced at Li Chi and asked hesitantly, "Xia Xianzun is not upholding justice. Do you still want to continue the competition with me?"

Li Chi was also somewhat hesitant. He was originally worried that Xia Xiang would favor Cao Shujun by acting for his own sake, but he didn't want Xia Xiang to be impartial and decided that the two were on equal footing. If he insisted on continuing to compete with Cao Shujun, It may not be possible to win, and Cao Shujuan has many companions around him now, and he has Zheng Mingrui alone. It is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Thinking about it this way, he simply went downhill and bowed his hands: "Since Xia The county lord judged that you and I had a tie, and that's all for today. There will be a later date!"

As soon as Li Chi finished speaking, he turned around and left. After taking a few steps, he stopped again and turned to look at Lian Ruohan: "Miss Lian, you are a businessman, why do you have to meddle in the affairs of Guangjin Commercial Bank? Doing business should be harmonious and make money." , It is convenient for others and for oneself, and you must not use your emotions to harm others and yourself, and it will be too late to regret it."

Lian Ruohan smiled lightly, with calm eyes: "Thank you Li Qilang for your concern, the little girl is worthy of the world and the sage, she has her own measure, so don't bother you to talk too much."

Li Chi was so bored, his face changed, and he snorted coldly: "You don't eat the toast, you don't eat the fine wine, even my lady, you will regret it one day."

When Li Chi and Zheng Mingrui walked away, Lu Zhiyue looked away, shook her head helplessly, turned around and saw that there was no one around, and Xia Xiang and others had already walked into the Caijiayao.He was stunned for a moment, looked at the distant figures of Li Chi and Zheng Mingrui, then at Xia Xiang and the others, stamped his feet, and caught up with Xia Xiang and the others.

Xia Xiang heard footsteps behind him, turned around and saw Lu Zhiyue, and couldn't help laughing: "Why didn't Director Lu leave with Li Chi and Zheng Mingrui?"

Lu Zhiyue's face brightened: "As the chief secretary of Zhending County, it is my duty to accompany Xia Xianzun."

"I'm on an outing, not on official business, so you don't have to accompany me." Xia Xiang deliberately tried to test Lu Zhiyue one or two. Lu Zhiyue accompanied Li Chi and Zheng Mingrui to play, it's not a big deal, but Lu Zhiyue is already dead It's not good to be in the officialdom, but you still can't tell the priorities.If you say something you shouldn't say, at this critical moment, it's a trivial matter to ruin your future, and it's a pity to lose your life.

"Xia Xianzun, I know I'm wrong." Lu Zhiyue hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply, "It's not that I don't understand official affairs, Li Chi and Zheng Mingrui inquired about Xia Xianzun's affairs. The next official didn't reveal much, and overheard some unknown things from the two of them..."

"Forget it." Even Ruohan could see that Xia Xiang was beating Lu Zhiyue on purpose, not really angry, so he took the opportunity to say, "Hurry up and report to Xia Xianzun."

Lu Zhiyue glanced at Lian Ruohan gratefully, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I overheard Li Chi saying that the Li family is helping Guangjin Commercial Bank transport horses from Taiyuan, and will also deliver grain when needed."

It turned out that the Li family in Taiyuan was helping the Guangjin Trading Company to manage the horses, so is the Zheng family in Xingyang also helping the Guangjin Trading Company?Xia Xiang turned to look at Zheng Hao.

Zheng Hao waved his hand: "As far as I know, the Zheng family has not had any business dealings with Guangjin Trading Company. The head of the Zheng family has always been timid and fearful, and will not have much contact with His Royal Highness Xingwang."

"What else?" Xia Xiang nodded, very happy with the news that Lu Zhiyue heard, and unintentionally inserted willows into shades.

"And..." Lu Zhiyue thought for a while, glanced at Lian Ruohan hesitantly, and hesitated to speak, "There is also..."

"But it doesn't matter." Lian Ruohan smiled relaxedly, "No matter which family it concerns, it has nothing to do with me. My surname is not Cui, but Lian."

Lu Zhiyue let out a long breath: "If the children of the family are as magnanimous as a lady, how can the family fall into today's field? The children of the family, although they come from a noble background, are also burdened by their background. , Back to the topic, I also heard that the Cui family of Boling and the Lu family of Fanyang are also secretly helping Guangjin Commercial Bank to purchase grain and recruit troops."

"Really?" Xia Xiang was startled. If it wasn't so shocking to say that the Li family in Taiyuan or the Zheng family in Xingyang secretly helped His Royal Highness Xingwang, the addition of the Cui family in Boling and the Lu family in Fanyang would definitely make Xingwang The addition of wings does not mean that the Cui family of Boling and the Lu family of Fanyang are much stronger than the Li family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang, but that the Cui family of Boling and the Lu family of Fanyang are the closest to Zhending, and they can make Xing Wang feel like a king.

More importantly, Boling, where the Cui family is located, is a land of food production. If they go all out, they can supply the entire Zhending Forbidden Army with rations.And Fanyang has always been an important place for military affairs, the army and horses it produces are the best in the world, and the bows and arrows it produces are unparalleled in the world.Boling was only three hundred miles away from Zhending, and Fan Yang was a little farther away, but not more than four hundred miles away.

"The Cui family of Boling?" Lian Ruohan thought for a moment, with a worried look on his face, "Since I can remember, the Cui family of Qinghe and the Cui family of Boling have seldom been in contact, and the master of Qinghe and Boling have not seen each other for several years. Although It’s not that they don’t communicate with each other, but they basically go their own way, and no one pays attention to each other. It is said that there are four great families, but in fact it should be five great families. The Cui family of Qinghe and the Cui family of Boling should be regarded as two families.”

"It's understandable that the Cui family of Boling secretly helped Xing Wang. Why did the Lu family of Fan Yang also join Xing King's camp?" Xia Xiang's words seemed to be talking to himself, and also seemed to be asking Lu Zhiyue.

Lu Zhiyue looked ashamed: "Master Xia doesn't know something. Although the official is a descendant of Lu's family, he is still the eldest son and grandson, but he has always regarded himself as an outsider and never cared about family affairs. The ambition of the official is in the mountains and white clouds. During the period, he was not in the court. Therefore, the lower officials don't know anything about the family affairs."

Xia Xiang nodded. Although Lu Zhiyue had the usual arrogance of the children of the aristocratic family, he also had the sense of indifference. He was somewhat similar to Cao Shujun, but lacked Cao Shujun's freedom and unruliness.

Now the major families are moving after hearing the news, wanting to take the opportunity to rise again, but the Xingwang family is the only one, and it is natural for the Cui family of Boling and the Lu family of Fanyang to fall to Xingwang.

(End of this chapter)