Chapter 978 What did you do earlier?
Since retreating back home, Xu Fan sent most of the servants in the mansion out to gather information and test the attitudes of various families.
Xu Fan kept some retainers, some of whom were good at Go, some were good at calligraphy and painting, some were good at poetry... They would always be by his side whenever they had nothing to do, which made Xu Fan feel a little like an emperor.
Xu Fan called all the retainers together and said, "Chen Lian shamelessly surrendered to Jiang Qingzhi, and the situation in Songjiang Prefecture has been changed. Jiang Qingzhi will definitely clean up the land next. Time is running out, how should the Xu family respond?"
The Qingke looked at each other in bewilderment.
They know about this, but if you ask a group of literati who write poetry and paint to express their opinions and make plans, it will really put them in a difficult position.
Not everyone can become a think tank... For example, the Shaoxing lawyers later on were said to have occupied 70% of the lawyer market at the time. Could it be that people from Shaoxing are born with the talent to be lawyers?
Not also!
It's professional!
When the reputation of Shaoxing legal advisors became popular, some people began to teach legal advisors. This is the legal advisor school. Anyone who is interested in this can sign up. After a period of study and training, they can apply for the job.
The people of Shaoxing turned legal advisors into a trade and a profession, doing professional things with a professional attitude, so Shaoxing legal advisors became famous.
Shaoxing people are united. For example, when two officials have official business dealings, their subordinates will meet and say: Hey! Isn’t this my fellow Shaoxing native?
When fellow villagers meet, their eyes are filled with tears... Shaoxing people are united and don't have the habit of stabbing each other in the back. Once the two lawyers have agreed, the boss doesn't need to worry about it, and the matter is done in an instant.
This person is not a legal advisor at all, he is clearly my right-hand man!
Who the hell wouldn’t want to keep such a capable Shaoxing lawyer with them?
What is Qingke?
Anyone who has read Dream of the Red Chamber knows that Jia Zheng was always pretentious and even kept a group of hangers-on. These hangers-on had no other skills, but they flattered Jia Zheng and made him think that he was a capable person, but his talent was not appreciated.
You see, the biggest role of a Qingke is this: to make the host happy.
The more incompetent the boss is, the more he likes to keep such people.
Xu Fan initially kept guests out of a competitive spirit. When he was in the capital, he would visit other people's homes and see the hosts call over guests to keep them company, either by playing music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, or by chatting and laughing and flattering each other... making both the host and the guests happy.
After returning to Songjiang Prefecture, Xu Fan recruited more than ten retainers.
He was waiting for advice from these 'think tanks'.
The Qingke hesitated, looking at each other, and finally one of them spoke up, "Master, why don't you... go to the capital!"
"Hmm?" Xu Fan was puzzled. "Why are you going to the capital?"
The Qingke said, "Jiang Qingzhi is very aggressive, so the eldest son can find an excuse to avoid him. For example, if there is an important matter in the capital, the eldest son needs to rush to the capital. If he is not at home, what can Jiang Qingzhi do?"
"Yes! The eldest son has arrived in the capital. With the elders here, who dares to force the Xu family?"
"This way, we won't offend Jiang Qingzhi, and we can also protect our family business."
All the Qingke talked about it and agreed with this suggestion.
"That's it?" Xu Fan felt that he might have heard it wrong. What kind of idea was this?
If he went to the capital to avoid disaster, the entire southern scholar community would regard him as a deserter.
The leader of the literati has an irresponsible eldest son. If this news gets out, how can Xu still lead the literati in the south?
How many people would think that Xu Jie is not qualified to lead all officials?
The price was so high that Xu Fan couldn't even imagine it.
But these hangers-on... Xu Fan suddenly discovered that beneath those fawning smiles were sinister intentions.
I actually raised such a bunch of trash!
No, it's a stupid teammate!
"go out!"
Xu Fan said tiredly.
"Young Master, don't be impulsive!" A Qingke was still persuading him before leaving.
"Get out!" Xu Fan pointed outside and roared. The Qingke bit his finger and staggered back in fear. He tripped on the threshold and fell backward. After a scream, he got up and ran away.
"Let Wang Mengqiu come." Xu Fan said softly. He sat there in a daze, thinking about the instructions and hints in Xu Jie's letter.
Wang Mengqiu came over with a happy look on his face, "Young Master, good news."
"What good news?" Xu Fan said sarcastically, "Ever since Jiang Qingzhi came to Songjiang Prefecture, there has been a constant stream of bad news about Songjiang Prefecture."
"Jiang Qingzhi is inviting famous prostitutes from Qinhuai River to a banquet today, and Huang Lin is one of them." Wang Mengqiu said with a smile.
Xu Fan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Even if Huang Lin had to bow his head, he would leave quietly. Did he go there openly?"
"Exactly."
"Good!" Xu Fan felt full of strength again. "Huang Lin will lead the charge, and then those people will follow. Huang's business is big. If Jiang Qingzhi is tough, Huang Lin can go on strike... Good!"
Wang Mengqiu was in high spirits, "Young Master, just watch the fun."
He had been hinting to Xu Fan not to get directly involved in this matter, so as not to bring trouble to Xu Jie. Now it seems to have worked.
Mr. Xu in the capital will certainly investigate afterwards. What will be my future after I find out the role I played in it?
Wang Mengqiu's heart was burning with excitement, and he said with a smile: "I have someone watching you."
Xu Fan looked at Wang Mengqiu with a sharp gaze, "Tell those people outside, tell them that this is intolerable! Songjiang Prefecture, it's time to give those strong men a resounding blow."
The strong man refers to Jiang Qingzhi.
After being slapped in the face by Jiang Qingzhi, Xu Fan's attitude also changed. From being full of confidence and thinking that Jiang Qingzhi was nothing special, to now being secretive when passing on messages and not giving Jiang Qingzhi any leverage. This huge change in attitude made Wang Mengqiu quite pleased and proud.
This is all thanks to me!
"Don't worry, young master. Those people know the principle of the loss of lips and teeth. If my prediction is correct, as long as Huang Lin can walk out of the restaurant, those people will be wildly excited. However..."
Wang Mengqiu hesitated for a moment, "Huang Lin will definitely regard himself as the leader, and those people will also... Young Master, this matter will have a lasting impact, and the capital will definitely take action afterwards. Since Huang Lin is willing to be the leader, let him do it. You must know... Do you still remember Yang Shen?" "Yang Shen..."
"Over the years, some people have been trying to rescue Yang Shen. Logically, it has been many years since the Zuo Shunmen Incident, and your Majesty should have calmed down. Yang Shen is old, so what's the harm in letting him go home and wait for death? But those memorials were sent to the palace, and there has been no news since then."
Xu Fan was shocked, "Your Majesty still holds a grudge."
"Yes." Wang Mengqiu said: "Our Majesty is known for his stubbornness, but if you think about it carefully, it is actually his Majesty's nature to take revenge. People who value love also hold grudges! Let Huang Lin take the lead. Let him fight with Jiang Qingzhi..."
Xu Fan whispered: "Jiang Qingzhi's methods are... amazing."
This young master finally admitted that he was not as good as Jiang Qingzhi... Wang Mengqiu smiled and said, "Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Why bother about temporary gains and losses?"
"If Huang Lin stands out, he will inevitably be suppressed. Afterwards... who will clean up the mess?" Xu Fan said with a smile.
"Songjiang Prefecture was in chaos, and at this very moment, the eldest son stood up and spoke out loudly to stabilize the situation. Who in the world would not praise the Xu family for their understanding of the overall situation?"
Wang Mengqiu cupped his hands, "Young Master is very wise, I admire you!"
"Hahahaha!" After all, Xu Fan was young and arrogant, and after being flattered by these words, his vanity as the number one young master was instantly greatly satisfied.
"Master!"
A steward came in hurriedly.
"The people who were watching Jiang Qingzhi are here. They said they have something important to report."
After the visitor came in and bowed, Xu Fan couldn't wait to ask, "Did Huang Lin come out? Did he have a conflict with Jiang Qingzhi?"
The visitor said: "I don't know what happened to Huang Lin after he went in, but when he came out, he saluted towards the restaurant and said loudly..."
The visitor looked up and hesitated.
"What did you say?" Xu Fan couldn't wait.
"My Lord, you are so magnanimous and kind. I wish I could be Jiang's running dog!"
……
Huang Lin left the restaurant and his words shocked the entire Songjiang Prefecture.
Huang Lin, who was rushing forward with great momentum, actually... he actually knelt down.
I wish I could be Jiang's running dog...Do you still have any shame?
In the restaurant, Xiang Ying raised her glass to congratulate Jiang Qingzhi, with a light of admiration flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Ning Yu knew that this person came to compete with her. She didn't care about other things, but she couldn't give in even a little when it came to Jiang Qingzhi.
Ning Yu stood up and bowed, "I heard that Huang Lin is one of the most powerful people in Songjiang Prefecture. The purpose of your visit is to clear the land. If this man bows his head, it will be like a warning to the enemy. The young master will probably be scared.
If Huang Lin bows his head, those people will definitely follow suit...
The Lord is able to make clouds and rain with a flip of his hand. At first, many people in the capital thought that the Lord would return home in failure, but now the overall situation in Songjiang Prefecture is under the control of the Lord. When the news reaches the capital, many people will be surprised. Confidence in the new policy also arises spontaneously. Congratulations! "
Ning Yu looked around. The female prostitutes had seen countless men, but just a glance from those beautiful eyes made them feel awe-inspiring.
Like something... the aura of a superior.
Where does the aura of superiority come from as a female prostitute?
This must be a posture that looks down on us!
A gesture of contempt!
The female prostitutes were secretly indignant, but Ning Yu's words were so insightful that even a naive person could understand the benefits of Huang Lin's surrender.
This is not something ordinary people can do.
The famous prostitute under the emperor's feet even has political insights far beyond her peers!
The limelight was stolen... The prostitutes gnashed their teeth secretly, but at the same time they raised their glasses with smiles to congratulate Jiang Qingzhi.
The original contempt... Nan Mei watched coldly, and seeing that the smiles of these famous prostitutes had become more sincere, she knew that these people in the world of fame and fortune, who would not act until they saw the rabbit, were attracted by this noble.
Some people even smiled at her in a friendly manner.
You want me to arrange for you to get close to Long Wilbur!
Why did you go early?
Nan Mei raised her glass with a smile, "Congratulations, Master!"
Jiang Qingzhi took a sip of his drink and said, "Old Xu, it's time to start working on the Oiran Contest."
"Yes." Xu Wei stood up.
Jiang Qingzhi glanced at Nan Mei, and Nan Mei's heart skipped a beat. She felt a sense of power coming, and quickly stood up and said, "Don't worry, Master."
"it is good!"
Jiang Qingzhi stood up and said, "I have a story here, and I plan to interpret it in a certain way."
Nan Mei asked, "I wonder what the story is?"
"It's a story about the hardships faced by people in Jiangnan and the gentry who understand justice. As for the format... have you heard of a stage play?"
(End of this chapter)
