Before Li Zexuan went to the Black Armored Army, he had visited Qin Qiong at Chang 'an City's Qin Manor.
At that time, Cheng Yaojin was also at Qin Manor. The three of them drank to their heart's content at noon, but Li Er suddenly arrived!
That afternoon, Li Zexuan and Li Er talked about recruiting veterans, dividing the Turks, and calling for merchants to help the imperial court raise military funds.
No one else was present at that time, and whether it was Li Zexuan, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, or Li Er, they were all tight-lipped people and would definitely not announce these things to outsiders. Thus, Madam Cheng naturally did not know that this fundraiser was organized by Li Zexuan and had been instructed by Li Er!
"What? This fundraiser was really organized by Xiao Xuan? And His Majesty agreed? "
After Cheng Yaojin recounted the conversation between Li Zexuan and Li Er at Qin Manor that day (of course, he only said the part about calling for merchants to raise military funds), Madam Cheng was silent for a moment and said with some disbelief.
"How can it be fake? This old man was there at that time! "
After explaining, Cheng Yaojin relaxed. He picked up his bowl and chopsticks and continued to eat.
Unexpectedly, at this time, Madam Cheng slammed the table and glared, saying angrily, "You old thing, since this fundraiser was organized by Xiao Xuan, then how can our family only donate five thousand strings of string of cash? Moreover, this was instructed by His Majesty. If our family donates less, who knows what the civil and military officials will secretly say about our family! "
Hearing this, Cheng Yaojin was stunned. He thought to himself, This woman's face changes faster than flipping a book. Just now, she was saying that we should donate more, but now she's complaining that we should donate less! This was truly unreasonable!
"Then in Madam's opinion, how much should our family donate?"
Cheng Yaojin smacked his lips and asked tentatively.
After all, in terms of finances, Madam Cheng was still in charge of the Cheng Manor!
Madam Cheng thought seriously and then said, "Then donate eight thousand strings of cash! I checked the winery's accounts a few days ago, and there's still a lot of money left. We can still take out 8,000 strings of coins! "
Back then, before Cheng Yaojin had made a name for himself, Madam Cheng had already followed him. The two of them could be considered as a couple who had gone through hardships together. That was why Cheng Yaojin respected Madam Cheng so much. On the other hand, although Madam Cheng usually seemed unruly and shrewish, she was a very loyal person. She knew that the Cheng family was making a lot of money every day because of Li Zexuan. So, when she heard that the charity event was organized by Li Zexuan, she immediately lost her "petty" attitude and became generous!
"Hehe! Fine! Then listen to Madam and donate 8,000 strings of cash! "
Cheng Yaojin laughed heartily and gulped down the wine in his cup!
"Sigh, Old Master, I wonder how Chou Niu is doing in the Black Armored Army's camp!"
Speaking of Li Zexuan, Madam Cheng could not help but think of her eldest son. She sighed and said, "I heard that among the armies in Chang 'an, the Black Armored Army's training is more important. I don't know if Ugly Ox can handle it!"
"Hmm! That kid's skin is tough. He'll be perfect for training in the Black Armored Army! Madam, don't worry. Everyone else might be in trouble, but he'll be fine! Besides, Xiao Xuan is looking after him! "
Cheng Yaojin felt that he had eaten enough and leaned back comfortably on the chair as he spoke.
He was not worried about Cheng Chumo at all. If he could endure half a year of training under the bearded man, how could he be troubled by the Black Armored Army? Even if he was worried about Cheng Chumo, there was still Li Zexuan. Old Cheng had absolute confidence in Li Zexuan!
"You old thing, you don't care about your own son at all! You don't act like a father at all! "
Madam Cheng reprimanded Cheng Yaojin and stood up to leave.
…
Similar situations did not only happen in the Cheng family tonight.
The Qin family, Yuchi family, Niu family, and Duke Wei Residence also had similar situations tonight. These few families were on good terms with Li Zexuan. After they found out from various sources that the fundraiser was organized by Li Zexuan, they all made the decision to donate money.
These were the officials from the military camp. Unexpectedly, there were also quite a few officials from the civil officials camp who intended to make use of this fundraiser to donate money.
Duke Zhao Residence.
"Chong-er, make a trip to our family's blacksmith shop tomorrow and get Shopkeeper Sun to prepare five thousand strings of coins. Donate it at the fundraiser two days later!"
In the study room, Zhangsun Wuji spoke to Zhangsun Chong.
"Father? Our family is also participating in the fundraiser? I read in the newspaper that only merchants can participate in this fundraiser? "
Zhangsun Chong asked doubtfully.
"Isn't Shopkeeper Wang a merchant?"
Zhangsun Wuji shook his head and said faintly, "Sigh! Chong-er, you don't understand. This fundraiser is His Majesty's helplessness to solve the emptiness of the national treasury and the lack of military resources. Our Zhangsun family has to contribute! "
As the head of the civil officials, he was naturally more well-informed than others. Moreover, just from the information that was circulating outside, he was able to deduce the general situation. The final decision maker of the fundraiser was Li Er, and the final beneficiary was the imperial court. The Zhangsun family was a relative of the imperial family. If they were to set an example in this matter, it would be hard to avoid losing Li Er's trust. Zhangsun Wuji did not want to lose Li Er's trust!
"This fundraiser was actually organized by His Majesty?"
Hearing this, Zhangsun Chong was shocked. "I thought that the Flaming Yellow Chamber of Commerce wanted to show off in front of His Majesty!"
Zhangsun Wuji shook his head again. "This fundraiser might not have been His Majesty's idea, but it must have been approved by His Majesty. The Flaming Yellow Chamber of Commerce is just the executor! From the looks of it, this Li Zexuan's weight in His Majesty's heart is getting heavier and heavier! At such a young age, this lad was conferred the title of Marquis, and he is even holding a position in the Black Armored Army. In the future, if he performs meritorious service in the war against the Turkic Khaganate, I'm afraid that no one in the imperial court will be able to suppress him, right? "
There were both civil and martial arts. This was where Li Zexuan made Zhangsun Wuji fearful. More importantly, Li Zexuan was young enough. At such a young age, he was able to achieve such meritorious service. In the future, their Zhangsun family would not be worth mentioning in front of Li Zexuan, right?
Hearing his father's evaluation of Li Zexuan, Zhangsun Chong lowered his head and did not dare to say a word.
In this one year at Yanhuang College, he had seen too many people and things. This had changed his mindset and outlook. While Zhangsun Wuji was still focused on the internal strife, Zhangsun Chong was already immersed in the magical new world of engineering!
In Zhangsun Chong's eyes, Li Zexuan was changing the entire world with his own strength! He admired Li Zexuan from the bottom of his heart!
"Chong 'er, I let you enroll in Yanhuang College. What have you found out in this one year? What is Li Zexuan's attitude towards the Zhangsun family? "
Seeing Zhangsun Chong remain silent, Zhangsun Wuji asked.
When Yanhuang College was first established, under the leadership of the two princes, Li Tai and Li Ke, there were many officials in the capital who chose to enroll in Yanhuang College. Zhangsun Chong was one of them. However, he was carrying a mission given to him by Zhangsun Wuji.
Zhangsun Wuji wanted Zhangsun Chong to get close to Li Zexuan in the academy and test Li Zexuan's attitude towards the Zhangsun family. It would be best if he could rope them in. If he couldn't and Li Zexuan's hostility towards the Zhangsun family was obvious, then Zhangsun Wuji would have to consider getting rid of Li Zexuan!
He did not want anyone to break his position as the leader of the officials!
The ambition of a powerful official of a generation was starting to show!
"Father, Yamachō doesn't like fighting. Currently, he still has goodwill towards our Zhangsun family. After all, father has helped Yamachō a few times before! However, father, if you want to use this to recruit Yamachō to our Zhangsun family and use him, I feel that it's impossible!
Yamachō actually likes to study and develop his skills. He has no intention of fighting in the imperial court. From what I see, father, you don't have to care so much about Yamachō's attitude. As long as our Zhangsun family doesn't take the initiative to provoke him, I believe that he definitely won't be our enemy! "
Zhangsun Chong seriously thought for a moment before carefully speaking to Zhangsun Wuji.
These words were actually already suspicious of being biased towards Li Zexuan. Yanhuang College was a very mysterious and magical place. Anyone who stayed there for a long time would uncontrollably fall in love with it. They would fall in love with the beautiful scenery, the atmosphere, and the stubborn and pure people there. Therefore, even the pirate leader, the Curly-Bearded Pirate, was reluctant to leave the academy. How could Zhangsun Chong be an exception?
Under the imperceptible influence of the academy, his character had gradually undergone some changes, and perhaps even he himself hadn't noticed it! As the Yamachō of Yanhuang College, Li Zexuan was the spiritual leader in the hearts of all the teachers and students of Yanhuang College. Zhangsun Chong naturally didn't want a conflict between the father he respected the most and the spiritual idol he worshipped the most. Therefore, he said those words!
"No different from fighting in the imperial court? Haha! "
When Zhangsun Wuji heard those words, he inexplicably laughed and said, "He is in the situation, and I'm afraid that most of the time, it's not up to him! Forget it, now that the Great Tang's external threat is more serious, dealing with the Turks is the most important thing. As for Li Zexuan, let's keep an eye on him! "
After which, Zhangsun Wuji tiredly rubbed his forehead and waved his hand to Zhangsun Chong. "It's getting late, Chong-er, go and rest!"
"Yes! Father! "
Zhangsun Chong clasped his hands and turned to leave.
…
Taiyuan, Wang Family's ancestral residence!
In a desolate courtyard, there was a room that was still lit by candlelight.
"Second Young Master, I heard that the Elder Hall still hasn't sent any elders to Qizhou. It seems like Eldest Young Master's wedding this time has completely ruined his future!"
A middle-aged man with an aquiline nose bowed to a young man and said.
That young man's hair was disheveled as he sat on the couch. When he heard those words, his originally lifeless eyes suddenly shone with a dazzling radiance.
"If that's the case, the family is going to abolish him soon?"
The young man sat up and leaned his body forward. He looked at the middle-aged man with an aquiline nose and said excitedly.
Under the candlelight, that young man's appearance was completely revealed. Wasn't this the second young master of the Wang Family of Taiyuan, Wang Renyi?
Last year, Wang Renyi colluded with bandits in Chang 'an City and kidnapped Han Yuxi. In the end, the bandits were annihilated, and he, the second young master of the Wang Family, was imprisoned. Later, Li Er returned Wang Renyi to the Wang Family for them to deal with!
At that time, in order to seek Li Zexuan's forgiveness and appease Li Zexuan's anger, Wang Yu personally went to Chang 'an City to apologize to Li Zexuan. Only then did Li Zexuan let go of his desire to kill Wang Renyi. Wang Yu also promised Li Zexuan that Wang Renyi would be imprisoned in the Wang Family's ancestral home and would never be able to step out of the house!
The aquiline nose man nodded excitedly and said, "It should be! Otherwise, the elders should go and congratulate the eldest son of the Wang Family for his wedding! But until now, the elders haven't moved. This means that Eldest Young Master has angered the elders, and it's only a matter of time before he is abolished! By then, Second Young Master will definitely be the new successor of the family! "
"Hahahaha! Finally … I, Wang Renyi, have waited for this day! Hahaha! I want to take revenge! I want Li Zexuan to die! No, I can't let him off so easily. I want to kidnap his wife, kill his parents, and destroy his family! "
Wang Renyi stood up, looked up to the sky, and laughed maniacally.
"This subordinate congratulates Second Young Master on regaining your freedom!"
The aquiline nose man knelt on one knee and cupped his hands.
"Haha! If this Young Master succeeds in the future, you, Xiao Qing, will be the number one person by this Young Master's side. This Young Master will help you take revenge for your brother! "
Wang Renyi laughed maniacally for a while before finally returning to normal. But his face was still flushed with excitement. He looked at the middle-aged man and said lightly.
At this moment, the dispirited and lifeless youth from before had disappeared and was replaced by an ambitious lunatic!
"Thank you, Second Young Master!"
The aquiline nose man was called Xiao Qing, and he was Xiao Ying's younger brother. He and Xiao Ying were both from the Cui Clan of Qinghe. Last year, Wang Renyi instructed Xiao Ying to kidnap Han Yuxi in order to obtain the formula for the Immortal Intoxication. Although Wang Renyi was lucky enough to escape death, Xiao Ying was naturally pushed out to take the blame and was beheaded in the end!
In the fourth month of this year, the Cui Clan of Qinghe, Cui Clan of Boling, and Zheng Clan of Xingyang were annihilated by the imperial army in Guancheng County. Without the support of his mother's family, Wang Renyi's situation became even more difficult. Xiao Qing and the rest of the people from the Cui Clan of Qinghe were no longer welcome in the Wang Family. Thus, they were sent to this desolate courtyard to take care of Wang Renyi's food and lodging.
But he never thought that Wang Renyi would actually have a chance to make a comeback. How could Xiao Qing not be wild with joy?
"I can't go out now. Help me continue to pay attention to the movements outside. Once there's news, inform me immediately!"
Although Wang Renyi's hair was still disheveled, his temperament had already returned to its usual calmness. He ordered Xiao Qing with his hands behind his back.
"Yes! Second Young Master! "
Xiao Qing accepted the order and left.
…
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