On the sixth day of the second month in the eleventh year of Jinghan, Bianliang.
After the cold of winter faded, the capital began to warm up. The trees on the sides of the street had already sprouted new green leaves. A few birds chirped and occasionally flew across the sky. It was morning, and the sun was hiding behind the clouds, sprinkling its warm rays down. In the Ning Mansion, Su Wending and the others were leaving after breakfast.
Nowadays, the people of the Su family had their own responsibilities, and most of them were on the right track. Su Wending had taken over the newly opened shop of the Su family's cloth shop in the capital. Because he had just arrived, the cloth shop had not yet opened up. For the time being, it was fine to just open it, and he could use it as practice.
Su Wending was in charge of the operation of the courtyard outside the city. Every day, Ning Yi was in charge of the craftsmen and servants' daily lives, meals, rewards, and punishments. Because the overall situation was still under Ning Yi's control, what he did was just follow the prescribed order.
Su Yanping had relatively more things to do. She had to make new lotus root coal, transport it, and manufacture and sell the coal stove. These two workshops were not big, and now they had connections with Takeshi and depended on Takeshi to survive. The big business was still handled by Ning Yi. He was also in the learning stage. He just needed to guard his things and slowly develop according to Ning Yi's instructions.
Coming all the way from the south, there were only a few people who were relatively close to the Su family. There was also Su Wenyu, who had now returned to Lone Dragon Gang to manage his labor camp. In addition, some of the Su family's shopkeepers, accountants, and the available children of the Su family, who had followed Su Tan 'er, had already been assigned to their posts and began to work and learn.
In the past, the relatively idle children of the Su family were only average in terms of talent and qualifications. But there was not much difference between people. As long as there were enough opportunities and guidance, it was not a problem to manage things step by step. And with more experience, they would naturally become smarter and shrewd. Compared to IQ, what Ning Yi trusted more was the experience that came from training.
In these months, although the few members of the Su family could not be considered to be independent, they had more or less found a way to move forward and had a slightly more stable temperament. In the feudal era, although it was not that there were no smart people, most of them did not have much knowledge in their lifetime. After being trained by Ning Yi, they could actually be considered to be quite outstanding young people. Many students who studied in poverty or even those who went to the capital for the imperial examinations could not have their current elegance in their lifetime.
"I heard that in the Su family, Old Grandfather treated Second Cousin the best." Now that the family has separated, I can see that the Su Family has sent all the useful young people to Bianliang. The Old Grandfather really has high hopes for Second Cousin Sister … "
Now that the family has separated, I can see that this time, the Su family has sent basically all the useful young people to Bianliang. Old Grandfather really has high hopes for Second Cousin … " When he heard his father's evaluation, he knew that there was basically no reliable person in the younger generation of the Su Family. Although he had interacted with them a few times, when he was young, Su Wending and the others were also young, so he basically couldn't see anything. After these few days of contact, he could only come to this conclusion. Seeing them joking around during breakfast, talking about their own business in high spirits, and even doing it with ease, he was more or less envious. But this was just the appearance of a good businessman, after all, it was not stable enough. They were even urged to go out every morning to practice martial arts. Although the Six Arts of Gentlemen also emphasized physical fitness, martial arts that would cause them to be beaten black and blue was too vulgar.
As he ate his morning porridge, he thought about these things in his heart. When he looked at the host's table, it was empty.
"Second Brother-in-law went out early in the morning to deal with Takeshi. After all, it is Miss Shishi's performance today." Su Wenxing told Song Yongping about this and then asked, "Oh yes, Xiaosi, do you want to go and see tonight? We will be there in the afternoon. "
"Uh … I think not." Song Yongping said with a smile, "After all, the exams are around the corner. I still have some books to read, so I don't plan to go out today. If anything interesting happens, you must tell me when you come back. "
Although he had long wanted to meet the number one courtesan in the capital after coming to the capital, he did not want to go this time. Indeed, because the exams were around the corner, those who were really nervous had already started to close their doors to calm down. This was the main reason. As for the other small part, it was because he did not want to think about it, because it was a slightly arrogant or dark mentality.
He did not know what kind of person this brother-in-law of his was. Of course, before the exams, he did not have the mood to explore this. His father had once said that the other party was not bad and had also mentioned to him to befriend him. The other party was also famous in Jiangning as a gifted scholar. He had read his poems, and they were indeed very good. However, after the Tang Dynasty, not many people could become officials by relying on poems. Writing poems was, after all, a small path. On the other hand, he was good at business and was able to invite Li Shishi, so it should be one of the reasons why he was so good. However, for a man with some talent, meeting Li Shishi should have been an elegant thing in the eyes of money, but in today's situation, it seemed a little tacky.
These thoughts only flashed through his mind. After all, they were family, and Song Yongping actually felt a sense of closeness. Even if it was Ning Yi, he would only think that it was the nature of a young man, subconsciously comparing himself to an outstanding peer. He stayed at home to read. Not long after, someone came to visit him. It was a student that he had befriended in the capital a few days ago. Today, they came to exchange ideas for the exams that were to be held in a few days.
Juan'er, who stayed at home to take care of the child, had her servants bring tea and snacks. Everyone then discussed poems in the courtyard. After a while, when the atmosphere became lively, the topic changed to other matters. When they heard that Song Yongping's brother-in-law was Ning Liheng, everyone was quite surprised. Then, they talked about Takeshi, Li Shishi, and the new poem that was to be announced in the performance today.
"Speaking of which, Brother Takeshi has been there before. The decorations are not bad. It is grand but not luxurious, but that's all. However, everyone is looking forward to Miss Shishi's new work. Brother Song, since you live here, have you had the luck to see it in advance? "
When everyone asked about this, Song Yongping smiled and waved his hand. He said that he had been focused on preparing for the exams and did not pay much attention to it. In fact, the first two times they met, he had thought of talking to Ning Yi about poems. However, Ning Yi had no interest in poems. Su Wending and the others also confirmed this with a bitter smile, so Song Yongping did not continue the topic. Of course, he would not mention this in front of outsiders.
After exchanging a few more words, a young man named Zhang Xilian, a son of a government official in the capital, said: "Speaking of Miss Shishi's performance at the Bamboo Shop today, I have heard some news, but I do not know if it is true or not."
"Brother Zhang, please speak."
"I'm afraid that someone is going to cause trouble." Zhang Xilian touched his chin and said, "When I left this morning, I vaguely heard that someone is going to cause trouble for Takeshi. That person is a playboy in the capital. Usually, he does nothing but hang out with a bunch of playboys. Miss Shishi has a great reputation in the capital. There are many cases of people fighting over her. Maybe your cousin-in-law made a big fuss this time and attracted jealousy. At that time, I heard that someone was going to beat him up … "
Zhang Xilian's father was an official in the capital. Although he was not very powerful, he still had all kinds of connections. After knowing Song Yongping's family background, he also wanted to befriend him. After everyone discussed this for a while, Song Yongping paced in the courtyard and thought for a while. Then, he made a decision.
"Since Brother Zhang mentioned this matter, I can't stay out of it since we are family after all. In the afternoon, I have to rush over to Takeshi. If you have something to do, please do as you please. I know that the capital is a complicated place. It's better not to get involved in these troublesome matters … "
When he said this, everyone hurriedly stood up and protested, "Brother Song, don't you treat me as a friend?"
"How can you say such things …"
"The capital is under the feet of the emperor and the law. I don't believe that anyone would dare to cause trouble. If I go over today, I want to see if such a thing will happen."
Zhang Xilian smiled and said, "Brother Song, you are really treating me as an outsider. You and I are friends. If anything happens, I naturally can't stay out of it. To be honest, although my father doesn't have a high position in the capital, he still knows some people and has some influence. If the other party causes trouble, even if it goes to the prefectural magistrate of Kaifeng, there is nothing to be afraid of … "
Song Yongping hurriedly thanked him. In his heart, he was already thinking of a countermeasure. In the capital, there were all kinds of influential people. His father was a prefectural magistrate and might not be of use here. But no matter what, if there really was a conflict, the son of an official would have a higher chance of success than a merchant. In the past, when he was in the local area, he understood this kind of official fight very well. He knew his limits. If something really happened, it would be best for him to take care of his brother-in-law. After all, they were a family, and he should help what should be helped.
As for Zhang Xilian, it was another matter. If he wanted to befriend him, he might as well do him a favor. But if it really didn't work, he could even use his relationship with the Right Minister's residence to intimidate others. This way, the other party would not underestimate him.
Thinking like this, in the afternoon, the group happily went to Takeshi's Evening Reflection Tower. Song Yongping also felt that it was meaningful to go out. As for the others, they thought that perhaps they could speak up in front of Miss Shishi and show their faces more.
The group went a little early, but not long after Takeshi's lunch, there were already many scholars upstairs drinking tea and waiting. The group had just entered the tower when they happened to meet Ning Yi. Seeing Song Yongping come over, Ning Yi smiled and greeted him, then greeted everyone. It seemed that Ning Yi still had something to do, so he asked the waiter to lead them to a private room on the second floor. Song Yongping came to solve the problem, but at this time the situation was not clear. Naturally, it was not good to mention it to Ning Yi.
Along the way upstairs, Zhang Xilian also saw a few familiar faces in the capital scholar circle. He got up to greet them, and also to find out who Ning Yi had offended. Song Yongping looked for Ning Yi's figure upstairs. He thought to himself that it was urgent, and he didn't know where his cousin-in-law was still busy. Then he pursed his lips. No matter what, he had to do his best to help.
He returned to his seat and chatted with others. Not long after, Zhang Xilian came back with a frown. After sitting down, he looked a little strange.
"Your cousin-in-law … How did he offend such a person …"
"Who?"
"Hua Hua Taisui Gao Muen …" Zhang Xilian frowned. After saying the name, he saw that Song Yongping didn't quite understand, so he added, "Gao Yannai, the son of the current Grand Commandant Gao Qiu."
Song Yongping was stunned for a while.
At the same time, outside of Takeshi, Ning Yi, Wenren Buer, Zhu Biao, and many people from the Office of Secret Investigation were busy with some trivial matters other than Takeshi's performance.
Somewhere on the side of Bianliang, under the leadership of Wenren Buer, a dozen people were surrounding a quiet small courtyard.
Ning Yi drove the carriage through the streets of the city. After turning two streets, he said something to Zhu Biao, who was beside him. Zhu Biao's eyes sharpened, and he nodded.
Light shone through the window. Chen Fan poured himself a glass of water and raised it. Suddenly, he froze.
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