Li Shimin said, "Not bad, not bad!"
Li Shimin liked Ma Zhou more and more. Because at Ma Zhou's age, he could be neither servile nor overbearing, and spoke appropriately. Moreover, Ma Zhou's bearing was praised by Li Shimin.
The most important thing was that Li Shimin believed in Du Qi's vision.
Du Qi had always been extremely shrewd.
The people that Du Qi liked were not ordinary people.
Li Shimin's mind turned, thinking about the letter of credence that Du Qi handed over. Du Qi established a country that still belonged to the Tang dynasty and recognized the Tang dynasty as the sovereign state. Li Shimin could only agree. He could not refuse. Besides, he could not stop it. After all, Du Qi was in charge of Xia Xia, which was not under Li Shimin's control. Li Shimin could not control it.
Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "I allow the establishment of Xia Xia. Tell Du Qi to behave himself. "
Ma Zhou said, "I will convey Your Majesty's words truthfully."
Li Shimin continued, "Ma Zhou, I will hold a banquet in the palace tonight to welcome you. At the same time, I will also celebrate the establishment of Xia Xia. I will arrange for someone to take you to the palace. How about it? "
Ma Zhou said, "I will accept your invitation. Thank you, Your Majesty."
He did not stay and left.
Because next, Ma Zhou had to go to the tea shops, restaurants, banks, and other places in Chang 'an. This time, Ma Zhou came, in addition to handing over the letter of credence, also because of Du Qi's arrangement. He had to hand over the letters to the people in charge of various industries.
After Ma Zhou left, he went straight back to the courier station where he lived. After changing his clothes, he went to the tea shops, restaurants, banks, and other places. After all the letters were delivered, it was already close to the hour of the afternoon.
At this time, Ma Zhou packed up and went straight to the Li family with gifts.
The Li family of Chang 'an was not well-known.
Ma Zhou's wife, Madam Li's father, Li Xian, was merely the Minister of Rites in the imperial court. This was a Secondary Class, Rank 5 official position. Moreover, the Minister of Rites did not have any real power and was considered a relatively quiet department.
But at the very least, he was still an official of the court and could enter the court to discuss matters.
The Li family was also a scholarly family.
However, Li Xian was extremely angry about Li Shi's elopement. At that time, Li Shi eloped with Ma Zhou. Li Xian personally went to find Ma Zhou and Li Shi and asked Li Shi to return. However, Li Shi refused and said that she was already betrothed to Ma Zhou. In the end, Li Xian said that he no longer recognized Mrs. Li as his daughter and left. Ma Zhou knew what his wife had done for him, so he treated her very well.
Speaking of which, the Li family was a scholarly family. Therefore, Li Xian's plan was to let his daughter marry a big shot in the imperial court. If he could build a relationship with them, he would have a chance to advance further.
However, Li Shi went to find Ma Zhou, a poor man who was almost thirty years old, which made Li Xian very angry. If not for the fact that Li Shi was already with Ma Zhou, Li Xian would definitely capture her and bring her back.
Ma Zhou brought the gifts to the Li family's gate and knocked on the door.
Bang! Bang!!
The door knocker hit the door.
Not long after, the door opened and the concierge walked out. When the concierge saw Ma Zhou, he did not recognize him for a moment. This was because Ma Zhou's clothes today were extraordinary. He was wearing a broad collar shirt made of high-quality silk. At first glance, it was obvious that his clothes were not ordinary. After this round of tidying up, Ma Zhou had already undergone a drastic change compared to the past.
Even if the concierge had seen Ma Zhou before, he did not recognize him. Ma Zhou went forward and said, "Please inform Minister Li that Ma Zhou requests an audience."
"Ma Zhou!"
When the concierge heard this, he was shocked.
His face was full of astonishment.
About two months ago, Ma Zhou looked poor. He studied in the academy of the Tang dynasty in Chang 'an and did some work. His income was meager. In the city of Chang' an, he could not even support himself.
"You, you, you are really Ma Zhou."
At this moment, the concierge was very surprised.
Ma Zhou said, "Of course it's me."
If it was the past Ma Zhou, the concierge would have directly rejected him and driven him away. However, today's Ma Zhou had a dignified appearance. His clothes were extraordinary, and he had an extraordinary bearing. The concierge could not figure it out for a moment, so he said to wait and quickly went back to report. Not long after, the concierge came back and said, "Follow me."
Ma Zhou entered with the prepared gifts. All the gifts were handed over to the servants in the mansion. Led by the concierge, Ma Zhou went straight to the study.
Today, Li Xian went home early and did not go to the Ministry of Rites.
Coincidentally, he met Ma Zhou.
Li Xian stared at Ma Zhou who entered and sneered. "Ma Zhou, after two months, you are still dressed like a dog. No matter how you dress, I will tell you that you will always be poor. This old man's daughter must have been blind to be deceived by you. Ma Zhou, I asked you to come into the mansion today for no other reason than to tell you that although you dress like a dog, I still look down on you. But this old man still looks down on you. Besides, who knows what kind of despicable things you've done now. "
Ma Zhou sneered when he heard Li Xian's words.
Looking down on people.
Ma Zhou originally wanted to ease the relationship, but now there was no need. He said, "Doctor Li, I came here today to tell you two things. First, You 'er is living well with me. She is already pregnant with my child, and we have settled down now. Second, although you look down on me, you are still You 'er's father, so I came back to Chang' an to see you. "
"To be honest, if it weren't for You 'er, I would have nothing to do with you."
"You are Li Xian, a Doctor of the Ministry of Rites."
"Just a Secondary Class, Rank Five."
"You will be like this for the rest of your life. With your ability, it is impossible for you to go up again. Especially since you are only a Doctor of the Ministry of Rites, not a position with real power like the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, or Ministry of Personnel. "
Ma Zhou said seriously, "With your status, what right do you have to look down on people?"
You 'er was Madam Li's name.
Madam Li's name was Li You.
After Ma Zhou finished his speech, he felt his entire body become free from worry. Even if Ma Zhou was unwilling to fall out with Li Xian because of Madam Li, Ma Zhou was unhappy with Li Xian's words and directly retorted.
Li Xian was even angrier when he heard Ma Zhou's words. He stood up and said coldly, "I am a Secondary Class, Rank Five Doctor of the Ministry of Rites. You look down on my position."
"But what about you?"
"You, Ma Zhou, are almost thirty years old now. At the age of thirty, you should be able to support your family and have a successful career. But you, on the other hand, are poor and destitute, and have high standards but little ability. "
"People like you are destined to be poor for the rest of your life. Even if you are dressed like a dog now, you are still poor. Get lost. You are not welcome in my house. I have already severed my relationship with Li You. I don't need you to visit me. "
"Next time, this old man will break your legs every time I see you. Get out! "
Li Xian was furious.
He did not expect that a poor boy like Ma Zhou would dare to scold him. It was simply overturning the sky.
"Goodbye!"
Ma Zhou cupped his hands and turned to leave.
He did not want to be like this with Li Xian and even hoped to ease their relationship. But after Ma Zhou entered the door, Li Xian's words made Ma Zhou lose his mind. Even if there was a conflict, Ma Zhou did not regret it.
Although he was now only a consultant of Du Qi and had no official position as a cabinet consultant, Ma Zhou believed that he would shine in the future and let all those who looked down on him know that he, Ma Zhou, was not an ordinary person.
He could make his ancestors proud and stand out.
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