Xiao Chen hurriedly recounted the process of getting acquainted with Chen Ziang. Although he sounded very objective and even pointed out some of Chen Ziang's shortcomings, even a deaf person could tell that Xiao Chen admired Chen Ziang very much.
In fact, the fact that he was able to bring Chen Ziang here speaks for itself.
Liu Wenzheng is so smart. As soon as he heard Xiao Chen's words, he knew that he wanted to praise Chen Ziang, so he also added a lot of opinions on Chen Ziang.
He was from the Ministry of Household Affairs, so his evaluation of Chen Zi'ang was much more professional and specific. He cited several examples from the current situation of Fenzhou City to support Xiao Chen's words, which was particularly convincing.
"I don't dare to tell the prince that when it comes to business matters, I admire Brother Zi'ang very much, but when it comes to private matters, my friendship with him is only average. At first, I thought this man was completely ignorant! The governors from all over the country
The county magistrate gave quite generous gifts, but Chen Zi'ang only gave Mr. Xiao and Xiaoren some local specialties... He's really looking down on people!"
Liu Wenzheng's last words were the finishing touch, highlighting Chen Ziang's integrity and integrity.
"What Mr. Xiao and Wen Zheng said are both reasonable. Although Xianguan and I are not familiar with Ziang, his idea of opening a canal is enough to prove that he is a person who has an overall view and can shoulder important responsibilities!
By the way, we know quite a few prefects, but none of them are as good as Zi Ang." Li Hong said.
"I'm not familiar with Zi'ang either. We just met him once at Mr. Xiao's house, but I like that Zi'ang speaks directly and sincerely. He's a man of action, unlike those snarky civil servants who talk all the time.
, a lot of nonsense, and can only recite poems and write poems, but it is of no use... Oh, Mr. Xiao, I am not saying that you are arrogant!"
Lin Han talked for a long time before he remembered that there was a talented person in the world, Xiao Wucheng, an unparalleled poet in the world. Mr. Xiao was just joining in to praise Chen Ziang, but he unexpectedly offended me, Mr. Xiao...
I won’t say anything anymore, I’ll give myself a drink to apologize to the boss!
"What you Lin Handong said not only offended me, but also our prince and uncle Guo. These two are also literati who can write poems and have read books. You have sinned too much. You can punish yourself with a drink."
What? At least three drinks... No, thirty drinks!" Xiao Chen picked up the wine glass, pulled Lin Han's ear and drank.
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere was heightened.
Li Wanyun had two more drinks with a few people, and ordered Duanmu Nanfeng to accompany the guests. Then he called Xiao Chen and came to the study for a secret discussion.
When he invited Xiao Chen over, it was naturally more than just a meal.
He ordered someone to brew a pot of strong tea to sober up, and poured a cup for Xiao Chen himself, "This is the oolong tea brought back from southern Xinjiang. The locals like to drink it. I have been in southern Xinjiang for a long time, and I have also become accustomed to drinking it.
Drinking Longjing now feels very dull. Haha, I have only brought back this one thing from southern Xinjiang for many years."
"My lord, this tea of yours is too strong. I'm afraid I won't be able to rest well after drinking it." Xiao Chen took a sip, his mouth full of sweetness and bitterness.
"Haha, even if I don't drink strong tea, I can't sleep at night these days. I might as well drink two pots to refresh myself and still think about things." Li Wanyun said.
"Is the war in Yizhou also something your prince is thinking about?" Xiao Chen asked, "From what I heard from the emperor, it seems that he wants you, your prince, to personally take command to conquer Yizhou."
"Haha, you also know?" Li Wanyun smiled, "This is a hard job, I don't want to go, but there are people vying to go... The emperor is putting me on the fire to roast.
"
"Your Majesty is real gold, how can you be afraid of being refined by fire?" Li Wanyun's words involved Li Shi and Li Feng, so Xiao Chen couldn't answer the question and could only flatter him.
"Haha, no amount of gold can withstand such refinement! But I must succeed here, otherwise the court has spent so much financial and material resources and paid such a high price... If I can't succeed, I won't have the shame to come back, Xiao
Chen, you should be more helpful this time." Li Wanyun said.
"Why are you being polite to me, Your Majesty? If you have any errands, just give me the instructions. No matter how difficult the problem is, Xiao Chen has to do it for Your Majesty even if he is broken into pieces." Xiao Chen agreed with enthusiasm, otherwise?
"Haha, who wants you to be smashed to pieces? You don't have to be so nervous. I won't ask you for money. Look at your stingy face." Li Wanyun said with a smile.
Xiao Chenxin, are you sorry for what you said? Your brother is really trying to squeeze me dry, but you still have the nerve to ask me for money?
But even if you don’t want money, you still want something. What’s the difference between asking for money? In today’s world, everything costs money…
"Only the master knows that oil and salt are expensive." Xiao Chen sighed and said, "There are so many people in Yanyun County who are crying for food. If they have money, they would like to break it into two flowers, so that they will not die of cold, exhaustion and hunger. My lord, our great Zhou Dynasty
Over the years, wars have been too frequent, and the people have been miserable and unable to make a living. As the saying goes..."
Xiao Chen wanted to say that as the saying goes, Taoist officials force the people to rebel, but he changed his words to, "As the saying goes, people in troubled times are not as good as dogs of peace. The common people today can't endure any more suffering."
"If the thieves and bandits are not destroyed, how can the country be maintained? If the generals of the country cannot survive, how can the family be maintained? The emperor's use of troops to Yizhou to eliminate the rebels is also to lay the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous future... Hey, why are you talking about this now? Xiao Chen, you and Xiyang
We are very close to each other, can you order a batch of their Western muskets for me?" Li Wanyun said.
"You can buy it, but their muskets are very expensive, at least ten times more expensive than ours! They are also very delicate, easy to damage, and extremely difficult to maintain. In addition, they have many parts and are difficult to assemble and disassemble..."
Of course, Xiao Chen was not willing to help Li Wanyun buy muskets to fight the Tianxuanhui brothers, but he could not refuse. He could only point out the many shortcomings of Western muskets one by one, trying to persuade Li Wanyun to give up this idea.
"I also know this, but the climate in Yizhou is humid and rainy in winter. Our muskets also need a match to ignite the fire. The match is difficult to ignite when it encounters moisture. It cannot be used in rainy days. Although Western muskets have various
There are no disadvantages, but it doesn’t need to be caused by a match rope, and it can be used even on cloudy and rainy days." Li Wanyun said.
"How much does the prince need and when? I will send someone to take care of it right away." Xiao Chen couldn't say any more.
"Twenty thousand." Li Wanyun pondered for a moment, "It must be delivered to Minzhou before the winter solstice."
"Your Majesty, 20,000 is too much. The Western businessmen I know may not be able to raise it in a hurry." Xiao Chen expressed his embarrassment.
"It needs to be at least ten thousand, otherwise it won't be enough. Take my Jun Ling back and go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to get the money. No matter how much it is, you have to buy it. This is what I asked you to do, but I can't let you do it.
Contribute money and effort." Li Wanyun said.
"Yes, before the winter solstice, ten thousand muskets will definitely be delivered!" Xiao Chen was considered to have issued a military order.
It is said that the journey from the Western Ocean is thousands of miles away, and the sea is rough and dangerous. Who can guarantee a smooth journey?
Besides, there are only less than two months until the winter solstice. It is difficult to purchase such a large number of muskets in such a short period of time, let alone ensure they are delivered on time.