Chapter 1001 Zhou Chen’s ambition, listening to music on the hook
"Hahaha..."
Xiao Qinyan laughed heartily and had a drink with Zhou Chen.
"This is such a heart-warming victory. Thanks to your help, Mr. Marquis, I was able to deal such a heavy blow to Qingliu's lineage. It's really satisfying."
Zhou Chen drank the wine in the glass and said: "I just put in some effort, and the current results are all due to Mr. Xiao."
"Master Hou is so humble. If it weren't for your strategizing, even if I wanted to deal with Qi Mu and his gang, it wouldn't be that easy."
Xiao Qinyan meant to praise Zhou Chen, but he really valued Zhou Chen. It was indeed Zhou Chen who contributed so much this time that led to the current results.
Not to mention anything else, just the picture of the night banquet that defeated Qi Mu and Qingliu's lineage was done by Zhou Chen, and he didn't get any information beforehand.
Zhou Chen was able to achieve this level without his help. While he was happy, he also became wary of Zhou Chen.
Now that the Qingliu lineage has lost Ke Zheng, Qi Mu and others one after another, and its power has been greatly damaged, it is no longer a cause for concern. He does not take the Qingliu lineage seriously either.
But this time when he cooperated with Zhou Chen, he felt that Zhou Chen was also an ambitious person. More importantly, Zhou Chen had a higher starting point and was younger. If Zhou Chen was allowed to continue to grow, he would definitely not be underestimated in the future.
.
"Master Marquis, we are now on the same boat. I wish us success in the future, please."
Xiao Qinyan picked up the wine glass again and had a drink with Zhou Chen.
Zhou Chen also took the opportunity to have a drink with Xiao Qinyan.
"Then I would like to congratulate Mr. Xiao in advance. From now on, Mr. Xiao will officially become the chief minister of the court, and no one can restrain you anymore."
"The Marquis is joking. We all serve the court, the officials, and the saints. Our identities are the same and there is no difference."
Xiao Qinyan chuckled. Although Zhou Chen was telling the truth, there are some things that you just need to understand in your heart and should not be spoken out.
"I will be satisfied if I can do something for the people of the world."
Zhou Chen felt funny in his heart when he heard this. When these words came out of Xiao Qinyan's mouth, why were they so funny?
When Ke Zheng said this, he could at least have eight or nine points of credibility, but when Xiao Qinyan said this, he really didn't even have one or two points of credibility.
"Xiao Xiang really has lofty ambitions. Compared with Xiao, my ambitions are far behind."
"Oh? Then what is the ambition of the Marquis?" Xiao Qinyan asked with great interest.
Zhou Chen looked solemn and said in a serious tone: "My ambition is very simple, but it is also very difficult. It is my ambition to recover the Sixteenth State of Yanyun, and it is also my ambition to defeat Liao Ting."
Xiao Qinyan suddenly took a breath and looked at Zhou Chen with shock and relief.
Because Zhou Chen's ambition was too ambitious, Yanyun and Sixteen Prefectures had been ceded for so many years. The Song Dynasty spent so many years and so much energy, but in the end they only regained three prefectures, and these three prefectures could still be recovered at any time.
They may all be reoccupied by the Liao army.
Fortunately for Zhou Chen, he actually wanted to regain the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun. This ambition was so huge.
However, he could understand why Zhou Chen had such ambitions. After all, Zhou Chen came from a family of military generals and had been in the military since he was a child.
Exploring territory and regaining lost ground is probably the ambition in every military general's heart, and Zhou Chen is no exception.
It's just that he is now the chief assistant and has served the imperial court for decades. He is very aware of the importance of the Yanyun Sixteenth Prefecture. It is currently impossible to regain the Yanyun Sixteenth Prefecture.
The most important thing is that the current strategy of the imperial court is to stop the war, and it is impossible to allow the war to happen, and it is also a major battle involving the sixteen states of Yanyun.
"Master Zhou is indeed a young hero highly praised by officials. His ambition makes me ashamed."
Although he is not optimistic about it, it does not prevent Xiao Qinyan from admiring Zhou Chen's ambition. At least Zhou Chen dares to think about it, which is better than many people.
"To be honest, if there is a chance in the future, I really want to see this scene. Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures, what a great achievement it is to regain them."
Zhou Chen cupped his hands and said, "If there is an opportunity in the future, we will need Prime Minister Xiao's help."
Xiao Qinyan replied: "Definitely, definitely."
Zhou Chen deliberately said this to Xiao Qinyan today, just to let Xiao Qinyan understand that he had no intention of competing with him in the court, and his goal was always the battlefield.
Although Xiao Qinyan, an old fox, may not believe him due to his character, but at least he planted a needle to prevent him from targeting her so quickly.
Zhao Heng indeed kept his promise. Shortly after the Night Banquet incident was resolved, he took the initiative to summon Zhou Chen.
At night, Anyefang!
"I heard that your teahouse has been closed recently. What, you don't want to continue?"
In the pavilion, Zhou Chen asked with a smile while drinking the tea Zhao Pan'er made for him.
Zhao Paner smiled and replied: "Of course not. The main reason is that our store has been too popular recently, which is not a good thing, so I thought I would rest for a while before talking."
Of course Zhou Chen knew why Zhao Paner closed the door, but he didn't say much. This kind of thing must be experienced sooner or later, sooner or later.
"I recently ran an errand for the officials, and they gave me a reward. Do you want to know what it is?"
Zhao Pan'er looked at the smile on Zhou Chen's face and asked hesitantly: "Is it related to me?"
Zhou Chen gently tapped Zhao Pan'er's eyebrows and said dotingly: "Our Pan'er is really smart. Yes, it has something to do with you."
Under Zhao Paner's shy gaze, Zhou Chen took out a golden cloth coupon from his arms.
"have a look."
When Zhao Pan'er saw this, his expression suddenly changed and he stood up in shock.
"Is this an imperial edict?"
"Yes, it is an imperial edict, an imperial edict issued by the official himself. Take a look at the contents."
Zhao Pan'er nervously took the imperial edict with both hands, then opened it carefully and read it.
After just a moment, her body trembled with excitement, holding the imperial edict in both hands, and said in disbelief: "This, this, is this true?"
Zhou Chen said with a smile: "Of course it's true. The official personally issued a decree to grant marriage to Zhongyong Hou Zhou Chen and civilian daughter Zhao Pan'er. Now you don't want to marry me anymore."
Zhao Pan'er still found it unbelievable and looked at it carefully again. Yes, it was still the same.
"But, this, what on earth is going on? Why would the official give us a marriage?"
"Didn't I just say that I recently helped the officials run an errand, and the officials asked me what reward I wanted, so I told them about it, and the officials fulfilled my wish and granted me a marriage.
"
Seeing Zhou Chen say it so easily, Zhao Pan'er still felt shocked. It was obviously such a difficult matter, how could it be solved so easily?
"Master Hou, I..."
Zhou Chen suddenly stood up, blocked her mouth, and kissed her passionately in her shocked eyes.
Zhao Pan'er didn't resist at all, but after a while, she was completely immersed in Zhou Chen's tenderness.
Not far away, Sun Sanniang, Song Yinzhang and Yin Ping were quietly hiding and watching.
After seeing this, everyone covered their eyes, and Sun Sanniang even pulled the two of them and ran away in a hurry.
"The relationship between Lord Zhou and Lady Zhao is really good, and Lady Zhao is really happy."
After running to the side, Yin Ping sighed with envy.
Sun Sanniang was about to speak, but when she saw Song Yinzhang leaving silently and returned to her house, she sighed slightly.
How could she not see Song Yinzhang's little thoughts, but she couldn't say anything. After all, the other party was Zhou Chen, and he was also Zhao Paner's beloved.
She is closer to Zhao Pan'er than Song Yinzhang, and she also feels that Zhao Pan'er is more suitable for Zhou Chen. As for Song Yinzhang, she is really not worthy of Zhou Chen.
Although the official issued a decree granting marriage, they did not specify the time, so Zhou Chen and Zhao Pan'er still need to discuss a time to get married.
"Pan'er, I've already asked someone to calculate it. There is an auspicious day in December that suits us. How about we get married in December?"
Zhao Pan'er leaned against Zhou Chen's chest. Hearing these words, she felt ashamed and happy: "Okay, I will listen to Mr. Hou."
In the past, she would never have dared to think that she could actually join the Marquis Palace, but now, she is really going to join the Marquis Palace, and she is still married to the man she loves. For her, this is more difficult than marrying into the Marquis Palace.
The Gaomen Courtyard is even more deserving of joy.
The official's grant of marriage to Zhou Chen caused quite a stir in the court, mainly because people from the noble family were more concerned about it.
Zhou Chen is now a representative figure in the Xungui family. He suddenly wants to marry a civilian girl, which is unacceptable to many people, especially those Xungui who want to marry Zhou Chen. They are even more angry.
For this matter, several of Zhou Chen's uncles went out of their way to find him.
It's just that Zhou Chen's attitude is very firm, and there is an imperial edict granting marriage, which is a foregone conclusion, so no matter how dissatisfied he is, as long as Zhou Chen doesn't disobey the imperial edict, that's all he can do.
…………
In the Xiao Qinyan assassination incident and the Night Banquet Incident, in addition to the heavy losses suffered by the Qingliu line, the Dianqian Division was also seriously damaged. The deputy capital commander and Du Yuhou, as well as countless Dianqian Division officials, were all imprisoned.
However, the Dianqian Division was still the emperor's own army after all. After thinking for a long time, the officials finally decided to promote Zhou Chen to the position of deputy commander of the Dianqian Division.
Although he was only the deputy capital commander, because the current Guodu commander was ordered to reflect at home, after Zhou Chen was promoted to deputy capital commander, he had nominally become the actual commander of the Dianqian Division.
This matter made the civil servants in the court very dissatisfied, and they objected one by one. However, because Xiao Qinyan did not come forward, they could not form a consensus at all. In the end, the officials made a decision and the matter was settled.
In less than a year, he was promoted to the deputy commander of the Palace Department. Although they were both in the third yamen, Zhou Chen's rank had been promoted several levels in a row.
Now, he has almost reached the pinnacle of martial arts in the Song Dynasty. In fact, he is not even thirty years old yet, so he can definitely be regarded as a proud man of heaven.
Since he was promoted, Zhou Chen would not be stingy, so he directly called the subordinates who had been guarding Ma Junsi to go to Jiaofangsi to celebrate, which could be regarded as a farewell.
Of course, Zhou Chen's subordinates would not dare to deny Zhou Chen's face. Although Zhou Chen has been transferred to the Palace Front Division and can no longer take care of the guards and soldiers, Zhou Chen has been promoted, and there may be requests for Zhou Chen in the future, so
Instead of becoming distant, each one of them became more enthusiastic.
One of the purposes of going to the Jiaofang Division is to treat guests, but there is another purpose, and that is to complete the side quest.
Speaking of which, so far, he has not completed the side mission of Goulan Listening to Music.
One thousand times only counts once per day, so he has at least one thousand days to go to the Jiaofang Division. He never had a chance before, but now he finally has a suitable excuse. Of course he has to complete this side mission.
The Jiaofang Division is an official department under the Ministry of Ceremonies of the imperial court, so it is normal for officials to go to the Jiaofang Division. Many officials will also go to the Jiaofang Division to entertain others.
After all, compared to the brothels outside, the standards of Jiaofangsi are higher, because many of the women in Jiaofangsi come from official families. Madams and ladies who were inaccessible in the past can now only be paid for.
Money brings contact, and of course people will flock to it.
Zhou Chen has done this kind of thing like listening to music on Goulan before, but this is indeed the first time in this world.
Because it was Zhou Chen who reserved the venue, the Jiaofang Division immediately started preparations after receiving the news. Zhou Chen was now a powerful figure in the court. Of course, the chief officer of the Jiaofang Division did not dare to offend, and he also wanted to fawn over him, so he immediately
All the pillars of the Jiaofang Department shouted out.
Although Zhou Chen was mainly here to complete the task today, as a veteran, he was naturally familiar with such occasions. There were also two young, beautiful and sparsely dressed women serving him drinks.
There were also many songs and dances, and all the subordinates who were entertained by Zhou Chen had a great time. When they got to the back, they all left with one or two women in their arms.
In the end, only Zhou Chen was left.
"Master Marquis, aren't you going to rest?"
The two women beside Zhou Chen looked at Zhou Chen with watery eyes, as if they were willing to take advantage of him.
Zhou Chen took a sip of wine with a calm expression and said, "No, you two can go down. I want to listen to music, so go ahead and make arrangements."
The two women, who had high hopes, were immediately filled with disappointment when they heard this.
They were specially selected and arranged by Yuan Shizun, the chief official of the Jiaofang Division, and they were all perfect. They all knew who Zhou Chen was. As long as Zhou Chen said a word, they could escape from the misery of the Jiaofang Division at any time.
So they served wholeheartedly and wanted to curry favor with Zhou Chen.
But although Zhou Chen also touched them, he didn't take them back to the room like other men did, and even let them leave, which made them very disappointed.
But no matter how unwilling or disappointed they were, they did not dare to disobey Zhou Chen's order and could only leave the private room with resentment.
It's not that Zhou Chen has become a gentleman, but that he is preparing to get married to Zhao Pan'er, and before that, he doesn't want to do anything to regret Zhao Pan'er.
Besides, although these two women are both good, he is also a person who passes by among the flowers. He also has the ability to sit still and calmly, so he can easily hold back as long as he is willing.
Soon a new woman came in to perform for Zhou Chen. After two shows, an acquaintance suddenly came in.
Zhang Haohao!
Yes, it was Zhang Haohao whom Zhou Chen had met several times.
Zhou Chen didn't expect to meet Zhang Haohao. Zhang Haohao is different from ordinary official prostitutes. She is a singing girl and is very famous in Tokyo. She is an oiran who is qualified to perform as an entertainer without selling her body. She does not need to stay in the Jiaofang Division.
Serve people.
"Greetings to Marquis Zhongyong."
"Zhang Haohao, I met you at Xianggong Xiao's residence, and I must have played the accompaniment for you before."
Seeing that Zhou Chen still remembered him, Zhang Haohao hurriedly said: "Master Hou has a sharp eye. It was Sister Yinzhang who went to Xianggong Xiao's mansion last time to help me."