212: A common man is not guilty, but he is guilty of having a jade.
Qi Shenghe did not come alone, but also brought a girl and a young man with him.
They didn't come empty-handed, they were carrying large and small bags in their hands, with appropriate humility on their faces.
As soon as he entered the door, Qi Shenghe held up his hands and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Mr. Zuo for being awarded the title of Champion Marquis. It is truly a blessing to meet the Marquis today..."
Although from a humanistic perspective, he was Nan Yuyan's uncle and one of Zuo Chongming's elders, so it was Zuo Chongming's duty to visit him to greet him.
However, Zuo Chongming was from a noble title to a prince, and from an official to a town envoy. He was much higher than them in terms of status, level and power.
So actually...it has to be the other way around.
As the saying goes, it is not strange to be polite to many people.
His attitude was correct and he even brought a greeting gift. He couldn't fault him in any way, so Zuo Chongming naturally wouldn't be embarrassed either.
He stood up with a smile and returned the greeting: "We are all one family, why should we be so divided. Master Qi, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Lord Marquis."
Qi Shenghe did not dare to take these words seriously, so he bowed respectfully, bowed to Nan Feiyu, and then came to sit in the pavilion.
Following his wink, the two young men next to him hurriedly presented the gift boxes: "It is disrespectful to prepare small gifts for the first time in your life."
"Eh~."
Zuo Chongming feigned anger and shook his head, asking Bai Susu to accept the gift: "Master Qi, you're welcome. Just come when you come. What kind of gift should you bring? It's really..."
If someone else had been granted the title of Marquis, they would never be as deserted as him.
For at least ten days and a half, there will be an endless stream of people at the door.
But who made Zuo Chongming offend the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty? Not to mention coming to congratulate him, now people want to bite this piece of shit to death.
"Rules are rules."
Qi Shenghe smiled and said kindly to Nan Yuyan: "It just so happens that Yuyan is here too. My uncle brought in some fancy items. Remember to take them with you when you go back."
"Thank you uncle."
Nan Yu nodded gracefully.
Although she has some social fears, she is of royal blood after all, so she will not lose her status in terms of rules, etiquette, and hospitality.
Zuo Chongming looked at a man and a woman, and asked at the right time: "These two are..."
Qi Shenghe followed the good advice and introduced: "Oh, this is my son Qi Hao and my daughter Qi Wanlin. Haven't you met Mr. Hou yet?"
"Seen..."
The girl and the young man were excited and quickly saluted again.
"Okay, there's no need to be so raw."
Zuo Chongming waved his hand and motioned for them to sit down. He changed the subject and asked, "Listen to what the head of the Qi family just said, is the Qi family a businessman?"
"The Marquis has a sharp eye."
Qi Shenghe nodded and said thoughtfully: "To be honest with the Marquis, the Qi family does some small business, which can barely make a living."
"Actually, I just import some rare things from the South China Sea from time to time, transport them to Beijing, sell them, and pay the price difference to earn some hard-earned money."
Zuo Chongming naturally didn't believe this, and said meaningfully: "Being able to beg for food in the capital is not an easy task. The master of the Qi family is too modest."
Qi Shenghe smiled bitterly and said: "Master Hou, I don't know. Due to the turmoil in the South China Sea, business has become more and more difficult in recent years. Some time ago..."
Naturally, he began to complain in detail.
And from his words, Zuo Chongming also understood his intention.
To put it simply, the Qi family's business was affected not only by the unstable situation in the South China Sea, but also by Zuo Chongming.
After all, Zuo Chongming had already offended the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty. Although officials could not find an excuse to attack him, they did not mind venting their anger on those around him.
He was engaged to Nan Yuyan, and the Qi family was Nan Yuyan's natal family. With this relationship... the forces in the capital naturally squeezed her out overtly and covertly.
So after going back and forth like this, the Qi family's business is getting worse and worse.
Qi Shenghe is also a ruthless person. Since things have come to this, he will simply hold Zuo Chongming's thigh tightly and stand in the same boat with him.
The purpose of his coming today is to surrender.
And it's not just an ordinary surrender, Qi Shenghe plans to surrender with his whole family, follow Zuo Chongming directly, and move the Qi family to Xiyun Mansion.
Although the Qi family has declined, it is still an established force in Beijing.
The consequence of doing this is equivalent to cutting off the foundation and connections that have been accumulated for several generations, and then starting over again after arriving at Xiyun Mansion.
Otherwise, Qi Shenghe is a ruthless person.
"Master Qi, please be careful."
Zuo Chongming advised in surprise: "It is not a trivial matter to involve the whole family. The Qi family's connections, relationships, foundation and capital in the capital have all been lost. Are you really willing to do it?"
"..."
The corners of Qi Shenghe's mouth twitched.
If he had a choice, would it be strange for him to give it up?
The reality forced him to give up.
Because the relationship between Zuo Chongming and Nan Yuyan, the Qi family connections and so on, were all completely cut off, and it was too late for them to avoid him.
So now the Qi family really has no other choice but to break the jar.
Zuo Chongming thought for a long time and said in deep thought: "The Qi family has moved to Xiyun Mansion. I welcome you here, but..."
Qi Shenghe quickly expressed his position: "Don't worry, Mr. Hou, we will abide by the rules and respect Mr. Hou in everything."
"I will tell you the ugly things from the front."
Zuo Chongming glanced at Qi Hao and the two of them, and said with a smile but not a smile: "Officials and businessmen are not the same family, and they cannot be both, so the head of the Qi family has thought carefully about it."
Qi Shenghe is so sophisticated that he can naturally understand the profound meaning.
The meaning is very simple. If your family is doing business together, don't think about becoming an official, and vice versa.
Relying on Nan Yuyan's relationship, whether it is doing business or serving as an official, it is enough for the Qi family to gain a foothold.
But if he wants to go further, Zuo Chongming will change from a protective umbrella to a roadblock, completely blocking this road.
Qi Shengheben thought that by surrendering, he would take advantage of the opportunity to send his son and daughter to the Zhenfu Division as errands, and then the Qi family would make a comeback in the business world.
In this way, there are two flowers.
But Zuo Chongming's words completely shattered his calculations.
This clearly tells him that you can't have your cake and eat it too, and there is no such thing as a good thing in the world.
What Zuo Chongming wanted was for everyone to perform their own duties, rather than to hold multiple posts and have both money and power, which he did not allow.
Think for a moment.
Qi Shenghe took a deep breath and raised his head solemnly: "Master Hou, if the Qi family... wants to become an official, what should we do?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Two roads."
Zuo Chongming raised his finger: "First, start as an inspector, slowly accumulate, and work your way up according to the normal path, and I will be promoted according to the rules."
"Second, become my personal guard and follow you from now on. If you perform well, I will not treat you badly, but..."
Qi Shenghe understood the meaning of the word "more money" before he even uttered it.
He said straightforwardly: "Master Hou, my ancestors of the Qi family have a flying boat that flies through the clouds, so that we can quickly travel between the South China Sea and the capital."
"If the Marquis does not dislike it, I would like to give the flying boat to the Marquis. I hope that the Marquis will put more effort into teaching these two incompetent children in the future."
"hiss……"
Nan Feiyu, Qi Hao and even the people around them couldn't help but look horrified and took a breath of cold air.
This Qi Shenghe is not a ruthless person, but a wolf destroyer.
The cost of a Lingyun flying boat is at least 50,000 yuan, and with other configurations included, even a shabby flying boat costs no less than 80,000 yuan.
Qi Shenghe's move was equivalent to taking out the Qi family's coffin book to pave the way for Qi Hao and his wife to pay their tuition.
Isn’t this too willing to take the risk? Are you really not afraid of losing money?
As Nan Feiyu thought about this, Emperor Wu and Concubine Wu's evaluation of him suddenly appeared in his mind, and he sighed secretly: "It's quite difficult to compensate for this business."
"The master of the house is generous."
Zuo Chongming was also startled by this guy's courage. It took him a while to wake up and said in a deep voice: "In that case, I am being disrespectful."
The area of Xiyun Mansion is not small. Even for a Guiyuan realm warrior, it would be tiring to travel back and forth. It would be great to have this thing.
Once the business is done, the atmosphere suddenly becomes relaxed.
For Feizhou's sake, Zuo Chongming rarely spoke up and allowed them to have a meal.
Of course, the people who cook are from the Ning family, and the ingredients are also produced by the Ning family.
Even so, Ning Huang was still happy.
…
In the middle of the afternoon, after Qi Shenghe left Ning Mansion.
Qi Wanlin finally couldn't suppress the doubts in her heart and asked in a low voice: "Dad, why do you want Feizhou..."
"Do you think dad wants to do this?"
Qi Shenghe glanced at them and sighed: "If you have the ability of a champion, would my father take out the coffin to pave the way for you?"
As a father, he knows the level of Qi Hao and Qi Wanlin very well.
To put it bluntly, the only advantage these two have over the dandies in Beijing is that they are obedient and sensible.
Regardless of strength or ability, he can only be called a middle-aged man.
If they were really thrown into the Zhenfu Division and followed the normal path, it would be a miracle that they could survive more than half a year.
"If it doesn't work out, let's go into business."
"Haha, doing business?"
Qi Shenghe sneered: "If the Qi family goes into business again, the relationship with the champion will only become weaker and weaker in the future, and they will eventually become strangers."
The common man is not guilty, but he is guilty of carrying the jade.
The mere existence of Lingyun Feizhou was enough to make Zuo Chongming have his own thoughts.
The Qi family has no chance of keeping it unless they don't go to Xiyun Mansion.
But then again, if they still stay in the capital, the Qi family will only be gradually squeezed out and then cannibalized step by step, and eventually not even the dregs will be left.
Qi Shenghe saw clearly that instead of waiting for the Qi family to be destroyed, it would be better to take the initiative to send the flying boat and win Zuo Chongming's favor first.
…
Nan Feiyu came to him and sneered softly: "Congratulations, you have earned a flying boat."
"Earn? Why do you think so?"
Zuo Chongming glanced at her and said calmly: "From the perspective of the Qi family, they are the ones who have really made a lot of money. No matter how expensive the flying boat is, life is not valuable."
"If you are destined to lose something, it is better to donate it proactively. At least you can get some benefits in exchange. If you regret it when your family is ruined, it will be too late."
Nan Feiyu frowned slightly: "If they don't hand over Feizhou, are you still planning to attack them?"
Zuo Chongming was indifferent: "It depends on how valuable they are. If they are not as valuable as Feizhou, then what's the point of their existence?"
"You... are so cold-blooded and ruthless."
Nan Feiyu was shocked by his words and his limbs were numb. It took him a while to calm down and gave him a fierce look.
"It's much better than the royal family."
Zuo Chongming smiled and changed the subject: "By the way, has Liu Binghe been escorted back?"