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  The next morning, Chen Yuan went to visit Xiao Su Li first thing in the morning.

  There are indeed many things to be done now, such as the affairs of the brothers, the goods left at Wang Lun's place, and going to deal with that princess who is looking for trouble.

  No matter how many things there are, they must be done one by one, and the lightness, heaviness, slowness and urgency should be distinguished clearly.

  The princess's troubles and the gang's affairs, as long as you go there tomorrow according to the princess's requirements, it will be solved naturally. If possible, push it away, if not, then it will be more troublesome when running away in the future.

  Leaving goods at Wang Lun's place for a longer period of time is not a problem, but if it makes others feel unwelcome to do business, then that's a big trouble. So I must go find Xiao Su Li.

  Xiao Suli is a typical businessman, with the title of national uncle in Liao State and also holding a not-so-small official position. However, he rarely goes to the imperial court and seldom performs his duties at the yamen.

  Chen Yuan was practicing a set of fist techniques in the courtyard when he came to see him early in the morning, and it seemed that he was just exercising his body.

  Xiao Suli was twenty-seven or eight years old, and Chen Yuan was about the same age. He was also a harmonious person. After seeing Chen Yuan and his group arrive, he invited them to enter the back hall, and politely chatted: "Is this your first time coming to our place, Master Chen?"

  Chen Yuan nodded: "Yes, it's my first time in Yanjing."

  Xiao Su Li smiled and said: "I heard that Master Chen beat up that Tangut person last night?"

  Chen Yuan thought to himself, this news spread really quickly, it happened so late last night and by this morning even the vendors know about it?

  Xiao Su Li saw Chen Yuan's expression and said in a low voice: "Yesterday, I was at my sister's place when the emperor came and told my sister that those Tangut people were beaten into pigs by a merchant's apprentice. The appearance is even comical. But I never thought it was done by Master Chen. After coming out to listen, I finally understood. However, in my heart, I don't understand why Master Chen did this. We do business and always follow the principle of 'common people do not fight with officials'. Why did Master Chen go against his usual behavior this time?"

  Chen Yuan sighed slightly: "It's just that I drank a bit too much wine and couldn't stand those two people, so I lost my temper for a moment. By the way, I dare to ask you, sir, where did the Tangut people go to report to the Emperor?"

  Xiao Su Li nodded: "Yes, but Master Chen doesn't need to worry. The Emperor just mentioned it as a joke and even seemed happy about it. I heard that the Ninth Prince also spoke up for him, and Song Qi quickly presented the imperial edict to the Emperor, explaining what had happened. It's unlikely that he'll pursue the matter further."

  Chen Yuan clasped his fists and said: "Sir Xiao, I was indeed rash for a moment. If there's any trouble in the future, I hope Sir Xiao will lend me your powerful assistance."

  Xiao Su Li smiled and said, "Master Chen has found the wrong person. I am a well-known figure in Liao State for not asking about worldly affairs and focusing on making money. However, I think there won't be any trouble. Those Tangut people have been very active lately, and the Emperor can't stand it anymore. This beating will make them behave for a few days, which is also good."

  As they spoke, the maid brought in tea and Su Li looked at Chen Yuan and Pang Xi: "Director Pang is an old acquaintance, don't be polite. I'll discuss some business with Director Chen now. To be honest, Master Chen, this time's price seems a bit high. Our previous transactions didn't have such a precedent!"

  Xiao Su Li has started talking business, which means he is unwilling to help.

  Chen Yuan wouldn't say anything more. Since they were discussing business, he had to put on a business-like demeanor: "Sir Xiao, the current market conditions are well-known. The borders of the Song Dynasty are heavily guarded, so goods are extremely scarce. It's not easy for us to transport these items here either, and the expenses along the way are more than before. As for the price, it naturally has to be raised a bit."

  Both sides started haggling, a process that was tedious and full of challenges. Tedious, because in this long negotiation, they had to face the same people, repeating the same reasons back and forth until someone compromised their position.

  Fortunately, both parties had dealt with each other before and were very sincere. After talking for more than two hours, they reached an agreement.

  After both parties agreed on the price, location and time of the transaction, Xiao Su Li invited them to stay for dinner at home, but Chen Yuan declined with thanks. He really had a lot of things to do and many things that weighed on his mind and couldn't be put down.

  When Chen Yuan left, Xiao Suli only saw him off in the hall. After seeing Chen Yuan's figure disappear from his line of sight, Xiao Suli coughed lightly and a middle-aged man wearing a black robe slipped in through a side door.

  That man came in and bowed to Xiao Su Li: "Uncle Guo, how are you?"

  Xiao Su's mouth corner revealed a smile: "He's a businessman, no need to suspect him."

  That man smiled and said: "The little one has already gone back to the palace to report to the emperor."

  Xiao Su'er stopped him and asked: "Zhang Gong, why did the Emperor suddenly think of investigating this person?"

  Director Zhang said, "Yesterday after he defeated Zhang Yuan and Wu Huang, the Emperor was very interested in him. The Ninth Prince and Princess both praised his cleverness, and it's said that they're all trying to recruit him. The Emperor is worried that young people can't handle things properly, so he asked us to take care of this."

  Xiao Su Li nodded: "Hmm, actually the Emperor is worrying too much. We all know about the Ninth Prince's temperament. If Chen Shi Mei didn't have some special skills, it would be hard for him to value her so highly."

  That big man's eyes flashed with a hint of light: "After all, still young, in saying, from the Song Dynasty, checking is also reasonable."

  Chen Yuan left Xiaosuri's place and immediately went with Pang Xi to find Wang Lun, bringing the goods to sell to Xiaosuri, and then collecting some miscellaneous goods such as fur.

  Although doing business is just a cover for their true purpose, at least they have to put up a front and make others think they are here to do business.

  The inn where Wang Lun stayed was not as grand as the "First House", after all, for Yanjing, a merchant team like them was just a passing guest, and Chen Yuan would not have been able to book a room there if it weren't for Yelü Nieru's special care.

  It's a simple matter here, just bring their goods over from here, and Chen Yuan also had Pang Xi throw in two carts of salted food, as compensation for Wang Lun.

  Others transport goods to Yanjing, and the freight cannot be let others help pay. Let alone Chen Yuan doesn't care about these two cars of salt, he simply doesn't care about this deal.

  Wang Lun didn't stand on ceremony either. He separated the personal from the business, and after Chen Yuan took his goods away, he also bought the remaining two carts.

  Then, I invited Wang Lun and a few others to dinner, just to express some gratitude.

  At the wine table, Wang Lun and others also talked about Chen Yuan's fight with the Tangut envoy. Their attitude was completely different from that of Xiao Suri, mostly praising Chen Yuan. The strong man named Li Tieqiang even said: "Master Chen, if Old Li had known yesterday, I guarantee those people would not have just been pig heads!"

  A bookish-looking man next to him chimed in, "If someone really died, it would be a hassle. However, I've heard that after Chen the shopkeeper took action, Song Qi actually just stood by and watched, is this true?"

  Chen Yuan said with a smile: "It's just an outside rumor, don't take it seriously."

  Another snorted: "Those officials and nobles, all they know is to recite poetry and compose essays, oppressing the common people. When it comes to real fistfights, they don't have the guts to take action! If I were Chen Zhanggui, I'd watch them get beaten to death by the Tanguts and consider it a breath of fresh air!"

  "The scholar interrupted, 'No, brother Guo's words are greatly absurd. Think about it, Song Qi is the envoy of the Great Song Dynasty. If he were to be beaten, the people of Liao on the streets would laugh at us, the people of Song, and we would all lose face.'"

  Chen Yuan couldn't help but take a glance at the scholar, and found that this person's way of thinking was surprisingly identical to his own. He also wanted to make friends with him: "May I ask, brother, what is your surname?"

  The scholar Party Junzi smiled at Chen Yuan: "My surname is Dang, and my name is Junzi."

  Compared with Li Tieqiang and that surnamed Guo's rashness, Wang Lun and Dang Junzi are much more steady.

  Especially Wang Lun and Chen Yuan, when they first saw this man, they felt that he was not simple, not like a merchant who peddles goods.

  He's obviously a strategist, Li Tieqiang and Guo Moshan are clearly fierce and brave, as for Wang Lun himself, he has a sturdy build and is deep and calm, making Chen Yuan always feel like he can't quite grasp his feelings.

  While everyone was discussing the events of the previous day, Wang Lun asked with concern: "Master Chen, this matter will not be easily settled by the Tanguts. I heard that nearly a hundred of our men were captured by the Liao soldiers. Does Master Chen have any plan to rescue them?"

  Chen Yuan said gratefully: "Thank you, Mr. Wang, for your concern. I've already asked someone to take care of it, and I think we should be able to rescue the person by tomorrow."

  Wang Lun nodded: "That's good, if there's anything we can help Chen Zhanggu with, just speak up."

  It was already past noon when they returned after eating, and the mood of the companions was not good. So many fellow soldiers were captured by the Liao army, although Chen Yuan assured them that he could rescue the people, but everyone's heart did not have a solid guarantee, how could they believe it?

  Yang Wenguang told Chen Yuan that if the partners really couldn't come back tomorrow, some people in the team might not be able to calm down.

  Chen Yu really didn't want to go to the princess's place as a reader, but he couldn't think of a way to get out of it. Yelü Lü had already said that if Chen Yu didn't go, she would kill someone. This wasn't an idle threat - this woman looked like a spoiled princess who was used to getting her own way, and what she said, she meant.

  Chen Yuan was worried about this.

  Yelü Nieru also arrived after receiving the message, and seeing Chen Yuan's appearance, comforted him: "Brother Chen, being a reader in the Eastern Palace is a position that many people in our Liao country want. To be honest, if it weren't for the princess personally selecting you, maybe you wouldn't even have had the qualifications to sign up."

  Chen Yuan glared at him fiercely: "Ninth Prince, I'm just a merchant. I'll do this deal well, sell the goods, collect the sheepskin and wool, and then prepare to leave. If I wanted to be an official, I would have taken the imperial examination in the Song Dynasty long ago. What I don't understand is that if you, Ninth Prince, look down on me, why not just say so? Why must you make a bet with that princess?"

  Yelü Nu'er expressed some apology: "Brother Chen, my imperial sister is a bit willful and has wronged you; I hope Brother Chen won't take offense."

  Chen Yuan looked up at him: "How can you seem so unafraid of losing to her?"

  Yelü Nu'er smiled and didn't answer. Emperor Xingzong of Liao had already promised him the throne, what else was there to haggle over?

  Chen Yuan didn't ask any more questions and let out a deep sigh: "Alas, if I had known it would be like this, I might as well have taken the imperial examination in the Song Dynasty and become a zhuangyuan."

  Yelü Niegulu heard this and immediately raised his head: "Brother Chen, your words are different. What's wrong with our Liao country? Our military is strong! Our emperor is wise and powerful, how can he be compared to the foolish ruler of the Song Dynasty? Brother Chen, if you become the Eastern Palace reader, even if I become the Emperor in the future, I will definitely reuse Brother Chen."

  Chen Yuan sighed deeply: "Ninth Prince, I'm asking you to show me a way out, considering I helped you deal with Yelü Xīubǎo, can't you?"

  Yelü Niwulu looked at him for a long time, and finally shook his head slightly: "Forget it, everyone has their own ambitions. I just hope Brother Chen remembers that if he wants to be an official in the future, come find me directly. I guarantee you'll be second only to one person, but above all others!"

  Chen Yuanshen nodded absent-mindedly and asked anxiously: "Is there any other way to avoid being a reading companion for the Eastern Palace?"

  Yelü Niegulu said, "The selection of the Crown Prince's study companions is extremely strict. In terms of talent and intelligence, I believe Brother Chen will have no problem. Moreover, the Princess has already said that as long as he goes, she will take care of the rest."

  "Just say I made a good excuse."

  Yelü Niegulu let out a sigh, and in his heart he was very disappointed that Chen Yuan did not want to be an official in Liao. But he also knew that forcing Chen Yuan to stay like the princess had done might be even more inappropriate.

  He said: "Brother Chen, apart from talent and intelligence, physical health is also crucial. Those who accompany the prince to study must be in good health, weaklings won't do."

  Chen Yuan said: "I have already seen the princess earlier, now it's too late to pretend to be ill!"

  Yelü Niegulu nodded: "Apart from physical appearance, many minor ailments are also not allowed to be selected, such as missing teeth."

  （）

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