♂?，，

  Xiao Su was currently inside the imperial palace, telling Xiao Chuo everything Chen Yuan had said to him. He didn't understand why his sister would be interested in such an insignificant person.

  Xiao Tuli's mind was also planning her second move, and it so happened that her second move would also disrupt the balance of power in the current imperial court of Liao. In recent years, she had been keeping a low profile, but now Xiao Tuli had very few people at her disposal.

  Zhang E is a capable assistant, but for Xiao Xiang Li, Zhang E is a friend, a very helpful friend. Now she not only needs friends, but also helpers.

  So Xiao Daluo needs to break the balance of the imperial court, find people who can help herself, let these people grasp enough power, and prepare for Ye Lü Hongji to ascend to the throne as the crown prince.

  When Yelü Hongji returned and told her about Chen Yuan's performance on this trip, she became particularly interested in this Song person who was about to be promoted by Emperor Xingzong of Liao.

  In her view, Chen Yuan's biggest flaw is that he is a Song person. Precisely because Chen Yuan is a Song person, Yanjing also has no foundation and is relatively easy to control. Moreover, due to ethnic relations, it can also be guaranteed that Chen Yuan will not rebel in the future.

  What made Xiao Zuo even more pleased was that if anything unexpected happened, he could abandon his carriage and save himself without any trouble!

  After hearing what Xiao Su Li had to say, Xiao Tuo Li smiled lightly: "He got beaten up? I think that now if we go out of our way to comfort him a bit, won't he be able to get closer to us?"

  Xiao Su immediately said: "After he was beaten yesterday, he didn't even have the courage to report to the imperial court. Those who went with him didn't come to help him, and he actually helped others settle the bill. Sister, I think he is no different from those weak Song people."

  Xiao Tuli looked at Xiao Suri and said, "Got it, I'll have a measure of things. I'll help him out a bit on the outside, of course, just helping him with some business matters. He mentioned something about..."

  "Financing."

  Xiao Xiang Li nodded and said: "Mm, I don't understand business matters. If you think it's suitable, go ahead and do it quickly. Later, I'll have him come see me."

  The noodles cooked by Hu Jing were still delicious, and she knew that Chen Yuan's gums were a bit hurt, so she deliberately cooked the noodles for a longer time, then waited for the soup to cool down before serving it to him. Such meticulous care made Chen Yuan feel happy.

  This happiness needs to be guarded. After Chen Yuan finished eating, he gently held Hu Jing's hand: "Sister, when there's no one around, can I call you wife?"

  Hu Jing's face was slightly flushed with shyness, her tone somewhat surprised, but she said helplessly: "Big brother, what we agreed on, can't it wait two years?"

  Chen Yuan pulled her into his chest: "I can wait for a hundred years without any problem, it's just that I'm afraid I won't be able to wait that long myself. Say, in two years, what things do you have to do? Maybe I can help."

  Hu Jing's eyes had a bewildered expression, she also wanted to put down her hatred and live with Chen Yuan like this, but from the moment she was born, it was for the sake of family hatred that she lived. She seemed to be born just to find Pang Ji to avenge.

  At first in Bianjing, she didn't understand Chen Yuan and didn't know how great Pang Ji's ability was. So she agreed to marry Chen Yuan with Ling Hua.

  But as time went by, her feelings for Chen Yuan grew stronger. From Pong Xi's body, she also knew that the big men on the court who had been relying on her all along were not even a match for Pong Ji.

  So she was even more afraid of implicating Chen Yuan.

  After hesitating for a moment, Hu Jing finally smiled slightly and pulled her hand out of Chen Yuan's palm, smiling slightly: "Brother Chen, get some rest early, take good care of your injury, we'll talk again when you're better."

  This is an excuse, Chen Yuan really didn't want to call her Hu Jing again. He knew it was a fake name and her real name should be something Rui Zhu that Pang Xi said the other day, but since she herself didn't say it, Chen Yuan wasn't willing to force her to say it out loud either.

  Forced sincerity is insincere.

  Chen Yuan stretched his waist: "Well, let's do it this way. I'm really a bit tired too. By the way, let Pang Xi and others go find Wang Lun. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll go with him to Xiao Suli's house to discuss business matters."

  The next day, Chen Yuan really didn't go anywhere and stayed in bed until the afternoon when Wang Lun came. The two of them got into a carriage together and went to Xiao Su's residence.

  The outcome of tonight's banquet is directly related to the progress of Chen Yuan's plan, so Chen Yuan has already made a draft in his heart and made sufficient preparations for various doubts that those people may raise.

  Wang Lun sat beside Chen Yuan, staring at him for half a day, but never opening his mouth to speak, which made Chen Yuan feel somewhat strange.

  To be honest, Chen Yuan thought that Wang Lun was a very strange person. They were both doing business, but Wang Lun had an air of viewing wealth as dirt. Moreover, the two had previously exchanged poetry and Wang Lun was surprisingly well-versed in literature, which made Chen Yuan really interested in this person. The more he got to know him, the more he felt that Wang Lun was a puzzle, a puzzle that could not be guessed or seen through.

  Wang Lun apparently also sees Chen Yuan in this way, especially after yesterday's incident, Wang Lun feels that both sides need to have a communication.

  Looking at Chen Yuan's distorted face, Wang Lun smiled and decided to stir up trouble: "Brother Chen, our business cooperation has been getting more and more pleasant, I really want to continue like this in the future, so I'd like to have a talk with you."

  Chen Yuan nodded and said: "What does Big Brother Wang want to talk about?"

  Wang Lun thought for a moment, and Chen Yuan did not urge him. After a while, Wang Lun slowly said: "Brother Chen, it's just some understanding of mine. Coming to Yanjing, is there something you want to do?"

  Chen Yuan's heart skipped a beat, he really didn't know how Wang Lun had figured it out.

  Although his face had already changed and couldn't show any expression, Wang Lun still judged from Chen Yuan's reaction that his idea was correct. He hastily waved his hand: "Brother Chen, don't misunderstand, no matter what you come to do, I just want to make some more money back home. I only hope that if something unexpected happens, Brother Chen can inform us in advance, after all, we are all Song people and will meet again in the future."

  Chen Yuan shifted his body forward towards Wang Lun: "Big Brother Wang, where did I let you see that we're not here to do business?"

  Wang Lun smiled lightly and said: "Coming to do business, why do you want to be an official of Liao State? With Brother Chen's talent and cleverness, he can become an official in the Great Song Dynasty."

  Chen Yuanyi spread his hands, just about to say those bright and upright words, but Wang Lun said first: "Don't tell me that others forced you, from the moment Wen Tong brought up that Ye Lü Nuoer, I knew it was myself looking for trouble! If I was afraid of trouble at the time, I could have handed over the goods to other merchant teams."

  Chen Yuan's words were stuck in his teeth, he looked at Wang Lun and finally swallowed them back: "Wang big brother, since you know I'm not just doing business, why did you agree to get mixed up with me?"

  Wang Lun patted Chen Yuan's shoulder: "It's simple, just because I helped Song Qi win that fight. I believe no matter what, it won't be a bad thing, and in my heart, I can also guess about 80% of the truth."

  After he finished speaking, his hand remained on Chen Yuan's shoulder and the other hand stretched out with a thumbs up: "I heard about what happened yesterday when you saved those two women, and I have even more admiration for Brother Chen in my heart, so that's why I came to talk to you today. I hope we can become friends in the future, and if Brother Chen ever needs anything from me, just let me know."

  Chen Yuan knew that Wang Lun had no reason to deceive him, and now he really needed help. However, the mystery surrounding Wang Lun made Chen Yuan a little afraid to get too close. Now that Wang Lun had taken the initiative to clarify their relationship, Chen Yuan also didn't mind asking directly: "Big Brother Wang, why don't you become an official?"

  Wang Lun smiled: "Unsatisfied, Brother Chen? I was ranked 41st on the imperial examination. In terms of martial arts, I was a Wuju six years ago. If you want to be an official, no matter which path you take, I can go through it. As for why I don't want to, is it that Brother Chen wants to hear my flattering words or the truth?"

  Chen Yuan smiled: "Of course I want to hear the truth."

  Wang Lun said: "To tell you the truth, I am disgusted with the style of officialdom and unwilling to be in the same group as those mediocre people."

  "This sounds like an excuse."

  Wang Lun didn't distinguish anything, but stared at Chen Yuan: "Brother Chen, I've already said all that can be said. Just like Brother Chen, some things are better left unsaid between us. Being able to meet a friend like Brother Chen makes this trip worthwhile for me. If Brother Chen has any errands in the future, just send someone to let me know."

  This was the first time Chen Yuan had met someone so clever. Wang Lun must have already guessed Chen Yuan's intention, but he just didn't say it. Similarly, his perfunctory words also revealed the real reason why he didn't become an official, only that Chen Yuan pretended to be confused.

  As Wang Lun said, some things are just fine when you can express them in words. Saying too much is of no benefit to everyone.

  Chen Yuan had to admit that Wang Lun's ideals were much more grandiose than his own. This was a euphemistic way of putting it; the less pleasant truth was that they were even less realistic.

  The carriage arrived at the gate of Xiao Su's house, and two people jumped down from the carriage. Behind them, Li Tieqiang and A Mu also followed on horseback, guarding both sides.

  Wang Lun took a glance at the row of carriages parked outside Xiao Su's house: "Heh heh, it seems Old Xiao has invited quite a few people, there are over twenty carriages just for starters."

  Chen Yuan calculated for a moment: "There should be more than 40 people, let's go in too. The purpose of my coming tonight is to make these 40 people take out money."

  Wang Lun smiled slightly and followed Chen Yuan into the Xiang's family gate.

  The gatekeeper at the door had already recognized them and did not stop them when he saw them coming in. He bowed his head and said, "Master Chen and Master Wang have arrived? Please go inside, our master has been waiting for you."

  Chen Yuan Chong nodded at the door: "You've worked hard, who are those people coming tonight?"

  The gatekeeper slapped his own forehead: "Look at my memory! Our master also asked me to show the name list to the two of you first, I forgot."

  Chen Yuanshao said: "It's not urgent to take it now."

  "The gatekeeper pointed to his own small hut and said, 'I'm afraid I've put you two to trouble. Please come into my humble abode first. It's not very convenient to talk here with people coming and going.'"

  He turned around and led Chen Yuan and Wang Lun into the small house at the entrance, and indeed there was a name list on the table. The doorman picked it up and said to Chen Yuan: "Two masters, please take a look, there are 58 people in total. Today, Xiao Ye has set up a big banquet, among which 43 have been marked with red dots by our master, let Master Chen stay for a while. There are also 15 people who mainly come to join in the fun."

  （）

  Complete works txt download, full text free, e-book, remember 77 reading books