Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 461

"Chen Zhi's clan brother seems to have gone out of the city. I heard that he went to buy and transport bamboo and other things for him. He also said that these things are used to make paper."

Upstairs in a famous restaurant in Dai County, several young people gathered together. After drinking and drinking, someone whispered.

This person is clearly Zheng Zhi from the Zheng family.

Beside him, Liu Qing from the Liu family, Tang Zi from the Tang family, Wang Zuo from the Wang family, and Zhu Wan from the Zhu family, several famous people in Daijun, and one of their younger generations sat here.

This gathering was not an impromptu event, but because news spread that Chen Zhi was hosting a banquet for each family tonight, which made each family undecided. This time, they sent their disciples out to test each other out, so that they could make arrangements in advance. arranged.

But after they met, they tested each other, but they didn't know any more information, so they couldn't help but frown.

Just at this time, news about Chen Zi came over there, allowing them to finally seize a breakthrough.

Zheng Zhi discussed it without any burden. Anyway, the Zheng family had offended Chen Zhi. Zheng Taigong made up his mind again. He hugged Wang Jun's thigh tightly and stirred up dissension in order to stabilize himself. He was not afraid of what would happen to Chen Zhi. He said in a slightly mocking tone: "What kind of medicine is sold in his gourd, what are you talking about, this Taishou Chen? This is the Taishou of Daijun. He doesn't do any business all day long, and just runs his own workshops." , I heard it’s still his own property, is he here to be an official, or is he here to make a profit?”

Everyone else frowned after hearing this, but no one responded. What he said next was going to offend others.

Seeing no one responded, Zheng Zhi felt bored. He rolled his eyes, smiled at Wang Zuo and asked: "Brother Wang Qi, don't you have a paper workshop under your name? If the Chen family's workshop is built, But it will threaten the vitality of your paper mill."

This Wang Zuo is a well-known and forthright son of the younger generation of Daijun Wang's family. He has a good relationship with Zheng Zhi and usually hangs out together. But now when he heard his words, he remembered his family's instructions and replied cautiously: "This papermaking is not a simple matter. Governor Chen's plan may not come true. Even my workshop only makes some hemp paper and takes it to the grassland to exchange for other things. It is not valuable in itself."

"Look, your brother Wang Qi knows the most," Zheng Zhi clapped his hands, "Just wait and see what Governor Chen can come up with, but I always feel that this Chen Zi There is a problem when we go out to transport bamboo. Can we still use bamboo to make paper? Don’t have any hidden plans and use paper making to cover it up."

"Brother Zheng's statement, I think is somewhat possible. I didn't expect you to think deeply about it, Brother Zheng." Tang Zi, who was drinking tea next to him, suddenly spoke up and echoed this sentence, with a bit of ridicule in his words. , but with the expression and tone, it doesn’t make people feel disgusted.

"Huh?" Zheng Zhi was stunned. In fact, he said this without any consideration or analysis. It was purely to mobilize other people's emotions and to instigate others to doubt Chen Zhi.

Although his family had taught him that it was best to be patient, after Zheng Zhi arrived, he became interested in talking to several other people and became a little bit unable to keep his mouth shut. Besides, the Zheng family really wanted to provoke Chen Zhi again and give Wang Quan some trouble. A certificate of submission.

As soon as Tang Zi said this, Zheng Zhi was stunned and quickly put on a show, smiled slightly and said: "Yes, after all, this bamboo is made of paper, which is unheard of."

"That may be because you are ignorant, Brother Zheng." Liu Qing put down his tea cup and chimed in, "I heard that in the Jiangnan area, there is a saying about bamboo and paper. I don't know whether it is true or not, but Governor Chen was born in Xuzhou. Being close to Jiangzuo, I guess I know something about him. He is a famous person in the world and is highly respected by Luoyang, so he will not be wrong. He probably has some considerations when it comes to transporting bamboo and rattan."

Contrary to the Zheng family, Liu Qing and his father Liu Bao represent the branch of the Liu family that wants to get close to Chen Zhi, and of course they will protect them.

But when he finished speaking, Tang Zi continued: "That being said, Chen Zi is the right-hand man of Prefect Chen, and he is highly regarded as his mastermind. Would such a person be sent out because of his family's property? It’s obviously a bit unreasonable, right? It’s hard not to think of something, is it really meant to secretly plot against Chen Cang?”

"Is there anything that the prefect Mu Shou needs to do secretly? I'm afraid Brother Tang is overthinking." Liu Qing shook his head and still spoke for Chen Zhi, but he also had some doubts in his heart, but he still said: "Maybe, It's because the prefect has a secret recipe for making paper, so he can get high-quality paper. Just in case, Mr. Chen Zi is sent out. Otherwise, Brother Wang's family can use local materials and make paper directly, not to mention the prefect?"

"In that case, I'm a little curious about what Prefect Chen's paper looks like." Tang Zi showed interest, "I have some experience in running my family's business over the years, and I have my own channels. If the prefect has good Paper, then I can't miss it, maybe I can gain something. I estimate that I can see the appearance of this paper in the next few days, and maybe I can see its true appearance at tonight's dinner. If this paper is just ordinary, then Chen Mr. Zi’s behavior is a bit strange.”

Wang Zuo's heart moved and he asked with a smile: "What if the paper is very good?"

"Then I will have to compete with the Wang family," Tang Zi smiled half-heartedly, "The papers we took to the grassland on behalf of the county were mostly compiled into books and written articles. There is also a lot of profit in them. Brother Wang's men Those scribes are very good at copying. If I can raise a group of them, write some moral articles on good paper and sell them to the literary people on the grassland, it will be a good livelihood."

Wang Zuo's expression changed slightly, and he immediately calmed down and said, "Brother Tang is joking."

"Hahaha," Tang Zi smiled and picked up the tea cup, "Drink tea, drink tea. It's time to go back later and prepare for the evening banquet." The few people changed the topic and said goodbye to each other after a few words.

After Tang Zi returned, he frowned, thinking about whether to send someone to follow Chen Zi and his party, but thought that if this was discovered, it would be difficult to explain, and Chen Zhi might have misunderstood him.

"Forget it, let's wait for a day or two. I think the paper that came to the prefect will be visible in these two days. Then we will decide whether to send people to follow up. If the paper is not good, we can get it nearby, like the Wang family, then Sending so many people and mobilizing troops will cause problems."

While I was thinking about it, news suddenly came that someone was visiting me.

As an outstanding figure of the third generation of the Tang family, Tang Zi got married a year ago and now lives in his own house.

"Who is coming to visit me at this time?"

After hearing the concierge's report, he smiled.

"That's it. I didn't expect it to be him."

………………

While everyone was thinking and preparing, night fell, and in Chen Zhi's newly bought house, big shots famous throughout Dai County arrived one after another.

Tang Zi also came with his uncles Tang Dian and Tang Yun, accompanied by his book boy. There was also a young man with him. Half of his face was covered with beard, his expression was calm, and he was looking ahead with curiosity.

Looking at the mansion from a distance, Tang Zi chuckled and said: "This Governor Chen is really a wonderful man. If I remember correctly, this mansion was originally the property of a merchant in the south, but after he left the fortress , encountered barbarians and horse bandits, and was brutally killed. His relatives sold the property here and returned to the south. This house was said to be a haunted house. The price was not expensive, and the place was actually not very big. The front yard and main hall were spacious, or Because the merchant is engaged in the fur business, he often has to open his stall in the front yard so that it can be expanded. Otherwise, I don’t know if I can even stand up for today’s dinner.”

"You still know everything about the city." Tang Yun laughed next to him. This man was the owner of Xieshan Fort, a Wubao outside the city. He had met Chen Zhi once, which was regarded as the relationship between the Tang family and Chen Zhi. There are people who interact with each other, so they will be sent to attend the dinner. "But, having said that, for this dinner, the prefect did not hold a banquet in a restaurant, but held a family banquet at home. It is really strange."

As he spoke, he looked at the house again, shook his head and said: "I heard that Governor Chen has been very generous recently and spent a lot of money. Why is he reluctant to pay for the place where he lives? This house is not It’s worthless and not worthy of his status.”

Tang Dian, who was walking in front, turned his head and whispered: "After all, he is an official of the imperial court. The government provides a residence. If you buy it yourself, of course you don't need to buy a big one. This will save others gossip."

"That's right." Tang Zi nodded, then looked at the person next to him, and asked with a smile: "Brother Murong, you chose a good time to visit the prefect this time, just in time for the dinner."

It turned out that the person walking beside him was a member of the Murong clan of Xianbei, and he was an old acquaintance with Tang Zi and others. He came here this time to visit Chen Zhi through the Tang family, and he happened to catch up with him this time. Dinner.

After hearing this, Murong said: "Thanks to a few people, otherwise I might not be able to see anyone. To be honest, my brother and I went to the Central Plains to do business and passed by Luoyang. At that time, I heard the name of the prefect and wanted to go there. I wanted to visit, but due to various reasons, I didn’t get what I wanted, so I came here to try my luck this time.”

Tang Yun then smiled and said: "Murong Jun, your caravan is amazing. Our two families have cooperated several times. I know that you will probably make a fortune this time you go to the Central Plains, right?"

Murong shook his head and said: "It's nothing, I just gained a little bit, it's not as good as you guys."

"This is not true. How can our place compare with the prosperous places in the hinterland of the Central Plains?" Tang Zi shook his head, and then changed the topic, "Speaking of which, Brother Murong, how many years ago did you come to Dai County last time? Years ago, now that I’m here again, how do you think this generation of the county compares with the past?”

"The last time I came here was three years ago," Murong said without hesitation. "Compared to the last time, the county seat in this generation is much more compact, there are many more shops in the city, and there are more merchants coming and going. It’s doubled, and it looks very lively.”

"It's true," Tang Zi chuckled, "But these are all the achievements of the previous prefect. The prefect Lu was rude to my Tang family, but he was still capable. I don't know how this new prefect is compared to him. What will happen."

(End of this chapter)