The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 506 An unexpected gain
The next day.

Zhang Yunyi had just finished his breakfast when he saw Youshi come into the room and report: "The eldest wife is here with her brother and sister-in-law!"

This was something that had been agreed upon. Zhang Yunyi raised his bowl again and poured the remaining millet and sea cucumber into his mouth. He chewed a few times before standing up and saying vaguely, "Tell Jinchuan to bring two dressing mirrors to Miss Xing and Miss Baoqin later."

After saying that, he walked to the side hall in the front yard.

"Old...I am here with my younger brothers and sisters."

When she saw him, Mrs. Xing instinctively wanted to call him "Master", but fortunately she reacted and changed her words in time.

"My Lord...My Lord!" Xing Zhong and his wife seemed a little at a loss, and did not care about the details, and bowed quickly.

"Madam, you are not old at all!" Zhang Yunyi said half-jokingly.

After easing the atmosphere, he turned to look at Xing Zhong and his wife and said, "We are all family, you don't have to be restrained."

Xing Zhong had seen his wife in Rongqing Hall before, but this was the first time he saw her.

As Mrs. Xing's younger brother and Xing Xiuyan's father, he has a handsome appearance.

He has regular features and a gaunt face, but he does not have the temperament of a scholar at all. Instead, he has the materialism of a businessman.

Perhaps because he heard about his family, he was so excited that his yellow face turned red, and he nodded and agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! After Xiuyan comes home, we'll be a family now!"

Zhang Yunyi was in a hurry to go to the yamen, so he didn't bother to exchange pleasantries with him. He got straight to the point and said, "I'm sure my wife has told you that since I've married your daughter, I will naturally not treat you badly. Tell me, what are you good at?"

“Hey! Hey!~”

Xing Zhong looked at his wife with a complicated expression, but was glared at by his wife. He gritted his teeth and stammered, "I... I'm not good at anything. If I really want to say it, it's probably just drinking and watching opera."

After saying this, he looked at Zhang Yunyi with embarrassment but also with a hint of expectation.

Xing Zhong was quite shameless, actually saying that drinking and listening to opera were his specialties.

Fortunately, Zhang Yun逸 did not drink the water. He was shrewd enough and had already mastered the ability to remain calm.

Mrs. Xing and his wife nodded with satisfaction and said in unison, "He doesn't have much ability. I don't think we need to worry about him."

Zhang Yun逸 was trying to hold back his laughter while feeling troubled.

If Xing Zhong had said this a day earlier, he would have naturally gone with the flow. However, he had just made a big promise in front of Xing Xiuyan yesterday. If he couldn't find a professional counterpart now, wouldn't he be slapping himself in the face?
Even if Xing Zhong only mentioned that he could recognize a few words or knew something about business management, he could still force him to hand over the matter of Zhi Yanzhai to him.

But he is not ambitious enough and doesn't even know how to cover it up. He actually regards his hobbies such as drinking and listening to operas as his specialties.

Zhang Yun逸's eyes suddenly lit up when he thought of drinking and listening to opera.

He said in a deep voice: "If I open a theater and let you manage it, would you be willing?"

Xing Zhong was stunned, and as if afraid that he would regret it, he kept saying, "Yes! Yes!"

Mrs. Xing and his wife were also startled. Just as they were about to speak, Zhang Yunyi raised his hand to interrupt them, saying, "Madam, you should know that the performance at the Wanshou Festival was well received. Even Prince Zhongshun asked the family's troupe to learn. If the superior likes something, the subordinates will also like it even more. Instead of wasting it, it is better to open a theater like this."

In front of him was Xing Xiuyan, and behind him were Mrs. Xing and Xing's wife. They tried to dissuade him one after another, but Xing Zhong's eyes were filled with expectation.

How could Zhang Yun逸 not see that he was forced into a corner?
He pondered for a moment, then continued, "However, this marquis has always done things, and if he does something, he must do it to the best of his ability. This theater only performs our new play, which is too monotonous, and it needs to be supported by famous actors. In addition, the best wine is indispensable. The troupe of the prince's family is well-known in the capital, and he is in charge of the inner court, so there is no shortage of the best wine. I will discuss with the prince, and we can open a partnership to test the waters first. If it is feasible, it may not be impossible to expand it."

I heard that they wanted to form a partnership with the prince and expand across the country, two big pie in the sky.

Xing Zhong was excited, his eyes full of admiration, and he echoed, "Right, right, right! Drinking and watching opera are one of the greatest pleasures in life!" He patted his chest and said, "Long illness makes a good doctor. I dare not say anything else, but I have learned the tricks of this opera house."

Zhang Yun逸 wanted to open a theater not for Xing Zhong, nor simply to show off his ability to know people and make good use of them.

Previously, collecting intelligence through the Xue family's business was a helpless move. After all, starting from scratch was difficult and expensive, and the efficiency of intelligence collection had to be considered.

Although he had the guano dividends and caustic soda business, he was unable to maintain the intelligence gathering of the entire Daxia.

Now, Xing Zhong gave him a reminder.

Since ancient times, teahouses, restaurants, brothels, and theaters have been places where information is gathered.

Although, as the Minister of Rites, Gu Dashou also had the Jiaofangsi under his jurisdiction, given his relationship with Gu Dashou, it was not impossible for him to open a brothel?
But on the one hand, he felt that the flesh trade was degrading and was unwilling to get involved. On the other hand, in order to avoid breaking the law, the upstream channels must be controlled by Gu Dashou, which did not suit his idea.

However, if a theater was opened, one would not be controlled by others. Besides, The Legend of White Snake had already gained fame, and planning for it was underway. These two new plays would attract customers.

Not only does it solve the cost of intelligence work and perhaps even make a profit, but he can also legitimately control the management rights and easily place people there.

In addition, the teacher once said that we should make more friends and fewer enemies.

He had just made the improved papermaking technology public on a limited basis, so Gu Dashou was fine with it, after all, he had gained a favor.

But Zhou Xianzu and Qi Yuandao obviously don't think so.

Right now, we are lacking a business that can bind interests and gather people’s hearts.

Opening a theater by yourself and making money for everyone is obviously the most suitable choice.

There is no need to say much about King Zhongshun. Jiang Yuhan's opera troupe is well-known in the capital, and as long as they make an occasional guest appearance, they can attract a lot of attention.

As for the wine yeast, King Zhongshun's help is also needed. As for Gu Dashou, Zhou Xianzu and Qi Yuandao, they can also participate to enhance the momentum.

After all, these people are either ministers, nobles, or relatives of the emperor. They all have high status and can help attract customers.

These people were all Qin Wang's loyal followers who had followed him since his deathbed. They had more seniority than himself, except for Li Congwen, with whom he had a grudge. Zhang Yun逸 was not willing to let go of the rest easily.

With the new emperor ascending the throne, they have completed their original mission and it is time to divide the cake.

Although Zhang Yunyi was only in charge of the Tiangong Academy and the Xianxue Academy, he had no intention of competing with them.

But times have changed and estrangement is inevitable.

This can be seen from the suspension of the exchange fair.

There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Although this statement is not entirely correct, it does make sense.

How could Zhang Yun逸 not seize such a good opportunity that could kill several birds with one stone?
"I still need to discuss this matter with the prince and the others. You go back first, and I will come to you after we have reached an agreement."

After sending Xing Zhong and others away, he did not rush out of the house, but went straight to the front yard and found Zhen Shiyin.

After he had put forward his idea, Zhen Shiyin could not help but applaud: "This is really a good idea! Xing Zhong is from Suzhou and is an expert in this field. The newspaper has been arranged almost completely and will be published in a few days. It would be better to let him go to Suzhou with me, buy some actors and bring back the trained servants."

……

(End of this chapter)