Xie Ming

Chapter 348: Talking about Nanjing News
Continuing from the above story, Shen Zhengwen brought the two sisters Yuzhen and Xiao'e across the river and landed in Yangzhou. After entering the Shen Mansion, they also met the head of the family Shen Chaozong and the warm and amiable concubine Liu in the main room in the backyard!

After the initial greeting, the two sisters followed Liu's wishes and were led to a table and chairs nearby, where they were served by maids and served with fruits, tea and so on.

After talking to the two of them, Shen Chaozong turned his eyes again and spoke to Zhengwen.

"Zhengwen, I didn't expect to encounter such a situation when I went to Nanjing this time. It must have been hard for you to run through such a long journey!" Shen Chaozong said.

"Haha, no problem!"

"Uncle Shen is worried about me!" Zheng Wen replied.

"Well, I read in your letter a few days ago that the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War had used up all the salt, barley and land taxes collected after the New Year in order to arrange military supplies!"

"It seems that the situation in the North is precarious and cannot be reversed!"

"Compared to the government offices in Nanjing, Yangzhou receives less news than other places. But for the past half month, everyone has been in a state of panic!"

"In the Chamber of Commerce, opinions on the imperial court's decision to send troops to the north are mixed."

"There are so many people talking at once, it's a mess, it's hard to have peace!"

"Hey! Businessmen are usually selfish. They are just worried about the money in their pockets. Because of this kind of thing, all the money will be dug out and thrown out!"

Shen Chaozong was worried about the changing situation, so when he asked questions, he couldn't help but make fun of himself.

"Yeah, Uncle Shen!"

"Before I took my sister back to Yangzhou, I got the latest news from the government, saying that the prince who came to the north to escape the disaster seems to have arrived in Nanjing!"

"So in the past two or three days, the security in Nanjing has obviously tightened a lot!"

"The gates of all government offices are closed to the public. It seems that they are all very busy!" Zheng Wen reported the latest situation.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chaozong was shocked. He supported himself on the corner of the table with one hand and straightened up in the chair.

"T-Prince?!"

"You mean the prince of Beijing escaped from the capital and went south to Yingtian?!" Shen Chaozong asked urgently.

Upon hearing this, Zhengwen nodded in agreement.

"Yes, when I first heard this news, I couldn't believe it either!"

"In the past ten days or so, I have been to the Ministry of Revenue countless times in order to obtain salt permits!"

"But because of the previous deployment of the Jiangbei Army to the Northern Expedition, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, at this critical juncture, have no time to care about these minor details!"

"So I had no choice but to go to the residence of Minister of Revenue Qiu Weizhen and meet the steward of Qiu's residence, Master Wen Bo!"

"After all, in recent years, we have given gifts of money every year!"

"It's just a small matter, not a big deal. It's just the right thing to do. He should be able to help and find a solution!"

"Just now, on the night of the 18th of this month, Uncle Wen came to the house where I was temporarily staying on Dongpailou Street!"

"Not only did they deliver the salt permit, but they also secretly told me this shocking news!"

"They told me to leave early if I want to go back to Yangzhou!"

"In a few days, the security in Nanjing will be even tighter. It will be difficult to leave at that time, and it will delay foreign affairs!" Zheng Wen explained the whole story in detail.

Upon hearing this news, Shen Chaozong let out several breaths in succession, and was busy thinking and calculating in his heart.

After a moment, he regained his composure and replied.

"Ugh!"

"May God bless the Ming Dynasty!"

"The capital of the northern border is gone forever! The emperor is gone too!"

"This time the prince was able to escape and come south. I think he will reach Yingtian and ascend the throne in the next few days!"

"A country cannot be without a ruler for a day!"

"Zhengwen, you have to keep this kind of news under control and never let it spread from here to other people!" Shen Chaozong reminded.

Upon hearing this, Zhengwen also responded with a serious expression and took it seriously.

"Well, for this matter, I still need to think carefully about how to deal with it!"

"Although we are just businessmen now, it is difficult for us to get involved in politics."

"But after all, the salt business is done with the help of the imperial court!"

"Once the sky changes, how can you and I stay out of it?"

"so!"

"Since you have returned to Yangzhou, come with me to the Huishang Villa tomorrow. I think the other old guys there will also be keeping an eye on it!"

"As soon as you stepped off the boat, they would have received the letter!"

Shen Chaozong sighed lightly, raised his arm and reluctantly patted the shoulder of Zhengwen, who was sitting nearby, to give instructions.

"Well, yes!"

"Everything is up to Uncle Shen!" Zheng Wen also knew what was going on and bowed in response.

Seeing this, Shen Chaozong was very pleased. He changed his mind, took a long breath, and changed the subject.

"Ugh!"

"It would be great if you had a son like you, Zhengwen! Ah?! Hehe." Chaozong said loudly with a wry smile.

At this moment, there had been chattering nearby, including Yuzhen, Xiao'e, and even Aunt Liu, who was chatting about boudoir matters with the maids, turned her head back.

Although I didn't hear what Shen Chaozong and Zhengwen said before, I heard the last sentence "If I have a son, I hope he will be like Shen Zhengwen" very clearly!
So he immediately interrupted!
"Master is right!"

"This Erlang is a capable, filial and polite man, and he has quite a bit of talent in the business world!" As he said this, he suddenly turned his eyes to the two sisters.

"Yuzhen, Xiao'e!"

"You two just got here, but you don't know!"

"Your Uncle Shen and I are really hoping to have another son like this!" Liu said with a smile, but there seemed to be another deeper meaning in her words.

"Hehehe"

"I am unlucky. The stupid bully at home is older than you, Zhengwen!"

"Alas, he is indeed a man who cannot bear the responsibility!"

"I feel more at ease leaving the family business to you rather than him!"

"If we really want to talk about it later, the one who can share my worries has to be you, Erlang Zhengwen!"

Shen Chaozong replied with a hint of something in mind, as if he wanted Zhengwen to be the one to take charge of the family business in the future!
Hearing this and seeing this attitude, Shen Zhengwen was also stunned, so he quickly tried to make excuses and declined.

"Haha, Brother Pan is a man of pure temperament!"

"Although he usually behaves a little eccentrically, his temperament is still very straightforward!"

"Given time and experience, I will definitely become a great figure!"

"From now on, Uncle Shen, you should give Big Brother more opportunities to perform!"

"When the time comes, I'll hold him back, and it will be fine after a few interactions!"

Over the years, Shen Zhengwen has been dealing with many business people and has become increasingly familiar with the ways of the world.

Although the fathers of the Zhu and Shen families were inseparable, Shen Chaozong's words showed that there was some sincerity in them.

But after all, blood relatives come first, which has been a universal truth since ancient times.

So the host may think so, but he himself should still clear his mind first. Don't do anything that will usurp the host's position, which will only cause you to be criticized, and it can never be considered the behavior of a gentleman!

(End of this chapter)