Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 221 It's good to be ridiculed
Zhu Youlang returned to his villa in the capital, and Wu Changshi had already arranged the express franchise matters in Huguang.

Zhu Youqiu took a sip of tea and asked, "Is there anything wrong?"

Wu Changshi shook his head and said to Zhu Youluo, "The owner of Shuntian Express is very straightforward and young, so young that it is unimaginable."

Zhu Youxuan knew that the chief official in his own house was arrogant and proud. From his tone, he seemed to think highly of him, so he asked, "How young?"

Wu Changshi said: "It looks like he is no more than sixteen or seventeen."

It is truly admirable that he could build such a big family business at such a young age. Although Zhu Youlang is a member of the Zhu family, he did not look down on businessmen. The ancestral precepts classified businessmen as the lowest level, but that era has passed. Now is an era where people laugh at the poor but not at prostitutes.

"Moreover, this person is neither humble nor arrogant, and is very steady in his actions and words. He may be a talented person in the future. Your Highness may…"

Zhu Youjun shook his head and said with a smile: "I don't intend to rebel. He is in the capital and I am in Huguang. Let's just forget about it after the deal is done."

Wu Changshi didn't say anything else. In fact, he wanted Prince Xing to bring Chen Ce under his command and make money by doing things for the prince's palace in the future. It would be a good idea.

But since the prince is not interested, forget it.

"Your Majesty, what is the emperor's response?"

There is still some time before the old lady's birthday party. Zhu Youluo came so early. Celebrating the birthday is only one of the reasons. The most important thing is to ask for wages on behalf of the royal family and the emperor. This is naturally not an easy job, but he represents a huge interest group and has to stand out.

Zhu Youqiu rubbed his forehead and said, "The emperor is measuring the land."

"Investigate us?" Wu Changshi asked.

Zhu Youju said, "He said he wanted to check the hidden land among the people to see if he could collect taxes so that he could pay us back our salaries. The Ministry of Revenue must really have no money to pay, but the purpose of measuring the land is probably to check if our royal family and vassal kings have concealed any income."

Wu Changshi smiled and said, "It's always like this. Throughout the dynasties, who can find out about other lands under our name?"

Zhu Youqiu said with emotion: "It's not easy for my brother, the emperor. If those brothers really need food, I will definitely seek justice for them. But who among the princes and royal family in this world really needs the little rice from the royal family?"

Wu Changshi remained silent. Everyone knew the truth about this matter, but they were all in the same boat. It was difficult for the emperor, but it was also difficult for King Xing.

"The salt permit issue was caused by Jiao Fang."

Zhu Youqiu suddenly spoke, then narrowed his eyes and said, "Try to tell the royal family and the princes about this matter. This evil beast should be cut into pieces. He has plotted against us, and he will not die a good death!"

……

East Palace.

Jiao Fang was in high spirits. Recently, his son Jiao Huangzhong was also going to get married. The other party was not from a wealthy family, but his son liked her very much. Jiao Fang was very pleased that his son was willing to start a family and build a career. It was better than anything else for the Jiao family to have an heir.

On Chengqingfang Street, Chen Ce was taking Zhu Houzhao for a walk.

This guy is full of energy. He came to find Chen Ce to go to the morning market early this morning.

A young man called out tentatively: "Chen Ce?"

Chen Ce looked at him puzzledly and asked, "Well, who are you?"

The young man came up and gave Chen Ce a bear hug, saying, "Have you forgotten me? The Jiang family in Nanyang Prefecture? Next door to yours?"

Chen Ce's mother was from Nanyang Prefecture, Henan Province, but Chen Ce seldom went back to his mother's home because her family was relatively poor and there were not many people at home.

"Jiang Shaowen!"

"We played together when we were kids, have you forgotten?"

Chen Ce said, "I remember. Why did you come to the capital?" Jiang Shaowen pointed to a woman not far away and said, "My family is here."

Jiang's mother came over, and Jiang Shaowen introduced Chen Ce to her mother. Jiang's mother looked Chen Ce up and down and said indifferently, "So it's you."

"I heard that your parents are dead?"

Chen Ce: “…”

When Chen Ce was a child, his mother married his father. At that time, the family had no money, but it was not a big deal. Later, when his father became successful in business, his mother would occasionally show off when she returned home, which made Jiang's mother very angry.

But they are just grudges among the older generation. I didn’t expect the other party still remembers them.

"Let's not talk about the past." Jiang's mother squeezed the jade ring on her hand and asked Chen Ce, "Xiao Chen, what are you doing now?"

Chen Ce smiled and said, "I didn't do anything. I just ran two small businesses and made a little money."

"Aunt, why are you here in Shuntian Prefecture?"

Mother Jiang said calmly, "My little girl is getting married. Let's go take a look."

"Are you married?"

Chen Ce shook his head: "No."

Jiang's mother acted like an elder and taught him, "When will you stop making money? You can't make much money from a small business. You'll spend almost all your savings on a wedding."

"Men are afraid of choosing the wrong career, and women are afraid of marrying the wrong man. It's a pity that you are not a girl, otherwise my daughter could introduce you to some good families. Why do you have to run around outside for those few hard-earned dollars?"

Hard-earned money?
Zhu Houzhao was unhappy and thought to himself, how can you, an old woman, look down on others?
Your entire family's assets combined are not even enough to support your younger brother, and yet you are still educating him.

Zhu Houzhao was about to speak, but was stopped by Chen Ce.

Chen Ce looked like he was being taught a lesson, and said to Jiang's mother, "Aunt is right. I will try my best."

Mother Jiang nodded and said, "That's right! When my daughter is free someday, I'll ask her to come with us and have a meal together. Then I'll ask her to see if she can introduce you to a woman who is a good match for you."

"You have a house in Shuntianfu, right?"

Chen Ce said, "I rented a small courtyard in Huaihua Hutong for two taels of silver per year. I plan to buy it, but I haven't confirmed it yet."

Mother Jiang: "..."

You plan to buy it with a rent of two taels of silver a year. You have been living in a small courtyard for so many years. It seems that your life has become more and more miserable after your parents died!
"That's not easy. The people my daughter interacts with are either rich or noble. Forget it. I'll try to ask her when the time comes. Maybe there'll be someone who's a good match for her."

"Thank you, aunt." Chen Ce bowed.

Mother Jiang didn't say much and left with her son Jiang Shaowen.

Zhu Houzhao stroked his chin and said, "I understand! Little brother, you are playing hard to get. You are pretending to be weak first, and then you expose your wealth to her, and then you slap her in the face!"

Chen Ce: “…”

Do you have to have such a rich imagination?
Chen Ce shook his head and said to Zhu Houzhao, "My mother liked to show off at that time. It was fine when my family was poor when I was young, but later my father became a businessman and my mother always showed off in front of the neighbors."

"As a son, I should repay my mother's debt, even if people make fun of me."

In fact, there was no major conflict between the two families. Unlike Chen Boqin's hatred for taking away the family property, this kind of thing was nothing to Chen Ce. He didn't care about it at all. It could also make the other party feel satisfied, so why not do it?

(End of this chapter)