Sui and Tang Dynasty Generals

Chapter 38: Conversation, Cooperation

Inside the attic of Li's mansion.

Cui Wenjin's face was still full of anger, but because her brother Cui Yuzhe was beside her, she had to sit down.

The Cui family's rules state that one must not be rude to others in public. Just now, in a moment of panic, she was scolded by her brother who loved her the most.

"Miss Wenjin, the hairpin was a gift from Zihou to his fiancée. I really can't give it up. Please forgive me!"

After Fu Zihou finished speaking, he watched Cui Wenjin turn his head away, still looking angry, but he didn't care. Instead, Cui Yuzhe on the side couldn't stand it.

"Little sister!"

Cui Yuzhe shouted with a frown.

Seeing Cui Wenjin's red eyes and nodding reluctantly to Fu Zihou, followed by tears falling from her eyes, Cui Yuzhe's heart softened and he regretted his harsh tone.

But my sister's behavior was really rude.

"Please don't blame me, Zihou. I was not like this in the past! I have been fond of that hairpin for a long time. I have been unable to sleep day and night to raise money. I never thought that I would see Zihou give the hairpin to his fiancée today, so I lost my composure for a moment! Yuzhe apologizes for me!"

Cui Yuzhe bowed to Fu Zihou and said, "My younger sister was rude." As an elder brother, he could only apologize to Fu Zihou in person and explain the reason for his sister's rudeness. He hoped that Fu Zihou would not mind.

"It's okay! I can understand you missing out on something you love!"

Fu Zihou raised his hand and signaled Cui Yuzhe not to worry.

Putting down his hand, Fu Zihou looked at Cui Wenjin beside him again and thought for a while.

"Miss Wenjin, although Zihou cannot give up his hairpin, he also wants to make amends to you. I wonder if Miss Wenjin is willing to listen to what I have to say?"

Fu Zihou said softly.

Cui Wenjin's face was wet with tears, and she sobbed softly. Then she looked up and stared at Fu Zihou.

"Say!"

Cui Wenjin spoke.

Cui Wenjin didn't want to believe that this man named Fu Zihou could make up for himself in any way!
He was unwilling to sell the hairpin to me, so what use would any other compensation be to me.

"I just heard from Brother Cui that Miss Wenjin had been fond of the hairpin before, but she missed it because she didn't have enough money! So Zihou is worried that if Miss Wenjin sees a better hairpin in the future, she will miss it because of money. Isn't it a pity?"

Fu Zihou seemed to know what Cui Wenjin was thinking, so after looking at Cui Yuzhe, he told him his plan.

Cui Yuzhe and Cui Wenjin were not fools, so they could understand the hidden meaning behind Fu Zihou's words.

"Zihou is planning to... do business with the Cui family?"

Cui Yuzhe frowned and asked directly.

"Make it up to me? It's because of Cui..."

Cui Wenjin also muttered something in a low voice and glanced at Fu Zihou unhappily, as if he could see through that Fu Zihou was targeting Cui and that his promise to make it up to her was just a cover.

This person is not honest at all!

"It's not the Cui family, but only Miss Wen Jin!"

Under the gazes of the brother and sister, Fu Zihou shook his head and said.

"As Zihou said just now, young lady, think about it. If you had ten thousand, one hundred thousand, or even one million coins, how could you miss the things you wanted? Zihou has seen the Goguryeo Treasure Shop with his own eyes. There are so many rare treasures! Look at the cold snow outside the window. Just look at that white fox fur coat. How can you not like it?"

Fu Zihou said softly, looking at the white snow on the eaves and branches outside the attic, and asked Cui Wenjin to imagine, if she could wear the fox fur coat worth 100,000 yuan, while feeling the warmth of the white fox fur coat, while being with her childhood friend in the boudoir, wouldn't it be comfortable? Wouldn't it be the center of attention?

In the attic.

Sitting on the wooden table in front of the window, Cui Wenjin looked at the snow outside the window. She had to say that she was moved by Fu Zihou's words! When she thought of the hairpin, she thought of begging her parents and borrowing money from people some time ago, and even her brother's savings were emptied by herself.

Cui Wenjin doesn't want to experience such a thing again.

But no matter what she thought, Cui Wenjin couldn't help wiping away the tears from her eyes and gave Fu Zihou a cold look.

"But you used your sword as collateral. If you were capable of doing business, would you also mortgage your own sword?"

Cui Wenjin was moved, but she ruthlessly revealed Fu Zihou's past.

Cui Wenjin looked at Fu Zihou with an expression that said, "Don't try to fool me."

"Zihou has only been in Xian County for a few days. If you don't believe this, you can ask the people in Li's mansion!"

Fu Zihou said sincerely.

"You just arrived in Jin County?"

Cui Wenjin frowned and looked at Fu Zihou with a suspicious and scrutinizing look.

Cui Yuzhe looked at his younger sister who was obviously moved, his brows full of solemnity, and then he looked at Fu Zihou with a hint of vigilance.

"If Zihou says it's not because of Cui's reputation, Yuzhe won't believe it!"

Cui Yuzhe said to Fu Zihou in a blunt tone.

As a 20-year-old member of the Cui family, everything Cui Yuzhe saw and heard told him that anyone who took the initiative to give benefits to the Cui family must have an ulterior motive.

Fu Zihou in front of him is no exception.

The so-called compensation must be because the younger sister is a member of the Cui family. Cui Yuzhe has even guessed that Fu Zihou must want to make a profit through Cui's connections.

Cui Yuzhe has seen many things like this.

Thinking of this, Cui Yuzhe didn't bother to be tactful, took a deep breath, looked at Fu Zihou, and continued.

"If Zihou wants to do business with my younger sister, I'm sorry that Yuzhe can't agree! And Yuzhe might as well tell Zihou that not only Yuzhe himself, but also the entire Qinghe Cui family will not agree!"

Upon learning that Fu Zihou invited the two siblings here to do business with the Cui family and not just to have a casual chat, Cui Yuzhe hoped that Fu Zihou would give up his plan.

Between words and deeds, Cui Yuzhe was clearly telling Fu Zihou that people from the Cui family would not engage in business!

Since ancient times, in the eyes of the world, merchants have had a very low status. It is no exaggeration to say that they are almost the same as prostitutes and slaves.

Cui Yuzhe was very curious about why Fu Zihou wanted to do business. Wasn't he afraid that his offspring would be laughed at in the future? His offspring would have the same status as the sons of prostitutes and slaves.

"Zihou knows what Brother Cui means! But I still want Brother Cui to answer one of Zihou's questions truthfully!"

Fu Zihou looked at Cui Yuzhe's appearance and had calmed down a little, so he didn't care.

When Cui Yuzhe heard what Fu Zihou said, he thought about it and did not speak. He just raised one hand and motioned Fu Zihou to speak.

"Zihou knows the status of the Qinghe Cui family! The ancestor of the Cui family, Qinghe County Duke Cui Yanzhen, married his daughter to Dugu Xin, who gave birth to Empress Dugu Jialuo. From then on, Empress Dugu and Emperor Wen founded the Sui Dynasty, and the Cui family prospered to the utmost during the Sui Dynasty!"

Fu Zihou said softly.

Fu Zihou did not need to list in detail the marriages between the Qinghe Cui family and other prominent families, because this sentence alone was enough to prove the weight and status of the Qinghe Cui family in the Sui Dynasty.

Seeing Cui Yuzhe's expression slightly relieved, Fu Zihou suddenly changed the subject.

"But Zihou doesn't understand why Miss Wenjin missed the hairpin she wanted but couldn't raise enough money for several days. If Miss Wenjin was a woman with little money, it would be understandable. But Zihou sees that Brother Cui loves Miss Wenjin very much, so Brother Cui will not be reluctant to give it up..."

Fu Zihou looked straight at Cui Yuzhe and saw that Cui Yuzhe's breathing was a little disordered, his face looked vaguely helpless, and the corners of his mouth were raised.

"Zihou boldly guessed that everything was because of the Yang family?"

Fu Zihou asked meaningfully.

Seeing Cui Yuzhe's face change drastically, Fu Zihou knew that his guess was correct. Although the Cui family had married with other prominent families, famous families, and even royal relatives, one thing is one thing.

The son of Yang Su, the brother of Yang Xuangan, and the wife of Yang Xuanzong was the daughter of Cui Yu of the Cui family!

Two years ago, Yang Xuangan and Yang Xuanzong, brothers of the Yang family, led their troops in rebellion. Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was both terrified and extremely angry.

It was clear afterwards how angry Yang Guang was about the rebellion of Yang Xuangan's clan.

After the rebellion was quelled that year, Yang Guang dismembered Yang Xuangan in Luoyang and left the body exposed for three days. He then cut Yang Xuangan's flesh into pieces and burned it. The remaining members of Yang Xuangan's party, as well as his brothers Yang Xuanjiang, Yang Wanshuo, and Yang Minxing were all boiled to death. At the suggestion of the Sui Dynasty officials, Yang Xuangan's clan's surname was changed to the extremely humiliating surname Xiao.

The more Yang Guang hated the Yang family, the more people were implicated, including the Qinghe Cui family.

Even though the Qinghe Cui clan was a prominent family in the Sui Dynasty, they could not escape Yang Guang's wrath in this matter. It is said that among the more than 200 members of the Qinghe Cui clan, 21 were implicated, and more than 50 were dismissed from office. To escape the disaster, the Qinghe Cui clan even specially sent a branch of their clan to Anping, Boling County, and hid among the Boling Cui clan, for fear that Yang Guang would order the massacre of the Qinghe Cui clan.

Over the years, the Qinghe Cui family is still in Qinghe. As a prominent family in the county, it seems that they have not been affected. Fu Zihou is not clear about the specific circumstances behind this.

But looking at Cui Wenjin standing aside, Fu Zihou should have a rough idea.

"What does Zihou want to say?"

Cui Yuzhe did not answer Fu Zihou's words, but his expression looked a little ugly.

"Zihou knows Brother Cui's concerns, but Zihou can guarantee that it will not affect the Cui family. There is no need to inform other members of the Cui family. Even Miss Wenjin does not need to show up in public!"

Fu Zihou said this and turned to look out the window: "I heard that three years ago, Cui Kuo, the elder of the Cui family in Boling, passed away! When Cui was young, his family was poor and his mother was of humble origin. Therefore, he was laughed at by the neighbors and suffered many insults. He fled to the mountains and did not return to the Cui family until he had completed his studies..."

When Fu Zihou heard his teacher Li Mi mention this matter, he also felt incredible.

Fu Zihou still remembered the teacher's original words: Kuo was alone and poor when he was young, and his mother was of low status, so he was not respected by his clan. When he first became a Lizuo, he suffered humiliation many times.

Just because her mother was of humble origin, she was laughed at by her clansmen in the Cui family of Boling and was afraid to see anyone.

"Ok?"

After hearing what Fu Zihou said, Cui Wenjin, who originally had a customer, suddenly widened his eyes and blinked at Fu Zihou.

"Brother!"

Cui Wenjin quickly looked at his brother who was kneeling beside him, and seeing his brother also with a look of surprise and disbelief, he reached out and pulled.

Cui Yuzhe looked at his younger sister, frowned in confusion, and looked at Fu Zihou.

"No need to inform the elders? No need for my younger sister to show up in public? In this case, Yuzhe doesn't know what kind of business Zihou wants to do with my younger sister? Why did he choose my younger sister!"

Cui Yuzhe asked.

Since Fu Zihou knew a lot and was aware of Cui's taboos, why did he choose the younger sister? Was he really trying to make up for it?
Cui Yuzhe found it hard to believe that Fu Zihou would really give money to his younger sister for no reason just to make up for her.

"Don't lie to me, there's no such good thing!"

Cui Wenjin also looked at Fu Zihou at this time, asking Fu Zihou not to lie. However, both his expression and eyes revealed his expectation.

After all, she really didn't want to miss out on the things she loved again, including that white fox fur coat.

In the attic.

Fu Zihou turned around and looked at the brother and sister, saw the look in their eyes, and then said a word.

"liquor!"

After saying this, seeing the stunned looks on the brother and sister's faces, Fu Zihou looked towards Cui Wenjin.

"Fu Zihou needs Miss Wenjin to take Zihou's message to the Xie family's residence and tell them that on December 15th, Zihou will be in Liyang to meet his uncle Xie Zhangyuan and his son Xie Shudu!"

Fu Zihou spoke softly. Knowing the doubts of the brother and sister, Fu Zihou did not hide anything.

Fu Zihou told the brother and sister frankly that he had a wine that was unique in color and aroma.

And Fu Zihou wants to cooperate with the Xie family.

Although both are from the same county, the Xie family is different from the Cui family. Having experienced many disasters, the Xie family has lowered the threshold for their children's marriage in the past few decades. It does not matter their background, as long as they hold a high position, they can marry their daughters off.

In Fu Zihou's mind, Xie was the best partner, having enough reputation and background, but without the restrictions of Cui.

Moreover, Xie had just married Yang not long ago, spending a huge amount of family wealth. It was a time when Xie was short of money, and as long as the profit was enough, they would not refuse.

What's more, Fu Zihou's purpose of brewing wine was to get a reward from Emperor Yang Guang, so the Xie family would not refuse it.

"I said so much because I am from the Cui family!"

After hearing Fu Zihou's plan, Cui Wenjin suddenly came to his senses, looking indignant.

"I see. So Zihou asked my younger sister to participate in order to make Xie Shi afraid!"

Cui Yuzhe and Xiaomei thought differently. When he learned that Fu Zihou's plan was to cooperate with the Xie family, he immediately understood why Fu Zihou had just said that Xiaomei didn't need to show up in public, or even get involved with the Cui family again.

indeed.

Fu Zihou just wanted Xie to be wary and let her know that Cui was also involved.

In this way, only my little sister is needed, and she doesn't even need to meet with the Xie family. The whole process will be handled by Fu Zihou and the Xie family. As for my little sister...

Just sit back and wait to get paid!

"If Miss Wen Jin hadn't asked Zihou to make an offer the first thing she said when she saw him, Zihou wouldn't have chosen Miss Wen Jin! And he wouldn't have dared to discuss this matter in person!"

Fu Zihou looked at Cui Wenjin and explained with a smile.

It seems to be explaining that because Cui Wenjin did not use the name of Cui family at the beginning to force Fu Zihou to give up the hairpin, Fu Zihou felt good about Cui Wenjin and thought that Cui Wenjin was a kind person and he could put his mind at ease.

But in fact, Fu Zihou also implicitly reminded the brother and sister in these words that the Cui family is not the only prominent family in the world. There are also Wang family, Zheng family, Xiao family and other prominent families. Even in the Qinghe Cui family, there are more than just the brother and sister.

This is totally making money!
Give it to others and no one will refuse it.

The reason why he told the brother and sister was that Fu Zihou trusted them and extended an olive branch to them as a start of making friends.

"Don't lie to me! Also, do I need to tell you my name? I'm afraid that if the Xie family hears your name, they might not recognize you at all! Also... can your wine really sell for a good price?"

Cui Wenjin's heart was moved. Although her eyes were still somewhat resentful, she was not stupid. It would be a waste if she didn't take the gold cake that fell!
Cui Yuzhe was listening to his little sister's words, but this time, he didn't say anything.

"Wine, wait for fifteen days, and you will see it! As for Xie, you don't have to worry. Xie will come when she knows Zihou wants to meet her! It would be better if you don't mention your name..."

After Fu Zihou finished speaking, he looked at Cui Yuzhe.

"Brother Cui, is this what you want?"

Fu Zihou asked with a smile. He understood Cui Yuzhe's concerns, so all the arrangements at the moment were made to avoid Cui Yuzhe's concerns.

"Thank you!"

Cui Yuzhe took a deep breath, without any pretense, and bowed to Fu Zihou with gratitude.

Although he had never seen the wine in Fu Zihou's mouth, at least for now, Fu Zihou's plan was indeed impeccable to Cui Yuzhe.

Although he was born in the Qinghe Cui family, a big family has its own difficulties, and a prominent family has its own disadvantages. Fu Zihou's words just now made Cui Yuzhe feel a little depressed. Who would want to wrong his sister and be an incompetent brother?

What's more, Cui Yuzhe didn't want to be idle all day and wait for the family's arrangements. If Fu Zihou's wine was good and truly unique, he might as well tell his parents and elders about it.

Anyway, there is no need for Cui to step in.

Fu Zihou planned to have the Xie family send wine to present to the emperor, and he also hoped that his clansmen could find him a career in politics.

(End of this chapter)