Zhang Yuan was very annoyed, but had no choice but to do anything. He stared at Chen Xi with a heavy breath: "Since you don't want to talk about the past, then let's not talk about it for now, let's talk about...Where is Wulang now?"

Chen Xi probably guessed that Zhang Yuan was in power and would use his son next... When Zhang Yuan met Chen Xi, he proposed that Chen Xi promote Shen Yongqi more. Chen Xi took care of Zhang Yuan's emotions and always took Shen Yongqi by his side when he was an official outside.

Chen Xidao: "After my fifth brother returned to Beijing with me, I sent him to Shuntian Mansion to work. Now he has a family and does not live here. He has his own mansion in the capital."

Zhang Yuan has never known his son's situation very much. When he heard this news, his previous arrogance was gone. He looked at Chen Xi with a little anxious look. He swallowed his saliva and asked hesitantly: "Wulang... is he okay?"

Seeing Zhang Yuan's expression, Chen Xi felt a little touched. No matter what prejudice he had towards Shen Ming before, he knew that this father really cared about his son.

Chen Xi nodded: "Fifth brother lives a pretty good life. His eldest son was born before the New Year. Please give me a name. I will give him a name. I hope my nephew will be a dignified person in the future."

When Zhang Yuan heard this, his face looked a little ashamed. Although it was not the first time he became a grandfather, he knew very little about Shen Yongqi. In Ninghua County, he could also ask someone to inquire about his eldest son and second son, and understand that his two sons lived a normal life. Shen Yongqi had been wandering with Chen Xi, and he could only go through Chen Xi if he wanted to inquire.

Zhang Yuan sighed long and said, "Qilang did not disappoint my expectations and did not treat my second wife badly... Alas!"

Chen Xidao: "Don't mention some old things, Eunuch Zhang, now being a deacon in the palace, is full of dangers. If you promote people specifically, it will inevitably arouse suspicion of political enemies. It is better to temporarily settle for the status quo and do this to everyone."

"Um!?"

Zhang Yuan raised his head and looked at Chen Xi, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Then he understood what Chen Xi meant, and he was stunned before nodding.

Chen Xi said again: "Eunuch Zhang is different now. There is a gap between the Shen family and Eunuch Zhang. If it is not necessary, Eunuch Zhang would better not come to Chen's mansion easily, so as not to be embarrassed by the old people."

Zhang Yuan laughed awkwardly and said disapprovingly: "Shangshu Chen, you are extremely wise. Many people in the court are afraid of you. No matter inside and outside the palace, you think you are capable. You have a good idea in dealing with court affairs and even human relations, but how much do you know about father-son family affection?"

In the face of Zhang Yuan's questioning, Chen Xi did not argue because this denied a father's concern for his son. Even if Zhang Yuan was never a positive character, he had no need to do anything as his nephew.

No matter what, Zhang Yuan said, his concern for Shen Yongqi comes from the heart. Moreover, Chen Xi learned through his intelligence system that it is natural for Zhang Yuan and Qian to settle down in the capital, and it is natural for human beings to long for family happiness.

Zhang Yuan said: "When should I find an opportunity to call Wulang up and go to a place to take a look in secret. This requirement... isn't it too much?"

Chen Xi thought to himself that Zhang Yuan had intended to promote his son before, but now he just wanted to meet him secretly. This request is really not too much, and it can even be said to be a bit miserable... He cannot recognize him even if he has a son, so he can only look at his son silently behind his back. Perhaps Zhang Yuan would call Qian at that time and the couple would observe him secretly together.

Chen Xi nodded slightly: "Yes."

Zhang Yuan finally had a little more gratifying smile on his face and said, "You are still Qilang, you know how to be a human being. Before I came, I thought a lot of things to tell you, and you got it right, haha, I feel too much if I want to complain..."

"Qilang, no matter how you say it is, it's just a uncle and nephew. If you work together in the court in the future, if you have my glory, you will have your share. Now that Liu Jin has been demoted from the capital, he will probably not be able to gain the trust of His Majesty when he returns. The position of the Chief Supervisor of the Secretariat has been vacant. Tomorrow, you will meet the saint. I wonder if you can say something to His Majesty?"

Zhang Yuan had previously shown a kind-hearted attitude, but when it was related to his fame and fortune, he immediately showed his fox tail.

Chen Xi asked: "Eunuch Zhang believes that I am qualified to propose to His Majesty?"

"Of course you have!"

Zhang Yuan seemed very confident, "No one in the court can speak better than you, especially in the palace matters... Our family knows that the court is impeaching Liu Jin and his wife. If you are willing to help our family as the chief supervisor, then our family will help you in the palace in the future. Who do you want to impeach is not a matter of one word?"

Chen Xi narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhang Yuan, thinking in his mind: "It sounds very attractive. The conditions are together inside and outside the palace, just like Zhang Juzheng is to Feng Bao. But now you obviously cannot be in the same camp as me. You have relatives behind you. How can I expect you to listen to me? Don't wait for you to be in power, the first target to be eradicated is me. Then wouldn't I dig a hole and jump for myself?"

Chen Xi said: "I know how much right to speak before His Majesty. I know in my heart that I can say something, but whether Your Majesty agrees is another matter!"

Chen Xi doesn't want to get into evil with Zhang Yuan. Whether he likes this person or not, he has to maintain a relatively harmonious relationship with this person.

There are so many eunuchs in the palace, and Chen Xi is familiar with them. Generally speaking, eunuchs are synonymous with treacherous parties. Zhang Yuan has no major background or origin among the tens of thousands of eunuchs in the Forbidden City. He has been working hard all the way. Because he has no basic foundation, when Zhang Yuan wants to escape from the control of the foreign relatives, he must have strong help.

Chen Xi asked himself that Zhang Yuan would definitely rely on him at that time, and the two of them did have the opportunity to use each other. Therefore, he was not in a hurry to express his attitude to Zhang Yuan. If he could, he would be able to delay it. If Zhang Yuan could not do anything. Now he wanted to move, he had to ask Zhu Houzhao to issue an order in person. Zhu Houzhao has always regarded him as a god. Without the change of the "military system", Zhu Houzhao would not act like a donkey.

After getting Chen Xi's approval, Zhang Yuan nodded with satisfaction: "After all, I am a close uncle and nephew. You don't have to talk around the bush. It seems that our Shen family's ancestors have spirits. Not only will you pass the exam and Guangzong Yaozu, but I can make a fortune after entering the palace. It's probably not long before the court will be the world of our uncle and nephew!"

Zhang Yuanzhi was so proud that he seemed to have become the eunuch in charge of seals and was as powerful as Liu Jin.

Chen Xi looked at Zhang Yuan. In his opinion, Zhang Yuan was a little proud, frowned slightly, and asked, "Eunuch Zhang has nothing else to do, right?"

Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "It seems that Qilang, your family is busy, so we won't disturb you much. Your Majesty is still waiting for our family to go back to report. You also know that Your Majesty is in the leopard room and needs someone to serve you."

After saying that, Zhang Yuan stood up and walked out of the study under Shen Xixiang.

The night outside was so sad that Chen Xi did not let his servants call lanterns to guide the way. Since it was the envoy from the palace, Chen Xi followed the etiquette and saw the guests out in person.

As soon as the two arrived at the front yard, they heard a whirring sound. It was Zhou and his daughter Chen Yier who came over. Both mother and daughter were both voiceless.

"...Old lady, the master is meeting a guest in the study. He is an envoy in the palace and has the emperor's order. Don't go over and disturb him..."

Zhu Qi knew that Chen Xi was seeing the guests, so he did not dare to let Zhou disturb him. He happened to be hit by Chen Xi who was sent off.

Zhou said: "When you meet a guest, it's like there is no guest in our Shangshu Mansion."

Shen Ming was very familiar with this voice, but for a moment he was not very adaptable to Zhou's tone of speaking.

In the past, Zhou was always taciturn in front of him, acted very low-key, and spoke with caution everywhere. Even when he seized the tea shop run by Shen Mingjun for the old lady Li, Zhou did not speak ill of him when he saw him.

But at this time, the Zhou family had already become successful. As a second-rank imperial edict, he was arrogant and domineering. Shen Ming stood there without knowing how to advance or retreat for a while.

Chen Xi whispered: "Eunuch Zhang should understand who it is, so it's better to avoid it!"

After saying that, Chen Xi walked in front and blocked Shen Mingyou.

Shen Ming understood it, and shrank his head and seemed to be a turtle. He hid beside Shen Xi and walked around. Zhou looked at it from afar. Because the yard was pitch black, he couldn't see who was coming out with Chen Xi.

Because she knew it was from the palace, Zhou did not dare to come forward to say hello. It was not because she was afraid of being alive, but because she felt that this would affect her son's career and avoid saying the wrong words.

...

...

Chen Xi sent Shen Mingyou out of the mansion and returned after he got on the carriage.

Zhou did not go into the backyard and stood there waiting. Seeing his son coming back, Zhou greeted him and asked, "Silly, why did the person who went out before look so familiar?"

Zhu Qi smiled beside him and said, "Old lady, I said that they are from the palace, how could you have seen them?"

Chen Xi faced Zhou's eager gaze and said perfunctory: "It's indeed a palace servant, commonly known as... the eunuch, who is the person around His Majesty. My mother might have missed him with someone."

Zhou frowned: "That's it. It turns out that he is a eunuch. How could I know him... Oh, it's bad luck. Even the man's words are gone. He has no son and grandson. What's the fun of this person living?"

In front of his children and servants, Zhou was not polite to evaluate the eunuch, which made Zhu Qi very embarrassed.

Chen Xi asked, "It's already night, what's the matter here?"

Only then did Zhou remember the purpose of coming, and was angry, grabbed his daughter's ear, carried Chen Yi'er over and said:

"Isn't this dead girl who is naughty at home every day, either bullying her brother so hard that she burst into tears, or she is going to the room to peel off the tiles and causing trouble everywhere. No one in the family can watch her. Didn't you hire a female husband before? Why don't your daughter come back now?"

Chen Xi was stunned by the question.

Chen Xi hasn't cared about Chen Yier and Shen Yun's studies for a long time. He did hire a husband for his two children, and he was also a female husband, but now he has returned to the south. Chen Yun can temporarily send him to a private school. Once Chen Yier grazed sheep, he would be a troublemaker at home all day long.

Chen Yier defended: "Mom, I said it wasn't me who bullied my brother, he fell down by himself, and the bruises on his face were also caused by... "

Chen Xi was worried when he heard this. He knew that this sister was not easy to discipline and her temperament was in line with Zhou's line.

Fortunately, there is one thing: Chen Yier has great ambitions since she was a child, she is smart and studious, and has a very high understanding. She is far more diligent than Chen’s luck and hard work. However, women in this era did not have the opportunity to go to school, and the world advocates that women have no talent, which is virtue.

From the bottom of my heart, Zhou didn't want her daughter to study, so she would better learn something like knitting girl-red. But later Zhou found that she couldn't discipline her daughter, and whether she beat and scolded her, it would not work for Chen Yi'er.

Chen Xi said: "Mom, Yi'er is still young, so there is no need to force her. When I turn around, I will ask my husband to come back to teach and ask Juro not to study in a private school."

Zhou then let go of the hand that pinched his daughter's ear, with a look of satisfaction on his face, and said, "This is quite like what Brother Ju said. You are the Minister of War, what a great official, you actually let your younger brother study with those children from civilian families. How embarrassing it to say it!"

"There are so many wives. I asked her to ask her to ask her for a sir before, but I didn't take it seriously. I also have to rely on the head of the family to come forward!"

Chen Xi really didn't want to talk nonsense to Zhou. After all, Zhou had no knowledge and had many fallacies when he said, but he was his mother. He could only endure it as much as possible and not let the Shen family stay restless.

Chen Xi said to Zhu Qi: "Dad Zhu, you are back, come back to the study room and discuss things with you. Xiaoshan, you send the old lady back home. As for the lady... stay here for the time being and let her stay here for two days!"

...

...

Chen Xi called Zhu Qi into the study.

Zhu Qi must have something to say when he comes back. Chen Xi knew this very well and did not want to talk to Zhou, so he took the opportunity to send Zhou away.

When he arrived at the study room, Chen Xi sat down and heard Zhu Qi tell him in detail about the business of the Leopard House these days.

Zhu Qi told Chen Xi about the general accounts, and then asked worriedly: "Master, it seems that the leopard house has changed its master these days, and most of the purchase payment is due. It is said that it will be given in a few days, but depending on this situation, it will probably be consumed. We can't afford it here!"

Chen Xi's eyebrows are dark, and he roughly understands the current situation facing Leopard House.

After Liu Jin issued a post-paid exile to Xuanfu, there was a problem with the expenses of the leopard house. The leopard house worship that was originally rich and generous was responsible for purchasing, but now everyone is tight and does not give up money. It is impossible to pay for these offerings alone.

Chen Xi asked: "How much has it been owed so far?"

Zhu Qi looked worried: "Two thousand two hundred taels, if the next few batches are delivered, the numbers will probably increase sharply."

Chen Xi frowned: "After Liu Jin left, those people were in a mess. The leopard house was absolutely deficit. As far as I know, before Liu Jin left, he allocated 100,000 taels of silver from the inner treasury to the leopard house at one time, and there was no problem with supporting it for one or two months... Most of the time, there was no supervision, so these people took it and enjoyed their own pockets."

Zhu Qi asked in surprise: "What the master means is that those leopard rooms have silver but refuse to pay?"

Chen Xi looked at Zhu Qi and said in a positive tone: "That's true. To put it bluntly, those people now want to make a fortune while Liu Jin is not in the capital to prevent Liu Jin from coming back to restore his previous rules in the future... Those eunuchs in power want to win over these leopard house worshipers, and turn a blind eye to this."

Zhu Qi was extremely angry: "Master, what should I do? Continuing to do a loss-making business is not a solution. From the beginning of business, I have lost more than 4,000 taels of silver. This leopard house is really a bottomless pit!"

Chen Xidao: "Do you think I will be a sucker? This business can be interrupted at any time, but I have to ask you, is the Leopard House now in a state where it cannot operate without replenishing goods from you?"

Zhu Qi thought for a while and said, "Master, there are so many supplies required for the leopard house every day. It is said that there are thousands of people living in the leopard house. These people eat, drink, defecate and urinate. In addition, there are so many livestock and beasts, which also require money... You have a lot of money, but it is not easy to monopolize the leopard house trading."

Chen Xidao: "Then you say, how much impact will the leopard room be when it stops business dealings this time?"

Zhu Qi said: "I dare not say that the shutdown is shut down. At least half of the supplies cannot be supplied. There will be major problems within one or two days. After all, raw meat and grain are not stored in the leopard house, and they are all purchased and used now!"

Chen Xi nodded with satisfaction: "It's pretty good. Now you can't care about how much money you lost before. Just stop the loss. Tonight, you can arrange it and send away the people under your command. Those who can leave the city will not be able to escape. You can also return to Shen's mansion. This business... come here first, and don't do it for the time being!"
Chapter completed!