As soon as dawn the next day, Chen Xi went to Huitong Hall and prepared to leave the city with Folang Jiren.

When he arrived at the place, before the Folang Jiren got up, Chen Xi could only send someone to urge him and then wait in the flower hall for tea. After about half an hour, it was dawn and suddenly he heard from the officials from the same hall that someone was visiting him.

What Chen Xi was most afraid of was that Xie Qian suddenly came, and they were both embarrassed by each other, but after seeing the person he came, he was finally relieved, but it was He Jian, the Minister of Personnel.

"He Shangshu?"

Chen Xi stood up and saluted. He was surprised to see He Jian here because his return to Beijing was confidential and there were only a few people who knew about it.

After returning the ceremony, He Jian said, "If it weren't for the people from Honglu Temple, I wouldn't know that you have returned... I heard that you were back with Folang Jiren?"

Chen Xi glanced at the backyard of Huitongguan, shook his head and sighed: "It's really impossible to hide anything from He Shangshu."

He Jian waved his hand: "Don't think that I am monitoring you. It's just that my disciple is working in the Honglu Temple. Today, he mentioned you accidentally when he visited the Ministry of Personnel... You came to the Huitong Hall so early to wait. Is there anything wrong that has not been discussed?"

Chen Xi saw He Jian's concerned gaze and guessed that He Jian was here to ask some things this time, such as what he did when he left the city before, and what was the sudden trade with the Folang Jiren, and the reaction of Emperor Zhengde to this, etc.

But Chen Xi didn't want to say these things, because telling He Jian was equivalent to telling the people of the world. Xie Qian would soon know about it. This time, Xie Qian was the one who opposed the most fiercely in the court.

Chen Xidao: "Because some things have not been completed yet, I will forgive you for explaining many details to Shangshu He... The only thing I can say is that the diplomatic diplomatic relations between the imperial court and the Folang Jiren are still in progress. This time it involves important customs defense issues. I believe that Shangshu He also knows that Japanese pirates appear in the southern seas, right?"

"Um!?"

He Jian had already vaguely guessed what Chen Xi was going to do, but now after hearing what Chen Xi said, he became confused, with a pair of dark old eyes wide open.

Chen Xi glanced at the backyard: "Folang Jiren will leave the capital after that, I have to accompany him throughout the journey. This is the instructions of His Majesty himself. If there is nothing else, I will take the leave first."

"Zhihou, don't hurry to leave. My colleagues in the court all think that you go out of the city to recuperate and care about your health. Many people have mentioned it in front of me these days, and I want to ask..."

He Jian seemed very concerned, but this concern was too superficial.

Chen Xi looked at the Honglu Temple official who came in to serve tea and water. He didn't want to know who informed He Jian, but one thing he had confirmed was that Xie Qian would know that his return to the capital this time was originally a secret, but now it is not even a secret. In a short time, the matter of him leaving the city and returning to the city will spread throughout the court and the country, and the matters that he had been very close to the Folangjiren will be spread blindly.

No one cares what he does. Everyone speculates his motives with the greatest malicious intentions, and even links him with the traitor who loses power and humiliates the country.

Chen Xidao: "It's not convenient to say more, so say goodbye."

Chen Xi did not intend to give He Jian a good face. Although the person in front of him was recommended by Zhu Houzhao to finally become the Minister of Personnel, and they had a connection with each other, He Jian followed Xie Qian after he took office, which made Chen Xi helpless and was full of defense against He Jian.

Chen Xi entered the Huitong Pavilion for the house prepared by Folang Jiren, thinking about his thoughts on the way: "He Jian and Xie Laoer are in the same group, right? But the two old guys refused to admit it for some purpose. He Jian said that he was helping me to talk to Xie Laoer, but what was the result? He still looked at Xie Laoer in everything, and he didn't even stand up to say justice when the Ministry of Revenue deducted the Ministry of War's money and food. Fortunately, he had served in the Ministry of War for a long time."

Chen Xi regrets He Jian's position. This is related to what He Jian does and is nominally neutral, but in fact he firmly stands on Xie Qian's side in everything.

Chen Xi did not think that He Jian was a powerful minister. Such a mediocre and inaction was of some help to maintain the stability of the court. However, in this special period when the Age of Discovery began, any conservative thoughts were the cause of the decline of the Ming Dynasty's national strength. He Jian was equivalent to a representative figure in the bloated officialdom of the Ming Dynasty.

Soon, Chen Xi met the envoy of Folangji Lulanda.

Chen Xi saw from Lu Randa's face that the other party was not resting well. This was because Lu Randa was speculating in his mind that the disagreement and trade with the Ming Dynasty made him reflect on whether it was too impulsive to come to the Ming Dynasty to do business.

Chen Xi said to Lulanda: "Since you have made a decision, don't think about it anymore. I have prepared a letter of the country and will hand it over to you when you leave. You can go back and tell your king that I, Daming, and you, are full of sincerity. If there are any disputes over interests overseas in the future, Daming is willing to join hands with Fulangji to form a military alliance that is consistent with advance and retreat."

"ah?"

Lulanda was surprised.

He was skeptical about the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, because Emperor Zhengde, the real ruler of the Ming Dynasty, refused to meet him, which made him think that Chen Xi had deceived him.

But now after hearing the words that could establish a military alliance with the Ming Dynasty, Lulanda suddenly realized that she had found an ally for Flangji in the distant East.

After all, Folangji is just a small country. Its territory is surrounded by Spain and its population is only a few million. Although the navy is strong, it cannot reach the shore. Once there is a conflict with Spain due to interests overseas, the consequences will be unimaginable. However, it will be different with the Ming Dynasty as an ally. According to the information he found out, the Ming Dynasty had a population of over 100 million and its products were rich. It had seven voyages to the West a hundred years ago, which was very deterrent to the Western world.

If it is simply trade, he will receive at most promotion and salary increase when returning home, but if he achieves diplomatic relations and military achievements, he will likely receive a title promotion.

"well!"

Lu Randa finally showed a smile on her face. It was obvious that the letter of nationality brought to him by Chen Xi was the best gift in this trade negotiation.

After discussing the details of the trade with the Folang Jiren and even implementing the idea of ​​a military alliance, Chen Xi felt that the diplomatic dispute was roughly resolved.

The next step is to get the silver from the Folang Ji people. Three million taels of silver is enough for military expenditure. However, there is a big trouble right now, which is how to buy food and supplies from the people. Having money is one thing, but the money cannot guarantee that the soldiers are well fed and well-dressed. At most, it can be used as a reward for soldiers after the war. War is to fight logistics, and he must find a way to raise all the food and grass.

After arguing with Lu Landa for the time to leave the city, Chen Xi left the Huitong Hall and went to meet Song Xiaocheng.

When Song Xiaocheng knew that Chen Xi wanted to raise food and grass from the people, he said confidently: "Don't worry, the food and supplies will be raised in just a few days. Last year, the summer grain and autumn grain harvest successively harvested one after another. The people also heard that the court was going to use troops abroad. Merchants were afraid that the court would force the sect, and they were rushing to sell grain. The grain prices in the capital were hovering at a low level."

Chenxidao: "I'm afraid that if the news is leaked, the price of grain will rise sharply. This time, it's not all dispatched from the surrounding areas of the capital. There are about two months left before the war begins, which is enough to transport grain from Jiangbei to the capital. Even if I buy it from Jiangnan and the two lakes, it's still time."

Song Xiaocheng patted his chest and responded. Although he showed great confidence, Chen Xi was still a little doubtful.

In Shen Xi's opinion, this confidence that Song Xiaocheng showed was suspected of being strong, because even he felt it was difficult to collect food and grass. Either Song Xiaocheng deliberately showed such a gesture to relieve him, or he had insufficient estimates of the difficulties. As for whether there were any other possibility, Chen Xi would not think about it, because this would dampen his subordinates' enthusiasm.

Fortunately, Shen Xi had already told Hui Niang and Li Jin in advance about purchasing food.

Last night, he had agreed with Hui Niang that Hui Niang would not leave the capital for some time in the future, and would be active between the capital, Tongzhou and Tianjin Guards to handle the work of going north in the south. Two months seemed abundance, but because of the inconvenient transportation in this era, the transportation of food depends entirely on the Grand Canal, and everything must be done quickly.

Because he had just obtained silver from the Folang Jiren and could not transport the money to the south in time, Chen Xi could only ask Hui Niang and Li Jin to temporarily use the reputation of the business as a guarantee, borrowed grain from the southern merchants, and sent the money back.

...

...

On February 19th, Chen Xi left the capital and did not say hello to anyone when he left the city. Only Zhu Houzhao, He Jian and the people from Huitongguan knew that he had returned to the capital.

This time when I left the city, in addition to sending the Folang squad to leave, I also coordinated the training of troops.

On the day Chen Xi left, He Jian went to see Xie Qian.

Just like Chen Xi had imagined, no matter how He Jian advocated neutrality, he was always a conservative old minister. He never wanted to leave anyone's words at any time. He would notify Xie Qian as soon as possible when encountering something. As for what Xie Qian did, he would basically not interfere.

That day, Xie Qian did not go to Wenyuan Pavilion due to infection with wind and cold, but he asked Yang Tinghe to send some memorials to his courtyard on Chang'an Street, and made a vote for the plan while he was sick. Liang Chu was mainly responsible for the review of the trial papers. In addition, there were many memorials backlogs at the beginning of the year, Xie Qian had to work hard.

In the study room, after He Jian sat down, he roughly said the matter, Xie Qian coughed a few times: "It seems that Zhihou left the city, and was indeed appointed by His Majesty... to welcome the envoy of Folangji to the Huitong Hall, and His Majesty also replied to the letter of the country, which is enough to show that he is not a foreign vassal. It seems that I had wronged him before... Cough cough, am I a little narrow-minded about him?"

The question was raised, but He Jian did not answer. He knew that Xie Qian had rarely reflected on himself. Even if he misunderstood Chen Xi before, he would still stubbornly admit his mistake.

He Jianxin said: "If I say you are narrow-minded, you will not only not agree with me, but also be anxious about me. I will not be so unwise!"

He Jian changed the topic and said, "Zhihou had gone anxiously before, and he left Beijing with Westerners. It seems that he has a priority. I asked the officials of the Huitong Pavilion, but I didn't ask any questions. Zhihou returned to Beijing this time and left today. Yu Qiao, have you found out more secrets?"

Xie Qian raised his head and shook his head slightly: "I have been sick recently, so where can I have time to investigate his affairs? Even if you don't come, I don't know that he has returned to the capital. He will not ask for my opinion now when doing things."

After a pause, Xie Qian continued, "But I can understand that if I knew that someone did not support his opinion, he would not make it boring. He went out of the city just to do business with the Folang Ji people, and then to train troops. Hu Chongqi led his men to the Tongzhou camp, probably to train."

He Jian exclaimed: "Even if Yu Qiao doesn't leave the house, he can't hide anything from you in the court."

"Ahem."

Xie Qian coughed again, "There are so many things in the court. I didn't force Shen Zhihou to obey my orders. Now no matter what he does, it has nothing to do with me. Cough cough, if there is any deviation in this battle of the frontier, it is his own fault. Which minister will provoke foreign barbarians for no reason? It would be great to be able to defend the territory well. The Ming Dynasty must not have any deviations because of him... If Your Majesty insists on the imperial command in person, it is best to solve the problem of the crown prince. In this way, even if something happens, someone will come out to bear the consequences."

He Jian couldn't help but smile bitterly. Zhu Houzhao didn't even have a brother, not to mention his son, but at most he had a sister, and the princess obviously did not have the qualification to succeed the throne.

In the end, He Jian didn't want to persuade him because he knew that what Xie Qian wanted to tell Zhu Houzhao was extremely difficult. One bad thing was that he was disrespectful, and He Jian was unwilling to cause trouble.

...

...

On the day Shen Xi left the city, Concubine Li knew that Chen Xi had signed a trade and diplomatic agreement with the Folang Ji people on behalf of the court, and judged that Chen Xi would secretly recruit food and supplies.

"...It seems that Lord Shen is really doing a big deal. He has to take the goods that foreigners want, and prepare food, grass and materials for grass and materials used in the grassland war. He cannot alarm the court Xie Zhongtang. What he does is as good as an emperor. It seems that the Ming Dynasty can operate freely with him alone, which is simply unbelievable! Without him, the Ming Dynasty may have to retreat for decades..."

After reading the file in his hand, Concubine Li was already planning how to make full use of this matter and make herself profitable.

At this time, there was a person kneeling in front of Concubine Li. It was the one who would rather join him before, but Concubine Li tried to find a way to buy Liao Han, a household of Jinyiwei under her command.

Liao Han had a compliment in his flattering smile. He was very happy to be able to flatter Concubine Li. In his opinion, this was much more effective than flattering Qianning.

"Godmother said, Shangshu Chen is doing a lot of business, and a business is about hundreds of thousands of taels. Otherwise, we can find a way to collect some goods and trade with him? This will be a huge profit. The young man is ready to tell his friends in the south about this and ask them to find a way to join the branch with Shangshu Chen, and they may not be able to share it with him..." Liao Han said with a smile, his gentle appearance was like Concubine Li's own son.

Liao Han understood one truth, that is, to become a subordinate of Concubine Li, you must have an identity that will prevent the king from doubting or jealousy. Otherwise, if the emperor misunderstood that he had an affair with Concubine Li, he would be erased from this world without confirmation.

This time, Li Fei was not a petitioner. She called out without Li Fei's consent in advance. Although Li Fei did not agree, she did not refuse.

Concubine Li said: "Don't do short-sighted things. If you make the news known to everyone in the world, you will not be able to make a penny from it and may be targeted by someone... In this case, it is better to suppress the news and I can give you the benefits you want."

Liao Han asked curiously: "Does my godmother thinks she shouldn't be doing business with Shangshu Chen?"

"It's another matter whether to do business or not."

Li Fei said, "Even if you really want to do it, you can't leak the news. This is the bottom line. If you want to do things for this palace, you must abide by the principles and follow the instructions of this palace in everything, rather than taking your own initiative."

"What my godmother said is, how much money can I make in business? Follow you, you will definitely make a fortune in the future..." Liao Han quickly expressed his loyalty.

Concubine Li sighed and said, "If you please, you don't need to say more. The most important thing is to rely on your methods of doing things... You don't know all about this. I will tell you how to do it and will not let you suffer any losses."

Liao Han said with some regret: "If you don't do this business now, when the news comes out in the future, we can't even do it."

"You feel sorry for those taels of silver, right?" Li Fei said coldly, "Do you want to make money or get status or both."

"Uh..." Liao Han wanted to speak but stopped. Obviously, he wanted to choose power and money and he knew that it was inappropriate to say this in front of Concubine Li.

Concubine Li said earnestly: "If you want to get these, you have to listen to my words. I will let you get status first and then money. Otherwise, if it is just silver, if someone reaches out to you, you have to give it away obediently, and it will not be worth the loss!"
Chapter completed!