Reborn in a Noble Family - Chapter 186
Chapter 186 Emperor Shang
The eunuch’s voice was indeed different.
After the prefect of Jincheng finished his introductory remarks, the people from the Internal Affairs Office said a few symbolic words. Then, everyone stood up in unison and respectfully stood down.
Since it was an act, he naturally had to do it in its entirety.
The so-called professionals of the Internal Affairs Department examined the candidates one by one and made detailed records. After that, everyone went back to their respective homes and looked for their mothers, waiting for a few days to announce the list.
Fourth Master Qiao and Qiao Yunxi stayed at the end.
Originally, Qiao Yunxi thought that Fourth Master Qiao would eat alone with the people from the Internal Affairs Department, but he didn’t expect that he would call her generously.
After a brief introduction, Eunuch Li couldn’t help but glance at Qiao Yunxi. “I’ve always heard that Shu Prefecture is full of talented people. Today, I met Miss Qiao, and we found out that we underestimated the outstanding talents of Shu Prefecture. Miss Qiao is young and not only manages Qiao Family’s business, she is also the president of the Chamber of Commerce. As expected, our family will be pushed forward by the waves of the Changjiang River.”
‘”Eunuch Li praises me absurdly.” Qiao Yunxi followed Eunuch Li’s example and shrieked, “Qiao Qiao is only learning to do business under the guidance of her father. Compared to Fourth Uncle, what Qiao Qiao knows is nothing.” “Even in the Chamber of Commerce, Qiao Qiao only hung up her idle job. The one who really did things was Fourth Uncle. Without Fourth Uncle’s help, Qiao Qiao really couldn’t handle these things.”
“Miss Qiao is being modest.” Eunuch Li’s shrewd gaze lingered on Qiao Yunxi’s face before finally stopping in her eyes.
Qiao Yunxi smiled faintly. “Let’s not talk about anything else. This time, in order to make this batch of Shu brocade, Fourth Uncle personally worked all the way to ensure the quality.”
Eunuch Li nodded his head in satisfaction. “Before our family entered Shu, I heard about the Qiao family’s Shu brocade. I thought it was just an exaggeration. Today, I saw the Qiao family’s Shu brocade, so I knew what it means to see more than I hear.”
Fourth Master Qiao hurriedly said humbly.
The officials who had been following Eunuch Li were all human geniuses, and when they heard this, they were all thoughtful.
Sure enough, Eunuch Li continued, “Qiao Family’s Shu brocade is truly worthy of its name. Qiao Family will occupy one of the spots in the Imperial Merchants.”
Is this settled?
Even though Fourth Master Qiao already knew the result, he was still overjoyed.
“Congratulations, Master Qiao.” Several accompanying officials immediately congratulated him.
“Joy together, joy together.” Fourth Master Qiao cupped his fists in thanks.
After exchanging a few words, Fourth Master Qiao brought everyone to the Lion Building, Fourth Fang’s own property.
Previously, Fourth Master Qiao had been in contact with the people from the Internal Affairs Department at Chaotian Sect. After returning to Jincheng, he seemed to have avoided suspicions and had never come into contact with them. It wasn’t until today that Fourth Master Qiao invited the people from the Internal Affairs Department to dinner.
Actually, before the final results were announced, Fourth Master Qiao’s actions were somewhat inappropriate. However, Eunuch Li had clearly said that Emperor Shang had a place in Qiao Family, and Qiao Family’s Shu brocade was definitely the strongest. Therefore, it didn’t seem inappropriate for them to eat together.
However, Qiao Yunxi did not expect that there would be another person at the dinner table, Gu Jinxuan.
Qiao Xi naturally did not know Gu Jinxuan. Seeing that his face was similar to Gu Jinzhen’s, she had a faint guess in her heart. Adding on the fact that Qiao Jinwen was standing beside him, Qiao Xi was even more certain.
Outside, Gu Jinxuan did not conceal his identity. Everyone, including Eunuch Li, kowtowed to him.
Qiao Jinwen, who was standing beside him, raised her chin slightly and enjoyed the worship of everyone. Her gaze swept past Qiao Yunxi, and the arrogance in her eyes became even more arrogant.
So what if the daughter of the eldest wife bent down in front of her?
Although Gu Jinxuan did not have the title of heir, he was still very expensive. Look, even the people from the Internal Affairs Department were polite to Gu Jinxuan. It was obvious that they were currying favor with him. In the future, when Gu Jinxuan invited him to become the heir and inherited the title, these people would have to kneel in front of her!
Eunuch Li was the first to stand up. His gaze swept past Qiao Jinwen, who was standing beside Gu Jinxuan, and he frowned unhappily.
Sure enough, she was from a small place and didn’t understand the rules at all. What kind of status was she? She didn’t fear losing her lifespan if she dared to bow to him openly!
Those who are sensible should avoid it!
Wasn’t it Gu Jinxuan’s people who were so arrogant? If they put this thought into the capital, they would be played to death in minutes!
“Eunuch Li, I’ll be waiting for you. I’ve prepared some special dishes from Jincheng today. You should try some.”
“Our family has a good time following Second Young Master Gu today.”
After exchanging a few words, the group went to the private room on the second floor.
After sitting down and serving tea, Fourth Master Qiao introduced Qiao Yunxi to everyone.
Gu Jinxuan raised his eyebrows and gave Qiao Yunxi a meaningful look.
Qiao Jinwen, who had been paying attention to him, twisted her handkerchief and stared at Qiao Yunxi with her scarlet eyes.
Perhaps her gaze was too substantive, attracting the attention of several other officials.
One year older, Qiao Yunxi’s eyebrows had also grown. Although her features were young and tender, the brightness between her eyebrows could not be concealed. Although she tried her best to keep a low profile, her temperament, coupled with her calm aura, made it impossible for others to ignore her.
Did Gu Jinxuan fall for her?
Sensing the obscurity in everyone’s eyes, Qiao Jinwen was so angry that she gritted her teeth, but she could not get angry. She could only look at Qiao Yunxi with growing hatred.
Gu Jinxuan naturally noticed the meaning behind everyone’s gazes and did not explain.
He was a little curious about what kind of person could do business with Zhong Chenglin. As a result … it was beyond his expectations. He didn’t expect that it was actually a girl, um, a very charming girl.
Zhong Chenglin was quite lucky.
Speaking of which, his cheap big brother and Zhong Chenglin had a very good relationship. I wonder if Qiao Xi can use it.
It was only an instant before the waiter quickly brought the food over.
The guests enjoyed themselves.
Regardless of whether it was Gu Jinxuan or Eunuch Li, they were quite satisfied with the meal. From the smiles on their faces, they could tell.
Qiao Yunxi couldn’t help but curl his lips as he drank the tea. Fourth Qiao had put in a lot of effort for this meal.
After dinner, Gu Jinxuan took the initiative to say to Qiao Yunxi, “Miss Qiao is the president of Jincheng Chamber of Commerce at such a young age. Indeed, she is a woman who does not let her brows stand on end.”
“Young Master Gu praises me absurdly. Qiao Qiao only benefited from her father. Adding on the care of Fourth Uncle and his uncles in the Chamber of Commerce, how could she have any real ability?” Qiao Xi said falsely.
Qiao Jinwen could not interrupt, so she could only be anxious at the side.
“When Young Master Huang and I first arrived at Jincheng, Old Madame Qiao invited us to play together. Unfortunately, we did not see Miss Qiao that day. I have always regretted it.”
“That day, Qiao Qiao had an emergency. Because she couldn’t see the wind, she didn’t board the boat.” Qiao Jinwen anxiously explained, afraid that Qiao Yunxi would tell the truth if she spoke too late, even though she knew that Qiao Yunxi did not know the so-called truth.
Gu Jinxuan nodded, “Fortunately, I finally have the chance to meet Miss Qiao this time.”
Qiao Yunxi was a little strange.
Gu Jinxuan and Young Master Huang were so low-key, and now he had openly admitted that he was in contact with her. What was the purpose of that?
Gu Jinzhen?
Previously, she had heard Gu Jinzhen mention that Gu Jinxuan and Young Master Huang had come with a purpose. She was not stupid. With Gu Jinxuan’s status, she had to be careful in serving Young Master Huang. Therefore, Young Master Huang’s status was even more noble than Gu Jinxuan’s. Perhaps, he was still a member of the royal family.
Fourth Qiao wishfully wanted to stand in line?
That Young Master Huang also liked the identity of the Qiao Clan?
It wasn’t that Qiao Xi was underestimating herself, but that Qiao Clan’s little bit of wealth was barely enough to be seen in Jincheng. However, once they arrived in the capital, they were really no different from ordinary people. Even if they were to become Emperor Merchants this time, that little bit of capital wasn’t enough for Young Master Huang to squeeze out.
Wait!
Emperor Shang!
Qiao Yunxi’s expression froze, and he quickly relaxed.
She vaguely caught something, but she couldn’t figure it out.
Just like that, Young Master Huang secretly came and secretly left, but Gu Jinxuan revealed his identity. What was Young Master Huang’s sneakiness before?
…
Five days later, the government announced the list of imperial merchants. Qiao Family was naturally among them, occupying a spot for a Shu brocade merchant. Zhong Chenglin also occupied a spot for tea. After all, Shu tea was famous, and the tea from southern Sichuan was the best tea in Shu tea. Zhong Chenglin had eighty percent of the tea leaves in southern Sichuan, and the rest were produced by the tea shop owner’s own tea garden.
This time, Zhong Chenglin not only bought a lot of tea leaves, he also bought a lot of tea gardens in southern Sichuan, which was almost a monopoly.
Speaking of which, Qiao Xi also didn’t understand something.
Tea gardens are the foundation of tea shops. Tea merchants in southern Sichuan have operated for several generations. It is easy to buy tea from them, but how can it be so easy to buy tea gardens?
Zhong Chenglin chuckled at Qiao Xi, “Let’s not talk about it yet. The biggest tea merchant in southern Sichuan is Gu Sheng. He occupies the most vast and best tea garden in southern Sichuan. We have 80% of the tea leaves in southern Sichuan in our hands. With these, we can’t be an imperial merchant. As for those tea gardens, as long as the price is right, it will be very easy to buy them.”
Qiao Xi’s eyes were white and she said it lightly. How could it be difficult to operate?
“Gu Jinzhen made himself so complicated, aren’t you afraid of being found out?”
It was a soldier, a merchant, or a horse merchant. With so many identities, it would be strange not to be suspected by the higher-ups. They would kill him in minutes!
Zhong Chenglin sighed, “Otherwise, where do you think military spending comes from?”
Qiao Xi could understand this point.
Unless the Imperial Court sent them directly to the Marquis of Zhen Yuan, they would be dispatched one after another, and it was unknown if they would be able to retain one-tenth of them.
Think about it, other than anger, anger.
The warriors sprinkled hot blood on the battlefield to protect their country, sleeping in the open and having their rations deducted.
Those corrupt officials who deducted military expenses were enjoying a life of drunkenness, but they pushed the soldiers who brought them a life of enjoyment into deep trouble!
Qiao Xi was not a soldier, but a martial practitioner. Perhaps her sense of justice was not comparable to that of a soldier, but it was stronger than that of an ordinary citizen. Even if she gritted her teeth, she would still be able to do so.
Zhong Chenglin continued, “You also know that Shu Prefecture is the ancestral home of Marquis Zhenyuan. Marquis Zhenyuan joined the rebellion of the High Ancestor Emperor here until he seized the country and became the founding general.”