Xie Qian was already obsessed with Chen Xi, at least He Jian thought so. He Jian was originally an easy-going person and served as an official of Chen Xi. Although he is now the head of the Six Ministry of Personnel and his status is still above Shen Xi, he is still willing to stand up and speak for Chen Xi.

At this time, there were many people in the court secretly investigating Chenxi, but most of them had no results.

After Liu Jin and his relatives lost power one after another, the only one in the court who could truly threaten Chen Xi was except Xie Qian. Zhang Yuan, and Zhang Yuan's power had just taken shape and had little impact on Chen Xi.

At this time, Zhang Yuan had just learned some of the situation from Zang Xian, and even learned about the secret of Chen Xi sending a letter to Xiao Tiaozi, which made him very angry.

"...Are you sure that Shen Zhihou and Xiao Tuozi have a connection?" Zhang Yuan's face turned red, feeling that he had encountered a shameful "betrayal". Of course, the betrayer refers to Chen Xi, who is related to him, rather than his competitor Xiao Tuozi.

Zang Xian said: "It should be true. The letter was sent to the capital through the Chenfu family. Although the messenger was always very alert, he was still noticed by the subordinates sent by the villain to follow him... The villain had a few thieves and was very good at stalking people."

Zhang Yuan muttered angrily: "This kid said he wanted to cooperate with our family, but who knew he had gone with Xiao Tiaozi's little king? Humph, he got together as soon as he was young, and he didn't think about who was closer to him."

Zang Xian was very surprised: "Brother-in-law, what did you say?"

Zhang Yuan shook his hand: "I won't talk about this anymore... what else do you know? The content of the letter can be found?"

Zang Xian seemed very embarrassed: "Since the letter was sent directly to the leopard room, the content could not be intercepted. However, according to the investigation by villains, Lord Shen went south directly after leaving the capital, as if he was meeting someone. If nothing unexpected happened, he should have met with Shandong Governor Hu Butang... This Hu Butang was promoted by Lord Shen, and after they met, they would definitely discuss the issue of sending troops to the grassland."

"Does it take a special trip to the city to see each other? The stinky brat said he was going to seek medical treatment and asking for medicine, maybe he was doing something shameful!"

Zhang Yuan was prejudiced against Chen Xi and tried his best to think about the bad things.

Zang Xian said: "The villain also heard that some foreigners came to the south and wanted to do business with the Ming Dynasty. As for the relationship between these barbarians and Japanese pirates, it is unknown... It is also possible that Lord Shen wanted to lead the army to wipe out these barbarians who came ashore. Didn't he pacify the Japanese pirates when he was in the southeast before? Perhaps this time... As for more information, I don't know."

Zhang Yuan frowned: "Put the Japanese pirates? At this critical moment, Shen Zhihou has no time to pacify the pirates? After the spring, His Majesty will send troops to the grassland. Does he have so much energy?"

Zang Xian smiled and said, "The villain only made a prediction based on the investigation. Due to the limited funding and insufficient manpower, it is impossible to check in more detail. But I think Lord Shen will not have any connection with Japanese pirates or barbarians, right?"

Zhang Yuan thought about it and said, "Your Majesty has been abnormal recently. He seems to be full of expectations for what Shen Zhihou is doing. If he doesn't know what it is, he doesn't know... Zang Xian, didn't you say that you are very capable? Why are the news you get all the same and have no clue?"

Zang Xian lowered his head aggrievedly and thought to himself: "Didn't you notice the focus of my speech? Have you insufficient funds? I did things for you during this period, and I didn't even pay for it out of my own pocket, and I didn't even give me a single official or a half position. Now you are talking about these to me? I have done my best, okay?"

Seeing that Zang Xian looked wrong, Zhang Yuan also found that his request was a bit too much, so he comforted him: "Don't worry, as long as you do things well, I will find a way to transfer you into the Jinyiwei and directly let you be a hundred households... and let you be a thousand households, or even replace Qian Ning's dog thing!"

...

...

Chen Xi is going to return to Beijing.

He had only been out of the capital for a few days, but in order to bring back the results of the negotiations with Folang Jiren, he had to turn around and meet Zhu Houzhao, and then implement the trade agreement in the name of the Emperor of Ming Dynasty.

This time I returned to Beijing was still in secret.

Chen Xi didn't want to make a big fuss. After all, he left Beijing on the pretext of seeking medical treatment and asking for medicine. If he went back to meet the saint, there would inevitably be people gossiping, and even meeting with the Folang Jiren could not use the state gift. This time it was at most a routine ceremony, and Zhu Houzhao could only meet foreign guests in private.

Chenxi sent people to contact Folang Ji people. In addition to giving away silver, the most important thing is to transport goods. It is not easy for Chenxi to raise goods to meet Folang Ji people's needs at once.

As early as seven days ago, Hui Niang and Li Jin left Beijing as their brothers' owners and headed south from the Grand Canal. When Chenxi met Hui Niang and Li Jin, the two girls had already got off the boat and went to Wuqing County by land to wait for Chenxi for a day.

When Chen Xi saw two concubines, he had no time to talk about love, so he directly informed the results of the negotiation with Folang Jiren that Hui Niang and Li Jin were not the kind of women who like to talk. They were very independent in handling matters and were extremely efficient.

After roughly calculating, Hui Niang shook her head and said, "The first batch of goods is easy to deal with. It was originally just a form to dispel the doubts of the Folang Ji people, regardless of how many. In order to meet the needs of the capital and the Jiubian, our chamber of commerce rented a large number of cargo warehouses along the North Canal and stored a lot of porcelain, tea and silk. Just take action immediately and deliver the goods to Tianjin Wei within half a month. I believe it is enough to fill the Folang Ji people's merchant ships. On the contrary, the second batch of goods is more difficult to deal with. Since they are all raised now, even if all the goods that can be collected in Huguang, Jiangjiang, Fujian and Guangdong, and Jiangsu and Zhejiang are still not enough."

Li Jin glanced at Hui Niang, then looked at Chen Xi, and nodded in agreement.

Chen Xidao: "I also know that it is difficult. Although we made a lot this time, the transaction of silver of up to three million taels of silver must be bought from the market for 500,000 taels of goods to deal with. It is a bit exaggerated to rely solely on the chamber of commerce we control to achieve the trade volume."

"What will the master do?"

Hui Niang asked with concern, "Does it be that the whole country's efforts to raise it in the name of the court? This may cause a sharp rise in prices. After these goods are transported out, there will be not much remaining goods in the Ming Dynasty... I am afraid that prices will rise in prices in a short period of time. Ordinary people want to buy porcelain, silk and other goods, so they spend much more money than in the past."

Chen Xi smiled and said, "I have told you sisters a long time ago that our delivery of goods is not to harm the country and the people, but to promote the development of industry and commerce! Think about it, if the prices of goods such as porcelain, silk, cotton and linen products rise, then it is profitable to open a workshop. The landlord will take out the money stored in the cellar to invest in industry and commerce, thereby promoting technological progress. The transportation of goods will promote the development of manufacturing and transportation industries. This time, the transaction with the Florians is an opportunity for change. The chamber of commerce controlled by the two sisters must seize the opportunity and develop rapidly..."

Hui Niang shook her head: "I don't understand these things. I'm just a golden-wire bird in the cage. How can I care about the matter outside the cage?"

Before he knew it, Hui Niang said such shameful words, which made Chen Xi never expect. He guessed that Hui Niang felt such a sigh because she left the capital and felt a kind of helpless worry.

"elder sister……"

Li Jin persuaded him, and his eyes looked at Hui Niang full of worry.

Chen Xi smiled and comforted: "Just do your best. After all, in addition to your sisters, there is also Song Xiaocheng. He is also helping me handle southern affairs. Now he is in Beijing. He has made some progress in negotiations with the merchants in the capital. This time, he happened to buy the inventory in the hands of those merchants and sell them to the Folang Jiren."

Hui Niang had a look of worry on her face and frowned: "Businessmen are born to pursue profits. If they know that the master has done such a big deal with Westerners, they will definitely hoard goods. At that time, the master wants to buy the goods in their hands, and the price may be much higher than expected. The master must prepare in advance."

Seeing Hui Niang showing serious expression, Chen Xi knew that she had thought about this issue.

Chen Xi of course understood the key point of Hui Niang's words. If the normal foreign trade process of the country is followed, it is natural that merchants will negotiate with foreign merchants as the main body, and the state will collect taxes. But the problem is that the authority of the court is now controlled by Xie Qian. Even if he receives taxes, Chen Xi still cannot get money, and no one can bear the military expenses of sending troops to the grassland. Zhu Houzhao cannot share the benefits of foreign trade, so he will lose the enthusiasm to promote trade.

In this way, Chen Xi could only hold the trade power tightly in his hands. Anyway, no one in the court realized the huge profits contained therein in a short period of time and would not cause trouble to him. In this way, he could come in to negotiate a deal in the name of the emperor, then recruit goods from the people and concentrate wealth in his hands.

On the contrary, if merchants were led, who would willingly hand over the interests to the country and would not even drink soup? As Chen Xi said, merchants pursue profits, not only want to drink soup, but also want to eat meat. Now only the direct descendants of Chen Xi will think and handle things from the standpoint of the court and are willing to contribute all profits.

Of course, neither Hui Niang nor Song Xiaocheng could do a loss-making business in this business. Even if Hui Niang wanted to contribute its profits completely, Chen Xi would not allow it because he did not want to lose money and make a name for himself. He had already given enough money to the court before. After all, the Chamber of Commerce needs a lot of working capital to survive, and making money is the correct way to open it. If profits are not used to expand trade, what is the difference between sitting and squandering the whole country?

Chenxi Road: "Because the second round of trade handover was Quanzhou, Song Xiaocheng would transport goods from Fujian, Zhejiang, Huguang, Bashu, Ganzhou, Shaanxi, and the goods from Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangjiang and Jiangnan need to be allocated by Hui Niang."

Hui Niang looked at Li Jin and asked, "What the master meant is to ask me and Jin'er to go south to organize the supply of goods? Or should we separate one of us?"

“No need to go.”

Chen Xi shook his head apart, "The court will soon be employed on the grassland. When we go south, we may be separated for years. This is not the situation I want to see... You can arrange things and stay in the capital to command remotely. As long as I am in the morning for a day, the people below will never dare to act rashly... This time the expedition is the same as when we were in the southwest, Hui Niang and Jin'er may go to the front line with me."

Li Jin was very happy to hear that Chen Xi wanted to bring her by her side... Regardless of whether the trip was safe or not, she felt that it was a great honor to be given to Chen Xi.

Hui Niang considered more problems than Li Jin. She shook her head and smiled bitterly: "The master really likes to joke. I am just an ordinary woman, so where is the right to follow the army? Raising goods this time is of great importance. I want to go back to the south to supervise it myself."

Chen Xi had seen Hui Niang's stubbornness for a long time and immediately rejected it: "Since you say you are a cage bird, you must recognize one thing. Where you go is not something you can decide, but it is decided by the person holding the bird cage... If you really don't want to go to the northwest, I won't force it, but at least you have to stay in the capital."

After getting along with Hui Niang for a long time, Chen Xi had already understood Hui Niang's temperament. To suppress Hui Niang's stubbornness, she had to show the majesty of the head of the family. Hui Niang was a woman who was unwilling to make changes easily. In her mind, the biggest rule was to be orderly and obey power. So even if she persisted, she had to surrender in the face of the decision made by Chen Xi, although she was not very happy.

"I follow the master's arrangement." Hui Niang said this with depression, her pretty face tense, and she became angry at the sight.

Chen Xi could feel the depressed happiness in Hui Niang's heart and thought to herself: "Hui Niang's life experience determines that she likes to be abused. This is a psychological disease and it is difficult to repair. Could it be that I just watched her torture myself like this?"

Chen Xi could not persuade Hui Niang. If you really talk in depth, it would add trouble to Hui Niang. It would be better to solve the problem yourself and just let me know it.

...

...

Hui Niang retreated, began to calculate the accounts, and withdraw the goods.

Chen Xi did not go back that night and stayed with Hui Niang to spend the night. Since things had been arranged, Li Jin had nothing to do and came to serve Chen Xi to take a bath and change clothes.

Li Jin is not only an expert in financial management, but also gradually gained his skills in serving people, allowing Chen Xi to relax and enjoy the gentleness and romance.

After a while of clouds and rain, Li Jin snuggled up to Shen Xi's chest, her eyes as charming as silk, and she lazily listened to Chen Xi's intermittent words.

"...Your sister was filled with anger. I couldn't resolve it. You should talk more happy things with her on weekdays and enlighten her in a subtle way, so that she can't get stuck in the slightest way."

"Um."

Li Jin looked up at Chen Xi, with a sense of confusion in his eyes.

Chen Xi glanced at Li Jin and asked, "Why, are you in trouble?"

Li Jin shook his head: "My sister treats me well, but sometimes she gets angry for no reason, and she will be angry for a long time. She locks herself up for several days and doesn't go out. Sometimes she will faint from hunger..."

If Li Jin hadn't said this, Chen Xi wouldn't have known Hui Niang's "self-abuse".

Chen Xi said with a dark face: "She wants to torture herself and relieve her guilt."

"What's the crime of my sister?"

Li Jin was even more confused and said, "Everything my sister did is for our family. Is there anything wrong with it? Maybe my sister has something to do with her heart, which is not something I can touch."

As he spoke, Li Jin lowered his head again, like a little girl who did something wrong.

Chen Xi suddenly felt that Li Jin was very pitiful. Not only did the family fall into trouble, but the dignified lady became a girl who was living under someone else's roof. The only "big sister" who treats her well was still a "mental ill" and occasionally went crazy, which made Li Jin even more insecure. Chen Xi finally understood why Li Jin was so happy to talk to him even though he knew it would be very hard to go to the northwest. It turned out that the root cause was here.

What Li Jin wanted to rely on most was not Hui Niang, but his husband.

Chen Xi said: "Your sister is very kind, but she has experienced too many twists and turns in her life, which makes her feel guilty. Perhaps the more capable a person is, the more likely he is to be jealous of God and the more suffering he suffers. Even if I treat her wholeheartedly, she still cannot get out of the shadow of the past, because what she misses the most is the ordinary lifestyle in the past, being a widow who no one cares about, orphans and widows... That is the life she wants, and it is also the redemption she dreams of!"

Li Jin shook his head and said he didn't understand.
Chapter completed!