Chapter 271: Using the word

The moon is in the middle of the sky.

Silver radiance washes over the flying eaves and corners, plating the vermilion corridors with a layer of cold light.

The paulownia leaves in the courtyard are swept by the night wind, rustling.

Occasionally, a few pieces spin and fall on the blue brick floor, stained with night dew and shining with wet light.

After three rounds of drinking, the drunken Chen Yan, supported by Zhu Yi and Hongye on the left and right, leaves happily and contentedly.

Duke's mansion.

Study.

Houmochen Yi, who was also drunk and unconscious at the wine table, is now exceptionally sober, sitting upright in the purple sandalwood chair, his gaze stern, and says in a deep voice: "Once that commercial tax reform begins, regardless of whether it is finally completed, this old man will become the target of public criticism..."

"But I can't not take it!"

The current Duke of Liang, Pillar State Houmochen, is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If he takes it, he stands on the opposite side of the merchants and merchant clans of the world, easily becoming the target of public attack...

If he doesn't take it, he stands on the opposite side of the Grand Chancellor, and will likely be targeted first, dying before those two great Pillar States.

Yuwen Hu and Chen Yan are simply babies in the delivery room—newborn, too newborn!

Using the word "anthropomorphic" to describe them is an overestimation!

"Old Master, the price is a bit high, but taking over this matter can be considered leaning toward the Grand Chancellor's camp..."

Zheng Delin saw this, chose his words, and persuaded: "In the end, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages!"

He guessed that his master could agree, mostly based on this consideration...

As long as one can hold a high position and hold power, how much waves can merchants make?

After Zhao and Dugu fall, he can still share a piece of the pie from the power they left behind...

"Although that's true, it's still very uncomfortable to be threatened and pinched by Chen Hu's direct grandson!"

Houmochen Yi leaned back in his chair, his right index finger and thumb tightly pinching his brow, and said in a deep voice.

If it weren't for the situation, he, a dignified one of the eight Pillar States, would have been forced to compromise?

Crucially, the one who pinched him from beginning to end was still a junior...

It's truly shameful!

"Old Master, isn't this Chen Yan also quite good at being a person?"

Zheng Delin thought for a moment, comforted and persuaded: "Not only did he return the Jinxiu Merchant Guild, but he also gave an extra Baohe Merchant Guild..."

"Our Duke's mansion has no smuggling income, but we have an extra merchant guild, not losing but earning..."

It is said that what is lost in the east is recovered in the west.

Face is lost, but the substance is gained.

After all, the power of commercial tax reform is in the hands of our own Duke, and the commercial tax of Jinxiu and Baohe can just be a gesture...

The Grand Chancellor will definitely not say anything more!

"That's true..."

Houmochen Yi felt much better, breathed out a turbid breath, and said in a deep voice: "Chen Yan's character is also well-known in Chang'an!"

"He is ruthless and unscrupulous to enemies, but extremely good to his own people..."

This set of processes is truly deep in human nature:

After slapping a few times, he gave a few big sweet dates that could not be refused, causing resentment but not so much, but rather quite grateful and fearful...

But it has to be admitted that such a person, such a style of handling things, is indeed an excellent partner for cooperation!

"Old Master, precisely because of this, we should be on good terms with Chen Yan..."

Zheng Delin stepped forward a few steps, rising and falling, and said: "An emotional and clear young powerful official is of great benefit to our Duke's mansion!"

What are the major prerequisites for choosing an ally?

First, they have ability, wrist, and won't hold back, which is unquestionable.

Secondly, they are willing to share interests and share benefits, and this point is even less to worry about!

Chen Yan is famous for being generous and never stingy with money...

"That's right, it's time to let the few boys in the mansion walk around more with this Mingjing Si Superintendent who has courage and wrist, the future Duke of Wei!"

Houmochen Yi nodded affirmatively and said: "With his support, my Houmochen clan will not decline!"

Chen Yan is still young, this is definitely not his end, and with Yuwen Hu's full support, he will definitely reach a high position in the future.

What the Houmochen clan should do is to bet early before his wings are full and fight for a future!

The next day.

Chang'an.

Guangju Zhai.

In the elegant seat by the window on the second floor, Dugu Zhang untied the jade belt at his waist, which was loosely draped over the back of the chair. The front of his brocade robe was stained with wine, but he was too lazy to brush it off.

One hand supported his forehead, his knuckles against his brow bone, burying most of his face in the shadows, revealing only the tightly pursed jawline.

The other hand held a silver wine pot, not looking at the cup, and poured it straight into his mouth. The amber wine liquid flowed down the corner of his mouth, soaking the collar of his neck.

Outside the window, the autumn wind swept past with fallen leaves, but he didn't even lift his eyelids, only occasionally rolling a vague sigh in his throat, mixed with the smell of wine and scattered in the air.

Yang Yaren, who arrived late, saw Dugu Zhang's appearance, looked at Gao Jiong beside the table, and asked: "What's wrong with Brother Dugu?"

"Why is he drinking sullen wine without saying a word?"

"Did something happen?"

Having known each other for so many years, Yang Yaren had never seen him in such a state...

"Have you heard about that new Mingjing Si Superintendent who raided the merchant guild a few days ago and supervised the execution of the five great presidents in the West Market?" Gao Jiong breathed out a turbid breath, glanced at Dugu Zhang, and said.

"Of course!"

Yang Yaren pulled over a stool and sat down, nodded, "The commoners of Chang'an have almost praised Chen Yan to the sky..."

"Saying he is a Blue Sky of the current era, not afraid of powerful power!"

As he spoke, the corner of his mouth curled into a look of contempt, full of disdain.

"Heh!"

Dugu Zhang heard this, raised his hand, and snorted coldly.

"It's my brother's slip of the tongue!"

Yang Yaren realized his wording was inappropriate, patted his mouth, and apologized with a smile.

"Yaren, you forgot, that Baohe Merchant Guild that was raided is the property of Brother Dugu's family, and Lu Ziyue is even on good terms with Brother Dugu!" Gao Jiong pursed his lips, lowered his voice, and said.

"Then why not take revenge?"

Yang Yaren suddenly realized, and said indignantly: "That little brat Chen Yan, relying on Yuwen Hu's support, is too arrogant!"

It was like a look of fighting for justice.

"Do you think I don't want to?"

Dugu Zhang's eyes were gloomy, and he sneered: "But my father told me not to move!"

He dreamed of killing Chen Yan to avenge Lu Ziyue, but Dugu Zhao gave a death order, and he didn't dare to disobey...

"But how can this breath be swallowed!" Yang Yaren shouted sternly.

This kind of thing was really the more you thought about it, the angrier you got, the more you thought about it, the more blocked your heart felt.

"Yes!"

Gao Jiong nodded, smiled bitterly: "That's why Brother Dugu is drinking sullen wine here, isn't he?"

"Especially thinking that Chen Yan is probably even more proud of the spring breeze right now..."

Speaking of this, Gao Jiong's expression was an undisguised look of resentment.

Yang Yaren's eyes turned thief-like, and suddenly he seemed to think of something, laughing extremely playfully: "Brother Dugu, don't worry, little brother has a plan!"

"Maybe it can cure that arrogant and lawless Mingjing Si Superintendent..."

In the words, it was full of deep meaning.

"Oh?"

"Tell me quickly!"

Dugu Zhang suddenly became interested and urged.

He paused and muttered: "That bastard has extraordinary ability, it's not easy to deal with..."

This was not Dugu Zhang destroying his own prestige, but he had truly seen the power of that guy.

"Everyone has weaknesses..."

Yang Yaren smiled playfully: "My father once sent someone to follow Chen Yan from afar, figured out his habits, and found that the guy likes to watch the excitement!"

"So what?" Dugu Zhang was puzzled.

"We can use this..." Yang Yaren laughed extremely cunningly.

"But Chen Yan always has two masters protecting him by his side..." Gao Jiong probably understood his intention, but raised a question.

At that time, Gao Jiong had witnessed the whole process at the Dafengtai Restaurant...

"It doesn't matter, even the tightest protection will have loopholes..."

Yang Yaren didn't care, put his hand on the shoulders of the two, pulled closer, and whispered in their ears with a voice only the three of them could hear.

"Wonderful!"

Dugu Zhang's eyes lit up, clapped his hands, "Yaren, after it's done, I will definitely have a great reward!" ===== CHAPTER 272 =====