Chapter 356

The next day, a fast horse galloped from inside the pass, and a messenger flipped off his horse and reported urgently.

"General Han, Mr. Xiao, report from the southern official road, there is a small caravan holding the dual tokens of the Fu family and the Xinyue Chamber of Commerce, claiming to be Miss Fu family Fu Ruyan, has arrived ten miles under the pass, requesting to enter the pass!"

Han Xiao and Xiao Chunqiu smiled at each other; the Fu family had also arrived, just don't know how the price compares to the first two families!

"Let them pass! Receive them according to the rules of the caravan, arrange them in the post house... hmm, arrange a quiet courtyard separately, and separate them slightly from the Yan and Cui families."

Han Xiao ordered: "Similarly, without the Lord's order, no one is allowed to disturb. Everything, wait for the Lord's decision."

There was no movement for the next few days, and Jiang Jinshi also knew that this was about it; the five great clans came for three, and the remaining two were the Si family and the Lu family.

The Si family definitely wouldn't bet on Beijiang; after all, Si Gui's matter was strictly speaking inseparable from Beijiang, and now coming to talk about cooperation with Beijiang, the cooperation hadn't been talked about yet, and they were already a level lower.

And the Lu family was still staring at the interests of Great Qian, and he was determined to eat it clean.

As for what happens after that, in the Lu family's view, it is also very simple; no matter who is in power, could it be that they can leave the Lu family behind?

So both families didn't send anyone, and those small families and powerful families were waiting for the clans to enter the game.

The rules of this matter were naturally understood by everyone; when the five great families entered the game, where would they have a share?

Of course, part of the reason for this was that they also wanted to see which side the clans favored more.

Clans have been able to circulate for so many years, naturally there is a set of core survival laws; their small family vision is far less long-term than the clans, so following them to invest is definitely not wrong.

Of course, this is because they also want to see which side the clans favor more.

Clans have been able to circulate for so many years, naturally there is a set of core survival laws; their small family vision is far less long-term than the clans, so following them to invest is definitely not wrong.

Of course, this is because they also want to see which side the clans favor more.

Since no one came, Jiang Jinshi didn't drag it out anymore, set up a banquet in Guansongling, and invited these three parties.

Inside the temporary Ming King's Mansion in Guansongling, the hall was simple, but it had a murderous dignity.

Jiang Jinshi sat in the main seat, not wearing armor, just in a black casual dress.

Han Xiao, Xiao Chunqiu, Feng Chunsheng, Bai Ting, and other civil and military officials sat on both sides.

Below, the three groups of guests sat separately, distinct from each other.

On the left was the Yan family led by Yan Shining, sitting upright, their expressions steady and carrying a hint of expectation.

Although left hanging by Jiang Jinshi for so many days, at least there was progress now.

Even if he understood Jiang Jinshi's intention of waiting to sell at a high price, Yan Shining was not nervous at all; in his view, the chips his family offered were not low, so how could they not enter the Ming King's eyes?!

On the right was Cui Yan and the scholars and housekeeper he brought, with a graceful demeanor; Cui Wangshu sat below her father, her face covered with thin gauze, revealing only a pair of cold and calm eyes, but her straight back revealed the restlessness in her heart.

And sitting at the end, with the fewest people and the most low-key posture, was Fu Ruyan; she only brought Jiang Qingyan to attend the banquet, sitting there quietly, out of place with the subtle confrontation atmosphere around.

The atmosphere was a bit subtle at this moment; Jiang Jinshi had left them hanging for so many days, and now finally summoned them, meaning the moment of showdown had arrived.

"Everyone has worked hard to come from afar, the pass is simple, and I am busy with military affairs, so there has been much neglect, I hope you will forgive me." Jiang Jinshi opened his mouth, his voice not showing much emotion.

"Ming King is too polite! Being able to see the Ming King's demeanor is already a great fortune."

Cui Yan responded first, his posture low, his words very measured, both expressing respect and not losing the style of a family.

"It's just that I don't know why the Ming King summoned us today, is there a decision on the future of Beijiang? The old man previously presumptuously proposed, willing to use the meager strength of the Cui family to help the Ming King support the world, and even more willing to form a two-surname bond, forever solidifying the alliance, I don't know what the Ming King thinks?"

He still bundled marriage and cooperation together, his tone gentle, but it seemed a bit impatient.

Before Jiang Jinshi could speak, Yan Shining immediately stood up; he couldn't let the Cui family take the lead, the one who arrived first was clearly him.

"Report to the Ming King! My Longxi Yan family, although not daring to compare with the Cui family's clean name, my clan is rooted in the local area, and has some insights into money and grain transfer, material preparation, and border trade. The previous meager gifts were just a token of heart.

If the Ming King does not abandon us, my Yan family is willing to exhaust the power of the whole clan to escort the Ming King's great cause!

Bingzhou, Youzhou, and even the sixteen states of Zhongyuan, the Yan family's business routes can all be unimpeded, and there are many old acquaintances in local government offices and military towns, so message transmission and joint clearing can all be effective!"

He threw out more practical interests! Business networks and human relationships were the foundation of the Yan family's survival, and also what they thought Beijiang needed most urgently right now.

Cui Yan's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered in his heart.

The Yan family really still had this merchant's face, only knowing immediate practical benefits.

He stroked his beard lightly and continued: "Young Master Yan's words are not false, money, grain, and materials are indeed the foundation. But governing the country and pacifying the world, is it limited to blades, money, and grain?

My Cui family is not talented, and has some collections and learning in classics, education, and regulations.

If the Ming King has the ambition to reshape the universe and create a prosperous age, these soft powers may be more long-lasting than gold, silver, and iron cavalry.

And the Cui family's students and old acquaintances are all over the court and counties, and the clean-stream scholars are also closely related, which is quite beneficial for appeasing people's hearts, winning over scholars, and establishing legitimacy."

What he pointed out was the core capital of the clans! Cultural legitimacy and public opinion discourse power, which money couldn't buy.

Yan Shining immediately counterattacked, not having the slightest timidity because of Cui Yan's status as the family head.

"Cui Gong's high opinion! But in this chaotic world, empty talk of education is afraid that it will be difficult to solve the urgency.

The Ming King's top priority now is to break Yang Jiye's siege and consolidate the foundation.

Rations, military equipment, war horses, medicinal materials, and even craftsmen and laborers all need to be transferred and prepared in reality.

Such trivial affairs are difficult to coordinate for a clan that is not familiar with money and grain, not proficient in business, and not rooted in the local area.

My Yan family is not talented, and is willing to take on this heavy responsibility, and will definitely ensure that the Beijiang army has no worries!"

He emphasized "practical affairs" and "urgent needs," trying to belittle the Cui family's advantages as "empty talk."

The two sides seemed polite, but in fact, they had already fought several rounds in their words, all trying to raise their own chips and belittle the other side, trying to occupy a more important cooperative position in Jiang Jinshi's heart.

Cui Wangshu still lowered her eyes, as if the verbal confrontation between her father and Yan Shining had nothing to do with her.