The oil bottle of the Red Chamber

While Mrs. Chen was busy entertaining the guests from the Zhao family, Chen Gui was also having a drink in the front yard and greeting the guests.It wasn't until all the plays that he had ordered were performed that he could still be free for a while, so Chen Gui walked out and winked at his good friend Xu Zichuan, asking him to help him out for a while, and then quietly went to the outer study to entertain him. The head of the Zhao family and several elders.

He ordered his servants to brew a pot of good Yuqian Longjing, filled the tea for the head of the Zhao family and several elders with his own hands, watched the crowd tie their hands and feet, took the teacup with a smile on their faces, and thanked them.Chen Gui smiled complacently, held a cup of new tea in his hand, and said a little pretentiously: "This is the Yuqian Longjing, the new tribute this year. I heard that the palace didn't get much. His Majesty gave half to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince His Highness gave some more to Mr. Zhao, the commander of Jinyi Army. I went to Mr. Zhao’s house a while ago, Mr. Zhao saw that I was also a tea lover, so he gave me some. I have tasted it."

Chen Gui was well versed in the principle of pulling a big banner and pulling a tiger's skin. Sure enough, the head of the Zhao family and several elders had heard this speech, and the expressions of sincerity and fear on their faces were even stronger.One of the clan elders, who Chen Gui couldn't remember his name, hurriedly apologized and said with a smile: "It turns out that this is the Dragon Well Tea from Yuqian, which was newly tributed this year. It's strange that when we smell it, it smells more fragrant than other teas. It can be seen that Chen Gui My lord is now deeply appreciated by Mr. Zhao. We are also delaying Mr. Chen's time. Otherwise, we will never be able to taste such good tea."

While listening to the patriarch's flattery, Chen Gui lifted the lid of the tea and scraped off the tea, put it to his nose and sniffed it lightly, and took a sip, showing an expression of enjoyment.Half a day later, Fang Cai elongated his tone and said with a pleasant smile: "Hey, the old man is outrageous when he says such a thing. Although the two families of Zhao and Chen started to quarrel over some trivial matters, they can't even make in-laws. But At any rate, it is a family friendship for several lifetimes. From the perspective of our Chen family, we still miss this family friendship very much. If not, I would not invite all the clan elders to come here on my mother's birthday."

Speaking of this, Chen Gui seemed to think of something again, paused for a while, and said with a smile to everyone in the Zhao family in a seemingly self-pitying tone: "Speaking of which, our two families are also old relatives. But On my mother’s birthday this year, I actually forgot to post a message to the Zhao family—it’s my fault. Please forgive me from all the clan elders.”

Everyone in the Zhao family hurriedly waved their hands and shook their heads when they heard the words, and smiled as if they were defending Chen Gui: "There are many noble people who have a lot of things to say. Mr. Chen is now highly valued by His Majesty and His Royal Highness, so it is naturally a matter of time. Such small things, such as these, are forgotten for a while. It is justifiable. But we, because of our poor family and low status, and we have such a long history... I am really sorry for your family, so I am embarrassed to visit."

After hearing this, Chen Gui smiled and said, "What you said shouldn't make people feel ashamed. As the saying goes, when we get along for a long time, there is no one whose tongue doesn't touch his teeth. Saying something plain and clear will offend us. The Chen family is not the elders or members of the clan, and now even the court handles the case, except for the serious crime of treason, and there is no implicated. The court is like this, let alone you and me? The old friends are so old and dead that they don't communicate with each other. How can I say it?"

When Chen Gui said this, he glanced at the members of the Zhao family in the study who nodded again and again and looked thoughtful, and said with a smile: "It's not that Chen said something big, the old saying goes that a prime minister can hold a boat in his belly. Chen Gui Although a certain is not the prime minister, he is not the kind of person who must compare every penny. It's just a coincidence that this year, Meng Shengren and His Royal Highness the Prince did not give up, and were promoted to the head of the household department. Not to mention the government affairs of their duties, it is just a matter of friendship There are several times more children out of thin air, so there are some omissions in the usual etiquette, please bear with me—"

Before this sentence was finished, the Zhao family quickly replied with a smile: "That is, that is."

The head of the Zhao family kept Chen Gui's words in mind for a few moments, and then thought of the reason why Chen Gui had sent someone to inform them of their arrival, he said with a smile: "The world says it is difficult for an upright official to break up family affairs, and we also know that the Chen family is not easy. Yes. Let’s just talk about Zhao Chen’s mother, she has been really confused in her behavior and speech all these years, but it’s just because of her age—not to mention it’s their family’s business, so we can’t say anything. It’s just like today It's really outrageous to make trouble at the old lady's birthday banquet. If she is allowed to do this, I'm afraid it will hurt the reputation of the Zhao family. But please rest assured, Mr. Zhao, we all know what to do."

Hearing the promise from the head of the Zhao family, Chen Gui finally laughed.He thought about it, as the saying goes, slap a sweet date, if you want to use the head of the Zhao family and the elders to control the family of Mrs. Zhao, you can't just rely on official authority to intimidate.If things go on like this, everyone in the Zhao family will inevitably complain in their hearts. If something happens again, it will hinder his official reputation...

While thinking about it, Chen Gui ate another bowl of tea, and then said with a smile: "Now I have been promoted to be the head of the sixth rank. Officials, the situation is very different. But what Chen likes most is that the nephews of officials above the sixth rank of the imperial court can enter the Imperial Academy to study. It's just that our family is still young and not yet eligible for admission What's more, the Imperial College is also very strict with the knowledge examinations of the superintendents..."

After hearing Chen Gui's words, the Zhao family members were very excited when they thought of the things that Chen Gui had asked them to do before.Unexpectedly, Chen Gui changed the topic, because he laughed again: "So Chen discussed with brother Zichuan, a good friend in the court, and decided that the two families will jointly invest in building a family school, and hire those who have failed in the middle of the capital or those who are vacant. Jinshi masters come to teach. In this way, not only can the nephews of the two families be urged to study hard and improve their knowledge, but also the poor in the clan who cannot hire a teacher have a place to study quietly. Young people don't have to worry about food and clothing. If we have the opportunity to become an official in the imperial examination in the future and achieve a career, it will be considered our merit."

Having said that, Chen Gui looked at everyone in the Zhao family with a smile again, held tea and asked: "If you elders don't dislike our small school, you can also choose nephews with good talents and qualifications from the family to study in the school. .Chen can’t guarantee anything else, but equal treatment is certain.”

After hearing this sentence, the head of the Zhao family and all the elders were both happy and disappointed.What was disappointing was that after listening to Chen Gui's tone, everyone thought that he was going to give up the seat of the Imperial Academy to himself.But after thinking about it, with the current status of the Chen family, there are very few people asking for it from the Zhao family.Chen Gui was able to treat them with a pleasant face today, but he hoped that the Zhao family could restrain their clansmen and not make trouble for them.This is also for the good looks of each other.If Mrs. Zhao's nonsense really made the Chen family impatient, Chen Gui would not have no way to deal with it.It's just that the face will be torn apart at that time, and everyone will be embarrassed.That being the case, Chen Gui really didn't need to use the number of students in the Imperial College to win over the Zhao family.There was no other reason, it was because the strength of the Zhao family didn't need Chen Gui's acquaintance with such a low profile.

Furthermore, given the fact that the Chen family is now in full bloom with flowers—not to mention anything else, just talking about the old lady Chen's birthday today, the people who come and go in the hall to congratulate and give presents are probably the most famous people in Chang'an City.If the Zhao family really can't think about confronting them head-on, I'm afraid that in addition to the embarrassment, the future of the Zhao family's nephews who hope to enter the imperial examination and shine on the lintel will become more and more worrying——

After all, the appointment and removal of officials in the court is one thing, and the ranking in the imperial examination is another, and the waiting for a job to fill a vacancy is another.Where is the fat vacancy, where is it that makes people dumb to eat Coptis chinensis, and where it is difficult to tell, and it is called filling a vacancy, but it is actually a bad vacancy that is not as good as exile... It seems to be a simple thing, but there is a lot of knowledge inside.As long as the people in power say a word casually, there is no need for the people below to violate the court regulations, and it can be done beautifully.

Thinking of these things, the head of the Zhao family and the elders of the clan were terrified.This is also the reason why Chen Gui used his tone to threaten and lure him just now.

After the clan elders were stunned and horrified for a while, they remembered the benefits Chen Gui had given them again, and felt happy.

Now that the Zhao family is in decline, the family can't even provide for the family education, let alone the good thing of inviting Juren or Jinshi masters to teach?Now Chen Gui gave such a benefit, not only being able to invite a well-learned gentleman to teach his nephew, but also avoiding the daily pen, ink and meals.What's more, Chen Gui is very popular now, and with the family's connections, if the Zhao family's nephew is really lucky enough to go to high school in the future—even if he just wins the Juren Master, when there is a shortage of candidates, as long as Chen Gui can be in front of the noble Let me say a little bit, are you still worried that they don't have officials to do it?

No matter how you think about it, it is better to burn such a hot stove in the Chen family than to let Mrs. Zhao die and ruin the reputation of the two families.

When the head of the Zhao family thought of the rumors that spread to the streets and alleys in the middle of Beijing when the Chen family and Li remarried, he felt a headache for a while.Immediately made up his mind, he hurriedly opened his mouth to agree.Afterwards, I burst into tears of gratitude again, and expressed my intention to contribute without any ambiguity.

There is a saying that those who know current affairs are heroes.Chen Gui has always had no bad feelings towards the members of the Zhao family except for Mrs. Zhao's room, so he knows that most of the members of the Zhao family are sensible people.

Now that you understand it, you won't do anything too stupid.Looking at the well-behaved and eloquent head of the Zhao family in front of him, Chen Gui was very satisfied.So much so that Chen Gui's attitude afterward was quite different from the airs he deliberately put on airs just now, and he became humorous and well-behaved, which made people feel like a spring breeze.

Because of Mrs. Zhao's matter, everyone in the Zhao family received a lot of kindness and power from Chen Gui.Seeing that Chen Gui put down his airs and became approachable again, he couldn't help being flattered, and even more restrained, not knowing how to deal with it.

Chen Gui saw that his actions were well thought out, and the Zhao family already respected and feared him, so he stopped talking.In order not to backfire, it will make everyone in the Zhao family feel disgusted.

Because his family's son was only twelve years old, and the ages of Xu Zichuan's nephews were almost the same, Chen Gui used this as an excuse to remind the members of the Zhao family not to mention talent and character when selecting their nephews for school. In addition, it is better to consider that they are similar in age, lest the disparity is too large, and it will delay the admission of the Zhao family's nephews.

When everyone in the Zhao family heard this, they all agreed.Knowing that Chen Gui did this, in addition to the above reasons, the most important point is that he valued that young people's temperaments are unstable, and they are more susceptible to subtle influences.Therefore, the younger nephews are selected to enroll, and they have been in school for at least ten or eight years. In this way, the Zhao family wants to take advantage of the nephews to make a fortune and then demolish the Chen family.

The second is that the talented nephews of the Zhao family have studied in the Chen family's family school for so many years, as long as Chen Gui didn't deliberately treat them badly, the Zhao family's nephews would feel resentful.Then in the future, even if the Zhao family's nephew is promising, even if it is for his own reputation, he will never go against his benefactor.

All these actions were really plots, even if the elders of the Zhao family had seen through Chen Gui's purpose, they had no choice but to agree to it willingly.

It's just that, let's not talk about anything else, just say that the clansmen who have received the favor of the Chen family will inevitably be at odds with Zhao Chen's mother.Even if Chen Gui's methods were more sophisticated, I am afraid that after ten years or so, Chen Gui's words would be more useful in the Zhao family than the words of the patriarch.

When the head of the Zhao family thought of this, he couldn't help sighing that he was a formidable young man.