ebookland Chapter 229 Revealing the true identity
Chapter 229 Revealing the true identity
Song Gaolang's forehead was covered with sweat, and he asked, "Sir, what is it?"
Jiang Zuo said: "He is an official from the imperial court sent by the emperor."
"Ah?" Song Gaolang was nervous and said, "Oh no, I was very rude to them before. They must have wanted revenge. My Lord, please help me!"
Song Gaolang has been busy for half his life just for the official hat on his head, but he never expected that he would cause trouble because of his words.
"Calm down, don't panic." Jiang Zuo looked calm, turned around and ordered: "Let them come to see me, I want to see if they are sent by the emperor."
Song Gaolang still looked uneasy, and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Then I will do it now."
Having said that, he left the mansion and ordered people to find the guests to meet Jiang Zuo.
I don't know how long it had been, but suddenly I heard footsteps.
"Two guests, please come this way. Our Lord Jiang has been waiting for a long time."
The servant took the two guests and headed towards the courtyard.
The person walking in front was the Ninth Prince Chen Xiu, followed by his confidant Meng Cheng.
"Your Majesty, this Jiang Zuo's mansion is really luxurious. I'm afraid he spends money recklessly on a daily basis."
Meng Cheng looked around and spoke into Chen Xiu's ear.
As soon as he walked into this huge mansion, Chen Xiu felt dissatisfied.
"This Jiang Zuo must have secretly plundered a lot of the people's wealth..."
Chen Xiu said secretly in his heart.
He remained silent and slowly came to Jiang Zuo.
"Master Jiang, two guests have arrived."
said the servant.
Jiang Zuo suddenly opened his eyes and his gaze rested on Chen Xiu.
Although this man was dressed in ordinary clothes, he had an extraordinary appearance and looked like a young master from a wealthy family.
"You should step back first."
Jiang Zuo said to the servant.
"Yes, my lord."
The servant responded and left.
"Master Jiang, I have long heard of your great name."
Chen Xiu suppressed the other complicated thoughts in his heart, leaned forward and bowed.
"We two guests have come from afar. I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person. Please take a seat."
Jiang Zuo's expression was calm and he replied politely.
Chen Xiu looked around, and then sat opposite Jiang Zuo.
Jiang Zuo made tea and asked calmly, "What are your names?"
Chen Xiu hesitated for a moment. He wanted to conceal his identity, but he was unwilling to lie and deceive others. He just said, "My last name is Chen. Lord Jiang can call me Chen Jiu."
Having said that, it depends on whether Jiang Zuo has the understanding.
"Your last name is Chen too?"
Jiang Zuo thought of another person in his mind.
This is not surprising. After all, Chen is the national surname and is not rare in Dayan.
Hearing Jiang Zuo's words, Chen Xiu was inexplicably shocked and thought to himself, "Could it be that Jiang Zuo knows my identity?"
But obviously, it's not.
Meng Cheng also sat next to Chen Xiu and replied, "My name is Meng Cheng."
He is just a close confidant of the prince and not a famous person, so it is okay to tell him his real name.
Not only the Ninth Prince, but even Meng Cheng was extremely curious about who this Jiang Zuo was and how he could gain the emperor's trust.
Jiang Zuo poured tea for the two and asked, "I wonder if you two have any important business coming here this time?"
As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Chen Xiu.
The young man in front of him didn't seem like an important official in the court.
"I have heard of Lord Jiang's great name, so I came to visit him."
Chen Xiu couldn't think of any other reasons for a while.
Jiang Zuo raised the corner of his mouth, trying to hold back his smile. He had already sensed that the other party's intentions were not simple, but he said calmly: "Where are you two from?"
Chen Xiu said: "Daizhou."
"Oh, fellow, I am also from Daizhou. You must have heard of Anding County."
Jiang Zuo's face lit up with joy.
Chen Xiu said calmly, "Of course I have heard of Anding County. I heard that it is quite prosperous. I heard that you were once the magistrate of Anding County. It must be your credit that Anding County is so prosperous."
"Keep a low profile, it's not worth mentioning." Jiang Zuo put down the teapot and asked, "Have you been to Anding County?"
Chen Xiu was slightly stunned, shook his head and said: "I have only heard of it a little bit, but I have never been there. If I have time someday, I will definitely come."
Jiang Zuo nodded slightly and asked, "I wonder what you are going to do in Jiangzhou after coming all the way here?"
You know, Daizhou is in the northernmost part of Yan State, while Jiangzhou City is on the southern border. Coming from so far away must be about something important.
Maybe he came here on orders from the imperial court...
Jiang Zuo became more alert and suspicious.
"I came to Jiangzhou to do some colored glaze business."
Chen Xiu recalled the goods he had just seen on the street and made up an excuse.
"I see. Then you should go to Anding County. It is also my territory and can fully meet your needs. Why bother to come all the way to Jiangzhou?"
Jiang Zuo laughed, thinking that Chen Jiu's excuse was a bit lame.
"Your territory?"
Chen Xiu was unhappy.
These words don't sound like something a court official would say.
Chen Xiu also smiled faintly and said, "Because we are preparing to go to Chen State, and we heard that Lord Jiang is in Jiangzhou City, so we came to Jiangzhou City to purchase some goods."
He made up another lie to try to cover up the previous one.
"I see. If that's the case, please let me know if there's anything you need my help with."
Jiang Zuo said.
Chen Xiu raised his eyebrows, waiting for Jiang Zuo to say something like this.
"Thank you for your care, Lord Jiang."
As Chen Xiu spoke, he secretly stuffed a silver note into Wang Jiang's left hand.
"This is?"
Jiang Zuo looked at Chen Xiu with a little confusion.
"It's just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."
Chen Xiu said, observing Jiang Zuo's reaction.
Jiang Zuo, however, remained calm and nodded, "Okay, I understand."
Hearing this, Chen Xiu sneered in his heart: "Well, since you accepted it, it means that you, Jiang Zuo, are a corrupt official who accepts bribes. I guess you must have secretly accepted a lot on weekdays..."
He is indeed a corrupt official.
"But I cannot accept this money."
At this time, Jiang Zuo pushed the banknote back to Chen Xiu.
Chen Xiu frowned and said, "Sir, please don't refuse. I just admire you, Sir, and I don't have any other intentions."
Jiang Zuo said, "You can take this money to the 'financing bank' next to the Jiangzhou County Government, or the money house, to buy a Jiangzhou development bond, which can also be regarded as a contribution to the development of our Jiangzhou City."
These words sounded so strange to Chen Xiu.
"What exactly does that mean?"
Chen Xiu didn't understand, but he didn't want to show his weakness, so he just said, "Then I'll listen to Master Jiang."
After a moment, Chen Xiu understood that this so-called purchase of something was obviously a disguised bribe.
So that's how it is. Jiang Zuo obviously didn't want to be caught, so he resorted to this trick.
"He is indeed an old fox."
Chen Xiu secretly thought it was a pity that he failed to set a trap for Jiang Zuo.
This Jiang Zuo is really good at disguise.
"Just wait, I will definitely expose your true colors!"
He would never allow anyone to secretly deceive the emperor!