Chapter 229 Yes, Sir (Part 2) (Additional Update!!!)

What an arrogant Briton.

After the not-so-pleasant meeting ended, Chen Heng complained in his heart, got up and walked Charles to the door in person, still looking cheerful.

The intersection between the two countries is all about the word "profit". He would not put his personal emotions above official business, and Chen Heng believed the same was true for Charles.

An arrogant young man. Charles's evaluation of Chen Heng was not much better. Now is the time when the British are rising, and they have won consecutive victories in the national war, which gives the foreign envoy the confidence to talk to Dayong. Just as Britain's fleet cannot travel far away easily, Dayong, which is short of ships and men, lacks the means to restrain Britain.

This clear understanding allowed Charlis to still feel good when they were saying goodbye: "Mr. Chen, you can carefully consider our suggestions. Britain's strength and sincerity are definitely the most worthy choice for Dayong."

"I will definitely make it clear to Your Majesty." Chen Heng replied with a smile, but he was duplicity.

Two hundred thousand taels a year, just want to win Yangzhou? If I really get His Majesty to agree to this, my surname will probably be changed to Li instead of Chen in primary school textbooks in future generations.

Keeping a polite smile, he sent the arrogant Challis away. Chen Heng immediately returned to the hall, preparing for his meeting with Hongmao Fan later.

Director Ruan, who was watching the whole process, felt that the conditions offered by the British were already very good. Taking advantage of this gap, he asked: "Master Chen, aren't you ready to agree?"

It's two hundred thousand taels a year. If you sign for five years, Dayong will immediately have an income of one million taels. Such a huge amount happened under his nose. Chief Ruan was also very excited, and at the same time he deeply felt that Honglu Temple was unusual.

If this is done, who will dare to say that Honglu Temple is just a short-term yamen that gives up money to gain face.

"Don't worry, let's listen to what the red-haired fan has to say." Chen Heng smiled slightly and signaled Master Ruan to be calm and calm. He also asked people to change the tea sets and other items used by the valet.

Suddenly a petty official ran outside and said to the two adults in the hall: "There are some adults from the Ministry of War, saying they are here to see Mr. Chen."

When Chen Heng heard this, he was very happy and said hurriedly: "Finally we caught up." Seeing how happy he was, Chief Ruan followed him out and wanted to see what the Ministry of War had sent.

The people coming from the Ministry of War this time are all Chen Heng’s former colleagues. One of them is holding a giant painting that has been rolled up. They said to Chen Heng who was going out to greet the guests: "Chixing, we have delivered what you asked for."

"You have to work hard." Chen Heng couldn't help but raise his hand, a sincere smile appeared on his face, and said to the clerk of Honglu Temple, "You guys take it into the main hall quickly."

"Chixing, why are you here at Honglu Temple? Do you have an errand here?"

"We heard that you were here, but we still didn't believe it. We all came with Lao Zhang to see the excitement."

"It's quite new. The gate of Honglu Temple is indeed more impressive than our military department."

They were all colleagues who had good friendships in the past. Chen Heng smiled and chatted with them for a few words. He also agreed to host a meal at a restaurant in the city later, and asked everyone to come and have a meal. Then he sent away the officials from the Ministry of War who came to help.

Back in the hall, the clerk who had helped to take the painting saw Chen Heng coming and asked, "Sir, where is this thing hung?"

Chen Heng pointed directly at the painting of "Dragon Soaring Over the Four Seas" behind the main seat and said: "There is no need to nail it, just cover it."

Manager Ruan on the side waited for the clerks to finish their chores and then came forward to admire the paintings. When he looked at it, he realized that the painting was actually a map of Dayong territory. Only the names of the state capitals are marked on it, but the more detailed content is not marked.

There’s nothing strange about this thing, right? Chief Ruan said to himself, but standing in front of the map, he was still shocked by the vast territory of Dayong. This is the Yong of his life.

"I didn't expect that Mr. Chen also has a relationship with the Ministry of War. He really has a wide range of friends." Director Ruan joked.

"I've had some experience with the Ministry of War before." Chen Heng smiled lightly, "It's okay to ask them for a little help."

It is good to have many friends. Chief Ruan cast an envious look at the young man. A prestigious yamen like the Ministry of War cannot be compared with Honglu Temple. Unless the Ministry of Rites above Honglu Temple is moved out, officials in the Ministry of War will not bother to deal with it.

The furnishings in the main hall are luxurious and grand. Suddenly, a white paper painting appeared, which obviously did not blend in with the surrounding objects. Chen Heng looked at it happily, feeling that such a picture was worth a thousand words. For a moment, I became more confident about the upcoming negotiations.

After a while, the red-haired fan Fan Zhicheng came to the door with his deputy. As soon as they entered the main hall, they were surprised by Chen Heng and Chief Ruan standing under the map. This thing was not available a few days ago! ?

Fan Zhi is about thirty years old, with a strong build, long black hair, and a pair of impressive amber eyes. He spoke Mandarin more fluently than Charles, and he didn't come to Dayong at first sight. After Chief Ruan introduced Chen Heng, Fan Zhicheng followed Han Chinese etiquette and said: "Master Chen is so young and can serve as an envoy for the country. Dayong is indeed full of talents."

Chen Heng accepted the compliment with a smile and invited Fan Zhicheng to take a seat. Considering that cooperation with Hong Mao Fan was crucial, he did not sit in the main seat like he did when meeting Charles. Instead, he took the initiative to sit across from him, leaving all the space between the two of them for the paintings sent by the Ministry of War.

"Master Chen, how was your discussion with Charles before?"

As soon as Fan Zhicheng took his seat, he inquired about the situation. Chen Heng was not surprised and said bluntly: "Master Zha is very sincere and we had a good discussion."

Fan Zhicheng was half-convinced, if Charles was really sincere. Why should Mr. Chen bother talking to me?

Chen Heng roughly guessed what he was thinking, and while ordering someone to come up and pour tea, he added with a smile, "I heard Master Cha say that your two countries just fought, and it was the British who won?"

They say you can't expose someone's shortcomings without criticizing them. These British people are really shameless. But after a small victory, he keeps talking all the time, wishing that everyone would know. Fan Zhicheng frowned when he heard this, and only explained stiffly, "It's just a matter of victory and defeat. Please, Mr. Chen, please don't listen to the words of Charles's family."

Some things can be left to the point. Chen Heng smiled and turned the topic to the safety of the ocean. "Your Majesty doesn't care about the relationship between your two families. The court only wants to know which of you can better protect the safety of Dayong's goods."

It sounds like the Emperor of Dayong has already made up his mind to accomplish this? Fan Zhicheng changed his mind. If this were to happen, he would have to change his negotiation strategy. In the past, it was enough to disturb the good things of the British people. Now if we can get strong support from Dayong. Then there is obviously more room for fighting the British.

His eyes subconsciously scanned the giant paintings on the wall. Even if Fan Zhicheng knew that it was Chen Heng who did it deliberately, he could not help but be shocked by the territory of Dayong. How many Netherlands would have to be crammed into such a vast land to fill it up?

"Master Chen, please believe us. We are definitely more sincere than the cunning British people." Seeing that Chen Heng still didn't speak, Fan Zhicheng gritted his teeth and said, "A hundred and fifty thousand taels a year, what do you think, Master Chen?"

Chen Heng wouldn't even look at this amount. He knew that these Dutch were reorganizing their fleet at home and preparing for the next war. Compared with the British who dominate the shipping routes and have great wealth. The Dutch have already put in their old capital and are preparing for the war with all their strength.

Chen Heng stood up and did not mention Li Si's conditions. He just stood in front of the painting and said loudly: "In the second year of Wenhe, when His Majesty ascended the throne, he ordered all the prefectures in the world to rebuild the fish scale book and the yellow book. So far, there are thirty million people in Dayong."

The census actually started in the early year of Wuding and was not completed until the second year of Wenhe. Such a huge population reached Fan Zhicheng's ears before the other party could react. Chen Heng changed the topic and said again.

"In the next five years, the imperial court will build ports and establish cities in Qingniwa, Songjiang Prefecture, Jiahe Island, and Laizhou Prefecture." Chen Heng thoughtfully pointed out the names of each place on the painting. "Like Guangzhou Prefecture, they will welcome you as well as the British people. The fabrics in Yangzhou are of course high quality and cheap. But Master Fan, do you really only want this place?"

In fact, Chen Heng was talking nonsense. This plan was just to bluff Fan Zhicheng. Dayong's treasury could not bear such a large expenditure.

But Fan Zhicheng was an outsider after all, and he had no chance to penetrate into Dayong's officialdom. Facing this map, Chen Heng also said that it has a nose and an eye. In addition, there is an extra maritime department in Dayong recently. With all these things, he couldn't help but not believe it.

"Master Chen, what do you mean by this?" Fan Zhicheng suppressed his rapid breathing and carefully inquired about the young man's intentions. This grand blueprint for the future, coupled with Dayong's territory, was like a heavy hammer hitting Fan Zhicheng's heart.

"Three years." Chen Heng gestured, "Only ships from you or Britain are allowed to appear in these ports."

Dayong's items are so exquisite and rich in products that they can make huge profits as long as they are shipped to Europe. If it weren't for his lack of ocean-going trade capabilities, how could Chen Heng be willing to give it up to others.

With a huge profit in front of him, Fan Zhicheng was determined and could not resist the temptation. He jumped up from his position and walked to Chen Heng's side, admiring the painting with him. After a long time, he smiled bitterly and said: "Sir Chen, tell me directly, what is the amount your Majesty wants."

"Six million taels a year."

When Chief Ruan heard this number, he didn't even do any Qi nourishing work and just stared wide-eyed. No, Master Chen, does our Majesty have such a big appetite?

"This is impossible." Fan Zhicheng shook his head hurriedly, "We absolutely cannot take it out, and it is impossible to take it out. If Mr. Chen refuses to reduce the amount, I can directly announce my withdrawal."

But with huge profits in front of him, Fan Zhicheng rolled his eyes and said: "Unless His Majesty accepts our installment method, even the British people will not be able to come up with so much silver at once."

Paying a small amount of money upfront, as long as you monopolize Dayong's goods, take them back and sell them, don't you have the final say whether the money earned is used to pay off debts or to increase the construction of the fleet? Fan Zhicheng's abacus was also shrewd.

"Master Fan, please be patient. There are some things that we can discuss slowly..." Chen Heng chuckled with non-negotiable firmness and said directly, "I definitely can't do it in installments. Not only me, but your Majesty and the court will not agree to this." condition."

This is Chen Heng's bottom line and Dayong's bottom line. What if we let Hong Mao Ban go in installments and they lose the battle and simply default on the debt? With the two countries so far apart, is it possible that they can really send troops to fight?

"And this matter, does Mr. Fan really think that you can eat it alone?" Chen Heng took a deep look at the other party and asked. Once you pass the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, you can count it as British territory. Whether you can arrive back home safely or not is a question mark.

Those Spaniards at the theater? Fan Zhicheng raised his eyebrows, and the traces on his face moved by the sea breeze seemed to be moving.

After thinking about it, Fan Zhicheng smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Chen, we really can't afford so much money."

Of course I know you can't take it out. Chen Heng nodded and said casually: "If you don't have enough money, you can use an equal amount to offset your account."

"Master Chen, what do you mean?"

When Fan Zhicheng heard this, he immediately became energetic. If they could exchange things for things, they would have a lot of good things in their hands.

"I heard Master Cha say..." Chen Heng showed a kind smile, "You have a large number of merchant ships docked in Luzon and Japan."

Fan Zhicheng panicked when he heard this, and subconsciously stared at Chen Heng, unable to grasp the other person's true intentions. This Dayong official would not have been targeting their merchant ships from the beginning.

"Lord Fan, you can think about it carefully. You can build merchant ships again in the future. The naval battle with the British will fail again. It is estimated that this time will be our last meeting."

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After sending away the red-haired man who was thinking too much, Chen Heng met the Franco man again. There is no need to say more about the meeting with them. Compared to the red-haired fan who still wanted to take revenge on Britain, they were already in a half-lying position.

Now that I'm here, I'm just here to join in the fun, purely as a disruptor. Rather than accomplishing this, they were more interested in causing trouble for the British. It is the most Buddhist among the three. As soon as they came to the door, they didn't mention business matters at all. They only asked Chen Heng to inquire about the negotiations in Britain. At the same time, he talked a lot about the other two families.

Chen Heng was happy to have multiple sources, and a relaxed meeting ended. He rushed to the palace without stopping and told Li Zhi about today's results. When he heard that the red-haired fan was really considering six million taels a year, Li Zhi, as the king of a country, was also surprised.

"Zhixing, do you think they will agree?" Li Zhi couldn't tolerate not being moved. This would be such a huge sum of money. Dayong's treasury was only more than 40 million taels a year.

"They will agree." Chen Heng nodded and immediately inoculated Li Zhi, "But Your Majesty, the amount we can negotiate will never be as much as six million taels."

Talking about business is a process of asking for a high price and paying back the money on the ground. If the red-haired fans don't do this, the British will do it. Hongmaofan absolutely couldn't bear the price, so Chen Heng was confident that the other party would definitely agree.

This is natural, and Li Zhi knew it well. What's more, six million taels of silver would have to be transported on several sea ships alone.

"Practice, let go and do it." Li Zhi knew that this guy must have another way, so he kept cheering up his ministers, "If you really succeed in this, I will remember you as a great achievement."

Chen Heng thanked him, got up and left Linjing Hall, and hurried to the next place.

After leaving the palace, Chen Heng took a detour to the inn where the Xue family was staying and met Baoqin specifically. She stepped forward and made appointments with various business firms for herself, and met at a restaurant in the capital three days later.

Chen Heng was making intensive preparations, and Fan Zhicheng wasted no time. He visited the Francois' guild hall that night, and the Britons who went out with them took advantage of the darkness to quietly visit Gu Zaiyong's mansion.

These British people were quite talented. They guessed that Chen Heng might not care about them, so they thought of talking to someone else. It is a pity that this matter was personally ordered by Li Zhi, so Gu Zaiyong only allowed the foreigners to come and have a cup of tea, and sent them out with gifts.

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On the third day, Fan Zhicheng was still arguing with Franco. However, Chen Heng led Wen Yu and others who were borrowed from the Ministry of Household Affairs to personally meet with the merchants invited by Baoqin at Yunwai Building in the capital.

The people who could be present were all wealthy and well-known people in their respective states. Talkers from various business houses gathered together, and after a short chat, they inevitably discussed the origin of the inviter.

They communicated and communicated, and they only knew that the other party was from Yangzhou. A well-informed person said that the recent Maritime Affairs Department was created by this person.

Chen Heng did not ask them to wait, and walked into the house with several officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs. When everyone saw the rightful master coming, they hurriedly said to the leader: "Master Chen." "I have heard about Master Chen's reputation for a long time, and today I finally met him."

Chen Heng accepted them one by one with a smile. Most of these people had dealings with the Ministry of Household Affairs. Introduced by Wen Yu and Bao Qin, Chen Heng wrote down the names of each family member on the spot. I only heard that one of the girls, although pretty, had an unspeakable look of arrogance on her eyebrows. When I asked for the name again, it turned out to be Xia Jingui.

Unexpectedly meeting her here, Chen Heng made a note of Xia Jingui. After briefly communicating with everyone, he asked, "Are the Cantonese and Fujian merchants here?"

Everyone did not expect that Chen Heng would start with these words. A well-connected businessman immediately said: "Mr. Chen said it in a hurry. In the rush of time, they must still be on their way here." As expected of a businessman, what he said is indeed true. Externally appropriate.

"It doesn't matter, you can just relay what I said today for me later." Chen Heng nodded and didn't pay much attention to it. He went straight to the point, "I invite you all here today because I want to ask you if you have ever gone to Nanyang. interest.”

Nanyang? This is such a strange yet familiar word. Everyone here, including Xia Jingui, all have their own considerable family businesses. After hearing this, only a few people were moved, and even fewer were moved.

Unlike the Cantonese and Fujian merchants who live near the sea, the Shanxi and Huizhou merchants' abilities are all on land. They knew that Nanyang was a land of huge profits, but they had no useful ships or people on hand. Now there are shipping lines from Beijing, Yangzhou, and Qingniwa in front of us, and most people are more interested in this matter than intention.

"The newly established Maritime Affairs Department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will issue several official documents permitting voyages to Nanyang. If you take them, you will be able to freely travel to and from Nanyang in the future."

Chen Heng didn't plan to charge them much for this thing. It's better to raise his family slowly than to kill them all at once. Seeing that these people were not interested, after Wen Yu, who was promoted to the head of the Maritime Affairs Department, nodded as a guarantor, Chen Heng said, "Don't worry about the ships and sailors."

"The Ministry of Revenue will soon have two batches of merchant ships, and there will be skilled shipping sailors on board. You don't have to worry about the use of ships in the shortest three years."

At the end of the words, Chen Heng added, "But you have to pay for these ships yourself. The loss of personnel on board will also be borne by each family."

That's right. The merchants who originally thought that pie in the sky fell from the sky showed their assent as a matter of course. Someone asked, "Master Chen, where do these sea ships come from?"

The wood and craftsmanship used in ships that can travel far on the sea are not made by many places in Dayong. Judging from the tone of Master Chen's words, there are quite a few ships in this batch. But there has been no news of shipbuilding in coastal areas recently? Besides, it would take at least a year or two to build a qualified ship.

"These are all ships used by the red-haired foreigners, so don't worry. The red-haired foreigners' sailors will board the ship with you, and we will be in the same boat. Don't worry that they won't do their best."

Chen Heng said it casually, but everyone in the room, including Wen Yu, was surprised.

"Sir Chen, the red-haired foreigners don't do business in Nanyang anymore?" Xia Jingui asked for the first time. The Xia family is engaged in the flower and tree business. Not only the osmanthus in the palace, but also the osmanthus business in the entire capital area is monopolized by their family. On weekdays, many foreign merchants come to buy, and she is not completely ignorant of the red-haired foreigners.

Xia Jingui is about seventeen or eighteen years old. Sitting with the uncles, she looks very natural. When ordinary women go out to show their faces, they either wear men's clothes like Baoqin, or wear a veil to cover their faces.

But Xia Jingui, wearing a conspicuous female outfit, seemed to not care about the eyes of others. This difference lived up to her name of "female tyrant".

"Well." Chen Heng chuckled and said confidently, "They can't do it for the time being."

At this time, look at the expressions of several merchants. I saw excitement in their eyes, and everyone had the intention of ending.

With just a little money, you can buy a sea ship and experienced sailors. This is a profitable business, and anyone would be willing to do it.

Chen Heng saw their intention and didn't plan to stay any longer. He stood up and said, "Everyone go back and think about it. If there is no problem, just go back and find Lord Wen."

Seeing that he came and went so hurriedly, everyone stood up and said, "Yes, Lord."

Just after leaving the door, Baoqin followed Chen Heng's footsteps. The two walked side by side on the road. Baoqin asked about the whole story. After learning about what her elder brother did, she also smiled and said, "This deal has not been concluded yet, but you are so sure. You can even sell the red-haired foreigner's ship."

"They will definitely agree." Chen Heng couldn't explain the reason, so he had to laugh. "Besides, a cargo ship large enough to go to sea cannot be bought without 100,000 taels. Tell them earlier so that they can make money."

Unlike cargo ships in Beijing, Qing, Yang and other places, ships heading to Nanyang go out to sea for several months, and there is no place to dock in the middle. Its scale and structure are far from comparable to the Dayong ships relying on the coastline.

Baoqin nodded and chatted with Chen Heng for a few more words. The two walked away, talking and laughing, but did not notice Xia Jingui chasing after them. But Xia Jingui has been supporting the family's mother since her father passed away.

There are many inconveniences for a woman to go out and do things. Over time, she has developed a cunning and aggressive personality. She originally wanted to take advantage of her status and find a reason to invite Chen Heng to have a meal and find out the inside story. Seeing Baoqin following her all the time, she had to give up the idea.

How could she not know Xue Baoqin. A few days ago, Miss Xue got the imperial decree from the empress, and she learned the other party's name from her mother. Both of them are women, and Xia Jingui naturally remembers what she heard about the other party.

"These two people, can't they be?" Standing at the door, Xia Jingui couldn't help frowning.

From the corner of her eyes, she noticed that Baoqin's eyes looking at Chen Heng were very wrong. Xia Jingui's female intuition made her quickly discover the unusualness. This girl from the Xue family looked at Chen Heng sideways a little too many times.

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It's no wonder that these red-haired foreigners have suffered losses repeatedly in the fight with the British. After they went back, they thought about it and still felt sorry for the huge amount, so they actually held the strategy of delaying for a day.

Anyway, as long as Britain didn't succeed, they would make money. Fan Zhicheng and his gang spent more than ten days with this idea, and had no intention of visiting Chen Heng at all.

The latter saw Fan Zhicheng's idea, sneered, and didn't care too much. He only took a day to copy the official document sent from Guangzhou and sent it to Fan Zhicheng.

Seeing that the amount of British people coming to Guangzhou in recent months was several times that of his own, Fan Zhicheng shouted that he accepted his fate. They were actively preparing for revenge, and the British were also actively making money while dominating.

The war was fought for money. They built one ship when they attacked one. The British built two ships when they attacked one. With one ship going up and the other going down, what was there to talk about revenge.

Fan Zhicheng, who was in a hurry, visited Chen Heng overnight. Things had developed to this point, and they could no longer say no. Fan Zhicheng repeatedly promised that he would report the matter to the Governor of Makassar as soon as possible.

Chen Heng was even less anxious. Every day he delayed, the more room Dayong had. With such a relaxed mentality, he still had the leisure to visit the Maritime Affairs Department, which had finally opened its office. Wen Yu came to entertain the guests in person, while leading his friends around the office and talking about the trivial matters of the new office.

Do your job. Wen Yu, who was promoted to the head of the office, kept complaining: "The lack of ships and people is really a headache, really a headache."

"Hahaha, aren't millions of Caogong enough for you to use?" Chen Heng laughed when he heard it.

"These people are used to staying on the river. Asking them to move is like leaving their hometown, and few people are willing to go." Wen Yu shook his head.

Seeing this, Chen Heng didn't say much. There are only two options for lack of people, either increase the salary or continue to recruit people. Others will definitely be able to think of these methods. There is no need for me to say anything more, as if to show off how capable I am.

Sure enough, within a few days, the news that the Maritime Affairs Department was recruiting seafarers spread in the streets and alleys of the capital. These people are just like the river workers on the canal transport. Apart from eating a mouthful of imperial food, they are not even as good as the clerks in the government office. The things they are responsible for on weekdays are mainly transporting food and military supplies.

This news caused limited waves in the capital. Young people in the countryside have better options. Either go to Qiupu Street in Yangzhou to try their luck, or join various merchants and be a waiter on a ship, which can earn more than being a seaman.

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In the Jia Mansion, a man and a woman who were having an affair under a tree were also worried about each other's future. Si Qi half leaned in Pan Youan's arms. It was a rare moment of intimacy. Seeing that her lover was still worried, this strong-willed woman immediately said angrily, "You, if you keep thinking about it, I won't come out to see you later."

"Cousin, I was wrong, I was wrong." Pan Youan was very handsome and had a handsome appearance. If it weren't for his status as a servant, some people would believe him if he said he was a young master from a wealthy family. He put the beauty's hand on his chest, and when he saw that she was shy, he said, "Good sister, don't be angry. I was just thinking that if I can't give you a good life in the future, how can I live up to your love."

"What did you think of?" After hearing this and knowing that the other party was considering each other, Si Qi immediately turned from anger to joy.

"Recently, I've seen people from outside all heading to Yangzhou and Shanghai. I wonder how many of them have made money and come back, it's really glorious." Pan Youan thought and said what he had been thinking about for a long time, "Compared to them, I think I'm not bad. Dear sister, I want to leave here, are you willing to go with me?!"

"Ah?! Why do you want to leave so suddenly when you are living such a good life?" Si Qi was surprised.

Her appearance was really pitiful. Pan Youan couldn't help it, turned his head and bit the other's earlobe, and said with a smile: "I can't be a servant for life. Not to mention me, my sister and I's child... Does your sister want him to be born and do some hard life of serving people and being beaten and scolded?"

"You are a person who should be nice. Why are you angry?" Si Qi raised her hand and gently hit Pan Youan's chest, "If possible, who would want their own children to serve others?"

Pan Youan chuckled and said cherishingly: "Sister, believe me. I will definitely give you and our children a good life. I heard from Bao Erye's servant that our mansion's Lin has a student who is very capable. I plan to take advantage of his next visit to the mansion and show him a few circles to see if I can make a rapport with him."

"You are really good at coaxing people. Since he is such a powerful person, how could he be interested in us servants." Si Qi didn't know whether to agree or disagree, so he had to express his concerns.

"Jia Yun can call Master Bao "father". If he is really willing to help me and let me call him father, I will be happy to do so." Pan Youan hugged Si Qi tightly and joked irrelevantly.

"You... you are really shameless."

Hearing the second half of the sentence, Pan Youan smiled and leaned close to Si Qi's ear, whispering: "Cousin..."

Ahhh, I have added more. I have polished it twice. Wait for me to have a meal, and then I will continue polishing it when I come back. I am starving.