[Caiyun Kingdom] The beginning of people

After three months in Guiyang, it was time for me to leave again.

The night before leaving, Hong Lishen came to Guanfu to look for me.On the corridor, he was arguing with Feixiang while walking, and I saw him covering his forehead.

"Does Li Shen need to find me?" I tugged on Feixiang's sleeve.

Fei Xiang slapped Hong Lishen on the back of the head, "It's okay! Nothing!"

Hong Lishen kicked back, and opened the folding fan in his hand with a bang, "It's okay, I'm here to find you for a fart."

"……"fart?That, Hong Lishen, who I remember correctly, is obviously a great nobleman... I laughed out loud.

He snorted, "So what? Are you still afraid that she will go back to find that bedbug?" Hong Li looked at me deeply, "It's her own decision, what are you doing?"

Feixiang looked at me, and let go of Hong Lishen's neck, "Okay, it's my fault, if you want to say it, you can say it." With his hands on his hips, he turned his face away, "I don't care anymore."

What's wrong with them?

Hong Lishen put away the fan again with a click, "What Kui Huangyi said is different from the facts." He pointed at me with the fan, "You are being tricked, idiot. If he is the one who killed Jietong , I have already thrown him into the stinky ditch and drowned him.”

What does he mean by saying this...?

I swayed, leaned on the pillar and sat down on the edge of the railing.The stimulation I received recently was a bit big, and I was a little dumbfounded.

"There is a follow-up record, because the person surnamed Kui sent someone to protect him." Li Shen turned his face away, his facial features were dimmed in the night, "It's just that the person he sent also died."

I frowned, "Really?"

"You are really a brain made of a pig's ass. That's right, otherwise you wouldn't have fallen in love with that disgusting guy." Hong Li curled his lips deeply, and shouted impatiently: "The case he took over made the examinee die, How could he deliberately let himself make such a mistake? You idiot."

yes.

I smiled wryly.I can hardly tell what is real.What Hong Lishen said can be figured out if I calm down a little bit, but it's a pity that Kui Huangyi knows me too well after years of getting along, and it's easy to piss me off.This master liar.

Hong Lishen was playing with the folding fan casually, "Over there in Lanzhou, some private salt merchants were disobedient. The Lan family used the hands of Kui Huangyi to clean up the house. Helping you is to show the attitude of the Lan family. Those powerful bugs! Want you You don’t want to come to Danghong’s tent.” He clicked his tongue.

I lowered my head and thought for a while, then I looked up at him, "Why did you tell me? Don't you also like Kui Huangyi?"

Hong Li said proudly, "Of course he's here to sabotage! What he wants to do, I don't want to do what he wants."

In fact, you are worried that I will feel bad because of Jietong, right?I laughed and said, "Thank you." Although it was only a few months back then, it was great that Jietong was able to meet such a friend.

"Tsk!"

"Ah San," Fei Xiang turned back, "Then you still go?"

"Of course." I smiled and patted Feixiang's shoulder vigorously, "Not only men, women also won't look back once they let go." I feel a little tired.I smiled to Feixiang and said, "It seems that my husband should find someone who is stupid."

I can't forgive him for messing with me like this.

It is just a luxury to wish to have one heart and one mind and never leave each other.Is it so difficult to find someone who can be honest with each other for the rest of your life?Or is there something wrong with my worldview?

I didn't say anything, and left Guiyang quietly with my host. While doing business, I taught Cui Changfeng, a student entrusted to me by Lin Mu.But from my point of view, Cui Changfeng will probably go into official career rather than business.

"Sister Lan," Cui Changfeng stood up and poured me a cup of tea at a small roadside stall in a border town of Lanzhou, and said unhurriedly, "This Lanzhou is far richer than Zizhou, is it okay?"

I smiled, picked up the teacup, took a sip before answering, "The water is not good, the tea is not good," I raised the corner of my mouth slightly, "The person who makes tea is even worse." He obviously didn't concentrate on making tea, so why bother? Pretending to be an old god?Cui Changfeng was a naughty kid when he was a child.

Cui Changfeng was not angry, but smiled and said, "You're laughing at me again."

"Changfeng, may I send you to Guiyang?" If you want to take the national examination and become an official, it is better to stay in Gyeonggi to study.

"You saw through it." Cui Changfeng looked outside indifferently, and pointed out, "The sky is vast outside, why should I draw the ground as a prison? Master Mu has taught me what I need to learn when I am young. I should go outside more often when I am young." Just go."

...What's the matter with being older than me?I laughed, "Okay, it's all up to you, but don't underestimate the national exam."

"If I fail the exam, does it really mean that I am not qualified to be an official? If I pass the exam, it means I am really qualified?" He snorted softly.

I shrugged and didn't ask any more questions.Probably Changfeng saw some corrupt officials again and was sulking.

"If I'm an official, I'd like to enter Yushitai." Cui Changfeng paused for a moment, then put away his previous frivolity, and bowed his head seriously to me, "I'm sorry, Sister Lan, I made a slip of the tongue."

"No, it's understandable for you to think so." I skipped Kui Huangyi and didn't mention it, "It's just that I think it's refreshing to seize them all, but it's not the right way. How to improve the quality of the officials themselves is the real thing , just as it is better for the people to have no lawsuits.”

Cui Changfeng said blankly: "Min Wu Litigation originally wanted to say that the world is peaceful, but the official used this sentence as an excuse to push back the real lawsuit. In my opinion, we must use heavy codes to rule troubled times."

"You're right too." I smiled and said nothing more.The current king, Zi Jianhua, is an example of using heavy codes to govern troubled times. I don't like him at all.However, it is also understandable. "I really don't understand why you prefer these inexplicable political affairs." I sighed and handed Changfeng a bun.

Cui Changfeng's face darkened, "Sister Lan, I feel that Master Mu and Master Wen Xian have a sense of unfulfilled ambition."

So do you want to see what is pent up in your teacher's heart?I smiled and patted his head, good boy.Changfeng froze for a moment, then suddenly turned his face away and coughed lightly, the tips of his ears turned red.

"Sister Lan, I'm almost sixteen!" He growled slightly frantically.

I smiled and said, "Really? I'm sorry." This old-fashioned boy is really cute.

Well, I'm going to turn into a strange aunt, hahahaha.

Although the journey of transshipping silk from Lanzhou to Chazhou was arduous, the price doubled several times after changing hands, which shocked Changfeng, who was selling things in person for the first time.Although I am not an officer of the All-China Federation of Commerce, I am still a registered merchant. Naturally, I took advantage of the tax exemption to ship to the Jinhua City Special Economic Zone.Chai Lin was still in Jinhua at this time, so she asked me if I could go to the Huangzhou General Assembly together.After thinking about it, I nodded.

It just so happened that I also wanted to meet Huang Fengming.So, I asked Changfeng to follow the caravan for a few more trips, and I took Licorice, Wang Dali, Xiaoxiao and Awen, the four servants of the Zhang family, and Liu Jiahe, the clerk, to Huangzhou with Chai Lin.

Never mention anything about Beijing and China again.

At the end of the year we came to Huangzhou. I introduced Chai Lin to the secretary of the general association, and I went to discuss the business of medium-priced tea and silk.Compared with the richest red, blue and purple states in the world, the business opportunities in Huangzhou are even worse.Naturally, I also have the goal of meeting the second son of the Huang family, Huang Fengming.

"After waiting for so long, I finally got Miss Zelan's reply," Huang Fengming smiled slightly in the box facing the street in the restaurant, "but I don't know if I should be lucky."

He knew about my dissolution of the engagement.I picked up the teapot and brewed the tea slowly until the fragrance of the tea overflowed, and then I said, "Second Young Master, you should be lucky." I smiled and offered him a cup of tea, "I think I'm still A man of some use." Huang Fengming wanted to recruit me, and I accepted.

Huang Fengming took the teacup, sniffed the aroma of the tea, and took a sip, with a smile on his lips that never fell off, "It seems that Miss Zelan's tea is getting better and better."

"Unfortunately, this time, that time." I also smiled back.

"you mean……?"

"I don't know if the second son is interested in starting tea? I have several good Zhuangzi in my hands." Most of the Lanzhou tea houses I have now are related to Kui Huangyi, and they were obtained through his strength. The Lan family helped to develop, so I decided to sell all the tea business.

Huang Fengming was taken aback for a moment, then smiled again, "A man of high art is bold."

"Second Young Master's words are too tactful," I chuckled, "it's more appropriate to be brave and unscrupulous."

"Knowing that there is no plan, but still doing it?"

I turned my head and looked out of the window. At this time, it was raining rarely in winter, and the air became even colder. "I work hard every day, just to hope that I won't be embarrassed anymore?"

"Is it the same for Zizhou relief?" Huang Fengming smiled gently, but his eyes were fixed on me.

Even this secret thing I have done is outright, probably this is Huang Fengming's last temptation to me.I chuckled, "If you earn money but don't spend it, it's the same as not earning it."

"Hahahaha..." Huang Fengming held the folding fan in one hand and tapped on the table several times, "What a Zhang family Sanniang."

Even if things don't work out, at least Huang Fengming and I are on good terms.I pushed the teacup away, ordered someone to serve the wine, rolled up my sleeves and poured out a full cup, smiled at Huang Fengming, toasted, and drank it all down.Huang Fengming laughed, and also offered a toast.

"Go downstairs and tell me," Huang Fengming turned sideways and told the attendant, "I will pay for the expenses in the building today."

We looked at each other and smiled, toasted each other again until the wine jug bottomed out.

Within a few days, news came that a director of the All-China Chamber of Commerce had resigned due to business, and my name was added.

When I heard the news, I was discussing matters with Liu Jiahe, the secretary of the Zhang family, in the study.

"Miss," Liu Jiahe stood up with a smile and cupped his hands to me, "Congratulations."

I also stood up and gestured for him to sit down, "Mr. Liu doesn't need to be polite. In fact, I'm not sure," I smiled wryly and shook my head, "I thought Huang Fengwu would give up recommending me because of my unrestrained behavior. Yes." Selling the Lanzhou tea house, Zhang Jiaming's strength on the surface dropped sharply again, and when I dealt with Huang Fengming, I didn't hide my thoughts too much. I knew that something was wrong and didn't suit my identity. explain.

In addition to developing business, I also hope to find a real suitable place for myself in the future, so there is no need to cover up too much hypocrisy.

But Liu Jiahe shook his head, and said with a smile: "Miss, don't underestimate yourself. If you hadn't acted low-key, I'm afraid Huang Fengwu would have tried to win you over even more."

I couldn't help laughing, "Me? Low-key? I'm Zhang San crazy. Mr. Liu is the one who doesn't need to spoil me. He always speaks well of me."

Liu Jiahe also laughed, and after a while, he also said: "But I really didn't expect Huang Fengming to be so persistent. I thought he would want to find a more obedient chess piece to push."

"Playing chess is not the same as establishing a puppet," I tapped on the table with my fingers, "Mr. Liu, do you still remember that we did not recommend Mr. Fang, but Cui Jing, who was neutral, as the president of the Black State?" I laughed. Get up, "It's the same reason. The All Chambers of Commerce can't become the Huang family's one-spoken hall, so Huang Fengming himself can't go in, nor can anyone who is too obedient and has no personal stand. Yea."

"Miss is promoted, just around the corner."

I responded with a smile, and sighed secretly in my heart.Shopping malls are like battlefields, and the situation changes rapidly. No one can tell what will happen next.

The best thing to do is to continue to accumulate strength.

Things have happened in Huangzhou, I bid farewell to Chai Lin and continue to do business.At the end of the year, I went back to Longqing County in Heizhou to visit the two elders, Lin Mu and Li Wenxian. Lin Mu was still pretending to be crazy, but his sentences were sharp. Needless to say, Li Wenxian still criticized me as a fool from head to toe .I smiled and celebrated the New Year with them, and in the beginning of spring, I made a detour to Yuanyou City, the capital of Zhou, to visit Zhong Jietong's mother.

The old lady took my hand, with eyes full of regret, "Lan'er."

I smiled and shook her hand back, patted the back of her hand, "Aunt Zhong, I'm fine." I didn't tell her about Kui Huangyi in detail, she only knew that we had broken off our engagement.

"If you don't tell me, I won't ask, but," she wiped the corners of her eyes, "this is the best years of a girl."

In spring, I will be 28 years old.

I deliberately acted foolishly to make the old man happy, tilted my head and smiled and said, "What? The best years of a woman are just beginning now." There are still many things I can do.

As soon as I walked out of Zhong's house, Licorice handed me three letters.While saluting to me, she said: "Miss, one is from the Second Master Huang of Huangzhou, one is from Lord Zheng Youshun of Chazhou, and one is from Lord Kuihuangyi of Zizhou."

I read the first two first.Huang Fengming was negotiating with me about the General Chamber of Commerce; Zheng Youshun, who has been in business in Chazhou for more than six years, has recently been in a more serious situation against the Chajia, and the letter is also related to this; and Huang Yi...

Licorice accompanied me to the horses, and whispered in my ear at the right time: "Wang Dali has just reported that the case of Mr. Kui's private salt in Lanzhou is over, and the private salt merchants are not taken into account, only the officials and family members who got off the horse There are also 220 eight people."

He's won again this time.

I leaned against the horse and opened Kui Huangyi's letter casually to read.

There are only two words in the letter - I am very sorry.No explanation, let alone retention.

I stood still for a long time, then smiled wryly, took out the torch I carried with me, and burned the letter.Won't you even explain more?Or, are you sure that I already know the whole story at this time, so I don't need to explain?

"Miss, are you angry?" Licorice, who was also on the horse, asked.

"I'm not angry anymore." It's just that I'm discouraged.

"Cultivated for a hundred years to cross the same boat, miss, Licorice speaks nonsense, please think again."

I smiled at her, "Let's go."

Licorice was taken aback, then nodded heavily, "Yes, miss."

let's go.

This trip, I am going to Guiyang to trade.When I was in Guiyang, I stayed in Feixiang's mansion as usual, and at the same time I went to visit my second uncle's fifth cousin, Zhang Zechi.

On this day, I rode a horse to Guiyang Yamen and got off my horse.Someone came to ask in front of the yamen, so I held the wine and laughed loudly: "The third wife of the Zhang family has brought wine."

After a while, Zhang Zechi, who was nearly forty years old, came out with a big smile, "Cousin Lan, what wine did you bring this time?"

Another round of drinking and talking.

It was getting late on the return journey, and I didn't ask Zhang Zechi to send me off again, and I got on my horse and left after putting on my cloak.Unfortunately, it didn't take long before I ran into the first spring rain in Guiyang.No luck.I laughed out loud, and then turned to take shelter under the corridor of a storefront.I got off the horse, smiled to appease the impatient horse disturbed by the rain, took out the handkerchief in my arms and wiped my sleeves lightly, turned my head and looked up, and accidentally bumped into a pair of gray-blue clothes that were also somewhat unexpected. colored eyes.

The same color as 12 years ago, but the color in it is far more obscure than before.

I saluted him lightly, "Good evening, Aoi-sama."

Huang Yi looked at me for a while, then nodded, "Good evening."

His clothes were slightly damp, and he seemed to be sheltering from the rain.I stepped forward and handed him the handkerchief.

"Thank you." He reached out to take it and wiped the skirt of his shirt.

In this way, we stood side by side under the porch, watching the heavy rain outside the porch.Rustle, rustle, the rain hit the canopy, so that the space would not be too silent.

Huang Yi still broke the silence, "I'm sorry."

I smiled, "It's okay." I tried my best.We tried our best, but we are still not suitable to walk into each other's world.He was also doing it for my own good, and he didn't want me to get hurt because of his affairs.

That's all.

"No more injuries?" I asked.

"No."

I looked at him funny.Without his head, is the bandage on his hand transparent?I let out a laugh, and he frowned, clearly troubled by the clumsy lie he'd uttered.

"Aoi-sama, take care."

He lowered his head slightly and looked at me for a long time, until the rain had subsided, and he hummed lightly.

"Um."

I turned my head to look at the sky, the dark clouds gradually dispersed, and the full moon appeared again.I turned my head and nodded to Huang Yi, then got on my horse and left without looking back.

Back in Feixiang Mansion, I chatted with Licorice and changed clothes with a smile, and then turned back to the room alone.Lying on the bed, I closed my eyes quietly, fell asleep in a little drunkenness, forgot the fact that I was crying, and remembered that when I woke up tomorrow morning, I had to wake up awake.

──After less than half a year, Kui Huangyi became the youngest royal official in the history of Caiyun Kingdom, the third rank official, and a legitimate court official.

──A year and a half after he was promoted, I also became one of the two vice-chairmen of the Huangzhou General Chamber of Commerce.

──Two years later, the first female official in the history of Caiyun Kingdom finally appeared, Hong Xiuli, the heroine of "The Story of Caiyun Kingdom".

Zi Jianhua's great career years have finally passed, and Caiyun Kingdom has ushered in Zi Liuhui's most prosperous year.

The author has something to say: Announcement: Sorry, although I know it is wicked to stop at this juncture, but I really want to start to stop updating. . .Because things are really busy lately T_T

Please give me a little time, I will update before [-]pm next Friday ([-]/[-])!

PS This volume is finished, the next volume: Volume [-], on the water side