Chapter 352 Give you a letter of surrender

Chapter 352 Give you a letter of surrender

Chapter 352 Give you a letter of surrender
Madam Xiao was stunned for a moment, as if she had not expected this opening, but she was stunned for only a moment, then she smiled very naturally:
"Your Excellency can just call me Dong'er."

Dong'er...you think you are still a girl, well, although you have taken good care of yourself...Zhao Duan silently complained in his heart as he looked at the female head of the family.

When we met again, the feeling was indeed very different.

If yesterday he was more like a vassal of a big shot, with his brilliance restrained, today his unique temperament is revealed.

In this day and age, if you can support a large family as a widow, you must have some unique skills.

"Dong'er..." Zhao Duan chewed on the name, but didn't comment. He took the initiative to hand her half of the roasted orange, "Is Madam Xiao always so sneaky when she goes out?"

Mrs. Xiao was flattered. She picked up the orange and said with a wry smile:

"There are many people in Beijing, and Dong'er only came here because she was cutting clothes in the shop in front."

Zhao Duan just remembered that when he came over, he saw that there were quite a few shops facing the street in front of this private residence.

So, the woman slipped in from the back door of the shop?

This private residence is probably closely related to the Xiao family.

Zhao Duan said "Oh", not seeming surprised, and asked softly:

"Xu Zudi didn't follow? Or did you think it was unnecessary? You went to such great lengths to find me for a secret meeting. Was it to avoid the eyes of Prince Heng? I'm really curious about the relationship between you two."

Madam Xiao was silent for a moment and did not respond immediately.

Zhao Duan opened his hands, warmed them by the fire, and stared at the beautiful woman with deep eyes:
"I originally heard others talk about the story of the female head of the Donghu family who single-handedly supported the family. I was quite impressed, but what I saw yesterday was really regrettable. So, Madam Xiao, can you please tell me more clearly, in what capacity you came to see me today?"

He has a sharp gaze.

He didn't waste time on small talk and got straight to the point.

Madam Xiao said bitterly, “Is your Excellency always so direct?”

Zhao Duan shook his head and said:

"As for me, I'm used to judging people by their appearance. Madam Xiao is not worth my while to deal with her. You are willing to come here today because you have indeed aroused my curiosity.

But my time is limited, so I'll be more direct. I believe Madam Xiao also thinks so. After all, cutting clothes for too long will arouse suspicion."

Xiao Dong'er was silent.

She raised her hand and gently stroked her hair, and the emerald jade bracelet on her wrist slid down heavily, showing a bit of charm.

The subconscious action seemed to be adjusting his mood.

She sat up straighter and said seriously:
"Dong'er's visit today has nothing to do with Prince Heng, but only on behalf of the Xiao family. I know that you may have some misunderstandings because of what happened yesterday. Not only you, but many people have many opinions about how I can hold the position of the head of the family.

I admit that there is indeed a factor of the Hengwang Mansion, but it is not what you think. It is that the Hengwang Mansion is happy to see a widow like me become the head of the family. "

This was quite fluent.

The tone of his voice and demeanor finally revealed some of the competence of a patriarch.

It seems that this is the true appearance of the first widow of Dayu.

——Even if you try your best to weaken it, it’s still hard to hide its sharp edges.

"Oh?"

Zhao Duan leaned back in the bamboo woven chair, indicating that he was all ears.

Xiao Dong'er picked up the fork skillfully and roasted the rice cake, saying:
"Since ancient times, there can't be two tigers in one mountain. Looking at the Great Yu Dynasty, except for the Huai River Road which is quite special, in other areas, whenever the vassal kings are powerful, the local noble families will always be suppressed. Qingzhou Road is no exception. My Xiao family originated in Donghu, and it has accumulated more than a hundred years.

When Prince Heng entered the fiefdom, my Xiao family had already shown weakness to please him. At first, everything was peaceful, but gradually, the prince's palace became more powerful and no longer wanted my Xiao family to continue to prosper.

Therefore, when I was fighting with the other families, King Heng preferred that a woman like me be the head of the family and he did intervene.

Dong'er didn't deny this. After all, in the eyes of the prince, a clan headed by a woman is always weaker. "

She smiled self-deprecatingly, with sadness in her eyes:

"Since the palace had intervened, Dong'er was an orphan and a widow, guarding her husband's legacy and the power of such a large clan. It was inevitable that she felt a bit like a dependent, and had to be tolerant.

Perhaps in the eyes of the adults, Dong'er was like a maid yesterday, for the prince to play with, and was not worthy of the title of female head of the family. She was more like a plaything. But please believe that it was not my original intention, nor was it evidence that the Xiao family of Donghu was willing to be a slave. It was just a helpless act. "

Zhao Duan listened with great interest.

What this woman said simply meant that the Xiao family was forced to bow their heads and did not dare to offend Prince Heng, so they were obedient to the prince in every way.

Rather than being a sincere vassal standing in King Heng's camp.

"so what?"

Zhao Duan asked. Of course, he would not completely believe this statement.

Xiao Dong'er said seriously:

"So, I have asked you to have a private meeting today, not only to explain what happened yesterday, but also to express my true feelings in person and ask you for the qualification of 'Imperial Merchant'."

When the imperial court is about to open the market, the first batch of merchants will be given special identities to allow them to join this game.

At the beginning, the You family, the family of You Jinhua, came here for this. Now, with the market opening imminent, a big family like the Xiao family of Donghu finally couldn't help but come to the rescue.

"Mrs. Xiao, what you said is interesting. If you want to enter the market, you should go to the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Rites. How come you found me here?" Zhao Duan said with a smile.

The independent government office established by the empress alone and affiliated with the two ministries was in charge of the new policy and market opening affairs.

One is responsible for the financial accounts, and the other is responsible for formulating market framework rules.

Xiao Dong'er's expression darkened, and she said bitterly:
"Dong'er has visited you in the past few days, but was turned away. I have no choice but to ask you for help. Everyone in the capital knows that Envoy Zhao is very powerful, and all the new policies come from you..."

Zhao Duan raised his hand to interrupt her and said calmly:

"Take back your flattery. I am more curious, Madam Xiao, aren't you afraid of offending Prince Heng by doing this? Prince Heng probably doesn't want to see the Xiao family join the Imperial Merchants."

He finds it very interesting.

Yes.

very funny!
Apart from the Kuangfu Society, the people who were most reluctant to see the new policy succeed were the Eight Kings, and then the aristocratic families whose interests were affected.

By now, anyone with a discerning eye can see that once the imperial court successfully opens the market, a group of new elites will inevitably emerge, and the court’s financial difficulties will be alleviated.

Therefore, the Eighth Prince tried his best to stop it, but the decree had already been issued by the court. Under the premise of not raising an army to rebel, even the most powerful Prince Jing could not openly hinder the opening of the market.

Therefore, there are only two paths left.

One possibility is that the Eight Kings themselves join the game and compete with the imperial court for profit.

But firstly, the court would not allow the Eight Princes to join this market. Secondly, within the court's rules of the game, the profits that the Eight Princes could reap would ultimately be a small portion.

The second way is to create obstacles secretly and try to make the market not function properly or function inefficiently.

When Zhao Duan formulated the strategy for opening the market, he told the scholars in Xiuwen Hall that if they wanted to get the economic flywheel turning as quickly as possible, they would have to rely on the power of some big businessmen and local clans.

Coincidentally, many merchants and nobles also coveted this piece of meat.

Therefore, the strategy formulated by the imperial court was to select some capable and intelligent people from those who wanted to join to become the first batch of imperial merchants.

It is equivalent to an admission ticket to this game.

He was not surprised that Madam Xiao wanted to join.

Although the Xiao family of Donghu was considered a powerful force in the Dayu Dynasty, their wealth mainly came from caravans rather than the land that the old landlords relied on.

Moreover, Qingzhou is a place with a large number of products suitable for sale.

However, the positions of the Eight Kings determined that they would do their best to create obstacles and prevent powerful merchants and wealthy families from joining in and contributing to the court.

Therefore, it is particularly interesting that Xiao Dong'er, who was a servant of the prince one moment, suddenly turned around and wanted to join the court.

"Prince Heng certainly doesn't want that," Madam Xiao sneered.

"If not for this, why would the prince have performed that act for you yesterday? And why would he have come with us to the capital halfway?"

Zhao Duan raised his eyelids and said:
"You mean, your Xiao family wants to become an imperial merchant, but King Heng doesn't want to, so he sent the prince to stop you? Ha, I thought King Heng would directly persuade Madam Xiao to return to Qingzhou halfway. The rice cake will be mushy."

He warned.

Xiao Dong'er was caught off guard by this and hurriedly turned over the baked rice cake on the stove. Then she let out a sigh and said:
"Persuading him to return is not very useful, because my Xiao family can send another shopkeeper to the court. It will be the same. On the contrary, the prince's visit has killed my Xiao family's chance to become an imperial merchant."

Zhao Duan was silent.

He understood what the female head of the family meant.

The imperial court would not agree to King Heng, or his vassals who were suspected of working for King Heng, joining the market and reaping the benefits.

Therefore, Xu Zudi made a big show of forcing his way into the capital with Madam Xiao, just to send a signal to outsiders:
It means that the Xiao family of Donghu is the dogs of the royal palace.

In this case, which official would dare to let the Xiao family in?
Including the trap set up by Xu Zudi yesterday, one was to vent Li Lang's anger, the second was to test Zhao Duan, the new favorite, and the third was to deliberately show the relationship between Prince Heng and the Xiao family.

It was for this reason that this lady of a wealthy family was repeatedly turned away when she personally visited the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites.

"I'm curious,"

Zhao Duan slightly changed his sitting position. He stared at the woman who was in charge of a century-old clan and who was roasting food for him with her bare hands:

"Why do you have to risk offending King Heng and join the Imperial Merchants? To eat this piece of meat? Your Xiao family has accumulated a hundred years of wealth, so do you have to think about this little money?"

Xiao Dong'er shook her head. At this moment, the woman in the dark horse-faced skirt and with delicate hair looked extremely serious:
"The Xiao family doesn't have to make this money. As long as you allow the Xiao family to enter the market, we can not make a single penny and give all the profits to the court, or give our Xiao family's share as a gift to you. We only ask for the status of an imperial merchant!"

Zhao Duan said calmly: "I need a reason."

Xiao Dong'er did not hesitate:
"The Xiao family of Donghu is willing to serve His Majesty, the court, and Dayu with all our strength!"

"If one day, Prince Heng rebels, the Xiao family will only follow the orders of His Majesty!"

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ps: This kind of dialogue chapter should be very easy to write, but for some reason it is always very difficult to write.

(End of this chapter)