sbdcsierra Chapter 169: Heart to Heart with Zhong Yunfeng
Chapter 169: Heart to Heart with Zhong Yunfeng
Hearing Ye Changyan's straightforward question with a strange expression on his face, Zhong Yunfeng was unsure of Ye Changyan's attitude.
But Ye Changyan is Erniu's elder brother, and his status in the entire Ye family is extremely important. If he can get Ye Changyan's support, then this destiny will be a success.
Besides, Zhong Yunfeng grew up reading books of sages after all. Although he admired Erniu, he would never do anything inappropriate. Therefore, he had to obtain the consent of the other party's family first, which was the only way forward.
And Ye Changyan might be the best breakthrough point. Zhong Yunfeng asked Ye Changyan with a little embarrassment on his face.
"Is it that obvious?"
Seeing Zhong Yunfeng's shy look, Ye Changyan thought that although Zhong Yunfeng had made some achievements in the business world, he was still a pure young man in his childish mind.
"Erniu is a country girl, what do you like about her?"
Seeing Ye Changyan's expression become serious, Zhong Yunfeng became stiff and reserved like a child being scolded, and he began to speak nervously.
"Erniu has a straightforward personality, unlike those pretentious young ladies in the capital. She is not only kind-hearted, but also clever and skillful."
"that's it?"
Ye Changyan's eyes were like a sharp knife. When Zhong Yunfeng took a look at them, he was so scared that he immediately blurted out what was in his heart.
"The key is that she is beautiful."
"You still have some sense."
Zhong Yunfeng looked up at Ye Changyan in surprise, and saw that Ye Changyan's expression had changed obviously, with a warm smile on his face, but Zhong Yunfeng was still a little restrained, and then he heard Ye Changyan ask again.
"Don't you have any utilitarianism at all?"
After hearing what Ye Changyan asked, Zhong Yunfeng looked at Ye Changyan's expression carefully again. He felt that Ye Changyan's smile seemed to have some ill intentions.
"To be honest, you are still somewhat utilitarian. I admire your ability and talent very much. I believe that one day you will lead the Ye family to change its fortunes. Wulang is also a good student, and Erniu's wisdom is definitely not much different. In the future..."
"Stop, stop. Don't think about taking advantage of Erniu."
Before Zhong Yunfeng could finish his words, Ye Changyan interrupted him with a glare.
Zhong Yunfeng blushed a little, and when he saw that Ye Changyan didn't say anything else, he continued.
"Although I was born in a big family in Yuzhou Prefecture, as a bastard, I still have to rely on myself. If I hadn't gotten your help, Yunfeng Tower might have been on the verge of collapse under Rujixian's impact."
Zhong Yunfeng glanced secretly at Ye Changyan, and seeing that he looked natural, he continued speaking.
"When the Ye family hasn't grown into a towering tree, I may still have a chance to fight for myself. If the Ye family really changes its status, a bastard like me may not be worthy of Erniu."
Ye Changyan snorted and laughed, then spoke.
"You do understand the principle of investing in potential stocks. Your vision is quite good."
Seeing Ye Changyan's relaxed tone, Zhong Yunfeng was delighted, thinking there seemed to be hope.
"I understand what you are thinking. Since you have such an idea, I have something to talk to you about in detail."
Ye Changyan's words made Zhong Yunfeng excited and full of expectations.
"It's already past the New Year. I remember you're exactly twenty this year, right?"
Zhong Yunfeng nodded and answered.
"I'll be twenty on the eighth of September."
"Now that you are of age, it's time to talk about marriage. But you should also know that the Great Sheng Dynasty still follows the old system of the previous dynasty, emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce. Therefore, it is very difficult for children from merchant families to take the path of imperial examinations."
Zhong Yunfeng nodded and his expression became serious.
"I know that your father, as the head of the Zhong family, manages the family business, so he must have been registered as a merchant. However, according to the laws of our dynasty, men can leave the family and register again after they reach adulthood. I wonder if you have considered these issues."
Zhong Yunfeng nodded, but answered helplessly.
"My family put my brother's training first. When I first started out on my own, I was somewhat resentful."
"Then do you still plan to continue taking the imperial examination?"
"I'm already a young man, and I haven't even passed the exam to become a student. Now I have some ideas about doing business..."
Seeing that Zhong Yunfeng's tone was a little low, Ye Changyan continued to ask.
"Your business is booming now, and it's understandable that you want to do business, but have you ever considered letting your descendants take the imperial examination?"
Ye Changyan's words stumped Zhong Yunfeng. If he devoted himself to business, although his descendants would have a chance to leave the family and re-settle themselves after they came of age, they would have to be twenty years old by then to take the examination for a tongsheng. Isn't this similar to his current situation?
Zhong Yunfeng looked at Ye Changyan with some worry.
"If you want your offspring to take the imperial examination, there is a way."
Zhong Yunfeng looked at Ye Changyan expectantly.
"Many big families register their businesses under the names of their relatives, or even servants of good family status, and then they go from the front stage to the backstage. These are all tricks that big families often use. They only need to manage a few key people and pay the business taxes in full and on time. This is nothing more than a matter of people not reporting and officials not investigating."
Zhong Yunfeng was delighted and a knowing smile appeared on his face.
"It just so happens that the deed to the hundred acres of fertile land in the old house is still in your hands. It shouldn't be too difficult for you to become a farmer. However, you need to discuss this matter with your father. After all, this requires you to leave the family and set up your own household before the government can re-register you as a farmer."
Zhong Yunfeng nodded and spoke solemnly to Ye Changyan.
"I will discuss this matter with my father when I return to the capital tomorrow."
Afterwards, the two discussed matters such as Yunfeng Building, processing workshop and the newly built kimchi workshop.
Ye Changyan also asked about the cattle dealers selling cattle. Zhong Yunfeng said that the cattle dealers had prepared the goods to be taken to the Qiang and Hu areas before the New Year, and set off on the sixth day of the first lunar month. It is expected that it will be convenient to drive the cattle back when spring comes and flowers bloom.
When I came out of the room in the backyard, I saw Ye Xiaozheng, Wu Lang and others had also arrived at Yunfeng Tower, and were drinking tea and eating snacks with Liang Jingcheng in the private room on the second floor.
Seeing that it was almost time for dinner, Zhong Yunfeng arranged a sumptuous table with both meat and vegetables, and he also personally accompanied the guests.
Ye Changyan clearly felt Zhong Yunfeng's intention to please his father and Wulang, and nodded with satisfaction in his heart.
After eating and drinking, everyone got up and prepared to leave.
Ye Changyan asked Fang Xiaotong to follow Liang Jingcheng and Lu Tingfeng to Chu Garden so that he could learn to drive a carriage as soon as possible with Lu Tingfeng. Zhong Yunfeng arranged for the kitchen to prepare some special dishes and asked Liang Jingcheng to take them back to Mr. Cai.
Zhong Yunfeng also asked Lao Huang to drive the carriage to take Ye Changyan and his two sons away.
When he returned to the Ye family farm, he saw Erniu with a strange expression. Ye Changyan was curious. Could it be that there was something written on his face? Did Erniu see through what he talked about with Zhong Yunfeng today?
"What happened?"
Ye Changyan asked Erniu seriously, and then heard Erniu speak in a sharp tone.
"Today at noon when I was having lunch, my aunt came to the farm. I don't know what was wrong with her. She kept asking all kinds of weird questions."