Chapter 20 They are all actors
"Uncle, is this the Cui family, a wealthy family in Jiangnan?"

"No wonder the Marquis wants to marry into the Cui family."

Su Xiangqi looked at the densely packed buildings around him, then approached his uncle Dai Fayan and whispered.

The wedding procession from the Marquis's Mansion walked for five days and finally arrived at Cui's house.

The same journey was completed in just one day when Dai Fayan and others came to Cui's house to discuss something at a fast speed.

From this we can see how much goods the Marquis’ Mansion brought to welcome the bride.

It's been severely delayed!
After all, everyone knows how anxious the Marquis is.

If you can be fast, be fast!
Under such circumstances, it still took 5 days to reach Cui's. The speed was really seriously slowed down by the cargo.

"The Cui family is worthy of the title of the richest family in Jiangnan!"

Dai Fayan couldn't help but sigh.

Although it was not the first time, Cui's arrogance still frightened Dai Fayan.

The town in front of us is called Cuijia Town.

As the name suggests, the entire town belongs to the Cui family.

Everyone in the town has a rosy complexion, and various shops are lined up on both sides of the street, making it very prosperous.

Such a mental outlook was rare in the entire Ming Dynasty.

Based on Dai Fayan's experience over the years, only the people in the capital can surpass the people in Cuijia Town in terms of their mental outlook.

Apart from that, even Xuzhou, which was granted to the Marquis, is slightly inferior to Cuijia Town.

"Uncle, do you think that after the Marquis marries Cui's daughter, will Cui really support him in taking the throne?" Su Xiangqi asked again.

At the same time, his finger pointed vaguely to the sky.

The Marquis married Cui's daughter as a political marriage, for Cui's support!
This view is widely held among the servants and guards in the marquis's mansion.

"This kind of thing is not something you should care about. What you need to do is to practice martial arts well and complete the tasks assigned by the Marquis!"

Dai Fayan glared at Su Xiangqi.

Su Xiangqi is the son of Dai Fayan's second sister, and Dai Fayan has high expectations for Su Xiangqi.

Dai Fayan was originally a talented illegitimate son of a wealthy merchant in Beijing. After his father died and his brothers quarreled with each other, he failed in the struggle and was almost exiled thousands of miles away.

But in this era when the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is deeply rooted in people's minds, Dai Fayan was able to compete with the eldest legitimate son for the family inheritance. In addition to his own abilities, he naturally had a group of loyal supporters.

After Dai Fayan's struggle failed, they were also implicated.

After Dai Fayan was rescued by Zhu Chengwu, and after Zhu Chengwu was granted the title of Duke of Xuzhou and gained a firm foothold, Dai Fayan gradually brought his followers who were implicated because of him to Xuzhou.

One reason is to repay the support and the feelings of being implicated in the past.

Secondly, Dai Fayan also needed to hire people in Xuzhou, and since he was hiring people, he naturally preferred to hire those who knew him well.

And those who were implicated by Dai Fayan were not having a good time in the Chamber of Commerce which was now controlled by the eldest son of the Dai family. Except for some who really couldn't bear to leave their hometown, they all gladly accepted Dai Fayan's invitation and went to Xuzhou.

Because the second brother-in-law is Dai Fayan's most loyal ally, Dai Fayan's second sister's family is the most implicated by Dai Fayan.

Not only did my second brother-in-law die "accidentally", but my second sister also lost one eye.

Su Xiangqi is the only son of Dai Fayan’s second brother-in-law and second sister.

Dai Fayan treats Su Xiangqi as his own son!

Because Su Xiangqi has excellent physique!
Therefore, Dai Fayan sent Su Xiangqi to the Marquis' Mansion to learn martial arts and fully supported him behind the scenes.

Over the years, Dai Fayan has seen through it all!

Wealth is important, but military force is more important.

Wealth needs the support and protection of force!
Otherwise, I store food and my neighbor stores guns, so I am my neighbor's granary.

With the support of Dai Fayan, Su Xiangqi's progress in martial arts was very fast, almost as good as the attendants around Zhu Chengwu!
He also got a job as the gatekeeper of the marquis's mansion.

Don’t think it’s shameful to look at the gate!
The so-called seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's door.

The doorman often represents reputation, but not everyone can do this job.

Moreover, Marquis Fu'an established his mansion based on military power, and there were many warriors coming and going. The doorman was the first one to come into contact with them, and from time to time he would receive some rewards, guidance, and benefits.

When a challenger arrives and the marquis accepts the challenge, the doorman is almost always the first to know and watch the fight.

This opportunity to watch strong people fighting each other is extremely beneficial to martial arts practice.

"Uncle, I'm just curious. And I've been practicing martial arts well. In the entire Marquis's mansion, my strength is second to none among the new generation. I'm not afraid of even the few attendants around the Marquis!"

As Su Xiangqi spoke, he glanced at the carriage not far away.

Sitting in the carriage were Qiuyue and Dongxue.

According to the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, they came to welcome the wife of the Marquis's mansion and serve her all the way.

"Don't compare yourself to those attendants!"

Dai Fayan tapped Su Xiangqi and said.

"pain!"

Su Xiangqi shouted exaggeratedly.

"Why?" he asked puzzledly.

The new generation of potential rookies in the Marquis' Mansion have always taken the close attendants around Zhu Chengwu as their role models.

Because they were closest to Zhu Chengwu and received the most guidance, everyone wanted to prove that they were no worse than those attendants, so that they could be valued and trained by Zhu Chengwu!

"According to the rules of the wealthy families, this kind of close servant will usually be taken into the master's room in the end!"

"Although it's impossible for you to be the main wife, but as for the concubine... in the future, what if... they are the main family? Wouldn't it be uncomfortable for you to compare yourself with them?"

Dai Fayan teaches Su Xiangqi.

Dai Fayan has high expectations for Su Xiangqi and doesn't want Su Xiangqi to take even the slightest detour.

"Uncle, you think too much! The Marquis has never let any of them sleep with him!"

Su Xiangqi was not convinced.

"Just because I'm not sleeping with you now doesn't mean I won't sleep with you in the future. As always, just keep your distance from them and show them basic respect!"

Dai Fayan continued.

Su Xiangqi wanted to explain himself, but he didn't say anything in the end.

Because you can see from afar that the people the Cui family is waiting to welcome have arrived!
Su Xiangqi followed Dai Fayan, took a few quick steps, and caught up with Zhao Xinghan who was walking in front.

"General Zhao, President Dai, thank you for your hard work!"

Leading the group of people welcomed by the Cui family was the head of the Cui family - Cui Zongji, who was accompanied by the heads of the third and fourth branches and some elders and relatives of the clan.

Dai Fayan had seen almost all of these people during his previous visits to Cui's house.

Seeing that almost all the important members of the Cui family were present, Dai Fayan's unhappiness that the Cui family did not greet him outside the town immediately disappeared.

"Perhaps something delayed him?"

Dai Fayan was finding excuses for Cui in his mind.

Cui Zongji did his homework.

It is known that Zhao Xinghan is not only the chief of the Marquis's Palace Guard, but also a legitimate general of the Ming Dynasty, although he is only a lowly general in name only.

But that's also the general.

I also know that in addition to being in charge of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Marquis' Mansion, Dai Fayan is also the president of the Xuzhou Chamber of Commerce.

Call people to high positions!
As expected of the patriarch of the powerful Cui family, his way of dealing with people is flawless!

It leaves one speechless.

Zhao Xinghan bowed as a greeting and then handed this "superficial work" to Dai Fayan.

"Thank you for your courtesy, Patriarch Zongji! Thank you for coming all the way to greet us! We are flattered!"

Dai Fayan laughed and walked forward to shake hands.

Before arriving, Dai Fayan knew that Zhao Xinghan was not interested in the marriage with the Marquis, and he was the only one who could make friends with Cui.

Moreover, he has been to Cui's family several times and is more familiar with everyone in the Cui family!
"Come, let me introduce you to everyone. This is the elder from the second branch of our Cui family... the third branch... "

"Long admire!"

"I've admired you for a long time, I've admired you for a long time!"

Zhao Xinghan and Dai Fayan stepped forward, bowed and greeted each other.

Different from Zhao Xinghan's slightly formulaic attitude.

Dai Fayan is much more friendly and warm.

Afterwards, Dai Fayan introduced the main members of the wedding welcoming team to the Cui clan leader, several heads of the clans, and clan elders.

The main ones include Zhao Xinghan, the chief, Dai Fayan, the deputy chief, the three flags of the guard, several backbones of the Foreign Affairs Office, etc.!
After a long exchange of greetings, the wedding procession set out again together with Cui's family members.

"President Dai, General Zhao is..."

After a brief interaction, Cui Zongji realized that Zhao Xinghan seemed to have some dissatisfaction with Cui.

Zhao Xinghan didn't even think about hiding his little emotions.

"Please forgive me, Clan Leader Zongji! General Zhao was born a soldier and has never done such delicate work as welcoming a bride, so he is a little uncomfortable. The Marquis' Mansion is far away from the capital, so we have no choice but to let General Zhao take over. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me, Clan Leader Zongji!"

Dai Fayan explained with a smile.

"That's it! That's it!"

Cui Zongji showed an expression as if he had suddenly realized something.

Of course, whether Cui Zongji believes this explanation deep down in his heart, only Cui Zongji himself knows.

The next moment, Cui Zongji and Dai Fayan looked at each other inadvertently. They were stunned for a moment, then they laughed and started talking again.

In addition to Cui Zongji and Dai's speeches, the chief flags of the three flags of the Imperial Guard and several backbones of the External Affairs Office also had one-on-one exchanges with the heads of several branches of the Cui family and clan elders.

No one else in the Marquis' Mansion has Zhao Xinghan's strength, status, or background, so they dare not embarrass the family members of the future mistress of the Marquis' Mansion at this critical moment.

For a moment, the scene was very lively!
It’s a pity that we met too late!

It seemed as if they couldn't wait to become sworn brothers in the next moment.

All I can say is that those who can make a name for themselves in society are all good actors.

It just depends on whether you want to act or not!
Just like that, this little episode involving Zhao Xinghan was over!

　ps: The work has been signed, handsome guys and beautiful girls can invest with confidence.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)