Chapter 148 Marquis Changning.

Changning Marquis Mansion.

The servants could tell clearly from the guests' attire that they were envoys from Nanqing!

At that moment, they all accompanied and served carefully, fearing that if something went wrong it would bring trouble to their master and then implicate themselves.

What surprised them was that the people in the south didn't know the rules. As envoys, they were not afraid of getting into trouble when they met with nobles from other countries privately.
The butler standing nearby gave a look to the person next to him, and that person quickly turned around and ran to the backyard.

During the waiting period, Fan Xian was also feeling very uncomfortable.

It's fine that the layout of this marquis' mansion is so exquisite, but the servants who serve him also have so many rules, which is really too much.

Fortunately, at this time, Marquis Changning, who came from the study in the backyard, had already arrived in the hall and sat in the main seat.

He is already quite old, but he is full of energy.

Fan Xian walked up to the old man very enthusiastically, took his hand and shook it vigorously, saying, "My drinking buddy is visiting. It's been more than a year since we last met!"

He looked the man in front of him up and down for a few times, and then said, "The Marquis is so handsome, even more so than before!"

After saying that, he turned around and took the wine that Wang Qinian brought down from the carriage, along with a delicate glass wine bottle. As expected, seeing Fan Xian's actions, how could he not know that this was a gift for him!

Marquis Changning immediately smiled happily, took it and played with it carefully.

It was helpless to say that since Ye Qingmei invented glass, all exquisite glass products came from Qing State. Although the Marquis of Changning was rich, it was difficult for him to have such an exquisite wine jar.

He looks to be in his fifties or sixties, but he is actually younger.

However, he had been indulged in alcohol and sex for many years, and the white swelling on his face and the traces of excessive indulgence could not be eliminated. Although he was the elder brother of the current queen mother and was more than ten years older than her, he was actually a drunkard. Facing his powerful sister, he had to listen to her opinions on everything.

Even his second brother, Marquis of Chang'an, who was still able to fight on the battlefield, could not compare to him. He could be considered the mascot of the Northern Qi Kingdom.

He laughed, uncorked the wine and smelled it, knowing that it was a long-brewing fine product. This gift was very thoughtful of him. After receiving the gift, he responded softly: "It's only been more than a year since we last met, and Master Fan's name has spread all over the world. I've heard of it like thunder, like thunder!"

In fact, as early as last year, he had met him in front of the palace. The two of them had nothing to do but to taste the wine, and they criticized the wine in the Qing Palace. If you want to talk about good wine, it has to be the private brew of Qing Yu Tang!

I didn't expect that the unintentional act at that time would become a convenience today.

"I wonder why Master Fan took the risk of contacting me without permission?"

Fan Xian smiled and said, "I don't have many friends in Shangjing City. I wanted to visit them when I arrived a few days ago, but I was summoned to the palace by His Majesty as soon as I arrived, so I missed the free time. Today, I have something to ask for, so I can come here with a legitimate reason."

Marquis Changning naturally knew what had just happened. Hearing this, he nodded and waited for Fan Xian to continue.

Seeing that Marquis Changning did not take the matter of his brother Marquis Chang'an's grandson to heart, Fan Xian continued chatting.

".Besides, with the noble status of the Marquis, who would dare to say anything when I come to visit? Why should I care?"

Speaking of noble status, Marquis Changning sighed and said, "I am a powerless idler. Even my brother was ordered by the Queen Mother to recuperate at home because of the unfavorable situation in the war. It is called recuperation, but how can people not know that it is a punishment and confinement? Today is different from the past, everything is difficult!"

Although he didn't know what Master Fan had come to his house for today, the Marquis of Changning still subconsciously left himself some leeway. You can see that this is the situation. If things are too difficult, don't blame your elder brother for not helping you.

Fan Xian did not respond, and the two continued chatting. The marquis became happier and happier.

No matter how you look at it, it's sad. Over the years, not many people have looked up to me. No matter what his purpose is, this is the only one who can visit the mansion!

"Master Xiao Fan, please tell me what you want. If I can help you, I won't refuse."

Marquis Changning said with a smile, his eyes were almost invisible, and one could imagine that he was in a happy mood. "Well then." Fan Xian stopped being polite, "Since you are so straightforward, I will tell you the truth. I'm sure you also know about the smuggling between your country and our Ming family."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Marquis Changning.

He looked dejected, and said, "To be honest, my family can still maintain such extravagant expenses because of the profits from smuggling. For this reason, my brother and I kept it a secret from my sister. The Queen Mother, did the Queen Mother ask you to come to visit me today?"

There was tension in his expression, but more of it was fear.

When he thought of his tough sister, he could only pray in his heart that his parents in heaven would bless him.

"My Lord, you misunderstood." Fan Xian consoled him, "The matter did not come from me, but the Queen Mother did not say anything more after hearing the news. I am here at the behest of His Majesty."

Marquis Changning nodded, seeming relieved.

As long as the Queen Mother didn't get angry on the spot, even if she knew the whole story later, she would most likely not embarrass him. At that moment, he understood Fan Xian's intention and said whatever he wanted to say: "I am very happy that Master Fan came to visit me! It's getting late now, so you can stay in the house and have dinner!"

"As for what people say outside, I don't give a shit!"

After saying that, he asked the housekeeper to prepare the meal.

Indeed, if Fan Xian was using the excuse of questioning, it would be fine. But now they were staying to have dinner, so there was no point in pretending!

Fan Xian readily agreed and praised the Marquis for his majesty, but he lamented that if he had known this earlier, why would he have been so cautious?
After three rounds of drinks, everything was settled at the table.

It turns out that in the matter of smuggling, Changning Hou was only the apparent target. Although he had a share of the profits, he actually knew nothing about the various situations. The person who actually operated this matter was Jinyiwei Zhenfu Envoy Shen Zhong, and the person in charge of the connection on the Qing side was actually the Jiangnan Cui Family, which was as famous as the Fan Mansion of Qing!

The Cui family is located in the south of the Yangtze River. Over the years, they have established deep-rooted marriages with many people, and their network of relationships is complex and intricate. Behind this great Cui family is the eldest princess!
But what shocked Fan Xian was that smuggling was such a big thing, but there was no news about it in Qing Kingdom over the years. He also wondered if the person sitting in the Golden Palace knew about it, and whether he opposed it or acquiesced to it?

How much profit did the eldest princess make over the years, and where did she use such a large sum of money?
Marquis Changning said earnestly, "If Lord Fan wants to see the Jinyiwei pacification envoy, I can arrange it for him."

Fan Xian nodded when he heard this. It would be good to meet in private.

Neither of them mentioned that there was anything wrong with meeting the commander of another country's pacification department in the capacity of an envoy. In their status, there were some rules that could not restrict them.

"Thank you very much!"

Fan Xian stood up, clasped his fists, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty also knows my situation. As a foreign minister in a foreign country, it is not convenient for me to do many things." He sighed and lowered his voice, "To be honest, I was also targeted in the officialdom of Qing Kingdom. Your Majesty had no choice but to send me to Northern Qi as an envoy to avoid the limelight!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Marquis Changning suddenly felt a sense of empathy and said frankly that he would take care of the matter and that they might meet tomorrow!
Seeing that the purpose of this trip had been achieved, Fan Xian stood up and smiled: "In this case, thank you again, Lord. I will come to visit you again after the mission is completed. Today, I will take my leave first!"

Marquis Changning also stood up to see him off, "There's no need to wait until then. My sister's birthday will be here soon, and we can see each other then!"

Hearing this, Fan Xian remembered this matter and couldn't help but worry about the gift.

After a moment, they came to their senses, said goodbye, and followed Wang Qinian and Gaoda out of Changning Marquis Mansion and went to the inn.

Wang Qinian couldn't help laughing at this moment, and seeing Fan Xian's calm face, he said:

"This Marquis Changning is a wonderful man!"

　Post one more chapter to make up for the progress.

　　I hope you all will support me!

　　On Friday, the editor saw that my grades had dropped so badly that he almost wanted to chop me with a knife!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)