Chapter 43: The Three Heroes Meet at Inviting Moon Pavilion (Part 2)
Zhou Wenbo said his next step plan without hesitation.
Anyone with eyes can see the current situation of the Zhao State's imperial palace.
The Zhao State Duke's Mansion and the eunuchs have been at odds, now that the eunuchs are in power. These two jiedushi hold high positions, so it is natural that they would not be able to avoid having dealings with the eunuchs. To say that they do not resent the eunuchs for encroaching on their authority and position would be impossible. Therefore, Zhou Wenbo was not afraid of speaking out about these matters having any adverse effects.
Moreover, the fact that these three people appeared at this Moon Inviting Building tonight naturally meant they wanted to gather together for warmth. When Zhou Wenbo spoke up to offer sponsorship, he was actually trying to take the lead, after all, among the three forces present tonight, he was the youngest and had the lowest seniority, so it was most appropriate for him to speak first.
As for what to sponsor, it's just an excuse, and it can be better if there is one, but it can also pass without one.
As soon as Zhou Wenbo's words fell, the two old foxes knew what he meant.
Meng Zhi Xiang spoke up, "Since my wise nephew has spoken, how can his uncle not help? I am willing to give you 30 suits of iron armor, 80 strong bows and 10 crossbows. What do you think?"
Zhou Wenbo was shocked when he heard it, not because the gift was too light, but because it was too heavy.
Meng Zhi-Xiang took office as the Shu-West Military Governor in Beijing, staying in Luoyang for two days. Originally, it was impossible to bring too many military equipment, and these thirty iron armors, eighty strong bows were all high-end military equipment of this era, not to mention those large-scale crossbows used for city defense.
This kind of crossbow is simply the most terrifying killing machine in this era.
"This is too much, Uncle Meng..."
"It's nothing, it's nothing. If my wise nephew takes charge of the Zhao State Duke's Mansion for just one day, I, Old Meng, will be willing to cooperate with the Zhao State Duke's Mansion at any time. Consider this gift a congratulatory gift from me to celebrate your promotion to the position of Zhao State Duke!"
In fact, today's dinner is for Meng Zhi-xiang to assess whether Zhou Wen-bo is a worthy new leader to support next week. If Zhou Wen-bo doesn't impress him, he will just laugh it off and pretend he came just for the meal.
This young man was handsome and elegant, calm and composed, polite and dignified, with a far-sighted gaze, and at first glance, he seemed like a young hero, making Meng Zhi-xiang sigh that Zhou De-yuan had someone to succeed him.
At this point, since Meng Zhi-Xiang had confirmed Zhou Wen-Bo's abilities, he was naturally still willing to invest as soon as possible.
"I don't have many useful things in my hands, why not give them to Zhou Xuan's nephew and his hundred men, as well as a hundred horses?"
Fu Yanqing's face also had a smile on it, and the originally called Zhao Guogong was now changed to Zhou Xianzhong.
Zhou Wenbo took in a mouthful of cool air.
If Meng Zhi-Xiang's gift was still within his expected range, then Fu Yan-Qing's gift would truly be priceless.
In this chaotic world, human life is as worthless as a blade of grass. In an era where killing and arson are rewarded with golden belts, whoever controls the army is the big boss. If the 5,000-strong personal troops of the Zhao State Duke's mansion were still around, even if Zhou Deyan and his son Zhou Wenyuan had died, Ma Taigong and others would not dare to provoke the Zhao State Duke's mansion.
He has a hundred formally trained troops under his command, and is already a brigade commander. Based on the elite level of his army, he can be granted an official title from the eighth rank up to the eighth rank down, and still roam freely in the countryside without any problems.
But a hundred war horses are even more precious, one war horse in the Tang Dynasty can be exchanged for 35 bolts of silk fabric. Now is the time of chaos, and the price is soaring. One horse can sell for three or four taels of white silver, and if it's a large quantity purchase, the price will be even higher. These hundred war horses are worth at least five thousand taels of white silver.
In this way, Fu Yanqing gave himself a gift worth more than 10,000 taels of white silver!
"This..." Zhou Wenbo didn't know what kind of trick Fu Yanqing was playing, and subconsciously wanted to refuse.
"Xiao Xian, don't decline, I, Fu Yanqing, do things for a reason. Your thoughts, I will consider." Fu Yanqing's originally very serious face actually squeezed out an awkward smile, which was quite discordant.
Zhou Wenbo didn't know what idea he had conveyed to Fu Yanqing, but he had to accept this great gift because it was of great help to him.
One person buys with no hurry or delay; two people buy and you rush to grab.
Meng Zhi-xiang was originally very proud of the heavy gift he had brought out, but compared to Fu Yan-qing's move, it was somewhat embarrassing.
He was just embarrassed, when he suddenly thought of a new idea.
"Sir, I don't know if you have a marriage arrangement? My seventh niece is gentle and kind, beautiful and elegant, knowledgeable and courteous, she's a perfect match. I wonder if you're interested?"
Zhou Wenbo never thought that this old thing would directly sell his own daughter in a moment of urgency.
In a flurry, he didn't know how to decline, his own marriage or not, whether there was an engagement, what kind of person the object was, all were extremely important matters for the Zhao Guo Gong Fu at present, and he naturally couldn't make anything up.
At this time, Fu Yanqing, who was sitting on one side, could no longer bear it.
He originally had a good impression of Zhou Wenbo, and today he looks even more like a great husband and a good son. He just happened to have written a poem to confess his love to his own daughter, with the intention of being a couple. Now that he has already considered him as his future son-in-law, the heavy gift he gave earlier had a meaning similar to dowry. How could he tolerate letting Meng Zhixiang, an old scoundrel, take advantage of it?
"Lord Meng, Zhou Xian has already become engaged to my family's Feng Zhen, you're a step too late!" Fu Yanqing said loudly to Meng Zhiyang, no longer caring about his own daughter's reputation.
I'm shocked! This afternoon's Feng Zhen Niang is actually the second daughter of General Yuwen Yue, the Military Governor of Baoyi! No wonder I found this name somewhat familiar!
It suddenly occurred to him that the poem "Die Lian Hua" he wrote for Fu Feng in the afternoon, Zhou Wenbo finally realized what Fu Yanqing meant by "your meaning", and why Fu Yanqing wanted to give himself such a heavy gift for no reason!
It turns out that this Lord Su has already considered himself as a prospective son-in-law!
Zhou Wenbo couldn't help but recall the stunning face and gentle smile of Feng Zhen, as well as the somewhat saucy and curvaceous maid, who seemed to be offering a "buy one get one free" service.
Zhou Wenbo didn't dare continue daydreaming, afraid of getting a nosebleed.
Moreover, he has been worried that the Zhao State Duke's Mansion cannot be rescued. If he can call the commander of the Dingnan Army, Fu Yanqing, who holds 20,000 troops in his hands, "Old Man", I think the current situation will also change a lot.
In public and in private, Zhou Wenbo had no reason to refute, so he sat still and accepted Yu Yanqing's words.
Meng Zhi-xiang smiled awkwardly, wiping the nonexistent sweat from his forehead before speaking: "My seventh niece is only eleven years old this year, but she's a lot more sensible than Zhou Xian-nu. What a pity!"
Damn it! Fu Yanqing cursed secretly. Old matchmaker, even an 11-year-old girl is brought out to show off, how humiliating.
After going through this scene of fighting for the son-in-law, the three of them talked about romance and had a great time eating and drinking until late at night before dispersing.
