Zhang Wei was picked up from the ground by two Jinyiwei, with an ugly expression on his face.

He didn't think what Chen Hong said was a good thing. He had already lost his confidence and was terrified. He wanted to slap himself a few times for what he had said before.

"Just now I heard you say that you have so many close connections. Some of you want to sell your courtyard in the capital, and some of you want to sell your shop in the capital? Our family is not young anymore, it's time to prepare. I received a lot of rewards when I served the emperor before, so I really should build some family business."

As he spoke, Chen Hong sat down on a nearby chair, looked Zhang Wei up and down, and said with a bright smile, "Since you have such a connection, why not introduce it to our family? We can also communicate whether we have any or not. After all, the price is cheap, so our family can buy more."

"You can even reach the capital from Yangzhou. Besides Yangzhou, do you have any property in Jiangnan? Or do you know anyone who wants to sell property? The price is negotiable, as long as everyone is satisfied. And don't even mention a five-story courtyard. A three-story one is fine. We're not picky."

"Besides, there are so many gardens in Jiangnan. We could build one for our family. Life is meant to be spent in Jiangnan, with a fortune of 100,000 taels, riding a crane to Yangzhou. We don't have 100,000 taels, but we do have 10,000. What do you think? With such a wide range of resources and so much to take care of, can you do it?"

After hearing this, Zhang Wei didn't know what to feel.

If Chen Hong really wanted to blackmail him, Zhang Wei would not be afraid even if he extorted all his wealth.

As the saying goes, "I was born with talents that will be useful, even if I spend all my money, I will get it back." Of course, Li Bai's poem is about himself. Given Li Bai's character and poetic talent, it is of course true that I was born with talents that will be useful, even if I spend all my money, I will get it back.

On the one hand, Li Bai was mocking himself for not being valued, and on the other hand, he was saying that if the money was gone, it was gone, which was very heroic.

But it may not apply to others, because you don’t have the skills of Li Bai.

But Zhang Wei was not afraid. Although he did not have the ability, he had the businessmen in Jiangnan, especially the Han family.

This time he helped the Han family a lot, not to mention that he helped them get involved with Chen Hong. They would definitely be willing to pay this money, let alone hundreds of thousands of taels, even if it was millions, what would it matter?

However, if Chen Hong was being sarcastic, that could be bad.

Zhang Wei stood aside without saying anything, but looked at Chen Hong with pleading eyes and a submissive expression on his face.

Chen Hong didn't even look at Zhang Wei. He turned to look at Xu Xianchun at the door, and said with a sullen face and a bad tone: "You just have bad intentions. Okay, I won't bother with you. This matter is a matter of our family. But in Jiangnan, we don't have anyone around us, so you have to investigate the matter for us.

"Another thing, this news can't be leaked. If anyone wants to leak the news, I think you should know what to do."

"Don't worry, sir. I understand." Xu Xianchun smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't be angry, sir. After all, this is your man. Let's investigate privately. He won't do that, right?"

"Don't talk nonsense." Chen Hong said with a frown.

If this were to reach your Majesty's ears, what would you think of him?

"I've handed the man over to you. Check carefully to see how much property he has. This is the first time we've heard someone speak so arrogantly." Chen Hong took a sip of tea slowly.

"Don't worry, sir. I promise to get to the bottom of it." Xu Xianchun said with a smile.

"There is another matter that requires permission from the eunuch. We need to investigate the residence of the eunuchs guarding the palace, which may offend some eunuchs. Can the eunuch Chen send someone to follow? Our identities are not suitable." Xu Xianchun asked tentatively.

Chen Hong glanced at Xu Xianchun and understood what Xu Xianchun meant.

If he didn't send someone, Xu Xianchun would definitely report the matter to the emperor, or even investigate secretly, but he would never really offend so many eunuchs, otherwise he would be seeking death.

This matter is getting more and more scary, but Chen Hong is not afraid. Who is he now?

The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, the emperor's personal eunuch, was the highest-ranking eunuch in the entire palace. Be it Wei Zhongxian or Wei Chao, no one was better than him.

As long as Chen Hong holds the position of Chief Seal of the Imperial Household Department, he will be the head of the eunuchs. Therefore, he is not afraid of offending the eunuchs. No eunuch dares to challenge him, and anyone who dares to challenge him will be killed.

Even such matters would not be of any concern to Wei Zhongxian and Wei Chao. They were the ones in the upper echelons and would not allow those below them to make such noises.

In other words, if Xu Xianchun were asked to offend the Jinyiwei, he would dare to do so.

Chen Hong said, "Chen Sheng, come here. Did you hear what our family and Master Xu said just now?"

"Godfather, I heard everything clearly." Chen Sheng said quickly.

Xu Xianchun turned his head and saw that it was a young eunuch in his twenties.

Among the eunuchs, this was considered a relatively young man. Hearing the two of them addressing him, Xu Xianchun knew that this was Chen Hong's newly adopted godson.

When one reaches Chen Hong's position, he basically starts to adopt a godson. However, the purpose of such a godson is more to consolidate one's power and provide for retirement, which is something eunuchs often do.

When in power, godsons can help to consolidate power. This is just like the mentoring relationship between civil officials. For eunuchs, if their sons betray their godfathers, it is also shameful and despised. This is the unspoken rule of eunuchs, because all eunuchs do this.

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