nycdaug Chapter 188 Well-deserved reputation
Chapter 188 Well-deserved reputation
Zhao Yun immediately frowned and asked in a deep voice, "What does Lord Chen mean by this?"
"I only wish to make friends with the organization; I have no other intentions," Chen Deng explained.
Sigh, it seems Chen Deng didn't do his preparations well. He probably doesn't understand Zhao Yun. Although Zhao Yun was influenced by Chen Er's suggestion, he is essentially a person who values his integrity. Zhao Yun would definitely be very dissatisfied with Chen Deng's behavior.
Fortunately, this time Zhao Yun received Chen Er's hint and did not completely reject Chen Deng's kindness. Instead, he said to Chen Deng, "This is the only time. Don't do it again."
Upon hearing Zhao Yun's words, Chen Deng's previously uncertain expression immediately changed, and he said to Zhao Yun, "This humble official simply wishes to make friends with the General Organization."
At the time, I didn't know what the organization liked, so I could only prepare some small gifts to visit you. Next time, I will definitely pay attention.
Although Zhao Yun had never had such an experience before, he had at least seen pigs run even if he hadn't eaten pork.
Zhao Yun pretended to be serious and said to Chen Deng, "Lord Chen, as the saying goes, no one visits the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. Please speak frankly. I have been in the organization for six or seven years and am used to being straightforward in the organization. So, please forgive me if I offend you."
Upon hearing Zhao Yun's words, Chen Deng had a better understanding of the situation. Zhao Yun's words meant that he was willing to help him. However, Chen Deng was unaware that all of his actions were exactly what Chen Er had anticipated.
Of course, this is also thanks to Zhao Yun's good acting skills, which prevented Chen Deng from noticing that Duan was looking closely.
"I've long heard that Zhao's organization is the top cavalry organization under the King of Wei, and now it seems that its reputation is well-deserved!"
Chen Deng subtly flattered Zhao Yun. Of course, what Chen Deng said was the truth, and Zhao Yun couldn't refute it, otherwise he would seem too hypocritical. Chen Deng didn't go any further.
In just a few minutes of direct contact, Chen Deng realized that the person in front of him was a man of real talent and ability, not a sycophant, so he needed to change his current strategy.
Chen Deng also adopted the style of the organizer and said directly to Zhao Yun: "General Zhao, as the saying goes, honest people don't beat around the bush. You and I are both straightforward people, so I'll get straight to the point. The main reason I'm here is to ask you something."
Zhao Yun thought to himself that the real show was about to begin, and he said to Chen Deng, "Lord Chen, what are you saying? We are colleagues and should help each other. If you have any questions, just say them, and I will answer them to the best of my ability."
Chen Deng opened his mouth and said, "General, I'll be frank. As you know, we've only recently joined the district we govern, and we're not very familiar with many of its laws, especially the restrictions on aristocratic families. We're quite confused about how to handle these issues and wonder if the General can enlighten us."
"This matter..." Zhao Yun hesitated. This time it wasn't that Zhao Yun was doing it on purpose, but rather that he really didn't know how to answer Chen Deng's question, because the powerful families were too far removed from him.
Fortunately, he had received a hint from Chen Er beforehand. Zhao Yun pondered for a full half minute before saying to Chen Deng, "If it is about this matter, I really don't know how to explain it to you, sir."
"As you know, sir, I was just a country bumpkin before joining the organization. I don't know much about the affairs of aristocratic families, but if the organization really has any doubts, please listen to my words." Zhao Yun paused and said, "Even the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners."
"Please clarify the organization's position," Chen Deng asked again.
Zhao Yun said, "There is an inviolable principle in the area I govern: the law is supreme. Even the King of Wei is no exception. Do you understand what I mean, sir?"
"I understand what you mean by 'organization'," Chen Deng said with a hint of dejection. Was his Chen family really destined to decline like this?
Zhao Yun saw Chen Deng's worry and said to him, "Lord Chen, there is no need to worry so much. Although the district I govern restricts the privileges of nobles, it opens the door wide for commerce. This is the way out for powerful families."
"Doing business?" Chen Deng hesitated a bit. In their traditional view, doing business was not something respectable.
Having been raised with Confucian values, he found it difficult to set aside his pride and engage in business. Although the Chen family had some subsidiary businesses, they weren't their main business and were never openly discussed.
"There's nothing shameful about doing business in the district I'm in charge of. The district I'm in charge of is now making great efforts to improve the status of businessmen, and businessmen are no longer considered a lowly profession like before."
"And sir, you must never mention anything like 'lowly commoners' again. In the King of Wei's ears, that's not a good word." Zhao Yun explained to Chen Deng the differences between the district he was governing and the old empire, and also reminded Chen Deng of some things he should pay attention to.
"Thank you for reminding me, organization." Chen Deng said.
And so, Zhao Yun and Chen Deng talked for more than an hour, from their own situation to the attitude of King Wei, Chen Er, towards Chen Deng and his group of officials from the former Xuzhou forces.
This is also the issue that Chen Deng is most concerned about. If the district laws he has reformed restrict the powerful families, Chen Deng can barely accept it. But if Chen Er restricts the privileges of the nobility and then tries to exterminate these powerful families, what will happen?
Chen Deng, already somewhat indecisive, naturally had other ideas. Fortunately, he obtained information from Zhao Yun about Chen Er's true thoughts; at least, Chen Er, as the King of Wei, showed a relatively friendly inclination.
After Chen Deng left, Zhao Yun received representatives from three or four more families. Zhao Yun was already quite impatient. If he hadn't kept Chen Er's orders firmly in mind, he probably would have quit long ago.
Zhao Yun said to Chen Er, "My lord, I finally understand why you asked me to do this. These things are not something that ordinary people can handle."
"This shows that our Zilong is no ordinary person," Chen Er joked. He then said to Wang Hui beside him, "Zilong is confiding in me, and I have to do something about it."
After a moment's thought, Chen Er said to Zhao Yun, "In that case, I will grant you a three-month leave after your return from this trip south, with all arrangements to make."
"Thank you, my lord." For Zhao Yun, a three-month vacation was really nothing special, but he still had to pretend that he liked it very much and said this to Chen Er. Chen Er quickly added, "You must arrange the training of the troops before you take the vacation."