What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 144 Su Mo actually dared to treat the Empress like this!

The meeting is over.

The long-debated regulatory issue has finally been resolved.

The officials naturally did not want to see merchants, who were at the bottom of the social hierarchy, enjoying the same level of regulation as officials.

Merchants are already wealthy; if they are given all the status now, wouldn't all the officials' years of hard study have been for nothing?

In the future, when I see merchants traveling with higher standards, should I stop my sedan chair to give way, or even take the initiative to greet them?
After all, higher regulations mean higher status!
The gentry valued rules and regulations most!
If you don't take the initiative to show courtesy and greet those of higher social standing, you will surely be ostracized or even scorned by other aristocratic families!

The officials would never allow merchants to ride roughshod over them!
Therefore, even though this decision has already been passed at the small court meeting.

When the matter was brought up at the Grand Court, the pressure was unexpectedly high, with all the officials opposing it!

In addition, cabinet ministers such as Xiao Yuan did not voice any objections, but they also did not stand up and explicitly support this policy.

Finally, the Empress played her trump card, saying that if the national treasury did not increase its revenue, half of the year-end salaries of all officials would be temporarily paid.

The officials had no choice but to reluctantly admit it.

It was finally agreed that the regulations on merchants would be relaxed, as long as they did not exceed the rank of officials!
The Empress sneered inwardly.

So-called rules are no match for money!

Leng Liuxi also knew that this was the biggest concession made by the officials.

That's already pretty good.

The social classes are scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with merchants being the lowest class.

The regulations governing merchants should be relaxed to the level of those without official positions or aristocratic families, which should be sufficient.

After all, it's a pilot program, and it's not good to take too big a step.

I've secured this much for Su Mo, now it's up to Su Mo to prove himself. I hope he won't disappoint me!

This is no longer just a matter of money.

The question is whether the Empress can establish even greater prestige!

If the pilot project fails, it will be ten times more difficult for the Empress to do something similar again in the future!
vice versa.

After the court session, Leng Liuxi returned to the inner palace and ordered the palace maids to remove her dragon robe and crown, change into ordinary clothes, and with a little dressing up, transform into Leng Xixi.

Summon the commander of the Fengming Division, who had been waiting for a long time.

I've left the palace to attend the opening ceremony of Baiyujing!
However, the Empress also knew that this matter should not be publicized, since it was in a bustling city, and this time she was riding in an ordinary carriage.

Of course, the driver was still that white-faced, beardless old eunuch.

The carriage headed straight for Baiyulou.

Before long, the newly renovated Jade Pavilion came into the Empress's view.

Outside, the crowd was densely packed with people, probably numbering in the thousands.

The outer city has a huge population, nearly two million, and naturally there are many who enjoy watching the excitement.

I heard that the day before yesterday, the Misty Rain Pavilion, which shares the same owner as Bai Yujing, was vandalized, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard was dispatched to capture all the perpetrators.

Such gossip is undeniably eye-catching.

The common people were even more curious.

Everyone wanted to see if anyone would dare to cause trouble now that the restaurant was opening!
After all, someone who dares to cause trouble in such a grand restaurant, requiring the Imperial Guards to apprehend them, must have a powerful background!

Ordinary thugs and ruffians, do they need dozens of Imperial Guards to arrest them?

What a joke.

Any strongman could make thugs kneel down and kowtow until their heads are pierced!
Although there were many onlookers, there were guards in brocade robes maintaining order outside the restaurant, preventing chaos from breaking out.

In front of the restaurant's signboard, a sizable space was set up where several meticulously dressed young women stood in a row, each holding a red silk ribbon.

On the alternating red silk ribbons, each ribbon is tied with a knot, forming a flower shape.

Two rows of energetic and robust men greeted the guests!

In addition, on one side of the gate tower, there is a tall object, about ten feet high, covered with a red cloth, and its nature is unknown.

Leng Liuxi looked around but couldn't see Su Mo anywhere.

He was about to instruct the commander of the Fengming Division to search for Su Mo.

Suddenly, he narrowed his phoenix eyes and looked suspiciously at a group of elegantly dressed young men who were walking quickly towards him.

The group exuded an imposing aura, clearly indicating their immense influence.

Who else could be leading the way but Zhang Xuzu of the Duke of Ningguo's mansion!

Among the onlookers, many discerning individuals were instantly shocked upon seeing this!

What exactly is the background of Baiyujing?
The noble sons, led by the Duke of Ningguo, actually came to show their support in person?

The Empress was also slightly surprised.

I never expected to see Zhang Xuzu here.

Just the day before yesterday, they smashed up Su Mo's Misty Rain Pavilion, and all the people below were arrested by the Upper Left Office, creating a huge grudge!
You actually came to support us today?
What benefits did Su Mo promise him?
……

Hearing his subordinate report that Zhang Xuzu had arrived, Su Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Mo had indeed put a lot of effort into these two restaurants, and they were the first ventures that helped him establish his reputation.

If we can't even invite a prominent figure, then we'll lose face.

There must be quite a few people secretly watching.

Whether there will be more or less trouble in the future depends on the caliber of the people who come today.

Zhang Xuzu, the Duke of Ningguo, is certainly a top-tier figure!
Su Mo doesn't need to worry about the Misty Rain Pavilion.

The commander patted his chest and assured him that he would invite Wei Zhengguang, the deputy commander, to cut the ribbon!

On Baiyujing's side, Su Mo, out of courtesy, sent an invitation to the commander of Fengming Division.

After all, it has half of the Phoenix Cry Division.

But nine out of ten people won't come.

The Phoenix Cry Division is an even more mysterious entity than the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Last time, when I went to give my performance review, they blindfolded me.

As a mere squad leader, he didn't even know which direction the Fengming Division's office faced.

All communication was relayed through that Captain Yin Rou!
Upon hearing that Zhang Xuzu had arrived, Su Mo immediately led Yin Rou out to greet him.

When Zhang Xuzu saw Su Mo, he laughed heartily and was very enthusiastic.

"Not only did I come in person, but I also brought many friends with me. I haven't let Officer Su down, have I?"

Li You and Wen Bi chuckled and said, "Officer Su, if you don't give us a 50% discount, we won't come next time!"

Seeing the attitude of Zhang Xuzu and the other two noblemen, the other noblemen all turned their surprised and suspicious gazes toward Su Mo!
Secretly trying to figure out Su Mo's identity!

Zhang Xuzu, not to mention, is the most notorious playboy in the capital.

Despite their differences, Li You and Wen Bi acted like underlings in front of Zhang Xuzu.

In fact.

Their fathers were all marquises, powerful figures holding the second rank of nobility in the empire!
If Li You and Wen Bi were in other noble circles, they would be leaders!

Zhang Xuzu and his two companions were surprisingly polite to this seemingly young Jinyiwei flag officer, who was probably not even eighteen years old.
Of course they don't know.

Zhang Xuzu has made a lot of soap these past two days!

The elders in the household who used it all praised its wonders!
Zhang Xuzu was summoned, and there were as many as five concubines who directly asked for soap.

In addition, many of my uncles and elders came to ask for soap, and some even threw money at me, which was very generous!
They were all taken back for his wives and concubines to use!
In a single day, Zhang Xuzu's status in the mansion rose considerably.

It is showing signs of directly challenging the position of the Vice Commander-in-Chief's elder brother!
The sheer size of the soap market is evident from the enormous consumer potential of just one ducal mansion. How could Zhang Xuzu, the heir of the ducal mansion, not be extremely enthusiastic towards Su Mo!
Su Mo quickly bowed to Zhang Xuzu and the other noble sons and said, "I am Su Mo. Thank you all for coming to support the opening of Baiyujing!"

"Today, I will make sure you all eat and drink to your heart's content!"

As he spoke, he gave Jiang Lan a wink: "This is Jiang Lan, from the Baiyu Jingdong family. I hope you will all take good care of her in the future!"

Jiang Lan felt her heart pounding. She quickly took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gave a slight bow to Zhang Xuzu and the others: "This humble servant greets all the distinguished guests."

Zhang Xuzu waved his hand and said casually, "Of course!"

He glanced at everyone, his face suddenly darkening: "From now on, Bai Yujing's affairs are my affairs, Zhang Xuzu's affairs!"

"If any fool dares to cause trouble here, don't worry about me being impolite!"

After saying that, he looked at the red silk and asked curiously, "Is this the ribbon-cutting ceremony that Minister Su mentioned?"

"When does it begin?"

Then, his gaze fell on the object covered by the red cloth: "What is inside this?"

Su Mo glanced at the sun; it was past 9 AM.

It seems unlikely that Commander Qianhu of Fengming Division will come.

He laughed and said, "It's just an eye-catching trick."

"After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, why don't you, Brother Zhang, unveil this cloth for me?"

Zhang Xuzu chuckled: "It's no trouble at all!"

Wen Bi also laughed and said, "Third Brother is naturally happy to share this pleasant surprise from Officer Su. Don't you all agree?"

Other sons of noble families quickly began to flatter him.

Who can blame him when he's the eldest son of the Duke of Ningguo!
Su Mo summoned several people, and on a red cloth tray were five pairs of scissors.

He spoke with Zhang Xuzu and others about the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Then someone struck a gong.

The onlookers immediately quieted down, knowing that the restaurant owner had something to say.

Su Mo cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and said with a deep breath, "Dear neighbors, today is the grand opening of Baiyujing. I hope you will all come and support us!"

"Today, all dishes at the restaurant will be 20% off, and each table will also receive a complimentary stir-fry dish and half a pot of Chenjia wine!"

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.

"Did we hear that right? Free stir-fry? Chenjia wine?"

"Bai Yujing actually knows the secret techniques of stir-frying?"

"Isn't this Tianyi Restaurant's signature dish? I heard it costs at least one tael of silver a plate!"

"A pot of Chen's brew costs one hundred coins! Half a pot would cost fifty coins!"

"This owner is really generous!"

"They're not trying to trick us into going in, are they?"

"Tch! If that's the case, how will this restaurant ever stay in business!"

"See that? Those are people from the Duke of Ning's mansion! If they try to trick us into going in, will he be able to afford to lose face? Will the Duke of Ning's mansion be able to afford to lose face?"

"It must be the owner of this place; he's incredibly wealthy!"

"..."

Everyone was talking about it.

Many people were actually tempted.

Anyway, that's what he said, and the meal included stir-fried dishes and aged liquor.

Just order a few side dishes and you'll be able to taste the legendary stir-fries and aged liquor.

I can brag about it for days when I get back!

Su Mo looked up at the sky, just about to announce the start of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

As a result, his eyes narrowed suddenly, and he looked completely taken aback.

Suddenly, a carriage appeared by the roadside, and a tall, beautiful woman in a blue horse-face skirt stepped out with a cold and stern expression.

Who else could it be but the commander of the Fengming Division who reported on his duties at the stone pavilion in the lake last time?
What surprised Su Mo even more was...

Wearing a white cloak, her face pale and cold, she followed behind Commander Fengming Si towards him!
Zhang Xuzu and the others were puzzled to see Su Mo's astonished expression and that he had stopped moving.

They all looked in the direction Su Mo was looking.

Upon seeing the aloof woman in the blue horse-face skirt, his eyes instantly lit up!

These days, although women can also become officials, there are very few of them showing their faces in public!
The large crowd that gathered to watch the restaurant's opening owes much to the courtesan girls Su Mo hired!

These sons of noble families naturally have extremely high standards.

The problem is, Fengmingxuan's aloof commander is also extremely handsome, only slightly less so than Lin Moyin!

Zhang Xuzu was also somewhat excited.

Just as he was thinking, he decided to ask Su Mo to introduce this woman to him later, to let him know which family she came from.

Then, his gaze subconsciously fell on Leng Liuxi behind Fengming Si Qianhu!
His expression immediately changed.

He quickly wiped his eyes and then looked closely again.

Then, my body shuddered violently, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Cold sweat instantly soaked through my robe!
My legs felt weak and I almost collapsed to my knees!
This... isn't this the Empress?
As the adopted son of the Duke of Ningguo, he accompanied his father to and from the palace and attended palace banquets on more than one occasion.

Zhang Xuzu actually saw the Empress in person!
Although the empress appeared to be dressed up.

This gentle demeanor was completely different from the extremely majestic empress seen in the palace.

But Zhang Xuzu can guarantee it 100%!
A gentle and graceful woman, she is definitely Her Majesty the Empress!

Just as Zhang Xuzu was struggling with whether or not to kneel down and kowtow to the Empress who was traveling incognito.

Su Mo strode confidently toward the Phoenix Cry Division Commander and the Empress!

Then he cupped his hands to the commander of the Fengming Division and said, "This humble servant greets... Your Excellency!"

Fengming Si Qianhu took a deep breath and quickly nodded.

Su Mo then turned his gaze to Leng Xixi, snorted, and said irritably, "This subordinate greets Your Excellency!"

Zhang Xuzu...

This……

What kind of attitude is this!

He actually snorted at Her Majesty the Empress!
Simply lawless!
This is simply playing with the lives of three races!

But what Zhang Xuzu didn't expect was...

The Empress covered her mouth and chuckled: "It seems that Officer Su harbors quite a grudge against me!"

"The restaurant opened, but they didn't even send out an invitation."

"Are you afraid I'll freeload off you?"

Zhang Xuzu...

At that moment, he felt like he had a million "MMPs" to say!

Is this really the empress in the Taiji Palace who holds the power of the state and whose word can determine the life and death of millions?

It's past midnight, begging for monthly votes! I'll continue with 10,000 words today...

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(End of this chapter)