Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

"By the way, this Chen Lang took part in the college entrance examination in Qinzhou Prefecture a few months ago and won first place."

"Brother Zhu was also in Qinzhou Prefecture at the time. Did you meet him?"

Zhu Shan's mouth twitched as he said, "I've heard of it, but I haven't seen it."

"But as far as I know, this Chen Lang is from Nanhe County, right? Why did he come to Linshui?"

The man said, "I'm not too sure. He just appeared out of nowhere. In just a few days, he revitalized the Guhonglou, which was on the verge of closing down. He also came up with a lot of new things, like the advertisements you see everywhere on the streets. They were all proposed by Chen Lang to the government, and then implemented."

Zhu Shan thought to himself, this guy is really restless and can make a big noise wherever he goes.

At this time, Ma Jiaqi came over with another person and asked with a smile: "Master Zhang, it's not good for one person to monopolize the little poet."

Zhu Shan waved his hands hastily and said, "Don't mention the title of Little Poet Immortal again."

Ma Jiaqi was stunned for a moment: "Brother Zhu, why do you say that?"

Zhu Shan said: "In short, don't mention it. I can't afford it."

Seeing that Zhu Shan didn't seem to be being polite but was genuinely sincere, Ma Jiaqi stopped talking about the matter and instead introduced the people around him: "Let me introduce you. This is the son of our Linshui County Magistrate, Ling Gaoyuan."

Zhu Shan bowed and said, "Mr. Ling."

Ling Gaoyuan hummed lightly and did not return the greeting.

Such an action made Zhu Shan unhappy.

The sons of officials in Qinzhou Prefecture were all polite to me when they met me, but you, the son of a county magistrate, are acting so arrogantly.

what!

Ma Jiaqi didn't expect Ling Gaoyuan to be in this attitude, and immediately felt a little regretful that he shouldn't have introduced Zhu Shan to him.

If it wasn't Ling Zhen's doing that Guhong Tower was sealed, Ma Jiaqi wouldn't have invited Ling Gaoyuan to such a party.

Because he has always looked down on this uneducated guy.

To ease the awkwardness, Ma Jiaqi changed the subject again and asked, "Mr. Zhang, what were you talking about with Brother Zhu just now?"

Young Master Zhang asked, "Where is Chen Lang, the author of 'Song of Chatting Water'?"

When Ling Gaoyuan heard the name Chen Lang, he was furious and immediately sneered, "That song of water tune was definitely not written by Chen Lang."

Ma Jiaqi said, "Mr. Ling, you can't say such things carelessly."

Ling Gaoyuan snorted, "Who's talking nonsense? Chen Lang is just a man seeking fame and reputation. 'Song of Water Melody' is a poem of overwhelming talent, a work that will be remembered for generations to come. How could a mere businessman like him write such a poem?"

"If he really wrote it, I'd read my name backwards."

The word "merchant" not only hurt Ma Jiaqi, but also hurt most of the people participating in the banquet.

Because most of them were born in merchant families.

Young Master Zhang was particularly unhappy and left first, making an excuse of feeling unwell.

The already awkward atmosphere became even more awkward.

Just when Ma Jiaqi was thinking about how to break the awkwardness, Master Zhang came back.

"What a coincidence! The fame-seeking person Young Master Ling mentioned is right outside Listening Snow Tower."

Ling Gaoyuan's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "Is this true?"

Master Zhang said, "Don't believe me? Come with me to the window and you'll see."

A few people came to the window and looked out, and saw a master and a servant walking around the street.

Ma Jiaqi had never met Chen Lang before and didn't dare to confirm his identity. So he asked Ling Gaoyuan, "Mr. Ling, is he Chen Lang?"

Ling Gaoyuan gritted his teeth and said, "It's him."

Ma Jiaqi said, "Looks like he's looking for someone."

Master Zhang said, "When the whole nation is celebrating, who can we find? We are just strolling around."

"It's better to meet by chance than to invite him. Now that we've met, I'll go down and invite him up."

Ma Jiaqi rolled his eyes and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang."

"Chen Lang is not only talented, but also a top-notch businessman."

"Of course I should go and invite him myself."

Having said that, he looked at Zhu Shan again: "Brother Zhu, what do you think?"

Zhu Shan lowered his head slightly and pinched the tip of his nose, thinking to himself, Chen Lang loves to show off. Back then in Qinzhou Prefecture, he fought against six people alone and humiliated the six talented people, including himself.

This also directly led to him not daring to mention the title of Little Poet again.

Ling Gaoyuan believed that Chen Lang was a man who was seeking fame and reputation. Given Chen Lang's temper, he would definitely not let it go. In a rage, he would probably humiliate this group of people.

I can't escape Chen Lang's humiliation, why should you guys be spared?

If we have to suffer, then we all suffer together!

"Okay, I also want to meet this person." Zhu Shan stopped thinking and looked up and said.

Ma Jiaqi said, "In that case, please wait here. I will be back soon."

This is how the scene at the beginning where Chen Lang was blocked happened.

Chen Lang mistakenly thought that Ma Jiaqi was here to discuss cooperation with him, and said, "Mr. Ma, I'm really sorry, but the production of Hongyanzui is limited. Guhonglou itself doesn't have enough, so we really can't provide it to other restaurants. I hope you can understand."

Ma Jiaqi said, "Mr. Chen, I'm not here to talk to you about Hong Yan Zui. I want to invite you upstairs to join in the poetry gathering."

Chen Lang said, "Mr. Ma, I'm in a bad mood today and have no interest in participating in any poetry gathering."

"I appreciate your kindness."

After saying that, he led Xiaoqi away.

Ma Jiaqi took a step forward, blocking Chen Lang's way and said, "Mr. Chen, the worse your mood, the more you should communicate with people of your age."

"Besides, the guests upstairs all admire Master Chen's talent and learning. It would be a shame if you didn't go."

Just as Chen Lang was about to continue refusing, he saw two men in official boots trying to break into Tingxue Tower.

The manager of Tingxue Tower stopped the two of them. After a brief exchange of words, the manager's face turned ugly, but he chose to let them go.

A moment later, a servant came to the steward with a blood-stained cloth and an anxious look on his face, and whispered something.

The steward immediately hid the cloth in his sleeve and glared at the servant fiercely, as if blaming him for being nosy.

Then the steward came up to Ma Jiaqi and said, "Sir, can you please have a word with me?"

Ma Jiaqi was afraid that Chen Lang would run away, so he said, "If you have anything to say, just say it here."

The steward had no choice but to speak as quietly as possible: "Sir, the people from the Imperial City Bureau said that an assassin has run to our Listening Snow Tower."

Ma Jiaqi's brows knitted together instantly, and he said, "Don't make it public, investigate secretly."

"If you can find it, then look for it. If you can't find it, forget it. In any case, don't scare the guests."

"As for the Imperial City Division, send a few servants to follow them and make sure they don't disturb the guests."

The steward took the order and left.

Ma Jiaqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was about to continue to persuade Chen Lang, but Chen Lang said before he could open his mouth: "Since Master Ma has invited me so graciously, it would be a bit ungrateful if I continue to refuse."

"Just go up and sit down, Mr. Ma, please lead the way."