"This…"
Mei Zhu's expression changed again and he subconsciously clenched his fists.
When Mi Zhu was in power when he was young, he stabilized the Mi family and made it big. He was extremely capable and shrewd. As a merchant, he had long hidden his thoughts and emotions.
But now, he lost his composure because of Zhang Mu's question.
He was only here to show his goodwill to Zhang Mu and establish a good relationship with him. He wanted to obtain the salt sales rights so that he could stabilize his position in Pei Country and find an opportunity to contact the Yuan family.
Why did they suddenly talk about marriage?
"Lord County Officer, my Mi Family doesn't want the salt management rights in Pei Country anymore.”
"I still have something to do, so I'll take my leave first.”
Mei Zhu made his decision and changed the way he addressed her.
He couldn't afford to offend her, but he couldn't hide from her?
"Wait!"
As soon as Mei Zhu stood up, Guo Jia seemed to have expected this and immediately said,"Brother Mi, would you like to listen to my analysis?”
Being able to form a marriage alliance with the Mi Family would be of great help to Zhang Mu, so he had to make it happen.
"Hu ~"
Mi Zhu was angry that Guo Jia's suggestion had turned the situation into a mess.
However, he still maintained his composure and sat down again. He said,"Mr. Guo, please!"
Although he wasn't willing to use his sister as a bargaining chip, it didn't stop him from hearing what Guo Jia had to say.
"The current Mi Family is worth hundreds of millions and is one of the few big merchants in the world. With the Mi Family's foundation and strength in Xu Prefecture, I'm afraid that even Xu Prefecture's Overseer Tao Qian would be respectful to you, right?”Guo Jia asked with a smile.
"Not bad!" Mi Zhu was rather pleased with himself.
However, at this moment, Guo Jia changed the topic and said,"Brother Mi, do you know that the Mi Family is in trouble?”
"What do you mean?" Mei Zhu's expression changed.”
"Brother Mi, do you know the Zhen Family of Ji Prefecture?"
"Of course I know. Zhen is a tycoon from Hebei Province. My Mi family doesn't dare to compare to him.”
Mi Zhu wasn't being humble. The Mi family was on the same level as the Zhen family in terms of wealth, but they were slightly inferior. However, the previous head of the Zhen family, Zhen Yi, was the magistrate of Shangcai. Zhen Yi's second son was once elected as Xiao Lian and was appointed as the general's assistant.
The Zhen family had already squeezed into the ranks of the aristocrats, which was what Mi Zhu wanted to achieve the most.
"Brother Mi, do you know that the Zhen Family has already given 90% of their money and grain to Yuan Shao?”
Guo Jia's question stunned Mi Zhu.
It was understandable that the Zhen family would sponsor Yuan Shao, but it was 90%.
Obviously, Yuan Shao hinted that he had robbed Zhen Family, just like how he had robbed Jizhou.
"Not only that!" Guo Jia saw Mei Zhu's expression and continued,""There are two daughters in the Zhen family. The eldest daughter Zhen Jiang is already married, and the youngest daughter Zhen Mi is eight years old this year and has been decided by Yuan Shao to marry her second son Yuan Xi when she reaches adulthood.”
Wife?
Mei Zhu's eyes lit up.
The imperial court stipulated that commoners should have one husband and one wife. Only officials could have one husband, one wife, and two concubines. Only those with meritorious titles could have one husband, one wife, and nine concubines.
Although the world was in chaos now, Dong Zhuo had caused chaos in the palace, and Emperor Ling of Han had sold his official positions back then, causing many people to no longer abide by this rule, the status of his wife could not be shaken.
Only when one became a duke could one have a wife, a third wife, and countless concubines.
Although Yuan Shao took 90% of the Zhen family's assets, he seemed to value it very much.
But the next moment, his expression changed and he asked,""Second Young Master Yuan Xi?"
"Not bad!" Guo Jia nodded.
Mei Zhu's face paled.
Everyone knew that Yuan Shao had three legitimate sons, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang.
Yuan Tan had the status of the eldest son of the Di family and had made contributions to the family. He had a noble status.
It was said that Yuan Shang was handsome and loved by Yuan Shao the most. There were even rumors that Yuan Shao wanted to adopt Yuan Tan to his elder brother and leave his inheritance to Yuan Shang.
Only Yuan Xi wasn't valued. He was said to be a cripple.
The Zhen family was already a noble family, yet they had to give 90% of their money and food before their daughter would become Yuan Xi's wife?
Then the Mi family
"Looks like Brother Mi understands now!"
Guo Jia's eyes lit up as he said seriously," In this chaotic world, having military power is the most important. The richer the Mi Family is, the more people will target them. The only reason why they are still safe and sound is because Xu Prefecture's Overseer Tao Qian is still around.”
"With the Mi family's strength, Huo Ke married your sister into the Tao family. However, Brother Mi knows better than I do how capable Tao Qian's son is.”
"Once the Tao family and the Mei family are connected by marriage, they will definitely try their best to annex them.”
"If the Mei Family refuses, even if Tao Qian doesn't make a move, there will be others who will.”
"At the end of the day, the Mi Family is still a merchant family. Tao Qian has the Chen Family and the Cao Family under his command, but the Mi Family is not here.”
"Your Mi Family is rich, but you have no say in Xu Prefecture. You will only be despised by the aristocratic families.”
"Your sister marrying into an ordinary family is not as good as the Mei family itself. So what if she gets the position of a principal wife?”
"If you join a great aristocratic family, you will definitely not be able to get the position of the main wife!”
"This is reality."
"Brother Mi, if the Mi family wants to advance further, they have to break the current situation. You have to personally enter the officialdom and turn the Mi family into a noble family. However, just this alone won't be enough to gain the recognition of the aristocratic families.”
"Only by taking a gamble and choosing a wise master to be the subject of the dragon will we have a chance!”
"That's all I have to say. What do you think, Brother Mi?”
Beads of sweat dripped down Mei Zhu's forehead, and he was speechless.
After Guo Jia analyzed the situation, he realized that the Mi Family was in such danger.
Now that Tao Qian was old, he could make a move at any time.
Perhaps they would try to rope him in, but just as Guo Jia had said, the Mi Family was only at death's door. Once Tao Qian was gone, they would still not be accepted by the aristocratic families and would be ostracized by the aristocrats.
Otherwise, it would have been too easy for the Mi Family to buy an official position back then.
Zhang Mu was also shocked by Guo Jia's analysis. He knew about history, so he knew that the Mi Family's situation was not good. Although they became the Dongha, they were rejected by Cao Bao and Chen Deng, so they had no choice but to bet on Liu Bei.
Guo Jia understood it now?
Was this the top strategist of this era?
"Clan Head Mo, are you willing to be Lu Buwei?”Guo Jia suddenly asked.
A rare commodity that could be hoarded.
Mei Zhu's eyes flickered as he asked Zhang Mu,""Ziyu, if my younger sister were to be added to you, what position would she hold?”
"At least it's Madam!" Zhang Mu gave an affirmative answer.
Mi Zhu took a deep breath and stood up again. He clasped his hands together and bowed 90 degrees to Zhang Mu."This humble servant Mi Zhu greets the lord."
Zhang Mu hugged Mei Zhu's hands and smiled.
"Elder brother is too polite!"
Mi Zhu:
Guo Jia:
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