In Yangzhou City, Huixian Street, the most prosperous city, is crowded with onlookers.

Today is the 60th birthday of Zhou Yuanzhao, the richest man in Yangzhou. Almost all the decent people in Yangzhou came to guard the city, and even the prefect of Yangzhou Wen Muan was no exception.

The people of Yangzhou City were rushing to watch the fun, and the entire yard was crowded.

Naturally, they could not see the scene in the Zhou Mansion, and they could only rely on imagination.

As the richest man in Yangzhou, Zhou Yuanzhao's mansion naturally not only meets basic living needs, but also has pavilions, towers, waterfronts and pavilions.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is an extremely exquisite garden.

Today, most of the well-known figures have come, and Zhou Yuanzhao even invited the best opera troupe in the city to sing opera.

The birthday banquet was arranged in the garden of Zhou Mansion. Zhou Yuanzhao came down to the garden with the support of his eldest son Zhou Yuji and nodded to the guests.

Zhou Yuanzhao is not in good health. He has been ill in bed in recent years, and his eldest son Zhou Yuji is taking care of business.

Today, Mr. Zhou’s 60th birthday is on his twentieth birthday. The Zhou family wants to hold a big birthday party to celebrate the old man.

Zhou Yuanzhao also cheered up and came to the banquet to show his face in person.

As the richest man in Yangzhou, the Zhou family's business is spread all over various industries. Of course, the most profitable one is salt trading.

The salt industry has been huge profits since ancient times, and has been strictly controlled throughout the dynasties.

Those who can get the right to sell are basically all officials and businessmen who have good relationships with the government.

This is true for Zhou Yuanzhao.

"Haha, I'm fine at the prefect Wen. It's really a blessing for you to come to my birthday party to bring glory to the humble house."

Zhou Yuanzhao bowed to Wen Muan, his face full of smiles.

Wen Muan also gave Zhou Yuanzhao a lot of face and responded with a smile: "How can I not come on my birthday on Mr. Zhou? You are the representative of merchants in Yangzhou City."

"Please sit down quickly."

Zhou Yuanzhao extended his arm and made a gesture of asking for help. Wen Muan was not polite and immediately lifted up the hem of his robe and sat down.

Zhou Yuanzhao clapped his hands and the troupe immediately started singing.

The opera troupe invited by the Zhou family sings Kunshan accent, while the guests who were sitting were intoxicated.

Zhou Yuanzhao was very close to Wen Mu'an, so he lowered his voice and asked, "Wen Fu Zun, I have a saying that I don't know whether to say it or not."

Wen Muan stroked his beard and said, "Please talk to Mr. Zhou."

"It turns out that the thief has taken Fengyang and Luzhou Prefecture. It won't take long to attack Yangzhou. Please ask the Master Wenfu to give me a clear idea of ​​whether Yangzhou City can be defended."

The smile on Wen Muan's face suddenly solidified.

This old man Zhou is really aware of asking.

"There are 50,000 troops in Yangzhou. In Huai'an, Su Song is also strong and can support him at any time."

Wen Mu settled down and said, "I think the thief will not have any chance."

The reason why Zhou Yuanzhao pulled down this old face and asked was because he was really confused.

After all, the Zhou family is the richest man in Yangzhou. If the Ming army conquered Yangzhou, their good days would come to an end.

Although the merchants in Wuchang and Nanchang were not greatly affected, Zhou Yuanzhao did not think he would be so lucky.

After all, the Zhou family was strictly bound to the Qing government's ship. If the Qing court collapsed, not only would it not give the same treatment, but it would also be very likely to use them as a warning.

After all, the fat sheep from the Zhou family is so rich, and it will be enough for a long time to kill a single knife.

Moreover, the Zhou family monopolized the salt industry, which would inevitably be unwilling to the Ming court.

No matter how you look at the Zhou family and the Qing court both prosper and lose both.

"I'll be relieved if I have this sentence from Wenfu Zun."

Zhou Yuanzhao didn't know much about military affairs, but he felt a little confident when he heard the swearing of Prefect Wen.

Today is his birthday party, so you should naturally be happier.

I won't mention these things anymore

After the birthday party, the guests dispersed on their own.

With the help of his eldest son Zhou Yuji, Zhou Yuanzhao returned to the house to sit down.

"Dad, you have a glass of water."

Zhou Yuji poured Zhou Yuanzhao a cup of hot tea and delivered it to him very respectfully.

"Jiel, close the door."

Zhou Yuji cleared his throat and said in a deep voice.

Zhou Yuji followed the order and closed the door and stepped back. He stood with his hands.

"Today, I asked the situation of the garrison of the prefect Wen Yangzhou City for my father. It seems that I still have the power to defend myself."

After a moment of pause, Zhou Yuanzhao said in a deep voice: "But if you don't be afraid of ten thousand in everything, just be afraid of something. Our family has great business. If there is a mistake, it will be all done."

"Dad said it."

Zhou Yuji asked very cautiously: "In the opinion of my father, how should we act."

"Even if the south is temporarily safe, it is not a long-term solution to stay in Yangzhou."

Zhou Yuanzhao sighed: "You can find an opportunity to take the sea route to transport the silver to the north. You can stop in Denglai and go to Jinan, or you can stop directly at Tianjin Wei to go to the capital."

Zhou Yuji said in surprise: "Where are you, dad? Aren't you going with your son?"

Zhou Yuanzhao shook his head and looked helpless.

"It would be too obvious if Dad walked with him. Prefect Wen would definitely not agree."

Zhou Yuanzhao smiled wryly and said, "Our family is a family that is run by the government. At this time, the government will naturally not let us go easily. You can find a businessman to leave, and your father stays in Yangzhou to make the prefect Wen feel at ease."

Zhou Yuji's heart sank, feeling very uncomfortable.

No matter how reluctant he was to admit it, his father was telling the truth.

The government also pointed at the Zhou family to pay filial piety and money to support the army. How could it be that they could let their families escape?

Leaving one by one seems to be the best choice.

Zhou Yuji knew that his father left the opportunity for him because he hoped to continue to spread the branches and leaves for the Zhou family and continue the incense.

After all, Zhou Yuji is still young.

Zhou Yuji was so moved that he was covered in tears and his face was covered with tears and snot.

My father left him the opportunity to survive.

"Dad, you have to take care of yourself. My son settled down to the north and then found a way to take you over."

Zhou Yuji promised him with confidence.

"Good kid, don't worry about dad. Dad has lived for 60 years and has lived for enough. Besides, Yangzhou may not be able to be able to keep it."

"Life, live for your father and the Zhou family. Take away as much as the money can be taken away. Dad has prepared a lot of boats in Huai'an Mansion. Try to move your things to Huai'an. Once you get on the boat, keep going north and don't look back."

Zhou Yuanzhao seemed to see through everything and sighed: "At one moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a moment, a bright life. We can't tell who can laugh to the end. Let's go out of the way, so that at least we won't be beaten."

Duoyuan Novel APP:

Zhou Yuanzhao had already thought about it and chose to stay in Yangzhou.

In this way, after the Ming army broke through the city, he would choose to surrender to the Ming Dynasty.

Needless to say, filial piety is a matter of being able to save your life.
Chapter completed!