Chapter 2532
The steward here is named Yang Ji, who has been working in Qiong Lianfa for several years. He was transferred from Zhoushan to Hangzhou last year. Although he didn't know the identities of Tao Hongfang and others, he knew exactly who Ning Zijing was. Although this young man is young, he is one of the high-ranking ministers on Qiong Lianfa's roster and has a prominent status. Even if the local deacon's boss comes, he will probably have to show courtesy. Tao Hongfang and others are considered brothers to Ning Zijing, and even their entourage is no ordinary servant. It goes without saying that these people's identities are definitely not ordinary people. At that moment, Yang Ji specifically told his subordinates to serve these distinguished guests well.
After Yang Ji asked Ning Zijing for instructions, he learned that they did not want to go out to eat, so he directly transferred all the chefs from the restaurant across the street to serve them. These chefs are not only good at cooking Hainan-style dishes, but also specialize in Huaiyang cuisine from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Ning Zijing and others lived in the south all year round, but rarely had the opportunity to taste authentic Huaiyang cuisine, so they ordered some local signature dishes to be cooked to try out. Yang Ji didn't dare to be too slow and went to the kitchen to oversee the work himself.
"Zijing, this is a comfortable job for you. There are people waiting for you wherever you go, and you are not like us who have to take into account your status and abide by the rules in the yamen." Tao Hongfang drank tea and said to Ning Zi. The treatment shows envy. Of course, such a statement was only half-joking. If he really revealed his family background, the stewards here would treat him as a Bodhisattva and offer him sacrifices.
Ning Zijing smiled and said: "My status as a worshipper is only useful in Qionglianfa. Who cares after I leave this door? I can't compare to several brothers. They have official positions and are not afraid of traveling all over the world!"
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Although Ning Zijing is young, he also knows where his status as a worshiper in Qiong Lianfa comes from. Qiong Lianfa is willing to provide himself with such superior treatment, of course, not because of his outstanding professional abilities, but mainly because he has an old father who is in charge of the power of the country. However, this enshrined status is indeed only effective within Qiong Lianfa. It may seem convenient when walking outside, but for ordinary people, its influence is definitely not as powerful as that of officials serving in the yamen.
The other three people traveling with them this time are all officials. Although their current positions are not high, with their status, it is only a matter of time before they enter the upper echelons of power. And Ning Zijing still has the opportunity to join an official career from a businessman, and take the path that most second-generation people would choose.
Bai Letong said: "With Zijing's ability and qualifications, if you want to switch to the Ministry of Commerce and become colleagues with Hongfang, I think there won't be much of a problem."
Ha Jianyi, however, was rough and tumble. He shook his head and retorted: "In my opinion, Zijing probably doesn't have this ambition. Otherwise, why bother going through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be better to just say hello to Mr. Shi?"
Ning Zijing smiled and said: "My junior qualifications are still relatively young and I still need to hone my skills slowly. As for whether to engage in business or politics in the future, there is no need to rush to make a decision at this time."
Ning Zijing didn't want to continue this topic, and the others naturally wouldn't force it. Everyone drank tea and chatted. Not long after, Yang Ji, the steward, came in a hurry to report that the banquet was ready.
When everyone sat down, they saw that the dishes on the table, such as crab meat and lion head, squirrel mandarin fish, Wensi tofu, and duck-wrapped shark's fin, were all local specialties. Together with a jar of Shaoxing daughter's red wine, it was a standard Huaiyang cuisine configuration.
Given Yang Ji's status, he was naturally not qualified to serve as a guest at the table, so he could only serve on the side. Only then did Ning Zijing remember and asked where the local deacon was.
Yang Ji responded respectfully: "The big shopkeeper went to Yangzhou the day before yesterday, and he will probably stay there for a few days. If Master Ning stays here for a longer time, we will definitely meet up." In fact, about Qiong Ning Zijing, the person in charge of Lianfa in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, only learned about it after receiving the transfer order in Sanya. Qiong Lianfa was jointly funded and established by more than a dozen commercial organizations. The offices distributed in various places are generally held by the regional heads of these commercial organizations, and Hangzhou is no exception.
The person who serves as the chief deacon of the new office in Hangzhou is Li Fa, the eldest of the three brothers of the Furifeng Li family in Guangzhou. Fulifeng is now divided into three parts by region. The second eldest brother Li Po is responsible for the Guangdong and Guangxi areas, and the South China Sea region including Hainan Island is the business scope of the third eldest brother Li Nai. As for the areas north of Guangdong and Guangxi, the boss Li Fa is responsible for everything.
With Li Fa's status, he also serves as the person in charge of Qiong Lianfa in Hangzhou, which is actually considered a low-level job. However, considering the future development prospects of Hangzhou, it is not difficult to understand the importance Qiong Lianfa and the Li family attach to this place. Moreover, the scale of the office built by Qiong Lianfa in Hangzhou is very large, and the funds and various resources invested are far beyond that of ordinary offices. Only by having a prestigious person like Li Fa in charge can the shareholders feel at ease.
These young people are indeed not familiar with Li Fa, but they are familiar with Li Nai, Li Fa's third brother. Li Nai visits Sanya almost every year, and has a close personal relationship with the fathers of Ning Zijing and others.
Not to mention Ha Jianyi’s father, Harugong, who has been serving overseas all year round, the other three have known Li Nai since they were very young. Among the Ming businessmen who visit Sanya every year, Li Nai is one of the few A person who can be a guest in the homes of senior officials of the Executive Committee.
Their fathers and Li Nai had a close relationship as teachers and friends, and starting from their generation, everyone would call Li Nai "uncle" respectfully when they saw him. The relationship could be described as extremely close. Speaking from this relationship, Ning Zijing will naturally be taken care of by Li Fa after arriving in Hangzhou.
Although Li Fa was not in Hangzhou at this time, judging from the level of reception given by Qiong Lianfa, it is very likely that Li Fa had made arrangements in advance. After all, Qiong Lianfa, as an official partner of Haihan, would also use the commercial telegraph service provided by the government for a long time to deliver important news. After Ning Zijing set off from Sanya, it is estimated that Li Fa had already received the news.
Although there was no host to accompany them, the young people did not feel restrained and enjoyed their first meal after arriving in Hangzhou. Tao Hongfang was attentive and even consulted Yang Ji for information about the administrative office set up by Haihan officials in Hangzhou.
After all, they all have official tasks. After arriving in Hangzhou, they will definitely have to contact the relevant departments and inquire about the location of the Yamen and other information in order to be prepared.
After asking, I learned that Shi Diwen moved the administrative office of Donghai Region to Hangzhou last year and temporarily requisitioned the original Zhejiang Sansi Yamen and Hangzhou Fu Yamen as the offices of various departments. After the new city is completed, we will decide whether to relocate based on the progress. However, Shi Diwen himself did not live in Hangzhou, but chose a manor on the edge of the West Lake outside the city as his official residence.
(End of chapter)