Ming Zuo

Chapter 205

Compared with Zuo Menggeng, the big families in Linqing are more anxious.

After seeing the power of off-season vegetables, no one can sit still.

However, Zuo Menggeng was away on an expedition, so they had no choice but to wait.

On the day Zuo Menggeng came back, they couldn't wait to send out invitations.Until now, everyone finally sat together.

But seeing Lu Xun's appearance, Zuo Menggeng was really surprised.

"What's the matter, old man?"

When he was in the field a few years ago, Lu Xun was still physically strong and energetic.But seeing you again at this time, it was like a candle in the wind, shaky.

It was fine if he didn't ask, but this question made Lu Xun burst into tears, sobbing hard.

Accompanying Lu Xun was Lu Hao, the eldest grandson of the third generation of the Lu family.

Lu Hao's eyes were even redder, and he gritted his teeth when he spoke, full of resentment.

But after hearing him explain the reason, everyone's expressions were not much better.

It turned out that Emperor Tianqi decided to build the three main halls, and the Lu family was one of the suppliers of bricks and stones.But not long after the three main halls were repaired, Apocalypse died.

After Chongzhen ascended the throne, the government was still in chaos.

The Lu family has always been owed wages.

But if the Lu family can't get wages, the workers below will have no income and will make trouble.

In desperation, the Lu family had no choice but to pay for it out of their own pocket.

If Zuo Menggeng hadn't ordered a batch of bricks and tiles from the Lu family at that time, the brick kiln of the Lu family would have gone bankrupt.

But this is not the solution. Lu Kuang, Lu Xun's son and Lu Hao's father, went to the capital to find Gong Yonggu, the captain-in-law, and hoped to make a report on his behalf, so that the internal officials could make up the debt.

But just in time for the changes in Jisi, the capital was in a mess, and Gong Yonggu kept procrastinating on this excuse.

Lu Kuang was helpless, running around, but couldn't get in.

Seeing that there was no way out, Lu Kuang became anxious, and ran to the gate of Hui'an Bo Zhang Qingzhen to beg.

When the three halls were being built, Zhang Qingzhen was the person in charge of the bricks and tiles.

Lu Kuang couldn't find the internal officials to ask for money, so he naturally went to Zhang Qingzhen.

He had no idea that it was impossible to get back the money owed by the inner court.

It was all divided up by the internal officials, Zhang Qingzhen and other dignitaries.

He came to ask for money, and immediately angered Zhang Qingzhen, who was stunned to vomit blood by the servants of Hui'anbo Mansion.

Lu Kuang was inexplicably sad and indignant, and was about to sue the imperial court.

But before leaving, I got a news of a bolt from the blue.

Hui'anbo Zhang Qingzhen joined forces with the consorts Duwei Gong Yonggu, Hou Gongchen, and Liu Yongfu to donate all the coal kilns and brick kilns under his name to Chongzhen in the name of sharing your worries.

Chongzhen was in need of money to heal the wounds of his own changes, so he immediately issued an order of praise, and Zhang Qingzhen and others became good people instead.

If Lu Kuang went to file a complaint at this time, he would become a profiteer without a king or father, greedy for money and profit.

Lu Kuang was frightened and furious. He really fell ill and completely gave up.

Carried home by the servants, half-dead, unable to get out of bed.

When Lu Hao mentioned this matter, his hatred was overwhelming, but Zuo Menggeng was very happy.

Among the big clans in Linqing, originally only the Zhang family and the Liu family were Zuo Menggeng's staunch allies, while the Lu family and the Geng family could only be regarded as exchanges of interests.

But now these two families are obviously alienated from the imperial court.

The most urgent task is to tie the Lu family and the Geng family to his chariot with greater benefits.

"Last winter, Zuozhuang tried to plant off-season vegetables, and the harvest was good, and the benefits were also very good. However, Zuozhuang's own strength is limited after all. Linqing is a city of millions, and countless people are looking forward to it. The younger generation has always felt that , win-win is the long-term way. It just so happens that all families have the same heart, and the juniors have planned it."

Hearing that he happily agreed to cooperate, all the families were excited.

"My father always talks about Brother Zhongheng's lofty sentiments and righteousness, which is unparalleled in the world. We will take care of Brother Zhongheng, why should the family be unhappy?"

Geng Zhangguang speaks freely, and there is something in his words.

While talking, he looked at Lu Xun.

The Geng family has decided to join Zuo Menggeng's camp in the future.

Geng Zhangguang has long stated his intention to contribute, and Geng Ruqi will come out after recovering from illness.

Among those present, only the Lu family is not far or close.

Does the Kelu family have any other choices?
Lu Hao stood up and cupped his hands with a sincere attitude.

"Brother Zhongheng of the Lu family has always taken care of him a lot. He has great kindness and great virtue, and he is deeply grateful. From now on, I will be the leader of Brother Zhongheng."

Qu Shiqi and Zhang Jimeng were watching the ceremony, and they couldn't help being shocked to see that Zuo Menggeng had received the hearts of the Linqing clan.

From now on, Zuo Menggeng will cover Linqing's innocence.

The Lu family also expressed their loyalty, which made Zuo Menggeng quite satisfied.Many plans can finally be let go.

"Then let's talk about off-season vegetables first."

Seeing that he did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point, everyone was quite relieved and listened carefully.

"Because of monopoly benefits, off-season vegetables are very popular no matter where they are sold. If we want to do it, we can't be petty and just focus on the three-acre land in Linqing. My idea is that within one to two years , to occupy the entire Dongchang Mansion."

He looked at Zhang Zonghuan.

"It is said that Uncle Zhang has an old friend in Texas?"

Zhang Zonghuan nodded and said with a smile: "My old friend, you are also familiar with each other. Cheng Xucheng Wenze is the son of Gongyegong."

When he said that, everyone was stunned.

Cheng Gongye, also known as Cheng Shao, served as the governor of Henan and was also a member of the Donglin Party.

Now that there is this relationship, Zuo Menggeng's layout is more convenient.

"Uncle Zhang can invite Cheng Wenze to be a dealer in Dezhou and set up a local store. After our off-season vegetables are shipped to Dezhou, he will sell them on his behalf. In this way, the Dezhou market is all mine."

When everyone heard this, they all felt that this method was very good.

In this era, commercial expansion is very restricted by traffic, and off-season vegetables are even more troublesome in transportation.Especially in winter, if the storage is not good during transportation, it will be broken halfway.

If it's only in Dongchang Mansion, then it's not a big problem.There are official roads connecting everywhere, and it takes only one or two days to keep the vegetables fresh.

The reason why they want to win over the Cheng family in Dezhou is also because they have no friendship with the local officials in Dezhou, so they need to start with the local rich.

As for Dongchang Mansion, it is not so troublesome. Huang Daozhou is the magistrate and can provide support.

It is worth mentioning that Dezhou is not under the jurisdiction of Dongchang Prefecture, but Jinan Prefecture.But it is so close to Linqing, and it is a big city, so it is naturally worth exploring.

In Dongchang Mansion, apart from Linqing and Dongchang, the development value of the other prefectures and counties is not very great, so they don't need to be included in the plan for the time being.

At the wine table, after discussion, everyone decided to set up Linqing Vegetable Company.

Each company still becomes the shareholder of the vegetable company by way of land and capital shares, participates in the operation and obtains dividends at the same time.

In the previous Fuyao Group, these families were only shareholders and did not directly participate in operation and management.

At that time, Zuo Menggeng couldn't fully trust them, he just needed to rely on the financial resources and land of these families.

Now that these people have stepped into his chariot, it is natural to give full play to their energy.

The deep-seated purpose behind it is to transform these landlords who combine agriculture and business into a brand new bourgeoisie.

Zuo Menggeng believes that this transformation does not necessarily require the landlord class to completely give up the means of production. If the commercial operation of land is completed, it should be possible.

This is also his second purpose after establishing the vegetable company.

"Seniors, this year's summer harvest, I don't know how each family has gained? This junior has some experience here, and I hope to share it with you."

He didn't wait for everyone to answer, and said directly: "Since the sowing last autumn, my Zuozhuang has adopted brand-new breeding and cultivation techniques. When the wheat is harvested this summer, there are seven stones per mu, which is much higher than in previous years. "

"Clang..."

Before he finished speaking, Liu Ji's wine glass was spilled.

"Brother Zhongheng, is this serious?"

Although the others did not speak, the sound of rapid breathing seemed to create a vacuum around the wine table.

The yield of one acre of land is seven times that of one stone. These landlords understand what it means.

(End of this chapter)