Zhurou

When the chaos in the city happened for the second time, Zhao Mingzhi was meeting people in a restaurant on Panlou Street.

A total of three people entered the door one after another, one of them was wearing a Taoist robe, with gray hair on the temples, just looking at his appearance, he was no different from ordinary old scholars in the academy, and the other two arrived later, both in their 40s and [-]s, in their prime of life, both dressed as businessmen, with The materials used are expensive.

The two middle-aged men obviously respected the old man in Taoist robes. When they opened the door, they saw him standing inside. A maidservant found out that they were all women, and was even more suspicious.

One of them asked: "Didn't it mean that the owner of Hengsheng Grain Company had an urgent matter with us, so he specially made an appointment here? Why haven't we seen anyone yet?"

The old man said: "I have just arrived, I also have this question, and I am waiting for someone to explain."

Then he turned his head and said, "Master Li, what does your boss mean?"

Shopkeeper Li who was being questioned by him raised his head and glanced left and right, as if he was counting the heads. When he saw that everyone was present, he falsely led to Zhao Mingzhi and said, "I'm going to recommend to everyone, Hengsheng and Xingsheng were changed yesterday. The new owner, because of an urgent matter, invited a few people to come for an interview."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions became a little subtle.

Hengsheng and Xingsheng each have more than a dozen shops in the capital, which are not obvious, but they add up to a lot of weight. Now they have suddenly changed their owners. The owner is still a woman, and they don't know their background. The news has never been heard, which is really unusual.

Zhao Mingzhi on the seat rose up in response, lifted the veil on his head, and said: "My surname is Zhao, and I have just taken over Hengsheng and established a few grain shops. I invite you here today because I want to discuss something. A pile of business——Do you sell the grain in your hands or not?"

……

……

Zhao Mingzhi didn't stay here for long.

She knew that although the three people in front of her had some status in the industry, there were so many grain merchants in Beijing, and the head of the industry was not the owner, so she couldn't be the master of others, so she had to leave some time for everyone to pass on the words.

After clarifying what she had planned, she left.

When walking out of the box, Mu Xiang, who was originally an attendant, was the last one.

With the action of closing the door, Mu Xiang glanced at the three people in the room with different expressions, then stared at the open wooden box on the table, couldn't help frowning, and returned to the carriage, hesitated for a while , still couldn't help asking: "Why is your Highness so polite? Even if you don't give those many things, don't they dare to resist?"

Zhao Mingzhi leaned on the carriage, and only replied: "People's hearts are against each other, how can the word 'fate' be able to influence?"

"I often hear people say that heavy codes are needed in troubled times. Your Highness is so kind, but those people may not appreciate them. Maybe something will happen. Should we let them go then?" Mu Xiang said angrily. .

Zhao Mingzhi said calmly: "Use morality first, then law. If you don't eat the toast, you can only give a bowl of fine wine."

After finishing speaking, he turned his head to look at the shopkeeper Li who recommended her just now, and said, "What I have explained today..."

The shopkeeper Li immediately responded: "Your Highness, don't worry, I will definitely follow up on this matter properly, if it is tonight if it is early, and if it is tomorrow morning if it is late, there will be a result."

He said in his mouth, saluted, and waited to see Zhao Mingzhi's carriage leave, then immediately turned his head and walked to the original box in the restaurant.

In the wing room, the three people who were left behind were still suspicious.

As soon as the door was closed, one of them hurried up and reached for the wooden box on the table.

The other person moved a little slower, so he simply didn't rush forward and squeezed, and turned to ask the old man, "Mr. Han, today...what is this...?"

The old man called Han Yuanwai was squinting his eyes to look at the wooden box on the table, and said, "What else can I say? Didn't you hear clearly just now? One of them is to pay with capital, borrowing the food and grain from our trip, We will return it at this time next year, and the second is to invite us to claim the ownerless wasteland cleared by the yamen, and pay the money and grain to hire refugees from central Beijing to plant it..."

His tone was flat, with almost no intonation, which made him especially ironic.

The person who asked the question was keenly aware of Han Yuanwai's implication, and hesitantly said: "It is only the princess who is speaking now, not the imperial court... Besides, she also said that today is just a personal request, let us listen to our hearts, don't be too embarrassing, Can it really be ignored?"

No matter how hard it was to maintain a calm expression, Han Yuanwai almost squeezed out a voice through his teeth, and said, "Didn't you see the battle when she entered the city that day?"

He said again: "If it is the same as before, only the Jingdu government office is in charge, then there are not many soldiers and generals, nothing to be afraid of, but she brought her own soldiers and horses, and Pei Yong from the Jingzhao government—— As long as his rumors are true, they can't be easily offended: How dare you talk to those people with knives and guns in the northwest?!"

"It's really troublesome, he cut you off, who can you talk to for reason? Jingzhao Mansion used to kill even high-ranking court officials!"

The man's face turned pale from the shock of the words, he didn't know what to think, and he said after a long time: "But... well, with the current situation, let alone next year, even next month, I don't know who will be the master in the city, is it just for this princess? If you don’t want to give away so much grain for nothing? Even if I can give it up, how will I explain to the people in the south in the future?”

"There is also the matter of approving the land. I heard that people were out of the wind earlier, and I thought it was just for the refugees. Who knew that it was also about us. Now they say it is voluntary, and everyone has found it. What's the difference?"

"Speaking of it, isn't it just forcing us to support those refugees? If we had known this, we might as well..."

He was talking, and suddenly shut up.

Member Han didn't look very good-looking on the outside, he turned his head and said, "Didn't you keep the property of Prince Jia's Mansion and say you want to use it as a bet? Let's go and see how those properties are."

He stepped forward a few steps and walked towards the wooden table in the middle.

The things in the wooden box on the table have been taken out and spread out in a row. Looking at them one by one, there are a few banknotes with huge denominations on the far left, and the rest are house deeds and land deeds.

Seeing the old man approaching, the man handed over a piece of paper in his hand and asked: "Mr. Han, according to your opinion, where are the industries in Sichuan, Jingjiang, Quanzhou, and Fuzhou?" One place is worth more?"

Han Yuanwai took the piece of paper, turned around to face the sun, and raised it up to take a closer look. It turned out to be a land deed from Shangtian in the middle of Sichuan, covering an area of ​​890 hectares, very close to Zizhou City.

Then I took another one, which showed the eight piers in Quanzhou city, and there were more than [-] shops connected by a certain street.

He hastily scanned the many deeds on the table, and was obviously a little surprised—these properties are not only expensive, but the most rare thing is that they are all things that cannot be bought with money today.

Even in peacetime, it is not easy to buy Shangtian, which is close to the state city, contiguous, and close to the water source. What's more, because Shu is relatively safe at this time, Quanzhou, Fuzhou and other places are in the southeast. I don't want to buy land and real estate in Anwenzhou County, the price is skyrocketing, but there is still no market for the price.

"Last time, I heard that many acquaintances in the tour group had sent servants to buy fields in the south and east to change production. It's been a long time, and they came back with no good results. It's rare to get so much this time. If she said It's not a lie, but a genuine intention to use it to pay off, even if the court can't pay back the food at this time next year, we won't be all at a loss."

The person who spoke seemed to be a little bit excited. While counting the value of the property on the table, he took a peek at Han Yuanwai, and when he counted sevens and eights, he was even more excited, and added: "It's just that there are people in the tour group after all In the end, how to divide these things, it is still necessary for the Han staff to speak out, lest the subordinates complain that we are unfair."

The staff member Han didn't look up, he put away the papers on the table one by one, gathered them into a pile, put them back into the wooden box, and said, "You guys should check it out, make a list and send it out, and when the time comes, who will be responsible?" The person who donates grain and recognizes the most land is the first to be selected."

He said again: "I think this deed paper is mainly divided into two types: gold and silver, and property. Why don't we just calculate it by donating grain for property and recognizing land for gold and silver."

After he spoke, the other two thought about it for a while, then looked at each other again, before they were about to ask again, they heard the sound of "duk-duk" at the door.

Everyone followed the sound and saw shopkeeper Li knocking on the door and entering, saluting and greeting them with a smile.

Although the three people in the field had different thoughts, they were all very enthusiastic on the surface, and surrounded them one after another.

This one said: "The shopkeeper Li is not kind this time! When did you Hengsheng change such a distinguished owner, and you didn't hear the slightest news, but we were not prepared at all. If we knew this, why bother Your Royal Highness?" Come to see me in person, you only need to send a letter, how can we not handle the rest of the matter carefully?"

The other said: "It's just hard to go into details, I just want to congratulate you. With such an employer, why don't you worry about your success in the future!"

The shopkeeper Li just handed over his hands blindly, "it's easy to talk about it", "no no no no" non-stop.

After exchanging pleasantries, someone finally brought the topic back to the business, and asked: "Shopkeeper Li, everyone is acquainted, and I don't say such perfunctory words, I just come to ask you for permission-what is this highness the princess?" Temperament, today's donation of grain and recognition of fields, is it true that we voluntarily accept it, or?"

Shopkeeper Li said with a smile: "Your Highness is the most kind-hearted. He always emphasizes the word 'voluntary'. You don't have to worry."

And he said strangely: "I don't understand. In fact, the situation in the city today is self-aware, so I don't need to say too much. If the price of food continues to rise like this, how can the yamen sit idly by? In the end, they will have to make an example. It's better." Take it when you see it."

"This time His Royal Highness's proposal of exchanging grain and recognizing land is actually not for nothing. At this time next year, those who donate two dou today will get back three dou. As for the land recognition, the court will not collect taxes for three years, and the land will be recognized. The more, the more benefits, isn't it enough to benefit like this? Why does it seem like everyone has suffered a loss?"

The three people in the room were silent, and after a while, the Han member said: "Donating food for the country, how can you use the word "disadvantage", the old man is also from Jin, it is a great honor to be able to contribute to the court .”

After a pause, he said again: "If I'm the only one, even if I donate all the family property, there's nothing wrong with it."

As he spoke, he put the wooden box in his hand back on the table, took two steps outside, sighed quietly, and said, "After all, there are hundreds of people in my family, as well as my family and friends, and many helpers. Pointing at this grain store to collect income for food, after all, you can’t do what you want.”

"The other thing is, I'm getting old. In fact, it's time for me to return to my roots and move south to my hometown in Jinling. I couldn't do it because of the cold and freezing weather. Now that spring has begun, it's about time."

Speaking of this, Han Yuanwai touched the corners of his eyes with his hands, as if trying to tear, and said with shame: "I am really powerless about the matter of recognizing the land, but it is duty-bound to donate food. I donated all the grain—only the price of grain has risen sharply recently, and my grain business has been notified by the yamen, so I didn't hesitate to sell it.

After counting the number and asking the princess to find out, I'm afraid I won't look very good, so I asked shopkeeper Li to help me say a few good words, so don't blame me. "

He made a start here, and immediately another person followed, saying that no matter whether it was in his shop or in the warehouse, there was not much food left.

Shopkeeper Li didn't try to persuade you, and didn't ask any more questions. He just smiled and said, "I'm also from the grain shop, so I don't know about your difficulties. Besides, the princess always acts kindly. She doesn't mind whether I say it or not." , just rest assured."

He said again: "Your Highness is kind-hearted, and puts the people first in everything, so he will definitely not say anything, but your behavior has already aroused the anger of the people. I am afraid that there has been a misunderstanding in the government office in the capital, so I just let it go." , I am also afraid that the people in the streets and alleys will make a noise..."

Han Yuanwai didn't think so, and said: "The imperial court is not unreasonable. As for the new Lu Xianggong, I heard that he is also from a scholarly family. He is not someone who can't stand on the table. Think about it, you should be more considerate. .”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a voice at the door, and a person hurriedly knocked on the door and entered.

After entering the door, the man saw shopkeeper Li, and hurriedly went up and said something.

Shopkeeper Li's face moved slightly after hearing this, and reluctantly bowed to everyone, and said: "I have something urgent, I'll take my farewell first, please help pass it on, because it's urgent, I'll come back tonight to inquire."

After speaking, he just left like this.

Doing so made all three of them feel that something was wrong.

As soon as he left, one of them was the first to ask: "Mr. Han, now everyone is a grasshopper on the same rope. Only by advancing and retreating together can we be safe. Everyone should not hide and tuck - you don't plan on this end!" Recognizing the fields and saying that you want to go back to Jinling City, do you think the situation in the city is not good?"

Han Yuanwai shook his head and said, "I'm really old, and my family members have already returned to the south. Naturally, I only want to be reunited. Don't think too much about it."

He said again: "Look at the many acres of land in Beijing waiting to be plowed. In the past, I didn't even dare to think about it. Now, as long as you send a message, the yamen can approve it for you immediately. Even the princess will come to thank you. Hiring a few more people to catch up with the spring plowing season, wouldn't it be a lot of money in the autumn harvest? In fact, it is a great way to make money, even for an old man like me who is about to leave Beijing, seeing these acres of land is very exciting..."

The other two in the field rarely agreed.

Don't look at what people say about everything, but look at how you do it.

Han Yuanwai said that it would be better to recognize the fields and plow the land, but he himself was only willing to donate food, and kept thinking about going south, obviously not optimistic about the defense of the capital.

One person simply pointed it out directly: "If Di Ren comes..."

Han Yuanwai said: "Didn't you say that Pei Jiedu from Jingzhao Mansion led the troops? For so many years, the Northwest has always fought back and forth with the North..."

"There are no outsiders here, so why bother to talk about such scenes!" Another person also interjected, "Again, no matter how good the money this person gave you today, it is still a hot potato in the final analysis. Don't we dare to pick it up?" ? If the court settles accounts in the future..."

Member Han said with a smile: "This time, it is the Heavenly Family's kindness, and we have received it in a legitimate way. Why don't we dare to accept it?"

He said again: "If you are really afraid, just donate food and reclaim the land, and don't take money from her property..."

The man's expression changed immediately: "Wouldn't that be a free gift to the surname Zhao again?"

He suddenly became angry: "The one who moved to the north collected the money and grain from the city that day, and it has been more than two years now, not to mention returning it, and he didn't even say a word. There are so many things, throwing them into the water is still worth it." What's more, there is no certificate, and there is no way to go back and forth. The dragon chair has been replaced by another person, and the old things will naturally disappear-after one beating, do you still have to eat the second one? ? The Zhao family really think that we are all fools? Do they really think that our money, food and grain are picked for nothing!"

Speaking of this, he actually reached forward, grabbed the wooden box on the table, looked up at the other person opposite and asked, "Do you dare to take it?"

The person on the opposite side showed a look of hesitation, with sweat dripping from his forehead, he said: "Although it is difficult to know the future situation in the city, this place is still surnamed Zhao. No matter how polite the princess is today, she is still a member of the royal family. If the two It's like tearing the skin apart..."

Han Yuanwai chuckled when he heard the words, and said, "Neither left nor right, there is no such thing as the best of both worlds, you two have to decide for yourself, whether you want money, or if you want to show face in front of the Zhao family..."

He stayed out of the matter, but spoke lightly and delicately, causing the other two people to be uneasy.

The three of them discussed here for a long time, and they were about to leave the wing room to send people to the various grain merchants in the Tongchuan group, when they pushed the door open without thinking, they heard the chaotic footsteps of a group of people, According to the reputation, there are five or six people.

The people who came were all followers, seeing all three of them were there, they all breathed a sigh of relief, each went to meet his master, and said in a low voice: "Master, something happened in the shop!"

It turned out that after the common people broke into the grain store, the incident gradually became serious, and it started to affect not only the grain store, but also spread to other streets and shops. Now the yamen has dispatched yamen guards and patrols to maintain order, and it has not been able to control it for a while. .

When the three of them heard the news, they were all caught off guard.

One of them asked anxiously, "Are the belongings in the shop all right?"

The attendant who came to report had a complex expression, and he was stunned for a moment before answering: "A few guys in the shop were injured, and someone has already sent them to the hospital. Except for the doors and windows, the rest of the cabinets and tables are also damaged, but I haven't had time to count them..."

Only then did the man realize that there were other people around at this time, he cleared his throat quickly and said, "Have the troublemakers been arrested?"

"Someone from the government took it away, but I don't know what happened..."

"Then send someone to take a look!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly turned his head to bid farewell to his two companions, and then complained: "Those refugees must be playing tricks inside. I don't know if anyone will come to compensate me for my loss this time!"

After finishing speaking, he hurriedly walked out.

Li Yuanwai and the other person were left speechless. Not long after, that person also cupped his hands and said: "I have something to do in the lower shop, so I won't bother you here, just... oh..."

Although the two of them didn't speak, they both knew that once things got serious, the court's attitude might change, and they might not be as easy to talk to as before. At this moment, they felt a little bored, and they didn't even have any interest in exchanging greetings.