The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 513 Zhu Xiu’s year-end summary
In the twelfth lunar month, Zhu Xiu "low-keyly" invited Feng Qingchan to visit her. The Zhu and Feng families only entertained guests they knew well, so it was naturally not as lively as when they married Fu Jinhuan. However, Chai Rong sent someone to deliver a reward in the name of the emperor. Judging from the gift list, it was only better than marrying Fu Jinhuan. Fu Jinhuan was a little worse, but everyone was happy.

Zhu Xiu had one wife and three concubines, embracing each other on the left and on the right, and her happiness was boundless.

A few days later, Zhu Xiu made the decision to betroth Mo Xiang to Bi Zhenhai and presided over their marriage.

At first, Mo Xiang was a little reluctant. After all, she was a maid of the Fu family. She thought she had a good appearance and a good figure. She might be favored by the Marquis and become a concubine from a slave.

After Fu Jinhuan enlightened her, and Zhu Xiu expressed implicitly that she didn't have such feelings in person, Mo Xiang gave up and half-heartedly agreed to get married.

Fu Jinhuan knew that Bi Zhenhai was an important subordinate to her husband, loyal and capable. When Mo Xiang married, the Hou Mansion was her natal family, and the couple were the vines extending from the big tree of the Hou Mansion. Their relationship with the Hou Mansion It just gets deeper and deeper.

Zhu Xiu clearly told Mo Xiang that she would focus on training Bi Zhenhai and seek an official position for him. If he marries a lady who will become an official in the future, there will be a lot of glory and wealth waiting for her to enjoy.

Zhu Xiu asked Bi Zhenhai to take Mo Xiang to Zhuangzi in the southern suburbs to play for a few days, giving the two a chance to be alone.

After much consideration, Mo Xiang gave up her worries, made up her mind to get married, and walked out of the Hou Mansion with some regrets.

On the day of Bi Zhenhai's wedding, Zhu Xiu closed the Taihe Building specifically to entertain the managers, commanders, and principals of Shenghe Mansion, Guanghe Commercial Bank, Zangfeng Camp, and the Police Department.

In the past few years since arriving in Kaifeng, the old Zhangyi Army with Zhu Xiu as the core has formed many power groups with different powers and responsibilities.

The Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department are responsible for intelligence gathering, supervising the movements of all parties, and also serve as the guards of Zhu Xiu and the Hou Mansion.

In the name of guest houses and warehouses, Shenghe Dishe has shops all over the north of the Yellow River. As the stronghold of the Zangfengying and the Police Department in various places, it also cooperates with Guanghe Commercial Bank to be responsible for the transshipment and hoarding of goods.

Guanghe Commercial Bank is responsible for making money from business and coordinating other industries under Zhu Xiu's name. There are spices from the Western Regions collected from Huihe merchants, wine from Zhangye, gold-coated Bigan Mountains, felt scorpions, swords, rhinoceros leather saddles and bridles from Dali Kingdom, and rare treasures such as Nanhai agarwood and ambergris from the Southern Han Dynasty. .

There is also Changxing Cargo Company, which has recently become famous in the Southern Tang Dynasty. It started by trafficking bulk goods. Now it is an important partner of the Southern Tang court and the people in transporting salt, iron, grain and other materials.

Only Ma Qing, Hu Guangyue, Bi Zhenhai, and Wu Dachuan, the core figures of Zhu Xiu's gang, knew that Changxing Trading Company was also the property of their own marquis.

Under Zhu Xiu's instruction, Wu Dazhuan personally went south to contact Cha Hui, the chief manager of Changxing Commodity House. The two parties exchanged information and began to have some normal business exchanges.

With the help of Changxing Commodity Company, the sugar and preserved fruits of Guanghe Company gradually entered the Jiangnan market.

Almost all of them were from Jingzhou and had followed Zhu Xiu to Kaifeng. They had not had a good reunion in the past few years. This time, taking advantage of Bi Zhenhai's wedding, they gathered together and it was lively.

Pan Mei was also an old acquaintance with them, so Zhu Xiu specially called him up.

At the wine table, Pan Mei was drunk and lost her mind. She put her arm around Zhu Xiu's shoulders and talked drunkenly:
"I said, Mr. Zhu, you are not an honest kid. Our old Pan's friendship with you is no worse than his Bi Zhenhai's, right? How come you don't consider me for such a beautiful thing as marrying a wife?"

The crowd burst into laughter. Bi Zhenhai, who was wearing a bright red wedding robe, rolled up his sleeves and hugged the wine jar. He laughed loudly and said: "General Pan has been promoted to the deputy commander of the right wing of the Tiger Wing Army. Are you still worried about not getting a wife? This is Kaifeng City." There are officials’ families everywhere, and there are so many daughters, lining up for you to choose from!”

"Hahaha~ It's not as good as Madam Mo Xiang to choose from! She is a lady trained by the Fu family, she has a noble aura of aristocratic family!" Pan Mei laughed and booed.

"That's right! Lao Bi is really lucky!"

"Master Hou is partial!"

"Master Marquis, if you have such a good thing again, please think of us!"

People at the next tables also took advantage of the wine to laugh.

Usually when they meet Zhu Xiu, they are more respectful than each other. Now at the wine table, Zhu Xiu started to talk about the superiority of master and subordinate. They all took advantage of the wine and shouted to Zhu Xiu to introduce the beautiful lady.

Bi Zhenhai put down the wine jar with a "bang", stared at his drunken eyes and laughed and cursed: "Scream! I think that when I led the Zhenhai camp, I carried hundreds of catties of salt bags on my shoulders, and sold illegal salt across mountains and ridges. Jinchuan Salt Factory opened up sales, and all the food and clothing you guys have, I earned from Zhenhai Camp one copper at a time!"

Ma Qing curled his lips and said: "Commander Bi, don't forget that before your Zhenhai camp, our Zangfeng camp figured out the way first. You are just trying your best according to the information we passed on!"

"Fart!" Bi Zhenhai burped. "Trafficking illegal salt requires hiding from officers and soldiers as well as bandits. How can we not use knives to kill people? Every one of our brothers in Zhenhai Battalion came here with mountains of corpses and seas of blood. , not a single coward!"

Ma Qing sarcastically said: "Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department have eyes and ears. They cannot see or hear. They are deaf and blind and cannot figure out the way. Let me see who your Zhenhai Camp sells salt to!"

Wu Dazhuan's fat and red face smiled harmlessly: "Since the two commanders said so, Wu has to say a few words for our Guanghe Trading Company.

Don't forget, you two, since we left Jingzhou, the Yangjinchuan Salt Factory was taken over by the imperial court, cutting off this source of wealth. Whether it is Zangfeng Camp, the Police Department or Zhenhai Camp, they all rely on our Guanghe Trading Company to make their fortunes. Earn money to support.

In this way, Wu can be regarded as the two parents who provide food and clothing for them! "

Hu Guangyue shook his head and said: "What Dongzhu Wu said is biased. Don't forget that the 30 yuan of money that Guanghe Commercial Bank started with was obtained from the Xu family of Wu County by relying on rock salt techniques!"

"Exactly! Without our Zhenhai camp's hard work, where would the family fortune of Changyi Army come from when it started?"

"If you don't rely on the Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department to inquire about information, you won't be able to sell it even if you have salt!"

"Anyway, your Zangfeng camp doesn't have as much credit as our Zhenhai camp!"

"Fuck you! There's someone from the Zhenhai camp who can beat your Zangfeng camp!"

"Nonsence!"

"Don't believe me?"

"Come on! I'm afraid you'll go back to Jingzhou to herd sheep!"

On the entire second floor, after removing the screen, there was a huge hall with several large round tables noisy with each other.

None of these Jingzhou men obeyed anyone, and everyone felt that they had the greatest credit.

Zhu Xiu didn't stop him. He smiled lightly and drank a few glasses of wine. He listened to them blushing and arguing for a while, then slowly stood up, coughed lightly and said, "Everyone, can you listen to what I have to say?"

When the brothers saw Master Hou's words, they swallowed back the scolding words on their lips one by one, stared at each other, and quickly sat upright, not daring to be presumptuous.

Zhu Xiu looked around the crowd and said slowly: "Although I am not from Jingzhou, Jingzhou is my second hometown. Like you, I have a deep attachment to that land. I have been in Kaifeng for three years. Duo, it is about to enter the fourth year, and I believe that you, like me, miss Jingzhou and the Zhangyi Army deeply."

The hall was quiet, and all the brothers had homesickness in their eyes.

Zhu Xiugan sighed: "I think back then, the Zhangyi Army had just put down the Wei Hu Rebellion, and the people's livelihood in Jingzhou had been poisoned by the Xue brothers for many years, and it was already riddled with holes. We led the army and the people to build a salt factory in Yangjinchuan, despite the violation of the imperial ban. Make salt and sell salt at risk.”

Zhu Xiu pointed at Bi Zhenhai and said in a deep voice: "At that time, our groom officer led the newly formed Zhenhai Battalion from Jingzhou to Pizhou, Yanzhou, Ningzhou, Qingzhou, Fangzhou, and even Taiyuan. , travel all over Guanzhong and Hedong with one pair of feet, and go to all the places where you can sell salt and make money!
The brothers from Zhenhaiying sometimes pretended to be traders, sometimes they pretended to be horse bandits, and sometimes they even pretended to be officers and soldiers. They fought with local salt traders, with the thieves in the green forest, and with the officers and soldiers sent by the Jingzhao Salt Supervisor.
They cannot return home even once a year, and many of them only have a box of ashes when they return. They have traveled too far, and their dead brothers cannot even return home for burial."

Bi Zhenhai's eyes immediately turned red, and he covered his face with his hands, holding back the sounds of grief and crying, and his strong shoulders could not help shaking.

The brothers at the table in Zhenhai Camp all clenched their fists, their eyes red.

Zhu Xiu patted Bi Zhenhai hard on the shoulder, pointed at Ma Qing and Hu Guangyue, and raised his voice:
"The Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department, dead people are not less than Zhenhai Camp! They hide their names, and some parents die, and mothers-in-law don't even bother to go back and take a look! What they do is a little shady, but they are not in the dark. How can we sit here drinking and eating meat today?" Zhu Xiu suddenly took off the round leather hat on Ma Qing's head, and said sharply with red eyes: "You all open your eyes wide to see that the old horse is so inhuman. He looked like a ghost! Back then, he risked his life and lurked in Kaifeng. Unfortunately, his uncle Li Ye and others noticed his traces, and he was caught in a water prison and tortured!

Ma Qing's hair was plucked out, his teeth were smashed, a thumb on his right hand was broken, and his lower body was soaked in water and developed sores, pus, and maggots!
He lost most of his life to save the Zangfeng Camp from being uprooted!

Ask yourself, how many of you can endure such torture?

These injuries are the most outstanding achievements of Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department! "

Ma Qing grinned, his mouth full of missing teeth, and put on his round leather hat again.

All the brothers' eyes were focused on Ma Qing, and no one could help but express their admiration.

The brothers at the tables of Zangfeng Camp and the Police Department hold their heads high and are proud of you!
Zhu Xiu walked behind Wu Dazhuan again. Wu Dazhuan hurriedly wanted to get up, but Zhu Xiu held him down firmly and asked him to sit down safely.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Everyone knows that Master Wu is our rich man. Look at his fat face, isn't it all red and happy?"

Wu Dachuan chuckled, his fat face looking kind.

All the brothers also chuckled.

Wu Jin, the eldest son of Wu Dazhuan, who was sitting at the table in Guanghe Commercial Bank, could not laugh.

Zhu Xiu changed her voice and sighed: "But who would know that Wu Dongzhu's face is as red as coal? It's not a good thing, but because he has been socializing all year round and drank too much, causing serious damage to his liver and kidneys. I can't sleep. The doctor diagnosed that his condition is not optimistic."

The brothers looked at each other in astonishment. No one could have imagined that Wu Dazhuan seemed to be glowing, but in fact he was already seriously ill.

Wu Jin's eyes were filled with worry, and his eyes were red with sadness in his heart.

Wu Dazhuan stood up, saluted with a smile and said: "Please don't worry, Mr. Hou, the villain can still take care of the business for a few years. Even if there is no villain in the future, Wu Jin, the dog, will lead Wu I will continue to be loyal to the Marquis!"

Zhu Xiu sighed and motioned for him to sit down.

"Where is Wu Jin?" Zhu Xiu looked around.

Wu Jin hurriedly stood up and saluted: "I pay my respects to the Marquis!"

Zhu Xiu said in a deep voice: "Wu Jin, from now on, help your father manage the business and get familiar with him as soon as possible. If you have any questions, you can come to me directly at home! These commanders are considered your uncles in terms of seniority. If you need help, just ask and they will do their best to help!”

Wu Jin was stunned for a moment, then quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "Thank you, little man, for cultivating me!"

Wu Dazhuan's eyes also shone with excitement, and his chubby body fell to his knees: "The Wu family will always be loyal to the Marquis!"

"Get up, Wu Jin, and sit next to your father." Zhu Xiu said casually.

Wu Jin hurriedly lowered his head and walked quickly to the main table. After bowing, he sat down next to Wu Dazhan.

Everyone knows that with Zhu Xiu's words, it has been decided that Wu Jin will succeed Wu Dazhuan and continue to be in charge of Guanghe Commercial Bank.

Among the powerful gangs headed by Zhu Xiu, Guanghe Trading Company was undoubtedly a hot commodity. In addition to the sugar and preserved fruit business, it was also responsible for purchasing military supplies needed for firearms supervision for the imperial court. In the future, it may also be involved in bulk goods such as salt, iron, and grain. The transaction can be regarded as semi-official and commercial in nature.

The Wu family has been running the business for several years and has already earned tens of thousands of dollars. However, Wu Dazhuan always adheres to the principle of keeping a low profile and his reputation in Kaifeng is not well known.

In Hexi and Guanzhong, the Wu family's properties spread across prefectures and counties, and they were already a well-known wealthy family.

Wu Dazhuan's worry was undoubtedly who would take over Guanghe Trading Company after his death.

If the Wu family loses its status as the big proprietor, its position in Zhu Xiu's gang will be marginalized.

Wu Dazhuan was worried that after his death, the Marquis would take back the power of the Wu family and hand over the management of Guanghe Commercial Bank to others.

After all, the Marquis is not familiar with Wu Jin, let alone have any friendship with him. The issue of taking over Guanghe Commercial Bank has always been a worry for the Wu family.

Today, in front of everyone, Zhu Xiu decided that Wu Jin would succeed Wu Dazhuan as the proprietor of Guanghe Commercial Bank, which finally solved the Wu family's worry.

Zhu Xiu picked up a full glass of wine and said loudly: "Everyone, what we have achieved today is the orderly division of labor, each performing his duties, sincere unity, and working as one, instead of respecting ourselves and others, and arrogantly arrogant!

I hope you will remember that only by working together can we gain a firm foothold in Kaifeng City!At the same time, I would also like to warn you not to be complacent because of your small achievements, let alone value small gains over righteousness, or do things that harm the interests of your brothers!
Otherwise, I will punish you severely!When the time comes, don’t blame me for not missing our old friendship! "

The crowd looked awe-inspiring.

With a smile on her lips, Zhu Xiu raised her wine glass high and saluted everyone: "I wish you all a happy New Year in advance and everything goes well!"

Everyone stood up and raised their glasses together: "I wish you good luck in your official career and good health in your family!"

Some sensational speeches made the atmosphere in the banquet hall become enthusiastic again.

The brothers sitting at different large round tables walked around each other, toasting each other, making fists, some hugging each other and remembering the past, and some clamoring to marry their children.

Pan Mei lowered her voice and said, "Shuai Shi is right, you are born to be the master of the family! It is not easy for these people to be screwed together by you after leaving the Zhangyi Army!"

Zhu Xiu raised her brows lightly and smiled without saying a word.

"Hey, when I get married in the future, you have to be the officiant!" Pan Mei muttered.

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "There is no second Mo Xiang getting married in my house!"

Pan Mei stroked her long beard and laughed, looking like she had found someone and fallen in love.

Zhu Xiu was surprised and said: "Is there someone you like? Which unlucky lady is this?"

Pan Mei rolled her eyes at him and said sheepishly: "I haven't even written my horoscope yet, don't worry, I'll tell you after a while."

Just as he was talking, in Kaifeng City at night, bursts of bells suddenly came from the direction of the palace city, low and soothing, the bells were dull, with a hint of mourning.

Zhu Xiu listened intently, her expression changed, she stood up and walked quickly to the window, looking towards the direction of the palace.

"Why are you ringing the bell again?" Pan Mei asked suspiciously.

Zhu Xiu sighed lowly and said, "I'm afraid the official family will die."

(End of this chapter)