The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

The cold is getting intense, and the biting north wind blows through the streets and alleys like a knife.

At the west end of the greenhouse outside Zhengyang Gate, a magnificent pavilion stands quietly. This is the famous Yunyan Pavilion.

The five spacious storefronts are all built of blue bricks, reaching up to the roof with clear brick textures. The seven-layered hip roof with gray tiles is stacked one after another, with a width of six feet, providing shelter for passers-by.

The second floor is surrounded by red lacquer railings, and between the railings are inlaid glazed panels, which flicker in the dim skylight. In the middle of the pavilion, a gilded plaque hangs high, with three large characters "Yunyan Pavilion" written on it in strong and powerful strokes. Above each character is a crystal windproof lamp. When night falls and the lights are turned on, the three characters shine brightly and can be clearly seen from miles away.

There are five bluestone steps in front of the door, with anti-slip grooves of varying depths carved on them, which are the traces left by countless footsteps. There are twelve horse hitching posts on both sides, all made of cast iron, with grooves half an inch deep on the posts, which are the marks left by the repeated friction of the reins in the past ten years. Countless dignitaries and heroes have stopped here.

Entering the lobby of Yunyan Pavilion, 30 cypress tables are neatly arranged in a "Nine-square grid" layout. Each table is embedded with a brass hot pot, and the flue under the hot pot is connected to the underground ceramic main pipe, which cleverly discharges the heat and smoke, keeping the lobby fresh at all times.

It was dinner time, the soup in the hot pot was bubbling, and diners were sitting around the table, talking and laughing, and urging each other to drink.

In front of the north wall is a stage, 32 feet wide, with a Nanyang hardwood surface, which is hard and fine-grained. On the stage, the female role is stepping to the rhythm, taking light steps, and the thick-soled boots under her feet make crisp clapper sounds. The performance of "Ming Feng Ji" has attracted applause from the diners below the stage.

(The opera of the Ming Dynasty is an art form derived from the Southern Opera of the Song and Yuan Dynasties and the Zaju of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties. Its representative works include "Pipa Ji" and "Huansha Ji". "Mingfeng Ji" is a play based on current events, describing the struggle between Yang Jisheng and others and the treacherous minister Yan Song.)
The waiters carry cotton-covered food boxes across their shoulders and move flexibly between the tables and chairs. The food boxes are divided into nine compartments with an ingenious design. The upper compartment is used to place hot dishes, which are kept warm with a tin liner to ensure that the dishes are still hot when they are served; the lower compartment is used to place cold dishes, which are cushioned with crushed ice to keep the cold dishes cool.

In the kitchen, there was a scene of bustling activity. The cooks, dressed in short-sleeved shirts, were agile, and their iron frying pans flew up and down. The handle of the pan had a mechanism that could be extended by one foot and two inches, making it convenient for them to stir-fry the ingredients in the big pot.

On the stove, the green flames suddenly shot up three feet high. This was a fierce fire stove improved according to the blueprint, with strong firepower. The three words "Wenwu Fire" were clearly engraved on the air inlet adjustment knob. The cooks only needed to turn it gently to accurately control the fire according to the needs of the dishes.

Twenty blue and white porcelain jars are neatly stored in the corner, with labels on the jars, indicating words like "Pickled Peppers from the 23rd Year of Wanli" and "Fermented Bean Curd from the 24th Year of Wanli". These are the treasures of Yunyan Pavilion. After years of precipitation, they have brewed a unique flavor.

The "Tianzi Room" on the second floor is even more luxurious. As soon as you step into the room, the first thing that catches your eye is a rosewood screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The mother-of-pearl pattern on the screen sparkles with colorful light in the dim light. The floor is covered with thick Persian wool carpets, which are soft and comfortable to step on. In the center of the room is a brass turntable table with a glass wine bottle on it. The bottle contains "Amber Shao" distilled from corn. The wine is golden in color, and the alcohol content is clearly marked with "60" in relief. The interlayer of the wall panels is filled with cotton wool, which has an excellent sound insulation effect.

A young man in a black cotton gown and a square scarf on his head walked straight to the "Tianzi Room" on the second floor. As soon as he sat down, the waiter smiled, walked up quickly, and said respectfully:
"Master, the lady will be here in a moment. What would you like to drink? Is it the same as before?"

"Ok!"

The man didn't say anything, but just waved his hand slightly. The waiter understood what he meant and quickly retreated, closing the door gently.

The man was Yi Huawei. He raised his hand and casually unbuttoned his cotton robe, hanging it on a rack beside him, revealing a brocade robe with delicate cloud patterns embroidered on it. The collar and cuffs of the brocade robe had intricate patterns outlined by fine stitches. He had a black silk belt tied around his waist, and a warm jade pendant hung on the belt.

Yi Huawei looked around, his eyes sweeping over the furnishings in the house one by one. On the north wall hung a landscape ink painting with delicate brushstrokes; on the east side was a carved window lattice, through which he could vaguely see the scene of the street market outside.

"Brother!"

After a while, the door was gently pushed open and a soft voice was heard.

Yi Huawei turned his head when he heard the voice, and saw Yue Lingshan standing at the door. After not seeing her for several months, she had lost a lot of weight, her cheeks were slightly sunken, and her rounded features became more distinct, exuding the gentle temperament unique to young women.

She was wearing a moon-white long gown with orchid patterns embroidered on it with light blue silk thread, and a circle of delicate lace on the cuffs and hem, and a black long skirt. She had a light pink silk ribbon tied around her waist, and a pair of cotton shoes embroidered with peonies on her feet.

Her hair was tied up high in an elegant bun, with a few strands of hair hanging down beside her fair cheeks. A jade hairpin was inserted in the bun, and on the head of the hairpin was a lifelike phoenix, which was shining green in the dim light.

"Senior brother..."

Yue Lingshan's face, as white as snow, was filled with joy that could not be hidden. The moment she saw Yi Huawei, her eyes seemed to be twinkling with stars, and her steps became more urgent. She took a few quick steps and ran towards Yi Huawei.

Yi Huawei looked at Yue Lingshan running towards him, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, he nodded gently, opened his arms, and firmly embraced Yue Lingshan in his arms. His palm gently stroked Yue Lingshan's thin cheek: "Shan'er has lost weight again."

Yue Lingshan raised her head, her soft and bright face full of concern. She opened her red lips slightly:
"Brother, is your trip going smoothly?"

Yi Huawei smiled gently and took Yue Lingshan's hand: "With your husband on the march, everything will go smoothly."

After saying that, he took Yue Lingshan's hand, slowly walked to the small table in the room, and led her to sit down.

"Master! Madam!"

As soon as the two of them sat down, a maid dressed in simple and elegant clothes came in with a tray in her hands, and the aroma of tea instantly filled the whole room. The maid gently placed the fragrant tea on the small table, bowed slightly, and then quietly withdrew, closing the door.

Looking at Yi Huawei, Yue Lingshan's beautiful eyebrows wrinkled slightly inadvertently, she opened her mouth slightly, and her red lips parted. She was about to speak, but paused.

Seeing her like this, Yi Huawei couldn't help but ask curiously, "Shan'er, are you worried about something?"

Yue Lingshan raised her head and her eyes met with Yi Huawei's. After hesitating for a moment, she said softly, "How long can you stay in the capital this time, Senior Brother?"

Looking into Yue Lingshan's eyes, Yi Huawei smiled slightly and said softly: "I won't leave this time. If I leave, take my junior sister with me."

"real!?"

Being stared at by Yi Huawei with such a burning gaze, Yue Lingshan's face suddenly flushed, just like the peach blossoms blooming in spring, delicate and charming. Her curved eyelashes drooped slightly, trying to hide the shyness and panic in her eyes, and she whispered softly:

"Brother, why are you looking at me like that?"

The voice was soft, with a hint of the naivety that only a young girl could have.

Even though they were already married, Yue Lingshan's innocent and bright girlish nature did not immediately transform into the fierce and aggressive young woman. Being stared at by Yi Huawei at this moment, she could not help but feel ashamed, and her heart was beating like a deer.

Yi Huawei gently held Yue Lingshan's hand and said with a smile: "I just haven't seen you for a long time. I am happy and want to see you more."

Hearing this, Yue Lingshan's face turned even redder, and her heart trembled slightly again. Her originally soft voice now had a hint of coquettishness, and she chuckled and said, "You just know how to coax me."

Yue Lingshan smiled softly with her hands covering her mouth, and the shyness in her heart faded a little. Under her willow-leaf thin eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes were full of waves, just like the twinkling stars in the night sky, bright and moving. As the saying goes, a short absence is better than a new marriage. Yue Lingshan stared at Yi Huawei with sparkling eyes, full of attachment. She looked at her husband carefully. After not seeing him for several months, he seemed to have become more mature and stable, his facial features became more resolute, and his eyes had a deeper and more experienced look.

It has to be said that after Yue Lingshan became a wife, her every frown and smile, her charming and attractive charm began to show.

Just thinking about the important things that would happen later, Yi Huawei had to suppress the restlessness in his heart. He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself down, and then gently rubbed Yue Lingshan's little hand:

"Shan'er, have you calculated the income of Yunyan Pavilion in the past few years?"

Yue Lingshan was immersed in the joy of reuniting with Yi Huawei. When she heard Yi Huawei suddenly mention business, she was slightly startled, but quickly calmed down, nodded gently, her eyes full of admiration for Yi Huawei.

Under his strategic planning, a small Yunyan Pavilion sprang up all over the country in just ten years, and all this was planned by Yi Huawei who took time out of his busy schedule.

"Ok!"

Yue Lingshan responded, sat up straight, and said clearly: "The Beijing store made a profit of 8400 taels last year, of which 5800 taels were from food and beverage, 2000 taels were from accommodation, and about taels were from intelligence...

The average annual income of each store in Nanjing, Hangzhou, Kaifeng, Jinan, and Xi'an is 80 taels. The annual sales of liquor are 15 taels, and the annual contract for military rations is 8 taels. There are 22 branches across the country, including 50 major commercial ports, first-line stores, taels per year. second-line stores, taels per year. third-line stores, taels per year... The wholesale of chili peppers, monosodium glutamate and other condiments is taels per year... There is currently taels of silver in the account, which can be withdrawn at any time. "

Yue Lingshan finished speaking in one breath, her voice clear and without any pause, and it was obvious that she had already memorized this data.

After listening to this, Yi Huawei nodded slightly, with a satisfied look in his eyes. He gently patted Yue Lingshan's hand and said, "Shan'er, thank you for your hard work. If it weren't for your careful management over the years, Yunyan Pavilion would not be as big as it is today."

Yue Lingshan blushed when Yi Huawei praised her, and said coquettishly, "I was just following your instructions. It's not as good as you say."

Yi Huawei shook his head and said seriously: "Don't underestimate yourself. Managing so many stores and handling complicated affairs requires extraordinary ability and patience. You are doing a good job, and I am relieved."

Yue Lingshan listened to Yi Huawei's words, her heart filled with sweetness and warmth. She raised her head and said, "Thanks to you for coming up with so many novel ideas, Yunyan Pavilion can be run so well. By the way, Senior Brother, do you need money now? How much do you need?"

"Ok!"

Yi Huawei nodded: "I want one million taels."

"what?!"

When Yue Lingshan heard this number, she couldn't help but exclaimed, her face full of surprise, and she subconsciously opened her mouth wide. Originally, she thought that the amount of money Yi Huawei needed would not be too small, but it would not be so huge. This one million taels of silver is a huge sum of money even for Yunyan Pavilion, whose business is booming. A trace of hesitation flashed across her face, but this hesitation was fleeting, and she whispered softly: "Do you want so much?"

Yi Huawei was about to explain in detail the purpose of the money, but Yue Lingshan seemed to have made up her mind and nodded quickly, saying firmly: "No problem, this batch of silver can be transported to the capital within a week. I will talk to Uncle Lin and ask him to send more people."

She knew very well that Yi Huawei must have a hidden purpose in what he did. Since he made this request, it must have been after careful consideration. All she could do was to trust and support him without reservation.

"it is good!"

Yi Huawei smiled slightly, hiding a hint of mystery, paused, and said slowly: "You let someone spread the word that on the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the Fuwei Escort Agency will escort one million taels of silver to the capital..."

"what?!"

Yue Lingshan screamed again. This time, the surprise in her eyes was even greater. She could hardly believe her ears.

One million taels of silver is not a small amount. If it gets out, it will definitely attract the attention of various forces. I wonder how many people will be eyeing this batch of silver.

"Brother... why is this?"

Yue Lingshan couldn't help but ask, looking at Yi Huawei with a puzzled look.

Yi Huawei was about to speak when a rhythmic knock on the door suddenly sounded, interrupting him.

Then, the servant's clear voice came from the door: "Master, Lord Li wants to see you."

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei raised his hand and gently patted the back of Yue Lingshan's hand: "Shan'er, go and get ready first. I'll explain it to you in the evening."

After that, Yi Huawei raised his voice and said, "Please go to room 2, Master Li. I'll be there right away!"

"Yes!"

The servant responded crisply, and the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

Although Yue Lingshan was full of doubts, she still nodded obediently, stood up and tidied her clothes. Before leaving, she turned back and looked at Yi Huawei deeply, then slowly left the room.

Yi Huawei watched Yue Lingshan leave, then stood up and walked towards Room 2.

Before entering the door, I saw an old man with a slightly hunched figure standing by the window.

The old man's surname was Li Zhi, and he was nearly seventy years old. His forehead was covered with wrinkles, and his hair and beard were snow-white, as if covered with a thin layer of frost. He was wearing a dark gray brocade robe with black cloud patterns embroidered on the corners, and a circle of delicate white fox fur on the collar and cuffs. He had a black belt tied around his waist, and a shiny jade pendant hung on it.

Li Zhi heard the footsteps and slowly turned around. His amber eyes showed a little joy and he bowed slightly:

"Mr. Yue, long time no see."

(End of this chapter)