Love Lock

Chapter 179 Swatting Flies Here
The place where the King of Jingzhou lived was separated from Cangzhou only by Mianning County.

Therefore, Han Lei's message by carrier pigeon reached Luo Hai in Qingshui County at noon the next day.

When he saw the crooked words "To Brother Zun" on the cover, he knew who had written it.

He dared not delay and immediately sent a letter by carrier pigeon to Beiguan.

Watching the carrier pigeon disappear into the northern horizon, Luo Hai stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "That girl, has she caused some trouble again?"

At this time, the scorching sun in Beiguan made the corrugated iron roof of the honeycomb briquette factory scorching hot.

Zhao Zun squatted under the newly built corrugated steel shed, watching absentmindedly as the fat man fiddled with the water pipes made of bamboo.

The clanging and hammering of the craftsmen echoed throughout the factory area, and the air was filled with the smell of coal ash.

After numerous persistent attempts, Big Fatty finally produced a finished honeycomb briquette stove, which performed well after trial use.

Although the stove looks a bit rough, it does not affect its use.

The honeycomb briquette stoves have now been handed over to Zhang Shiyang and a group of craftsmen from the Ministry of Works for mass production. By this winter, the people of Cangzhou will be able to use the stoves for cooking and heating.

Zhang Shiyang and the craftsmen from the Ministry of Works were rushing to make honeycomb briquette stoves, while craftsmen from Fufeng County were busy building several corrugated steel roof sheds. These sheds were to be used to store the coal delivered from Yinshan and to provide shade for everyone to rest.

"Zhao Zun, look at this rendezvous!"

The fat man, his face covered in coal dust, held up a delicate bamboo tee. Seeing that Zhao Zun didn't react, he raised his voice again: "Zhao Zun."

Zhao Zun seemed not to hear, his gaze piercing through the sweltering heat and landing on the southern horizon.

He was worried about Han Lei, and he even cracked the edge of the celadon cup he was holding.

Although he knew Han Lei had arrived in Jingzhou to check on the business, Zhao Zun was still worried because that girl was careless and didn't know what to do.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

Seeing him in a daze, the fat man leaned closer, his shiny forehead glistening with sweat.

"You're practically crushing this teacup, are you perhaps thinking of something again...?"

He deliberately drew out his words and teased with a wink, "Missing our beautiful sister-in-law?"

Zhao Zun then came to his senses, noticed the crack on the teacup, coughed lightly, and put the cup down.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How's the water supply project going?"

"The bamboo tube connector has been improved three times." The fat man proudly handed over the T-joint, "Look at this mortise and tenon structure, it's guaranteed to be leak-proof. It's just..."

He scratched his head. "This bamboo can't withstand the frost; it needs to be replaced frequently."

"Oh well, forget it! Just figure out the method, as for the pipes..."

Zhao Zun suddenly remembered the PVC water pipes that Han Lei used in the Qingshui County project. It would be much more convenient to use PVC pipes to enter households.

"Let's wait until Han Lei comes back! She has a type of tube that doesn't need to be changed often."

As the two were talking, they heard hurried footsteps in the distance.

With a pistol tucked at his waist, a sword hanging from his left hip, and a bamboo tube held high, Xiao Zhengfei strode across the coal-filled area.

"Your Highness! Urgent message from Qingshui County!"

Zhao Zun suddenly stood up, his dark blue robe sweeping over the tea tray beside him.

His fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly as he took the bamboo tube. Although the letter was sent from Qingshui County, he had a gut feeling that it was from Han Lei.

Sure enough, with the crisp sound of the sealing wax peeling off, a faint jasmine scent wafted out. It was Han Lei's usual jasmine perfume.

Unfolding the letter, the familiar wording brought a slight smile to Zhao Zun's lips, as if he could see the girl's charming yet animated expression.

In her letter, Han Lei said that she was doing well, but because a large number of beggars had appeared in Jingzhou, martial law had been imposed, and she could not leave Jingzhou for the time being and would have to wait until the ban was lifted before she could return.

The King of Jingzhou was a very kind person. He not only invited them to stay at his mansion, but also gave a lot of money and food to the beggars...

Han Lei's letter looked like an ordinary family letter, but as clever as Zhao Zun was, he immediately gleaned important information from it.

First, the case involving the Marquis of Champion's mansion has alarmed the court and the public, and even Jingzhou has been placed under martial law.

Secondly, the beggars he had gathered in the capital, Liu Bo, had already arrived in Jingzhou.

Thirdly, Han Lei is now very safe. Not only is she opening another Zuixianniang restaurant, but she has also taken refuge in the Jingzhou Prince's Mansion.

Fourth, the King of Jingzhou provided silver and food to temporarily support the beggars.

After reading the letter, Zhao Zun felt relieved, but also couldn't help but laugh.

This girl actually came up with the idea of ​​hiding in the Prince of Jingzhou's mansion. He was truly impressed by her.

Seeing Zhao Zun suddenly laugh, Xiao Zhengfei asked in confusion, "Your Highness, is it a letter from the Princess?"

Having served his master for many years, he knew that Zhao Zun was a cold and aloof person, and rarely smiled on his handsome face.

But since Han Lei arrived, Zhao Zun had rarely smiled. Therefore, she guessed that the letter was from Han Lei.

Zhao Zun carefully folded the letter and put it into his sleeve, a hint of doting in his eyes.

"This girl... she certainly knows how to pick a backer."

Zhao Zun turned to the two of them, his tone suddenly becoming serious.

"Order Zhang Shiyang to triple the manpower to produce honeycomb briquette stoves. Also send someone to Fufeng County to tell Yang Dazhu to speed up the construction of the house."

Big Fat Head's eyes widened: "Isn't Fufeng County already under construction everywhere? Why are they still building?"

Zhao Zun stroked the letter in his sleeve, looked towards Jingzhou, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"That's not enough; more people from Cangzhou will be joining soon."

"Yes!"

Xiao Zhengfei responded and prepared to relay the order.

Seeing that the fat man was engrossed in fiddling with the bamboo in his hands again, Xiao Zhengfei lowered his voice and asked, "Your Highness, are they those beggars from the capital?"

“Yes!” Zhao Zun nodded. “They have already arrived in Jingzhou, so we need to build them a place to stay.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhengfei was overjoyed: "I'll go and give the order right away, and tell them to speed things up."

The construction and development of Cangzhou is changing rapidly, and more and more people are gathering in Cangzhou.

These people work in Cangzhou, and after earning their wages, they will have various expenses related to food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Before long, the large population will boost the prosperity of all industries in Cangzhou...

The capital city was a gathering place for powerful and wealthy people, and with a large population, it was always the most bustling place.

Despite the gloomy and sweltering weather today, Zhuque Street in Beijing was still bustling with people and lively.

Dark clouds filled the sky above Zhuque Avenue, and the sweltering air seemed to solidify, with even the willow branches along the street drooping listlessly.

Both Jinxiufang and Linji Cloth Shop are located on this bustling Zhuque Street. The only difference is that one is at one end of the street and the other is at the other.

Lin Yuanshan stood inside the threshold of Lin's Cloth Shop, clutching a sweat-soaked cloth in his hand, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead. Every now and then, he would wave the cloth to shoo away the flies buzzing around him.

As the owner, he rarely comes to the shop; the shopkeeper and waiters take care of everything.

But now he had no choice but to come; the shop's business had plummeted these past few days. Looking at the account books the shopkeeper sent to his home every day, he was so anxious he couldn't sleep. "Shopkeeper Qian, it's already noon, why haven't we had a single customer?" Lin Yuanshan couldn't help but turn around and ask, his voice filled with anxiety.

The shopkeeper was squatting behind the counter arranging the fabrics when he heard this. He looked up, his face showing helplessness amidst the wrinkles.

“Young Master, you know, it’s been like this every day! Look over there…”

Lin Yuanshan followed the shopkeeper's gaze and saw several well-dressed women chatting and laughing as they walked into Jinxiufang across the street.

They waved embroidered fans in their hands, and the pearl hairpins in their hair glittered in the light.

"They're going to Jinxiufang again!"

Lin Yuanshan slammed the cloth onto the counter, startling a mouse that happened to be walking in the middle of the rafters, which squeaked and darted away.

Manager Qian sighed and cautiously suggested, "Master, why don't we learn from Jinxiufang and come up with some new ideas?"

"New trick?"

Lin Yuanshan sneered, strolled to the shop entrance, and pointed in the direction of Jinxiufang in the distance.

"Look at their spectacle! That 'catwalk show,' with girls in outlandish costumes walking around, and those huge full-length mirrors that reflect your whole body! How are we supposed to imitate that?"

Just then, several young ladies dressed in modernized cheongsams and formal attire emerged from Jinxiufang, each with an exquisite handbag hanging from their wrists, chatting and laughing as they passed in front of Linji Cloth Shop.

"Look, a few more people have bought things."

Lin Yuanshan stared intently at the handbags of the young ladies. "Those bags even have the Jinxiufang logo embroidered on them. How elegant!"

Manager Qian leaned closer and whispered, "Master, I heard that all the new fabrics at Jinxiufang are imported from overseas, like... nylon, and things like chiffon and lace..."

"I know!" Lin Yuanshan interrupted him irritably. "I saw it when we opened a few days ago. Those fabrics were so light and airy, they even reflected the sunlight. How can our old-fashioned silks compare?"

The Lin's Cloth Shop fell silent for a moment, with only flies buzzing around.

Lin Yuanshan picked up a palm-leaf fan from the counter and swatted a fly that had landed on the silk.

He was extremely frustrated. In just a short while, he saw that more than a dozen groups of customers had gone into Jinxiufang, while his shop hadn't opened since morning and hadn't had a single customer.

Since Jinxiufang opened, Lin's Cloth Shop's business has been declining day by day. Even its original customers have been attracted away by Jinxiufang's various styles.

He saw it all and was very anxious.

He also attended the opening ceremony of Jinxiufang that day.

The Republic-era clothing displayed on the runway, whether it was cheongsam, formal wear, or men's long robes and short shirts, was indescribably novel and beautiful.

The style itself is fine; he can imitate it, and he's confident he can try it. But he doesn't have the fabric and accessories.

It's said that those beautiful fabrics were all imported from overseas, but the Lin family simply doesn't have any overseas channels!

Even if the ordinary silks and fabrics he sold were made to imitate those styles, the overall feel was far from satisfactory.

Besides, even if you choose the wrong pretty dresses, without the right handbags and Mary Sue-style little leather shoes to match, it just doesn't look right.

Moreover, Jinxiufang has a unique business model, not only displaying clothes on models but also allowing customers to try them on on-site.

Putting everything else aside, just wearing such a beautiful dress and standing in front of that huge dressing mirror is a pleasure in itself.

Sitting in the rest area, sipping tea, you can watch customers constantly changing out of their clothes. Seeing different people showcasing different outfits is quite a beautiful sight.

But his cloth shop couldn't do these things.

The Lin family has been in the business of textiles and silks for two or three generations, with a small portion of ready-made clothing as well. He has traveled all over the country and seen all kinds of business practices, so he can be considered a seasoned businessman.

But the opening of Jinxiufang left this seasoned businessman completely bewildered.

He sensed something was subtly changing, but he couldn't quite grasp the feeling or know how to change it.

To put it bluntly, it's simply that they've fallen behind the times.

It wasn't just him; these days, merchants of all sizes in the capital who dealt in cloth and silk felt a strong sense of crisis.

Lin Yuanshan knew that Jinxiufang was owned by Wei Chengchao, the son of Prime Minister Wei.

At the opening ceremony that day, he also saw many colleagues go up to talk to Wei Chengchao, wanting to seek opportunities to cooperate with Jinxiufang.

He went too, but there were too many guests at the opening that day, and Wei Chengchao was too busy. He couldn't find an opportunity to connect with Wei Chengchao.

A few days later, he prepared gifts and went to the Prime Minister's residence to visit Wei Chengchao. However, he was told that the entire Wei family had been imprisoned because of the case involving the Marquis of Champion's Mansion.

He returned empty-handed, carrying his gifts.

"Boss, how about... we lower the price?" Manager Qian asked tentatively.

"Price reduction?" Lin Yuanshan turned around abruptly. "The profit margin on these silks we bought was already thin. If the price is reduced further, we won't even be able to recoup our costs!"

Manager Qian shrank back, not daring to say anything more.

Lin Yuanshan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

“Manager Qian, it’s not that I’m angry. Our Lin family has been running a cloth business for two or three generations and we’ve never encountered anything like this before. My father always said that doing business requires a steady and pragmatic approach, but now… I’m just here swatting flies.”

His gaze drifted back towards Jinxiufang, and his voice gradually lowered.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the shop.

"We have a guest." Lin Yuanshan smiled and looked expectantly out of the shop.

A shop assistant peeked out from the shop door and placed the food box on the counter.

"Mr. Lin, here is your lunch order."

Lin Yuanshan's expectation instantly vanished: "Just leave it there."

He took out a few copper coins and handed them to the shop assistant, then couldn't help but ask, "Brother waiter, how has business been at Jinxiufang these past few days?"

The shop assistant took the money and said excitedly, "It's booming! Every day, ladies and young ladies from high-ranking officials and noble families come here. I heard that even the empresses in the palace have sent people to order clothes!"

Lin Yuanshan's face grew even uglier. After the waiter left, he opened the food box, but had no appetite whatsoever.

"Master, you should eat something," Manager Qian advised.

Lin Yuanshan picked up his chopsticks, shook his head, and suddenly asked, "Manager Qian, do you remember when I went to the Prime Minister's residence a few days ago?"

Shopkeeper Qian nodded: "Didn't you bring generous gifts to see Young Master Wei?"

“Yes, I wanted to get in touch with the owner of Jinxiufang and see if we could cooperate…” Lin Yuanshan smiled bitterly, “but then the Wei family suddenly ran into trouble. Now we don’t even have a way to get in touch with them.”

Manager Qian hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Boss, I've heard... that the Wei family isn't the only one behind Jinxiufang."

"Oh?" Lin Yuanshan's eyes lit up. "Who else?"

"I don't know the specifics either. I just heard the neighbors talking about it. Why don't you go ask Manager Tang of Jinxiufang?"

Lin Yuanshan nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "No! We can't just sit here and wait to die! Manager Qian, you watch the shop, I'm going to check on Jinxiufang again!"

Before Manager Qian could say anything more, Lin Yuanshan had already walked around the counter and strode out of the store.

The shopkeeper watched his boss's departing figure, then looked at the empty shop, and sighed deeply.

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