King of Song

Chapter 149 Chapter [-] Exploration
At the beginning of October in the second year of Xining, late autumn had arrived, and the rain continued for a long time, making Jiangnan extremely cold and humid.

Today's situation is better. The ticking on the eaves is finally no longer a curtain of rain like a bead curtain. The autumn rain that lasted for almost two months is finally over.

People in Hangzhou saw the long-lost sunshine and the long-lost blue sky and white clouds. Many people couldn't help laughing and applauding.But after cheering, there is still a sad sigh, worrying about livelihood.

Many people's rice vats have bottomed out, and they have sold cloth bags and copper coins to buy grain, only to find that many grain shops have closed their doors.The reasons given were either the shop was being repaired or it was out of stock. Compared with yesterday, there was another reason, the owner or shopkeeper was not around.

Only the Meng's Grain Store in the south of the city was open as usual, and there was already a long queue at the door of the store, and there was an endless stream of people coming one after another.Because there are too many people, most of the street is occupied, and the passing pedestrians and horses can only pass slowly.

When a poor carriage passed by, the window was raised, revealing two pairs of eyes, two brothers Lu Ji and Lu Shan could be vaguely seen, watching the crowds surging at the door of Meng's Grain Store.

"Brother, the Meng family is still going on!" Lu Shan said: "If they continue to make trouble like this, our business will not be able to open!"

"What's the hurry!" Lu Ji shook his head and said, "You should have noticed that so many people are in a hurry to buy food!"

"Uh……"

"Does the Meng family have so much food?" Lu Ji said: "People are always weird. It's fine if you can't get some things all the time, but if you tempt him with something and don't give it to him in the end, people will be even more angry at that time." of."

"Brother, but they are like this, we are delaying opening the market, I'm afraid it's wrong!" Lu Shan was a little worried.

"That's true. It really shouldn't be delayed for too long. It seems..." Lu Ji didn't continue, his eyes were a little more serious, and he didn't know what he was thinking. After a long time, he said: "Go, go to the county government, Lin County Face must be given."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lin County Magistrate's banquet is considered a big event in Qiantang County. The grain merchants who received the invitation were very polite and respectful, and they arrived early.

Zhang Ziheng from Guangji Food Company came here suffering from rheumatism and leg pain. He had a lot of expectations for today's banquet.It seems that County Magistrate Lin is going to take action, but he doesn't know what the result will be. It's too sad to be forced to violate his conscience and join forces with others.

After walking a few steps, Zhang Ziheng saw a familiar but unwilling face, the Lu brothers from Qinghe Liangxing.He wanted to dodge quickly, but Lu Shan had already seen him and shouted.

"Why did Proprietor Zhang leave so fast? Did he not want to see us?" Lu Shan was not kind, and his words were even more direct and vicious, without saving face at all.

Zhang Ziheng knew that avoidance was unavoidable, although he was very disgusted in his heart, but the two gods of plague couldn't be provoked at all, so he could only sarcastically replied, "Where? I'm old and have bad eyesight, please forgive me!"

"How is Proprietor Zhang's business recently?" Seeing this, Lu Ji asked softly, with a pair of penetrating eyes looking straight at him, very compelling.

Zhang Ziheng's heart was shocked, and he replied: "There is no stock in the store, and the autumn rain is continuous, and the autumn grain cannot be harvested, so the business can't be done!"

"Yeah, everyone is like this, let's think of a way!" Hearing the satisfied answer, Lu Ji resumed his expression of hiding a knife in a smile.

Zhang Ziheng felt very uncomfortable, and could hardly restrain the indignation and dissatisfaction in his heart.Fortunately, someone from the county government office appeared at the door and shouted: "Everyone, the banquet is ready, County Magistrate Lin invites everyone to attend!"

This person was Su An. He came out to greet the guests, and secondly, to observe the grain merchants who came to the banquet. His eyes swept over everyone, and some subtleties fell into his eyes.

When everyone entered the county government office, the banquet in the hall had already been arranged, and Master Yu Xuan was in charge of welcoming them at the door.As for the county magistrate Lin Zhao who did not show up, after all, they were just a group of businessmen with low status, and it was not enough for magistrate Lin to greet them in person.

"My bosses and shopkeepers, please!" Yu Xuan was gentle and elegant. Now following Lin Zhao's side, he gradually cultivated his self-confidence. Standing at the door was very polite and decent.Together with Su An, he has become Lin Zhao's right-hand man.

After everyone was seated, a maid guided them to sit down, then served tea and waited for the arrival of the county magistrate Lin Zhao.Most of them knew it well, whispered to each other, and exchanged some information.

After Lu Ji was seated, everyone greeted him with a smile, whether it was his henchmen or those who were frightened by his power, they all looked up to him and respected him.Lu Ji is fine, this feeling makes Lu Shan very useful, and he completely forgot the meaning of being a fox pretending to be a tiger.

The two brothers' eyes full of bad water swept over the crowd, and finally landed on the first seat on the right.It was Li Guanshi who came to Meng's grain business, and Meng Ruoying herself was not present.Guanshi Li held his head high and sat upright. Others kept fawning on the Lu brothers, but he remained calm.The Meng family is a big family with an imperial order, and the county magistrate Lin is here, so why do you have to pretend to be polite to you?
Seeing this scene, Lu Ji already knew what was going on in his mind, he just smiled lightly without making a sound, but Lu Shan showed resentment.

At this moment, a handsome young man stepped out quickly and walked directly to the main seat, needless to say it was the county magistrate Lin Zhao.Everyone in Qiantang knows that the county magistrate Lin Zhao is young and promising, but few people have seen him up close.When I saw it today, I knew that the reputation was well-deserved, but in the year of weak crown, he was the head of the county.

Prior to this, in the suppression of Zhao Shiju's rebellion and the thorough investigation of Zhao Zongyong's smuggling of smuggled salt, he performed vigorously and resolutely, and his reputation has long been known.Of course, some people believed in these rumors, and some didn't quite believe them.

Lin Zhaolang said in a loud voice: "I invite you all to come to the banquet today, all proprietors, the shopkeeper can take time out of his busy schedule to come here, thank you very much!"

"I am flattered and honored to be invited by County Magistrate Lin!" For most of you, the county magistrate is really excited to be polite to you.

"Well, all right, everyone, take your seats!" Lin Zhao greeted, and then gave instructions, and there were maids coming and going, quickly serving delicious food.

No matter what these grain merchants think, the temptation of delicious food is hard to resist, not to mention the craftsmanship of Gu Yuelun, the number one chef in Jiangnanju.Just the shape, color, and taste have already made people's index fingers twitch, and their eyes are greedy!If it wasn't for a grand occasion and you need to pay attention to etiquette, you would have already moved your chopsticks first.

"Some home-cooked dishes, everyone please!"

Lin Zhao moved his chopsticks first, and didn't mention anything else. Everyone couldn't resist the temptation of delicious food, and moved their chopsticks one after another.I have completely forgotten the old saying "eating people's short mouths".

I have long heard that Lin County magistrate's family opened a restaurant in Bianjing. The taste is unique in Bianjing. I am lucky to taste it today.Everyone was full of praise and enjoyed it very much.

Seeing this, Lin Zhaocai picked up the wine glass and said, "This is home-brewed water wine, please!"

The development and brewing of Zhuangyuanhong and Nvnuhong have started, and the first batch of wine has been produced.When everyone drank it, they felt that it was very mellow and refreshing. Lin Zhao toasted frequently, and everyone drank a lot.

Seeing this, Lu Ji became a little anxious, and somewhat underestimated the methods of County Magistrate Lin, and the offensive effect of wine and food was obvious.These fermented glutinous rice bags are also real, you may get dizzy after a while!No, it must be stopped!

"Thank you County Magistrate Lin for your hospitality. Please forgive me. I don't know what the magistrate ordered me to come here today?" Although Lu Ji didn't take Lin Zhao seriously in his heart, he was still quite humble and respectful on the surface.

Everyone's interest in the banquet was suddenly interrupted, and they all remembered that they came here today, not for eating, drinking and having fun, but for important business.

Seeing this, Lin Zhao smiled lightly: "I invite you here today because I want to discuss business with you!"

"Business?" Everyone tacitly pretended to be puzzled.

Knowing why he asked, Lin Zhao kept his composure and continued, "Yes, you all know that Hangzhou has been hit by a disaster recently, and many people have been affected. The government is opening warehouses to provide relief, but there is a slight shortage of stocks, so I bought some grain from you!"

Buy food!Many grain merchants knew what was expected, but no one spoke first, and all eyes fell on Brother Lu Ji.It is not easy for the horse to reach this level!

Zhang Ziheng originally wanted to express his opinion, but the consequences of being the first bird were unpredictable, and it was not easy to bear, so he had to suppress the impulse in his heart and sat down.

Lin Zhao saw everything in his eyes. He already had a certain understanding of the Qiantang grain market before, so he didn't find it strange.

"The county government bought grain for disaster relief. We should have contributed, but last year's surplus grain has been sold out. You know the situation this year, County Magistrate Lin. We have nothing to offer, and we are powerless!" Lu Ji had already made up his mind, Never give in at first.Otherwise, Lin Zhao will push forward in the future, and they will be very passive.

Lin Zhao was not surprised that what he said seemed to be an expected answer.He also knows what the real situation is, today is just a temptation!
Lu Ji paid attention to Lin Zhao's expression, and Twilight glanced over Li Guanshi intentionally or unintentionally, and took the opportunity to add: "However, we will not just sit idly by, we will definitely purchase grain as soon as possible and transfer it from other areas, hoping to Do your best for disaster relief in Hangzhou! By the way, I heard that Meng’s Grain Store still has some stocks, so I’m sure I can help a little bit first!”

Of course Li Guanshi refused to give in, and said with a smile: "Yes, our Mengshi Grain Company will do our best to help!"

Lu Ji immediately agreed, and said loudly: "Everyone, we must also be a role model for Meng's grain, and try our best to find a way to share the worries of Lin County Magistrate."

Seeing Lu Ji's erratic eyes, Lin Zhao suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart.

But at this time, Meng Ruoying did not wait for the cargo ship escorted by Master Sun to arrive at the Hangzhou pier.Normally, it would be fine for the cargo ship to be overdue, but in this special period, Meng Ruoying always has a bad feeling in her heart, which can't be shaken off!
(End of this chapter)