Chapter 527: The Women Settle in the Capital (Part 7)
After pondering for a moment, Xi Ming smiled and said, "Since your family is involved, this matter is beyond my control. I wonder if Brother Wu Ming could spare a day? I'd like to invite a distinguished person to come and talk to you."
"Since you've come to Shopkeeper Xi first, you should give me some face! Besides, I'm going to ask Shopkeeper Xi to help me find a place to stay to save you the trouble!"
"That's fine! Come, clean up the house at the back. Everything you need for food and daily necessities will be there!"
Afterwards, he personally sent Wu Ming to a courtyard in the back.
When Xi Ming came back, the other shopkeepers were already sitting and waiting!
"What do you think?" Xi Ming asked.
A shopkeeper stood up and asked, "Is this person really from over there?"
"The seal looks genuine to me, but it's unreliable. I'm going to ask someone to come take a look before we make a final decision! Since this matter involves that family, it's beyond our control. I'll just report the matter first and wait for news."
Everyone nodded, and then dispersed.
The dock outside Shenjing City is the headquarters of the Grand Canal Transport Branch! However, due to the freezing cold in the north, the canal has also frozen, so the usually busy dock is much quieter.
Not far from the dock, there is a group of houses. Most of the people living here are people who make a living at the dock, and naturally there are quite a few members of the Cao Gang among them. Inside a slightly empty house, there are strong men guarding it with long swords. In the main hall, more than a dozen men in gorgeous clothes are sitting in rows, led by a white-haired old man.
The old man took two deep puffs of his pipe, exhaled a cloud of smoke with satisfaction, then put the pipe on the table and looked at everyone present.
"What do you think of the news from the city?"
Everyone pondered for a moment , and a man stood up and said, "Brother, even if the Zhen family comes, what can they do? Are we, the Cao Gang, afraid of the Zhen family?"
"We have hundreds of thousands of brothers. If the Zhen family dares to cause trouble, we will definitely teach them a lesson!"
A man dressed as a scholar said with a smile, "Don't worry, brother Erhu, it's just a matter of money."
After saying that, he turned to the old man and said, "Master, I think we should first confirm whether the person coming is from the Zhen family! We also have the seal of the Zhen family head from the main temple, so we can verify it."
"What if it is, and what if it isn't?" the old man asked lazily.
"If it weren't for..." The scholar sneered, "We are the Cao Gang, anyone can come to us?"
"If so! In my humble opinion, spend money to avoid disaster!"
"You old scoundrel, why do you want to boost others' morale and reduce your own prestige?" the man named Erhu shouted.
The old man waved his hand and said, "Sit down!"
"Tell me the reason. Millions of taels of silver, how many years would it take for thousands of our brothers to work hard? It's not a small amount!"
The scholar pondered and said, "First, the Zhen family controls Jiangnan. Even though the situation is different now, it is still very important. Moreover, success is difficult, but failure is easy. If the Zhen family joins forces with the Xue family and the Jia family, we will have no advantage, and our previous arrangements will be in vain."
"After all, if the Zhen family can deliver one batch of grain, they can also deliver the next batch! The imperial court can't do this, but the Zhen family can!"
"Secondly, although we spent a lot of money, we also got food. As long as the grain in Shenjing is under our control, we can sell it at a price just by saying a word. So, we won't lose anything!"
"Thirdly, if we can use this incident to show goodwill to the Zhen family, it will also be beneficial to the altar master. Some things cannot be bought with money."
"Next year, it will be time for all the branches to gather in Jiangnan!"
A glimmer of light shone in the old man's cloudy eyes. He took two more puffs of his pipe and said, "The Zhen and Jia families have been relatives for centuries. Now that the Jia and Xue families are challenging us, why doesn't the Zhen family take the initiative to join forces with the Jia family? Instead, why are they targeting us?"
The scholar laughed and said, "Master, things are different now. The Zhen family doesn't necessarily want a peaceful and prosperous Daqian!"
"Hahaha!" The old man laughed. "Tianji, if you help me, I won't treat you unfairly! Tomorrow, I'll have my brothers escort you to the city. I'll leave this matter to you."
The scholar bowed and said, "I am willing to serve the altar master!"
"Okay, let's go!" The old man waved his hand.
Everyone walked out of the house. Erhu glared at the scholar fiercely, but the scholar didn't care and walked forward. He didn't know how many steps he had taken. The folding fan in his hand tapped the adobe , and also casually stroked it a few times before continuing forward.
About a quarter of an hour later, a little beggar passed by, looked at the adobe wall twice, rubbed his dark back against it with his back turned, and a comfortable look appeared on his face.
…
In the Dragon Head Palace, Tu Huai came hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, the fish is hooked!"
Emperor Longxing paused while reviewing a memorial. "Okay! Xia Shouzhong, go to the Jia residence in person and tell those maids to act according to the plan."
"Come here, Xuan Lin Ruhai and Wang Ziteng!"
…
The next day, it was still in the back hall of Qianzhongsu Shop, but the middle-aged scholar sat in the first seat, and Xi Ming stood beside him with a smile. Beside Xi Ming, a man with a cold face also stood solemnly, looking like the scholar's bodyguard.
"I've sent someone to tell them to come right away!"
The scholar nodded slightly and sat quietly drinking tea.
After waiting for an incense stick of time, Wu Ming entered the room under the guidance of a servant.
Wu Ming looked at the scholar and said, "Looks like someone who can make the decision has arrived!"
Xi Ming stepped forward, "Brother Wu Ming, this is Mr. Tianji. Sir, this is Brother Wu Ming."
Wu Ming nodded and took a seat. "I think Shopkeeper Xi has already explained the situation. Since Mr. Tianji is here, please give me a definite answer. The north is freezing cold, and I don't want to be delayed here until the New Year."
The scholar waved his hand, and Xi Ming went straight to guard outside the door!
"Brother Wu Ming, could you please let me take a look at that document?"
"Of course!"
After taking the document, the scholar leaned over to examine it carefully. After a long while, he raised his head and handed the document to the cold-faced man behind him. The man also looked at it for a long while.
"Brother Wu Ming, please!" The scholar picked up the teacup and offered a cup of tea with a little respect.
"Your family is indeed a century-old clan. Such unpredictable methods are beyond the reach of ordinary people!"
Wu Ming chuckled, "I've seen what I need to see, now tell me!"
"Five hundred thousand dan of grain?" the scholar asked seriously.
"Not a single grain less. If you place an order, the first batch of rice will appear at the dock outside the city within three days. After you inspect it, the payment will be made!"
"Great!" the scholar nodded. "In that case, we'll meet you at the dock outside the city in three days to congratulate you."
"Wait a minute!" Wu Ming said with a smile, "This first deal is done. I wonder if you're interested in discussing the second one?"
