Spring is stronger, and the persimmon trees in the yard have seen some greenery. There are already small pink and white flowers on the peach tree, and it is estimated that in a few days, it will be full of flowers.

Walnut trees and jujube trees were also planted in the yard, a few more than those planted in the earthen enclosure of Dazao's house. According to Xi Shi, this yard just bought only persimmon trees, and the others were planted later. Because the tree is still small, it may not be able to bear fruit this year. But the persimmon tree is very beautiful in autumn, like a small yellow lantern.

Han Zhou has an impression of the little yellow lantern, but her impression is from the Beijing Zoo. One year, she went to the zoo with her child, and the child was fascinated by animals, and she was fascinated by the large persimmon tree. Those persimmons are sparsely hanging on the high place, and a large piece of yellow and clear is warm in people's hearts no matter how you look at it. At that time, the child asked her, "Mother, what if the persimmon falls from the tree and falls on a person?" yes, what to do? It's so high, you can't prevent it, and there are so many tourists.

I wonder if the zoo has taken any measures?

I don't know if Dangdang still wants to see animals this year?

Maybe the girl has grown up, and it's time to be a fan of romance novels, right?

Just after the afternoon, a public servant came to Luli, saying that there was something to do with Hu Qi, Hu Qi glanced at Hanzhou, said something to his family and left.

At that glance just now, Han Zhou understood that she was already a house slave on the Hu family's household registration, what else could she do? Shouldn't you be allowed to do it as a house slave?

The man did not say what to do, but only said that someone was looking for him, so he led the way with his head in front. As a result, when he saw a middle-aged fat man with a knife, the man didn't say anything, but also said that someone was looking for him, and he led the way in front, so Hu Qi had to follow suspiciously. As soon as I followed, I followed to Huazhi Street. This Huazhi Street is full of people with great backgrounds, and Hu Qi doesn't understand whether he has offended anyone or who has taken a fancy to him. He thought, he must have offended someone, maybe the business is doing well, and whose business is in the way? When his family was in the East China Sea before, they were not so careful, and since they came to Xianyang, they have also done business, but they have done trembling. In the final analysis, no matter how big a businessman is, he can't be an official, not to mention that the Great Qin Dynasty didn't take the merchant seriously, let you fend for yourself, and if you don't like it, you will be slaughtered. The ninth brother has already gone to serve in the army, maybe when the army is recruited again, he, a forty-year-old man, will also have to go.

"It's here. You wait for a while, I'll give you an announcement. The fat man with the knife gave an expression of his voice and went inside.

Hu Qi raised his head to see which door it was, but when he looked at it, he didn't see it, he just felt that the gate of this courtyard was magnificent, and some trees were planted in the yard, so he couldn't see anything else.

After a cup of tea, the man with the knife came out, saying that the master was free at this time and could go in. But follow along, don't look around.

Hu Qi followed honestly. Passing through the row of trees, and through a large courtyard, and into a small courtyard, the footsteps with the knife were lightened. Looking back at Hu Qi, Hu Qi couldn't help but lighten his steps. The man stretched out his hand and lifted the curtain, and said, "Master, he is here." After speaking, when Hu Qi entered, the man lowered the curtain and did not enter the house, but stood outside the door.

Hu Qi entered the door and looked up, and saw a big kang table on the kang by the window sill, a large stack of bamboo slips piled up on the kang table, and an old man sat behind the kang table, about seventy years old. Hearing him come in, the old man looked up, lowered his head and wrote a few more strokes before putting down the pen.

The old man didn't beckon him to sit down, but took a sip of tea and looked at it for a while.

"Are you Hu Qi?"

Hu Qi hurriedly nodded: "Well, Xiaomin Hu Qi." ”

"Your Hu family's business is doing very well."

Hu Qi felt a "sigh" in his heart, what does this mean? He couldn't see anything on the old man's face, and he didn't dare to look at it for a long time, so he had to bow his head and listen.

"I heard General Fan say that you want to sell horses back from the Northland, and then sell them to the army to arm our knights."

As soon as these words came out, Hu Qi's heart relaxed a little, as long as he didn't offend people and get into trouble.

That General Fan is a relationship that Hu Qi found with great difficulty, he said a lot of good things, and gave a lot of gifts, but General Fan always played haha, saying that this military horse business is a good thing for the benefit of the country and the people, he must support it, the problem is that there are a lot of things involved in the army, not that he can do it, you have to ask the meaning above. But what exactly does it mean, General Fan has never given a word, and always says wait, wait, wait. Hu Qi even suspected that General Fan was perfunctory to him, and he didn't report this matter to the top. Now it seems that General Fan is to blame, and there are really heavyweights who have asked.

But he couldn't see the old man's tendency, so Hu Qi had to answer honestly: "Yes." ”

The old man asked again: "In this case, if you go to sell it, is there any trouble here?" ”

Hu Qi was bold and said: "Back to my lord, there is some trouble here. Because of the long distance, the safety along the road is not guaranteed, the risk of transporting a large number of horses is relatively large, we are businessmen, we always have to consider the problem of profit and loss, and the target buyer of this kind of goods is the army, which can be regarded as helping the army to do things, so we want the army to pay part of the tariff in advance, and also share part of the risk. If this can be done in this way, it will be beneficial to my Hu family and the country. ”

The old man smiled and said, "You have a good calculation!" The so-called wealth and wealth are sought in danger, what business do you do if you are afraid of risks? ”

Hu Qi bowed his head and saluted again, and said: "The lesson of the adults is that the risk should be borne by the businessman himself. Since our Hu family started business, we have never been afraid of small profits, as long as we can make a little profit and make steady progress, we will get our wish. This military horse business was not something we dared to think and dare to do, but later some people said that since we often run to the northwest, the road is also familiar, and we have endured hardships, and we have carried down any risks on the road, it is better to do the horse business together. What's more, it is inevitable for me to expand my territory, and how can a strong army be done without the armament of military horses, so based on this consideration, I thought I could try this business. If it can be successful, it will be a good thing for my Hu family and the country, if not, then my Hu family still has to return to a safe and secure road, earn a little money, and support my family. ”

Hearing this, the old man glanced at Hu Qi deeply and said, "If there is no advance payment from the army, this business will not be done?" ”

Hu Qi said humbly: "Family affairs or state affairs must be carried by those who can carry them, and no matter who carries them, they must understand their own situation and strength." Xiaomin made this plan because he understood his own strength. Perhaps there are other wealthy businessmen who can seek this risky fortune, and the villain will be happy to see it happen. After all, only with a strong army can we be safe. ”

"Hehe, you're a businessman." When he had said this, the old man said no more.

He knew in his heart the situation in front of him, the army had already started a war with the Xiongnu in the north, and it was really hard to say when the battle would be over. Whether the army is strong or not depends on who the opponent is. The Qin army before the Six Kingdoms was indeed brave and extraordinary, but the soldiers of the Six Eastern Kingdoms such as Naqi, Chu, Zhao, and Wei were just ordinary people who put down their hoes and picked up swords and arrows, and they were not good at swords and horses at all. The Hu people in the bitter cold land of the north were different, they were good at riding and shooting, and they were good at running from a distance, while the Qin army was relatively difficult in battle.

At this time, when the two sides were at war, it was impossible for the official to buy the horses in each other's hands, and this traveling merchant, who had been trading there all year round, might have their own channels to buy.

This Hu Qi dared to say this only after calculating the current situation.

looked at Hu Qi, looking deferential. These businessmen are the best at disguise.

"Cough", the old man coughed, Hu Qi's waist straightened, knowing that there was a saying.

"The girl who takes care of the tofu shop for your Hu family, called Xiaohan?"

Hu Qi was stunned for a moment, how could this be on her again. He boldly looked at the old man's expression, and he could see nothing but majesty. He quickly lowered his head again and said, "Ah, there is such a person. ”

"Do you know where she came from?" The old man's voice suddenly became stern.

"Huh?" Hu Qi was startled, and the sweat on his head immediately appeared. Is this dealing with people of unknown origin? He said cautiously, "My lord, listen to the villain." ”

"Hmm. You said. "It's still a commanding tone.

"Miss Xiaohan was met in Shuangliu Town on the way back from selling medicinal herbs, I wanted her to teach me the craft of making tofu, and she wanted to come to Xianyang to find relatives. She was supposed to be a sick person, she was kicked by a donkey in Shuangliu Town, and she couldn't remember many things after she got better, so she couldn't find a home. But I think she is still a good person, when she left with me, many people came to see her off, and she still did a lot of good things, and she should not be a traitor. After arriving in Xianyang, I saw that she was lonely, so I settled her in my house, she got along with her family according to the rules, and took care of the business is also very dedicated, but she couldn't remember some things, so when Lao Huang went to ask, he couldn't get a migration document, so Lao Huang gave a suggestion, either get married, or enter my family's city register, which is considered my family's house slave. That's the way it is, my lord. There is no half-talk. ”

"Oh, that's right!" The old man's tone was no longer as scary as it had been just now. After a deep sigh, he said, "There is one thing, I don't know if you agree or not?" ”

Hu Qi was stunned for a moment, what did he say that he agreed or disagreed? Can I disagree with what you say?

"That's right, I don't have a helper here to transcribe documents, and that little Han girl can write well. See if you can transfer her household registration to my house and make her a serf in my house. ”

What the? Hu Qi's eyes widened in disbelief. Let Xiaohan become a serf in this house?

"My lord, Xiaomin can't be the master of this matter, and he needs to discuss it with Xiaohan himself and his father. She is in my family, she is not treated as a house slave, she is independent and strong, if Xiaomin rashly makes the decision, I am afraid the consequences will be ......"

The old man squinted at Hu Qi, he was really anxious. It seems that what they said is true, his family treats her well, this Hu Qi and Xiao Han are probably not as simple as business partners, otherwise they would not have changed their face and color like now. No wonder Miss Xiaohan cried that day and was in a hurry to move out, it must have been Hu Qi's actions to her that made her uncomfortable. Hehe, you're too old, Miss Xiaohan can't look down on it, self-respecting.

Oh, as if I'm older than you. But the old man is different from you.

"This is what the old man meant, you can do it yourself." After saying this, he leaned back, as if he was tired, and this meant that today's matter was here.

Hu Qi didn't want him to end so abruptly, but it seemed that he couldn't get the family to cooperate with you anymore, so he had to bow down and walk out.

It was the fat man with the saber who brought him out.

Standing at the gate of the majestic compound, Hu Qiyi was a little dazed. He couldn't figure out what the real purpose of the people was calling him here. Passing by the tofu shop, I went in to take a look, there were no customers, and "One Knife Accurate" was engrossed in practicing calligraphy. The posture of holding the pen is right, but it is too hard, and he is sweating, which shows how important it is to practice words in his heart.

"Uh-huh." He snorted.

"One knife is accurate" then raised his head, "Ah, the owner!" "Quickly put down the pen, a little worried.

"No guests, let's practice." Hu Qi said softly, he was still very satisfied with this technical pacesetter.

"Hehe, I don't practice anymore, I've been practicing for a while." He smiled embarrassedly and raised his hand to scratch his head, but immediately put it down.

"Was it taught by Miss Xiaohan?" Hu Qi asked casually.

"Well, yes. Miss Xiaohan praised me for being a quick learner. "One Knife Accurate" showed his little white teeth a little proudly.

"Then you study hard, and when the business becomes bigger in the future, you can help me." Hu Qi patted the young man on the shoulder encouragingly. He really felt that someone had to help him with his business, and after Lao Jiu left, he was a little struggling.

"Hey, thank you, owner! I will! The young man said happily. The eyes smiled into a slit.

"I don't come here often, you have to worry more about something, and you have to use your brain to do business. Talk to Miss Xiaohan more about her thoughts, and she will help you. I'm leaving. After speaking, Hu Qi turned around and walked out, and hurriedly sent it out with a "knife accurate".

After walking a few steps, Hu Qi looked back, the simple and atmospheric plaque and the wooden couplets on both sides of the door, he only liked it in his heart, it was obviously his own shop, and he was familiar with it, but now it seemed like he had seen it for the first time, which made him feel a little inexplicable.

Hu Qi is now sure that people know that Xiao Han must have something to do with this tofu shop. She didn't want to be ostentatious, but it was so good that the light leaked through the cracks. Unless he locks her up at home, unless she is not seen from the world, otherwise, this kind of thing, either today or tomorrow, will come sooner or later.

Looking at the old man's prestige, he must be a big official, listening to his words is lacking a copyist helper, how much do you believe this? Could he be in his seventies, still fighting Xiaohan's idea?

This thought annoyed Hu Qi. He decided to tell his father about today.

"He asked about the military horse business? Didn't take a stand? Old Man Hu asked.

Hu Qi thought for a moment and said cautiously: "I didn't make a clear statement, but I definitely don't object." Just said I had a good idea to fight. It sounds the opposite, but it's not serious either. ”

"And then?" The old man asked again.

"Then he asked about Xiao Han's situation, and I thought he was going to check someone of unknown origin, but he just listened."

"What else?" The old man asked.

Later, he said that he lacked a copyist to help, and asked me if I agreed to give Xiao Han to him and become a house slave in his house.

Although it was a statement, anyone could hear it, and he was still emotional.

"Missing a helper?" The old man frowned, looked at the courtyard, and after a while, the old man spat out two words: "Deal!" ”

"Deal?" Hu Qihu asked suspiciously.

"Someone like him will ask you if you agree or not, but can you disagree? For a serf! ”

"Father, I have never treated Xiao Han as a house slave, and neither do you." Hu Qi pleaded eagerly.

"We don't, but do others need to think about what we think?" Father asked.

Hu Qi gasped depressedly and stopped talking.

"You don't want Xiao Han to go, do you?"

Hu Qi snorted, which was considered to be an acknowledgement.

The old man looked directly at his son and said solemnly, "Son, it's wrong, you have to accept this deal." ”

"Father!" Hu Qi interrupted his father's words, but he didn't know what to say, so he had to twist his head to the side. This matter is related to the interests of the entire family, if he is willful, he must be irresponsible to the family, but it is difficult for him to accept this from his father's mouth. My father has been a businessman all his life, but in his eyes, my father is not a forgetful person.

The old man didn't care about his son's feelings, and asked coldly, "I'll ask you three questions. First, is Xiaohan yours? Is it that she has been staying in this yard, and she is yours? ”

Hu Qi dodged his father's gaze and lowered his head in discouragement.

The old man continued: "Second, people ask you if you agree or not, are you waiting for your reply? If you don't agree, people will respect your opinion? Even if there is no business matter, people just want this person, what can you do? ”

Hu Qi didn't say anything at all, only listened. He was still too impulsive just now to think about it.

"Third, Xiao Han is absolutely safe in our house, how sure are you that you can keep her safe?" After the old man finished speaking, he looked at his son's reaction and shook his head, he was almost forty years old, and he was dizzy when he talked about Xiao Han, how could he rest assured?

"Son, do you remember when the two warlocks came to the door? There will definitely be such a thing, Xiaohan can't hide it by herself, we like her, we can no matter what her background is, but others are not like this. Which is safer, let her go to our house, or let her go to the mansion of the great official, think about it! ”

After saying this, the old man patted his son's hand and left.