Hutou Mountain is only forty or fifty miles away from Jingshi, and Lai Er and San'er only walked for half a day to arrive in Beijing. Then Xie Wu was polite, unloaded the goods, and let them come back in an empty mule cart. They returned to Donghuamen Wenxiang Hutong dejectedly. Far away, the little guy who greeted the guests at the door saw Manager Lai, and immediately stepped forward to say hello: "Manager Lai is back, and the master said yesterday that the turn day should also come." No, you're back today. Come in, my lord is waiting for you. ”

On weekdays, Mr. Lai had already made a commanding appearance, raised his head high, snorted well, and then turned away. But today is different, when I came back from Jiangning, there was no tea foam left, and I lost the ancestral treasure of the owner. Now, the owner is angry, what else is he doing as the manager? I went straight back to the street to sell sweet potatoes.

He didn't listen to a word of the little guy's words, and he was thinking about how to deal with the owner. San'er also stood behind him with his head bowed, not daring to talk at all. They entered the front hall and crossed a large courtyard before they came to the main room. Mr. Lai guessed that the owner should be reading in the west study at this time. It turned out that his owner's name was Qiao Xiaofeng. At the age of fifteen, he was admitted to the Gongsheng examination, and was rewarded as an alternate magistrate, and he began to be a candidate from the age of sixteen to the age of 26. Qiao Xiaofeng was discouraged and lazy, so he simply abandoned his official position as a businessman, opened a tea shop in Beijing, and concentrated on selling tea.

In previous years, the matter of entering tea from Jiangnan was done by Shen Si'er, the guard of the family. This year, Lai Er didn't know what was going on, he wanted to fight for this thing and earn some pocket money, but he didn't want to be slaughtered.

Lai Er shouted in a low voice outside the west study. Qiao Xiaofeng heard his voice and shouted, "Come in." ”

Lai Er carefully went in to greet the owner. I saw that this Qiao Xiaofeng was more than 50 years old, with a square head and big ears. It's very magnanimous. He put down the brush in his hand and said, "You're back?" Can you still be smooth along the way? ”

As soon as he said the word Shun lì, Lai Er knelt down with a puff. kowtowed to Qiao Xiaofeng three or four times in a row. Seeing this, Qiao Xiaofeng knew that something was wrong. I had to ask patiently: "Don't kowtow yet, make it clear, what's wrong?" ”

Lai Erjiao met Xie Wu in Hutou Mountain, and told Qiao Xiaofeng in 1510. After listening, Qiao Xiaofeng twisted the three strands of beard on his mouth and said: "I have heard that Hutou Mountain and Double Snake Mountain are not peaceful, and Xie Wu and Duan Yong occupy the mountain as kings, which is very arrogant. Why is there no one in charge of the government? ”

Lai Er saw that Qiao Xiaofeng didn't mean to blame, so he said carefully: "Now the official family is only greedy for money, who will take care of this?" It's good to cut it, and it's no merit. It's not good to say that you are wrong. Everyone is turning a blind eye to their lives, and if they can do less, they will have one less thing. ”

Qiao Xiaofeng asked again: "Then is the phoenix hairpin left by my great-grandmother still safe?" ”

Lai Er heard the owner's question on the right point, and kowtowed to the floor several times: "Lai Er should die, Lai Er should die." ”

Qiao Xiaofeng stood up and said sharply: "Also robbed?" What do you eat? I told you to let Shen Si'er go, but you didn't listen, now it's okay, and the things are lost, that's my family's ancestral treasure. At the beginning, you swore to me that it would be absolutely fine. Hidden in a urinal, no one will rummage through the urinal. How can you afford it? ”

In the face of the owner's anger, Lai Er only kowtowed and didn't say a word else. This is the trick he has been in charge for 20 years. When the owner finishes the fire, it will naturally stop.

Sure enough, Qiao Xiaofeng counted a cup of tea. Then he sat down. The maid hurriedly refilled a cup of hot tea. Qiao Xiaofeng drank it and said helplessly: "Family heirloom baby." How can I find someone to redeem it, even if it costs a little more money? ”

Lai Erquan knelt down. He approached Qiao Xiaofeng and said, "Lai Er has an idea, you can try it." ”

That Qiao Xiaofeng was angry, and scolded angrily: "Let go of your mother's shit!" When did you come up with the right idea? ”

Lai Er didn't dare to squeak, lowered his head and didn't dare to speak again. After a pause, Qiao Xiaofeng said: "You talk about it first, if it's not right, I'll reward you with three mouths." ”

Lai Er hurriedly spoke: "I heard that this Xie Wu of Hutou Mountain was originally a disciple of the original Luo Ye of Da Luo Mansion. Now, Luo Ye is gone, isn't there still Luo Xiaoye. The master asked Master Luo to come forward and say a favor, maybe this phoenix hairpin will come back. ”

Qiao Xiaofeng thought about it, it was indeed this reason. If it doesn't work, let's try it first. Seeing that his face was a little gloomy, Lai Er assumed the identity of the chief manager again, stood up and said to the maid: "Why don't you change the old man's clothes quickly, the old man is going out to pay a visit." ”

The maid hurriedly said yes, and went to the back room to get clothes. Qiao Xiaofeng glared at him and said, "Who told you to get up?" ”

Lai Er hurriedly knelt down again, bowing his head and thinking. Qiao Xiaofeng then ordered: "Forget it, you get up." ”

Lai Er got up again and carefully stood behind Qiao Xiaofeng. The maid brought a cotton robe, Lai Er hurriedly changed it for the owner, put on a melon skin hat, and covered his ears with a warm cover, and then went out.

Qiao Xiaofeng didn't know Luo Qingsong, and if he wanted to ask him to find Feng Hai, he had to find a middleman to be a lobbyist. Qiao Xiaofeng thought about it, who around him knew Luo Qingsong. Lai Er knew what the owner was thinking, and said: "The master has bought calligraphy and paintings twice in Panjiayuan, and Hong Quan, who sells calligraphy and paintings, should know him." ”

Qiao Xiaofeng nodded and said yes. Lai Er waited for the owner to get into the car. Qiao Xiaofeng is old and frail and in poor health, so he only takes his own carriage when he goes out. Two horses were drawn in front, and cotton cloth was enclosed in the back of the car, and two windows were opened on both sides for viewing from the windows.

Lai Er sat in front of the carriage, and the coachman drove his horse to Pan's homeland.

Hong Quan is an old shopkeeper in Panjiayuan, who has been in the calligraphy and painting business for 20 years and is well-known in the market. Lai Er led Qiao Xiaofeng to drive to a stop at his store. Hong Quan was sitting behind the counter admiring a newly delivered painting, raised his eyes and saw Lai Er, and hurriedly came out to greet him: "It turned out to be Mr. Lai, you haven't been to take care of the shop for a while." It's not that Mr. Lai is looking for a new store, you're too boring. I have given you a lot of back~~~"

Lai Er was afraid that he would talk about the kickback in front of the owner, so he hurriedly said: "Hongdian, my lord is sitting in the car, and I have something to discuss with you." ”

Hong Quan stopped, bowed down to the front of the car, and greeted the curtain: "Master Qiao is here, please come to the house and sit and drink a cup of coarse tea." I have always heard Mr. Lai say that Mr. Qiao is the best at business and takes care of the business of the tea house. Little Hong Quanzheng wanted to ask Master Qiao for advice. ”

After all, Qiao Xiaofeng is a tribute student, and he doesn't care about dealing with this kind of small businessman and small people, so he only asks inside: "I went to Hongdian's house here today to ask for something, and after the matter is completed, Xiaofeng would rather buy a few more paintings from Hongdian's house." ”

Shopkeeper Hong said: "It's easy to say, Master Qiao has something to say, just give orders." ”

Qiao Xiaofeng asked, "I heard that you have a deep friendship with General Luo of Da Luo Mansion?" ”

Hong Quan replied: "It's not that deep, it's just understanding." He is in charge of our piece. It is said to be in charge, but in fact, it is to pay the poll tax. If you pay the poll tax, he won't come to you. Newcomers don't know this rule, and there are many cases where the store is smashed. The grievances are known only to us. If you don't say that this world is not easy to do business, half of it will be provided to him with seven-tenths of the money. ”

Listening to his words, the more he spoke, the more biased he became, Qiao Xiaofeng urged: "In this case, please let the Hong shopkeeper lead us to see." ”

Hong Quan said: "Then why not? Hong Quan changed his clothes and led the horse. ”

After a while, Hong Quan put on a set of sauce-colored cotton robes, rode a black pony, and led Qiao Xiaofeng to Daluo Mansion. Hong Quan dismounted first, handed over his greeting post, and asked General Luo to see him.

After half a pillar of incense, the little servant came out and said to Hong Quan: "The young master of our family invites you to meet in the tea room." After speaking, the little servant led Hong Quan, Qiao Xiaofeng, and Lai Er into Da Luo Mansion, passed through the hall, turned west, and entered a small room. The furnishings in the room are very simple, and it is estimated that the small house on duty on weekdays is used for temporary rest. Qiao Xiaofeng said in his heart, he is also a royal tribute, how can he be so simple about himself? But he didn't know General Luo, so he had to be patient for three points, and sat down patiently.

The little guy offered refreshments and walked away. After another meal, I heard footsteps outside. The curtain was lifted, and a young man entered. This boy is only seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome appearance and extraordinary appearance. Luo Qingsong sat straight on the seat in the middle.

Hong Quan got up and kowtowed to say goodbye: "The little one is for the general!" ”

Luo Qingsong said, "You get up and sit down." ”

Hong Quan didn't dare to sit, but only bowed his head and stood at the bottom. Luo Qingsong drank tea next to him and said, "Last month's tax money, I heard that you haven't paid it yet?" ”

Hong Quan replied: "Don't hide it from the general, the small one became a total deal last month, and he only earned 50 taels of silver." The tax silver of the generals alone is as much as 20 taels, so what will the villain pay? There are still seven or eight people waiting to eat at home. ”

Luo Qingsong reprimanded: "Don't talk nonsense in front of me!" When you bought and sold, I didn't see you pay more. Crying poor in front of me at this time, what kind of poor man are you pretending? ”

Hong Quan didn't dare to tell the difference, so he had to nod and say, "The little one will be sent back to you." ”

Luo Qingsong was silent and buried himself in tea. Hong Quan leaned over again and said, "The little one brought someone to the master today, and the master will see you." The family is a royal tribute born in the king. ”

Luo Qingsong seemed to see Qiao Xiaofeng sitting at this time, stood up and said, "Yo, there is still an old gentleman sitting on this side?" Who is this? ”

Seeing that he had finally noticed him, Qiao Xiaofeng only snorted. Hong Quan hurriedly introduced: "This is Qiao Ye from Wenxiang Hutong in Donghua Gate, and the "Qingyi Tea House" in East and West Huamen was opened by Qiao Ye. ”

Luo Qingsong hurriedly said: "Master Qiao is good, Master Qiao is slow." Then he reprimanded the maid who was waiting behind him and said, "I don't look at the identity of Master Qiao, so I brought it here indiscriminately." Hurry up and invite Qiao Ye to sit in the study, and bring a pot of good Biluochun. ”

Qiao Xiaofeng hurriedly said: "Luo Ye doesn't have to be busy, the old man has something important to ask for, so it's better to be polite." ”

Only then did Luo Qingsong sit down again and asked, "What do you have to say about Master Qiao?" But it doesn't hurt to talk about it. (To be continued......)