"Hehe, it's not really a big deal. However, I still think it is better to talk to the old patriarch first. If the old patriarch thinks that Brother Meng Da can call the shots, then I will talk to Brother Meng Da in detail later. ”

"Okay. Let's listen to what you say. Cao Han nodded, reached out and picked up the teacup from the side and drank it.

"First, on behalf of the magistrate, I want to invite the Cao family to partner in the operation of the county's wharf. The county can sell the Cao family at the best price, a wharf that can berth twenty ships of 500 materials at a time, and two warehouses that can store 200,000 stone of goods. I don't know if the Cao family is interested? ”

Cao Han didn't answer, but still drank tea with peace of mind, obviously waiting for Gongsun Jian's words.

"Second, if the county wants to buy the grain produced by the Cao family every year, except for the Cao family's own use, the county will buy all of it and the price will definitely not be lower than the market price outside."

"Third, those barren mountains outside the east gate of the county, the county is ready to take them out to plant tea and mulberry trees, and the tea and silk reeling produced every year will also be purchased in the county, I don't know if the Cao family is interested in joining them."

Gongsun Jian threw out three tempting benefits in one go, and then began to drink tea like Cao Han, waiting for the other party's bargain.

"Hehe, Gongsama. I want to ask, you and the county lord have given so many benefits to the Cao family, so what do you want to take from the Cao family? Or do you want my Cao family to do something? Cao Han asked lightly, without any emotion in his tone, as if he was talking about someone else's family.

"Hahaha, old patriarch, you're joking. Lord Xianzun and I don't want to take anything from the Cao family, and we don't need the Cao family to do anything. We just need the Cao family to be able to live and work in peace and contentment within the scope of Linshui County and abide by the law, that's all. ”

"Could it be that my Cao family used to have lawlessness in Linshui County?" Cao Han asked unhappily.

"Patriarch Cao, do you know better than me in your heart. But I can act as if nothing has happened, I just hope it doesn't happen in the future. In addition, as long as Patriarch Cao agrees to cooperate with the county, I guarantee that the Cao family will be better than before in the future. Gongsun Jian didn't hesitate at all, he couldn't be soft at this time, but he couldn't be too hard, so as not to make the situation difficult to clean up, so he threw out a sweet jujube after the hard breath.

Cao De on the side opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but was stopped by Cao Han's cold eyes.

"That's it, my lord. Then we might as well open the skylight and say something. Cao Han put down the teacup in his hand, a pair of cloudy old eyes suddenly lit up, stared at Gongsun Jian and continued: "The Cao family can guarantee that they will abide by the law from now on, and there will be nothing in the northwest." However, this time the batch of salt from Wu Guo must be given to others, otherwise many things will be difficult to do in the future. In addition, the Cao family at Ximen Wharf wants two, and the warehouse needs three. As for the grain produced by the Cao family, you can sell it to your adults. The Cao family on the barren slope to the east can also contribute money to participate. The only requirement is that in the future, no one will stop all the goods of the Cao family when they pass through Linshui County. ”

"Hahaha." Gongsun Jian laughed a few times, then stood up and hugged his fist at Cao Han and said, "Patriarch Cao, Gong's coming here is full of sincerity. Since Patriarch Cao is not sincere, then I think it's better to forget it. After speaking, Gongsun Jian turned around and prepared to leave.

"Wait." Cao Han raised his voice and shouted.

"Gongsama, it seems that you are determined to get a foot in the waterway business?"

"Yes, now the Chen family, the Chu family, and the Shen family are gone. Naturally, someone needs to fill in this void. Therefore, the county not only wants to take their original share, but also has to make decisions in this matter. ”

"What a big appetite. Do you really think that with the support of the public behind you, you can do whatever you want in Linshui County? Cao De on the side couldn't hold back, and pointed at Gongsun Jian and asked.

Gongsun Jian turned around, looked at Cao De contemptuously, and then faced Cao Han, who had a bad face, and said calmly: "How many troops can be mobilized in the Northwest Border Pass, I can kill him as many as I can." And the imperial court will definitely take action when the time comes. Otherwise, wouldn't the Northwest Pass be like a fictitious thing, and those generals in the army who dare to do so are tantamount to rebellion. ”

"Hehe, I'm afraid you won't be able to do this."

"What's the matter, my father-in-law has always liked to do things that harm others and himself. Presumably, Patriarch Cao also knew that I was assigned to join the army at the border pass because I was bored and beat His Royal Highness King Zhao. Gongsun Jian put on a stunned look.

"Hiss......" Cao Han gasped, he really forgot that the master in front of him was not afraid of heaven and earth, just looking at his practice of destroying those few full families in Linshui County this time, he could guess that this person had no scruples in doing things, and it was difficult to infer with common sense. Thinking of this, Cao Han changed his smiling face, and said politely: "Don't be angry. Aren't we talking business? business, there must be a room for bargaining. ”

"Good! What I want is this sentence from Patriarch Cao. Originally, the Cao family's share remained unchanged, and I could make the decision to take out another 20% of those families' shares and give it to the Cao family. It's just that this matter must be led by the county government from now on, and there is no such thing as smuggling, all of which are normal trade exchanges. Does Patriarch Cao think I can still be satisfied with this price? ”

Cao Han was completely shocked at this time. Nai, you said it earlier! It seems that the reputation of this Gongsun Jianer is really well deserved. He is tantamount to preparing to openly engage in * smuggling under the banner of commerce, then this is much more convenient than before, and the throughput of goods will be much larger than before, almost to put money in his arms!

Dry! How not to do such a good thing. In the past, it was because I was afraid that others would find out. But now Gongsun Jian's proposal has directly put on a cloak of legalization. This county government is all involved. For this reason, Cao Han secretly mourned in his heart for the dead families, and it would be over if he had already divided the benefits and worked with the county order and Gongsun Jian, not only could he earn more, but he also didn't have to give his family his life.

Gongsun Jian stayed at Cao's house for lunch, and the atmosphere between the two sides was exceptionally harmonious and relaxed. During the banquet, Gongsun Jian humorously told all kinds of jokes, and frequently toasted Cao Han and Cao De. If people who don't know the inside story still think that they have been friends for many years? Even Qi Shi and Wei Meng, who were accompanying him, were a little puzzled.

After lunch, Gongsun Jian left Cao's house with the two. On the way back, Qi Shi couldn't help but ask.

"My lord, have you negotiated with the Cao family?"

"Hmm." Gongsun Jian agreed softly, then looked up into the distance, shook his head after a slight smile and said: "That old fox thinks that the abacus is crackling, hehe, but it's a pity that as long as he gets on my ship, don't think about it in the future, unless his Cao family is ready to be the same as those families." But that's fine, at least we've settled down in Linshui County for the time being. Now it's up to us how we develop. As he spoke, Gongsun Jian turned his head to look at Qi Shi and continued: "Old Qi, go back and look for a personal choice or ask Liu Dayuan's opinion, and hand over the matter of the county government you are now in hand." Then go to the militia to replace the old horse. ”

"Yes, sir." For Gongsun Jian's order, Qi Shi immediately agreed without asking the reason. Qi Shi also didn't want to stay in the yamen all day to be responsible for the trivial tasks of patrolling the streets and handling cases.

Hearing that Gongsun Jian transferred Qi Shi to the militia group, Wei Meng on the side came over and asked Gongsun Jian with a smile.

"My lord, can you arrange something for me to do too? I'm going crazy all day at home. ”

Hearing this, Gongsun Jian smiled angrily and raised his hand to give Wei Meng a horsewhip.

"Go back and transfer Zhao Sihai from the militia to follow you, and then go and choose some honest and innocent people for me. The number of people should not be too many for the time being, but there are twenty or thirty people first, who will serve as my personal guards in the future. Remember that these people have to be absolutely reliable. ”

"Yes, my subordinates understand. Don't worry, my lord. When Wei Meng heard that he had arranged things for himself, he smiled like a child who had won candy. And Qi Shi on the side glanced at Wei Meng enviously, and said in his heart that the adults seemed to be the most relieved fool Wei. Don't look at the fact that there are only dozens of people in charge at the moment, but that's a personal guard!

The three of them returned to the city, Qi Shi went to the county government to hand over the task, and Wei Meng also received a letter from Gongsun Jian to find Zhao Sihai. Gongsun Jian walked alone to the dock outside the West Gate.

Since Feng Huaidao was entrusted by Gongsun Jian to manage the dock affairs, he transferred the location of the office from the county government to the dock, and found two huts near the warehouse as temporary office space. When Gongsun Jian arrived, he saw Feng Huaidao discussing something with some people. Seeing that the other party was busy, he didn't bother, but took care of himself and turned around.

In the past few days, as the county has gradually settled down, the order on the dock has also improved a lot. Some shops near the pier have also resumed normal business. After turning for a while, Gongsun Jian felt the sound of hurried footsteps behind him, turned his head and found that it was Feng Huaidao hurrying over.

"Your Excellency." As soon as they met, Feng Huaidao first gave Gongsun Jian a salute, and outside Feng Huaidao always called Gongsun Jian an adult, and only called the other party the lord in private.

"You've come just in time. My subordinates just have some things they want to discuss with you. Looking at the appearance of adults, it should be a good talk to go to Cao's house today. ”

Gongsun Jian nodded.

"It's okay, but the Cao family's offer is not low. They want two docks and three warehouses. In addition, we have to give up 20% of the original share to them. ”

"Shhh...... That's a lot of money. Feng Huaidao frowned slightly when he heard this, and then smiled and said, "But as long as you agree." As long as they are willing to join and you will be led by adults in the future, then there is no fear that they will turn the sky upside down. ”

"That being said, we don't have much background after all. I was also thinking about bringing in some more people. First, it can help us block the wind and rain, second, it can add some help to us, and third, it can solve the supply problem for us. Don't look at the border trade here seems to be very lively, but there are only a few things that really make money. ”

Feng Huaidao nodded, he understood what Gongsun Jian was referring to, it was nothing more than salt and iron, which were prohibited from smuggling. Moreover, Zhou has a very strong control over salt, so it will cause a very large smuggling profit.

"My lord, at present, the inns and restaurants near the docks are basically all tendered, and the contract prices are not very high, after all, the profits of those businesses are also limited. Several smaller wharves have also been leased, mainly by frequent merchants to moor their own berths, which can save a lot of costs. When you don't use it, you can also provide it to others to use it for some fees. As for the warehouses, I also rent out those that are too small. Now there are only a few relatively large ones left, and the subordinates find that it seems that many people are very keen on renting warehouses. ”

Gongsun Jian let out an 'um' and motioned for Feng Huaidao to continue.

"What the subordinates mean, let's take out some money to build a warehouse near the original dock and rent it out."