Chapter 129: Coming to Zhangjiakou

After Lu Chengxiang entered the house, he introduced the two sides. It turned out that it was the proprietor and shopkeeper of the inn who came in. The owner asked: "I just heard from the shopkeeper Lu that Zhang Dongjia intends to buy a store?" Zhang Zhimu said: "There is such an idea. ”

The proprietor said: "Don't hide it from the proprietor, I don't want to do this shop anymore, but there are shopkeepers and guys who have been with me for decades." I couldn't bear to leave. If Zhang Dongjia can keep my shopkeepers and his buddies and give them a bowl of rice to eat, the price will be set by you. ”

Zhang Zhimu thought, "This owner is still a good person." Since the proprietor takes such good care of the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper must not be wrong. But I can't give the store to someone I don't know. Therefore, Zhang Zhimu said: "I don't think the owner will buy a store by himself and hand it over to someone you don't know." ”

The owner said: "Zhang Dongjia misunderstood. I just want the proprietor to arrange a job for them to eat, not for them to be in charge of the store. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Since the owner is so concerned about your shopkeeper and his partner, it means that the owner is a person with affection and intention. A shopkeeper who can make the owner think about it like this must also be a good shopkeeper. I keep all the people, how to arrange the price of your store, just talk to Mr. Lu. ”

When the owner heard that Zhang Zhimu didn't talk about the price, he felt very strange. Just now Lu Chengxiang wanted to negotiate the price with him, he had to negotiate with the owner, he thought that all the owners were the same as him, and they would definitely not allow others to negotiate the price for him, but he didn't expect Zhang Zhimu to let him talk to Lu Chengxiang.

Lu Chengxiang asked with a smile: "Boss, are we talking here or going out to talk?" ”

The proprietor hurriedly said: "Go out to the counter to talk, talk on the counter." Then the proprietor and the shopkeeper took their leave. When Lu Chengxiang went out, he squeezed his eyes at everyone.

After a while, Lu Chengxiang came back and said, "One hundred taels of silver, all the shops have been taken down." ”

Zhang Zhimu asked, "Why is Mr. Lu so cheap?" Don't bully people too much! ”

Lu Chengxiang said: "If you give him a hundred taels of silver, he will kowtow to thank us." At this time, if we hadn't come, no one would have bought his shop for fifty taels. Those who have real estate want to cash in money so that they can leave here with them. There has been a constant war here, and there are no merchants who come and go, and their shops are open for one day and lose one day. If we hadn't wanted to leave earlier, we could have bought a good store for seventy or eighty taels. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "That's it, hurry up and write the paperwork, I will press the handprint, and you and Li Zhi will stay and help the people who stay, and take over this shop." Then you and Li Zhi will chase us in the direction of Zhangjiakou. Our brigade can't stop here, it's a distance from Zhangjiakou, we can't get there in one day, there is a surplus in two days, we will camp in Wanquanwei (now Wanquan County) tomorrow and spend the night, and we will go to Zhangjiakou the day after tomorrow. I will leave you a four-wheeled carriage and fifty cavalry. The caravan is slow, and you can try to catch up with us before we reach Zhangjiakou. ”

Lu Chengxiang said: "This is easy to do, we have ready-made people who can stay, and leave five people here." There is no need to prepare for this store, tomorrow I will finish the paperwork, take inventory, arrange for our people to take over, and with the help of the current shopkeeper, as long as the brand is changed, it can continue to be open. It is estimated that it will be done in less than a day. If there's a problem, we can continue to do it when we come back. Lu Chengxiang saw this matter very simply.

Zhang Zhimu thought, "Also, for a small businessman, opening a store is a big deal." But for Yaogang, people like Lu Chengxiang can't be taken too seriously. This is not to say that Lu Chengxiang doesn't take this matter seriously, he really has bigger things to do. However, this also shows that Lu Chengxiang's ability to do things is already extraordinary, and the vision of this person who travels south and north is absolutely different from that of a person who is fighting with a few eastern guys every day in a small shop.

The next day the gates were opened. Zhang Zhimu and others went out of the city to the camp and explained the situation to Li Zhi, Li Zhi and Lu Chengxiang briefly discussed and determined the people who remained, and then these people followed Lu Chengxiang and Li Zhi into the city, and the fifty cavalry left behind continued to wait outside the city.

Zhang Zhimu also told Liu Yun that the caravan could depart.

After leaving Huai'an, the road conditions were not very good, and it took a lot of effort to build the road in front, but the caravan finally crossed the Yanghe River before dark and arrived at Wanquanwei.

After the caravan left Wanquanwei, before noon, Lu Chengxiang and Li Zhi rushed up with people.

Lu Chengxiang said: "Everything went well, and everything was done in the morning." The original East guy was also very happy. I made the original shopkeeper arrangement three shopkeepers, and the first and second shopkeepers were our people. However, when the original shopkeeper and his buddies heard our treatment, they were all shocked and said that they would do a good job. I think the shopkeeper is pretty good. Let's take a closer look, maybe it will be of great use. Let's let him do it here for a while, and we'll observe him. He also had a lot to learn, and I told them that they had to learn our bookkeeping methods and our management methods as soon as possible. ”

Zhang Zhimu said, "Mr. Lu and Director Li have worked hard. Let's talk about the details when we get to Zhangjiakou.

Zhangjiakou is not far from Wanquanwei, and the caravan arrived in Zhangjiakou in the afternoon.

When he was about to arrive at Zhangjiakou, Lu Chengxiang looked very excited, he ran over and squeezed into Zhang Zhimu's carriage, and his round face was a little red with excitement. He said to Zhang Zhimu: "I am very familiar with this Zhangjiakou, I have been in this Zhangjiakou since I was an apprentice. Doing business here, Mr. Zhang, you listen to my promise and will not suffer losses. ”

Chen Yufeng jokingly squeezed him and said: "Lao Lu, I heard that you were expelled by the owner before you left Zhangjiakou, are you embarrassed to come back?" ”

Lu Chengxiang was amused, "I just want to go back to Zhangjiakou to get back this face." Now we have a big face. I want to see the face that the person in this Zhangjiakou doesn't give me, and the face that doesn't give me is not the face that Yaogang doesn't give. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Yes. Mr. Lu, you are in Zhangjiakou, and I will give you a privilege. You can invite whoever you want, don't be afraid to spend money, and you must get your face back. If you need any of us to accompany you, we will go to support you. ”

Lu Chengxiang heard Zhang Zhimu say such things, and his tears almost didn't fall. Lu Chengxiang knew that he was the most unlucky when he was pulled up by Zhang Zhimu, not to mention the grace of saving his life. Lu Chengxiang's face is showing now, but he can't think of it when he is in Zhangjiakou, this time he must get his face back when he returns to Zhangjiakou.

When he arrived at the checkpoint in Zhangjiakou, Zhang Zhimu showed the bronze medal given by the emperor, and the checkpoint was released immediately. Then the caravan stopped outside Zhangjiakou City, and Lu Chengxiang and Li Jing ran out to contact two big inns outside the city, that is, the kind of inns with a large courtyard, which were specially prepared for these caravans. It's just that Zhang Zhimu's caravan is too big, and there are not many places like Zhangjiakou that can accommodate it, and it takes two inns to live.

After arranging the caravan, Lu Chengxiang went into the city and chose the best inn for Zhang Zhimu and the others to stay.

After staying, Zhang Zhimu's first thought was to see the original landlord of the kiln, Liu Mantang. This time, Huang Yukun personally selected a lot of silk and other gifts brought back from the south for adults and children. Huang Yukun said: "When I was in trouble, people helped me, I am better now, but they are gone, this time I must thank them when I go to Zhangjiakou." ”

In fact, Zhang Zhimu also wants to see this Liu Mantang, after all, he hasn't seen him for a long time, and he still misses them a little. Zhang Zhimu himself didn't know why he missed them, because he didn't spend much time with them.

This time, Zhang Zhimu called Yang Yulin to bring Huang Yukun's gift, and according to the address left by Liu Mantang, he first came to Liu Mantang's son Liu Fugui's leather processing workshop. Liu Mantang's son Liu Fugui also met Zhang Zhimu, and when he went in, he couldn't help but ask where Liu Mantang lived. Because Liu Mantang's son Liu Fugui was afraid that Zhang Zhimu and they would come to Zhangjiakou to get close, and begged them for any trouble, he was reluctant to tell Zhang Zhimu Liu Mantang's address at first, and kept saying that I would just tell me what was wrong. But Zhang Zhimu couldn't stand it, so he had to see Liu Mantang, so Liu Fugui had to tell him Liu Mantang's address.

But when Liu Mantang sent Zhang Zhimu out, he was startled, and he saw that Zhang Zhimu came in a glass carriage, which he had never seen before. When he came out, the carriage was already surrounded by people watching the carriage. He knew that this Zhang Zhimu was not an ordinary person, and he was too snub to others. Back in the house, Liu Fugui wanted to pump himself. But he thought about it again, this Zhang Zhimu is so good to his father, if there is something to let his father come forward, this Zhang Zhimu will definitely give some face. Thinking of this, he hurriedly asked the guy to go to the street to buy a pound of meat, and prepared to go home at night to see his parents.

Zhang Zhimu and Yang Yulin came to a small courtyard according to the address, and as soon as they knocked on the door, Liu Mantang opened the door and came out. Liu Mantang didn't react at once, and Zhang Zhimu asked, "Brother Liu is okay." Why don't you know me, I'm Zhang Zhimu from Yaogang. ”

"Oops! It's you, brother, how did you get here, I don't even dare to think about it. Come inside! ”

Hearing the voice, Sister-in-law Liu also came out, and Sister-in-law Liu also said: "Big brother is you, we thought we would never see you again." Fast into the house. ”

Zhang Zhimu introduced Yang Yulin to them again, and sister-in-law Liu said: "I didn't expect the eldest lady of the Yang family to come to my house." ”

Yang Yulin said: "Big brother and sister-in-law, don't be polite, I am also from Yaogang now, and we are real hometown people." ”

Sister-in-law Liu was about to burst into tears when she heard this, and said, "I don't know how the kiln is now?"

Yang Yulin said: "Now the kiln is fine." ”

Yang Yulin told them about the changes in the kiln, and their family couldn't believe it after hearing it. Because there are some things they really can't understand, what running water, and what kind of toilet is flushed in the house, and so on, they really can't understand. However, they can read to the children and eat at school.

Zhang Zhimu said: "These are all things that Yukun asked me to bring to you. She said that if she was not used to living here, she would go back to Yaogang, which is much better now than before. Whenever you go back, I will prepare a house for you, and ensure that you have a place to live. In addition, I want to tell you that Yukun and I are already married. ”

Liu Mantang and his wife were very happy when they heard this, and Sister-in-law Liu said: "This is great, Yukun is a good person, you have to treat him well." ”

Liu Mantang immediately interrupted her and said, "Look at what you said, you still need to say it." I don't know what kind of person my brother is, but he and Sister Yukun are both good people. This good person is together, and he can't be wrong. ”

No matter how Zhang Zhimu looked on Liu Mantang's face, he couldn't see the slightest trace of the landlord left in his mind in his previous life. When he saw it, the two children who should be the young master of the landlord's family, looked at the things Zhang Zhimu brought through the door. In addition to the things brought by Huang Yukun, there were also all kinds of snacks bought on the road, and a few catties of beef and two jars of wine.

The life of this Niu Mantang family is still not rich, and the money brought from the sale of land and bought a small house is not much left. Liu Fugui can occasionally send some rice and noodles to eat, but it is not enough for the whole family. I thought that I would rely on my son to get here, but who knew that this Liu Fugui was someone's son-in-law, and his wealth and power were taken away by his daughter-in-law. Liu Mantang wanted to go out to do some work to earn some silver, but Liu Fugui refused to let him, for fear that his daughter-in-law's family would laugh. It's not going to work.

After listening to Liu Mantang's explanation, Zhang Zhimu said: "Brother Liu, Yukun and I don't have any relatives. We are no longer ready to interact with those bastards of Yukun's mother's family, you and Sister-in-law Liu helped Yukun when she was in difficulty, and we have never forgotten. Now that we're better, we won't forget you. I think there are two ways, one is that you go back to the kiln with me, and there is no worry about eating and drinking. I will arrange the place to live, and the children can also go to school; Another way is to set up a transportation company at the beginning of spring next year, that is, to transport people and goods back and forth from Yaogang here, and prepare to build a station here, and at that time, don't care about the rich. You go to help me wherever you go, you go to help the old neighbors, and no one has to laugh at them. Do you see that road? You can't be trapped here, can you? ”

Liu Mantang's tears were about to fall, and Sister-in-law Liu wiped her tears and said, "It's all good, it's all good." I'm afraid that the rich and noble will not agree. ”

"Fuck rich, bring Lao Tzu Kuang and ignore Lao Tzu. We don't listen to him. With my brother and Yukun leaning on, I'm not afraid of any fucking anyone. Liu Mantang said that he finally couldn't hold back his tears. This weathered man is crying snot and tears.

Zhang Zhimu said: "We live in the 'Bafangju' inn, and we can stay for a few days this time, don't worry, think about it." ”

Sister-in-law Liu said: "Oh, I heard from the neighbors that the 'Bafang Residence' is precious, and you need to save some silver." ”

Liu Mantang got angry again and said: "Don't talk nonsense, now my brother is not an ordinary person, where can I live if I don't live there?" ”

Zhang Zhimu hurriedly said: "Actually, it's the same everywhere I live, I don't live very well in the side of Yukun." Now I live there for business convenience. Sister-in-law Liu is right, when you have nothing to do, you still have to save a little if you can. When Brother Liu took his sister-in-law Liu and the children to 'Bafangju' for two days, he opened his eyes and let the rich daughter-in-law's family not underestimate us. ”

"Okay, brother, what he said is good, let's show our faces and let them take a good look, don't always look down on people." Liu Mantang said.

After Zhang Zhimu left, Liu Mantang's family hurriedly opened a few packages brought by Zhang Zhimu. As soon as the package was opened, the family was stunned. These silk satins are rare for people like them before, and the things they give to children and adults are also things that they usually dare not think of.

Sister-in-law Liu said: "Sister Yukun, how much silver does it cost." ”

Liu Mantang said: "I just said that there is a good reward for being a good person." Every time I promise to borrow Yukun grain, you keep saying that I have a bad idea. Why don't you say it now? ”

"If I don't agree, can you lend it out?" Sister-in-law Liu didn't let her share.

The family was happy.

As soon as Zhang Zhimu and Yang Yulin returned to the inn, Chen Yufeng greeted them and said, "Why have you been going for so long, you must bring Li Jing and them wherever you go in the future." Otherwise, everyone is in a hurry. ”

Zhang Zhimu knew that something must be wrong, otherwise Chen Yufeng wouldn't be able to face him here, "I know Uncle Chen, is there something?" ”

"Lord Garrison, please." Chen Yufeng said with a smile.

"The news is so fast, the garrison is well-informed!" Zhang Zhimu was also happy when he heard it.

It turned out that after Zhang Zhimu held the Imperial Bronze Medal Pass, the officers and soldiers immediately reported to the garrison Master Li Qing.

This Li Qing has long heard of Zhang Zhimu, such a person came to Zhangjiakou, how can there be no reason not to see this garrison.

Zhang Zhimu knew that when he saw the garrison, he wanted to tell them about passing the test, and he was a little tired of talking about it.

Zhang Zhimu said: "It's not early, let's go see the garrison tomorrow." ”

Chen Yufeng said: "Don't, the garrison sent someone to tell you to come back to see him, he is waiting for you." ”

Zhang Zhimu said to Yang Yulin: "Hurry up and bring the things you have prepared, let's go now." ”

Yang Yulin went back to get the gift, and Li Jing came over at this time and said, "Mr. Zhang, tell me when you go out again." There is no one around you to avoid any danger. If you leave like this, I will be told too. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay, it's my fault this time." The next is not an example. ”

Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng took Yang Yulin in a glass carriage, and Li Jing followed a detachment of people to the garrison yamen, and as soon as they told the door army, the door army hurriedly went in to report. After a while, the gate army came back and said, "The garrison is invited." ”

Then he led Zhang Zhimu and them to the hall of the garrison yamen. Garrison Li Qing saw Zhang Zhimu and others coming in, and got up to greet them. When Zhang Zhimu saw it, he immediately saluted and said, "Zhang Zhimu, a businessman who has seen the guard. ”

"Zhang Yishi, please take a seat." Li Qingdao.

After the two sides sat down, Li Qing said: "I am like a thunderous voice to Zhang Yishi's name, and it is really our honor to see him in Zhangjiakou today." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The adult has won the prize. ”

After the two sides were polite, Zhang Zhimu told Li Qing again in a colorful way, and Zhang Zhimu could already tell the story of going back and forth from south to north.

Zhang Zhimu was foaming at the mouth, and Li Qing was drunk and fascinated when he heard it, and he couldn't help but admire.

Yang Yulin couldn't help laughing next to her, but Chen Yufeng didn't react at all.

Zhang Zhimu finished speaking, and Li Qing also breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Zhimu then told Li Qing about the destruction of the Mongolian cavalry on the way here. At this moment, Li Qing was very surprised, he had already learned about the invasion of the Mongolian cavalry, but he didn't expect Zhang Zhimu to be destroyed. Because he hadn't been informed yet, Zhang Zhimu said that he was startled.

Zhang Zhimu asked him if he had any news of the Manchu army. Li Qing said: "It's strange, we sent scouts everywhere, but we didn't find the whereabouts of this Manchu army, and now it is estimated that knowing that you destroyed the Mongol cavalry, they went out of the Great Wall and returned to the grassland." ”

After Zhang Zhimu finished seeing the matter, he handed Li Qing two letters from the general soldier Jiang Jiu and the Hukou garrison Wang Shichang. Li Qing was stunned when he saw Zhang Zhimu handing over the letter from these two people. He thought that this Zhimu was also powerful, and he even took out two letters at the same time.

After Li Qing read the two letters, he said to Chen Yufeng and Yang Yulin: "You two sit down first, I have something to talk to Zhang Yishi." ”

Then led Zhang Zhimu to the back hall, and the two sat down. Li Qing said: "Zhang Yishi, I admire you very much. Even if you don't have two letters, if you need me, I will try to help you. On the other hand, even if someone who doesn't know each other can come with these two letters, I will treat them with sincerity. "This Li Qing is still very refreshing.

"Wang Shichang is my brother, and after reading his letter, I have to treat you as a brother. If there is anything to say, I will soon be in office, and I will also introduce you to the new garrison, you can rest assured, the new arrivals are also officials from the capital, and he will definitely give me face. Wang Shichang's letter was still very useful in Li Qing, and Li Qing immediately showed it.

Li Qing said again: "Jiang Zongbing is my top boss, and he has a good personal relationship with me. He also asked me to rush for personal gain, and I had something to take care of, and Chong Gong asked me to cooperate with you to find out about the profiteers who sent grain to the Manchus. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "My lord, say so. It would be too fake for me to be polite. I'm a businessman, and businessmen demand profit. Therefore, adults still have to take care of business matters. When it comes to public, in fact, it is not far from our privacy. If the food source of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is continued, let them ease their strength, and pass the Shanhaiguan, our Ming Dynasty will have no danger to defend. At that time, there will be no eggs under the nest, and the money we have worked so hard for will not be our own. So when I got the news that these traitor merchants in Zhangjiakou had transported grain to the Manchus, I was heartbroken and I must find out about it. ”

Li Qing said: "In Zhangjiakou, Fan Yongdou and them are not easy to deal with. To be honest, they are usually polite when they see me, but they don't take me too seriously at all. It's too close to the capital, so they go directly to the capital to do something. They have very deep roots, and we must be careful and not reckless. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Don't worry, my lord, I will be very careful." Fortunately, we are in the dark, and there are conditions for you to check it than adults. I only ask an adult to come forward when I need their cooperation. ”

Li Qing said: "This is very good. I can also send someone back to investigate, and we will cooperate when the time comes. ”

After finishing the matter, Li Qing asked: "Brother Shichang's letter said that you want to buy some horses, how many can you buy this time?" ”

Zhang Zhimu thought badly, I don't want to buy a horse this time, but Wang Shichang must have said in the letter that I want to buy a horse. This Li Qing will definitely be worried about the matter of two taels of silver per horse. If not, buy some more horses, don't let this Li Qing guard down. Thinking about Zhang Zhimu, he said, "This time I want to buy some horses to go back." As for how much you can buy. I'm going to finish the goods in my hand, and then I'll trouble you. ”

Li Qing: "Ou! ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "I came in a hurry this time, and I didn't prepare any gifts for the adults, but I just chose a little hastily, and asked the adults to bring them back for my wife." ”

Li Qing hurriedly said, "We don't have to be like this between us. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "My lord, let's go to the front lobby to have a look, there must be something that the lady and children like here." ”

The two laughed and came to the lobby.

Yang Yulin is so shrewd that she knows that the business is over. Just open a box. First took out a mirror wrapped in red silk and handed it to Li Qing, and asked Li Qing to open it by himself.

Zhang Zhimu said on the side: "Adults have to hold it, don't scare yourself." ”

Li Qing thought to himself, this Zhimu is so mysterious, I can still make the gift scared. But when he opened the silk outside the mirror, he saw that he was really taken aback. Like all people who see the mirror for the first time, I am a little scared when I see myself like a real person in the mirror.

Li Qing hurriedly said: "Brother, this can't be helped, this is too precious." Li Qing knew that he didn't dare to show this thing when he got it to the capital, this thing was not something that ordinary people dared to use.

Zhang Zhimu said: "It's nothing, give adults a total of two mirrors." This thing is fragile, so be careful when using it. Everything else is a little thing for Mrs. and children, so I won't open it here. I'll trouble the adults to bring it back. ”

Li Qing had already finished changing his title and said, "Brother, it's too polite." You and Brother Shichang are friends, we are friends, don't be polite in the future. ”

Leaving the garrison yamen, Zhang Zhimu thought to himself that this first step was over. The next step is for us to act on our own.

After Zhang Zhimu arrived in Zhangjiakou, it was not only Lord Li Qing who was guarding him, but also Fan Yongdou and his businessmen. They soon got together and began to study Zhang Zhimu.

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By the way, I recommend "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty", similar to this article, it is also a "technology flow" through the novel, but it takes place in the Southern Song Dynasty, Yashan, Anti-Yuan, Restoration, and European World Wars.