Chapter 35 Preparing to the South, Twenty-one ___ Kill Hukou Garrison

In the evening, the shopkeeper of the inn asked Zhang Zhimu for fifty taels of silver, saying that he would go to meet the guard, and if the matter could not be done, he would return the silver in full. Zhang Zhimu thought about it, and saw that the person was still so expensive, but there was no way, no matter how much he could see, he handed over the silver.

Before going to bed, the innkeeper replied, and tomorrow afternoon, the guard Wang Shichang will meet him. Li Zhi also came back with good news, he went out to contact the informant and told the informant about the situation. The informant is also very happy to get ten taels of silver, the informant is here all the year round, and knows the situation of killing Hukou very well, saying that it is a good time to buy things now, and there are still too few merchants who have come recently, and the goods can't go out, especially the horses, the horses of the official family can't go out, and the big horse merchants are doing a resale business, and they can't sell the horses, and they can't help but buy some horses, because the court also needs silver, and if the garrison field is not held, the business will not be able to do it in the future, but if the horses are entered, they can't be sold. When Zhang Zhimu heard this, he was very happy in his heart, and he knew it in his heart. Moreover, we have made up our minds that we must devote great efforts to strengthening this intelligence work, and intelligence can produce results.

Early the next morning, as soon as the city gate opened, Prince Deli and his party hurried in, and when they entered the house, they were wow-wow, even talking with gestures. The translator of the shopkeeper Pan said that the prince praised that the knife was good and really not rusty. It turned out that this prince was very good at swords and horses. After going back, in order to try whether the knife is rusty, the knife was wiped with a cloth in hot water, which is to remove oil, and the knife was soaked in horse urine for a while, and then put it overnight, got up in the morning, carefully observed, and did not find a trace of rust, knowing that this knife is really stainless and is a treasure knife.

Prince Toli asked how much the knife was sold for, and Zhang Zhimu said five hundred taels. The prince was too expensive, Zhang Zhimu said that he had a total of ten knives, and if he wanted them, he could be cheaper. When the prince heard that there were ten knives, his eyes lit up. Just said that they wanted it, Zhang Zhimu said that it could be four hundred taels, and the prince insisted on three hundred taels. Zhang Zhimu said, "Okay, I'll make the prince a friend." "So ten knives were sold for three thousand taels of silver. And the prince's entourage took out six gold ingots of fifty taels out of the sheepskin bag on his body. Before leaving, the prince was still thinking about the steel-reed carriage. Zhang Zhimu said, let's talk about it when we go.

Chen Yufeng said to Zhang Zhimu, and Li Mao of Xiurong also said that when you go back, I want to discuss with you about this steel spring carriage. It seems that this good knife and carriage are good business. Zhang Zhimu said yes. When I went back, I not only had to build this steel spring carriage for pulling goods, but also built a steel spring carriage for pulling people, so that people would be more comfortable when riding. Chen Yufeng absolutely believes in Zhang Zhimu, and now that he says that he will take the moon back, he probably won't doubt it.

In order to see the garrison Wang Shichang, Zhang Zhimu still prepared carefully, and Chen Yufeng and Zhang Zhimu went together when they saw the garrison.

In order to show that it was a private meeting, the garrison Wang Shichang met Zhang Zhimu in a side room. When Zhang Zhimu was allowed into the house, he saw a man in his forties, dressed in civilian clothes, on a chair, so he stepped forward to salute and said, "Zhang Zhimu, a businessman with a beautiful appearance, has seen the guard. The guard said, "No need to be polite, this is the inner hall, sit down and speak." ”

Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng thanked and sat down. At this time, the garrison Wang Shichang was a little displeased, because when ordinary businessmen saw him, they all lowered their eyebrows and lowered their eyes, and this, the businessman was neither humble nor arrogant, so he was not used to it. However, while Wang Shichang felt a little pressure, he also had to admire Zhang Zhimu's extraordinary instruments. Ordinary officials look down on businessmen who smell of copper, but they all look down on the silver in the hands of merchants. Seeing that Zhang Zhimu gave fifty taels of gold as a 'no respect', the guard's displeasure had already been replaced by a smile on his face. That official authority can't be held up anyway.

A garrison official worships the five grades, and the annual rice of a five-grade official is 192 stones, these fifty taels of gold really make the garrison lord's palms sweat. I thought to myself, these merchants are so rich, no wonder they can risk their lives to travel to and from the treacherous trade routes infested with bandits. Those subordinates who assisted in the defense were nominally distracted by me, but in fact, most of the benefits were accepted by them, and those who were filial to me became petty profits. Thanks to what I heard today, there are merchants who are coming to pay their respects, and I am agreeing to come to the court. Needless to say, the people who came came were for the horses, and it just so happened that the horses of those families could not be sold, and they had nothing to say when I looked for others. I'll have a favor, both to get money and to sell favors.

Garrison Wang Shichang took a sip of water and said: "It's not easy for you merchants to earn some silver, not to mention the wind and rain, bandits and bullies are also harmful, don't be so polite in the future." I heard that you have brought food for the killing of Hukou, which is a great good thing for the people, and now there is a famine everywhere. I think you're looking for me for the horses. After speaking, he glanced at Chen Yufeng, and then picked up the teacup and drank water. Zhang Zhimu immediately gestured to Chen Yufeng with his eyes. Chen Yufeng went out under the pretext, and his subordinates also went out.

Only Zhang Zhimu and the garrison were left in the house. Zhang Zhimu followed the guard's words and said: "The adults are really discerning, and the small ones are here for this." ”

Wang Shichang said: "You are looking for me to find the right person, and I have heard many people say that there are many people outside who can do Ma Yin." But Ma Yin is in my hands, I don't agree, who has a way? Now, there are more than 800 horses in the horse pen, and you have to pay two taels of silver per horse to run a horse guide, and this is last year's horse, and after a winter, you have to pay two taels of horse grass silver per horse. As for the horses, the official price is 24 high-class horses, 15 taels of medium horses, and 10 taels of dismounts. ”

As soon as Zhang Zhimu saw that the words had been spoken, he took over the conversation and said: "No matter what kind of horse you wait for, I will give the adult two taels of silver with filial piety." How is it? ”

The teacup in the guard's hand shook and said, "It's too much, it's too much." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "My lord, I will dare to be the master of this matter, and it will be decided." ”

When the garrison heard this, my God, I have been guarding for half a year in vain, and I let the people below play tricks. No wonder I'm fighting for this position. If I cooperate with this businessman, I will be able to make a fortune with money after I return to Beijing.

Wang Shichang asked, "How many horses can you buy this time?" ”

"I heard from my lord, there are 800 horses here, what kind of horses are they?" Zhang Zhimu asked.

"There are six columns on the horse, five columns for the middle horse, and five columns for the dismount. A column of fifty horses. You can rest assured that there will be no mistakes in the rank of horses, there will be no mistakes in the army, and anyone who buys a horse must buy it according to the whole bar, and it is never allowed to cross the bar to pick. The rank of horses is distinguished by us and the Mongols. This rule was not set by a few of us, but has been passed down all the time. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Then I'll wrap all the horses, okay?" ”

Wang Shichang's eyes widened, and he thought, oh my God, how much silver this person has. said: "Of course it will do, you are, not only did your own business, but also shared your worries for the country." The army fights every day, and there is a shortage of silver everywhere. ”

Zhang Zhimu saw that he should strike while the iron was hot and did the work. He said, "I have just drunk some of the tea of the garrison lord, and I think I will send someone to take the adult's filial piety and the fee now, and I will lead the horse today, and tomorrow I will carry the horse with the silver, what do you think?" ”

"Brother Zhang Xian, he is a happy person, I like it. Just do what the virtuous brother said, and do it immediately. Wang Shichang has already called Zhang Zhimu a virtuous brother.

Zhang Zhimu calculated, according to 800 horses, he should give Wang Shichang 1,600 taels, and the handling fee of Ma Yin is more than 300 taels. Zhang Zhimu asked Chen Yufeng to go back and get four and fifty taels of gold ingots.

When Chen Yufeng came back, Zhang Zhimu handed over four ingots of 200 taels of gold to Wang Shichang and said, "I'll make up a whole number including the handling fee." ”

Wang Shichang's hand trembled a little when he took the gold, and said, "It's too much, too much." Ma Yin will come immediately. I think tomorrow you will bring someone to bring the silver, go to the horse farm to count, and after the silver horse is paid, you don't have to find a place for the horse for the time being, just let your people take over the horse pens, and you can continue to use the rest of the horse grass and horse food. When it's time to leave, you clean up the stalls. I don't think the virtuous brother is a stingy person, those who watch the horses, you send a few taels of silver for drinking. ”

Zhang Zhimu and this garrison are getting closer and closer, Wang Shichang said, there is still more than half a year, he will return to Beijing after this errand, his family has some connections in the capital, and he will go to Beijing to do business in the future, but he can go to find him. This time, not only was he given a horse ticket, but also a horse ticket that did not fill in the number and deadline. said that if he came to kill Hukou next time, he was gone, and he could fill it in, and said that he did it at the time. Zhang Zhimu felt that he could teach this person, even if the gold was not in vain, Wang Shichang felt that this was a very atmospheric businessman, extraordinary, and he was also willing to associate with him. The two chatted all afternoon. I'll see you at the horse farm tomorrow.

On the way back, Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng were very happy, but they didn't expect things to go so smoothly. Chen Yufeng said: "These 800 horses rushed back, but it took a little effort." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Yes, go back and discuss with that 'Cybernaut'." In addition, we brought too much gold and silver, so we tried to buy some goods to go back. Now things can't be shipped here, and the price is just right. I wonder if these horses, untrained, can carry goods. It would be great if the horse could carry the goods. The four wagons were sold here. ”

Chen Yufeng said: "There are fewer horses, and there is no problem with someone leading the pack goods." There are too many horses, so we have to go back and discuss it with that old thing. ”

Zhang Zhimu went back and told everyone to buy 800 horses at once, and everyone was shocked. In particular, Yan Boju almost jumped and said, "Zhimu, are you crazy? How can I buy so many horses at once? Do you know how much these 800 horses eat in a day? How can so many horses rush back? ”

Zhang Zhimu laughed and said, "There is no endless road. Tomorrow, bring the horse over! In this way, most of us would have to live on a horse farm. ”

Yan Boju took the lead and said, "I'll go to live in the racecourse." Everyone laughed, knowing that Cybernaut was the closest to horses.

The next day, Zhang Zhimu and his entourage all came to the racecourse in advance, and even Qin Peng's entourage, who had recently become familiar with everyone, also came with everyone. After waiting for a while, the garrison came. When the officers and soldiers saw that the garrison had come in person, they knew that this merchant was not trivial, and they all cautiously helped to count the money and go through the formalities. They were busy, and the guard called Zhang Zhimu to the side and handed him a few papers. Zhang Zhimu saw that it was tea, salt, copper and iron, and grain, and told Zhang Zhimu that your Xiurong's road guide was effective on the ground in Shanxi, and when you went out of Shanxi, people said that if you were useful, it would be useful, and if you were useless, it would be useless. And the road guide of the tea and horse division that we opened is useful as long as it is in the territory of Daming, and I can't help my brother with anything else, so I can only do this. Zhang Zhimu just wanted to mention the silver. Wang Shichang hurriedly stopped and said, "If you mention anything else, you won't treat me as a friend." For my brother, I hope to see you like a day. In addition, when I come again, I can transport as much salt tea as I want, and I have my way to guide it, and the road is smooth. ”

Zhang Zhimu was moved and didn't know what to say. Wang Shichang said that it was inconvenient to stay here for a long time, so he went back first. After Wang Shichang left, the formalities were quickly completed. Zhang Zhimu took out ten taels of silver and gave the soldiers a drink, and the soldiers cheered. It just so happened that Qin Peng was also here, and his entourage told him about his wife and children, and Qin Peng was grateful. Zhang Zhimu said: "Don't worry, since we met, it is fate, we will arrange your wife and children before we leave, don't worry." While no one was paying attention, he shoved a tael of silver in his hand.