Chapter 66 Xuzhou Raising Grain

Xuzhou, late June.

In front of the Zhizhou Yamen, several officials were waving sticks and beating the three people who were kneeling on the ground, trying to drive them away and prevent them from kneeling here. There are a lot of people around who are pointing and discussing. After a while, some officials came out to drive away the onlookers.

The three people kneeling on the ground sneaked out of Kaifeng and came to ask for help with a letter from Zhu Gongfang, the king of Zhou. King Zhou elaborated in the letter that now in Kaifeng City, there is a serious shortage of grain, and all the official and civilian grain are exhausted, and Kaifeng is very critical. I implore you to support some food, otherwise your lips will be cold, Kaifeng will not be guaranteed, and the next one will be Xuzhou. Wait a minute. After Lord Zhizhou received the letter, he asked the three of them to go back to the inn to rest, and then there was no news. The three of them came over many times to inquire about the news, but they never saw Lord Zhizhou again. In a hurry, the three of them knelt down in front of the yamen and begged to see Zhizhou, and cried to the onlookers about the horror of cannibalism in Kaifeng City. Everyone who heard it was moved.

Zhizhou also has no choice, thinking that the Ming Dynasty is helpless to send troops, I am a local official, how can I have the strength to touch the hundreds of thousands of thieves, and I am powerless if I have the heart. After receiving a distress letter from the three people, he could only report the truth to the top, but when the letter went up, it was like a stone in the sea, and there was no news. In this case, he didn't want to see the three people who delivered the letter. But they were not allowed to kneel at the door, so that what was the formality? Therefore the servants went to drive them away. But the three of them knew that there were 300,000 people starving in Kaifeng City, waiting to eat. So the three of them would rather die.

The crowd of onlookers gathered more and more, and the officials couldn't do anything anymore. Just as there was a stalemate, someone ran over and said that the fleet of the Tiger Dart Bureau had docked. Some people in the people next to him said that the people of the Tiger Dart Bureau were not afraid of thieves, so it was better to beg them. There was also a sickness and went to the doctor, and the three of them saw that there was no result here, so they came to the dock surrounded by everyone. After asking which boat had a leader, the three of them came to the dock where Zhang Zhimu's command ship docked, and knelt down when they rushed to the boat.

Before the men on the ship had come ashore, they saw someone kneeling on the pier. I thought to myself, what kind of rules is this, do you still have to kneel to greet it? Zhang Zhimu took a look at the warehouse, immediately came to the shore, helped the three of them up, and asked, why. The leader of the three is called Gao Jianfeng, Gao Jianfeng explained the situation, Zhang Zhimu was overjoyed, and thought, I don't know how to start, and the opportunity has come. I thought so in my heart, but I couldn't say this, and said: "Thank you three for looking down on us, we are just a dart game and some merchants, and we are just trying to survive when we encounter a thief army." How can you afford the heavy task of rescue. The three of them said, "In Kaifeng City, there are 300,000 people who want to eat, you can't ignore it." The three of them really had no choice, otherwise they couldn't ask for a merchant for such a thing, and the three of them had to kneel down again. Zhang Zhimu hurriedly helped him up and said, "That's it, we just arrived, and when we all settle down, let's think of a way together." When the three of them heard this, they hurriedly thanked them like a man in the water had received a life-saving straw.

Zhang Zhimu told Lu Chengxiang that the goods on the ship should not be unloaded, and the personnel still lived on the ship. Just go ashore and arrange a place for a few people to live. Lu Chengxiang led people into the city to arrange accommodation. At this time, a government official came to report and said, "Lord Zhizhou is invited." Zhang Zhimu thought, okay, it's all here, so I don't have to worry about it.

Zhang Zhimu, Chen Yufeng and Yang Yulin came to the Zhizhou Yamen with the Yamen, and after a greeting, the Lord Zhizhou said: "The matter of the Tiger Dart Bureau fighting the thief army and the water army, the court has already reported that there are such heroes in our dynasty, it is a fortunate thing, if the people of the Ming Dynasty can do this, and contribute to the court, how can the thieves be so strong." Since his reputation is so big, he can't keep a low profile, Zhang Zhimu asked politely: "What are the plans of the adults about Kaifeng?" Zhizhou said: "I already know, the three heroes from Kaifeng are looking for you on the dock." To be honest, it's not that I don't want to see them again, it's that I don't have the face to see them again. I have reported their affairs three times in a row, which is already a taboo in officialdom. But the letters were all lost. With the strength of my state, to touch with hundreds of thousands of thieves, isn't it an egg to hit a stone? I also know the truth of cold lips and teeth, but I really can't help it. If the heroes of the Tiger Dart Game have any two strategies, I am willing to help. What Zhang Zhimu wants most is Zhizhou's words. Zhang Zhimu asked: "The soldiers and civilians of Kaifeng are extremely strong, and the thieves can't help them, they just want to trap them, and what they lack most now is food." Will Xuzhou be able to raise food? Zhizhou said: "Now that the grain is expensive, the military rations we handed over to the imperial court will not be forcibly collected." Zhang Zhimu said: "We just arrived, wait for us to understand the situation, what are our plans, and then come to discuss with adults." In addition, we scooped up the bodies of three officers and generals on the Yellow River and asked the adults to help dispose of them. Zhizhou agreed, saying: "They all have marks on their armor, and they can find their families according to this." Zhang Zhimu knew that it was almost impossible to get Zhizhou to come up with money and food.

Out of the yamen, Chen Yufeng asked Zhang Zhimu: "Zhimu, do you really want to save Kaifeng?" Zhang Zhimu said, "Yes, Uncle Chen." To save Kaifeng is to save ourselves. This time, as long as the food is sent in Kaifeng City, the plan to break into the king and besiege the city will fail. If you lose this time, you will hurt your vitality, and in a short period of time, it will be difficult to have the power to encircle Kaifeng. The Ming Dynasty can also breathe a sigh of relief, because if Kaifeng is kept, the Central Plains and the gate of Hebei can be saved. We also please the imperial court, so that we can buy some time, and also really open up this trade route. Our future development will be much more convenient. ”

When I returned to the wharf, I saw Liu Qinda, the shopkeeper of Yongmao Commercial Bank, who came back together, waiting at the wharf, and said: "It has been arranged tonight, Zhang Dongjia must give me a face, and we will get together at Juxian Building on the edge of the Yellow River." Zhang Zhimu said very happily: "It's up to your arrangement." But I'm in a bit of a hurry now, so I'm asking Shopkeeper Liu for help. Can you help me raise 50,000 stone of food as soon as possible? ”

Liu Qin said: "You can get food, but if you are in a hurry, you have to raise it nearby, and the price will be higher." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "The price is no problem, as long as it is fast." No matter how expensive it is, it is not as expensive as Kaifeng's 300,000 lives. ”

"Oh, Zhang Dongjia really wants to save Kaifeng, and the court can't help it. Admire and admire, I will definitely get you this grain at a flat price. If there's anything you need my help with, just let me know. ”

Seeing Liu Qin away, Zhang Zhimu arranged for Liu Yun and others to guard the ship's goods, and led several leaders to the inn arranged by Lu Chengxiang. Zhang Zhimu said: "Now, the first thing to say, Lin Xinmin and they want to get off the boat from here and go back to Shandong. I think so, we have to leave some people here to buy food, let Lin Xinmin do a favor here, in the future, we will often buy grain here, it is best to set up a point here, I also have to entrust Lin Xinmin to purchase some special items for me, and I also need to keep some people here, who do you think is appropriate? Seeing that everyone didn't say anything about this, Lu Chengxiang said: "The generals can't stay, just leave my son behind, this kid has been learning martial arts since elementary school and feels that he has some ability, I think with Lin Xinmin's help, it will not be a big deal for him to stay." "Mr. Lu, are you willing to leave your son?" Zhang Zhimu asked. Lu Chengxiang said: "If he hadn't followed you out, how could he have such an opportunity to experience experience." Don't look at him following me every day, but he doesn't want me to hang around in front of him for a long time. I'm a father, and I feel like a mirror in my heart. If Mr. Zhang has no opinion, just leave him. Leave him a few more of our men from the kiln. At the beginning, I didn't expect that all of a sudden, we would do such a big thing, and there would still be fewer people. Everyone felt the same way. Li Mao said: "The people I brought can also leave one and give Lu Gongzi a start." They have also been doing business with me for many years, and they also feel that they have a lot of ability, and they can play a starting role and let them follow the experience. Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay, whether it's a dragon or a wind, it depends on their ability." Mr. Lu explained the rules and everything to them. Tell them that we are not afraid of losses, and we must not suffer losses. ”

Lu Chengxiang said: "I think that some of the horse goods should be sold here, and when they enter the canal in the future, the ship will not be able to pull so many goods." Yan Boju said: "Tomorrow, look at the price of the horse, I estimate that there has been a war here, and the horse will definitely be worth silver." Li Mao said: "Here are my friends who have done business before, you can go and talk about it first, and you will know it when you go to the horse market." However, the fact that we have so many horses at once will definitely have an impact on the horse market. ”

In the evening, there were many rich celebrities from Xuzhou at the banquet. First, Liu Qin has a great influence in Xuzhou, and second, Zhang Zhimu is now famous. Zhang Zhimu whispered to Yang Yulin: "It seems that we are now, and fame is greater than strength. Yang Yulin said: "I can't think of being famous now." After everyone toasted. Zhang Zhimu was also polite, and then said: "All the businessmen and celebrities in Xuzhou, Kaifeng, which is not far from us, is now besieged by the thief army, and there is no food and grass in the city, and there are no rescuers outside, and the situation is critical. As you know, if Kaifeng is not guaranteed, the next one is Xuzhou. There are no eggs under the nest, and you can imagine your situation at that time. I have an idea, I want to support Kaifeng's father, but I can't support it alone, and I hope everyone will support, now Kaifeng, the most lacking is food. I have entrusted Liu Qinda's shopkeeper to purchase 50,000 stones of grain on my behalf, and I am ready to support Kaifeng. However, in the face of 300,000 people, this grain is still a little less. And 300,000 people can't just eat rice, but also lack oil, salt, sauce and vinegar, I hope everyone can reach out to help, those who have money can contribute money, and those who are powerful can contribute. Hearing Zhang Zhimu say this, many of the people who came responded immediately, saying, we are not as strong as Zhang Dong's family, and it is still okay to donate some property. Zhang Zhimu asked Lu Chengxiang to be responsible for arranging personnel, registering the donated funds and goods, and then announcing them.

The next day, everyone went out to run the market separately. Zhang Zhimu and Yan Boju, Chen Yufeng, and Yang Yulin came to the horse market together, and saw that the horse market was cold and cold, there were few horses, and some were also a few wilting horses for ploughing the land. Yan Boju said: "This fuck, that's called the horse market!" "I asked in the past, why don't you see horses sold in this horse market? He replied that there were no horses now, and that the trade routes in the north were not accessible to horses, and that if there were horses, they would have been bought by someone long ago. Zhang Zhimu was overjoyed when he heard this, and this time the horse could be sold for a good price. Back at the inn, Li Mao also returned. He said: "I found a few friends, and they all said that there were as many horses as there were. Yan Boju said: "I don't understand the goods, the horses can be sold here, and the horses that were brought from the mouth of the killer tiger will be sold for five columns of high-class horses, and five columns of low-class horses." Those captured horses have to wait, and they must wait until they know the goods. Also, we can't go to the horse market and sell horses one by one. Li Mao found a few powerful ones to talk about the price together. In the afternoon, Li Mao found a few big horse merchants, and a few of them came by themselves after receiving the letter. Zhang Zhimu saw that there were more than a dozen of them, and they all wanted to buy horses, so he said: "Since everyone wants to buy horses, the one with the highest price will get it." Today we want to make a move, five columns of superior horses, five columns of inferior horses. Everyone also looked at the horses. We are selling the whole column, one buy one column. Do you have any comments? "Everyone who came said, "It's fair, and the one with the highest price wins." Lu Chengxiang organized an auction and auctioned off all the ten horses. As a result, the best horses were sold for three hundred and twenty taels each, and the inferior horses were sold for one hundred and fifty taels. Five hundred horses were sold for silver, and one hundred thousand taels were worth one hundred thousand. and when he sold half of his goods, he got twelve hundred and twenty-five thousand six hundred and seventy taels of silver. At the same time, 15,000 stone of grain, 1,000 stone of salt, and a lot of chicken, duck, and fish were donated to register. 5,000 pieces of cotton. Zhang Zhimu looked at the scene in front of this branch, and his heart was very moved. Liu Qin came over in the evening and said that the grain would arrive tomorrow, and it would cost two taels of silver per stone. In this consecutive disaster year, the price is very good. Zhang Zhimu said: "Shopkeeper Liu, it is not easy for you to pay for your hard work, don't pay for it." Liu Qin said: "I won't make money in this business, but I won't lose money either." If that were the case, I wouldn't be able to tell the owner. This time I told the owner, this is Zhang Dong's own money to go to Kaifeng to save people, we can't make money, the owner is very supportive. But in the future, if the Zhang Dongjia buys grain, I can't afford this price. Zhang Zhimu said: "No problem, we will follow the rules of the mall in the future." ”