At the beginning of October in the second year of Xining, late autumn has arrived, and the rain has lasted for a long time, and the south of the Yangtze River is exceptionally cold and damp.

Today, the situation is better, the eaves are ticking, and finally it is no longer a curtain of rain like beads, and the autumn rain that has lasted almost two months has finally ended.

The people of Hangzhou saw the long-lost sunshine and the blue sky and white clouds that they had not seen for a long time, and many people couldn't help laughing, clapping and cheering. But after the cheers, he still sighed sadly, worrying about his livelihood.

Many people's rice jars have bottomed out in their homes, and they have taken cloth bags and copper coins to sell and buy grain, only to find that many grain stores have closed their doors. The reason given is either that the store is repaired, or that it is out of stock, compared with yesterday, there is one more reason, the owner or the shopkeeper is not there.

Only the Meng grain store in the south of the city is open as usual, and there is already a long queue at the door of the store, and there is an endless stream of people coming one after another. Because of the large number of people, most of the streets are occupied, and passing pedestrians and vehicles can only pass slowly.

When a carriage passed by, the windows were raised, revealing two pairs of eyes, and it was vaguely visible that it was the two brothers, Lu Ji and Lu Shan, watching the crowd of people surging at the door of Meng's grain store.

"Big brother, the Meng family is still going on!" Lu Shan said: "If they continue to make trouble like this, our business will not be able to open!" ”

"What's the hurry!" Lu Ji shook his head and said, "What you should notice more is that there are so many people in a hurry to buy food!" ”

"Uh......"

"Does the Meng family have so much food?" Lu Ji said: "People are always very strange, some things have never been obtained, but if you tempt him with something, and finally don't give it to him, people at that time will be even more angry." ”

"Big brother, but they are like this, we have not opened the market for a long time, I'm afraid it's not appropriate!" Lu Shan was slightly worried.

"That's right, it's really not appropriate to delay for too long, it seems ......" Lu Ji didn't continue, his eyes were a little deeper, and he didn't know what he was thinking, so he said after a long time: "Go, go to the county office, Lin County must give face." ”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lin County ordered a banquet, which is also a big event in Qiantang County, and the grain merchants who received the invitation were very polite and respectful, and arrived early.

Zhang Ziheng of Guangji Grain came with rheumatism and leg pain, and he had more hopes for today's banquet. It seems that Lin County's order is going to take action, but I don't know what the result can be, and it is too sad to be forced to violate my conscience and go along with it.

Just after walking a few steps, Zhang Ziheng saw a familiar face, but he didn't want to see, the Lu brothers of Qinghe Grain Bank. originally wanted to avoid it quickly, but Lu Shan had already seen it first, and shouted loudly.

"Why is proprietor Zhang walking so fast? Don't you want to see us? "Lu is not good, and his words are even more direct and vicious, and he does not save face at all.

Zhang Ziheng knew that there was no way to avoid it, although he was very disgusted in his heart, but these two plague gods couldn't be provoked at all, so he had to respond: "Where? I'm old and my eyes are not good, forgive me! ”

"How is proprietor Zhang's business lately?" Seeing this, Lu Ji asked softly, and a pair of penetrating eyes probed directly, which was very compelling.

Zhang Ziheng was shocked in his heart and replied: "There is no stock in the store, the autumn rain continues, the autumn grain cannot be harvested, and the business cannot be done!" ”

"Yes, everyone is like that, let's think about it!" Hearing the satisfied answer, Lu Ji regained his expression of hiding the knife in his smile.

Zhang Ziheng felt very uncomfortable in his heart, and he almost couldn't restrain the indignation and dissatisfaction in his heart. Fortunately, someone from the county office appeared at the door and shouted: "Everyone, the banquet is ready, Lin County Order invites everyone to sit down!" ”

This person is Su An, he came forward to greet the guests, and secondly, to observe the grain merchants who came to the banquet, his eyes swept over everyone, and some subtleties fell into his eyes.

When everyone entered the county office, the banquet in the hall had already been arranged, and Master Yu Xuan stood at the door to greet him. As for the county magistrate, Lin Zhao did not show up, after all, they were just a group of businessmen with a low status, and they couldn't get to the point where the county magistrate Lin personally came forward to greet him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please!" Yu Xuan is gentle and elegant, and now following Lin Zhao's side, he has gradually cultivated self-confidence, and he is very polite and polite when he stands at the door. and Su An's literature and martial arts have become Lin Zhao's right-hand man.

After everyone sat down, there was a maid to guide everyone to sit, and then served tea and waited for the arrival of the county commander Lin Zhao. Most of them knew it, whispered to each other, and exchanged some information.

After Lu Ji sat down, everyone greeted him with a smile, whether it was his henchmen or those who were intimidated by his might, they all looked at him with a horse's head and respectfully. Fortunately, Lu Ji was very useful to this feeling, and he completely forgot the meaning of a fox and a fake tiger.

The brothers' eyes full of bad water swept over the crowd, and finally landed on the right seat. It was Manager Li who came from Meng's grain store, and Meng Ruoying herself did not attend. Steward Li held his head high and sat straight, and others kept stammering the Lu brothers, but he was the only one who remained silent. The Meng family is a big family with a commandment, and there is a Lin County order, so why do you need to pretend to you?

Seeing this scene, Lu Ji already knew it, but he just smiled faintly and didn't make a sound, but Lu Shan showed a look of resentment.

At this moment, a personable young man walked out quickly and walked directly to the main seat, needless to say that it was the county commander Lin Zhao. Everyone in Qiantang knows that Lin Zhao is young and promising, but few people have seen it up close. Today, when I saw it, I knew that the name was worthy of it, but in the year of the weak crown, it was the first of a county.

Prior to this, in the case of quelling Zhao Shiju's rebellion and thoroughly investigating Zhao Zongyong's trafficking of illicit salt, he was resolute and resolute, and his prestige was already outside. Of course, some people believe these rumors, while others don't.

Lin Zhaolang said: "I invite you to come to the banquet today, the proprietors, the shopkeeper can take time out of his busy schedule to come, thank you!" ”

"Lin County ordered the invitation, we are flattered, very honored!" For most people, the county order is really exciting to be polite to you.

"Well, all right, take your seats!" Lin Zhao greeted, and then gave an order, and there were maids coming and going, and they quickly served delicious food.

No matter what these grain merchants think, the temptation of food is hard to resist, not to mention the craftsmanship of Gu Yuelun, the first chef in Jiangnan. The appearance, color, and taste alone have made people's appetite move and their eyes greedy! If it weren't for the grand occasion, you need to pay attention to etiquette, and you would have moved the chopsticks first.

"Some home-cooked dishes, please poop!"

Lin Zhao took the lead in moving the chopsticks, not mentioning anything else at all, and everyone couldn't resist the temptation of the delicious food, so they moved the chopsticks one after another. I forgot the old saying that "eating people's mouths is short".

I have long heard that the Lin County Lingjia opened a restaurant in Bianjing, and the taste is a must in Bianjing, and I am fortunate to taste it today. Everyone was full of praise and enjoyed it very much.

Seeing this scene, Lin Zhaocai picked up his glass and said, "This is a home-brewed water wine, please!" ”

The development and brewing of Champion Red and Daughter Red has begun, and the first batch of liquor has been produced. Everyone drank in their mouths, only feeling that it was particularly mellow and very refreshing, Lin Zhao toasted frequently, and everyone drank a lot.

Lu Ji suddenly became a little anxious in his eyes, and he underestimated the means of Lin County's order, and the effect of the wine and food offensive was obvious. These sake brewed rice bags are also really, and you may be dizzy after a while! No, it must be stopped!

"Thank you for the hospitality of the county order, please forgive me for taking the liberty of taking the lead, I don't know what the county commander said to summon us today?" Don't look at Lu Ji who doesn't take Lin Zhao seriously in his heart, but he is still quite humble and respectful on the surface.

The interest of everyone in feasting and drinking was suddenly interrupted, and they all remembered that they had come here today, not to eat, drink and have fun, but to have important business.

Seeing this, Lin Zhao smiled lightly: "I invited you to come here today because I want to talk to you about business!" ”

"Business?" Everyone tacitly pretended to be confused.

Knowingly asked, Lin Zhao remained silent and continued: "Yes, you also know that Hangzhou has suffered a disaster recently, and many people have been affected. The government is opening a warehouse for disaster relief, but the stock is slightly insufficient, so I will buy some food from you! ”

Buy food! Many grain merchants knew what was expected, but no one spoke first, and their eyes all fell on the Lu Ji brothers. It is not easy for the horse to see this level!

Zhang Ziheng originally had the intention to express his position, but the consequences of being a bird were unpredictable, and it was not easy to bear, so he had to suppress the impulse in his heart and sit down.

Lin Zhao saw everything in his eyes, he already had a certain understanding of the Qiantang Grain Market before, so he didn't feel strange.

"The county government bought grain for disaster relief, and we should have helped, but the surplus grain from last year has been sold out. This year's situation in Lin County also knows that there is no landing, and we are also powerless! "Lu Ji has already made up his mind, and he must not give in at first. Otherwise, Lin Zhao will have to gain an inch later, and they will be very passive.

The words were not leaky on the surface, as if they were the expected answer, and Lin Zhao was not surprised. What is the real situation, he also knows that this is just a temptation!

Lu Ji paid attention to Lin Zhao's expression, and Twilight swept over Steward Li again, intentionally or unintentionally, and took the opportunity to add: "However, we will not sit idly by, we will definitely purchase grain as soon as possible and transfer it from other regions, hoping to do our part for Hangzhou's disaster relief!" By the way, I heard that Meng's grain store still has some inventory, so I guess I can help one or two first! ”

Of course, Steward Li didn't let it, and said with a smile: "Yes, our Meng Grain Company will do our best to help!" ”

Lu Ji immediately approved, and said in a loud voice: "Everyone, we must also be a model for Meng's grain behavior, and try to find a way to share the worries for Lin County." ”

Lin Zhao saw Lu Ji's erratic eyes, and a trace of bad premonition suddenly appeared in his heart.

At this time, on the dock of Hangzhou, Meng Ruoying did not wait for the arrival of the cargo ship escorted by Master Sun. If it were normal, it would be nothing if the cargo ship was overdue, but in this special period, Meng Ruoying always had a bad premonition in her heart, lingering!

(To be continued)