As night falls, the lanterns come on. In the private room where the guest lived, Xu Liang, Wang Xian, and Yu Dacheng had been sitting in the house for half an hour. A pot of tea made the three of them lose patience.

Wang Xian opened the window for the third time, looked at the street, and saw that there was no carriage from the Chengguo Mansion passing by, so he couldn't help but sit back disappointed, and said to Xu Liang: "Brother Xu, the status of the Chengguo Duke is respected, don't be his old man's score, I don't plan to come today at all, right?" ”

Xu Liang stared at the teapot in front of him, groaned, shook his head and said, "Although the Duke of Cheng Guo is honorable, I used His Majesty's gold medal to invite him, and he didn't dare not come." As he spoke, he comforted Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng and said, "Wait a little longer." People are the princes of the country, and they are born with the right to be late. ”

Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng looked at each other and smiled bitterly, and sat sullenly.

After sitting for nearly an hour, the shopkeeper of the guest house went upstairs in person, carefully asked if the kitchen should start serving, Xu Liang and the others glanced at each other, Xu Liang smiled bitterly: "Let's serve, tonight will be a small gathering of our three brothers." ”

Yu Dacheng also said angrily: "Serve the food, serve the wine!" ”

The shopkeeper heard that the three of them were in a wrong mood, and he didn't dare to say much, so he went down to arrange for the guy to serve the food with a smiling face.

In fact, the wine and food had already been prepared, and they were warmed in the kitchen, and after a while, three or four men brought them up, and the table was filled with six or seven delicacies in the blink of an eye.

Wang Xian grabbed the warm wine jug and poured a full glass for each of the three of them. The three people in the room looked at each other and smiled bitterly, and each drank it all.

Just as the three of them put down their minds and began to deal with the dishes on the table with all their might, suddenly the door of the private room was pushed open from the outside. Immediately, a middle-aged man in Chinese clothes walked in with his head held high. Seeing the scene in the house, Hehe mocked: "This guest has not yet arrived." This host began to eat and drink? ”

Xu Liang, Wang Xian. Yu Dacheng and the three of them looked up, and when they saw this middle-aged man in Chinese clothes, they couldn't help but get up and leave their seats in a hurry, stepped forward, and said in unison: "I've seen Cheng Guogong!" ”

When Xu Liang lowered his head, he took the opportunity to wipe the wine stains from the corners of his mouth.

Zhu Chunchen, the Duke of Chengguo, proudly accepted the salute of the three people, bypassed the three of them, sat down on the empty seat above, and then greeted the three people: "The three are exempt from courtesy." ”

Although Xu Liang and the others smiled bitterly, this master's frame was too big. But he didn't dare to make a mistake in front of Cheng Guogong, and sat back in a proper manner, after Xu Liang sat down, he saw that the housekeeper of the Guogong Mansion named Zhu Shisan was standing behind Cheng Guogong with a slight bow, and Steward Zhu looked at the three people in the room with a pair of sharp eyes, and finally his eyes fell on Xu Liang.

Cheng Guogong glanced at Xu Liang and the other three, and pointed out one by one: "Xu Liang of Guanglu Temple, Wang Xian of the Ministry of Officials." The military department Lang Zhong Yu Dacheng! Oh, all three of them are young officials! I don't know who is here tonight? ”

Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng set their eyes on Xu Liang, and Xu Liang got up. He arched his hand towards Chengguo and said, "Let Grandpa Guo smile." There was a conflict in Guangning Gate, and the lower officials really didn't know that it would be the property of the Guogong Mansion. How offended. ”

Cheng Guogong stared at Xu Liang and smiled. Said: "Who should I be, to have such courage." More than 200 people entered my coal yard! It turned out to be Guanglu Temple, which has been in the limelight recently. Then, Cheng Guogong raised his head a little and said lightly to Steward Zhu behind him: "Thirteen, this time you should know who the master in the carriage is, right?" ”

Steward Zhu listened, arched his hand towards Xu Liang, and said, "Lord Xu is very skilled." ”

Xu Liang said abruptly: "Steward Zhu, let's meet again." ”

Cheng Guogong glanced at Xu Liang and said, "Okay, my country's time is precious, Lord Xu invited me here, if you have anything to say, please say it directly." ”

Xu Liang laughed with him, gestured to the dishes on the table, and said, "Guogong came at the right time, this is the dish just served in the kitchen, Guogong tastes it, let's talk while eating." ”

Originally, this was a polite remark, but Cheng Guogong listened to it, but he glanced at the table and sneered: "Eat is free, my country's duke never eats what others have touched!" ”

That's so hurtful! When Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng heard this, their faces turned red with anger. Xu Liang's tone was suffocated, and he was also a little angry, sat down slowly, took a few breaths, calmed down, Xu Liangcai looked at Cheng Guogong again, and said curtly: "Also, Guogong is used to eating seafood and mountain delicacies, and the dishes of the guest residence are naturally not eye-catching." Then let's not talk about eating, I want to talk to you about how to solve the matter of Quang Ninh Coal Yard. ”

Cheng Guogong still didn't know how hurtful his words were, he glanced at Xu Liang with contempt, and asked, "What else is there to talk about about this matter?" Your people beat my people and smashed a lot of things, the so-called killing to pay for life, debts to pay back, as long as Lord Xu pays the medical expenses of nearly 100 people in my house, other things, the country is magnanimous, and he will not be held accountable! ”

When Xu Liang heard this, he couldn't help but look at Cheng Guogong carefully for a long time, sat down slowly, and then said: "Grandpa Guo is so unreasonable, that honeycomb coal is Liang Ji's exclusive product, which is protected by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, and the entire Beijing Division, only Xishan Coal Mine has the right to operate, Grandpa Guo privately opened the Guangning Coal Yard, infringing on the interests of Xishan Coal Mine, and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce sent someone to seal it, which is a fair thing." Even if you hurt some people and smash something, it is inevitable, so how can you compensate for medical expenses? ”

Cheng Guogong listened, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, raised his head and laughed, glared at Xu Liang, shook his head and said: "Lord Xu is really good at laughing, the world's business is done by the world, I Chengguo Mansion opened a coal yard, what do you have to do with Xishan Coal Mine and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce?" Lord Xu, don't forget, that is the property of my Chengguo Mansion, and if you offend the Chengguo Mansion, Lord Xu has to worry about the consequences! ”

Xu Liang stared at Cheng Guogong, suddenly smiled lightly, and said: "The prestige of Grandpa Guo, I, Xu Liang, naturally dare not offend easily." It's just that Guogong has forgotten that gold medal? ”

Xu Liang mentioned the gold medal, Cheng Guogong and the faces of Steward Zhu behind him finally changed, Cheng Guogong stood up suddenly, took out the gold medal from his arms, looked at Xu Liang in surprise, and asked, "You, how can you have a gold medal in your hand?" ”

Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng also stared at the gold medal in Cheng Guogong's hand. looked at Xu Liang in surprise, although the two had a close relationship with Xu Liang. But they never knew that Xu Liang would have a royal gold medal in his hand.

Xu Liang had a faint smile on his face. Secretly said: That's right, this is the scene of equal negotiations, since Cheng Guogong entered the house, Xu Liang's momentum has been completely suppressed by Cheng Guogong, and now he has the meaning of turning over.

Xu Liang stretched out his hands, bowed twice in the direction of the emperor, and then signaled to Chengguo Gong to return the gold medal.

Although Cheng Guogong was suspicious in his heart, in the face of the gold medal given by the emperor, he did not dare to speak rashly. glanced at the gold medal again, and then handed it back to Xu Liang with both hands.

Xu Liang carefully put away the gold medal, sat down gently, gave Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng a reassuring look, looked at Cheng Guogong with a smile, and said, "Grandpa Guo, can we sit down and talk about it now?" ”

Cheng Guogong was shocked, sat down slowly, and stared at Xu Liang. Follow-up: "What's the deal with this gold medal?" ”

Xu Liang asked in surprise finally this: "With the wisdom of Grandpa Guo, doesn't Grandpa Guo still understand?" ”

Cheng Guogong thought for a while, realized something, and pointed to the top of his head. Inquiringly, "You mean...... The guy above is also involved in these things?

Xu Liang looked inscrutable, nodded slightly, and said quietly: "Otherwise, Grandpa Guo thinks." Xia Guan and Lord Wang who were seated, Lord Yu. Where did you dare to get involved in the coal yard business? ”

Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng heard it in a fog, and they heard it. The conversation between Xu Liang and Cheng Guogong seems to involve Emperor Chongzhen, but the two of them never knew that Emperor Chongzhen also had shares in Xishan Coal Mine? However, both of them are clever people who have been in the officialdom for a long time, so they naturally know how to measure, so the two of them nodded from time to time and cooperated with Xu Liang, as if the two of them had already known that these things should have been as Xu Liang said.

Hiss! Cheng Guogong and Steward Zhu both gasped. If the matter involves Emperor Chongzhen, then even if Chengguo Gong is a hereditary prince, he will not dare to provoke Emperor Chongzhen for no reason.

Cheng Guogong thought about it, became suspicious again, and said suspiciously: "It shouldn't be, Your Majesty is the Ninth Five-Year Supreme, and the whole country is his, how can he be involved in this kind of thing?" ”

Xu Liang smiled, looked up and looked carefully at the doors and windows of the private room, and saw that they were all tightly closed, so he said to Cheng Guogong with a mysterious face: "Although the words are good, although the grandfather of the country is not in the court, but he has been in the capital for a long time, he should also know that our Ming court has reached the point of internal and external troubles, the household department can't come up with money, and His Majesty's inner treasury is also empty." ”

Cheng Guogong listened to it, and he believed what Xu Liang said. In the state of the court, the household department was so poor that it could not even pay the salaries of the Liaodong army, and the Jingguan could only pay half of the money every month.

The court is poor, and Cheng Guogong knows it.

But the emperor is not poor, and Cheng Guogong is not very clear, according to Xu Liang's meaning, he must also be short of silver.

Xu Liang saw Cheng Guogong's expression in his eyes, and then sighed again, and said: "Alas, if this matter didn't involve Grandpa Guo, it would have been inconvenient for these insider officials to talk to Grandpa Guo. It's just, alas, who let you catch up! ”

Cheng Guogong was already a little convinced, hesitated to examine Xu Liang, lowered his posture, and asked, "Then according to Lord Xu's opinion, how should the matter of the coal yard be handled?" ”

Xu Liang smiled slightly, Cheng Zhu looked at Cheng Guogong eagerly, and said, "Originally, I didn't meet Cheng Guogong, and the lower officials couldn't remember you." In fact, His Majesty's intention has been urging Xiaguan and Lord Wang, Lord Yu and others to try their best to make Xishan Coal Mine and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce bigger and stronger, but Grandpa Guo must also know that Xiaguan and others have special statuses, and there are many things that are not suitable for personal operation, and Xishan Coal Mine has just started, and the financial resources are not enough to support the expansion of the business...... Now that I saw Grandpa Guo, Xiaguan and Lord Wang, and Lord Yu discussed, I suddenly had a wonderful idea. ”

Cheng Guogong saw that Xu Liang's smile was a little weird, and there was a greedy expression of Scrooge seeing the white silver, and he couldn't help but look at Xu Liang vigilantly: "What does Lord Xu mean?" ”

Xu Liang smiled: "Don't hide it from Grandpa Guo, Xiaguan and others want to pull Grandpa Guo to do business in the coal yard together." ”

……

Half an hour later, Cheng Guogong took Steward Zhu and left the guest house with a smile on his face.

Xu Liang, Wang Xian, and Yu Dacheng watched the carriage of the Chengguo Mansion drive into the night by the window and disappear.

Wang Xian and Yu Dacheng sighed with emotion: "This is the majesty of the hereditary prince, if it weren't for Brother Xu having the royal gold medal in his hand, I'm afraid that tonight, Cheng Guogong wouldn't even pay attention to us." Hey, in the final analysis, it's Brother Xu who is so powerful that he fools the dignified prince into a daze. ”

Xu Liang sat on the chair, wiped his sweat, shook his head at the two and said, "I can't help it, people are Cheng Guogong, can I do it if I don't fool around?" ”

Yu Dacheng asked curiously: "Brother Xu, I remember that only the three of us and Sun Yuanhua have the shares of Xishan Coal Mine, when did the emperor also have shares?" ”

Xu Liang snorted, glanced at the two of them, and said, "The emperor doesn't have shares in Xishan Coal Mine, but I pulled the emperor into the Chinese Chamber of Commerce." ”

Yu Dacheng was taken aback, and said anxiously: "But you just said to Cheng Guogong that Xishan Coal Mine is actually the emperor's ......."

Xu Liang rolled his eyes and said, "The whole world is the emperor, is it wrong for me to say that?" Besides, even if Cheng Guogong was suspicious, would he still be stupid enough to ask the emperor in person? ”

Yu Dacheng smiled bitterly at Xu Liang and said, "Brother Xu, you really deceived the dead and didn't pay for your life!" ”

Xu Liang also smiled bitterly, the three of them glanced at the dishes on the table that had been cooled early, because they had just experienced a nervous meeting with Cheng Guogong, the three of them had no interest in eating and drinking for a while, so they ordered the shopkeeper of the guest to settle the bill, and the three of them left the guest house and went home.

Xu Liang's meeting with the Chengguo Guild this time can be regarded as a gain. According to the method agreed by the two parties, the Chengguo Gongfu joined the Xishan Coal Mine with 100,000 taels of silver, accounting for 30 percent of the shares, and became the second largest shareholder of the Xishan Coal Mine, while the shares of other people were correspondingly diluted and reduced. After the Chengguo Gongfu joined the Xishan Coal Mine, the patent infringement of honeycomb coal involved in the Quang Ninh Coal Yard was naturally not established.

Xishan Coal Mine has received a large amount of financial support, and in the next two years, it will vigorously expand, and strive to cover the entire Beijing Division by the end of Chongzhen's fourth year, and expand to Shandong, Shanxi, and Liaodong.

Of course, this is only a preliminary intention, and the specific contract will be signed by the shopkeeper Xia of Xishan Coal Mine and the housekeeper Zhu of the Chengguo Mansion.

Xu Liang successfully pulled Cheng Guogong in, and he lived a comfortable two days of leisure.

That is, two days later, two days later, the Tsing Yi Wei spies from the outer city rushed to report: Yan Qi, the big shopkeeper of the whole world's carriages and horses, was arrested and imprisoned by the officials of the Shuntian Mansion Yamen! (To be continued.) )