Li Chongshan saw that Xiaoyue gave them a seat, nodded obediently, and sat down with Li Yaozu in turn, and then Xiaoyue asked Yun Yan to pour tea for them, serve refreshments, and look at them politely for a long time.

Li Chongshan looked at Xiao Yue and didn't take the initiative to speak, he was a little anxious, he suspected that Xiao Yue didn't know what the Li family in Jinyang Prefecture was doing, he said stubbornly: "Young Master Wen, my Li family in Jinyang Prefecture has been a salt merchant for generations. To tell you the truth, my father and son came to Yingjun City this time because they were summoned by the emperor, and it was just after the Spring Festival, so we hurried into Beijing to meet the saint, but we were nervous and didn't know how to deal with the emperor, so we specially visited Wen Gongzi and hoped that Wen Gongzi would give me some advice. ”

Xiao Yue was shocked when she heard this, she knew that this matter entrusted by the Li family and his son was a little tricky. The Li family in Jinyang Prefecture has an unbeatable relationship with herself, and the only thing that makes her feel that she has something to do with them is that they are salt merchants, and the matter of the salt and iron monopoly that she suggested to the emperor will inevitably involve the livelihood of salt merchants in the future.

However, she didn't show it on her face, and still coped politely, "What kind of guidance, don't dare to be it." ”

Li Chongshan saw that Xiaoyue seemed to have the intention to excuse himself, and glanced at his son, Li Yaozu knew that he needed to help himself, so he said: "Gongzi Wen doesn't have to be modest, I didn't know before I came, you are the Gongzi Wen of Jinlong Mountain, and now that I know, I am even more sure that you can help us." ”

Xiao Yue knew that this person was more sincere, so she asked, "I'm curious, who told you that I can help you?"

As soon as these words came out, Li Chongshan's face was uncomfortable, and he rubbed the backs of his hands with each other, as if there was something unspeakable.

When Li Yaozu saw his father like this, he also wanted to stop talking.

Xiao Yue was displeased at the moment when she saw his father and son like this, and she said in an accentuated tone: "I have no friendship with your Li family, so it stands to reason that I have no need to see you, and I have no obligation to help you, but since you have entered my mansion and drunk my tea, some things still have to be explained clearly." ”

Li Chongshan looked at Xiao Yue and found that she had a gun and a stick in her words, and he also knew that his trip must not be easy, so he sighed and said slowly: "What Gongzi Wen said is reasonable, we came recklessly like this, it is indeed rude to be in front, but we are also desperate." ”

Xiao Yue didn't want to hear him complain, she wondered if there would be any conspiracy behind this matter, after all, few people knew that the matter of the salt and iron joint venture was related to her, except for the emperor is Wen Youyou. However, she thought about it, if someone with a heart had paid attention to the political reform policy she had drafted for Wen Youyou, then she could also guess her relationship with the salt and iron joint venture.

Xiao Yue stretched her face, showing her dissatisfaction on her face, and said angrily: "But you can't be like a headless fly everywhere, how do you know that I have a way to help you?"

Li Yaozu saw that she was angry, and he couldn't bear it, "Father, let's tell the truth to Gongzi Wen." Since there is a request for others, there is no need to hide it. ”

Li Chongshan sighed, "That's it, Heng and Vertical are all difficulties this time, since it is a blessing or a curse, and it is a disaster that cannot be avoided, then I will let it go today." ”

Xiao Yue looked at him quietly, waiting for him to explain the ins and outs of the future.

"Just after the thirtieth day of the Chinese New Year's Eve, the family received a decree from the imperial court to let the head of the family enter the palace on the twentieth day of the first month to see the saint. Our ancestors have been businessmen for generations, and they have to deal with the state government yamen at most on weekdays, and when we see the emperor, it is really a big girl on the sedan chair, the first time, we don't know what is going on, so we had to rush to Yingjun City overnight to understand the situation clearly, and then make plans. ”

Li Chongshan still looked trembling when he talked about this, "After coming to Yingjun City, I originally wanted to stay at the Yulin Inn where I lived, but I didn't know that when I came to Yingjun City, I knew that the relatively large salt merchants and iron merchants in Britain had received the same will, so now the well-known inns in Yingjun City are full." ”

Xiao Yue didn't know how many people the emperor was going to summon this time, but when she thought that these rich people would have to bring their entourage when they went out, then it was possible that the inn would be overcrowded.

"Then we just had to retreat and find an inn in a remote location, but it was not bad in the reputation of our merchants, Fengyi Inn. ”

When Xiao Yue heard about Fengyi Inn, she vaguely guessed why they had found her.

"A few days ago, my father and son went around asking people to scatter money and make some connections, and before we saw you again, we went to find officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, but they didn't know the reason why the emperor summoned us this time. Li Chongshan sighed heavily.

Xiao Yue can guess that this Spring Festival, they are probably running around and working hard.

Li Yaozu added on the side: "Later, my father really had no choice, so he drank in a restaurant next to the inn every day. I was anxious and wanted to help my father, so I also went to some of my classmates to see if they had a way, but unfortunately there were very few children from official families in the academy I attended, and even fewer could help. ”

Li Chongshan patted Li Yaozu on the shoulder and said with pity: "Child, I know that this matter should not have brought you here, but you are the future head of the Li family, and you can't help this matter, but I asked you to come together because I want you to see more and learn more." ”

Li Chongshan continued to Xiao Yue: "But when I was drinking in the restaurant, I found that there were many guests in this restaurant. Later, I found out that there was a person like me, who also came to the restaurant every day to drink and listen to books, and I guessed that most of this person was also an official, and he intended to be close to him, so I helped him settle the bill every day. Sure enough, within a few days, I was able to make friends with him. Later, I learned that he was an official of the household department, and when he saw that I came here every day to drink, he had a sad face, so he asked me why. I told him about my difficulties, and he showed me the way and said maybe you could help me. ”

Xiao Yue asked curiously, "What is the name of the household official?"

Li Chongshan said in embarrassment: "This person specifically told me not to tell you his name. ”

Satsuki laughed, "Then I know who it is." ”

Li Chongshan asked curiously, "How do you know?"

Xiao Yue snorted, and said disapprerovingly: "I know three people in the entire household department, one is the household department shangshu, and the other is the household department squire, how can they have time to go to Jiang Shangyue Restaurant every day to drink, and they can also let you have a treat? ”

Li Chongshan also knew that the officialdom was cheating, and he tried his best not to get involved in it, so when he heard Xiaoyue say that he had a powerful relationship, he was a little worried.

Seeing his worried look, Xiao Yue comforted: "It's okay, I said his name, if it is, you don't object, if I say it wrong, you can just deny it, so it's not what you said, I can only say it, is this person the head of the household tax officer, Min Changwen, Lord Min?"