Anzhou, Jiedu Embassy. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

Time is probably the least valuable thing in the world. It always slipped away without anyone noticing, and no one noticed its presence.

Standing in front of Yang Tianhong, Zhang Wenchang could only maintain the most respectful attitude. Although his heart was full of hatred for the young man in front of him, he didn't dare to show it on his face at all.

More than half a year has passed since the last Qingling Jade Liquid incident broke out.

Nine months and four days, to be exact.

The Zhang family's trading houses in various state capitals of Chu were devastated. The other party's method is the same, first killing all the Zhang family operators in the shop, and then looting the goods in the warehouse. All murders happen at night, and they are carried out simply and mercilessly. And it's fierce and cruel, even the baby in the swaddling clothes doesn't let go. After the looting was done, they also set fire to the place where the incident occurred to the ground.

The Zhang family is a well-known wealthy family in the Zhao State. The famous Zhao Guoguo is a member of the Zhang clan, who was awarded the title of Deping and Pinghou, and has 8,000 households.

In Zhao State, the Zhang family controlled almost all the business. There is no end to money in the world, and the Zhang family will naturally take a more long-term view. The state of Chu is only a part of the Zhang family's walk in the world. However, the state of Chu was wealthy, with a large population, and a much more prosperous business than the remote countries of Yan and Han. Since hundreds of years ago, the Zhang family has adjusted their business strategy and tilted a considerable part of their forces towards the state of Chu. At present, the business distributed throughout the Chu State has accounted for more than 40 percent of the total annual income of Zhangjia Commercial Bank.

Thinking of this, Zhang Wenchang couldn't help but secretly clench his fists and grit his teeth fiercely.

Qingling jade liquid is indeed a well-known wine in the world. This wine is extraordinary, and more and more people have proven and liked it. I have to say that the plan that my cousin made in Anju at the beginning would have been successful. The benefits that the Zhang family got from it must be extremely rich. It's a pity that my cousin chose the wrong opponent, and Yang Tianhong's fierceness and cruelty are far beyond imagination. This person did things without regard for the rules between the nobles and nobles, and his tough methods destroyed the Zhang family's business circle in the Chu State. Moreover, he also sent shrewd and capable people to launch countermeasures against the Zhang family in other countries one after another.

This kind of loss has far exceeded the bottom line that the Zhang family can bear. In less than a year, the three Zhangjia caravans that traveled to and from the Northland Grassland were wiped out. Thirty-seven members of the family died, and one thousand three hundred and seven retinues and various mercenaries died.

And that's just the Northland caravan. If we add the destroyed trading houses and shops in various parts of the Chu State, as well as the businesses scattered in other countries, the total number of direct family members who died up and down the Zhang family has exceeded more than 300. In addition, the number of deaths of various employed personnel has also exceeded more than 10,000. Calculated comprehensively, all economic losses are as high as tens of millions of taels of silver.

Zhang Wenchang remembers it clearly. For most of the past six months, the entire Zhang family has spent time crying and scolding. Whether it's a familiar relative, or a relative who can't be named, every once in a while, someone will send their heads. There has never been a time when news has come from all over the world to be happy. Either the shops here were burned, or the trading houses there were looted. It is useless to report to the officer. Even if the local government sent someone to guard it, the shop would be burned down. The opponent's methods are very flexible and unpredictable. And. There are also various rumors on the market that specifically target Zhangjia Commercial Bank. The goods are short and less than two, and the quality is inferior. Doing business without credit, bullying men and women...... There is so much negative news that even if the shop itself is safe and sound, it is difficult to operate in the local area. Moreover, all channels for the purchase and sale of goods, without exception, were attacked by unidentified persons.

For this extremely terrifying change. The old patriarch got to the bottom of it and quickly found out about his cousin who came to Anzhou to buy goods before.

He's dead. The whole human skin was peeled off and made into a taxidermy. Among Zhang Wenchang's entourage, there was a Qi cultivator who was particularly good at soul power. He looked at the human skin, and whispered to Zhang Wenchang very fearfully: Although his cousin is dead. The soul did not escape into reincarnation, but was imprisoned by people with special methods, and **** suffered all kinds of vicious torture every night.

Zhang Wenchang came to Anzhou this time for only one purpose -- to thoroughly resolve the contradiction with Yang Tianhong.

The Jiedu Embassy was newly built later, majestic and magnificent. During the construction, not much wood was used, but bricks made of clay were used as the main material. It is very sturdy and intricately structured, and to some extent it is equivalent to a military fortress. The lobby was spacious and bright, and Yang Tianhong sat condescendingly on the main seat, with a hint of mockery on his cold face.

"Reconciliation? Ben Hou really admires your Zhang family, and he still has the face to say these two words in front of Ben Hou. Don't you really know that there are still four words in this world?"

Zhang Wenchang's face tightened, and then he showed his signature smile. He bowed and said with a smile: "It is better to settle the grievances than to settle them." Previously, there was some holiday between my cousin and Master Hou. It was also his rough and ignorant temperament that caused a lot of trouble to Hou Yeping. Now, it's all in the past. I also hope that Master Hou will see that you and I have had business dealings, so let this matter pass!"

When he said these words, Zhang Wenchang's mind kept echoing with the roar of his brother Zhang Zeliang.

Zhang Zeliang is Deping Hou, Zhao Guoguo.

"A waste candidate of the Chu State who is far away in Anzhou actually dares to break ground on Tai Sui's head. When I show my majesty, I will personally lead an army of 500,000 to the south and sweep Ping'an Prefecture in one fell swoop. ”

"Yang Tianhong, this person deceived me, no one in the Zhang family, and he dared to be so arrogant. Passing on the order of Ben Hou, from now on, the Zhang family and the Yang family will never die. ”

"Since his Yang family has done the first year of junior high school, we will also do fifteen. The order went down and launched an attack on all the shops and strongholds of the Yang family. Any means can be used. ”

This kind of open and secret fighting lasted for many months. The Zhang family suffered extremely heavy losses again. As many as 600 warriors were sent to the state of Chu before and after, but only two of them came back alive. Moreover, one of them had his hands and feet cut off, and the other had his eyes gouged out and his tongue cut out. He had apparently been controlled by a strange spell. On the day he returned, in front of the patriarch of the Zhang family, the man cut his throat with a knife, and blood flowed all over the ground.

Two people, two letters back.

The first letter had only three words: Wei Yanghou.

Wei Yanghou is also a member of the Zhang clan. Within the family. is the second-ranked family heir.

Wei Yanghou died three days later. At that time, he and a few friends went out on an outing, and the road coincided with a flash flood, and the mudslide rolled down in an instant, burying Wei Yanghou under dozens of tons of sediment. It's weird, the other people who went out together. Unscathed.

The second letter also has three words on it: Chen Caihou.

This person ranks Shunmin lower than Wei Yanghou within the family. It's just that after Wei Yanghou's death, Chen Caihou's succession was proposed. Also three days later, the servants found Chen Caihou's body in the manure pit in the backyard of Zhang's house. His death was horrific, with his whole head down, trapped deep into the feces. If it weren't for the fact that some of the two feet were left outside, I am afraid that no one would notice until they rotted.

Even Deping Hou Zhang Zeliang himself deeply felt the threat from the Yang family.

He was attacked several times on his way to the court. More than 100 guards were killed by bows and arrows. However, where exactly did the other side attack, and where did they hide afterwards? Depinghou found nothing at all.

Just last month. Depinghou's car was again attacked by unidentified persons. Sixty-four guards were killed, and the carriage in which Depinghou himself was riding was shot with a bow and arrow. However, after three long steel arrows pierced through the wall of the carriage, they passed through the top of Depinghou's head, under his armpits, and through the bends of his legs and feet, and did not cause any harm to him. When the Zhang family rushed to the scene when they heard the news, they found that Depinghou's whole person was paralyzed and his face was pale. I was so scared that I couldn't even say a word.

That is, from that day on, the Zhang family finally felt it up and down. Things are far from being as simple as previously thought. After urgent deliberation among the elders of the clan, it was decided to send Zhang Wenchang as a plenipotentiary representative to Anzhou to meet Yang Tianhong.

Yi Yong is too young. When he saw Yang Tianhong, Zhang Wenchang was slightly stunned. He really couldn't imagine how such a young nobleman could train so many strong and brave subordinates. So many clever plans?

"It is better to settle the grievances than to settle them?"

Yang Tianhong looked at Zhang Wenchang and said coldly: "Qingling jade liquid is an original creation, but it was said by your Zhang family to be deceived and forged. My Yang family has no grievances with you, but you have been used by your Zhang family one after another to use conspiracy and trickery, resulting in many tragic deaths. This account. How do you count it?"

Zhang Wenchang really wanted to refute: Isn't it enough that you killed tens of thousands of people up and down my Zhang family?

After all, ideas are just ideas, Zhang Wenchang knows very well that if this kind of thing is blurted out, then there will be no chance to talk about it. He controlled the thoughts in his head, still smiling, and said, "It's really my cousin's fault. On behalf of the family, I apologize to Hou Ye, and I only hope that Hou Ye can grow up a lot, and you and I will be reconciled. ”

Yang Tianhong's face was cold, and he said lightly: "Now I want to get married, what did I do earlier?" If it weren't for Ben Hou's order to kill all your Zhang family's people in the Chu State, I'm afraid you wouldn't stand in front of Ben Hou. ”

Zhang Wenchang did not intend to continue to dwell on this issue, and said very sincerely: "We are willing to make compensation for the previous incident." The specific amount is also requested to be clearly stated. ”

Being able to say such things shows that the Zhang family is indeed willing to reconcile. The residual anger on Yang Tianhong's face gradually dissipated, and his indifferent expression became softer. He stared at Zhang Wenchang for a long time, and said in a voice full of majesty and unquestionableness: "Take 20 million taels of silver, and you can talk about this matter." ”

Zhang Wenchang's expression froze instantly. He opened his mouth, his eyes full of shock: "Twenty million taels, Master Hou, are you joking?"

"I'm not done yet. ”

Yang Tianhong's tone was full of seriousness: "In addition to the silver compensation, Ben Hou also needs to get a hundred shops in the states and counties of Zhao State to operate the Qingling Jade Liquid. Your Zhang family must ensure all the benefits within the Zhao Kingdom. Everything from tax deductions to under-plate flooring can only be implemented in accordance with the local minimum. In addition to that, I need 10,000 war horses and 50,000 pack horses. If you can meet the above three requirements, the Yang family can reconcile with you. ”

"It can't be!"

Zhang Wenchang was not angry. Although Yang Tianhong's request is really outrageous, now is definitely not the time to be angry. He smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Master Hou really thinks too highly of our Zhang family. If all these conditions are met, I am afraid that there will not be even a copper plate left in the Zhangjia treasury. ”

Yang Tianhong sneered: "Hmph! Isn't the Zhang family a wealthy family that is famous all over the world? I can't get out just 20 million taels of silver, so what qualifications do I have to call myself a wealthy family?"

"If it was in the past, the conditions proposed by Hou Ye would not be a problem. ”

Zhang Wenchang sighed and said, "It's just that Master Hou is ruthless and unbelievably powerful. This year. My family's business has shrunk dramatically, and the income is far less than it used to be. Don't hide it from the Hou Ye, now there is only a maximum of six million taels of silver in the mansion, not to mention the second and third conditions, it is really impossible to take out so much silver. ”

Zhang Wenchang did not lie. The Zhang family's recent power is indeed not as good as before. Yang Tianhong's revenge was swift. The Zhang family's business in various places was devastated. It was precisely when the elders of the Zhang family saw this that they sent Zhang Wenchang to Anzhou to negotiate. God knows how many unplayed hole cards Yang Tianhou has in his hand? But the Zhang family is indeed about to reach the point of exhaustion.

"If you don't have any money, you can write down an IOU first. ”

Yang Tianhong refused to budge on this issue. He said lightly: "You can not accept the three conditions proposed by Ben Hou. Anyway, the matter was provoked by your Zhang family first, and whether to reconcile or not depends on whether the candidate is willing or not. Money is such a thing, sooner or later, you can earn it back. If the man is gone. Then there really is nothing. ”

Zhang Wenchang has always been in charge of external affairs in the Zhang family. After listening to Yang Tianhong's words, he frowned and fell into thought.

Twenty million taels of silver, the Zhang family will definitely not be able to take it out now. However, there is some truth in Yang Tianhong's statement. You can write an IOU first and slowly make up the money.

As for arranging a hundred shops in Zhaoguozhou County, it is actually not difficult to solve. The Zhang family does not have to bear the cost of the store, and with the power of Zhang Zeliang Xiangguo, it is very simple to get the most preferential taxes in various state capitals.

When I first came. The elders of the Zhang family had already expected that Yang Tianhong would definitely have the project of war horse in the compensation list. The state of Zhao borders Rongdi in the north, beyond the Great Wall. The state of Zhao has extremely vast pastures. Among the countries in the world, Zhao has the largest number and the most elite cavalry. On the contrary, the terrain of Anju is not suitable for raising horses. Regardless, cavalry is the most powerful class of troops of this era. Therefore. Horse trading is also to be expected.

"10,000 horses, 50,000 pack horses is too many. ”

Zhang Wenchang also told the truth: "Hou Ye must also know very well that war horses have always been the most strictly controlled strategic materials in our Zhao State. Although my brother is the prime minister of Zhao Guo, it is impossible to give Hou Ye tens of thousands of war horses at one time. If there are courtiers who make a fuss about this. I'm afraid that Master Hou won't get anything in the end. ”

Yang Tianhong did not speak, and looked at Zhang Wenchang silently. 10,000 horses was indeed a sky-high asking price, and he knew that such a request was unrealistic. It's just that Yang Tianhong won't say this kind of thing by himself, and he must wait patiently for the other party to answer.

Zhang Wenchang raised three fingers and said seriously: "Three thousand, at most three thousand war horses." This is the bottom line of my Zhang family. If Hou Ye can't accept it, then the matter will be stopped. ”

Yang Tianhong narrowed his eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "Then give me 70,000 pack horses." ”

Zhang Wenchang was stunned for a moment, and then realized: "Pack horse?"

Unlike war horses, pack horses are short in stature, but their endurance is excellent. Because of their pedigree and appearance, pack horses can never be bred to be war horses. In the armies of various countries, pack horses occupy a considerable proportion, and they are only used to carry supplies and transport baggage. In a way, it's the equivalent of a heavy-duty truck from another world.

"Seventy thousand horses...... That's a lot of numbers. ”

Zhang Wenchang smiled bitterly and shook his head. Although the sale of pack horses is not within the scope of Zhao's laws, the amount proposed by Yang Tianhong is too much. Even if it is transferred from a few pastures in the north, I am afraid it will be difficult to meet the requirements. Thinking of this, Zhang Wenchang had no choice but to bow to Yang Tianhong and said seriously: "Dare to ask Master Hou, what is the purpose of needing so many pack horses?"

Yang Tianhong was very smart and immediately understood the potential meaning of Zhang Wenchang's question. He replied lightly: "When I first arrived in Anzhou, everything is waiting to be done." The people of Anju work hard, and there are not enough livestock here. The 70,000 pack horses are still a small number, scattered to various villages and counties in Anzhou, and cannot meet the needs of the people at all. ”

Zhang Wenchang's eyes lit up, and this answer was similar to the answer he guessed. He asked tentatively, "So, Master Hou needs these pack horses just to plow the fields?"

Yang Tianhong glanced at him deeply and asked rhetorically, "Could it be that you think you are using it to kill and eat meat?"

Zhang Wenchang smiled: "If you plow the field, pack horses are not as good as ploughing oxen." Northland has historically had a large number of cattle and sheep. In this way, if you are in charge, you will supply Hou Ye with 30,000 pack horses and 100,000 cattle, how about it?"

Yang Tianhong's cold face finally showed a smile: "If it's cattle, sheep and livestock, it's okay." The 20,000,000 taels of silver could be deducted from something else. It's just that in terms of quantity, it is categorically impossible to miss a star and a half. ”

This is already the biggest concession that Yang Tianhong can make.

He urgently needs external help to make Anju develop as soon as possible. The conflict with the Zhang family of Zhao Guo was actually caused by a disgruntled businessman. Bad things can often turn into good things, since the Zhang family is willing to talk about it, Qingling jade liquid can also take the opportunity to open up sales in the Zhao market. What's more, cattle, sheep and horses can't be obtained at all in the court of the Chu State. (To be continued.) )