"That lady shouldn't have the surname Pei, right?"

In the carriage back to the city, the young man in the fox white fur shawl who was resting with his eyes closed suddenly spoke.

Taking advantage of the sunset outside the window, Wang Caozhi, who was looking down at the account book, turned his head, looked at Ouyang Rong's calm expression, and shook his head:

"The lady surnamed Pei? I don't know. He asked curiously, "Why does my brother-in-law ask this?" ”

Ouyang Rong opened his eyes, looked at him for a while, and bowed his head slightly: "It's not okay." ”

He also explained: "There is a businesswoman surnamed Pei, who has been walking around Xunyang City recently, and she is also a businessman in Yangzhou, who seems to have made a fortune selling illicit salt. ”

"Surname Pei? Yangzhou salt merchants? Wang Caozhi chewed, shook his head and said:

"Not very familiar. But brother-in-law, most of these salt merchants have a lot to do with the local government, and the family has been running for several generations, making huge profits, and they are all very rich.

"And outside, they are generally connected with fellow villagers, with strong forces and strong financial resources.

"Also, the way of businessmen, most men are dominant, and women can do business, so they must be powerful characters."

I don't know what came to mind, Wang Caozhi's tone was deeply touched.

Ouyang Rong smiled and was silent.

Wang Caozhi looked at the expression of the young man with the fox white fur, and asked carefully: "Brother-in-law doesn't like that Mrs. Pei?" ”

Ouyang Rong thought for a while: "You merchants in the rice and wheat shop are much cleaner than salt merchants like her. ”

"Uh." Wang Caozhi's words paused, and he shook his head: "Brother-in-law's praise is weird. ”

"What's the blame?"

Wang Caozhi scratched his head: "I'm sorry." ”

“……”

Ouyang Rong reminded: "It's okay. As long as that Mrs. Pei doesn't follow your path and comes to build a bridge again. ”

Wang Caozhi nodded: "Don't worry, brother-in-law, we are not so ignorant." ”

Ouyang Rong nodded.

In the past few days after politely refusing the sexual bribes of Youlan Courtyard, Pei Sanniang's side has approached Ouyang Rong several times.

This noble lady who loves to wear all kinds of luxurious silks, her posture is very low, and her attitude is warm and flattering.

It's just that Ouyang Rong politely refused all of these, and later, he directly ignored them, as if he didn't see them, and privately asked his aunt Zhen Shuyuan to refuse all of Pei Sanniang's postings.

On the way back, Wang Caozhi remembered something and spoke:

"But I heard that the life of the salt merchants is not good now, not only in Yangzhou, but also in the ten provinces of the world.

"It seems that due to the aftermath of the Yingzhou Rebellion, the control and supervision of salt and iron by the Shendu Imperial Court was tightened, and Di Fuzi also vigorously implemented some strict decrees to restrain merchants from selling salt, and turned the salt trade into a monopoly of government-designated institutions......"

He shook his head and sighed: "These salt merchants, life is not easy. In the past few years, it has been very beautiful. ”

Ouyang Rong didn't say a word.

When the carriage entered the city in the afterglow of the setting sun, passed through Xingzifang, and passed through a snack street where merchants were gradually closing their stalls,

He snapped his finger and lifted the curtains, staring at the crowded shophouses on one side of the street.

Xingzifang.

A dirty, old and messy, but prosperous and lively special area.

It is adjacent to Xunyangdu and is located on the bank of the river.

In the eyes of urban planners, the location is excellent.

Moreover, after Ouyang Rong is ready to implement the hundred-year plan that is beneficial to Xunyang City, the flood will be solved, and Xunyang City will be expanded to the west of the city to the tip of the twin peaks.

Xingzifang can leap from the original remote edge of the square to the center of Xunyang City.

A truly prime location.

However, for now.

However, it is occupied by old streets and old squares that have fallen into disrepair, and it has a different kind of liveliness.

Like an urban village, the rent is low, attracting most of the coolie laborers in Xunyang City, as well as people from outside to make a living.

"Have you been targeted so early, these profit-seeking merchants really have a nose as sensitive as a shark smelling blood.

"This is still before my strategy for the excavation of the twin peaks and the construction of the Xunyang Grottoes was announced......"

Ouyang Rong's dark eyes reflected the lights of the thousands of homes in the Xingzifang in the distance, muttering to himself.

His face flickered with the glow of the lanterns of the shops on the street he passed, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

Wang Caozhi turned around: "What did my brother-in-law say?" ”

Ouyang Rong didn't answer.

The short young man followed the white fox Qiu's gaze and looked out the window, and after a while, he smiled and said:

"Brother-in-law, this Xingzifang, what a location."

Ouyang Rong suddenly said: "That Mrs. Pei and the salt merchants behind her want to buy most of the land of Xingzifang. ”

Wang Cao was stunned, digested it, gradually frowned, and returned to normal:

"Brother-in-law, we didn't talk nonsense outside."

Ouyang Rong nodded lightly: "She prepared it a few months ago, earlier than us." ”

Wang Caozhi breathed a sigh of relief, and then chuckled:

"Oh, it's interesting, this is going to go ashore to wash white, the private salt business is getting worse and worse, and I am ready to change to a new stable source of wealth, drought and flood to ensure income, no, it's a day in gold."

Ouyang Rong glanced at Wang Caozhi.

The latter waved his sleeves and was upright:

"Brother-in-law, don't let her deceive, after our big things are done, Xunyang City will be designated for expansion, isn't she picking our peaches?"

The words turned:

"Of course, the most important thing is that the merchant spends a lot of money to renovate the house in Lifang, where will it be cheap for the poor ghosts to live? Specifying rent increases is worse than those small landlords now.

"This kind of last plundering of the people, brother-in-law, we can't do it."

The short young man looked sincere and firm: "In this matter, my Wang Caozhi's real name is against it!" ”

Ouyang Rong turned his head and looked at Wang Caozhi silently.

The two looked at each other for a moment.

The atmosphere was a bit quiet.

Ouyang Rong's expression seemed to ask, you kid is also fifty steps and a hundred steps of laughter, when did you have such a noble consciousness?

"Ahem, why is my brother-in-law looking at me like this?"

Wang Caozhi covered his mouth and coughed, winked at Ouyang Rong and said:

"Well, it's actually not pleasing to the eye, watching them make a lot of money, it's even worse than me losing money! It's simply a crushed back molar. ”

After listening to this, Ouyang Rong looked away: "Don't make a scene, it's the same for you." ”

Wang Caozhi sneered and didn't mention it again.

He quietly glanced at the young man in front of him who was slightly tired.

In fact, this morning, when everyone discussed the final version of the plan behind closed doors in the living room of the Municipal Trade Division,

Many colleagues mentioned the matter of Xingzifang, including the maid Qingshu and the shopkeeper Guo sent by the lady in Yangzhou.

A group of businessmen want to add some win-win cooperation with this 'talking' Changshi Lord, and lay out in advance in Xingzifang under the opening of the official document regulations cooperated with the Jiangzhou Lobby......

It's just that the ending can be imagined, and Ouyang Rong rejected it very strongly.

Everyone was naturally very helpless and regretful, but after all, everyone was an outsider, and before this cooperation, there was not much fetters in Xunyang City.

This time, he was able to join this plate that made a lot of money, because Ouyang Rong remembered his old feelings, and he dared to force something again, but he was honest.

Wang Caozhi came back to his senses and raised his head: "Brother-in-law, those Yangzhou salt merchants are in the field, it is better to be careful in the future." ”

"Understood."

Ouyang Rong nodded calmly.

Not long after, the carriage in which the two of them were riding left Xingzifang, and when they passed through Huaiye Lane, Ouyang Rong spoke:

"You go first, I'll go home and get some things."

"Yes, brother-in-law."

Before Ouyang Rong got up and got out of the car, Wang Caozhi suddenly said: "Brother-in-law, remember to change into more formal clothes, there are many people tonight." ”

"Hmm."

Ouyang Rong was distracted thinking about the matter of Xingzifang.

A carriage drove away with Wang Caozhi, leaving a carriage waiting outside, and Ouyang Rong walked into the Huaiye Lane mansion.

On the corridor, he looked down at the clothes on his body. In addition to the expensive fox white fur shawl sent by Xunyang Palace, it looks good.

Ouyang Rong was wearing a plain white cedar, which was given to him by Ah Mei Ah Qing before they separated.

The plain white fir has tight stitches, and the inside is thickened and cotton, which is very warm to wear in winter, but the appearance is quite ordinary.

Back to Drinking Ice Zhai.

I didn't see Ye Weilai's figure,

I don't know what I'm busy with, maybe I didn't expect Ouyang Rong to come back in the evening.

Seeing that it was getting dark outside, it was not long before the birthday banquet on the invitation.

Came back too late and the time was a little rushed.

I was going to take a shower when I came back, wash away my tiredness, be clean and sober, and then pass.

Ouyang Rong hesitated, looked at the sky, and didn't go to take a shower and change clothes.

He walked to the cabinet, picked up the handmade oil-paper umbrella, turned around and was about to leave, as if remembering something, he looked back at the expensive gift box sent by a little junior sister.

Ouyang Rong pursed his lower lip.

About a quarter of an hour later, the carriage parked in front of the Huaiye Lane mansion slowly started and drove towards the bustling Xunyang Building with red lights hanging on the riverside in the distance.

……

Ouyang Rong fell asleep.

Still woken up by the coachman.

Slowly opening his eyes and looking at the cautious dark face of the coachman in front of him, Ouyang Rong hurriedly got up and got out of the car.

"Sorry for the hard work."

Ouyang Rong was a little apologetic, and the coachman hurriedly waved his hand, "My lord, come in, it seems that the banquet is about to start." ”

"Okay."

The carriage was at the door of Xunyang Tower, put down Ouyang Rong, and drove to the stable.

A gust of river wind hit you.

The cold chill made Ouyang Rong sober up a little, he rubbed his face and muttered, "Why did you fall asleep......"

It could have been the rhythmic jolt of the carriage just now, a bit of a sleep aid.

However, recently, for that big event, Ouyang Rong did consume too much of his mind and energy, and even the little junior sister's birthday banquet almost overslept and missed.

Fortunately, everything is done today, and you will be able to relax tomorrow for the Yuan Zheng holiday.

Ouyang Rong shook his head.

He lowered his head and tidied up his underwear, took a deep breath, carried the gift, and walked into the towering Xunyang Building in front of him.

Ouyang Rong found that the door of Xunyang Tower tonight seemed to be deserted, and there was no scene of people coming and going like in the past.

However, sporadically arrived in horse-drawn carriages, and the guests who walked into this building saw that they were all dressed in brocade clothes and had a good momentum.

Some are even very pompous.

Ouyang Rong also saw that under the shade of the trees not far from the Xunyang Building, there was a group of saber guards, riding on tall horses, waiting quietly for the owner who seemed to have entered the building.

Tonight's visitors are either rich or expensive.

Could it be that the little junior sister and her relatives have chartered the entire Xunyang Building? Don't let in for idlers?

Ouyang Rong looked left and right, a little curious.

At the gate on the first floor of Xunyang Building, there is a row of beautiful maids welcoming guests.

Ouyang Rong learned from the other strange guests and handed them the gifts he brought.

A welcoming maid smiled: "This son, please come with the slave." ”

Ouyang Rong subconsciously asked, "What about the little junior sister?" ”

"What little sister?" The welcome maid was puzzled.

Ouyang Rong looked at her, paused, and shook his head: "It's okay." ”

These maids look quite well-educated and elegant, but their accents are not like the dialect of Jiangzhou, and they may be the house slaves brought by the Xie family of Chen County.

Ouyang Rong glanced at the back of the welcoming maid.

Right now, there were two other guests around him, who were also brought in by a similar smiling maid.

"Childe's surname?" The welcoming maid in front asked politely.

"Ouyang."

"Ouyang Gongzi here, please."

"Okay."

After walking into Xunyang Tower, Ouyang Rong found that his previous guess was not wrong.

The entire Xunyang Building was indeed fully covered tonight, and the hall on the first floor was rearranged, filled with red lacquered wooden tables, delicacies all over the table, and the lights in the building were decorated in festive vermilion colors.

Ouyang Rong estimated that just the big red candles consumed tonight, gathered together, could be worth a year's worth for him, the governor of Jiangzhou.

"Ugh."

Someone who followed the welcoming maid sighed.

He knew that there was already a pathetic thick barrier between him and the little junior sister.

Ouyang Rong pressed the corners of his mouth.

In the hall on the first floor, many seats are already filled, and many visitors are unfamiliar faces, but these guests are more beautiful than the other.

Ouyang Rong ignored them, looked around, and didn't find the little junior sister for the time being.

Right now, the dishes on each table are almost all on the table, and it seems that the birthday party is about to officially begin.

I don't know if Ouyang Rong came too late, or if the welcome maid really didn't know him, and he didn't receive any special advice in advance.

There were more than twenty tables in the hall on the first floor, but Ouyang Rong was brought to a red-lacquered round table at the back, quite close to the door, and the welcoming maid turned around respectfully:

"Childe, please take a seat."

Ouyang Rong nodded, not picky.

Under the sideways glances of the other costumed guests at the same table, he had just sat down.

"Mingfu!"

At the table in front of this table, a surprised man's voice came from the table.

Ouyang Rong turned his head.

It's Tsubame Rokuro.

"Why is the Ming Mansion sitting here?"

Yan Liulang, who was not in the saber today and wore a silk satin shirt, muttered suspiciously.

He still trotted over and said a few words to the guest on Ouyang Rong's right-hand seat.

Cheeky changed to this table and sat down with Ouyang Rong.

seemed to feel that Yan Liulang was very arrogant and didn't understand the rules, and there were some guests in fancy clothes at the surrounding tables who frowned slightly and looked over.

Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang ignored this, Ouyang looked at his friend's clothes, and scolded with a smile: "People look like dogs." After a pause, "It's quite energetic to put on." ”

"Hehe," Yan Liulang scratched his head.

It was different from the banquet that Ouyang Rong had eaten in the past, the guests in the hall on the first floor whispered greetings, ignoring the delicacies in front of them, and no one moved their chopsticks before the host arrived.

The main reason is that Ouyang Rong used to be the main seat of the banquet, and he used the chopsticks first, so he was a little uncomfortable now.

Suppressing the habit, Ouyang Rong, who is like a little transparent tonight, looks left and right......