It is said that Miao Jun has money, and when he sees that the tea business is profitable, he wants to control the import and export of tea, so as to monopolize the market price. All this, of course, requires the pass of "tea introduction".

It turned out that tea was monopolized by the government at the beginning. The reason for this is the control of ethnic minorities in the Tibetan and Mongolian border areas.

These ethnic groups rode horses, drank cheese, ate beef and mutton, lived in pursuit of water and grass, lived nomadically, and used tea as a means of supplementing nutrition.

Tea is blood, tea is water, and tea is life. If you can't make tea, you will be sleepy and sick.

However, there is no tea production in Tibet and Mongolia, and tea is a rarity for Tibetan and Mongolian people, and they can only buy it from the mainland. If you want to buy it, the imperial court stipulates that horses are exchanged for tea, so as to reduce the number of war horses and deprive them of combat ability.

As a result, the trade in tea has elevated to a political nature and is related to the security of the country.

The imperial court to ensure that the tea source does not flow out at will, must be approved by the tea general merchant designated by the imperial court, and reported to the imperial court for the record, and issued a "tea introduction" pass. Anyone who traffics without obtaining it is punishable by death.

Therefore, if Miao Jun wants to obtain this certificate, he must have the consent of the general businessman Zhou Hai.

In order to curry favor with Zhou Hai, he tried his best and tried his best. Sending women and silver to Zhou Hai didn't play much role. hit the idea on Zhou Hai's son Zhou Shao.

So, Miao Jun convened his subordinates to discuss.

One of them put forward such a point of view, saying: "Zhou Shao is Zhou Hai's only son, Zhou Hai is very fond of him, and may play a certain role in fighting for tea." But I don't think it's so easy to win over Zhou Shao. ”

Miao Jun regarded it, this person's name is Cui Yu, a native of Huaqiao Village, Hezhou Prefecture.

It turned out that since Cui Yu killed the wolf demon, although he was a little famous in the village, he went to the city to find a job in this disaster year and his life was difficult.

However, after trying a few shops, the shopkeeper saw that his son-in-law looked like he was white and clean, as if he had never worked. When asked if he had any education, he said that he was illiterate, and the shopkeeper of the recruitment store shook his head and said that we don't recruit such people.

Also, in these days, although people are handsome, they are not educated, and it is difficult to find a job. Cui Yu laughed self-deprecatingly, but then cried depressedly.

Just as Cui Yu was about to go home, he suddenly found that a notice was posted at the door of the "Yingchun Building" brothel to recruit doormen, take care of food and housing, and have a salary of three taels of silver per month, thinking that this job is very good.

Cui Yu thought to himself, since he came, why not give it a try? Anyway, I've been rejected several times, and I don't care about this time. After thinking about it, he walked straight in. The old bustard Wu Jiao thought that she was a guest who came to play, so she greeted her warmly. Cui Yu said: "I'm here to apply. ”

Wu Jiao looked Cui Yu up and down and said, "Go, go, go, you have fine skin and tender meat, you deserve to be the doorman here." If someone comes to cheat and doesn't pay for playing, can you beat others? ”

It turned out that Cui Yu was quite famous in the village, but there was really no one in the city, and no one knew him. Of course, Wu Jiao didn't know that Cui Yu was a demon hero, and he was so good at swordsmanship, he was really an outsider. Cui Yu wanted to introduce himself, but Wu Jiao was not interested in listening to Cui Yu's verbosity, so he asked someone to blow Cui Yu out. It's no wonder that in these years, there are too many scammers, and people have almost lost their sense of trust.

Cui Yu felt so uncomfortable, and thought while walking, what should he do in the future? didn't go a distance, and bumped into Cui Biao, a native of the village.

Speaking of which, Cui Biao is Cui Yu's elder, a generation higher than Cui Yu, and he came to the city a few years ago to wander. Cui Yu has heard others say that Cui Biao's family in the city was in the business of false testimony, but now I don't know if he can do it.

So, Cui Yu had an idea, as if he had touched a life-saving straw when he was drowning, and he thought about it in his heart. Invite Cui Biao to a fly restaurant for a drink. I ordered two dishes, called shochu, and chatted while drinking. After three or two mouthfuls, Cui Biao couldn't drink enough, and his face was red from drinking, as if he had been beaten with chicken blood, and he was already drunk and hazy.

Cui Yu leaned his head flatteringly and smiled, and asked, "Old man, are you still in the business of false testimony?" Can you help me get a permit? ”

Cui Biao was stunned, lowered his voice and asked, "What kind of certificate do you want to get?" ”

Cui Yu was embarrassed to say: "I think, I think, I want to do a show certificate." ”

When Cui Biao heard this, he burst out laughing and said, "Just by you, you don't know a single big character, can you still be considered a showman?" Even if you do, others will see that you can neither write nor read, and it will not be long before you will be in trouble. ”

Cui Yu was suddenly deflated, but he pondered for a while, thought about it, and suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said a few words in Cui Biao's ear. Cui Biao suddenly opened his mouth and stammered, and it took a while to come back to his senses and give Cui Yu a thumbs up.

Cui Biao said: "High, high, really high, you really want to think of it." I've never done anything like this, and I don't even know what a sample looks like. So be it! I'll go back and ask around to see if I can find a sample, then you'll have to wait for me for a few days. You'll have to pay a deposit of one or two pieces of silver. ”

Cui Yu said: "I really don't have any money on me now, and I don't have a single piece of silver. I didn't even have the money to pay for this meal, so I might have to stay and work to wash the dishes. ”

Seeing that Cui Yu said so pitifully, Cui Biao had no choice but to give up and not make a deposit. For the sake of the villagers, a few days later, the fake document was made for free and given to Cui Yu, who stayed in the hotel to work. Cui Yu came to the "Yingchun Building" for an interview again.

Wu Jiao saw that Cui Yu was coming again, and said impatiently: "Why are you here again?" Didn't you say that? You're not suitable at all, go back and don't come again. ”

This time, Cui Yu was not in a hurry, nor did he speak, he took out a document from his pocket and threw it on the table with a "pop". Wu Jiao looked at it, it turned out to be a prison release certificate, and her eyes suddenly lit up: "Hey, it's been a long time, and you're still staying inside, you look like a 'gold-plated' person!" Well, you'll come to work tomorrow! ”

The next day, Cui Yu happily went to work in Yingchun Building and became a doorman. Later, by chance, Cui Yu met Miao Jun, a businessman, which changed Cui Yu's previous fate.

One day, Miao Jun came to Yingchun Building to play. Miao Jun likes to be greedy for small bargains and take small things at will. Before leaving, he saw some silk handkerchiefs on the table in the foyer, which were extremely exquisite, so he took a piece of it and quietly put it in his pocket, thinking that no one had seen it.

Unexpectedly, he was discovered by Cui Yu. Cui Yu did not go to accuse Miao Jun of stealing things angrily, but greeted him without revealing a smile and handed over a bill.

Cui Yu said: "This gentleman, please stay!" ”

When Miao Jun heard this, he stood still and asked what was wrong?

Cui Yu said: "I found that you can't put down Sipa, you have a soft spot, and I sincerely admire you." ”

Miao Jun was shocked: "Did he find out that I took it?" ”

Cui Yu said again: "In order to express this meaning, on behalf of the shopkeeper of Yingchun Building, I will sell the silk handkerchief to you." At the best price, on your bill, okay? ”

When Miao Jun heard this, he understood Cui Yu's words and said, "I'm sorry, I drank a few more glasses, my head was dizzy, and I took the silk handkerchief by mistake." ”

Cui Yu smiled, rounded the field and said, "It's okay! You can take it. ”

Miao Jun smartly went down the stairs and said, "No, no!" With that, he took out the silk handkerchief, put it back in its place, and walked out with grace.

Another time, Miao Jun came to "Yingchun Building" to play again, met someone making trouble, and found Miao Jun noisy. Cui Yu hurriedly stepped forward to stop it and helped Miao Jun relieve the siege.

Miao Jun noticed Cui Yu at this time, thinking that this young man was good, a talent, able to speak, and according to himself, he could also do martial arts and have excellent strength, so he appreciated it, and asked Cui Yu to follow him.

Cui Yu felt that there was no future for him if he had been here as a doorman. The status is low, not to mention, the income is also low, not enough for daily expenses. Seeing Miao Jun's high salary, he nodded and agreed. In this way, Cui Yu took refuge in Miao Jun.

On this day, Miao Jun discussed with his subordinates to deal with Zhou Shao, the son of Zhou Hai, Miao Jun felt that it was easy, but Cui Yu felt that it was difficult, so he asked: "Cui Yu, tell me, why is it difficult?" ”

Cui Yu stood up and carefully analyzed that this Zhou Shao was born in a wealthy family, a rich son, and he was alive and well. Like his father Zhou Hai, it is not uncommon to send money and goods. Zhou Hai donated an alternate platform to Zhou Shao, a five-grade official.

Of course, Zhou Shao will not go to Yuanmen to listen to the drums, and he will not wait for errands in the yamen. Although he usually does not wear official uniforms, if any state and county officials are in front of him, they either play music or play style, it is really incomparable.

Because, what Zhou Shao has is money, the score he puts out, and the pie he plays, no state and county officials can compare. Therefore, if you ask the officials to come forward to suppress it, it is obviously not possible.

Seeing that Cui Yu was so analytic that it was impossible to give money and goods to officials to suppress it, Miao Jun felt reasonable, so he asked again: "What method do you say?" ”

Cui Yu touched his protruding forehead and came up with an idea to tackle Zhou Shao: "Although Zhou Shao is rich and has donated officials, it is not without weaknesses. ”

Miao Jun asked what the weakness was.

Cui Yu said: As far as I know, Zhou Shao's hobbies are gambling and prostitution, as well as opium smoking. This hobby is his weakness. Why not start here? ”

This trick did get to the point, and Miao Jun said approvingly: "Xiao Cui is right!" ”

After pondering for a while, Miao Jun said: "Use money to hire a person who can gamble and prostitute, let him play with Zhou Shao every day, gamble happily with him, prostitute comfortably, and gamble happily at the level." ”

Cui Yu said: "Yes, as long as Zhou Shao is comfortable, won't the tea be easily obtained?" ”

Miao Jun nodded yes.

Cui Yu said: "Miao shopkeeper is a good plan! I'm going to play with Zhou Shao. ”

Miao Jun said: "Don't go, you can't play, and your kung fu is far behind." ”

Cui Yu originally thought that Miao Jun would arrange for him to accompany him, but he didn't expect the shopkeeper Miao to say this about himself. It's no wonder that not long after he came to the city from the countryside, he didn't know anything about what the city people were playing, how could he accompany Zhou Shao? After thinking about it, he smiled secretly and asked Miao Jun: "So, who should I go to?" ”

Miao Jun said: "You must find someone who can gamble and prostitute." After thinking about it for a long time, he patted his head and said to Cui Yu: "I remember, there is a person, his name is Miao Hua, and his nickname is Huazi." Go and get him. ”

It turned out that Miao Hua was Miao Jun's nephew. Playing mahjong, pushing nine cards, shaking stalls, visiting kilns, smoking opium, there is nothing that is not proficient. But because of this, the originally wealthy family was bankrupt and his wife was separated. Now I have no house and no money, so I have to huddle under the Yongji Bridge and beg for a living every day, which is really pitiful!

Cui Yu agreed: "Okay." I'm going to go out and look for it. ”

It didn't take long for Cui Yu to bring back a person, with sloppy clothes and a dirty face, but he still couldn't hide the aristocratic temperament on his body, and he could vaguely see that he had been rich before.

Needless to say, he is Miao Hua. Miao Jun told Miao Hua about his intentions. Miao Hua saw such a good thing, so he agreed.

Miao Jun arranged for Cui Yu to make a decent dress for Miao Hua, and paid 2,000 taels of silver in advance for various expenses such as eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling. Cui Yu agreed.

As the saying goes, "A man depends on his clothes, and a horse depends on his saddle." That's true. Miao Hua put on that brand-new outfit and clothes, changed his appearance, and looked new, judging the two of them, his spirit looked hundreds of times better than in the past.

From the next day, I went to accompany Zhou Shao for seven days and seven nights. On the gambling table, he tried his best, red, black, blue and white did everything, and there was no trace of open help and secret help, so that Zhou Shao won big and showed off again and again. On the Fengyue field, the gold fans are drunk, drunk and dreaming of death, the lights are bright, prostitutes, and have fun; In the opium hall, I enjoyed the intoxication brought by opium with great energy.

For seven days and seven nights, five thousand taels of silver were spent. The original payment was not enough at all, and it cost an extra three thousand taels, of course, there were also elements of Miao Hua's false declaration. Miao Jun didn't ask, he knew that Miao Hua tried his best, so he regarded it as a subsidy for Miao Hua.

In fact, Miao Hua really served Zhou Shao comfortably. Zhou Shao regarded Miao Hua as a rare friend who eats, drinks and has fun.

When he was having fun, Zhou Shao promised Miao Hua: "Whether you play together or do serious things, you have your share." ”

Seeing that the time had come, Miao Hua said: "Young Master Zhou, I have an uncle named Miao Jun, you should know him, he hopes to cooperate with you and do a tea sales business together." ”

Zhou Shao readily agreed, saying, "Okay, good." ”

Miao Hua was very happy.

Zhou Shao only knew Miao Jun and didn't have any personal relationships, so he didn't know Miao Jun. I heard that Miao Jun is just an ordinary businessman, and his strength is limited after all. Zhou Shao heard that Miao Hua was sent by Miao Jun, and began to worry about what kind of mystery or even trap he would make by intersecting with Miao Hua, and he was always a little wary in his heart. But I had a lot of fun with Miao Hua in the past few days, and then I was much less wary. Zhou Shao agreed to cooperate with Miao Jun.

Miao Hua returned to see Miao Jun and said that it had been done. Arrange for Zhou Shao and Miao Jun to meet. Miao Jun specially arranged a banquet, found a few girls to wait for him, and drank a few pieces of flower wine. Zhou Shao is young after all, and he thinks Miao Jun is good and very sincere.

Miao Jun proposed that Zhou Shao was responsible for attracting the tea, contributing his own funds, and sharing the profits with thirty-seven.

Zhou Shao was a little reluctant: "What? Divided into three? I'm only 30 percent, isn't it a little less? ”

Seeing this, Miao Jun calculated it again, felt that it was profitable, and immediately proposed: "Then the four or six points, it's finally okay, right?" ”

Zhou Shao was satisfied.

That night, Zhou Shao returned home early, and Zhou Hai was obviously a little surprised. Because Zhou Shao rarely went home so early during this time.

After returning home, seeing his father Zhou Hai and mother Zhang Cui sitting in the living room, Zhou Shao sensibly handed his parents a cup of freshly brewed tea.

When Zhou Hai saw that his son was so flattering, he understood that there must be something to ask for, so he said, "Say, what's the matter?" ”

Zhou Shao looked at his father and said sincerely: "Father, I came back from abroad, I have nothing to do, I am idle all day long, the child is really ashamed!" Now I want to do something for my father. ”

Zhou Hai asked, "What do you want to do?" ”

Zhou Shao said: "In the early stage, I passed the market research and felt that the tea business was very good, and I wanted to partner with businessman Miao Jun to get a tea introduction and do a tea trafficking business. ”

Zhou Hai saw that Zhou Shao took the initiative to do things and no longer spent time drinking, and felt that his son was already sensible, but he had some concerns about cooperating with Miao Jun. He didn't have a good impression of Miao Jun, he robbed him last time, although he changed his body, Miao Jun didn't recognize it for the time being, but who knows if he will understand the truth in the future? What if I knew? After all, there are no impermeable walls. He was a little worried and said, "No! This Miao Jun, this person is scheming, you have to be careful. The first few times he came to me and begged me to support him, but I didn't agree. How did you get up with him? ”

Zhou Shao replied: "The child and Miao Jun are only one-sided friends, but I can see through his words and deeds that he is not so treacherous and cunning. ”

Then, after glancing at his father, Zhou Shao said again: "However, then again, which of the current businessmen is not scheming, how can he make money without a little trickery?" It's just that I'm cautious in dealing with him. ”

After speaking, he looked at his mother Zhang Cui with a blank eye, hoping that she could help him play a round.

Zhang Cui felt sorry for her son, and couldn't bear to look at the grievances, so she said to Zhou Hai: "I said that the child is his father, the child wants to do things now, just let him do it!" No matter who he works with, we have to support him. ”

Seeing that Zhou Hai moved, Zhang Cui said again: "Whether it is good or bad, the initiative in business is always in our hands. If it really doesn't work, take the tea back. ”

Listening to his wife Zhang Cui's reasoning, Zhou Hai nodded in agreement.

In this way, through Zhou Shao's operation, Miao Jun successfully obtained the tea introduction, and thus started a tea sales business.

Zhou Shao became addicted to opium because of this, and his body was already weak, and opium made him thin to the bone, and he was even weaker.