Fu Shifeng

Chapter 140
When Cheng Sanwu came to the Huran Tower, the door was already blocked by carriages and horses from various families. The servants of several dignitaries and dignitaries were fighting and jostling for the road.

"Oh, there are so many people."

Cheng Sanwu rode on the horseback, craned his neck to watch from a distance, although he expected that there would be many nobles to support the opening of the Husha Building, but this scene was unexpected.

When Cheng Sanwu was still worrying about how to squeeze into the beard building, a familiar voice came from behind: "What a coincidence, Cheng Lang is also here."

Looking back, I saw a Zhulun Qinggai car slowly approaching, Jiang Zhen and Afu were in the car, and Qin Wangshu, who was walking with Cheng Sanwu, immediately leaned over to salute.

At this time, Afu was wearing a bamboo green narrow-sleeved gown with an open collar, a cloud blue long skirt around her waist, and a goose yellow shawl around her shoulders, revealing a large area of ​​snowy skin on her chest.

Compared with the fresh and beautiful Afu, Jiang Zhen is much brighter and more beautiful. The cherry-colored brocade skirt is chest-length, and a large peony flower is embroidered on the chest. With the ups and downs of two balls of snow, it looks particularly vivid Smart; outside is draped with a gold-trimmed red shirt with large sleeves, made of tulle, and the lotus arms can be seen fluttering.

"Have you also received the invitation?" Cheng Sanwu asked.

"What? If I don't receive it, you don't plan to treat me?" Afu waved a fan wrapped in silk with flowers in her hand, with a lazy expression and resentful words: "Sure enough, men are heartless people. Forget about the past."

At this time, there were many passers-by on the left and right, and they saw a pair of beauties in the green-covered carriage, and they naturally felt a little bit of admiration.Hearing this, they all cast reproachful or contemptuous glances at Cheng Sanwu, and some whispered, saying things like "like the new and dislike the old", "you have eyes but no pearls".

Cheng Sanwu showed helplessness, so he had no choice but to step forward and say, "This is Lao Su's business, and I'm his good brother, so of course I want to join in."

Afu shook her fan and said nothing, Jiang Zhen explained: "Cheng Lang didn't know something. Su's Husha Building opened and needed singing and dancing. He personally handed over the invitation to Tianxiang Pavilion, hoping that I can help."

"Oh, so that's how it is..." Cheng Sanwu couldn't refute it, Su Wangting had thoughtful arrangements, and he would do his best to make use of everything that could be used.

"Come with us." Jiang Zhen said with a smile: "Master Su has already arranged staff at the side door, so Cheng Lang doesn't have to squeeze with those common people."

As Jiang Zhen said, Su Wangting asked his Dalang to wait at the side door.Seeing that it was Cheng Sanwu and Afu who came, the Su family boss immediately bowed down.

"Okay, okay, how can there be so much courtesy?" Cheng Sanwu said so, pointing to the carriage outside the door: "This carriage of Xian Wenling is a gift for the opening of the Huran Building, please let someone move it away." .”

"How can this be done?" Su Family Dalang said, "How can we accept Uncle Cheng's congratulatory gift? If my father finds out, he will definitely punish my nephew!"

Cheng Sanwu laughed and said, "What are you afraid of? Just treat it as the dowry I prepared for Girl Gui, and I can't let some people compare to it!"

Afu knew that he was talking about herself, so she didn't refute, but just covered her face with a round fan and smiled.Watching Cheng Sanwu show his naivety and stupidity in front of Su Wangting's family is a rare pleasure.

Su Jia Dalang arranged Cheng Sanwu and his party to the private room on the second floor, where they could overlook the stage on the first floor.

"Please wait a moment, I'll call my father over right now."

Cheng Sanwu hurriedly called Su Family Dalang to a stop: "What's the rush? Your father is very busy right now, don't bother him. First get me two pots of boiled goat to satisfy my hunger!"

The boss of the Su family said that he was resigning, but after a while, Su Wangting came with two pots of boiled goat.

"Old Cheng, I heard from Da Lang that you also sent a cart of fairy silk as a congratulatory gift?" Su Wangting first saluted Afu and the others, and then said, "Where did you get all these silks?"

"Aren't I working for the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Then there must be a reward." Cheng Sanwu was not polite at all, and directly put a pot of boiled goat in front of him, eating and drinking.

Su Wangting complained: "You have been born and died, and you finally got a reward. If you don't carefully arrange your family's property and spend it recklessly, how can you do it?"

Cheng Sanwu glanced at Afu, who smiled without saying a word, took a glass of wine from Qin Wangshu, and took a sip.

"I'm the one who can eat enough for the whole family, so I don't need to take care of any family property." Cheng Sanwu waved his hand, and didn't say clearly that he would take over as Lord Zhaoyang.

Su Wangting was very helpless, he knew that Cheng Sanwu was careless, he couldn't keep the money in his hands, and if he gave him thousands of dollars, it would probably be wasted in a blink of an eye, and he didn't know how to live within his means and manage them carefully.

Maybe having Afu by his side can save Cheng Sanwu a lot of worries, but as a brother who once shared weal and woe, Su Wangting doesn't want Cheng Sanwu to be controlled by Afu.

"How about this, the car fairy Wenling you gave is also worth a lot of money, I will treat it as the principal you invested in Huranlou." Su Wangting said: "Every month the operation makes a profit, and I will give you a part of the interest. If you have any expenses in the future, you can come directly to Huyanlou to get the money, or I will ask Da Lang to send it to you."

"Ouch? How does this look like saving money for business?" Cheng Sanwu has been by Su Wangting's side for many years, and he can still understand the way this business works.

Su Wangting also sat down: "Otherwise, why do you think I can open a beard building in Dongshi? This is not entirely my property."

"Old Su, your business is getting bigger and bigger." Cheng Sanwu sighed again and again, then looked at Afu: "Hey, don't you want to help?"

Jiang Zhen gently pushed Cheng Sanwu: "Cheng Lang is so cruel, the Tianxiang Pavilion of the Nu family has already come to join us, isn't it enough? Could it be that the beauty of the Nu family has declined?"

Without waiting for Cheng Sanwu to answer, Su Wangting hurriedly said: "Miss Jiangzhen was joking. The bearded girl condescends and moves away. It can be said that she is full of splendor. I dare not let the girl work any more."

Afu caressed the silk face of the round fan, and said slowly: "The weather in the Beard Tower is ready, there should be many distinguished guests in the future, I will arrange people to come here. But please don't worry, Mr. Su, I won't disturb your business. And it can help you fend off some evil guests and thieves who don't have eyes."

As soon as Su Wangting heard it, he understood that Afu wanted to monitor the guests and spy on the news through the Husha Building, which was equivalent to putting the Su family's property under the protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so he quickly crossed his hands to thank: "In this case, That couldn't be better."

After saying this, Su Wangting was busy entertaining other guests again, so he could only apologize and leave.

"Thank you very much." Cheng Sanwu said suddenly.

"So you can rest assured?" Afu smiled slightly: "You are worried that other people will attack the Su family, so you simply let the Husha Building become an excellent place for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to monitor people who come and go, so that you are in a detached position. In the future, no matter who is in charge , but also to preserve the beard building. And with Su Wangting's long-sleeved and good dancing skills, he is destined to have a solid position."

Cheng Sanwu laughed, didn't say anything else, just buried himself in the soup and meat.Jiang Zhen and Qin Wangshu beside Afu both looked at this man with subtle eyes, as if they had once again experienced the scheming hidden under the stupid appearance.

The guests came to the Huran Tower one after another. Apart from the four wealthy people from Chang'an who came with gifts, there were also many dignitaries who came in and pointed around.

During these days, Su Wangting quietly collected many treasures of poetry, prose and calligraphy, which are now hung in various places in the building for people to appreciate.This is also done in the hope of attracting literati to write inscriptions, so as to accumulate reputation for Huranlou.

At this time, there were more and more guests, and Jiang Zhen led a group of musicians to the stage to perform, attracting the attention of the guests.Just as Cheng Sanwu was looking around, as if looking for someone, there was a welcome voice outside the door:
"Lu Qilang arrived—"

As soon as this sound came out, the sound of silk and bamboo stopped immediately, and guests from all walks of life raised their necks, wanting to see Lu Qilang's demeanor.

Lu Changqing, the new Qilang whom Lu Xiang recognized last year, is now well-known in Chang'an.Moreover, because of his teacher Daguan Daoist, he entered the Jixian Temple to teach the "Taibai Yin Jing" to cultivate future talents for the country. Most of the people who were taught were the children of meritorious officials who served as guards in the palace.

In the eyes of people of insight, this incident has been regarded as a precursor to changes in the court structure.Based on this important relationship alone, Lu Qilang cannot be ignored in the court in the future.

Seeing Changqing wearing a robe with crane and cloud patterns, holding a crystal dust whisk obliquely, as bright as a jade tree before the wind, and the gods descending from the Zifu, the transcendent meaning is breath-taking.

"The fake Taoist still likes to put on a show so much." Afu glanced at it and sneered in a low voice.

After Changqing arrived, Su Wangting hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, and invited him to the private room on the second floor facing the stage.

"Tsk tsk, Changqing's ostentation is incredible." Cheng Sanwu sighed.

"Don't you understand?" Afu said, "The New Deal is about to be implemented, and the business of these four rich men spreads all over the world. If they don't learn about the New Deal in time, they will lose their wealth and lives if they are careless. Fake Taoists Even though it’s pretentious, it’s also necessary.”

……

"These are all elders, so there is no need to be polite."

Changqing swung his fly whisk and sat upright by himself.Su Wangting ordered people to bring wine and food, and then accompanied him.

The melodious music came from the stage on the first floor, but everyone present was not thinking about it.

Changqing just received the invitation card for the opening of the Huyan Building yesterday, and originally planned to thank the guests for a day and have a happy gathering with Cheng Sanwu and the others.As a result, Xiangfu suddenly sent someone to summon him, so he reluctantly went to see Lu Xiang.

"Something happened in Hebei."

When Lu Xiang saw him, he handed over a report, which mentioned the severe drought in Hebei, the Jingguang monks' magical powers and rainfall, and with the wisdom of evergreen, he immediately noticed the hidden crisis.

"Relying on supernatural powers to gather believers?" Chang Qing asked, "Are they going to rebel?"

"Not yet, but it's almost there." Lu Xiang said.

Changqing asked with a straight face: "You want me to deal with this group of monks? If they can really solve the drought with supernatural powers of rain, there must be many people following them. If they accidentally stir up a civil uprising, many people may die. "

"Based on your words, I'm destined not to be able to do such a thing." Lu Xiang's eyes were sharp, piercing his heart.

Changqing's heart moved, and he retorted: "The people are just bewitched, so why are you going to kill them?"

"I really don't know how Daguanzi taught you, and I don't know how to adapt it at all." Lu Xiang showed a look of disappointment, and then said: "Your Majesty has issued an order to summon people with magical powers from the Taoist sect to go to Hebei to pray for rain and calm people's hearts."

Changqing was startled when he heard the words, then nodded heavily: "Okay, I'll go!"

Lu Xiang didn't even say a word of praise, and then asked: "Su Wangting's beard mansion opened, and I heard that all the four great people have been invited?"

"You know all about this, why ask me?" Changqing said as if angry.

Lu Xiang said: "You go and ask Wang Yuanbao to spit out the food that he has hoarded in his hands. This year, there will be famine in several states in Hebei. This will not pass. Let him prepare to sell his sons and daughters."

"You asked me to talk about this kind of thing?" Although Changqing was annoyed, he didn't get carried away: "Why should I ask Wang Yuanbao to take out the food that he has hoarded in his hand? Besides, if you order this kind of thing, won't he obediently obey it?" superior?"

"A considerable part of his food is to be supplied to the nobles in Guanzhong. If I order forced confiscation, tomorrow's impeachment memorial will be full of imperial cases. Although I am not afraid, it is unnecessary." Lu Xiang said: "After this matter is over, Every prefecture in Hebei has set up Changping warehouses, and the grain he took out before is converted into the cost of warehouses, and the court will repay it year by year in the future."

Withdrawing his thoughts, Changqing looked at the four wealthy people: "Everyone is used to storms, so I'll get straight to the point - this year's new policies will be implemented in various provinces, one of which is to order the states to set up permanent warehouse offices. Of course , the imperial court will not ignore the facts, such as Jianghuai, Liangzhe, Lingnan, Jiannan, etc., the underground is low and wet, this is not the case."

Among the four powerful people in Chang'an, Yang Chongyi's business is distributed from Jiangnan to Qingxu, along the East China Sea, which almost excludes him.The Changping Warehouse is concerned with grain transshipment, and Wang Yuanbao, whose business covers both banks of the Yongji Canal, was the first to speak:
"I don't know if the Changping Warehouse has any arrangements besides stabilizing grain prices?"

"In addition to corn and bean grains, such as bamboo, wood and tea lacquer are also included. Of course, the specifics depend on the abundance and shortage of products in each state." Changqing said according to Lu Xiang: "In addition, the Changping Warehouse Office will set up warehouses. The capital, in addition to relief during disasters, is also done on credit on weekdays. After the people harvest each year, they can repay it with cloth, silk, corn or money.

"The capital of this warehouse is currently tentatively set at [-] guan in Shangzhou, [-] guan in Zhongzhou, and [-] guan in Xiazhou. The imperial court allows each state to raise its own funds, and those who can afford it in the local area can participate in enriching the warehouse capital, and the operating income will be divided according to the rules."

The four wealthy people changed their colors slightly when they heard the words. They are all people who have been in business for a long time. The four great men salivated.

Moreover, the cost of this constant position is also allowed to be raised by the states themselves, which is equivalent to allowing businessmen to participate.The four wealthy people know the news before others, so they have enough to prepare money and food, and open up the upper and lower joints before the New Deal is pushed out. This is the real business opportunity!

Based on Changqing's words alone, the profits of the four wealthy people are more than one million?Even Yang Chongyi wanted to propose to set up a warehouse of bamboo, wood and tea lacquer in the Jianghuai area.

"Mr. Changqing's word is better than Jiuding." At this moment, Wang Yuanbao didn't have the stability of Buddhist monks at all, his eyes gleamed, and he leaned forward: "I don't know how we need to contribute?"

"Wang Jushi, there has been a severe drought in Hebei recently, and when there is no harvest, there is an urgent need for food relief." Chang Qing said: "If you can provide food to relieve the people's distress, this part of the food can be converted into the capital of the Changping warehouse. , I wonder if you would like to?"

(End of this chapter)