Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 468 Xue Pan’s current status
The grain shop at the street entrance,
The shopkeeper was also afraid that the voice would be too loud. After asking, he pulled Xue Pan aside and carefully followed the words.
"Master, take a step here and speak in a lower voice, but don't let those people listen."

Xue Pan saw that many people behind him were looking this way curiously. Knowing that the shopkeeper had something to say, he couldn't help but ignore it. He then walked to the side of the shop, looking at the mysterious look of the shopkeeper, he was quite impatient. asked,

"Shopkeeper Bu Shuangli, what, how much do you want to sell?"

"Hey, Young Master misunderstood, this is easy. Since we are old relatives, we can't ask for more. If Young Master buys all the good rice, the young master will only charge two taels of silver and one stone. Ordinary rice will cost one tael of silver and one stone." Okay, sir, please think carefully, this is today’s price, you won’t know tomorrow, after all, many people don’t know about the fire over there, so it’s impossible to say that food is the same price every day.”

The shopkeeper sincerely wants to make friends, but he is really not as big as a lion. This price is the price when food is tight. After all, there are a lot of fertile fields in the capital, so the noble families and princes and nobles account for most of them, but there are also many common people. Therefore, there is not much food shortage in the capital, but there is not much left, and people eat horse chews, which consumes a lot of money.

Many distinguished families took advantage of the slack and made a fortune by selling grain while they were farming.

After all, Xue Pan had never stayed in the capital, and he didn't know whether what the shopkeeper said was true or false. He looked back at the Jia family and asked,

"What do you think? This price is feasible. Brother Qiang, please tell me."

Jia Qiang could hear clearly behind her. It seemed that the shopkeeper had recognized her and others. The price was either expensive or not expensive, but she also knew that other than this, the shopkeeper did not ask for high prices, even those with high-quality rice. It’s a little more expensive, but it’s all for the master, so it doesn’t matter if it’s a little more expensive. He came over and replied,
"Brother Xue, the price is about the same. It's really not expensive."

Seeing this, Xue Pan knew what he was doing, nodded in agreement, and replied happily,

"Okay, since the shopkeeper is happy and I am happy too, how much food is there in your store?"

"Go back to the young master. Two hundred shi for the high-grade rice and five hundred shi for the ordinary rice. I want both of them, sir."

The shopkeeper was overjoyed. He was such a big customer. He suddenly booked the place. Those untouchables were a little bit reluctant to buy it. Regardless of this small amount of food, it might not be sold out in a few days. The literati were even more interested in the rice. Which one? The distinguished nobles and the aristocratic families do not have Zhuangzi, and they cannot finish what Zhuangzi produces.

Xue Pan didn't want to pester anymore, nodded and said,
"Okay, I bought them all, but you have to send them to me."

Then he took out 900 taels of silver notes from his pocket and handed it over. The shopkeeper hurriedly took it over.
"That's natural. Master, where should I send it?"

"Just send it to Rongguo Mansion. Hurry, I'm waiting here."

Xue Pan naturally wanted to watch. After all, Hu Ji didn't even look at it in order to buy food. She bought so much food, and if there was less, she would definitely feel unhappy.

"Okay, let's load the car for the young master."

When the shopkeeper heard that it was Rongguo Mansion, his attitude was even better, but he was a little confused in his heart. Among these noble houses, Zhuangzi was nowhere to be seen. They couldn't finish the output and still had to buy. But the shopkeeper knew that, You can't ask about this matter. It's a matter for each family and government. Ask too much to avoid misunderstandings.

He immediately went back to greet the store clerk and prepared to load the truck for transportation. Looking at the people who were still waiting outside, he shouted loudly,
"Everyone, please leave. All the food in our store has been bought by your noble master. Come back tomorrow or check out other food stores. They are closed today."

"What, how could this be?"

"That's right, shopkeeper, I've been waiting for a long time."

"The shopkeeper is kind enough to sell some to us."

The people who were close were shouting, and those who were far away naturally walked away to another grain store. The shopkeeper saw that people were crowding over and yelled,
"Get out of the way, everyone, back off. Why are you rebelling? You don't even look where this is. I told you that today's grain is sold out. Come back tomorrow, or go to other grain stores to have a look. If there is trouble, the soldiers and horses will Si’s prison is not a vegetarian one.”

A burst of verbal threats,
Many people did not dare to speak, lowered their heads and left secretly. Knowing that they could not buy food today, they were all frustrated.

Xue Pan and his party did not pay attention to them. They were watching the grain store clerk loading the truck outside the door. People around him, especially Jia Qiang and others, gathered around them. It was hard for them to speak. Finally, Jia Qiang spoke.

"Boss Xue, please see if you can give some to us people. It seems that it is not easy to buy food these days. The money will definitely not make Boss Xue suffer. Please save some food for our children's families."

It turns out that the people from the Jia family who followed are not fools. Looking at it like this, it is probably difficult to buy food. Except for the main family, the other families are not so good. If the second mistress of Rongguo Mansion hadn't found a way to make a living, every family would The men in each household have a monthly salary and have saved some money, fearing that their lives will be even more difficult.

So what the people who came here are right, there is money to buy it, but how can Xue Pan care about this little money? This is a good time to win people's hearts, and there is no room for so much food. It was originally intended to be given to Rongguo Mansion. Since In this case, it would be better to make the decision and send it to them, he said,

"You still see me outside, and you think I am who I am. When you get back, you call out all the others. Each family has one stone of rice. It's not because Xue didn't give it to me. It's for the master's family. But these rice, you guys It won't do you any good to ask people to move, or to send each family to the capital in separate places. Even if you make up for it today, why do I look at the capital as if something is going to happen?"

Xue Pan was also generous, but after thinking about it, if the capital was also short of food, something would happen, but Jia Qiang quickly grabbed Xue Pan's sleeve, looked around and saw that there was no one around, and then calmed down.

"Boss Xue, please be careful, this matter cannot be discussed here."

Xue Pan also reacted and glanced around. When he saw that there was no one outside, he felt relieved.
"Okay, this matter is settled, go back."

"Thank you, Boss Xue."

The followers of the Jia family all bowed sincerely. Although they wanted to take advantage of following him before, they now agree with Xue Pan.

The movement at the grain store was also fast. Dozens of large trucks had been loaded a long time ago, and then a group of people followed the convoy back to Rongguo Mansion. The dozens of large trucks were very eye-catching.

At a stall on the corner of the street, Beijing Wang Shuirong, dressed in ordinary people's clothes, accompanied by his bodyguard, and Leng Lao, actually ate noodle soup here.

"Leng Lao, you can see the group of people over there, and your reaction is very fast. I have always heard that the Jia family has no successor, but why do I feel that the connections of Rongguo Mansion are still the same as before?"

The scribe Leng Lao sitting opposite took a sip of porridge and shook his head.
"Didn't the prince also say that? I heard that rumors are like tigers. You can't believe them all. There was a fire last night. The Jia family bought dozens of carts of grain early in the morning. You tell me, is this smart or stupid? I'll tell you. After a while, a few hundred stones of grain at least is a bit too much. Furthermore, Your Majesty, look at the people buying grain. They are all brothers from the side of the Jia family. Neither the principal nor the servants came. It can be seen that the old lady So thoughtful.”

"This"

Wang Shuirong of Beijing put down his chopsticks and looked up carefully. Although he didn't count them in detail, he knew that there were a lot of them, and most of the people following the motorcade were brothers from the side of the Jia family. Several of them he knew, but he hadn't really seen them. People from Ning Rong's Second Mansion were inside, and it was true that as Mr. Leng said, they were really deceived by Rong Guo Mansion.

"What Mr. Leng said is true. There are indeed no people from Ning Rong's second house. They are all brothers from the side house. What does this say?"

Old Leng snorted coldly and said,

"Your Majesty, this is the great thing about the old lady of the Rongguo Mansion. She has gained both favor and face. Today there is a rumor that the capital is short of food. Regardless of whether it is true or not, the nobles and officials must not follow suit. The people in the Imperial City Department are not just eating dry food. Yes, but many people are not sure. The old lady's method is to ask the tribesmen to come forward to buy food. On the one hand, they have prepared for a rainy day and have stored food. On the other hand, if something goes wrong, they also have a way out. The master's family cannot control the affairs of each house. When people buy food, three things are the most important."

"What's the most important?"

King Beijing thought about it carefully and felt that what Mr. Leng said was reasonable. Seeing that there was a third meaning in what Mr. Leng said, Shui Rong became even more curious.
"My lord, don't you think it's strange? How could Rongguo Mansion be the first to take the lead and follow the trend to buy grain? I never thought about it. Every government has its own industrial village. How could it be needed?"

Shui Rong didn't speak for a while, thinking deeply about whether he would be like himself. He tried to test whether the co-author was cooperating with the Marquis of Luo Yun, but it should not affect him. The Zhen family in Jiangnan sent letters, and secretly shared the money with the Marquis. , looking at the sky is getting brighter, the goods from Jiangnan should have arrived,
"Old Leng, the time has come. We will discuss this matter later. Go back home first."

"good!"

And at the palace gate,
One after another, courtiers were leaving the palace. Not far away, Zhang Jinyu first helped Qin Ye get on the carriage, then got in together, and said to Ning Bian outside,
"Go to Xicheng Youlai Restaurant, hurry up."

"Yes, Lord Hou."

Ningbian received the order, led the soldiers and rushed to the west city, "Drive,"

"Drive, follow."

The carriage had just gone not far,
At the palace gate behind you,

Shen Zhongxin, the Minister of Household Affairs, hurried over, thinking he was looking for someone. When he saw that the Marquis was no longer at the palace gate, he anxiously asked the guard at the palace gate,
"Can you see where Marquis Luo Yun went?"

The imperial guard on duty at the palace gate saw Master Shen asking the question and ran over to answer,

"I met Mr. Shen. The Marquis and Mr. Qin got into the carriage together and headed to the west of the city."

"What? You immediately send someone to catch up with the Marquis and tell him that Shen Zhongxin, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, has gone to the imperial prison. Please go to the Marquis quickly. This is the token of the Hubu Pavilion. Please verify the order."

Shen Zhongxin had no choice but to take out the token from the Ministry of Revenue and let the imperial army chase the Marquis. Unexpectedly, after a short delay, the Marquis left. Why was he just going to the West City? Shouldn't he go back to the Hou's Mansion in the east.

He didn't ask any more questions. Seeing that the Forbidden Army had checked the token, they had already sent people to chase him. After looking at the sky, he still took the time to go to the prison and interrogate Cui Dehai quickly, hoping to get the result today, so he turned around and returned. After entering the palace, he returned to the headquarters to prepare his manpower and asked Liu Chen to lead a guard.

As for Zhang Jinyu,
Sitting in the carriage, chatting with Qin Ye all the way,
"Father-in-law, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you doing lately?"

Qin Ye's face was full of smiles. Now all the expenses of the house are paid for by the Hou Mansion, and there is no shortage of money. The youngest son Qin Zhong, whom he is most worried about, has now joined a private school and is learning and literacy, which is quite effective. Needless to say, my daughter is rich and secure. I have nothing to do. I also visit relatives and friends, play chess and read, so I feel very comfortable.

Seeing that Marquis Luo Yun was still so filial, he felt relieved and said with a smile,

"It must be good. I took medicine during this period, stopped drinking, and never got sick again. It was just an accident before, so you don't have to worry, good son-in-law."

Seeing that his father-in-law was still so stubborn, Zhang Jinyu didn't know what the disease was, but he also knew that the disease enters through the mouth, especially as he got older, so he reminded him,
"Father-in-law, you should be more careful. As the saying goes, disease comes from the mouth, so it is better to be cautious. I am here today to accompany my father-in-law for a change of taste and a good meal."

"I know and will pay attention."

Qin Ye also agreed.

The two were chatting,

Not long after, they arrived at Xicheng Youlai Restaurant, but there were not many people there today. Zhang Jinyu got out of the car and was still a little confused. She didn't know whether it was because it wasn't dinner time yet, or something happened.

He glanced at it without paying attention, turned around, lifted the curtain, and helped Qin Ye out of the carriage.

As soon as Qin Ye landed, he looked over. This restaurant was much bigger than the one in the south, and it was close to Yunshan Mountain and Qiu Lake. The scenery was amazing. Located here, the taste was unique, and he was bound to make a fortune every day.

"A good son-in-law has a good eye. This is a rare treasure land with mountains, rivers, and market opportunities. A business with huge profits."

Hearing Qin Ye's praise, Zhang Jinyu twitched the corners of his mouth. He suddenly felt that sometimes women are really good at doing business. It would be a pity that Yang Hanyu should not be a shopkeeper. He also thought of Wang Xifeng of Rongguo Mansion, who was also a good shopkeeper. He shook his head, why I thought of that woman again.

"What my father-in-law said is that there are good mountains, good water, and good restaurants. It is windy outside, so it will be warmer inside."

Although the place is nice, it is close to the lake and when the wind blows, it is a bit colder than other places. Qin Ye nodded and the group entered the restaurant.

The waiter in the shop could see clearly in front of the door that the same man from last time was here. Not only was he generous with his actions, but he was also happy to give money. He hurriedly came over and shouted,

"Greetings to you gentlemen, do you want to work as a nurse or stay in a hotel?"

Zhang Jinyu was following Qin Ye, and when she heard a familiar voice, she looked up and saw that it was still the same person as last time. Without any nonsense, she pointed to the third floor and said,

"On the third floor, a private room near the lake."

"Okay, gentlemen, let's go. There is a private room on the third floor."

The waiter sang and led the way to the third floor, where he found a nice room.

"Masters, what do you think of this?"

Zhang Jinyu didn't pay much attention. After a quick look, he saw that the decoration in the house was quite ancient, with screens and incense burners all available. He nodded and said,
"Okay, this is it. Your restaurant will serve all its signature dishes."

"Yes, sir, please wait a moment."

The waiter's face was full of joy. He met a big customer. He hurriedly agreed and went downstairs to inform the shopkeeper.

The rest of the people entered the house naturally, and Ning Bian and others stood guard at the door.

Zhang Jinyu and Qin Ye entered the inner room one after another, sat down safely, opened the window and looked out. The scenery of Qiu Lake was very beautiful, and the Yunshan Mountain not far away was also lush and lush.

The two flat areas at the foot of the mountain are also two buildings with different styles. They are probably the famous Yunshan Academy and Qiushui Academy in the capital.

It is indeed a famous academy.

After a while,
The waiter led people into the house and brought out dishes after dishes, as well as the must-have roast lamb, and set a full table.

"Two distinguished guests, everything is here. Please use it."

Then he was about to take the people down. Zhang Jinyu looked at the waiter, spoke a little more, and asked,

"Wait,"

"What's the matter, son?"

The waiter immediately stopped and asked doubtfully.

"Let me ask you something. I came here for dinner that day. This place was crowded with people coming and going. Why is there no one here today? But what happened? There are still people in trouble."

Zhang Jinyu didn't want to ask at first, but after all, it was the property of the Hou Mansion. It would be really embarrassing if that blind guy really stole his hand, so he couldn't help but ask.

Unexpectedly, the waiter's eyes widened, looking at him in disbelief, and whispered back,
"Sir, don't you know what happened outside?"

(End of this chapter)