big song poppi

Chapter 223 0220 [Bull Sale]

Liu Qi murmured for a long time, and finally said: "County magistrate, just give me a beating."

Han Zhen sneered: "When the injury heals, go and receive two days of confinement yourself!"

This guy is a natural-born general, but his temperament is too out-of-the-box and needs to be tempered.

"Don't, don't!"

Upon hearing the word "confinement", Liu Qi reacted with fear and begged: "Please, county magistrate, you'd better give me a good beating. If that doesn't work, you can just hit me with a military stick!"

Only those who have been in solitary confinement can understand how terrifying that dark and cramped hut is.

It seemed like two days, but being locked in it felt like two years.

Han Zhen said in a tone that left no room for doubt: "Since when have you been allowed to bargain? Two days of confinement, not even a quarter of an hour less."

Liu Qi sighed, wilting like an eggplant beaten by frost.

Seeing this, Han Zhen snorted, took out a letter from his arms and handed it over: "There is a letter from your uncle."

"what?"

Liu Qi stretched out his hand listlessly, took the letter and opened it.

As he looked at it, his whole body froze suddenly, and his eyes showed sadness.

"What happened?"

Han Zhen was concerned.

Liu Qi said with a choked voice: "My father's condition has suddenly worsened. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to survive this winter."

Hearing this, Han Zhen was silent for a while.

After a moment of silence, he ordered: "When you recover from your injury, you can go back and visit your father."

The ancients regarded filial piety as the most important thing. Even if the parents of important officials in the court died, they would return home and observe filial piety for three years.

Without thinking, Liu Qi shook his head: "Thank you county magistrate for your kindness, but with my father's character, he will never let me go back."

Han Zhen frowned and said, "Is your father's situation so difficult?"

Liu Qi nodded and said with a wry smile: "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been sent all the way to my uncle to abandon martial arts and become civilized. Once my father dies, that thief Tong Guan will definitely add insult to injury. Even if he doesn't do it, those bastards under his sect will also I know how to do it to show my merit."

Although Xie Ding was only the seventh-rank magistrate of the county, with the reputation of the Fuyang Xie family among scholars, he had no problem keeping Liu Qi.

Han Zhen comforted him: "Don't worry, as long as we defeat the Western Army, everything will be fine."

"Wow!"

Liu Qi heard the implication of his words and couldn't help but his eyes lit up.

Han Zhen warned: "Okay, you should take good care of your injuries and practice harder after your injuries are healed."

“The county magistrate is at ease, I’m from the province!”

Liu Qi nodded solemnly, then changed his tone and said pitifully: "County Magistrate, can I be exempted from the two days of confinement?"

"Of course... not possible!"

Han Zhen smiled at first, then glared at him fiercely.

……

a few days later.

The noble man who delivered the message has arrived.

Since Jinan Prefecture was occupied by Black Mountain bandits, the eunuchs who delivered the order had to take a detour from Dongping Prefecture to attack Qing Prefecture, and then entered Qingzhou via Laiwu County.

As soon as they entered the county town, they were taken to Zhuo Tower by Liu Mi and Zhao Ting, who had been well prepared, and entertained them with good wine and food all day long.

After living comfortably in Zhuolou for three days without leaving home, Zhao Ting offered another reward of [-] yuan and arranged for the eunuch to be escorted back to the Qing Mansion in a polite manner.

Not to mention, this move greatly benefited the eunuch who delivered the order.

After returning to Tokyo City, the eunuch reciprocated the favor and said a lot of good things about Zhao Ting in front of Song Huizong when he was resigning.

Under the rule of law and order, people live in peace and contentment... Zhao Ting is praised as a wise minister who governs the world.

……

On September 21, Gao Tuoshan, who had accepted the recruitment, suddenly led troops to attack the left army of the Western Army.

No one expected this sudden scene. The army on the left led by Xin Xingzong was not prepared at all, and the army was in chaos. Although Han Shizhong responded quickly, led his troops to rush to the rescue, and captured tens of thousands of rebels, the bandit leader Gao Tuoshan took advantage of the chaos to break out. He led more than [-] soldiers and horses to once again escape into the vast Taihang Mountains.

Liang Fangping was furious and ordered Han Shizhong, Yang Weizhong, and Wang Yuan to encircle and suppress them on three sides.

Gao Tuoshan fought three battles with the Western Army, and was defeated in all three battles, with tens of thousands of people lost in each battle.

Gao Tuoshan, who was well aware of the astonishing combat power of the Western Army, did not dare to confront the Western Army head-on, so he changed his strategy and kept going in circles in the Taihang Mountains.

After half a month of going around like this, the Western Army once again besieged Gaotuoshan.

Gao Tuoshan repeated his old trick and sent his men to the Western Army camp, once again pretending to accept the recruitment.

Taking advantage of the relaxation of the officers and soldiers, they broke out again in the middle of the night and escaped into the mountains.

In the following days, Gaotuoshan pretended to surrender many times.

Sometimes they were fighting fiercely with the Western Army one moment, and then their men surrendered the next moment.

Liang Fangping was also helpless. Gao Tuoshan was like a slippery loach, running all over the mountains and plains.

The key point is that the Taihang Mountains stretch for countless miles, with high mountains and dense forests.

Even though the Western Army was overwhelmed with combat power, it was unable to use its power. Every time it was like being hit on cotton, it could not be used.

Just as the Xijun and Gao Tuoshan were playing hide-and-seek in the Taihang Mountains, Yidu County ushered in the first frost in winter.

On October 26 of the lunar calendar, as winter approaches, the temperature drops sharply.

Due to the unusually high temperatures and severe drought this summer, people in the North had an illusion, as if there was no autumn and they suddenly transitioned from summer to winter.

The soldiers guarding the city gate breathed in the mist, rubbed their hands, slowly turned the winch, and raised the thousand-jin gate.

As the city gate opened, the vegetable farmers and vendors who had been waiting for a long time spontaneously lined up in long lines. After being inspected by the soldiers, they rushed into the city.

Breakfast stalls have been set up one after another in the streets and alleys.

The rich smell of fireworks floated in every corner of the county.

"vomit!"

The heartbreaking sound of vomiting resounded in the hall.

Han Zhen patted Han Zhang's back gently, feeling distressed and helpless.

Han Zhang, who was more than two months pregnant, finally suffered from morning sickness.

From the initial vomiting twice a day, to now I feel like vomiting whenever I smell food, and the morning sickness has become more and more serious.

After a while, Mrs. Han Zhang straightened up, weakly picked up the handkerchief and wiped her mouth. Her handsome face was red from violent vomiting.

Han Zhen suggested: "How about I ask Xiaochong to send some Zhuolou's food over."

"Erlang doesn't have to be like this."

Mrs. Han Zhang waved her hand and forced a smile: "The slave family is not that delicate. Sister An said that she also vomited violently when she was pregnant with Xiaodouzi. Just get used to it."

Han Zhen had nothing to do about this. Morning sickness would never be solved in future generations, so he could only endure it.

Mrs. Han Zhang suppressed her nausea, drank a big mouthful of white porridge, covered her mouth and said, "Erlang, go and do your work, don't worry about the slave family."

"Husband!"

A crisp voice sounded.

Turning around, he saw Ma Shuyao walking towards her with brisk steps.

Mrs. Han Zhang forced out a smile: "Yuyou is here!"

Ma Shuyao asked with concern: "Is Sister Runniang feeling better today?"

Ever since she learned that she was pregnant, Ms. Han Zhang suddenly seemed to be a different person, much more open-minded, and didn't care about the strange looks of others.

"It's still the same as yesterday." Han Zhang shook her head.

Ma Shuyao chirped and said: "Husband, I asked my mother after I went back yesterday and learned a folk remedy to stop vomiting."

Home remedy?

Hearing these two words, Han Zhen couldn't help but frown slightly.Seeing this, the little girl hurriedly explained: "It's not what my husband thought. This remedy was passed down to her by a gynecological master when Aunt Li was in the capital. It is said that the gynecological master was very good and was often recruited. Enter the palace and treat the concubine Di Ji."

"When my mother was pregnant with Nu's family, she also suffered from morning sickness. After taking the folk prescription given by Aunt Li, her condition was relieved a lot."

In this era, there are only a handful of doctors who can be called holy hands.

I think it should be reliable.

Thinking of this, Han Zhen asked: "What recipe is it?"

If the prescription is too outrageous, he will still reject it just to be on the safe side.

Ma Shuyao replied: "Half a penny for bamboo ruts and a penny for Sichuan clams. Put cold water in the pot, boil two bowls of water until it is half a bowl of water, and finally add three spoons of honey."

Zhuru is the bamboo strands scraped off after the outer skin of the bamboo is peeled off.

Not to mention Sichuan clams and honey.

Seeing that the ingredients for the folk remedy were simple and there were no problems, Han Zhen nodded and said, "You can give it a try."

After that, he ordered the maid to go to the medical center to get some medicine.

Ma Shuyao asked curiously: "Is Sister An going out?"

"Ok!"

Han Zhen nodded.

An Niang had a restless temper. Even though Han Zhen was not short of money, she still couldn't help but want to find something to do.

So Han Zhen opened a shop for her in Dongshi, selling coal stoves and coal cakes.

This thing has no technical content, but it is a good thing that benefits the people.

With this thing, it will be countless times more convenient for people to use water for heating in winter.

Roll the coal stove with a piece of iron sheet and you're done.

Coal cakes are even simpler. Powdered coal is mixed with some yellow mud and sawdust, then pressed into cakes with a mold and dried in the sun.

The most important thing is that it is cheap. A coal stove costs [-] cents, and a large box of briquettes costs [-] cents, which is enough to last for many days.

Of course, the shortcomings are also obvious. Because it has no technical content, it is easy to be copied.

Only ten days after the store opened, two stores appeared in Dongxishizi.

Han Zhen didn't bother to care about this. He didn't expect to make money from this thing, he just wanted to find something for An Niang to do.

Mrs. Han Zhang said softly: "Erlang, go and do your work. Youyou is with me."

"Yes, husband, the slave family will accompany Sister Runniang." Ma Shuyao agreed.

Han Zhen really had something to do today, so he nodded, mounted his horse and went out.

First, he went to the government office to handle some government affairs, and then he rushed to Zhuo Tower without stopping.

The door of Zhuo Tower is closed, and there is a sign on the door that says "closed and thanking guests".

Xiao Chong had been waiting outside early. When he saw Han Zhen coming on horseback, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Second Brother Han!"

Han Zhen got off his horse and asked, "Is everyone here?"

Xiaochong replied: "A total of 38 wealthy businessmen are here, and Zhu Yuanwai is accompanying them."

Han Zhen sighed softly, pushed the door open and walked into Zhuo Lou.

As soon as he entered the door, the lively conversation in the lobby suddenly stopped, and dozens of pairs of eyes looked at him.

No matter it was on the second or third floor, there was no private room that could accommodate so many people at the same time, so the auction was naturally arranged in the lobby on the first floor.

"Meet the county magistrate!"

After a short silence, everyone stood up and bowed to greet him.

Looking around at the crowd, Han Zhen chuckled and said, "I've kept you waiting for so long."

Zhang Yuanwai said sternly: "The county magistrate has many things to do and is very busy with official duties. Being able to take time out of his busy schedule to come here is already a great honor for me and others."

Check it out.

After all, he is a businessman and his words are nice to hear.

Han Zhen smiled and said nothing, walked to the wine table in front of everyone and sat down.

Facing everyone's gaze, he said: "First of all, thank you for your contribution to the commercial development of Shouguang and Changle counties. On behalf of the more than [-] people in the two counties, I would like to thank you."

"The county magistrate is over-reputed, he deserves it, he doesn't deserve it."

All the businessmen quickly handed over their hands, saying they did not dare.

"I don't like nonsense, and I believe you don't want to hear any nonsense from me."

Han Zhen paused and then said: "Everyone must be aware of Zhao Song's salt policy and deeply hate it."

Hearing this, all the businessmen nodded.

The salt policy after Cai Jing's restructuring really harmed countless salt merchants.

If you want to sell salt, you need to buy salt first.

If you want to buy Yanyin, you need to buy a quota first...

This is like playing matryoshka, using different tricks to get money from businessmen.

If you want to buy salt, you need to pay at least twice.

The most important thing is that salt introduction is time-sensitive.

It is divided into long lead and short lead. The long lead sells to the outer road and the short lead sells to the main road.

The long term is valid for one year, and the short term is valid for one season.

In other words, a salt merchant spent a lot of money to buy Changyin, but a year later, he still had to spend money to buy it.

It has to be said that after the restructuring, Yanyin did make a lot of money for Song Huizong in a short period of time. However, businessmen are not philanthropists and cannot do business at a loss. In fact, the money will eventually be shared equally with the bottom of the salt buying community. On the people.

The wool comes from the sheep!
As a result, in just two or three years after the introduction of the salt introduction method, the price of salt on the market more than doubled.

"The dealer qualifications for refined salt and coarse salt sold this time have contracts of up to five years."

After Han Zhen finished speaking, his voice changed: "But we have agreed in advance that regional dealers are not allowed to sell across the border without permission. Otherwise, once discovered, the dealer will be given a warning for the first time and the dealer qualification will be canceled directly for the second time. Do you have any objections?"

"As it should be!"

Fei Jicai was the first to express his position.

Zhang Yuanwai also agreed: "The county magistrate is wise, and we have no objections."

In fact, Han Zhen's move won their hearts.

In business, harmony makes money. Once malicious competition occurs, it will be bad for both parties.

At the same time, this can also protect the interests of some small businessmen with weaker financial resources.

"In this case, then this auction will officially begin."

Han Zhen said and winked at Zhu Ji.

Zhu Ji immediately stood up and pushed a screen with Xiao Chong.

I saw that on this screen, instead of depicting mountains or water, there was a map of the 24 Routes of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Among them, Gyeonggi Fourth Road, as well as the prosperous Liangzhe Road and Jiangnan East Road in the south, were specially drawn with red pen, so they appeared particularly conspicuous.

After all, in affluent areas, there are more wealthy people and higher consumption levels, so the price of selling will naturally be higher.

"The first thing to sell is the qualification to be a refined salt dealer in Gyeonggi Road."

Han Zhen pointed at the reddest spot on the map and chuckled: "The starting price is [-] guan, and each increase in price must not be less than [-] guan."

After the words fell, the hall fell into silence, and no one spoke first.

Han Zhen was not in a hurry, he picked up the hot tea and took a sip.

Gyeonggi Road is the most prosperous road in the entire Song Dynasty. Even if other counties are left aside, just a Kaifeng mansion is enough to make businessmen full of food.

Would any businessman let his money go without making a profit?

So Han Zhen didn't panic at all.

(End of this chapter)