The world of film and television started from optical film

Chapter 353 The unexpected guest

"My lord, someone from outside the village is asking to see you!" Old Yu said respectfully holding a greeting card.

Wang Zhong took the greeting card, opened it, and couldn't help shrinking his pupils. He looked at Old Yu and asked, "Where is the man?"

"People are in the front hall!" Old Yu said.

Wang Zhong went straight to the front hall.

"The honored guest is coming, so don't blame Wang for being disappointed in welcoming him!" Looking at the middle-aged man in brocade clothes sitting on the guest seat, Wang Zhong said loudly while cupping his hands in salute.

"Youyang Shengwei, I have met Mr. Wang!"

"It's Mr. Sheng who came to the house presumptuously. What does it have to do with your son!" Sheng Wei is a middle-aged man with good looks, with a beard on his chin and a rich face.

"I heard that Master Sheng of Yangzhou Tongjuan is from Youyang, sir and Shengtongjuan..."

Sheng Wei smiled slightly, without any intention of hiding it, and said modestly: "I'm not talented, I have to call a cousin from Sheng Tong!"

"So that's how it is!" Wang Zhong nodded slightly, cupped his hands and asked, "I don't know why you came all the way, sir?"

Sheng Wei said modestly: "Sheng is just a mere merchant, how can he deserve the title of Mr. Young Master?"

Wang Zhong is very straightforward! "Sir, why bother to stick to these details, just say what you want!"

Sheng Wei was quite surprised. He only felt that Wang Zhong was a little different from the scholars he knew, including his cousin Sheng Hong. Yangzhou and Yangzhou both have some industries, and they also do some silk and medicinal materials business. This time when the boat sailed north, seeing the gang members of the Cao Gang who were pressing the boat together, the pork they ate was delicious, so they couldn't help but went forward to talk, and learned that it was Yangzhou. Produced by Xiaozhuzhuang, Gu took the liberty to come here, and I hope you will not blame me!"

"Sir, do you want to do the pig business?" Wang Zhong asked frankly.

Sheng Wei didn't hide it either: "Who doesn't want to do money-making business!"

"Sir, be honest!" Wang Zhong cupped his hands and saluted, "Wang will not lie to you, sir, the scale of pig breeding in the village is still small, and there are only a thousand pigs left in the pen, which is the first two hundred, and there are still a few months before the slaughter. It's time, sir, I'm afraid it's too early!"

"More than a thousand live pigs?" Sheng Wei's eyes lit up, and he asked immediately, "I heard that Wangjiang Tower is also the property of the Wang family?"

Wang Zhong smiled and said: "Although Wangjiang Tower is run by my sister-in-law, the house is owned by the Tongpan Mansion!"

"Oh?" This was somewhat beyond Sheng Wei's expectations.

However, Wang Zhong explained: "[-]% of the monthly profits of Wangjiang Tower will be sent to the Tongpan Mansion, otherwise, depending on my Wang family, I'm afraid they won't be able to keep Wangjiang Tower!"

It has been half a year since Wangjianglou opened, and it has become the most famous restaurant in Yangzhou and even the surrounding counties. For diners who inquire, the waiters of Wangjianglou will explain the recipes and ingredients of the dishes to the diners one by one, without hiding any secrets.

Such a move has provoked the surrounding restaurants and restaurants to follow suit and delve into the method of cooking. It is expected that such a move by Wangjianglou will spread the reputation of Wangjianglou to most of the south of the Yangtze River and attract more diners Those literati, poets, merchants and rangers who come and go from south to north, whoever passes by Yangzhou, will go to Wangjianglou to sit down, or order a table of delicacies, or buy some marinated cooked meat, and wait until Eat on the road.

The surrounding restaurants that are scrambling to imitate may not be imitating others, but their business is far behind that of Wangjiang Tower.

It was precisely because of the popularity of Wangjiang Tower that Wang Zhong asked his sister-in-law Li Shi to come forward and take the initiative to establish a relationship with the greedy Lin Xiaoniang, sending [-]% of the monthly net profit to the Sheng family.

Looking at Wang Zhong, who was only sixteen or seventeen years old and had not faded his yellow hair, Sheng Wei was even more surprised, but his face remained calm, instead he showed a smile, and said, "I never thought that our two families have such a relationship! "

"Since that's the case, there's no need to talk about the scene. The live pigs in Gongzi Zhuang are of excellent quality. I wonder if you would like to cooperate with Sheng and sell them to Jinling after the live pigs are mature and ready for slaughter?"

Wang Zhong also showed a smile on his face: "There is nothing wrong with it, it's just that there are more than just pigs in my village!"

"Oh?" Sheng Wei was a little surprised: "Could it be that the young master is talking about the oil workshop in Guizhuang?"

Wang Zhongdao: "The oil workshop is just one of them. Although the oil produced by my oil workshop and other oil workshops is slightly different, the difference is not too big. What I want to do with my husband is not just a small business like selling oil."

If other people said this, Sheng Wei might not believe it, but before he came, Sheng Wei had already had someone investigate the three generations of Wang Chong's ancestors, and he knew that a few years ago, the Wang family suffered great changes. Wang Zhong, a 13-year-old The young man, with only his own strength, spent a few years to earn such a family business. It may not be a big deal, but compared to the poor and poor before, at such a speed, even Sheng Wei couldn't help it. admiration.

Sheng Wei has worked hard outside for many years, and has managed Youyang Sheng's family to the scale it is today. He is well aware of the difficulties of starting a business. The key is that Wang Chong has never given up his studies while establishing a career. Fame, truly among the ranks of scholars.

Sheng Wei didn't expect that it was just a temporary idea to ask someone to inquire about something, and he actually inquired about such a young genius.

It was precisely because of the previous meticulous investigation that Sheng Wei took a look at Wang Chonggao and came here in person.

"I don't know what kind of business the young master is talking about?" Sheng Wei became interested when he heard what Wang Zhong said.

Wang Zhong smiled and cupped his hands and said, "Sir, wait a moment!" Then he handed over to Old Yu, and whispered a few words in Old Yu's ear, and Old Yu immediately trotted out of the front hall, and after a while, hugged a The clay pot came in and put it on the high table beside Sheng Wei.

"This is?" Sheng Wei pointed at the pot and asked in confusion.

"Sir, why not try it!" Wang Zhong said with a smile.

"Master, why don't you let the little one taste it first?" A middle-aged attendant behind Sheng Wei suddenly stood up and asked Sheng Wei to salute.

At this time, it is indeed the time to show loyalty.

But Sheng Wei raised his hand to stop him, glanced at Wang Zhong, turned his head and scolded the attendant, "Young Master Wang is an upright gentleman, and we don't have to use the heart of a villain to save the belly of a gentleman, if we don't go down!"

"Is it a villain or not!" The attendant said and apologized to Wang Zhong: "Prince Wang is modest and gentleman, it is a villain who made a slip of the tongue!"

Wang Zhong glanced at the entourage, then shifted his gaze to Sheng Wei, smiled and waved his hands and said, "It's all right! It's enviable that Mister has such a loyal servant."

Sheng Hong laughed, lifted the lid of the earthen jar, and leaned over to take a look, and saw something as white as frost, shaped like snowflakes lying in the jar, I don't know what it was.

Picking up the spoon in the jar, scooped up half a spoonful, and poured it into the palm of his hand. Sheng Wei was also determined. He glanced at Wang Zhong, raised his hand, and put it in his mouth.

Wang Zhong knew that Sheng Wei was expressing his trust in him.

It's just that as soon as the white powder was ingested, the pure sweetness burst in the mouth in an instant.

Sheng Wei's expression changed instantly, he was dumbfounded, his pupils shrunk, and his eyes were full of shock.

It took a while to come back to his senses, picked up the clay pot, scooped out half a spoonful of sugar again, and watched carefully before his eyes, the expression of shock was beyond words.

"What do you think of this thing, sir?"

"Okay!" Sheng Wei replied without thinking, "This thing is excellent, as white as snow, sweeter than candied fruit, sweet to the heart, such a fetish, hard to find."

Wang Zhong smiled and said: "This thing is called icing sugar, also known as white sugar, and it is refined from syrup. It will not melt easily when exposed to high temperatures, but it is soluble in water, so it must be stored carefully, not to be exposed to moisture. "

"To be honest, sir, although Chong has a reputation as a scholar, but his family is weak, powerless, and made this icing by chance, but he dare not announce it to others, he can only use it for himself!"

"Then why did you take this thing out today?" Sheng Wei looked at Wang Zhong and asked, as if he wanted to see the answer from Wang Zhong's eyes.

Wang Chongdao: "Duke Tongpan Sheng loves the people like a son. He is known as a virtuous man. Although he has never met him in person, he has admired him for a long time. Mr. Tongpan's brother is enough to show his character. For the sake of a few pigs, but I would like to condescend to the humble house, which shows my sincerity, sir, treat me with peaches, and respect nature, and reward me with plums."

Sheng Wei now had a serious face. After the shock, he paid more and more attention to Wang Zhong. As a businessman, Sheng Wei knew the value of white sugar. Most of the sugar in the market today is syrup. Although there is icing sugar, the price is expensive. It is also much inferior to those that Wang Zhong took out.

Such precious things as icing sugar can only be enjoyed by those from aristocratic and noble families. The more such people are, the more particular they are. Apart from the taste, appearance is also an extremely important item.

"I don't know how many there are in Tangshuangzhuang?" Sheng Wei asked.

Wang Zhongdao: "There are only a dozen or so cans. When cooking many dishes in Wangjianglou, you need to use this to enhance the umami taste!"

Then he ordered to the old Yutou next to him: "Old Yutou, go find your sister-in-law, let her open the warehouse, bring out two cans of white sugar, and give it to Mr.!"

"No!" Old Yu bowed to accept the order, and hurriedly backed out.

"Impossible, this thing is so precious, how can..."

"Hey!" Before Sheng Wei finished speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Zhong: "Mister is willing to condescend to come to the humble house, how can Zhong turn a blind eye to these two cans of icing, one can is given to Mr. Can, sir, please donate it to Tong San on your behalf, without Tong San’s permission, my sister-in-law would not be able to manage Wangjiang Tower so prosperously.”

Seeing Wang Zhong's resolute attitude, Sheng Wei no longer refused, "So, Sheng will accept it with shame!"

"That's right!" Wang Zhong laughed and said, "In the future, the icing business will need to be taken care of by Mister."

Sheng Wei also smiled and said, "I heard that Mr. Lang is in the year of Dancing Elephant?"

Wang Zhongdao: "Seventeen years old, my birthday just passed in February of the first year of the year."

"It's about the same age as my parent Song. If you don't give up, how about you and I being called uncles and nephews?" Sheng Wei saw that Wang Zhong was full of sincerity, especially Wang Zhong's age was about the same as his own son, so naturally his affection grew more and more. .

Wang Zhong immediately got up and saluted Sheng Wei: "My nephew has seen my uncle!"

"Hahaha! My nephew is free!" Sheng Wei stood up with a smile and helped Wang Zhong, took off a jade pendant from his waist, and handed it to Wang Chong: "I am very close to my nephew. This thing has been with me for many years. Today Gift it to my virtuous nephew to comfort my uncle and nephew."

"Gifted by the elder, I dare not resign! Since it was a gift from my uncle, my nephew has the cheek to accept it!"

"As it should be!"

"My nephew has ordered some thin wine to be prepared. Uncle, let's move to the side hall. How about eating and chatting?"

"Very good!"

"Uncle! Please!"

"Nephew please first!"

The attendant who was going to taste the sugar for Sheng Wei just now almost didn't understand the twists and turns. Fortunately, this attendant has been with Sheng Wei for many years, knows Sheng Wei's temperament very well, and is quite intelligent, so he guessed Sheng Wei's thoughts somewhat.

Old Yutou's wife brought the dishes to the table, and Yu Chuer's daughter-in-law brought a pot of ten-year-old Huadiao wine.

Wang Zhong pulled Sheng Wei to change cups and chatted more and more. From the business to his own house, Sheng Wei had almost revealed the situation of the Sheng family before he knew it.

When it was over, Sheng Wei's body was shaking a little. Wang Zhongben wanted to invite Sheng Wei to stay in the village for a while, but Sheng Wei said that when he came to Yangzhou, there was no reason not to live with his cousin. There is an elder who is so kind to him and needs to see him.

Sheng Wei's words were all about this, so Wang Zhong naturally couldn't persuade him to keep him, so he personally sent Sheng Wei to the carriage, and even specially asked Wang Erxi to accompany him as an escort, and specifically told him that he must be sent to a certain place before he can come back.

On the carriage, Sheng Wei's originally closed eyes suddenly opened, and he was sitting upright, with no trace of drunkenness in his eyes.

"This guy is not vulgar!" Sheng Wei sighed with emotion in a low voice. Thinking of just now, he was caught by that kid without knowing it. Today, the eyes were pecked by wild geese."

The long follower next to him smiled and said: "Wang Xiaolang is so young, he is so experienced in dealing with people and things, he can be called a handsome man."

Sheng Wei narrowed his eyes, recalling all that happened today, and suddenly made a decision in his heart.

It was rare for Sheng Wei to come back to Yangzhou, and Sheng Hong naturally had to receive him in person. The two brothers had studied together when they were young, and Sheng Wei had no talent in reading, so it was difficult for him to succeed, so he went to business.

Over the years, Sheng Hong has been going smoothly in the officialdom. Apart from relying on the contacts left by his father and the relationship with the Wang family, he is also inseparable from the money provided by Sheng Wei.

It was night, after coming out of Shou'an Hall, Sheng Hong invited Sheng Wei to the study in the front hall, drank some wine, and talked about the past.

Sheng Wei travels around all the year round, and there is an old mother, wife and children at home. He has a large family. He doesn't come to Yangzhou much on weekdays, and the two brothers don't see each other a few times throughout the year.

While chatting, Sheng Wei and Sheng Hong talked about Wang Zhong and what happened in Xiaozhu Village today.

Sheng Hong heard this, although he was a little surprised, but he expressed his understanding: "This son can get such praise from the big brother, but he has some skills. If the big brother has time, I will bring him to the mansion another day. The foolish brother will take the school exam." How is the exam?"

The Sheng family said that it was the family of officials and officials for many generations, and that it was a scholarly family. In fact, it was just a statement to make yourself look good. The Sheng family was originally engaged in business. , It was passed down to Sheng Hong for only two generations. The Sheng family can have what it is today, and Sheng Hong can thrive in the officialdom.

This old lady is the daughter-in-law of the Yongyihou Mansion. Although the Yongyihou Mansion is in decline, it was also the top among all the nobles in the past. Old Madam Sheng was raised in the palace for a period of time in the past.

It's just that the times have changed, and the Sheng family really doesn't have enough foundation to stand up. Therefore, over the years, the two brothers Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei have often promoted those scholars who came from humble backgrounds but are quite talented.

The next day, the elder accompanying Sheng Wei came to Xiaozhu Village and asked Wang Zhong to meet Sheng's family.

"My master originally planned to come to invite the gentleman himself, but the master and the old lady have not seen each other for a long time, and now he is serving the old lady, and it is difficult to leave, so he ordered the villain to invite the gentleman."

"It doesn't matter!" Wang Zhong didn't mind, and he didn't bring any entourage with him. He picked a few special products from the village from the storeroom, and then got into the carriage brought by his entourage.

The wheels were rolling, and within half an hour, they arrived at Sheng's house.

The long follower led Wang Zhong in through the corner door and went straight to the front hall. After a while, Sheng Wei came over and led Wang Zhong into the outer study, chatting while having tea.

But the tea that is popular today is quite similar to the Zhao and Song Dynasty that Wang Zhong is familiar with. They also pay attention to mixing ointment and whisking, and there are many styles, but it is somewhat similar to the Leicha in some places in later generations.

Don't have a flavor.

Not long after, there was a sound of footsteps outside. Wang Chong had sharp ears and eyes, and he heard it early on. A moment later, a handsome middle-aged man in brocade clothes, leading a follower, strode into the outer study.

"Junior Wang Zhong, I pay my respects to the judge!" Wang Zhong stood up and bowed to greet him.

"There's no need to be too polite, let's sit down!" After Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei saw the ceremony, Shi Ran sat on top.

"Yesterday, as soon as my elder brother came back, he pulled me and said that I met a young talent in Xiaozhuzhuang. At first, I didn't quite believe it. When I saw him today, I knew that what my elder brother said was true!"

Sheng Hong is the most slippery person, he is used to being in the officialdom, he can talk to anyone, and he rarely puts on airs outside unless necessary.

"The junior has studied hard for more than ten years, and he is only a mere scholar. How can he be called a talented person? Perhaps it is because the junior and his uncle hit it off and talked very happily. The uncle was happy to see him, so he supported the junior!"

Sheng Hong looked Wang Zhong up and down with a pair of eyes, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised, with a bit of scrutiny in his eyes: "Humble and polite, it's really good!"

"Just don't know how to learn?"

"Please judge the school!" Wang Zhong bowed again and bowed his hands in salute.

"The way of a university lies in being virtuous, being close to the people, and ending in perfection. What's the solution?" Sheng Hong asked.

Wang Zhong replied: "Cultivate the body first, then regulate the family, and then govern the country, and the world will be pacified!"

Sheng Hong's eyes lit up. It's not that Wang Zhong's answer was amazing, but it was a little novel. It's rare to interpret a university in terms of a university.

First the university entrance examination, then the Analects of Confucius, the Doctrine of the Mean, and then the Five Classics. Sheng Hong seemed to be in high spirits. However, Wang Zhong's answers were often concise and to the point, which surprised Sheng Hong.

Even if you give pointers, the imperial examination articles naturally cannot be like Wang Zhong's. Although they can't just pursue gorgeous rhetoric and beautiful articles, but often outstanding ones are both beautiful and pragmatic.

Wang Zhong's posture was extremely low, he listened to Sheng Hong's advice and thought about it, and would ask questions from time to time, and the two of them just asked and answered, and the time passed unknowingly.

Wang Zhong's knowledge is so profound. During the hundreds of years in the dungeon world, Wang Zhong spent most of his spare time on reading. In the hundreds of years, many great works from ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad, are all in Wang Zhong's mind, and they are different from Those who don't ask for a deep understanding are just glanced over in a hurry. Wang Zhong reads and can figure out its meaning.

Hundreds of years of accumulation, not only the Four Books and Five Classics, astronomy and geography, farming and mulberry arithmetic, no matter what Sheng Hong said, Wang Zhong could answer fluently, so Sheng Hong was not satisfied.

And the conversation between the two gradually changed from a school examination to a discussion, especially many of Wang Zhong's views, Sheng Hong felt refreshed after listening to them, and after careful consideration, they seemed to be really feasible.

The more the two chatted, the more excited they became. Before they knew it, it was time for dinner. If Sheng Wei hadn't reminded them, they might have forgotten the time.Even if Sheng Hongdang ordered someone to hand over his two sons, they had dinner with Sheng Wei and Wang Zhong.

Sheng Hong was obviously very happy, he toasted frequently, exchanged cups with Wang Zhong and Sheng Wei, and asked his two sons, Chang Bai and Chang Feng, to ask Wang Zhong for advice.

After dinner, it was already dark. Fortunately, Sheng Wei sent someone to Xiaozhu Village to report that Wang Zhong stayed at Sheng's house today and would return tomorrow. Sheng Wei's move was exactly what Sheng Hong wanted. Talking is just a willow shoot on the moon, and it is about to be settled, so it is worth giving up.

And Wang Zhong, in Sheng Hong's eyes, has also changed from a talented junior to a well-educated and promising talent.

Early the next morning, Wang Zhong bid farewell to Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei, got into the carriage arranged by Sheng Hong, and returned to Xiaozhu Village.

Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei personally sent Wang Zhong out of the house, this is the treatment of talented people.

Wang Zhong was worrying about how to get in touch with Sheng Hong, Sheng Wei came to his door unexpectedly, how could Wang Zhong not seize such an opportunity.

It was precisely because of Sheng Hong's intentions that Wang Zhong and Sheng Wei would be so heart-to-heart that day.

Now it seems that the result is not bad.

"Brother Hong, what do you think of this son?" Sheng Wei looked at Sheng Hong and asked with a smile on his face.

"This guy is a great talent, and he has such talent at such a young age. It's really unbelievable." Sheng Hong looked at the direction the carriage was leaving, feeling quite emotional.

"In ancient times, there were twelve prime ministers. The champion, Hou Nian, was the weakest champion, so he swept across Mobei and sealed off the wolves. Throughout the ages, there have been countless talented people like this, but..."

But when the voice changed, Sheng Hong suddenly frowned.

Sheng Wei had also read the book, so he naturally knew what Sheng Hong meant, but he still said, "The world is unpredictable, and who can say what will happen in the future."

"Yes!" Sheng Hong also said with great emotion: "Who can say for sure about the future!"

"Speaking of which, it's thanks to big brother. If it weren't for big brother's insight, I'm afraid I would have missed such a handsome man!"

Sheng Hong has been in Yangzhou for four years, and only next year will be the time for the triennial assessment by the Ministry of Officials.

Sheng Wei said: "I was just on a whim, and unexpectedly I actually met a piece of rough jade!"

The so-called uncut jade, as long as it is slightly carved, it can shine.

On the same day, Sheng Wei proposed to Sheng Hong, but Sheng Hong couldn't keep him, so that's all. Sheng Wei bid farewell to the old lady Sheng, said goodbye to Sheng Hong, left Sheng's house, took a boat from the pier, and ran all the way south Go to Jinling.

(End of this chapter)