Go back to the end of the Ming Dynasty to be a soldier

Chapter 100 Shanxi Merchants with Deep Wealth

"Call your shopkeeper, I must live here today!" Lin Yi suddenly turned his face, and said that he picked up the ten taels of silver again.

Xiaoer saw what's wrong with this young man?He has thin skin and tender flesh, and his facial features are also very handsome, but why did his face change so quickly? He was still polite and smiling just now, but why did he stare and play unreasonable in a blink of an eye?
Xiao Er wanted to say something, but when Er Hu stared at him and raised his fist, Xiao Ying, Zhang Hua and others even wanted to draw their knives.

Xiaoer dared not speak too much. It seems that today I met a scumbag. This young master should be very handsome, but no matter how big he is, he won’t be able to live here. You can live here if you want. Someone will take care of you when the time comes. , living here will make you regret it!
But he didn't dare to call the shots, so he hurried to find the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper is rich and powerful, and he came out with a big belly.He has been here for so many years, and he has never encountered such a strange thing.Is it true that you can't be the master of your own inn? Whoever wants to live in it can live in it. Does anyone have to live in the Bawang Inn?If someone dares to come here to make trouble, there will be good fruit for him to eat!

The shopkeeper came to Lin Yi aggressively with two assistants.

Just as he was about to say a few words, Lin Yi stretched out his hand and took out a small yellow and golden signboard, and flashed it in front of the shopkeeper. The word "Dongchang" was engraved on the small signboard in seal script.

The shopkeeper was stunned and couldn't say a word: I'm so scared, after a long time of trouble, this young master is actually from Dongchang!Aren't they merchants from Henan?Oh, to cover up people's eyes and ears, deliberately conceal their identity, what kind of case is this to investigate?It turned out that the factory guard handled the case...

"I'm going to stay here tonight, is there any problem?" Lin Yi's eyes were stern.

"Oh... ah... of course...my lord, please come inside..." The shopkeeper nodded and bowed respectfully, but sweat dripped down his face with a bitter melon look.

It seems that there will be big trouble today, of course he dare not offend the Jin merchants, let alone the factory guards.

Ji Dong was amused, you call it a toast and don't eat fine wine, it seems that this small sign is really useful for critical moments!

More than 100 people like Ji Dong not only moved in, but also lived in the best house.Drive more than a dozen cars into the yard, and hand over the animals to these boys and guys. It's time to wash them, not to mention grass feeding and drinks.

Arranging people to quickly prepare food and drink for more than 100 people like Lin Yi. Of course, they must prepare wine and good food. They know that Aunt Lin and the others live in the Bawang restaurant and eat Bawang meal, but the shopkeeper has to serve it like an ancestor. At this time, the shopkeeper and the shop waiter didn't even dare to say a word, and they were called around by Lin Yizhi like slaves, as smoothly as if they were oiled.

After thinking about it, the shopkeeper had to go see his master. His master was Sun Weixing, the magistrate of Yingzhou, but before he could leave, Lin Yi called him over again.

"My lord, what other orders do you have?" Behind the shopkeeper's bright smile was a bitter look.

"What does my son do, do you know?" Lin Yi's two alert eyes fixed on his orange-bark-like face.

"Oh, I know, I know..." The shopkeeper nodded again and again, thinking again, it's not appropriate to say so, and quickly shook his head and said, "The little one doesn't know, the little one doesn't know... The little one only knows that the young master is a guest from Henan, and the others The little ones don't know anything."

Ji Dong nodded, the shopkeeper is still an old Jianghu.

"My son came to ask you why this inn only accepts merchants from Shanxi, can you tell me the truth?"

"If you go back to the son, I dare not hide it. This is what happened to him..." The shopkeeper really didn't dare to hide it, so he told the truth.

This Longmen Inn was really not funded and opened by Shanxi merchants, but it was the exclusive inn of Shanxi merchants. To be precise, it was a special transfer station for the eight major Shanxi merchants.

Sun Zhizhou, who was secretly Yingzhou, guarded the inn. Sun Zhizhou's uncle was surnamed Han, named Han Ju, and now he was the censor of Shanxi Province. Speaking of Han Ju's father, it was Han Yu who was even more remarkable.

Han Yu is a veteran of the Donglin Party. He has successively served as Shaozhan Shi, Minister of Rites, Chief Assistant of Dongge University and Scholars Cabinet.Han Yu was on good terms with Wu Xiang, and Wu Xiang was the father of the future famous Pingxi King Wu Sangui.

It was still in the era of the carpenter emperor. Han Yu and Yuan Chonghuan, who ran Liaodong, jointly dealt with the eunuch Wei Zhongxian. Wu Xiang was a subordinate of Zu Dashou, and later became Zu Dashou's brother-in-law. Zu Dashou was also Yuan Chonghuan's subordinate.

Being squeezed out by Wei Zhongxian, both Han Yu and Yuan Chonghuan were unlucky.After Ming Sizong, that is, Emperor Chongzhen succeeded to the throne, the eunuch Wei Zhongxian was liquidated, and Yuan Chonghuan and others returned.Han Yu was also relied on by the court, but he said that he was ill and reclusive in the world, and he did not want to come back.The reason is that he is very wise. Although Wei Zhongxian has fallen, the eunuchs are still powerful. Cao Huachun, Wang Chengen, Gao Qiqian and other eunuchs are no worse than Wei Zhongxian.Although Chongzhen was diligent in governing, he was much better than the carpenter emperor with strange skills and prostitution, but Chongzhen also had serious problems.

Although Han Yu is out, but the influence of this person is still there, and it is still very big.Emperor Chongzhen also felt that his carpenter brother was ashamed of the old Han family, so he made an exception and promoted Han Yu's son Han Ju to be the censor of Shanxi Dao.One person attained Taoism and ascended to heaven, and Han Ju's nephew also became a magistrate of Yingzhou.

The eight major Shanxi merchants have hands and eyes, and collusion between officials and businessmen is indispensable. Among them, they went through the door of the old Han family, so that from Shanxi to Shanhaiguan, and even the whole of Beizhili, everyone can meet with the old Han family, and they can enter and exit the customs smoothly. , Started the overlord business.

Of course, there is a deeper background in this inn, and the shopkeeper dared not say more because he was scared to death. The word Longmen Inn is not called casually.Most of the well-informed merchants, except for the eight major Shanxi merchants, would not dare to live here if they were allowed to live here.

But even though the shopkeeper didn't dare to say anything, Lin Yi contacted Yi Zu Keyong and other Ning Guan Ning iron cavalry officers based on his experience and insights, and quickly figured out the ins and outs, the deeper background behind the Longmen Inn, It was the foreign Tatars who acted as protective umbrellas for them, and Huang Taiji personally instructed that the dragon character of the Dragon Inn has the meaning of Huang Taiji's dragon ticket in it.The shopkeeper and Xiao Er's people are pure puppets. Don't think they own this inn, but they don't belong to them at all. They will do whatever the superiors tell them to do, and they dare not do anything if they don't let them.

Now Wu Xiang is the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, and Zu Dashou is the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan. As long as the eight major Shanxi merchants come, they will all have green lights.If someone dares to disrupt their business, the government in Yingzhou will not agree, and the government in Shanhaiguan and Ningyuan will not be happy either.Tartars outside the customs will also help secretly, no wonder the eight Shanxi merchants are so awesome.

After Lin Yi figured this out, he groaned for a while. Damn it, it’s fortunate that I brought someone to find out. The government in Yingzhou, Zu Dashou in Shanhaiguan, Wu Xiang in Ningyuan, and the Tartars outside the pass are all theirs. Umbrella, if you act rashly, you won't be able to rob the Shanxi merchants, and you may have to suffer from them.

Tonight, let's get in touch with the Shanxi merchants first, play by ear, and know ourselves and the enemy first, and then we can win all battles.

After Lin Yi made up his mind, he said to the shopkeeper: "Shopkeeper, what do you plan to do when friends from Shanxi come? Can you live here?"

The shopkeeper grinned, worrying about this matter. Three of the eight major Shanxi merchants came here at the same time and could live there. The shop is very spacious and has several floors of yards. He is afraid that the Shanxi merchants will not agree. offend.

Lin Yi said: "Forget it, you are still a real person. It is not easy to do your job. I don't intend to make things difficult for you. We will only stay here for one night. When friends from Jindi come, you Just tell him the truth that we are from Henan and that we are relatives of Mr. Han, and everything will be fine."

Lin Yi said and gave him 50 taels of silver. The shopkeeper thought it was a good idea, so he might as well stop looking for Sun Zhizhou, what else could he do if he was found?If the true identity of the young master was revealed, the young master would be guilty of turning around if he turned his back on him. Sun Zhizhou would also have to nod and bow, respectfully, no matter how powerful Mr. Sun is, would he dare to offend the factory guard?
If I met Mr. Sun and concealed the identity of the young master, if this Sun Zhizhou asked the people from the yamen to kick this young master out, things would be serious in the future, and he would have to settle the score in the end.

Anyway, they only stayed for one day, and the inn could accommodate them. Let the two of them stay here for one night, and then go their separate ways, and there would be nothing wrong with their inn.

But the shopkeeper dared not ask for the 50 taels of silver.

Zhang Hua's face sank: "You can take it if you tell me, what are you talking about, can you get back the money that our son gave away?"

Lin Yi said again: "Don't worry, shopkeeper, the 50 taels is an extra tip for you. We people don't eat and live for free, so how much should we pay, and how much will we give you when we leave, and we guarantee that we won't miss a penny."

The shopkeeper kowtowed: "My lord, you are too far-fetched. This 50 taels of silver, the villain dares to hold. As for the others, the small ones are considered to be filial to the uncle. Being able to honor the uncle is a blessing from the boys." , why don’t you have money?”

After the shopkeeper left.Lin Yi and the others went back to the restaurant, and the good wine and dishes were quickly served. Lin Yi and the others happened to be hungry too, so they shook off their cheeks.

Then Ji Dong and the others lay down to rest. After more than an hour, that is, in the evening, people outside were screaming. Ji Dong and the others opened the window and looked outside. The streets were full, and Ji Dong knew that the person they were waiting for had arrived.

"Brother Lin, there are so many people?" Xiaoying whispered, and counted carefully. There are more than 50 carts with only things in them. Each cart is double-drawn, and there are bodyguards Teachers and riders, there are a total of two to three hundred people, plus the drivers, they will not be less than 300 people along the way.

They are also flying merchant flags, with the characters of merchants in Jin on the flags of various colors, and the character Dou Da Fan is embroidered on the main flag.

They fly these flags for two purposes. One is to tell others that they are in business, and the other is to tell them that this is a big Shanxi merchant. Whether you have this ability or not, if you feel that you are not good enough, step aside quickly.As for those large groups of thieves, they are naturally backed and escorted by the Ming government and army, as well as the forces secretly dispatched by the Qing government, and they are guaranteed to be safe.

They are very familiar with the road. They have been walking for many years. As long as the flag is displayed, the journey will be safe.

A large group of shopkeepers and waiters of the Longmen Inn came out to welcome them as if they were their ancestors.

The leader is a middle-aged man and a young son walking side by side.They all wear long gowns, with buns tied high on their heads, and gold hairpins or jade hairpins on top.

The middle-aged man was named Fan Yongzhong, the second younger brother of Fan Yongdou, the head of the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants, and the young son was Fan Yongdou's third son, named Fan Jimo. Their uncle and nephew were in charge of this business trip.

Followed by four bodyguards, all riding horses, all dressed as Jianghu people, with long and short guys on their bodies, they look like Lianjiazi walking the Jianghu.

"Second master, you are here, third son, please come inside." The shopkeeper and the waiter bowed and bowed to each other. They were old acquaintances, and they enthusiastically gave way to each other. I'm busy.

"The room and meals are ready."

Fan Yongzhong and Fan Jimo got off their horses while talking, and handed them the reins to go inside. The servants followed them and hugged each other like stars holding the moon.

They traveled more than a hundred miles and arrived here just in time for dinner, feeling tired, thirsty and hungry.Their itinerary was well arranged, they had a good night's rest here, they set off tomorrow, and then traded with the Tartars two days later, and then they returned, and they got a lot of white money.

"There are already people in the courtyard, you two, please live in the courtyard on the second floor." The shopkeeper said bravely.

Both Fan Yongzhong and Fan Jimo are profit-seeking businessmen. With their wealth, they are domineering, unkind, bullying, and arrogant. When they heard this, they were not happy at the time, as if someone had robbed them of their lottery. The two big faces clicked It all sank.

"What are you talking about, someone is already living in the yard on the first floor, who is it, tell them to get out of here quickly! Don't you know the rules here?"

The two people yelled quite loudly, and they trained the shopkeeper like a grandson.

Lin Yi and the others upstairs could hear them clearly. Zhang Hua, Er Hu, He Tao, Wang Qi, Dong Sheng, Gan Bao, and Jiang Xingyuan's eyes widened, and the things in their hands clenched tightly. With an order or a glance, they immediately rushed down to teach these people a lesson.

A little intolerance leads to chaos, Ji Dong shook his head at his personal guards, signaling them to keep quiet.

"My lords, calm down the thunderous anger, what happened to him..." The shopkeeper had already prepared to be his grandson, so he hurriedly explained.

"A merchant from Henan? Was it arranged by Mr. Han?"

Fan Yongzhong and Fan Jimo were a little shocked, but they didn't dare to say anything, how dare they not give Mr. Han face.The attitude of these two people immediately softened.

"Brother Lin, your trick is really good." Xiaoying gave Lin Yi a thumbs up, and Lin Yi smiled at him.

The shopkeeper saw that Ji Dong's trick really worked, and secretly thanked Ji Dong for helping him out, otherwise he really didn't know how to pass today's level.

The shopkeeper wiped the cold sweat off his face, and finally a real smile appeared on his face.

However, the two big merchants of the Fan family were a little puzzled. They had never seen any merchants from Henan come here to do business, and they had never heard that Mr. Han had any relatives or old friends in Henan.

After the two of them chattered for a while, they were still very well-informed uncles, so they couldn't say for sure. When Mr. Han was the emperor of Tianqi, how powerful Mr. Han was. The chief assistant of the cabinet, the crown prince and the Taibao, the official positions are getting bigger and bigger, the power is pouring into the government and the public, and the officials are extremely personal. Who can't curry favor with the old man and follow the old man's door for the rest of the civil and military officials?Even now, Emperor Chongzhen gave the old Han family a little bit of a slack. It is normal for the officials and gentry in Henan to have friendship with Mr. Han.If Mr. Han is offended because of this incident, the consequences will be disastrous.

Therefore, the two of them didn't dare to be too arrogant, and they wanted to find a chance to meet this merchant from Henan. Since they were both doing business and they were all under Mr. Han's door, they wanted to find an opportunity to meet him for a while. Ji Dong and the others made friends.

After compromising and living in the second-floor yard, the carts were driven in, the animals were untied, the people rested and ate, and the horses had to be washed and fed. Of course, the shop assistants were busy with these, so they didn't have to worry too much.

When it was time to light the lamps, it was time for dinner.Although the two groups of guests live in different yards in Longmen Inn, they eat at the same place, which is the big restaurant in the backyard. This big restaurant has two floors upstairs and downstairs, and can accommodate more than 1000 people at the same time. Have a meal.

Knowing that there are many customers today, the shopkeeper has already prepared the dinner for the evening.On the first floor is a large table, with more than 80 tables arranged side by side, with ten people per table, which can accommodate more than 800 people eating at the same time, mainly servants and drivers eating here.

The second floor is a private room, which is full of brains and brains of these businessmen and bodyguards, for them to eat. Of course, the conditions are better. The entire second floor can accommodate more than 300 people for meals.

The scene of hundreds of people eating was very lively upstairs and downstairs.

Dozens of Lin Yi, Xiaoying and the others occupied five private rooms upstairs, while Zhang Hua, Gan Bao, and Jiang Xingyuan led a hundred brothers to dine on the first floor.

The remaining dozen or so private rooms on the second floor belonged to Fan Yongzhong and Fan Jimo. Apart from the two uncles and nephews at the head, they were mainly their bodyguards, and there were more than 200 of them alone.There are also 300 other servants who drive these cars, and they are all arranged on the first floor.

During the meal, Lin Yi wanted to chat with the uncles and nephews of the Fan family, and wanted to know more about their situation. Unexpectedly, the uncles and nephews of the Fan family came in after knocking on the door with the two bodyguards.

"It's been a long time since the friends from Henan, Fan is very polite." Fan Yongzhong saluted Lin Yi and the others as he spoke, his nephew Fan Jimo, and even the bodyguard also bowed their hands.

Xiaoying, Erhu, He Tao, Wang Qi, Dongsheng and others present all watched the four of them vigilantly.

Lin Yi saw that it was just right, so that I would not have to look for you, so he quickly stood up, smiled and cupped his hands, expressing his return.

"Oh, you are so polite. Mr. Liu returned the courtesy. We are destined to meet each other. Come and sit down and have a few drinks together." Lin Yi claimed to be Mr. Liu from Henan.

As soon as Lin Yi stood up, Xiaoying and the others also stood up, which also symbolized that you surrendered. Some of them squeezed a smile on their faces, and some nodded slightly.

"Just about to beg for mercy." Fan Yongzhong said, and Fan Jimo and his uncle and nephew sat down, and the two bodyguards stood behind them.

First, they exchanged greetings and introduced each other, only then did Aunt Lin know that these people were the brothers and sons of Fan Yongdou, a well-known Dajincheng.

Lin Yi referred to Xiaoying as his cousin Yu'er, and those others referred to him as his retainers and bodyguards.

Looking at Xiao Yingsheng's slim, long hair, naturally beautiful, but with a bit of murderous look between his brows, like a chivalrous woman, the nephew and nephew couldn't help but take a few more glances, especially the young master Fan Jimo looked a little bit ambiguous. Eyes straightened, looking at Xiaoying felt a little uncomfortable, Ji Dong pretended not to see it, and said in his heart, you kid, just look at it lewdly, if you take a few more glances, I will give you a few more knives at that time.

Then he began to toast, after drinking for three rounds and eating five flavors, Fan Yongzhong opened up the chatterbox first.

"Mr. Liu was born with a rich and noble appearance. He came out alone at a young age. I admire him."

Lin Yi said modestly: "Your Excellency is really overrated. My father is really worried about coming out alone this time. That's why he asked my cousin to come with me. Although my cousin is young, she is well-informed and educated. Father can rest assured that his cousin is at home."

When Ji Dong said this, Xiaoying listened to some people with high spirits, her face stretched out like a budding flower.

The third son, Fan Jimo took over the words: "Ms. Yu'er is beautiful and intelligent. Brother Liu is really a blessed person to have such a cousin. I would like to respect Brother Liu and Miss Yu'er. Please!"

"Mr. Fan, please." Lin Yi really gave the young master a bit of face, and brought up the wine, and Xiaoying held up the teacup shyly, expressing that she doesn't know how to drink, and she can only use tea instead of wine. Personal gulp.

At this time, Fan Yongzhong looked at Lin Yi and said, "Young master traveled a long distance from Henan to Yingzhou. May I ask what kind of business you mainly do?"

Lin Yi saw that the second child of the Fan family was more impatient than Lao Tzu, so okay, let's get down to business.

"I'm not afraid you two will laugh at me. We are mainly dumping salt. We used to operate in Henan and Shandong. This is the first time I have traveled far. My father was lucky enough to ask for Mr. Han's thin noodles. Unwell, I have to do it alone."

As Lin Yi said, he secretly inquired about the reaction of the two people. Sure enough, the uncle and nephew looked at each other with surprise on their faces.

"Oh, so that's the case. May I ask where you want to sell this batch of salt?" Fan Yongzhong asked again.

Lin Yi said seriously: "Of course people in our business don't see rabbits and don't scatter eagles. They have already found a buyer, otherwise they would not dare to travel such a long distance. To be honest, the buyer is... the tartar outside the pass, both of you As long as you know it, don’t say anything.”

Lin Yi lowered his voice as he spoke, the following few words could only be heard clearly in the room.

The Fan family's uncle and nephew were even more astonished this time, and after a long time of quarreling, it turned out that they were traveling together, and they also wanted to do business with the Tartars?

Colleagues are enemies.The Fan family's uncles and nephews felt uncomfortable, as if their jobs had been robbed.

Of course Ji Dong noticed the subtle changes between the two of them and sneered in his heart, you've finished asking me, it's time for me to ask you!

"What business do you two do, can you tell us your heart?"

Fan Yongzhong didn't speak, but the third son, Fan Jimo, was also a man of temperament. He also drank some wine, and there was a beautiful woman opposite him, so he clasped his fists boldly and said: "Ah, Mr. Liu is so straightforward, if I hide it, Isn’t that not enough friends? We also do some big salt business with the Tartars outside the customs, and by the way, we exchange herbs, ironware, gunpowder, etc. for some furs, animal skins, and medicinal herbs.”

"Oh, so I say, this majesty is a bit of a beauty, don't you two think that I am competing for your business?"

Fan Jimo waved his hand: "Where is it? Mr. Liu's words are wrong. If you have business, you can make money together. From now on, we will be friends."

"I'm so happy. Brother Fan's friend Liu has made an appointment. In fact, Liu is overthinking his own abilities. This is a small business, and it's our first trip. How dare we compare it with the two of you. This is a big business. In the future Next, I have to ask the two of you for advice."

"Hahaha, it's easy to talk about." Fan Jimo talked and laughed loudly, Dashan yelled, and glanced at Xiaoying from time to time.

At this time, Fan Yongzhong said again: "Since Mr. Liu's goods are produced in Shandong, they must be of high quality and low price. Can I open my eyes first?"

"You two are so good friends, of course. After we have dinner in a while, Liu will take the two of you to have a look."

Hearing what Lin Yi said, Xiaoying and the others immediately raised their voices in their throats. What they said in their hearts, Brother Lin, Master Lin, could it be that you drank too much?How could he let him see this? Wouldn't it reveal his secrets?

(End of this chapter)