[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 184 [English]

Chapter 178 Business

The merchants were anxious to see Shen Zechuan because they were worried about their own business.

There was a lot of noise in the hall, with all kinds of accents mixed together, and they were all talking like chickens and ducks. Without Yan to mediate, many people couldn’t even speak Mandarin fluently.Yan Heru opened this “small mutual market” in Dunzhou. They did business with bandits and various border tribes, and they were engaged in business such as tea, salt, copper and iron.Now that Yan Heru was in custody, they were afraid that Shen Zechuan would pursue him, so they made an appointment to go to the house together, hoping to create a situation where the law would not be held accountable.

Chenyang greeted the maid to watch tea. Not only was the hall full of people, but also the people standing under the corridor were all businessmen who came here after hearing the news.They came from all over the world, crowded together in a noisy manner, and made the courtyard as noisy as a busy city.

Sitting here, Shen Zechuan would answer “that makes sense” no matter what he heard.There was a quarrel in the hall until almost night, but no progress was made.Shen Zechuan seemed to answer everything, but he didn’t answer anything, which made the merchants hungry and angry.

Xiao Chiye went next door to finish discussing military affairs with Tantai Hu. When he came out, he saw that the sky was gloomy and the lights were lit in the hall.Outside, there were various types of merchants sitting on the floor or leaning against each other. Inside, Shen Zechuan was still spending time with the merchants.

Fei Sheng pulled out the curtain and walked to Xiao Chiye’s side and said softly: “Master asked the Marquis if the military affairs have been settled. If so, let’s start dinner.”

Xiao Chiye said, “Are these people dismissed?”

Fei Sheng replied: “The master said he wouldn’t send me away, so he let them stay. He even invited them to stay here at night.”

Xiao Chiye nodded and said, “Then let’s have dinner in the yard next door.”

* * *

The merchants all made up their minds to get some advice from Shen Zechuan, at least to meet Yan Heru.Their goods have been accumulated in Yan’s courtyard. Now that the Biansha cavalry and bandits have retreated, what will happen to these goods?Yan Heru has made a guarantee with them. Whether to stay or leave, we have to discuss it again.

But Shen Zechuan’s Tai Chi skills were beautiful, but he didn’t have an accurate meaning.The merchants were afraid that Dunzhou was full of soldiers and did not dare to fall out with Shen Zechuan. They could only endure their anger and continue to sit here, and they must consume Shen Zechuan.

Shen Zechuan finished reading all the important matters in Dunzhou, calculated that it was almost time, and saw that Fei Sheng was back, so he stood up and smiled at Xingshang: “Everyone has been sitting here for a day, we can discuss the matter later. I specially sent someone to prepare a banquet, and we will discuss it in detail at the banquet later.”

Without explaining, Fei Sheng held the curtain and leaned out.

The merchants sitting inside waited for a long time, but neither Shen Zechuan came back nor the maid came in to serve the food.When they opened the curtain and came out, they found that there were only familiar faces in the courtyard, not even a guard.

The man who had smoked a few pipes of cigarettes became anxious, slapped his thigh and said, “Did you run away?”

The merchants were immediately frightened, crowded together like sparrows, and rushed to the courtyard door. When they arrived, they found that the door was blocked.

Someone said in horror: “Do you want to kill people and silence them? That’s not possible! Lord Fu, Lord Fu! We are all serious businessmen with official documents!”

Fei Sheng, who was outside, heard the sound of banging on the door, holding a knife and said, “What are you talking about? My Lord, please rest in the courtyard. If you don’t want to leave, then sleep here!”

The merchants shouted: “We want to see Mr. Fu!”

Fei Sheng sneered and said, “Didn’t we see you all today? My master has been staying with you all for a long time.” He then sent someone to move a chair for him and sat down towards the door. “We have checked your goods. The copper and iron among them are strictly prohibited by the government. It is not easy to get them out.”

“Everywhere is in chaos now!” The man who was smoking before stood on tiptoes and leaned against the crack of the door, arguing, “It’s easy to get a few batches of goods. The business only goes out once, and we are all responsible people!”

Fei Sheng did not follow them in circles, raised his hand to take the book, turned the pages and said, “Do you know what I am holding in my hand? It is the registration book of Yan’s Pawn Shop. It records in detail what goods everyone brings to Dunzhou every month. It is written in black and white, so it cannot be faked.”

The merchants inside were whispering to each other, and those who were sweating and puffing up their sleeves were crowded together, making it so noisy that Fei Sheng couldn’t hear what they were saying.Finally, the man stretched his neck again and shouted through the door: “I have already been unable to restrain myself from taking tea. Hey, I am a tea taker! Open the door and don’t disturb innocent people!”

“Zhongbo has become like this in the past two years. Who are you going to Dunzhou to bring tea to? The Yan family is the largest tea merchant in the south.” Fei Sheng said, raising the Xiuchun knife and knocking on the door with the scabbard, “Stop arguing! Tell the truth now!”

“What do you want to explain?” the man said harshly, “The goods are clearly written in the booklet. If you hold it, you will understand everything, right?”

Fei Sheng shook the book in his hand and said: “This thing has been sent to Qudu, and if it is handed over to the Yamen, none of you can run away. Let me tell you, my master is kind-hearted and has given you a chance to make up for your mistakes. As long as you write down truthfully on the paper who you came to Dunzhou to calculate and exchange silver for, I will open the door immediately and let you out, and the past accounts will be written off.”

Tea, salt, copper and iron, except for tea, the latter three items were all subject to imperial control.The Xi family was able to open a copper mine in Juexi because of the imperial order. They had to check the accounts with the Ministry of Household and Work on a monthly basis, and specially assigned supervisors.It’s just that there’s too much money in this job, and the stewards sent out are selected by the Ministry of Household Affairs. They often collude with the Xi family, and work together to make false accounts for the court, and hide copper and iron for the Xi family.The outflow of all copper and iron outside the Xi family can be seen as collusion between local officials and businessmen.These coppers and iron, like military rations, were stolen from within the Zhou Dynasty in exchange for huge profits.

Yan Heru opened a pawnshop and business in Dunzhou not only to provide a trading place for merchants from all over the country, but also to sell stolen goods for local officials and convert things into silver here.When Liu Er led Shen Zechuan’s team into Dunzhou, he did not fully explain that if he wanted to enter Dunzhou, he needed a specific code not just to “follow the rules.”

After Fei Sheng finished speaking, the door suddenly felt like a boiling soup, with various accents quarreling and the crowd making the door panel clang.Fei Sheng closed the book, held the freshly brewed tea in his hand, and blew the hot air to taste it.

* * *

Before dinner, Chen Yang asked the kitchen to cook fish, so Shen Zechuan ate half a bowl of more rice. In the end, the remaining half of the fish went into Xiao Chiye’s stomach.As long as the Second Young Master doesn’t find fault with himself, eating fish is quite enjoyable.

After the meal, the two of them stood under the eaves and listened to the merchant next door scolding his ancestors. Xiao Chiye rinsed his mouth and said while wiping his mouth: “Isn’t there another scorpion? Call him here now. I have something to ask.”

Chenyang retreated and called for someone.

Xiao Chiye turned to Shen Zechuan and asked, “Why don’t you ask Ding Tao to follow you recently?”

Shen Zechuan looked at Xiao Chiye and said, “Lei Jingzhe is in Dunzhou. If no one is watching, Li Xiong might run out to find Lei Jingzhe. Ding Tao and he play well, and it’s good for the two children to stay together.”

Xiao Chiye raised the tea cup in his hand and took a sip, as if he believed it.

When Shen Zechuan tilted his head, he revealed a little bit of his neck, which was covered with faint traces of Xiao Chiye, making the jade beads whiter.he did not continue Ding Tao, but said: “The arm binding was broken last time. This time I will go back to Cizhou and get another one.”

When Xiao Chiye thought of arm binding, he thought of Hasen. He looked into the night and said, “Xiuxiu can still be used.”

Xiao Chiye never mentioned Hasen to Shen Zechuan. The defeat made He quickly fall into silence and hide all his bold words.Sending baggage is really tiring, but there is no one in Libei who is not tired. Even Lu Yizhi spent all day sewing old coats to keep out the cold winter clothes at the battlefield.Xiao Chiye was sheathed by Xiao Fangxu, but he was content with it and was willing to wait for the opportunity.

“I’ll give you two,” Shen Zechuan said seriously, “and also engrave my name on them.”

Xiao Chiye raised his arm, pinched Shen Zechuan’s chin, paused for a moment, and said, “Don’t engrave your name on the arm.”

The sword has no eyes on the battlefield. Xiao Chiye is not happy for Shen Zechuan to follow him there through life and death, and his name is not good either.He wants a good omen, he wants Shen Zechuan to live a long life.

* * *

Hai Rigu was locked up with Yan Heru and had been hungry for two days.He was still injured. When he was dragged under the eaves, his lips were dry and he was trying to hold on.

Xiao Chiye squatted down and shrouded Hai Rigu in shadow.Gujin immediately lowered Hai Rigu’s head and pushed aside He’s hair, revealing the scorpion tattoo on the side of his neck.

“Scorpion from Gedal,” Xiao Chiye said in a deep voice, “What are you doing here at Zhongbo?”

Hai Rigu’s arms were tied tightly and he rubbed the ground, refusing to answer.Gujin tightened his Adam’s apple, stuck his head up, and said in a cold voice toward Xiao Chiye: “Answer.”

Hai Rigu breathed heavily, and he quickly glanced at Shen Zechuan who was standing by the door, but this look angered Xiao Chiye, and his head was slapped to the ground almost immediately.He pressed against the cold wooden board and made a struggling sound.

“I’m not an enemy!” Hai Rigu couldn’t break free, feeling like he was being crushed by an iron arm.he looked up desperately, and could only see Xiao Chiye’s boots, he said: “Help me, Shen——”

Xiao Chiye was expressionless.

Hai Rigu was gradually out of breath. He wiped his cheek on the ground and shouted when he was on the verge of death: “I still have a lot to say!” He gasped hard, “Don’t you want to know about the white tea?!”

Xiao Chiye said: “We don’t want to know anything until you learn to ‘answer’.”

Hai Rigu felt the force on his neck. He pressed it against his head with difficulty, sweat dripping from his temples, and he choked and said, “I, Zhongbo cough, cough! I am running for my life!”

Shen Zechuan’s fingers on his right hand felt vague pain. He stepped closer, stopped next to Hai Rigu, and said, “Three days ago you told me that you called me Gedal’s son because white tea divided you.”

Hai Rigu swallowed hard and gasped: “That’s right, because white tea split us… we got you!”

Shen Zechuan frowned slightly.

Xiao Chiye suddenly let go, and Hai Rigu gasped for air.Gujin lifted he up, and he calmed down for a moment, and said quickly: “Gedal means ‘bright’ in Biansha dialect, which is the name of white tea. Your mother’s story is very long. If you don’t mind, give me some saliva first. I swear to you, everything I say is true.”