Heyue Mansion——Zhao Mansion
The Zhao Mansion is the largest residence in the entire Heyue City, covering an area of more than dozens of acres. The residence has pavilions, bridges, flowing water, and rockery gardens.
This is the center of the entire Zhao family in Bian'an, and it can also be said to be the center of power in the entire Bian'an County.
The one who lives here is the Heyue Zhao family, who is known as the Bian'an Tu Emperor!
The main courtyard of Zhao Mansion.
"Master! News is coming!"
Zhao Ansheng, the head of the Zhao family, is writing the word "Zhao" one stroke at a time. The strokes of the word "Zhao" are vigorous and sharp, as if he is a hedgehog with sharp weapons all over his body!
Ordinary people will be injured if they touch it!
"Master! Master! News! People from the imperial court entered Bian'an three days ago, bringing a large amount of materials, money and food. They said they wanted to build and strengthen the embankment on the north bank of the Bian River.
The garrison point was still set at the same place as last year. The official in charge this time was named Zhou Lin, the newly appointed Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Industry.
He has no background. He was born into a poor family. According to speculation, he should be the emperor! "
The housekeeper carefully opened the door, came to the side of Zhao Ansheng who was writing, and quietly reported all the news he had learned.
While Zhao Ansheng listened, he continued to write the character Zhao one by one unmoved. After the housekeeper Zhao Yi finished telling all the information, Zhao Ansheng stopped what he was doing and gently placed the brush in his hand on the white jade pen holder. went up and asked casually:
"Did Zhou Lin express anything after entering Bian'an?"
Butler Zhao Yi heard this and shook his head:
"Coming from Bianjing, he led the team all the way to the Bianhe River. He did not stop during this period, nor did he look for any branch in the county."
"This is interesting."
Zhao Ansheng smiled slightly, turned his head and looked at the sharp-edged Zhao characters on the table and murmured:
"It seems that our Minister Zhao is very stubborn and doesn't take our Zhao family seriously at all."
Butler Zhao Yi immediately said: "Master, after all, this is just a young man. I am afraid he has never heard of the reputation of our Zhao family."
"Young people always have to suffer some losses before they become wise. I haven't heard of it before, but I should remember it in the future."
Zhao Ansheng said calmly, but there was a touch of ridicule and sarcasm in his tone.
"Master, what do you mean?"
Zhao Yi's eyes lit up and he asked hurriedly.
Zhao Ansheng smiled coldly: "Give the newcomer a little greeting gift so that he can learn a lot."
"I understand, little one!"
The butler understood the meaning immediately, nodded and left.
Zhao Ansheng did not take this matter to heart anymore, picked up the brush again and started writing the word Zhao stroke by stroke.
Young people will always run wild with ideal ideas. If they are hit by reality a few times, they will learn to behave.
It won't take long for Zhou Lin to figure out what to do this week.
…
After leaving the Zhao Mansion, the housekeeper Zhao Yi quickly conveyed the owner's intention.
Soon, Zhao Ansheng's meaning spread throughout Bian'an County.
Zhou Lin and others, who were still on their way, soon received the meeting gifts from the Zhao family.
…
"What? Why can't you sell us food?
It’s not like we don’t give money. Ten coins is not enough, so let’s give twenty coins! Twenty Wen Headquarters, right?
The total cost of your bowl of noodles is not even five cents, so don’t push yourself too far! "
There was a noodle stall on the side of the official road, and several officials in official attire were standing in front of the noodle stall owner to question him.
A group of dozens of people sat down in front of the noodle stall's tables and chairs.
The first person, a middle-aged man wearing a white cross-collar Confucian scholar's uniform and a Dongpo scarf, looked like a scholar. He was none other than Zhou Lin, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, who was wearing ordinary clothes.
Zhou Lin has an upright appearance, with a Chinese character face, and a pair of thick black eyebrows that are almost condensed together, but his whole person has a sense of righteousness.
No one would dare to look down upon his aura. He looked like a man of status. Even wearing regular clothes could not hide his aura.
"Hey, brothers, please don't embarrass me. This is really not a matter of money. Even if you give me a tael of gold, I can't do your business today!"
The stall owner is a rickety old man in his fifties. The little old man is wearing a black short-brown coarse cloth, with a long black and gray sweat towel on his shoulders. At this moment, he is hunched over and begging for mercy to several official servants wearing official uniforms.
There was a look of helplessness on that thin, weather-beaten face full of wrinkles.
"Hey! You old man! You don't know how to flatter me!
How can others do business when they come, but you won’t do our business even if we double the price when we come?
Why, is it possible that we are easy to bully? ! "
There was obvious anger on the faces of several officials. They had just seen a few businessmen eating noodles here and leaving. Everything was normal. Why didn't the stall owner do their business when they arrived? Already?
Isn't this aimed at them?
However, the old stall owner could only say with a grimace: "Dear gentlemen, it's really not that I mean to embarrass you. It's really that I don't dare to do your business!"
"Hey! What are you talking about? Are we still relying on you?"
As he spoke, one of the officials slapped a twelve-weight ingot of snowflake silver on the table.
"No! Did you see that? I have money and I can't rely on you. I can just keep the money with you. When we finish eating, we will give back more and make up less!"
Unexpectedly, his actions shocked the little old man. He quickly picked up the silver and stuffed it into the hands of the official. He knelt down with a plop, kowtowed to several people and cried:
"You guys, I beg you, please go elsewhere. I really can't do your business.
otherwise……
Otherwise, the little old man is doomed! Please let me go! Please! "
"This...you..."
His actions immediately stunned several officials. Why did he kneel down and beg them after a disagreement? They just wanted to eat a bowl of noodles! You didn't bully this old man, why would you do this?
Just when the situation here reached a stalemate, Zhou Lin, who had been sitting at the table, stood up and walked over.
Several officials quickly moved out of the way and said:
"Your Majesty the Minister!"
Zhou Lin nodded, frowned and came to the stall owner who was kneeling to pray. He squatted down and helped the stall owner up. After sighing, he asked: "Why are you doing this? I'm just tired from the journey and want to eat a bowl of noodles at your place." , it’s not like I won’t give you money, why don’t you do our business?
Isn't your store here just to make money? "
The old man was helped up by Zhou Lin. The old man's request for money was obviously very impressive. Even the officials called him "Sir" to make it clear that he was a certain official. Hearing this, he had to say with a bitter face: "Sir! Not a little old man. If I don’t want to do your business, I really don’t dare!”
"What's the explanation?"
Zhou Lin was confused.
The stall owner sighed, and then said: "There are many young people who dare not say more. You must be an official team sent by the imperial court to build the river embankment, right?"
Zhou Lin was shocked when he heard this and immediately asked: "How did my father-in-law know about it?"
This is not a trivial matter. They were sent to repair the river embankment. For the local officials of this team, it was normal for them to know about it after receiving a letter from the court.
But even the owner of a noodle stall next to the official road knew about this, so it was not simple.
The stall owner did not return to the question, but moved his eyes away and continued:
"That's right. I won't hide it from you. Now it's not just the little old man, but I'm afraid no one will be willing to do your business anymore."
His words made Zhou Lin even more confused, but when he asked the stall owner again, he refused to say anything.
Finally, the stall owner said: "I am afraid that the news about you has spread throughout Bian'an County, and no one dares to disobey. If possible, you adults should admit your mistake early, otherwise you may be here." It is difficult to move even an inch in Bian'an.
You can rest here for a while, but I really can't sell you anything.
Please forgive me, adults!
The little old man is just an ordinary citizen. He has no choice but to offend your lords without any intention. "
After saying that, the stall owner bowed deeply to everyone, and then quickly ran back to the deepest part of his stall, not daring to come out again.
Zhou Lin and several other officials looked at each other, then walked back to their seats and sat down.
…
(End of chapter)
