Early in the morning a few days later, Liu Yan and Chen Xun set off from Dapanbao, hitched an ox cart and headed for Wangjiazhuang. Before setting off, Liu Yan also brought a piece of semi-finished soap, and the two of them braved the cold wind and quickly arrived at Wangjiazhuang.
When the two arrived at the gate of Baihu Hall, Liu Yan stepped forward to identify himself to the concierge and showed his waist card. The concierge was quite honest and did not ask for Liu Yan's card. He respectfully took Liu Yan's badge and went in to report it.
A moment later, a burst of hearty laughter came, and then a tall and strong flag officer walked out of the gate.
The general flag officer's surname was Jia, and he was the leader of the team leader Wang Wenzhen's servant, named Jia Hongyu. It is said that Jia Hongyu was originally a soldier in the Dengzhou Camp. He had two brushes in his hands. He was outgoing and sociable, and he was also very brave. He was also somewhat famous when he was in the Dengzhou Camp.
But later, for unknown reasons, Jia Hongyu ran from Dengzhou Camp to the territory of Lingshan Guard, and directly fell under Wang Wenzhen's command and became the head of the servant team. Although Jia Hongyu is also the chief flag officer now, his life is definitely much worse than when he was in Dengzhou Camp.
Liu Yan just looked at Jia Hongyu and said to himself: "It seems that Mr. Jia is also a person with a story."
Jia Hongyu smiled and clasped his fists and said, "Haha, it turns out that Mr. Liu Qi from Dapandun is here. Come in quickly. It's such a cold day. Let's go in and drink some wine to warm ourselves up."
This Jia Hongyu has a bold temper and is familiar with everyone. Liu Yan said with a smile: "Brother Jia is here. I have something to see the leader of the team today. Please let me know, brother Jia."
Jia Hongyu led Liu Yan and Chen Xun in, and at the same time asked the porter to drive the ox cart from the side door to the cross-yard, and asked the porter to prepare more materials to take care of them.
Then Jia Hongyu said with a smile: "The management team has just come back. Now the management team is resting in the warm hall behind. I will lead Mr. Liu Qi and you over."
Liu Yan said with a smile: "It's good that the team leader is here, and my trip is not in vain. I came here today for a piece of business."
After saying that, Liu Yan took out two coins and secretly handed it to Jia Hongyu, which Liu Yan had borrowed from Chen Xun in advance. Liu Yan said in a low voice: "If you can persuade the leader of the team to agree to this deal, Brother Jia also has to help with the business and put in a lot of effort. Brother Jia, don’t be dissatisfied with this little bit of money. It’s just a little bit of my kindness, brother. If this happens, brother, I’ll still be very grateful.”
Jia Hongyu took the silver and weighed it, then put it directly in his arms. He smiled at Liu Yan and said, "My brother is rich. I didn't say anything. From now on, my brother's business is my Jia Hongyu's business. Who dares to embarrass you, brother?" He is my arch-rival, Jia Hongyu, let’s see if I don’t kill him!”
"Ha ha."
While Jia Hongyu was talking, he waved his big palm-like hand vigorously, as if he was slapping something. Liu Yan didn't laugh when he saw this.
Liu Yan and Chen Xun followed Jia Hongyu as they walked in. Although Liu Yan had been to the Hundred Household Office several times, he always came and went in a hurry and did not take a closer look.
Coming today, Liu Yan also began to look at the layout of the hundreds of government offices.
The Baihu Guanting of Wangjiazhuang is a courtyard with two entrances. There are some wing rooms on both sides, but there is no cross-courtyard. The 100-household official hall is located in the central area of Wangjiazhuang. There are lively places in front and back, and the terrain is good.
The courtyard in front of the Baihu Official Hall is not small. The ground is paved with bluestone slabs and cobblestones. In the center is the five-bay main hall, and the side wings on both sides are much larger than ordinary residential buildings.
There are kitchens and latrines on the east and west sides respectively. Liu Yan learned from Jia Hongyu's carefree introduction that in the backyard of the Baihu Official Hall there is a woodshed for storing debris and a stable for raising horses. To the south of the yard is a three-bay gatehouse. All kinds of things.
Liu Yan followed Jia Hongyu and looked around. He saw a row of weapons placed under the corridor of one wing. There were all kinds of swords, guns, swords and halberds. There were several strong bows hanging on the outer wall of the wing. Liu Yan had many After looking at it with interest, these strong bows turned out to be recurve bows. In the corner below these strong bows, Liu Yan found that there were also quivers and bow bags containing arrows.
"This strong bow looks like it has been maintained and used frequently. It should belong to the team leader. It seems that the team leader also has some skills and is not just a general person!"
Liu Yan was thinking secretly in his heart. At this time, Liu Yan and Chen Xun had followed Jia Hongyu to the entrance of the main hall.
Jia Hongyu greeted Liu Yan and Chen Xun loudly outside the door, then opened the door and went in to report. After a while, he smiled and greeted Liu Yan and Chen Xun to come in.
After Liu Yan brought Chen Xun in, he saw the team leader Wang Wenzhen sitting on a mahogany chair in the center, with a cup of tea that was no longer steaming. He smiled when Liu Yan and Chen Xun came in. He waved and asked the two of them to come and sit down.
Liu Yan stood in the center of the main hall, then pushed the golden mountain and turned over the jade pillar to salute. Chen Xun on the side also hurriedly saluted. Wang Wenzhen, the team leader, was very satisfied with the attitude of the two men. He smiled and stretched out his hand to help him. , Liu Yan and Chen Xun stood up one after another.
At this time, Liu Yan saw that Wang Wenzhen was wearing a semi-old cotton robe, a black gauze warm hat on his head, a bronze waist plate engraved with his name and official position on his waist, and a pair of shoes on his feet. Thick cotton hard-soled official boots and a waist knife with a silver scabbard were placed on the table nearby, which also showed Wang Wenzhen's majesty as a military attaché.
Liu Yan looked at the situation inside the house again and saw that there were several damaged mahogany tables and chairs in the main room, with a set of ceramic tea sets placed on them. Although there were not many decorations, there was nothing missing, but overall It looks very simple.
In the middle of the room is a tribute table with dusty brass tributes on it. Above the head are black tiles and wooden beams. The windows with upper and lower branches are all carefully carved, showing that It was built with great taste, but now it has become somewhat damaged over time, and Wang Wenzhen doesn't seem to have any intention to clean it up.
The windows in the main hall were covered with window paper. It was cold and windy at this time, so the windows in the main hall were closed tightly, making the room seem a little darker.
"Haha, everyone, please sit down. You're welcome here. Please sit down!"
Wang Wenzhen sat on the upper seat in the middle with a golden sword, and smiled and asked Liu Yan and Chen Xun to sit down. Jia Hongyu stood respectfully beside Wang Wenzhen. Although he was the chief flag officer, he seemed to be a servant at this time.
Liu Yan cupped his fists and saluted again, then sat down at the bottom, while Chen Xun sat at the bottom of the main hall.
The few of them were seated and exchanged greetings with each other. Then Liu Yan said, "Actually, my subordinates came here today because they have a piece of business that they want to report to your lord."
"Haha, General Liu Qi is loyal. He always thinks of me as a superior officer if he has any good things. Tell me, what kind of business is it?"
Liu Yan took out the semi-finished soap that he had brought, and then said with a smile: "Sir, please see, this thing is called soap, it is a good thing! The business mentioned by my subordinates is related to this thing."
Then Liu Yan explained the various benefits of soap one by one. Wang Wenzhen had never seen the so-called soap, and he was dubious at this time.
Although Jia Hongyu accepted Liu Yan's money, this was the first time he heard about soap. Although Liu Yan said very well, he didn't know how to help.
After Liu Yan finished his introduction, Wang Wenzhen asked, "In that case, what are Mr. Liu's plans for the soap business?"
Liu Yan looked at the smiling Wang Wenzhen and naturally understood the meaning, so he said with a smile: "Of course I want to do the soap business with you. If you have money to make, you have to make it with you. "
"Ha ha."
Wang Wenzhen laughed when he heard this, but he didn't say anything. After all, this was the first time he saw this soap. Wang Wenzhen was not sure how it would be used and whether it could make money.
However, Wang Wenzhen looked at Liu Yan's confident look and felt that this matter was somewhat reliable. After all, no one would randomly find something to deceive the superior and cause trouble for himself out of thin air.
Liu Yan continued: "In addition, my subordinates took a special look when they came in. They saw that although the hundreds of government offices were well-organized and carefully crafted when they were first built, they were now somewhat worn out. I couldn't help but feel. Sentimental. So I thought about it and decided that after the first soap business is completed, I will give twenty taels of silver to the leader of the team to repair the hundreds of government offices, but it can be regarded as a small reward for the subordinates. It’s my intention.”
After hearing what Liu Yan said, Wang Wenzhen, Chen Xun, and Jia Hongyu were all stunned, with different expressions on their faces.
After Jia Hongyu was slightly surprised, a look of appreciation appeared on his face, and he said secretly: "This Liu Yan really knows how to advance and retreat. They originally said that Liu Yan was a boring gourd, but today they are just talking nonsense. I don't see this Liu Yan." Almost cumming!”
Chen Xun stared at Liu Yan anxiously. Even if this soap business can really make money, twenty taels of silver was promised at once, which is too much! Chen Xun's heart felt like he was being cut off.
After Wang Wenzhen was stunned for a moment, he laughed, looked at Liu Yan with great admiration, and said secretly: "I really didn't realize that this Liu Yan is still a rare general, and now he seems to be quite knowledgeable. A good and sophisticated subordinate!"
Although Liu Yan only made a promise of twenty taels of silver, Wang Wenzhen was not worried that Liu Yan would break his promise, so he laughed and said pleasantly: "Okay, since Mr. Liu Qi has said so, this is also I can't refute General Liu Qi's face with all my thoughts, so I will be disrespectful."
Liu Yan smiled and said: "It should be so."
Seeing this, Jia Hongyu hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "Master Guanqi, my subordinates think that Mr. Liu is loyal and talented. He is a rare cadre. The supervisor must reuse him. As for this soap business, you might as well discuss it with me." Mr. Liu, let’s talk about it in detail. If this soap is really as good as Mr. Liu said, you can definitely make a lot of money from it. Why wouldn’t you, sir?”
Wang Wenzhen nodded and said: "This is reasonable. This is what I mean."
With that said, Wang Wenzhen said to Liu Yan: "Mr. Liu Qi, you have done your best for me. From now on, you are my own. If you have anything to do in the future, you can come to me directly in this hundred-household government office. As long as you It’s not an embarrassing matter, it’s easy for us to talk about it.”
Liu Yan stood up with a smile, clasped his fists and said, "With these words from the leader, my subordinates feel at ease."
Chen Xun on the side looked thoughtful when he saw this, and the impatience he had just dissipated, and he looked at Liu Yan with a more approving expression.
"Haha, okay, I think it's getting late now. Mr. Liu Qi and Chen Xiaoqi have to go back in a hurry. Just have some food and wine at my place. Let's have fun together. I'll also talk about the details of the soap business. "
Liu Yan said with a smile: "It is better to obey orders than to be respectful. I will definitely drink a few more drinks with the captain."
Wang Wenzhen smiled and said, "Let's go there right away."
Wang Wenzhen stood up and walked out, while Liu Yan took the soap with him again, then went out with Chen Xun and Jia Hongyu, following Wang Wenzhen to the banquet.
