Back home, Wu Wang hosted dinner. The three of them measured a bucket of rice, but Zhang Lu couldn't eat much, and Wu Wang almost ate a double portion. There was one more person, and although he didn't talk much, it was a bit more lively. The three of them ate happily.
After clearing away the dishes, Zheng Anping told Wu Wang that if he wanted to go home to rest, he could go home without taking anything away and come back tomorrow. Wuwang thought about it for a while, but still felt a little homesick, so he really went home. Zheng Anping and Zhang Lu also smiled with relief when they saw that Wu Wang was a simple and honest man with no evil intentions.
At night, Zheng Anping chatted with Zhang Lu as usual, discussing his relationship with Lord Xinling and Mang Mansion, how to govern Guanyi, whether to develop Guanyi quickly, push it, or simply Get up. Zhang Lu did not have a clear opinion and advocated adapting to circumstances; Zheng Anping had no sense of adapting to circumstances and always wanted to find some certainty. The final agreement reached was that the government of Guanyi was entrusted to Lord Ling, who was actually Cao Bao, and he could be more active in his development in Guanyi.
After getting this certainty, Zheng Anping went back to his room and went to sleep. At the banquet, he was thinking about how to use everything in Guanyi to make a fortune for himself, and he didn't sleep much all night.
When the rooster crows, Zheng Anping hears the door ringing, and it turns out that Wu Wang is back. When Wu Wang came back, he was actually carrying a bunch of grass on his shoulders. Zheng Anping said, "Why use the grass from the Wu family?"
Wu Wang said: "When I was at home, my father and I set up a rug. When I returned to Father Zheng, my father said that Father Zheng might have it. But I haven't seen it yet."
Zheng Anping said: "Now that you have recovered your body, you should share it with me. My family originally had it, but when I was buried with Brother Ma, they were all abandoned in the wasteland."
Wu Wang said: "Why abandon it? Is it unlucky to be buried?"
Zheng Anping said: "That day when I was digging a cave with Brother Ma, I suddenly saw the Qin people hiding behind the mountain. They were so panicked that they didn't care about anyone else and fled in a panic. When they returned, they didn't know where they were. It's probably that they were stolen by others."
Wu Wang said: "Where did Zheng's father leave it? Wu Wang will go and find it."
Zheng Anping said: "But there is no need. He is doing all his work with wood and stone, so there is no harm in discarding them. I will buy iron tools for you in the future, and you will do your best to do it."
Wuwang said: "Thank you so much, Father Zheng! If you can get the iron, it will save a lot of effort in farming! One person can get a hundred and fifty acres, and it will definitely not be a labor."
Zheng Anping was very satisfied when he saw that Wuwang was born with a passion for farming. He asked Wuwang to clean the courtyard and pull out some weeds in front of and behind the house. Wait until dawn to make breakfast. I couldn't go back to sleep anymore, so I practiced spear and halberd a few times in the courtyard. I was sweating all over and felt refreshed.
After breakfast, Zheng Anping took Wuwang and carried the money, went out to the city to buy gifts, and went to meet four colleagues. He unexpectedly discovered that Brother Su actually had a new person, his younger brother, who was fifteen years old this year and was in the book club. In addition to congratulating Zheng Anping, everyone also gave gifts in return.
Cao Bao told Zheng Anping that after the moonlight, Wei Ting would recruit 500 people to repair Nanguan, and all materials had begun to be mobilized; Lord Xinling had mobilized 100 people from them to build a residence for the four of them. Mr. Lu had already stood up. Go to Guanyi. This reminded Zheng Anping that he had nothing to do anyway, so he might as well go to Guanyi in advance to buy some personal belongings; even if it was to take care of the wasteland in advance.
He asked Cao Bao where there were better iron tools. Cao Bao said, if it comes to iron soldiers, Zhengcheng is naturally the best; but if it comes to iron farm tools, there is an iron shop in Xingyang City, where people often mend farm tools, so there should be good ones. Iron; although there are iron shops in Daliang City, the iron quality is poor and the workmanship is poor, so it is best not to make it in Daliang. Zheng Anping thanked him and came out.
Back home, Zheng Anping told Zhang Lu that Mr. Lu had set off to Nanguan to build various houses, and he wanted to go to Guanyi. Zhang Lu said, anyway, there are only about ten days left. If you go now, you have to come back, which will waste a lot of time on the road. It is better to go after three or five days, so that you don’t have to come back. Zheng Anping figured it out, and it made sense. He just took Wu Wang to his own field to clean up every day. I thought it was a bit far to go to Xingyang to make iron tools, and it was inconvenient to pick it up again, so I postponed it.
Five days later, Zheng Anping hired an ox cart from the head of the village, prepared ten shi of grain, loaded clothes, armor and weapons, carried money on his back, and headed all the way to Guanyi to take office.
Relying on the talisman of Guanyi, Zheng Anping received free food and lodging at various inns along the way. He walked for three days before arriving at Guanyi.
When they arrived in Guanyi, the city lord took him out and arranged a place to stay in the city lord's mansion. He moved ten stones of grain, clothes and armor and other items into the house, paid the commission, and asked the chief to drive back.
After everything was arranged, Zheng Anping and the city lord chatted in the lobby. Zheng Anping said that since the lawsuit was not ready yet, it might disturb the city lord for several months. The city lord thanked him. Zheng Anping asked if the construction of the lawsuit had begun, and the city lord replied that someone could already be seen transporting supplies here. Zheng Anping said that he wanted to visit the old city, and the city lord did not need to accompany him.
Then talking about the future government affairs, Zheng Anping said: "Last month, the moon was bright, and I held sacrifices with the city lord, which I will never forget. This month, when the moon is bright, there may be celebrations in your city, and I should rejoice with the people. I hope the city will teach me."
The city lord said: "If the doctor asks, I will report it. The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the day when my city sacrifices Guan Zhong and Guan Shu. Guan Shu is the founder of the Guan family; Guan Zhong is the ancestor of the Guan family merchants." On the fifteenth full moon day of the first lunar month, they will be sacrificed together."
Zheng Anping said: "Very good! As a governor, although I encourage farmers to work on their fields, I also emphasize business. Maybe I have a small business and want to run it together with a few people from the noble town. Is that okay?"
The city lord said: "How difficult it is, how difficult it is! But if it is convenient, the officials will take advantage of it, or they can benefit from it, and they will be divided into dividends according to the regulations. Isn't it a double benefit?"
Zheng Anping said: "May I ask what the merchants in your city can do?"
The city lord said: "As for the merchants in the city, they are no more than travelers. All merchants from the four directions are willing to rest temporarily in Xiaoyi, maybe one or two days, or four or five days, and then return after finishing their business. However, there are merchants in my city. Those who have succeeded will camp in the city, call friends, bring their wives and generals, and think that the world is in the palm of their hands. "
Zheng Anping asked: "Which family has the best business reputation in Guiyi? Where is it now? Can I visit it?"
The city lord said: "As for the giant merchants, we once had a family in our city, where the former high official lived. His family was spread all over the world, and only two people, old and young, were left in charge. The younger one is a book publisher, so he should stay away. Although his home is relatively small, there are many wealthy businessmen who would like to stay here."
Zheng Anping asked: "Is this old man also a wealthy businessman?"
The city lord said: "No. The great merchant is his son. Maybe I heard that his son Guan Zhongming assisted the Lu family in Luoyang, and he was quite useful."
Zheng Anping said: "Lu family of Luoyang? The most powerful businessman in the world?"
The city lord said: "The so-called wealthy businessmen in the world include the Wang family of Hedong, who are engaged in salt; the Qing family of Bashan, who are engaged in dansha; the Guo family, the Kong family, the Zhuo family and the Cao Bing family, who are engaged in iron; these are all distinguished by their profession. Tao Tao The Tao family in Yi, the Lu family in Luoyang, the Chen family in Chencheng, the Duanmu family in Lu state, and the Bai family in Wei state have been engaged in business for many generations, and their roots are deep and solid, and they regard the world as the fingers of their hands. "
Zheng Anping said: "The Lu family is a businessman in the world. With the help of the Guan family, they can also dominate the world."
The city lord said: "The intention is also very great, and the strength is also very great. They are all beyond the reach of ordinary people."
Zheng Anping said: "Do the Qing family, Wang family, Guo family, etc. have some assistants in the city?"
The city lord said: "There may be one or two assistants, but they are no more than guarantors, and they are not as high and powerful as Guan Zhongming."
Zheng Anping said: "I met one year old by chance. Will he return home?"
The city lord said: "Businessmen have the most important foundation. How can you not return? We will sacrifice to Guanzu on the 15th, and we may be listed now!"
Zheng Anping asked: "Can I come and pay my respects?"
The city lord said: "You're a small businessman, you can just call me when you're here, why do you have to pay me a visit?"
Zheng Anping said: "This is not the way to respect the virtuous!"
The city lord said, "Master, please wait a moment while the common people call you."
Zheng Anping said: "Danyan, Mrs. Zheng, I pay my respects! Together with her father and son, I will express my gratitude to you!"
The city lord said: "Just wait for me, doctor!" After saying that, he went out. When I was young, the grandson and grandson of the owner of Nili, where I had stayed a few days ago, hurried over accompanied by a strong man. After entering the door, he knelt down at the foot of the steps and said, "I didn't know the doctor was calling me, so I came late to salute you. Please forgive me, doctor!"
Zheng Anping stood up, went down the steps, helped the old man up and said, "The former is staying here. I have received many benefits from my father-in-law, so I should express my gratitude!"
Then he helped the young man up and said, "You dare to be Guan Zhongming?"
Guan Zhongming bowed and replied: "It's a blessing to have a humble name and be heard by a doctor!"
Zheng Anping helped the child up again and said, "How old is the child?"
Guan Zhongming said: "My youngest son is only ten years old and very ignorant. Sir, please forgive me!"
Zheng Anping said: "My son is well-mannered and well-mannered, and he is worthy of his edification!" After the greetings were over, Zheng Anping said directly: "I was in charge of the order for the first time, and something is unclear. I dare to consult my elders, and I hope not to give up!"
Guan Zhongming said: "I dare to answer the doctor's question without knowing everything he knows. However, I may have little knowledge, and it may not be in line with the wishes of a gentleman!" He wanted to drive away his youngest son, so Zheng Anping called Wuwang and asked him to After playing with the child, the city lord took the opportunity to bring out a cup of preserved fruit for them to eat and play with.
Four people went to the hall, Zheng Anping sat in the middle, the city lord lived in the east, and Guan Zhongming and his son lived in the west. The eldest son of the city lord offered preserved fruits and sake and withdrew.
Zheng Anping said: "Guanyi's residence is among the real world. However, he is neither a commoner nor a rich man. Zhongming must be able to teach me!"
Guan Zhongming said: "If you are rich and common, you must be protected. As the saying goes, the roots are deep and solid, and the source is far-reaching and long-lasting. Among all the people in Guan Yi, they are neither Wei nor Han. If something happens, they will shirk the blame, and if they have advantages, they will fight for survival." It is still difficult, how can one be a common man and be rich! This is not the case when a great official comes. To protect a place of scholars and people and gain peace, one will surely be rich and a common man in the long run. "
Zheng Anping said: "Zhongming's words are sincere and agree with my heart. However, what I am confused about is that there are only a hundred people in charge of the city. They have no time to protect themselves, and they are not united. If you want to protect the peace of one party, Zhongming must have a plan!"
Guan Zhongming said: "When I travel for business, I must stay in a post house to be protected by it. Maybe it will be surrounded by counterattacks. This is a countervoye, and it must be useless. If I don't rely on the post house, I may be entrusted by thieves, or it may be difficult to defend against their invasion. , none of them are chosen. Among the people who govern the city, there are many counterattacks in the city, but there are not many who can welcome the giant merchants. Who can be considered as a guard without lawsuits? "
