Wen Zhong couldn't go back empty-handed, so he had to fight hard with these people: "Please calm down, Mr. Wen really came with the order of the big shopkeeper. It's absolutely true, don't get me wrong."
The slave thought he had received his master's order, so he was not afraid of anything. He straightened his back and said, "Shopkeeper Wen, evidence comes first in everything. If you are still rude and rude here, I will kick you out!"
Wen Zhong couldn't stand the anger of this slave and ran towards the hall with great strides. He was so frightened that the slave's neck dropped and half of his body slid under the table. The former pressed the table and stared at him like a tiger.
When the stewards saw him, they were all stunned for a long time and said nothing.
"I...I handed over the seal, and gave it to...for you..." The slave's face turned pale, his body was paralyzed with fear, and he stretched out his hand to touch the seal.
"No need, Wen will go back immediately after discussing the amount of cloth delivery." He held the slave's arm.
"You have the final say, you have the final say." He got up in embarrassment and apologized quickly to Wenzhong.
"Okay," Wen Zhong put his hands behind his back and sat aside, "Have you drawn up a list? If so, you can ask me to take a look."
A steward lazily took the list and then walked over unsteadily: "It's almost half complete. Please take a look at it, Mr. Wen."
He acted politely as if he hadn't seen it, calmly received the list, glanced up and down, but smacked his lips in dissatisfaction.
"Why is there no one in the province to send it off?" Wen Zhong put it down gently and raised his head to ask.
"The academic administration is far away in Befu, and the governor has no intention of doing so. It is better to give him a few pieces of cloth. Besides, who wants to be involved with the Liu Party..." said the steward.
"The governor has to be stationed in Yangzhou permanently. I'm afraid even the shopkeeper doesn't know this. Does this mean that it will be fine without any involvement?" Wen Zhong said, "It's better to show your attentiveness earlier to avoid worries."
The stewards responded one after another.
Wen Zhong handed the list back to the man and said seriously: "This matter is related to the future of the dyeing workshop. We must talk to your shopkeeper."
After some deliberation, several people finally decided on the number of cloths to be delivered. With the governor as the most important, followed by the magistrate, people were sent to each residence.
The governor was collecting congratulatory gifts in the hall when he saw a stranger coming to kneel down and say he was delivering cloth. Kuang Chang looked around and saw two or three people carrying the red box.
"Report." He said coldly.
The man held the red paper in his hand and read: "I visited the Yangzhou dyeing workshop and paid homage to the governor of Hunan. I felt deeply guilty because I didn't show any courtesy when I first arrived in Yangzhou. Therefore, I donated fifteen pieces of silk and satin to be woven and dyed in the workshop. Respect your lord!"
Kuang Chang was trying to win over the famous people in Yangzhou to expand his power. Today, he received this kind gift from the house. He smiled broadly and couldn't help but said: "Okay!" He then said: "Your shopkeeper is very considerate. I am very pleased. In the future, I will definitely live up to you, so go ahead."
As soon as the messenger came out with everyone, people from Guoxiang heard about the dyeing workshop in Guofu. He knew that Wen Zhong did not act step-by-step, but instead made his own decisions, giving an extra share to the province and having to "take the lead". Although this was a life-saving strategy, it only made the Hunan people feel angry and afraid at this time: Wenzhong was angry because he was unwilling to give up, and he was afraid that Wenzhong would win people's hearts again.
Wen Zhong must not go to the dye house. With this thought in mind, the Xiang people immediately ordered Wen Zhong to be summoned into the mansion again.
"My dear brother, what else do you have to do?" Wen Zhong came not too late, because he came directly from the dyeing workshop and never went back to rest.
"Thank you, Brother Wen, for your help. This was done so quickly." Although he was praising him, he didn't have any enthusiasm. He just rubbed his temples and remained motionless.
"Ah, the shopkeeper knows people well, and the discussion was natural and appropriate." Wen Zhong smiled in a coping manner.
"But..." Xiangren looked at the sky, "Although the dyeing workshop is settled, there are still some trivial matters in the house that need your attention. Well, you have been busy these two days. Don't be too tired. Why don't you let me share the burden with you in the dyeing workshop? The house is ready."
Wen Zhong listened attentively and smiled bitterly: "I don't dare to interfere in the dyeing workshop, let alone the housework?"
Guoxiang people seemed unwilling to respond.
Wen Zhong had mixed feelings in his heart and could only sigh: "Then...then I will continue working for two days."
On the first day that Shopkeeper Wen took over, all kinds of troublesome problems arose: for example, some servants suddenly fell ill, a certain steward went to a funeral, and several cousins who had passed Chuzi often complained about suffering and tiredness. He couldn't afford to be transferred; even Chuzi's daughter-in-law often asked when the Hunanese would come back, obviously ostracizing this outsider.
Wen Zhong had had enough of serving him, so he also complained of illness and slipped back to the gambling house.
The brothers were surprised to see Wen Zhong come back dejectedly, with a black cloud gathering on his forehead, so they chased him and asked, "What's wrong?"
Wen Zhong shut his mouth indifferently and looked at the people gathered at the door. He only uttered four words for a long time: "Call Guan Qi."
"What?!" Guan Qi almost jumped up, "Hunan people are such beasts! Why don't you tell your brothers?"
"Hunan people are ruthless in doing things and never think of stopping. If I am still short-sighted and say it loudly, is it possible for us and Guo Jia to get along?" Wen Zhong told him to be quiet with a gesture.
"It's not easy for me to make this clear to the people of Hunan... but the longer I delay, the more trouble I'll get." Wen Zhong was still thinking deeply, "Has Chen Tongzhi come back?"
Guan Qi said anxiously: "I'm back, I'm back, I entered the city last night."
"The only way is to let him ease the conflict," Wen Zhong said. "At least we can eliminate a little bit of misunderstanding."
"It's all up to you how to act." Guan Qi said eagerly.
"Go to him and ask him to use the title of country squire to help your brother Wen solve his problems." Wen Zhong suddenly turned his head, "Do you understand?"
Guan Qi smiled knowingly.
"Go." Wen Zhong saw this smile and was full of confidence.
When Tongpao Chen returned home, Leng Ping heard the heavy footsteps and hurriedly opened the door, but he happened to collide with Tongpao Chen.
"Husband, it's been a hard journey." Leng Ping said blessings first, then stroked his clothes, "Are you okay?"
The comrade laughed loudly: "I'm just going to catch up with old friends. Do you think I came down from the battlefield?"
After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.
Leng Ping was about to take off his coat when his hands were suddenly grabbed by his colleagues: "Wait a minute, I think someone will have to look for me."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud knock on the door, and his colleague pulled away and walked to the door.
"Me! Guan Qi!"
"It's not a coincidence that Master Qi is here!" Tongpao Chen opened the door and bowed.
"What's wrong? Have you ruined your couple's happy life?" Guan Qi joked unhurriedly.
"Master Qi, please don't speak too bluntly!" said the colleague with a smile, and walked into the main hall with him.
"How's the play house going?" asked my colleague.
"The dyeing workshop is back on track. No need to mention it. It's just that my brother Wen has some conflicts with the people from Hunan. Please help me."
"I would like to hear the details." The colleague turned his face to him, and Guan Qi muttered a few words in his ear.