The county magistrate and Wu Sijing discussed for a long time and finally came up with a feasible plan. First, Wu Sijing instructed several shopkeepers to sell off the shops, and then the government came forward to buy these shops one by one on the grounds of "poor management of many properties" and assign special personnel to manage them - and these so-called special personnel were exactly The confidants who took orders from Wu Sijing naturally took over this responsibility at this time.
In the following months, under Wu Sijing's step-by-step strategy, all the stores he still held in his hands had changed hands. The current situation could finally make him breathe a sigh of relief. The county magistrate was also very happy and included Wu Sijing's stores into his own. Under the jurisdiction, we can also use it to gain more benefits. All in all, this cooperation is very successful.
Ye Yongjia and Cai Xianqing were obviously busier than them. They were dealing with merchants all day long and had no time to pay attention to every move in the county government. Fortunately, after they used various methods such as lowering prices and persuading them, the firearms factory in Beitang was finally completed, and they will be ready to start making guns in about two days tomorrow.
Faced with this new situation, Ye Yongjia could not make the decision, so he had to report the situation in Beitang one by one, hoping that the court would show it. Niu Yuan was overjoyed when he received this message. He immediately came to Zhongshu Province and summoned all the officials to say: "When the matter has progressed to this point, someone needs to go to Beitang on behalf of the government to conspire with the Fan people on the casting matter. You cannot do it for him." It’s a lie. I wonder if you have anyone in mind?”
Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, no one wanted to go through this hard work, except Li Wenshou who was at a loss, so they all promoted him.
Deputy Political Councilor Hong Lisan also said: "Brother Li once purchased artillery for the border government, and he had a very clear idea of the way to the foreign barbarians. At that time, he also learned some gunpowder techniques from their mouths. I think sending him there on this trip was just for the purpose. suitable!"
"Deputy Li joins politics, are you willing to go?"
Only then did Li Wenshou understand their intentions, but at this point, he could not shirk the situation, so he could only scold Hong Lisan in his heart and replied helplessly: "I am willing to go."
Flags suddenly appeared faintly from the horizon, and several huge ships propped up their masts and were taking advantage of the calm water to move forward, gradually approaching the dock.
The people on the port screamed a few times and fled in all directions, but it was not because of these merchant ships, but because of two high-ranking officials from the imperial court walking behind them: Ye Yongjia, Minister of War, and Li Wenshou, deputy political counselor of Zhongshu Province.
"Don't be rude!" Ye Yongjia looked at the soldiers who were driving away the people and stopped him sternly, "Don't you know how to speak well?"
The soldiers just calmed down their tempers and allowed the people to go on their own.
"Those people are Fan Shang, right?" Li Wenshou looked and saw four people standing on the wooden board in the distance, motionless.
"Yes, their cargo ship has arrived, and they are standing there preparing to unload the cargo." After saying that, the two of them followed immediately.
"Okay, stop, stop!" Bearded Bear roared loudly, and the large ships quickly dropped anchor. The waves hit a pair of his shoes and stopped tightly on the dock.
The gangplank was put down on the ship, and several shirtless strong men were seen walking out of the cabin, carrying wooden boxes and barrels back and forth.
The bearded man was busy directing the crew, but the other three noticed Ye Yongjia's arrival and hurriedly turned around and bowed deeply: "Master Ye..."
"Everyone, the imperial court heard that the factory has been built, and specially sent officials to ask questions." Ye Yongjia pointed to Li Wenshou with a smile, "Let me introduce, this is Li Wenshou, deputy political counselor of Zhongshu Province."
All the merchants were stunned for a moment and then responded: "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."
"Who is this next to you?" The bearded man wiped his hands with a cloth and came closer.
"I am the deputy political advisor." Li Wenshou saw his casual attitude and was quite annoyed. "Perhaps you Westerners don't understand the official positions of the Chinese dynasty, so let me make it clear to you that I am the deputy to Niu Fengxiang!"
Everyone's smiles suddenly froze, and there was a brief silence on the dock. Only the "dong-dong" sound of moving things was still making.
"Oh," Ye Yongjia had to play the role of peacemaker, "It's all because Ye failed to explain clearly, which made Mr. Li a little angry. But he is a peaceful person, you can tell by looking at his face. Shotgun Ben It’s a thing that can bear fire. A little bit of fire is in line with the current situation! Let’s go to the church and rest together.”
Everyone's expressions became more natural, and they immediately moved all the raw materials to the shore, and then left the port.
Wu Sijing was all smiles when he saw the guests coming. After getting to know Li Wenshou, he personally invited a few of them to the living room and asked the servants to simmer tea for them.
"Master Ye, why didn't Mr. Cai follow?" Wu Sixing asked, holding a pot and pouring tea for him.
Before he could reply, Li Wenshou said first, "Cai Xianqing is just a servant. Since the imperial court sent me to negotiate, there is nothing to do with him. Let him rest in peace in Ninghe."
"That's it." After hearing this, Wu Sixing breathed out a long breath involuntarily.
"May I ask how many years have you been doing business along the coast of our country?" Li Wenshou asked leisurely while blowing on the hot tea.
"As you know, we Westerners don't like beating around the bush," the bearded man said with resentment, "If you have something to do, I hope you can get straight to the point."
Li Wenshou's eyebrows twitched, his face turned ugly for a moment, and he said with a wry smile: "It seems that you all have objections to me and don't want to chat with me, so forget it. Then please let this preacher go out first."
Wu Sijing's eyes wandered, and the hand holding the pot stopped moving: "Sir, you guys will be thirsty if you talk, I will serve you tea."
"Get out." Li Wenshou's face darkened, "You are a little bishop, how can you interfere in my affairs? You are a foreigner, can you behave like this and disobey orders?"
"This..." Wu Sijing lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and said no more. The merchants felt uncomfortable hearing this, and even lowered their voices and cursed: "This guy is really an old bastard, he doesn't take us seriously. people……"
Ye Yongjia quickly advised: "This Bishop Wu Sijing is the benefactor who helps me contact merchants. He is not an outsider. It doesn't hurt to let him listen."
"I've said it twice," Li Wenshou still ignored it and continued, "May I ask what this person's... name is? Oh, the bishop wants me to say it again?"
"Don't dare, don't dare," Wu Sixing's tone already revealed some dissatisfaction, "Just go away, villain." After that, he slowly put down the pot, chuckled to himself, and walked down the hall.
"After delaying this for so damn long...can you finally say it?" Bearded man complained in his native language.
"what did he say?"
"Nothing..." Fat Fanshang replied with a smile.
"Then I need to discuss with you first about the price of the shotgun."
