"Shopkeeper Jin, the loan that Boss Zhang borrowed just now hasn't been recorded in the account book. Should we go and tell His Highness the King of Shu now?"
Xinfeng County, at the front counter of Yanhuang Bank, a young man in Tsing Yi asked nervously after seeing shopkeeper Jin coming out of the back room.
"shut up!"
Shopkeeper Jin panicked when he heard this. He hurriedly turned his head and looked behind him. When he saw no one behind him, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then he walked up to the boy, put on a calm face again, and said :
"Wang Xiaodong, His Royal Highness the King of Shu has many things to do every day. This time he came to our bank to check the accounts. His Highness has to rush back to Chang'an after checking the accounts. How can he spend so much time here? So it is better to do less than to do more. Just now Don’t tell His Highness about Boss Zhang’s coming to the bank to borrow money. It will make His Highness impatient, and I won’t be able to save you by then! Do you understand?”
Wang Xiaodong is just a boy at the bank. He has never seen the world, and he has no idea about the character of a prince and noble like Li Ke. When shopkeeper Jin threatened him so threateningly, he immediately panicked, "Don't worry, shopkeeper. I will definitely not talk too much! Thank you very much, Shopkeeper Jin, for reminding me!"
Shopkeeper Jin nodded with satisfaction and said: "Yes! Xiaodong! You are very sensible. I heard a while ago that your mother was ill and bedridden. This medical treatment must be very expensive, right? You can withdraw two dollars from the account later and treat it as My heartfelt thanks~!"
When Wang Xiaodong heard this, he immediately burst into tears of gratitude and said, "Thank you so much, Shopkeeper Jin! You are so kind to me. From now on, if Shopkeeper Jin has instructions, I will never give up!"
"Haha! Not bad! Xiaodong, you repay your kindness. I really saw you right! Now take people to the Wanbin Tower in the city to buy a first-class banquet for His Highness the King of Shu. Remember, it must be the best. The best wine and the best food~!”
Shopkeeper Jin saw that his goal had been achieved, so he said with a smile.
"Yes! From the shopkeeper!"
Wang Xiaodong responded excitedly, then quickly put down his work and left the bank.
"Huh? Why do I think Shopkeeper Jin wants to hide the account that Wang Xiaodong said? Who is Boss Zhang? Oh, the person Xiao Ke and I bumped into outside the house just now also has the surname Zhang. Could it be that Wang Xiaodong said it? Is that that person? No, there must be something fishy here, I’ll go talk to Xiao Ke!”
Shopkeeper Jin didn't know that his conversation with Wang Xiaodong in the front hall had been overheard by Cheng Chumo who had just come out of the side hall.
Although Cheng Chumo has an upright temperament, it does not mean that he is stupid. A conversation between Shopkeeper Jin and Wang Xiaodong made him feel that Shopkeeper Jin must have something evil in his heart.
So he quickly gathered his breath and quietly returned to the side hall.
"Xiao Ke, how are you? Have you found any problems in the account books?"
After returning to the side hall, Cheng Chumo approached Li Ke and asked hurriedly.
Li Ke looked at the account books and replied: "How can it be so fast? But in the few days of random checks I have done so far, I haven't found any problems! Didn't you say you went out for a walk, Ugly Cow? Why are you back again? "
Cheng Chumo turned around, first went out and looked around. After confirming that there was no one outside the house, he opened the door to look at it, then walked to Li Ke and said mysteriously: "Xiao Ke, I don't think this shopkeeper Jin is quite right." I'm afraid the account book he gave you is incomplete!"
Hearing this, Li Ke couldn't help but raise his head and asked, "Oh? Why did Brother Ugly Niu say this?"
"I was planning to go out for a walk just now, but I overheard Shopkeeper Jin talking about another account with the boy in the front hall..."
Cheng Chumo lowered his voice and told Li Ke what he had just seen. After listening, Li Ke couldn't help but frown deeply, "Listen to what you just said, Chou Niu, shopkeeper Jin does seem to have some problems. If you want to solve it, To find out the truth of the matter, we must first find out who this boss Zhang is, and how much money was involved in the latest account Wang Xiaodong mentioned?"
Cheng Chumo laughed in a low voice and said, "Hey! It's easy! Then Wang Xiaodong went to have a banquet. I stopped him halfway and tried to bluff him. I'm not afraid that he won't tell the truth~!"
Li Ke pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "That's very good! But you have to do it secretly to avoid alerting the enemy!"
Cheng Chumo nodded and said, "Don't worry, Xiao Ke! This matter will be taken care of by me!"
"Bang bang bang!"
Not long after the two discussed the countermeasures, there was a knock on the door outside the house, and Li Ke asked: "Who is it?"
"Your Highness, it's me! Jin Wanfu! Your Highness is tired from traveling all the way, so Jin bought a banquet for His Highness at the Wanbin Tower in the city to welcome His Highness and wash away the dust. I hope His Highness will appreciate it!"
As soon as Li Ke finished speaking, Jin Wanfu's voice came from outside the door.
The two looked at each other, Li Ke stood up, opened the door, and said to Jin Wanfu: "Shopkeeper Jin, to be honest, I came to Xinfeng County with the Tianji Brigade of Marquis Yong'an today to exterminate locusts. I checked the accounts at the bank. It's just a drop-in move! Therefore, it is inconvenient for me to have dinner at Wanbin Tower at noon, and I have failed to live up to the good intentions of Shopkeeper Jin!"
When Jin Wanfu heard this, he looked startled and said in surprise: "What? Yong'an Hou's Tianji Brigade came to Xinfeng County?"
If the Tianji Brigade really comes to Xinfeng County, then the locust plague in Xinfeng County will be resolved in less than two days. By then, Xinfeng County will become the second county after Lantian County to have completely eliminated locusts. The price of food in the city will also increase. Don't even think about going up any further. Not only will Zhang Xiongfei not make a huge profit from the 6,000 yuan he borrowed from the bank, he will even lose money!
Li Ke's eyes flashed and he asked thoughtfully: "What? Shopkeeper Jin doesn't want to see the Tianji Brigade come to Xinfeng County to eliminate locusts?"
When Jin Wanfu heard this, a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back. He quickly waved his hands and said: "No! No! The Tianji Brigade of Marquis Yong'an can come to Xinfeng County to eliminate locusts. It's too late for Jin to be happy. How could he not be willing? ? Jin was just a little surprised that Mr. Hou would come to Xinfeng County so quickly, and he had absolutely no other intentions!"
Li Ke took a deep look at Jin Wanfu, then picked up the account book on the table and said: "Haha! I didn't realize that shopkeeper Jin still cares about people's livelihood! I will take this account book for a while and let him know before dark. Send them back! Now that the King has important things to do, let’s take the first step!”
Although Jin Wanfu was extremely reluctant, he did not dare to raise any objections, so he could only hold up his hands and said: "Your Highness, go slowly! Your Highness has orders behind you, just give them, and Jin will be there at your call!"
"Yeah! Ugly Cow, let's go!"
Li Ke nodded, greeted Cheng Chumo, and the two of them went out.
"Did King Shu find something from the account book? It shouldn't be! This account book is quite satisfactory. I have checked it in private. Although there are some small flaws, there are absolutely no major problems. Alas, maybe I am overthinking~ !”
Looking at the leaving figures of Li Ke and Cheng Chumo, Jin Wanfu had a bad feeling in his heart, but for a moment he couldn't think of any flaw in himself, so he could only console himself.
But the bad premonition did not dissipate. Instead, it weighed heavily on his heart like a stone, so much so that he had no intention of going back to the backyard to see the two beautiful orchids he had just acquired!
............................
"Xiao Ke! It's him!"
After leaving the bank and walking on the street, Cheng Chumo suddenly pointed to a young man in Tsing Yi who was coming towards them on the path on the right, and said to Li Ke: "Xiao Ke, why don't you and Pang Feiji go to the county office first, and I'll go find that person?" Wang Xiaodong asks clearly!"
Seeing that it was almost lunch time, Li Ke knew that he could not delay, so he nodded in agreement: "That's okay! But ugly cow, don't hurt anyone, let alone scare the snake. If possible, it's best to persuade the young man to surrender to us. This way!"
Cheng Chumo patted Yue's chest and said with a smile: "Xiao Ke, don't worry! Okay, without further ado, I'll go first!"
After saying that, Cheng Chumo turned around and headed directly towards the young man in green clothes.
"Let's go! Let's go to the county government office!"
Although Li Ke was a little worried, the manpower around him was limited at this time, so he could only trust Cheng Chumo for a moment. He turned to Pang Feiji and said something, and then the two of them went straight to the Xinfeng County government office.
....................................
"Haha! The people of Xinfeng County are really lucky that Yong'an Hou can bring the Tianji Brigade to Xinfeng County to eliminate locusts! As the magistrate of Xinfeng County, Xianguan has been worried about the locust plague these days. Now Hou I have finally solved Xiaguan’s personal problem, Xiaguan must thank the Marquis in person, otherwise he will feel uneasy!”
At the Xinfeng County Government Office, after Li Ke explained his identity and purpose of coming, the county magistrate Wang Dezheng said with excitement.
Li Ke said calmly: "Of course Magistrate Wang wants to thank Marquis Yong'an in person, but the top priority right now is to prepare meals for the more than 100 people who are coming with him. I hope Magistrate Wang can arrange it as soon as possible! There is no need for meals. How luxurious, all you need is meat! In addition, we are preparing a pot of throat soup and a pot of hot mung bean soup, and then send them to the farmland outside the city!"
Wang Dezheng said in surprise: "Your Highness, Marquis Yong'an and the children from Lantian County won't go back to the county for dinner?"
Li Ke shook his head and said: "Going back to the city to eat is a waste of time! Magistrate Wang, please send someone to prepare meals! All expenses will be borne by me. This is the formula of the throat soup prescribed by Dr. Sun. Please be careful. There must be no mistakes in cooking, otherwise I will only ask you!"
Wang Dezheng looked solemn, took the prescription with both hands, and said: "The Tianji Brigade is here to help Xinfeng County eliminate locusts. The food expenses should be paid by Xinfeng County, how can we let His Highness spend money! As for the throat soup and mung bean soup, next The official will keep an eye on it personally, and there will definitely be no mistakes, so please rest assured, Your Highness!"
Li Ke waved his hand and said: "I don't need to worry about the food money. I have made up my mind. Go and arrange for someone to prepare lunch!"
Wang Dezheng had no choice but to raise his hands and say: "Yes! Your Highness, sit down for a moment! I will make arrangements right now!"
After saying that, Magistrate Wang walked out of the inner hall and arranged for people to prepare meals.
Li Ke happened to take out the account book, leaned on the table next to him and started to read it carefully.
About two-quarters of an hour later, Cheng Chumo walked in and said excitedly to Li Ke: "Xiao Ke! Xiao Ke! I heard about it!"
Li Ke put away the account books, stood up and said in surprise: "So fast? Tell me about that ugly cow!"
Cheng Chumo looked around and said to the maids standing on both sides: "You all go down first! I have something to say to His Highness the King of Shu!"
"yes!"
Everyone knew that the two young men in front of them were nobles from Chang'an. They couldn't even afford to offend Magistrate Wang, so they couldn't afford to offend them even more, so they quickly bowed and retreated.
When Cheng Chumo saw that there was no one around, he whispered to Li Ke: "Xiao Ke, I found out that the boss Zhang Jin Wanfu mentioned is called Zhang Xiongfei. He is the big fat man we bumped into at the door of the bank earlier. I heard Wang Xiaodong say Zhang Xiong Fei is the owner of Zhang Ji Grain Shop. This time Zhang Xiongfei came to Yanhuang Bank to borrow money from shopkeeper Jin. Guess how much he wants to borrow?"
"How many?"
Li Ke was still sorting out the clues that Cheng Chumo said. He couldn't help but frown when he heard the words and asked subconsciously.
"Six thousand guan! And it's borrowed at an annual interest rate of 16%!"
Cheng Chumo lowered his voice and said.
"Six thousand guan? Sixteen percent interest rate?"
Li Ke couldn't help but exclaimed. First of all, six thousand guan may not be worth mentioning to a top "big local tycoon" like Li Zexuan, but for a small county like Xinfeng County, 6,000 guan is definitely a huge sum of money. There are only a handful of people who can afford six thousand guan!
Another thing that surprised Li Ke was the loan interest rate of 6,000 guan. The annual interest rate of 16% was indeed cheap for private loans in the past, but Yanhuang Money Bank had just implemented a unified annual interest rate for loans— - 8%. Shopkeeper Jin here directly lent 6,000 guan to Zhang Xiongfei at an annual interest rate of 16%. If there was nothing fishy in this, Li Ke would not believe anything he said!
"What is Zhang Xiongfei borrowing so much money for? And he is willing to borrow money at twice the lending rate, which shows that he is in urgent need of money and is confident that he can use the money to make more money in a short period of time! So, he There must be a business that is sure to make money but not lose money, at least he thinks it is a sure way to make money without losing money!"
Li Ke thought for a while and murmured to himself in a low voice.
"Hey! Isn't this easy to guess? This guy surnamed Zhang must have used these 6,000 yuan to buy food. There is a locust plague everywhere now. This old guy must want to stock up more food for the people's crops in the future. After being devastated by locusts, he took the opportunity to drive up the price of food and make a fortune! Xiaoke, do you still remember when we first entered the city, the people said that the price of food at Zhangji Grain Shop in the west of the city had increased again? Doesn’t this mean that Isn’t this old bastard okay?”
Cheng Chumo chuckled at this time.
"....Well, Chumo, your analysis makes sense!"
Hearing this, Li Ke nodded with deep sympathy. Suddenly, he looked at Cheng Chumo with a strange look on his face and said, "Hey! No! When did your brain become so flexible, Chou Niu? This is not like you~!"
Cheng Chumo's old face suddenly froze. He probably had tens of thousands of mud horses galloping past in his heart at this moment, "Damn it! Xiao Ke, you are so unkind! I worked so hard to make money and help you investigate the case, but you This hurts me, brother~!"
Li Ke chuckled and said, "Haha! I was just joking with you, but then again, Chou Niu, how did you make Wang Xiaodong willingly reveal the truth?"
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