PS: Thanks to book friend 20200921020431602 for the reward.
"I've met the old man." Zhang Guangkun smiled and cupped his hands towards the old man of the Zhao family who was sitting on the grand master's chair.
Wang Jinyu and Huang Mingcheng also did the same, and they all saluted Mr. Zhao.
The old man of the Zhao family opened his half-lidded eyes, took one hand away from the heater, and said with a smile: "You three are rare guests. You never come to this old guy like me if you have nothing to do. Find a place to sit by yourself."
There was no shortage of seats in the room. Zhang Guangkun, Wang Jinyu and Huang Mingcheng each found a seat and sat down.
"Go and serve tea to the three heads of the family, and bring some preserved fruits." The old man of the Zhao family turned his head slightly and gave instructions to Butler Zhao who was standing aside.
Butler Zhao bowed slightly and retreated.
There were two maids standing behind the old man of the Zhao family. One of them rubbed his shoulders, and the other carefully beat his legs.
"As people get older, their body and bones are not as good as before. In the past, you could just wear a fur coat and sleep in the snow. Now, if you have old arms and legs, you have to sleep in the snow and there is no hope of waking up again. Yes." The old man of the Zhao family noticed that several people's eyes were spinning on the brazier, and explained with a smile.
Zhang Guangkun hurriedly clasped his hands in his fists, leaned forward slightly, and said: "The status that we Han merchants have today is all the result of the old man fighting for us. Without the hard work of the old man, there would be no Han merchants today."
"It's easy for people to talk about these useless things when they get old. The three of you can expand the business because of your own ability. You have nothing to do with this old guy. Now that Su Nang Taiji is lenient to us Han merchants, you also It's a good time." The old man of the Zhao family waved his hand.
Wang Jinyu cupped his hands and said: "Without the old lady pointing the way for us, we would not be here today. We will never forget the kindness of the old lady."
"You guys, just praise me, an old man who is half dead!" The old man of the Zhao family grinned, obviously very happy with the compliments from the two people.
Huang Mingcheng, who was sitting at the outermost position, smiled and said: "I am not praising the old man again, but telling another fact. What was the Han merchants like when I was sweating? What is the status of Han merchants now? If Without the efforts of the old man, we would not be where we are today."
"Okay, stop bragging. The three of you gave me high hats as soon as you came. There must be something wrong. Tell me, what happened? If the share that should be given to Su Nang Taiji is not enough, I will support you." I can only delay it for a few days at most, but the share that should be given must be collected and sent to Su Nang Tai Ji." said the old man of the Zhao family.
Zhang Guangkun shook his head and said: "Don't worry, old man. We have already given away the share given to Su Nang Taiji. This time I came to see the old man. I have something else to ask for your attention."
"Oh? Even the three of you can't make up your mind about anything. This is not like the style of the three of you." The old man of the Zhao family turned his eyes around the three of them.
The three people in front of him were all Han merchants, and they were the most powerful Han merchants in Bansheng City and even Tumut. Each of them was smart and capable. He was curious about these three people who suddenly came to him to make decisions.
Wang Jinyu said with a wry smile: "To be honest, old man, this time we really encountered a big problem. I really don't know what to do. Old man, you have been doing business since I was sweating. You have seen a lot about big winds and waves, and you must be more decisive than us." .”
"Don't rush to praise me, old guy. Tell me what happened to the three of you?" asked the old man of the Zhao family.
The three people looked at each other, and Huang Mingcheng said to Zhang Guangkun: "Brother Zhang, it's you who have to say it!"
Wang Jinyu on the side also said: "Yes, Brother Zhang, it's up to you to tell the old man what's going on." Go to Tingshu.com
Seeing that both people asked him to speak, Zhang Guangkun said: "Okay, then I will talk to the old man."
Immediately, he turned sideways and faced the old man of the Zhao family.
"Tell me, I also want to hear what's going on." The old man of the Zhao family grabbed the bowl on the table and took a small sip.
Zhang Guangkun took a deep breath and said: "I wonder if the old man knows about the battle between the Tiger Character Banner and the Tumut army led by the Great Khan on the grassland before winter."
"I heard it. Didn't it mean that because the Great Khan wanted the herdsmen to spend the winter, he let go of the soldiers and horses of the Tiger Flag and led the army back to Qingcheng." said the old man of the Zhao family.
Zhang Guangkun said with a wry smile: "Old Master, you are right. The Great Khan withdrew his troops in order to let his troops survive the winter. However, there is also a saying circulating on the grassland that it was because the Great Khan saw that the coalition forces of the Tumote tribes could not help the tigers. The soldiers and horses of the Zi Banner were forced to retreat only as a last resort."
"Nonsense, no one knows what kind of virtue the soldiers and horses of the Ming Dynasty are, and how they can compare with the Mongolian cavalry." The old man of the Zhao family frowned and stamped his feet.
Seeing this, Zhang Guangkun said hurriedly: "Old man, don't be angry. This is not what we said, but what the Mongolians in Bansheng City said themselves. We are just learning to talk."
"Hmph, don't say this nonsense in the future. If it really reaches Su Nang Taiji's ears, you will be happy to see it." The old man of the Zhao family snorted coldly.
Zhang Guangkun apologized and said: "Yes, yes, yes, that's what the old man said. We also told the old man that we never said this when we were outside."
"Okay, you don't need to apologize to me." The old man of the Zhao family waved his hand and then said, "Go on, what is going on?"
Zhang Guangkun thought for a while and then said: "After the Great Khan led his army back to Qingcheng, there were rumors that the Tiger Character Banner would launch a large-scale attack on the Tumote tribes in the coming year."
Snapped! Snapped! Snapped!
The old man from the Zhao family slapped the table several times with his hands.
Zhang Guangkun stopped and looked at the old man of the Zhao family.
"Hmph, this tiger-character flag is so desperate that even a business from the Ming Dynasty dares to brag about coming to attack Tumut. Who does he think he is? Not even the commander-in-chief of the border army in Datong dares to say such a thing. "The old man of the Zhao family had a cold expression on his face.
Zhang Guangkun said awkwardly: "Old man, please calm down. Maybe the Tiger Flag is just spreading rumors and doesn't dare to actually attack Qingcheng."
"Continue?" Mr. Zhao motioned to Zhang Guangkun to continue.
Zhang Guangkun looked at the old man of the Zhao family, and then continued: "Just a few days ago, people from the Tiger Character Banner found the three of us and hoped that the three of us would cooperate with the Tiger Character Banner."
"Did you agree?" Old Mrs. Zhao frowned.
Zhang Guangkun waved his hands hurriedly and said: "No, we did not agree, but we are worried that the Tiger Character Banner will really come to attack Qingcheng, and the Tiger Character Banner's pier in Daheihe is only a few dozen miles away from Bansheng City. Once the Tiger Character Banner If Qi takes action, Bansheng City will be the first to bear the brunt."
