The middle-aged man seemed to realize that Hu Mingyi did not recognize him, so he introduced himself: "The younger one is the housekeeper of the family of the Chief Historian of the Prince's Palace."
When he talked about his identity, his face lit up.
Although successive governors of Datong have the responsibility to secretly monitor Dai Wangfu, Dai Wangfu's status in Datong is very transcendent, and ordinary forces will avoid Dai Wangfu when facing it.
"I remembered." Hu Mingyi suddenly realized, and immediately asked, "Since you are Shi Changshi's housekeeper, why did you bring so many people here?"
A Chang Shi butler brought his servants to the largest restaurant in Datong City. He did not think that these people came to the restaurant to eat.
Steward Changshi puffed up his chest and said, "I have been ordered by the king to come to the wealthy households in the city to collect donations. All the silver I earned will be used to donate to the soldiers guarding the city."
Hu Mingyi's face suddenly turned ugly when he heard this. He didn't expect that Dai Wangfu would focus on fundraising.
He didn't think that the money raised from Dai Wangfu would be given to the soldiers defending the city. Due to Dai Wangfu's greed, it was likely that all the money raised would go into Dai Wang's pocket, and not even one tael would be used to defend the city.
"You go back and tell Chang Shi that you won't bother him with the fundraising. My governor's office will do it." Hu Mingyi said to Chang Shi's housekeeper in front of him.
We don't want this person to make a lot of money under the guise of raising money for the soldiers defending the city.
Butler Chang Shi frowned slightly and said dissatisfiedly: "Now that Datong City is under siege by bandits, we, the acting king, as a vassal, kindly raise money for the soldiers defending the city. Is it possible that Mr. Hu feels that the acting king is not worthy of doing this? "
"Don't talk nonsense. I never said that the king is unworthy." Hu Mingyi's face sank when he saw the other party knocking him down.
Butler Chang Shi's face seemed to change, and he put on a smile and said: "Since Mr. Hu also believes that the Prince's Palace should do his best to defend the city, I will continue."
As he spoke, he turned around and faced the restaurant manager behind the counter, and said coldly: "You have heard what I just said. I would like to advise you, you have to pay for this money whether you want to or not. Otherwise, you are colluding with the bandits, and I will bring you to court now."
Hu Mingyi's face turned livid.
This isn't a fundraiser, it's just plundering.
"Steward Shi, you should know who the boss is behind this place. They came here to rob the money, but I am afraid that you will lose your life if you take it." The restaurant owner showed no fear when facing the steward who was the chief steward of the Prince's Palace.
Snapped!
Butler Chang Shi slapped his hand on the counter and said with a cold face: "You are so shameless, do you think it is still the same as before? Let me tell you, the master behind you, Yang Guozhu, has defected to the rebels and is a traitor of the Ming Dynasty. Believe it or not, just one word from the palace and your restaurant will be raided!"
"You, you are talking nonsense. It is impossible for General Yang to betray the court and join the bandits." The restaurant owner shouted excitedly, and his aura weakened unconsciously.
He didn't know whether Yang Guozhu had defected to the bandits, but the fact that he had become a prisoner of the bandits had already spread back to Datong. Now, several properties of the Yang family in Datong City were unstable.
Fortunately, Yang Guozhu's general troops were still powerful and could barely maintain the situation.
But he never expected that Prince Dai's Mansion would be the first to pounce on the Yang family's restaurant without any scruples.
Butler Chang Shi sneered and said: "Stop talking nonsense, don't say that Yang Guozhu has betrayed the imperial court. Even if he is still here, he will not dare to stop what we want to do on behalf of the palace. You must think carefully before you offend us." On behalf of the palace, when the time comes, let alone this restaurant, even you will be imprisoned for being a bandit."
After speaking, he looked around the restaurant with his eyes.
"This!" The restaurant owner looked hesitant and finally looked at Hu Mingyi for help.
Hu Mingyi pretended not to see the other person's eyes asking for help.
At this time, he also understood that Dai Wangfu was eyeing the Yang family's restaurant.
After the steward Chang Shi looked around the restaurant, he turned around and said to Hu Mingyi who was standing behind him: "Mr. Hu is here for dinner. I'll let the people in the restaurant prepare the food for Mr. Hu."
"I'm not here to eat." Hu Mingyi said expressionlessly.
Butler Chang Shi said with a smile: "Since Mr. Hu is not here for dinner, I will not keep Mr. Hu. Soon the restaurant will close and no longer receive guests."
As the host, he directly issued an eviction order.
"I came to the restaurant to collect donations." Hu Mingyi hooked his hand towards the servant behind him, motioning to lift the wooden box, and then said to the restaurant owner, "Once the gangsters outside the city enter the city, I'm afraid the restaurant of yours will be in trouble. To save it, for the sake of our own restaurant, why not spend some money to support the soldiers defending the city."
However, the restaurant owner hadn't spoken yet. Butler Chang Shi, who was standing in front of the counter, said: "It turns out that Mr. Hu is also collecting donations for Datong City. How about this? Mr. Hu might as well go back first, and wait until we finish collecting donations from this restaurant on behalf of the palace, and then in person Send the money to your governor's office."
"No, we will get it ourselves." Hu Mingyi walked to the counter.
He knew that the Yang family's restaurant would definitely not be able to save what Dai Wangfu was eyeing, so he decided to take this opportunity to raise more money from the owner of the Yang family's restaurant. Anyway, in the end, the restaurant would only benefit Dai Wangfu.
"It's not good for Mr. Hu to do this! I've already said that I will send the money over." This time it was Butler Chang Shi's turn to look ugly.
He already regarded the Yang Family Restaurant as something in his pocket, and any taels of silver would be their long-lasting possession.
Hu Mingyi's face sank and he said, "What? Why do you want a servant next to Chang Shi to comment on the Governor's Yamen?"
"Of course I don't dare to say anything about the governor's yamen's errands, but for such a big thing as raising money, the restaurant owner must agree to it. It's better not to force it!" Butler Chang Shi said to Hu Mingyi.
Hu Mingyi glanced at the other party contemptuously and said: "That is also the shopkeeper's own business. It is not your turn as a servant to interrupt here."
"Mr. Hu, are you not going to give face to Prince Dai's palace?" Butler Chang Shi narrowed his eyes.
Hu Mingyi snorted coldly and said: "Who do you think you are? You are not worthy of talking about the reputation of Prince Dai in front of me. Even if your master Shi Changshi is here, he would not dare to talk to me like this."
Butler Chang Shi's face became extremely ugly.
Although the title of Dai Wangfu is useful, it may not be so useful for the staff around the governor. After all, he is just a servant of Dai Wangfu. He is not even a servant of Dai Wangfu. He can only be regarded as the chief of Dai Wangfu. The servants around Shi.
"Shopkeeper, have you decided how much money to donate? Let me tell you, this money will be used to defend the city." Hu Mingyi ignored the housekeeper in Chang Shi's house and just looked at the restaurant owner behind the counter.
