"Isn't that lady's surname Pei?"
In the carriage back to the city, the young man in the fox white fur shawl who was resting with his eyes closed suddenly spoke.
Taking advantage of the setting sun outside the window, Wang Caozhi, who was looking down at his account book, turned around, looked at Ouyang Rong's calm expression, and shook his head:
"Mrs. Pei? I don't know her." He asked curiously, "Why does my brother-in-law ask this?"
Ouyang Rong opened his eyes, looked at him for a while, and nodded gently: "No, that's fine."
He then explained: "There is a businesswoman named Pei who has been walking around Xunyang City recently. She is also a businessman from Yangzhou. She seems to have made a fortune selling private salt."
"Surnamed Pei? Yangzhou salt merchant?" Wang Caozhi chewed for a while, shook his head and said:
"I'm not very familiar with it. But brother-in-law, most of these salt merchants have a close relationship with the local government. The family has been running the business for several generations, making huge profits, and everyone is extremely rich.
“And outside, they are usually from the same hometown, united and powerful, and have strong financial resources.
"Also, the way of merchants is mostly dominated by men. If a woman can do business, she must be a character with strong skills."
I don't know what came to mind, but Wang Caozhi's tone was deeply touching.
Ouyang Rong smiled and said nothing.
Wang Caozhi looked at the expression of the fox-white furred young man and asked cautiously: "Brother-in-law, don't you like that Mrs. Pei?"
Ouyang Rong thought for a while: "You merchants from the rice and wheat industry are much cleaner than salt merchants like her."
"Uh." Wang Caozhi paused and shook his head: "Brother-in-law's compliment is weird."
"What's weird?"
Wang Caozhi scratched his head: "I'm so embarrassed."
"..."
Ouyang Rong reminded: "It's okay. As long as that Mrs. Pei doesn't follow your path and come to build a bridge again."
Wang Caozhi nodded: "Don't worry, brother-in-law, we are not so ignorant."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
In the days after she declined the sexual bribe from Youlan Xiaoyuan, Pei Shisanniang had approached Ouyang Rong several times.
This lady who loves to wear all kinds of luxurious silks has a very low profile and a warm and flattering attitude.
However, Ouyang Rong declined all of these. Later, he simply ignored them and pretended not to see them. He also privately asked his aunt Zhen Shuyuan to refuse all the offers from Pei Shisanniang.
On the way back, Wang Caozhi thought of something and said:
"But I heard that the life of salt merchants is difficult now, not only in Yangzhou, but also in ten provinces in the world.
"It seems that due to the aftermath of the Yingzhou Rebellion, the Shendu court tightened its control and supervision over the salt and iron matters. Di Fuzi also vigorously implemented some strict decrees to restrict merchants from selling salt, and transferred the salt industry to a government-designated agency to specialize... …”
He shook his head and sighed: "These salt merchants are not having a hard time. In the past few years, they were very prosperous."
Ouyang Rong said nothing.
The carriage entered the city under the afterglow of the setting sun, passed by Xingzifang, and passed through a snack street where merchants were gradually closing their stalls.
He raised the curtain with his fingers and stared at the crowded shops and houses on one side of the street.
Xingzifang.
A special area that is dirty, old and messy, but bustling and lively.
It is adjacent to Xunyangdu and located on the bank of the river.
In the eyes of city planners, the location is great.
Moreover, after the centenary plan that Ouyang Rong planned to implement that was beneficial to Xunyang City was completed and the flood problem was resolved, Xunyang City was expanded to the west of the city to the rear of the twin peaks.
Xingzifang was able to transform from the original remote edge area into the central area of Xunyang City.
Truly a prime location.
But now.
However, this place is occupied by old streets and squares that have been in disrepair for a long time, giving off a different kind of liveliness.
Just like a village in the city, the rent is low, attracting most of the hard laborers in Xunyang City, as well as people from outside looking for a living.
"Have you been targeted so early? The noses of these profit-seeking businessmen are as sensitive as sharks smelling blood.
"This was before my plan for digging the double peaks and building the Xunyang Grottoes was announced..."
Ouyang Rong's dark eyes reflected the lights of thousands of families in Xingzifang in the distance, and murmured to himself.
His face flickered with the light of the shop lanterns on the streets he passed, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
Wang Caozhi turned around: "What did brother-in-law say?"
Ouyang Rong didn't answer.
The short young man followed the gaze of the young man in white fox fur and looked out the window. After a while, he said with a smile:
"Brother-in-law, this Xingzifang is in a good location."
Ouyang Ronghu said: "That Mrs. Pei and the salt merchants behind her want to buy most of the land in Xingzifang."
Wang Cao was stunned, digested it, and gradually frowned, then returned to normal:
"Brother-in-law, we didn't talk nonsense outside."
Ouyang Rong nodded lightly: "She prepared it a few months ago, earlier than us."
Wang Caozhi breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled:
"Ha, it's interesting. I want to go ashore to clear my name. The private salt business is getting harder and harder to do. I am planning to find a new stable source of income. The harvest will be guaranteed during droughts and floods. No, I will make more money every day."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Wang Caozhi.
The latter waved his sleeves and looked upright:
"Brother-in-law, don't let her deceive you. After our big things are done, Xunyang City is designated for expansion. Isn't she picking our peach?"
The words changed:
"Of course, the most important thing is that businessmen spend a lot of money to renovate the houses in the village. Where can the poor people live cheaply? The designated rent increase is even more disgusting than those small landlords today.
"Brother-in-law, we can't do this kind of thing where we end up plundering the people."
The short young man looked sincere and firm: "I, Wang Caozhi, object to this matter with my real name!"
Ouyang Rong turned his head and looked at Wang Caozhi silently.
The two looked at each other for a while.
The atmosphere is a bit quiet.
Ouyang Rong's expression seemed to be asking, you, the kid, can laugh at the same pace at fifty steps. When did you have such noble consciousness?
"Ahem, brother-in-law, why are you looking at me like that?"
Wang Caozhi covered his mouth and coughed, blinked at Ouyang Rong and said:
"Well, it's actually not pleasing to the eye. Watching them make a lot of money is even more uncomfortable than me losing money! It's like crushing my back molars."
After hearing this, Ouyang Rong looked away and said, "Don't add drama, it's the same for you guys."
Wang Caozhi laughed and didn't mention it again.
He calmly glanced at the young man in front of him, who looked slightly tired.
In fact, this morning when everyone was discussing the final plan behind closed doors in the meeting room of the Municipal Trade Department,
Many colleagues mentioned the matter of Xingzifang, including the maid Qingshu and shopkeeper Guo sent by the lady from Yangzhou.
A group of businessmen all wanted to have some additional win-win cooperation with this 'easy-to-talk' Mr. Chang Shi. With the cooperation of Jiangzhou Hall and the official documents and regulations, they made arrangements in Xingzifang in advance...
But the ending can be imagined, Ouyang Rong refused very forcefully.
Naturally, everyone felt helpless and regretful, but after all, everyone was an outsider. Before this cooperation, they did not have much involvement in Xunyang City.
The reason why Ouyang Rong was able to join this big money-making business this time was because he missed his old relationship. He dared to force anything more, but he was honest.
Wang Caozhi came to his senses and raised his head: "Brother-in-law, those Yangzhou salt merchants are wild, so you'd better be careful later."
"clear."
Ouyang Rong nodded calmly.
Not long after, the carriage they were riding in left Xingzifang and passed Huaiye Lane. Ouyang Rong said:
"You go ahead, I'll go home and get some things."
"Okay, brother-in-law."
Before Ouyang Rong got up and got out of the car, Wang Caozhi suddenly said: "Brother-in-law, remember to change into more formal clothes. There are many people tonight."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong was lost in thought about Xingzifang.
A carriage drove away with Wang Caozhi, leaving a carriage waiting outside. Ouyang Rong walked into the Huaiye Lane mansion.
On the corridor, he looked down at his clothes. Except for the expensive fox white fur shawl given by the Prince of Xunyang, which looked more impressive.
Ouyang Rong was wearing a plain white wenshan, which was given to him by his sister Aqing before they parted ways.
The plain white wenshan has tight stitching and is thickened and cotton-padded inside. It is very warm to wear in winter, but the appearance is quite ordinary.
Return to Yinbingzhai.
I didn’t see Ye Weilai’s figure.
I don't know what I was busy with. Maybe I didn't expect Ouyang Rong to come back in the evening.
Seeing that the sky was getting dark outside, it was not long before the birthday party indicated on the invitation.
Came back too late and was in a hurry.
I originally planned to take a shower when I got back to wash away my fatigue, feel clean and sober, and get over it.
Ouyang Rong hesitated, glanced at the sky, and did not go to take a shower or change clothes.
He walked to the cabinet, picked up the handmade oil-paper umbrella, turned around and was about to leave. As if he thought of something, he looked back at the expensive gift box sent by a junior sister.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lower lip.
About a quarter of an hour later, the carriage parked in front of the Huaiye Lane mansion started slowly and drove towards the prosperous Xunyang Tower with red lights hanging on the river bank in the distance.
…
Ouyang Rong fell asleep.
Still woken up by the coachman.
Slowly opening his eyes and looking at the cautious dark face of the driver in front of him, Ouyang Rong hurriedly got up and got out of the car.
"Sorry, thank you for the hard work."
Ouyang Rong was a little apologetic, and the coachman waved his hand quickly, "Sir, please come in quickly. It seems that the banquet is about to begin."
"good."
The carriage dropped Ouyang Rong off at the entrance of Xunyang Tower and drove to the stable.
A gust of river wind hit us.
The coldness made Ouyang Rong sober up. He rubbed his face and muttered: "Why did you fall asleep..."
Maybe it was the rhythmic jolting of the carriage just now, which was a bit of a sleep aid.
However, Ouyang Rong has indeed consumed so much of his mind and energy for that important event recently that he almost overslept and missed his junior sister's birthday party.
Fortunately, everything is settled today, and I can relax and spend the Yuanzheng holiday from tomorrow.
Ouyang Rong shook his head.
He lowered his head and straightened his collar, took a deep breath, carried the gift, and walked into the towering Xunyang Tower in front of him.
Ouyang Rong found that the entrance to Xunyang Tower seemed to be a little deserted tonight, without the usual scene of people coming and going.
However, carriages arrived sporadically, and the guests who walked into this building looked all dressed in rich clothes and looked impressive.
Some are even grand.
Ouyang Rong also saw a group of guards with swords riding on tall horses under the shade of a tree not far outside Xunyang Tower, standing quietly waiting for the owner who seemed to have entered the building.
The guests tonight are either rich or noble.
Could it be that the junior sister and her relatives have booked the entire Xunyang Tower? No visitors allowed in?
Ouyang Rong looked around, somewhat curious.
At the gate on the first floor of Xunyang Tower, there was a row of beautiful maids welcoming guests.
Ouyang Rong followed the example of other strange guests and handed them the gifts he brought.
A welcoming maid smiled and said, "Master, please come with me."
Ouyang Rong asked subconsciously: "Where is the junior sister?"
"What little junior sister?" the welcoming maid asked in confusion.
Ouyang Rong looked at her, paused, and shook his head: "It's okay."
These maids appear to be well-educated and elegant in manners, but their accents are not like the dialects here in Jiangzhou. They may be domestic slaves brought by the Xie family in Chen County.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the back of the welcoming maid.
At present, there were two other guests around him, who were also brought in by a maid with a similar smile.
"What's your surname, young master?" the maid in front asked politely.
"Ouyang."
"Master Ouyang, please come this way."
"good."
After walking into Xunyang Tower, Ouyang Rong found that his previous guess was correct.
The entire Xunyang Building was indeed occupied tonight. The hall on the first floor was rearranged and filled with red lacquered wooden tables. Delicious food was spread all over the table. The building was decorated with lights and colorful decorations in a festive vermilion color.
Ouyang Rong estimated that the red candles consumed tonight alone could be equivalent to a year's salary of Jiangzhou Governor.
"well."
Someone following the welcoming maid sighed.
He knew that there was already a sadly thick barrier between him and his junior sister.
Ouyang Rong suppressed the corners of his mouth.
Many seats in the lobby on the first floor are already occupied, and many of the guests are unfamiliar faces, but each of these guests is more handsomely dressed than the last.
Ouyang Rong ignored them and looked around, but could not find the junior sister for the time being.
At present, the dishes on each table are almost ready, and the birthday banquet seems to be about to officially begin.
I don't know if Ouyang Rong came too late, or if the reception maid really didn't recognize him and didn't receive any special instructions in advance.
There were about twenty tables in the hall on the first floor, but Ouyang Rong was taken to a red-painted round table at the back, very close to the door. The welcoming maid turned around respectfully:
"Master, please take a seat."
Ouyang Rong nodded and was not picky.
He just sat down under the sidelong glances of other guests in fine clothes at the same table.
"Mingfu!"
A surprised man's voice came from the table in front of this table.
Ouyang Rong turned his head.
It's Yanrokuro.
"Why are Mingfu sitting here?"
Yan Liulang, who was not wearing a sword today and was wearing a silk and satin shirt, muttered in confusion.
He still trotted over and said a few words to the guests sitting on the right side of Ouyang Rong.
Shamelessly, he moved to this table and sat with Ouyang Rong.
As if he felt that Yan Liulang was careless and didn't understand the rules, some customers in fine clothes at several tables around him frowned slightly and looked over.
Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang ignored this. Ouyang looked at his friend's clothes and cursed with a smile: "He looks like a dog." He paused and said, "He looks quite energetic when he wears it."
"Hehe," Yan Liulang scratched his head.
It was different from the banquet that Ouyang Rong had eaten in the past. The guests in the hall on the first floor whispered to each other and ignored the food in front of them. No one moved their chopsticks until the host arrived.
The main reason is that Ouyang Rong used to take the main seat when eating, and he was the first to use his chopsticks. Now he is a little uncomfortable.
Suppressing his habit, Ouyang Rong looked around like a little transparent tonight...
