All the wine shops in Yongchuan City have closed down. The entire industry suffered an almost devastating blow. And this is not just two or three companies, but the norm across the country. All brewing stoves and steamers were quickly put under the ban.
Now that food purchases have been restricted and rationed based on population, who will make wine for you?
However, although the wine shop is gone, the wine may not be found. After all, there is nothing to sell outside. Some people who have food stored at home and are not worried about not having enough food can still find a way to bake wine by themselves. Even previously cellared wine is enough to last a long time.
This evening, in a large house in the small garden of Nancheng in Yongchuan City, lanterns were hung high. Although it was not decorated, the middle door was wide open and servants dressed neatly were waiting outside the door early, keeping their eyes on the street to the east.
A middle-aged man in rich clothes was pacing at the door, his face expressionless and a knot of worry between his brows, and he looked towards the east street from time to time.
Not long after, a black carriage came over. There was no heraldry on the carriage, and the carriage was not luxurious or ordinary. However, five strong men with daggers on their waists and bronze medals were trotting on both sides of the carriage. Passers-by will quickly avoid it. The carriage finally stopped at the entrance of the house with a high lantern and a wide open door.
"We sincerely welcome Mr. Bai to your humble abode and make it shine!" The middle-aged man's face had already raised a bright smile, and the knot between his brows was no longer visible. Everything seemed to be immersed in a happy mood. inside. Just this kind of self-adjustment of emotions is not something that ordinary people can do. It must be acquired through long-term experience.
At this time, the carriage curtain opened, and a young man got out of the carriage, it was Bai Lang.
"Boss Hou, you are so polite. Your house is famous throughout Yongchuan City for its nobility. The word "humble house" is not used in this way." Bai Lang also had a smile on his face, and after getting off the car, he returned the favor with his hands. No airs at all.
Bailang's reaction made the middle-aged man opposite him feel a lot better, and at the same time, the hope in his heart became a little heavier. He secretly said that the newly promoted Baizuo Swordsman was not as vicious as the rumors outside. He looked more like a friendly businessman than a swordsman with a smile. It felt much easier to get in touch with Tang Yanke than the previous swordsman he had met before.
"Master Bai, please don't flatter me. Mr. Hou is just running a small business. It takes several generations of his family to have this kind of savings. It has nothing to do with nobility. Master Bai, come in and invite me!"
"Boss Hou please!"
The two of them walked in the door as familiar as good friends. The five waist knives who followed the carriage naturally followed in. There were people left all the way, and people followed closely at the entrance and at the end of the atrium.
As soon as he arrived inside, two wealthy old men also greeted him outside the hall.
"Baizuo Dao is good, the old Hou Wangtong is polite here!"
"Old Zhou Yu, I have seen the Bai Zuo Dao!"
When a person passes sixty, he is said to be immortal, and self-effacement is also a self-clarification of one's identity. Even at such an age, Bai Lang would not feel scornful, so he returned the favor with a smile. After all, these two wealthy businessmen are among the best in Yongchuan City, and they control nearly 70% of the iron smelting and iron-making business in and out of Yongchuan City. On weekdays, his status is not lower than that of a swordsman in the swordsmanship academy, and even in terms of means and connections, he is much higher than that of a swordsmanship master.
But times are also lucky, people don't always have smooth sailing, and troubles can't always be solved easily. It's inevitable to lose face and ask for help, even if the person is someone you didn't like before.
Zhou Yu and Hou Wangtong have never paid attention to the people in the Knife Hall. They followed the path of the City Lord's Mansion and ate clean and decent food, which had nothing to do with the sleazy reputation of the Knife Hall. . I'm too lazy to talk to him on weekdays. But now, Bai Lang had to be invited over and over again. They had never thought before that there would be something that the City Lord's Mansion couldn't handle, but that the Knife Hall might still be able to handle.
"You two, Bailang is polite here."
"Bai Zao Dao, please come quickly!"
The group entered the hall, sat down separately among the guests of honor, and then exchanged pleasantries. The maid at home began to serve the food, and the aroma of wine filled the wine glass as a jar of old wine was unsealed.
"Bai Zuodao, this wine is famous. It is the imperial banquet tribute wine named by His Majesty today. It is not often seen outside. Moreover, this jar was acquired by the old man twenty years ago. It has been stored in the cellar for a long time. It is worth taking out only for distinguished guests. , Now please give me a taste of Baizuo Dao!"
"Hahaha, Mr. Hou's words really stopped Bailang! Although Bailang is good at wine, he mostly drinks ordinary spirits and doesn't have the conditions to study fine wines. But it's a blessing to have the opportunity to try tribute wine. What a blessing to Mr. Hou!"
"Haha, Bai Zuodao's words are obvious. We are all natives of Yongchuan. How can we say that we, the fellow villagers, owe each other blessings? This is what we should do to help each other and support each other. It's just a drink, although it's not It’s rare, but Bai Zuodao gave me the honor to have the opportunity to invite Zuodao for this one!”
"Yes, yes, Bai Zuodao gives you face, so this wine tastes smooth!"
Bai Lang smiled and listened to the two people's probing words during the dinner, and understood that although these two people looked calm, they were actually very anxious in their hearts. If he could bear not to ask directly, it would probably be a shame.
So Bai Lang said with a smile: "You two have something to say. Bai Lang doesn't like these twists and turns. People in the knife shop like to go straight. I went to the banquet today just to listen to your thoughts. Let's talk while eating and drinking. Once you have enough to eat and everything is settled, you won't drink the wine for free. Otherwise, Bailang wouldn't be so shameless as to come begging for a drink.
You two, can Bai Lang make it clear with his words? "
They probably didn't expect Bai Lang to speak so directly. The two old men, including the middle-aged man surnamed Hou, were stunned for a moment, and then joy appeared on their faces. They laughed and raised their glasses to drink with Bai Lang, and their expressions disappeared. Overcome the previous hesitation.
"Baizuodao is quick to speak! It's the old man who hesitated and made Baizuodao laugh! Yes, the matter is not small and urgent, and it is not a good idea to pull it. It is most appropriate to put it in the open!
Since the Bai Zuodao is here to listen to our ideas, the old man will not hide it. "
"You two, please speak frankly."
"Bai Zuodao, the industrial park has now become a huge gamble for our Hou family and Lao Zhou family to put all their wealth. The foundation of our family has been invested here. The success or failure will directly affect the future situation of our two families. Or it will just fall into ruin. , or go to the next level.
But things didn't go as planned. Liu Jianyu led his troops here and broke the balance of power in Yongchuan City. Without the cover of the industrial park, a lot of flies and bed bugs were attracted, and now even hyenas were looking around.
These things eat people without spitting out their bones. If this continues, all the investment our two companies have made in the industrial park will be in vain, and we will be completely squeezed out of the industrial park. Our two families absolutely cannot afford this consequence.
So we hope Bai Zu Dao can help us resolve this trouble. Bai Zuodao, please tell me what the price is, and everything will be easy to negotiate! "
(End of chapter)
