The visitors were none other than the owners behind the two largest businesses in the industrial park, Zhou Yu from the Zhou family and Hou Wangtong from the Hou family.
"Haha, we don't have as many things as Baizuo Dao. It's true that we are so busy. I didn't hear that the dock in the industrial park opened for the first time to transport ordnance. This is not a small matter, so I came over to see the excitement. I heard that Baizuo Dao was also there and wanted to ask for a cup of tea from Dao."
Bailang understood that these two people were not just here to ask for tea. They must have something important to do with him. I just took advantage of today's opportunity and took the name of "encountered by chance". It can be seen that at least on the surface, these two people still understand what Bailang is taboo about.
"The two old gentlemen were joking. The pier is shabby, but it's okay to have a sip of tea. If you don't mind, why don't you go sit down on the edge and have a rest?"
"How can you refuse Bai Zuodao's kind offer? Brother Zhou, will you and I disturb Bai Zuodao just once?"
"That's natural!"
Bai Lang then smiled and stretched out his hand, saying, "These two old gentlemen, please come this way!"
The three of them soon arrived at a wooden house on the edge of the pier that was usually used for resting. Bailang's guards made tea and watched.
The three of them sat down, and the guards went out to guard against Xianza.
When the door closed, Bai Lang spoke first: "Aren't the two old gentlemen here to challenge us this time? Is it because Bai Lang failed to accept the invitation several times before?"
"Hahaha! It's not easy for you to joke around, Baizuodao. How dare we two old bones come to your place to accuse you? It's obvious that the two bosses in the house were a bit out of control. How can we put wine in that stall? No, no. Did you bring it on yourself? After Bai Zuodao refused later, the two elders of us found out about this, so we severely punished the idiot below.
This time it was unexpected, and I wanted Bai Zuodao to forgive me. "
Zhou Yu laughed and took advantage of the situation to give Bailang a step up and give Bailang a thumbs up.
Hou Wangtong, who was next to him, continued: "Brother Zhou is right. But some worries should be eliminated soon. I heard that General Liu Jianyu has recently been discussing with the city lord's government about enlisting the Dongcheng Sword Hall to enlist in the army. When Bai Zaodao changes his identity, I’m afraid his identity will be very different from now. Some of the taboos in the past will no longer exist, right?”
The two of us talked to each other and I quickly got to the point.
Nowadays, wherever Hong Chao goes, the most heated discussion is about the war between Nan Mian and Yun Yan. Pengshan Pass is broken, what will happen to Pengshan City and Tianfeng Plain next? What will happen to the entire Hong Dynasty? Will it be another big defeat like the previous times and the lives of all people will be devastated?
Naturally, those who have this kind of worry also include the Zhou and Hou families.
Speaking of which, Zhou and Hou were numerous big merchants around Yongchuan City and even in Yuzhong, but so what? In addition to relying on money to threaten local power, facing a disaster of this magnitude like the Yunyan Disaster, there are no more self-protection methods than ordinary people. The only thing I can think of is to find a way to rely on someone stronger to seek shelter. What I hope to preserve is not only my own wealth and life, but also the financial and business that I can't let go of.
In the past, the Zhou family and the Hou family believed that Li Yuxiu, the wife of the City Lord's Mansion, was involved in their business, so relying on the big ship of the City Lord's Mansion, they were not afraid of wind and waves.
But now that there was a military disaster, the Zhou and Hou families immediately discovered that the City Lord's Mansion did not seem to be very reliable.
First, he was almost killed by the four forces including the Liao family and the Xu family. Later, the dominance of ordnance production began to obviously transfer from their own hands to the Yamen of the Ministry of War. The profit could have been 30% to 40%, but now it was reduced to 15%, and without the ability to bargain, the other party said it would be whatever it was.
This made the Zhou and Hou families deeply uneasy. They realized that not only could the City Lord's Mansion not be able to protect them in the current situation, but it might also use them as bargaining chips or as fuel to add to the fire.
But if the city lord's palace is unreliable and unstable, then what kind of protection should a merchant seek to feel more secure?
Naturally, it is the most eye-catching force in the current military disaster: the military.
But the Zhou and Hou families knew very well the principle of not being reckless when doing things. And at the same time, he also knew that there seemed to be discord between the army and the city lord's palace. At least there must be some connection between Feng Mingyuan and Liu Jianyu.
Therefore, even if the Zhou and Hou families want to join forces, they must first find a way to get out of this awkward position of "constraints at both ends". Otherwise, if he rashly seeks refuge with Liu Jianyu, it is uncertain whether it will succeed, but it will definitely annoy the city lord's palace, and then the business of the two companies will also suffer heavy losses. It is even possible to be directly removed from the business and then disappear inexplicably.
Until the Zhou family and the Hou family received news that the Yamen of the Ministry of War had issued an urgent order that Yongchuan City, a hub and a major ordnance production center, needed to recruit more auxiliary troops, and at the same time, it also needed to recruit some warriors who could assist and fight. And Liu Jianyu planned to target the Xicheng Swordsmanship Hall this time.
At first glance, you might think this news is unreliable. But after a series of similar news came, people were sure that the news was true, and Liu Jianyu was really planning to recruit people from the swordsmanship hall. And the city lord's palace did not object fiercely to this matter. It was more like a quick compromise and began to discuss the details of the knife collection hall.
The news is true, which is good news for the Zhou and Hou families. Because they keenly found a way to join the army for protection without offending the city lord's palace: join Bailang!
At least he must further deepen his relationship with Bailang.
Bailang didn't know that Zhou Yu and Hou Wangtong had such a detailed plan when they came today, and he was still curious. So he smiled and asked: "Where did the two old gentlemen get the news?"
"Baizuo Dao, there is no need to inquire about this news. Anyone with a little knowledge knows it. Now the Lord of the City is already closing the business in the hands of Dongcheng Dao Hall. Not to mention that a large piece of land has been cut off, even Qianfang has directly It was taken away and merged into the Xicheng Sword Hall. Today, there are still many military officers from General Liu's army coming in and out of Ma Sheng Alley. I heard that they are already being registered.
Bai Zuodao, we have a close friendship, so there is no need to hide it, right? "
Bailang didn't deny it after hearing this. Indeed, the news that Dongcheng Knife Hall was taken away by Liu Jianyu's troops could no longer be concealed.
"You two are well informed. Are you worried about your future business in the industrial park?"
"Haha, Bai Zuodao is indeed a good talker! Yes, now our two families have invested all their wealth in the industrial park, so we don't dare to have any accidents. Last time we had to rely on Bai Zuodao's protection to survive, and I hope that Bai Zuodao can survive in the future. Please continue to take good care of me."
"Yes, yes, Brother Hou is right. If Bai Zuodao needs anything in the future, just ask. Although Brother Zhou and I don't have much ability, we still have some weak connections in the merchant circle in Yuzhong area. Like last time Those rations may be able to help Bai Zuodao with some small help."
(End of chapter)
