On the street, in a huge courtyard, there were hundreds of large round tables, with people standing and sitting everywhere.
"I'm coming!"
Seeing the sedan chair from a distance, the people on the street who were looking forward to it cheered and urged: "Dance quickly, start banging quickly!"
In an instant, gongs and drums were roaring, firecrackers were blasting, and the colorful buildings were filled with crowds and thunderous cheers. The streets were filled with crowds of spectators.
Master Huang and Song Dequan were sitting in the sedan, listening to the deafening sound of gongs, drums and firecrackers outside, their faces darker than the bottom of the pot.
They knew that the banquet was not a good one, but Shen Du sent people to invite him three times one after another. They had no choice but to show their dignity and had no choice but to come to the banquet.
Sheng Wei, freshly dressed and with a smile on his face, stepped forward to invite Mr. Huang and Song Dequan to the table.
Song Dequan said with a fake smile on his face: "Boss Sheng is so generous, even the master of Futai was invited to do it."
"Boss Song has really wronged me." Sheng Wei said with aggrieved expression: "I came here from Youyang after listening to the government's order."
"hehe."
Song Dequan and Master Huang sneered at the same time. If looks could kill, Sheng Wei would have been cut to pieces by the looks in their eyes.
Sheng Wei personally led Master Huang to the table. Along the way, the people greeted Master Huang enthusiastically. According to Shen Du's propaganda, Master Huang was the man who made great contributions to the amber wine being listed as a tribute.
As for Song Dequan, he could only be regarded as a guest at the ceremony, but he did not have such treatment. He could only find a table and sit down at random.
While Master Huang smiled and returned the greetings to the people, he squeezed Sheng Wei's hand hard and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "You want to kill yourself, right?"
Sheng Wei laughed and said: "This villain just wants to run his own business with peace of mind. Why should you push others too far?"
"You are looking for..." Master Huang's cruel words stopped abruptly before he could say it, because he saw Shen Du in official uniform in the crowd.
Master Huang immediately threw away Sheng Wei and walked quickly towards Shen Du. With a respectful smile on his face, he bowed deeply and said, "Master Futai, I have to do such trivial things for you. I am so ashamed!"
Shen Du received a big gift from Mr. Huang, twisted his beard and said with a smile: "The amber wine can be classified as a tribute wine, thanks to your contribution to it, this house is also honored!"
"Where there."
Master Huang broke out in cold sweat when he heard Shen Du's profound words.
The payment of amber wine as tribute was decided by the Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing. What contribution could he, a young master, make? It’s almost enough to cause trouble!
Shen Du glanced at Mr. Huang and said with a faint smile: "In my opinion, after today, our amber wine in Jiangning Mansion should be renamed. How about calling it amber tribute wine?"
"Wonderful, wonderful."
Master Huang cheered up and reluctantly responded.
Sheng Wei's eyes flashed, and he bowed and said: "Master Futai, in your opinion, adding the word "tribute" will indeed make you more powerful. I am here, thank you, Master Futai, for giving me your name!"
"Haha, you are quite smart."
Shen Du shook his head slightly, asked with a sideways smile, "What about my future wine?"
Sheng Wei immediately patted his chest and said, "My Sheng family has everything covered, and I won't take a penny!"
"That's not necessary." Shen Du waved his hand and said, "I don't want to be known as a common man, so I just pay the market price."
"Master Futai is right, but it's the villain Meng Lang." Sheng Wei nodded repeatedly.
The two sang and chatted happily, but in the ears of Master Huang who was standing aside, it had a different meaning.
Master Huang knew very well that as long as Amber Wine had something to do with Shen Du, he and Song Dequan would stop trying to take advantage of Shengjia Winery.
The general judge is only the sixth rank, and is at most the third or fourth in command, while the magistrate is the fourth rank, a real first-in-command official.
Moreover, the status of Jiangning Prefecture is far higher than that of ordinary prefectures. Local officials like the prefect of Jiangning Prefecture must be treated with caution even by Governor Liu Xun.
What's more, Master Huang and Song Dequan simply acted on their own without telling Governor Liu. Once the matter was exposed, Governor Liu would probably ask them about their crimes first.
Maybe Song Dequan could still escape the disaster by relying on his sister's pillow, but what about him, Huang? There are many masters like him in the governor's office, including one named Huang.
Master Huang couldn't help but shudder when he thought of this, his heart felt chilly to the bone.
At the same time, Master Huang felt a little lucky. Fortunately, Shen Du only expressed his attitude in this subtle way, leaving room for change for both parties.
"Although our face is intact, we have been completely defeated..."
Master Huang glanced at Song Dequan who was sitting at another table not far away, sighed deeply, and made up his mind.
After everyone was seated, Master Huang stood up and began to speak at Shen Du's signal: "Now, I will read out the household documents!..., someone from the palace presented me with amber. I am very happy... so I hereby accept it." The Ministry of Household Affairs ordered Jiangnan Province to purchase ten jars of amber worth six thousand kilograms every year, and the price of each jar must be 30% higher than the market price, so that the people must not suffer losses..."
After listening to Master Huang read out the contents of the official document, Boss Sheng Weisheng was so angry that he almost cursed on the spot.
Just a few days ago, he heard with his own ears that Mr. Huang, with his red lips and white teeth, wanted to buy a hundred jars of amber wine!
Now in public, the man surnamed Huang has changed his mind. He only needs one-tenth of the original price, and the price must be 30% higher than the market price.
If the former is followed, Sheng Wei has no other choice but to reluctantly give up the winery. But if the latter is followed, Sheng Wei can not only pay tribute without any pressure, but also expand to other areas outside Jiangnan Province under the banner of tribute wine. Broad market.
There is a world of difference between the former and the latter!
Thinking of this, Sheng Wei couldn't help but glance gratefully behind Shen Du, where stood a handsome young man wearing a t-shirt.
That young man is naturally Wei Chen.
If Wei Chen hadn't invited Shen Du to help, I'm afraid Shengjia Winery would have been swallowed up completely.
Sheng Wei was even thinking about whether Wei Chen should be more involved. After all, Shen Du is now the real backer of the winery, and Wei Chen is the link between the winery and Shen Du.
Sheng Wei didn't know that he could actually resolve the matter perfectly without breaking up like now, thanks to Shen Du's advice to Wei Chen.
Otherwise, with Wei Chen's temper, after learning the truth, he would definitely have to tell Master Huang and others face to face.
Of course, in that case, even if Governor Liu finally chose to annihilate his relatives for justice and deal with Master Huang and Song Dequan, he would probably feel sad.
After all, family scandals should not be made public. If this matter was made known to everyone, Governor Liu would lose face.
The final result was that Wei Chen inadvertently created a potential enemy.
But now, according to Shen Du's suggestion, instead of bringing the matter to light, he forces Master Huang, who has a guilty conscience, to tell the truth himself, so that the crisis can be quietly eliminated and both sides can save face.
Afterwards, Shen Du found an appropriate opportunity to reveal the whole story to Governor Liu. No matter how Governor Liu would punish Huang and Song, it would be Governor Liu's own family matter.
Not only did Governor Liu not have any grudge against Shen Du and Wei Chen, but he also owed them a favor.
This time, Shen Du turned his hands into clouds and turned into rain, personally demonstrating to Wei Chen what it means to be the master of a house.
Wei Chen benefited a lot from it and gained a clearer understanding of himself: "Sure enough, compared to these old foxes, I am still too young!"
