My father killed a chicken and took care of it there. Mother went to the garden in the courtyard to pick vegetables and scooped out water to wash them. The two still didn't believe that Zhang Chi was back from vacation, and were still worried. When my son went out, how could he dare to think that he would be able to return home in half a year? Something feels wrong.
Zhang Chi and his third and fifth brothers were there telling stories about the military. The young man did not think about as many things as the adults, so the two listened with great interest.
Suddenly the courtyard door opened and brother-in-law Hua Chengye came in. Seeing Zhang Chi sitting there, he said loudly: "Sure enough, the second brother is back! Just now I heard Shi Bao, who is doing business in the village, say that there is a holiday in the Xinye military camp, and many soldiers are visiting relatives. He came back from doing business in Tangzhou and met with the soldiers on holiday Let’s take a boat ride together. I thought that my second brother had been serving as a soldier for half a year, and he might come back to visit his family. I came here specifically to have a look. "
After hearing this, my father stood up suddenly. Said: "Is there really a holiday in the army?"
"Then there is still time! Many soldiers have returned home, and our family is not the only one!" Hua Chengye said as he closed the courtyard door.
"It turns out it's really a holiday!" My father stood there, not knowing what to say for a moment. A big stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.
The mother who was washing vegetables almost shed tears. Ren Zhangchi's words were very exciting, but actually his parents didn't believe him either. How many years have you heard of this kind of thing? Not to mention, this is a time of war. How could it be possible to give military personnel a holiday? I just said that I believed it, but in fact, both of them had tears in their eyes when they were killing chickens and choosing vegetables. I don’t know how many years or months after eating this meal I will believe it again.
Wiping her tears, her mother said: "Sanlang, Wulang, you go to each house in the village. Let's say that Erlang's army has a holiday to visit relatives, and invite them to come to our house for a drink in the evening! By the way, you can come back early and go to the village. Go catch two fish in the pond!"
The two agreed, went out laughing and joking, and ran to each house like flying. There were only five or six families in the village, and not long after, the two of them came running back. Went to the yard to get a fishing net. Sanlang said to Zhang Chi: "Second brother, let's go catch fish together!"
Zhang Chi agreed. Together with his two younger brothers, we arrived at Pitang outside the village.
In the evening, the whole village came to Zhang Chi's yard. Tonight, there was wine and meat brought by Zhang Chi. My father killed a chicken, and there were fish caught by the three brothers. Everyone ate and drank to their heart's content.
Zhang Chi talked about what he had seen and heard in Xinye in the past six months, and the villagers were amazed. Soldiers in the past had always regarded being vicious as their ability, but they never expected that Wang Xiao's hunting army was very disciplined. After joining the army and taking command as an officer, I dared not complain. Unexpectedly, in Wang Xiao's hunting army, in addition to the disciplines that soldiers must abide by, there are also disciplines that officers must abide by. Beating and scolding are not allowed in the army, only punishment.
You can't write scolds, and the punishment will definitely not be too light. Zhang Chi told various stories about some being punished for running, some being punished for standing still, and some being punished for practicing shooting. There are laughter, tears, and too many memories.
Everyone can feel that this is a brand new and different army. They have strict discipline, train hard, have harmony between officers and soldiers, and have no offense with the common people. What people imagine an army to look like cannot even compare to this army.
Can such an army fight a war? This thought occasionally crossed someone's mind. But it passed by in a flash without thinking about it in detail.
In the back office of Xiangyang Mansion, Wang Xiaolie stood by the sweet-scented osmanthus tree, watching the sunset. The sun shines down, giving the vegetation a golden edge. Several birds were busy, flying here and there, no one knew what they were doing.
After a long time, Wang Xiaolie said: "We sell grain, and we just want to do business fairly. If we cooperate well, there will be a lot of opportunities in the future. When the Ezhou grain merchants came here, I told them not to be too greedy. Unexpectedly, Yang When the trial reaches Ezhou, these people will definitely lower the price! It is really abominable!"
Chen Yuyi said: "Three million stones of grain, if you pay ten cents for each bucket, it is three hundred thousand guan. Money and silk are so touching! These businessmen are used to buying them at low prices and selling them at high prices. If you don't press the price, How can they feel at ease?”
Wang Xiaolie said: "If you want to make more money, you must widen the trade route. These Ezhou grains have narrowed the road! Yang Shen said that the Jiangzhou grain merchant he was talking to has arrived in Xiangyang and is waiting for him at the inn. This time the Ezhou grain merchants and Yang Shen come together, and we will help them and the Jiangzhou grain merchants clean up their troubles! Want to raise ten cents? Humph, we will raise another ten cents!"
Chen Yuyi nodded in agreement.
In fact, if two groups of grain merchants come and let them fully compete, they may not be able to set the price higher. But Wang Xiaolie is not a businessman after all. He not only thinks about selling more money, but also thinks about the future. It is best to have regular cooperation with businessmen, so that when there are risks, they will bear them together. It doesn't matter if you make less money at ordinary times, as long as you can rely on it at critical moments.
In the twilight, a group of red dragonflies were flying. The two cats in the government office were lying on the ground, looking at the red dragonfly, their heads shaking back and forth.
The officials came in and reported that Yang Shen had arrived with the grain merchant.
Wang Xiaolie said: "Let them spend time in the garden, I will go there immediately. Also, when serving food and wine, don't neglect the guests."
After saying that, he and Chen Yuyi arrived at the flower hall.
There were six people inside, standing there with Shen and five grain merchants. When they saw Wang Xiaolie coming in, they all stood up and saluted.
Looking at Yang Shen, Wang Xiaolie said: "It's been really hard on you these days."
Yang Shen hurriedly said he didn't dare. Pointing to the people around him, he said: "These two are grain merchants from Jiangzhou. This one is Ma Qing, and that one is Gu Yuan. The two over there are grain merchants from Ezhou. Beixing is unwell and has no previous symptoms this time. Come, let this Wei Xu come instead."
Wang Xiaolie looked at Wei Xu. He was in his thirties, wearing a long robe, and looked very smart and capable. He nodded and said nothing.
Everyone sat down and tea was served. Wang Xiaolie took a sip of tea and said nothing.
Seeing that Wang Xiaolie was silent, everyone couldn't help but feel frightened. Especially the grain merchants in Ezhou are particularly nervous. I originally thought that Yang Shen would be defeated this time, but I didn't expect that grain merchants from Jiangzhou would come out halfway and raise the price of grain. A lot of money can be made for sixty cents per dou, and the grain merchants in Ezhou are unwilling to give up this opportunity to make money. There was no other way but to say that Bei Xing was sick and someone else was here. I hope Wang Xiaolie wouldn't mind too much.
Put down the teacup. Wang Xiaolie said: "I am a soldier leader. I don't want to worry about other things. Last time the Ezhou grain merchant came, it was agreed that fifty coins would be enough for a fight. Why did you send people to Ezhou? Do you have to say that fifty cents is too low?"
Hearing Wang Xiaolie's unkind tone, Yu Zhifu and Kang Shiqi both lowered their heads and did not dare to speak.
Wei Xu stood up and handed over to Wang Xiaolie: "What the captain said is that we made a mistake in this matter. Now that the world is in chaos, the freight from Xiangyang to Ezhou is much more expensive than before. The merchants are afraid of losing their capital, I just want to lower the price——"
Wang Xiaolie looked Wei Xu up and down, and then said coldly: "There are ship dealers who came together. Didn't you know that the freight has increased at that time? If you want to increase the price, tell me clearly! Send! Yang Shen went here not to negotiate the price with you!"
Wei Xu hurriedly handed over his hand: "I made a mistake in a small matter. No matter what the captain said, he was right."
Wang Xiaolie didn't expect Wei Xu's attitude, and he didn't know what to say for a moment. He admits that he made a mistake and bears everything, so what else can he do? He didn't quibble, but he couldn't explain clearly what was wrong.
After nodding, Wang Xiaolie didn't say any more. He understood in his heart why the Ezhou Grain Merchant would come again. Obviously they knew that if there were two grain merchants, it would definitely be better for Wang Xiaolie than one. If something went wrong in the past, it would be good to get some scraps.
After taking a breath, Wang Xiaolie said: "This matter cannot be ignored. The price quoted by the grain merchants in Jiangzhou, calculated at Xiangyang Wharf, is sixty yuan per bucket. I am not a businessman, and I will not bargain with you. I just hope you can do business in a down-to-earth manner.”
Ma Qing hurriedly stood up and held his hands in his hands: "Captain, please be at ease, we will never dare to neglect this matter!"
Wang Xiaolie nodded and asked Ma Qing to sit down. He added: "Ezhou is much closer to Xiangyang than Jiangzhou, so we add five more coins per dou, which makes sixty-five cents per dou sufficient. Wei Xu, what do you think?"
Wei Xu stood up and raised his hands to Wang Xiaolie: "Everything depends on the command of the Taiwei!"
Wang Xiaolie didn't say much. Said: "Xiangyang is short of cash the most. We don't want any cloth for this transaction. You come to buy food. I only want three things. One is cash, then gold, and silver. I don't want the rest!"
Ma Qing stood up hurriedly after hearing this: "Lieutenant, where can there be so much cash in this moment?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "There is a gold and silver shop in Jiangzhou, you can go and exchange it. Anyway, it is your ship. When you come to Xiangyang, you don't have to worry about the heavy cargo."
After hesitating for a moment, Ma Qing nodded in agreement and sat down again. Apparently, what happened to the Ezhou grain merchants made them afraid to say anything more.
