"Master, there is someone outside the village asking to see you!" Lao Yutou said respectfully, holding a letter of greeting.
Wang Zhong took the invitation and opened it. He couldn't help but shrink slightly, looked at Old Yu and asked, "Where is he?"
"He's in the front hall!" Old Yu said.
Wang Zhong walked straight to the front hall.
"The distinguished guest is here. Wang is a little distant to welcome you, so don't be surprised if you look forward to seeing him!" Wang Zhong said loudly while looking at the middle-aged man in brocade clothes sitting in the guest seat while cupping his hands in greeting.
"Youyang Shengwei, I have met Mr. Wang!"
"It's Sheng who came here without permission, what does it have to do with the young master!" Sheng Wei is a good-looking middle-aged man with a beard on his chin and a somewhat wealthy face.
"I heard that Yangzhou Tongpan Sheng's ancestral home is Youyang. Could it be that Mr. Sheng Tongpan and Sheng Tongpan..."
Sheng Wei smiled slightly, without any intention of hiding it, and said humbly: "I am not talented, so I have to call my cousin, Sheng Tong!"
"That's it!" Wang Zhong nodded slightly, raised his hands and asked, "I wonder why sir came all the way?"
Sheng Wei said modestly: "Sheng is just a businessman, how can he deserve to be called Mr. Gongzi?"
Wang Zhong is very direct! "Sir, why do you need to stick to these details? Just tell me what you're here for!"
Sheng Wei was quite surprised. He only felt that Wang Zhong seemed to be a little different from the scholars he knew, including his cousin Sheng Hong. However, this was not the time to dwell on these matters. Sheng Wei went straight to the point and said: "Sheng is in Jinling." There are some industries in Yangzhou and Yangzhou, and they also do some business in silk and medicinal materials. This time when the boat was sailing north, I saw the Caobang gang who were accompanying the boat. The pork they ate was delicious, so I couldn't help but go up to chat and learned that it was Yangzhou. The product of Xiaozhu Village, I took the liberty to come here, please don’t blame me!”
"Sir, do you want to start a pig business?" Wang Zhong asked calmly.
Sheng Wei didn't hide it either: "Who wouldn't want to do a profitable business?"
"Sir, be honest!" Wang Zhong bowed his hands and said, "Wang is not hiding anything from you, sir. The scale of pig breeding in the village is still small. There are only over a thousand pigs left in the pen, including the first two hundred. They are still several months away from being slaughtered. By the time, I’m afraid you’re here too early, sir!”
"More than a thousand pigs?" Sheng Wei's eyes lit up and he asked immediately: "I heard that Wangjiang Tower is also the property of the Wang family?"
Wang Zhong smiled and said: "Although Wangjiang Tower is run by my sister-in-law, the house belongs to Tongpan Mansion!"
"Oh?" This was somewhat beyond Sheng Wei's expectation.
Wang Zhong explained: "Thirty percent of Wangjiang Tower's monthly profits will be sent to the Tongpan Mansion. Otherwise, my Wang family will not be able to defend Wangjiang Tower!"
It has been half a year since Wangjiang Restaurant opened, and it has become the most famous restaurant in Yangzhou and even the surrounding counties. Not only because of the delicious food, but also because Wangjiang Restaurant has no reservations about the iron pot cooking method. If any diners inquire, the waiters at Wangjiang Tower will explain the cooking methods and ingredients to the diners without any secrets.
Such an action caused the surrounding restaurants and restaurants to follow suit and study the cooking method. However, Wangjiang Tower's action spread the reputation of Wangjiang Tower throughout most of the south of the Yangtze River, attracting more people. Diners, those literati, poets, merchants and knights who travel from north to south, who pass by Yangzhou, will come to Wangjiang Tower to sit down, or order a table of delicacies, or buy some braised cooked meat and water. Wait until you’re on the road to eat.
Although the surrounding restaurants that are competing to imitate are not imitating others, their business is still far behind Wangjiang Tower.
It was precisely because of the popularity of Wangjiang Tower that Wang Zhong asked his sister-in-law Li to come forward and take the initiative to establish a relationship with the money-grubbing Miss Lin, and send 30% of the monthly net profit to the Sheng family.
Looking at Wang Zhong, who was only sixteen or seventeen years old and whose yellow hair had not faded, Sheng Wei was even more surprised, but his face remained calm, instead he showed a smile and said: "I didn't expect that your family and I have such a close relationship! "
"In that case, there is no need to talk about that scene. The pigs at Gongzi Village are of excellent meat quality. I wonder if I would like to cooperate with Sheng to sell the pigs to Jinling after they are grown and ready for slaughter?"
Wang Zhong also had a smile on his face: "It's all right, but I, Zhuangzi, am more than just a pig!"
"Oh?" Sheng Wei was a little surprised: "Young Master said that
Could it be the oil shop in Guizhuang? "
Wang Zhongdao: "The oil mill is just one of them. Although the oil produced by my oil mill is slightly different from other oil mills, the difference is not too big. What I want to do with my husband is not just a small business like selling oil."
If other people had said this, Sheng Wei might still not believe it, but before coming, Sheng Wei had already investigated all three generations of Wang Chong's ancestors. He even knew that a few years ago, the Wang family suffered great changes, and Wang Zhong, a thirteen-year-old This young man, relying on his own efforts, spent only a few years to earn such a fortune. It may not be a big fortune, but compared to how poor he was before, even Sheng Wei couldn't bear it at such a speed. Live in admiration.
Sheng Wei worked hard outside for many years and managed the Youyang Sheng family to its current scale. He knew that it was difficult to establish a business, and the key was that while Wang Zhong was establishing a business, he never gave up studying. Now he has gone through several games in a row and became a scholar. With fame, one can truly join the ranks of scholars.
Sheng Wei didn't expect that he would find out about such a young genius just by asking someone to inquire about something on the spur of the moment.
It was precisely because of the previous meticulous investigation that Sheng Wei took a look at Wang Zhonggao and came in person.
"I wonder what business you are talking about?" Sheng Wei suddenly became interested when Wang Zhong said this.
Wang Chong smiled and cupped his hands and said, "Sir, please wait a moment!" Then he handed Lao Yutou his hand and whispered a few words in Lao Yutou's ear. Lao Yutou immediately trotted out of the front hall, and after a while, he held a baby in his arms. The clay pot came in and was placed on the high table beside Sheng Wei.
"This is this?" Sheng Wei pointed at the clay pot and asked in confusion.
"Sir, you might as well have a taste!" Wang Zhong said with a smile.
"Sir, why don't you let me have a taste first?" A middle-aged attendant behind Sheng Wei suddenly stood up and asked with a bow to Sheng Wei.
This is the time to show your loyalty.
But Sheng Wei raised his hand to stop him, glanced at Wang Zhong, turned around and scolded the entourage: "Young Master Wang is an upright gentleman. We don't have to treat a gentleman with a villain's heart, and we won't go down yet!"
"You are a villain, aren't you!" The attendant said and bowed to Wang Zhong and apologized: "Young Master Wang, you are a humble gentleman, but you are a villain who made a mistake!"
Wang Zhong glanced at the attendant, then moved his gaze to Sheng Wei, smiled and waved his hands, "It's okay! Sir, it's quite enviable to have such a loyal servant."
Sheng Hong laughed, opened the lid of the pottery pot, and leaned over to take a look. He saw something as white as frost and shaped like snowflakes lying in the pot. He didn't know what it was.
Picking up the spoon in the jar, scooping up half a spoonful and pouring it into the palm of his hand, Sheng Wei was also decisive, glanced at Wang Zhong, raised his hand and put it into his mouth.
Wang Zhong knew that Sheng Wei was showing his trust in him.
Just as soon as the white powder entered the mouth, the pure sweetness exploded in the mouth.
Sheng Wei's expression changed instantly, he was stunned, his eyes shrank, and his eyes were full of shock.
After a while, he came back to his senses, picked up the clay pot, and scooped out half a spoonful of sugar. As for looking carefully in front of him, his shock was beyond words.
"Sir, what do you think of this?"
"Okay!" Sheng Wei didn't think twice and replied directly: "This thing is excellent, as white as snow, sweeter than candied fruit, and sweet to the heart. Such a divine thing is hard to find for a thousand dollars."
Wang Chong smiled and said: "This thing is called sugar frost, also known as white sugar. It is refined from syrup. It will not melt easily if it is not exposed to high temperatures, but it is soluble in water, so be careful when storing it and keep it away from moisture. "
"To be honest, sir, although Zhong has a reputation as a scholar, his family is poor and he has no power. He accidentally made this frosting, but he didn't dare to tell others about it. He can only use it at home!"
"Then why did you take this thing out today?" Sheng Wei looked at Wang Zhong and asked, as if he wanted to read the answer from Wang Zhong's eyes.
Wang Zhongdao: "Tongpan Shenggong loves the people like a son and is known as a virtuous man. Although I have not seen him in person, I have admired him for a long time. Mr. Tongpan is the brother of Tongpan, which can be inferred from his character. He sacrificed himself for a few pigs. I am willing to condescend to my humble abode, which shows my sincerity. I will treat you with peaches, and I should repay you with plums."
Sheng Wei now had a serious look on his face. After the shock, he paid more and more attention to Wang Zhong. As a businessman, Sheng Wei knew the value of sugar.
In terms of value, most of the ones currently circulating on the market are syrups. Although there are also icing sugars, they are expensive and the appearance is much inferior to those presented by Wang Zhong.
Only those wealthy and aristocratic families can enjoy such precious things as sugar frosting. The more such people are, the more particular they are. In addition to the taste, presentation is also extremely important.
"I wonder how many more there are in this icing shop?" Sheng Wei asked.
Wang Zhongdao: "There are only more than ten cans. When cooking many dishes in Wangjiang Tower, these are needed to enhance the umami taste!"
After saying that, he ordered Lao Yutou next to him: "Lao Yutou, go find your sister-in-law and ask her to open the warehouse, bring out two cans of sugar, and give them to your husband!"
"No!" Lao Yu bowed and accepted the order, then quickly withdrew.
"It's impossible, this thing is so valuable, how can it be..."
"Hey!" Before Sheng Wei could finish his words, he was interrupted by Wang Zhong: "Sir, I would like to condescend to come to my humble residence. How can I turn a blind eye to these two jars of frosting? One jar is given to the gentleman, and the other is Jar, please sir, please give it to Tongsuan on your behalf. Without Tongsuan’s care, my sister-in-law would not be able to run Wangjiang Tower so prosperously."
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Suddenly made a decision.
It was rare for Sheng Wei to come back to Yangzhou, so Sheng Hong naturally wanted to receive him personally. The two brothers had studied together when they were young. Sheng Wei had no talent in reading and could not achieve anything, so he went into business.
Over the years, Sheng Hong has been in the officialdom smoothly. In addition to relying on the connections left by his father and the Wang family, he is also inseparable from the money provided by Sheng Wei.
That night, after coming out of Shou'an Hall, Sheng Hong invited Sheng Wei to the front hall study, where he drank some wine and talked about the past.
Sheng Wei travels away from home all the year round, and he has an old mother, wife and children at home. He doesn't spend much time in Yangzhou on weekdays, and the brothers rarely see each other a few times throughout the year.
While chatting, Sheng Wei and Sheng Hong talked about Wang Zhong and what happened today in Xiaozhu Village.
Sheng Hong heard this, although he was a little surprised, but he expressed his understanding: "This boy can be praised so much by the elder brother. I think he has some abilities. If the elder brother is free, bring him to the house another day, and I will take the exam for the school." How is this kid taking the exam?"
The Sheng family is said to be a family of officials and scholars, but in fact it is just a way of giving themselves a reputation. The Sheng family was first engaged in business, and it was not until Sheng Hong's father's generation that there was a beauty prospector like Sheng Hong. , it was passed down to Sheng Hong for only two generations. The Sheng family can be what it is today. Sheng Hong is able to be like a fish in the officialdom. He is also inseparable from Sheng Hong's father's first wife and Sheng Hong's aunt, Mrs. Sheng.
This old lady is the legitimate daughter of the Yongyi Hou Mansion. Although the Yongyi Hou Mansion has declined, it used to be one of the top among the nobles. Mrs. Sheng had raised her in the palace for a period of time in the past.
It's just that times have changed, and the Sheng family really doesn't have enough foundation to stand up. Therefore, over the years, the two brothers Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei have promoted many scholars who came from humble backgrounds but were quite talented.
The next day, the chief attendant beside Sheng Wei came to Xiaozhu Village and asked Wang Zhong to meet him at Sheng's house.
"My master originally planned to come to invite you in person, but he and the old lady haven't seen each other for a long time, and now he is serving in front of the old lady and can't leave. That's why he told me to come and invite you."
"It's okay!" Wang Zhong didn't mind and didn't bring any followers. He picked a few specialties of the village from the warehouse and got on the carriage brought by the chief attendant.
The wheels were rolling, and within half an hour, they arrived at Sheng's house.
The Changsui led Wang Zhong in through the corner door and went straight to the front hall. After a while, Sheng Wei came over and led Wang Zhong into the outer study, where they had tea and chatted.
Today's popular tea is quite similar to that of the Zhao and Song dynasties that Wang Zhong was familiar with. It also focused on blending paste and whisking, with many variations. It is somewhat similar to the Leicha made in some places in later generations.
It has a unique flavor.
Not long after, there was a sound of footsteps coming from outside. Wang Chong was smart enough to hear it early. A moment later, a handsome, middle-aged man in brocade clothes, leading an entourage, strode into the outer study.
"Junior Wang Zhong, pay your respects to the general judge!" Wang Zhong stood up and bowed to say hello.
"No need to be polite, just sit down!" After Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei greeted each other, Shi Ran sat at the top.
"Yesterday, as soon as my elder brother came back, he pulled me and told me that I met a young talent in Xiaozhuzhuang. At first, I didn't believe it. But when I saw him today, I realized that what he said was true!"
Sheng Hong was the most slippery person. He was used to playing both sides in the officialdom. He could have a few words with everyone. He rarely put on airs unless necessary.
"I have been studying hard for more than ten years, and I am just a scholar so far. How can I be called a talented person? Maybe it is because I hit it off with my uncle and talked happily. My uncle was very happy to see him, so he supported me!"
Sheng Hong looked Wang Zhong up and down with his eyes, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and there was a bit of scrutiny in his eyes: "Humility and politeness are indeed good!"
"You just don't know how to learn?"
"Please pass the examination to the school!" Wang Zhong bowed again and said in salute.
"The way of a university lies in being virtuous, being close to the people, and striving for perfection. How do you explain it?" Sheng Hong asked.
Wang Zhong replied: "First cultivate your character, then manage your family, and then govern the country, then you will have peace in the world!"
Sheng Hong's eyes lit up. It's not that Wang Zhong's answer was amazing, it was just a little...
It is novel, and it is rare to use the university to interpret the university.
Sheng Hong seemed to be very interested in taking the college entrance examination first, then the Analects of Confucius, Doctrine of the Mean, and then the Five Classics. Wang Zhong's answers were often concise and capable, but went straight to the topic, which surprised Sheng Hong.
Even if it comes to giving advice, the imperial examination articles cannot be like Wang Zhong's. Although they cannot blindly pursue gorgeous rhetoric and beautiful articles, those who stand out are often both elegant and pragmatic.
Wang Zhong kept a very low posture, listening and thinking about Sheng Hong's instructions, and would ask questions from time to time. The two of them just asked and answered, and time passed quietly without realizing it.
Wang Zhong's knowledge is so profound. In the hundreds of years in the dungeon world, Wang Zhong spent most of his leisure time on reading. Over the hundreds of years, many masterpieces from ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad, were all in Wang Zhong's mind, and they were all different. For those who did not ask for a deep understanding, but just glanced at them in a hurry, Wang Zhong read and could figure out their meaning.
Hundreds of years of accumulation include more than just the Four Books and Five Classics, astronomy, geography, and arithmetic. No matter what Sheng Hong said, Wang Zhong could answer it fluently. How could he not satisfy Sheng Hong.
The conversation between the two slowly turned from a test to a discussion, especially many of Wang Zhong's views. Sheng Hong felt refreshed after hearing them. After careful consideration, it seemed that they were actually feasible.
The more the two chatted, the more excited they became. Before they knew it, it was time for dinner. If Sheng Wei hadn't reminded them, they would have forgotten the time. Sheng Hong immediately ordered his two sons to be handed over and ate with Sheng Wei and Wang Zhong.
Sheng Hong was obviously very happy. He frequently raised his glasses and exchanged glasses with Wang Zhong and Sheng Wei. He also asked his two sons, Changbai and Changfeng, to ask Wang Zhong for advice.
After dinner, it was already dark. Fortunately, Sheng Wei had already sent someone to Xiaozhu Village to report that Wang Zhong would stay at Sheng's house today and return tomorrow. Sheng Wei's move was in line with Sheng Hong's wishes and he immediately took Wang Zhong to continue. The conversation is just about the willow branches in the moonlight, and when people are about to settle down, it's time to give up because they still have unfinished ideas.
And Wang Zhong, in Sheng Hong's eyes, had also transformed from a talented junior to a talented man with a wealth of knowledge and a bright future.
Early the next morning, Wang Zhong said goodbye to Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei, got on the carriage arranged by Sheng Hong, and returned to Xiaozhu Village.
Sheng Hong and Sheng Wei personally sent Wang Zhong out of his house. This is the treatment for a talented person.
Wang Zhong was worried about how he would get involved with Sheng Hong. Unexpectedly, Sheng Wei came to his door. How could Wang Zhong not seize such an opportunity.
It was precisely because of the calculation of Sheng Hong's thoughts that Wang Zhong was so heart-to-heart with Sheng Wei that day.
Now it seems that the result is not bad.
"What do you think, Brother Hong?" Sheng Wei looked at Sheng Hong and asked with a smile on his face.
"This boy is a great talent. He has such talent and knowledge at such a young age. It's hard to believe." Sheng Hong looked at the direction in which the carriage was leaving with emotion.
"In ancient times, there were twelve prime ministers named Gan Luo. When the champion was young, he was weak, so he swept across Mobei and sealed the wolf as his subordinate. Throughout the ages, there have been countless talented people like this, but..."
But as soon as the words changed, Sheng Hong suddenly raised his eyebrows.
Sheng Wei had also read books, so he naturally knew what Sheng Hong meant, but he still said: "Everything in the world is unpredictable, and who can say for sure what will happen in the future."
"Yes!" Sheng Hong also said with great emotion: "Who can say for sure what will happen in the future!"
"Speaking of which, it's all thanks to big brother. If it weren't for big brother's sharp eyes, I would have missed such a handsome man!"
Sheng Hong has stayed in Yangzhou for four years, and he has only stayed until next year, which is the time for the triennial assessment of the Ministry of Personnel.
Sheng Wei said: "I was just on a whim, and I didn't expect that I actually came across a piece of jade!"
The so-called rough jade can shine with a little polishing.
On the same day, Sheng Wei expressed his intention to leave to Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong couldn't keep him, so he let it go. Sheng Wei said goodbye to Mrs. Sheng and Sheng Hong, then left Sheng's house, took a boat from the pier, and headed south. Go to Jinling.
