"Have you heard? The price of grain at Zhang Ji Grain Shop in the west of the city has increased. It's now five copper coins for one dan! "
"What? Five copper coins for one dan? It was only three copper coins for one dan a few days ago? "
"Isn't it because of the locust plague? Now, the price of grain in every county has increased! The shopkeeper of Zhang Ji Grain Shop said that if we don't buy now, the price of grain will only get higher! "
"Ah? Then let's go buy some! I heard that the farms outside the city have all been destroyed by the locust plague! I think there won't be any harvest this year! "
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go buy some grain from the shop! "
Li Ke, Cheng Chumo, and the others had just arrived at Xinfeng County when they saw some people hurrying towards the west side of the city, whispering as they walked.
"The price of grain in Xinfeng County is increasing? I haven't heard of any increase in the price of grain in Chang 'an City. Why would the price increase here? "
Cheng Chumo couldn't help but ask when he heard the discussions of the citizens.
Li Ke frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Then we'll have to ask the Xinfeng County Magistrate! Let's go, we'll go to the bank first before going to the county office! "
"Mm!"
Cheng Chumo nodded and the group headed towards the Yanhuang Bank in the north.
… … …
"Shopkeeper Jin, what do you think of the matter that I mentioned earlier?"
In a study in the backyard of Yan Huang Bank in Xinfeng County, a middle-aged man with a fat head and big ears, who was dressed in luxurious clothes, asked with a smile.
Sitting across from him was a middle-aged scholar of about 30 years old. That person frowned and said, "Boss Zhang, the Yellow Flame Bank can indeed provide loans to private merchants, and you have indeed provided sufficient guarantees. However, you must explain to this Jin the reason why you want to borrow so much money. Otherwise, this Jin will not lend you so much money!"
The man with the surname Zhang narrowed his eyes and said, "Shopkeeper Jin, the Yanhuang Bank is also a business. I am willing to borrow six thousand strings of coins at double the interest rate of the bank. You have no reason to reject me, right?"
When Shopkeeper Jin heard this, he remained unmoved. "Boss Zhang is right. The Yellow Flame Bank is no different from any other shop. We all need to make money! However, the Yan Huang Bank has its own rules. Every sum of money that is lent out must be used for a specific purpose. I do not dare to break the rules! So, if Mr. Zhang wants to borrow the money, please state your purpose! "
The man surnamed Zhang frowned, and there was a trace of displeasure in his expression. His fingers tapped on the table rhythmically. "Dong dong dong, dong dong dong." After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth and said, "Don't worry.
"Since Shopkeeper Jin is so eager to know, there is no harm in me telling you! Recently, this Zhang's grain store is in urgent need of a sum of money. That's why this Zhang has come to the Yan Huang Bank. I hope that Shopkeeper Jin can help us out! "
Shopkeeper Jin's face revealed an expression that said he had expected it. Then, he asked in a low voice, "In my opinion, Mr. Zhang is planning to borrow money from the Yellow Flame Bank and then buy a large amount of food. He's going to take advantage of the locust plague to make a fortune, right?"
Although his intentions were exposed, the man surnamed Zhang did not show any signs of panic. Instead, he smiled and said, "Why does Shopkeeper Jin have to say such unpleasant words? With the locust plague, the farmlands outside the city are filled with locusts. This Zhang is doing this for the sake of the people of Xinfeng County. How can Shopkeeper Jin say that this Zhang is a profiteer who hoards food for profit? "
Shopkeeper Jin said with a serious face, "Mr. Zhang, your words can only be used to deceive children who do not know the ways of the world. They are useless to this Jin! If you want to hoard food and drive up the prices, aren't you afraid of the county magistrate's investigation? Aren't you afraid of the court's condemnation? "
The man surnamed Zhang smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Jin, this Zhang is here today to borrow money, not to be interrogated. In addition, as long as this Zhang does not raise the price of food too ridiculously in a short period of time, the county magistrate will not interfere.
Now that the locust plague is wreaking havoc, the price of food in Chang 'an City has not budged. Xinfeng County is only sixty to seventy li away from Chang' an City. As long as we transport food from Chang 'an City, I only need to wait for the people's crops to be completely destroyed. When that time comes, it will be difficult for the price of food to not rise. Even the current Emperor will not be able to control it!
This is a business that is guaranteed to be profitable! I hope that Shopkeeper Jin can open the door for me. After this matter is completed, this Zhang will definitely repay you handsomely! "
Shopkeeper Jin was silent for a long time. His eyes were filled with hesitation. After a while, he opened his mouth and said, "But Mr. Zhang, don't forget. It is said that the Marquis of Yong 'an has a Sky Pheasant Brigade. Their speed of exterminating locusts is astonishing. The locust plague in Lantian County was completely exterminated in two days. Furthermore, the Marquis is planning to bring the Sky Pheasant Brigade to other counties to exterminate the locusts. Perhaps the locust plague in Xinfeng County is not as serious as you think!"
When the man surnamed Zhang heard this, he could not help but sneered and said, "Sky Pheasant Brigade? What a joke! This time, more than a hundred counties have been affected by the locust plague. Even if the Sky Pheasant Brigade is able to exterminate a county of locusts in two days, they will only be able to exterminate fifteen counties in a month. This does not include the time spent on the road. In fact, if they can exterminate ten counties of locusts in a month, they will be thanking the gods!
In a month's time, all the crops in the fields will have been eaten by the locusts. When that time comes, the price of food will definitely skyrocket. Not only the Marquis of Yong 'an will not be able to change this, but even the imperial court and the current Emperor will not be able to change this! "
Shopkeeper Jin was instantly speechless. Clearly, he agreed with the man surnamed Zhang's words.
When the man surnamed Zhang saw this, he suddenly felt that he had a chance. He quickly added, "Haha! This Zhang will naturally not let Shopkeeper Jin work for nothing. A while ago, this Zhang bought two extremely beautiful twin Hu ladies in Chang 'an City. A beauty to a hero. Today, this Zhang has brought them over. This Zhang will gift them to Shopkeeper Jin! "
"Clap, clap, clap!"
At this point, the man surnamed Zhang clapped his hands. A moment later, the door to the room was pushed open. Two tall beauties with golden hair and blue eyes wearing veils walked in. The veils were not very thick, and one could faintly see the outlines of their faces behind them. These two Hu ladies actually looked exactly the same.
Shopkeeper Jin's eyes lit up. Although he was not completely infatuated, it was obvious that he had been mesmerized by the beauty of the two Hu ladies in front of him!
"Haha! Why aren't you pouring wine for Shopkeeper Jin! "
The man surnamed Zhang was also an experienced man. How could he not see that Shopkeeper Jin's determination had already been shaken? Thus, he quickly ordered the two Hu ladies.
"Yes! Old Master! "
The two Hu ladies bowed and then came before Shopkeeper Jin. One of them held a wine pot, while the other held a wine cup. Pink wine flowed down the spout of the pot, illuminating the beautiful faces of the Hu ladies. Shopkeeper Jin could not help but swallow hard.
"Shopkeeper Jin, please!"
A moment later, a woman approached Shopkeeper Jin, handed him a cup, and whispered to him in a soft voice.
"Aye! Good, good, good! "
Shopkeeper Jin came back to his senses and quickly took the wine cup. Naturally, he would take advantage of the Hu lady in the process, causing her to grumble coquettishly.
"Hahaha! Looks like Shopkeeper Jin is also a man who has tender feelings for the fairer sex! Then this Zhang will be relieved to give them to Shopkeeper Jin! I wonder if Shopkeeper Jin will agree to this Zhang's proposal? "
The man surnamed Zhang struck while the iron was hot.
Shopkeeper Jin rubbed his chin and pretended to be deep in thought. A moment later, he opened his mouth and said, "Since Boss Zhang is in urgent need of funds, this Jin, as the shopkeeper of Yan Huang Bank in Xinfeng County, can naturally lend a sum of money to Boss Zhang! Let's go, this Jin will have someone pass the money to Boss Zhang today! "
The man surnamed Zhang was overjoyed when he heard this. He laughed heartily and said, "Haha! Shopkeeper Jin is straightforward! Please ~! "
Fifteen minutes later, in front of Yan Huang Bank.
"Haha! Many thanks for Shopkeeper Jin's generosity. If this Zhang comes again, I hope that Shopkeeper Jin will not refuse me! "
The man surnamed Zhang said with a smile.
Shopkeeper Jin's eyes flashed and he said with a fake smile, "No problem, no problem!"
"Then this Zhang will take his leave!"
The man surnamed Zhang clasped his hands and turned to leave.
"Ouch! Who is that? Don't you have eyes when you walk? "
Who knew that when he turned around, he would bump into a towering figure and almost fall to the ground. He rubbed his forehead and could not help but feel annoyed.
"Hey! Does this road belong to your family? You're the one who walked with your eyes closed. How can you blame others? "
A young man beside him could not help but mock him.
The man surnamed Zhang was instantly enraged and said, "Hmph! Where did this wild kid come from? How dare he behave so atrociously in Xinfeng County … "
Suddenly, his pupils shrank, and he couldn't help but be shocked. The young man was pushing a strange-looking bicycle. If he wasn't mistaken, that was the latest limited edition variable speed bicycle from the Strange House workshop!
There were only three of them in the entire market!
And the young man in front of him and the young man beside him each had one!
What did this mean? This meant that this group of people in front of him were either rich or powerful! He might not be able to afford to offend them!
"Haha! This Zhang has offended all of you. I'm really sorry! This Zhang still has things to do, so I'll take my leave first! "
In line with the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble, the man surnamed Zhang apologized and hurriedly left.
"Hey! Why did this old bastard suddenly change his attitude? Hmph! At least he knows what's good for him. Otherwise, I'll definitely beat him up until even his mother can't recognize him! "
The tall young man looked in the direction that the man surnamed Zhang left and snorted.
That's right. This group of people in front of him was Li Ke, Cheng Chumo, Pang Feiji and the rest. Li Ke and Cheng Chumo rode bicycles into the county town, while Pang Feiji rode a horse.
"Chumo, forget it! We're new here. Let's not cause any trouble. Disaster relief is more important! "
Li Ke said sternly.
Cheng Chumo snorted and said, "It's not like I'm the one causing trouble. He's the one who ran into me. Do I have to praise him for running into me?"
Li Ke shook his head helplessly and said, "Alright, alright! Let's go in quickly! "
After saying that, he parked his bicycle in the empty space outside the bank and walked straight in.
He was not worried about his bicycle being stolen because Pang Feiji would be outside looking after it.
Seeing this, Cheng Chumo quickly parked his bicycle and followed.
"Young masters, are you here to exchange money or to borrow money?"
Shopkeeper Jin had seen the scene outside the house. He had also seen the two bicycles that Li Ke and Cheng Chumo rode in. Thus, when he saw the two enter the bank, he personally went up to greet them.
Speaking of which, the bank in Xinfeng County only had two businesses: exchanging copper coins for Tang Yuan and lending Tang Yuan. It was unlike the Yanhuang Bank in Lantian County, which also had a deposit business.
"Ask your shopkeeper to come out. We have something to talk to him about!"
Cheng Chumo raised his head and said arrogantly.
Li Ke wanted to stop him, but it was too late. He could only shake his head helplessly. He had originally wanted to observe the attitude of the servants in the Yanhuang Bank in Xinfeng County, but after being yelled at by Cheng Chumo, he had no choice but to lay his cards on the table.
"I am the shopkeeper of the bank. May I ask what the two young masters need?"
Shopkeeper Jin guessed that Cheng Chumo and Li Ke were nobles from Chang 'an, so he did not dare to offend them. Thus, he spoke politely.
"You're the shopkeeper of this bank? Tsk tsk, you don't look like one! Your belly is not even as big as that old man at the door! "
Cheng Chumo glared at him and looked him up and down. Then, he ridiculed him.
Li Ke's face darkened. In order to prevent Cheng Chumo from continuing to spout nonsense, he quickly took out a fish talisman and showed it to Shopkeeper Jin. He said, "We're here today to check the accounts. Please cooperate with us, Shopkeeper Jin!"
When he saw the dragon pattern on the fish talisman and the two words' King of Shu ', Shopkeeper Jin was shocked. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, King of Shu!"
The servants in the room were stunned for a moment before they reacted. They bowed to Li Ke together and said, "Your Highness, King of Shu!"
Li Ke waved his hand and said, "I'm not here in the name of King of Shu. I'm here in the name of Deputy Manager of the Yanhuang Bank! Shopkeeper Jin, quickly go to Xinfeng County and retrieve the accounts of the Yanhuang Bank for the past three months! "
Li Zexuan was the Head Manager of the Yanhuang Bank, and Li Ke was now the Deputy Manager. This matter had been sent to the various branches of the bank in the form of an internal document. Shopkeeper Jin was naturally aware of this, but when he heard that Li Ke was here to check the accounts, he could not help but feel his heart skip a beat. However, he did not dare to refuse and could only bow and say, "Yes! Your Highness, please wait for a moment. This subordinate will go and get it! Your Highness, please take a seat in the side hall! "
Moments later, Shopkeeper Jin walked over with a thick book of account books in his arms. Handing it over to Li Ke, he said, "Your Highness, these are the accounts of Xin Feng County Bank for the past three months. Please have a look!"
Li Ke nodded and said, "Mm, you can go and do your work first! I'm just going to take a look! "
Shopkeeper Jin was flustered, but he did not dare to show any flaws on his face. He nodded and said, "Yes! Your Highness! This subordinate will take his leave! "
After Shopkeeper Jin left, Cheng Chumo could not help but say, "Little Ke, how long will it take you to finish reading such a thick account book? We still have to go to the county yamen! "
Li Ke smiled and said, "Who said I'm going to finish reading? I'm just checking some of the accounts. Moreover, the bank's accounts are now recorded using double-entry bookkeeping. It's easy to check! As long as there are no problems, we'll go to the county yamen immediately! "
Cheng Chumo scratched his head and said, "Oh! That's fine! Little Ke, hurry up! I'll go out for a walk! "
If you asked this fellow to fight, he would be more than happy to do so. However, if you asked him to help check the accounts, he could only say, "This concubine can't do that!"
"Mm!"
Li Ke also knew that Cheng Chumo could not sit still, so he nodded and replied.
.....
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
