The person from the Zhang family came to the best room in the first house in Linshui. He said to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, who were waiting, "Young Master, Young Lady, they asked for the details. They didn't sign the document."
"Oh, okay. Then go and ask Dingping about the cooperation and see what they have to say." Zhang Xiaobao was a little disappointed as he instructed.
After the person left, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan sighed at the same time.
"Looks like they really plan to be enemies with us to the end. Isn't it good to cooperate and make the business big? If they insist on scheming against each other, then let's play with them. "
Zhang Xiaobao looked at the busy people below and said helplessly. He felt that if he were in their shoes, he would consider cooperation. Wasn't business just for money? If they lost something in this area, they could make up for it in other areas. Turning a competitor into a partner was the best strategy.
Wang Juan scooped a spoonful of shaved ice from the bowl and put it in her mouth. "Don't worry about them. Let them do what they want. They're just short of people. Let Li Xun think of a way. See if he can contact the boat company on the Yellow River. After all, we have to go to the sea from there."
"That's all we can do." Zhang Xiaobao left the window and moved to Wang Juan's side. He also took a bite. The cool air went into his stomach, making him feel much better.
In the other room, the boat merchants were still passing around the information. Anyone who could read was like Mi Fan after reading it. They were very surprised. This plan was too good.
One by one, they talked about building a big boat and then going to earn money. Only Mi Fan was there drinking mouthful after mouthful of sour plum juice.
It was precisely because the detailed plan was done well that he was even more worried. He still didn't know who would win in the end. Looking at those excited people again, he really regretted it. Why did it turn out like this? If he had known, he wouldn't have done this with these people.
Although he was obedient, he couldn't do anything at critical moments. If he cooperated with a smart person, he could at least come up with some ideas.
"Brother Weitong, let's arrange the matter of blocking the river. We already have the detailed plan, so we don't need to tell them anything else."
Guo Ren came up and said to Mi Fan. Looking at his excited face, Mi Fan sighed in her heart and nodded. "Alright, I'll arrange it now. Send three ships over. The boatmen will know what to do."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. The waiter came in first, followed by the Zhang family member who had just left.
"Everyone, how's it going?"
"We're looking at it right now. When we're done, we'll look for you," a merchant said.
"Very well. What do you think of the other matter? It's about transporting goods between the big ships and the small ships. "The Zhang family asked again.
"This … I don't think that's necessary. We don't have many big ships. If we send out some more, we won't have enough. I'm afraid we won't be able to handle it. You can transport it yourselves."
Another merchant added.
The Zhang family member didn't care whether they agreed or not. He just wanted to know. After listening to the two people, he nodded and said, "Since it's like this, I'll go back first. You guys are busy."
*****
"Young Master, Young Lady, they also don't agree to hand over the goods at Dingping. The reason is that they don't have enough ships. I'm afraid they won't be able to handle it." The Zhang family member turned around and came to Zhang Xiaobao.
"Yes, let's get busy. Let's all work together. Juan Juan, let's go and take a look at the artificial lake at the back. There's also a winery and a pig farm there. While others are busy, we can't be idle."
Zhang Xiaobao heard this and knew it was time to take action. Since they had nothing to do, they could take a stroll. It wasn't easy for the two of them to come out.
Wang Juan ate the last mouthful of shaved ice, stood up and said, "Let's go. I'm going to row a boat. When the lake at Yaowang Mountain is built, we'll row there when we're free."
The two of them went out, one after the other.
Zhang Zhong was also busy at this time. He recruited another 100 government runners and bought some horses. He asked them to patrol back and forth in the county. Like Sanshui County, he also bought some boats on the river and arranged the government runners on them. He himself went back and forth.
"Master, there's no road ahead." Under the protection of the guards, Zhang Zhong rode on the horse and strolled around the county. At this time, there was a mountain or a group of mountains in front of them. The government runner who followed him said to Zhang Zhong.
This government runner was from the inner courtyard of the Zhang family. His title was different from others. Even if his household registration was in the Zhang family, he could still be a government runner. No one in Huayuan County would investigate this matter. This person was originally from Huayuan County. When he was young, he followed his father and grandfather to the Zhang family.
He knew more things here. After all, he was closer to the locals when he talked. After asking around, he knew more about Huayuan County. Then he followed Zhang Zhong around.
Zhang Zhong stopped the horse and looked at the mountain in front of him. It was really good. It was so majestic and so solemn. He asked the person next to him, "Are there people here?"
"In reply to Master, there are. There are two villages here. Both of them said that their villages are called Fragrant Mountain Village. When they entered the household register, there was no choice but to record them as Big Fragrant Mountain Village and Small Fragrant Mountain Village according to the number of people. The people here don't pay taxes for food, but for animal skins.
Usually, they make a living by hunting. They sell the game to buy some daily necessities. Daxiang Village has more people. There are 25 households and 166 people. Xiaxiang Village has fewer people. There are 23 households and 143 people. The two villages usually communicate with each other. There are also marriages between the two villages. "
The yamen runner had a very detailed understanding of the situation in the mountain. He didn't even leave out the people.
Seeing that the master liked to listen, he continued, "Master, there used to be a temple here. The pilgrims would buy some fruits from the mountain. In the past two years, there has been no one. The people in the temple have become ordinary people. The incense also stopped. Occasionally, some people would come here to take a look."
"Yes!" Zhang Zhong nodded and said, "Since there are still people here, I have to go and take a look. After all, I am a county magistrate. I want to see how they are living."
"Master, there is no road ahead. If you want to go to the two villages, you have to walk on the grass. There are also wild beasts and poisonous insects in the mountain. Why don't you let the people in the village come out and take a look?"
The yamen runner was worried and tried to persuade him, even if he knew that it was useless.
Sure enough, Zhang Zhong didn't care about these things. When he was walking around recently, the doctor at home had prescribed some medicine for him. There were also things prepared by the hunters in the past. He wasn't afraid of snakes and insects, let alone wild beasts. With twenty guards from the Prince's Mansion, even a big worm could be killed with crossbows.
"Or should I go and take a look myself and see how they are living? There is no lack of meat in the mountain. I think it will be good, right? "
Zhang Zhong was thinking about the meat of the wild beasts. If they could eat meat, their lives would be good.
Unexpectedly, the yamen runner shook his head and replied, "Master, they are the most miserable people in the county. In the past, when County Magistrate Wen was here, they had to send many things to the county every year. When they came to sell meat, they could only sell it to one family, which was Jinlai Restaurant. Otherwise, they wouldn't and wouldn't dare to accept it.
The price given by Jinlai Restaurant is even lower than the price of pork. In the past, it was only enough to fill their stomachs. I asked around in the county. Last year, they also levied double the tax. In order to get enough fur, they went out at night. Three people and two people died in the two villages respectively.
It's good to be able to eat meat, but people can't always eat meat. They have to eat other things. Vegetables are wild vegetables. They also opened up some land next to the village and planted some vegetables.
However, they have to wear clothes, eat salt, and come out to buy rice and noodles. Every year, they have to come out to work dozens of days, and the rent is not reduced. I don't know how they are now. Before Master came, they changed their things once and never came out again. "
Zhang Zhong listened quietly. His hands unconsciously clenched into fists. He really couldn't think of how the person surnamed Wen could do this without caring about the lives of the people. Even when his family was not better, he wouldn't do this to the villagers.
"No, I can't just let it go like this. I have to submit a memorial. The person surnamed Wen should be cut into pieces. Get off the horse. Leave two yamen runners behind to watch. The rest of you, bring our food and come with me. I want the people in the two villages to know that the change of officials is different from the original."
Zhang Zhong was originally the kind of person who would let people off easily. This time, he was finally angry. It was one thing for a county magistrate to be greedy for the county's money and make fake accounts, but he actually wanted to exploit the people like this. It was simply infuriating.
After getting off the horse, he took out the realgar and sprinkled it on his body. He also took out a small bamboo box and took out something to apply on his face. He handed it to the people who were going to follow him into the mountains. "Apply it. This is the medicine made at home."
A group of twenty-seven people began to walk into the mountains. Twenty bodyguards, six yamen runners, and Zhang Zhong himself walked all the way into the mountains. They could vaguely see the places where people had walked before.
The sun above their heads was blocked by the leaves. It was not very hot, but the heat in the woods was not easy to dissipate. It was stuffy and unbearable. Sweat seeped out from their pores and wet their clothes from the inside out.
Zhang Zhong was wearing his official robes. It was even more uncomfortable. His light green robes had turned dark green. Those who didn't know would think that a sixth rank official had come. He also grabbed the goldfish bag hanging from his waist. This could not be lost. Everything else was fine, but this was something to show his identity.
Although he was a seventh rank official, he still had a goldfish bag. This was the additional benefit of giving something and being the top scorer.
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