When Zhang Zhong went to work, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan did not stay idle. They took more than twenty guards and went out for a stroll. The two of them did not want to suddenly encounter any danger when they were walking outside. Places that were easy to encounter danger, such as the mountains, were absolutely not to go.
They wandered around the county, especially places where there might be people who raised birds, such as the market. If there was anyone who raised pigeons, they would have to ask carefully.
The two of them strolled slowly. There were indeed quite a few people in the market, but most of them were selling things. If they couldn't sell anything, they would barter. The goods they sold weren't anything good, they were all daily necessities. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan walked for more than a hundred feet, but they didn't see anything that caught their eye.
There was no trace of people who sold birds. Not to mention birds, even those who sold flowers, fish, and insects could not be seen.
"This is the effect of not having money. It has made people put away some of their playful mood. The only thing they can do is to think of ways to work more and then eat their fill. It is really too pitiful."
Wang Juan looked at the clothes that the people around were wearing. She did not see many new clothes. The so-called new clothes were not patched. Even the people in the shop could not do this. Even the people in the shop were wearing patched clothes.
"It will get better, as long as they do not lose hope in their hearts. I guess the people in the shop are deliberately wearing torn clothes. Let's go, there is a shop selling the four treasures of the study in front of us. Let's go inside and ask."
Zhang Xiaobao pulled Wang Juan forward under the protection of a group of guards. When they arrived at the door of the shop, the person inside was standing near the door and looking outside.
"Do you have anything good to sell here?" Zhang Xiaobao asked.
"What good things? If you think it is good, then it is good. If you think it is not good, then it is not good even if I exaggerate." The man standing at the door said politely. At the same time, he kept looking at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He also liked children, especially cute ones like Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan entered the store and looked at the items. They found that there was indeed nothing good, so they believed the man's words.
Wang Juan curiously looked around the shop and asked, "Are you a waiter here?"
"Buddy? I don't have the money to hire a waiter. I only have enough food to eat. If I hire another waiter, both me and the waiter will starve to death, "the man said helplessly.
"Oh, so that's how it is. Then why are there so many patches on your clothes? I see that some of the patches don't seem to be places that can be rubbed off normally. "Wang Juan pointed at the man's clothes and asked.
The man looked at Wang Juan and Zhang Xiaobao warily and couldn't answer for a while.
Zhang Xiaobao seemed to understand something and said to the man, "My name is Zhang Xiaobao. I am the son of the new Provincial Governor. You don't have to be afraid."
After Zhang Xiaobao's words, the man immediately let out a sigh of relief. He waved his hand and signaled for Zhang Xiaobao and the others to follow him. He turned around a door that led inside and passed through a corridor. He led the group of people to the outside of a room.
"If I knew you were the young master, I wouldn't have been afraid. To be honest, these patches were specially sewn on. Otherwise, if the bailiffs of the county saw them, they would think that there is still money to be made in my shop. It is the same for other shops. Some ordinary people with slightly better families also wear patched clothes when they go out.
Usually, the things sold in the shop and the stalls outside are all ordinary goods. They definitely don't dare to display good goods. If that's the case, they will be snatched away and won't be given a single copper coin. If the two of you really want to buy something, then go into this room and take a look. The things inside are all good.
Since you are the family of the new great official, I won't make money. I will directly sell at the cost. As long as there is a great official here, the future days will be good. "
The man stood at the door and said to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan with a smile.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan suddenly understood. At the same time, they were a bit angry. When they got off the ship, they sent people to collect information. They actually didn't find out this news. They failed in their duty.
The two of them nodded at the same time and let the man lead them in to take a look. When they entered the room, they saw that it was indeed different from the things displayed outside. Zhang Xiaobao came to the front of the pen rack and looked. He pointed at a pen and asked, "Shopkeeper, how much is this pen made of weasel hair?"
"Let me see. If you want to buy it, just give me 60 copper coins. The cost is the cost." The shopkeeper came over and reported the price.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded, "60 copper coins is indeed not a profit. It seems that the price you paid is also low. I will give you 100 copper coins. I will buy it."
As Xiaobao spoke, he naturally didn't need to take out money. He was still young and couldn't carry too much money on him. The person next to him passed the money over. The shopkeeper was very embarrassed when he picked it up and said, "Actually, the cost of this pen is only fifty-six copper coins. I just said four copper coins."
"The space is also considered as storage money. I didn't ask for much. Do you know who raises birds here? My father likes little birds, so I want to buy two. " Zhang Xiaobao felt that this person was too kind. He kept so much stock and only asked for an extra 4 copper coins. It was normal to say that it was 70 copper coins. To buy such a pen in the capital, one couldn't even think about it without 200 copper coins.
The shopkeeper held the money in his hand and was a bit excited, saying, "Actually, it is cheap. The people who hunt here also can't sell their prey at a high price. The people outside don't come to buy much. It is not worth it for the people here to go out once.
You ask about the birds, there really isn't one. However, if the new good official wants one, he only needs to post a notice. Then, many people will go up the mountain to catch birds. A good official, isn't it easy to get a bird? "
"No? Oh, then forget it. If he can't post a notice, how can he be a good official? Then, we will leave now. I wish the shopkeeper's business prospers. "
Zhang Xiaobao didn't ask about the birds, but he knew the attitude of the local people towards his father. This could be considered a gain.
As they spoke, the group walked out again. The shopkeeper followed behind them. When they were about to reach the door, the shopkeeper said, "Young master, why don't the two of you take some paper back. This paper is good for practicing calligraphy. Although it is not as good as good paper, it is actually a good official who posted a notice. He is a good official who doesn't force people to do things.
Those birds that sound good indeed don't exist. However, in our county, there is a family that raises pigeons. It is Old Man Chang. His pigeons are not bad, but it is a pity that they don't sell them. The bailiffs are the same. His family has a few strong guards. The bailiffs have suffered a few losses and don't know why they don't dare to provoke them. "
"Pigeons? Which family? Tell us the place, and we will buy all the paper you have. " As soon as Zhang Xiaobao heard the word pigeons, he immediately became energetic. What he wanted was pigeons. While asking for money, he pulled the shopkeeper and asked him to lead the way.
"Follow this road to the west. After passing the government office, then the county office. After walking for more than a thousand steps, you will see a small wine shop. After going around that house, you will see a small courtyard. Old Man Chang lives in the courtyard."
When the shopkeeper heard that the new young master bought all the paper, he was very happy and stood at the door to show the way. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan carefully noted it down. They didn't care whether the paper was properly brought or not, and directly trotted in that direction.
*****
"Is anyone here? Help me shout. " Wang Juan and Zhang Xiaobao found the courtyard. They stood outside and shouted towards the inside. They also asked the bodyguards who followed them to shout. The bodyguards' voices were very loud.
"Is anyone here? Come out and breathe. Hurry up, or we will tear down the courtyard. " A bodyguard shouted foolishly. His shout made Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan tremble. They hurriedly said to him, "Who let you shout like that? Be polite. It seems that I will have to give you more training in the future. It is easy to get into trouble when you go out. "
"It's still the two children who are sensible. This old man is really afraid of others tearing down the yard. You're Xiaobao, you're Yaojuan, smart and quick-witted, aren't you?"
As soon as Zhang Xiaobao finished scolding the bodyguards, an old man came out from inside. He was supported by someone and walked to the courtyard gate. In fact, it was just a fence. There was no high wall at all, so they could easily see the people inside.
The old man asked someone to open the door while smiling at Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
Wang Juan and Zhang Xiaobao were not surprised at all. The only thing they did not expect was that the person who raised the pigeons was this old man.
Wang Juan's mouth moved. "Do you think the old man knows us so well through the pigeons? Does he know anyone in the capital? "
"I think so. So the pigeons raised by the old man are not ordinary pigeons, but the carrier pigeons we are looking for. This is good. Let's see how we can persuade the old man to raise them for us."
Zhang Xiaobao also thought of this and replied to Wang Juan.
The two people walked forward, and the bodyguards behind them followed closely. When they reached the door of the house, the old man suddenly said to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, "The space inside is small. Can you let your bodyguards wait outside?"
When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan heard this, they raised their heads at the same time and looked into the old man's eyes. They did not see any conspiracy, but they still did not dare to take it lightly. Zhang Xiaobao hesitantly asked, "Can we bring two people in and let them stand? We don't need too much space."
"Okay, let's bring two people in. Then let's bring two people in. The little girl has a lot of thoughts. She can't be tricked." The old man did not refuse this time and led the four people in.
Wang Juan said sweetly, "Grandpa just praised us for being clever. If we don't bring two people, grandpa will not be able to take responsibility if something happens."
"You little girl are not ordinary. No wonder Minister Bi praised you as rare in heaven and earth. Tell me, how did you find me? Why did you find me? "
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