Wang Wei, who seemed to have made up his mind, became very happy when he ate the hot pot. He tasted all kinds of food that he had never seen before, and even asked someone to bring him some fresh oysters to roast over the charcoal fire after he rinsed them in the hot pot.
He ordered someone to pry open the shell, picked up the meat side with the iron chopsticks and roasted it over the fire. Looking at the various seasonings on the table, Wang Wei secretly curled his lips at Yan Zheng. Wealth was not something that a small county magistrate could pretend to be. Do you think you can become rich just because you have shrimp, crab, whip, and fish?
When did I have the honor to eat a banquet that Zhang Xiaobao invited? It was called a buffet. Not to mention the dazzling array of food, the various seasonings were also dazzling.
Forget it. I'll just eat roasted oysters with soy sauce and minced garlic.
Wang Wei ate 12 roasted oysters in a row. Of course, he didn't know that Zhang Xiaobao used a lot of seasonings for the banquets because Zhang Xiaobao used to sell that. Plus the food that they had eaten in other countries and Wang Juan's supplement, they could make hundreds of seasonings. Many things that were not used as seasonings now were also used as seasonings by them, such as red wine, cloves, fish bone powder, and so on.
Seeing Wang Wei eat freely, the county magistrate Yan Zheng was also very happy. He asked the maid to sing in the pavilion. Taking advantage of the rain outside, it was really a special feeling.
"Sir, if you think the oysters are still edible, you can load a cart with them when you go back to the capital. You can keep them in water and eat them as you want. It's very convenient."
Seeing Wang Wei staring at the oysters and swallowing the minced garlic, Yan Zheng thought that Wang Wei liked to eat oysters the most, so he tried to give him a gift.
"Okay, okay, it's early to have fun. Oysters are good." Wang Wei replied and stuffed another big mouthful of minced garlic into his mouth. It was not that he liked to eat garlic, as it was too spicy. He was worried that the food prepared by Yan Zheng was not clean, so he used garlic to sterilize it. He did not intend to die of illness on the spot. If someone had to die, it should be Yan Zheng.
He understood that since the Emperor had sent him and Li Bai here, he must have discovered the local situation. Yan Zheng, the County Magistrate, could do whatever he wanted. As long as he and Li Bai reported what they had heard and seen to the Emperor truthfully, Yan Zheng would have to die even if he had the ability to overturn the heavens. No matter how powerful he was, how could he withstand the attacks of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan who were now in charge of the capital city?
This was all that Wang Wei knew, but there were still many things that he didn't know. Li Longji couldn't wait for him to report to Li Bai. If it was in the past, Li Longji wouldn't have paid too much attention to this because it wasn't easy to transmit information.
However, news traveled very quickly nowadays. Telegrams after telegrams made it difficult for Li Longji not to pay attention to the flood. Regardless of whether it was caused by the officials' negligence or inaction, everything that needed to be dealt with had to be dealt with.
After three rounds of wine, Wang Wei was slightly tipsy. He narrowed his eyes and asked Yan Zheng, "County Magistrate Yan, do you have a quiet place?"
"Yes, yes, sir. Are you … going to have a rest? Aiya, sir, you can't miss out on something good when you come to Hong Nong. I'll take you to see some fun places. "
Seeing that Wang Wei was going to sleep, Yan Zheng hurriedly tried to persuade him and signaled with his eyes. Together with another young woman, they helped Wang Wei up and walked towards the backyard. Naturally, there were people holding up large umbrellas to block the view.
In order to get more evidence, Wang Wei didn't refuse. He followed them through two courtyards and came to a large courtyard. Before he entered a room, Wang Wei heard a clattering sound coming from inside.
This sound was very familiar. It was a mahjong game that was passed down from the Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family. He usually played it at home. It was a small game with a few copper coins as the foundation. It was quite an interesting game.
Could it be that Yan Zheng was looking for him to gamble? Did he want to cheat him of all his money? Then there was no need to cheat. He had given most of his money to Li Bai. He only had a dozen one copper coins left.
Yan Zheng didn't know what Wang Wei was thinking. He supported Wang Wei into a room. After passing the screen, there was a square table with crystal clear mahjong tiles on it.
Wang Wei glanced at it. It was really extravagant. It was made of ivory. Afraid that someone would cheat, only half of it was made of ivory. There was also a layer of purple bamboo behind it. The texture was basically the same and polished smooth.
The room was filled with the smell of sandalwood. The back window was half open. It was a beautiful scene to listen to the rain. There was a high table beside the table. There were various seasonal fruits on the table. The wine in the glasses was purple and red.
There were four people sitting around the table casually playing mahjong. They kept coming and going. From time to time, someone would stop and take a sip of the wine beside him. It was very relaxing.
When Yan Zheng and the other two came in, the four people had already seen them. However, they didn't greet them. Instead, their eyes stayed on Wang Wei for a while.
"Five pancakes." A person sitting on the South Wind threw out a card. Before the next person took a card, the person opposite pushed the card away and said with a smile, "Thanks. I've waited four rounds for you."
The person sitting on the South Wind threw out two bamboo chips from the small box in front of him. He stood up and said, "I'm tired. I don't want to play anymore. County Magistrate Yan, what about you?"
Yan Zheng also laughed and said, "What's wrong? You don't have good luck. Did you lose all the money you asked for in October?"
"It's still early. I'll go and have a look." The person sitting on the South Wind shook his head indifferently and walked to a place with a hanging curtain.
"Your Excellency Wang, you're here." Yan Zheng smiled and helped Wang Wei to the South Wind.
Wang Wei blushed and said, "This … I only have a little money with me. I don't have any money. How about …"
"It doesn't matter. Your Excellency, just play. It's not money but goods. They are playing with goods that can arrive in Tang before the end of December this year. Even if they win, the goods don't belong to them. They still have to pay. To be precise, what they win is the opportunity and power to buy the goods."
Yan Zheng took out a box from another place and opened it, revealing the bamboo chips inside. Wang Wei looked at them carefully and saw that there were some words like 100 jin of silver, 20 jin of sulfur, 30 sea cucumbers, and so on. After a little calculation, he understood. However, there was still something he didn't understand. He asked, "Since we are spending money, why does it matter if we win or not?"
"It's different. The goods from overseas have different prices. Those who want to buy have to set the price in advance. Those who buy at a high price will lose money when the goods arrive. Those who sell at a low price will lose money when the goods arrive. Those who sell at a low price will lose money when the goods arrive. Those who sell at a high price will lose money when the goods arrive.
Do you understand? "As Yan Zheng explained, he put all the chips in the box into the small drawer in front of Wang Wei and added," Your Excellency, just play. If you win, it's on both of us. If you lose, it's on me. At worst, I won't buy it. "
Wang Wei was still a little confused. He couldn't understand. It was just a business. Why did they have to make a mess? They set the price in advance and bet on the right to buy the goods at the lowest price. Weren't they idle?
Well, I'll go back and tell the Emperor that Zhang Xiaobao is above the list of the richest people. Let's see if he can figure it out.
Wang Wei calmed down and sat upright. He began to play dice with the other three people. This was also a step in the evidence.
Yan Zheng stood behind Wang Wei and watched with a smile. He didn't say anything. When he saw Wang Wei winning again, the smile on his face became more and more brilliant.
Wang Wei could win not because the other three people went easy on him. First, he played well and was good at calculation. Second, it might be related to luck. He was relaxed. Anyway, winning or losing had nothing to do with him.
Just as County Magistrate Yan was feeling happy, a yamen runner hurried in from outside and whispered something in his ear. County Magistrate Yan's expression changed immediately. He said in surprise, "What? They really … really came here? Do you know where we are now? Oh, go out, go out. "
At this time, Yan Zheng remembered that he was still in the room. There were outsiders. He pulled the yamen runner and walked to another room. When he left, his face was obviously not as good as before. It was so pale that there was almost no blood in it.
The person whose expression had also changed was Wang Wei. He was no longer as relaxed as before. Just now, he had only heard two words, "Xiao Bei," but these two words were enough to make some people's imaginations run wild.
Wang Wei was one of those people. The two words' Xiaobei 'were too shocking, especially the officials who worked in the capital. They all knew that it represented unscrupulous, it represented not being able to explain clearly, it represented not being able to cover up once caught. Most importantly, it represented a huge power. It could be turned into billions of dollars, and it could also be turned into rolling iron hooves.
Therefore, Wang Wei's heart could not calm down. He recalled Yan Zheng's expression when he left and recalled the yamen runner's anxiety when he came in. A shocking guess appeared … Xiaobei was here?
"Zhang Xiaobei is here? It's really her. Are you sure? " Yan Zheng asked the question that Wang Wei wanted to ask. All the pores on his body opened, his hair stood up, and goosebumps covered his whole body.
"It's confirmed. Our people in Wannian County sent the news, but we don't know where she is. The food at the train station was brought by her. What should we do?"
The yamen runner who reported the news was also affected by Yan Zheng and said with a trembling voice.
"How could it be? How could it be? Why is it her? Investigate, investigate for me. Find out where she is. Even if we have to send out all our men, we have to find her. "
Yan Zheng was finally unable to maintain his composure.
The yamen runner nodded repeatedly and drew a line across his neck with his hand, saying, "Sir, when the time comes, right? Hmm? "
"Bullshit, do you think she came alone? Tell me when you find her. This official will go see her personally. I must calm her down. How could it be her who came? I have already blocked the news. Go quickly. "
Yan Zheng looked like he was about to fly into a rage out of humiliation. Tears were about to come out.
*****
"This is the warehouse for the canned meat? It's arranged so neatly. Open this fish and let me see. Is it all fish head, fish tail, fish bones, and fish belly? "
Xiaobei, who had taken a bath and changed into a new set of clothes, was visiting the various warehouses in the school. The first thing she came to was the canned meat. She pointed at a can of fish without a label and asked someone to open it.
Tools for opening cans were placed at the side. There were quite a few of them. Someone took the tools and pressed on the can. The can was opened, revealing the contents inside.
Xiaobei went to the nearest part and took a closer look. She nodded and said, "Hmm! It's really a can of fish head. Fat head fish. There's a part of the fish head and a lot of meat. It's done well. It's almost turned into fish glue. Put it in the pot and add some vegetables. It can be eaten as a fish head hotpot. It's not considered cutting corners. Open another one for me to see. "
The person beside her opened another can of fish. This time, Xiaobei could see clearly without being too close. "It's actually a can of black bean fish. Steam it in the pot and eat it with steamed buns. It's very good. Open a can of chicken."
When the can of chicken was opened, Xiaobei stretched out her hand. "Chopsticks."
Someone handed over the chopsticks. Xiaobei used the chopsticks to stir the can of chicken twice. Then, she identified it and said, "Braised chicken wings. Not bad. The bones are already crispy. Give me a can of braised pork. Let me see if it's full of bloody neck meat."
Xiaobei's words were firmly carried out. The can of pork was also opened. Xiaobei was stunned when she saw what was inside. Then, she said, "Why do merchants always lie? How is this braised pork? It's clearly sweet and sour pork ribs. Do you think I can't recognize it?"
"I really can't recognize it." Xiaoyuan felt that everything was the same. He knew about pork ribs, but he didn't know what sweet and sour pork ribs were.
"Stand aside if you don't know. Alright, let me summarize the canned meat warehouse." Xiaobei was very happy to see that the cans were all good. She was better at speaking. She pulled Xiaoyuan to the side and began to 'report.'
"Under the spiritual guidance of Uncle Emperor, the practical support of merchants from all over the country, and the serious supervision of the common people, our school's canned meat reserves have reached a satisfactory level. It has shocked all parties and made …"
"Alright, Xiaobei. I beg you to do something serious. The school is still flooded. The dam built by our engineering team has been dug up. You still have the leisure to …"
Before Xiaobei could finish her speech, Xiaoyuan interrupted her with a frown.
"Alright, alright. I won't say anymore. I'm just trying to boost morale. Seriously, our school is not collapsing. Can't I say a few words to boost morale? Let's go to the next warehouse."
Xiaobei was not angry. She walked to the next warehouse. The next warehouse was filled with wheat and rice. It was the kind that had not been shelled. This kind of food could be preserved for a long time.
Then, she looked at a few other warehouses in succession. Each warehouse was very satisfactory. There was a lot of things in there and the quality was good. Especially the medicine warehouse. There was actually a lot of equipment in there. It was easy to put on an intravenous drip.
"It seems that merchants still have a conscience." Xiaobei found a box of hawthorn pills. She popped one into her mouth and chewed it as a snack. Then, she asked the teacher, "Grandpa, do you know why that county magistrate wants to dig up the dam built by our family?"
"Isn't it because he wants to flush out the entire Hongnong County?" The teacher said angrily.
"Yes, because he wants to flush out the place. But why? There must be a reason. Is he sick? Is there something wrong with his brain? "Xiaobei still didn't understand and wanted to get to the bottom of it.
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