East of Fengcheng.

On Bailing Lake.

It's night time.

But the lake is brightly lit.

There are also three large boats in the lake, moving in parallel.

People on the boat were chatting, laughing and drinking.

"Mr. Zhao is really generous tonight. Now all the famous people in Fengcheng are almost here. What's going on?"

"I don't know what's going on? Haven't you heard of it?"

"Brother Li knows what happened?"

"Today the government issued an order to strictly investigate prohibited items and tax evasion."

"I've heard of this."

"But within the Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an, only one Zhuang's Trading Company has been investigated so far."

"What?"

"Either Zhuang's Trading Company has prohibited items or tax evasion, and the evidence is conclusive, and it will be in trouble this time. Or, the thirteenth gentleman of Zhuang's Trading Company has offended the newly appointed prince, and now the new official

He took office three times, and the prince wants to destroy him."

"This..." The man from before couldn't help but be a little surprised.

"No matter which one it is, in short... Mr. Thirteen, I'm afraid he won't be able to turn over." The man who spoke could not help but feel a sense of gloating, saying: "No matter how big the Zhuang Company is, how can a mere businessman do that?

Is the enemy gaining the power of the official family?"

"Speaking of this, when the prince came to Fengcheng before, he did not hold a banquet that night. From this point of view, it seems that Mr. Zhao made up for tonight's banquet on the boat?"

"So, I don't know if he, Zhuang Ming, would dare to come to the banquet for the prince."

"Wait a minute, is the young man on the small boat that is being picked up the same as Mr. Thirteen?"

"It seems to be him." The man who spoke just now had a complicated look on his face and murmured, "He is really here."

——

Zhuang Ming arrived a little late and did not board the boat at the shore, so he had to be picked up by a small boat before boarding the boat.

Qian Yang and Yin Ming supported him respectively, got on the boat, and put the wooden wheel chair on it.

Bai Lao followed behind.

People on the building boats, including people on the two nearby building boats, all cast their gazes.

Today, the government took action, under the order of the prince, to target Zhuang's Trading Company, and sealed hundreds of shops and warehouses belonging to Zhuang's Trading Company in nearly 100 cities in the Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an. In Fengcheng alone, six locations were sealed.

Zhuang Ming sat in a wheelchair and glanced over.

Some people avoided his gaze.

Someone met his gaze.

Someone nodded slightly.

Some people showed a sarcastic smile.

"This is only the first day of human relationships."

Zhuang Ming laughed and shook his head.

Not just Fengcheng, but looking at the entire Huai'an, there are hundreds of cities in the Sixteen Prefectures. Everyone must think that Zhuang's trading house will collapse, and Zhuang Ming will not be able to escape this disaster.

At this moment, among the people around him, some had sympathy and compassion on their faces, while others had expressions of concern.

It's hard to say whether the compassion and concern they showed was true or false, but at least at this moment, they were still showing some kindness in front of him, Zhuang Ming.

But there are still some people who, because of disputes over interests, or because they had enemies earlier, do not hide their gloating at all.

In the past, even if these people were dissatisfied, they would not dare to show it, and would even greet them with smiles and seek opportunities for cooperation. But at this time, they have determined that Zhuang's Trading Company cannot escape this disaster, and they do not bother to cover it up.

.

After today, merchants that originally cooperated with Zhuang's Trading Company may not cooperate again.

It’s not to say that I’m adding insult to injury, but I’ll definitely wait and see what happens.

This is the general trend.

——

Anyone who comes here can be considered a prominent figure in Fengcheng.

The guests attending the banquet tonight included both literati and local gentry, so they were divided into three large ships.

In terms of financial resources, Zhuang Ming may have the most, but in terms of status, he is not too high.

Therefore, his seat is not at the forefront.

"Sir, here."

Zhuang Ming sat down straightly.

Many eyes from the surrounding area looked over.

Today's news that the government is sealing Zhuang's business is quite serious.

There was a lot of discussion around him.

Zhuang Ming looked as usual and just asked: "When will the prince arrive?"

Someone next to him responded: "Your Majesty is on the boat next door, talking about new poems and poems with some local great scholars and famous scholars."

——

Another building on board.

The atmosphere is more peaceful.

Here are all literati and scholars, and the words they use and the tone of voice are all gentle.

The person in front of him who was chatting freely with Prince Chen was a local scholar.

And those sitting near the front are mostly talented people who have achieved fame.

As for the rear, there are some ordinary scholars. Although they have no fame, most of them have some reputation for writing, so they are invited. Many of them come from poor families, which further demonstrates the prince's hospitality and "does not ask about one's origin, only one's talent and learning".

name.

Prince Chen was busy discussing poetry and writings with the Confucian scholars. At this time, he was ready to write an impromptu poem with pen and ink, and then let these scholars display their talents and knowledge and promote their reputation.

But at this moment, someone came in a hurry, and the prince whispered in his ear.

"oh?"

Prince Chen raised his head with an apologetic look, then calmed down and said with a smile: "I will write this poem when I get back. Don't lose your interest. I will come back later and appreciate the poems one by one."

of."

Everyone looked at each other, not expecting that the prince who was talking about Zheng Huan seemed to have encountered something urgent and wanted to leave in a hurry.

Just then, the old man stroked his beard and asked, "Since the prince has something to do, go ahead and take care of it. It doesn't matter to us."

When everyone heard this, they all agreed.

Prince Chen said: "It's not an urgent matter. It's just that on the boat over there, Mr. Thirteen from Zhuang's Trading Company arrived. Today, the king got some evidence, so he ordered a strict investigation of prohibited items and tax evasion. And Zhuang's Trading Company

The suspicion is the highest, so we investigated it first. As the owner of Zhuang's Trading Company, Mr. Thirteen has come here with anger, and I should give him an explanation."

"What?" The old man just now frowned and said, "Is he just a businessman? What qualifications does he have to answer to the prince?"

"Although he is white, he is still a commoner in our Dongsheng Dynasty. As a businessman, and I have sealed his business today, I really should give an explanation."

When the prince said this, he stood up, saluted, and said: "I will go first, and I will come later."

The old man paused for a moment and then said: "Well, this arrogant person must be relying on some financial resources and being arrogant. The prince will go and see him, so as not to be nailed by him as a high-ranking, arrogant and unruly reputation, which will taint you."

virtuous name."

Prince Chen just smiled bitterly and left.

No one dared to stop him.

But when the prince left, he saw the old man shaking his head slightly.

"Dongsheng Dynasty, in recent years, has been too tolerant towards these profit-seeking businessmen."

As the old man spoke, the scholars below also spoke immediately.

Previously, they were all dissatisfied with the "Mr. Thirteen" who broke the atmosphere of reciting poems and writing poems here.

It's just that because the prince is here and due to etiquette, I don't dare to speak rashly, for fear that if I say too much, I will make mistakes and make the prince unhappy.

At this moment, the local scholar is so dissatisfied with Mr. Thirteen, which is in line with everyone's wishes.

Even though there were many people, they echoed and spoke out.
To be continued...