Zhang Cheng, Chen Jiugao and others rode fast, and the flow of people gradually increased as they got closer to the capital. Even those carrying loaders and pushing wheelbarrows were constantly on the road, and there were even rows of horse-drawn carriages traveling in groups.

Although it also suffered from the ravages of the cavalry, the agglomeration effect of the capital was far from comparable to other places. The high-ranking officials and dignitaries were relatively concentrated here, and not only the demand for various supplies was huge, but the demand for Dingkou was also very large.

People from all walks of life have something to do here, from daily necessities to circus, juggling, singing and other entertainment activities. In the capital city where dozens or millions of people gather, even begging for food is more difficult than others.

Be more relaxed.

After crossing the Marco Polo Bridge in the southwest of the capital, they separated immediately. Although Chen Jiugao strongly invited Zhang Cheng to stay in the capital for a few days, he also offered some hospitality and introduced several dignitaries from the capital to Zhang Cheng. However, Zhang Cheng dismissed them all as a military emergency.

For reasons of polite refusal.

After bidding farewell to Chen Jiugao, Zhang Cheng ordered Zhang Guangda to lead the army back to Yongning first, while Lin Fangping camped outside Juyong Pass in the west of Changping to wait. He led the Tongziying and rode towards the west gate of the capital.

Niu Sheng had already led people to greet Zhang Cheng outside Xiguan. When he saw Zhang Cheng riding on horseback, he hurriedly greeted him. He first paid homage to his new wife, Yang Liying, and then led the way back to Yuan Longchang Carriage and Horse Racing House.

Although it is outside the city, Xiguan is also very large. The streets are not as prosperous as those in the city, but there are carriage shops, warehouses, tea stalls, and occasionally one or two small wine shops.

The Yuan Longchang Carriage and Horse Shop expanded again, adding two warehouses and a large carriage shop. The courtyard inside was equipped with three stables, which could store hundreds of carriages and hundreds of mules and horses. It was like a

The largest carriage and horse dealership in Beijing.

The current carriage and horse shop occupies a wider area. As soon as you enter Xiguan on the north side of the street, you will see the front of the carriage and horse shop, which occupies almost a quarter of Xiguan. In front of the front is a small square with several big trees and

Some straw huts were erected to give passers-by a rest.

Behind the large facade are guest rooms, warehouses, carports, stables, etc., which are all classified into buildings. There are aisles connecting them in the middle. Due to the large area, there are warehouses that need to be guarded. Now there are five clerks in the carriage and horse shop.

More than a hundred people.

Of course, this is only said to the outside world. In fact, most of these people were sent from Xuanzang, and they were all loyal men selected by Zhang Cheng from his army.

Today, there is no merchant in Xiguan who does not know that the backstage of Yuan Longchang is Zhang Cheng of Xuan Town. Even the wealthy businessmen and officials and gentry in the city also know about this.

The commercial competition in the capital of the Ming Dynasty was extremely fierce, and it was difficult to open a store without any background. It was just trying to make a living in the cracks. If it was said that when Yuan Longchang was first established, no one paid attention to it.

As it is now, I have achieved the first position in the entire capital. If I didn't have any background, I would have been given a yellow shop by the nobles and royal relatives in the city.

What's more, Yuan Longchang is still contracting the escort business. Zhang Cheng's brand in Xuanzang is still bright enough, and the escorts are all tall and strong, with broad shoulders and round waists. Even the high-ranking officials in Beijing, Xun

They are so expensive that even royal relatives often ask them to escort their goods.

There are not many shops in Xiguan, and they basically only serve pedestrians and merchants who have no time to enter the city. Or there are carriage shops like Yuan Longchang that store goods for merchants coming and going, but do not provide food and accommodation services for the accompanying people.

Although it is not as prosperous as the city, it is still bustling with people. Most of the merchants here are stable. They go to the city to discuss business, and the guys and coachmen they bring with them stay here. Because they are familiar with each other, they often

After dinner, they would get together and chat about everything.

Accompanied by Niu Sheng, Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying entered Xiguan on foot. He said with a smile: "President Niu, you are getting richer and richer now!"

When Niu Sheng was called like this by Zhang Cheng, his face turned red. He whispered: "Commander, people here are happy to call themselves shopkeepers, but they don't dare to call them president. It sounds like an official. It's weird.

The bang."

"Hahaha……"

Zhang Cheng laughed wildly, causing Yang Liying beside him to look sideways. He only heard him say: "It's weird. I can tell you that when you ask me to be your bank president in the future, you may not have another chance.

ah!"

Niu Sheng's face turned redder and redder, and he said with a little embarrassment: "We will listen to the commander-in-chief. If the commander-in-chief says he is the president, I will be the president."

Amid a burst of chatter and laughter, everyone entered the west courtyard of the chariot and horse shop from the west side door. Here is a newly built independent courtyard with four main rooms, four east and west wing rooms, and in the middle.

A relatively spacious yard.

There are also three gatehouses in the front, and behind the courtyard is a row of stables with a private door connected to the courtyard. There are also a row of four barns in the back.

Niu Sheng invited Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying into the guest room and introduced the current situation of the carriage and horse shop: "... now we have more than 2,000 stones of grain and more than 800 pieces of cloth, and we have also opened a grain store in the city.

There are also three houses close to the palace city and the west gate and south gate..."

He finally said: "Commander, if this happens, we will have a lot of money here, and I'm afraid it won't be easy to earn it back!"

Zhang Cheng and Yang Liying sat down on the heated kang. He first touched the temperature of the kang and said, "Yes, this kang is very hot. It deserves praise."

He went on to say: "You are a wedge that I have placed in the capital. Whether you make money or not is not important. Haosheng has secured the property here. At the critical moment, I will be of great use."

When Niu Sheng heard this, he said with a serious face: "Here. Niu Sheng will remember the commander's instructions and will never miss the commander's military affairs."

Zhang Cheng looked at him and said seriously: "I have been ordered to lead the army into Liao and follow Governor Hong to rescue the siege of Jinzhou. This time I enter Liao to fight against the bandits. I don't know how long it will take before I can return to the army.

You must try your best to raise grain, and if necessary, transport it to Liao to relieve the difficulties of our army. Now that the imperial court is in a sluggish state, we cannot just wait for the imperial court to support us in everything, otherwise, if things go against our wishes, we will be at a loss."

Niu Sheng hurriedly replied: "Please rest assured, Commander, we will try our best to raise grain, and we will not let the army starve to kill the Tatars."

He paused and then said: "We have also had some contact with the grain stores opened by several gentlemen in the city these days. Then we can use our shop as collateral to borrow some grain on credit to meet urgent needs."

Zhang Cheng nodded and said, "How are you preparing the food and wine? I've been traveling for days and haven't had a good hot meal yet."

Niu Sheng hurriedly slapped his forehead and said anxiously: "Look, I forgot about this while I was busy talking back to the commander. Commander, don't be anxious, madam, we'll go and hurry you up."
Chapter completed!