Xia Xun and Ximen Qing went to Beihaizi again the next day. They asked for a private room in a large tavern near Beihaizi and ordered a sumptuous banquet. However, they were given three sets of cups and chopsticks. Sitting quietly, seemingly waiting for someone.
After a stick of incense, a young and strong man came into the hotel. This man was not very tall, but he was very agile. His thin face had a slightly dusty look, and there was a hint of alertness in his eyes. Smell. He wore a cape on his head, an old sheepskin jacket, a pair of green trousers, and animal skin leggings on his legs. He looked like he had traveled a long way, but he had no luggage with him.
The man entered the hotel empty-handed, asked the waiter casually, and then went straight to the second floor and went to the room where Xia Xun and Ximen Qing were. Opposite the hotel, under a dead tree, two men in cumbersome clothes folded their hands. While Xiang was chatting there, the weather started to get cold, but they were wearing relatively thin clothes, and they were stomping their feet from the cold.
"Let me tell you, boss, what are we going to find out after following people around all day long? We are unfamiliar with this place, and we can't rely on the power of the local government. You follow people like a headless chicken, here and there, and you can find out something. Isn’t this a life-ending punishment?”
Another older man smiled solemnly and said: "Calm down, our trip is not in vain. If we can't find anything, we just go out to relax. If we find something, hehe, don't forget it. The benefits Master Qiu promised us."
The man thought about it, licked his lips and became silent.
In the private room, both parties were already seated.
The man put his hands on his knees and said cheerfully: "My brother's surname is Ren, Ren Rishang. Because he was born on the third day of the sun, my father gave him such a name. Haha, I haven't asked the two Gao surnames yet."
Xia Xun said: "I'm Xia Xun."
Ximen Qing laughed and said: "I'm Gaosheng" and then joked: "Brother Ren, your name is a bit tongue-in-cheek. My father should name you Ren Sangan, so that it sounds louder."
Ren Rishang smiled slightly: "I also have a twin brother, his name is Sangan."
"Uh...everyone loves Thirteenth Niang, and everyone loves Mu Mu Nai." Ximen Qing stiffened and laughed dryly: "Brother, you have been through a long journey, thank you for your hard work. Come on, have a drink first to warm yourself up."
Ren Rishang sat still and said: "I am in the army, and I am here under orders again. I don't dare to drink. We are all cheerful people, so we might as well talk cheerfully. This is not the first time we have done this kind of business." , this time we have to send someone for an interview. I don’t know if there are any special requirements, so I’d better talk straight to the point.”
Ximen Qing said with a smile: "Brother Ren is such a cheerful person. Okay, since you don't drink alcohol, you can have tea instead of wine. You still have to eat this dish. Come on, come on, let's eat and talk. You don't have to be so restrained."
Ren Rishang had a military style and was not polite after hearing this. He picked up his chopsticks and started eating. While eating, he said: "Why, the things you want to bring in this time are a bit tricky?"
Just as Ximen Qing was about to speak, he waved his hand and said: "Brother, I have said something ugly before. The two countries are at war, so it is difficult to prohibit private trade. You have what you need, and I have what I sell, so we can make it easier for each other. The people on the grassland are short of food and salt. There is a shortage of cloth, but there are also many things that we want but can’t get. If you want to do business, as long as it has nothing to do with the overall situation, we can turn a blind eye and ignore it. For example, you sell some salt, tea, and grain. , cloth, buy some horses, cattle, sheep, furs, and animal sinews. It is beneficial and harmless, so why not? However, in view of the hostile stance between the two countries, some things are absolutely not allowed to flow out, such as copper coins and steel. , saltpeter, sulfur, medicinal materials.”
Ximen Qing said: "We are only buying this time, not selling. What we bought does not violate the rules of Qianhu adults. It's just that the quantity this time is a bit larger. Such a large quantity is unavoidable... so I want to discuss it with you."
.”
Ren Rishang frowned slightly and said, "The amount is a bit large, how much is that?"
Ximen Qing said: "At least...one hundred cars."
Ren Rishang was a little surprised: "What did you buy?"
Ximen Qing explained what Xia Xun had listed, and Ren Rishang was surprised and said: "These are extremely important military supplies for our Ming Dynasty. Of course, the more the better, but you are businessmen and you want so much."
What do you do with fur animal tendons?”
Xia Xun spread his hands and said: "Brother Ren, what else do you think we can do? Are they used to make armor, bows and crossbows, and then raise flags to rebel? These things can be used for military or civilian purposes, but not every common person can afford them.
Fur clothes are used to keep out the cold in winter. Aren't fur clothes warmer than cloth clothes? Besides, the animal sinews are not just used for bows and arrows. Precisely because these materials are also rare for the imperial court, the people can use them more
There are few, so the price is extremely high. We are businessmen, just making profits."
Ren Rishang's eyes were bright and he said: "It is forbidden to traffic in this thing among the people. Can you bring it in or bring it back?"
Xia Xun smiled and said: "Well, we have our own way, it seems that it is not in Brother Ren's consideration."
Ren Rishang shook his head and said: "No, the target of one hundred cars is too big. Even if everyone knows about it, it can't be exposed. If you make it known to everyone, it will be a slap in the face of the adults. They want to
It won’t work without punishment. If you make any mistakes... it’s too risky..."
Seeing that he was in trouble, Xia Xun wanted to tell him about King Qi to calm his mind. When Ximen Qing saw that he was about to speak, he immediately said, "Since Brother Ren is in trouble, let's just eat food and drink today. Let's put this matter aside for the time being."
Next, another day, please ask Mr. Qianhu to entrust someone who can take charge of the matter, and we will make an appointment to talk together. We must discuss a proper solution to relieve your worries."
Ren Rishang was relieved when he heard this and said happily: "This is a good idea. Come on, let's eat the food first. If my brother doesn't drink, I won't drink with you."
Xia Xun and Ximen Qing picked up their chopsticks and looked at the table. They couldn't help but be stunned. This Ren Rishang was talking and didn't delay eating or drinking at all. In such a short time, the nine meat and vegetable dishes were swept away by him like a whirlwind.
, was eaten to pieces and was completely defeated.
Seeing this situation, Ximen Qing called the waiter to pick up the cups and plates, and served nine more dishes. Only then could he barely feed the big eater who came from the border. After the two parties agreed on a time, Ren Rishang turned around and left.
People will go back to the inn by themselves.
As the two walked, Xia Xun expressed the doubts in his heart: "What he is worried about is that we can't eat this batch of goods. If we slip up during the turnover, we will be caught by the local government. Then they will not be able to suppress this."
Hijab. Let’s lift the King of Qi out of the way, and they will naturally be at peace. Isn’t this a deal? Why bother going through any more troubles?”
Ximen Qing said: "I'm not thinking about you. Otherwise, I am just a matchmaker, and your business has already started earlier. I will go back to your Qingzhou. As for me, I have earned my share and will go back to my Yangzhou."
Go to Gu County to tease the older girl and the younger daughter-in-law, what a wonderful life, what am I doing here?"
He lowered his voice and said: "A few or more than a dozen trucks of goods are coming in at a time. They are not afraid. They are really caught by the local government, and they are confessed to them. They can deny it as much as possible. With such a small amount of goods, who knew they were passersby?"
Those who came in were those who had climbed mountains and ridges and carried them on their backs. Even if you fight the lawsuit, in the middle of the court, the civil and military forces were evenly matched, and no one could do anything to the other.
Even if they really find out, no one will make a fuss about these frontier soldiers who have been working hard with their heads in their belts all day long, putting in some innocuous goods and earning a few hard-earned money.
But if hundreds of vehicles enter the customs in a mighty force, the noise is too great, and we don’t have a solid explanation or a sure guarantee, and they won’t be reassured.”
"Say that King Qi wants these goods, of course, it will dispel their doubts. Are you not worried that the general guarding the gate has other ideas and will go to show his merits to King Qi in a roundabout way? As for the identity of King Qi, it is better not to worry about it.
It's good to speak out. Don't use force when things can be solved with money. Otherwise, King Qi will be unhappy if he knows that you just carried him out casually. Wouldn't it be detrimental to you? "
Only then did Xia Xun realize that Ximen Qing had good intentions and was thinking about his own future. He couldn't help but be secretly grateful, knowing that Ximen Qing really regarded him as a close friend. He couldn't tell Ximen Qing that he didn't want to date him anymore.
King Qi, a tree that was about to fall, had long wanted to run away, so he had no choice but to accept his kindness and asked: "Then what are you going to do?"
Ximen Qing said: "Invite the person in charge of the local smuggling business in Peiping. We can't tell the generals over there about the identity of King Qi, but it's okay to tell him. If he knows, he won't dare to publicize it, and he won't dare to take a cut of it."
Too many. Tell him the identity of the real big customer behind you and ask him to come forward as a guarantee for us. He has a family and business, and his business is huge. If he comes forward as a guarantee, the gatekeeper over there will be reassured. This is a benefit.
Only then do you dare to close it, and only then do you dare to open the door."
After hearing this, Xia Xun nodded and asked, "Do I know the person in charge here?"
Ximen Qing said: "Haha, originally, this was a connection brought by a brother, and I wanted to keep it a secret, but "I won't tell you anymore, now I regard you as my brother, so naturally I can't see you outside. The person in charge is Xie Chuanzhong, from Peiping.
The number one person who deals in furs, he is secretly the number one person in Peiping who transports goods from the south to the north, sells goods from the north, and divides the spoils!
Ren Rishang broke up with them and walked two streets south along Beihaizi. He unhooked a military horse at the door of a dried fruit shop, got on his horse and continued running forward. He passed three more long streets and saw that he was leaving the city gate.
As we got closer, we saw that no one was following us. Suddenly, a group of horses turned eastward, then southward. The horses were flying as fast as they could, and finally stopped at the gate of a government office where a lion was sitting. They got off their horses and put the reins on the stakes.
Shuan, he quickly walked through the door.
He took out a waist badge from his arms, and the guards who came to meet him from the left and right immediately returned to their original positions with guns in hand. The man only flashed his waist badge for a moment and then quickly put it away, walking as fast as he could on a familiar road, and headed straight to the back office.