Compared with the West Tower, which can be used to borrow scenery from inside the building, the North Tower overlooks Gen Mountain, the Zhouqiao Night Market and the Bianhe River Tourists at your feet. The night wind outside the window slowly blows in, blending into the fragrance, and blending with the fragrance in the courtyard.
The sounds of drinking and having fun floated out after a circle, and even the wind carried a sense of joy.
Wu Juhou's second son Wu Shifan, fifth son Wu Shixia and ninth son Wu Shi'an were all drinking and drinking with smiles on their faces.
As the sons of the prefect of Kaifeng, their status is obviously not low. They are all in the front row, but sitting in the middle is a richly dressed man. He looks quite old, but his face is pink and his lips are bright.
Hong, but he was dressed like a newly crowned husband, hugging him from left to right, and teasing wildly with the two red ladies.
Wu Shi'an, the youngest person at the table, looked away and couldn't help but show a hint of envy when he thought of this man's wealth that he would never be able to spend in a few lifetimes: "The life of the Young Master's family is so happy that it's indescribable!"
The young master's eyes moved over: "I can't bear Jiulang's words. How can I, the son of a mere merchant, compare to you, the yamen?"
Wu Shi'an drank Meishou wine, which was strong in the mouth and full of stamina. He was already half drunk and couldn't help but said: "Young master, don't believe me. I really envy you. If you have such wealth, how can you be miserable?"
I study all day long, and every time my father checks my homework, I feel trembling with fear... Ugh!"
ranwenat
"Kuroro is drunk!"
In comparison, his second brother Wu Shifan was much more stable. He signaled to his fifth brother Wu Shixia to hold on to this younger brother who would talk about everything after a few glasses of rice wine: "My younger brother is ignorant, and the young master should not take it personally.
."
The young master shook his head: "Jiulang has a true temperament. It's nothing to say this. To be honest with you, when my father forced me to take the imperial examination, he was probably much stricter than Wu Longtu. Later..."
His words made Wu Shifan feel itchy, and he subconsciously asked: "What happened next?"
The young master was silent for a moment, and hugged the prostitutes on the left and right: "Later, I saw that I didn't have Wen Qu Guan's attention, and I was not the material for a Jinshi. If you don't care anymore, wouldn't I just hang out here all day? Haha!"
"
Everyone burst into laughter, and then laughed and almost cried.
Damn it! Why can't he pass the Jinshi exam and inherit the wealth of the family when he returns home?
But then, the young master sighed again: "But since that incident, my life has not been comfortable. It's all because of Gongsun Zhao who killed that day. He has evil intentions, lest our Song Dynasty's peaceful and prosperous age will not be chaotic, and even good people like us will be destroyed."
It’s unjust, you deserve to end up like this! Bah!”
Everyone felt a lot better when they thought of the Houjiang Chamber of Commerce, which had been shut down because of the Wuyou Cave incident, and even offered words of comfort: "Young master, please relax, the traitor Gongsun is wanted by the court and will not end well!" "Yes, I will go to your bank then.
Even the grievances of the six major chambers of commerce can be cleared..."
Some of these people were relieved, while others truly believed that General Hou would be able to make a comeback, and Wu Shifan was the latter.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, the commodity economy developed rapidly, and the tradition of focusing on agriculture and suppressing business was greatly impacted. Compared with the previous Tang Dynasty, the social status of merchants was completely different.
Not to mention the marriage between private businessmen and the official class. Businessmen use money to directly obtain official positions. It is common for officials to do business on the side and openly sell tea and salt that are exclusively owned by the government to make huge profits. Even the military
Doing business has become fashionable, so Liu Yanqing is more attentive to reading account books than military books.
To put it bluntly, the commodity economy is still in its infancy, but the collusion between government and business has become extremely sophisticated.
As early as the Zhenzong period, Prime Minister Wang Dan pointed out that many businessmen in Bianjing City had a family fortune of more than 100,000 guan, and it was not uncommon for those with more than a million guan. In comparison, ordinary people living at the bottom of society were subjected to
Exploitation at every level makes the poor even poorer, and polarization is extremely serious. This phenomenon should be curbed.
As a result, businessmen even began to integrate political capital while possessing wealth. After having money, they also wanted to have power. This was the direct reason for the birth of the six major guilds.
Wu Juhou originally rose to power by amassing money for the court, and he especially knew the importance of money. In addition, evidence of collusion between the Houjiang Guild and the bandits of Wuyou Cave was found in Wuyou Cave, but Gongsun Zhaoyi was wanted.
The top guild leader was easily released from prison, and after avoiding the limelight for a while, he began to return to Beijing in a swaggering manner. Of course Wu Shifan knew that the young leader was just showing off his bitterness.
After many real poor scholars comforted a wealthy man who looked down on the outside, the atmosphere became lively again. However, the young master took a wine glass and walked towards Wu Shifan, whispering: "Wu Erlang, about Tie Xue Tower."
, do you have any explanation?"
Wu Shifan shook his head: "Young master, I clearly rejected you last time, right? The closure of Tiexue Tower is unavoidable against the will of the people. My father will never stand up for your chamber of commerce!"
The young master frowned and said: "I said in the yamen, public opinion can't be violated. Do you really believe it? When the common people make trouble, they will give in without principle and don't want the laws of the Song Dynasty? What do they know? Now they are almost destroying everything.
Youdong has forgotten, the past has passed! Tie Xue Lou is our signature, and this main store will definitely reopen, but sooner or later!"
Wu Shifan raised his hand and said, "Young master, there is no need to say more. Everything else is easy to talk about. I really can't help you with this matter."
The young master glanced at him: "I heard that there has been a big disturbance in the DPRK recently. There is a commander of the Forbidden Army named Liu Yanqing, who is biting people randomly?"
Wu Shifan's expression changed and he subconsciously clenched his hands into fists.
The young master continued to get closer and lowered his voice: "We have always admired your father as a person. We had social relations with Jingdong back then. Liu Yanqing's matter this time is a big trouble for him. If your father is willing to help the general, we will solve it."
To restore innocence and justice, we are willing to work hard to settle Liu Yanqing’s matter!”
Wu Shifan's eyes flickered: "What Shaodong said is interesting. Liu Yanqing is involved in the Mingzun cult. Now even the officials are paying attention. If this matter can be solved, my father's help will be needed to reopen Tiexue Tower.
What?"
The young master smiled and said: "It is not convenient for Wu Longtu to take action because he has a high position and too many people are watching him. If he acts rashly, if his opponent catches him, it will be even more detrimental to the situation. We are different and there are many ways we can use."
Yes!"
"In the same way, we also have a lot of inconveniences regarding the Tiexue Tower. The other five chambers of commerce are eager to lose a competitor. They are all working behind the scenes, so they need noble people like Wu Longtu..."
"Daring to risk the world's disapproval is the character you need to do great things!"
Wu Shifan was tempted. This was related to his father's position as prime minister. If he could really help, among the eleven sons who could not pass the Jinshi examination, he would stand out and even become the next head of the family.
However, he would not really believe the other party with just a few words. He rolled his eyes and said: "To solve Liu Yanqing's matter, one person cannot be avoided. The Imperial City Secretary should ask more! We happened to be at the gate of Fan Tower just now.
I met Gao Qiu, if the young master is really capable, how about giving it a try on Gao Qiu now?"
The young master raised his eyebrows: "Gao Tidian is here? Which floor are you having a banquet on?"
Wu Shifan said: "When we parted, we saw that he was heading to the West Tower with a guest. He should be in the West Tower."
The young master asked: "Who are the guests Gao Ti Dian is inviting to the banquet?"
Wu Shifan shook his head: "I don't know, but he doesn't look like an official in his clothes. He must be from some government office. His attitude is very enthusiastic and even a bit flattering!"
The young master wondered: "This is interesting. This Imperial City Secretary Tidian is a very popular figure nowadays. Who can win his favor? Is he the prime minister's son?"
He thought for a while and ordered his men: "Go and see if Lady Cui is also performing in the West Tower."
Wu Shifan was a little jealous: "Is it the lady Nianyue who is the best at Liu Ci? No wonder I didn't see her appear just now. It turned out that she was invited by Gao Qiu..."
The young master smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. Lady Cui has been feeling unwell since a few days ago. If Gao Tidian still had the slightest pity for her, he shouldn't have kept her overnight. We won't be able to ask more about it then.
Late."
Wu Shifan narrowed his eyes: "Listening to the young master's tone, are you planning to have a good relationship with Gao Qiuya?"
The young master clasped his fists: "Forgive me, Erlang, you are a scholar, but I am a businessman! Scholars, farmers, industrialists, and businessmen, we businessmen have always been poor people at the lowest level. Anyone can bully them, and everyone's face depends on it.
Over time, I also developed the habit of making money by being harmonious..."
"Imperial City Secretary Ti Dian, how dare I offend you? Besides, if Gao Ti Dian is allowed to open his net and suppress Liu Yanqing's affairs, wouldn't everyone be happy?"
Wu Shifan shook his head: "Gao Qiu and Ding Run are very close now. Ding Run is afraid of resentment because of my father's uprightness. These two are the same species. How is it possible to win over Gao Qiu?"
The young master smiled: "I have also heard about Judge Ding. He is actually more in line with the temperament of our chamber of commerce, but we have never met each other. According to me, it is better to dissolve enemies than to marry them..."
At this moment, his subordinate returned and whispered a few words. The young master's face changed greatly: "So Mrs. Cui didn't go to the west building to perform, and she was still resting in the wing? Go and invite her over quickly!"
Wu Shifan was startled: "Isn't she feeling unwell recently?"
The young master smiled and said, "Is Erlang really so sympathetic to her?"
Of course Wu Shifan didn't care whether a prostitute was comfortable or not, but he said with some worry: "What I'm worried about is that Gao Qiu is a rogue from the market. He cares about face most. He didn't invite Lady Cui, but ended up coming to our place.
Will it cause misunderstanding?"
The young master looked at the son of the prefect who wanted to cause trouble but was afraid of a head-on conflict, and raised his lips: "Sometimes we don't get to know each other without fighting, so we can only apologize if we create a conflict, and let him ask for benefits. It's more logical!"
After that, he said to his subordinates: "Go and invite Madam Cui over! Make it more grand!"
…
South Tower.
A wing here is specially prepared for the ladies of Xiaotianshui Lane.
Young ladies are not qualified. Only popular ladies can have a room for themselves, where they can use makeup and rest.
Of course, if an oiran comes to stay, the treatment will be different. Sometimes he can book a courtyard hall, and visitors will flock to it.
Although Cui Nianyue is now a popular oiran contender, she is not yet an oiran. She lives in a relatively spacious house with four maids.
At this time, these maids all looked anxious, walking in and out, holding basins in their hands, exuding a strange smell, and uncontrollable moans of pain could be heard in the room.
A slender figure was lying beside the door, his little head poked inside, and then he slipped in lightly.
She was obviously very familiar with the layout of the house. When the maid was not paying attention, she jumped behind the screen like a little rabbit and began to observe secretly.
"Madam, shopkeeper Shen is here to urge you again. The boss has been waiting for a long time and even entertained guests..."
"Hey, I insist, I can't afford to offend this official. Tell Shopkeeper Shen that I'll be here right away! Ugh!"
…
"Madam, that's great. The lady who has changed to Yuyinfang has gone. You can have a good rest!"
"Oh, I've offended him, I'm afraid the days to come will be difficult..."
…
"Madam, the young master of the Houjiang Guild invites you to perform in the North Tower!"
"I've already rejected the offer, how can I go to another appointment? Just say it for me!"
"But the person sent by the young master's family is very vicious. He said that the shop has received money from the Houjiang Guild and wants to recommend my wife to be the oiran. I'm afraid he won't be able to do so!"
"Oh, I am indeed feeling better, let's go!"
…
Not long after, a well-dressed lady came out. She looked extremely beautiful, but her heavy makeup could not hide her extremely poor complexion.
Even in the eyes of the young lady, this beautiful sister had a hint of venom in her eyebrows, which was very different from when she had peeped at her practicing the piano before.
Just as she was sneaking out of the house, wondering what had happened and whether she could successfully become a disciple of this sister and learn piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, a shadow suddenly covered her body.
The young lady slumped her shoulders and turned around. Sure enough, a huge and round-waisted cook looked down with her hands on her hips: "Master, you came here again?"
The young lady whispered: "I heard that Madam Cui fell ill, so I came to take a look..."
"Ms. Cui, hum!"
The fat chef snorted coldly. Whether it was appearance or dress, she was completely different from Cui Nianyue, but her attitude was very arrogant: "No matter how glamorous these prostitutes appear on the surface, they are all involuntary fate.
Comparable to our chefs, whether it is a main store or a foot shop, you can have a place!"
She stared at the little lady: "The master of Xiangguo Temple is merciful and exempted your father from the letter money this time, but you can't be lazy. With his temperament, he will go out to gamble again soon and lose everything.
, I might sell you to a lowly status! You need to work more, learn more food, and save more money for the future!"
The little lady thought of Lady Cui's painful moan just now, and nodded: "Yes! I will learn how to cook!"
"Follow up!"
The fat chef was finally satisfied, turned around and strode away with rumbling steps. The little lady also followed behind, with quick and steady steps.
But before leaving, I couldn't help but look back at Mrs. Cui's house, thinking that every word she said seemed to be accompanied by a sigh: "No matter how beautiful the surface is, I can't help myself. What a pitiful sister..."