Night is slowly falling, and the cold wind is still biting, but Zuixianju, located in the center of Qingzhou Mansion, is brightly lit as usual, especially the second floor is bustling with people.
But what is slightly different from usual is that hundreds of soldiers outside Zuixianju surrounded Zuixianju tightly. Each of these soldiers was wearing heavy chainmail, holding either spears or blunderbuss in their hands. , or wearing waist knives, their faces are ruddy and full of energy, and there is a strong evil spirit all over their bodies.
Pang Gang was standing at the door of Zuixianju. He was wearing a fifth-grade flying bear official uniform, a scimitar on his waist, and thick-soled official boots. He was smiling at the guests tonight.
"Hello, may I ask who you are... Oh, it turns out to be Mr. Qiu from Da Si Heng. Please hurry up and invite me. Hello... Oh... You must be the applicant. Sir, please come in and invite me."
At this time, Pang Gang had a kind smile on his face and was greeting the wealthy gentry who had been invited to the appointment one by one.
Although Pang Gang was smiling, the soldiers behind him were not smiling, especially Da Zhuang, Wang Zhi, Qi Wuming and Bin Shiqian who were standing behind him and several other general bannermen from hundreds of households stood silently. On the side, he looked at the people walking by with cold eyes, which scared many of the pampered gentlemen and foreigners into a cold sweat. Although these gentlemen and foreigners did not come to the banquet alone, they were naturally accompanied by There are many servants, but these people do not give them the slightest sense of security. They always feel that the sharp eyes of these Qiu Ba are always looking at their necks, as if a butcher is looking at a pig waiting to be slaughtered.
Two quarters of an hour after the garrison, the number of guests at the door finally became sparse. Pang Gang smiled and turned to ask Hua Yan, the code official who had been staying silent behind him, and said: "Hua Dian official, here are the guests on the list. How much?"
Hua Yan looked at the list in his hand and frowned, stroking his long beard that was fluttering slightly in the cold wind under his chin and said: "Sir, there are a total of forty-seven people on the list, but now only twenty-six people have come. , there are still twenty-one people who have not arrived, especially none of the four largest grain merchants in Qingzhou. It seems that they are very clear about the purpose of your visit tonight."
"Humph!" Pang Gang sprayed out a mouthful of mist and turned it into a white mist in the cold wind. He sneered: "It's okay if they don't come. I'm worried that no one will hit me. Now that everything is over, it's okay." If you don’t come, the brothers will have work to do tomorrow.”
As he spoke, Pang Gang turned around and walked towards the gate of Zuixianju, leaving only Hua Yan with a generous look. Although Pang Gang's Chinese language did not reveal a trace of strangeness, Hua Yan knew that the man he was loyal to I'm afraid your Excellency has already had murderous intentions.
As the most high-end restaurant in Qingzhou Prefecture, Zui Xianju is naturally very gorgeously decorated. As the second floor is dedicated to entertaining wealthy gentry, it is even more so. The floor is covered with thick wool carpets, and there are some famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls of the second floor. , there was a blazing charcoal fire all around, and the doors and windows were closed to keep the cold out of the windows, making the house warm as spring.
"Hey, I haven't seen you for a long time, Mr. Li. Where did you make a fortune recently? Don't forget about me if you find a way to make a fortune."
"Boss Zhao is laughing. This is a small business. How dare I disturb you, Boss Zhao? Hey, besides Shen Yuan, you are also here..."
Upstairs, all the guests in gorgeous clothes gathered together, smiled, said hello or chatted. It was like a peaceful and prosperous time, as if the countless refugees outside who were shivering in the cold wind had nothing to do with them.
At this time, a sound of "thump, thump, thump" suddenly came up from downstairs, and everyone's eyes couldn't help but look towards the stairs. Soon, a tall young military attache walked up.
Everyone has seen this military attache at the door, and they also know that this is the host of tonight's treat, the newly promoted Lingshan Guard Qianhu Pang Gang.
After Pang Gang went upstairs, he did not walk over immediately. Instead, he stood behind the stairs and raised his hands and said loudly to everyone: "Hello, gentlemen of Qingzhou Prefecture, I, Lingshan Guard Qianhu Pang Gang, have met all of you!"
"
"Don't dare, great man Panda!"
Although the people upstairs were all prominent figures in Qingzhou Mansion, they put away their contempt after seeing Pang Gang's aura from the battlefield and returned the favor one by one.
Pang Gang strode to the front of a round table, raised a glass of wine, drew an arc in front of him, and said with a smile: "You can come to Zuixianju for the banquet tonight, which proves that all of you here are still grateful to Pang."
I am a face-saving person. Whoever gives me face will give me face, so I will drink three glasses of wine tonight!"
After saying that, Pang Gang raised the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, then picked up the wine bottle on the table, filled the wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.
Everyone in the hall on the second floor was quietly watching Pang Gang drinking by himself, and no one said anything. These businessmen, who were almost mature, knew that in such a situation, the more generous the owner would be, the more generous he would be.
The more requests he made, the more difficult things became. It is not for nothing that there is no good party without a good party.
After Pang Gang finished three glasses of wine, a trace of blush appeared on his originally fair face, but his eyes became brighter.
After slowly putting down the wine glass, Pang Gang spoke again, "Everyone, I'm a rough man and don't know how to speak politely. I'm inviting you all here tonight. I'm here to get acquainted with you and get to know each other better."
I am short of money so I can beg you for alms. This is the main purpose of inviting you here tonight."
Among all the officials present, who is not a good person? When Pang Qianhu began to call himself an official, he knew that Pang Gang was ready to discuss official matters.
Sure enough, Pang Gang then said: "Everyone, everyone has seen the situation in Qingzhou City today. More and more refugees are gathering in the city, and Qingzhou City is becoming more and more chaotic. If this continues, I can be sure that once these things happen,
The refugees who are naked and have no rice in their bellies will definitely make a fuss. Originally, these matters are not under the control of this official, that is the matter of Qingzhou Prefecture. However, Prefect Wei and Commander Song have been feeling unwell in recent days, so they specially
I have been entrusted with the sole authority to handle these disaster relief matters. However, I am both a warrior and a poor man. For me, disaster relief is the first time a young lady gets on a sedan chair. What should I do? I have no skills.
I had no choice but to think of you all."
Hearing this, all the officials around me secretly snorted, "Sure enough, this Master Qianhu is really trying to rip you off."
The atmosphere on the second floor was nothing but silence. Looking at the indifferent venue, Pang Gang's eyebrows gradually raised, and his face gradually became ugly.
After a long time, a fat businessman in his forties, wearing a lake-colored coat and a square scarf on his head, handed over his hand and asked: "We still know about the refugees in Qingzhou, but the grassroots business is a small business, and the profits are really small."
It’s because of my own weakness. Now that I have Senhu-sama to start with, it would be great. I wonder what Senhu-sama wants me to do?”
"Okay, you are all wearing gold and silver, and you are still crying in front of me!" After hearing what the businessman said, Pang Gang became even more angry, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.