Just when Zhang Xing was eager to make progress but encountered a wall, Dongdu City, which had been closed for many days due to Xia Yu and inspections, quickly came to life, and even burst out with greater vitality because of the brief silence before.
.
The streets are full of people, and the streets are busy coming and going.
From the North and South West Markets to Luoshui and then to Wenwenfang, it is even more of a prosperous scene.
Just as Zhang Xing thought when he was in Zhengpingfang, this Eastern Capital City is destined to digest everything.
The reason for this phenomenon is actually very direct. Specifically, this city may be the largest city in the world. It also has the largest consumption power, the most abundant labor force, and the cheapest agricultural products in the world, plus a city that may be the world's largest city.
The world's largest established market for handicrafts and luxury goods.
The royal palace, dignitaries, civil servants, and the army enjoy almost the entire world's tax support. They have money, and they need luxury goods and human services; and more than a million Dongdu city residents provide the city with sufficient labor force.
At the same time, the Luokou warehouse not far away in the east can send the grain and cloth used for taxation along the Luoshui River at any time, and then dump them out at the lowest price.
Once here, we can basically revitalize the city.
But it wasn't over yet. Official requirements from the empire and basic consumption traditions also designated this city as a high-end commercial activity trading area for the entire country.
After everything is in place, except for military turmoil and administrative orders, it seems that nothing can stop the continuation of this prosperity.
"One hundred and forty taels?"
In the Bronze Camel Shop, Zhang Xing looked at the scroll in front of him. He was furious for a moment, but then asked seriously, "Why don't you go and grab it?"
The shopkeeper looked at the embroidery knife on the other party's waist, but luckily he didn't curse out, but just said perfunctorily: "Guardian, you get what you pay for. This is an authentic work by a famous artist from Bai Diye's time. It has been hanging in the shop before.
Everyone knows that it has always been two hundred taels, but with the price of silver going up these days, it is already very fair to reach one hundred and forty taels."
"Don't fool me." Zhang Xing shook his head in reply. "If the world is good, calligraphy and painting are naturally expensive. If the world is bad, gold and silver are the only money... How can there be an argument that the price of silver will only increase and the price of paintings will not drop?"
The store owner was silent for a moment and then asked: "What do you think is appropriate?"
"Let's get a half discount." Zhang Xing simply quoted. "I only have 80 taels of money. I can buy this painting with 70 taels, and I have to collect some other things to give Shangguan a gift."
"The officials are joking." The shopkeeper responded helplessly. "Seventy taels is too little."
"Seventy taels is quite a bit." Zhang Xing tried his best to persuade him again. "According to the shopkeeper, this painting has been on display for many years and it's time to turn it into cash."
"If it rained a few days ago and people were arrested, and the officials asked me for seventy taels, I would actually give it." The shopkeeper shook his head and carefully put away the painting, but smiled slightly. "But now, I can't tell you.
You can get through it, right? Wait a minute, one hundred taels is the lowest price."
Zhang Xing shook his head and turned away helplessly, because even he had to admit at this time that the situation seemed to have improved greatly, even to a point that was difficult for him to understand - the influence of his Zhongcheng on the saint far exceeded his.
Imagine.
But even so, he still didn't believe that the saint who was so obsessed with personal authority before would live in peace.
Thinking of this, Zhang Xing had already left the store, but he did not try to buy any calligraphy and paintings. Instead, he honestly searched in several bookstores, bringing with him several novels, poetry collections, unofficial histories, and enlightenment copybooks.
I gathered together a small basket of pens, inks, paper, inkstones, and small books, held them in my arms, and walked out of the workshop.
When I came to Tianjie Street, I saw a red-headed rope seller on the porch. I got a bad taste again and gave "Yue Niang" two feet of red-headed rope, and then I turned back to Chengfufang.
Unexpectedly, when I arrived at the door of my house, I saw a trolley parked in front of my house, and I couldn't help but become nervous.
However, when I walked up to it, I saw an old cart carrying clean chopped firewood. The cart was not big, and the cart was pulled by an old farmer in civilian clothes with a dusty face, so I felt relieved again.
"A firewood delivery guy?" Zhang Xing asked curiously, holding a basket of things. "Why did it stop in front of my house?"
The old man was sitting on the ground. Hearing this, he quickly stood up and wanted to explain, but he was obviously speechless. After talking for a long time, Zhang Xing finally realized: "You mean, before it rained, you have been delivering firewood to this house... and now...
You call the door but it doesn’t open?”
The old farmer nodded repeatedly.
"Open the door." Zhang Xing turned and shouted toward the courtyard.
And the next moment, Yueniang, who was wearing a headscarf, ducked out and reached out to take the basket.
"Do you still have firewood at home?" Zhang Xing asked, standing directly on the threshold with his hands empty.
"Yes, they are all drying in the sun!" Yueniang lowered her head and answered, directly carrying the things in.
On the other side, after hearing this, the old farmer looked helpless, but he had no choice but to get up and prepare to pull the cart away.
"never mind."
Zhang Xing saw that the old farmer was tired and old, so he felt a little pity. "How much does this truck of firewood cost?"
The old farmer was excited for a moment and hurriedly explained, but his words were really bad. He probably said a lot about the difficult road, being extorted when entering the city, and the wet ground making it difficult to save dry firewood, etc. before he quoted the price.
"In the past, a bundle cost ten cents, but now the price has to be increased to eleven cents per bundle?" Zhang Xing probably understood, but seeing that the other party was nervous and worried that he wouldn't buy it, he sighed inwardly.
Obviously, he remembered that he couldn't get seventy taels of silver for a painting just now, and the two horses in his backyard seemed to cost one or two hundred taels of silver, so he couldn't bear it in the end, so he nodded directly.
The old farmer became more and more excited and took the initiative to carry firewood into the backyard. In the end, he had eight bundles of dry firewood totaling 88 yuan.
Zhang Xing didn't say much, and only asked Yueniang to count out a hundred coins. He also told the old farmer to deliver firewood every ten days, but he had to bring half and half of it, so that he could use the firewood for cooking and the fodder for the yellow gelding.
The old farmer was so grateful that he towed the truck and left.
However, Yueniang came out again immediately:
"How much did the red headband cost?"
"Ten articles." Zhang Xing was stunned for a moment.
"It's expensive." Yueniang said confidently. "It's two feet long and the customary six cents. They think you are a man and don't know the price, so they deliberately try to trick you."
Zhang Xing nodded without saying a word. He just took a new novel from the table in the main room and sat down in the courtyard to read it.
After a while, Yueniang actually came out again: "Even if you pity the old man who delivers firewood, you shouldn't give him a hundred cents... How many years has the market price of ten cents been? If it rises to eleven cents, it already means you are not a good person."
The price rises only for those who are short of money."
Zhang Xing didn't even have time to nod, but just read.
Yueniang was so discouraged that she had no choice but to turn around and go back. First, she brought lunch out honestly, and then went to practice calligraphy alone... It wasn't until the evening, after Qin Bao, who was on duty today, came back that there was a little peace in the courtyard.
A little angry.
"By the way, Brother Zhang."
In the main room, Qin Bao had just picked up his rice bowl when he remembered something again and couldn't help but get excited. "Xiao Wu, who was injured in Zhengpingfang before, has returned to the team."
"Oh, good thing." Zhang Xing, who was reading and eating, nodded and said the truth.
"The inspection means that everyone worked hard before, but now that everyone is here, we might as well go to Wenwenfang to play together tomorrow night." It seems that because Yueniang is around, Qin Bao is a little embarrassed to hold the bowl, but after all,
He did not hide his excitement. "They all said that they should go to Han Douzhi's house this time... because the inspection seems to have a better relationship with Han Douzhi."
"Our inspection tour is quite broad," Zhang Xing finally showed a little interest, but soon continued to read.
"Third brother, don't you want to go?" Qin Bao felt even more ashamed.
"The book has its own Yan Ruyu, and the book has its own golden house." Zhang Xing sighed slightly. "I have been chasing articles recently. I really don't have much interest in visiting Wenwenfang, but it's not us who spend money anyway, let alone our boss.
Face is not... Go, why not go?"
Yueniang, who was wearing a red headband, raised her head and hesitated to speak. In the end, she could only keep her head down and eat.
The next day, the sky became brighter and brighter, and the misty wind swept away the early morning mist. Zhang Xingze, who was on duty at home, took a new novel to the island early after breakfast, preparing to start reading the novel since the rain.
The boring and happy life that continues to this day.
But something unexpected happened. On this day, Bai Yousi, who was responsible for assigning tasks, came out of the black tower a little too late.
Moreover, when she came to the crowd, she looked obviously bad.
Several subordinates on duty became nervous early, but Zhang Xing, on the other hand, just lowered his head and read a book, pretending not to know... It can only be said that it is fortunate that it is the third shift now, otherwise Qian Tang, Li Qingchen, Qin Bao and those young people are all here, it would be unavoidable
It would appear that Zhang Sanlang is somewhat out of touch with the masses.
"Zhang Xing."
Bai Yousi's eyes swept across several subordinates on duty, and finally landed on Zhang Xing, but the meaning was strange. "Have you already opened your sixth channel?"
"It was passed the day before yesterday." Zhang Xing finally closed the book, then raised his head, calmly. "Are you going on a tour?"
"Not bad." Bai Yousi held the sword in his arms and looked at his subordinate seriously. "Guess where we are going?"
"Xidu, Taiyuan, or Yecheng?" Zhang Xing answered seriously. "Chengdu is less likely."
Bai Yousi finally laughed: "How did you guess that?"
"Two days ago, Mr. Bai was criticized and died. I guess I was unavoidable and have been waiting for this opportunity." Zhang Xing spoke sincerely. "But in this case, the inspection can only wait until he comes back to talk to Han.
Did you know we met?"
Bai Yousi took a deep look at the other party and shook his head: "Zhongcheng has ordered everyone to go west to capture the fugitive, former Liangzhou manager Han Shixiong!"
Everyone was excited and stood up to salute.
Bai Yousi paused for a moment, but still did not look at his subordinates. Instead, he continued to look at Zhang Xing: "Zhang Sanlang, there are some things I can't say. Please tell me for me."
"Yes." Zhang Xing, who threw down the book, first raised his hand and then looked back proudly. "Everyone is in the same category! The reason is actually very simple. Han Shixiong is the general manager of Liangzhou and Zhu Guo. His uncle is still in office as Zhu Guo. Although he is not
We know how to escape, but if we want to go west to find him, we may have to risk our lives and property... On the other hand, if we can't find him, even if we don't go out to patrol in vain, we may have to risk our lives.
The Bai family will have to pay for a general of the Wei family."
"Everyone." Bai Yousi sighed slightly, leaning on his sword and facing everyone. "I am the one who has caused trouble for you all this time... If any of you have young families and have concerns, you may as well stay. I am not demanding." At this point.
, the female inspector looked at Zhang Xing again. "But if you are willing to go, you can ask Zhang Xing to make a record... and leave at night!"
"Inspection."
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Xing called out to the other party sincerely. "This time, I'm trying to clean up your family's troubles. If you dare to go, can you first give me a few dozen taels of housing allowance as a token of appreciation?"
"How much?" Bai Yousi pondered for a moment, then nodded immediately. "I'll let my family prepare it."
"How about thirty taels?" Zhang Xing earnestly reported a number. "It can't be any less."
PS: Thank you to the new leader, Yukiyoshita, and happy New Year to everyone.
