Chapter 113 Talk about conditions (two-in-one chapter)
This guy... has a face that looks gentle and kind, but his words are too choked!
Ever since the pottery merchant entered the main hall, Diao Chan's beautiful eyes seemed to have never left his body.
Through what happened just now, and seeing him at this moment, Diao Chan became more certain of one thing.
For the rest of my life, I will only respect you.
I saw Diao Chan bowing to Wang Yun and Ping Zheng again, suppressing a smile and saying: "Father, what Mr. Tao said... seems to be indeed a problem."
Wang Yun's face turned red and white with anger. He thought that he and this boy could finally work together to act as rivals, and join him to defeat the prestige of these famous families.
I never thought that this bastard thing would ruin me again as soon as I said it.
Even if the pottery merchant was helping him... Wang Yun felt that he was asked to help him, so why was he so worried?
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Diao Chan standing next to the pottery merchant, her cheeks slightly red with embarrassment, and Wang Yun became even more furious.
It’s really a bad idea to keep a good daughter, you stinky girl, if I had known earlier, I would have married you to the grandson of the Ping family! ... I don’t want you two little brats to make me angry here!
However, the old man could never agree to Wang Yun's promotion to a mediocre generation.
After meeting the pottery merchant, Wang Yun felt as if everything was no longer under his control. As an important minister of the Han Dynasty, he had been controlling the rhythm of others for many years. But since he met this bastard, every time he spoke or acted, this young man
The younger generation can firmly lead him by the nose, leaving Wang Yun unable to refute or punish him.
Could this bastard be sent by God to take care of me?
Seeing that the pottery merchant came out and completely messed up the matter, Huangfu Song, Wang Kuang and others came out one after another to act as peacemakers in order to save the face of the prominent families.
Huangfusong smiled and patted Wang Yun's shoulder and said with a smile: "Master, today is not the right time to discuss this. Besides, today is Li Gong's birthday. Why are you talking about your own trivial matters? We are not here to drink.
Does Li Gongshou drink wine?"
Wang Yun gave the pottery merchant a fierce look.
It's also about helping others. Look at how well Huang Fuyi talks... I'll let you reflect on it later.
The potter pretended not to see Wang Yun's eyes, but turned his head towards Huangfu Song, only to see Huangfu Song smiling at him and winking.
Wang Yun regained his breath and said through the steps: "What you say is true. I am old and can't distinguish the priorities. I have been here for a long time in vain. Guest of honor, Mr. Ping, you all, are you marrying the younger generation?"
How about we talk about it when we have a chance in the future?"
Having said that, Pingzheng's idea of trying to attach himself to the Wang family in Taiyuan was completely defeated.
Everyone returned to their seats with their own thoughts, and it was a bit cold for a while.
The pottery merchant didn't care. He also went to his seat under the guidance of the waiter.
As soon as Fang sat down, the pottery merchant discovered that Ping Zheng opposite him was looking at him with a resentful look, which contained a lot of emotions...
The pottery merchant laughed at himself, turned to look at Diao Chan, who happened to be sitting on his right seat, and whispered: "Look at the old man's eyes, how frightened he is? Now you know what beauty is a disaster, right?"
When Diao Chan heard this, she pursed her lips in dissatisfaction and whispered: "That's really distasteful... I'm not a disaster."
The pottery merchant shook his head and explained: "Of course you are not, I am talking about myself... Well, wherever I go, I am outstanding and make people jealous. Isn't it a disaster? I wish I could beat myself to death."
Diao Chan: “…………”
In fact, the pottery merchant did not deliberately provoke Pingzheng. He knew that Wang Yun was a member of a powerful family, and Pingzheng was a capable person from a local family. The status of these two old men was not low. When they met, they talked to their children for the benefit of the family.
Policy-based marriage is not a big deal, but the pottery merchant is not used to it, but it is shameless and shameless.
For things that you are not accustomed to, mix it appropriately when you need to mix it up. This can not only play a catalytic role in the development of ancient human society, but also make you feel happy physically and mentally. Why not do it?
On the eve of the banquet, although some minor unpleasantness occurred, under the persuasion of Huangfu Song, Wang Kuang and others, everyone still worried about their face and carried on.
After all, this family is just a temporary idea, and the focus that the noble family wants to solve today is not here.
After everyone sat down, they saw Li Shao raising his hand and giving a high-five, and more than twenty maids in various colorful clothes were flowing in, bringing the dishes that had been prepared.
Seeing that the waitresses who delivered food were all beautiful and refined, but they could only play the role of waiters in the houses of these nobles, the pottery merchant couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The decadent feudal life has been fully reflected in these aristocratic families!
Life is so nourishing.
Li Shao raised his wine cup and smiled at the guests in the hall: "I am celebrating my sixtieth birthday today. I am overjoyed to be honored by the presence of all the eminent sages. I prepared a little wine to congratulate you. If I did not entertain you well, I would also like to wish you all the best."
Don’t blame the public.”
Everyone raised the wine cups in their hands, gestured to each other from a distance, then covered their faces with their sleeves and drank the whole drink.
When Li Shao put down his wine cup, he saw Pingzheng wink at him from the corner of his eye.
Li Shao understood, and ordered someone to pour the wine. Then he raised it and gestured to Bao Xin from a distance: "General Bao, this glass of wine is my apology to you."
Bao Xin was shocked and looked at Li Shao in astonishment.
With Bao Xin's political literacy, he had guessed that the Hanoi noble family would use Li Shao's birthday to discuss the Bai Bo Army today, but he never expected that the head of the wild king Li family would actually bow his head to apologize to him so directly.
You must know that Li Shao served as the governor of Jizhou in the past. His official authority and pomp in the past were probably a bit more tyrannical than Bao Xin's now.
He stretched out his hand to avoid hitting the smiling man. No matter how hard Bao Xin could play it off, he kept pushing and avoiding him at this moment.
The pottery merchant looked sideways at Li Shao, who was acting coquettishly, and felt funny in his heart.
When I and others first arrived in Hanoi, these people were all pretentious and arrogant... Now that their respective families and businesses have suffered, they just keep their eyebrows down and behave like pure snobs...
In Tao Shang's mind, such a person is either a traitor or a great evil, and is definitely not worthy of sympathy.
Bao Xin raised the wine cup: "It's Mr. Li's birthday today, so speaking like this really makes Bao ashamed and unworthy! Mr. Bao should drink a glass of wine in return and wish Mr. Li good health."
Li Shao smiled and said: "General Bao said this, is he still worried about the small misunderstanding between you and me a few days ago?"
Bao Xin burst out laughing when he heard this and said, "How can Bao be that kind of person with a rat's belly and a chicken's intestines?"
After saying that, without saying a word, he drank down the water and wine in his hand with a calm expression and no hesitation. The pottery merchant looked on and couldn't help but admire him.
Bao Xin is a good man with a true temperament.
Pingzheng stood up, saluted Bao Xin, borrowed the donkey down the slope and said: "General Bao, let me tell you the truth, I invite you all to come here today. In addition to asking you to congratulate Mr. Li on his birthday, I also have something to do with Bao."
The general and the prince agree."
Over there, Wang Kuang was also shocked when he heard this and said hurriedly: "Mr. Ping, why do you have to do this? There's no harm in saying what you have to say."
Pingzheng sighed deeply and said quietly: "Well, I have grown old, become timid, and have become afraid of getting into trouble. I am far less enthusiastic than before... General Bao and Mr. Tao worked tirelessly to come to our Hanoi to eliminate the Baibo bandits and return them to Sanhe."
It is a great feat for the country and the people to bring peace to the land. It is a shame that I and others, who are the leaders of Hanoi scholars, avoid fighting because of timidity and remonstrate to obstruct... A few days ago, the Baibo army led troops to plunder the people.
The surrounding fields of Huai County were turned into a scorched earth, and many innocent children were harmed... This is all the fault of me and others."
While talking, I even shed two tears.
The pottery merchants were stunned.
I have to say that this old man Pingzheng is very talented in acting. He can burst into tears and cry whenever he wants. How can ordinary people do this? This is a pure drama artist! ...the kind that can win the Little Golden Award.
Most of the people present were moved by his tearful performance and were quite impressed.
Ping choked with sobs and continued: "Today I and the chiefs of the clans in Hanoi are here, and I have the audacity to ask for help, asking the prince to help General Bao and Mr. Tao send troops to Baibo Valley to attack the rebels, and to seek justice for the people who were killed around Huai County!"
Wang Kuang touched the beard on his chin and said happily: "What do you mean by your words, are you willing to help the officers and soldiers to fight against the thieves?"
Pingzheng wiped the tears on his face and said boldly: "I and others have discussed that as long as the prince sends troops to fight against the thieves, we and other tribes are willing to work together to support the three armies and horses, and before the winter solstice, we will give the soldiers cotton clothes and other things to ward off the cold.
thing.”
When Wang Kuang heard this, he breathed a long sigh of relief, turned his head and looked at each other with Bao Xin, and both of them smiled knowingly.
With the support of these Hanoi noble families, there is no need to worry about sending troops to attack the Bai Bo army.
Wang Kuang cleared his throat and was about to stand up to express his gratitude when he heard the pottery merchant suddenly speak.
"Mr. Ping, I feel that the conditions you just proposed are a bit unreliable, right?"
As soon as he said this, Wang Kuang, Bao Xin, Wang Yun, Huangfu Song, Diao Chan, and other prominent people in Henei all turned their attention to him.
The plain old face was still stained with sad tears just now. At this moment, he suddenly heard the pottery merchant speaking... The eyelid of his right eye twitched slightly for some unknown reason.
"What does Mr. Tao mean by that? I don't know very well... When will I and others have the conditions to support the army to defeat thieves?"
The pottery merchant stood up slowly, holding his legs up, and walked slowly to the middle of the hall, scanning everyone present one by one with a warm smile on his face.
"Really? Mr. Ping, what you said doesn't feel right to Tao."
Mr. Ping stared at the potter with his two old eyes.
"I hope Mr. Tao can correct me on whatever I said is wrong."
Tao Shang bowed and said, "I don't dare to correct you. It's just my personal opinion. In Tao's opinion, the word 'subsidize' is too much..." Usually someone takes the initiative to do something or formulate a certain measure.
When others provide help, this is called 'support'... Just like a few days ago, when we planned to eliminate the Baibo Army, at that time, if Ping Gong provided food and supplies, it could be called support."
Pingzheng spread his hands and said, "Isn't this what I'm doing right now?"
"No, no, no." The pottery merchant stretched out a hand and waved: "The premise of what I said is that we 'take the initiative' to destroy the Baibo Army, and what Ping Gong does is called funding... But now, we no longer intend to go
It’s time to conquer the Baibo Army. General Bao and I discussed that after Li Gong’s birthday, our two armies will go back to their respective territories... At this time, Ping Gong and the other clan leaders stopped and asked us to suppress the bandits. That would not be funding.
Instead, it’s hiring...I don’t know if you can understand this word?”
Seeing that the leaders of several prominent families, led by Pingzheng, opened their mouths in surprise, the pottery merchant's smile became even deeper.
"Yes, that's the expression! The current situation is that you paid to hire us to fight the White Wave Army for you. Since you paid to hire us, I personally think that the bargaining chip you just offered is not enough for us to send troops to fight for you.
Bai Bojun’s standards... Therefore, I need you to re-evaluate the quotation... My method of explanation is unfair and unclear?"
How could the leaders of Hanoi's prominent families not understand what the potter meant?
Not only do they understand, but they understand much more thoroughly than the average person! Everyone is a genius, who doesn’t know who?
Ping Zheng's hands were hidden in the sleeves of his robe, and he was trembling with anger. Fortunately, the sleeves of his robe were wide, so others could not see them.
Zheng Yan, the head of the Zheng family in Jixian County, stood up and glared at the potter with an angry look on his face, saying, "Isn't the implication of Mr. Tao's words that he wants to take advantage of you?"
The pottery merchant curled his lips secretly, thinking that Zheng Yan is really uneducated! The word "plundering" is not appropriate here at all... This is obviously a robbery, okay?
At this level, he is from a wealthy family.
The potter's face showed a puzzled expression, and he said curiously: "Mr. Zheng's words really puzzled Tao. What I said below are all words from the bottom of my heart... How come it came to Mr. Zheng's mouth, as if I
Have you become the same bandit as Bai Bojun?"
Zheng Yan's face was serious and he said: "Master Tao is blackmailing my distinguished family in Hanoi by conquering the Bai Bo bandits. His words and actions are just...hehehe..."
Zheng Yan didn't say anything else, but his meaning was very clear. He wanted to say that pottery merchants were "no different from thieves."
The Tao merchant coughed lightly, shook his head and said, "Tao didn't quite understand what Mr. Zheng said. May I ask Mr. Zheng, how do you explain the word 'blackmail'?"
Zheng Yan was stunned when he heard this, not understanding the meaning of this boy's words.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Tao Shang smiled and said: "The so-called 'blackmail' refers to using violence, intimidation and other means to ask others for things that should not belong to you... But I dare to ask Zheng Gong, Tao just now
Did I beat you? Or scold you? Or insult you? I just made my request, Mr. Zheng doesn’t have to agree, so how can you say that I blackmailed you, a prominent family in Hanoi? Please forgive Tao for not taking the blame."
"you…………!!"
After saying these words, Zheng Yan was so angry that he stammered: "You... you... crusade against the bandits is the duty of the officers and soldiers. Why are you using this matter to threaten us..."
The pottery merchant raised his hand to block Zheng Yan's words, and said righteously: "I dare to ask Mr. Zheng, which law in the palace of the Han Dynasty clearly states that I, the pottery merchant, must clean up the bandits for you? A prominent family in Hanoi...
...Haha, it’s okay to be tyrannical in Hanoi, but how dare you go to Xuzhou to stir up trouble?”
"You!!" Zheng Yan's face turned red with anger, and he sat on the spot with a "Plop" sound, panting heavily, his eyes widened instantly, and it seemed a little difficult to breathe. From the looks of it, he was struggling to breathe.
Sima Lang and Li Shao were startled, and hurriedly stood up from their seats, came to Zheng Yan's side, and tried to help him flatten his chest.
The potter's eyes widened...
Isn't it? I'm not being harsh...don't really make me mad.
Over there, Ping Zheng looked at the pottery merchant with a deep look on his face. He saw a sunny smile on this kid's face and an elegant and modest appearance... He had never wanted to speak but was so harsh that he could choke someone to death.
.
I thought that by taking advantage of the honor of the prominent families, I would first invite Wang Kuang, Bao Xin and others to the banquet, then tell the story of the Bo army's wrongdoings, move them emotionally, and finally promise to donate military rations and clothing, knowing the benefits and disadvantages.
And disadvantageous!
Things had been smoothly rehearsed according to Pingzheng's script, and it was about to end successfully. However, Pingzheng failed to calculate that the most difficult thing to deal with among the three groups of soldiers was not Wang Kuang and Bao Xin, but actually Wang Kuang and Bao Xin.
It's this young Tao boy!
He really lost everything with one careless move. In just a few words, he allowed this kid to lead him by the nose and take advantage of him.
And on the other hand, Bao Xin and Wang Kuang were silent at this moment after listening to the potter's words.
Obviously, the current conversation has opened the minds of these two princes a little bit... They must also be thinking about getting more benefits from the noble families in Hanoi!
How can anyone who can serve as a leader be an economical person? If you give them a little chance, they will immediately attack and bite someone!
At this moment, Mr. Ping really hated the pottery merchant so much that his teeth itched with hatred.
The old man remained calm, stood up, cupped his hands towards the pottery merchant, and said indifferently: "Mr. Tao, I have already agreed to support you with military rations and winter supplies. I wonder what else Mr. Tao wants?"
The potter turned to look at Pingzheng and said with a smile: "What a great helper for me... Mr. Ping, Tao just said that you should 'hire' me."
Pingzheng took a deep breath, calmed down the anger in his chest, and said: "Okay... then I will hire you according to what Mr. Tao said! Mr. Tao thinks, how much should I pay before I hire you to eliminate the Baibo Army bandits?
?”
Tao Shang smiled and said: "Tao is not a greedy person. What I said is all reasonable and well-founded... Since Mr. Ping also agrees that it is an 'employment' and not an 'obligation', then Tao will have a good relationship with Mr. Ping today."
Let’s do the math.”
Ping Zheng stretched out his hand and said, "I would like to hear the details."
The pottery merchant raised his left hand, counted his fingers one by one and said to Ping Zheng: "Mr. Ping, since you hired me to get rid of thieves, apart from the necessities you just mentioned, including military rations and winter supplies, people will also die in the war.
Yes! The military management of our Xuzhou Army has always been very strict. Soldiers who died on the battlefield must be given subsidies. How much is this? Also, how much medicinal materials will be consumed for medical treatment of injured soldiers? The deceased soldiers are in Xuzhou
How much does the widow and her family still need to support? Horses and ordnance will be consumed during the war, so how much are these losses?"
Pingzheng was confused when he heard it.
This guy... can even calculate the "loss and consumption" of weapons with me?
"Master Tao... you don't have to argue with me one by one here, just tell me your conditions! Whether it's successful or not, I will take care of it!"
At this time, Pingzheng has completely understood... This guy is definitely not an easy person, he is probably even worse than Dong Zhuo of Chang'an!
Instead of arguing with him about these useless things, it's better to just say it directly.
The pottery merchant smiled slightly and said: "Mr. Ping is so happy, I told you...you must not be impatient."
Pingzheng snorted and said, "Master, please tell me!"
The pottery merchant stretched out a finger, his face suddenly turned cold, and he said coldly: "First, take the money!"
Pingzheng was startled by the potter's sudden momentum. He was a little distracted for a moment and murmured: "How much do you want to take?"
The pottery merchant raised his head and said: "Ten million yuan! Not even a penny less."
Wang Kuang, who was holding a wine cup in the compartment over there, couldn't help but spit out the wine he just drank.
Ten million dollars... This guy really dares to ask for it... It's not that the aristocratic family can't afford it, but the asking price is a bit too high...?
Pingzheng stared at the pottery merchant with a gloomy expression, wishing he could pounce on him and strangle him to death.
After a long while, Fang heard him grit his teeth and say: "Master Tao, is this too much?"
The pottery merchant raised his eyebrows and said, "Is ten million dollars a lot?"
Pingzheng snorted and said: "A lot? Haha... why don't you go and grab it! No, no!"
Is this kid crazy about money? He opened his mouth and asked for 10 million!
The potter pondered and touched his chin, then said: "I think you can definitely afford it."
Pingzheng said with a gloomy face: "I dare to ask Mr. Tao, why do you say that I can afford ten million yuan?"
The pottery merchant smiled, suddenly bowed far to the southwest, and said: "In the first year of Guanghe, Emperor Xiaoling issued a decree to determine the price for the central government of the Han Dynasty and for the civil and military positions in local states and counties. Among the important ministers, among the three princes,
The official salary is 10 million yuan, the official salary is 5 million yuan, and there is also a clear list of salary pricing. Among them, the official salary of 2,000 shi is 20 million, the official salary of 400 shi is 4 million, and so on. Miss me
Emperor Xiaoling of the Han Dynasty was so wise and powerful when he was alive. How could the price set for the official position be unfounded? Emperor Xiaoling was a wise man. He must have done research on the properties of the famous families in the world, so the consumption within 10 million yuan must be
It’s within the range of the average noble family… let alone four of us here!”
Pingzheng almost went crazy when he heard this.
This bastard...actually moved out Emperor Xiaoling? And used the idea of selling one's official position as the basis for how much money the family could offer?
Ping Zheng's eyes were a little dark, and he said angrily: "Even if we can afford it, why should we pay so much!"
The pottery merchant pointed at Wang Yun and said loudly: "You think that the lives of the Hanoi Army, the Jibei Army, and my Xuzhou Army, these tens of thousands of soldiers, are at least more valuable than a bought Sangong? So you say I
Ten million is not much!"
Everyone in the hall fell silent when they heard this.
After a long while, Wang Yun slowly spoke.
"It doesn't matter how much you want, but when you said you bought San Gong, why did you point at me?"