Xia Shang left the meeting hall and took General Lou and Qin Yuan to the streets of Xuzhou City.
Fusheng followed at a distance, without holding an umbrella, like a wooden man. His giant sword and bald head were washed shiny by the water.
General Lou looked at Fusheng behind him with some curiosity, and asked Xia Shang in a low voice: "Master Xia, who exactly is the niche behind him?"
"It's just a bodyguard, don't worry about him."
General Lou said oh, and then asked: "Then what should we do next?"
"Since we need to rely on the power of the people, we naturally need to go to the city to have a look and understand the people's conditions in order to find people who can be used."
Speaking of this, General Lou and Qin Yuan both frowned.
Xia Shang looked at their expressions and asked curiously: "What's wrong? Judging from their expressions, it seems that this matter will be difficult to handle?"
Qin Yuandao: "My lord, I don't know. Something just happened yesterday. I'm afraid the people are not willing to give too much help."
After speaking, General Lou told Xia Shang what happened in Xuzhou before he came.
In order to calm down the bustle in the city, Jiang Hailong almost threatened everyone to stay in the city.
Although the people have stayed, they still have some complaints in their hearts. At this time, it will be very difficult for the military to come forward and ask the people to help.
Xia Shang didn't know there was such a thing behind this, so it was really a big problem.
However, it is not possible for everyone to have the same thoughts. The turmoil that occurred yesterday can only be said to represent the wishes of the majority of the people. There should be a small number of people who are willing to support the imperial court and the Xuzhou garrison.
Moreover, Xia Shang did not need many people. A hundred or so strong men were enough.
With this in mind, Xia Shang took the two generals to visit more than a dozen families.
The result was much more serious than Xia Shang imagined. After most families heard that the three of them were asking for help on behalf of the military, they immediately kicked them out before even saying what they were going to do.
Some people said that if the military asked them for help, then there would be no need to discuss it; if they did not cooperate, they would arrest them, so they would agree even if they had no choice but to do so.
This statement was obviously sarcastic. The three of them had been busy all morning and were covered in dust, but in the end they made no progress at all.
General Lou ever
Have you ever been so weak in front of the people? After coming out of a house, you beat and scolded: "What a fool, I don't support fine wine for a real toast, so I might as well lead the troops to arrest a group of people. Save me so much trouble!"
Xia Shang shook his head: "Now is not the time to do such a thing. Not to mention that such behavior will make the relationship between the government and the people more tense. Even if enough people are caught, if they are unwilling to do so,
How can we circumvent the enemy's camp together? If we are discovered by the enemy because the people sneak away on the road, not only will we fail, but everyone will be in danger."
"That's what I said, but what should I do now?"
Xia Shang looked up at the sky. The dark clouds were still there and it was still raining heavily.
Even if they were holding umbrellas, they were still soaked after walking in the rain for so long.
"What time is it?"
"It must be past noon, right?"
Xia Shang rubbed his belly: "Eat first, are there any restaurants open in Xuzhou City now?"
General Lou shook his head: "Who is still thinking about doing business at this time? Xuzhou City is surrounded on three sides, and the people have no idea how long the food in the city can last. The most expensive things in the city now are food... Even rich people don't know how to do it.
Sell."
"It seems we have to go back to the barracks to eat."
"Wait..." Qin Yuan suddenly interrupted, "Sir, I know there is another family in the city."
"Huh?" General Lou exclaimed, "You mean Baiweixian?"
"What kind of fresh food?" Xia Shang asked.
"Baiweixian is the largest restaurant in Xuzhou. The Xiao family behind Baiweixian is the richest businessman in Xuzhou. It is involved in many industries and is considered the largest family in the three coastal states. It is said that their family's granary is as big as half of Xuzhou.
The barn is enough for the family to eat in several lifetimes. Now Xuzhou City is in crisis, and everyone is worried about insufficient food. Only the Xiao family does not have to worry. The Baiweixian Restaurant under the family is still open, and the prices have not changed at all. "
Xia Shang immediately decided: "In that case, let's go to Baiweixian for a light meal and continue to test the people's attitude in the afternoon."
"Have a casual meal..." General Lou twitched his lips and said with a wry smile, "Sir, eating in Baiweixianli is not casual. Although the price has not increased, the food there is not something that just anyone can afford. General Mo is willing to invite you, sir.
Eat a meal, but don’t use this little wages to do anything
A month is not worth a meal there."
Xia Shang was generous: "I'll invite you."
…
Baiweixian is located in the center of Xuzhou City. It is also the tallest building in Xuzhou, with five floors.
In this era, the average high-rise building only has three floors, because the current construction technology reaching three floors will affect the stability of the building. If you want a higher floor, you must put a lot of effort into the foundation, material selection, structure, etc.
, very costly.
The five-story loft is located in the center of the capital of Xuzhou and has become a landmark of Xuzhou. Just thinking about it makes me feel majestic.
When he arrived at the entrance of Baiweixian, Xia Shang suddenly had an idea when he saw this majestic attic that looked a little dull in the heavy rain.
Now that I am considered a rich man, when I build such a magnificent landmark building in Yangzhou or Suzhou, it will definitely have a good reputation.
But then I thought about it, Dahua is full of hidden dangers nowadays, and there are so many people suffering under the appearance of glory. If you want to spend your spare money, you might as well do more good deeds.
The door of Baiweixian was open, but it was empty inside, not even a light was on. However, there were two waiters drowsy at the door, yawning from time to time.
Qin Yuan arrived in front of the building: "Are you doing business?"
The waiter didn't expect that a customer suddenly came, so he wiped his hair and was stunned for two seconds. His first reaction was that he was very unhappy. He was about to say something to complain, but he saw that the young man in casual clothes in front of him had a heroic spirit.
The waiter knew that the person who came was not an ordinary person, so he became serious and nodded quickly: "You are a businessman, do you know how many customers there are?"
"Four." Qin Yuan thought there was still a chance.
Xia Shang has also walked up: "Three of you."
"Okay, everyone, please come in."
The waiter warmly welcomed the three of them in, took them to a seat by the window in the hall, and motioned for them to sit down here.
Xia Shang pointed to the top: "Give me a table with the best view on the fifth floor."
Listening to the voice, the waiter knew that Xia Shang was a foreigner. He was a little surprised at the moment. Why did a foreigner come to Xuzhou at this time? Didn't he trap himself?
"Sir, this is your first time to come to our Baiweixian bar. There are rules upstairs at our Baiweixian restaurant. Officials are on the second floor, businessmen are on the third floor, and only the fourth floor. Friends can go up to the fifth floor."