For all the Ouyang family's shops, although the guard captain did not charge any fees, the head of the Ouyang family still knew about the fees charged by other merchants.
Master Zhizhou obviously wanted to protect his brother-in-law and just pushed the Ouyang family to the forefront.
But then again, if Master Zhizhou is dragged into the water because of this incident, his protective umbrella in Yizhou City will be gone. Although after so many years of management, the Ouyang family's position in Yizhou City can be said to be unbreakable. But who
And can you guarantee that once Lan Liqun gets into trouble, he won't tell anyone about his family's alleged shady activities?
My family and Lan Liqun can now be said to be like grasshoppers on a rope, and they can only live and die together.
This may be the real reason why, as the magistrate of Yizhou, he came to the Ouyang family in casual clothes today.
One is to avoid being noticed, and the other is to hope that he can cooperate fully to take down Mr. Xiao and his servants who have harmed the common interests of both parties.
However, Butler Zhang's analysis just now made me particularly tempted. Compared with clearing his eldest son's name, all other things seemed to be insignificant.
According to Butler Zhang's suggestion, he should come to apologize to him, but now, Lord Zhizhou asked him to go to the state government to complain. This kind of thing must not be agreed to. But if he didn't agree, it would be a slap in Lord Zhizhou's face. The two of them
The relationship between them may become tense.
Now, the only solution is to clearly explain the stakes of the whole matter and try to bring Lord Zhizhou to his side.
"Having said that, my brother-in-law just collected the sanitation fee for the horses entering the city yesterday, and he has to collect it again today, and it's still one tael of silver per horse. I don't know what he thinks. He dares to charge such a fee.
many."
Lan Liqun raised his head, resting it on the back of the high chair, and sighed, his face full of helplessness.
"Steward Zhang, please order your servants to serve tea to Master Lan. I was busy talking and even forgot to take a sip of hot tea on such a cold day." The head of the Ouyang family ordered softly.
"Yes." Butler Zhang responded and walked towards the back hall.
Looking at Lan Liqun, the head of the Ouyang family lowered his voice: "Master Lan, if I have to say something inappropriate, it would be better not to let your brother-in-law serve as the guard captain."
"Huh?" Lan Liqun straightened up and frowned: "Why did the head of the Ouyang family say this? Could it be that you heard some news?"
"Your brother-in-law, in the name of the captain of the guard, arbitrarily charged the shops in Yizhou City. The merchants dared to be angry and dare not speak out. At this time, if someone from above comes to investigate this matter, these merchants may not be able to tell
I will expose this matter. Although you say that you are not aware of this matter, will others believe it? Will the investigating superiors believe it?"
"With such a hassle, my lord, your prestige in the eyes of the people of Yizhou will inevitably be greatly reduced. Moreover, if management is not done properly, it is not impossible for the superiors to give you a reputation of engaging in malpractice for personal gain and incompetent management."
Looking at the other party, the head of the Ouyang family whispered, making his voice sound gentler and more pleasant to the ears.
"I also know this. When I first arranged for him to be the guard captain, it was only after my wife asked for it many times. Later, I was busy with state government affairs and neglected to inquire about him. Now, for the sake of
He was beaten for charging horses to enter the city, and it was his own fault."
"However, as the head of the family said, who would believe that his blatant and arbitrary charges were not authorized by me? Now, if someone really comes to investigate this matter, I really can't explain it."
Lan Liqun pulled a face and said aggrievedly.
Hearing this, the head of the Ouyang family couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
He charges so much every month that he almost squeezes out all the profits of the store. How dare he, a little guard captain, do this? I just want to save some face for you. You really followed the pole.
climb.
Taking the share of the business from the Ouyang family, and instructing his brother-in-law to exploit other merchants, in the end he still pretended to be aloof. Don't you feel hypocritical?
I was thinking this in my heart, but I absolutely couldn't say it with my mouth. Just as I was about to speak, a light cough from Butler Zhang came from the back hall.
Immediately afterwards, Butler Zhang came up personally carrying two bowls of tea.
He placed one bowl in front of Master Zhizhou, and then placed the other bowl on the table in front of his master.
"Mr. Lan, please take it easy. I'll go in and deliver the tea tray." Bending down, Butler Zhang said respectfully and slowly retreated.
Butler Zhang is the right-hand man of the Ouyang family, and manages the entire Ouyang family in an orderly manner. Even the monthly business share of the Ouyang family is almost all sent to the state government by Butler Zhang. For the relationship between himself and the Ouyang family,
Butler Zhang should be clear about the stakes.
And today, when the head of the Ouyang family saw him coming, he sent all the housekeepers away, and he was really ready to have a heart-to-heart relationship with him.
"Master Lan, please have some tea." The head of the Ouyang family smiled and gestured to Lan Liqun, picked up the tea bowl in front of him, held the lid of the bowl with his right hand, and gently fiddled with the tea leaves on it.
He had a leisurely look and didn't seem to be in a hurry.
The head of the Ouyang family knew that it was not an easy task for Lan Liqun to swallow the anger of his brother-in-law and remove him from his position as captain.
I don't know exactly how much fees the guards can collect from merchants every month. But there are many merchants in the entire Yizhou City, and no one can escape except myself. This number must not be small.
Although his brother-in-law would not hand over all the confiscated money, Lan Liqun would definitely get the lion's share.
On the surface, the arrest of Mr. Xiao and others was to vent his anger on himself and the guards. In fact, Lan Liqun was angry because Mr. Xiao's servants dared to challenge his way of making money.
Today, if we don't explain all the powerful relationships clearly, it will be very difficult to get him to change his attitude.
Looking at the Ouyang family master who was picking up the tea bowl and savoring it, Lan Liqun felt a little angry.
I came to you today to solve something, not to drink tea with you and reminisce about old times. It would be better for you to just leave me here and enjoy your tea leisurely.
Although he was dissatisfied in his heart, Lan Liqun was not an ordinary person.
He understood that the head of the Ouyang family was trying to make fun of him. He must have something to say, but he was just waiting for his attitude.
Picking up the tea bowl on the table, Lan Liqun also held the lid of the bowl and began to fiddle with the tea leaves on it.
"The quality of Ouyang's tea is still different. When you open the lid of the bowl, you will find a tangy fragrance."
Putting his nose to the teacup, Lan Liqun closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Although my guard team was beaten, your tavern was also smashed, and we both lost face.
Since you want to hold it in, I will hold it in too and see who can hold it in until the end.
