Go back to ancient times to engage in sideline business

Tang Zhong didn't think he was a broad-minded person, so he couldn't be magnanimous to those who had been with him.

Whether it's against his snobbish cousin Chen Yuanbao, or the city gate guard Lao Zhang who was almost murdered by him and is now shrinking back to practice ninjutsu, he still remembers his grudges!

There is a saying that only the prime minister can pull a boat when he is in his belly. As a gatekeeper in a small city, he has only learned to distinguish between grievances and resentments from the past hard times.

Compared with them, the Gao family father and son, the Gu family mother and daughter, and Uncle He are the ones he should cherish and cherish.

Today, Zhao Li and him are on duty at the gate of the city. There are no people entering and leaving the gate. After the advertising space investment promotion meeting is settled, there should be nothing important in the near future.

While the money in his bosom was still warm, Tang Zhong was going to buy some things for Aunt Gu, his mother and daughter and Uncle He.

Taking off the helmet and holding it against the tasseled spear, Tang Zhong hid in the gap behind the city gate, and patted Zhao Li on the shoulder: "I have some personal matters to attend to, if anyone asks, just say..."

"Just say you have three urgencies!"

Zhao Li's ears were already callused by his usual excuse of slipping away.

"Go, as long as there are people at the gate of the city, Hu Touer won't say anything. I'll just keep guard until you come back."

"Good brother, that's interesting!"

Tang Zhong imitated Hu Tou'er and Qi Tuotou's way of greeting, bumped Zhao Li with his shoulder, and then strode out of the city gate passage.

Zhao Li pursed his lips and remained silent until he watched Tang Zhong walk away slowly, then stretched out his hand to rub his shoulder in pain.

brat!The bones of the body are getting stronger and stronger!

……

Passing through People's Square, turning around several alleys, and walking for about half a cup of tea, I finally came to a noisy place.

The pungent and refreshing smell allows people to find it without asking for directions.

This is the livestock section of the Dongcheng Vegetable Market. Liu Zi once mentioned that the black mule carts of Fuxing Restaurant were bought here.

Thinking that Uncle He would go to the smithy every day to pick up firewood, Tang Zhong planned to buy him a mule cart or a donkey cart.In this way, in the future, I can often buy things to send to Mrs. Gu's family, killing two birds with one stone.

Passing through several rows of stalls piled with chicken and duck cages outside, there is a row of low shacks inside.

The front of the shed is surrounded by wooden boards, which can barely accommodate people, and wooden sticks are placed across the back to hold the animals.

Tang Zhong strolled around, and soon he took a fancy to a tall gray donkey, and went to talk to the boss about the price.

"It's still the poor man who knows the goods. My donkey is promising. Whether it is grinding or pulling a cart, I am a good hand! I won't ask you for more, and I will do it for four taels of silver!"

"Are you kidding me! Four taels of silver!"

The black mules in Fuxing Restaurant are only two taels!

Tang Zhong only felt that he had been slaughtered, so he turned his head and left.

But after asking the price of donkeys and mules from several other companies, he returned honestly.

The boss had an expression of "I knew it", and stood there waiting, not bothering to move a step.

"What am I talking about? I really didn't yell at the price! The recent market is like this! You don't know, there are pirates on the coast recently. Donkeys and horses in many places have been requisitioned to transport grain and grass. They can be sold in the market. If there are fewer donkeys, the price will naturally double!"

Qingjiang County is not a town near the sea, and it will take three days to take a boat along the Qingjiang River to Minzhou Prefecture by the sea.

Besides, Minzhou is not a rich place, and I have never heard of Japanese pirates coming.

Therefore, if it weren't for the skyrocketing prices of individual commodities every time, the people of Qingjiang County would hardly feel the consequences of the Japanese invasion.

"Forgive Banguan, four taels is indeed too expensive."

"Oh, my bad guy, I really can't do anything! To tell you the truth, the donkeys in the pen are all new year's goods, so they only sell for four taels of silver.

You don't know, those gray donkeys from other places in Yongning Mansion are sold for six taels of average quality these days.Looking at the market, donkey prices have to go up! "

Forget it, it’s more expensive, as long as it’s obedient and easy to use.

"Four taels, let's take four taels, and take a cart, and then I have to trouble you to drive the donkey cart to the village. Let's count it as five taels of silver, how about it?"

"Okay! As long as the poor man brings more friends over to take care of the business in the future, I will suffer a bit this time!"

After the deal was concluded, Tang Zhong went to the vegetable market next door to buy several bags of rice noodles, as well as various fruits and vegetables, and piled up a cart full of them.

After carefully explaining the residences of Bo He and Aunt Gu to the owner of the donkey cart, Tang Zhong readily paid the money and went back to the east gate to continue working.

Uncle He and Aunt Gu have always taken good care of their four brothers and sisters, and Tang Zhong always wanted to repay them.

Before giving the money directly, the two returned it back in the original form. Now the donkey cart and rice noodles are all delivered to the door of the house. There should be no way to refuse it!

Tang Zhong spent a lot of money on this trip, but he was really happy in his heart.

Even when he saw Zhao Li walking towards him at the side of the square, the smile on his face didn't fade away.

"Why, you made a special trip to meet me?"

"Welcome to your mother! Seeing that you are back, I am very thirsty, go to the tea stand and have a drink!"

Then, Zhao Li pointed to the back again, "By the way, your cousin has been waiting at the gate of the city for a long time, and said he has family matters to discuss with you, so go!"

Just like the north wind blowing suddenly on a bright sunny day, Tang Zhong's heart, which had just bloomed, was instantly blown into a red mud.

Really haunted!

Looking forward through Zhao Li's shoulders, at the entrance of the city gate, a middle-aged man with a pointed belly was already waiting there, his mustache fluttering in the wind, like a catfish just landed.

"Xiao Zhong, are you back?"

Seeing Tang Zhong approaching, Chen Yuanbao and Wang Jiu stepped forward immediately.The eyes of the two intertwined into a web, eagerly hitting Tang Zhong's face, as uncomfortable as sticking to spider silk.

He ignored them, walked straight through with a cold face, retrieved the helmet and tasseled gun from behind the city gate, turned around and saw that the two dog skin plasters were stuck on again.

"What exactly do you want? Haven't I told you all clearly, I want to go to Linzhi County through the back door!"

"Don't worry, Xiao Zhong, I came to see you today, not for the advertising space."

Chen Yuanbao had a somewhat obscure smile on his face, which made Tang Zhong feel as if he was being scratched by a cat.

"I said that we are relatives, and we should help each other more. To tell you the truth, after the Gao family and his son left, the business of my coffin shop was not as good as before, and even the old customers lost a lot. Xiao Zhong Ah, instead of helping outsiders make money, it's better to help my cousin's business think of a way!"

"I can think of a way, you should go to build a good relationship with Duan, the prison chief of the county government. Every year, many people are brought out of the prison!"

Seeing Tang Zhong playing Tai Chi under the pretense, Chen Yuanbao simply stopped playing around.

"I heard that the Gao family won your favor, not only set up their own business, but also sold tables and chairs to other state capitals. Xiao Zhong, I don't see that you have a business mind!"

Tang Zhong didn't expect to mention Gao's father and son suddenly.But he still put on an expression of ignorance on his face.

"You said Gao's family lives in Qingshi Lane? It's just a neighbor who lives close by. What kind of glory can they get?"

A trace of complacency appeared on Chen Yuanbao's face, and he stepped forward a few steps directly to Tang Zhong's side.

The catfish's beard swayed slightly, and he said a sentence that pierced his heart: "Cousin, if I go to the county government soon and tell them that you are an official, but you are in business with others, do you think the county magistrate will believe it?"

It was as if a thunderstorm had been struck in Tang Zhong's heart.

How could someone surnamed Chen know!

Surprised, he still tried his best to be tense, pretending to be relaxed and said: "Okay? You can try it and you will know? But since you said that we are relatives, then I have to tell you a few words in advance. Thirty official sticks, you sue me as an official, even if you make a compromise, you will have to suffer fifteen water and fire sticks first. As long as you are strong, go ahead and try."

Buddy Wang Jiu was bluffed by Tang Zhong's words, and pulled shopkeeper Chen's elbow behind him.

But today's Chen Yuanbao obviously came prepared, unlike yesterday who could be dismissed with a few words.

He shook his arm, motioned Wang Jiu not to get in the way, and said with a half-smile: "Nephew, don't worry, I will write it clearly in the complaint, suing the Gao family and his son for instigating officials to do business. If the Gao family and his son are really innocent, Lin The county magistrate will check it out."

He really is a master who recognizes money but does not recognize people!

No matter what, Gao's father and son have earned money for him for more than ten years, and now they stabbed him in the back unkindly!

Tang Zhong only felt that he lacked great virtue in his previous life, so he was targeted by Chen in this life.

"Tell me, what do you want!"

Chen Yuanbao stroked the mustache on his right hand quite complacently: "I know, Xiao Zhong's brain has always been bright. Then, please design a few things that are easy to sell, so that my cousin and I don't have to worry about business anymore." .”

Tang Zhong gritted his teeth, and agreed against his will: "Give me three days, and after three days, come downstairs to get the blueprints."

"Okay, then there's my nephew Lao!"

For two days in a row, Tang Zhong didn't care about other things, he was only thinking about how to get through the present test.

If he followed his own ideas and fought Chen Yuanbao to the end, then Gao's father and son and himself would definitely be unable to bear it.

According to the consistent temperament of Lin Zhixian and the third squad of police officers, they must put people in prison and squeeze them first without saying a word.

I'm afraid that the three of them will not be able to last long with their bodies and their respective savings.

If he obeyed Chen Yuanbao's mercy and designed something that could make money for him, the current difficulty would be over.But how could he be willing to be schemed so clearly?

What's more, if someone surnamed Chen is so greedy, if he tasted the sweetness once, there will definitely be a second or third time...

Could it be that he wants to let himself be manipulated by him all the time?

nerve-wracking!What a headache!

"Hey! Hey!"

Zhao Li's voice sounded like a gong in his ears.

"What are you doing!" Tang Zhong belatedly covered his ears, and if he took another step at night, he might have tinnitus.

"Hurry up and get down! Hu Tou'er is shouting from the tower! Didn't you hear me?"

Only then did Tang Zhong come to his senses, old Zhang Xiumu was supposed to guard the city gate with Zhao Li today.

Taking advantage of the effort of going upstairs to drink water, Tang Zhong has been engrossed in thinking about things, and he didn't notice that he had been on the tower for a long time.

It should be that Hu Tou'er came back and found no one at the gate of the city, so he was scolding his mother downstairs!

"Why didn't you call me earlier!"

"Hey! Can't I get lazy too?"

The two gate guards hurriedly put on their helmets and ran down the tower.

In the middle of the city gate, two high-topped carriages were parked at this time.Tang Zhong recognized that the one parked in front was the one that Lin Zhixian personally greeted a few days ago.

Behind the two carriages, several tall horses followed, and a man dressed as a family servant sat on the horse, looking quite dignified.

"Others go outside and wait first, it's really shameful to be stuck here."

It was Yang Yu who spoke.

As soon as the order was given, only the clatter of horseshoes could be heard, except for the purple-covered carriage beside Yang Yu, all the horses and carriages drove out of the city gate in unison.

Seeing Tang Zhong coming down the stairs, Hu Touer quickly winked at him, signaling to be careful when speaking.

He really didn't understand why the famous young master of the Yang family wanted to meet a city gate guard by name before leaving?

However, I heard that this young man of the Yang family is not young, and even the magistrate attaches great importance to it. If he can gain some connections, it may be beneficial to his promotion in the future.

Thinking of this, Hu Touer consciously moved closer to Yang Yu, pointed to Tang Zhong who was walking forward and said, "Young Master Yang, this is Tang Zhong."

"I know, Mr. Hu must be busy with business, so I won't bother you."

Hu Touer took a soft nail, so he had no choice but to go away obediently, and guarded from a distance with Zhao Li.

Tang Zhong turned his head to look at the cavalry waiting outside the city: "Young Master Yang is leaving?"

"Exactly, I came here specially to bid farewell to you at Dongchengmen."

Saying that, Yang Yu turned around and opened the curtain of the carriage behind him, together with the servant, he helped Qi Anbo out of the carriage.

Qi Amber, who had just recovered from a serious illness, had not fully recovered, and his face was still a little pale.

Tang Zhong had seen Mr. Qi's haggard appearance from being tortured by illness, and when he saw him get out of the carriage, he quickly dissuaded him: "It's windy at the gate of the city, if you have anything to say in the carriage, it's fine."

Yang Yu took off his cloak and put it on Qi Anbo.

"He insisted on saying thank you to Dr. Chu and you personally, but I can't help it."

"Naturally, I should thank you for saving my life." As soon as Qi Amber stood firmly on the ground, he bowed his hands and bowed respectfully to Tang Zhong.

Tang Zhong was overwhelmed by the flattery, and even said he was polite while returning the gift.

"If Lord Tang hadn't come to Dayi Gate that day and had someone invite Dr. Chu, I'm afraid I've been mistaken by a quack doctor, and now I don't know where my soul is going."

It was the first time for Tang Zhong to be called an adult, and he was not used to it. He felt even more ashamed of Mr. Qi's gratitude.

After all, he went to Dayimen to ask Yang Yu for help that day to save Fuxing Restaurant.

The rescuer was Dr. Chu, who was at best a messenger.

"Young Master Qi is serious. It was just a matter of raising your hands back then, and I really dare not take the grace of saving lives."

"I say that if there is grace, there will be grace!" Said, Mr. Qi took off a jade pendant from his waist, and stretched out his hand to hand it over.

"We are going back today. I don't know when we will see Mr. Tang again. I hope to accept this jade pendant."

How could Tang Zhong have the nerve to accept an expensive gift, he repeatedly waved his hands and refused to accept it.

Yang Yu was worried that Qi Anbo would catch the cold outside for too long, so regardless of Tang Zhong's refusal, he put the jade pendant directly into his hand.

"Take it, you won't be able to hold him back. Amber's uncle is in water transportation, and has friendship with many wharves. If you encounter a difficult situation, you can take Qi's jade pendant to the wharf, regardless of money or effort. Everyone at the pier will sell the whole family to save face!"

Is there such a good thing?

Tang Zhong's eyes lit up, and after thanking him, he immediately put away the jade pendant engraved with the character Qi.

Yang Yu was worried, and urged the servant to help Qi Anbo back to the carriage, while he pulled Tang Zhong aside.

"You once told me at Dayimen that it was Pin Yaju's idea to poison the food of Fuxing Restaurant. Are you serious?"

Tang Zhong nodded, thinking that the magistrate only dealt with Chang Man, the shopkeeper of Pinyaju, but the shopkeeper of Pinyaju was unharmed. He said indignantly: "I don't know what the details of shopkeeper Wu are, but he can be protected by the magistrate, maybe he has accepted money. , maybe not that simple."

Yang Yu's eyes darkened slightly, revealing a bit of ruthlessness, and the words he blurted out didn't seem to be telling Tang Zhong, but more like talking to himself.

"No matter what the reason is, as long as you find Chang Man in exile, you will be able to find clues. I will never let the murderer of Amber go!"

The next day, when it was supposed to be Zhao Lixiumu's turn, Tang Zhong had a transfer with him, and then made a special trip home to change into a set of clean clothes, left the city from the west gate, and walked towards the pier.

Originally, walking from Dongchengmen to the wharf was only a cup of tea.But to detour through the west city gate, you have to walk four miles more.

Most of the business travelers to and from Qingjiang County took the official route, and there were not many merchant ships berthing at the wharf.

For example, at the moment, there is not a single cargo ship on the pier, only five or six fishing boats with awnings, tied with long ropes and swaying with the waves.

Fishermen by the river are used to casting their nets at night and waiting until the next morning to collect them.The freshest seafood is often snapped up by the big restaurants in the city as soon as the gates of the city are just opened.

It is already high in the sun, the business on the pier has come to an end, and the fishermen have been drying their fishing nets on the fences on both sides early, lying barefoot in the boat and going back to their cages to sleep.

Tang Zhong walked up to the pier, looked at the jade pendant in his hand, and at the bare feet surrounding the pier, he couldn't help wondering, did Mr. Qi think too high of Qingjiang pier?

The Qi family is out of town, and they belong to the Cao Gang, but in the small Qingjiang County, there are only the Fishing Gang by the river.

Contribute money and effort?I'm afraid they are all hanging.

Cough cough, Tang Zhong cleared his throat: "Excuse me, do you know someone who is the Qi family of Cao Gang?"

snort... snort-

Tang Zhong took a deep breath, and raised his tone: "I am a friend of the Qi family of the Cao Gang, and I need someone to help me!"

snort... snort-

Hey!He didn't believe it, and he couldn't wake up today!

Tang Zhong simply raised his breastfeeding strength, almost yelling with his voice: "Qi family..."

Unexpectedly, just as he opened his mouth this time, someone reached out and stuffed half a piece of steamed bun into his mouth from the back, blocking all his voices.

"Keep down! You should have heard it long ago, don't disturb people's sleep!"

Tang Zhong turned his head, only to see a lean old man standing behind him, with bandages on his arms and legs, full of energy.

However, the material of this person's clothes does not look much different from that of ordinary people. Is he really a helper who can contribute both money and strength?

The little old man stuffed the last mouthful of steamed buns, shook off the crumbs of steamed buns on his body, and spread his hands in front of Tang Zhong: "Jade pendant!"

"Yes, here!"

Tang Zhong obediently offered the jade pendant with both hands, looking forward to it.

The little old man took the jade pendant in his hand and inspected it carefully, then looked Tang Zhong up and down.

After a while, he took out a long and narrow dagger from behind, and said calmly, "Say, who do you want me to stab for you?"

Tang Zhong stared wide-eyed, his hands hidden in his sleeves had long been shrunk into balls...