Start with detective Li Yuanfang

Chapter 648

North wing.

Compared with the west building, you can borrow the view from inside the building, while the north building can overlook Genyue Mountain, and overlook the Zhouqiao Night Market and Bianhe Younv. The sounds of drinking and having fun interacted and floated out after a circle, and there was a sense of joy in the wind.

Wu Juhou's second son, Wu Shifan, fifth son, Wu Shixia, and ninth son, Wu Shi'an, were all toasting and smiling.

As the sons of the prefect of Kaifeng, their status is obviously not low, and they are all in the front row, but sitting in the middle is a luxuriously dressed gentleman, who looks not young, but has a fair complexion and bright lips Red, but dressed like a gentleman who has just been weak, hugging left and right at this time, laughing wantonly with two red-card ladies.

The youngest Wu Shi'an at the banquet turned his gaze over, thinking of this family wealth that could never be spent in several lifetimes, he couldn't help showing a hint of envy: "Young Master's life is really happy!"

The young owner turned his gaze over: "I can't take Jiulang's words seriously. How can I, the son of a mere merchant, compare to you, a yamen?"

Wu Shi'an drank Meishou wine, which was strong in the mouth and full of stamina. He was already half drunk, and couldn't help saying: "Young master, don't believe me, I really envy you. If you have such wealth as you, how can you be so miserable? I study all day long, and every time my father checks my homework, I still feel frightened... oh!"

"Kuro is drunk!"

In comparison, his second brother, Wu Shifan, was much more stable, and he signaled his fifth younger brother, Wu Shixia, to hold on to a few glasses of rice wine and talk about everything: "My little brother is so ignorant, so don't take it to heart when you are young. .”

Shaodong's family shook his head: "Jiulang has a true temperament, these words are nothing, let me tell you guys, when my father forced me to take the Jinshi exam, he was probably more strict than Wu Longtu, later..."

What he said made Wu Shifan's heart itch, and he asked subconsciously, "What happened next?"

The Shaodong family was silent for a while, and embraced the red card prostitutes on the left and right: "Later, I saw that I have not received the favor of Wenqu, and I am not a Jinshi material at all. If I don't care about it anymore, won't I just hang around here all day? Haha!"

Everyone laughed, and then almost cried with a smile.

Damn!Why can he inherit the wealth of Wan Guan if he can't pass the Jinshi examination?

But then, the Shaodong family sighed again: "But since that incident happened, my life has been uncomfortable. I blame the damned Gongsun Zhao, who harbored evil intentions, lest our Great Song Dynasty be peaceful and prosperous, and even good people like us would be afraid. Wronged, deserved to end up like this! Bah!"

Everyone felt a lot better when they thought of the Houjiang Chamber of Commerce that was sealed up because of the Wuyoudong incident, and they even offered comforting words: "Young master, don't worry, the thief Gongsun is wanted by the court, and there will be no good end!" "Yes, when the time comes, your bank The grievances of the six major chambers of commerce can also be cleared..."

Among these people, some were relieved, while some sincerely believed that General Hou would make a comeback, and Wu Shifan was the latter.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the commodity economy developed rapidly, and the tradition of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce was greatly impacted. Compared with the previous Tang Dynasty, the social status of merchants was very different.

Not to mention the marriage between private merchants and official classes, and merchants using money to directly seek official positions, it is commonplace for officials to run concurrently in business, openly selling tea and salt exclusively for the government to make huge profits, and even the military Doing business has become fashionable, so there is Liu Yanqing who is more attentive to reading books than military books.

To put it bluntly, the commodity economy is still in its infancy, but the collusion between government and businessmen has become extremely proficient.

As early as the Zhenzong period, the prime minister Wang Dan proposed that there are many merchants in Bianjing who have a family property of more than [-] guan, and it is not uncommon to have more than a million guan. Layers of exploitation, the poor get poorer, and the polarization is extremely serious. This phenomenon should be curbed.

The results intensified, and even merchants began to integrate political capital while owning wealth. After having money, they wanted to have power. This was the direct reason for the birth of the six major guilds.

Wu Juhou originally relied on collecting money for the imperial court, and he especially knew the importance of money. In addition, in the Wuyoudong case, Wu Juhou was found to have colluded with the Wuyoudong thieves, but Gongsun Zhaoyi was wanted. The senior executives of the guild were released from prison easily, and after avoiding the limelight for a while, they began to return to Beijing in a big way. Of course, Wu Shifan knew that the young master was suffering a lot now, and he was just putting on a show.

After many real poor scholars comforted a wealthy man who appeared to be down and out, the atmosphere became lively again, but the young master walked towards Wu Shifan with a glass of wine, and said in a low voice: "Wu Erlang, about the matter of Tiexuelou , do you have an explanation?"

Wu Shifan shook his head: "Young Master, did I expressly reject you last time? The closing of Tiexuelou is due to public opinion. My father will never stand up for your chamber of commerce!"

The Shaodong family frowned and said: "I said that the people's opinion is hard to violate, do you really believe it? When the common people make trouble, they will give in without principle and don't want the laws of the Song Dynasty? What do they know? Forget about Youdong, the past is gone! Tie Xue Lou is our signature, this store will definitely reopen, it's just a matter of time!"

Wu Shifan cupped his hands: "You don't need to say too much, you can talk about everything else. I really can't help you with this matter."

The Shaodong family glanced at him: "I heard that there has been a lot of trouble in the court recently. There is a commander of the Imperial Army named Liu Yanqing, who is chasing and biting people indiscriminately?"

Wu Shifan's expression changed, and he subconsciously clenched his hands into fists.

The young master continued to approach, lowering his voice even lower: "We have always admired your father's character, and we had social relations in Jingdong back then. This time, Liu Yanqing's matter is not a small trouble for him. If your father is willing to discuss it for you To return to innocence and justice, we are willing to do our best to settle Liu Yanqing's matter!"

Wu Shifan's eyes flickered: "The words of Shaodong's family are interesting. Liu Yanqing is involved in the Mingzun cult, and now even the officials are paying attention. If this matter can be resolved, then the mere Tiexuelou will need my father's help to reopen. Is it?"

The Shaodong family said with a smile: "It is inconvenient for Wu Longtu to make a move because of his high position and authority, too many people are staring at him, and he acts rashly. If he is caught by the opponent, it will be even more unfavorable to the situation. We are different, and there are many methods we can use. Yes!"

"In the same way, we also have a lot of inconveniences about Tie Xuelou. The other five chambers of commerce wish they could lose a competitor. They are all working behind the scenes. That's why we need noble people like Wu Longtu..."

"Dare to risk the dissatisfaction of the world, that is the character to do great things!"

Wu Shifan was tempted, this was related to his father's position as prime minister, if he could really help, he would stand out among the eleven sons who failed to pass the Jinshi exam, and even become the next Patriarch.

However, he would not trust the other party just by saying a few words. He rolled his eyes and said, "If we want to solve Liu Yanqing's matter, there must be one person around. The Secretary of the Imperial City ordered Gao Qi! We just happened to be at the gate of Fan Lou. I just met Gao Li, if the Young Leader is really capable, how about trying it on Gao Li now?"

The Young Master's brows raised: "Gao Tidian came here? On which floor are you having a banquet?"

Wu Shifan said: "At the time of parting, we saw that he was taking a guest to the west building, and he should be in the west building."

The Shaodong family asked: "Who is the guest for Gao Ti's banquet?"

Wu Shifan shook his head: "I don't know, but he doesn't look like an official in his clothes, so he must belong to a government office. His attitude is very enthusiastic, and he even shows a bit of flattery!"

The Shaodong family wondered: "This is really interesting. This Imperial City Secretary is a very popular figure nowadays. Who would he be able to curry favor with? The son of the prime minister?"

He thought for a while and ordered his subordinates: "Go and see if Mrs. Cui is also performing in the west building."

Wu Shifan was a little jealous: "It's the lady Nianyue who is the best at Liu Ci? No wonder I didn't see her appear just now, so she was invited by Gao Qiu..."

The Shaodong family said with a smile: "It's okay, Madam Cui has been feeling unwell since a few days ago. If Gao Ti still has the slightest feeling of pity, she shouldn't be kept overnight. We'll ask about it later, and it's okay. Late."

Wu Shifan narrowed his eyes: "From the tone of Young Master, are you planning to have a good relationship with Gao Qi?"

The Shaodong family clasped their fists together: "Forgive me Erlang, you are a scholar, but I am a merchant! Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and us businessmen have always been the poorest people at the bottom. Anyone can bully and bully, and we have to look at anyone's face. Over time, I also developed the habit of making money with kindness..."

"Tip the Imperial City Secretary, how dare I offend you? Besides, if Gao Ti is lenient and presses down on Liu Yanqing's matter, wouldn't everyone be happy?"

Wu Shifan shook his head: "Gao Qiu and Ding Run are very close now. Ding Run may harbor resentment because of my father's uprightness. These two are like birds of a feather. How is it possible to win Gao Qiu over?"

The Shaodong family laughed: "I have also heard about that Judge Ding. He is actually more in line with our Chamber of Commerce's temperament, but we have never met each other. According to me, it is better to resolve enemies than to form knots..."

At this moment, the subordinates returned, whispered a few words, and the Young Master's face was greatly moved: "It turns out that Madam Cui didn't go to the west building to perform, but was still resting in the wing room? Go, quickly invite her over!"

Wu Shifan was startled: "Isn't she feeling unwell recently?"

The Young Master smiled: "Is Erlang really so sympathetic to the fragrance and the jade?"

Of course Wu Shifan didn't care if a prostitute was comfortable or not, but he said with some concern: "What I'm worried about is that this Gao Qi is a rascal in the market, and he values ​​face the most. He didn't invite Mrs. Cui, but ended up coming to our side. Will it cause misunderstanding?"

The Shaodong family looked at the son of the magistrate who wanted to make trouble, but was afraid of confrontation, and raised his mouth: "Sometimes we don't know each other without fighting. Only when we create a conflict can we make an apology. It's more logical for him to ask for benefits!"

After finishing speaking, he said to his subordinates: "Go, invite Mrs. Cui over here! Make a big splash!"

……

South Tower.

A wing room here is specially prepared for the ladies in Xiaotianshui Lane.

Miss is not qualified, only the popular lady can have a room for each person to make up and rest.

Of course, if the oiran settles in, the treatment is different. Sometimes a courtyard can be reserved, and visitors flock to it.

Although Cui Nianyue is now a popular oiran contender, she is not yet an oiran, and she lives in a relatively spacious house with four maids.

At this time, these maidservants showed anxious faces, coming in and out, holding basins in their hands, emitting a peculiar smell, and uncontrollable groans of pain came from the room.

A slender figure crouched by the door, poked its head inside, and then flashed in lightly.

She was obviously very familiar with the layout of the house, and while the maid was not paying attention, she jumped behind the screen like a bunny and began to observe secretly.

"Lady, Shopkeeper Shen has come to urge you again, that Gao Ti has been waiting for a long time, and even entertained guests..."

"Hey, let me hold on. This official can't afford to offend you. Tell shopkeeper Shen, and I'll come right away! Huh!"

……

"My lady, that's great. The jade lady who has changed to Yuyinfang has gone. You can have a good rest!"

"Oh, I've offended him, I'm afraid the days ahead will be hard..."

……

"Miss, the young boss of Houjiang Guild invited you to perform in the North Tower!"

"I've already rejected the high point, how can I go to other appointments? Push it for me!"

"But the person sent by the young master's family is very vicious. He said that the workshop has already received money from the general's guild, and if he wants to elect a lady as the oiran, I'm afraid he won't be able to push it away!"

"Oh, my health is indeed better, let's go!"

……

Not long after, a well-dressed lady came out. She looked extremely beautiful, but her heavy makeup couldn't conceal her extremely bad complexion.

Even in the eyes of the little lady, there was a hint of hostility between the brows of this beautiful elder sister, which was quite different from when she was peeking at each other's piano practice before.

Just as she was sneaking out of the house, wondering what happened and whether she could still worship this sister as a teacher, when she was learning piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, a shadow suddenly covered her body.

The little lady's shoulders slumped, and she turned around. Sure enough, a huge and round cook with her hips on her hips looked down: "Master, have you come here again?"

The little lady said in a low voice: "I heard that Mrs. Cui fell ill, so I came to see..."

"Miss Cui, hum!"

The fat chef gave a cold snort. She and Cui Nianyue were worlds apart in terms of appearance and dress, but her attitude was very arrogant: "No matter how beautiful these prostitutes are on the surface, they are all involuntary wretched lives. Comparable to our chef, no matter it is a real store or a foot store, there is always a place!"

She stared at the little lady: "The master of Xiangguo Temple is merciful and spared your father's letter money this time, but you can't be lazy. According to his temper, he will go out to gamble again soon, and then lose everything." , maybe I’ll sell you into a lowly status! You need to do more work, learn more cooking, and save more money for the future!”

Thinking of Mrs. Cui's groaning in pain just now, the little lady nodded and said, "Yes! I will learn how to cook!"

"Follow!"

Only then was the fat chef satisfied, she turned around and strode away with rumbling steps, and the little lady followed behind, her small steps were fast and steady.

But before leaving, I couldn't help but look back at Mrs. Cui's room, thinking that every word she said seemed to be accompanied by a sigh: "No matter how beautiful the surface is, I can't help myself, what a poor sister..."

(End of this chapter)