Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 82 Arrogant
Yang Ze and others stopped planning, and Hou Dingguo took all his cronies and went straight to a Li's firm that sells timber in Fengyang Mansion.Although the clerk who was welcoming guests at the door of the timber store didn't recognize Hou Dingguo, he saw a young man wearing a three-mountain cap and a green collar shirt, and a man with a dozen or so cross-knife came to the store flauntingly along the long street. Besides, he intuitively felt that something was wrong, he quickly turned his head and winked at the store, and another guy in the store hurriedly ran to the backyard.

The store clerk bowed to Hou Dingguo, and asked with a smile: "Did you come to see the wood? Is it repairing a house or making furniture? This store has all kinds of wood. You can go to the backyard to choose carefully, and pay half of it in advance after the selection." For money, the store is responsible for door-to-door delivery, and the remaining silver will be settled after the goods arrive. If there is any problem with the wood itself in the store, the store will be responsible for shipping it back and compensate you according to the price! Dear customer, sit down and drink tea, the shopkeeper will be here soon! "

When Hou Dingguo saw this guy who was not a few years older than himself, he was very tongue-tied, and he didn't like it. He always thought he could speak well, but this guy was much more eloquent than himself.

He said impatiently with a high-pitched voice: "Our family is the most annoying person who can talk, a wood seller, why is he talking so much? Believe it or not, our family cut off your tongue? Huh!"

The clerk was so frightened when he heard it, he quickly shrank aside, and thought: I just eat this bowl of rice, the shopkeeper saw that I can speak so smartly, so he asked me to welcome guests. So many customers praised me, and it was the first time. I can say too much when I meet you who dislike me!

At this moment, the shopkeeper Xu of Li's Commercial Company rushed over from the backyard upon hearing the news. Seeing the usually winking guy huddling aside, and seeing the young man's attire and the menacing looks of a group of followers, he immediately understood : The visitor is not good!
Shopkeeper Xu cupped his hands with a smile all over his face and said, "This young master is so familiar. I don't know Gao's last name? Last month, Mrs. Li's mother's [-]th birthday was celebrated. The villain followed my name, Mr. Li, to the government office to celebrate her birthday. We met once! Hehe! I don’t know what is the business of a distinguished guest coming to my account today? But if you need anything, please ask. My account is based on honesty and the price is fair. It will definitely make the distinguished guest return home with satisfaction!”

Hou Dingguo curled his lips, and said in a sharp voice: "Don't use Li Qimei to scare our family! Our family is working for the palace, what does he mean as a little magistrate?"

Shopkeeper Xu was shocked when he heard the words, the other party's voice, tone and demeanor had fully revealed his identity. Although his boss had some background, it was incomparable to this one. Although he didn't know the purpose of the other party's coming here today, the matter I'm afraid it won't be easy.

Shopkeeper Xu hurriedly bowed and said: "This father-in-law has an extraordinary appearance, and he is not an ordinary person at first sight! Hurry up and invite the guests to enter the room!" He said with solemn hands.

Hou Dingguo snorted triumphantly, turned his head and ordered to the group of attendants: "Two come in, and the rest are guarding outside the door!" After finishing speaking, he swaggered into the store, followed closely by two attendants who crossed swords Enter the store.

The shop of the commercial firm is clean and tidy, and the lobby is quite spacious, because the goods are viewed in the backyard and the warehouse. This place is used to receive general customers. If big customers come to make purchases, it is in a separate courtyard at the back. Inside, the interior was more comfortable and elegantly furnished. The owner of the firm was negotiating business with customers from Nanzhili in the courtyard at this time.

Shopkeeper Xu graciously invited Hou Dingguo to sit on a rosewood chair, and a waiter brought hot tea and put it on the small table next to the chair. Chic, two attendants are separated on the left and right of the chair.

After Hou Dingguo sat down, he looked around and said to the shopkeeper Xu who was standing a few steps away with a smile on his face: "Who are you? Our family is here today to discuss a big business with your shop. , can you be the master?"

Shopkeeper Xu cupped his hands and said with a smile: "The villain's surname is Xu, but he is the shopkeeper of Li's firm. This little father-in-law's name is Gao? I don't know how much the business is worth? How to settle the settlement?"

Hou Dingguo looked up at the roof, and said in a high-pitched voice: "I didn't want to tell you who our family is, but for the sake of being sensible just now, I will tell you: our family is the godson of Eunuch Yang, the eunuch who guards the mausoleum. That's true for Hou Dingguo! Today, at the order of my godfather, I came to your shop to buy some wood for repairing the houses of the imperial tomb that were burned down by thieves. My godfather said that the imperial tomb was destroyed by thieves, and all the people of Ming Dynasty There is a duty to donate money to help, but the palace sympathizes with you for not being easy, and all the supplies you need are settled with precious notes, so you won't be at a disadvantage!"

When Shopkeeper Xu heard this, he was startled, angry and frightened. This is nothing to buy, it's simply a robbery!There is no difference between treasure banknotes and waste paper. It sounds good, and it does not let merchants suffer. Buying wood with a pile of waste paper. How can there be such an unreasonable thing in the world?But the young man came here under the banner of doing errands for the palace, this is someone who cannot afford to offend.

He held back his anger and cupped his hands and said: "Eunuch Hou, this villain has been in business since he was a child, and has dealt with all kinds of people. No matter what kind of business it is, or who the merchant is, it is settled in gold and silver. I am afraid it is difficult for a small banknote shop to accept it. If the father-in-law really wants to buy wood, it is best to buy it with real money, and the villain can get a discount on the price!"

Hou Dingguo was furious when he heard it, he jumped up suddenly, rushed to shopkeeper Xu with a big stride, raised his arm and slapped him hard on the face, there was a crisp "slap", and shopkeeper Xu let out a cry of pain , five red fingerprints immediately appeared on the left cheek, he hastily stretched out his hand to cover it, and felt a burst of burning pain.

Li Shiqun, the owner of Li's firm, is also a big family in Nanjing. The family runs various businesses. Li Shiqun has been specializing in timber for many years, and he is also well-known in the Nanzhili area. He has close contacts with Fengyang and Nanzhili officials on weekdays. , shopkeeper Xu has been in the Li family for many years, and has seen many scenes with his boss. He is usually a bit arrogant, but today he was slapped in public by a young man. This is the first time in so many years.

He was trembling with anger, but he didn't lose his mind. He covered his face with one hand and pointed at Hou Dingguo and shouted, "It's reasonable, why beat someone? Li Shi is not easy to bully in Nanzhili!"

Hou Dingguo let out a grin, waved his hands and shouted sharply: "Hit him, kill him!"

Two attendants ran out from behind him, one stretched out his foot and kicked shopkeeper Xu to the ground, and then they punched and kicked shopkeeper Xu who was lying on the ground. Shopkeeper Xu curled up to protect his vitals, but still couldn't help it. Screaming in pain, a clever guy hurried to the backyard.Hou Dingguo's entourage outside the store heard the movement in the house, and they all rushed in. Seeing this, they immediately surrounded and stepped forward to participate in the beating. In an instant, the screams of shopkeeper Xu disappeared, and he lost consciousness.

Although there were a few clerks in the store, they were all from small households and good people. How could they ever see such a scene? Hou Dingguo's followers were all from Fengyang's green-skinned scoundrels. Fighting, bullying goodness, and blackmailing merchants were their daily business. A few people were bluffing, and all kinds of shouting and cursing were endless, and the guys were so frightened that they huddled in the corner of the house like quails and shivered.

Standing aside, Hou Dingguo clapped his hands and laughed sharply. Seeing that shopkeeper Xu was still silent, he was still furious. A shopkeeper of a commercial firm, who is like a worthless person, dared to openly argue against him. Damn, someone will laugh at him if it spreads out, he ordered loudly: "Smash! Everything in the house is smashed for our family!"

The followers were already in high spirits. After hearing the order, they immediately started to smash the furniture and utensils in the house. After being hit a few times by the guys hiding in the corner, they ran into the backyard in panic.

One of the attendants felt that it was still not enough, rolled his eyes, ran to Hou Dingguo and said, "Eunuch, there is nothing valuable in the house except furniture, why don't you light a fire for him!"

Hou Dingguo didn't even think about it, and nodded excitedly: "Okay! Okay! Set fire! Don't you dare to save face for our family! Burn! Light it up!"

The entourage laughed and called people to find something to start the fire, and was about to set fire to the shop. At this time, many passers-by and surrounding merchants had gathered outside the shop. They didn't know why, and they pointed at the shop and talked endlessly.

Just when Hou Dingguo's entourage collected the fire starter and was about to set fire to the shop, a loud shout came: "Stay!"

(End of this chapter)