Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 23: Not rising is not enough to appease people’s hearts!
"It's snowing! It's snowing!"

Early in the morning, as soon as the signboard was put up, Chen Zhi heard Chen Man's cheerful voice, and then came Aunt Liu's slightly nervous words: "Xiao Man, don't be naughty, go back quickly, your elder brother has already opened the door."

"Oh, yes." Chen Man responded obediently, and the mother and daughter hurried into the store with a little sparkle on their hair. Aunt Liu looked at Chen Zhi with a little awe in her eyes, but Chen Man passed by. It's much easier when I'm by my brother's side.

A day has passed since the Chen family's affair, and everything is back on track. Chen Zhi's family seems to have been forgotten, living quietly in this busy city.

"Go up and eat breakfast first." After instructing Chen Man, Chen Zhi saw Chen Fu coming from the door again. This loyal servant of the Chen family had bloodshot eyes, as if he hadn't slept all night.

Chen Zhi walked over with the hot soup prepared and asked, "You're back, have everything been settled?"

Chen Fu took the soup bowl, held it in his hands, warmed his hands, and said, "According to what you said, Master, we have agreed with the shopkeepers of several gambling houses. The time limit is one month. Two months is really not enough."

"One month is enough. I asked you to insist on two months before, mainly to facilitate negotiations and give them a bargaining space." Chen Zhi nodded, expressing satisfaction with the result, "There is a fixed number for the total number of gambling debts. Is it gone?"

"Yes," Chen Fu took out a list from his arms, "According to the calculation method you wrote, Master, all the accountants have done the calculation. After repeated it several times, the total with interest is 12 taels of silver. In addition, There are also some items that you promised in the past and are still in the pawn shop. Please check to see if there are any mistakes or omissions or deliberate miscalculations." After speaking, he blew on the hot soup and took a careful sip.

Pawn shops are related to Buddhist temples. With the spread of Buddhist beliefs, they gradually appeared in China, and Pengcheng County was no exception. However, ordinary people did not dare to get involved, and most of the patrons were children of aristocratic families.

"Twelve taels of gambling debt?" Chen Zhi took a look at it, and nodded after a while, "It's not a big problem, they dug traps for a few details, adding up the back and forth, it's over one or two taels."

"These are idiots!" Chen Fu immediately became angry and put the soup bowl aside, "I'm going to argue with them right now!"

"Don't worry, Uncle Fu. You've been busy all night, so take a rest first. They can't get away with this." Chen Zhi didn't take it seriously. "Besides, whether it's 12 taels or 11 taels, it's not a small amount for us." , but if you can earn 11 taels, then 12 taels is not a big problem. I can bear this error, but I can’t deceive others.”

"Yes, yes, that's the truth." Chen Fu nodded in agreement, and then showed a worried look, "I just don't know when I can make enough money. One month is too tight, and besides, young master, you still have to brush up on your knowledge. , prepare for the academy’s screening.”

"It doesn't matter if you sharpen your knife or chop wood." Chen Zhi shook his head. "Also, when the house caught fire, did you find out who reported the letter to the creditors?"

"They didn't know. They said someone suddenly shouted outside. I followed your method and searched for traces in the ruins of the old house. I also brought a few broken logs over and placed them at the door. By the way, the old man The servant asked some neighbors again, and said that before leaving the water, there was someone who seemed to be a servant of the mansion wandering around." Chen Fu shook his head with a solemn expression, "Master, is the person who sent the message the one who set the fire? Could it be a gambler?" Did the people from the workshop do it?”

Chen Zhi said with a smile: "We can't make a conclusion yet. I asked you to contact the gambling house's creditor just to stir up the situation. As long as the other party makes another move, more traces will be left. In addition, regarding the servant in the mansion, In this way, I will teach you an explanation later. You go to the mansion and talk to people. The more people you talk to, the better. Then look for servants and maids, and write down what they say roughly, and I will be almost sure."

Chen Fu's heart moved: "Master, do you have any clues?"

"I have provoked a lot of people in the past, and every one of them might have set fire..."

As Chen Zhizheng was talking, there were footsteps behind him, and he saw Chen Xi walking over with a ashamed look on his face and a depressed look on his face.

Since Wang Xi and others left, there has been no business coming to the door. Occasionally, there are curious people. Most of them just come in and ask a few questions. After getting a general idea, they leave with a look of disbelief. Later, word spread about Shulin Zhai on the street. rumors, but they are not good words after all.

In view of this, Chen Xi also blamed himself more and more.

"Third brother, cheer up. It's not your fault, it's my fault." Chen Zhi shook his head and reassured his third brother, "Besides, it's only been a few days. If what I expected is true, we should have a lot of fun in these two days. Get up." Chen Zhi took all the responsibility.

"Brother, you said someone is coming to give you money. Who is it?" Chen Ting, who had just finished washing, also walked over and asked as he walked, "The weather is getting colder and snow has begun to fall. No matter what kind of work it is, it is difficult to do. Who would choose this time to send money?”

While they were talking, they didn't notice that outside the door of Shulinzhai, in front of the signboard that said "Writing letters for children and old men without deception", a middle-aged man wearing a big cloak was standing there.

The man was in his 30s, with a Chinese-character face and a carefully trimmed beard. His eyes were staring at the sign in confusion, and he peeked into the house from time to time.

At the corner of the street, Cui Shi, who was braving the wind and snow and carrying a simple table and chair on his back, was carefully putting down his things, exhaling hot air into his hands, and then rubbing them vigorously. His eyes were habitually looking towards Shulinzhai. .

"No one is paying attention to this store today. As expected, a few people came here specifically to support me..." Before the thought came to an end, Cui Shi looked at the middle-aged man in surprise, with a little doubt flashing in his eyes. "This man looks familiar. He seems to have seen it somewhere. Where is he? Speaking of which, he stopped in front of the sign. He was probably surprised by the accomplishments of those eight characters."

Cui Shi had seen a lot of scenes like this in the past few days and didn't take it to heart. But when the man hesitated for a moment and walked into Shulin Zhai, he became concerned again.

"It will probably come out soon. I have seen him many times in the past two days."…………

"Excuse me, which famous artist did the sign outside the door come from?" The man walked into Shulinzhai and looked around the room. Seeing Chen Zhi's dress and demeanor, he knew he was the person in charge, so he handed over his hand and asked.

"No talent, it's what I wrote." Chen Zhixun looked around and saw that the person who came had a calm expression and a strong bookish air about him. His clothes seemed ordinary, but they were actually elegant and the materials used were extraordinary. He knew that he was really following the bait. of fish.

"Is it your calligraphy treasure?" The middle-aged man was surprised, but he was well-educated, so his expression was not intense. Suspicion could only be seen between his eyebrows, showing hesitation.

Chen Zhi knew how to dispel this suspicion and said with a smile: "If you don't believe me, as long as you comply with the rules of my store, you can write a letter on your behalf."

The man suppressed his doubts and asked, "I wonder what the rules are?"

"First, within [-] words, a letter is [-] yuan a letter. Second, you need to bring your own mulberry paper. Of course, if you don't have it, our store can also provide it, but the price will be calculated separately."

"This rule may sound harsh at first, but if you really have such calligraphy skills, it's nothing." The man breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "To be honest, I still don't believe it, but you can You must not be afraid of speaking out such rules, so please write a letter for me."

"Okay, second brother, third brother, pen, ink, paper and inkstone." Chen Zhi also laughed, feeling that it would be easier to talk to someone who understands.

………………

"Why have you been in for so long?"

In the wind and snow, Cui Shi found a stall under the eaves and waited for business to come to him. At the same time, he paid attention to the movement of Shulin Zhai. When he saw that the man did not come out for a long time after entering, he suddenly became suspicious. People usually enter the store. , but often leaves quickly.

"That person looks familiar. I've definitely seen him before. Who is he?"

While Cui Shi was thinking hard, he saw the middle-aged man walking out of Shulinzhai with an excited look on his face, holding a piece of paper in his hand, as if he had found a treasure.

"Huh? This... this scene looks a bit familiar." Cui Shi's eyes widened, thinking of the appearance of several aristocratic families a few days ago, "Really let the ridiculous young master of the Chen family write a letter? And is he willing to spend unjust money? ? Or, are you here to support me again? "

As Cui Shi thought about it, he saw the man frowning as he watched the snow flying all over the sky, then took off the cloak he was wearing, wrapped the paper carefully, and then plunged into the snow.

"What caused this fuss? I took off my cloak and used it to wrap paper instead of protecting myself from the snow? How precious is this? Is it really the work of a calligrapher? Is it true that everyone is hiding in that shop? That's that ridiculous guy..." Cui Shi was thinking, when the man walked quickly past his stall. Now the two were close enough, Cui Shi could see clearly, and suddenly an idea flashed.

"Master Zuo?"

"Huh?" The man stopped slightly, turned his head and looked over, "Do you recognize me?"

"Are you really an old man?! My friend Cui Shi, I had the honor to go to Linzi two years ago and meet the owner of the museum." Cui Shi's face turned red because he finally thought of this person's identity. He is a descendant of the Zuo family in Linzi, the one who attracted After Mr. Zuo Si from Luoyang Zhigui!
After getting excited, Cui Shi asked like a groupie: "Why did the unknown owner come to Pengcheng?"

"My wife's mother-in-law is here, come here to visit me." Of course, Zuo Guanzhu would not remember a small role like Cui Shi, but he still responded politely. After saying a few words, he was eager to leave. Cui Shi also had a look, and did not delay, just said I want to visit when I have time, but I am murmuring in my heart.

"Could it be that Chen Zhi still has a relationship with Zuo Yuan, the master of the Zuo Hall? Even the master of the Zuo Hall cheers for him..."

But before he could think clearly, the master Zuo, who had just walked out a few steps, turned back and went straight to Shulin Zhai.

"Master, have you forgotten something? Why don't I help you get it?"

"No, no," Zuo Yuan waved his hand, and then said urgently, "I'm going to persuade Mr. Chen that the price is too low, only fifty yuan, too low, too low! The price must be increased! Don't increase it. It’s not enough to calm people’s hearts!”

　Thanks to "Drifting in the Wind 1234", "I Don't Want Nicknames", "Listening to the Rain Pine", "Obsidian Tail", "Dian Lips to Purple Blood", "Please Don't Say It" and "Selected Popular Works" for the rewards!

　　There are two updates every day, the first update is from [-]:[-] noon to [-]:[-] pm, and the second update is around [-]:[-] pm. There is currently one alliance leader and two Wanshou. First, I owe four chapters, and I will make up for it after I mediate.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)