Fenghou

Shopkeeper Liu shuddered and said with trembling lips: "As a servant of my family, I can only know so much!"

"I think so too!"

Zhong Huan smiled slightly and said, "Actually, His Royal Highness King Yong just wanted to know which relatives and dignitaries who are interested in Jingzhao secretly came to invest in Jingzhao. This is a good thing, and His Highness has no malicious intentions."

Shopkeeper Liu heaved a long sigh of relief, "If this is the case, it is indeed a good thing. The Liu family recognizes the development of Jingzhao and believes that it will keep pace with Lin'an, so we will invest more and buy Yi'an Teahouse."

Zhong Huan nodded, "That's all I asked. In addition, His Royal Highness, King Yong, please send a message for him, asking the Liu family to send important people to Jingzhao. He wants to have a talk with the Liu family and see if there is any other cooperation." Opportunity?"

Shopkeeper Liu remained silent for a moment and said, "Actually, someone from the Liu family has already arrived."

"When did you come?"

"This morning!"

Chong Huan smiled in surprise, "I came back in the middle of the night last night, they came so fast, did they start off as soon as I left?"

"It should be! Our Patriarch also attaches great importance to Jingzhao. He sent his eldest son to Jingzhao and wants to talk to His Royal Highness King Yong."

Zhong Huan asked with a smile: "What's the name of the eldest son? It can't be Liu Xiang who competes with his nephew for the crown jewel of Baidie Tower!"

Shopkeeper Liu shook his head, "The eldest son is called Liu Wei, Wei of the Weihe River, and the third son Liu Xiang is competing for the crown jewel of Baidielou. The eldest son is the heir of the Liu family and is currently the number two in the Liu family. He can represent the Liu family. .”

"Okay! We will report to His Highness, and then arrange a time. You wait for my news. I'm sorry to disturb you tonight."

Zhong Huan got up and left with his men.

When Zhong Huan was gone, shopkeeper Liu got up and pushed open the wardrobe, revealing a door behind him, which was his hiding place in case of emergency, and the other party obviously didn't find this secret room.

He asked cautiously, "Is the eldest son there?"

A tall, thin man walked out of it, 35 years old, Liu Xianchen's eldest son, Liu Wei.

Shopkeeper Liu heaved a sigh of relief, "I'm really worried, but luckily they didn't search!"

"They also just arrived, one step ahead of you, they should have been staring at you in the restaurant."

"These inner guards are very powerful, and they are notoriously ruthless. They searched for smuggled salt on Sichuan Road and Jingnan South Road, ransacked every family, and even killed their children. My lord, they are targeting the Liu family. I Really worried."

Liu Wei nodded, "I heard all your conversations, don't worry! My father sent me here just to have a good talk with His Royal Highness King Yong to clear up any misunderstandings."

"If that's the case, our Highness will definitely welcome you!"

Zhong Huan came in from the outside, and said with a slight smile, "Young Master sneezed in the room just now, unfortunately I overheard you."

Liu Wei stared at Zhong Huan and asked, "Are you the head of the inner guard who went to Pingjiang Mansion to investigate Liu's family and cut off half of Liu Lu's ear?"

Zhong Huan nodded, "Let me introduce it first! Next up, Zhong Huan is the commander of the inner guard and ranks fifth among the generals of the inner guard, but I did all the cruel things that the shopkeeper said. I'm ruthless, but please believe that dealing with Liu Lu is the most merciful I've ever been in the inner guard, if I didn't want to turn against the Liu family, Liu Lu should have been silenced by me, under any circumstances, he wouldn't be able to survive."

Liu Wei said for a long time: "You guessed right, there are not only the Liu family's proprietors in Taibai Restaurant, there are eight in total, and the Liu family is the leader. You want to know about Baoji Cabinet, a total of fourteen investment companies. In addition, I can also tell General Zhong that Taibai Restaurant and Baoji Cabinet Shop are just businesses and have no function of collecting intelligence. At least when these two shops appeared in Jingzhao, we were just pure businessmen."

"The eldest son means, isn't it pure now?"

The other party reacted so quickly, which surprised Liu Wei. He pondered for a moment and said, "General Zhong is very smart and quick-responsive. That's why I came to Jingzhao. Except for His Royal Highness, I can't tell anyone, even yours. The counselor of the Internal Affairs Hall came to talk to me, but I can't say anything."

Zhong Huan nodded, "Get ready! Your Highness will receive you tomorrow morning at the earliest."

Liu Wei said again in a low voice: "General Zhong, please keep my visit to Jingzhao a secret. In Pingjiang Mansion, only my father and I know about it. Even my brothers and nephews think I went to Guangzhou to inspect the shop."

"Don't worry! Including your chief steward, only four people in Jingzhao know about it."

The first thousand and 140 chapters meet

Early the next morning, when Chen Qing was about to set off to inspect the Baqiao military camp, Wang Hao and Zhong Huan arrived.

After listening to Zhong Huan's report, Chen Qing smiled slightly and said, "The Liu family came quite quickly!"

Zhong Huan bowed and said: "Reporting to Your Highness, I feel that the Liu family also has an unspeakable suffering. They are very eager to see His Highness, as if they want to prove something? But I don't know what it is, and they are only willing to tell His Highness. .”

Chen Qing nodded, then asked Wang Hao, "What does Wang Tongzhi think?"

Wang Hao pondered for a while and said: "Humble intuition, it seems that many families are involved in this. They were originally a whole, but now there are internal differences. The Liu family is unwilling to do something, but they can't help themselves, so they want to find Your Highness clarified, reduce the risk of your own family."

Wang Hao deserves to be the leader, and he looked deeper. Chen Qing nodded with a smile, "It's meaningless for us to speculate like this. You invite Liu Wei to the official office of the internal guards. I will go to the official office to talk to him later, yes. He should be more polite, after all, he came here on his own initiative."

"Follow the order!"

Wang Hao and Zhong Huan saluted and left in a hurry.

Chen Qing said to Chao Qing again: "Send someone to notify the Baqiao barracks, saying that I will not go today, but I will go tomorrow instead."

"The humble post will send someone to notify."

Chen Qing sat down and began to review the documents. Half an hour later, the inner guard sent a message that the guests had been invited, so Chen Qing got up and went to the inner guard.

……

"Xiaomin Liu Wei, see His Royal Highness King Yong!" Liu Wei stepped forward and bowed deeply.

Chen Qing waved his hands with a smile and said, "Mr. Liu, please sit down!"

Liu Wei sat down, and he glanced uneasily at Wang Hao and Zhong Huan beside him.

Chen Qing understood what he was thinking, and said with a slight smile: "They are the chiefs of the internal guards, and they specialize in carrying out top-secret missions. Even if they avoid it now, I will still tell them, Mr. Liu, please don't worry!"

Liu Wei also got the same idea, King Yong just made a decision, the specific implementation should be done by his subordinates, there is really no need for him to hide them?

He nodded, "I understand. This time I came to see His Highness on the order of my father. I actually wanted to clarify some things. First, it is about the acquisition of Yi'an Teahouse. We did not acquire it because it is the property of the princess. It’s just a coincidence, even if it is someone else, we will use 12 Guan to buy it, which is within the plan, not because the money is more or less, but because we must win it.”

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "Yesterday you told General Zhong that Taibai Restaurant is not exclusive to the Liu family, so is that the key?"

Liu Wei secretly smiled wryly, this is King Yong, and he focused on the key points at a glance.

"Your Highness is right. Taibai Restaurant is funded by seven families, and the Liu family accounts for [-]%, so the Liu family is responsible for the management."

Chen Qing said indifferently: "What is the relationship between these seven companies? Is it the same as Baoji Cabinet Workshop? Mr. Liu, you know what I want to know. I hope you can be frank. If you are a group, I don't object. But I need to know the truth and not want to be blinded."

The whole conversation was controlled by Chen Qing, and Liu Wei was completely led by the nose. At this time, a guard came in and served tea. Liu Wei took a sip of hot tea, calmed down and said slowly: "Your Highness, have you heard of Song Xinghui?" ?”

Chen Qing neither said that he hadn't heard of it, nor that he had heard of it, but just smiled and said: "Young Master Liu, please continue!"

Liu Wei couldn't figure out Chen Qing's details, so he had to continue: "Song Xinghui was established in the second year of Jingkang, and it was called Song Yihui at that time. A group of dignitaries living in the south of the Song Dynasty heard that the imperial court was destroyed and the second emperor was taken into captivity. Zhang Chu established it. , in order to protect themselves, everyone huddled together to keep warm, and established the Song Yihui, which means the remaining ministers of the Song Dynasty."

Zhang Chu is the Chu State established by Zhang Bangchang, the first emperor of Jin Guoli. The time was very short, only one month, and it was also the time when the Northern Song Dynasty had just perished and was the most chaotic.

"and then?"

Chen Qingxiao asked: "Did you hear that King Kang came to the throne and felt that there was hope again, so you changed the name to Song Xinghui?"

"Not for the time being. At that time, the emperor was still in Jiangbei, and we were not sure whether the Great Song Dynasty would survive. It was not until the third year of Jianyan, when the emperor went south, that we officially changed our name to Song Xinghui."

"Who is the leader of Song Xinghui?"

"The first leader is Taiwei Gaoqiu!"

Chen Qing was stunned for a moment, "Gao Qiu, didn't he die very early? It seems to be the first year of Jingkang."

Chen Qing turned around and asked Wang Hao, "Gao Qiu died of illness in the first year of Jingkang, I remember right?"

"That's right, Gao Qiu died of illness in Jiankang Mansion in the first year of Jingkang, and the imperial court even issued an obituary."

Liu Wei smiled slightly and said, "Okay, why did he suddenly die of illness? Doesn't Your Highness think there is something strange about it?"

Chen Qing nodded, "I understand what you mean, he is using fake death to get rid of the court's power struggle."

"Your Highness is right. The first year of Jingkang was the time when the struggle between the new emperor and the Supreme Emperor was the most intense. Gao Qiu was stared at by Tong Guan. He wanted to kill him quickly. As a last resort, Gao Qiu had to feign death, and then hid himself in Jiangnan small village. Town, after Bianliang City was broken, it was he who initiated the establishment of Song Yihui, and later he suggested changing its name to Song Xinghui.”

Chen Qing was very surprised. He had been dealing with the imperial court for so long, but he had never heard of Song Xinghui's name, and he didn't even know that such an organization existed. He was even more curious about Song Xinghui at this time.

He pondered for a while and asked: "This Song Xinghui seems to be very mysterious, and it doesn't seem to have any sense of existence in the court. What kind of organization are they?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, Song Xinghui is actually a chamber of commerce."

"Chamber of Commerce?"

Chen Qing said with a smile: "So many foreign relatives and dignitaries do not establish their own power in the court, but are keen on doing business. It sounds a bit ridiculous!"

Liu Wei sighed and said, "It's not that Song Xinghui doesn't want to enter the center of power. There is really no chance. The emperor is very wary of us and even suppresses us. There is no chance to be a guard in the palace, there is no quota for Yin officials, and there is no chance for the imperial examination.

After a few years of tossing, everyone has also seen through it. The so-called emperor and courtiers, we outdated old ministers and relatives are no longer seen by the emperor, so everyone focuses on business, investing in Baoji cabinets, investing in the establishment of Fenglelou, the main restaurants in major cities are also invested by Song Xinghui, some of which are solely invested by the family, and some are jointly invested. "

"Will Song Xing have a party?" Chen Qing asked again.

"At the beginning, we got together a lot, once a month, mainly to discuss the current situation, and later changed to get together every three months, and we didn't talk about the current situation when we got together, but instead fought tea, played with stones, and appreciated jade. Such elegant events, and then once a year, five years ago Gao Lian ceased to be the chairman, and Shi Guangping became the chairman, and the gatherings were even fewer, he served as the chairman for five years, and only had two gatherings."

Chen Qing finally understands that Song Xinghui is a group of old and young survivors of the Song Dynasty. They have no chance in politics, but relying on their strong foundation, they are doing well in business.

"Tell me about the Taibai Restaurant and the teahouse that I bought at a high price this time! I think Mr. Liu should be here for this purpose."

Finally turned to the topic, although Liu Wei thought about it for a long time yesterday, he doesn't know where to start now?

Liu Wei hesitated for a while and said: "I told General Zhong yesterday that the Taibai Restaurant was run by a partnership of several families, and the Liu family accounted for the majority. The purchase of the teahouse this time is also run by a partnership, but it's different from the previous one."

"What do you mean by that?" Chen Qing was puzzled.

"Although it was the Liu family who bought the teahouse this time, the Liu family did not take the majority of the money, and the whole matter was not directed by the Liu family. The Liu family just took the name. Does Your Highness understand what I mean?"

Chen Qing said lightly: "You mean that what happens to this project in the future has nothing to do with the Liu family. I understand correctly, right?"

Liu Wei was silent. That's what he actually meant. He came all the way from Pingjiang Mansion just to say this.

Chen Qing looked at him for a while and said, "Young Master Liu, I can promise not to pursue the Liu family in the future, but you must explain the matter clearly to me. Since the Liu family wants to obtain my safety guarantee, they must show sincerity!"

The first thousand and 140 chapter two honesty

Chen Qing was not at all ambiguous about the details of the major event. He knew that there must be an important reason for Liu Wei to come all the way to explain it, and it must be unfavorable for him.

Under such circumstances, it is impossible for Liu Wei to say, 'The Liu family is not in charge, don't blame the Liu family if something goes wrong', and he can get away with it.

Chen Qing's gaze gradually became sharper. He has realized that there must be something tricky hidden in the purchase of the teahouse!

Feeling Chen Qing's sharp gaze, Liu Wei felt a shudder in his heart, so he sighed and said, "Your Highness, this is a long story!"

"Then take it easy, we have time today."

Chen Qing's meaning was very clear, but he couldn't explain clearly, so he would never think about leaving today.

Liu Wei lowered his head and thought for a while, "The story started five years ago. At that time, Gao Qi, the leader of Song Xing, was old, so he no longer served as the leader of Song Xing, and was replaced by Shi Guangping, who is the most powerful. Shi Guangping was less than 40 years old. Years old, in the prime of life, everyone hopes that he can lead Song Xinghui to be better and stronger.

But soon he moved to Lin'an, and wanted to put Song Xinghui's headquarters in Lin'an, which was opposed by many families, but Shi Guangping insisted on going his own way, and moved the Song Xinghui's headquarters to Lin'an. "

"So in the past five years, you have only met twice?" Chen Qing interjected and asked.

Liu Wei shook his head, "This is only one aspect, but it's not the main reason. The main reason is that Shi Guangping is too ambitious and can be described as obsessed with power. He turned Song Xinghui into his own stepping stone. interests of members."

"Just now you seemed to say that the emperor has no interest in you and suppressed your children from entering the officialdom. Does Shi Guangping want to change this?"

"No! It would be fine if he was thinking about everyone, such as recommending everyone's children to study in the Imperial Academy, or recommending outstanding children to enter the officialdom, etc., but that's not the case. He has never done anything for everyone. On the contrary It's all for him to climb up.

For example, Baoji Cabinet and Fengle Building have about 100 million dividends each year. He has not distributed dividends to everyone for three consecutive years. It is nonsense to say that he is operating at a loss. All the bonuses from the emperor were given to the emperor as military expenses, so the emperor named him the Duke of Yue and Prince Shaobao. "

Chen Qing nodded, "Then what does he have to do with buying a teahouse?"

"The plan to buy the teahouse was proposed by him. He wanted to take the land of the teahouse, build a magnificent restaurant, and connect the two restaurants with a half-empty corridor bridge, so that it would become a building that can be compared with Lin'an Fengle Building. The comparable Jingzhao Fengle Building is extremely extravagant inside, and its level of luxury even surpasses that of Hangzhou Fengle Building.”

"Too luxurious!"

Chen Qing shook his head, "A restaurant is a place to eat, and you can't mix it with messy things. Besides, I am against luxury and advocate frugality. If you want to build such a big restaurant, the government will definitely not approve it!"

After a pause, Chen Qing sneered again: "Shi Guangping's proposal to build such a luxury restaurant probably has bad intentions!"

"Your Highness, Shi Guangping reported this plan to the emperor, calling it a plan to cut flesh with a blunt knife, and won the approval of the emperor!"

"This is not a blunt knife, but a soft knife. He wants to corrupt my subordinates. He thinks too well, so he is not afraid that I will send troops to seal it? Will it make it lose everything?"

Liu Wei's face suddenly turned pale. This was what his father was most afraid of. Not only would the entire restaurant be ruined, but the Taibai Restaurant led by their family would also be destroyed.

What his father meant was that as long as the new restaurant couldn't be built, or the two restaurants couldn't be connected as one, and they had to operate separately in the end, even if Chen Qing's knife fell, Taibai Restaurant would be unscathed.

"Your Highness, please let Taibai Restaurant go!"

Seeing his nervous expression, Chen Qing smiled and said: "Don't worry, Jingzhao City will issue a height limit order soon. All shops and residential buildings in the city must not exceed two floors, and even if they are specially approved, they cannot exceed three floors. Bridges are not allowed to connect with buildings, so it is impossible for Taibai Restaurant and the newly built restaurant to be connected as one."

Liu Wei breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly asked, "Is this a regulation for our new restaurant?"

Chen Qing said lightly: "Of course not. This is a regulation in Bianliang, isn't it also in Lin'an? Fengle Building can be built higher because it is located outside Yongjin Gate. Among the various restaurants in Lin'an City, which one has more than three floors? of?"

This height limit order is really a bottom-line plan. It was originally planned that the new building would be built seven stories high, and then the Taibai Building would have to add three more floors. Once completed, it will become the tallest twin towers in Jingzhao City, and it will also become Jingzhao City. The largest gold-selling cave.

Now it is not allowed to build heights, there are only three floors at most, and bridges cannot be built to connect them, wouldn't you be dumbfounded?The key is that the area is not too big. If it covers an area of ​​[-] mu, you can build a courtyard-style restaurant. The actual area is only three acres, and you can build up to four small courtyards. Even if you add the eight small courtyards of Taibai Restaurant There are only twelve courtyards, compared with the hundreds of houses in Fengle Building in Lin'an, Shi Guangping's blunt knife plan has completely failed.

"Excuse me, Your Highness, when will the height limit order be promulgated?"

"If there is no accident, it will be promulgated tomorrow."