Daming prepares the emperor

The candlelight was a little weak, and the light in the temple was not enough. The figure of the clay sculpture was dark, tall and wide, as if it was about to be thrown down at people and punished by pointing at the nose. The visual effect was quite majestic and sacred.

Its specific face is drawn according to the traditional aesthetics, with red phoenix eyes and long beard, wearing a hat and wide suit, the face is real and abstract. Can be somewhat similar.

Mu Ying thought that she was mainly here to protect Zhu Biao's safety, and she was more interested in the man kneeling on the ground, so she kept staring at him carefully.

"I'm going to look for Miaozhu."

"Okay, I'll wait for you here."

There are several side rooms next to it, and Zhu Biao knocked on the doors one by one. The doors of the east rooms were closed, but no one responded. The doors of the west rooms opened a crack with the force of the knock, and there were sundries inside. It was only when I found the place farthest from the clay sculpture that I got a response.

An old man came out, with a hunchback, a blue cloth, a bald head, a very kind expression, squinting his eyes, his hands behind his back, and he spoke slowly.

"Oh...it's a young man, what's the matter?"

"Old man, are you the temple wisher here?"

"It's me." The old man smiled, raised his hand and pointed to the opposite room, "There are incenses in there, depending on the thickness and length of the incense, the price is divided, the most expensive is only a dozen copper coins. The futon is also placed together, not enough for yourself take."

"Okay, I'll get some later and come over to pay the bill." Zhu Biao asked, "Old Man, how long have you been here as a temple congratulator?"

"I inherited the status of Miaozhu from my grandfather, counting it." He said, "It's been 36 years."

"Do you know about the City God? Here we..."

Miao Zhu saw the doorway and interrupted him: "You didn't come to worship, did you? In this case, you don't have to burn incense to please me, an old man. If you are not sincere, you will not work. What are you wasting money for? What do you want to ask?" Just ask, if I know, I'll tell you. Let's chat."

"it is good."

He pushed open his small wooden door, and walked in with Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao took a general look, the room was not big, and there was very little furniture. There was a small wooden bed in the corner, which looked solid, but it was old. There was a thin quilt on the bed, with a few small holes, and it turned white from starch washing.

In the room was a square table with just two benches. Miao Zhu poured Zhu Biao a bowl of boiled tea from crushed tea, and brought him a plate of boiled peanuts.

"What's the name of the younger generation?"

"It's called Lin Shi."

"Ah, old man, my name is Song Chang. Everyone calls me Second Master Song." Second Master Song took a sip of tea and said, "What do you want to ask?"

"I want to ask how is the incense in the temple? How many people come?"

"The incense in this Town God's Temple is not bad. There are the most people during Chinese New Year and festivals, especially on the first and fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year. There are big gatherings held here. At that time, hire someone to carry the small statue of the Town God, starting from the city and carrying it all the way to the temple. , hanging lanterns on the road, and setting up small stalls on the side of the road, that's called lively."

"The incense is so good, but you live in poverty, how pious."

"Haha..." Song Erye laughed, "The money is all used to repair the bricks and tiles. The more beautiful the more popular. As for the pious or not, ordinary people, either worship the city god or the Bodhisattva, put aside the Bodhisattva, There is also God, so I have a sustenance."

"You're right." Zhu Biao's eyes lit up, and he felt that there was something interesting, and he could talk again. This old man was more open than he thought.

Song Erye said: "I can only do these things. Who can say for sure in the future. I have no wife, no children, and I am old. I don't know who will be the next Miaozhu.

He paused, and then said: "Of course I am not a stingy person. The Town God's Temple is not my property, and it is okay to leave it to others to manage it. But, although the villagers are all good people, it is difficult for them to step outside the village ten miles in their entire lives. , I don’t have much knowledge, it’s not okay to manage accounts and pick up customers.”

"Yeah." Zhu Biao nodded, admitting that this is indeed a problem.

"Young people have a lot of energy, and maybe they can learn something if they are clever. However, it is difficult to live on a three-acre land after fighting everywhere these years. They either join the army or follow their parents to dig the land. , refused to come to me."

"Some of the ones who came here on their own initiative are local ruffians who want to get something for nothing and squeeze money. If the temple is handed over to them, the City God will not get half of the tribute."

"It's hard to find decent juniors."

Speaking of this, Song Erye sighed, and kept looking at Zhu Biao with a pair of eyes, almost overflowing with hints.

Only then did Zhu Biao understand what he meant, and he couldn't laugh or cry.He inquired about the news himself, and it turned out that he was regarded as the heir who intended to take over the temple.Indeed, most people would not ask these questions, and it is normal to have misunderstandings.

He could only change the subject: "Old man, who is the City God enshrined in the temple?"

"Which one?"

"Look, some great heroes will be worshiped as city gods, such as Wen Tianxiang. There are also some mythical figures who also serve as city gods. What's the situation here?"

"Who is Wen Tianxiang? I don't know." Second Master Song shook his head, "The City God doesn't have a name, at least my grandfather didn't mention it. The City God is the City God."

"I see. There is no allusion..."

"Which family are you the young master?" Song Erye said, "The old man told you, this temple is actually quite easy to manage, and it won't affect your inheritance of the family business."

He still refused to give up, feeling that the opportunity was rare, so he held on to Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao said with a smile: "I won't be a temple congratulator. Besides the family business, my father has other things for me to inherit. I'm really busy. I appreciate your kindness."

"What?" Song Erye said, "Aside from family business, what else can you do? Can you still take care of other people's affairs?"

"I can't tell for a while. Since I am here to ask questions, of course I have something to do." Zhu Biao said, "Don't worry, I am wrong, and someone else will come. I will bring someone here after a while. satisfy."

With that said, he walked out the door.

Song Erye chased him out, and said without giving up: "Others? I've seen a lot of people, young man, you are very good."

"No, no, no." Zhu Biao declined, "Busy, really busy."

"It's okay to be busy. The temple has almost been repaired. For the remaining money, you can hire a few long-term workers."

"Isn't this a bad rule?" Zhu Biao felt outrageous, and Second Master Song even started to make conditions, "I will definitely bring someone here, don't worry."

When Zhu Biao walked, the wind was blowing under his feet, and Song Erye couldn't catch up at all, so he could only watch him go away, feeling very regretful, and went back with his hands behind his back.

As for the promise he said, the old man didn't take it seriously. He saw that Zhu Biao was not the young master of an ordinary family, he was not sure if he was a noble son, and he couldn't be persuaded to keep it like porcelain. Empty.

Walking into the main hall, the two of them stood together, shoulder to shoulder, chatting and laughing, it was very lively.

Seeing Zhu Biao approaching, Mu Yin introduced: "Biao... Shier, look at this, this is Zhou Yirong, a merchant from Hangzhou, who wants to sell some cloth."

Zhu Biao and this Zhou Yirong greeted each other.

He is a middle-aged man with the unique temperament of a businessman. He looks strange and shrewd, but he is not annoying. He has bright eyes and a smile on his face.

Although the status of a businessman is not high, he is really rich.It used to be that having money could make ghosts turn millstones, but now money can make millstones turn ghosts.Let Mopan and ghosts fight.

Many poetry and book families look down on businessmen on the surface, but in fact they also do business secretly. It is very common for the sons to study and the sons to do business.Especially in the southern area, Confucian businessmen are common, and their family members have been officials and educated, so there are more ways.

Having said that, Zhou Yirong is not like a Confucian businessman, he is like the kind of self-made big boss. After Zhu Biao talked to him a few words, he felt that this person is all-round and exquisite, and he can eat anywhere. I am afraid that he met the old-fashioned Master Song. , can also communicate, maybe you can sell some ink from him, and buy some calligraphy from him.

"Mr. Zhou came to Yingtian to sell cloth? Where did he come from? How much profit will he make?"

Zhou Yirong said: "Actually, I don't want to make money this time. I mainly want to see Yingtian's customs and customs, investigate the market, and bring some goods. After all, cloth is always a hard currency, and it can be sold to subsidize the travel expenses."

"Are businessmen in Hangzhou interested in Pingtian?"

"Hmm..." Zhou Yirong weighed his words, "The water battle at Poyang Lake has attracted the attention of the whole south of the Yangtze River. Now that Marshal Zhu has won, the emperor of the Han Dynasty is dead, and the Han Dynasty is about to be destroyed. Wuchang is about to fall into chaos. Back road..."

"What's the way back?" Zhu Biao asked, "Could it be that the merchants in Hangzhou only went to Wuchang to do business in the past?"

"Of course not." Zhou Yirong said with a smile, "Wuchang's business is gone, and Yingtian is sure to work harder. But which way does this mean?"

"Which one?" Zhu Biao asked.

"Your Excellency already knows, why ask again?"

Zhu Biao smiled: "Obviously it was Mr. Zhou who said something first, and he made it clear everywhere, but now it seems like I'm trying to force him."

"Hey! Just kidding. I just had a good chat with this brother. I saw that he was from the military and wanted to get acquainted. I didn't expect the surprise to come."

When talking with Zhu Biao, Mu Ying didn't intervene, which made Zhou Yirong understand that his judgment was correct. Looking at Mu Ying, he felt that this young man was already a general with a high status. After seeing Zhu Biao's behavior, he realized that this young man was The teenager is the leader, and I am afraid there is greater value behind it.

"What kind of high-ranking officials and dignitaries does Mr. Zhou want to meet, and how much gold and silver has he prepared for bribes?"

These words were so straightforward that Zhou Yirong was taken aback.

He said cautiously: "The gold and silver treasures are only imaginary, and the relationship obtained temporarily is not solid. I mean to find a reliable line of profit."

"Linkage of interests?"

"Exactly."

"It's okay to sell cloth in prosperous times, but selling cloth in troubled times promises benefits, isn't that right?"

With such a strong tone, what kind of family can be educated?I am afraid that this child is born without the need to bow his head to others to discuss, nor to make false claims, and speak directly to the center.

Zhou Yirong was more careful: "Suhu is cooked, and the world is full. Of course, food is sold in troubled times."

"Doesn't selling grain betray Zhang Shicheng?"

Sweat was already fine and dense, quietly soaking through Zhou Yirong's clothes. It was hot in summer, but it was cold in the City God's Temple, so he shouldn't be sweating.

"Businessmen value profits," he said, "major events in the world must be united for a long time. The big man has fallen, and looking at the overall situation, only Marshal Zhu can be the winner. Zhang Shicheng can't even stop us businessmen from selling grain, so how can we rest assured that he is a wise man?" Woolen cloth?"

sophistry.

But he was right.The news obtained through various channels indeed shows that Zhang Shicheng's management is chaotic, the personnel is redundant, and the wealth there is a breeding ground for corruption.

During the conversation, Mu Ying felt Zhu Biao's attitude, and watched Zhou Yirong's eyes gradually change, from a friend to a stranger, and then to indifference.

Zhou Yirong noticed this change, and his forehead was sweating.

He has traveled far and wide, and has seen all kinds of dangers, even the monsters and ghosts in the mountains, and he has killed a few of them by tricks.Passing by the Town God's Temple today, thinking of paying homage, who would have met a little general, wanted to get a door from the little general, now it seems that it is the gate of hell.

The butler outside the temple was too far away from him, not to mention the caravan he left behind in order not to attract attention.Even if it was really close, the person next to him might be able to wring his head off and kick it like a ball by raising his hand.

Zhu Biao's opening finally saved Zhou Yirong.

"Mr. Zhou." He said politely, "My brother and I will take you to visit Yingtian Mansion first. There are several restaurants in the city that are very good. There are private rooms on the roof, and tables can be placed on the balcony. You can have a panoramic view of the city. After dinner How about strolling along the Qinhuai River?"

"Okay, okay, I think it's wonderful."

"At night, when my elder brother and I returned home, we brought Mr. Zhou to meet my father. He is in Yingtian Mansion... He barely cares about everything. In terms of interests, it is also related."

"Yes, yes." Zhou Yirong took out a handkerchief and wiped his head.

"And he really hates Zhang Shicheng, you may have something in common."