To The Land of Nevernight

This fabric shop was opened by a shopkeeper from the Song Dynasty, but behind him was an owner from the Liao Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom often had trade relations. After all, Luohe Town belonged to the Song Dynasty. There were not many Liao people's shops in the town, and most of them were opened by the Song people.This store is an exception.

After hearing Yao San's words, the shopkeeper directly closed the shop door and led them into the back room.He knocked on the door first, asked the people inside for their opinion, then went out and said, "Come in."

Tang Shen and the others followed him into the house.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw a screen with thousands of mountains. The screen was a painting by a person from this dynasty. It was not worth a lot of money, but it was painted with a taste of Liu Ziang, a painter of the former dynasty.Looking at the two sides, there are landscape paintings hanging on the wall.At most, it is the works of the previous dynasty, and most of them are from the current dynasty. Although the paintings are good, the painters are not well-known, and they can't sell for much money.

The room is smelling of spices, and it looks like an elegant scholar, but no matter how you look at it, it looks like a paper tiger.

Tang Shen had entered Wang Qin's study room, compared with it, here is not only a sky and a ground, it is like an arty cottage.

"You are the boss of that Yao boy?" A rough voice came from behind the screen, and soon, a middle-aged man with a Liao fur coat and Mediterranean hair came out from behind.He looked at shopkeeper Lu up and down, and said, "He really looks like a person from Song Dynasty." There was an imperceptible trace of contempt and complacency in his tone.

Shopkeeper Lu's complexion changed slightly, and he said with a smile, "My surname is Lu."

Hanzi from Liao: "Yelüju."

Shopkeeper Lu smiled and said, "So it's Lord Yelu."

Everyone didn't pay much attention to Yelujuu's surname.

The Liao Kingdom is different from the Song Dynasty. In fact, their entire country has only two surnames: Yelu and Xiao.Ordinary people do not have surnames, only nobles and middle class have surnames.However, shopkeeper Lu knew from Yao San that this Yelvjiu was indeed a half-noble, he was from Liao in Liucheng County, and his mother was a noblewoman.But in Yelujuu's generation, there are only some noble names left.

Yeluqiu is a businessman who mainly sells horses, and is also a wealthy businessman in Liucheng County.

However, what they want to buy this time is not horses, but cattle and sheep.

Shopkeeper Lu said: "Lord Yelu, Yao San should have said earlier that what I want to buy this time is not horses, but cattle and sheep." Horses can be bought by ordinary Song people, but they cannot be bought in large quantities. "Cows are scarce in our Song Dynasty, but I know that there are many in your place."

Yeluju: "A lot? Don't talk nonsense, those things are very expensive in our place."

Shopkeeper Lu narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Don't get me wrong, this time I mainly want to buy sheep."

Yeluju smiled and waved to the shopkeeper of the fabric shop.The shopkeeper from Song immediately stepped forward and reported the number.

Shopkeeper Lu's face changed, and Yao San immediately said: "You told me seven days ago, it's not this price!"

Yeluju laughed: "Seven days ago is the price seven days ago, and seven days later is the price seven days later. Don't you Song people think that the price will never increase when doing business?"

Yao San was about to explode when he was stopped by shopkeeper Lu.

As a servant, Tang Shen stood behind them, looking up at Yelujuu.Yeluju glanced at him, then looked away, not paying attention to him at all.

Shopkeeper Lu glanced at Tang Shen and said, "We have to go back and discuss this matter."

The three left the fabric shop quickly.

After returning to the inn, Yao San couldn't help but said angrily: "Those Liao people really turned their backs on their promises! They have always been like this when they were doing business in Luohe Town, and they looked down on Song people. If it weren't for many things that the Song Dynasty didn't have, they would have to come from the Liao Kingdom. Buying there, I really don’t care about dealing with them.”

Unlike the Song Dynasty, the Liao Kingdom has rough folk customs, eclecticism, tenacious vitality, and low requirements for living standards.Song people are used to gentleness, even if they do business, they mostly fight secretly, and never tear their faces in public.The Liao people were different. Most of the things they bought from the Song Dynasty were luxury goods, and they didn't care about the price, because the people who bought them were either nobles or they wanted to sell them to nobles.

Liao people are very rich.For example, the best horses are only found on the grasslands of the Liao Kingdom, and the Song people had to buy them from them.

Shopkeeper Lu said to Tang Shen: "Little boss, we don't necessarily have to do business with Nayelvjuu. What Xixialou wants is fresh beef and mutton. Not only Yelujuu has it, but also several other Liao merchants in Luohe Town. Sell."

Tang Shen pondered, tapping the table with his fingers: "But Yeluju is the only Liao merchant who has his own channel and can send things to Shengjing on the same day."

Shopkeeper Lu and Yao San looked at each other, unable to refute.

Other Liao merchants also sell beef and mutton, but they can't guarantee that they can deliver the goods to Shengjing on the same day.Yeluqiu's advantage is that he has his own delivery channel.Shengjing is not Gusu Mansion, there is no Tang's logistics, if you buy things from other people, Tang Shen has to spend energy to transport the things there, not necessarily on the same day.

Yao San: "But Yelvchu is too bullying. His price has increased by nearly [-]% compared to seven days ago!"

Tang Shen thought for a while, and said, "We do business with them, and the price is up to them. But shopkeeper Lu, tell Naye Lvqiu tomorrow that we agree with their price, and even higher."

Yao San was taken aback: "Little Dong, what is this?"

Tang Shen smiled slightly, and said: "Peak and valley pricing. The Xixia Building in Gusu Mansion has been open for two years, and you should have noticed that in summer, there are significantly fewer guests coming to Xixia Building for dinner."

Shopkeeper Lu: "The weather is hot, and it is always hot to eat the Boxia offering, so there are fewer people."

"Yes. It's the same in Shengjing. Summer in Shengjing is not much cooler than Gusu Mansion. So we need more beef and mutton in winter, but less in summer. But Yeluzhen doesn't know. So tomorrow we go , Treasurer Lu, you just told Naye Lüqiu that we are willing to offer this price, but we offer an average price. In winter, the weather is cold, and beef and mutton are not easy to go bad, and the requirements for the speed of delivery are not so high. Naturally, we are not willing to pay a high price, but only slightly lower than his price."

Yao San was still confused, but shopkeeper Lu's eyes lit up when he heard Tang Shen's words.He said: "I understand. Then I told him that the weather is hot in summer, and the cost of transporting beef and mutton will inevitably increase, and we are willing to pay a higher price for this. In this way, it seems The price is the same, but we actually spend significantly less money!"

After being happy for a while, shopkeeper Lu became sad again: "But my little boss, you can only hide this kind of thing for a year. When it comes next year, then Yeluqiu will definitely see that something is wrong."

Tang Shen asked back: "It's been a year, and Xixia Tower has not gained a firm foothold in Shengjing?"

Shopkeeper Lu: "Ah, you mean..."

Tang Shen said in a long tone: "It's been a year, why do we need to rely on other people's delivery channels and be restrained by others, shouldn't we have our own delivery channels?"

"You're right!"

The next day, shopkeeper Lu saw Yelvjuu and told him what Tang Shen had said.

Yelvju thought about it, and felt that it was not bad, but he stretched out another finger: "Today is the price."

Tang Shen frowned, shopkeeper Lu calculated in his mind the different demand for mutton in Xixialou in Gusu Mansion in winter and summer.Still earned!He pretended to be angry, and said helplessly, "Okay, deal."

On the way back to Shengjing, shopkeeper Lu was calculating, and Yao San was very angry with Yelujuu's arrogant appearance.

Shopkeeper Lu said: "He was tricked by us, and we made a profit, why are you so angry. Just take it as the price for his rudeness." Then he said to Tang Shen: "Little boss, I have calculated it. For Su Xixia Tower’s demand in each season, we have saved at least 3000 taels this time!”

Tang Shen: "Not only."

"what?"

"I believe that Shengjing people's love for Paxia Gong, especially mutton Paxia Gong, will definitely far exceed that of Gusu people."

Shopkeeper Lu beamed with joy, but he said again: "Little boss, I don't seem very happy to see you this way." Didn't they make money?

Tang Shen looked at him, then opened the curtain of the car, looked out the window to the distant sky, and could vaguely see a piece of grassland connected to the horizon.

"Liao people are a hidden danger after all."

Doing business is all about fairness and equality.They do business with Yelvjiu, and Yeluqiu makes money, but he makes things difficult for him.Because he was not afraid of Tang Shen's repentance, because he was the only one in Luohe Town who could make this deal.But in his arrogant attitude, it is because the peace treaty between Song and Liao 17 years ago was based on the tragic victory of the Song people!

Seventeen years ago, the two countries ceased fighting and signed a seemingly equal treaty.But it was not easy for the Song Dynasty to win, and the soldiers suffered heavy casualties.

A rich businessman from the Liao Kingdom who is not considered an aristocrat always has this attitude towards the people of the Song Dynasty. Imagine the attitude of the monarchs and ministers of the Liao Kingdom towards the people of the Song Dynasty in the court of the Liao Kingdom.

The Song Dynasty in this world was better than the one Tang Shen knew, but it was only better.

The gentleman does not stand under the wall.

Compared with Liao, Song did not want to go to war.

Tang Shen sighed, these things are still far away from him now.

After returning to Shengjing, on the second day, it was Tang Shen and Yao Pu's turn to be on errands.

After finishing the morning court in the Zichen Hall, the emperor came to the Chuigong Hall to deal with political affairs. Yao Bang and Tang Shen sat on one side.At noon, Tang Shen changed shifts with another housekeeper, and when he came back in the evening, he walked lightly into the Chuigong Hall.Looking up, he saw a familiar figure standing in the center of the hall.

Tang Shen paused, then walked to his seat with his head down, sat down, picked up a pen and began to write.

Zhao Fu looked at the folder in his hand, neither sad nor happy, and a sneer appeared on his thin lips.He breathed a long sigh of relief, and the eunuch Ji Fu who was standing beside him immediately understood, stepped forward to take the booklet, and handed over a cup of ginseng tea.

As soon as his fingers touched the teacup, Zhao Fu's expression suddenly changed, and he slapped the teacup to the ground with his palm.

There was the crisp sound of broken porcelain.

Ji Fu knelt on the ground in panic, Tang Shen and Yao Pan also stood up, leaning over to face the saint.Even Wang Qin, who was standing in the center of the hall, bowed his head slightly and saluted.I saw Zhao Fu sitting on the chair, shaking his hands slightly, and said in a sullen voice, "Why is this tea so hot!"

Ji Fu was stunned for a moment, then rolled his eyes: "The slave knows his mistake, the slave knows his mistake."

Zhao Fu said: "You can't even do this little thing well. Go back today and reflect on it. Zifeng, what do you think should be done with this lowly maid?"

Zifeng?

Tang Shen was surprised by Zhao Fu's closeness to Wang Qin.

At this time, Wang Qin's elegant voice sounded: "The tea is hot, you have to know how hot it is before it gets to your hands, and blow it to cool. Your majesty's dragon body is not in good condition recently, and Ji Gonggong must be worried about your majesty's dragon body. It was just a moment of carelessness and negligence."

"The tea is hot, so I have to blow it to cool." Zhao Fu smiled, "But it's too hot, how can I have the patience, why don't I just pour it all out."

Wang Qin smiled lightly: "Your Majesty's words are true."

After a while, Wang Qin left the Chuigong Hall, and Tang Shen and Yao Tong were in the hall to record the conversation between Zhao Fu and Wang Zifeng just now.

At night, the emperor entered the harem, and the two left the palace together.

Yao Bo sighed, "Is that cup of tea really hot?"

Tang Shen glanced at him and said, "Your Majesty said it was hot."

Yao Pan said clearly, "Yes, it's hot."

The two left the palace, said goodbye and left.

Back home, Tang Shen looked at the cup of tea that Fengbi had brewed for him, and fell into deep thought.

Who is Ji Fu? He grew up serving Zhao Fu since he was a child, and has followed Zhao Fu for more than 50 years.He won the king's heart so much that he could pass a cup of hot tea to Zhao Fu by mistake?

Every word Zhao Fu and Wang Zifeng said today has a deep meaning!

"Never read "Life Notes", let alone change it. It's because you don't need to read it at all. If you really want to do something, you won't let anyone who shouldn't know notice it. This is the emperor... But geese leave traces, and everything will leave clues."

Tang Shen immediately took out a book from the hidden compartment and flipped through it.

This time, he only looked at the relevant records of Zhao Fu summoning Su Wenyun, and carefully read some details that he hadn't noticed in the past.

Others may not be able to figure out Jun's heart and understand Zhao Fu's meaning.But Wang Qin can do it, and likewise, Su Wenyun, who is favored and trusted, can definitely do it too.

The next day Tang Shen took a bath, and he watched the whole night, the candle was still on.

The next day, Tang Shen handed over the affairs of the Xixialou Shengjing branch to the shopkeeper Lu, and went to Shangshufu himself.

In the evening, Wang Qin came back from the Yamen and met Tang Shen.He first looked left and right, and said with a smile: "Didn't the younger brother come to give me something today?"

Every time Tang Shen came to Shangshu Mansion, he always brought something with him.

When he said this, Tang Shen was stunned.He really didn't think about bringing anything here today.

Wang Qin nodded slightly: "I didn't come here to deliver things on purpose, then I must really miss me."

Tang Shen: "..."

Wang Qin: "Is there anything you want to ask?"

Tang Shen was about to speak when he suddenly remembered Wang Qin's words "I am your senior brother".For some reason, the cautiousness in his heart dissipated a little bit, and the tone of his speech was more casual and intimate than he himself noticed: "Why do I either give gifts to senior brother every time I come, or ask for something?"

Looking at his appearance, Wang Qin was stunned for a moment, then he smiled and said, "What is that for?"

Tang Shen coughed twice, and said, "Junior brother has a different career in Gusu Mansion... Cough cough, senior brother Zifeng knows?"

This court did not prohibit officials from engaging in business. Tang Shen's soap and gold thread business, Wang Qin, certainly knew that the phrase "smoke cage, cold water, moon cage sand" in Jinling Mansion was still inscribed by him.

"Well, so what?"

Tang Shen: "In a few days, I will open a restaurant in Shengjing Mansion, called Xixia Restaurant.

Wang Qin raised his eyebrows: "Only making the Xia offering?"

"Yes, it's only for the rosary offering."

"Which two characters are the word Xixia?"

"It must be taught that the moon is slender and jade, and the fine clouds are shining with gold. It is this Xixia. Brother Zifeng has never been to Gusu Mansion, and there is no Xixia Tower in Jinling. So in a few days, I would like to invite my brother and my husband to go. Xixia Pavilion, let’s try it together. Eating the Poxia Puja in winter is the happiest fairy thing!"