In previous years, when winter came in the northwest, there would be fewer people on the streets. The enthusiasm for chatting would be defeated by the cold weather. At most, people would take advantage of the bright sunshine at noon to lean against the uncovered wall to bask in the sun.
But the winter of the twelfth year of Xuanhe was different from previous years.
The weather is still as cold as ever, but no matter whether it is Xining Town or Xiping County, there are still so many people on the streets, without any decrease.
Isn’t it cold? Really not. I’m wearing rubber-soled boots, and at worst, I’m wearing long-sleeved shirts and long johns with a cotton-padded jacket and trousers. I’m quite warm.
Those who have a little spare money will put on sweaters, trousers and down jackets, kick their hands, cover their faces with scarves, and start chatting early in the morning without any delay.
Even those vendors who set up small stalls but were worried about how to make a living when the weather turned cold were all smiling, stirring the steaming iron pots vigorously, and responding to the diners in particularly loud voices.
"A bowl of salty tofu pudding! It'll be ready soon!"
"Two big buns? They're the same style as in Xining Town, guaranteed to be the same size!"
"Come and try this fried dough stick and soy milk, it's so hot!"
…
Why are you all coming out?
Why are you so enthusiastic?
That's of course because of the National Challenge. After two months, no one knows anything about it when it is mentioned. Even people in Lin'an County, which is the farthest away from Xiping County, look down on it. They are not keeping up with the trend!
Although there is no national challenge in Lin'an County and Anyong County, they can participate in Xiping County based on their household registration!
As long as you bring it with you for a few days, you can participate from morning to late at night, and you can go back with a lot of rewards. There are buses and camels and horses to pick you up back and forth, and the farthest Lin'an County only costs ten copper coins.
I have to shop for the New Year anyway. Even if it's farther away, I can spend much less money than before and buy almost everything I need at once. Only a fool would not do that.
In short, the colder the weather gets and the closer it gets to the New Year, the more lively Xiping County and Xining Town become.
Even though you can buy goods from Xining Town in Xiping County, no one has ever seen the inn that is praised to the sky, the commercial street that is spacious enough for horse racing, and the many delicious foods. It would be a shame not to go there if you are already in Xiping County.
This is like going to Tai'an and not climbing Mount Tai, it's like going there in vain.
However, the largest number of people is naturally near the National Challenge.
With Liu Ming's joining, the courtyard of the National Challenge was expanded four times, and each area occupied an area as large as four of the original areas.
Now it can no longer be called a courtyard. The National Challenge has become an area with many shops and inns built around it. The population of the other two counties in the northwest is enough to support these shops.
As for the original merchants in Xiping County? They were definitely dissatisfied at first, as the National Challenge had taken away nearly 90% of the customers from both inside and outside the county.
The other shops were so depressed for a month that the owners cried bitterly. The Northwest Trading Company was the hardest hit. During that time, Xilha and Boss Zheng were so embarrassed that they couldn't bear to look at their faces.
It’s not that he didn’t want to cause trouble for the Qiao family, but even if he spent a lot of money to buy a Northwest household registration, or even bribed the county magistrate, it was of no use.
General Dingbei is personally supervising the matter. Unless they can bribe the saint of Dayue, all their actions will be in vain.
Xilha refused to admit defeat and secretly sent people to instigate merchants in Xiping County to protest collectively. You know, these merchants are major taxpayers.
Whether he was forced to close the shop, or had to leave his hometown, or even was lured by the Northern Mongols and impeached in the capital, even General Cheng Shao would have to bear the consequences.
But before the merchants could unite, the Northwest Logistics Center opened for business under Liu Ming's diligent and efficient work.
Not only did they cause the sound of falling tiles that could be heard throughout the entire street, they even hired a lion dance troupe, which danced all day long in Xiping County from morning till night, holding up the billboards.
The six dragon dance teams were too tired to get up at night, which shows how hard they worked.
The Northwest is bitterly cold. People there are so used to hearing the word "bitterly and cold" that they have to work hard to earn a living all year round. There is basically no entertainment in their life.
Therefore, whenever there are singers, jugglers, dragon and lion dances, they will definitely attract a lot of people to join in the fun.
Therefore, even non-merchants knew about the existence of the logistics center, and those who could read read out loud the advertising slogan:
[Northwest Logistics Center, a caring butler for merchants, you can buy everything you want here, including tickets for the National Challenge]
[Northwest Logistics Center, a warm blessing for the people. We can provide Xiping County with everything you want to buy, including goods from Xining Town Commercial Street]
[Northwest Logistics Center, a transit station for all goods. We bear the risks on the road for you, so your family no longer needs to worry about your safety on the road.]
…
Such vernacular advertising slogans made ordinary people laugh while watching the lively lion dance. Some people even chased six different teams to collect the advertising slogans.
Then even children knew what the logistics center was for. They just had to go to the logistics center and tell it what they needed. They could buy anything in Xiping County without having to travel over thousands of mountains and rivers.
The people no longer have to chase after traveling merchants and accept their high prices, nor do they have to worry about what to do if the merchants run away. If they want to sell things, they have to please others and be forced to lower their prices.
If the common people know this, merchants will naturally understand the benefits.
If admission tickets can be purchased not only at Jufu Supermarket, ordinary people will definitely be willing to choose shops that offer admission tickets as long as their family needs are met!
The ones who are bullied the most by traveling merchants and businessmen are not the common people, but the local merchants who are doing business to make money!
What are you looking for? Protest!
Except for those who are still waiting and watching out of caution, countless merchants have crowded into the logistics center.
"I want an admission ticket! Do I have to buy something from Xining Town to get it? Then I want Xining Town's goods, a VIP card? Got it!"
"I want to promote my products in the National Challenge and use them as prizes as an accessory for Jufu Supermarket? Sure!"
"I want the medicinal herbs from Anyong County. I can ask for anything as commission. I'll pay whatever the commission is!"
"We have too little fruit in Xiping County. Can we have more fruit? What? Will there be a shop selling it in ten days? That's great!"
Those who were waiting and watching soon discovered the benefits of the logistics center. Once they entered the logistics center, they no longer had to travel far to deliver goods and make purchases themselves.
You just need to make a request and pay a certain percentage of commission, and the goods can be purchased and delivered safely. The transportation is done by the Gubei Army!
Moreover, the National Challenge is no longer limited to Jufu Supermarket and Xining Town. Although the prices may be a little higher, you can get an admission ticket by buying what you need in most shops and adding needles and thread to the goods in Xining Town.
As for things that Xiping County does not have, as long as more people ask for them, a notice will soon be posted on the blackboard outside the logistics center, clearly marking how much goods have been shipped, which store has received the goods and where they can be purchased, and the recommended purchase price range.
The people never thought that the coal from Lin'an County could be bought in many shops in Xiping County at a price that was one-third cheaper than before.
They even discovered that dried citrus fruits and honeydew melons, which were previously only available in Anyong County, can now be bought in Xiping County in the winter, and the prices are not any more expensive than in the summer.
Merchants are the ones who feel the benefits of logistics centers the most. As long as they order goods from logistics centers, they can save travel expenses, food and accommodation, the effort of bargaining with others, and the risk of damage along the way. They can also get the goods at an exceptionally favorable price and faster than before.
In this way, their costs are greatly reduced, the selling price is also lower, people are more willing to buy, and they make more money than before.
Moreover, the logistics center is responsible for transporting the unsold stockpiled goods to other county towns or subordinate counties and towns, and the payment for the goods can be collected quickly. Even if a commission is paid, the selling price is higher than if they sell at a low price.
The most important thing is that as long as they are willing to pay commissions or goods, they can also participate in the national challenge that countless merchants are jealous of.
The admission ticket is the same as the purchase of goods by ordinary people. One piece of goods can get one admission ticket. Moreover, after buying the VIP card of Xining Town, you can buy goods at a lower price and save commissions. Even if you sell those goods in Xiping County at the original price, you will make money.
As for wanting your own products to appear on the prize stand of the National Challenge, although you cannot charge for the goods, as more people get the prizes, they will know that the goods are delicious, useful and beautiful, and they will always attract many customers.
Although these prizes are in the form of accessories, the name and address of your own shop can be affixed to the goods.
In just one month, the logistics center conquered most of the merchants in Xiping County.
Oh, you ask Hilha?
The Northwest Trading Company could no longer operate and was forced to close. Su Rina and her mother were invited back to Northern Mongolia by the Qi Yan clan.
Smaller merchants can either enter the customs or achieve the purpose of selling and receiving goods through the logistics center. There is no need for them to get involved in the muddy water of the Northwest Trading Company.
It can be said that Miao Wan had no dealings with Northwest Commercial Bank from the beginning to the end. In the eyes of outsiders, Jufu Supermarket did not even give Northwest Commercial Bank a second glance and just let it run for its money and close down.
This also fulfilled Miao Wan's claim that it was two meters long, and she blew it while holding her belly.
Most people were very happy, and the only ones injured were Wuliangha and Boss Zheng.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Zheng Hui quickly extricated himself from it. He did not even dare to delay in the northwest any longer and returned to Jiangnan in disgrace.
At least the cloth business there cannot be affected, and even if the Qiao family wants to do something, they can't do anything to him.
Miao Wan learned from Liu Ming that Zheng Hui had left and sneered for a moment, "Let him go back. If he doesn't go back, how could he be thrown into prison?"
The memorial that Qiao Ruichen submitted to the saint should have arrived by now.
Liu Ming felt a chill in his heart when he heard this. As expected, although this young lady looked soft-hearted, she actually never intended to let go of those who betrayed her. This was the case with Wuliangha and Zheng Hui.
He was secretly glad that he had married a good wife who had woken him up from his scolding, otherwise his whole family would have been in trouble.
Liu Ming, who was so grateful in his heart, not only worked harder, but also properly sent away the concubine in the northwest, leaving only the concubine's son to be handed over to his wife.
He felt that if he hurt his wife's feelings, it would be difficult for the Liu family to maintain harmony and prosperity. Now his wife probably knew that he must be having an affair outside, so it was not too late to regret it.
More importantly, he could feel that Miao Wan would definitely not tolerate his behavior, even if she didn't know. If she knew that he had a second wife, she might replace him.
In the past, Liu Ming was still thinking about waiting and watching, but now he has made up his mind to tie himself to the Qiao family, and he cannot make Miao Wan unhappy about such things.
Although Miao Wan didn't know, Aya knew. When she reported, she reported everything Liu Ming had done.
"Is that woman sure she left voluntarily?" Miao Wan asked, "What will happen to her next?"
Although she didn't like the practice of taking concubines in this era, she knew that she couldn't change these things, but she could still avoid cooperating with people who had ulterior motives.
If he can't even guarantee his loyalty to his wife, how can you expect him to be loyal in the cooperation?
Therefore, she never gave Liu Ming an accurate answer to his intention to take over the Henan Sanjun Logistics Center. She just asked Aya and the others to learn from Liu Ming and that the Northwest Logistics Center must be controlled by their own people.
As for the interior of the country, it’s not too late to talk about it next year.
Aya nodded. "I sent someone to contact that woman. She was crying at first. I don't know what Boss Liu said to her, but she ended up settling down in Anyong County with her money as a widow. When she left, Ajiao found out that she was planning to get married."
There is no woman who doesn't want to be the wife of a wealthy man. If she has money and good protection, and Liu Ming is not a powerful person and is only in the northwest for a few months a year, it is not difficult to understand why the other party could be persuaded.
Miao Wan nodded and said, "Tell people to be careful when they go to Anyong County. Don't let anyone bully her before she really settles down."
Liu Ming must have discovered the problem, and she handled it based on her principles. Miao Wan couldn't do much about it, but at least she made sure that no one was harmed because of her.
Aya's eyes were more moved, "I'll remember that."
After saying that, her eyes flashed and she opened her mouth to say something, but her face turned red and she didn't say it.
Miao Wan felt something was up, holding her big belly and gossiping, "What's wrong? Do you have a crush? Are you almost getting enough points to post the contract? If you want to get married, as long as it's suitable, I won't stop you."
Aya's face turned red as a monkey's butt, and she waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, it's not even started yet, don't talk nonsense, I won't release the contract now, I want to be like Sister Ayuan, accumulate more points and become a shareholder."
"Oh~~~ I have the horoscope." Miao Wan chuckled.
Aya stamped her feet in shame, turned around and ran out, "Taotao and the little lady haven't come back yet, I'm going to the National Challenge to see!"
After saying that, she ran away as if there was a dog chasing her.
Sun Yaozu came in to settle the bill and was startled. When he saw who was running away, his eyes dimmed for a moment before he walked in.
"Sister Awan."
Miao Wan saw Sun Yaozu hanging his head and was puzzled. "Is there a problem with the accounts?"
It shouldn't be.
Sun Yaozu took the Tongsheng exam in April and passed it on his first try. In fact, according to his father-in-law Qiao Shengwen, he had solid academic knowledge, but he failed the exams because of his temperament and being bullied by others.
After taking a two-year break (being exploited by Miao Shiren), he became much more cheerful than before, no longer resisted the imperial examination, and successfully became a student.
Old Sun and Madam Sun were excited for quite a while. Even Madam Sun, who was so stingy, made clothes for Miao Wan and Taotao respectively, using particularly good materials.
However, this joy was soon suppressed. Sun Yaozu seemed to have some psychological problems in the past and did not like to deal with people. Even if Sun Laohuo and his wife wanted their son to get married, Sun Yaozu always gave them a perfunctory answer after taking the imperial examination.
After much difficulty, he passed the examination for Tongsheng, but he had no intention of taking the exam for Xiucai. Instead, he devoted himself to his work in the accounting office. So his family had to consider his marriage.
Even Donkey Dan and Changshou are being looked for new partners by their families, not to mention Sun Yaozu who will be 18 next year.
Even Sun was anxious and angry for a long time.
Sun Yaozu also wanted to avoid his family's pressure to get married, so he followed Miao Wan to the county town to help her with the accounts. However, the accounts have now been optimized by Gu Shuyao, and there is a signature of the person in charge under each account, so it is clear who is responsible if there is a problem.
So Miao Wan couldn't figure out what Sun Yaozu was worried about.
"No, no, it's not a problem with the accounts." Sun Yaozu quickly shook his head and put the account book in front of Miao Wan.
"This is this month's report. Sister, please take a look. The logistics center has not yet sold some of the goods this month. Although the commission is not small, the food, clothing and shelter of the soldiers in the field are all provided by us, which almost offsets the income, so the income is not much.
Based on the current situation, we estimate that we will start to make a profit next month, and after deducting the costs before the New Year, we estimate that we will make a profit of about 100,000 taels."
Miao Wan's belly was growing bigger and bigger, and she couldn't keep up with the pace. She glanced over the accounts and felt that there was nothing wrong. "Then you can go back and tell Aya to talk to Boss Liu and split the profits in the twelfth month."
Sun Yaozu paused and looked at Miao Wan eagerly, "How about...Sister, you go and tell them?"
"Huh?" Miao Wan widened her eyes. This was the first time Sun Yaozu refused a job. What was going on? Was the child going to rebel at the age of eighteen?
Sun Yaozu explained dryly, "I, I saw Aya, she didn't want to talk to me. Just now, she ran away before I even came in. She must be mad at me."
Miao Wan immediately smelled the scent of melon. She sat up straight, holding her belly, and a smirk appeared on her face unconsciously. "Oh? Why is she angry with you? Did you offend her?"
Sun Yaozu quickly waved his hands, "No, no, how dare I..."
Under Miao Wan's scorching gaze, Sun Yaozu's face flushed red, and his voice became increasingly softer. "That's right, I gave her something, and Ajiao and the others saw it and laughed at her... Ever since then, Aya has ignored me."
Miao Wan almost laughed out loud. The horoscope was found, and it was here.
No wonder Sun Yaozu was hiding from Sun Laohuo and his wife who were urging him to get married. It turns out that he already has someone in his heart.
Perhaps because she was afraid that Aya was just a maid with a bond and her parents would not agree, Miao Wan suddenly felt like playing matchmaker and her face suddenly frowned.
"Aya is my right-hand man. She is clearly able to release her indentures, but she is also working hard and setting higher standards for herself. She plans to become a partner of the Qiao family in the future.
If you like her, you must have asked Sun Ada to invite a matchmaker to come to your house, and Aya must agree. Isn't it rude to do it privately? "
Sun Yaozu was extremely panicked. "I, I just saw that she never ate properly, so I sent her some food."
"That won't work either. There are so many people who want to please our Miss Aya. Go and call Sun Ada over." Miao Wan suppressed her smile and put on a serious face, as if she was going to sue the parents.
"I need to ask Sun Ada about this. He must give me an explanation."
Sun Yaozu was about to cry, "It's my fault, I, I was wrong, sister, don't look for my Ada, he will definitely beat me to death..."
Miao Wan paused awkwardly, "Alright then, go talk to Aya about the accounts. No matter what, you have to get her forgiveness, and I won't complain."
Sun Yaozu didn't dare to refuse. He even compared the two options: on one side was a fire stick, and on the other side was the forgiveness of his beloved. He agreed without hesitation, picked up the account and ran out.
"Hey! Aya is going to the national challenge!" Miao Wan called from behind.
Sun Yaozu staggered a bit, then ran out of the door towards the National Challenge.
After Sun Yaozu left, Miao Wan smiled and shook her head, then went to the kitchen to find Sun Laohuo.
No matter what, I have to find out what Sun Ada means.
But we can't let them underestimate Aya's identity. As parents, they can disagree, but refusing on the grounds of equal social status will only hurt the child's heart.
Besides, Miao Wan felt that with Sun Yaozu's fear of marriage, Sun Laohuo and his wife might have almost stopped being men, so they might not necessarily disagree.
While Miao Wan went to the kitchen to chat and ask questions with her Sun Ada, Sun Yaozu soon arrived at the National Challenge.
After finding out that Aya went to the Chaka Lake area, he followed her to the fourth area. As soon as he entered the door, he heard a "clang" sound, which made his head itch.
"Lin Dahai from Xiping County passed the first level of the fourth district and donated ten coins to the Gubei Army!"
Then there was another clang sound——
"Chen Laoer from Anyong County passed the third level of the fourth district and donated a total of thirty coins to the Gubei Army!"
When Sun Yaozu heard that it was the third level, a hint of envy and admiration flashed in his eyes. He had also secretly come to try it, but unfortunately, every time he was like a weight, he would fall into the water when he stood at the level. He drank a lot of sulfur-smelling water, but he never made it through.
He can now pass the third level. This month's third level is a big water turntable. If you are not careful, you will be thrown away. This person is really amazing!
Not only Sun Yaozu, but other people on the shore and in the water also looked at Chen Laoer, who was grinning on the podium, with admiration, and many of them praised him highly.
"He's a man!"
"I remember this is the third time I've challenged a level this month. Who knows? I might even get the Medal of Honor from the Gubei Army this month!"
"He's handsome, but I wonder if he's married yet. That guy who won the Medal of Honor last month had his door broken down by matchmakers!"
"Chen Lao Er, how did you get there? Teach us!"
Chen Laoer stood on the podium, holding the prize for the third level worth three taels of silver, which also contained a bottle of beautiful flower essential oil. He was grinning from ear to ear.
The praise and envy of the common people made him feel like he was floating in the air.
There was no need to sell these prizes; they were enough to cover the cost of the entrance tickets and the bus chariot.
I'll give the flower essential oil to my fiancée, and when the time comes, I'll be able to hold her hand.
Not to mention that if you work harder, you might even earn the gratitude of your fellow soldiers and a medal of honor that will allow you to buy things at a lower price everywhere.
For the Chen family, this is worthy of being a family heirloom, and many people want it but cannot get it.
You can get benefits, gain face and enhance your own strength. Chen Laoer told everyone the trick with a smile, while looking at the fourth level to cheer himself up.
No matter what, he must reach the final level and win the grand prize!
If he could conquer two more areas, he might not even have to spend money on betrothal gifts when he gets married.
There are many people like Chen Laoer, so since the establishment of the National Challenge, there has always been a shortage of people. People line up to challenge the challenge day and night until closing time.
When Sun Yaozu found Aya, she was holding Taotao, who was wrapped in a towel, and she and Qiao Rui were looking up at Chen Laoer who was high up.
His heart ached, and he suddenly had the urge to continue challenging himself.
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