Chapter 416 The Chu Family Comes Again
The Yangzhou prefect had already sent someone to deliver a letter to the governor, but the horses were not allowed to leave the stables. With only manpower, even if they froze to death, they might not be able to deliver the letter.
But even so, I still have to send it.
The Yangzhou prefect couldn't even enjoy his meals. He prayed to God in his study every day, asking him to clear up the weather soon, otherwise he would have to move his official hat.
Inside the inn, the temperature was freezing cold enough to freeze someone to death.
The only ones left here now are some out-of-town merchants who didn't have time to evacuate and ordinary people who are visiting relatives.
The shopkeeper wanted to raise the price, and the customers had to agree. Fortunately, it was only the first day, otherwise they really couldn't afford to spend like this every day.
The shopkeeper came to the innermost room on the second floor, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
The door opened and Zhu Mingqing appeared: "What's going on?"
Thinking about the large sum of money coming in, the shopkeeper smiled and said, "Guest, our room prices have increased. If you want to continue staying here, I'm afraid you'll have to pay more."
Zhu Mingqing sneered, "Why, the money the Chu family gave you last night is not enough to spend?"
The shopkeeper's mouth froze, his pupils locked tightly: "You..."
"Want to ask me how I know?" When Zhu Mingqing stepped out of the room, the shopkeeper immediately stepped back, feeling uneasy.
"You stole my medicinal herbs, do you really think I'm blind?" Zhu Mingqing stared at him, a warning in his eyes: "Do you think the Chu family will think you're colluding with me to deliberately deceive them?"
"I don't have it!" The shopkeeper's voice trembled.
"Who knows!" Zhu Mingqing's voice was full of gloating.
It was like a devilish sound entering his ears. The shopkeeper was frightened and immediately said, "No price increase. You can stay here as long as you want. Just don't tell the Chu family about it. Okay?"
Zhu Mingqing leaned lazily against the door frame and said with a smile, "Then it depends on the shopkeeper's performance."
After saying that, he turned and walked in.
The shopkeeper looked at the closed door, ran down quickly, and ordered the waiter to deliver high-quality silver charcoal to the room, with no limit on the quantity. He also ordered the cook to serve the guests well, and if there were any dishes that were not to their liking, they could just change them without asking him.
The innkeeper looked at him as if he had gone mad, and thought that the guest was generous and was happy about it. But in fact, he was really scared by what the lady said, and was afraid that the Chu family would believe it and take revenge.
If it weren't for this terrible weather, he would have wanted to sell the inn and leave Yangzhou City with his family.
After all, there is still a chance of survival if you leave.
"You scared him again."
In the room, Luo Tingshan looked at Ming Qing, who had a smile on his face and had successfully pulled off a prank, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.
Zhu Mingqing sat nearby and snorted, "Who dared this shopkeeper to steal my wife's herbs? He's so bold, he deserves to be scared!"
There was snow outside, but the temperature inside was just right, as if the sun was shining brightly, and there was no trace of coldness.
Luo Tingshan looked at the several pots of charcoal fire placed in the house and said nothing. Instead, he asked, "How long do you think this weather will last?"
Zhu Mingqing rested his chin on his hand and sighed, "It won't be over in a short while."
Little Jie Ling said that the weather had changed, but she didn't know it would be so serious, with snow falling in June.
"Has this ever happened here in winter?" she asked, suddenly turning her head.
Luo Tingshan recalled: "Never!"
"Okay, I know the reason!" Zhu Mingqing said meaningfully, "History has always been like this. At the end of dynasties, all kinds of natural disasters always occur."
Luo Tingshan was stunned and said helplessly: "Can this be linked to the national destiny?"
Zhu Mingqing chuckled and said, "Don't disbelieve me. The reality is right in front of us. Last year, there were floods in Yuzhou, today's drought, and now it's snowing in Yangzhou. Has the court ever intervened?"
Luo Tingshan fell silent.
Emperor Jiancheng certainly took charge of it, but it was only a verbal order. The actions below did not keep up, and in the end the people had to suffer the consequences.
He suddenly said, "Mingqing, I want to ask you a favor."
Zhu Mingqing rarely saw him look so serious, so he nodded and said, "You go ahead."
"I know you have access to food transportation channels. If possible, when the weather gets less cold, can you ship some over here?"
Although by then, many people would definitely never wake up again.
Luo Tingshan once again felt the ruthlessness of nature, but still wanted to do something.
He assured: "Don't worry, I will give you money!"
Zhu Mingqing raised his eyebrows and snorted, "Do you think I will just stand by and watch?"
Hearing this, Luo Tingshan smiled gently. "Of course not, but I don't want you to pay every time. Besides, Yangzhou City has a large population, and it's not something that can be solved with just a few tens of thousands of kilograms of grain. You should keep your money for yourself. I have money."
Not to mention, the three words "I have money" really sound nice.
Zhu Mingqing is not a sucker. Since someone wants to spend money to buy food, he can just provide the medicinal materials.
Moreover, in this kind of weather, there must be many people feeling unwell, so she proposed the method of making medicinal food. She would provide the medicinal materials to absolutely ensure the reliability of the food.
While the two were talking, the Chu family came to visit again.
This time it was Mr. Chu who came in person. Even though the weather was not suitable for going out, he still came.
The Chu family wanted to purchase medicinal materials, but Zhu Mingqing didn't care and directly refused before the other party could say the price.
"Madam Ming, Yangzhou City is now isolated from the outside world, so it's better not to act on your own."
Mr. Chu had a smile on his face, but he made threatening remarks and finally gave an extremely low price.
Seventy thousand taels!
Take all the herbs away!
"Ahem!" Zhu Mingqing even thought there was something wrong with his ears. "Mr. Chu, you really love to joke around."
"I'm not joking. Madam Ming, you'd better think it over carefully. I will accompany you to the end today. If you think it's appropriate, we can sign the contract at any time!" Old Master Chu took out a stack of banknotes, showing that he was still very generous.
After all, the requirement of Weiyuan Marquis Mansion is to deliver all medicinal materials to the dock before tomorrow.
Only one night left!
His smiling face is like a smiling tiger, giving people a gentle and kind feeling, but once you trust him, I am afraid he will eat you up without leaving a bone.
When Zhu Mingqing saw this kind of person, he thought of his former boss who was smiling on the surface but was actually using all kinds of tricks behind the scenes, and his fists instantly hardened.
She stood up and opened the door: "Goodbye!"
Mr. Chu's expression remained unchanged as he raised the price again: "How about this, I'll add another ten thousand taels. What do you say? Madam Ming must think carefully before selling."
Eighty thousand taels was the bottom price in his mind.
If he didn't need this batch of medicinal materials urgently and couldn't compete openly with the Feng family, he wouldn't give the Ming family even 50,000 taels, let alone 80,000 taels.
Just grab it!
Zhu Mingqing sneered: "Mr. Chu is old, it seems his ears are really useless."
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