Chapter 212: Floods Flooded the Dragon King Temple
The merchants did not gain any benefits from the officers and soldiers.
How could they possibly swallow such a huge loss?
The conditions were promised by Situ Ming, and now that the food is gone, it is natural for him to clean up the mess.
They immediately pulled the head of the Xu family together and asked him to go to Situ Ming to ask for an explanation.
The Xu family's patriarch also suppressed his irritation and comforted them: "Look at you, you are all veterans in the business world, but you are so excited just by such a small amount of food..."
A grain merchant snorted coldly, "Is this a food issue? This is a face issue!"
We have been in Jinyang Prefecture for decades. When have we ever been fooled like this?
It's like throwing our faces on the ground and stepping on them.
You can swallow this anger, but I can’t.”
He turned to look at the Xu family's patriarch: "Old Xu, you were the one who started this matter in the first place. Now that we've suffered such a huge loss, isn't it time for you to step in and resolve it?"
His proposal was exactly what the head of the Xu family wanted.
"I was indeed inconsiderate at the time. How about this? I'll talk to Situ Ming first and let you know after we've agreed on the compensation."
"Old Xu, you have to negotiate a deal this time and don't cause any more trouble." After giving the instructions, those people left.
The head of the Xu family looked at the backs of those people, and his eyes instantly turned cold.
A bunch of greedy parasites.
When the Xu family was still the most prominent family in the capital, all of these people followed his lead.
It was because the unfilial son in the family fell into the trap set by Magistrate Lan and ended up in jail.
In order to save his son, he spent most of his family wealth, which gave these old guys the opportunity to get ahead.
Once he reached a cooperation with Situ Ming and rescued his son, he successfully got in touch with the powerful people in the capital.
By then, let’s see if these old guys can still jump around.
The Xu family patriarch tilted his head and said to his subordinates, "Go find Situ Ming. Remember, be nice."
The subordinate looked puzzled, but did not question: "Yes."
Wen Yan and his group watched from a distance.
Uncle Lin asked, "Miss, are we going back to the capital now?"
Wen Yan didn't even think about it and shook her head, saying, "We can't leave yet. Wen Ruyue's food is just an appetizer. Huo Yaoxing's food is the main source."
She said to Uncle Lin, "Uncle Lin, you have to keep a close eye on Situ Ming recently. If he makes any move, you must inform me immediately."
She looked at Xue Yi again: "Uncle Xue, have you made any progress on the yard I asked you to help rent?"
Uncle Xue replied, "It's already been negotiated. We can move in this afternoon."
Wen Yan said, "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Xue."
In the afternoon, Wen Yan and the others were busy moving.
Situ Ming and the head of the Xu family also met in the teahouse.
Although the head of the Xu family wanted to curry favor with the power behind Situ Ming, he would not be servile and flattering.
With a sullen face, he strode into the private room.
Situ Ming just raised his eyelids and glanced at him, then played with the teacup in his hand, looking arrogant.
The head of the Xu family did not expect Situ Ming to be so disrespectful to him. He felt unhappy and frowned slightly.
His men immediately scolded him, "How rude! Seeing our master, you didn't even stand up to greet him."
"Tsk!" Situ Ming sneered, "You want me to stand up and greet a merchant like you? Just you?"
This was the first time that the head of the Xu family was spoken to so rudely by someone, and his face changed.
His subordinates didn't even dare to breathe.
"Situ Ming, this isn't the right attitude for cooperation."
"Cooperation? Are you worthy?" Situ Ming sneered.
He immediately took out a badge from his waist and threw it on the table.
Patriarch Xu gave a signal, and his men immediately brought the token to Patriarch Xu.
The head of the Xu family glanced at it indifferently.
He frowned and took another look.
Finally, he grabbed the token and looked at it over and over again.
His facial muscles were trembling with excitement: "Jin...Jin Pinghou Mansion! Huo Family!"
Situ Ming: "You even know that the Marquis of Jinping's last name is Huo. You're quite knowledgeable."
The head of the Xu family's mind was racing.
He has been paying attention to the actions of Situ Ming and Wen Ruyue.
He also bribed the servants around them with money.
It’s a pity that those people are very tight-lipped.
Only through him did I know that Ruyue's husband's family had to go to the imperial study to discuss matters every day.
There are countless officials of all ranks in the capital.
He guessed many possibilities.
The only thing he didn't guess was that the master behind Situ Ming was actually a marquis.
The heroic deeds of the previous Marquis of Jinping were known to everyone in the northern cities.
He was so excited that his eyes were wet: "Of course I know, I just learned how to do business and traveled abroad.
The local area is seriously plagued by banditry.
Marquis Jinping led his men to suppress bandits and returned victoriously. I had the honor of seeing him passing by on the street.
I never thought that more than 20 years later, I would have the opportunity to work for such a great hero."
The excitement of the head of the Xu family did not seem fake, as if he really worshipped Lord Huo as an idol.
"It was really a flood that washed away the Dragon King Temple earlier."
Situ Ming looked at him with a half-smile.
"Then why did you call me out today?"
The Xu family head sighed and said, "It's those other families again. They're complaining about heavy losses and want you to compensate them."
"Compensation? How much do they want from me?"
A gleam flashed in the eyes of the Xu family head: "I can handle this kind of trivial matter, there is no need for you to worry about it."
"You are quite sensible." Situ Ming looked at him with a smile.
The Xu family head smiled attentively: "It is my honor to serve the Marquis. If you hadn't given me the opportunity, I wouldn't even have the chance to carry the Marquis' shoes."
The Xu family master flattered Situ Ming and, seeing that he was happy, he asked tentatively, "Master Situ, I wonder if you are in front of the Marquis..."
Situ Mingdao said, "I'm not the Marquis's person, I'm the Crown Prince's person. The Madam Wen you forced a few days ago is the wife of the Crown Prince Jinping."
"What!" Patriarch Xu was so frightened that he clutched the armrests tightly to prevent himself from sliding off the chair. "Then we forced her like that a few days ago. If she were to do that in front of the Crown Prince... Master Situ, you must help me leave a good impression in front of the Crown Prince."
Situ Ming comforted him, "Don't worry, the Crown Prince's wife won't be angry about such a small matter.
Everything before was just some means for us to explore the way.
Otherwise, how can we identify the loyal head of the Xu family?"
The head of the Xu family looked flattered.
"Alright, you've wasted too much of my time here. I have many other things to deal with, so I'll leave first." Situ Ming stood up and brushed off the non-existent dust on his clothes. "Take care of those merchants for me. I don't want any trouble."
"Don't worry, Master Situ. I will definitely handle this matter beautifully."
Situ Ming left, waving his folding fan.
As soon as he leaves.
Patriarch Xu's men immediately stepped forward and asked, "Patriarch, are they really Marquis Jinping's men?"
The head of the Xu family said, "With General Meng here, he wouldn't dare tell such a lie. It would be easily exposed."
"So...how do we fix this mess?"
The head of the Xu family did not say anything, but his expression became increasingly gloomy.
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