Chapter 523: The Hongmen Banquet
After Erya arrived, Xiao Yan took her to meet the leader of the Li tribe.
The two sides discussed the standards for the barter.
Because it was indeed fair, the Li tribe leader did not go back to discuss it with the elders and agreed directly.
But whether it was the Li people or the Han people who stood on Xiao Yan's side, they all had hidden worries in their hearts.
The people from Qiongya Trading Company are going to cause trouble.
Xiao Yan was very calm.
Lu Qiniang was worried and asked him from time to time, "Has the company made no move yet?"
The more times she asked, the more she felt like she was anxious to be dealt with.
"We're already moving, let's do what we need to do."
"What if a fight breaks out and we don't have enough manpower?" This is what Lu Qiniang is most worried about.
Don't get wiped out.
Xiao Yan laughed and said, "Although Qiongzhou is far away, it is also the king's land and has its own laws. You forgot that there are county magistrates and garrisons here!"
Lu Qiniang thought about County Magistrate Zhou, and then about those lazy soldiers who looked like bean sprouts, and became worried.
"You can't rely on them."
"No. But their presence represents the imperial court's constraints. People from the trading companies will not choose to fight openly."
"That's deadly even if you're sneaking around." Lu Qiniang said, "There's only a thief who can steal for a thousand days, but there's no such thing as a thief on guard for a thousand days."
"I'm waiting for them to lose their patience and take action."
Seeing Xiao Yan's confident look, Lu Qin's mother felt a little relieved.
Okay.
When it comes to fighting, Xiao Yan is the master.
So Lu Qiniang took her people to work on reclaiming wasteland and farming with peace of mind.
The previous method of land reclamation was too inefficient. Now that the Li and Han people have gathered together, everyone is brainstorming to see how to reclaim the land faster.
Everyone ate the vegetables grown by Lu Qiniang, and the wheat and sorghum also grew vigorously and showed good growth.
So now, everyone is looking forward to having more land so that planting can be further promoted.
Erya is responsible for the buying, selling and exchange of goods, and is also very busy.
San Ya brought her "soldiers" to help run errands.
The wages were malt sugar.
Everyone in the family is busy with their own things.
A few days later, Xiao Yan received an invitation.
The boss from Qiongya Trading Company - Hai Ye.
"Don't go, it's no good." Lu Qiniang advised Xiao Yan, "If they have any problems, they can come here to discuss it with you."
These people definitely have bad intentions.
"It's okay, I have to meet him eventually." Xiao Yan said meaningfully, "I have to go and recognize his face."
"Then I'll go with you."
"We have such a big business here, and we need you everywhere. Don't worry, Du Wei is the general of Leizhou, and he has soldiers under his command. He won't dare to take my life even if he is afraid to do so."
It's nothing more than coercion and inducement.
Scare if you can.
If you can't scare them, try to win them over.
If none of these work, it’s probably time to “create an accident.”
Xiao Yan felt that they would follow the procedure.
As it turned out, he guessed right.
The residence of Hai Ye of Qiongya Trading Company is located in a relatively prosperous corner of Qiongzhou.
This piece of land is not something that later exiles like Xiao Yan can touch.
The red gates and high walls are magnificent, forming a sharp contrast with the simplicity of the exile place.
Xiao Yan attended the banquet alone, with a steady pace and an indifferent expression, as if he was just going for an ordinary tea party.
The hall was brightly lit, and the large round rosewood table was filled with delicacies from land and sea, a dazzling array of rare delicacies from Qiongzhou.
Sitting in the main seat was Hai Ye, a man in his early fifties with a portly figure. He looked very friendly with a smile on his face, but in fact, his eyes were shrewd and fierce.
Both sides of the banquet hall were filled with burly men holding weapons.
Xiao Yan didn't even raise an eyelid, remaining calm and composed.
"I've long heard of General Po Lu's renown," Hai Ye said, rising to greet him enthusiastically. "It's a great honor to have you take the time to come today."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and sat down in the guest seat neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Mr. Hai, you're welcome." The voice was calm.
Hai Ye personally held the pot and poured a glass of wine for Xiao Yan. The amber wine rippled in the luminous cup.
"Master Xiao has stirred up the storm since his arrival in Qiongzhou. He is truly worthy of being called General Po Lu! Come, I will offer you a toast to welcome Master Xiao!"
Xiao Yan didn't move, but said calmly: "As an exile, I don't deserve such a kind hospitality from Master Hai. If you have any advice, please feel free to speak up."
The smile on Master Hai's face froze for a moment, then it bloomed again. "Haha, Master Xiao is straightforward! Then I, Hai, will get straight to the point. Qiongzhou is a wild and untamed place, and business is tough. Master Xiao has been here since he arrived, building houses, clearing land, and even engaging in barter. He's made such a fuss, it's going to be tough for my business."
His tone was a bit complaining and tentative, and his eyes were fixed on Xiao Yan.
"Qiongzhou is vast and sparsely populated, and there's a lot of work to be done." Xiao Yan looked at Hai Ye calmly. "What I'm doing is just trying to find a place to live and make a living with my relatives, friends, and neighbors. Hai Ye has businesses all over Qiongzhou and a large family business, so why should you care about this?"
Hai Ye pointed at his men on both sides and said, "Everyone thinks that I have an easy life, but they don't know that it's not easy to feed so many mouths."
"Then Master Hai can disband them. I'm short of people."
Master Hai: "...Master Xiao, let's be frank. How many people's livelihoods have been cut off by your shiploads of goods? How many people have been disheartened by your set of 'fair' regulations to win over the Li people? This is not how you eat in Qiongzhou! Everyone has their own rules!"
"Your rules govern your people. My rules govern my people."
Xiao Yan remained unmoved and showed no intention of giving in.
Hai Ye was obviously on the verge of getting angry, but he still held himself back.
"I have always admired General Po Lu, and I was quite concerned when I heard that you were exiled to Qiongzhou. We can be brothers, there is no need to be antagonistic."
Xiao Yan didn't say anything.
Hai Ye thought he had persuaded him and continued, "My Qiongya Trading Company can take over your business and guarantee a satisfactory price. Alternatively, we can cooperate. You have the ship and the goods, and I have the connections and the money. Let's join forces and make a fortune together."
"I have no interest in this." Xiao Yan said, "Let's go our separate ways and keep out of each other's way."
"Mr. Xiao, do you mean to compete with my Qiongya Trading Company?" Mr. Hai slammed the table and stood up, his true intentions exposed.
"That's exactly what I meant." Xiao Yan's lips curled up slightly, his eyes clear.
The fake smile on Hai Ye's face completely disappeared, "Xiao Yan! Don't be so shameless!"
"Who do you think you are? An exile! With a few ragtag boats and a few peasants and savages, you think you can turn the tables in Qiongzhou?"
He was anxious.
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