The Heavens Begin with Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 58 Baochai Wants to Be Used by Master Zhan
Originally, Old Lady You was trying to keep the guest for her son-in-law. But when she saw that Mr. Zhan had returned and Sister Feng was in a hurry to go over there to "meet her lover in private", she decided not to keep the guest any longer and simply announced that she was full and let Sister Feng go to the next room by herself.

Sister Feng was a little drunk, so she quickly left You's house and went into the next room. When she saw Zhan Ershisi, she immediately shouted in a reproachful tone:

"Mr. Zhan is such a busy man. If you want to see you, you have to make an appointment in advance, otherwise you'll have to wait!"

After You Erjie left the house, she had someone deliver the message to Zhan Ershi, so Zhan Ershi knew very well why Feng Jieer came, but he had other arrangements for this network of contacts and could not simply give it to Feng Jieer.

Now there is no ambiguity between the two of them, and there is no chance, so Zhan Ershisi did not tease her. He just asked her to sit down and got straight to the point:

"My second sister has sent me a message. I know the purpose of my sister-in-law's visit. Unfortunately, I have already promised Brother Zhen that this business will be a cooperation with Ningguo Mansion."

"If my sister-in-law wants to use this network of contacts in the future, she can contact Sister Zhen and ask her to act as a middleman."

After hearing this, Sister Feng raised her eyebrows and said unhappily:
"It's not that I'm greedy, but this kind of thing is not something that just anyone can handle."

"It's not that I look down on Sister Zhen, but Sister Zhen's personality and skills simply can't support such a thing."

"I might as well brag that if I were to persuade the officials' families, I would succeed nine out of ten times. But if I let Sister Zhen do this kind of thing, I would be thankful if one or two out of ten times succeeded."

"Besides, for this kind of thing, the fewer people involved, the safer it is, and the more reassured the official in charge will be. It's not appropriate to add Sister Zhen into the mix!"

"If the styles of these clothes were not provided by you, and outsiders could not come up with so many styles, I would have bypassed you and made them myself long ago. How could you have the opportunity to take advantage of me?"

Zhan Ershisi nodded silently and admitted that what Feng Jieer said made sense, but if everything in this world was done according to reason, there wouldn't be so many conflicts of interest.

"What my sister-in-law said makes sense, but what I have promised cannot be easily changed."

"Since my sister-in-law is worried that Sister-in-law Zhen can't do these things, why don't we stay by her side and help her find out what she lacks and fill in the gaps?"

When Sister Feng heard this, she immediately raised her eyebrows and sneered:

"What a good rule that cannot be easily changed. Then how did my family's wine business become part of Rongguo Mansion?"

"Hehe... Master Zhan, are you still holding a grudge against me for not giving Ping'er to you?"

"That's easy. As long as Mr. Zhan helps me build this network of contacts, I will give Ping'er to you."

Zhan Ershisi glanced at her and knew from her expression that she was just trying to coax him. If Zhan Ershisi really agreed, she would probably continue to use Ping'er as bait to keep him company. So, he told her the truth:
"not enough."

"What?" Feng Jieer didn't understand.

Zhan Ershisi sighed and said:
"You don't know, but Ningguo Mansion paid a huge price to acquire this clothing business. You want to use Miss Ping'er to take this business away. That's wishful thinking."

"A great price?"

Sister Feng looked at Mr. Zhan in confusion, and felt that he seemed to be talking business and did not seem to be lying.

"But I don't know what the price is?"

"Are you referring to Peifeng and the other concubines?"

"Or is it a concession on the sharing of money?"

Zhan Ershisi smiled slyly and said:

"This is not something that can be told to outsiders."

"If you want to know, you might as well go and ask Brother Zhen in person to see if he is willing to tell you."

After hearing this, Sister Feng felt even more confused, but she also knew that Master Zhan was not lying, so she stood up and said goodbye:

"In that case, I will discuss it with Master Zhan after I ask Brother Zhen."

"But Master Zhan needs to promise me not to grant this business to anyone else before I come to you."

Zhan Ershisi smiled and agreed:
"This business is destined to belong to Ningguo Mansion. No outsider can take it away. Don't worry, sister-in-law."

"However, if I were you, what I should be thinking about right now is not the business, but the future of your family."

After hearing this, Sister Feng curled her lips and said disdainfully:
"Mr. Zhan's words are hard to understand. My family has a bright future. What is there to worry about?"

Master Zhan said meaningfully:
"When I do business with someone, of course I choose the most powerful one."

"Originally, I thought that the second brother Lian was the legitimate son and grandson of the Rongguo Mansion and the future heir to the title, so I chose him to cooperate with me."

"Then guess why I changed the business just for the sake of two little maids?"

Sister Feng rolled her eyes at him and sneered:
"After all, you are still thinking about my Ping'er, right?"

"Tsk!" Master Zhan said angrily, "Could it be that in the eyes of my sister-in-law, I am such a lustful person?"

"The main reason is..."

Zhan Ershi paused deliberately, staring into Feng Jieer's eyes and speaking word by word:
"Someone told me that the Rongguo Mansion has already made arrangements for the inheritance of the title, but it has nothing to do with the two Lian brothers. So I naturally have to choose the future heir of the Duke of Rongguo to cooperate with."

After hearing this, Sister Feng's face suddenly changed color and she screamed:
"Nonsense!"

"This title has been passed down in an orderly manner. It has always been inherited by the legitimate son and grandson. This is a rule set by the court. How can it be changed at will?"

Seeing that Feng Jieer was getting anxious, Zhan Ershisi calmed down. He sipped his tea leisurely, without even raising his eyebrows, and said nonchalantly:

"That's hard to say. If the legitimate son or grandson is really incompetent and spreads rumors of being unfilial, then it would be normal for the court to grant the title to the best descendant of the same line, with permission."

"I heard that in the lineage of Master Zheng, there was a child who was born with a jade in his mouth. He was intelligent and extremely filial. He was the most beloved child in the family and was loved by everyone from the highest to the lowest level. He was destined to be the future heir to the title."

After hearing this, Sister Feng frowned and asked:

"Even if Baoyu is more capable, he will never inherit the title of the Rongguo Mansion!"

"I'm confused. What's Mr. Zhan's intention in stirring up trouble in my family?"

"You see, honest advice is hard to hear, isn't it?" Mr. Zhan sighed, "Well, I was too polite, it's my fault!"

"Sister-in-law, just think that I said something wrong!"

"But nothing in this world is taken for granted. If you don't work hard to move forward, you will be pulled down sooner or later."

"I won't mention this again. I have something else to do. Please do as you please, sister-in-law!"

Seeing that Mr. Zhan was about to leave, Feng Jieer became confused and uncertain.

But Mr. Zhan had finished speaking and did not want to keep the guest any longer. He immediately had Feng Jieer sent out.

Let's not talk about how much Feng Jieer cared about this matter after she left the Zhan Mansion. Let's just talk about Master Zhan. As soon as Feng Jieer left, he went to Ningguo Mansion and went straight to see Jia Zhen without caring that it was already night.

Now that he had used his money to bribe everyone in Ningguo Mansion, coming here was just like returning home.

When Lai Er saw Master Zhan coming again, he smiled more affectionately than when he saw his own father. There was no need to inform anyone inside, and he led him inside directly. The quick-footed servant also went inside to report the news quickly.

When Jia Zhen heard the news, he hurried out to greet them.

"Haha... Why did Brother Zhan suddenly come to visit so late at night? Is there anything important?"

Zhan Ershisi smiled and said:
"There are indeed some important things. I need to inform Brother Zhen in advance, so that you won't let it slip tomorrow."

After Jia Zhen heard this, he hurriedly welcomed Zhan Ershi into the living room, had someone serve tea, and then asked:
"I wonder what's the matter that made Brother Zhan come here in the middle of the night?"

Exhibition 24 will sell well:
"Today, Lian's second wife came to me and wanted to take over the inner house clothing business. She also said that she was willing to really give Ping'er to me this time..."

After hearing this, Jia Zhen's heart skipped a beat and he became a little anxious, but then he heard Zhan Ershisi continue to say:

"…but I was rejected by my younger brother."

"Brother Zhen and I hit it off right away, and Brother Zhen gave me a few concubines. I have made up my mind to cooperate with Ningguo Mansion on this business and will never transfer it to anyone else."

"But Lian's second wife tempted me in every possible way. I had no choice but to lie and say that Ningguo Mansion offered me conditions that she could not afford, so I refused to transfer the property to her."

"I came here this time just to let Big Brother Zhen know, so that she won't come to ask about it in the future, and Big Brother Zhen will let it slip, which will make me embarrassed."

After hearing this, Jia Zhen felt very grateful.

Just now he really thought that Zhan Ershi would transfer the business to someone else for Ping'er, but now he realized that this brother Zhan is really loyal!

Since Brother Zhan is so loyal, he certainly can't be a slacker, right?

Jia Zhen immediately patted his chest and assured:
"Don't worry, brother. If my elder sister asks me about it in the future, I will just say that I paid a huge price and won't mention the specific details. I will definitely not embarrass you."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Zhan Ershisi stood up and bowed to take his leave.

How could Jia Zhen let him leave like this? He immediately grabbed him, ordered people to serve wine, and also asked people to invite his wife and his son and daughter-in-law for a family dinner.

Zhan Ershisi couldn't stand his enthusiasm and had to stay.

At the dinner table, Jia Zhen talked about Mr. Zhan's loyal behavior so that everyone could speak with one voice.

After hearing this, everyone understood what this so-called "huge price" was, but no one mentioned it and only kept it secret from Jia Zhen.

Even Keqing thought that her father-in-law knew the whole matter and was just pretending to be ignorant.

After the banquet, both the host and the guests were enjoying themselves. Seeing that it was getting late at night, Jia Zhen pulled Zhan Twenty-four aside and asked him to stay overnight.

Mr. Zhan had no choice but to agree and move into Jia Rong's guest room in the courtyard again.

That night, when the moon was at its zenith, Keqing came again in a bright red evening gown and high heels, and got into Mr. Zhan's bed.

Master Zhan held Keqing in his arms, rubbing her smooth skin, and leaned close to her ear and asked:
"The last time Keqing seduced me, it was for the clothing business, but now, the business has been confirmed to belong to you and my sister-in-law. Why did Keqing come again tonight?"

Keqing blushed, and as she touched him back with her hand in revenge, she murmured:

"Originally, I only wanted to seduce uncle once, but after being favored by uncle, I realized that I had lived in vain in the past few years."

"Since that night, every time I wake up in the middle of the night, I see my uncle's figure. It is hard to get rid of him from my heart."

"If I were not already a married woman, with an old father and younger brothers by my side, I would have just followed my uncle and left. Even if I had to hide in that small courtyard at the back for the rest of my life without a name or status, it would not be in vain."

Most men in this world have always liked to drag decent women into trouble and persuade prostitutes to become good women.

But Mr. Zhan has always been a kind gentleman who only likes to guide people to be good, so he hurriedly persuaded:
"You are wrong, Keqing. You and your wife are a perfect match, a perfect couple."

"My nephew Rong has deep feelings for you. You are having an affair behind his back now. This is wrong. You should take good care of your husband and serve your parents-in-law in the future. How can you have such delusions?"

Upon hearing this, Keqing rolled her eyes coquettishly, turned over and knelt down, raised her round buttocks high, turned her head and called out delicately:

"Keqing cheated on her husband and committed an extremely heinous crime. She deserves to be severely punished. Please don't show mercy, uncle."

When Mr. Zhan saw that she was stubborn and unyielding, he immediately flew into a rage and stepped forward to hit her.

Due to the violent content involved, 10,000 words are omitted below.

Mr. Zhan has always been intolerant of any injustice and hates evil. He is particularly intolerant of any behavior that is immoral.

After acting as a fair and strict judge all night, he released the guilty woman until dawn and allowed Keqing to return to her room tremblingly with the support of Baozhu and Ruizhu.

In the morning, Sister Feng came to find Jia Zhen as expected, wanting to find out what happened.

But whether it was Jia Zhen, Jia Rong, or even Youshi and Keqing, everyone said in unison that the mansion had paid a huge price, but no one was willing to say what this price was.

Although Feng Jieer was frustrated, she was also very curious.

Her sixth sense told her that if she could discover this secret, she might be able to eat it for the rest of her life!

Let’s not talk about how Sister Feng tried every means to find out the secrets of Ningguo Mansion, let’s just talk about Mrs. Wang.

After her second sister took her measurements, she immediately asked the specially hired needlework master to work overtime, and soon her custom-made cheongsam was finished.

After Mrs. Wang got the cheongsam, she couldn't wait to wear it for Master Zheng to see that night, and then... the effect was excellent!
The next day, Mrs. Wang walked out of the courtyard radiantly and asked someone to deliver a message to You Erjie, asking her to order one copy of all four existing styles at once. She also expressed her willingness to be You's subordinate and visit the backyards of other wealthy and powerful people's homes to develop a network of connections for this business.

There are no secrets in the Rongguo Mansion, and there is no need to keep these things secret, so soon everyone knows that Aunt Xue and Aunt You of the Zhan family are in partnership with Grandma You and Grandma Rong of the Ningguo Mansion and are doing business together.

It is said that this business is very big, so even the Second Wife and Second Madam Lian have participated in it.

All we know about the specific business is that it is women's inner clothes, and one piece costs thirty taels of silver.

But the strange thing is that no one has ever seen what this dress looks like.

Even the servants in the rooms of the Second Wife and Second Madam Lian just shook their heads and smiled without saying a word when asked about it, and no one was willing to tell anyone.

This arouses people's curiosity even more.

Even Lady Jia asked Yuanyang to come over and ask, and it was only after the Second Madam ran over to explain it specifically that the matter calmed down.

But no one knows what this dress looks like.

But everyone obviously noticed that the number of visitors to the Ning and Rong mansions was gradually increasing, and they were all wives of officials and dignitaries in the capital, all of whom came to buy these clothes.

Everyone was shocked. What kind of clothes was this? How could it attract so many distinguished people?
Ever since the old Duke passed away, the Ning and Rong mansions have not been so lively for many years.

The initiator of this craze became more and more prosperous, and was busy with people coming and going every day.

Zhan Ershisi wanted Xiangling and Second Sister to show up in front of these people, so they were the ones who basically took care of the measurements and tailoring.

Xiangling lives in Rongguo Mansion, and the second sister has taken root in Ningguo Mansion.

The two of them did not try to steal the limelight from the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of Mrs. You, or the aunt and nephew of Mrs. Wang. They just worked diligently and made themselves familiar to the noble families.

This calm attitude made everyone more satisfied. When they mentioned them, they all praised them, and no one said anything bad about them. Especially when Zhan Ershi suggested through Xiangling that the mansion was short of tailors, he planned to select some good sewing people from the Ning and Rong mansions to help, the praises rose to the sky.

Unlike Xiangling who is now treated like a star, Zhan Ershisi's wife, Xue Baochai, is somewhat embarrassed.

When she first came, she was quite popular. After all, all the maids spent money lavishly in the name of the Xue family and her daughter.

But after she repeatedly rejected Phoenix Egg's harassment, she no longer pleased Mrs. Wang.

The servants in Rongguo Mansion have always been good to their superiors. Since they found out that Mrs. Wang didn't like Xue Baochai, they naturally kept their distance from the eldest daughter of the Xue family.

Especially after the Xue family was cheated and nearly fell into ruin, as well as Master Zhan taking a concubine, people realized that the Xue family seemed to be inferior to the Zhan family. It always felt that Miss Xue was not valued by Master Zhan.

After realizing this, naturally fewer people tried to curry favor with Xue Baochai.

If that were all, Xue Baochai wouldn't care.

She had a rather aloof personality to begin with, and didn't care about the opinions of the servants. If she could continue like this, joking and having fun with her sisters every day, or reading, playing chess, or doing needlework, she would be very happy and live a pretty good life.

But the problem is that as Mr. Zhan's plan unfolded step by step, she suddenly discovered that the Xue family did not actually make any significant contributions in this process, and their importance was even decreasing step by step.

Especially now that the Zhan family is engaged in the clothing business, it is like a whirlwind, and has created a backyard network of relationships with the nobles in Beijing.

What Wang Xifeng could see, she could now also see. Even with the large number of female relatives coming to the Ning and Rong mansions, many outsiders could see it.

Baochai didn't know whether the imperial court provided any help in this process, but she was very sure that the Xue family played no role at all. In fact, if you really counted it, the contribution of their Xue family was not as great as that of Xue Xiangling alone!
This is bad!

She could not forget that the Xue family was still guilty and they had to rely on making meritorious contributions to save their lives in the future.

Moreover, she was unwilling to go to the fields to farm in the future, so she had to find a way to preserve her wealth.

But these things didn’t just happen out of thin air; they require real effort.

After much thought, she felt that Master Zhan might have seen her brother's performance and felt that the Xue family's abilities were a little low, so he did not dare to entrust them with such an important task.

She felt that she had to take the initiative to show her value so that Mr. Zhan could see her value and at least know that the Xue family was not just a waste like her brother, but there was at least Xue Baochai who could be used.

At least what Xue Xiangling can do, Xue Baochai can definitely do as well, and can even do it better!
Moreover, the Xue family can no longer just sit there and wait for Master Zhan to assign tasks. They have to be more proactive and create opportunities to make meritorious contributions.

After figuring this out, she decided to have a good talk with Master Zhan and demonstrate her own value so that Master Zhan could use her better.

Of course, the simplest and most direct way is to take advantage of the opportunity that they are engaged now and marry him to become the legal wife of Mr. Zhan.

No matter what happens to the Xue family in the future, as long as Mr. Zhan does not fall, she will not be able to live a wealthy life.

She was also very confident that with her own skills and wisdom, she could definitely become a qualified mistress of a large family.

And with her taking care of them, her mother and brother would definitely not be able to stand the poverty.

But the problem is that she doesn't think that Mr. Zhan has any feelings for her, and it's hard to say whether he is willing to marry her!

All she can rely on now is the identity fabricated by Mr. Zhan himself. He is engaged to her and has to marry her.

However, this method of forcing marriage will definitely leave Mr. Zhan with a grudge. If it is not the last minute, it is better not to use it.

Moreover, they cannot force the marriage on their own, so maybe they have to borrow Mrs. Wang’s words to do it.

Baochai was a person with great ideas. She knew that her mother and brother were both without ideas, and it would be useless to discuss the matter with them, and it would only make them worry. So she simply did not discuss the matter with them, but made her own decision and let them cooperate with her.

In the past, she had to be cautious at home, but now that she is in danger, she can no longer hide her shortcomings.

After all, they are all family, and her mother and brother will definitely tolerate her.

After the plan was completed, Baochai told Aunt Xue about her idea and asked her to cooperate.

Although Aunt Xue was a little reluctant, she also knew that she had more hair than knowledge and was very convinced of her daughter, so she sighed:
"Then let's talk to Master Zhan first. It would be best if Master Zhan assigns us tasks so that we can do something meritorious."

"If it really doesn't work, I'll go talk to your second aunt and tell her that the Zhan family is getting more prosperous and they're afraid that this marriage might change over time. I'll ask your second uncle to urge the marriage. I'm sure he won't be able to refuse."

After the discussion, Baochai told Hongye her thoughts truthfully and asked her to pass the message on.

After Zhan Ershisi received the news, he didn't know what to arrange for her and Aunt Xue for a moment.

Originally, when he entered Beijing, he planned to stay overnight at Rongguo Mansion and then gradually poach people from there, but the plan did not change quickly enough and for some reason, he was unable to move in.

But living outside the Rongguo Mansion, Zhan Ershisi was unable to carry out his strategy to conquer the Rongguo Mansion.

As the saying goes, a good cook cannot cook without rice.

The women of the family these days all lived in the inner chambers and seldom went out. Even if they did go out, they would hide inside the carriage or behind curtains, or they would be surrounded by a bunch of maids and servants. There was no chance for them to meet alone.

He couldn't even see the women of the Rongguo Mansion, so how could he seduce someone else's daughter?
He was just the son-in-law of the Xue family, and there was still a layer of relationship between him and the Jia family. Even if he went to the Rongguo Mansion all the time, it was impossible for him to see those female members, let alone have close contact with them.

He is not the Phoenix Egg Treasure Second Master who can roll around among the women and eat the rouge on anyone's lips just by hugging and biting it.

The reason why he was able to get in through Ningguo Mansion was purely because the kind-hearted Brother Zhen took the initiative to come to him, giving him the opportunity. Otherwise, he didn't know how long he would have to wait if he wanted to launch his attack.

There was no other way, Zhan 24 had to let Baochai and Aunt Xue do some small things like collecting intelligence, spreading news, and spreading the word...

Now that Baochai wanted to do more and make more contributions, he couldn't refuse, lest he discourage his subordinates' work enthusiasm. So after careful consideration, he asked someone to reply to Baochai.

He is now focusing on Ningguo Mansion and is not familiar with Rongguo Mansion, so it is not convenient for him to meet there. He asked her to find an opportunity to go to Ningguo Mansion and then send him a message, and he will naturally come to "meet his lover privately."

They are an engaged couple, and if they get together to be affectionate for a while, no one will suspect anything, and no one will be so ignorant as to disturb them.

After passing the message to Baochai, Zhan Ershisi continued to busy himself with his own affairs.

He's here to pay taxes again!

Last time, because of his business of selling sweet potatoes and ovens, he had taken the initiative to pay taxes to the Xuankesi. Later, the Xuankesi also came to collect taxes on time every month.

However, because the tax rates for these businesses are relatively low and their turnover is not high, the amount of money they actually pay is not that much. It is basically more of a form than a reality, and the focus is on the statement, and it has not attracted much attention.

But this time he came to pay liquor tax, and liquor tax has always been levied according to luxury goods standards, with the highest tax rate.

Of course, most people who dare to do the wine business are basically powerful and wealthy. They often never pay taxes or pay very little taxes, and no one dares to investigate them carefully.

Like Zhan Ershisi, not only did he pay a lot of taxes, but he also took the initiative to make the accounts very clear and understandable, making it impossible to collect less taxes. He is really unique!

As for Ambassador Song from the Propaganda Department, everything was fine last time. After all, there was little money at the time, and the form was more important than the reality. It looked more like the Xue and Zhan families were making some statements, which was no big deal.

But this time, looking at the box of silver that was carried up and the clear and definite accounts on it, Ambassador Song swallowed hard, stretched out his hand to signal, invited Master Zhan to a deserted place, bowed and requested:
"Master Zhan, can you give me some clear words?"

"What exactly is the regulation of this tax silver?"

"Your tax is too much this time, I dare not accept it!"

Zhan Ershi patted Ambassador Song's waist, which was bent like a shrimp, and said with a smile:
"It's just like last time. You should collect it however you want."

"Didn't you collect the taxes on sweet potatoes and ovens as usual these past two months? There weren't any problems, right?"

"Just take it with confidence!"

Mr. Zhan said it lightly, but Ambassador Song didn't dare to really believe it.

He was almost crying, begging bitterly:

"Master Zhan!"

"There is no one around us now, so I will tell you the truth!"

"The sweet potatoes and other things before were your exclusive business. If you want to pay taxes, it won't affect others."

"But now in this capital, you are not the only one selling wine!"

"If I collect the liquor tax from you, and some bold censor in the court reports me and asks why I only collect the liquor tax from you and not from others, what should I do then?"

"If I don't accept it, the court will definitely investigate, and then I will lose the little hat on my head."

"Go and collect them. Whether or not you can collect them is not a big deal. But regardless of whether you can collect them or not, I will lose my position!"

"Who are you targeting? Tell me clearly so that I can make a decision!"

"If you think that I am of low rank and unworthy of knowing these things, then you can simply say hello to the noble behind me, or bring me a two-finger-wide note, and I will definitely follow your instructions!"

Zhan Ershisi then realized what he was worried about. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that what he said made sense!
He oversimplified the matter, thinking that he came here to pay taxes, and then naturally came into the eyes of those in the court, and then step by step, he turned the tables and successfully jumped into the emperor's camp to save the Xue family.

But in fact, this first hurdle is stuck here with Ambassador Song.

He simply refused to accept this tax!

Zhan Ershi looked at Ambassador Song's determined eyes and asked in a low voice:

"You really don't want to collect this tax?"

"No!"

"Your so-called imperial censors are just random guesses. It's not certain that there will really be imperial censors who are talkative."

"I won't accept that either!"

Zhan Ershisi smacked his lips, then leaned over and whispered:

"Has Ambassador Song ever thought about this: if I come here with such fanfare to pay taxes, and you refuse to accept them, what will the Imperial Censor say?"

Ambassador Song's resolute expression suddenly collapsed. He opened his mouth and pointed at Zhan 24, making a hoarse sound but unable to utter a word.

Zhan Ershisi frowned and threatened:
"You are afraid of that censor who you don't know if he exists or not, but are you not afraid of me?"

After hearing this, Ambassador Song immediately panicked. After turning around twice on the spot, he suddenly shouted, "My old illness has relapsed." He quickly ran to the stairs, rolled down, and fell down with a "thump".

Zhan Ershisi was so shocked by his action that he was unable to react. He watched him tumble down the stairs with a bloody head.

When Zhan Ershisi looked down, he saw a group of tax collectors surrounding him and carrying Ambassador Song away to the hospital.

Without the official in charge, the tax silver naturally could not be paid.

Zhan Ershisi was still thinking of finding someone to settle the accounts first, calculate the amount of tax silver, and then leave the silver here to settle the bill. However, the people working in the Xuanke Department were all smart people. Seeing that their own ambassador had "relapsed of his old illness", they dared not make any move.

There was no other choice, Zhan Ershisi had to bring the accounts and money back.

After returning to the mansion, Zhan Ershisi thought about it carefully. Although he could not pay the tax, his attitude had to be made known to others.

So Zhan Ershisi called Yang Yougong and told him to go outside and spread the news.

When he was doing the roasted sweet potato business, Zhan Ershisi intended to set up an intelligence network, so he transferred some idle people in the mountains to the capital, gave them money to buy their own ovens, sweet potatoes and corn, and then assigned them to set up mobile stalls in different locations in the capital.

In this way, on the one hand, a simple intelligence network can be established, and on the other hand, the money previously obtained from the Xue family can be successfully circulated and turned into clean money.

However, these people usually do not contact each other. They just focus on their own small business. When there is information to be passed on, they just go directly to the Zhan family's grain store to buy sweet potatoes and corn.

Later, Zhan Ershisi came up with sweet potato soda and Erguotou. Erguotou was sold to major restaurants and brothels exclusively for wealthy people, while the inferior sweet potato soda was sold to these stalls, who were responsible for shipping. At the same time, they also enriched the dishes on the stalls by adding things like boiled edamame and salted peanuts.

In fact, it is just a disguised way of giving these people welfare and continuing to give them money.

We got more than 100,000 taels of silver at the beginning. It would take more than a year or two to get it all back.

Now that Zhan Ershisi needs them to spread the news, he just needs to send people to different locations to notify them.

Soon, all the drinkers at these stalls heard a story.

That big fool and prodigal Mr. Zhan carried a box of silver to pay the wine tax, but Ambassador Song from the Xuanke Department was even more stupid than him and refused to accept it.

In order to avoid accepting the money, Ambassador Song actually fell down the stairs, breaking his head and bleeding. Now he has been sick at home and dares not go to the Xuanke Department.

Who would believe such absurd words?

It’s good enough that the official doesn’t come to your house to take your silver. How is it possible that someone would see the silver and not want it?

What’s wrong with having a grudge against silver?
But after they hear it more times, they will have to believe it.

In particular, some people were credulous and went to the Xuanke Division to inquire about the matter, and found out that it was actually true.

So this funny story spread more and more widely, until everyone knew about it.

Everyone was talking about how Master Zhan was so stupid and no one knew how he built such a huge business!
After thinking about it, everyone agreed that he must have a good father, otherwise he would not be able to compare with themselves.

If I could become the master of the Zhan family, I would be able to increase the family fortune by more than ten times.

It’s a pity that reincarnation is not possible!
Amidst waves of regret, the news spread to the residences of officials in the capital.

Unlike the ignorant people outside who treat this as a joke, these people are extremely sensitive.

If something is abnormal, there must be something wrong. They began to think about the meaning behind this matter.

Many things in this world cannot withstand scrutiny. As long as you are determined and have certain connections, as long as you ask each other, you can basically know the truth about many things.

Then the person who is interested will start to think about how to react based on his own position.

After a while, even the government hall and the palace knew about it.

Thanks to book friends "Mecha God Rider" and "Book Friend 20180922150800797" for the reward of 100 coins!
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(End of this chapter)