Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 125 Don't be clever
Early this morning
After breakfast, Zheng Guohui changed into an inconspicuous casual outfit, holding a sheepskin hat in his hand, and walked out chatting and laughing with Dong Huanzhang.

He planned to go to the Wan Guo Tong Bao Trading Company again today. He had an appointment with American Consul Smith to discuss some cooperation matters in secret.

After completing this task, Zheng Guohui's affairs in the capital came to an end. He prepared to take his family to Tianjin and then take a boat back south.

I guess I’ll be at least 27 or 28 when I get home.

"Master, there are already 377 wealthy families in the capital who have placed orders with our Nanfeng Hall. They need at least one truckload of pineapples every month, and some need 3 to 5 truckloads. Once the master gives the order, we will deliver the goods, and we will pay you in full."

"That's a great idea. Let's give them a 5% discount. As a special treat, we'll create separate accounts for these big customers. From now on, they'll be considered VIPs and get a 5% discount."

"Master, we have no problem selling our goods. Is it necessary?"

"This isn't about money. These wealthy families wouldn't care about it. The key is to show respect to those in the capital. If you're labeled a VIP at Nanfeng Hall, you'll get priority when it comes to fruit and a discount. It'll really boost your morale!"

"Master, you are indeed very thoughtful. Huanzhang has learned a lesson."

"Also... aren't those shells hard to sell? Among these VIPs and wealthy customers, pick out some with high status and high consumption, and give one to each of them directly."

"Well, is it okay?"

"It's less, maybe 20% or 30%, but don't be reluctant to part with it. There's plenty of this stuff in Mindanao, you can pick up a lot along the beach. The point is to pique people's interest in comparison, so that we can open up sales."

"After listening to the master's solution to the puzzle, I felt like I had suddenly gained enlightenment. I learned a new trick."

"There are so many ways to do business, just learn as you go. By the way, where are the replacement goods from Chongming Island?"

"Reporting to the master, I just received a dispatch from Tianjin. The large sailing ship "Perseverance" fully loaded with 380 tons of pineapples and dozens of tons of Nanyang specialties has arrived safely at the Haihe Port. We are organizing a mule and horse team to transport it. It took yesterday and today. We estimate that it will enter the city tomorrow morning."

"How much stock do you have left?"

"It's less than ten tons, maybe seven or eight tons."

"Then let's sell it all and get the money back as soon as possible. Pineapples are only popular around the New Year. After that, sales will at least be cut in half. It's impossible to sell so many. Ship them as soon as possible."

"As you command, sir."

The two men walked along the moon gate to the west wing, where there was a small door leading to the back house at the entrance of the courtyard. That was where the guards, chariot drivers and horsemen lived. There were also two large animal houses and a hay house that could raise five or six large animals.

The capital

In the cold winter, water turns into ice, especially at night when the wind howls. The cold wind blowing on your body feels like a knife piercing your skin, and it is so cold that it is unbearable.

Large livestock must live in the house, and precious horses must be covered with blankets or quilts and tied up with leather belts to keep warm and prevent them from freezing.

The best water to feed livestock in the morning is warm water stewed in a pot on the stove by the pit. It doesn’t have to be very hot, but at least it can remove the coldness that hurts your hands.

These days, large animals are more valuable than humans.

In the yard

More than 10 plainclothes soldiers, dressed neatly, were waiting in the courtyard.

A large carriage pulled by horses has been harnessed in the middle of the courtyard. It is larger and more spacious than an ordinary donkey cart. The groom has put a thin blanket on the horses and is checking whether it is tight enough.
Seeing Master Zheng Guohui and Dong Huanzhang walking in, everyone bowed and saluted, saying, "I greet you, Master. May you be blessed with good health."

"Forget it, let's pack up now."

"In reply to the master, the horse has been fed and exercised. It has been led around the yard for dozens of laps. It can be put in the car and left to go."

"Fine……"

Zheng Guohui was about to give instructions when he saw Zheng Ding jogging in from the corner gate. He looked around and saw Zheng Ding standing next to the carriage, so he quickly came to meet him.

Zheng Guohui knew something was wrong, so he turned around and asked with a frown, "What's the hurry?"

Zheng Ding bowed a few steps away and said, "Good luck to the master!"

"Okay...get up and talk about things."

"Reporting to the master, that Beiziye Babutai who caused trouble last time is back with a dozen people. He is arguing with Shopkeeper Dong at the door of the store and insists on seeing the master. He looks like he won't give up until he gets what he wants."

"Sigh..."

Zheng Guohui took a deep breath after hearing this, feeling very embarrassed. Is this Babutai so shameless?
He really hated this kind of scoundrel attitude. Since the opening of Nanfengtang, there have been many city stove rats coming to the door, and many people also came to ask for money.

Just like the leading officer in the Infantry Commander's Office who patrols the streets to maintain public order, the local constables in Jingzhao Prefecture, and the censors patrolling the streets of Xicheng District in the Metropolitan Censorate, they all have to be dealt with in a certain way, spending a few melons and dates or giving them a few pineapples to get rid of them.

If you respect others a foot, others will respect you a yard.

There is no need to waste time talking to those young thugs with no background and idle royal family members. Just kick them out and ignore them completely.

Prince Babutai was the only one to behave this way. Zheng Guohui's face darkened, and he asked, "What's he up to?" Zheng Ding then replied, "This Prince Babutai threatened to settle things for our Nanfeng Hall and take on all future troubles. He insisted that our Nanfeng Hall pay him three thousand silver coins. Isn't this extortion?"

After hearing this statement
Zheng Guohui's expression became strange. He stared at Zheng Ding deeply and asked, "What did Manager Dong ask you to tell him?"

"Reporting to the master, Manager Dong said that this person wants to join our Nanfeng Hall and ask for an annual salary of 3,000 taels. He also said that he can help me settle all the problems. It is better to inform Mr. Dong as soon as possible and submit it to the master for your wise decision." Zheng Ding answered with a somewhat uneasy look on his face.

He did not dare to lie to his master in front of everyone.

Zheng Guohui turned around with his hands behind his back. Dong Huanzhang clearly saw a flash of murderous intent in his eyes. His heart suddenly jumped for no reason and a chill ran down his back.

He stepped forward and gently advised;
"Master, you have matters to attend to. I have already arranged for the people on the way. I am afraid it will be difficult for you to wait long over there. Please put the important matter first."

"Well, then, you can go to Nanfeng Hall. The money is a small matter. What I want to say is that this general has long admired the prince's chivalrous life in the world, and he lives a happy and carefree life. I admire him very much, so I specially invite you to get drunk with me tonight, just to feel refreshed."

"Huan Zhang understands and will proceed with caution and try to establish a good relationship with Lord Beizi."

"Okay, that's it."

Seeing that Dong Huanzhang understood what he meant, Zheng Guohui nodded, stepped on the horse stool next to the carriage, lifted the curtain, and ducked in.

Then he ordered; "Don't waste time, let's go."

The coachman responded respectfully, and swiftly hung the horse stool on the shaft. After pushing hard with his hands, he sat on the edge of the carriage with Xiaotiao, raised the whip in his hand, and cracked it loudly.

Shout loudly: "Let's go..."

The carriage pulled by the horse moved out, and more than 10 elite plainclothes guards separated on both sides and followed at a trot.

from beginning to end
No one paid any attention to Zheng Ding who came to report the news. This made the clever Zheng Ding feel something was wrong. His face quickly turned pale and he looked at Dong Huanzhang with a pleading look.

Although they were all neighbors, how could Dong Huanzhang dare to meddle in other people's business?

Just now, I clearly saw a flash of murderous intent in the master's eyes.

He has been following the master for two years and knows that the master is a decisive and ruthless hero with strong opinions.

Talented people who can be used are treated like guests of honor, while useless waste is discarded like worn-out shoes.

This Zheng Ding is of little use to begin with, and even when delivering a message, he's smuggling his own agenda, exaggerating it to suit his personal preferences. He tells half the truth and keeps the other half to himself. How can the master tolerate this?

Seeing Dong Huanzhang avoiding his gaze, Zheng Ding panicked and quickly grabbed his sleeve and begged, "Mr. Dong, please help me, I know I was wrong."

"Captain Zheng, please don't do this." Dong Huanzhang was unwilling to stick to this bag, so he pulled his sleeves and tried to leave.

The master kept Zheng Ding by his side to run errands and awarded him the title of captain, so he was called "Zheng Bazong", which was a polite name.

"Mr. Dong, Mr. Dong, please help me put in a few good words to the master. I was just confused and angry for a moment! Babutai is just a gangster from the royal family, and he asked for an annual salary of three thousand silver coins. I feel sorry for the master. He really has no bad intentions." Zheng Ding had already knelt down and begged bitterly.

This is really out of line. Who are you to dare to call yourself a mere gangster from the royal family?

I'm afraid you haven't woken up yet?

Ask around the court, how many Beile and Beizi are there?
Dong Huanzhang was helpless and could only say, "Captain Zheng, that's Prince Bei."

"My Lord, what's wrong? The whole capital is full of yellow and red belts who eat the iron-core crops. If they were all like Babutai, then our Zheng family's business would be over. I'm not doing this for myself, but for the master's family business."

"For the master's family business... Who do you think you are?"

Dong Huanzhang was amused by his stupidity and didn't want to say anything more. When he saw the servants coming over after hearing the noise, he shook his sleeves and got rid of Zheng Ding's hand.

Then he instructed the servants, "Take this man to the side room and keep him under guard. Do not allow him to have contact with anyone. Wait for the master to come back and deal with him personally. Do not neglect him."

"As you wish, Mr. Dong."

Several servants, as ferocious as wolves and tigers, rushed up and pinned Zheng Ding down. They dragged him away while he was begging for mercy.

Dong Huanzhang shook his head speechlessly and stopped thinking about this stupid and naive Zheng Ding. This man knew too many secrets and would not see the sun tomorrow.

A person's abilities may be mediocre or dull, but he or she should never be self-righteous.

As long as Zheng Ding serves his master as a tool and does whatever he is told to do, such as running errands and delivering letters, he may not fare worse than others in the future.

Thinking of Lord Babutai who was in Dongjiaominxiang, Dong Huanzhang said hurriedly, "Come here, get another car, I need to go to Dongjiaominxiang now, hurry up!"

"Here we are, Mr. Dong. The mules and horses have been walked early in the morning and are ready to use at any time." The coachman hurriedly harnessed the carriage and had it hooked up in no time.

Dong Huanzhang and his entourage got into the carriage, which quickly drove out of the corner gate and headed towards Dongjiaomin Lane.

(Reporting the results, I received 36 monthly tickets yesterday. Thank you for your support. The author Grape is busy coding again. Dear readers who have monthly tickets, please give them a lot to support the efforts of the code writer. Thank you very much.)
(End of this chapter)