Reborn as a Cube Man in the Late Ming Dynasty

Isn't this an old acquaintance?

He still remembers that guy surnamed Fan, who was so arrogant and ignorant, kept buying grain from Chengcheng, trying to eat up all the flour produced in his own city so he could raise prices and exploit them.

What happened? They shot themselves in the foot and ended up losing face and making a fool of themselves.

In the end, he ruined himself.

I never expected to run into them again.

Bai Li was completely absorbed.

Wang Mazi asked, "Which Fan family?"

The traveling merchant raised his eyelids, his tongue slightly tied: "Who else could it be? The Fan family from Jiexiu, Shanxi! Although they mainly operate in the Zhangjiakou area of ​​Jinzhong, their business has spread extremely far now. Even in southern Shanxi, they have informants and businesses everywhere. Among those who trade grain, their family is the most powerful."

"Why are they asking this?" Wang Mazi pressed.

The traveling merchant waved his hand, a self-deprecating smile on his face: "How would I know? Who are the Fan family? How could small merchants like us be qualified to deal with them?"

"I overheard this sentence by chance during a casual conversation among colleagues."

"Too!"

Wang Mazi nodded thoughtfully. Seeing that they had almost finished eating, he glanced at the leftovers on the table and called over the innkeeper: "Prepare some more cooked food that can be stored for a while, braised pork or roast chicken, anything will do. Also, pack a few more servings of flatbread. If there is any hot soup on hand, bring me a serving as well."

"These will cost extra."

The shopkeeper wiped his hands, smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, sir, our shop will never mix up the two accounts."

The traveling merchant looked troubled: "Brother, that's enough."

He pointed to the table full of leftover food: "We've already eaten quite a bit. If we order this much more, we probably won't be able to finish it. Wouldn't that be a waste?"

Wang Mazi shook his head and said, "I still have brothers outside who are starving. We're eating and drinking well here while our brothers are eating dry rations outside. I, Wang Mazi, can't do that."

The traveling merchant laughed and said, "Brother, you do care about your brothers."

Wang Mazi picked up the wine jug, poured himself half a bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it down: "When you're out here making a living, who doesn't rely on the brothers around them?"

The group chatted for a few more minutes.

It's nothing more than talking about what we've seen and heard in different places, which goods sell well, what local taboos exist, which roads have been unsafe lately, and occasionally a few jokes from the dinner table.

After the wine bowls were emptied, the group got up to say goodbye.

"Thank you for your hospitality today, brother."

"Don't mention it."

Wang Mazi also stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "We'll meet again someday."

"Of course, of course."

The group smiled and took their leave.

The cooked food from the kitchen was also served at this time.

Several packets of braised meat were wrapped in oiled paper, and the roast chicken was still steaming hot; you could smell the aroma of soy sauce even through the paper. The flatbread was wrapped in coarse cloth, and next to it was a pot of hot soup, its opening sealed tightly and tied with hemp rope.

Wang Mazi reached into his pocket, pulled out a gold bean, and placed it on the counter: "Manager, let's settle the bill for that meal just now."

The shopkeeper took the gold nuggets, flicked the abacus a couple of times, made a few clicks, announced the amount, and gave change.

Ma Zi took out a few more pieces of silver from his old money pouch at his waist, stacked them on the counter, and pointed at them with his finger: "These are the cooked food I asked you to prepare earlier, and they'll be charged separately from the food and drinks at the table earlier."

The shopkeeper chuckled and accepted the silver: "I know, I know, the accounts are all clear."

As soon as he stepped out of the teahouse, Wang Mazi's previously dazed eyes cleared up instantly.

He raised his head, glanced around the street, stepped over the threshold and down the steps, his steps steady, as if the few stumbles he had made at the banquet had never happened.

Wang Mazi carried the packaged food and watched people come and go on the street.

The streets were less crowded, and the setting sun cast long shadows. A few children squatted by the wall, flicking pebbles, making a tinkling sound. Not far away was a bakery, its oven glowing red, and the shop assistant was bending over, sticking bread to the oven wall. Steam billowed out, carrying the aroma of wheat that wafted across half the street.

The shouts of vendors, the sounds of carriages and horses, and the laughter coming from the roadside teahouses blended together, creating a lively atmosphere that hadn't been seen in Shaanxi for a long time.

Wang Mazi stopped, picked up the food in his hand, looked at the scenery, and sighed, "This place is much better than our Shaanxi."

Old Liu nodded: "At least it looks like we don't lack food or drink."

"Tsk, that's right," Wang Mazi grinned, "As long as the people have food to eat, they can still make a living. Judging from this, the methods we use in Shaanxi might not work so well in Shanxi."

Just as the two were about to leave, Bai Li spoke up, "Keep an eye on the Fan family's news."

Wang Mazi realized what was happening and nodded, saying, "Alright, but what has the Fan family done?"

Bai Li summarized: "Oh, the Fan family plans to monopolize the flour market in Chengcheng."

Wang Mazi's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Want to buy flour from the Fairy Realm?

They certainly have a big appetite.

I just don't know if it feels good to stuff yourself to death.

"I understand. The Fan family is probably up to something."

"Don't worry, Young Master Bai, we will definitely keep a close eye on any encounters or news from the Fan family."

Seeing that the sky was getting dark, Bai Li teleported to Liu Er's location.

Liu Er and his group were riding their horses when Dang Shousu, who was in front, pulled on the reins.

"etc."

Everyone stopped.

Dang Shousu turned his head and listened carefully for a moment. There seemed to be sounds in the wind, and he could faintly hear the rapid thud of horses' hooves on the ground and the clash of weapons.

There are people ahead.

Liu Er tentatively asked, "Have they started fighting?"

"It seems so."

A scream came from afar.

"Let's go take a look!" Dang Shousu said.

The group urged their horses forward, and after passing through a grove of low trees, the view suddenly opened up before them.

On a slope beside the official road, dozens of Ming soldiers were being chased and killed by a group of cavalry.

The cavalrymen were clad in leather armor, wielded scimitars, and rode swift, powerful horses, making them extremely fierce in battle.

The Ming army had been thrown into disarray and scattered, pursued by the Later Jin cavalry, whose scimitars gleamed coldly in the setting sun.

As soon as Liu Er and his men appeared, the Later Jin cavalry took notice.

The lead knight reined in his horse, glanced back, and raised his hand to signal.

More than ten cavalrymen immediately broke away from the battle formation, turned their horses around, and went to meet Liu Er and his men.