Although more than twenty days have passed since the first victory report from Tong Guan, the whole country of Bian Jing is still immersed in the joy of victory. The news of the defeat on the Western Front was hidden by Tong Guan, so that most people did not know that the Battle of Xixia had actually failed. The people of Bian Jing were still looking forward to the news of the capture of Xingqing Prefecture.

On that evening, Li Daqi came to Rainbow Tower as usual. The land that Li Daqi bought last year had already built a new building. Baoyanzhai's headquarters moved from Yujie to the outside of the city two days ago. Yujie was just a simple shop. It required a large number of people to manage branches in various parts of the Song Dynasty. For Li Daqi, it was urgent to establish Baoyanzhai's headquarters.

Baoyanzhai's main store has increased to more than 100 people, and there are more than 20 accounting rooms alone. There are also powder research, fleets, procurement, warehouses, guards, etc. Every link requires manpower. For example, the main store of Zhanggu Lao Rouge Shop has even nearly 200 people.

But Li Daqi has not been in a good mood these days. The Fang La army's uprising is in great momentum. A month ago, two Fang La troops entered the country to attack Hangzhou and Yuezhou, plundering them, seriously threatening the safety of Hangzhou and Yuezhou. Li Daqi received news in advance and urgently used a large sum of money to entrust someone to transfer his wife, daughter and Li Shishi to Jiangning Prefecture.

Although Fang La's army finally withdrew from Hangzhou and Yuezhou, Baoyanzhai's warehouse in Yuezhou Harbour was destroyed by war, and the spices worth 5,000 jin in the warehouse were snatched away by Fang La Ran Army.

In fact, what Li Daqi is more worried about is his son Li Yanqing. He also has a branch in Taiyuan Prefecture. The deacon of Taiyuan Prefecture wrote a letter to tell him that the young owner had been promoted to the head of the Hedong Army Intelligence Department and followed the commander Zhong Shidao to enter Xixia.

This was completely beyond Li Daqi's expectations. He always thought that his son would be a civil servant in the army and should stay in Taiyuan even if there was a war. Why did he go to Xixia? This is completely different from the promise Liang Shicheng gave him!

Li Daqi was relieved that his son was worried. He had only one younger brother and one older sister in his generation. When he was twelve years old, he drowned in the river and his parents were left with him. The eldest sister married far away from Zhending Mansion and had not had any contact for more than ten years. He himself had only one son. If his son died on the front line, their family would be truly a last resort.

This is also a hidden reason why Li Daqi acquiesced his son to marry Li Shishi as his concubine. He hoped that Li Shishi would be pregnant, but there was no movement on Li Shishi's side, so he could only pray to God to bless his son with safety.

Rainbow Tower is a mid-range restaurant opposite the south of Hongqiao. Because of the good location, merchants from all over the country will eat here, and the business has always been very good.

Li Daqi is also a regular visitor to Rainbow Tower. As soon as he walked to the restaurant, the shopkeeper warmly greeted him, "I was just talking about why Mr. Li hasn't come yet. If I don't come, I will send a sedan chair to invite him."

"If you don't say such flattery, you can make more money."

"As farewell said, it is our honor to eat in our small shop, and it has added a lot of business to us. If you think the villain is not well cared for, I will ask the boss to greet the farewell."

"Your mouth is getting smoother and smoother. Let's eat first, the old rules."

"Please go upstairs!"

In fact, the shopkeeper said it too much. Li Daqi is recognized as the top ten businessmen in Bianjing, with a wealth of wealth. Rainbow Tower is just a mid-range restaurant. Li Daqi's dining here certainly gave them enough face.

This is also because Baoyanzhai Main Store is only twenty or thirty steps away from here, and Li Daqi is also looking for convenience.

After going up to the second floor, the second floor was full of guests. Even the seat Li Daqi had to sit on every day was seated down. The shopkeeper was a little embarrassed. Just as he was about to drive people away, Li Daqi saw the two accounts in his store, and waved his hand and smiled, "No need to drive people away, I'll sit here."

"Mr. Li, I'm really sorry!"

The shopkeeper was really sorry. He clearly asked the bartender to keep the seat. How did the bartender do it? He should teach a lesson in his return.

Two accountants were drinking and chatting. When they saw the owner coming, they quickly got up to greet him. Li Daqi smiled and said, "There are too many customers today and there is no seat. I'll squeeze with you too!"

"Please, please!"

Li Daqi sat down, one of the two accountants was Cao Qian and the other was Hong Dazhi. Hong Dazhi was the failed juren introduced to his father by Li Yanqing. He did a good job, was meticulous and very smart and capable. He has now been promoted by Li Daqi to the deputy director of the accountants.

Zhou Chun, who served as the county magistrate of Tangyin, wrote a letter asking him to help, but Hong Dazhi wanted to take the imperial examination, so he politely declined Zhou Chun's invitation. Li Dongzhu took good care of him. Not only did he give him a high salary of 40 yuan a month, but he also asked him to review the general ledger. In this way, Hong Dazhi could go to the Imperial College to listen during the day and go back to the store to review the general ledger in the afternoon. Although he was busy every day, he was also very fulfilling.

"You two are in a good mood! What are you talking about?" Li Daqi asked with a smile after drinking a glass of wine.

"We are talking about the situation in Xixia! The Song army won consecutive victories, and I don't know when we will reach Xingqing Prefecture?"

"A big victory!"

A angry voice suddenly came from behind, "All defeats have been destroyed, and the whole army has been destroyed. What a big victory!"

Li Daqi trembled all over and poured wine in his glass. He quickly turned around and saw a few merchants sitting behind them. He said that the accent should be from Shaanxi Road.

Li Daqi suddenly became nervous and stood up to salute, "My brothers are polite, what do you mean by saying that the whole army is wiped out?"

A head merchant glanced at him, "What are you asking about this?"

Hong Dazhi quickly explained: "This is our boss, Mr. Li from Baoyanzhai. Because our young master also participated in this Western Expedition, the boss is very worried."

Hearing that it was the famous Baoyanzhai Grand Owner, several guests quickly stood up to salute. Li Daqi asked nervously: "Can you tell me in detail?"

The first customer asked: "Is Xiao Yuanwai on the East or the West?"

"I don't know the specifics, it's with Zhong Jingliu."

"Following the old army, that's the Eastern Front. It's okay. I heard that I was still fighting fiercely with the Western Xia army in Xixia. The entire army was destroyed. Tong Laomu's army on the Western Front. Only a few thousand people fled back, and an unprecedented defeat!"

Li Daqi's face was pale and his hands were trembling. He could no longer hold the wine glass, and he fell to the ground.

The two accountants quickly helped the owner sit down. At this time, the drinkers gathered around and asked in a lingering manner: "Is the news true?"

"Well! Do we dare to make up such a thing? Jingzhao Mansion has spread a long time ago, and everyone knows that the news will reach the capital in the past two days."

The restaurant suddenly felt like it was a sensation. Everyone was talking nonsense. Li Daqi had no intention of eating anymore. He stood up and whispered to himself: "No! I want to go to find Taifu Liang, I must ask clearly."

.........

In front of Liang Shicheng's mansion, Li Daqi walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, feeling anxious and restless. Several guards guards knew him, but they were worried that they could not disturb him.

At this time, a guard whispered: "Mr. Li, my yamen is out."

When Li Daqi turned around, he saw a thirty-year-old young man walking out quickly. He hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "Let Li Daqi come to pay homage to Taifu Liang in Baoyanzhai!"

The man was Liang Shicheng's fake Liang Song. He laughed dryly: "I know Mr. Li, but I'm sorry, my father entered the palace yesterday and has not come back yet. I guess he won't come back tonight."

Li Daqi was immediately disappointed, "What should I do if I do this?"

"Is there anything important about Mr. Li? I can tell my father."

"It was for the matter of the dog son. I heard that the Song army was defeated in Xixia. The dog son was now trapped in Xixia in the Eastern Front Army. I was really worried to the extreme."

It turned out that Li Yanqing was also in the Western Expedition Army. Liang Song felt really happy. The damn Li Yanqing would have to die in Xixia before he could find out that he was angry.

Liang Song was happy, but on the surface he still hypocritically advised: "Your Majesty Li doesn't have to worry too much. My father already knew about the Western Expedition. It was probably because of this matter that he had not returned in the palace these two days. Besides, Li Yanei was in the Western Xia army, and my father could do nothing even if he wanted to help! I think Li Yanei was not a premature death. I believe that the auspicious people will have their own fate, so Li Yuanwai should not be too worried."

Li Daqi sighed softly. Liang Yanei was right. What could he do when he saw Liang Shicheng? It is impossible to transfer his son back now. He can only ask for the Buddha's blessing.

"I understand. Thank you Liang Yanei for your kindness. I will say goodbye!"

Li Daqi bowed and got on the ox cart and ordered: "Go to Daxiangguo Temple!"
Chapter completed!