In the big tent, there were more than a dozen large tables, and dozens of tall and strong soldiers were busy placing all kinds of wine and dishes on the tables.
There was already a buzz of people around the table. Rich businessmen from all over Shandong gathered together in twos and threes, discussing something in low voices!
In the aisle in the center of the big tent, more than a dozen braziers the size of millstones were lit. On the braziers, seventy-eight-year-old fat sheep that had been roasted were dripping with attractive fat, and they made sounds from time to time.
A squeaking sound.
At this time, although it was windy and snowy outside, inside the huge tent made of three layers of cowhide, it was as warm as spring, and people could not feel the slightest chill.
Not long after, a series of important figures such as Xiao Mowen, the head of the Xiao family, Yu Bo, the chief steward of Prince De's Palace, Lao Gui, the logistics director of the Caishi Army, also rushed to the big tent.
"Hello, Master Xiao!"
"Uncle Yu, your old body is still so strong! Wan Sheng admires you!"
"Hey! Sir, what kind of fairy wind is this, blowing you here too!"
All the wealthy businessmen stood up one after another and greeted these top Shandong dignitaries.
Xiao Mowen smiled and bowed his hands to everyone, "Everyone, distinguished guests, we are all old acquaintances! Haha! Let's not say some polite words! Today, although it is the Duke of Qi who is treating us, I, Lao Xiao, have to be there.
So, I would like to say to all the distinguished guests, today we must eat well and drink well! We must not save money for the Duke of Qi!"
Everyone couldn't help laughing and praised Xiao Mowen for his humor.
Xiao Mowen smiled and nodded to everyone, and then said to Uncle Yu and Lao Gui beside him: "Uncle Yu, dear brother, let's take a seat too! If you wish, you should be here soon!"
Although Uncle Yu was the great steward of Prince De's Mansion, facing Xiao Mowen, the most upright 'uncle of the country' in Shandong, he did not dare to show any signs of neglect. He hurriedly held his hands and said, "Master Xiao is an old slave! Come here!"
,After you!"
Lao Gui was originally a distant relative of the Xiao family. Although he was now prosperous and held a high position, he did not dare to put on airs when facing Xiao Mowen. He bowed his hands respectfully and said, "Master of the family, please go first!"
Xiao Mowen chuckled, but stopped giving in and strode to the side seat closest to the main seat.
Seeing Xiao Mowen sitting down, Uncle Yu and Lao Gui and the others took their seats.
At this time, Zhang Laocai also came to the main table. Seeing Xiao Mowen and others already seated, he hurriedly smiled and cupped his hands and said: "Master Xiao, Uncle Yu, your lord, oh, I just went to the kitchen to order the dishes. I didn't expect you to come first."
Here we are! Haihan, Haihanna!"
The old man smiled and said: "Master Zhang, the Duke of Guo has left it to you to organize this feast. I, the old man, must ask for some benefits from you!"
Xiao Mowen also smiled and said: "Master Zhang, I have heard that the Duke of Guo is going to make a big move this time. You have the best information. Can you tell us something first?"
Although Xiao Mowen is Liu Ruyi's father-in-law, he has been far away in Jining and does not know the real purpose of Liu Ruyi's holding this feast. Laogui has been staying at Anton Guard recently and is in charge of the ocean-going fleet.
In Jinan City, Liu Ruyi left it to him to prepare this feast!
Zhang Laocai couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this, "Master Xiao, you guys, please don't question me anymore! Haha, to be honest, I really don't know the purpose of the Duke of Guo! Please be patient a little longer.
, everything will be clear when the Duke of Guo arrives!"
"Hmph! Okay! Fatty Zhang, you are so capable! You won't even give me, Lao Xiao, face!" Xiao Mowen said with feigned anger.
Zhang Laocai couldn't help but be shocked. He really didn't dare to offend the man in front of him.
Not to mention that Xiao Mowen himself is the head of the Xiao family in Jining. He is currently the owner of the third largest trading house in Shandong. His precious daughter is not only the official wife of Qi Guogong Liu Ruyi, but also the real helmsman of Caishi Trading Company, the largest trading company in Shandong.
, if he offends that aunt, he, Lao Zhang, will be skinned even if he doesn't die!
"Master Xiao, please stop embarrassing my little brother! I can only say that this feast will be good for all of us! If I say any more, I'm afraid the Duke will chop off my little brother's head!
"Zhang Laocai said with a wry smile and bowed his head.
Although Xiao Mowen has a respected status, he also knows Liu Ruyi's style of doing things. As long as Liu Ruyi doesn't let others know about many things, then they must not ask more questions!
"Haha! Okay! Lao Zhang, don't fool our distinguished guests today like you did to your wife! If you don't like to say it, everyone will know it later when the Duke of Guo arrives!
"
Seeing that Xiao Mowen was not entangled, Zhang Laocai was relieved. Several people quickly talked about their recent business and the construction of Antonwei Pier. They quickly changed the topic and the atmosphere suddenly became relaxed!
At this time, a soldier outside the tent suddenly shouted: "The Duke of Qi is here!"
Immediately, everyone in the tent stood up one after another and turned their attention to the entrance of the tent.
Liu Ruyi, wearing a lavender gold silk python robe, walked into the tent with a smile, waving her hands one by one and saying hello to everyone!
"Meet the Duke!"
"The Duke is well!"
"Hey! My lord, I heard that Caishi County Master is smart and cute, and I have admired my precious son for a long time! My lord, we can't let our wealth go to other people!"
Everyone bowed and saluted Liu Ruyi.
Liu Ruyi is also very familiar with these wealthy gentry and wealthy businessmen. The establishment of the Great China Development Bank and the China Ocean Trading Company has brought many benefits to these people. With the foresight, he was the first person to join the China Ocean Trading Company. Until now,
Assets have even more than doubled!
However, at this moment, Liu Ruyi saw the most obscene figure in the crowd at a glance!
This man is tall, has a dignified appearance, and is wearing a luxurious scholar's gown. Although he is dressed very luxuriously and looks like a scholar, his actions and words cannot hide the wretchedness deep in his heart!
This person is Liu Hanyi’s brother, a descendant of Cao Guogong Li Wenzhong, the largest coal and iron dealer in the Ming Dynasty, and the playboy Li Xuan who was given the nickname "Yi stick of incense"!
Although Li Xuan was of noble birth, his ambition was not to pursue an official career, but to focus on business. He was also a business wizard. In the past few years, he had opened dozens of coal and iron mines throughout the Ming Dynasty.
Extremely rich!
And because of Liu Hanyi and the huge demand for coal and iron in Caishi Town, Liu Ruyi is actually acquainted with this person!
"My surname is Li, you are so vicious! Ah! You are actually thinking about my father-in-law's precious daughter! Okay! Now you can give me a betrothal gift of 100 million taels of silver, and I will arrange a baby wedding with you!"
Li Xuan couldn't help but be startled when he heard this. Although he was extremely rich, how could he come up with so much money, several million taels? Maybe he could still scrape together 100 million taels, even if he gave away the private houses of dozens of concubines in his family.
Even if we collect all the money, it’s not enough!
However, he was not an ordinary person after all. In a moment, he said with a rogue smile: "Hey! Mr. Guo, you are not sincere! My surname is Li, but I sincerely want to enter into this marriage with Mr. Guo.
!My precious son, although he is only two years old now, is as tall as Yushu Linfeng and looks better than Pan An..."
Liu Ruyi smiled and waved her hand, "Okay! Lao Li, your son, I can tell what he looks like just by looking at you! Stop shrinking and come to the main table! It's almost time.
Let’s have a dinner first!”
Li Xuan chuckled and hurriedly followed Liu Ruyi.
~~~~
When Liu Ruyi sat down and took the lead in picking up the chopsticks, everyone then picked up their chopsticks and started eating and drinking at the table full of sumptuous delicacies.
Liu Ruyi held this banquet in a hurry. Most of these wealthy businessmen only received the invitation yesterday, so they rushed over in a hurry. In addition, it was snowing today, so they were waiting outside the camp again.
After a long time, Liu Ruyi decided to open the banquet first and talk about business later!
In the military camp, most of the food was hard food, including big fish and meat. In the past, these things were nothing to these wealthy businessmen, but now, after being hungry for so long, where could they go?
He didn't care about anything else, but suddenly there was a gust of wind and lingering clouds!
When everyone was sixty-seven percent full, Liu Ruyi picked up the wine glass, walked to the main table with a smile, and said to everyone: "Dear guests, today's banquet was held in a hurry, and Ruyi did not serve it well.
I hope all of you distinguished guests will be considerate of it!"
"What are you talking about, Mr. Guo! It is truly an honor for us to be invited by the Duke!"
"Your Majesty, you are so polite! The cooks in your camp are really good at their craftsmanship. I have never tasted such delicious roasted leg of lamb today!"
"…………"
Everyone stood up and responded.
Liu Ruyi smiled and waved her hands to everyone, "Dear distinguished guests, most of the people who can come here today are Ruyi's uncles and brothers, and they are Ruyi's parents who provide food, clothing, and food! Haha! We are all one family, let alone two families.
Words! Today, the reason why Ruyi invites you all to come is because there is a big deal that I want to discuss with you!"
As soon as Liu Ruyi said this, everyone at the table couldn't help but start talking in low voices.
Not long after, some of the leading gentry and wealthy businessmen said: "Master Guo, we are a family. If you have any business to make a fortune, just tell us! As long as the Colored Stone Army needs money, we will pay for it.
You need people to help!"
"Yes! As long as the Duke and the Colored Stone Army need it, we are willing to do whatever it takes!"
"…………"
Everyone expressed their attitude one after another, fearing that they would be left behind.
Over the years, due to the reputation created by the Great China Development Bank and China Ocean Trading Company in Shandong, coupled with the continuous victory of the Colored Stone Army, Liu Ruyi's reputation on the ground in Shandong has reached its peak!
These wealthy businessmen were afraid that Liu Ruyi would not borrow money from them, but instead they scrambled to get their own money into Liu Ruyi's hands!
Liu Ruyi couldn't help but think of the high-interest lending craze of later generations. Although his methods at this time were very similar to those of later generations, in this era, Liu Ruyi could firmly control the overall situation in his own hands!
After pondering for a moment, Liu Ruyi smiled and said to everyone: "This time, Ruyi is not borrowing money from you! Haha! If you want to eat my interest again, there is no way!"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, and the atmosphere suddenly became relaxed.
Liu Ruyi waved his hand and said: "This time, the reason why Ruyi invites everyone to come is because, according to the imperial edict, our Colored Stone Army will soon send troops to Henan to wipe out the bandits in the Central Plains! Everyone, use my Colored Stone Army
With the military’s combat power, have you discovered the business opportunities in it?”