What the students preparing for the exams in various states did not know was that news of the postponement of the imperial examinations had already spread in the capital.
The news was first reported in restaurants and teahouses, and various academies in Beijing were also discussing it.
Xie Zhiyuan looked slightly gloomy, "I heard that the DPRK and China are still discussing and have not yet made a decision. Did the news spread so quickly?"
Zhang Li asked: "Master, are you worried?"
"The war is tense and there is chaos in the country. The imperial court has not deliberately suppressed the news of postponing the imperial examination. What does this mean?"
Xie Zhiyuan looked at him deeply.
"Then Mr. Chen Ping, doesn't it mean that Mr. Chen also has to wait?"
Xie Zhiyuan is not worried, "Chen Ping is unparalleled in talent, and the postponement of the imperial examination is just a delay for him to go to court."
Zhang Li asked puzzledly: "Then what are you worried about?"
He thought for a moment, finally changed his expression, and asked again: "Treasury?"
"The national treasury can no longer support it. If the war can end this year, there may still be hope for next year's imperial examination."
Otherwise, postponement of the exam will be a foregone conclusion.
In May, the weather is getting hotter and hotter.
The supervisory censor who was investigating Panhuan in Qianzhou finally returned to Beijing and took away all the family assets of the relevant criminals to replenish the national treasury.
As soon as they left, the pressure on Kowloon Hall's head also instantly eased.
No matter what, the matter of Cao Huowang secretly delivering goods for others is always like a knife hanging on his neck.
Even though Tang Hao had secretly picked them out, Chen Ping was still worried that Jiulong Hall would be implicated.
Chen Ping went to He Mansion that day, and Zhao Jin and He Qingxuan were also talking about this matter.
"Since Liu Bi's death, I thought Ling Shu was the undercurrent. Now that Ling Shu has died, Qi Hongming is still at large, and Jiulong Hall has almost become a living target. After the death of Hall Master Cao, the talent in the hall has been reduced, and I dare not let it. They went too far."
He Qingxuan did the math and couldn't help but frown.
"But there are more than 500 people living in Kowloon Hall, and the monthly expenses are not a small amount."
Ye Chongwen had a headache looking at the account book, but after a rough glance through it, he couldn't help but shake his head.
"Including the business of Tianxiang Pavilion, Cloth Shop, and Winery, today's income is only half of what Hall Master Cao was when he was alive."
Chen Ping pondered for a moment and sighed: "Now that the Qianzhou incident has occurred, the imperial court has not completely turned its attention away, so the enemy will naturally restrain itself. But guarding against thieves for a thousand days is not a solution, and Jiulongtang cannot hide in Qianzhou forever. ”
Apart from anything else, although Ling Shu died, the person who transported the salt and iron to him has not yet been found.
The private mines in Yongshun County are not unique; the same forbidden areas are still dormant in Qianzhou.
After this period of time has passed, if Qi Hongming's group of people comes back, how should Kowloon Hall respond?
Zhao Jin frowned, and there was no good way.
"Two years ago we all thought we had a chance, but looking back now, we have only scratched the tip of the iceberg."
Chen Ping said calmly: "It has been two years, and in the end we have got very few clues. The mastermind behind the scenes is still in a high position. The enemy is hidden and we are clear. To deal with them, our strength is far from enough."
Jiulongtang is the largest gang in Qianzhou, but Cao Lei eventually died in the hands of Ling Shu.
And how long can the winery in their hands, Tianxiang Pavilion and even Kowloon Hall, last under such a huge undercurrent?
Those heavenly stems and earthly branches are like a mystery, confusing people.
Ling Shu's channel for incoming goods and the delivery location in the north can be changed, and it can be seen clearly that the opponent's strength is far beyond their imagination!
"In the final analysis, our strength is still too weak." He Qingxuan said unwillingly.
They need strength, they need stronger connections, and they need to build a high wall for self-protection.
Now that we have stepped into danger, we must at least give ourselves enough time to respond when the storm comes.
Never be like this time again, where people disappeared for a whole day, and He Qing chose a few to react.
Chen Ping thought for a moment, something flashed through his mind, and he suddenly spoke.
"In the original investigation, Hall Master Cao relied on the transportation team from Jiulong Hall that traveled all over the country."
Several people looked at each other and Zhao Jin asked: "What do you want?"
"Jiulongtang travels among three religions and nine streams, and is extremely adaptable to changes," Chen Ping suggested, "Why don't we carry forward this advantage?"
"Do you want Jiulongtang to help find out the news?" Ye Chongwen asked.
Chen Ping's eyes became deep, and after thinking for a moment, he slowly spoke again.
"Qianzhou has changed after hearing the news. It is not easy to find those who lurk. But we may not be safe in the future. If Jiulong Hall can protect itself, we can be worthy of Hall Master Cao's final entrustment."
What Cao Lei was most worried about before his death was the brothers who had been with him through life and death.
Zhao Jin said thoughtfully: "It is not that easy to predict the enemy first."
"That's right," He Qingxuan also said, "Kowloon Hall sells goods to all parties, coming and going in a hurry. If they should focus on inquiring about information, I'm afraid their business will be affected to a certain extent."
Chen Ping had already expected it, so he opened the ledger to reveal something.
"They are highly mobile, but we are different."
Zhao Jin stared at the words "Tianxiang Pavilion" on the account book and immediately understood what Chen Ping meant.
"Do you want to provide them with a location? Open a branch?"
"Yes, we have to go through several prefectures in the direction of the capital. We can open branches in each prefecture! We were short of manpower before, but now we can choose manpower from Jiulongtang, and we can dispatch the shopkeepers and accountants of each store." As soon as these words came out, Ye Chongwen was shocked.
"This is no small expense!"
"Stop short-term profits and seek long-term benefits. If you want high returns, you must invest heavily! Moreover, the income from the winery alone can support the entire Kowloon Hall."
As long as the initial investment can be stabilized and branches are gradually opened, it will be difficult to lose money.
Chen Ping continued: "Tianxiangge can first open branches in various states. Due to the demand for wine and wine in various places, the winery has temporarily opened stores for distribution. Jiulongtang has stationed in branches and stores in various places, so the transportation speed will also be improved.
A lot faster."
As Kowloon Hall moves around, it can also take their goods to further places, expanding circulation and customer base.
Over time, the situation stabilized, and Kowloon Hall and their branches were able to take care of each other.
Now that we have the ability to protect ourselves, we can come to each other's aid when in danger.
Now that I have the ability to adapt, I can help them deliver messages in the future.
Chen Ping spoke faster and faster, and the thoughts in his mind became clearer and clearer, and finally he finished it in one breath.
"This is a win-win situation, why not?"
This cannot be accomplished overnight, so we must start from now on.
"I think it's feasible," Ye Chongwen said seriously, "It just means more money. Money is an external possession, so if you give it up, give it up!"
He spoke boldly and generously, which made other people laugh.
"If this is the case, Jiulongtang will have to recruit more troops and increase its manpower." Zhao Jin said thoughtfully.
"My cloth shop has branches in many places, so we can try the water first!" He Qingxuan said immediately.
"You can also try Tianxiang Pavilion in the capital!" Ye Chongwen suggested.
Several people discussed it and finally decided that Zhao Jin would go back to Jiulong Hall to discuss with the hall masters. As long as they did not object to the matter, they could take action immediately.
It wasn't until evening that Chen Ping finalized all the details of the plan and dragged his exhausted body back to Zhuyuan.
Unexpectedly, as soon as his front foot stepped in, Cheng Cheng grabbed him with his back foot.
"Where have you been today? I've been looking for you for a long time!"