In the county seat, in the backyard of Fuding Tower.
It was past three o'clock, the night was dark and the wind was high, and the whole county was extremely quiet, except for the sound of bamboo, which made rhythmic rustling noises.
A sneaky figure, covered by the sound of bamboo, quietly came in through the back door.
This person successfully evaded the watchdog and the servants on night watch, and paid no attention to the porcelain bottles, canvases, and jewelry incense burners he passed by.
Instead, he tiptoed directly to the outside of the room where Huang Liuye, the proprietor of Fuding Tower, lived, and gently opened the window.
"Dong dong...dong dong dong...dong dong..."
According to the rule of two, three, and two, after pulling the button several times in succession, the door opened slightly, and the thin moonlight leaked in through the cracks in the door, slightly diluting the sluggish darkness and becoming the only cool light source in the room.
It barely illuminates their faces.
Huang Liuye, who has a fat head and big ears, is dressed in plain clothes at home, and has a gentle smile on his face. He is not at all unhappy about being disturbed in the middle of the night.
Instead, with a slightly flattering look, he opened the door and invited the person into the house, then gently closed the door.
The person who sneaked into the backyard of Fuding Tower without reporting at this time must not be a stranger.
After the visitors came into the study, a small candle flame flickered in the room, and Mr. Huang Liu said affectionately: "I don't know why I have to bother Brother Luer to make a trip late at night. It's not a good journey."
"When I leave later, come with me to the wine cellar to drink a few glasses of this year's new wine to warm yourself up, and take another jar back with you."
Such heart-warming words made most of the tired look on Huang Luer's face fade away.
I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, "Master Huang Liu is worthy of being Master Huang. Among the many masters in the Huang family, this one in front of me knows how to behave best.
No wonder Huang Liuye, as a concubine, managed to build a family business like Fuding Tower without family support!"
Huang Lv'er, as Huang Xian Cheng's trusted servant, naturally knows how to measure and understand his duties.
Then he bowed his hands respectfully and replied eagerly: "I appreciate Mr. Liu's kindness."
"But things are urgent tonight. The third master is still waiting for my reply. I don't dare to delay any more."
Hearing that Huang Luer, who had always been a heavy drinker, sternly rejected his proposal, Huang Liuye's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.
Huang County Cheng is his cousin who came out of the fifth server. He is the third eldest among the direct descendants of the Huang family, so he is called Huang Sanye.
Huang Liuye is not the sixth eldest, because there are only five direct descendants of the Huang family in Huang County Cheng's generation.
After he became successful, he took the initiative to join the concubine of his relatives. After paying a lot of money, he was successfully accepted by the direct descendants of the Huang family.
But Huang Liuye understands very well that the relationship between the two parties is nothing more than a cooperative relationship. No matter how wealthy a businessman is, his social status is still low. It is only easy to act on the surface by hanging the name of the family.
In recent years, relying on this reputation, I have gained a lot of advantages in business.
As for family love, it never exists.
Therefore, Huang Liuye categorically rejected the Huang family's proposal to rearrange the family according to age, and took the initiative to call himself Huang Laoliu to show that he was inferior to others.
Tonight, Huang County Cheng, the most powerful person in the Huang family, sent his trusted servant to deliver the message late at night.
And it seems so urgent, so it must be a difficult job.
At least he can't do anything from the official side, so much so that he has to rely on his power as a businessman.
Huang Liuye's career has been booming in the past few years. In addition to his business acumen in the open, he also relies on his hands and eyes in the dark.
If his business had not been under the care of Huang Xian Cheng, it would not be as smooth as it is now.
Even though Fuding Tower is now the largest restaurant in Yongshun County, if it wants to remain prosperous for a long time, it must get closer to the government.
Therefore, no matter how difficult the errand is, you have to take it on and do it with all your strength, and you have to do it beautifully!
All thoughts turned around, and the smile on Huang Liuye's face became even brighter.
Although I didn’t know what I was asked to do, if it could be successfully completed, it would definitely be a big debt of gratitude. He resolutely said: “Thanks to my third brother for taking care of me for a long time, I will do my best regardless of public or private affairs.”
This is truly true.
He opened his mouth and pointed out that this time it was to repay the favor of Huang County Cheng.
"Regardless of public or private affairs" points out that even shady private matters are not hesitant.
Although he did not guarantee that he would be able to do it successfully, he gave a "go all out" attitude.
Just twenty words, half pushing and half pulling, not only brought friendship closer, but also did not forget to lower oneself. It not only performed a verbal favor, but also implied an exchange of interests.
After hearing this, Huang Luer breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "With Master Liu's words, I can do my job."
"Actually, it's not a difficult thing to do."
"All it takes is Mr. Liu, together with the shopkeepers and owners of various shops in the county, to go to the county government office to complain."
Huang Liuye's hands in his sleeves trembled slightly, and even the smile at the corner of his mouth faltered.
Not only did he go to the county government to cause trouble, he also took the lead himself.
This is trying to trick me to death!
Huang Lv'er had already developed the ability to observe words and expressions. Seeing Mr. Huang Liu's expression change slightly, he quickly opened his mouth to explain.
"Today, Third Master was in the yamen and heard some rumors that the naughty county magistrate has gone crazy and wants all the merchants in the county to donate money and food for road construction."
"Don't you know how to donate?"
"Master Liu, you understand for yourself that if Magistrate Wang really did this, who would suffer the most? Should they complain?"
Huang Liuye, who thought he was a calm person, was so angry at the county magistrate's stupid move.
He yelled loudly on the spot, "It's so shameless and utterly unconscionable!"
"That dog official is obsessed with repairing officialdom every day on the pretext of benefiting people's livelihood. He thought he was a good official, but unexpectedly, it was also an excuse to rob people of their wealth. After all, he is a corrupt person and perverts the law!"
"How much trouble will be caused every time when it comes to donating and apportioning. Don't you understand?"
There have been several apportionment incidents in the surrounding counties in the past, and those lazy and violent officials have caused a lot of public resentment every time.
After several physical "meltings" between the government and the people, the government finally made concessions and did not mention the issue of apportionment for several years.
What Huang Liuye is most worried about is not how much money he has to pay, but that if County Magistrate Wang is really desperate for money, he will send those petty officials to come one by one to pay.
All merchants, big and small, in the county will definitely be raided.
This is because the money and food allocated by the county government in official documents are considerable, but the greed of the people below is endless.
By then, the entire Yongshun County will inevitably be in depression, and it will be difficult to recover within a year or two.
If the entire county's economy is declining day by day, Fuding Tower's business will naturally be no exception.
This is what scares Mr. Huang the most!
Thinking of such terrible consequences, Huang Liuye could no longer pay attention to Huang County Cheng's plan.
He directly told Huang Luer, "Go back and tell my third brother that we are close brothers, and his business is my business."
"Don't say it's just a complaint. If the dog official insists on having his own way, we can find a city fox and a mouse to act as a thorn and make a fuss."
"I don't believe it anymore. We have the county magistrate above us to cover us up, and everyone below us is working together, but we can't defeat a foolish magistrate!"
With Huang Liuye's assurance, Huang Luer finally left with a smile.
In the study room, Huang Liuye, who was still blushing just now, has calmed down.
A servant brought a cup of brewed hot tea. Huang Liuye took a deep breath, immersed himself in the refreshing atmosphere, and began to carefully plan the details of the matter.
After thinking quietly for a long time, he softly called a confidant and whispered instructions for a long time.
......
Huating Academy.
In recent days, He Qingxuan and Ye Chongwen have not been having a very happy life.
As long as I think of Ye Lao and Chen Ping, both of them are busy with such important things as renovating officialdom, but as Chen Ping's classmates, Ye Lao's descendants and students, they can only stay in this corner of the academy.
I couldn't help at all, so I felt extremely frustrated.
Especially Ye Chongwen, who was shrugging his head and looking listless.
He Qingxuan is holding a book, but his thoughts are wandering to nowhere.
Just when the two of them were back to back, but having different thoughts, the academy concierge ran over with two letters.