The old man was knocked to the ground by a random stick and rolled to Zhu Tongpan's feet.
Zhu Tongpan, who had quick eyes and quick hands, immediately helped the old man up himself, and then sternly scolded the waiters: "How brave, who gave you the courage to beat people openly?"
When the waiter saw that he was from the government, he immediately changed his face and said, "Sir, you are wronged. We are good citizens. It is not easy to open the door for business, but this beggar is blocking the shop and hindering our business. We are forced to do so."
, you will take action to drive him away!"
Zhu Tongpan really wanted to beat these idiots up. It's not good to cause trouble, but Qi Jue happened to bump into him when he came to Tongzhou.
"Even so, it's not the reason for you to beat people. Go apologize to the old man and compensate him some money. Hurry!"
What, asking them to apologize to this old beggar? The waiter in the shop was full of reluctance, but due to Zhu Tongpan's official authority, he could only lower his head and apologize.
But before they could apologize, Qi Jue walked over in a few steps and glanced at the various types of rice.
"A pound of rice is priced at ten taels, and it is the lowest price. It is even more expensive than the rice sent as tribute to the imperial palace. I knew there was a plague in Tongzhou, but I didn't know. I thought there was a famine, so the price was so outrageous.
.”
Zhu Tongpan received the news that Qi Jue was coming to Tongzhou to deal with the plague, but he did not expect that Qi Jue would come so quickly, nor did he expect that when he arrived, he would not go to the government, let alone any restaurant, but directly to Mi
shop.
Looking at this posture, he is going to directly attack the enemy!
Zhu Tongpan really regretted it. He had known that His Highness the King of Dingbei would not tolerate sand in his eyes. When he returned from the victory, he hacked the former Minister of Hubu to death without saying hello.
And he is just a small general magistrate in the state capital. Ten heads are not enough for Qi Jue to chop off!
The cold sweat on Zhu Tongpuan's forehead was dripping down, and he replied tremblingly: "Your Highness is absolutely right. It's because Xiaguan failed to manage the merchants well. Xiaguan was all focused on the plague, but he was actually
I didn't notice that the price of food has risen so outrageously. This official has neglected his duty and deserves to die!"
As he said that, Zhu Tongpan slapped him hard twice in the face, which could be said to be fast and hard.
"It's rare for Zhu Tongpuan to find a problem and correct it very quickly when he realizes his mistake. Since he knows his mistake, verbal punishment is of no use. What should I do? I don't need to teach you personally, right?"
Zhu Tongpan nodded quickly, "I understand, I understand. Go and call your shopkeeper. The government will confiscate all the grain from the rice shop!"
Not that he was hopelessly stupid, so the waiter hurriedly called the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper came out with a smile and said, "I didn't know Master Zhu was coming in person. Don't blame Master Zhu for missing the welcome. Master Zhu is here to buy rice? It's easy to say, just take as much as you want. I won't charge you any money."
If you divide the money, as long as you take care of the small business, it will be..."
Zhu Tongpan was really frightened by the shopkeeper's words. He quickly covered his mouth and interrupted him: "What nonsense are you talking about? As an official of the imperial court, how can I take the people's things with my bare hands?
When did I do this before?"
The shopkeeper is also a shrewd man. When he sees Zhu Tongpan speaking, he is not only cautious, but also always glances to the left from time to time, just to please him.
Although the man on the left didn't say a word, his face was magnificent and his temperament was even more dignified. Just standing there made their shop appear taller.
To be able to make Zhu Tongpan, a person who is so feared by all officials, he must be either rich or noble. Who knows, he might be someone sent from above!
After thinking about this, the shopkeeper immediately changed his mind: "Look at my memory, I will remember it wrong if I am not careful. Mr. Zhu is a well-known upright official in Tongzhou City. What kind of rice does Mr. Zhu want to buy? This is what I am doing."
Pack it up and sell it at market price."
"What kind of market is this? Are you selling fairy rice? The price has actually risen to ten taels per catty. Hurry up and get all the marked prices. The government will levy grain and pack all the grain. The government will charge you the original price of the goods."
Pay in silver."
The original purchase price was very different from the current price. When the shopkeeper heard this, he couldn't even laugh.
"Mr. Zhu, it's not that I don't want to give you this face, but I'm just a shopkeeper. For such a big thing, I have to get the nod from the owner of our shop!"
As he said that, the shopkeeper quickly gave the waiter on the side a look.
"Why are you nodding? The government is collecting grain to give you face. What are you doing here in a daze? You guys, hurry up and pack up the grain in the granary!"
Just when the government servant was about to enter the shop, a man came out and said, "Master Zhu is really a powerful official. The plague broke out in Tongzhou City, and all kinds of food became scarce. My shop is not the only one with this price.
As a result, Mr. Zhu came to the door.
They have to move the grain away at the original price. How is such an unreasonable behavior different from that of a robber? Let me tell you, our shop will not sell this rice to the government, let alone you, a small passerby.
After the verdict, even if the prefect comes, it will be useless!"
"You... you are so brave. You dare to challenge the government. Get out of the way. If you don't hand over the food obediently, don't blame me for being rude and put you all in jail. You will regret it later.
, but it’s useless!”
Unexpectedly, the boss sneered with great disdain, "Master Zhu, if you grab the rice in my shop, you have to weigh how many kilograms you weigh. I might as well tell you, if you dare to act recklessly in my shop today,
I will write a letter to the imperial capital, and I will send your black gauze hat to the ground tomorrow!"
The owner of a small rice shop has such a big voice!
"I am a general judge appointed by the imperial court. Apart from Your Majesty, who else has the right to remove me from my official position? What a joke!"
The boss was not afraid at all. Instead, he took a step forward and directly confronted Zhu Tongpan, speaking in an extremely arrogant tone.
"Do you know that your Majesty's favorite Concubine Zhuang is my aunt? If you dare to touch a hair of my shop, I will write a book for Concubine Zhuang. Considering the importance of Concubine Zhuang in His Majesty's heart, I will deal with you.
A little interrogation, it's just a matter of opening your mouth, so what, are you afraid?"
Good guy, Qi Jue actually ate the melon himself.
Zhu Tongpan glanced at Qi Jue cautiously, and hurriedly shouted: "That's nonsense. Tongzhou is thousands of miles away from the imperial capital. How can a person as valuable as Concubine Zhuang be related to a small rice shop owner like you?
"
"You dare to touch my finger and try? Open your eyes and look carefully. This emerald mandarin duck pillow was given to my grandmother by Concubine Zhuang herself. How could such a personal thing be used by other than close relatives?