Tang Ji gave a brief explanation, and then he and the white-haired old man walked out of the room where the account books were stored as if nothing had happened.
In the accounting room, another younger accounting gentleman touched the back of his head and asked curiously: "Mr. Chen, what were you yelling about in there just now?"
"I..." The white-haired old man looked slightly panicked and was about to explain, but Tang Ji beat him to it.
"It's okay. A mouse suddenly jumped out just now and even I was startled. Okay, you guys go to work first and I won't disturb you." After saying that, Tang Ji walked towards the door.
After he left, the young accountant murmured: "There are actually rats in the account room. You should clean it up when you have time, otherwise it will chew up the account books."
The white-haired old man calmed down, coughed slightly, and said: "Okay, the accounting will start the day after tomorrow. Let's try to finish the accounting for last month today."
Afterwards, the two of them sat back down and got busy.
Tang Ji lay on the fence on the second floor and thought for a moment, then went downstairs, found Qi Zheng again, and asked, "Deacon Qi, do you have the key to the accounting room?"
"Well, the key to the accounting room is divided into three. Shopkeeper Yue and Mr. Wang, the second accounting clerk, have one each. The last one will be kept by our four deacons." Qi Zheng, who was conveying orders to the clerks, took the time to ask Tang Ji
After explaining, she noticed his strange expression and asked curiously: "What? There is something wrong with the account books?"
Hearing this, Tang Ji quickly waved his hand: "No, I just want to know, where is the key to the warehouse where the money is stored?"
Qi Zheng still felt that Tang Ji was a little strange, but he couldn't guess what the other party didn't say, so he continued to reply: "The key to the warehouse should have been handed over to the third accounting room for safekeeping, but since the incident of Tan Mo, it has been handed over again.
In the hands of shopkeeper Yue."
Tang Ji nodded slightly, so he felt relieved. If the account book was lost, he could write another copy. If the money was gone, he would have no money to compensate. He then asked, "Who has the key to the accounting room now?"
"It's here with me." After Qi Zheng finished speaking, he took out an iron ring from the counter with several keys strung on it, and held one of the slender copper-colored keys in his hand.
"Are these days in your hands?" Tang Jiyan said.
Qi Zheng took a deep breath and explained: "You have also seen that this key is connected with other keys of the Chamber of Commerce. Generally, it is in the hands of whoever is on duty."
Tang Ji had also learned that the Jianghai Chamber of Commerce had business all over the city, and even had operations in other counties, but there were only four deacons, so it was impossible for everyone to be free in the building, so the four of them discussed in advance who would stay.
Being on duty is similar to being on duty in later generations.
In other words, if Zhu Linyuan gets this bunch of keys, he has time to steal the account book!
He gently stroked his nose and found out everything he needed to know. Then he could cast the net. He retracted his hands into his sleeves, quietly aligned himself with the shopkeeper's order, and said: "I hope you will be able to talk about what I discussed with Deacon Qi today."
You can keep it secret for now."
There should be no problem with Old Man Qi, but he has a good relationship with Zhu Linyuan, so he can avoid alerting others and simply exercise his privileges.
When Qi Zheng saw the word "month" on the token, he was stunned for a moment. After coming to his senses, he replied: "Don't worry, Mr. Tang."
Tang Ji stretched out, turned around and was about to leave, but as soon as he reached the gate, he bumped into Zhu Linyuan, who had arrived late. He couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth and joked: "Deacon Zhu is lazy!"
Zhu Linyuan stopped, glanced at him, and snorted: "When it comes to laziness, I can't compare to Mr. Tang."
"Hey, Deacon Zhu, don't be so angry. I haven't thanked you properly for your suggestion to check the accounts in advance. In this way, we accountants can feel more relaxed at the end of the year." After Tang Ji finished speaking, he did not forget to pretend to bow.
salute.
His action made Zhu Linyuan feel a little surprised, but he didn't think much about it and replied casually: "It's just a matter of duty."
After saying this, he walked around Tang Ji towards the building.
Tang Ji smiled slightly, straightened his sleeves, and walked out of the building.
Zhu Linyuan turned his head and glanced at his back, smiling as well, thinking to himself: "I'll make you jump around for two days in the end!"
At this time, Qi Zheng, who was standing behind the counter, looked worried. Shopkeeper Yue handed the shopkeeper's order to Tang Ji. Combined with the other party's question just now, there must be something wrong with the account books, and it might be caused by their four deacons.
Thinking of this, he saw Zhu Linyuan looking lazy again, and shouted angrily: "I'm going to Nancheng today. I told you yesterday, why didn't you come until now?"
"Oh, Lao Qi, I don't know what I ate last night and I'm upset." Zhu Linyuan walked over with a smile and glanced at the second floor, as if he had predicted in advance the scene where Tang Ji would be scolded by Yue Shuhua.
As long as Tang Ji is not reused by Yue Shuhua, he will have a way to drive him out of the Jianghai Chamber of Commerce.
...
After Tang Ji left the Jianghai Chamber of Commerce, he spent the rest of his time in Ji Ran's bookstore.
After these days of publicity, the popularity of "Journey to the West" has reached its peak. The second volume was sold out as soon as it was released. The bookstore had no choice but to promise to increase production and restock quickly.
Therefore, when he returned to Linxi Lane, the sun was already declining.
"Uncle Pang, be careful on the road." Tang Ji waved goodbye to Pang Qing politely.
Pang Qing smiled, waved his hand, said a few polite words, tightened the horse's rope and drove towards the street.
Tang Ji raised his nose and sniffed, smelling the fragrance coming from not far away, and walked slowly to Cheng Tie's barbecue shop. The reason why he got off the carriage at the entrance of the alley was because of his greed, and said with a smile: "Brother Cheng Tie
, bring me some skewers."
Cheng Tie, who was busy, widened his eyes and said eagerly: "Mr. Tang? You are not at home! I thought you were at home!"
Tang Ji asked with some confusion: "What happened?"
"Ah, Li Daniu came with a group of people and a betrothal gift to propose marriage." Cheng Tie said while flipping the barbecue in his hand.
Li Daniu?
Seeking marriage?
What is this all about?
At this moment, Widow Song, who had just finished clearing the tables and chairs, came over, sneered slightly, and patted Cheng Tie on the shoulder: "I can't explain clearly, Xiao Ji, this Li Daniu once liked Xiao Ran.
I went out to do business two years ago, and now I seem to have made a lot of money, and I plan to come back and marry Xiaoran!"
Hearing this, Tang Ji, who had just snatched a skewer of mutton from Cheng Tie, quickly threw the skewers back onto the barbecue grill before he could stuff it into his mouth, and ran towards the alley.
Cheng Tie turned his head and shouted loudly: "Brother Tang, do you want some skewers?"
Eat, eat like shit!
If you eat me again, your wife will be snatched away!
From time to time, Tang Ji ran back outside the small courtyard and saw a carriage parked outside with a red ribbon tied to the horse's head. Two men in gray clothes dressed as servants stood beside the courtyard door.
Without thinking, he walked straight into the courtyard, but was stopped by two servants: "Stop."
"What?" Tang Ji looked at the man who stretched out his hand to stop him.
The man's momentum did not diminish at all, and he replied: "Who are you? What do you mean by entering our wife's house?"
Tang Ji sneered, slapped the other person's hand away, and stepped into the courtyard. He saw Jiang Ran sitting at the square table in the courtyard chatting and laughing with a strange man. He felt a thump in his heart, as if he had lost his mind.