In Wuyang County at the end of April, the wind is gentle and the weather is neither cold nor hot, making it very comfortable.
In Wuyang County.
County government office, backyard study room.
Zhou Shi counted the money sent in boxes one after another. The money was not collected from the people, but was collected from the rent of shops in the city. His land was cultivated by the people, and the rent collected was food.
After Zhou Shi collected the grain, he immediately started doing business with the grain and sold it to the people of Wuyang County who lived in the city. Or he used the grain to make wine and sold the wine he brewed to people who bought the wine.
In short, the Zhou family's property is very large in Wuyang County, and there are ways to steal money everywhere.
After Zhou Shi counted all the money, he frowned slightly, his face turned cold, he looked at the housekeeper beside him, and said in a deep voice: "This month's money is half a box less than last month's."
"This sign is very bad and must be changed. Next month, it must be raised. If the money starts to decrease every month, it proves that the Zhou family is starting to go downhill. Our money can only rise, not fall."
The butler bowed and said, "Old slave, please remember this."
Zhou changed his tone and said, "It's already April now, and all the untouchables in the local area have finished farming. They probably don't have much food in their hands. However, regardless of whether they have food in stock or not, the Zhou family has to borrow a batch of food."
, let the untouchables borrow food. If they don’t lend food, how can I make money?”
The steward looked respectful and asked, "What if these untouchables are unwilling to borrow food?"
Zhou Shi's eyes suddenly became sharp. He looked at the housekeeper and scolded: "You are an old man in the family. Do you still want me to teach you about such a thing? If the untouchables don't lend you food, I will break your legs."
"If you clean up one or two thorns, the other untouchables will naturally obey."
"I am in charge of Wuyang County, so that the people of Wuyang County have a mouthful of food and are not hungry. This is a great blessing. You still want to bargain with me. Huh, you are simply ignorant."
"This batch of loaned grain will release at least 100,000 jins of grain. After the autumn harvest in the second half of the year, 200,000 jins of grain will be recovered, and there will be more granaries, so that there will be a steady stream of sufficient grain."
Zhou Shi's eyes showed expectation.
If you borrow food, you have to pay it back twice as much. This is Zhou Shi's business.
"Old slave, I obey!"
The butler answered respectfully.
Zhou Shi nodded and asked, "Is there anything else to be arranged in Wuyang County recently?"
The steward said: "There is something."
Zhou Shi became interested and asked, "What's the matter?"
The housekeeper said: "I heard that in the south-west of Wuyang County, near Qinglong Mountain, an auspicious white chicken appeared in the mountain, all white. But so far, it has not been caught. The old slave will pay attention at any time. Once someone catches it,
If you have a white chicken, take it back immediately and give it to the owner of the house."
Zhou Shi's eyes became brighter.
The look in his eyes became increasingly greedy.
Zhou Shi paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, thought for a long time, and then said: "Liu Zhang is based in Yizhou and is the overlord. After Yuan Shao, Lu Xuan and Cao Cao became queens one after another, Liu Zhang also had this idea."
"However, Liu Zhang was worried that he was not strong enough and becoming king would easily cause a backlash and even cause turmoil, so he never dared to act rashly."
"The white chicken this time is an opportunity."
"You go and make arrangements. I will take more than a hundred guards to Qinglong Mountain to hunt for the white chicken. As long as we catch the white chicken, we will give it to my father-in-law, who will present it to Liu Zhang and ask Liu Zhang to proclaim himself king."
Zhou Shi said with some excitement: "At that time, my father-in-law will be able to go one step further with his persuasion, and he will definitely go to work in the center of Chengdu. I can also go one step further and serve as the prefect of Qianwei County."
After hearing this, the housekeeper admired in his heart and said with emotion: "The master of the house is wise!"
Zhou Shi showed a slightly proud look and said: "Everything I do is for the Zhou family and the rise of the family. The Zhou family has some reputation in Wuyang County, but looking at Jianwei County and even Yizhou, then
That’s too bad.”
"You see, the He family where my father-in-law lives is the local leader in Shu County. It also has a certain influence in the entire Yizhou."
"My Zhou family must reach this point."
"White chicken is opportunity."
Zhou Shi's eyes became more and more fiery, and he said in a deep voice: "Go ahead and follow me to hunt down Bai Ji's people this time. Whoever finds Bai Ji first will be rewarded with 10,000 yuan and a woman."
"Master Longen!"
The housekeeper looked flattering and said: "The arrangement of the head of the family will definitely be recognized and supported by everyone. This time, if the Zhou family goes all out, they will definitely find the white chicken."
Zhou Shi ordered: "Go and make arrangements."
The butler left in a hurry.
After the housekeeper left, Zhou Shi changed into a black brocade robe. His clothes were made of Shu brocade, which was very luxurious. Shu brocade has been around for a long time, and it is very famous because of its exquisite workmanship and exquisite style.
Historically, during Zhuge Liang's rule in Shu, he vigorously developed Shu brocade, making Shu brocade an international foreign currency at that time. Whether in Wu or Wei, Shu brocade was a best-selling hard currency.
Today, Shu Brocade has not been vigorously developed and is only used by a few people.
Zhou Shi was dressed neatly, and, surrounded by more than a hundred guards, took a carriage out of the county government office and left the city in a grand manner. This news was immediately discovered by the sentry stationed at the county government office.
Zhao Yun arranged for the Imperial Guard sentry to stay behind and continue to follow Zhou Shi, heading towards Qinglong Mountain first to report the news.
Now Lu Xuan has landed and is stationed at Qinglong Mountain. The plan he made is to kill Zhou Shi and then use Ren Qi's banner to further attract attention.
After the sentinel left the city, he quickly found the person responsible for guarding the war horses outside the city, and rode straight towards Qinglong Mountain.
When the sentinel returned to Qinglong Mountain and saw Lu Xuan, he quickly said: "Your Majesty, Zhou Shi has left the city. It is not clear where he is going yet. Our people will make further inquiries later."
"Explore again!"
Lu Xuan gave an order.
There was a look of expectation in his eyes.
Finally left the city.
Lu Xuan has been stationed in Qinglong Mountain for two days. Because he has purchased enough supplies before, whether it is pickled bacon, grain, salt, etc., he can still be self-sufficient for the time being.
Lu Xuan looked at Zhao Yun and ordered: "Zilong, pass the order and get ready to fight."
"Here!"
Zhao Yun agreed enthusiastically.
Lu Xuan and his party waited. About two-quarters of an hour later, another sentry rushed back and reported: "Your Majesty, Zhou Shi and his party of more than a hundred people are coming in the direction of Qinglong Mountain."
Lu Xuan chuckled twice and ordered: "Explore again and watch carefully. There is a way to heaven, but there is no way to hell. There is no way to hell. Zhou Shi is coming in our direction, which just saves a lot of trouble."
Zhao Yun became even more excited.
His murderous intent was clear.
Zhao Yun went to Wuyang County to investigate the general situation in Wuyang County. He learned that Zhou was actually Zhou Papi, which had caused countless people in Wuyang County to be displaced and their families to be destroyed. He already had murderous intentions.
Now, people come directly.
Deserve to kill!
Lu Xuan waited for more than a quarter of an hour, and the sentry came back again and reported: "Your Majesty, the latest situation has been figured out. Our people followed Zhou Shi, asked the surrounding people about the situation in Qinglong Mountain, and got a clear understanding of the situation."
Lu Xuan asked: "What's going on?"
The sentry replied: "It is said that a white chicken appeared near Qinglong Mountain. Zhou Shi led people to Qinglong Mountain to catch the auspicious white chicken. Zhou Shi is less than six miles away from Qinglong Mountain."
Lu Xuan sneered and said: "This is not auspicious, it is God who wants to destroy Zhou Shi."
Zhao Yun no longer waited, clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, the cavalry can sprint at a distance of six miles, rush over and kill Zhou Shi in one go."
Lu Xuan said: "Go and bring Zhou Shi back, I want to live. This time when I came to Yizhou, Wang Dachui came with him. After catching Zhou Shi, he asked him to take action and chop the man with a knife."
Zhao Yundao: "The general will obey your orders!"
He mobilized the cavalry under his command and marched down Qinglong Mountain in a mighty manner, heading in the direction of Zhou Shi.
Lu Xuan looked at Zhao Yun's leaving back with cold eyes.
He learned more about Zhou Shi's situation in the past two days. The more he learned, the more he had murderous intentions. As an official, Zhou Shi had endless ways of plundering the people. He was extremely vicious and committed all kinds of bad things.
If Zhou Shi is thrown out, countless people are guaranteed to eat Zhou Shi alive.