Chapter 821: The merchants in Yangzhou can’t sit still

(0821)

【Today's first update is delivered!】

Yangzhou, Tianning Temple.

Since the Northern Song Dynasty, there have been many Tianning Temples all over the country. Tianning Temple in Yangzhou is not particularly famous. It is better to have a quiet environment, not many pilgrims, and not many buildings around it, which is conducive to alert and defense. After Chen Lingfei arrived in Yangzhou, he has always lived in Tianning Temple.

After returning from ***, Chen Lingfei showed signs of slight vomiting and nausea. After Ning Lingwei checked, she concluded that she was pregnant and that the pregnancy reaction was the most intense. However, Chen Lingfei was strong and did not let Zhang Zhun know at all, so she left for Yangzhou.

After arriving in Yangzhou, she lived in a temple. Every day she listened to the morning bells and evening drums and the sound of eternal in Buddhist scriptures, she seemed much quieter and peaceful, and her pregnancy reaction seemed less intense. For this reason, Chen Lingfei also jokingly told Miss Sisi that if she had a child in the future, she must live in the temple. The Buddha's magic power could make the little guy feel at peace.

When I woke up that morning, Chen Lingfei was a little lazy and didn't want to move at all, but it wasn't okay to stay there. Ning Lingwei had specially advised her to exercise as much as possible and to walk around in places with fresh external air. To talk about the elegant environment and the sober air, almost every part of Tianning Temple is qualified. Therefore, Chen Lingfei had to go out every day and walk around every corner of Tianning Temple.

Miss Sisi pushed the door with a wash water on her face. Seeing Chen Lingfei's appearance, she hurriedly said, "Miss, don't move, it's still early."

Chen Lingfei gently stroked her belly that had not yet been bulging, and said happily: "Xiao Ning said that she should exercise more,"

Miss Sisi said with concern: "Then you should be more at ease!"

Chen Lingfei patted her belly and said with a little excitement: "He doesn't want to be relaxed! Look, he is kicking my belly, really, ah, kicking again! This little villain is restless every day!"

As she said that, she gently patted her belly. As if she was gently patted by her, the little guy in her belly immediately became at ease. Chen Lingfei smiled with satisfaction and said in a casual manner: "Look at me beating him! You're so young, just messing with him!"

Miss Sisi was secretly funny. In fact, these were completely Chen Lingfei's illusions. She could feel it when she was only two or three months pregnant? However, Chen Lingfei was happy and immersed in the fun of becoming a mother. Miss Sisi naturally would not reveal it and smiled.

At this time, someone came to report: "Miss, Lu Hanzhong asked for a meeting."

Chen Lingfei frowned and said, "Lu Hanzhong?"

Miss Sisi immediately said, "Miss, if you don't want to see him, I'll go out and send him away."

Chen Lingfei thought for a moment and said in a deep thought: "Go and tell him that I still want to have breakfast. Please ask him to wait in the hall. When I finish my breakfast, I will go out to see him."

Miss Sisi immediately agreed to go.

"This Lu Hanzhong came so early!"

Chen Lingfei held her cheek and quietly muttered to herself.

The eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou were led by Lu, Lu and Lu families, and Lu Hanzhong ranked third. There are rumors that this person was related to Lu Jiude, the eunuch of Nanjing. However, some people also said that he and Lu Jiude had no blood relationship, but were an alliance of interests.

Lu Hanzhong paid money to help Lu Jiude continue to be promoted and made a fortune, while Lu Jiude used his power to seek more commercial benefits for Lu Hanzhong. No matter which one it was, it is certain that this person and Lu Jiude were indeed closely related.

Since Chen Lingfei arrived in Yangzhou, Lu Hanzhong has been lukewarm to Chen Lingfei, and he basically never takes the initiative to say hello when he meets him. On the contrary, the Lu family and the Lu family are quite polite to Chen Lingfei on the surface. Lu Jiude is an eunuch in Nanjing and is a person with a word in Nanzhili. Lu Hanzhong feels that he is superior, which is also expected.

However, Lu Hanzhong actually came to Tianning Temple early in the morning today. Chen Lingfei had not even eaten breakfast. This phenomenon is indeed too abnormal. In fact, with Lu Hanzhong's status, there are few things that he can do in person.

As a result, he not only ran so happily, but also came so early. Chen Lingfei immediately guessed that something might have happened in Yangzhou City. However, Chen Lingfei really didn't know what happened in Yangzhou City, which made Lu Hanzhong change his attitude.

However, the more active Lu Hanzhong is, the more Chen Lingfei wants to let him go. She needs some time to measure why Lu Hanzhong's attitude has changed so quickly. It takes some time to consider what more benefits she can get from Lu Hanzhong. This is given to the other party for free, and it will not be slaughtered.

These big salt merchants in Yangzhou were not enthusiastic about her before, just like she was a transparent person. When she proposed to visit those big businesses, they all looked for various excuses to shirk. At the chamber of commerce, they would also collude and adopt a boycott or improvise attitude towards her suggestions. Obviously, this is the Yangzhou merchants deliberately not giving Zhang Zhuang's face or giving Hu Benjun face.

Now, it was their turn to be anxious, and Chen Lingfei naturally had to put on airs. However, Chen Lingfei didn't know what was going on, which made Yangzhou merchants change their minds. There was no direct contact between her and Zhang Zhun, so her situation in Yangzhou needed to be transferred through the Grand Governor's Office. Chen Lingfei didn't know about Zhang Zhun's appearance in Huai'an Mansion.

Lu Hanzhong took the initiative to come to the door, and Chen Lingfei's mood was much better. Of course, she could infer that Lu Hanzhong came, which definitely represented not the personal meaning, but the meaning of all Yangzhou merchants. Since the attitude of Yangzhou merchants has changed, Chen Lingfei was not in a hurry at all. Only by sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai can you get the most benefits.

After Shi Shiran finished breakfast, Chen Lingfei slowly came to the front hall. Sure enough, in the hall in front of Tianning Temple, an old man was walking around uneasy, as if he couldn't even sit down. Obviously, he was really anxious. The more anxious he was, the calmer Chen Lingfei was. Shiran walked over and said lightly: "I'm sorry, I've been waiting for Uncle Lu for a long time."

She was born in Jiangnan. In the past, the Shen family in Suzhou was considered a wealthy family in Jiangnan. Many businesses in Jiangnan were peers with her father. It was naturally not a problem for her to call Lu Hanzhong uncle. However, whether Lu Hanzhong dared to accept this title is another matter - do you dare to ask Zhang Zhun to call you uncle too?

Lu Hanzhong was a shrewd old man, of course he didn't dare to take Chen Lingfei's words, and hurriedly said with a smile: "Miss, I'm disturbing me."

Chen Lingfei is Zhang Zhun's woman and is pregnant with Zhang Zhun's child. This is well-known to all the wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan. However, after all, she has not officially passed by, so they still call her the eldest lady to show respect. Of course, there was no such name before this.

After arriving at the hall, Chen Lingfei kept holding her back with her hands and sitting on the chair, looking like a little woman, and said a little lazy: "Uncle Lu came to the door in person. I don't know what's important? Do you think I've been in Yangzhou for too long and want me to leave early?"

Lu Hanzhong hurriedly said, "I dare not, I dare not, the eldest lady came from afar, he is a distinguished guest from Yangzhou. How dare I ask the eldest lady to leave? I came today and apologized to the eldest lady in person. A few days ago, we were not well-received and neglected the eldest lady. I would like to forgive me."

Chen Lingfei said calmly: "I am just a little woman, but I can't afford to be your big man's apology. Besides, you did nothing wrong, why do you apologize to me?"

Lu Hanzhong couldn't hear the complaints in her words. His face turned right and he said sincerely: "Miss, please forgive me. We were indeed unhappy before and did not treat each other with courtesy. I really feel sorry for it. There are many young ladies, so forgive us. We promise that we will follow the instructions of our ladies in the future."

Chen Lingfei smiled slightly and said disapprovingly: "Uncle Lu, you are too polite. If you have any questions, just tell me."

Lu Hanzhong hurriedly said, "Several everyone in the city prepared a banquet at Lixiangyuan in the evening. He officially welcomed the young lady to Yangzhou and asked the young lady to enjoy her face."

Chen Lingfei said with a smile: "I remember that it has been at least half a month since I came to Yangzhou. I'm afraid this welcome ceremony is not appropriate now, right?"

Lu Hanzhong's face turned slightly red, and then he felt a little embarrassed. Indeed, this was a very embarrassing thing. When Chen Lingfei came to Yangzhou, they not only did not hold a welcome banquet, but even colluded to boycott her. Now, half a month has passed, they have proposed to hold a welcome banquet, which is indeed a bit outrageous.

However, there is no way to do this. Chen Lingfei represents Zhang Zhun, representing the interests of the Hu Ben Army. They are unwilling to extend Zhang Zhun's claws to Jiangnan so quickly. The power of the Juntian Ling is indeed too terrifying. Although the merchants in Yangzhou do not have much land, there are many big landlords in the groups that have interests with them.

There is no doubt that these big landlords were all resisting the Juntian Order of the Hu Ben Army. If their fields were divided, they would have nothing. It was under their strong resistance that the merchants in Jiangnan would actively resist Chen Lingfei's arrival.

But now, the situation has changed. If they do not make up for their previous misconduct as soon as possible, it will be a disaster. Zhang Zhun arrived at Huai'an Prefecture, and the Navy Fleet of the Hu Ben Army defeated the Yangtze River again. If they, the big merchants in Yangzhou, did not want to be sentenced to death by Zhang Zhun, could only actively win Chen Lingfei's favor.

Lu Hanzhong corrected his airs and said guiltily: "That is our rudeness. It's really too rude. I'm sorry to the young lady here."

As he said that, he really stood up and apologized to Chen Lingfei seriously.

Chen Lingfei put on airs and asked Lu Hanzhong to bow and salute, then said apologetically: "But, Uncle Lu, you also know that I am pregnant now and cannot run away. If I move my fetal energy, it will be a great sin."

Lu Hanzhong thought to you that you were only two or three months pregnant, what kind of fetal aura could be moved? It is true that you don’t want to enter Yangzhou City. In person, he couldn’t reveal this idea, and hurriedly said: “That’s okay. The chefs of Lixiangyuan are all ready-made. Just invite them to Tianning Temple to make it.”

Chen Lingfei frowned and said, "But, I'm going to have vegetarian food this month!"

Lu Hanzhong's reaction was also very fast, and he didn't think that Chen Lingfei was making things difficult for him at all. He said quickly: "Eating vegetarian food is good, and eating vegetarian food is good. In fact, we often eat vegetarian food. Eating vegetarian food is good for physical and mental health. We accompany the young lady to eat vegetarian food together. The vegetarian food in Tianning Temple has always been good, and it also saves the chefs of Lixiangyuan running around."

Chen Lingfei deliberately pretended to be stupid and hesitated and said, "Then Uncle Lu means..."

Lu Hanzhong hurriedly said, "As long as the lady is convenient, we can all come to Tianning Temple to listen to the lady's teachings on the spot. I heard that the lady just came back from the ***, and we are very interested in the *** market. If the lady has insufficient funds, we can advance a little or two."

Chen Lingfei said with a slight hue, "Then I'll bother Uncle Lu."

Lu Hanzhong hurriedly said, "No trouble, no trouble. Miss, please rest and take care of your health. I will say goodbye first. I have to go back and prepare."

Chen Lingfei smiled and said, "Si Si, see off the guests."

Miss Sisi sent Lu Hanzhong out the door, then turned back, and said with some confusion: "Miss, this man surnamed Lu has changed his attitude so quickly. He actually took the initiative to make an advance?"

Chen Lingfei nodded in agreement and said slowly: "Something big must have happened last night. Sisi, go and ask, what happened?"

Miss Sisi agreed to go.

A moment later, Miss Sisi came back and said with little certainty: "Miss, there are rumors in the crowd that the master has arrived in Huai'an Mansion, but no one can confirm the authenticity of the news."

Chen Lingfei said with some confusion: "Master has arrived at Huai'an Mansion in person?"

Miss Sisi said cautiously: "Many people say so."

Chen Lingfei pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Maybe the master has really arrived in Huai'an Mansion, otherwise Lu Hanzhong would not take the initiative to apologize, and he also offered to advance money for us. Although they are all worth millions, they are actually very stingy. It is really not easy to ask them to pay for money."

Miss Sisi said with some concern: "Miss, if you really arrive at Huai'an Prefecture, you may have conflicts with the government. Wouldn't we be unsafe here?"

Although Chen Lingfei went south this time with a guard and was equipped with a Hu Ben gun. However, the Shen family's guards had only 300 people, and the combat effectiveness was definitely different from that of the Hu Ben Army. It is hard to say whether the 300-man guards could defend Tianning Temple. Of course, in Yangzhou, the number of imperial troops was not large and the combat effectiveness was not strong. It was not so easy to turn against each other.

This is why Chen Lingfei was unwilling to leave Tianning Temple and rashly entered other people's territory. She learned from Zhang Zhun a cautious personality. When she was in such danger, she would not easily take risks, and then create problems for Zhang Zhun. After thinking for a while, Chen Lingfei said confidently: "The master will not be so unpredictable when doing things."

Miss Sisi said cautiously: "I have ordered the people below to be more alert."

Chen Lingfei nodded and said calmly: "It's so good. But I don't understand. Since the master appeared in Huai'an Mansion, Lu, Lu and Lu, why haven't he escaped yet? Do they think that the master will treat them well after he arrives in Yangzhou?"

Miss Sisi frowned and said, "They may not know yet! Maybe they will run away soon!"

Chen Lingfei shook her head and said softly: "If you really arrive at Huai'an Mansion, they will never know. They have not yet run away, so there must be a deeper reason. Sisi, please let the people below be diligent and find out more information. This time we are completely behind in information."

Miss Sisi hurriedly said, "Then I will continue to send someone to inquire."

Chen Lingfei nodded and said, "Okay!"

Miss Sisi went out to arrange people.

During lunch, someone suddenly came to report: "Miss, Commander Zhou Zhengyu of the Navy sent someone to ask for a meeting."

Chen Lingfei said in a little surprised: "Navy man? Please hurry up!"

She was a little surprised. Why did the navy suddenly arrive in Yangzhou? Zhang Zhun went south from Huai'an Prefecture and the navy's people arrived in Yangzhou again. What was Zhang Zhun doing?

A moment later, a naval officer wearing a white naval uniform appeared, stood attentively to Chen Lingfei, and then said respectfully: "Miss Chen, I am the naval staff officer Zhou Yi. I am ordered to come and notify Miss Chen that our navy has been ordered to *** the Yangtze River."

Chen Lingfei and Miss Sisi looked at each other.

So that's the case.

These salt merchants and wealthy families in Yangzhou all have great families and have great business. If they want to withdraw, they can only take a boat. The water transportation around Yangzhou is very developed. Get on the boat at your doorstep and travel dozens of miles south to the Yangtze River. After entering the Yangtze River, you can sail around.

The Hu Ben Navy fleet raised the Yangtze River, which was equivalent to cutting off their retreat. No wonder Lu Hanzhong was so active. If they retreated by land, they would not only be slow, but they would not be able to carry much property. What's more, the Hu Ben Army led by Zhang Zhun could catch up with them at any time.

"Miss Chen, the commander told me that if you think Yangzhou is in danger, you can lead your fleet to retreat to the surface of the Yangtze River. If you cannot retreat, we can send combat ships to escort."

Navy officer Zhou Yi continued.

"No need, thank you for your kindness. With you on the river, I am very safe here, and they dare not do anything to us."

Chen Lingfei said in an orderly manner.

The Hu Ben Navy fleet was anchored on the river surface, and Zhang Zhun was in Huai'an Prefecture again, basically strangling the lifeline of the wealthy families in Yangzhou Prefecture. At this time, Shen Lingfei was so safe that she could not be safe anymore. The butcher knife in Zhang Zhun's hand might still be bleeding, so it would be strange if the salt merchants were not afraid.

Zhang Zhunlai is so quick to find a quick move. Now, these salt merchants can’t run away even if they want to. Tonight’s banquet, they want their beauty!
Chapter completed!