Chapter 288: Fourteen, Do Merchants Also Worry About the People?

Fourteen, Do Merchants Also Worry About the People?

Acting coquettishly is a small privilege for women.

Even for a woman in her thirties.

After her wrist was grabbed, Ouyang Rong and Pei Pei Shisan Niang looked at each other, and the originally awkward and stiff atmosphere was quickly resolved by a joke.

Ouyang Rong released the wrist of the noblewoman with the purple-gold scarf as if nothing had happened.

The latter recovered her enthusiastic smile, left Miss Qin's side, and walked to sit down with Ouyang Rong.

"Commandant young master, come here, don't be disturbed by these stupid maids."

The two sat down again.

In the hall of the Orchid Courtyard, the pipa sound continued to play.

A top courtesan famous by the Xunyang River, wrapped in a blue men's long robe, with half-exposed breasts, held a pipa and played with her head lowered.

A clear red slap mark on the right cheek of the small face with a habitually furrowed brow was quite clear.

While playing the pipa, Qin Siyu secretly cast a grateful look at Ouyang Rong.

Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes to drink tea, turning a deaf ear.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang, who was sitting on the side, lowered her head to drink tea, taking in this scene with the corner of her eyes. She did not scold or stop Qin Siyu, but instead observed Ouyang Rong's reaction to the beauty's gratitude silently.

It was a pity that the young man in low-key casual clothes in front of her still had a face as calm as water, drinking tea alone, seemingly not understanding the style.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang frowned imperceptibly.

However, at least he didn't leave immediately.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang quickly calmed down, poured tea with her jade hands, and wore a smile on her face.

Ouyang Rong took a bite of the pastry, suddenly turned his head, and said to the naked maid standing on the side with her head lowered: "Put on your skirt."

Hongxiao's face was as red as a ripe apple, but she did not dare to move at all, turning her head to look at Pei Pei Shisan Niang.

Ouyang Rong also turned his head to look at her, and Pei Pei Shisan Niang immediately raised her willow eyebrows:

"Why are you looking at me? Why don't you listen to the Commandant young master's words and put on your skirt? Being so dissolute, what kind of decorum is this."

Hongxiao ran to put on her clothes in a hurry.

Ouyang Rong glanced at Pei Pei Shisan Niang, who had a standard smile on her face, and did not expose her.

He shook his head lightly and picked up his cup to drink tea.

In fact, from the moment this noblewoman who loved to wear a scarf started to lose her temper and slap Qin Siyu, it was a test.

This was the second test. The first was, of course, inviting him into the courtyard, a man and a woman alone, the young lady naked, to see if it was dry wood and fire, or a gentleman's self-restraint.

This Pei Pei Shisan Niang wanted to figure out his character and temper, or in other words, to see if he was as easy to manipulate as those pedantic civil officials with a scholar's air.

Ouyang Rong put down his teacup, looked at Pei Pei Shisan Niang, who was sitting on the side with her eyebrows lowered and eyes submissive, like a kind woman, and went straight to the point:

"Tell me, Madam Pei, you went to such great lengths to invite this official here tonight, what are your instructions?"

"Instructions, I wouldn't dare." Pei Pei Shisan Niang waved her hand, with a weak and self-blaming demeanor:

"Just now I went to serve the Commandant young master cloud mist tea, but I didn't expect the Commandant young master to come early...

"These young ladies don't understand things and have a lot of little thoughts, accidentally offending the Commandant young master. I was worried that the Commandant young master would be dissatisfied and leave, fortunately, the Commandant young master is magnanimous."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang picked up her teacup, stood up, and toasted respectfully with a serious face: "Come, Commandant young master, I offer you an apology for the negligence just now."

Ouyang Rong shook his head, chuckled lightly, and pointedly said: "It doesn't matter if they don't understand things, as long as Madam Pei understands."

"Hehe." Pei Pei Shisan Niang covered her mouth with her long sleeves: "The Commandant young master speaks really interestingly."

Ouyang Rong did not laugh, staring at her intently, as if waiting for the main topic.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang had to put down her teacup, put away her jokes, and nodded:

"To tell the truth to the Commandant young master, this time I invited you here, besides wanting to admire the Commandant young master's noble appearance, I do have some selfish motives."

Without waiting for Ouyang Rong to speak, she immediately followed:

"But if it were just the private interests of a few people or a few firms, how would I have the face to come and talk to the Commandant young master?

"I have always disliked that kind of unhealthy trend between merchants and officials. Although I have seen many similar things in my many years of business and couldn't say anything, I also hate it deeply in my heart."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang said halfway, looking at Ouyang Rong with admiration:

"Seeing the Commandant young master today, leading by example and with upright integrity, made me a bit excited. It seems that there are still honest officials with high integrity like you.

"I didn't find the wrong person this time."

Ouyang Rong's old face was a bit red from the flattery, and he couldn't help but look at Pei Pei Shisan Niang, who was serious and righteous.

No, flattery is flattery, but what's with this expression of seeing a fellow traveler and being happy to see a hunter?

Could it be that the "sexual bribery" just now really wasn't your arrangement?

Ouyang Rong was suspicious in his eyes, but didn't show it. He sized up Pei Pei Shisan Niang again and nodded:

"Madam is too kind. Tell me directly, what exactly is the matter that you need to find this official."

"Alright."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang straightened her waist and said sincerely:

"I have heard of the Commandant young master's achievements in disaster relief and water management in Longcheng County. Today, I want to ask the Commandant young master for advice on a matter that is also about benefiting the people and managing water..."

"Oh?"

"The Commandant young master has just taken office, do you know that Xingzi Ward suffers from water disasters every summer?"

"I have heard a little." Ouyang Rong nodded.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang asked cautiously: "Then does the young master know the specific reason, or can you say, do you have a strategy to deal with it?"

Ouyang Rong looked at her with a smile and shook his head.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang sighed:

"Speaking of which, I have heard of this matter since I came to Xunyang City. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it, until this summer, when I passed by there and was trapped in a flood, I deeply felt how much this matter harms the people.

"Later, I discovered that in the whole city, only Xingzi Ward is most severely affected by water disasters, while other wards, such as Chaisang Ward and Lianxi Ward, have no water disaster trouble.

"So I carefully investigated for a few months and found that the reasons are roughly due to two points."

"You speak." Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes.

Looking at his interested expression, Pei Pei Shisan Niang's smile became brighter, and she held up two fingers:

"First, the terrain of Xingzi Ward is too low; it is the lowest terrain in Xunyang City.

"Second, Xingzi Ward, like Chaisang Ward, is one of the earliest main urban areas in Xunyang City and is one of the two wards with the longest history.

"Therefore, the buildings are old, and the drainage facilities such as sewers and water channels are too backward, and they have not been repaired for many years, naturally aging and clogging, and the drainage effect is low."

She shook her two fingers lightly:

"With these two points superimposed, Xingzi Ward naturally has serious water disasters, and the relatively poor people living there suffer from flooding every year."

Ouyang Rong nodded and looked at Pei Pei Shisan Niang again: "It makes sense, so... is the matter Madam wants to talk about today related to this?"

"Of course it's related."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang leaned forward, personally took the teacup from Hongxiao's hand, poured tea for Ouyang Rong gently, and her voice was as soft as a mother cat:

"Before the young master came to serve as Commandant, the officials of the Jiangzhou Hall didn't pay much attention to this matter. After all, not everywhere can have a capable official like you who worries about the country and the people.

"Seeking without hope, I could only consult a few capable people who understand water conservancy... Finally, I finally got a plan that serves both sides."

Ouyang Rong raised his eyebrows, "How does it serve both sides?"

"The young master really cares about the welfare of the people at all times. It seems that I found the right person today."

She smiled softly, took out a drawing from her sleeve and placed it on the table between the two, pressed it with two fingers, and slid it over:

"Young master, please take a look."

Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and flipped through it.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang stared at Ouyang Rong's expression without blinking. She picked up her cup and took a sip of tea, her moist red lips opened slightly, and she guided in a soft voice:

"The plan is not difficult. Just repair the sewers and drainage channels of each street in Xingzi Ward. Go to Chang'an, Luoyang, and other places to invite relevant craftsmen and introduce the advanced drainage channel technology of these big cities.

"I asked the shopkeepers under my command to calculate an account. The silver consumed for a full renovation might be a little more, but it can solve the water disaster problem in Xingzi Ward once and for all."

Ouyang Rong scanned the drawing and nodded lightly: "It makes sense." He paused and judged: "The plan is feasible."

The smile on Pei Pei Shisan Niang's face became more enthusiastic and bright: "It is still the Commandant young master who has a discerning eye and saw the clues at a glance."

Ouyang Rong put down the drawing, feeling a bit emotional: "I didn't expect Madam Pei to be so concerned about the people of Xingzi Ward. You are a merchant with a conscience."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang smiled: "Merchants are indeed profit-seeking, but they must also strive for a win-win situation and give back to the people."

Ouyang Rong nodded and asked: "Then what does Madam Pei mean by showing me this plan..."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang said directly:

"Commandant young master, the Jiangzhou Hall does not need to pay. I am not talented, but I know some fellow merchant friends from the Yangzhou merchant group who are also enthusiastic and worry about the water disasters in Xunyang...

"After all, having stayed in Xunyang City for a long time, I have already regarded this place as my second hometown. So, we discussed it and decided to raise money to repair these drainage facilities for the Jiangzhou Hall and the people of Xingzi Ward for free."

Ouyang Rong's expression did not change, and he did not show a happy expression at the first time. He drank tea slowly and said:

"Repairing the drainage channels of the entire ward, it's not that the Jiangzhou Hall hasn't considered this matter.

"But it requires demolishing many old houses, which involves too much. There are too many residents in Xingzi Ward, workers at the Xunyang Wharf, peddlers in the streets and alleys, and outsiders who come to make a living... all live in this ward.

"Renovation is easy to affect people's livelihood. The most critical thing is that the landlords of those old houses in Xingzi Ward are unwilling to agree, delaying their rent collection for several months."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang had an expression of listening carefully. After listening, she frowned slightly, seemingly worried:

"The young master is right. It is indeed necessary to demolish most of the old houses in the ward, but those landlords who rely on houses to collect rent do not allow it."

After only hesitating for three breaths, her expression turned into a firm one, and she nodded vigorously:

"Commandant young master, how about this, let's buy all these old dilapidated houses directly. My fellow merchants and I will buy as many as there are, but..."

A difficult expression appeared on her face, as if she was a bit embarrassed:

"However, we need the Commandant young master and the Jiangzhou Hall to help a little, issue some official documents and regulations, and order those landlords to sell their house deeds within a time limit. Our merchant group is willing to buy them all at the current market price. What do you think of this plan? Is it simple?"

Ouyang Rong did not answer, tilted his head and looked at her:

"Madam Pei is repairing drainage channels and spending money to buy all the house deeds of old houses in Xingzi Ward. Why are you doing such a losing business?"

Without waiting for Pei Pei Shisan Niang to answer, he suddenly said:

"After demolishing the old houses and renovating the drainage channels of the whole ward, what will you do? What will you do on the land where you own the house deeds?"

"Hmm..."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang's expression was helpless:

"To tell the truth to the Commandant young master, we are preparing to rebuild some new and high-quality houses with red walls and black tiles like those in Xiushui Ward and Lianxi Ward on the land for sale, or rent them out.

"Xingzi Ward is close to the riverbank, the scenery is unique, and it is adjacent to the incomparably prosperous Xunyang Ferry...

"Hmm, actually it's not a loss, it can be slightly profitable."

Ouyang Rong tilted his head and asked again: "Are you really only making a little profit?"

Pei Pei Shisan Niang's smile was slightly awkward, and immediately, she gave him a charming look.

Ouyang Rong laughed.

Pei Pei Shisan Niang followed and covered her mouth and laughed.

It seemed there was some tacit understanding.

Ouyang Rong asked: "Madam, you have tried to buy old houses in Xingzi Ward before, right."

"I have, but..." Pei Pei Shisan Niang laughed: "There are too many small landlords. Some are stubborn and unwilling to sell, or they open their mouths like lions. They are all broken houses that can't rent for much money, and I don't know where their confidence comes from."

"So you need the Jiangzhou Hall to help?"

"Actually, this is also helping Xunyang City, which is helpful to the young master's political achievements."

"What do you mean?"

"A pile of old and broken houses in Xingzi Ward, mixed with fish and dragons, greatly affects the city's public security and appearance. If we buy them, we can not only renovate new sewers but also build rows of imposing houses, like in Luoyang City and Chang'an City, with clean streets. This is beneficial to the whole Xunyang City and is also the political achievement of the adults in the Jiangzhou Hall."

"Then the price you sell must not be low, right?"

"Young master, we always have to make some money."

She paused and looked at Ouyang Rong cautiously: "How about... the Jiangzhou Hall also invests some money to hold shares, or, does the young master have any friends who also worry about the people and join in to invest? Everything is negotiable."

Ouyang Rong ignored it and suddenly asked: "Then after Xingzi Ward is renovated, what about the original tenants?"

"They can buy the houses, or continue to rent."

Ouyang Rong nodded with a smile and suggested: "The houses are built so new and tall, the rent must also rise."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang nodded: "This is natural. After all this land is bought and rebuilt into residences, we will look at the situation and set a unified price. Commandant young master, don't worry, Xunyang City is so prosperous, it will definitely not worry about renting, and there will be no empty houses: it can also attract more wealthy merchants to settle down, killing two birds with one stone."

"That's true, you are still smart."

Ouyang Rong smiled and nodded in agreement, but the next moment, he stood up with a cold face and turned to leave: "This official still has things to do, goodbye."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang was stunned: "Young master, are you dissatisfied?"

She stood up and chased after him, a bit anxious: "Why is this? It's clearly a matter of killing two birds with one stone. If the young master has any dissatisfaction, you can say it..."

Ouyang Rong did not look back and said something unclear:

"I think it's quite good that Xingzi Ward is dirty, broken, and old. I have a colleague and friend who lives there quite happily. He tells me every day that there are many kinds of roadside stalls in Xingzi Ward, which are cheap and delicious, which are not available in the clean and tidy Chaisang Ward here. He feels a bit more energetic every day when he goes to work."

Pei Pei Shisan Niang's expression froze: "Is the young master considering a friend?"

Ouyang Rong was too lazy to explain and prepared to leave.

The next moment.

"Ru Shixiong?"

In the Orchid Courtyard outside, a woman's shout suddenly came.

Everyone turned to look, and a fiery red figure rushed into the hall.

"Are you okay?"

Seeing Ouyang Rong safe and sound, Xie Lingjiang let out a long sigh of relief, but the next second, her eyes fell on the familiar long robe wrapped around the delicate body of Miss Qin.

Xie Lingjiang looked at Ru Shixiong silently.

The two stared at each other with big eyes.

The air suddenly became a bit quiet.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 289 =====