Return of the Swallow

What is the concept of three million taels of silver? That's what a team of 1.5 million people eats for a year.

But how many people are there in Pingnan Army? Although the Pingnan Army claims to have 100,000 soldiers, it is full of soldiers, including the handymen who deliver food and cook, and now there are less than 100,000 soldiers.

One hundred thousand people spent fifteen times as much money in less than a year. Where did the money go?

Pang Xiao slightly squinted his phoenix eyes and looked at the Shopkeeper Liu of Stone Number in front of him.

This person is of middle stature, not too old to be confused, with a good appearance, and there is an air of elegance all over his body, a gentle and gentle temperament, not like a shopkeeper at all, but like a teacher.

This person has a pair of too bright and wise eyes, and the intelligence in his brows cannot be concealed. Pang Xiao's ability to know people is not bad, and he quickly concluded in his heart that this person is by no means a simple shopkeeper.

So, what is the purpose of the owner of the Stone Company ordering such a person to come to him to collect debts?

And why did Stone easily lend the money to Lu Zhang, who was born in a gangster, or the large amount of three million taels of silver?

Why is it so coincidental that Lu Zhang is ill again? Is it really just to shirk responsibility?

If there is nothing tricky about it, Pang Xiao would never believe it.

If something goes wrong, there must be a demon. The relationship between Stone and Lu Zhang needs to be pondered, and the purpose of Stone needs to be carefully explored.

There are countless thoughts in my mind, but the surface is just a breath.

Shopkeeper Liu heard Pang Xiao's words clearly, and laughed and said: "Master Lu is dedicated to the court, and our shopkeeper was moved by Master Lu's sincerity, so he agreed to the loan. Twice before and after, Adding up to three million taels of silver, I think the life of the lieutenant officers and soldiers will be improved because of this, and they will be more effective in fighting against foreign enemies. Although our chief shopkeeper is a merchant, we are also concerned about the country and the people most of all. It's safe."

Speaking of this, shopkeeper Liu changed the subject, and his words were full of helplessness and bitterness: "But it was easy to borrow money at the beginning, but it was difficult to pay back the money. The first time our big shopkeeper went to ask for that sum, Mr. Lu Said that the situation in the army is really too tense, and I can't get it out for a while, so I can only wait for the approval of the higher-ups. And I borrowed a second sum from our big shopkeeper.

"Our shopkeeper is warm-hearted, thinking that such a large team of Pingnan Army is here, and the amount of silver is so large, the imperial court will not covet the silver of our ordinary merchants and refuse to return it.

"But who knows later,

The shopkeeper ordered many people to urge him several times, but Ping Nanjun still didn't respond, and even seemed to be trying to shirk. Up to now, Xiaomin really has no choice but to find you, Wang Ye, with a shy face.

"Your Highness has a high position and authority. Not to mention that he is the new commander of the Pingnan Army, he has a different status in the army and in the eyes of the Holy One. If he is a Highness, he must have a way to get money to pay back the money."

Both Qin Yining and Pang Xiao listened quietly. Shopkeeper Liu is a person who does not leave any gaps in his speech, and his biggest characteristic is that no matter how urgent the matter is, his voice will not raise half a bit when he speaks, and he is still the same. The tone of a friendly and friendly discussion.

Qin Yining felt that this person's background might be really not simple, he was definitely not what he said, he was just an ordinary shopkeeper.

So there must be some kind of secret between Sitonghao and Lu Zhang. This time they had clearly dug a trap for Pang Xiao to jump into, and Pang Xiao had fallen into the trap now.

The matter of repaying the money cannot be easily agreed.

But the problem is, Pang Xiao is now the coach of the Pingnan Army. Ping Xiao will manage the big and small affairs of the Pingnan Army. If Pang Xiao does not insist on repaying this sum of money, the Stone Number will definitely spread the word that Pang Xiao borrows money and does not repay it. ?

However, there is indeed a problem with this money. Either Lu Zhang was greedy for ink, or Lu Zhang colluded with Stone Number. Stone Number did not lend Lu Zhang that much money at all, and Lu Zhang's IOU certificate was also completed in private. of.

In this way, isn't it just letting people open their mouths and say whatever they want?

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining thought the same thing, but on this occasion, Qin Yining couldn't easily intervene.

She looked at Pang Xiao worriedly, afraid that Pang Xiao would easily agree to such unreasonable trouble because of the responsibility. It doesn't make sense that the other party dug a trap for them, and they will suffer for various reasons such as morality.

Pang Xiao had already felt Qin Yining's gaze at this time, but on this occasion, it was not appropriate to talk too much with Qin Yining.

Tapping the table lightly with his slender index finger, Pang Xiao smiled lightly and said, "Is the person who wrote the IOU the king?"

When shopkeeper Liu heard this, he already understood in his heart.

He hurriedly said: "Of course the prince is not the one who wrote the IOU, but the prince is the one in charge here. Master Lu is your subordinate, and you are responsible for everything your subordinates do."

When Pang Xiao heard this, his smile deepened, and he leaned forward and said, "It makes sense for you to say so."

Shopkeeper Liu felt that Pang Xiao's tone was very weird. Although he was a little happy that Pang Xiao agreed with his words and might agree to pay back the money, he still instinctively felt a little crisis, and even took a half step back unconsciously.

"It seems that the prince has decided to take responsibility."

Pang Xiao smiled and said: "You said that I am the commander of the Pingnan Army and the person in charge of the Pingnan Army, so I should be responsible for whatever my subordinates do. Could it be that the king's servants, whether it's you, me, or Master Lu, are all ministers of the Holy Majesty, and they all do business for the Majesty. Why don't you go to the Majesty to pay back the money?"

Shopkeeper Liu's face turned red.

Qin Yining lowered his head, and managed to control the smile on his lips. Forcing himself not to laugh out loud affected Pang Xiao's work.

Shopkeeper Liu became anxious, and said in a gentle voice: "My lord, you can't say that. It is absolutely true that Mr. Lu borrowed money from our Stone Number. Now Mr. Lu doesn't care about the matter. Only you, Generalissimo Pingnan, will be responsible for repaying the money, if you insist on talking about the Holy Majesty, wouldn't you be suspected of prevarication?"

"So you can see that the king is trying to shirk." Pang Xiao stood up, and walked to shopkeeper Liu with his hands behind his back.

Shopkeeper Liu is of medium height, but Pang Xiao is born tall and strong. At this time, Pang Xiao wants to see shopkeeper Liu's expression clearly, and even has to take two steps back and bend slightly.

Shopkeeper Liu said anxiously: "You can't do this! We also took out such a large sum of money to lend you for the sake of the country and the stability of the people. But now that the crisis is over, you are If you want to renege on your debts, how can this be done by a gentleman? If it spreads and the common people know, how can you, Generalissimo of Pingnan, gain a firm foothold?"

"It's a joke." Pang Xiao sneered and said, "It's only natural to pay debts, and that's true. But that also means that whoever owes silver money should pay back the money. Is your IOU written by someone from me, Pang?"

"No, it's not..." Shopkeeper Liu couldn't help but took two steps back, and even when he spoke, he stuttered a little because of Pang Xiaozhou's intimidating aura.

"No matter where you go for this matter, whoever wrote the IOU will ask for it, but if you think about it just now, don't you still have to go to Beijing to face the saint?

"When the time comes, you say, 'Your subjects will not pay back the money they owe. As the king of a country, all the people are your subjects, so you must figure out how to get the money'. Do you think that if you say that, Do you still have your life?"

Shopkeeper Liu frowned, "My lord, please be careful with your words."

Pang Xiao dared to say what the Holy Majesty said, but shopkeeper Liu didn't have the courage and confidence of Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao said: "Lu Zhang wrote an IOU, if you want to collect the debt, just go with Lu Zhang. According to your reasoning, it won't work."

Shopkeeper Liu was so blocked that he couldn't speak. Turning his eyes, he covered his face with his sleeves and began to sob.

"How can this be good! Our Stone Bank is willing to lend silver money for the court. But now the court has failed us! The three million taels of silver is not a small amount at all. If we can't get it back, we Wouldn't it be a big loss?

"Could it be that this is how the imperial court handles things? You, the newly appointed Generalissimo Pingnan, don't care what your subordinates do. How can you call us people!"

Shopkeeper Liu's voice was mournful, and it was very pitiful. He had a refined appearance, but even so, he didn't look a bit annoying.

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining looked at each other.

Qin Yining lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, and he already had an idea in his heart.

"Stop crying." A soft female voice interrupted Shopkeeper Liu's voice.

Shopkeeper Liu followed the prestige and saw Prince Zhongshun who was sitting at the side and had not spoken.

It is said that this woman is quite favored and respected in front of Prince Zhongshun. Today, Prince Zhongshun also came with the concubine to entertain guests. It can be seen that this woman is different from ordinary women in the inner house, and she can speak in front of the prince.

Shopkeeper Liu turned to Qin Yining and saluted Qin Yining.

"Princess, please don't blame me. The villain really has no other way. I can't get back this huge sum of money. I asked Mr. Lu, and Mr. Lu pushed it to the prince. Now he is begging the prince, but the prince is actually Pushed it to the Holy Majesty. This, this is simply embarrassing people."

With sympathy on Qin Yining's face, he said with righteous indignation: "I know your difficulties, don't worry, we will investigate this matter, and if it is true, we will definitely give you an explanation."

Shopkeeper Liu was taken aback when he heard the words, "You, are you serious?" He couldn't help but look at Pang Xiao's face.

Pang Xiao was obviously a little unhappy. But in front of him, he didn't immediately refute the princess, obviously he loved her very much.

Shopkeeper Liu sighed that the hero is sad and beautiful, and saluted Qin Yining again and again: "Thank you, princess, thank you, princess, as long as you give this sentence, we can feel at ease anyway!"

Qin Yining smiled and comforted shopkeeper Liu, and served tea to see off the guests.

After Shopkeeper Liu walked away briskly, Qin Yining got up and walked to Pang Xiao's side, "Did you just want to blow him out?"