Chapter 10

Regarding the matter at hand, Zhou Fengji was actually very clear, but he never expected that Zhang Han would handle it in such a way.

Liang Hong was also quite surprised. Seeing Zhou Fengji's reaction, he found the current Zhang Han mature and experienced, handling the situation flawlessly, leaving even Li Yuchun speechless. Moreover, when making arrangements, Zhang Han's tone was firm and left no room for negotiation, demonstrating the authority of a superior, combining kindness and strictness, which left people in awe.

Zhou Fengji nodded heavily, his eyes slightly red, and said in a deep voice, "We will do as the young master says. From now on, all matters in the shop must be discussed with the young master."

When he said the second sentence, Zhou Fengji looked at Liang Hong, who nodded hurriedly and replied, "Of course, young master. In the future, I will inform you of all matters before handling them."

"That's not necessary," Zhang Han smiled. "Liang Hong's tasks are all trivial. We can't discuss every inventory check or the purchase of a ledger with me. That's really not necessary. Just record everything, and I will review it regularly. If there are any issues, we can discuss them with the managers. This way, I can gradually get a handle on the shop's affairs."

Zhou Fengji praised, "This is the right approach. The young master is truly the descendant of Grandfather, with shrewdness in his bones."

Liang Hong didn't speak but bowed to Zhang Han, everything unspoken.

Li Yuchun bowed deeply to Zhang Han, ultimately saying nothing.

After so many days in the shop, Zhang Han finally won the approval of this taciturn old manager and gained basic loyalty. Looking at the managers, he couldn't help but smile.

"Didn't you promise me two maids and four old women to serve me? And a hundred taels of silver for my dowry? And silk to make new clothes? Why haven't I received any of these?"

"You say the Zhang family is wealthy, but how can you live so poorly?"

"I want to leave, let me go."

The plump beauty Li Jinlian had become a thorn in Zhang Changshi's side.

Since her purchase, she had been crying and causing trouble every day, demanding clothes, gold jewelry, private silver, and bird's nest porridge every morning, claiming she was used to it at her former master's house. If she didn't get it, she would pretend to be sick and demand medicine, and if her demands were not met, she would cry and make a fuss in the manor. Her large frame and strong voice made her noise known to all the neighbors, causing many to laugh at the situation.

Zhang Changshi was so angry that her teeth ached. This woman was indeed from a wealthy family, and her various habits were a result of being spoiled. The matchmaker had exaggerated, and the mismatch led to Li Jinlian's constant fussing. Zhang Changshi was so angry that she wanted to raid the matchmaker's home.

This situation saved Zhang Han from a lot of trouble. It was impossible for Zhang Changshi to have him consummate the marriage with this woman. Such a woman, if taken as a concubine, would cause endless trouble.

However, this woman was bought at a high price, and the Zhang family, being a benevolent family, could not mistreat her. Any slight reduction in her provisions would lead to more fussing, and the entire household viewed her as a disaster. Zhang Han thought about selling her to a brothel, but Zhang Changshi would never agree to it.

"Quick, quick." Hearing the wailing, Zhang Han quickly put on his clothes, wore a rat fur hat, tied a wind belt, and urged Zhang Chun to leave with him. The commotion in the manor was truly annoying.

It was now the beginning of the twelfth month, the last day of the small market for the year. Zhang Han, having been in the shop for a long time, knew that the small market was the most important event for every merchant. As the young master, he had to arrive early to participate in the transactions with everyone.

During this period, Zhang Han not only learned the business practices of this era in the shop but also walked through the North Street and South Street, visiting every merchant in the fort to observe their business methods, study which industries were most profitable, and find greater business opportunities.

Due to his immersion in business, he hadn't touched a book for days, which surprised those who knew him well.

There were also some scenic spots in the city, such as the Jade Emperor Pavilion, the City God Temple, the Guan Gong Temple, the Confucius Temple, the Imperial College, and some government offices, but Zhang Han had never visited any of them.

When he arrived at North Street, every merchant was preparing紧张地. 和裕升也不例外，张瀚到达时，两位掌柜都已经到了，所有的伙计都准备好了要卖的货物样品，准备一起前往市场。

新平堡市是与蒙古贸易的重要点之一，每月的小市也很重要，这是商家向朝廷争取来的福利。当然，这也是大明朝廷考虑到蒙古那边的需求，一年一次的官市贸易额虽然大，但远远解决不了蒙古牧民的日常需求，只能满足部落最高统治者和少数贵人的需要。如果没有每月一次的小市，北方的那些朋友可不会这么好说话，不够用自然就会来抢。为了边境的实际需要，小市也是非开不可。

当然，大明还是要面子的，只与蒙古右翼贸易，左翼的土蛮不肯臣服，那就一直打下去，马市只与女真人开。

“鼓点响了，三鼓之前，必须入场，大家赶紧走。”

众人站在店门前寒暄着，都是一脸紧张，隐约听到市场那边鼓声响起后，周逢吉脸色一正，立刻吩咐所有人出发。

所有的货物样品都放在两辆骡车上，到了市场内再支起门板摆摊，自由贸易。

“周叔，”张瀚和周逢吉一起走，张瀚向周逢吉问道：“货物出脱，怎么运走？”

“鞑子自己有马队，我们卖出多少货，他们算算需多少运力，来人马过来搬运。”周逢吉耐心解释道：“这是这些年规矩小了，若是早年，只能我们运货到市场，当场交割，鞑子不准在堡中乱走。”

“早几十年鞑子还经常犯边，”梁宏在一边笑道：“现在消停多了，是以也不怎么防他们了。”

周逢吉又道：“鞑子也奸滑的紧，其实宁愿我们将货物送过去，以前开官市他们过来贡使，骑的马还是卖给我们的，一路也不疼惜，病了的死了的均有，后来还是朝廷与俺答交涉，规定贡使人数，规定只能骑他们自己的马，不得骑卖给我们的马，这才消停了不少。少东主，这里头弯弯门道甚多，不要看鞑子表面憨直就叫他们骗了去。”

这些都是边贸的经验，非常宝贵，两个掌柜不停地讲，张瀚听着，不明白的就问，十分虚心。见他如此，周逢吉脸上满是笑容，只觉张耘太爷后继有人。

马市就在新平堡北边不远处，特别开辟出来的宽阔地方，设有栅栏、市门，还有箭楼、鹿角，往北的方向，还有壕沟的痕迹。互市之初，彼此十分提防，蒙古人来的多，明军这边有地利之便。好在现在交易日久，沿途过来的商人们都是彼此说笑着，丝毫不见紧张了。

等和裕升众人堪堪进了门，第二通鼓声响起，大门前传来杂沓的脚步声，旗帜招展，先是一小队穿着铠甲手持纹眉长刀和骑枪的骑兵进来，沿着栅栏跑了一圈，最终在一处高台处住马，然后是大队的扛着长枪的步兵，中间又是马队，这一次马队中有不少穿着铁甲的军官模样的在其中，最后还是扛长枪的步队，总数大约有五百人，其中马队有一百来人。

梁宏在张瀚身边，见张瀚脸上好奇，当下轻声解释道：“马队是新平路赖参将的家丁，步队是驻堡营兵中的一部分……说是一部分，其实额兵一千六百多，实额也就千把人，这里已经来了大部份了。”

“他们穿的怎么这般破烂？”

张瀚惊奇的不是梁宏说的话，他穿越前的张瀚大门不出二门不迈，只在家读书，连商号也少去，当然没有什么机会遇到军人。穿越过后，张瀚对军政的事也不大感兴趣，唯一有兴趣的就是生意上的事。张瀚倒是考虑过贿赂官府，后来打消了这个念头。

此时和后世不同，没有身份的商人不能轻易得罪官府，但也不能轻易接近拥有权力的人。所谓的身份，就是属于士绅或军官勋贵阶层的一部分，最少也是外围，如果不是，还是闷声发财的好，最好不要被人惦记上，否则破家有份。

人说距离产生美，张瀚对本时代的军人还是颇感兴趣的，但此时一见之下，第一感觉就是眼前来了浩浩荡荡一大群的叫花子……衣衫破烂，面黄肌瘦，唯一不同的就是叫花子拿的是打狗棍，眼前的这些“军人”，拿着的是红缨长枪。

“军伍凋敝不是一两日了，我少时就是如此，恐怕几十年前百年前也是如此。”

梁宏还算有见识的，周逢吉在一旁也道：“少东主，边军靠的是骑兵，以总兵以下将官的家丁为主，刚刚那些骑兵你见着没，还有披甲，衣服也算齐整。”

张瀚只能勉强点头，那百来人的骑兵确实还像个样子，看起来还算悍勇，有少量铁甲，多半是皮甲，外饰铁叶，手中兵器也千奇百怪，各种均有。那些叫花子般的长枪兵看来只是充门面的炮灰了。