In just a few days, the story that a certain young man caused a scene in the Hubu Yamen and uncovered all kinds of corruption was widely circulated among the government and the public. Compared to the indifferent response from the court, the people began to interpret multiple versions, and were even borrowed by speakers from Sangjiawazi and other places to change it into a more twists and turns and bizarre story.
As the only protagonist in this matter, Sun Tu still kept a low profile. Even in the Tong Mansion, there were only a few people who knew that he was the one responsible for the trouble. Still living in Tong Mu Tingfeng Courtyard, he was busy practicing his riding skills every day in order to prepare for the imperial shooting test in a few months.
Of course, apart from that, he, Tong Mu and the others would still take Ya'er to walk around Tokyo and get a better understanding of the capital of the Song Dynasty. But what makes Tong Mu feel a little strange is that Sun Tu, who is already carefree, still seems to be worried sometimes.
That day, when the two of them were chatting while drinking ice-cold sour plum soup, Tong Mu couldn't help but ask what was in his heart: "Sanlang, why do you still look so worried, but is there anything that has not been done yet? Or should you say Is it because my Tong family didn't greet me well?" As the relationship between the two deepened, their names also changed.
Sun Tu gently put down the jade soup bowl and shook his head: "Since I came here, both you and Tong Shuai have been very kind to me. The reason why I am like this is just because I feel uneasy. There is no way to do it. My merits are not rewarded. Even though I have done a little merit, the fact that Tong Shuai is willing to give me a chance to become an official is enough to offset it. Now I am still living and eating here for free, and I really deserve it."
Hearing his reasons, Tong Mu laughed: "You! Sanlang, if you hadn't been sitting right in front of me, I would have regarded you as a sophisticated middle-aged man. You and I are inseparable, you You saved my life, so it’s natural to live here. Don’t you think the friendship between us is not enough, so you don’t want to stay here?”
"Of course it's not. I just don't feel good about it. Living and eating for free is really not what I want." Sun Tu hurriedly waved his hands and explained briefly.
Tong Mu glanced at him for a few times, then smiled and shook his head: "I can see that you are a restless person. In this case, I really have a way."
"But what is it? Tell me about it?"
"You opened a hotel in Yuncheng County before, and under my name, there is also a small restaurant called Liufangju in Tokyo. But for some reasons, it can't compare with the other regular restaurants around it. The business is It's never been good. If you don't mind it, can you help me?"
When Sun Tu heard this statement, his spirits perked up: "Is this true?"
Tong Mu solemnly nodded: "Of course it's true. If you don't believe it, let's go there right now. The restaurant is not far from here near Tianhanzhou Bridge. If you really have a way to make my hotel's business better, I will definitely do it." It's almost a benefit to you." As he said that, he stood up.
Sun Tu then nodded: "Okay, let's go over and take a look. But there is one thing we have to agree on. If you really want to make the restaurant business better, I have to make the decision."
"That's natural, let's go!"
The two of them immediately went out, took two horses from the stable in the front yard, and headed straight for their destination. Despite Tong Mu's apparent weakness, his riding skills were still ahead of Sun Tu's. They rode fast and steadily. After only one meal, the two of them arrived at a two-story restaurant, which was the one mentioned just now. Liufangju.
The location of this restaurant is indeed very good. On the left is the famous Little Sweet Water Lane, surrounded by shops and pedestrians. But it is precisely because of this that several large and small restaurants have opened nearby. With such fierce competition, no wonder its business is not very good.
The restaurant manager who was guarding the counter inside the door saw Tong Mu coming on horseback at a glance, and quickly walked out with a smile: "Second Young Master, why do you think you are here today?" As he spoke, he also asked He told the store clerk who also came up to greet him: "What are you still waiting for? Hurry up and serve the second son some sour plum soup and some of the pastries from our store."
"Shopkeeper Wu, why is our restaurant's business still so deserted?" Tong Mu walked into the store and scanned around, only to find that the building was empty at this time. There was not a single diner in sight. Naturally, she was a little dissatisfied.
Shopkeeper Wu's face tightened, and he quickly explained: "Second Young Master, you don't know that although our Liufangju is one of the seventy-two restaurants in the city, our drinks and dishes are far inferior to the Niulou Hotel next door. , so there are fewer guests on weekdays. The younger ones also know that this is not a solution, so they are planning countermeasures."
"Sanlang, take a look, are there any good countermeasures?" Tong Mu ignored shopkeeper Wu's explanation and looked at Sun Tu and asked.
Sun Tu looked thoughtfully at several other small hotels nearby. They were probably taverns that were not allowed to brew wine privately and could only sell wine from other establishments. Different from the situation here, there were also many drinkers sitting in those small hotels at this time, which was in sharp contrast to the desertedness here.
At that moment, he raised his own question: "Shopkeeper Wu, it's just that our Liufangju can't compare to a real store like Niulou Hotel, but even those small-foot shops have better business than us, but that's a bit unreasonable, right?"
"This..." Shopkeeper Wu looked at the young man who came in with his second young master with some vigilance, guessing his identity. Originally he thought this person was just a sidekick, but now it seems that he is something more than simple. After hesitating for a moment, he complained again: "The wine sold in these small shops is much cheaper than our Liufangju, so many customers go to them."
Sun Tu nodded: "Is that so? That's a bit strange. Since these foot shops have to sell wine from other shops, but we, Liu Fangju, brew our own wine, how can we still be here? Are they outperformed in terms of price?"
"Young master, you don't know something. The main store has its own rules. The price of wine and vegetables must be higher than that of the local store. Otherwise, I'm afraid you will be laughed at." Shopkeeper Wu looked like you are He really looked like he didn't understand anything.
At this time, the waiters in the store had already prepared the food. Shopkeeper Wu quickly changed the subject and asked Tong Mu to sit down in the private room on the second floor before replying. Tong Mu did not refuse and immediately followed him to the second floor. He did not realize that shopkeeper Wu took this opportunity to wink at one of the waiters. The latter understood and hurried after they went upstairs. Go out and go.
The two sat down and took a sip of sour plum soup to moisten their throats. Sun Tu spoke again: "Although what shopkeeper Wu said makes sense, now that Liufangju's business is so light, we can no longer stick to the rules. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'm afraid We will be ridiculed by our peers. As one of the seventy-two genuine stores, even the business of those foot shops is much better than ours."
"This..." Shopkeeper Wu was at a loss for words. He looked at Tong Mu again and found that his boss' face was also a little ugly. He could only say: "This is indeed a small lack of consideration. We will improve it in the future." .”
"I also know that you will feel embarrassed, so I want to ask someone to help you this time." Tong Mu said and pointed at Sun Tu: "This Mr. Sun's family originally opened a hotel. I heard that he opened a hotel in his hometown hotel. Business is excellent…”
Before he finished speaking, Shopkeeper Wu suddenly became anxious: "Second Young Master, I have always been loyal to you and worked hard without complaint. Although the business of the restaurant has indeed failed recently, you can't just leave me like this. I promise that in the future I must think of something, please give me a chance."
Tong Mu frowned, but did not get angry because the other party interrupted her. He just said patiently: "I don't want to take away your position as shopkeeper, I just want Sanlang to help you take care of it first. . If he really has a good plan to make Liufangju's business prosper, you will also benefit."
But no matter what he said, shopkeeper Wu always refused to agree. Instead, he begged. Obviously, he understands the character of his boss and knows that he is the most soft-hearted. Maybe he will take back his life after begging hard.
At this time, Sun Tu couldn't open his mouth. After all, he was still an outsider, and he was an outsider who was likely to take his place. But as a bystander, he already had some thoughts in his mind. Shopkeeper Wu had impure thoughts, and there must be some mystery behind his begging.
After being like this for a while, suddenly there was a thump of footsteps downstairs. A young man strode up surrounded by a group of companions. When he saw Tong Mu, he laughed: "Second Young Master, you are indeed Here!" Zhou Yun arrived suddenly.