At Xushi the next day, Jiang Beiran was cooking braised pork ribs on the hillside when he raised his eyes to see Luo Wenzhou coming to him and saluting.
"Master, the disciple is back."
Nodding his head, Jiang Beiran asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"Ate."
"How's the investigation going?"
Upon hearing the words, Luo Wenzhou cupped his hands and replied: "The disciple has found out that there are four relatively large family forces in this Jiyuan town,"
Nodding, Jiang Beiran stood up and said, "Go, go inside and talk."
Sitting in the big temporary tent, Luo Wenzhou spread out a piece of paper on the wooden table and said, "There are eighteen counties in Sipan County, and this Jiyuan Town is within the jurisdiction of Yunan County, and it is located in the entire Sipan County. The central area of Sipan, extending in all directions, has a prosperous economy and is known as the thoroughfare of Sipan.”
"The town has a total population of about 180,000. In such a big town, there are quite a lot of big families entrenched here. Among them, there are four famous big families. The Ye family that Master you asked me to check is one of them, ranking No. 1 three."
Jiang Beiran couldn't help raising his eyebrows after hearing this.
'Only the third? '
He originally thought that he would be able to establish a relationship with Lu Yinlong. In a small town, he should always be the kind who dominates, but who knew that he was just a mistress...
"The water in Jiyuan Town is really deep..."
He picked up the Shi Zhouchun on the table and poured himself a cup.
Seeing Master stretching out the flagon to his side, Luo Wenzhou quickly picked up a cup with both hands to catch it.
Filling up the wine glass in Luo Wenzhou's hand, Jiang Beiran smiled and said, "Taste."
Making a toast gesture to Master, Luo Wenzhou drank the Shi Zhouchun in the cup in one gulp.
"Master's brewed wine is always so different. This taste...is it brewed with sorghum?"
"Hahaha, your tongue is still so good, what do you think of the taste?"
"It's smooth in the mouth, sweet in the mouth, and has a lingering fragrance after drinking. It's very similar to the Fenjiu you gave me last time."
"That's right, let's have another drink." Just as Jiang Beiran was going to get the jug, Luo Wenzhou snatched it first and said, "It should be me toasting Master."
"Alright." Jiang Beiran said as he drank the Shizhouchun in the cup in one gulp.
Seeing the smiling face of his senior brother, Wu Qingce silently wrote down these in his heart.
'It turns out that brother likes to be praised like this, no wonder my brother would only stare at me when I said it was delicious. '
After drinking two cups with Luo Wenzhou, Jiang Bei let out a sigh of relief and said, "Tell me about all the four major families in Jiyuan Town."
"Yes." Luo Wenzhou, who sat up straight again, replied: "The largest family in Jiyuan Town is the Hong family, and the family is attached to the largest family in Sipan County, the Sifang Sect, but how close is the relationship between the Hong family and the Sifang Sect? The disciples have not inquired about it yet."
'Sifangzong...'
In this world without the Internet, even Jiang Beiran, a sect of demon sects in Fengzhou, didn't know all about it, let alone Lanzhou, which he had never been to.
However, Luo Wenzhou quickly added: "This Sifang Sect is the largest orthodox sect in Sipan County, and the suzerain is a strong man in the Profound Emperor Realm, and its sphere of influence covers the three counties including Sipan County."
'Sure enough, they are brothers and sisters...'
As part of the territory of Sheng Kingdom, the overall strength of the sect in Lanzhou is not much different from that of Fengzhou. The sect with Xuanhuang sitting in it has already been called the top sect, and it is absolutely the leader in the state.
"The second largest family in Jiyuan Town is the Shao family, and the power behind it is the Full Moon Sect, which is the largest demon sect in Sipan County, but..."
"But what?"
"This Full Moon Sect seems to be very popular with the local people, and some people even take the initiative to send their children to become believers."
'It seems that the Demon Cult here...doesn't follow the rules. '
"Well, the leader of the Full Moon Sect is also a Profound Emperor?"
"Yes." Luo Wenzhou nodded, "However, although the Full Moon Sect is entrenched in Sipan County like the Sifang Sect, it seems that there has not been much conflict. The same is true for the Hong and Shao families. They have their own jurisdictions. The scope is very clear."
"Then this is the Ye family. The Ye family is not attached to any sect, but the head of the family is a strong man at the Xuanwang level, so he still has some right to speak in this Jiyuan town."
'I see… '
Hearing the word Xuan Wang, Jiang Beiran suddenly understood why the relationship between Lu Yinlong and Ye's family had faded, "The strength is not equal, this is, and it is realistic enough..."
But when I think about it deeply, a family with a poor family background is indeed very suitable for the background of the protagonist.
"The last big family is the Liu family. It is not attached to any sect and has no influence behind it. The reason why it can be ranked is because the second daughter of the head of the Liu family married into the palace and became a relative of the emperor. "
"Oh~ the emperor's father-in-law." Jiang Beiran nodded understandingly.
But it's quite sad to think about it. As the emperor's father-in-law, logically speaking, he should be able to walk sideways in this Jiyuan Town, but he can only barely rank fourth.
'It's no wonder that the emperor wanted to think about it, this mess is too miserable, but as a practitioner, he doesn't take him seriously at all. '
"Very well, then have you found out about the recent situation of the Ye family?"
"I've heard a little bit about it. The Ye family hasn't been doing very well recently. The whole town is spreading rumors..." After Luo Wenzhou finished speaking, he glanced at Jiang Beiran, and then continued: "It's all rumors that they were divorced by Guixinzong. It can be said that it has been reduced to a laughing stock.”
'Pass so fast! ? '
Jiang Beiran couldn't help being taken aback after hearing this. The Ye family would definitely not say anything about retiring the marriage. As far as Jiang Beiran knew about Guixinzong's words, Lu Qingyin came back after making the three-year agreement. It is also impossible to talk about it everywhere, how come everyone knows it so quickly
Hearing the words Guixinzong, Wu Qingce behind Jiang Beiran was stunned for a moment, and at the same time understood why the senior brother suddenly wanted to come to Lanzhou.
'Senior brother came here for this divorce? But why...'
Jiang Beiran, who felt that someone with a heart should be doing the trouble, continued to ask: "Is there anything else?"
"Others... I haven't heard much yet."
"Okay, then I'll give you two more days to get to know the members of the Ye family, especially Ye Fan, who was divorced, and find out what he's been doing recently."
"Yes." After Luo Wenzhou finished speaking, he left the tent.
'Fast and resolute, yes, yes. '
Filling himself another glass of wine, Jiang Beiran looked at Wu Qingce and said, "Are you wondering why I came here for the divorce?"
"Yes." Wu Qingce replied honestly.
"So did you come up with anything?"
"This... I can't guess, but I know that the brother must have an important reason to come here."
Standing up and slamming Wu Qingce on the forehead, Jiang Beiran sighed and said, "I've been with me for so long, and I haven't learned anything else. I just learned this kind of nonsense. I'll give you a night to think about it. I'll listen to you tomorrow." Reply."
"Ah? I..." Wu Qingce was about to say that he couldn't do it, when he saw his brother's sharp eyes, "Yes! I will definitely figure it out."
Nodding in satisfaction, Jiang Bei ran out of the tent and looked at Jiyuan Town down the hillside, thinking about the next course of action.
At this moment in Jiyuan Town, Gu Qinghuan, who had been observing for a day, found that the inn business was the best in this well-connected Jiyuan Town, so after careful selection, he came to a sparsely populated inn.
"Guest officer! Are you going to be a top player or stay in a hotel? Our inn has the best Qingchun wine in the town, you can drink it once and want to drink it a second time!"
Smiling at the waiter in the shop, Gu Qinghuan looked up at the tricks hanging in front of the restaurant.
The so-called Zhaozi, also known as the wine flag, has the same main function as the star rating of a star-rated hotel.
Generally, the name of the store will be written on the sign, or it will be hung above the store, or in front of the roof, or simply set up another lookout pole, anyway, the purpose is to be conspicuous.
This Chunlai inn has set up another lookout pole, but there are not only one flag hanging on it, but a total of five wine flags, which means that it is a "five-star" inn.
Generally speaking, an inn with one flag is a snack bar, and an inn with two flags is a more formal restaurant with a menu. The four banners are equipped with a bathhouse, where there are dedicated people to help with the bath.
As for the highest five flags, it means that everything in it is of the highest standard. It can be said that only you can't think of it, and there is nothing he can't do.
Such a high-end inn, but the business is so poor, Gu Qinghuan, who knew that he had found his target, walked slowly down the lobby under the guidance of Xiao Er.
Walking into the inn, looking at the menu handed over by Xiaoer, Gu Qinghuan said without looking at it: "Bring me your most expensive wine and dishes."
After hearing this, the waiter in the shop was shocked and bowed again and again: "Okay, just wait a moment!"
After a while, all kinds of good wine and dishes were served on Gu Qinghuan's table.
"Master, it's all ready, you can use it slowly." The waiter stepped aside after speaking.
After Gu Qinghuan poured himself a few drinks, he saw a middle-aged man in a black jacket walking towards him as he expected, with a courteous smile on his face.
"The honored guest is coming, but I am far away to welcome you. I am the shopkeeper of this inn, surnamed Luo."
"It turned out to be Shopkeeper Luo, nice to meet you, nice to meet you." Gu Qinghuan cupped his hands and said.
Returning the salute to Gu Qinghuan, shopkeeper Luo picked up the wine glass and said, "Thank you for coming, I would like to toast you."
After finishing speaking, he drank the wine in the glass, seeing that Gu Qinghuan had no intention of driving him away, shopkeeper Luo said more attentively: "Guest, you are the first time to come back to our inn, right?"
"Well, your inn looks good."
After hearing this, shopkeeper Luo smiled and said: "Guest, you are too discerning. I have spent a lot of money to decorate the inside and outside of my store. If you are interested in a while, I will show you around."
Picking up a piece of roast goose and putting it in his mouth, Gu Qing laughed happily and said, "The shopkeeper is so enthusiastic, but what can I do for you?"
"Hey, where is your guest, shouldn't you be warm to you... I don't have anything to ask for your help, just thinking that if you are satisfied with the guest, bring more friends next time, I promise to treat you well, So if you think something is missing, just mention it!"
Seeing that things were developing as he expected, Gu Qinghuan put down his chopsticks and said, "Shopkeeper Luo is short of business?"
Seeing that Gu Qinghua spoke so directly, shopkeeper Luo no longer restrained himself, and said directly: "It's too short, you have also seen the customer, I really spent a lot of money to renovate this store. With so many rich businessmen here, there will always be someone who wants to live better, who knows... Alas, as you can see, my business will soon be unable to continue. "
After hearing this, Gu Qinghuan laughed, and said, "I can help you with this, but you have to promise me a condition."
"Guest, if you really have a way to improve the business of the small shop, let alone one condition, a hundred will do."
"Okay." Gu Qinghuan nodded, took out a cloth bag from his arms and put it on the table, "Boss, your idea is very good, but I have already seen it. In this town, there are inns with better decoration than yours. A lot of homes."
"Yes..." Shopkeeper Luo nodded, "Those stores are time-honored. I originally thought that their business was so good that they often couldn't get a box at night, so I thought about opening another one and recruiting those who couldn't get in. The guests who have gone to come to me."
"Then have you ever thought about why they would rather line up in those inns than come to your place?"
"This... please give me your advice." Shopkeeper Luo cupped his hands towards Gu Qinghuan.
"That's because those inns have become a status symbol. Rich businessmen can only show their nobility by going to those inns to eat. So if you want to attract guests from those inns to come here, you have to come up with some strange tricks."
Hearing what Gu Qinghuan said so eloquently, the boss knew that he had really met an expert, so he quickly bowed to the bottom and said, "Please teach me, sir."
Nodding his head, Gu Qinghuan pointed to the bag that he took out just now and said: "There are fifty seeds of the Red Flame Grass inside, this is a strange flower that will dance like a flame when it grows up, and can be refined into a second-grade elixir .”
"Second-grade elixir!" Shopkeeper Luo's eyes widened when he heard it. Although he was just an ordinary person, he had heard a lot about cultivators. This elixir was one of them. The legendary second-grade elixir The medicine is enough for profound practitioners to fight for it. He has never even thought about a treasure of this level.
'Guest, are you...'
"You don't need to worry about this. I see that there is an open space next to your inn. Is that yours?"
"Hey! It's mine, it's mine. I thought the business would be good, and I would build a separate museum next to it. Who knows..."
"Well, then I will plant a Chiyancao in the open space tomorrow, and you send someone to let the word out, saying that a new batch of strange flowers that can refine second-grade elixir have arrived in the shop."
"Okay, I see." Shopkeeper Luo nodded quickly.
"When the guests are brought in, you tell them that there is an open space next to the shop dedicated to planting Chiyancao for customers. You can leave a wooden sign in front of the Chiyancao. The name of the customer and the date of planting will be engraved on it. The price of Yancao... can be set as high as possible."
Shopkeeper Luo understood Gu Qinghuan's intentions as soon as he heard it. The best thing about these wealthy businessmen is face. Rare things like Chiyancao are definitely worth their money, and the trick of writing their names in front is absolutely perfect! Doesn't that mean that any rich businessman didn't come to plant Chiyancao, or that he admitted that he couldn't afford the money!
Not only that, this kind of grass is equivalent to thinking about this inn, so you have to come and see it from time to time, right? Now we have a stable source of customers.
"Sir, you are truly a heavenly man!"