Next to the east gate of the market, there are more than a dozen large houses, all of which have been newly built in the past two months, and they look tall and majestic. There is a gate open to the market in the middle, and dozens of soldiers stand in front of the door, each armed with a knife and a gun, cruising from time to time, and the defense is obviously tighter than in other places.

When he arrived at the door, Ren Ze stopped and asked Cui Zhizhao vigilantly: "What kind of place is this?" Why did you bring me here? ”

Cui Zhizhao looked at Ren Ze curiously, and then said: "This is the money bank of Tanglong Town, if you don't come here, how can you withdraw money?" ”

Ren Ze said: "It turns out that there is a treasury in the city?" But I haven't heard of it. ”

"Stay a few more days and you'll know." Cui Zhizhao said as he walked towards the gate.

Ren Ze hesitated, gritted his teeth, and followed. For Ren Ze and these people, Tanglong Town is a strange place, and it is natural to be vigilant when entering an unknown building with hundreds of goods. Fortunately, there were soldiers guarding outside, which gave them some confidence.

When I entered the hall, I found that it was very lively, and nearly a hundred merchants gathered and were busy. Looking at the costumes of these people, most of them are Han Chinese, which is very different from the outside market, which is dominated by Fan people.

Cui Zhizhao did not stop in the hall, passed through the crowd, and headed north, it seemed that he was going to enter another house.

Ren Ze hurriedly beckoned his companions and followed closely behind Cui Zhizhao. After walking a short distance, out of the crowd, it was suddenly much deserted. After a few more steps, it narrowed suddenly, and there were a few people standing in the open space to the north, and a large row of counters to the south. After a closer look, I saw that the counters were all partitioned by large wood, with a small opening underneath, and people sitting behind them.

Cui Zhizhao stood still and said to Ren Ze: "Take the 600 guan hui I gave you just now, and I will go over there with you to settle the cash." ”

Although Ren Ze didn't know what was going on here, he was used to going south and north, and after listening to Cui Zhizhao's words, he took out a few pieces of paper that he had put away earlier, squeezed them tightly in his hand, and followed Cui Zhizhao to the counter.

When he arrived at the counter, Cui Zhizhao took his six papers, handed them to the counter, and said, "I have 600 yuan of cash here, and I will transfer it to the staff here." But he will withdraw the money, and you will pay it to him. ”

The people inside let out a "huh" and turned their heads to look at Ren Ze, as if looking at a monster.

Ren Ze felt that something was wrong, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Is it wrong to dare to ask?" Below, a businessman from another place sold goods to this Cui Zhizhao for a price of 600 yuan, and came to get the money. We agreed that the cash in the spot would only give him the goods when he saw the cash. ”

The man inside: "This is not cash?" Six hundred times with you, can you move? ”

Ren Ze said: "I am a businessman from afar, and the money naturally cannot be moved, if it is convenient, it is best to exchange it for gold and silver." ”

The people inside shook their heads again and again: "All the goods in Tanglong Town are in cash, and you have to buy gold and silver yourself!" ”

As he spoke, he threw out Cui Zhizhao's meeting.

Cui Zhizhao laughed, and handed the meeting into the counter again: "Offend, this is a businessman from the North, I don't know the rules here, forgive my sins." He asked for cash, and he sent someone to give him six hundred yuan in cash. It's his business to move or not, and I pick up the goods myself. ”

The man listened and muttered something, as if he complained that Ren Zehu didn't know the rules, it seems that he has encountered a lot of such things today. Turning his head to the back, he said loudly: "Director Gao, there is someone here who withdraws cash, you go out and explain it clearly, give him the money!" ”

After speaking, he ignored Ren Ze, lowered his head and made a mark on the meeting, took out the bottom book and paper deed, surveyed it correctly, handed it out of the counter, and asked Cui Zhizhao to use the seal on it. When everything was done, he put it aside, filled out a note, and handed it to a supervisor who came from behind.

Ren Ze knew that there must be something he didn't know about, so he looked carefully outside the counter. Seeing that the supervisor took the note and walked outside, I knew that this might be the senior director. At this time, I couldn't help but feel a little panicked, what should I do if this senior supervisor really gave him 600 yuan?

After a while, Director Gao came out of a small corner door next to him, looked at Ren Ze, and then said to Cui Zhizhao beside him: "This is Cui Zhizhao?" Is it that you want to receive 600 yuan in cash to pay for the goods? ”

Cui Zhizhao nodded: "Yes, I will pay this outsider." ”

Supervisor Gao said: "Okay, you have signed the pledge, and the six hundred guan have been transferred out." Outside of the staff, follow me to get the money. ”

Ren Ze couldn't help but be stunned: "Director, where to get the money?" ”

Director Gao pointed to a door next to him: "In that room." You come with me. ”

Ren Ze was ignorant, and followed Director Gao to a door next to him. I saw that the bread iron outside the door looked extremely tight.

Director Gao took the key from his body, pushed open the heavy door with great effort, and said to Ren Ze: "Outside, you have to think clearly, you have to take these six hundred pieces away today." We can help you carry it out of the gate over there, and then leave it alone, you own your own car. ”

Ren Ze watched outside, and saw that there were many wicker boxes piled up in this room, and there were a few strong men standing next to him. I was so frightened that I didn't dare to go in, and said to Supervisor Gao: "What's the matter, please ask the supervisor to move the money out, and I will transport it away by self-employed car." ”

Director Gao looked at Ren Ze, with a confused expression, and shouted loudly inside: "Move thirty boxes out of the inside, go outside the gate, and hand them over to me for inspection!" Be careful not to damage the chest! ”

The strong man inside made a promise, and the two of them walked out with a wicker box. Ren Ze noticed that there were more than ten people inside, but there were only four people who moved the boxes, and the others were standing honestly, for some reason.

Director Gao said to Ren Ze: "Outside the staff, follow me outside to check." It has been examined in person, and there shall be no dispute in the future. ”

Ren Ze always felt that something was wrong, so he didn't have time to think about it, so he promised and walked outside with Director Gao.

Passing through the crowd in the hall, when I got to the door, I saw two strong men leaving wicker boxes on the side of the road and going back.

The sun was shining overhead, and the swords and guns in the hands of the soldiers next to him were shining, and Ren Ze's heart finally settled down.

The little prince and the rest of his companions followed behind Ren Ze and also walked out of the hall door, looking puzzled. He didn't understand Chinese very well, and he was even more confused about what had just happened. Anyway, today's events, not only did he not see it, but he couldn't even think of it.

After a while, the strong men carried out ten boxes, all of which were piled up on the side of the road.

Director Gao said to Ren Ze: "Outside, come and check the money." I checked it earlier, and let Cui Zhizhao leave earlier. You have delayed a lot of work in waiting for the edict, which is really a sin. ”

By now, Ren Ze already knew that the wicker box was cash in mind, but he didn't believe it. It was the first time he had encountered such a business, and on the one hand, he felt novel, but also strongly distrusted, for fear that he had been deceived.

Director Gao checked the seal, pried open a wicker box, and said to Ren Ze: "Outside, come and check." ”

Ren Ze stepped forward and saw that the box was full of money, all of which were newly-made iron coins that he had seen in the past few days, and the gaps were plugged with tree bark. I picked up a few coins and looked at them, it was undoubtedly the cash in Tanglong Town, exactly the same as the money I borrowed from the soldiers in the city yesterday.

Checking it in his hand, Ren Ze tried to ask, "Director, can you change it all into copper coins?" ”

Director Gao shook his head: "Iron money is passed here on Hedong Road, and it is the same in Tanglong Town. With this money, you can buy everything in the town. ”

After speaking, Director Gao pointed to the other boxes and said, "Outside, I'm busy with affairs, hurry up and check these boxes, I'll make a mistake." ”

Ren Ze couldn't hold back any longer, and said to the senior supervisor: "Director, what's going on here, can you give me some explanation?" I'm a merchant from the Western Regions who came here to trade, I've never seen this, and I don't understand the rules here, so don't blame me if I'm offended. ”

Director Gao smiled: "Don't blame outsiders, it's not my duty to explain the rules here, there is no way." A supervisor Teng who is familiar with me does this, and if he wishes, I will send someone to summon him. - I still checked the money first, and I went to pay the errand. ”

Ren Ze had no choice, so he had to check the wicker boxes with Director Gao one by one, and found that there were indeed six hundred yuan in it.

After the inspection, Director Gao clapped his hands and said to Ren Ze: "The money is verified, everything is over, this money is outside, don't be embarrassed by Cui Zhizhao." If you delay his efforts, we will not be able to do so. - Wait a minute, I'll call Director Teng. ”

Ren Ze was helpless, so he had to watch Director Gao enter the door, turned to his companion and said, "What should I do?" Did we really hire a car to pull the money? What goods to buy are not yet visible, and where can they be put there? ”

Just when a few people were at a loss, a person who was dressed like Director Gao came out of it and bowed his hand to Ren Ze with a smile: "Dare to ask if this person is outside the staff?" Under the surname Teng, I came late, and I ask for forgiveness. ”

This one was full of smiles and kinder, Ren Ze felt a lot closer, and hurriedly stepped forward to meet him.

After seeing the ceremony, Director Teng looked at the wicker box on the ground and said to Ren Ze: "Outside, we have tea inside, let me explain the things here to you carefully." The money is placed here, and it is good for the individual to watch it. This is the city, and there are soldiers everywhere, so don't worry. ”

Ren Ze looked up at the sun in the sky, then at the soldiers standing next to him, settled down, and bowed his hand to Director Teng: "Okay." ”

instructed the two companions to watch the cash box, and Ren Ze followed Director Teng and entered the hall door again.

Although the little prince couldn't understand what was happening just now and was confused, he still followed behind Ren Ze.

Entered the hall, this time not to the south, but to the north. Walking through the crowd, Director Teng pointed to the white wall next to him and said, "Outside, take a look first." ”

Ren Ze stopped to watch, it turned out to be the list unveiled by the Yamen of Tanglong Town, explaining what to do here and all the rules.

After a closer look, Ren Ze understood what was going on.

It turned out that because the cash was too heavy, in order to facilitate trade, the yamen built this cabinet shop. No matter where the merchant comes from, he can deposit the cash in it, and the cabinet will issue a money ticket. Money tickets can be circulated in Tanglong Town, but when they are paid to others, they must be pledged by the owner with a seal, and the person holding the money ticket can go to the counter to exchange money at any time. This is not a new thing, it was in Chang'an City in the Tang Dynasty, but it has been lost for many years of war.

Seeing the back, Ren Ze's heart tightened. Originally, if you deposit money into the cabinet, you will be charged a storage fee of 10 wen for 1,000 yuan, and the deposit period will be one year. I took out the cash myself, and if I put it back in, I had to pay the money. Six hundred, if you do the math, it will cost six dollars.

No wonder Cui Zhizhao and Director Gao looked at themselves strangely, if they didn't withdraw cash, but just delivered the bills, these six times would be saved. However, this kind of policy is only clear to the Han merchants in the city, where will the Fanhu merchants from afar know this? On this day, because of this incident, many Fanhu businessmen spent unjust money, and Ren Ze was not the first.