Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

Just as Li Zhen and Zhao Yingluo were immersed in their shameless newlywed life, a soldier from the foot of the mountain came to report that the manager of the grain store in Tangyin City had come to visit.

Li Zhen had someone lead him to the council hall of the main village, and soon someone brought him freshly brewed tea.

Li Zhen asked Manager Sun with a smile, "Old Manager, what brings you here?"

Shopkeeper Sun smiled and said to Li Zhen, "I was hoping to buy some more grain from Chief. The grain you sold us last time sold out in less than a month. I was wondering if you could get some more grain from the south."

Li Zhen: "You don't need to come in person just to deal with the grain issue. Just send someone in charge. There must be other things. Speak."

Shopkeeper Sun gave an awkward smile: "I know I can't hide it from the chief. Actually, I came here on behalf of the newly appointed Magistrate of Tangyin County, Lord Zhang. He wants to meet with you and hopes to improve the relationship between the two of us."

In fact, Li Zhen knew that a few days ago, a new magistrate named Zhang Cheng had just taken office in Tangyin City. He was the chief clerk transferred from Hebi. He was originally a scholar from the Song Dynasty, but later somehow he defected to the Jin people and gradually rose to this position.

Li Zhen: "I just repelled the Jurchen army. Now this new magistrate wants to befriend me. Isn't he afraid the Jurchens will find out?"

Seeing that no one was around, Manager Sun whispered, "The Jin army that came to besiege you last time suffered heavy losses. The Jin general who led the troops killed people from three villages around Tangyin and reported that he had wiped out your area. So those Jin people here won't care at all. Chief, you can rest assured now."

Li Zhen thought that if he wanted to expand and develop in the future, he would inevitably have to deal with these officials. In addition, he couldn't afford to strain his relationship with the local government, as this would affect his development plans.

Li Zhen looked at Manager Sun and said with a smile, "Go back and tell the new magistrate that I will be going to Tangyin City tomorrow, and the meeting place will be the largest Yuanyang Tower in the city."

Upon hearing this, Manager Sun immediately beamed with joy, stood up, and bowed to Li Zhen: "Thank you for giving me face, Chief. I can now return and report to the new magistrate. But regarding the grain..."

Li Zhen patted Manager Sun on the shoulder with a smile: "I have plenty of grain here, rice, flour, and oil, you name it. Just tell me the amount, and I'll have someone deliver it to the city for you. But we'll still have to settle in gold; anything else is too much trouble."

Manager Sun descended the mountain with great joy, surprised by how smoothly his ascent had gone. He witnessed the formidable strength of the entire Li Family Village: a hundred-strong force wielding strange weapons in training, and the villagers all glowing with health and vitality—clearly indicating excellent food. In other places, people were starving almost constantly, demonstrating Li Zhen's formidable power.

The next day, around noon, Li Zhen led Yue Peng on horseback into Tangyin City. From his horse, he observed that the shops on both sides were extremely desolate, and beggars and vagrants were present in almost every corner of the streets, staring at everyone who passed by with dead fish eyes.

At the entrance of Yuanyang Tower, Manager Sun had been waiting for a long time. He was slightly surprised to see Li Zhen arrive with only one attendant, but he quickly hid his doubts with a smile.

After dismounting, Li Zhen handed the reins to Yue Peng: "Wait for me down here, I'll go up myself in a bit."

Knowing his chieftain's temper, Yue Peng nodded and tied the two horses to a pillar by the roadside.

Following Manager Sun up to the third floor, they soon saw the newly appointed magistrate, Zhang Cheng, standing by the window. He was dressed as a scholar, tall and slender, and did not look like an official at all.

Li Zhen smiled and stepped forward to greet him, saying, "I'm sorry to have kept the magistrate waiting; it was my oversight."

Zhang Cheng laughed heartily and poured Li Zhen a full cup of tea: "Chief Li's presence is already a great honor for me. What's there to be afraid of waiting? Come, come, try this year's West Lake Longjing tea."

Li Zhen: "Is the magistrate from the South?"

Zhang Cheng: "I am not talented, but I am from Pingjiang Prefecture."

Li Zhen: "I never expected to meet a fellow southerner in this northern land. My family is from Jiangling Prefecture. If you have the opportunity, Magistrate, you would like to visit us."

Actually, this was all made up by Li Zhen. There are many people with the surname Li in Jiangling Prefecture. Don't they believe they can check them all? You should know that Jiangling Prefecture is still the territory of the Southern Song Dynasty. This area is under the jurisdiction of the Jin Dynasty. There is no way for them to go and verify the truth.

Zhang Cheng: "I see that Chief Li is a man of great talent. I am a few years older than you, so how about we address each other as elder brothers?"

Seeing that the other party had taken the initiative to show goodwill, Li Zhen immediately said, "Brother Zhang, I'm toasting you with this first drink as a way of welcoming you."

"Hahaha... Alright, my brother, I'll drink it!"

After saying this, Zhang Cheng drank the cup of wine. Manager Sun was pleased to see the two chatting so happily from the moment they met. If he could win over these two, his business would be unstoppable in Tangyin City. You see, the north was currently experiencing a food shortage, and countless grain shops had closed down. Only his grain shop had a full supply of grain, all thanks to Li Zhen.

After drinking a few cups of wine, Li Zhen said, "Brother Zhang, this wine is too bland. Wait for me, I'll be right back."

After saying that, he turned around and went downstairs. Not long after, he came back up carrying two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

Li Zhen: "Brother Zhang, how about trying the wine brewed by our family?"

As he spoke, he opened one of the bottles and poured some for Zhang Cheng and Manager Sun. Instantly, a rich aroma of wine wafted out, making the two of them secretly think that it was good wine.

Not only that, the waiter brought over two more dishes: steamed swimming crab and braised yellow croaker.

When these two dishes were served, Zhang Cheng was dumbfounded. You have to understand, this is in the north, on Damingfu Road, far from the sea. Here, you can't even see seafood, let alone eat it.

Zhang Cheng picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth and savored it slowly. He was surprised to find that it was fresh fish, not pickled.

Zhang Cheng looked surprised and said, "Brother, this..."

Li Zhen: "Hahaha... Brothers, have a drink first. It's just seafood. If you like it, I'll have someone deliver it to you every day."

It's understandable that Manager Sun didn't know this, but Zhang Cheng, who grew up by the sea, knew that seafood loses its freshness once it's out of the water for a long time. Even using ice and pickling can't preserve it; at best, it won't spoil.

After the three of them took a sip of wine, Manager Sun said with great relish, "What fine wine! I wonder if Chief Li has any more?"

Li Zhen smiled mysteriously: "Guess."

Seeing the two men's embarrassed expressions, Li Zhen joked, "I won't joke with you two anymore. I didn't bring any gifts this time. After dinner, I've prepared a few bottles of wine and some seafood for you two. Please don't mind."

Seeing Li Zhen's straightforwardness, Zhang Cheng picked up the wine bottle and filled it for him, then held up the wine cup and said, "Brother, from now on, I'll protect you in Tangyin City. If you need anything, just mention my name."

Manager Sun, his face flushed, raised his wine cup and said, "Chief Li, from today onwards, as long as you have grain, send it to me. I guarantee I'll open up the entire northern grain market. Then the whole market will be filled with your Li family's grain. Also, if this wine can be sold, I can sell it on your behalf. I'll take as much as you have."