Yangzhou, Slender West Lake
As Liu Shengzao and officials from the Salt Transportation Department were taken away by the guards of Jinyi Prefecture, Yangzhou Prefect Yuan Jichong and Yangzhou Prefecture Zhizhong, Tongpan and other subordinate officials, as well as local officials under Yangzhou Prefecture, all had solemn expressions on their faces, but these officials did not It was not as noisy as the spectators around Slender West Lake, but they were thinking about the impact of this incident on Yangzhou officialdom and themselves.
Wang Shouqi said cautiously: "Uncle Yongning, what's going on with Mr. Liu's case of the Salt Transportation Department's deficit?"
At this moment, Jiang Tong, Huang Rishan, and Xiao Hongsheng were all secretly paying attention to the young man's words.
Jia Heng smiled, looked at Wang Shouqi, and asked, "Is Mr. Wang also involved in the case?"
"This..." Wang Shouqi was startled, and he quickly smiled and said, "How dare I, old man?"
Jia Heng said: "In recent years, the salt law has accumulated many serious disadvantages, which have reached all the organs, temples and temples. All the officials are aware of them. Some of them are legal problems that cannot be solved in a day. However, Yangzhou salt merchants such as Cheng, Ma and others are aware of them. Not only did he smuggle to the Jurchens, but he also took credit from the salt transport warehouse, misappropriated taxes and money, and stole government funds for his own use with Liu Shengzao. How can the imperial court tolerate this?"
Wang Shouqi's expression paused slightly, fearing that he would miss a word. Hearing the last word, he felt uneasy.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Nowadays, in the land of Huaihe and Huaihe Rivers, the law of salt regulation is being implemented, and the court tax money is lost every year. What should Mr. Wang do if he is the minister of the court? Fortunately, God has the virtue of good life."
He reminded me that it actually gave the four general merchants an opportunity to confess. Only by using their subjective initiative can they collect more tax money for the court. If they don't know the time, they will all be turned into fans in one fell swoop!
Wang Shouqi was listening to Jia Heng's words, and cold sweat broke out on his back. The two old men Jiang Tong and Huang Rishan looked at each other with a feeling that the sky was falling.
God has the virtue of good life, so what is this?
Is this a disagreement, and the court will start a killing spree?
Jia Heng did not look at Wang Shouqi and others who looked very ugly, and instead raised his eyes to enjoy the music and dance, because several salt merchants in Yangzhou were on pins and needles, and it suddenly became a private room for themselves.
The Lianghuai salt affairs have fallen into this kind of malpractice since the exclusive taxation system of diverting salt from the shore. The case of salt diverting was exposed during the Qianlong period of the previous life. During the Jiadao period, the governor of Liangjiang, Tao Shu, immediately rectified the salt affairs. In the past and present, the system The problem of endogenous decay cannot be avoided when it reaches a certain stage of development.
Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi stood where the Chongyan Pavilion was. Zhen Lan's phoenix eyes flashed and she lowered her voice and said, "Sister, do you know how many people this Uncle Yong Ning has arrested?"
Under Zhen Xi Chunshan's dark eyebrows, her bright eyes like a clear spring blinked and asked curiously: "How many were caught?"
"He has arrested four of the eight salt merchants in Yangzhou before, and now even the Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy has been captured. It seems that the good days of this Yangzhou salt merchant will not last long. If there are no Yangzhou salt merchants, most of them will be killed next year. There is no such thing as an Oiran competition anymore." Zhen Lan's narrow, clear eyes fell on the young man in the python suit, her eyes sparkling.
In fact, in the original time and space, as Yangzhou salt merchants withdrew from the stage of history, Yangzhou's Slender West Lake gradually fell into disuse.
Zhen Xi frowned, her bright eyes showing confusion, and said softly: "Sister, why did Brother Heng arrest the salt merchant?"
Zhen Lan said softly: "I heard from the eldest sister that it was the Salt Transportation Department that lost tens of millions of taels. These salt merchants wanted to collude with the officials of the Salt Transportation Department. Not long ago, several salt merchants were killed because of assassinations. He was taken to jail, and the results of the interrogation must have come out in the past few days."
Zhen Xi thought about the reason and said softly: "How come sister knows so much? Do you still know about the salt affairs?"
Zhen Lan smiled, feeling a little complacent, and said softly: "My sister is still young, and she will know more when she gets older."
Just for a moment, the girl who had always been strong felt a little sad. No matter how much she knew, what could she do? There could only be one Princess Chu, and only one daughter of the Zhen family could marry into the royal family. What could she do? Where are you?
Zhen Xi's bright eyes narrowed and she looked at the young man, her hazy eyes shining brightly in the misty rain.
Jia Heng and other salt merchants watched with great interest the music and dance of a group of Yangzhou brothel courtesans. Their dresses were elegant and their sleeves were dancing.
But looking at it, Jia Heng felt a little bored. Although the folk art of this era had a bit more realism, no matter the stage effect, vocal effect, or costume effect, it was not as good as that of later generations.
After that, a group of salt merchants took the lead in sending flower baskets to Huancui Pavilion, which was performing the show. The local gentry and celebrities in Yangzhou also followed Luanming Pavilion, but because of the previous incident, the atmosphere was somewhat not high.
It was not until midday, as the top four were selected in the middle of the competition, that the previous solemn atmosphere gradually dissipated, and everyone present turned their attention to the stage, enjoying the visual feast.
The oiran of Luanming Pavilion, Miss Qingjin, is a girl of eighteen or nineteen years old. She is wearing a green feather dress and has a plump figure. At this moment, she is standing on the stage, a pipa is playing, and her eyes are as soft as water. He threw himself at the young man with a face in a python suit.
It seemed that he was waiting for Jia Heng to present a flower basket, but Jia Heng was obviously not interested and did not send out a flower basket.
In this oiran competition, a flower basket costs about one hundred and fifty taels. This game of krypton gold and ranking is no different from the previous life.
I don’t know if there is support or not.
As one of the most powerful people here, Jia Heng's silent attitude obviously made many local officials and gentry in Yangzhou feel excited again.
Wang Shouqi asked in a low voice: "Uncle Yong Ning, but the music and dance here are not to your liking?"
Jia Heng said: "The dance of the beauties from the southern country can captivate the whole city. The land of Yangzhou is really full of outstanding people."
"The Oiran Competition has been held in Yangzhou for fifteen years, and this is the sixteenth year. I don't know if I can still see it next year." Wang Shouqi smiled, half sighing, half testing.
Then, he ordered the boy to deliver the flower basket.
After Liu Shengzao was arrested, the Yangzhou Salt General Merchant was already upset.
Chen Xiao glanced at the young man and felt a little doubtful in his heart.
After thinking about it, it seems that this man is not a greedy person, and he can marry anyone. When the music and dance in Bihaiyuan began, Chen Xiao finally couldn't help but whispered: "If you don't reward me all the time, it will make people say you are stingy. "
Jia Heng chuckled and said, "Xiaoxiao, go and reward me with a flower basket."
Chen Xiao snorted coldly and glanced at Jia Heng. Where is the money on her? During this period of time, no one asked her to give her a salary.
After the oiran from Zizhuxuan performed a guzheng song, it was almost noon. After another folk art performance, it was finally Gu Ruoqing's turn from Huanhualou to appear.
First, a piece of music came from the balcony, as clear and clear as the tinkling of mountain springs, with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers. This was a piece of music played by twelve women from Huanhua Tower who were proficient in music, and it seemed to take everyone to a place where the sky and rain were strange. Xiangjiang River.
Jia Heng stared at Gu Ruoqing, who was leading the dance among the three women.
Because the dance music choreographed was actually Mrs. Xiang's.
Jia Heng looked at it and couldn't help but compare it with Xianning's dance. Xianning has long legs and high waist, and there is a bit of youthful charm in the graceful dance. Especially at the end, Mrs. Xiang's body is already lying on the bed, and the Xiang River is flooding. Cause disaster.
Gu Ruoqing, on the other hand, is like the green waves of the Xiang River rippling in the wind. As he jumps and spins, he has a somewhat graceful attitude, and his whole body has the moving charm of the Xiaoxiang Chushui River.
Thinking of this, Jia Heng's eyes became a little distracted, and his mind couldn't help but flash back to every detail of his relationship with Xian Ning.
Speaking of which, I also miss that goblin. Although Xianning is sometimes chaotic and mischievous, her youthful beauty, her sincere passion for feelings and her unrepentance under the cold appearance, when she is out of reach and without the influence of carnal desire, she is even more beautiful. Let him never forget it.
This should be the most essential and pure emotion.
Now that the situation in Yangzhou has calmed down, the salt affairs case will soon find out the long-standing deficiencies. After that, the salt affairs reform cannot be separated from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Jinyang can also come here, Xianning, Yuanchun, and even Xiangyun and Tanchun. coming.
Jia Heng thought so.
Gu Ruoqing was dancing at this time, and couldn't help but cast his eyes on the young man in the python suit who was sitting upright below. When he saw his eyes were straight, and his feet were gently raising his toes under the skirt, his heart skipped a beat.
Is this looking straight at you?
Under the curved eyebrows, a faint light gradually gathered in the dazzling clear eyes.
As the music started to get louder, Gu Ruoqing quickly suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and danced gracefully, which immediately attracted applause from the spectators below.
After the music and dancing ended, it was the turn of the salt merchants and the local gentry in Yangzhou to deliver flower baskets. Compared with the previous ones, Gu Ruoqing was obviously more popular among the local celebrities in Yangzhou.
Compared with those coquettish ones, they are mainly pure.
But even so, they still didn't open up a big gap. Instead, they fell into anxiety and finally selected the top four.
Jia Heng still didn't buy a flower basket, as if he was just a spectator watching the excitement.
This scene caught Gu Ruoqing's eyes, but suspicion arose in his heart.
This man looked straight at him just now, but now he didn’t even send a flower basket?
It’s not that he really cares about this flower basket, but because Jia Heng’s gaze just now was too “hot” and he ended up losing nothing?
Even Wang Shouqi and other salt merchants felt that the look in his eyes was somewhat meaningful, and some even thought with ill intentions that Liu Shengzao was captured by Yong Ningbo because they were love rivals?
But, this is it in the end?
It can only be explained that Yong Ningbo may not have enough money.
At noon, Wang Shouqi invited him: "Uncle Yongning, it's already noon, shouldn't we have some lunch?"
In fact, if Gu Ruoqing hadn't been in the Ye family's place, he would have really wanted to spend a lot of money to send it to this young powerful man's house.
Jia Heng nodded and said softly: "Master Wang can arrange it."
This oiran competition is actually nothing interesting to watch. There are so many people, but it is not as interesting as Xiaoxiao next to him.
As he said that, he turned to look at Chen Xiao. He was dressed in a flying fish suit and a Shanzi crown on his head. His heroic sword eyebrows seemed to be deliberately thickened and flew into his temples. Under his cheeks as white as snow, there were embroidered on the white lining red robe. Flying fish pattern.
Being looked at by Jia Heng, the girl seemed to be aware of it. She turned her eyes and looked over, her beautiful eyebrows condensed, her eyes a little confused.
At this moment, a girl in a red dress and a bun came quickly from not far away. It was Nan Ling. Before she could get closer, she was stopped by two Jinyi palace guards, who seemed to let the two Jinyi palace guards look at her. Look at the famous thorn in his hand, and then walk up to Jia Heng.
"Master Jia, I would like to deliver my wife's invitation to you." Nan Ling said coquettishly, her face almost turning red.
Jia Heng looked slightly surprised and asked Chen Xiao to take the invitation, put it in his hand and began to read it, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
People from the Ye family of Annan Hou?
At this time, why did Ye Zhen’s daughter come to see him?
Ye Zhen, the Marquis of Annan, was a famous general during the Longzhi period. He once led troops to quell the rebellion in Annan and was granted the title of Marquis for his meritorious service. One of Emperor Longzhi's military achievements was to pacify Annan.
Jia Heng handed the invitation to the curious Chen Xiao, turned to Wang Shouqi, frowned and said, "Mr. Wang, please excuse me."
Wang Shouqi smiled and said, "Uncle Yongning, just go and get busy first."
He clearly knew who the lady Nan Ling was talking about was.
Speaking of which, that woman was actually a married woman. Maybe she was Uncle Yongning, just like Mr. Liu's son, so he didn't necessarily prefer an older wife.
Seeing Jia Heng leaving, Yangzhou Magistrate Yuan Jichong's solemn expression relaxed, and he exchanged glances with General Magistrate Lu Shuyuan, and then walked towards the pavilion where everyone could rest.
"Master Yuan, the situation is not good." Lu Shuyuan said worriedly.
Yuan Jichong frowned and said: "This person is now the leader of Luo Zhi Prison. He has brought out many people from the Ma family one after another. I don't know who will be involved next."
Lu Shuyuan said: "Sir, once Mr. Liu is arrested, the Liu family and Liu Changdao, as well as other Cheng and Ma families... have to guard against it over the years."
Yuan Jichong said in a deep voice: "Don't scare yourself. It's because of the salt affairs. Mr. Qi Ge and Uncle Yongning came south not to purge the officials. Besides, the Jiangbei camp general who was greedy for military pay not only lost his money, but also lost his money. Isn’t he safe and sound now?”
Lu Shuyuan quickly nodded in agreement, but he was still worried.
Mr. Yuan is still protected by people from the Nanjing Ministry of Civil Affairs. The worst he can do is to be dismissed from office, and he will be reinstated in two years. As the specific manager, he is afraid that he will be the first to be thrown out to bear the debt.
Yuan Jichong looked at Lu Shuyuan, who was frowning, and guessed what he was thinking, and said solemnly: "I won't go to the oiran competition in the afternoon. I will take a boat to Jinling to check out the news."
This young gentleman behaved so recklessly in Jiangbei, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate in Jinling still had Qingliu, so why didn't Shangshu impeach him?
In fact, it has happened recently, but it has not become a trend yet, and Shenjing has not received it yet.
When Lu Shuyuan heard this, he could only give it away.
At the same time, not only local officials in Yangzhou were speculating about Liu Shengzao being taken away by Jinyi Mansion detectives, but several salt merchants in Yangzhou were also discussing.
Jiang Tong said worriedly: "Brother Wang, you have to make up your mind. Uncle Yong Ning has come to us without any cover-up."
Huang Rishan said: "Brother Wang, once Mr. Liu comes in, we really can't hide our affairs."
Although Xiao Hongsheng did not speak, he also looked at Wang Shouqi intently, hoping that Wang Shang, a seasoned businessman who had been in Yangzhou for more than ten years, would pay attention.
Wang Shouqi said: "Everyone, this case was not investigated in the first place. Some of the stolen money was even sent to the palace. How could the palace not know? I heard that Uncle Yong Ning wanted to fill in the money embezzled over the years. Maybe That’s it, we can also pass through safely like the generals of Jiangbei Camp. Now that things have come to a head, we can’t fight head-on.”
In fact, in the Qing Dynasty in parallel time and space, the salt scandal occurred, and two salt transport envoys were involved in the case, but Qianlong was open to the salt merchant network.
Huang Rishan whispered: "Brother Wang, this deficit is not a small amount. Even if we smash the pot and bury the iron, extract the bones and boil the oil, we can't fill this hole."
Liu Shengzao's nominal father-in-law obviously saw the trend of losing his entire family and finding it difficult to make up the shortfall.
Wang Shouqi pondered for a moment and said: "Talk to the court and Uncle Yongning. From what I see, Uncle Yongning doesn't seem to want to kill them all."
Jiang Tong sighed and said: "I have soldiers and horses in hand, and now I am just meat on the chopping board, ready to be slaughtered by others."
Xiao Hongsheng whispered: "This is the general trend, otherwise we will end up like Cheng and Ma. If the money is gone, we can still make money. If the people are gone, there will be nothing."
Wang Shouqi turned to look at Xiao Hongsheng and said, "What nephew Xiao said is right."
It's not that the Wang family has no other back-ups in recent years. Even if they sell off these farmlands and properties, they can fill in the gaps and still have family assets, and they will still have a chance to make a comeback.
On the other side, Jia Heng, accompanied by Liu Jixian and other guards of the Jinyi Mansion, went to Huanhua Tower to build a temporary attic. As for Chen Xiaoze, he did not accompany him, apparently because he was worried about being recognized by Ye Zhen's daughter Ye Nuan.
Above the second floor
In the makeshift attic where Jia Heng had put up the curtains, he saw a graceful and gorgeous woman wearing a light yellow dress. She asked with a bright smile: "But in front of Uncle Yong Ning."
Jia Heng asked: "I wonder why Mrs. Ye is looking for me?"
The Marquis of Annan, Ye Zhen, has more control over the personnel of the Jiangnan camp than Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang. However, he has cooperated with Shen Fang before, and now the Ye family is looking for him again, probably because they want to have both sides.
"I heard that Uncle Yongning is here. Come and have a meal with us." Ye Nuan smiled and invited him, "I have admired Uncle Yongning's reputation for a long time. My father always talked about it when he was at home. , my ears are almost calloused."
The woman was originally the type with skin as beautiful as snow and a graceful face. Her every frown and smile seemed like flowers blooming and the full moon trembling.
With that said, he invited Jia Heng to sit down.
Gu Ruoqing was sitting not far away, staring at the boy in the python suit.
Jia Heng's face was as calm as water, and he said after greetings: "Last time I went to Jinling, I was in a hurry for business and did not visit the Annan Marquis Mansion. I wonder how the old Marquis is doing now?"
"Uncle Mengyong Ning cares about me. My father is still in good health. I don't know how Mrs. Rong Guo in Beijing is doing. I went to Beijing to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday a few years ago. I met her once and laughed heartily when I saw her." Ye Nuan greeted. As he spoke, he asked about Jia Mu's current situation.
Neither of them talked about anything serious. After all, they had just met each other. They were just chatting about common things and reminiscing about old things.
Jia Heng said: "The old lady has been in very good health these past few years."
I thought to myself, even if Marquis Annan walks in front, there is no guarantee.
Ye Nuan chuckled and asked, "Just now, I saw Mr. Liu from the Lianghuai Transfer Department being taken away by the Jinyi Mansion."
Jia Heng didn't want to say more and simply said: "It involves a case."
"I was talking to Ruoqing earlier." The beautiful woman said, taking the hand of Gu Ruoqing who was sitting on the embroidered pier, and lamented: "In recent days, Mr. Liu has been looking for our family Ruoqing a lot. Clear trouble."
Jia Heng raised his eyes and glanced at Gu Ruoqing and said, "Master Liu really misses Miss Gu."
Gu Ruoqing: "..."
What is this nonsense?
Ye Nuan smiled and asked in surprise: "Ruo Qing, is this not the first time you and Zi Yu have met?"
After the conversation just now, this beautiful woman now calls Jia Heng Ziyu familiarly.
Gu Ruoqing said softly: "We had a chance encounter at Huanhua Tower before. At that time, Mr. Jia was assassinated by a gangster."
Mentioning the past, Ye Nuan turned to Jia Heng with a pair of charming eyes and said: "Zi Yu, that Huanhua Building is an industry started by me. I didn't expect that Prince Donglu was assassinated." Son, I’m really sorry.”
Jia Heng looked indifferent and said: "It has nothing to do with Huanhua Tower. It just happened to happen in Huanhua Tower that day."
Since Ye Nuan didn't mention anything serious, he wouldn't ask.
After thinking about it for a moment, I realized that Marquis Annan just wanted to hedge his bets. How could it be so easy in the world?
All the veterans in Jiangnan Camp will be eliminated, and he will not compromise like Shen Fang.
Ye Nuan smiled and said, "It's almost noon as we speak. Ziyu, let's have dinner together first."
Jia Heng did not refuse. Under the service of the two maids, he cleaned his hands and wiped them with a towel.
At this moment, a maid came over and said, "Madam, there are distinguished guests from the Zhen family outside, looking for Uncle Yongning."
When Jia Heng heard this, he was surprised and said to himself, "A distinguished guest of the Zhen family, Mopan?" What is she doing here at this time? Well, it probably wasn't her. If it was Zhen Qing, she would have informed Princess Chu.
Ye Nuan smiled and said: "That's really a double happiness. Go and invite me quickly."
The four girls of the Zhen family are all pretty, and I don’t know what they have become in recent years. However, such a famous daughter hates fake things.
After a while, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi walked up to the balcony arm in arm. They were both dressed in men's clothes, with fair complexions and picturesque eyebrows.
Zhen Lan looked at Jia Heng and called out generously: "Brother Heng."
"Brother Heng." Zhen Xi also slowly came closer and called softly, without losing any courtesy.
After all, I have seen him twice.
Jia Heng looked at Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, smiled, and asked, "You two are not in Jinling, why are you here?"
The accompanying nanny smiled and said: "The princess came to Yangzhou for business, and the two girls wanted to come over to join in the fun, so the princess agreed. There are guards on the way."
The atmosphere in the south is open, and it is not shocking for women to travel in men's clothing.
Jia Heng nodded, looked at Zhen Lan, whose eyebrows were like millstones, and said softly: "There is an oiran competition held here in Yangzhou. There are many people of unknown origins. You two, be careful not to let Hua Zi take pictures."
Zhen Lan: "..."
Glancing at the young man, he thought she and her sister were children, right?
Jia Heng said: "Okay, come over and have a meal."
He felt that whether it was from Zhen Qing's side or Zhen Xue's side, the two sisters were considered his sisters-in-law. Of course, this was not the main reason, but to show Ye Nuan that even if there was no Ye family, there was still the Zhen family. Can be maintained.
However, Zhen Xi didn't notice anything. She sat over like a good girl. With a shy look with a low eyebrow and a hint of intimacy, she called softly: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng took the initiative and asked: "Didn't I say before that there was a poetry meeting in Jinling and that the fourth sister and your sister were not going?"
Zhen Xi's pretty cheeks were slightly red, and she looked at Zhen Lan aside, as if asking for help: Sister, I don't know this question.
Zhen Lanli smiled lightly and said softly: "The Poetry Fair happens every year, and there is nothing to go to. If you can make it in time in the evening, just go. If you can't make it, forget it. Where is Brother Heng? Did you accept the invitation from the Wang family?"
"Come here to do some errands." Jia Heng said softly.
"Brother Heng is really busy. He went back and forth from Yangzhou to Jinling several times." Zhen Lan didn't ask any more questions. She just looked at Jia Heng with a slight smile and said softly.
I'm afraid that today's scene was carefully arranged by the "Brother Heng" in front of him. He took down the salt transport envoy in front of all the salt merchants. This was to scare the monkeys.
On the other side, Ye Nuan invited a few people to have lunch, and everyone started eating the food.
After the meal was finished, everyone sat down again and drank tea and talked.
Ye Nuan said softly: "Zi Yu, the salt industry in Yangzhou has been going on for hundreds of years. It is said that it is still the rule set by the Taizu Dynasty. I don't know that next year Yangzhou will still have the spring scenery on the Slender West Lake that it has today." No."
Jia Heng said solemnly: "If you don't destroy it, you won't establish it. Behind Yangzhou's current scenery is the loss of national tax money year after year, the hardship of salt workers' livelihood, and the decline of the salt industry. Now Liu Shengzao is greedy for the remaining money from salt tax and uses public funds to fund his own desires. They live an extravagant life." , Just like Shi Chong Wang Kai, if Liu Shengzao and his like are not brought into line, perhaps Mr. Liu will spend money like water in today's Yangzhou Oiran Competition, come to think of it..."
After saying that, he glanced at Gu Ruoqing, smiled and said, "I think if Mr. Liu smiles for the beauty, Miss Gu will definitely win the first place in one fell swoop, and she won't be as anxious as she is now."
Gu Ruoqing: "..."
Just talking about Liu Shengzao, why do you suddenly make insinuations?
However, it suddenly dawned on me, and I suddenly understood why Jia Heng didn't offer a flower basket before. This is really...
Obviously it was not to accuse herself of laying an ambush in advance, because she had no idea that Mrs. Ye would invite her before.
It can only be said that this is the person's true thoughts and is not directed at any particular person.
The wine and meat in Zhumen stinks, and there are frozen bones on the road. Gu Ruoqing's clear eyes flashed, and these words suddenly flashed through her mind.
In fact, both Qi Kun and Lin Ruhai did not attend such oiran competitions because they were disgusted by the use of national public funds to show off their wealth.
As soon as Gu Ruoqing thought of this, a smile emerged in his heart. Since he was so compassionate, his eyes were so straight that he could hardly pull away from it.
Ye Nuan nodded, looked at the young man who was old enough to be his own child, smiled and said, "Zi Yu is so generous."
Zhen Lan also picked up the tea cup, sipped it gently, and looked at the boy in the python suit leisurely, thinking about the words in it.
Living a luxurious life and spending money like water, this is not just about salt merchants?
Zhen Xi tilted her head and looked at Jia Heng with starry eyes, thinking about the young man's words.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said expressionlessly: "It's just a chat over tea, I don't deserve what Mrs. Ye said."
Just as Jia Heng was chatting with Ye Nuan from the Annan Hou family, let's go back in time a little. In the fifteenth year of Chongping, on August 15th, in the early morning——
The red sun jumped out of the sea, and the morning rays shone on the naval naval port of the prefecture where Tongzhou is located. In the barracks, Zhen Zhu, the newly appointed deputy envoy of the Navy of Jiaxiao Town, sat behind a table in the Chinese army camp. Sitting on the Grand Master's chair, he raised his eyes to look at the generals, their faces were majestic, their expressions were high-spirited, and they looked high-spirited.
In the barracks, the generals, guerrilla generals and thousands of officers stood bowed and listened to the instructions.
There are 198 large and small ships moored in the port, including 400 patrol ships, 400 warships, as well as building ships, stern ships, and fighting ships. The navy currently has 12,000 people, mainly They are fishermen recently recruited by Shen Fang from Jiangnan Province to supplement the water intrusion division to build and consolidate river defense.
Zhen Zhu looked at the generals, with great pride in his heart, and said: "Now that the defense of the river is relaxed, the warships and patrol ships of the guard station will be repaired and repaired in batches, and the duty sequence will be drawn up as soon as possible."
With that said, he looked at the newly appointed Judge Feng Ji and asked: "Judge Feng, how many patrol ships in our army are ready for deployment?"
Feng Ji said: "Returning to the Commander-in-Chief, there are currently eighty-five patrol ships in the harbor, but thirty-seven are under overhaul, and forty-eight can be dispatched. There are forty-two warships, and twenty are under overhaul, and twenty-two can be dispatched. ship."
Zhen Zhu pondered for a moment and said: "Form three fleets to patrol the sea along the river mouth for ten days. Recently, I will also lead my personal guards to patrol the coastal defenses of Haimen, Jiading and other places. When the boats and navy are ready, we will gradually patrol At sea, arrest smugglers and pirates."
When Feng Ji heard this, he handed over his hand.
After Zhen Zhu gave his instructions, he looked at the naval generals below. Some of them were old generals he brought from Zhenhaiwei, with a bit of excitement in their eyes, while some were former naval generals from Tongzhou Port, with embarrassment on their faces.
This Zhensi had always been lazy when he was in the Jiangnan camp. Now that he is leading an army alone, is he asking the new officer to take office?
However, at this moment, I heard a soldier coming from outside in a hurry and said: "Commander Jie, the beacon in Jiading Prefecture is warning that a large number of pirates are coming across the sea in ships and heading straight for our Tongzhou Port."
Chen Han established a complex coastal defense system such as beacons, camps, and guard posts at the mouth of the Yangtze River. At this moment, the beacons were full of smoke, and based on the sound of gongs, it was almost certain that there were many pirates attacking.
When Zhen Zhu heard this, his expression suddenly changed and he asked: "Hai pirates, do you know which branch of the pirates they are?"
The soldier who reported the news shook his head and said, "I don't know."
This is one of the loopholes in Chen Hanjiang's defense system. After a hundred years of peace, military discipline was loose, and the early warning mechanism gradually failed.
Zhen Zhuchen shouted: "These pirates usually just hijack merchants on the river to pay back, but they dare to come to my navy to defend the harbor. They don't know whether to live or die!"
However, it was when he led the army, made great achievements, and became famous in the south of the Yangtze River!
Zhen Zhu suddenly stood up, looked at the generals present, and ordered a former subordinate, saying in a deep voice: "Li Youqi, you quickly go to the water stronghold and recruit all the soldiers. I will personally conquer the pirates."
Guerrilla surnamed Li didn't take it seriously and followed the order.
If they knew it was Donglu, everyone would be on alert, but now they don't know it's Donglu's powerful troops attacking, they just think it's an ordinary pirate.
Feng Jijian said: "Commander Jie, the top priority now is to find out the number of incoming enemies, and then inform the Jiangbei camp. As for Jinling, the pirates have penetrated deep into our hinterland. I am afraid that the incoming enemies are not good."
As a former marching chief, he knew the current combat power of the Tongzhou Port Navy very well. If he encountered a small group of pirates, he could still win in a single fight. But if he encountered a well-prepared pirate, the outcome would be a matter of great uncertainty.
Hearing this, Zhen Zhu interrupted the Jiangbei camp unceremoniously and said, "It's just a mere pirate, but the tens of thousands of people in our navy were defeated in one blow!"
After saying this, he ignored Feng Ji and left the Chinese army barracks with a group of personal guards and headed for the water stronghold.
When Feng Ji saw this, he could only sigh, and quickly called a small official to whisper a few words, and followed Zhen Zhu to order the ships and mobilize the sailors.
(End of chapter)
