Taiyuan Wang family.
One of the seven families with five surnames in the former Tang Dynasty, we can only imagine how glorious it was during its glory days, but we can see with our own eyes how miserable it was during its decline.
Under the darkness of night, Di Jin looked at the house not far away. From the outside, it was smaller than his house, but the smoke was much heavier, with people moving around and candles burning high.
Di Xiangling came to his side: "The person who was kidnapped was the grandson of the royal family and the only male among the younger generation. He was extremely favored. He was kidnapped six months ago and was later returned. The Wang family made no announcement, and neither did the servants at home. The gossip is the news leaked by the lecturer."
"Did the hostage come back alive?" Di Jin's eyes widened in thought: "How much ransom did the thief ask for? And how did he give the money?"
Di Xiangling said: "These are not things that outsiders can know. You have to ask the person in charge of the Wang family."
"Then why did the thief choose the Wang family?" Di Jin walked half a circle along the outer wall, his eyes becoming more and more confused: "Does this look like a wealthy family that can give a large ransom?"
Di Xiangling said: "My Di family has a clear genealogy, while the Wang family is a collateral branch. They may have been in the fifth service, but they claim to be members of a famous family, which is quite ostentatious. Perhaps it is precisely because of this that they are considered The thieves must be targeting..."
"Does the reputation of the Taiyuan Wang family continue to this day?"
Di Jin murmured: "This is possible, but it must be based on one point. The kidnappers did not conduct a thorough investigation in advance. How many fields does the Wang family currently have, and what does it do to make a living?"
"There are still some high-quality acres, but the main thing is business!" Di Xiangling has obviously done some research a long time ago: "Since the previous generation, the Wang family has been running several cloth workshops, including cocoon purchase, silk reeling, weaving, printing and dyeing. Today, the business is not small.”
Di Jin nodded slightly: "It turns out to be a merchant's home..."
It was impossible for the five surnames and seven families to do business directly, because merchants in the Tang Dynasty had a low status and were legally subordinate people.
But by the Song Dynasty, the status of merchants had been significantly improved. The most direct point was that the descendants of merchants could participate in the imperial examination.
For example, Feng Jing, the number one scholar in Sanyuan, was the son of a businessman. This was unimaginable in the Tang Dynasty. Otherwise, Li Bai would not have been rumored to be unable to participate in the imperial examination because of his background as a businessman.
Today's merchants are guaranteed to enjoy certain social resources, and they have also carried forward the custom of catching a son-in-law who is a scholar under the imperial examination. Rich merchants use their money to attract the sons-in-law of Jinshi. It can be said that money and power collude in an open and honest way.
But then, Di Jin became confused again: "Then why do the Wang family live in such a house? Did they move here after the young master was kidnapped?"
"No, I lived here before." Di Xiangling didn't find it strange at all: "It must be because he is stingy and can't bear to move elsewhere. Besides, the Wang family has not been rich for a long time. The money in the family must not be enough to buy a mansion~ "
Di Jin shook his head: "A businessman's family also values respect. What's more, my sister said before that they were proud of being a high-ranking family in the past, and they shouldn't be so shabby. There must be a reason behind it."
Perhaps a truly wealthy person can live in a cottage and be surrounded by the countryside. People who know his worth will not only take it lightly, but will also praise him for being indifferent and far-sighted, and for having an aura of transcendence.
But those who have not reached that level must pursue the ostentation that matches their status and wealth. Even if they are trying to make themselves look fat, they must not let their allies and opponents underestimate them. Only in this way can they get twice the result with half the effort.
If the Wang family lives here, they will get twice the result with half the effort.
Therefore, Di Jin didn't even care about the specific circumstances of the case, and immediately felt that there must be something fishy in it.
Di Xiangling scratched his head and felt like he had grown a brain: "Then let me ask again?"
Di Jin smiled and clasped his fists: "Please, Madam Eleven, the investigation is mainly focused on business."
"Don't worry, I promise to be clear, don't move around here."
Di Xiangling turned around gracefully and disappeared into the night for the third time.
"I can go too..."
Di Jin moved his mouth, but in the end he did not say the words. He took a few steps back and hid in the darkness.
In ancient times, all cities with government agencies had to implement curfews at night. In the Song Dynasty, Kaifeng would soon lift the curfew. Residents could move freely around the city at night. Shops and tile markets were open all night, ushering in a prosperous night market. scene.
Although Bingzhou is an important place in the north, Yangqu, where it is governed, does not have the same treatment. The city is empty at night. People who go out at this time are often people from the world.
Di Jin knew very well that his sister Di Xiangling's network position was exactly those of these historical Jianghuzi and knight-errants.
According to the description in "Historical Records", "Although his actions are not in line with justice, his words must be believed, his actions must be fruitful, his promises must be true, and he does not love his body."
This is a spirit that Rangers have long adhered to, and it is also an order formed by civil society after a long period of spontaneous organization.
Every time a dog is slaughtered in a righteous manner.
Di Jin actually wanted to get to know these people, but now was not the time.
If the case is solved, we can take the opportunity to communicate with each other. In the future, if we pass the Jinshi examination and enter an official career, we can still use it. The temple and the world are not without intersection.
If the case couldn't be solved, it would be a long time to go. Jianghu people valued ability the most, and he didn't want to show an image that was dependent on his family.
"You go over there, you guys are coming with me, keep your spirits up, keep your eyes open, and don't let go of any suspicious person!"
While waiting, there were footsteps first, and then a slightly familiar voice.
Di Jin poked his head out and saw on the street not far away that the county lieutenant Pan Chengju, who performed the copper coin oil flower performance that day, was giving orders to a group of government officials wearing soap-colored public uniforms.
Compared with his high energy, the government officials were much less energetic. They were wrapped in winter clothes, rubbing their hands and feet, and responded in twos and threes: "Yes!"
After everyone dispersed, a man who looked like a servant came to Pan Chengju and whispered: "Wu Lang, you came here not long ago to take office. There is no need to offend the local officials like this..."
Pan Chengju stroked his handsome beard and said decisively: "As soon as I take office, I must do my job well, arrest the murderers and the thieves, and restore peace to the place. The subordinates of the government officials are meant to deceive the superiors and conceal the inferiors, and are cunning. If you want to act cunningly, how can you not be punished?"
The servant sighed silently and stopped trying to persuade him.
Di Jin looked away and shook his head.
Political affairs is not a physical job, and it is not about who sells harder, the more effective he will be, but about prescribing the right medicine to the right situation and making every effort possible.
Such a purposeless search, like looking for a needle in a haystack, will only consume the energy of the men. The servants and archers of the ancient yamen were far inferior to the policemen of later generations. If they continue to work like this, they will become even more slack in the subsequent investigation process...
"You do bad things with good intentions, you are a foolish county captain!"
Fortunately, Di Jin had never expected to rely on the power of the government, and he was not disappointed at this time. After making sure that the government officials were not searching in this direction, he continued to wait.
Circulating his inner energy and resisting the cold wind at night, Di Jin gradually entered a state of practice. His ears suddenly shrugged and he turned around suddenly.
At some point, Di Xiangling quietly appeared behind him again. Seeing how alert he was, she immediately smiled and said, "I have asked. The current head of the Wang family wants to compete for the position at the head of the line."
Di Jin raised his eyebrows: "Bingzhou cloth shop? Or the cloth shop in Yangqu County?"
"There is nothing within the control of the Wang family in this state. It's just Yangqubuxing." Di Xiangling was not interested in business and curled his lips: "Even so, there will be a fierce fight!"
Di Jin did not take it lightly: "The position of leader should not be underestimated..."
In the Song Dynasty, commerce was generally called "trade", such as rice trade, wine shop, cloth shop, and catering shop; handicrafts were generally called "zuo", such as belt making, blacksmithing, and grate making, and these industries were all local They have their own organizations, called "tuanxing" and "guilds".
The guild is not only the result of the game between officials and businessmen, but also the product of mutual benefit among peers. Its leader is called the head of the guild. He often travels between businessmen and officials. He is the real leader of the industry. His influence is sometimes greater than that of officials. "Their authority is Things that are enough to shake the Prime Minister are what we call blocking records, heading off, and taking charge of things."
The reason why Thunder Tiger's influence is so great is because he is now the leader of five guilds.
In the early and middle stages of the Song Dynasty, the court treated merchants quite favorably, but later they began to use the sickle to harvest. Therefore, for now, local officials have to show off their thunder tigers to save face.
Lei Hu is the only one in the class, and the competition among the merchants below is also fierce. Since the Wang family is determined to be the first, they must have a lot of treasures in the family. No wonder they don't even change their houses. Once you get that position, you will be the biggest The cards are more straightforward than the mansion.
After explaining the doubts about the house, Di Jin took a few more steps and continued to observe from another angle. He saw candles burning inside. Although it was not brightly lit, there was no intention of frugality: "After this incident, the Wang family Have you withdrawn from the row leader battle?"
Di Xiangling shook his head: "No, all the cloth merchants in the city were gathered together a few days ago, and they are still competing for the upper hand!"
"No wonder!" Di Jin understood: "The Wang family wants to make up for their losses and is even more determined to win the position of leader. At this time, how can the news that a lot of money was extorted be leaked?"
Di Xiangling was a little angry: "The thief is really lucky. If not, the Wang family may not be able to settle the matter. Once the incident comes out, Lei Hu will be vigilant, and Miss Lei will not be tied up!"
"If it's a hit-and-miss, it's just luck, that's fine. If not, then I can bear with it..."
Di Jin raised his brows, with a little more interest in his eyes.
The ancient kidnappers should not be underestimated!
Goals are not chosen randomly, they are prepared!
