Xue Biao is one year younger than Baochai, and he just celebrated his fifteenth birthday a few days ago.
However, Xue Biao was able to take care of the Xue family's second-bedroom business with his sister despite losing his father at a young age, which shows that his character and methods are both excellent.
To put it in darker terms, Xue Biao is by no means just a kind and well-educated person with good character. He has no lack of ruthlessness that he should have.
This aspect is quite similar to Jia Lian.
Cui Chaoying never thought that after decades of wandering in the world, he would eventually fall into the hands of a young boy like Xue Biao.
There was such a big commotion at the dock. The Chaoguan Yamen of Anping Town naturally heard the news. The inspector from the ninth rank personally led a team and rushed over with dozens of military warriors.
However, before they arrived, Xue Biao had already ordered Cui Chaoying and other important members of the Cao Gang to be stuffed into the bottom of his cargo ship. The remaining dozens of people were all tied with stones and sank to the bottom of the canal.
He didn't trust the people at Chaoguan in Anping Town, so he asked his confidants to bring some money ashore and make excuses to send away the officials at Chaoguan.
When they returned to the cabin, the accompanying doctor had already treated the Xing mother and daughter's bruises on their elbows and foreheads, and prescribed a calming prescription.
The conditions on the ship were limited, and the Xing family's mother and daughter had just escaped from the tiger's mouth and were still in shock.
Seeing Xue Biao, an acquaintance who was both strange and familiar, I felt a sense of security.
Xue Biao waited until the mother and daughter had simply washed up and had a bowl of rice porridge before asking about the cause and effect of the incident.
Xing Xiuyan's narration was straightforward, but Xue Biao still noticed the thrill in it.
It turns out that his servants were able to pick up the gold hairpin and the letter because Xing Xiuyan kept tensing up and tried to call for help three times through the narrow porthole using the gold hairpin on his head, the bracelet on his wrist, and the jade pendant on his body.
Because of the cooperation between mother and daughter in the past two days, the people in Caobang were a little lax in their supervision.
Xing Xiuyan and Wen worked together to quietly untie the ropes that bound his hands and feet, used the accessories they had hidden earlier as bait, and wrote two letters asking for help on silk handkerchiefs and clothes corners.
Unfortunately, the first two letters for help were picked up by someone unknown and had no effect at all. This golden hairpin was Xing Xiuyan's last chance.
When the boat docked at the dock of Anping Town for supplies, Xing Xiuyan faintly heard the words Jinling Xue Family.
She bit her finger, hurriedly wrote a few words on the torn silk handkerchief with blood, then stood up on tiptoes and threw the letter tied to the golden hairpin onto the Xue family cargo ship passing by...
"I originally thought that even if the people on the ship couldn't deal with the thieves, they could at least go back to Beijing and report to Rongguo Mansion, but I didn't expect to meet Mr. Xue."
Xing Xiuyan really didn't expect that less than an hour after he submitted a letter asking for help, he and his mother would be rescued. What a blessing.
She stood up and bowed down: "Thank you, Mr. Xue, for your rescue. You are a great kindness. The Xing family will never forget it..."
The weak Wen also stood up and was about to bow down, but Xue Biao was confused.
He wanted to step forward to support the two of them, but stopped because of the difference between men and women, and looked at the Xing family mother and daughter with a wry smile as they both bowed down.
"Auntie and Miss Xing should get up first. Logically speaking, we are still relatives, so why should we be so polite? Besides, even if we meet a stranger, Xue Biao cannot ignore him."
…
In this way, the Xing family's mother and daughter escaped and settled on the passenger ship Xue Biao was on.
There were a bunch of rough guys on the boat, so Xue Biao had no choice but to call the two cooks in the kitchen to help Xing Xiuyan settle down.
After dawn, the Xue family's fleet set off again. Xue Biao did not take it lightly along the way and rushed to the capital without stopping.
He didn't feel completely relieved until the boat arrived at Dongchangfu Pier on the first day, because Jia Cong brought two official ships to a temporary dock at the pier, and the Jia family's soldiers happened to be looking around for suspicious people who had passed by here recently.
When Jia Cong saw the Xing family's mother and daughter and Xue Biao, he had a strange feeling in his heart.
It was really fate. The fate between Xue Biao and Xing Xiuyan was so wonderful that they actually met under such circumstances.
Jia Shiyi had already gone to interrogate Cui Chaoying. Wen was frightened and frightened, and her already weak body could not bear to continue running.
It happened that the Xue family had several shops in Dongchang Mansion, so they borrowed a small courtyard and temporarily settled Wen and Xing Xiuyan in the city to recuperate.
But Jia Cong didn't plan to stop here. He found Xue Biao and planned to discuss it with him...
"Uncle, don't worry. I'm not in a hurry to return to Beijing anyway. I can just take this opportunity to sort out the business of Dongchang Mansion."
When Xue Biao heard that Jia Cong asked him to stay in Dongchang Mansion temporarily to take care of Wen and Xing Xiuyan, he thought of the gentle but stubborn girl in the cabin last night, and felt a touch of softness in his heart.
He clasped his fists and said, "I will definitely take good care of Aunt Xing and Miss Xing. After Aunt Xing recovers, I will escort her back to Beijing."
Jia Cong returned the favor and solemnly told: "Okay, I will leave some people at your disposal. No matter who it is, as long as they dare to have your idea, don't hold back."
"Uncle, are you worried about the ambitions of people from the Caobang?"
Xue Biao also showed a solemn look and shook his head: "I don't think the people in the Cao Gang are stupid enough to throw themselves into a trap, but my uncle... To put it bluntly, my uncle previously suggested that water transportation should be changed to sea transportation, which offended me. There are many people. Up and down this canal, there are many people who make a lot of money by relying on water transportation. Perhaps, the people hiding behind the water gang are targeting you, uncle."
He is indeed the smartest man of this generation of the Xue family. Even if he is not hanging out in the court, he still sees the essence of this matter clearly based on clues.
Jia Cong nodded and said: "If you're not afraid of ten thousand, you're afraid of the worst. It's always better to be more prepared. As for me... haha, I'm afraid that the people behind me won't take action. This time I go south, I don't want to turn Jiangnan upside down. I wrote the character Jia upside down."
…
Cui Chaoying has very few good skin left on her body, and Jia Cong is becoming more and more like a native of Daxia. The ruthlessness hidden in the Jia family's bloodline is fully revealed this time.
On the way south, people from Beizhen Fusi followed Jia Cong's instructions and used various instruments of torture in turn, extracting from Cui Chaoying the secrets of Jiangnan officials, gentry and Cao gangs.
When he arrived at Jinling Pier, Jia Cong took people directly to King Wu's Villa.
Liu Ke, the loyal and shun king who was stationed here, was still surprised when he heard that his soldiers had arrived.
Jia Cong saluted Liu Ke and said hello, but saw Lao Shisan quickly stepping forward and grabbing him: "You kid, why are you coming to Jinling at this time?"
"I'm here to ask Master Thirteen for help. A few days ago..."
"Brother Cong?"
"Jia Cong?"
As soon as he started talking, two calls came from outside the main hall.
Jia Cong turned around and saw that the people coming were teacher Xu Jin and cabinet minister Xia Lingxing.
Neither of them looked very good, looking tired. Especially the teacher Xu Jin, who was obviously recovering from a serious illness. His face was pale and he had lost a lot of weight.
"Xia Gong, teacher..."
Jia Cong bowed to the two of them, then stepped forward to support Xu Jin, and asked worriedly: "Teacher was injured in May, and it's been half a year and he still hasn't recovered? Did you deceive the student into misery? You went to three Letters, each one said that he had recovered. Look at how pale you are..."
"Okay, don't worry, this is the makeup that the teacher put on deliberately."
Xu Jin felt his apprentice's concern and worry, winked at Jia Cong, and explained with a smile: "The arrow shot by the assassin happened to be pierced in the "Analects of Confucius" that the master held close to his chest. It's a pity that This is the only copy of the previous dynasty."
oh?
No matter whether it was Xu Jin, Liu Ke, or Xia Lingxing, the three of them did not send any news to the capital.
Xu Jin has been lying on the bed for nearly half a year, performing sex scenes for nearly half a year...
"Since last summer, the situation in the entire Jiangnan has become more and more serious day by day. To be honest, I underestimated the boldness of these people and the madness of their interests... By the way, why did you suddenly come to Jinling?"
When Jia Cong learned that his teacher was fine, he felt relieved and told what happened in the capital and the information he got from Cui Chaoying.
The four of them exchanged information with each other in the main hall of the palace. After this chat, it was nightfall.
After Jia Cong finished everything, he handed over to Liu Ke: "Thirteenth Master, I entered the city secretly, just to catch the Jinling Cao Gang by surprise. I also ask Thirteenth Master to help me and mobilize an army of 3,000 for me. .”
It's true that the Caogang is a gang, but you must not underestimate this underground force that has no place on the stage.
There are more than 10,000 members of the Caobang Gang in the public domain alone. This group of people who depend on the canal not only do hard work, but at least half of them also act as thugs for certain people, or sometimes act as water bandits.
According to Cui Chaoying's confession, many of these people worship Hunyuan Patriarch, Wusheng Old Mother, and Tianzhen Ancient Buddha at home.
The White Lotus Sect is truly pervasive and everywhere!
Jia Cong did not dare to underestimate the Cao Gang. This time he came south in a hurry and brought dozens of soldiers and hundreds of people sent by Jia Lian. It was impossible to wipe out all the Cao Gang.
Fortunately, there is still an old thirteenth man in Jinling City, and his subordinates are now strong.
"Is three thousand enough? I will give you thirty thousand..."
The inhumane Old Thirteen was indeed heroic, and he opened his mouth to attack 30,000 people.
Jia Cong shook his head and said: "We don't need that many, and I plan to enter the city quietly for this matter, without any shooting. There are too many officials and gentry colluding with the Cao Gang. If even a trace of information is leaked, the whole Jiangnan may be in chaos. .”
Xia Lingxing and Xu Jin both nodded. Mr. Cifu had already planned to take the opportunity to clean up the south of the Yangtze River. He said to a few people: "We seem to have a lot of usable hands, but if we spread them out and use them, we can still use them." It’s not enough to stabilize the Jinling Mansion. In this case, I will ask someone to send an order to the Songjiang Navy to have the water diverter come over.”
At this time, Xu Jin interjected: "The people of Songjiang Navy are trustworthy, but it is best to send a letter to Huguang to let them be prepared."
"Yes, one move can affect the whole body. Once we move the Cao Gang, I'm afraid these people will understand that it's time for life and death."
Jia Cong was frightened by Xia Lingxing's words. He asked in shock: "The situation in Jiangnan has reached this point? Is there anyone who wants to rebel?"
The imperial court had just wiped out the Tatars, and Goryeo had already become Daxia's favorite. Who would be stupid enough to tease a tiger's beard at this time?
Xia Lingxing said: "Desire can blind people's minds. In the past few years, the imperial court first rectified the salt class, opened up the sea, and then cleared the land and reformed the tax system. Now you want to mobilize the Cao Gang again, which has touched the root of the vested interests."
"This incident was also expected by my teacher. This time I took advantage of the opportunity of being seriously injured in the assassination. I have figured out the fish in the muddy water in the south of the Yangtze River. It is time to close the net."
Xu Jin added: "Even if they can still hold back, we have to force them to raise the flag of rebellion. If we want to end it once and for all, we can only ruthlessly turn over the ground in Jiangnan."
Xia Lingxing and Liu Ke also nodded solemnly, which shocked Jia Cong.
It turns out that these three people have long been ready to use weapons to "reason" with the various forces in Jiangnan, or in other words, completely change the world of Jiangnan.
"This matter should not be rushed. After Songjiang Navy's troops arrive in Jinling, they will capture the Cao Gang first, and then go into the city to arrest people in one go."
Xia Lingxing looked at Liu Ke and solemnly warned him again: "In the past two days, the prince will continue to deal with the Jiangnan gang and make sure to stabilize them."
Liu Ke's chest thumped loudly: "Don't worry, no one knows more about singing than me. I must have fooled them into lameness!"
…
Most of the winter months have passed, and the winter of the ninth year of Yuanyou seems to be colder than in previous years.
Snowflakes were falling in Jinling City, and most of the boats on the canal were missing. Due to the reduction in merchant ship traffic, the people in Caobang lost a large amount of income at the dock.
Many people who couldn't find a job gathered together again, planning to play the role of water bandits again, and take advantage of the last month before the New Year to make a fortune and have a good year.
The headquarters of the Cao Gang is in a Sanjin courtyard outside Jinling City near the dock. The leader of the gang, Ma Dayuan, is a rude man in his fifties. At this time, he is discussing some matters with several confidants in the gang.
"Brother Cui has been in the capital for so long, but no news has come back. It seems that there is no way to change the shipping matter. Military advisor, are you sure about the maritime business you mentioned last time?"
Ma Dayuan set his sights on the middle-aged scholar at the bottom left. Fei Renzai was not a scholar, but he was a close friend with whom he had known each other since his early years.
Moreover, Fei Renzai also had a special identity-a member of the Xilin Party.
His teacher was Qian Qianren, the former party leader of Xilin and the head of the Qian family, one of the largest maritime merchants in Zhejiang.
Ma Dayuan's ability to control the Jinling Cao Gang was inseparable from the help of the Xilin Party members.
Of course, the Caobang also provided the Xilin Party with great convenience in water transportation. Relying on water transportation, the Xilin Party members almost controlled the entire money and grain channel from the south of the Yangtze River to the north.
Fei Renzai fanned the paper fan gracefully and replied with a smile: "Brother Ma, have you forgotten who the teacher is? The teacher has promised our Caogang 20% of the profits, as long as the Caogang helps Xilin capture Jiangnan in Songjiang Prefecture. From now on, Brother Ma has the final say regarding shipments from the shipyard and Songjiang Pass."
Ma Dayuan was moved. That was millions of dollars every year.
However, after hearing the words Jiangnan Shipyard, he frowned and said: "But not far from Jiangnan Shipyard, there are 50,000 navy troops from the imperial court stationed! Just our Cao Gang..."
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
I’ll stop here today and continue tomorrow. Good night!
(End of chapter)
