Chapter 104 Secret Negotiation
Seeing her embarrassment, Chen Cao was a little amused, so he shook his head and said, "You must know the matter better than me. Mu Qilin must be preparing to go to Beijing to plead guilty now."
Having said this, Shen Zhuangling would really offend Chen Cao if she continued to pretend not to understand, so she smiled awkwardly and said, "The news about uncle really came very quickly."
Chen Cao dusted off his knees and said, "The Mu family are all cowards. This is true."
Chen Cao was not afraid at all when he said such words in front of Shen Zhuangling. On the contrary, a smart person like Shen Zhuangling was the best at understanding such things: "I don't know who dares to spread the hereditary rule of the Duke everywhere." Bad words about the government. "
"Emperor Shenzong said it himself." Chen Cao stared at Shen Zhuangling and thought for a long time. Chen Cao then said: "Although our Ming Dynasty stipulates that women must marry at the age of fifteen, Shen Lingmin is only fifteen this year."
Shen Zhuangling shuddered and then collapsed. Chen Cao saw this and shook his head: "It is not a good idea for your Shen family to blindly rely on the Duke of Guizhou. If the Mu family does not choose the right side in this team selection, That is the grave sin of reducing the rank, and you, the Shen family, are just chess pieces left outside."
After saying that, Chen Cao stopped talking and closed his eyes to rest. After a long time, Shen Zhuangling looked at Chen Cao with tears in her eyes: "Uncle, I have married someone..."
"Uncle Ben knows." Chen Cao closed his eyes and replied, "You are just a concubine. After they separate and die, why don't you support it alone?"
"Uncle, then..."
Chen Cao then opened his eyes: "Uncle Shen Lingmin came to rescue me. I heard that her wedding is in April this year, but you have to agree to one condition."
"As long as the slave family can do it." Shen Zhuangling leaned over.
"After Shen Lingmin comes to Nanjing, you, Shen Zhuangling, will be the one who appoints me to Uncle Wu's mansion."
Shen Zhuangling raised her head suddenly and said after a long time: "Uncle, if they don't speak, the slave family won't be able to leave..."
Chen Cao smiled evilly and said: "You don't have to worry about this." After saying that, Chen Cao became serious, leaned over and hooked Shen Zhuangling's chin with his hand, and said in a sinister voice: "What did you do with the abortion pill twice?" Clearly, if it happens a third time, don’t blame me for falling out with you..."
"Uncle...nujia..."
After Chen Cao left Shen Ji, he and Zhao Xin went to the Duke's residence in Guizhou.
Mu Qilin was in a bad mood because even though he was not the person in charge of the Mu family's affairs in Yunnan, he was the one who was responsible for the apology.
Chen Cao's arrival was somewhat of a joke in Mu Qilin's eyes.
"Uncle Dingwu is here to see the joke of the Duke of our country?" Mu Qilin asked someone to bring tea, and then looked at Chen Cao with an uncomfortable look on his face.
Chen Cao prefers Yunnan tea, especially Pu'er from Qianguogongfu: "Pu'er tea is good. Although it is a bit bitter in the mouth, the instant sweetness is unmatched by green teas such as Longjing."
There is clearly something in Chen Cao's words. Mu Qilin has been immersed in Nanjing for many years and has had countless dealings with those old officials. He can clearly hear these words: "Uncle Dingwu, not everyone can drink Pu'er."
"Brother Mu, what you said is wrong. You are from the Duke's Palace. Even if you are a commoner, you are still qualified to drink this Pu'er tea..." Chen Cao knocked on the tea lid, and then smiled: "Besides, Yunnan Tea Mountain There are many, and as the eldest son of a concubine, if there is no one to farm, Brother Mu can do it for him."
Mu Qilin's body moved slightly, and then he said without changing his expression: "Uncle Dingwu's words are really embarrassing. Even if there are many tea mountains, they belong to the current people. The people below are talking lightly, but they don't have the strength to cultivate so many tea mountains."
"No..." Chen Cao interrupted him, then waved his hand and said: "If Brother Mu grows tea alone, it is naturally impossible. Even if he can, he will be exhausted. If Brother Mu is exhausted, How can Uncle Ben drink such good tea?"
Chen Cao said jokingly, and then chuckled: "Besides, which tea plantation owner doesn't hire helpers to pick tea? With Brother Mu's worth in Jinling, he still has some money left to hire some helpers to pick tea, right? ?”
"Uncle Dingwu," Mu Qilin interjected: "Emperor Shenzong personally ordered that no royal guards in Yunnan be allowed to sit and explore..."
"No," Chen Cao waved his hand again: "Emperor Shizong's words are called ancestral precepts for Emperor Shenzong. Emperor Shizong once ordered that there should be detectives throughout the country. Besides, Emperor Chengzu also issued this order. Could it be that Brother Mu have no idea?"
Mu Qilin was so rebuffed by Chen Cao that he didn't know what to do, but now it seems that the other party was indeed prepared: "My brother is indeed a little too much in Yunnan, but my father has also taught him a lesson, and I hope that Uncle Wu will do something about this." Things can help one or two.”
"Yu Yao, the patrol censor, has reported the original matter to the capital. I only found out about it when the memorial passed through Nanjing. This matter may be big or small. However," Chen Cao changed his voice: "Mu Qiyuan has done many illegal things in Yunnan. , this time I concluded that the court will definitely not be kind."
Mu Qilin was stunned, then smiled bitterly and said: "Uncle Dingwu, new tea has just been planted, how could the tea garden owner dig it up and plant it again?"
"No..." Chen Cao waved his hand again: "The new tea has been infected with insect diseases. If we don't plant more seeds, it will definitely affect other new teas. When the tea harvest season comes, I think that in addition to not harvesting any grains, I am afraid that in order to prevent insects The disease continues to cause harm, so we have to set fire to the tea mountains."
"Ah..." Mu Qilin couldn't bear it any longer and shouted impolitely.
Chen Cao struck while the iron was hot: "I drank this Pu'er tea today and thought it was really delicious. I hope Brother Mu will not be stingy with the money and find some help as soon as possible to help grow tea. Otherwise, I won't be able to drink new tea next year, but I hope Brother Mu won't be able to drink new tea next year." Going to be disappointed.”
"Uncle Dingwu kindly reminds me today. I really don't know what to give in return. Why don't I take the initiative to mention it, and I will do my best as long as I can achieve it." Mu Qilin stood up and cupped his hands.
Chen Cao also stood up, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Hahaha, Brother Mu is really polite. It's just a trivial matter. It's just that I think we have a good relationship now. I hope Brother Mu can help me and let Shen Ji Grocery Store have more connections with me." Uncle Ben is engaged in business. After all, Uncle Ben now has a big family and needs a lot of daily necessities."
Mu Qilin was not surprised at all. He just clasped his fists again without saying anything. Chen Cao turned around and left with a smile.
After leaving the gate of the Duke of Guizhou's Mansion, Zhao Xin finally couldn't bear it anymore and asked Chen Cao: "Uncle, what you and Mu Qilin said about new tea getting sick, and the subordinates who drink tea really don't understand. Isn’t it true that my uncle dislikes being a fighter the most?”
"This is such a big deal. Although he is the person in charge of the Liu Mansion, I dare to conclude that there must be people monitoring him in the Liu Mansion. Do you think he dares to talk to me straight to the point?" Chen Cao said with a smile: "Mu Qi Does Yuan Ke have any other illegal things?"
"That's too much..." Zhao Xin laughed and said, "That guy, relying on himself as the heir to the future Duke of Guizhou, dared to mobilize artillery to target Yu Yao's government office in order to get his servants back. This incident made people in Yunnan panic, and the chieftains followed suit one after another, asking the officials of the local Xuanwei Department to release the detained chieftains, which greatly reduced the prestige of the imperial court in Yunnan."
As he spoke, Xin Zhao whispered in Chen Cao's ear: "Uncle, you don't know that the current local rumors in Yunnan only know that the Duke of Guizhou does not know about Your Majesty."
"This is a good thing..." Chen Cao smiled and nodded: "Otherwise, how could Mu Qilin become the Duke of Guizhou?"
"My uncle said that his subordinates also know it, but it is reported that Mu Qiyuan's eldest son Mu Tianbo is very smart, well-behaved, and well-educated. Even if Mu Qiyuan fails to become the Duke of the country, the imperial court will definitely pass the title to Mu Tianbo." Zhao Xin interjected.
'Mu Tianbo...' Chen Cao muttered silently. In his time, he watched a lot of TV dramas about this last prince, and even the records about him in history books were quite pertinent.
"It seems that we need to get some reassurance for Mu Qilin," Chen Cao sighed secretly, then turned to look at Zhao Xin: "Collect all the criminal evidence of Mu Qiyuan and the news from our investigation, and you will give it to him personally later. Send it to Mu Qilin and see how he reacts."
Zhao Xin rolled his eyes and nodded: "I understand." As he said this, he thought of something and asked: "Uncle, what about Qiantang inspection Kang Shui? I really won't let him be the general of Hangzhou, right?" ?”
Chen Cao turned around and asked curiously: "Didn't I tell you to arrange it before I left? It would be great if that old guy Tang Shining could save his life. Besides, if Huang Sihai hadn't agreed to my request this time, he would have been killed. It’s a serious crime, otherwise you think you can just be dismissed and go home?”
"What about Lin Guodong and the others?" Zhao Xin didn't finish his words.
"First of all, I want to apologize. They have other things to do at the various guards." Chen Cao looked at the flow of people in the distance: "Eggs cannot be put in the same basket, otherwise if they fall, what do you think we should use to lay eggs?"
"Uncle, the order to transfer Yuan Shizhong to Guangning has been sent out. This is the reply from the Ministry of War." Zhao Xin handed the official receipt to Chen Cao.
Chen Cao took it and looked at it and nodded: "Everything must be done as soon as possible. There is no delay. And Zhao Xin, you have to handle a big thing for me." Chen Cao said, looking back at the surroundings, and whispered: "This If this matter is discovered, it will be a serious crime of beheading, so you must do your best and never let the second person know about it."
When Zhao Xin heard this, he immediately showed a serious expression: "I understand."
"Don't the Xiaoling Guards have a lot of obsolete weapons?" Chen Cao said, squinting one eye.
When Zhao Xin saw Chen Cao's expression, he immediately understood and nodded: "All the weapons eliminated by the Southern Zhili Guards were handed over to the Nanjing Military Department, and here they are used as training weapons and given to the Xiaoling Guards."
"Who is the current commander of Xiaoling Guard?" Chen Cao asked again.
Xin Zhao thought for a while: "Liu Yucheng, the commander of the Xiaoling Guards who just took office, was the former Datong General. He heard that he had embezzled military pay there and was reported by Beizhen Fusi. He spent a lot of money to forgive his crime and then demoted him. He was transferred to Xiaoling Guard."
The corner of Chen Cao's mouth rose: "This kind of money-loving person is the best person to deal with. Come here."
