Escort Shi hurriedly walked from the front hall to the backyard, holding his sleeves tightly and walking quickly. Just the distance from the entrance of Fuwei Escort Agency to here actually made him sweat on his forehead.
Lin Zhennan was sitting in the room with his head down reading a book. From time to time, he would lean on the desk and frown and think. Hearing the hurried footsteps at the door, he finally couldn't help but said, "Brother Shi, what are you so worried about?"
When the head escort called him, his feet softened a little. He quickly slowed down and knocked on the door. He waited until his cloth boots scraped the dirt outside the threshold before he entered and opened the door.
"Chief escort, are you... reading a book?"
Shi Biaotou used to be a luxury figure in the world, and his money darts and dragon sticks made him powerful. It was not until he was appreciated and recruited by Lin Zhennan that he joined the Fuwei Escort Bureau, and he changed his mind and started a serious business.
They had competed against this chief bodyguard in the early years, but they didn't think he was very powerful. However, he was neat and shrewd in dealing with things, and he could always manage his subordinates obediently.
It has been even more remarkable in the past few years. He has obviously never used force. He looks like a Confucian businessman doing business, but his temperament is even more intimidating.
Lin Zhennan lowered his head again: "You have nothing to do to read. Since you are literate, you should read more. Don't always drink and play games with the gangsters. Save some money to marry a wife. Don't go out and embarrass me. .”
When Lin Zhennan said this, Escort Shi quickly pretended to be stupid and rubbed his head, "Thank you, Chief Escort, for the tip. With the salary and remuneration provided by our Fuwei Escort Agency, I am not a person who is short of money. It's just that I have no interest in starting a family and starting a business, so it doesn’t matter if I postpone it for another two years.”
Lin Zhennan glanced at him, turned the book upside down on the table, took a sip of tea.
"You're almost 40 years old, and you still have the nerve to think you're young? When I was your age, Xiu'er would be running all over the place."
Regarding this matter, Lin Zhennan was also very puzzled. He was obviously very good to his subordinates, but these escorts could not change the temper of the Jianghu people, and few of them were willing to start a family and start a career.
Head Guard Shi stood aside without even thinking of sitting down, so he could only continue to act stupid.
Since the death of his wife, the chief bodyguard of his family has not renewed his relationship. How can any of his bodyguards dare to get ahead of him?
"Chief Escort Officer, it has been three days since the Fuwei Escort Agency closed its doors to welcome customers. When will this day end? With the main number closed, escorts from all over the country will not be able to get through. If this continues, there will be trouble."
Three days, three whole days.
Ever since the imperial envoys from the imperial court came to Fuzhou City and the Fuwei Escort Bureau was inexplicably involved in the murder case, everyone in the Escort Bureau was strictly prohibited from going out. Nearly a hundred escorts were trapped in the mansion, and it was inevitable that they would feel resentful and grumbling.
More importantly, one of the people killed this time was a soldier of the Geng family, and the other was a master recruited by the Geng family. In terms of status, they were all members of the Geng family, just like Fuwei Escort Agency.
People with normal intelligence can also figure out that there is absolutely no reason for Fuwei Escort to be evil - it is a pity that the eldest son of the Geng family did not know why but failed to stand up and support them, which led to today's situation.
Lin Zhennan took another sip of strong tea, put on his regular robe and stood at the door of the room. He looked at the rockery and flowing water in the courtyard and said slowly.
"General Bai sent someone to report the news. Prince Geng was imprisoned by the palace after he returned. He was said to be thinking about his past behind closed doors. Chief Geng, there are some things that cannot be publicized, but I can tell you alone..."
Lin Zhennan turned around and looked at Escort Shi, "Our Fuwei Escort Agency belongs to Prince Geng, but that doesn't mean we belong to the Geng family, and it doesn't mean we can be of the same mind as the imperial court."
Shi Biao opened his mouth and felt the taste of his words. It seemed that he wanted to say something but couldn't. In the end, he returned to the original question.
"But...but we...can't just keep spending it like this, right?"
Lin Zhennan stopped talking, and just glanced at Shi Biaotou indifferently, which made this gangster slump.
Shi Biaotou killed people on the street in his early years, and also fled and wandered through the green forest. He shouldn't be so afraid of Lin Zhennan, but he knew very well that he was more respectful than afraid - what do people in the world fear? After a few bowls of strong wine, The beheading business can also be done.
He couldn't bear to live in Fuwei Escort Agency, which was comfortable, practical and refreshing.
Since ancient times, Qian has been a heroic hero. Today, he is one of the top five escort heads of the Fuwei Escort Agency. He is treated politely wherever he goes, and the escorts under his command are also in awe. Compared to the former poor and elegant gangster, he is so high-ranking that he does not know. where it goes!
"Chief escort, I'm really worried about the escort agency..."
Shi Biaotou murmured, his voice getting smaller and smaller.
Lin Zhennan took another breath before looking at the old head of the escort agency.
"I know that when the opportunity comes, things will naturally turn around. The safest way is actually to withdraw from Fuzhou City in batches, give up part of the foundation we have worked hard for over the years, and look for other ways to make a living."
What Lin Zhennan didn't say was that he was worried that once he withdrew from here, he would lose his confidence.
Geng Jingzhong's approach was naturally not interesting, but he ordered the Fuwei Escort Agency to close its doors in the city. In fact, it was also a form of protection, showing to the outside world that the Fuwei Escort Agency belonged to the Geng family.
As long as the door is closed at this time, the small friction between the Geng family and the court will not spread again in the short term.
But once they choose to escape from Fuzhou City, it means that Fuwei Escort Agency is determined to do its own thing. Whatever they do has nothing to do with the Geng family, but it will easily attract the covetousness of interested people.
The world is complicated, and the court is not simple either. Lin Zhennan spent three days and three nights at home thinking about it, but could not find a good solution, so he could only rely on his extraordinary Qi-nurturing skills to continue to sit in the house.
"I'm more worried about Jiang Wen. He has been in jail for three days. Have the joints you sent people to open been used?"
Lin Zhennan asked in a low voice.
Captain Shi suddenly realized and said quickly: "Earlier, I sent someone to deliver gifts to the Fuzhou Prefecture's hostage center, but the squad leader sent them back intact, saying that the conditions at the hostage center where Director Jiang was being held were dangerous. They don’t dare to take risks.”
The hostels are called differently in various places, such as the class hall, the card room, the new office, the hostel, the hostel, the lower office, and the Zhiguo Pavilion. It was originally the duty room for the third class of government officials, and later it gradually became a private office. A place where the detention of pending criminals and relevant witnesses is prohibited, and entering is equivalent to detention.
However, during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there was no time limit for being detained in a hostage center. Therefore, being detained in a government hostage center was worse than being imprisoned.
Because once a prisoner is sentenced and put into prison, the yamen will allocate rations according to the standard. Although he will inevitably be exploited, he still has something to eat. There were no food rations in the detention center, and the meals sent from home were often withheld by prison officials. Therefore, people say: "When the warehouse is full (prison) and hungry, the place where the hostage is held (hostage) is."
"Send it again, this time to General Bai. It's all because of me that Zilu was implicated this time. If he hadn't accidentally hit him, one of us would be in jail this time."
Lin Zhennan pondered for a moment, then went back to the room, took out a pen and paper and scribbled down a souvenir, folded it and handed it to Mr. Shi, "Just prepare the gift according to this list, and you can get the money by yourself at the accounting office."
Captain Shi said with some embarrassment: "But the chief escort, Mr. Huang, the money accountant, has not come back yet..."
Lin Zhennan shook his head: "Just find Mr. Jiang, the rice and grain accountant. Mr. Huang can't come back."
"Yes, I'll do it right away."
Captain Shi didn't think much about it. Anyway, it's whatever the chief escort said. He's been operating in Fuzhou City for a long time over the years, and this time he's on the Geng family's path, so he won't go back as soon as possible, right?
"How are the three Zilu disciples these days? Have you asked about the master's whereabouts?"
Shining in the warm winter sun, the gloom and confusion in Lin Zhennan's heart seemed to be much lighter, and he was finally able to take a moment away from the complicated speculations and chat about other things.
When Officer Shi heard this topic, he couldn't help but grin.
"I haven't asked once. Dao Zhang Jiang's eldest apprentice eats and sleeps every day, sleeps and eats. Ever since he bit the young escort's head last time, no one has teased him anymore. I really don't know how good that kid's teeth are. How does it grow..."
Lin Zhennan hummed dissatisfied.
"It's not like you guys are just idlers, scurrying around to compete with Xiu'er to compete for senior brother. I only asked Xiu'er to become a disciple, and I didn't let him join the sect. How could there be so many rules to pay attention to!"
Shi Biaotou rubbed his face in embarrassment.
"Everyone sees how good Jiang Daochang is and wants to test how much of his apprentice's true skills he has acquired. Now everyone knows that Jiang Daochang's disciple is really... eclectic!"
Lin Zhennan frowned and scolded rudely: "It doesn't matter if Xiu'er is injured, but if something happens to Jiang Wen's apprentice, with his vengeful character, none of you can even think of running away. Where are the other apprentices?"
"Oh, those two are much more honest. The little girl hides in the house every day. She is probably embarrassed and annoyed by our lady and doesn't want to come out."
"As a disciple, he doesn't talk much. Sometimes he goes to the school grounds to watch the brothers practice martial arts, and most of the time he goes to the backyard to chop firewood. I guess it's because Dao Zhang Jiang doesn't teach him martial arts at ordinary times, and he only acts as an outer sect who does rough things."
Lin Zhennan breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Wen's imprisonment was extremely difficult. He could have escaped on the same day with his martial arts skills, but there was no news for three days.
And because he was imprisoned in the government's holding center where information was isolated, Lin Zhennan didn't even know what happened. He could only vaguely guess what factors were holding him back.
"Tell Old Man Sa from Defu Restaurant to bring more food every day and take good care of these three children."
Captain Shi nodded in agreement, but suddenly remembered what he heard from Captain Zheng this morning, vaguely hearing that Old Man Sa was going to sell out the store and move away recently, and he didn't know what happened.
Ximen Street has been plagued by lawsuits and disputes recently. Maybe you should go to Xichan Temple to burn incense to ensure your safety?
Seeing his absent-minded look, Lin Zhennan gently put down the pen in his hand.
"Boss Shi, you haven't told me yet, what are you going to do now?"
Hearing Lin Zhennan's question, Escort Shi finally came to his senses, took out a crumpled piece of letter paper from his clenched sleeves, and hurriedly handed it to the Chief Escort of Fuwei Escort Agency.
"It almost delayed the business! Chief Bodyguard, at noon a few Jianghu guests came to visit and sent this hero's note, saying that the Jianghu comrades will send us a plaque tomorrow. Chief Bodyguard, please prepare three animals and five colors. , ready to receive the plaque.”
Lin Zhennan frowned and hurriedly opened the crumpled letter. His heart felt like a thunderbolt as more and more conjectures emerged.
The letter paper seemed to have been transcribed by someone specially. The handwriting was neat and graceful, and there was no boldness or fierceness in the world. The tone of the letter was credible but not gentle at all. In just a few sentences, the intention was clearly displayed.
[Zhennan my brother’s ritual guide:]
[Fuwei Escort Agency has been showing great respect and benevolence for several years. It is a common sight in martial arts in seven provinces. It should be noted. 】
[Since mid-spring is approaching and the greenery has not yet been dyed, my brother is thinking about Yingying and hoping for some insights. I have specially invited fellow Green Forest members to prepare a plaque for "General Leader of Southern Green Forest", which will be presented in the near future. 】
[Fortunately, don’t miss official business because of your brother. Please do so. 】
[Brother returned to Nongjian and paused on the first day of the first lunar month. 】
Lin Zhennan suddenly clenched the letter paper tightly, looked at the words on it in disbelief, and finally sighed after a long time.
"...What a tactic to flatter and kill!"
