Youfu had already greeted the marquis outside the main hall, and he was considered an old acquaintance of Xi Yazhou. He is the one who handles all the transactions between the Crossing Group. Among the landowners and gentry in the county, he is the one who has the most favorable impression of the Crossing Group. He has earned a lot of remuneration in the past few months.
Welcoming into the hall, there were bright candles inside, and the Eight Immortals table was lifted up and a banquet was set up. A middle-aged Confucian scholar in the main room saw Wen Desi and others coming in. He stood up and bowed his hands in greeting. He smiled and greeted them to sit down. His expression was extremely warm and he was completely without the restraint of first meeting. Everyone knows that this is what today is like. Invite the right host to a banquet.
The person who came was none other than Wu Mingjin’s master, Wang Zhaomin. The whole process of Xiong Buyou's arrival was hidden behind the screen and he could see clearly. He also read the letter several times afterwards.
He has been around for many years and has experienced a lot. The purpose of the time traveler's team training and joint defense is clear. He estimated that this group of thieves with unknown origins had the same plan as Zheng Zhilong, who had recently been recruited by the court: he did not want to be an enemy of the government, but he hoped to occupy a piece of land in the coastal area for maritime trade. Similar to Zheng Zhilong occupying the center left position.
No matter how smart and experienced Wang Zhaomin is, he would never have thought that the real purpose of this group of people was to replace the Ming Dynasty. In his opinion, not attacking the county seat would mean that the thieves were showing to the government that they would not step out of the bottom line. In contrast, Zheng Zhilong also occupied the central left city of the imperial court.
Taking this as a premise, the conditions proposed by the thieves were not too exaggerated. After careful consideration, Wang Zhaomin thought that he could talk to the thieves and negotiate the price and conditions. After all, the other party sent over a hundred genuine pirate heads as a meeting gift, which showed his sincerity.
Wu Mingjin had no choice but to do it, he was willing, but in the current situation he was unable to do anything, so he had to wait and see. Wang Zhaomin was sent out to negotiate.
If the dishes at Landlord Zhang’s house were placed in another time and space, they would be simply shabby to people who have traveled across the sea. But for these people who have been eating fish and vegetables for several months, whole chickens, whole ducks, and big ducks are all delicious. Pieces of stewed meat, and a whole roasted suckling pig with crispy and brown skin. This thing alone makes the traversers who are short of oil and water salivate.
Naturally, there are also some fresh vegetables and a lot of wine, and it is local grilled food. On the other hand, things like "fresh seafood" are not served on the table. There are so many local items there and they are not worth the money at all.
For the sake of showing off, the eight traveling companions who were accompanying them as bodyguards were not allowed to join the banquet. Only Xi Yazhou and Wen Desi took part in the banquet despite everyone's resentment.
Everyone squatted in the hall. There is also a table here, which is just a chicken and a few bowls of vegetables. There was a bowl of meat slices that was so piled up that someone picked off a piece. The bottom is just fried sweet potatoes. Even the meat slices can only be made in 8 pieces after counting the heads.
However, everyone didn't dare to eat anything. After several doctors from the health department took turns threatening them with parasite problems, they still remained wary of locally cooked food. At the same time, we are also on guard against the possibility of being poisonous. There were two people holding the door at that moment. Two more people guarded the flanks.
A few polite words from everyone and a few rounds of drinks. After the two committee members took a few bites of roasted suckling pig, the topic got down to business. It was Zhang Youfu who spoke first. He once again tested the executive committee's request for each village to go to Bairen City for a meeting. expressed at the same time. The gentry in the county are willing to help the executive committee with food and salary. Just set a number. I must give them timely advice on how to organize a team to practice joint defense.
Wen Desi asked directly: "Is this the intention of the Ming government? Or is it the intention of the gentry in the county?"
Zhang Youfu was speechless for a moment. He glanced at Wang Zhaomin in embarrassment.
These words were actually the words of Wang Zhaomin, the county magistrate's master. As far as the gentry is concerned, they have no objection to organizing team exercises and joint defense. The northern part of Lingao has always been very painful to be invaded by pirates. Many bandits in the countryside colluded with pirates to block roads and rob people for ransom. The gentry and tenant farmers suffered greatly. The gentry somewhat lost confidence in the county government. If there is such a powerful group willing to take the lead in organizing, they will be happy to do so.
Wang Zhaomin said: "Of course it is the intention of the gentry."
Xi Yazhou sneered slightly: "What do the gentry mean?" He tapped his fingers on the table. "On December 17, what did Wu Ya say to the village elders in Meitong Village? On December 20, Fu Bowen went What did the three villages of Da, Meiyang, and America say? Just the day before yesterday, your Dianshi went to Bowen Village and said, 'When the heavenly soldiers arrive, they will turn into ashes', right?"
Wang Zhaomin had a sudden thought. He didn't expect that these thieves knew everything about the county's actions. He forced a smile and said: "It is normal for county officials to go to the countryside for inspections."
"We can't control those who don't patrol. It's the responsibility of the adults." Xi Yazhou said, "Recently, the county is in a hurry to go to the countryside to catch up with the autumn grain. Maybe there is not enough food?"
"Collecting royal grain and national taxes is a matter of course, why shouldn't it be done?"
"The world is not going well lately,
There are so many bandits, and we want to have a team training and joint defense, but the adults won’t allow it,” Xi Sensen smiled, “There’s no telling what will happen to the food transport team on the way.”
Wang Zhaomin shrank: If the other party threatened to attack the city, he would have attacked it long ago. Why come here to negotiate? It must be just false threats. However, robbing the grain transport team is beneficial to the thieves, but for Magistrate Wu, it is a matter of life and death.
He smiled hurriedly and said: "You are all good citizens of the imperial court. You want to organize group training for the sake of the local people. This matter can be discussed."
Wen Desi took another bite of the crispy suckling pig, and the taste was indeed more mellow than what he had eaten in later generations. Said: "Mr. Wang, open the skylight and speak frankly. Wu Mingfu is always the parent official of this county. Law-abiding citizens like us who uphold the purpose of 'protecting the environment and safety of the people' will definitely not embarrass him. Not only that, we must also Wish him 'rising high' then."
Wang Zhaomin nodded, his calculations settled in his mind, and he winked at Zhang Youfu. Zhang Youfu stood up quickly, found an excuse and went out.
Both sides lowered their voices and began to discuss in secret.
At first, Wang Zhaomin only promised that the County Council would adopt a tacit attitude on this matter, but Wen Desi firmly refused. In his opinion, acquiescence and rejection are the same thing. From the experience of another time and space, acquiescence is for the future. No foreshadowing is allowed. Although this does not hinder the crossing party itself, each village will have certain concerns.
In the end, the two sides reached an agreement: the crossing party would organize a team training for joint defense, and the county would no longer obstruct it. However, the leader cannot be in the name of the traveling party, and must be the security chief of a certain village. This is not difficult. Wen Desi suggested that Damei Village should take the lead. After the submission is submitted, the county will approve it with a seal.
The traveling party promised to be responsible for the defense of pirates in the county, organize the suppression of bandits, and maintain peace in the four townships. At the same time, it will not interfere with the county government's execution of its daily administrative affairs, and will assist the county government in certain tasks when necessary. Such as autumn grain collection. If the county fails to pay taxes on summer and autumn crops, the crossing party will reconsider the method of providing assistance.
The salt tax and miscellaneous amounts of the Ma Niao Salt Farm under the control of Chuan Chuan continue to be paid, and an "extra" one hundred taels is paid every year as miscellaneous expenses for the county. Dongmen City pays 10 taels of miscellaneous taxes every year, and the county government Dongmen City "toothpaste" recognizes Dongmen City's market status.
The two parties agreed that all the assets obtained by the Vietnam Group in suppressing bandits and resisting pirates would belong to the county government, and the same applies to the seized seals, symbols, flags, and documents. Other spoils belong to the crossing party.
If: Bai Wen is willing to return to Bo Pu to be his patrol officer, the traveling party agrees to his return. He will also build a new government office and equip him with twelve archers. The first miscellaneous expenses shall be borne by the traveling party.
The county government will provide all conveniences to the crossing party within the scope of the law, such as capturing escaped slaves, pursuing debt-ridden tenants, and transferring property and fields. Because there is no Ming Dynasty household registration on the crossing side. Wang Zhaomin suggested setting up a Bairen Village in Bairen City and going to the county to register seven or eight households. In this way, even if the traveling party has a legal entity, otherwise all kinds of documents and contracts cannot be written.
In the end, it was natural to discuss personal interests. Wang Zhaomin was extremely concerned about this. Not only was he very active in fighting for himself, but he also worked hard to increase the bargaining chip for Dong Weng.
After some haggling, Wen Desi agreed to give Mr. Wang three hundred taels of silver and Magistrate Wu one thousand taels of silver. The two parties also reached a partnership agreement to sell salt in Lingao County and 14 markets across Lingao. The traveling party is responsible for the supply. As for the procedures and sales of the private change, Mr. Wang will handle it, with a 50-50 split between the two parties.
In order to avoid suspicion, the two parties agreed to use Zhang Youfu as the contact person to deliver the news. If an interview was necessary, the meeting location would be Zhang Youfu's home.
Finally, Wang Zhaomin also persuaded Wen Desi and others that if they want to carry out activities in the county in the future, it is best to wear their short clothes to avoid being too eye-catching. Wen Desi laughed it off, but later thought that it might be necessary. In the future, there would be many things to do to make friends with the gentry and peasants, which would make his side too special and difficult to penetrate the masses.
The matter has been settled and the burden on both parties has been lightened. The wine was also much more enjoyable. When the wine was full of wine, Wen Desi presented the prepared gifts again. The gift to Magistrate Wu was an oval glass mirror, and the gift to Master Wang was a glass cup. Every other official in the county has a freshwater pearl bracelet, the kind that sells for five yuan a bunch at the pearl wholesale market. According to the information reported by the Guangzhou Advance Station: the freshwater cultured pearls they brought are very popular in Guangzhou.
Master Wang was naturally overjoyed, these thieves really knew their stuff.
Because it was already dark and the city gate was closed, Master Wang naturally could not return to the city, so he rested at Zhang Youfu's house. Wen Desi finished the work, but was not in a hurry to leave. They still wanted to have a good talk with Zhang Youfu, their contact person. To be continued, if you want to know what happened, please log in to 6idianm, there are more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!
