Xicheng Lane, Song Jiang's home, he was drinking with Zhu Tong and Lei Heng. The day before yesterday, at the morning office, the magistrate asked Zhu Tong to protect the trade route. Liangshanbo was very powerful. Although Zhu Tong was a close friend with their new boss, he was no longer a close friend. Having become enemies, he didn't know how to deal with it, so he pulled Lei Heng together, bought some food, and came together to ask Song Jiang for advice.
The three of them and Chao Gai, who had already turned into a bandit, had been friends for many years, and they often drank and played together. However, something unexpected happened last year. First, Chao Gai turned into a bandit, and then Song Jiang suddenly raised an outlaw, and their men's gang became A rift appeared. Now that Yan Poxi is gone, Song Jiang can live a free life again, and their brotherhood is back.
During the dinner, Zhu Tong expressed his hidden worries, and Song Jiang also expressed his thoughts. After hearing this, both of them were overjoyed and nodded together. After talking about the business, the three of them talked about Chao Gai again. Thinking of the happy days of drinking and eating meat together, the three of them couldn't help but sigh.
Zhu Tong sighed, "Hey... this Chao Baozheng, instead of being a good hero, went to commit crime for a hundred thousand dollars. I really feel worthless for him!"
Lei Heng also echoed, "It's just that he hasn't fallen so far. It's really not worth it! You don't know how miserable the villagers of Dongxi Village are without Baozheng to protect them. In the past, when Baozheng was there, who would dare to bully They? Now that they are gone, Xixi Village is shaking again, and the Demon Suppression Tower was snatched away by them again!"
In fact, he hasn't finished what he said. When Chao Gai was in Dongxi Village, he could always go to catch the autumn wind every time he patrolled. Even his brothers benefited a lot. Now that he is gone, he doesn't even patrol. Interested.
Song Jiang also lamented, "Baozheng is good at everything, but he is not good at making friends. Baozheng has a house and land, and he has no shortage of food and clothing, so why take risks? But in the end he embarked on a road of no return, and the reason in the end is still I couldn't resist the instigation of Wu Xuexue, Liu Tang, Gongsun Sheng, and the Ruan brothers. They were all people without permanent property, so they could naturally take pleasure in grudges. But Baozheng was different. The wealth accumulated by his ancestors for several generations would not be lost as long as I didn't. It’s okay to just live your life on the land, but now that you’ve done such a terrible thing, it’s impossible to turn back.”
Several people lamented for a while, and Lei Heng suddenly said, "It's not that I'm confusing right and wrong. It's not a good thing for me to keep my integrity."
Song Jiang knew what he was talking about and warned, "You must be careful about the trade route and leave no loopholes."
Zhu Tong said, "Brother, don't worry, I will do this myself, and I will not leave any excuse."
Song Jiang nodded. Zhu Tong was a down-to-earth man and steady in his work. He was very relieved, but now there was one more thing he had to ask him to do. "Master Xiao found me today and asked me to go and tell Lieutenant Gao County," he said. , and asked his younger brother Xiao Rang to fill Zhang San’s vacancy. It’s not convenient for me to take action on this matter, so I’d better ask my brother to help me and tell the county captain.”
Lei Heng interjected, "Is this the 'Scholar' Xiao Rang that my brother is talking about?"
Song Jiang hummed, "I have heard about Xiao Rang's reputation a long time ago. Although he is not famous for his fame, he is really knowledgeable and generous. If he can come to Yuncheng, we will have another helping hand."
Lei Heng said happily, "Yes! Without Zhang Wenyuan, the county lieutenant has no idea how to solve the case. He has been angry these days and has two big blisters on his mouth. Zhengyan is asking for help! If Xiao Rang is allowed to come here at this time , we will definitely gain his trust, and we will also have people in the county captain's mansion."
Song Jiang was noncommittal. In fact, he originally admired Zhang Wenyuan's talent and deliberately brought him to his signature room to work together, just to win over him. Unfortunately, this man really couldn't get on the stage, his private life was chaotic, and he lacked concentration. He actually took refuge in Gao Keji's account without his permission and was willing to be his lackey. There was a big gap in the network he had carefully compiled, which made him very unhappy. If it weren't for this, he wouldn't have taken action to rectify him.
The biggest concern of the imperial court in feudal society was the expansion of local forces. In order to prevent the emergence of local forces that could not lose their power, officials were transferred very frequently. In addition, transportation was inconvenient. Half of a term was spent on the road. In addition, serving as an official in a different place and unfamiliar with the place of birth. , it is difficult for local officials to truly control the entire yamen. In order for the yamen to operate, officials can only rely on subordinate staff, which in turn gives the subordinate staff the opportunity to control the yamen. Therefore, although people like Song Jiang have a low status, they can often hold great power because they have been entrenched in the county yamen all year round. The local prestige is much higher than that of the county magistrate.
Song Jiang had been in the county government for many years and knew that he would never be an official in his life, so he had no choice but to enjoy the pleasure of power. The purpose of making such a layout is to build a strong fence for subordinate officials to control the county government, so that this pleasure can last longer.
After settling the matter about Xiao Rang, the three of them brought the topic to Zhang Wenyuan and Yan Poxi. Lei Heng said first, "I have reminded you many times about the adulterous woman, asking you to be more careful, but you just don't Listen, there is a commotion all over the city now, and my brother’s face doesn’t look good!”
Song Jiang chuckled and did not answer his words. Zhu Tong took over the conversation for fear of getting cold feet and said, "Brother Lei, you don't know yet, but Zhou Lang and Wang Erlang who went to catch the traitor the day before yesterday were assigned by the police. .”
Lei Heng's eyes suddenly widened, and then he slammed the table and praised, "Ah, that's it, what a good trick brother has! There were rumors on the street a few days ago, and I really thought that brother was indifferent. I got an advantage over Zhang San for nothing."
Song Jiang smiled and said, "Hmph... A tree has a skin, and a person has a face. I am not a sage, how can I not care?"
"Oh..." Lei Heng let out a long oh, "It turns out that my brother has been waiting for the right time!"
Song Jiang took a sip of wine and said with relief, "That day, I couldn't stand the old lady Wang's bewitchment, so I settled her down, and made her and her mother-in-law rich and well-fed. Unexpectedly, she was ungrateful and often treated me badly. She frowned and used some words to hurt me! Even if I was wrong in all kinds of ways, even if she really didn't like her, she could have told me clearly that I would just let her go, and I would not want the things I gave her. But she preferred to No, on the one hand, he is receiving my favor, but on the other hand, he is belittling me and treating me as a husband..."
When Song Jiang said this, both Lei Heng and Zhu Tong looked a bit unhappy, especially Lei Heng. This guy opened an underground casino in the county and lent usury to people at the same time. He did not know how many women in the two families were harmed. Although he said that It was very obscure, but he quickly heard the implication. He thought to himself that it was no wonder you didn't start a family in your thirties. It turned out to be a hidden disease. Since you are sick, you should have told me earlier and I will ask a doctor for you!
Zhu Tong was a gentleman, so he didn't think much about it. Instead, he said with relief, "They say bitches are heartless and actors are unrighteous. Brother, don't worry about it. In the future, you will find a woman from a good family to get married. Once the limelight is over, the influence will naturally subside."
Lei Heng asked again, "Since that woman is so unkind, why did my brother bring little Zhang San over to have a drink!"
Song Jiang took a sip of wine and said calmly, "I did it on purpose!"
Lei Heng was taken aback, but then he understood and sighed, "Although this plan is a good one, brother, it will be very bad for your reputation!"
Song Jiang sighed, "Huh...it's just the lesser of two powers harming each other. I thought I would expose this matter in a few months. Unexpectedly, the pair of thieves revealed the flaw the day before yesterday, so I followed the trend and settled down." This case.”
"What a plan, what a plan!" After hearing the whole story, Lei Heng took a sip of wine and praised, "Brother, this plan makes moisturizing things silent, even I was fooled!"
Zhu Tong also said, "If my brother hadn't informed me in advance, I wouldn't have known about it either!"
Song Jiang also took a sip of wine and said with a smile, "Now that they have finished walking around the streets, they are about to leave Yuncheng. Tomorrow, two government servants will be sent to take back the house and the furniture in it. I'm afraid others won't say anything!" "
Lei Heng said, "My brother was so kind and righteous to the bird mother and daughter. He could have killed her in the court, but my brother was kind and righteous and did not hold them accountable. He has been so kind and righteous. What can the world say?"
Zhu Tong said thoughtfully, "It's a pity that it hurts Zhang San!"
Song Jiang said disapprovingly, "Zhang San is a man of romantic nature, addicted to lust, and has been involved in many illegal things. Now that he has suffered such a calamity, no one else should be blamed!"
Lei Heng snorted, "To deal with such a fastidious person, taking his life is already a grace. What does it mean to let him roam the streets for a few days?"
