"I, Wu Shicong! I, Wang Shikai! I, Wu Shijue...we have become brothers today. From now on, we will share blessings and share hardships; we will work together and never abandon you. The emperor, the emperor, and the empress, learn from this heart!"
In the back garden of Wu Guogui Village, in front of a bamboo forest that had been chopped down a little, Wu Shicong, Wang Shikai, and Wu Shijue were kneeling in front of an altar table with memorial tablets for Liu, Guan, and Zhang, holding large incense and chanting.
Wu Sangui, Wu Yingqi, Wu Guogui, and Wang Fuchen were all witnesses of this three-sworn friendship in the bamboo forest, and they looked on with smiles.
There was also Wu Xiaotuo standing at the edge of the bamboo forest, playing with the corner of his clothes and looking uneasily at the three people who were making sworn vows. It seems that something is wrong... The gambling battle that just ended seems to have something to do with her! Isn't she the "maid" who was put on the table as a bet?
Just now she was so happy to help beat the drums and cheer, wouldn't it make people count the money after selling it? But the problem is that she knew from the beginning that she was a "bet", and she excitedly encouraged her brother to bet with brother Wang Er. You can't be a bad guy now, no, you are a bad guy. You must be willing to admit defeat...
While Wu Xiaotuo was thinking wildly, Wu Sangui, Wu Yingqi, Wu Guogui, and Wang Fuchen had already stood up and were about to leave. The three brothers Wu Shicong, Wang Shikai and Wu Shijue bowed to the four of them together.
Wu Sangui smiled and said to the three little brothers: "In ancient times, there were three sworn brothers in the peach garden, and now there are three sworn brothers in the bamboo forest. I hope that the three of you can work together in the future...to serve the Qing Dynasty together, and all of you will be the Qing Dynasty's sworn brothers." Important minister and famous general!"
"My grandsons (younger generations) will obey the teachings carefully and will definitely be loyal (and final) ministers of the Qing Dynasty."
Wu Shicong, Wang Shikai, and Wu Shijue responded in unison.
Wu Sangui nodded with a smile, and then said to Wang Fuchen: "Brother Fuchen, these three juniors all know that they must be loyal to the Qing Dynasty. We elders also have to know the principles of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. Why not continue on the noble Zhuangzi?" Let’s discuss how to be loyal to the Qing Dynasty next.”
The so-called loyalty to the Qing Dynasty, of course, means continuing to ask for money from the Qing Dynasty.
Wang Fuchen's staff was in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and he was regarded as a domestic slave of the young emperor Kangxi. Theoretically, he came to Yunnan to watch over Wu Sangui on behalf of the young Emperor Kangxi.
So he can still speak out about giving Wu Sangui more money.
"Yes, yes, we have to discuss it carefully." Wang Fuchen was also very happy now. This little bastard Wang Zhongxiao is going to be successful this time! According to the old guy Wu Sangui, it is better than the old! In other words, his abilities are greater than those of me. It seems that this time I go to Beijing, I may really find a way to become an imperial guard.
In addition, Wang Fuchen himself has also made progress with Wu Sangui... Wu Sangui has already regarded him as one of his own!
With Wu Sangui's support, isn't it only a matter of time before he is promoted to admiral?
Wang Fuchen and Wu Sangui were in a good mood and left together, and Wu Yingqi and Wu Guogui also followed. Wu Shicong, Wang Shikai, and Wu Shijue were the only three left outside the bamboo forest.
Wu Shicong was the eldest brother among the three. Of course, he had to act like an elder brother at this time. He smiled and said to Wang Shikai: "Shikai, come to my village to drink... let's get drunk."
Wu Shijue was afraid that Wang Shikai would ask him for a girl, so he quickly echoed: "Let's go and have a drink!"
Wang Zhongxiao was about to nod in agreement when he suddenly saw Wu Xiaotuo jumping from behind the bamboo forest and standing in front of Wang Zhongxiao with a red face. He just lowered his head and looked at his feet without saying a word.
Of course Wang Zhongxiao understands what this little beauty is thinking...but we can't rush this matter! Wang Zhongxiao thought: I want to go to Beijing to help the little emperor capture Obei and become a loyal minister! For the sake of the Qing Dynasty, I can't marry you, "Wu Xiaotu" now. If I want to be Wu Sangui's grandson-in-law, how can I be the confidant of the little Emperor Kangxi? If you can't be Kangxi's confidant, you will lose the title of "Shikai". I'm afraid it will be difficult to be a "great minister" who will see the end of the Qing Dynasty.
As for working with Wu Sangui in Yunnan... I am Wang Shikai, not Wu Shikai, and I will not do the business of assisting Wu Sangui in becoming emperor.
Because Wu Sangui looks very fierce, but in fact he is just an old Wu Adou who cannot be helped. Otherwise, the rebellion should be credited in history, and Kangxi would probably be the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
Of course, Wu Xiaotuo is innocent, so he can't let Xiaotuo'er go...
When Wang Zhongxiao was thinking about whether he could secretly abduct Wu Xiaotuo, Wu Shicong had already noticed that Wu Xiaotuo's expression was a little strange, so he asked: "Xiaotuo, what's wrong with you? Why is your face red?"
"Brother Shicong, I, I, I... I was tired from playing the drums just now, so my face is a little red."
Wu Shicong nodded, looked at Wu Xiaotuo carefully, and then glanced at Wang Zhongxiao. He seemed to understand something, so he said to Wu Xiaotuo: "Xiaotuo, since you are tired, you should rest first. Second Brother Wang is now You, your second brother, and I are all officially sworn brothers. What can't we discuss carefully? You don't have to worry." Then he patted his chest and said, "I have everything!"
Xiaotuo breathed a sigh of relief, gave Wu Shicong another blessing gift, and said with a blushing face: "Then there will be Brother Lao."
After saying that, he turned around and ran away.
Wu Shicong turned around and said to Wang Zhongxiao and Wu Shijue: "Shikai, Shijue, come to my place for a drink!"
...
"Come on, brother Shikai, you are shallower and I am deeper. Shijue, you drink too, we three brothers will be drunk for a while!"
Wu Shicong diligently poured a bowl of wine for Wang Zhongxiao, and then invited Wu Shijue to drink with him, acting like a big brother, as if he was Liu among the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang.
Wang Zhongxiao is also a veteran of the wine shop. Of course, that happened in a previous life! He has a good drinking capacity in his life, but if he drinks too much, he will get into trouble, and when he gets into trouble, he will lose his soul... So he doesn't dare to drink openly at the moment, so he can only wipe his mouth with a white handkerchief after taking a few sips. "Wipe" some of the wine in your mouth.
There’s no telling what this wine tastes like!
Wu Shijue seemed to be preoccupied. Because the wine was not good, he just poured cup after cup into his mouth. He was already a little drunk. He picked up the wine glass and wanted to take a sip, but when it reached his mouth, he couldn't drink it. He slapped the wine glass on the table. The last hit shocked the two brothers Wu Shicong and Wang Shikai, and they all turned to look at him.
"Wang Shikai!" Wu Shijue, under the influence of alcohol, finally forced himself to talk about the bet, "I, Wu Shijue, am convinced that I lost today, and I am also willing to admit defeat...I, I, I am the kidnapper." I also tied up Xiaotu for you! Are you satisfied?"
What? Did you kidnap Xiao Tu here? This is not possible! Wang Zhongxiao said heartily: My little Tutu, why do you tie me up? I have to tie it myself...
"Really Xiao Tu? You, how come you two bet with Xiao Tu?" Wu Shicong actually saw some clues, but he was still shocked when Wu Shijue said it himself. He then asked, "Does Xiao Tu know?"
"I know..." Wu Shijue muttered, "She's not a good person either!"
"What about your father?" Wu Shicong asked again.
Wu Shijue shook his head like a rattle, "Of course he doesn't know, how could he know? If he knows, why don't he beat me to death?"
It turns out that Wu Shijue also has an unfilial father!
Wang Zhongxiao couldn't help but sympathize with Wu Shijue in his heart.
Wu Shicong frowned and asked, "Shijue, if your father doesn't agree, how can you hand over your sister to Shikai?"
"This, this..." Wu Shijue whispered, "Brother, how about you be a matchmaker? Anyway, my sister is not promised to be married to anyone yet."
Wu Shicong turned to look at Wang Zhongxiao, "Shikai, what do you think?"
Wang Zhongxiao just shook his head slightly and said, "Not now."
"No?" Wu Shijue was anxious, "Wang Er, what makes my sister not worthy of you?"
Wang Zhongxiao hurriedly explained: "Third brother, don't worry! I just said it can't happen now... Have you forgotten who I am? I can't reveal that the matchmaker is marrying your sister now."
"Your identity? Aren't you just a slave slave?" After Wu Shijue said this, he suddenly realized, "Wait a minute, you are a slave. If my sister wants to marry you, won't she also become a slave? "
"Isn't that right?" Wang Zhongxiao said, "The wife and daughter who are married have to serve the master! That's why the old man in my family has always refused to renew his marriage, but he has accepted eight wives who are not on the list of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. How about you let me Girl..."
"No, no!" Wu Shijue immediately shouted, "My father will not agree!"
"Shijue, you misunderstood," Wang Zhongxiao waved his hand and said, "I meant to let Xiaotu wait a few more years, wait for me to become an imperial guard, wait for my father to be promoted to admiral, and then spend some money to leave. If the disciples raise a flag, won't everything be settled?"
"What? You become a guard and your father becomes an admiral... How can it be so easy?" Wu Shijue frowned, "How many years have you been here? Can my sister wait?"
Wang Zhong said filially: It doesn't matter if you can't wait, I can receive the goods first!
He was about to raise the issue of receiving the goods first with Wu Shijue, but Wu Shicong, a good brother, came to do bad things and good things. Wu Shicong thought about it and said: "Uncle Wang has been the headquarter for more than ten years, and he has already saved enough to be promoted to admiral. , and the old man is a Han soldier of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As long as the money is in place, it is not difficult to become an admiral. As for raising the flag, it is a piece of cake. The uncle is only in the name of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it is not real Working on the wrapping job."
Wang Zhongxiao smiled and said: "If my father really becomes an official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with his rank, the four major weaving industries are not enough for him, and he still can't be greedy for 100,000, 200,000 taels of snowflake silver a year? What if he wants to Raising the flag, the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs didn't beat gongs and drums to send him away?
When I become a bodyguard this time, I will definitely help my unlearned father find his way around. I must buy a fatter admiral. I must make more money, otherwise I will lose money! Eldest brother and third brother, you two should not stay in Yunnan all the time. If you want to be prosperous, you have to go out. "
"Going out? Where to go?" Wu Shijue asked.
Wu Shicong shook his head: "It's not easy to go out now. My grandfather's right to 'Western Selection' has been taken back by the imperial court."
Wang Zhongxiao smiled and said, "The prince's loss of the right to elect the Western Region only hinders the prince from making money. He makes money to do big things, and he won't share any of it with you. Besides, he has so many disciples and old officials, all waiting for him. How can we take care of you? If you want to make money, you can’t just blame grandpa, you have to figure it out yourself. And you don’t have to be an official to make money. You can also make money by enclosing land and doing business.”
"Enclosure? Where to enclose it? What's the point of enclosing it?"
"Business? How can we do business? We can only be officials!"
Wang Zhongxiao looked at the two late officials of the Qing Dynasty who didn't know that they would face the "first rebellion" in their lives in a few years, and said with a smile: "Let's talk about land enclosure first. You can go to Fushun County, Xuzhou Prefecture, Sichuan Province to encircle the land. !”
"Fushun County, Xuzhou Prefecture, Sichuan Province?" Wu Shijue was confused.
"This is..." Wu Shicong seemed to have thought of something.
Wang Zhongxiao smiled and said three words: "Artesian well!"
"Well salt?"
"Sichuan salt?"
The eyes of brothers Wu Shicong and Wu Shijue were bright. They didn't know much about Fushun County, but did they still know about the famous Artesian Well? In the Ming Dynasty, the artesian well that produced well salt was a "money well" that kept spraying money out twelve hours a day!
Wang Zhongxiao said: "Sichuan has experienced great chaos in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Although the population has decreased by 90%, the fertile soil is still there, and the salt industry in Ziliujing is still there! If we brothers can join hands to win the salt industry in Ziliujing, we can also build a new business in Fushun. There are thousands of hectares of fertile farmland under the county circle...that is a wealth that no one's descendants can eat up!
Moreover, with the support of Ziliujing Salt Industry, we can gather people in Fushun County and even the entire Xuzhou Prefecture and enclose land for reclamation. You can also turn the artesian well into a hub for transporting horses, saltpeter, and sulfur south from Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan. These are all good deals! Not only can you make money, but you can also strengthen the military equipment of Yunnan and Guizhou. This is a good thing for being loyal to the emperor and patriotic! "
"But...will Sichuan Salt Law Road interfere?" Wu Shicong is still more thoughtful. He has already thought of Sichuan Salt Law Road intervening when his family occupied the artesian salt industry.
"That's right! It's easy to talk to Xuzhou Prefecture and Fushun County. They are right next to our Yunnan Province. I don't dare to offend my grandfather. But the salt master supervises the production of the salt farm, assesses the salt price, and manages the land and water transportation affairs. This is a There is a big fat vacancy! The person who can fill this vacancy will most likely be someone in the government! If we can't get rid of the salt law, even if he can't interfere with our artesian salt industry, he can still block the route of private salt export. "
Wang Zhongxiao patted his chest: "When I become a bodyguard, won't we have someone in the court? Then we can spend more money and arrange for one of our own to be the Sichuan Salt Methodist?"
Wu Shijue was overjoyed when he heard this, "Okay! It's a deal!"
Wu Shicong also nodded solemnly, "We three brothers are as powerful as gold, and together we are loyal to the Qing Dynasty!"
When Wang Zhongxiao saw that the atmosphere was heightened, the smile on his face became even brighter. He smiled and said to the two people in front of him: "Eldest brother, third brother, I am going to Beijing to buy an official position...but I am a little tight on money. I only scraped together 1,800 taels of silver. If you two have some savings, can you lend it to me first? When I become a guard and am greedy for the silver, I will repay it double."
