Along the way, we saw many nameless islands on the lake from a distance. However, although these islands are still covered with green trees, various water villages have been built, and there are still a few people parked on the edge of the islands. warship.
These small islands usually vary in size and height. During the season when water is abundant, many small islands are submerged under the lake. In the dry season, most of these islands may reveal most of their shape.
Therefore, the Southern Tang Dynasty generally chose to build water fortresses in May and June when the water was plentiful. Now is the time when Poyang Lake has the most abundant water resources. These water fortresses that have been built long ago are parallel to the lake, just like wooden warships naturally floating on Poyang Lake. They look particularly majestic, eye-catching and shocking.
The people I see along the way who often go back and forth to Poyang Lake will not be surprised. They will proudly introduce it to the people around them to show off their knowledge and experience. People who have never seen it will naturally be amazed by the atmosphere and majesty of these water villages, and listen to the stories of these water villages introduced by people around them with relish.
Xiao Jiulang sat next to Su Hou. He seemed to feel that this uncle was not difficult to get along with. Not only did he take out a wine gourd, but he also let himself take the gourd from his hand from time to time and take a sip at the mouth of the gourd. Xiao Jiulang originally wanted to refuse Su Hou's kindness as he had just entered the school, but when he saw Su Hou's indifferent eyes, he had no intention of rejecting Su Hou. While listening to a few people around him talking about the water village, he took a sip from time to time and seemed to be very absorbed in listening.
They were two or three scholars. It was said that they were going to Jinling City to take the exam. They were afraid of missing the autumn exam, and maybe their families were not too poor, so they took this merchant ship and rushed to Jinling City. They were listening to the words of a man in the government. The man surnamed Yan was said to be a clerk in Raozhou, and he was going to Jinling City on business.
Xiao Jiulang didn't want to hear it at first, but the man named Yan was more approachable, and he was also very talkative. He heard that the three scholars were going to Jinling City to take the exam, so he took the initiative to go over and chat with the scholars. After the three scholars heard about the identity of the man named Yan, they first complimented him politely, and then they became even more respectful when they saw that there was a police officer following him.
Seeing that Xiao Jiulang was listening with great interest, Su Hou looked a little disapproving, but he did not interfere. Xiao Jiulang sat aside and listened carefully. Xiao Jiulang was also a discerning person. Seeing Su Hou's expression, he knew that his uncle knew a lot.
So after the man surnamed Yan said something, he immediately relayed the key points of the problem and came to ask Su Hou for his opinions and views. Sure enough, although Su Hou still seemed disapproving, he still appreciated Xiao Jiulang's cleverness and responded lightly from time to time.
What's more, as one of the most famous elders of Xiaoyao Sect, it goes without saying that he has advanced cultivation. He listens to the words of ordinary people more carefully than Xiao Jiulang. But Xiao Jiulang is his senior sister's new disciple. Although he has not taught any special skills personally, he is obviously a relatively talented person. The most important thing is that after he asked Xiao Jiulang to drink and he readily refused, Su Hou obviously felt that Great appetite.
Originally, as a master of the innate realm who had practiced for more than decades, food and drink were actually dispensable. But this Su Hou happened to have a hobby in his life, which was his obsession with fine wine and food. Seeing that Xiao Jiulang's concern for his temper naturally gained a little more weight.
This merchant ship carried a large flag with the name of Daoguang Trading Company written on it. The flag with large gold letters on a black background fluttered in the wind, making it extremely eye-catching from a distance on the lake. Daoguang Commercial Bank is a well-known commercial bank in several places in the south. It has branches not only in the states of the Southern Tang Kingdom, but also in the neighboring states of Wuyue and Chu.
What is surprising is that previously there were Hanyang on the west bank of the Yangtze River, Xiaogan in the northwest, and even Shouzhou in the north and Chuzhou in the east. Nowadays, due to the dispute between the two countries, it has become the territory occupied by the Zhou Kingdom, but the Daoguang Commercial Bank still has its own branch. This is surprising and curious. This is completely beyond the scope of the feudal forces.
Not only in Poyang Lake, but also in the entire Yangtze River Basin, Daoguang Trading Company's business reached as far as central Sichuan. This behemoth is not just a matter of making money, it is obviously related to the vassals and towns in various places.
Xiao Jiulang listened to Su Hou's intermittently interspersed words, and the introduction between the man surnamed Yan and the scholar chatting, it was really an eye-opener. But Xiao Jiulang was even more surprised to hear that even for such an impressive trading company, the merchant ships still avoided these small islands far away when traveling in Poyang Lake and did not dare to contact the imperial warships. .
Generally speaking, no business firm with such a large industry does not have a foundation in the imperial court and various vassal towns. Obviously, they have put a lot of effort into the circulation of materials between various places and the increase in taxes on the influence of the vassal towns in various places.
For example, many commercial banks dare not open branches in Jingnan because the father and son of the Gao family in Jingnan are really famous throughout the world for their shamelessness. Not only were the various forces plucking their hair, most of the commercial banks that had opened branches in Jingnan became the property of the Gao family and his sons.
It is said that this business was founded by the descendants of the Shen family of the high family in Wuxing. Originally, it was a shame for the family to have the children of the high family go into business. But as times change, every household has to survive. As a result, some wealthy families will use their connections to let their descendants or servants run some industries to amass money and accumulate family wealth.
At that time, no one wanted to examine the cause and effect of whether this collateral descendant of the Shen family had received hints from the family. However, the business firm he ran was doing well. Moreover, the industries operated by the company completely covered all daily industries, and it once became one of the most famous companies in the Jiangnan region.
Later, something changed for some unknown reason, and it was changed to the property of the Xiao family, another noble family in the south. Such a huge change may have become a topic of conversation among the people at that time, but as time goes by, it will gradually be forgotten.
What's more, in recent decades, the Central Plains has been torn apart, and the owners of vassal towns in various places have been constantly changing. Every time there are changes and disputes in the power, these high-ranking officials may be the ones most affected. Nowadays, no one in the south or north of the Yangtze River or in the Central Plains region dares to say that he is a powerful person in a high-profile manner, in case he becomes the jealous object of the feudal lords and towns everywhere.
Xiao Jiulang was able to get on this merchant ship easily this time because when he was negotiating the ship, he accidentally heard that the owner of the merchant house was named Xiao. When negotiating with Ma Yun, he deliberately revealed in advance that his surname was Xiao. Just because of this surname, although I don't know if it has anything to do with the business owner's family, after the steward Ma Yun heard about it, he didn't hesitate much, and he was very talkative and agreed to Xiao Jiulang.
Hearing Su Hou say that Guangzhou Commercial Bank has a wide network of contacts and even has its head office stationed in Jinling City. It is said that the current head of the family, Xiao Zhen, is often visited by Emperor Li Jing. Xiao Jiulang couldn't help but be extremely envious. But when he saw that the ships were far away from those water villages and heard Su Hou explain the cause and effect, Xiao Jiulang realized that it was not that simple.
Just talking about the power of the Southern Tang Dynasty, there are many people who form secret factions for personal gain. Although Song Qiqiu, who was the most powerful at the time, has fallen, the five ghosts who joined him have also suffered a huge blow. But these forces are like a big network. The network is connected and tangled. How can it be so easy to clean up? If you are not careful, you don't know when you will offend someone.
What's more, it is said that the person in charge of the navy in Poyang Lake is Lin Renzhao, the military envoy of Wuchang. He is not only the military envoy stationed in Wuchang, but also the governor of Ezhou. Some people say that he is the strongest general in the Southern Tang Dynasty after Bian Hao.
This man was a general born in Fujian, and he was from Jianyang (Nanping) in Fujian. On that day, Zhou State attacked Tang State Huainan, and Emperor Li Jing sent Honglu Qing Pan Chengyou to Fujian to recruit warriors. Because Fujian already belonged to the Tang State in name, Pan Chengyou also fulfilled his mission and recruited several warriors in Quanzhou and Jianzhou.
The most famous among them are Xu Wenzhen, the former Yong'an Jiedu envoy in Fujian, and Chen Decheng, the commander of Jingjiang. The other famous ones are Zheng Yanhua from the military academy and Lin Renzhao, the general. It is said that this Lin Renzhao was strong and courageous by nature, tall and strong in martial arts.
Some people rumored that he was the younger brother of Xiaowen Marquis Chen Hongjin. Although he didn't know the truth of the matter, when he was in Fujian, he was as famous as Chen Hongjin's younger brother Goshawk Chen Tie. Because there is a tiger tattooed on his back, he is called Lin Huzi, and together with Chen Tie, he is called Fujian Eagle Tiger.
What is strange is that although he is somewhat famous in Fujian, he is not known to many people. However, after being recruited to the Tang Dynasty, he was first appointed as a general by Emperor Li Jing and led a team of partial troops to rescue Shouzhou at that time. First, he successfully defeated the Zhou Dynasty's Dazhai in the south of the city, and then took advantage of the victory to conquer the Haozhou Water Barrier over a long distance. He was promoted to the Tang Dynasty's Huainan garrison support envoy.
After he became famous in the Tang Kingdom, another opportunity pushed him to the level of a senior general in the Tang Kingdom. In August of this year, Zhou's army from the south built a pontoon bridge in Zhengyang, which suppressed the reinforcements from the Tang Dynasty that were rescuing Huaibei. When the Tang State had no choice but to burn the pontoon bridge, it sent Lin Renzhao to lead a thousand soldiers to do so.
Who knew that God would not help the Tang Dynasty, but the wind changed that day. The general of the Zhou Dynasty at that time was Qing'an Prince Consort Zhang Yongde. This was a brave and strategic general. He naturally took the opportunity to lead his troops into battle, which led to the Tang army's defeat. At this time, Lin Renzhao was alone in the rear. With a half-moon halberd in his hand, he not only deflected all the arrows fired by the pursuers, but also completely shocked the Zhou army.
This battle not only made Lin Renzhao famous, but also brought the Zhou lord Guo Rong to a standstill. Later, although the Tang State ceded territory to the Zhou State and sued for peace, Lin Renzhao was also appointed as the Zhenhai Jiedushi. This was the Jiedu Envoy close to Jinling City. It can be imagined that Emperor Li Jing valued Lin Renzhao.
Although the stewards of the state capitals near Poyang Lake on the Yangtze River, the crown prince and the crown prince left one after another, due to the cession of Huaibei, the Yangtze River is now a lone line. In order to ensure his own safety, Emperor Li Jing vigorously developed the navy and transferred Lin Renzhao to Nanchang. While practicing navy troops in Poyang Lake, they defended the Yangtze River.
This Lin Renzhao was not only a talented general, but also acted vigorously and resolutely since he took office. Not only did he reorganize the garrison in Nanchang, but he also did not let go of those in several nearby state capitals. As a military center, Poyang Lake naturally would not have any trouble. slack off. Ren Daoguang Trading Company is a behemoth. Faced with a powerful boss like Lin Renzhao, no one can guarantee that no one will dare to touch him.
However, there is an emperor in the Southern Tang Dynasty Commercial Bank who remembers that most people may not dare to move easily, but when the sky is high and the emperor is far away, no one can guarantee it. Therefore, even if there are merchants with this kind of relationship, most of them will skillfully maneuver themselves among the various forces of the imperial court, and will not offend others easily, or openly have a relationship with the imperial court or warlords.
Xiao Jiulang stayed in Raozhou Xiongshi Village for nearly a year. Although it was not close to Poyang Lake, he often heard people talk about the newly appointed Wuchang Jiedushi. What's more, what others don't know is that the real reason why he lives in Xiongshi Village is actually the secret he has been hiding in his heart.
Shi Gandang took Xiao Jiulang in at the beginning. From the accent, it seemed that Xiao Jiulang was from the territory, so he didn't pay much attention to Xiao Jiulang's origin. But Xiao Jiulang himself knew that he had a task, which was to collect various information and materials near Raozhou Xiongshi Village. Therefore, it is reasonable to pay great attention to Poyang Lake.
However, since I followed Shi Gandang as a dental soldier, except for a few official business trips to Raozhou, I had no chance to come near Poyang Lake. Seeing the majestic appearance of Poyang Lake at this time, my heart suddenly became brighter.
This time, because of Feng Biwei's accident, he left Xiongshi Village and went to Jinling City. Although he didn't know what changes it would have on his mission, Xiao Jiulang hesitated for a long time before leaving a letter to Shi Gandang. , chose to follow Feng Biwei.
Although I had an oath at the beginning, it was an honor and a responsibility to complete the task I accepted.
Moreover, my organization has a strict system. I don't know if my behavior is considered rebellion. If I lose contact, the organization will definitely look for my whereabouts. But for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, how could Xiao Jiulang refuse it? He could only take one step at a time.
The organization I am most grateful for in my life is naturally the organization, so I accept the task without hesitation. Thinking back to his family who were still living under the protection of the organization, Xiao Jiulang suddenly felt a little confused, not knowing what the outcome of his choice yesterday would be.
Of course, no matter what the outcome was, when he got to the next stop, he would definitely contact the organization immediately. He did not rebel against the organization, but followed Feng Biwei involuntarily. No matter what decision the organization makes, as long as he is still in the Tang Kingdom, as long as he stays in Jinling City, he will take the initiative to apply for a change of battlefield, even if he dies in Jinling City, or accepts severe criticism from the organization, I hope the organization will not misunderstand him , don’t attack your own family.
Xiao Jiulang believed in his organization, because although the organization was strict and cruel, the organization was established for the well-being of ordinary people. Especially when he thought that although he had no choice but to be accepted as a disciple by the Taishang Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, the people he would come into contact with would definitely be very different, and his role in sending him to the Tang Kingdom would only be greater. Xiao Jiulang felt excited in his heart. Obviously some can't calm down.
If I hadn't received rigorously organized training, ordinary people would have jumped up with excitement.
Not to mention Feng Biwei's mysterious and mysterious methods, even gods can only do this. The Xiaoyao Sect's reputation as a god is something that many people will never be able to achieve in their lifetime. What's more, this Feng Biwei is still the Supreme Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, and the real person with the highest authority besides the leader. If we put it another way, within the sect, the leader must listen to her!
Needless to say, Xiao Jiulang was excited. Within a while of sitting with Su Hou, he felt much closer to Su Hou. After taking a few sips of wine, I felt a little bolder in my mind. After a while, I saw him take out another gourd from the bag. The lower half of the gourd is only the size of two fists, and the upper half is only the size of a fist, but it has a dark yellow oily color, obviously it has been used for many years.
He opened the stopper of the gourd, and a strong aroma of wine floated over, making a wine lover like Xiao Jiulang drool uncontrollably.
Su Hou obviously saw Xiao Jiulang's expression, but he smiled and secretly asked Xiao Jiulang to try again. When he said this, he couldn't help but look back at the second floor of the cabin, where Feng Biwei and Geng Xiansheng lived.
Xiao Jiulang didn't know what kind of medicine he was selling in his gourd, so he didn't dare to ask Su Hou, but after all, the young man's temperament could not help but whisper to Su Hou in his heart. Unexpectedly, as soon as the flower bloomed in front of me, I smelled a fragrance, but it was Su Hou who sent a wine gourd to Xiao Jiulang.
Xiao Jiulang hesitated for a moment, but when Su Hou motioned for him to take it, he reached out and took it. Xiao Jiulang is not a stubborn person. Now that he has had a few sips, he feels that the wine from this wine gourd is not bad. He immediately smiled and thanked Su Hou, and couldn't help but take two sips.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the wine entered his throat, a burning sensation would flow down his throat. Xiao Jiulang was so frightened that he almost choked. Before he could speak, he felt like a fire in his stomach, spreading all over his body and limbs.
Su Hou shook his head and signaled Xiao Jiulang not to be nervous. He took out a big chicken drumstick from his bag and ate it with relish. Seeing that Xiao Jiulang's blushing face gradually softened, he took out another chicken drumstick and handed it to Xiao Jiulang.
Xiao Jiulang couldn't help but ask Su Hou what it was and why it was so violent, but Su Hou shook his head and smiled silently. Xiao Jiulang had no other choice, but thinking that his master and master were here, Su Hou would never harm him, so he forced a smile and said thank you to Su Hou.
Su Hou looked incomprehensible and waved his hand to signal Xiao Jiulang not to be polite. Xiao Jiulang gradually felt warm and comfortable all over his body, knowing that this wine was somewhat famous. I couldn't help but gnaw on the chicken drumsticks, and then changed the topic and tentatively asked Su Hou what he usually likes to eat.
Su Hou was stunned for a moment, but after looking at Xiao Jiulang's sincere look and looking at the people around him, he whispered: "It's hard to answer what you like to eat, but as long as you are interested in a certain taste, , it’s natural to have a full meal!”
Xiao Jiulang was about to answer, but unexpectedly, another message from Su Hou came to his ears, saying that there were also people from the Jianghu on the ship. He didn't know what reason they had for asking Xiao Jiulang not to call him uncle in his words. , let alone the affairs in the family, just call yourself Mr. Su.
Xiao Jiulang had also come into contact with experts. He couldn't help but look around at the people sitting on the cabin, especially seeing that Su Hou could also hear the sound. He was naturally surprised and happy in his heart, but his face was filled with shock and joy, and he quickly He nodded in agreement.
This Su Hou saw that Xiao Jiulang had an appetite for him, so he naturally chatted with him in a low voice. From time to time, he mentioned some delicious reasons. Seeing that Xiao Jiulang hadn't eaten a few things, there was actually a look of pride on his face. Xiao Jiulang didn't know that although Su Hou was a master of cultivation and could have been safe without food, he could not avoid this hobby in his life, and he couldn't help but strengthen his mind.
Xiao Jiulang accidentally asked about one of Su Hou's hobbies, and Su Hou naturally started chatting with Xiao Jiulang. Xiao Jiulang was originally worried that this uncle would ignore him, but now that he saw his friendly demeanor, he felt much more relieved. Hearing him talk about it in high spirits, he even pretended not to know about some of the delicacies he had eaten, and let him explain it to him!
After this, the two of them became much more familiar and friendly.
The boat had been sailing for nearly two hours, and Xiao Jiulang had stopped drinking because Su Hou was half asleep leaning against the side of the boat on the wooden bench. The chattering people around him gradually seemed to be tired. Some people went back to the warehouse to rest, and some people just sat on the cabin board to rest. Xiao Jiulang felt that they, like him, did not book a cabin to rest in order to save money.
Xiao Jiulang also held the side of the boat and looked at the lake quietly, where fish jumped out of the water from time to time. The boat sailed towards the Yangtze River smoothly and quickly. Although the shadow of the Yangtze River could not be seen yet, it was very exciting.
Suddenly, a light boat came into Xiao Jiulang's sight. He was first curious about when a light boat would appear on the vast lake, and then he saw the light boat approaching the merchant ship quickly. Xiao Jiulang looked around and saw that someone else had obviously seen the boat, so someone started talking to the boatman in charge.
Ma Yun, the manager of that business bank, had already gone to rest. There was only one boatman at the helm in the cabin. He frowned when he saw the fast boat. Before he could react, the boat was already approaching.
There were only two people in the canoe, a young man rowing the oar and an old man sitting on the board of the canoe. Xiao Jiulang looked at the old man and couldn't help but be slightly startled. Because this old man has white hair and white beard, is dressed in gray cloth, and has a pale and elegant face.
The young man rocking the oar swung the canoe on the left front side of the merchant ship and said loudly: "Is there anyone from the Jinling Yin family on the ship? The Kunlun Immortal is here to visit!" The young man spoke with great authority, even here On the vast lake, it sounded like explosions in people's ears. He must not be an ordinary person.
Xiao Jiulang was slightly startled, and couldn't help but look at his uncle Su Hou next to him, but he remembered Su Hou's voice: "Don't worry, they are not looking for us, there are others on the boat!" Xiao Jiulang did not dare to move, but looked at Everyone on the cabin board stood up, and even people in the cabin came out to watch.
I originally wanted to ask Su Hou, but then I saw Ma Yun coming out, so I stopped talking and saw him walking to the side of the boat, holding his hands and saluting the people on the boat.
