The wealthy Shen family of Guangzhou Prefecture.
On this day, the government and army were ordered to liquidate the wealthy smuggling families along the coast.
The Shen clan members were gathering together to discuss matters.
Because the results of the conquest of Luzon were very different from those expected by the coastal wealthy families, and in addition, Qi Jimei's heavy troops appeared in Guangdong.
Therefore, it is impossible for the coastal wealthy families not to be vigilant.
As a result, the Shen clan had to gather together to discuss what to do next.
And this is not the first time that they have gathered to discuss the conquest of Luzon.
They had discussed it many times, but because they could not make up their mind, they had to continue discussing it.
Everyone knew that the results of the conquest of Luzon were not what they, the wealthy children, had expected, so the Shen clan members under the lanterns were not in a good mood.
Some people just continued to pour wine from the gilt jade pot into the cup, and then drank sips while looking sideways at the maid's butt.
There are also people who don't think about tea and wine, just sighing on the spot, and some people stare with eyes as big as cows, as if they want to vent all the grievances they suffered in the past at this time, and feel that the building is going to collapse anyway, so there is no need for them. I endured it.
at this time.
The clan leader Shen Ruliang spoke first, and then said to the clan members with a stern face: "Qi Jimei suddenly appeared in Guangdong with his troops. There is no doubt that he is either targeting the Chen family or us!"
"Now!"
As Shen Ruliang said this, he suddenly stood up and looked at everyone:
"Now, the Luzon expedition has been successful, and Qi Jimei is still in Guangdong. Naturally, it is no longer targeting the Chen family, but most likely targeting the wealthy families like us. Some of our people must have rebelled, giving the imperial court an opportunity to liquidate us. Now they’re just waiting to catch us all.”
"So, our Shen family must come up with an idea as soon as possible, whether to escape by sea or to transfer family wealth and population."
"Everyone tell me how to do it."
As Shen Ruliang said that, he sat back and picked up a cup of tea.
boom!
But Shen Ruliang had just picked up a cup of tea and was about to take a sip when he heard a harsh sound of breaking porcelain.
Shen Ruliang couldn't help but look up and saw his third brother Shen Rufang saying with a puffed face: "This is the New Party going too far to deceive others and take away our wealth. From my point of view, it is simply the opposite!"
"My Shen family, together with several in-laws, can mobilize more than 100,000 strong men to revolt, not to mention that the New Party has long been unpopular. As long as we dare to raise troops in Huguang and Jiangxi, and establish another vassal king as our king, we will not worry about the restoration of the world. The wise men who control the system will not rush to join you!"
Shen Rufang then added: "It doesn't matter if we lose. The worst we can do is go to sea. It's not like we don't have people in the Guangdong Navy!"
"inappropriate!"
"Not to mention whether several in-laws who have been friends with us for generations will be willing to join forces to overthrow the tyranny; the key point is that this kind of thing itself is inhumane, I am afraid that many people in the clan will not understand; not to mention other people Even if the in-laws are willing, they can suppress the clansmen who are unwilling. It will cost a lot of money and food to raise an army, and if they fail, the nine clans may not be safe!"
"It's better to just escape to the sea."
At this time, Shen Ruliang's second brother Shen Rulang raised objections.
Shen Ruliang himself laughed at this moment: "Escape from the sea, where can you escape to?"
"Brother is right, where can you escape?"
"The miasma is rampant outside, and people are unfamiliar with the land. Once they lose their roots in the mainland, and there is no supply of firearms and ammunition, they will be massacred by the Ban people sooner or later!"
"Besides, can the money be taken away, can the land be taken away, can the ancestral graves be taken away, can the ancestral hall be taken away, can the houses and shops be taken away, without these, what do we have to stand on?"
Shen Ruliang's fourth brother Shen Rukui also joined in at this time.
Shen Rufang couldn't help but said: "We can't rebel and we can't go to sea, so what can we do? Can we just sit and wait to die?!"
"Is it possible that we worry too much?"
"Maybe it's not that bad?"
"Perhaps Li Wenhe has been killed long ago before he betrayed us. In addition, maybe Qi Jimei's appearance in Guangdong was really just targeting the Chen family. Now that Lu Song has won a great victory with his troops, he may be transferred back to Guangxi by the court soon. go."
"However, we should still give it a try to transfer family wealth and population. Let's talk to the official families we have good relations with and let the underage children of the clan return to their mother clan for a while with their mothers. By the way, we can also Keep part of the family wealth."
"In addition, the imperial court must also send people to the capital to inquire about it, and do some research on the matter, so as to prevent the imperial court from pursuing further investigations."
Shen Ruliang's fifth brother Shen Rufu expressed his opinion at this time.
Shen Rufang sneered: "This is just wishful thinking on our part. Not to mention whether Li Wenhe will betray us, doesn't the imperial court now know how to take action against the Li family and dig out families like us through the Li family?"
Shen Rufang said and looked at Shen Ruliang: "If I had known this, eldest brother should not have suggested that we and the Li family and other wealthy families wanted to influence the traitor Chen Lin and prevent the conquest of Luzon. We won’t end up like this!”
"presumptuous!"
Shen Ruliang suddenly slapped the table, stood up and glared at Shen Rufang.
Shen Rufang lowered her head.
Shen Ruliang asked at this time: "Did I decide this matter alone?"
Shen Ruliang said and looked at his brothers: "Who is telling me every day that once Lu Song returns to the imperial court, our Shen family's livelihood will be cut off, and our income will drop sharply in the future, and the whole family will have to live in the northwest wind." day?"
"Who feels that they have been wronged by repeatedly opposing the reduction of household expenses and a slight reduction in monthly payment?"
"Who would rather increase the family's monthly income for slaves than have a few maidservants in their own room?"
"You are unwilling to be thrifty, but you come to blame me for taking the Shen family to take risks!"
"If I don't take risks, with the way you are doing everything you can, won't the Shen family still be destroyed sooner or later?!"
After Shen Ruliang said that, he sat back angrily.
Shen Rufu said: "Eldest brother is right. The matter has come to this, and you can't blame me. Nowadays, there are many people enjoying honor in the house, but not many people are strategizing. In order to prevent the Shen family from letting us be wronged, the eldest brother has tried his best to preserve the Shen family's property. It’s not easy anymore. If we still say yes, we really are nothing!”
"That's right, it's up to you, brother, to make the decision."
Shen Rulang agreed at this time and looked at Shen Ruliang.
Shen Ruliang said: "Just do what Lao Wu said, take the money and go to Beijing to do some research. In addition, transfer family wealth and population, go to sea and raise troops."
"There is a lady named Liu in the west of the city who can tell fortunes very accurately. Why don't we invite her to ask about good or bad luck and see if there is anything we can do."
At this time, Mrs. Min, Shen Ruliang’s wife, said.
Shen Ruliang nodded.
And just when the Shen family invited Mrs. Liu, the government troops also came to the Shen Mansion.
Seeing this, the concierge of the Shen family hurriedly ran over and said to Shen Ruliang and other Shen family members: "Masters, there are officers and soldiers outside, and they have surrounded our Shen family!"
Shen Ruliang, Shen Rulang and others were shocked when they saw this.
"That arrives so fast?"
Shen Rulang couldn't help but ask first.
Shen Ruliang's face was as dark as water, and he said: "It's over! We are just lucky after all. We should not hesitate to go to sea first, even if we directly raise troops!"
Bang bang!
At this time, a group of slaves outside who tried to prevent the officers and soldiers from entering were stabbed to death by the officers and soldiers who rushed in.
At this moment, Luo Xiangjing, the commander-in-chief of Biaoying, the governor of Guangdong, who led the troops in first, strode inside and shouted: "Are the Shen family members going to rebel? How dare they stop the officers and soldiers who came in to announce the decree!"
Shen Ruliang hurriedly came over and knelt in the court: "The Shen family doesn't dare! The slaves don't know the etiquette and offended Tiancha. Please forgive Tiancha!"
Luo Xiangjing stopped, smiled, took out the imperial edict and started reading it.
After Luo Xiangjing finished reciting, Shen Ruliang collapsed to the ground on the spot.
The rest of the Shen family also looked horrified.
At that time, Shen Rufang couldn't help but shout loudly: "It's a coincidence that I didn't know about this. My brother has always been responsible for all affairs in the clan. Now that my brother has committed such a crime, why does he implicate us?!"
Luo Xiangjing snorted, then kicked Shen Rufang directly and cursed: "Damn it! At this time, you still dare to bully me! Take it down!"
Shen Rufang was kicked to the ground for a moment, feeling very embarrassed.
(End of chapter)
