"How to send it off?"
Although Qin Zhong is young, he is not as ignorant of money as Baoyu and others. He knew clearly that the money he sent could be exchanged for more than 500 taels of silver, and 500 taels was not a small amount anywhere. There are nearly a hundred craftsmen in Ping'an Prefecture Kiln Factory. Among them, the average long-term worker's salary is only 4,000 yuan a year, which is only about three taels of silver.
Even if the craftsman responsible for fine grinding is only seven or eight thousand yuan a year, it is only five taels of silver a year. Five hundred taels can hire a hundred skilled craftsmen.
How could Qin Zhong not feel distressed?
Brother Rong said: "There is no way to continue like this? You can give away dozens of benefits without giving it once, and no matter how big your family fortune is, it can't support it. Although the selling price of cement objects can also rise with it, it will take a few more At twice the price, although our Ningguo Mansion will not lose money, the projects in various places will be delayed."
Qin Zhong asked in a low voice: "Hongze Lake is still waiting for the cement to be used. We sent the things to the Water Transport Ministry. How should we explain to the Hedao Yamen?"
Brother Rong said: "An explanation? Naturally, they should go to the Ministry of Water Transport to ask for an explanation."
He was mentally calculating how to do this.
Are you dragging these things directly to the Water Transport Ministry to look for trouble? Don't talk about whether you can see the Governor of Water Transport. Even if you do, what will happen? As long as the Governor of Canal Transport asks for a thorough investigation, and then wants to deliver goods through the canal in the future, it is not necessary to give money.
Or go directly to King Zhongshun and cry miserably?
It doesn't seem to work. As the production of Ping'an Prefecture Kiln Factory slowly entered the state, transportation through the Grand Canal became less convenient. If the application for cement can be included in the scope of maritime transportation, then this problem will really be solved. Who cares how corrupt the officials of the Water Transport Ministry are? Anyway, they can't get through sea transport, and they don't even need to hire shipping merchants.
He remembered that Baochai had said that Xue Biao's family had a shipping license.
In the future, we can directly ask the Xue Bian family's sea-going ship to transport cement from Ping'an Prefecture to Jiangnan by sea. He doesn't believe the lies about dangerous shipping. During the pre-Ming Dynasty, shipping was mostly done by sea. Could it be that the sea was not dangerous during the Ming Dynasty, but suddenly became dangerous during the Yan Dynasty?
Earlier, the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties also used sea transportation. Were the ships at that time more developed than the ships of Dayan?
Brother Rong thought about it carefully, and an idea suddenly came to his mind when he thought about shipping. He smiled easily and said, "You don't have to worry. Eat well today, drink enough water, and have a good sleep. When you get up early tomorrow, the matter will be solved."
"Um?"
Brother Rong laughed and didn't answer. Instead, he asked several people where the cement-carrying ships docked, and their expressions became even more mysterious. In the evening, Brother Rong met an old farmer in Taoyuan County, Huai'an Prefecture.
"You are so patient that you have stayed with me for several months. Is it possible that your sect has arranged tasks for you? For example, to attract followers."
The old farmer grinned, showing big yellow teeth, and said with a smile: "The disciples in the sect each have their own duties. We are originally the agricultural envoys, responsible for teaching the disciples in the sect food farming techniques. But recently, we have encountered a more important matter, which is more important than teaching farming. Skills are more important.”
Brother Rong could clearly see that the old farmer's mouth was full of tartar and stones, and he could even smell the bad breath coming from him when he opened his mouth. He moved his head back slightly, and he could guess what the old farmer was going to do. Is it just looking for that little bird? It's a pity that the happy little maid in front of you doesn't want to go back with you to become the mother of Buddha.
He said: "Let's not play riddles with each other. I want to know if there are any personnel from your Holy Cult in this Water Transport Department? Especially those on duty in Taoyuan County. Please cooperate with me in doing something from your Holy Cult. I can do it too." Do you a small favor."
The old farmer's eyes narrowed and he asked doubtfully: "Master Ming Wang, do you know what this envoy is going to do?"
Brother Rong pretended to be stupid and said: "I don't know, but you have always been by my side. I think this matter must be related to me. You must have heard about the cement kiln in Ningguofu. The Ministry of Water Transport bullies people too much. I have to beg for it." A place.”
The old farmer asked: "How does King Ming want to proceed?"
"It's nothing. I heard that officials in various sections of the canal are often engaged in self-stealing. They not only ask for high benefits from passing merchant ships, but also steal the cargo of merchant ships and sell them. It is said that a lot of grain sent to Tongzhou warehouse is stolen every year. So I would like to ask The brothers of the Holy Cult stole the cement objects belonging to my Ningguo Mansion from the ship and left."
"This" the old farmer was stunned for a moment, he never expected such a thing. The owner invites outsiders to steal from him? Really unable to understand the reason, he said: "It's not because I don't want to help Mr. Ming Wang. Although there are followers in each section of the Water Transport Department, they are all inconspicuous petty officials. Moreover, as far as I know, Ningguo Mansion this time The tens of thousands of kilograms of goods delivered cannot be stolen by humans."
No. Due to the regulations of the Ministry of Water Transport, small merchant ships on the Grand Canal cannot carry more than 600 kilograms of cargo. Therefore, these tens of thousands of kilograms of goods were transported by nearly a hundred ships.
"If you can't steal it, then destroy it. It doesn't matter if you sink the boat into the river or burn it all with a fire." Brother Rong said calmly, glanced at the old farmer and chuckled. He added: "Even if your holy religion has the ability, even if you transport all these hundreds of taels of things away. I don't care at all!"
The old farmer said: "Although we are also jealous, if we want to transport it away, the members of Taoyuan County cannot do it. If the Holy Sect wants to buy this treasure in the future, it is only serious that Lord Ming Wang can make it convenient."
Brother Rong said nonchalantly: "Ningguo Mansion is not responsible for the sale of natural products to the outside world. In a few days, there should be merchants offering takeaways in Ping'an Prefecture. You can just go to the merchants and buy them yourself."
The old farmer nodded in agreement. He said seriously: "Sir, are you really going to sink these good things?"
"Sink it. The louder the noise, the better."
The old farmer said: "In an hour, patrol officers from the Ministry of Water Transport will conduct surprise inspections of merchant ships to check for illegal goods such as illegal salt."
Brother Rong grinned and said: "Easy to talk about, it's best to ask a few holy brothers to guard the ship."
""
That night.
The river boat was buzzing with people, and boxes of cement were moved ashore from the boat in the dim night. All the boats were quietly empty without anyone noticing.
The boatkeeper, who had returned from drinking too much in Taoyuan County, suddenly saw the movement ahead and shouted loudly.
At night, the crowd surged, and many people came with lanterns to witness the scene. They suddenly became a mess and struggled with each other. Someone shouted: "We're catching a thief, we're catching a thief."
"Shut up, we're inspecting your merchant ships." Someone shouted, taking out the patrol token from the Ministry of Water Transport and shining it in front of a lantern. "I suspect that these barrels contain illegal salt and must be sent to the Yamen for further investigation."
"No." The shipkeepers were shocked and did not dare to fight again. He had no choice but to cry out, "It's really unfair. We are the natural resources sent by the Ningguo Mansion to the Hongze Lake project, so where did we get the private salt?"
"Shut up."
Not far away from the attic, Jia Rong looked at what was happening below with an expressionless face. I saw someone pushing a wooden barrel filled with cement. The barrel was broken and cement ash was scattered on the ground.
Then, the shipkeeper shouted, alarming everyone around him. The people who came after hearing the sound saw many people fighting each other, but they didn't know what happened.
Brother Rong said lightly. "It's time to drop the token."
Sure enough, not long after, the sign in the hand of a patrol officer flew out, making a harsh jingle. The man shouted again: "The Ministry of Water Transport is doing business, everyone should disperse."
Following this shouting, another person cursed: "If we don't want to send the things to the water transport yamen for inspection, let's smash them for inspection now."
Bang.
twice
Buckets of cement were smashed to the ground, but none of them contained the illicit salt they were looking for.
"It's time to be angry!" Brother Rong said again.
At this time, a person came up from behind Jia Rong and said calmly: "Don't worry, how can you make others remember the water transport officials if you are angry now?"
Sure enough, the shipkeeper didn't dare to say anything and didn't get angry.
Jia Rong looked at the people below who seemed to be communicating with each other. After a while, several boat guards came over and pushed each other again. It was such a coincidence that the lanterns and torches fell on the boat canopy and the rope paper, and a raging fire suddenly broke out.
Seeing that something was not going well, a patrol official escaped. As the noise came, some shipkeepers wanted to put out the fire, but they didn't want to be burned. The sound of pain resounded in the sky, and he jumped into the river, frightening everyone on the bank to dare not approach him.
As the ropes were burned, the ships behind them all crashed into the flames. Just look at the raging fire rolling up like a wave of fire, igniting the ships next to it. Then I saw flames blazing on the canal paper, and dozens of fire boats followed the water waves and headed downstream.
Brother Rong asked: "Will the person who was burned be okay?"
The old farmer smiled and said, "Don't worry."
Jia Rong snorted and asked, "There must be kerosene on each ship."
The old farmer said: "Your Ningguo Mansion's ships that transport natural objects are painted with water to prevent moisture, so they are easy to catch fire. It doesn't have to be that troublesome at all. We have already calculated it. When the ships on fire hit the wall downstream, all the ships will hit the wall. In one place, a fire burned at least half of the ships."
"Then it depends on God's will."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Did you forget the person who just jumped into the river?"
Well, it looks like these dozen boats are going to be burned clean. Brother Rong nodded. After watching the play, it was time to go back and rest. Smiling: "If you need help with anything in the future, and it's within our capabilities, we will definitely want to help as long as it doesn't damage the reputation and interests of the Jia family."
The old farmer hummed.
Brother Rong said again: "I only recognize you for this matter. Don't ask me anything. I will never fulfill your request. Otherwise, don't blame me for being a dishonest person."
""
Sure enough, after the old farmer left. Jia Rong guarded the window and saw all the boats on the river crowded together. One of them hit the river bank and caused a chain reaction. The fire spread, and the night was ignited by a raging fire.
Standing on the attic, Jia Rong seemed to be able to hear the crackling sound of the flames burning the wood.
The most beautiful sound in the world.
That night, after taking a long breath of relief, he finally had a good and peaceful sleep.
When I wake up, I feel refreshed and comfortable. I washed it casually and came to the window. The cement on the riverbank pier was still there. A smile couldn't help but appear on his face. This account was placed on the Ministry of Water Transport. They shouldn't be able to avoid it.
"uncle"
"Uncle, something bad is going on."
Suddenly there was an urgent knock on the door. Brother Rong frowned and opened the door. He saw Qin Zhong and others coming over. Ask: "What makes you panic?"
"Our ship is gone, all the ships are gone. The dozen or so barrels left on the dock cannot be used."
As long as the barrel is open, it will definitely get damp in such weather, and of course it will not be used. Brother Rong said secretly, it would be best if all the cement could not be used.
Brother Rong nodded secretly and said, "I understand. Are you going to continue resting in Taoyuan County today, or are you going to Lema Lake with me?"
"But what to do with those goods?"
"What should I do?" Brother Rong curled his lips and said: "Everything is gone. Of course we have to go back to the kiln to continue transporting it. Duan Yu and the others from Hongze Lake are still anxiously waiting for the cement to be used. I don't know that the kiln will deliver it this month. Has the cargo ship left? How many more have been delivered? When will the lock and dam of Hongze Lake be repaired?"
"Uncle?" Qin Zhong saw that there was no sadness or anger on Jia Rong's face, and suddenly remembered what Jia Rong said yesterday that he wanted to give the cement to the Ministry of Water Transport. Is it possible that the uncle asked someone to do what happened last night? Qin Zhong couldn't help but feel shocked and was about to ask. But he swallowed the words in his mouth in time.
Brother Rong said calmly: "Go back. If the next batch of goods has not left yet, ask Jia Yun not to deliver it for the time being. Wait for my letter and then check the situation."
"oh!"
Everyone looked at each other, feeling that Uncle Rong's reaction was strange. But they didn't dare to think too much. They all remembered what Uncle Rong said yesterday. Looking around one by one, he finally persuaded Qin Zhong to return to Ping'an Prefecture as soon as possible.
After Qin Zhong and others left, the old farmer came in with a bag of things.
"Inside are the clothes of the patrol officials, as well as the tokens for the patrol. Although the official status of several church members in the transport was lost, it was still worth it in order to complete Lord Ming's mission."
Jia Rong squinted at him. He smiled strangely and said, "Don't tell me if you have these things or not. If you want me to help you, you can tell me now. I told you yesterday, but you can't damage the reputation and interests of my Jia family. Of course, if you want me to help It is absolutely impossible to become the King of Ming in your holy religion."
The old farmer heard this but was not angry at all. He smiled and said, "What you say is what you say. The Holy Cult doesn't want to involve you, but it is worried about your safety. I originally wanted to send you a female bodyguard for personal protection."
"Protect? Does it mean supervision? Aren't you afraid that someone will take her away if I turn around?" Brother Rong joked. "I always have Forbidden Palace guards and Imperial Guards around me. It's easy to get one."
"Your Excellency knew that I was following me outside day and night, but you didn't let anyone catch me. So, you are not that kind of person." The old farmer laughed, "If you want to harm me again, I'm afraid I will be raped by someone in Yangzhou." Take it.”
Brother Rong put his hand on the old farmer's shoulder, but suddenly smelled a strange smell in this guy's mouth, and he let go in confusion. He took two steps back and said with a smile: "You have never thought of harming me, and you even gave me a gift. Why should I harm you? This time I need your help again, and we are only grateful."
It's strange to say, shouldn't all the rebels be vicious? Jia Rong felt that the old farmer in front of him was very cute. The only drawback was his bad breath. It stinks.
He added: "After I finish my business, it's time for me to go to Lema Lake to sing opera. You'd better not follow me. It's not as good as Jinling."
There was a hesitant look on the old farmer's face, but when he saw Brother Rong's sincere face, he seemed to really have his best interests at heart. He hesitated and said, "Then let's wait for the uncle to return in Jinling."
"Yeah."
Brother Rong chuckled and said, he knew that this guy still wanted to find a chance to meet their Holy Mother Buddha, but he did not dare to reveal Xiao Queer's identity to him. well
