Boom!
Lightning split the cloud-covered sky.
There is rain everywhere in the sky and on the ground. Big raindrops hit the water, and the foam can fall into the boat.
The Whale Gang members put down the horse tags and copper coins in their hands, took out their raincoats from the waterproof compartment and put them on themselves.
April is warm in spring, but if you get wet from the rain or the river breeze, you will still shiver.
"heavy rain."
"It's a bit cold. Do you still have a raincoat? Bring me one."
"There is no more on the ship. Why don't you go to another ship and ask?"
The trembling gang members stood up and looked around, their expressions becoming confused.
Ten feet away, there was a vast expanse of white that could not be seen clearly. The rain was as dense as a curtain. There were crashing and shattering water droplets everywhere. Occasionally, electric light hit the water surface.
Standing on the boat, he had no idea where the other boats were. Suddenly, a figure lifted the curtain and walked in.
The gang members were overjoyed and were about to borrow a raincoat, but their throats were stuck.
Something's wrong!
Not other gang members.
The figure didn't punt the boat, it was just a piece of driftwood under its feet!
How can anyone step on a piece of driftwood on the river under heavy rain?
The gang members were shocked and kicked a certain strong man in the thigh.
"Stop playing cards, people are coming!"
"who?"
"The person we are waiting for!"
After hearing this, everyone became energetic and walked out of the awning wearing their raincoats.
One of them picked up the oar and rowed the boat closer to the figure. When he got closer, a thin man stood on the bow and shouted.
"Is the person coming here the master of Hebosuo?"
The figure paused.
"How do you know who I am?"
Several members of the gang looked at each other and understood.
The thin man bowed his hands and bowed: "Sir, the leader of a certain clan has been waiting for a long time. I wonder if I can meet him. I will definitely entertain you with good wine and food!"
"Who is your gang leader?"
"It's Liu!"
Thunder exploded, the rain curtain swayed slightly, and the sound echoed loudly and clearly on the river.
Liu Jie jumped on the small boat. The hull of the boat was undulating. In a few flashes, he had reached the front. With his eyes wide open, he was surprised by the young man who came.
At such an age, he is actually younger than his son Liu Wenyang!
Liu Jie's eyes were condensed and his mood was inexplicable.
Thinking that he had wasted half his life, all the nine orifices were opened, and he managed tens of thousands of fishermen at the extreme level of galloping horses, and spent a lot of money. He could not get the job of ninth grade inspection, and he was still in the hands of a small county magistrate. .
However, someone can win an official position without being as good as a weak crown, which endangers him...
Why is this so!
I really want to kill all the dog officials in the world!
Liu Jie's expression was as usual, and he stretched out his hand to bow: "Liu has been waiting here for a long time for the master of Hebo, and unexpectedly he turned out to be a young hero!"
"I came to Fengbu County on official business. I wonder why Gang Leader Liu stopped me?"
Liu Jie pointed at the rain curtain: "It's raining heavily today. Your Majesty is tired from traveling and traveling. You might as well move a little. Liu has already prepared a banquet and is just waiting for you to come to your appointment."
While talking, a two-story boat sailed out from the rain, its glazed tiles shining brightly under the wash of rain.
"Easy to say, easy to say."
Liang Qu smiled, not caring that he was suddenly stopped on the river, and stepped on the driftwood to the boat.
Liu Jie followed closely, secretly sighing at Liu Yi's accurate judgment. He was not afraid that the other party would arrive late, but he was afraid that the other party would arrive early.
Broken wood rose and fell, and Liang Qu jumped up.
In charge of a county, there are tens of thousands of fishermen, who are exploiting fish every day. Their wealth is so huge, it can be seen just from the painted boat.
The hull is made of mahogany and is beautifully carved. There are two small pavilions with tile roofs, colorful gauze hanging around, and even bonsais and mats. The fragrance of flowers is fragrant.
There is a large table in the middle, where two people can sit separately.
On the left, Liu Yi, the second-in-command of the Whale Gang, is thin and dressed in white clothes.
On the right, Zheng Tiantian, the third-in-command of the Whale Gang, has a thick frame and his hands are much larger than ordinary people and are full of joints.
There are more than a dozen key members standing on both sides, with great authority.
What a big battle!
How many taels of silver are needed to build such a boat, and how many craftsmen are sent? I wonder if I can harvest the toads?
Liang Qu glanced around, his eyes dark.
What a young official!
The thoughts in the hearts of Liu Yi and Zheng Tiantian were the same as those of Liu Jie.
They knew early in the morning that most of the people in Hebo came from the imperial capital, and most of them were the children of officials. Could it be that they were right in front of them?
Liu Yi frowned slightly. He thought it was a big deal that the water monster attracted an eighth- or ninth-grade official this time, but he never expected that it was actually a son of an official.
It's not easy to fill the stomachs of the officials' children, but it's already here, no matter how difficult it is, you have to face it head on.
If we don't invite back the tentacles of Hebosuo, the Whale Gang's life in Fengbu County will not be easy in the future. Don't lose big for the small!
Liu Yi and Zheng Tiantian lifted their hems and stood up to salute.
"Caomin Liu Yi, Zheng Tiantian, meet your lord!"
Liang Qu seemed not to have heard anything and went to the window to enjoy the scenery.
Liu Yi and Zheng Tiantian, who were bowing next to them, couldn't let it go for a moment, and it wouldn't be wrong if they didn't let it go. There was a fire in their chests.
It's obviously your own territory, but you come up and get a humiliation. It's really a big official power.
Liu Jie, who was following behind, said: "The beautiful scenery of the Jianghuai River is unforgettable. It's natural for you to be intoxicated by it. However, the days are long, so you might as well enjoy it while you eat."
Liang Qu seemed to have just come back to his senses. He pulled up the stool and sat down with a golden sword.
The maid on the side stepped forward to pour tea, but was turned away by Liang Qu with a wave of her hand. He poured the tea into his own cup and said.
"Such a large painting boat has robbed a lot of people's wealth, right?"
Liu Yi and Zheng Tiantian, who were seated immediately after them, looked stiff.
"Adults are joking..."
"Hey!" Liang Qu turned up his palms, "There's no need to say too much. Let's open the skylight and speak frankly, and don't make so many mothers-in-law and mothers nagging.
You think I don’t know? That's what you find people to do, right? When I came here, fishing pens were blooming all over the place. I've been doing it for many years, right? "
Everyone was shocked. They never expected that everything would be revealed as soon as the other party arrived in Fengbu County!
The atmosphere suddenly became solemn, and many key members could not help but grasp the hilts of their knives with murderous intent.
Zheng Tiantian looked at Liu Jie and found that Liu Jie's face had darkened, and his hands went to his waist.
They don't want to kill officials, let alone make things worse, but if they have to, they can't do it!
"Can't you keep calm now?"
Liang Qu put his elbows on the table, lowered his palms, picked up the rim of the doucai cup with three fingers and turned it around, observing the lines on it, and said happily.
"I still don't know what you mean by inviting me here? Why do I get on this ship? You don't know?"
Even though I am young, I know more than you do when it comes to official matters. Let me tell you frankly, how much do you plan to give me? I think it's appropriate to go back and write a briefing and leave immediately. "
Turns out he is an old fritter!
The tense atmosphere eased again.
"Hahaha, okay, okay, it's true that a hero comes from a young man. The adults are open-minded, the third child!"
Liu Jie laughed three times and waved his hand.
Zheng Tiantian coughed twice, took out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve, and handed it over respectfully: "Three thousand taels of silver notes, Tongbao, can be exchanged at Tongshun Bank. I wonder if it can be used as your master's writing fee?"
"Three thousand taels?" Liang Qu sat up straight, "Is there a record? Can it be found in your account book?"
Zheng Tiantian smiled happily: "Don't worry, sir, we are well aware of this kind of thing."
Liang Qu picked up the banknote with one hand, unfolded it in front of everyone, and observed it repeatedly.
After a while, he slapped the banknote back on the table and shook his head.
"not enough!"
"not enough?"
Liu Jie frowned.
Tens of thousands of fishermen is a lot, but the government has to eat half of it. In addition, there are hundreds of people in the gang who have to eat, and three thousand taels of silver are already bleeding.
"The gang's expenses are very high, and we really don't have any extra money. If you don't give up, if you wait for a while, the Whale Gang can donate another two thousand taels in early May!"
"not enough."
not enough?
Liu Jie gritted his teeth and simply pulled the other party onto a boat: "As long as you take care of me from now on, 20% of the income from the Whale Gang will belong to you!"
It is not a big loss for them to have the officials from the river station to take care of the water affairs.
Liang Qu still shook his head.
"This is not enough, that is not enough. Your Excellency, you are too greedy. Our Whale Gang does not run a bank!" A cold glint flashed in Liu Yi's eyes.
Liu Jie raised his hand to stop his second brother: "I don't know how much you want, sir. Just tell me the number. If it can be completed, we, the Whale Gang, will do our best!"
"What I want is actually very simple, just..."
Liang Qu gently rotated his three fingers, and the colorful green bamboo cup was spinning on the nanmu table. The bottom of the cup was turning and closing, and it was rolling faster and faster.
"Here's your heads!"
