None of the squires, including Mr. Huang, answered the call.
Their idea was very simple. They would rather use money to buy the bandits to retreat than give money to the government to defend Datong Mansion.
The reason is simple. Once the bandits enter the city, wealthy families like theirs will definitely become the targets of the bandits. It will not do them any good if the government guards Datong City. At most, it will remain as before.
The master of the Zeng family tapped his fingers on the armrest of the seat, looking thoughtful.
After a while, he said: "Are you really willing to use money to buy the bandits to retreat?"
"As long as the bandits can take the initiative to retreat, we are willing to spend more money." said the Huang family master.
The other squires nodded in agreement.
The master of the Zeng family thought for a while and said: "Now the bandits have captured Yanghe Road and Zuowei Road. If they take Datong City again, the entire Datong will fall into the hands of the bandits. With such a good situation, the bandits may not retreat." .”
"How can you know if you don't try it? The predecessor of the bandits is Tiger Flag, which is a business in Datong. Merchants have always been profit-seeking. They can get a lot of money for free without attacking the city. There is no reason for them not to do such a good thing. Agree," said the long-faced squire.
After hearing this, the Cao family master shook his head slightly and said: "Ordinary bandits charge you tens of thousands of taels of silver, and they may be able to retreat, but this tiger-character flag is different. Do you think they will be short of your tens of thousands?" Two silver coins?"
"There is no shortage of silver when it comes to using weapons, let alone free silver. How can you know if you don't try it?" said the Huang family master.
If things can be solved with money, he still hopes to spend money to avoid disasters.
The master of the Cao family pursed his lips and waved his hand, saying: "The tiger-character flag can spread business all over the north of the Ming Dynasty in just a few years. Liu Heng is by no means a short-sighted person. Now that Datong City is short of major generals, he will definitely I will not give up such a good opportunity to capture Datong City for a mere tens of thousands of taels of silver."
"Then I'll give you tens of thousands of taels of silver in exchange for the bandits not being allowed to harass your homes when they enter the city." said the Huang family master.
The long-faced squire next to him echoed: "Yes, if we can't retreat our troops, we can use money to buy them into the city and ensure the safety of our families."
"That's okay, but you have to ask the bandits if they will agree." In his heart, Mr. Cao also didn't want his home to be robbed by bandits.
The Huang family master said: "Since Brother Zhiwen agrees, please contact the bandits outside the city and tell them our requirements."
"It's not as easy to get out of the city today as it was in the past. Now the four gates are tightly closed, and the city is surrounded by soldiers sent by the government to guard the city." Mr. Cao said with a frown.
The master of the Huang family chuckled and said: "This is easy. As long as we spend some money, someone will naturally be willing to let our people out of the city. I remember that the general guarding the city at the south gate is the brother-in-law of the Zeng family."
"The second bedroom has nothing to do with the first bedroom." Mr. Cao said with an ugly face.
As a heirloom of poetry and calligraphy, the Cao family looked down upon the eight families in Shangqiu. A general would be no better than a general, and a general would not be able to catch the eye of him, the head of the Cao family.
As for the second wife and the daughter of the same family who married the president, he, the head of the Cao family, felt that he had lost the Cao family and never wanted to mention it.
"You can ask Mr. Cao to come forward and contact the marriage partner of their family. We will pay the money. We just hope that he will let our people go out of the city." Mr. Huang looked at Mr. Cao and said.
The master of the Cao family said with an ugly face: "If you want to go, you can go alone, I won't show up."
Because of the second wife's brother-in-law, the relationship between the eldest brother and the second wife was very tense. As the eldest brother, he couldn't humbly ask for the second wife's favor.
"Brother Zhiwen only needs to invite Mr. Cao here, and we will take care of the matter of asking for help." Mr. Huang heard about the conflict between Cao's eldest brother and his second wife, so he took the initiative to take over the matter.
The Master of the Cao family reluctantly said: "As you said, I will find the man for you. As for bribery of the Nancheng gatekeeper to leave the city, it is up to you."
"That's it." The Huang family master nodded.
The long-faced squire interjected at this time: "Brother Zhiwen, please send someone to invite Mr. Cao here. The cannons of the bandits are constantly firing outside, and the bandits may enter the city at any time, so you should go out of the city to contact the bandits. The sooner the better, don’t delay for too long.”
"Steward," the master of the Cao family called the housekeeper and told him, "go and invite the second master over. You can go in person."
"Young man, let's go right away." The Cao family's housekeeper agreed and retreated from the side hall.
The maid of the Cao family came into the room and changed the tea for the squire on the seat.
While sipping tea, these squires patiently waited for Mr. Cao, the second roommate of the Cao family.
"Has the gunfire outside the city stopped?" Mr. Huang, holding a bowl in his hand, looked outside the door.
The long-faced squire sitting next to him listened for a while and said, "It's true, the sound of cannons has really stopped. The bandits have already entered the city, right?"
"Impossible, it hasn't even lasted half a day since the sound of cannons. Even if Datong City lacks major generals, it is impossible for the bandits to invade the city so easily." Mr. Huang pursed his lips and shook his head, not believing that the bandits Already entered the city.
The Master of the Cao family also wanted to know what was going on outside, so he arranged for a few servants to go outside to inquire.
Not long after he arranged for his servants to leave, the housekeeper took Mr. Cao to the side hall.
"Hey, all the gentlemen are here!" As soon as Mr. Cao came in, he smiled and hugged the squires present.
And these squires also returned the favor.
Second Master Cao walked to an empty seat near the front, sat down, leaned on the back of the chair, and said to the butler who brought him over: "Butler, go and give Second Master my Bring a pot of hot tea and ask for Biluochun. I’ve heard that my family recently purchased a batch of good Biluochun. Don’t tease me with defective products.”
The butler did not move and looked at Mr. Cao who was sitting on the throne.
Seeing the Cao family master nodding in agreement, he went down to prepare.
"Brother, you are such a good servant. I only listen to you. Even the second master of the Cao family can't control him." The second master Cao said grumblingly.
Mr. Cao's face darkened and he said, "Okay, you just want to drink tea. He has already prepared it for you. Sit down and wait patiently."
In his tone, he was very unhappy with this Second Master Cao.
"Second Master Cao, I heard that one of your brothers-in-law is a guard guarding the South City Gate. Is it true?" The Huang family asked the Second Master of the Cao family with a smile on his face.
Mr. Cao looked at the Huang family master up and down and said, "Master Huang, I want to ask if my brother-in-law is okay!"
"To be honest, I do need help from Second Master Cao's brother-in-law for a little matter," said the Huang family master.
When he heard that he really had something to do with his brother-in-law, Mr. Cao sat upright, leaned his upper body towards Mr. Huang, and said, "What's the matter? Does it matter?"
