At the second watch of the rainy night, Song Che returned to the inn.
Xu Xiao and the other soldiers were as anxious as ants on a hot pot.
"Why don't you say hello when you go out? We are doing business this time and we don't have the company of powerful people. We almost have to take this guy to the government office to ask for someone!"
Xu Xiao couldn't help but complain.
Song Che sat down in the living room, drank herbal tea leisurely, and said with a smile: "Tonight is very interesting. I drank wine, ate food, listened to music, went to the government office, and punished the bad guys."
Xu Xiao asked, "What is the grudge between you and the Li family? Why did they set up a trap to harm you?"
Song Che shook his head, "I am also confused about this matter, but I believe someone will come to answer my questions soon."
He has never had any friendship with the Li family. If the Li family framed him, they must have listened to someone's instructions.
As soon as he finished speaking, a sergeant came to report outside the door:
"Uncle Song, there is an old man outside the inn asking to see you. He seems very anxious."
Song Che's lips curled up slightly and he whispered softly: "Please."
moment.
Li Tong was helped into the living room by two servants. He saw that his cheeks were red and he was still drunk.
"Good nephew!"
Li Tong plopped down and knelt at Song Che's feet, crying and begging: "It's all because of your sworn brother's jealousy of talents that he used this dirty trick to harm you. For the sake of the friendship between your uncle and your father-in-law, just bypass him." Just once!”
Song Che sipped his tea cup and said softly: "I'm not an official, how can I decide whether to spare him or not?"
"I went to the government office to find Mr. Zhu before, but Mr. Zhu said... that if I don't get your forgiveness, my nephew, he will never let me go." Li Tong said, winking with the servant beside him. .
The servant took off a bundle and put it on the table with a clatter. The sound sounded loud.
"Wonderful nephew, you don't remember the faults of villains, so you have a golden say and spare your sworn brother. He ate the eighty-ridged staff and lost half of his life... He is the only son of our Li family. If he dies, How can I live without calling me uncle if I have lost the incense?"
Li Tong burst into tears and cried so hard.
Song Che helped Li Tong up from the ground, "Uncle, since you have come to beg me, let's open the skylight and speak frankly - tell me, who was behind the scenes to instruct you to harm me?"
Li Tong paused and said in a low voice: "It is indeed your sworn brother who is narrow-minded and jealous of your Shen family's getting the New Year's Coin business, so...he resorted to such dirty tricks."
"Then I'll let you, the only child of the Li family, die in prison," Song Che snorted, pushed Li Tong away, and waved his sleeves: "See you off!"
Xu Xiao carried Li Tong and was about to go out. Li Tong shouted: "It's the Yang family! It's the Yang family who asked us to do it!"
Song Che frowned and winked at Xu Xiao. Xu Xiao understood, led the sergeant out of the living room, and closed the door.
Song Che then asked: "But the Yang family in Yangzhou?"
Li Tong nodded repeatedly: "It's them."
Song Che frowned even more tightly, "I have no enmity with the Yang family, why did they send you to frame me?"
"I really don't know this," Li Tong said bitterly, "The Yang family covers the sky on both sides of Huainan Road. My dear nephew, you also know that my Li family is also a tea merchant and is restricted by the Yang family in everything. If you don't listen to them, Our business can no longer be run."
People get stuck, and people get stuck.
Song Che had no intention of arguing with him anymore, "You go back, I will send someone to the government office later to intercede for Young Master Ling."
"Thank you, nephew." Li Tong thanked him, but hesitated, "My nephew is kind and generous. My uncle has something to say, uh... maybe it can help you clear up your doubts."
"how?"
"My dear nephew, you should know that in the past years, in addition to silk, jewelry, money and silver, the tribute coins also included tea, porcelain, salt, iron, etc., but this time the coins are only silk and pearls, and they are exclusively owned by your Shen family. Xiang, this...hehehe, my nephew is so smart, he must understand what I mean."
If one person eats meat but doesn't give him soup, how can he not make others jealous?
The Yang family was a famous tea merchant in the south of the Yangtze River. They were supposed to get a piece of the pie, but they were turned away. No wonder they felt unbalanced.
Song Che secretly sighed inwardly that this matter was indeed not considered well. The Shen family became fat in one bite, but the others were starved to the point of skin and bones.
"Also, when doing business with the imperial court, you have to pay attention to your skills. As the saying goes, if you earn one hundred thousand taels, you have to use some of it to honor the people above. As for how many people there are, who are they? , it all depends on the size of the business, a big business like Sui Coin, which can easily cost millions... Well, I can’t say it anymore, I can’t say it anymore, my dear nephew, let him figure it out on his own, I’m resigning."
Li Tong stopped talking and quickly left the inn.
"well……"
Song Che let out a long sigh, regretting even more that he was greedy for this business. But now that the goods are all on board, is there any reason to retreat?
I'm afraid it will be difficult to sleep tonight.
…
The next day, the rain gradually decreased.
The caravan set off as scheduled.
Zhu Chun was a man of practical work. He knew that the road would be muddy and slippery after the rain, so he specially arranged 300 laborers to go ahead of the caravan. There were holes and potholes to fill, so walking was smooth.
Going north from Luzhou, three hundred miles away is Shouchun Mansion, the capital of Huainan West Road.
On the twelfth day of the business trip, the weather cleared up after the rain and the temperature was mild. With less time to rest and escape from the summer heat, the speed of the caravan was also a little faster.
On the morning of the 13th, we arrived in Shouzhou smoothly.
It is about 800 miles from Shouzhou to Luoyang, Xijing. If you travel a hundred miles a day, the goods can be delivered on the 21st, which is a considerable time.
The "genuine goods" transported by water are much smoother than by land. The flying pigeon reported the day before yesterday that the merchant ship has passed Hangou and turned into Tongji Canal. At this speed, it may reach Luoyang faster than by land.
The businessman passed through Shouzhou and could have gone to the city to rest for a while, but considering the long night and many dreams, Song Che only asked someone to replenish some water and food, and then continued on his way in a hurry.
But just as the caravan was about to cross the state border, an army of about three hundred people stopped them.
I saw a middle-aged general wearing silver armor, riding a horse along the caravan and shouting: "I am Wang Zhi, the deputy commander of the Shouchun Mansion. I don't know who is responsible for transporting the caravan. Please come to the front of the battle and meet me!" "
There are only two centurions in charge of sergeants in the caravan, and Xu Xiao, the captain, cannot be regarded as an official of the court. Song Che was afraid that the few guards under Cao Tian's command would have eyes and ears like Yang Xin, so he Didn't call them together.
Song Che sent the ultimatum to Shouchun Mansion yesterday, why did he send troops to stop it today?
Although Song Che is not the transport envoy, he is the backbone of the entire caravan, and he is the only one who wants to find out what's going on.
At the intersection, three to four hundred officers and soldiers lined up in order, all wearing battle armor, full of energy, their swords and guns polished white and shiny. Are they going to fight?
Looking at the queue, there was a magnificent carriage parked, surrounded by twelve female sword attendants riding big horses and wearing power fences on their heads.
Especially the leading sword attendant, dressed in white as snow, with a horse as white as frost, with a silver whip hanging on the left saddle, and a sword on the right saddle, holding the reins with one hand, the breeze blew the power fence, and the pink neck and soft lips appeared, all Showing valiant and heroic appearance.
Song Che gritted his teeth, came to the front of the formation, and saluted the silver-armored general who had informed him earlier: "Song Che, I am the transport messenger for this caravan. I wonder what the general's orders are?"
Wang Zhi was suspicious of Song Che: "What do you mean?"
Song Che could only say: "This batch of goods was sold by my Shen family, and I am the son-in-law of the Shen family, so——"
"Don't you understand what I'm saying? I asked you to be an official, not a businessman."
Before Song Che could speak, Wang Zhi interrupted.
Song Che had no choice but to say: "We have no officials in this team. If the general really wants to find someone with professional titles, there are two pawn leaders, one is the captain and the other is the bodyguard commander."
"Hey! It's really strange. Look at your battle, there are two or three hundred people. Even if there is no general, there should be a small official. Otherwise, who will supervise and command?"
"I am responsible for all the caravans, whether they are large or small."
"You?" Wang Zhi made no secret of his derogatory tone, "You are a businessman, how can you be so virtuous and capable?"
Song Che was unhappy in his heart. Damn it, he was nagging at others when he blocked his way. He was about to retort, but at this moment, a magnetic female voice came from the carriage:
"General Wang, the weather is getting hot, hurry up and get to the inn to rest."
This voice sounds like that of a mature lady, and she must be very good-looking.
"Well, let's assume you are," Wang Zhi pointed to the carriage and said to Song Che, "Did you see it? There is a big shot sitting here. Yesterday, Mr. Han from Shouchun Mansion saw the ultimatum you sent and knew that you were going to When you go to Xijing, just drop in with us and walk together, do you understand?"
Song Che couldn't help but glance at the carriage and thought to himself: What kind of big shot is he who needs five to six hundred people to escort him?
Of course, the bigger the team, the greater the protection. If you have someone to go with you, why not do it?
Song Che nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I will lead the Shouzhou Army to clear the way in front, and let my wife's carriage and horses be in the middle. Your caravan will be at the back. Once we are safely out of Huainan Road, Yingchang Mansion will send someone to meet us."
"General, please go first."
A team of five hundred people set off in a mighty manner.
Song Che led the caravan back to the back and quietly looked at the carriage with binoculars - the sun was hot and the windows were open for ventilation. Occasionally, a young woman could be seen sitting in the car. She was around thirty years old. She had a dignified and beautiful appearance and a graceful temperament. She was not a prince or aristocrat. Can't have it.
In addition to the young woman, there is also a little girl in the car. She is four or five years old. She looks like a child in a painting. She is fair and tender, well-behaved and smart. From time to time, she will lean on the car window and flutter butterflies with her little hands. Her behavior is cute. Extremely.
Song Che actually likes his daughter, but the mother-in-law is happy with her son.
Just when Song Che was looking at it interestingly, there was a sudden "pop" sound, and a stone hit his hair crown impartially!
Song Che was stunned for a full five seconds before he dared to touch his head. Fortunately, he only knocked off the crown of his hair. If he moved it down just a little bit, his head would be bruised and bloody even if his head didn't bloom.
He swallowed and looked for the trajectory of the projectile with his binoculars - he saw the female swordsman in white at the head. Before she lowered her hand, she pointed at Song Che and made a gesture of wiping his neck, as if to say: "Don't you dare?" Peep, I’ll kill you!”
Song Che quickly put away the telescope and laughed, not daring to look any further. If the people sitting in the car are really relatives of the emperor, they cannot be blasphemed.
However, the twelve female swordsmen guarding the carriage are quite eye-catching. They are mysterious, noble, rigorous and unique. They can be viewed from a distance but not played with.
"I just went to inquire, do you know why that big shot wants to be with us?" Xu Xiao turned back from the team, jumped on the carriage and asked.
Song Che smiled and said, "Let us share the trouble?"
"About the same," Xu Xiao raised his hand and pointed forward, "About three hundred miles north, on the border between Huainan and Xijing, there is a place called Panlong Mountain. There is a group of bandits on the mountain. Six to seven hundred people have gathered to rob passing business travelers, and Kill and plunder nearby villages.”
No wonder.
