The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 216 The Death of Tao Wenju

On the mud bank of the pond, Shi Lingyan rolled up his trouser legs, stepped into knee-deep water, and fished for river crabs with a net.

During the day, most river crabs hide in caves. Yan Ping pokes them in with wooden sticks and drives them out.

Every time he took out one, Shi Lingyan shouted excitedly and waved his net bag to catch it.

The river crabs in the Jingshui Basin are smaller in size, green-gray in color, and the meat is extremely delicious.

There are many famous dishes related to crabs in Taihe Building. Since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, sugar crabs are naturally indispensable as court dishes. There are also raw crabs that are eaten raw with dipping sauces. The famous Jiangnan dish crab is stuffed with oranges. Cook crab roe dumplings, which are similar to crab roe soup dumplings. They use soybean skin as the skin, crab roe and pork as fillings, and they can be grilled or steamed. They are very delicious.

Of course, the price is also very good, and the supply is limited. If you want to serve a banquet, you must make a reservation in advance.

Focusing on Jingzhou's rich water resources, smart traders have started a business of cultivating crabs.

Zhu Xiu was sitting on the embankment, holding a piece of dogtail grass in his mouth, smiling and looking at Shi Lingyan who was happily fishing for crabs.

After catching fifteen or sixteen crabs, which was enough for dinner, Shi Lingyan clamored to take Zhu Xiu to hunt rabbits in the nearby woods, saying that he would let Zhu Xiu roast rabbit meat for dinner.

Zhu Xiu's barbecue skills have been recognized by Lao Shi and his daughter. If they get the opportunity, they will let Zhu Xiu make skewers.

It was rare to have time to spend with Shi Lingyan, so Zhu Xiu naturally agreed.

Shi Lingyan jumped back to get his sword and bow, while Zhu Xiu and Yan Ping were waiting by the pond.

Yan Ping was so tired that he sat down on the ground, beat his legs, and couldn't help complaining: "Ms. Yan is too energetic, and it's really too much for my subordinates. You should let me go back to the county seat~"

Zhu Xiu gloated: "It's a rare occasion to come here, so just treat it as if you're suffering for me."

Yan Ping wailed, he would rather go to the field training at the Tiger Camp than accompany Shi Lingyan.

"How is Tao Wenju's injury? Is there any movement in the county?" Zhu Xiu asked.

Yan Ping replied: "Tao Wenju's butt is pretty much beaten. If he doesn't lie down for two or three months, I'm afraid he won't be able to recover. The county town is quite quiet, there are no major events, and the Jiedu Mansion and the county government are also operating normally. It's the handsome man." He and Hou Zan quarreled from time to time, accusing each other of abuse."

Zhu Xiu glanced at him: "Is Tao Wenju's injury really that serious? Did you show no mercy when you hit the board?"

Yan Ping was startled, knelt down on one knee, and said bravely: "Young Envoy, please forgive me! I, my subordinate, did hold back my hands when executing the execution! I did not strictly implement the Young Envoy's order, and I was guilty of dereliction of duty!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Get up, I asked you to torture me. I did it on purpose. You and Tao Wenju often interacted with each other in private, and they had a certain friendship. If it were someone else to deal with this, I'm afraid that it would really happen." Tao Wenju was beaten to death."

Yan Ping was surprised and asked, "Young Master, you originally intended to forgive Tao Wenju's sins?"

Zhu Xiu shook his head: "Tao Wenju has worked hard since he took charge of the salt factory. Not only has he made no mistakes, he has also made great contributions."

"Then this time the salt money was embezzled?" Yan Ping was confused and horrified: "Is this a trap set by the young envoy and Tao Wenju?"

Zhu Xiu smiled noncommittally: "You just need to know that this banging is just for acting out a play, don't ask too much about other things."

Yan Ping was horrified, lowered his head and clasped his fists, saying, "I understand."

It turns out that Tao Wenju was greedy for money and framed Zhenhaiying. It was all fake.

But that board was solid and real.

If it had been anyone else, Tao Wenju would have been beaten to death.

Who is the young envoy playing this cruel trick to?

"Where did Li Chongjin lead the Tiger Camp?" Zhu Xiu asked again.

Yan Ping quickly calmed down and thought about it before replying: "Before my subordinates left Anding County, they heard that Li Chongjin led the Beihu Camp to Qingshiling for field combat training."

Zhu Xiu nodded: "You rush to Qingshiling immediately, meet up with Li Chongjin, and let out the news that the Tiger Camp will be stationed in Qingshiling for one and a half months. Ten days later, you will detour to Kongtong Mountain and station before July [-]th. Salt warehouse. Remember, all operations are carried out in secret, and no information is allowed to be leaked. "

Yan Ping was shocked. These operational arrangements had never been disclosed by the young envoy before.

Young Master is going to play a big game of chess!

"I obey the order!" Yan Ping said in a deep voice, not daring to neglect.

"With Li Chongjin's temper, my subordinates are worried that he will not obey the orders of the young envoy honestly." Yan Ping said worriedly.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Don't worry, I have made an agreement with him, and he will listen to your arrangements. If this guy is a fool and tries to negotiate terms, just tell him that after this job, I will exempt him." If I owe him half a year's debt, I'll lend him another two hundred guan and let him play mahjong happily for a month."

Yan Ping grinned, dumbfounded: "My subordinates know."

Immediately, Zhu Xiu gave a few more instructions, and Yan Ping mounted his horse and said goodbye.

Shi Lingyan ran back, carrying a nine-fight strong bow, a long whip around his waist, a hand knife hanging on his waist, and an exquisite dagger on his leggings.

"Eh? Where's Yan Ping?" Seeing Zhu Xiu alone, Shi Lingyan asked.

The little lady ran a little faster, her chest heaving, her cheeks flushed, and her thin lips gasping for air.

Zhu Xiu naturally stretched out his hand to smooth the loose hair around her ears, and said with a smile: "He still has official duties to attend to, so he is busy."

Shi Lingyan pouted with some regret: "At first, I thought, with him here, we could hunt more prey."

Zhu Xiu raised his arms to show off his biceps: "It's enough to have me here!"

Shi Lingyan rolled her eyes at him, with contempt on his face, and muttered: "I'll shoot you wherever I go, but you won't hit. What's the use of you?"

Zhu Xiu's face turned red and he said unconvinced: "My archery skills have improved greatly recently. I will definitely be able to hit the target once."

Shi Lingyan didn't believe it: "What should I do if I miss the shot?"

Zhu Xiu patted his chest and said, "If you don't hit the target, ride me again just like you did this morning."

Shi Lingyan's face was startled and turned red. He gritted his teeth in shame and anger and yelled: "Zhu Xiu, you ask for a beating!"

Zhu Xiu turned around and ran away towards the forest, holding the hem of her robe.

Shi Lingyan rushed forward, laughing and cursing all the way.

The two figures disappeared into the wild woods, and soon a miserable howl was heard, frightening a group of birds.

~~~
Anding County, Yacheng.

Near Jiedu Mansion, two streets away, there is a cluster of houses. Most of the officials with slightly higher positions in Jiedu Mansion live here.

Pei Jin's house is also nearby.

As the former deputy director of the salt factory and a powerful figure with financial power over the salt factory, Tao Wenju was also allocated a small house with a second courtyard here.

When Tao Wenju just returned from Changwucheng, Zhu Xiu praised him highly in public during a meeting in the meeting hall. In recognition of his achievements, he was specially appointed to take charge of the financial rights of the salt factory.At that time, Tao Wenju was so prosperous that officials from the Jiedu and county governments lined up to congratulate him, almost breaking the threshold.

The small courtyard was filled with congratulatory gifts, which made him smile from ear to ear.

Unexpectedly, only a month after taking office, Tao Wenju was exposed for embezzlement of salt money and was beaten to the end. Not only was he dismissed from the salt factory, he no longer even had a place in the Jiedu Mansion.

If he loses his position, he will no longer be qualified to live in Yacheng. The Jiedu Mansion has issued an order requiring him to move out within a month and find a house in the outer city by himself.

On that day, Tao Wenju received fifty slabs and was carried home. So far, only a few people have visited him.

Most people just discussed a few words in private and sighed that it was a pity.

Tao Wenju's ability to take charge of the salt factory itself shows that he was highly valued by the young envoy and the handsome master.

As long as nothing happens, he will definitely be an indispensable member of the Zhangyi Army in the future.

What's good now is that for a little money, he made the young envoy angry and was immediately kicked out.

After that, his future in the Changyi Army may be completely ruined.

Tao Wenju's residence suddenly became the palace of the god of plague. Neighbors walked around and the door was open from morning to night, but not even a mouse was willing to enter.

At home, there is only one paid servant to take care of him.

Tao Wen was beaten to a pulp for fifty times, and his buttocks were beaten to a pulp. Fortunately, doctors came to the clinic every day to treat him and change dressings and bandages. Although the skin injuries were serious, his muscles and bones were not injured, and the wounds were not contaminated or infected. His life was saved.

In the first few days after his return, Tao Wenju lay on his bed every day, crying miserably and crying to the heavens and the earth.

Especially at night, the miserable howls that sounded from time to time sounded very desolate.

The neighbors were horrified by what he heard. Knowing that he had been severely tortured, they had no choice but to block their ears and cover their heads to sleep.

No one dared to come to see what was going on. Firstly, they were worried about getting into trouble and angering the young envoy. Secondly, they were afraid that the person would not be able to bear it and died, and the wronged soul would ask for his life and cause something evil.

In the next few days, Tao Wenju asked his servants to buy wine every day for him to drink. Sometimes when he was drunk, he would cry loudly and say drunken words about admitting his mistakes and begging for mercy. He was crazy and made people feel sad.

It's really sad that the originally promising Staff Officer Tao ended up like this.

At noon that day, the doctor had just come to change Tao Wenju's wound medicine and tore at the wound. The pain made him howl again.

Waves of howls came from the courtyard door, making people panic. Occasionally, pedestrians passed by the door, and they lowered their heads and quickened their pace, running away.

The doctor was asked by Shi Kuangwei to treat Tao Wenju's injuries.

People familiar with the matter can't help but lament that although the handsome man often scolds people with a fierce face and a black face, he is tolerant, kind and affectionate in his heart.

The young envoy usually smiles at everyone and seems harmless to humans and animals. But if he really makes a mistake and falls into his hands, he will be merciless and no one can persuade him.

From now on, when you work under the Young Master, you have to be very energetic, try to avoid small mistakes, and don't make big mistakes, otherwise the blame will fall on your butt.

Tao Wenju suffered fifty blows this time and still had the strength to cry out, so he was already destined to die.

If it were anyone else, after this meal, he would have been taken directly to the outside of the city and buried.

After the doctor left, Tao Wenju lay weakly on his stomach, his lower body covered with a thin quilt, his hair disheveled. He hadn't washed it for several days. There was a thick layer of oil on his hair, giving off a smoky smell.

The cloth underneath the body will still be stained with blood, so it needs to be changed every two or three days.

When the pain subsided, Tao Wenju shouted in a hoarse voice: "Bring the wine, bring the wine."

After a while, the servant slowly brought the wine bottle.

Tao Wen grabbed it and took a swig, glaring at him with bloodshot eyes: "You idiot, you are just dragging your feet, do you want to kill me with thirst?"

The servant's face dropped and he said unhappily: "Master Tao, please don't scold me. At this point, if you shout in this house and there are still people who can respond, it's pretty good."

Tao Wenju gulped down half a bottle of rice wine, with the wine still hanging on his stubble, and cursed angrily: "You bitch! How dare you talk back?"

The servant was also annoyed. He hugged his chest with both hands and stood in front of the bed. He said angrily: "Anyway, I will serve you for half a day. You can scold me as much as you like!"

Tao Wenju lay on the bed, trembling with anger, slapping the edge of the bed and angrily saying, "Who told you to leave? Stay here for me! I gave you half a year's wages back then."

The servant made a sound, took out a small money bag from his sleeve, weighed it, thought for a while, took out a few coins from it and stuffed it into his arms, and threw the money bag on Tao Wenju's bedside:
"Master Tao, I don't dare to cheat you out of your money. I've been working in your house for more than a month, plus serving you for the past few days, so I'll collect a month and a half of your wages in total, and I'll give you the rest."

Tao Wenju gritted his teeth, turned over with difficulty, and said with a sense of begging, "If you stay, I'll pay you double your wages."

The servant still shook his head: "I'm sorry, Master Tao. I really can't do this job for you. Everyone knows that you committed a crime and almost lost your head. I just escaped from Longzhou and you still want to be safe here." If you want to live a stable life, you don’t dare to get involved in lawsuits randomly. Small people can’t bear the trouble you big people have.”

Tao Wen raised his lips and trembled, feeling angry and wanting to yell and curse a few words, but he grimaced in pain due to the injury.

The servant smiled and said: "Master Tao, you'd better rest and recuperate. Anger is very harmful to your body. If your injury is not healed yet, you may get angry again later."

Fortunately, you were injured on your butt. There are just two lumps of soft flesh there. It doesn't matter if you smash it. It will grow back after a few months.
But look at your injury, it will definitely leave a scar after it heals, but it doesn’t matter, no one will take off your hakama to see your butt.”

The servant stood in front of the bed and muttered for a long time. Tao Wenju was so angry that he wanted to get up and hit him.

When he went to the job market to choose someone, he specifically picked someone who could speak well, thinking that it would be convenient to take him out to do errands in the future, and that he would also have someone to talk to at home.

He didn't expect that it sounded loud and noisy at this moment, and he was extremely irritable.

"Go away!~" Tao Wenju grabbed a shoe and threw it at him.

The servant turned away, picked up the shoes and threw them back. He said with a smile: "Master Tao, please rest. I will cook and cook for you. When the work is finished, I will wait for you to finish your last meal." Just leave.”

The servant bowed down in a pretentious manner. Tao Wenju was angry and helpless. A sadness surged into his heart, and he couldn't help burying his head and sobbing.

"Young Master, you must never forget, everything I, Tao Wenju, have done for you~~~oooooo~~my ass~~~"

If even this servant left, and Tao Wenju couldn't get out of bed, and there would be no one to take care of his daily life in the future, he wouldn't know what to do.

The more he thought about it, the sadder and sadder Tao Wenju became, feeling desolate about his situation.

A carriage stopped outside the courtyard gate, and the driver looked like a military man.

Wei Hu, who was dressed in casual clothes, got off the carriage and whispered: "Find a remote place to wait for me."

The driver clasped his fists and said, "Yes."

Wei Hu looked around and stepped into the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)