The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 230 Red Face and White Face

Tao Wenju had a sarcastic appearance, and because he wanted to show off in front of Zhu Xiu, he showed the face of a cunning villain to the fullest.

Xu Xuan's heart skipped a beat, and he pretended to be calm, forcing out a smile: "I don't quite understand what Staff Officer Tao means."

Tao Wenju polished his nails with a small file, glanced at him, and smiled playfully: "You and your group came from the south, do you really think you can hide your identity perfectly?"

Xu Xuan clenched his fists fiercely, with some sweat on his temples. He tried to keep calm on his face, but there was a surge in his heart.

Since crossing the Qinling Mountains and entering Guanzhong, they have changed their high-profile behavior in Shu and adhered to the principle of being low-key and inconspicuous. They behaved with their tail between their legs, thinking that they had not done anything to reveal their identity.

When Tao Wenju said this, did he really have evidence that could prove their identities?

Xu Xuan was confused, it shouldn't be, they had never dealt with this person, why would they doubt their identity?
Xu Xuan couldn't figure it out.

Cupping his hands, Xu Xuan said calmly: "Consultant Tao was joking. The purpose of Xu's group coming to Jingzhou has just been made clear.

The Xu family in Wu County runs a private salt business and owns a large salt mine. However, due to the crude refining skills of rock salt, the rock salt produced is not fine enough, so the business has not improved.

Hearing that Jingzhou white salt was mainly made of rock salt and was well-known in Guanzhong, Xu wanted to visit Zhangyi Army and purchase the rock salt production method mastered by Zhangyi Army.

The person in charge of this matter is Xu Biao, the grandson of the Xu clan. I just brought my nephew Li Jia with me to follow Xu Biao to see the scenery of Jingyuan. "

Xu Xuan spoke in an orderly and coherent manner, and seemed to have no flaws.

Judging from his facial expression, he is also calm and calm, not panicking.

What Xu Xuan said was indeed true. Xu Biao and others came to Jingzhou on the orders of the Xu family, and they really wanted to learn the method of refining rock salt from Zhang Yijun.

It just happened that Xu Xuan and Li Congjia also wanted to go north to Jingzhou, so they went with Xu Biao and others.

What Xu Xuan said was half true and half false, a combination of falsehood and falsehood. If someone who didn't know heard it, it would be difficult to tell the truth from the false.

It's just that Tao Wenju got a tip from Zhu Xiu early and knew the true identities of Xu Xuan and Li Congjia, so he would not be easily fooled by him.

Tao Wenju chuckled, "It doesn't matter if Mr. Xu doesn't want to tell the truth. It's business. Let's talk slowly. I'll send someone to the reformation site with a letter. Tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Xu will be able to see his clansmen.

Until then, we will discuss slowly. "

Tao Wenju stood up and said calmly: "This humble house is cramped and it is inconvenient to stay overnight, so I won't entertain you. Please help yourself!"

Tao Wenju cupped his hands towards Pan Meigong, then secretly glanced at Zhu Xiu, turned around and entered the bedroom at the back of the hall.

Qiu Shoucai yawned profusely, and lazily said: "It's late at night, everyone, go back and rest as soon as possible."

The three of them left, and the door of the house closed tightly with a bang.

Pan Mei pretended to blame and said: "Mr. Xu, if you have something difficult to tell, you should say it in advance. It's okay now. Tao Wenju was annoyed and kicked out by him. This person has a small mind. If he holds grudges because of this, I will also take care of me in the future." You have to suffer disaster accordingly.”

Xu Xuan bowed guiltily and said, "It was Xu who didn't think carefully enough to implicate shopkeeper Chu, I hope you will forgive me!"

Zhu Xiu interrupted: "May I ask Mr. Xu, what does Tao Wenju mean by what he just said? Apart from being the Xu family of Wu County, what other identities do Mr. Li and brother Li Jiaxian have?"

"This" Xu Xuan hesitated and said with a wry smile: "Master Chu, please forgive me, there are some private matters that are really inconvenient to disclose. But Xu can guarantee that our trip to Jingzhou will definitely not have any evil intentions and will not cause any harm to the Zhangyi Army. I won’t implicate you either.”

Zhu Xiu curled his lips secretly and said with a smile: "Mr. Xu's words are serious. It's not that Wan Sheng suspected that he and his party had any intentions when they came to Jingzhou. It's just that Tao Wenju had something to say in his words. Wan Sheng was worried that he had misunderstood him."

Pan Mei also helped: "Mr. Xu is our friend, and it is our duty to help friends. However, Tao Wenju is not easy to deal with. It is best not to offend him easily. If Mr. Xu has something to do with him, he will be in trouble."

Xu Xuan's smile was unnatural: "This is my first visit to Jingzhou with my clan members. How could there be any clues?"

"It's best not to have it!" Pan Mei stretched her arms and said, "It's getting late. I'll ask the coachman to take Mr. back to his residence. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

Watching Xu Xuan leave in the carriage, Pan Mei suddenly said with emotion: "This man is a well-educated person, but his brain seems not very bright. The trick just now is full of loopholes, and he just couldn't see it."

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "Scholars have no other strengths except being knowledgeable about the past and the present, and they don't know that the world is dangerous."

Pan Mei glanced at him with disdain: "Aren't you afraid of thunder from the sky when you deceive honest people?"

Zhu Xiuxiang smiled and said: "One million guan, even if I get struck by lightning, I will admit it."

Pan Mei ducked away and muttered: "You are the mastermind, and I am an accomplice at best. If God wants to strike you with lightning, you can't implicate me."

Zhu Xiu smiled and said, "You are so tall, lightning will definitely hit you first."

"We might as well call Shi Dalang and Li Chongjin. They are tall. If Lei Gong strikes down one by one, they won't be able to fall on me."

The two quarreled together and led the horse back to Jiedu Mansion to rest.

At noon the next day, a group of soldiers escorted Xu Biao and his party of ten people into Anding County.

After being imprisoned in the reform camp for several months and digging stones, Xu Biao and others were tanned and unkempt. They wore tattered sleeveless short coats and gray linen robes, typical attire of reform-through-labor prisoners.

The rehabilitation center implements humane management, but once the ban is violated, most personal rights will be deprived, and eating, drinking, sleeping, and sleeping will be strictly controlled.

This also in disguise deters the prisoners from their urge to use their brains.

Xu Biao and ten people snatched the guards' weapons with the intention of forcibly escaping from prison. According to the management regulations of the reform camp, it was equivalent to beheading on the spot.

Monk Hun has never had blood on his knife since he was injured and disabled and retired from the ranks of soldiers and became a manager of the reform camp.

He wanted to sacrifice the heads of Xu Biao and others, but then received an order from Zhu Xiu, asking him to find an excuse to exonerate Xu Biao and others from the death penalty, and continue to be detained in the reformation site, under strict supervision and labor.

Since the young envoy has given orders, Monk Hun dare not disobey them.

Xu Biao and others were exempt from capital crimes, but living crimes were inevitable. Monk Hun personally supervised the work and gave Xu Biao little shoes to wear. He repeatedly tortured the ten people from the south, and suffered great mental and physical damage.

On the streets of the county town, soldiers escorted ten men of Xu Biao past, but the people avoided him and showed expressions of disgust and disgust.

Xu Biao, who had disheveled hair, lowered his head, wanting to find a crack in the ground and crawl in, his face flushed red.

After living for more than 30 years, this is the first time that I have been paraded in public.

Although Xu Biao's identity is not publicized in Jiangning, in fact, no matter whether he is a government official or a government official, hearing his name has to give him some face.

I never thought of coming to Jingzhou. The signboard of the Xu family in Wu County didn’t work, and I was inexplicably arrested and dug stones for several months. My hands were covered with calluses and my feet were covered with blood blisters. I paraded through the streets wearing handcuffs and anklets. , Losing Xu’s face.

Xu Biao's eyes were red, and he gritted his teeth. He was full of grievances and resentment. The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved he became, and tears seemed to burst out of his eyes.After entering Yacheng, Xu Biao was taken to Tao Wenju's home by two soldiers alone, and the rest of the Xu clan were taken to a prison near the Yajun garrison.

Seeing that he was about to be separated from his tribe, Xu Biao was so anxious that he struggled and shouted: "Where are you taking me?"

Xu Biao did not receive any notice when he arrived, and he was escorted out of the reconstruction site to the county town early in the morning.

According to Xu Biao's experience in running around, if he is taken to a certain place alone, he will usually not end well.

Two tooth soldiers pulled out knives and put them on his shoulders, shouting: "Be more honest! If you dare to make any more noise, your head and neck will be separated on the spot!"

Xu Biao gritted his teeth and did not dare to say anything anymore.

The soldiers of the Changyi Army were all stupid young men. If they were angered, they would draw their swords and behead them. He was not the one who died unjustly.

The soldiers escorted Xu Biao all the way to the door of the house, where Qiu Shoucai was already waiting.

"Thank you for your hard work, two brothers. This is my master's signature and a little money. I'll treat you brothers to some tea."

Qiu Shoucai handed the documents signed by Tao Wenju to the soldiers, and gave them a handful of loose money, about thirty or forty coins.

"Thank you, Staff Officer Tao, for the reward!" The soldier checked that the signature was correct, accepted the reward, thanked him and left.

On the surface, it was Tao Wen who used personal connections to save Xu Biao and others from the reform site.

Whoever files the request must follow the necessary procedures.

These scenes were also made for Xu Xuan and Xu Biao.

Qiu Shoucai glanced sideways at Xu Biao, waved his hand and said arrogantly: "Follow me!"

Xu Biao wanted to ask what was going on, but when he saw Qiu Shoucai walking forward alone, he had no intention of paying attention to him, so he had to grit his teeth and follow him.

Stepping into the door of the house, Xu Biao saw a familiar figure pacing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. He was stunned for a moment, tears welled up in his eyes, and he shouted in surprise and cried: "Third Grandpa!"

Xu Xuan was overjoyed and hurried forward to greet him.

Xu Biao made three steps in parallel, knelt down on the ground with his knees bent, and cried, "Third Grandpa! If there are any mistakes in your life, Xu Biao will be ashamed to go back to Xu's house! Xu Biao is impulsive and causes trouble, and the Third Grandpa suffers, damn it!" Ah~"

Xu Biao burst into tears and wailed incessantly. His face was covered with snot and tears. He raised his hand and slapped himself hard in the face.

Xu Xuan hurriedly stopped him and whispered with red eyes: "It's fine as long as nothing happens. There's no need to blame yourself! Are you and the rest of the clan okay?"

Xu Biao wiped his tears and nodded vigorously: "It's all good! Although the bald, blind, and lame thief in the reformatory is hateful, he dare not lack the food of the brothers. The brothers can all eat and drink well, but the labor is heavy, no I have injured all my muscles and bones."

Xu Xuan held his hand hard, only to feel that the palm was extremely rough and the calluses were so thick that they could hurt.

Xu Xuan felt pity in his heart and tightened his grip harder: "Don't worry, Third Grandpa will definitely take you home!"

The eyes of the grandfather and grandson faced each other, both filled with tears.

In the hall, Pan Mei muttered: "Xu Maocai is very senior in the Xu family. He has a grandnephew who is several years older than him."

Tao Wenju whispered: "Young Envoy, you might as well let Pan Dutou play the role of your grandnephew next time. Pan Dutou will also call you Third Grandpa."

Pan Mei sneered and said, "It's better to leave this opportunity to pretend to be a grandson to Counselor Tao!"

Tao Wenju laughed shamelessly and said, "What's the matter, don't talk about the third grandpa, even my own grandfather Tao is also called the exit!"

The two guys quarreled with each other, and Zhu Xiu shouted displeasedly: "Shut up! They are coming!"

Xu Xuan took Xu Biao into the hall and bowed to Tao Wen: "The Xu family will never forget the kindness of Counselor Tao in rescuing him!"

Xu Biao had just listened to Xu Xuan's story and knew that he could leave the reform site this time only because of the marching staff officer of the Changyi Army in front of him.

This man is also in charge of the salt factory, and he also has the method of making rock salt that Xu wants.

Xu Biao clasped his fists heavily and said: "Xu Biao will never forget the life-saving grace given by Counselor Tao! When he returns to Jiangnan, he will definitely express his gratitude!"

Tao Wenju said politely: "It's a misunderstanding, I hope you don't take it to heart. Generally speaking, our Zhangyi Army is warm and hospitable, but we have too many enemies on all sides, so we have to be more cautious."

Xu Xuan and Xu Biao looked at each other. They had learned about Zhang Yijun's hospitality.

Pan Mei stood up in good time, and said with a smile, "You have important matters to discuss, which are related to the secrets of the Zhangyi Army. We are inconvenient to listen in, so we will leave first. I will reserve a private room in Taihe Building later, and Staff Tao and Mr. Xu must definitely come."

Zhu Xiu also followed and left, leaving only Tao Wenju, Xu Xuan and Xu Biao in the hall.

As the host and guest sat down, Tao Wenju smiled and said, "Have you two discussed the method of purchasing rock salt?"

Xu Xuan signaled Xu Biao to speak, and Xu Biao clasped his fists and said, "Xu is willing to invest 20 guan to purchase a complete set of techniques for refining rock salt. In addition, I will give [-] guan to Counselor Tao as a thank you."

Tao Wenju was stunned for a moment. Thirty thousand guan was really a lot. This Xu family in Wu County was really generous and extremely rich.

Although [-] yuan is good, if he really takes it, I'm afraid he won't be able to get the money in the end, and even Zhang Yijun won't be able to stay.

Tao Wenju shook his head and said with a smile: "The complete set of rock salt refining methods is priced at 30 yuan. No bargaining, and teaching is guaranteed! For less than this amount, Tao will not be able to explain to the old commander and the young ambassador. As for Xu's thank you fee, it is still Forget it~"

Xu Biao frowned. Although the price Tao Wenju offered was within Xu's affordability, it was indeed a bit high.

Tao Wenju picked up the tea cup and drank tea leisurely, not in a hurry.

Xu Biao and Xu Xuan whispered a few words, clasped their fists and said: "According to Counselor Tao, Xu will invest 30 yuan to purchase the Zhangyi Army's rock salt refining method! But please ask Counselor Tao to send craftsmen to return to Jiangning with me to teach the skills."

Tao Wenju laughed happily: "It's easy to talk about! This method is divided into several steps. I can send someone to teach you the first few steps. After you send the money, I will teach you the rest."

Xu Biao thought about it for a while and said, "It's a deal!"

Xu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. After discussing the matter, the important task entrusted to him by the family was finally completed.

Xu Xuan had already made up his mind to ask Xu Biao to take Li Congjia back to Jiangning first. He would stay in Jingzhou and wait for the money from the Xu family to be delivered before he returned with his clan.

It took at least half a year to come and go, and he just had time to participate in the reform trend of the Changyi Army.

(End of this chapter)