The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 231 You should pay protection fees
Xu Biao and Xu Xuan stood up and prepared to say goodbye and leave.

Although this business negotiation had some twists and turns, it overall went smoothly.

Tao Wenju, Staff Officer Tao, was not as difficult to deal with as Shopkeeper Chu described.

Xu Xuan bowed and smiled, and spent 30 yuan to obtain the rock salt refining method mastered by Zhang Yijun. For the Xu family of Wu County, it was definitely a profitable business.

As long as the salt workshop run by the Xu family learns this technique of refining rock salt, it will be able to turn the large salt mines owned by the Xu family into gold mountains, providing the Xu family with huge wealth, and at the same time help stabilize the price of salt in the south of the Yangtze River.

For both public and private reasons, it was the right time for Xu to go north to Jingzhou.

"Consultant Tao will stay here. We'll take our leave! Within half a year, the Xu family will definitely send someone to deliver the money to Jingzhou." Xu Xuan said goodbye with a bow.

Tao Wenju smiled and said: "What are Mr. Xu and my nephew's plans?"

Xu Xuan said: "With the help of the staff officer Laotao, my nephew Li Jia returned to Jiangnan with the tribe first, Xu stayed here for now, and left after the money was cleared.

Xu has accepted the great trust of Wen County Magistrate and is willing to contribute his modest efforts to the development of Jingzhou. "

Tao Wenju applauded and said with a smile: "Mr. Xu is really a loyal gentleman. But there is one more thing that I didn't make clear just now. We welcome Mr. Xu to stay. Besides, your nephew Li Jia can't leave for the time being. He also had to stay with Mr. Xu.

30 yuan is just money to purchase the rock salt refining method. According to our young envoy, this is called technology transfer fee!

In addition, Mr. Xu will also have to pay another 70 yuan in personal security fees.

Since the amount of money is not small, it does not need to be paid in one lump sum. It can be divided into three installments. The first two installments are 25 guan each time, and the third installment is 30 guan. They should be paid within one year. Every four months is a payment cycle. Overdue payments will be made on a monthly basis. An interest of [-]% per day will be charged as liquidated damages.”

Tao Wenju shook his head and talked a lot. Xu Xuan and Xu Biao neither understood nor heard clearly, and they were extremely shocked.

The two looked at each other and thought there was something wrong with their hearing.

Xu Xuan said hurriedly: "I apologize for not understanding what Staff Officer Tao meant."

Tao Wenju said leisurely: "That is to say, I will send craftsmen to follow Mr. Xu's people back to Jiangning to teach you the preliminary steps of the full set of techniques. After the 30 yuan of money is sent to Jingzhou, I will teach you the full set of techniques.

During this period, Mr. Xu and Ling's nephew Li Jia will continue to stay as guests in our Zhangyi Army. The Zhangyi Army will be responsible for the safety of Mr. Xu and Li Jia.

However, Mr. Xu still has to pay a personal security fee of 70 yuan, which can be paid in three installments within a year.
So, does Mr. Xu understand? "

Xu Xuan opened his mouth in shock. He understood what Tao Wenju said.

He and Li Jia cannot leave and must stay. Zhang Yijun is responsible for protecting their safety, but must pay an additional personal security fee of up to 70 yuan.

". Ridiculous! It makes absolutely no sense!"

Xu Xuan's face turned red with anger. He suppressed his anger and said angrily: "Why did Staff Officer Tao force himself to stay with his nephew Li Jia? What kind of personal safety and security fee should he charge on this basis? It's simply ridiculous!"

Xu Biao was a gangster and had witnessed the underworld methods of many gangsters and gangsters. He immediately understood that this personal security fee was clearly the meat ticket money given to Zhang Yijun!

Xu Biao was furious. He picked up a chair and used it as a protective weapon. He cursed loudly: "Grandpa Third! We have been fooled! This guy wants to take you and Li Langjun as hostages and trick us into paying money to redeem them!"

Xu Xuan's face was a little pale and his breathing was a little rapid. He pretended to be calm and forced out a smile: "If Counselor Tao is afraid that Xu will cheat and default on the bill, he can wait until the money is delivered before sending the craftsmen to Jiangnan."

Tao Wenju said sadly: "A mere 30 guan can't buy two valuable human lives! Mr. Xu, don't pretend to be confused because you and I both know that your and Li Jia's lives are much more valuable than 30 guan!"

Especially Li Jia, I don’t need to say more about his identity. He is a very noble master!No matter how much money you spend to keep him safe, it's worth it.

However, my family, Shi Jieshuai, has always been kind-hearted, and he also wants to make friends with Nanfang. He only wants a few hundred thousand yuan from you. It is completely a friendship price and a cost price. In total, you will not lose anything! "

Xu Xuan's face turned pale again, his eyes full of horror.

Listening to the meaning behind Tao Wenju's words, it is clear that he has grasped Li Jia's true identity!
impossible!

When they swaggered through Chengdu, no one had any doubts about their identity.

Although there were many twists and turns in coming to Jingzhou, they have always kept a low profile. Xu Biao and others have been detained in the rehabilitation center. How could anyone notice them?Have you guessed Li Jia and his identity?

"Third Grandpa, should I kill this guy?" Xu Biao raised his chair and lowered his voice, staring fiercely at Tao Wenju.

As soon as Xu Xuan gave the order, he smashed the chair over.

Seeing Xu Biao's fierce eyes, Tao Wenju felt a little flustered. He slapped the table and stood up, sternly saying, "Bold! This is Yacheng of Zhangyi Army, not your hometown Jiangning! How dare you make a mistake and hurt me!" , you will never want to go back in your life!"

Xu Biao was frightened, and his teeth clenched loudly. He could not place the chair he raised high or hit it, so he remained in a stalemate.

Xu Xuan whispered: "Don't be impulsive! Put it down first!"

Xu Biao put down the chair as instructed, still holding it tightly with one hand, ready to use it as a throwing weapon at any time.

Tao Wenju felt much calmer in his heart, put his posture into full gear, and said sternly: "I hope you understand that today you and I are here to have a good discussion. It is not that our Zhangyi Army is afraid of your Jiangning court, but that my family's Shijieshuai respects your family." Lord Tang, I admire Mr. Xu as a literary giant in the world!

In order to protect you two, the Zhangyi Army needs to spend a lot of manpower and material resources. It only asks you for 70 yuan, which is already a bit of face for selling your Tang Dynasty master!
If you don't know what is good and what is wrong, I will report it to Shi Jieshuai and tie you two up with a hemp rope and take you to Kaifeng to see how the Kaifeng gang will treat you! "

Tao Wenju's sinister eyes fell on Xu Xuan and sneered: "After you go to Kaifeng, it will be difficult for you to go back to Jiangning! I hope you can think clearly about whether to stay in Jingzhou or go to Kaifeng! Mr. Xu Xuan, You are a smart person and you must be able to assess the situation!"

Xu Xuan's body swayed, and he felt dizzy.

Xu Biao hurriedly stretched out his hand to support him and shouted urgently: "Grandpa Third! Are you okay?"

Xu Xuan waved his hands to indicate that he was fine, steadied himself, smiled bitterly, and said with a long bow: "Xu Xuan, Wu County, I have met Staff Officer Tao! I dare to ask Staff Officer Tao, how did Staff Tao know about the identity of me and Li Jia?" ?”

Tao Wenju said proudly: "In May of last year, the Lord of the Tang Dynasty secretly sent a large number of people out of Jiangning, all the way north to Chuzhou and across the Huaihe River, all the way westward up the river, across Jiangzhou to Ezhou, all the way south past Hangzhou and into the land of Wuyue.

The Tang Lord mobilized troops and mobilized people in this way, which naturally attracted many spies.Our Zhangyi Army also had some eyes and ears in the south, and when we reported the news, our Shijieshuai sent people to investigate, and finally found out that it was Mr. Xu Xuan who left Jiangning privately with the Sixth Prince of the Tang Dynasty.

Since Mr. Xu and his party entered Jingzhou, all actions have been under the control of the Changyi Army.

The Zhangyi Army took great pains and worked hard to protect Mr. Xu and Prince Anding.

Shouldn’t the Jiangning court and the Xu family pay some compensation? "

Xu Xuan and Xu Biao looked at each other and sighed.

Tao Wenju had made it clear that their identities and whereabouts had long been under the surveillance of Zhang Yijun.

Fortunately, Xu Xuan thought that their identities were well hidden and no one could detect them.

"In that case, why did you let Xu serve as the mayor of the agricultural reclamation area?" Xu Xuan asked.

Tao Wenju smiled and said: "As I said just now, my family Shi Jieshuai is bold and generous, and does not stick to trivial matters. I appreciate Mr. Xu, an upright and upright person.

Shi Jieshuai can rest assured that Mr. Xu is given the important task of being the mayor of the agricultural reclamation area. "

Xu Xuan sighed bitterly: "So, when Staff Officer Tao met with me, all the matters discussed last night and today were all instructed by Commander Shi Jieshuai?"

Tao Wenju said seriously: "That's natural! How dare I contact you privately without the commander's order!"

"Does Shopkeeper Chu and Young Master Chu know our true identities?" Xu Xuan asked again.

Tao Wenju shook his head: "They both have good intentions. They only want to introduce me to meet you and ask me to help you rescue your tribe. They don't know anything else."

Xu Xuan sighed and said with shame: "I beg Staff Tao not to reveal the truth. Shopkeeper Chu and Young Master Chu treated me sincerely, but I deceived them, and I feel guilty." Tao Wenju thought for a while, nodded and said, "I promise you that. ”

Xu Xuan and Xu Biao discussed in whispers for a moment, and said: "With the Xu family's financial resources, they can't come up with 70 yuan in a hurry. We can only tell the emperor truthfully about this matter and ask my emperor to make the decision! Please ask Staff Tao to report to Commander Shi Jie, All information about Prince Anding must not be leaked at all."

Tao Wenju smiled and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Xu. From now on, you and Prince Anding can live as usual, and no one will disturb you. Mr. Xu can rest assured and go to the agricultural reclamation area to take up his post. Prince Anding will enter Jingzhou under the pseudonym Li Jia." School learning.

Our Chang Yi Army will definitely protect you two Zhou Quan. "

Xu Xuan smiled bitterly. Li Congjia entered the Jingzhou Academy in name, but in fact he was under the close supervision of the Changyi Army.

I don't think I have to worry about safety issues, but I also lose my personal freedom.

Whether he can return to Jiangning is unknown.

"After all the money is received, please send someone from your army to escort His Highness and Xu back to their hometown immediately!"

Xu Xuan bowed his head and said in a deep voice.

Tao Wenju said with a smile: "Don't worry, Mr. Xu! My family Shi Jieshuai wants to be friends with Jiang Ning, not a sworn enemy."

Xu Xuan nodded, took a deep look at Tao Wenju, turned around and walked away.

He wanted to keep this cunning villain's face in mind.

There is also Shi Kuangwei, the military envoy of Zhangyi Army who has never been masked.

Outside Tao Wenju's house, Zhu Xiu and Pan Mei came forward with concern and asked Xu Xuan how the negotiation was going.

Xu Xuan smiled reluctantly, cupped his hands and said: "The matter has been roughly settled. Thank you so much, Shopkeeper Chu and Mr. Chu for your help!"

Zhu Xiusong stroked his chest and said, "It'll be fine once the deal is settled."

Pan Mei patted her chest and said carelessly: "The relationship introduced by Chu, I must be right! If Mr. Xu has any trouble in the future, just come to me!"

"Thank you!"

Xu Xuan felt a little warm in his heart, choked up and bowed gratefully.

Xu Biao also bowed deeply.

Having just experienced Tao Wenju's insidious plan, Xu Xuan felt that the Changyi Army was too deep and too cold and ruthless.

Shopkeeper Chu and Young Master Chu made him feel a little warm.

There is still true love in this world!
Not all Jingzhou is as treacherous as Tao Wenju.

Shopkeeper Chu and Young Master Chu are rare good people!
The corners of Xu Xuan's eyes were moist. With the help of shopkeeper Chu and Shaolang Chu, he regained his confidence to stay in Jingzhou.

"My clan members are about to go south and return to their hometown. Xu Xuan has some important matters to explain, so I'll take my leave first. I hope you'll forgive me!" Xu Xuan saluted.

Zhu Xiu said hurriedly: "Mr. Xu is busy on his own, don't worry about us."

Pan Meidao said: "I am going to invite Tao Wenju to a banquet at Taihe Building and give him some filial piety money. This person is the key to our good relationship with Zhang Yijun. We cannot break the relationship."

Xu Xuan nodded, knowing in his heart that shopkeeper Chu wanted to thank Tao Wenju again for his matter.

"I'm sorry that I can't accompany you anymore. Shopkeeper Chu has been busy with me for several days, and I can't repay my great kindness. Please accept it and pay my respects!"

Xu Xuan bowed his head to Pan Mei and touched the ground. Pan Mei pretended to hold him up and said politely: "Mr. Xu, you're welcome! Please get up quickly!"

"You two stay here and take your leave!" Xu Xuan thanked him again and left with Xu Biao.

It wasn't until the two figures walked out of the gate of Yacheng that Zhu Xiu and Pan Mei breathed a sigh of relief.

"My dear, the performance is finally over! I'm exhausted!" Pan Mei slapped her neck, "How's it going? My old Pan did a pretty good job, didn't he? Didn't he reveal his secrets?"

Zhu Xiu stepped into the gate of Tao's house and glanced at him: "So-so, except for the slightly exaggerated performance at the banquet last night, the others barely passed."

"Hehe~ It's the first time, I'm inevitably nervous, but it will be much better in the future." Pan Mei scratched her head a little embarrassed.

Tao Wenju held up his robe and trotted to greet him, and with a flattering smile, he welcomed Zhu Xiu to the main seat in the hall.

"I would like to report to you, Young Envoy, that my humble duty will not disgrace my mission. I have reached an agreement with Xu Xuan for 100 million yuan, exactly!"

Tao Wen raised his eyebrows with joy and proudly claimed the credit.

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Very good, you performed well. It's worth it that I specially brought you here from the salt factory! Among all my subordinates, except you, I'm afraid no one is qualified for this task."

"Serving the Young Envoy, I will be ruined to death, and I will not give up even if I die!" Tao Wenju sang loudly, raised his hands in the air and prostrated.

Pan Mei curled her lips with disdain.

Zhu Xiu asked about the conversation process in detail and nodded with satisfaction.

Tao Wenju used coercion and inducement to extract 100 million yuan, but the most important thing was that he did not reveal his role in it.

Tao Wenju rolled his eyes and whispered: "I have something that I don't understand about my humble position. Can I ask the young envoy for advice?"

"Say."

"Since the young envoy has ordered the Zangfeng Battalion to find out the true identities of Xu Xuan and Li Congjia, why not directly detain them, then release Xu Biao and others back to Jiangning, and threaten them with money to redeem them?"

Tao Wenju couldn't figure out why the young commander would go around in circles when it was a straightforward matter, but still refused to show up or reveal his identity.

Zhu Xiu smiled slightly and said calmly: "Xu Xuan and Li Congjia are good people. I still want to maintain a friendship with them. Naturally, I cannot do these things."

Tao Wenju opened his mouth wide and was speechless.

The young commander ordered him to extort money, but he hid behind his back and pretended to be a good guy, and put all the bad reputation on Shi Jieshuai.

Poor Shi Jieshuai who didn't know what was going on. He didn't even know who Xu Xuan and Li Congjia were, so he took the blame for nothing.

The most treacherous, insidious, rogue and despicable person is undoubtedly the young envoy!
Tao Wenju admired him in his heart.

Zhu Xiu chuckled. Apart from that, there were naturally other reasons.

He wants to maintain a good relationship with Xu Xuan and Li Congjia, and rely on them to take care of him if he goes to the south in the future.

Lao Shi has never been interested in the south. There is a high probability that he will never cross the Yangtze River in his life. Let alone rip off Xu Xuan and Li Congjia, it doesn't matter even if they are beaten up.

Besides, considering the identities of Xu Xuan and Li Congjia, paying 70 yuan in protection fees is really not much.

"Alas~ It's such a pity. If ten years pass, Li Congjia's net worth will be much more than this."

Zhu Xiu rubbed her chin, feeling deeply regretful.

(End of this chapter)