He knew that the people of Jingjiang usually lacked a strong sense of patriotism, so he advocated awakening national pride through this method.
Li Dexian sneered: "People will naturally have love for their country, and there is no need to rely on reading this kind of news to express it. Real confidence comes from inner calmness and calmness, rather than superficial creation." He added, When leading the army to defeat the enemy, the people of Jingjiang will naturally have confidence. Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly and retorted: "If people's pockets are dry, how can they be confident? For the time being, we can enhance our self-confidence by belittling others. This is the so-called 'wealth code'."
Li Dexian finished chewing the apple core in his hand, seemed to have some understanding, and asked for another one to continue tasting. When the greenhouse planting technology was mentioned, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. Lin Xiaofeng explained that although greenhouse technology can be used to grow fruits and vegetables in winter, the cost is high and the output is difficult to control. In particular, the taste of cold melons is not good, so it has not been promoted and sold on a large scale.
The topic turned to the salt industry, and Lin Xiaofeng suddenly remembered that Xiang Xiehong and others went south to check for salt, and felt worried. However, Li Dexian had a sudden idea and planned to sell the fruits and vegetables from greenhouses in Yangqu County at high prices, promoting them as holy products for health. Hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng showed a subtle expression on his face, secretly wondering whether the prince had suddenly turned into a profiteer, and wanted to severely reprimand Ou Zhiyong.
At this moment, there was a noise outside the door. They both turned around and saw that the Yangqu County police officer had brought a crazy old man. The old man was cursing Lin Xiaofeng hysterically. Lin Xiaofeng didn't know why, so he asked about his origin and learned that he was found and captured by the monkey catching team in the mountains. He suspected that an important enemy came to provoke him. When Lin Xiaofeng saw the old man's face, he was extremely shocked. It turned out that this man was the abbot Wucheng of the White Horse Temple. Lin Xiaofeng was severely traumatized by the destruction of the temple, leading to mental disorder, and came to seek revenge.
Faced with this scene, Lin Xiaofeng felt deeply guilty and immediately ordered people to properly resettle Abbot Wucheng, seek medical advice for him, and give him a quiet and comfortable place to rest. Witnessing all this, Li Dexian couldn't help but lament that Buddhist practitioners should suffer such a tragic fate. Lin Xiaofeng then ordered the incident to be publicized in newspapers as a lesson to the world, warning people to respect their beliefs and act with caution.
In the Huayue Tower, the dim lights swayed in the smoke, creating a mysterious and depressing atmosphere. Luo Huajun, Lu Dexing, Liang Huankun and others sat around the Eight Immortals table in the reception room, and a serious and solemn atmosphere filled the surroundings. Xiang Xiehong held a stack of information tightly in his hand, with wrinkles on his brows. He asked the waiter: "Are these all member directories? Are there any omissions?" The waiter bowed his head and responded respectfully: "Shopkeeper, all the directories. They are all here." After the words fell, he quietly retreated. Xiang Xiehong rubbed his forehead, and the anxiety in his heart spread like ripples. They gathered here urgently due to the Yangtze River salt policy, and followed the master's secret instructions to conduct an in-depth investigation in the Huayue Tower. At this moment, there is a dedicated person staying in the Huayue Building, carefully establishing each member's file, hoping to find someone who can be used. However, after flipping through pages and pages of directories, there were very few clues.
Liang Huankun saw the sad look on Xiang Xiehong's face and asked with concern about the progress, but Xiang Xiehong could only shake his head helplessly and refused to answer. Looking at the mountains of information, Luo Huajun couldn't help but admire the prosperity of Huayuelou's business, and speculated that there might be salt merchants hidden among them; while Lu Dexing bluntly pointed out that salt merchants have strong financial resources and extraordinary status. A place like Huayuelou , may not be very attractive to them. He further analyzed that although the Yangtze River is an important pass for the circulation of salt goods, it is not the main production area, and salt merchants may not personally trek there. Private salt dealers are cunning and secretive, and it is not easy to find their traces in this membership directory.
Luo Huajun and Lu Dexing began to quarrel because of their different views. Xiang Xiehong's face darkened, his eyes widened with anger, and he shouted at the two of them, and warned everyone to put official business first and not to affect the overall situation due to personal grudges. He agreed with Lu Dexing's view that it was difficult to contact salt merchants directly, so we should start with private salt dealers. Due to the large population and large amount of salt used in Yangqu County, privately produced salt cannot meet market demand.
Liang Huankun was confused about the next action plan. Xiang Xiehong explained that they planned to find clues through various channels, even pretending to be private salt dealers to infiltrate the internal investigation. When Liang Huankun asked about the purpose of checking the membership directory, Xiang Xiehong sighed heavily and analyzed: If the forces behind Xun Liu are really involved in salt policy issues, their influence will probably be limited to the south. The north is not the main salt-producing area. Local personal connections may not play a big role. The member directory provided extremely limited information, but they decided to stay in Huayue Tower for the time being and ordered their subordinates to conduct detailed investigations inside and outside to find any clues about the activities of private salt dealers. At this time, everyone has their own concerns, and they are thinking deep in their hearts about how to clear away the fog in this complicated situation and find out the truth hidden in the darkness.
Since ancient times, salt and iron have been like the foundation of the country and are related to the safety of the country. If anyone who sells it privately is caught and brought to justice, he will only face the death penalty. Therefore, the investigation of smuggled salt is no less important than an eagle striking the sky or a tiger roaring deep in the forest. It is indeed a dangerous situation that can be easily dealt with by extraordinary means. When the Yangqu County government first obtained clues to the salt smuggling case, this crucial information came from an unknown salted fish vendor, which was unexpected. The officials followed the trail like a hunter. After some twists and turns, the clues pointed directly to a big salt owl in the city. This salt lord was as cunning as a fox and extremely vigilant. He forced Lin Ling to personally go into battle and carefully designed a trap to lure him into the yamen to discuss important matters before they could reach cooperation. This incident shows that the road to investigating smuggled salt is difficult and full of variables. .
Xiang Xiehong stepped into the bustling Huayue Tower, which is a gathering place for merchants. Everyone has a signature business smile on their faces. They knew that Xiang Xiehong had a deep friendship with the local power Lin Xiaofeng, so they It's passionate. Xiang Xiehong behaved calmly and measuredly, visiting merchants' homes with generous gifts, not only to consolidate old friendships, but also to hide the purpose of exploring private secrets. These merchants are all large families with vast land and large populations, and their demand for salt is huge. Although they have no worries about buying official salt, facing the huge price gap between official salt and private salt, even those with great wealth The wealthy gentry and wealthy businessmen cannot resist the temptation to compare every penny, just as they care about the parking fee of a few pennies. Once a source of low-priced salt appears, businessmen will naturally flock to it and are unwilling to buy official salt at high prices. Moreover, because most of the risks are borne by salt dealers, buyers often only need to spend money to eliminate disasters to settle the dispute.
Everyone performed their duties and launched a carpet-like search operation in the city. After seven days, everyone was exhausted and finally gathered in the reception room. However, Xiang Xiehong was still full of energy. He asked everyone how the search was progressing, but everyone could only shake their heads and sigh helplessly. Luo Huajun looked frustrated, and his words showed fatigue: "That private salt dealer is extremely cunning. We have searched almost every possible corner of the city, but we still haven't found any clues. I suggest that we should go directly to the salt-producing area. , Find a breakthrough from the source." As soon as this statement came out, everyone unanimously agreed. Lu Dexing pondered for a long time, his heart as bright as a mirror. He knew that this mission was related to his career. After a while, he slowly spoke: "There are many doubts about this. The private salt trade is extremely profitable. Despite the strict ban of the imperial court, But the ban continues. Nowadays, although the Yangtze River Basin has been hit by disasters, it has attracted a large number of new immigrants, and the number of poor people has increased sharply. According to common sense, this is the time when salt traders are active. How could there be no movement or that salt traders have already formed? There is no strict and unified management system, or the source has been cleverly cut off. I agree to go to the salt-producing area to find out the truth, but considering our identity restrictions, it will be difficult. "
Xiang Xiehong heard this analysis and deeply agreed. At the same time, he revealed that he held the official seal and private seal given by the master, which gave him special powers. In addition, he also discovered five people with strange behaviors in Huayue Tower. Their detailed information has been recorded in a book and displayed for everyone to read. These five people came in and out of Huayue Tower frequently, but they were not from the city. Their lives and livelihoods were unclear, and they had never been involved in any business topics. Various abnormal behaviors aroused Xiang Xiehong's high vigilance. He decided to patiently observe these five people for five more days. If there was still no breakthrough, he would find another strategy.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, three days later, at a simple tea stall [Bisheng Changrun Tea] in the city, Xiang Xiehong and Luo Huajun sat opposite each other, sipping tea while discussing their next move. The target Luo Huajun followed has been eliminated from suspicion, and he once again proposed to leave for the salt-producing area as soon as possible. Xiang Xiehong advised him to be calm and wait for two more days with a steady attitude. At the same time, he lamented the difficulty of hunting down the salt dealers this time. At this time, the tea stall owner Wang Laoliu recognized Xiang Xiehong and respectfully stepped forward to salute and greet him. This scene was like a real and simple picture in urban life, reflecting the smoky atmosphere of the world.
As soon as Wang Laoliu's name was spoken, Xiang Xiehong's eyes narrowed slightly, and ripples of memories surged deep in his heart, but he was unable to capture the slightest trace of this name in the vast memory bank. He looked closely at the simple-faced tea stall owner in front of him, trying to find a sense of familiarity on his face, and then asked tentatively: "Have I ever interacted with you?" After hearing this, Wang Laoliu felt a trace of confusion. With a smile full of innocence and traces of time, he responded: "You may not remember me, but I am deeply impressed by the two adults! Looking back on those days, during that difficult and difficult period, I was just a homeless refugee, living in the streets and alleys. I witnessed you walking side by side with Mr. Lin. " He was immersed in the past, gratefully expressed Mr. Lin's kindness to him, and asked with concern whether Mr. Lin was still serving in Yangqu County.
When Xiang Xiehong and Luo Huajun heard this, their doubts immediately dissipated. It turned out that Wang Laoliu was originally a refugee. No wonder they had no direct contact. Xiang Xiehong explained in a relaxed tone: "Mr. Lin is currently living in the capital, and you may have the opportunity to visit here again in the future." After hearing this, Wang Laoliu's face turned slightly gloomy, showing a trace of regret. Xiang Xiehong further praised Wang Laoliu's experience in transforming from a refugee to a tea stall owner, especially mentioning that his business is booming and his life is getting better. In this regard, Wang Laoliu revealed an old story with a cheerful face: All these achievements originated from the fifty taels of silver generously donated by Mr. Lin as entrepreneurial capital. When Xiang Xiehong further inquired about his current living situation and business situation, Wang Laoliu said with joy: "Now my life is going smoothly, I have really turned around!"
Turning back time, Wang Laoliu was originally a worker in the Wu family's workshop. As the years went by, his expectations for life grew day by day, but the reality was that his wages were not increasing but decreasing, which made him want to quit. Thanks to Master Lin's selfless assistance, he resolutely bid farewell to the Wu family and set up his own tea stall. Well aware of the hardships and needs of fellow workers at the bottom, he set up a simple tea stall on the dusty street. The tea was cheap and affordable, so it quickly attracted many workers to visit. Although the profit per cup was small, through hard work and shrewd management, he gradually accumulated a surplus and began to sell higher quality tea varieties.
When Xiang Xiehong heard that Wang Laoliu had achieved profitability through unremitting efforts, he couldn't help but praise him: "Well done! Although your small tea stall is not worth mentioning, it has won the hearts of the people with its high quality and low price. In time, it will surely thrive. Growth!" When Wang Laoliu heard this affirmation, his joy was beyond words, and at the same time he felt sorry that Mr. Lin could not witness this change with his own eyes. When Luo Huajun heard about the suffering of refugees, he was filled with indignation and took pictures to denounce social injustice. Wang Laoliu couldn't help but echoed, revealing that since Mr. Lin left Yangqu County, the local landlords had begun to unscrupulously lower workers' wages and ruthlessly oppressed the refugee people.
Xiang Xiehong asked about the underlying reason, and Wang Laoliu explained helplessly that because the school recruited a large number of immigrants for free, the labor market was oversupplied, and workers' treatment was reduced. Landlords took the opportunity to squeeze workers' wages. Faced with such a cruel social reality, Xiang Xiehong and Luo Huajun were speechless, each thinking about how to turn things around.
Xiang Xiehong then became concerned about the treatment of the workers at Wang Laoliu's tea stall. Wang Laoliu honestly confessed that currently he only provided food subsidies and did not pay cash wages. Xiang Xiehong was deeply worried after hearing this. He secretly thought that although Wang Laoliu was hardworking and diligent, his treatment of employees was not fundamentally different from the criticized landlords.
While the conversation was in full swing, Wang Laoliu suddenly mentioned the private sale of salt, which lifted the spirits of Xiang Xiehong and Luo Huajun. Xiang Xiehong lowered his voice and asked urgently for information about the circulation of private salt. Wang Laoliu said bluntly that there was currently no private salt trading on the market, but he had personally witnessed the Wu family buying it through non-official salt channels while working at the Wu family. Private salt. At that time, the labor intensity was extremely high and the workers were in urgent need of salt to replenish their strength. However, the Wu family was so stingy that they were unwilling to supply enough salt, and in the end they had to buy it privately. Wang Laoliu clearly remembered that he had witnessed the housekeeper trading private salt with a mysterious salt dealer. Luo Huajun was puzzled as to why he concluded that it was private salt. Wang Laoliu replied that the salt seller often came in and out of Huayue Tower and acted in a sneaky manner, which was obviously not comparable to that of ordinary official salt merchants.
After learning this important clue, Xiang Xiehong was overjoyed and asked Wang Laoliu to help identify the salt seller. He promised to compensate him for the risks and losses he might suffer, and even invited him to temporarily stay in a safe place - Huayue Tower. . Wang Laoliu accepted it readily and confidently promised that he would be able to identify the salt seller. Xiang Xiehong also jokingly said that he would report Wang Laoliu's deeds to Mr. Lin. Wang Laoliu was even more happy when he heard that, and he warmly entertained the two of them for a cup of tea and a chat.
Xiang Xiehong spoke highly of Wang Laoliu's positive attitude towards life. At the same time, out of curiosity, he asked about the specific source of Bisheng Changrun Tea. Wang Laoliu looked embarrassed. After pondering for a long time, he finally revealed the truth: It turned out that the tea was mixed with trace amounts of laxatives. After hearing this, Xiang Xiehong's expression suddenly changed, and Luo Huajun was also shocked. For a moment, the three of them fell into deep silence and reflection.
The old man Wang Laoliu, with a hint of cunning in his eyes, secretly mixed laxatives into the tea. This sight made Xiang Xiehong, who had not yet tasted tea, have time to react, but Luo Huajun was already furious and wanted to hit him to vent his anger. However, Xiang Xiehong looked around and listened in all directions. When he saw this scene, he calmly dissuaded him and said: "There is no need to be angry. We have done some unknown things before." Luo Huajun heard Wang Laoliu's explanation, The laxative in this tea was actually a potion of earthen bowel decoction taught by a co-worker. It could relieve constipation and detoxify and was not harmful to anyone. He gradually calmed down the anger in his heart and slowly put down the chair and stool he was holding tightly in his hands. In order to prove that what he said was true, Wang Laoliu unexpectedly drank the remaining cup of tea mixed with laxatives in one gulp. This move made Xiang Xiehong and Luo Huajun stunned, secretly sighing at the uniqueness of this old man's behavior. And decisively.
Xiang Xiehong had sharp eyesight and discerned everything, and decisively decided to order Wang Laoliu to temporarily put away the tea stall. That night, he accompanied him to Huayue Tower to identify the salt seller, and promised that he could enjoy delicious food and fine wines in the building, and all expenses would be borne by Xiang Xiehong. Xie Hong is responsible. As night fell, Wang Laoliu walked into Huayue Tower with an uneasy heart, but unexpectedly found that the guard did not stop him, and he was able to easily enter this prosperous place. After entering, Wang Laoliu's eyes were filled with surprise and curiosity as he saw a dazzling array of novelties. He planned to share this unique experience with his fellow workers in the future.
After Xiang Xiehong got the news, he went downstairs to greet Wang Laoliu in person. He saw that he was a little reserved because he was in such a luxurious environment for the first time, so Xiang Xiehong encouraged him with a gentle smile and words to pick out his favorite items and bring them back. Faced with Xiang Xiehong's openness and generosity, Wang Laoliu's gratitude was beyond words. As dusk fell, there was an endless stream of guests in the Huayue Building. Xiang Xiehong carefully arranged for Wang Laoliu to sit in a quiet corner, drinking tea while paying attention to the target person who might appear in his sight.
At this moment, the Huayue Tower was bustling with singing and dancing, and Wang Laoliu seemed to be immersed in this prosperous world. When the exquisite dishes were served one after another, the delicacies were so mouth-watering that Wang Laoliu could not help but be stunned and amazed. Xiang Xiehong was very considerate and warned Wang Laoliu not to be overly polite, but to taste the delicious food as he pleased, and to add more food at any time if it was not enough. Feeling Xiang Xiehong's easy-going and generous attitude, Wang Laoliu gradually let go of his restraints and feasted, enjoying this worldly delicacy.
During the dinner, Wang Laoliu tasted each delicacy one by one, and praised Xiang Xiehong constantly. He was even more grateful for Xiang Xiehong's careful care. When the topic turned to private salt trading, Xiang Xiehong earnestly reminded Wang Laoliu to just abide by his duties and avoid asking too many questions to avoid unnecessary trouble. Once he discovered the target salt dealer, he must inform him immediately, so that he could not only enjoy it as much as he wanted The entertainment facilities in the building will meet again at the same place the next day. At the same time, Xiang Xiehong gave him fifty taels of silver notes as a reward.
Wang Laoliu refused to accept this heavy gift, but Xiang Xiehong smiled lightly and told the truth in an understatement: the fifty taels of silver notes were not given to him personally, but specially for the woman he admired in his heart. Prepared gifts. After Wang Laoliu heard this, he was stunned, and his eyes happened to catch the figure of the target they were tracking. He whispered urgently: "Boss Xiang, he is here!" At this moment, the atmosphere in Huayue Tower suddenly became tense. , a drama about the tracking and competition of salt dealers is about to begin.
As soon as Wang Laoliu mentioned the name Feng Lindu, Xiang Xiehong's eyes instantly gathered a sharp light, like an eagle circling high in the sky to lock its prey. In the dimly lit place of Huayue Tower, a tall and handsome young man walked in with a pretty maid chatting and laughing. The swaying fan in his hand was inscribed with lines of poems filled with fragrant ink. He has the spirit of a businessman, but has the charm of a scholarly scholar. This person is none other than Feng Lindu, the salt seller in Yuanhai City whom they have been tracking for a long time.
Xiang Xiehong once again confirmed Feng Lindu's identity to Wang Laoliu and asked him if he was the core figure in the secret salt transaction with the Wu family. After receiving Wang Laoliu's affirmative nod in response, Xiang Xiehong comforted him to enjoy the dinner in peace. All subsequent matters are handled by himself, and all expenses are recorded in his account books.
So, Xiang Xiehong stood up, walked in the direction of Feng Lindu with steady and powerful steps, and bowed his hands in a humble and polite manner. When Feng Lindu saw this, he was slightly stunned and asked Xiang Xiehong what he was doing. Xiang Xiehong responded calmly and introduced himself as the owner of Huayue Tower, with a hint of majesty in his steady voice. Feng Lindu recalled the various rumors circulating about Xiang Xiehong, and a look of vigilance flashed across his face. Xiang Xiehong noticed Feng Lindu's doubts and explained slowly that he wanted to understand why Feng Lindu had not yet joined the ranks of VIPs at Huayue Tower, and asked with concern whether Feng Lindu had encountered any poor reception here. After hearing this, Feng Lindu smiled with relief and admitted that Huayue Tower is indeed a place where guests can enjoy themselves, but because he has not lived along the Yangtze River for a long time, he may have to leave here soon.
Xiang Xiehong observed Feng Lindu's every move and speech temperament in detail, secretly guessing the life background of this down-and-out scholar, and couldn't help but feel sorry for his upcoming departure. Feng Lindu also spoke frankly, saying that he was once a poor scholar, but now he turned to the leather goods industry to make a living. Xiang Xiehong was deeply moved. He recalled that although he was a high school student during his Jingjiang years, he finally gave up his career as a scholar due to the pressure of reality and joined the business world. When he learned that Feng Lindu had changed from a scholar to a businessman, he felt disappointed and was about to say goodbye politely. Feng Lindu keenly caught Xiang Xiehong's mood swings and hurriedly stopped him to ask why.
Xiang Xiehong smiled bitterly and expressed his feelings, lamenting that although the two of them had different backgrounds, they had also experienced vicissitudes in this world, so there was no need to stick to status or timing when they met. These words seemed to touch the resonance string in Feng Lindu's heart. He sincerely invited Xiang Xiehong to stay and talk about their life journeys together. After Xiang Xiehong agreed, the two sat down again. Feng Lindu curiously asked Xiang Xiehong why he chose to go into business even though he was an official. Xiang Xiehong let out a long sigh and told about his poor family background and the experience of being bullied by the squires when he was young. Even after winning the imperial examination, he was still unable to change the plight of his life, and finally had to put down his poetry and books and get involved in the business world.
After hearing this, Feng Lindu felt deep sympathy. It turned out that both of them had similar rough life experiences. Especially for Xiang Xiehong, who had great poetic talent, giving up his career as a scholar was really a helpless and regrettable move. Feng Lindu further asked if he could recite the poem in its entirety that he once encountered when he was drunk. Xiang Xiehong regretted that the whole poem could not be completed, only the fragment of the drunken aura remained.
However, even so, Feng Lindu was still lucky to meet a like-minded fallen person in a corner of the prosperous world. Xiang Xiehong also emphasized that in the face of fate, no matter high or low, everyone drifts with the tide like duckweeds, and there is no need to care too much about the difference in status between each other. He suggested that the two of them should have a good drink, talk about Taoism over wine, and share the friendship of a close friend like a lamp under the moon and flowing water on a high mountain. Feng Lindu readily agreed and wanted to pay the bill himself, but Xiang Xiehong declined politely, claiming that this place was his own property. He ordered his servants to immediately put a table full of delicacies and fine wines to cherish this rare encounter together.
In front of the vermilion gate of the Lin Mansion, Li Dexian's white teeth were as bright as shells. He had a bright smile on his face and his words were full of pride: "Old Lin, look at it. I'll transport all the watermelons from Yangqu County back. Come on!" Beside him, Ou Zhiyong stood like an old pine rooted in the earth, his eyes occasionally passing over the piles of melons, his eyes full of anticipation. Lin Xiaofeng stared at the two large cars full of watermelons parked in front of his house, and was speechless for a moment. He never thought that Li Dexian would go to such trouble to treat these watermelons that were not worth mentioning in his eyes as a rarity. commodity.
The watermelons produced in Yangqu County are truly inferior in Lin Xiaofeng's mind. The crops grown in Jingjiang were far from the varieties he remembered, especially those original varieties that pursued barbaric breeding of seeds and ignored the quality of the fruits, which made Lin Xiaofeng deeply saddened. The watermelon here is even worse. It lacks water, lacks sweetness, the flesh is thin and crispy, and the cavity is quite large. Therefore, Lin Xiaofeng has always laughed at this type of melon and fruit. However, the county agriculture department and the villagers are very fond of growing melons and enjoy it year after year. Today, Li Dexian actually moved these piles of watermelons that Lin Xiaofeng thought were worthless and planned to sell them in the palace, which undoubtedly surprised him.
Seeing Lin Xiaofeng fell silent, Li Dexian asked eagerly: "Are you willing to accompany me to the palace tomorrow to sell watermelons?" Lin Xiaofeng was shocked and asked for details: "Your Highness, all the watermelons in our county have been moved here? Have the farmers got it? The due reward?" Li Dexian smiled easily and replied: "Ou Zhiyong said that it doesn't cost any money, and the farmers are happy to give it away for free." Lin Xiaofeng looked at Ou Zhiyong suspiciously, and the latter explained: "I told them that Mr. Lin wanted to taste it for himself. These watermelons, so they gave them away generously.”
Lin Xiaofeng thought to himself: He actually used his own name to defraud watermelons and tried to profit from it. How ridiculous! He asked Li Dexian sarcastically: "Your Highness wants to set up a stall to sell watermelons in the palace, aren't you afraid of His Majesty's censure?" Li Dexian retorted nonchalantly: "Last time, even the glasses were sold at a good price, have you forgotten? Lin Xiaofeng argued: "Glasses are a necessity of life, but watermelons are not. If His Majesty learns of this, he will be punished severely. It is better to sell it among the people. Why bother to cause trouble in the palace?" Li Dexian insisted: " The price of each watermelon in the market is as high as ten taels of silver, which is unaffordable for ordinary people, but you may be able to find a buyer in the palace. "Although the price is extremely high, considering the scarcity of the output, it may be wealthy. People can accept such a high price.
Lin Xiaofeng comforted him: "If His Highness is really in urgent need of money, you can tell him directly without going round such a roundabout way." Li Dexian pulled him into the hall and confessed that he was not short of money, but really wanted to experience the fun of selling watermelons. Lin Xiaofeng was puzzled and continued to ask why he was so persistent on this matter. Li Dexian's face was slightly red, and he shyly told the whole story like a young man: "Although the masters didn't say it explicitly, I always felt that they were questioning my ability. I originally longed to gallop on the battlefield and make contributions, but in reality, I failed to do so. I rely on your assistance in daily government affairs. "Today, I want to let everyone see that I can handle things independently and make a difference through selling melons."
Li Dexian further revealed his heart: "I have studied with many masters since I was a child, and their expectations are like an invisible mountain pressing on my shoulders. I am eager to express myself in other fields, just like the last time I successfully sold glasses, this time I want to sell melons , proves that I am not a person who does nothing.”
After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng felt sincere admiration for the prince's courage and persistence, but he worriedly reminded: "I'm afraid this move will arouse criticism from the ministers in the DPRK and China, which is not appropriate." Li Dexian thought for a moment and responded: "The teachers in the palace and My officials often criticized me harshly, which made me feel stressed. My father also taught me how to be a wise monarch behind my back. However, history does not dictate a fixed pattern for a wise king to act. The last time I bought glasses, I realized that. The ministers have limited knowledge and are easily deceived by superficial phenomena, so I do not want to be limited by their old ideas. I hope to show myself through this melon selling. No matter what the result is, this is my belief in my own abilities. A challenge and verification.”
Although Lin Xiaofeng had deep respect for the prince's pure and straightforward character and childlike innocence, and foresaw that he might achieve great things in the future, he was unwilling to take risks and accompany him. However, Li Dexian firmly believed that only with Lin Xiaofeng by his side could he carry out this plan with peace of mind, and even used this as a "blackmail". Lin Xiaofeng was stunned and denied that this was a nonsense. As the two of them were going back and forth, Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but have mixed feelings in her heart - the prince seemed young and cunning, but he was able to use what he had learned to treat others in his own way. This kind of thing made people laugh and cry. The scene also made Lin Xiaofeng have more expectations and worries about Li Dexian's future growth.
Lin Xiaofeng's face was solemn, his eyes were resolute, and his words showed determination: "That's all, I will accompany His Highness to the palace, but regarding the sale of watermelons, His Highness still needs to personally handle it, and I will not be involved." He secretly calculated in his heart, If he doesn't go with Li Dexian, I'm afraid he will go to the princess to make trouble and make up some rumors that are not good for him. After hearing this, Li Dexian's face immediately burst into joy and he happily accepted the arrangement.
Lin Xiaofeng immediately summoned Ou Zhiyong and ordered him to bring the watermelons into the house one by one, place them on the cold and hard stone table, and ordered the servants to cut the watermelons open for everyone to examine. When the watermelon was cut open, just as Lin Xiaofeng expected, the inside was hollow and the flesh was thin and white, and it didn't look sweet at all. Lin Xiaofeng's eyes fell on the prince and asked in a deep voice: "Does Your Highness like to eat this kind of melon and fruit?" Li Dexian did not respond directly, but cleverly praised this watermelon because of its huge size.
Lin Xiaofeng pointed out bluntly: "Although this watermelon looks ordinary, because of its huge size, it may be able to be chewed for a while, but in terms of its own quality, it has no unique charm. If it is priced at ten taels of silver, it is really difficult for people to chew it. Convinced. What's more, if His Highness really wants to set up a stall for sale in the palace, I think the ministers will find it difficult to agree, and it may even lead to the risk of impeachment. If he insists on selling it at a high price, he must find another way to give the watermelon some value to make it valuable. Value for money.”
He gave the example that even if watermelon is not originally sweet, you should try to make it delicious and attractive. Regarding this point, Li Dexian was confused. After all, the melon has been picked, how can he still make it sweet? Lin Xiaofeng emphasized sternly: "This matter depends entirely on His Highness's wisdom and methods, and I cannot do it for you. Moreover, the most important thing in business is integrity, and you must not deceive customers, otherwise it will definitely affect the long-term business development."
At dawn the next day, Ou Zhiyong delivered a cart of watermelons to the open square in front of Baohe Temple early. At the end of the court meeting, the ministers caught a glimpse of the watermelon cart parked in the square, and saw Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian walking quickly towards the cart. Li Dexian personally erected a signboard with the words "Watermelon, no sweet, no money required", and started selling it loudly in front of the ministers. Although Lin Xiaofeng looked embarrassed, he could only helplessly cooperate with Li Dexian.
Many ministers gathered around and looked at this scene. Bai Yongyuan came out angrily and accused Lin Xiaofeng of instigating the prince to conduct such an unseemly business in the palace. However, Li Dexian insisted that the move was his idea and warmly invited everyone to taste the watermelon. He cut the melons himself, and when the watermelons split open, juices splashed out. Bai Yongyuan suspected that the watermelons might have rotted. Li Dexian explained that it was delicious juice, and declared that the watermelon was called honey melon, and asked Bai Yongyuan to try it.
At first, Bai Yongyuan sternly refused, thinking that the prince should not do such a humble thing as selling melons here. Li Dexian asked why he could sell glasses but not watermelons. This sentence was like a stone thrown into a lake, causing ripples of discussion. Some people in the crowd questioned how there could be watermelons at this time of year, and they all thought the season had passed. Lin Xiaofeng promptly added that this was a charity sale, and all the proceeds would be donated to poor people, and the opposition voices weakened a lot.
Finally, in front of everyone, Bai Yongyuan reluctantly took a piece of watermelon and put it in his mouth. After tasting it, he was surprised and praised it repeatedly, saying that it was extremely sweet and indeed had a honey-like fragrance. Lin Xiaofeng's words made the officials feel a little relieved. Prince Li Dexian's melon selling seemed to have turned around. A transaction that might have caused an uproar turned into a charitable act that showed his compassion.
When the ministers heard Bai Yongyuan's praise of the watermelon, their hearts surged like rivers, and they all looked at the pile of cut watermelons, with curiosity and expectation written on their faces. Li Dexian, with sharp eyes and quick hands, seized the opportunity and quickly delivered the watermelons to everyone one by one. Lin Xiaofeng also tasted a piece. The sweetness was just right, as if a trace of honey was flowing on the tip of his tongue. Li Dexian smiled slyly, and whispered into Lin Xiaofeng's ear: "Old Lin, doesn't this melon taste unique enough?" Lin Xiaofeng's heart tightened, wondering whether he had added sugar secretly, but Li Dexian proudly revealed the truth. It turned out that the watermelon was infused with sugar. Honey water, and the tool used was actually a penicillin syringe.
After tasting it, all the ministers were all excited and praised the watermelon sold by the prince for its unprecedented sweetness. Lin Xiaofeng stood aside, with ups and downs in his heart: Such a simple technique of injecting honey was played by the prince like an ingenious game, which even reminded people of the "poisoning" thing he once jokingly mentioned. The prince asked whether this move constituted false propaganda, and Lin Xiaofeng replied that there was nothing wrong with it. It was just a way to convert primary agricultural products into deeply processed commodities.
Everyone gradually joined in the tasting process, feeling surprised and novel about the prince selling melons in person. Bai Yongyuan further asked about the origin of the watermelon, and Li Dexian calmly responded that it came from Yangqu County as tribute. After hearing this, everyone felt relieved. After all, Yangqu County has unique folk customs, so it makes sense to plant out-of-season watermelons. Bai Yongyuan decided to buy a watermelon. Although Lin Xiaofeng had doubts, he reluctantly picked one and asked specifically whether it was ripe. Faced with Bai Yongyuan's concerns about the inconsistent seasons, Lin Xiaofeng flashed a hint of dissatisfaction on his face and retorted: "Season cannot be the criterion for judging the quality of fruits and melons."
When Bai Yongyuan learned that the price of each watermelon was as high as ten taels of silver, the ministers were in an uproar, talked about it, and agreed that the price was too high. However, after Li Qiuyan's careful consideration and interpretation, the officials thought that this melon might contain some unique health-preserving effects, so they rushed to buy it. Bai Yongyuan paid the bill first without hesitation. Seeing this, Li Dexian couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief temporarily.
Everyone carefully looked at each watermelon and found that the rind was intact. They speculated that the whole watermelon might have been soaked in honey, and then concluded that this melon was a unique variety and was truly precious. Under Li Qiuyan's guidance and exaggeration, everyone became more and more convinced that this watermelon was rare and started to buy it like crazy. Soon, the car full of watermelons was sold out. Li Dexian was so excited that he struck while the iron was hot and launched a new product called "Milk Melon", priced at fifteen taels of silver each, which once again triggered an amazing heated discussion.
Li Dexian cut open a milk melon with his own hands and showed it to the ministers. The milky white liquid and the bright red flesh of the melon were in perfect contrast. Lin Xiaofeng could tell at a glance that it had been filled with milk. He was afraid that it had already gone bad, and he was worried that the eater would experience discomfort after eating it. , so worried. However, the ministers did not think too much about these details and still rushed to buy. Even Li Qiuyan also echoed beside them. Lin Xiaofeng was helpless, worried that the prince's move might damage everyone's health, and he felt a sense of blame deep in his heart. However, he could only watch helplessly as this seemingly lively but actually dangerous farce continued to unfold, unable to do anything. Prevent. The milk melon was sold out in an instant, and everyone's eyes were instantly attracted to the newly cut melon in Li Dexian's hand. The milky white liquid between the melon petals was as eye-catching as a mystery. Li Qiuyan was the first to break the silence and asked to taste it. Li Dexian readily agreed, and the officials followed suit and rushed to try this strange fruit. After Li Qiuyan tasted it carefully, he was full of praise. Everyone was full of surprise and curiosity about the mysterious white juice flowing out of the melon flesh. Li Dexian showed a hint of embarrassment in the face of everyone's doubts. When Lin Xiaofeng saw this, he had no choice but to stand up and help him out, explaining that it was the lotion in the melon. However, this explanation only aroused more doubts and speculations.
Under the suspicious gazes, Lin Xiaofeng had an idea and named the melon "pregnant melon". This novel statement caused an uproar among the people present. After Li Dexian heard this, he was both surprised and secretly admired Lin Xiaofeng's exquisite skill in writing stories. Lin Xiaofeng, on the other hand, remained calm and calmly quoted the principles of yin and yang, explaining that this kind of melon was a rare treasure, and only an imperial doctor who was well versed in medical science might be able to give a reasonable interpretation. Some people questioned how the melon without a fetus came to be conceived. Lin Xiaofeng adapted to the situation and cleverly solved this problem in a vague way.
Li Qiuyan pondered for a moment and decided to reason based on the theory of doctors. Although the so-called pregnant melon was never recorded in ancient books, he speculated based on the principle that all things have changes in yin and yang attributes. Melon milk may be the cold substance excreted when the nature of melon changes from yin to yang. , but the melon flesh contains the essence of extremely yang energy. He suggested abandoning the melon milk and eating only the melon meat, which might have the effect of aphrodisiac and body replenishment. These remarks were like a groundbreaking statement, and the ministers immediately started talking about it. Those who had bought the melon felt like they had found a treasure and were overjoyed; those who had not bought the melon felt extremely regretful and felt regretful.
Wang Jingwen came over after hearing the news. He was shocked and wanted to experience this magical fruit. At this time, Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian were busy counting the silver they had earned, wondering why these normally well-informed ministers would be so enthusiastic about such a melon infused with milk. Lin Xiaofeng reminded Li Dexian that he must pay attention to the time when milk is poured into the melon to prevent the eater from becoming sick due to milk spoilage. Li Dexian responded that they boiled the milk and cooled it before injecting it into the melon. Theoretically, there was no big problem.
Lin Xiaofeng raised his voice and seriously warned everyone again that these fruits are easy to spoil and must be eaten as soon as possible. The ministers asked Li Qiuyan for advice on how to properly preserve and eat the melon. Li Qiuyan agreed with Lin Xiaofeng's point of view and added that melon seeds can also be used as medicine and have unique curative effects. The crowd gradually dispersed, and the news of this strange melon quickly reached the ears of Emperor Jingjiang. After hearing the news, he became furious and wanted to summon Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian into the palace to reprimand him, but he learned that all the melons had been sold out. In desperation, Emperor Jingjiang could only order people to summon the two men immediately, and prepared sticks for them, waiting for their arrival. Wang Jingwen took the order and left, while Emperor Jingjiang fell into deep thinking about this legendary "improving melon", with mixed feelings in his heart.
Outside the palace wall, a sly smile appeared on the faces of Lin Xiaofeng and Li Dexian. They happily counted the two thousand taels of silver they got from selling watermelons. However, Lin Xiaofeng knew in his heart that this was not the wealth obtained by the right way. . At this moment, Wang Jingwen came running as fast as flying and panting to announce: "Your Highness, Mr. Lin, Your Majesty has an order to urgently summon you two into the palace." When Lin Xiaofeng heard the news, he sighed secretly in his heart: Good things and bad things depend on each other. There is no escape. Li Dexian, on the other hand, was still calm and composed. He ordered his guards to bring the silver coins with them, confidently claiming that he could convince Emperor Jingjiang, and reminded Lin Xiaofeng to cover everything up properly. Then, surrounded by many guards, the three of them stepped into the solemn hall side by side.
As soon as he stepped into the threshold of the hall, Li Dexian caught a glimpse of the black stick clenched in Emperor Jingjiang's hand. A chill instantly rose from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his face instantly turned pale and weak. Emperor Jingjiang sat on the dragon chair, with a majestic air coming over his face, and asked the two of them sternly why they set up a stall to sell melons in the palace. Facing the emperor's severe questioning, Li Dexian did not dare to speak and could only use his eyes to ask Lin Xiaofeng for help. Lin Xiaofeng stepped forward at this moment and argued in a calm tone that the prince's move was to experience the suffering of the people. The melons and fruits he sold were rare things in the world, and he wanted to share their unique delicacies with the ministers. He also planned to replenish all the silver earned. The treasury was used to demonstrate the prince's filial piety towards the emperor and his deep concern for the people of the country. Wang Jingwen promptly presented the pile of shining silver coins in front of the imperial case.
Emperor Jingjiang's eyes followed Lin Xiaofeng's words and landed on the pile of silver coins. Then he slowly walked down from the dragon chair, holding a black stick in his hand and beating Li Dexian with anger in his voice. Lin Xiaofeng was horrified and could only stare sideways at this scene. Emperor Jingjiang angrily rebuked the prince for his indulgent behavior and disregard for etiquette. Lin Xiaofeng forced himself to remain calm in fear and tried his best to dissuade the emperor from calming down so as not to hurt the dragon's body. Emperor Jingjiang shouted back everyone and continued to flog the prince. Li Dexian gritted his teeth and endured every blow. Lin Xiaofeng stood aside tremblingly, while Wang Jingwen stayed by his side with a calm expression.
After Emperor Jingjiang finished his lesson, he ordered the prince not to leave the East Palace for three days. Before Li Dexian was taken away, he whispered to Lin Xiaofeng how to deal with being beaten. After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng felt a wave of fear in her heart, worrying that she would suffer the same punishment. However, Emperor Jingjiang did not let Lin Xiaofeng leave, but asked him to stand where he was. After Li Dexian disappeared, Emperor Jingjiang's eyes focused on Lin Xiaofeng again. Lin Xiaofeng speculated on Emperor Jingjiang's mood at the moment, and carefully asked if he was feeling agitated and uneasy because of the recent re-examination of the account books of the Household Department. Emperor Jingjiang responded frankly that although there were no errors in the account books, he still had lingering doubts and troubles in his heart. He warned the two of them to go back to their respective mansions to rest and think if there was no urgent matter. After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng became more and more frightened, so she could only stand respectfully, holding her breath, waiting for Emperor Jingjiang's next order.
Emperor Jingjiang's face darkened in an instant, and his sullen expression was like dark clouds covering the sun. His voice was like thunder exploding: "You said you wanted to enrich the treasury for me. Such ridiculous words actually came from your mouth?" The majesty in his words was like the cold winter wind sweeping through the Yangqu greenhouse melon fields, which was bone-chilling: "How could I be kept in the dark about Yangqu greenhouse's deception of melons and fruits? When I first arrived in Yangqu, I witnessed it with my own eyes. . It can be inferred that although what you said is not true, it is not far from the truth. "
The emperor's expression was unpredictable, but his heart was like a mirror that saw everything. He secretly thought to himself that he had never heard of the so-called "improvement melon", and Lin Xiaofeng often presented rare treasures in the palace. If there were any strange melons and fruits, they would definitely appear in front of him. Therefore, he concluded that the strange melons Lin Xiaofeng talked about were just ordinary watermelons produced in the Yangqu greenhouse. He was angered by the emperor because of the Ministry of Household Accounts audit, and he was glad that he was not involved in it.
Facing the emperor's stern question, Lin Xiaofeng showed admiration and praise on his face, and responded respectfully: "Your Majesty clearly understands everything, and I admire you very much! It is indeed a watermelon grown in a greenhouse." The emperor followed closely and asked why he had not been able to do so for so long. This was presented and the possibility of growing other crops in greenhouses and winter farming was explored in depth.
Lin Xiaofeng lowered his head and replied: "A variety of crops may be grown in greenhouses in winter, but the quality may not be satisfactory. Although the promotion of greenhouse technology can realize winter farming, the current cost is high, and it is not cost-effective to grow mainly grains. Suitable for growing vegetables to supply the homes of the powerful in the capital.”
When the emperor heard this, he nodded slightly and promised Lin Xiaofeng that he could build a shed in the western suburbs to grow fruits and vegetables, and asked how much it would cost. Lin Xiaofeng knew full well that the emperor wanted to replenish the internal funds, so he responded tactfully: "Thanks to your majesty's gift of land, how dare I ask the imperial court to support me with silver! In addition to growing fruits and vegetables in greenhouses, I have another plan. I wonder if your majesty agrees?" "
Although the western suburbs are remote, if a road is built directly to the capital, its geographical advantages will be obvious. The vast land can also be used for building factories, developing farmhouses and many other projects. Lin Xiaofeng was pleasantly surprised. Not only did he escape punishment, but he also received unexpected opportunities.
The emperor readily agreed to his request, and at the same time emphasized that it was a great contribution to the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables to the people in winter. However, when Lin Xiaofeng greeted him, Emperor warned him not to be too cunning in his words. Then it was mentioned that the Ministry of Household Accounts had failed to check the accounts, and there must be something hidden somewhere, especially since the forces behind Xun Liu had not yet been identified, which made the emperor worried day and night.
The emperor ordered Lin Xiaofeng to thoroughly investigate the case. Lin Xiaofeng reported that he had dispatched personnel to the Yangtze River area to investigate, but this matter may take some time. Di took a deep breath. The case was difficult, but he had no doubts about Lin Xiaofeng's talent. At the same time, I am worried that this case may involve the salt merchants of Haiyun State. The salt policy is related to the lifeblood of the country and cannot be dealt with easily.
Lin Xiaofeng was confused and asked Haiyun why the salt merchants could not be eradicated. The emperor recalled the past wars and found that salt merchants had greatly supported military supplies, so the court treated them leniently and even granted some salt import privileges. The salt merchants had deep roots and it was difficult to uproot them for a while. In addition, in order to stabilize the people's hearts in the newly surrendered areas, they stayed put for the time being.
The emperor was worried, worried that the salt merchants were only interested in profit and might have a heart of betrayal. This was a good time to rectify the chaos of the southern salt merchants. He asked Lin Xiaofeng whether the investigation was going smoothly and whether he needed more conveniences. Lin Xiaofeng replied that Xiang Xiehong had been assigned to handle the case and he had been given the power of seal. It was expected that he would not encounter too many obstacles.
When the emperor heard Xiang Xiehong's name, he praised him for his outstanding talents, but he was worried that he was a commoner but lacked courage. Lin Xiaofeng promised that if he encounters stubborn problems, he will personally solve them. When talking about going out to investigate, Lin Xiaofeng mentioned the matter of Shang Fang's sword and asked the emperor to give him another one.
Emperor Hanxiao agreed and ordered the guard to fetch a sword and put it on the desk, telling Lin Xiaofeng that he could use it. Lin Xiaofeng showed a hint of embarrassment when he saw that the sword was not Shang Fang's sword. The emperor chuckled calmly: "Why do you dislike the sword I gave you?" and explained that because Lin Xiaofeng had been fooling around in the prince's womb, there was no need for a good sword, and this sword was enough to represent the authority of Shang Fang's sword.
Lin Xiaofeng had no choice but to accept it, and only wanted to rely on the power of the emperor's decree. Later, he resigned to visit the prince, but the emperor showed no concern for this move. Lin Xiaofeng left with a sneer, picked up the stick on the case, and walked out of the hall quickly.
As night falls, the lanterns are turned on, and the Huayue Tower is filled with bright lights. Xiang Xiehong and Feng Lindu sat opposite each other, with the aroma of wine overflowing and glasses interlaced. Their friendship had been heating up like a fire in the past few days. Although Xiang Xiehong is a talented man who has read poetry and books, he can calmly cope with the world of rivers and lakes where merchants and bandits are rampant, and has developed the ability to adapt to the situation and be versatile; while Feng Lindu has no worries about the city and is simple and magnanimous. During the dinner, we only talked about romantic poetry, without any commercial interests involved.
While the wine was intoxicating, Feng Lindu's cheeks turned red, and he praised Xiang Xiehong with admiration: "Brother Xiang, your poetic talent is like the mighty water of the Yangtze River, flowing endlessly, making me feel deeply ashamed." ! I really look forward to seeing the complete work of Brother Xiang’s eloquent work soon.” Xiang Xiehong’s eyes moved, he raised his glasses to drink, replaced the water with wine, smiled slightly, and responded humbly: “Brother Feng is exaggerating, Brother Yu is just using it. I occasionally gain something from drinking, but my drinking capacity is limited and I cannot continue to create for a long time. When the time comes, I will dedicate a complete poem to Brother Feng. Seeing that Brother Feng is already tipsy, I will stop here today and I will send someone to escort you. Return home safely.”
After Feng Lindu drank the last drop of wine and swayed away in the company of his maid, Xiang Xiehong walked alone into an elegant reception room deep in the Huayue Tower, where Luo Huajun and others were enjoying dinner around the table. Luo Huajun asked about the progress of recent affairs, Xiang Xiehong responded calmly and calmly: "Everything is going according to plan, and nothing unusual has happened so far." Luo Huajun impatiently wanted to take direct action, but Xiang Xiehong dissuaded him on the grounds that he was worried about alerting the enemy. , and revealed that he will reveal some truth to Feng Lindu tomorrow.
The next evening, Feng Lindu went to Huayue Tower as usual, and as soon as he stepped through the door, he was grabbed by the wrist by Xiang Xiehong. At this time, Xiang Xiehong looked serious and led Feng Lindu straight to a hidden and dark room on the second floor. Feng Lindu was filled with doubts, until he sat down in the flickering light of the oil lamp, and saw Xiang Xiehong's expression solemn, and his low voice sounded like a cold wind: "Brother Feng, a catastrophe is about to happen!"
When Feng Lindu heard this, his inner alarm rang loudly, and he anxiously asked for details. Xiang Xiehong spoke out and identified Feng Lindu as the person behind the illegal salt trade. Although Feng Lindu tried his best to deny it, he quietly held the dagger in his hand and insisted that he was running a fur business. Xiang Xiehong further pointed out that Feng Lindu should leave the Yangtze River Basin as soon as possible and go north to avoid trouble, and revealed the fact that he had conducted private salt transactions with the Wu family. The source of this information was the words of the head of the Wu family himself.
Feng Lindu was puzzled by this and questioned why the Wu family told him this secret. Xiang Xiehong explained that the Wu family mistakenly believed that he was a messenger sent by Lin Xiaofeng, so he revealed the truth. It turned out that the Wu family had colluded with Xun Liu to smuggle salt, but was later annexed because Lin Xiaofeng had the evidence. Now that Xiang Xiehong has returned to the Yangtze River area, the Wu family mistakenly thought that he came to investigate on behalf of Lin Xiaofeng.
Xiang Xiehong confessed frankly that he didn't know about it when he first started dating Feng. He didn't learn about this shocking secret until two days ago, so he hesitated again and again and wanted to judge Feng Lindu's true personality by observing his words and deeds. He also mentioned that although Lin Xiaofeng won the support of the people for his disaster relief efforts, his private methods were not as upright as he appeared on the surface. Xiang Xiehong had assisted Lin Xiaofeng in his early years, with the intention of getting an official position, but in the end he failed to do so. Instead, Lin Xiaofeng cleverly robbed him of it, and he lost part of Huayue Tower's interests.
Facing Xiang Xiehong's heartfelt words, Feng Lindu's expression gradually softened, but he still remained vigilant. Xiang Xiehong once again emphasized that he had nothing to do with Lin Xiaofeng, and valued his friendship with Feng Lindu very much, and did not want to lose this friend because of this matter. At this moment, someone was eavesdropping outside the wall, and Lu Dexing took the opportunity to record what Xiang Xiehong said, with the intention of slandering Lin Xiaofeng. Liang Huankun was furious when he saw this. He immediately reprimanded Lu Dexing and warned everyone not to record chaos at will, sow discord and cause internal strife. Luo Huajun was sarcastic and sarcastic, and Lu Dexing was indignant. The dispute between the two intensified until Liang Huankun resolutely tore up the records in Lu Dexing's hands, insisting that everyone must unite as one rather than being suspicious of each other and draining their strength. Behind this undercurrent of conflict, the relationship between Xiang Xiehong and Feng Lindu changed subtly, and the conspiracy and calculation behind it gradually surfaced as the incident progressed.
The night sinks into the deep sky, and the candlelight in Huayue Tower flickers. Xiang Xiehong slowly pulls out two old and yellowed papers from his sleeves. They are the house deed and land deed of Huayue Tower. He holds the hand in both hands. When he arrived in front of Feng Lindu, his expression was as solemn as a sacrifice: "This is the property rights certificate of Huayue Tower." Hearing this, Feng Lindu unconsciously loosened his grip on the dagger and took the two heavy contracts. He was full of doubts: "Brother, why? Will you carry such an important thing with you?" Xiang Xiehong's eyes narrowed, like a pool of autumn water reflecting the moon, and he responded calmly: "I expected that Brother Feng would have this question, so I have prepared it in advance."
Xiang Xiehong spoke seriously, with sincere friendship revealed in his words: "I specially invite you here tonight, not to expose your secrets, but as a kind reminder. Although we are in the world of merchants, we have only known each other for a few years. Although I already know that you are involved in private salt trading, considering that this will benefit the people to a certain extent, I don’t want to get into the details, lest others take the opportunity to expose it, so I came to give you a warning. "
After hearing these words, Feng Lindu couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, and his original doubts gradually dissipated like mist. Xiang Xiehong also mentioned that Feng Lindu had outstanding talents, but why he chose to take this path. Feng Lindu felt sad and sighed: "Brother Xiang doesn't know. I was originally a scholar in Haiyun Kingdom. However, my country was ruined and my family was ruined. The road to the imperial examination has been cut off. In the past, even if Haiyun students could participate I was selected by the imperial court, but my official career was difficult. Even if I was lucky enough to return to my hometown, I would still be discriminated against. For this reason, I would rather get rid of the shackles and devote myself to the prosperity of the world and pursue wealth throughout my life. "
When the topic turned to the reason why Feng Lindu was engaged in smuggling salt, both of them were deeply touched by the trick of fate and felt sympathy for each other. Feng Lindu expressed his deep disappointment with Lin Xiaofeng's bright appearance but dark heart. When discussing their respective future destinations, Feng Lindu knew that he could not stay in the Yangtze River Basin for a long time, so he asked Xiang Xiehong what his plans were. It makes people sigh with regret when they learn that although Xiang Xiehong put in countless efforts to run Huayue Tower, he eventually became a pawn in the hands of others. The future is uncertain.
Xiang Xiehong suddenly changed the subject and asked directly how profitable the private salt trade was. Feng Lindu didn't answer with a smile, but cleverly led the topic to selling salt, and boldly proposed that Xiang Xiehong take over the private salt market he had worked hard to establish along the Yangtze River, in order to test whether Xiang Xiehong had enough courage and courage. Possible determination for revenge. Xiang Xiehong was surprised at first, then quickly adjusted his mentality to regain his composure, and asked what the connection was between this matter and revenge.
Feng Lindu was like a wise man giving advice: He suggested that Xiang Xiehong use his existing network resources to secretly engage in salt selling business. When the time is right, he could set a trap to blame others and let Lin Xiaofeng reap the consequences. Faced with Xiang Xiehong's questioning about the specific operation steps, Feng Lindu placed his hope in Xiang Xiehong's own design and guaranteed that the benefits would be generous enough to put Lin Xiaofeng into trouble.
Regarding Feng Lindu's decision to transfer the private salt market, Xiang Xiehong had a flash of doubt in his mind. Feng Lindu responded calmly, revealing that the sale of illegal salt must be approved by the Qian family in Yuanhaicheng. Due to the grievances between him and Lin Xiaofeng, it is currently unable to pass the Qian family's review. However, Feng Lindu confidently stated that he had a deep relationship with the Qian family and could guarantee that Xiang Xiehong successfully obtained the qualification to sell salt. After hearing this, Xiang Xiehong silently weighed the pros and cons in his mind. At this moment, the atmosphere of the conversation between them became increasingly subtle and unfathomable, as if an undercurrent under the Yangtze River was quietly gathering strength, waiting for the moment to explode. A transaction hidden in the darkness is like the Yangtze River. It looks calm on the surface, but in fact it is turbulent, ready to break through the constraints and rush forward at any time.
The night soaked the whole world like thick ink, but Xiang Xiehong was caught in an unfathomable struggle in his heart, while Feng Lindu was like a silent statue, calmly waiting for his decision. At that moment, the noise and chaos in the next room were intertwined, and several people were fighting together. Among them, Lu Dexing was being besieged by a group of heroes. Liang Huankun's voice of indignation was deafening, and he shouted to stop the violence, which attracted the support of people around him. Luo Huajun laughed and cursed, fanned the flames, and spared no effort to encourage everyone to inflict more cruel punishment on Lu Dexing. This noisy sound was like countless ants, passing through the gaps in the thick wall and reaching the theme room where Xiang Xiehong was. Feng Lindu looked suspicious when he heard the sound, worried that there were ears in the wall, but Xiang Xiehong looked calm and explained that the sound insulation design here was ingenious and asked Feng Lindu to give him a day's grace so that he could carefully weigh the matters discussed last night. Feng Lindu nodded in understanding and agreed to meet again the next day. If he agreed, they would go to Yuanhai City together.
After Feng Lindu left, Xiang Xiehong returned to the second floor alone. The scene in front of him shocked him greatly: Lu Dexing was tied to a chair with five flowers, his face was full of humiliation and helplessness, and Luo Huajun was holding a pen in his hand, with a joke on his lips. With a contemptuous smile, he was showing a letter intended to slander Lu Dexing. Faced with this situation, Xiang Xiehong did not go into details, but decisively ordered his men to release Lu Dexing. After being freed from the restraints, Lu Dexing huddled in the corner and reminded in a low voice that the private salt business was no small matter, especially the Qian family mentioned by Feng Lindu. However, Luo Huajun scoffed at this, and other onlookers also advised Xiang Xiehong not to worry too much. Xiang Xiehong lowered his head and fell into deep thought. After a long time, he decided to agree to cooperate with Feng Lindu, thinking that this might reveal more secrets hidden under the water.
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In the early morning of the next day, the sun began to rise, illuminating the earth. Feng Lindu arrived as scheduled. He saw a dark halo under Xiang Xiehong's eyes. It was obvious that he had not slept all night and had many complicated thoughts in his mind. Xiang Xiehong told the truth frankly that after a night of repeated thinking, he was willing to explore a new way out together. In the afternoon, the two led many followers on the road to Yuanhai City. Feng Lindu was slightly surprised by Xiang Xiehong's careful preparation for this trip. Xiang Xiehong explained that taking so many domestic slaves along with him was, firstly, to prevent emergencies, and secondly, to bring enough supplies to cope with unknown difficulties. The group of people set off in a grand way, and their figures gradually drifted away and disappeared at the end of the road.
Wang Laoliu, the owner of a tea stall on the roadside, saw Xiang Xiehong's team passing by majestically. He wanted to go up and greet them warmly, but Xiang Xiehong's eyes signaled him to remain silent. Seeing this, Wang Laoliu turned around and showed off to the waiters around him that he had an inextricable relationship with Xiang Xiehong, and also talked about the happy nights they spent together in Huayue Tower. Just when he was immersed in his memories, he suddenly remembered something crucial. He hurriedly urged the clerk to rush to the pharmacy to buy medicine, and planned to move the tea stall to the vicinity of the brothel in an attempt to take the opportunity to attract more customers. When Wang Laoliu was looking back at the time spent in the Huayue Tower that night, he couldn't help but wonder why he felt so refreshed after drinking that seemingly ordinary cup of tea. There seemed to be an indescribable mysterious power contained in the tea. .
After more than ten days of long journey, Xiang Xiehong led the team and finally arrived at the foot of Yuanhai City amid the dust. He looked up and saw that the majestic city gate was like a historical monument. Its thick stone bricks, exquisite carvings and majestic momentum all showed that the land of salt merchants was a hundred times richer and more prominent than Yangqu County. . Feng Lindu added from the side that this city gate was built by the Qian family at a huge expense. Even the details such as door nails were made of pure gold. In contrast, Yangqu County looked particularly shabby and shabby. Xiang Xiehong I can't help but express my sincere admiration for the extraordinary achievements of the salt merchants.
When everyone was about to enter the city, they were stopped by officers and soldiers wearing iron armor and holding spears. However, Feng Lindu remained calm and calmly took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed over fifty taels of silver as toll. Only then did the group of people pass the border smoothly. Faced with such a high entrance fee, Xiang Xiehong looked surprised. Feng Lindu explained that due to the large number of them, they had to pay extra expenses as a rule, and the government had always turned a blind eye to such fat differences. , for ordinary people who cannot afford this fee, entering and exiting this city is undoubtedly a luxury. Only wealthy businessmen like them can do so with ease.
Faced with the question of the status of the Qian family in Yuanhai City, Xiang Xiehong was full of doubts. Feng Lindu responded with a smile: "The Qian family's influence here can be summed up in just four words: pivotal." He pointed to the bustling street scene as he spoke. , almost every inch of land is imbued with the shadow of the Qian family. Xiang Xiehong noticed that the streets were bustling with people, but few women, young and old, were seen. Feng Lindu reluctantly revealed that most young women chose to stay away from the world because they were afraid of the power of the Qian family. The power of the Qian family in Yuanhai City was so great that even the prefect was intimidated. There was collusion between officials and businessmen, and the Salt Gang was running rampant outside, making the existence of the government almost useless.
When Xiang Xiehong heard that the social order here was almost collapsing and the people were living in dire straits, he couldn't help but turn pale with astonishment and asked whether the Qian family was wantonly oppressing the good and ignoring the laws of Emperor Jingjiang. Feng Lindu nodded bitterly and admitted, mentioning that Qian Yanpeng, the head of the Qian family, was not only violent but also lustful. Anyone who wanted to get involved in the private salt business here must obtain his approval and protection.
Feng Lindu warned Xiang Xiehong as an experienced person that he must maintain awe when dealing with Qian Yanpeng to avoid unnecessary disaster. Xiang Xiehong was filled with indignation when he saw this social situation where people were resentful and helpless. However, Feng Lindu honestly told him that the world is dangerous. Scholars may have had the ideal of managing the world and benefiting the people in their youth, but the reality is cruel and ruthless. Now they can only follow the trend and seek the path to wealth while enduring humiliation and burden. Although Xiang Xiehong was furious, he still suppressed himself. Feng Lindu arranged for him to live temporarily in his own house to rest and adapt to the environment. The two agreed to meet again later to discuss in detail.
The group followed Feng Lindu to a luxurious mansion. Feng Lindu told Xiang Xiehong that he would live here temporarily. In his words, Feng Lindu hinted that the quality of life in this mansion was by no means inferior to Huayue Tower. After Feng Lindu left, Xiang Xiehong stood alone, staring at the mansion in front of him, with complex emotions surging in his heart. He went over what he had seen and heard along the way in his mind, thinking about how to survive in such a complicated place. Find your place in the environment.
Xiang Xiehong watched Feng Lindu's retreating figure disappear into the depths of the house. When he stepped inside, he saw Luo Huajun ordering everyone to pack their luggage in an orderly manner. The busy figure swayed in the afterglow of the setting sun, and Xiang Xiehong couldn't help but let go Hong felt an indescribable melancholy and urgency in his heart. As soon as he stepped into Yuanhai City, he keenly captured the complex situation in the city - the power of the Qian family was surging like a tsunami, and even the government was colluding with it, sealing the place tightly with copper and iron walls, and outsiders were not allowed to enter. Every step in this city is difficult, as if every step is stepping on a dangerous situation full of thorns.
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After everything was sorted out, Xiang Xiehong called everyone and held an emergency meeting. His face looked particularly solemn, and he warned earnestly: "Colleagues, the situation where we are currently is critical, and we need to be extremely cautious in our actions. Any disturbance will happen." It may cause unnecessary trouble, and may even get us into a quagmire that we cannot extricate ourselves from." After saying that, he decisively decided to write a book immediately to report the details of this place to the master, and quickly sent a messenger back to the capital to ask for help, hoping to get support from the peak. and guidance.
Luo Huajun approached Xiang Xiehong and asked him about the specific situation of Yuanhaicheng and the Qian family mentioned by Feng Lindu. Xiang Xiehong showed a trace of bitterness and helplessness on his face, and his words revealed his deep concern about the power of the Qian family that occupies the entire city and covers the sky with one hand. Everyone was silent after hearing this, and the chaos and disorder in Yangqu County emerged in their hearts. In comparison, the Qian family's status in Yuanhai City was even worse. Seeing that morale was slightly low, Xiang Xiehong immediately cheered up and encouraged everyone. He reminded: "Although the Qian family is huge, no one dares to be as arrogant and domineering as Lin Xiaofeng. The most important thing right now is to find out the details of the Qian family. It is not advisable to act rashly." , otherwise it will only alert the enemy.”
Time flies, two days have passed in the blink of an eye, Feng Lindu has returned as scheduled, and Xiang Xiehong has been waiting in the hall for a long time. The two of them went straight to Qian's house without exchanging greetings. While walking, Xiang Xiehong noticed the secret hidden behind the prosperity of Yuanhai City. There were actually very few poor people on the streets. In this regard, Feng Lindu explained that those who live in poverty are either working hard outside to make salt, or hiding in dark corners of the city to survive. Hearing this, Xiang Xiehong was shocked, but he still maintained a calm and calm attitude on the surface.
When he finally arrived in front of Qian's house, the scene in front of him was very different from the luxurious scene Xiang Xiehong imagined. The gatehouse was simple and unpretentious, in sharp contrast to the surrounding high-walled courtyards, which made him doubtful. Feng Lindu seemed to have read through his thoughts, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly, and he said meaningfully: "Although the facade looks ordinary, the world inside is extraordinary." Then, he led Xiang Xiehong into the Qian family's door. .
Menzi recognized Feng Lindu at a glance, respectfully stepped forward to greet him, and led the two of them deep into the mansion. The housekeeper had already received the notice and had arranged all the matters for them to meet Mr. Qian, and asked them to go there in a specially prepared sedan chair. Xiang Xiehong followed Feng Lindu's steps and walked step by step into the seemingly ordinary world of the Qian family, but secretly thinking about how this unknown meeting would unfold...
The sedan moved slowly in the vast courtyard of the Qian family, like a small boat sailing on a quiet lake. Xiang Xiehong was filled with doubts and couldn't help but ask Feng Lindu questions. Feng Lindu stepped into the sedan calmly, and Xiang Xiehong also stepped into this small but noble space. He peered at the outside world through the half-covered bamboo curtains, and saw the mottled bamboo shadows swaying, the pools, mountains, pavilions and pavilions scattered in a beautiful way, as if every scene was telling the extraordinary status and profound heritage of the owner of this mansion. . Feng Lindu smiled calmly when he saw this: "This is just the outer courtyard of the Qian family. The inner house covers an area of 20 acres, and the entire outer house covers an area of 200 acres, so even if you can enter and leave your own house, you need to Hearing this, Xiang Xiehong couldn't help but be stunned. Although the imperial palace was vast, it was only a thousand acres of land, but it was unprecedented for the Qian family to be so extravagant and undisguised.
Feng Lindu further analyzed that the reason why the Qian family has such a huge power and magnificent mansion is not only to show their status, but also to consider practicality and strategic layout. When it comes to the turmoil in the Haiyun Kingdom, there are rumors that the Qian family's residence once expanded to an astonishing thousands of acres. Although I have never witnessed it with my own eyes, it is enough to reflect the Qian family's power and power. Xiang Xiehong was puzzled and asked: "The Qian family is so arrogant and domineering. Aren't they afraid that the court will find out and seize the family property?" Feng Lindu responded leisurely: "This place is located in a remote place. As the saying goes, 'The mountains are high and the emperor is far away', who can do that?" Can you easily discern the mysteries and obscurities?"
The two of them rode a sedan chair between the inner and outer houses. There was no obvious boundary between the doors and walls, but the areas were divided by the complexity and density of the buildings. After arriving at the destination, Feng Lindu led Xiang Xiehong out of the sedan chair, shuttled through the hall and courtyard, and finally came to the solemn main hall. At this time, a housekeeper appeared at the right time, and Feng Lindu respectfully informed him that he wished to see the young master. The housekeeper looked Xiang Xiehong up and down and told them that they needed to wait because the young master was receiving important guests. Faced with the steward's arrogant attitude, Xiang Xiehong was deeply touched. Feng Lindu promptly reminded him that in this place full of power, he must be cautious in his words and deeds. (End of chapter)
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