While waiting, the maid served fragrant tea, and the two began to talk in a low voice. Xiang Xiehong asked about Mr. Qian's character and how to deal with him. Feng Lindu warned him that Mr. Qian has an unpredictable temperament. The most taboo thing is for someone to refute his opinions. When encountering problems, he can only be obedient and tactful. The most secure. Soon after, a notification came that he could meet with the young master. Feng Lindu seemed a little nervous, while Xiang Xiehong remained calm, adjusting his mentality secretly and preparing to deal with various situations that might arise.
When they came to an exquisite and elegant courtyard in the backyard, they saw Qian Yanpeng relaxing on a lounge chair with his eyes closed, surrounded by a group of maids waiting on him. Qian Yanpeng slowly opened his eyes, Xiang Xiehong observed him carefully, and saw that his face was pale and his temperament was gloomy and cold. Feng Lindu and Xiang Xiehong saluted respectfully together. Qian Yanpeng lazily began to ask about the business status on the Yangtze River. Feng Lindu replied that the current situation was getting more serious and introduced Xiang Xiehong to Qian Yanpeng as a partner, emphasizing that Xiang Xiehong Hong is extremely talented and possesses unique vision and courage.
Qian Yanpeng stood up and began to inquire about Xiang Xiehong's origins. Xiang Xiehong humbly replied that he once ran a brothel, but unfortunately it was occupied by others. Fortunately, he was able to make a comeback with the help of Feng Lindu. Regarding the risks of getting involved in private salt trading, Xiang Xiehong expressed his fearlessness and bluntly pointed out that the status of a businessman is not important, the key is whether he is rich; he was also keenly aware that the momentum of the Qian family even affected officials. Don't dare to act rashly. Qian Yanpeng was quite surprised after hearing this. He admired Xiang Xiehong as a talent, with admiration on his face. At the same time, he emphasized that the status of salt merchants was by no means comparable to that of ordinary businessmen, and the operating methods and influence behind them were extraordinary.
Qian Yanpeng's arrogance was like an unsheathed sword, piercing people's hearts. Xiang Xiehong suddenly felt chills rising up his spine, and cold sweat slid down his forehead. His arrogance was rare in the world. However, Xiang Xiehong did not lose his composure because of this. He responded appropriately and always maintained a sense of proportion in his words. This move was quite appreciated by Qian Yanpeng, who said he was willing to give Xiang Xiehong an opportunity to get involved in the salt business. Mentioning the unspoken rules and risks in this industry, Xiang Xiehong admitted that he was still a layman, so Qian Yanpeng patiently elaborated: The price of salt set by the government is too high, which has led to repeated bans on private salt transactions. The battle is like a battle between water and fire. In the early years, the Qian family also struggled to fight against the private salt forces, but failed to completely eliminate them. Finally, they chose to switch to self-operated private salt trading. In just three years, they have successfully controlled the salt market within their jurisdiction. Called a business legend. After Xiang Xiehong heard this, he secretly admired Qian Yanpeng's skill and courage.
Qian Yanpeng further clarified the profit distribution plan. Of the profits from private salt sales in the Yangtze River Basin, 60% would go to Yuanhaicheng. Feng Lindu, as the introducer, would receive 20%, and the remaining 20% would be left to Xiang Xiehong. Xiang Xiehong glanced at Feng Lindu and complained about this distribution method, thinking it was not fair and reasonable, but Feng Lindu chose to remain silent in embarrassment. Qian Yanpeng saw this and smiled and told them that they could negotiate privately, and warned that if the matter was revealed, Feng Lindu would not be able to escape punishment. Despite this, Xiang Xiehong knew that this was an opportunity like a carp leaping over the dragon's gate. Once he grasped it, he would be able to embark on the road to wealth.
Qian Yanpeng ordered a beautiful woman to come and play the piano to entertain him, and gave the woman to Xiang Xiehong as a companion. At the same time, he ordered Xiang Xiehong to stay in Yuanhaicheng temporarily, and then go to the Yangtze River to carry out business when the time is right. Faced with such an arrangement, although Xiang Xiehong was frightened and uneasy, he could only accept it and then left with the woman playing the piano. However, after Xiang Xiehong left, Qian Yanpeng's face instantly darkened, and he sternly scolded Feng Lindu for his carelessness. Feng Lindu was so frightened that his face turned pale and he immediately fell to the ground to plead guilty. Qian Yanpeng followed closely and asked for the details about Xiang Xiehong. Feng Lindu explained that due to the frequent disasters in the Yangtze River Basin and the huge expenditure required for the project, he took the risk to increase the scale of private salt transactions. Fortunately, Xiang Xiehong was honest. Tell the truth and guarantee that Xiang Xiehong has done nothing wrong.
Qian Yanpeng temporarily suppressed his thunderous anger and asked Feng Lindu to continue to investigate Xiang Xiehong in depth, and ordered Xiang Xiehong's family to be taken to Yuanhai City to ensure their safety. During this period, no one was allowed to engage in any private salt trading. Activity. Feng Lindu left in embarrassment. Xiang Xiehong sat alone in the room, speechless with the woman playing the piano who was given as a gift, with mixed feelings in his heart. Soon, when Feng Lindu appeared again, Xiang Xiehong found that his cheeks were obviously swollen. Under questioning, Feng Lindu was vague and offered to reduce his profit share to prove his deep friendship with Xiang Xiehong. Xiang Xiehong was deeply moved by this. Although he still had some doubts about taking his family to Yuanhaicheng, he finally agreed and decided to write a letter to inform his family immediately.
As for the girl playing the piano who was given as a gift, it turned out to be Qian Yanpeng's concubine. Feng Lindu revealed to Xiang Xiehong that he could do whatever he wanted with Fuqin. Xiang Xiehong was shocked when he heard this, and it was difficult to guess the deep meaning behind this move. The two guessed that this might be Qian Yanpeng's test and temptation for Xiang Xiehong. Xiang Xiehong was uneasy and unable to resist the pressure of reality, so he could only passively accept this cruel and subtle fact.
Xiang Xiehong walked into the gate of his mansion with the beautiful wife named Fuqin. Although he knew in his heart that she might be a spy placed by Qian Yanpeng, he initially suspected that she was part of a honey trap, but upon closer inspection, He also realized that her background was anything but ordinary. At this time, a group of powerful guards were practicing in the courtyard, sweating like rain. When they saw Xiang Xiehong return, they stopped their weapons and focused their eyes on him and Fuqin. Faced with this sudden attention, Fuqin's face turned red with embarrassment, she lowered her head slightly and gently covered her pretty face with her delicate hands. Upon seeing this, Xiang Xiehong immediately explained to everyone that she was a new guard, and personally led her into the inner room to rest. At the same time, he declared that since the mansion was not fully decorated yet, he would do his best to meet all Fuqin's needs. Fuqin responded softly, and her graceful and reserved gesture made everyone's eyes follow them into the room involuntarily.
Luo Huajun promptly changed his words and respectfully called Xiang Xiehong "Master", while Liang Huankun frowned, worried that things might be exposed. After Xiang Xiehong arranged to play the piano, Luo Huajun urged everyone to continue their daily training, while Liang Huankun took the opportunity to privately ask how to deal with the current complex and delicate situation. When Xiang Xiehong walked out of the room again, Luo and Liang eagerly asked him about his experience in the Qian Mansion. After listening, they both looked heavy. Luo Huajun commented with emotion that the Qian family not only had strong financial resources, but also had complex interiors of the mansion, so it might not be easy to steal the ledgers; Xiang Xiehong advocated playing it slow and waiting for opportunities. As for the origin of Fuqin's identity, Xiang Xiehong bluntly pointed out that she was a concubine given by Qian Yanpeng and was very likely to become a tool to monitor him, so he reminded everyone that they must always be vigilant.
Luo Huajun showed strong curiosity about Fuqin's true identity, and Xiang Xiehong frankly said that he could only deal with him in order to successfully complete the important task entrusted by his master. Luo Huajun half-jokingly offered to handle the matter of Fuqin on his behalf, and also mentioned that there were rumors that Xiang Xiehong had kidney deficiency, which caused a burst of awkward and slightly joking laughter. Lu Dexing mistakenly thought that there was a major operation and took the initiative to ask Ying to participate. However, when he learned that the target was actually Fuqin, he couldn't help but become furious. Xiang Xiehong warned everyone with a serious expression that they must be cautious in their words and deeds, strictly manage weapons and equipment, and assign a special person to secretly follow Fuqin. There is no need to be overly nervous on weekdays. Liang Huankun felt that his responsibility was heavier than Mount Tai, and promised to make up for the shortcomings as soon as possible. He also revealed that although the brothers had never actually killed anyone, they had exercised their courage and psychological endurance by dissecting the corpses of death row prisoners. Hearing this, Xiang Xiehong couldn't help but smile bitterly, with mixed feelings in his heart.
After some in-depth thinking, Xiang Xiehong decided to secretly report all the events that happened today to his master, so he took out a copy of "Spring and Autumn" from the bookshelf as the key to the encrypted letter, and prepared to write a detailed and confidential letter. In this letter, he will record the details of the encounter as well as his strategic planning and next action plan in a unique language encoding to ensure that this information can be safely delivered to the master.
At dusk, the glow in the sky gradually fades away, casting the last rays of light onto the earth. Fuqin was waiting alone in the room, while Xiang Xiehong had mixed feelings in his heart. He could neither get too close to this woman of unknown origin, nor appear indifferent and distant. He noticed that night had fallen, and figured that he had not eaten yet, so he must be hungry as well. So, after Xiang Xiehong ordered people to prepare the dinner carefully, he personally walked into the room where Fuqin was and invited her to the dinner.
When she walked into the room, she saw Fuqin sitting on the edge of the bed, looking slightly tired. However, when she saw Xiang Xiehong coming in, she still resisted her tiredness and stood up with a smile to salute. Xiang Xiehong called out softly: "Miss Fuqin", and Fuqin responded softly, politely asking Xiang Xiehong not to stick to etiquette and address him by his name directly, and reminded him that he was the person sent by Mr. Qian to serve, so there is no need to overdo it. Be polite. Xiang Xiehong heard a trace of dissatisfaction and helplessness in her words, so he quickly changed the subject and told her that sumptuous dishes had been prepared for her to enjoy together.
The two of them moved to the main hall, where the dazzling array of delicacies on the dining table demonstrated the host's warm hospitality. During the dinner, their conversation progressed from the simple to the deep, from daily trivial matters to the intricate and complicated world of Yuanhai City. Xiang Xiehong was tempted and cautiously asked Fuqin if she was really Mr. Qian's concubine. Fuqin did not hide this and admitted it frankly. At the same time, she said that she was accustomed to this identity. When Xiang Xiehong heard this, he felt strangely uncomfortable, but he tried to adjust his mentality and continued to ask her about her real name. Fuqin smiled and replied that the nickname "Fuqin" was given by Mr. Qian, and her original name was Wang Dali. She got this nickname because her skin was as fair as jade.
After three rounds of drinking and the food gradually finished, the atmosphere between the two became more and more harmonious. Xiang Xiehong speeds up his eating. By the time Fuqin finishes bathing and changing clothes, the night is already as thick as ink. At this moment, Xiang Xiehong was struggling in his heart. Although he was not an inexperienced young man, this situation was particularly special and made him feel uneasy. After some repeated consideration, he decided to think about the people of Li and adapt to the current situation. He resolutely chose to live in the same room with Fuqin to spend this long night.
At the same time, in the distant Kyoto, although Lin Xiaofeng was in a comfortable and comfortable environment, he fell into deep anxiety because the spies sent to the Hanjiang Palace lost contact. When Lin Xiaofeng returned home at the end of his shift, he received a letter from Xiang Xiehong. When he opened the envelope, his face suddenly became serious. He immediately ordered to get the book "Spring and Autumn" and prepared to check the clues in the secret letter. Thinking about the difficulties faced by distant friends and the next plan.
Using "Spring and Autumn" as the key, although it is simple to operate and easy to transmit information, the amount of information it can carry is actually quite limited due to the carrier of the book. The letters written by Xiang Xiehong were concise and profound. Lin Xiaofeng read them for a long time before gradually interpreting the hidden and profound meaning. A rush of blood surged into his heart, and his face was quietly dyed red. Taohua was confused when she saw this and asked what made him so nervous. Lin Xiaofeng told her that she had received a secret letter from Xiang Xiehong and was deeply worried about the difficulties he faced in Yuanhai City, so she decided to go and solve it in person. Taohua took the initiative to ask Ying to accompany her, but was politely dissuaded by Lin Xiaofeng. He sincerely told Taohua to stay in Kyoto, and revealed that the trip might last up to half a year.
The Qian family, a salt merchant, has a huge power in Yuanhai City and almost dominates the sky with one hand. Xiang Xiehong has already competed with him head-on. The letter mentioned that his family will move to Yuanhai City. This move is essentially a hostage strategy. Emperor Jingjiang became furious after reading the letter and blamed Xiang Xiehong for acting too boldly. However, under Lin Xiaofeng's calm and rational advice, Emperor Jingjiang realized that he should not act rashly. Lin Xiaofeng analyzed that after the Haiyun Kingdom was captured, the Qian family took over the salt warehouse. Perhaps there was a more far-reaching plan and back-up plan hidden behind it. If the court suddenly took tough measures against the Qian family at this moment, it might cause the salt warehouse to collapse. The industrial supply chain is broken, which will lead to people's livelihood difficulties and social unrest. It will also set off a wave of controversy within the imperial court. Therefore, this matter must be treated with caution and step by step. After hearing this, Emperor Jingjiang agreed, and specially granted Lin Xiaofeng the status of imperial envoy, authorizing him to act with discretion and properly handle this thorny issue.
Lin Xiaofeng decided to leave for Yangqu County today to start preparations for related matters. Before leaving, Emperor Jingjiang specifically asked him to meet with the prince first to prevent the prince from taking the opportunity to interfere in the matter. He also asked with concern about the progress of the greenhouse project in the western suburbs. Although the construction of the greenhouse has not yet started, Lin Xiaofeng relied on his extraordinary wisdom and cleverly used the concept of craftsmanship to explain and cover up, promising to carefully plan and actively promote this important project related to people's livelihood. Emperor Jingjiang once again reminded Lin Xiaofeng that the trip was a long one and that he must proceed with caution and return as soon as possible to report the progress to the court.
After bidding farewell to Emperor Jingjiang, Lin Xiaofeng went straight to Qingyi Palace to visit Princess Li Hanmiao. At this time, the princess was immersed in a mountain of account books. Although she was slightly surprised when Lin Xiaofeng suddenly broke into her arms, she quickly returned to her usual calmness. During the relaxed and pleasant conversation, the two touched upon the problems of female workers in textile factories. The princess keenly pointed out the various existing shortcomings, such as the harsh working environment, overtime work, etc., and proposed a number of forward-looking and targeted improvements. suggestion. After Lin Xiaofeng listened attentively, he solemnly promised to commend Xin Yajing and other outstanding female workers, and while the princess was annoyed, they discussed with her how to fundamentally improve the living conditions and working conditions of female workers, striving to achieve social justice and harmony. progress.
Princess Li Hanmiao's eyes as clear as blue water, when Lin Xiaofeng mentioned trivial matters in the textile factory, were like a pool of spring water ruffled by the autumn wind, causing ripples of confusion. She was not able to immediately understand the hidden intention behind Lin Xiaofeng's words, which made Lin Xiaofeng feel a hint of guilt quietly in his heart, as if he had torn apart a peaceful scene with his own hands. In his haste, he quickly changed the subject and solemnly told the princess that all matters concerning the textile factory would be decided by her personally. He also revealed a disturbing news - he was about to go on a business trip, and this trip would be A long farewell.
Hearing this, the princess's originally smooth and jade-like face was instantly covered with a light haze of worry. The concern in her eyes was like the spring breeze blowing across the lake, ripples scattered in all directions, and she asked Lin Xiaofeng in a low voice about the specific arrangements and safety issues of Lin Xiaofeng's itinerary. Lin Xiaofeng comforted her with a warm and firm tone, saying that there was nothing sinister about this trip, but it just took a long time. At the same time, he made a promise that on the day of reunion, he would officially marry the princess as his wife and share his family, country and world.
After the sentimental farewell to the princess, Lin Xiaofeng's inner emotions were like a surging river, rushing endlessly. He went straight to the newspaper office to find the prince Li Dexian to discuss important matters. However, he was unable to see him. He only saw Yang Baixi taking the prince's place. Manage daily affairs. When he learned that the six general newspapers were planning to strictly review the manuscripts in order to control the trend of public opinion, Lin Xiaofeng did not agree with this. He calmly and forcefully instructed everyone to still write the manuscripts according to the original plan. If there were any disputes, they could be submitted directly to the Prince There the ruling is. However, Yang Baixi was worried that the public opinion's dissatisfaction with the court might implicate Lin Xiaofeng himself.
Faced with Yang Baixi's concerns, Lin Xiaofeng smiled slightly, like the winter sun shining through the clouds, and made a strategic suggestion: cleverly insert hints at the end of the manuscript to lead the source of the problem to external forces, such as the actions of the ancient Mongols. , in order to guide the direction of public opinion. Regarding Yang Baixi's doubts about this approach, Lin Xiaofeng responded calmly that the people are not ignorant, they have their own judgment. This suggestion is not to fabricate facts, but to intelligently guide the focus of public attention and return it to the core of the real and far-reaching problem. .
After finishing speaking, Lin Xiaofeng turned and left, leaving Yang Baixi standing alone in the office. There was silence around him, except for the thoughts flowing between pen, ink, paper and inkstone. Yang Baixi was full of doubts, secretly wondering whether Lin Xiaofeng's move was intended to stir up trouble, find another way, and create a great cause of his own in troubled times.
Lin Xiaofeng drove the horse at a gallop, like a strong wind blowing across the field, until it reached the door of the textile factory. Jumping off the horse, he was quite shocked by the scene in front of him: Prince Li Dexian was playing with the loom with great interest, completely ignoring the embarrassed and shy expression of the female worker beside him. She lowered her head, her cheeks were slightly red, and she did not dare to The words are like a frightened bird. Lin Xiaofeng sighed secretly in his heart. Although the prince's move was out of curiosity, it seemed quite inappropriate. He wanted to speak out to exhort him, but he was worried about offending Long Yan, so he swallowed his unspoken words back.
Li Dexian happily showed off the rough fabric he had just woven, his face filled with pride and satisfaction. Upon seeing this, Lin Xiaofeng intervened in time, with a gentle but firm tone: "Your Highness's move is indeed interesting, but it not only takes up the jobs that craftsmen rely on to survive, but may also disrupt the order and competitiveness of the entire production process." After hearing this, Li Dexian's face changed. After a slight change, she immediately showed an apology and quickly stood up to give up her position on the loom. Only then was the female worker able to sit down again, her hands flying among the threads again, and she resumed her daily work rhythm.
The two then walked out of the noisy workshop and entered the courtyard. The sun is dappled at the moment, the children are laughing and chasing each other, and the laughter is like a clear spring flowing. The followers bowed respectfully and stepped aside. Lin Xiaofeng introduced to Li Dexian that the construction of the school and nursery attached to the textile factory was progressing smoothly and had begun to take shape. The laughter of the children was the best witness. Then, he solemnly revealed that he came here to say goodbye to a long journey. He had received a secret order from the court and had to leave Beijing for a year before returning.
When Prince Li Dexian heard the news, he looked surprised and asked eagerly where Lin Xiaofeng was going. Lin Xiaofeng bluntly said that the prince could not accompany him, and solemnly asked him to stay in Kyoto and take good care of the construction of various national economy and people's livelihood projects, including textile factories, newspaper offices, and greenhouses in the western suburbs. He especially emphasized that the prince should go deep into the people, experience the lives of the people, and touch every production process with his own hands. Only in this way can he establish a systematic and comprehensive thinking on governing the country and abandon the bad habits of the aristocracy that are often contaminated by glitz.
When Li Dexian heard these words, a hint of disappointment flashed across his face, but his eyes became firmer. He solemnly promised to properly handle all matters inside and outside the capital until Lin Xiaofeng returned safely. Lin Xiaofeng patted Li Dexian on the shoulder, turned and left, leaving the prince's figure gradually shrinking in the sunset, and finally turned into a high-pitched and powerful call: "Go early and come back early!"
Back in Yangqu County, Wang Yingchao waited early and reported with a serious face that there seemed to be an emergency at Xiang Xiehong's side. After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng immediately made a decision and ordered a hundred elite troops to be assembled and ready to go. Although he maintained a calm attitude on the surface, the worries and concerns in his heart were as heavy as a boulder, and he decided to embark on the journey the next day.
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At dinner time, the lights in the home were dimmed, and the family sat around the dining table. The atmosphere was depressed and solemn. Lin Xiaofeng made it clear to Xie Hongxin that he did not need to accompany him on this trip, and his family members showed deep reluctance. At this moment, Lu Xuanxin's soft but firm voice sounded, and she asked to travel with Lin Xiaofeng. Facing this sudden proposal, Lin Xiaofeng looked deeply and fell into deep thought. Countless possible scenarios and considerations surged in his mind...
The lights were dimming and the night was getting darker. Lu Xuanxin looked even more charming and charming under the dim light. His eyes like autumn water shone with expectation and perseverance. Lin Xiaofeng faced her colleague's request with a gentle smile on her lips, but also revealed a hint of helplessness: "The journey is bumpy and unpredictable, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to take good care of you." However, Lu Xuanxin did not back down, she insisted. There was determination in his eyes: "I am willing to serve you with my body and share the hardships of the journey. I don't ask for anything else, just to accompany you through the journey."
Lin Xiaofeng knew that the journey was difficult, so he once again tried to persuade him politely, mentioning that there were already many entourages following him, and adding one more person was not necessary. He hoped that Lu Xuanxin could stay at the mansion with peace of mind, without adding extra worries to him. But Lu Xuanxin had made up his mind and suddenly threw himself into Lin Xiaofeng's arms. His eyes were extremely sincere and his words showed his loneliness and helplessness: "My heart is with the Lin family and with you. No matter where the world ends, I will definitely accompany you on this trip." By my side." At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng recalled that he had written letters to test Lu Xuanxin's feelings. The deep friendship flowing between the words seemed to turn into reality at this moment, causing ripples in his heart like stones being thrown on the surface of a lake.
When the beauty's arms were full of warmth and fragrance, although Lin Xiaofeng was deeply touched in his heart, he still adhered to the bottom line of reason and reminded Lu Xuanxin again not to be too attached to this matter. When he mentioned the emotional letters, Lu Xuanxin smiled slightly, with determination and perseverance in his smile, and hugged him tighter. At this delicate and tense moment, there was a sudden knock on the door. Lu Xuanxin hurriedly found a hiding place and quietly hid in the closet.
Jin Jiaying pushed the door open and saw Lin Xiaofeng's face turned red and seemed embarrassed. She also made the same request, eager to travel with her. But Lin Xiaofeng still adhered to his principles and rejected her with the same reason. However, Jin Jiaying was deeply in love and begged to be able to go with her, and vowed to sacrifice everything just to protect Lin Xiaofeng's safety. Faced with her stubbornness, Lin Xiaofeng could only reluctantly refuse again and asked her to go back to her room to rest and rest in peace.
Jin Jiaying left in tears. As she walked, she recounted the details of the dangerous trip and the undetermined return date revealed by Lu Dexing when she left. She longed to be by Lin Xiaofeng's side when he faced the test of life and death, and regarded Lin Xiaofeng as her only relative and rely on. Hearing these heartfelt words, Lin Xiaofeng felt guilty in his heart. He tried his best to comfort the beauty's grief, but still firmly stated that he could not take her with him.
At this time, Lu Xuanxin, who was hiding in the closet, heard Jin Jiaying's words and recalled the sweet promise Lin Xiaofeng had made to herself. His heart felt as if he had been hit hard, and his clenched fists silently told his inner struggle and pain. It turned out that Lin Xiaofeng had made similar promises to many women, which caused both Lu Xuanxin and Jin Jiaying to fall into an emotional whirlpool, each enduring emotional entanglements and endless pain and suffering.
With a "bang", the vibration of the cabinet door exploded in the quiet room, like thunder piercing the ears. Lin Xiaofeng and Jin Jiaying instantly focused their attention on the corner where the strange noise was coming from. Jin Jiaying was filled with doubts and uneasiness flashed in her eyes, mistakenly thinking that the wardrobe had started life on its own; while Lin Xiaofeng pretended to be calm and tried to appease her with a plain lie: "It's nothing more than a bold mouse causing trouble." However, Another dull impact of "dong" sounded again, like a groundbreaking shock. Jin Jiaying's face instantly turned pale, and she naturally snuggled into Lin Xiaofeng's solid embrace in panic. Lin Xiaofeng's heart was filled with ups and downs, and he secretly felt guilty, so he had to bite the bullet and continue to use the rat as an excuse. Faced with Jin Jiaying's repeated questioning, he felt deeply guilty, but in fact, he had not considered the practical issue of marrying her.
Jin Jiaying saw that Lin Xiaofeng was still unable to give a clear and firm answer, and her disappointment gradually rose. She was about to get up and leave, not wanting to bear the embarrassment and loss anymore. Lin Xiaofeng saw this and hurriedly reached out to retain her. He knew that his identity had no absolute connection with Jin Jiaying's emotional entanglement, so he tried to comfort her injured heart. Jin Jiaying refused to give up and insisted that Lin Xiaofeng give an explanation for the promise made a few days ago. Lin Xiaofeng had no choice but to tell the truth frankly. Those words were just casual jokes and did not come from sincere wishes. When Jin Jiaying heard this, although she was a little stunned, she seemed to understand. With a slight relief, she leaned on Lin Xiaofeng's broad chest again, and gently expressed that she was willing to let go of her obsession with status and only wanted to accompany Lin Xiaofeng on the journey. through thick and thin.
Lin Xiaofeng was deeply moved by Jin Jiaying's deep affection. Although he still had many worries in his heart, he finally agreed to let her travel together. At the same time, he sternly warned Jin Jiaying that she must obey his arrangements and not act without authorization under any circumstances to avoid adding more unknown risks. After hearing this, Jin Jiaying was ecstatic and pressed tightly into Lin Xiaofeng's arms again, as if she had found emotional support.
Just when the emotional ups and downs between the two seemed to have subsided for the time being, there was a sudden knock on the door, breaking the tranquility in the room. Jin Jiaying quickly hid behind the bed like a frightened deer. Lin Xiaofeng opened the door angrily and asked sternly who came. It turned out that the person outside the door was Xie Hongxin. He held a cold dagger in his hand and handed it to Lin Xiaofeng respectfully. Lin Xiaofeng took the dagger, feeling helpless and could only order Xie Hongxin to go back to his room to rest. When Jin Jiaying gathered her emotions and prepared to leave the room, a shy smile appeared on her face. The smile was like a peach blossom blooming in spring, and Lin Xiaofeng couldn't help but be moved by it. He couldn't help himself and asked for a farewell kiss as the end of a tumultuous night. That night, in the brief calm, their story came to a temporary end, but a new chapter had quietly begun.
Jin Jiaying's face was reddish, and she lifted her toes lightly, like a shy dragonfly touching Lin Xiaofeng's warm lips. The tenderness and sweetness of that moment spread like ripples, and then her figure floated, like an elegant painting. The fairy who walked out walked away gracefully and disappeared behind the door. Lin Xiaofeng watched the graceful and soft figure go away, her honest smile showing her heartfelt praise for Jin Jiaying, secretly thinking that her courage and wisdom were comparable to those of a princess, independent and outstanding.
After a while, Lu Xuanxin, with a face as calm as lake water, stepped out from behind the wardrobe and stood next to Lin Xiaofeng. At this moment, Lin Xiaofeng realized that the whole scene with Jin Jiaying had fallen into Lu Xuanxin's eyes, and the embarrassment instantly enveloped his whole body, like being doused with cold water. Lu Xuanxin stared at Lin Xiaofeng. Although he was calm on the surface, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes, as if he was questioning whether he was a veteran of flowers. He had deceived the hearts of countless women with his sharp tongue. He was not immune to this. , wrongly paid affectionately.
When Lin Xiaofeng saw this, his heart tightened, and he felt deeply that he seemed to be trapped in the vortex of the image of a scumbag. He gritted his teeth and made up his mind, holding Lu Xuanxin in his arms and walking towards the bed. The two of them had a passionate relationship, and when they were forgetful, time seemed to have lost track. Lu Xuanxin was panting slightly, his eyes were confused and worried, and he couldn't help but ask Lin Xiaofeng if he regarded her as a frivolous brothel girl. When Lin Xiaofeng heard this, she became extremely anxious. She hurriedly retorted with a solemn oath and unbuttoned her clothes in an attempt to ease the tension. However, she was deeply touched by Lu Xuanxin's tear-filled eyes and could only sit next to her and promised her promise again and again. He won't be disrespectful to her in the slightest.
Lu Xuanxin looked back on his original intention of falling in love with Lin Xiaofeng, and when he saw the slightly frivolous behavior of the person in front of him, he felt mixed emotions in his heart. She followed closely and asked Lin Xiaofeng whether the marriage contract mentioned in Lin Xiaofeng's previous letter was sincere. Faced with this compelling question, Lin Xiaofeng hesitated and found it difficult to answer directly, so he expressed his feelings by reciting a poem: "Last night, the stars were reflected in the painting building, and there was no color in the body, but a rhinoceros in the heart." Although the poem has not yet been completed, the meaning flowing between the words is The affection was enough to move Lu Xuanxin to tears. She threw herself into Lin Xiaofeng's arms and immersed herself in the affection.
Lin Xiaofeng looked around, facing the fiery emotions of the women, feeling helpless and deeply guilty. He solemnly vowed to treat Lu Xuanxin like a wife rather than a concubine, and give her the respect and love she deserves. When Lu Xuanxin heard this promise, he cried with joy and happily accepted this profound friendship. Lin Xiaofeng hugged Lu Xuanxin tightly, feeling a mixture of love and guilt welling up in his heart, but he made a sincere promise to Lu Xuanxin more firmly.
When Lu Xuanxin mentioned that she wanted to go with her, Lin Xiaofeng had to politely reject her request because she had other commitments. Instead, she told Lu Xuanxin to go to bed early and rest, and once again emphasized that what she said today was from the bottom of her heart and was without falsehood. decoration. Although Lu Xuanxin was full of joy, she recalled the poem that was dedicated to her. Lin Xiaofeng responded that the poem was indeed written specifically for her, and she only hoped that she could understand its deep meaning. As Lu Xuanxin gently took off the hairpin from her hair, her long black hair fell down her shoulders like a waterfall. When she further took off her skirt, Lin Xiaofeng was stunned and couldn't help but ask her about her intention to stay or leave. Lu Xuanxin just remained silent. Shaking his head, unwilling to say anything, he continued to take off his clothes, leaving behind a piece of silence and mystery.
As the night gets darker, the lights inside the house quietly go out, while the world outside is stormy, thunder and lightning flashes, and bells sway in the wind, breaking the tranquility of the night. After the storm, the starry sky is as bright as a wash, and the water in the courtyard pond is covered with golden light, which contrasts with the quiet night sky, forming a picture of a wonderland outside the world. Lin Xiaofeng sat alone in this late night, with ups and downs in his heart and thousands of thoughts. He was constantly examining himself in the complex emotional entanglements and comprehending the various aspects of life.
Overnight, strong winds and heavy rain swept across the land, like a ferocious beast tearing through the silent night, leaving behind a messy scene.
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The next morning, when dawn first appeared, Lin Xiaofeng got up early, packed his bags carefully, and prepared to set foot in the unknown world, embarking on a journey destined to be full of ups and downs and hardships. Lu Xuanxin wanted to struggle to get up and get dressed for him, but his condition did not improve significantly last night, and he showed signs of weakness as he staggered around. When Lin Xiaofeng saw this scene, a feeling of pity surged in his heart, so he gently hugged her slender willow waist and comforted her with gentle words: "Xuanxin, you can rest in peace, there is no need to hold up your body to see me off." Hearing this, Lu Xuanxin looked shy and nodded gently in agreement, with tenderness flowing in his eyes. Although Lin Xiaofeng's heart was full of deep concern for Lu Xuanxin, he still forced a smile and stepped out of the threshold with the package. At this moment, his mood was like a huge stone, heavy and complicated, as if life was smooth and smooth. It lacks the tempering of emotional entanglements.
Outside the city, the team assembled by Wang Yingchao was ready to go. More than a hundred people gathered together, including special talents represented by habitual thief Ming Congliang and bandit Han Guiliang, as well as county government officials who came to practice for them. When Lin Xiaofeng's figure appeared in sight, the crowd immediately stood solemnly, greeted in unison, and paid their deepest respect. Lin Taohua held the carefully packed food in her hands, carefully arranged his collar, scolded him for his negligence in taking care of himself, and mentioned that Lu Xuanxin failed to help him get dressed. After hearing this, Lin Xiaofeng felt nervous and could only speak vaguely. To prevaricate.
Faced with Lin Taohua's blunt accusation, Lin Xiaofeng responded with an awkward but polite smile, knowing that only this straight girl dared to be so honest. Before leaving, Lin Taohua repeatedly told him to pay attention to safety and return triumphantly as soon as possible. Among the crowd, Hu Yimo from the Hot Weapons Institute came forward with a heavy wooden box in his arms, containing several short muskets made overnight and given to Lin Xiaofeng as a self-defense weapon. Lin Xiaofeng took the test shot and expressed satisfaction with the power of the short gun, and publicly praised Hu Yimo's hard work. However, when Hu Yimo mentioned that funds were tight, Lin Xiaofeng sneered half-jokingly and warned him to learn to budget carefully.
At this moment, Qi Jihang from the Keishui Institute squeezed into the crowd with a strange box and proudly displayed a steam-powered firearm, claiming that the weapon did not need to rely on gunpowder and had superior performance to the products of the Thermal Weapons Institute. Lin Xiaofeng watched the test firing process of the steam gun with great interest. Unfortunately, the water was not boiling when it was started. As a result, everyone burst into laughter, and Qi Jihang could only end in anger. Upon seeing this, Lin Xiaofeng made a decisive decision to reduce some of the financial support for the Boiled Water Institute, instead increase investment in the Thermal Weapons Institute, and immediately ordered the team to set off.
At the same time, in the palace of the Hanjiang King, Butler Jiang respectfully presented a letter from Yuanhai City. After reading it, the Hanjiang King's expression suddenly changed. He recalled that Xiang Xiehong was a member of Lin Xiaofeng's subordinates, but now he suddenly appeared in Yuanhaicheng. He also recalled that Lin Xiaofeng had recently left the capital for a long trip. With many clues intertwined, he couldn't help but wonder whether it was secretly sent by the emperor's brother. Lin Xiaofeng interfered in his own affairs? This sudden speculation made King Hanjiang furious. After a short and profound thought, the King of Hanjiang decided to take the initiative and actively deal with this sudden situation to prevent Lin Xiaofeng from ups and downs in this troubled world and bring himself unpredictable troubles and troubles.
King Hanjiang's face wandered between cloudy and sunny. Although he tried his best to maintain a calm surface, the inner surge was like an undercurrent, and his fingers tapped on the table with a fast and uncertain rhythm until he finally stopped quietly. Butler Jiang was observing the words and expressions. When the knocking sound disappeared, he relaxed slightly. He cautiously asked: "Your Majesty, is it true that Lin Xiaofeng went to Yuanhai City in person?" King Hanjiang frowned, a deep thought flashed in his eyes: "Even if he really sets foot in Yuanhai City, he may not be able to escape unscathed. Escape intact. However, if something unexpected happens to him there, the emperor will be furious and may even send an army to attack Yuanhai City, which will surely cause a panic. "
After hearing this, Steward Jiang raised a sly smile and added: "Perhaps Lin Xiaofeng does not understand our true situation, and Mr. Qian has always been prudent and strict in keeping secrets. Xiang Xiehong has not leaked any information yet and is still in Yuanhai City. Clever maneuvering." King Han Jiang secretly lamented that everything he had worked so hard for so many years had been disturbed by Lin Xiaofeng. In anger, he slapped the table with a heavy palm, causing the cup to tremble slightly. To kill or not to kill is a difficult decision: if Lin Xiaofeng is killed, the emperor will definitely investigate to the end; if he is allowed to be free, Xiang Xiehong has gone deep into the hinterland of Yuanhai City and discovered many secrets. He will undoubtedly be a difficult man to deal with. opponent. After careful consideration, King Hanjiang finally decided to go to Yuanhai City in person to find out the truth.
In a side room in Yuanhai City, Xiang Xiehong was sitting around with all his subordinates. He had lost a lot of weight. Everyone was whispering in private. It turned out that all this was due to him spending all his energy besides drinking tea every day. He deliberately instigated the female traitor, and his dedication made his companions both envious and determined to lose weight. Luo Huajun complained that he had been under house arrest for too long, while Xiang Xiehong told about the insincerity in Qian's house, speculating that Mr. Qian was very suspicious, and they could only really take action until his family arrived safely in Yuanhai City. Xiang Xiehong revealed that he had informed Lin Xiaofeng of his predicament through a letter, and he estimated that the master would send someone to respond soon. The afternoon sun was lazy, and before Xiang Xiehong went to the Qian Mansion again for an appointment, he repeatedly warned everyone to always pay attention to the safety of Fuqin. At this time, Feng Lindu appeared at the right time and invited Xiang Xiehong to take a break at a nearby teahouse. Xiang Xiehong was keenly aware of the change in Mr. Qian's attitude and expected that he was using his methods to control his subordinates. As night fell and the time for the dinner approached, Feng Lindu reminded Xiang Xiehong that tonight's banquet was just to receive new salt merchants, and there might be women accompanying him at the dinner, and asked Xiang Xiehong to endure any unpleasant things that might happen. When Xiang Xiehong asked for specific details, Feng Lindu looked embarrassed and found it difficult to speak. So, the two of them went to the teahouse first, killing time while telling stories, and waited for the dinner party full of unknowns and challenges to begin.
The world is vast, and strange things are like the stars dotting the night sky, emerging one after another. Regardless of whether men and women gather in groups or alone, such strange things are not uncommon in Jingjiang. The pace of life here is stable, and there is a lack of daily entertainment activities. Most people who read and study the Bible are driven by fame and fortune. In addition, leisure activities such as visiting gardens, enjoying the spring, watching games and playing chess constitute more than 80% of the people's pastime. However, under the surface of this seemingly calm life, there is hidden one of the most talked about and extremely absurd anecdotes.
When Xiang Xiehong heard this, the absurd energy enveloped him instantly like a haze. He has been traveling around the world for many years, and he still has a strong sense of bookishness in his bones. Deep down, he feels conflicted and unable to accept this kind of game that is elegant on the outside but actually perverse. His thoughts drifted back to the days when he was in the county school. At that time, he had witnessed similar scenes, which made his heart feel chilly.
Xiang Xiehong forcibly suppressed the discomfort in his heart, turned to look at Feng Lindu, and said with a probing meaning: "What do you think about this?" Feng Lindu eagerly interrupted his inquiry, with a solemn face, and said frankly Position: He is also deeply repulsed by this matter, but he has no choice but to be employed by the Qian family. He has to bow his head under the roof. If he does not obey his orders, he may lose face and his foundation in the future will not be guaranteed.
Xiang Xiehong's eyes fell on the dazzling array of delicacies at the banquet, and he felt mixed emotions in his heart, even feeling nauseous. He gently put down the warm wine glass in his hand, with a calm and slightly bitter look on his face, and said slowly: "In my opinion, let's leave this matter alone. Please tell Mr. Qian that I am slightly ill today. It's not convenient to attend." Feng Lindu looked anxious when he heard this, and quickly tried to dissuade him: "Don't act rashly! The master specially summoned old and new friends to participate in the grand event today. If you refuse to attend, wouldn't it be a disgrace to him in the future? It will be more difficult.”
Xiang Xiehong looked sad and said frankly: "Although I have been with the young master for more than a month, I feel that his temperament is unique and has not yet reached the extreme situation you described." After hearing this, Feng Lindu sighed deeply, with a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes: "This is because you haven't fully understood him yet. When you first meet him, everyone can feel that he is kind and amiable. As long as you can help him make a profit, he will treat you like a guest. However, once his bottom line is touched, or If you accidentally make him dissatisfied, you will get angry. Of course, if you can win his favor, he will give away gold, silver and jewelry without hesitation. "
Feng Lindu took a sip of tea and recalled the scene when he first met Mr. Qian. At that time, Mr. Qian had not gone so far. Now, his desires are growing like weeds, and ordinary entertainment can no longer satisfy his appetite. "It is said that he once gave up his concubine to others. What's more, when he was extremely excited the year before last, he actually..." At this point, Feng Lindu realized that the words were too abrupt, so he stopped abruptly and just slowly Taste the clear tea in the cup.
When Xiang Xiehong heard the shocking news, he was shocked and asked for details, but Feng Lindu avoided talking and started planning a response strategy at the dinner: "You might as well pretend to be drunk by drinking, but you need to be careful. If the young master is not drunk, you should first If you are drunk, you may be forcibly awakened, which will only increase the pain." Then, he carefully looked at Xiang Xiehong's figure and suggested that he could use the excuse of kidney deficiency to avoid this farce. After Xiang Xiehong heard this, a blush appeared on his face, and he retorted angrily and firmly.
During the conversation, Xiang Xiehong became increasingly anxious. Not only was this incident bizarre, but if word spread, no one in Yangqu County would know about it. How would he face his wife, children, and children at home? Especially the wife at home, how could she tolerate such humiliation? His brows were furrowed, and melancholy crept onto his face.
Seeing this, Feng Lindu comforted him in a timely manner: "Since you are involved in it, you should accept the situation as it comes. Maybe your family has settled down in Yuanhai City at this moment. If an accident occurs because of offending Mr. Qian, what if he is drunk and his ears are hot?" Losing control and making your wife a widow, isn't this a situation you don't want to see?" Xiang Xiehong weighed it repeatedly in his mind. The issue of widowhood was not his biggest concern. After all, the customs in Yangqu County were different from those elsewhere. , What a pity, the wife at home may have other plans. But he knew very well that this matter was related to his personal reputation. Once exposed, he would lose face, so he fell into deep worry.
In the end, Xiang Xiehong once again chose compromise and sacrifice in order to complete the task. As night fell, they left the teahouse and headed straight towards Qian's Mansion, following the usual practice of taking a sedan chair and entering the inner house. The inner house is brightly lit and extremely luxuriously furnished. Two rows of dining tables are arranged in an orderly manner. The maids in cool and alluring costumes shuttle between them, adding a bit of ambiguity to the quiet night. Seeing such a scene, Xiang Xiehong's tense mood relaxed slightly.
At this time, Qian Yanpeng was sitting lazily in the center, squinting at everyone, with a smug smile on his lips. That look was disgusting. He instructed Xiang Xiehong and Feng Lindu to take their seats at the end, then stood up, displayed the gold bars, announced rewards to Zhong Hongtao, Lu Shu and others, and encouraged the newcomers to be loyal and diligent, promising generous rewards.
The banquet officially kicked off, and a group of charming kabuki actors filed into the venue. The harps and pipas intertwined with melodious melodies, dancing shadows danced, and the songs were graceful. The scene was very lively. Qian Yanpeng once again showed his bold nature, with an obvious intention - to win people's hearts. Xiang Xiehong observed silently from the side, already understanding Qian Yanpeng's methods and the purpose behind them, and already had his own plan in mind.
The harps and pipa intertwined into an ups and downs symphony, just like the turbulent sea and the quiet and deep lake coexisting. At this moment, the surrounding maids who were standing as still as lotus quietly danced, their steps were as light as the flying geese, instantly lighting up the center of the banquet. Although this song is regarded as a lewd song by the common people, it exactly suits Qian Yanpeng's unique and slightly surly artistic aesthetic. However, the beauty of dance is rare. Every movement and every line shows the outstanding talents and extraordinary beauty of the maids carefully selected by the Qian Mansion. This also reflects Qian Yanpeng's unique vision and harshness in pursuing pleasure. standards.
Xiang Xiehong held the wine glass in his hand, and the amber liquid was swaying in front of his eyes. While he was sipping the wine, he was immersed in this dreamy world woven by graceful dances. Thousands of emotions could not help but surge up in his heart: We are all the same people, and we have so much love for each other. The difference is so huge. Although my husband is extremely wealthy, he seems to be less advanced than Qian Yanpeng in terms of the level and methods of pursuing pleasure. Qian Yanpeng also held a wine glass in his hand, swaying gently to the music, but his face showed boredom and alienation from such ordinary entertainment, as if he had experienced countless such scenes and had lost the original freshness. The surrounding guests seemed to be under a spell, completely intoxicated. After all, people with the status of Mr. Qian rarely had the opportunity to have such extravagant scenes in their daily lives.
When the dance reached its climax, an uninvited guest mingled among the dancers, acting frivolously and unrestrainedly, attracting everyone's attention. Qian Yanpeng not only did not stop this, but echoed it with laughter, showing an indulgent attitude. As the banquet gradually progressed, everyone's attention began to shift from dancing to conversation. Qian Yanpeng also intervened in time to ask questions, showing the host's hospitality. Seeing this, Xiang Xiehong felt a little relieved, thinking that what Feng Lindu said before might be too exaggerated. Now it seems that although the atmosphere is a bit strange, the overall situation is still harmonious and everything is still within control.
When the dance ended, the dancers returned to their original positions exhausted. Their original elegant and tranquil image was no longer replaced by a look dripping with sweat and weak breath. Salt merchant Zhong Hongtao and others took the opportunity to get close to the dancers and tease them, while Qian Yanpeng was surrounded by several beauties who took the initiative to massage and serve. The gauze clothes, bellybands, shoes and socks were scattered on the floor in the hall, and the whole scene gradually slipped into debauchery. In the endless abyss, the familiar ugly scene reappeared again.
Seeing all this, Xiang Xiehong's face twitched slightly and his muscles tensed, and he couldn't help but recall an old incident that happened in the county many years ago - a wealthy businessman seduced a well-off woman into behaving obscenely, and was severely punished by the knight Lin Xiaofeng. The scene at this moment frightened him and was still fresh in his memory. Feng Lindu noticed that Xiang Xiehong was deep in thought, so he quietly reminded him to follow the example of others. Xiang Xiehong took a deep breath and hesitantly embraced a maid behind him, but he did not do anything beyond the rules and just held her in his arms. The maid looked up at him doubtfully. In desperation, Xiang Xiehong gently twisted the tender flesh on her waist. This made her scream in unbearable pain. This unexpected behavior made Qian Yanpeng Cast an appreciative glance.
Qian Yanpeng raised a glass and invited everyone to drink together, and the warm atmosphere of the banquet became more and more intense. At this time, Qian Yanpeng was already naked, his face was red, and he was obviously a little drunk. People at the banquet took advantage of the alcohol to do all kinds of gaffes. Although Xiang Xiehong was extremely disgusted, he couldn't resist the craze. He could only hold the maid's arm in his arms tightly, and her cries of pain continued to sound. . Feng Lindu couldn't stand it, whispered to dissuade Xiang Xiehong, and reminded him to pay attention to his image. Xiang Xiehong weighed it again and again, then untied his clothes, pretended to be extremely tired, and lay down on the cold ground. Qian Yanpeng, who was intoxicated with joy, did not pay attention to Xiang Xiehong's actions.
Half an hour passed, and everyone's energy was gradually exhausted. Xiang Xiehong slowly stood up and grabbed the dishes with the help of alcohol, trying to sober up. I saw the maid beside Qian Yanpeng lying on the couch exhausted. Qian Yanpeng also called for some medicinal wine to cheer him up, and mocked everyone for having silver-like pewter spearheads, claiming to be brave and invincible. Everyone echoed and praised him vigorously.
Facing the pot of mysterious medicinal wine on the table, Xiang Xiehong was filled with doubts, thinking about the possible hidden medicinal ingredients in it. Qian Yanpeng issued an order again, threatening that whoever could tame a woman named "Fierce Horse" would be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold. Not long after, the servants escorted a civilian woman who was struggling and resisting into the hall. Qian Yanpeng proudly pinched the woman's cheek and showed everyone her beautiful and heroic face. At this moment, the atmosphere at the banquet reached the peak of madness. Xiang Xiehong had mixed feelings in his heart. He could only observe quietly and wait patiently for the opportunity that could turn things around.
As soon as the woman saw Qian Yanpeng, her eyes burned like fire, and her round eyes were full of resentment. She shouted sternly: "Qian Yanpeng, your evil will be rewarded with evil, and you will not end well!" After Qian Yanpeng heard this, not only did he not Angry, he raised the corners of his mouth and responded with a smile: "Du Sanniang, you should worry about your father first. That old guy is a cunning fox, and he actually used a restaurant as a cover to hide this pearl of yours. Now you are being I am captured by God's will. If you can obey me, you will undoubtedly be reborn as a phoenix and fly into the ranks of the powerful." He further added teasingly: "What if you don't want to? Who is not eager to serve you? I am so kind to you, can't you be impressed?"
The salt merchants were very interested in this scene. Instead of being disgusted by Qian Yanpeng's twisted behavior, they were happy with it. They shouted, "Mr. Qian, this girl dares to molest you!" The laughter was deafening. Filled the entire hall. Qian Yanpeng waved his hand and dismissed the surrounding maids and servants. Only a few salt merchants were left in the hall. They focused their creepy eyes on Du Sanniang, who was in a state of embarrassment but still proud. Du Sanniang's face was full of horror, while Xiang Xiehong was holding the cold wine glass in his hand tightly, with deep worry between his eyebrows, as if he could see the despair deep in her heart and the helplessness of a good family woman. situation.
Feng Lindu was well aware of Xiang Xiehong's upright character. From the moment Du Sanniang stepped into the hall, he kept a close eye on every detail of Xiang Xiehong's movements, fearing that he would do something because he couldn't stand Qian Yanpeng's behavior. Du Sanniang acted impulsively, so she grabbed his arm and whispered, "Brother Xiang, bear with the calm for a while, and take a step back to open up the world." At this moment, Du Sanniang, who was extremely frightened, tried to rush out of the door, but was insidiously intercepted by Qian Yanpeng. He stretched out his foot and tripped to the ground, causing a burst of laughter. Then, Qian Yanpeng ruthlessly grabbed her hair, pulled her up from the ground, and slapped Du Sanniang with a loud slap in the face mercilessly, causing her mouth and nose to bleed and make her dizzy. He cursed loudly: "How dare you spit on me! Today I will let you understand what true obedience is!" Qian Yanpeng even ordered Zhong Hongtao to be violent first, and he only had one stick of incense to let Du Sanniang learn how to do it. Comply or double the punishment.
Zhong Hongtao's eyes flashed with greed and evil, but he excused himself on the excuse that time was too short, trying to get more time to humiliate Du Sanniang. While Qian Yanpeng was ridiculing, he actually ordered everyone to participate in the torture of Du Sanniang and test their respective methods. Qian Yanpeng sat back in the main seat and watched Zhong Hongtao eagerly approach Du Sanniang. Although Du Sanniang once had a heroic side, now she can only helplessly face the pressing difficulties with an expression of fear and stubbornness, and gradually falls into a desperate situation surrounded by enemies in the struggle.
Seeing all this, Xiang Xiehong's heart felt like it was on fire. He was neither willing to go with the flow, nor could he bear to continue to sit on the sidelines. Although Feng Lindu earnestly advised him to endure for a while, when he saw Du Sanniang's miserable and helpless look, Xiang Xiehong finally couldn't restrain the anger in his chest. He suddenly threw the wine glass in his hand and hit Zhong Hongtao. For an instant, the entire audience was stunned into silence. Xiang Xiehong bluntly said that this move not only violated the law and damaged Qian Yanpeng's reputation, but also warned everyone to be careful when doing things outside. Faced with this sudden change, Qian Yanpeng's face instantly darkened, but he actually clapped his hands and praised Xiang Xiehong for his extraordinary courage, and suggested that everyone participate in this matter to prevent anyone from leaking it. Xiang Xiehong was the first to express firm opposition to Qian Yanpeng's proposal, emphasizing that insulting women is a serious crime and that we must be wary of anyone who may reveal secrets. As the two exchanged words, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle. An invisible pressure and tension hung in the air like dark clouds, foreshadowing the coming storm.
Xiang Xiehong stood with his head lowered, his heart tumbling like a storm, while Qian Yanpeng watched with cold eyes, observing his every move calmly. After a while, Qian Yanpeng asked a sharp question again: "Why are you hesitant? Could it be that you want me to find someone else to enjoy this time with?" Before he finished speaking, he ordered Feng Lindu to join him. Feng Lindu was in a state of confusion. When he looked around, his face showed a bitter look, and he nodded slightly in agreement.
Zhong Hongtao's head wound had just healed, and he was filled with rage. He stepped forward quickly and said angrily: "Sir, this person is very cunning. You must not let him stay!" Qian Yanpeng waved his hand to Zhong Hongtao to shut up. Although the latter retreated to On the side, but the hostile eyes were still fixed on Xiang Xiehong. When Feng Lindu saw this, he saw that Xiang Xiehong was still calm, and anxiously, he grabbed his sleeve and walked towards Du Sanniang. At this time, Du Sanniang had nothing to hide, and her eyes were mixed with shame and nervousness as she looked at Xiang Xiehong, just because he had saved her from the edge of life and death from fire and water, and she expected him to come forward again.
At this moment, Xiang Xiehong's state of mind was like a mess. His previous impulsive move put him in a dilemma. If you refuse to violate Du Sanniang, you may cause disaster; if you succumb to animal-like behavior, you will lose your dignity as a human being. Cold sweat slid down his forehead. Facing Du Sanniang's pleading eyes, the pain in his heart became even more intense. Qian Yanpeng pressed him more and more harshly. Seeing this, Feng Lindu quickly pleaded for Xiang Xiehong's mercy on the grounds of excessive physical exertion. Qian Yanpeng gave him a cup of medicinal wine, and Xiang Xiehong drank it in one gulp and thanked him respectfully in a low voice.
However, Xiang Xiehong did not act as expected, which made Qian Yanpeng full of sarcasm. Feng Lindu tried to calm the atmosphere, but was slapped three times by Qian Yanpeng. His face instantly swelled, but he still did not dare to resist. Qian Yanpeng mocked Xiang Xiehong for being a scholar and not understanding the affairs of the world. Xiang Xiehong endured the insult, bowed his head and remained silent, speechless.
Qian Yanpeng pressed forward step by step and asked Xiang Xiehong what was the first principle he should follow as a private salt dealer. Everyone answered in unison: "Obey." Qian Yanpeng took this opportunity to ridicule Xiang Xiehong, treating him as a dog raised by the Qian family and must obey his master's orders absolutely. Xiang Xiehong suffered such trampling on his personality that his body couldn't help but tremble, and he was finally forced to admit that he existed like a "dog".
Qian Yanpeng continued to joke and ridicule, forcing Xiang Xiehong to take action. Feng Lindu took the opportunity to drink medicinal wine and prepared to commit violence against Du Sanniang, but Du Sanniang looked desperate and helpless and whispered a prayer for help. Xiang Xiehong struggled with inner conflicts, knowing that he could only find a chance to turn things around by temporarily putting aside his dignity at this moment.
Just when Feng Lindu was about to attack Du Sanniang, Xiang Xiehong suddenly stopped him and sternly asked Du Sanniang to get dressed. This move angered Qian Yanpeng. He shot Xiang Xiehong from left to right, slapped him hard, and grabbed his hair and cursed loudly. Xiang Xiehong firmly opposed the violation of Du Sanniang and offered to find other beauties to replace Qian Yanpeng. Qian Yanpeng became furious and ordered his men to tie Du Sanniang up in the air and hit her violently on the abdomen in an attempt to stop her screams.
While Du Sanniang was suffering endless humiliation, Xiang Xiehong chose to compromise in desperation and slowly walked towards Du Sanniang. Qian Yanpeng promised that after everyone had fun, he would give Du Sanniang to Xiang Xiehong. Xiang Xiehong appeared obedient, but his heart was filled with unspeakable helplessness and anger. When Qian Yanpeng was about to commit another act of violence, Xiang Xiehong suddenly interrupted and claimed that he would do it himself. Although Qian Yanpeng was surprised, he still agreed with a sneer and let Xiang Xiehong get close to Du Sanniang.
However, at this critical moment, Xiang Xiehong suddenly broke out, angrily denounced Qian Yanpeng's bad behavior, completely changed his previous resigned attitude, and bravely stood up to fight. What was originally a ridiculous farce was reversed in an instant. The atmosphere in the entire hall froze instantly. Everyone was shocked. Only Xiang Xiehong's resolute back was deeply imprinted in everyone's eyes...
A wisp of light green smoke slowly rose from the gun's mouth, as if a prelude to death was whispering in the air. Xiang Xiehong's arms were like iron, and he steadily raised the deadly gun above his head, with a cold and determined light shining in his eyes. Only seven steps away, the bullet was like lightning coming out of the barrel, hitting the target in an instant. Flesh, flesh and rags were scattered in an instant, splattering on his body, forming a mottled blood map. In an instant, five corpses were laid out in the hall. This was the first time in Xiang Xiehong's life that he had personally deprived others of their lives. Facing this gruesome scene, he did not feel the slightest fear in his heart. Instead, he felt a sense of joy and joy. The pleasant feeling of cleansing away the filth.
When Du Sanniang saw this, she was so horrified that she almost collapsed. She collapsed on the ground, trembling. However, in this abyss of chaos and fear, when her eyes touched Xiang Xiehong's tall figure, she actually captured a trace of stabilizing power, which allowed her to stay awake and not completely faint.
Feng Lindu was dumbfounded when he witnessed all this, and the fear in his pupils was like a trapped little beast thrashing around. After the loud noise, five lives disappeared in an instant. Mr. Qian was killed by this cold gun? The extreme fear made him almost scream: "Brother Xiang, are you... are you really crazy?"
Before he finished speaking, the black gun was already aimed at his face. Feng Lindu subconsciously bowed his hands, trying to calm the other person's emotions with words. However, Xiang Xiehong stopped him sternly: "Silence!" The servants outside the door heard the noise and eagerly asked if anything had happened. Xiang Xiehong kicked Du Sanniang awake and signaled her to scream to confuse the audience. At the same time, he picked up the wine bottle beside him and threw it towards the door, shouting: "Master Qian is having a feast, please get out of here quickly!" "
Silence returned to the outer courtyard. Feng Lindu came back to his senses and asked anxiously: "Brother Xiang, where are you from?" Xiang Xiehong did not respond to this, but first picked up his robe and put it on Du Sanniang. With his trembling body, he then approached Feng Lindu step by step with a gun in his hand, pressed the mouth of the gun against his waist, and forced him to walk out of the hall together. The last bullet in the barrel has not yet been fired, as if to warn that Feng Lindu's fate may end at any time. Xiang Xiehong ordered Du Sanniang to stay where she was and not move.
The two walked out of the hall quietly. Xiang Xiehong handed Feng Lindu a firework, which was lit and then rose into the night sky. The gorgeous fireworks made Feng Lindu temporarily forget his fear in admiration. Xiang Xiehong once again asked about the specific location of the important figures in the Qian Mansion. Although Feng Lindu was still frightened, seeing that Xiang Xiehong had no intention of harming him, he could only point to the west building with trembling fingers and tell him the details in detail. Xiang Xiehong sneered: "There is no escape now. The government and the Qian family are colluding, and surveillance is tight. I must find out where the rest of the Qian family is hiding."
Xiang Xiehong instructed Du Sanniang to tear off strips of cloth for later use. Although Feng Lindu was full of fear, he realized that Xiang Xiehong had no ill intentions, so he reluctantly calmed down. Afterwards, Xiang Xiehong tied the two people up quickly and began to clean up the scene carefully, trying not to leave any flaws. Du Sanniang watched Xiang Xiehong's every move, with extremely complicated expressions on her face, including fear and admiration, while Feng Lindu was always frightened.
At this time, Liang Huankun, who was watching the starry sky in the courtyard, suddenly caught a glimpse of a shooting star cutting through the lonely night. An ominous premonition made his heart tighten. He immediately rushed into the house, decisively knocked out Fuqin, and then quickly summoned his brothers to prepare for action. . Everyone moved quickly and assembled in an instant. Lu Dexing nervously asked about his mission. Xiang Xiehong ordered him to protect and properly hide Fuqin and not to do anything rash. Luo Huajun sternly issued instructions to everyone: "Brothers, climb in from the north wall and search according to the established plan. The operation must be silent. If you encounter any obstacles or informers, kill them without mercy!" Lu Dexing was silent, everyone was ready to go, and everyone stared at each other. Sitting deep in the darkness, waiting for the moment of action to arrive.
In the Shangshu Mansion, the night was getting thick. Uncle Fu quietly knocked on the door and walked into the study respectfully to report: "Master, there is a visitor asking to see you at the moment." Hearing this, Lu Yinsheng couldn't help but feel nervous. The mystery of Zishi's visit Who is this character? He asked for details, and Uncle Fu lowered his voice and replied nervously: "It's the person sent by the prince." Upon hearing that it was the envoy sent by the King of Hanjiang, Lu Yinsheng frowned, his face changed slightly, and he signaled to summon him immediately.
A moment later, a middle-aged man in black attire stepped into the hall. His steps were steady and powerful, and he announced that his home was Hujiang, Qianhu of the Prince's Guards. He also presented a sealed letter: "On behalf of the Prince, I I’m here to deliver a message to you, sir.”
Lu Yinsheng received the letter, filled with doubts. The imperial court had been reducing vassals for many years, and the prince's guard had long since ceased to exist. How could the King of Hanjiang secretly retain private soldiers? He opened the envelope eagerly, his eyes quickly scanning the writing, and a chill ran down his spine after reading it. The letter mentioned that the situation in Yuanhaicheng was turbulent, and King Hanjiang had personally rushed to deal with it. Lu Yinsheng asked about the specific situation, but Hu Jiang was vague: "Your Majesty just asked you to take care of yourself. The message I have conveyed ends here, and I will take my leave." "
After Hu Jiang left, Uncle Fu stepped forward and asked why King Han Jiang acted alone. Lu Yinsheng was silent for a long time and threw the letter in his hand into the brazier. The flames instantly swallowed up the writing. He fell into deep thinking amidst the smoke. At the same moment, Hu Jiang rode a horse and galloped to a hidden mansion near the palace. The surrounding area was heavily guarded. All the guards were wearing black uniforms, blending in with the night. Entering the study room, you can see that the interior furnishings are simple and elegant, and a detailed map is spread out on the desk, the outline of which resembles the appearance of Yangqu County. Hu Jiang said straight to the point: "Your Majesty has gone to a dangerous situation. We need to capture Yangqu County within three days and find the mysterious object called 'Land Divine Thunder', and then set off from Jiangling Port. Your Majesty will meet us elsewhere." ”
Everyone was talking about it and asked what the "land thunder" was. Hu Jiang could not give an answer. He only knew that the prince regarded it as a treasure and had the power to break mountains and crack rocks. Therefore, he must ensure that this operation is foolproof. Therefore, Hu Jiang ordered everyone to disguise themselves and sneak into Yangqu County. The first goal was to seize control of the city gate, while the rest of his troops hid in the woods and waited for opportunities. Taking into account the weak military strength in Yangqu County, they planned to fight quickly and separately search for the "land thunder". If they encountered resistance, they would kill them without mercy.
At this moment, a figure broke into the study room in panic. It was Liu Xiao who had returned early. Hu Jiang was shocked and quickly asked about the investigation situation. Liu Xiao said breathlessly: "The toll station has become an insurmountable chasm!" It turned out that the government had set up many toll stations on the road leading to Yangqu County. Those who did not carry enough silver were blocked from the level. Everyone was shocked when they heard the news. They were unprepared for the existence of the toll station and fell into a helpless predicament for a while.
Hu Jiang was furious and accused Liu Xiao of acting recklessly, but Liu Xiao looked aggrieved and explained that officers and soldiers were patrolling closely, and even if he tried to go around the mountain road, he would not be able to escape detection. The toll stations were as dense as stars, and the price of fodder along the way was high, making it slightly uncomfortable. If you are careful, you will be trapped and unable to move. Hu Jiang was furious after hearing this, but he had no choice but to find a solution.
Everyone was talking about it. Faced with the problem of toll stations, some people proposed to force a breakthrough, but Liu Xiao firmly opposed it, believing that this would definitely cause more obstacles, and he did not know the exact number and distribution of toll stations. Hu Jiang thought about it over and over, and finally decided to raise money to pay tolls first, and then quickly raid Yangqu County. However, the huge expense of up to four thousand taels made Hu Jiang feel more pressure, and the prince did not leave enough assets when he left.
Faced with such an unprecedented thorny problem, Hu Jiang's face showed confusion and helplessness, and he could not find a solution for a while. Finally, Liu Xiao suggested in a low voice: "Perhaps you can consider selling some of the horses to raise the money." After hearing this, Hu Jiang could only nod in agreement, although he was unwilling to do so, and tentatively decided to use this strategy to temporarily alleviate the urgent need.
Hu Jiang frowned deeply in thought, and after a moment he firmly asserted with eyes: "There is no need to sell the horses. The total toll for people and horses is two thousand taels, which should be enough." However, someone reminded him that there were many toll stations in the future, making it difficult to get rid of the horses and easily exposing their whereabouts. . When Hu Jiang heard this, an expression of regret and helplessness instantly appeared on his face. Although he was unwilling to do so, he had to accept the suggestion of selling the horse. He immediately made arrangements, ordered his subordinates to deal with it as soon as possible, and planned to send spy Liu Xiao again the next day to find out the specific expenses required, and the day after tomorrow to send 200 soldiers in disguise to sneak into Yangqu County quietly.
Considering that riding on horseback was too conspicuous and could easily become a pursuit target, Hu Jiang resolutely decided to abandon the horses and adopt a foot battle strategy. When the main force arrived, the sound of arrows would be used as a signal, and the internal response in the city would quickly respond. Faced with the rapidly changing situation in Yangqu County, Hu Jiang followed the prince's secret order and ordered all personnel to move to a remote farm on the outskirts of the city tomorrow, where all residents and crops will be ruthlessly cleared. Although this move may lead to the disappearance of the farmer and cause trouble, Hu Jiang still insisted on executing the original plan after careful consideration in the face of the overall situation.
Time flies. Two days later, in the spacious and bright court hall of Yangqu County Government, Wang Yingchao was enjoying breakfast while flipping through the Di newspaper attentively, paying close attention to the happenings in Kyoto, and was particularly interested in a piece of news reporting on a farm fire. Heart. After the meal, he gathered everyone to arrange fire prevention tasks, changed the slogans in the streets, and repeatedly emphasized the importance of fire prevention.
At this moment, a shout suddenly came from outside the court, pointing out that the fire that occurred at the Kyoto farm was actually a well-planned conspiracy. Everyone's eyes were focused on the past, and they saw an elegant and plainly dressed man steadily entering the courtroom. This man was Bi Yuntao, who had been missing for a long time. Wang Yingchao signaled the other officials to retreat, leaving Bi Yuntao alone to tell the details. Bi Yuntao took out the exotic seeds secretly cultivated by King Hanjiang at the farm from the cloth bag he carried, including rare varieties of potatoes, tomatoes, spicy millet and pearl rice, and warned Wang Yingchao to protect such high-yielding crops, despite their toxicity Unknown, but likely to have extremely high medicinal value. (End of chapter)
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