Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 196 Minglan is in danger? Help!
The prince's young master?

General Zhongyong Bo Weiyuanwei?

Hailed as the pillar of the southeast and the hero of the country by the world, the frontier official and guard are invincible?

Such a well-connected person actually came to our tea shop?

If you tell me, no one will believe it!
At this time, Mrs. Zhao and the waiters in the tea shop were all staring at the golden beans in her hand.

After all, those were the golden beans given by General Wei!
Women in Hangzhou Prefecture are used to seeing talented people who claim to be romantic, but they rarely see heroes who guard the frontiers, fight in bloody battlefields, and become famous at a young age.

Isn’t General Wei such a character?
Therefore, they were frightened and a little excited at the same time.

Gu Qianfan said earnestly: "General Wei is here incognito today. I hope you will not leak the news about his arrival in Hangzhou."

After that, leave here.

After a group of detectives disposed of the corpses, they said to Madam Zhao:

Mei Zhi said tentatively.

Now, Wei Yuan has identified Fuzhou as the first place to start shipping.

In contrast, Fuzhou, which has been committed to fighting against Japanese aggression, is slightly poorer.

After all the policemen in the tea shop were gone, Mrs. Zhao did not take care of the tables, chairs and benches that had been smashed by the thieves, but said to her people in disbelief:

There was even a time when there were no beggars in Hangzhou.

But if there is no shipping in Fuzhou, the people of Fuzhou will have to continue to rely on the sea to eat, and they will never be able to live the so-called wealthy life.

"Wei Yuangui is the prince's young master, and Wang Anshigui, the official minister, is the young master. Even a fool can see that the two of them will be future assistant ministers."

"Is there someone colluding with Japanese pirates in your territory? You! You! You are so stupid! Stupid! You...!"

This is also the reason why Fuzhou and even the entire Fujian Road have greater determination and perseverance in striving for maritime transportation than other state capitals.

Zhang Xia then cursed angrily at Mei Zhi:
"Aren't you saying all day long that your public security in Hangzhou should be number one in the southeast? Now that something like this happens, how should you explain it?"

Hearing this, Zhang Xia was furious, "Okay, stop talking!"

After the commotion in the tea shop, they also knew that there was no chance of shipping to Hangzhou.

The people in the area began to set up immortal tablets for him and worshiped them at home all day long.

"Now the big examination held by the Ministry of Civil Affairs is about to take place. At this juncture, if Wei Yuan, who is the chief official of the Southeast Frontier, writes a letter to the imperial court, neither you nor I will end well!"

Hangzhou Prefecture is an oil-and-water yamen, so it has no shortage of money.

"The damage caused by those thieves to your tea shop will be reviewed by the state government and will compensate you according to the price."

"You still have the nerve to say that it was someone who colluded with the Japanese pirates? Don't you think things are messy? Have you forgotten what General Wei's responsibilities are when he comes to the southeast?"

Zhang Xia sneered, "I really doubt that you are looking after you as an official for so many years?"

Most of the beggars remaining in Hangzhou today are refugees who have fled from various places, and there are no locals.

If it weren't for his identity, he would have cursed.

When Wei Yuan left Fuzhou, Fan Chunren also went to Fuzhou in person to prepare for the start of shipping-related matters.

"There are rumors in the capital that the generals and prime ministers are harmonizing the world. This generals and prime ministers are harmonious, not referring to the Prime Minister of Han and the Duke of England!"

"The dignified second-grade border official was almost in danger in Hangzhou. If this reaches His Majesty's ears, you and I should stop being officials and throw off our official hats as soon as possible!"

Although Zhang Xia and Mei Zhi tried their best to stay, Wei Yuan still left Hangzhou Mansion without looking back.

The loss of maritime transportation in Hangzhou only deprived officials of an opportunity to increase their political achievements.

Closed the tea shop?

Mrs. Zhao's eyebrows were filled with joy.

One woman nodded dully, unsure and said: "Probably, right?"

Mei Zhi was startled and broke into a cold sweat. "Now, is there still a chance to make amends? If the tea shop is involved in this matter, should we close it first and then send someone to warn the tea shop owner not to spread the news about this matter?"

If someone is an official in Hangzhou, it may be difficult to achieve breakthroughs in political performance, but at least he will have enough delicacies every day.

"If you really seal up the tea shop, believe it or not, within seven days at most, there will be news from the court asking you to retire and return home!"

"When General Wei left just now, did he compliment me on how delicious the tea I made was?"

"Although General Wei is a high-ranking official in the southeastern territory, he is in charge of military affairs. His lower official is a Jinshi, a court official, and he has paid a visit to the Korean Prime Minister. It shouldn't be like this, right?"

If Wei Yuan started shipping in Hangzhou, he would at most be praised by the people of Hangzhou, but it would not go so far as to erect a memorial tablet for him.

The latter hurriedly bowed and said: "Please calm down, sir. I have sent someone to investigate. According to the Imperial City Secretary Gu, the commander of the office handed over to my officer, he said that he was in collusion with the Japanese pirates."

Wei Yuan had just walked out of Hangzhou City.

Even beggars in Hangzhou Prefecture can drink a bowl of rice porridge provided by the government every day.

Naturally, it is also very good for the local people.

Zhang Xia was very angry.

"Didn't you hear General Wei say that the tea in the tea shop is delicious? General Wei is just worried that we will do this!"

Sue. Sue old age? Am I not old yet?

Mei Zhifang knew the seriousness of the matter and said sternly: "I know what to do. I will investigate the matter with the Imperial City Department as soon as possible and give Commander Wei an explanation!"

Outside Hangzhou.

Wei Yuan's army is about to leave.

Gu Qianfan, the commander of the Detective Department of the Imperial City Department, asked to see him.

He briefly reported to Wei Yuan about the merchants in Hangzhou who were involved with Japanese pirates.

Wei Yuan asked curiously: "You often work in Beijing, but you came to Hangzhou specifically for this matter?"

Gu Qianfan said bluntly: "The officials also attach great importance to this matter. The officials said that you are in charge of the overall situation of the southeast and have many things to do every day. There are always things that you can't worry about."

"Our Imperial City Division has been specially assigned to investigate all the merchant families involved in Japanese pirates in the southeast, and then hand them over to you for severe punishment."

Wei Yuan understood, and Zhao Zhen felt the fun and benefits brought by ransacking the house.

But, in the end, you still have to make the knife yourself.

At this moment, Wang Anshi, who holds the power of the official department, is undoubtedly a high-quality scabbard.

"I am going to my hometown to worship my ancestors. I have not been in the southeast these days."

"If something happens to you, tell Yang Huairen in Fuzhou and he will send troops to help you."

As soon as Wei Yuan finished speaking, Gu Qianfan looked happy and said:
"Thank you Wei Shuai!"

Although Gu Qianfan can mobilize all the officials in the Imperial City in the southeast.

However, the Imperial City Departments in various places cannot move without permission and need to keep an eye on other people, and there are not many in total.

With the cooperation of the army, Gu Qianfan would have no scruples.

Just when Wei Yuan was about to leave, Gu Qianfan stopped talking.

Seeing this, Wei Yuan asked curiously: "Do you have anything else?"

Gu Qianfan clasped his fists and said: "Commander Wei, when things happen in the southeast, I want to follow you in the bloody battlefield and guard the border. I wonder what you want, Commander Wei?"

Wei Yuan was confused, "If you don't stay well in the Imperial City Division, why do you want to stay with me?"

Gu Qianfan said seriously: "A man should go into battle to kill the enemy and protect his family and country. This is a humble position. I really don't want to stay here in a place of intrigue and deception."

Wei Yuan smiled and did not respond.

Gu Qianfan frowned slightly, wondering whether he agreed or not. On the way to Suzhou.

Haizhou, the censor of Haijia Tour, specially waited for Wei Yuan halfway.

The latter went to meet him.

Haizhou said: "General Wei, we meet again. A few days ago, my uncle wrote a letter saying that you killed him severely."

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "Your Hai family is very strict in running the family. It is a Confucian family. You should pay more attention to the matter of the second wife."

Haizhou bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, General Wei, for reminding me."

Wei Yuan asked curiously: "Although I don't know you well, everyone praises you for the family style of your family. If you grow up in this environment, you will not be seduced by vulgar things."

"Although Hai's Second Fang makes a living from the sea, there are countless merchants who are richer than them. Even if you can participate in this shipping business, how much will you get?"

"You, Haishi, are trying every possible means to persuade His Majesty to open sea transportation. What is your purpose?"

Haizhou smiled and said: "With General Wei's wisdom, don't you understand?"

Wei Yuan was thoughtful,
"Once sea transportation starts, there will be no major problems in reforming the salt tax. If you can successfully reform the salt tax as quickly as possible, it will be a great achievement."

"By then, with this credit, it will be easy to become a general or a prime minister. I wonder if my guess is correct?"

Haizhou nodded.

Wei Yuan continued: "You came to my house that day and said that you wanted to benefit me, but you just wanted me to intervene in this matter. Because of the southeast shipping matter, except for me, my teacher and Gu Hou are not suitable. It’s not suitable to come to the southeast to take charge.”

"With my commander here, there will be no worries about shipping. Only then can you radically reform the salt class and pave the way for joining the Central Publishing House or taking charge of a department in the future?"

Haizhou nodded again, "When Commander Wei led his troops to my uncle's place, you must have guessed this. You were angry that your subordinate was taking advantage of you, so you wanted to blackmail my uncle severely. This is also a human behavior. Common sense.”

"The official knows that you are passing through this place, so I specially wait here to apologize to you."

Wei Yuan said: "If I don't see you, how will you treat me?"

Haizhou said: "Xiaguan has nothing to do with your shipping. I really can't think of any reason why you don't come to see me."

This Hai Zhou is really born to be an official.
"Since you have to apologize, why don't you go empty-handed?"

Wei Yuan smiled.

Haizhou nodded slightly, "Xiaoguan heard that Caobang has a relationship with you. Caobang's water transport business mostly involves salt affairs. Xiaguan reorganized the salt production department and has some power."

"In the future, Caobang will not have to pay the salt tax for two years. My subordinate will personally inform the leader of Caobang about this matter and say that this is your instruction."

The salt taxation method was created to make money for the court, so the salt tax for this method must be extremely heavy.

The two-year salt tax is not a small apology.

Wei Yuan's heart sank, did he even know this? How do you know?
"You come from a noble family, why did you do this abusing your power for personal gain?"

Wei Yuan chuckled.

Haizhou shook his head and said: "Caobang water transport extends in all directions, and there are friends from all walks of life. If the salt introduction method is successfully implemented, southeastern merchants will rush to buy Changyin."

"If the Cao Gang can benefit, with the help of the government and the influence of Jianghu, Changyin can be sold to various places. By then, the imperial court will no longer have to worry about salt taxes in various places."

"This official is doing this, firstly, to apologize to you, and secondly, for the sake of the court."

His concession and apology lie in Caobang.

To reform the salt tax, Jianghu forces like the Caobang, which controls major water transport terminals, will definitely be severely punished.

After all, the docks are officially under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. If there are Jianghu forces, what kind of protection fees will be collected? Where should the imperial court's face be put?

Haizhou's method was to avoid Caobang's salt tax and prevent Caobang from attacking salt merchants who transported water. This way he could also save Caobang, which was regarded as an apology to Wei Yuan.

As for why it is a two-year period, the reason is very simple.

Two years later, Haizhou will no longer be in charge of the Southeast Salt Tax. At that time, he will have no say in the Southeast Salt Tax.

After hearing his explanation, Wei Yuan suddenly realized that this is what a scholar should do.

"You have to be kind, I appreciate it."

Haizhou bowed and said, "You're welcome. I have a good relationship with the Minister of Civil Affairs. You two will be the pillars of the country in the future. We should have more contact with each other on weekdays."

If Wei Yuan didn't have the reputation of being a scholar and a count, I'm afraid these serious scholars who were born as Jinshi would not be so 'courteous'.

After bidding farewell to Haizhou.

Wei Yuan continued to Suzhou.

He was in no hurry, as long as he could reach Guangling in ten days.

It is worth mentioning that after arriving in Suzhou, Wei Yuan asked the army to move forward.

He tried his best to change the situation and came to King Wu's place next to Taihu Lake alone, intending to stay here for a few days so that he could enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Of course, what is more important is to determine which merchants in Suzhou will participate in maritime transportation and how much benefit they will receive.

It is said that Wei Yuan is staying in Suzhou for a few days.

Minglan, Mrs. Sheng and their party took the waterway and reached the border of Yangzhou.

It is worth mentioning that some interesting things happened during this period.

When the Sheng family's boat arrived at the junction of Yangzhou, a thief suddenly boarded the boat and demanded property.

This is something that often happens in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Those thieves don't dare to kill people, so they only need to give them dozens of taels of silver to send them away.

As for why such things happened on the Tangtang Canal, in the final analysis, it was because the imperial court did not have a navy and lacked the power to control the water.

Governments in various places, except on certain days, would order their officers to patrol the lake by boat. At other times, they would do nothing.

As a result, some river bandits and river and lake forces such as the Cao Gang and the Salt Gang were created who blocked the road.

Just when Sheng Changbai was about to give them some silver, a Cao Gang ship suddenly approached and asked Sheng Changbai, who was standing on the bow of the ship to discuss with the bandits,
"Sheng family ship? I wonder which Sheng family it is?"

The word 'Sheng' is written on the hull of the boat they are riding on.

Sheng Changbai responded: "Wailang Shengjia, a member of the Ministry of Industry in Beijing."

A foreigner from the Ministry of Industry?
Those Caobang people didn’t know what the official name was, so they had no choice but to continue asking:

"The Sheng family in the capital? But the Sheng family where Gaoming's wife Wei Shuyi and Sheng Minglan are staying?"

Sheng Changbai's heart tightened and he frowned: "I wonder why you are asking like this?"

While they were talking, Sheng Minglan had already walked out of the cabin.

When Sheng Changbai saw this, he quickly said: "Sixth sister, it's dangerous here, you go back first."

Minglan said: "Just now did you hear someone calling me?"

"I am Sheng Minglan, what did you ask me to do?"

She just heard that there was no malice in the other person's tone, and then she had the courage to speak.

Sheng Changbai protected her in front of him.

At this time, the Cao Gang's ships were getting closer to the Sheng family's ships. When they heard what Minglan said, they immediately smiled and said:
"General Zhongyong Bo Wei is our great benefactor. We once said that General Wei has two sisters, one married into the Sheng family, and the other has now gone to the capital."

"Tell us, if we meet someone who is related to Uncle Zhongyong, he is our friend, and we can escort him."

Hearing this, Sheng Changbai and Minglan were both happy.

Later, the Caogang people shouted to the water bandits not far away:
"We have traveled across three rivers and four seas, doing what we do with the word "righteousness" (we are the Cao Gang), and the word "friends" (friends on the road). These few are the side by side of the hussars (this ship is full of generals of the guards). Friends), step a little wider for your convenience (please give me some face and let this ship go).”

After saying that, the group of thieves really gradually retreated.

(End of this chapter)