Late Tang

On the evening of the [-]th day of the first lunar month, Feng Xun, the deputy envoy of Daxie Village, hurried back from Dengzhou.He was dressed as a rich merchant in a long silk gown, and the long white cloak hanging from his shoulders swayed with his hurried steps.

He rushed to Feng Zhang's study with a heavy face, drank a cup of hot tea in one breath, and gasped, "Sure enough, there are rumors circulating in many places in Dengzhou City, saying that Uncle Feng and Wu Lang were not at all at the beginning. He was killed by the pirates in Zhendonghai, but Cui Yunqing instigated behind the scenes, and Li Jing personally led people to ambush and assassinate him." He wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth, "We heard rumors from the beginning on the pier, and later on Similar rumors have also been heard in several restaurants and inns in the city."

As if a cold hand had suddenly strangled Feng Zhang's heart, the corners of his mouth trembled as he suppressed his anger and said, "Is there any evidence for these rumors?"

In the past two days, a rumor suddenly spread on the South Island of Daxie Zhai that the former Governor of Dengzhou Shi Fengyanqing was not killed by pirates, but for another reason, saying that the person who killed Feng Yanqing was Li Jing. .This sudden rumor made Feng Zhang very angry. Feng Yanqing was his cousin, who had died long ago, but now there are still people making a fuss about him. He felt that these rumors were spread behind the scenes by Wang Jin or Wang Jingwen , the purpose must be to lure him to deal with Li Jing.

At first he didn't want to pay attention to this rumor, but who knew that the rumor became more and more serious, and within two days the whole Daxie village knew about it.Many members of the Feng clan on the island came to ask him if they knew about it.She also vaguely blamed him for not avenging Feng Yanqing.Later, another rumor was even introduced, saying that Feng Zhang was afraid of Li Jing's backer and did not dare to offend Song Wenwen, Li Rui, Cui Yunqing and Song Wei.He also said that a few days ago, he personally sent tens of thousands of money to Li Jing.

Together with this rumor, Feng Zhang couldn't sit still anymore.While looking for the person who spread the rumors, he sent Feng Xun to Dengzhou to investigate the situation in person.

"There is evidence!" Feng Xun said: "I did not reveal my identity after I arrived in Dengzhou, but temporarily stayed in an inconspicuous inn pretending to be a merchant. But as soon as I checked in, someone threw it into my room The next package. I opened it and looked, and there was a letter inside, which was full of doubts about my uncle's death. The person also sent some evidence that they thought was incompatible with Zhendonghai's shock killing order. Suppressing and killing tokens, and armor-piercing arrows scattered around the scene. I have confirmed these things, they are not imitations, they should all be real."

Feng Zhang looked angry, "Then do you know who is spreading the rumors, is this related to Wang Jin?"

"I'm afraid so." Feng Xun replied, "Although I haven't found any conclusive evidence that the Wang family is spreading rumors, according to my observations, it can basically be determined that Wang Jingwen was behind the scenes. Even if the source of the rumors is not Wang Jingwu spread it, but the fact that this rumor has gained such momentum in such a short period of time is definitely related to Wang Jingwen's vigorous efforts to fuel the flames."

"Damn old guy!" Feng Zhang cursed loudly: "He has retreated without eggs, but now he plans to let us charge forward for them? Dalang, we can basically confirm that the last time the pirates attacked Wang Jin has something to do with it. Why did Wang Jin retreat all of a sudden? I heard that all the business of the Wang family in Shamen Island was sealed up by Li Jing, but Wang Jin not only didn’t fart, it is said that he even sent money to Li Jing to achieve the goal. What agreement, have you checked the details? We have to be careful, don't let the damn old thief sell us, and we will count the money for him."

When it comes to the family background of the Feng family, it is far above the Wang family.However, the Wang family has firmly grasped the military power of the Qingzhou Yajun over the years, and suddenly trembled.The Feng family also had to form an alliance with him to fight against the Cui and Han families, but in this way, they often had to act according to the face of the Wang family.

Feng Xun said with an ugly face: "I bought a few stewards and servants of the Wang family, and I did find out some information. It is said that a few days before the pirates attacked, Wang Fu, the general of Wang Jin's family, left suddenly, and he has never been there until now. No one has seen him. Wang Jin only told people that Wang Fu had returned to Qingzhou, but some servants of the Wang family said that when Wang Fu left, he went to Dengzhou Wharf to take a boat out to sea. Also, the Wang family had many hidden places on Shamen Island. The business, what it is, is not very clear. According to the information I have obtained, the Wang family has a secret workshop on the island, which is likely to be an ordnance workshop. In the past, the Wang family had many guards on Salmon Island, but I heard A piece of news, it is said that a ship belonging to the Wang family suddenly capsized at sea, and more than 200 people on board all died."

"Also, it is said that on the second day after the pirates attacked, Li Jing gave Wang Jin a gift, which was three very luxurious wooden boxes. After Wang Jin received this gift, he reached an agreement with Li Jing not long after. I don't know the specific content of the agreement, but the Wang family returned to Shuicheng because of this. Not only did they not pursue the matter of Li Jing's copying and confiscation of their shops and warehouses on Shamen Island, but they sent several large ships of goods to Li Jing It is said that that batch of supplies is worth [-] yuan."

"Are you saying that Wang Jin has the handle to fall into Li Jing's hands?" Feng Zhang asked suddenly, "Could it be that Wang Jin sent Wang Fu to recruit the one-eyed flood dragon, and then Wang Fu fell into Li Jing's hands?" In his hand, Li Jing also got something that is very unfavorable to Wang Jin?"

"It is indeed possible?" Feng Xun replied, "But I am a little puzzled. If Li Jing really has such a handle, why not hand it over to Song Wen or Cui Yunqing directly? Jin, after all, colluding with pirates to attack the official army is not a small crime."

Feng Zhang shook his head: "Things are not that simple. Even if Li Jing really does this now, Song Wen probably won't do anything to Wang Jin. Li Jing is a smart person, he must have seen this, so he didn't To expose this matter, but choose to make a deal with Wang Jin. Damn Li Jing, damn Wang Jin, why don't they fight."

"What do we do now?"

Feng Zhang gritted his teeth and said, "Of course we can't let Li Jing go. This kid is extremely arrogant. He didn't pay attention to me at all when he arrived at Salmon Island. If things go on like this, he will have the final say on Daxie Village in the future. I still have the final say. What's more, he is also suspected of killing your uncle and fifth child. If I don't report this hatred, how will I face the family members in the future? How will I go back to the family to face your aunt and the others."

"But now Wang Jin is retreating. If we go up, don't we fall into the trap of the Wang family?"

"It's not good to be clear, we can still be dark." After saying this, Feng Zhang didn't make a sound, he was waiting for Feng Xun to think for himself.Feng Xun is the eldest son of the younger generation of the Feng family, and he has always performed outstandingly.Compared with Feng Liang and Feng Ming, who only know how to be brave and ruthless, Feng Xun obviously has no lack of courage, but also has a stable temperament.But Feng Xun can't stand alone now, he still lacks independent and self-thinking.The Feng family intends to train Feng Xun to be the head of the next generation of the Feng family, so they let him go to the army for training. At such a young age, just over thirty, he is already the deputy envoy of Daxie village.Although there was help from the Feng family, it was also inseparable from his hard work and ability.Looking at the younger generation of the major families in Ziqing Town, there are many brave people, but there are not many who are both brave and strategic.

After a long time, Feng Xun, who had been thinking hard, suddenly said: "When I was in Dengzhou, I overheard a news that a batch of very mysterious cargo was being loaded at the Dengzhou wharf. I thought it was strange and spent some money to find out. , it turned out that it was a batch of ordnance that was going to be sent to Shamen Town. It is said that there are a thousand sets of ordnance, not only horizontal knives, spears, long bows and other weapons, but also Mo knives, heavy crossbows, iron armor, etc. goods."

"Is there such a thing?" Feng Zhang couldn't help being taken aback.Salmon Island is under his jurisdiction, and he has been stuck with Li Jing's equipment in order to prevent Li Jing from having a chance to grow stronger.Just now when he heard that there might be an armory workshop in Wang's family that was taken over by Li Jing, he was already very dissatisfied.If Li Jing suddenly obtained such a thousand sets of sophisticated equipment, he could arm 1000 troops at any time, which would pose a great threat to him.

"I also felt strange at the time. After careful inquiry, I learned that the batch of ordnance was supposed to be refitted for the Dengzhou Navy, but for some reason, Song Wen did not give this batch of equipment to Wang Jin, but privately Li sold it to Li Jing at a price of [-] guan. I heard that Li Jing had already paid for it, and now that the goods arrived, Song Wen was ready to deliver the goods to Li Jing immediately."

Feng Zhang's expression changed, and he stroked the short mustache under his chin, dazed in a daze.

After a long time, he slapped his thigh and laughed loudly: "It's really God helping me. I was worried that I had no chance to deal with Li Jing, and God gave me such a good opportunity immediately. Dalang, do you know when that batch of goods will leave?" port?"

"At dawn tomorrow, the goods will go straight to Salmon Island. There is only one ship without a flag. It looks like an ordinary merchant ship. It seems that Song Wen doesn't want others to know about the goods."

Feng Zhang smiled triumphantly, and clapped his hands together, "Dalang, go and prepare immediately, bring a few boats and dozens of brothers, and remember not to be recognized by others. You will rush directly to the boarding station tomorrow morning. Wait not far from Zhoushui City, and when you see the boat appear, you immediately hijack the boat for me. Remember, you must do it on the navy's territory."

Feng Xun also laughed, "Understood, when the time comes, I will accidentally leave behind some items that should belong to the Dengzhou Navy."

"Enough is enough, don't make it too obvious, so that interested people will see through it at a glance."

"I know, my nephew will definitely live up to my uncle's expectations."

(To be continued)