Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 83 Father, You Have to Fight!

Two days later, Luan Tingyu returned with six corpses.

After just one or two days, Daming Prefecture sent an official document requesting cooperation in the investigation, and the six bodies, together with the first two bodies, could be sent to Daming Prefecture. Of course, some case files would also have to be prepared.

Perhaps Lu Junyi wanted to bury these two people properly. Thinking about it, Lu Junyi felt a little disgusted.

Su Wu did not think much about this matter, but asked Luan Tingyu: "Then Zhu Gui is not playing any tricks, right?"

Luan Tingyu shook his head: "There was nothing strange about him. He was very obedient. He described exactly when he landed and where he went. There was no mistake at all. There was no accident. So I caught him red-handed and it was easy to deal with."

Su Wu nodded: "Not bad, not bad, this Zhu Gui can really be trusted a little more."

"Well, I think he really wants to serve." Luan Tingyu also has his own judgment.

"In this case, we should arrange some people to contact him secretly and determine the method of secret contact." Su Wu formally put this matter on the agenda.

The news about Liangshan is very important, and the line about Zhu Gui is very useful.

"General, Zhu Gui also has something to ask of you."

"What's the matter? Tell me."

"He wants to ask the general for a favor. If he meets Du Qian and Song Wan again in the future, he wants the general to show mercy."

"It's not impossible, just agree to it." Su Wu knew that Du Qian and Song Wan were in the same situation as Zhu Gui.

The stronghold was occupied by someone, and they suddenly became one of the most notorious thieves in the court. However, not only did the three of them not get any benefits, they also had to work for others, and their status became lower and lower, and they gradually became marginal figures.

And these three people should have had a good relationship when they were under Wang Lun's command in the past.

After discussing these things, Lin Chong came to hand over some military matters to Luan Tingyu, waiting to go to Qingzhou with Su Wu.

Su Wu went out and received the news that Meng Yulou had arrived in Dongping Prefecture and was staying in an inn.

The main store had already chosen an address, so it went to look for Yu Baosi first, and then for Meng Yulou.

I first met Yu Baosi in the carriage and horse shop.

Yu Baosi bowed politely and said excitedly, "I was just about to go look for the general. Seven good horses have arrived and I am about to send them to the camp."

"What's the price?" Su Wu asked bluntly.

"Ninety strings of cash." Yu Baosi replied with a smile.

"Why is it ninety strings of coins? Isn't the market price one hundred strings of coins?" Su Wu asked with a smile.

Yu Baosi said embarrassedly: "I sold it to the general, how dare I ask for more?"

Su Wu waved his hand and said, "I'm not buying just one or two horses. How much can you lose? What's the market price? I'll give you an extra ten strings of cash. But can you tell me if the market price has fluctuated?"

Yu Baosi heard this and replied, "You're right, General. The price of horses in Shandong, Hebei and other places has been rising these days. It has increased by several strings of coins. I sent someone to inquire about it. Someone in Jianghu said that as long as it is a good horse, if it is sent to Lu Yuanwai in Daming Mansion, he will add five strings of coins to the market price!"

Su Wu smiled knowingly when he heard this and said, "Just send your horse to the army and I'll give you 110 strings of cash."

"General, there's really no need..." Yu Baosi waved his hands repeatedly.

"How can I take advantage of you when I seek your help? It's just that you are taking advantage of me." Su Wu's tone did not allow for refusal.

Yu Baosi laughed and said nothing more, "General, I found the main store not far from the government office. It's a good store, with three floors outside, a large courtyard inside, about twenty side rooms, and sixty to seventy tables outside..."

"That's why we came here. Let's go and see it together!" Su Wu had already stood up and left.

In a regular restaurant, selling dishes is secondary, selling wine is the main thing.

Other stores, especially those in various cities, are not allowed to brew wine privately without government approval and have to purchase from official stores.

In this way, the main store will have better business and even the price of wine will be cheaper, but the price of dishes will often be a little bit more expensive.

In other restaurants, the price of wine is a little higher, but the price of food is cheaper.

This is the way of doing business, everyone should do their own business.

Even those brothels and taverns would go to the regular store to buy wine, and quite a few of them would bring jars and jugs to get wine.

Of course, bootlegging is a mafia business, and the imperial court and government will also crack down on it.

As soon as the two of them arrived at the inn to wait for Meng Yulou, Meng Yulou came down from the upstairs, wearing a skirt, with a high bun, rings and pendants on her body, and a cloud-like hairpin on her head...

There was also a timid little girl following behind.

This little girl... Su Wu felt a little embarrassed when he saw her.

After the greetings, Meng Yulou said, "If a little girl like this is left alone in the house, the eunuch might have forgotten about her."

Su Wu was really embarrassed. The young cook Dong Huan he bought had been so busy these days, working hard for her career, that she had really forgotten about this matter. Fortunately, he had left some money at that time, otherwise the girl would have starved to death.

Su Wu couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Have you eaten enough recently?"

The timid little Dong Huan lowered his head and answered, "Yes, I am full. Madam Meng often sends people to ask about it, and Uncle Wu has also come to ask about it a few times. They all take care of it."

When Su Wu looked at Meng Yulou again, he couldn't help feeling a little touched. This Madam Meng was really caring and took both big and small matters to heart.

Meng Yulou had a dignified look on her face, not even looking at Su Wuduo. She only said, "A thief died in the house of the chief eunuch. This little girl was alone at home, she must have been really scared..."

Su Wu understood what he said. Apparently Meng Yulou even invited the man to stay at her home for a few days.

"Didn't Wu Song go there to live?" Su Wu asked.

"General Wu is a new officer, so how can he go home often?" Meng Yulou replied.

Now Wu Song has people under his command and tasks to do. He is also conducting training in the army and collecting taxes at the docks. He is also a man of the underworld, so today this one comes to invite, tomorrow that one comes to invite...

You can imagine...

"Okay, okay. It's just right to bring her to Dongping Prefecture. Then, let her stay with you first." Su Wu made the arrangements.

Meng Yulou nodded: "The chief eunuch already lives in the army, so this is the only way for the time being."

Yu Baosi also kept looking at Meng Yulou, but he couldn't look at her for too long. He just thought in his heart that this woman was really not an ordinary person...

He just went out and got on the carriage, followed by a few servants, and the carriage moved forward along with Su Wu's horse.

Yu Baosi did not ride his horse, but just followed Su Wu.

It didn't take long before they arrived at the place. Su Wu didn't look at it for long and just let Meng Yulou go to see it.

Yu Baosi went to invite the landlord, and whether to rent or sell the property was negotiated by Meng Yulou.

Su Wu actually didn't understand, which meant he didn't know the market situation.

The host and Meng Yulou were talking in detail inside, and Yu Baosi didn't listen much. He just came out to accompany Su Wu.

He also said: "General, rest assured, the villains on the street are under control and no trouble will occur."

"Well, you should also take care of the horses in the army. If there are people in the world who are good at raising and treating horses, you don't have to ask them. Just invite them. The more the better. As long as they are really capable, I will never refuse anyone, and the price will be even more negotiable."

"With the general's words, this matter will be settled." Yu Baosi nodded and replied, "This place is very good. General, it looks like the prefectural government office is only a hundred steps away. The officials in the office like to have a drink here when they are off duty..."

Yu Baosi was showing off his achievements, and Su Wu was not stingy: "You really did a good job on this matter."

Yu Baosi smiled and said, "How can I not do my best to help the general?"

"Are your legs and feet okay?" Su Wu expressed his concern.

"Alright, alright, General, look, I can jump and dance." Yu Baosi, who was more than two meters tall, actually jumped a few times.

"Are you in charge of the wine sales and transportation?" Su Wu asked. In fact, he was just treated as a distributor. The wine from the main store was also a big business when it was sold to the other five counties under the government.

In fact, this kind of business also needs people like Yu Baosi to develop it. To put it bluntly, it is about competing for the market, and if things go wrong, it may even lead to fighting.

This is a win-win situation, and Su Wu doesn't have time to do these things himself.

Yu Baosi bowed and said, "Thank you, General. I will definitely handle this matter properly for you."

After the matter was settled, Su Wu looked at the government office not far away and said, "You wait here, I will go to the government office."

There is actually not much to do when you enter the government office. After all, you have to come more often. When you have nothing to do, you have to report your work to the leader. Even if there is nothing to report, it is also normal to chat a little.

The leader was still in the same study, and the two of them were now less polite and courteous. Su Wu bowed and the prefect asked to take a seat.

"I heard that you killed six more thieves?" asked the prefect.

There is no need to conceal this matter, and the prefectural government should prepare a proper case file and stamp it with a seal. Zhang Zhenmen is clear about this matter... I encountered thieves by chance and eliminated them. I found two unidentified bodies and am verifying their identities.

"Well, Luan Tingyu, the instructor in my army, discovered it by accident and strangled him on the spot!" Su Wu nodded.

"Good, it's good to suppress the bandits, suppress more of them!" The prefect felt really relieved. Now, under his rule, Dongping Prefecture was getting better and better, and he felt very safe.

Today we suppress five bandits, tomorrow we suppress seven bandits, the day before yesterday we captured the bandit leader, the day after tomorrow we captured another bandit leader... If we continue like this, how many bandits can withstand such a suppression?
"Sir, the main store is about to open. It's just about a hundred steps outside the government office. When the time comes, send some wine to the government office so you can try the new wine." Su Wu said casually.

"Okay, okay, let's take a look at the difference between the wine in Dongping Prefecture and the wine in Tokyo." The prefect also gave face and asked, "Is your trip to Daming Prefecture smooth?"

"It went smoothly. I bought 400 horses and 100,000 kilograms of iron. They will arrive within a month." Su Wu did not hide anything.

"Hmm?" The prefect was surprised and asked, "Where did you get such a huge sum of money?"

"It's relying on the face of the underworld. It's not a one-time payment, but the debt won't last long. The tax collection at the river wharf of Yanggu County is entrusted to me by the magistrate. It shouldn't be difficult to earn tens of thousands of strings a year. Now just use it in the army. This is only for suppressing bandits." Su Wu's nine truths were mixed with a lie. In fact, he was very sincere. It was not for anything else. He knew that many things could not be concealed. Instead of letting the magistrate suspect something privately after a while, it's better to speak frankly.

There are many benefits to this. First, it is to treat people sincerely and deepen the impression of the prefect. Second, it is to rationalize everything. Su Wu did a lot of things that were not very reasonable.

But as long as the title of prefect is mentioned, everything that civil servants do is reasonable in the Song Dynasty.

After hearing what Su Wu said, Cheng Wanli said, "You have had a hard time. You owe others face and money. You only want to strengthen the army and suppress the bandits. As a prefect, I have not helped much. Don't worry. Even if I have to sacrifice my face, I will ask the Privy Council for some good armor from the Tokyo Armor Warehouse and more food and money for you."

"My lord, what you said does not distinguish between inside and outside. I have listened to it in my heart and feel deeply grateful. How can I be negligent for even a moment?" Su Wu continued to fool people and had successfully managed his superiors once again.

"Although you and I are different in civil and military skills, you treat me so sincerely, so I must be worthy of you. Only in this way can we be of one mind, regardless of inside or outside!"

The prefects and officials have learned to manage themselves.

It can be seen that for people like Cheng Wanli, sincerity is invincible.

"Once the new army is trained, we will definitely achieve new achievements!" Su Wu's face was firm, his back was straight, he looked like a real hero.

"Okay, okay, okay, okay!" Cheng Wanli nodded frequently. The more he looked at Su Wu in front of him, the more pleased he felt.

"Then I will take my leave." Su Wu stood up and bowed.

Cheng Wanli also stood up, and subconsciously wanted to walk a few steps forward. Of course, he walked in front, and Su Wu followed behind.

As soon as I walked out of the study, I heard someone calling from the corner, "Father."

Cheng Wanli turned his head to look, frowned slightly, and looked back again, and saw Su Wu.

He turned his head and looked again: "You...you are really rude!"

"Meet Miss Cheng." Su Wu was very polite.

The girl came forward and bowed to Su Wu first, then said to her father: "Father, I have something to say to you. Supervisor Su has something to tell me. How can I not ask you something?"

"Ah?" Cheng Wanli went to look at Su Wu again.

Su Wu quickly explained: "It was about the incident that day when I led the thieves. The lady came to ask about the identities of the thieves, but I was busy chasing the thieves and didn't answer..."

"Oh..." Cheng Wanli nodded, and he also had doubts in his heart, and asked: "Who were the thieves that day?"

"A failed scholar named Wu Yong is the leader, and there are also the Ruan brothers, Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaoqi, and Ruan Xiaowu. These three are big thieves in the water, but they are not so great on land. There is also Dong Ping, needless to say, but the rest are not big thieves. The real leader of this group of people has not come that day, and that person is called Chao Gai."

"A scholar has become a thief?" Cheng Wanli was furious. In the Song Dynasty, how could a good scholar become a thief?

Scholars have a sense of identity, and Cheng Wanli was just angry about this.

"Everyone is different. In the past, there was Zhang Yuan, who failed the imperial examination for a long time, but he still went to Tangut and joined the bandits, and became the fake prime minister of Tangut..."

Su Wu's words made Cheng Wanli even more angry, and he cursed: "You are ashamed of our ancestors and the saints. You are so shameless. How can you be called a human being!"

Cheng Wanli cursed a few times, and Su Wu suddenly found that Miss Cheng behind Cheng Wanli was actually laughing with her face covered.

What's happening here?
"Father, I suddenly met you today and I wanted to ask Supervisor Su a few questions in private..." Miss Cheng said.

Su Wu was stunned when he heard this, and felt inexplicably nervous.

I just feel that this Miss Cheng is really different, extremely different.

Cheng Wanli turned around, looked at the girl, looked at Su Wu, and shook his head: "No, this is disgraceful."

Cheng Wanli's eyes were hinting at Su Wu, and Su Wu immediately said, "I have something else to do, I'll leave first..."

Having said that, Su Wu left.

Then the good girl said, "Humph! Father, what are you afraid of?"

"I see that you...are you really attracted to him?" Cheng Wanli finally asked seriously, not caring about his face anymore.

"There's just one thing he hasn't told me yet..." Miss Cheng answered directly.

"What's the matter? I'll go ask for you." Cheng Wanli asked.

"It's something I can't tell you..." Miss Cheng seemed to be doing it on purpose.

"I'm so angry, so angry..." Cheng Wanli was helpless.

Miss Cheng changed her tone again: "Father, why should you be so worried? What's the big deal? It's our parents' order and the matchmaker's words. If you don't agree, who else can I dare to fall in love with? I just heard what you said to each other, and I just felt that what Su Wu has done in recent days will really help father rise to the top..."

Cheng Wanli stopped being angry immediately and said, "My dear daughter, you have been smart since you were young. I have thought about this matter, but not thoroughly. Tell me about it..."

"Father, this matter is actually not that complicated..." the good girl said again.

"I'd like to hear the details." Cheng Wanli was not joking, his face was very serious.

"Father, he is working so hard to strengthen the army. I am afraid that he will really have a strong army in his hands. Why did Tong Shumi hold a high position in the past? He was in a high position because of military affairs. In the past, Tong Shumi went to the northwest to supervise the army and made great contributions. Only when he returned to Beijing was he really valued by the court. Now, if father also has a strong army under his command, how can Tong Shumi not value him more? If father repeatedly wins military merits, how can it not be what Tong Shumi wants? How can father not be valued by Tong Shumi?"

The good girl said.

The old father frowned and thought.

Miss Cheng was certainly not wrong. The fact that Tong Guan, a eunuch, could hold a high position in the court was not just due to the emperor's favor.

Just take an example of something Tong Guan did in the past and you will understand the reason.

In the past, the Western Army fought a great battle with the Dangxiang tribe of Western Xia. Emperor Zhao Ji offered sacrifices to the heaven in the capital and also copied the Nine Cauldrons of ancient times. While he was offering sacrifices to the heaven, a cauldron in the northwest suddenly cracked.

Everyone said that this was a sign that the war in the northwest was going badly, and they immediately rode their horses as fast as they could to deliver the imperial edict to the Northwest Army to withdraw.

It was then delivered to the hands of the eunuch Tong Guan, who was in charge of the military. At that time, the northwestern armies had already gathered and were about to fight. When the war was imminent, even Tong Guan was riding on a horse to set off. When Tong Guan received the imperial edict, he just put it in his boots.

The generals of the Western Army asked Tong Guan what the emperor said?

Tong Guan only said that the emperor encouraged everyone to fight bravely.

In this way, they went out to fight, and they fought bravely and won a great victory. Later, when everyone learned the whole story, who among the generals of the Western Army did not admire and respect Tong Guan?

Tong Guan was actually very prestigious in the Western Army at that time.

In this way, Tong Guan was able to serve as an official in the Privy Council without being criticized by people at that time.

In other words, Tong Guan was once brave, which is why he was able to be in charge of military affairs as a eunuch until... the eve of the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty.

The reason why Zhao Ji trusted Tong Guan so much was because Tong Guan had proven his ability.

People are sometimes so complicated. When you say they are strong, they have done great things. When you say they are weak, they have done a lot of stupid things.

There were times when they disobeyed the emperor's orders and went to war, fighting bravely, and there were times when they were afraid of death and fled in panic...

I can’t really explain it…

But at least at this moment, the eunuch Tong Guan had made great achievements in military affairs and had a great reputation.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, there were more than one eunuch with a reputation in the army, Tong Guan. For example, there was also a Li Xian in the past, who was also extraordinary. He opened up the border in Hehuang with Wang Shao and made many contributions.

Therefore, Cheng Wanli knew that what his good daughter said made sense. If she could really make some military achievements, she would definitely be valued more by the benevolent minister Tong Guan. Now she is only a fifth-rank prefect, and in the future she will be a fourth-rank or third-rank...

Cheng Wanli sighed, frowned slightly, and spoke bluntly to his daughter: "My dear daughter, you also know that your father... anyway, your father is not such a brave man. If you really want to make achievements on the battlefield, how difficult will it be for your father?"

This is the real hesitation and struggle in Cheng Wanli's heart.

"Father, what are you afraid of? As long as the soldiers under your command are brave and you have the people's hearts in your hands, just let Su Wu go and suppress the bandits in the east of Jingdong Road. Who knows what will happen in the future..."

"I can't say anything..."

"Being an imperial edict in the Privy Council is just commonplace. Being a deputy envoy of the Privy Council...father..." Miss Cheng was really thinking about her father and making plans for her own family, whether it was encouragement or deception.

Father, you have to struggle! You have to work hard!

"What? Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council?" Cheng Wanli took a breath of cold air. Is this something he dares to think about? Is this something he can think about?
"Father, as long as Privy Councilor Tong values ​​you, what's the difficulty in being the deputy envoy of the Privy Council? I don't want to be the Privy Councilor, nor do I want to be the co-privy councilor. Why don't I dare to think about signing the Privy Council? Just ask, how many civil servants in the court today understand military affairs? Father knows. If father has a few military merits, who can compare with him? Isn't it justified? And if Privy Councilor Tong values ​​him and helps him, why not?"

The daughter told her father, yes!

Cheng Wanli licked his lips and looked at his daughter: "Does your father know anything about military affairs?"

"Isn't father already training a strong army under his command? He is also asking the Privy Council for armor, money and food, and is thinking about suppressing the bandits. Don't you understand?"

"Yes, that's the truth!" Cheng Wanli nodded. He worked so hard and devotedly, only wanting to train soldiers and suppress bandits, how could he not understand?

In the Song Dynasty, among all the officials in the court, and among all the prefects and governors in Shandong, who worked harder than him? Who understood more than him?

"My dear daughter, I will work hard for you! I will teach you that when I return to Beijing in glory one day, I will stand outside the Donghua Gate and there will be no son-in-law that I cannot catch. Who dares to look down on me? Who dares to laugh at me behind my back?"

Cheng Wanli has his own pain and energy in his heart.

"Why are we talking about catching the son-in-law again?" The good girl shook her head and sighed.

"Parents love their children and plan for them in the long run!" Cheng Wanli might even be a little moved by himself.

"You're talking about signing documents for the Privy Council!" The good girl stamped her feet.

"It's all the same thing!" Cheng Wanli waved his hands, put his hands behind his back, and for a moment he was actually quite spirited.

(End of this chapter)