Kowloon wins

Chapter 281 Intrigue ([-])

Yanhe River, named Guanhe River in ancient times, is a canal connecting Haizhou (now Lianyungang) and Huai'an. The three salt farms of Banpu, Zhongzheng and Linxing in Huaibei are gradually flourishing, and the salt transportation is flourishing. The Guanhe River is also renamed the Yanhe River because of the frequent salt transportation. It was very lively. In order to strictly investigate illegal salt, the Lianghuai salt transportation envoy set up a salt patrol battalion and a battalion of soldiers in Andong, the key point of the Yanhe River, and the salt inspection department and other officials were in charge of unified coordination.

As the only domestic channel for the Lianghuai Salt Field, the Yanhe River is undoubtedly noisy and prosperous, but that is all during the day. Once it is evening, there are very few boats on the river. Most of the fleets are from the salt patrol camp, not because of the curfew, but because the salt river is too short, with a total of more than [-] li, but all salt boats start from the salt field in the morning, and at the latest But it will be around noon, otherwise, it will be difficult to arrive at Xiba before dark, and it will inevitably cause a lot of inconvenience, and today is no exception. However, few boats came from the upper reaches of the Salt River. Most of the officers and soldiers of the Salt Patrol Battalion, who had been busy all day, were already sitting idle on the deck of the boat, talking nonsense and waiting for the shift to arrive.

"Look, there's another boat coming, grandma is a bear, the boat is still sailing at this time, and people are not allowed to live!"

While all the saltmen were chatting slackly, a sharp-eyed saltman suddenly saw six black-covered boats slowly approaching downstream, and immediately cursed.

"Which son of a bitch can be so troublesome? If you don't show him some color later, you don't know how many eyes Prince Ma has!"

"That's right, how can this bastard tormenting the man make him feel better, just wait and see!"

"This bunch of turtle grandsons who want money but don't want their lives, I'm pissed!"

……

Since the promulgation of the strict inspection order, the officers and soldiers of the salt patrol battalion have been tortured enough in the past few months. Although the two battalions are on shifts, the high-intensity inspection is not so easy. It's time to change shifts, and I have to come back to make a fuss. All the salters are unavoidably annoyed, and they don't care who is here, they are already scolding, not to mention the salters below, they are all together. Fang Wansheng, the general manager of the team, also had a dark complexion. Although he never scolded his mother, his expression clearly showed the deep dissatisfaction in his heart.

"Sign up and tell them to stop the ship for inspection!"

Fang Wansheng, a native of Kaifeng, Henan, was born in the 18th year of Kangxi. Because of his poor family, he joined the army at the age of 16. He first served as a soldier in the Yellow River Navy, and later he was promoted to the general because of his meritorious service in suppressing water bandits. Ji Huaijin from Yandao was appreciated by him and transferred to Henan Salt Patrol Battalion as an official. In June of this year, he was transferred to Andong as the head of the Salt Patrol Battalion. He has always been very strict with his subordinates. Lian Lian felt very displeased in his heart, but he didn't show it out, he just ordered with a gloomy expression.

"twitter!"

Fang Wansheng was known as Fang Demon in the salt patrol camp. Since he took office, he has always been iron-blooded. No matter whether he is an officer or a soldier in the camp, he is not afraid of him. At this time, when he heard Fang Wansheng's bad tone, he stayed with the bannermen beside him. Since he didn't dare to be negligent in the slightest, he hurriedly responded, waved the two small red flags in his hand, and passed the order to stop the ship to the six black-covered boats that were slowly approaching. The sailors also started to move, but they saw a dozen small boats rushing out like sharp arrows, blocking the direction of the six black-covered boats from three directions.

"Stop the boat, quick, stop the boat!"

The six black-covered boats are all big ships, and there are many sailors and guards on them, especially the first one is obviously an escort ship, which is full of well-dressed men. In terms of strength, it may not be as strong as Yan Xun The officers and soldiers of the battalion were poor, but facing the encircling official ships, the six black-covered boats did not dare to neglect in the slightest. They all stopped slowly on the river with the sound of shouting and shouting.

"General Fang has invited you. I am here to be polite to Chen Biao."

The black-covered boat at the head had just come to a stop, when the curtain hanging at the hatch moved, Chen Biao in a robe strode out from the inside, and bowed his hands to Fang Wansheng who was standing on the deck of the boat from a long distance away. After saluting, he exchanged greetings with a smile.

"Ah."

Faced with Chen Biao's politeness, Fang Wansheng didn't react too much. He just nodded his head reservedly, and made a noncommittal soft murmur, which was regarded as a return of the greeting. Afterwards, regardless of Chen Biao's expression, he said indifferently. With a wave of his hand, he signaled the medium-sized battleship under his seat to approach the awning boat in the encirclement.

"General Fang, this time I transported [-] catties of salt to Hubei, and it has already passed the inspection of the Salt Inspection Department. There are official documents here. General Fang, please take a look."

Fang Wansheng had just stepped onto the bow of the awning boat along the gangway, and Chen Biao had already stepped forward to meet him. He took out a big envelope from his wide sleeve with a smile, held it in both hands, and respectfully Handed it to Fang Wansheng.

"Well, come here, inspect the goods!"

Fang Wansheng took the letter blankly, took out a few official documents from inside, glanced at it casually, and then put it back in the envelope again. Immediately, he raised his voice and shouted loudly, and a group of salties climbed up to the envelope. He picked up each black-topped boat and carefully checked the cargo capacity.

"General, after verification, the five salt boats carried a total of [-] salt, totaling [-] catties, and there is no mistake."

All the salt workers are veterans of inspecting goods, and they are very familiar with the operation. In less than a stick of incense, a small boat came to the side of the leading black-covered boat, but did not He didn't get on the boat, but stood on the boat and bowed to report.

"Close the team!"

Hearing what the general said, Fang Wansheng didn't ask any more questions, and threw the letter in Chen Biao's arms casually, and after giving orders with a blank face, he didn't care that Chen Biao was nodding and bowing flatteringly , raised his feet and returned to the front deck of the medium-sized battleship along the pedals. After a while, the ships of the salt patrol camp, which had reached the rotation time, turned around and approached the water village not far away.

"sail!"

Chen Biao was not at all offended by Fang Wansheng's indifference, and watched the fleet of Yan Patrol battalion go away with a smile on his face. Then he gave a wicked smile, raised his hand, and threw the letter in his hand onto the river, full of pride He shouted loudly, full of complacency, nothing else, just because the letter contained no official documents, but a few pieces of waste paper, just to test whether Fang Wansheng really cooperated. In fact, the real customs clearance documents and ticket quotations were well kept in Chen Biao's arms, and he was not afraid that Fang Wansheng would have evil intentions. Now that Fang Wansheng's reliability has been verified, Chen Biao has a reason to be proud.

"My lord, Lord Biao is here."

At three o'clock in the ugly hour, the night was already very deep, but Liu Banu didn't feel sleepy at all, she was pacing back and forth in the spacious study room with her arms bare, despite the cold weather, she was still beading her forehead with sweat. Since he was extremely anxious, he saw a servant hurriedly came out from behind the screen, rushed to the front, bowed, and reported in a low voice.

"Oh, come on, call him in!"

The reason why Liu Banu didn't go to rest at this moment was to wait for Chen Biao, who rushed over from Anding. Hearing that he had arrived, her spirits were lifted immediately, her brows were raised, and she felt a little impatient The earth ordered.

"Yes, sir."

Since Liu Ba-nu had given such orders, the famous scholar Ding didn't dare to delay a bit, so he hurriedly responded and ran out of the study room. After a short while, he was striding outside with Chen Biao, who was drenched in sweat. Come in.

"Brother, the good news is that Fang Wansheng is very good. Hey, it's better to be a big brother. With this person's cooperation, I will be free to fight."

Although the horse rider had driven for more than a hundred miles, his body was unavoidably tired, but Chen Biao was in good spirits. As soon as he entered the door, he laughed loudly and shouted.

"Speak carefully!"

Liu Banu was obviously not as blindly optimistic as Chen Biao. Although her face was full of joy, she still didn't forget to ask for details.

"Brother, the thing is like this... Hey, with the cooperation of this surnamed Fang, and the fact that his subordinates are always fed by our brothers with money, there is no need to worry about things failing. Let me tell you, It's time to move tomorrow!"

Chen Biao didn't notice that there was obviously a haze of suspicion in the joy on Liu Banu's face, so he shook his hand carelessly, and described in detail how he met Fang Wansheng today with a smile.

"No, I'll have to look again."

Liu Banu did not give an answer immediately, but lowered her head, and after walking back and forth in the study for a few steps, she raised her hand and said decisively.

"Ah, big brother, the salt market in Lianghu and other places is bullish now, if you don't make a move, if that kid really supports those dogs in Shandong, wouldn't we lose most of our territory for nothing, this..."

Chen Biao was gearing up for a big fight, when he heard what Liu Banu said so suddenly, he became impatient and jumped up and down.

"Hmph, because of the tension in the salt markets around the world, we have to be more careful. Eran knows that Fang Wansheng did not follow the kid's secret order to act deliberately? If I really get caught in it, the consequences will not be fun , this matter needs to be looked at again, so let’s try a few more times before making a decision.”

Although the eighth master at the capital had a secret order to keep Liu Bainv from acting rashly before Hongqing left, the current situation forced Liu Bainv to stop, not for anything else but because of the salt merchants in the provinces under his jurisdiction. It was already complaining, and even some small salt merchants who were not very cooperative had already handed over their complaints to the Yamen of Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy. If they didn't act again, Liu Banu couldn't guarantee whether Hongqing would make a big fuss about it. If he really took the opportunity to reduce his Liu Banu's territory and quota, the consequences would not be acceptable to Liu Banu. Because of this, smuggling salt is imperative, but Liu Banu doesn't intend to do it blindly. You have to have full confidence before you dare to make a real move.

"That's good, little brother, just follow the old rules and try again."

Although Chen Biao was not convinced by what Liu Ba Nv said, but Liu Ba Nv had made up her mind, and he didn't dare to say no to it, so he could only accept it embarrassingly.

(End of this chapter)