Great Qing Xiangguo

Chapter 82

The next day, Liu Jing and Ma Ming went to Yanhang Street to have a look, but the shops were closed.Liu Jingdao: "It's three poles in the sun, why is the shop still not open?"

Ma Ming said: "It is rumored that southerners are lazy, maybe it is really a folk custom."

But there was a store called Heshun Salt Store open. Looking carefully, it turned out that this store was connected to the garden that I entered yesterday, so it must belong to Kan's family.

Ma Ming said, "Go in and have a look?"

Liu Jing said: "Don't go, lest people get suspicious."

The two were hesitating, but a dark-faced man came out from inside and asked fiercely: "You sneaky, who are you?"

Liu Jingdao: "That's weird, we two are standing on the street talking, what's your business?"

The black-faced man said: "Stand farther away, don't stand in front of the store!"

Ma Ming said: "No one is allowed to stay at your door, what business do you do? You are a salt shop, not the emperor's forbidden palace!"

The black-faced man was very arrogant and said, "None of your business!"

The two left the Heshun Salt Store and continued on their way.Liu Jing said: "We saw Kan Wangda last night, he is a refined scholar."

Ma Ming said: "Maybe we have met some fake scholars again?"

The two of them were talking, when they suddenly heard a commotion, and it turned out that some yamen servants were beating on the door and beating on the house.The door of Dali Tea Shop opposite Heshun Salt Shop opened, and the clerk yawned and asked, "What are you doing?"

The yamen servant shouted loudly: "Quickly open the door of the store! From today on, all stores must open on time, without delay!"

The man said: "There is no business to do, why open the door?"

The yamen servant shouted: "Don't talk nonsense, beware of lawsuits!"

I saw the servants yelling all the way, and the shops opened one by one.

Liu Jing said: "I thought Wang Jiwen was afraid of the store's nonsense and wouldn't allow them to open the door. It turned out that there was no business."

Ma Ming said: "Wang Jiwen forced the store to open, so it was for the imperial envoys to see! But how could there be no business?"

The two of them had reached the end of Yanhang Street, Liu Jing said, "We went to Dali Tea Shop to have a seat, which happened to be opposite Heshun Salt Shop."

The Dali tea store was empty, with some Pu'er tea cakes scattered on the shelves.When the waiter saw the guest, he hurriedly served tea and said, "You two guests, please have a sip of tea, business cannot be done."

Liu Jing asked: "We want Pu'er tea, why don't you do business?"

The clerk said: "Two, take a look at our store, does it look like a business? No stock!"

Ma Ming asked: "Yunnan Pu'er tea is unique in the world, how can it be out of stock?"

The man shook his head and said, "There has been no business in the whole street for three or four months!"

This is strange, Liu Jing hurriedly asked: "Why?"

The man hesitated and said, "We dare not say more, for fear of getting a lawsuit."

Ma Mingdao: "How can you be sued when doing business?"

The guy said: "Don't dare to say, we dare not say."

Liu Jingdao: "So, when we come back to Yunnan, shall we take an empty trip?"

The man said: "If you are in the salt business, you can go to the Heshun Salt Store. Only the Kan family can support the entire Salt Street."

Ma Ming asked, "Why is the Kan family alone able to do business?"

The clerk whispered: "Master Kan Zhenzhao of the Kan family is from the governor's yamen, so his family is of course different!"

Liu Jing and Ma Ming were very surprised when they heard this.The clerk raised the bamboo curtain and said, "Look, the whole street is cold and full of autumn smoke, only the cars in front of the Heshun Salt Store come and go."

Liu Jing and Ma Ming looked through the bamboo curtain, and sure enough, they saw several carriages parked in front of Kan's shop.

The man said again: "You two have to be careful when you go to his house."

Liu Jing asked: "Be careful of what?"

The clerk said: "Kan Wangda, the head of the Kan family, is a white-faced scholar, none of us can understand him. Not long ago, his family suddenly hired new servants No. [-], all of whom are very skilled."

Just as they were talking here, they suddenly heard commotion in front of Kan's house.The clerk looked outside and said, "It must be Xiang Yunhe, the young master of Fuyuan Salt Company, who has come to make trouble again. Xiang Yunhe was Kan Wangda's classmate and good friend. Recently, he came to Heshunxing's gate every now and then to yell and scold."

Liu Jing stood up and said, "Brother Ma, let's take a look!"

The clerk said: "You two, the bustle in front of Kan's house is not something to look at, you have to be careful!"

Many people gradually surrounded the front of the Heshun Salt Shop, and Liu Jing and Ma Ming stood behind them and watched.

Xiang Yunhe shouted in front of the Heshun Salt Store: "Kan Wangda, get out!"

The dark-faced man stood in front of the shop door with his hips on his hips, and said: "Xiang Yunhe, our boss thinks you are a classmate and friend, and I don't care about you. Why do you come here every day to act wild?"

Shouted to Yunhe: "The Kan family entrapped their peers, dominated the salt market, raised evil slaves, bullied the small and the weak, it's really unconscionable!"

The black-faced man said fiercely: "You are full of crazy words, be careful of your dog's head!"

At this moment, the butler of the Kan family came out and whispered something to the black man.The black-faced man slowed down his tone, and said to Xiang Yunhe: "Master Xiang, my young master, please speak inside."

Xiang Yunhe said: "I don't want to step into the threshold of the Kan family, if Kan Wangda has the guts, get out!"

The black-faced man didn't speak any more, he only made a gesture, and several men rushed up and walked towards Yunhe.Struggling desperately, Xiang Yunhe shouted: "Don't be presumptuous!"

Ma Ming said: "Brother Liu Jing, we have encountered a bully again. Go in and save people!"

Liu Jing said: "Not busy, let's see what's going on first."

The two returned to the Dali Tea Shop, drank a few cups of tea, and suddenly heard commotion outside again.When he lifted the curtain to look, he saw that Xiang Yunhe was covered in blood and had someone carry him out of Kan's house.

Ma Ming was in a hurry, blamed Liu Jing, and said, "I said something was going to happen, but you still don't believe me!"

Liu Jing also panicked, and said: "It seems that the Kan family is not kind, let's go and report to the master!"

When Chen Tingjing came to Dianchi Lake, he saw an old man fishing by the water.This person is Kan Zhenzhao.He was dressed in a white coarse cloth gown, a bamboo hat, with flowing beard and hair, like a fairy.

Chen Tingjing stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying: "It's a beautiful day, fishing in the forest, it's so enviable! Excuse me, old man!"

Kan Zhenzhao didn't turn his head back, and replied: "The villagers, fishing is just to make ends meet, how can we care about the lake full of waves and half of the lake!"

Chen Tingjing laughed loudly and said, "From my master's words, I don't think I'm a person who makes a living by fishing. I just came from the north, and I'm very unfamiliar with Yunnan. May I ask you a question or two?"

Kan Zhenzhao frowned slightly, as if alert, and said: "The old man is ignorant and ignorant, he only knows how to fish, and he is deaf to other things, so he has nothing to tell you!"

Chen Tingjing said: "People who don't hear things outside the window may just pretend to be world affairs in their hearts."

Only then did Kan Zhenzhao turn his head to look at Chen Tingjing, and asked, "I don't know if you have anything to ask, sir?"

Chen Tingjing said: "I want to know the scenery of Yunnan and the customs of the officialdom."

Kan Zhenzhao was surprised inwardly, and asked, "Official morale? Are you an official? Dare I ask your lord's name, what should I call an old man?"

Chen Tingjing smiled and said, "My surname is Chen Mingjing, and I'm a businessman. A businessman, why don't you ask about official affairs? Please tell me your name, sir."

Kan Zhenzhao guessed that this person was Chen Tingjing.Chen Tingjing, formerly known as Chen Jing, was given the name by Emperor Shunzhi, and it has long been a favorite among scholars.

Kan Zhenzhao replied: "My surname is Kan, you can call me Old Man Kan!"

Dashun said beside him: "What a coincidence, I met a man named Kan when I entered Kunming yesterday, and I met another one today."

Chen Tingjing also guessed that this person was Kan Zhenzhao, so he said: "I do know that there is a Mr. Kan Zhenzhao in your place, who is very knowledgeable in calligraphy, and I have admired him for a long time."

But Kan Zhenzhao said: "I really haven't heard of this family."

Chen Tingjing didn't want to point out the words, but said: "Mr. Kan Zhenzhao's name spreads far and wide in the capital, but your family doesn't know about it!"

Kan Zhenzhao said: "Ashamed, ashamed!"

Here, Zhen'er whispered to Dashun: "Dashun, do people with the surname Kan speak so awkwardly?"

Chen Tingjing didn't care whether Kan Zhenzhaole was happy or not, so he sat down on a rock near him.After chatting for half a day, Kan Zhenzhao just talked about the officialdom and personnel in Yunnan, saying: "Wang Jiwen has been the governor for a few years, Yunnan is still relatively peaceful, and the burden on the people is not heavy. It just depends on how long this peaceful life can last."

Kan Zhenzhao was talking to Chen Tingjing, but his eyes were only on the buoy in the water.Chen Tingjing asked: "Did Mr. Kan see through any secrets?"

Kan Zhenzhao smiled and said, "I'm a bad old man in the country, how can I have such knowledge? It's just that I've been around for decades, and I've seen some things. Back then, Pingxi King Wu Sangui was guarding Yunnan, and the people's lives were very good in the first few years."

As he was talking, he suddenly heard a voice behind him.Looking back, it turned out that Wang Jiwen had arrived.Wang Jiwen stepped forward in a hurry, bowed his hands to Chen Tingjing: "Governor of Yunnan, Guizhou and Governor of Yunnan, Wang Jiwen pays homage to Imperial Envoy Mr. Chen! Your Majesty's peace and blessings!"

Chen Tingjing hurriedly stood up and returned the salute: "I have seen the king of Taiwan. Your majesty's dragon body is healthy, and your majesty is thinking of you!"

Kan Zhenzhao also stood up, bowed his head slightly to Chen Tingjing, and said, "So it's the imperial envoy, I'm being rude."

Wang Jiwen was shocked, but he acted as if he had just seen it, and said, "Oh, Mr. Kan is here too!"

Chen Tingjing deliberately asked: "Oh, do you know each other?"

Just as Wang Jiwen was about to speak, Kan Zhenzhao spoke first: "Although Dianchi Lake is vast, there are not many people who come here to fish. The Governor also comes to fish sometimes, so he recognizes the old man."

Hearing what Kan Zhenzhao said, Wang Jiwen hurriedly made excuses: "It's just that, the officials occasionally come to Dianchi Lake for fishing, so I know Mr. Kan."

At this time, Liu Jing and Ma Ming arrived on flying horses.Liu Jingdao: "Master, we have something important to report!"

Chen Tingjing asked: "What is so urgent?"

Ma Ming looked around and said, "Master, it's inconvenient to talk here."

Wang Jiwen hurriedly said: "Master Imperial Envoy, step back dozens of steps and wait!"

Chen Tingjing said quickly: "Okay, you guys avoid it for now."

Wang Jiwen stepped back and spoke softly to Kan Zhenzhao: "Mr. Kan, you promised me that you will not interfere with the affairs of the yamen!"

Kan Zhenzhao said: "The old man didn't ask."

Wang Jiwen said: "Master Chen met your young master at the Heshunyan Bank last night, and met you here today, is it all a coincidence?"

Kan Zhenzhao said: "The old man doesn't understand either, let the old man leave!"

Kan Zhenzhao turned around and left with the fishing rod on his shoulder.Looking at Kan Zhenzhao's back, Wang Jiwen was dubious, startled and afraid.Looking back, I didn't know what important event Liu Jing and Ma Ming were reporting to Chen Tingjing, and I was even more panicked.

Chen Tingjing was quite puzzled after hearing what Liu Jing and Ma Ming said.Could it be that the Kan family is really the tyrant in Kunming?Kan Zhenzhao is famous in the capital, and everyone in the world says he is a gentleman.

Seeing that Chen Tingjing was silent for half a day, Liu Jing said, "We both saw and heard it, it's true."

Ma Ming said: "I'm really worried about Xiang Yunhe's life!"

Chen Tingjing pondered for a while, and said: "You two still go back to Yanhang Street to have a look. I will deal with Wang Jiwen first."

Chen Tingjing sent the two of them away, and went to talk to Wang Jiwen.Wang Jiwen rushed up to greet him and said, "Master Imperial Envoy, officials above the sixth rank in Yunnan are waiting in Daguanlou, waiting for your instruction."

Chen Tingjing smiled and said, "I don't have any instructions! I'm here to visit Dianchi Lake today. I heard that the Daguanlou is very impressive, so I really want to see it."

When I came to Daguanlou, I saw officials of Yunnan rank six or above standing neatly in front of the building.Wang Jiwen shouted that he had seen Mr. Chen, the imperial envoy, and all the officials bowed in unison.Chen Tingjing returned the gift, but said something on the scene, so please feel free.

Only then did Chen Tingjing look up at the pavilion, but saw the three characters "Daguanlou" written in ancient ink and ink, soaring like clouds.Chen Tingjing cupped his hands towards Wang Jiwen and said, "Master Zhitai, your handwriting is really enviable!"

Wang Jiwen shook his head again and again: "It's just graffiti, I'm laughing at you."

Chen Tingjing read the couplet again and praised the good words.Wang Jiwen said, "You're making a fool of yourself! The calligraphy and poetry of the imperial envoy are second to none in the dynasty. If I had known that the imperial envoy would come to Yunnan, I should have left you to write this plaque and couplet."

Chen Tingjing shook his head and said, "How dare you! This matter of leaving a name through the ages is bestowed on you by the emperor. How can others dare to plunder the beauty?"

Wang Jiwen cupped his hands and faced north, saying: "Jiwen has received the emperor's kindness, and he should be loyal to the imperial court, and he will not hesitate to do anything!"

Going up the stairs, Chen Tingjing gazed into the distance and was full of admiration. He said: "Look at the smoky trees, the farmhouses, and the fertile fields in sight. It's exactly the scene written in the couplet by Master Taiwan!"

Wang Jiwen said: "The beauty of Dianchi Lake is created by heaven and earth. Even if the lower officials have a flower dream pen, they can't make it happen."

Chen Tingjing thinks of his hometown, which has many mountains and dense forests, but it is a pity that there is little water.This scenic spot of Dianchi Lake is rare in the world, and the four seasons are like spring, which is really as good as a fairyland.Turning around, Chen Tingjing saw the couplets inscribed by Wang Jiwen on the corridor pillars, and said, "Lord Zhitai, your handwriting has the charm of Mr. Kan Zhenzhao!"

Wang Jiwen was a little embarrassed, and said, "Your Imperial Envoy's eyes are like a torch! Mr. Kan Zhenzhao is a celebrity in Yunnan, and his calligraphy is well-known all over the world. Mr. Kan used to be an admirer of a subordinate official, and he got along with him all day long, and his handwriting became more and more like him. That’s right. The Imperial Envoy’s writing method is ancient, and the lower officials are ashamed, learning from today’s people.”

Chen Tingjing smiled and said: "Master Taiwan is too modest to say that. The ancients were also the people of the present, why should the past be inferior to the present?"

Wang Jiwen was ashamed and shook his head.

After going downstairs, Wang Jiwen said: "Master Imperial Envoy, the sedan chair is already waiting downstairs, please live in the city instead of the post house."

Chen Tingjing said: "The post house is originally for officials to live in. What's wrong?"

Wang Jiwen said: "It's too rough there, I'm sorry for the lower officials!"

Chen Tingjing smiled and said, "Master Taiwan, you don't have to be polite. Three meals are no more than a catty of rice and noodles, and one night is no more than seven feet of thin quilt. It doesn't matter where you live."

Seeing that Chen Tingjing insisted on living in the posthouse, Wang Jiwen didn't say any more.On the way back to the city, I saw Liu Jing and Ma Ming coming on horseback.Liu Jing got off his horse and walked to Chen Tingjing's sedan chair, and whispered, "Go back to Mr. Chen, Kan Wangda has been taken away by the governor's yamen!"

Chen Tingjing asked: "Where is Xiang Yunhe?"

Ma Ming said: "Xiang Yunhe was carried home, and he doesn't know if he is dead or alive."

Wang Jiwen vaguely heard Chen Tingjing and the others talking about Kan Wangda, knowing that he couldn't hide it, he said, "It seems that the imperial envoy has heard about Kan Wangda as soon as he arrived in Yunnan. Kan Wangda raised evil slaves, bullied the market, and was angry with his colleagues. He repeatedly went to the governor's office to file a joint complaint .Today he connived at his servants and injured Xiang Yunhe, a businessman with him. Just now at the Dianchi Lake, the subordinate officials received the report and immediately ordered Kan Wangda to be arrested. He never wanted to alarm the imperial envoy."

Chen Tingjing asked: "I heard that the owner of Heshun Salt Company is your former aide, Kan Zhenzhao?"

Wang Jiwen sighed: "The lower officials dare not let Kan Zhenzhao be an aide in the governor's yamen anymore, because of this. However, this is what Kan Zhenzhao's son Kan Wangda did, and it tarnished his father's reputation. It is really sad! Please Don't worry, Imperial Envoy, I will investigate this case and find out the truth, and handle it impartially!"

Chen Tingjing said: "Okay, I don't want to ask about this matter. Your Excellency, the emperor ordered me to come to Yunnan to check the silver deposits. To check."

Wang Jiwen said: "The lower officials know that the imperial envoys only need to check, and what the lower officials need to do, but please tell me!"

Chen Tingjing said it lightly, and said: "This matter is simple. Please show me the accounts of the treasury bank first, and we will go to the treasury together to make an inventory. The accounts are the same, and the matter will be closed."

Wang Jiwen said: "I will immediately order someone to send the ledger to the official post!"

At night, Chen Tingjing looked at the account books, while Zhen'er and Dashun waited on him.

Dashun said: "I always feel that there is something wrong with Yanhang Street. There are many shops, but no one is doing business. It used to be that Kan's Heshun Salt Store was doing business, but now Heshun Salt Store is also closed."

Chen Tingjing thought that something was wrong with the Kan family, but he didn't know the crux.

Then I heard Zhen'er say from the side: "Master, I think Mr. Taiwan Producer is also a little weird."

Chen Tingjing asked, "Why is it so weird?"

Zhen'er said: "I've been looking at the master of Taiwan from behind you, and his face is cloudy and sunny. You read his handwriting in Daguanlou, and I can see that he doesn't dare to show his anger. Wait for you to praise him for his handwriting. Well, he was relieved. Then you said that his handwriting was very similar to Kan Zhenzhao's, and he became nervous again."

Chen Tingjing laughed loudly and said, "That character was not written by him, it was written by Kan Zhenzhao."

Zhen'er was surprised and said: "So the master saw it at a glance?"

Chen Tingjing said: "Scholars can see it at a glance."

(End of this chapter)