Chapter 58 The storm is coming

Chapter 58 The storm is coming

Chapter 58 The storm is coming
It was snowing heavily, and the two riders were riding fast on the official road.

Only when they reached Bailuo County did they lead their horses into the city.

They found a mansion in the east of the city.

"Wait a minute, I'll go and report!"

It was the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, and it was the end of the year. It was against etiquette to visit at this time, so the doorman did not want to inform him of the invitation. However, for the sake of Brother Kong Fang, he reluctantly accepted the visiting card.

Zhang He stamped the snow on the bottom of his boots and said with emotion: "These big turbans come from high-class families, so they have many rules!"

Peng Canghu glanced at Zhang He and saw that he showed envy. He knew that he was from Bailuo County, but was born in a peasant family and was often ashamed of it. He always flattered the superiors and bullied the inferiors, especially yearning for the rich and powerful.

Peng Canghu said calmly: "The Longlin Society is the leader of the Pingyang martial arts world, and is no worse than the Wan family."

Zhang He asked, "Brother Cang Hu, will the Wan family agree to join forces with us to wipe out the remnants of the Wild Wolf Gang?"

"When beating a dog, look at its owner. The capture of Black Wind Village means the Wan family's source of income has been cut off."

Zhang He was shocked and said, "You mean, Black Wind Village belongs to the Wan family? That's impossible. The Wan family is a scholarly family. Master Wan is highly respected. He built bridges and roads. He is a well-known philanthropist in Bailuo County. His eldest son is also the county magistrate. How could he be involved with bandits?"

Peng Canghu frowned slightly. He really didn't know why his adoptive father sent Zhang He to come with him. This man had no experience in the underworld. He was like bringing a boy with him. Although he was impatient, he still replied: "Officials and bandits are one family. It's not surprising. These words stop here. I will speak to Wan Guitian later..."

"The old master agreed to see you, please follow me."

Before he could finish his words, the doorman came out, opened the side door, and a man who looked like a butler led them in.

It was three times warmer inside the mansion than outside. There were groups of servants and slaves, and the courtyard was always cleaned, so there was not much snow. The rockery garden and the gurgling water made it seem like spring in this cold winter.

Zhang He looked here and there, finding everything new and interesting. In terms of family background and life enjoyment, the underworld forces like the Dragon Scale Society could not catch up with the officials and gentry even if they flattered them.

When the butler saw this, a look of sarcasm appeared on his face.

In a warm room, the two met Wan Guitian.

Peng Canghu bowed and said, "I am Peng Canghu, a junior, and I am here to pay a visit to Old Master Wan on the orders of my adoptive father."

Wan Guitian placed the visiting card on the table. He was immediately displeased when he saw that the visitor was ugly and ferocious, a typical gangster. It was almost the end of the year and he came empty-handed.

"In the past, I met Lin Kun several times in Pingyang Prefecture. We haven't seen each other for many years. I wonder why he sent you here today?"

"My foster father heard that Bailuo County was plagued by bandits, the countryside was in turmoil, and the family of the rich and powerful was in disgrace. He asked me to come and discuss with the old master. The Dragon Scale Society is willing to assist the government to pacify the area and eliminate the bandits."

Wan Guitian sneered, and his tone suddenly became stern: "Bandit trouble? Unrest in the village? I am honored to be the magistrate of Bailuo County. Although the area under my rule is not prosperous, the government is in good order, the people are harmonious, there is no picking up of lost items on the road, and the people do not have to worry about hunger and cold. The Ministry of Personnel has rated it as excellent."

"Even if there are some thieves, they are hiding in the countryside, fearing your power and virtue, and dare not move rashly. I have never heard of what you said, and I hope you don't say it again, otherwise it will ruin my friendship with President Lin!"

Peng Canghu is a smart person, but he is a man of the world after all. Unlike the big-headed turban who makes a living by detours, he does not know the taboos in officialdom, which makes Wan Guitian unhappy for a while. Just as he was thinking about how to make amends, he heard Zhang He say again.

"I heard that Black Wind Village was originally owned by the Wan family, but now it is occupied by Qingfeng Village. We also want to help you take back the village and connect to this financial path. Why does the old man refuse us thousands of miles away?"

There was silence in the warm room for a moment.

Peng Canghu felt a little depressed. There was no need to remedy the situation now.

"see a visitor out!"

Wan Guitian's face was as gloomy as water. He stood up and left.

There are some things you can say but not do, and there are some things you can do but not say.

These two gangsters from the Longlin Society are more stupid than the other. How could they not even know such a simple truth?

Wan Guitian returned to the inner hall, but saw his eldest son, dressed in official robes, pacing back and forth in the hall with a worried look on his face, sighing.

"Qifeng, why are you so out of control?"

Wan Qifeng pulled out a document from his arms and placed it on the table: "Father, I'm in trouble."

"Tell me."

Before Wan Guitian retired, he worked as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Personnel. Although his rank was not high, he had a lot of say in the selection of officials, so he had many students and old friends.

Whatever Wan Qifeng couldn't resolve, a letter from him could turn a difficult problem into a smooth one.

"The Jinyiwei garrison sent an official letter, asking me to wipe out Qingfeng Village within the territory."

"This is really a coincidence."

Wan Guitian was slightly surprised because someone had mentioned Qingfeng Village to him.

Black Wind Village was a chess piece planted in the early years, with an annual revenue of five to six thousand taels of silver, which was considered an income. However, Wan Guitian didn't care much about such a shady business being taken away by someone.

Besides, Cao Long had always wanted to distance himself from the world and become independent, and he didn't want to involve his son who had a promising future.

Wan Guitian asked again: "Is it a direct letter from the Zhenshou Qianhu Mansion, or an official letter from the Pingyang Mansion Qianhu Office?"

The status of a garrison commander is very different from that of an ordinary Jinyiwei commander.

There were at least more than 200 Jinyiwei thousand-household offices in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty.

There were only fifteen garrison commanders. Each garrison commander was only a fourth-rank official, but could submit secret documents and his salary was the same as that of the six ministers, and he was highly trusted by the emperor.

Take the Ministry of Personnel, for example. It is in charge of the future and destiny of officials and can be said to be domineering in front of local governors. However, the appointment power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has nothing to do with the Ministry of Personnel. On the contrary, it can monitor the six ministries and local governments.

Wan Qifeng said helplessly, "It is a handwritten letter from Yan Gongshun, the commander of the Shanxi Jinyiwei. What is the origin of Qingfeng Village? The Jinyiwei are going to kill him."

Wan Guitian sat down in the chair and said, "The three-year period has come to an end. You will be promoted soon. You can't make any mistakes at this critical time. I originally thought that it would be good to destroy the Black Wind Village and not make any more trouble. But now it seems that we can only wipe out the Qingfeng Village!"

Wan Qifeng said worriedly, "That group of fierce bandits fought Cao Long and broke through Dongliu Village. I heard they are still recruiting soldiers and attracting unemployed vagrants to join them. There are less than a hundred guards in the third shift, and with the 200 people in our militia, we can still defend the city, but if we want to attack Yunwu Mountain, I'm afraid it's like throwing meat buns at a dog."

Wan Guitian had been in the officialdom for a long time and had seen the treacherous and invisible means of killing in the court. Regarding the matter of Qingfeng Village, it seemed that there was a hand manipulating it in the dark, and he had to obey its control.

"We can unite with other forces."

"Who?"

"Dragon Scale Society."

Four riders on fast horses galloped out of Wan Mansion to chase the two men.

The Wan family father and son walked to the corridor. The mountains in the distance were hazy, black clouds were gathering in the sky, and there were faint sounds of thunder and lightning.

"The storm is coming, and the wind is blowing all over the building. This breeze is so cold that it makes me worried!"

(End of this chapter)