Chapter 68 Harvest
Chapter 68 Harvest
The masked leader who was being interrogated didn't know much, but he had some crucial information that could threaten someone's life. Even Guard Wang was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat.
Fa Yue, on the other hand, looked normal.
However, the careful Xu Qing could still hear a slight change in Fa Yue's voice, and it was obvious that he was quite uneasy.
This is a big deal.
The matter involved Marquis Wuding of Yingtian Prefecture and the eunuch garrisoning Tianjing.
Wu Dinghou was a hereditary marquis who could not be demoted. In addition, he also held the military post of the commander of the Tianjing Army. This military post was not high, only the fifth rank. However, the Wucheng Military Division in charge of Tianjing City had independent government offices and prisons, and could arrest, try and close cases throughout Tianjing City...
Moreover, the marquis is of superior rank, and in terms of etiquette, he is in no way inferior to the governor and other high-ranking officials.
Therefore, among the nobles of Southern Zhili, Marquis Wuding's strength was second only to a few dukes.
And in the national dynasty, Wu Dinghou was the court's spy in the south, responsible for monitoring the powerful and wealthy people in Nanzhili...
These people are the emperor's confidants.
As a result, problems arose. No wonder the court sent Inspector Wu, who had no obvious position in Nanzhili, to serve as Inspector Censor.
Moreover, Inspector Wu had served in Nanzhili for several years and was more familiar with local realities than the officials in Beijing.
Of course, if something happened to Inspector Wu, the imperial court would have a legitimate excuse to forcibly intervene in the local affairs of Nanzhili, which would be a win-win for both sides.
...
...
"Gongming, what should we do?" Wu Xun discussed privately with Xu Qing in the tent.
The Master Qian next to him was like Xu Shu entering Cao's camp, not saying a word. How could a small master like him get involved in such a big event, let alone offer any profound insights?
We still have to give way to young people.
Master Qian felt that with Xu Qing around, he had gradually become a supporting role serving tea and water.
Hey……
The world is eager to hear stories about young and promising people, and there is less and less time left for old guys like him.
How cruel.
Xu Qing pondered for a long time and said, "The Lotus Sect bandits attacked the convoy of the Inspector General. Today, the Inspector General remained calm and commanded the troops to kill the bandits and clear the battlefield. However, the incident happened in Jiangning Prefecture. I suggest that the remaining survivors should be handed over to the Jiangning Prefecture government office for handling, which is more appropriate."
Wu Xun'an's eyes lit up. This matter really couldn't be exposed openly now.
Because it is only one-sided statement from the other party who has been bewitched, he may change his statement or be silenced at any time.
What's more, the sword hanging over one's head is scary. When it falls, everyone will be doomed.
There is the prefect He in Jiangning Prefecture. He has deep connections and background, and knows better how to handle the matter.
On the contrary, Wu Xun'an entered Yingtian Prefecture, which was someone else's territory, and these survivors might be killed as soon as they entered the city.
Moreover, it is reasonable to hand the person over alive to the Jiangning Prefecture government office.
As the Inspector General of Southern Zhili, Inspector Wu also had the power to supervise and correct the entire Southern Zhili, so this action was not considered an overstepping of authority.
"What Gongming said is very appropriate. Then what should we do with their crossbows and arrows? These are prohibited items." Inspector Wu asked.
Xu Qing: "Students suggest that we take out a portion of it and send it to the Wucheng Bingmasi for accountability."
Wu Xunan was startled, then clapped his hands: "Yes, this is called a combination of soft and hard tactics. This official was attacked and killed, and I have to give an explanation."
He didn't say what to do with the remaining crossbow arrows.
Where are the remaining crossbow arrows? Weren’t they all sent to the Wucheng Bingmasi?
This is the wisdom of Inspector Wu.
It should be noted that crossbows are prohibited weapons. If you are caught possessing them privately, your property will be confiscated and you will be beheaded.
What is the most profitable business in the world?
It must be a business that will result in property being confiscated and the person being beheaded.
Therefore, the more the imperial court banned it, the greater the value of crossbows and armor became among the people.
For example, the Qing Dynasty banned martial arts, but as a result, folk societies and martial arts were the most prosperous in all dynasties, and a unique escort agency culture was also developed.
Even governors and governors-general would sometimes ask the escort agency for protection when they took office.
Sometimes even the security of official silver was handed over to the big escort agency.
What's more, this was also the spoils of Xu Qing, Fa Yue and others.
Wu Xun'an was poor, and most of his previous money had been spent on getting promoted to official positions. Then, a big gift package fell from the sky, and the money he had used to get promoted wasted, and he couldn't get it back.
Therefore, Fa Yue and Guard Wang worked hard to kill the enemy, but he didn't even get a decent reward. It is natural for Inspector Wu to be greedy for their spoils.
Therefore, the crossbows sent to Wucheng Bingmasi must be damaged, and they must come from Xu Qing's share. Because Xu Qing and Wu Xun'an were teacher and student with interests tied together, it was natural for Wu Xun'an to take his.
These are unspoken rules.
...
...
While Xu Qing and his men were counting the spoils, King Lin was not idle either.
The seven brothers gathered together and broke into the Salt Gang's camp on a deserted island in Blackwater Lake.
This camp is a transit station for the Salt Gang to resell contraband salt. There are not many people stationed there, but it is extremely difficult for outsiders to find and enter.
With the help of Xu Qing's identity card and the pass from the River Inspection Office, and with Zhao Bao's guidance, King Lin successfully got in.
At night, they attacked and killed the minions who were patrolling outside the camp.
In less than an hour, the Seven Stars of Black Wind Village had eliminated all the people in the camp.
"Search their warehouse." It was just daybreak and the smell of blood on the ground had not yet dissipated. King Lin gave an order and six evil stars rushed into the warehouse.
Sure enough, everyone found two large boxes in the warehouse.
They didn't dare to open the door without permission and move things outside.
King Lin tore the copper lock apart like pulling noodles and opened the box. The gold, silver and treasures inside were dazzling.
Even though Zhao Bao had seen a lot of things, he had never seen such a large amount of gold, silver and treasures.
Seeing this, King Lin smiled happily and patted Zhao Bao on the shoulder: "Second Master Zhao, this business is very successful thanks to your help and guidance. We have enough money for the winter for the brothers."
The Black Wind Village has a large fortune and spends money like water.
With this money, I don't have to work this winter.
This is called not opening for three years and making enough money for three years after opening.
He then counted the treasures, cursing as he did so: "Damn it, Eunuch Zhao and his gang always treated me like a beggar. A salt gang hideout has so much money hidden in it."
Zhao Bao was well aware of the underworld business. He reminded King Lin: "King, I feel something is wrong."
"How to say?"
Zhao Bao is now on King Lin's black ship, and he has no choice but to go all the way. Anyway, he certainly cannot go back to Eunuch Zhao, so now he has to do his best to please King Lin.
He is disabled. Ever since the Zhao family was wiped out, he has suffered countless hardships, all because of his lack of power and influence.
Therefore, Zhao Bao wanted to go to the Imperial City of Shendu to be a eunuch through King Lin.
He even thought of a name for his eunuch, which was Zhao Gao. He wanted to climb up step by step until he reached the top!
It was also because Zhao Bao was uneducated that he didn't know that there was a eunuch named Zhao Gao in the previous dynasty, and that he had a bad end.
"Part of the money here is the reward they prepared for the king, and the other part is probably used to pay for the goods."
"You mean, there's still a shipload of smuggled salt that hasn't arrived yet?"
"Yes."
Lin Tianwang narrowed his eyes and patted Zhao Bao on the shoulder: "Second Master Zhao, I, Lin, am the most righteous in the underworld. If you do this, I will send you north and give you money for your journey."
Zhao Bao breathed a sigh of relief. As for people like King Lin, apart from other things, they must uphold the moral code of the underworld, otherwise people's hearts will easily fall apart.
Unless he really has no pursuit.
Nowadays, the underworld is more trustworthy than the white world.
Moreover, Xu Qing's power is growing, and Zhao Bao dare not stay in Nanzhili.
As for revenge, he didn't dare to think about it for the time being.
Moreover, facing a powerful enemy, as a real villain, Zhao Bao actually hated his cousin Zhao Xiong more in his heart. Why did he do so many good things but collude with religious bandits?
Afterwards, King Lin opened another box.
"It's not money, it's some calligraphy, paintings, seals and so on." The bandits couldn't help but feel disappointed.
King Lin was also a little unhappy, but he still took it out and took a look.
Fortunately, he had some culture. When he saw the seal on the calligraphy and painting, which had something like "Layman" engraved on it, he took it and asked Zhao Bao.
Zhao Bao didn't understand these either, but when he saw the seal of Qingshan Jushi, he was suddenly shocked.
"Do you recognize this calligraphy?"
"I don't know. The seal looks like it belongs to Master Fang."
Scholar Fang was a retired minister in Yingtian Prefecture. He had visited Jiangning Prefecture to visit a friend before. At that time, Zhao Bao heard that Scholar Fang was also known as Qingshan Jushi. "Hey, so these calligraphy and paintings are related to officials of the court. It seems to have some value, but I don't know much about this. I'll take it to Xu Gongming for his opinion. He is a professional." Lin Tianwang said, and by the way, he also looked at the content of the calligraphy. There was also a sloppy abstract painting on it, which looked like a painting of Mingwang Yaksha or something.
King Lin looked at it a few more times and actually felt a little disgusted and annoyed.
"What the hell is this? The painting is so ugly." King Lin complained in his heart.
Zhao Bao looked at the content of the portrait and also felt uncomfortable. He didn't know what the painting was used for.
King Lin asked Zhao Bao again: "When do you think the official ship carrying the smuggled salt will arrive?"
Zhao Bao: "For such a big deal, since the money has already arrived at this transit point, it means the goods will arrive soon. Probably within a day."
King Lin said to the bandits, "Let's wait for a day. If they don't come, we will just withdraw."
Zhao Bao: "Heavenly King, that is an official ship, are we sure?"
Lin Tianwang: "Let's change into their clothes and then go to receive the goods. Unfortunately, they were all killed. I don't know if there is a slogan for contact."
Zhao Bao hesitated for a moment and said, "I came here once and I vaguely remember the incision, but I don't know if it was changed."
Lin Tianwang: "Then you try. Anyway, as long as we get on the boat and control the leader, the rest is up to us."
He was so bold that he even dared to rob a government ship.
However, in the green forest business, the greater the origin of the goods, the more worthy of bragging.
Some of the brothers in the northern road even dared to rob the birthday gift of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.
Then they changed their clothes, took inventory of the storeroom, and found several fine weapons, especially a strong bow made of particularly good material.
"I have already practiced the Bull Demon Fist to the level of hidden power that transforms hardness into softness, so I don't need this thing anymore. Xu Gongming is at the stage of developing his martial arts, so I'll give this thing to him." King Lin thought to himself.
The early stages of martial arts training are actually the same as drawing a bow.
The human body is also a bow, storing energy and releasing it.
Think of your waist as a bow, your punches as a bow, your legs as a bow, and accumulate strength and release it in one go. This process also refines the impurities in your body, making the lines of your body smoother and the force more natural.
It is said that practicing martial arts without practicing archery will be in vain until you grow old.
On the battlefield, those archers are often extremely strong.
Good at long-range combat and not bad at close combat either.
King Lin looked at the harvest with satisfaction.
With this money, he can also ask a weapons master to make a weapon specifically for him.
He is currently using a fine iron spear, which is not bad, but it cannot fully exert his strength. When the Bull Demon Fist is practiced to a high level, the fighting style must rely on spears and sticks.
Moreover, what King Lin is best at is the use of a stick, but it requires high-quality materials and is extremely complicated and expensive to make.
We use guns now because the current conditions are like this and guns are very lethal.
But the most powerful kung fu of his requires an "iron rod" to perform.
The cost of making this iron rod is equal to ten times that of his current spear, not counting the cost of hiring a master. King Lin was reluctant to make it before.
It’s different now, he’s rich.
In fact, don’t think that King Lin was generous before.
In fact, it is a common scene used by people in the underworld - pretending to be generous!
If he doesn't pretend, his subordinates will have no confidence in him, and their morale will be low. The team won't be able to be united, so how can he achieve success?
These days, even religious people are fooled by empty words.
However, religion is indeed cost-effective, at least the cost of cannon fodder is extremely low.
Unfortunately, his major is not related to this and King Lin doesn’t understand these things.
He wanted Xu Qing to go up the mountain because scholars also had their own theories of rebellion.
This rebellion has no theory, it's like a headless fly.
Even if you want to surrender, you need guidance from someone who knows the business.
Nowadays, the successful examples of being recruited are basically those who have worked in official circles before going to the mountains.
Otherwise, if you rashly accept the amnesty, someone might use your head to dye their official robes red.
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...
Xu Qing asked Guard Wang to find Prefect He and wait for the people from the government office to arrive and clean up the mess. Then Xu Qing and Inspector Wu continued on their journey, crossed Hongnigang, walked out of Qixia Mountain, and arrived at Jiangning Ferry.
Facing the rolling river, Wu Xun'an was inspired to write a poem, but the talent of a top three scholar was not enough, and he couldn't think of a good poem to suit the scene, so he looked at Xu Qing and said, "Gongming, in this situation, why don't we write some poems to liven up the atmosphere?"
Xu Qing rolled his eyes and said, "Old Master, I need inspiration to write poetry."
It is said that new people are better than old ones.
He was now extremely close to Inspector Wu, so naturally he showed less respect. Good words had to be used for the newcomers, and the old ones could just get by.
What else can happen? Can’t we get divorced?
Wu Xun stroked his beard, feeling a little embarrassed. His disciple was great, good in every way, but he had more character and less flattery.
It's hard to have everything in this world.
He looked at Master Qian again.
Master Qian looked as if he was ready to sacrifice himself, just waiting for the master to start writing lyrics, and he would definitely flatter him to the utmost.
When Inspector Wu saw this, he felt that the old man's ability was not as good as his. He could only flatter and waste his salary.
But the lawyer was reluctant to spend the money.
Having a novice around you can really help you show off your skills.
In life, abilities are not acquired through training but through comparison.
If Wu Shilai were to become the Minister of Six Ministries, would it be worse than it is now?
What he lacks is not ability, but connections!
Wu Xunan patted Xu Sanyuan's broad shoulders and said, "Gongming, I am old. You should encourage me more."
Xu Qing: “…”
Now, Xun'an Wu has more expectations for his son to become successful. If Xu Qing passes the imperial examination as soon as possible, he can also enjoy the benefits.
Unfortunately, the Southern Zhili Provincial Censor can only serve for one year. Unless there is a special examination next year, it will be difficult to arrange Xu Qing's provincial examination.
Xu Qing will definitely pass the provincial examination, but Inspector Wu would definitely like Xu Qing to pass the next provincial examination directly and enter the officialdom earlier to help him.
Of course, the prerequisite for the provincial examination is that there must be talent. Otherwise, when the results are announced and it is obvious that mediocre people are promoted, many people will definitely make a fuss.
The chief examiners of the provincial examinations in Nanzhili Province were usually sent from the capital. They were either scholars from the Hanlin Academy or key figures from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, or the Inspectorate.
As long as the list of chief examiners and co-examiners is released, there will be ways to communicate no matter how strict the system is.
The prerequisite is how high the price can be offered.
Xu Qing naturally didn't know that the useless teacher was actually thinking about supporting his children in his old age.
He was still thinking about going to Yingtian Prefecture, wondering if Feng Wu had left him anything else.
At the same time, there was still a wisp of black air in the luck, not too much, but definitely not life-threatening. It seemed that the other party didn't have many cards in his hand.
The high-ranking officials of the imperial court probably didn't expect that Inspector Wu could accomplish much, and they already had a plan in place. The other party must have many other difficulties to face now.
There is actually one benefit to entering Tianjing City in Yingtian Prefecture.
Originally, if something happened to Inspector Wu at Hongnigang, it would be the fault of Prefect He.
If the Inspector General was assassinated in Tianjing City, Yingtian Prefecture, Marquis Wuding, as the commander-in-chief of the army, was in charge of the city's public security, and would be the primary person responsible. He cannot escape responsibility in any way.
The teacher and the student boarded the official ship.
After all, with the imperial envoy's ceremonial guards present, people could board the official ship at will and no one dared to refuse.
However, the clerk on the official ship still persuaded him: "Sir, this trip is a cargo ship, the conditions are simple, how about you take another official ship?"
Wu Xunan: "After crossing the Black Water Lake, we will reach the dock of Tianjing City. It will only take three hours by water at most. Are you going to unload the cargo in the middle?"
The clerk said: "We have to pass by a small island."
"What are you loading here? Why do you have to unload it on the island?" Wu Xunan became suspicious.
The clerk had no choice but to take out the customs clearance documents.
Inspector Wu couldn't see anything wrong with it, so he showed it to Advisor Xu Qingqian.
This procedure is indeed legal and compliant, and there is nothing wrong with it.
Seeing this, the clerk said, "Sir, it will take time for us to unload the cargo. If this happens, it will be evening when you arrive in Tianjing City."
After all, the Inspector General was also a seventh-rank official, and since Inspector Wu's appointment was somewhat special, he did not have a special official ship to escort him.
Wu Xunan didn't want to take a merchant ship, which was a bit embarrassing. As for whether there was another official ship going the same way today, it was even more uncertain. If another official ship docked an hour or two later, wouldn't it be the same as taking this ship?
"No need for that. I'm in a hurry to go to Tianjing City to handle official business. It doesn't matter if the conditions are a little simple. Besides, this is all for the sake of reporting to the emperor and the safety of the people." Inspector Wu spoke righteously, as if the emperor was possessed.
With the blessing of the emperor's dragon majesty, he is as if covered by golden light and cannot be offended by gods.
How could a petty official, a mortal being, resist? He could only obey.
(End of this chapter)