The Red Mansions

Chapter 743 Zhen Zhu: It's just a mere pirate... defeated by one blow!

Yangzhou, Slender West Lake
As Liu Shengzao and officials from the Department of Salt Transport were taken away by the guards of the Jinyi Mansion, Yuan Jichong, the magistrate of Yangzhou, the officials of the Zhizhong and Tongjuan of the Yangzhou Mansion, and the local officials under the jurisdiction of the Yangzhou Mansion all had serious expressions on their faces, but these bureaucrats did not It was not as noisy as the audience around Slender West Lake, but they were thinking about the impact of this matter on Yangzhou officialdom and themselves.

Wang Shouqi said cautiously: "Uncle Yongning, what's going on with the case of Mr. Liu's Salt Transport Department's deficit?"

At this moment, Jiang Tong, Huang Rishan, and Xiao Hongsheng were all secretly paying attention to the young man's words.

Jia Heng smiled, looked at Wang Shouqi, and asked, "Master Wang is also involved in the case?"

"This..." Wang Shouqi was startled, and quickly said with a smile, "How dare you, old man?"

Jia Heng said: "In recent years, the salt law has accumulated a lot of disadvantages, almost reaching the viscera, and everyone in the temple is aware of it. Some of them are the disadvantages of the classic system, which cannot be solved in a day, but Yangzhou salt merchants such as Cheng, Ma and others Not to mention smuggling to Jurchen, but also borrowing credit from the salt warehouse, misappropriating tax money, and stealing official money with Liu Shengzao for his own use, how can the court tolerate it?"

Wang Shouqi paused for a moment, afraid of missing a word, and felt uneasy when he heard the last word.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Nowadays in the land of Huaihe River and Huaihe River, the law of outlining salt is widely implemented, and the imperial court's tax money is lost every year. If Master Wang is the court chief, what should he do? Fortunately, God has the virtue of good life."

He made a point, in fact, it is also an opportunity for the four general merchants to take the initiative to confess. Only by giving full play to their subjective initiative can they recover more tax money for the court.

Listening to Jia Heng's words, Wang Shouqi's back was already covered with cold sweat, while Jiang Tong and Huang Rishan looked at each other with the feeling that the sky was about to collapse.

God has the virtue of good life, what is this for?
This is a disagreement, and the court is going to kill?
Jia Heng didn't look at Wang Shouqi and the others who looked so pale, but looked up to enjoy the music and dance, because several salt merchants in Yangzhou felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, and they suddenly became private charters.

Lianghuai salt affairs have fallen into this kind of disadvantages since the taxation system of special merchants leading the shore. In the previous life, the salt introduction case was exposed during the Qianlong period. The problem of endogenous decay of natural gas cannot be avoided when it develops to a certain stage.

Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi stood at the position where the Double-Eaved Pavilion was. Zhen Lan's phoenix eyes flashed, and she said in a low voice, "Sister, do you know how many people this Uncle Yongning has arrested?"

Under Zhenxi Chunshan's black eyebrows, her bright eyes like a pool of clear springs blinked, and asked curiously, "How many have you caught?"

"He has arrested four of the eight salt merchants in Yangzhou, and now he has even taken down the salt transport envoy from the Huaihe River. There is no such contest as an oiran." Zhen Lan's narrow, clear eyes fell on the young man in the python suit, and her gaze shone brightly.

In fact, in the original time and space, as the salt merchants in Yangzhou withdrew from the stage of history, the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou was gradually abandoned.

Zhen Xi frowned, her bright eyes were confused, and she said softly, "Sister, why did Brother Heng arrest the salt merchant?"

Zhen Lan said softly: "I heard from my eldest sister that the Salt Transport Department lost tens of millions of taels. These salt merchants wanted to collude with the officials of the Salt Transport Department. Not long ago, because of the assassination of several salt merchants, many of them died Being caught in prison, the interrogation must have yielded results in the past few days."

Zhen Xi thought about the reason, and said softly: "How does my sister know so much? You still know about the salt affairs?"

Zhen Lan smiled, feeling somewhat complacent, and said softly: "My sister is still young, so she will know a lot when she gets older."

Just for a moment, the girl who has always been strong feels a little sad, no matter how much she knows, there can only be one Princess Chu, and only one daughter of the Zhen family can marry the royal family, so what can she do? where?
Zhen Xi's bright eyes narrowed, and she looked at the young man, her misty and misty eyes sparkled.

Jia Heng and all the salt merchants enjoyed the music and dance of a group of Yangzhou brothel courtesans with great interest. Their dresses were elegant and their sleeves fluttered up.

But looking at it, Jia Heng felt a little dull. Although the quyi of this era is a little more realistic, whether it is the stage effect, vocal effect, or costume effect, it is not as good as the later generations.

Afterwards, a group of salt merchants took the lead in sending flower baskets to Huancui Pavilion where the performance was performed, and local gentry and celebrities in Yangzhou also sought after Luanming Pavilion, but because of the previous incident, the atmosphere was somewhat low.

And until noon, as the competition entered the middle of the game and the final four were selected, the previous chill atmosphere gradually dissipated, and everyone present turned their attention to the stage, enjoying the visual feast.

The oiran of Luanming Pavilion, Miss Qingjin is a girl of eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a green feather dress, with a plump figure, at this moment, standing on the stage, playing a pipa, her soft and moist eyes like water, Throwing at the boy in the python suit with that face.

It seemed that they were waiting for Jia Heng to present a flower basket, but Jia Heng was obviously not interested and did not send out a single flower basket.

In this oiran contest, a flower basket is about 150 taels. This game of krypton gold ranking is no different from the previous life.

I don't know if there is any entrustment or not.

As one of the most powerful people here, Jia Heng's silent attitude obviously raised the hearts of all Yangzhou local officials and gentry.

Wang Shouqi asked in a low voice: "Uncle Yongning, but the music and dance here are not to your liking?"

Jia Heng said: "The dance of the beauties in the southern country, the dance of the city, the land of Yangzhou, is really outstanding."

"The Oiran Competition has been held in Yangzhou for 15 years, and this is the 16th year. I don't know if I will see you again next year." Wang Shouqi smiled, half sighing, half tentatively.

Then, he ordered the servant to deliver the flower basket.

After Liu Shengzao was arrested, the Yangzhou Salt General Merchant was in a mess.

Chen Ling glanced at the young man, but doubts arose in his heart.

After thinking about it, it seems that this person is not hungry, he can be a wife as much as he can, and when the music and dance in Bihai Courtyard started, Chen Xiao finally couldn't help but whispered: "If you don't give rewards all the time, it will make people say you are stingy. "

Jia Heng smiled lightly, and said, "Then Xiaoxiao, go and reward me with a flower basket."

Chen Xiao snorted coldly, and glanced at Jia Heng, where does she have any money?During this period of time, he ordered her and didn't say that he would pay her a salary.

After Zizhuxuan's oiran performed a guzheng, it was almost noon, and after another folk performance, it was finally Gu Ruoqing's turn to appear on the stage.

First of all, there is a piece of music that is as clear as a mountain spring and the fragrance of birds and flowers is heard from the tower. This is the music played by the twelve women who are proficient in rhythm in Huanhualou. It seems to bring everyone to the sky. Xiangjiang River.

Jia Heng stared at Gu Ruoqing, who was leading the dance among the three women.

Because the dance music choreographed was actually Mrs. Xiang.

Jia Heng sized it up, and it was inevitable that it would be compared with Xianning's dance. Xianning's long legs and high waist showed a bit of youthful charm in the graceful dance, especially at the end Mrs. Xiang, who was already lying on the bed with a jade body, and the Xiangshui flooded Disaster.

Gu Ruoqing, on the other hand, is like the green waves of the Xiang River rippling with the wind, jumping and spinning, with a somewhat graceful attitude, and the whole body has the moving charm of Xiaoxiang Chushui.

Thinking of it this way, Jia Heng's eyes were a little lost, and he couldn't help flashing back to the details of getting along with Xianning.

Speaking of which, I also miss that goblin. Although Xianning is sometimes chaotic and messy, but that kind of youthful beauty, the sincerity and enthusiasm for feelings under the cold appearance, and no hesitation, when it is beyond the reach of the whip, without the influence of carnal desire, it is more Let him never forget.

This should be the most essential and pure emotion.

Now that the situation in Yangzhou has calmed down, the salt affairs case will soon be cleared up. Afterwards, the reform of the salt affairs cannot be separated from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Jinyang can also come, Xianning and Yuanchun, and even Xiangyun and Tanchun. coming.

Jia Heng thought so.

Gu Ruoqing was dancing at this moment, and couldn't help but turn his gaze to the young boy in python suit who was sitting upright, seeing his gaze straightened, and his feet, which were lightly tiptoed under the skirt, paused slightly, his heart skipped a beat.

Is this straight?

Under the curved eyebrows, in the clear eyes of Xingran Xinghong, a dim light could not help but gradually fade away.

As the music started, Gu Ruoqing quickly suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, and danced lightly, which immediately attracted the optimistic voice of the audience below.

After the music and dancing, it was the turn of the salt merchants and the local gentry of Yangzhou to deliver flower baskets. Compared with the previous few, Gu Ruoqing was obviously more popular with the local celebrities of Yangzhou.

Compared with those coquettish ones, it is mainly pure.

But even so, there was still not a big gap, but they fell into anxiety, and finally the semi-finals were selected.

Jia Heng still didn't buy any flower baskets, as if he came here just as a spectator watching the excitement.

Gu Ruoqing's eyes were drawn to this scene, but doubts arose in his heart.

This person just looked straight ahead, and now he hasn't sent a single flower basket?
It's not that he really cares about this flower basket, it's mainly that Jia Heng's gaze just now was too "hot", and in the end he didn't pull out anything?
Even Wang Shouqi and other salt merchants felt that the eyes were meaningful, and even some malicious people were thinking whether Liu Shengzao was taken down by Yongningbo because they were rivals in love?
But, in the end?
It can only be explained that Yongningbo may not be well-off.

At noon, Wang Shouqi invited: "Uncle Yongning, it's already noon, should we have some lunch?"

In fact, if Gu Ruoqing was not in the Ye family's place, he really wanted to spend a lot of money and send it to this young and powerful man's house.

Jia Heng nodded, and said softly: "Master Wang will arrange it."

This oiran contest is actually nothing to watch, with so many people, it's not as good as Xiaoxiao next to him.

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Chen Ling. He was wearing a flying fish suit and a crown with the word mountain on his head. His heroic sword eyebrows seemed to be thickened on purpose. Flying fish pattern.

Being scrutinized by Jia Heng, the girl obviously felt something, she turned her eyes to look at the past, her eyebrows were condensed, and her eyes were a little puzzled.

At this moment, a girl in a red skirt with a bun came quickly from not far away, it was Nan Ling, and before she approached, she was stopped by two guards of the Jinyi Mansion, who seemed to be seen by the two guards of the Jinyi Mansion Look at the famous thorn in his hand, and then walk up to Jia Heng.

"Master Jia, I want to deliver my wife's invitation to you." Nan Ling said coquettishly, her little face almost flushed red.

Jia Heng looked slightly surprised, and asked Chen Xiao to take the invitation, put it in his hand and began to read it intently, his gloomy eyes could not help showing deep thought.

People from Annan Hou Ye's family?
At this time, what did Ye Zhen's daughter come to see him for?
Annan Hou Yezhen was a famous general during the Longzhi period. He once led the army to quell the Annan Rebellion and was named a Marquis for his meritorious service. One of Emperor Longzhi's martial arts was to pacify Annan.

Jia Heng handed the invitation to the curious Chen Xiao, turned to look at Wang Shouqi, frowned and said, "Master Wang, excuse me first."

Wang Shouqi smiled and said, "Uncle Yongning should go and get busy first."

He clearly knew who the wife Nanling was talking about was.

Speaking of which, that is a personal woman, maybe Yongning Bo is like Mr. Liu's son, and it may not necessarily be that he prefers older wives.

Seeing Jia Heng leave, Yuan Jichong, the magistrate of Yangzhou, relaxed his solemn expression, exchanged glances with the judge Lu Shuyuan, and then walked towards the pavilion where everyone rested.

"Master Yuan, the situation is not good." Lu Shuyuan said worriedly.

Yuan Jichong frowned, and said, "This is now the number of the Luozhi Prison. From the original Ma's family, one after another brought out a bunch of them. I don't know who will be involved in the next one."

Lu Shuyuan said: "My lord, once Mr. Liu is arrested, the Liu family, Liu Changdao, and other Cheng and Ma families have to guard against it over the years."

Yuan Jichong said in a deep voice: "Don't scare yourself. Now it's because of the salt affairs. Elder Qi Ge and this Uncle Yongning came here not to clean up the officials. Besides, the generals of Jiangbei Daying who were greedy for the army's salary before, besides losing their money, Isn't it safe and sound now?"

Lu Shuyuan hurriedly nodded yes, but his heart was still uneasy.

Mr. Yuan is still protected by people from the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Nanjing. At worst, he will be dismissed from office and will be reinstated in two years. As the specific person in charge, he is afraid that he will be the first to be thrown out to pay the bill.

Yuan Jichong looked at Lu Shuyuan, who was frowning, and guessed his thoughts. He said in a deep voice, "I won't go to the oiran contest in the afternoon. I will take a boat to Jinling to find out the news."

This young Xungui acted so recklessly in Jiangbei, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate in Jinling still has a clear stream, so didn't he go up to impeach him?

In fact, there have been some recently, but they have not yet become a trend, and Shenjing has not received them yet.

When Lu Shuyuan heard the words, he could only hand in his hand and send him off.

At the same time, not only local officials in Yangzhou speculated that Liu Shengzao was taken away by the Jinyi Mansion detectives, but several salt merchants in Yangzhou were also discussing.

Jiang Tong said worriedly: "Brother Wang, you have to make up your mind. Uncle Yongning has made no secret of it, and he is here for us."

Huang Rishan said: "Brother Wang, once Mr. Liu enters, we really can't hide our affairs."

Although Xiao Hongsheng didn't speak, he also looked at Wang Shouqi intently, expecting that the seasoned general manager Wang who had been on the ground in Yangzhou for more than ten years would pay attention.

Wang Shouqi said: "Everyone, this case has not been investigated before, and even part of the money was sent to the palace. Does the palace know? The old man heard that Uncle Yongning meant to fill in the money embezzled over the years. That's it, we can also pass the test safely like the generals of the Jiangbei Camp, and now, we can't wait to meet the tough."

In fact, in the parallel time and space of the Qing Dynasty, the salt incident occurred, two salt transport envoys were involved in the case, and Qianlong was lenient to the salt merchants.

Huang Rishan said in a low voice: "Brother Wang, this shortfall is not a small amount. Even if we wait to bury the iron, we will not be able to fill this hole."

The nominal father-in-law of Liu Shengzao obviously saw the trend of going bankrupt and finding it hard to make up the shortfall.

Wang Shouqi pondered for a moment, then said: "Talk to the imperial court and Yongning Bo, the old man doesn't seem to want to kill all of Yongning Bo."

Jiang Tong sighed, and said: "He has soldiers and horses in his hands, and we are now meat on the chopping board, ready to be slaughtered."

Xiao Hongsheng said in a low voice: "The general trend is like this, otherwise Cheng and Ma's family will end up like this. If the money is gone, you can still make money. If people are gone, you will lose everything."

Wang Shouqi turned to look at Xiao Hongsheng, and said, "Nephew Xiao is right."

In recent years, it's not that the Wang family has no other backers. Even if they sell off these farmlands and properties to fill in the loopholes, they still have the family property and a day to make a comeback.

On the other side, under the escort of Liu Jixian and other guards of the Jinyi Mansion, Jia Heng went to Huanhualou to temporarily build an attic. As for Chen Xiao, he did not accompany him, obviously worried that Ye Zhen's daughter Ye Nuan would recognize him.

above the second floor
In the attic where Jia Heng put up the curtains temporarily, he saw a graceful woman in a light yellow dress, who smiled and asked, "But Yongningbo is in person."

Jia Heng asked: "I don't know why Mrs. Ye is looking for this official?"

Annan Hou Yezhen has control over the personnel of the Jiangnan camp, especially Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, but he has cooperated with Shen Fang before, and now the Ye family is looking for him again, probably because they want to have both sides.

"I just heard that Uncle Yongning is here, so come over to have a meal together." Ye Nuan smiled and invited, "I have admired Uncle Yongning's great reputation for a long time. When my father and the old man are at home, they often talk about it." , My ears are about to wear calluses."

The woman was originally the type with skin that was more beautiful than snow, graceful and gorgeous, her frown and smile seemed like a hundred flowers blooming, and the full moon trembled wildly.

As he spoke, he invited Jia Heng to sit down.

Not far away, Gu Ruoqing was sitting, staring at the boy in python suit.

Jia Heng's face was as calm as water, and he said pleasantly: "The last time I went to Jinling, I was in a rush on business, so I didn't visit the Marquis of Annan's mansion. I wonder how the old Marquis is now?"

"Meng Yongning is concerned. Father is still in good health. I don't know how Mrs. Rong Guotai is in Beijing. A few years ago, I went to Beijing to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday. I met him once, and the laughter was hearty." Ye Nuan greeted As he spoke, he asked about Jia Mu's recent situation.

Neither of them was talking about serious business, after all, they had just met each other, they were just chatting about family matters and recounting old stories.

Jia Heng said: "The old lady has been in good health all these years."

I thought to myself, I'm afraid that Marquis Annan will be the first.

Ye Nuan asked with a chuckle, "Just now, my concubine, who was watching Lianghuai Transshipment Department, Mr. Liu was taken away by Jinyi Mansion."

Jia Heng didn't want to say more, and said simply: "It's involved in a case."

"Before, I talked to Ruoqing." As the beautiful woman said, she took the hand of Gu Ruoqing who was sitting on the embroidered pier, and lamented: "In the past few days, that Master Liu has been looking for our family Ruoqing a lot. Qing trouble."

Jia Heng looked up at Gu Ruoqing, and said, "Master Liu really misses Miss Gu."

Gu Ruoqing: "..."

What is this nonsense?

Ye Nuan smiled, and asked in surprise, "Ruoqing, this is not the first time you and Ziyu have met, right?"

This beautiful woman has just talked about it, and now she is familiar with Jia Heng as Ziyu.

Gu Ruoqing said softly: "I had a relationship with Huanhualou before, when Master Jia was assassinated by gangsters."

Referring to the past, Ye Nuan turned to Jia Heng with her charming and flowing eyes, and said, "Zi Yu, the Huanhua Building is a property run by my concubine, I didn't expect that the assassination of Prince Donglu happened." Son, I'm really sorry."

Jia Heng looked indifferent, and said: "It has nothing to do with Huanhualou, it just happened to happen in Huanhualou that day."

Since Ye Nuan didn't bring up serious matters, he wouldn't ask either.

After thinking about it for a while, the left and right are just An Nanhou wanting to bet on both sides. How can there be such an easy thing in the world?
All the veterans in Jiangnan Daying will be eliminated, and he will not compromise like Shen Fang.

Ye Nuan smiled and said: "Looking at the conversation, it's already noon, Ziyu, let's have dinner together first."

Jia Heng didn't refuse either. Under the service of the two maids, she cleaned her hands and wiped them with a towel.

At this moment, a servant girl came over and said: "Ma'am, there are distinguished guests from the Zhen family outside, looking for Uncle Yongning."

When Jia Heng heard the words, she was surprised, and thought to herself, a distinguished guest from the Zhen family, Mopan?What is she doing here at this time?Well, it shouldn't be her. If it was Zhen Qing, she should have informed Princess Chu.

Ye Nuan smiled and said, "That's really double happiness, hurry up and invite me."

The four girls of Zhen's family are all watery, and they don't know what they have grown in these years, but such a famous daughter hates false phoenixes and phoenixes.

Not long after, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi went up to the stairs arm in arm. They were both dressed in men's clothing, with fair complexion and picturesque eyebrows.

Zhen Lan looked at Jia Heng, and called out generously, "Brother Heng."

"Brother Heng." Zhen Xi also approached slowly, and called softly, with courtesy.

After all, I have seen it twice.

Jia Heng looked at Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, smiled, and asked, "You two are not in Jinling, why are you here?"

The accompanying mother smiled and said: "The princess came to Yangzhou for business. The two girls wanted to join in the fun, so the princess agreed. There are guards on the way."

The atmosphere in the south is open, and women's family members dress up as men to go out, which is not shocking.

Jia Heng nodded, looked at Zhen Lan whose eyebrows and eyes looked like grinding discs, and said softly: "Yangzhou is holding an oiran contest, and there are many people with unknown backgrounds. You two, be careful not to let Huazi take pictures."

Zhen Lan: "..."

Glancing at the boy, you think she and her sister are children, right?

Jia Heng said: "Okay, come over and have dinner."

He felt that whether it was from Zhen Qing's side or Zhen Xue's side, the two sisters were his sisters-in-law. Of course, this was not the main reason, but to show Ye Nuan that even if there was no Ye family, there was still the Zhen family. can hold.

Zhen Xi didn't see anything wrong, she sat down like an obedient girl, with a bit of intimacy in her shy eyes with lowered brows, and softly called: "Brother Heng."

Jia Heng took the initiative to ask: "Didn't you say that there is still a poetry club in Jinling earlier, and that the fourth younger sister and your older sister won't be going?"

Zhen Xi's pretty cheeks were slightly red, and she looked at Zhen Lan who was at the side, as if asking for help: Sister, I don't know how to do this question.

Zhen Lan smiled slightly, and said softly: "The poetry meeting is held every year, and there is nothing to go to. I will go when I can make it in time in the evening, and forget it if I am not in time. Where is Brother Heng? Did you accept the invitation from the Wang family?"

"Come here to do something." Jia Heng said softly.

"Brother Heng is really busy. He has traveled back and forth from Yangzhou to Jinling several times." Zhen Lan didn't ask too much, but looked at Jia Heng with a smile, and said softly.

I'm afraid that today's scene was carefully arranged by the "Brother Heng" in front of him. To take down the salt transport envoy in front of all the salt merchants is to kill chickens to scare monkeys.

On the other side, Ye Nuan invited a few people to have lunch, and everyone started eating.

After finishing the meal, everyone sat down again to drink tea and talk.

Ye Nuan said softly: "Zi Yu, Yangzhou's salt industry has been in existence for a hundred years, and it is still the rules set by the Taizu Dynasty. I don't know about this shock. Next year, Yangzhou will still have the same spring scenery on the Slender West Lake as it is today. No."

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "If you can't break it, you can't stand it. The current scenery of Yangzhou is due to the loss of national tax and silver year after year, the hardship of the salt industry, and the desolation of the salt industry. Now Liu Shengzao is greedy for the balance of the salt tax and uses public money to help his selfish desires. They live extravagantly. , almost like Shi Chong and Wang Kai, if Liu Shengzao and his ilk are not corrected, maybe today's Yangzhou Oiran Competition, Mr. Liu spends money like dirt, I want to come..."

As he said that, he glanced at Gu Ruoqing, smiled and said, "If Mr. Liu smiles for Beauty Bo, Ms. Gu will definitely win the top spot in one fell swoop, and she won't be as anxious as she is now."

Gu Ruoqing: "..."

He was talking about Liu Shengzao, but suddenly he insinuated what he was doing?
However, it suddenly dawned on me, and I suddenly understood why Jia Heng didn't present a single flower basket earlier, this is really...

Obviously not to accuse him of ambush in advance, because he didn't know that Mrs. Ye would invite her before.

It can only be said that this is the real thought of the person, and it is not aimed at a certain person.

The wine and meat of the rich family stinks, and there are frozen bones on the road. Gu Ruoqing's eyes flickered, and this word suddenly flashed in his heart.

In fact, both Qi Kun and Lin Ruhai did not attend this kind of oiran competition, because they also hated such an act of taking state funds to show off their wealth.

As soon as Gu Ruoqing thought of this, a sneer filled his heart. Since he was so compassionate, someone's eyes were so straight that he could hardly leave him.

Ye Nuan nodded, looked at the young man who was old enough to be his own child, smiled and said, "Ziyu is in the heart of Zaishu."

Zhen Lan also picked up the teacup, sipped it lightly, and looked at the boy in the python suit in leisure time, thinking about the words in it.

Living extravagantly, spending money like dirt, isn't it just about salt merchants?

Zhen Xi tilted her head, staring at Jia Heng with staring eyes, thinking about the boy's words.

Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said expressionlessly: "It's just a chat over tea, I don't deserve Mrs. Ye's words."

While Jia Heng was chatting with Ye Nuan from Annan Hou's family, let the time go back a little bit, Chongping 15 years, August [-]th, in the early morning——

The red sun jumps out from the sea, and the morning light shines on the Linhai Division Harbor in the state where Tongzhou is located. In the barracks, Zhen Zhu, the new deputy envoy of the Navy's Jiedu, the inspector town, is sitting behind a desk in the Chinese army camp. Sitting on the grand master's chair, he raised his eyes to look at the group of generals, his face was majestic, his expression was radiant, and he was in high spirits.

In the barracks, the generals, guerrilla generals, and officers from various households stood bowed and listened to the orders.

There are 190 and eight ships moored in the port, including 2000 patrol boats, [-] warships, and building ships, warships, and fighting ships. The navy currently has [-] people, mainly Shen Fang recently. The fishermen recruited from Jiangnan Province supplemented the water intake division to build and consolidate the river defense.

Zhen Zhu looked at the generals, with great pride in his heart, and said: "Now that the defense of the Jiangfang is slack, the warships and patrol boats in the guards are being repaired and repaired in batches, and the order of duty should be drawn up as soon as possible."

As he spoke, he looked at Feng Ji, the newly appointed Jiedu Judge, and asked, "Judge Feng, how many patrol boats in our army are available for inspection?"

Feng Ji said: "Hui Jieshuai, there are currently 85 patrol ships in the harbor, but 37 of them are under overhaul, 48 of which can be dispatched, 42 warships, 22 of which are under overhaul, and [-] can be dispatched."

Zhen Zhu pondered for a moment, and said: "Three fleets will be formed, and they will patrol the sea along the mouth of the river for a period of ten days. Recently, the commander-in-chief will also lead his personal guards to patrol the coastal defenses of Haimen, Jiading and other places along the river. When the ships and sailors are ready, we will gradually patrol. At sea, arrest smugglers and pirates."

When Feng Ji heard the words, it should be true to hand over.

After Zhen Zhu gave his orders, he looked down at the naval generals, some of them were old generals brought by him from Zhenhaiwei, and they all had a little bit of excitement in their eyes, while some were former naval generals from Tongzhou Port, with distressed expressions on their faces.

This Zhen Si was always lazy when he was in the Jiangnan camp. Now that he leads the army alone, is this the third fire for a new official to take office?

However, at this time, a soldier from the outside rushed over and said: "Jie Shuai, Jiading Mansion's beacon is warning, there are a large number of pirates coming across the sea in ships, and they are heading straight to Tongzhou Port."

Chen Han established a complex coastal defense system at the mouth of the Yangtze River, such as camps, camps, and guards. At this moment, the camps are full of smoke, and based on the sound of the gong, it can almost be concluded that there are many pirates attacking.

When Zhen Zhu heard the words, his complexion changed suddenly, and he asked, "Haikou, do you know which branch of pirates it is?"

The soldier who reported the letter shook his head and said, "I don't know."

This is one of the loopholes in Chen Hanjiang's defense system. After a hundred years of peace, military discipline was lax, and the early warning mechanism gradually failed.

Zhen Zhu yelled: "These pirates usually hijack merchants on the river, but they dare to come to our navy port, they don't know how to live or die!"

However, it was the time when he led the army, made great achievements, and became famous in the south of the Yangtze River!

Zhen Zhu stood up abruptly, looked at the generals present, ordered a former department, and said in a deep voice: "Li Guerrilla, quickly go to the water stronghold to gather all the soldiers, this commander will personally punish the pirates."

The guerrilla surnamed Li didn't take it seriously either, and took orders to leave.

If they knew it was Donglu, everyone would be on the alert, but now they don't know that Donglu's soldiers are attacking, they just think they are ordinary pirates.

Feng Jijian said: "Jie Shuai, the most urgent thing now is to find out the number of incoming enemies, and then inform the Jiangbei camp, Jinling, pirates have penetrated into our hinterland, I am afraid that the visitors are not good."

As the former master of the march, he is well aware of the current combat power of the Tongzhou Port Navy. If you encounter a small group of pirates, you can still win in one battle. If you encounter pirates who come prepared, the outcome is even more uncertain.

When Zhen Zhu heard the news, when he heard the notification to the Jiangbei Camp, he interrupted unceremoniously: "It's just a mere pirate, the more than [-] people in our navy are defeated by one blow!"

After saying this, he ignored Feng Ji, left the Chinese army's barracks and went to the water village under the retinue of a group of personal guards.

When Feng Ji saw this, he could only sigh, and hurriedly called a small official to whisper a few words, and followed Zhen Zhu to order the ships and dispatch the sailors.

(End of this chapter)