Struggle in the early Tang Dynasty

After Zhang Yuanzhi heard this, his first reaction was to recommend his son, saying: "Brother, why don't you let Chengzong take charge of this matter on behalf of our Zhang family? You see, now that he has left the Yanyun Yamen, he happens to have nothing to do, why not?" Give him a chance to practice."

"no!"

The third son, Zhang Yuanxin, shook his head in disapproval and said: "Nephew Chengzong's success is more than failure, and he is really unusable. The establishment of a bank in Huaiyang and Jiangnan is of great importance. We must send a capable younger generation to act as the agent. Something. Besides, Yizhen has just arrived in Huaiyang and Jiangnan, so he must find someone who is familiar with this area to help him. Don't you know what kind of virtue Chengzong is?"

When Zhang Yuanzhi heard that the third child had actually demoted his son to nothing, and in front of his eldest brother and outsiders, his old face suddenly lost his temper, and he said angrily, "Sir, don't talk too much. According to what you mean, don't Do you want your family's successor to take charge of this matter?"

Zhang Yuanxin nodded slightly, and said bluntly: "Yes, my Chengsi is indeed much more stable than Chengzong, and he is also a person who handles affairs. Especially Chengsi has been walking around the south of the Yangtze River these years, and he is absolutely qualified for this job." Role."

"No shame, how can you boast about your son so much?"

Zhang Yuanzhi said with a sneer on his face: "Third brother, you think too highly of your family's successor."

"Okay, stop arguing!"

Zhang Yuanli suddenly waved his hand to stop him and said, "The two of you are over 100 years old together, and you are still arguing in front of nephew Yizhen, an outsider, isn't it embarrassing? Well... so, for the time being, let Chengsi of Sanfang represent us The Zhang family, let’s start a bank together with Yizhen’s nephew. From now on, all the resources inside and outside the Zhang family must be pooled together to support us and Cui’s joint bank.”

Zhang Yuanli made a final decision and completely selected the person.

Zhang Yuanxin was naturally happy in his heart, but Zhang Yuanzhi was unhappy in his heart, and couldn't help but secretly scolded himself as an unworthy son who didn't want to make progress.

Cui Yizhen was indifferent to the internal conflicts of the Zhang family, and cupped his hands at Zhang Yuanli and said, "Everything is listened to by Uncle Shi."

Suddenly, a servant came to the main hall and shouted: "Report to the masters, a person came outside the door, claiming to be the county magistrate of the Yangzhou government office. He said that he was ordered by the governor of Guo to come to discuss with the second master about the government affairs. The government collects money for rice and salt from other places."

Zhang Yuanzhi's face turned stern when he heard this, he knew that the prefect of Fuya County was Chen Jitao.Hearing that the other party came to ask for money under the order of Guo Ye, he suddenly understood, and couldn't help being furious: "Guo is really a deceitful person, he came to you so quickly."

The few people present naturally heard the three conditions mentioned by Zhang Yuanzhi, and they couldn't help but change their colors slightly. They all felt that Guo Ye was too aggressive.

Afterwards, Zhang Yuanli frowned and waved his hands and said, "Second, just let him go, settle this matter as soon as possible, and don't get entangled with Guo for the time being, our top priority is to prevent him from causing any trouble with him Broke our big business."

Zhang Yuanzhi snorted and said, "Brother, naturally our Zhang family will not waste his little money, but just bowing our heads and admitting defeat like this, we have really fallen into the prestige of our Zhang family!"

"Ha ha……"

A killing intent flashed in Zhang Yuanli's eyes, and his old voice was cold, shaking his head and said:

"Let him be proud for the time being. Temporary dormancy and retreat are the best means to numb the other party. Third, our Zhang family will put the money in the next day. Remember what the old man said, I can't bear it." Then there is chaos and great conspiracy, which is written in one word

--Tolerate! "

Chapter 765 Weird Calm

With Zhang Yuanli's instructions, Zhang Yuanzhi didn't do anything wrong. Chen Jitao successfully completed the task assigned by Guo Ye, and got the compensation money from Zhang Yuanzhi.

Chen Jitao pulled two mule carts worth of money out of Gujing Lane.

When Chen Jitao returned to the government office with the money, Guo Ye was naturally surprised. In his opinion, this was not Zhang Yuanzhi's way of doing things.At least it is normal to make things difficult for Chen Jitao.

It's really strange, although he knew that there must be a monster if something abnormal happened, but he couldn't figure it out, he couldn't figure out what kind of tricks the Zhang family was playing.

However, this was not the only thing that puzzled him. On the second day, the oil, salt and rice shop under the name of the Zhang family re-opened as if it had sprung up like mushrooms after a spring rain. It unexpectedly followed the previous agreement without a trace of procrastination. and signs of embarrassment.

What puzzled him the most was that for quite a long time to come, the Zhang family actually changed from their high-profile and domineering style in the past, and hibernated in a low-key manner, no longer making waves against him, as if bowing their heads to Guo Ye. Planted, and sincerely accepted the fact that the owner of Guo is in charge of Yangzhou.

Especially the three brothers Zhang Yuanli, according to reports from Guo Ye’s subordinates who have been arranging to stay outside Gujing Lane, the scope of activities of the three elders of the Zhang family is basically confined to Gujing Lane, and they rarely go out of Gujing Lane. Life.

This made Guo Ye even more confused about what the Zhang family wanted to do.

Of course, he would not naively think that the Zhang family was subdued and afraid of him because of Zhang Chengzong's incident.

On the contrary, the more the Zhang family forbears and keeps a low profile, the more uneasy he feels inside.

Because, the Zhang family clearly knew that he came to govern Yangzhou for them this time, and they suffered secret losses one after another, especially because of the Zhang Chengzong incident, which was a big fat piece of Yangzhou salt tax If it was lost, it would be unbearable for an ordinary family, let alone the Zhang family in Yangzhou who only covered the sky and called the wind and rain in Yangzhou?

In his opinion, the sudden forbearance and low-keyness of the Zhang family in Yangzhou is more like the silence before the storm.

However, now that he has just gained a firm foothold in Yangzhou, everything is waiting to be done, so he can't allow him to take a break from his busy schedule to think about the next move of the Zhang family.

Another busy day ahead...

He first let Guan Jiujiu take over the Yanyun Yamen, and then forcibly disbanded the three thousand Yanyun Yamen guards that Zhang Chengzong had privately recruited and expanded, and asked Guan Jiujiu to recruit a new batch of guards to help him control the salt transportation smoothly. The Yamen has confirmed the position of Yangzhou Salt Transport Envoy.

After the city resumed its former bustle, he temporarily handed over Yangzhou City to the care of Chen Jitao, the prefect of the county, and Chen Lang, the captain of Zhechong.

On the other hand, Liu Zhenxuan, Lieutenant Guoyi, led three hundred soldiers to visit the nine counties under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou non-stop. While learning about the people's livelihood in each county, they also met with the civil and military officials of each county one by one.

Whether it's winning people's hearts or getting familiar, these are all his duties as the governor of a state.

Now that he is the civil affairs chief of a place, he naturally wants to rule the lives of the people under him.If the people under the rule cannot have enough food and clothing, and cannot live and work in peace and contentment, then his political achievements will never be piled up.

Along the way, I visited Gaoyou County, Yizheng County, Jiangdu County, Baoying County, Guangling County, and finally stayed in Ge County for several days before returning to Yangzhou City by boat.

This trip to visit places has covered the nine counties under his jurisdiction, and he has gained a lot, but it also took him a full two months.

When he returned to Yangzhou City and entered the government office, it was already dusk.

After sending away Liu Zhenxuan and three hundred soldiers to rest, he returned to his residence in the backyard of the government office, and when he was about to summon Chen Jitao to discuss matters in the backyard, a servant from the office suddenly came to report that Xue Hao and Yuru had something urgent to ask for a visit.

Hearing that these two people wanted to see him, Guo Ye suddenly realized that it was his own negligence. Since Zhang Chengzong was dealt with, these two people have been living in his mansion for the past two months.

Immediately, he ordered the yamen servant to invite the two of them into the living room of the residence in the backyard.

As soon as the two came in, after meeting with Guo Ye, Xue Hao said straight to the point: "Guo Inspector, we are here today to bid you farewell."

couple?

Guo Ye was startled at first, but then the girl Yuru who was next to her hurriedly explained with a shy face, that during the days when they lived temporarily in the government office, the pair of fateful mandarin ducks had privately decided to marry each other for life.

Guo Ye felt relieved when he thought about it. The two had already pierced the last layer of window paper, and after the Zhang Chengzong incident, it was reasonable to get married.

Guo Ye was a little puzzled by Xue Hao's sudden resignation, and asked, "Xue Hao, I have been visiting various places non-stop for the past two months, but I have neglected you young couple. In this way, now Guan Jiujiu has taken over the salt transportation. Yamen, let me write a note to let you continue to work as a clerk in the Yanyun Yamen?"

Xue Hao shook his head, smiled wryly, and said, "Thanks to Governor Guo for your attention, but Xue Hao doesn't want to go back to the Yanyun Yamen anymore. Now that I'm married to Yuru, I'm getting bored of living in Yangzhou, and I want to start a new life in another place." lived."

After finishing speaking, Xue Hao stretched out his right hand to hold Yuru's catkin tightly, and looked at her affectionately.

Guo Ye couldn't help being taken aback when he heard the words, so he wanted to go far away and fly high and live together?

Soon, he guessed what Xue Hao was thinking, and asked, "Xue Hao, are you worried that because of Zhang Chengzong's incident before, you are afraid that you will be retaliated by Zhang Chengzong if you stay in Yangzhou?"

Xue Hao held Yuru's hand even tighter, nodded at Guo Ye and replied: "Guo Inspector Shi Mingjian, although this matter has passed for more than two months, it was always Xue who handed over the detailed account books and betrayed him. Zhang Chengzong is narrow-minded and cruel, and with his vengeful nature, he will never let me and Yuru go. Therefore, we plan to leave Yangzhou, and leave this place where we may lose our lives at any time."

Guo Ye secretly felt ashamed. After all, he had plotted against the young couple, and they were still kept in the dark.

Immediately, he stayed and said: "Xue Hao, Zhang Chengzong was dismissed by the official and got out of the Yanyun Yamen, and he is no longer arrogant. And if the official is in Yangzhou for a day, he will definitely protect you and your wife. Why should you be afraid? Where is Zhang Chengzong's thief?"

Xue Hao shook his head and sighed, then gave another wry smile.