The Founding of the Red Chamber

Looking at Tu Xiaosan's letter, Governor Zhang slowly frowned.

After Governor Zhang read it carefully, he handed the letter to Mr. He.Mr. He took it, looked at it, couldn't help frowning, and said, "Why didn't the two of them mention this to me when I was in Quanzhou." In the letter, Tu Xiaosan wrote about the forbidden sea in Fujian.Yes, because of the frequent occurrence of Japanese bandits, it is also very unsafe for fishermen to fish. The main reason is that Japanese bandits are really not the beasts that people describe as killing and cutting when they see them. Of course, Japanese bandits also kill people.But on the contrary, in fact, Rutu Xiaosan and the others also killed every Japanese bandit when they saw them.They were originally hostile, and it was normal for them to fight and kill each other.However, in addition to killing people on the shore, the Japanese bandits often plundered people.

Even, a large part of the Japanese bandits who went ashore to plunder were Han Chinese who became collaborators with the Japanese bandits.

Of course, the historical reasons will not be elaborated here.

Because the coastline is not peaceful now, Governor Zhang has implemented a ban on the sea, fishermen do not have to go fishing in the sea, and similarly, Japanese bandits have nothing to snatch at sea.What was mentioned in the letter from Tu Xiaosan this time is that under the ban on the sea, the Japanese bandits became more and more rampant. This kind of rampantness is not only the increase in the number of Japanese bandits going ashore to rob, but also the increasing shortage of supplies for the Japanese bandits. .You must know that the Wa country is really a small and narrow place with limited production, so they desperately wanted to go ashore to plunder.

Xu Xiaosan said one thing in the letter, saying that Quanzhou City was defeated twice. Some people saw Japanese bandits picking up many gray wagons and entering the city. After passing through Quanzhou City, they arrived at the seaside. As for what was in the car, no one knew.Tu Xiaosan made a bold guess in the letter, and Tu Xiaosan said that when Quanzhou City was robbed, there were no major state capitals in the surrounding area that were robbed by Japanese bandits. Therefore, these things cannot be robbed from other state capitals. .But if they robbed things from the counties and villages around Quanzhou City, the Japanese bandits would not have these uniform gray wagons to load them.Tu Xiaosan suspects that this is an item transaction between someone on the shore and Japanese bandits taking advantage of this war.Moreover, to be able to have such a scale, it must be a first-class big businessman.Tu Xiaosan wrote all his doubts in the letter, and at the same time asked Governor Zhang to continue the policy of banning the sea, so that the Japanese bandits could go ashore again and again to plunder in order to replenish themselves.

Basically, these things.

This is not a trivial matter. In fact, Lin Jing mentioned to Mr. He very early on that the people on the shore had contacts with the Japanese bandits for their own interests.In Mr. He's opinion, this is not too confidential. Besides, everyone has arrived in Fujian, so why not tell him directly, so I have to write a letter to the governor.After Mr. He asked, he immediately reacted and took a breath, "Could it be that General Lin feels that speaking in the army is not safe?"

Governor Zhang thought for a while, and said, "Originally, Quanzhou City was defeated after two disastrous defeats. Quanzhou is a prefectural city system, with [-] soldiers stationed, not to mention bandits, even if they pass through the city, [-] soldiers and horses can always be defeated." Keep the city in prison. As a result, the surrounding prefectures were unable to send reinforcements in the future, and the Quanzhou prefecture was destroyed. We also talked about this matter in private. , or as soon as he heard that the Japanese bandits were coming, he abandoned the city and fled, what would he know about such a person? Besides, His Majesty had already beheaded him." This was referring to the former governor of Fujian.Governor Zhang said, "If the defeat of Quanzhou City has other reasons, it is understandable for General Lin to be more careful."

Mr. He also wanted to understand now, and said, "It's really thanks to General Lin and Li Xiucai being so meticulous."

Governor Zhang smiled, "I didn't know much about sending them there before, but now I see that they pay attention to everything, so I feel relieved." He motioned Mr. He to destroy the letter.

Tu Xiaosan, who reassured Governor Zhang, was busy building up his image of being stern and selfless. Seeing that the Double Ninth Festival was approaching, when Kong Fanyu asked Lin Jing to enjoy the chrysanthemums, he also said that the chrysanthemums in the governor's mansion were all from Quanzhou City. Gifts from various merchants. At that time, Lin Jing also said that no one sent him flowers.Before these words fell to the ground, those who gave gifts to the General's Mansion came to the door.Speaking of which, gift giving is actually a science.For example, in Quanzhou City, there are many yamen, so the governor, magistrate, and general must give gifts in an order, especially for the merchants who have to send gifts to all three families.

The governor's yamen will naturally be ranked first, followed by the general's mansion.

As long as they came to give gifts, the disciple Xiaosan would refuse all of them, even a pot of chrysanthemums would not be accepted, and what he served was honest and honest.Tu Xiaosan made such a gesture, which startled the merchants in Quanzhou City. Fortunately, the merchants were clever.Tu Xiaosan refused to accept the gift, so they sent it to Lin Jing instead.

Sure enough, Lin Jing would not refuse anyone who came.

Knowing about this, Governor Kong and Prefect Xie secretly said that General Lin was so cautious.It's really not like the generals who have just entered the officialdom for a few years. Many stunned youths who have just entered the officialdom are mostly dazzled by the prosperity and wealth of the officialdom, such as Tu Xiaosan, who is as steadfast and innocent as the sky, but Lin Jing is very respectful , in the future, in the event of an accident, all you need to do is give up a staff member, and the master's family can retreat completely.Although this is a common practice in the officialdom, how can someone who has not been immersed in the officialdom for many years be so sophisticated?

The two of Tu Lin didn't know it, but the Double Ninth Festival ceremony made the Yamen of the two governments think about them again.

Lin Jing received the gift softly, he accepted the gift, and immediately ordered someone to send it to Zhejiang to cash it out.Lin Jing also privately told Tu Xiaosan, "These merchants are the same. It is better to give money directly than to give anything, and it will take a lot of trouble."

Tu Xiaosan felt quite amused, he looked at Lin Jing's gift book, and said, "I thought, Quanzhou City was looted twice, and there are probably not a few big merchants left, but now it seems that this rich man It’s really quite a lot.”

Lin Jingdao, "Do you think that the richest merchants here live in Quanzhou City? Rich people cherish their lives the most. Although they have business here, they just ask shopkeepers to manage it. Many people moved their families to Hangzhou. That's where the Governor's Mansion is. There are also people who move their families to Lianghu, and the Japanese bandits will never be able to attack Lianghu. What's more, the whole family lives in the capital, and it can't be more peaceful."

Tu Xiaosan sighed, "That's right, it's the unmovable people who suffer."

The two talked about the merchants in Quanzhou.

As soon as the gift was received on the Double Ninth Festival, merchants came to the door.The one who came was not a merchant, but a nephew of Mr. Kong, surnamed Chu.This young master of Chu asked about the army rations with disciple Xiaosan.Tu Xiaosan glanced at Mr. Chu, and said, "The military rations are supplied by grain merchants. How about it, what advice does Mr. Chu have?"

Tu Xiaosan's eyes are slightly cold, I wonder if it's because Tu Xiaosan has been fighting for many years, he has a sense of coldness, when he asked in such a flat voice, Mr. Chu shivered abruptly, and said quickly, "Don't dare not Dare, how dare I teach the general you."

Lin Jing saw Mr. Chu's sly eyebrows and eyes, and knew what his plan was, and said, "Today's big competition in the camp, general, it's almost time."

Tu Xiaosan got up and said calmly, "I'll take a step first."

Mr. Chu also knew that the apprentice was a third-rank official, so he was not easy to offend, so he said with a smile, "You are busy, you are busy."

Lin Jing also went to the camp with his disciple Xiaosan, and Lin Jing also said, "Don't talk nonsense with this kind of person, I will deal with him in my own way."

Tu Xiaosan also took a good look at this surnamed Chu, and said, "He just came to Quanzhou City with the Governor, and the military rations are not military rations. Does he have a grain shop? He just wants to make a fortune from us."

"I'll deal with him."

Lin Jing said to deal with Mr. Chu, but he was not in a hurry to pay attention to this person. Mr. Chu sent a post to invite him three times, but Lin Jing didn't accept his invitation. To drink, Lin Jingfang went with him.Mr. Chu was half complaining and half laughing, "I said Mr. Li, you are so big, it's hard to see my uncle without seeing you."

Lin Jing smiled, "It's okay to eat alcohol, but let's talk quietly for a while."

After the previous trials, Mr. Chu knew that Tu Xiaosan was not a good talker, and he thought to himself that it might not be effective to bring out his uncle's name, so he learned a way to save the country with curves, and found out who Tu Xiaosan trusted the most. It was the young scholar in front of him, so he wanted to invite Lin Jing to drink several times, but Lin Jing didn't give him face every time. Mr. Chu was quite annoyed, and even complained to his cousin Kong Fanyu several times.Kong Fanyu said to him, "Then Li Xiu is General Lin's number one confidant. He can be half of General Lin's master. Do you think he is one of those powerless talents outside? If you want to achieve something, I won't stop you, but you You can't make trouble either."

Mr. Chu asked his cousin to train him, so he suppressed his anger and came to invite Lin Jing himself.Hearing what Lin Jing said, Mr. Chu said, "There are several friends, I want to introduce you."

Lin Jing said indifferently, "I don't sit with merchants."

Mr. Chu was so hung up that Lin Jing choked to death.Mr. Chu persuaded him, "Although they are merchants, they are also righteous merchants."

Lin Jing was displeased, "If you do this again, I will get out of the car."

"Okay, okay, I will answer you." Lin Jing told the coachman, "Go to Zhiqing Pavilion." The largest teahouse in the city.

Mr. Chu shook his head and said, "Listen to my cousin, you are not a pedantic person."

"After cousin Ling and even Master Sheng, we are together, so naturally we can talk about everything." Lin Jing showed a hint of admiration for Kong.Mr. Chu didn't know what to say. He and Lin Jing arrived at Zhiqing Pavilion. As soon as Lin Jing arrived, the shopkeeper immediately stepped forward to serve him.Mr. Chu thought to himself, this shopkeeper is really snobbish, he often comes to this teahouse to eat flowers, and he has never seen anyone nodding and bowing to him like this in the past.Lin Jing took Mr. Chu directly to the private room upstairs, and the shopkeeper offered the fragrant tea himself, and Lin Jing sent him off.The two had two sips of tea, and Mr. Chu said with a friendly face, "We are similar in age, it is fate to meet in Fujian, and we should get closer in the future."

Lin Jing said, "If you have something to do, you can tell me directly. If you can help, I will definitely help. If you can't do it, I hope you will forgive me."

Mr. Chu followed his uncle, and he had seen a lot in the officialdom, and naturally he had seen people who didn't give him face. Lin Jing, this is really nothing. Mr. Chu continued to smile, "It's nothing, I was thinking about it." Well, I heard that grain and grass in your army are quite expensive. Hey, I heard my uncle say the other day that money is tight in Fujian. I thought, this can save a little bit. I know a few grain merchants who are very kind, and the price is not as good as yours. Half of the current military rations. I wanted to mention something to General Lin, but seeing that General Lin is very busy, it is not easy to bother him with such a trivial matter. I want to tell Mr. Li, but I am afraid that you will misunderstand me."

When he said this, Mr. Chu had a completely sincere face. Even Lin Jing, it must be said that what Mr. Chu said was quite clever. At least, even if he was thinking about food and grass, Lin Jing was not very disgusted.However, in this case, it is not enough to fool Lin Jing.Lin Jing asked calmly, "Have you seen the food and grass in the army?"

Young Master Chu stuttered at Lin Jing's question, "I've never seen the grain and grass in the army, but I have seen the rice eaten by the yamen servants."

"That is, how can the food in the army be the same as that of the government servants? Besides, not to mention other places, it is Quanzhou City. If you inquire about a grain store, you will know that the price of the same rice can vary greatly. What is expensive? What is cheap, you have to look at the quality of the food and grass before you can speak. If you only look at the price, there are some that are cheaper than the son, but can the soldiers eat that kind of food?" Lin Jing said, "The price of food and grass used in our army is as high as It’s the same at the governor’s place. The quality level of this food and grass is also determined by the governor himself. You can go and inquire about it, and it’s all the same in Zhejiang and Fujian. It’s not for anyone else, just to feed the soldiers. Resist the Japanese against the enemy."

Mr. Chu made Lin Jing speechless, let alone the embarrassment.However, Mr. Chu adjusted his mental state very quickly. He smiled, sipped his tea to cover it up, and said, "So that's the case. If Mr. Li hadn't said it, I really don't know the way."

Lin Jing smiled slightly, "Young Master Chu also has good intentions."

"Yes, yes." Mr. Chu immediately caught the step, and mentioned his governor's uncle by the way, "I see my uncle worrying about money and food these days, and I am really worried."

Lin Jing glanced at Young Master Chu and said no more.

Mr. Chu's idea of ​​military rations failed, so naturally he couldn't be happy.Lin Jing and Kong Fanyu have acquainted each other for a while, like Mr. Chu, how can someone who has a governor's uncle who can also be a businessman fall into Lin Jing's eyes.Just as Lin Jing was about to leave, he saw his personal guard coming in and said, "The general asked Mr. to go back, saying that there are guests here."

Lin Jing smiled, took advantage of the situation and resigned from Mr. Chu, and went back to the general's mansion with his personal guards.

It was Mu Qiuting who came. Mu Qiuting was tired from the long journey, but his complexion was very good. Originally, his brother and sister were sitting down to talk with Tu Xiaosan. When they saw Lin Jing coming, they all rushed Standing up, Mu Qiuting strode forward, took Lin Jing's hand and said, "Young brother, I really want to be a big brother!"

Lin Jing smiled and said, "I was thinking about when Brother Mu will come over." Then he asked Mu Qiuting when he arrived and how was the journey.

Mu Qiuting laughed, "I originally wanted to come here before Chongyang, and we happened to go through Chongyang together, but it took a long time to pick someone for Ah Rong, she is picky, if the person she chooses is not what she wants, she will be annoyed. At that time, won't it make my big brother lose face if you get into a tantrum with me."

Mu Rong smiled, "Don't talk about me, I'll let you pick another 500 people to come over, look at the slowness, if you don't send them over, it will have to be delayed until next year."

Mu Qiuting repeatedly cupped his hands at his sister, "Okay, okay, it's all the elder brother's fault."

"It's your fault." Mu Rong said angrily, and stopped arguing with her brother.

Mu Qiuting and Tu Lin smirked, "Ever since A Rong got the honor from the imperial court, his temper has grown." This is about the last imperial war, Mu Rong had brought 300 people to train together in the army. When the Japanese bandits besieged the city, she did not stand still, and defended the city with her whole heart.At that time, she was the one who handed over the list of military merits to the imperial court, because she was a woman, and it was not easy for the imperial court to appoint an official.

Mu Rong smiled, "The general and the younger brother were all being polite. In fact, they couldn't help much. We just defended the city. Later, the Japanese bandits were all killed by the general."

Tu Xiaosan said, "Defending the city is also a great achievement."

Lin Jing sat on Tu Xiaosan's right, and said, "Yes." Then he said, "Don't tell me, Sister Arong is really good at training people. We have had several military competitions, and Sister Arong's team is all in top ten."

"Why don't you want someone from me again." Mu Qiuting laughed loudly.

Lin Jing said to him, "Brother Mu, you are really good-looking when you get a bargain."

Mu Qiuting was very happy in his heart, there are so many factions in the Cao Gang, and Mu Qiuting was also very happy about the man trained by his younger sister who was absolutely loyal to his brothers and sisters. He laughed again and said, "Someone is a rough man!" , I can’t say no to you guys, I brought good Jinling wine today, we won’t go home until we’re drunk.”

Because they are all old acquaintances, everyone talked and laughed together, very happy.

On the contrary, Mr. Chu has a lot of eyes. He heard that Lin Jing had a guest here. Mr. Chu also said, what kind of distinguished guest did General Lin send someone to invite Li Xiucai back to the Yamen?He asked someone to inquire quietly, but the next time his subordinates reported, Mr. Chu was almost so angry that he used what Mr. Chu and his cousin Kong Fanyu said, "I didn't pick that Li Xiucai. It's just that he didn't like to invite me through the next post. This time, I personally took the carriage to the general's mansion to invite him, and he accepted my invitation. He said he was going to have a drink, but what kind of airs did he put on and what did he say? If you don't drink with merchants, you must go to the teahouse. Then go to the teahouse. Before you have eaten half a cup of tea, the guards will look for him, saying that a distinguished guest has arrived. What kind of distinguished guest should I be? Cousin, you can't even guess people?"

Kong Fanyu filtered out Cousin Chu's dissatisfaction because he failed to make a deal, and was also a little curious, "What honored guest?"

"The leader of the Cao Gang in Jinling City!" Mr. Chu sneered, "You are a reckless man! Didn't the surname Li never deal with merchants, but now he is commensurate with these reckless brothers in the rivers and lakes!"

Then, a few days later, there was another incident, which made Mr. Chu's nose crooked in anger.

Because Lin Jing, who claimed not to deal with merchants, personally received Chen Daliang, a large grain merchant from Huguang.