Yangcheng

Early in the morning, Hu Erlang came to the breakfast stall as usual, took 25 sets of deep-fried dough sticks and 25 sets of egg-filled biscuits, and said to Tang Jianwei:

"You don't need to prepare my side tomorrow. We will go out in the dark tomorrow morning. You haven't left the stall at that time. A few colleagues and I plan to bring some dry food by ourselves, and eat casually on the way."

Tang Jianwei was curious: "Why do you have to leave so early?"

"The county master is going to pay homage to the martyrs. We have to help at this time of year."

"To pay homage to the martyrs?"

"No. I don't know how long Boss Tang has been here in Suxian County. It was not peaceful here for a while. There was a group of thieves who drove warships and wanted to land and occupy this place. The imperial court quickly dispatched elite soldiers and generals to guard it. At that time, the governor and county magistrate sacrificed many people. After the incident was suppressed, a Loyalty Shrine was built in the outskirts of the city to commemorate the heroes who died in battle, and wooden statues were built for each hero.

"Every year at the end of the year, the county magistrate here will go to worship the loyal soul. It is said that the previous county magistrates worshiped very sloppily, but only our county magistrate works diligently and never falls every year."

However, Tang Jianwei was keenly aware of a subtlety: "Is it necessary to use the entire yamen to sacrifice the martyrs?"

She remembered that Hu Erlang ordered fifty sets of breakfast every day. Even if the servants eat a lot, each of them would have to eat two sets. After counting, there are at least 20 people in the county government, not to mention that the magistrate's family must have slaves and the like. His servants actually asked the people in the yamen to help?

This battle is big enough.

"Yes, the sacrifices sent are very rich, and it takes twenty carriages to load and unload them."

"Twenty cars?!" Tang Jian was slightly shocked.

Hu Erlang said: "Yes, twenty cars. It is said that the old man of our county is also among the martyrs. He said that he has the right to worship the martyrs, so we don't ask too much. There is a reward, so why ask too much ?”

"It seems that the county master is quite generous."

Tang Jianwei didn't ask any further questions, for fear of arousing suspicion, he said to Hu Erlang:

"When are you leaving tomorrow morning? Anyway, I don't like to sleep, so why don't I get up early and help you get ready?"

"How is this so embarrassing?!" Although Hu Erlang had the intention of refusing, when he heard Tang Jianwei say this, his eyebrows flew up, and his face was happy.

"What's so embarrassing about this, I got up early to do business, and I didn't give it to you for nothing. Your yamen is my major customer, so you can naturally come to serve me under special circumstances."

Seeing that Wei Kuai spoke quickly, Tang Hu Erlang, who was still a little bit apologetic, no longer refused:

"Can you still do door-to-door service?"

"Naturally. The county magistrate lives in the magistrate's mansion of the yamen. Are you going to gather at the yamen and then set off together? If you rush here to get breakfast, it will definitely be too late. I may not have much business at that time, so I will send the breakfast to the yamen Come back again, just out of the stall."

Hu Erlang is very happy that Tang Jianwei has such a heart.

His mouth has long been teased by Tang Jianwei's pastries. At first, the thought of eating cold hard pancakes in the cold wind tomorrow made him feel uncomfortable.Now that he can eat deep-fried dough sticks filled with pancakes, as well as warm sweet soy milk and millet porridge, Hu Erlang doesn't feel how difficult tomorrow will be.

First hand over the reserved money to Tang Jianwei. After Hu Erlang left, Tang Jianwei thought about it from time to time.

In the evening, Ge Xunqing came to eat again, and Tang Jianwei sent a pot of braised pork knuckle and salt and pepper crispy chicken wings over, planning to sit down and eat with Tong's family for the first time.

"Come on, come on, sit down! Sit next to Ah Nian!"

Song Qiao wanted to let her sit with him a long time ago, but she declined every time he asked.Isn't it the Chinese New Year approaching the first month? The date of marriage has also been fixed. After the dowry is delivered, they will become a real family. Sooner or later they will have dinner together, and there is nothing to resist.

Tang Jianwei asked Tong Shaoxuan: "Is it convenient?"

Tong Shaoxuan stood up and gave her his seat, moved another chair back, and sat beside her silently.

Tong Shaoxuan sat side by side with Tang Jianwei for the first time, feeling a little uncomfortable.

But Tang Jianwei was completely different from her. Not only did she not show any restraint, but she talked loudly.

It's just that it wasn't her who was talking about it, but Ge Xunqing who was sitting on the other side.

Tang Jianwei knew that Ge Xunqing was the daughter of the county magistrate's family, and that the magistrate was his Aye's superior. It was said that she often went to the county government office, so he found a chat with her about the affairs of the county government office, and wanted to find out more about the county government. make things.

Tang Jianwei asked obliquely, not wanting everyone to hear that she was specifically asking about the county magistrate, so as not to leave evidence and arouse suspicion.

However, Tong Shaoxuan still heard that Tang Jianwei's words were constantly digging traps for Ge Xunqing, and let her go step by step to the circle she wanted to inquire about, so that she could speak out on her own.

Tong Shaoxuan held the chopsticks without stretching out his hand, and turned his body slightly towards Tang Jianwei's direction, whispering in her ear:

"Why do you use Rangoon's words?"

Tang Jianwei didn't expect Tong Shaoxuan to see through her small thoughts, so he kept smiling and said:

"I don't have routines, but Mrs. Ge is cute, so I will talk to her a few more words."

"Cute?" Tong Shaoxuan frowned, "If you think you are cute, just say a few more words, I never thought you were so frivolous before."

Tang Jian lowered his head slightly and smiled, squeezed out a few words between his teeth: "I am much more frivolous than you think, and you will gradually see the real me in the future, Madam Yuci."

Madam Yuci?

It is mocking that the two of them are not real partners, but a pair gifted by the emperor and forced to form.

The words are correct, but Tang Jianwei's words are obviously stabbing Tong Shaoxuan.

Tong Shaoxuan didn't bother to take care of her anymore, and concentrated on eating dinner.

Ge Xunqing was heartless, so Tang Jianwei asked her what she said.

On the one hand, she was defenseless against Tang Jianwei, and on the other hand, she ate the braised pork knuckle too fast and too hard, all the blood in her body flowed into her stomach, her mind was groggy, and she just answered instinctively.

Tong Boyi was helping Tong's family manage the shop and collect rent money. He grew up in the county, and he knew a thing or two about the county magistrate's subordinates, so he also joined their conversation.

From Ge Xunqing and Tong Boyi's words, I learned a lot about the county magistrate.

It is said that the county magistrate, surnamed She, has never moved his nest since he was transferred here five years ago, and he doesn't seem to want to.

The other magistrates thought they would have the opportunity to move to the capital. The capital is the center of power. Only by returning to Boling Mansion can they continue to climb up. If they stay in the place, they will be the governor.

Even if he became the top leader in the state, he would be the governor, and the small county magistrate was still incomparable.

But the magistrate of She county didn't even care about the governor, he seemed very satisfied with staying in Su county comfortably.

"It's not difficult to understand." Tong Changting took another big mouthful of the half-eaten pork knuckle in his hand and said seriously, "Although our Su County is not a wealthy fortress, it is also rich in products and has many ports. Waterways Connecting with the water main road of Wanxiang Road, the aquatic products of the six northwestern states have to go from us, not to mention the rare treasures on Mount Baitou and Mount Fucang, which are too numerous to count!"

Are there treasures on the mountain?Go back and look for it again.

Tang Jianwei, a northerner, doesn't seem to be very sensitive to mountain treasures, but as long as it is a "treasure", the price must be high, but Tang Jianwei never lags behind in business matters.

Shanzhen is also a way to get rich. When she has more and more capital in her hands, she can stop doing small businesses like breakfast and start spending bigger ones.

Ge Xunqing said that the magistrate of She County was originally from a local, and a large family lived in Su County and the neighboring Zhu County, with branches and leaves all over Angzhou, and he was regarded as the local emperor of Angzhou.

Living in Angzhou is so nourishing, why bother to go to Boling again?

Ge Xunqing said: "If I were the county magistrate, I would also like to stay in Su County."

Even so, Tang Jianwei still smelled a strange smell.

Her intuition has been very keen since she was a child, and this county magistrate must have secrets that others do not know.

Tomorrow, I will secretly follow the sacrificial team to the mountain to find out.

In the early morning of the next day, Tang Jianwei will get ready early, and confess to Zitan:

"When it's time to turn around, you will share the expenses. No matter how many people you have, you will maintain your speed. Don't worry, don't be in a hurry. The most important thing is to collect money and collect it. If you are really too busy, go to the East Courtyard Do me a favor, and the dessert won't fall off."

"Sanniang, are you really going?" Zitan was worried about her, "You have never met the county magistrate, and you don't know who is behind the county magistrate. If you chase after him rashly, I'm afraid you will be in danger."

Although Tang Jianwei didn't tell Zitan what she was going to do in detail, but the two faced each other day and night, and Zitan somewhat guessed something.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. Didn't I survive my narrow escape in Boling?" Tang Jianwei smiled lightly, "What's more, I just went to check and check, and I didn't intend to provoke the other party. Don't think about it , I scare myself."

"But Sanniang..."

Tang Jianwei didn't let her continue, and said with a cold face:

"No matter what you say, I will not change my mind. I must do this matter. I have lost my family, I have no home, who is the culprit of all this? I can't ignore it. Ye Niang and the others are The sky is watching me, and I will never forget my last name and who I am. Zitan, I know you are worried about me, but I also have things that need to be done. Even if it is desperate, I must go."

Tang Jianwei said so, what else can Zitan stop?

What's more, in the final analysis, no matter how good the relationship is, they are still masters and servants.

Zitan could only follow Tang Jianwei's decision.

"By the way, don't tell Qiu Xin about this. If she asks you, tell me that I went out to buy ingredients. Don't let Tong Shaoxuan and the others know that the Tong family is good people, and I don't want to hurt the Tong family."

"Okay, I understand. I'll wait for you to come back, Sanniang." Zitan put away her sad face and put on a smile, "I'll take good care of it and spread it out early. When you come back, we'll have an extra three taels of silver!"

Although the smile was somewhat forced, she knew that the smile at the moment could make Tang Jianwei feel a little more at ease.

Tang Jian touched her little face slightly and left.

Tong Shaoxuan, who was standing behind the wall, heard their entire conversation clearly.

She didn't intend to eavesdrop, in fact, she wanted to talk to Tang Jianwei about the marriage.

The Tong family has prepared the betrothal gift and so on, and it will be delivered to the West Courtyard tomorrow.

It's late, but I have everything I need.

Ye Niang asked someone to read it. The tenth day of the first lunar month next year is an auspicious day for marriage. The date of marriage will be fixed at the time of accepting the levy. If the Tang family also thinks it is suitable, after a month or so, it will be their big day .

The two of them will soon be officially married.

The pair of green feather hairpins in the betrothal gift have been handed down in their family for several generations. She has liked them very much since she was a child, so A Niang gave this pair of green feather hairpins to her as a dowry or betrothal gift in the future.

At that time, Tong Shaoxuan was still very young, and he only thought that the Cuiyu hairpin was pretty.

When the two are put together, there is a natural and interdependent beauty.

Although I don't know what the dowry or bride price is, but A Niang said that she can give one of the green feather hairpins to the person she likes the most who wants to live with her for the rest of her life.

"I've lost my family, I've lost my home..."

When Tang Jianwei said this, his speech was fast and steady, as if he was talking about a matter of course.

……

When Tang Jianwei sent him to the back door of the yamen earlier, Hu Erlang and other yamen servants had just arrived.

"Boss Tang actually came earlier than us, ashamed."

Hu Erlang and others took breakfast, when the county captain came to call for someone, they left in a hurry.

Tang Jianwei didn't ride a horse, and riding a horse was easy to expose, which was not conducive to tracking.

Moreover, she knew that many people walking in groups were often not very fast. She had good legs and feet, and it was not difficult to catch up with their speed.

Tang Jianwei walked around to the gate, and saw more than 30 people on horseback riding horses, and those driving carriages driving horse-drawn carriages, lined up in a line, marching towards the outskirts of the city.

The magistrate of She County is easy to recognize. He is in a light green round-neck toga robe official uniform. He is in his 40s. He is riding on a tall horse. His long beard is clipped with a mustache. Dangdang half closed his eyes, not sure if he fell asleep.

A county lieutenant led the way ahead, and the carriage behind was full of boxes, large and small.

Tang Jianwei has been following in the dark along the way, and seeing the marks made by the wheels on the dirt road, he can conclude that these boxes are filled with real heavy objects.

This further confirmed Tang Jianwei's guess.

If it is pure sacrifice to the martyrs, you must bring some offerings such as vegetables, fruits, meat, paper money, etc., which will definitely not be so heavy, and there is no need to put them all in airtight boxes.

Some of the sacrifices were piled up on top of the box, which is normal. Anyway, they are sacrifices, and it doesn't matter if they are left open in the open air even if they are covered with dust.

But what about the box?

In a place like Su County, even in winter, the heat can kill people. If food is placed in an airtight box, if it stinks, wouldn't it be a waste?

From the depth of the tracks, the time of departure and the way of shipment, Tang Jianwei guessed that the contents of the box should have nothing to do with worship.

As a result, Tang Jianwei became more curious and excited about what the county magistrate She was doing behind the scenes.

Surrounded by mountains and sea, Su County is surrounded by lush vegetation, which is a good place for tracking.

Tang Jianwei followed the county magistrate's horse convoy to Fucang Mountain on the outskirts of the city. Along the way, there were giant trees with broad leaves to help cover them.

After the horse team entered the mountains, Tang Jianwei suddenly found that the number of people in the team had increased.

She remembered that there were eight people riding horses when they set off, and the rest were sitting on the carriage.

Now there are ten horses?There are even three more carriages.

Although the people on the two extra horses wore exactly the same clothes as the yamen servants, and the decorations on the carriages were also exactly the same, but Tang Jianwei counted them again, and he was absolutely sure that there were more people!

She County Magistrate was originally riding a horse and walking in the front position, but now there is another person beside him, walking side by side with him.

The horseman's neck was as thick as a bowl, and an ugly scar lay on the back of his neck. His broad shoulders were drawn down to his waist, and his clothes were stretched very tightly.

The horse on the man's lap looked very restless, not tamed by him, and not like a horse that he often rode.

Tang Jianwei couldn't see the man's appearance clearly, only saw She County Magistrate turning his face to him respectfully from time to time, changing his idleness when he just came out of the yamen.

It is unheard of for the county magistrate to lower his eyebrows to the yamen servant.

This person mixed into the team halfway and was still wearing the clothes of a yamen servant. He was obviously not from the yamen, just to deceive others.

Who is this person?

Tang Jianwei wanted to continue to follow, but the infiltrator suddenly turned around and looked in Tang Jianwei's direction.

Tang Jianwei immediately shrank behind the tree, his heart beating wildly.

was discovered?This person is so vigilant? !

It seems that the other party is not an ordinary person.To be able to find being followed in the forest must be a veteran of marching and fighting.

Tang Jianwei's hands and feet were cold, and he couldn't see what was behind him. There were weeds and fallen leaves everywhere in the forest, and there was no movement when the horse's hooves kicked on it.

She didn't even know if the other party came forward to get her!

Tang Jianwei clenched his fists tightly, flustered for a while.

Will she run away desperately, or pretend to be a passing farmer?

When she came today, she was already prepared. She was wearing a dusty gray Hu suit, which was the favorite dress of local farmers in Su County.

If she escapes by force, she is also somewhat confident in her footsteps, after all, she has leaped over the walls of various squares in Boling.

"Who's there?"

Hu Erlang pulled out the knife and yelled at Tang Jianwei.

That's right, there's Hu Erlang...in case he recognizes him...

Hu Erlang and the three yamen servants cautiously approached a tall banyan tree, and the veins burst out on the back of the hand holding the knife.

Magistrate She and the man beside him were also looking this way.

The man had eagle eyes and thin lips, his face was cut like a knife, with sharp edges and corners, and his skin was dark after years of exposure to the sun. The horse he was riding seemed to feel his hostility, and moved back and forth uneasily.

Just when Hu Erlang and others approached the banyan tree, a flock of birds suddenly started up and rushed towards She County Magistrate and them.

She County Magistrate didn't see it was a flock of birds, but felt that his eyes were blurred by a black shadow. With a loud cry, he drew out his knife and hacked many birds to death.

And the horse of the eagle-eyed man beside him was completely startled by the flock of birds, with its head raised and neighing, its front hooves kicking wildly in the air.

Even though the eagle-eyed man was brave enough to hold on to the rein and managed to maintain his balance, his entire body was tilted into the air, and he couldn't control the mad horse.

The horse was about to rush out, but the eagle-eyed man spun and fell to the ground, spraining his ankle.

"...Are you okay!" She County Magistrate almost blurted out the man's title, but luckily he reacted quickly enough to swallow it back in time.

Hu Erlang, the county magistrate, the county magistrate, and others all surrounded him, fearing that this unknown but highly respected person by the county magistrate would be assassinated.

The eagle-eyed man ignored Magistrate She and the others completely, and said to Hu Erlang: "This is a trick to divert the tiger away from the mountain, that man has escaped! Don't chase him yet!"

When Hu Erlang and others were reminded like this, they suddenly came to their senses, and immediately raised their knives and chased wildly.

The four of them ran for two miles, but there was no one there, only the empty mountains, and the sound of insects and birds singing everywhere.

"Then did you hear me wrong? There's no one there at all?" the yamen servant wiped the sweat off his face and complained in a low voice.

"No..." Hu Erlang's eyes were burning, "I also noticed that there are indeed people."

The people hiding in the dark also purposely threw stones at the birds to escape.

It can be seen that this person has some kung fu, and he should not be able to catch up with him, so Hu Erlang gave a piss:

"Forget it, go back and get the punishment!"

When the group came back, they saw the county magistrate She was holding a key picked up from the grass in his hand, and asked the county magistrate:

"Do you recognize this key?"

The county captain took a look, and there was a word "Xi" written on it: "It should be the key of a private house. I'll go to the shop that distributes keys in the county and ask if there is any clue."

The county lieutenant and yamen servants went to inquire, and there were only a few key distribution places in the county. After asking around, someone said that it seemed to be the property of the Tong family, because it was distributed not long ago, so he had some impressions.

Hu Erlang looked at each other with the county lieutenant and colleagues.

People from the Tong family?

When Tang Jianwei came back from the back door, Zitan hadn't confiscated the stall yet.

She deliberately avoided everyone in the Tong family, quietly returned to the west courtyard, and changed the clothes.

When she came out after changing her clothes, she happened to meet Qiu Xin and Tang Guanqiu who came back from the washing room holding a basin and chatting.

Qiu Xin was a little surprised when she saw Tang Jianwei: "Sister Tang came back so soon? Zitan said you went to buy food, I don't know if you can get it by yourself, I also said to find Uncle Chai to drive a carriage to pick you up, but sister Zitan But said no more."

Tang Jian smiled and said: "Actually, I just went to have a look, talk about the price, and didn't buy it right away."

"So it is."

"You guys go back first, I'll go out and see the red sandalwood."

Tang Jianwei went to the gate of the workshop to look for Zitan, Zitan was very busy, his hands were filling cakes and fried dough sticks, he wished he could grow two more hands.

If Ji Xue wasn't there to help settle the accounts and collect the money, she definitely wouldn't be able to survive this morning.

Tang Jianwei didn't expect Ji Xue to come to help. Didn't Zitan have a problem with her?

"Boss Tang is here!"

Zitan didn't even need to look up, when the guests called Tang Jianwei's name, she knew she was back.

Seeing Tang Jianwei alive, Zitan was very excited:

"Sanniang, you've come!"

On the one hand, it was because seeing Tang Jian came back unscathed, he was relieved; on the other hand, he was really going to be dizzy by the group of loyal Tang's early customers in the morning.

When I was a helper before, I didn't feel so busy at all. After all, Tang Jianwei was settling accounts, and she was responsible for packing.

But when she was on the scene and wanted to calculate the money, she realized how much brains she had to spend.

Dinghaishenzhen came back, and Zitan was very excited.

Tang Jian thanked Ji Xue slightly, replaced her, and continued buying breakfast with Zitan.

At the same time, Hu Erlang led the servants into the Tong's Mansion through another door in Jingyangfang which is more convenient from the Yamen. She was terrified, and immediately stepped forward to ask:

"What happened to this?!"

Song Qiao and Tong Changting were not at home, while Tong Boyi and Tong Shaoqian had both come out. Today is the academy's vacation, and Tong Shaoxuan is also at home.

Hu Erlang gave them the key and let them see clearly: "Is this the key of your house?"

The three brothers and sisters immediately recognized that this was indeed the key to Tong's Mansion, and the word "Xi" on it represented the West Courtyard.

Hu Erlang told what happened, and said viciously: "Who in your Tong's house did the thing that disturbed the county magistrate? Tell me quickly!"

The three brothers and sisters of Tong's family and Ji Xue all knew that it belonged to the West Courtyard, and the owner must be Tang Jianwei.

When they looked at each other, they felt very strange, why did Tang Jianwei follow and disturb the county magistrate?The county magistrate was injured?

There is no reason at all.

"Who is it?!"

When Hu Erlang was not handling the case, he was benevolent and gags, seemingly honest and honest.But once it becomes fierce like a rakshasa from hell, such a roar is really frightening!

It seems that this matter will not pass so easily, everyone knows what will happen if he collides with the court order.At the least, you will be hit with dozens of boards, and at the worst... Maybe you will lose your head.

There was a dead silence in Tong's mansion.

Tong Shaoxuan pondered for a moment, held the key in his hand, raised his head, took a step forward and said calmly to Hu Erlang:

"it's me."

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Tong Shaoxuan: The real job is not how much domineering you usually have, but how you can protect your wife at critical moments (Xiemei smiles) Today is also a day to stand at the peak of fierce 1.