On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in the ninth year of Chongzhen, the wind and snow had not stopped, and the sky and earth were vast.
Liu Ruyi ordered Uncle Fu to rent an ox cart, which carried his mother Zou and the two daughters Xiao Zixin and Chunyunu. He, Xiao Liuer and Huolang walked on foot, braving the biting wind and snow, and headed straight to the small town.
Here comes the colorful stone.
According to Shandong customs, this day is supposed to be a day for family reunion and eating Laba porridge, so it is not suitable to go out. However, Liu Ruyi has something in mind. Mr. Fang is like a lurking poisonous snake. He doesn't know when he will attack. Liu Ruyi
Not daring to be careless in the slightest, I specially chose this day to travel. Firstly, I could avoid being noticed, and secondly, I could familiarize myself with the situation of the town earlier.
The Xiao family seemed to be aware that the assassination that day might have something to do with Xiao Zixin, which made them more cautious and did not dare to expose it easily.
On that day, Young Master Fang gave Liu Ruyi a few pearls, and Liu Ruyi also asked Liu Hanyi to secretly exchange them for more than 3,200 taels of silver through his connections. After all, although the pearls were good, Liu Ruyi had no use for them.
Yes, it is more practical to come without a banknote!
In this way, Liu Ruyi's hands are really relaxed a lot!
As for Chunyunu's status as a prostitute, Liu Ruyi was not too anxious. Yaoyue Tower was originally Mr. Fang's property, and Liu Ruyi was already at odds with him, so why should he give him that money? What's more, Chunyunu was already incompatible with him.
She is also an extremely smart woman. She has already been recognized by the Zou family, and she will not be entangled in such a trivial matter at this time!
As for the rumors among the people, there is no need to pay attention to them. There are many people who say that the grapes are sour when they can't eat the grapes. This is nothing more than the old cliché of "a poor scholar elopes with a beautiful woman" spreading among scholars.
Just a story!
…………
After running all the way, the group finally arrived at the small town of Caishi in the afternoon.
Since the last time he arrived here was already late at night, Liu Ruyi was not able to see the whole picture. This time, Liu Ruyi saw it clearly and thoroughly!
Caishi Town is located fifty miles southeast of Jinan City. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only a small river to the east. The town is located in a narrow basin beside the river.
Caishi Town is not a big place. There is only one long street running from north to south, surrounded by a circle of rough adobe walls seven to eight feet high. Perhaps due to disrepair, these adobe walls have long been dilapidated and look like they are in disrepair.
A strong gust of wind can blow it down.
Viewed from a height, the overall shape of the town is like a long and thin leaf, with two pointed ends and a full middle. The main street is like the center line of the leaf, and the two city gates in the north and south are at the beginning and end of the leaf.
, firmly blocked the choke point into the town!
A few days ago, Liu Ruyi had ordered Uncle Fu to come here to inquire about the situation in the town, and Jinan Guard Commander Ma Futong had also sent people to inform the town of the news. Liu Ruyi also had some understanding of the situation in the town.
!
Caishi Town is not a military town in the traditional sense. It has a population of less than 100 households. Military households and civilian households account for about half each. Due to the farming, there are more than 100 military households scattered around the town.
In a village!
At present, the Ming Dynasty is experiencing unfavorable times, natural and man-made disasters, and bandits are rampant. Whether they are military households or civilian households, in order to avoid the invasion of thieves and bandits, most of them are gathering in some large towns. After all, the towns at least have outer walls.
Or there are officers and soldiers stationed, but in the village, it is as if there is no defense. Therefore, on the outskirts of Caishi Town, you can see many shacks built by refugees. They are all in ragged clothes and have dirty faces, huddled in the shacks.
In the darkness, avoiding the invasion of wind and snow.
"Young Master, should we go to the town to settle down first, or should we go to the Baihu Mansion first?" Uncle Fu leaned into Liu Ruyi's ear and asked in a low voice.
"Go to the Baihu Mansion first!" Liu Ruyi said coldly.
"Yes!" Fu Bo nodded silently.
Liu Ruyi glanced at the snowflakes drifting in the wind, but her heart felt bright!
Initially, Liu Ruyi thought that Ma Futong had really found a good job for her, but when she got there, she realized that Caishi Town was the headquarters of hundreds of households, and she was just one of the two general banners under these hundreds of households!
This? Isn’t this just like Tang Monk placing a tight curse on Sun Houhou’s head!
"This Fatty Ma really has a good plan! No one who has managed to get to this point is a fuel-efficient lamp!" Although Liu Ruyi was very unhappy, she could do nothing about it!
Liu Ruyi had just stepped into the gate of the town when he saw a group of people running straight towards him!
"This person is Mr. Liu, Mr. Liu?" The leader, a man in his early thirties, said loudly while holding his fists on horseback.
"It's Mr. Liu! Is Mr. Li Lianyang of the Hundred Households in front of you?" Liu Ruyi also raised her hand.
"Haha, it's a certain family!" The man got off his horse and walked quickly towards Liu Ruyi, "Mr. Liu, why did you choose today to come here? Li thought you wouldn't be able to come until after the Chinese New Year.
?" He held Liu Ruyi's hand affectionately, as if he had been an old friend for many years.
According to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, Liu Ruyi is only the chief flag officer of the seventh rank, and is not qualified to be called "adult". Only when he reaches the hundred households official of the sixth rank, can he be considered an official and can be called "adult"!
This Li Baihu not only braved the wind and snow to come to greet him, but he was also so affectionate to him. He even gave him a name that gave him enough face. Liu Ruyi instinctively became cautious!
Impermanence is a demon!
Liu Ruyi was just his subordinate. In terms of ethics and official position, Li Baihu didn't need to be so polite. Could it be that Ma Futong had greeted him in advance?
"How dare you bother Li Baihu to greet him personally in this windy and snowy day? It's really embarrassing for me!" Liu Ruyi also held his hand tightly, respectfully but with a hint of reserve!
Li Baihu laughed and said, "Mr. Liu Qi, my brother asked me, can I call you Brother Liu?"
"That's my honor!" Liu Ruyi shook his hand vigorously and said with a smile.
"Haha, okay!" Li Baihu patted Liu Ruyi on the shoulder, "It seems that Brother Liu is also a cheerful person, so Li is relieved! Come on, it's windy and snowy outside, let's go to the front and drink a few bowls of hot tea first.
!”
He waved his hand, and several big men behind him quickly turned their horses and ran quickly towards a small shop not far away.
"Brother Liu, please!"
"I don't dare, Li Baihu, please go first!" Liu Ruyi didn't dare to ask for help, so she took half a step back!
"Hey, if we all work in this small town from now on, then we are all brothers, no need to be so polite!" Although Li Baihu said this, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly!
Walking into the small shop in front, someone had already poured tea for the two of them. The two were seated respectively as guest and host. Li Baihu said again: "Brother Liu, Mr. Huang was originally going to come over to greet you today, but it was just a few days ago that the guests from the south
Something happened in the mine, and he really can't leave at this moment. My brother is here to apologize to Brother Liu for him!"
"Li Baihu is too polite. It should be the younger brother who goes to visit the two eldest brothers. If the two elder brothers are like this, the younger brother really doesn't know what to do!" Liu Ruyi hurriedly pretended to be flattered.
"Haha, they are all brothers, as they should! Come, Brother Liu, let's drink a bowl of hot tea first to get rid of the cold. In the evening, I will help Brother Liu wash away the dust!" Li Baihu smiled and took a sip of the hot tea.
"Thank you Li Baihu!" Liu Ruyi also took a sip of hot tea and then winked at Uncle Fu!
Uncle Fu understood and hurriedly took out a prepared gift box and handed it to Liu Ruyi.
"Brother, it's our first time meeting you. This is my little brother's opinion. Please don't take it personally!" Liu Ruyi smiled and pushed the brocade box in front of Li Baihu.
Li Baihu opened the brocade box gently, his eyelids twitched unconsciously, but the smile on his face became even bigger, "I'm so embarrassed, but it costs Brother Liu money!" After he finished speaking, he took the brocade box carefully.
The income is in my arms.
Liu Ruyi smiled slightly. There were one hundred taels of silver notes and some gold and silver jewelry for women. In total, there were one hundred, fourteen and fifty taels of silver. As Li Baihu, these should be more than enough!
"This is my first time here, so please ask Li Baihu to take care of everything!" Liu Ruyi smiled and saluted him.
"It should, it should! Haha, brother Liu, don't worry!" Li Baihu patted his chest and confirmed, "Brother Liu, your position is to be responsible for the south side of the town, plus collecting some furs and goods. Let's do it this way.
Brother, let me give you one more thing. The money from the ten shops on the south side of the main street will also belong to Brother Liu, how about it?"
"Thank you Li Baihu for taking care of me. I am very grateful!" Liu Ruyi smiled and saluted again.
After chatting for a while, Li Baihu glanced outside the door and said, "Brother Liu, your house has been tidied up. It is in the south of this town. When the time comes, it will be convenient for you to do things! Brother Liu
It's been a hard journey, so I won't bother you too much. Brother Liu, please settle down with your family first. In the evening, remember to come to my house, and my brother will take care of you!"
"Everything goes to Li Baihu, no, Brother Li!" Liu Ruyi said with a smile.
"Haha, it should have been like this a long time ago! Brother Liu, go ahead!" Li Baihu smiled and waved his hand.
"In this case, I will take my leave first!" Liu Ruyi gave a slight salute and quickly walked out of the shop!
…………
Seeing Liu Ruyi's back gradually walking away, Li Baihu rubbed his temples tiredly.
"Sir, why are you so polite to this kid? He's just a pretty boy! Could it be that he can turn the world upside down?" A guard next to Li Baihu said with some disdain.
"You know nothing!" Li Baihu casually slapped the guard on the back of the head, "He is the commander, you don't want to fucking live anymore!"
"Ah?" The guard exclaimed, rubbed the painful back of his head vigorously, and stammered: "Then, wouldn't we, wouldn't we..."
"snort!"
Li Baihu snorted coldly, without even looking at the guard, he stood up and whispered as if talking to himself, "He's just a young man who came here to get gold! If you are obedient and sensible, I don't mind."
I’ll give you some broth, but if you don’t obey me, don’t blame Li for being cruel!”
Li Baihu's face suddenly twisted!
…………
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Thank you brothers for coming!
Xiaozhou is getting married tomorrow and has a lot of things to do. I can only sleep 3 or 4 hours a day.
My head is dizzy,
Fortunately, the work will be over soon,
Wait until the boat's mind clears up,
I will definitely thank you one by one!
Shamelessly begging for acceptance and popularity!