The White House has closed its doors to welcome guests in recent days, with only servants walking around. No one knows why.
The head of the family, Bai Chengfu, is over forty years old, has three sons and four daughters, and many wives and concubines in the house. He is considered the number one figure in Lingzhou.
But since the end of last year, he has seldom moved out, and the government claimed that he was seriously ill.
But only Bai Chengfu himself knew that a few years ago someone found him smuggling salt, iron and grain, which led him step by step to his current wealth. The sugar shop has gradually become a decoration, and there is no way to make money quickly from smuggling.
But since accidents happened one after another in Qianzhou, Jianzhou, and Qingzhou, and the imperial court sent officials to each state to conduct thorough investigations, he knew that he might be in danger.
Therefore, he dared not go out all day long, and he had no intention of taking care of the business of the merchant house, for fear that the government would find him.
At this time, his face was pale and dull, and he was sitting in front of the window, his pupils trembling slightly, staring straight at the eaves.
If a huge family fortune cannot be saved, it will all come to nothing in the end.
The study door was suddenly pushed open, "Master, Master!"
"What's it called? I'm not dead yet." Bai Chengfu was frightened and kicked him directly.
The servant crouched on the ground in fear and did not dare to get up. He timidly whispered: "I have... your letter."
"Letter? What letter? Where did it come from?" Bai Chengfu didn't expect who would write to him at this time, and his eyes suddenly changed when he thought of something, "Quick, give it to me!"
The servant quickly took out his hands from his sleeves and handed it over. When Bai Chengfu saw the mark on the envelope, he knew that what he was most worried about had come.
Now is the time of great turmoil. I heard that the royal censor of the imperial court is still in Congxing Mansion. At this time, someone is sent to deliver a letter. Is it possible to continue to smuggle goods for them at the risk of confiscating the family and exterminating the clan? This is not pure Are you looking for death?
But you can't hide. After all, we have been working together for many years, and the control is in the hands of others.
Bai Chengfu took the letter tremblingly and whispered: "Get out."
"Ah? What did you say, sir?" The servant lay on the ground and didn't hear clearly.
"Get out! Get out!!!" Bai Chengfu jumped up excitedly and kicked him several times.
The servants rolled out of the door in fear. Bai Chengfu's face turned red and he was breathing heavily. He took a few steps back and sat down on the chair.
He stared at the letter for a long time, then sighed and opened it to check the contents.
[Tomorrow at three o'clock at noon, we have something to discuss at the old place.]
The content of this letter is different from usual. It usually contains the type of goods, the required quantity, and the delivery time.
The old place mentioned in the letter is an abandoned temple twenty miles west of the city. This place is only visited every three months when the accounts are reconciled, and there is no need to send a letter in advance. In the past, it was done on the day. Just go directly.
Now more than four months have passed since the last reconciliation, and today I suddenly received such a letter. I don’t know what the other party’s intention was.
Bai Chengfu paced in the room, and finally decided to go to the appointment. No matter what, it would be impossible not to show up, so now he could only take one step at a time and wait and see.
The next day, Bai Chengfu disguised himself and left the White House through a secret passage.
He also started building this secret passage more than a year ago, just in case of emergency. He just happened to avoid tracking when he went out today.
But he was completely unaware of the fact that he had been targeted by Tang Hao. After all, all actions were still being carried out secretly.
The reason why Bai Chengfu did this was entirely out of caution.
The secret passage leads directly to a small courtyard behind a street. There are several strong horses in the courtyard. Usually he goes to check accounts by himself. On such occasions, he cannot bring anyone with him. Bai Chengfu naturally treats everyone with such a stupid business.
I can’t believe it.
When I arrived at the abandoned temple, I happened to see an acquaintance wandering at the door.
The man heard the noise and looked back in horror. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to say hello in a low voice: "Boss Bai."
Bai Chengfu didn't look surprised, he returned his hand and said: "Boss Gong, you also received the letter."
This acquaintance is Gong Heng, the owner of Gong's Tea Shop.
Bai's Sugar Company and Gong's Tea Company have been smuggling prohibited goods together in the past few years, but they have never interacted with each other openly. They only meet each other during each reconciliation, so only the two of them know this secret.
.
Since Bai Chengfu came after receiving the letter, Gong Heng's arrival is not surprising.
"Are you sure that's where he's from?" Bai Chengfu pulled Gong Heng to a hiding place and then asked.
"Probably. I haven't dared to go in yet." Gong Heng was much less courageous.
"Come here, hide and hide, go and see advance."
"Boss Bai, having said that, but now the court is under strict investigation, what should we do if they want us to continue? Before we go in, should we discuss a charter?"
Bai Chengfu paused and asked, "What does Boss Gong mean?"
Gong Heng hurriedly stepped forward and said in a low voice: "You definitely can't do it. All the people found in the three states of Qianqingjian have had their homes confiscated and their clans exterminated. It's important for us to save our lives."
"Well, it's what I thought. But I'm just worried that they won't agree so easily. After all, we can't defeat them." When Bai Chengfu saw the letter, he had already prepared that no matter what the other party asked, he would do it.
Intention to refuse.
But things will not turn out as I imagined, so coming here this time is really a helpless move.
"We have worked hard for these years, but... we have to talk some sense. If something happens to the two of us, it will not be easy for them. Mr. Wei is also an old acquaintance. Let him put in a good word.
Right?" Gong Heng still held a trace of fantasy.
Mr. Wei, whose real name is unknown, found two people to cooperate with him many years ago. He has been responsible for the reconciliations over the years, and the payment for goods is settled in a timely manner. Although we don't get along much, we have a close relationship. After all, they are all raising money.
Do things with your head in mind.
Bai Chengfu sighed and nodded helplessly, "This is what we have to do. I hope Mr. Wei can understand our difficulties."
After saying that, he looked around and at the sky, and continued: "Go in, standing here is too eye-catching, and Mr. Wei doesn't like to be late."
Not daring to delay any longer, the two of them entered the temple, walked through the Buddhist hall to the backyard, and walked directly to the innermost Zen room.
This is the room where we have met for reconciliation over the years, so I walked in through the door with ease.
"Who are you?!"
As soon as Bai Chengfu stepped into the room, he found a man in his thirties sitting inside. He was not the Mr. Wei he had known before.
He and Gong Heng took a few steps back in horror, only to find that the way back had been blocked.
Several strong men behind them directly pushed them into the door and closed the door with their backhands. The small Zen room was instantly filled with people.
Bai Chengfu and Gong Heng were surrounded by people, and they had no choice but to shout: "What are you going to do!!! Is there any more law?"
The man sitting in the meditation room yelled impatiently: "Okay! What else do you want, so that you have done less things like losing your head?"
Bai Chengfu and Gong Heng stopped talking for a moment, only to hear the man continue: "Sit down, Boss Bai, Boss Gong. Old Wei can't come today, so I came in his place."
Only then did the two people realize that it was someone from over there. They were indeed worried that they were from the government.
"What's wrong, Mr. Wei?" Gong Heng asked softly and tentatively.
"This is not what you should ask." The man adjusted his sitting position and said, "I came to the two bosses this time to discuss something."
Bai Chengfu took a step forward, distanced himself from the strong man behind him, raised his hands and said to the man: "I wonder what needs us?"
"Of course it's a good thing." The man smiled meaningfully and said, "It's a good thing to make a lot of money!"
Bai Chengfu and Gong Heng looked at each other for an instant, both feeling that things would not be so simple.