During the Mid-Autumn Festival in the 14th year of Wanli, in addition to people in Suzhou and Yangzhou who praised Lin Tailai's Mid-Autumn Festival poems, there were similar scenes in the capital and Nanjing, but they were not as influential as those in Suzhou and Yangzhou.
After all, the water between the North and the South is too deep, and the political attribute is greater than the cultural attribute. It is not easy to make waves with literature.
Even if Wang Situ stuffed a copy of "Lin Tailai's Mid-Autumn Poems" with everyone he met in the capital, how could it compare to the impact of the split of the Wen School on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on the Suzhou literary and art circle?
It is said that that night, two old men in their fifties and sixties, Wang Zhideng, a close disciple of Wen Zhengming, and Zhang Fengyi, an old friend of Wen Zhengming in his later years, had a big fight.
Then those who were mainly interested in poetry and learning supported Wang Zhideng, and those who were mainly interested in calligraphy and painting supported Zhang Fengyi. The Wen's literary school split into two camps on the spot.
Wen Zhengming's grandson Wen Yuanfa tried to persuade both parties for a long time, but he still couldn't persuade them. In the end, the Mid-Autumn Night gathering of the Wen family had to break up unhappy.
Thirteen-year-old Wen Zhenmeng followed his father Wen Yuanfa to this gathering and witnessed the whole process of the split. His young heart was greatly shocked.
After returning home, Wen Zhenmeng asked his father: "After watching the quarrels among the seniors, my son, I can't help but feel a little confused.
Which side is right? Also, what does Lin Tailai want to do? Is it right for senior Wang Zhideng, as the leader of the Suzhou literary world, to reject Lin Tailai?"
Wen Yuanfa said angrily: "They are quarreling with them, why are you confused? The emperor values heroes, and articles teach others; everything is inferior, only reading is good!"
Don’t forget the shame of failing fifty times in the imperial examinations for three generations of the Wen family since your great-grandfather! Father, I am old, and the heavy responsibility of avenging this shame rests on your shoulders!
You don’t need to be confused at all, you just need to immerse yourself in reading and writing! You don’t have to worry about what Lin Tailai wants to do, and you don’t have to worry about whether Wang Zhideng rejects Lin Tailai or not!"
According to his age, Wen Zhenmeng is now in what later generations call the second grade of middle school. He couldn't help but say:
"I heard that our scholars in Suzhou are talking about Lin Tailai, who is the most influential figure today. His attitude towards Lin Tailai directly determines a person's position in the literary world."
Wen Yuanfa reprimanded and said: "Look, Dr. Feng's son Feng Menglong is the same age as you and has already entered school this year!"
You must seize all the time, turn your ears away from what is happening outside the window, and only read the books of sages!
Although Lin Tailai is a man of great influence, he has nothing to do with you, and he cannot help you learn anything!"
Wen Zhenmeng said weakly: "But it is said that Feng Menglong, a talented scholar, was also helped by Lin Tailai."
Wen Yuanfa: "."
What kind of garbage is this world? When my grandfather Wen Zhengming took the imperial examination, the examination procedures were strict. Although my grandfather's connections were very strong, they were not of much use.
Nowadays, the human factor in the imperial examination has become more important, but my grandfather has long since passed away, and I am also old!
After all, there are only a few people who are more miserable during the festival. Most people are relatively peaceful. Even if there are many difficulties in life, they will not break out during the festival.
Yangzhou Hui merchant and salt industry leader Zheng Zhiyan and Zheng Yuanwai also breathed a sigh of relief. When he was sent out of the Shuicicang prison, he thought he was going to send it.
Later, he returned home safely, just like in a dream. Later, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, nothing happened.
Zheng Yuanwai could not help but have the illusion of going back in time, as if he had returned to a time when Lin Tailai was not in his life.
It was not until the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival that the Zheng family was blocked by more than 20 Western merchants and their family members. Only then did Zheng realize that the nightmare was not over and was still continuing.
In the original historical time and space, it was not until the dynasty changed that the influence of Western merchants in Yangzhou City completely declined, and then Huizhou merchants became the dominant one in Yangzhou City.
But in today's Yangzhou City, although Huizhou merchants have gained the upper hand, Western merchants are still very powerful.
So when he heard that the door was blocked by Western merchants, Zheng Yuanwai had no choice but to invite him in first to talk.
The leader was Sun Wenyi, the son of General Manager Sun of Shanshan Guild Hall. As for General Manager Sun himself, he was still in Shuici Cang.
"Congratulations to Zheng Chaofeng for celebrating the Reunion Festival." Sun Wenyi said sarcastically: "This makes our Sun family very envious."
In today's city of Yangzhou, Huizhou merchants and Western merchants are in an all-round competitive relationship in the salt industry, pawn industry and other hugely profitable industries.
Therefore, Zheng Zhiyan, the leader of the Huizhou merchants, was not polite to Sun Wenyi, the son of the leader of the Western merchants. "My father has not returned home, what does it have to do with me?"
Sun Wenyi sneered and said: "I just don't understand. You were also arrested. Why can you, surnamed Zheng, go home for the holidays, while others, including my father, are still in jail?"
Zheng Zhiyan didn't want to talk about this because he couldn't understand it at all.
So Tai Chi said: "I don't understand what you mean. If there is nothing serious, please go back."
But how could Sun Wenyi be willing to leave so easily? He asked aggressively:
"Then let me explain more clearly, why were all five of us Western merchants detained, but you, Zheng Zhiyan, was able to escape in time?
Now there are rumors in the city that you, Zheng Zhiyan, betrayed Western merchants in exchange for freedom! Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"
Faced with this suspicion, Zheng Zhiyan remained calm on the surface and deliberately said in a disdainful tone: "When did your Sun family use rumors as guidance?"
Sun Wenyi said reluctantly: "But on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the famous Pingshan Hall that you rebuilt with a lot of money was used to praise Lin Tailai's poems. Is this always true?
You said you and Lin Tailai didn't collude, but no one else believed it."
Zheng Zhiyan angrily shouted: "That's nonsense! Lin Tailai is the enemy of all businesses. What benefits can I gain by colluding with him?"
Sun Wenyi sneered and said, "Stop pretending to be innocent! Everyone knows that Lin Tailai has taken over your seven thousand salt coins. If Lin Tailai is willing to return it to you, what else can't you do?"
Bang! Zheng Zhiyan suddenly became furious and smashed the tea cup to pieces!
This kind of emotional out-of-control situation surprised even the opposite party Sun Wenyi. Under normal circumstances, most business leaders have the ability to control themselves and rarely lose their temper like this.
After coming back to his senses, Sun Wenyi stopped being sarcastic and suggested in a bachelor manner:
"This time our Western merchants have admitted defeat. Please ask Zheng Chaofeng to offer a price. How can we release him?"
"Go to Shuicicang and ask Lin Tailai! Don't ask me!" Zheng Zhiyan broke through again for some reason and shouted angrily.
He was finally able to determine why Lin Tailai let him go home before the Mid-Autumn Festival alone. It was not just as simple as throwing dirty water.
Now Sun Wenyi was also angry. You, Zheng Zhiyan, are indeed smart and despicable, but you can only kill people with a nod. It is too much to refuse negotiations like this!
So he said: "Although our two families belong to different business gangs, we are both from the bottom of the four peoples, so we can be regarded as members of the same path.
Not only does harmony lead to wealth, but we also need to be harmonious. Is Zheng Chaofeng really so heartless?
Could it be that you want to start an all-out war with our Western merchants and fight to the death?"
The main reason is that the competition between the two major business gangs of Western merchants and Huizhou merchants is too fierce, and there is no trust at all. When encountering something, it is easy to think the worst of the other party, and would rather believe what they have or not.
Yu Zheng Zhiyan was also very angry. Even if he was bullied by Lin Tailai with force, you, an old Westerner, also want to bully others?
Are his dignified leaders of Huizhou merchants made of clay and paper? Everyone wants to step on him?
"If you want to fight, then fight!" Zheng Zhiyan shouted: "Am I afraid of you?"
Anyway, the business war with the Western merchants has been going on for so many years, and it has reached a fever pitch in recent years. It would be great to settle the grudges now!
Sun Wenyi stood up and scolded: "Zheng Zhiyan, remember! If you are in good faith, you will get a lot of help, but if you are unjust, there will be little help! If you are so unethical, even the people of Huizhou may not be willing to help you!"
When Xi Shang and Zheng Zhiyan were in tit-for-tat, the six court officials imprisoned in Shuicicang could do nothing but sigh and sigh.
In the past few days before and after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin Tailai did not receive them at all, and did not even have a chance to talk and test them.
They have developed fears about the unknown future and have no idea what the results are waiting for them.
Among them, Wang Yuan was not only afraid, but also a little more confused than the other five Western Shang Dynasties.
As a businessman with a keen sense of smell, he knew very well that since the last time Lin Daguan came to Yangzhou, he had been plotting to rob or recruit the Wang family.
Lin Tailai imprisoned himself this time, probably with the intention of deliberately torturing himself and forcing him to submit.
Wang Yuanwai knew all about these things. But what he didn't understand was that even though he had expressed his intention to surrender and cooperate a few days ago, why did Mr. Lin still ignore him?
He had already made it so obvious. Official Lin pretended not to hear and never talked to him again. What kind of trouble was he going to make?
What did I do wrong that I didn't even give him a chance to surrender?
When the five major Western Shang dynasties were all worried about the addition of Wang Yuan, the door of the West Langfang was opened again.
The tall and majestic figure that everyone was already familiar with appeared at the door, as if he was a judge of life and death.
No one dared to speak, and everyone was quietly waiting for the "final judgment."
"I'm sorry for getting to know you in this way and treating you like this." Lin Daguan nodded and said politely.
Everyone was stunned. Is this person really from Lin Daguan?
In everyone's mind, Lin Daguan's image is that he is arrogant, domineering and rude. How can he speak politely to prisoners?
Thinking of this, several experienced court officials realized something, and their faces instantly turned pale!
When a person is about to die, he should speak kindly! If he has a guilty conscience before killing others, the murderer will have a better attitude!
Lin Daguan continued: "As you know, Governor Yang and I are already mortal enemies, and there is absolutely no possibility of reconciliation.
The Western merchants who settled in Yangzhou were all fellow townsmen of Governor Yang, and they had been cultivating the city of Yangzhou for a hundred years. They would definitely be Governor Yang’s greatest help.
And you five are the leaders of Xishangli, so I can only say I'm sorry."
"No!" Mr. Sun from the Shanshan Guild Hall shouted: "Our families have settled in Yangzhou for at least several decades, and most of our business is in the south. We are not actually familiar with Governor Yang!"
"No! No! No!" There was someone shouting louder than Mr. Sun, and that was Wang Yuanwai: "I'm not a Westerner, I'm from Huizhou! You can't mix me in!"
Official Lin replied politely: "But when Governor Yang summoned the businessmen to conspire that day, you were also present, Officer Wang.
I don't have time to distinguish it carefully, so I can only deal with it together with the Western merchants, so I'm sorry."
But Wang Yuanwai would rather see Mr. Lin's arrogant face than see Mr. Lin being so polite to him!
Wang Yuanwai argued: "It is absolutely impossible for me to help Governor Yang! I am willing to swear a poisonous oath!"
Official Lin stared closely at Wang Yuanwai and said, "How many of them are there?"
This question was so baffling that Wang Yuanwai was really confused.
The other few people are all Western merchants. What does Wang Qing, a native of Huizhou, have to do with him?
Lin Daguan said leisurely: "You are all merchants who have settled in Yangzhou, and you are doing the same business. Don't you have any comradeship just because of the geographical difference?"
Officer Wang was confused and didn't know how to reply.
I also heard Lin Daguan say: "In my mind, Wang Yuanwai is a heroic figure who is eager for justice and sacrifices himself to save others."
Wang Yuanwai: "???"
Are you sure the person you, Lin Tailai, are talking about is Wang Qing?
But after Lin Daguan said this, he stopped making any sound and looked at Wang Qing expressionlessly.
The opportunity has been given. If Wang Yuanwai still can't understand his spirit, then he can ruthlessly abandon it!
Although Lin Tailai does not need overly smart people, people who are really not smart are also of no use value!
Noticing that Lin Daguan's eyes were getting colder, Wang Yuanwai finally realized that if he didn't do something, he would probably lose Lin Tailai forever!
So what exactly does Lin Daguan want to do with himself?
Recalling his own experience and Lin Tailai's attitude towards him, Wang Yuanwai finally realized the truth!
There was no time to argue. Wang Yuanwai shouted with all his strength: "I am willing to make my only daughter and Lin Zhuangyuan our equal wife in a different place! This is the equal wife invented by our Hui people!"
Of course, Lin Daguanren's intention was not just this. Wang Yuanwai continued to shout: "I am also willing to cooperate with Lin Zhuangyuan in the salt industry!"
The other Western businessmen were basically despairing as they listened to Wang Yuanwai and Lin Daguan discussing terms.
Official Lin was at least willing to negotiate terms with Wang Yuanwai, but they didn't even have a chance to negotiate terms.
But for the heavy price Wang Yuanwai paid, to be honest, he might as well have been killed by Lin Tailai! I don’t know what Wang Yuanwai was planning.
Of course, if this is all, it would be too small to underestimate Lin Daguan's tricks.
Then Wang Yuanwai shouted the most important sentence: "But I also have a condition in exchange, please Lin Zhuangyuan to release all imprisoned comrades!"
The other five Western Shang Dynasties were immediately stunned. What kind of timely rain is this? Does morality really exist in this world?
Wang Yuanwai showed his extraordinary performance and said with compassion: "Even though they are all Western businessmen, after all, it is related to the jobs of hundreds of relatives and thousands of hired workers!
I am willing to sacrifice my daughter and my property. I just ask Lin Zhuangyuan to spare them and give them a way to survive!"
When he said this, Wang Yuanwai exuded the light of morality!
Official Lin seemed to be shocked. After being stunned for a while, he said:
"Wang, if you want to be a good person, others may not appreciate it, and they may not think well of you."
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