Zheng Zhiyan, the leader of Yangzhou Huizhou merchants, hosted a reception at Pingshan Hall today, and the recipient was Xu Lili, the fourth son of Xu Ge, a fellow Huizhou native.
In recent years, Zheng Da Chaofeng, as the leader of the salt industry, seemed to be a living target, and was tormented by Lin Tailai.
Until now, Zheng Dachaofeng still has 7,000 salt nests that have been permanently leased to Lin Tailai, becoming an important part of Lin's salt industry, and there is no hope of recovery.
Three years ago, everyone said that Zheng Dachaofeng was the leader of the salt industry. Three years later, everyone only said that Zheng Dachaofeng was the leader of Huizhou merchants.
You know the taste of it, whether it is warm or cold.
Xu Lili and Fourth Young Master Xu looked at the beautiful scenery outside Pingshan Hall, at the singers and dancers around them, and at the table full of delicacies, and couldn't help but feel a flash of envy in their hearts. This is life.
The Xu family was not wealthy before. Although the family's life has obviously improved after his father became a pavilion elder, it has not yet reached the point of being extremely rich.
After all, my father is only the second assistant, and there is a first assistant in front of me who is generous on the surface, lustful on the inside, and not bad at all.
Moreover, the relationship between my father and Yan Guan was very bad, and he was closely watched by the Yan Guan of Ke Dao.
What's more, there are four brothers in the family, and it is impossible for him, the fourth eldest son, Xu Lili, to monopolize the family business.
All in all, my living standard is far behind that of these big salt merchants.
As the saying goes, a good life depends on your own hands, so he came to Yangzhou.
After the song and dance ended, the host Zheng Zhiyan raised his glass and said something special to Mr. Xu: "Thank you Mr. Xu Ge for taking care of our Huizhou compatriots over the years."
Mr. Xu Sigong replied thoughtfully: "Everyone from the same hometown should help each other, and it's nothing. You don't need to keep it in mind. There's no need to thank you!"
What I’m thinking is, my father has been protecting you rich people for several years, and it’s time to collect some interest.
Zheng Da Chaofeng could also guess a lot about Xu Fourth Young Master's psychological activities.
If you don't have enough food to support yourself, who would want to provoke people like Mr. Xu? Do you think you have too much money?
But there is no other way. An even more terrifying person, Lin Tailai, has recently arrived in Yangzhou City. What is even more terrifying is that no one knows what this person wants to do.
In the heart of Zheng Dachaofeng, who is a scornful person, as long as Lin Tailai stays in Yangzhou and does not leave, there must be a conspiracy!
In order to balance Lin Tailai's impact, the Huizhou merchants now had to make false promises to Mr. Xu Sigong.
At least Fourth Young Master Xu doesn't seem to be afraid of Lin Tailai, and he can act as a buffer to some extent.
Besides, Fourth Young Master Xu’s main target is not them, but that young boy Wang Qing.
Thinking of this, Zheng Dachaofeng decided to bring the topic to the Wang family, so that Fourth Young Master Xu would not have time to think about himself.
"I heard that a few days ago, members of the Wang family were arrested by the Yangzhou Anti-Smuggling Department." Zheng Zhiyan took the initiative to start the conversation.
Xu Lili said nonchalantly: "Everything is under control. We can prove the other party's crime of colluding with the government and harming the people for personal gain."
Zheng Zhiyan reminded: "Many days have passed."
Even if you promise that the Fourth Young Master has a noble status and the Wang family members are only treated as tools by you, you can't just ignore the life and death of the tool people and completely ignore them, right?
Xu Lili replied: "I have already posted to the Governor of Fengyang and the Governor of Jiangbei to report the evil deeds of the Yangzhou Guards.
It’s no big deal to punish a mere Yangzhou Wei Yamen! Then we can use the Yangzhou Wei Yamen to find out who is behind the scenes.”
Zheng Dachaofeng didn't know about Xu Fourth Young Master's operation before, so he continued to ask: "Did Fourth Master's post come from the express delivery shop? Fu, do you have any reply?"
Xu Lili said: "Of course it was sent from the express delivery store. It's strange to say that I haven't received a reply after waiting for several days."
Zheng Zhiyan added: "I heard that the Jiangbei patrol is stationed in Yingshan County, Linlu Prefecture, while the Fengyang governor's trip is in Bozhou, Fengyang Prefecture."
Yingshan County, Luzhou Prefecture, is located in the westernmost mountains of the Southern Zhili Administrative Region, already adjacent to Huguang;
Bozhou, Fengyang Prefecture, is in the northwest corner of the Southern Zhili Administrative Region, and further north is Henan.
The location of Yangzhou City is in the southeastern corner of the Jiangbei area of ​​South Zhili.
Xu Lili frowned and said: "Damn it! What a coincidence! Fu, the second hospital is so far away, no wonder the reply is so slow!"
Zheng Zhiyan: ""
Mr. Xu, have you ever considered the possibility that the Second Court heard that Lin Tai came to Yangzhou and deliberately stayed so far away from Yangzhou? And then deliberately didn't reply?
"Fourth Master might as well meet with Lin Tailai," Zheng Dachao suggested.
In the eyes of Zheng Dachaofeng, the greatest advantage of Fourth Young Master Xu is his identity. This identity is not "the son of the elder" but "the son of the master".
If Lin Tailai faced Lin Tailai, it would be difficult for Lin Tailai to do what he would do to Mr. Xu.
For example, even if Lin Tailai was so vicious that he could kill the governor, he could never kill the son of the master unless he renounced himself in Shilin.
However, Xu Lili rejected the proposal to meet with Lin Tailai, saying as if enigmatically: "If the two of them fight from a distance, there is still room for maneuver.
If we meet directly, there will be no buffer at all, so it is better not to meet. As the saying goes, the king does not meet the king."
I heard that this is how conflicts of interests occur in officialdom. Don't fight directly unless necessary.
Zheng Dachaofeng only felt that Xu Fourth Young Master had some problem with his understanding of himself and the enemy.
Finally, he reminded again: "Those Wang family members still need to be saved, we can't let them go like this."
The reason is also very simple. If these people all "disappear", what else can you use to blackmail Wang Qing, the big salt merchant?
Xu Lili nodded this time, "I will personally go to the anti-smuggling department and lead the people out."
Immediately, Fourth Young Master Xu sent someone to send a message to Yangzhou Wei Wan, saying that he would visit the Anti-Smuggling Department the next day.
The next day, Xu Lili came to the Yangzhou Guard Anti-Smuggling Department near Nanguan.
Commander Wan was already waiting at the gate in advance and respectfully welcomed Fourth Young Master Xu in with impeccable etiquette.
Mr. Zaifu didn't take the yamen seriously. He sat in the main seat of the court and asked in a nonchalant manner: "I heard that Wang Kang and several other fellow villagers from this county were caught here?"
Commander Wan replied: "Thanks to Fourth Master Xu for asking, this is indeed the case."
Xu Lili continued to press: "Out of loyalty to my fellow countrymen, I came to ask why they were arrested?"
Commander Wan replied: "It is suspected to be related to smuggling."
Mr. Xu chuckled a few times and said disdainfully: "You, the yamen, can't think of any other excuse!"
Then he added: "I, Xu Lili, can testify that Wang Kang and others came to Yangzhou City just to discuss the inheritance issue with Wang Yanshang, a fellow clan member.
This matter is reasonable and not illegal. As for smuggling, it is really nonsense!"
Commander Wan nodded frequently, "Ah, yes, everything Fourth Master said is right."
Xu Lili said: "As for who asked you to arrest me, I won't ask. Now that I am here to be the guarantor, can I release Wang Kang and others?"
Commander Wan responded happily on the spot: "No problem, let him go now!"
Commander Wan's attitude was so submissive that Fourth Young Master Xu was surprised and felt that his authority was completely useless.
In his opinion, Commander Wan should be Lin Tailai's man, and he would not let go of Wang family members so easily.
After thinking about it, Fourth Young Master Xu tested Commander Wan and said, "You bent the law for personal gain, colluded with the wealthy businessman Wang Qing, and framed the common man Wang Kang!
I have reported your crime to the second court of Fuzhou. If there is any misunderstanding in the process, or you find your way back, you may be able to seek leniency!"
Commander Wan quickly shouted: "Oh, there is really a misunderstanding! Originally, I was investigating Wang Qingwang, so I was linked to his relative Wang Kang!
It was not at the instigation of Wang Yuanwai that I arrested Wang Kang for interrogation!"
Mr. Xu: ""
No wonder some people in Yangzhou City say that Commander Wan is an official tumbler who has remained standing despite many turmoils!
Commander Wan looked like he was doing it for your own good, and urged him hard: "Fourth Master, if you accuse me of colluding with Mr. Wang, if others find out, I'm afraid they will think that Fourth Master is confused.
Therefore, I advise Fourth Master to withdraw the report quickly, so as not to make people laugh!
There will definitely not be any feedback from me either to the outside world or to my superiors, so don’t worry, Fourth Master!"
Fourth Young Master Xu felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly. His feeling was that Commander Wan didn't take him seriously at all, or was just dismissing him as a fool.
But from all aspects, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Commander Wan.
After coming out of the anti-smuggling department, Xu Lili went to discuss with Zheng Zhiyan.
After Zheng Dachaofeng heard this, he no longer expected Fourth Young Master Xu to defeat Lin Tailai.
Of course, it would be good to be able to hold Lin Tailai down, or it would be good to stand in the front row and hold Lin Tailai up.
Zheng Dachaofeng dared to conclude that Lin Tailai was lingering in Yangzhou City this time, and there must be some conspiracy! With Fourth Young Master Xu here, he could at least withstand the wave.
Then he came up with an idea and said: "Tomorrow is the day when the Salt Industry Association is officially established, and one hundred and fifty merchants will gather together.
To be continued...