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.
The fourth master can go to watch the ceremony, take Wang Kang over by the way, and ask Wang Qing about the adoption in public, and then the rest of us will help put pressure on him."
Xu Lili imagined the scene tomorrow and agreed: "Very good, I can also get to know some powerful fellow villagers!"
All the people present were wealthy, and he liked such occasions.
Then he asked: "But I heard that Lin Tailai likes to be in the limelight. Will he show up at a time like tomorrow?"
Over the years, Zheng Dachaofeng has paid a heavy price for Lin Tailai.
Through this kind of dedication, he already had a very deep understanding of Lin Tailai's various habits.
So at this time he said with great certainty: "With Lin Tailai's character and greed for the salt industry, he will definitely attend in a high-profile manner tomorrow!
Moreover, he will bring a dozen small traders from Lin's Salt Industry to appear at the scene in a group to demonstrate to us!"
Xu Lili didn't want to miss this opportunity, as if he was saying to himself: "Then it looks like we will have to meet the famous one tomorrow.
Lin Tailai's thoughts on Wang's Salt Industry are well known to Sima Zhao."
Zheng Dachaofeng said: "As Fourth Master, Lin Tailai cannot do anything to you, and most of his methods cannot be used on you, Fourth Master.
The fourth master just needs to capture Wang Qing tomorrow. Since he has no offspring, it is only natural and natural for his family members to inherit the family property. This aspect is completely justified.
Moreover, half of the people present are from our Huizhou hometown. According to the rules of going out, the business gangs from the same hometown have always supported each other and interfered with each other.
We can all comment on the Wang family's affairs, but Lin Tailai is a foreigner, and he is not qualified to say anything on the Wang family's issues.
Therefore, in terms of public opinion, we are not worried about Lin Tailai at all, and Fourth Master can rest assured.
Then what choice does Wang Qing have? Unless he completely abandons his hometown, no longer cares about his clan, and does not want to return to his roots."
Based on the concepts of this era, Zheng Dachaofeng was right in saying that fellow race and hometown are often the basis of a person's social attributes.
On the second day, a large courtyard near the Yangzhou City Transport Bureau and Dongzi Temple was very lively, with gongs and drums noisy and flags waving.
The Salt Industry Association, which has been in preparation for more than half a year, will be officially established here today. This is a major event in Yangzhou City.
There are nearly 200 seats in the five-room hall, and all merchants have special seats.
At this time, everyone had not yet sat down, and they were all gathering on the porch in front of the hall to talk.
Zheng Dachaofeng, the leader of the Huizhou merchants, naturally had a circle of people surrounding him. Young Master Xu also stood here, enjoying the flattery of others.
However, no one focused too much on chatting, and glanced in the direction of the door frequently.
Everyone knows very well that the shadow that has been hovering over the salt industry in the past few years, as if it can block the sky and the sun, has not yet appeared.
But what surprised everyone was that, seeing that the auspicious time was approaching, none of the big shots from Lin's Salt Industry showed up.
The dozen puppet merchants affiliated with Lin's Salt Industry are all here, but what's the point?
None of the core figures such as the real owner of Lin's Salt Industry, the nominal boss, and the top shopkeeper appeared.
As time went by, everyone began to feel uncertain. Could something big happen?
Even the laughter and laughter in the courtyard gradually disappeared. Young Master Xu looked around in confusion. What kind of terrifying oppression is this?
Then can Lin Tailai put such huge pressure on others just because he didn't show up?
At this tense moment, suddenly Wang Qingwang, a large salt merchant, walked into the courtyard from outside the screen wall.
Everyone stopped talking and all paid attention to Mr. Wang.
Wang Yuanwai was stunned for a moment, then laughed dumbly and said, "What do you think I'm doing? I'm not Lin Jiuyuan!"
Someone asked: "Why hasn't Academician Lin shown up for so long?"
Wang Yuanwai replied: "Lin Jiuyuan got on the ship today and set off back to Suzhou! How could he appear here?"
"Asshole! Asshole!" Mr. Xu suddenly lost his composure and cursed loudly.
It turns out that Lin Tailai didn't take him seriously at all!
It turns out that Lin Tailai didn't take himself seriously from beginning to end!
He didn't even bother to look at himself! Complete disregard!
Yesterday, Commander Wan still regarded himself as a fool, but Lin Tailai regarded himself as nothing!
Zheng Dachaofeng, the leader of Huizhou merchants and one of the three general merchants of the Salt Industry Association, seemed to have been drained of all his energy. He was unsteady and leaned against the pillar.
Lin Tailai, who had caused him trouble for several years, was gone. He should have been relaxed and happy.
But for some reason, his heart was empty and he felt inexplicably lost.
Is he completely insignificant in Lin Tailai's heart? Isn't it worth facing again?
Isn't even such a major event as the establishment of the Salt Industry Association not important in Lin Tailai's heart?