Eight hundred and seventieth chapters each have their own needs
Based on Xu Weixue's experience in dealing with people, we can certainly see that what Yan Shifan said is indeed reasonable.
Although the weaving eunuch is not very powerful, he still has a transcendent status in the local area. It is obviously impossible to convince him with just a few letters.
Therefore, if you want to establish a connection with the weaving eunuch, you really have to ask Yan Shifan, the old son of the pavilion, to visit him personally.
Yan Shifan said in the most sincere tone: "Brother Xu, think about it, what bad thoughts can I, Yan Shifan, have?
I still want to work closely with you to create a great cause, so why should I run away from you? Even if I run away, I will fall into the hands of Qin Dewei. It is better to be safe here with Leader Xu!
Besides, the mission assigned to me by Qin Dewei is to go to Shuangyu Island to find out the shipbuilding techniques of the Folangji people. This mission also requires the help of Chief Xu, so how could I escape?"
What Xu Weixue was most worried about was that if Yan Shifan, the "hostage", was allowed to go to Hangzhou and Yan Shifan found an opportunity to run away, the gain would outweigh the loss.
This put Xu Weixue in a dilemma. He really couldn't make up his mind, so he turned to Xu Zheng and said, "Madam, what do you think?"
Xu Zheng was a bystander and replied calmly: "We might as well give it a try. The worst result is that Uncle Yan will run away, and there will be no unnecessary losses.
But if things go well, we can catch up with the weaving eunuchs and open up the channels of the shipping department! I think this kind of harvest is worth taking a gamble."
Xu Weixue finally made up his mind, "If this is the case, then Uncle Lao Yan will go to Hangzhou! And I will follow him in person and watch Uncle Yan personally!"
Yan Shifan now looked at Leader Xu with admiration. You, a pirate who had just committed a crime, still have the courage to go to Hangzhou City?
Xu Weixue also had his own reasons: "I am just a businessman, how can others know who I am? As for Qin Zhongtang, I'm afraid he has no intention of arresting me!
If Qin Zhongtang really wanted to hunt me down, he would have issued a document and offered a reward along the coast to hunt me down!
Moreover, Uncle Yan also said that Leader Wang and I are both useful people to Qin Zhongtang, so our lives will not be in danger. If we are captured, the worst we can do is beg for mercy and become his minions!"
Yan Shifan was then taken down for custody. When Xu Weixue and Xu Zheng were alone, they heard Xu Zheng ask worriedly: "A gentleman will not stand under a dangerous wall, so why do you put yourself in danger?"
Leader Xu then replied to Mrs. Xu Zheng: "I am here with the big leader. Others also call me leader. I am directly subordinate to hundreds of crew members. My status has reached its limit.
From now on, we should think of ways to be independent. There is no other way to go, otherwise we will have to fight with the big boss sooner or later.
But if you want to be independent, you must let both internal and external factors mature.
Uncle Yan is a stepping stone. If I can really get some unique channels of my own, establish connections with official figures, and become an external factor that supports my independence, it will be worth the risk to go to Hangzhou.
If something unexpected happens to me, you can go to my nephew Xu Hai and ask him to support you."
Mrs. Xu Zheng sighed secretly, Xu Weixue was indeed sincere to her, and her heartfelt words made it clear.
How perfect would it be if Qin Dewei, who is inferior to a beast, could treat himself like this?
Without further ado, the next day Xu Weixue escorted Yan Shifan ashore, changed to a river boat, and headed for Hangzhou City.
Although Ningbo has many mountains and few fields, it is also densely covered with water networks. There are inland waterways that lead directly to Hangzhou City and connect to the Grand Canal.
The river between Ningbo and Hangzhou is like a cloud of boats, with an endless stream of boats coming and going. It is also one of the busiest rivers in the world.
Therefore, Ningbo can become an area hardest hit by sea (road) trade (private), not only because of its good harbor conditions, but also because of its developed river transportation system, which can connect metropolitan cities such as Suzhou and Hangzhou as its hinterland.
So Xu Weixue pretended to be a merchant and was inconspicuous on the road. There were too many merchants.
Although he followed Yan Shifan's advice, Leader Xu became more and more strict with Yan Shifan, and he really treated Yan Shifan like a hostage.
In fact, Leader Xu was not too worried that Yan Shifan would forcefully escape. With Yan Shifan's eyes, body, legs and feet, it would be a bit difficult to forcefully escape.
Just in case some officers and soldiers come to encircle and suppress them, Yan Shifan, the hostage, can be of some use.
After arriving in Hangzhou, Leader Xu did not go into the city. Instead, he stayed at Hupao Temple in the southwest outside the city. Perhaps for such gray people, living outside the city would feel safer.
Another day later, Xu Weixue took some of his men and escorted Yan Shifan into the city through Yongjin Gate. He also brought a box of pearls as a gift.
Hangzhou Weaving Bureau is not far from Yongjinmen. According to social etiquette, today I went to send greetings and letters to the weaving eunuch first.
Just after passing Yongjinmen, and not even two blocks away, Xu Weixue saw a dense crowd of people near an alley in front of him. A simple visual estimate showed that there were at least several hundred people.
One of the men who had inquired about the road earlier turned around and said to Leader Xu: "The Weaving Bureau should be in front of us. I don't know why so many people have gathered."
The reason is not difficult to find out. At least several hundred people blocked the door of the Weaving Bureau, and there were countless people watching the excitement. The news spread easily.
After casual inquiry, I learned that the Weaving Bureau imposed an additional levy of 5,000 pieces of silk on the craftsmen. This is a very large number, almost equivalent to the annual output of 200 looms.
The leading weavers could not bear such excessive taxation, so they gathered here angrily, protesting and making trouble.
Yan Shifan was overjoyed when he heard this and said: "What I expected was indeed good. The Weaving Bureau must have rushed to increase the supply of silk in order to catch up with the sea voyage in the second half of the year!
At the same time, it also shows that we came at the right time to promote cooperation with the Weaving Bureau when it is needed most!"
Xu Weixue travels on the sea and has never seen such a battle that seems to be a large-scale turmoil. He frowned and said: "With so many people gathering to cause chaos, how can they still be conquered?"
Yan Shifan said confidently: "If you believe in the power of the government, you can still suppress a popular uprising!"
The two of them were blocked on the outside and couldn't get through if they wanted to visit the weaving eunuch. What's more, if they went to visit the weaving eunuch in full public view, it would be easy for rumors to spread.
I can only talk and watch the situation.
Not long after, Li Zhixian of Qiantang County hurried to the scene in a sedan chair.
But without saying a few words, the official sedan that was stuck in the crowd was suddenly overturned.
The disgraced Li Zhixian escaped from the scene in a panic under the protection of the government officials.
Leader Xu couldn't help but question: "Is this what the government is capable of?"
Yan Shifan defended Qiantang County, saying: “It was just a soft approach, and there was no formal suppression.
Besides, among the craftsmen who caused trouble, there may be military craftsmen with military status, so naturally there is no need to give Qiantang County face in an emergency."
Suddenly, another team appeared from the opposite street. The guards were tighter than the magistrate. In the middle of the team, there were four people carrying a sedan chair.
The special thing is the Liangqiao. The body of the Liangzhi is not an ordinary style, but a seat similar to a recliner.
At this time, there was a person lying on his back in the sedan chair, with his eyes closed and a piece of cloth pressed on his forehead. He looked more like a patient.
Although it is not clear who the patient is in the sedan chair, from the words on the high-legged sign in front of the guide, it can be determined that the patient is Qin Zhongtang, the censor of Youdu, the minister of the Ministry of War, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and the governor of Zhejiang.
"Qin Dewei!" Yan Shifan recognized the patient's identity and said in surprise.
Hearing these three words, Xu Weixue stretched his neck and looked forward, trying to see clearly what Qin Zhongtang looked like.
Even though the distance was a bit far away and the scene was a bit chaotic, Leader Xu still couldn't see clearly.
"Why did Qin Zhongtang appear here?" Leader Xu withdrew his gaze and asked Yan Shifan.
Yan Shifan sneered and said, "You'll find out next time."
Several officers and soldiers helped Qin Zhongtang out of the sedan chair. Only then did everyone see Qin Zhongtang's face clearly, he was sickly pale and bloodless.
Moreover, Qin Zhongtang was unsteady and had to rely on the support of his own soldiers to stand.
Facing the craftsmen who were about to get into trouble, Qin Zhongtang was about to speak, but he coughed violently several times first.
After waiting patiently until the coughing ended, Qin Zhongtang gasped for air, opened his mouth with difficulty and said to everyone:
"I heard that you and others were gathering here, obstructing the access of the Weaving Bureau, so I came to resolve it because of my illness!
Now in the city of Hangzhou, I am the only one with the highest rank! If I can’t even find justice for you, then I might as well go home and sell fish!” This chapter has been completed!