Li Zijian can be said to be the unluckiest person in the entire Tongling War. He was originally guarding Pingchuan Town without incident. Even if the officers and soldiers wanted to attack Pingchuan Town, they could still escape if they could not hold on. But Xu Beichuan transferred him with a transfer order.
When I arrived at Datong, I thought this would be my blessed land. Who would have thought that it would be impossible to get in and out of Datong City. At that time, when he saw the artillery outside the city, Li Zijian panicked. He knew in his heart that Datong would never be defended, so he thought about it.
How to escape from Datong, but I never dreamed that someone could escape faster than him.
To the outside of Datong City, in addition to the city gate, there is also a secret passage. This secret passage is said to have been dug during the fight against the tyranny of the Yuan Dynasty and has remained until now. Not many people know about this secret passage, and Li Zijian plans to escape through this secret passage.
Go, but Wang Ye was one step ahead. The most hateful thing is that in order to let the peasant army in the city hold back the officers and soldiers, Wang Ye actually had the secret passage destroyed. Li Zijian yelled angrily, and Wang Ye's eighteen generations
The ancestor cursed several times. In fact, at this time, Li Zijian was ready to surrender. Maybe it was due to bad luck. As soon as he left the secret passage and walked out of the city gate, before he could speak, he heard a loud noise and his whole body was lifted.
It fell to the ground and no one knew what happened.
Datong City returned to the embrace of the imperial court, which meant that the Tongling City War finally came to an end.
On the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month in the third year of Chongzhen, the news was delivered to Nanjing and reported to Beizhili via Nanjing. The people were excited for a while, especially the people in Nanjing, who rushed to tell each other. On this approaching day of the new year, they finally heard a piece of good news.
.For the people of Nanzhili, this was not just a simple victory. This victory gave the people some confidence in the imperial troops and horses.
The common people were like this, and the wealthy businessmen breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Zhenlin, Xu Le and other salt merchants from South Zhili once again visited the Salt Transport Yamen, hoping that the imperial court would continue to send troops to Zhejiang and recapture Jiaxing Prefecture as soon as possible. In the eyes of these salt merchants, they could
If Tongling is taken back, Jiaxing Prefecture must also be taken back, right? It's not that they are in a hurry, but they have to be in a hurry. Since the bandits took over Jiaxing Prefecture, all the major salt farms have been closed down. Official salt cannot be transported even a pound, and the price of salt has continued to decline.
Many people cannot buy salt.
The New Year is approaching, but something like this happened. The people of Nanzhili poured out their anger on the salt merchants. The salt merchants did not want to take the blame. If it took too long, the price of salt would skyrocket. In order to calm the people's anger, the court
It is uncertain that a few salt merchants will be brought out to quell public anger. In short, for the sake of the people and for ourselves, we must open the salt road as soon as possible. At this time, the merchants of South Zhili paid almost all their attention to
Jiaxing Prefecture, the salt field there is the most important.
Salt Transport Commissioner Zhou Heling only felt that his head was a bit big. These salt merchants were really, really. What use could the Salt Transport Department have to do with the bad things of the war? They knew how to put pressure on Zhou, who didn’t know where he was going.
To clear up the confusion, Zhou Heling could not drive these people out. As a salt transport envoy, the interests of these salt merchants were closely related. If the salt merchants were in bad luck, he, the salt transport envoy, would not
What a happy ending.
Not long after, the salt merchants were invited to the hall, and a moment later, Zhou Heling walked in with his black gauze hat in his arms. Seeing Zhou Heling, all the salt merchants immediately surrounded him, talking to each other, and the scene was chaotic. Zhou Heling raised his hand
Raising his hands, he raised his voice and shouted: "Everyone, everyone... don't be impatient. If you have any opinions, please tell me one by one. Sit down first."
Everyone was calmed down, sat down on both sides, and soon Xiao Zhenlin was asked to speak on behalf of everyone. Xiao Zhenlin and others were still a little angry with Zhou Heling. When they encountered difficulties before, Zhou Heling avoided seeing him. But now that they have seen him today, they cannot treat him as such.
The relationship was too tense. After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhenlin cupped his hands and said: "Master Zhou, you have to help me wait. Nowadays, the price of salt in Nanjing, Yangzhou, Suzhou and other places has soared. The New Year is approaching, but the people can't buy salt.
, some people even say that we are hoarding official salt and deliberately taking advantage of the opportunity to make huge profits. You understand the specific situation, Your Excellency, and it has nothing to do with us. I also implore Your Excellency to report to the court and ask if Tongling troops can be dispatched as soon as possible.
Retake Jiaxing Mansion as soon as possible... We will be grateful for your kindness and will never forget it..."
"This...this matter is within my official duties, but..." Zhou Heling nodded in agreement, but looked embarrassed. These people did not understand the affairs of the imperial court, but he, Zhou Heling,
It's very clear. However, the fewer people know about some things, the better.
Seeing Zhou Heling's expression was abnormal and hesitating, the salt merchants immediately frowned. Xu Le immediately asked: "Master Zhou, isn't it what the imperial court wants to see as soon as possible to take back Jiaxing Mansion and restore the salt road? If the official salt
If you are not lucky, as time goes by, we will naturally not be able to benefit from it, and by then you will not be able to benefit at all."
Xu Le's words are quite suggestive. There is not enough official power and it has been delayed for a long time. This is not just a matter of money. To calm down the public anger, the court will inevitably find someone to take action. Who will be the knife at that time?
The unlucky guy?
What Xu Le said was not an angry talk. Which salt transport envoy did not have a fierce fight with the salt merchants? There are countless transactions behind the scenes, and the salt merchants are not stupid. How can they not leave a way out for themselves? In short, everyone
Like a grasshopper on a rope, if the salt merchant suffered too much loss, then Zhou Heling, the salt transport envoy, would also have to follow him and suffer the consequences.
Zhou Heling naturally looked displeased, but he couldn't say anything. Who among the Yanyun Yamen people had clean bottoms? Not to mention him, the Salt Transport envoy. He frowned and thought for a while, then motioned for his personal attendant to hold the door.
After closing the door and confirming that there were no more outsiders, he said seriously: "Everyone, it's not that I don't want to say anything, but this matter is really complicated. Do you think the imperial court doesn't want to take back Jiaxing Mansion as soon as possible? But how did you know that Nanjing
There is no way we can command the troops and horses in Tongling."
The salt merchants looked at each other, obviously not believing it. Seeing this scene, Zhou Heling smiled bitterly and said: "You may not believe it, but this is the truth. I think everyone knows that the troops that captured Tongling City came from the north.
Our frontier troops, Xuanyun’s elite, known as the leader of the nine frontiers, especially the Yunfu cavalry, are said to have few rivals across the north.”
"Tie Mo, the governor of the three provinces, was ordered to go south to suppress the bandits. He has jurisdiction over the military affairs of the three provinces of Henan, Shanxi and Nanzhili. Strictly speaking, he is not under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili. He even has the power to mobilize troops from the Beijing camp of Nanjing.
A month ago, we urged the Xuanfu troops to go in and suppress the rogue bandits, but they delayed taking action until now. If you think about it carefully..."
Although Zhou Heling spoke sincerely, salt merchants are not easy to fool. As a giant merchant in South Zhili, who is not well-informed and well-informed? Although he does not know much about official matters, he knows some things. In the beginning,
At that time, it was not that the Iron Governor did not suppress the bandits, it seemed that the Nanzhili officialdom was squeezing the Iron Governor and wanted to block him out of Nanzhili. If it were not for the rogue bandits entering Nanzhili and the addition of Luzhou Prefecture, I am afraid that the Iron Governor
The teacher can’t come to Nanzhili either.
Even so, Nanjing never thought about letting the Iron Governor's soldiers and horses get involved. They still thought about fighting the rogues themselves, but in the end they lost the city and the territory. In the end, they had no choice, so they thought of asking the Iron Governor to take action. As for taking over
What happened specifically is unknown. Therefore, the truth may not be what Zhou Heling said.
Xiao Zhenlin pondered for a moment and sighed: "Master Zhou, we believe that the imperial court will always have a way to make Tongling soldiers and horses obey orders, right?"
"This..." Zhou Heling stroked his chin with a wry smile, "To tell you the truth, Nanjing is currently trying to find a way to communicate with the Iron Superintendent. The specific result depends on the communication situation. But I
I can give you a guide. It is said that the Iron Governor has two wives and is staying in Nuanxin Pavilion at this time. You might as well go to Nuanxin Pavilion."
"Huh?" Everyone was suddenly surprised, but Xiao Zhenlin looked calm. Others didn't know that Hai Lanzhu and Chang Minyue were in Nanjing, but he knew about it. He also heard about it from his daughter Xiao Ruxue.
Even so, it is still unknown whether it will be effective to find these two women. Besides, how can it be so easy to ask these two women to help? She is Tie Mo's woman, how can she still do a loss-making business?
These officials are really good at pushing the envelope. Originally, these matters were something that the court should find a solution to. But they asked the salt merchants to find Tie Mo's woman. This is a typical shirking of responsibility.
Xiao Zhenlin was not interested in this matter, but it was just another way for Xu Le and others, so they left immediately. The salt merchants left the Salt Transportation Department and came to the Qinhuai River in groups. In the past,
When these big spenders came to Qinhuaihe Street, they would definitely hang out in the Chu Pavilion. But today, no matter how the girls greeted them, these people ignored them, walked past the famous Chu Pavilion, and walked straight into the central Chu Pavilion.
Nuanxin Pavilion.
The salt merchants are making various efforts to open up the salt road, and Fei Yang, the imperial censor in Luzhou Prefecture, is also making his best efforts. After Tongling City was captured, Fei Yang breathed a sigh of relief.
, Tongling City has been captured, and the next step should be to enter Zhejiang and confront the main force of the rogue bandits. However, after entering Tongling City, for four consecutive days, the Xuanfu army did not move, let alone enter Zhejiang, or leave Tongling.
It doesn't even mean a city.
If you want to fight, you will fight. If you don't want to fight, you won't fight. What does it mean when you attack Tongling City and continue to stand still? Nanjing is under great pressure. They revised a letter and sent it to Fei Yang. Fei Yang was ordered to persuade him no matter what.
Tie Mo, hurry up and send troops to Zhejiang.
Not everyone was happy when Tongling City was captured. At least the Six Ministries of Nanjing, especially the Minister of War, Gu Tongen, were not happy. Before Tongling City was captured, everyone could continue to argue and bargain. Once Tongling City was captured, the hearts of the people all over the world were shattered.
He didn't even mention it. At this time, the people of Southern Zhili were waiting for the imperial army to increase their efforts and drive the bandits out of Zhejiang. Now that the army stopped in Tongling and stopped moving, what should they do?
Anyone would be angry, but it should not be the Six Ministries of Nanjing that suffer the anger. It’s not that Nanjing doesn’t want to fight, but it’s an order to not move the troops and horses of the Xuanfu and the Beijing camp. This is a fact, but it’s a pity that the people don’t understand.
There is something fishy here, and whenever someone feels unhappy, they will naturally blame the Nanjing Six Ministries. Just the day before yesterday, Nanjing students were sitting on the street to petition, asking the Ministry of War to send troops immediately to save the people of Zhejiang from the fire.
Gu Tongen was going crazy at that time. These students, who were the future heirs of Donglin, were also involved in the chaos. First it was the students, then the common people, and then the businessmen also followed suit. In the end, it seemed that Nanjing did not want to
Like beating up bandits.
Angry and angry, he could only hold his nose and admit it. Now he had to rely on the Xuanfu and Jingying to fight the bandits and earn back his reputation. It would be no good for anyone to have a quarrel with Tie Mo at this time. So, Gu Tongen pressed
Staying angry, he wrote a letter to Fei Yang, asking Fei Yang to find Tie Mo. As long as Tie Mo and Xu Hongji are willing to send troops to Zhejiang, they can choose any conditions. As long as Southern Zhili can bear it, they will definitely agree.
Under this background, Fei Yang traveled many times and came to Tongling City. At this time, Tongling City was in ruins and waiting for reconstruction, and there were people everywhere busy rebuilding it. Although Fei Yang arrived at Tongling City, he did not see Tie Mo, but
He was arranged to go to the back hall of the government office.
In another relatively tidy house, Tie Mo, Wang Zuogao and Xu Zhixin gathered around a copper pot and had a great time eating. Eating hot pot in winter is definitely the most enjoyable thing. Regarding Fei Yang's purpose of coming,
, the three of them knew very well that the reason why they were not in a hurry to see Fei Yang was that they had not yet decided on the price. The reason why they delayed the negotiation until now was because they wanted to get more things.
In the past, if you wanted two million taels, those people would bargain, but now even if you want four million taels, they won't talk nonsense.
"Miss Xu, you are more familiar with the situation in Nanzhili than we are, how about you talk to Fei Yang in detail next?" Tie Mo said this after eating for a long time.
Xu Zhixin was holding a bowl with a piece of meat, and was stunned. For a while, she asked with some uncertainty: "Supervisor, you want me to negotiate with Fei Yang? Are you really relieved about such a big matter?"
"
"What's there to worry about? Is it possible that Miss Xu is a bodhisattva and is reluctant to let those people pay for her money?"
"Okay, then I'll give it a try! However, if you're not satisfied with the price, don't be angry, Supervisor!" Xu Zhixin blinked teasingly, with a strange aura. Having been in contact with Tie Mo for a long time, she understands
As long as there is no war, Tie Mo is a very casual person with a good personality in daily life.
After eating for a full hour, Xu Zhixin wanted to think about the negotiation and left first. Wang Zuogua and Tie Mo, on the other hand, still had no intention of leaving. Wang Zuogua asked with a smile: "Supervisor, what do you mean by Xu Zhixin?"
If the father-in-law knew about this, would he be angry?"
"What's the use of being angry? The benefits you get are the most important thing. Besides, even if you don't push Xu Zhixin out, others won't know?"
Tie Mo curled his lips with some disdain and asked Xu Zhixin to interview Fei Yang. He really had other agendas. Xu Zhixin was in charge of the negotiations. To outsiders, it meant that Tie Mo and the Duke of Wei had already put on a pair of trousers. But in fact
, the relationship between Tie Mo and the Duke of Wei is far from that good, and this cooperation is only temporary. However, Tie Mo wants to give the illusion of a close relationship.