A network of lightning tore through the dark sky, and the earth briefly became bright, then returned to darkness.
The heavy rain fell in a majestic manner, and the sky and the earth were filled with the sound of rain.
("Guoyan": In June of the eighth year of Chongzhen, there was a flood in Anqing.
) On the tower of Shengtang Gate, continuous water droplets hang like bead curtains under the eaves.
Pang Yu looked through the bead curtain at the hazy river surface under the heavy rain.
The river was rolling turbulently, and the rapids were twisting in turbulent whirlpools.
The water level of the river is rising and is approaching the upper level.
There were porters on the pier running in the rain, transporting goods from the shops along the river to the city.
There are only a few ships left on the pier, and the others have entered the tributary ports.
This sudden heavy rain broke Pang Yu's marching drill plan, and even daily training could not be guaranteed.
"Second brother, I went to ask. None of the boatmen on the shore dared to take passengers. One family said they could leave if they had enough money, but the villain was very worried."
He Xianya said to Pang Yu in front of him, "This rain is rare in years. The river is extremely dangerous. It's better for my second brother not to go to Chizhou for the time being."
Pang Yu sighed softly, meeting Shi Kefa was his first priority.
Because of the suspicion surrounding Yunji Temple, his relationship with Wang Gongbi had never been good, even though Wang Gongbi knew that Zhang Guowei admired Pang Yu.
The military pay and quality are not in arrears, but the proportion of deductions is not small, and there is very little replenishment of weapons and equipment, especially the armor and qualified firearms that Pang Yu urgently needs.
The military guard around Nanjing is huge, and there are many craftsmen who make armors and firearms. In addition to armors, Pang Yu also hopes to obtain some usable muskets. The physical requirements of musketeers do not need to be as strong as those of archers, but their striking power is stronger.
.
The gunpowder industry in Jiangnan is also very developed. If it can be obtained from Bingbeidao, Pang Yu can save a lot of materials and money, because the training of firearms troops requires a large amount of gunpowder.
In addition, steel, nitrate, sulfur, and copper are also what he needs. Finally, horses are purchased by himself. However, horses are expensive and it is not easy to buy war horses. If such things are not obtained from the imperial court, they will not be available in Jiangbei.
It is difficult to raise funds even in Jiangnan.
Therefore, Pang Yu urgently needs to get closer to the new military commander. His original travel date was today. Yesterday, the water was not so fierce. Pang Yu would rather take a risk and rush to Chizhou to meet Shi Kefa and establish a good impression.
, who knew we would encounter this rare heavy rain.
Pang Yu glanced unwillingly. The turbulent water on the river was mixed with wood and broken furniture washed down from the upper reaches. They disappeared and appeared in the river. There were even a few corpses on the water.
There is a reef not far downstream from Anqing. At this time, the water level rose and submerged part of the reef. With such a rare heavy rain, boatmen may not be able to avoid those reefs. Navigation at this time is a high-risk industry.
"That's all, wait until the flood peak passes before going to Chizhou."
Pang Yu felt that he still couldn't risk his own life.
He Xianya observed Pang Yu's face and said, "This Shi Daotai was transferred from Jiangxi. He can't go to Chizhou with such a big water, so the second brother doesn't have to rush there."
Pang Yu shook his head, "He came from the south of the Yangtze River. Shi Kefa's title is the Chief Secretary of Jiangxi Province, but he was not transferred from Jiangxi. He has been working for Zhang Guowei."
He Xianya was stunned for a moment, and then Pang Yu explained, "Before you can appoint a military commander, you must first serve as chief secretary and participate in politics. There is no chief secretary in Southern Zhili, so the military commanders are affiliated with the nearby chief secretary. Anchi military commander is affiliated with Jiangxi.
"
"I see."
He Xianya still couldn't understand it. Although he was from the yamen and knew about military preparation, governorship, etc., those were high-ranking officials. As a helper of the county yamen, He Xianya had never understood these details before.
It is not difficult for Pang Yu to understand why he took the temporary post, but there are some things in the Ming Dynasty that are really puzzling. Zhang Guowei was a governor in charge of the military, but his official official position was the imperial envoy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, that is, a chief official, a high official in the border areas and
The speaker and the official should have checked and balanced each other, but now they are mixed into one.
"I'm not going to Chizhou, but I can still do something else."
Pang Yu turned to look at Guo Fengyou behind him, "Make a note for me. When the rain subsides, we can go to the Liu Mansion."
Guo Fengyou immediately said, "Yes, sir."
He Xianya was a little curious that Pang Yu suddenly mentioned the Liu family, but Pang Yu didn't say anything, and it was hard for him to ask. He just stood with Pang Yu, feeling a little silent for a while.
Pang Yu looked at him and smiled and said, "Shi Kefa took up the position of Anchi Bingbei Road. Liu Ruozai recommended him to the emperor. He is Shi Kefa's benefactor, so we have to take care of this Liu family."
He Xianya was stunned after hearing this. Most of the Liu family had moved to Nanjing, but there were still a few people in Anqing. Shi Kefa would definitely take care of them, and Pang Yu would naturally take the lead.
"Speaking of which, Shi Bingbei has a close relationship with Anqing, especially Tongcheng."
"Do you still have some connection with us in Tongcheng?"
"Zuo Guangdou is his master."
Pang Yu subconsciously touched the letter in his arms. In the letter, Mr. Ma introduced Shi Kefa's background to Pang Yu. Several times of filial piety paid off.
As he spoke, Jiang Fan's figure came out of the rain and fog. Before He Xianya could ask again, Pang Yu turned around and said, "I have two days to spare. You can adjust the layout of the first issue again and make it as refined as possible."
He Xianya knew that they had something to say, so he immediately took an umbrella and went out.
Jiang Fan bowed to He Xianya and waited for him to leave before coming to Pang Yu's side.
"Liu Xiucai and Fang Yingqian are both in Anqing. Last night, Jiao Guozhao met them at the Ruyi Building inside Jixian Gate. The maid serving drinks was the sister of a brother in the Caobang. She heard something outside the door. Liu Xiucai mentioned
Wuhuo Yin, who came to Tongcheng, also said that he wanted to occupy a share of the Pier Ya shop, but if the Lord did not agree.
Otherwise, you will be reported to Yingtianxun."
Pang Yu nodded. Business is not easy to do in Tongcheng now. Even the casinos can't make much money. The wharf and dental shops are considered high-quality assets in Anqing. It seems that there are many people who want to use their brains.
"What did Jiao Guozhao say?"
"He doesn't seem to dare, but it can be seen from Liu Xiucai's words that he has lost a lot of silver in the past few months. Both Liu Xiucai and Fang Yingqian believe that he secretly divided the free fire silver, so that he had so much money to participate in gambling."
Jiang Fan buried his head and Pang Yu said nothing, but Jiang Fan could guess that he must have taken it, otherwise there would not have been so much money to support the strong class when Pang Yu was the leader, and where would the capital of Tongcheng Baishun Hall come from.
"What else did you say?"
"It was also mentioned that a person was imprisoned in the Ye family's old house..." Another bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by dull thunder.
Pang Yu narrowed his eyes, and Jiang Fan waited quietly.
Both of them were insiders of the matter. People who had been imprisoned in the old house of the Ye family, involving Chen Shifu, would be implicated in Pang Yu blackmailing officials and helping to cover up the crime. The crime was far greater than embezzling free fire money.
The smooth progress of Pang Yu's affairs in Anqing is closely related to the support of Pi Yingju and Chen Shifu, especially the dock affairs, which all rely on Chen Shifu's efforts. Once someone starts paying attention to this matter, it will be a huge risk.
And this news undoubtedly leaked from Jiao Guozhao.
After a while, Pang Yu said calmly, "Since Liu Xiucai and Fang Yingqian have come to Anqing, let them stay here."
"My subordinates have selected thirty brave men from the canal work. It's okay to fight with the green-skinned gangsters in the city, but if we want to talk about assassination, I'm afraid it's not enough."
"This time we don't need the Caobang to take action. Guo Fengyou will execute it, but Jiang Fan you have to participate in the planning."
"Then Jiao Guozha..." "Jiao Guozha will be dealt with by the military."
"Although he is a sworn brother, there is always a hidden worry in keeping him."
"My officer has said that Jiao Guozhao will be dealt with by the military."
Jiang Fan responded in a low voice and looked up at Guo Fengyou.
"There is one more thing I need to ask for your help.
Elderly people along the river in Anqing said that the water may rise to the city wall. People in Caobang basically live in places along the river on the east and west sides of the city. After the two days of heavy rain, the water has accumulated and it is difficult to live.
Most of the temples and nunneries in the city are full, and there are still more than 700 Caogang disciples who have nowhere to stay."
Pang Yu nodded. If Jiang Fan can handle this matter well, he will quickly gain the cohesion of the Caobang. However, the Caobang currently has more than 700 people, many of whom have families with them. The total number may exceed 2,000.
"I will handle this matter. You can count how many people need to be resettled as soon as possible."
Pang Yu turned to Guo Fengyou and said, "Remember, let people tidy up the houses in the garrison mansion and try to make as much space as possible to accommodate the Caobang."
Guo Fengyou immediately responded, "Yes, sir... which houses do you want to tidy up?"
"Except for the arsenal and my bedroom, all the houses, including the back office.
If that's not enough, let the army move and all the people from the Caobang must be placed there.
Food is transferred from the army."
After Pang Yu finished speaking, he looked at Jiang Fan, "Everyone must first mention that the garrison mansion is for temporary relief, not for permanent residence."
"My subordinate understands."
"Go back and leave this matter to your subordinates. You will come over in the afternoon to do what Liu Xiucai was supposed to do."
...On the third day of the heavy rain in the upper reaches of the river, the river overflowed the pier, and many houses along the river were soaked by water. The river entered the city through the city gate, and water began to accumulate on the streets.
The residential buildings with floors were overcrowded, and residents in the city sought accommodation in nearby high-rise buildings. Some people who had nowhere to go had to drag their belongings onto the city walls and build simple shacks and straw mills, enduring the wind and rain.
The rain subsided slightly at dusk and intensified as night fell, accompanied by strong winds. The wind and rain continued to wreak havoc on the land of Anqing.
Raindrops pattered on thousands of tiled roofs, and water splashed on the water-logged streets.
There was no watchman in the whole city, and Anqing was completely dark at night. Only a few windows on the upper floor of Ruyi Tower inside Jixian Gate still let out some light.
On the windy and rainy street outside Ruyi Building, several black figures appeared.