Just as he was running around with random thoughts, he found that the bodyguard had stopped. Li Chengzhi subconsciously raised his head and saw Hu Baozong standing more than ten meters away.
Really can’t bear to talk about it?
He muttered, and then took a closer look: Hu Baozong's face seemed to be smeared with some powder, but it still did not cover the slap marks on his cheeks. His face was not white, purple, purple, green, or pink.
, as if wearing makeup to sing a big show.
His brows were furrowed, his face was sad, his eyes were red, his clothes were wrinkled, and stained with a lot of mud, as if he had rolled on the ground. How could there be any trace of the coolness of a young man from a noble family?
Li Chengzhi knew he shouldn't, but he just couldn't help but want to laugh.
When he got closer, he discovered that Hu Baozong's body was actually wet, and there were mud marks on his knees?
Did you really spend the whole night kneeling in the open air?
Li Chengzhi was startled: "What happened?"
Hu Baozong said with a mournful face: "My grandfather imprisoned my father..."
I thought your grandfather was angry for something?
He felt relieved and looked sideways at Hu Baozong.
You idiot, is this a good thing?
With your arrogant father here, I'm sure he will dig a big hole for you to jump into one day, just like he dug into me.
Your grandfather saw this and locked him up.
"Then why are you doing this?" Li Chengzhi pointed to his clothes and the dirt marks on his knees, "Just because of this, you knelt down and begged Mr. Haoming all night?"
"More than that?"
Hu Baozong burst into tears, "Even the name 'Shi' has been abolished. My grandfather clearly wanted to depose my father... I just begged and got a fight, and then I was kicked out of the house...
Grandfather also said that if I am unjust to Liu Huiwang, I will not be allowed to go back for a day?"
The more Li Chengzhi listened, the more shocked he became, and in the end he couldn't close his mouth.
Imprisonment, deposing the eldest son, sending the eldest grandson to fight, and making meritorious deeds...
Why is this routine so familiar?
Is this clearly a move to help Hu Baozong ascend to power?
What a great thing...
Li Chengzhi was ecstatic and cursed loudly: "You idiot..."
"You are the idiot!" Hu Baozong said angrily, "That's my biological father..."
Co-author, you know everything?
Li Chengzhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and felt a little moved in his heart.
He knew clearly that his father was cheating on him, but he didn't take it to heart and still defended him at every turn... Is this the ultimate filial piety mentioned in the book?
Or foolish filial piety.
But no matter what kind of filial piety it is, it shows that he has seen the right person.
No matter how bad this kind of person is, how bad can he go?
His heart moved, he jumped off the horse, and hugged Hu Baozong's neck with a smile: "Why are you panic? Even if you take your feelings into consideration, it is impossible for Mr. Haoming to abuse your father, so don't worry.
Don't be distracted anymore, follow me to fight well, and when your merits are established and you take over the position of clan leader, the Hu family will naturally have the final say. Whether it is closed or released at that time is not a matter of your words." Hu Baozong rolled his eyes: To put it lightly, my father has been the patriarch of the clan for almost ten years, but hasn’t he been shut down and abolished at every turn by my grandfather?
But it was all a family scandal, and he didn't want to talk about it with Li Chengzhi, so he took the initiative to change the subject: "Where are you going?"
"I originally wanted to find Mr. Haoming to discuss something!" Li Chengzhi said thoughtfully, "But your house is closed, and I don't know if I can get in?"
Hu Baozong was overjoyed: "Others can't get in, but how can you not get in? Go quickly, go quickly..."
He wanted to go in and see if something unspeakable had happened in the house after this night?
He knew his grandfather's temperament very well, and he had vaguely heard of his cruel methods. There was no guarantee that he would not be cruel to his father and uncle when he was extremely angry...
Li Chengzhi thought for a while and nodded: "Then let's go!"
It's really not a coincidence. I didn't expect that such a big thing would happen to the Hu family in just one night. Hu Hai must be in no mood to talk about this.
But Li Chengzhi is also afraid that something unexpected will happen if he has long nights and dreams.
According to Yang Shu's estimation, the Hu family must have a lot of fields with complicated origins like the one given to him by Hu Hai.
Maybe Hu Hai will cut off the tail to survive, or give it away for free, or get rid of it half-sold and half-given.
So start as soon as possible.
The two quickly got on their horses and ran towards the city gate.
……
Hu Baozong froze outside the gate of Hu Mansion, looking like a sculpture.
Unexpectedly, even Li Chengzhi couldn't get in when his grandfather said he wanted to seal the mansion.
Li Chengzhi doesn’t really care.
Thinking about it, you can tell that Hu Hai was so angry that he wanted to kill his own son, so how could he still be in the mood to see foreigners?
Are you allowed into the house to watch the joke?
However, he had already asked the gatekeeper to convey his intentions. No matter how bad Hu Hai was, he would definitely respond.
The steward asked him to wait in the penthouse, but Li Chengzhi waved his hand and looked at the family status and status of the Hu family with great interest. He also thought in his heart: I wonder what the Li family's family status in Jingzhou City is like.
?
I heard Li Song and Guo Cunxin mention it occasionally, it is said that their ancestors were also rich...
Only then did Li Chengzhi remember that he had forgotten to ask who the ancestor of the Li family was?
……
North courtyard of Hu Mansion, study room!
Hu Hai was half leaning on the bed, staring at the two jade pieces in front of him.
In just one night, I seemed to have aged several years, my face became more haggard, and my figure became more rickety.
His eyes were bloodshot, and with the sound of exhalation, there was a faint sound of wind and thunder in his chest and abdomen.
The steward stood in the hall, waiting quietly. After a long time, he heard Hu Hai sigh: "You really know how to ask for names and buy your reputation?"
In the past two months, Hu Baozong has sent many letters, so Hu Hai knows everything about Li Chengzhi.
Although he is extremely talented and has unparalleled talents, Hu Hai has always believed that Li Chengzhi should be no different from Li Shixian in essence, and his temperament is not much different from that of the children of aristocratic families of this era.
Equally selfish and greedy, this is the purpose of this rebellion. I am afraid it is not as upright and high-sounding as he said.
However, everything he did seemed to be in line with the gentleman and benevolent style advocated by the gentry of this era. Not to mention Baozong, even Yang Shu and Zhang Jingzhi were coaxed around by him?
Just like now, these treasures are returned as soon as they are promised, just to rent some fields and house homeless people?
Hu Hai doesn’t believe that this was Li Chengzhi’s original intention.
You don’t even have an official position. How much does it matter to you whether or not the refugees die?
Wouldn't it be better to fight your battle well and make your merits? Why cause more trouble?
The distinction between officials and civilians, scholars and common people is as vast as the world. There are many officials who keep saying "they care about the common people", but how many of them are really stupid and stupid like Yang Shu?
Just don’t be overly exploitative or harsh. Do you still want to be beautiful?
If they are really going to be overthrown by the common people and untouchables, how can there be a way for the aristocratic nobles to survive?
Just look at the fate of the Yang Shu brothers and you will know that if they really do it, they will definitely not be tolerated by the nobles.
Li Chengzhi is so smart that he cannot fail to understand this truth.
So Hu Hai concluded that he was inviting names to buy his straightness.
This is also what Hu Hai admires most about Li Chengzhi: he is so good at getting things done!
As long as there is a kid in the family who is half as scheming as Li Chengzhi, why would he have to kill someone to clean up the family at an age when the coffin board is covered up to his neck?
Fortunately, Baozong had a close personal relationship with him, and I hope I can learn a little from him.
If you want to invite me, I will grant it to you, and you won’t let Baozong suffer...
Thinking of this, Hu Hai sighed again and pushed the wooden box in front of him: "Send it out and give it to Baozong. Just tell me what I said. Everything in it will be handled by him..."
"Tai Gong?" the steward exclaimed, so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat.
In that box, there were not only all the Hu family's wealth, but also the land that the governor Hu Shichang had entrusted to Hu Hai to take care of.
What if Hu Baozong gets mad or is seduced by Li Chengzhi and defrauds them all?
Hu Hai sneered and waved his hand: "Let's do it?"
Groundless worries!
Could it be that Baozong was a fool and an idiot, how could he be deceived into dissipating his family wealth by just a few words?
Besides, I’m not blind yet. If Li Chengzhi is really so short-sighted, how can he be worthy of my heavy bet on him?
Seeing that the steward stood motionless, Hu Hai shouted coldly: "Aren't you going yet?"
The steward tremblingly hugged the box and walked out of the study, turning his head three times.
……
With tears in his eyes, the steward placed the box in front of Hu Baozong with a "dong" sound, and knelt down straight again: "Mr. Sir, Taigong said, everything in it is up to you... I look back to you, I look back to you, Sir.
Be careful..."
After saying that, he kowtowed three times, stood up, and closed the door of the mansion, leaving Li Chengzhi and Hu Baozong outside.
So formal?
Li Chengzhi was extremely curious and poked Hu Baozong: "What's in it?"
Hu Baozong just shook his head, his lips trembling, as if he couldn't even speak.
After taking several breaths, he regained his composure and opened the box with trembling hands.
It's all silk paper... No, land deed!
Li Chengzhi took the first glance and his pupils shrank: From the Yushu River in the south to Guandao in the north...1,226 acres of open land, three farms and courtyards...
The military camp was stationed within this area, and Li Chengzhi originally thought it was official land.
More importantly, one deed covers thousands of acres. There must not be hundreds of deeds in this box?
He asked in shock: "It's all there. Is there 100,000 acres?"
Hu Baozong nodded silently.
I'm going to go...
Not to mention Hu Baozong, he even wanted to shake his head.
This is tens of thousands of acres of land. How much is there in the whole of Jingyang?
Hu Baozong explained: "It's not just my family, but also those entrusted by my ancestors to cook for me..."
Who do I care about?
He heard clearly, Hu Hai said: Let Hu Baozong handle it.
Doesn’t it mean to say: You can plant seeds for whomever you want, but when you reap the benefits, you can’t forget to protect the clan?
Ten acres of land can support one household, which can accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Counting grain, the income is at least two to three hundred thousand shi a year. How many people can it feed?
How many rebels are there under Liu Huiwang's command?
Two hundred thousand is as high as the sky...
In addition to the 100,000 acres of monk farmland at the foot of Kongtong Mountain, even if all the 200,000 rebels were captured, more than 60% of them could be resettled...
Li Chengzhi never expected that he could achieve such a big gain just by giving it a try?
Although he knew that Hu Hai's thoughts were not so pure, he still had the urge to kneel down and kowtow to Hu Hai...
After waiting for a while, Li Chengzhi straightened his clothes carefully, bowed deeply towards the door of Hu Mansion, and said loudly:
"Don't worry, Grandpa, I know how to do it. There is still this land, and I will definitely give it back to you in the autumn. If you lose an acre, I will come to see you..."
The sound was so loud that it had already drifted over the door wall and spread to various courtyards.
Hu Hai stood at the door of the study, squinted his eyes slightly, and nodded gently.
He is indeed clever!
Li Chengzhi was expressing his feelings to himself: Since you have given me a favor, I will repay you with a favor. If Baozong follows me, you will definitely not suffer any loss.
And this land, since you gave it to me, I will naturally try to preserve it for you...
The steward who went to deliver the boxes was even more impressive.
Sure enough, the thoughts of a big shot are not something that a subordinate like me can guess.
If Li Chengzhi dares to shout it out like this, he has given up his greed. Otherwise, if he really loses an acre, his reputation will be ruined...
Hu Baozong had already burst into tears.
He knew exactly what Hu Hai was thinking: If God really failed to fulfill his wishes, the Hu family would eventually be in disaster, and he would have to rely on himself from now on...
He kowtowed to the ground vigorously, no matter how much he knelt. There was blood on his head, and he was forcefully pulled up by Li Chengzhi.
Li Chengzhi looked on with cold eyes and sneered.
If your Hu family can fall down so easily, they have already fallen down 800 times, and why are you here crying in your turn?
Your grandfather is obviously trying to provoke you, and by taking advantage of me, he not only has to share the credit with you, but also has to support you to earn fame.
Knowing that Hu Hai was scheming against him, he still had to appreciate it, let alone reveal it.
He advised in a gentle voice: "Instead of crying and moaning like a woman, it is better to save your strength and think hard about how to defeat the thief and make meritorious service!"
In the past, Hu Baozong would have scolded him a long time ago, but today he was exceptionally well-behaved. He said yes and got up.
"Let's go!"
With a cold shout, Hu Baozong held the box and got on his horse. Looking at his expression, he wanted to rush to Jingzhou immediately and fight to the death with the thieves.
Li Chengzhi secretly admired him: Being so inspired by Hu Hai, Hu Baozong's fighting spirit became more than ten times stronger than before?
And Hu Hai's courage is probably unmatched by anyone. How can he be so confident about himself?
If you give it to someone who is greedy for money, not to mention taking advantage of the situation, it will all be your fault. If you are greedy for 20%, 30% or even half, it won’t be a problem at all.
As for whether he will choke to death, that is a matter for the future.
But Hu Hai entrusted it to him without even showing his face?