Ten thousand imperial guards carefully selected by Zhang Yaozuo and Han Jiang secretly assembled in Yuezhou, northwest of Mingzhou a few days ago. The reason why they did not enter Mingzhou was because they were afraid of arousing Su Jin's suspicion. Su Jin and Su Ji were
While they are still rushing to Mingzhou, Su Jin must have a lot of spies in Mingzhou city, and Su Jin must not notice anything strange.
On the night of the 26th, Zhang Yaozuo received a detective report that Su Jin and his party had arrived in Mingzhou City. The 28th was the birthday of Mrs. Su Muwang, and everyone who expected to come also arrived in these two days.
Waiting patiently for another day, at midnight on the 27th, Zhang Yaozuo and Han Jiang issued an order to invade Mingzhou. Ten thousand forbidden troops rushed to Mingzhou City overnight. With the cooperation of the troops deployed in Hangzhou, the northwest of Mingzhou was
All the roads on the south and three sides were cut off, and overnight, Mingzhou became a besieged city; many people who had come from a long distance to attend Su Ji's birthday and annual meeting were stopped at the perimeter.
Han Jiang was careful and led people to check the salutes and accompanying personnel of these Su Ji personnel who came from afar. Han Jiang discovered a very serious problem. These Su Ji clerks and shopkeepers actually brought Jia Xiaohe with them.
Xiruan, it doesn’t look like she’s here to attend an annual party or celebrate her birthday, but rather like she’s running away from home.
Han Jiang quickly reported the news to Zhang Yaozuo, and the two of them spent a long time together and came to a common conclusion.
"Su Jin's nose is really good. He is trying to lead someone away. We did it secretly enough, but he actually noticed it." Zhang Yaozuo said.
"It's not necessarily our fault. The emperor may have leaked the news. Sir, what should we do now?"
"There is nothing to do. Mingzhou has been surrounded. Where can they go? Can they get out with wings? Tomorrow the army will march into Mingzhou, take them and kill them, and that's it. Don't worry."
"But... Mingzhou is a seaport. Doesn't Su Jin have an ocean-going fleet? Could he escape by boat?"
"Well...this is a problem. However, looking at the momentum of these people arriving one after another, Su Jin must not be ready to escape from the sea. We have enough time; besides, what can they do even if they go to the sea?
?Is he going to be a pirate? What if he just fled to the Fan Kingdom? These Fan countries all have contacts with our Song Dynasty and were photographed by the Tianwei of our Song Dynasty. Who will take him in! Speaking of these Fan countries and our Song Dynasty
It's all Su Jin's credit for the good relationship. It's a pity that he is gone. Since he is nothing, these foreign countries will not be at odds with the Song Dynasty because of him. This is called cocooning oneself."
Han Jiang was still worried and said: "I think it's better to be careful. Your Majesty wants to capture Su Jin's whole family, young and old, and his gang members in Mingzhou. If he really escapes to the sea, he will not go out."
Fan, it would be troublesome to find an uninhabited desert island to hide in. If the emperor is still worried, he might blame us."
Zhang Yaozuo said: "Then what do you think we should do?"
Han Jiang said: "Hangzhou has deployed five thousand naval troops and thirty warships. I will order them to rush to the sea east of Mingzhou immediately. If Su Jin escapes from the sea, we can intercept him and attack him at sea."
Shen, it’s settled once and for all. It’s easier to calm down the matter if we turn back, so we can just say that the ship was wrecked in a storm.”
Zhang Yaozuo nodded and said: "That's fine, you can arrange this matter. I hope this result won't happen."
Han Jiang said: "Why is that?"
Zhang Yaozuo chuckled and said in Han Jiang's ear: "Su Jin is a very rich man in the Song Dynasty. I dare say that if he escapes, the gold, silver and jewels he carries will not be able to fit in a big ship. If he sinks to the bottom of the sea, we will lose nothing."
There is no money to be made; besides, all of his wives and concubines are extremely beautiful. Compared with the concubines in my palace, they are completely different. It would be a pity to feed them to sea fish."
Han Jiang said in shock: "Do you still dare to take Luo Su Jin's wives and concubines into your house?"
Zhang Yaozuo chuckled and said: "I don't dare to collect them, but it's okay to taste them and kill them afterwards. Brother Han, don't worry, I have your share. I know that you, Brother Han, think very highly of yourself, but you haven't seen it."
Those top quality items collected by Su Jin will make you unable to move even if you see them."
Han Jiang was speechless. He was not interested in Su Jin's property and beautiful wives and concubines. All he wanted was Su Jin's death. Back then, Su Jin had suppressed all three stages of the imperial examination, the government examination, the provincial examination, and the imperial examination. He himself
He is full of boasts of beauty, but he is no match for a reckless man who was born as a businessman. He has long regarded Su Jin as an enemy. Now that the older generation of elites in the court are gradually getting older, he is the one with the best chance of becoming the prime minister among the new generation.
At this time, the only stumbling block standing in front of him was Su Jin, so he spared no effort to continuously slander Su Jin with Zhang Yaozuo and sow discord between Zhao Zhen and Su Jin.
As for Zhang Yaozuo, Han Jiang didn't take him seriously at all. He was just a piece of shit and could never become a leader. Han Jiang was absolutely confident that he would get rid of this piece of shit after taking care of Su Jin. For now, he was just using him.
On November 28, the second year of Zhihe in the Song Dynasty, the Su family villa by the harbor of Mingzhou Prefecture was decorated with lights and colorful decorations. A huge colorful shed and hundreds of sets of tables and chairs were set up on the grass and beach in front of the villa.
Placed there, you can have a banquet and enjoy the sea view. Thousands of burning fragrant cakes are placed in the corners of the tables and chairs. In the winter in Mingzhou, the weather is not too cold. The burning of the fragrant cakes immediately drives away the slight chill.
It's almost gone, but it's warm and cozy under the open air.
The officials who came to pay homage to his birthday took their seats one after another, sighing in their hearts that only Su Jin could come up with such a method, which was both rich and pompous and original.
In the morning, the gongs and drums were playing together, and the ritual music was playing. Mrs. Wang, who was wearing a bright red wedding dress, walked out of the villa with the support of the wives of the Su family. She accepted everyone's congratulations with a smile on her face. Su Jin was also beaming and dressed in a new suit.
Wearing a bright red robe, they were greeting and thanking each other like a groom. All the girls of the Su family were also wearing long red brocade coats. Their faces were as beautiful as the spring breeze, and they were as beautiful as peaches and plums. Everyone was speechless. Not only that, they came and went.
The maids and servants who shuttled around, as well as Su Ji's shopkeepers and clerks, all wore uniform red uniforms to serve. Obviously, this was a collective agreement of the Su family, and what they wanted was the red lipstick.
After a whole hour of birthday greetings and gifts was over, Mrs. Wang smiled and asked Su Jin to entertain everyone well, and then went back to the house surrounded by the girls. Everyone got up and sent the birthday boy away, and congratulated Su Jin one after another.
Su Jin cupped his hands in thanks and ordered the banquet to begin. Immediately, the banquet was served with all kinds of vegetables and delicacies. There were a dazzling array of delicacies, including many dishes that many people had never seen before. They were placed on the table one by one.
Su Jin was sitting in the chair. He picked up the wine glass in his hand and slowly walked to a small open space in the middle of the banquet. He coughed several times and the scene suddenly became quiet. Everyone knew that Su Jin had something to say.
"My lords, all my relatives and friends, all Su Ji's shopkeepers, young and old, thank you for coming all the way to attend my mother's 60th birthday party. Su Jin wishes you a glass of water and wine. After drinking, Su Jin has something to say to you.
.”
Su Jin raised his neck and drank all the wine in one gulp. He turned the bottom of the glass to all directions and put down the wine glass. Everyone raised their glasses and drank all the wine in the glass.
"Fifteen years ago, Su Jin was the son of an ordinary merchant in Luzhou. Thanks to Mr. Bao's recommendation, he was able to enter Yingtian Academy to study and take the exam. Later, Yan Sansi took a fancy to some of the talented people below and recommended me to handle grain affairs.
With the protection of the emperor and some small personal luck, it was considered as fulfilling the mission. Later, he became an official in the imperial examination and became an official in the northwest, until the Pingxia annihilation of Liao Dynasty. I also participated in it and witnessed it.
The history of the Song Dynasty from the oppression of the barbarians in the north to the unification of the northern land has been prosperous. Today, the Song Dynasty is flourishing and dominating the world. Thousands of nations come to court, and hundreds of countries share the commonwealth. People living in the Song Dynasty who are thousands of miles away by sea only need to mention us.
If China comes to the country, it will be treated as a distinguished guest. This is proof that a strong country will lead to the trust of the people."
"Master Su is indispensable. Without Master Su, there would be no Song Dynasty today."
"Yes, Mr. Su devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Song Dynasty. He was the number one contributor in both military and political affairs."
"Master Su is a genius from heaven. We, the Song Dynasty, were favored by God, and that is why Mr. Su came out of the blue and made our Song Dynasty what it is today."
"..."
Everyone shouted and raised their hands to show respect to Su Jin.
Su Jin smiled and waved his hands and said: "I am not saying this to ask you to sing my praises, but to look back on the past with emotion when we say goodbye."
Everyone was stunned, not understanding what Su Jin meant by parting, but some people vaguely understood something.
"Everyone, I am taking the opportunity of my mother's sixtieth birthday today to come to another place with you. I have decided to resign from my post and retire to the sea. I would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to everyone here who has supported, supported and cared for Su Jin.
Cherish our farewells. After this banquet, we will never see each other again. But the poem says: The best friends in the sea are like neighbors across the world; whether we see each other or not, I, Su Jin, will remember you all." Su Jin hugged each other and said deeply.
He bowed his head deeply to the ground, tears welling up in his eyes.