Chapter 51: The Bandits Are Coming

There are nine prefectures under the jurisdiction of Xiguanfu, and Mingzhou is one of them. As early as 30 years ago, the businessmen of Xiguanfu established a chamber of commerce, and the promoter of the chamber of commerce was Shen Jinshan's father, and later Shen Lao died, and Shen Jinshan became the new president under the recommendation of everyone.

Master Shen knew that it was not easy to be the president, so he did not rely on his father's prestige to set the Chamber of Commerce in Mingzhou, but in Anzhou, more than 400 miles away. Anzhou has the most businessmen who have joined the association, and Master Shen has thought it through, but he has trouble every year, and he has to go back and forth for 800 miles.

Mrs. Shen lay beside her husband at night, tossing and turning and couldn't sleep, "Master, do you really want to bring treasure to the Chamber of Commerce?" ”

Master Shen didn't fall asleep either, as soon as she spoke, she replied, "Well, Noble has grown up, and he will inherit the family business in the future, and it's time to get to know the people in the business field." ”

Mrs. Shen asked, "But haven't you always wanted to be a treasurer, and if he is distracted to do this kind of thing, it is better to read two more books." ”

Let his son enter the office, this is not only the wish of Master Shen, but also the wish of the ancestors of the Shen family for generations. It's just that he also has his own thoughts, and after thinking about it, he turned over, leaned close to her ear and said, "The saint is seriously ill, and the crown prince may be about to ascend the throne." The prince heard that there was a lot of prostitution and countless traitors around him, but he was afraid that the court would be uneasy. If Noble is to enter the office, it is not at this time, otherwise I am afraid that it will not be a blessing, but a curse. ”

Mrs. Shen was suddenly shocked, "Really? ”

"Since I took over the Shen family's business, I have arranged for someone to collect news for me in the capital, and the director of the Ministry of Works, Lin has also taken my favor, and the news from the two has been the same in recent days, and there will be no fake."

The Shen family has a big business, which may not be anything in Dayang, but businessmen always have to have a few hearts. In the war of the previous dynasty, there was a matter of arresting the rich man and going to find a name to steal the family to get money, Master Shen was confused about family affairs, but in foreign affairs, he had his own set of ways to survive, and he had not missed for so many years.

As long as Mrs. Shen is safe and secure, as soon as she heard that entering the office may endanger her son's safety, she immediately cut off her thoughts and said decisively, "Let Noble follow you in business." ”

Master Shen responded, but he still sighed heavily in his heart, it's just that, the situation is like this, don't take risks, it's okay to be a good businessman.

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Tomorrow, Shen Laibao will go to Anzhou with Shen's father, according to today's words, Anzhou is the capital city of Xiguanfu. Only then did he remember that after so many years here, he had never left Mingzhou once......

Don't say that he left Mingzhou, even if he left the Shen family for a day, the old lady and his mother asked their subordinates to send a message to urge him to go back, as soon as he went back, it was like he had gone to the ends of the earth and lost ten pounds, and put big fish and meat in his bowl.

Others are not seen for a day, but the Shen family is not seen for a day.

So he was very happy to think that he could go for a walk in a distant place.

400 kilometers of land, if you drive yourself, it will only take half a day, but in the case of a carriage, it will take two or three days, and this time it is to go to the Chamber of Commerce to do business, and it will take ten days to go back and forth.

He had to say hello to Flower Bell and ask her to take care of Feiyang.

Since he went to Hua's house, let's make it clear to Hua Xu about Qin Qin, he doesn't want to get involved in any triangle relationship.

When he arrived at Hua's house, when his subordinates saw him, he smiled and asked, "Is Young Master Shen here to find our young master, or is it our young lady?" ”

Usually I never ask like this, I always go directly to the yard to get it, Shen Laibao replied, "Look for it." ”

The servant seemed to be distressed, so he invited him in. Shen Laibao suddenly felt strange, and said with a smile, "What will happen if you find different people?" ”

The servant smiled and said, "Madam ordered, if you are here to find the young master, take it to the courtyard pavilion." If you have come to see our young lady, you can only be wronged to speak in the hall. ”

Shen Laibao paused, no need to say that he also knew the thoughts of the Hua family's wife. In the new world, she was still a child at the age of eleven, and she was already protected as a big girl here.

He still remembered which dynasty in China had a woman who could marry a woman at twelve. Twelve years old, only most people ...... 12 became 13 pregnant and gave birth to children, and gave birth to ...... Shen Laibao felt that he couldn't do it when he thought about it.

It's just that the average life expectancy in ancient times was short, which is not too strange, but as a modern person, he still feels that it is too hurtful to have a child in his teens.

He walked to the courtyard while thinking about the major events in his life, and when he arrived at the pavilion, the next person went to invite Hua Xu and Hua Ling.

He guessed that Hua Ling must have come first, she walked like the wind under her feet, always walked fast, and was full of vitality at all times. On the contrary, Hua Xu is always slow and logical, never panicked, young and old, and he is a person like him.

After waiting for a while, I saw someone in the corridor coming this way, and when I looked up, it was really a flower bell.

He leaned on the pillar and smiled slightly, just when he saw the flower bell, he felt happy, perhaps because with Xiaohua, nothing sad had ever happened.

"Brother Noble Brother." Hua Ling carried a bowl of ice-pickled plums in her arms, covered it and didn't show it to him, and when she got closer, she took a backhand to cover it and handed it to his mouth, "Open your mouth." ”

Shen Laibao lowered his head and opened his mouth, she had already stuffed a cold and cold thing, chewed it slightly, only felt a faint salty taste, and when he bit it again, the sour taste overflowed his mouth, and he suddenly became angry, and his teeth trembled.

Hua Ling frowned when she saw him eating, and her laughter was like a silver bell, "Is it delicious?" ”

"It's delicious." Shen Laibao swallowed a mouth full of sour and salty taste, and a little sweet, which became more and more delicious, "Did you pickle it yourself?" ”

"My grandmother pickled it, pickled it for more than half a year, my mother put it in the ice cellar and forgot it, and today my father asked people to send new ice cubes to find out. I tasted it and thought it was delicious, but my mother didn't give it, saying that I was afraid of eating it and hurting my stomach, so I secretly hid it. ”

"Gluttonous cat." Shen Laibao took another one to eat, and then said, "Xiaohua, I will go to Anzhou with my father tomorrow, and I may not come back until ten days later, and you should feed Feiyang when you go to feed the horses." ”

Hua Ling sat down with him and picked one in her mouth, "Okay, but it's the New Year, why are you still going out?" ”

"The time to go to the Chamber of Commerce is different every year, when everyone is free, when everyone is free, this year everyone is not free, so it is pushed to the month of Layue." He looked at Hua Ling's cheeks puffed out because of the pickled plums, and stretched out his finger to point it, like a hamster.

Hua Ling, who was concentrating on eating plums, didn't care, and only after being poked twice did she tilt her head suddenly, "You always bully me, I haven't seen you bully Sister Qin." ”

When it came to Qin Qin, Shen Laibao had already had thousands of thoughts flying in his mind, and even Hua Ling could see that something was wrong with him, "Look, right, you really have a weak heart, so don't bully me in the future." ”

Shen Laibao thought about it and poked her cheek again. Hua Ling was annoyed, and she got up to fight with him, but was stopped by Shen Laibao, and when she saw that her short hands couldn't reach her, she laughed heartily.

"Ahem."

There was a light cough outside the pavilion, which was very familiar, Shen Laibao immediately stopped his hand, and Hua Ling, who was already making a fuss, also hurriedly retracted, "Mother." ”

Liao's willow eyebrows raised, glanced at her with a slight reproach, and then looked at Shen Laibao, "Is Laibao here to find Lingling?" ”

Shen Laibao said, "I'm also here to find Brother Hua." ”

"He was listening to his father in his study, and he probably didn't come out so soon." She slowly sat down on the stone bench and waved her hand again, "Sit down." ”

Shen Laibao sat down, and Hua Ling was about to sit down, but she was glanced at by Liao, so she stopped abruptly and sat down next to her mother, sitting in a proper manner.

Liao Shi talked to Shen Laibao without saying a word, and he had no intention of leaving. After waiting for about half an hour, Liao said, "I'm afraid I won't leave the study for a while and a half, if you have something urgent, go back first, and when the continuation is free, I will let him go over to find you." ”

Shen Laibao vaguely understood that the Liao family didn't want him to stay alone with Hua Ling, so he sat here and talked to him, how could he understand now! He said goodbye to Liao and left the pavilion, and waved his hand secretly with Hualing, signaling her not to follow.

Hua Ling felt strange, and when he left, he suddenly heard his mother say, "Lingling, how many times has my mother told you, you are eleven years old, and you can't get too close to men." This truth mother sued you when you were seven years old, seven years old men and women do not sit at the same table, that is, your father, with a wide heart, is it impossible to control you now? ”

The tone was slightly stern, and Hua Ling was stunned when she heard it, "Mother, Brother Noble is different." ”

"How is it different?"

"We've been playing together since we were kids."

"That's not going to work." Liao never felt that Shen Laibao was his daughter's beloved, so he was a little resistant to Shen Laibao, who was already a teenager. This child is good, but the daughter should be matched with a better family, at least a scholarly family and a talented person.

Shen Laibao, who was forced to "isolate" from Hualing, did not expect this day, but he didn't expect it to be so soon.

The children in the alley basically bullied him when he was stupid, and when he recovered, they wanted to be close to him, and he just treated each other as ordinary friends. Therefore, he only plays with the children of the Hua family, Hua Lang, this kid is bent on joining the army, and he stays in the school field every day and does not come out, and he is not free to play with him. Hua Xu has already prepared for the scientific examination, and this year is no longer available.

Now the flower bell that accompanies them all day is also ......

When Shen Laibao walked into the house, he rarely felt lonely.

When he arrived at the room, he remembered that Hua Xu was not available, so let's go find Qin Qin first.

After thinking about it, he turned back to the gate and asked Ah Wu to prepare the car and go to the racecourse.

Except for the Chinese New Year's Eve, the horse farm is open to the public the rest of the time, especially during the New Year, many young people will come to ride horses, and rich families will also come to buy horses, which is also a lot of income.

Shen Laibao has a plan to rebuild the racecourse, that is, to build a racecourse, build spectator seats along the way, and teach the people here to race.

It's just that his father didn't let him touch these, and since the Taozhuang incident, he has also restrained a lot. Now that Dad Shen is willing to let him join the Chamber of Commerce, it means that he is allowed to enter the business world, so when he comes back from this trip, it can be mentioned.

There were thousands of horses in the racecourse, and Qin Qin was in charge of a hundred of them, and Shen Laibao knew the area and walked over quickly. Sure enough, he soon saw Qin Qin, "Qin Qin." ”

Qin Qin, who was holding Yang Fork, paused, looked there, saw that he was the only one coming, and asked, "Where is Lingling?" ”

"She didn't come." Shen Laibao smiled, "Why do you ask her when you open your mouth?" ”

Qin Qin pursed the corners of her lips before she said, "You have always come to the racecourse together, and you are inseparable, which is really enviable." ”

Shen Laibao smiled again, he didn't notice it, but when he thought about it again, he suddenly came up with something different. How do you listen to it, how do you look at it, it looks like you're jealous?

He was secretly surprised, how could he have a male and female affection for her!

Qin Qin couldn't help but be too nonsense.

He was secretly speechless, thinking that her attitude towards Hua Ling had always started this year, and it seemed that she was not very close to her at the beginning.

Wait, Hua Ling was only six years old when they first met, but her attitude always seemed to be like this, it wasn't like she was so jealous when she was six years old.

Shen Laibao felt a little confused.

No matter how you look at Qin Qin's attitude, it is inexplicable.

Qin Qin saw him fugue and called him, "What are you doing alone?" ”

Shen Laibao came back to his senses and retracted Fang Cai's cranky thoughts, "I want to come to you to talk about something." ”

Qin Qin looked at him, "You say." ”

"I ......" Shen Laibao is not good at dealing with men and women, and after thinking about it, he said, "You said before that your mother forced you to marry." ”

Qin Qin's eyes suddenly brightened, "You remember." ”

"Remember...... I want to tell you that if you marry a good man, I will definitely drink your favorite wine, and I will give you a generous gift as a friend. ”

Qin Qin was stunned, she looked at Shen Laibao and saw that he was uncomfortable.

He knew she understood—the person you were going to marry would definitely not be me, I would only appear to you as a friend.

Qin Qin was silent for a long time before he said, "It seems that you already know my mind...... So do you think I like you for the money? ”

She asked so bluntly, which surprised Shen Laibao, and then looked at her eyes, there was shame, but more firmness, even if she was ashamed, she had to ask to understand. Then he will not be able to be "soft-hearted", "I know not." If it's really for money, in fact, the Hua family is not bad, you are so smart, you should know that Hua Da Da likes you. ”

Qin Qin twisted her eyebrows, "I don't like him." ”

Shen Laibao was silent, "Qin Qin, I have always regarded you as a friend, a friend who once came to help me testify regardless of the danger of being excluded, I am grateful to you......"

"I don't want your gratitude." Qin Qin was stunned, the phalanges holding Yang Cha's handle had turned pale from clenching, "Shen Laibao, you don't owe me anything, don't be grateful to me." I know that the Shen family will not take a fancy to me, but I have been working hard all these years just to be able to stand side by side with you. ”

Shen Laibao shook his head, "Qin Qin, if I had known earlier that you thought so, then I would never have said it today." My mind is open and I know what friendship is and what affection is. I have nothing but friendship with you. If you want my help, I will go to the soup without hesitation. ”

Qin Qin clenched his fists and turned pale, "I thought that if you could treat me half as well as Hua Ling, I would be happy in my life, even if I looked at you silently, it didn't matter." ”

Shen Laibao frowned, "Qin Qin, don't always get involved with her, she's still young." ”

"I know." Qin Qin moved her lips, but she didn't say anything after all, the two were silent for a long time before she raised her head and said, "I won't marry the person my mother picked, I will escape, take my savings in the past few years, and escape from Mingzhou." You were the only thing I wanted to stay here, but if you snuff it out, then I have no reason to stay. ”

Shen Laibao didn't expect her to have such courage and intentions, "Where are you going to escape?" ”

"I've already made a plan, and I've thought about where I'm going to run in the future." Qin Qin raised the Yang fork again and put the full hay into the manger, "I'm sorry for you to tell the stableman and let him settle the wages, I think I'll get it later." ”

Shen Laibao wanted to ask more, but Qin Qin was already reluctant to reply to him. He stood for a moment, and felt that the matter should be sued.

He returned to Nanfeng Alley non-stop and knocked on the door of Hua's house to find Hua Xu.

Hua Xu had already come out of the study, and when he heard Shen Laibao coming to find him, he asked his subordinates to bring him over.

When Shen Laibao saw him, he told him about Qin Qin's departure, and he couldn't leave the pen for a long time. At the end, he said, "She told you that she wanted you to keep her." What is the matter with you coming to me? ”

"I know Brother Hua, you like her."

Hua Xu's expression changed slightly, and Shen Laibao said again, "I treat her as a good friend, she told me that it was not strange, but my friend couldn't stop her, so I thought that you might be able to keep her, she is a little withdrawn, but she is familiar with you, and may listen to you." ”

Shen Laibao knew that Hua Xu knew that Qin Qin liked him, but he couldn't say that in front of Hua Xu, they didn't have a chance, if they were destined to become husband and wife, then he really didn't want to be friends with Hua Xu, and it would be embarrassing to even be a neighbor.

Hua Xu thought for a moment before saying, "Where is she going to flee?" ”

"I don't know, I just know she's leaving."

Hua Xu was silent for a while before putting the pen down, "I'll go find her." "Where is a girl going to run away alone? Just thinking about it makes me feel scared.

He hurriedly went out and hung Shen Laibao in the house. Shen Laibao didn't mind, and walked out with him, but he didn't follow. I'm going to go out tomorrow, and I don't know what will happen. He was also afraid that Qin Qin would really escape by himself, and it was good to escape from the rotten blood-sucking home, but it was really not safe outside.

He called Ah Wu to come, arrange people first, follow Qin Qin, and protect her.

The next day, Ah Wuyi came early to report, saying that Qin Qin was still at home, and it didn't look like he was going to fly away. Shen Laibao thought that Qin Qin might just be talking angry, and he didn't really want to leave. Or maybe it was Hua Xu who persuaded her?

No matter what it was, she didn't run around, and Shen Laibao felt relieved. After breakfast, he and Shen's father left Mingzhou and went to Anzhou to participate in the Chamber of Commerce.

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The chamber of commerce in Xiguan Province only absorbs Xiguan merchants, so it is more cohesive, in order to fight against foreign merchants. If there is difficulty, support each other and share the glory. As a result, the merchants of the Seigki-fu province were much wealthier than the other prefectures. This annual chamber of commerce, unless there is a big difficulty, the head of the family will come forward, and if it really can't come, it will also be replaced by the closest person.

On the way, Master Shen talked to Shen Laibao in detail about the Chamber of Commerce and the relationship between the major families. The family that has interests with the Shen family is clearly organized, which makes Shen Laibao feel that Shen's father has been replaced.

When Master Shen saw him looking directly at him, he raised his hand and slapped him on the head, "Silly son, do you understand?" ”

As soon as the stupid son shouted, Shen Laibao confirmed that this was indeed his own father and had not been transferred, "Dad, I'm listening, and I'm trying to understand." It's just that Dad, you've been talking for two hours, and it seems like you're in too much of a hurry to get the ducks on the shelves. ”

Master Shen said, "I want to tell you slowly, it's just Noble ...... Businessmen have basically been businessmen for generations, so the children of my friends are all thieves and thieves, just you, starting from scratch, but as the son of the president, how can you not understand anything. ”

"......" Shen Laibao almost choked on saliva, "Then why didn't you teach me earlier, Dad?" ”

"In the early years, I always wanted you to take the entrance examination, and I forced you to study."

“…… Then why are you leaving me halfway through the house now? ”

Of course, Master Shen can't tell him about the court, what if the children's family says that they leak their mouths, they want to cause trouble, but they can't think of any good words, so they simply prevaricate angrily, "Shut up!" Do whatever your dad tells you to do! ”

Shen Laibao slanted at him, and the problem of yelling at people without saying a word has really remained unchanged for ten years. But fortunately, he was originally from a financial background, otherwise he would have become a real fool again when he arrived at the Chamber of Commerce, and after so many years of learning, he really didn't want to be regarded as a fool again.

After shouting "explain", Master Shen continued to give him the key points.

"Dad, I want to discuss something with you."

"Say."

"If my appearance in the Chamber of Commerce this time is good, you and your mother won't force me to marry a wife."

Master Shen rolled his eyes, "What if you don't look good?" ”

Shen Laibao said, "Then I'll listen to your arrangement." ”

Master Shen couldn't help laughing, the appearance of the thief had already made Shen Laibao guess what he was going to do next. After a moment, I heard him say, "Okay, it's a word." Come, good son, you must be tired, lie down and rest first. ”

The corners of Shen Laibao's mouth stiffened slightly, he knew it! In the next few days, his father will definitely not mention anything about the merchant to him again, and even wants to make him a little fool for the time being, so that when he returns, he will follow the agreement to marry a wife and have children.

- But Daddy is about to miscalculate, Shen Laibao won't let him get his wish.

He lay down beautifully, hugged the blanket and fell asleep leisurely, and when he went back, he would no longer have to be forced to marry.

Master Shen also looked at his sleeping son with a smile, and when he goes back, his son will have to give birth to a grandson next year, very good, very good.

Father and son each had their own thoughts, overflowing the carriage.

Suddenly, the carriage outside came to a sharp stop, and there seemed to be people shouting and rushing from all sides. Shen Laibao woke up from the dream suddenly, Father Shen's face changed, and he also looked out the window, only to see that on the hillside, dozens of people were screaming and running towards this side, holding sharp weapons and looking hateful.

The guards outside the car were all vigilant, "Master, I'm afraid I've been attacked by bandits." ”

Master Shen's heart was cold, and Shen Laibao was also shocked. He looked out the window, and there were more than thirty bandits, but there were only twenty people in the courtyard they brought with them, so I was afraid that they would be caught.

"Noble, get off."

Master Shen grabbed his son's hand and took him down, and before he got out of the car, those bandits had already approached and fought with the courtyard.

The sword light and sword shadow were in front of him, and Shen Laibao reached out and took his saber to help. But Master Shen grabbed him and trembled, "Son, run, there are too many of them to carry it." ”

"Dad, don't panic."

Shen Laibao raised his sword and wanted to go over, but he heard Master Shen scream, as if he was afraid that he would rush over and send him to death, "Son, run, don't be reckless!" ”

There was another commotion on the mountain, and Shen Laibao knew what he was panicking about, afraid that he saw that there were bandit reinforcements on the mountain. is already weak, and some more people can't even run.

Shen Laibao grabbed his hand and wanted to take him away, but Master Shen knew that he couldn't do it, so instead of running away, it was better to open a way for his son to survive and intercept the bandits for him. He looked down the steep mountain path behind him, and the hillside was hidden by the trees, and he couldn't see it when he ran inside. With a horizontal heart and a stroke of his eyes, he raised his leg and kicked Shen Laibao's leg and kicked him down.

Unexpectedly, Shen Laibao's thigh hurt, and he fell to his knees, and then he was pushed hard by Father Shen's mountain slope full of stones. Rolling into the jungle like a snowball, Shen Laibao, who was so stunned that he was so desperate for stones, was that he was cheating on his son again!