The Huangpu River, which originates from Taihu Lake, is a landmark river known to the people of the whole country in later generations. The Huangpu River, shaped like a touch of jade, divides Shanghai into Puxi and Pudong, and finally flows into the Yangtze River at the mouth of Wusong.

In fact, before the Ming Dynasty, the current Huangpu River channel was flowing with Wusong River water.

Later, at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, due to the siltation of the Wusong River channel, the water invaded the people year after year, so the then household department Shangshu Xia Yuanji dredged the Great Huangpu, converging the Wusong River, and passing the Fanjiabang channel to Wusongkou, so that the Huangpu River that originally flowed out of the sea became the form of the hook jade in later generations, so there is the saying of "Huangpu seizing Song".

In this process, the original main stream of the Wusong River became a tributary of the Huangpu River overnight, and the section of the Wusong River that flows through Shanghai called Suzhou Creek joins the Huangpu River from the opposite side of the famous Lujiazui in later generations.

In fact, before the end of the Qing Dynasty, the official name of the Shanghai section of the Wusong River was not called Suzhou Creek - because of the need to sign a concession agreement with foreigners at that time, for the convenience of demarcation, the official name of Suzhou Creek was given to the treaty.

Time flies, vicissitudes of life, since the dredging of the Huangpu River in the early Ming Dynasty, more than 260 years have passed unconsciously.

During this period, although the Huangpu River basin, including Suzhou Creek, was dredged and repaired by the government from time to time, the paralysis symptoms at the end of the feudal dynasty were still inevitable.

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, although the main channel of the Huangpu River was still navigable for large ships, its tributaries, including the Suzhou Creek, had been seriously silted up. This, combined with the counter-seasonal heavy rains during the Xiaoice River period, caused frequent flooding in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River Delta, and large-scale destruction of agricultural production.

November 18, 1629, the third day after Xiong Dao received the telegram.

A ferry boat departed from the old Yangjiadu Wharf in Pudong, crossed the Huangpu River in a straight line, and stopped at the pier outside the Dadong Gate of the county seat of Shanghai.

The county seat of Shanghai in the Ming Dynasty is located on the bank of the Huangpu River, and the Lujiazui on the opposite bank is diagonally opposite, and it is the most rich and extravagant county seat in the entire Yangtze River Delta Plain.

Not to mention the crowded shops, bustling streets, and wharves on the four sides of the county, just talking about the inside of the county, it is also a posture of no white dings and rich slaves everywhere - the county seat of Shanghai in the Ming Dynasty is an area with the highest density of wealthy families in the Pearl River Delta region.

A small piece of the county town and its surrounding areas have gathered a large number of gentry and wealthy households, and it is a well-deserved base camp for reactionary scholars. It is no exaggeration to say that there are many slaves here, "the household of the middle people, the house is broken at every turn", in this place where a brick can be thrown to the place where the gentry and slaves can be smashed, ordinary people are really not easy to live.

As soon as the ferry docked, a group of passengers of all kinds stepped off the boat.

At the end of the walk are the master and servant. The middle-aged man who started his head was wearing a gray squirrel skin robe, with a wide and fat body, and a round face that seemed to show a professional smile at all times.

After the Duya people got out of the dock, they quickly picked up a green tweed sedan chair from the row of taxi sedan chairs waiting for work on the side of the street and got in, and then the four sedan chair drivers diligently carried the guests to the south.

Heading south from the east gate of the county seat, on the left hand is a dense network of boats docked along the river, and on the right hand is a succession of shops and large houses. Just outside the city, the prosperity has exceeded that of most of the counties in the Ming Dynasty. The warm sedan chair goes to the place where the pedestrians are weaving, the spokes are exchanged, the Ming Dynasty enjoys the peace of the country for more than 200 years, and it is clear here in Shanghai County.

The sedan chair went all the way from the east gate to the south gate, and then continued until after passing the business district, a mansion compound gradually appeared in front of it.

It didn't take long for the sedan chair to stop in front of a large mansion. After getting out of the sedan chair, Du Yaren looked up at the two doors painted with green paint, brass beast mouths, and gray tin rings, and then led the servant to the side door.

There is naturally a door government in the side door. After Du Yaren passed, he first reported his name, and then took out the broken silver according to the rules and asked the porter to pass it on—and it didn't take long for him to be welcomed in.

Walking in the carved beams and paintings, exquisite and beautiful corridors, Du Yaren was still a little surprised by today's meeting, you must know that more than half a year ago, he also went to Songjiang Mansion, and he also planned to visit the owner of this mansion, but at that time, he was quickly sent away by the steward, and he didn't even enter the door of the house.

I don't want to think that after more than half a year has passed, the situation is much better when I posted yesterday, and the host's family made an appointment to meet today without stumbling. It stands to reason that if you make an appointment with a post, usually the guests and hosts will meet after three days before they are considered to be courteous.

While pondering, Du Yaren silently followed the doorman and walked honestly, and it didn't take long for him to be led to a side hall to watch tea.

After taking two sips of tea and eating a winter date in the fruit bowl on the table, Duya heard a string of footsteps coming from behind the screen. Later, surrounded by a maid and a servant, a middle-aged man in a thick robe turned out from behind the screen.

This person is about forty years old, with a long face, phoenix eyes, a long beard under his chin, fair skin, and his body is covered with gold and jade fragments.

And Du Yaren hurriedly left his seat at this time, got up and saluted, "I've seen Master Xu." ”

"Lao Du, you don't need to be polite, sit down and drink tea." At this time, the middle-aged man smiled and stretched out one arm and motioned for Du Yaren to take a seat.

Xu Jin Xu Xiucai, the great-grandson of the old Xu Jie, the brother of Xu Bengao, who is currently the commander of Jinyiwei, and the speaker of the Xu family.

Master Xu Jin Xu is the eldest son of the Xu family, and now the old lady is old and frail, so the Xu family's official affairs are basically Xu Jin's final say.

More than half a year ago, Du Yaren went to the old house of the Xu family in Songjiang to ask to see Xu Jin, intending to talk about buying land, but was kicked out.

However, just yesterday, Du Yaren was once again inexplicably entrusted by Xiong Dao to come to Xu's house outside Shanghai County to post in another business, intending to talk to Xu Jin about the purchase of land again. As a result, the apprehensive Duya people didn't make much effort this time, so they followed Xiong Dao's instructions and met Master Xu Jin and Xu in this other business.

After the two sides sat down, Master Xu, who had a very kind attitude, did not see him, and opened his mouth with a smile and asked, "Lao Du, you are a fiber puller, and today you are about to be a lobbyist for the Zhuangzi in Jiading, right?" ”

It was not surprising that Du Yaren spoke so directly to Master Xu.

First of all, if the Xu family is willing to see him, they will inevitably find out his details and intentions in advance, otherwise, Xu Jin's status is noble, how can he casually meet a person in the market?

Secondly, for the Duya people who often run to large households, Xu Jin's style is normal, what can people talk about with a tooth person? Just get straight to the point.

"Hehe, Master Xu is like a god." Du Yaren smiled professionally at this time and stretched out his thumb, "Lao Du came to the mansion today to Cheng Qingguang, just with the idea of fulfilling this beautiful thing, helping the two masters to draw a line, and everyone will earn together." ”

"Hmm" Xu Jin heard this, nodded, and after taking a sip of the tea bowl, he said, "I have also heard of that bear master, and I heard that he has a generous hand, is righteous, and has done great things." ”

"Don't dare." Du Yaren arched his hand with a smile on his face at this time, "Master Xiong likes to make friends, this is true." ”

"That's the case" Xu Jin put down the tea bowl at this time, and stretched out a hand to the side. The next moment, the little guy standing behind him took out a yellowed piece of paper from a black wooden box in his arms and handed it to his master.

After Xu Jin took the piece of yellow paper, he handed it to the next Du Yaren, "Then Lao Du, you might as well tell me, what benefits can this deed be exchanged for from your master?" ”

Du Yaren took a look, and sure enough, this piece of paper was the general deed of Xujia Zhuangzi in the north of Zhang Sutan, next to Shanghai Port. At this time, Du Yaren's hearts have been determined that today's big business is bound to be completed!

So Du Yaren, who was full of joy, raised his head and said with a smile: "Don't hide it from Master Xu, Old Du had orders before he came." said that as long as Master Xu can appreciate the light this time, then the acres of land on this deed will not only be all according to the price of the high-grade paddy field, but afterwards in Master Xiong's place, there is always a treasure to be taken out and handed over to the Xu family for sale. ”

When Du Yaren said this, his saliva was about to flow down - the crystal mirror in the hand of Master Xiong could be sold for a hundred taels of silver if the palm was the size of the palm, and this kind of treasure would be handed over to his Lao Du agent

"Hahahaha!" When Xu Jin heard this, he couldn't help laughing. After laughing a few times, Master Xu stopped, reached out and picked up a box of high-grade Ashima cigarettes on the coffee table, and took out one.

After a "ding" sound, the maid's tender white hand reached over in time and helped the old man light a cigarette with a handful of rotten silver zippo.

Skilled, after exhaling a deep puff of smoke, Master Xu nodded at Du Yaren with a smile on his face, "Master Xiong is really atmospheric, and a Zhuangzi can exchange for the goods of the crystal mirror." ”

Du Yaren nodded again and again at this time, "Hehe, it's also my master who sincerely wants to be a friend of Master Gao Panxu, so he has such a big deal!" ”

"Good, good! Good for big money! I just like to be generous! Xu Jin took another puff of cigarette at this time, and then patted his thigh, "In this case, I will give you all the title deeds!" ”

The next moment, I saw the little guy standing behind Master Xu take two steps forward, and then gently put the black box in his hand on the coffee table in Du Yaren's hand.

"Huh?" Du Yaren didn't figure out the situation for a while, he looked at the yellow paper on the coffee table, then looked at the black box, and looked up at Xu Jin a little inexplicably.

"Aren't you looking around for title deeds? It's all here. Master Xu was still smiling at this time, only to see him lean over and stretch out his arm, and gently pick open the black wooden box.