The Changlu Salt Transportation Division originally inherited the Ming system and set up two branches in Qingzhou and Cangzhou, which governed eleven fields in the north and nine fields in the south.

In the forty-third year of Qianlong, due to the reduction of salt farms, the judgment of Jiyongzhi was changed to the judgment of Jiyongyun, and the Qingzhou branch was changed to the Tianjin branch. In the twelfth year of Daoguang, the Cangzhou branch was eliminated, and the salt field under its jurisdiction was merged into the Tianjin branch. Therefore, today's Changlu Salt Farm still has two branches, but one is the Tianjin branch and the other is the Jiyong branch.

The Tianjin branch was originally located in Tianjin County, but with the merger of the salt field and moved to Cangzhou, the Jiyong branch was stationed in Songjiaying (now Fengnan District, Tangshan) in the Yue branch.

Han Chen, the deputy envoy of the Salt Transportation Division, has changed from acting to actual teaching, and his official position is greater than that of the Yun Judgment, and his grade is also higher than that of the Yun Judge, but because he is not the person of the former Chang Lu Yan Zhengwen Qian and the former Chang Lu Yan Yun Envoy Chonglun, he can only be a "shaking his head master" who goes to the Yamen of the Yun Si every day in Tianjin to order Mao but can't take care of things.

Last year, Changlu Yanzheng became Wulehong's forehead from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Changlu Yanyun's envoy also became a sublime from the "Houyi Hall", so he naturally no longer needed to sit on the cold bench. On the third day of April this year, he came to Songjiaying from Tianjin, sat in the Jiyong Branch, and governed the six salt farms in the North Institute.

has been a salt official in Lianghuai for so many years, and salt affairs are familiar to him. However, he could not only dry salt, collect taxes, investigate smugglers, and maintain law and order in various fields, but also raise money and food to organize group exercises. And his cousin Han Bo became a "family member of the house", and stayed in Tianjin with a few relatives transferred from Heying. While helping the "Houyitang" to deliver the news, he also helped to inquire about the news of the Yanzheng Yamen and the Yunsi Yamen.

Salt administration is actually the imperial history of patrolling salt, although the grade is not as high as the salt transporter, but the power is much greater than the salt transport, as long as it involves salt-related official affairs, he has the right to manage.

Although the new salt governor Ul Hong'er has not been in office for a long time, he has already held three birthdays.

As soon as Han Bo finished helping his cousin deliver the congratulatory gift, he received an urgent letter from the "Houyi Hall", seeing that the envelope clearly said that Han Chen had opened it in person, thinking that he hadn't seen his cousin for several months, he simply explained the official affairs of Tianjin to his subordinates, and then rode a fast horse for two days to hand over the letter to Han Chen, who had just returned to the branch office after inspecting a salt farm.

Afraid that his cousin would blame him for leaving his post without permission, Han Bo said cautiously: "Brother, it looks like the handwriting of the fourth master, and the fourth master must be in a hurry to repair the book himself, so I threw down the mess in Tianjin and rushed over." ”

After reading Han Xiufeng's handwritten letter, Han Chen raised his head and said, "It is indeed written by the fourth master." ”

"What did the fourth master say?" Han Bo asked curiously.

Han Chen put down the letter and said solemnly: "The fourth master said that this time is different from the past, saying that our cannon seems to be similar to the foreigner's cannon, but in fact, there is a big gap. The foreigners' cannons are exquisitely cast, and our cannons are rough. Especially the cannon balls, which are cast by foreigners with wax molds, are round like balls, and each one is the same size, which is very consistent with the barrel. And our cannon pellets are cast in clay molds, not only of different sizes, light and heavy, but also have a waist line on the cannon pellets. ”

Han Bo saw the cannon pills of the official army, and asked puzzledly: "What's wrong with the waistline, what does it matter if it's different sizes?" ”

"The relationship is big, because of the roughness of the cannon barrel and cannon pellet casting, so our cannon is not far away. Even a 10,000-pound cannon can only hit a thousand steps, while a foreigner's cannon can hit two or three thousand steps. People can beat us, but we can't reach others. Han Chen took out his pocket watch, looked at the ticking and spinning second hand, and said helplessly: "In addition, the gunners almost don't practice on weekdays, so it takes us six or seven minutes to fire a shot." The foreigner's gunner can fire three shots in two minutes. The gap between our shotguns and foreigners' guns is even greater, do you think this battle can be won if it is really fought? ”

"What does the fourth master mean ......"

"The foreigners are strong and the ships are strong, and no matter how many of our people there are, it is useless. The fourth master felt that it was okay if this group practiced or not, and if it was done, it would not only be useless, but also cost the people and money. ”

"The fourth master thinks it's useless, then don't do it, anyway, it's more than two hundred miles away from Dagukou, if there is really a war over there, it's too late for you to rush to help."

"The fourth master didn't let me sit idly by, but felt that the silver should be spent on the blade, and he had already ordered the Shanghai and Nanhai branches to inquire if they could buy foreign artillery, and when they had the right letter, they would ask for the purchase of foreign cannons to strengthen coastal defense."

"Brother, are you saying that the fourth master asked us to save the silver for group training, which can be used to buy foreign guns and cannons when the time comes?"

"Hmm." Han Chen nodded slightly, and then changed his words: "The fourth master also said that there is an opportunity to become an official now, but he has to go to Hubei or Jiangxi to serve, let me ask you if you are willing." ”

Han Bo was stunned.

Han Chen looked at him with a smile and said, "The fourth master said very clearly in the letter, although he went to serve under Lord Zeng of the Zeng State Domain or Lord Hu Linyi Hu, he didn't need to go into battle to kill thieves, but to be an errand in the grain station. ”

"To be a grain officer?"

"Not really."

"Then what's the difference between going to the grain table?"

"Deliver the news, if you are willing to go, the people will find out about the thief, and they will sort it out and compile it and hand it over to you, and then your ideas will be quickly transmitted to the capital. It's a bit like sitting on the detective, but not only will people not guard against you, but they will even treat each other politely, and they will serve you with good wine and food. ”

"Is there such a good thing?" Han Bo thought it was a little incredible.

There were no outsiders in the house, Han Chen had nothing to worry about, and couldn't help laughing: "Don't look at Lord Zeng and Lord Hu are very beautiful, but not only are they no one in the court, but even many princes and ministers are worried that their tails will not fall, so they can only ask Lord Su Shun and the fourth master to help the emperor with good words." The fourth master can help them say a few fair words in front of the emperor, but if they don't know the situation in Jiangxi and Hubei, how can they help them open this mouth when the time comes. So I had to arrange for two people to go to the front of the battle to play and help exchange news. ”

This is a beautiful difference that can be treated as a guest by Lord Shilang and Lord Governor, the more Han Bo thinks about it, the more excited he becomes, and he can't help asking: "Brother, did the fourth master say that if I go, what kind of official can I be?" ”

"If you want to go, then hurry up and pack your luggage and resume to the capital, and the fourth master will help you find a Bapin County first, and then find a way to send you to Jiangxi or Hubei for a trial. When you get to Jiangxi or Hubei, Lord Zeng and Lord Hu will naturally find a real shortage for you. ”

"Brother, such a good opportunity, I naturally want to go, but what should I do when I leave Tianjin?"

"Isn't there a Chonghou Lord in Tianjin, if you decide to go, the fourth master will repair the book for the Chonghou Lord, and the Chonghou Lord will definitely arrange a reliable person to take over." The cousin can be an official, Han Chen is just as happy, thinking about it and saying: "The fourth master also said that he would not let you go like this, you can choose a few honest and reliable brave men from here, or you can go to Gu'an when you go to work, and go to Heying to pick a few soldiers." ”

"Brother, since the fourth master has thought about it, then I really went."

"People go to high places, water flows to low places, why not go to such a good opportunity." Han Chen patted him on the arm and said with a smile: "By the way, you have to hurry up and think about whether to go to Hubei or Jiangxi." ”

Han Bo asked excitedly: "If you go to Hubei, you will go to serve under Lord Hu Linyi Hu." If you go to Jiangxi, you will go to serve under Zeng Guofan? ”

"Hmm."

"Brother, I'...... I want to go to Hubei, to be closer to home. ”

"Okay, if you go to Hubei, you will go to Hubei, the fourth master is waiting for Xin'er, and he will leave after lunch, and I will ask the account office to prepare four thousand taels of silver for you later."

"Brother, I have some savings, I don't need your money!"

"What's the hurry, it's not all for you." Han Chen glared at him, and said with hatred: "It's a shame that you have been with me for so many years, and you don't understand the world at all." If you want to talk about fellow villagers, there are many Sichuan compatriots in Beijing, why does the fourth master only care about our brothers and not other fellow villagers, it is because when our brothers are their own people. But we can't just because the fourth master didn't treat us as his own people and didn't understand the rules, and now that the New Year is coming, we can't even give us some charcoal. ”

Han Bo reacted and hurriedly said, "Understood." ”

Even if Han Xiufeng didn't bring his cousin to be an official, Han Chen would send someone to the capital to send Tan Jing in a few days, take out a gift list that had been prepared early from the drawer, and hand it to Han Bodao: "One thousand taels is for filial piety to the fourth master, five hundred taels each for Lord Wen and Master Enjun, two hundred taels for Lord Qingxian, and one hundred taels for Jilu and the first guard." Master Ji, Master Wu and the two Master Ao each have two hundred taels, and the remaining two hundred taels, you look at the rewards given to the subordinates in the hall and the hall. ”

"I know, I'll give it according to this gift list."

"Carefully read it a few times, memorize it in your head, and burn it after reading it."

"Understood."

……

At the same time, Liu Shanyang, who had just arrived in Shanghai by boat, inquired all the way, and finally found the Sichuan Hall located on the edge of the racecourse.

There are not many Sichuan people in Shanghai, and even fewer Sichuan people come from the capital.

He had just stayed for a short time, and was thinking about whether it was appropriate to reveal his identity to the deacon, when Su Jueming, who heard the news, knocked on the door of the room, arched his hand and asked with a smile: "Mr. Liu, I heard that you are from Ba County, and you are from the capital?" ”

"Exactly, Liu is a native of Ba County, Sichuan, and I dare to ask your surname."

Su Jueming didn't answer his question, but asked: "Since Mr. Liu is from Ba County, since he is from the capital, does Mr. Liu recognize Master Han of Taifu Temple?" ”

Liu Shanyang secretly thought that this kid was quite a ghost, and when he interrogated others, he didn't reveal a word about his own surname, so he simply said bluntly: "Coincidentally, Liu not only knew Lord Han, but also asked me to bring a few letters to my friends in Shanghai before I came. ”

Su Jueming didn't dare to interrogate anymore, and hurriedly said: "Under Su Jueming, I don't know if Master Han has mentioned it to Mr. ”

"You are Su Jueming?" Liu Shanyang smiled and asked again, "What about Miss Ren, I heard that Miss Ren lives not far from the guild hall." ”

"Back to Mr. Liu, Miss lives behind the hall, and Jueming will go to report to Miss."

"Miss Ren is at home?"

"Yes, just came back."

Seeing that Su Jueming was about to bow down and retire, Liu Shanyang asked: "Brother Su, Lord Han said that the predecessor of Shanghai County, Zhou Xingyuan, is also in the concession, can you help Liu and ask Zhou Xingyuan to come over too." ”

"Yes, Mr. Zhou lives downstairs, Jueming will go and invite."

……

Although Ren Yuer, like Su Jueming, had never met Liu Shanyang, she had helped Han Xiufeng write letters to Liu Shanyang when she was in Hai'an, and she knew very well what kind of friendship Liu Shanyang had with Han Xiufeng. As soon as she heard that Liu Shanyang was coming, she hurriedly changed into the clothes that a woman from the official palace should wear, and hurried to the second floor of the hall with Lian'er.

Seeing Liu Shanyang sitting in the room, looking at her with a smile, he hurriedly said a blessing, and said respectfully: "Yu'er to see Master Liu, Master Liu came from afar, Yu'er missed the welcome, and asked Master Liu to forgive him!" ”

"You don't know I'm coming, and besides, I'm not an outsider, sit, sit down."

As soon as Liu Shanyang's voice fell, Zhou Xingyuan, who had also just gone upstairs, asked anxiously: "Mr. Liu, how did you come here, how did you walk so far alone?" ”

"Brother Zhou doesn't know, Shanyang didn't come alone, just went ashore alone," Liu Shanyang smiled, and then turned back and said: "Miss Ren, you should be no stranger to Wang Naizeng, I came with him this time." However, he had other errands and had to hurry to Canton, so he put me ashore and went with the boat. ”

Ren Yu'er was taken aback and couldn't help asking, "He's in such a hurry?" ”

"Yingyi provoked, Guangdong was tight, not only was he anxious, but Lord Han was even more anxious." Liu Shanyang took out three letters from the package and distributed them to the three people: "This is the letter that Lord Han entrusted me to bring to you, what should I do about the errand here in Shanghai in the future, Lord Han has explained it in the letter, I just came to see the world, and everything still depends on the three of them." ”

Ren Yu'er dared to beat Zhou Xingyuan, but she didn't dare to be disrespectful to Liu Shanyang, and said while opening the letter: "Mr. Liu, the hall is too noisy. Although the courtyard at the back is not big, there are many rooms, and it is quiet, or you can move to the back to live. ”

When Liu Shanyang was in the capital, he knew that she had helped Han Xiufeng buy a house in the concession, and he also knew that the houses were all female dependents, so he said without thinking: "There's no need to be so troublesome, I like to be lively, and it's good to live in the hall." ”

As he was talking, Zhou Xingyuan, who had just finished reading the letter, suddenly stood up and asked excitedly: "Mr. Liu, Zhou Mou's real official has been reinstated, is this really the case with Li Jin?" ”

"This can still be fake," Liu Shanyang asked rhetorically, looked at him with a smile and said: "Brother Zhou, your affairs Lord Wen dare not show the truth, it does not mean that Lord Han does not dare." But then again, the brother's ability to reinstate the official is not only what Lord Han is fighting for, but also what you fight. If it weren't for the news of the long-haired infighting, how could this matter be so easy. ”

"Mr. Liu, is it useful to say that the news of the long-haired infighting?" Ren Yu'er asked happily.

"It's useful, Lord Han said that the emperor confirmed that this news is true, and Longxin Dayue not only ordered Brother Zhou to be reinstated, but also pardoned you."

"Mr. Liu, I ...... What's wrong with me, why does the emperor want to pardon me. ”

"It is not a trivial matter to take in and shield the prisoners who have been dismissed and investigated, and to embezzle 50,000 taels of gold without permission. Yu'er, the reason why your fourth brother risked losing his official position or even going to prison is not only to clear Brother Zhou's injustice, but also to worry about you! ”

Ren Yu'er, who has never really been an official and cannot be an official, realized that what she had done before was a bit lawless. Seeing Liu Shanyang's appearance as if he was smiling but not smiling, he was suddenly so frightened that he didn't dare to squeak anymore.

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