When the sergeant went to Li Xiaotong, Cui Zeng, director of the inspection department of Mazhu Town, with two personal soldiers, stood anxiously outside Chifeng Fort. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

They looked at the Chifeng Fort, which was being built busily, and the large group of soldiers who were training neatly in the open space not far from the fort, and the eyes of the three of them were full of envy and jealousy.

This Li Xiao, I heard that he is only 22 years old, but he has been promoted to the position of a thousand households, and he has such financial resources, he can build a huge castle and recruit many soldiers, and he is really a very capable person.

Compared with the young and promising Li Xiao, Cui Zeng, who was in his fifties at the time, and his hair and beard were gray, couldn't help but think of his own experience, and his heart suddenly felt even more ashamed.

This Cui Zeng is the cousin of Li Huajing, the military division of Liu Zeqing, the general soldier of Shandong, and it is precisely because of the relationship between his cousin and nephew that he became the director of the inspection department of this Mazhu Town, and he has been doing it for five or six years.

The Inspection Department is an important grass-roots unit set up by the government at the township level below the county level, which is somewhat similar to today's police stations, but has more power than police stations. This inspection department is responsible for inspecting passers-by, cracking down on smuggling, arresting thieves, and maintaining the safety of business and travel.

In the Ming Dynasty, not all counties had set up inspections, but they were definitely important places to pass Jinjin, either as important border areas or as important inland passages.

The configuration of the inspection department of Mazhu Town is the same as that of other places, and it is also guarded by an inspection from Jiupin, and there is a yamen of the inspection department in the town, as well as a canonical history, a scribe and twenty inspection archers.

Cui Zeng is both incompetent and greedy, since he served as the director of the inspection department, he has never cracked down on the big and small bandits all over Denglai, but he has wantonly exploited the local power, bullied and extorted business travelers, and in the past few years, he has gathered a lot of money.

It's a sigh that this silver comes easily, and it spreads quickly.

Last year, when the Denglai army was in rebellion, Cui Zeng was afraid of the rebels, and only heard that the enemy soldiers were coming, so he abandoned the division and fled, and did not even bring out the documents in the division, and later these documents were set on fire by the rebels along with the entire yamen. Liu Zeqing, who was the deputy commander-in-chief of Shandong at the time, was furious when he heard this, and wanted to behead Cui Zeng, but fortunately Li Huajing persuaded Fang to live, and Cui Zeng himself hurriedly provided Liu Zeqing with a large amount of bribe silver in order to save his life, which saved his life.

After the Denglai rebellion subsided, Cui Zeng spent a huge amount of money to deal with Liu Zeqing, Li Huajing and others, and then re-became the director of the inspection department of Mashu Town.

It's just that after this toss, Cui Zeng's original savings of a large amount of silver were all spent, and in order to renovate the yamen of the inspection department, Cui Zeng had to borrow a lot of foreign debts from businessmen, so that the inspection department could barely look like an official government.

It's just that after this rebel rebellion, the entire Denglai area is depressed and barren, and Mazhu Town, as a township-level unit, is even more populated and sparsely traveled.

After a month's observation, Cui Zeng, who was crazy about money, set his eyes on Li Xiao, an outsider.

When Li Xiao first came to Shandong, Cui Zengting looked down on him, he felt that this Li Xiao was just a broken household who couldn't stay in Liaodong, so he had to seek shelter in Shandong, a two-mile radius. For such a poor man, Cui Zeng has no interest in beating his idea.

It wasn't until he heard that Li Xiao's Chifeng Fort was being built like this that Cui Zeng realized that he was wrong.

I didn't expect it, I didn't expect that this Li Xiao was a real person who didn't show his face, he built a fort and expanded the army, and he spent a lot of money, so he should be rich and comfortable, which shows how much money this guy has hidden.

Cui Zeng regretted it very much, and scolded himself for being too negligent and too late, knowing that he had such wealth, he should have knocked him on a bamboo pole when Li Xiao had just landed.

But now although Cui Zeng understands that Li Xiao is rich, he doesn't have the courage to come to the door and knock on Li Xiao's bamboo pole.

After all, Li Xiao has more than 1,000 soldiers, and some time ago he eliminated the bandits in Dog Mountain, and he is quite famous. Cui Zeng was just a small patrol, and he didn't have the courage to pluck the feathers on the tiger.

It's just that letting go of Li Xiao, a fat sheep, is not in line with Cui Zeng's style. He knew that he couldn't settle Li Xiao with his own strength, so he hurriedly reported the news of Li Xiao's huge wealth in the army to his cousin Li Huajing.

Li Huajing was taken aback, and then told the news to Liu Zeqing, the chief soldier, both of them were very angry, and they both had a feeling of being deceived by Li Xiao in their hearts.

"Damn, I knew that this Li Xiao was so rich, I should have knocked him out in the first place!" Liu Zeqing was very remorseful.

"Humph! Li Xiao, a bastard, sent that Wu Liang that day to complain and cry in front of us, and he only used such a little silver to get a foothold in my Shandong, but we were too kind-hearted. Li Huajing also gritted his teeth with hatred.

"What to do? If you don't send troops, you can simply destroy Li Xiao's gang in one fell swoop! Liu Zeqing's fierce eyes were as wide as two copper bells.

"Your Excellency, don't be so eager. We just listened to Cui's words and moved the army, but it was inappropriate. Li Huajing groaned for a moment and said slowly.

"What does the military advisor want?"

"My lord, in the next place, you can first send Cui Zeng to Li Xiao's army in the name of selfishness to investigate the truth and truth, if it is found that he does have such a huge wealth in the army, you can make Cui Zeng test it and ask him to hand over the cost of the offering." A sinister smile appeared on Li Huajing's face.

"What the military advisor said is really troublesome, if it is found that Li Xiao has a huge amount of money in the army, he will directly lead the Shandong soldiers and horses to eliminate Li Xiao in one fell swoop, wouldn't it be worry-free?" Liu Zeqing listened to Li Qianjing's suggestion and was quite unimpressed.

"My lord, in doing this, in fact, I want to test Li Xiao's own attitude, if he can go to the Tao on his own to make offerings, why do you need us to send soldiers and horses, besides, this day is still long, Li Xiao can make a confession for the first time, and we can force him to confess for the second time in the future, then no matter how much money Li Xiao has, there will be a day when he will be squeezed out by us." When Li Huajing said this, his face was already full of cruelty.

Liu Zeqing was very satisfied, and smiled. Suddenly, he asked again: "What if that Li Xiao refuses to go to the Tao and refuses to bleed?" ”

Li Huajing sneered, his triangular eyes narrowed into a thin slit, and said slowly: "Since he refuses to go to the road, the adults don't have to send troops and horses immediately, I have my own plan, let him obey!" ”

。。。。。。

Cui Zeng stayed outside the fort for a while, and while he was thinking nonsense, Sergeant Tongyu returned and took him to see Li Xiao.

Cui Zeng left two personal soldiers outside the house, and he followed the sergeant into Li Xiao's straw house.

Li Xiao saw that Cui Zeng's hair and beard were all gray, with a sharp and thin face, crooked eyebrows and thin eyes, which looked uncomfortable. He was dressed in a nine-grade green military attache robe made of ramie, with a seahorse printed on the patch on his chest, a black veil on his head, a belt around his waist, and official boots on his feet.

In contrast, Li Xiao, who was dressed in an ordinary light blue silk robe, if it weren't for his calm and steady temperament, from the outside, he would look more like an ordinary person.

"Xiaguan meets Master Li." Cui Zeng blinked and knelt down to Li Xiao.

Cui Zeng, who was in his fifties, bowed down to 22-year-old Li Xiao, which made him quite uncomfortable. But Cui Zeng still knows how to abide by the rules of this Ming officialdom, although Li Xiao, a thousand households, is so young, he is the top official of the sixth grade, and he is much higher than himself, the last military attache from the ninth grade.

"Cui Patrol came to my castle from afar, it doesn't have to be like this, please get up quickly." Li Xiao smiled and helped him out.

Cui Zeng took advantage of the situation to get up, and after the two sat down, Li Xiao was busy watching tea.

Soon the sergeant offered tea, and Li Xiao made an invitation to Cui Zeng, so he smiled while blowing tea foam: "But I don't know that Cui Patrol came to my Chifeng Fort, what are you doing?" ”

Cui Zeng took a sip of tea, put the teacup on the table, and said with a smile on his face: "Master Li, there is nothing to do in the Three Treasures Palace." Recently, some people have reported that the adults are selling smuggled salt and colluding with those smugglers. Therefore, I had to make a special trip to the Lord's Castle today to investigate, in order to find out. ”

After Cui Zeng finished speaking, Li Xiao's face suddenly fell.

"My lord, don't blame, the lower official listened to what the person who reported it at that time, and he was angry. The lower official scolded this person, saying that Master Li was a bright person, how could he do such a thing of making and selling smuggled salt. It's just that this person is conclusive, and he has a nose and eyes, and the lower officials are also helpless, after all, if this matter is to be reported, it will not look good in the face of Lord Li, so he has to come to Guibao to report this matter to Lord Li, and investigate by the way. Please rest assured, if it is found that it is indeed a false accusation by a villain, the next official will immediately behead this person, and the name of the whole adult will be cleared. ”

After Cui Zeng finished speaking carefully, Li Xiao's face became more and more ugly.

"Where this person is, this official can confront him face to face." Li Xiao's face was gloomy, and he shouted in a low voice.

Cui Zeng's eyes rolled and he hurriedly said: "This person is being detained by me in the prison of the Inspection Division, this kind of villain is really hateful, he is so full of nonsense and spraying people with feces." The lower officials didn't dare to bring him, but they were afraid of polluting the treasure land of the adults. Lord Li, don't worry, and let the lower officials investigate, if there is indeed no matter of making and selling smuggled salt, the lower officials can hand over this person to the adults and dispose of them with the adults. ”

Cui Zeng smiled dryly, and looked at Li Xiao's eyes, but they were full of eagerness.

Li Xiao glanced at Cui Zeng's thin face, and he suddenly understood the true purpose of this Cui Zeng coming here.

Talking about investigating and dealing with the production and sale of smuggled salt is just an excuse. The real purpose should be to find out Li Xiaojun's true financial resources, which is the real reason why this guy came to Chifeng Castle.

This person came suddenly, and Li Xiao couldn't prepare to transfer the goods in advance. If this person is allowed to understand the amount of goods accumulated in the fort in the name of exploration, he is letting himself be trapped.

If you leave this handle in the hands of others, how will you explain this huge wealth, and how you can get this small family?

This Cui Zeng looks harmless to humans and animals with a smile on his face, but he didn't expect that he is a sinister and cunning person with a knife hidden in his smile.

I just don't know who is behind this person?

Li Xiao couldn't find an answer for a while.

"Cui Inspection, you came here with good intentions."

Li Xiao gave Cui Zeng a faint smile back, and then took a sip of tea.

"Master Li, why did you say that. The lower officials are just doing official business. Cui Zeng was stunned and hurriedly argued.

Li Xiao sneered and said slowly: "Cui Inspection, Li Mou has never liked to go around in circles, you came here today, I'm afraid there is something else, right?" ”

Facing Li Xiao's direct gaze, Cui Zeng's face changed greatly, he snorted, and he didn't know how to answer for a while.

This Li Xiao is poisonous, how did he see it?

Cui Zeng hurriedly said: "Lord Li, there is really nothing else to do, you are too careful, the lower officials are ten more guts, and they don't dare to joke with Lord Li." ”

"What if the official doesn't let you check it?"

Li Xiao said coldly with a grim face.

Cui Zeng's face turned white for a while: "This, Lord Li, has a small official position, but he is responsible." Master Li, you have a lot of adults, why do you have to embarrass your subordinates? ”

"No more talk. This official can say to Cui Patrol that our army has always been strict in abiding by the rules since it came to Shandong, and there is absolutely no matter of making and selling smuggled salt. Li Xiao looked out the door and said calmly.

"Master Li, it's just that this statement has no basis。。。。。。 Cui Zeng's words were obviously lowered.

Li Xiao sneered, stood up, looked directly at Cui Zeng's flustered eyes, and said calmly and clearly: "Having said that, Cui Inspector understands himself. This official still has something to do, so I will not accompany him, please go back to Cui Patrol. After you go back, tell the master behind you to make him act more uprightly, so that the secret plot to probe our army is really contemptible! ”

"You 。。。。。。"

Cui Zeng's face trembled, and for a while, he couldn't say anything.

He never expected that Li Xiao would be so uncooperative, and before he could say blackmail, Li Xiao would dare to drive him away so directly.

This bastard Li Xiao is really rampant!

This time, Li Xiao had already strode away from the door.

Seeing that Li Xiao was far away, Cui Zengcai pointed at Li Xiao's back with trembling fingers, and scolded: "Li Xiao who entered the dog, you have to toast and not eat and drink, okay, let's ride a donkey and read the record book, and we'll see!" ”

(Thank you to the Taisongwang brothers for the tip, thank you for your support).