Lin Daoran's natural surname is Lin, and he is the nephew of a close branch of the old lady of the Lin family in this city. The old lady of the Lin family originally had several sons-in-law under his knees, but unfortunately most of them died young, and in the end there was only one third son who could become an adult, and this third son married a woman from the wealthy Fang family in Rizhao Mansion in Shandong Province two years ago, that is, Fang Luo.

Unfortunately, the body of these three sons is also weak, and they wanted to marry their daughter-in-law, but after marriage, their bodies still did not improve, and there were signs of coughing up blood when they came in. And the little child that Fang Luo finally conceived also had an early flow in her stomach, so anxious that the old lady of the Lin family was restless! If this kid has a good job, who can he give his big family business to?

But some people are sad, and some people are happy. There are a lot of side branches of the Lin family's clan, and if the main family has no children, the natural side branches will have a chance.

Lin Daoran has always been sleek and witty, very good at greeting, and secretly opened a number of transactions, and there are no less than dozens of salt, tea, leather, pawnshops and other shops operating in his house, and the financial resources are close to the main business of the Lin family. He has been very close to the old lady in the past few years, and it is indispensable to say hello every day, often scolding the Lin family as if he was his own, and even not taking the third brother and his wife in his eyes, which makes the house look sideways.

Now Lin Daoran is thriving in the officialdom, and within a few years, he was promoted to Yidu Road as the Tongzhi of the Salt Transfer Division, and he is becoming more and more active in both official and private roads!

His colleagues knew that he had a deep foundation and was unwilling to be convicted, but only the madman Fang of the Imperial Historical Observatory in his province disdained him, and although he was repeatedly degraded and reprimanded, he was repeatedly impeached.

As soon as Lin Daoran entered the door, he saluted Zhuo Sicheng, and then slightly dressed his clothes to return the salute to Ji Zongzhou, and made a circle of gestures, and exchanged a few words of greeting with a few subordinates who were waiting in the hall and acquaintances. The officials in the hall who had already had a spirit hurriedly invited Lin Daoran to the side to sit down, and then respectfully served a cup of tea.

Zhuo Sicheng was slightly suspicious, and asked: "Lord Lin, why is this so?" ”

Lin Daoran pretended to sigh deeply: "It's not Jing'an thieves who made trouble!" ”

Zhuo Sicheng and Ji Zongzhou glanced at each other, and they knew it in their hearts for a moment, but they didn't answer.

Lin Daoran saw that Zhuo Sicheng was not talking, paused, and continued to smile: "Since the Jing'an thief got out of trouble, this road has already spread the trend of provoking fire. Now the thief is even more personally leading the thief army eastward, and he saw the city of Rizhao. In recent years, a certain emperor has sent him to the salt department of this road. For the sake of the country, there is not a day without trembling, walking on thin ice, and I am deeply afraid that I will not do my best to lose the emperor's grace. Fortunately, thanks to the blessings of the chief manager and all the adults, although there are occasional twists and turns, it is finally worthy of the mission. The annual salt introduction and the number of salt packages have exceeded the official quota, which can be regarded as a small effort! ”

Ji Zongzhou arched his hand and said: "Lord Lin has worked hard for the country, hard work, hard work. The local mulberry is fortunate to be grateful for burning incense and worshipping! ”

Lin Daoran laughed: "Lord Ji said it was funny!" With Lord Zhuo and Lord Ji here, how dare Lin talk about hard work? It's just that thieves are rampant now, and seeing that the sun is in an emergency, if Laizhou Mansion and Dengzhou Mansion are implicated again——, I'm afraid that Yidu Road will be in danger! ”

Shandong's salt pans are mostly in these three places, and there are no less than dozens of salt pans in Rizhao Salt Farm alone, with tens of thousands of salt pans and tens of thousands of salt people. Because the sunlight here is the most abundant, more than one-third of the salt collected by the Yidu Road Salt Transfer Division comes out of here every year, especially the private salt fields of the Lin family and other big clans are also here. Once the sun is lost, it will be especially these wealthy families. For public and private reasons, no wonder Lin Daoran came here in a hurry to ask.

Yu Zhilong's first photo is imminent, and the imperial army has reported to Yidu quickly. Also, the slave is naturally anxious, but the Yidu Road front is currently stretched too long, the strength of the official army in the early stage of the siege of the city has been greatly damaged, and it has yet to recover and recuperate. He had previously ordered some of the elite Yuan troops and rebel armies in Laizhou Prefecture and other neighboring prefectures and counties to rush to Yidu City as soon as possible to gather and suppress the thieves, while the local authorities were to hold on and wait for help.

In order to cooperate with Yu Zhilong's eastward advance, Ji Xiancheng was not only ordered to send additional reinforcements to Yishui and other places to ensure that Zhao Shi could be stable; In the south and west of Yidu City, and even in the east of the Mihe River, he repeatedly rode out and harassed. In this way, the scouts and military horses of the two sides clashed frequently, and even the small groups of cavalry on both sides collided many times. In less than a month, hundreds of soldiers were killed and wounded on both sides.

Outside Linqu City, Mingxiong also vigorously drilled the army and frequently organized various departments to practice offensive tactics. According to Yu Zhilong's instructions, this time he also vigorously trained Wan Jinhai, Xia Houen and other subordinates, and it didn't take long for the new soldiers of each department to be replenished, and the strength recovered far faster than Yidu imagined.

Under the anger of buying slaves, he ordered him to stop the training of the whole army first, and immediately went south to attack again, and he also persuaded Jiang Bin and others bitterly, only saying that the time had not yet come, and that forbearance was the best for the time being.

In order to comfort the restless King Yimai, he first had to organize several frontal sweeps against Linqu with Jiang Bin, Yu Bo and others, but the results were not big and the losses were not small. The main reason is that there are too many new soldiers in various units of the official army, the morale is low, and the combat strength is greatly reduced. Although there is more than enough to defend, the attack is not enough.

However, the officers and troops were not without good news, and after the forced requisition and apportionment of Yexian, Zhuo Sicheng, and others, the urgently needed grain, straw, and equipment accounts in the army gradually accumulated again, and new soldiers were also added to the various departments and battalions in batches.

Lin Daoran was naturally concerned about the battle situation, although Ji Xiancheng was happy, but the capital city was strong, and there was no need to worry too much about the safety of the city, but he heard that Yu Zhilong was killing all the way to Rizhao, but he couldn't sit still anymore, many of the private salt farms there were his own industries, and he couldn't lose them anyway.

He was in the Yamen of the Yuan Court Salt Transit Division, and he often dealt with the Governor's Office and the lower government offices, and the filial piety of daily and holiday was customary, and the relationship between the two sides was naturally more irreversible. He relied on his personal friendship with Zhuo Sicheng, so he visited the church today.

Zhuo Sicheng was puzzled: "Today, I discussed with the marshal, but there is a shortage of food in the army, and secondly, thieves are breeding in various places, and the surrounding prefectures and counties cannot fully mobilize reinforcements. This officer is also tricky. ”

"The lower officials are here to relieve the worries of adults!" Lin Daoran owed, "This year's salt and silver autumn solution, there are still 700,000 taels of silver in the salt transportation treasury that have not yet been released; There are another 50,000 quintals of white salt in the warehouse that can be transferred. There are also 20,000 quintals of white salt from merchants in the coastal city, which can also be dedicated to the imperial court. A certain adult is anxious about state affairs, and he has been in an urgent hurry at the beginning of the month 600 miles, and complained to the center that the road is now in financial distress, and he strongly asked Shangfeng to allow him to temporarily borrow these salt and silver to help suppress it, and after the matter is completed, he can make up for it as appropriate in the year after tomorrow. Today, I just got a palindrome, and I am allowed to transfer all of it to the military and political use of this road, and as for next year's supplementary payment, half of it can be done first. ”

Zhuo Sicheng was overjoyed, couldn't help but stand up, and hurriedly walked back and forth in the hall twice: "Seriously! Lord Lin is really the road and timely rain! Yidu is up and down to Lin Daren's helping hand! He was suffering from the depletion of money and food in the official treasury, and even most of the money for this year's Benlu River Flood Embankment had been diverted to the military. This year, the people have complained more and more about the several tax increases, and there have even been phenomena in some areas of people fleeing and openly gathering crowds to resist the levy.

Ji Zongzhou and other officials thanked them again and again: "With this help, you can save the emergency!" Lin Daren has made great contributions! ”

Lin Daoran solemnly dressed in return, and then said slowly: "When the country has something, it is the time for my generation to do their best. This money and capital are the goods of the state, and if they can help the marshal and the adults to raise and train the army, and to eradicate the banditry, it is also a great good deed. ”

"Stealing and hearing Rizhao, Laizhou and other places, there are often lawless people who take the opportunity to echo with the thieves, and now the local thieves are eroded, and the place is embarrassed. The army of Fucheng was hundreds of miles away, and it was beyond the reach of the whip for a while. The gentry in Rizhao and other places were all worried about this, and hoped that the local garrison would take the defense of the countryside as the priority. As for the commander's order to transfer troops, I implore that it be postponed. For this reason, they are willing to donate a lot to solve the urgent needs of the city. There is a joint book here, with a total of no less than 280,000 taels of money, silk, tung oil, ironware, cattle and sheep. Please also ask the chief manager to say a lot of kind words for them in front of the prince! After speaking, Lin Daoran took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Zhuo Sicheng.

Zhuo Sicheng and others suddenly realized. Lin Daoran was so attentive that he turned out to be a lobbyist for Rizhao and Laizhou.

Think about it, Lin Daoran alone has several large salt pans in Rizhao and other coastal seas, and the annual salt and silver payments are at least hundreds of thousands of taels. If you lose it like this, everyone will be in pain!

"This matter involves military affairs, why didn't you make a direct suggestion to the marshal first?" Ji Zongzhou saw Zhuo Sicheng groaning for a while, so he asked Lin Daoran instead of his boss.

Lin Daoran smiled and stretched his body slightly on the Hu chair: "The first marshal was ordered to be in danger, and he was about to show his strength." The Marshal's Mansion urged the officers and soldiers to various places, and the Lingwen of the righteous column was as anxious as a spark. The lower officials also know that the military situation is important, but this Rizhao and Laizhou City are really lost, so they have to do this. ”

"Although the lower officials are not familiar with military affairs, they know that most of those rogues are greedy for money and lustful masters, as long as they hold the county capital and big city, the thieves will not be replenished, and they will naturally lack strength after many days of strong attack, which is the opportunity for the official army to turn defense into an offensive victory. Now that the officers and troops of Yidu Jiancheng have gathered again, why be afraid? It's just that the prince and the handsome said: Serious illness uses fierce medicine, and emergency illness should not wait for a long time. While it is still fledgling, it is advisable to raise a thunderous blow! There are some difficulties, but the county governments are still trying their best to sustain themselves. Lin Daoran continued.

Ji Zongzhou said secretly: Buying slaves and rushing to destroy the Kou first has its own reasons. It's just that soldiers, money and food are difficult to raise in a short time. Compared with Yidu City, Lin Daoran was more worried about the safety of his salt farm, so he interceded for these county governments on the one hand, and asked for money to fund the military. Not only to be a good person, but also to solve the danger of money sources, it is really exquisite!

In this hall, only Zhuo Sicheng is qualified to intercede for these county governments in front of the slaves. Ji Zongzhou is not good at expressing his position. After sitting down, after the colleagues praised a few words from everyone for saving the country and the people, they were all silent, and looked at Zhuo Sicheng in a blink of an eye.

Zhuo Sicheng secretly summed it up, and finally laughed: "It's rare that Lord Lin is loyal to the country, and in front of the prince, he should say a few words for the coastal beings!" ”

Seeing that the goal had been achieved, Lin Daoran hurriedly got up and gave a dignified salute, and said with great joy: "Thank you, Lord Steward!" can get the kind words of Lord Zhuo, and millions of mulberry trees on this road have reborn parents! A few days later happens to be the birthday of the clan brother, if the adults and you are willing to give in, it will be tantamount to Penglong! ”

"So, nag!" Zhuo Sicheng stroked his beard lightly and bowed slightly.

Lin Daoran also sat down for a short time, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then got up respectfully and bowed back.

Zhuo Sicheng saw him go down to the court, left, and after thinking about it for a while, he instructed the long history standing behind him: "Now that thieves are rampant, all counties should be cautious in their own duties, focus on the tranquility of the place, and no more extraneous branches." If there are rumors and criticisms, the light ones will be detained and the punishment will be severe; Officials and offenders will be stripped of their qualifications for this year's evaluation, and those who will be dismissed from their posts! ”

Zhuo Sicheng paused, and then said: "The officials of this road should focus on state affairs at present, and they should not give the truth. Today, he will give Jinan a secretary of the line, saying that the official must work wholeheartedly with him to participate in state affairs. If it is an example, please ask the Supervision Department to pass on the word to the government. ”

After the founding of the Great Yuan, the criminal prosecution department was set up, which was divided into four departments and was in charge of supervision. After the 28th year of the Yuan Dynasty, it was changed to the Department of Honest and Honest Visits, one of which was the East and West Road of Shandong, and the government was placed in Jinan. Later, it was gradually divided into 22 ways.

Generally, if there is a local supervision, most of them will be reviewed by the general manager of the road, and if the content is major or involves the chief official of the road government, it can also be specially visited by the department and directly to the Beijing Division. Zhuo Sicheng ordered this because he wanted to suppress the impeachment that was not conducive to the Yidu Road Governor's Office as much as possible.

Changshi bowed in response, hesitated slightly, and then bowed his head and said: "Needless to say, it's just that the madman on that side has always been perverse and has always been open-mouthed, if he wants to go to the book, it will be difficult!" ”

Fang Madman is Fangzheng, who has been experienced in the Supervision Department of Shandong East and West Provinces, from Wupin. Born in the imperial examination, he is extremely upright and stupid, and he can't see the officialdom swallowing up the people's profits, and the boss selling the official beard, since he was in office in Jinan Road, he has continued to impeach several bosses and colleagues, which provoked the Jinan officialdom to attack him, and had to be transferred to Yidu Road. When he went to Yidu City to do the supervision experience, and because he successively participated in the impeachment of the local salt transfer department, the river transportation department, the craftsman bureau, the lifting department, and the local government warehouse office, etc., he greatly annoyed the chief officials and officials of the yamen. The officials attacked him and impeached him for more than a dozen crimes, such as criticizing and being mean, causing trouble, selling his reputation, and sowing discord.

Zhuo Sicheng thought that he was a fellow villager, and knew that his personality was upright and almost pedantic, and there were even Taiping officials in Kyoto who came forward to defend him several times, so Fang Zheng was not deposed again, but then he was still called by Zhuo Sicheng to the East and West Supervision Division, and sent him to Jiaozhou for a reason, and did not assign specific duties, allowing him to wander inside and outside the city every day. After Fang Zheng was suppressed, it is reported that he was finally discouraged, and no longer provoked his colleagues from violating the rules, and ignored the morning and evening points in the yamen, and often wandered the streets and alleys of wine shops, indulging all day long. Everyone is happy to be quiet and ignores it.

Although Fangzheng's official position is not obvious, he is straightforward and clear, and his reputation in the countryside is not weak, and he also has a considerable reputation in the imperial history of Beijing. When it is taken off, it is also commended. Later, Taiping and other Jingshi Qingliu valued it, and originally intended to be promoted to the supervision of Jingshi, but at this time, many people were obstructed, so they had to give up.

After thinking about it for a while, Zhuo Sicheng said casually: "Now that the war is about to start, it is when the upper and lower forces are combined, he has no changes, if there is any folded book, the inspection department must investigate in detail, and only after transferring to the governor's mansion can he go to Chen Jingshi." ”

Changshi understood and took the order.

Ji Zongzhou secretly looked at Zhuo Sicheng's slightly gloomy face, thinking of Fang Zheng, who had been sent away far away, at such a critical juncture, although this person was stupid, he was pragmatic and a capable operator. Next spring's farming, water diversion, land reclamation, nuclear fields, inspection of farmers' cattle and horses, road construction and many other matters are exactly in urgent need of this person's help, but how can I ask the chief manager to open Chrysostom and allow him to change to the Department of Agriculture, even if he is a small official with a big sesame, it is a good thing for himself and for Fangzheng!

He was thinking in his heart, Zhuo Sicheng felt tired, so he simply picked up the teacup beside him and took a deep sip, and all his subordinates knew it, so they quickly got up and retired.

Ji Zongzhou was helpless, so he had to retreat despite the fact that everyone leaned down.