Day 2. Zhang Fan took Zhu Yijun and stepped on the carriage back to Suzhou Mansion. Zhu Yijun was very happy to be able to leave Xu Jie. Even if Xu Jie's eyes haven't taught him anything in the past few days. But for Zhu Yijun. Xu Jie himself is equivalent to boring preaching.

Zhang Fan didn't care about any of this at all. He had been thinking about some of the things Xu Jie had told him last night. Xu Jie said something very concerning to Zhang Fan last night. His words will help Zhang Fan a lot in the future. But that's about that later.

Xu Jie's matter is completed. At least in Zhang Fan's case. All he could have done had been done. The rest is up to God. However, Zhang Fan is very confident in this matter. After all, the high arch is a big taboo. And Long Qing also wanted to deal with him very much.

Zhang Fan and others who set off early in the morning. This time there was no urgency. The carriage didn't go fast. It's just that Songjiang Mansion is not far from Suzhou. There was still half an hour until noon. The carriage stopped at the gate of the Humble Administrator's Garden.

Zhu Yijun was very sleepy. The reason is simple. Last night made him a little "scared". And he still lives in Xu Jiefu. He was worried all night that Xu Jie would suddenly rush into his room and preach to himself. Although since yesterday back to Xufu. The academic community has never said anything to Zhu Yijun. But in Zhu Yijun's heart. Xu Jie himself is equivalent to the preaching that scares him. Plus early in the morning. Zhu Yijun, who still wanted to sleep a little longer, was left alone in Songjiang by Zhang Fan on the grounds that he was left alone. Wake him up with sleepy eyes. After a bumpy morning journey. Zhu Yijun is already sleepy. He had just returned to the Humble Administrator's Garden, where could he still take care of the time it was about to be lunch. As soon as he was told not to disturb him, he immediately went back to his room and dreamed.

Zhang Fan saw that there was still some time before lunch. Prepare to write a letter to Kyori. The letter was addressed to Feng Bao. Zhang Fan wanted him to know the situation here. And hopefully he'll see if there's anything he can do to help. Although Xu Jie's matter seems to Zhang Fan to be victorious now. After all, Longqing's intention to punish Gao Gong was there. Zhang Fan just pushed it. But who doesn't want to make sure that the certainty of victory is a few points higher.

It's just that things are a little weird. Zhang Fan finished writing the letter. I only found out when I was eating. Because of the social environment in which Zhang Fan lived in his previous life and his own reasons. He enjoyed the ancient patriarchal lifestyle. But it is not overly praised. At Zhang Fan's house. When eating. In addition to the presence of colleagues from the DPRK and China. The ladies always sit at the same table. Mother Zhao and even Ru Xue didn't say much about Zhang Fan. But Zhang Fan disagreed. Gradually. The women of the Zhang family also agree with this habit. Even there was some joy in their hearts.

Luo Linger was not used to it at first. But gradually, she followed Zhang Fan. But because of this. Luo Ling'er's jealousy of Ru Xue, who she had never met, also deepened.

Today's lunch is the same again. Zhang Fan, Yingyue and Luo Linger sat at the same table. It's just that Zhang Fan found a difference. Luo Ling'er is still the same as before. It's just that Yingyue is no longer as hostile to Luo Ling'er as before. See these. Zhang Fan suddenly remembered when he wrote the letter just now. It's not the usual moon that is grinding for yourself. It's Luo Ling'er. And when Luo Linger was grinding. Yingyue was bringing tea to Zhang Fan. At that time, Yingyue had no hostility towards Luo Ling'er on her face. Even looked at Luo Ling with a smile when he was a child.

Zhang Fan wondered if he was hallucinating. I thought about it. It was found that it was. Look at the second daughter who is sitting at the dinner table now. It is also very kind. There was not the slightest smell of gunpowder that could still be seen yesterday morning. And then. Zhang Fan is even more stimulated.

"Sister. Let's eat a piece of fish. I heard from the cook that it was only caught this morning. It's fresh. Luo Ling'er smiled and picked up a piece of braised osmanthus fish and put it into the bowl of Yingyue.

If Zhang Fan can understand Luo Linger's behavior. Then the next thing made him feel a little like watching a fantasy TV series.

"My sister too. My sister knows that my sister likes to eat light things. This morning, I made the cook some vegetarian food. Yingyue also smiled and put vegetables in Luo Ling'er's bowl.

Zhang Fan saw this. His brain, which has a normal IQ and EQ, is a little bent. If it weren't for Luo Ling'er, she would also be there. Zhang Fan really wanted to reach out and touch Yingyue's forehead. See if she has a fever.

This spooky lunch. To be exact. The weird thing is only Zhang Fan. Zhang Fan finished this weird lunch with some absent-mindedness. Even Yingyue and Luo Ling'er left hand in hand like sisters, and there was no reaction to this even more shocking scene. He was already numb with some surprise.

"Your Excellency. Please use tea. "Clean up the table. The maid brought Zhang Fan tea. It's just that the maids don't seem to care about the changes in Yingyue and Luo Ling'er. On the contrary, I was a little curious about Zhang Fan's soulless appearance.

That's when it happened. Wang Meng walked in. He was about to speak, but he was also stunned when he saw Zhang Fan's appearance. I saw Zhang Fan staring intently at the front of only the tables, chairs and benches. His eyes didn't widen, though. But he didn't blink. It's as if there's some wonderful scenery there. Hold the teacup to your lips. I didn't drink it. Instead, pour the tea into your mouth.

Wang Meng didn't know what was going on. He was a little worried about Zhang Fan. I didn't dare to speak out. Instead, he lightened his steps and walked to Zhang Fan's side. Wang Meng, who was closer, only heard Zhang Fan say something in a voice that couldn't be smaller: "Strange...... Could it be ...... Hallucination...... Or dreaming" or something. Wang Meng, who listened, was confused.

I was a little worried about Zhang Fan. Wang Meng stretched out his hand and shook it in front of his eyes. As a result, Zhang Fan still didn't react. Now Wang Meng was a little scared. thought that Zhang Fan had lost his mind. He whispered in Zhang Fan's ear: "My lord." "It's also very quiet. It's like I'm afraid of waking up Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan did not react to Wang Meng's voice. Or the same squeaky laughter as before. This is a big deal for Wang Meng. He immediately lucked the dantian. roared in Zhang Fan's ear with a thunderous voice: "My lord." This reminded Wang Meng of the scene when he charged and killed the enemy on the battlefield.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Fan is like a frightened bird. The cup in his hand also flew out of his hand. Luckily, there was no one in front.

"It's Wang Meng. Why so frightened. It scared me. Zhang Fan's body trembled slightly. His hands kept patting his chest.

"Your Excellency just lost my mind. Humiliation is also a momentary urgency. I want to wake up adults. That's what roared. Please also ask the adults to punish the crime. Wang Meng hurriedly knelt down on one knee in front of Zhang Fan and said.

"You get up first. I didn't say I would punish your sins. Zhang Fan, who calmed down, said. But. I'm going to ask you. Who said I was crazy. ”

Wang Meng listened to his words and looked up at him suspiciously. The expression was clearly asking, "Aren't you?" "That's what it means.

saw Wang Meng's appearance. Zhang Fan also seemed to think of what he had just done. Truly...... Hurriedly said: "Wang Meng." Come to me for something. Sit down and talk. ”

Wang Meng received the order. sat next to Zhang Fan. The maid who came when she heard the sound cleaned up the broken cup from the ground. Re-put the two of them with tea and left. Wang Meng then said, "My lord." I do have some things to tell my lord this time. It's about the adult's visit to Jiangnan to check taxes this time. ”

Zhang Fan heard him say this. Suddenly came to the spirit. Hurriedly sat up and asked, "How is it?" Is there something wrong with the officials here? ”

"Not here. Maybe it's because the adults are here. There was no corruption on the part of officials in Nanzhili and Zhejiang. These days. More and more merchant ships are returning to the sea. There is no careful calculation of the lowly position. It is estimated that there are more than 100 of them. The tax and silver paid to the imperial court are not counted, and Zhao Xiande's largest one is also 20 million taels. And all the officials in these two provinces who had access to the silver and those merchants were watched by the brothers below. These people were stunned and didn't even receive a penny. Wang Meng said.

Zhang Fan listened. I think that's a good thing. But look at Wang Meng's serious expression. It really doesn't seem like a good thing. Thinking about what Wang Meng said just now. Zhang Fan immediately understood. He asked, "You mean something happened in Fujian." "Switch. Only these three provinces are allowed to enter the port of ships returning to the sea. Since Nanzhili and Zhejiang have nothing to do. It must be Fujian.

Wang Meng nodded and confirmed Zhang Fan's conjecture. He said, "Your Excellency." Here's the thing......"

Originally from Fujian. In particular, Quanzhou is the largest port since the opening of Longqing. Countless ships come and go here every year. It is three points more than Liujiagang, which has the "first port in the world". Naturally, Zhang Fan will not relax his inspection of Fujian. A number of factory guards were also sent to monitor the officials there.

What Wang Meng wants to say is really coincidental. Although Zhang Fan is in Nanzhili. It is also separated from Fujian by a whole Zhejiang political department. However, the thorough investigation of Fujian has not diminished in the slightest. The officials who had been here had all received the news. Make up your mind that for those merchants who return to the sea, they will not charge a penny. is going to deal with Zhang Fan back first. But it's one thing. One thing that could make these officials laugh and cry. But the little things that were a little sad for the merchants happened.

It's hard to laugh and cry when you talk about it. For those officials. There is really nowhere to be aggrieved; It's sad to say it's sad. For these businessmen who put their lives in exchange for money. This incident made them all soldiers.

The whole thing is. The port of Quanzhou has now also begun to open its door. Greet the merchant ships returning to the sea. At one time, countless ships, large and small, entered the port. Some just ran to Luzon and returned. Some are not as ocean-going to the European continent as Zhao Xiande. But he did not return as far as India; There are those who return safely and without incident. There are also pirates who encounter with strong winds and waves. Anyway. It is a good thing to be thankful for those who can come back and their families. There is nowhere to complain for those who are unlucky. Who told them to choose this path in the first place?

However, after these merchants went ashore, they also encountered what happened to Zhao Xiande at the beginning. I found that no one dared to accept the red envelopes, gold, silver and jewelry that I was ready to give to those officials and tax collectors. And the officials and tax collectors were smiling when they returned the things.

Quanzhou is too far away from Suzhou. Zhang Fan went out to patrol Jiangnan, and he didn't want to be there. Even the children in the market know about it. Here only the officials and gentry knew about it.

Nothing at all. The owners of the ships who were puzzled were also inquired in many ways. I got a rough idea. And I have peace of mind. I am glad that I have not escaped the exploitation of those officials once this year. But some people don't. One of them was a local businessman who lived in Quanzhou. This person is quite similar to Zhao Xiande's situation. However, he did not suffer from such a difficult situation as Zhao Xiande. So the three years of going to sea have not been so fatal. Wherever he went, he returned to Luzon. Although because of this. This man doesn't make much. However, the ocean-going trade of this era was very lucrative. He has been quite wealthy in the past three years. It's just that this man is a little lazy. And they didn't expand their business like everyone else. And so it went.

After the return voyage this year. This man also followed the rules of previous years. A few thick red envelopes were sealed and prepared as a welcome gift when they went ashore. I don't know that these officials don't accept it. The more he thought about it when he went back, the more he felt that something was wrong. However, this man is a little annoying. Outsiders and even his wife didn't pay much attention to him. His young and beautiful wife now is also able to live on for the sake of how much money he has. No one paid any attention to him. Even the entire Fujian people who went to sea to do business knew the truth of the matter. He still didn't know anything about Zhang Fan at all.

It is said that in ancient times, why was there constant corruption and bribery in the officialdom. It's not because people want to be greedy and want to give. It's become a habit. You don't send it for fear that others will think that you don't look down on him. to deal with you; If someone else gives it to you, you won't accept it. is also afraid that others will think that you don't like him. I'm going to deal with you. So back then, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered officials to be punished even if they embezzled ten taels of silver. There are still so many people in the world who are corrupt and take bribes. The same applies to the relationship between businessmen and officials.

This person is worried about this. He thought that some officials were going to deal with him for some reason. Come to think of it. The person who couldn't figure it out actually committed suicide. Originally. This man's suicide did not cause any storm at all. It's just that his wife has been cheapened by a lot of silver. The problem is that this person really lacks heart. Before committing suicide, he actually left a suicide note. It details the reasons for his suicide. And this suicide note was taken by the rather upright prefect of Quanzhou Mansion. reported to the political envoy of Fujian. But it was a subordinate who was bought off who revealed the matter. That's good. One pass ten, ten pass hundred. Officials throughout Fujian know about it.

Those officials hated this man to death. If you had known, you should have secretly informed these businessmen about it. But it's already happening. No one can return to heaven. And this thing is so ridiculous. These officials had to cry and laugh. The merchants who knew about it were all embarrassed. After all, even if the person who committed suicide is no longer social. It's also their peers. Compared with himself, the grass and trees are all soldiers. It's kind of sad.

Zhang Fan listened to Wang Meng tell the whole story of this matter. Some are speechless. For something that may have seemed a little funny in his previous life, it looks sad now. But Zhang Fan is still very rational after all. He immediately thought of it, and it provided an excellent breakthrough for him to break through the protective net of those officials.