In mid-June, the convoy was finally ready.

This fleet consisted of fifty boats, which were connected to each other by iron cables and iron rings, and stretched for more than a mile in front and back. The fleet sailed from Wharf Town and entered Hongze Lake through the old Yellow River.

Hongze Lake and Gaoyou Lake to the south were small lakes many years ago. After the Yellow River invaded the mouth of the Huai River, the lake level became higher and higher because of the long-term siltation of the river mud, so the water surface of the two lakes spread, flooding many low-lying places, and becoming the vast smoke and waves of today.

The fleet turned around and headed south in Hongze Lake, and out of Hongze Lake, it was the mouth of the Huai River.

Due to the prolonged drought and lack of rain, the water level of the Huai River was very low, and the fleet was forced to move slowly along the main channel. In order to speed up the advance, the owner of this fleet, Yan Ingot, used the tried-and-true method of sprinkling silver to drive the Cao Ding who were lying on the Cao boat with corpses drying dried meat off the ship to pull the fiber.

Qian Duo has great power, and this trick really works.

On the evening of June 16, the Cao fleet arrived at the ancestral line of the Ming Dynasty, the root of the existence of the Fengyang Zhongdu Guard-Fengyang Ancestral Tomb.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM THE ANCESTRAL MAUSOLEUM IN FENGYANG ARE SIZHOU (NOTE 1) AND XUYI COUNTIES. Around the Fengyang Ancestral Mausoleum, the guards are lined up one after another, almost a fortress group composed of large and small cities, and I don't know how the thieves entered the Fengyang Ancestral Mausoleum and burned the Xiangdian to the ground.

At this time, the fleet suddenly slowed down.

News came from the front that the boat had been intercepted and interrogated by official and military vessels.

Long Qisheng, whose heart had been hanging, said hello to his new daughter-in-law Li Cuilan, and jumped all the way from his boat in the center of the fleet to the first ship of the fleet.

The first boat is the boat of the second son of the Yan family, the owner of the ship.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he got on the boat, Long Qisheng was blinded by a sentence.

……

Long Qisheng hurried to the owner's first ship, of course, because he was not at ease. And the reason why Long Qisheng is not at ease is mainly because of Chen Ying's secret warning.

The second son of the Yan family, the name Yan ingot, is the champion of Jiajing in the 38th year of Jiajing, who lived in Shanyang County (Huai'an Fuzhi), and posthumously presented the son of Ding Shimei, the granddaughter of Ding Shimei, an important minister of the Jiajing, Longqing and Wanli dynasties of the Ministry of Rites, that is, his great-great-grandson.

The Yan family, who can marry the Zhuangyuan Mansion, is naturally not an ordinary small family.

It is said that the ancestral home of the Yan family is Qingjiangpu, Huai'an, and the ancestor and the champion have been friends for many years. The ancestors of the Yan family started with Huai salt and shipping, and also engaged in illegal salt and cross-sea smuggling business, and it took several generations nearly a hundred years to start a large industry.

Yan Deng is twenty years old, the second oldest in the family, and the ranking in the clan is unknown. A brother above, a brother below.

Because of his short stature, mediocre appearance, and his lack of literature and martial arts, he also likes to be different, Yan Deng belongs to the kind of father who doesn't love his mother at home, and he doesn't love people, annoys dogs, and sees dogs.

Recently, a matchmaker proposed to Yan Ding, and the woman was the second daughter of Chen, a salt merchant in Qingjiangpu. The Chen family has a lot of money, and the dowry is very expensive.

But everyone in Huai'an knows that Miss Chen has not been married for many years in the boudoir, and there is only one reason: her cheekbones are towering, reaching into the sky; The eye sockets are sunken and bottomless!

Perhaps in the eyes of the matchmaker, the face is plain with the bones Qingqi, which is a match made in heaven - a perfect match!

But the matchmaker didn't understand the psychology of love.

What happened to ugly people? Ugly people also have a heart for beauty!

Yan Ding, who regarded Chen's daughter's initiative as his own shame, went crazy in public and swore a poisonous oath:

We must be like the ancient sages and ministers Yan Ying (Note 2), and the name of the place will shake the sea! After that, marry a stunning famous lady, envy and kill a group of handsome people, and shame a group of beautiful people!

How can you get ahead and get the name of the place in the sea?

The elders of the Yan family, who were secretly happy in their hearts, naturally thought of the right way in the science field.

As a result, Yan Deng was forced to live in his uncle's house to study.

The Yan family elders thought that the Chinese of the Zhuangyuan Mansion was depressed, and it was not a problem for the vine to bear a talent fruit. But they didn't know that Yan ingots were not the seeds that could bear melons and fruits. His pursuit is much greater than being a champion.

Soon, Yan Ding, who had done all the bad things, was sent out of the house by the unbearable uncle's gift, and resumed his ancestral business and started trading on the boat.

This time, Huitong Qianzhuang raised grain and transported grain, and the notorious Yan Ingot took the initiative to come to the door to ask for help, and wanted to do this business in person. Although the Yan family's fleet is powerful and knows everything about the canal, the Yellow River, the Huai River and other river gates and garrisons, Chen Ying, who is full of responsibility, went out to inquire and immediately suggested that Liu Hongting remove Yan Ingot from the shortlist.

The reason is very simple, Yan Ingot has no experience in escorting Cao Liang into Beijing alone, and he is notorious, and everything is true! Such an important mission is entrusted to him, what if something happens along the way?

Who knew that Liu Hongting did not follow Chen Ying's advice.

Three days later, Liu Hongting had a secret business with Yan Ding, who took the initiative to visit. In less than half an hour, Liu Hongting, who was smiling like a flower, went out and announced: Yan Ergongzi is the "strategic partner" of Huitong Qianzhuang, and this business will be entrusted to Yan Ergongzi!

Everyone has a role for everyone.

Although Chen Ying competed with Liu Hongting, he still understood his identity and role.

Shizi and Miss Luo handed over the military and political power of Jiangnan and Jiangbei to Liu Hongting, not only trusting her character, but also trusting her ability. Chen Ying can not trust others, but he absolutely believes in the son.

This time, Liu Hongting tried her best to override public opinion and let Yan Ergouzi become the carrier. She also unexpectedly married her attendant Li Cuilan to Long Qisheng, and asked her to follow Long Qisheng and the grain fleet to Bozhou in the name of Mrs. Long.

Li Cuilan is the palace maid brought out by Liu Hongting from the Shu Palace.

That Li Cuilan is quite mysterious, it is said that she was born in an official eunuch, and she entered the Shu Palace, and she became Liu Hongting's maid without knowing something.

Unmarried officers of the National Protector Army are strictly forbidden to get married, but Liu Hongting openly made the decision as an official and married the palace maid of the Shu Palace's palace to Long Qisheng.

Are they a real couple or a fake couple, and what is their purpose?

Liu Hongting's true thoughts were not revealed to the outside world in the slightest. However, all these actions have shown that Liu Hongting has another secret plan for the future of the officers and soldiers of the fourth battalion in Bozhou, and it is Li Cuilan who has mastered and implemented this plan sent to Long Qisheng's side!

With the lesson of the last heart-to-heart exchange, Chen Ying did not report his suspicions to Liu Hongting, nor did he speak out to others.

According to the instructions of the prince before leaving Sichuan last year, he quietly wrote a short secret letter and ordered his subordinates to report to the Shu Palace. He believed that even if he didn't have any comment on the matter in the secret letter, the wisdom of the prince knew what he was trying to say.

However, in the face of the lonely hero who traveled thousands of miles, Chen Ying still had the opportunity to send a letter to vaguely remind Long Qisheng who was about to set off:

Yan Ding's social relationship is particularly complicated, and the people on the dock are familiar with it. You must always guard against him, prevent him from colluding with the corrupt officials and beetles on the canal, and swallow the 5,000 stone life-saving food inside and outside!

If the life-saving food is gone, something will happen to the officers and soldiers.

And at the moment, there are enough things going on in Jiangbei!

……

The first ship of the Yan Ingot was converted from a larger ship.

It is said that the imperial court has a unified standard for the style, length, width, load and material of the boat, so as not to prevent a ship from being stuck on the gate and unable to move, causing traffic congestion on the Grand Canal.

However, as with many things in China, the rich and powerful have always been able to easily break the existing rules. Whether or not a person can break the rules has become a determining criterion for judging whether a person has the right to have money and ability.

Yan Ting's boat is longer and wider than ordinary boats, both deep and high, and what is more different is that the interior and exterior decoration are luxurious.

At the stern of the ship is a two-story high-rise building covered by light gauze, and the four corners of the eaves are illuminated by glass lights.

In the bow and middle of the ship is a layer of connected pavilions, with carved leaky windows as the wall, and Wu Wang leans (Note 3) as the corridor, and the colorful palace lamps hang under the corridor.

In the brilliant light and shadow, the dancing posture of the beautiful woman is full of wind; In the scorching river breeze, the tactful singing voice is heartwarming.

"Since you stop the ship for inspection, how can you still be in the mood to listen to songs and dance?"

Long Qisheng stared intently in the dusk of the night, focusing on an official and military clipper.

The clipper was on the bow of the lead ship, and a large flag was hung on the mast. As for the words on the flag, it was difficult to see because of the disturbance of the river wind.

He hesitated for a moment, then took a few steps forward and stepped onto the board of the ship, and jumped heavily onto Yan ingot's ship.

When Long Qisheng got on the first boat, he was immediately stopped by an officer and colonel with a sword. When Long Qisheng reported his identity, the little school immediately changed his hippie smile:

"It turned out to be the Dragon General! Forgiveness! My second son-in-law is making a bet with Second Master Yan! When you come, my second master will win a hundred taels of silver! Even those of us who are small are indispensable for the benefits of a few meals of wine and meat! ”

With me as a bet, why are the chips so big? In addition to the second master of the Yan family, which other second master of the Yan family is also on the ship?

When Long Qisheng heard this, he hurriedly stopped the little school who was leading the way and asked.

But the little colonel didn't stop, just pointed to the official army clipper who relied on the gang and said with a smile, they are the right governor of the right capital governor's mansion, the right capital governor of Qincha to guard Fengyang, and also to prevent Cao Yun, and to govern Lufeng, Huaiyang, Xuzhou, Wolf Mountain, Jiangbei and other places, and the personal soldiers of Mu Wenshou, the general soldier of Fengsi. As for their second master, he is naturally Mou Wenshou's second son, the former camp owner Mu Guodong (Note 4).

Mu Guodong? Yang Guodong? There are too many people named Guodong! Long Qisheng muttered in his heart, brushed open the bead curtain that swept his face, and stepped into the side door of the long pavilion.

In the cabin, there is a luxurious and gentle country.

I saw a small and delicate maid standing in the cabin, and with the crisp rhythm of the tooth tag, the beauty's red lips opened lightly, babbling and grinding out a large number of singing words from between the teeth. sometimes raise his wrist and lower his eyebrows, crying like a complaint; Sometimes lightly soothe the cloud hands and shake the willows with the wind. Looking at the demeanor and listening to the singing, I think it is a drama like a talented and beautiful woman.

"I really mean Cao Cao, Cao Cao! Well done General Dragon! ”

Seeing Long Qisheng come in, a young man with a mediocre face, a short figure, half-wrapped in a sleeveless bright silk robe, and a handful of black hair on his chest jumped up from the couch and shouted loudly.

This person, Long Qisheng, naturally knows, he is the owner of this fleet, Yan Inting.

"Fifty boats of grain, this son expects that General Dinglong will not be careless! General Long arrived, and the bet between Ben Gongzi and Yan Gongzi was also divided into wins and losses! ”

Another middle-aged man sitting cross-legged on the side couch stretched out his legs and stood up with a flick of his shirt.

His expression was arrogant, and he said with a full temperament:

"According to the old rules on the Huai River, the boat passes the card, and one card is paid. The court is short of food, and this card fee is the meal on the plate of the brothers who guard the river.

But my Mu family has a friendship with General Wen and Deputy General Mo, and my Mu family is also counted as half of the national protection army!

Now that Mr. Wen and others have been lucky to get rid of Zhuxian Town, the Shu Wangfu is benevolent and righteous, and Huitong Qianzhuang has raised grain and transported grain to Mr. Wen and others, and my Mu family will charge you Yan Gongzi's card fee, which seems that my Mu family is stingy!

Let's make it clear in front of General Long, I, Mu Guodong, will accompany you Yan Gongzi to Fengyang, give my father a handsome, take the line of the order, and you and I will go our separate ways!

It's just that it has to be decided in advance: the food and drink of these brothers along the way will be at the expense of your son Yan! Also, if you are willing to lose the bet, you can't rely on our private debts! ”

"Your Majesty handed over Fengyang to Mu Shuai's care, and this Huai River is like Mu Shuai's own house. With Mu Shuai's literary arrows, this Xiao Ke on the Huai River can come and go freely! ”

After losing the silver, Yan Deng was overjoyed, jumped barefoot on the deck of the cabin, thanked Mu Guodong again and again, and forced the singing maid into the corner of the pillar.

Why do you want to put on a show of love and love for yourself? Long Qisheng was puzzled.

He stepped forward to pay homage and took advantage of the situation to ask Mu Guodong: "I don't know how the Mu family has a friendship with my family, General Wen and Deputy General Mo?" Why is the Mu family half of the National Protector Army? ”

Unexpectedly, Mu Guodong immediately replied:

"Father Marshal is garrisoned in Guizhou, thieves surround Guizhou, and Father Shuai is in Guiyang City! Fuyuan Wang Sanshan was killed by traitors, and my uncles Mu Wenlu and Mu Haixi were martyred together! General Wen and Vice General Mo all got up in Guizhou, isn't there a friendship in robes?

Last winter and this spring, millions of displaced people entered Sichuan, and the south road was Changyang, Rongmei, and Shizhou. A letter came from home, saying that the Shu Wangfu remembered the hardships of the people, and set up a security brigade along the road, and the boss of Wen'an became the captain of this brigade. Our Mu family, together with the Tong family of Shizhou Wei and the Tian family of Rong Meisi, all sent troops to participate in this security brigade. My Mu family joined the security team, is it considered half of the national protection army? ”

"Mu Shuai is after Shizhou's consolation envoy Mu Mao! The Tong family is the hereditary commander of Shizhou Wei, who makes the Tong family! Yan Ding reminded Long Qisheng loudly, as if he knew the local situation better than Long Qisheng, who was a Sinicized Miao from Guizhou.

"My Mu and Tong families have been good for generations. The daughter-in-law of my third brother is the daughter of the Tong family! Mu Guodong rolled his eyes and added in a long voice.

I see!

Long Qisheng seemed to suddenly realize, and the smile on his face became even stronger.

Note 1: Sizhou, Kangxi sank in the water in 19 years, and Sizhou Prefecture was moved to Xuyi County.

Note 2: According to the history books, Yan Ying is short and ugly.

Note 3: King Wu lean, also known as the beauty lean, is a common chair in ancient courtyards.

Note 4: Mu Guodong, the second son of Mu Wenshou, was originally married to Mrs. Xiang. Mu Wenshou's eldest son, Mu Guoxi, participated in the Dengzhou counterinsurgency and died in battle.

Note 5: "Difficult to Omit in the Ming Season" contains: On February 14 of the second year of Shunzhi, (above, referring to Emperor Hongguang) Yu: "Governor Mu Wenshou has been on the river for a long time and has harassed him wantonly. Why not pay the salary owed by the household department quickly? Sit back and watch the poison! That is, levy salt to compensate for it, and urge the troops to go! It can be inferred from this that Fengyang Marquis Mou Wenshou was actually driven back to his hometown in Lichuan by the Southern Ming Dynasty because of poor military discipline.