As February approaches, spring begins to shine. The early spring sun hangs in the east early, and the warm sun shines on the body very comfortably, making people lazy and not wanting to move, and the mood can't help but be cheerful.

In such a good weather, there was a group of people on the street of the Bell Tower, and their faces were gloomy, which made people wonder when they saw it.

Bell Tower Street is a galloping road, who dares to wander casually on the street in ordinary times? In case of an emergency military situation, when the stagecoach gallops by, he will not care whether there is anyone in front of him, and if he is knocked and stepped on, he will be unlucky, and even worse, he will be held accountable for a crime of obstructing military affairs.

Therefore, there are usually few pedestrians on this street, and occasionally some, they are all in a hurry, and they can't wait to leave quickly, how dare anyone gather here? If it is seen by the lord in the yamen, he must send soldiers to disperse, if it is serious, maybe he will arrest people, do these people want to die?

There was such a good thing, and he couldn't stop his curiosity, so he took a closer look, and after careful identification, he was surprised, how could it be these people? Isn't this a few famous craftsmen in the Mansion of Deputy Chief Tao and General Yang? There are some women and children next to them, could it be that they are family members, what is this going to do? The craftsman doesn't go to work, and early in the morning, dragging his family and chatting on the gallop? Crazy.

You know, these craftsmen rarely show their heads, if it weren't for the Lantern Festival a few days later, no one might recognize these craftsmen, these people suddenly got together, and they also brought salutes and family members, didn't something happen? Watching the lively idlers, they began to talk one after another.

"Needless to say, it must have been the Lantern Festival that lost, the adults lost face, and they didn't dare to attack Gongzi Xie, so they had to take out their anger with the craftsman. Look at this appearance, eighty percent of them are going to drive them out of Xuanfu City, maybe they will rush to the fort on the other side of the side wall, tsk, it's really pitiful, it's not a good place to go there, I heard that usually when you go out of the fort to carry water and chop wood, you may meet Tartar rangers......"

"Can't you? Those few people are also skilled craftsmen, if they are killed or taken captive by the Tartars, aren't those adults a big loss? ”

"What's there to lose? It's just a craftsman, and it's also a saltpeter gunpowder, so why haven't the Tartars used firearms? What is the use of captivity? There are so many craftsmen in the army, these few can't do it, and then they can be replaced, I guess, that's what a few adults think. ”

Although the parties are not far away, the people who say cool words do not deliberately lower their voices, but they are just a group of craftsmen, or they have fallen out of favor, who will care about them? Although I haven't read a book, everyone knows that Da Ming Law makes it clear that craftsmen are the same people as prostitutes, and they are the most lowly.

As for the Lantern Festival, everyone used to cheer for them, but no one remembered it at this time, and even if they did, they wouldn't take it to heart, but they were just craftsmen who could make some fun for everyone, who would care about their life or death? We are civilians and military households, and we are not the same people at all, you must know that this is the teaching of the saints, and it is impossible to be wrong.

No one shy away from it, and the craftsmen naturally heard these rather gloating words, although they were cool words, they were not worried in their hearts, so the worry on their faces became even stronger.

"Brother Guo, you have always been well-informed, do you know what is going on today? Last night, the general suddenly said that we should pack our bags, and then we were kicked out early in the morning, and we were really driven to the fort on the other side of the side wall, as those people said? If that'......"

Thinking of the situation after the day, the heart of the speaker was even more bitter. These people must have created sins in their previous lives, so they were born in a craftsman's family, their ancestors were craftsmen, and their descendants could not get rid of it, which was really miserable.

It is said to be the same as a prostitute, but how is it actually the same? Prostitutes and musicians sell laughter, but these craftsmen sell their lives! What is gunpowder saltpeter? It's a damn thing!

This thing burns, and the flame that burns is much hotter than charcoal and firewood, and isn't the scar on my body the result of a light touch? This thing is still poisonous, and if it gets too much, the poison will enter the body, and the poison will be released...... Why was my deceased dad blind? It's not just because of fiddling with these.

The worst thing is that gunpowder can explode! It is true that it is indestructible and powerful when used in firearms, but who knows how much blood it takes to make firearms more powerful?

In recent years, adults don't care about firearms, but pay attention to fireworks that can bring them happiness, but who knows how many victims are behind the brilliant fireworks? No one cares, just like the onlookers who are gloating now, no one cares about the life of the craftsman, if he dies, he dies, and there are still the children and grandchildren of the craftsman available anyway.

"Brother Yang, don't worry too much, maybe things won't be so bad." Looking at Craftsman Yang's sad face, Craftsman Guo also felt the same way, and hurriedly comforted: "After receiving the news yesterday, I used the silver to buy off the maids in the Tao Mansion, guess what?" Deputy Chief Tao sold us. ”

"Sold?" Craftsman Yang was stunned, this was quite unexpected news, it is said that these people are all registered in the army, and they can't get out of the country easily. But this matter is in the hands of a few adults, and it is nothing, just a trivial matter.

"Yes, it's sold." Master Guo nodded, "I don't know from the General's Mansion, but Deputy Chief Tao has received this ......" He stretched out a hand and spread his five fingers.

"Fifty taels?" Master Yang gasped, this is a lot of money, no wonder Deputy Chief Tao is willing to let go, you know, the price of the redemption of the artisan household in Xuanfu Town is only twenty taels, but how many craftsmen can afford so much silver?

Except for the occasional sneaky work, the craftsman has no income at all. Hiding materials? That's looking for death, not to mention that you can't take it out, even if you take it out, who would dare to buy it? How can you hide it from those adults? This is a border town!

Master Guo shook his head.

"Is it five hundred taels?" Master Yang was so shocked that he even held his breath, there were only more than ten craftsmen on both sides, and five hundred taels on one side...... Doesn't that mean that the buyer spent almost a hundred taels on each craftsman? Oh my God, is there anyone in the world who values craftsmen so much? How is this possible?

"Yes, it's five hundred taels." Master Guo nodded, quite radiant, "Such a big deal, I guess it must be a wealthy businessman from Jiangnan, brother, we will have a good time in the future." ”

"Alas, if it's good, then I don't expect it, as long as it can be safe." Master Yang sighed, but he was not as happy as his companion.

"Brother Yang, you really don't know?" Master Guo looked at his companion with some surprise.

Master Yang looked dazed.

"Then I'll tell you about it, anyway, the new owner hasn't come yet." Master Guo looked into the distance, saw that no one came, and said: "I heard that Jiangnan attaches great importance to craftsmen, as long as you work for ten years, you can get rid of your nationality, and then continue to work, you can get paid!" ”

"Huh?" Master Yang looked incredulous, could there be such a good thing?

"That's not all, you know? Even if it's less than ten years, if the work is done well, the owner will still give a reward! Master Guo said in an exaggerated tone: "I heard that someone has worked for ten years, and when it was time to leave the country, he actually took out thirty taels and opened a shop by himself, brother, think about it, where did that come from?" The reward alone is no less than three taels of silver every year, three taels! ”

Master Yang didn't feel that his companion's tone was exaggerated at all, and his face was full of yearning. There is food and drink, and there is a reward of three taels of silver a year, and you can leave the country in ten years...... When the time comes, we will also open a shop, with our craftsmanship, and also save a family business for future generations, so that the mother-in-law of the family can be happy.

He also began to look around impatiently, hoping that the legendary new owner would appear soon, and it must be a benevolent owner from the south of the Yangtze River.

The two looked around for a while, but instead of coming to the owner's house, they saw an acquaintance.

"Isn't that Master Lin from the General Soldier's Mansion?" Master Yang shouted: "Could it be that this owner even bought Master Lin?" That's amazing. ”

"It's really amazing, you can actually say that you can move General Zhang." Master Guo also nodded again and again, "It must be a big businessman, maybe he has a cadre relationship with a senior member of the DPRK and China, otherwise how can he say that he can move General Zhang?" You have to know that the ...... back then"

Master Yang was startled and hurriedly covered his companion's mouth, "Silence! Brother Guo, you can't talk nonsense about this. ”

Master Guo also reacted, that incident really can't be talked about, after all, the characters involved are a little too big.

In recent years, the reputation of the fireworks festival in Xuanfu has gradually risen, although it is not as lively as this year, but every year there are people who do not shy away from the risk to come and see, and then there are not a few people who propose to buy craftsmen to several adults. However, the price offered by these people was not high, and several adults did not pay attention to it, and they did not agree.

As the perennial leader, Master Lin of the General Soldier's Mansion is the most sought after, and the price offered by the people is not low, but it still does not meet the expectations of General Soldier Zhang. Don't look at Zhang Zongbing so happy when he promised Xie Hong, but that's because Xie Hong has completely subdued him, and in addition, in front of 33,000 taels of silver, no matter how good a craftsman is, he is just a partner.

Last year, there was a buyer who was higher than Xie Hong, and the price was also good, and he took out a thousand taels! At this price, Mr. Zhang was extremely tempted, and he couldn't help but scruple about the identity of the other party, but in the end, because of this identity, Mr. Zhang could only grit his teeth and give up this large sum of money.

Because the other party is the prince, it is His Royal Highness King Ning!

As a military general, it is a great sin to fornicate with the vassal king, and then sell the craftsman who made gunpowder saltpeter to the other party...... This is not much different from rebellion, and Zhang Zongbing will not dare to kill him.

Selling to Xie Hong is different, Zhang Zongbing thinks clearly, selling to Lord Xie is selling to the emperor, besides, Lord Xie already has a more intelligent craftsman in his hands, otherwise how could he dominate on the day of the Lantern Festival? Therefore, Zhang Jun did not dare to sell the craftsman to King Ning, but he was extremely happy to sell it to Xie Hong.

Although this matter was secretive at that time and the refusal was fast, the party Lin Bai still knew, and after that, the craftsmen naturally knew the reason.

"Who the hell is the owner? Does King Bining still have face? "The craftsmen didn't know the details, but they all realized another thing, and that was that this mysterious owner was so amazing that maybe their good fortune was really coming.

"Not only Master Lin, but even Zhang Baihu is here, he is the confidant of the chief soldier, it seems that this is about to be handed over, why hasn't the owner been there yet."

Guo and Yang muttered for a long time, and the others naturally didn't stand stupidly, they all gathered next to them, and they all heard some conversations between the two of them.

The craftsmen don't have the slightest consciousness of being sold, or rather, they don't care about the kind of thing they are sold, they don't know how long they can live, and who cares about this senseless dignity.

"Brother Lin, you're here too." Master Guo stepped forward to say hello and said, "You are working in the General Military Mansion, you should know a little more, do you know who the new owner is?" ”

Lin Bai shook his head, although he was known as the first craftsman in the Xuanfu, but in fact, he was just a slave in the General Military Mansion, and he was not as fond of inquiring as Master Guo, so it was naturally impossible to know the details.

"Brother Guo, don't mention Brother Lin's sadness, this incident is a good thing for us, but it's different for Brother Lin." Master Yang interjected on the side: "Mr. Zhang has more knowledge than General Yang, and he has some importance for craftsmen, I heard that after winning the Lantern Festival Conference over the years, he can still give some rewards, Brother Lin should be about to save twenty taels of silver, and he can get out of the country, right?" ”

Lin Bai smiled bitterly: "How can it be so easy, do you think that Lord Zhang rewarded me to let me get out of my nationality?" An ordinary craftsman is twenty taels, but when you come to me, it costs a hundred taels! Those scattered pieces of silver that rely on rewards are not allowed to work for a hundred years? Alas, what should you be? Zhang Zongbing is still looking forward to another big financier, open a thousand taels, how can he easily release people. ”

"Sizzle......" Guo and Yang both gasped, Zhang Zongbing was really well-informed, and he really thought long-term, worthy of being a big man.

"How did Zhang Baihu enter that house?" Someone screamed in surprise, and everyone followed the sound to see Zhang Yang's figure disappearing in front of a rather large mansion.

"Whose house is that? Could it be that the new owner is a native of Xuanfu City? "Master Yang was disappointed.

"Not like it, right?" The person who saw Zhang Yang's movements retorted: "I saw it, Zhang Baihu knocked on the door before entering, and he was respectful." That's Zhang Baihu, the captain of General Zhang's personal soldiers, except for those adults in the governor's yamen, which one can make him so respectful? And how did those adults live here? ”

When everyone heard this, they all felt that it made sense, and they all nodded silently.

"I know, this is Gongzi Xie's house!" Master Guo suddenly shouted.

"Which Gongzi Xie? Could it be ......" Everyone was shocked and couldn't believe it.

"When Gongzi Xie first came to Xuanfu City a few months ago, I heard someone in the mansion talk that Gongzi Xie bought a house opposite the palace and on the side of the road...... Master Guo said: "At that time, everyone laughed at him, but didn't Gongzi Xie have a great reputation?" Except for Gongzi Xie, which one can make Zhang Baihu so respectful? ”

The eyes of the craftsmen lit up, and it would be great if this Gongzi Xie was the new owner. I heard that Gongzi Xie treats his subordinates very kindly, even ordinary military households are treated with courtesy, and he once helped his subordinates of the hungry tiger to ask for military salaries regardless of his previous suspicions.

"But ......" Lin Bai was very skeptical, "What does Gongzi Xie want us to do?" In addition to making saltpeter gunpowder, there are a few blacksmiths and carpenters, if we say that we want to make saltpeter gunpowder, there are obviously more skilled craftsmen there are Xie Gongzi, don't you remember the Lantern Festival? Everyone is still thinking about apprenticeship......"

Master Guo is a blacksmith, he echoed: "Yes, there is something you don't know, when I was asking for military salaries last time, Gongzi Xie sold a piano to Tianxianglou, and the boss Zhang wanted to imitate it, but the strings were made of stainless steel and cast wire, not to mention our blacksmiths in border towns, even famous craftsmen from the capital are helpless, as for carpenters, will Gongzi Xie be lacking?" Hehe......"

He didn't finish his words, he just smiled bitterly twice, but everyone else also understood what he meant, whether it was gunpowder or blacksmiths, there were more clever craftsmen in Gongzi Xie, what was the use of these people? Carpenters don't need to be mentioned, Houde Fang has a great reputation, will there be less carpenters in the decoration?

No matter how well Mr. Xie treats his subordinates, we don't have that blessing, complain, only complain that our own craftsmanship is not successful.

Alas! Everyone let out a sigh in unison.

(To be continued)