Seeing that Zhu Houwei seemed to have an understanding, Ma Xiong couldn't help asking, "Lord Wang, did you think of something?" ”

Zhu Houwei shook his head, "It's just some ideas, there are too few clues, and I can't be sure yet." In this case, let's talk about the situation of your Baidong Mountain first. ”

Ma Xiong nodded, "Baidong Mountain was more than twenty people at the beginning, and then slowly increased, because the reputation of Baidong Mountain is getting louder and louder, the military households who can't survive nearby have come to vote, before the pirates came, there were a total of more than 1,500 people in the cottage. The prince also knew that we mainly lived on the private salt business, so there were about 300 people in Yanding. There are also more than 100 people, mainly scattered all over Dengzhou, listening to news and taking care of business. The remaining 100 or so men, old and weak women and children were cultivating fields and growing some food in the Baidong Mountain. In this pirate attack, military households from several guard houses came to take refuge, and there were more than 2,500 people in the cottages, some of whom could not survive, and some of whom were ruined by pirates and had nowhere to go. The grain in the village is almost unable to last the autumn harvest, and Weichen is also going to buy some grain back this time. However, "

Zhu Houwei looked at him and frowned and asked, "Say it directly." ”

Ma Xiong's face was a little angry and said, "The grain merchants in Dengzhou are not selling grain now, and it seems that they are ready to hoard it, and there are nearly 2 months before the autumn harvest." If you haven't met pirates, it's better to say how this poor family who has been ravaged by pirates can live. ”

Zhu Houwei's face was also angry, these people were really overdone. With a long sigh of relief, Zhu Houwei said with a straight face: "Don't worry, Leader Ma, when I go back, I will immediately send someone to send some food." But you also have to help me with some errands, you should have some people in Yanzhou Mansion. It doesn't matter if there is no one, immediately send a few people to Jining, mix in with these gathered crowds, and see what these people are going to do. ”

Ma Xiong nodded, arched his hand and said, "Weichen will not be dishonored." ”

Zhu Houwei chatted with Ma Xiong for a few more words, and then prepared to hurry back to Dengzhou. If he doesn't go back, it is estimated that Wu Yiheng will lead his troops to kill him.

This time back to Dengzhou, Ma Xiong also sent a liaison. When I went back, in addition to Zhu Houwei and the three of them, there was also the heroic Ma Sanniang and the three female soldiers.

Ma Yun has been practicing martial arts since she was a child, and when she was 8 years old, she dragged her little sisters who played together to practice together, and slowly the number of female soldiers under her hands increased, and now there are nearly 50 people. These female soldiers mainly practice two things, one is swordsmanship, which is used for self-defense, and the other is bowing, which is used to kill the enemy. After all, in cold weapon combat, women are born with disadvantages, lack of strength, and are very disadvantaged on the battlefield due to their short height. A woman like Ma Sanniang who is stronger than a man is definitely a minority of the few.

A group of 7 people hurried to Dengzhou, but they didn't expect these female soldiers under Ma Sanniang to ride well. There was nothing to say all the way, and about 10 miles away from Dengzhou, I saw about 100 people waiting by the official road. walked in and took a look, and sure enough, it was Wu Yiheng. Seeing Zhu Houwei coming back, Wu Yiheng was relieved.

There are also a lot of things to do when he returns to Dengzhou City, and Liu Yushan contributed a set of houses for Zhu Houwei to live in. Originally, with Liu Yushan's situation, Zhu Houwei was reluctant to be involved with him, but yesterday's battle made Zhu Houwei have a lot of changes in his opinion, so he agreed to his request. After all, the prefect is back, and it's not appropriate for you to stay in the government anymore.

Originally, Zhu Houwei was going to send the materials and grain seized from Xiaoqin Island back to Tianjin, but when he heard what Ma Xiong said, Zhu Houwei changed his mind. Directly leave 100,000 taels for emergencies, and send the rest of the people and money back to Tianjin, and let them send food over. These hostages rescued from Daqin Island either returned to their hometowns or went to Tianjin to become naturalized, and each of them was given 30 catties of grain and 3 taels of silver as travel expenses.

Zhu Houwei called Wu Yiheng and asked him to write a letter, and then boarded the ship with the prisoners and sent it directly to the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies. Of course, in the midst of the twists and turns, the battle was brilliant, but not many were captured, and everything that the pirates looted sank to the bottom of the sea with the ships in the naval battle.

Called the Jinyi Wei Qianhu in Dengzhou to investigate the grain merchants near Dengzhou to see if there were people hoarding Juqi, no matter what he said, Zhu Houwei still believed in his investigation information.

As a spy organization, Jinyiwei has many sources of information, and Zhu Houwei also asked them to inquire about the special actions of the state and county. There must be brave men under the heavy reward, who can get accurate information, reward a hundred taels of silver, I believe this can also mobilize the enthusiasm of these people.

Soon, it was noon. The prefect who had gone through the ordeal sent someone to send an invitation, saying that he wanted to entertain Zhu Houwei and Wu Yiheng to repay the grace of saving lives. This prefect knew that Zhu Houwei let go of the pirate leader Yang En, in his opinion, this was a decision made by Zhu Houwei in order to save him, although he estimated that there were not a few good days to live, but while he was still in the seat, this meal still had to be invited.

After Zhu Houwei roughly dealt with the matter, his stomach also protested, so he and Wu Yiheng went to the banquet. The place of the banquet is the most luxurious and high-grade food in Dengzhou City. This restaurant has a long history, I heard that it has been there since the founding of the country, and it has been more than 100 years now, and it has branches in Shandong, Henan, Beizhili and other places.

Food is fresh in the south of the city, which is the residence and office of dignitaries. I saw this restaurant from afar, because it is a three-storey restaurant, which is much higher than the shop next to it. The entire store is about 20 meters wide, and the first and second floors are for individual customers. The third floor is a private room and a private room, which is here to host wine banquets.

Zhu Houwei and Wu Yiheng took 8 soldiers, and there were still about 100 meters away from the food, and someone came to pick them up, this person was about 50 years old, and he was dressed as a housekeeper. After introducing himself, I learned that he was the prefect's butler. Under the leadership of this housekeeper, Zhu Houwei and others came to Shiweixian, but they did not enter through the main entrance, but from the small door next to them.

As soon as I entered the small door, I saw the old face of the prefect, which was different from what I saw yesterday, and today's prefect is still good in appearance and temperament after being dressed up. In addition to the prefect, there are several others, all around 4,50. When the prefect saw Zhu Houwei, he hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down with a smile and said, "Wechen see the prince, the prince's life-saving grace, and the wechen feel five guilty." The rest of the people also knelt down. Zhu Houwei didn't put on a face, smiled and said, "Get up." ”

After a salute, Zhu Houwei knew the identities of these people, 3 prefects, 2 main books, plus this prefect, it can be regarded as a gathering of high-level officials in Dengzhou, of course, there are also a few of them who were pulled by pirates as guests.

The prefect led the way, through the long path, bypassing the building where food is fresh, and suddenly the front suddenly opened up, in front of which was a garden, planted with many flowers and plants, although Zhu Houwei didn't understand, but looking at the staggered care of these plants, it must not be ordinary.

There was a stone path in the middle of the garden, and everyone crossed the path to a bamboo forest. It is said to be a bamboo forest, but in fact, it is a few atmospheric bamboo houses, surrounded by more than 10 layers of bamboo. The green bamboos are quite tall, and the bamboo huts are very hidden in them.

Although autumn is approaching, the weather is still very hot, and Zhu Houwei actually hasn't walked much here, but he is already soaking wet. However, as soon as I entered the bamboo forest, I immediately felt a little cool. The most important thing is that when I get to the bamboo house, it seems that the world is a lot quieter.

Originally, you could still hear the sound from the food for fresh restaurant in front of you, but when you get here, the sound is intermittent, as if you have left the world and come to the outside world.

Zhu Houwei and Wu Yiheng followed the prefect into the largest bamboo house, and the remaining 8 soldiers, led by the housekeeper, went to the small bamboo house next to it. The large bamboo house is about 6 meters long and about the same wide, basically forming a square.

The room is paved with wooden planks, and the rest of the furniture is made of bamboo, which is very interesting. There was a small door on the north side of the house, and Zhu Houwei walked through the small door and found that there was a bamboo house behind it, which was slightly smaller than the one in front. When I went in, I found that this was originally a study, with bookshelves on three sides, and a bamboo window in the middle of the two bookshelves. There is a desk in the middle of the room, and the sunlight shines into the study mottled through the bamboo forest outside, which makes people's hearts calm down at once.

After visiting the bamboo house, everyone returned to the bamboo house in front, and at this time, the large round table in the middle had been placed with wine and food, which was not very luxurious, but the dishes were carefully placed and looked chic. The round table is no size, Zhu Houwei and the prefect are sitting directly north, and on both sides are Wu Yiheng and a prefect.

Pushing the cup, the atmosphere is harmonious. During this period, several officials had a drink and a small poem, which was very elegant. The poem inevitably praises Zhu Houwei and the water and land camp, and Zhu Houwei and Wu Yiheng also listened with a smile and were in a good mood. Zhu Houwei seemed to look at the wine glass in his hand and said to himself, "This Shandong county suddenly has a strict investigation, and many people have flocked to the prefectures and counties around the canal, which is suspicious. When he spoke, he glanced at a few people out of the corner of his eye, but found that several of them had normal faces. The prefect said, "And this is the case? Weichen doesn't know. ”

Zhu Houwei smiled faintly, "It's okay, this king is just hearsay, and he can't take it seriously." Dong Zhifu, the glass of wine just now was not cool, why is there still half a cup left, ready to raise goldfish? The prefect smiled and said, "Weichen's fault." Then he drank it all.

After the banquet, Zhu Houwei and others returned to the house. At this time, Ma Yun also came back soon. Baidong Mountain did not have a foothold in Dengzhou, so Ma Yun and the three female soldiers lived in a small mansion next to the house. The two houses look like two households, but in fact, the middle wall is open.

Ma Yun returned to the small mansion, and the soldiers of the land and water battalion had already come to report the news. They accompanied Ma Sanniang to the street. Not only that, but the soldiers who followed them to protect in secret were soon discovered by Ma Sanniang, and then turned into coolies to help them carry things.

Women on the street are basically to see rouge gouache, cloth embroidery, Ma Sanniang is different, I heard the report that she bought a lot of books, pen and ink, paper, which surprised him very much.

After a while, Ma Yun came to the lobby and looked for Zhu Houwei. Entered the door, smiled at Zhu Houwei, and then found a place to sit down. A soldier of the land and water battalion brought a cup of herbal tea, and Ma Sanniang was not polite, "Goo, Goo" drank it cleanly, then wiped his mouth and said, "Another cup." ”

Zhu Houwei smiled and shook his head when he saw her appearance. Even her sister, who is more jumpy by nature, is not as bold as Ma Sanniang, but she looks like a female man in later generations.

Ma Sanniang asked with a smile: "The prince is laughing at my vulgar behavior?" Zhu Houwei shook his head: "Miss Ma is too careful." Miss Ma is straightforward and unpretentious, and I admire her very much from the bottom of my heart. Ma Sanniang pretended to be angry and said, "Didn't you say it, just call me Sanniang." ”

Zhu Houwei had no choice but to say, "Sanniang, it seems that you are in a good mood on the street today." Ma Sanniang said with a smile: "That's true, after all, it's the first time to walk in the lively place of the state capital openly." There is no need to worry about the officers and other enemies, but it is very good. Zhu Houwei nodded and asked, "I heard that Sanniang bought a lot of books and papers on the street this time, I don't know why?" ”

Ma Sanniang restrained her smile, and said with a positive color, "These are to let the children in the village have books to read, the ancients said that 'I don't know if I don't read', and another point is that if I can't read, then I can only be a human being, and I will never be able to turn over." ”

Zhu Houwei nodded, looking at Ma Sanniang's gaze couldn't help but show a little appreciation, knowledge changes fate, this is not something that only future generations know.

Smiling and admiring his gaze like Zhu Houwei, Ma Sanniang rarely sees it, although she is a little happy in her heart, but it is still a little unnatural. Ma Sanniang broke the embarrassment and said, "My father, they should be almost at the mouth of the Shahe River now, I don't know when the grain promised by the prince will be delivered?" Zhu Houwei said, "It should be sent to Shahekou now." With Zhu Yuan here, you can rest assured. ”

Ma Sanniang nodded, stood up and arched her hand towards Zhu Houwei, "Sanniang has thanked the prince on behalf of the old and young people in the village." I'm going to go to Shahekou right now and deliver what I bought by the way. Then he turned around and left, Zhu Houwei looked at the back of the men's beauty, and couldn't help but be a little distracted.