Cheung Chau, located in the east of Wu County, is named after Cheung Chau Garden, which originally belonged to Wu County.

In the first year of Long Live Tongtian, Wu Zetianxia divided Wu County into two, separated Changzhou Yuan from Wu County, and set up Changzhou County.

It is located at the confluence of the Guantang River and the Songjiang River, and the water transportation is very convenient.

To the north, along the Guantang River to Wuxi; To the south, down the Guantang River, you can reach Jiaxing. To the east, the Songjiang River enters the sea, and to the west, you can escape into the Taihu Lake. The waterways here are criss-crossed, like spider webs, and the terrain is quite complex.

Since Cheung Chau is a part of Wu County, it has a population of just over 1,200 households, about 10,000 people.

According to the hierarchical division of the county seat in the Tang Dynasty, Changzhou County belonged to Xiaxia County, which was the same as the rank of Changping.

In the twilight of summer, the sun is scorching.

A lake in the distance, lush with reeds.

In the breeze, the white reed flowers rose and fell in the lake, and it looked like a snowfield from a distance.

"There, it's Cheung Chau Garden."

Walking on the slightly narrow official road, Pei Min suddenly reined in his horse, pointed to the reeds in the distance, and turned his head to Yang Shouwen.

"In the past, King Wu Lu used to hunt here, but now it has become like this."

Cheung Chau Garden was the royal garden of Wu in the Spring and Autumn Period, but now looking at it, there is no royal style at all.

"Xiao Pei has been to Suzhou?"

Yang Siqiao asked with a smile, urging the horse to walk to Pei Min's side.

Pei Min nodded, "My uncle once served as the secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Envoy, and I have been living in Lingnan with my uncle when I was a child. Six years ago, my uncle returned to his hometown and took me to pass by here, so I know a little bit about it. ”

In the Tang Dynasty, China's navigation technology was the best in the world. Therefore, overseas trade is extremely developed.

In the sixth year of Xianqing, that is, in 661 AD, in view of the increasingly prosperous overseas trade, Tang Gaozong created the post of city envoy in Guangzhou, in charge of foreign trade by sea. The duties of the envoys were: to collect customs duties, to procure imported goods on behalf of the court, and to cherish goods. Manage the goods that merchants paid tribute to the imperial court, and manage and supervise the trade of the city.

This city envoy is the predecessor of the Song Dynasty city ship division......

However, generally speaking, most of the envoys were eunuchs.

When Yang Siqiao heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned, and asked curiously, "Xiao Pei, who is your uncle?" ”

"My uncle's surname is Xian, and he is a native of Gaoliang, Guangzhou. It's not the Central Plains clan. ”

The Pei clan in Hedong is a big family in the Central Plains. But this does not mean that the children of the Pei family are married to the children of famous families. From this point, it can also be seen that the status of Pei Min's branch in the Pei family in Hedong is not very high, and it is even on the edge.

"Xian? But is it Mrs. Chengjing's Xian? ”

Yang Shouwen suddenly spoke on the side, and his words revealed curiosity.

Pei Min was stunned for a moment, and then nodded, "I never thought that the husband would also know Mrs. Chengcheng." ”

This is sincere to Madame. That is, Mrs. Xian in the mouth of later generations.

Mrs. Xian was the leader of South Vietnam for generations and lived in a cave. More than 100,000 are deployed. Mrs. Xian was strategic, and the marching array was unparalleled, and it could be said that she was subdued at that time. Later, Mrs. Xian married Gao Liang Taishou Feng Bao, so the family moved to Gao Liang. That Feng Bao is the ancestor of the famous Colliers in history. It was the overlord of Lingnan at that time.

The Xian family is in Gaoliang and can be called a big family.

It's just that because Gao Liang is located in Lingnan, for the Central Plains family, it is nothing, and it will not be seen in the eyes at all.

Today. The dynasty has changed, and today's Xian family is no longer the Xian family that dominated Guangzhou in the past.

Pei Min was very surprised, because after he returned to Hedong from Lingnan, among the people he met, there were not many people who knew about the Xian family. Speaking of Mrs. Chengjing and Mrs. Qian Guo, many people know it. But in fact, many people don't know the name of Mrs. Chengjing or Mrs. Qianguo, let alone the so-called Xian family of the Gaoliang clan.

"Xiao Pei, how many times have I said that we are now commensurate with master and servant, and you can't call me Zhengshilang."

Yang Shouwen glared at Pei Min, who immediately came to his senses and nodded again and again.

"Madame Chengjing's name, how can I not know?

If it weren't for Mrs. Chengjing, I'm afraid that today's Lingnan will still be in turmoil. ”

Pei Min's eyes suddenly flashed with pride.

When he returned to Hedong from Guangzhou, whenever he talked about the Xian family, the children of those clans were either at a loss or showed disdain, which also made him feel very sad. Now, someone finally recognizes the contribution of the Xian family in Guangzhou, which also doubles Pei Min's good impression of Yang Shouwen. When he looked at Yang Shouwen, his gaze also changed.

Pei Min's father is an insignificant marginal child of the Pei family.

In the early years, because he made a mistake at home, he was assigned to Gao Liang and became Gao Liang Sima. It's just that at that time, the Cantonese people still had some rejection of the Central Plains. The halo of 'children of the Pei family' on Pei Min's head is useless at all.

However, he was favored by the lady of the Xian family, who was later Pei Min's biological mother.

After Pei Min's father married Xian Niangzi, he borrowed the prestige of the Xian family in Guangzhou, but he also did a prosperous job, and later Pei Min was born. But just when he was proud of the spring breeze, a sudden epidemic spread in Gao Liang.

Pei Min's parents and many children of the Xian family died in this epidemic, and the Xian family was also greatly damaged.

So, Pei Min went to Guangzhou with his uncle and lived in Guangzhou for almost ten years. After Wu Zetian ascended the throne, Pei Min's uncle felt that his health was not very good, and the situation in Lingnan was a little turbulent at that time, so he took Pei Min to return to Hedong from Guangzhou. Anyway, Pei Min is a child of the Pei family. After returning to Hedong, he was also taken care of by the Pei family. But in his heart, Pei Min always thinks that he is a Guangzhou person.

"No wonder I heard that your accent is not very pure, it turns out that you grew up in Lingnan."

Yang Siqiao couldn't help but sigh, and then the words changed and asked in a deep voice: "Then Xiao Pei, do you know the Changzhou Taibo Temple?" ”

"Of course I do."

Pei Min smiled, "Actually, it was right for Ah Lang to come to Changzhou.

In fact, there is no Taibo Temple in Wu County, because this Changzhou was originally under the rule of Wu County, and the Taibo Temple was built on the edge of Cheung Chau Yuan at that time. Ah Lang looked over there, let's go around the river bay in front, and we should be able to see where Changzhou County is located.

Cheung Chau Taibo Temple was built outside Cheung Chau County. On the banks of Cheung Chau Court. There is an earthen mountain there, called Changmen Ridge, which can overlook Wuqiu. The Taibo Temple is at the foot of the Changmen Ridge, if we go faster, we can almost arrive before dark. ”

The 'Wuqiu' in Pei Min's mouth is also known as Tiger Hill Mountain in later generations.

However, because Li Yuan's grandfather was named Li Hu. Therefore, in order to avoid secrecy, it was changed to Wuqiu Mountain.

Yang Shouwen didn't know that there was only one Taibo Temple in Wu County, and when he heard what Pei Min said, he couldn't help but feel lucky.

"In that case, let's hurry up."

After speaking, Yang Shouwen urged the horse to leave.

Yang Siqiao and Pei Min followed closely behind him, and although the healthy mule was carrying a heavy package, its speed was still amazing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Almost before dark, Yang Shouwen and his party arrived outside Changzhou County.

But. They did not immediately enter the city, but took up residence in a village outside Cheung Chau County. This is Jiangnan East Road, and the rules are not as big as Luoyang. In the county seat, the city gate is closed at night, but in the village outside the county, although the gate is closed after nightfall, it is not as strict as in the county seat.

The three of them stayed in a simple inn in the cottage, and Yang Shouwen asked Pei Min to inquire about the situation.

No way. Neither he nor Yang Siqiao could speak that Wu Nong's soft language, although along the way. Yang Shouwen specially found someone to learn some, but Wu Nong's soft language has its own system, which is completely different from the popular Central Plains official dialect today.

No matter how smart Yang Shouwen is, it is impossible to learn Suzhou dialect.

In his opinion, the Suzhou dialect of this era. It's like a foreign language in later generations, and I can't understand it at all.

However, Pei Min can speak Suzhou fluently, because he was in Guangzhou when he was a teenager and followed his uncle to contact many businessmen from Jiangnan. Although I have some accents, I don't have a problem communicating with the locals.

This is also an important reason why Yang Shouwen wants to take Pei Min!

No way. Mastering a language will always have some advantages.

"Ah Lang, I have inquired clearly, the Taber Temple is a little desolate now, and there is no incense on weekdays, and it has long been dilapidated. Today, there is only one temple in the Taibo Temple, who is deaf and mute, and is a native of Cheung Chau. ”

That night, Yang Shouwen and Yang Siqiao had dinner and returned to the room.

Pei Min also inquired about the situation clearly and came to report to Yang Shouwen.

Yang Siqiao filled Yang Shouwen with a bowl of berry juice from local specialties, and then sat at the door of the room, listening and monitoring the movement outside.

Yang Shouwen stood at the window, vigilantly observing the movement outside.

"What else is there to say?"

Taber Temple is a must-see.

Regarding the news from Pei Min, Yang Shouwen was not disappointed. The other party brought him from Qu Ayo to the Taibo Temple, and he would definitely appear. So he doesn't care about the situation of Taibo Temple, he cares more about the situation in Changzhou County.

Along the way, though, he read a lot of dossiers about Cheung Chau.

But hearing is false, and seeing is believing.

The situation in Cheung Chau must be inquired into in person to understand. Relying on the records in the dossier alone will not yield much gain. You must know that even Wang Yuankai, the commander of Changzhou County, can be poisoned unknowingly, which is enough to explain the complicated situation in Changzhou County. If you don't figure out the situation in Cheung Chau, I'm afraid it will be very troublesome.

Pei Min said: "Regarding Changzhou, I also heard some news. ”

"Say!"

"Changzhou was originally under the rule of Wu County, long live the first year of Tongtian, the sage ordered to separate Changzhou and set up a separate county. However, most people in Changzhou still regard themselves as Wu County people, so the influence of the Changzhou County Order is not very large. ”

"Oh?"

"This Cheung Chau is mainly based on land and water terminals, which carry out the transit transportation of goods.

In addition to connecting Changshu and Jiaxing, it can also enter Taihu Lake through Songjiang, and then connect Huzhou, Changzhou and Hangzhou. The Guantang Wharf under the rule of Cheung Chau was originally owned by the Su family in Wu County. After Changzhou was separated from Wu County, the Su family still held control of Changzhou, and its influence was even greater than that of the government. ”

"In that case, why not raze the Su family."

Yang Siqiao suddenly opened his mouth and said in a deep voice.

Pei Min smiled bitterly: "It's easy to say, but the Su family has been in Suzhou for more than two hundred years, and its foundation is extremely solid. They were not from a noble family, and had been in business for generations. It is not only influential in Jiangnan Dongdao, but also has industries in Minzhou and Quanzhou. Since Taizong ascended the throne, the Su family has relied on the Duke of Su Zhuang in Wuyi, who dares to offend easily? ”

"Who is Su Zhuanggong?"

Yang Shouwen couldn't help but ask.

Yang Siqiao frowned, and when he heard Yang Shouwen's inquiry, he replied with a wry smile: "Ah Lang has heard of Su Lie Su Dingfang?" ”

"Su Dingfang?"

Yang Shouwen's eyes lit up. It's a familiar name.

"Su Dingfang is still alive?"

"Oh...... Su Dudu had passed away in the second year of Qianfeng. ”

It turns out that he is already dead!

This Su Dingfang, named Su Lie, is a native of Wuyi, Jizhou.

When he was fifteen years old, he followed his father to fight with great strength and courage, and was the first to enter the battle. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, he successively defected to Dou Jiande and Liu Heimin, and made many meritorious achievements. The early years of Zhenguan. He returned to Li Tang, followed the Northern Expedition to the Turks, attacked Yinshan at night, and took the lead in breaking through the tooth tent of Jieli Khan as a pioneer officer. During the reign of Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Su Dingfang was reused by Li Zhi to conquer the Western Turks, pacify the Green Mountains, and attack Baekje. Conquered Goguryeo and destroyed the Three Kingdoms successively. He expanded the territory of the Tang Dynasty westward to Central Asia and eastward to the Korean Peninsula, making immortal achievements.

And his most legendary battle is the story of breaking the battle with 500 warriors when he conquered the Western Turks.

In the sixth year of Yonghui, Su Dingfang marched from the Green Mountain Road to Cheng Zhijie. That is, the famous Cheng Yanjin conquered the Western Turks and was appointed as the former army commander. When the two sides fought a decisive battle at the Dayingsa River, the branch of the Western Turks, the Rat Nishi Department led 20,000 cavalry reinforcements. Su Dingfang's headquarters was resting at that time and saw the enemy approaching. So he led 500 elites over the mountains and mountains, guided the Rat Nishi army, defeated the Rat Nishi, and pursued 20 miles, killing more than 1,500 people.

This battle completely established Su Dingfang's name of bravery.

Moreover, he is not only brave and good at fighting, can march and arrange, but also promotes many talents.

Among them, Pei Guangting's father, Pei Xingjian, was pulled up by Su Dingfang......

It's a pity that such a heroic character has become a villain for some reason in later generations. said that Luo Cheng in the Tang Dynasty died in the hands of Su Dingfang. It's obviously a son of the Han family, but I don't know if it's that bastard, and he counts him as a Goguryeo.

When Yang Shouwen was a child, he hated Su Dingfang to the core, because he killed Luo Cheng.

But when he grew up, he knew that Luo Cheng was just a fictional character, and Su Dingfang was a real hero.

"Wu County Su family, leaning on the Wuyi Su family?"

When Pei Min heard this, he was also taken aback, and his eyes immediately flashed with worry.

Speaking of which, the relationship between the Pei family and the Su family is also very close, after all, Pei Xingjian was single-handedly promoted by Su Dingfang back then.

After Su Dingfang's death, there was no successor to the Su family, and most of his descendants were scattered and rarely served as ministers.

Don't think that's the case, just underestimate the Su family.

The Su family has a close relationship with many nobles in the court, such as Li Jing, the Duke of Weiguo, and the Pei family of Hedong, who have close contacts with the Su family. Such a character, even Wu Zetian is very respectful. Even after Wu Zetian ascended the throne, he made a special order: What the Su family eats is sealed, and it is still given. It means that all the treatment enjoyed by Su Dingfang was rationed according to the old days.

Yang Shouwen couldn't help frowning, he didn't expect that such a character was hidden in this small Changzhou, which was indeed beyond his expectations.

However, he is here for the treasure of Huangtai, and there will be no conflict with the Su family.

Yang Shouwen thought of this, so he changed his words, "Then have you inquired about the news about Wang Yuankai?" ”

"Wang Yuankai's official reputation is not bad, and he is also very diligent in office.

However, Ah Lang also knew that after all, he was a member of the Taiyuan Wang clan, not a native of Suzhou, so he would inevitably be ostracized. I inquired just now, and the people here have a good impression of Wang Yuankai, but there is no respect in his words. ”

Geographical exclusion is also regional exclusion.

Yang Shouwen found that this kind of regional concept is simply the mainstream idea in this era.

What Pei Min meant by this was that Wang Yuankai did not have much influence in Cheung Chau. But he has been an official for so long, and since the establishment of Cheung Chau, he has served as the magistrate of Cheung Chau, but he is still not accepted by the locals? It seems a little quirky.

Yang Siqiao suddenly said: "But it's because of the Su family? ”

"Huh?"

Yang Shouwen frowned and looked at Yang Siqiao.

Pei Min said: "Exactly...... More than thirty percent of the people in Changzhou rely on Su's snort, and another three-tenth of them need to rely on Su's connections. After Wang Yuankai took office, he first targeted the Su family's local power in Changzhou, wanting to weaken the Su family's influence. This naturally made the Su family dissatisfied, and openly and secretly suppressed Wang Yuankai, making it difficult to implement his decree. ”

Wu County Su Clan!

Yang Shouwen couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

originally thought that it would not intersect with the Su family, but now it seems that the Su family of Wu County may be difficult to bypass......

"It's not early, old Yang Xiaopei, hurry up and rest.

Everyone be careful tonight, we are now in Cheung Chau, I am afraid that we have entered the sphere of influence of the thieves, we must be cautious.

Early tomorrow morning, let's go to the Taber Temple, and then enter Cheung Chau. ”

When Yang Siqiao and Pei Min heard this, they immediately bowed down and responded.

The two of them exited the room and gently closed the door.

Yang Shouwen walked over, dropped the latch, and then picked up the futon from the bed and spread it in the corner behind the bed.

Tiger swallowed in front of him, he sat cross-legged, blowing out the oil lamp.

The moonlight shone into the room through the window, as if a light veil was spread on the floor.

Outside the window, the bamboo shadows swayed and rustled, revealing an indescribable quiet atmosphere. Yang Shouwen leaned against the wall, holding the Crow Nine Sword in his hand, and closed his eyes.

Wang Yuankai, Fearless Zen Master, the Su family and the Huangtai treasure.

All the information gathered together in an instant and lingered in Yang Shouwen's mind. He vaguely felt that behind these messy clues, there seemed to be invisible threads. As long as that line is found, all the mysteries will be solved.

Originally, he thought that it would not be too troublesome to come to Cheung Chau this time.

But now it seems that things are far more complicated than he imagined, will Wang Yuankai's death have anything to do with the Su family?

For a while, Yang Shouwen's thoughts became a little confused! (To be continued.) )