Weihai Acropolis northeast of the temple front of the sea, more than 10 sea ships quietly docked in it, with the sea waves slightly undulating, most of the sea ships are the sea to carry grain to cover the foreign ship, the sea in front of the temple in Weihai and the Mazidun are separated from the Songding Mountain and the Diaowo Mountain, it is a place that can shelter from the wind, there are nearly 100 ships to avoid the wind and waves at most, usually it is some to supplement fresh water and food, the number is much less.

A fortune ship and a vermilion ship were also mixed in, the front and rear soft sails of the vermilion ship had been lowered, and the other sailors were not familiar with the bow of the Yamato, and only thought it was a Chinese ship that they had never seen before, and everyone ignored each other.

Like other boats, the fortune boat lowered a firewood boat and rowed to the shore.

After Zhou Shifa went ashore, he went north along the coast to Mazidun, Chen Xin watched from the bow of the Fu boat, and when he disappeared, he said to Song Wenxian beside him: "I bet that Sun Guozhen sent someone to wait in the dungeon." ”

Song Wenxian said a little worriedly: "I also think so, Brother Chen promised to give him Sun Guozhen's silver, why should he be so mysterious." ”

Chen Xin knew that he was worried about the safety of his eldest son, and explained: "Brother Song doesn't have to worry about the eldest son, the silver will definitely be given to Sun Guozhen, but it can't be given in vain, wait for Zhou Shifa to bring someone here, I will ask about the situation in the past two months, and then we will see how to get some benefits." ”

Song Wenxian involved his relatives, his mind was not as flexible as usual, and he didn't think much about it anymore, and after waiting for two hours, Zhou Shifa and Lu Chuanzong appeared on the shore and came to the Fu boat on the firewood boat.

Lu Chuanzong saw Chen Xin and said happily: "My lord is back, and your promotion to commander has arrived." ”

Song Wenxian and Chen Xin went to the affairs of the people, glanced at each other, and knew that it was the military exploits of opening up Tianliang that had finally been done, and Sun Guozhen was still serious about doing things, and he went directly from the thousands of households to the affairs, and Qian Yuanke must have played a role, even if it was a health officer, the level was always one level higher.

Chen Xin asked Lu Chuanzong, "Did Master Sun send someone to send it?" ”

"Yes, everyone is still waiting there, saying that they want to reassure Master Chen in person."

Chen Xin waved his hand to stop Lu Chuanzong from speaking, asked a few pro-soldiers to separate the sailors behind him, and asked Lu Chuanzong in a low voice: "Is there any news from Zhang Dahui?" ”

"Yes, he went to Tianjin to ask Lu You to bring the news, saying that Zhong Daotai was impeached by an imperial historian in April, and he left office in May." Song Wenxian and Chen Xin were both surprised in their hearts, and finally got one.

Song Wenxian couldn't wait to ask, "Are you in prison?" ”

"No, go home and stay idle."

Song Wenxian touched his beard, his head suddenly became flexible, and Chen Xin was also thinking about it, Zhong Daotai was defeated because of his attachment to his ministers, and there would be no chance of a comeback in the future, and his silver would definitely not be returned, that is, Sun Guozhen was still there, although the silver had to be returned, how to get more benefits.

After a while, Song Wenxian said to Chen Xin: "Brother Chen, I'll go talk to Sun Guozhen's people." ”

Chen Xin shook his head and said: "In what capacity do you talk to him, you are still Sun Guozhen's staff, and your son is also in his hands, I'll talk better, I just want something, I won't swallow his silver, Mr. Song, your son promises to come back unscathed." ”

Song Wenxian sighed helplessly and nodded in agreement.

After he finished speaking, he said to Lu Chuanzong: "Is there anything else near Denglai?" ”

"Also, it was also the news brought by Lu You, but now we all know that the imperial court appointed the former governor of Liaodong as the governor of Jiliao in April. It seems that Denglai is also under his control, and the original Wang Inspector has been dismissed. In addition, Yang Guodong, the chief soldier of Denglai, was transferred to the general army of Zhejiang. ”

"Yuan Chonghuan?" Song Wenxian asked strangely, this person was just dismissed last year, but he has climbed higher this year. He recalled a little and said to Chen Xin: "This is strange, he also went to the Wei Zhongxian Cultivation Temple with Yan Mingtai back then, Yan Mingtai is afraid that he will not be able to escape the reverse case, but this Yuan Chonghuan has risen so fast." ”

Chen Xin's attitude towards this Yuan Chonghuan is indifferent, although he is also in charge of Denglai, but Yuan Chonghuan has a Liao salary and stays in Liaoxi all day, so he may not be in the mood to take care of Denglai, let alone the less important Wendeng. He didn't notice that he was the best, and Chen Xin wouldn't take the initiative to provoke him, this person only had a tenure of more than a year, so there was no need to invest, and the crime he was convicted later was still very big, so don't get too involved.

"Brother Chen, after the things on the ship are done, do you want me to go to Shanhaiguan and help you take care of it?"

Chen Xin shook his head and said: "No, there are also the governor of Denglai and the chief soldier above, he has a salary of several million, it is useless for us to send less, and it will cause him to be suspicious if we send more, the imperial court gave him such a big mess, and the defense line around Liaodong was given to him, which is enough for him to be busy, and he should not have the time to pay attention to our least important place." ”

After speaking, he sighed, "Keep the silver for the current management, or the governor of Denglai and Haiphong Province is the most cost-effective, it depends on who the next governor of Denglai is." ”

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The ship sailed into Mazi Harbor and stopped at the wharf, there were only about 20 sailors on board, the guardrails on the hull were rotten in many places, and the front sail was also tattered, and the ropes on it were all tangled in knots and could not be put down.

The people who rushed over after hearing the news looked at the ship in surprise, including the Xu steward sent by Sun Guozhen. Chen Xin had seen him twice when he was the governor of the yamen, and he gave him silver twice, and the relationship was quite harmonious, after Chen Xin stepped off the springboard, he asked him weakly: "It turns out that Steward Xu is also here." ”

Steward Xu looked at Chen Xin in fear and asked, "Lord Chen, what's going on?" ”

Chen Xin was silent, and only said to Steward Xu for a long time: "Mr. Xu, let's talk in the room over there." ”

The two walked into the sailor's office one after the other, and as soon as they entered the room, Chen Xin suddenly knelt on the ground, choked and said: "Mr. Xu, the lower official has the trust of Lord Sun, we encountered a strong wind on the way back, and the ship containing Lord Sun's goods was blown away, and looking at it from a distance, it seemed to have been overturned in the sea." ”

Steward Xu opened his mouth wide, as if he was frozen, he knew very well that Sun Guozhen had sent a lot of silver to Jingshi in order to reverse the case, and he might be able to ask for a whole body to retreat, 20,000 taels was his support for the elderly, and he was originally expecting to earn another 20,000, but now he was actually knocked over in the sea.

"You, you." Steward Xu couldn't imagine how he would explain to Sun Guozhen when he went back, he pointed at Chen Xin, his fingers trembled, and he was about to be speechless, Chen Xin didn't wait for him to say threatening words, and took the first step to cry: "Mr. Lian Song may have sunk with the ship." ”

In this way, Song Wenxian's eldest son was useless, and Steward Xu gasped for breath, and the rest of the words were not said for a while.

Chen Xin hurriedly said: "But Mr. Xu, don't worry, no matter what, I also have to make up the capital of Lord Sun, and I must return it to Lord Sun, which is also our duty as subordinates." ”

Steward Xu took a breath at this time, took a few breaths, touched the table, and remembered that he hadn't even made tea at all, and he couldn't care about it, so he hurriedly said to Chen Xin: "Then you can give me the silver quickly, I have my own boat, and I will bring it back now." ”

Chen Xin looked at him in surprise and said, "How can Mr. take it now." ”

Steward Xu's heart suddenly lifted up again, he stroked it with his hand again and again, and asked urgently: "Then what do you mean by what you just said?" Isn't there only one ship left? ”

Chen Xin looked at him as if he was a little too excited, opened the door and called a sailor, asked him to make a cup of tea, and then slowly sat down and said to Steward Xu: "Don't hide it, sir, now the remaining boat is my goods, all of them are some swords and knives, Mr. can go on the ship immediately to check, these things must be sold before the silver can be replenished to Lord Sun, otherwise, Mr. Xu can also take these goods and sell them himself." ”

Steward Xu hurriedly said: "I don't know the buyer of these many goods, how to get rid of them, how long does it take for you to sell the goods, Lord Chen?" ”

"Usually March and May are enough."

Steward Xu began to stroke his chest again, Chen Xin hurriedly brought the tea over, and Steward Xu took a sip and drank half a bowl, eagerly, his beard was stained with some water droplets.

It took a long time for Steward Xu to come back to his senses, and said bitterly: "Lord Chen, how could it take so long? ”

"Mr. Xu, don't you know, these things and knives are things that ordinary people don't use, and they can only be sold until Jingshi and Huaiyang merchants come to buy them, and three or five months is still less."

Steward Xu looked at the lucky boat outside the window and asked, "In this way, there is only Brother Chen's goods on the ship, and there is no silver at all?" ”

Chen Xindao: "There are silver taels, but they are all Mr. Zhong's, and there are also goods and account books here, Mr. Xu can take a look." Chen Xin said and took out a forged account book.

Steward Xu didn't pick it up at all, he leaned over to this side and asked, "How much is Lord Zhong's silver taels?" ”

Chen Xin recalled: "Lord Zhong plus what he earned, a total of 20,000 taels, all in cash. ”

Steward Xu clapped his hands and said excitedly: "Then it is not the same to give this ship of silver to Lord Sun." ”

Chen Xin was puzzled: "Although the two ships are together, but the goods of this ship belong to Lord Zhong, the cargo books and account books are clear, and Lord Zhong has also seen the ship, if it is given to Lord Sun, I can't explain to Lord Zhong." ”

Steward Xu leaned over and whispered: "Lord Chen, you just came back, this Zhongdaotai is attached to the ministers, and the eunuch has already left his post, so you don't need to explain anything to him." ”

Chen Xin looked at Steward Xu in surprise, and said half-loudly: "How can I do this thing of crossing the river and demolishing the bridge, Lord Zhong is also a former Shangguan when he leaves, if he is like this, this conscience is really unbearable." ”

With the silver there, Steward Xu calmed down a little at this time, and his eyes turned to Chen Xin: "It's good for Lord Chen to remember the past, but don't be too pedantic, Lord Sun's silver is also silver, how can he know which boat will come back." ”

"This ......"

Steward Xu waved his hand and said, "Lord Chen doesn't need to be embarrassed, even if Lord Zhong comes to ask, he will say that I took it." If Lord Chen does not agree to this, I suspect that Lord Chen really has intentions. ”

Chen Xin's brows furrowed together, as if he was doing this hard ideological struggle, but he still shook his head after half a ring, and Steward Xu stood up angrily and yelled at Chen Xin: "Lord Chen, do you only have Lord Zhong in your eyes, could it be that Governor Sun can't compare to him as a coastal defense Dao?" What benefits did Lord Chung promise you? ”

Chen Xin got up and said with a worried smile: "Mr. Xu is angry, and the lower officials are not afraid to tell the truth, it is true that Lord Zhong promised the lower officials some weapons, and the lower officials have been looking forward to coming back to get them for his subordinates, but this happened again." ”

Steward Xu looked at Chen Xin for a moment, and asked coldly, "What weapon?" ”

"Mr. Xu, Lord Zhong promised to give me five hundred sets of iron scale armor, and I also know that there are still some gunpowder and sulfur in the arsenal. In addition, Lord Zhong also promised to help me be promoted to Tongzhi and transferred to the sentry officer of Wendeng Battalion. ”

Steward Xu touched the beard on his chin, a set of iron scale armor is at least fifty taels, and five hundred sets are more than twenty thousand, he snorted and said: "I see, he Zhong Baishi has a good plan, and you Lord Chen also have a good plan, now that Zhong Baishi is gone, Lord Sun is also in charge of the arsenal, but I am afraid that it will be difficult to explain......

Chen Xin thought about the iron armor, which Song Wenxian found in the Dengzhou book, but Zhong Daotai never promised him, he coveted it for a long time, and when he heard Steward Xu's tone loosening, he said in a low voice: "Didn't Mr. Xu just say that Lord Zhong has gone to work, I'm afraid this iron armor will not be seen when Lord Zhong is in office." ”

Steward Xu looked at Chen Xin gloomily, slowly sat down and picked up the tea, this time he was calm, after he took a sip, he asked softly: "Originally, Lord Sun added the earnings, it should be 40,000 taels, right?" Now there are only 20,000 taels on board. ”

"Originally, with the earnings, Lord Sun should be 38,000 taels, if these weapons can be obtained, how about making up 38,000 taels for Lord Sun after the officials sell the goods? In this way, Lord Sun can get enough silver, and the lower officials will not get nothing, anyway, the things in the imperial court's arsenal must be given to people after all, and it is convenient for the lower officials and Lord Sun. ”

Steward Xu was noncommittal, and Chen Xin added: "Mr. Xu is running back and forth, and the lower officials here also have a heart for Mr., which will not be less than one thousand taels." ”

Steward Xu began to be moved, he also knew that Sun Guozhen's shape was worried, and he was still in office, so he could earn it quickly, but he still had to ask the big sum first, "Then Lord Sun, how much can you take this time?" ”

"Since Lord Zhong is not in a hurry, this time Mr. Xu can take all the 20,000 taels of silver first, and I will send it to Mr. Xu's ship immediately." Chen Xin said and took out a five hundred taels of silver tickets from Dengzhou, and said after saying a secret word to Steward Xu: "This is Mr. Xu's heart, Lord Sun, and I hope that Mr. Xu will help to divide it, and Mr. Song will encounter misfortune on the road, and the lower officials will set up a mourning hall in Weihai, and I hope that Mr. Xu will look at his colleagues and let the son of the Song family come to Weihai to worship." ”

Steward Xu took the silver ticket, he can bring back 20,000 taels of capital this time, and he can be regarded as able to explain, as long as he gets the iron armor and weapons out, he can take the rest, this result is not too smooth, fortunately, there is still a hope, although he has doubts about Chen Xin, but now Sun Guozhen is at a sensitive moment, and he does not want to be rude to this famous matter, anyway, he took half of it, and there is a Chen Xin's family in it, and there are still cards in his hand, he thought about it and said to Chen Xin: "The affairs of the Song family can be promised in the future, when will Brother Chen be able to make up the number of 38,000, Can you give a time limit for the next one? ”

Chen Xin kept an 8,000 tail because he was afraid that Sun Guozhen would deal with him if he took the money, and he wanted to drag him down, but he was a castrated hero, if Sun Guozhen didn't want to cause trouble, he shouldn't act like this, he explained to Steward Xu: "Xiaguan plans to sell the goods at a low price, and he will definitely make up 10,000 taels within a month, and there is still 8,000 taels left, Xiaguan will try his best to raise it, and he will make up for it in a few months." ”

At this point, Steward Xu understood that Chen Xin was going to wait for the appointment of the sentry officer to give eight thousand taels, so he stood up and said, "These things will be decided, give me a list of weapons, and I will take another ten thousand taels after I send them, and ask Lord Chen to do the remaining eight thousand taels, and before I come, Mrs. Ling also asked me to ask when I can come to Weihai." ”

When Chen Xin heard Mrs. Ling's three words, he remembered Xiao Jiahua's appearance, his heart trembled, and he pretended to listen respectfully.

Steward Xu continued to take care of himself: "You have just been promoted to the rank of sentry this year, and you are going to be promoted to the same governor as a sentry officer, if you don't have a military merit that can be said to be in the past, you can't do it, if it is made up, then the military department will still review it, not all in my family." ”

Chen Xin had a professional smile on his face, and said lightly to Steward Xu: "Xiaguan happens to have military merits, some time ago, a group of Japanese robbers were entrenched in the deep mountains of Wendeng, in a vain attempt to plunder Wendeng County, and was destroyed by me in a battle. The military department is handled by the villain himself, Mr. Xu only handles Denglai's merit paperwork, if the subordinate can be promoted to the sentry officer, the villain Sun Daren makes up 40,000 taels, and Mr. Xu here, there is another hard-earned money. ”

Steward Xu looked at Chen Xin with a smile on his face for a long time, the head of the Japanese Kou is not an ordinary bandit, although it is not as good as the head of Jiannu, but the military merit is also very high, Steward Xu finally smiled, and said: "Lord Chen will definitely have a bright future in the future." ”