Zheng Haizhu's boat docked in the tributary channel of Fanjiabang in Shanghai County, which she was familiar with.

In March, Songjiang Mansion, shrouded in the shadow of the pox epidemic, was prosperous as if it was blown away by rain and wind, the Zhumen of the deep courtyard of the mansion was closed, and the business of the market stalled.

In the silence, a few cries broke out from time to time, that is, the ruffians and hooligans touched the shop of the newly dead male shopkeeper to grab things, and the old and weak women and children could not resist at all.

Lying by the Moon River are countless miserable people who are suffering from illness.

They are not all displaced people from the north this spring, or beggars from Panhuan Songjiang, but more young people from the surrounding villages who have come to Songjiang to find food.

When they were vigorous, they exported considerable manpower to Songjiang Prefecture, and their families who worked hard in the countryside contributed rice, grain, silk and cotton to the Jiangnan Prefecture, which had the prototype of a later city.

But when the plague comes, the bottom layer of the bridge and paving the road is the most likely to collapse and even lose the bones.

Zheng Haizhu put on the veil that Fan Poyu sewed for her overnight that was wider than a mask, and took Xu Yilong's two family members to find Huang Zunsu who was directing the distribution of decoction by the Yuehe River.

Zheng Haizhu instructed the two entourages to carry the sack containing medicinal herbs to the side of the stove, and he walked quickly to Huang Zunsu: "Great, Master Huang, you are healthy and sound." What about Mr. Yao? What about Zong Xi and his younger brother? How are they? ”

Huang Zunsu's face was gloomy, his expression was tired, and he turned his head to see Zheng Haizhu, his eyes were even a little dull.

When he recognized the person from the voice and the eyes on the veil, he smiled wryly and waved his hand: "Our husband and wife have had acne before, it's okay." Zong Xi and the nurse hid at home, Neiko stayed in the school, and Steward Cao and some older children who had acne helped take care of the dolls who couldn't go home. ”

He paused, and then added, "Besides, the school is spacious, with a few classrooms, which are set aside to accommodate the sick. After all, there are some of them, and if you don't lie down like this and let the wind and rain blow, you may be able to survive with a room to keep warm and stutter. This matter has to occupy the place of the school, and it is too late to ask Chongming to ask you, so I will let Neiko do it first, Miss Zheng, you forgive me. ”

Zheng Haizhu hurriedly said: "Master, how can I deserve this!" It is our duty to save the people from danger. It's just that when I went back to Songjiang this time, there was an urgent matter that needed to be verified, and I couldn't go to the school to help Mr. Yao. I also asked the master to send someone to help me in his busy schedule. ”

Zheng Haizhu asked Huang Zunsu to move under the tree, and said in a few words that there were doubts among the Liao people, Huang Zunsu thought about it slightly, and said: "Liu Zhutou is still alive and well, and you are also familiar with each other, but the head catcher came forward, and the movement was more conspicuous, and he was afraid of startling the snake." I'll still send a non-current inspection school for you to use, how to use it, you can do it. ”

Immediately, he called a messenger and instructed: "You take Mrs. Zheng to the yamen and find Qin to inspect the school." ”

The post of inspector is not a high-grade official in the government, but this Qin inspector is already a person with a reputation for showing talent, and he is a subordinate of Donglin, Huang Zunsu often takes him to handle state affairs after he is promoted to the general judgment, especially relying on the affairs of the port and sea trade and the Sifang Commercial Hall.

At this time, due to the epidemic, the yamen was attrition non-combatively, and the rest of the people were busy like mules.

However, although it was the first time he met Zheng Haizhu, because he knew the origin of the person in front of him, he immediately put down his official duties, wrote down Zheng Haizhu's explanation, and hurriedly went out.

This is two hours.

When the sun was in the west, Qin Jianxiao came back to report: "According to Madame's instructions, the subordinates asked the Shandong businessmen who came and went in the guild hall in the past few days in the name of investigating the epidemic-related caravan, and asked Madame to take a look." ”

Zheng Haizhu took the paper and read the information recorded by Qin Jianxiao.

Most of them are Shandong people who come by canal, transport cotton and buy silk and satin. In recent years, Shandong's land annexation has been very strong, and after the gentry annexed the land, they did not divert water to irrigate both grains, but changed to grow cotton, and then transported it to Jiangnan, which has strong weaving and dyeing capacity and has formed a large-scale chemical workshop, to supplement the shortage of cotton in the Susong area.

Zheng Haizhu's gaze fell on the last word "sea".

"What's going on here?"

Qin Jianxiao seized the opportunity to perform: "I was about to talk to my wife." This family came by sea from Dengzhou and sold mink ginseng from Liaodong. ”

Zheng Haizhu Yangzuo couldn't hold back his anger, and sighed: "I think this is the business, and we have a trading company to grab Liao goods buyers." ”

Although Qin Jianxiao is Huang Zunsu's subordinate, when Zheng Haizhu sent him to do something, he still used a pretense, only saying that because his shopkeeper and his buddies complained that the business was pried by, he had to turn out this peer who dared to compete with him for profit.

Qin Jianxiao smiled and said, "That's right." The director of the merchant hall said that this family lived in the merchant hall for a night in accordance with the rules of Songjiang Customs, and the museum recorded the information of the ship, the cargo owner, and the road guide, and then went to the riverside carriage and horse shop. Thinking about it, I am also afraid of Mrs. Songjiang's edge, where do I dare to talk about business in the city hall. ”

Seeing that the frost on Zheng Haizhu's face showed no signs of disappearing, he hurriedly added: "Madam, the subordinates also went to the riverside carriage and horse shop to verify, there is indeed a team of Shandong merchants, because Mrs. said that no big battles are allowed, and the subordinates did not go in for interrogation. ”

Zheng Haizhu withdrew his gaze from the lintel of the public house, and finally showed a warm color, and said to Qin Jianxiao: "There is a hard work, and the foot is so capable, no wonder Master Huang appreciates it." ”

As she stood up, she took out an envelope sealed with fire paint from her baggage: "A little thanks." When we go back, our trading company has a new mountain goods, and I will ask my buddy to send them to Mr. Qin's house. ”

Qin Jianxiao's heart was overjoyed. Since the opening of Songjiang, he often ran errands for Huang Zunsu and dealt with businessmen, and he felt more and more that the seat of Shinong industry and commerce was not credible - these businessmen were much more than the teachers in Wuxi who talked about the disadvantages of the country all day long.

The little official who betrayed the teacher in his heart took the envelope generously, put it in his arms, and said even more earnestly: "If Madame wants to knock on that family, just order the subordinates." ”

Zheng Haizhu showed a tired face: "I'm tired of rushing today, I'll talk about it later." We won't delay Mr. Qin's duty. ”

The twilight is dim, and everyone is wearing veils to prevent epidemics, and these walking creatures in the heavens and the earth seem to have become the same, I don't know where they come from, they don't know where they are going, they are in a hurry on the surface, but they are actually dazed and confused.

Zheng Haizhu was glad that there was a veil to cover it.

She took the two Xu family members to the riverside carriage and horse shop pointed out by Qin Jianxiao.

Several mule carts were parked sparsely, the chimneys were still burning, the lanterns were lit at the door, and there were figures of men, busy inside and out.

The Xu family stepped forward and asked, "Is there still a room?" ”

The man turned around, but he was dumb, pointing to his lips, shaking his hands, pointing to his ears, making a thumbs up gesture, and then making a gesture to invite in.

Zheng Haizhu said to the family: "You go and take a look, if it's dirty, we won't live." ”

The family nodded and followed the man into the courtyard.

Suddenly, there were a few loud bangs, and firecrackers exploded in the sky.

After arriving in Songjiang today, Zheng Haizhu had already listened to firecrackers a few times.

When the ancients encountered the plague, they set off firecrackers every day to drive away the plague gods.

A few mules not far from her and her family neighed uneasily.

Zheng Haizhu turned his head and saw two guys who were still feeding the forage a moment ago, suddenly pulling the mules and rushing towards him.

Her heart jumped to her throat.

The thought of regret and carelessness just flashed, and as soon as the low drink of the family next to him "Mrs. Run" was released, Zheng Haizhu was strangled by someone from behind.

Brute force forced her eyes to rise, and she saw that several more cannonballs had risen in the sky, exploding the flames.

The sound of a sharp blade entering the flesh in his ears, and the family's muffled snort in pain made Zheng Haizhu realize that he had not been harmed immediately.

She was dragged into the yard of the carriage shop.

After her mouth was stuffed with a cloth and her arms tied, the captors threw her next to the corpse of another member of the Xu family.

Unable to support her, she could only lie on her side on the cold earth.

Big feet in embroidered shoes came into her sight.

An unfamiliar female voice with a Jiaoliao accent said coldly: "It's her, Ti Xi went into the room and watched, let's go out late at night." ”

Another male voice asked, "Master, are the two in-laws and buddies of the store going to be killed?" ”

The woman thought for a while: "Keep it first, after all, there are still three or four hours, Ah Ying didn't say that this bitch is good in the official mansion, and she is also very good, if you come to see the movement today, let the mother-in-law in the store go out to deal with it." ”

The male voice said: "A civil official, it's easier to cook." ”

The woman said: "Fool, if you can get him out of the way, kill him and do nothing, we are not here to rebel, the movement is big, and it will be troublesome to run." ”

As soon as she finished speaking, the subordinate who was watching the movement at the door said urgently: "Master, there is really a sedan chair coming to us." ”