Chapter 39 Officials and businessmen secretly form a fog

After receiving the order, Asno did not dare to slack off, and personally led the main force from Hexi, and rushed to the surrendered city day and night.

After a short rest, Mintai set up a banquet for him to wash the dust.

During the dinner, Min Tae asked him why he suddenly arrived early.

"Your Majesty is urging too hard, so I have to hurry up non-stop." Asno took a sip of wine and widened his eyes, "By the way, what's wrong with Chu Mohan recently?" ”

"Father and marshal rest assured, with Ji Wen's coordination, our army and Yuyang soldiers and horses have cooperated with each other recently, and have defeated a small group of Turkic rangers twice in succession...... There is nothing else out of the ordinary. ”

"Well, that's good;" After hearing this, Asno relieved his heart, and laughed, "I'll just say it, the prince is too suspicious, tell me to be careful of Chu Mohan...... No, it's all good. ”

After Mintae asked for details, he was also quite unimpressed; said that with Luo Tie riding here, Chu Mohan would be afraid and dare not have any crooked ideas......

The father and son talked freely for a while, and they couldn't help but relax their vigilance about the border army.

Because Dai Xixun and Lin Fu were too close, and his son only won Tanhua in the previous provincial test, Yang Silang secretly hated it and decided to exclude him from Beijing.

On this day, Wei Huaibing said to Emperor Xuan: "Your Majesty, Zhongzhou is the hinterland of the Tang Dynasty, with abundant products and a large population, but the post of Henan Yin has been vacant for several years. ”

"Hmm; As the old saying goes, if the Central Plains is safe, the world will be safe. What Wei Qing said today just reminded me. Emperor Xuan thought for a moment, glanced at the lower ministers, and asked who could take on this responsibility?

Yang Silang stepped forward and said that he recommended Dai Xixun, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites.

Dai Xixun was shocked when he heard this.

Emperor Xuan asked Yang Silang, why did he recommend him?

Yang Silang said that Dai Xixun has been in charge of the Ministry of Rites for many years, and he is loyal to his duties and should be promoted; And Henan Yin is from the second grade, thinking that this position belongs to him.

Emperor Xuan nodded, and asked Dai Xixun again, are you willing?

Dai Xixun shuddered, although he was extremely reluctant, but under the coercion of Emperor Xuan's eyes, he had to agree.

"Okay, then there is Lao Dai Aiqing; Immediately rewarded Dai Qing Su Jin ten horses to show his gratitude. Emperor Xuan paced a few steps and asked the ministers if they still have a book?

"Your Majesty, the minister has a book." The fifth Qi came out and said, "Last year, there was a drought in Jizhou, and many victims fled to Beijing; In addition, the Guanzhong area suffered from autumn floods one after another, and the victims of the two places gathered in the eastern part of the city, resulting in the spread of the epidemic, the deterioration of public order, and the occurrence of looting, robbery and murder from time to time, which made the merchants panic. ”

Emperor Xuan frowned after hearing this, and shouted at Chen Yeshuo: "Chen Aiqing, you have been ordered to provide disaster relief for a long time, why are you still like this?" ”

"Your Majesty, don't worry," Chen Yeshuo stepped forward slowly, "Since the last court meeting, the Ministry of Industry has set up more than 60 temporary tents and housed hundreds of the old, weak, sick and disabled; Every day, the household department sent people to distribute money and food, give porridge and rice on time, and invited Langzhong to treat the patients, and the people of the disaster have long been stable and living in order. As for individual theft and robbery cases, they were just a few thieves running around to commit crimes. ”

Fifth Qi sneered, and said to Emperor Xuan that according to his secret visit, although there was relief for the victims, most of them still did not have enough to eat every day.

Emperor Xuan asked, why is this?

Wu Qi glanced at Chen Yeshuo and said that he was afraid that someone would fill his pockets in the name of disaster relief, so that the relief would not be implemented.

"That's right, this has happened in the past," Emperor Xuan nodded, asking Lynver what to do?

Lynver said that in the long run, he thought it would be better to move these victims to the deserted border of Hexi and settle down for generations, so as to eliminate this problem forever.

"It's too simple for adults to think." Wu Qi's tone was heavy, "The victims of the disaster have fled to Beijing and have already left their hometowns, if they are allowed to move thousands of miles away from the west, once the people are provoked on the way, how to deal with it?" ”

Lynver flickered for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

Yang Silang said that if you look into the source of this matter, most of the victims are from Jizhou, which is Chu Mohan's jurisdiction.

Fifth, Qi said that the source of chaos must be investigated; He believes that the reason why the number of victims has increased instead of decreasing is because Chu Mohan extorted taxes in the local area, built Xiongwu City, and enslaved the people.

"This ......," Emperor Xuan coughed dryly and said, "Didn't I order him to change his way at the last court meeting?" ”

Lin Fu said that the court had already settled on the construction of Xiongwu City; Although Chu Mohan was at fault, after all, he was to resist the Turkic invasion.

"That's right, he's also for my country," Emperor Xuan smiled, "There is no need to delve into such minor mistakes, the top priority is to appease the victims." ”

Chen Yeshuo saw that the two sides were arguing, so he had a plan and told Emperor Xuan that he had a plan: now that spring plowing is imminent, in order not to miss the farming time, he can subsidize those who are strong and healthy to entangle them and make them return to their hometowns on schedule; As for those who are old and infirm and have difficulty moving, they will be escorted all the way by the government and repatriated to their original places.

Emperor Xuan smiled when he heard this, and said, "Well, that's good; Or Chen Aiqing is thoughtful, so he will implement this policy. By the way, this matter should not be rushed, and should be done slowly in batches and times. ”

Seeing this, Lin Fu and Chen Yeshuo hurriedly said, "Your Majesty Shengming." ”

On this day, the prince felt very bored in the palace, and he went to visit Xiao Liangyuan in the temple again.

The two met in a burrowed room, and Qingqing and I talked for a while, and just as we were talking about emotion, Da Fu entered the room.

Da Fu reported to the crown prince some information about the Iron Cloak Society recently, saying that Yang Silang had been a little carried away since he was promoted to the left minister, and his offensive against Lin Fu had also become gentle.

"The villain has a will." The prince pondered for a moment, and then asked if there was any progress in the secret investigation of Chen Yeshuo's corruption and perversion of the law?

Da Fu shook his head and said that since Wang Gong's death, Chen Yeshuo has become more and more cautious, and there are no clues at the moment.

The prince didn't believe it, saying that Chen Yeshuo had been in charge of the household department for many years, and all the money in the world passed through his hands, how could there be no clues?

"This ...... Although he is quite suspicious, there is still a lack of evidence. Dafu replied.

"And the disaster relief, the victims are hungry and complaining, I don't believe he will be penniless!" The prince sneered.

"Back to Your Highness, this matter is being secretly investigated by the Iron Cloak Society," Da Fu paused, "At present, it seems that although those disaster relief officials have signs of deduction and corruption, it is only due to the passage of events and the uncertain exchanges of the disaster victims, even if there was a deficit before, it is difficult to verify it only from the accounts for a while. ”

The prince sighed and said, "This old fox is really deep hidden. ”

"That's right," Da Fu suddenly remembered something, saying that Chen Yeshuo had built a cool house in his mansion in order to enjoy the cool and relax.

"Cool house?"

"Yes, it is called Qingliang Pavilion, which is built in imitation of the Holy Moon Cool Temple."

The prince was secretly happy when he heard this, and ordered Dafu not to make a noise first, and then talk about it after verifying Chen Yeshuo's corruption.

In recent days, Chen Yeshuo has been anxious about the batch of relief food in his hand. He was anxious to give out the relief grain, so he entrusted Jia Sheng to go to the Hedong Gang to negotiate.

After Jia Sheng saw Yuan Chong, he hurriedly turned around and went back to find Chen Yeshuo to restore his life.

Jia Sheng looked embarrassed, and said that Yuan Chong was only willing to offer half of the market price, and Wuwen Yidou bought it.

"Fuck it...... I've dealt with him before, why is it so hard this time? Chen Yeshuo scolded.

Jia Sheng explained that in another month, Jiangnan New Rice will be on the market, and Yuan Chong is worried that Chen Rice will not be able to sell at a high price after a long time.

"Damn, I really don't know how to lift! If it weren't for Lin Xiang's face, Lao Tzu would have sold it to others a long time ago. ”

"Forget it, Master Chen," Jia Sheng squeezed out a smile, "Don't keep pressing, it's safe to strike sooner." ”

Chen Yeshuo was a little helpless, smiled bitterly, and said, "Okay; For the sake of the past, you can reply to the Yuan gang leader, and add one more article to each bucket to make a deal. ”

"Six texts, lines; I'll talk to him about it again. Jia Sheng agreed.

Chen Yeshuo patted Jia Sheng on the shoulder and said, "Brother Jia, don't worry, this deal is done, and Chen will not treat you badly." ”

The two smiled knowingly.

When Chu Qing learned that Li Yunhan had stayed in Yuhuaguan for several days, he couldn't help but be a little surprised, and said to himself: "It seems that the relationship between this master and apprentice is indeed not ordin......ary."

Chu Qing paced back and forth in the room twice, thinking about it for a long time, but he still couldn't figure it out, and he was very depressed.

After lunch that day, when he heard that Li Yunhan was having a banquet with people in Haiming Tower, he had a plan and ordered someone to call Meidai.

Chu Qing stared at Dai for a while, and asked with a smile, "Dai'er, how do I treat you?" ”

"Son's grace, treat the little girl like a relative." Mei Dai twisted her waist and replied softly.

Chu Qing stepped forward and caressed her for a while, saying that there was something she had to help with!

Mei Dai was a little flattered when she heard this, and smiled coquettishly and let him talk about it carefully......

After Long Biao returned to Beijing, he rested for a few days, and hosted a banquet for Li Yunhan and Du Shaoling in Haiming Tower, with Cen Feng on the side.

After a few rounds of drinking, everyone ate raw fish and talked happily.

Li Yunhan put down his wine glass, deeply regretful, and said: "It's not easy to get together, I don't know when Brother Long is going to leave again." ”

Long Biao smiled slightly and said that he would not leave this time; said that General Chu Yanzhong had obtained a position as a secretary for him, and he was waiting for the appointment of the ministry.

"Congratulations, Brother Long, you don't have to worry about separating from Miss Cen in the future." Li Yunhan said with a smile.

Cen Feng's face turned red when he heard this, and he hurriedly took a sip of wine and opened the topic: "Well, this Fengque wine is really not small." ”

Long Biao smiled and said that he had an urgent matter to do when he returned to Beijing this time.

Li Yunhan asked what?

Long Biao looked around and said that a few days ago, he was on a night patrol outside Xiaoguan City and intercepted a batch of gold placer and more than 300 Dawan good horses.

Li Yunhan smiled and said: "Tea and horse markets, which merchant who travels to and from the Western Regions and the Central Plains does not sell some horses, is this also illegal?" ”

"Brother Li, I don't understand." Long Biao said slowly, "Horses are divided into three grades, ordinary horses, war horses and good horses. An ordinary horse, the market price is only one plain silk; The war horse is worth three or five silks; The Dawan good horse is not only expensive, but also as a breed of horse exclusively managed by the Taifu Temple, and it is strictly forbidden to sell it privately. This time it was Dawan Liang horses that were seized, and the number was extremely large, of course they had to be confiscated. ”

"Well, it's a pity for the vendors." Li Yunhan said.

Long Biao shook his head and said, "No, they are not ordinary vendors. ”

"Oh?"

Long Biao said: "I can't hide it, this group of people, we have been eyeing them for a long time. They are all from the Hedong Gang, in the name of merchants, selling some salt, tea, and silk when they go out of the customs, and when they enter the customs, they exchange them for good horses, gold and other things. ”

"The Hedong Gang is very ear-picking." Li Yunhan said.

Long Biao said that Li Yunhan has lived in Jiangnan for a long time, of course he doesn't know; It turned out that there were four major Cao gangs operating in the interior of the Central Plains, the Luoyang Gang, the Huainan Gang, the Jiangyou Gang, and the Hedong Gang. Many of the Hedong Gang are retired soldiers, who openly sell the salt privately picked in the Hedong area to the Western Regions and Huifu under the banner of Caoyun, in exchange for good horses, placer gold and other needs.

"This ......," Li Yunhan slowed down, "Is there no government to investigate?" ”

"Who dares? The Hedong Gang has a deep background. It is said that the owner behind it is Chu Mohan. This time, because of the large amount of money I had obtained, and because of the intercession of local officials, I had no choice but to go back to Beijing to show General Chu. ”

"Well, I see." Li Yunhan poured a glass of wine and dried it in one gulp.

There was silence in the room for a moment.

"By the way, I heard that Wang Jie's abandoned Yue'er after winning the list, but is there such a thing?" The dragon mark opened the subject.

"No," Du Shaoling said first, "He didn't rely on Princess Pingyu to be able to go to high school...... This kind of villain is really unscrupulous for the sake of his career. ”

"Wang Jie has always been innocent, how could he do such a thing!" Long Biao looked worried, "No, I have to persuade him next time I see him!" ”

"Okay, I'm going to look for him too." Li Yunhan said.

Seeing Shaoling's confused expression, Li Yunhan explained that he wanted Wang Jie to go to the Zongren Mansion to check the royal family genealogy......

It was almost dusk, Mei Dai walked into the house with two female singers, saying that she was willing to play music for Li Yunhan and others.

"Miss Xie Mei is kind," Li Yunhan frowned, "It's just that I'm already drunk and sleepy, so I don't need to." ”

Long Biao got up and yawned, stretched his waist, and said, "I'm afraid that I haven't finished playing a piece yet, and I'm already asleep." ”

Cen Feng stepped forward to help up the dragon mark and said softly: "Let's go, it's time to rest." After saying that, she staggered out of the house with the dragon mark.

Mei Dai couldn't help but be a little embarrassed when she saw that everyone wanted to leave, and sighed for a long time.

Long Biao walked a few steps out of the house, but was stopped by the shopkeeper, saying that it was curfew, and asked him where he was going?

"Get out of here!" Long Biao drunkenly waved his hand, "I have a waist card, who dares to stop it!" ”

Li Yunhan looked up at the window and saw that it was getting late, so he smiled at Cen Feng and said, "Brother Long is already drunk like this, why don't you stay here." ”

Before the words fell, Mei Dai stepped forward and said respectfully: "Don't worry, sir, the little girl has booked a room for you." ”

"Oh?" Li Yunhan was stunned.

Mei Dai smiled slightly, saying that she had booked three first-class rooms and had already paid for the store.

"Great;" Du Shaoling clapped his hands, "Don't say anything about eating and drinking for nothing, there are people who take care of the hotel, and the blessing is not shallow." ”

Li Yunhan asked her why she was like this?

"Repay the favor." Mei Dai smiled slightly.

Li Yunhan thanked her, and stayed in Haiming Tower with Long Biao and others that night.

Li Yunhan entered the guest room, took off his coat, and was about to go to bed to rest, when he saw Meidai bring a basin of hot water into the room and say that he would help him wash his feet.

"The gentleman was tired, so he washed his feet and slept more comfortably." Mei Dai didn't wait for him to agree, then half-squatted on the ground, and pressed Li Yunhan's feet into the basin of water without saying anything.

Li Yunhan said a few polite words, and seeing that she was sincere and could not shirk for a while, he had to agree.

Mei Dai was scrubbing and chatting with Li Yunhan from time to time.

At this time, Shaoling entered the house, and seeing that the two were chatting hotly, he couldn't bear to disturb and quietly retreated.

Long Biao was too greedy for a cup, and as soon as he lay down, he snored like thunder and fell asleep.

Cen Feng stared at him for a while, got up and pushed open the window, looked up at the dark night sky of the window, recalled the past few years between the two, and a trace of inexplicable sorrow was lightly enveloped in his heart, and he couldn't disperse for a long time.