Chapter 44 Checking the Relief Grain, the Cunning Fox Fang showed his tail and held a poetry meeting, and the talented man spoke out angrily

Da Fu, Li Yunhan, and Wu Qi arrived at Haiming Tower, and the three of them had a few plates of dried fruits and side dishes while drinking and discussing things.

Da Fu said that there are four major gangs in the Cao Gang that are currently active in the Luoyang and Chang'an areas, namely the Luoyang Gang, the Huainan Gang, the Jiangyou Gang, and the Hedong Gang.

The Luoyang Gang is backed by some princes and nobles, rooted in the two capitals, and has the strongest power; The Huainan Gang is second, mainly based in Henan, Anhui and Shandong; The Jiangyou Gang is mainly a wealthy businessman in the south of the Yangtze River, relying on the transfer envoys of various provinces along the way, and is the most low-key and pragmatic, in addition to Caoyun, it also operates Jiangnan tea, silk, bamboo and other products.

As for the Hedong Gang, it developed on the basis of the original Jiezhou Gang, and most of the gang members believed in Zoroastrianism. Although it started late and had a small number of people, it has grown to more than 1,000 people in just a few years due to its tight organization and aggressiveness.

Wu Qi went on to say that as far as he knew, the Hedong Gang was doing some trade in the open and secretly selling illegal salt, almost monopolizing the salt markets in Hexi and the north. Because of its ruthlessness, it is said that other gangs on the rivers and lakes will be afraid to give up three points as long as they hear the name of the Hedong Gang.

Li Yunhan pondered for a moment after hearing this, and said, "If I guess correctly, Uncle Lou was killed, and the Hedong Gang will not be able to get rid of it." ”

"Why is that?" Dafu asked.

Li Yunhan said: "Uncle Lou once picked up two stone seals, one of which was written 'The Seal of Xiao Guan', and the other was engraved with the 'Jinzhou County Seal'. At the time, I suspected that it was a private carving. But after the incident, it suddenly disappeared...... There is also the salt bag, which also points to the Hedong Gang. ”

"Are they killing people?"

"This ...... Although there is a lack of evidence at the moment, or there is another hidden story behind it. Li Yunhan said.

"If there is any secret, please tell Brother Li in detail."

"I'm just speculating," Li Yunhan took a sip of wine, "According to Shaoling's inquiry, that batch of relief grain is now stored in the Sanhekou barracks, and the Hedong Gang will organize people to carry it tomorrow." ”

"Is the message accurate?" Dafu asked.

"Well, it was discovered by Shaoling's undercover Hedong Gang," Li Yunhan put down his wine glass, "Now there are all kinds of signs that Chen Yeshuo is suspected of embezzling grain, and he may be in a hurry to sell the stolen goods." ”

"Great, as long as the relief food is seized on the spot, you can find out Chen Yeshuo's big rat!" Dafu said excitedly.

"It's up to him to think of hiding the relief food in the barracks." Wu Qidao.

Li Yunhan smiled slightly, and ordered Wu Qi to immediately go to Fuxian Temple to find Meihou and others, and summoned all the victims to go to the barracks early tomorrow morning and surround them, forcing them to hand over the relief grain.

"Yes, sir." Wu Qinuo said goodbye and walked away.

"Brother Li is too simple," Da Fu suddenly sighed lightly, his face solemn, "Brother doesn't know, the Sanhekou Barracks is surrounded by water on three sides, and if the victims block the main entrance, they can still escape by water." ”

"This," Li Yunhan paused, "then report it to the imperial court as soon as possible." ”

Dafu said it was too late; Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and according to the rules of the court, officials of all sizes in the capital will be off for three days in a row; I'm afraid that before the report is reported, the relief food will be gone long ago!

"Cunning, these guys really know how to choose a day!" Li Yunhan thought for a moment and smiled, "Then let Fifth Qi lead people to set up an ambush on the waterway and intercept them." ”

Da Fu shook his head and said, "The water surface of the Sanhekou is open, how can he surround it with only the twenty or thirty men and horses under him!" ”

"Twenty or thirty people, that's enough." Li Yunhan smiled indifferently.

"Oh?"

"As soon as the gang came ashore, they burned the dock and trapped them in the barracks."

"Well, it's a good plan," Da Fu nodded, "but this matter is important, and I still need to ask Yumian Langjun for instructions to see what he thinks?" ”

"Well, then there's Brother Lauda." Li Yunhan smiled leisurely and said.

On the same day, Meidai asked Chu Qing for leave and hurried to Fuxian Temple to visit her parents.

She bought a lot of food such as sauced beef and braised chicken from the street shop, and put them on the table after entering the house. The two old men were very happy to see this, and then they took a big bite of it.

Mei Dai saw that the second elder was eating very comfortably, and a warm feeling of oil swelled in her heart. She found a vacancy, saying that living in the temple was not a long-term solution, and she wanted to rent another comfortable house for the second elder in the city. Mei Hou was excited for a while when he heard this, tears welled up in his eyes, and he praised his daughter for her filial piety.

The three of them were talking about Xingtou, when they suddenly saw Wu Qi enter the house. Mei Dai gave a brief introduction to the second elder, and asked him what was the matter?

Seeing that Mei Dai was present, Wu Qi was stunned for a moment and only said that he was ordered by Li Yunhan to come to greet Uncle Mei.

Mei Dai saw that he looked like he was speechless and cramped, and immediately understood, and under the pretext that he was going back to Fulong Villa, he said goodbye to his parents and left Fuxian Temple.

After Mei Dai walked away, Wu Qi calmed down and told Mei Hou and Pan Li Yunhan's plan.

Meihou was very excited when he heard this, so he asked people to call Kong Zhu and others, and found a secret room in the backyard to plot.

At the meeting, Kong Zhu said that the government has issued an order to repatriate us to Jizhou; Before I leave, I'm going to have to find this bunch of moths!

He patted his chest with thick eyebrows and said to everyone: Brave men, even if we give up this life, we will also block them to death......

Everyone present was furious for a while, and they couldn't wait to go to Sanhekou to recapture the relief grain.

Da Fu left Haiming Tower and rode a fast horse to Shaoyang Palace.

As soon as they met, the prince had a gloomy face and said, "Didn't you say okay, don't come to see the palace easily in the future?" ”

Da Fu said that the matter was urgent, and he had to come in person.

What did the prince ask?

Da Fu said that it was reported that Chen Yeshuo hid the grain he had embezzled in the Sanhekou barracks and ordered the Hedong Gang to carry it tomorrow.

The prince was shocked when he heard this: "Is this serious? ”

"Well, it was Brother Li who said it himself."

"Chen Yeshuo, this old fox, can really hide it." The crown prince frowned.

Da Fu told him carefully what Li Yunhan had planned, and the prince hesitated when he heard it, and said, "This matter ...... It's hard! ”

"Your Highness, aren't you bent on getting rid of Chen Yeshuo?" Fu Guo approached him, "Don't miss such a good opportunity!" ”

"Little fruit, of course Hongu thinks about it," the prince said in a trembling voice, "It's just that what if something goes wrong......

"Your Highness, don't worry, the slave has a plan, I don't know if it's okay?" Fu Guo then elaborated on his plan.

The prince smiled and nodded in agreement.

Da came back to Shaoyang Palace, and immediately went to see the fifth Qi and conveyed the prince's order.

Wu Qi didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, threw down the official business at hand, hurried to Yang Silang's mansion, and reported Chen Yeshuo's embezzlement of grain.

Yang Silang was overjoyed when he heard this, looked up to the sky and smiled: "Haha, this old fox has finally shown its tail, see how Lao Tzu cleans you up!" ”

Chu Qing returned to Fulong Villa, and after hearing Ni Sui say that tomorrow's banquet had been arranged, his mind calmed down. However, when he thought of Li Yunhan's performance in recent days, he couldn't help but feel worried.

While thinking about it, Ah Kuai returned to the manor and said that Li Yunhan and Da Fu visited many shops along the street, and inquired about rice bags along the way.

Chu Qing couldn't help but burst into suspicion when he heard this, and said, "What is his intention by visiting merchants everywhere and exploring the Hedong Gang?" ”

"The villain doesn't understand this either," Ah Kuai shook his head, "However, I heard that the woman surnamed Lou claimed to avenge her father......"

"Revenge...... If that's the case, I'll be relieved. ”

"Childe, what do you mean by that?"

"I'm worried about that batch of relief grain," Chu Qing looked melancholy, eased his nerves, and said, "By the way, where is Li Yunhan now?" ”

Ah Kuai said that he was drinking in Haiming House and Dafu.

"Hmph, it's so Yaxing." Chu Qing listened and stretched his eyebrows, "If he still returns to the manor tonight, then I will rest assured; If you don't return, you must have other plans. ”

At dusk, when Chu Qing heard that Li Yunhan had returned to Wanglin Pavilion with a drunken body and fell asleep alone, he relieved himself and laughed: "It's okay now, everything is worry-free." ”

The next morning, the dignitaries and dignitaries who received the invitations in the capital rushed to Fulong Villa to participate in the banquet of the poetry meeting.

The most famous is King Hui; The rest of the people, including Zhang Hui, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Yin Xian Tong of Jingzhao, Jia Sheng of Taichang Qing, Qi Dao of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, and Meng Huaixiang, a romantic scholar.

Luo Feng did not show up because he went to Xiaoguan on an errand.

Chu Qing beckoned everyone to sit down, greeted them for a while, and introduced the guests to King Hui one by one, and arranged for Zhang Hui, Xian Tong and other officials to sit on the left, and he and Meng Huaixiang sat on the right in turn.

Chu Qing glanced around, but he didn't see Li Yunhan, and he couldn't help but feel nervous, and planned to go to Wanglin Pavilion to find him in person.

Chu Qing walked out of the living room, walked a few steps along the tree-lined path, and suddenly saw Li Yunhan walking over with Long Biao, so he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

Long Biao said that General Chu Yanzhong has been unwell recently, and he was specially entrusted to come to congratulate him.

Chu Qing thanked him and asked about Du Shaoling again.

Li Yunhan said that Shaoling had just entered the Huiwang Mansion to do things, or he couldn't get out of his body for a while.

Chu Qing said "um", welcomed the two into the living room with a smile, and introduced them to everyone present. Immediately afterwards, Mei Dai and two elegantly dressed maids poured wine for them one by one.

Chu Qing walked to the center of the hall and said in a loud voice: "Today's establishment of the poetry club, thanks to the prince and all friends to come to the ceremony, Qing is deeply honored, and prepared this banquet to express his gratitude." ”

King Hui stroked his silver beard lightly and said with a smile: "Such an elegant thing as the poetry meeting was originally done by talents in later generations, and the old man is in his last years, just to join in the fun." ”

"The prince is too modest; The prince is highly respected, and it is very suitable to be able to suppress the field for the poetry club. After Chu Qing finished speaking, he first toasted King Hui.

King Hui picked up his glass and drank it all. He was about to speak, but he was fascinated by Meidai, who came to pour wine, and stared at her.

Chu Qing coughed dryly and said: "Everyone, the south of the village is adjacent to the Qujiang River, and there are exactly nine people attending the meeting today, I think this poetry club will be named 'Lakeside Nine Elders Association', how about it?" ”

Jia Sheng hurriedly said: "Great, this name is elegant and extraordinary, and it can show the dignity of our identity." ”

"Childe is not proper," Long Biao said solemnly, "a 'old' word is exhausted, except for King Hui and Master Meng, I am not old yet." ”

"Let's have another name." Li Yunhan glanced at the venue, "Life is like dew, youth is geometric; Let me ask all of you here, how many of you don't want to enjoy yourself in time and become immortals!? For such a grand event, Li thought it would be more appropriate to call it the 'Nine Immortals Poetry Club'. ”

The crowd was silent for a moment.

"Isn't it? Now in this world, let alone people, even chickens and dogs are looking forward to ascending to immortality. Long Biao glanced at Jia Sheng, "Lord Jia, what do you say?" ”

Jia Sheng was a little embarrassed when he heard this, and he couldn't speak.

Chu Qing waved his hand at everyone and said with a smile: "Since you have no objections, then it will be called the Nine Immortals Poetry Society." ”

Everyone nodded yes.

"The poetry will be completed, and there needs to be a leader." Chu Qing stared at King Hui and said respectfully, "The prince is highly respected, and the position of the leader of this alliance belongs to you." ”

"Forget it," King Hui touched her jade hand in a daze when he toasted Meidai, and looked up with his face, "This king's eyes are dizzy, but he knows how to drink and have fun, and he doesn't ask about poetry, so the virtuous nephew should ask another master." ”

"The prince really doesn't want to appreciate his face?" Chu Qing was a little displeased.

King Hui waved his hand to signal Chu Qing to come closer, and whispered in his ear: "Virtuous nephew, didn't you roast me on the stove?" As for the leader of this alliance, let's choose someone else. ”

Chu Qing understood his thoughts, and turned back to everyone: "It's a pity that Lord He Wen didn't come because he was sick; If he is present, it is best to be the leader of this alliance. ”

Everyone couldn't help but sigh when they heard it.

Chu Qing glanced at Meng Huaixiang and asked him if he was willing?

Meng Huaixiang shook his head and said: "After Meng Mou's officialdom was disappointed, he has devoted himself to Buddhism for many years, and he has always been indifferent to fame and fortune and has no quarrel with the world. ”

"So, who of you here would like to?" Chu Qing looked frustrated.

There was silence in the seat for a moment.

"Don't push around, just do it, son." Jia Sheng was very impatient.

Chu Qing smiled indifferently and aimed his gaze at Li Yunhan: "Brother Li's intention ......"

"Childe smiled;" Li Yunhan put down his wine glass, "As for this alliance leader, not only must he have strong financial resources, but also have a wide range of contacts and long sleeves and are good at dancing. ”

Chu Qing nodded and said, "Okay, since that's the case, Qing will not shirk it, and he is willing to accept the title of leader of the alliance." ”

After hearing this, everyone said yes again and again, raised their glasses, and celebrated the establishment of the Nine Immortals Poetry Society.

After staggering for a while, Long Biao said that the poetry meeting has been completed, and some poems need to be copied regularly, and asked Chu Qing what he thinks?

"Of course, the poems will be published, this is the first step taken by the Nine Immortals Poetry Society." Chu Qing looked proud, "When the time comes, all of you here can publish your own poems and articles on the poems." ”

"Xie Gongzi's good intentions," Zhang Hui looked excited, "I am glad to meet this peaceful and prosperous era, Zhang thinks that the poems should praise the kindness of our emperor and the prosperity of the Heavenly Empire, followed by the wind and snow." ”

"Yes, this kind of poetry is quite popular at the moment; Once His Majesty takes a fancy to it, the small one will sing in the pear garden, and the big one will also be knighted. Jia Sheng echoed.

Chu Qing stroked his palms and laughed when he heard this, and said, "If this is the case, Qing will have to thank Brother Jia well." ”

"I wonder how Childe will thank you?" Jia Sheng asked.

"This," Chu Qing hesitated, "Qing is willing to give 100 gold to help Brother Jia hold a cockfighting competition, how about it?" ”

"Great." Jia Sheng suddenly came to his senses, "Today, the prince and all the literary friends testify, the prince must not break his word!" ”

"Yes, yes." Chu Qing said briskly.

"Wait," Long Biaoqian stood up straight and said to Chu Qing, "Long still has a word, I don't know if I can talk about it?" ”

"But it doesn't hurt to say it."

Long Biao said: "Today's Tang Dynasty seems to be a prosperous scene, but in fact, it has accumulated disadvantages for a long time, and the crisis is everywhere. ”

"Brother Long, do you dare to deliberately contradict it?" Zhang Hui's face darkened.

"It's not a contradiction, it's a fact." Long Biao looked generous, "Today, there are Turkic and Khitan disturbances outside, traitors and corrupt government inside, and the people are full of complaints; How can we only know how to sing praises and whitewash peace! ”

Jia Sheng was furious when he heard this: "Bold, you dare to slander the court with wild words!" ”

"Your Excellency is serious." Long Biao stared at him closely, "If you don't believe me, you might as well go to the east of the city to see those homeless victims and listen to what they have to say." ”

Jia Sheng was so angry that he couldn't speak for a long time.

Chu Qing waved his hand, motioned for everyone to calm down, and turned his gaze at Li Yunhan: "Brother Li, what do you think?" ”

Li Yunhan said solemnly: "What Brother Long said is very true. In the past decade, land annexation has become increasingly popular, and the people's rents have become more and more heavy...... In the case of disaster relief, some people are still reselling food relief regardless of the lives of the victims......"

"Presumably Brother Li drank too much." Chu Qing interrupted him, pretended to be calm, and ordered Meidai to help him down. Mei Dai said yes after hearing this, and walked forward with a thin waist.

"I'm not drunk," Li Yunhan said solemnly, "If you compete with the people for food, you will be punished by God!" ”

"Sir, let's go," Meidai smiled and held out her hand to pull him.

Li Yunhan did not move, pointed to Meidai, and said to everyone: "This Meimei girl often goes to the east of the city, and she knows the suffering of the victims best. ”

"Daile, what do you say?" Chu Qing stared at his eyebrows, and a cold light appeared in his eyes.

Her eyebrows trembled, and she wanted to say but didn't dare to speak.

"Young Master Qing, don't stretch out your hand for this ill-gotten gain." Li Yunhan said.

"Brother Li really drank too much." Zhang Hui's face tightened, "Qing Gongzi's establishment of the poetry club is nothing more than to provide everyone with a place to eat, drink, entertain, and be elegant, you are good, you actually dug his corner in front of everyone!" ”

Chu Qing felt disgraced, and glanced at the puller at the door.

Badu understood his intentions, and immediately walked to Li Yunhan's side, and forcibly pulled him out, but was stopped by Long Biao.

Batu didn't say a word, according to the dragon mark is a punch. Long Biao hurriedly turned around and flashed, and then punched him back. The two of them immediately moved their hands in the hall, and everyone was frightened and dispersed.

Chu Qing was furious when he saw this, and stopped Batu.

Li Yunhan pretended to be drunk and staggered to Chu Qing's side: "There are many offends in drunken words, please bear with me." ”

Chu Qing's face was gloomy and he didn't say a word.

"Long has a number of rudenesses, please forgive me." The dragon mark stepped forward and bowed.

"The two of you don't have to be formal, they are all their own brothers," Chu Qing pretended to be generous, asked for a glass of wine, and toasted the dragon brand.

Long Biao took the wine glass and drank it all.

"Brotherly harmony, the poetry will be expected." Li Yunhan looked up to the sky and laughed twice, pointed to the jade jue on Chu Qing's waist, and said, "To show sincerity, can the prince give this jade jue to Brother Long?" ”

Chu Qing smiled when he heard this, and immediately took off the jade jue and gave it to the dragon standard.

After the dragon mark took it, he thanked him.

"I'm too drunk, I have to go back to the house to rest." Li Yunhan said that Bi staggered out of the living room.

Chu Qing looked at Li Yunhan's back and thought for a while, and glanced at Meidai.

Chu Qing accompanied King Hui and the others to talk for a while, and suddenly remembered what Li Yunhan said; He was worried that the food relief would leak secrets, so he excused himself and left the venue.

Chu Qing called Ni Sui and ordered him to go to see Yuan Chong immediately and ordered him to cancel the grain transportation plan.

Li Yunhan returned to Wanglin Pavilion, sat quietly for a while, picked up the pen and wrote a short message, folded it and put it on the desktop.

He simply packed his luggage and was about to leave the house, but Meidai turned around and entered the house, and said with a smile: "Where is Mr. going......

"It doesn't matter where you go," Li Yunhan slowed down and said, "You also heard what was said at the banquet." If the girl had pity on the victims, she would have known what to do. ”

"Sir, this ......," Meidai said again.

"After I leave, don't tell Qing Gongzi yet."

"The little girl understands." Mei Dai nodded, and said that there was no one on duty in the west of the courtyard, so he only had to climb over the wall.

"Okay, thank you, we'll have a meeting later." Li Yunhan said that he left the house.

Chu Qing went back to the living room and drank with King Hui, Jia Sheng and others for a while. King Hui was a little overwhelmed by his age, so he got up and said goodbye to Chu Qing. When the other guests saw this, they also left.

After sending off the guests, Chu Qing felt exhausted, and his mind was blank. He sat on the stone bench under the porch and rested for a while, and suddenly saw Mei Dai Shanshan coming and hurriedly asked her, what happened to Li Yunhan?

"He's drunk, and he's sleeping soundly." Mei Dai said softly.

"Well, that's good." After hearing this, a hint of a sinister smile crossed the corner of Chu Qing's mouth.