Yingxianmen Wharf.

The bureau was busy, and Lao Bingtou was sitting in the back room writing down the official documents one by one, when he suddenly felt someone behind him and turned his head

When he saw it, he exclaimed: "County lieutenant." ”

"Elder Bing doesn't have to be polite." Xue Bai said: "I want to find a boat to transport some grain across the river." ”

"Little Lao'er is going to find two reliable boat owners for the county lieutenant, only to transport them across the river or where?"

"Only across the river." Xue Bai was puzzled: "Why don't the county build two bridges over the Yi River and the Luo River?" ”

Lao Bingtou led Xue Bai out with his back on his back, and said: "Originally, someone proposed to cross the bridge and repair it, but take today as an example, if there is a bridge, the county lieutenant will still hire a boat to transport grain across the river?" ”

"I don't have to.

"Wouldn't the shipowners and shipwrights have one less deal? In order for them to have more work, the bridge naturally could not be built. ”

It was still snowing outside, and the snowflakes were falling lightly on the water of the Yi River, and both of them tightened their clothes.

"In the twenty-second year of Kaiyuan, Pei Xianggong set up three warehouses to transport millet to the water, deducting the cost of placing warehouses and opening canals, and saved 300,000 yuan in freight every year, but who saved this money from?"

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"Naturally, it's a Cao Gong." Xue Bai said.

"After the transfer of millet is the method of harvesting, Luoyang has less grain to transport to Chang'an. But there are too many workers, they have lost their fields, and the desperate weavers have to run to pull fiber, but how can there be so much work on the canal? You can't pull fifteen miles in a day.

The two walked to the dock, only to see that there were still many people squatting by the river waiting for work in the cold winter wax moon, shivering from the cold.

Ren Mulan followed behind Xue Bai and said, "If the county lieutenant gives me money, I will buy wine and invite them to drink, and soon a group of people will listen to the county lieutenant." ”

Xue Bai ignored her, this method of forming a gang and forming a faction, if he really encountered something, he would have dispersed, otherwise he would not be able to deal with Gao Chong.

In other words, what he gave the cao workers was the wages of the government's Cao Yun, and he could transport the last batch of Cao grain before the river froze, so that some of the Cao workers could get some money for the New Year's Festival. But in the long run, the fundamental problem will not be solved.

The land is the foundation, and the encroached fields should be returned to the peasant households, and the household registers should be recompiled, and in the process, it is necessary to ensure that the officials are clean and clear, so that people can grow food in the fields and leave food to eat.

Thinking of these, Xue Bai thought of what Li Linfu said before the release, in order to loot money and food, many famous ministers thought of many good methods, Niu Xianke, Wei Jian, Yang Shenjin, Wang, all of them are experts in financial management.

They all looked down on Zhang Jiuling, the old man used stupid methods to open water in the narrow township, and opened more than 300 hectares of land a year, which is not as good as one-third of the field of an ordinary gentry, what can he do?

The world has been taken a sharp turn by the wonderful methods of accumulating money.

"County lieutenant?

Thinking far, Xue Bai came back to his senses and said, "Don't worry, earn some wages and spend this winter." ”

The others didn't know what he was talking about, so they laughed twice.

Lao Bingtou asked, "I don't know how much grain the county lieutenant wants to transport?" How big a boat to get? ”

"If it's 5,000 stones, can you get it?

"So much?"

The old man was taken aback and asked again, "Only sent across the river?" How many people did the county lieutenant arrange to move? ”

"More than a hundred."

"How can this be moved? If there are chariots and horses, it is already good to be able to transport more than 1,000 stones at a time, and 5,000 stones will definitely not be able to be transported, so they can only be transported in batches or hire some more people and horses. ”

Therefore, this kind of large-scale trade cannot be carried out secretly, and the other party will inevitably need a county official.

This is also one of the reasons why Xue Bai is confident.

After arranging the ships and the laborers, they waited for the next day to start transporting the grain, and the county lieutenant spoke, and these little things were easy to solve.

But the county's treasury and righteous warehouse, Xue Bai is not qualified to inspect it, and it depends on the face of the Song family to transport 5,000 stone of grain.

Song Mian took an account book and looked through it for a long time, the account book was very old, more than ten years old, and the paper and ink at the front were yellowed and faded.

This is Guo Wanjin's original book, which records the number of copper coins obtained from the Song family each time, how many goods were exchanged, and how many were given to officials at all levels in Henan Prefecture. In addition, the accounts of smuggling iron and stone for Gao Chong and selling prisoners of war are also recorded on it.

They were all coded words, such as millet on copper coins and leather on prisoners of war.

From the private minting of copper coins to the intricate network of relationships behind them, they are all recorded.

The account book was thrown into the stove, and the fine white rattan paper rolled up in the fire, and soon turned into ashes, Song Mian looked at the fire and breathed a sigh of relief.

Maybe Wang Yi won't do anything if he hands it over, it doesn't hurt to hand it over to Henan Mansion Yin, Jingzhao Mansion Yin, the three provinces and six departments, the left minister, the right minister, and even the saint, who cares about these? But after all, it's trouble.

He is not afraid of Xue Bai's transcription, and if it is copied, it will not be evidence. All in all, it's clean when it's burned.

A steward came over and said, "Lieutenant Xue has already arranged the ship and the laborers, and wants to transport grain." ”

Song Mian took out a box and said, "Give this to Lu County Order, and let him transport 1,600 stones first."

"Not five thousand stones?

"Gao Chong has fled, how can we pay for his two previous goods? I didn't work for nothing, I said okay, and I got a third each. ”

"Did Da Lang come forward to say hello to the Diao brothers? This kind of strongman, I am afraid that Xue County Lieutenant may not be able to suppress it. ”

"If he can't do that, why should he cooperate with us?" Song Mian said: "The Song family has helped enough, and he should have some ability." ”

The next day's noon is the agreed trading time.

Two boats, one large and one small, docked at the south bank of the Ilo River, the stern of the large ship followed the bow of the small boat.

The large ships carried grain, had a deep draft, and had sampans on the docks; The boat just anchored in the river, like a duckling around the old she-duck.

Xue Bai was on a big ship, looking south, and in the snow, he didn't see any chariots and horses carrying iron and stone coming.

Twenty-five men served as guards, and more than 100 workers were preparing to move goods in the bilge.

After Shi Zhong made the arrangements, he came to Xue Bai's side and asked, "Did Lang Jun go over first?" The other party is a strong man, and if he makes a move, he is only afraid of danger. ”

Xue Baimu pondered and asked, "You say, what if I talk to the Diao brothers in person?" ”

Shi Zhong shook his hand and said: "According to the villain, Lang Jun will talk to them sooner or later, but don't be in a hurry." At present, Gao Chong has been dealt with, and these strongmen are the most vigilant, just like taming horses, and they should first familiarize the horses with the pasture. First of all, the transaction was completed smoothly in the name of Gao Chong, and then it was not too late to get acquainted with it, and then talk about cooperation. ”

"Makes sense.

Xue Bai nodded.

Shi Zhong beckoned the boat on the river to approach and arranged for Xue Bai to go over. The small boat was not carrying cargo, only Lao Liang and Ren Mulan were holding Gao Chong.

The reason why this is so is that he is worried that Gao Chong will suddenly pull his throat in the process of trading and ask the Diao brothers to save him. Pull the place of conversation away, if Gao Chong dares to make a move, he can directly give him a knife.

Gao Chong still had a sack on his head, and he didn't know such an arrangement. But he felt the sway of the deck beneath his feet and guessed that there was no cargo on board.

"You don't have no food, do you?

"Shut up.

"I'm doing it for your good, there are so many of them that if they don't have food to survive the winter, they can do anything."

Xue Bai happened to return to the ship, and when he heard this, he asked, "Do you hope that they will kill people?" ”

When Gao Chong heard his voice, he had to cheer up and respond, and said, "My life is in your hands, of course, I hope everything goes well." ”

Xue Bai didn't believe it, and said to Lao Liang: "Once he has any abnormal movement, kill him." ”

First of all, it should be made clear that if you want to use Gao Chong as a witness to expose An Lushan's rebellion case, this is useless. What Xue Bai wants is obedience, if Gao Chong becomes a prisoner, he can't be obedient, and it is not a pity to kill him.

Gao Chong could feel Xue Bai's coldness, and his heart sank slightly, and his original expectation turned into a faint uneasiness.

After a while, several figures appeared in the wind and snow on the south bank, and the other party came on horseback, and had not brought a carriage for the time being, obviously wanting to observe first.

This attitude seems a little cautious, at least not someone who can deliver the goods with a big grin.

Diao Bing raised his hand, stopped the people behind him, and said, "Ah Geng, you go forward with me." ”

"Okay." Diao Geng drove forward, pointed to the big ship, and said, "The grain is on that big ship, let's move it down and transport the iron and stone up." ”

"What about the sublime?

"He's being hunted down and he's hiding. I didn't see him this time, I just had someone pass me a message. ”

"Let's get on the boat and have a look.

The two brothers were also bold, and drove their horses to the river, turned over and dismounted, and boarded the boat, to check the grain.

Xue Bai stood on another boat and watched this scene, and then turned his head to look at the figures of more than 100 people in the distance, with some thoughtfulness in his eyes.

He ripped off the sack on Gao Chong's head and asked, "Is that Diao Bing and Diao Geng?" ”

In fact, he didn't need to ask him to be sure, he had seen Diao Geng in the dark, and the one who could make Diao Geng follow him must be Diao Bing.

"Yes."

Gao Chong looked at it and was a little surprised to see that the Diao brothers had gotten on the boat without anyone.

Xue Bai felt this surprise and asked, "If I take them now, can I control the hundred or so people they brought?"

"It's hard to say." Gao Chong said, "But they may not be able to win, they are very water-based." ”

After a while, the Diao brothers carefully examined the sacks of grain in the cabin, walked to the side of the ship, and looked around.

Xue Bai took the dagger in Ren Mulan's hand, leaned behind Gao Chong, and personally escorted him over.

"Let them move the goods, and nothing else.

"Okay."

Gao Chong then also walked to the side of the boat and met the Diao brothers across the boat, while Xue Bai followed him with a dagger.

At this time, the workers were resting in the bilge, waiting to move the goods, but no one noticed this.

"Gao Xiancheng." Diao Bing arched his hand and said, "It's embarrassing?

"You don't care." Gao Chong said: "Move the grain first, move the iron and stone to the ship, and go back to your Erlang Mountain!" ”

Diao Bing heard this, frowned, and glanced around, looking a little more vigilant.

"Gao Xiancheng, you and I have known each other for many years, and now that you have fallen into the water, you don't want to pull our brother into the water, right?

"Even if you can't trust me, you should trust my brother-in-law, he .....

Gao Chong wanted to say more, but Xue Bai had already pushed the dagger forward to the position of his heart, so he had to stop the topic and said, "He won't lose you, you just move the goods." ”

Diao Bing glanced at Xue Bai and asked, "Who is this?" ”

"You don't have to worry about what my subordinates do."

"Let's move the grain down first, and then move the iron and stone up, can the county see it?"

"Good.

Diao Bing glanced at the Caogong again, and finally beckoned his men to come over, and began to move the goods with the Caogong.......

This scene disappointed Gao Chong.

He knew that Xue Bai would definitely kill him if he talked to him at every turn, "How is Li Longji?" But he still has a glimmer of life, Xue Bai asked again and again how to trade with the Diao brothers, which made him can't help but look forward to escaping through this transaction. For this reason, the courage to die several times was suppressed.

endured humiliation and burden, in order to create conflict, but if it continues like this now, I am afraid that this transaction will end smoothly. After that, Xue Bai contacted the Diao brothers and Fan Gao, and it would be easier to establish trust.

Gotta get them to fight.

Gao Chong thought so, and looked at the big ship opposite. He was very familiar with this ship, because this was his smuggling ship, and now Li San'er's henchmen who were originally on the ship had been arrested and replaced by ordinary workers.

But just by looking at how deep the draft was, he could roughly estimate the weight of the grain on board...... It will not exceed two thousand stones.

Gao Chong swallowed his saliva, knowing that Diao Bing would have doubts about the amount of grain in the future, so when Xue Bai ordered him to return to the cabin, he did not act rashly and retreated.

He waited for a long time, and finally heard Diao Bing's shout.

"Gao Xiancheng.

Here's your chance.

Now more than 100 people in Diao Bing are on the opposite boat, and Gao Chong can ask them for help as long as he can jump to the opposite side.

"I'll explain." Gao Chong stood up.

"I didn't let you move." Lao Liang pressed him down.

And Xue Bai had already walked back to the side of the boat to talk to Diao Bing.

"The county can only take out this grain for the time being." Xue Bai said, "It's enough for you to eat for one winter, and the next batch will come back to get it in the spring, how about it?"

"Are you trying to pay the bills?

Xue Bai said: "You only brought more than 100 people with you when you set off, and you must not have expected the current situation. It's possible that you won't even be able to bring back a grain of food. The situation is special, so it's better to wait for the wind to pass....

Gao Chong listened in the cabin and felt that Diao Bing could be convinced.

After all, so much iron and stone has been transported, whether to transport it back again, or to go back with enough food to survive the winter.

It's a choice that a discerning person can make.

Gao Chong peeked left and right, and there were only Lao Liang and Ren Mulan beside him.

Lao Liang actually came to protect Xue Bai, and looked at the side of the ship; Ren Mulan held the short knife and pressed it against Gao Chong very seriously.

"The county lieutenant is careful, Diao Bing has a crossbow." Gao Chong suddenly remembered this and reminded him.

Lao Liangyi frowned and strode out of the cabin.

Gao Chong saw him walk away, knowing that the only chance had come, so he pounced and dodged Ren Mulan's short knife, he really didn't take this little girl in his eyes.

"He is the county lieutenant Xue Bai, he wants to kill us all!"

"Help me escape, the prince will definitely be rewarded!"

"Quick, kill them!

Three loud shouts, Gao Chong's eyes stared at the nearest wooden fence on the side of the boat, ready to jump out, as long as he swam to the shore again, he could be protected by Diao Bing's more than 100 men...... And then freedom.

At the same time, Diao Bing was also taken aback, and hurriedly exclaimed: "Brothers! guys!

This cry was in my ears, and I was overjoyed.

It was worth it for him to endure humiliation......

"Poof.

Ren Mulan rushed down and slashed between Gao Chong's strands with a single sword; Ahead, Lao Liang also turned around, his face still calm.

Gao Chong couldn't care about anything else, and wanted to escape again, but he was stabbed in the foot again, and finally fell to the ground. He really didn't expect that a little girl would be so ruthless and so decisive.

Before he could get up, Lao Liang had already come over and stepped on his back.

Gao Chong's head had already reached the side of the boat, and the Yiluo River was in front of him, but unfortunately he was only one step away from success.

He had to suppress this frustration and start thinking about the situation again-"Now that Diao Bing and the others have been provoked, Xue Bai can only hold me hostage now and let me appease Diao Bing....

Xue Bai really came.

Gao Chong raised his head, forcibly suppressed the madness in his heart, and said quickly: "I was wrong, County Lieutenant Xue, I can persuade them to stop." ”

"Poof.

Gao Chong watched the dagger stab into his heart, and he was a little stunned for a moment.

He was a little angry, thinking to himself, Xue Bai, aren't you afraid of angering Diao Bing and the others?

In addition, he felt that Xue Bai still needed him, the matter of Tieshan had not been resolved, and there were still many things that had not been handed over........

It was Xue Bai who said that it had to be handed over.

"You...... My brother-in-law........

Gao Chong judged that Xue Bai should at least keep him until Gao Shang came over, knowing that Gao Shang would definitely come, and then Xue Bai would have one more bargaining chip.

Until his death, he considered himself to be in a pivotal position.

"Boom!

Diao Bing's subordinates have already drawn their knives one after another, like frightened birds.

"The government is going to arrest us!

Immediately afterwards, a human head was thrown at Diao Bing's feet and rolled on the ground, his expression was still vivid, his face was shocked, and his eyes were full of self-righteous arrogance...... Gao Chong had this kind of expression when he was in Huaizhou.

It was Lao Liang who threw people's heads, standing on the opposite boat and shouting a few words.

Everyone, stop! Gao Chong is dead, the case is closed, you dedicate his head to the official mansion, and you will be credited!

If Gao Chong is not dead, it is difficult to guarantee that he will not add fuel to the fire at this time, and encourage these smugglers who have become frightened birds.

But he died, and these people didn't even have a reason to save him...... Unless they are willing to avenge him.

At this time, no matter what the bulge workers heard, they only had to say that Gao Chong had been searched, and the case would be closed.

Put down your knives! Back off.

Xue Bai's men with knives also retreated a few steps back, no longer putting pressure on the smugglers.

The situation slowed down a bit.

"I'm Xue Bai, the county lieutenant of Yanshi, do you want to go back safely with food, or do you want to leave your life here?!"

Diao Bing was quite calm, patted his brother, and asked, "What do you want to do when Lieutenant Xue tricked us into coming?" ”

"It's just a deal." Xue Bai said: "I don't want you to run out of food to eat in winter, the county bureau just needs to forge a batch of farm tools."

"Didn't you want to capture us?

"What are you doing?

"Meritorious.

"Have I made meritorious contributions? Who is he, and who are you? Shall I use him to bring you out?

Xue Bai asked these words, and when he saw that Diao Bing didn't answer, he asked, "Diao Bing, how about we talk in private?"

Diao Bing didn't agree immediately, but he also calmed down.

He thought for a moment and ordered everyone to put down their knives.

"Brother." Diao Geng said, "We don't know him. ”

"Don't make trouble again and cause trouble for the handsome man.

"Okay, but don't get over it."

"It's okay, people are officials. If he wants to deal with a little person like us, he will let people kill you and my brother. You continue to take people to move things, and I'll meet him. ”

After the brothers summed it up, Diao Bing had the heart to give the new county lieutenant a dismissal. He didn't put away the knife and laughed: "Lieutenant Xue, do you dare to bring the boat over?!" ”

"Lean in."

Lao Liang actually wanted to remind Xue Bai that beware of the Diao brothers avenging Gao Chong, Xue Bai had already given an order.

After that, there was a sound on the deck, and Diao Bing had jumped over.

Only then did he put away the knife and said, "The county lieutenant is so bold." ”

Seeing the grass people who are not timid at all when they meet the officials, it is actually rare in these years.

Xue Bai said: "Let's talk over there, I'm new here, and I'll set up some rules." ”

"Good.

Diao Bing walked across the deck and glanced at the headless corpse that was still bleeding.

After sitting down, he first asked, "Is County Lieutenant Xue afraid that I will avenge Gao County?" ”

Xue Bai was looking at the pair of straw sandals under Diao Bing's feet and said, "The reason why I dare to kill him is to judge that you are not all the way."

"I've known Gao Xiancheng for more than ten years."

"After more than ten years, you still call him Gao Xiancheng'?" Xue Bai said: "You are a nostalgic person, and so are your shoes, and you still call Fan Gao 'handsome', but you don't have the old name for Gao Chong."

"I'm talking about acquaintance, not acquaintance."

"Do you recognize a person named Zhuang Ah Si next to Gao Chong?"

"The one that's new in the past two years? A tall Northland man?

"Well, Gao Chong and Zhuang Ah Si fled for their lives together, Zhuang Ah Si couldn't run, Gao Chong killed him and killed him." Xue Bai said: "I just saw that your brothers are different, more than a hundred people have come over, you are the leader, how can you personally visit the ship?" ”

Diao Bing smiled and said, "The villain has some stupid mud legs under his hands, and his brain seems to be blocked by mud and he can't do anything." If you ask them to come and see it, what will you see? You'll have to do it yourself. ”

"I've heard about your affairs in Huaizhou, Fan Jiao did it back then, and he was a good man. It's a pity that Gao Chong has done it all these years, which is shameful, such a big orphan in the nursing workshop, he can also collude with the slave Yalang to plunder, and the interests are smoking, and his heart is blacker than most officials, what qualifications do he have to talk about rebellion...... Oh, what do you think? ”

I don't know what a sanatorium is. Diao Bing said: "My handsome head is not a noble face, what kind of thing is he?" The handsome head rushes to the noble face. ”

Xue Bai was a little relieved.

He had speculated that these people on the Iron Mountain were really in league with Gao Chong. Gao Chongda didn't have to use the trick of "5,000 stone grain" to provoke conflicts, and he did not hesitate to let Diao Bing's men suffer heavy casualties.

"Gao Chongfang sold you before he opened his mouth, you know? I now know that you are hiding in Erlang Mountain. ”

"Understood." Diao Bing said, "He wants me to do it." ”

Xue Bai asked, "Do you need food?" Why not buy it in Yuncheng? “

"But you can't buy it, the county lieutenant doesn't think that Iron Mountain is ours. The government is staring at tax collection, and there are still a few big proprietors above, otherwise how can they cover it? The iron and stone dug up every year, can the big head not be supplied? What the handsome man can take out and smuggle is used to feed everyone. ”

Xue Bai believed half of this, the life of Tieshan was not easy, and it was better than that on the Cao River.

"The copper material was also given to the Song family by you?

Diao Binghan laughed twice and scratched his head.

He's far more shrewd than he seems.

Xue Bai pushed out a string of coins and said, "I know everything, and I also have cooperation with the Song family." ”

Diao Bing was surprised, and finally looked at Xue Bai with admiration, and said: "Tongshan is an official camp, I don't know how those copper materials were obtained, anyway, the handsome man let us transport them." These coins are mixed with a lot of miscellaneous materials...... That's it.

He took a copper coin, pinched it with his fingers, and broke it with force, and directly broke the copper coin in half.

It's hard to say whether the counterfeit is brittle or not, but the strength of his fingers is indeed big enough.

"Half a pie was wasted." Diao Bing muttered, and said, "What the county lieutenant Xue wants to ask, the villain has said it, can you give us the grain?" Since the beginning of autumn, we have transported three batches of iron and stone to Yanshi, a total of 5,000 stone grain. ”

"To be honest, what Gao Chong took away before, there is no reason for Yanshi County to bear it."

"Lieutenant Xue thinks this is .....

"I'm an official, not a businessman bargaining with you!" Xue Bai's face turned grim, and he swept away the harmony just now.

Just now, I wanted to appease Diao Bing and express my heart, but in order to truly promote cooperation, we must have principles.

"The Yanshi County Office will not pay a bad debt for a person who is ashamed of the people of Yanshi."

Diao Bing was silent.

He was not good at arguing with people, and once a servant came to his house to force taxes, and after arguing for a long time, he persuaded him to sell his sister. Without saying a word, he picked up a stone and smashed the officer's head.

Xue Bai had a plan, and said: "1,600 stone of grain, enough for you to eat for a winter, in the spring, you will transport a batch of iron and stone to trade for food, and you will never be starved." ”

"I can't explain it to the handsome man.

"Gao Chong, Guo Wanjin, Li San'er, their heads are not enough to explain?" Xue Bai said: "You can't transport 5,000 stone grain, or in batches, or hire people, you must have the support of me, an official figure, so if you want this batch of grain, you have to trust me." And as long as you trust me, you will naturally not be treated badly in the future. Wouldn't it be enough to transport away a winter's worth of grain this time?

"This ......

Diao Bing is not stupid, he is very smart among the grass people, but he was still stunned by Xue Bai's words.

"Do you understand that?

Diao Bing raised his eyes to see Xue Bai, and his forehead was wrinkled.

There were two options before him, either to ship the grain and complete the deal first; Or, move the knife.......

Xue Bai waited patiently for this answer.

After listening to Fan Gao's deeds, he thought that Fan Gao would be a person who could be wooed, because there were too many smart people in the government and the opposition who could come up with ways to collect money, but there were too few fools who were willing to go to prison for the peasants themselves.

Of course, that few words are actually difficult to rely on, but more from the intuition that comes from that little deed, as well as a little detail today.

Before the transaction began, Xue Bai was thinking that maybe he should talk to the Diao brothers in person, and he thought that there was an opportunity for both parties.

Now the sincerity is on display.

"County Lieutenant Xue, you really don't understand this truth." Diao Bing opened his mouth and said, "Anyway, our batch of iron and stone will be exchanged for your batch of grain, right?"

"You can say the same thing."

"That's good."

Diao Bing only lost the two batches of iron and stone given to Gao Chong or asked Gao Chong to come back, and now he will transport the grain back and let the people on the Iron Mountain have a good year, which is real.

Xue Bai wanted more, he glanced Diao Bing up and down, and his eyes fell on the pair of straw sandals.

When he decided to come to Henan, he wanted to see what the victims were like who could be bought with a piece of cake, but after seeing it, he felt that they only needed a piece of land...... Most peasants are really good for farming, not for killing.

Only a small fraction of them can sharpen it, and these people in front of them are.

It just so happened that they wanted his food, but he wanted their people.

So Xue Bai smiled and said, "This time you should have a good fate." ”