"The Salt Gang is actually a bunch of coolies. Shi Zhongyu continued to explain.

The Salt Gang was originally a gang of coolies who specialized in carrying bags of salt on the docks. Later, the amount of illicit salt sold increased. In order to save the process of the transaction, they sometimes deduct some salt from it as a reward when transporting.

Some salt farmers who knew the Salt Gang also gave salt directly to the Salt Gang, because the price offered by the Salt Gang was higher than that of the salt merchants. Then the Salt Gang would take the salt to the market and sell it, and their price would be lower than that of the salt merchants.

And some small traders will buy whole bags of salt from these people and sell them elsewhere.

It's as if the price of any commodity from its origin is always much cheaper than elsewhere, and there are many channels for it to flow out.

"In that case, the salt farmer might as well give all the salt to the salt gang, isn't this kind of money higher?"

Shi Zhongyu smiled slightly and said, "This is not something that everyone can do. And the salt gang also collects a limited amount of salt. At first, they collected it for themselves to eat, and only when they couldn't eat it did they take it out and sell it. ”

"However, when we came, we saw a lot of smugglers!" Xiong Wei still grasped the problem and did not let it go.

"That's because the day you came happened to be in the market, so you saw more people. On weekdays, there are, but not so many. If you come, it is estimated that no one will dare to sell illicit salt. ”

"The government doesn't investigate, doesn't it matter?" Xia Yun said with an official tone, puzzled.

Shi Zhongyu's gaze moved to Xia Yun's body, and she continued to look at Xia Yun and said, "It seems that the girl didn't fully listen to what I just said. The government, the army, the salt gang, and the salt merchants, they are all in collusion with each other and divide the interests. ”

"Oh? Xiong Wei continued to ask curiously.

"Salt merchants buy salt from salt farmers at a low price, and then sell it to the people at a high price, and part of the difference in the price is given to the government, especially the Yangzhou prefect. ”

Shi Zhongyu said and remembered another story, she continued: "I remember one year, it should be the last Yangzhou prefect, he wanted to follow the example of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The salt merchant built him a house of gold, and there were many beautiful women in it. ”

Xiong took a deep breath. "There are so many articles in it. But ......" Xiong Wei suddenly thought of another question, and he looked at Shi Zhongyu very seriously.

"Girl, though, you are a man in the red dust. The matter of the Salt Gang is a matter of the rivers and lakes. How do you know the affairs of this government so clearly. ”

Shi Zhongyu was not curious about his question. "Because I often wander among the adults, and they have things to ask me for. If I'm not mistaken, the prefect of Yangzhou has already come downstairs, please stay away for a while. ”

As soon as Shi Zhongyu's voice fell, there was a noisy sound outside.

Xiong Wei frowned, hurriedly stood behind the door, and gently opened a crack in the door. He raised his eyebrows, his pupils dilated, and immediately closed the door, saying, "The prefect is outside, and it seems that he is walking in this direction, and the mother of Yihong Courtyard is stopping him." ”

Shi Zhongyu said very calmly: "Oh? It seems that this time I am really in a hurry, so soon." ”

"Then what should we do?" Xiong Wei was a little anxious, "Otherwise, you will definitely be able to bump into it as soon as you go out." ”

"Find a place to hide first. Shi Zhongyu pointed to the curtain on the side of the room as he spoke, "Quick, there is a small door behind the curtain, you go behind the curtain and hide for a while." ”

Xiaoyaozi hurriedly took Ouyang Ying in, followed by Shui Hibiscus, Xia Yun followed, Xiong Wei strode and hid on the outside.

This was originally a small pavilion for playing the guqin, and on both sides of the small pavilion was a curved arch. People can be hidden on both sides of the arch, and through the beaded curtain, only the people inside can be seen playing the harp.

Shi Zhongyu is alone, the space is very large, and there are so many people crowded at once, and it is full at once. As soon as Xiong Wei squeezed in again, Ouyang Ying's space was even smaller, and she was almost overwhelmed.

As soon as they entered, there was a "boom", and the prefect pushed the door in.

The prefect glanced around, there was no one, and he roared at the old bustard behind him: "Do you not want to live anymore, and you dare to deceive the official?

As he spoke, he threw a bag of silver to the old bustard and said, "From today on, Yu'er has been wrapped up by me, and she will not see anyone except me." ”

The old bustard said yes again and again, and she scanned the room as she spoke, and there was indeed no one, very puzzled.

"Mom, you go out first. I saw that the prefect was in a hurry, and I guess there was something looking for me. Shi Zhongyu looked at the large beads of sweat on the prefect's forehead, and she still said calmly.

The old bustard didn't say anything more, and left very interestingly.

As soon as the old bustard left, the prefect said in a hurry: "Ouch, my aunt, I'm going crazy, how can you still have such leisure." ”

Shi Zhongyu continued to drink tea, and said unhurriedly: "What does your business matter to me." Why don't I have a leisurely mood? ”

"Hey, my aunt, I don't know what's wrong, and suddenly sent a man surnamed Xiong to check the salt tax. I guess I'm going to plant it this time. ”

"Plant it, plant it, have you done less bad things?" Shi Zhongyu said sarcastically.

"Auntie, we're in the same boat. If I planted it, you won't do you any good. For the sake of our many years of affection, you can help me. The prefect looked anxious and pleaded pitifully.

"Tell me, what's going on?" Shi Zhongyu began to put on a shelf, ignoring the prefect's Ai.

The prefect hurriedly told Shi Zhongyu all the experiences from the time he saw Xiong Wei to the present, word by word.

Shi Zhongyu already knew these things, and in order to understand whether the prefect had made other arrangements, she said: "Isn't there someone in the capital to protect you? If you let the people above help you, it's over, what can I, a weak woman, help you?"

"My aunt, don't sell Guanzi! I have already sent someone to Jingshi to inquire, but the far water can't save the near fire. I see that guy surnamed Xiong can't eat oil and salt, and I don't know what he likes, so I can't start. ”

Xiong Wei heard that the prefect had sent someone to Jingshi, looked back at Xia Yun, and said in a low voice: "This prefect flattered me on the surface, but I didn't expect that there was such a hand behind my back. ”

"This is officialdom. Xia Yun also replied in a whisper, and then made a "shhh", signaling Xiong Wei not to speak, listen to it first.

"Then what do you want to do?" Shi Zhongyu knew that the prefect wanted her to approach Xiong Wei, and the prefect had done this kind of thing many times.

"Grandma, aren't you knowingly asking? Who doesn't know, you are both beautiful and artistic!"

"Then you're so sure that this guy surnamed Xiong will like me?" Shi Zhongyu deliberately pretended to be confused.

The prefect walked over, put his arm around Shi Zhongyu's shoulders and said, "Who doesn't know, you are the first beauty in Jiangnan." As long as it's a normal man, who doesn't have a heart for you?"

As he spoke, he turned to the front of Shi Zhongyu and lifted her chin.

Shi Zhongyu turned his head and stood up. "What if, I say, I don't want to go, I'm not feeling well?"

When the prefect heard his words, his face was very displeased, his fists were clenched, and he wanted to say: You stinky bitch, don't give you face, you don't have a face.

The words came to his mouth and swallowed again, at this time he didn't know how to go except for the chess piece in Shi Zhongyu.

Shi Zhongyu knew the importance of this matter, and he couldn't just agree to him so easily. If you agree too early, it will be difficult to do things in the future, and the prefect will be suspicious.

The prefect pleaded again: "My aunt, as long as you promise me this time, I will agree with whatever you say in the future." This time, I'm really afraid that I won't be able to get through this difficulty! I know that you can see people very accurately, so if you have more contact with him, find out what he likes and what his weaknesses are, and I will be able to prescribe the right medicine. ”

"Hehe!" Shi Zhongyu sneered. She thought to herself, no matter what he likes, even if he knows, you can't take it. You're set up this time, and I'll play with you slowly for a few days.

"And what do you want me to do?"

"Of course, as before, I invite you to take a trip to the mansion and let him listen to your soul seduction. The prefect said as he looked at Shi Zhongyu's guqin.

Shi Zhongyu can become the first beauty in Jiangnan, in addition to her appearance, another important reason is that she can play the piano well. Listening to the sound of her piano, it is crisp and loud like a clear spring flowing through the percussion valley when it is slow, and it is unstoppable like a thousand horses galloping across the grassland in an emergency.

The prefect hugged Shi Zhongyu's thin waist and said, "My little beauty, I've been busy this time, and you make me want to die." If the person surnamed Xiong takes a fancy to you, I will give him your piece of fat with my own hands. As the saying goes, fertilizer and water do not flow into outsiders' fields, so it is better to ...... tonight"

Shi Zhongyu shook off the prefect's hand fiercely, glared at him and said, "Lord Prefect, don't forget, you still have something to ask me for." ”

The prefect immediately retracted his hand.

Shi Zhongyu said very tiredly: "Lord Prefect, you better go back first." I'm tired and want to rest. ”

The prefect saw Shi Zhongyu's unhappy face, and he didn't dare to say more, so he walked out in a gloomy manner.

At this time, Ouyang Ying, who was pressed at the rear, finally couldn't hold on. It doesn't matter if she stands up. Xiong Wei didn't have enough space, so he was squeezed out directly.

The bear slammed into the bead curtain, and the bead curtain made a tinkling sound.

The prefect who was about to leave stopped, and when he looked back, it was Xiong Wei.

"Xiaguan greets Lord Xiong!" the prefect lowered his head, his eyes shrugged, and he thought: Why is he here?

However, the brain immediately turned back, and it was really hard to find a place to step on the iron shoes, and it took no effort to get there. He was still worried, and he didn't know where to take Xiong Wei down, but now it's better.

As the saying goes, the hero is sad to pass the beauty pass. It turned out that he guessed what Xiong liked without any opinion.

However, he immediately became nervous again, and what he had just said to Shi Zhongyu was not all heard by Xiong Wei.

Then again, fortunately I didn't say anything more just now, otherwise, I don't know how I died.

The prefect began to recall what he had said. Suddenly, when I thought of a sentence, my nerves immediately tensed. There is nothing else to worry about, that is, he has already sent someone to Jingshi to inquire.

His mind turned again, letting him know that it was not bad to have a backer in Jingshi. Otherwise, it is not enough to be bullied by him.

After he thought about it, a sinister smile appeared on his face again, and he said, "Lord Xiong, it's not too early. I'll quit first. ”

As soon as the prefect spoke, he immediately withdrew and left.

This book was first published from 17k, the first time to see the genuine content!