A knife in love

Chapter 1280

Seeing that everyone was seated, shopkeeper Feng picked up a glass of wine, and said with a smile on his face: "Tonight, the shop is honored to welcome Master Xiao and all the distinguished guests. It's just that I'm in a hurry tonight, and it's getting late, and you all have to rest early, so let's reschedule the banquet tomorrow. Tonight is just a small drink, simple tea and light meals, please don't be offended. Come on, the villain first respects Mr. Xiao and everyone A glass. Please."

After Shopkeeper Feng finished speaking, he drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.After everyone drank the wine, he respectfully sat down under Xiao Dong, drinking and eating with everyone.Everyone has been busy for a whole day, and they are all hungry at this time, so they are not welcome.Shopkeeper Feng couldn't stop persuading him to drink, and he was very considerate in his service. He even smiled at the three boatmen and Wei Erbao.Everyone originally thought that this person was a treacherous philistine, and they didn't have a good impression of him.Afterwards, I didn't have any dislike for this person, but felt that this person was considerate and not disgusting.

After he was full of wine and food, shopkeeper Feng personally took several assistants to send Xiao Dong and others back to their respective guest rooms.The clerk had prepared hot water in the guest room and served everyone to wash their faces and feet, very thoughtful.After everything was tidied up, shopkeeper Feng said good night from room to room, and then retreated downstairs.

When Li Qiufeng and Zhang Shi lay down, they heard the sound of clappers coming from a distance outside the window, and it was already the next day.Zhang Shi stretched his waist and said with a smile: "After sleeping on the boat for more than [-] days, this is the first time I lay on the bed solidly tonight. I hope that the big boat can be found as soon as possible, and the business can be completed in Fusang, and then Back to Ningbo, I will never go to sea again in this life.”

Li Qiufeng thought that Zhang Shi was helping Xiao Dong, Shopkeeper Hu and Qin Lao Wu, and although he had brought some goods with him, he was not deeply involved, which is why he was so free and easy.If he is like shopkeeper Hu and the others, betting all his wealth and life on the boat, I'm afraid he won't be able to sleep at all at this time.

The two chatted for a few words, a burst of tiredness surged up, and after a while, they fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke up early the next morning, I could smell the aroma of the food first, and then I heard the faint sound of cooking and cooking from downstairs.Then the buddy brought hot water towels and asked everyone to wash their faces and rinse their mouths.After everything was tidied up, shopkeeper Feng went upstairs to invite Xiao Dong and others to come downstairs for dinner.When everyone went downstairs, they saw Master Jiang and Butou He had already arrived and were waiting in the lobby.

Everyone sat down to eat, Jiang Shiye and He Tutou sat at the same table with Xiao Dong.Xiao Dong saw Master Jiang's eyes were red and his face looked tired, knowing that he must have been busy all night, he was a little moved.So I personally served Master Jiang a bowl of hot porridge, put it in front of him, and said: "Master Jiang has worked hard, Xiao must remember the benefits of Master Jiang. After we return to the capital, Xiao will naturally go to the official department Say a few words for Master Jiang, and at least find a background for Master Jiang."

Mr. Jiang bowed to receive the hot porridge, and said in his mouth: "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your care. Your lord lost his boat in Dongliao County. We are negligent. You still take care of this villain. I am very grateful. The villain is over forty years old. I have long given up thinking about it. I just want to have a bowl of safe food to eat, so that the whole family will not suffer from cold and hunger, and I am satisfied."

He Butou heard Xiao Dong say that he would speak for Master Jiang in the Ministry of Officials, he thought to himself, seeing that this man is very powerful, he probably wasn't lying.I don't ask him to speak for me in the capital, but I just need to speak a few words of kindness for me in the Yamen of the prefect of Liaoyang, and there will be many benefits in the future.Thinking of this, He Butou said with a flattering smile: "Old Jiang is loyal, he is a first-class good man in the magistrate's office of Dongliao County. I have a lot of confidence in my heart when I partner with him to work for Mr. Xiao. "

Xiao Dong naturally knew the intention of He Butou, so he nodded and said: "As long as the two of you can handle the matter well, it will not be difficult to get promoted and make a fortune."

He Butou was overjoyed and thanked repeatedly.Master Jiang's expression was calm, and he said to Xiao Dong: "Master Xiao, the villain and He Tutou went to the pier last night to search carefully, but found nothing. This is indeed a bit strange. Our Dongliao County is far outside the customs. There are not many merchants from inside and outside, and even fewer boats from the sea. Therefore, the boats moored on the wharf are all small boats of more than 50 fishermen from Dongliao County. There are more than [-] households on the shore, with a household registration of about [-] people. We have searched carefully around the pier and the people on the shore, and indeed, as Lord Xiao said, not only the boats moored at the pier are missing, but even the more than [-] people on the shore are gone.”

Master Jiang paused for a moment when he said this, and then continued: "The villain has checked in several houses, and there are no traces of fighting or rummaging in the house. It can be seen that when these people left, there was no conflict. After daybreak, the villain and He Butou searched carefully for footprints, but they did not find any footprints of more than 200 people walking. There are city walls built in the east and west directions, only the south end is not built. When you enter the city, you want to pass a stone bridge. In fact, the south end of Dongliao County is bounded by the stone bridge. The north end is inside the city, and the south end is outside the city. Some refugees from outside have lost their household registration. They are afraid of being punished by the yamen in the city and will be escorted back to their hometowns. They have gathered in the south of Shiqiao for decades. The magistrates of Dongliao County have been very troubled by these refugees. There have been strict control several times, and as a result, civil uprisings have been triggered, and many people have been killed and injured. Two county magistrates were also convicted and dismissed for investigation. It is because the adults who came to Dongliao County to take office in the future do not want to deal with these refugees. , turned a blind eye, and let them fend for themselves near the pier. Most of these refugees thought that the big households outside the Dongliao County farmed the land for a living, and they could barely support their families, and they would not die of cold and hunger .”

Li Qiufeng thought to himself, although the world has been at peace for more than a hundred years, the people are suffering and have experienced many hardships.If they gather together, it is very easy to cause trouble.Therefore, the imperial court strictly ordered officials from all over the country to strictly prevent the people from gathering to make trouble.There are so many refugees living in one place outside the city of Dongliao County, and their livelihoods are difficult. If someone encourages them, it may cause a civil uprising.If these officials in Dongliao County let them go, they will cause trouble sooner or later.

Xiao Dong nodded when he heard Master Jiang say this, and said in his mouth: "Master Jiang means that these people are refugees and have no household registration, so it is impossible to find out where they came from and where they went, yes or no ?”

Mr. Jiang said: "It's not impossible to find out, but it takes a lot of effort, and it can't be completed overnight. Moreover, the missing ship is parked in the sea, which is different from the horses and horses on the shore. When the horses and horses pass by, they will leave ruts and hoof prints." , but ships are sailing on the sea, unless you see it with your own eyes, it only takes a while for the sea to return to normal, so where can you find the traces of the ship's sailing?"

Hearing what Master Jiang said, Xiao Dong was a little anxious, he glanced at Master Jiang, and said: "So, Master Jiang is also helpless?"

Master Jiang heard Xiao Dong's displeasure, stood up hastily, and said respectfully: "Master Xiao, don't worry, although the matter is difficult, the villain will never let these culprits go. It's just that our Dongliao County Yamen only has There are more than a hundred police officers. If we want to search carefully inside and outside the city, and never let go of any suspicious places, the manpower is far from enough. Therefore, the villain wants to call up the Zhuang Ding of several big families outside the city, and be led by the tolerance police officers. , and thoroughly searched the inside and outside of Dongliao County. No matter how treacherous these thieves are, I don’t believe that they can hide so many ships and people without any flaws!”

Xiao Dong nodded, and said in his mouth: "This is the best! Just follow Master Jiang's idea. If Li Zhixian has any objections, you can just tell me. This Li Zhixian is not a smart person, you are under his command When doing things, I'm afraid that I'm always restricted. And that Master Pan, who is good at holding money, let's do things, hum."

Master Jiang heard Xiao Dong scold Li Zhisheng and Master Pan for being foolish, although he won my heart, he didn't dare to echo him, he just stood respectfully.Xiao Dong asked him to sit down, and then said: "Just follow Master Jiang's idea. If you need silver taels, feel free to ask Lizhi County for it. If he doesn't give it, just tell me."

Master Jiang frowned and said, "We don't need a lot of money, not to mention we are doing serious business, Master Li and Master Pan will definitely not obstruct it."

When he said this, Xiao Dong, Li Qiufeng, Zhang Shi, Shopkeeper Hu and others all thought that these two bastards, Li Zhisheng and Master Pan, only wanted to make money and wished for trouble every day.If they want to recruit people to do things, they can get their own pockets from it, how can there be any reason to obstruct it?

(End of this chapter)