Fu Shifeng

Chapter 228 Competition in the world

Zhang Jida looked at the group of water village masters. Although their martial arts were not advanced, they all had high status in the world.

This is not flattery, but "status in the world" in a literal sense.The Jianghuai area has a dense water network and is full of rivers and lakes. People almost rely on boats to travel and transfer goods. Just like there are merchant caravans in the Western Regions, there are water villages and cauldrons in the Jianghuai area, which are both merchants and pirates.

These water village cao gangs not only own a large number of ships, but can also build large ships by themselves. The wealthy among them are not even limited to inland rivers and lakes, but directly go to sea by boat to do business in foreign countries.

Especially with the annexation of land by powerful families, many landless refugees are unable to even work as tenants and have nowhere to make a living. They often have no choice but to seek refuge in Shuizhai Cao Gang, so there are many of them.

Thanks to the convenient transportation of rivers and lakes, the exchanges between these water villages and cao gangs were quite close, and they were not restricted by the prefectures and counties designated by the imperial court.

For example, Shen Yuchi, who dominated Taihu Lake in those days, had a sphere of influence that extended beyond the east and west mountains of Taihu Lake. Cao gangs as far away as Bianshui River all respected him as their leader. He had [-] men under his command who all dominated the area, and owned countless ships, large and small. number.

In the past, the imperial court wanted to urgently transfer grain and grass from the Jianghuai River. The local government approached Shen Yuchi. He gave an order and tens of thousands of people participated in the transfer. The momentum was so great that even the government treated him with extra courtesy.

After Shen Yuchi's death, the current leader Shen finally survived after a bloody battle and inherited some of the remaining forces.Although it is far inferior to that of the past, it is not a problem to mobilize thousands of people and two to three hundred ships.

Of course, Captain Shen himself could not simply order the people to disperse in various places. He still had to rely on these water villages to take charge. Cheng Sanwu had their legs broken by just one word. This might cause a conflict.

"I have always been kind to others, you should know that." Cheng Sanwu patted Zhang Jida on the shoulder, which shocked him inexplicably and buried his head in the dust, not daring to resist at all.

Zhang Jida knew that he had no way out. Cheng Sanwu dealt with the water village masters not only to retaliate against Captain Shen's impulse.In the minds of various water villages, he himself may have become the culprit of "colluding with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to kill Master Shen", and he was completely hostile to these heroes.

It is not easy to make a living on the water. These water village gangs are often very loyal and sworn brothers and belong to the same family. Zhang Jida's enmity with them will inevitably lead to revenge.

In this way, Zhang Jida could only completely surrender to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Perhaps this was Lord Zhaoyang's plan.

Watching Qin Wangshu and others throw the group of water village masters into a small boat on the nearby river and let them go downstream, Cheng Sanwu secretly snickered. His actions were completely in accordance with Afu's arrangements and must have been expected. Subsequent changes.

Seeing Zhang Jida almost shrinking into a ball, he couldn't help but sigh at the dominatrix's ability to play with people's hearts.

"Get up, you're kneeling like this, I don't have any money to give alms." Cheng Sanwu casually kicked Zhang Jida, deliberately humiliating him.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhaoyang." Zhang Jida stood up with difficulty, his whole body weak, his head lowered, not daring to look directly at the other person.

"A fool like Captain Shen ruined the previous arrangement, do you have any remedy?" Cheng Sanwu stood with his hands behind his back.

"How?" Zhang Jida thought quickly, and first asked: "Jun Zhaoyang, forgive me for not being able to see Mount Tai. Where did Mr. Changqing come from? If he knows nothing, I can't think of a way." Come."

Cheng Sanwu glanced at him: "He is sent by the imperial court on official business, and I have to take care of him. Don't ask about anything else."

Zhang Jida didn't dare to ask more questions. He thought of Chang Qing's words and deeds, and he was clearly a child of a well-educated family. His father might be a big shot in the court, and even the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs should be treated with respect, let alone someone he can't provoke.

As a result, it will be even more difficult for the Shuizhai Cao Gang to seek justice for the death of Leader Shen.

But Zhang Jida then thought about it, could it be that the person who really wanted Wulingzhuang was not Mr. Zhaoyang, but Mr. Changqing?

The more Zhang Jida thought about it, the more it made sense. The children of these aristocratic families often paid attention to a good reputation before becoming officials. If there were rumors that they relied on their family background to seize other people's estates, there might be something wrong.But if we collude with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we might be able to save a lot of trouble.

However, as a result, Zhang Jida and others' plan to carve up the Guan family in Huzhou must not be realized. Mr. Chang Qing may not share the benefits with a fool like him.

"Can't think of it?" Cheng Sanwu sneered when he saw him like this.

"Please also ask Mr. Zhaoyang to give me some advice." Zhang Jida guessed that the other party had other plans.

Cheng Sanwu looked into the distance: "You people always like to talk about rivers and lakes and martial arts. Do you really understand? Jianghu is the big fish eating the small fish; martial arts is the beast swallowing the lamb. Huzhou Guan Family If you can't eat it, why don't you go to those small households?"

Zhang Jida wanted to agree, but then he thought about it and pondered: "Mr. Zhaoyang's words are reasonable, but now in the Jianghuai area, small families have either surrendered to the big clan early or been annexed. I am afraid there is not much room for maneuver."

Afu also mentioned this situation to Cheng Sanwu. She found that Jianghuai people had already accumulated many disputes and conflicts, and sooner or later a great chaos would break out.After conducting overt and covert investigations, she also agreed with Cheng Sanwu's previous statement that it could not be solved by just killing one or two rebel leaders. It would take some killing and chaos to alleviate the situation.

"Didn't I already help you?" Cheng Sanwu showed an enigmatic expression.

Zhang Jida was stunned, looked at the boat carrying the water village masters, and understood immediately.

Leader Shen Duo died, and many water village masters under his command suffered heavy losses. Those water village Cao gangs must re-elect their leaders, and conflicts will inevitably break out in this process.If you can intervene in a timely manner, bribe and win over, and make these water villages and water gangs for your own use, you might not be able to expand in one fell swoop and intervene in the river and lake water transportation that was inaccessible in the past!
"I understand, you villain!" Zhang Jida's eyes lit up: "Those Shuizhai Cao Gang control the canal water transportation, not only have accumulated a lot of money, but more importantly, they have been making profits for a long time. If they can be used by us, they will be better than ordinary farm estates. Profit more!"

Cheng Sanwu raised his hand and patted Zhang Jida on the shoulder: "It seems that your brain is quite bright. If you rely on me to teach you everything, there is no need to keep this brain."

When Zhang Jida heard this, he felt cold to the bone. If the answer he just gave could not satisfy Lord Zhaoyang, he would probably end up worse than Lord Shen, and the more he thought about it, the more afraid he became.

However, he saw Cheng Sanwu grinning ferociously, and using his five fingers on his shoulders, the three Yang zhenqi penetrated into the meridians of the body without any warning.Zhang Jida exclaimed when he was in pain. He immediately felt a burning sensation in his five senses and his blood was boiling.

"Jun Zhaoyang, I, I..." Zhang Jida's body was stiff and unable to move, but his limbs were trembling involuntarily, as if he was suffering from an illness.He couldn't figure out what he had done wrong?Why was he suddenly treated like this?

"Relax, what are you afraid of?"

Cheng Sanwu, on the other hand, was very calm and focused. The flames could be faintly seen dancing on his fingertips, directly burning through the fabric of Zhang Jida's clothes. The three yang true energy flowed into his body continuously, patrolling the hundreds of veins.After a while, the trembling of Zhang Jida's limbs gradually stopped, and the violent energy in his body also calmed down. He immediately understood that Lord Zhaoyang's move was to transfer energy.

After another while, Cheng Sanwu took the initiative to stop, and Zhang Jida's body regained its freedom. He felt that his whole body was full of vitality, and every inch of his muscles and bones seemed to be ready for action. Even his internal energy body was improved by several percent compared to usual.

Zhang Jida found it unbelievable that even a person with profound inner cultivation would not do such a thing easily.

Generally speaking, only when someone close to you is injured and difficult to treat, will you use the method of measuring pulse and qi to push the person's luck and blood and protect their vitality.

As for the act of passing on the martial arts, it cannot be done except by the direct disciples who are extremely trustworthy.After all, it is not easy to cultivate inner strength. The consumption of passing one's own inner energy to others is unimaginable, comparable to a long and fierce battle.

"Since I want you to do something, I won't treat you badly." Cheng Sanwu rubbed the burnt ashes on his fingertips: "The true energy that enters your body can be activated when you perform martial arts, making your moves more powerful. , the body method jumps higher and faster.

"Of course, after all, you did not cultivate this true energy yourself. Even if you leave it alone, it will gradually dissipate after half a year. The more frequently you use force, the faster it will naturally be consumed."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Zhaoyang!" Zhang Jida immediately knelt down and knelt down and said sincerely: "In order to repay Mr. Zhaoyang's great kindness, I will do whatever I can to repay you!"

Cheng Sanwu responded calmly. In fact, what he did just now was difficult for even Afu to do, not to mention other warriors.

Although the two of them practiced the "Liuhe Yuanzhang" together, Afu was still slightly higher in terms of martial arts, but Cheng Sanwu's inhuman body was destined to have extremely strong Xuanmai skills, and there were Xuanzhu in his dantian. Constantly brewing and activating, the sea of ​​qi is deep and wide, rarely seen in ancient and modern times, and I don't even feel much loss when I transfer qi to others.

Moreover, Cheng Sanwu didn't just give out a benefit. He also secretly used Sanyang Zhenqi to leave a restriction. However, the normal movements would not be activated, but when the Zhenqi was exhausted, Zhang Jida would feel that within five Rufan, only Cheng Sanwu can save him by then.

This move was also Afu's arrangement. She always distrusted Zhang Jida's group and must restrain them.

……

"This is the Plum Blossom Temple."

Changqing looked up and saw a quiet Taoist temple surrounded by dense trees, with ocher walls and black tiles. Although there were still sparse weeds on the roof, the building itself was not damaged, which showed that the materials and workmanship used at the beginning of the construction were very solid.

While leading Changqing, Liu Niang said: "There are large plum blossoms around this Taoist temple, which bloom every time after the Lantern Festival. In the past few years, we would come here to offer incense and pray for blessings, and take a look at the flowers for an outing!"

Changqing looked around. Outside the Taoist temple, ancient plum blossoms were planted everywhere. At this moment, the flower buds were just beginning to show. You can imagine that when they bloom, they will be like fragrant snow covering the mountains.

However, after crossing the threshold, I immediately felt an air of emptiness, loneliness and decadence. It was obvious that no one had lived in the Plum Blossom Temple for a long time, and moss green loomed under the foot of the incense burner.

Changqing asked curiously: "From what you just said, it seems like you haven't been here in recent years?"

Liu Niang sighed slightly when she heard this: "Wulingzhuang has been in a difficult situation in the past few years. Even though we seem to have a big family and a big business, there are troubles everywhere. There are not many people in the Guan family in Huzhou who can help. The old lady is old, and she still needs to I'm running around in person, and we're accompanying you around, so naturally I don't have time to come and watch the plum blossoms."

Changqing was silent for a moment, and then asked: "Didn't there be any Taoist priests at Plum Blossom Temple in the past?"

"I heard that it existed decades ago, but then it disappeared." Liu Niang smiled sweetly: "Plum Blossom Temple is a private temple of Wulingzhuang, and it will definitely not be managed by outsiders."

Chang Qing nodded slightly at first. When he was in Luoyang, Chang'an, he saw wealthy families building private temples of Buddhism and Taoism in their own manors. If a family member practices Taoism and worships Buddhism, they don't need to go to other temples to visit, but settle in private temples.

But then Changqing heard something strange again. Since this Plum Blossom Temple is a private temple in Wulingzhuang, and he came here to settle down, wouldn't he be regarded as a family member?
Changqing has been restless these past few days and cannot even complete his daily practice exercises properly. He can't even figure out why he is upset.

The fact that Mrs. He used Wulingzhuang to recruit her son-in-law may be a blessing to others, but Changqing has long been accustomed to wealth and wealth, so he is not too tempted.As for the Yingying Yanyan in Wuling Villa, it is impossible to surpass Guoseyuan. Facing a woman like Liu Niang, he will not even be touched by the first love of a young man in his heart.

Watching Liu Niang enthusiastically introducing various places in Plum Blossom Temple, Changqing vaguely understood that she might be worried about future changes in her life.

In Changqing's past life, apart from being dependent on his mother, he also practiced Taoism under the disciple of Master Daguan. Everything was arranged by his family elders.It is rare to experience dangerous situations personally, that is, during the time when I went down the mountain to travel to the Western Regions.

But after that, Changqing was almost under the protection of Cheng Sanwu, Su Wangting and others, and never made any decisions for himself.

Looking back on the past, Chang Qing realized that he was actually a person who lacked independent opinions. He always seemed to have a lot of talk about people and things, but he had no plans for his future life. He always felt that it was natural to obey the arrangements of his elders, relatives and friends.

Chang Qing keeps saying that he wants to be single and pure, but can he really not be tempted by women?

When he came to the large water storage tank, Changqing lowered his head and looked down at the water surface that was rippled by the wind. It was beyond description. He seemed to see a figure in a trance, standing under a cold full moon, but always with his back turned. Oneself, too far away to reach.

"Mr. Evergreen?"

Liu Niang's voice interrupted Changqing's trance. She stepped forward and said, "Oh, you don't look good. Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"

There was a warm scent from the woman in front of her, and her overly enthusiastic gaze made Changqing dare not look at her. She quickly took a few steps back and said, "It's okay. Thank you for your concern."

Liu Niang did have a great affection for Chang Qing. When Zhao Yangjun suddenly had an attack, Chang Qing took action to pull her away in time, otherwise she would have been injured by Yan Jin.In addition, when Chang Qing drew his sword for justice later, it happened to be due to her own pleading, which inevitably made her feel emotional.

Thinking that she had obtained the old lady's true heritage, if she wanted to get married in the future, she would definitely look for a good son-in-law, and Chang Qing was the most suitable candidate, so she tried her best to show her goodwill to Chang Qing.

It's a pity that this handsome and seemingly intelligent young man is unexpectedly dull when it comes to matters between men and women. He doesn't seem to come from a wealthy family at all, which only makes Liu Niang more interested.

(End of this chapter)