Fu Shifeng

Chapter 60
No one knows whether Su Wangting is predestined with Buddha, but Wang Yuanbao is really satisfied with this gift-giving and boasting.

Ringing the white jade chime again, the scene of water and moon suddenly disappeared, and the meditation room was restored to its original appearance, making it hard to imagine what kind of illusion method was used just now.

Ordering the monks to put away the big white jade chime, Wang Yuanbao turned around and said, "I heard some time ago that there are monsters in the Western Regions making trouble. Has the business of Su's manager been affected?"

Although the three of Su Wangting had experienced the turmoil in the Western Regions, Wang Yuanbao, who was in Chang'an, did not experience it personally.If you are not a businessman, in order to seize business opportunities, you must always keep abreast of the news from various sources. If you are other wealthy people, I am afraid that you will not care too much about the situation in the Western Regions.

Great Xia opened thousands of miles, which can be said to be unprecedented in ancient and modern times, and there will inevitably be delays in the transmission of news and personnel exchanges, so even if Wang Yuanbao is almost the first person in Chang'an City to learn about the turmoil in the Western Regions, when he knows , the actual situation has also undergone major changes.

Not to mention this kind of monsters bewitching refugees to cause chaos, which happens from time to time. As long as it doesn't capture the capital and block the passage of water transportation, and affect the peaceful life of the rich and powerful in Gyeonggi, everyone will not pay too much attention to it. People deal with it, and there are soldiers who are eager for military merit to fight.

And An Quti's spells are superb, but the turmoil in the Western Regions lasted for several months from the beginning to the end, and was immediately put down by the Dadu Protectorate, and no prefectures and counties were captured.Looking at this dynasty, it is really not a big deal.

In the military intelligence report finally sent to Chang'an, it was nothing more than the usual wording of "devil's execution and the extermination of the chaotic party".Cheng Sanwu was not mentioned in the request for the killing of the leader, but the embroidered emissary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was given the credit.

The Chief Protector of Qi recognized Cheng Sanwu and Su Wangting's contributions, and he did receive financial rewards in private, but his intention to ban Baochang Society could not be more obvious, and Wang Yuanbao should have heard about it.

"I'm ashamed, I happened to bump into the inspector of the Dadu Protectorate, and it was revealed that the Baochang Society accommodated a large number of fugitives, and Su was almost arrested and imprisoned." Su Wangting showed a distressed expression, pressed his knees and bowed his head and said: " If it weren't for the up and down management, I'm afraid Su's life would be lost in the Western Regions."

"It's too unruly for the chief guard of Qi to do this." Wang Yuanbao frowned slightly: "Do you really think that the situation in the Western Regions can be dealt with by force alone? There is no one like Su Zhangshi who manages money, food and wealth. , that's all empty shelf!"

Su Wangting became terrified: "Layman Wang is serious!"

Wang Yuanbao smiled lightly, and then asked: "Baochang Society's business can't continue, so I don't know what the director Su's plan is in the future?"

"To be honest, Su doesn't know what the future holds." Su Wangting said with a wry smile: "Su originally planned to visit Lu Xiangye. Although he has asked someone to help, he doesn't know when he will be able to enter the gate of Xiangfu."

These words seemed to complain, but they were actually showing their usefulness in front of Wang Yuanbao.It is not a secret that Su Wangting is an old official of Lu Xiang's family. Wang Yuanbao took the initiative to arrange for the Kungang Academy to accommodate Su Wangting and his party because of this important relationship.

Chang Qing, who was listening to the conversation between the two, suddenly felt that if Su Wangting really wanted to meet Prime Minister Lu, he might not have to wait for a long time.Su Wangting and Lu Xiang were destined to keep in touch with each other because of his status as a student and old official. He deliberately came to see Wang Yuanbao first and took the initiative to bridge the gap between the two parties.

Changqing guessed that with Lu Xiang's style of work, he probably wouldn't directly negotiate important matters with a wealthy businessman like Wang Yuanbao in person, lest he be caught by others.Therefore, it is best for Su Wangting to contact the two parties, Wang Yuanbao should take the initiative to ask, so that Lu Xiang has more room for maneuver and negotiation.

"Director Su takes himself lightly." Wang Yuanbao praised: "You have been running the Baochang Club in the Western Regions for more than ten years, and your business has flourished. But I don’t know that your eyesight and strategy are the most precious treasure.”

"Layman Wang praised it absurdly." Su Wangting bowed slightly.

"I won't talk about other empty words." Wang Yuanbao's expression became serious: "I intend to invite Su to take charge of the business and help with the business."

For a first-class rich man like Wang Yuanbao, his property is not only inside and outside the capital, how can he manage it alone?To achieve this level of business, it is natural to have many people to help take care of it, just like the government office, there are many officials.

However, people who are good at managing industries, able to seize business opportunities, and proficient in dealing with the imperial court are rare at any time.Not to mention Su Wangting's important relationship with Lu Xiang's old officials, he can often learn about the imperial government's decrees first, so as to seize the benefits in advance.

Wang Yuanbao used to do business mainly to build good relations with those princes, but these years he has gradually reached a bottleneck, the four great families in Chang'an, and the other three have not less stumbling blocks for him, eating away at his territory and manpower everywhere.

Although Wang Yuanbao is still in the upper hand right now, if he ignores it, a major change may occur in a few years, and the business he has worked so hard to create will collapse in an instant, and no one will be able to save it in time.

Wang Yuanbao himself had many nephews, but he knew very well that none of them could inherit the family business.Rather than being completely ruined by them, it is better to enlist a reliable helper to help him stabilize the situation.And Wang Yuanbao can also gradually fade out, leaving only a small part of his property, becoming an ordinary rich man, staying away from the turmoil in the court, this is the best result he imagined.

The arrival of Su Wangting really made Wang Yuanbao see a turning point, he knew this person's ability, just the ability to give gifts just now, many people would never be able to learn it in a lifetime.

On the other hand, Su Wangting thought for a moment and then said: "It's a great honor for Su to be appreciated by Layman Wang. It's just that I have been traveling in the Western Regions for these years, and I know very little about my colleagues in the Central Plains. Kindness."

These words are not blindly humble, even if Su Wangting really wanted to help Wang Yuanbao with his business, he had to understand the situation, otherwise no matter how smart he was, he would fall into the trap of a sheep.

"Of course." Wang Yuanbao thought about it: "The winter solstice is less than three months away, and the treasure fighting event will be held in Weinan County as usual. It just so happens that it's my family's turn to host this year, and Su will be in charge of the specific affairs How about doing it on your behalf and familiarizing yourself with the situation of the characters? I remember that Su’s hometown is in Huazhou, which is next to Weinan, so it’s also convenient for communication.”

"Doubao Club?"

"It was my negligence." Wang Yuanbao lightly supported his forehead: "The four great masters in Chang'an—Wang, Yang, Guo, and Ren are well known to everyone. For the past ten years, they have competed with each other and boasted of their wealth. It happened that one year The winter solstice presented treasures to His Majesty, and the four great masters competed too much, making it unpleasant. In order to prevent chaos, King Qi came forward and invited us four great masters to discuss a safe way.

"It is finally determined that before the winter solstice every year, the heads of the various trading companies under the names of the four major families will return to Chang'an with their treasures and treasures, pass through Weinan County to unload the treasures, and hold a treasure fight here in advance. Entering the palace on the winter solstice to present treasures to His Majesty, naturally enjoy the honor and favor."

Su Wangting nodded secretly. For the four great masters in Chang'an, if they can present treasures in person, the benefits are self-evident. The four great masters must try their best to win the battle.

"But this is not a martial arts competition. How can the world's treasures compete?" Su Wangting asked again.

"When the Treasure Fair is held, King Qi will invite all refined scholars to come and taste it, and we will come to a more fair result." Wang Yuanbao looked at Cheng Sanwu and Changqing behind Su Wangting: "But this Treasure Fair is not only It is a competition for treasures and financial resources, and the secret competition cannot be ignored. This year it is my Wang family's turn to preside over it, and there are many people who try to destroy it."

"Such an important matter, does Layman Wang really want to entrust it to Su?" Su Wangting asked cautiously again.

"I trust Su in charge, not only in your ability, but also in your character." Wang Yuanbao's expression was flat, but revealed an unquestionable momentum.

"Okay." Su Wangting has been running the Baochang Club for many years, and he is also a person who has faced ups and downs. He immediately agreed, and said: "But since Layman Wang entrusted this matter to Su, please feel free to arrange the staff."

"It's as it should be."

……

Afu changed into a crimson round-neck gown, and wore a folded-foot headdress, and walked among the various government offices in the imperial city like an ordinary official.The shape of the fish amulet hanging on the waist is different from that of other Nanya officials. The guards outside the Ministry of Criminal Affairs took a look and recognized the emblem of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and dared not speak out to stop it.

In the office of the Ministry of Punishment, officials of all sizes came and went frequently, and some of them hurriedly walked with files in their hands, and there were voices of disputes over the case in the hall not far away.

At this time, a young Ling Shi saw Afu, a barbarian woman wearing a crimson official uniform, which is very rare even in Chang'an, could it be a female official in the palace?He hurriedly crossed his hands in salute, stopped him and asked, "I don't know what the Shangguan is doing here?"

Afu showed the iron token given by Eunuch Feng, with the pattern of a one-horned Xiezhi on the top, her expression was cold, and she didn't even look at the young Lingshi: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs is doing business, come to check the files, and take me to the file warehouse. "

Hearing the word Internal Servant, Young Ling Shi's knees softened and he almost fell to his knees. Then he wanted to slap himself a few times, and cursed himself for meddling in his own business and provoking these plague gods.

"Shangguan, please..." The young Lingshi had no choice but to bring Afu to the file warehouse covered in cold sweat, and after briefly explaining to the warehouse owner, he left in a hurry.

"I don't know which year's file the Shangguan wants to read?" The warehouse owner bowed and asked.

Afu came to the dark and quiet file warehouse, and saw the shelves and cabinets lined up in rows, the files and files were packed densely, and there was no accumulation of dust, and the master obviously cleaned it frequently.

"Ten years ago...that is, in the third year of the first Yuan Dynasty, the files related to the Heyang massacre." Afu said.

"The Heyang murder case?" The head of the storeroom was slightly taken aback, and bowed with his hands crossed: "Please, Shangguan, please wait."

After waiting for a while, the head of the storeroom came with a dossier, which was tied with a yellow ribbon, and listened to his respectful explanation: "I report to the Shangguan, this dossier is the highest-level 'yellow seal' according to the document order, unless there is a If you want to read it, please go to the small room next to it."

Afu nodded slightly, and followed the head of the storeroom to the hut. After the other party handed over the file, he bowed and retreated, closing the door without asking any more questions.Those who can work here are all very strict-tongued, and they always adhere to the principle of not saying what should not be said, and not asking what should not be asked.

After sitting down, Afu untied the yellow ribbon, and slowly unfolded the file, on which the case was written in neat and square characters, including the specific records of the place where the crime occurred and the body of the deceased.

Interestingly, Afu took a rough look and found that after a rough inspection by the local government, the imperial court urgently sent a judicial officer who is proficient in investigating cases, autopsies, and arresting important criminals to join the army for detailed inspection.

The judicial officer named Zheng Xun was serving in Dongdu at that time. After investigation, he found that there was only one murderer in the Heyang massacre from the beginning to the end, and it was not a group of bandits who committed the crime.

Zheng Xun inspected the corpses one by one, and repeatedly surveyed the Sun's manor, and roughly restored the murder sequence of the murderer. Just reading the text of the dossier, Afu had a sense of being there, secretly thinking that the judicial writer who joined the army was also very good at writing. wonderful.

Zheng Xun pointed out that the murderer killed the whole family of the Sun family because of extremely meticulous planning, because that day happened to be the 50th birthday of the founding uncle of Heyang County, Sun Shaoren, and all the children, wives and concubines were in the manor, and local officials and elders came to celebrate during the day At night, it was a private banquet at home, and the murderer took advantage of the private banquet at night to commit the crime.

Since the banquet lasts all night, there is no need for a large number of people to be on duty overnight. Perhaps Sun Shaoren allowed a group of nurses to return home as a show of tolerance. Therefore, there were only a few slaves in the manor at that time, and they were rewarded with money and were gathering in a remote place to gamble. .

As a result, these nursing homes were the first to be killed, and the murderer struck so fiercely that those nursing homes didn't even have time to warn them, either their necks were broken or their throats were crushed, and there were no traces of scuffling or fighting.

Based on this alone, Zheng Xun speculated that the murderer might have served in the army. This method, similar to night raids on enemy camps and strangulation of guards, was often used by scouts to deal with Donghu outposts in the Youyan border area.

When Afu saw this, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. She recalled Cheng Sanwu's martial arts with swords and guns, which indeed had a taste of what was passed down in the army.She didn't find it strange before, because the Western Regions Trading Company had already accommodated many escaped soldiers.

Continuing to read, Zheng Xun found that the murderer didn't seem to rush into the main hall where the banquet was held, but lured the servants of the Sun family to walk back and forth several times, and then killed them in batches.

From then on, the murderer no longer scruples about the method of killing.When the Sun family noticed something strange, one of the sons rode out with two entourages. Zheng Xun guessed that they were going to report to the officials or dispatch the tenants of the nearby village, but they were nailed to the ground with a few sharpened wooden sticks. , which shows the strength of the murderer.

Afterwards, Zheng Xun believed that the murderer had fallen into madness, and began to kill indiscriminately, without distinguishing between relatives of the Sun family or servants. One clean break.

What is even more frightening is that when Zheng Xun inspected the body, he found that the murderer may have had the habit of cannibalism.

In the end, Sun Shaoren was also brutally murdered. His head was torn apart from his neck, and his death was extremely painful.He seemed to have sent several servants to escort a concubine Ji away, but in the end, the group of people did not survive, and the murderer quickly caught up and killed them all.

(End of this chapter)