But the bright moon shines on the ditch

Xu Zhiliu only took a nap at home for less than a stick of incense, and went to the temporary county government office on Gongguan Road after dawn.

At this time, the troublemakers had not yet dispersed, sitting in groups of three or four under the willow tree outside the gate, or gathered on the wall, muttering something in a low voice.

Around them are long poles, sickles for cutting bamboo, and sharp tools for cutting mud made of straw, etc., which are scattered under their feet and can be picked up at will.

Xu Zhiliu didn't need to ask anything, their "conspiracy" was exposed, and they were waiting for the hundreds of kilns in this huge town to wake up.

Xu Zhiliu first went to the backyard to meet Zhang Wensi.

He asked Zhang Wensi to let him go. How could Zhang Wensi think that a group of people dared to set fire to the yamen, and relying on the reputation of rebuilding the Tong Bin Temple a while ago, they threatened that they would not be afraid of making a big fuss, and just asked the people to give him this The county magistrate presides over justice.

"It's reasonable for them to persuade the people of Zhou to smash up the Suhu guild hall and cause such a huge loss and injury? As a county parent official, how can I let them do whatever they want?!"

Xu Zhiliu didn't want to play bureaucracy with him, so after examining him calmly for a while, he said, "Master Zhang, have you forgotten Wanniang?"

Zhang Wensi's heart skipped a beat.

"The rabbit bites people in a hurry. If Xu Daren wants to encroach on the territory of the people of Zhou, it is tantamount to pushing them into a pit of fire. Don't you just wait for death if you lose your livelihood? If it were you, would you just sit and wait for death?"

Before Zhang Wensi could open his mouth, he said, "There are not many people in the world who are as violent as Wanniang, but there are not many who can be immortalized like Tong Binyao God, and their fame will last forever. You think everything can be like Wanniang Burning the Temple of Fenghuo is the same, keeping the name before and after the event? Mr. Zhang, I advise you to think twice before you act, and don't smash your own signboard for a momentary gain."

Zhang Wensi saw that he made his words clear, and immediately turned pale: "Presumptuous! You dare to talk to me like this, do you take me seriously?"

"You're going to lose your life. It's nothing to be an official. It's all about death."

Xu Zhiliu's light words made Zhang Wen think of that rainy night, think of the young man in front of him, and maybe also think of the same way of death as Wanniang, without words for a long time.

It is true that he has a bit of boldness and wants to do something in Jingdezhen, but it is true that as Xu Zhiliu said, the current situation is not completely in his hands.

Xu Daren pulled several cartloads of gold and silver, and sent them all to the eunuch's kennel. He only got some superficial benefits, why should he step on his dignity under his feet and give them the wind?
But if he didn't borrow the donkey from the slope, and things got worse, he probably wouldn't get any benefit.On the other side of the eunuch, he must be held accountable.

In the final analysis, he, the county magistrate, has no prestige.I don't know who spread the rumors, it is said that behind Xu Daren's madness is the backing of this stupid official, when the people of Huangjiazhou heard it, how could they dare to believe him?But he is really wronged!I didn't take advantage of the benefits, and I got a whole body of fish!

Now he also understands that Xu Zhiliu came to fix this incident, obviously humiliating him.

But what can he do?
The eunuch believed in this guy and insisted on pulling him aboard. Now that they are grasshoppers on the same rope, can he turn against the eunuch?Zhang Wensi thought for a while angrily, and had to compromise.

"Your Majesty Zuo An entrusted this matter to you, and I will make it convenient for you. It's just that the ugly words are first, and all matters in the town must be recorded and submitted to the state government. I am not the only one who can make black and white. If you let him go and you still want to make trouble again, but if there is a word of it, you will be responsible for it."

Now Huang Jiazhou and Suhu Guild Hall have fought three times. Judging from yesterday's momentum, it is not a problem to have a bloody scene.At that time, and handing over the hot potato, he can "escape the golden cicada's shell" and pick himself out of this bad thing.

After Zhang Wensi made such a plan, he wrote a letter and sent it to the state capital quickly. He paved the way for himself first, and Zhang Guanli put all the blame on the people of Huangjiazhou.

Xu Zhiliu personally picked up the troublemakers from prison and sent them all the way back to Huangjiazhou.

Wu Yin's men took a step back, followed the county government's courier out of the city, then intercepted the letter, and sent it back to Xu Zhiliu's desk on the same day, it was already Shen Shi.

The people in the town have been busy all day, and each family turns on the stove to cook evening food.Fearing that things might change, Xu Zhiliu couldn't wait for a moment. After opening the letter and reading it, he went to Zhoutan again and asked to see the governor of Huangjiazhou.

The governor, also surnamed Xu, was called Xu Fu. He was one of the first Duchang people to sell waste porcelain on the beach. His parents and brothers both did this business. The relatives called their relatives and friends to come over, and gradually grew the beach, so he could speak among the people of Huangjiazhou, and was elected as the governor of the state.

Xu Fu is an honest man, but clay figurines are very angry, no matter how honest they are, they have a temper.

Hearing that Zhoumin said that the famous Xu Shaodong's family came to look for him, Xu Fuxian was still happy, and ran out to greet him joyfully. After walking a few steps, people slowed down, and the joy on his face dissipated.

He paused, turned his head immediately, and said, "No see!"

Although the Zhoumin who came to Tongchuan were surprised by Xu Fu's change, they didn't ask any more questions, and said after a while, "He refused to leave, he was still outside, and said he must see you today."

When Xu Fu heard this, he sneered and said, "Then let him wait, and do whatever you want, and leave him alone."

With these words, the islanders dispersed and went about their own business.After a while, the aroma of hot rice wafted over the beach.Shi Nian took a sniff, his stomach growled a few times, and he muttered: "This continent is full of ostentation, and I don't know how long people will wait."

Xu Zhiliu glanced at him, and immediately fell silent.

He just made a mistake last night, and now he is afraid, lest Xu Zhiliu will feel disgusted if he made a mistake.However, he has followed the young master for a long time, so he understands his temperament somewhat, and knows that he will not treat the subordinates harshly, not because he is afraid of being beaten and scolded, but because he is afraid of renunciation.

If he left his heart, he would not be far away from abandoning it. When he thought of the person who asked him to hand over the things last night, his teeth itch with hatred.What a little god, he was born with a pitiful appearance, which made him suffer so much.

He scolded Liang Peiqiu in his heart, suffering so much, when Xu Shi was too hungry, he stepped forward and said, "My lord, why don't we come back tomorrow? The doctor said that you are not in good health and you need to eat regularly. , it’s dark today.”

He calculated the time, and the governor of Huangjiazhou let them wait for three full hours!Even his iron body couldn't bear it, besides, Xu Zhiliu didn't cherish himself very much, he often suffered from abdominal pain, and over the years, he had already been sick.

Looking at the thin layer of sweat on his forehead now, how could this person who had been by his side all the year round not see it?It must be an old disease.Because he didn't wait for Xu Zhiliu to refuse, he hurriedly said, "I'll go back to the kiln to get evening food."

Xu Zhiliu pondered for a while, then nodded in agreement.

Shi Nian breathed a sigh of relief and hurried away.Not long after, he came back with a bamboo basket, Xu Zhiliu only took a sip of water, ate half a steamed bun and let it go, let Shi Nian go to eat by himself.

Shi Nian couldn't persuade him, and he was angry with himself.

Xu Zhiliu looked at the sky, but he didn't know what he was thinking.At this time, a group of horseshoes came, and within a short while, Wu Yin, who was dressed in black and strong, arrived on the beach and strode in front of him, his face full of joy.

Seeing that he was about to open his mouth to say something, Xu Zhiliu motioned to the left and right.

Wu Yin followed the trend and saw that this group of people, who should have been asleep long ago, were looking at them from a distance with their big eyes wide open.A torch was erected on the beach, illuminating their faces flickering, like ghosts hiding in the bushes.

Wu Yin was taken aback by being stared at by many pairs of eyes.The local residents were already prepared. After seeing the ornaments on Wu Yin's waist, someone gave a low call to the inspection department, and immediately turned their eyes away, but none of them left.

I don't know who is watching.

Wu Yinsui coughed, and said in a low voice: "I just got a secret letter from Beijing and China, Mr. Xia is on his way to take office."

Xu Zhiliu's back trembled, and he asked uncertainly, "Xia Ying?"

"Yes, very sure. I think Zhang Wensi, the acting magistrate, may not be here for long. Mr. Xia has been away for a few days. According to the time calculation, it should be these few days, and he should arrive."

He immediately leaned forward and whispered to Xu Zhiliu, "As soon as Xia Ying arrives, this case will have a chance!"

He knew the purpose of Xu Zhiliu's visit here, no matter what the reasons and considerations were, he was always unwilling to see being a lackey of a eunuch.So the first time I received the secret letter, I didn't care that it was already night, so I rushed over on horseback.

He spoke in a shallow way, and Xu Zhiliu understood what opportunities were not opportunities.Xia Ying assumed the post in a low-key manner, presumably Duman Zhanluan was already under control, and maybe he had some clues to mediate in the court, so that he was able to take office secretly without disturbing the eunuchs.

He doesn't know which officials are here to help him. Just looking at the current situation, there must be new changes in the court.This is undoubtedly good news for him. Once Xia Ying takes office, Xu Daren's bribery of An Nineteen to seize Zhoumin's territory is revealed. The supervisor of pottery officials who are "death criminals and exiled crimes" will never stand up.

Just thinking about it makes the blood in my whole body boil.

Have the opportunity!
Have the opportunity!
Even God is helping them!

Wu Yin's silent eyes were shining brightly, and a big hand on Xu Zhiliu's shoulder kept patting and stroking, as if saying, what are you waiting for?Follow me quickly, and arrest Xu Daren, control the county government, and wait for Xia Ying to arrive!At that time, these guys will all be in one pot!
However, after meeting Wu Yin's fiery gaze, Xu Zhiliu's heart cooled down a little.

A chance doesn't mean a certainty.He had many opportunities in the past, but what he thought was foolproof turned into a dream in the end.He can't put himself, his family, and Hutian kiln under the dangerous wall again without being safe.

He can't afford to lose.

Even though Wu Yin had the inspection department as his reliance, his chances of winning were much higher than in the past, but for him, there was only one chance.He wants to die nineteen times, if he can't do it with one blow, then he is dead.

In just a few breaths, Xu Zhiliu's face changed several times, Wu Yin's heart tightened, and he asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Xu Zhiliu shook his head, looked at Heitian: "What time is it?"

"It's almost midnight." Wu Yin said thoughtfully, "If you have something to do, you can just leave. I'll take someone here to watch it, and keep it safe." It's that he needs it.Wu Yin said, "Even if you don't want to act now, let's delay this matter until Xia Ying comes over, there is still room for change. But..."

But if Xu Zhiliu really did something for An Nineteen, it would be too late.

Wu Yin's palm exerted force unconsciously: "You can't..."

"I know."

"then you……"

Xu Zhiliu closed his eyes, and the figures of An Nineteen, Zhang Wensi, Xu Zhong, his father and others flashed through his mind again, like a fog lingering in front of his eyes, which he couldn't get rid of.His frown became tighter and tighter, and the expression on his face became more and more condensed, until his hand touched the soft knot in the sleeve, and in an instant, he regained his calm.

It's time.

He said to Wu Yin: "You go back first."

Wu Yin's eyes widened in disbelief: "You..."

"Let's go back."

Xu Zhiliu smiled lightly, still with that unpredictable expression.Seeing this, Wu Yin didn't stay any longer, got on his horse, and met his eyes again before leaving.

"Xu Zhiliu, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Xu Zhiliu nodded and replied, "I'm sure."

Wu Yin didn't say anything more, just rode away and left.There was a burst of dust on the island beach, and after a while, the figures dispersed, and the islanders who were hiding in the dark were relieved.

In the middle of the night, the inspection department suddenly brought someone over, anyone would think too much.Of course, the movement was not small, and Xu Fu knew about it.

Xu Zhiliu waited for another stick of incense, and a figure appeared in front of him.

Xu Fu smoked a welding cigarette, held the pipe in one hand, looked at the young man in front of him under the torch held up by Zhoumin, and snorted softly: "Are you here to be a lobbyist for Xu Daren?"

As soon as these words came out, the people of the continent were moved upon hearing the news, and they rushed from the shadows one after another, surrounding Xu Zhiliu in the middle.

I remembered that Xu Zhiliu was invited by Xu Daren to the Suhu guild hall yesterday, I didn't know what to discuss, and then he personally brought someone out from the county government prison, comparing the before and after, it is obvious that he is not a good person.On Zhoumin's side, they thought he was also from Duchang, and they were deeply grateful to him when they saw the injustice, but now they want to understand the cause and effect, and they all scold him.

They spoke in dialects, spittle flying all over the place, as harsh as they could be.

Shi Nian was following behind Xu Zhiliu, and was scolded so angry that he shouted: "Shut up, shut up, our young master is not this kind of person, shut up quickly."

Unexpectedly, Xu Zhiliu slightly raised his hand and said to Xu Fu: "Master Xu Zhou, if I don't come today, what are you going to do? Go to the state government to sue the officials?"

He took out the letter with the seal of Fuliang county magistrate and handed it to Xu Fu.

Xu Fu could recognize a few large characters, and looked at the seal with a torch, his face turned black and he cursed: "This dog official!"

"Now, can we sit down and have a good talk?"

The townspeople didn’t see the letter, and they didn’t want him to enter their own land. They crowded forward again. Some said they would tie up Xu Zhiliu and throw him to the Suhu Guild Hall, and then tie up Xu Daren and throw him directly to Changjiang. Some said he would give him a beating. , Hit until no one dares to come forward as a lobbyist!
Hearing what they said to each other back then, he was so frightened that he wanted to pull out the dagger he was carrying with him, but he was bumped into his arm by a big man. When he pulled out his hand, the dagger fell to the ground, and the local people saw it squarely.

People on both sides were silent for a while, seeing what he brought over, the locals, not to be outdone, quickly picked up the guy and started yelling and killing.

Seeing this scene for the first time in Shinian, he was really frightened, his face was pale, and he hid behind Xu Zhiliu, not daring to move.Xu Zhiliu always looked at it indifferently, only looking at Xu Fu calmly.

At this time, Xu Fu gave a loud shout, drove the people away, and personally welcomed Xu Zhiliu to his shop and sat down.

They hadn't set up a stall for a few days, and there were a few tables and chairs on the pavement for discussion. There was a pot of rough tea on it, and the tea bowls were also made of rough pottery. They were not very expensive, but the traces of handwork were very delicate. The rough mouth of the bowl is inlaid with a circle of waves.

Xu Zhiliu only took one look at it and concluded that Xu Fu is also a porcelain lover.It's just that the livelihood is difficult, so they sell scraps.

He said: "Since ancient times, when two groups of people collided, they had to make peace or one would be injured. To tell you the truth, I was indeed entrusted by Xu Daren to discuss with you the matter of ceding the beach."

He didn't mention that he had proposed yesterday that Xu Daren would stop by cutting his own leg, but he didn't get any response from the people, nor could Xu Daren be swayed.

Xu Daren sold a lot of money and insisted on snatching the territory that did not belong to him.Now that the money and silver are all in the bag, it is impossible for An Jiu to spit it out, so he can only start with Huang Jiazhou.

Xu Zhiliu is really aggrieved as a peacemaker, but the world is like this, everyone has to admit it.

"You have also seen the county government document just now, you should know that the road of suing the state government will not work."

Xu Fu looked around, pointed to the people on the beach and said to him: "Look at these people, look at their clothes, and work hard every day, just to fill their stomachs and support their families. What else do you think?" They don’t even have any heads. They will do it to anyone who wants to make them starve. Since Xu Daren can invite you, Xu Shaodong’s family, to be a lobbyist, he must be a bit jealous of the arrogance of us low-stakes merchants. If the state government can’t, sue How about going to the capital?"

Knowing their grievances, Xu Zhiliu was earning a decent living, but one day he was told that the land belonged to someone else, and doing business here was just a way to make a living, and now they have to pay land rent, isn't it killing them?Who is willing?Who can bow their heads!

Once he was in the same mood as them.

He asked Xu Fu: "Master Xu Zhou, do you think the people can win against officials?"

Xu Fu said: "Of course one person can't do it. But a group of people may not be able to do it."

Naturally, he had heard about the incident a while ago, and guessed that Xu Zhiliu was tricked by someone and forced to bow his head to the eunuch, and he became a pawn of the eunuch ever since.Just because he can't, doesn't mean they can't either.

"Barefoot people are not afraid of those who wear shoes. Your Shaodong Xu has a Hutian kiln in front and a small family in the back. You have too many worries. Unlike us, you only have a cheap life."

"Does Governor Xu not care about his own life, or the lives of these people? If they really fight to the death, and these children lose their parents, can the bustle of the past be restored on the beach? They can still grow up carefree. Is it big? You said that you can go to the capital to sue, but now in this town, you still can't get anything good, and if you leave the town, can you guarantee that you will reach the capital alive?"

"Stop talking, we've thought about what you said, but if we don't resist, we won't be able to survive this day!"

Xu Fu knocked a pipe on the table, and all the locals who had been watching stood up in unison, their eyes were like wolves and tigers, as if they wanted to eat people.

Shi Nian didn't doubt at all that they could tear people apart, so he just gently tugged on Xu Zhiliu's sleeve.

The child was scared out of his wits, Xu Zhiliu turned his head, gave him a comforting smile, and then got up with Zhou Min and Xu Fu.

Speaking of this point, both sides understand the truth, even if they refuse to give in, it will be futile to continue talking.Xu Fu thought he was going to leave, but when he didn't want to, he raised his hand and opened a corner of his shirt.

The so-called people on Moshang are like jade, and the son is unparalleled in the world. In Xu Fu's view, Xu Zhiliu and them are completely two kinds of people in the sky and the earth.This kind of role that has been sung in other people's mouths for many years, in normal times, even if they stand face to face, there is an insurmountable gap between them, not to mention that they have never even had the chance to face each other before.

However, just today, on this muddy shoal, in the territory of these Jingdezhen scumbags, in a group of beggars' nests, not only did the high-ranking sons of the past show up, but they were also left to hang out for half an afternoon.

Now, even take off the noble clothes.

Just like that, under the burning torch, he exposed his chest to others.

Xu Fu saw the scar on his lower abdomen at a glance. Looking carefully, the scar was not too big, but judging from the shape of the scar, it must be a serious injury.

He was surprised, how could he, a young owner of a folk kiln, suffer such an injury?

Xu Zhiliu turned around slowly, moving very slowly, and didn't mind being looked at, and brave children dared to touch her, while some unmarried girls hid in their mother's arms.

He only heard the clear voice saying word by word: "This is the punishment I received for leapfrogging my superiors."

Everyone was shocked.

"Leapfrog to appeal? When did you..." Before he finished speaking, Xu Fu guessed something, his eyes widened, and after receiving Xu Zhiliu's affirmative gaze, he slowly lowered his head.

"Master Xu Zhou, if you can accept the same or even worse results than me, if you can accept that the parents of these children will be exiled, severely injured, or even unable to do business for the rest of their lives, if you can accept these worst results, then , Let’s pretend I haven’t been here today.”

People who keep saying that they are not afraid of death, who can really not be afraid of death, death is still far away from them.But after seeing the scars on Xu Zhiliu's body with their own eyes, and feeling the ugliness of the scars so closely, even the kind of people who seemed to them well-clothed and noble had almost died, they finally had a little understanding of death. real feelings.

In other words, they have a more specific imagination of the final result.

It seems that being exploited by the powerful class is not so unacceptable compared to life and death.Eat more hardships, pick up more rags, the whole family is neatly together, the body is in good health, what day is there no hope, must die?

Xu Fu knew that everyone was shaken.

In the face of real death, they become less determined.In fact, how many flesh and blood bodies can not be afraid in the face of harm?They dared to act recklessly again and again before, and the momentum of unity was just to vent their anger.

Now I beat and scolded, and I was vented, and then I was told that changing the result would have to risk my life, and that vent was vented.

Once one person slackens, slowly the whole team will collapse.

Xu Zhiliu is a capable person who knows how to kill their fighting spirit.But he was right, Xu Fu was not afraid of death, but he was afraid that the children would live in darkness and never see hope.

Because of the next long sigh, he raised his hand and invited Xu Zhiliu to sit down again.

This time Xu Zhiliu got a cup of coarse tea.

"The tea trees planted on my own mountain are all sold, and I keep some old tea for myself to drink. It's not worth anything."

Xu Zhiliu took a sip and said, "It's delicious, with a long aftertaste."

Xu Fu seemed to know what he meant, nodded and smiled self-deprecatingly.

"Today you came out at the county government office to welcome people, and you have stood on the beach for so long. Many people on the pier have seen it. They are not stupid. Tomorrow, the notoriety of your Young Master Xu's family may spread throughout the town. Are you not afraid? ?”

"I'm the same as Chief Xu Zhou. I have nothing to fear."

"really?"

Xu Zhiliu didn't respond.

The terrain of the beach is low, and here you can see the high and low folk kilns along the river. They are scattered together, revealing their huge bodies under the starry sky.

Beneath its dormant silhouette, there is no lack of momentum.

It was a majestic, silent momentum that required waiting.

After drinking tea, Xu Zhiliu said slowly: "I will negotiate with Xu Daren to minimize the land rent. In addition, I will ask him to give you a compensation in private, and this compensation will be in the form of Suhu shipping cooperation accomplish."

It is impossible for Xu Daren to take money directly from his pocket to subsidize Zhoumin, but it is beneficial to bring some waste porcelain and tea on the boat, or take Zhoumin to buy special products in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and then bring them back. Lee presumably he is willing to cede.

After all, for the ship merchants who have to go back and forth, it is just a matter of carrying hands, and there is no loss, so it is nothing. But for the small businessmen, the shipping conditions of Suhu Guild Hall Or the safety factor, they are all things they can't find to rely on.

Hearing what Xu Zhiliu said, Xu Fu shook his head and sighed, "You."

If Xu Zhiliu just said these things when he came up, he would definitely refuse.Now, after hitting a few sticks and giving a date, he actually thinks it is sweet.

People are really cheap, and this young man is really smart.

He used his intelligence to calculate people's hearts, and worked for eunuchs who had no descendants. The good reputation he had accumulated over the years might go to waste overnight. Xu Fu didn't know how to evaluate it for a while. Praise Xu Zhiliu's four words - "upright and clean", now I don't know if he can still keep it.

That night, Xu Zhiliu had a long talk with Xu Fu, the head of Huangjiazhouzhou, knowing the benefits and harms, and using both kindness and power to resolve a disaster.

Xu Fu knew that with the current power of the eunuchs, they were able to get cheap shipping cooperation from Xu Daren, which might be the best ending Xu Zhiliu could do.

Otherwise, even if you sue at the feet of the emperor, you may not be able to escape unscathed, not to mention that the road is so far away, who would know if you die halfway?

So compromise, take a step back.

This is the end of Huangjiazhou's fight with weapons.

But this night, the lion finally lost its "big and round".

Guess whether Qiuqiu is waiting for Brother Liu?