Jinghong Tower

Chapter 315 Take action (two chapters in one)

Along the way, Mu Ling did not go smoothly. The second leader sent people to chase and surround Mu Ling. Mu Ling was a Han Chinese. She first disguised herself as a man and followed the caravan, and later disguised herself as a beggar and a coolie, all the way to the capital.

According to Mu Ling, those four were not the only ones sent by the second leader. She was besieged once when she was in Baoding Mansion, and that time there were more than ten people.

The four people who were arrested refused to confess, so He Zhen used some tricks to finally pry open the mouth of one of them.

Much like what Mu Ling said, there were thirty of them. When they passed through Yichang, they were treated as rogues by the Huwei Army. Most of them were killed or injured. There are still fourteen people left.

When they were approaching the capital, they discussed and did not dare to enter the capital rashly. Four of them went to the city first to check out the situation, and the remaining ten people stayed temporarily in Sanli Village outside the city.

The status of these ten people has been elevated to the level of detailed work, and He Ran handed over the matter to Zhong Yi.

That night, those ten people were served in one pot by Jin Yiwei.

The confessions of these people were similar to what Mu Ling said. Nong Lao Er, Nong Lao Er and Nong Lao San had indeed cooperated with Wang Hao. It was Nong Lao Er and Nong Lao San who came forward, but Nong Lao Er was the one in control of the overall situation.

Not only did Wang Hao bribe these two former uncles, he also promised to make Nong Cuidan the queen, on an equal footing with Queen Chen.

For this reason, Tan Acai's mother and son and Nong's three brothers fought openly and secretly. On the surface, Tan Acai's mother and son controlled the army, but in fact, Nong's three brothers were the ones who really had the right to speak because they held Nong Liu Niang.

He Ran couldn't help laughing when she heard the news.

Nong Liu Niang was Wang Hao's first wife. Wang Hao used the power of the Nong family to raise an army. After establishing a foothold, he married Queen Chen in order to gain recognition from the Han people.

On the surface, the two queens were equal, but in fact, Wang Hao did not let Nong Liu Niang have a child. He did not want to have descendants of Dong people's blood.

After seeing through his intentions, Nong Liu Niang turned against him, rose up in rebellion, and with the support of King Laotong, took away half of Wang Hao's territory.

But now, for the sake of the position of queen, the Nong family did not hesitate to kill King Laodong and imprison Nong Liu Niang. The brothers turned against each other and killed each other.

He Ran really wanted to meddle in this nosy matter, and also wanted to wade into this muddy water.

She even wanted to go in person.

But it's too far away, and it's almost enough for Zhou Cangyue to go, but firstly, Nong Liu Niang doesn't necessarily want to cooperate with Zhou Cangyue, and secondly, Zhou Cangyue has too much time to take care of himself.

He Ran thought about it over and over, and his eyes fell on Zhong Yi.

She thought of the female killers that Zhong Yi took over from Helin Temple.

Those female killers are still in Hengshan.

He Ran called Zhong Yi, and she didn't beat around the bush and told her about Dong Xi.

Zhong Yi looked at her and asked, "Can you make the Dong people obey your orders?"

He Ran looked at him and suddenly said: "In the previous dynasty, there was a man named Jiang Yuanfang. He was half Dong people. He was originally a wealthy businessman and a local gentry, but he was despised by the Han people, and the local Han officials even formed a gang. To calculate his wealth.

Jiang Yuanfang's two sons and one daughter all died for this reason. The Han officials even accused Jiang Yuanfang of being a bandit and put him in prison.

Jiang Yuanfang bribed the guards and escaped from the prison.

He knew that he was in danger. In troubled times, his family wealth and his bloodline would be destroyed. He wanted to find someone he could rely on. "

When He Ran said this, he looked at Zhong Yi with bright eyes.

Distant memories were opened, and Zhong Yi thought of this person.

At that time, Zhouchi was in Xiangyang.

Jiang Yuanfang came to Zhou Chi and promised that he could persuade King Dong to submit to the imperial court. However, after this was accomplished, Zhou Chi wanted to make him a provincial envoy.

But Zhou Chi didn't agree!
He Jinghong later heard that he had asked him, and Zhou Chi said this.

"Those who are not of my race must have different intentions."

He even almost killed Jiang Yuanfang.

Afterwards, Jiang Yuanfang escaped from Xiangyang City. He took refuge with King Baoxiang and persuaded the three most powerful cave owners at the time to submit to King Baoxiang. King Baoxiang made him a general.

In order to thank King Baoxiang for his kindness, Jiang Yuanfang guarded that land throughout his life. The land under Jiang Yuanfang's jurisdiction at that time was now the combined territory of Wang Hao and Nong Liuniang.

Until Zhou Chi ascended the throne, he did not take that piece of land into his pocket. In other words, the southwest land had always belonged to King Baoxiang.

Zhou Chi once sent an envoy to negotiate with King Baoxiang, and the person sent by King Baoxiang to negotiate was Jiang Yuanfang.

The result was that the peace talks failed.

King Baoxiang had occupied the southwest for many years and fought no less than a hundred battles with the imperial army.

It was not until King Baoxiang died, Jiang Yuanfang also died, and the descendants of King Baoxiang started fighting among themselves that Zhou Chi took the opportunity to send troops.

It is a pity that Zhou Chi did not regain this land until his death. The battle lasted for five or six years and ended at the hands of Taizong.

Although the descendants of King Baoxiang were driven away, many years of wars left the people in dire straits. Although the imperial army sent officials to various parts of the southwest, these officials were in a difficult situation. There were constant conflicts between the Miao, Dong and other barbarians. Later, King Gui became a vassal. Instead of getting better, the situation has taken a turn for the worse.

The imperial court used force to suppress it many times, but it had little effect.

Until the King of Jin raised his troops, the world was in chaos. Wang Hao united with the Dong people and raised his troops, gradually forming the current situation.

The reason why He Ran mentioned this past incident was because she knew that Zhou Chi would definitely regret it later.

Sure enough, He Ran saw Zhong Yi's face that had been frozen for thousands of years and changed color visibly to the naked eye.

"You want me to go?" Zhong Yi asked.

He Ran smiled: "I want you to lead the team. The local situation is complicated and you have to do it."

Zhong Yi said coldly: "Aren't you afraid that I will become the second Treasure Elephant King?"

He Ran asked back: "Can you do it?"

Zhong Yi said nothing.

It's not about whether he can do it or not, it's about how he can't do it.

King Baoxiang himself is a barbarian. The locals believe in gods. King Baoxiang is the leader of the largest tribe and the only king recognized by the high priest. The locals believe that Baoxiang is the incarnation of the gods in the earthly world.

With the power of a country, Zhou Chi was unable to defeat King Baoxiang until his death. How could Zhongyi be so virtuous and capable as to become the second King Baoxiang?
Even He Ran thinks that at least for now, she can't do it.

"How are those female killers doing now?" He Ran asked.

Zhong Yi said in a calm voice: "It's ready to be used."

He Ran said: "Choose a few people."

A few days later, a team led by Zhong Yi and He Jiangqi as the vice-captain was formed.

There are a total of thirty people in this team, including Jin Yiwei, members of the Eagle Team, and the female assassin from Hengshan.

He Ran called Mu Ling and said to her: "I'll lend these people to you. Take them with you to rescue Nong Liu Niang and help her regain military power."

Mu Ling did not expect that He Ran only gave her thirty people. Although she was a little disappointed, she remembered that Nong Liu Niang had expressed her admiration for He Ran more than once. She thought that although there were only thirty people, maybe the thirty people People are great.

She has no one else to turn to now, and no one else is willing to help.

Mu Ling embarked on the road home with this rescue team in a nervous mood. The journey is long, but she is hopeful.

After seeing off Mu Ling, He Ran went to Lao's house and met with Lao Guanghuai and his wife.

After Lao Guanghuai and Mrs. Shangguan returned to the capital, He Ran often asked people to deliver things to them, but she was too busy. Apart from the meeting when they first came back, this was the first time He Ran came to visit her.

She had great respect for the couple, who truly treated her as their granddaughter.

Lao Guanghuai and Mrs. Shangguan didn't expect that He Ran would come here in person. They were surprised and happy, especially Mrs. Shangguan, who held He Ran's hand and couldn't bear to let go.

"I made this preserved fruit myself. You can try it to see if it tastes like it. If you like it, I'll have someone pack more for you. You can take it with you and take it out when you want to eat."

Lao Guanghuai said hurriedly: "What is her current status? How can she carry snacks with her? You are really confused."

Mrs. Shangguan said: "Then wait until there are no outsiders before taking it out to eat."

He Ran had not enjoyed this kind of warmth from her relatives for a long time. She picked up a piece of preserved fruit and put it in her mouth. She said happily: "This preserved fruit is so delicious. Grandma, please pack more for me. I usually want to buy it." You can’t buy such delicious preserved fruit.”

Mrs. Shangguan was overjoyed and went to prepare preserved fruits happily.

Only then did Lao Guanghuai ask, "You came to see me for something?"

He Ran smiled and said, "Grandpa, would you like to come out?"

Lao Guanghuai was startled and said with a wry smile: "I have been begging for bones a long time ago. Besides, if you let me come out of the mountain, won't you be afraid of being stigmatized by the world?"

He Ran shook his head: "Don't avoid relatives when promoting talents. Besides, my grandfather is known to be a capable official. You have the talent for planning. Grandpa, just help me."

Lao Guanghuai was startled: "You want me to go to the Ministry of Finance?"

He Ran sighed: "Grandpa, you are the most suitable person and the person I can trust the most. I am too short of money now."

Lao Guanghuai thought for a moment and nodded slowly: "Okay."

He Ran didn't expect that Lao Guanghuai would agree so readily, and all the long speech she had prepared would be useless.

She stayed at Lao's house for a meal, and took a lot of snacks with her when she left.

After taking the official exam, she worked in the side hall of Wenxian Hall, but she never stayed overnight there. Even if she was busy until late at night, she would return to her home in Laomofang Hutong.

Today is the earliest time I’ve been home recently.

As soon as he entered the house, Xiaoba flew over and shouted: "We have guests, we have guests."

There are not many people who can be regarded as guests by Xiaoba.

Mr. Ba is looking high.

Qingzui came out and said to He Ran, "Miss Chang is here."

The girl Chang that Qing Zhui mentioned was Lu Chang, Lu Zhen's cousin and the current head shopkeeper of Jinghong Tower in the capital.

Lu Chang stood in front of He Ran handsomely. He Ran said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for two or three months. You seem to have grown taller again."

Lu Chang was surprised: "Really? I didn't even realize it myself."

He Ran asked: "Have you eaten?"

Lu Chang nodded: "Sister-in-law Jin cooked noodles for me to eat."

Sister-in-law Jin is the cook here.

When the two of them walked into the house, He Ran asked, "Is there something wrong with you coming here so late?"

Lu Chang said: "Jinghong Tower received a business order, and I'm here to ask for instructions from the boss."

He Ran knew that the "business" Lu Chang mentioned was definitely not the business in the bank.

But the real business of Jinghong Tower.

"Tell me about it." He Ran said.

Lu Chang: "The visitor is from Jinling. He is a domestic servant of Mr. Dong, the former minister of the Ministry of Industry. He asked Jinghong Tower to find Mr. Dong's granddaughter Dong Jinzhen."

The Lord Dong mentioned by Lu Chang became an official after Min Xi ascended the throne. After becoming an official, Lord Dong returned to his hometown in the south of the Yangtze River and has not been heard from since.

However, according to the news heard by He Ran, the reason why Mr. Dong retired early was because someone accused him of being friends with bandits. For this reason, Jin Yiwei also investigated him. Although no conclusive evidence was found, Dong Your Excellency was greatly affected by this. He fell ill and later became an official.

He Ran said: "The Dong family had already gone to Jiangnan before King Jin raised his army. What happened to Dong Jinzhen?"

Lu Chang said: "According to what the servant said, Mr. Dong closed his doors and thanked guests after returning home. But after all, he once held a high position. He didn't want to see people, but many people rushed to make friends with him. Those people inquired Before Dong Jinzhen got engaged, he first came to propose marriage. After being rejected, he tried every means to get close to Dong Jinzhen.

On the first and fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, Mrs. Dong would take her family members to the temple to offer incense. Someone would meet Dong Jinzhen by chance in the temple, causing Dong Jinzhen's reputation to be damaged.

Dong Jinzhen was in a depressed mood. Mrs. Dong felt sorry for her granddaughter, so she sent her to her maternal grandfather's home in Shunde Prefecture to stay and relax.

Dong Jinzhen's maternal ancestor's family name was Qi. Mr. Qi was an old Hanlin scholar, and the Qi family also came from a scholarly family.

But only half a year later, Mr. Dong received an urgent letter from the Qi family. Dong Jin was really kidnapped by bandits.

At that time, the Qi family said that Dong Jinzhen was kidnapped by bandits on his way out to offer incense. However, the people sent by Mr. Dong found Dong Jinzhen's maid and knew that this was not the case. Dong Jinzhen was probably framed by the Qi family's cousins.

But the Qi family refused to admit it, and the Dong family reported it to the government, and the two families turned against each other. But in the end, even the government failed to find out Dong Jin's true whereabouts.

The Dong family had been looking for Dong Jinzhen, but not long after, the imperial court moved the capital south, and the Dong family had to stop searching.

Now the reason why the Dong family secretly sent people north is because they received news that someone said that in the year when the capital was moved, they saw a woman who looked exactly like Dong Jinzhen in the capital.

Therefore, the Dong family sent their loyal servant north, but as soon as their eyes darkened, they went to Jinghong Tower. "

He Ran was secretly surprised. She didn't expect to receive the order from Mr. Dong.

Although Mr. Dong is a civil servant, he did not become an official through the imperial examination. His ancestors are commonly known as craftsmen, and his family are all skilled craftsmen.

Mr. Dong failed the imperial examination, but was favored by Taizong and put him in charge of building the palace library.

Although Taizong's character was worrisome, he loved books as much as his life. The library built by Mr. Dong made Taizong very satisfied, and Mr. Dong also entered the Ministry of Industry. Later, he rose through the ranks and became a minister.

Lu Chang asked: "Master, should we accept this business?"

After all, Mr. Dong is in Jiangnan now, and everyone is in an antagonistic relationship with each other.

He Ran asked: "How much is the price?"

Lu Chang: "We haven't talked about the price yet. Now that you agree to take the order, I will quote you again."

He Ran smiled and said: "You are the boss now, you can make the decision on this matter."

Lu Chang asked tentatively: "So you can accept it?"

"Of course I can take it. It's a money-making thing. It would be a pity not to take it. But this order is not easy. You can raise the price." He Ran said.

Lu Chang left happily. The next day, He Ran learned from Liu Xia that Lu Chang offered 30,000 taels, and the Dong family agreed and paid a deposit of 5,000 taels!
The name Dong Jinzhen seems to have been taken seriously at first glance, so this paragraph is not forced in, there is foreshadowing in front of it.