Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 293 - Lin Zhuang

"From Brother Zhanfeng's words in the tea shed, it seems that he is very familiar with Lin Zhuang?" Chen Tianxiong went straight to the point.

"Not only did I know," Xiao Zhanfeng said, "He was my neighbor!"

It turned out that Lin Zhuang and Xiao Zhanfeng's family used to live on Hai'an Street, and Xiao Zhanfeng's father started some small businesses because of the lack of land in the family, but it was a big deal.In order to let his children succeed in studying, he moved to live in the county town so that he could attend a good private school.

"Lin Zhuang has been a king of children since he was a child," Xiao Zhanfeng laughed. Contaminated with hobbies. The few hard-earned money earned by burning fires in Tangliao were either spent in private affairs or given to others in casinos."

"So that's how it is." Chen Tianxiong thought it was just his personal virtue, eating, drinking, whoring and gambling are not necessarily incompetent, and a modest gentleman is not necessarily a great talent.If Xiao Zhanfeng's knowledge was limited to this, it would be a little weaker.

"...This is still a small point," Xiao Zhanfeng's face flushed slightly - he rarely drank distilled liquor, "It's just that he has a hobby, and his virtue is at a loss. Let's talk about it this time-"

This time, Lin Zhuang took the lead to file a complaint with the county government, and the Tangliao workers had jointly contributed a sum of money-the government office was open, and no one could come in without money.As long as there is a lawsuit, no matter whether you can win or not, there will be a fee for handling the ups and downs as usual.

"This Linzhuang is good! He took a lot of money from the workers on the grounds of the lawsuit, and he swallowed at least half of it himself. After losing the lawsuit, he said that he had spent all the money, so he swallowed the rest of the money, and everyone Make a fuss about it."

"That's not counting. Later, I wish the third master gave him silver, and asked him to keep the workers in Tangliao well, and prepare to embarrass you. I don't know how many times I have received silver. However, the latest time, I am I saw him lose more than a dozen taels at a stretch in the casino. The old and the young in front of Monk Zou’s temple drank moldy rice porridge every day—letting him lead the group of workers in the sugar house would be considered blind.”

This statement is completely different from Zhou Shidi's inquiring "people are decent", and it is almost as good as "scumbags".

"Isn't it considered decent outside if it's not someone else?"

"Hehe, ordinary people don't know what tricks he has. He also pretends to be decent. He is in rags all day long, with a sad face. In fact, you only need to go to the house of Mrs. Ai in the back street of the county. He is What is pie, isn't it clear?"

"Who is Mrs. Ai?"

Xiao Zhanfeng was taken aback, and said with a smile: "By the way, you have only been here for a few months, so naturally you don't know."

Mrs. Ai is a well-known old bustard in the local area; she presides over a large "private house head", and most of the prostitutes in the county live in her home.In addition to women, it also runs a casino, which is a gold-selling den for the lower classes in Xuwen County.

"Are you familiar with Mrs. Ai?" Chen Tianxiong asked coldly, to see if he was an honest person.Chen Tianxiong thought that some faults in a person were not a big problem, but he was afraid that he might be a hypocrite.Xiao Zhanfeng said that others were very active, but he seemed to be familiar with casinos and "private doormen" in his words, so he might not be a gentleman.

"I don't know her well, but I know someone in her very well." Xiao Zhanfeng didn't seem to notice Chen Tianxiong's intentions, and was very interested, "I'm a poor man, and Mrs. Ai's eyes are very snobbish."

It turned out that he had a distant relative who had been widowed for many years and was now helping out as a maid in the kitchen inside.Xiao Zhanfeng usually goes to see her.

As for why he often went to Mrs. Ai's place, he didn't talk about it, obviously it wasn't something glorious.Chen Tianxiong thought that it might have some inexplicable relationship with this widow.It is inconvenient to ask any more.

I didn't ask any more questions at the moment, and chatted openly.Xiao Zhanfeng was very interested in machine-made sugar in South China, so Chen Tianxiong did what he liked and explained some basic principles to him. Unfortunately, what he had learned since childhood was only the Thirteen Classics.I don't know much about science and technology, and I haven't even read some science and technology books in ancient China, so it is very difficult to explain.

"In this way, I'm a frog in a well!" Although Xiao Zhanfeng couldn't understand eight out of ten sentences, he still listened with great interest, and finally said this,

"It's just that the situation in South China is worrisome now." Chen Tianxiong looked around and brought the topic back.

Xiao Zhanfeng said inscrutablely, "How can you see that?"

Chen Tianxiong immediately told about Zhu Sanye's plan to make Tangliao workers make trouble.

Xiao Zhanfeng nodded and said, "I've heard about this matter. However, I don't think this matter will cause trouble, and even if it does, it will be nothing more than thunder and rain."

"Why is this?"

"Shopkeeper Chen, haven't you heard of raising bandits to respect themselves?"

These words reminded Chen Tianxiong.Xiao Zhanfeng proudly said: "What kind of guy is Lin Zhuang? He has a tough mouth and a crisp bone. Not to mention that the yamen will be held accountable if something breaks out: it's the lightest, the lightest, and he can't escape if he has to eat a board for a few days. Even if there is Zhu Sanye For dredging in the yamen, you will always have to suffer. Besides, if Huanan is really down, isn't he afraid of wishing the third master to cross the river and tear down the bridge?"

"Not bad, not bad!" Chen Tianxiong suddenly realized that this scholar's vision was really good. Once South China fell, Zhu Sanye didn't need to give him money to maintain the team of Tangliao workers. Instead, the Tangliao workers had to treat Zhu Sanye Thanks to Dade, how can he, who relies on the traffic in the middle, get a lot of benefits from both sides?

"Then, according to Mr. Xiao's opinion, how should this matter be resolved?" Chen Tianxiong was in awe.

"Call me Zhanfeng." Xiao Zhanfeng probably rarely received such respect, so he couldn't help feeling that "a scholar dies for his confidant".At the moment, he poured out his own views on this matter one by one.

"Third Master Zhu also knew that Lin Zhuang was unreliable. So he organized another group of people——Zhao Jijiao's bastards. They are desperadoes who fear nothing. Unfortunately, the number of people is too small to be successful. So If you want to go to South China to make trouble, the Tangliao workers and the rotten boys are each other's front and back. If the Tangliao workers don't make trouble, the rotten boys can't fish in troubled waters." Xiao Zhanfeng tapped his chopsticks on the table, "Why doesn't Lin Zhuang know that Zhu San Master's abacus? Zhao Jijiao's people made something happen, and it must be Tangliao workers who came to top the vat. So he kept procrastinating, just to get more benefits from Zhu Sanye. But in case Linzhuang was wished The third master forced him to move his hand, and the matter became serious."

Chen Tianxiong listened very carefully, and compared the situation before and after. Didn't Xiao Zhanfeng's remarks at this time contradict the previous "things can't make trouble"?Thinking about it silently, this person is a scholar after all, and it is probably a habit to "make amazing words".

But there is no need to puncture it at this time.Generally speaking, his analysis is reasonable, and he also said many details that they didn't grasp originally.After all, he is a native of his hometown, so he can see things more thoroughly.

"so--"

"So as long as Lin Zhuang is subdued, people like Zhao Jijiao won't be able to get ahead at all."

"I also have the same intention!" Chen Tianxiong said, "But I heard that it was too late, and they said that they will burn incense and swear at Monk Zou Temple in three days..."

"Everyone in Xu Wen knows about this." Xiao Zhanfeng didn't take it seriously, "Shopkeeper Chen, think about it: If you really want to make trouble, you can only join forces in secret, and then suddenly gather together to burn incense and start a riot. How could the whole city know about burning incense three days ago? What? Besides, Lin Zhuang's so-called oath by burning incense is just a 'swear', and he didn't say that he would do it immediately."

The more he talked, the more vigorously he said: "Lin Zhuang was nothing more than being forced by the third master Zhu to make a gesture. He is worthy of the money he received. So he will definitely not do anything in three days—you think the leader will be there A few days before the attack, did you still spend money in private gambling and whoring?"

It turned out that this was the true meaning of Xiao Zhanfeng's words "This matter can't get into trouble, and even if it does, it's just thunder and rain."Chen Tianxiong nodded secretly, this person really has some skills.

"So there is still time to subdue Lin Zhuang."

"So Lin Zhuang is not in Monk Zou's temple?" Chen Tianxiong asked.

"Why is he there!" Xiao Zhanfeng said, "Since the third master Zhu recruited him, he has been living with Mrs. Ai. He lived a romantic and happy life. He is probably still there now."

"Then I want to meet him and 'make friends' with him." Chen Tianxiong cupped his hands, "Brother Zhanfeng, please advise!" He said, "I'm an outsider, and my eyes are dark when I do this. It's all up to you to take care of it."

"It's easy to say, easy to say!" Xiao Zhanfeng bowed his hands back, "But if there is something useful, I will do my best."

Chen Tianxiong didn't shirk when he saw him, obviously he was a responsible person.Take out ten taels of silver and put it on the table.

"Listening to your words is better than reading for ten years." Chen Tianxiong said, "Brother Zhanfeng's life is hard, please use this little money to make up for it. I will thank you in the future!"

"I can't take it." Xiao Zhanfeng refused straight away, "I absolutely don't want the money. Please take it back. I am the shopkeeper Chen and you are a friend who said this. If the words are not speculative, even if you give me 1 taels, I don't bother to say these things. .”

This is a person with a bit of character, although what Chen Tianxiong said later sounds like bragging.Immediately took the money back. "Well, I'll come back tomorrow, and then I'll ask brother Zhanfeng to lead the way to subdue Lin Zhuang."

"What's so difficult about it? It's okay to go today."

"No, no need," Chen Tianxiong said, "There are still a few things to deal with, since things haven't reached that point yet, there's still time to go tomorrow."

Chen Tianxiong took Zhou Shidi back to the sugar store.Although I didn't see Lin Zhuang today, it was a great achievement to make friends with someone like Xiao Zhanfeng.Chen Tianxiong is a person who is particular about being happy and cold when doing things.After thinking for a while, Zhou Shidi was invited to come in.

"Master Zhou!" He cut to the chase, "What do you think of Xiao Zhanfeng today? Believe it or not."

Zhou Shidi has been a dart for a long time, and he has a lot of experience in the world. He has a way of judging people.

"It's trustworthy." Zhou Shidi was unequivocal.

"Well, I also think this person is useful." Chen Tianxiong said, "However, it is necessary to be on guard against others. Now is the critical time. Please bring a few local brothers to inquire about Xiao Zhanfeng's background."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Zhou Shidi went out immediately.

In the evening, the sugar factory workers who went to lobby the workers in Tangliao also came back one after another. Naturally, there was no big effect in a day, but the news they brought back was very clear. Many unemployed workers were depressed and hopeless about their future. Linzhuang supplies brown rice on a daily basis to make ends meet, but everyone feels that this kind of food relief is not a long-term solution.

There is indeed such a thing as burning incense and swearing.And recently, some people have been inciting them to attack the South China Sugar Factory, saying that as long as the South China Factory is destroyed, the sugar house in Leizhou will be restored.The sugar cookers are the most enthusiastic about this-after all, they use the old method, and they benefit the most, so they are willing to take risks.But ordinary workers feel that attacking sugar factories, smashing weapons and fighting is tantamount to "violating the king's law".Even if the old method of sugar production is restored, it is nothing more than a meal, so the enthusiasm is not high.In addition, Lin Zhuang, who was the leader, had an ambiguous attitude and never made a statement. No one took the lead, and no one wanted to take the lead by himself, so there was a stalemate all the time.

From this point of view, Xiao Zhanfeng's judgment that "burning incense" was just "swearing" rather than "rising" is completely accurate.Chen Tianxiong now wants these people to continue their activities tomorrow, hinting to the unemployed workers: South China is willing to recruit workers, not only can they develop a wage, but also willing to help their families.

And no matter how many unemployed workers will be pulled over by them, at least people will be confused—but it seems that Lin Zhuang has never really united people—this ancient worker leader still has too many selfish thoughts, so he can't make a difference.

From this point of view, things are already [-] to [-]% sure.Going to buy Lin Zhuang tomorrow will probably not require much effort.

The next day, still accompanied by Zhou Shidi, the two pretended to be merchants and domestic servants from outside the road, and first took a sedan chair to secretly go to the "Dachang Rice Shop" in the county - this is the place where Liao Daxing used to be a waiter. , so the relationship between the two places is unusual, and all the rice used in South China comes from him.Boss Zhu of Mihang is naturally very attentive to such a big customer.

Because they wanted to avoid possible eyeliners, after the two arrived, they sent a buddy to invite Xiao Zhanfeng.After Xiao Zhanfeng arrived, he accompanied Chen Tianxiong and his party to lead the way to Mrs. Ai's house.

The front door comes in, the back door goes out.There is an alley behind the rice shop. After walking for tens of meters, it turns into a long street with extremely flat bluestone slabs. Looking around, there are row upon row of buildings, which are quite neat.Pedestrians on the street are also much more neatly dressed than in Lingao - thanks to the prosperity of the sugar industry, Xuwen is still quite affluent.

However, the private door was never in a lively place, Xiao Zhanfeng led the way, turned from the front of the county government office, and entered the remote place behind the county.Most of the roads here are lined with the back walls of big families, the wind and fire walls are tall, and there are only small doors open.There are few pedestrians.

After turning a few more turns, I came to a small double door.Xiao Zhanfeng stood still and said, "This is it."

(End of this chapter)