Cao Thief

Chapter 3 Cheng Kee Firm (22) Please recommend collection!

Tomorrow, I will go to Zhongyang Temple to seek Fushui. This is a major event related to Cao Peng's life, and Zhang's naturally attaches great importance to it.

Since he was going to ask for talisman water, he naturally couldn't go there empty-handed.There is no free lunch in the world, and the talisman water of Zhongyang Temple is quite famous. If there is no enshrinement, it is impossible to get it.What to offer?Naturally, it would not be the three sacrifices.Zhongyang Temple does not lack these things. They donate talisman water to seek wealth. Without money and silk to worship, how can they get efficacious talisman water?Everyone is well aware of this.

Since the Taipingdao Yellow Turban Rebellion, the imperial court's monitoring of the scholars and warlocks has also become stricter.

In the first year of Zhongping, the Zhang Jiao brothers attracted a large number of believers by giving talisman water, which caused incalculable harm to the Han Dynasty.

Therefore, once the alchemist who gave talisman water was found, he would be arrested and tortured immediately.

Ever since, the alchemists began to blatantly take the opportunity to make money.It is okay to donate talisman water, but you must take out money and silk to worship and exchange.The government is not afraid that alchemists will use this to make money, but what they are afraid of is that they will take the opportunity of giving talisman water to attract believers and gather crowds to make trouble.

In this way, the talisman business will become aboveboard.

How much money you spend on worship, you will get the same level of talisman water, alchemists and officials, and then live in peace.

Cao's family was not a wealthy family, Cao Ji was a third-rate blacksmith who barely made ends meet by repairing iron tools.After thinking about it, Mrs. Zhang felt that if she didn't show enough sincerity, she might not be able to get a good talisman, so she secretly took out the ancestral jade pendant, hoping to exchange it for more money, so that she could get it for Cao Peng. Fu Shui, keep him safe all his life.

Zhang's father's father's father also had a good time.

Later, the family became dilapidated, and Zhang's generation became common people.When she married Cao Ji, she didn't have any valuable dowry, only this jade pendant left from her ancestors.

Early in the morning, Mrs. Zhang came to the market with her jade pendant.

In fact, she also knew that in a small place like Zhongyang Town, this ancestral jade pendant was not worth a lot of money.

But I understand, I understand, Mrs. Zhang still has a little hope, and wants to sell it as expensive as possible... Naturally, ordinary small shops will not pay too high a price, and if you give this jade pendant to them, they may not understand the value of it .If you don't understand the value, of course it is impossible to give a price that satisfies Zhang.So after thinking about it, Mrs. Zhang finally chose Chengji Firm.

Like those big cities, there is also a gap between rich and poor in small towns.

Chengji Commercial Bank is the largest commercial firm in Zhongyang Town, specializing in the acquisition of mountain goods.Almost all the mountain products in Zhongyang Town are eaten by them... At the same time, Chengji Trading Co., Ltd. also runs a pawn business.The shopkeeper of Cheng Ji is named Cheng Ji, and it is said that he has quite a background in the government.

Mrs. Zhang felt that with such a big business, Cheng Ji might be able to know the goods.

"Good jade!"

Cheng Ji's pawnbroker is a person who knows the goods, and he can see the value of this jade pendant at a glance, "Sister and sister, where did you get this jade pendant from?"

Everyone lives in the same town, but the pawnbroker knows Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Zhang said: "This is a treasure passed down from my family. If it wasn't for my child's poor health, I would go to Zhongyang Temple to ask for talisman water for him, and I wouldn't exchange it for money."

The pawnbroker has heard a little about Cao Peng.

He nodded sympathetically at the moment, and then said: "This jade pendant is quite old, and the carving is exquisite, it does not seem to be made by ordinary people... If you decide to die, brother and sister, I would like to give you twenty pendants. ?”

About ten guan of high-grade talisman water are required to be enshrined!

With the remaining ten strings, I can still buy some medicinal materials to nourish Cao Peng's body.

Mrs. Zhang was overjoyed, and was about to say yes.

But at this moment, someone behind the counter said: "What is worth twenty coins?"

While talking, a short, fat, dark man in a gorgeous brocade robe came out from the back hall, walked to the counter, picked up the jade pendant, and played with it in his hand.

"Shopkeeper, this is the daughter-in-law of the Cao family in the town, and she pawned a beautiful jade."

This short and fat man is Cheng Ji, the shopkeeper of Cheng Ji Firm.He glanced at Mrs. Zhang, and suddenly said with a sneer: "What a beautiful jade, it's just old and worn-out jade, consistent!"

As he spoke, he pointed at the pawnbroker and scolded: "You rascal, don't you think my place is a good hall?
Next time, show me a little more clearly..."

After all, he took the jade pendant and left.

Seeing that the [-] guan has shrunk to [-] guan all of a sudden, how could Mrs. Zhang agree.

"This jade...I won't sell it anymore, you give it back to me!"

Doesn't Cheng Ji know the goods?

of course not……

He could see the value of this jade pendant at a glance, but it was obviously impossible for him to pay twenty pendants to buy it.As legend has it, Cheng Ji is a businessman with a background.He is the brother of the magistrate of Wuyin County, and his daughter is also the concubine of Zhang Xiu's nephew Zhang Xin!

Nanyang County is under the rule of Jingzhou.

Because Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, made his fortune in Nanyang, after the establishment of the Eastern Han Dynasty regime, Wancheng was designated as the accompanying capital, also known as Nandu.

Under the rule of Nanyang County, there are a total of 37 counties, all of which are owned by Liu Biao.

But in fact, since Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu's uncle and nephew invaded Nanyang, Nanyang County was divided into two.

With Jiyang as the junction, the north of Jiyang is the territory of Zhang Xiu, and the south of Jiyang, including the seventeen counties of Jiyang, is ruled by Liu Biao.

If he was in Wancheng, Cheng Ji wouldn't be much of a figure.

But this is Wuyin, with Cheng Ji's identity and his older brother as the backer, he can definitely be called the wealthy landowner of Zhongyang Town.

"You bitch, why are you so troublesome?

Sell ​​it for a while, and don't sell it for a while, what do you think I am here? "

Mrs. Zhang could see that Cheng Ji deliberately wanted to blackmail her jade pendant... So she couldn't help feeling a little panicked, and hurriedly waved her hands: "I won't sell it, I won't sell it!"

Seeing this situation, Cheng Ji was immediately worried.

Thinking of him as a majestic master, he has always been the master who walks sideways in Wuyin County.

How can he let go of what he likes so easily?Moreover, Mrs. Zhang's attitude was firm, coupled with the panic in her heart, it was inevitable that her words were somewhat disrespectful.

This also made Cheng Ji even more unhappy...

As soon as his eyes rolled, he immediately had an idea.

There was a smile on that chubby face, and he said with a smile: "Sisters and sisters of the Cao family, if you don't want to sell, then forget it!"

With that said, he returned the jade pendant to Mrs. Zhang, turned around and ignored her.

Mrs. Zhang didn't think too much, after taking the jade pendant, she turned her head and wanted to leave.This Cheng Ji was too domineering, which made her feel a little uneasy.

However, when she just walked to the door, she heard Cheng Ji yelling behind her: "Where's my unicorn jade pendant?"

Zhang was startled, and subconsciously quickened her pace.

But at the moment when she was startled, Cheng Ji shouted loudly: "Catch that village woman, she stole my jade pendant..."

There were two strong men standing at the door of the firm. Without saying a word, they rushed up and pushed Mrs. Zhang to the ground.The jade pendant held in Mrs. Zhang's hand also fell to the ground.She was terrified and shouted loudly: "I didn't take your jade pendant, don't wrong the good people..."

"You thieves, you get stolen goods, how dare you argue?"

Cheng Ji stepped forward with a sneer, picked up the jade pendant on the ground, blew the dust off it, and put it into his bosom casually.

"This thief stole my jade pendant, have you all seen it clearly?"

He turned his head to look at the guys at the counter, his small triangular eyes were burning fiercely.

Even if those guys knew well, seeing Cheng Ji's appearance, they all couldn't help being silent, and said in unison: "I saw it!"

Mrs. Zhang burst into tears!
"Invite the three elders to come..."

Cheng Ji yelled sharply: "If you don't teach you, a thief, today, you won't know the heights of heaven and earth."

The three elders are the township officials.

Although Zhongyang Town is not big, it still has nearly a thousand people.And Wuyin County is some distance away from Zhongyang Town, so there must be someone in charge.

All the three elders need to be over fifty years old, have virtues, and be able to lead others to do good.

But in this turbulent time, where did so many virtuous people come from who can lead others to do good?Therefore, the three elders of Zhongyang Town were actually privately conferred positions.Responsible for verification and mediation of civil disputes, and at the same time responsible for the security of this territory.

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Although Cao Peng didn't see what happened before, he believed that Mrs. Zhang would never do anything sneaky.

Seeing Mrs. Zhang being trampled under by that short fat man, Cao Peng was furious!

For more than ten days after his rebirth, Zhang's care for him moved him very much.Although there is still some awkwardness in this heart, she actually regards Mrs. Zhang as her own mother.Cao Peng's eyes were red... without saying a word, he was about to rush over and do his best.

A big hand grabbed his arm suddenly, looking up, it was Wang Meng.

"Ah Fu, don't be impulsive!"

"Uncle, let me go, I'm going to kill that fat thief."

"Hugh is talking nonsense!"

Wang Meng held Cao Peng tightly, and said in a low voice, "You rushing over like this will only make things more and more troublesome...Cheng Ji has always been domineering, and he has the magistrate of Wuyin County as his backer, how can you fight?" Can you beat him? You stay here and don't move, and leave this matter to me to solve."

At this time, the third elder hurried over with his people.

"Master Cheng, what happened?"

"This thief stole my jade pendant, and all the guys in my shop can testify for me.

Immediately lock up this thieves woman, and quickly report to Wuyin County to know... I want all these untouchables to understand who is the god of Wuyin County. "

"Uncle Zhang, I didn't steal from him...that is my ancestral jade pendant!"

"A bitch, how dare she say something about her family? Old Zhang, this thieves woman is stubborn. In my opinion, she has to teach her a lesson."

The people in Zhongyang Town whispered.

The three elders smiled flatteringly, "What Master Cheng said is true, he should indeed be taught a lesson!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand to let his followers come forward, "Open your mouth hard and tell her to be more honest."

"stop!"

Before the follower could make a move, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted.

The sound was like a huge thunder, shaking people's eardrums.Wang Meng opened a path and walked out from the crowd.I saw him wearing a black short skirt with a slanted front, a big belt around his waist, a shining hunting knife stuck in the big belt, and an iron fork on his shoulder.

Fighting in front of others is like a black king kong.

A pair of thick eyebrows are twisted into the word 'one', the eyes are wide open, and the steel beard under the jaw suddenly stands up, which makes people feel afraid...

"Master Cheng, killing people is nothing more than nodding your head, why bother to embarrass my brother and sister?"

Then he looked around at the three elders and shouted sharply: "You old Zhang, fortunately you are still the third elders of Zhongyang... Don't you know what kind of people the Cao family's brothers and sisters are? It's good to meet you. Don't you think so?"

That frightening aura rushed over.

Cheng Ji couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat, and his expression changed drastically.

As for the third elder, he even smiled awkwardly, "Tiger, you don't know what's going on..."

"Shit, I don't know anything else, but what kind of people the Cao family brothers and sisters are, they are clear!"

After finishing speaking, Wang Meng strode forward and grabbed the entourage by the collar, "You fucking want to live, so get out of here immediately!"

The entourage retreated again and again after being startled by Wang Meng.

Wang Meng took advantage of the situation to help Mrs. Zhang up, "Sister and brother, are you okay?"

"Uncle, I really didn't steal..."

Mrs. Zhang cried out, but was stopped by Wang Meng.

He supported Mrs. Zhang with one hand, and slammed his iron fork on the ground, "Master Cheng, what do you say!"

Cheng Ji was so frightened by Wang Meng's terrifying aura that he took a few steps back and almost sat down on the ground.This Wang Meng's aura is really too strong!

Although Cheng Ji had never killed anyone, he could feel the murderous aura on Wang Meng.

"Hehe, since you opened your mouth, Tiger, I'll give you some face. I won't pursue this matter anymore... You can take her away."

Wang Meng's eyes were serious, and he turned to look at the three elders.

"Since Mr. Cheng doesn't pursue the matter, I think it's okay."

Wang Meng sneered and said in a low voice: "Sister and brother, what's the matter, let's talk about it when we go back."

"But……"

Mrs. Zhang was a little reconciled, because the jade pendant was still in Cheng Ji's arms.

Wang Meng said in a low voice: "Sisters and sisters, let's go back and discuss with Lao Cao before making any plans."

He raised his head and shouted loudly: "Ah Fu, why don't you come and help your mother back?"

Cao Peng, who was outside the crowd, hurriedly agreed, and hurried over with Wang Mai, each holding Zhang's arm...

"Friend, mother didn't steal anything."

Cao Peng turned his head and glanced at Cheng Ji, gritted his teeth and said, "Mother, I believe you, it's some fat man's trick."

As a mother, I always hope to maintain a perfect image in front of my children.

Hearing Cao Peng's words, Mrs. Zhang felt somewhat comforted. With the support of Cao Peng and Wang Mai, she suppressed her crying and walked home.

Wang Meng bowed his hands to Cheng Ji and the three elders, and then followed.

"It's all gone, it's gone!"

The three elders shouted loudly and dispersed the crowd.

"Master Cheng, look at this..."

"This tiger king dares to destroy my good deeds, relying on his brute strength!"

Cheng Ji looked at the back of Wang Meng and his party, gritted his teeth and said, "If I can't get rid of this tiger, what face do I, Cheng Ji, have to gain a foothold in Zhongyang Town?"

The third elder hesitated, "Master Cheng, to be honest, I have endured this guy for a long time!
But this guy does have some skills, waiting for idlers is no match for him at all... In my opinion, the Elder Master has to be asked to come forward in this matter. "

The elder is Cheng Ji's elder brother, the county magistrate of Wuyin.

Cheng Ji said: "It's okay to persuade my brother to come forward, but there must be a reason."

The three elders laughed and said: "If you want to talk about the reason, it's not that there is no... This Wang Huo is not from Zhongyang Town. I heard that he made a yellow scarf before... Why don't you use this reason to ask the elder to come forward. Hehe, just It is said that this guy is related to the thieves in the mountains."

In Zhongyang Mountain, apart from Taoist temples, there are also bandits.

But rabbits don't eat grass beside their nests, and the bandits from Zhongyang Mountain have never harmed Zhongyang Town.

But bandits are bandits after all, enemies of the government!
When Cheng Ji heard this, a bright smile appeared on his chubby face.

"Just do it like this... I will immediately send people back to Wuyin.

Let this tiger king be arrogant for another two days, and then I will see if he, a dead tiger without a head, can continue to be arrogant..."

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