swear not to be concubine

Chapter 50

Jian Yan was sitting on the kang looking at something in her hand.

It was a piece of rough-edged paper, light yellow, with irregular lowercase letters written on it, it could be seen that the person who wrote it hadn't practiced calligraphy seriously.

A few days ago, Jian Yan asked Zhou Lin to help her find out about the sea ban, and then Zhou Lin wrote down all the information he found about the sea ban in detail on paper, and let Bai Wei Bring it to Jian Yan.

Although it was just a thin piece of paper, Jian Yan had read it no less than three times.And every time she looks at it, she feels a new experience.

It turns out that the sea ban was first formulated by the founding emperor. Because the country had just been established at that time, there were still several hostile forces in the country that had not been eliminated, and Japanese pirates continued to invade the outer seaside.The founding emperor wanted to deal with the hostile forces inside with all his heart, so he had no energy to deal with the Japanese pirates, so he simply issued a sea ban and withdrew the three places in charge of overseas trade in Quanzhou, Fujian, Mingzhou, Zhejiang, and Guangzhou, Guangdong. The Department of Shipbuilding also prohibits all non-governmental overseas trade.Later, the hostile forces in the country were eliminated one by one, and after two more emperors, some officials wrote to request the restoration of the three city shipping departments, the opening of the sea ban, and the complete opening of overseas trade.Unfortunately, this suggestion was rejected by the emperor.It was only later that the emperor considered the issue of tributes from neighboring small overseas countries, so he restored three city ship departments, which were solely responsible for the tributes of the dependent countries, but the sea ban was still unswervingly enforced.

It's just that the coastal plains have little land and are so barren, it is impossible to rely on agriculture to survive like the Central Plains.In the past, people living along the coast could rely on overseas trade to make a living, but now there is a sea ban in front of them. After a long time, many coastal residents secretly trade with outsiders.Moreover, businessmen pursue profits, and overseas trade makes a lot of profits, so even though the imperial court has repeatedly issued orders to ban the sea, some businessmen still take these risks to carry out overseas trade secretly.As a result, the temporary sea ban was like a dead letter, and private private overseas trade still gradually flourished.

But in fact, overseas trade has also benefited the court a lot.Apart from other things, only the amount of overseas trade tax is a huge income for the country's annual finances.At the beginning of the founding of Xianshi, for the sake of stability, sea bans were issued everywhere along the coast, in order to curb the invasion of Japanese pirates.But later, as the internal situation gradually stabilized, some officials kept writing to request the opening of the sea ban.It’s just that the emperors of all dynasties thought that this was a ban made by the founding emperor, and the Japanese pirates’ infestation along the coast had never stopped, so even if they knew that the opening of the sea ban would increase a large amount of national fiscal revenue, they still gave up eating because of choking, and did not There was no order to open the sea ban.

After Jian Yan read the content written on the paper again and again, she crossed her hands and put her fingers on the kang table, frowning and thinking about the sea ban.

She also knows a little about the sea ban.In her previous life, her brother didn't choose to go into politics, but into business. The big bookcase in his study room was full of books about doing business in China and foreign countries, and she would read them when she had nothing to do.She knew that at the end of Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of Ming Dynasty, there was Shen Wansan, who was the richest man in the south of the Yangtze River. It was through overseas trade that he accumulated primitive wealth and quickly became the richest man in the south of the Yangtze River.This shows how profitable overseas trade is.

During the trip to Taoyuan that day, she heard Du Dai talking about the sea ban.Why did Du Dai talk about this at that time?If the sea ban has been unswervingly enforced, is it necessary for him to mention the sea ban?What's more, there was Shen Chuo around at that time.One must know that Shen Chuo is a businessman, and he may be very concerned about the sea ban.

Jian Yan's frown became tighter and tighter, she was thinking, is it possible that Shen Chuo has been paying attention to the sea ban?The reason why he paid attention to it may be because the sea ban is not as strict as in previous years, but it is quietly loosened?After all, according to the information that Zhou Lin found, although private private overseas trade has not been interrupted in recent years, if these businessmen who conducted overseas trade in private in the past few years were caught by the court, they would be severely punished Yes, but in the past few years, it seems that the court has turned a blind eye and turned a blind eye, and there has been no incident of being caught and punished for conducting overseas trade in private.And Shen Chuo also got the news in this regard, so he paid attention to whether the imperial court would really lift the sea ban?
Just as Jian Yan was thinking about it, she suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps.

She frowned, looked up through the open window, and saw Bai Wei stumbling in through the screen door.

Today was originally the day when Zhou Lin and Bai Wei had agreed to meet each other. Bai Wei went to the small kitchen to find Mama Xia early in the morning, why did she come back in such a panic now?
Jian Yan's heart tightened, and at this moment Bai Wei had already opened the curtain hanging on the Bisha cabinet and ran in.

"Girl," she said anxiously, even though she was out of breath from running, "something happened. Our shop was smashed by a group of hooligans, and Brother Zhou told them to beat them up too. "

After speaking, her eyes were flushed, and tears fell down.

Jian Yan comforted her: "Don't panic, speak slowly." At the same time, she called Si Yue loudly.

Si Yue was doing embroidery work in Xici's room, when she heard the words, she hurriedly agreed and came over.Jian Yan instructed her: "Go to the screen door to watch the wind, if you see someone coming, come and report to me."

April agreed.Seeing Jian Yan's dignified expression, and Bai Wei's usually calm face full of anxiety and panic, she couldn't help but also pulled her heart out, so she asked: "Girl, sister Bai Wei, what's the matter with you?" Is something wrong?"

"I'll tell you later. Now you go to the screen door and watch in case anyone comes over and hears."

April hurriedly turned around and hurried away.And here Jian Yan said to Bai Wei softly: "Don't worry, just speak slowly. What happened?"

Bai Wei tried her best to gather herself together, and then said: "I went to the small kitchen as usual, waiting to see Brother Zhou. Mother Xia also asked a woman to go to the back door to watch, just waiting When Brother Zhou came, he took him to a secluded place. But later, instead of waiting for Brother Zhou, a young man came. The young man said that Brother Zhou entrusted him to pass the message, saying that it was the first two Our shop was smashed by a group of hooligans on the same day, and they threatened Brother Zhou not to let him open the shop again, and told him to get out of the capital. I asked Brother Zhou why he didn’t come to say this to me himself, but asked What about you? That little guy was hesitant to say anything before, but he was pushed hard by me. He just said that Brother Zhou was also beaten by those hooligans that day. His head was broken and his whole body was injured. There are several broken bones, and now I really can't get up in bed. But he is afraid that he won't come. We don't know the reason here, and we are afraid that we will worry, so he entrusts him to say these things. He also said Well, Brother Zhou originally didn't want us to know that he was beaten, because he was afraid that we would worry about him."

After Jian Yan listened, she was speechless for a long time.

She was still too naive, thinking that as long as she had something new and honest, she would do her own business honestly and dutifully, then the money would naturally flow in.But she forgot, the truth that a tall man will be more jealous, and shoot the top bird.If she had some kind of backing and someone was covering her, then naturally no one would dare to challenge her, but she didn't have any kind of backing, it was like throwing a fat sheep into a pack of ferocious wolves , who do you bully if you don't bully?

But this would no longer be the time to think about it.If the shop is smashed, you can find a way to reopen it, but if the people are gone, then there is really nothing left.

It's just that they can't go out, and they don't know what Zhou Lin's situation is now.But looking at Bai Wei's anxious and panicked appearance, she knew that Zhou Lin's situation was definitely not much better.

She thought about it, and then asked Bai Wei: "Do you want to go and see Brother Zhou?"

She has no way to go out, but she can still think of a way to get Bai Wei to go out and see Zhou Lin.In fact, she had already seen that Bai Wei had feelings for Zhou Lin.At first, she had been thinking about finding a suitable time to get Mrs. Jian out of Bai Wei's slavery and let her marry Zhou Lin.Then give the two of them a house to repay the two of them for their concern and care for her over the years.And now that Zhou Lin is being beaten like this, Bai Wei must be extremely anxious, she must be eager to see him.

She had to find a way to get Bai Wei out to meet Zhou Lin.Firstly, she can comfort Baiwei's heart, secondly, she is really worried about Zhou Lin's current situation?Does your body matter?San Lai sees Zhou Lin, and Bai Wei can also ask Bai Wei carefully what the situation was like that day.What the little guy conveyed just now is still not exhaustive.

But seeing Bai Wei nodded impatiently, her eyes were filled with hope for a moment.But soon the light in her eyes disappeared again, and she said sadly: "But how should I get out? How can I get out?"

Jian Yan didn't answer, but frowned tightly, gnawing her thumb intently.

In fact, she was also very irritable.Damn it, what kind of shitty feudal society, a fucking woman can't go out like this, can't do that, why?Are women not human anymore?What the hell is a man born to a woman, why do women have to obey the shitty three obediences and four virtues, women are trained by women?If you have the ability, don't marry a woman for the rest of your life, and you can do it yourself.

But now is not the time to be irritable, I have to find a way!

She gnawed and gnawed for a long time, then suddenly raised her head and said to Bai Wei: "You will take 100 taels of silver and go out to Mother Xia later."

Bai Wei didn't understand what she meant, so she subconsciously let out an ah.

Jian Yan continued: "As far as I know, Mother Xia is not only in charge of the small kitchen, but also provides the daily meals for the girls and maids in the garden, as well as the rice, vegetables, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar that the kitchen needs every day. She also contracted it. She will definitely bring a few wives out to buy these every day. You gave her 100 taels of silver, and then begged her to think about it tomorrow morning, just as if you went out with her My mother-in-law took you out. In fact, I reckon that the person guarding the back door must have contacts with Mama Xia. As long as you give him enough money through Mama Xia, he will let you go out. You don’t need to dress up at all. Be like a woman."

Bai Wei hesitated, "Will Mama Xia be willing to do this? If someone notices..."

Jian Yan smiled and said: "Under a heavy reward, there must be a brave man. This 100 taels of silver is not a small amount. Mother Xia is the most greedy person, and she will definitely not refuse. And if you are serious, you are not like this." The maids in Xu’s house, they will not seriously pursue this matter, but they are happy to take the money. What happened to the left and right, everyone pushes it around, but they can’t be found.”

It's just that Bai Wei is still worried: "It's just the girl, if the wife asks, how should the girl answer?"

Jian Yan comforted her: "You can rest assured that I'm here. She doesn't care about me, let alone the people in my room. She won't notice that you're not around for half a day. And if she really asks, I just told you to go to Miss Si's for something, can she still go to Miss Si's place to ask? Don't worry, I have something to cover up here. Take it quickly It is serious to pay 100 taels of silver to talk to Mama Xia about this matter."

After hearing this, Bai Wei hurriedly went to the bottom of the suitcase to find a box, opened it, and counted 100 taels of silver bills from it.

Considering that if he directly took the money and handed it over to Bai Wei, and asked her to bring it to Jian Yan, he might be caught by someone who cared, so every time Zhou Lin came, he only brought the silver bill to Jian Yan, and then took Give her some scattered silver, in case she needs to reward servants in daily life.

After Bai Wei came out with the 100 taels of silver bills, Fu put the box containing the silver bills at the bottom of the suitcase, covered it with layers of clothes, and then closed the suitcase.

Jian Yan instructed her carefully again: "I know you are worried about Brother Zhou's injury, but it's almost noon now, even if Mother Xia has a way to let you go out immediately, you don't go out either. You won't see him when you go out. Big Brother Zhou will come back later, why bother? What I mean is, you agreed with Mama Xia to find out when the back door will open tomorrow morning, but you waited for the door to open before dawn , went quietly when there was no one around, but can you spend a good day with Big Brother Zhou? Besides, you have to make an agreement with Mother Xia first, let her hire a car in advance, and wait at the back door early tomorrow morning. "

Bai Wei agreed one by one, and hurriedly left.She came back after two meals, saying that Mother Xia didn't want to agree to it at first, and said that if someone found out, how could she bear the crime?Later, she took out the 100 taels of bank notes and gave them to her, and she agreed.Moreover, the person guarding the back door has agreed to let her go out quietly when the door opens tomorrow morning.As for hiring a car, Mother Xia said that she would let her son hire one.

Jian Yan listened, thought for a while, and said: "I'm afraid we will use Mama Xia a lot in the future. Let me give you an idea, you go out tomorrow, tell Brother Zhou, wait for him to recover After raising them, buy a few expensive gifts to see Mama Xia, and simply accept her as a godmother, and plan to have a good relationship in the future, it will be convenient for everyone. Mama Xia will definitely agree. "

There was nothing to say all night, and Bai Wei woke up at dawn the next day.

She and Siyue slept in the Xici room, and across the Ming room was the Dongci room where Jian Yan lived.Because she didn't want to wake up Siyue and Jian Yan, Bai Wei washed her hands gently.

But April still woke up.

She put on her clothes, rubbed her sleepy face, grabbed Bai Wei's hand, and said, "Sister Bai Wei, don't worry, brother Zhou will be fine, don't worry too much."

Jian Yan asked Bai Wei to tell her about this in detail last night, and Si Yue comforted Bai Wei last night, but she just fell asleep dimly.

Bai Wei was grateful in her heart, held her hand behind her back, and said softly: "I know. It's just that I'm not here during the day, so you have to be smart, don't let others see it. And follow the girl well, You can't just focus on playing by yourself, and let the girl call you three or four times, and you won't even know it."

Because Si Yue is still young after all, Jian Yan usually doesn't order her to work very much, but just lets her play according to her own temperament.Although Bai Wei sometimes said something harshly to her, she still regarded her as her own sister in her heart and pampered her very much.

Siyue said in a low voice: "Young lady and sister Baiwei are good to me. How could I not know it? Sister Baiwei, don't worry, I'm not a fool. You can go today at ease. Girl, I will take care of you." Take good care of it. And no one will see your absence."

Bai Wei gave her two more careful instructions, then took the package that was packed last night, turned around and was about to go out.

Just as soon as she stepped out of the door of the green yarn cabinet, she saw Jian Yan standing in the open room.

She was only wearing hazy purple tulle pajamas, and it could be seen that she had just gotten up.

Although it is already early summer, there is still a slight chill in the morning and evening.Seeing her, Bai Wei hurriedly went to Dongcijian to get a coat for Jian Yan, put it on her body, and said in a reproachful tone: "Girl, it's cold in the morning and evening, why don't you put on a coat?" .”

Jian Yan gathered the coat on her body, then with a slight smile on her face, she said: "I don't trust you, so I'd better take a look and say a few words."

Women in this dynasty didn't go out often.And usually even when going out, Bai Wei would be with herself and a large group of people. She must still be afraid of such a person going out to a place she didn't know.

Jian Yan sighed, took Bai Wei's hand, and said slowly: "Don't be afraid in your heart. Mother Xia has already hired a car for you, and the driver is also someone whom Mother Xia knows, so I dare not How about you. But you still have to be more vigilant. When you get to Brother Zhou, you tell him not to worry about the shop. Just let him take good care of his body, no matter what kind of medicinal materials, use the best. When he is healthy, let him come and tell us immediately, so as to save us from worrying."

Bai Wei agreed one by one.Later, April also came over in her dress.

According to their past experience, the gate of the Dianhexiangyuan is still not open.Although there is an old woman in the small room on the side watching the night, but this will be the time when people are most sleepy, so it is possible to quietly open the door and go out.

Si Yue went out with Bai Wei.First half of the screen door was gently opened, and the two flashed out.Jian Yan's heart twitched, she was worried, so she walked to the screen door lightly, and stretched her head to look out.

But I saw Bai Wei and Si Yue walking on the chaoshou corridor like ghosts.When they reached the gate of the courtyard, Si Yue looked into the small room next to her, and then gestured to Bai Wei to let her come over.Then the two of them squatted down, pulled the two door latches lightly, and opened half of the door. Bai Wei quickly slipped out through the crack of the door, and Si Yue immediately closed it lightly. The half door, and the two bolts were inserted again, and then returned lightly the same way.

Jian Yan let out the breath that had been stuck in her throat.It's just that she still has one heart all day long.After finally surviving noon, I came back from Ning Cuixuan's for lunch, thinking that Bai Wei would be back after a while, and was having a snack, when suddenly I saw Si Yue leading a little maid He came in and said that he had something very important to tell the girl face to face.So Jian Yan's heart that had just been let go immediately lifted up again.

(End of this chapter)