Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 130 Suppressing "Bandits"
The inn where Wang Lusheng stayed in Yangzhou was Ping Anju in the north of the city. After inquiring, he only knew that a stable boy had left a few days ago.I heard that the old lady in the family was seriously ill, so she quit her job and went back to her hometown.

Although there is a letter from his father in his arms, Cao Yong has no plans to use Cheng's family for the time being.Although the two friends Wei Xin knew were not as powerful as the Cheng family, it was not a problem to find out what was going on in the city's boundaries.On the eighth day of May, the fourth young master of the Zhao family in the west of Yangzhou City took people out for a horse run and came back in the afternoon; Du Laoba also took people out of the city, but took a boat to Zhenjiang, and there was a little friction with the Zhenjiang wharf.In addition, Yangzhou City did not dispatch dozens of people that day.

Among the three families, only the fourth young master of the Zhao family seemed to be suspicious.But after spending some money, he bought two of the servants who followed Master Zhao Si out of the city that day, and learned about the itinerary for that day.Where is it hunting? It's just that the fourth young master took a guest to a garden outside the city to drink flower wine without telling the elders.The guest was a young son, and the servants did not know his name, only that the Fourth Young Master respected him very much and called him "Second Brother".In the afternoon, the "Second Brother" did not come back with the Fourth Young Master, as if he had won a beauty and was "relaxing" in the garden outside the city.

When Wei Xin and Cao Yong got the news, Cao Fang had already reported the case and came back with a master from the yamen, two policemen and an official sedan chair.Zhao Hongyu, the magistrate of Yangzhou Prefecture, is here.He took office in Yangzhou in March last year, and by coincidence, this Zhao Hongyu came with a white flag inlaid, and happened to be a disciple of Chunjun Wangfu.If you talk about the origin of the master, this Cao Yong happens to be his half master.

Last year, Da Gege of Chunjun Prince's Mansion pointed out that he married the Cao family. Of course Zhao Hongyu knew about it. Apart from sending congratulatory gifts to the capital, the Cao family in Jiangning was naturally not left behind.In terms of this, he and the Cao family are no longer outsiders, so naturally this official has become more down-to-earth.

It's just that I didn't expect that something went wrong accidentally, and twenty or so people in this Yangzhou area were kidnapped by bandits in broad daylight.However, it is not good for them to touch anyone, but the distant relatives of the Cao family, and they can't complain that they have heard that the Cao family has also been in the pearl business for the past two years. It turns out that they are related to the Shandong Wang family.

Although Cao Yong and Wei Xin stood side by side, Zhao Hongyu recognized Cao Yong at a glance, and couldn't help muttering in his heart: "I can't complain that the master is willing to give Da Gege to the Cao family. Could it be that he has taken a fancy to his appearance? "The face is still friendly, after all, Cao Yong hasn't married Da Gege yet, and he doesn't need to call himself a "slave". Feeling guilty and restless. Please rest assured, Young Master, Zhao will do his best to find those gangsters and rescue your relatives as soon as possible!"

Before Cao Yong came to Yangzhou, Cao Yin had already mentioned Zhao Hongyu's identity to him, so it was not surprising that he was so enthusiastic about him. He smiled and invited him into the room, and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Zhao Hongyu first asked about Cao Yin's condition, and then mentioned the Chunjun Prince's Mansion in the capital. Naturally, he complimented Cao Yong on this "marriage bestowed by the emperor".

This flattery took more than half an hour to pass.Cao Yong is okay, he has been trained in the capital, and he listened to these official words with a smile.Wei Xin was at the side, but he was really depressed.Because he was facing Cao Yong, Cao Yong was just able to see his winking appearance, secretly amused in his heart.In fact, he was also anxious and wanted to go to the crime scene earlier, but he had to talk about the scene.After finally sending Zhao Hongyu away around two detours, everyone rode out of Yangzhou City.

When he got to the woods, Cao Yong was secretly glad that it hadn't rained in the past two days, and there were still dried up horse manure on both sides of the road here.Since the horses of Wang Lusheng and others were fed crotons that day, even if they were pulled away, there would inevitably be traces on the road.What's more, with dozens of people procrastinating, it is impossible to completely hide their whereabouts in broad daylight.

The two police officers, one named Zhang Ying and the other Han Zhouzheng, were both in their 30s and looked very capable.It seems that they also thought about the problem of horse manure. Their eyes lit up, and one of them went north and the other went south. There are also undigested crotons.

In this way, the investigation continued all the way, and we arrived at Tai'an Town, ten miles away.After inquiring, it turned out that a group of horse riders passed by the outskirts of the town the afternoon before yesterday, heading for "Wangfengzhuang" in the east of the town.Cao Yong and others took a closer look. It was a manor built by the river, with a wall that was ten feet high, and a yard that was two miles square. From a distance, they could see their private pier, and there were still several boats parked there.

Cao Yong couldn't help frowning slightly, if these people really hid among them, they might flee from the water if they were to scare the snake away.

The two catchers were obviously very familiar with this area. Zhang Ying pointed to several islands in the middle of the river in the distance, and introduced to Cao Yong: "Master Cao, these are the 'seven rivers and eight islands' of our Yangzhou. Shuihe, Taiping River, Jinwan River, Fenghuang River, Xinhe, Gecko River, ancient canal, here are Gecko Island, Phoenix Island, Zizai Peninsula, Mangdao Peninsula, Jinwan Peninsula, Jufeng Island, Xinhe Island and Shanhe Island. This Zhuangzi is facing Phoenix Island, which is probably why it got this name! It would be fine if the people in this Zhuangzi had nothing to do with the people on the island, but if they did, things would be difficult. manage!"

Another policeman, Han Zhouzheng, also said on the sidelines: "Yes, Master Cao, our Yangzhou territory was originally closed. Since ten years ago, a group of murderers came from somewhere and entrenched in the 'seven rivers and eight islands. "Although the area is not too crazy, there are always crimes committed every now and then. In order to restore the safety of the people in this area, the previous lord of the government asked for his orders and transferred the Green Camp in Yangzhou to suppress the gangsters. Because The act is not confidential, let them know the wind, and sail away in advance. When the officers and soldiers retreat, these people will naturally make a comeback, and the government really has nothing to do. Those green battalion soldiers are all uncles, so why are they willing to bother in vain? They searched the big households along the coast for a lot of hard work before they gave up. The lord of the mansion loves the people very much. This kind deed has disturbed the people. My lord has charged me with the crime of 'disadvantage of business affairs' and demoted me..."

Cao Yong sighed secretly in his heart, since ancient times, "officials and bandits are a family", this must not be wrong.Without the influence of the government, how could these people dare to take root in this prosperous land?It seems that someone suspected that the magistrate was too busy, and secretly made a trip.The first person Cao Yong thought of was Gali, but he couldn't think about it.The predecessor was dismissed in March last year, but Gali is still an official in the capital, and the former governor of Jiangnan is still there.

Since the green battalion soldiers are difficult to control and difficult to mobilize, what about the Yamen?Yangzhou is a big mansion, and there are many government officials and arresters.Thinking of this, Cao Yong asked Zhang Ying and Han Zhouzheng, "I wonder how many people your government can dispatch?"

Both Zhang Ying and Han Zhouzheng showed embarrassment on their faces.Zhang Ying bowed his head to calculate, and shook his head: "I'm not going to hide from Master Cao, but there are only three or forty people, and many of them have received errands. But if Master Cao can wait until tomorrow, we can gather some more people."

Soldiers are precious and fast, and I'm afraid there will be a delay when they gather manpower.Cao Yong cupped his hands to Zhang Ying and Han Zhouzheng and said: "Please go back to the Yamen, report the matter here to Mr. Zhao, and ask him to issue a warrant to 'suppress bandits', so that we can learn from others."

Zhang Ying and Han Zhouzheng are also acquainted with each other. The eldest son of the Cao family in front of him, who is likely to be visited by the nobles in person, naturally has a bit of hospitality: "Master Cao, don't worry, let's go back immediately and follow the direction of the road." The people from the yamen will bring it!"

Cao Yong smiled and said: "Then please bother you two. If it's hot today, you can't let everyone be tired. No matter what the result of this bandit suppression is, as long as you come here to catch the government servants, Cao will definitely reward you!"

Although the two said they didn't dare, they got on the horse with smiles from ear to ear.

Cao Yong took out his father's letter from his arms again, handed it to Cao Fang, and asked him to borrow 100 people from the Cheng family.Later, he asked Wei Xin to find those two friends who knew Du Laoba, and asked them to borrow ten boats and dozens of people on the water like the Cao Gang.

"My lord, I don't know what's going on right now. If the gangsters are so vicious, a fierce battle is inevitable. You have a precious status, you must not go into danger yourself!" Wei Hei persuaded from the side.

Xiao Man was also in a hurry: "Yes, sir, it's too hasty to do this. If there are really water bandits on the island in this village, then what's the matter?" Uncle Cao Yuan went to "learn housekeeping", and went to the capital last month, and he just came back yesterday.Knowing that Cao Yong was going to come out, he followed him without taking a step.

"That's right, you should go to the town to drink tea and wait for the news. It's not that you don't believe in your skills. It's just that I'm so ruthless that I want to take advantage of this opportunity to start killing. You have believed in Buddhism since childhood, and the Bodhisattva Heart, of course I can't see this!" Wei Bai held a straw stick in his mouth, looked at the Zhuangzi not far away, his face was full of excitement.

Cao Yong smiled wryly, he believes in Buddhism?This is where and where, but he was sent to Qingliang Temple by his father for two years of fasting.People have been killed before, so what is the precept against killing?He didn't say much, just shook his head.

The brothers of the Wei family knew his temper, and they knew it would be useless to persuade him, so they had to quietly order more than a dozen guards brought from the mansion.When the battle starts for a while, don't make any rash moves, it's important to protect the young master.Of course, even if he didn't need to say it, everyone knew in their hearts that everyone's wealth and life depended on the young master.

About half an hour passed, but it was Cao Fang who came back first, accompanied by hundreds of nursing homes from the Cheng family.They are all strong and strong people, and they look very imposing.The leader is a 27-year-old man. He got off his horse and said hello to Cao Yong. He said he was a child of Cheng's family, and his name was Cheng Mengkun.

While speaking, more than ten waterways came from far away, Xiaoman's eyes were sharp, he saw the man standing on the boat in front, and said to Cao Yong: "Master, it's Lord Wei and the others who are here!"

When the other boats snaked to seal the water, Cao Yong asked Cheng Mengkun to order Cheng's people to surround Zhuangzi, and mainly blocked their gates with their hands.

Looking at the sky, it was already the end of the day, and the people in the village seemed to have sensed something was wrong, and some people began to look around.Seeing that the situation outside was not right, they began to close the door tightly.

Cao Yong became more and more determined in his heart. If he was a kind family, he would have sent someone to inquire about it. Is it because there are ghosts in his heart or what?
After waiting for another quarter of an hour, the servants from Yangzhou Prefecture arrived.Everyone came to get everything. In addition to more than 30 yamen servants, Zhao Hongyu and a young man with similar features also came with him.

Zhao Hongyu is a civil servant, and it seems that he rode a horse all the way here, and he seemed to be quite bumpy.However, looking at the bank, Zhuangzi was surrounded by hundreds of people in the river. His face was full of anxiety, and he hurriedly got off his horse and ran to Cao Yong, pointing to Zhuangzi: "Young master, this is a big flood. It’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”

Seeing him like this, Cao Yong frowned and said, "Lord Zhao, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Hongyu wiped off his sweat, and said with a wry smile: "Young master, this is the other courtyard of the Li family. It belongs to Mr. Li's family in Suzhou. Right now, the second cousin of the young master is staying here to escape the summer heat!"

(End of this chapter)