Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 131 Suppressing "Bandits"
The Li family in Suzhou?My second cousin?Cao Yong looked at Zhuangzi not far away, frowning slightly.

Zhao Hongyu's voice was very low, except for Cao Yong, only the Wei brothers standing behind him heard it.Wei Hei glanced at Guo Si'er who was standing with Xiaoman outside Zhangwai, and then looked at Cao Fang and Cheng Mengkun on the other side, feeling faintly inappropriate.This matter is really tricky, but I don't know how the young master will deal with it.It is related to the Cao and Li families, and there may be big troubles. At that time, it will be "the snipe and the clam fight, and the fisherman will benefit."The Li family is also the son's mother family, if it is not handled properly, there may be rift between mother and son.

Zhao Hongyu saw that Cao Yong's complexion was slightly gloomy, and the sweat dripped down his face gradually.He is not a fool either, just now when the two police officers went back to the Yamen to ask for his warrant, they had already outlined the investigation situation.The group who kidnapped more than [-] masters and servants of Wang Lusheng in broad daylight in Yangzhou, most of them were in that village.But Zhuangzi belongs to the Li family. How do you say that?It's really confusing.

The Cao family said that this Wang Lusheng was a distant relative of his family. Although he didn't know if it was true or not, but since he was able to trouble the eldest son of his family to come out to take care of it himself, he must be very close.The Cao family is powerful, and the Li family is also unambiguous now.After Cao Yin's illness, Li Xu took over the task of patrolling the salt envoy of the Huaihe River and Huaihe River, and married the governor's mansion, gradually replacing the Cao family.If Cao's parents and daughters had not become Ping Wang Fujin, and the eldest son had become the son-in-law of the emperor's grandson, he might have been replaced by the Li family.

Zhao Hongyu is really in a dilemma. In this Jiangnan area, who doesn't know that the Cao family, Li family and Sun family are "connected and related", "everything is prosperous, and every loss is lost". How could this situation happen?It's not like a relative, it's like an enemy.

"My lord, are you asking the brothers from the Cheng family and the Cao Gang to go back first?" Wei Xin whispered to Cao Yong.With the development of the situation so far, no matter how many people there are, not only does it have no original meaning, but it is more likely to cause gossip.

Cao Yong twitched the corners of his mouth, and he slandered Li Xu and Li Ding in his heart. He was really deluded by being an official.What is the meaning of such a battle at the moment?Is it really spying on the Cao family's property, or is someone using it as a gun to probe the bottom line of the Cao family?Could it be that they decided that the Cao family would endure it in every possible way? !
"Eldest son, let the little dog enter the manor, explain the relationship with the second son of the Li family, and resolve this misunderstanding!" Zhao Hongyu wiped his sweat and suggested that both sides needed a step up in the current situation, so he had to be the landlord to act as a lubricant Oil.

When Cao Yong heard the words, he smiled and looked at Zhao Hongyu: "What if I say there are 'bandits'? Can Mr. Zhao issue a warrant to invite the Green Camp in Yangzhou to come and help suppress the 'bandits'?"

Zhao Hongyu's heart trembled when he heard it. Could it be that the Cao family and the Li family are about to break up?This future master of mine will definitely protect him, but the niece and son-in-law of the governor's mansion can't be ignored either?
He still wanted to talk and persuade again, Cao Yong smiled and waved his hand: "Master Zhao, the green battalion is invited to help suppress the bandits, just to avoid future troubles." Speaking of this, he pointed to the Zhuangzi: "We outside, although There are nearly 200 people, but I don't know how many of them there are. If the strength of the two sides is equal, is Mr. Zhao willing to see a situation where both sides suffer?"

Although Cao Yong was smiling, his expression was hard to conceal the coldness.Zhao Hongyu turned pale with fright. If he were to call in the garrison green battalion, there would be a big fuss, and he would have to go to Datian to listen.No matter how noisy these two families are, I am afraid that I will be regarded as "not knowing how to flatter" by the higher-ups here.Thinking about this, he asked in embarrassment: "Eldest Young Master, what about Second Young Master Li?"

Cao Yong shook and sighed: "Second cousin is really unlucky, why are the robbers so hard to hide, so they just happened to occupy his family's Zhuangzi! We are cousins, and I, as a younger brother, naturally have a duty to do so. !" After saying this, his voice became a bit deep: "Those kidnappers have kidnapped my distant relatives and disturbed my cousin. They are really hateful! If my distant relatives make a mistake, if these villains dare to resist, I will We have to fight here too!"

Zhao Hongyu was able to achieve the position of magistrate after more than ten years of ups and downs in the officialdom. Hearing Cao Yong's meaning, it seemed that he wanted to save Wang Lusheng's life and Li Ding had to explain something, otherwise he would have to go to war.

Such a blatant threat is really puzzling.Zhao Hongyu didn't know the twists and turns, and thought it was just a misunderstanding between the Cao and Li families, so naturally it had nothing to do with it.Everyone laughed "haha" at each other, and the word "misunderstanding" exposed everything.As for Wang Lusheng, just use any rhetoric to fool him.Therefore, he couldn't help but feel a little afraid of Cao Yong, he didn't expect him to be so sharp at such a young age, and he didn't give any room for concessions when he said these words.

As the dusk gradually darkened, Wei Xin had already sent people ashore in small boats on the river, urging them to ask when to do it.

The young man who came with Zhao Hongyu was very anxious when he saw that Zhuangzi was surrounded and even the waterway was blocked.Although I don't know who this is in front of me?But since even his father had to be treated respectfully, he certainly didn't dare to be presumptuous. He just looked at Zhuangzi from a distance, thinking how angry the gentle and elegant second son of the Li family would be when he was swept away.

Zhao Hongyu's face was unpredictable, and he didn't know what idea he was thinking.Cao Yong didn't have the patience to let him choose, and pointed to the young man over there with a smile: "Is that the son? The one who went hunting with my cousin in the city? Haha, what a coincidence!"

Zhao Hongyu's face turned pale immediately, and he clasped his fists and said to Cao Yong: "Master Mingjian, although the little dog is young and absurd, he absolutely does not have the guts to collude with gangsters!"

"Of course I know this. I feel that your son is imposing and his eyes are full of righteousness." Cao Yong said calmly: "If you have cracked this major case in Yangzhou because of your son's discernment, you can help your lord wipe out these criminals and protect the local people." Ping'an, I'm afraid even the Lord Long Live would like to praise the lord for teaching his son well, so your son will naturally have to find a good family background."

Zhao Hongyu was moved when he heard this, but Gali and Li's family were not that easy to offend, and they were still hesitating.Cao Yong sneered twice, stopped looking at him, turned to Wei Hei and said, "Send someone to Cheng's house, and Cao Yong asked them to send another 200 people here. Order to invite the Green Camp!"

"Yes, my lord!" Wei Hei replied, and turned around to go to Cheng Mengkun.

Zhao Hongyu hurriedly stopped, and said to Cao Yong with a crying face: "My lord, this is not a shameful person! Not to mention that you are Da Gege's fiancé-in-law, and he is Zhao's future master! Do you think this will work?" , let Xiaogou take a few people to find out the details of the Zhuangzi first. If the second son Li is a wise man and restrains the gang of kidnappers, isn't it cheaper? To save such incomprehension, wait until you start your hands and accidentally injure him It’s not right either.”

Cao Yong smiled and nodded: "Lord Zhao is right, the Venerable has a life, and I have no choice but to obey, then I will let everyone wait!"

Zhao Hongyu laughed with him, called his son, and explained in a low voice, telling him to take his two confidants to the side door of Zhuangzi.

*
Wangfengzhuang, on the main hall.

Li Ding looked gloomy, looked at the man in brocade clothes opposite, and said with a sneer: "Brother Qiandu, I can't blame you for being a busy person. You are not in Jiangning to help the governor manage the government affairs. When you have time to spare, invite me to come to cool off. This arrangement is really not bad. Xiao, could it be that you really think my Li family are fools, so easy to deceive?"

That brocade-clothed man was Gandu, the concubine of Gali. Seeing that Li Ding was really angry, he hurriedly said with a smile: "Oh, what's the matter here? Our brothers have always speculated, how can I get those moths! A few days ago, my grandmother had her birthday , When we were drinking, didn’t we mention that the Cao’s business is really eye-catching! I was also confused for a while, and I was tempted by the pearl recipe, but I didn’t plan to eat it alone. Didn’t I just call my brother here? !"

Li Ding sneered twice: "Whether you want to make my brother rich, or make me a shield, I know what's going on. It's just that the outside is already surrounded, so I should ask my brother to make up his mind. Brother, I can't afford to 'collude' The crime of banditry!"

Gan Du raised his eyebrows, and just about to say more, he saw Zhuangzi's steward coming to report that Mr. Zhao Si had come, and he had already arrived outside the door, and wanted to see Mr. Two.

Before Li Ding could speak, Gandu said: "Isn't this a step for the young master, I just said, who can not give you and my family face in this Jiangnan boundary!"

Li Ding's expression became more relaxed, he felt that he was a little too panicked just now, and his words were a little harsh, and he wanted to say a few soft words to Gan Gan, but when he saw his calculating face, he felt so bored, he raised his hand and said: "Please Fourth Young Master Zhao come in and talk!"

Gandu originally wanted to withdraw, but it was too late, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit there sideways with his head bowed, drinking tea to cover his face.

The Fourth Young Master Zhao strode in, although he saw that Qiandu's figure looked familiar, but he didn't have time to pay attention to those people at the moment, with a scorched face, he looked Li Ding up and down, seeing that he was indeed unharmed, Fang said: "My good second brother, did you scare the brother to death? I was really worried just now. Seeing that my brother is safe, I feel more at ease!"

When Li Ding heard this, he frowned slightly and asked, "Who are those people outside?"

The Fourth Young Master Zhao immediately showed a bit of joy: "It's my brother's cousin, the eldest son of the Cao family." Having said that, he lowered his voice and said, "Is my brother in trouble?"

Li Ding glanced sideways at Gandu, Cao Yong arrived, it seems that he came for Wang Lusheng.It's not surprising, before leaving Jiangsu, they robbed the jewel merchants who were doing business with the Cao family. Isn't this a slap in the face of the Cao family?
Seeing that Li Ding was silent, the fourth son of Zhao couldn't help complaining: "My younger brother is always close to my elder brother, but my elder brother is still out of touch? If my father hadn't told me that he knew, I would not have known that there were villains in this village. Brother, this yard , I have also been here, and there are many good players. If it weren't for those villains who hijacked my brother's concubine, I am afraid that my brother would have taken those people down long ago. Now the younger brother is here to discuss with the elder brother, do you need more people? , Father and Young Master Cao are waiting outside for your reply!"

"The gangsters got in and took my concubine hostage? This is what your father told you?" Li Ding was confused.

Zhao Si nodded and said: "Yeah, I was still confused at first, why the situation outside, even the Cao Gang dispatched manpower to seal off the waterway. When my father told me, I knew that it was my brother who met me. Trouble. I was afraid that those people would jump over the wall in a hurry, and my father and the others would not act rashly, so I asked my younger brother to come and inform my elder brother first. By the way, my father explained that Mr. Cao is very annoyed by the matter of the second son! Mr. Cao said , if the Second Young Master and that Wang Lusheng have a half-miss, we must invite the Green Battalion to come over and suppress the bandits!"

Li Ding clenched his fist: "He really values ​​friendship! What else did he say?"

The Fourth Young Master Zhao replied: "Yes, my father also told me to tell you that you don't have to be soft-hearted to those villains! Even if you don't let me go, I'm afraid that Young Master Cao will not be able to spare them. If it is really difficult, then don't worry about it. , even if the 200 people outside are not enough, the worst thing is to invite the green battalion, but it will cost some money!"

For a moment, Li Ding felt like falling into an ice cave.

*
As the night darkened, some of the men from the Cao Gang on the boat on the river began to complain.Although it is only the first ten days of May, the mosquitoes on the water are really biting hard.Even if everyone is rough-skinned and thick-skinned, they still have bags that are stared at all over.

Wei Xin and Du Laoba stood at the bow of the boat, because they were far away from the shore, and they didn't know what the arrangement was, so they sent someone to ask, but they just said to wait.Seeing the sound of complaints, Wei Xin clasped his fists and said to Mr. Du: "Baye, because of our son's matter, the rest of the brothers has been delayed, please tell the brothers, besides thanking you according to the head, I will go back to the city later. , hurry up and go to Baihualou!"

Although it was the first time for Du Laoba to work with Wei Xin, he liked his straightforwardness very much, not to mention that he had Cao's family behind him, so he naturally agreed happily, and shouted at the nearby ships with a smile: "Boys, what are you pretending to do?" Xiong'er, Master Wei will invite you to Baihualou for a while!"

The people on each boat yelled the words of the boss, which immediately made everyone in the Cao Gang more energetic, shouting all over the water.There are also those who praise the boss for being wise, and those who praise Wei Ye for being meaningful, and so on.

*
Cao Yong and Zhao Hongyu were still standing there, looking in the direction of Zhuangzi, it had been almost an hour since the Fourth Young Master Zhao had entered.The people nearby had already lit torches, and the Cheng family's guards surrounding Zhuangzi were all on guard, and they did not relax at all due to the passage of time.

Beside Zhuangzi, several torches appeared, and the fourth master Zhao finally came out.

His face was pale, and one hand was tightly grasping the skirt of his clothes, as if trying to restrain something.Zhao Hongyu didn't have time to care about his son, and he was even more worried. He hurriedly asked, "What? Is Wang Lu alive? Or is it difficult to deal with the 'bandits'?"

Fourth Young Master Zhao shook his head, and just about to answer his father's words, he couldn't help but leaned over and vomited.However, he didn't vomit anything. It seems that he vomited not once or twice.

*
In Wangfengzhuang, the west courtyard was brightly lit, and dozens of corpses were laid upside down on the ground, and the air was filled with a disgusting smell of blood.

Wang Lusheng dragged his bruised body and looked carefully. Except for a few of his attendants who had been hardened and died for a day or two, and two beauties who had lost their heads, the rest were the people who kidnapped him before. .

With tears in his eyes, the Shandong man knelt down in front of Cao Yong with a "plop" and said, "Great Grace Cao, my old king has made a note of it!"

Although Wei Xin will always come forward for the Pearl Club, who knows that this is a business of the Cao family?Cao Yong's alias was "Mr. Qu" in the past, but he did not escape Wang Lusheng's eyes. Isn't this "Qu" the upper half of "Cao"?The "Master" of the Cao family, who is young, is naturally the eldest son of weaving.Logically, the business between him and the Cao family is over, and even if the Cao family does not come forward to rescue them, no one will say anything. Unexpectedly, it was this noble son who came out in person.

Cao Yong smiled and helped Wang Lusheng up: "Wang Dong's family is absurd, but Cao Yong dare not take credit for it!" Speaking of this, he pointed to Li Ding who was standing aside and said: "This is my cousin. It's good luck, if my cousin is here, those gangsters won't be able to escape!"

Although Wang Lusheng was imprisoned in Zhuangzi for two days, he had no chance to see Li Ding. Seeing that Li Ding was with Cao Yong, he didn't look like he wanted to take credit for it. .Naturally, it was unavoidable to thank him for saving his life.

Li Ding quickly waved his hands and said, "I really dare not take it!" But he looked at Cao Yong, and when he met Cao Yong, he also looked at him. The two nodded with smiles, and their expressions were very close.

After all, Zhao Hongyu is a civil servant. Although he has tried murder cases, where has he seen such a slaughterhouse?If he hadn't held back, he might have vomited like his son.

*
The side hall in the inner courtyard of Wangfeng Manor was completely dark, but there was a pair of eyes full of hatred in the darkness.No matter where he sat, he felt a setback he had never felt before.Those manpower were all raised by Dong E's family for many years, and they have not been put to any great use, so they are all here.The first few of them are all his confidantes and rely on people.

Gan Du held on to the handle of the chair tightly, and kept thinking of the names of Cao Yong and Li Ding in his heart.Cao Yong was ruthless enough, but he gave his cousin such a relentless ultimatum just for the sake of freeing his mouth; Li Ding was ruthless enough, in order to get rid of the relationship, he didn't stay with anyone and didn't discuss with him. They poisoned them all, and then led people to massacre them.

If he hadn't been greedy for the pearl's prescription, he would have killed Wang Lusheng and the others the day before yesterday, so there would be no chance for their cousins ​​to be proud!
It turned out that he was defeated because he wasn't ruthless enough.
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(End of this chapter)