A flower of the Republic of China
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
1,
As usual, Qiao Funian got up from the bed as soon as the sun showed half of his face, with a broom in his hand, coughed loudly while sweeping the yard, and walked heavily from east to west. The clothes ran out, and before he opened his mouth to say anything, he took the broom.Qiao Funian nodded in satisfaction. The first guy who ran to the yard could get an extra egg for lunch.Then he would talk loudly as usual, most of which started with "thinking about the past".
"I think back when I was an apprentice, I couldn't sleep for three hours a day. In the yard and in the shop, there was no dust on the table, window sill, or straw stick on the ground. In order to lead the way for my master, we have to deal with such a difficult guest. You are also greeted with a smile, let us do whatever we want, and this is the day that makes your eyes shine. If you want to be like me, you have to do it!"
Miff turned his head, with a disdainful expression on his face, "Ass licking like you? Man doesn't have this addiction!"
When Qiao Funian heard Mi Fu's voice, he couldn't hear the exact words clearly, but the meaning was already clear.Glaring fiercely, he made a mental note.
The two of them had a heart-to-heart relationship for a long time. At that time, Yang Jing'an was still the big shopkeeper, and they quarreled at the door of the accountant's room.Qiao Funian said that Mi Fuzang was treacherous and slippery, and Mi Fu called him a despicable villain.Yang Jing'an said, either shut up, or get the hell out of here.
Mifford can't get out, there is still a sick wife waiting for him to support him.The foreman couldn't do it, so in order to earn more, he volunteered to deliver the goods.Although Maoyong's goods have always been escorted by the Green Gang, they have to use their own buddies to carry them up and down.This work is hard work and somewhat risky, so those who are willing to go will be paid another salary according to the number of days the journey is long. Or at least it's a thought, it's in the dark.There are always more in the dark than in the open. If you go smoothly, two or three trips will be worth half a year's wages.Miff took a fancy to this, went home and entrusted his daughter-in-law to a neighbor, and set off with the convoy by himself.This afternoon, he was going to set off again to deliver two carts of leather goods to Jinan Prefecture in Shandong Province.
Two wagons of leather goods are not worth much. It is not strange to smuggle tobacco and soil, sell smuggled salt and transport ammunition these days. Compared with these, these two wagons of leather goods are nothing.The Qing gang sent a young man who was just in his early years to report to Yunliqing to be responsible for the escort, and it was Mifford who led Maoyong.The young man in Yunli was not very old, and he had a strong temper. He shouted and drank along the way.At first the road went smoothly, but when they arrived at the border of Yizhou Prefecture, a group of thieves suddenly ran out, the leader wearing a painted face mask used by a country theater troupe, riding a bay red horse, raising a big knife, Yun Liqing turned around and asked Run, Mifford was in a hurry, and stood behind, cursing, "Aren't you fucking capable? Come on."
Hualian and Yun Liqing went through three tricks, and hit Yun Liqing on the head with the handle of the knife. Yun Liqing was dizzy and lay still on the ground. Seeing the bad situation, Mi Fu rushed to the bay red horse and begged , "Hero, I beg you to raise your hand high. It's not a valuable thing. You can't eat it when you take it back, and it's not enough to use it. You have pity on us, let us live."
Hualian didn't pay attention to Mifford at all, and as soon as he raised his chin, his subordinates put the two carts of goods to his side.Mifu's tears were about to come down, he gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, "I'll fight with you!"
Miff rushed over to hold Hualian's hand, and quickly received several blows on his body.Yan Maoyong and the guys couldn't stand it anymore, they went to help, they relied on a sense of loyalty and brotherhood, but they were not their opponents at all, and they would only be beaten if they went up.After such a delay for a while, the painted faces swaggered away with two carts of goods, leaving Miff and a few fellows rubbing their wounds, sighing and cursing.
Things were lost, so there was no need to go to Jinan Mansion, Yun Liqing also woke up after the thieves left, was dragged onto the horse by their men, and ran away in a hurry.The guys discussed going back the same way, but luckily they still had some scattered money on them, enough for them to go home safely.Everyone helped each other to stand up, but Miff was still sitting on the ground with tears in his eyes.
"You guys go back, I won't go back." The huge man was crying, "Who of you go to see my wife and tell her that I am dead."
The guys were dumbfounded, and one of the older ones, who knew what was going on, asked, "Are you worried that you will have to pay money when you go back?"
The words reached Miff's heart, and everyone bowed their heads.This is the rule of Yan Maoyong. If there is a problem in the middle of the delivery of the goods, the Qing Gang will be responsible for half of the compensation, and the escort will pay the other half.In Qiao Funian's words, you can't just let you benefit, and the loss is the boss's business?Don't worry about it, everyone will take care of it when you know it hurts when you cut the meat!Fortunately, there have been no problems in these years. Who would want them to be unlucky?
The old man is a bit broken, so Miff doesn't have to hide it anymore, "I borrowed a liter of noodles this time when I went out, and let her roll the noodles to eat. I'm still waiting for me to go back to pay off the debt. It's good now, the goods are lost, and I have to pay for it." , what compensation do I get?"
The old man persuaded, "There must be a way for the car to go to the front of the mountain. Is it possible that you will seek death for such a thing? If you are dead, your wife will have no way to survive? Why don't you go back with us, and we big guys will intercede with the shopkeeper together. Let him see our injuries, maybe he can let us go?"
According to Mrs. Shen's order, Wen Qingyun personally stewed a pot of tonic soup and sent it to Shen Maoyong for Shen Xiaoru to drink.But Shen Xiaoru was not there, Qiao Funian said, the young master came and saw that there was nothing on the cabinet, so he left.Where did you go?Did not dare to ask.Wen Qingyun was a little helpless, which was expected.She went up to the account room on the second floor and told the shopkeeper Joe that they were busy with each other so that there was no need to greet her, and she would go back after sitting for a while.After such a short time, the young man returned from the defeated army and gathered in the backyard, hiding from the merchants in front.Wen Qingyun heard the commotion downstairs, opened the window and looked down, and saw Mifford kneeling, his clothes torn, his nose bruised and his face swollen.Qiao Funian was sternly reprimanding, "It's your duty to protect the goods. If you take the boss' wages, your life is the boss's. There's nothing to say. Don't start work if you don't pay money. When you come, you have a guarantor, so Don't even think about running away, if you run away, you will cause trouble to your own family."
The old man pulled Qiao Funian's trouser legs, and was still muttering, "Shopkeeper, please forgive me, we can't help it, there are several mouths waiting for us to fill in, if you want to deduct our wages, they have to Drink the northwest wind..."
Qiao Funian pulled out his trouser legs with all his strength, and the old man couldn't bear it anymore, he tilted his body and fell down, but he himself turned around with this force, just in time to meet Wen Qingyun's cold gaze, and shot like an arrow. come over.Qiao Funian was shocked, even though he didn't feel that what he did was wrong, he still couldn't help feeling guilty, so he couldn't pay attention to Mi Fu who was rushing from behind.As soon as he saw the old man being kicked by Qiao Funian, Mi Fu's suppressed fire came to his head, so he seized the opportunity and hit him with one blow, knocking Qiao Funian into a mess, his forehead hit the pickaxes and wooden sticks piled up in the corner, Blood gushed out suddenly and flowed all over his face.The yard fell silent for a moment, and the guys stared wide-eyed until Qiao Funian clutched his forehead and screamed like a pig being slaughtered.
2,
Wen Qingyun clarified the ins and outs of the matter, and Qiao Funian's head injury was healed.Miff stood there with his neck stuck, and the old man tugged at the back of his shirt, but he couldn't make him bow his head.
"Young Mistress, I don't have the face to do it here anymore. Let me go. I'll go home and farm. I'll just eat anyway. I can't take it!" Qiao Funian said, crying.He really felt aggrieved, he couldn't think about it, the more he thought about it, the more he was aggrieved, and in the end he almost broke down in tears.
Wen Qingyun came out from behind the table, with a comforting smile on her face, her voice softened, and she said slowly: "Shopkeeper Qiao, for my sake, you can't say you want to leave. You are leaving, this time Maoyong to whom? Do you have the heart to see a good deal left unattended? My father often praises you at home, saying that you understand the rules and know the general principles, and you have the heart to let him down?" After finishing speaking, he looked at Mifford, and his voice was stern A little bit more, "Don't you want to pay the shopkeeper Qiao? If the shopkeeper Qiao is not kind and soft, you will be sentenced to death in the yamen right now!"
Miff refused to open his mouth, and the old man smiled flatteringly and said, "Shopkeeper Qiao, you don't remember the faults of villains, don't be as knowledgeable as him. It's all our fault, which caused you to suffer."
Qiao Funian turned his face to the guy, but he was speaking to Wen Qingyun, "What am I doing this for? If you say that I am a man with sons and daughters, although I am not rich, I can still fill my stomach. What am I trying to do? "
"That's right," Wen Qingyun nodded, "Otherwise, my father said that the Shen family's success depends on such an old man? Shopkeeper Qiao, I, Wen Qingyun, salute you, thank you."
Qiao Funian was stunned, he stretched out his hand a little too late, Wen Qingyun had already bowed down, and he accepted the gift as well. "Eldest young mistress, what are you doing?"
Wen Qingyun straightened up, looking straight at him, "Shopkeeper Qiao, Dad told me before he went to Beijing that the young master and I should look after Maoyong. Since I have caught up with this matter today, I don't have to say a few words. I can't keep the previous rules! The loss cabinet in the shop is the burden, and the guys can’t let the guys eat melons. How much money can they have? The three melons and two dates earned by selling their hard work are needed to support their families. From now on, this rule will be abolished. In the future Don't mention it any more."
"Master Shen made this decision."
"It doesn't matter who it is, if someone decides the rules, someone else will change them. I will explain to my dad. Don't worry." Wen Qingyun looked at Mifford standing behind who was showing some gratitude, "But you and I can't forgive you. Are you Dude, we are in business, and you can’t do big things in the trading shop. It’s against the rules. You don’t have to pay for the goods, but I will fine you half a year’s wages, and I will treat it as the medicine money for the shopkeeper. Are you willing to accept it? ?”
Miff's neck was still stiff, but he had already softened.He wanted to persuade him, but he touched his pockets, but he didn't have a dime, and if he didn't receive wages for half a year, both he and his wife would starve to death!The dead will serve.The old man wiped his neck beside him with winks, for fear that Miff's stubborn temper would upset the young mistress and overturn what he said earlier.Mifford snorted, agreeing.
Qiao Funian sent Wen Qingyun away, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt annoyed. On the surface, everything she said was aimed at him, but in fact, he didn't take any advantage, and he was beaten for nothing!It seems that what Yang Jing'an said is correct, this woman is not simple, she must be careful.When it was dark, Yang Jing'an finished his work at Kenmu Company and went to Maoyong, where he told the whole story and his own grievances.Yang Jing'an held the teapot and burst into laughter, my old buddy, where is this going? You couldn't stand it at the beginning, what will you do when she makes moves later?Qiao Funian still said the same thing, the big deal is not to wait on him, he can't afford to be provoked and can't afford to hide!Yang Jing'an said sternly, don't say such things again, with you here, she can't cover the sky with one hand, and if you leave, she will become even more lawless.In order to cheer him up, Yang Jing'an took out a bank note from his bosom.Dong Qingsong didn't answer.
"Steward Yang, after such a big incident, the things you told me to put in the leather are all gone. That is the best cloud soil. You didn't say a word of reproach, but returned the money to me. How can I have the face to take it? "
"Take it, these are two different things. I was careless, thinking that I was familiar with the way, and because the inconspicuous leather was on the outside, no one would be tempted, so this kind of thing happened. It has nothing to do with you. You go inside When it was hidden, no one saw it, right?"
Qiao Funian patted his chest and assured, "Absolutely not, I let it go myself."
Yang Jing'an nodded, "That's fine. Don't let anyone know about this."
"But how do you explain to Boss Chu in Shanghai?"
"You don't have to worry about it, I'll tell him, once in a while, if it's a big deal, I'll lose some money, and I can't say anything compared to him." Yang Jing'an embraced himself, smiling, "Come on, Didn’t you say that you want to build another yard in the countryside? This is the congratulatory money I gave in advance. If you have time to build the yard, just say what you need.”
Qiao Funian clasped his fists in salute and bowed deeply. When something like this happened, Yang Jing'an didn't say a single word of reproach, and returned him the money. He will never forget this kindness.
Su Maoyong’s buddies all live in the shop, except for those who come back from outside. Let them go back and meet with their families to report that they are safe, so that they can collect the money they earn and open the shop early the next morning. Just come back before.Mifford and the old buddies whose homes were nearby all went back.Wen Qingyun waited for them to go far away before finding someone to inquire about Mi Fu's residence. She brought snow lotus and various supplements to visit in person.
The courtyard where Mi Fu lives is also adjacent to the Qiangwei River, which is very different from the section of the river at the entrance of Maoyong.Animal carcasses, torn shoes, and clothes floated on the water, and there was also a layer of white, gray, and gray foam. When the setting sun fell, the foam scrambled to burst, emitting a disgusting stench.The carriage stopped at the end of a path, and the driver pointed to the thatched roof protruding from the weeds, and said with a smile, that is the place you are looking for.You pay attention, go slowly.
Xuelian supported Wen Qingyun, as if someone was leaning against her side to strengthen her courage.She was worried about snakes in the grass, toads jumping out of the road, and traps ahead.Wen Qingyun felt angry and funny, this place is poor or evil, but there are people living here, not ghosts and ghosts.They can survive here, we can't die if we come here!
Arriving at the gate of the courtyard with the "three fences", Wen Qingyun's eyes, which were ready to endure all kinds of poverty, tightened, she bit her lips tightly, and did not scream out.The snow lotus next to it opened its mouth wide enough to stuff a whole egg into it.
What kind of courtyard is this? There are seven or eight houses crookedly side by side, all of different sizes and squares. They are all made of mud walls and thatched roofs.Standing outside such a house, people dare not take a big breath, for fear that if they breathe too much, they will blow the house down!The yard was muddy, with a few chickens and a dozen children running around.The chickens swaggered and pecked out worms in the mud, their toes held high like victorious generals.The children were cautious and ran around in circles, fearing that if they accidentally touched the chicken, they would be beaten severely.In their respective homes, they are not as good as a hen that can only lay eggs in the eyes of adults.They also feel that they are inferior. The chickens still have beautiful feathers, but they don’t. The boys are all naked, and the girls are wrapped in colorless cloth to cover their final shyness and human dignity.No wonder chickens look down on them.
One girl stood down first, staring at the gate in a daze, and soon all the children stood down, drooling as they watched the fairy-like woman walking down from the painting.Wen Qingyun has been baptized by countless gazes in her life, but this time, she felt that those gazes were like shovels, digging holes in her heart, bleeding forever, and never healed.When she is enjoying the riches and honors in the world, when she is going through hardships, those emptiness will alert her and remind her.Of course, this is all for later.At this time, the first thought that came to Wen Qingyun's mind was to escape!
Xuelian pulled Wen Qingyun's cuff, "Mi, Mi Fu!"
Mi Fu came out to empty the urinal for his daughter-in-law, and was also dumbfounded when he saw them.The three of them stared at each other for a while, and a woman's weak and thin voice came from the dark door behind Mifford, "Just let me die, what do you care about me? I'm dead, you Marry someone with good hands and feet, so that you can pass on the family line of Lao Mi's family."
Miff's face turned red all of a sudden, and he turned his head and yelled into the room, "What are you talking about, it's a joke!"
Wen Qingyun regained her composure, and hurriedly said, "What's the joke, I just came to see you."
Mi Fu's wife was lying on the kang with a weed mat under her body, giving off a stench. She should not be very old, but her luster should have been washed away by illness and poverty. Two big round eyes with cloudy water, can't see clearly anymore, but they are still trying to open in Wen Qingyun's direction, clutching the food and clothing that Wen Qingyun just handed her, she wants to see clearly the appearance of her benefactor , she wants to say thank you well.
Miff invites Wen Qingyun outside the door, at least it can make people breathe outside.Wen Qingyun wanted to say something polite, but Xuelian had already run out, retching heavily.
"This is for you," Wen Qingyun took out a ten tael silver ingot and handed it to Mi Fu, "Please find a good doctor for your daughter-in-law."
Miff took a step back, "Eldest young mistress, how can I do this? You punished me, and I haven't handed it in yet."
"It's two different things. Punish you because you really did something wrong. Give it to you because you really need it. Take it and refuse again, and I'll get angry." Wen Qingyun said half-truth, half-truth, and saw it out of the corner of her eye The doors of every house in the courtyard were opened, and people looked out, half-hidden, even envious, showing poverty.She felt her nose sore, and said in a low voice, "If you need anything in the future, come to me directly. Or if you neighbors have troubles, you can also come to me. I will try my best to help you."
Mifford nodded vigorously, "Young Mistress, I'm a vulgar person with a stupid mouth, and I don't know what to say. If you can use Mifford in the future, if you say a word, I will definitely kill you and I will..."
That night, Lu Tou came to the compound with a carriage full of grain and cloth. Miff watched helplessly and shed two tears.
3,
Yan Maoyong lost several goods one after another, all of which belonged to old customers, and they were all odds and ends that were not very valuable. Good things did not go out, and bad things spread far and wide.Wen Qingyun looked at the accounts, and this month's business has dropped by more than [-]% compared to last month.There were many rumors outside, and she didn't even dare to think about what the outcome would be if this went on.She was anxious, and asked someone to find Shen Xiaoru, and discuss together to see if there is any solution.
Shen Xiaoru was sitting and listening to a book in the private room of the teahouse, with the melon seeds in front of him, and the little girl with dimples on the stage was talking about "The Complete Biography of Shuo Yue". I was annoyed, "Isn't it just a few batches of goods lost? Can you stop making such a fuss? I collapsed that day. If the goods are lost, it is difficult to compensate others according to the rules?"
Wen Qingyun held back her breath and said, "But what about our reputation? If this continues, all the customers will run away, and we will have to close the door!"
Shen Xiaoru snickered, "Close the door, I'll take you to listen to the book. It's much more interesting than staying here."
Wen Qingyun's face turned cold, she was blaming herself in her heart, she knew Shen Xiaoru couldn't help, and she still wanted to drag him in, asking for trouble.
In fact, there was another person who was more anxious than Wen Qingyun when Maoyong made such a fuss, and that was Yang Jing'an.The several batches of goods involved in the accident contained his private goods. If no one tipped off the news, how could it be such a coincidence?Qiao Funian took the bank note and asked for leave to go home to build a house. Yang Jingan sent someone to look for it. The neighbor said that he had already sold the old house and a few acres of land. A few days ago, he took his family and left in the middle of the night without saying where. But it looks like he won't be coming back.Yang Jing'an gritted his teeth and swallowed, wishing to pick out his own eyes, why didn't he see that there was such a bastard around him?Now the Xia family waiting outside to receive the goods has already exploded. Boss Chu in Shanghai is the source of opium smuggling. I forgave him once, but now I feel that he is playing tricks.Let me tell you, with such high-quality clouds and soil, if he doesn't give an explanation, his life will be lost.Who is Boss Chu?Even foreigners have to respect him three points, so what about Sheng Xuanhuai, and let Boss Chu sit first when they meet.Let alone Yang Jing'an, even Shen Yunpei couldn't afford it.Qiao Funian is trying to kill him, just for this, he will never spare that bastard lightly!But the most important thing right now is to solve the problem, find out who bought Qiao Funian and why.
No matter what their respective goals were, Wen Qingyun and Yang Jing'an apparently put aside their past differences and sat together.Wen Qingyun closed the door of the accounting room, and asked Mi Fu to guard downstairs, and no one was allowed to come closer.Looking at the posture, Yang Jing'an knew how much she knew and guessed something, but how much did she really know?
"What do you think, Eldest Mistress?" Yang Jing'an asked.
Wen Qingyun said: "This is done by the Green Gang."
Yang Jing'an was also so skeptical in his heart, but seeing Wen Qingyun's determination, he was still surprised, "Why do you see that?"
"Since the first accident, I have sent more people, and I also specially asked the Green Gang to add more guards. Every time the route and destination are handed over by me before departure, I will never leak the news, only The Qing Gang has a chance to attack, or they have notified outsiders to rob, and they should cooperate with outsiders."
Yang Jingan frowned, "According to what you mean, the Green Gang is guarding and stealing?"
Wen Qingyun nodded, "There is one thing that I can't understand no matter how much I think about it, whether it's the Qing Gang or others, if you want to rob goods, you should find something valuable, right? Why do you want to find those messy people? Could it be those Are there any other problems in the cargo?"
Yang Jingan picked up the teacup, put it down as soon as it touched his lips, his mind turned around, and he deliberately asked, "Who is in charge of loading?"
"I asked the buddy, the shopkeeper Qiao personally made the final packaging of these batches." Wen Qingyun suddenly said, "You mean he has a problem?"
Yang Jing'an didn't say anything, just kept shaking his head and sighing.Wen Qingyun read it, and stopped talking, and turned the topic to the Qing Gang.Now that it is suspected that the Green Gang has tampered with it, and Qiao Funian is the insider, both sides have to investigate.Wen Qingyun meant to temporarily suspend cooperation with the Green Gang. Yang Jing'an thought it was okay, but he had to find a suitable candidate as soon as possible. Since Maoyong had a lot of goods coming in and out every day, stopping for a day would be a big loss for them.
The two were studying, and Mi Fu said outside the door, "Young Mistress, the leader of the Green Gang has arrived."
This Hall Master Hou was the one Wen Qingyun saw sitting face to face with Zhong Han in the restaurant, and had dealt with Yang Jing'an, so Yang Jing'an introduced them to them, and the host and guest sat down.
"Treasurer Yang," Hall Master Hou's voice is loud and carefree, he is used to the old address of Yang Jing'an, and he can't change it for a while, "Our Gang Master Liu said that we should be responsible for any accidents. Our Qing Gang is not as rich as your Shen family , but it won’t make people laugh and pick out any reason. This is half of what we should pay, please take a look.”
Yang Jingan took it over, "Master Hou, this money is a trivial matter, but we still have something to ask..."
"Shopkeeper Yang, please tell me."
Wen Qingyun saw that Yang Jingan kept looking at her, so she knew that she was going to take the lead in offending people, and said with a slight smile, "Master Hou, it is said that we have cooperated with Maoyong and the Qing Gang for some years, and we know the strength of your gang , Why did these things suddenly happen this year?"
Hall Master Hou's eyes widened, and he sneered and said, "Young Mistress, you mean it's our Green Gang's fault?"
"Master Hou misunderstood, I just want to know more, so that I can avoid it in the future."
"There is no misunderstanding. If the eldest young mistress thinks that the Green Gang is not effective, then please hire someone else." Master Hou stood up and angrily kicked over the chair.
Hall Master Hou didn't wait for Yang Jing'an or Wen Qingyun to say anything else, he raised his legs and walked downstairs. The two people in the room looked at each other, and they both thought the same thing in their hearts, and the Qing Gang stopped calling themselves.This can be regarded as a tear between Mao Yong and the Qing Gang.Wen Qingyun, like Yang Jing'an, had no idea what to do next.What Wen Qingyun was thinking about was how to find the person who delivered the goods as soon as possible, but Yang Jingan was still thinking about the goods he had lost, so he had to find out where they were.
4,
Shen Xiaoru stayed on the bed in the morning and refused to move. Last night, Wen Qingyun had been studying Maoyong's matter with him. She said it was research, but she said, he listened, nodded occasionally, and dealt with it.Recently, Shen Xiaoru has become obsessed with listening to books. He has already found out that there is a storyteller girl with dimples named Jin Yan, and the one who pulls the strings is her father. ask for life.Jin Yangang is 15 years old, born with eloquent teeth, knows how to raise eyebrows and lower eyes, and knows that Xiaoru's eyes are on him. Every time he says a paragraph, he will send him eye waves and smile lines. Be particularly generous.Now that "Shuo Yue" is almost finished, the next one is "Three Heroes and Five Righteousness", which will be a different kind of excitement. Shen Xiaoru thought in his heart that when Mrs. Shen celebrates her [-]th birthday in a few days, he will take Jin Yan and her Dad invites you to come to the house, and talk about it for a while, and let everyone in the family open their eyes.
Wen Qingyun didn't know what he was thinking, and said: "I've thought about it, we don't have a decent bodyguard company in Haizhou City, if you go to another place to find it, you'll need a lot of money, and it won't work. It's best to hire a strong man Come out..."
"Okay." Shen Xiaoru thought of setting up a banquet in the garden, listening to Jin Yan's whispering swallows, and called out.
Wen Qingyun was a little annoyed, "Xiaoru, do you know what I'm talking about? Well, well, you know! You are the big shopkeeper of Yan Maoyong. Are you not in a hurry if the business can't go on?"
Shen Xiaoru blinked and said, "Is it that serious? Isn't it just that the goods have been lost a few times, just be more careful in the future."
Wen Qingyun's face was full of hatred, "If it's really the work of the Qing Gang, it's useless for us to be careful."
"Then I'll listen to you, you can do whatever you want, is it done?" Shen Xiaoru yawned, "I don't care, you toss me up before dawn, I'm going to sleep for a while. I Dear Madam, if you move to another place, if you stare at me like this, you will wake me up even if I fall asleep..."
Shen Xiaoru drove Wen Qingyun to the small study, it's okay, everyone will be clean.In the small study room, Wen Qingyun thought about what happened from beginning to end. The person she wanted to discuss with Shen Xiaoru just now was actually that person, Zhong Han.Apart from him, there is no other candidate who can resist the Green Gang and gain a foothold on this ground.Since she can make up whatever Shen Xiaoru says, she will be the master today and find Zhong Han, only he can pull Maoyong back from the edge of the cliff.
It is not easy to meet Zhong Han. The sea arrest papers are pasted on the gate of Haizhou City.Even if Zhong Han is so bold, he wouldn't enter the city easily.To his old lair in Huaguoshan Shibapan?Wen Qingyun hesitated for a moment, this kind of door-to-door thing usually does not have a good result.Thinking of the rugged mountain roads in the wilderness, she still trembled in her heart.Perhaps it is possible to invite Zhong Han to come to Haizhou City again through Hall Master Hou's channel.But will Master Hou believe her?
There is only one way, and I have to try it no matter what, Wen Qingyun asked Mi Fu to invite Hall Master Hou to meet at Tianxiang Pavilion.Hall Master Hou was confused, the first meeting made such a fuss, why would she want him?The more confused the more curious, and when the appointed time came, Master Hou had already sat down in the private room.
When the waiter finished pouring the tea and went downstairs, and there were only the two of them left in the private room, Wen Qingyun said without any formalities, and went straight to the point, "Master Hou, I have something to ask..."
Hall Master Hou was stunned for a moment, it was not difficult to find Zhong Han, they had contact methods, but he couldn't open his mouth easily until he found out Wen Qingyun's trump card.Before she was kidnapped by Zhong Han and went up the mountain, it is not uncommon to ambush her to take revenge now.There is morality in the world, he will not help outsiders.
Wen Qingyun said: "Master Hou, I promise I won't. If I want to do that, I'll shout out when I was upstairs that day. Even if he has great martial arts skills, he can't fly with his wings, right? Maybe he will even hurt the Hall Master." .Otherwise, just give me a message. Whether he comes or not is his business, and I won't blame you." After speaking, he took out a bank note from his pocket, "Master Hou, what's the matter? I gave it to you. The business of Maoyong these years is thanks to your care, a little care is not a respect."
Hall Master Hou cast a glance, 1000 taels is not a small amount, so he can't be tempted. For money, he has gone through mountains of swords and seas of fire. Now it's too easy for him to send a message.
"Eldest young mistress, you are being polite. Well, don't worry, I'm not a mother-in-law. I can help you with things, but is he willing to see you..."
"Then it has nothing to do with you. As long as you are willing to help me, Master Hou will be my friend from now on. We will come and go often." Wen Qingyun picked up the teacup, her eyes shone brightly, and turned the small room It shines brightly.
After leaving the south gate of Haizhou City, walk eastward for a mile, and you will see a small tea house with several wooden tables in the open air, a straw roof, and a room surrounded by yellow mud walls, where water is boiled for tea and noodles. , most of the people who come and go are villagers, who visit relatives and friends in the city or sell some products from their own fields to sell. After earning a few pennies, they rest here, have a couple of old wine and a plate of beef, and chat about the lively talk of the folks in the village. And the anecdotes I saw in the city recently are rewards for myself.The shopkeeper of the tea shop, surnamed Zhou, is in his fifties, has no wife and no children, and adopted an orphan named Mancang to help out in the tea house.Mancang has just turned ten years old, and already knows how to greet guests, serve tea and water, sometimes the shopkeeper Zhou goes out to handle goods, and walks for three to five days, only Mancang is in the tea house, and he is also thoughtful in cooking.
Zhong Han and Shopkeeper Zhou have known each other for many years. At that time, Zhong Han was still one of Lu Zhengyi's subordinates. Once when he went down the mountain to do some errands, he happened to meet Shopkeeper Zhou crying on the side of the road. The eldest man was crying like a child. Tie the rope, it looks like you are going to hang yourself.Zhong Han couldn't help but stepped forward to ask, only to find out that shopkeeper Zhou had saved money for more than ten years, and finally told himself his next daughter-in-law, who was married today, but he was snatched away by the bullies in the village and beat him up .Zhong Han couldn't stand this kind of bullying, so he patted his chest and told shopkeeper Zhou that he would avenge him.Shopkeeper Zhou was dubious.At night, Zhong Han went into the bully's house and stabbed the dagger into the back of the man who was doing good.It's a pity that the rescued woman couldn't think about it, and she couldn't bear it.From then on, shopkeeper Zhou gave up the idea of marrying a wife, and devoted himself to running his own small tea house, acting as an eyeliner for Zhong's family village. Zhong Han occasionally met someone, and arranged them in the tea house.The location here is remote, and it extends in all directions. If there is anything to do, just turn around and go into the mountains, and the gods will do nothing.
When Wen Qingyun brought the snow lotus to the tea house, shopkeeper Zhou went to meet Zhong Han in person, and Mancang came out to say hello.Because it was not yet noon, there was only one table of guests in the tea house, and the warehouse was so big that I had never seen a rich woman who was well-dressed, jeweled, and beautiful, and stood dumbfounded.Xue Lian thought he was dirty, and hid her eyes and body, but Wen Qingyun thought he was clever and interesting, so she took out a silver coin and asked him to quickly boil a pot of good tea.Mancang sniffled and said, can't find it.Wen Qingyun smiled, it doesn't matter, the rest is your reward.
Mancang was stunned by the pie falling from the sky. He was stunned for a while, then suddenly pointed to Wen Qingyun and said, "I know you. You are the Bodhisattva empress in the temple. I will kowtow to you."
Wen Qingyun burst out laughing, sprayed water on the table, and even Xuelian covered her stomach with laughter.Zhong Han has already arrived outside the tea house at this moment, watching this scene, his mouth curled into a smile line.Wen Qingyun felt a pair of eyes looking at her, just as she turned her head, her heart suddenly became flustered, all the words she had prepared disappeared, and her mind went blank.Zhong Han stood against the light, his hard facial features blurred into a ball, but there was an indescribable kindness and familiarity.
The two sat down in a single room separated from the hut, and shopkeeper Zhou personally changed the tea and brought it.For a moment, Wen Qingyun didn't dare to raise her head, but she didn't know why she was shy and timid.Zhong Han seemed to have read her mind, and asked, how are you doing?
This is a greeting that only exists between friends, and it doesn't feel awkward just to say it out of his mouth. Wen Qingyun raised her eyes and met his gaze, and the answer was written in her eyes.
"Master Hou has already told me. It's about Maoyong. You want to ask me what and how much I know?" Zhong Han sighed, as if blaming her for being too utilitarian and going to the Three Treasures Hall for everything.
Wen Qingyun suddenly said: "Only you can help me now." The feeling between people is so strange, he is the bandit who kidnapped her, she should be afraid that he will hate him, but in her heart, this meeting is actually When an old friend reunites, where he sits, she feels that she can completely trust the confession, and there is no need to hide the slightest bit.She has never felt this way about anyone, even her own father sometimes has some things she can't say thoroughly, but she can do it to him, she can't wait to tell everything, let him help her make up her mind and make a judgment .She didn't need to think too much, she decided wishfully that he would definitely help her.
Her thoughts were clearly written in her eyes, and he could understand them.Now that he agreed to come to see her, he knew that all his efforts to suppress were in vain.He wanted to see her, and when he saw her smile, he felt unspeakably comfortable in his heart. He was willing to help her solve her problems. They were in the same heart, but neither of them could say it at the moment.
"It's the old gang leader. His daughter died, and the debt falls on your Shen family," Zhong Han said, "He would rather pay the money and vent his anger, and ruin your reputation and credibility, but this is not the case. Do it, offend many brothers."
"I also thought about it, otherwise, with their strength, how could things go wrong one after another."
Zhong Han caught the worry flashing in Wen Qingyun's eyes, and asked lightly, "How do you want me to help you?"
"In the future, I would like to ask Zhong Jiazhai to take over the escort of Maoyong's freight. As for the price, you don't have to worry about it. Is it okay?" Wen Qingyun didn't know if this was a forceful situation. Will you take such a big risk?
Sure enough, Zhong Han paused and said, "The most taboo in the world is to cut off people's wealth. In this way, our Zhongjiazhai and the Green Gang will be at odds."
"As long as you accept this business, I'll give you three years of money first, and you have the strength to compete with them." Wen Qingyun said word by word, "If you want to be the head of the family, you don't want to be oppressed by the youth gang for the rest of your life, right? "
"Have you already thought about it for me?" Zhong Han raised his eyes and stared at her, "But I'm a key criminal who was offered a reward by the court, aren't you afraid of being accused of being a gangster?"
Wen Qingyun smiled and said, "I borrowed the banner of your Zhongjiazhai, and I want safety on the road. The rest has nothing to do with you. If you talk about gangsters, you let me go that time, didn't you already get through?"
"Aren't you afraid?" Zhong Han stared, trying to see into her heart.
"What are you afraid of? Are you?" Wen Qingyun didn't intend to evade, "Could it be that you will eat me? As I said, those so-called honest men are more terrifying than bandits."
(End of this chapter)
1,
As usual, Qiao Funian got up from the bed as soon as the sun showed half of his face, with a broom in his hand, coughed loudly while sweeping the yard, and walked heavily from east to west. The clothes ran out, and before he opened his mouth to say anything, he took the broom.Qiao Funian nodded in satisfaction. The first guy who ran to the yard could get an extra egg for lunch.Then he would talk loudly as usual, most of which started with "thinking about the past".
"I think back when I was an apprentice, I couldn't sleep for three hours a day. In the yard and in the shop, there was no dust on the table, window sill, or straw stick on the ground. In order to lead the way for my master, we have to deal with such a difficult guest. You are also greeted with a smile, let us do whatever we want, and this is the day that makes your eyes shine. If you want to be like me, you have to do it!"
Miff turned his head, with a disdainful expression on his face, "Ass licking like you? Man doesn't have this addiction!"
When Qiao Funian heard Mi Fu's voice, he couldn't hear the exact words clearly, but the meaning was already clear.Glaring fiercely, he made a mental note.
The two of them had a heart-to-heart relationship for a long time. At that time, Yang Jing'an was still the big shopkeeper, and they quarreled at the door of the accountant's room.Qiao Funian said that Mi Fuzang was treacherous and slippery, and Mi Fu called him a despicable villain.Yang Jing'an said, either shut up, or get the hell out of here.
Mifford can't get out, there is still a sick wife waiting for him to support him.The foreman couldn't do it, so in order to earn more, he volunteered to deliver the goods.Although Maoyong's goods have always been escorted by the Green Gang, they have to use their own buddies to carry them up and down.This work is hard work and somewhat risky, so those who are willing to go will be paid another salary according to the number of days the journey is long. Or at least it's a thought, it's in the dark.There are always more in the dark than in the open. If you go smoothly, two or three trips will be worth half a year's wages.Miff took a fancy to this, went home and entrusted his daughter-in-law to a neighbor, and set off with the convoy by himself.This afternoon, he was going to set off again to deliver two carts of leather goods to Jinan Prefecture in Shandong Province.
Two wagons of leather goods are not worth much. It is not strange to smuggle tobacco and soil, sell smuggled salt and transport ammunition these days. Compared with these, these two wagons of leather goods are nothing.The Qing gang sent a young man who was just in his early years to report to Yunliqing to be responsible for the escort, and it was Mifford who led Maoyong.The young man in Yunli was not very old, and he had a strong temper. He shouted and drank along the way.At first the road went smoothly, but when they arrived at the border of Yizhou Prefecture, a group of thieves suddenly ran out, the leader wearing a painted face mask used by a country theater troupe, riding a bay red horse, raising a big knife, Yun Liqing turned around and asked Run, Mifford was in a hurry, and stood behind, cursing, "Aren't you fucking capable? Come on."
Hualian and Yun Liqing went through three tricks, and hit Yun Liqing on the head with the handle of the knife. Yun Liqing was dizzy and lay still on the ground. Seeing the bad situation, Mi Fu rushed to the bay red horse and begged , "Hero, I beg you to raise your hand high. It's not a valuable thing. You can't eat it when you take it back, and it's not enough to use it. You have pity on us, let us live."
Hualian didn't pay attention to Mifford at all, and as soon as he raised his chin, his subordinates put the two carts of goods to his side.Mifu's tears were about to come down, he gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, "I'll fight with you!"
Miff rushed over to hold Hualian's hand, and quickly received several blows on his body.Yan Maoyong and the guys couldn't stand it anymore, they went to help, they relied on a sense of loyalty and brotherhood, but they were not their opponents at all, and they would only be beaten if they went up.After such a delay for a while, the painted faces swaggered away with two carts of goods, leaving Miff and a few fellows rubbing their wounds, sighing and cursing.
Things were lost, so there was no need to go to Jinan Mansion, Yun Liqing also woke up after the thieves left, was dragged onto the horse by their men, and ran away in a hurry.The guys discussed going back the same way, but luckily they still had some scattered money on them, enough for them to go home safely.Everyone helped each other to stand up, but Miff was still sitting on the ground with tears in his eyes.
"You guys go back, I won't go back." The huge man was crying, "Who of you go to see my wife and tell her that I am dead."
The guys were dumbfounded, and one of the older ones, who knew what was going on, asked, "Are you worried that you will have to pay money when you go back?"
The words reached Miff's heart, and everyone bowed their heads.This is the rule of Yan Maoyong. If there is a problem in the middle of the delivery of the goods, the Qing Gang will be responsible for half of the compensation, and the escort will pay the other half.In Qiao Funian's words, you can't just let you benefit, and the loss is the boss's business?Don't worry about it, everyone will take care of it when you know it hurts when you cut the meat!Fortunately, there have been no problems in these years. Who would want them to be unlucky?
The old man is a bit broken, so Miff doesn't have to hide it anymore, "I borrowed a liter of noodles this time when I went out, and let her roll the noodles to eat. I'm still waiting for me to go back to pay off the debt. It's good now, the goods are lost, and I have to pay for it." , what compensation do I get?"
The old man persuaded, "There must be a way for the car to go to the front of the mountain. Is it possible that you will seek death for such a thing? If you are dead, your wife will have no way to survive? Why don't you go back with us, and we big guys will intercede with the shopkeeper together. Let him see our injuries, maybe he can let us go?"
According to Mrs. Shen's order, Wen Qingyun personally stewed a pot of tonic soup and sent it to Shen Maoyong for Shen Xiaoru to drink.But Shen Xiaoru was not there, Qiao Funian said, the young master came and saw that there was nothing on the cabinet, so he left.Where did you go?Did not dare to ask.Wen Qingyun was a little helpless, which was expected.She went up to the account room on the second floor and told the shopkeeper Joe that they were busy with each other so that there was no need to greet her, and she would go back after sitting for a while.After such a short time, the young man returned from the defeated army and gathered in the backyard, hiding from the merchants in front.Wen Qingyun heard the commotion downstairs, opened the window and looked down, and saw Mifford kneeling, his clothes torn, his nose bruised and his face swollen.Qiao Funian was sternly reprimanding, "It's your duty to protect the goods. If you take the boss' wages, your life is the boss's. There's nothing to say. Don't start work if you don't pay money. When you come, you have a guarantor, so Don't even think about running away, if you run away, you will cause trouble to your own family."
The old man pulled Qiao Funian's trouser legs, and was still muttering, "Shopkeeper, please forgive me, we can't help it, there are several mouths waiting for us to fill in, if you want to deduct our wages, they have to Drink the northwest wind..."
Qiao Funian pulled out his trouser legs with all his strength, and the old man couldn't bear it anymore, he tilted his body and fell down, but he himself turned around with this force, just in time to meet Wen Qingyun's cold gaze, and shot like an arrow. come over.Qiao Funian was shocked, even though he didn't feel that what he did was wrong, he still couldn't help feeling guilty, so he couldn't pay attention to Mi Fu who was rushing from behind.As soon as he saw the old man being kicked by Qiao Funian, Mi Fu's suppressed fire came to his head, so he seized the opportunity and hit him with one blow, knocking Qiao Funian into a mess, his forehead hit the pickaxes and wooden sticks piled up in the corner, Blood gushed out suddenly and flowed all over his face.The yard fell silent for a moment, and the guys stared wide-eyed until Qiao Funian clutched his forehead and screamed like a pig being slaughtered.
2,
Wen Qingyun clarified the ins and outs of the matter, and Qiao Funian's head injury was healed.Miff stood there with his neck stuck, and the old man tugged at the back of his shirt, but he couldn't make him bow his head.
"Young Mistress, I don't have the face to do it here anymore. Let me go. I'll go home and farm. I'll just eat anyway. I can't take it!" Qiao Funian said, crying.He really felt aggrieved, he couldn't think about it, the more he thought about it, the more he was aggrieved, and in the end he almost broke down in tears.
Wen Qingyun came out from behind the table, with a comforting smile on her face, her voice softened, and she said slowly: "Shopkeeper Qiao, for my sake, you can't say you want to leave. You are leaving, this time Maoyong to whom? Do you have the heart to see a good deal left unattended? My father often praises you at home, saying that you understand the rules and know the general principles, and you have the heart to let him down?" After finishing speaking, he looked at Mifford, and his voice was stern A little bit more, "Don't you want to pay the shopkeeper Qiao? If the shopkeeper Qiao is not kind and soft, you will be sentenced to death in the yamen right now!"
Miff refused to open his mouth, and the old man smiled flatteringly and said, "Shopkeeper Qiao, you don't remember the faults of villains, don't be as knowledgeable as him. It's all our fault, which caused you to suffer."
Qiao Funian turned his face to the guy, but he was speaking to Wen Qingyun, "What am I doing this for? If you say that I am a man with sons and daughters, although I am not rich, I can still fill my stomach. What am I trying to do? "
"That's right," Wen Qingyun nodded, "Otherwise, my father said that the Shen family's success depends on such an old man? Shopkeeper Qiao, I, Wen Qingyun, salute you, thank you."
Qiao Funian was stunned, he stretched out his hand a little too late, Wen Qingyun had already bowed down, and he accepted the gift as well. "Eldest young mistress, what are you doing?"
Wen Qingyun straightened up, looking straight at him, "Shopkeeper Qiao, Dad told me before he went to Beijing that the young master and I should look after Maoyong. Since I have caught up with this matter today, I don't have to say a few words. I can't keep the previous rules! The loss cabinet in the shop is the burden, and the guys can’t let the guys eat melons. How much money can they have? The three melons and two dates earned by selling their hard work are needed to support their families. From now on, this rule will be abolished. In the future Don't mention it any more."
"Master Shen made this decision."
"It doesn't matter who it is, if someone decides the rules, someone else will change them. I will explain to my dad. Don't worry." Wen Qingyun looked at Mifford standing behind who was showing some gratitude, "But you and I can't forgive you. Are you Dude, we are in business, and you can’t do big things in the trading shop. It’s against the rules. You don’t have to pay for the goods, but I will fine you half a year’s wages, and I will treat it as the medicine money for the shopkeeper. Are you willing to accept it? ?”
Miff's neck was still stiff, but he had already softened.He wanted to persuade him, but he touched his pockets, but he didn't have a dime, and if he didn't receive wages for half a year, both he and his wife would starve to death!The dead will serve.The old man wiped his neck beside him with winks, for fear that Miff's stubborn temper would upset the young mistress and overturn what he said earlier.Mifford snorted, agreeing.
Qiao Funian sent Wen Qingyun away, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt annoyed. On the surface, everything she said was aimed at him, but in fact, he didn't take any advantage, and he was beaten for nothing!It seems that what Yang Jing'an said is correct, this woman is not simple, she must be careful.When it was dark, Yang Jing'an finished his work at Kenmu Company and went to Maoyong, where he told the whole story and his own grievances.Yang Jing'an held the teapot and burst into laughter, my old buddy, where is this going? You couldn't stand it at the beginning, what will you do when she makes moves later?Qiao Funian still said the same thing, the big deal is not to wait on him, he can't afford to be provoked and can't afford to hide!Yang Jing'an said sternly, don't say such things again, with you here, she can't cover the sky with one hand, and if you leave, she will become even more lawless.In order to cheer him up, Yang Jing'an took out a bank note from his bosom.Dong Qingsong didn't answer.
"Steward Yang, after such a big incident, the things you told me to put in the leather are all gone. That is the best cloud soil. You didn't say a word of reproach, but returned the money to me. How can I have the face to take it? "
"Take it, these are two different things. I was careless, thinking that I was familiar with the way, and because the inconspicuous leather was on the outside, no one would be tempted, so this kind of thing happened. It has nothing to do with you. You go inside When it was hidden, no one saw it, right?"
Qiao Funian patted his chest and assured, "Absolutely not, I let it go myself."
Yang Jing'an nodded, "That's fine. Don't let anyone know about this."
"But how do you explain to Boss Chu in Shanghai?"
"You don't have to worry about it, I'll tell him, once in a while, if it's a big deal, I'll lose some money, and I can't say anything compared to him." Yang Jing'an embraced himself, smiling, "Come on, Didn’t you say that you want to build another yard in the countryside? This is the congratulatory money I gave in advance. If you have time to build the yard, just say what you need.”
Qiao Funian clasped his fists in salute and bowed deeply. When something like this happened, Yang Jing'an didn't say a single word of reproach, and returned him the money. He will never forget this kindness.
Su Maoyong’s buddies all live in the shop, except for those who come back from outside. Let them go back and meet with their families to report that they are safe, so that they can collect the money they earn and open the shop early the next morning. Just come back before.Mifford and the old buddies whose homes were nearby all went back.Wen Qingyun waited for them to go far away before finding someone to inquire about Mi Fu's residence. She brought snow lotus and various supplements to visit in person.
The courtyard where Mi Fu lives is also adjacent to the Qiangwei River, which is very different from the section of the river at the entrance of Maoyong.Animal carcasses, torn shoes, and clothes floated on the water, and there was also a layer of white, gray, and gray foam. When the setting sun fell, the foam scrambled to burst, emitting a disgusting stench.The carriage stopped at the end of a path, and the driver pointed to the thatched roof protruding from the weeds, and said with a smile, that is the place you are looking for.You pay attention, go slowly.
Xuelian supported Wen Qingyun, as if someone was leaning against her side to strengthen her courage.She was worried about snakes in the grass, toads jumping out of the road, and traps ahead.Wen Qingyun felt angry and funny, this place is poor or evil, but there are people living here, not ghosts and ghosts.They can survive here, we can't die if we come here!
Arriving at the gate of the courtyard with the "three fences", Wen Qingyun's eyes, which were ready to endure all kinds of poverty, tightened, she bit her lips tightly, and did not scream out.The snow lotus next to it opened its mouth wide enough to stuff a whole egg into it.
What kind of courtyard is this? There are seven or eight houses crookedly side by side, all of different sizes and squares. They are all made of mud walls and thatched roofs.Standing outside such a house, people dare not take a big breath, for fear that if they breathe too much, they will blow the house down!The yard was muddy, with a few chickens and a dozen children running around.The chickens swaggered and pecked out worms in the mud, their toes held high like victorious generals.The children were cautious and ran around in circles, fearing that if they accidentally touched the chicken, they would be beaten severely.In their respective homes, they are not as good as a hen that can only lay eggs in the eyes of adults.They also feel that they are inferior. The chickens still have beautiful feathers, but they don’t. The boys are all naked, and the girls are wrapped in colorless cloth to cover their final shyness and human dignity.No wonder chickens look down on them.
One girl stood down first, staring at the gate in a daze, and soon all the children stood down, drooling as they watched the fairy-like woman walking down from the painting.Wen Qingyun has been baptized by countless gazes in her life, but this time, she felt that those gazes were like shovels, digging holes in her heart, bleeding forever, and never healed.When she is enjoying the riches and honors in the world, when she is going through hardships, those emptiness will alert her and remind her.Of course, this is all for later.At this time, the first thought that came to Wen Qingyun's mind was to escape!
Xuelian pulled Wen Qingyun's cuff, "Mi, Mi Fu!"
Mi Fu came out to empty the urinal for his daughter-in-law, and was also dumbfounded when he saw them.The three of them stared at each other for a while, and a woman's weak and thin voice came from the dark door behind Mifford, "Just let me die, what do you care about me? I'm dead, you Marry someone with good hands and feet, so that you can pass on the family line of Lao Mi's family."
Miff's face turned red all of a sudden, and he turned his head and yelled into the room, "What are you talking about, it's a joke!"
Wen Qingyun regained her composure, and hurriedly said, "What's the joke, I just came to see you."
Mi Fu's wife was lying on the kang with a weed mat under her body, giving off a stench. She should not be very old, but her luster should have been washed away by illness and poverty. Two big round eyes with cloudy water, can't see clearly anymore, but they are still trying to open in Wen Qingyun's direction, clutching the food and clothing that Wen Qingyun just handed her, she wants to see clearly the appearance of her benefactor , she wants to say thank you well.
Miff invites Wen Qingyun outside the door, at least it can make people breathe outside.Wen Qingyun wanted to say something polite, but Xuelian had already run out, retching heavily.
"This is for you," Wen Qingyun took out a ten tael silver ingot and handed it to Mi Fu, "Please find a good doctor for your daughter-in-law."
Miff took a step back, "Eldest young mistress, how can I do this? You punished me, and I haven't handed it in yet."
"It's two different things. Punish you because you really did something wrong. Give it to you because you really need it. Take it and refuse again, and I'll get angry." Wen Qingyun said half-truth, half-truth, and saw it out of the corner of her eye The doors of every house in the courtyard were opened, and people looked out, half-hidden, even envious, showing poverty.She felt her nose sore, and said in a low voice, "If you need anything in the future, come to me directly. Or if you neighbors have troubles, you can also come to me. I will try my best to help you."
Mifford nodded vigorously, "Young Mistress, I'm a vulgar person with a stupid mouth, and I don't know what to say. If you can use Mifford in the future, if you say a word, I will definitely kill you and I will..."
That night, Lu Tou came to the compound with a carriage full of grain and cloth. Miff watched helplessly and shed two tears.
3,
Yan Maoyong lost several goods one after another, all of which belonged to old customers, and they were all odds and ends that were not very valuable. Good things did not go out, and bad things spread far and wide.Wen Qingyun looked at the accounts, and this month's business has dropped by more than [-]% compared to last month.There were many rumors outside, and she didn't even dare to think about what the outcome would be if this went on.She was anxious, and asked someone to find Shen Xiaoru, and discuss together to see if there is any solution.
Shen Xiaoru was sitting and listening to a book in the private room of the teahouse, with the melon seeds in front of him, and the little girl with dimples on the stage was talking about "The Complete Biography of Shuo Yue". I was annoyed, "Isn't it just a few batches of goods lost? Can you stop making such a fuss? I collapsed that day. If the goods are lost, it is difficult to compensate others according to the rules?"
Wen Qingyun held back her breath and said, "But what about our reputation? If this continues, all the customers will run away, and we will have to close the door!"
Shen Xiaoru snickered, "Close the door, I'll take you to listen to the book. It's much more interesting than staying here."
Wen Qingyun's face turned cold, she was blaming herself in her heart, she knew Shen Xiaoru couldn't help, and she still wanted to drag him in, asking for trouble.
In fact, there was another person who was more anxious than Wen Qingyun when Maoyong made such a fuss, and that was Yang Jing'an.The several batches of goods involved in the accident contained his private goods. If no one tipped off the news, how could it be such a coincidence?Qiao Funian took the bank note and asked for leave to go home to build a house. Yang Jingan sent someone to look for it. The neighbor said that he had already sold the old house and a few acres of land. A few days ago, he took his family and left in the middle of the night without saying where. But it looks like he won't be coming back.Yang Jing'an gritted his teeth and swallowed, wishing to pick out his own eyes, why didn't he see that there was such a bastard around him?Now the Xia family waiting outside to receive the goods has already exploded. Boss Chu in Shanghai is the source of opium smuggling. I forgave him once, but now I feel that he is playing tricks.Let me tell you, with such high-quality clouds and soil, if he doesn't give an explanation, his life will be lost.Who is Boss Chu?Even foreigners have to respect him three points, so what about Sheng Xuanhuai, and let Boss Chu sit first when they meet.Let alone Yang Jing'an, even Shen Yunpei couldn't afford it.Qiao Funian is trying to kill him, just for this, he will never spare that bastard lightly!But the most important thing right now is to solve the problem, find out who bought Qiao Funian and why.
No matter what their respective goals were, Wen Qingyun and Yang Jing'an apparently put aside their past differences and sat together.Wen Qingyun closed the door of the accounting room, and asked Mi Fu to guard downstairs, and no one was allowed to come closer.Looking at the posture, Yang Jing'an knew how much she knew and guessed something, but how much did she really know?
"What do you think, Eldest Mistress?" Yang Jing'an asked.
Wen Qingyun said: "This is done by the Green Gang."
Yang Jing'an was also so skeptical in his heart, but seeing Wen Qingyun's determination, he was still surprised, "Why do you see that?"
"Since the first accident, I have sent more people, and I also specially asked the Green Gang to add more guards. Every time the route and destination are handed over by me before departure, I will never leak the news, only The Qing Gang has a chance to attack, or they have notified outsiders to rob, and they should cooperate with outsiders."
Yang Jingan frowned, "According to what you mean, the Green Gang is guarding and stealing?"
Wen Qingyun nodded, "There is one thing that I can't understand no matter how much I think about it, whether it's the Qing Gang or others, if you want to rob goods, you should find something valuable, right? Why do you want to find those messy people? Could it be those Are there any other problems in the cargo?"
Yang Jingan picked up the teacup, put it down as soon as it touched his lips, his mind turned around, and he deliberately asked, "Who is in charge of loading?"
"I asked the buddy, the shopkeeper Qiao personally made the final packaging of these batches." Wen Qingyun suddenly said, "You mean he has a problem?"
Yang Jing'an didn't say anything, just kept shaking his head and sighing.Wen Qingyun read it, and stopped talking, and turned the topic to the Qing Gang.Now that it is suspected that the Green Gang has tampered with it, and Qiao Funian is the insider, both sides have to investigate.Wen Qingyun meant to temporarily suspend cooperation with the Green Gang. Yang Jing'an thought it was okay, but he had to find a suitable candidate as soon as possible. Since Maoyong had a lot of goods coming in and out every day, stopping for a day would be a big loss for them.
The two were studying, and Mi Fu said outside the door, "Young Mistress, the leader of the Green Gang has arrived."
This Hall Master Hou was the one Wen Qingyun saw sitting face to face with Zhong Han in the restaurant, and had dealt with Yang Jing'an, so Yang Jing'an introduced them to them, and the host and guest sat down.
"Treasurer Yang," Hall Master Hou's voice is loud and carefree, he is used to the old address of Yang Jing'an, and he can't change it for a while, "Our Gang Master Liu said that we should be responsible for any accidents. Our Qing Gang is not as rich as your Shen family , but it won’t make people laugh and pick out any reason. This is half of what we should pay, please take a look.”
Yang Jingan took it over, "Master Hou, this money is a trivial matter, but we still have something to ask..."
"Shopkeeper Yang, please tell me."
Wen Qingyun saw that Yang Jingan kept looking at her, so she knew that she was going to take the lead in offending people, and said with a slight smile, "Master Hou, it is said that we have cooperated with Maoyong and the Qing Gang for some years, and we know the strength of your gang , Why did these things suddenly happen this year?"
Hall Master Hou's eyes widened, and he sneered and said, "Young Mistress, you mean it's our Green Gang's fault?"
"Master Hou misunderstood, I just want to know more, so that I can avoid it in the future."
"There is no misunderstanding. If the eldest young mistress thinks that the Green Gang is not effective, then please hire someone else." Master Hou stood up and angrily kicked over the chair.
Hall Master Hou didn't wait for Yang Jing'an or Wen Qingyun to say anything else, he raised his legs and walked downstairs. The two people in the room looked at each other, and they both thought the same thing in their hearts, and the Qing Gang stopped calling themselves.This can be regarded as a tear between Mao Yong and the Qing Gang.Wen Qingyun, like Yang Jing'an, had no idea what to do next.What Wen Qingyun was thinking about was how to find the person who delivered the goods as soon as possible, but Yang Jingan was still thinking about the goods he had lost, so he had to find out where they were.
4,
Shen Xiaoru stayed on the bed in the morning and refused to move. Last night, Wen Qingyun had been studying Maoyong's matter with him. She said it was research, but she said, he listened, nodded occasionally, and dealt with it.Recently, Shen Xiaoru has become obsessed with listening to books. He has already found out that there is a storyteller girl with dimples named Jin Yan, and the one who pulls the strings is her father. ask for life.Jin Yangang is 15 years old, born with eloquent teeth, knows how to raise eyebrows and lower eyes, and knows that Xiaoru's eyes are on him. Every time he says a paragraph, he will send him eye waves and smile lines. Be particularly generous.Now that "Shuo Yue" is almost finished, the next one is "Three Heroes and Five Righteousness", which will be a different kind of excitement. Shen Xiaoru thought in his heart that when Mrs. Shen celebrates her [-]th birthday in a few days, he will take Jin Yan and her Dad invites you to come to the house, and talk about it for a while, and let everyone in the family open their eyes.
Wen Qingyun didn't know what he was thinking, and said: "I've thought about it, we don't have a decent bodyguard company in Haizhou City, if you go to another place to find it, you'll need a lot of money, and it won't work. It's best to hire a strong man Come out..."
"Okay." Shen Xiaoru thought of setting up a banquet in the garden, listening to Jin Yan's whispering swallows, and called out.
Wen Qingyun was a little annoyed, "Xiaoru, do you know what I'm talking about? Well, well, you know! You are the big shopkeeper of Yan Maoyong. Are you not in a hurry if the business can't go on?"
Shen Xiaoru blinked and said, "Is it that serious? Isn't it just that the goods have been lost a few times, just be more careful in the future."
Wen Qingyun's face was full of hatred, "If it's really the work of the Qing Gang, it's useless for us to be careful."
"Then I'll listen to you, you can do whatever you want, is it done?" Shen Xiaoru yawned, "I don't care, you toss me up before dawn, I'm going to sleep for a while. I Dear Madam, if you move to another place, if you stare at me like this, you will wake me up even if I fall asleep..."
Shen Xiaoru drove Wen Qingyun to the small study, it's okay, everyone will be clean.In the small study room, Wen Qingyun thought about what happened from beginning to end. The person she wanted to discuss with Shen Xiaoru just now was actually that person, Zhong Han.Apart from him, there is no other candidate who can resist the Green Gang and gain a foothold on this ground.Since she can make up whatever Shen Xiaoru says, she will be the master today and find Zhong Han, only he can pull Maoyong back from the edge of the cliff.
It is not easy to meet Zhong Han. The sea arrest papers are pasted on the gate of Haizhou City.Even if Zhong Han is so bold, he wouldn't enter the city easily.To his old lair in Huaguoshan Shibapan?Wen Qingyun hesitated for a moment, this kind of door-to-door thing usually does not have a good result.Thinking of the rugged mountain roads in the wilderness, she still trembled in her heart.Perhaps it is possible to invite Zhong Han to come to Haizhou City again through Hall Master Hou's channel.But will Master Hou believe her?
There is only one way, and I have to try it no matter what, Wen Qingyun asked Mi Fu to invite Hall Master Hou to meet at Tianxiang Pavilion.Hall Master Hou was confused, the first meeting made such a fuss, why would she want him?The more confused the more curious, and when the appointed time came, Master Hou had already sat down in the private room.
When the waiter finished pouring the tea and went downstairs, and there were only the two of them left in the private room, Wen Qingyun said without any formalities, and went straight to the point, "Master Hou, I have something to ask..."
Hall Master Hou was stunned for a moment, it was not difficult to find Zhong Han, they had contact methods, but he couldn't open his mouth easily until he found out Wen Qingyun's trump card.Before she was kidnapped by Zhong Han and went up the mountain, it is not uncommon to ambush her to take revenge now.There is morality in the world, he will not help outsiders.
Wen Qingyun said: "Master Hou, I promise I won't. If I want to do that, I'll shout out when I was upstairs that day. Even if he has great martial arts skills, he can't fly with his wings, right? Maybe he will even hurt the Hall Master." .Otherwise, just give me a message. Whether he comes or not is his business, and I won't blame you." After speaking, he took out a bank note from his pocket, "Master Hou, what's the matter? I gave it to you. The business of Maoyong these years is thanks to your care, a little care is not a respect."
Hall Master Hou cast a glance, 1000 taels is not a small amount, so he can't be tempted. For money, he has gone through mountains of swords and seas of fire. Now it's too easy for him to send a message.
"Eldest young mistress, you are being polite. Well, don't worry, I'm not a mother-in-law. I can help you with things, but is he willing to see you..."
"Then it has nothing to do with you. As long as you are willing to help me, Master Hou will be my friend from now on. We will come and go often." Wen Qingyun picked up the teacup, her eyes shone brightly, and turned the small room It shines brightly.
After leaving the south gate of Haizhou City, walk eastward for a mile, and you will see a small tea house with several wooden tables in the open air, a straw roof, and a room surrounded by yellow mud walls, where water is boiled for tea and noodles. , most of the people who come and go are villagers, who visit relatives and friends in the city or sell some products from their own fields to sell. After earning a few pennies, they rest here, have a couple of old wine and a plate of beef, and chat about the lively talk of the folks in the village. And the anecdotes I saw in the city recently are rewards for myself.The shopkeeper of the tea shop, surnamed Zhou, is in his fifties, has no wife and no children, and adopted an orphan named Mancang to help out in the tea house.Mancang has just turned ten years old, and already knows how to greet guests, serve tea and water, sometimes the shopkeeper Zhou goes out to handle goods, and walks for three to five days, only Mancang is in the tea house, and he is also thoughtful in cooking.
Zhong Han and Shopkeeper Zhou have known each other for many years. At that time, Zhong Han was still one of Lu Zhengyi's subordinates. Once when he went down the mountain to do some errands, he happened to meet Shopkeeper Zhou crying on the side of the road. The eldest man was crying like a child. Tie the rope, it looks like you are going to hang yourself.Zhong Han couldn't help but stepped forward to ask, only to find out that shopkeeper Zhou had saved money for more than ten years, and finally told himself his next daughter-in-law, who was married today, but he was snatched away by the bullies in the village and beat him up .Zhong Han couldn't stand this kind of bullying, so he patted his chest and told shopkeeper Zhou that he would avenge him.Shopkeeper Zhou was dubious.At night, Zhong Han went into the bully's house and stabbed the dagger into the back of the man who was doing good.It's a pity that the rescued woman couldn't think about it, and she couldn't bear it.From then on, shopkeeper Zhou gave up the idea of marrying a wife, and devoted himself to running his own small tea house, acting as an eyeliner for Zhong's family village. Zhong Han occasionally met someone, and arranged them in the tea house.The location here is remote, and it extends in all directions. If there is anything to do, just turn around and go into the mountains, and the gods will do nothing.
When Wen Qingyun brought the snow lotus to the tea house, shopkeeper Zhou went to meet Zhong Han in person, and Mancang came out to say hello.Because it was not yet noon, there was only one table of guests in the tea house, and the warehouse was so big that I had never seen a rich woman who was well-dressed, jeweled, and beautiful, and stood dumbfounded.Xue Lian thought he was dirty, and hid her eyes and body, but Wen Qingyun thought he was clever and interesting, so she took out a silver coin and asked him to quickly boil a pot of good tea.Mancang sniffled and said, can't find it.Wen Qingyun smiled, it doesn't matter, the rest is your reward.
Mancang was stunned by the pie falling from the sky. He was stunned for a while, then suddenly pointed to Wen Qingyun and said, "I know you. You are the Bodhisattva empress in the temple. I will kowtow to you."
Wen Qingyun burst out laughing, sprayed water on the table, and even Xuelian covered her stomach with laughter.Zhong Han has already arrived outside the tea house at this moment, watching this scene, his mouth curled into a smile line.Wen Qingyun felt a pair of eyes looking at her, just as she turned her head, her heart suddenly became flustered, all the words she had prepared disappeared, and her mind went blank.Zhong Han stood against the light, his hard facial features blurred into a ball, but there was an indescribable kindness and familiarity.
The two sat down in a single room separated from the hut, and shopkeeper Zhou personally changed the tea and brought it.For a moment, Wen Qingyun didn't dare to raise her head, but she didn't know why she was shy and timid.Zhong Han seemed to have read her mind, and asked, how are you doing?
This is a greeting that only exists between friends, and it doesn't feel awkward just to say it out of his mouth. Wen Qingyun raised her eyes and met his gaze, and the answer was written in her eyes.
"Master Hou has already told me. It's about Maoyong. You want to ask me what and how much I know?" Zhong Han sighed, as if blaming her for being too utilitarian and going to the Three Treasures Hall for everything.
Wen Qingyun suddenly said: "Only you can help me now." The feeling between people is so strange, he is the bandit who kidnapped her, she should be afraid that he will hate him, but in her heart, this meeting is actually When an old friend reunites, where he sits, she feels that she can completely trust the confession, and there is no need to hide the slightest bit.She has never felt this way about anyone, even her own father sometimes has some things she can't say thoroughly, but she can do it to him, she can't wait to tell everything, let him help her make up her mind and make a judgment .She didn't need to think too much, she decided wishfully that he would definitely help her.
Her thoughts were clearly written in her eyes, and he could understand them.Now that he agreed to come to see her, he knew that all his efforts to suppress were in vain.He wanted to see her, and when he saw her smile, he felt unspeakably comfortable in his heart. He was willing to help her solve her problems. They were in the same heart, but neither of them could say it at the moment.
"It's the old gang leader. His daughter died, and the debt falls on your Shen family," Zhong Han said, "He would rather pay the money and vent his anger, and ruin your reputation and credibility, but this is not the case. Do it, offend many brothers."
"I also thought about it, otherwise, with their strength, how could things go wrong one after another."
Zhong Han caught the worry flashing in Wen Qingyun's eyes, and asked lightly, "How do you want me to help you?"
"In the future, I would like to ask Zhong Jiazhai to take over the escort of Maoyong's freight. As for the price, you don't have to worry about it. Is it okay?" Wen Qingyun didn't know if this was a forceful situation. Will you take such a big risk?
Sure enough, Zhong Han paused and said, "The most taboo in the world is to cut off people's wealth. In this way, our Zhongjiazhai and the Green Gang will be at odds."
"As long as you accept this business, I'll give you three years of money first, and you have the strength to compete with them." Wen Qingyun said word by word, "If you want to be the head of the family, you don't want to be oppressed by the youth gang for the rest of your life, right? "
"Have you already thought about it for me?" Zhong Han raised his eyes and stared at her, "But I'm a key criminal who was offered a reward by the court, aren't you afraid of being accused of being a gangster?"
Wen Qingyun smiled and said, "I borrowed the banner of your Zhongjiazhai, and I want safety on the road. The rest has nothing to do with you. If you talk about gangsters, you let me go that time, didn't you already get through?"
"Aren't you afraid?" Zhong Han stared, trying to see into her heart.
"What are you afraid of? Are you?" Wen Qingyun didn't intend to evade, "Could it be that you will eat me? As I said, those so-called honest men are more terrifying than bandits."
(End of this chapter)
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