Aspirations

Chapter 120
"You two ladies, don't underestimate the folk tabloids. In the eyes of the common people, the folk tabloids are a weather vane. The foundation of the founding of the Great Xia, the romantic affairs of officials, and the unreported affairs of the court can all be conveyed to the common people through the tabloids. The common people like new things and are curious, and they use the tabloids as a reference for everything, and use the morning newspaper as a supplement.” When Xiao Jia saw that the time had come, she patiently explained to Lian Ruohan and Cao Shuli why she wanted to accept the "Yuanxuan Chaobao" "So, in the hands of profit-seeking tabloids, it is a money-making tool used to catch rumors and fear that the world will not be chaotic. In the hands of those who support the new law, it is a court tool used to promote the new law, fabricate facts, guide the direction of the wind, and mislead the people. Now In Shangjing, "Yuanxuanchaowen" is the first tabloid among the people. It supports the new law from a standpoint, and most of them sing praises for Xingwang and Hou Pingpan. "Yuanxuanchaobao" is the second tabloid among the people. Win. After I accept it, it is like having an extra weapon in my hand..."

Lian Ruohan and Cao Shuli are such smart women. In the past, they might not have understood what Xiao Jia said, but under the current situation, the grass and trees in the capital are all soldiers, not only King Jing, King Qing, King Yun, and King Jian. Being involved, even the Cao family was not spared and had to stand in line. The two immediately understood Xiao Jia's deliberation.

Lian Ruohan thought for a while, and thought of a longer-term plan: "In addition to making the "Yuan Xuan Chao Bao" available to me in the wind direction, I can also let the tabloids often promote the good times."

"I have exactly the same intention." Xiao Jia said what was in his heart, "In the future, the good times will always be the owner of "Yuanxuanchaobao."

Regardless of financial resources or strength, Xiao Jia is far from the good times. If the good times take over the "Yuanxuan Chaobao", anyone in the capital who wants to trouble the "Yuanxuanchaobao" will back down.

How could Lian Ruohan fail to understand Xiao Jia's intentions, and accepted Xiao Jia's proposal calmly: "You and I are a family, so it goes without saying. From now on, all the expenses of "Yuan Xuan Chao Bao" will be included in the good times. .”

Xiao Jia nodded and said, "Yes, I would like to obey Lady Lian's orders."

"Don't come here." Lian Ruohan smiled slightly, "You and my sisters don't need to say such unreasonable things. Miss Xiao, when it comes to Zhending, I have something to ask..."

Xiao Jia didn't have time to think about it, and said casually, "If you can do what you can, you must do your best."

"Actually, to you, it's just a trivial matter. To me, it's just..." Even if Lian Ruohan disobeyed her father and rebelled against her family, she was still a woman after all. When it came to marriage, she was still ashamed to speak, and couldn't help but blush. "It's just... I don't know how to start."

Ling'er guessed what his wife was thinking, and although he disapproved of her marrying Xia Xiang, he still had to help her out: "My wife was originally the daughter of the Qinghe Cui family. Because her father broke up, she changed her mother's surname to Lian's. The head of the family forced her to marry her." , she insisted on marrying Lu Zhiyue. Although the lady was not very willing to marry Xia Langjun, she had no choice. It is much better than Lu Zhiyue. But as a woman, how can she open her mouth to Mr. Xia Lang? Mrs. Xiao is an old friend of Mr. Xia Lang, and she is on good terms with my wife, so she can be a matchmaker."

Xiao Jia didn't expect that Lian Ruohan wanted her to be a matchmaker. After being surprised, a trace of deep disappointment flashed in his heart.But then he regained his calm, since the husband said that it is impossible for her and Xia Xiang to be together, it would be a good thing for Xia Xiang and Lian Niangzi to be fulfilled.

Cao Shuli lowered her head deeply, twirling the handkerchief in her hand, she didn't know what to think of, then suddenly raised her head, her eyes flashed brightly: "Ms. Lian, I will be your matchmaker with Mrs. Xiao, but it is good?"

Lian Ruohan was taken aback for a moment, she did not expect Cao Shuli to be so calm and generous, she was greatly moved, and took Cao Shuli's hand: "Thank you, sister Shuli. You and I are the love of Ehuang and Nvying."

Cao Shuli naturally knew that Ehuang and Nvying were Yao's second daughters, and they both married Shun later. She blushed and said, "Hmph, it depends on whether he has this blessing."

Cao Shujun let out a long sigh: "If I pick two families on one shoulder, I can marry Mrs. Xiao and Ling'er at the same time, and I will be better than each other. I wish I could be a mandarin duck and not be envious of immortals."

"Bah, who wants to marry you!" Ling'er scolded, her face flushed suddenly.

Xiao Jia's expression was indifferent but lonely. In the loneliness, there was a trace of unspeakable joy: "Mr. Xia Lang is able to have two beautiful ladies, Mrs. Lian and Mrs. Cao. It is really a blessing he has cultivated in several lifetimes. A good man will do it to the end, and I will be a matchmaker for the two of you."

While talking, Xiao Jia took out another note and handed it to Lian Ruohan: "Miss Lian, I overheard the conversation between Zhang Hou and Shi'er last night, and I asked Shen Rongchang to write it down. I wanted to publish it in today's "" It was published in Yuanxuanchaobao, but later felt it was inappropriate, so it was dropped temporarily. Take a look, when should it be published?"

Lian Ruohan took a look at it, and his expression suddenly became serious, and said: "It's better for Xia Xianzun to decide this matter, and he has to worry about the matters above the court. Besides, he is more farsighted than us. Let him deal with such a troublesome matter."

If Xia Xiang knew that several women were coming by car and would definitely trouble him, his mood would not be so happy.Standing on the bank of the Hutuo River, Xia Xiang couldn't help but sigh with emotion when he watched the rolling river flow eastward: "The son said on the river: the dead are like husbands, and they never give up day and night. My official said by the river that the Hutuo River is not dredged. If it is exposed, it will become a disaster.”

"It doesn't rhyme, and it doesn't make a poem. It's a bad review." Although Man Tuo didn't laugh out loud, her eyes were full of smiles. She stood on Xia Xiang's right side with her sword in her hands, with a calm expression, "Dong Xian's death really involved many things. People, in addition to Cheng Tianqing of Shile County, there is also Yu Chizhi, the deputy commander of the Imperial Army in Shile garrison!"

A gust of cold wind blew, Xia Xiang sneezed a few times, Man Tuo hurriedly said with concern: "Xia Xianzun should go back to the county office, don't catch a cold."

"I'm afraid someone misses my husband." Xiao Wu giggled, "One thought, two scolding, and three nagging, one sneeze is someone thinking, two sneezing is someone scolding, three sneezing is someone muttering."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xia Xiang sneezed again, and said with a smile, "I've sneezed five or six times, so what?"

Xiao Wu scratched his head and smiled: "That is, several ladies are talking about Mr. together. Oh, it must be that Lady Lian is coming back soon."

Man Tuo thought leisurely and said: "In the end, the wind will blow, and soon there will be blows. If you talk about it, you will be sleepless. If you say it, you will sneeze. If you talk about it, you will be sleepless. If you say it, you will be pregnant..." The saying that people think about sneezing comes from the "Book of Songs". Even the famous bold and unrestrained poet Xin Fangchi also wrote a poem about sneezing - mountains and rivers. More than a thousand miles of happiness. Don't avoid Xiao Xing and get up early. This feeling It's all for you. I'm not afraid of worrying about others. I'm afraid of being teased. Because there is no one to talk about. There is no time to talk about it."

"Ms. Mantuo is capable of literature and martial arts, much better than Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu will learn from his wife in the future." Xiao Wu waved his fist, as if he had made up his mind.

Man Tuo ignored Xiao Wu, just immersed in his emotions, and looked into the distance indifferently.

"Go, talk while walking." Xia Xiang did not go back to the county office, but took a walk along the riverside with Man Tuo and Xiao Wu, followed by the county captain Ma Zhanguo and the head catcher Ding Ke.

Mantuo carefully put on the cloak for Xia Xiang.

Autumn is deep, and the leaves of willows and poplars by the river have almost all fallen, and occasionally there are a few ginkgo trees, which sprinkle the ground with golden yellow.Xia Xiang walked slowly, but he straightened everything out in his mind.

Man Tuo, Ma Zhanguo, and Liancheng escorted Dong Duan and others to Shile County, and everything went smoothly at first.After arriving in Shile County, when Dong Duan took over the business of Dong's firm, as expected by Xia Xiang, Zhuang Feifei found Dong Duan with an IOU and demanded that Dong Duan's brother and brother should pay back the debts owed by Dong Xian. His 30 pens.

Dong Duan was a scholar who didn't know much about business and management. When he saw Dong Xian's handwriting, he believed it to be true and wanted to pay back the money.But Man Tuo stopped him. Man Tuo guessed that the matter was fraudulent, so he had an idea and handed over the IOU to Yan Sun, asking Yan Sun to verify the authenticity of the IOU.Yan Sun claims that the IOU is genuine, and Dong Xian was by the side when he issued the IOU.

Mantuo asked Dong Lishi again, and Dong Lishi also said that the IOU was true, and also said that she had heard Dong Xian mention that she owed Zhuang Feifan a huge sum of money.

Although Dong Xian is the richest man in Shile County, 30 is not a small sum.Dong's firm, which came to a standstill due to Dong Xian's death, now only has more than [-] yuan on its books. If it wants to pay off Zhuang Feifan's debts, it must use real estate as collateral.

Zhuang Feifei didn't want Dong's firm's most profitable motorcades, money houses, or cloth stores that were the easiest to cash in. He designated Dong's firm's granary and grain planting, and said that the granary and planting grain could only be discounted by 30 guan, but he and Dong Xian has known each other for many years. Seeing from the many years of friendship, and the fact that Dong Duan doesn't know how to run a business, he is willing to use granaries and grain to offset the [-] debt.The superficial appearance can't cover up the greed behind it. Zhuang Feifei's food is too ugly. If he shows some kindness, Mantuo will not almost kill Zhuang Feifan with a sword in his anger.

Fortunately, Man Tuo held back, because she also knew that Xia Xiang sent her here to protect Dong Duan Zhouquan, not to fight against others.There is Ma Zhanguo in dealing with the government, and Liancheng in checking and reconciling accounts.

Ma Zhanguo and Liancheng found out that the IOU was a forgery within half a day. Ma Zhanguo had consulted numerous people and worked on the case for many years, so he could tell at a glance that there was something wrong with Yan Sun.He asked Dong Duan to call the apprentice who followed Yan Sun in the accountant. He was in charge of coercion and temptation, and Liancheng was in charge of inducing him from the point of view of how much he would be guilty of stealing if he was a accountant. All the facts were revealed-the IOU was forged by Yan Sun imitating Dong Xian's handwriting and signature, and cooperating with Zhuang Feifei.

Ma Zhanguo has seen a lot of cases where the accountant and outsiders cheated the owner's money, but it was the first time he saw someone as shameless as Yan Sun who had no principles and bottom line, and he couldn't help being very annoyed.As the saying goes, take people's money to eliminate disasters, eat the king's salary, and be loyal to the king. Loyalty and loyalty are the foundation of being a human being.What makes Ma Zhanguo even more furious is that he can conclude from Yan Sun and Dong Lishi's inadvertent movements and expressions, as well as the tacit understanding between the two of them, that they must have adultery.

Such a villain who eats inside and outside, and his prostitute wife cheats people's money. If he doesn't kill him, it won't be enough for the common people to be angry. If he hadn't been a Zhending county captain, Ma Zhanguo would have beaten Yan Sunda to relieve his anger. People who climb outside the pit to be deceived.

It only took Liancheng three days to sort out the accounts clearly, and handed them over to Man Tuo and Ma Zhanguo for review.Man Tuo and Ma Zhanguo told Dong Duan that the IOU was forged by Yan Sun and Zhuang Feifei. Dong Duan was very angry and wanted to turn Yan Sun to report to the official immediately, but was stopped by Ma Zhanguo.Ma Zhanguo knew that Xia Xianzun asked him to come, not to send Yansun and others to the Shile county government, but to escort them back to Zhending.

After Ma Zhanguo and his party came to Shile County, they did not go to the Shile County Government Office. Although he had documents from Zhending County and Xia Xiang's handwritten letter, he kept an extra thought and first handled the private affairs of Dong Duan's taking over of Dong's Commercial Firm. , and then docked with Shile County Wei Fan Li.

Now that the evidence is solid and Yan Sun can be arrested, Ma Zhanguo came to the Shile County Government and handed over the official document and Xia Xiang's letter.After seeing Fan Li, he explained his purpose of coming, and proposed to take Yan Sun and Zhuang Feifei back to Zhending together for trial.Fan Li had no objection. He and Ma Zhanguo were old acquaintances. They went to Zhending to handle the case a few years ago and received Ma Zhanguo's assistance, so they immediately processed the approval.

Ma Zhanguo originally wanted to stay a few more days to collect more evidence, but Liancheng said that it is the best policy to lead Yan Sun and Zhuang Feifei to leave as soon as possible. After all, Shile is not under the jurisdiction of Xia Xianzun, and there are many nights and dreams. All right.

Dong Duan didn't take it seriously, although he usually didn't care about business, now he took over the Dong's firm, he was a big and small figure in Shile, and even Pei Xianzun would give him three points, besides, Ma Zhanguo was the majestic Zhending county magistrate, Yu Gongyu Personally, there will be no surprises.Man Tuo felt that Liancheng's words made a lot of sense, despite Liancheng's reticence, he was very thoughtful, well-informed, and impeccable in his words and actions.The main reason is that after Man Tuo came to Shile, he could clearly feel that there was a strange atmosphere pervading, not to mention that the Shile county government had long known that they had come to Shile, and there was nothing wrong with assisting Dong Duan to take over Dong's firm. People take the initiative to entertain.

Dong's firm is the No. [-] firm in Shile, and the handover is also a major event. It is unusual for the county government to ignore it.Besides, except for Zhuang Feifan who came to collect the debts, none of the rich businessmen in Shi Le came to congratulate Dong Duan on becoming the shopkeeper of Dong's Firm. It seems that Shi Le's orders were not allowed to have any contact with Dong's Firm.

Manto realized something was wrong.Although the contact between Ma Zhanguo and Fan Li went smoothly and they got approval, she always felt uneasy.

Manduo immediately decided to set off immediately.Ma Zhanguo was reluctant, and he wanted to find out who Zhuang Feifei was behind the scenes.However, it is not easy to refute Mantuo, even though Xia Xianzun did not explicitly ask him to obey Mantuo's arrangement, he also knew that Mantuo was the most trusted person of Xia Xianzun, so he had no choice but to bet on Yan Sun, Dong Li and others. Zhuang Feifan left overnight.

Liancheng stayed in Shile, helped Dong Duan straighten out the accounts and completely took over Dong's firm before leaving.

A group of people walked in the middle of the night, sleepy and tired, and when they reached Changle Town, which was more than ten miles away from the junction of Shile and Zhending, Ma Zhanguo proposed to leave early tomorrow morning, and they would arrive in Zhending within a few hours. things happen.Man Tuo originally wanted to enter the Zhending territory overnight, but seeing that people were tired and horses were exhausted, he couldn't move anymore, so he didn't force it anymore.

What Man Tuo didn't know was that while they were resting in Changle Town, the people Ding Ke sent to escort Dong Xian's body had already arrived in Shile.At the same time, Gao Jianyuan also rushed to Shile from the capital, and met Pei Shuozhang.

It was night, Pei Shuozhang was sweating profusely and trembling, so he hurriedly asked Tian Qing and Fan Li to ask them to leave.

Many people in Shile County still remember the situation at that time until many years later-Tian Qing aggressively held a torch and a lantern and led people into Dong's mansion. Regardless of Dong Duan's objection, he snatched the corpse of Dong Xian who had just been delivered, and spent the night. Buried in a cemetery in the west of the city.

Fan Li and his party of more than a dozen people galloped out of the city on horseback and headed south. In their haste, they kicked over many night market stalls by the side of the road, causing the people to cry out in surprise.Some people speculate whether some great event has happened, and the Fan County captain is so mobilizing, is it because he wants to catch some bandits?However, there have been no bandits in Wangxiang Mountain in Shile for more than ten years.

In the early hours of the morning, Fan Li and his entourage rushed forward, and finally stopped Ma Zhanguo and his entourage at Sanjie Village, which was only one mile away from the Zhending County boundary.Fan Li first showed Pei Shuozhang's letter to Ma Zhanguo, saying that Zhuang Feifei, Yan Sun and Dong Li were from Shile, and wanted to keep the three in Shile for trial.

Ma Zhanguo regretted it too much, regretted that he should have followed Mantuo's suggestion at the beginning, if he arrived in Zhending territory now, even if Fan Li caught up with them, there would be nothing he could do.Now in Shile territory, Fan Li brought more than a dozen people, and he couldn't escape, so he could only argue with Fan Li, trying to persuade Fan Li.

Naturally, Fan Li refused to let Ma Zhanguo go. Pei Shuozhang gave a death order, and if he couldn't bring back Zhuang Feifan and others, he would be questioned.After some theory, he saw that Ma Zhanguo refused to give in, so he gritted his teeth and started to fight.Offending Ma Zhanguo is better than making Pei Shuozhang furious. Pei Shuozhang is his immediate boss and can decide his future.

Man Tuo endured it for a long time, he couldn't bear it any longer, seeing Fan Li wanted to take the initiative to strike, he threw his body forward, and the strike was like lightning, within a few dodges, Fan Li and his party were beaten to death.

(End of this chapter)