Aspirations

Chapter 138 The Depth of Layout
"What, Tian Manchu ran away?" Wu Yidong looked straight at the soldier reporting to him, and kicked the soldier's leg angrily, "What a useless piece of shit, why did he let people run away?"

The soldier had a bitter expression on his face: "Go back to the commander. When I went there, the bakery was already empty. According to the neighbors, Tian Manchu disappeared last night."

"Forget him slipping away quickly." Wu Yidong waved his hands angrily, and after the soldiers retreated, he said to Cui Xiang, "Please trouble Cui Fuzun to send someone north to the capital to arrest Tian Wushui. This person is very important and cannot be let go." He fell into Xia Xiang's hands. I would rather kill him than let him go."

Want to kill again?Although Cui Xiang couldn't bear it, he also knew that the situation was getting out of control, so he couldn't help asking, "Why did Commander Wu decide that Tian Manchu would definitely go north to the capital?"

"I understand Tian dissatisfaction too well. He forgets righteousness when he sees profit. He is a common man, but he has a bit of wit. If he escapes from Zhending, if he goes south, the journey is far and strange. It's better to go north to the capital. It's not too far. When he arrives in the capital , at the feet of the Son of Heaven, on the contrary, it is safer. And in case of being pushed too hard, you can also knock on the drum and report to the imperial court, which is also a way to save your life." Although Wu Yidong was not a Jinshi, he has also read a lot of books.

"Since that's the case... Come on, send three fast horses to the capital as soon as possible, and make sure to take down Tian Huan." Cui Xiang gave an order.

"Yes." Someone immediately responded.

"Hiding Fu Ke, taking down Tian dissatisfaction, and intercepting Xiao Wu, Xia Xiang has nothing to do, haha." Gao Jianyuan seemed to have a winning ticket, so he couldn't help laughing, "Having lost the fulcrum of Fu Ke's case, Xia Xiang is in real We can only be at our mercy. Master Cui, what should we do next?"

Cui Xiangcai didn't want to take matters into his own hands, and besides, he was excluded from many things, until now he knew that Liu Changting, Xie Huagai and Wu Yidong were planning such a big show behind the scenes, he smiled faintly: "My official is only His Royal Highness Xingwang and the prime minister. "

Gao Jianyuan secretly cursed in his heart, Cui Xiang is really an old fox, he still shrinks back after things have happened, and he doesn't know what Mr. Hou likes about him, how can a person like him who does not think about making progress be useful in the future?

It is understandable for Gao Jianyuan to look down on Cui Xiang. In the eyes of Xingwang and Hou Pingpan, Cui Xiang is not a vanguard who can charge forward, but a good figure who can either defend the city or stabilize the rear.

Gao Jianyuan looked at Wu Yidong: "Commander Wu, what should we do next?"

Wu Yidong laughed, and sat up straight: "I am just a small commander of the capital, just obey orders, as long as Cui Fuzun gives an order, I will immediately dispatch troops and generals, and will never delay."

Yan Hao was so angry that everyone was slippery, and he didn't want to stand out, wasting the cultivation of Xing Wang and Hou Xianggong.But after thinking about it, treason is the crime of destroying the family after all, and no one is willing to be a vanguard officer. After all, the vanguard is often the first to die.

Yan Hao coughed softly: "It is certain that the Taiwei and Gao Taiwei are here. They are clearly here for the emperor's southern tour. Everyone knows what is going on in secret. What should I do next? Throwing bricks to attract jade and expressing some ideas are only for your reference."

Yan Hao said it beautifully, but in fact he didn't give everyone here a chance to choose. He continued: "Protecting Fuke's safety is naturally the top priority, and guarding against Xia Xiangxing's troubles is also a major matter that cannot be taken lightly. Looking at the Zhending Mansion, As long as Xia Xiang is suppressed, how can Xing Wang and Hou Xianggong's grand plan fail?"

Everyone nodded, even Cui Xiang agreed with Yan Hao's words.Although Yan Hao's exaggeration of Xia Xiang's importance made him quite uncomfortable, but when he thought about it, it was true. Although Xia Xiang had not been here for a long time, he had already opposed him everywhere and became his confidant.

"So now that Fu Ke is properly arranged, Xia Xiang will definitely not give up. If he wants to return Fu Ke, how to deal with Xia Xiang, he has to trouble Mr. Cui Fu." Yan Hao bowed his hands to Cui Xiangwei, and said , "Cui Fuzun confronted Xia Xiang head-on, Gao Taiwei led his own soldiers to investigate all suspicious places in Zhending City, so as not to cause trouble during the emperor's southern tour. In addition, Cui Fuzun and Wu commanded the various factions 100 people are dispatched by Taiwei Ben. When the emperor tours south, he will take a boat to visit the Hutuo River. The Hutuo River is turbulent and there are many hidden dangers. There will be no obstacles on the Hutuo River, and there will be no capsizing and sinking of ships..."

Cui Xiang's heart was pounding. So, Xing Wang and Hou Xianggong wanted to let the emperor sink the Hutuo River while the emperor was on his southern tour?If everything goes well, it would be the best policy for the emperor to sink the ship Hutuo River. If things fail, Xing Wang will definitely raise his troops and make trouble.

If all the 20 imperial troops in Zhending Mansion were dispatched, they might not be able to reach Shangjing.Even if they reach Shangjing unimpeded, the 20 imperial troops outside and inside Shangjing are the most elite tiger and wolf divisions in Daxia. Cui Xiang believes that Wu Yidong's talent is not enough to fight against the imperial army in Shangjing.

Although Cui Changzai, the commander in chief of the Imperial Guards in Shangjing, has an extraordinary friendship with Xing Wang, but his two subordinates, the commander Ye Shisheng, and the horse infantry commander, Ming Wang Qi, are loyal to the emperor. Whether it is Xingwang or Cui Changzai, it is impossible to subdue or win Ye Shisheng and Ming Wangqi at the same time.

In any case, the risk of raising troops to rebel is too great. In contrast, if the emperor really unfortunately sinks the Hutuo River, Xing Wang's succession to the throne will be much smoother.

Cui Xiang pondered for a while: "Among the government offices, the number of arresters and servants is limited. It is too many to dispatch 100 people at once. Fifty people are not a problem. Commander Wu has many soldiers, so I will send 50 people to you."

Wu Yidong slapped the table and said, "There is no problem with 150 people, you can do it anytime."

Yan Hao nodded: "Other matters are not under the jurisdiction of Taiwei Gao and Taiwei Ben, and will be handled by Liu Yuanwai, Xie Yuanwai and Commander Wu."

Liu Changting didn't speak for a long time. He had something to say, and said immediately: "After Liu and Mr. Xie took over the granary and the grain growing business, the granary is under construction. If there is no accident, it will be completed within seven days. It's just a purchase The food is a little unsatisfactory."

"Why is it not going well?" Cui Xiang was taken aback.

"This year is a bumper harvest year, and the people have surplus grain in their hands. They wanted to buy it at a low price, but the people didn't sell it. They said that Ma Yuanwai and Xu Yuan went out to buy grain at a high price, but the people sold it to Ma Qingyuan and Xu Wangshan." Xie Huagai He said indignantly, "Ma Qingyuan and Xu Wangshan don't know what medicine they took wrongly. Why should they buy food at a high price when they can be bought at a low price?"

Cui Xiang was very puzzled: "Ma Qingyuan and Xu Wangshan have already transferred the granary and grain business, why are they still buying grain?"

"Who knows?" Liu Changting answered, "Maybe they want to continue the grain business, or maybe they just want to take the opportunity to make trouble. No matter how much they try, this year's grain purchases will definitely be completed as scheduled. It can be tolerated, and at worst, it is not impossible to transfer grain from Shile and Xingzhou. The food problem is not a problem for the time being. The 30 shi grain provided by Dong Xian before is enough for the time being. If more grain is needed, there is The Li family in Taiyuan and the Cui family in Boling can also transfer [-] shi of grain at any time. The Cui family is the closest, and Cui Bi is proficient in management. Although the Li family is far away, recently the eldest son of Li, Li Chichang Zhuzhending must have heard the rumors and wanted to profit from the chaos. Li Chi boasted that he went to Haikou, and if necessary, the Li family can guarantee [-] shi of food."

It turned out that Li Chi and Cui Bi secretly had such close contacts with Liu Changting and Xie Huagai, Cui Xiang secretly sighed, thanks to him and Xu Heguang jointly elected Li Chi as the chief secretary of Zhending County.Xingwang and Hou Xianggong were so deep in the real layout that even he was kept in the dark.

Xie Huagai nodded: "The biggest problem now is the insufficient supply of iron ore."

"What's wrong?" Cui Xiang asked casually.

"The iron ore is mainly produced in Longxi and Inner Mongolia. Everything was smooth before, but after the intervention of Haojingchang, the supply of goods was cut off." Xie Huagai showed a slight look of anger, "Xiaojingchang didn't do iron ore business at first, but I don't know why. , suddenly intervened, stopped the source of goods, and pulled away all the previous major suppliers. Now the supply of iron ore has temporarily stalled, and we are looking for new suppliers."

"How could this be?" Gao Jianyuan looked stunned, "Could it be that the good times always have noticed the intentions of the two of you?"

"Probably not." Xie Huagai shook his head and thought for a while, "Good Times has been expanding too fast recently, and it must be involved in iron mines in order to earn greater benefits."

"Good times are always here? Lian Ruohan?" Yan Hao's eyes showed a fierce look, "What is Lian Ruohan's origin and why is she so powerful? But no matter what her origin is, she won't do if she gets in our way. At worst, she should be neat and tidy. Killed it with a knife."

"Lian Ruohan can't be killed." Wu Yidong let out a chuckle, and tapped on the table lightly, "Taiwei Yan, don't try to kill people every now and then. Although you are very skilled in martial arts, I have 20 soldiers under my command. Why don't you How many generals in the world don’t want to be emperor if killing people can solve the problem?”

"What is Lian Ruohan's identity? I heard that he is from Qinghe's Cui family?" Although Gao Jianyuan had heard some rumors, he still couldn't believe it. It happened that Cui Xiang was from Qinghe's Cui family.

"It is from the Cui family of Qinghe, the daughter of the owner Cui He." Cui Xiang said with infinite emotion, "Lian Ruohan was rebellious since childhood, and later broke with the owner because of his mother's early death and established his own family. It took more than three years to establish The good times will last forever, and become the No. [-] firm in Daxia.”

"It turned out to be Cui's daughter, no wonder, no wonder." Liu Changting thought of Lian Ruohan's demeanor, and couldn't help but feel flustered, "But then again, even if Cui He came forward, he might not be able to make a move in just over three years. The internal general is always in good times to run the No. [-] Commercial Firm in Daxia, who is behind Lian Ruohan's help? King Jing or King Qing?"

Cui Xiang shook his head: "I don't know for sure, but what is certain is that it will not be the Cui family, nor the Patriarch himself. The Patriarch has always been on good terms with King Jing. If it is said that King Jing is standing behind Lian Ruohan , it makes sense.”

Wu Yidong interrupted abruptly: "Master Cui, you are originally from the Qinghe Cui family, and the patriarch has a good relationship with King Jing, but you follow King Xing, will the patriarch expel you from the Cui family?"

Cui Xiang smiled silently: "Commander Wu is serious. As long as the children of the aristocratic family do not do anything that insults the family's reputation, their personal political opinions above the court will not affect their status in the family, and they will not be expelled from the family." Family. In the family, some people are radical, some are conservative, and some are moderate. It is common. Just like Zheng Tong was sentenced to oppose this official, but his fellow family member Zheng Mingrui has a lot of friendship with this official. Zheng Nanshan, the head of the Zheng family, will not Interfere in the choice of the two."

Cheng Daotong smiled coyly: "Among the rich and powerful families, there are many children, and young talents emerge in endlessly. It is normal for each to have their own positions and tendencies. Small families are different. If one or two people in a family stand out, it is considered a glorious lintel. Therefore, the wealthy family does not interfere with the position of the children in the court, it is to place multiple bets, so as not to lose the bet. For poor families like me, there is only one official in the family. If you make a wrong bet, you will lose all. "

Xu Heguang gave Cheng Dao the same look contemptuously, thinking that if you have nothing to say, then don't speak, no one will think you are dumb, and you insist on comparing the wealthy and the poor, isn't it just for fun?After Daxia established the country, although he did not deliberately suppress the wealthy families, he opened up the imperial examinations, allowing countless children from poor families to leap into the dragon's gate. It is precisely because of this that the power of the four great families was greatly weakened.

Yan Hao said coldly: "Cheng Tongzhi is far away, the dispute between the rich and the poor has nothing to do with Zhending's current affairs."

Cheng Daotong smiled and stopped talking.

Gao Jianyuan thought for a while: "It's probably not King Jing. King Jing is old, he has no interest in government affairs, and has no business skills, and King Jing's power is not enough to help Lian Ruohan rise so quickly. Could it be King Qing? Wang has always acted in a low-key manner. Although he seems to be indifferent to the world, he is secretly cultivating many forces. If Lian Ruohan gets the help of King Qing, the good times will last forever, and it is reasonable."

"It should not be King Qing." Yan Hao shook his head and said, "Prince Qing is fond of martial arts. There are many dead men and strangers in the mansion, and there are no experts who are capable of doing business. Besides, King Qing himself doesn't know how to do business. How can he help Lian Ruohan?" ?”

"If it wasn't for King Jing and King Qing, could it be...the emperor?" Xu Heguang boldly conjectured, "Maybe Lian Ruohan will be one of the emperor's pawns, and the emperor will use Lian Ruohan's hands to control the world's wealth ,in case the emergency."

"Haha, Xu Xiancheng really knows how to joke, haha." Wu Yiguang couldn't help laughing loudly, the loud laughter made the windows buzzing, "The emperor's dragon is not in good health, he doesn't even care about government affairs, and he still has leisure time Support a Lian Ruohan to manage the world's wealth? The whole world belongs to the emperor, he wants it if he wants it, and he has to work hard to let Lian Ruohan manage it for a long time?"

Xu Heguang's face became hot, and he smiled: "The lower officials have little talent and learning, and have never left Zhending. They don't have enough knowledge. Commander Wu laughed at him."

"I don't care who Lian Ruohan is, just say that she is stuck in our necks, how should we deal with her?" Liu Changting didn't want to argue about meaningless things anymore, he showed a little impatience He gave Cui Xiang a serious look.

Cui Xiang understood Liu Changting's meaning, and nodded slightly: "Let me talk to Lian Ruohan first, if she is willing to give in, it's fine, if she doesn't, I will let her go."

Xie Huagai said solemnly: "Yes, courtesy first and soldiers later, reconciliation is the best if you can reconcile, and harmony makes money."

Liu Changting didn't know what he thought of, and suddenly smiled jokingly: "I heard that even the lady is not yet married, if Liu takes her as a concubine, he will have a beauty and a good fortune, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?"

Xu Heguang clapped his palms and laughed: "This plan is very clever. Liu Yuanwai is suave and personable. Lian Ruohan will definitely be convinced when he sees it, and he will become Liu Yuanwai's treasure."

Cui Xiang stroked his beard and remained silent, thinking that if he had a good discussion with Lian Ruohan, things might turn around, but if Liu Changting wanted to get Lian Ruohan's idea, he might be severely humiliated by Lian Ruohan.

Xie Huagai chuckled: "Mr. Liu, the Master said, it's all about etiquette, and everything should be based on the overall situation, and you can't lose the big because of small things."

Liu Changting waved his fan: "The Book of Rites also says that people's great desires can be preserved by eating and drinking men and women. Confucius also said that food and sex are also related to sex."

"Confucius also said that lust is not lascivious." Xie Huagai shook his head and said, "Xie advised Liu Yuanwai not to have Lian Ruohan's idea?"

Wu Yidong watched the two argue with interest.

"Why, Mr. Xie has also taken a fancy to Lian Niangzi?" Liu Changting raised his eyebrows provocatively.

"Where are you talking?" Xie Huagai twirled the beads in his hands, and said with a smile, "Xie is not lustful, and he will not steal the beauty of others."

"Commander Wu!" A soldier's voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Someone discovered that Tian Manchu left the south gate last night and went south."

What, Tian Manchu didn't go north, but went south?Wu Yidong stood up and slapped the table: "Send someone to chase after him immediately."

(End of this chapter)