Zhang Ximeng came out of the boat. Although he was surrounded by unfriendly looks, no one did anything to him. At most, they just laughed at him.
Fortunately, Zhang Ximeng had enough psychological quality. He got off the boat and walked out for a while, then he saw Kang Maocai, who was pretending to be a coachman. He drove the carriage over, asked Zhang Ximeng to get on, escorted Zhang Ximeng, and left quickly.
"I told you, Zhang Qingcheng, you are so brave! You even dared to break into the tiger's den and the dragon's pool? You really managed to get out of it. I'm really impressed."
Zhang Ximeng chuckled and said: "It's not as serious as you think. The world is not about fighting and killing."
Kang Maocai was shocked and couldn't help but said: "What is the Jianghu?"
…
In the boat, Zhu Yidou was sitting at the table, slowly drinking a bowl of soup. This bowl of soup was nothing. It just used a hundred tit tongues and a hundred carp whiskers, and it took three hours to cook it carefully.
Made.
In Zhu Yidou's life, this kind of dish can only be regarded as a side dish not worth mentioning.
"Father, that kid is so arrogant, why did you let him go?"
Zhu Yidou paused for a while, his eyes glazed over, and finally sighed: "The arena is not about fighting and killing, the arena is about human relations, it is about drinking and drinking!"
He raised his head, looked at his two sons, and whispered: "The young man just learned a Huaixi accent that is very similar, but I can still tell that he is pretending on purpose."
"Pretending? Then, what is his purpose?"
Zhu Yidou shook his head, "I don't know either... Now Zhu Yuanzhang has occupied Jinling, and this city has changed its owner. Do you still remember what I taught you?"
The eldest son immediately said: "Remember! Father said that no matter who becomes the master of Jinling, we will always control Jinling City!"
Zhu Yidou's old face showed a smile.
This bit of truth is the result of his decades of wandering around the world.
The Yuan Dynasty was a dynasty that did not respect literati so much, but in the Yuan Dynasty, there was still room for aristocratic families to survive. They might even have more power than the previous dynasty, and they could collect taxes openly!
Power is never what is specified on paper.
The emperor needs to rely on ministers, and ministers need small officials and officials below them. Small officials and officials also need people to carry out their duties.
Moreover, officials are like a revolving door, but local snakes are passed down from generation to generation, endlessly.
Gradually, the aristocratic family became more and more stable, and the network weaved became more familiar, and the space left for officials became smaller and smaller. It was roughly divided into 70 and 30, and they still had to kneel down to beg for food.
If you want to stand up and make money, they will find a way to accuse you and transfer you away. Or they will kill you while you are riding in the open carriage, and then find a scapegoat and let the matter go.
Already.
This kind of thing was not uncommon in the Yuan Dynasty.
This is the case in most places, with the Jin gentry having an absolute advantage.
In fact, people like Zhu Yidou are not qualified to enter the palace. In the final analysis, he is just a gangster leader. But he happened to meet the end of the dynasty.
Long before the uprising of the Red Scarf Army, the Yuan Dynasty suffered from natural and man-made disasters and the treasury was empty. In order to plunder the people, the Yuan Dynasty did everything possible.
At this time, if you want to collect taxes from the people, traditional gentry and merchants will not be able to do it. You will need ruthless people like Zhu Yidou.
If the corruption of the Yuan Dynasty gave Zhu Yidou his first fortune, then the uprising of the Red Scarf Army made him prepare to ring the bell and go public.
Over the past few decades, he has accumulated a rich network of contacts, including three religions and nine schools, five elements and eight works, and everyone has benefited from Zhu Yidou.
To be blunt, the pork sellers at the door relied on Zhu Yidou's protection to make money smoothly.
Master Zhu doesn't want anything else, just half of the pork is enough during the New Year, and Zhu Yidou will even return the gift, which is more valuable than pork.
Nothing else, what Master Zhu wants is this face!
So what can you do if you have face?
There are so many things he can do, and he can get involved in businesses that others cannot.
The painted boats on the Qinhuai River, the private salt stores in Yangzhou, as well as gambling houses, money shops, and pawn shops... Since the rise of the Red Scarf Army and the collapse of order in the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yidou's property has increased tenfold!
Now that Zhu Yuanzhang has entered Jinling, as an outsider and a fellow from Huaixi, Zhu Yidou feels that an opportunity has come. As long as he can get Zhu Yuanzhang to admit himself, he will really enter the palace and skyrocket.
"Listen, no matter what happens these days, you must try your best to be patient, don't kill people, don't make trouble... Even if you have to kill, you must do a good job. As long as you get through this period, wait for
Once my father established a relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang, everything fell into place."
The two sons blinked and nodded together, "We all know our father's teachings. We just don't know how our father can establish a relationship with Zhu Yuanzhang?"
Zhu Yidou smiled, "I have already inquired. Under Zhu Yuanzhang, the most powerful person is actually named Zhang Ximeng."
"Zhang Ximeng?"
"Yes! He was the first to follow Zhu Yuanzhang, and he was also the confidant among his confidants. This person has not come here yet... I thought that he is not old and is a civil servant. Let's prepare a house for him and select some good girls for him.
If we want those who are clean, knowledgeable and polite, especially those with perfect bodies, we can't neglect them."
Zhu Yidou carefully calculated everything he needed for food, clothing, housing and transportation.
"Since I am a literati, I must like books, literary toys, treasures and so on... I also have Empress Li's Chengxintang there, as well as Dongpo Brush Washer and Along the River During the Qingming Festival, both given to me by Mr. Zhang.
Send it over."
The second son became anxious when he heard this, "Dad, this is the treasure our family has saved for decades, and we have agreed to give it to your grandson."
"Fart!" Zhu Yidou snorted coldly: "It's just those idiots, do they deserve these things? It's a waste! Send it to Mr. Zhang in exchange for a bright future for our family. Now that the dynasty has changed, Zhu Yuanzhang lacks officials, and everyone
If we have the chance, let's find a new family background. From now on, we will no longer be people in the world, but officials, living in temples and palaces, and become truly high-class people!"
"Hahaha! You two, quickly pack those gifts into a box and get them ready." Zhu Yidou was planning to bribe Zhang Ximeng and achieve a class jump. He laughed so hard that the lines on his forehead opened.
…
"General Kang, you said that this Zhu Yidou is good at charity and helps so many people solve their problems. Where does he get the confidence and the ability to do so?"
Kang Maocai smiled bitterly and said, "I don't understand this."
Zhang Ximeng smiled and said: "It's not that you don't understand, it's because you're afraid of saying something wrong. In fact, I'm very elegant and easy-going, so there's no need to be cautious. If you ask me, Zhu Yidou must have a huge business, a huge amount of wealth, and he's a fat man."
Big fish! Do you think so or not?"
Kang Maocai perked up and said in a low voice: "Zhang experience, Zhu Yidou has helped Yuan Ting collect taxes in the past few years, but he has collected a lot of money. Logically speaking, it is reasonable to kill him, but we can get rid of this person."
, who is going to collect taxes on behalf of the superiors? If Jinling City is so aggressive, who else can do this?"
Zhang Ximeng couldn't help laughing. He first pointed at Kang Maocai, and then pointed at himself!
"General Kang, don't you understand why I'm looking for you?"
Zhang Ximeng had a smile on his face, and with just one look, Kang Maocai felt like he had been shocked and his whole body was trembling!
He really understood this time. Zhang Ximeng wanted to attack Zhu Yidou, and also asked him to help collect taxes. This was a huge step forward.
"Zhang Qingcheng, I, I don't know what to say...but Zhang Qingcheng, don't worry, I will do my best and I won't stop until I die!"
Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "No need, as long as you strictly enforce the law and don't take advantage of others, that's enough."
This standard was too low, and Kang Mao felt that Zhang Ximeng was simply looking down on him.
"General Kang, don't be careless. Let me tell you, dealing with these people is ten times, a hundred times more dangerous than on the battlefield. On the battlefield, you are fighting against the enemy, but in taxing, you are fighting against yourself!
They will definitely prepare something for you that is enough to impress you. If you don't have a heart of stone, you won't be able to bear it."
Kang Maocai nodded, "I understand what Zhang said, but don't worry, I can handle it!"
"good!"
Zhang Ximeng smiled and nodded, "Zhu Yidou should be the source of the chaos in Jinling. Most of those chaotic people are his disciples and disciples, and they are under his protection. Go back and prepare your troops. I will capture this man in the near future!"
Kang Maocai nodded hurriedly. Although he was not sure how Zhang Ximeng identified Zhu Yidou, since Mr. Zhang gave the order, he could not neglect it.
Kang Maocai returned quickly. He was more thoughtful and sealed off the military camp in the name of military training, and then selected 300 fellow soldiers to come out.
A law enforcement team was formed, and all that was left was to wait for Zhang Ximeng's orders.
And Zhang Ximeng did not disappoint him. He gave the order when it was time to turn on the lamp and set off immediately!
When Zhang Ximeng arrived at the Qinhuai River and blocked Zhu Yidou in the boat, he was finally worthy of the first watch.
"Go in and ask, my good brother is in there!"
Everyone under Zhu Yidou was quite surprised. After so many years, not many people have dared to come to trouble our eldest brother. Who is this young man? Why is he so arrogant?
At this time, Zhu Yidou in the cabin was also alarmed. He immediately walked out and was startled when he saw Zhang Ximeng.
But he is an old Jianghu after all, so he immediately bowed and said: "This little brother must have come to see me at noon, right? I just don't know what I did to make you so mobilized? Can you go into the boat and talk in detail?
, I will obey any orders you give me!"
Zhang Ximeng glanced at Kang Maocai beside him, and said with a smile: "Did you hear that? He was a lot more polite than at noon. But it's a pity, being polite doesn't work here! Get him!"
With a light word, Kang Maocai immediately rushed forward. Several of Zhu Yidou's thugs tried to stop him, but Kang Maocai drew out his saber, chopped down a few of them with the back of the sword, and charged straight at Zhu Yidou.
His two sons wanted to rush forward to protect their father, but Zhu Yidou saw that something was wrong and hurriedly stopped the two sons.
"You all stand down!"
He immediately turned his attention to Zhang Ximeng and said, "This little official, who are you? Why did I offend you? We have something to talk about."
Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "You didn't offend me, and it doesn't matter if you offend me. But what you said at noon offended the law and the rules of heaven! You said that as long as you call you eldest brother, the matter can be settled. I tell you, even the lord is worried about this.
I dare not say it. We humble social servants dare not say it...Zhu Yidou! You are so majestic! Are you following the rules of Jinling City?"
Zhang Ximeng suddenly shouted loudly, and Kang Maocai was shocked!
Only then did he understand why Zhang Ximeng was determined to capture Zhu Yidou.
This guy is so arrogant. As long as he calls you big brother, you will help him solve problems. You think of yourself as a Bodhisattva who responds to requests!
Do you think that you are the rule, the king of heaven, and can defy the laws of the country?
Don't talk about you, even if Lao Zhu doesn't dare to say this, what are the civil and military men under him doing? If Lao Zhu makes a mistake, people like Zhang Ximeng will also advise him, and they will also stop him from doing things that cannot be done.
This Jinling City’s surname is Zhu, but I’m sorry, it’s not you Zhu Yidou!
Kang Maocai captured the three masters Zhu Yidou. He rushed into the cabin and came out quickly, with his men carrying a box and quickly arrived in front of Zhang Ximeng.
"Please see from experience, why is there a sealed box for you?"
"For me?"
Zhang Ximeng glanced at it and saw that there was indeed a seal on it, which was dedicated to Zhang Ximeng.
"Zhu Yidou, it seems we have just met! Where are you from?"
Only then did Zhu Yidou wake up from a dream, his whole body was shaking violently, and he was kneeling on the ground, sweating along his temples.
"Zhang, Mr. Zhang! You, you are Mr. Zhang!"
This old guy just wanted to wipe his neck and forget about it. He wanted to curry favor with Zhang Ximeng, but when Zhang Ximeng came, he was still pretending to be garlic, but he pretended too much and got himself into trouble!
Thinking of this, Zhu Yidou cried, and the tears flowed down his face.
"Mr. Zhang, I'm confused, I'm a bastard, I'm blind! This, this box is the gift I'm going to give to you... It contains things from Dongpo, and there's also a picture of Along the River During the Qingming Festival! Please spare your life, Master Zhang!"
Zhang Ximeng was suddenly surprised. Among Su Dongpo's things, there is also a picture of Along the River During the Qingming Festival?
Are you testing me with this?
Zhang Ximeng only felt that his heart was stabbed hard. If he had waited a little longer, Zhu Yidou would have known that he was coming, and maybe, maybe, these things would have been delivered to him!
Then will he take action?
Before Zhang Ximeng could say anything, Kang Maocai didn't even bother to laugh!
"I have never seen anything before. I am honest and upright. How can I buy it with this little rag? Everyone who comes will be sealed and put in the warehouse!"
