Countless people were shouting, countless dogs were barking, and as the background of all this, those exquisite and elegant buildings were falling apart under the action of the fire, overturning and collapsing. From time to time, the roar of collapsed buildings could be heard.
,but
It was quickly suppressed again by the noisy voices, but this collapsing sound was like a reef standing in the sea. Even though it was often hit and submerged by the waves, it would not take long before it would return to the sea level again.
Start the next cycle.
Most of the port area east of Gushui in Quanzhou Port experienced terrible torture that night.
Some people are dead, some people are still alive; some people are alive but wish to die in the sea of fire, some people are already dead, but the madness of the living people makes the people around them sigh. The scenes in front of them are the same.
You can draw a picture of all living things.
Unfortunately, people at this time had already lost their passion for art.
After all, no matter how prosperous this despicable little place is, it will never be able to find a world-class painter who can use art to accuse the war and its initiators after the catastrophe. Of course, it is more likely because no one is willing to stay.
A bunch of paintings, and then to support a bunch of people after his death - relatives, friends, art connoisseurs, critics, and all the people in the auction houses.
In the early morning, when the new fleet arrives at this familiar port, they must have an incredible feeling.
This is a port they are familiar with, and this is a port that is unfamiliar to them.
Almost the entire area east of Gushui was billowing with wisps of blue smoke, and everything that came into view was scorched black.
"There was a fire in Quanzhou Port. Do you think it was a disaster from heaven, or was it done deliberately?"
Putting down the document in his hand, a man with a handsome face, if not for his three-foot-long beard, would almost make people think that he is just a young boy just starting out. But in fact, he is already over thirty years old, and can barely be regarded as a man in this era.
The "young man" who was a middle-aged uncle spoke up, and where he looked were two "young men" who seemed to be about the same age as him.
"Although Quanzhou is located in Youzhou, there are no hostile forces around it. Moreover, the housing construction in Quanzhou Port is extremely dense. It can be said that once a house breaks out and catches fire, it will turn into a fire that will spread if there is no rescue. Now
The weather occasionally
There will be dry times, and if the thing on fire is lamp oil, hay or the like, a big flame will indeed form in a short time. But for some reason, Rui always feels that the burning time of this fire is strange, so
It’s as if someone did it on purpose.”
"Yang felt that maybe there was no need to make such a fuss. After all, although there were no major hostile forces around Yuyang, because of the traitor Gongsun's escape, his former subordinates were not willing to surrender to Yuan Gong, his former mortal enemy, but because they despised Gongsun
The behavior of rebels will eventually lead to thieves and bandits. We will not
Whether such behavior is debatable is debatable, but it has to be said that these soldiers who once served under the old thief Gongsun must not be underestimated. If they have the ability to hide from the patrol network set up by the merchants and powerful men in Quanzhou Port, and then loot the area in
It’s not surprising at all that there are some businesses on the fringes of Quanzhou.”
"What Wen Qin said makes sense. Those bandits are indeed a troublesome problem. If they cannot be solved, they may become a serious problem."
"It's a pity that even if we know this, we can only sit here and wait, just talking."
"Wen Qin should be careful, there are reasons for showing off his plans."
"Humph, I know that this matter has nothing to do with the conspiracy, but that the incompetent eldest son is in charge of Qingzhou. Let Qingzhou's powerful families and ordinary people, not to mention those cunning businessmen, flee.
Even if they escape, they can at most go to Jizhou to cry to Duke Yuan, and maybe they can get the eldest son to treat them a little bit.
Be polite. But those people didn't have such good connections, so they had no choice but to flee to Cao Cao. Although Zang Xuande is not as good as Liu Xuande, whose name of benevolence and righteousness spreads widely in Qingxu, but it is still better than a big man like a jackal.
Young Master. Huh! I really wonder if the eldest young master will still have soldiers to fight in a few years!"
"Hey... having said that, Yuan Xiansi is still the eldest son of the Yuan family after all, so he cannot be abandoned."
"Then what does the cowardly and incompetent Yuan Xianyi say? Although Yuan Xiansi is cruel, does not listen to advice, and does not understand the ways of serving his subordinates, he can be said to be decisive in his actions, and he can put aside his dignity and respect the famous people.
But this old
What about the second thing? In addition to the words of marriage between women in the family, they were played around by the powerful Wang Song, but they were unwilling to accept the advice of their brothers. They all say that marriage is not as good as family, but look at it, how can Yuan Xianyi reveal his plans?
Brother, I regard you as a flesh and blood member of the Yuan family!"
So this time, there was no rebuttal, and for a moment, there was silence in the small humble room.
"Okay, instead of talking about these useless things, let's think about how to report this matter. After all, it is a big deal."
"Report? I'm afraid that no matter how I repay you, the other party won't listen. Anyway, my lord, you will definitely have some more charges on your head. Anyway, this kind of thing has happened three or five times in the past few years.
I’m used to it.”
"Hey, hey, I say Wenqin, are you trying to divide the Yuan family's children? This statement is a bit dangerous."
"Am I wrong? We have sent official letters to the governor many times regarding the annihilation of the remnants of Gongsun, but they have always been used as excuses such as 'Youzhou is newly attached' or 'Stability is the main priority'.
Afterwards, the remnants of Gongsun repeatedly invaded the country. If it weren't for the bravery of Xian Ming's subordinates and the united efforts of the soldiers, I am afraid that any county in Yuyang would be captured by the remnants of Gongsun. After the war, Xian Ming was given to that
The bastard wrote a letter saying that if there was any inconvenience in Youzhou, he did not have to come forward and was willing to lead the troops to suppress the bandits. But the result? An official document came out and asked us to dedicate our own part! There are still people in the world
Is there anything more ridiculous than this? Even Duke Yuan would not issue such an order, not to mention that those songs were originally given to him by Duke Yuan for his contribution to the conspiracy. What qualifications does he, Yuan Xianyi, have to claim them!
Now that something like this has happened, I'm afraid it will definitely become the ironclad evidence of our "ineffective suppression of bandits" or simply "the remnant of the adulterer". In order to prevent even the slightest possibility of inheriting the family business, these three young masters cooperated.
Quite a ‘tacit understanding’!”
Okay, as soon as these words came out, the room once again fell into a strange silence. Even this time, even Yuan Fang and Yuan Xianmou, who had just changed the subject, stared at the paperweight in their hands indifferently, without the slightest desire to speak.
of**.
"Uh...did I say the wrong thing?"
"No," Xun Rui looked at the young man in front of him who was more than ten years older than him and Yuan Fang, and shook his head, "Actually, what you said is not wrong. It's absolutely true, but it's because it's so right.
Leaving neither of us knowing how to answer."
"I don't know how to answer? In fact, didn't we already have the answer when we met for the first time? If my lord has not changed his mind. But at this time, even if he has really changed his mind, I'm afraid it will be too late.
Already."
"Hmph~ How is that possible! I, Yuan Xianmou, just need to stay dormant for a while and wait for that opportunity."
Suddenly, Yuan Fang, who was still staring at the plaything in his hand, suddenly made a cold voice. The coldness in that voice could be heard even by Xun Rui, who was already very familiar with Yuan Fang, and Shan Yang, who was lucky enough to join this small group.
Shan Wenqin couldn't help but shuddered together, but Yuan Fang's subsequent words made the two of them no longer care about the coldness, and their eyes became eager.
Of course, before talking about ambitions, you still need to deal with the current situation.
As the governor of Youzhou, Yuan Xi was criticized as just a puppet in the hands of his wife's family and the powerful Wang Song of Yuyang. But as Xun Rui and Shanyang said, this guy was giving Yuan Fang, a capable concubine,
The elder brother definitely has quite a lot of independent will in making the trip. In other words, the three direct brothers of the Yuan family, who originally had some conflicts with each other, are unanimous on this matter.
As for the fourth child, who is also a direct descendant, because he is too young, he is not qualified to participate in this game that may be the core of the Yuan family's regime in Jizhou. Even if Yuan Shao is not too fond of the third child Yuan Shang, Yuan Shang's age
, and are not qualified to participate in this battle.
Of course, because of Yuan Shang's young age, the main force in this battle between concubines and concubines is essentially the two brothers Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi.
Because of this, not long after the fire in Quanzhou Port broke out, Yongnu, the governor of Youzhou, where Yuan Xi managed Youzhou, sent a harshly worded official document. In addition to some useless rhetoric (including those harsh words in
Internally and externally, they accused Yuan Fang, the governor of Quanzhou, of not doing things well, which led to the invasion of Quanzhou Port by bandits and the fire started.
There was even language in it that accused Yuan Fang of hoarding private soldiers but failing to suppress the bandits. Yuan Fang and his two staff could only express their speechlessness - when we asked to suppress the bandits, you refused, and you also asked for Yuan Fang's money.
Part 1, and now he is criticizing me again.
By the way, those accusations made by Shanyang are indeed true one after another, and they are all being fulfilled step by step.
"Sure enough, we, the common people, all have to suffer such unfair treatment!"
Although Yuan Fang endured such unreasonable troubles with great perseverance, Xun Rui seemed extremely angry.
Maybe he feels the same situation.
As he said, the newly joined Shanyang is also a descendant of a concubine. But now the Hanoi Shan clan has declined somewhat, and Shanyang's direct brother Shan Yao actually doesn't have much to show off compared to him.
, and because of this, the relationship between the two brothers is quite good, and they supported each other when they were studying in Jinyang.
Of course, he would not talk about this kind of thing in front of these two resentful guys. In fact, if he didn't carry the aura of "concubine", with his talents, he would want to compete with the two guys in front of him.
Comparing them is simply impossible.
Not to mention Yuan Fang, a proud and arrogant concubine, because of his confidant.
"However, it's no wonder that Yuan Xianyi is so unscrupulous. The fire in Quanzhou should probably make him suffer for a long time. Even with the help of the Wuji Zhen family, it is better to use Quanzhou Port to do something.
convenient."
When Yuan Fang and Xun Rui were both calm just now, Shanyang tried hard to stir up the two people's sensitive nerves with his fierce words. But after arousing their anger, he calmed down and analyzed the gains and losses behind the matter.
Even if Yuan Fang has already seen
The purpose of coming out to Shanyang, but I have to admit that every word and deed of the other party is actually correct. But just a slight adjustment of the order makes me unable to help but have veins jumping, and the friend next to me
He was almost blinded by anger.
Of course, in the final analysis, Yuan Xi deceived people too much, otherwise Shanyang would be like water without a source and a tree without roots no matter what he did.
"Now that my 'brother' has spoken out to accuse us, we have an excuse to wipe out the remnants of Gongsun!"
The reason why Yuan Fang is calmer than Xun Rui is because he has really made up his mind for the first time.
"Do you really want to do it? Don't look at the fierce words in that bastard's official document, but in fact, even if we don't do anything, he won't really say anything, or he found this official letter just to disgust you.
.But if you really use this as an excuse to become famous, especially if you send troops across the border, then Yuan Xianyi will definitely make a fuss about it!"
"Binruo doesn't need to persuade me anymore, I have already made a conclusion in my mind. And if you give up on what needs to be done because you are afraid of what others say, then this person must be just a mediocre person who will be disturbed by that kind of incompetent little guy. Don't you think, Binruo?
Am I that mediocre?"
"Forget it. Anyway, if you really make up your mind, you and your 'brothers' will get there sooner or later. There doesn't seem to be much difference one day earlier or one day later. In this case, it's better to make up your mind earlier.
It's good. Just like Wen Qin said, if you make a decision too late, it may be too late when the situation becomes such that you have to make a decision."
"That's right Wen Qin. You don't need to participate in this military expedition. I have more important things to entrust to you."
"My lord, you have a destiny. Even if you go through fire and water, you still have to fulfill it."
"Then please send this letter written by me to the hands of Sun Bofu of Jiangdong. Remember, you must hand this letter to the other party personally. If he asks about the content of the letter, tell him that there is a "whale swallowing the world" in it.
Just make a plan."
Looking at Yuan Fang, whose eyes became more and more firm, and Shan Yang, who respectfully took the letter with both hands. At an angle that the other two people could not pay attention to, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, but it was just a smile.
He will not be satisfied with this.
Soon, this small group divided into two groups. Among them, Yuan Fang took his most trusted "staff officer" Xun Rui to lead troops out to suppress the bandits, while Shanyang rode the Youzhou fast horse donated by Yuan Fang along the land route.
All the way south.
In fact, it was originally possible to take a boat from Shanyang to Qingzhou directly across the sea from Quanzhou Port, but something like this just happened at Quanzhou Port. Now is a time when people are panicked, and everyone has increased their vigilance.
Keep an eye on the people coming and going, lest you become the second unlucky person to suffer a disaster from the sky, or be the "innocent people" affected.
Let alone setting sail at this time, those businessmen and powerful people are eager to put every effort into protecting themselves. As for business, as long as their lives are not worried, they will naturally make enough profits in the future.
, but if your life is gone, no matter how much wealth you have, it will only become a reflection in the water, and even your wife, concubines, and children will become other people's playthings.
Which one is more important, life or money, is really difficult to distinguish for these guys who are not too short of money.
"That guy really went out with his troops to 'suppress bandits'?"
"Yes, this time the 'elder master' did not hide his intentions, so many people noticed."
"This... forget it, forget it this time, let him deal with those damn Gongsun remnants. By the way, have you calculated how much we lost in this incident?"
"There are no detailed statistics yet, but it can be confirmed that two warehouses and three stores were burned to the ground. There is no possibility of salvaging the goods inside. There are also two stores that have been affected, but the damage should not be huge."
Well, the reason why Yuan Xi acquiesced to his concubine eldest brother taking his private soldiers out to suppress the bandits this time was because the sudden fire last night caused the second son of the Yuan family to suffer huge losses.
Although because he is married to the daughter of the Zhen family, his father-in-law may not have much ability to help him in other aspects, but in terms of financial support, they definitely have enough capital. Even if he cannot achieve what he wants, he can still accomplish it.
Many things.
For example, making friends, or making the equipment of your private soldiers more sophisticated.
However, Yuan Xi doesn't seem to be too interested in his father-in-law's help, or he maintains a slight sense of alienation from his father-in-law and his family. Perhaps in ordinary interactions, Yuan Xi, as the son of a noble family, will not let others see it.
At this point, even in the eyes of outsiders, the second son of the Yuan family has become a mouthpiece in the hands of his wife's family.
But what about actually?
Perhaps only those who sleep with Yuan Xi can truly understand the various tastes.
However, Yuan Xi did not think there was anything wrong with what he did.
The reason why he became attached to his current pillow was largely due to the needs of his father Yuan Shao. As an obedient son, Yuan Xi would naturally not disobey, and this is why he maintained respect for the members of the Zhen family in front of others.
reasons.
As for the other reason, before the marriage, he heard a rumor that the daughter of the Zhen family could make the Yuan family rise and fall, which made this Yuan family not very ambitious. She was also very friendly to her direct brothers.
The direct bloodline felt unusually excited.
It's a pity that this excitement did not last too long, because not long after the marriage, he got the "truth" from Liu Liang, a well-known local fortune teller in Jizhou - it is said that only the Zhen family has the appearance of wealth.
The youngest daughter, and had been taken away by Li Shushi, the most important enemy of the Yuan family to dominate the north, Bingzhou.
If this alone may not be enough to prove the fortune teller's words, with the death of Zhen Yi, the head of the Zhen family, and the eldest son Zhen Yu who took over as head of the Zhen family after their marriage, the originally huge family now only has the second son Zhen Yan.
After struggling to support him, Yuan Shao encountered many surprises that were not conducive to the implementation of Yuan Shao's strategy in the battle against Gongsun Zan and the strategy of going south to Qingxu. These things made Yuan Xi believe in the words of the fortune teller.
It can be said that if this marriage was not decided by Yuan Shao himself, perhaps Yuan Xi would have considered taking some measures.
It is precisely because of this that Yuan Xi, in addition to cooperating with the Zhen family when Zhen Yi was alive, has now become inseparable. Various investment projects, which are the most important cooperation projects between the two parties, are also in Yuan Xi's family.
With Yuan Xi's step-by-step encroachment, it either existed in name only, or it simply became an industry completely controlled by Yuan Xi.
Therefore, whether it is the Quanzhou Port that exists as a source of wealth or the businesses in Quanzhou Port that bear the name of the Zhen family but actually belong to Yuan Xi's industries, they are all important sources for Yuan Xi to enhance his own strength.
Yes, he is indeed the one with the least ambition among the several adult brothers of the Yuan family for the position of Yuan Shao's successor, but under certain conditions, his ambition is the greatest - Yuan Shao versus Yuan Tan
The disappointment is obvious to many people, although some people think that Yuan Tan has been out of town all the time, and even has the tacit permission of Yuan Shao's Kaifu to some extent. Coupled with the status of the eldest son of the Yuan family, no matter how
Look at the highest possibility of heir.
However, although Yuan Xi is very respectful to his elder brother, after judging a series of recent events, Yuan Xi still feels that Yuan Tan's possibility of being the successor is decreasing, and Yuan Shao praises him more often than before.
Even before going to Youzhou to take up his post, Yuan Shao had a long conversation with him all night long, teaching him what to do to better manage this newly attached land.
In other words, while Yuan Shao was disappointed with Yuan Tan, Yuan Xianyi had placed more expectations on him!
Of course, Yuan Shao also has an older son, and many people think that he loves this son more than his two brothers, and he has the advantage of being under Cheng Huan's knees, so even if Yuan Xi is so encouraged,
After careful consideration, I finally chose to hibernate.
If Yuan Shao has made it clear his love for Lao San and his tendency to inherit, Yuan Xi will naturally not disobey his father's decision. But if Yuan Shao only loves Lao San and has no other emotions, then Yuan Xianyi also needs to have someone who can compete with him.
With the capital of that position, his father could show satisfaction and love when he looked at him!
A full day had passed since the fire, and a "fleet" consisting of twelve fully armed military ships and four small fishing boats was sailing in the vast sea.
"Boss, do you think our fuss this time will make Yuan Shao furious?"
"This kind of thing... God knows, as long as we can make them mess up, it will exceed our expectations. Anyway, we will not suffer any loss after doing this."
"Boss is right, no matter what others do with this vote, at least we won't suffer a loss~!"
"Huh? It seems that our luck is not very good... Tell everyone to be prepared for the storm!"
As he spoke, the distant skyline was gradually being shrouded by thick dark clouds, spreading in the direction of the "fleet"... (To be continued...)
