The oiran's beautiful eyes flashed with astonishment.
She didn't seem to have expected that Shen Tang was still a young man. In the past, among those businessmen who were on the road, who would come up and ask how much they could borrow to guarantee a guaranteed profit? Who wouldn't be cautious and smiling? After a while, the oiran returned to his usual charming and calm manner. .
"Nu Jun is joking. When doing business, there are profits and losses. How can there be a business in this world that is guaranteed to make profits without losing money? How much principal you borrow depends on how much principal Nu Jun needs to do business. According to the rules, as long as you borrow, no matter how much it is, you will be fine. Can get asylum.”
Shen Tang was not surrounded by her.
He smiled and said: "Indeed, you can get shelter no matter how much you borrow. Shelter is all shelter, but it can also be divided into caring and uncaring. This is like the maids and servants around the queen, who are also divided into first, second and third classes. The little girl thought What I know is, how much will I need to borrow first?”
There was no mincing words in her words.
The oiran held up the tea cup with her slender fingers and pretended to drink tea. She did not directly answer Shen Tang's question: "I heard that the female monarch decided to complete this business in order to save the family business from the elders of the clan. The business will be successful." That’s enough. In that case, why bother pursuing the first class? From Yinu’s point of view, third class or even lower class is enough. Since you can do business in Jinli County with just a little borrowing, you can rely on your protection.”
Facing the oiran's temptation, Shen Tang just shook his head: "If it was just for this purpose, there would be no need to nod here today."
The top court oiran’s drinks are not cheap either.
The oiran's rich makeup flashed with surprise for a moment.
He smiled and asked, "Is there another purpose?"
Shen Tang said frankly: "To be honest, I personally thought that Kunzhou was originally established for more than a year, and various places were waiting for development, and there were business opportunities everywhere. So I planned to eat the food from this place before other grain merchants could react. . As long as the business is done properly, there will be countless dividends in the future. My husband has been dead for less than two months. Even though he has thousands of net worth, he still has no way to climb up to the high school. Although the king allows merchants to enter the officialdom, how rugged is the road? For this, it is reasonable to pay some price.”
To put it more simply -
She just wants to use money as a stepping stone.
The more official debts you borrow, the more interest you pay to others, and the more disguised bribes you give to others, and the easier it is for you to be regarded as one of your own by high officials. In the land of Jinli County, there is such a big tree to protect her. Isn’t it smooth sailing in doing business?
The oiran covered the corners of her lips with a handkerchief, and her laughter was as clear as a silver bell: "The lady has a vivacious temperament and is quick to talk. In the past, there were so many male customers looking for connections, but none of them were as courageous as you."
He said, stroking his hands and praising: "I admire you so much."
"If this matter comes to pass, the benefits of the oiran's wife are also indispensable." Shen Tang is a person who can remain calm and composed when facing hundreds of officials fighting. How could he be deceived by the oiran's few words? She calmly waved her hand and asked the accountant standing next to her. He took out his money bag with a wink.
Chu Yao took out two heavy, golden pieces of gold.
Two pieces of gold are not big, but their purity is rare.
Shen Tang said: "This is the tea fee for the lady."
The oiran lady smiled and reached out her hand to put the gold into her sleeves. Her heavy makeup could not hide her good mood: "Okay, I will tell you everything you said, and it will definitely happen!"
Shen Tang sat for a while and then prepared to get off the flower boat.
The oiran lady covered the back of her hand with her palm and said softly: "My lady, don't worry, it will take a while before we reach the shore."
When the other party leaned over, the rich fragrance penetrated into Shen Tang's nostrils. Like a frightened rabbit, she suddenly retracted her hand and blushed slightly, but she still had the momentum from before: "Hua, Oiran lady... please respect yourself. I still have great filial piety."
The oiran woman rested her chin on her hands.
A pair of phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, her red lips parted slightly, and she whispered in her ear with a sweet and bewitching tone: "It's a pity that the lady became a widow before she knew what love is like in the world."
Shen Tang raised his eyes and looked at the oiran lady.
The oiran lady chuckled and said: "This is the most popular place in the world, and there are always some secrets that outsiders don't know. You don't need to be so nervous. It will make you seem scornful of me."
The corner of Shen Tang's mouth twitched slightly, he opened his eyes and told lies to make up for it.
"What I said is true. My late husband and I were married at the fingertips. Nine years ago, our two families were in love, and we were destined for life. It's a pity that on the day of the marriage ceremony, he was forcibly recruited. He went to fight in the war. The news has been intermittent over the years, so I thought he was still alive. Two months ago, when his clothes were searched and found, I learned that he had been killed in battle for many years, and even his remains were not found..."
As he spoke, his eyes shone with crystal clear water.
Chu Yao and his colleagues: "..."
Seeing her reaction, the court lady believed her a little bit, and blamed herself. Shen Tang softly pulled the veil and said: "No wonder the court lady, in fact, I have had a premonition in my heart for these years, but I have always refused to believe it. Say it out loud. , I feel much better.”
In this way, the court lady gave her some gentle words of comfort.
In order to make Shen Tang feel better, the oiran lady also took the initiative to tell some of her own tragic past, which was quite tragic.
The courtesan's wife was originally from a good family.
Her father was a violent gambler and her mother was cowardly and obedient. She and her twin sister were dependent on each other. In order to exchange for gambling money, her father came up with the idea of selling a pair of daughters to Hua Chuan. They are rare twins with excellent foundation and look exactly the same. Buy them and train them well, and when they are brought up, they can be used as "Emperor's Queen" and "sisters serve together".
Hua Chuan is willing to pay a high price.
The man who was addicted to gambling agreed immediately.
However, the man revealed the secret while drunk.
The mother of the courtesan hid one of the children. When the appointed time came, the flower boat came to pick her up. When she saw that only the elder sister was left of the twins, the price was cut in half. The man was so angry that he beat the woman half to death, and two years later, he pawned her off. Go out and make money.
"Pawn them to make money?"
"Oiran." The oiran smiled charmingly. Some men could not afford the betrothal gift, so they rented wives. The price of renting a wife was only 20 to 30% of the betrothal gift. When the rented wife gave birth to a child, the wife would return home. Go to the original husband. The original husband sold his wife in exchange for profit, and then the husband rented his wife to continue the family line. "Everyone gets what he needs, and everyone is happy."
Shen Tang's face gradually darkened.
Asked: "A lot?"
Oiran lady: "I don't know."
Shen Tang's hands hidden in his sleeves closed and his knuckles tightened.
She asked: "Are you the twins' sister?"
The court lady smiled and said nothing.
While he was talking, the flower boat suddenly swayed greatly.
Shen Tang stood up and said, "We've reached the shore."
The oiran lady stood up suddenly and walked to the window. There were more than 20 people dressed as government soldiers on the bank of the river and lake. The leader pushed away the left and right and forced to board the ship: "Zhe Chongfu, check! All men, keep to the left. , all women, keep to the right, be aware of your appearance!”
Shen Tang came up and stretched his neck to watch the excitement: "Is this?"
The oiran's voice was cold, her hands that were digging at the window edge tightened unconsciously, and she gritted her teeth and said, "It's those poor soldiers again!"
Shen Tang covered his face with a veil.
After a while, the sound of footsteps and the clash of weapons and armor came from downstairs. Counting the footsteps, there should be person No. 6.
The private room was kicked open.
"Everyone, men on the left and women on the right!"
Shen Tang: "..."
The leader was a female soldier with an unfamiliar appearance.
When the other party saw the crowd of people in the room, his thick eyebrows stood up, and he pressed the handle of the knife: "I say it again, men on the left and women on the right."
Shen Tang and others could only do as they were told.
This is not the time to reveal your identity.
The leading female soldier took a few steps forward and stood looking at the courtesan. The latter stood weak and boneless, and sneered: "You poor soldiers, why don't you want to train and cultivate the land, and have trouble with flower boats all day long?" ?We have been here a few times, but have we found a pair of disheveled people? Or do we have to see a man and a woman having sex before we stop? I really can't do it, I..."
As the oiran lady spoke, she raised her hand and took off her clothes from her shoulders.
Before he finished speaking, Shen Tang heard a loud slap.
The female soldier slapped the oiran's face neatly. The latter didn't expect the other party to come and tilted her face to one side. After slapping the person, the female soldier said one word after another: "I am willing to be humble."
The oiran lady licked the corner of her lips and there was a faint blood.
He looked indifferent and said: "Those who are not mean are outside."
The female soldier ignored her words and waved her hand: "Take it away!"
The court lady scolded: "How dare you?"
The female soldier stuffed a cloth into her mouth and said, "Take it away!"
When he walked to the door and stopped, he thought of Shen Tang and others again, and added: "There are also these others, take them all away too!"
Shen Tang: "..."
Several ministers: "..."
For the first time in my life, I was put in jail for coming to the flower boat.
The prison environment in Zhechong Mansion is relatively clean.
Shen Tang sat on the straw mat and covered his face: "No, why did this group of people suddenly appear? What is Zhe Chong Mansion doing?"
The king and his ministers were caught while enjoying a flower boat ride together.
This thing will explode wherever you put it.
Turning his head, the accompanying living room master grabbed a small pen and held a slip in one hand and buried his head in recording something. Shen Tang's expression cracked. The living room master was in charge of recording the daily actions of the king and important national events, and provided them to the country. Mainly writing daily life notes...
In other words——
If the country of Shen Tang can be passed down stably for several generations, future generations will be able to see a record of the founding emperor and his ministers going on a flower boat together and being cracked down on pornography. This is a rhythm that will be nailed to the pillar of shame in unofficial history. Thinking of this, her My head hurts even more.
"Qi Julang, can you stop writing?"
Other officials were stiff and their expressions were cracked.
Damn it, they forgot about the living room!
Will this fellow also write their names? Thinking of this, his eyes darken for a while - it is still unknown whether his name will remain in the history, but he will be disgraced with the king for generations to come.
The person in the living room was called, looked up at Shen Tang, then looked at a few colleagues, turned around with a palm-sized letter, and continued to write and draw, not giving Shen Tang any face.
Just when several officials wanted to roll up their sleeves and beat up the hostess and force him to rewrite the content, someone came from the prison.
It turned out that Qi Shan and Captain Zhe Chong came to pick them up.
Qi Shan sighed and said: "My lord..."
Shen Tang raised his hand: "This matter has nothing to do with me."
Lieutenant Zhe Chong immediately knelt down half-kneeling, lowered his head and clasped his fists: "... At the end of the day, my general is not doing well, please punish me and punish me."
Shen Tang: "You should take care of Zhe Chong Mansion."
Lieutenant Zhe Chong lowered his head even further: "I will obey your orders."
"Ji Shou, what did you find here?" Several groups of people entered from different places, and Kang Shi was on the other side.
After leaving the prison, we met at a temporary stop.
Well, the staff is quite neat.
Kang Shi: "I sent people to check the nearby white goods shops. During the period when ghosts stole food, people rarely worshiped their ancestors, so paper money should not be used much. After searching everywhere, there was indeed a shop that sold a lot. Paper money, the person who buys paper money is the government official."
Shen Tang chuckled: "Does the government official buy so much paper money?"
It's really not concealed at all.
Kang Shi said: "The news I heard was that Si Yan's family asked him to dream, so he bought a lot of paper money and burned it to the other party."
Shen Tang asked casually: "What is Si Yan's name?"
Kang Shi checked carefully: "Niu Zhong."
"Niu Zhong? That's a pretty decent name." Because the level of education was so low, common people's names were basically chosen randomly.
"It is reported that his original name was Niu Er, but he donated money to find a job as a janitor, so he changed his name to Niu Zhong."
Shen Tang stroked the teacup: "Niu Er?"
The words of the previous broker could not help but come to mind.
"Did you meet any brokers at the inn?"
"Broker? None."
Shen Tang became more and more certain that this broker was cheating on him.
"Does Niu Er have a crazy woman?"
"How do you know, my lord? This Niu Er does have a mother-in-law. Neighbors say that this man is unconscious and goes crazy and hurts people everywhere. He bites people when he sees them. One time, he bit off a person's ear. Niu Er's mother-in-law then The daughter-in-law is locked up at home to take care of her... These are the words of the neighbors, but in-depth investigation revealed that the testimony was somewhat inconsistent with the reality. I judged that this woman was not crazy or stupid before." Kang Shi continued, "A neighbor once said this. Women's hands are slender and white, unlike those of farmers..."
It's not easy to maintain a pair of slender, white and flawless hands.
This means that this person basically does not work.
Pamper yourself and be cared for everywhere.
and--
"Niu Er is the official secretary of the government. Not everyone can sit in this position. Where did he get the money to get the job?" Shen Tang pointed at the desk, fearing that the money was not clean, "Ji Shou, Apart from this clue, are there any others?"
Kang Shi said: "Niu Er is dead."
Shen Tang was not surprised: "It's normal to die."
Are you leaving such obvious clues unprocessed, waiting to be caught?
Shen Tang asked again: "Have they checked the mass graves?"
If those ghosts are disguised by living people, there must be places to hide people in the mass graves. No matter how hard it is, you can still find traces of a large number of living people's activities, and maybe there will be clues. Just be afraid, those ghosts are disguised by the spirit of words, that's really The wind passed without a trace, without any clues.
Kang Shi said: "I checked it, and there's no problem."
No problem, just no clues.
"The Tianquan Guard secretly interviewed many people who saw ghosts that day, and most of the testimonies were correct. Those ghosts did not look like living people. One child took advantage of the elders in the family not paying attention, ran into the group of ghosts, and walked straight through these ghosts. My body was broken and I came back with a high fever."
Shen Tang thought for a while and looked towards Gu Chi.
I didn't take Gu Chi with me when I went to Huachuan today. Gu Chi went to do another thing. To put it more simply, it was to dig a grave. What he was digging was the grave that the broker was muttering about in the middle of the night.
Gu Chi said: "There is a woman in the tomb. Judging from the condition of the bones, she should be around seventeen or eighteen years old. There are cracks in varying degrees on the occipital bone, temporal bone, scapula, clavicle, and ribs. There is also a knife on the lumbar vertebrae. It was obviously someone who killed her. Murder."
The woman's leg bones also suffered blunt force blows.
|ω`)
Regarding the investigation, I probably don’t understand why Tang Mei took action.
At first, Tangmei sent seven soldiers and horses to cooperate with the Criminal Department to arrest him, but she later changed her mind temporarily because this matter was serious.
First of all, the supervisory censor died.
Do you know how serious it is to kill an imperial envoy?
Secondly, Kunzhou is bordering the Northern Desert. It took Yuanhuang three years for Tangmei to completely take over the entire territory. Before that, she only controlled part of it (especially the border forces bordering the Northern Desert). If there is a war with the Northern Desert, food supplies will be in Kunzhou. Part of Kunzhou is also a neighbor of Wu Xian.
It is the most ideal result for the grain to be embezzled by officials. Otherwise, no matter which neighbor takes it away, the problem will be very, very serious.
Tangmei is now conducting a private investigation to confirm what the situation is.
For pure corruption, just do it boldly and do everything according to the list. But if forces from other countries infiltrate, they will be alerted.
PS: Everyone knows about Tang Mei’s luck, so...┓(`)┏