At midnight, the bright moon is shining brightly, and silver waves are surging toward the sky. The lights on the turrets at the mouth of the river look like bright stars from a distance, and the several grassy islands look like quiet river animals lying on the lake.
The breeze was bright and the moon was bright, and the waves were calm. Lin Fu and Zhang Yubo were sitting across from each other in the cabin, drinking wine and talking about state affairs, both of them groaning endlessly.
When they stopped at Chaotianyi Ferry to see off Gao Zongting and Liang Wenbai ashore, the latest news came back from the north. Wuhe County between Shiliang and Sizhou was also captured by Liu An'er's troops this afternoon. In just three to five days
Over time, countless refugees gathered under Liu An'er's command, and Liu An'er claimed to have one hundred thousand troops.
Although 100,000 is an exaggeration, there are always 30,000 to 50,000 mobs.
Lin Fu experienced the water battle of Luoyang Lake, and also came into contact with the red-coated girl Liu Miaozhen in Shanglin. Although the leaders of the water village were mixed, the bandits who flocked to each other, and the refugees were also chaotic, Liu An'er, Liu Miaozhen and others had high military qualities.
Although the 300,000 to 50,000 people in Hongzepu today are not a serious problem, given time to sort them out, there is no guarantee that they will not become a real threat to the Jianghuai land.
"If Gao Zongting doesn't point out the dangers of the river beach and mud embankment today, Liang Wenbo will probably expose his own shortcomings in a few days. After all, there can be no trouble in Gutang County. Liang Wenbo cannot bear this responsibility..." Zhang Yubo said.
"Not necessarily," Lin Fu shook his head and said, "Liang Wenbai went to Gutang County as the county magistrate for three years. In the Xinyuan Dynasty, the Liang family went to Gutang County to annex five or six thousand acres of land, most of which was in the northeast corner of Yikou and outside the ferry.
There is a post road across the river beach. To move the refugees out of the river beach, the Liang family's land must be temporarily requisitioned... There is no protection against temporary requisition of the land. I think Liang Wenbai is more worried about the refugees occupying his Liang family's land and not leaving.
Come on, maybe Liang Wenbai is lucky enough to hope that the chaos in Hongzepu can be settled before the flood season."
"You are really making fun of important matters of family and country." Zhang Yubo sighed softly and looked back. They were far away from the ferry, and they couldn't even see the people on the shore clearly.
Lin Fu looked at the lake in the distance and remained silent. At this time, he did not dare to have any expectations for the court and its officials.
**********
Guided by the lights of the turret, the night sail in Chaotiandang will not go astray. It was already early in the morning when we arrived at the south bank. Zhang Yubo returned to Jiangning for something. After landing, he went to Donghua Gate surrounded by his entourage.
It was quiet at the mouth of the river. The Lin family and the refugees in Shanglin were all sleeping. Although the conditions were difficult and a bit chaotic, the 1,340 people with their families had finally settled down temporarily. Lin Fu listened to Lin Jingzhong
After briefly reporting on the resettlement situation, he said, "Finally we're home." Then he got into the thatched cottage and fell asleep in the back house.
He hadn't had a good rest for half a month after leaving Jiangning. Lin Fu slept until noon. In a daze, he heard the noise outside the thatched cottage, and there seemed to be a woman crying, and then he woke up alertly. Lin Fu didn't know that something happened again.
What's going on? I lay in bed and listened for a while. There was a lot of noise outside, like a woman crying, but the sound coming from behind was low, and I couldn't tell who was talking outside. Since no one came in to disturb his sleep, it didn't matter.
Lin Fu wanted to turn over and go back to sleep, but the bed made a sound. Hearing the sound, Xiaoman walked in and said to him: "The master of the Lin family has passed away. Several ladies came to report and are waiting for you outside..."
"
"Lin Tingxun is dead?" Lin Fu trembled, and sat up shirtless. He reached out and took the clothes Xiaoman handed him, wondering in his mind whether Lin Tingxun's death on this joint in Jiangning was a good thing or a bad thing.
Seeing that he was just holding the clothes in his hands and thinking about other things, Xiaoman asked him to open his hands and help him put them on.
It was already May, and the weather was getting hotter. Liu Yue'er, Xiaoman and the others also began to wear thin silk skirts and shirts. Lin Fu didn't like to wear silk shirts, so he wore robes close to his body. Xiaoman helped Lin Fu wear them.
When I was taking off my clothes, I saw the hideous scar on his arm that was the size of a copper coin. I felt heartbroken and rubbed my fingers on the scar, and asked softly: "Does it still hurt?"
"The scar won't hurt anymore." Lin Fu said.
Xiao Man found another shallow wound on Lin Fu's chest, and touched it with his fingers. Lin Fu shrank subconsciously when his slightly cool, jade-like fingers touched it. Xiao Man smiled and said: "How old are you, you are still afraid?"
It's itchy!" He then deliberately put his little hands under Lin Fu's armpits to scratch, and his arms almost hugged Lin Fu's naked body.
"You haven't woken up yet?" Liu Yue'er pushed open the door and came in. Seeing Lin Fu and Xiao Man in such a state, she teased, "The Lin family's master passed away, so you guys hugged each other."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm helping the young master get dressed." Xiao Man said embarrassedly, with a blush on his face. He quickly stood up straight and lowered his head to help Lin Fu get dressed seriously. He thought that it felt so comfortable to touch his skin with his fingers.
At this time, I was embarrassed to touch it on purpose.
"Then you should get dressed quickly. Mrs. Seven and Shopkeeper Lin are outside. I'm going to get some wash water." Liu Yue'er turned around and walked out.
Lin Fu lowered his head and looked at Xiaoman who was tilting his head and carefully arranging his clothes. His hair was black and soft, his little face was extremely beautiful, his cheeks were like pearls, and his beautiful jade was shining brightly. The corners of his small and bright red mouth were slightly raised, like a smile.
The spring-like spring in his eyes was very alluring. Lin Fu suppressed the thoughts in his heart and stood up in an orderly manner to let Xiaoman put on his clothes. He waited for Liu Yue'er to bring him some water to wash his face and then left.
Outer hall.
Gu Yingxiu stood in the corridor between the front hall and the back house. She changed into plain soap clothes. I don't know what method she used. At this time, she was crying so hard that her eyelids were red, but her face was extraordinarily beautiful.
Charming, it is true that "a girl must be pretty, she is all dressed in soap". She wears a plain black dress, her skin is as fine as white jade, her pink lips are as red as rouge, and her temples are a little messy, which adds a bit of charm.
Gu Yingxiu glanced at Lin Fu, frowned and said: "The master has passed away, please Lin Xiucai come over and come up with an idea together..."
Lin Fu walked over, grabbed her hand, squeezed it gently and quickly let go, then walked into the front hall.
Lin Fu walked into the outer hall. The third lady, the fourth lady, the fifth lady, the sixth lady and the young master Lin Xuxi were all there, all crying sadly.
Lin Tingxun has been bedridden, unable to move or speak, for more than half a year. Everyone has been psychologically prepared for his death. However, they have left their hometown and fled south in a hurry in the past few days. When they arrived at the mouth of the river, the resettlement conditions were also very difficult. They were well-dressed and well-dressed.
They were used to eating, but they had never experienced such hardship. Lin Tingxun's death gave them an outlet to vent their feelings together, so they naturally felt very sad.
The moment Lin Fu walked in, the ladies started wailing loudly, regardless of their manners.
In the forest scene, Lin Mengde, the three elders of the Lin family, and his nephew Lin Xuhong, who was closest to Lin Tingxun, were all there. When they saw Lin Fu walking in, they all stood up to greet him.
Lin Fu said: "The bad news is coming one after another. The head of the family is the pillar of the Lin family. Now the pillar has collapsed. The third wife, the fourth wife, the fifth wife, the sixth wife, the seventh wife, the young master and three uncles ask for my condolences. There are many things that the Lin family has to do."
I rely on everyone to make up my mind. If there is anything Lin Fu needs to do, just give him an order." He asked the three clan elders to sit down to discuss the matter, and then bowed to Lin Mengde and said, "What about the funeral arrangements? The ladies and uncles
Make up your mind, if you have anything to do, just ask Jingzhong to take care of it; ask Uncle Mengde to accompany me to see the last remains of the master of the family..."
The second enclosed house at the mouth of the river has been built. The Lin family came to Jiangning to seek refuge. Five single-family houses were squeezed out of the forest scenery and the Lin family were temporarily accommodated there.
Different from the exquisite courtyard of the Lin family's mansion, the single courtyard surrounding the house is very simple, with earthen walls and thatched roofs. There are only three main rooms and two side rooms in the courtyard. Ordinary families can barely settle down and enjoy the luxury of the Lin family.
I mean, it's really very difficult.
The resettlement conditions for ordinary refugees who escaped from Shanglinli are more difficult. Usually a few members of a family squeeze into a small and simple shack to protect themselves from the wind and rain. However, ordinary people are also easily satisfied. They can still have hot meals and shelter during the escape.
They can live in a shack that is protected from wind and rain, which already makes them feel at ease.
Of course, the Lin family's property in Jiangning is not small. It is possible to immediately prepare one or two large courtyards in the city to accommodate a few ladies. Besides, Jiyunju in the city is also empty. But Lin Meng asked them to remember
Lin Fu had given instructions in Gutang County to wait for his return to make decisions, so he, Lin Jingzhong and others found many excuses to temporarily stay at the mouth of the river.
Lin Fu rushed back at dawn, when everyone was sleeping, and he himself was too tired to care about the resettlement situation of the Lin family and the refugees in Shanglin.
Walking outside the thatched cottage and towards the enclosed house where Lin Tingxun was standing, Lin Fu asked Lin Mengde: "Why do everyone come to the thatched cottage?"
Lin Tingxun's death itself is nothing to make a fuss about. The key is how to deal with the aftermath.
Lin Fu is a descendant of a side branch who has established his own family. He is not allowed to make the final decision in funeral matters. Even if the ladies and the three clan elders consider that the mouth of the river is his territory, they can send people to announce the funeral and invite him to come with them to discuss the funeral arrangements. In fact,
There is no need to go to the thatched cottage to discuss the funeral together.
"The head of the family woke up for a while before he died, and called the ladies, the clan elders, and me over, but he didn't have time to inform you..." Lin Mengde said.
"There is no need to inform me, I know," Lin Fu said, "What are the family master's last words?"
"The head of the family knows that he has returned to glory, and wants everyone to try their best to support the young master. He also said that you are always a child of the Lin family. I hope that several ladies and clan elders will persuade you to agree to allow Jiyun Society to return to the Lin family after his death!" Lin Mengde said
.
"Uh," Lin Fu stopped, looked at Lin Mengde, and asked, "Is it true or false?"
"Can you lie about this?" Lin Mengde smiled bitterly, "I was not alone here."
Lin Fu held his chin in his hand. When two groups of people passed by and looked at them strangely, Lin Fu realized that he was distracted. He walked forward again and asked Lin Mengde as he walked: "You said the second master, the eldest son will
Aren't you suspicious?"
"What suspicion does the second master have with the eldest son? What suspicion can arise?" Lin Mengde asked rhetorically.
"The Lin family can't stand the trouble..." Lin Fu sighed, "It can't be that simple."
Lin Fu didn't expect that Lin Tingxun had been in bed for half a year, unable to speak or move, but his mind was clear. After all, he didn't know what Lin Tingxun was thinking before he made such a decision.
After the fall of Shanglinli, most of the Lin family took refuge in Jiangning. If the Jiyun Society could return to the Lin family at this time and support the eleven-year-old Lin Xuxi as the head of the family, Lin Fu would naturally be able to take charge of the Lin family's affairs and control the Lin family's affairs.
Control is in your own hands.
If only things were that simple.
The most critical issue now is not the authenticity of Lin Tingxun's last words, but whether the second master Lin Tingli and the eldest son Lin Xuwen will agree to such an arrangement; and another, Lin Zonghai has been jumping up and down for more than half a year in order to control the power of the Lin clan.
Then he can sit back and watch Lin Fu make his wedding dress?
Walking into the temporary mourning hall prepared for Lin Tingxun, Lin Tingxun had someone change his shroud when he returned to his original state. He was lying on the door panel of the main hall. Lin Fu looked at Lin Tingxun's body, which was skinny and skinny, and he couldn't figure it out.
What was he thinking before he died to make such a decision?
Lin Fu reached out and touched Lin Ting's hard and cold wrist, and then made up his mind and said to Lin Mengde: "Since the master of the family said that everyone should support the young master, then he should follow the master's instructions; but I don't care about the Lin family's affairs.
Participate, now is not the time for Jiyun Club to return to the Lin family..."
"Why?" Lin Mengde asked in confusion, "The Lin family has suffered such a setback. I think no one is more suitable than you to lead the Lin family out of the predicament. Even if the second master and the eldest son will become suspicious, the last words of the family head are still very important.
My wife and the clan elders have heard it with their own ears, and it cannot be false; no matter what happens in the end, I will stand on your side."
Lin Mengde was very anxious. Although he had been in charge of Jiangning over the years, he always thought that he was just a sideline disciple and did not have a deep recognition and satisfaction of his position in the Lin family. Instead of supporting young and ignorant children, he was very worried.
Young Master, he is more willing to assist Lin Fu in controlling the power of the Lin clan.
This was a great opportunity for Lin Fu to take control of the Lin family. He had the right time, the right location, the last words of the family leader Lin Tingxun, and he was clear and right. He did not expect that Lin Fu would back down.
The fall of Shanglinli caused great losses to the Lin family. It was considered a setback. However, the gold and silver wealth that the Lin family arrived in Jiangning at this time was no less than 200,000 taels. The Lin family was in Jiangning, and Lin Meng was in charge of the property.
Xiao. Even if Shanglinli is occupied by lake bandits at this time, even if the Lin family's house in Shanglinli and all the valuables they can't take away are taken away and burned by lake bandits, it's terrible that the Lin family has two areas around Shanglinli.
Thousands of acres of fertile farmland and hundreds of acres of real estate in Shanglinli will always be there. When the government regains Shanglinli, the fields and real estate there will naturally return to the hands of the Lin family.
Lin Mengde never thought that Lin Fu would shrink from such a great opportunity. He also said to Lin Fu hastily: "You are a very decisive person, how can you worry about everything at this time?"
Lin Fu looked at Lin Mengde calmly and asked, "Uncle Mengde, can I trust you?"