Chapter 148 The Great Earthquake's Commercial Village (1)
Chapter 148 Shangtun Village of the Great Earthquake (1)
Unknowingly, I have entered Gu Yue.
After a first snowfall, the temperature in Haixi dropped sharply and became even lower. The ground was frozen hard, and it felt uncomfortable for people to walk on it.
Cao Cao's war in Wancheng went smoothly. Not only did he quickly capture Pheasant County, Wuyin and other places, he even reached the gates of Wancheng.
Originally, Wancheng had a natural barrier, which was Yushui. Zhang Xiu ordered his people to demolish the bridge, but he did not expect that Cao Cao would launch an attack in the middle of winter. As a result, Yushui, whose surface had frozen, could no longer be protected. Resist Cao Cao's cavalry advance...
Zhang Xiu immediately sent someone to Liu Biao's office in Xiangyang to ask for help.
While holding on to Wancheng, he also sent envoys with the intention of negotiating peace with Cao Cao.
But this time, Cao Cao acted very resolutely. Dian Wei and Xu Chu were the vanguards, taking turns to launch fierce attacks on Wancheng.
Zhang Xiu only resisted for five days before he had to abandon the city to break out of the siege and fled to Rangcheng to continue resisting.
Once Wancheng was destroyed, the gate of Nanyang County was opened.
Nanyang County played in full swing.
Haixi County, however, seems lukewarm, as if no measures have been taken.
Deng Ji invited Dai Qian, a native of Danyang, to serve as the Dacao. With the addition of Bu Zhao, the chief secretary, Puyang Kai, the county magistrate, Xia Houlan, the county captain, Zhou Cang, and Cao Peng, the military cao, his team had begun to take shape. However, Deng Ji came from Huailing. After coming back, all the attention seemed to be focused on the renovation of the North Market in Haixi County. He seemed indifferent to other things, even the military affairs, and he didn't care too much.
Logically speaking, it is understandable that Deng Ji was not interested in military matters.
But the two county captains and one military officer in Haixi didn't pay much attention to military affairs.
One led fifty patrolmen to urge Chen Sheng's farmers to repair the city walls and build roads; the other accompanied Cao Peng and was busy counting the belongings in Chen Sheng's farm all day long, seeming a little indifferent to other things. After Cao Daiqian, he ordered people to build prisons and set up torture halls. In his spare time, he would go to Cao's office in the North Market to inspect the public security situation.
To Haixi people, people like Deng Ji seem to be a little unprofessional.
But this made the Haixi people feel relieved.
The New Year is about to come, and what they fear most is that the government will suddenly impose some kind of corvee. If this is not done properly, it is likely to trigger a conflict with the pirates. The Haixi people, who finally calmed down, have no idea about this kind of war. , seemed not interested.
The inaction of Deng Ji and others also gave Haixi people more recognition of him.
I'm not afraid of you not doing anything, I'm afraid of you messing around.
Even if Deng Ji eradicates a Chen Sheng, if he wants to make the Haixi people completely surrender, Deng Ji has not done enough and needs to continue to work hard!
However, many people still felt a little strange from this calmness.
This is so abnormal!
Whether it was Deng Ji or Cao Peng.
The methods and determination they had shown before should not have been so silent.
The more silent they were, the more it showed that Deng Ji and others were planning a big move. But what exactly was this big move? No one knew for a while.
Nine major business leaders from the North Market came to visit one after another.
But all the news I got was that the county magistrate was ill and could not see guests for the time being.
Or it could be said: The young master is busy with official duties now, and I am afraid I have no time to see you... If anything happens, you can report it through the Cao Office.
Then, there was a big shut-down.
What on earth are these Deng Ji brothers doing?
So, in desperation, the heads of the Nine Banks thought of Wang Cheng again. In any case, Wang Cheng can be regarded as a big think tank in Haixi County, and he seemed to be very close to Deng Ji before, so the Nine Banks
They went to Wang Cheng's house together, but Wang Cheng was not there either.
According to family members, Wang Cheng has gone out!
But where exactly he went, no one knew.
At this moment, the nine major leaders were really in a hurry...
"Afu, you are so good, why do you want to visit Dr. Mai?"
Deng Ji sat in the car and asked with a smile: "I remember that you seemed to be the most disgusted with this kind of thing in the past, and you never took it seriously."
"I heard that Doctor Mai's health has improved in the past two days.
Last time you visited, you didn't see him. You listened to the elders' teachings. In terms of etiquette, there were still some shortcomings. Doctor Mai is the most cautious person in Haixi, and you are Haixi's parent official, so you often go to visit him.
It’s also a good thing, right?”
Deng Ji scratched his head and looked at Cao Peng.
He suddenly smiled, "Afu, do you have any other ideas?"
Cao Peng looked innocent and shook his head: "What can I think? I just have some respect for Dr. Mai."
"Respect?"
Cao Peng nodded vigorously, "Brother-in-law, think about it, Mr. Mai was also a high official in the imperial court. After returning home, he did good deeds and accumulated virtues. When encountering pirate attacks, he still resisted bravely. This in itself is worthy of admiration. You can also stop by.
Ask Magong about the status of the pirates."
"Hmm...that's quite true."
Deng Ji couldn't find anything wrong with him, so he simply stopped asking.
Neither Cao Peng nor Puyang Kai discussed the assumptions made by Cao Peng and Puyang Kai with Deng Ji...
It's best not to tell anyone about this kind of thing before you have evidence.
Cao Peng followed the example of the Jin people and kept silent, and Puyang Kai was even less likely to discuss this matter with Deng Ji.
As for Wangmai?
I was busy at Beiji Market every day, taking turns with Deng Fan on guard duty. I didn’t even have time to go back to the Yamen. How could I ask?
"Brother-in-law!"
"kindness?"
"Brother Hutou, it's almost time for the crowning ceremony."
According to the "Rites of Zhou", a man at his age of 20 should perform the crowning ceremony.
However, in the Han Dynasty, this age limit was not particularly strict. For example, Liu Xiang in the Western Han Dynasty was given the title of Zizheng at the age of twelve, and received the crown ceremony; another example is that Princess Guantao's face-to-face tutor Dong Yan was eighteen years old
During the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu visited Runan and saw Zhou Fang's intelligence, so he gave him the crown ceremony and became an official in the county at the age of sixteen. There are too many examples like this.
Including words, some are given by elders, and some are chosen by oneself.
It seems that Cao Peng gave himself the title "Youxue", which was not right in terms of etiquette, but no one blamed him.
Deng Ji was stunned for a moment and thought about it carefully. Wang Mai and Deng Fan had already started working. It seemed like it was time to hold a crowning ceremony for them.
After the crowning ceremony, you are now an adult!
Deng Ji can also give them more tasks in the future.
"Well... I have to discuss this with Aunt Hong and Uncle Juye."
"Of course we have to discuss it, but can you give them a word?"
"Are you so anxious?"
Cao Peng nodded repeatedly, "Of course it's urgent... Nowadays, you can still stand alone. If you don't have a nickname, you will be looked down upon by others. Besides, if you give them a nickname, they will be happier. Even if you
Brother, you are also a Shangguan, so it should be like this."
"Well, let me think about it."
Deng Ji pondered for a long time and said softly: "The tiger's head is named Buy. Buying means to win, so let's call him Bo Sheng. How about that?"
"Wang Mai, Wang Bosheng?"
It doesn't sound bad, and it makes sense.
Gain fame, win reputation...
Cao Peng kept cheering, "What about the big bear?"
"The model is the law, and the law should be strict. If not, why not call him strict?"
Sure enough, he is a criminal, and he stays true to his profession.
Cao Peng suddenly asked: "Brother-in-law, how should we explain the word love?"
"Love?" After Deng Ji asked which 'love' it was, he smiled and said, "There are many explanations for the word love, such as benevolence, such as..."
"Charity?"
Deng Ji nodded, "What's wrong?"
"Brother-in-law, what is Mairenmaigong's cousin's name?"
After returning to Haixi, Cao Peng also asked about the names of some people.
Most of these people are respectable people, but there is no one named Ziai.
According to his inference, the status of this 'Ziai' in Haixi County should not be too low. But the problem is, Cao Peng can't blatantly ask: Who is Zi'ai!
Wouldn't that be a warning?
Ziai, benevolence...
Deng Ji smiled and said: "Mai Ren's cousin's name? Haha, why do you ask this?"
"Just curious."
"Oh, this word has always been associated with a person's name, and the word is the explanation of the name.
For example, Mai Gong is named Xiong, and Xiong is a strong and majestic creature. Therefore, Mai Gong's character is Juwei, which means very majestic. Mai Ren is named Ren, and Ren means benevolence. Therefore, his character is Ziai. Unfortunately, Mai Gong is named Zi Ai.
Ren is a greedy man and has betrayed Mr. Mai's love."
Deng Ji talked eloquently, but Cao Peng didn't listen to a word.
Zi Ai, Mai Ren is Zi Ai!
No wonder, no wonder...
Cao Peng suddenly laughed.
No wonder there is no clue about the private salt trade in the documents left by successive county magistrates.
It's not that they didn't want to investigate, it was just that they had no way of starting. If they hadn't accidentally discovered it in Xiapi, they probably wouldn't have suspected the drunkard.
In terms of family background, Mai Ren is a son of an official.
Why is private salt sold?
On the one hand, it is because of its huge benefits, and on the other hand...
"Brother-in-law, why did Magong become an official?"
Deng Ji was startled, then lowered his voice and said: "There are many reasons why Mr. Mai became an official, but to put it bluntly, he still had no money."
"oh?"
"I once heard someone say that when the late emperor was still alive, he bought and sold official positions. An official position like Taizhong doctor cost at least millions or tens of millions of dollars. It seems that Mai Gong didn't pay the money, so he only held it for a short time.
The Taizhong doctor was driven back home."
No money - Zhi Shi - Mai Ren smuggled salt!
In an instant, Cao Peng seemed to have figured out the main reason why Mai Ren participated in the illegal salt trade.
It's just that he comes from a good background and his family background is not bad. Most of the people who sell private salt are desperadoes, so it is impossible to associate him with private salt. In addition, Mai Ren is not in charge of his own business, but secretly controls a huge
private salt network, so it is even more secretive.
Cao Peng couldn't help but frown. A thread that had never appeared before gradually became clear in his mind...
"Maybe I was wrong again?"
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, it's nothing, I just thought of something."
"whats the matter?"
"This... we'll talk about it after we get back."
Deng Ji did not ask further. Based on his understanding of Cao Peng, even if he asked, it would not be of any use.
The car battle stopped outside the gate of Maijia Farm.
Mai Ren stood outside the farm gate early with a bright smile on his face.
"Magistrate Deng, why are you here?"
"I heard that Mr. Mai is in good health, so I came to visit him. He is an elder from Haixi. As the county magistrate, I have not yet received Mr. Mai's teachings."
Mai Ren said quickly: "County Magistrate Deng is too polite."
His eyes swept across Cao Peng's body inadvertently.
Cao Peng held up his hand and said, "Haixi soldier Cao Cao Peng has met Ren Gong."
"Master Cao, why do you need to be polite? I have heard for a long time that Master Cao is a good person among men. When I saw him today, he is indeed a talented person."
It is really strange that Cao Peng has been in Haixi for more than a month, but he has not met Mai Ren. They have heard about each other, but Mai Ren rarely shows up. The only time he visited was to eradicate Chen Sheng in Deng Ji.
That night. Cao Peng happened to be in charge of ambushing Chen Sheng on Long Street that day. Therefore, Mai Ren only saw Cao Peng from a distance, but did not see his appearance clearly.
Cao Peng smiled slightly and retreated behind Deng Ji.
At this time, he is not the host or guest.
"Is it convenient for Mr. Mac to see guests now?"
Mai Ren quickly said: "My father is admiring plum blossoms in the backyard. He can sit down, but it is a little inconvenient to speak. Even I have difficulty listening."
"Oh, then please let me know."
"No, no, Magistrate Deng, please come with me."
Cao Peng followed Deng Ji and walked into the Mai family's courtyard.
In terms of area alone, the Mai family's courtyard is even half the size of Buchen Sheng's farm. But when you walk in, you can feel the difference between the two. One is solemn and solemn. Although there are no luxurious carvings, it can
Make people feel awe.
And the other one is magnificent and beautiful.
But no matter how you look at it, you have the temperament of a nouveau riche!
Cao Peng and Deng Ji were led through the corridor by Mai Ren himself.
Go through the second courtyard and enter the backyard. In a quiet small courtyard, plum blossoms are planted. There is a small independent attic with low-hanging windows.
The wind blows, the red plum blossoms rise and fall, and the faint fragrance floats.
The window screen was rolled up and fluttering like white clouds floating in the sky, looking particularly moving in the sea of red plum blossoms.
"McGong, you are indeed very elegant."
"Yes, my father didn't like plum blossoms in the past, but for some reason these years, he likes this red plum blossom.
I also told my father that red is too gaudy, so it would be better to plant some precious flowers. But my father disagreed and said he only loves red plums."
Cao Peng stood aside, listening quietly but saying nothing.
After Mai Ren finished speaking, Cao Peng suddenly said: "Red plum blossoms are very beautiful and can be seen everywhere... But once they bloom, the scenery is quite impressive."
Mai Ren was startled, then burst into laughter.
But there was a trace of disdain in his eyes, as if he didn't agree with Cao Peng's statement.
After Cao Peng said these words, he never spoke again. He and Deng Ji walked through the flower path and stopped under the porch of the attic.
Deng Ji said loudly: "Haixi ordered Deng Ji to pay homage to Duke Magong."
There was silence in the attic...
After a while, Hunlun's voice came from inside, but it was very vague, and Cao Peng couldn't quite understand it anyway.
Mai Ren frowned, then smiled bitterly, stepped forward and said softly: "My father said that he is not feeling well and is afraid that he will not be able to meet with County Magistrate Deng."
"I see!"
Deng Ji did not show any displeasure, and said with a smile: "Deng Ji came here presumptuously and disturbed Mr. Mai's rest. Since Mr. Mai is not feeling well, how about Deng Ji coming back another day?"
In the attic, there was no answer.
Mai Ren and Deng Jifu came out again, apologizing profusely along the way.
Deng Ji showed a very magnanimous look, as if it didn't matter. But Cao Peng followed closely behind Deng Ji, and suddenly felt a chill running down his spine and straight to the top of his head.
He shuddered and turned around suddenly.
Behind the sea of flowers, the screen on the attic window was floating, but no one was anywhere...