Between the rolling mountains, there was pure white snow. Looking from afar, it was like a new set of clothes between heaven and earth, white and plain. Between the undulating mountains, you could occasionally see a long river. Small cities dotted the horizon in the distance. Because of the population, it showed a scene different from this white world. It was a sunny day after the snow. Outside the gate of the Daming Prefecture in Shandong, you could still see merchants coming in and out.
A team of more than ten porters was entering the city gate at this time. The leader gave some copper coins to the soldiers guarding the gate, and the two sides chatted for a while.
"… Although the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, it is not peaceful everywhere. Our Daming Prefecture is still a good place. From here to the west to the north, I heard that people have been beheaded recently."
"… Oh, so many people have been killed?"
"Oh, killing big grain merchants and black-hearted grain peddlers. They directly use their knives and behead without waiting for autumn judgment. You don't know, the price of grain has increased, but it is not much, so we can live in peace for a few days … "
After a few words of greeting, the team of porters entered the city. Although they looked like porters, they were actually not independent farmers. The snow had blocked the mountains, and the roads were not easy to travel on. In some places, the means of robbers had also become more cruel. In this weather, there was no food, and if they met a fat sheep, they would basically kill them one by one. On normal days, there was no "morality" to leave some money for travel back home or rations. This team of porters was actually an escort team from a small place. Some of the men in the team were farmers, while others were ruffians. They were organized to take advantage of the bad roads and high prices to earn a sum of money.
The leader led them to a large escort agency nearby to deliver the goods, and then went to the cheapest inn in the city to find a place to settle down. The goods had been delivered, and now they had some money on hand. It was a matter of course to buy some goods from a big place. The leader also wanted to take advantage of the return trip to see if there was any other business to do, so he asked around and inquired. At noon, he asked about the shortage of grain in the northwest and the artificially high price of grain. He thought about buying some grain from the Daming Prefecture and maybe he could make a lot of money. He asked a few people, but the opinions he got were not unanimous.
This team came from a small place, and most of them had not seen much of the world. Some of them only said that they would listen to their big brother, but they still looked hesitant. Some said that they had been out for too long, and in such weather, they wanted to go back early. The leader asked a few people and found out that it was not a solution, so he went to find a few people he thought were the key.
Most of the group had already dispersed. Some had yet to return from their stroll in the city, some were staying in their rooms, and some were extravagantly getting some cheap food to eat and drink in the nearby restaurants. When the leader arrived at the entrance of the tavern, he saw one of the people he was looking for. It was a plainly dressed man squatting on the steps. His straw cape had been placed in the room, but he had not taken off his bamboo hat. Even though he was squatting, one could still see that he was quite tall. The man in the lead squatted down beside him. The man glanced at him and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Big Brother Fang." It was neither salty nor light, and was just a casual greeting.
There were several terrible scars on the face under the bamboo hat, which ruined his originally handsome face. His eyes were like stagnant water at this time. Sometimes, it gave people a feeling that they couldn't smile. The former leopard head Lin Chong was squatting on the roadside at this time, eating a cold coarse grain steamed bun in small bites.
The leader surnamed Fang didn't look down on him because he knew that although this scar-faced man was usually taciturn and easy to bully, he was actually very skilled in martial arts. As for how skilled he was, he didn't know. He only knew that if the other party really attacked him, he and his team would not be a match for him. It was possible that he had encountered some great tragedy and ended up stranded in this village. This was also the reason why he came to find him.
"Brother Mu, I just discussed with a few friends. The price of grain in the northwest has risen very high. Now that the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, it's not easy to transport grain. So, I thought that since we are out, we might as well take this opportunity to make some money before going back. As long as we can reach Hebei …"
In order to convince this "Brother Mu," the leader surnamed Fang vividly described the profit he could make from this matter. After he spoke for a while, the other party finally turned his head and said, "I'm sorry, Big Brother Fang. I … I'm in a hurry to go back. You go and find the others …"
"Uh …" The leader surnamed Fang couldn't hide his disappointment, but then he smiled and said, "Okay, it's okay. I understand. I know you want to go back to accompany your wife. Hahahaha …"
As he said this, there was a sudden commotion on the other side of the road. It seemed that someone was coming, disturbing the shops on both sides of the road. The leader surnamed Fang looked over. Under the bamboo hat, Lin Chong was putting the cold and hard steamed bun into his mouth. Then, he suddenly heard a voice.
That was … a voice that he never thought he would hear.
"Wahahahaha …" The evil laughter sounded in the street of the Daimyo Mansion. "Mushroom … Cool … Cool Mushroom, don't run. It's so cold. Is my little golden monkey hiding in … the * * * * to keep warm? You're so ugly. Aren't you afraid of scaring people on such a cold day? My little golden monkey must have nothing to do with you … In front, Cool Mushroom, don't run. It's so cold. Of course, you have to hug each other to warm up … "
The man with the surname Fang muttered, "Could this be the new tyrant from the Daimyo Residence that the innkeeper told me about earlier …" He did not notice that his companion's teeth were chattering and his entire body was already unusually tense. The hand that was not holding the steamed bun, along with his entire body, was trembling slightly.
"Get out of the way, get out of the way. My father is Gao Qiu! Don't block the way! " It seemed that the second girl didn't arouse his interest either. The man who spoke kept walking forward. Beside him were seven or eight guards. They were baring their fangs and brandishing their claws. Anyone who was a little slower would be pushed away. Seeing the other party coming over, the leader surnamed Fang hurriedly stood up and took a step back. Beside him, the man wearing a bamboo hat squatted there without moving. A guard walked over and kicked him. "I told you not to block the way! A good dog doesn't block the way! "
That kick landed on the man's shoulder. His body leaned to the side. His left hand silently supported himself on the ground while his right hand grabbed the steamed bun and pulled it toward his waist.
The guards used the name of the Grand Commandant's Manor to intimidate others and passed by in a high-profile manner. The person who kicked him just now walked past. Gao Muen walked over with an unhappy expression. "Hmph ~ hmph ~ hmph ~ hmph ~"
No one noticed that the body of the man on the stairs was as tense as a cheetah. One of his hands was supporting himself on the ground, and he was accumulating strength in his legs. As long as he let go of the steamed bun and grabbed the hilt of the saber at his waist, a shocking murder would happen on the road.
He didn't raise his head. In his eyes, Gao Muen's boots crossed the road. The shortest distance between the two of them was only two steps. He clenched his teeth and prepared to rush out …
"Don't — block — the — way —"
The guards smashed a small stall in front of them. The group of people walked past the street. When the leader surnamed Fang saw his companion being kicked, his body tilted to the side and maintained that posture for a long time. He patted his companion's shoulder. "Brother Mu, we can't afford to offend that person."
The other party stood up and glanced at him. The leader surnamed Fang was slightly startled. For a moment, he didn't know how to describe the blood-red color in the other party's eyes. He merely said, "Then … I'll go in first. Brother Mu, you can think about it. I'll go ask the others …"
Lin Chong walked into the tavern in a daze. At this moment, he didn't even know what he was thinking. He really wanted to kill Gao Muen. As long as he made a move, including Gao Muen, none of the seven or eight guards around him would survive. In that instant, the power of the Grand Military Officer's Office flashed through his mind. Perhaps it was a certain woman waiting for him in the small village. Or perhaps it wasn't anything specific. It was just a buzzing sound in his head …
There were people talking and chatting in the tavern. Then, a name flashed through his mind.
"... Do you know that's the old hero, Zhou Dong … Iron Arm Zhou Dong … Within two months, he challenged twenty-seven strongholds … and forced them to release their rations … Do you know how many people survived because of him …"
When he thought of his master, a thunder-like kick landed on his chest.
"… What are you doing here?!"
"Arrogant bastard … You're a rebel … Come and kill me!"
"I'll never forget the righteousness in my heart. Hahahaha …"
"F * ck you!"
Once, there was a world that belonged to Gao Muen and Zhou Dong. Perhaps, a part of it belonged to him as well. But now, Gao Muen had changed to commit evil in the Daimyo Residence. His master … was a hero under the heavens. As for him … he already had nothing left …
What should he do? What did his master want him to do? What did he want to do? What did she want him to do?
His mind buzzed. His hand touched the hilt of his saber, and he stood up again. As he walked out of the tavern, his field of vision became very narrow. However, he still followed the direction in which Gao Muen was heading. Not long after, he also saw the back of the group of people.
Just like that, he followed them all the way. Until … Gao Muen walked into the large courtyard gate that was guarded by soldiers.
He hid in the alley and punched the wall. Then, he punched it again. Bang, bang, bang. Several sounds rang out.
Cracks that resembled spiderwebs could be seen on the green brick wall.
"Mas … ter …"
Between his lips, he struggled to form a barely audible form of address. However, in this instant, the image of a woman in a distant village flashed through his mind. Because he refused to acknowledge this, that image flashed through his mind in an instant.
Tonight, tonight, she'll come to kill me …
This was what he thought in his heart … When I'm ready for everything, she'll come to kill me …
*****
For the rest of his life, Gao Muen didn't know that the last time he and Lin Chong met would be under such circumstances. Even if he knew, he didn't care at all.
His purpose in coming to the Daimyo Residence was to seek pleasure, but in the name of outsiders, he was here to do business. He was here to fulfill his responsibility as an official and earn money.
Regarding the food shortage this time, as long as one had the ability, they would more or less want to make a profit. Gao Qiu and Liang Zhongshu of the Daimyo Residence had long exchanged letters, and they were also prepared to cooperate. After Gao Muen came over, out of a small sense of responsibility in his heart, he wasn't completely unconcerned about the grain stockpiling this time.
Of course, when following a rich family, stockpiling grain was actually a simple task. This time, Advisor Chen, who had followed him here, was the leader of the Grand Commandant's Office. The other person was naturally Liang Zhongshu. Whenever Gao Muen asked, Advisor Chen would more or less tell his young master about the progress of the stockpiling grain. In the early stages, it could be said to be smooth sailing. Gao Muen also felt that he was going to be in the limelight this time and earn a lot of money. When he went back to show his father, he would more or less feel a little proud.
His main job was to seek pleasure. As for the questions about stockpiling grain, he would only ask about it when he was not "working". Occasionally, he would also give some orders. Advisor Chen would naturally be a yes-man and say that he would do as he was told. However, recently, according to Advisor Chen, the process of stockpiling grain this time didn't seem to be as smooth as before.
The imperial court dealt a serious blow to the stockpiling of grain, and they used all kinds of means. This was especially true after it snowed. They even resorted to killing people. The news Gao Muen heard from Advisor Chen clearly said that the situation wasn't good. It was said that some individual investors had loosened up, and the profits on his side probably wouldn't be as high as expected. Gao Muen expressed, "Of course, the Right Minister is very powerful. Ordinary people like you won't be able to win against him." It was clear that if he wanted to fight against the evil minister, he could only do it himself.
After that, he asked, "Should we come up with a plan?" The other party's suggestion was to write a letter back and let the Grand Commandant exert pressure on them. Actually, Liang Zhongshu was the son-in-law of Grand Preceptor Cai. He would definitely write a letter as well. But after looking at it, the drop in grain prices still wasn't stopped by them.
Recently, the weather had been cold. Gao Muen hadn't been able to find a suitable girl when he went out this morning. This caused Gao Muen to be rather unhappy. After returning to the Liang Residence, Advisor Chen came to look for him again. It seemed that the price of grain had indeed dropped a lot, and it couldn't be raised anymore. Advisor Chen asked for Gao Muen's opinion. Gao Muen said, "I've said it before! That old thief Qin Siyuan is very powerful, but you guys didn't listen to him. And that Ning Liheng … I don't even want to talk about him! Right now, the price of grain is 15 taels. If we can't raise it, so be it. Aren't we still making a profit? Since we've made a profit, we should hurry up and sell the grain before the price drops completely. The more we sell, the more money we can earn. "
He scolded, "Why are you asking me for such a simple matter? Advisor Chen, I've long known that you're an old fellow who doesn't live up to your reputation …"
Advisor Chen mumbled, "This old one is old and naturally can't compare to the heaven-defying talents in the yamen. Since the yamen has spoken, this old one will sell …"
"Quickly go, quickly go. While there's money to be made, I want to earn more. Otherwise, how am I going to answer to my superiors when I return? If you don't show off and cause me to lose money, I'll skin you alive! "
Advisor Chen quickly left. At night, Liang Zhongshu came to look for Gao Muen and asked him why he wanted to sell grain. Gao Muen said that if he didn't sell, he wouldn't be able to earn anymore. Liang Zhongshu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He really couldn't scold Gao Muen. This time around, the major clans that could control the price of grain were like an alliance. Everyone more or less had a tacit understanding that whoever sold the grain first would incur the wrath of the masses. It was just like the Guo Clan. If it wasn't for the fact that they were forced to the point of death and the other party giving them a way out, they wouldn't dare to sell the grain at all. Zuo Duanyou only sold the grain because of his esteemed status. Others didn't dare to say anything.
Grand Commandant Gao was naturally one of those with esteemed status. Moreover, Gao Muen was an idiot. He wasn't afraid of offending anyone. Even if Liang Zhongshu explained it to him, he wouldn't understand. Liang Zhongshu could only ask Gao Muen to quickly retract the order he issued. After reminding him for a long time, Gao Muen pretended to agree. He turned his head and said to Advisor Chen, "You mustn't change it. I can tell that this old fellow also wants to sell the grain when he sees that things aren't going well. Hence, he intentionally told us not to sell the grain in case we snatch away his buyers. How can he deceive me? "
Before this, Liang Zhongshu probably didn't expect that he would have such a pig-headed teammate. In truth, the real pig-headed teammate was that Advisor Chen. He wanted to help the Grand Commandant's Manor earn money. Now that he saw that they weren't earning as much and that the other party was stubbornly putting up a front, he couldn't afford to offend anyone. Hence, he intentionally instigated Gao Muen to issue the order. This was the only way to survive among the major clans.
Advisor Chen wanting to sell the grain represented the thoughts of a portion of the major clans that had been hoarding grain. It also meant that during this period of time, their confidence wasn't as full as before. But if one were to really say that the faction of the Prime Minister's Manor had obtained victory in this disaster relief mission, that wasn't the case.
From the moment the snow started to fall, it was as if the horn for the final battle of the disaster relief mission had been blown in the north and south of the Wu Dynasty. Both sides used the most violent methods they could and began killing each other. In the business world, in the officialdom, in the north and south, in the royal court … All the forces that could be invested had been invested. The strength of the disaster relief mission was astonishing, and the strength of the obstruction was also astonishing. The fluctuations in the price of grain in various places were complicated and indescribable. Everyone's intentions were constantly changing. Merchants were beheaded, officials were dismissed, and there were endless disputes in the royal court. Small and medium-sized conflicts were also constantly occurring in various places.
The entire situation of the disaster relief mission was like a huge, old millstone. Its wheels swept across the world. While grinding down the enemy, due to the huge resistance and erosion, the millstone itself was constantly disintegrating and peeling off. And this kind of war had continued all the way until now.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
