Wan'er had not yet arrived, but the people Fan Xian had sent out in Suzhou began to come back one by one. They had scattered Fan Xian's sinister seeds throughout Jiangnan and brought back the good news Fan Xian needed.
The first to return was Xia Qifei.
Fan Xian did not meet him in Hua Garden because Baoyue Brothel was half-ruined, so it was impossible to meet him there. In the end, he chose to go to Xia Ming's manor in the south of the city in the middle of the night. Fan Xian had paid for this garden. However, after he had come once with the Third Prince, he had never come again.
The travel-worn Xia Qifei looked at Fan Xian, who was walking up the steps under the protection of the Tiger Guards, and jumped in fright. He had planned to go to Hua Garden in the afternoon but had been told to wait in the manor. He had not expected the commissioner to personally come.
Respectfully welcoming Fan Xian into the study, these two illegitimate children did not exchange too many pleasantries. Fan Xian did not have the patience to express the warmth of a superior, so he directly entered the topic.
Through Xia Qifei's report, Fan Xian's heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally relaxed. Ever since Xia Qifei had accepted the palace treasury's major bids, he had, with the help of the Overwatch Council, mobilized the jianghu brothers of the Jiangnan water bandits and began to move toward the right path. However, they were, after all, jianghu people. Fan Xian was always worried that the Seventh Ming disciple would not be able to handle matters properly.
Only tonight did he truly relax. It looked like Xia Qifei had indeed inherited some of the old Ming master's talent. He did not neglect the necessary skills of buying goods, bills of lading, opening roads, and bribing officials.
What made Fan Xian feel most at ease was that after Xia Ming's merchant group passed through Jiangbei, they made contact with the Northern Qi people in a small town to the south of Cangzhou.
On the Northern Qi side, the little Emperor had arranged for Chang Ninghou's son, Wei Hua, to be the head of the Brocade Guard. Of course, there would not be any problems with the safety of the goods. However, Fan Xian was curious as to who had personally entered deep into the Qing Kingdom and taken the risk to receive the first batch of goods.
"It was the commander himself." Xia Qifei himself seemed to be shocked at the meeting at the time.
Fan Xian was also startled. He couldn't help but have a different opinion of Wei Hua. He held a high position, yet he dared to enter the Qing Kingdom. He couldn't help but feel great disdain for the defensive power in the Cangzhou area.
The Northern Qi Brocade Guard was only responsible for the safety of the road to the North. In the past, it had been the Northern Qi empress dowager and the Eldest Princess who had made the deal. After doing it for so many years, they were already familiar with it. Now, it was the little Emperor and Fan Xian making the deal. This was their first deal, so they had to be careful.
"What about our people in the north?" He suddenly asked with a frown.
Xia Qifei carefully looked at him and took out a letter from his bosom. "This is a letter that Lord Wang asked this lowly official to bring back. He also brought a gift to the south."
Fan Xian accepted the letter and saw that it was indeed Wang Qinian's unique handwriting. He didn't take the long box that Xia Qifei handed over and indicated for him to put it to the side. Shaking his head, he asked, "Wang Qinian is more afraid of death than I am. Of course, he wouldn't foolishly head south. However, we have to have someone follow. Which merchant company is taking over the north?"
In reality, he knew that the Cui family's routes in the North had all been privately taken over by him. The Qing court had always thought that the Northern Qi Emperor controlled them. Only a few people in the Fan manor, the Yan family, and a few of Fan Xian's trusted aides knew about the matter of the Second Fan Prince privately controlling the Northern smuggling routes. The Qing Emperor only knew that the Second Fan Prince was in the North. He had not expected Fan Xian to have his young brother manage such a major matter.
Fan Xian did not plan on telling this to Xia Qifei, so he only asked casually. He wanted to use Xia Qifei's mouth to find out how his brother was doing in the north.
Unfortunately, at the time, Xia Qifei's attention was all on the extremely daring commander of the Brocade Guard and did not pay much attention to the merchant companies in the north. However, he had faintly heard some rumors. He heard that the merchant in the north responsible for handling the palace treasury's smuggled goods was ruthlessly mysterious. Normal people didn't even know if the boss was a man or a woman.
Fan Xian smiled. A glimmer of relief rose to his eyes. It looked like Sizhe had finally learned to be low-key and endure. However, Haitang was in Jiangnan. Only he and Wang Qinian were in the north. It was not convenient for the spy system of the Fourth Bureau of the Overwatch Council to handle too many things for him. The Northern Qi Emperor would not make things difficult for him for his sake. However, for a young man to be in such a dangerous situation, it was truly hard on him.
However, Fan Xian did not plan on sending people to help him. His experience of being reborn clearly told him that as long as it was cold, it would emerge through grinding. Sizhe had a talent for business. If he did not undergo such difficult and complicated grinding, it would truly be a pity.
After chatting a bit more with Xia Qifei, Fan Xian admired the head of the Jiangnan water bandits in front of him more and more. Now, he was his subordinate. It looked like subduing this person in Shazhou was indeed very beneficial to his Jiangnan plan.
"Everything will be done according to the established plan," Fan Xian said seriously.
Fan Xian said seriously, "Su Wenmao is in the palace treasury. I will leave Deng Zi Yue in Suzhou. Deputy Ma Jie will handle the matter of transferring goods from the palace treasury. As for the matter of accounts, if you find it difficult to sort it out, listen to the opinions of those old officials."
Those old officials were all good hands pulled from the Ministry of Revenue. They were a great gift that the Minister of Revenue Fan Jian had given to his son. It was ruthlessly simple to do some empty accounts and play some tricks.
Xia Qifei made a sound of acknowledgment and hesitantly said, "This is the first time. The route to the north has been opened … however, we can't hide it for too long."
Fan Xian thought for a bit and a cold smile rose to his brows. "What are you afraid of? Every year, Xinyang is smuggled. Who doesn't know? As long as we don't get hold of our weakness, who can do anything to us? "
Xia Qifei's heart froze. He found that the commissioner was indeed very daring and full of confidence. However, he kept thinking of another matter. His face couldn't help revealing a strange emotion.
Fan Xian watched and couldn't help smiling. He gazed at him calmly and said, "Are you not satisfied with the Ming family matter?"
Xia Qifei thought for a bit. The bits and pieces of this half a year taught him that it was best not to hide anything in front of this young man. Gritting his teeth, he gathered his courage and said, "Qingcheng is not satisfied."
Fan Xian gazed at him with a not-quite-there smile. "The old Ming matriarch is already dead."
Xia Qifei was silent. When the Ming Garden was in chaos, he had been following orders to the north to deliver goods, so he had not participated in this matter. Along the way, he had received the news. He had also seen the scene of the Jiangnan people wearing mourning. He couldn't help smiling bitterly and saying, "Although she died, it was still a glorious death."
Fan Xian quietly said, "Do you know how the old Ming matriarch died?"
Xia Qifei raised his head in shock and gazed at Fan Xian, thinking, Did you not help me force her to death? Suddenly, his mind moved. He thought of how the hearts of the Jiangnan people were slightly chaotic and then calm, and how the Ming Garden was unusually quiet after the funeral. He couldn't help but think of a terrifying possibility.
"Ming Qingda?" he asked in disbelief.
Fan Xian nodded his head coldly. "I won't hide this from you. It is a small matter for the Emperor to take over the Ming family, but it is a difficult matter for him to take over the Ming family peacefully. The present situation is something I have plotted with great difficulty. Don't destroy it."
Xia Qifei immediately understood everything. So, the commissioner and Ming Qingda had a secret agreement. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions in his heart. He also faintly felt fear. Would he … become a useless abandoned pawn?
Fan Xian's following words surprised him again.
"You are not satisfied. Actually, I am not satisfied either," Fan Xian smiled slightly and said. Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, "The Ming family has six branches. Right now, you and I can only control two of them. After this matter, Ming Qingda has finally become the true master of the Ming family … but I cannot act openly. That old fox has tricked me. Do you think I won't have him return it?"
Xia Qifei opened his mouth slightly. A fervent hope flashed through his eyes. "When do we act?"
"Don't let the fever go to your head at the mention of revenge." Fan Xian seemed to be lecturing him. It was also like he was narrating some great, distant, and personal cause.
"The Jiangnan people's blood letters have long been sent to Jingdou. The Emperor's edict to scold me should arrive in a few days," Fan Xian continued.
Fan Xian continued, "At this time, I will not act against Ming Qingda again."
"I don't understand." Xia Qifei thought of something and said doubtfully, "What benefit does Ming Qingda gain by doing this? Would he be so childishly as to believe that as long as he lowers his head, the Emperor will give him a way out? "
Fan Xian glanced at him with praise and said, "He is just stalling for time."
"Stalling for time?"
"Correct." Fan Xian sighed. "Using his mother's life in exchange for a year's time. That day, I once said that your big brother does things even more ruthlessly than I do. "
"A year's time?" Xia Qifei asked with confusion. "What use can it have?"
Naturally, Fan Xian would not tell him about the seemingly calm but unusually dangerous situation in Jingdou. He only smiled coldly and said, "Your big brother is groveling and enduring, swaying from side to side, all because he wants to see clearly the situation in court a year from now. As for you and me, we will just watch for a year. "
After a year, the other side would probably be unable to resist acting, right? After a year, he would be able to kill some people.
"Don't rush." Fan Xian persuaded Xia Qifei and, at the same time, convinced himself. "Your big brother is a clever person. In the end, he is swaying from side to side. He wants to not offend either side, so in the end, he will also die because of his cleverness."
"Because, in the end, he has no power."
As Fan Xian said this, he suddenly thought of the three sentences Ye Liuyun had said to him before his sword cut through half the building. Involuntarily, his heart chilled. Could it be that the Great Grandmaster had seen further than him and had already seen some danger that he had not?
After the imperial envoy was attacked in Baoyue Brothel, the Jiangnan Governor, Xue Qing, was furious. He immediately made a powerful response. All of the Ming Garden's private soldiers were disarmed. Because of the old Ming matriarch's death, the enmity the Jiangnan people had toward Fan Xian had also lessened somewhat because of Fan Xian's injury. The human heart had always been such a strange thing.
In short, the power of Ming Garden had once again been weakened. It had become a piece of dough in Fan Xian's hands, allowing him to knead it however he wanted. However, the present situation in Jingdou and the imperial edict that was about to arrive forced him to push back the cooking of the steamed buns.
"Even if Ming Qingda completely defected to me, I would not accept it." The corners of Fan Xian's lips twitched and he said something that made Xia Qifei unusually happy.
Fan Xian calmly said, "I am a very vengeful person. Perhaps you don't care about the water bandits brothers who were killed in front of the Jiangnan Restaurant, but I remember that a number of the Sixth Bureau swordsmen I sent to protect you died."
Xia Qifei's sorrow appeared slightly.
Fan Xian continued, "Ming Qingda is a clever person. As he said earlier, he thought that in the face of enormous benefits, I could accept the deaths of these seemingly normal people with a smile … however, he was wrong."
He quietly said, "The Ming family asked people to kill my people, so I will kill their people. Although it was his mother who did it, the son pays the mother's debts … isn't that very fair?"
Xia Qifei couldn't resist smiling and bowed respectfully. "Sir is right, it is very fair."
…
…
Fan Xian patted Xia Qifei's shoulder. "Let's not talk about those uninteresting things for now. In this half a year, you should learn to manage the route to the North well. At the same time, maintain a good relationship with the Xiong family of Lingnan and the Sun family of Quanzhou. As for Yang Jimei, you can also associate with her … in the future, you will have to manage such an enormous family property of the Ming family. You must maintain a good relationship with these giant merchants. "
Xia Qifei heard the meaning in the commissioner's words and couldn't help but be slightly shocked. He immediately said, "Thank you for fulfilling my wish."
"It's still early," Fan Xian calmly said. Fan Xian calmly said, "However, I have already told Ming Qingda that you must appear at the annual festival in the seventh year of the Qing calendar."
After Xia Qifei's great shock, a complicated joy welled up in his heart. This … was he going to return to his ancestry? He had wandered the jianghu for so many years. Finally, he could return to Ming Garden!
…
…
Leaving Xia Qifei's manor, Fan Xian disapproved of Xia Qifei's last joy and the tears in his eyes. Was it really so important to return to his ancestry? After all, he was a person with two lives of experience. Although he knew how much importance the people of today placed on bloodlines, he still did not quite understand and even looked down on it.
The ones who gave birth to me are my parents. The ones who raised me are my parents. If you see me as a son, then I will see you as a parent. If you see me as an enemy, then I will see you as an enemy.
That chest of silver … was a bit too heavy.
The second person to return to Suzhou Hua Garden surprised Fan Xian. At that time, Fan Xian was worrying in his study about whether or not he should bring the chest of silver in front of the hall when he went to Hangzhou to pick up Wan'er. That chest of silver … was a bit too heavy.
Just as he was thinking hard, a shadow appeared in front of his table and gave him a fright.
"Next time you enter, please knock." Fan Xian glanced at the Shadow and then lowered his head to read the Council newspaper.
The Shadow suddenly tilted his head. His deathly pale face shone through the completely black clothing. It seemed to be very interested in Fan Xian. After all, even the Director treated him like a nephew, but Fan Xian was different.
"Yun Zhilan has returned to Dongyi."
Fan Xian raised his head. He knew this meant that the guerrilla warfare between the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council and the aces of Dongyi had finally come to an end after continuing for four months.
While Fan Xian was battling wits and strength against the enemy in the three large workshops of the palace treasury, at the bidding conference, in Suzhou, and in the Ming Garden, the silent killing on the other secret front was actually an important link that could completely turn the situation around. Furthermore, the battle on that front would certainly be even bloodier and more terrifying.
He was silent for a moment and then solemnly said, "How many brothers in the Council sacrificed?"
"Seventeen." The Shadow's words still did not have any obvious emotional fluctuations.
"How many people died on Dongyi's side?" This was a topic that Fan Xian was very interested in.
"Seventeen."
"Oh, one for one. It seems we didn't lose out." Although he said he didn't lose out, an evil fire still flashed through Fan Xian's eyes. Gently tapping his finger on the surface of the table, he slowly said, "Remember this debt firmly. After some time, we'll go and get it back."
The Shadow said, "Are you going to get it back or am I?"
Fan Xian glanced at him and said with amusement, "Can you beat your idiot brother?"
The Shadow was not angry. "I can't beat him, but you also can't beat him."
Fan Xian thought of the power of Ye Liuyun's strike and admitted this reality. "Although I can't beat him, it doesn't mean I can't kill him."
The Shadow looked at him. He didn't know where this young man's confidence came from to say he could kill a Great Grandmaster.
The study fell silent.
Fan Xian continued his official duties and didn't even glance at the Shadow in front of him.
In the end, it was the Shadow himself who broke the silence.
"I heard … Ye Liuyun came?"
Fan Xian glanced at him and asked curiously, "How do you know it was Ye Liuyun?"
"Because Sigu Jian is still in Dongyi."
Fan Xian sighed and shook his head. He thought to himself that even the Shadow, someone who only knew how to kill, could make such a simple deduction. What exactly was Ye Liuyun thinking?
"Will Sigu Jian not sneak out of Dongyi?" Although this was what Fan Xian thought, he still couldn't help but habitually want to frame Dongyi and not want such a large crack to appear within the Qing Kingdom.
The Shadow was silent for a moment and then said, "He hasn't left the Sword Hut in six years."
…
…
Fan Xian was shocked. He knew the Shadow's identity, so he trusted his judgment and source of information. If it was truly like this, then this matter was too strange. No wonder the Qing people had framed Sigu Jian countless times and Dongyi had never had any direct reaction.
Fan Xian suddenly thought of a wonderful possibility.
"Say …" He propped up his chin and asked energetically, "Is it possible that your idiot brother has already died?"
"No."
The Shadow's words could only be met with a sigh from Fan Xian.
"As long as he doesn't go out, it's fine." Fan Xian immediately thought of another wonderful thing and smiled. "As long as Sigu Jian doesn't go out, I'm not afraid someone will kill me."
The Shadow thought for a bit and silently accepted this reality. He then asked, "I heard Ye Liuyun came."
This was the second time the Shadow had said this. It was clear Fan Xian didn't want to discuss this problem. He hadn't expected the other party to be so persistent. He couldn't resist saying angrily, "I also heard love has returned. Is it Ye Liuyun? Did he come or not? Is that important?"
"It is very important," the Shadow said with a rare seriousness. The Shadow used a rarely seen seriousness and said, "My idol is Sir Wu. The person I want to defeat the most is Sigu Jian. If I could fight with Sir Ye Liuyun, it would be enough to comfort me for the rest of my life. Sir, I am jealous of you."
Fan Xian was defeated. Sincerely, he said, "Don't be jealous of me. Next time something as good as this happens, I will certainly leave it for you. As for Ye Liuyun, I can promise you that if you fight with him, the one to die will certainly be you, and it will be a very thorough death."
The Shadow was silent. He then turned and left, disappearing into the darkness.
Fan Xian suddenly thought of something. Facing the completely empty night, he quietly said, "I'm going to Hangzhou the day after tomorrow. Come with me."
He didn't know if Haitang would follow him to Hangzhou to pick up Wan'er. For the sake of safety, he had the Shadow at his side. It was much more reassuring.
…
…
After that night, Fan Xian and Haitang resumed their usual interactions. However, occasionally, when their gazes met, there would be something more unclear and unclear. Strangely, Haitang was as lazy as ever and quiet as ever. It was Fan Xian who became awkward.
Occasionally, a smiling expression would appear in Haitang's eyes, which made Fan Xian very angry.
However, this reality also made Fan Xian understand that even if he used underhanded methods to get the news out, he might not be able to tie such a unique woman to his side for a lifetime.
Fan Xian had once encouraged Ruoruo to travel around, much less someone like Duoduo.
However, Fan Xian was just as selfish as he had always admitted. There were very few young men in this world who dared to marry Haitang Duoduo. After he made such a big scandal, who would dare to marry her?
Never marrying was fine as long as she didn't marry someone else.
An evil smile flashed through his eyes. He tore open the letter Wang Qinian had sent back and hurriedly scanned it. He couldn't resist smiling again. It looked like Lao Wang was not having a good time in Northern Qi. The burden on his back was too heavy. It was not as comfortable as being by his side. This letter was asking about the date of his return.
Fan Xian understood his emotions. Being in a foreign country, one would indeed feel lonely. Furthermore, once things went wrong, regardless of whether it was the Overwatch Council or the court, they could all abandon him. This feeling of being an abandoned child was not good.
As he thought about it, he suddenly sighed. Tonight, he had first met Xia Qifei, then the Shadow, and even Wang Qinian, who was far away in the north. They were all capable subordinates of his. As for the first two brothers, they both carried a blood feud with them. They were the youngest members of their large clans, drifting about the world, unable to return to their homes.
In fact, wasn't his own life experience the same?
The gathering of abandoned children would, in the end, become exciting.
…
…
(On the first day of the month, I seriously canvassed for monthly votes. Last month, fourth place, and 3,000 yuan in prize money, all thanks to everyone's votes. I express my sincere thanks. This month, I still have to seriously canvass for monthly votes. However, at the end of December, I told everyone that during this year's Spring Festival, my whole family will be returning to our hometown for the New Year. I haven't been back in ten years. Not to mention the many matters and the lack of time, the important thing is that our hometown is a small mountain village. There really is no place to write … I also don't have the habit of storing up manuscripts. Everyone knows this, so I'm also thinking about how to deal with it. In any case, I have to ask for leave in advance. This month's updates will certainly not be sufficient. As for monthly votes, if everyone is willing to vote for me, please do so. As for the book review, I have a few words to say: First, don't be rude in the discussion. Don't use foul language. I'll have to trouble everyone to maintain that. Second, regardless of whether you're male or female, if you want to scold Fan Xian, please do so, because I'm writing about a selfish boy. But please … don't scold me, I'm very weak. Haha, the important thing is, everyone is an adult. You should understand the relationship between the characters in the book and the author. Third, thank you, everyone. Please have some tea.)
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. There are more chapters. Support the author, support the original reading!)
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