But it was said that Xiao Tang had hosted a banquet for Cai Qing, the prison guard in the Daming Mansion. Cai Qing also agreed to come down to Li Shaohua's supervisor to make peace. The matter came to an end for the time being and Xiao Yi was also rescued. However, Xiao Tang's state of mind

Already feeling dull and unhappy.

In the early morning, Xiao Tang had breakfast and read a book, then he and Wu Song started practicing martial arts in the school ground. The two of them just practiced some fist and palm blocking moves. Xiao Tang was a little distracted, but Wu Song suddenly made a move.

, a "cloud pusher" shot Xiao Tang several meters away.

Xiao Tang fell so hard that he fell hard, struggled to stand up and grinned: "I said...Brother Wu...you want my little life??"

Wu Song was also stunned, and then said angrily: "You still can't stand the beating, but I did lose some sense of control in my hands. I was depressed, so I unconsciously added a little more strength."

Only then did Xiao Tang realize that Wu Song seemed to be much more irritable than him, so he asked with a smile: "What happened to make Brother Wu upset again? Is it because of the domineering Nine-Headed Insect? Now that the matter has been settled, Wu

Why should second brother be worried?"

Wu Song snorted loudly and said: "How can this matter be settled? That guy is still domineering, and others still have to swallow their anger to be safe. I just wish I could beat those thieves and let out the bird spirit in my heart."

Xiao Tang understood Wu Song's mood very well. This Wu Erlang was originally very fond of fighting injustices and hating evil, but in the arena, when he met those who relied on his Kung Fu skills to bully good people, Wu Song was able to beat them to submission. You are ruthless, but I am better than you.

To be more ruthless means that if you have a harder fist, I will have a harder fist than you!

But for the Nine-Headed Insect, who relied on official authority to run rampant, Wu Song had no choice but to sacrifice his career and assassinate him with his own skills. After all, whether it was a young landlord from a market town like Xiaotang, or a

Wu Song, a martial arts master with astonishing skills, was just a commoner in the eyes of the Nine-Headed Insect, and killing them through some relations was like squeezing a bug to death.

Even in the civilized societies ruled by law in later generations, it is not uncommon for officials to rely on their power to infringe on the rights and interests of the people, and even cause family destruction and death. How much more so in this era of strict hierarchy and more arbitrary bureaucratic power?

Since Xiao Tang has already survived in this world, he naturally knows that he must act according to the rules of the game here. In fact, Wu Song understands this kind of truth. Even if he sees injustice, Wu Song will not abandon all his future and become the enemy of the entire country.

But there was no chance to display his skills at this time, so it was no wonder that Wu Song was unhappy.

But this punch... let's not practice it today, right? It was fine just now, but if you Wu Song continues to be upset and unconsciously use the same force you used to fight a tiger on Jingyang Gang... be good and long.

Didong, then I, Xiao Tang, might have to get lunch in this world in advance.

"Brother Wu, you and I are very irritable today, why not take advantage of the good weather and find a place to have a few bowls of wine." Xiao Tang suggested to Wu Song.

Wu Song thought about it and said, "That's it! Find a place to go and drink some damn bowls!" After that, he picked up two pots and prepared them aside, and walked out as a reward for his old wine after practicing martial arts every day.

, Xiao Tang also called Xiao Yi, and Xue Yong followed Wu Song.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Tang and others had just walked out of the Xiao Mansion when they heard Xiao An shouting: "You idiots, you brought these stupid sheep and made our inn smell like sheep! And you are crying in despair.

Can you please save a few cents on the rent? Let me tell you, our Xiaojiaji is not a place where you bunch of scoundrels can take advantage of you. The rent is not worth even a penny. After paying the money, get out of here!"

I saw Xiao An with his hands on his waist, his face raised high, and he pointed at several merchants passing by Xiaojiaji and cursed loudly. Those few people were in their forties or fifty years old, with a grimace on their faces, and kept talking. He bowed to Xiao An and begged for mercy. There was a teenage boy beside him, staring hard at Xiao An with eyes that seemed to spit out fire.

"What's going on?" Xiao Tang yelled at Xiao An. Seeing that it was Xiao Tang, Xiao An hurriedly ran to Xiao Tang, nodded and bowed and said: "Hey, isn't this the time for martial arts training, young master? This is such a shame. Why do you, young master, need to worry about a poor man's trivial matters?"

Wu Song was already depressed, and he couldn't stand Xiao An's arrogant and domineering servant appearance. He didn't care that Xiao An was from Xiao Tang, so he pointed at him and cursed: "You little bird, please tell me what you have to say." That’s it! Why are you trying to show off your authority with some businessmen? Grandpa, I’m not happy at all. If I hear you farting nonsense again, I’ll ask you to have a taste of grandpa’s fist!”

Xiao An was afraid of Wu Song's fists, and his master was very polite and respectful to Wu Song, so when Wu Song scolded him, he could only confess to Wu Song with a grimace.

Xiao Tang asked again: "Xiao An, what's going on with you? Why do you need to embarrass these merchants?"

Xiao An replied: "Young master, I learned that these dry birdmen are traders who often go to the north to resell sheep and horses. They often passed through our market town in the past. They are all small businessmen with little luck. This time they seem to be The sheep and horses that entered got sick on the way and a large number of them died, leaving only dozens of lambs and three or four mules and horses. It was also said that it was a long journey all the way south, and it was impossible to say how much more the sheep and horses would be lost, because most of their capital was lost. I have spent all this money on this, so I begged me to give me some money for the rent. I’m so cowardly! These birdies who want to take advantage of me have seen too much. This account is written in black and white, so I’ll make them pay for it!”

The middle-aged man who worked for the sheep and horse dealer hurriedly walked up to Xiao Tang, sang a fat song, and said: "Young master, in the past, when we resold sheep and horses through the precious land, we never defaulted on rent, food, and rent. However, how can we live in the past two years?" There are more and more taxes in prefectures and counties, and this time I haven't left the border of hb yet. The sheep and horses I bought at the end of the investment have already been discounted by more than half.

Not to mention that my capital has been wasted, and most of my money has been spent now, so I am shy to ask for help from Guiji Town this time. The next time I go to the market to buy sheep and horses, the money I owe will definitely be like this. I’ll pay you back.”

The sheep and horse dealer's expression became more and more sad as he spoke, and Xiao Tang knew that what he was telling the truth was true. Although the Song Dynasty was very restrained in taxation in order to stimulate commercial development, the tooth tax and other taxes were set in the discussion of trade with the Liao Kingdom. Extremely low, but over the years the court has gone through old and new party struggles, many laws and regulations have been changed day by day, and the financial demands have further increased since Huizong came to power. All kinds of tangible and invisible pressures have been layer upon layer on the people of the Song Dynasty.

For example, when Cai Jing was in power, Chuang Sikong sent him salary money, such as millet, beans, firewood and rations for his attendants. They were all deducted at that time and all given to him in kind. Then he suddenly changed the salt banknote method. No salt banknotes can be used, and there are many people who once owned tens of thousands of yuan in wealth and became paupers overnight.

Fluctuations in the size of the regulations not only allow powerful people like Cai Jing to seek huge profits, but also petty officials everywhere are taking advantage of the situation. They are exploiting the taxes (commodity circulation tax) and residence tax (commodity transaction tax) in various places under clever names, like this Most of the time, the powerless sheep and horse dealers can only let people eat meat. In addition, the sheep they purchased unexpectedly died in large numbers this time, which was indeed a fatal blow to them.

Xiao Tang nodded and listened to the vendor's complaint. After thinking about it, he had an idea and said to the sheep and horse vendor, "I wonder what I call this uncle?"

The sheep and horse dealer replied humbly: "My name is Shi Cheng."

Xiao Tang smiled and said: "Uncle Shi, I don't think it's better than this. You and all of you will sell all the sheep and horses you have on hand to me. In this way, you will also have spare money on hand. Moreover, if you have these sheep and horses left on your way south,

If the water and soil are damaged due to the climate, wouldn't it be even more of a loss? The price... I'll let Uncle Shi figure it out, so I can make some calculations."

Shi Cheng thought about it and felt that this was the most appropriate solution. However, he had passed by Xiaojiaji several times and was well aware of the domineering reputation of the Jinmao Mastiff in the past. Now Xiao Tang was very polite to him, so he

Where can I dare to tell you the right price?

Thinking of this, Shi Cheng hesitated and said: "If the young master's family is not willing to take over this batch of sheep and horses this time, in the next ten days, it will be nothing but a bamboo basket. I should repay the kindness of the young master's family and these sheep and horses will be lost."

I’m going to sell it to Shaodong’s family at the purchase price when I bought it in the market. I wonder what Shaodong’s family wants?”

Xiao Tang was stunned and said slightly angrily: "Uncle Shi, what are you talking about? Do you think that I, Xiao Tang, am a villain who takes advantage of the opportunity? To make a living like Uncle Shi, I travel thousands of miles just to make a few small profits.

How could I, Xiao Tang, take advantage of you? Uncle Shi didn’t dare to give me the number, so I, Xiao Tang, said: In the past, in the wine shop and inn in the market town, I used to buy whole sheep, make them into preserved meat, and sell them.

So I also know the purchase price of ordinary restaurants, so I can buy it from Uncle Shi and others at the price our store usually buys whole sheep. How about it?"

Shi Cheng really couldn't believe his ears. It was said that all he earned from his business of trafficking sheep and horses was the demand from merchants everywhere for the goods he imported from the market, from the market on the border of Song and Liao to Hb Road and further south.

Labor transportation via SD Huainan West Road and other places.

Of course, the price of meat purchased in a general restaurant is much higher than the amount he bought at a low price from the market. Youdao is not a traitor, but in fact, Xiao Tang saw that he had suffered a serious loss this time, so he even took the opportunity to buy it from him at a low price.

The sheep and horses are also reasonable. But Xiao Tang bought him at the normal restaurant purchase price, not to make extra profits when he stopped his losses, but to sincerely solve his current misfortune!

Shi Cheng bowed to Xiao Tang gratefully and said, "Young master, we are benevolent and righteous! I will keep this kindness in my heart, and I will definitely repay it in the future!"

Xiao Tang helped Shi Cheng up and said, "Uncle Shi, I have one more thing to discuss with you."

Shi Cheng responded hurriedly: "As much as I say, Young Master, I will do my best to do what I can."

Xiao Tang said: "I have to buy more mutton in the restaurant and restaurant in this market town. I also intend to buy some horses. Uncle Shi is familiar with the foraging field, and he also has a way to smuggle some horses on the border of Song and Liao."

, I would like to ask Uncle Shi to buy some things that I, the Xiao family, are looking for when I go to the shopping mall in the future. Of course, we will calculate the fortune reward later."

After listening to this, Shi Cheng hurriedly said that if Xiao Tang needed to inform him, he would just buy it and deliver it at the original price every time without asking for any additional remuneration promised by Xiao Tang. How could Xiao Tang be willing to comply? After a dispute, Shi Cheng agreed.

Come down.

After the matter was finalized, Xiao Tang told Xiao An: "This time, Uncle Shi and the merchants who are traveling with him will be exempted from the money for their food and wine. Since I will need Uncle Shi's help in the future, I have to express my sincere feelings.

"

"But... Young Master." Xiao An said depressedly: "We have enough mutton in our wine shop and inn, and there are no extra sheepherders in the market town to take care of these sheep. What should we do with these sheep?"

Xiao Tang couldn't bear Xiao An's noise and lectured: "Whether you are looking for a free bartender to take care of it or make it into bacon and preserve it, there is always a way. Do you still need me to deal with this kind of thing one by one?"

"

Xiao An had no choice but to agree, and Shi Cheng said to Xiao Tang: "Thank you so much, Master, for your righteousness. We are all in the sheep and horse business, and we have some free time now. I would like to tell you how to take care of these sheep and horses."

The person in charge of Guiji Town."

After receiving Xiao Tang's affirmative reply, Shi Cheng said to the young man beside him: "Nephew, hurry up and drive those sheep and horses over."

The young man next to Shi Cheng responded, then gave Xiao Tang a deep bow with his fists in his hands and left, with no trace of the hatred in his eyes.

Xiao Tang suddenly vaguely noticed something, but before he had time to think about it, Wu Song's big hand patted him twice on the shoulder, which shook Xiao Tang's internal organs. Wu Song nodded to Xiao Tang and said, "You can do it too."

Get a good thing."

"When you give convenience to others, you make it convenient for yourself." Xiao Tang smiled bitterly and rubbed the painful shoulder from Wu Song's slap, and then said: "If people can do more good things, their mood will become much happier.

, if that’s the case, why not do it?”

Wu Song looked at Xiao Tang with strange eyes and said: "It's inexplicable, but it makes sense... it makes some sense."

Wu Song stretched again, exhaled his turbid breath, and said loudly: "Let's go and have some wine!"

Qingsongpo, not far from Xiaojiaji, is a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters. It is adjacent to Xiaojiaji and Sujiazhuang in Zongcheng County and Kongsongzhuang in Qh County. Not long ago, Xiaojiaji and Kongsongzhuang were used to divert water to irrigate their fields.

There had been a dispute over the matter, but now Xiao Tang and Wu Song came here to relax together.

Xiao Yi was a cautious person. He had already picked up the meat and a jug of wine and followed Xiao Tang and Wu Song. Wu Song found a shady place to sit, poked the yellow mud on the wine jug, and drank heavily.

After taking a sip of wine, I felt much more relaxed.

Xiao Tang followed suit. He also picked up the wine bottle and took a big sip. Then he wiped his mouth and breathed a sigh of relief: "Occasionally, I go out to have some wine. Looking at the endless sky and earth, my heart feels much broader."

Wu Song rolled his eyes at Xiao Tang and said, "You are really big-hearted. When others mess with you, you still look carefree."

"Otherwise, what can we do?" Xiao Tang was lying on his back on the grass comfortably, looking at the long white clouds in the sky and said: "Many people hate and hate those who come from noble families, and call them dandies. In fact, if they were also born with a silver spoon in their mouths,

, what he did may be even more unbearable;

Some people are bullied by those with high martial arts skills because they are weak, and they directly accuse the world of being unfair, and people in the world bully the good and fear the evil. In fact, if they learn a skill, they will turn around and bully the weak and kind-hearted people, and I am afraid there will be many;

I don't have the ability of Brother Wu, nor am I as powerful as that nine-headed worm, so there are many things that I can't do anything about. But I can only think about what I do in my position and fulfill my responsibilities as the leader of the Xiao family.

My young master, I let the villagers in the market town live happily, and I make myself happier. I am worthy of heaven and earth. Why should I worry about things that I cannot control? "

According to Wusong's behavior, after listening to Xiao Tang's words, he always felt that something was wrong, but he didn't know how to refute, so he simply changed the topic and said: "When I first met you, I thought you were just a person who harmed the villagers, soft and afraid of hard.

I feel very unhappy when I see you. But you saved my eldest brother and Miss Pan from being separated. When I see your behavior these days, I really look down on you."

Xiao Tang remembered that Wu Song had treated him with a nose that was not a nose and eyes that were not eyes. Now that he can have some relationship with you, the great hero in the Water Margin, it can be considered an achievement.

Xiao Tang, Wu Song, Xiao Yi, and Xue Yong were drinking and chatting happily, talking and laughing. Unknowingly, more than half an hour had passed. Xiao Yi, who was smiling and was about to say something, suddenly his expression condensed and he pointed forward and said:

"Look, what's going on over there?"

Everyone looked in the direction pointed by Xiao Yi and saw from a distance that at the other end of Qingsong Slope, a big man was protecting a young girl and escaping with all her might. Sixteen or seventeen people were chasing her behind. The young girl ran slowly and the big man had to block her.
To be continued...