Chapter 221: Demon has a path to demon, and the path has a path to demon

‘Dang! Dang!’ The harsh sound of gongs wandered around Jiangdu County. A large wooden cage was placed on a mule cart, with a man shackled in the wooden cage, with a blue mouth and a dull look at the sky.

"Dear fellow villagers! This is a person who resells private salt. The amount is huge. He will be punished by death according to law!"

The crowd looked at the wooden cage, pointed and talked, "Isn't this Zhang Qianhu? Why are you going to be killed?"

‘I heard that I had registered a salt field less, and I was reported to me, and the person was going to be killed, my family property was confiscated, and my wife and daughter were also sent to serve as soldiers.’ Some insiders quietly explained to everyone.

Everyone shook their heads and sighed: "Why is this trouble? I will lose my life even if I steal that little money, and I will lose my family property even if I have more than 100,000 yuan."

‘You know, there is an inside story here.’ A man in a soap suit blurted out, but when he saw everyone curiously approaching him, he waved his hands repeatedly and fled in panic.

The mule cart passed by a restaurant, and the windows on the second floor were all lying on the window to visit. With a 'bang', a young man slapped the table hard, which scared everyone in the restaurant and looked back at him.

The young master gritted his teeth and said, "Despicable, what's the point of reselling private salt? It's just to kill the chicken to warn the monkey. So he's just accusing of abuse of the king's law. Does Li Chengshi care about it?"

Several family members next to him were so scared that they gathered around and hurriedly whispered: "Young Master, please keep your mouth low, it's not good to be heard."

The young master thought that he had shouldered a heavy responsibility, so he could only bear the anger, sat down dejectedly, and drank with a blue face one by one.

Needless to say, this young master is Li Qiu, the son of King Qing who had just arrived from Chang'an. Less than an hour after he entered Jiangdu County, he encountered Li Qing killing a chicken to warn the monkey.

At this time, two rascals in one corner were eating noodles and heard that Li Qiu had a Beijing accent and had many followers. He called him the name of the governor. He raised his head in surprise and looked at him, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

‘Dang! Dang! Just kill the stick in front of the street, everyone will go and see it!’

The harsh sound of gongs made Li Qi feel unintentional to eat. He pushed the table hatefully, "Let's go!"

More than a dozen family members surrounded him and walked downstairs like a rocking mountain. The two rascals shook each other and threw a few cents on the table, leaving them with their heads far away.

It has been ten days since Li Qing issued the Notice of the Notice. Just as the old saying a thousand years ago, "There will be a brave man when he rewards him." Another example is a famous saying a thousand years later, "The eyes of the people are sharp." No matter how remote a piece of salt field is, there is always someone who knows that as long as he travels to Yangzhou, he will get 100,000 yuan. Who would not want to? So the informant made Yangzhou furious, and teams of yamen run wildly in the Jianghuai area, arresting people everywhere, punishing classes, sealing shops, and detaining salt ships.

All salt merchants, salt shops, salt officials, and salt officials are in panic as long as they have a little connection with salt. I don’t know when the storm will end.

Just like the bosses who made money from mines in later generations, the salt merchants who could make money in the Jianghuai area had some relationship with the government, and Jiangdu County Magistrate Liu Suifeng was no exception. He had several profitable transactions in Yangzhou, including a salt field in Linhuai County. Of course, the so-called investment did not require him to pay money, but to use his power to give people convenience and take up a few components in vain.

Today is the most terrifying day since he became the magistrate of Jiangdu County. His partner, Zhang Qianhu, was sued by someone, and was selected by the salt and iron envoy, and killed the chicken to scare the monkey. The piece of salt field that was sued was his Liu Suifeng's member field, and it was him who instructed Zhang Qianhu not to file the record.

All the interrogations and confessions were made by the yamen runners of Jiangdu County. Zhang Qianhu could no longer speak and could not provide him with him. This made Liu Suifeng feel at ease. However, the house search was done by the salt and iron envoy himself, and the account book was taken away, and he was signed and sealed by Liu Suifeng. How could he not be anxious?

After thinking about it all morning, Liu Suifeng made up his mind and decided to surrender to Li Qing. No matter whether he had personal grudges or old grudges with him, he was an old friend after all. Besides, he had never really tortured him, so didn't he let him go in the end?

With a glimmer of hope, Liu Suifeng came to the office where Li Qing was in panic.

At this moment, the Salt and Iron Envoy's Office was extremely guarded in front of the yamen. Hundreds of soldiers were guarding the entire mansion in three steps and one whistle in five steps.

A large plaque was hung directly above the gate of the mansion, "Jianghuai Salt and Iron Department". This is the official office that Li Longji had just approved. The official approval from the Ministry of Personnel has also arrived. Di Wuqi was officially appointed as the Jianghuai Salt and Iron Transportation Branch, in charge of Jianghuai Salt and Iron Transportation, while Liu Yan appointed him as the judge and deputy of Di Wuqi.

Dozens of big salt merchants from all over the Jianghuai area, even Guangzhou and Xiangzhou, stood anxiously in the square in front of the gate, and looked inside. Today, there was another salt deal. The amount of 250,000 stones was 100 stones, totaling 2,500 pieces. The subscription letter had already been handed in. Although the result would be posted in the notice board, no one of these salt merchants was willing to leave and stood at the door waiting for the news inside.

At this time, a salt officer walked out of it, holding a black paint plate, and two green salt officers followed behind, carrying the salt guide. The salt merchants were in a stir, "Here is here! Come!" You push me and you rushed forward together.

The green salt official with a stern face picked up the first sign and shouted loudly: "Lin Fengyang, 500 copies!"

"Zhao Daming, 150 copies"

"Ni Shisanlang, one hundred and forty copies"

Lin Fengyang is the shopkeeper Lin. He worked with his wife and uncle. Under Li Qing's deliberate cultivation, he has gradually become the largest salt merchant in Yangzhou. After the salt administration is on track in the future, he will come forward to form the Jianghuai Salt and Iron Chamber of Commerce.

"Yes! You are!" Manager Lin agreed with a stack of promises, and squeezed forward to take the iron plate and a thick stack of salt citations. He applied for 1,000 copies and approved 500 copies, totaling 50,000 citations. At the official price of 350 cents per citation, that is, 17,500 citals. The money was handed over before the subscription. He went to the salt warehouse to pick up the goods with the iron plate. The extra money was paid at Wang Baoji Cabinet. The salt citation was a certificate of goods, issued by each salt and iron department, and was assigned a number.

"Congratulations to Brother Lin for taking the lead again!" Several salt merchants stepped forward to congratulate, their eyes full of envy.

"Where! Where! Didn't Shisanlang win the lottery too?" Manager Lin was kind-hearted and quickly counted the salt in his hand, five hundred pieces, a lot of them. He then found his wife and uncle, and the two of them excitedly boarded the carriage and headed towards the salt warehouse on the dock.

Liu Suifeng looked at this scene with a sour eyes. From now on, he himself was not profitable even in the local area. Whether it was official or private salt fields, the original salt could only be sold to the Salt and Iron Department, and the Salt and Iron Department would sell it at a higher price.

"It's really worth 280 cents to earn one stone. The court is too dark." Liu Suifeng muttered a few hatefully and walked towards the side door. He took out a post and respectfully handed it to the guard.

"Please tell the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Li, and say that Jiangdu County Magistrate Liu Suifeng asked for a meeting!"

Li Qing no longer cared about specific affairs. The new salt administration has slowly gotten on the right track. Everything is handled by Di Wuqi and Liu Yan. What he has to do is to collect a batch of money and then escort it back to Beijing. After more than ten days of operation, he has saved more than 400,000 guan. He only waited for another one or two more times to make up 600,000 guan, and entered Beijing together with 200,000 guan.

At this moment, he was receiving the visiting chief Zhang Boji. Although Zhang Boji was the chief secretary and was in charge of government affairs, he had no idea that the 200,000 stone official salt was stolen, and he didn't know that Li Qing had seized this batch of salt. He kept all this in the dark. Until yesterday, he received an urgent letter from his father-in-law Li Linfu, asking him who did the more than 100 salt ships that Li Qing seized. He suddenly realized that Li Qing and Li Chengshi had fought several times.

"Mr. Li, I have been busy these days and I have no time to ask about the salt administration. I passed by the salt warehouse yesterday and heard that the account was actually different after checking a few days ago. I didn't know the details, so I wanted to ask, what's going on?"

The only person in Yangzhou who made Li Qing dare not neglect was Zhang Boji. He was the chief secretary in the name, but in fact he was the spokesperson of Li Linfu. Li Linfu remained silent during the implementation of the new salt law and did not obstruct or interfere. This is a wise politician who did something and did not do anything. Of course, Li Qing also knew that if he was defeated by King Qing in this round, Li Linfu would step forward and stomp him without hesitation, but at this time, he must deal with Li Linfu well.

"It's no wonder Zhang Changshi didn't know that when the incident happened, you happened to be in Chang'an. This matter had nothing to do with Zhang Changshi, so why bother yourself?" The implication is that this matter will not involve you, so you don't have to worry about it.

Zhang Boji naturally understood what Li Qing meant, and he felt relieved, but he had to answer his father-in-law's question, so he had to bite the bullet and asked again: "Thank you, Mr. Li, for understanding the difficulties of the subordinates. The subordinates are very grateful. However, if some things are not clear, if the court asks in the future, it is really difficult to explain if I can't answer. I heard that Mr. Li seized a batch of salt, but I wonder if it is related to the matter in the salt warehouse?"

The question was very direct, and Li Qing was also alert, "I heard that a batch of salt was seized." Who said? Li Chengshi? It is absolutely impossible! Asking so persistently is very likely to be Li Linfu's meaning. If so, how could Li Linfu know? There are only two possibilities: either the person participating in the action has his eyes and ears; or he has collusion with King Qing, but judging by Zhang Boji's situation, it should not be collusion with King Qing.

But no matter what, Zhang Boji's words revealed that Li Linfu has been staring at this matter and has not relaxed at all. He must be extremely careful. Don't just care about the wolf, King Qing, and ignore Li Linfu's tiger.

"Since Zhang Changshi really wants to know, I might as well tell you the truth. This batch of salt is related to Li Chengshi. Do you understand?"

Zhang Boji nodded, stood up and bowed and laughed, "I understand. Since that's the case, I won't disturb Mr. Li's rest and say goodbye!"

Zhang Boji walked out quickly, and he was anxious to reply to Li Linfu. Although Li Qing said something vaguely, he knew that he could only stop talking, and if he had to study it in depth, he would not have any result.

As soon as he walked to the door, he saw Liu Suifeng coming to visit Li Qing. Liu Suifeng bowed to him and walked in quickly with the soldiers. Zhang Boji stared at Liu Suifeng's back in confusion, but he didn't know what he was going to do. He shook his head and went.

Let’s talk about Liu Suifeng walking into the lobby with fear. The sergeant told him to wait a moment and then left him in the lobby without caring about it. Poor Liu Suifeng was anxious and scared, but he didn’t dare to walk around, not even a cup of tea, and just paced back and forth in the lobby with his hands behind his back.

After waiting for nearly an hour, when he saw the crows returning to his nest, he heard a heavy cough. Someone slowly walked out. At this time, Liu Suifeng's legs were sore and numb, and his throat was dry and ignorant. However, he was afraid and did not dare to raise his head. He rushed forward and gave a long tribute, "I am not aware of Liu Suifeng, the minister."

"Haha! County Magistrate Liu made a mistake. I am the assistant to the Minister of the Secretariat. The Zhang Qianhu case involved the County Magistrate Liu. It was inconvenient for Minister Li to receive him, so I asked me to pass on a few words for him."

When Liu Suifeng saw that the person coming was a clear and clear man in his forties, he couldn't help but feel good about it, but his last sentence made Liu Suifeng's heart suddenly hang up, "What do you want to tell me?"

Gao Shi stepped forward and gave him a tribute first, then put on a pose for invitation, and said with a smile: "It's hard to say here. County Magistrate Liu might as well go to the inner room with me and let's talk slowly."

The night was not very dark, with the wind and full moon, white clouds hidden, clouds came and the moon disappeared, clouds passed and the moon was bright, and the room was also bright and dark. Li Qiu had a serious expression, sat upright on the chair, listening quietly to Li Chengshi's statement.

"Report to the little prince, my subordinates have not been idle for the past ten days. They have been searching for more than 100 salt ships everywhere. They have used up all the means they can use. After searching every inch of the water surface in Yangzhou, the salt ship disappeared like an empty space and there was no trace. Therefore, my subordinates judged that the salt ship must be no longer in Yangzhou."

Li Chengshi said while secretly peeking at Li Qiu's expression. In fact, he didn't need to search for it. He knew that this batch of salt ships would never be in Yangzhou. Li Qing would not be as stupid as King Qing. He held the power of salt affairs and could easily remove the salt ship with a few salt guides. The world is so big, can he search it?

Li Qiu raised his eyes and said coldly: "According to your opinion, if this salt ship cannot be recovered, will my father be impeached by him?"

Li Chengshi hurriedly bowed and smiled, "I don't mean that, I mean, if His Highness Qing is active in the capital, the emperor may not take Li Qing's impeachment seriously, turning big things into small things, and making Li Qingbai busy."

"Bang!" Li Qiu's fist hit the table hard, making Li Chengshi's heart and teacup jump up together. His heart beat into his throat, but the teacup flew to the ground and fell to pieces.

Li Qiu stood up suddenly, pointed at Li Chengshi's nose and shouted sternly: "If the capital can solve it, what else should I do in Yangzhou? If you don't have the ability, just say it openly. Don't make excuses to refuse!"

Li Chengshi was also a royal family member. Speaking of which, he was still Li Qiu's elder, the dignified governor of Shangzhou. In terms of real power, he was not even as good as King Qing, but he was pointed at the nose and scolded by a young boy. When did he suffer such a great humiliation? His face couldn't help but turn red and pale. In the end, he couldn't bear it anymore and shouted: "Enough!"

He also stood up and stared at Li Qi and said viciously: "If your father hadn't been greedy and stupid, would things have reached this point? Now I'm blaming me, so what if I don't care. If you have the ability, you can solve it yourself!"

He kicked the chair away, snorted heavily, and walked out with his hands behind his back.

Li Qiu looked at his back, his face became more and more blue. He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh of relief, "If it weren't for my father, could you sit in this position?"
Chapter completed!