The Ming Dynasty's Spokesperson

Chapter 301 Passing through Yangzhou again

After the official selection issue was settled, Lin Daguan's thoughts were all about returning to the south to become king and hegemon. Oh no, return home in glory.

Therefore, he had no interest in staying in the capital. After returning to Shen Mansion, he ordered his followers to pack their luggage quickly. As soon as I got the certificate and various diplomas and qualifications, I immediately set off south.

But even if there are people from the Ministry of War to the Cabinet urging the process, the process will still take a few days. It is just a good time to say goodbye to acquaintances.

In fact, Lin Daguan didn't have many acquaintances in the capital, and most of them were still concentrated in the Wang family. It wouldn't take much time to just say goodbye.

That day, after having a farewell drink with Li Rusong, the commander of the patrol camp, Lin Daguan came to Wang's house again.

"Are you leaving?" Wang Situ said.

Lin Daguan replied: "It is almost scheduled to set off the day after tomorrow. The mountains are high and the road is far. See you in three years."

Then he took out another piece of paper and handed it to Wang Situ: "There are some things listed here. When I return to the south, I would like to ask Da Situ to help me handle them at the Ministry of Household Affairs."

Wang Situ put it away calmly and asked again: "How to handle the marriage?"

After thinking for a while, Senior Official Lin said: "The main reason is that I don't have the permission of my parents, so I don't dare to get married without authorization.

So I first asked Prime Minister Shen to be a matchmaker and make a marriage contract, and then when I returned to Suzhou to report to my parents, I had two options.

One is to let the fifteenth young lady go south next year and get married in Suzhou; the other is to get married in the capital after I return to the capital in three years. "

Wang Situ thought for a while and replied: "If nothing happens, then next year."

Lin Daguan laughed a few times and said: "Speaking of which, I haven't gotten to know the face of the fifteenth young lady. Now that I'm saying goodbye, can you let me take a look at her from a distance?"

When Wang Shiwu appeared in front of Lin Daguan, she always wore a veil and maintained the basic dignity of a well-known lady.

So until now, Lin Daguan doesn't know what Wang Shiwu looks like.

Wang Situ had no objection to letting unmarried men and women meet, so he sent a message to Wang Shiwu to go to the garden, and then took Lin Daguan to the corridor.

Lin Tailai opened his eyes and looked into the small garden, and saw a woman standing under the willow tree by the pond. She was tall and graceful, but her appearance was strange, and it might be scary to see her in the middle of the night.

Immediately, he subconsciously took two big steps back and shouted: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Wang Situ looked at it in surprise, and then deliberately asked: "Why is it impossible?"

Lin Tailai calmed down and said calmly: "This can't be a fifteen-year-old lady. If she looks like this, why would you, a family friend of the Wang family, wait for ten years?

If he looked like this, how could Da Situ happily let me meet him today? "

Wang Situ laughed a few times, "Haha", "Fifteen sisters haven't come out yet, this is the maid."

Not long after, two more maids helped Wang Shiwu out. Official Lin looked at it from a distance and finally felt relieved. A pretty and fair little girl with an oval face and big eyes.

Without a veil today, Wang Shishi was a little more timid and embarrassed to look at Lin Tailai, but still a little unconvinced.

Lin Daguan waved his hand and said: "Today, don't talk about state affairs, don't talk about literature, just talk about romance!"

Wang Shiwu really wanted to bite Lin Daguan and asked, "Do you men like to look at faces when choosing a wife?"

No matter what Mr. Lin was thinking, he still replied without hesitation: "Who said that marrying a wife depends on your appearance? It still depends on your family background."

Wang Shiwu asked again: "There are many official families in Jiangnan. Why doesn't Mr. Lin choose one of them to get married?"

Lin Daguan replied without thinking: "I have peeped at two celebrities' gatherings, and they were not as beautiful as you."

This disguised compliment made Wang Shiwu feel happy, and he said: "Mr. Lin is really good at coaxing people. I don't know how many women in Jiangnan have been deceived."

Lin Daguan said seriously: "I never coax women. Other women come to my door on their own initiative. I often worry about how to refuse. I may have to leave this job to you in the future."

Wang Fifteen: "."

After silently reciting "Don't be angry" several times, Wang Shishi added: "The slave family has grown up. Why doesn't Mr. Lin take me south to get married this year?"

Lin Daguan replied in a flawless manner: "There is no mansion worthy of my status in Suzhou City. I have to wait until I complete the Lin Mansion this year."

The main reason is that there are two pregnant women in my hometown, and their due dates are estimated to be August or September, so wouldn’t it be exciting to get married this year?

Now that the foundation is so big, there is too little heir. If the two descendants are in trouble, it will be a big loss. It is better to wait until the situation stabilizes next year.

It wasn't until evening that Senior Officer Lin left Wang's house.

Wang Situ personally sent Lin Daguan to the gate, "You are leaving the day after tomorrow, why don't we meet again tomorrow?"

Official Lin said helplessly: "Not only do I have to go to the Ministry of War to do business tomorrow, but I also have to visit another person's house. I really don't have time."

"Who else can there be?" Wang Situ asked curiously, who is so important that Lin Tailai can pay a special visit before leaving.

Lin Tailai replied: "It's Gu Xiancheng, a member of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and a foreign minister. I had a close relationship with him in Jiangnan and had in-depth academic exchanges with him.

But I haven't seen him since I arrived in the capital this time, which I deeply regret. "

Wang Situ: "."

This Gu seems to be an academic star, known as a true Confucian, and one of the ideological leaders of the Qingliu forces. Wang Situ has also heard of this.

I also heard that last month, in April, Gu Xianchen planned to give three academic lectures, but they were all cancelled. Is it really to avoid Lin Tailai?

The next day, before Lin Tailai went to the Ministry of War to do business, he first touched Gu Xiancheng's family.

He stood outside the gate and shouted: "Gu Daru! I heard that you recently used orthodox Neo-Confucianism to criticize Wang Xue. Even the capital can't talk to you!"

I, Lin Tailai, am not convinced and I have come to argue with you! After the two in Wuxi and Nanjing, I did the third one, which can be regarded as an academic talk! "

The call lasted for a quarter of an hour, but Gu Zhai still hung up his no-war sign and didn't even come out. Official Lin could only leave in frustration.

I went to the Ministry of War and received a bunch of vouchers, the bronze helmet and armor specially given by the emperor to the champion, and the Daoli fee for taking office as an official, and then everything was done.

The next day, Lin Daguan and his entourage set out before dawn. They first left the city and took a boat at Zhangjiawan Pier in Tongzhou.

This time when we returned to the south, it was regarded as an official's appointment. There were pick-up and drop-off stations along the way, so the journey was relatively more comfortable.

It was mid-May when we set off from the capital, and it was mid-summer in June when we were halfway there.

Due to the hot weather, Lin Daguan people are not in a hurry. They often set out in the early morning and rest at noon.

It was not until early July, when the weather was slightly cooler, that we arrived in Yangzhou.

Lin Daguan stayed at Gaoyou Post that night. Zhang Wen, the Zuo protector at the front station, also returned from Yangzhou City and joined Lin Daguan.

Sitting on a lounge chair under the tree in the courtyard, Lin Daguan shook his cattail leaf fan and asked Zhang Wen: "How has the situation in Yangzhou City been since I left?"

Zhang Wenxian replied: "Wang Yuanwai is having a hard time."

Official Lin asked with interest: "Why is it so difficult?"

Zhang Wen replied: "Zheng Zhiyan, the leader of the salt merchants, accused Wang Yuanwai of colluding with outsiders, united many fellow salt merchants, and has been squeezing Wang Yuanwai.

The Huizhou salt merchants believed in teamwork and exclusion, so Wang Yuanwai, who was accused of colluding with outsiders, had a difficult time in his hometown and industry. "

As for who the outsider was in collusion, it goes without saying that it was, of course, Lin, the person who made the big deal for Wang Yuanwai.

Official Lin chuckled and said: "Zheng Zhiyan is pretending to be confused. He knows very well that Wang Yuanwai has no substantive behavior."

Zhang Wen also expressed his opinion: "Last time, Zheng Zhiyan was taken away from the trafficking rights of 7,000 yin. The loss was so huge, he must want to make up for it elsewhere.

So I just found a reason to dig out a piece of meat from Wang Yuanwai. "

Official Lin asked again: "What is Wang Yuanwai's attitude now?"

Zhang Wen answered honestly: "I heard that Wang Yuanwai scolds you every day at home."

Official Lin snorted coldly: "Why are you scolding me? I didn't feel sorry for him."

Zhang Wen added: "He scolded Zuoguan for not keeping his word. He originally promised to last for three months, but it has been more than four months and Zuoguan has not appeared yet."

Of course Lin Daguan has his own rhythm in doing things: "If Wang Yuanwai is asked to wait, I can avenge him even if his family is ruined!

By the way, let's observe Wang Yuanwai's determination to see if he can use it. "

Zhang Wen then asked for instructions: "We are going to Yangzhou City next. Do you want to go into the city after sitting in the restaurant?"

Lin Tailai ordered: "I won't go to the city this time. I want to return to Suzhou to take office first, and then I will talk about other things."

After thinking about it for a while, Lin Daguan added: "But maybe we have to stay at the inn for a day and go to Yangzhou Shuicicang for an on-site inspection."

The canal goes around the city from the east and south of Yangzhou City. The water stations are all outside the city, so there is no need to enter the city.

But when he heard that he was going to Shuicicang for inspection, Zhang Wen was a little surprised, "Why are you going there to sit in the library?"

The so-called Shuicicang are some large granaries built by the imperial court at nodes along the canal.

In the early days, grain was transported directly from the southern production areas to the northern capital, which was very inefficient.

Therefore, after Xuande, the water transportation system gradually evolved and reformed, and water storage warehouses were built along the canal nodes.

Caoliang has also changed from direct transportation to relay transportation. Caoliang only needs to be transported to the designated secondary warehouse according to the situation, and then continues to be transported from this secondary warehouse to the next node.

For example, most of Suzhou's grain was transported to Shuicicang in Yangzhou and Huai'an in the north of the Yangtze River, and then continued to be transported northward by the Jiangbei Guard Cao Army. It was not transported all the way from Suzhou to the capital.

Of course there are still many systems in the details, but that's basically it.

But Zhang Wen just didn't understand what the relationship between Shuicicang and sitting in the hall was.

For an old friend like Zhang Wen, Lin Daguan would still explain a few more words:

"Because we need a base in Yangzhou, I think Shuicicang is fine."

Zhang Wen still didn't understand. Shuicicang was directly under the imperial court, so how could it become a community base?

Although a large part of Suzhou's grain is transported to Shuici warehouse in Yangzhou, the warehouse itself has nothing to do with you.

Starting from Gaoyou again, Lin Daguan did not make any big fanfare. After arriving at Shuiyi outside the east gate of Yangzhou, the city of Yangzhou did not know that Lin Daguan was here again.

Official Lin indeed had no intention of entering the city, so he took his entourage to Yangzhou Shuicicang near the canal.

The water warehouse must be built near the canal, and there is a special waterway leading to the warehouse to facilitate the arrival and docking of watercraft.

For Shuizicang, the main entrance is actually the water gate that can accept canoes.

Lin Daguan walked along the river and saw an unknown number of standard cannon boats parked in the river. This was normal and there was nothing to say.

But under the shade of the trees in front, dozens of people gathered together, discussing something.

Lin Daguan took a casual look and saw an acquaintance, Suzhou Guards Attaché Zhao Dawu, who was also a water transporter.

The last time he was in Yangzhou, it was Zhao Dawu who took his Caojun brothers to help him dig a hole for Governor Yang.

At that time, Zhao Dawu was still a member of a hundred households, and I don't know if Governor Zhao later promoted him.

"What happened?" Lin Daguan stood outside and asked loudly.

Zhao Dawu looked up and saw Mr. Lin Daguan, and quickly came to greet him, "It turns out to be Mr. Lin Daguan. I heard that you won the top prize in Wushu!"

By this time, the news about Wu Zhuangyuan had reached the ears of Suzhou people, but the news about official selection was not so widespread.

Lin Tailai said disapprovingly: "Wu Zhuangyuan is a trivial matter. First, let me tell you what happened here?"

Zhao Dawu replied: "There is something wrong with this wave of grain transportation into the warehouse. We can't reach an agreement with the warehouse officials at the moment."

"Great." Lin Daguan said subconsciously.

Zhao Dawu: "."

Lin Zhuangyuan, are you serious? It would be easy to get beaten if someone else said this.

"Slip of the tongue!" Lin Daguan also felt that his reaction was a bit excessive, "I meant to say, what a bad luck!"

In fact, it is normal to be exploited and deducted by warehouse officials when transporting grain into the warehouse. Just saying how much loss will be added is a big question.

Judging from this situation, there must be a conflict between the Cao army from Suzhou and the warehouse officials of Shuici warehouse in Yangzhou, so the Cao grain could not be put into the warehouse normally.

Thinking of this, Mr. Lin couldn't help but secretly rejoice. It's good to have conflicts, but hey, hey, hehe.

After coming back to his senses, Zhao Dawu continued to explain: "This is what happened, the warehouse manager over there."

Lin Daguan waved his hand: "No need to elaborate! As long as there is a conflict with our Caojun brothers, it must be their fault, Shuicicang!"

How can I, Lin Tailai, sit idly by and ignore it? I will go and seek justice for my brothers in the Cao Army! "

Zhao Dawu was not happy, but became anxious. He knew very well how official Lin acted and how he sought justice!

But Shuicicang is an important land for grain production and belongs directly to the imperial court. It is a very sensitive place and must not be messed with!

Things that can be solved by bargaining or finding connections and paying bribes do not require force!

Besides, the most important thing about grain transportation is stability, and a set of rules and order have been formed over the years for grain transportation and warehousing. Everyone must act according to the rules to ensure the stability of the system.

If Official Lin is satisfied this time with force and then leaves, how will the Cao Army brothers deal with the warehouse officials when they transport grain into the warehouse?

What if the warehouse officials retaliate and make things more difficult for the Cao army brothers?

Is it possible that Senior Official Lin has to come to Yangzhou every time and fight again every time?

How can the Cao army compete with the warehouse officials? That’s not how things work. Force cannot solve all problems!

"This matter has nothing to do with you. Mr. Lin, please come back!" Zhao Dawu began to be ruthless and shouted to Lin Tailai.

A big troublemaker will go as far as he can!

Lin Tailai glanced at Zhao Dawu and introduced himself lightly:

"Let me introduce myself again. I, Lin Tailai, am the new top scholar in the military field. I was granted the title of Supervisor and Commanding Officer of the Suzhou Wei Qianhu Department by the Emperor's grace!"

Zhao Dawu's eyes widened with eyes wide open, and the other Cajun troops from Suzhou around him were also shocked!

Unexpectedly, our direct boss parachuted directly in front of us! In the blink of an eye, they all became Lin Daguanren’s subordinates!

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like