It was the time to welcome guests, and the teahouse was buzzing with people. New and old guests began to go to their reserved seats one after another. The good location and elegant environmental conditions showed that the boss had put some thought into it. He came from Jiangnangu. Su bonsai are randomly placed in the spacious lobby, adding a touch of greenery to the lobby. There are already many guests sitting leisurely by the window. Dr. Tea is busy greeting the guests to take their seats. The newspaper rack leaning against the side wall is filled with various newspapers and periodicals, which is convenient for those who can read and write. It is no wonder that the business is booming after only half a year of operation. It not only attracts merchants and scholars to come to discuss business, but also many officials and gentry also choose this place to relax, drink tea and kill time.
The guests who were seated were sitting together in small groups. The latest daily news reports were naturally what they cared about the most. Not only did their business depend on being well-informed, but now the empire was at war, which also affected the safety of themselves and their families. They are also under threat. If the Taiping rebels break through the eastern defense line, the imperial capital will become an isolated city. Not only may family property be wiped out, but even life safety will not be guaranteed.
"Brother Chen, come on, come on, please take a seat, man, come and make a pot of premium Dongting Pekoe for Boss Chen!" The two men in brocade clothes barely forced a smile on their faces when they saw a middle-aged gentleman in rich clothes coming across from them. Quickly stand up and say hello.
The gentleman in fine clothes seemed to be in a bad mood. He glanced around and saw that the position chosen by the two of them was quite good. They faced the window on both sides. A delicate yellow bamboo screen separated the two sides, and two pots of fresh green bonsai Qiu branches. Pangan was really energetic, and the environment was not bad, so he hesitated and walked over.
Although they were extremely anxious, the two of them still did not dare to neglect. Judging from their similar appearance, they should be two brothers. The one on the left is slightly older and the one on the right is slightly younger.
"Brother Chen, please sit down. We brothers have been waiting for you for a long time." Seeing that his brother couldn't wait to say something, the older man in brocade used his eyes to signal his brother to be calm, while he said with a smile on his face. : "Brother Chen is able to take time out of his busy schedule to meet me. We brothers are really grateful."
The gloomy-faced gentleman in fine clothes seemed to be moved by the other person's compliments. He nodded pretending to be reserved. Looking at the clear and translucent tea cup handed over by the tea doctor, he sighed quietly: "I don't know if Dongting Pekoe is still here." How long can you enjoy it? Maybe this tea will be out of stock soon."
"Oh, what does Brother Chen mean-?" The two people on the other side felt nervous.
"You don't know yet? Just the day before yesterday, the city of Jiujiang Prefecture was captured by the Taiping Army. The entire Jiujiang Prefecture probably fell into the hands of the Taiping Religion. And Wenning and Baling had already fallen into the hands of the Machhans. The empire produced tea and grain. The big houses fell one after another, and it will be even more difficult for them to enjoy such fine products in the future." He glanced at the two brothers lightly, and the gentleman in fine clothes said calmly.
"Ah? Jiujiang Fucheng has fallen? Where did Brother Chen get the news? Didn't it say that the imperial army will resist to the end? Why did it fall in just a few days?" He no longer cares about the purpose of inviting the other party out this time. , the younger man couldn't help shouting, his face full of anxiety, "It's over, it's over, it seems that this time the family is really over."
The older man was still a little calmer, but the panic in his eyes was still visible at a glance, "Brother Chen, I wonder if the news is reliable? Over there are all the belongings of our two brothers."
"My information is absolutely reliable. I am afraid that even the Ministry of War's information may not be as quick and well-informed as mine." He curled his lips as if to show off, and the gentleman in Chinese clothes said proudly: "If I don't even know this bit of information, how dare I take over your brother's business? Entrusted by the two of them?"
Only then did the two brothers remember the purpose of inviting this person out. They exchanged glances as if they suddenly understood, and their joy was beyond words. "Brother Chen, don't blame me. It's my brothers who were not polite enough. I hope you can forgive me."
Waving his hands generously, the gentleman in fine clothes showed great magnanimity and said calmly: "This is my first time dealing with you, so I can understand it. I can also understand the mood of your two brothers."
"Brother Chen, according to what you said, the Five Lakes area is finished. There are Maci Khans in the south and Taiping Army in the north. Isn't the empire just -" At this point, the younger man finally reacted quickly and took stock. He looked around and frowned, not daring to say anything further.
"Hey, you two, just understand some things in your mind. Maybe things are not as bad as you two imagine. I heard that the Machikhans were also resisted by the local gentry in the south, and the imperial navy fleet was not lost. , seems to be resisting and attacking the Machihan people, and the life of the Machihan people is not easy either." The gentry in Chinese attire shook his head with a sinister smile.
The older man in brocade uniform didn't mention the north side at all. He seemed to have some understanding. The friend who introduced this person to him quietly told himself that this person had a great background and seemed to have some unusual connections with the senior leaders of the Taiping Religion. Because of his relationship, he originally did not dare to get involved with these people of unknown origin, but at that time Jiujiang Prefecture was about to fall, and his entire family's property was in Jiujiang. If he abandoned it in vain, the family would be finished, so he just gritted his teeth and let it go. A friend arranged it.
"Brother Chen, we brothers don't have much control over the affairs south of Wuhu. However, our brothers' fields, mansions, businesses, and many inventories are all in Jiujiang. The Taiping Army has already occupied Jiujiang Prefecture. We know Brother Chen's hands and eyes. Tongtian, I wonder if Brother Chen can help us find a way. If we can save it, our brothers will definitely be grateful." The older man finally made his request. If he keeps going around like this, don't panic. He can use it. I can't afford it. If the Taiping Army confiscates and auctions it all at once or distributes it to those despicable idiots, my family will really be doomed.
Warily glancing around, the gentleman in fine clothes remained silent, but gave the other party a signal to find another private place to talk. The older man felt ecstatic in his heart, and quickly called the waiter in the store to ask him to arrange a private room for himself and his party. The three of them discussed.
The young man was sitting leisurely fishing by the lake. The breeze was blowing gently, the willow branches were swaying slightly, and ripples were coming. However, the young man was motionless, just like an old monk sitting withered, which gave him a Zen-like artistic conception.
A figure hurriedly came here along the lakeside. Seeing that the leisurely atmosphere could no longer continue, the young man casually took back the fishing rod and didn't raise his head until the figure came in front of him.
After muttering for a while, the young man frowned slightly and asked, "Has it been implemented yet?"
"Master, it has been finalized. That guy has quite a lot of property in the capital, and he has close contacts with His Highness Sixth Prince. However, according to the current situation, this guy should be a chess piece laid out by the Taiping Religion a long time ago. It's just that this guy is now in such a bad position. Aren't you afraid of being noticed if you work hard for the Taiping Religion?" What was reported to the young man was a man with an ordinary appearance. It was too ordinary to leave any impression on people after looking at it. , nothing special can be seen, even the eyes are dull and listless.
"This is indeed worth noting. Although the Taiping people in Jiujiang urgently need to win over some gentry and businessmen, isn't it a little too impatient to win over them directly?" The young man was also a little confused. His subordinates had just reported that the two The brothers were originally from a well-known gentry family in Jiujiang Prefecture. In addition to having a lot of land in their family, they also ran a large-scale rice shop in Jiujiang Prefecture. Speaking of Jiujiang Tao Family, it was also a big name in the city.
"Well, my subordinates also think so, but it doesn't look like there are any other means. Could it be that we are a little suspicious?" The man who reported the report obviously felt that there must be some special reason, but he Still can't find a suitable explanation.
"Don't think too much. Keep an eye on that guy first to see if you can catch any big fish from him. Especially the people who have contact with him. You should keep a close eye on him to see if you can dig out more clues and expand the scope. Our source of intelligence. As for the two Tao brothers, it doesn't matter. Let them go and I will make my own arrangements." The young man pondered for a moment, continued his activities, and threw the fishing hook out again. This Taiping Sect arranged in the middle of the capital The people finally started to move. This is a good thing. If these guys stay still, it will be difficult to figure out the pattern of their actions. As long as they take action, I am not afraid of how many earth-shattering things they can do. Just worry about it. Get a handle on how these guys move and see what they can do. It's just that the guy in front of him is jumping up and down to pull people for Cheng Dayou in Jiujiang. Is it Cheng Dayou's own idea, or is it really necessary for the Taiping Army to establish a solid base in Jiujiang? This is not completely clear yet. I need to observe further. In addition, I also need to report this situation to my lord and ask him to cooperate to understand it.
The man who reported the report immediately understood what the master meant. He didn't want to alert the snake, but wanted to use this guy to find out more about the Taiping Sect's more systematic connections in Beijing, so he could take a long-term approach and catch big fish. As for the two Tao brothers, they could be handed over to someone from other places. I was secretly happy to have my colleagues complete it. I had more opportunities to perform, so I had to seize this opportunity.
"Understood, my subordinates will go make arrangements immediately." Without any extra words, the man bowed and retreated, and soon disappeared from the young man's sight. The young man's eyes were flowing, and he nodded secretly. This guy can be regarded as practicing, and in one fell swoop The movement is already a bit like everyone's.