... After Cao Ya left, Wei Changying and Shen Zangfeng looked at the mountain ginseng that she left behind, which was as thick as an arm. For preservation, a lot of soil was left on the roots, but it could be seen that it was almost human-like. .
"Is there such a good thing in Mengshan Mountain?" Wei Changying sniffed the tangy ginseng fragrance and murmured, "Such a wild ginseng cost at least seven to eight hundred taels of silver in the imperial capital?"
"It is said that Caojiabao is a place where refugees live, but they are just living in a shelter." Shen Zangfeng said thoughtfully, "Now it seems that it is the prejudice of the world. Mengshan is rich in products, and Caojiabao Although the place where he is based is a remnant, such a treasure of heaven and earth can be found nearby... "
The couple simultaneously thought of the collusion between Caojiabao and the Mengshan Gang in neighboring counties. Previously, because they felt that the Mengshan Gang was not a charity organization, even though Caojiabao had established a relationship with them, they did not have much money and could only buy salt. Not much more. Now that I see this ginseng, I can’t help but think that if Caojiabao could often dig similar ginseng, then...
Even if paying it to the Mengshan Gang is definitely not comparable to the price it sells in the Imperial City, given the quality of this ginseng, it can be worth two to three hundred taels of silver. No matter how evil-minded the Mengshan Gang may be, since Lai Dayong has been able to develop in Guanzhou Prefecture for a long time, he must know the truth about not fishing in the marsh.
Comparing the average prices of private salt... both of them felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
The Mengshan Gang not only sells private salt, but also acts as a bandit, so weapons such as knives and guns, and other things needed for rebellion...
After a moment of silence, Shen Zangfeng picked up the ginseng and said, "Give it to me first, and show it to Yu Jia later."
But after Shen Youjia was called over to see the ginseng and heard about its origin, he was surprised and said, "Does the third uncle think that this ginseng was really dug out by people from Caojiabao?"
Shen Zangfeng said in surprise: "Isn't it?"
"If this ginseng has been washed and dried, my nephew may not be able to recognize it." Shen Youjia shook his head repeatedly, pointing to the roots and said, "But now it is still fresh, but it cannot be hidden from my nephew's eyes - this The soil that was dug up above is clearly the unique color of the mud in Mi County, Guanzhou! This is definitely not the mud near Caojiabao!"
He added, "When Caojiabao was built, it was true that we had no idea of medicinal materials from nearby mountains. Therefore, over the years, all that could be mined has been dug up! There is absolutely no way that there is any ginseng with this kind of appearance left!"
Shen Zangfeng was greatly surprised: "What do you mean, this ginseng was sent to Caojiabao by the Mengshan Gang?" It couldn't be such a coincidence that the people from Caojiabao went to Guanzhou Mi County and dug up this ginseng. Can Ginseng be brought back to Caojiabao safely and then sent to Xiliang by Mu Chunmian
This ginseng must be from the Mengshan Gang, first come first served!
"Maybe Caojiabao bought it from the Mengshan Gang." Shen Youjia pondered, "But the third uncle's guess is more likely, because my nephew really can't imagine how he could buy such a ginseng in the situation of Caojiabao? "
Shen Zangfeng shook his head and said, "Have you forgotten that your third aunt gave them three thousand taels of gold on behalf of others a few days ago?"
"But what is the meaning of giving this ginseng to the third uncle and the third aunt?" Shen Youjia asked, "With the kindness of the Duanmu family, they don't have to give gifts to the third uncle and the third aunt, and the third uncle and the third aunt don't either." They have been treated badly. Besides, although such a ginseng is good, it is just a compliment to the third uncle and the third aunt, which is far from being grateful. Therefore, the nephew thought that it should be the rumored Mengshan. It is true that gang leader Lai Dayong has an affair with the current fort master of Caojiabao. This mountain ginseng may have been given by Lai Dayong knowing that Ji Gu, the father of the fort master, was recuperating in Xiliang City, so he paid special tribute to please his future father-in-law. !”
He added, "It's just that Ji Gu has a broken leg, but his vitality is not damaged, so there is no need to use such a good ginseng. He simply sent his granddaughter to Mingpeitang, which is also a favor."
Shen Zangfeng thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Youjia, have you forgotten who Ji Gu is?"
Without waiting for Shen Youjia to answer, Shen Zangfeng had already answered, "He is the uncle of Divine Doctor Ji. He was able to abscond to Caojiabao, hide his name all these years, and secretly control Caojiabao, all because of the legend. The Ji family has excellent medical skills! He has been in Caojiabao for decades and has a daughter and a granddaughter. I can’t tell whether this wild ginseng comes from Caojiabao or Guanzhou, but since you know, how can Ji Gu Can you not know?"
An idea flashed in Shen Youjia's mind, and he suddenly said: "What does Third Uncle mean...?"
"You have always wanted to recruit Lai Dayong, but you were trapped by Qiu Di and couldn't get away to pay attention to him. Now it seems that he also has the intention to defect... No, he is testing it with this wild ginseng." Shen Zangfeng smiled lightly. , said, "Tomorrow you can send someone to Jiyuan to ask Ji Gu about the ginseng digger. I think he will understand what you mean."
But Shen Youjia sighed and said: "My nephew thought it was better for his uncle to send someone there. Lai Dayong asked the young master of Caojiabao to send them to Mingpei Hall for his uncle and aunt, but he never gave them to his nephew. Obviously This desire to defect is for my uncle. If my nephew goes, I am afraid that Lai Dayong will be suspicious! "
Shen Zangfeng tapped the edge of the case with his knuckles, concentrated for a moment, and then said: "I didn't ask in detail last time, is this the Mengshan Gang?"
"The number of gang members is second. Anyway, we have no shortage of soldiers in Xiliang." Shen Yujia explained, "My nephew likes him because it only took a short time for this man to go from being a fugitive to establishing the largest gang in Mengshan." A few years later, he even managed to establish a relationship with the governor of Guanzhou, and the officials and gangsters colluded to make the private salt business prosperous! My nephew thought that although this man came from a humble background, he was very talented even though he was a gangster now. But that was the last resort, and it may not be something that can’t be corrected.”
"He's quite a talent." Shen Zangfeng nodded and said, "In that case, it's worthwhile for me to come forward in person."
… At about the same time, summer rain fell one after another in the imperial capital.
The willows on the banks of the Spring Grass Lake are pleasantly colored, and as the wind blows, thousands of blue-colored branches curl up and up, just like a dancer turning around and raising her passionate train. From time to time, the cooing of water birds can be heard in the wild rice bushes by the waterside.
Wei Changjuan was wearing a light crimson dress and a flying fairy bun. The only hairpin on the bun was a beaded hairpin. Although the color had faded, her hair was black and still shone brightly under the umbrella in the rain.
In this season when the surrounding fields are full of green, the light-red dress is quite eye-catching - on the lake embankment that happens to turn in the distance, Min Yino, who is being carefully protected by the maid holding an umbrella, can be seen from a distance, holding her hand alone. Sitting under the lake embankment with an umbrella, her crimson skirt almost slid to the surface of the lake, as if she was looking down at the water from under the umbrella. She was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously stopped.
The maid serving Min Yino noticed it, followed her gaze, and recognized Wei Changjuan. Remembering the words that the master and his wife had repeatedly warned her before her young lady came out of the cabinet, she felt a sudden change in her heart, and whispered: "Ma'am, let's go around?"
"... It's getting late. If I take a detour, I'm afraid my husband will worry about me." Min Yino left the cabinet last year and got along well with the kind-hearted Song Zaijiang. Since the couple loves each other, they naturally value their relationship. Too much sisterly love. Moreover, after leaving the cabinet, she has experienced many things. Looking back on Wei Changjuan's various behaviors, she feels that she is too stupid and not worthy of being a sister.
Although I am not disgusted with Wei Changjuan now, I still think that my parents' suggestion that they should stay away from her is right. But when she went out for a walk today, she made an appointment with Song Zaijiang to return home. Now that the other courtyard is right in front of him, if he deliberately takes a detour to avoid guard Changjuan and misses the appointment, Song Zaijiang will be worried.
So she thought for a moment and continued walking, "Besides, Sister Wei Qi probably saw me when she came here. This detour will offend her... I'll say hello to her and leave. After a while, if she pulls me to talk, Remember it!"
The maids hurriedly responded: "My maid understands."
So they continued walking along the lake embankment. After a while, they arrived in front of Wei Changjuan, only to see that Wei Changjuan was still sitting there motionless, as if she had not moved at all.
Because she was sitting under the lake embankment, when she got closer, she could only see the top of her umbrella held behind her shoulders, but her appearance and expression could not be seen. Min Yinnuo was wearing wooden clogs and could not get down easily, so he stood on top and said angrily: "Sister Wei Qi, are you here too?"
She asked this question, but didn't hear Wei Changjuan's answer, and she felt a little nervous - Min Yinuo had heard someone tell Wei Changjuan about the news that she was leaving the cabinet, and Wei Changjuan knew that Song Zaijiang was the one she married. The hated cousin of Wei Changying decided that Min Yinuo had betrayed him and made a big fuss at home. If her two sisters-in-law hadn't forcefully carried her back to the house, they would have almost ignored her. At that time, he still respected his mother's filial piety and went to Min's house to find her to punish her...
Just now he saw Wei Changjuan's profile in the distance. Although Min Yinuo told the maid not to take a detour, he was really a little worried. He was worried that Wei Changjuan was here to wait for him to settle the matter after showing his maternal filial piety. account.
Min Yinuo knows very well the messy and arrogant nature of this handkerchief...
So when Wei Changjuan was silent at this moment, he just said that she was still angry, deliberately ignored him, and asked him angrily.
After asking this question four times in a row, Wei Changjuan ignored her.
Min Yino hesitated whether to go forward and open the umbrella and explain to her, or to just say goodbye. However, the maid next to her couldn't bear to see her master being so neglected, so she coughed heavily and said loudly: "Madam, your shoes were all wet just now. You must go back quickly now, otherwise you will catch a cold. This maid will be severely punished by the master!"
Min Yinnuo frowned slightly when he heard that the maid had spoken out to relieve the situation as he had ordered, so that he could have a reason to leave. Wei Changjuan had previously married Song Zaijiang, her close friend and When it comes to talking about my cousin, everyone hates me. This will make the girl deliberately mention "Master", but don't provoke her anger...
Just as she was thinking about how she would smooth things over when Wei Changjuan got angry, there was still no response from Wei Changjuan. Min Yinuo was really curious, so she winked at a maid next to her and whispered, "Maybe it's raining." , Sister Wei Qi can’t hear what I’m saying down there, please go down and ask for Sister Wei Qi.”
The maid understood, picked up her skirt, and walked carefully down the embankment. As she walked, she called out in a loud voice: "Miss Wei Qi, my wife is talking to you! Are you stunned by the view of the lake?"
It was the flood season at this time, and the water level in Chuncao Lake was so high that there were only a few steps from the embankment to the waterside below the embankment. After the maid said these words, she had already reached Wei Changjuan's side and opened the umbrella without politeness. Only then did she take a look at the scene under the umbrella, and her expression with a hint of dissatisfaction and teasing suddenly froze. !
Min Yino and others on the embankment could not see what was going on because their umbrellas had not been completely brushed away by the maid. However, they saw the maid fiercely grabbing the veil as if she had been bitten by a snake. She shouted loudly: "She's dead! Miss Wei Qi... She, she, she... she's dead!!!" (To be continued)