There were nearly a thousand people from Prince Wu's Mansion, meandering towards the south. With Li Ke, Xue Rengui, Yin Yang, Yuwen Hongtai and Pang Fei accompanying him, Qin Mubai did not feel bored. After all, it is the ambition of a thirty-year-old man, so he can bear this little bit of separation and separation. After a period of sadness, Qin Mubai quickly adjusted his mood and began to look forward to the next stop in his life.
Throughout the ages, there have been many connections in the officialdom. It is not uncommon for officials from the capital to be sent to the local areas for further study, and after returning home with some achievements, they are promoted. Qin Mubai knew that he was now standing at a crossroads and could not tolerate any mistakes. If you do well, your future will be bright; if you make a mistake, you will definitely be unlucky.
After all, I have offended many people in the court!
Xiangzhou, as Li Ji, a great military strategist, said, has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. Xiangzhou was also called Xiangyang and Xiangyang County in ancient times. It is located in the Central Plains and is connected to the Han River. It connects Jing'e to the south and Han and Shu to the west. The waterway to the east can reach Wuyue directly. It is the hub of the Central Plains.
Xiangzhou has a lot of water, so water transportation is very convenient. The Han River runs across Xiangzhou. Since ancient times, the Han River has been a natural military barrier in the Jingxiang area and a way to make money. Speaking of the Han River, it is worth mentioning that it originates from Hanzhong, the birthplace of the Han Dynasty.
Han, the title of a nation. The Han nation, Chinese language, Chinese characters, Chinese culture... no need to go into details. As for the Han River, Chinese people throughout the ages have naturally attached more emotion to it.
All the money, grain, cloth, and iron in the Jingxiang area passed through Xiangzhou, and both land and water could be transported to Guanzhong to pay taxes to the court. The salt business in the Wuyang area also relied on water transportation here, starting from Xiangzhou to the southern states and counties. Therefore, Xiangzhou's water transport terminal can be said to be world-famous, and it has become an important financial revenue for Xiangzhou.
Therefore, Xiangzhou is not only an important town in the Central Plains and a battleground for military strategists, but also a big fat piece of fat. If it weren't for a prince like Li Ke, how could he easily obtain such a lucrative official position as the governor of Xiangzhou
Naturally, the more prosperous and wealthy a place is, the more dragons and snakes will be mixed together, and people from all three religions and nine streams will be found. The water transport terminal alone is very complicated. Regardless of whether he is an official or a soldier, a high-ranking official or a civilian hooligan, who doesn't want to get rich here? Furthermore, whenever it comes to things such as salt, rice, and iron that are exclusively sold by the court, there must be activities such as salt lords' private business. Over time, many underground "green forest gangs" have emerged in Xiangzhou. In fact, they are rogue gangsters with a gangland nature who are reaping benefits here. The government and the army secretly communicated with them, turned a blind eye, and each got what they needed.
Then there are the children of old aristocratic families who have lived in Jingxiang for generations and the powerful local officials and gentry. Many forces are intertwined. On the surface, the small Xiangzhou seems to be a small place, but it is not as simple as it seems. There are policies above and countermeasures below, and this has been true throughout the ages. If you weren't a capable person, it would be really difficult to survive and survive here.
Li Ke chatted with Qin Mubai along the way, and it was obvious that he knew Xiangzhou very well. It turned out that he had served in Anzhou before, and he could reach Anzhou by going down the Han River, which was not too far away. I also know a lot about the human relations in this area.
"It seems that our trip will not be easy, Your Highness." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Now I understand why the emperor was so straightforward in allowing me to go with you. You, a governor, want to suppress the situation without the help of the army. It’s probably not easy for these local snakes in Xiangzhou!”
"That's very true." Li Ke smiled slightly and said, "When you get to the local states and counties, it is no better than the capital city at the feet of the emperor. To put it mildly, there are no tigers or monkeys in the mountains to call the king. Maybe a little squire here will do it every day Praise my Emperor, Long Live the Holy Emperor, but secretly I feel that I am the most upright person in this area."
"It's not surprising." Qin Mubai said, "Among a group of people, if anyone is used to being worshiped or giving orders, he will easily become distracted over time. Furthermore, people standing on the top of the mountain are different from those standing at the foot of the mountain. People look small to each other.”
"Oh, that's a wonderful thing to say." Li Ke smiled after hearing this, "It seems you already have a plan in mind?"
"We can't talk about it." Qin Mubai said, "When you arrive in a new environment, you have to adapt to it for a while. I only heard that the water transport terminal in Xiangzhou is the most prosperous and the most complicated. How about this, let's bring a few people with us. I disguised myself and went to investigate in private. There is no information that is more accurate than what I saw with my own eyes.”
"Okay." Li Ke agreed without saying a word.
A few days later, Li Ke summoned Quan Wanji and asked him to lead a large group of troops to continue southward to Xiangzhou on the dry road. Li Ke, on the other hand, along with Qin Mubai, were accompanied by four persons including Xue Rengui, Yin Yang, Pang Fei, and Yuwen Hongtai. Everyone disguised themselves and boarded a boat at a canal to sail south along the Han River.
It was early spring, and the east wind on the river was very cold. A large sailing passenger ship, commonly seen in the south, sailed down the river against the wind and waves, accompanied by more than ten people, mostly traffickers and travelers.
Although Li Ke and Qin Mubai put on ordinary official clothes, they could not hide their aloof temperament. In addition, the four people accompanying them were all powerful and powerful, especially Yuwen Hongtai, who was as tall as an evil god and was even more frightening. Therefore, no one struck up a conversation with them along the way, let alone causing trouble. .
It made everyone laugh and cry because Yu Wen Hongtai, a rough and rude man who built a boat, was frightened and unsteady as soon as he got on the boat. He was like a little daughter-in-law entering the house of an evil in-law, and her face turned pale with fear. After getting on the boat, I kept shrinking silently. Not long after, I suddenly started vomiting profusely.
Such a big guy is actually seasick!
"Oh... I should have known I wouldn't have come with you!" Yuwen Hongtai was about to cry without tears. He vomited all the way along the boat, crying like a child, which made everyone on the boat laugh.
Downstream, there is still a hundred miles of waterway to reach Xiangzhou. The large sailing passenger ship docked at several piers along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. Qin Mubai and others also saw that the water transport terminal in Xiangzhou was indeed extremely prosperous and lively. No matter it is day or night, there are always passenger ships or cargo ships docking. The cooks who take the work here are waiting day and night, and official servants can often be seen here to maintain order. Occasionally, some tough-looking people can be seen walking among the people in the cabin, and everyone does not dare to offend them in the slightest when they are regarded as gods.
"The water transportation in Xiangzhou is extremely important for the imperial government's salary tax and the transportation of salt and iron." Li Ke said, "From the founding of the Tang Dynasty to the pre-Sui Dynasty, salt lords were rampant in the Jingxiang area, and they were suppressed without mercy. Inexhaustible amounts of salt tax money flowed into the hands of salt lords. In addition to secretly selling private salt, salt lords also gathered together in organized groups to link up with government and private iron companies to bully good people in the countryside. In troubled times, the behavior of these salt lords would be serious. It stands to reason that some of them are trying to find a way out to fight against the enemy, but in today's peaceful and prosperous time, the country and the people are peaceful, and these guys are doing all kinds of bad things just to enrich their own pockets, so we can't tolerate them. "
Qin Mubai nodded and said: "I have also heard for a long time that the Jingxiang area is rich and prosperous, but there are also three religions and nine streams of dragons and snakes mixed together. It is not as simple and peaceful as imagined. Over the years, the salt owl gangsters have been suppressing them. Almost on par with the king's law, the local government seems to be powerless against them. If we come here this time, it may be a good political achievement. "
Li Ke smiled and said: "Look, you are thinking of the same thing as me again. We can do things that others cannot do, and that is a good political achievement. How powerful and difficult is the salt baron in Xiangzhou? , we will not know until we have a deeper understanding.”
Later, Li Ke asked the boatman and learned that there was a very famous ferry in Xiangyang County ahead, called "Baggui Ferry", which was one of the largest water transport terminals in Xiangzhou. Li Ke said casually: "Let's get off the boat there and take a walk. It doesn't hurt to stay for a day or two. Anyway, we are in Xiangzhou, so we should look for people's livelihood."
"That's fine."
Soon the group got off the boat. Yuwen Hongtai was so embarrassed that his legs were stuck on his legs. When he got off the boat and walked on the sampan, he would have probably fallen into the river if it hadn't been for the help of the extremely strong Xue Rengui.
It was dawn, but the Eight Ghost Ferry was already bustling with activity.
Passenger and cargo ships are divided very finely. On the left is a row of passenger ships loading and unloading passengers, and on the right is a larger group of cargo ships. At a glance, within a few miles of water, sampans covered the entire dock. Some officials shouted loudly to direct the boats to enter the harbor. There were countless coolies and civilians wearing short-breasted shirts on such a cold early spring dawn. Pull up your trousers, bare your feet and open your chest, then pick up the goods and carry them to the shore. There is a piece counting machine next to it, which should be used to settle wages.
Qin Mubai and other people disembarked from the passenger terminal. Apart from people getting on and off the boat, they didn't encounter any other people. The walk took a big detour, and everyone decided to go to the cargo terminal to see what was going on. Unexpectedly, two government officials at the entrance came out and stopped them.
"Stop, which ship are you the owner of?" The officer looked at the people warily and asked.
"Oh...that one." Li Ke pointed forward and said with a smile, "Brother Guan, please let me in quickly. Our goods are being unloaded!"
"Hey!" The officer sneered, "Where did you come from, you young master? This is not a land of flowers, lanes and willows. How can it be a place for you to have fun? Let's go, let's not force the official to fall out!"
"What do you mean?" Li Ke's face darkened, "My own ship is unloading, I can't go in and take a look?"
"If I tell you to get out, just get out!" The yamen servant shouted impatiently, "You have to seek bad luck here, don't you?"
"Wait a minute." Another government official next to him seemed to be smarter. He thought that Li Ke and others were well-dressed and might be some big shots. He pulled the evil government official aside, cupped his hand and apologized, "This gentleman Why did you want to enter the dock? "
"Didn't I say everything just now?" Li Ke asked calmly without getting angry.
"Lang Jun is joking. Isn't Lang Jun a merchant from out of town?" The Yamen servant smiled, obviously a little sarcastic, but still said politely, "Anyone who comes in and out of Baguidu, the master of Cao, has his hands on There must be a license issued by the county government. No need to say anything, you can come and go freely at any time...Do you understand?"
"What, do you still need a token?" Li Ke was startled for a moment, then laughed twice, "That's all, I forgot about it for a moment. I'll just go back to your county to ask for it. I'm sorry for bothering you, so I'll say goodbye!" "
The evil yamen officer sneered: "Zhou Laojiu, what nonsense do you have to talk to these rogues? Just fork them away with a stick. It's so quiet."
Qin Mubai and others came to find out what was going on and had been watching quietly from the sidelines. On the other hand, Yu Wen Hongtai, who had vomited all the way, was full of vomit and his temper was full of stress. At this time, he could no longer suppress his anger. He rushed forward with a roar, waved a palm as big as a cattail leaf fan, and thrust it into the face of the evil yamen officer, shouting: "Take care of it, right? I will help you!"
The evil yamen officer screamed and fell to the sky. He fell to the ground with a thump like a cement slab, which shocked the people around him. Several government officials rushed over with knives and sticks, shouting, and the whole pier suddenly seemed to explode and became lively.
Li Ke, Qin Mubai and others were also a little angry, but after all, they were the ones who saved trouble and did not want to cause more trouble, so they hurriedly pulled Yuwen Hongtai back.
Li Ke cursed secretly: "Yuwen Hongtai, are you confused or what? You don't prioritize!"
But Qin Mubai smiled slightly: "Young master, if you come, be at peace with yourself. It's not a bad thing for Hong Tai to poke a trap. Just like trying to destroy a hornet's nest, you have to have a test, right?"
"Ha!" Li Ke smiled and stopped talking. Looking at the group of people gathered around him, he raised his hands and looked at them laughing.
The evil yamen officer was pulled up from the ground. He was afraid that he would be hurt by the fall, and he was holding his head and wailing. The man next to him, Zhou Laojiu, seemed to be a leader. He hurriedly persuaded the brothers behind him who were so excited that they wanted to fight, and Li came again. Ke said in front of him: "This young master, I see that you are also a well-educated and polite person who is not an ordinary person, but why do you have such a vicious and stubborn person under your command? It is not convenient to cause trouble on the pier, so you should leave quickly!"
"You are a trouble-free person." Li Ke smiled and said, "Speaking of which, what will happen if I don't leave today?"
Zhou Laojiu frowned, showing a trace of anger, and said impatiently: "We are busy, you'd better not pester us anymore. Otherwise, you may even be beaten to death on this pier. Let's go, let's go." Bar!"
"Haha, that's interesting!" Li Ke laughed, "Which law of the Tang Dynasty stipulates that anyone who breaks into the water transport terminal will be beaten to death? I really want to broaden my horizons today!"
Qin Mubai next to him smiled and said: "Young master is so elegant today, I will accompany you. This brother Zhou is a good man, and we won't embarrass you. Why don't you ask your brothers to stand down and let me go?" It won’t hurt to wait and see.”
"Hey, you guys really don't know how to appreciate me!" Zhou Laojiu gritted his teeth and cursed bitterly, took a step back, and suddenly waved his hand, "blow them away!"
A group of government officials showed off their swords, guns and clubs and were about to charge forward. Li Ke suddenly shouted: "Stop!"
The officials were startled and actually stopped. I couldn't help but wonder in my heart: What a great majesty, even greater than the magistrate!
Seeing that these government officials were suppressed, Li Ke felt very good. He smiled and said: "You are so eager to send us away. Is there something shameful in the Eight Ghost Crossing? As government officials, are you leaving? Is it illegal to sell private goods and commit adultery?”
"You bastard, you're talking nonsense!" All the government officials were startled at first, and then roared angrily, "Get out! Otherwise, we will capture them all and send you to prison!"
"Haha, interesting!" Li Ke laughed with his palms in his hands, took a few steps back and smiled at Qin Mubai and Xue Rengui, "It's your turn. By the way, I really want to know who of you two is better at fighting?"
"He should be more agile." Qin Mubai also laughed and took a step back with Li Ke, "There are also Yin Yang and Hong Tai. In which round will I take action? Hong Tai alone can stand up to ten!"
"It's suffocating me!" Yuwen Hongtai roared with thunder, and was about to rush forward and hit someone. All the government officials felt their eyes go dark, and a big black bear-like guy had already rushed forward, scaring them to the point of being frightened at first.
Before Yu Wen Hongtai's fist touched the flesh, a bigger commotion suddenly came from the other side of the pier, roars like thunder, and the faint sound of swords slashing through the air. Several ships seemed to have been overturned, and large packages of cargo fell into the water, causing a loud splash.
"Hey, it's more lively over there than here!" Li Ke and others stood on tiptoe to watch.
All the government officials couldn't help but look back nervously. Yuwen Hongtai raised his fist and was stunned for a moment: "Is there such a big movement?"
"Bang bang bang—" At this moment, a series of loud noises suddenly sounded on the pier, and someone from an observation tower next to the gate shouted: "The pier has changed, the pier has changed!"
All the government officials seemed to be under a spell, and immediately abandoned Li Ke and others, and rushed towards the pier desperately. Only two or three people were left at the entrance to pull up the fence and hold up their knives to block them. They were fighting for life or death. Willing to give in half a step.
"It looks like there's something good going on. We've come at the right time." Li Ke smiled evilly and raised his fingers at Yuwen Hongtai, "It's your turn, Hongtai. This fence with broken wood and branches should be... I can’t stop you, can I?”
"Haha-" Yu Wenhong Tailei roared, like a locomotive hitting the fence with all its strength. There was a loud crash, accompanied by the frightened screams of the government officials, and a piece of fence fell down. Although Yuwen Hongtai was huge in strength, he was extremely agile. He rolled up on the spot, picked up a knocked-down government official on each side and threw them away. He clapped his hands and said, "Sir, this road is open. please!"
Qin Mubai then smiled: "Sir, are we looking for trouble?"
"Obviously not." Li Ke said seriously, "We are here just to see the excitement!"