Ye Xiaotian has been circling among Liangyue Valley, Yujiazhai, Zhanjiazhai, and Yangjiabao these days. Apart from gaining some sense of presence and familiarity, he has made no progress in resolving the dispute over Mercury Mountain.
It is a matter of vital interests, and each family can speak out with certain basis, and it is impossible to let anyone let go. This kind of "unclear property rights" caused by historical reasons is difficult to distinguish clearly. Ye Xiaotian has no choice but to focus on the two brothers Yang Xianda and Yang Xianmin.
Ye Xiaotian explained the pros and cons to the two brothers, and earnestly persuaded the two brothers to stop, not to let outsiders take advantage of it. But for the Yang brothers, Mercury Mountain is also an absolute interest that they cannot give up, how can they agree to Ye Xiaotian's mediation.
You must know that the Ming Dynasty has been established for more than two hundred years. Although the imperial court has not been able to establish a strong rule in the Guizhou area, the influence of the imperial court is inevitably expanding.
Those cities in Guizhou that are located in important traffic routes, even though they are still ruled by chieftains, the local people have gradually broadened their horizons, and with the influx of Han people from other places, the original ruling class is gradually losing the absolute dominance.
As a result, the territory that the chieftains can fully control is gradually shrinking. The Mercury Mountain, which was not indispensable in the territory of the Yang family, has a much greater role than it did in the past. Which of the two Yang brothers can control the Mercury Mountain? , whoever has mastered the biggest source of income of the Yang family.
This mine not only produces cinnabar, but it can be exchanged for a large amount of wealth. Mining also requires miners, which provides others with an opportunity to earn money and work. Therefore, whoever controls this mine is equivalent to controlling most of Yangjiabao. The hearts of the people are against each other, and where interests are so critical, who can let go
On this day, Ye Xiaotian went to Yangjiabao to mediate again, but did not make any progress. Instead, the two brothers of the Yang family escalated from a verbal dispute to a fight, and finally alarmed Yang Xianmin's mother, the wife of the Yang family. Only then did he give up resentfully.
Ye Xiaotian had no choice but to leave in a hurry, but before he returned to Yujiazhai, Jiu Gao hurried over.
"Let him come here!"
When Ye Xiaotian saw Jiu Gao who was stopped by the guards, he recognized Zhan Ning'er's trusted guards, so he waved them to let them go. Jiu Gao walked up to Ye Xiaotian, cupped his hands and said, "Master Ye, my lady asked me to give you a message."
Ye Xiaotian said: "What did Ning'er say?"
Jiu Gao said: "My lady said that my family mainly betrothed her to the Guoji family in Liangyuegu in exchange for the support of the Guoji family."
Ye Xiaotian was taken aback, and said, "How could this happen?"
Jiu Gao said: "My lady is not as stubborn as the Patriarch, so I can only ask Mr. Ye to find a way. Please come up with an idea as soon as possible, otherwise my lady will have to marry to Liangyue Valley."
"ah?"
"The villain has to go back to the castle, Lord Ye, take your leave!"
Ye Xiaotian watched Jiugao come and go back in a daze, he couldn't help but wonder: "How could this happen? What exactly does the Zhan family want to do? In order to help the Yang family, even their own daughter's life is willing to spend? These chieftains are really unreasonable. "
Ye Xiaotian wandered around in the same place for a long time, his face was cloudy and uncertain, he suddenly stomped heavily, gnashed his teeth and said: "You old man surnamed Zhan, you are forcing me! Okay! You are unkind, I am unrighteous, let's see which one of us is worse! Let's go! Go back to Yang Family Fort!"
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Zhan Boxiong smiled and said to Chieftain Guoji: "Toast Guoji, let's make a deal like this!"
Chieftain Guoji is as tall and strong as his son Gelong, but he looks much older. His gray hair looks like an old lion, and his hair is messy and untied, with a wild and unruly appearance.
Chieftain Guoji said boldly: "Okay! It's a deal! My Guoji family and your Zhan family were originally very friendly, but recently it was only because of the Yang family's incident. This time our two families got married, so the Yang family's The matter can be resolved peacefully, and you don't need to worry about the little entanglements in the past, Chieftain Zhan."
Zhan Boxiong said with a smile: "How could it be? Zhan is busy with common affairs and has to rush back to the fort. So let's do it like this, and ask the chieftain of Guoji to send someone to hire him as soon as possible. We will be a family from now on!"
The reason why Guoji Chieftain helped Yang Xianmin was not only because Yang Xianmin's mother was his sister, but more importantly, for the interests of the Guoji family. Home is favorable.
But now that he is married to a more powerful Zhan family, is there any need to consider the gains and losses? Moreover, the Zhan family and the Guoji family got married, even if they turned to Yang Xianda's side, Yang Xianda, who was protected by both the Zhan family and the Guoji family, would not alienate the Guoji family.
Zhan Boxiong had achieved his goal, so he left happily. Zhan Boxiong excitedly said to the housekeeper: "Where is Ge Long, quickly ask him to call me, I told him a good marriage, haha!"
After a while, Guoji Gelong rushed to the hall with a bag on his back and a knife. Toast Guoji was taken aback, and asked in surprise, "Son, what are you doing? You want to travel far away?"
Guo Jigelong said with lofty ambitions: "My son is going to the Central Plains to look for famous teachers and learn martial arts. It will take three to five years at least, and ten or eight years at most. He will definitely come back!"
The chieftain of Guoji blew his beard and stared: "Fart! You can go if you want to learn any martial arts. First, I will give birth to a few grandchildren for your father. I just told you about a marriage. You marry a wife and have children first." stop."
Guoji Gelong was stunned, and said: "Why didn't my father discuss it with me, and just negotiated with him about the marriage, I don't want it."
Chieftain Guoji said angrily: "Marriage is a big deal, if you don't want it, you don't want it? I have already discussed with Chieftain Zhan. I will choose a date to hire, get married as soon as possible, marry Miss Ning'er, put down your burden, and wait for it honestly." The bridegroom."
Guoji Gelong was stunned again, and said in disbelief: "Father, who are you talking about? Let me marry Zhan Ning'er?"
Chieftain Guoji stared at him and said: "What? I heard Chieftain Zhan say that his niece is very handsome. Even if she is not handsome, as the Zhan family, she is qualified to be your palm print wife. How about you I like it, just marry a few more wives, anyway, you must marry this daughter-in-law for me!"
Guoji Gelong laughed loudly, threw the burden into the air, and cheered: "Okay! I'm not leaving, hahaha! Dad, remember, when the appointment is made, my son will go to Zhanjia in person, hahaha... "
Guoji Gelong laughed and went out, very proud! If you snatch my woman, I will sleep with your woman! He couldn't wait to marry Zhan Ning'er, and saw Ye Xiaotian's sad, jealous, and painful expression with his own eyes.
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Yang Xianda fought with his brother, he didn't want Madam Zhangyin to come out, so he yelled at him for a while, although Madam Zhangyin was not his biological mother, she was the one who raised him after all, Yang Xianda couldn't disobey, so he had to swallow his anger and go back to sulk.
At this time, someone reported: "Toast, Ye Xiancheng is here again."
Yang Xianda felt very strange, why did Ye Xiaotian come again? Hastily tidied up his clothes and went to the living room, saw Ye Xiaotian pacing up and down in the hall, Yang Xianda cupped his hands to Ye Xiaotian, before he could speak, Ye Xiaotian rushed over, grabbed his arm and said: "Toast Yang, disaster is coming!"
Yang Xianda was taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "Master Ye, what's wrong?"
Ye Xiaotian whispered a few words to him, and Yang Xianda said in shock: "Really? Chieftain Zhan wants to marry his daughter to the Guoji family? How could this be so, the Zhan family... will the Zhan family abandon me?"
Ye Xiaotian said: "Abandonment is not counted, but you should understand why the Zhan family wants to help you. If it is not good for the Zhan family, will the Zhan family help you so selflessly? After all, the previous kinship is long gone Now, once the Zhan family and the Guoji family get married, will it make any difference to them who is in power in your Yang family? Chieftain Zhan considers the interests of the Zhan family, so it is not surprising that he has such a plan."
Yang Xianda said in surprise and anger: "How can the Zhan family be so treacherous!"
Ye Xiaotian said: "Chief Yang, thanks to you being a chieftain, what's the point of saying such useless words, if it were you, would you harm the interests of your Yang Family Fort for the sake of a weak kinship relationship?"
Yang Xianda hesitated and said: "This..."
Ye Xiaotian turned around and said: "Chief Yang, once Yang Xianmin gets help from the Zhan family and the Guoji family, not only will you lose the Mercury Mountain, but the chieftain's position may not be stable."
Yang Xianda slumped down on the chair, his expression as earthy as he said: "This... what should I do?"
Ye Xiaotian said leisurely: "I have a plan to solve the chieftain's trouble."
Yang Xianda grabbed Ye Xiaotian, and said impatiently: "Master Ye, what's your opinion, please tell me quickly."
Ye Xiaotian whispered to Yang Xianda, Yang Xianda wondered: "Let my daughter marry the Guoji family? This... isn't the Guoji family marrying the Zhan family?"
Ye Xiaotian said: "It's all about fighting for relationship and help. Not only do you want to marry the Guoji family, but you also want to send Mercury Mountain as a dowry. Of course, you can put forward conditions to the Guoji family, asking them to take the money from the front of the mountain. A piece of ripe land as a betrothal gift, in this way, you will save your troubles and have more land to give to your clansmen, although there is a slight loss, you will be able to securely keep your chieftain position."
Yang Xianda hesitated and said: "Ge Longang just announced his marriage to the Zhan family, can he marry two wives at the same time?"
Ye Xiaotian said: "Toast Yang, you are confused, who said you should marry your daughter to Gelong Guoji, I want you to marry your daughter to Chieftain Guoji, Gelong's father."
Yang Xianda suddenly realized, Ye Xiaotian said: "The current situation of the Guoji family is not as good as it was back then, do you think he is willing to marry you for that mine? At that time, you and your younger brother Yang Xianda will be evenly matched, and You have a righteous name in hand, who do you think is more likely to win?"
Yang Xianda looked happy, and suddenly said nervously: "Aren't the Guoji family afraid of ruining their marriage with the Zhan family?"
Ye Xiaotian said: "No matter what the Zhan family does, can this mine belong to the Zhan family? No, the Zhan family just wants to expand their influence here. You marry your relatives, and the Zhan family marry the Zhan family." , all became relatives with the Guoji family, and besides, you and the Zhan family are already close, and now you haven't broken your face, the Zhan family is eager for you to take power in the Yang family, and as for the Guoji family, of course, there is no concern."
Yang Xianda nodded frequently, and happily said: "Good idea! This way, we can get out of the siege by fighting with each other!"
Ye Xiaotian said: "The chieftain is wise! So, just pretend that you don't know about the marriage alliance between the Zhan family and the Guoji family, and go to Liangyue Valley to propose marriage as soon as possible."
Yang Xianda clapped his hands and said, "Okay! I'm going to prepare gifts now, and I'll go to Liangyue Valley to worship the mountains tomorrow morning!"
Ye Xiaotian said: "Chief Yang really made a decisive decision. When we go to Liangyue Valley tomorrow, we'd better put our flags to rest, and don't arouse your brother's vigilance."
Yang Xianda nodded and said, "I can save it."
Yang Xianda, who was fooled by Ye Xiaotian's rhetoric, was dizzy, and then he said goodbye. When he walked out of the gate of Yangjiabao, there was a little head man walking in front of him. The one on Yang Xianmin's side immediately coughed lightly and turned his cheek slightly.
But the little headman had already seen his appearance, and he showed a vigilant look when he went back and forth. Ye Xiaotian hurried out of the Yang Family Fort, stood in front of the fort and looked up, seeing that it was still early, he said, "Let's go, let's go to Liangyue Valley again!"