Although Hu Wenzao said that he would come to visit the next day, in fact there was no one at all the next day.
Tang Fan personally visited the prefect's yamen, but was told that Hu Wenzao was out for something and happened to be away.
Now, how could Tang Fan not know that the other party was avoiding him on purpose
Qian San'er said angrily: "This Hu Wenzao really doesn't know what's wrong. The adults are here to help him solve the problem, but he seems to be here to cause trouble for him, and the adults should not care about him!"
Tang Fan said, "Since he doesn't want to see me, let's see someone who is willing to see us."
Qian San'er wondered, "Who?"
Tang Fan said: "South Zhili Patrol Censor, Yang Ji."
Qian San'er said happily, "Yes, didn't it mean that he and Chen Luan both impeached Hu Wenzao for inaction, and now Hu Wenzao has avoided seeing it, it can be seen that there is a ghost in his heart, it seems that there is really a problem with this Hu Wenzao!"
Tang Fan smiled and said nothing.
The Patrol Censor is not a non-resident official, so he does not set up a mansion. Every time he goes, he lives in the official post. Like Tang Fan, the only difference is that Tang Fan was directly dispatched by the imperial court, and his official position is also higher than that of the Patrol Patrol. The Censor is much higher.
When Tang Fan and the others arrived in Wu County yesterday, Yang Ji did not appear in the crowd of people who greeted them. Later, Tang Fan asked the people at the official post, and it was said that Yang Ji went to Zhenze County to inspect.
Although he wanted to see Yang Ji, Tang Fan didn't wait at the official post, but took Qian San'er and the two of them wandered the streets of Wu County.
This time Coke broke Qian San'er.
At that time in Yangzhou, he wanted to buy snacks for Tang Fan, and he was afraid that no one would protect Tang Fan when he was away. Fan took him out, but it was justifiable.
Qian San'er walks here, touches there, but it's just to see what's new. The scenery in the north and the south is different, and the things in the south are more delicate and beautiful. A bit more subtle.
The two entered an old-fashioned dim sum shop, Tang Fan asked the shopkeeper to weigh two kilograms of various dim sum, and asked Qian San'er to hold it, while he picked up a piece of rose cake and put it in his mouth, nodded and praised: "It's still The taste in memory!"
Hearing this, the shopkeeper smiled and said, "This guest speaks in a Nanyin tone, and the style of his robes is from the north. He must have come back to visit his parents after being away from home for many years?"
Tang Fan smiled and said, "The shopkeeper's good eyesight, but under the same conditions, there are differences in the robes of the north and the south?"
The shopkeeper said: "Why not, like the fashion in the south in the past two years, goose-yellow is fashionable. Regardless of men, women and children, many people like to wear goose-yellow outer garments, as well as your jade pendant, which is different from the style of play in the south. Much the same."
Qian San'er was stunned: "As far as I can see, these things are not only for women, right? It's strange that people say that southern men are soft, and they will use their attention on them if they dare!"
After he finished speaking, he got a roll of eyes from Tang Fan, and then Qian San'er remembered that Tang Fan was also a southerner, didn't he point at the monk and scold the bald donkey, and hurriedly flattered: "You are naturally different, your character and mind, How can you use the north and south to define the boundary!"
Tang Fan was not angry, but the shopkeeper of the dim sum shop was not happy: "Little brother, it's not right for you to say that, what's wrong with the men in the south, one side of the water and soil supports the other person, we are richer than the north in the south of the Yangtze River, so people naturally have to live their lives carefully!"
Qian San'er smiled and said: "Don't be angry, shopkeeper, I'm just joking, my son is from the south, how can I say that the southerners are not! It's just that I think it's strange, they all say that there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. How come it is even more depressed than Yangzhou? Is it possible that the most prosperous city in the south of the Yangtze River is only Yangzhou?"
This time, the shopkeeper was not angry, but just sighed: "This is all caused by the famine last year. Our Wuxian County is relatively good. I heard that Wujiang is even worse, and it has not recovered yet!"
Tang Fan took advantage of the situation and asked, "Is there still people affected by the disaster in Wu County?"
The shopkeeper said, "No more."
Tang Fan wondered: "Why not, isn't the Taihu Lake flooded, so we can replant crops this spring?"
The shopkeeper said: "No, they all went to Wujiang."
Tang Fan asked, "Why is this?"
The shopkeeper sighed: "Last year, the two places of Wujiang and Wuxian really offended God. First it was dry in spring, and then flooded in summer. I have relatives who lived by Taihu Lake outside the city, and his fields were completely flooded. Said, even the house was flooded, so I had no choice but to come to rely on me, which is not bad, because there was another plague, many people died, and the government was worried about the spread of the plague, so they would not allow them to enter the city, but later I heard It is said that the porridge market in Wujiang is more abundant, and many people went to Wujiang. This is all about last year. I heard that a lot of people froze to death last winter. Now that it is spring, the situation should be much better. stop!"
The two went out of the dim sum shop. At this time, Tang Fan had already eaten up the two kilograms of cakes in Qian San'er's hands, and even drank the shopkeeper's pot of Longjing before the rain, and his stomach was seven or eight points full.
Naturally, Qian San'er didn't eat too much of the dim sum, but in the final analysis, he had to admire Master Tang's popularity, and he could chat with the shopkeeper, otherwise the pot of rain behind him would never have their share.
Qian San'er looked at her empty oiled paper and patted her stomach again, a little unwilling: "Sir, shall we still have lunch?"
Tang Fan: "Eat, why not?"
Qian San'er: "Can you still eat?"
Tang Fan glanced at him: "Why can't you eat it? If you can't eat it, go back first. I can eat it alone. Let me think about it, what's better for lunch, squirrel mandarin fish, or Longjing shrimp?"
Qian San'er's saliva was about to come down: "It's all good, it's all good!"
The two were talking and laughing when a surprised voice came from the front: "Brother Tang?"
Tang Fan raised his head following the sound, but saw Lu Lingxi, who had not seen each other since the separation that day, standing not far ahead, looking at him with surprise.
Before Tang Fan could regain his senses, the other party had already stepped forward in a few steps.
"Brother Tang, why are you here? After I went back that day, I wanted to go back and pack my bags, and I went over to rub your boat with the cheek. Who knew that when I went back to the shore and looked at it, I found out that your boat was already on its way. What should I do? So fast, do you know that I want to rub the boat?"
Lu Lingxi's tone was full of intimacy and joy, and there was a trace of grievance in his words, which made him smile.
Tang Fan smiled and said, "Isn't this the one we met again?"
Lu Lingxi said happily: "It can be seen that there is a fate to meet you for thousands of miles! Is Brother Tang shopping? I lived in Wu County for a while, and I am familiar with it. I will take you there for a walk!"
Tang Fan said, "We are just looking for a place to eat."
Lu Lingxi: "Then I'm more familiar, come with me, I'll take you to eat delicious food."
Tang Fan smiled: "That's just right, it looks like I have a good time today."
While talking, he took Tang Fan and Qian San'er into a restaurant, asked for a private room with elegant furnishings and a beautiful view, and ordered several dishes with ease. It seemed that he had been here before.
"Brother Tang, the squirrel mandarin fish here is very authentic. You have to try it today. If you are free the next day, there is another one in the south of the city that specializes in iced eel. You guys came here by coincidence. It is the best dish to eat in summer. Refreshing…”
"Yiqing." Tang Fan suddenly said.
"Brother Tang, what's wrong?" Lu Lingxi wondered.
"You know that I am an official of the imperial court, and I was ordered to come to Suzhou to do business." Tang Fan said.
Lu Lingxi nodded: "You said so."
Tang Fan said, "Then do you know what I'm here for?"
Lu Lingxi thought for a while and smiled, "Could it have something to do with last year's famine?"
Tang Fan also laughed: "You said it was a coincidence, you came to me just after I passed Yangzhou, and now that we are in Suzhou, we have another chance encounter, after all, who sent you to follow me? What is the purpose?"
Following Tang Fan's words, Lu Lingxi's smile gradually subsided.
When he laughed, he had a naive taste, but when he was not smiling, he showed a bit of sternness. The thin lips that had been raised with a smile were slightly pursed at this time, becoming a little affectionate.
If he is a few more years old, after years of precipitation, this young man will definitely become more attractive, and he will not know how many daughters will fall for him by then.
"Brother Tang, what do you mean by that?"
Tang Fan smiled slightly: "Ming people don't speak secretly, what do you think I mean, that's what I mean."
The two looked at each other, and the relaxed atmosphere of talking and laughing suddenly became a little tense, and Qian San'er also hung a heart on the side.
Last night, when Lu Lingxi showed his power on the river, he happened to be absent, but when Lu Lingxi left from Tang Fan, he saw with his own eyes that when the official ship was still some distance away from the shore, Lu Lingxi flew straight from the deck. He got up and landed steadily on the shore. Qian San'er was taken aback by his skill at that time. After listening to the boatmen talking about Lu Lingxi's story of saving people, he felt that this man's skills were among the people he had met. Only Suizhou and Wang Zhi can match it.
Seeing Lu Lingxi's face change now, of course, he was afraid that the other party would be unprepared for Tang Fan, and was preparing to rush forward if necessary.
But I saw Tang Fan took a chopstick and put the squirrel mandarin fish into his mouth: "Well, this mandarin fish is really good, the meat is fresh and tender, sweet and sour, and it's delicious. Xiao Er, do you want white rice last night?"
"..." Qian San'er was instantly discouraged.
My lord, can you extend your aura a little longer, so how can a subordinate like me help support the scene!
Lu Lingxi chuckled and waved his hand: "I don't want it, I don't like to eat rice, little Er, give me a bowl of white porridge."
"Brother Tang," he looked at Tang Fan with a serious and innocent expression. "Do you think I'll be against you?"
Tang Fan took the rice from the man and thanked him. He didn't rush to answer him, but tried to pick up some rice with chopsticks and nodded his satisfaction.
"This rice is not bad. Taihu rice is well-deserved! But since there was a famine and floods last year, why is there still new rice now? Could it be from somewhere else?"
Lu Lingxi shook his head: "No, it's the newly harvested Taihu rice last year. Although Taihu Lake is flooded, it is not that there is no harvest. The only new grains last year were put into the pockets of wealthy businessmen in Suzhou. This Taihu restaurant is exactly Suzhou. One of the properties under the name of rich Jia Liang Hongyi, Brother Tang, guess how much this meal will cost?"
Tang Fan did not answer this question.
He put down his chopsticks and instead answered Lu Lingxi's previous question: "I don't think you will be bad for me, otherwise I won't have a conversation with you. I also hope that you can live up to my trust. After all, you are not someone. I would let him call me Big Brother Tang."
Lu Lingxi was startled: "Since you were on the boat, you started to doubt my identity?"
Tang Fan: "At that time, there were so many boats around, but you pulled people onto my boat. Later, I didn't tell you that I was going to Suzhou, but by chance we met on the street. A coincidence is not difficult. , the difficulty is all kinds of coincidences, if you are more patient, you don't have to come out and meet me in such a hurry, wouldn't it be better to meet there when I go to Wujiang?"
At this moment, Tang Fan's mouth twitched, his eyes wandered, his tone was understated, but he had an indescribable romantic freehand.
Lu Lingxi was stunned for a while, and then suddenly a sentence came out: "Brother Tang, you look so good when you smile!"
Tang Fan: "..."
The corners of his mouth twitched, and he couldn't tell whether this young man was sometimes shrewd, sometimes naive, whether he was really stupid or pretending to be stupid.
"If I don't tell the truth, I'll leave. No matter how delicious the squirrel mandarin fish here is, I'm not interested in sharing it with someone with ulterior motives. I'm not going to waste the food." Tang Fan got up.
Lu Lingxi was in a hurry, and quickly reached out to stop him: "Brother Tang, don't be angry, I didn't mean to hide from you, I was indeed entrusted by others, but it's not that it's not good for you, but I'm here to help you. ."
Tang Fan raised his eyebrows: "Help me?"
Lu Lingxi nodded, with sincere and sincere eyes: "Yes, don't go, just listen to me first, okay?"
Tang Fan: "Tell me about it."
Lu Lingxi: "I didn't lie to you, I am indeed a child of the Lu family in Pinghu, and I am indeed traveling abroad. You see, this is the jade card I wear with me, with my name engraved on it, which was given by the elders in the family. It's just that when I was in the capital this time, I met an old friend. He said that you might encounter some troubles in Suzhou. He asked me to go south to find you and help me. Although I was born in Pinghu, I grew up in Suzhou. , I also have some friends here who may be able to help you."
Tang Fan: "Who is that old friend of yours?"
Lu Lingxi: "Wynn."
Tang Fan was surprised: "Why is he?"
Lu Lingxi said: "Huaigong used to stay in Suzhou Mansion, and he was kind to the Lu family. The Lu family has always had contacts with him. This time I go to the capital, and according to the old rules, I will visit his mansion outside the palace, and I happened to meet him. Mu was at home, so he entrusted me with this matter. He said that what happened to the prince last time had nothing to do with you. It was because the other party had to deal with the prince, but instead, he had implicated you. This time you came out to investigate the case. Take the opportunity to trip you up and let me drop by to protect you."
Tang Fan heard the main point: "What does this have to do with Dongchang?"
Lu Lingxi said: "Huaigong said that every year from Suzhou, Shang Ming, the master of the Dongchang factory, will send a lot of filial piety to him, and he used to give it to the west factory. "
Wynn has always been low-key, but he is very popular in the DPRK. Wandang took advantage of the emperor's confusion to rectify many ministers. Wynn can always be saved if he can. Although Tang Fan was burdened by the affairs of the East Palace, But in fact, he knew that the prince couldn't help himself, and he never complained. He didn't expect Wynn to turn his head and send Lu Lingxi over, which surprised Tang Fan and was indeed moved.
Tang Fan asked, "What do you think about this matter?"
After Lu Lingxi revealed his identity, he spoke more easily: "I'm not too sure, but I just heard Mr. Huai say something in the capital, oh yes, Brother Tang, Mr. Huai also asked me to tell you, he said that the uncle of the magistrate of Wujiang , is Chen Jing, the minister of households in Nanjing."
Tang Fan raised his eyebrows: "Is there such a relationship?"
After the Ming Dynasty moved the capital, Nanjing still had six departments, but their powers were basically replaced by the six departments in Beijing, making it a well-known "retirement resort" in the official circles.
But the Nanjing Six Departments are not without power at all, at least not the case with the Nanjing Ministry of Household Books.
Because the Nanjing Ministry of Household is responsible for the collection of taxes and grains from Nanzhili, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Huguang, and these four places have been prosperous since ancient times. Although the final tax and grain will be turned over to Beijing, there are still many places to operate in the process. Therefore, Nanjing's Ministry of Household is a good place to be honest. If Beijing can’t get along, it’s doomed to have to go to Nanjing, so everyone’s first choice must be the Ministry of Household.
This is not all. In addition to taxation and grain, the Nanjing Ministry of Household is also responsible for the national salt import and exploration. That is to say, if the merchants want to sell salt, they must first obtain the acquisition, that is, the salt sales license, from the Nanjing Ministry of Household. Only if you have a license, you can conduct legal sales, otherwise it is selling illicit salt, and if you are caught, you will be severely punished.
In this way, the prefect of Suzhou avoided seeing it, and his attitude was strange, which must be related to this matter.
Tang Fan felt that he thought this matter too simplistically at first. He thought he was just here to inspect the disaster and be a peacemaker. He didn't realize that after he came here, things became more and more complicated.
And the more Lu Lingxi said, the more messy he appeared.
Dongchang, Nanjing officialdom, Suzhou Prefecture, Wujiang County, this series of personnel are put together, it is dazzling.
As an ordinary official, let alone find out the truth, I am afraid that I will retreat, but when Lu Lingxi saw Tang Fan heard the relationship here, instead of showing hesitation, he looked full of interest, as if Found something interesting.
"Brother Tang?" Lu Lingxi couldn't help but called out inquiringly.
"If that's the case, let's go to Wujiang County to see." Tang Fan said.
Lu Lingxi didn't even think about it: "Brother Tang, let me go with you. I know martial arts and can protect you."
After that, he looked at Tang Fan pitifully, as if he was afraid that the other party would make a bad impression because of his concealment at the beginning.
But Tang Fan didn't care. The reason why Lu Lingxi concealed part of Wynn at the beginning was probably to take the opportunity to test whether he could get into his eyes. The thoughts of these teenagers are insignificant, let alone offensive.
What's more, Tang Fan's impression of Lu Lingxi is really good, and he will always be a little soft-hearted towards him subconsciously.
"Yes, but during this time in Suzhou, you have to obey my orders in everything. If you can't do it, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Hearing this, Lu Lingxi's entire face immediately glowed: "That's natural! I will be obedient, if you let me go east, I won't go west!"
Qian San'er immediately stared at him vigilantly when she heard the words, this is to grab her position!
Seeing his guarded face, Lu Lingxi smiled and said to Tang Fan: "Brother Tang, apart from the two Dongchang people, the only one who is thin and useless is the one around you, he can't protect him even if something happens. You, it is better to let me serve you with you, I can act as a servant or a guard, killing two birds with one stone, how wonderful!"
Qian San'er frowned: "Who is too thin and useless? I also worked as a Jinyiwei in Beizhen Fusi. If you don't believe me, let's do two tricks to see who is afraid of who!"
Lu Lingxi looked at him up and down, his expression was hesitant and suspicious: "You? Jin Yiwei?"
Qian San'er's man's dignity and face were seriously challenged, and he punched up without saying a word, vowing to knock this kid to the ground.
Who knew that Lu Lingxi would not dodge or evade. Instead, he reached out to hold his fist, turned slightly sideways, and twisted his wrist slightly following his castration.
Beautiful posture and agile body.
The other hand was even lost behind the back, and it was not used to half a point!
Qian San'er involuntarily jumped forward and fell out. Seeing that he was about to fall into a big dog and eat shit, he suddenly tightened his belt and was lifted back by someone. Before he could react, he was already confused. Standing on the spot, the fist in his hand even kept the gesture he just waved.
Lu Lingxi asked with concern, "Are you all right?"
He turned his head and smiled brightly at Tang Fan and said, "Look at Big Brother Tang, this person is really not good enough to protect you, should I be better?"
Qian San'er felt that she had lost face to Tang Fan, and she couldn't help but feel ashamed and angry, her face flushed: "Sir! Lord..."
While the two of them were frolicking, Tang Fan had already wiped out a whole side of the squirrel mandarin fish meat: "Okay, don't make a fuss, if you still don't eat it, go away if you don't!"
Lu Lingxi said bitterly, "Brother Tang, didn't you see my skills just now?"
Tang Fan stretched out his hand and snapped his finger on his forehead: "I see, it's refreshing, better than Jin Yiwei, okay?"
Lu Lingxi was overjoyed.
Qian San'er felt that it was necessary to rectify the name of Jin Yiwei, and hurriedly retorted: "Sir, let alone Sui Zhen's envoy, even if Xue Qianhu and the others came out, enough for this kid to drink a pot!"
Lu Lingxi smiled and said, "Brother Tang said I'm good, then I'm good. It's useless for you to argue, so why waste your energy!"
Qian San'er was annoyed, and it tickles his teeth: "Who said you are alright, it's just to comfort you, my lord!"
Tang Fan was too lazy to listen to the two children's bickering, so he walked out first, and the two hurriedly called Jin's truce and followed closely behind.
Wujiang County is right next door to Wu County. The two places are next to each other. Not only is there a single word difference in the name, but the distance is also very close.
The three of Tang Fan asked for three horses from the official post, so they drove the horses directly to Wujiang County, set off after lunch, and arrived soon.
As soon as they entered the city, they felt that the atmosphere here was more depressing than that of Wu County.
The entrance and exit of the city gates, the people who are off work, those who do business, those who visit relatives, are no different from other places, but the number of people is much smaller.
Lu Lingxi reminded: "Wujiang County has two gates, east and west. We enter the east gate, and exit from the west gate is Taihu Lake."
Tang Fan nodded: "Then let's go to Ximen first."
Unexpectedly, the three of them didn't go very far when they saw a group of people chasing up from behind. The leader was wearing a seventh-grade official robe, and it was Wujiang county magistrate Chen Luan.