〖Jiang Yong, his father Jiang Wuya, who settled in Xuzhou, was named Marquis of Yongning in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, married Princess Ninghua, the elder sister of Emperor Gaozu, as the main room. Seeing that the enemy is strong, he took his mother and his old troops to the East China Sea as a thief, and took the title of his father as Yongning Marquis. The Emperor Gaozu performed his tricks and surrendered, never to come.
- "Yong Shi·Donghai Hou Zhuan"〗
After leaving Qinzhou, Lin Bi took more than 100 guards to Lunan day and night. In this area, the forces of Dayong and Beihan were intertwined, so Lin Bi and others changed their clothes and disguised themselves as businessmen and travelers. There were surprises along the way. It was dangerous, but within ten days, we arrived at Binzhou. Binzhou is located on the border between Dayong and Beihan, but this is actually the sphere of influence of Jiang Yong, the Marquis of Donghai. In order to ensure the safety of merchant ships at sea, the merchants in Binzhou secretly exchanged news with the East Sea Marquis. Especially after Li Zhi presided over the military and political affairs in recent years, the hatred between Dayong and Donghai seems to be gradually dissipated. It is even stronger in Binzhou. Especially after the East China Sea opened up the trade route of far-reaching trade, Binzhou has become one of the largest ports in the world. Beihan and Dayong have continuously sent their national specialties to merchant ships traveling far through Binzhou in exchange for foreign gold and silver grains. and various specialties. Therefore, both Beihan and Dayong wanted to control Binzhou, but they did not dare to act rashly until they were absolutely certain.
However, the trade between Southern Chu and Donghai was carried out through Hangzhou. This time Nanchu wanted to force Donghai to exclude Dayong and cooperate with Northern Han in the north and Southern Chu in the south. It was not a good intention. Dayong adopts the method of burning jade and stone, then Binzhou will not want to become a port, and only Nanchu will be left with exclusive profits. Therefore, Lin Bi is not keen on Nan Chu's proposal. Of course, if Nan Chu really succeeds, Lin Bi will try his best to control Binzhou. Although it is difficult, it is not impossible.
As soon as I entered Binzhou, I felt the oncoming bustling atmosphere. The contacts were all businessmen with a southern accent and a north tone. If it wasn't for the bleak autumn wind, it would inevitably make people suspect that they were in the southern part of the Yangtze River. The Northern Han Dynasty is nominally an enemy country in Binzhou, so naturally there is no pavilion, but someone has already reserved a single courtyard for Lin Bi in Binzhou's most famous Ping An Inn.
Ping An Inn, the name is very common, but now all Ping An Inns in the world are one owner. Two years ago, the first Ping An Inn opened in Nanchu Jianye, and soon after that it opened branches in major cities all over the world. This Ping An Inn is not known for its luxury. In fact, the decoration here is famous for its simplicity and elegance. Although the service in the inn is thoughtful, there is nothing very special about it. Although it can make famous dishes from all major cuisines in the world, it is a little bit worse than the real famous flavor. It stands to reason that there is nothing worthy of attention in such an inn, but when Ping An Inn opened many branches, businessmen who often traveled around were surprised to find that Ping An Inn everywhere was very similar. The layout and taste of food are almost the same as what came out of a mold. For these businessmen and travelers who travel abroad all the year round, the Ping An Inn everywhere seems to be their own home, where they can always get a familiar feeling. And Ping An Inn has another advantage. Once you live in a certain inn, within a few months, all the Ping An Inns in the world will know your favorite room, favorite food, etc., making you feel at home everywhere.
Of course, some people are worried that there will be problems in the Ping An Inn, but there are at most one or two stewards of the Ping An Inn that belong to the Ping An Inn. The people who come here will act in pamphlets filled with various rules, and if they violate it, they will be dismissed. Therefore, the Ping An Inns in various places are basically similar, but also have their own characteristics in the details. This mode of operation is very convenient for local governments to send spies to investigate, but it also makes it difficult for them to detect any secrets. So the backstage owner of Ping An Inn is still a secret.
I chose to live in the Ping An Inn. Naturally, Lin Bi likes this inn not for this reason, but because the Ping An Inn has another advantage. Each room is separated from other rooms by a corridor of flowers, trees and rockeries. Secrecy and safety are two qualities. If you rent a yard, then it will be safer. The scattered guest rooms in the yard just control all the key points. As long as each guest room is properly staffed, it will naturally form a protective circle, which is most suitable for bodyguard servants. The dignitaries who traveled far used it. As long as they have stayed once, many guests who like luxury will also like to stay in Ping An Inn, and although Ping An Inn is not luxurious enough, the furnishings are elegant and indifferent, and it does not humiliate their identities.
As soon as he settled down, Lin Bi sent someone to take his post to Huang Wei's house, the prefect of Binzhou. Huang Wei was an official of Dayong in name, but in fact he was a retainer of Jiang Yong, the Marquis of Donghai. This is everyone's heart. Things you know. Although Jiang Yong's influence has been extended to Binzhou, Jiang Yong himself will not be in Binzhou. If you want to go to the wedding, you must first send a post, and then the East Sea Hou will send a boat to greet you across the sea.
Lin Bi really wanted to meet with the envoys of Southern Chu before the birthday banquet, but this time the envoys of Southern Chu came from Hangzhou by sea, and the two sides could not meet at all before the birthday banquet, so Lin Bi just let it go.
Just after everyone in the Northern Han Dynasty took a rest, Wang Ji was lying on the bed and couldn't sleep. Lin Bi kept him under strict surveillance along the way. He never had a chance to contact his own people. Now he is staying at the Ping An Inn, if he remembers correctly. If so, this is the only chance to connect with your own people. If he can't get in touch and get instructions from the benefactor, how can he go to visit the benefactor? In three days, it will be September 28th, the time of Donghai Hou Aizi's wedding. And October 2nd was the birthday feast for the beloved son of the benefactor. Wang Ji was very hesitant about how to do it.
While Wang Ji was tossing and turning, someone knocked on the door and said, "The villain has brought tea, please open the door."
Wang Ji said loudly, "The door is open, come in by yourself."
The door of the room opened in response, and a shop assistant in blue clothes and a small hat walked in. He closed the door and said, "Keguan, the shop has famous teas from all over the world. I don't know if the guest official has any special preferences. The villain makes his own decisions. It is Longjing tea, if the guest officer doesn't like it, you can change it at any time."
He said this, but his behavior was very strange. After putting down the teapot, he hurriedly took off his clothes and hat. Wang Ji was startled first, and saw a jade plaque on the table by the shop assistant. With a happy expression, he also undressed. He brought it up, but said in his mouth, "Longjing is fine. By the way, I'm going to take a nap. You must not come to disturb me." The body is similar, but after the face is hidden, there are seven or eight similarities. The shop boy jumped onto the bed and covered his head with the quilt as if he was sleeping. Wang Ji walked out with a tea tray. He remembered the surrounding environment in his heart, and he walked outside without saying much. Sure enough, as soon as he walked out of the courtyard, he saw another shop assistant waiting there. Wang Ji didn't say a word, followed behind the man, turned a few circles, and walked into a very secret guest room.
In the guest room, one person stood with his hands behind his back, turned his head when he heard the sound, and looked at each other with tears in their eyes. The man whispered: "Chiji, I haven't seen you for three years." Wang Ji, no, he should be called Chiji, he said every word: "Lu Er, I haven't seen you for three years, you are more stable, sir. Well, how are you brothers?"
Lu Er opened his mouth to speak, but felt that he had a thousand words to say. He didn't know where to start. He pulled Chi Ji to sit down, sorted out his thoughts, and then said, "Young master is already very healthy now, and he often takes his wife on a boat to sea. It's really enviable, now that the young master is about to turn one year old, Miss Rou Lan is lively and lovely, and there are Mr. Li, Director Dong, and Zhou Shangyi to serve, it is so much fun."
Chi Ji listened with a happy expression behind him and said, "That's good, before your son retired, he sent me to walk in the barbaric land. I've been drifting away for the past few years, and I just feel like I'm floating and helpless. Now I can finally return. I was overjoyed when I came to the son's side and was overjoyed on the first birthday of the little son."
Lu Er smiled and said: "Who said no, I have been instructed to run the Ping An Inn in recent years, and I have been wandering around the world. It was not until a few days ago that I returned to Binzhou. When I was able to see the face of the son again, I just felt that my mind immediately calmed down. You were chosen by the son. We were savagely listening to the military situation and people's hearts. We were still worried about you. I'm afraid that the barbarians are cruel and your life is at risk. I didn't expect that you not only returned safely, but also won the reputation of a 'magic doctor Bole'. I heard that the barbarians regard you as a god. I thought you would be happy or not, but I didn't expect you to still think about your son so much, if the son would definitely be moved if he knew, maybe he wouldn't drive you away."
Chi Ji picked up the teacup on the table and drank it, and said lightly: "The barbarians live as nomads and do not work in production. Every time when the autumn is high and the horses are fat, they come to loot the Central Plains, burn, kill and loot, and do everything. We Central Plains people see Naturally, I think they are brutal and cruel. In fact, I have been in the wild for two years, and I think those ordinary herdsmen are also very simple and kind. After I was in the grasslands, I have been in danger several times. Although I saved my life, all the dry food and horses were lost. Saved. The barbarians are rude and unliterate, but they have simple dispositions, and love and hate are all on their faces. I think it is much happier to be with them. Unfortunately, there are not only herdsmen, but also nobles on the grasslands. Most of the so-called nobles are various The chiefs of the tribes and their relatives, most of these people are ambitious heroes. In order to compete for the women's gold and silk, they not only compete to plunder the Central Plains, but also fight each other. The ordinary herdsmen in those tribes are actually only better than slaves, They work hard on weekdays and fight in battle. If they win, they will naturally get some rewards. If they lose, their wives and children’s property will be taken away by the enemy. Therefore, they are all brave and good at fighting, only because of the relationship between life and death. In fact, even if They won, and most of the spoils were obtained by the nobles, and they themselves only got some leftovers."
Lu Er asked strangely: "Since those herdsmen are so pitiful, and they are warriors who are good at fighting, why are they unwilling to resist?"
Chi Ji smiled bitterly: "It's easier said than done to resist, life on the grassland is hard, and it is difficult to survive alone. These herdsmen are inseparable from the tribe, and those nobles own the most abundant aquatic plants, and have elite war horses and weapons. The bravest warriors in the tribe can easily be bought to die, how can the most oppressed herdsmen resist, and no matter when and where, as long as they can survive, how many people are willing to risk death?"
Lu Er hesitantly said, "I've heard that barbarians do all kinds of evil, but hearing you say this, I feel a little sympathetic to them, but I'm afraid the son will be angry when he hears it?"
Chi Ji said calmly: "What kind of person is the son, he will not blame me, and I have to ask the son if I have doubts in my heart, although those barbarians are my blood enemies in the Central Plains, but I see that they are also good and evil. Earth, when fighting for hegemony, the means may not be more merciful than theirs, so I must ask the son, why can't we live in peace, but kill each other?"
Lu Er said: "Young master will definitely be able to solve your doubts."
Chi Ji nodded, put aside the worries and doubts in his heart, and asked again: "Now that you have become the owner of the Ping An Inn, you have a lot of wealth, which is naturally gratifying, but I heard that the thief is more beautiful?"
Lu Er smiled and said: "Yeah, the thief has sailed twice to the sea, and he has traveled thousands of miles. The exotic jewelry and special products he brought back are really dazzling. In fact, the most beautiful is Hua Liu. After this kid's identity was revealed, Neither General Qin Yong nor the old lady blamed him. The identity of this kid was revealed, and he could not leave the capital. As a result, he was summoned by King Yong to serve as a bodyguard. I heard that he has now become Xiahou Yuanfeng's deputy in Mingjian Division. His official position is the highest. Unfortunately, Bai Yi, Yu Lun, Shan Zi, and Qu Huang are still busy with the Splendid Alliance and the Tianji Pavilion, and even this time, the young master didn't let them come back."
Chi Ji smiled and said, "What are you in a hurry, we will be able to relax when Dayong dominates the world."
A flash of longing flashed in the green eyes, and smiled: "Yeah, I really look forward to the unification of the world, and then we can stop fighting and killing. By the way, Chi Ji, why did you come with the people from the Northern Han Dynasty? Now? Young Master saw the secret report and thought it was funny too?"
Chi Ji smiled bitterly and said, "I wouldn't have thought that I would meet someone from the Lin family? But this time, I was lucky. Not only did I meet General Long Tingfei, but I also met Princess Lin Bi of Jiaping, who is as famous as Her Royal Highness. Alas, they can also be called a pair of heroes and heroes, but unfortunately they are officials of the Northern Han Dynasty. By the way, do you have any orders for your son? Long Tingfei and Lin Bi want me to join the Northern Han army. If I have my life, I would like to go undercover in the Northern Han Dynasty?"
Lu Er shook his head and said, "Young Master said that Lin Bi and Long Tingfei are both extraordinary geniuses. Such people are not only determined, but also extremely intelligent. If it is not for a long time, you will not gain their trust, so you are in It's useless to go undercover around them. After the young master asked you to accompany them to the wedding banquet of the young marquis, he left under the pretext of leaving. To deal with such people, the son has his own means. By the way, the son also asked me to instruct you, don't miss it Where is the young master arresting Zhou?"
A hint of joy flashed in Chi Ji's eyes, and he said, "Please report back to the son, and said that Chi Ji respects the son's order and will definitely arrive before the second day of October."
Lu Er nodded and said, "I have already arranged it. After a while, your stand-in will greet the shop assistant to send a new oil lamp. You can take the opportunity to exchange it with him."
Chi Ji nodded, and all his thoughts had been put down. He smiled and said, "I brought a precious gift to the young master. I will definitely be there on the second day of October."
Lu Er smiled and said, "Yeah, I also prepared a gift, but I'm afraid no one has a novel gift from stealing Li. He just came back from a foreign country."
Chi Ji said: "There's no way to do this, but my gift won't be too bad. Is that the gift I got for healing the mount for the most powerful patriarch in the barbarian land?"
The two talked for a while. Someone came to report that the time had come, and Chi Ji took the oil lamp and walked back to the residence. Although Lin Bi sent someone to watch the night, she did not prohibit the second shopkeeper from entering and leaving, and Chi Ji returned to the room smoothly. The shop assistant who was lying on the bed in his place changed his clothes and walked out quietly. Chi Ji lay on the bed, and soon fell asleep.
The next day, Lin Bi ordered everyone to go out to relax, but they were not allowed to provoke trouble. However, Wang Ji was dragged out by Lin Tong. Although he didn't know Lin Tong's thoughts, Wang Ji understood Lin Bi's thoughts. Lin Bi would never let herself out of their sight. Sure enough, the guards who were responsible for protecting Lin Tong were also put on leave by Lin Bi, and replaced by two of Lin Bi's own trusted guards. Coming to the martial arts is very good, Wang Ji knows that he has no ability better than these two teaming up, if he wants to take the opportunity to leave, there is absolutely no chance, Lin Bi acts very cautiously. However, Wang Ji had already got in touch with his own people, so he accompanies Lin Tong to play in Binzhou City unrestrainedly.
This city of Binzhou was originally just a small coastal town, but now it has become a big city. There are many merchants in the city, and various shops can be found everywhere. The shops are even more dazzling and dizzying. Lin Tong looked around excitedly, and was attracted by some novel things from time to time. The two guards beside her were always keenly aware of the surrounding situation.
After walking for a few hours, Wang Ji, who was already full of boxes and packages, looked at Lin Tong, who was still in high spirits, in distress. He didn't know why, but the little princess wanted to let him hold everything. All the guards just looked at the joke with a smile. Wang Ji naturally knew that they would not take the initiative to help him carry things, so as not to hinder their hands and feet, but why did he want to be the servant of this little county master.
When Wang Ji was angry, Lin Tong saw a shop selling weapons at a glance. Although she was a woman, she grew up in the war since she was a child. She liked weapons and horses from the heart, so she happily walked in. . The shop is very wide, with swords, spears, swords and halberds hanging on the walls, all of which are excellent weapons. On a long table in the middle, there are some exquisite daggers and short knives, some of which are strange in style.
Lin Tong walked over curiously, picked up a machete and looked at it carefully. It was a machete with a sheath, a green shark skin sheath, a warm white ivory handle, and black gold filaments wrapped around the grip. The blade is shaped like a crescent moon. Lin Tong took out the knife and saw that the light of the knife was like frost and snow, and he loved it very much. At this time, the middle-aged shopkeeper came over, waved the guy who received Lin Tong to leave, and said with a smile: "Miss, this is a machete bought from Persia, which can cut gold and jade, and is most suitable for a young lady who knows martial arts. Wear self-defense. If the lady likes it, the villain is willing to give it at a discount."
Lin Tong took the machete and walked to the stake where he was trying the knife. Lin Tong was overjoyed and said, "How much is this knife?" The shopkeeper said quickly, "This knife is used by the royal family in Persia. The villain dare not raise the price without authorization. It only needs three thousand taels of silver."
"What?" Lin Tong was startled. Although she knew that this knife would not be cheap, 3,000 taels was too expensive. Although she was born in a famous family and had the title of county master, she was guarding Daizhou in the Lin family's time to train soldiers. , silver money is spent like running water, and the Lin family is known for being clean, so Lin Tong doesn't have so many silver taels. With a sigh, Lin Tong put down the short knife. If he really spent 3,000 taels of silver to buy a machete that could not kill the enemy, he would be punished by his father. Walking out listlessly, Lin Tong couldn't help but turn his head several times to look at the exquisite Persian machete.
At this time, a little girl jumped in, she walked very fast, but Lin Tong was turning back again, and the two bumped into each other. Lin Tong is a martial artist, so he reacted immediately, stretched out his hand and hugged the little girl. Looking down, he saw that the little girl was five or six years old. With a hint of cunning, the temperament between the eyebrows is even more beautiful. Lin Tong couldn't help laughing: "Little sister, didn't you hurt you?"
The little girl shook her head and said, "Don't worry, big sister, Lanlan is not hurt."
Lin Tong let go of her hands, and the little girl rushed to the table, picked up the machete that Lin Tong liked just now, and said happily, "Uncle shopkeeper, I've brought the money, sell it to me."
Lin Tong's eyes narrowed, such a precious machete, this little girl actually wants to buy it, what's going on
The shopkeeper was also a little embarrassed. The little girl just wanted to buy this machete. Of course, I didn’t believe that a little girl would have so much money, so although the little girl asked herself to keep the machete and not sell it for the time being, she didn’t abide by the agreement. Some Glancing at Lin Tong, he said kindly, "Little girl, this is three thousand taels of silver."
The little girl said triumphantly, "I brought the silver, but I'm just giving it to others. Uncle Hai, Uncle Hai, can you walk faster?"
Following the little girl's crisp and sweet voice, a thick voice said: "Come on, come on, the little devil is running so fast, Uncle Hai can't catch up with you." The voice was still in my ear, a man in a blue shirt came from outside. Walking in, this is a man in his thirties. His appearance is gentle and handsome, but his complexion is bronze and the skin on his face is rough. At first glance, it is the result of years of exposure to the sun. Although this man is dressed simply, he is calm and calm. With a touch of majesty. The shopkeeper's eyes flashed, he had already recognized the identity of this person, he stepped forward with a smile on his face and said, "It turns out that it was Lord Hai who came, what do you say to buy it, this villain's business is all thanks to you, if miss If you like it, just take it." While talking, the shopkeeper wondered, when did Lord Hai have such a doting niece by his side
The man smiled lightly and said, "They are all businessmen who seek profit, how can I take advantage of you? This girl is my best friend, and she is the most naughty and mischievous. This time, I took a fancy to this machete. It's her own petty expenses, it's her own business, you don't have to worry about me, it's as much as you want."
The little girl pouted and said, "Uncle Hai is so unsympathetic and doesn't help Lanlan bargain."
The man smiled slightly and said, "Who made you so stubborn, does Uncle Hai have any precious things in his hands? If you like it, even if you choose it, you just like this machete."
Hearing that this guy was very popular, Lin Tong couldn't help but feel a little more curious, pretending to choose a sword, leaving him to watch the excitement.
The little girl said angrily: "How can it be done? This is what Daddy promised. Let Lanlan buy a gift for her brother. If you choose it from Uncle Hai, it won't be a gift from Lanlan."
The man laughed and said, "Your father always doesn't care about these things, but you are so stubborn. Well, Uncle Hai doesn't care about you." "It's good now. You have all your pocket money and red envelopes for the past two years. Just don't come to me to borrow money in the future."
The little girl said proudly: "This Uncle Hai doesn't need to worry, my mother loves me the most, and she will definitely give Lanlan extra money."
At this time, the shopkeeper had already packed the machete in a brocade box, handed it to the man respectfully, and returned some of the silver notes, saying, "Master Hai, even a little man dare not put it on your head. Competing for profit, please accept Haiye with a smile."
The man smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. You have brought the goods back from a long distance, so there's no reason to sell them cheaply. My niece likes these delicate things, so I can't avoid disturbing them in the future, as long as the price is fair. "As he spoke, he returned those bank notes to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper rolled his eyes and said, "The villain should be respectful, it's better to obey his life, Haiye, the villain has something exquisite for the young lady to enjoy." After speaking, he asked the man to go behind and fetch a stainless steel The strange object, skillfully pulled and flipped, the object was completely opened, it turned out to be a delicate hand crossbow, the crossbow arms made of stainless steel were tightly combined with hinges, and an extremely strong material was made of unknown materials. String wire, firmly tied the two sections of the crossbow arm. The whole hand crossbow is fully opened, not much larger than the palm of the hand, and it is just placed in the sleeve, which is the best for self-defense. The shopkeeper said, "This is something the villain got by accident, because there is only one piece, and the power is not very big, so I didn't take it out for sale, so I'll give it to the young lady to enjoy."
The little girl's eyes flashed with excitement. She grabbed the hand crossbow and looked at it for a long time before she said, "It's really ingenious, Uncle Hai, Lanlan likes it very much." The bright eyes were full of pleading, and the man smiled slightly. Said: "Since it's someone's kindness, you can keep it." After saying that, he took the little girl's hand and walked out, the shopkeeper followed behind, smiling, obviously very happy that Haiye received the gift .
Lin Tong thought about who made this shopkeeper respectful and respectful. He must be someone with great background in Binzhou, right? While thinking about it, I couldn't help but stare at the man, showing signs. The man had already noticed that someone was looking at him, but his identity was very special. It was very common for someone to pay attention to him, so he didn't care, but he still stopped by when he went out. There was a strange smile on his face, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
When the man was gone, Lin Tong asked the shopkeeper, "Who is this man, and you flatter him like this?"
The shopkeeper smiled and said: "The girl is a foreigner, or you don't know him. This is the owner of our largest shipping company in Binzhou, who controls the ocean-going trade with only one hand."
Lin Tong screamed and went out to see that Hai Wuya had disappeared.
At this moment, the shopkeeper shouted to the guys, "Master Hai who we deal with is the most shrewd person. It's more difficult to take advantage of anything than anything else. Lord Hai is a generous person. I don’t like socializing, and I’m the most difficult person to flatter. I didn’t expect such a coincidence today that I won a lot of luck, so I’ll send a letter to the owner soon, and I’ll ask the owner to visit Haiye with a gift in two days…”
Lin Tong stomped his feet and said, "It's a pity, it would be great if my sister was here." After that, Lin Tong was no longer in the mood to go shopping, and walked towards the inn depressed. Wang Ji smiled lightly, and a trace of joy and longing flashed in his eyes.