Shortly after noon, the lead cloud shrouded Hongze Lake, and in the wind and rain, the waves slapped the lakeshore. In the blue-gray rain curtain, the big ship carrying the birthday gang and several ships guarding the side are looming in the sight of the shore.
At the same moment, Xuyi was also immersed in a lead-blue rain curtain. The rain was not too big, but it came down continuously from last night, giving people the feeling that it was not like summer. And due to the continuous precipitation in the past day, the streets of the county town have also been muddy and dirty. However, for the people living here, they have already adapted to such an environment, and it is not so unbearable. .
When the carriage drove out of the pier, Ning Yi was lifting the curtain and looking out. Lunch time has passed, and the destination at this time is to go to Xiyuan for a stroll and relax. There are carriages driving in front and back, and Zhuo Yunfeng should be sitting in the carriage at the back. Because in his own carriage, Zhou Peizheng dressed up in poor men's clothes. He seemed a little cautious but couldn't help but talk to him desperately.
For Zhou Pei this time, Ning Yi didn't feel that there was too much need to hide. After all, the girl in front of him was completely trustworthy, and after all, he didn't have enough identity on his side. It is also a great thing for a small county owner to stand on his side. It's just that Zhou Pei got up close to noon, and after some information came back, he met with Wen Ren Buer, Qi's brothers, and even Su Wenyu, who was working with him, to discuss the development of things.
Under such circumstances, Zhou Pei followed by, and noticed some clues from the fragments of the conversation he heard. Knowing that Ning Yi planned to go to Xiyuan in the afternoon, she simply dressed up in men's clothing first. Then follow along. Seeing that there was nothing around Ning Yi at this time, he chose to speak and ask the doubts in his heart.
"...Is this matter already arranged? I don't know how you persuaded Lieutenant General Chen, teacher, and also, what I said in the morning, teacher, you already expected it? Who are the kidnappers? , are you really going to make a birthday plan?"
She used to be as well-behaved as a little secretary who quietly followed by the side, but at this time she finally asked in one go. Ning Yi looked at Zhuo Yunfeng's carriage behind him. He also smiled.
"We don't know what's going on right now, but everything we can do has been done. I have discussed with Wenren and the others in the past two days. If someone really wants to make an idea of the fleet, what is the most likely way? . Sorted out a few directions, as you already said in the morning, those jugglers, singers, and restaurant guys who were recruited into the wharf. There are mixed dragons and snakes, and they are most likely to be exploited. We did a... Relatively systematic investigation, It can be regarded as an exercise, and as a result, I really found a few suspicious guys..."
The girl with the ridiculous scholar hat looked at him and nodded vigorously. This kind of intrigue made her listen with relish: "That means someone is really interested in birthdays?"
Ning Yi shook his head: "Someone is monitoring the situation on the ship. It doesn't mean that they must be targeting the birthday. It may be that the kidnappers are more convenient when they want to get the ransom, or they may have a grudge against the second-generation ancestor who has lost his conscience. Even if there is no birth date on the ship, so many people go north, and there are many other treasures. It is always good to be able to vote. We have summarized some methods, such as setting the pier on fire. Everyone quickly disembark and try to hijack the ship. The property inside, or simply trying to deceive a ship or other designs, no matter what, someone will have to find out and step on the plate. However, once such a person is really mixed in, when we tell Lieutenant General Chen, He is also afraid, and in the end, he has to cooperate with us... and he is willing to cooperate with us, this matter is easy to handle."
"Speaking of this, things have only been confirmed so much?" Zhou Pei thought for a while, but was rather disappointed.
Ning Yi said with a smile: "It's not that simple to be sure, even if you follow the vines and check it out, it's not something you can do in a day or two. However, to show the enemy's weakness and borrow flowers to offer Buddha, all that needs to be done has been done, and the next step is to do it. It’s time to see if there are any results. It’s best if no one jumps in this pit. If someone jumps, everyone will be unlucky…”
It may seem interesting to the little princess, but for Ning Yi, it is an undesired side effect. Zhou Pei was still wondering if he went to Xiyuan to find clues about the kidnapping. After asking a few more questions, he realized that the teacher really didn't pay much attention to this matter, and it was just a distraction in the past. She thought about it for a while, and felt that the teacher really was someone who did big things.
Ning Yi has done his best for this matter, so there is no need to keep thinking about what should be left behind. Instead, he is wrong. Even at this time, in his opinion, the possibility of an accident on the official ship is still small.
However, dozens of miles away, on Hongze Lake under the rain curtain, a fierce encounter was already underway.
****************
About the situation of the battle on Hongze Lake, Ning Yi didn't know about it until around Shen Shi this afternoon. Before that, he had already arrived in Xiyuan. Although the rain kept falling and sewage was flowing everywhere in the small county, as one of the best brothels in Xuyi, the environment here seemed not much worse than Jiangning or Hangzhou.
In a place like brothel, if it is just to satisfy sensuality, some mid-end venues can basically meet all requirements. Going higher, it is a business that is appreciated by both refined and popular. The cost of poetry, poetry, and spiritual pleasure is ten times higher than that of ordinary places. It's like there are not many people who go to the heaven and the earth to simply seek prostitutes to vent. Although there is a thousand years between this time and the future, as long as you have money, you will still be able to do and think of all the enjoyment you can think of.
Xiyuan is such a place. The backer behind it is the magistrate of Xuyi County, who in the past received all kinds of travelers and important people with identities. Only here is a place that can really be used. The oiran Ji Lianhong's singing and dancing skills are good, and it is said that when she goes to Huai'an, she is also a beauty. It's just that the level of receiving guests in these days is slightly insufficient.
In the final analysis, this time it was either the second generation of officials or the third generation of emperors who came aboard this time. No matter how powerful Ji Lianhong is, at most he will receive one or two people. Talk and play during the day. In the evening, she had to use all her powers to serve the other party comfortably. To be with so many people, to completely control the grade to the level of the members without making everyone angry, she couldn't handle such a scene.
Fortunately, Li Shishi came over this time, passing through Xiyuan, and the county magistrate asked his grandfather to tell his grandmother for help here. After releasing the news that Master Li was here, everyone's attention was finally diverted. She was able to deal with many dignitaries and literati in the capital, and she was a well-known court lady. Many people came to play, and they all made the appearance of a romantic and talented person who made friends, so as not to cause trouble.
"... I thought you should be quite busy, but I didn't expect you to be so busy."
It was raining, and the water formed a curtain between the eaves outside, almost submerging half of the courtyard. The room is exquisitely furnished, with wooden shelves, antiques, bonsai, screens, and bead chains. There are instruments that seem to be precious, and a censer burns on one side of the room. The faint blue smoke is charming. Ning Yi drank the tea brought over, looked at the furnishings in the room, and said casually.
"Brother Ning happened to be heading north. The teacher is also on the way, why not come to see him first, and the rest of the things are not in a hurry."
The one who was cooking tea opposite was Li Shishi, the oiran of the capital, who had not seen him for a year. Her temperament has become more and more attractive. At this time, a dress like a white lotus, long hair and a shawl. The headdress is bright red, and every move is pleasing to the eye and impeccable perfection. He said with a smile: "When I returned to Jiangning last year, I thought, when will Brother Ning go to Bianjing, and the younger sister must do the best of the landlord's friendship. After returning, I talked to Brother Yu, Brother Chen Sifeng and Brother Chen from time to time, and this time it finally happened. , I might be able to go north on the same way, which is really nice."
Li Shishi has always had a good relationship with his childhood partner, so Yu Hezhong and Chen Sifeng may not miss Ning Yi, but she is still quite sincere. Ning Yi nodded with a smile: "The time spent in the capital should not be too long, but if there is a chance, we must get together."
As the two talked like this, Zhou Pei, who was sitting at the side sipping tea, rolled his eyes a few times, but he was quite interested: "Master and Miss Li have known each other before?"
Ning Yi knocked her on the head: "Don't interrupt the attendant."
"Oh"
Zhou Pei shrank his head to answer, but Li Shishi was very kind, and smiled: "I have known Brother Ning since I was a child." Zhou Pei nodded: "Oh, that's it."
When he just came over, Ning Yi's introduction to Zhou Pei was just a little follower with no rules. Zhou Pei was quite interesting and did not refute it. But in the eyes of Li Shishi and the others, her clumsy dressing would have no effect. After a while, Zhou Pei got up and went to hang out on the second floor. In fact, he was looking at people in other courtyards. When there were only two people in the room, Li Shishi just smiled and said, "It looks like a girl with a lot of status. , is it okay for Brother Ning to bring her to such a place?"
"One of the students I taught ran away, but it's not a big problem."
Li Shishi laughed for a while, poured tea for Ning Yi, and asked softly, "What is the reason for Brother Ning going to Beijing this time?"
"There are some things." Ning Yi nodded with a smile, "I'll probably go for a walk in Shandong after I've dealt with it."
"Ah? It's not very peaceful over there..." Li Shishi whispered, but Ning Yi just added: "Yeah." No more words. In fact, Li Shishi is still quite interested in what he wants to do in Beijing, because ordinary people have to go to various ways no matter what they do when they go to Beijing. , she didn't ask any more questions. In her heart, there is anger and admiration. If Yu Hezhong and Chen Sifeng were in front of her, most of them would not be able to hide their words, but she sometimes felt that men who couldn't hide their words might not be able to do great things. .
After chatting like this for a while, and talking about it for a while, I realized that Ning Yi went to Hangzhou in the past year, and most of the time, he also experienced fierce battles. Miss Li thought for a while, then frowned, "I just came back from Hangzhou and ran to Shandong, over there... er, isn't Brother Ning wanting to do business related to the war, right? Those things... are not easy to do, and they are not worth doing. of… "
After all, she is also a well-informed person. She has heard all kinds of news from various people, and then said some interesting anecdotes about the Shandong area. She can't help but mention Liangshan: "I heard that their reputation is not good enough. Well, it is said to be doing things for the heavens. Although it may not be the case, it seems that there are more corrupt officials. To be honest, in the capital, Xiaomei is used to seeing the dirty deeds of those with power and status. Sometimes I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing that there are such heroes in the world..."
She smiled wryly, then waved her hand, speaking boldly, Ning Yi smiled and nodded in agreement. I only heard the other party say: "But that's what you say, if you go there, you still have to be careful. In fact, there are many people running around in the capital, so you might as well invite one or two to accompany you, Fanlou also has these relationships. …”
Li Shishi was sincere and warm-hearted, not fake, Ning Yi nodded and thanked him. Then I talked about the matter of traveling all the way. When the matter of the little Houye here is finished, Li Shishi will probably go north with the fleet. Having said this, the maid Chunmei appeared under the eaves outside the door, and Li Shishi just got up and left. After passing by, Chunmei said something in her ear, and looked at Ning Yi subconsciously. In the sound of the rain, Ning Yi heard what she said: "The prince is here to visit."
With Li Shishi's reputation, it's not strange that someone who lives here will come to ask for a meeting at any time, but Li Shishi and Chunmei have told Chunmei that anyone who comes over will be declined on their behalf. Chunmei is still here at this time. "The identity is unusual. Li Shishi frowned and said softly, "He has something to do?"
"Uh... Said to be from Miss... asking for music..."
"Why do I want to see him? He sang that song when I played the Konghou yesterday. Ji Lianhong saw that my face was wrong. I really don't understand... Go and refuse."
The conversation was a bit subtle, although both of them lowered their voices, Ning Yi could hear them clearly. After drinking the tea in the cup, he also stood up: "If something happens, I won't bother you, you guys..." When he said this, he was slightly taken aback, thinking of something.
Li Shishi turned around and shook his head: "No, it's just Chunmei spreading the word..." She didn't finish her sentence, but saw Ning Yi's eyes look over with a complicated and cautious look, and then smiled slightly and asked : "I heard... Last night, there was a young master who sang a song while the teacher played the Konghou, and his skills shocked all four, is that so?"
When he asked this, Chunmei, who wanted to go out, also stopped, Li Shishi smiled and frowned: "Brother Ning also heard about it?"
"Oh, a group of people came back in the middle of the night, noisily..."
"It's that person outside, and his speech and demeanor are quite outstanding. If Brother Ning wants to get acquainted, the younger sister can introduce him. Although he is very popular with Miss Jilian Hongji." Li Shishi pursed his lips and chuckled, "I heard that this This time, the prince also went to Beijing. He was very romantic and good at talking. This time, many people in Brother Ning's fleet have made friends with him and invited him to go north together. After that, there must be a place to deal with... Well, Chunmei, Go and invite him in."
Chunmei was about to nod, Ning Yi shook her hand: "No, no, I'm just curious to ask. I heard that the master Konghou has unparalleled skills, but I just didn't expect anyone to be able to sing along, that... Wang Gongzi, he really sings well. very good?"
"Although others are probably over-rated to the little sister, the prince Wang Xian... really sings very well." Li Shishi nodded sincerely, and smiled again: "When I have time, the little sister will play it for Brother Ning to listen to. Listen." As she spoke, she waved at Chunmei, apparently so that she didn't need to ask the prince to come in, Chunmei nodded and went out, looking a little sad. At this time, Zhou Pei's voice sounded from the courtyard: "Teacher, teacher..."
She ran all the way and was quite pleasantly surprised. When she arrived at the door, she said excitedly: "It's fighting, it's fighting, it's really fighting..." Li Shishi thought that someone was fighting for jealousy outside, but he heard Zhou Pei said: "Hongze Lake, there really is a water bandit robbery birthday, thousands of people have been counted, and now they are scattered and running around. It's amazing, teacher, how did you fight, I... Oh, it was your cousin named Su Yanping who sent the news, uh, where did he go... "
Zhou Pei looked at the back, but saw no figure of Su Yanping, and looked around excitedly...