The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

After leaving the Huang Mansion, Feng Zhu went home and ordered people to prepare things for the banquet. Treating distinguished guests to dinner these days is not a random invitation. People with a certain status all pay attention to the principle of come and go once, invite three times and wait for four times.

What does it mean? That is to first go to the guest's home and hand over a greeting card, indicating that you intend to host a banquet and ask for the other person's wishes. After the other party gets the invitation and knows what you mean, if they are interested in making friends, write back and tell them which days you are free.

The host will choose the nearest day to send a formal invitation. After receiving the guest's consent, you can happily prepare things and wait for the guest to come to your door.

It's tedious, but not like this. How to show the dignity of a distinguished guest? After Feng Zhu returned home, he also followed this process. He asked himself that the steps he had taken were correct, but he still couldn't get a reply from Li Bian, which made him feel strange.

The salt merchants who were with Feng Zhu also murmured a little. After holding Feng Zhu in discussion for two days, he still couldn't decide what Li Bian was thinking. Someone said: Is it delayed because of the Huang family's affairs?

This idea quickly attracted everyone's agreement. They all guessed something more or less, but their connections were not as solid as Feng Zhu's. So they all looked at Feng Zhu, hoping to get the leader's release.

Feng Zhu thought about it for himself. Apart from this reason, he really couldn't think of any other reason. He could only nod and comfort everyone, I think this is it. Let's just wait and see what Mr. Li can do.

Everyone understood the implication of the leader's words and all nodded in agreement. They couldn't help but feel excited, looking forward to Mr. Li's actions and what thunderous means he would use to save the Huang family.

Feng Zhu was also very curious about this question. It was right that Huang Wendong's destiny was given to Li Bian. Among them, there are many plans to test Li Bian's background. If Li Bian failed to save Huang Wendong in the end, Feng Zhu would have to carefully consider placing a bet on Li Bian.

The ancestors of the old Feng family left behind such incredible wealth. Despite Feng Zhusheng's chubby appearance, he was extremely cautious in his actions. If he hadn't read a lot, he would have been a good official.

Feng Zhu, who had changed his mind, signaled everyone to be calm. They are now fishermen on the river bank, and they only need to watch the snipe and clams fight.

The Feng family still has some patience, but Li Bian is already getting angry. After Master Ming invited Ma Yin that day, he began to hesitate again. He had a conscience and thought about whether to write a letter to the prime minister of the capital and try to save the Huang family.

The reason for this change was that Li Bian was worried about the negative impact. After all, he abandoned Huang Wendong as soon as Feng Zhu came, which would inevitably make the successors feel sad.

But Li Bian was worried that Lin Ruhai would directly take over the Huang family, and he was even more afraid that the Huang family's dog would jump over the wall and risk committing suicide. These two thoughts could have attracted Huang Wendong and used his words to appease him so that the situation would not worsen.

But when the matter came to pass, Li Bian was still hesitant. If he invites the Huang family to discuss this matter, it means that he knows the truth. If you join the imperial court, you will be accused of not reporting it.

Before getting the handwritten letter from the prime minister, Li Bian really didn't dare to take the risk of taking the blame for Huang Wendong with his black gauze hat. In fact, after all, Li Bian, who was looking forward and backward, was not sure what Lin Ruhai would do.

Would it have been better if I had been willing to wait until next month before publishing an article in Jiangnan News? If I had known about this earlier, the situation would not have been so passive?

It's all Huang Wendong's fault. If he had been honest at the beginning, why would he be like this? Li Bian was very tangled in his thoughts. He was originally confident, but now he was in a dilemma.

With things developing like this, all Li Bian can do is to secretly pay attention to the movements of Lin and Huang. He can delay it for a day, and as long as he gets a handwritten letter from the prime minister, he will have an excuse to act expediently.

Fortunately, some of the servants who had dispersed from his family were attentive to their work. Tonight, Xin Geng came in with a group of people, and the servants came back with news to report.

It's still here... When Li Bian heard this, he couldn't help but feel despair. It must have been the Dongchuang Incident at the Huang family that led to this group of officers and soldiers entering the city.

Why can't Huang Wendong, such a killer, wait any longer? Why can't things be more confidential? Li Bian was anxious, and the more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became. The master saw his appearance and suddenly shouted at him: Sir, if you keep cutting off, you will suffer chaos.

If you are worried that Huang Wendong's incident will affect the opinions of other salt merchants in the city, you can find an opportunity afterwards to gather them together and appease them.

If Huang Wendong is allowed to be arrested, he will bite randomly in prison. We will be the fish on Lin Ruhai's chopping board, and we will be slaughtered by others.

After being scolded like this by the people around him, Li Bian finally came to his senses. Right now, Huang Wendong cannot be allowed to enter the government prison alive. If his many plans in Yangzhou were written down in black and white by Lin Ruhai, there would be no way to survive if they were reported to the imperial court.

Let Ma Yin take action, quickly, quickly, quickly!

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In the Huang Mansion, Huang Wendong was still holding discussions with his disciples. He really wanted to take action, but after two days of discussion, he still couldn't decide which method would be more appropriate.

He didn't have such urgent thoughts, and felt that he still had some status in Yangzhou. If Magistrate Lin just finds some excuse, he will capture his family. The Salt Merchant and Chamber of Commerce is not a free-for-all, and it is unlikely that they will start a fight to redress their grievances.

Huang Wendong didn't want to have a direct conflict with the Yangzhou government office, so he discussed it with others for two days, but he still couldn't come up with a way to kill the jailer silently.

The most talked about method is to use poison, etc., but this method has been used once. If it had been useful, we wouldn't be in today's situation. Others suggested starting a fire nearby to create some noise. Lure the people out of the house, and then take advantage of the chaos to kill the jailer.

The latter method is very feasible. Huang Wendong was very moved after hearing this. It's rough, but it works. If he had a better brain, he would have gone to school and become an official. Why settle down to be a salt merchant?

After discussing this idea, a servant came from outside to report that Mr. Li's distinguished guest was visiting. Mr. Li, who had not been seen for two days, suddenly sent someone, and Huang Wendong was also overjoyed.

I heard visitors say that they have to go out to greet them in person. Huang Wendong didn't hesitate, straightened his clothes and ran to the door. When he crossed the threshold, he saw a young general with a knife standing at the door under the moonlit night.

Huang Wendong took a closer look and saw that it was Ma Yin, whom he had met once before in the mansion. He immediately said with joy: Young General, I am not welcomed from afar, but I am not welcomed from afar. Why are you here?

Although Ma Yin's appearance is not good-looking, his smile is very pleasant. He let go of the hand holding the knife, arched it, and said with a smile: Master Li, ask me to help Brother Huang. Brother Huang, you won't go out.

Huang Wendong was stunned when he heard this, and said in a daze: What are you busy with?

Brother Huang wants to do something that he hasn't done yet. Ma Yin smiled mysteriously, and then said to Huang Wendong, I also brought a few reliable brothers, so I asked them to come see Brother Huang.

Ma Yin waved to the dark place, and a dozen strong men immediately ran out. These people are all dressed in civilian clothes, with swords around their waists. Seeing this group of fierce men running to stand in front of them, Huang Wendong was also frightened.

He took a step back slightly and said with some fear: I'm afraid these young generals are all talented generals in the army.

No, you know how to wield swords and guns. Ma Yin waved his hand and stepped into the threshold of Huang Mansion. He folded his hands behind his back and kept talking, When I was in the capital before, , often go to the Duke of Zhen’s mansion to play, the generals in their mansion are truly brave...

Huang Wendong relaxed a little when he saw that he was carelessly walking in front. After all, Li Bian wouldn't dare to take risks with someone of such status. With his mind at ease, Huang Wendong took a step forward and caught up with Ma Yin, How can a villain get into the Duke of Zhen's family? Only from the mouth of the Major General can we know a thing or two.

He laughed along and walked beside Ma Yin, Major General, I don't know what Mr. Li asked you to do for me? Why don't you tell me, so that I don't get Mr. Li wrong? I mean, it ruined your business.

The two of them had already walked into the courtyard, and the lights on the corridor had dimmed by now, with only the bright moon above their heads slightly illuminating the surroundings. Ma Yin laughed, took something out of his sleeve, and threw it into Huang Wendong's hand.

Isn't that why?

After Ma Yin finished speaking, he took a step back. By the time Huang Wendong subconsciously grasped the thrown dagger, Ma Yin was already shouting at the people around him, You dare to assassinate the imperial official? Take it down!!!

Huang Wendong regretted holding the dagger, but it would not help. At such a critical moment, he made another mistake. When he heard that others were about to capture him, he raised his hand in panic and explained to his people: Major General, it's a misunderstanding. Don't make fun of the villain, little...

Huang Wendong lowered his head in disbelief, looking at the shiny white tip of the knife, which penetrated directly into the body from the back and emerged from the chest. Thick blood immediately spurted out along the wound. Only then did he realize the severe pain coming from the wound.

Major General... He stretched out his hand towards Ma Yin, I am wronged...

Ma Yin didn't want to listen to his nagging, so she just waved her hand and inserted several more knives into Huang Wendong's body.

After several knives were pulled out, Huang Wendong's body fell to the ground, completely unable to move. Ma Yin then said to his men who were coming from outside: Take the weapons we brought and throw them in a hidden place. Call it the stolen property we found.

okay.

A total of twenty soldiers, all skilled veterans, immediately launched a search in the mansion. After a while, someone suddenly ran up to Ma Yin and reported back, Major General, we did find some knives and hand crossbows in the prisoner's house.

Huh? I didn't ask you to bring hand crossbows. Ma Yin, who was standing in the courtyard admiring the moon, had not yet reacted. Weapons such as crossbows, regardless of their size or shape, will be punished with death if someone is found hiding them.

Major General, it's not us, it's one of their own. The man explained again.

Ma Yin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She shook her head helplessly, glanced at Huang Wendong on the ground, and said with a broken heart, It's really a bear's heart and a leopard's courage.

What about the things we brought here? the soldier asked.

We already have it. There is no need for our things. Let's pack them up and take them back. Ma Yin suddenly pointed to a movement in the house and asked curiously, What's going on over there?

There are several guests in their house who are desperate for their lives. When I heard that the man named Huang died, I wanted to fight for my life with my brothers.

Why are you as stupid and bold as Liu Erlang again? Kill them all if you are unlucky.

yes.

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After receiving the message from Ma Yin at home, Li Bian didn't wait for a moment, immediately put on his official robe and rushed to the government office in a sedan chair. When he arrived at the government office, as soon as he got off the sedan chair, he saw Xin Geng coming leisurely on a horse.

Xin Geng walked very slowly. When he slowed down, even the soldiers following him slowed down. The twenty officers and soldiers all held torches in their hands. If they were not wearing armor and holding guns, they would have thought they had patrolled here.

Li Bian was shocked when he saw Xin Geng. He stood beside the sedan and quickly said hello: Master Xin.

Master Li. Xin Geng quickly turned over from his horse, stood firm on the ground, and returned the salute with his fists clasped.

I wonder why Mr. Xin came to the government office late at night. Li Bian was a little curious about the other party's reasons and wanted to pull him to have a chat at the door.

To be fair, shouldn't the other party be on the way to the Huang Mansion? Why here?

Xin Geng ignored him and walked directly into the government office. Li Bian had no choice but to follow closely. Zhang Shangxian, who had already received the news, quickly walked to the dim courtroom and waited in front of the two of them.

You two adults are here together, but something big happened in the city.

The silent Xin Geng took a step back to the side. Seeing that he was being pushed in front, Li Bian had to restrain himself at this moment and said in a deep voice: I heard that someone was planning to assassinate Mr. Lin, and I came here to report to Mr. Lin.

Hearing this, Zhang Shangxian showed some disbelief, and said with a half-smile, Who is so bold as to dare to murder an official of the imperial court? Mr. Li, you must have heard wrong.

Huang Wendong! Li Bian toughened his heart and announced the name of the culprit.

It's actually him?! I wonder how reliable Mr. Li's news is.

Seeing Zhang Shangxian's hesitant attitude, Li Bian immediately stepped forward and said, The relationship is very complicated. Mr. Zhang may wish to find a place so that I can explain it to you carefully.

Li Bian really didn't want to be in the same room with Xin Geng, as he was deeply afraid that the other party would do what Ma Yin did. Seeing that Li Bian was very nervous now, Zhang Shangxian couldn't help but smile and said: What's the use of telling me about such a big matter? Mr. Li might as well explain it directly to the prefect.

Ah?! Li Bian was stunned when he heard this. He said in disbelief, Master Lin is cured?

Thank you, Mr. Li, for thinking about me. Another person walked out from the inner hall. As soon as he finished speaking, a line of officials ran out from nowhere, holding candles to light up the court hall.

Lin Ruhai, who had changed into his official robe, looked in high spirits. He happily walked up to a few people and said, Thanks to the doctor's skill, my old problem is finally cured.

Ah...this! Li Bian was so anxious that he couldn't help but sweat on his forehead. Seeing him hesitating and hesitating, Lin Ruhai asked again: I wonder who Mr. Li said is the person who wants to murder me?

Yes...yes... Li Bian looked at Lin Ruhai's smiling face, and then at Zhang Shangxian and Xin Geng who were silent and separated on both sides. He didn't know what to say for a moment, so he had to explain things hesitantly.

I finished telling how I and Ma Yin discovered a gangster with a sharp knife in their house when they were attending a banquet in the Huang Mansion, and how they were hiding and planning in the dark.

When Li Bian fell silent, Lin Ruhai said sincerely: Thank you for your help, Mr. Li. If Mr. Li hadn't come here specially to tell me, I don't know that I am in danger. Lin must keep this feeling and meaning in his heart. .”

My lord is now well, and my subordinates are...also...very relieved. Li Bian was restless, wiping the sweat from his forehead. But he was still a little confused in his heart. Even though he vaguely guessed that something was wrong, Li Bian still looked at Xin Geng, I wonder what's going on with Mr. Xin coming here?

Without him, I heard that your Excellency has recovered, so I came here to take a look. Xin Geng grinned.

Tonight, the content of the letter Lin Ruhai gave him was very simple. Take a group of people, walk slowly, and come to the government office to see me. Xin Geng accepted the order and did so.

When Li Bian heard this, he almost fainted. Now he finally figured out that he had fallen into a trap.

After walking out of the government office in a daze, Li Bian didn't know how to get back home.

After Li Bian left, Lin Ruhai summoned his subordinates. Zhang Shangxian naturally appreciated his strategizing a lot, but he smiled indifferently and said, I have to treat the fisherman to a meal of wine. Take my order and let Jia Yucun quickly Come see me.

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The next day.

Feng Zhu was still waiting at home for Li Bian's reply when he suddenly heard that the new Salt Patrol Censor, Mr. Jia, was visiting. Seeing that it was such an early hour, this distinguished guest came to the door. Although Feng Zhu was surprised, he still introduced him into the hall to sit down.

Just when the freshly brewed tea was served, Feng Zhucai raised the cup, and Jia Yucun said with a smile: Huang Wendong is dead.

Feng Zhu was so frightened that he almost couldn't hold the teacup. Some hot tea spilled on his body, which made him grimace in pain. But Feng Zhu didn't even bother to wipe it off. He just said, Sir, don't be ridiculous. Brother Huang Xian was fine yesterday.

Jia Yucun raised his eyebrows and continued: Ma Yin killed him.

At this time, Feng Zhu could only remain silent.

After a long time, he stood up with a sigh, bowed down, and said in a sincere tone: Please save me, sir.

Now that the war at the border is raging, Your Majesty is in urgent need of money to reward the lieutenants of the army. Brother Feng doesn't know it, right? Jia Yucun saw that he finally bowed his head and surrendered, and then he had the leisure to drink tea.

We...we...our trading firm is willing to pay for the three million taels that Mr. Lin wants.

When Jia Yucun heard this, he shook his head, That was the price before. Brother Feng, Mr. Lin asked me to tell you that the servant you arranged is very useful. If there is a good candidate in the future, you can give it to him directly. Recommended, don’t be so cautious.”

Feng Zhu shook his body, thought again and again, and thought that the Huang family's bones were still cold, and then he said with shock and fear: We...we can get four million taels, sir, if we ask for it again, it will really be gone. This money has already wiped out all of our families.”

I'm afraid Mr. Lin from the government office knows your family background better than you do. Jia Yucun smiled and knew that the number was about the same. He simply put down the teacup, stood up and said, Okay, but the military situation is so fierce that Mr. Lin can't wait, and His Majesty can't wait.

As soon as possible, I will get it done as soon as possible. Within seven days... Seeing Jia Yucun's displeasure, Feng Zhu immediately changed his mind, ...No, it's five days. Within five days, we will definitely raise the money.

Then I'll be waiting for the good news. Jia Yucun shook his official robe, stood up and left gracefully. When Feng Zhu saw that the bad guest was about to leave, Jia Yucun stepped through the door, squinted at the warm sun in the courtyard, then looked back at Feng Zhu and said: Suddenly I remembered that Mr. Lin also asked me to bring something to Brother Feng.

Now that Feng Zhu heard the word Lin, he was already filled with fear. At this moment, I had no choice but to lean down here and say with a mournful face: Please show me, sir.

When the arrow comes, the first thing it hits is not the people on either side, but the monkey watching the show on the wall.

Jia Yucun smiled wildly and raised his hand to pat Feng Zhu on the back.

It feels so good to be an official. With this thought in mind, Jia Yucun walked away step by step.

I wrote 1W2 in one day and I really can’t change it. The pig's brain is confused, take a rest, take a rest. When I come back from get off work tomorrow, I will read the article again and make revisions.