weaving

What Chen Zheng said was nothing more than a life-saving straw for Fan Yongqin. How could he let it go so easily?
With a "pop" sound, he knelt down in front of Chen Zheng, kowtowed and begged: "General Chen, with such a generous heart and love for the people, he will surely move God.

Today's move is a gift to my Fan family, and I will never forget it. From today on, every household in our Fan family is willing to set up a longevity tablet for the general, worship day and night, and keep the incense burning to protect the general. Live a long life and win a hundred battles. "

"Ugh……"

Chen Zheng waved his hand and said: "Mr. Fan, there is no need to be busy saying thank you, I haven't finished speaking yet."

He made a look of helplessness, spread his hands and said to Fan Yongqin: "Before I left, my uncle once ordered that the profiteers from Shanyou's traitorous merchants, slaves and traitors, and smugglers to support the enemy, all belong to slaves and thieves." The people of my Ming Dynasty have been plundered from them, and they are stained with the blood of my people.

Since all he has earned is such disloyal and ill-gotten wealth, it should be collected into the national treasury and used to exterminate bandits, settle the people, resist the Tartars, and stabilize the border defense. "

Chen Zheng stared at Fan Yongqin with bright eyes and continued to ask: "Old sir, what do you think?"

Fan Yongqin was sweating profusely on his forehead, but he also knew in his heart that it would be extremely difficult for the Fan family to escape from the disaster today. For the current plan, the only option left was to lose money and avoid the disaster.

I saw him tremblingly reply: "Fan Yongdou, you are really blinded by lard. You are so ignorant of your conscience and do such unfaithful and unjust things, which brings shame to my Fan family and the whole clan. I am Can't spare him either.

Little old man, I would like to lead the way for the general to Fan's house to inspect the property of the traitorous merchants. The entire Fan family, young and old, are all confined to their rooms, waiting for the general to come and inspect. "

"Hey hey hey..."

Chen Zheng burst into laughter when he heard this and said: "Before I leave, my uncle said that profiteers are as cunning as foxes and rabbits, and every household has a way to hide gold and silver.

Uncle, I would like to specifically instruct this general to carefully screen out all the ill-gotten gains from profiteers even if they dig three feet into the ground, and not even a penny of it should be lost outside. "

Chen Zheng ignored the change in Fan Yongqin's expression and asked in a cold and stern tone: "May I ask, old gentleman, there should be a cellar for storing silver in your house, right? I don't know, old gentleman, would you like to inform me!"

"This...ah...this..."

Chen Zheng did not give Fan Yongqin a chance to fully think about it, and continued to ask in a cold tone: "Old sir, do you not know that there is a vault hiding the silver? Or are you unwilling to tell the general where the silver is hidden?
If the old gentleman has concerns and cannot speak out, it is okay. Zhangjiakou is now under the control of our Yongyi Army. News will probably come soon. I am sure that Fan Yongdou, a traitor, will never be able to keep his mouth shut. "

He looked at Fan Yongqin meaningfully and asked with some amusement: "What do you think, old gentleman?"

Chen Zheng didn't care much about Fan Yongqin's reaction, and continued quietly as if talking to himself: "It's just that, in this way, the old gentleman lost the first move, and he couldn't show his sincerity in cooperating with the general's inspection. So what? Are you going to speak out and plead for mercy for your clan members?"

"Puff" sound.

Fan Yongqin, who had already stood up, knelt on the ground again. The expression on his face was like a face changing in Sichuan opera, constantly flashing and changing, as if he was struggling internally not knowing how to make a decision.

Naturally, Chen Zheng would not give him time to carefully consider the stakes. Moreover, even if Fan Yongqin didn't say anything, Chen Zheng believed that with the secret method of Su Yiyang, Zhangjiakou would be able to pry Fan Yongdou's mouth open.

He no longer paid attention to the kneeling Fan Yongqin and said loudly: "Send the order. Pan Chengji, the right commander of Qian, will lead his troops into the city to search the properties owned by the profiteer Fan Yongdou. No one from the Fan family is allowed to escape."

"Here!"

Seeing that the messenger was already walking towards the palace gate, Fan Yongqin couldn't hold back any longer. He was shaking like chaff, his head touched the ground, and there was a "dong dong" sound, and he begged more urgently: "I said... General...I said...please General...please spare your life...please spare your life..."

A sly smile flashed across Chen Zheng's lips. He first stopped the messenger, and then asked in a deep voice: "Fan Yongqin, if you sincerely repent and intend to sever yourself from the profiteers, you should tell the truth with the truth. If you use flashy words, , deceiving each other with lies. Then don’t blame the sergeants under my command for being cruel!"

"General...General...Fan Mansion...Zangyin is...is..."

…………

Since leaving Xuanfu Town, Chen Zheng has been either rescuing friendly merchants or marching south. After running around for days, Chen Zheng also felt a little tired.

However, at this moment, he was standing in front of the city gate, watching the soldiers on the right, led by General Qian Pan Chengji, striding into the city gate to inspect the business name of the profiteer Fan Yongdou and the Fan family compound. My mood also improved greatly.

Fan Yongdou can be said to be the leader of Shanyou's profiteers, so Chen Zheng came to personally inspect the matter and completely capture Fan Yongdou, so that others would not have to worry about it, including Wang Dengku...

I only heard him say to several people very majesticly: "The heads of the families persuaded Chen Zhixian to open the city to welcome the army first, and now we have to work the army behind. You are indeed a great Mingyi businessman. I am really lucky to have you all. Fenzhou What a blessing, what a blessing to Shanxi!"

When Han Guangqing and the heads of the Zhang family and the Meng family heard this, they all nodded and bowed and smiled in apology: "This is what a villain should do, how dare you take credit. On the other hand, Uncle Yongning suppressed bandits internally, alleviated the suffering of the people, and defended the Tartars externally. Strengthening our Ming Dynasty's border defense is also the pillar of our true country.

You guys really admire me, I admire you very much! "

Jiexiu County Prime Minister Zhong Jingnan was standing aside, but he kept a cold face, which was in sharp contrast to the three family heads Han, Zhang, and Meng. It seemed that the arrogance in the scholar's bones made him look down on Chen Zheng and Qiu Ba.

However, the soldiers on the right side of the White Tiger Camp of the Yongyi Army who were entering the city in an orderly manner in front of him made him see something strange with their unique spirit. It seemed that they were really different from the officers and soldiers he had usually seen.

At this moment, the voice of Han Guangqing, the head of the Han family, came to his ears: "General Chen, I have another unkind request. After the army enters the city, this... this..."

Seeing that Han Guangqing looked very embarrassed, as if what he was about to say was difficult to say, Chen Zheng immediately understood and said with a smile: "Master Han, there is no need to worry about this. I have promised not to disturb the people. Then I won’t break my promise.”

He then waved his hand and said: "Besides, my Yongyi army has strict military discipline and prohibits the execution of orders. As long as the common people stay in their own homes, there will be no disturbance."

Then, Chen Zhenghei's face darkened, and he added: "However, let's put the ugly words first. Anyone who dares to attack our brave soldiers, no matter who they are, will definitely die!" Han Guangqing was the representative. The three heads of the family immediately felt relieved and praised loudly: "I have heard for a long time that Yong Ningbo's subordinates are all teachers of benevolence and righteousness. When I see them today, they are even more famous."

In response to their flattering words, Chen Zheng just smiled and turned to the Chinese officer Huang An beside him and said: "The Chinese cavalry team is patrolling the streets in the city. Anyone who disturbs the people for no reason will be dealt with according to military law." .”

"Here."

When Han Guangqing and the other three saw that Chen Zheng agreed so readily, and they had never heard of the misdeeds of the Yongyi Army before, and now that Chen Zheng had specially ordered military cavalry to inspect military discipline throughout the city, they all looked happy.

Even though they privately had conflicts of interest with the Fan family and were always fighting openly and secretly, deep down they all cherished their reputations.

They persuaded Magistrate Chen of Jiexiu to open the door to welcome the Yongyi Army into the city. In fact, they just wanted to help bring down the Fan family, but they did not want to be the sinner who led the wolf into the house, so they were particularly concerned about the military discipline of the Yongyi Army.

They received Chen Zheng's solemn promise, so they could claim to the outside world in the future that it was they who persuaded Chen Zhixian to open the door to welcome him, which prevented the Yongyi army from forcefully attacking and saved the people in the city from military disasters.

Not only the three of them, but even the county magistrate Zhong Jingnan, who had always been cold and arrogant, couldn't help but be moved by it. However, the pride deep in the literati's bones made it impossible for him to express anything.

Han Guangqing and others were much more casual. They even suggested that they had prepared a banquet for General Chen to receive the wind. They also prepared pigs, sheep, wine and food for the soldiers of the Yongyi Army, and begged Chen Zheng to show his favor.

Chen Zheng said with a smile: "Chen is very pleased that several of you have this intention. However, the investigation of the profiteers' property is the official business and should not be delayed. As for taking the wind and washing away the dust, drinking wine and eating meat, we will talk about it later."

…………

There are many shops in Jiexiu City, which is close to the neighboring cities. Its prosperity is no less than that of Fenzhou City. There are many merchants and numerous people, just like a metropolis.

There are four main streets in the city, lined with various shops, as well as many banks and pawn shops.

The Fan family first lived in Zhangyuan Village not far south of the city. After their business gradually became prosperous, they slowly moved to Jiexiu City and settled down.

The Fan Family Courtyard is located in the southwest corner of Jiexiu City, occupying many nearby streets and alleys. Many houses and courtyards were newly built in recent years.

The northwest corner of the city is mostly where county offices and other offices are located. The shops along the street are mainly restaurants and tea shops. Of course, there are also lawyers' litigation offices and some clothing stores that specialize in official business. village.

After the soldiers from the right side of the White Tiger Camp of the Yongyi Army entered the city, they immediately controlled the city gates. After blocking access, they went straight to the Fan family compound. They also encountered some very sparse resistance during the march. However, under the powerful Yongyi Army In front of me, it's almost worse than selling the capital by inserting a bid.

As Baihuying completely took control of Jiexiu City, martial law was immediately enforced. Many government officials took to the streets, beating gongs and shouting, announcing bans. No one was allowed to leave their homes and go to the streets unless summoned.

Groups of strong soldiers wearing iron armor walked through the streets and alleys, and finally came to the Fan family compound in the southwest corner of Jiexiu City.

It is unknown how many entrances and exits there are in the huge house. Its architectural layout can be roughly divided into four large building groups: the central courtyard, the left and right courtyards, and the ancestral hall at the back.

Each building complex has a different function. The main courtyard in the middle is owned by the current branch of the family, while the east and west courtyards on the left and right are where other branches of the Fan family live.

In addition, there are some surrounding the three courtyards, others such as the front courtyard, side courtyard, cross courtyard, etc., and then there are the private schools, enclosed courtyards, lower courtyards, and warehouses.

Among the courtyards of the Fan family compound, the ancestral hall at the back has the best location. There is a small pond on the left with the fragrance of lotus, and a hill on the right. Although it is not very high, it is full of spring. What you see is full of vitality.

The entire Fan family compound is like a small closed village, with well-organized streets and lanes, and gardens of varying sizes between each courtyard, covering an area of ​​dozens to nearly a hundred acres.

"How could a mere businessman's family dare to own such a large house?"

Chen Zheng, the commander of the White Tiger Camp of the Yongyi Army, had a look of disdain on his face. He raised his hand and waved his riding whip, and continued: "Zhongxian Cheng, isn't the Fan family's move against the ancestral system and not allowed by the imperial regulations?
Why are you so close to Jiexiu County, yet you turn a blind eye and ignore it? Could it be that you are taking advantage of the Fan family? "

Chen Zheng continued with a sneer on his face: "Maybe he secretly participated in the slave smuggling business and did things like capitalizing on the enemy and betraying the country, so he allowed the Fan family to go beyond the ancestral system and violate the laws of the court, and turned a blind eye to it. !”

After hearing Chen Zheng's words, even though he was as arrogant as Zhong Jingnan, he couldn't help but be speechless for a moment. He had nothing to say. Finally, he said directly: "I... I am innocent... I have confiscated the fan." Family money..."

Yes, these words were the last sign of Zhong Jingnan’s stubbornness!
He may have really not accepted bribes from the Fan family, but he is just a small eighth-grade county magistrate. Even in this Jiexiu County, as long as the magistrate is still in office, he will never have a place.

Even the bookkeepers, historians, inspectors and others in Jiexiu County are more popular than him, the nominal second in command. In the final analysis, they are not relying on the power in their hands to cause trouble.

However, after all, the county magistrate is the assistant official of a county, which is equivalent to a substitute for the county magistrate. He can also assist the county magistrate in handling some affairs. However, in the counties of the Ming Dynasty at this time, the county magistrate was mostly just a decoration.

They are not allowed to interfere with the affairs of the government office at ordinary times, but once they encounter difficult matters, they have to come out to handle it for the magistrate, so in fact, their power is not as good as that of the magistrates and inspectors.

It can be seen that Zhong Jingnan is this type of county magistrate. However, his literary character is also vividly reflected in him. Although he is not very popular in Jiexiu County, but in the military position of a third-grade military officer like Chen Zheng In front of him, he was full of airs.

Even if he was stabbed directly at the painful spot, he was unwilling to bow his head forcibly, but while expressing himself incoherently, he also happened to expose his greatest weakness. He had no say in Jiexiu and could only emphasize that he had not accepted bribes and was weak. Just fight.

Chen Zheng looked at him like this, just smiled and shook his head, and ignored him, but said in a deep voice to his subordinates: "Pan Chengji, seal up the ancestral home of the profiteer Fan Yongdou, seal all doors, and prohibit everyone from entering or exiting. Only after the search is completed can the irrelevant persons be allowed to leave."

"Here!" (End of chapter)