Fantastic scenery

The morale of the people under starvation was very low, and their thoughts became more extreme. They resented the court's violent emotions and pointed at the corrupt officials. A few days ago, a ten-year-old boy whose parents starved to death stabbed him with a knife in his waist and abdomen. Fortunately, the knife was short and Tan Fei had thick skin and fat flesh, so he did not hurt the vitals, but the boy was facing prison disaster.

In late September, there was a news that caused a sensation in the ruling and opposition parties and the world.

More than a hundred members of Tan Fei's family were exterminated. If it was an ordinary family extermination, it would not be known to the world. After all, there are as many muddled officials as Tan Fei.It's just that there are too many strange and frightening tools--Taipanjian, Zhanyu's weapon that has been missing for many years.

More than a hundred people died under Taipan, their throats were cut, and fresh meat was sprayed in every corner.Unlike the court where everyone was in danger, the victims of the disaster rejoiced and said: "Someone will do justice for the sky! Draw your sword and cut down the officials."

When Zhan Yu ran rampant in the Jianghu, he did many such things of "doing justice for the sky", so there were not a few people in the government and the opposition who wanted to put them to death, so it is reasonable to say that he did this.

Because of this incident, it was obvious that the common people were more willing to stand on Zhanyu's side and sing praises for him. The court was a little flustered, so they issued a public notice, the general content of which was: Zhanyu died four years ago, and all those who spread rumors were executed.

The so-called rumormongers were the officials and coworkers who went to the scene to investigate that night. These officials and coworkers all died, either from "food poisoning" or "heart attack". Anyway, no one cared about how they should be executed.

These are the rulings made by the notice issued by Shen Yiguan after he communicated with the Jingzhong people.

What a group of people who kill without blood on their hands!Fang Shu thought angrily, and saw that this old slicker hadn't had any rest for several days and nights in order to communicate with the Ministry of Households to open a warehouse to release grain to help the people, and Fang Shu wondered what kind of person this was.

At lunch time, Fang Shu and Shen Guanyi stood side by side side by side, seeing the hungry people queuing up and waiting for the soldiers to add porridge and steamed buns one by one.

As if to fit the occasion, Fang Shu's stomach also growled twice, a little embarrassed, Shen Yiguan glanced at him sideways, "Master Fang hasn't eaten yet?"

"No, there are many things, too busy." Fang Shu explained solemnly.

"Master Fang, you don't have to be so busy. What you can do alone is too limited. Resting more is the most rewarding thing." Shen Yiguan stretched out his hand and patted him on the shoulder, "Those dozens of carts of rice and wheat It is almost exhausted, and I am trying to get more food from the official warehouse."

Fang Shu sighed, "I hope there is good news." The two are considered "comrades in arms" now, and Fang Shu's personal grievances are temporarily put to the back of his mind.

"Is Tai Ling okay now?"

"Ah?" Fang Shu didn't react when he heard Shen consistently asking this question, "Why did you suddenly ask me this question?"

The old fox no longer had a fake smile on his face, and his expression was lonely, "I know you have written letters, why? Is he still safe?"

"fine......"

"That's good. After Mr. Fang becomes a father, he will know how sad his father is. It seems that no child can understand."

Fang Shu's back felt a little chilly, what else does this old fox know! ?

"If a child doesn't understand, it should be because he doesn't feel love."

"Love?" Shen Yiguan laughed at himself, "Does Mr. Fang love him?"

"Does Mr. Shen love him?" Fang Shu asked, "In any relationship, unilaterally worrying about yourself too much is not called love, it is called selfishness. Seek selflessness with selflessness, and exchange selfishness with selfishness. Everything has its own balance, really magic."

The two were at loggerheads, and Shen Yiguan replied: "Really? I asked him not to meet you, it was for your own good. He is just young at heart, and he wants to do what others don't allow him to do. He was asked to do it in the capital before." Stay away from you, okay, I'm the master of Mr. Fang's house, and I don't return every night. Now I don't let him meet with me, so I write letters from time to time. I'm afraid that he will wake up when he becomes mature and stable, and hurt others That's all! I got into trouble instead, am I being selfish if I hurt others?"

"Isn't selfishness usually harmful to others?" Fang Shu replied with a light smile, but his tone softened a bit. "If maturity is timid, if you want what you want but don't dare to ask for it, then what's the use of being mature?"

"Ha, Mr. Fang can think about it." Shen Yiguan's "think about it" is equivalent to "thick-skinned". "People will mature when they reach a certain age. At that time, how many people will still remember the vows they made when they were young, and they will never change? Like me... It seems that I don't remember anything. I also really loved a girl before, I gave her a token of love, and when I returned to Beijing, I made a promise to marry her. After returning to Beijing, when I was at a loss in my official career and was at a loss, Grand Master Fan threw an olive branch to me for my daughter. After we got married, I didn't know until many years later that the girl was pregnant with my child."

I understand, the heartbroken man said that the girl is Huo Tailing's unlucky mother.

He doesn't remember anything about that love affair, if he didn't say something left, then there is only some regret left.

The juvenile fireworks chasing the flowing water is finally a dream of prosperity.

"Fame and fortune are also attached to weddings and weddings. Mr. Shen really gave up "small righteousness" to "big righteousness."

Regarding Fang Shu's cynicism, Shen Yiguan just snorted, "There are considerations in the world, and marriage also has a purpose, but the purpose is different. It may be for happiness, or for a child, or for money. meaningful things."

"Your considerations made a lonely woman die alone. You shouldn't have promises."

"Yeah, this is where I regret it. Like you, it must be bittersweet now, but the word love can poison people's minds. If you promise something you can't do in the future, who will die because of it?" What about loneliness? Going forward in life, you will find that there are more and more choices. I am afraid that you will follow my old path."

Fang Shu said coldly: "I will not forget my promise."

"Ha!", Shen Yiguan smiled again, "Then I'm worried that the Taiwan Order will regret it."

The conversation between the two of them couldn't be said to be happy, and the point was endless.

There seems to be some problem with the opening of the warehouse, and it did not arrive as scheduled. The donated rations are about to bottom out, and the potatoes and beans for the next season are not yet mature, so there is no rush.

People are almost starved to become living skeletons. Some babies die due to insufficient breast milk due to hunger. Some choose to starve to death the elderly to ensure the survival of their children.

Suddenly one day, Shen Yiguan said that there was a huge amount of grain coming from Liaodong, and it would not be a big problem to delay the grain harvest for the 10 people until the next season.

After the arrangements for the disaster victims are settled, Fang Shu is going to find Shen Guanyi to discuss returning to Beijing.

After entering the ancient residence, the officers and men of the Shen family took their rooms to a study and waited.

Since the death of Tan Fei's family, this ancient residence has been taken into public ownership, and now it is used privately by Shen Yiguan.

This study room is all made of wood, not paved with bluestone, and with a lamp of incense, the fragrance of books is grand.

Fang Shu waited for a while when no one came, then looked at the paper on the desk, Fang Shu frowned.

Now the national treasury seems to be abundant but in fact it is in short supply. There are barbarians waiting for opportunities at the border, civil strife is endless, natural disasters and man-made disasters are endless, so it is difficult to allocate any more food relief, and the famine in Guanzhong has not attracted much attention from the court.

Therefore, the allocated food is only enough for [-] people to survive the autumn harvest, but it is not comparable to the huge food relief received in the previous few days.

After Fang Shu finished reading it, he put it back without moving.When Shen Yiguan came back, he discussed the schedule of returning to Beijing with him, and the sudden plague seemed to be scared away by the famine, so the day for him to return to Beijing also arrived.

Shen Yiguan asked Fang Shu to go back first, and arranged for soldiers to escort him.

Fang Shu mentioned the uneven bills in the correspondence with Huo Tailing, but Huo Tailing did not answer this matter, he only talked about the war situation in Bozhou, Yang Yinglong was fearless and cunning to occupy a favorable position, easy to defend but difficult to defend Gong, everyone is deadlocked waiting for an opportunity to move, and his daily affairs are not only thinking about how to defeat Yang Yinglong, but also thinking about Fang Shu.In addition to reporting health, it is to complain about love.

Time flies, and soon it will be the day when Fang Shu will return to Beijing. He was not making much publicity at first, and just wanted to leave quietly, just like when he came.But his wish was not fulfilled, someone leaked the news, and the people reluctantly sent him away one after another.The shoes and horses are a few miles away from the official road, and the common people stand for a few miles. Fang Shu can only hide in the carriage and dare not look out, not because he is afraid of other things, but because he is afraid of seeing him off.

I'll come to welcome you, I'll go or not.This is the best, but people often go to the left.

People just stood on both sides, quietly, only crying children, their crying may be because the rice porridge at noon is not palatable, or the weather in early October is too cold.

On the way, Fang Shu received a letter from Zheng Wanhan. This was the first time Zheng Wanhan wrote to himself. When he unfolded the letter paper, several spots of ink were smeared on the paper, and his pen trembled. The common people, Qi Liang and his wife were imprisoned, Wu Jinchuan'er's family was wiped out, and a series of things, but they didn't talk about the cause and effect. They only said that Ruo Fuyan returned to Beijing and met soon.

The smearing of the ink stains must be the tears of Wan Han's mourning and crying.

Before Fang Shu fell ill, he wrote a letter to Qi Liang to report his safety, but there was no response. He guessed that this vulgar man could only use his fists but could not write, and he didn't care. Later, he was sick and busy, so he didn't give him any more. wrote a letter.

The schedule of returning to Beijing was accelerated, but no one came to pick him up after returning to Beijing.

Fang Shu sent off the soldiers who came back with him, and returned to Zhongxian's residence alone, the door was closed tightly, even the black oiled iron ring on the gate was rusty, and he pressed the yellow gate lightly with his palm, and there was a seal on the door. Five finger prints, and my hands are covered with dust from the past few months.

He turned his head and galloped to Zheng's mansion, Xiao Su's mansion was not as good as usual, as soon as he arrived at the door, he saw several people coming out aggressively. The [-] silver must be settled!! I know that the [-] taels that you owe Boss Chengdong Gou have all been settled. It is because of the friendship with Brother Guochang over the years that we procrastinate and procrastinate!! We also want to Eater!! The whole family has hundreds of mouths!!”

"Hey, hey! Boss He! We all know it! The master is now selling his property to collect the 1 taels of silver! He will definitely deliver it to the door in three days."

Seeing that the steward was so close to sticking his face to the ground, Boss He said again: "You won't even be charged for this bonus! You only need the principal! Don't make any excuses anymore. We are all businessmen. Tell me a letter." Word!"

"Yes yes yes!! Boss He, walk slowly, please come to the house to press for the debt!!"

After Manager Zheng sent Boss He away, he straightened up and breathed a sigh of relief, shaking his head helplessly.Fang Shu strode forward, "Guard Zheng, I have something to ask to see Miss Wan Han."

Seeing that it was Fang Shu, the old Guanshi Zheng's face was wrinkled like deep ravines, his hair was paler than that of Chu Mountain, "So it's Mr. Fang, how can you be so thin after not seeing him for a long time?" After sighing, he made a request He said: "Miss just lost her best friend. She hasn't been out of the room for several days, and no one can call her out. Mr. Fang came just in time. Maybe Mr. Fang can make her feel better."

Fang Shu followed Steward Zheng to the door of Zheng Wanhan's boudoir, knocked on the door lightly, and said, "Wanhan, it's me." The door creaked, and a woman with a complexion like snow and eyes swollen like apricots appeared in the room. behind the door.

"Fuyan come in."

As soon as Fang Shu entered the room, he bolted the door. Outside the door, Steward Zheng asked, "Miss! Do you need refreshments? You haven't eaten raw for several days!"

"No! Go and do your work!!" Steward Zheng hesitated for two steps outside the door, but left.

I haven't seen each other for several months, some people disappear, and some people lose weight.

Zheng Wanhan couldn't help crying, and threw herself into Fang Shu's arms, her voice choked up several times, Fang Shu could only stand still, waiting for her to cry for a while. "Are you feeling better? Don't cry, you've wet my clothes. The dew in late autumn is heavy, and I'm going to get sick." Fang Shu pushed her away, sat alone at the table and poured some white water to relieve himself. Thirsty.

I feel that Fang Shu seems to have changed a little bit, not just getting thinner.

"There is no cause and effect in your letter, so you should explain it to me, how did Mr. Wu's family be massacred? What happened to Qi Liang and his wife? Why is your family so heavily in debt?"

It can be seen that just before opening the door, Zheng Wanhan must have brushed his hair, which he hadn't combed much in the past few days, but it was still ruffling randomly, so he didn't look like a lady.

Sitting across from Fang Shu, Zheng Wanhan choked up and said, "This matter...starts with the assassination of Concubine Zheng, that is, my aunt."

It turned out that Fang Shu pretended to be an assassin to assassinate Concubine Zheng. This incident was used as a battle between Chang Luo Party members and Chang Xun Party, which directly led to Zheng Guotai being impeached and deposed. Zhu Changluo was arrested and imprisoned for committing a murder. Assassinating the royal family is a serious crime for killing nine heads. Thinking of his meritorious service, he and his wife, Die Lan, were arrested and detained in Dali Temple, awaiting trial.

Fang Shu frowned, "Zhu Changluo sued?"

Wan Han shook his head and said, "It's Mr. Shen."

"Cabinet Shen Yiguan?"

Nod and answer yes.

Fang Shu clenched his fists tightly. Speaking of which, when the officials forced the emperor to appoint a crown prince, he never expressed his opinion. Could it be Chang Xun's party!Came to protest him?

"Where is Mr. Wu? I have worked with him for a while. He is an honest and responsible person, and he doesn't have much desire for money and profit. Why did he invite disaster again?!"

Speaking of this, Zheng Wanhan couldn't stop crying again.

"Half a month ago...Jin Chuan'er came to me with a sad face and said that her father knew something that he shouldn't know. It seems to be about the taxation of salt and money. He said that some high-ranking officials embezzled huge sums of money. It caused disaster. Because Jin Chuan'er liked to joke with me since she was a child, and the more she got more aggressive, she didn't care about it at the time. Two days later... I heard the news of her tragic farewell. ....", Zheng Wanhan was full of remorse, "I scolded her for making an unlucky joke at the time, and came to touch her brow... I really am! I shouldn't!", Thinking of this, Zheng Wansi cried again.

Fang Shu didn't rush her, and made her cry a lot. When she recovered, she asked again, "Have you seen her dead body? It's just... how did she die?"

"I haven't seen it..." Zheng Wanhan wiped his tears, "I went to ask Mr. Wen, and he said that he didn't take over the case at that time. I don't know. I spent some money to go Dali Temple bought some news, saying that it is related to the former leader of the Nine Lotus Sect, what is the name of Jade? There are Taipan sword marks on the neck, I don’t understand, what is the relationship between Jin Chuan’er and the gangsters!”

After hearing this, Fang Shu was full of doubts and asked, "Zhanyu?" There was Tan Fei's extermination before, and the tragedy of Wu's family later. These two court murders were all related to Zhanyu.

"That's right, it's called Zhanyu...Ah! I remembered!! He had a relationship with Sister Yan back then! Everyone in the capital knew that Sister Yan also passed away! Apart from being handsome, Xing is completely a wolf! There is nothing he dares to do! There is no one he can't kill! Poor sister Yan is such a good person, she can't end well after being so subdued, it's also... ...." New pain added to old sorrow, and Zheng Wanhan couldn't help himself.

"Why is your family withered? The debt collectors have come to your door."

"Hey, I didn't know about the business at first, but it was somewhat influenced by my uncle. Those who used to do business with my family because of my uncle's relationship, are now afraid of getting involved and terminate their cooperation. Many people in a while The merchants can’t supply the goods, and they can’t sell them. In fact, some of them are fine, and it’s the same with other people... It’s just that those who had borrowed funds in circulation before suddenly have to come to collect debts. When this problem happened, Dad asked the reason, but he refused to tell, only one person who had been friends with Dad for decades told the whole story in private..."

At this point, Zheng Wanhan was about to say something.

Fang Shu: "What's the reason? Is it a secret I can't hear?"

"Neither..."

"Let's just say, I'm not a businessman, and I don't have any conflict of interest with you."

Zheng Wanhan was afraid that Fang Shu might misunderstand something, so he quickly replied, "It's Baohonglin."

"What does this have to do with Baohonglin?"

"Baohonglin is now the richest and most powerful businessman in the capital. Ninety percent of the merchants in the capital have business with him. He is not only in the silk business now, ranging from firewood, rice, oil and salt, to hotels and restaurants, to ice and iron. He is involved in firearms, and nine of the ten fireworks fields in the capital are his cornucopia. There are so many people who owe him debts, but they only remind people who are related to us, that is, they only suck blood from us in disguise. Repaying debts is a matter of course, and it's not to say anything bad about Bao Honglin, but our Zheng family has never had any enmity with him, so I don't know why there is such a target."

Fang Shu frowned in thought, unable to think of any connection between Shen Yiguan, Zhanyu, and Baohonglin.

Then he raised his head and asked Zheng Wanhan: "Do you know where the servants in my house have gone? There is no one in my house now."

"I heard that he was dismissed and went home."

Fang Shu nodded his head, "That's good, I thought something happened." Seeing that Zheng Wanhan still couldn't help being sad, he could only comfort him and said, "Wan Han, let me express my condolences, and everything will get better."

"Fuyan, you have changed."

"Getting thinner? Steward Zheng has already told me." Fang Shu smirked.

"No, you never called me Wanhan. You called me several times today." Zheng Wanhan managed to force a wry smile.

"It's just a title. If you think it's inappropriate, then I'll call Miss Zheng again."

Zheng Wanhan smiled and waved his hands, "Wan Han sounds nice, it's the first time I think my name sounds so nice."

Fang Shu sighed, and said, "Don't get me wrong Wanhan, I treat you as a friend, so I don't fear the separation between men and women, there is no other meaning."

Zheng Wanhan didn't expect him to speak so directly, and he didn't consider her current mood, "Hey...it's just that I'm not good enough, and now my family is on the decline."

There were tears in those swollen eyes.

Fang Shu felt somewhat distressed, "I'm not a womanizer."