whale wave

The fire last night caused a mess in the Siliyuan. The soldiers and servants gathered together to clear and burn the collapsed house walls, and the courtyard was full of work.

Si Li Yan, who was in the living room on the side, was meeting guests in the house. He was neatly dressed and looked calm, completely unaware of the embarrassment he had escaped from the burning Si Li Yuan last night.

Manager Yan asked his subordinates to present a thin iron cylinder in front of the visitors, and he said: "This morning, the courtyard soldier picked up this object in the courtyard, and there was still some oily smell in it. Lang Chengjie has heard a lot about it. Have you ever seen it in the past?" Ever seen something like this?"

Chen Duanli looked at the thin iron cylinder in the wooden box. It had been burned and its body was blackened by the fire. He didn't mind its being dirty, so he reached out to pick it up, looked at it carefully, and lowered his head to smell the smell in the cylinder.

In fact, Chen Duanli recognized it at the first glance. He said: "This is fierce fire oil. Sprinkle the oil on a dry object, and even a little spark can instantly ignite it. This object comes from the country of great food, and it is often transported by sea. , sold again and again before reaching China.”

Chen Duanli is familiar with this kind of thing, and has also seen the terrible scene of using heavy kerosene in naval battles.Chen Duanli gently put the thin iron cylinder back into the wooden box. He said: "Fire oil is expensive and dangerous, even in Quanzhou Port."

Manager Yan listened very carefully, rolled up his sleeves, straightened his upper body, and expressed his thanks with confidence: "Thank you for telling me, Cheng Jielang has really helped me a lot!"

He was almost roasted last night, but he was still very mature. He remembered this hatred, and he knew very well which faction the arsonist was from, and this thin iron cylinder filled with kerosene should be able to become an important person. evidence.

Zongzheng Zhao Bumin asked him for the official ship's ledger but failed, so he set fire to the storehouse. Fortunately, he was on guard, and the ledger was pressed under his pillow on the night of the fire and was not burned.

Before the warehouse caught fire, Manager Yan interrogated the official ship Ganban, and he knew that these books were fake accounts made by Ganban, but the fake accounts are equally important, and they are strong evidence of fraud.

Manager Yan sent Chen Duanli out of the courtyard in person, and thanked him again. The fire in the courtyard was very intense last night. Thanks to him and his servants who rushed to put out the fire, the fire did not spread to other buildings in the courtyard.Chen Duanli only said that it was a matter of raising one's hand, and it was not worth mentioning.It is true, even if an ordinary house is on fire, Chen Duanli will go to rescue it when he sees it.

Most of the officials' residences were in the vicinity of the Siliyuan, and the state office was also nearby. Chen Duanli walked on the road, and met acquaintances from time to time along the way.

Chen Duanli walked through the city with his servants, walked out of the spacious avenue, and entered a quiet alley. He was about to return home. The master and servant walked leisurely, and suddenly saw an old servant in Tsing Yi blocking the way. I've been waiting for a long time, Dong Ren please invite Cheng Jielang to the tea house in front for a while."

In the front is a tea house, a deep alley tea house, quiet and secluded, suitable for talking about things.

Chen Duanli said: "I don't know who the old man in the hospital is?"

The old slave was neither humble nor overbearing, and he was very polite. Seeing his demeanor, he knew that he was not a servant of an ordinary family. Seeing his attire, it was not difficult to guess that he came from the clan mansion.

"Cheng Jielang will know when he sees it, please move forward, it's just ahead." The old slave was pointing the way, but he refused to tell him directly.

If it was someone else who suddenly encountered such an invitation, he might have to think about it. Chen Duanli immediately moved forward with a calm expression, and he already had some guesses in his heart.

This tea house in the deep alley has green vines on the door and wall, and the courtyard is quiet. If you didn't see the small signboard hanging on the door, you would think it was just a secluded private house.

The old servant invited Chen Duanli into the courtyard, saying that his family's Dongren were waiting for him inside, and Chen Duanli followed him, and his followers never left.Passing through a door, you can see that the inside is unique and quiet, and there are no other tea customers, only a young man making tea.The old servant walked to a room on the west, he stopped in front of the bamboo curtain, Chen Duanli glanced at the people in the room through the gap of the thin bamboo curtain, he turned his head and ordered his followers to wait outside.

The entourage left, and the curtain was slowly rolled up by the old servant. It can be seen that the room is open and bright, with tables, chairs and tea sets, elegantly furnished. There are five tea guests inside, two sitting and three standing. Zhao Yousheng stood sideways in front of the door, After saluting, he said in a deep voice, "Chen Gang, please come in."

Chen Duanli stepped in and looked at the two people sitting on the seat. He had met these two people before but could not talk about friendship. One was Zhao Yichun, the grandson of King Chengsi, and the other was Zhao Xisheng, the servant of the household department. He also knew the three people standing there. , apart from You Sheng and Meng Shou, there is another person is Zhao Rutai.

They are all the eldest sons who live in the west of the city. They have gone through so much trouble, what can they do with themselves?

From the moment he saw Zhao Shilang sitting behind the bamboo curtain, Chen Duanli knew it in his heart.He has always been well-informed, he knows that Zhao Shilang is the backbone of the upright sect, and he also knows that the real account book of the official ship is in the hands of Zhao Shilang.

At this time, there were six ledgers on the tea table, and they were waiting for someone who could turn them into strong evidence, a leader with rich experience, who was familiar with the trading of foreign goods, and who was trusted by the court.

Chen Duanli walked to the tea table, Zhao Shilang stood up, very respectful, he said: "Please sit up, Cheng Jielang is here today, to tell the truth, I have something to ask."

After bowing, moving the chair, and taking a seat, Chen Duanli glanced at the people present, his eyes fell on the account book on the tea table, and he calmly said, "Please tell me."

Each of Chen Duanli's family ships is equipped with a steward. Some of these stewards are crew members who have followed him for many years, and some are relatives. them.

But in the world, the bosses generally lie to their bosses, pocket their money, and the private boats are good. Once the boss finds out that they are not trustworthy, they will replace them.The cadres on the official ship are different, they are not afraid of the owner at all, they collude with Zong Zhengsi officials, divide the dirt in private, arrogant and arrogant.This is not a secret, it is well known among maritime merchants.

Chen Duanli had seen the fake accounts made by the official ship officials in Manager Yan's hands, and he knew the absurdity and audacity in them, but he didn't know what was recorded in the real accounts, and he would know soon.

But he was not that curious, he knew very well that once he was involved in the disputes between the clans, it would be difficult to stay out of it.

During the conversation, Zhao Shilang was frank and sincere, Zhao Yichun was excited and generous, Zhao Rutai was clear, Chen Duanli listened attentively, his body leaned forward slightly, their words caught his attention, and his expression was focused.

The tea in front of Zhao Yousheng was already cold, and he had never touched it before. His thoughts were not concentrated, and he was even a little restless.

He finally stood up, walked towards the back door, and left the tea room.

In front of me is a small inner courtyard, but there is a tall banana tree, which is so green and pleasing in the cold winter when the flowers and trees are slack.Zhao Yousheng raised his head with his hands behind his back and stared at it. The greenery reminded people of a warm spring day.

"You Sheng, you don't have to worry too much, you won't implicate the Chen family."

Meng Shou's words were behind him, his voice was very soft.

Zhao Yousheng looked back at him, wondering how he would know what he was worried about.

"As long as Chen Chengjie is willing to help, the father of the Buri clan will be able to bring the evidence to the capital to face the saint. By then, Zhao Bumin will no longer be able to be Zongzheng, and King Xi's family will no longer be able to act recklessly." Seeing that Yousheng did not respond, Zhao Mengshou He added: "I heard from Zhuang Die that you and Chen Chengjie's youngest son are very dear. You must be worried that their family will be retaliated by Xi Wang Fangzhi."

When will you, a nerd, become short-lived, just like Zhuang Die.

"Oh, thank you, Brother Mengshou, for your enlightenment." Zhao Yousheng refused to accept the enlightenment, but he accepted Brother Mengshou's concern.

Zhao Yousheng disagreed with the old men's decision to ask Chen Duanli for help, but he finally compromised.

At this moment, he found that he was very afraid of things that were out of his control, especially when this matter might affect Chen Yu, he would be involuntarily flustered.

In the last life, the old men failed to get the real account book of the official ship, nor did they overthrow Zhao Bumin and punish Xi Wang's family, and Chen Duanli was not implicated in the official ship's corruption case.Things have gone in different directions.

Brother Meng Shou is a nerd at heart, with a strict eye, and it is rare for him to speak reasonable words.

There are countless maritime merchants in Quanzhou Port, and Zhao Shilang single-handedly chose Chen Duanli, because he is the most suitable, because he is an upright person, has the people in his heart, and has his family and country in his heart.

Chen Duanli's entourage waited in the courtyard for a long time, for an hour, when their master came out, he was holding a large box of tea in his hand, just like drinking tea with old friends in the past, he was very leisurely.

When the master and servant left, Chen Duanli carried the box of refreshments all the way, but no one took it for him

Six ledgers, hidden in a wooden box for refreshments.

**

Chen Yu found that his father hadn't had dinner with his family for two days, and at the dining table, his elder brother's face was stinky and hard. Chen Yu didn't dare to ask his elder brother if there was anything bothering him. He lowered his head and ate the food in front of him quietly. quiet.

After dinner, Chen Yu went to his father's house, Mrs. Xi was in the yard, saw him coming, and rushed to greet him, very kind.

Mrs. Xi told him that his father was looking at the account book from morning to night, and he had very little rest at night, and he didn't have time to eat dinner. Mrs. Xi said, "Xiao Yu went to persuade the master, maybe he would listen."

Chen Yu knew that there were many ships at home, and his father had many books to look over, but he would not be so busy in previous years.Before Chen Yu entered the room, he heard the sound of abacus counting. When he entered, he saw his father sitting in front of the desk, calculating something. Judging from the position where the beads on the bead plate were moved, the amount was very huge.

Tonight's dinner is still on the father's large desk, which has not been touched at all, and it is already cold.

Seeing his father's solemn expression, Chen Yu was worried. He stood quietly by the side without making a sound, watching his father flip the abacus familiarly, watching his father write on the paper and write down the numbers.

Chen Yu is very close to his father. In the past, when his father settled the accounts, he also read them from the sidelines. He has seen many family ledgers, but the ledger on the table is not written in the same way as his own, and the book must be thicker. many.

"Hey, why didn't you record the selling price..." Chen Yu saw something special in the ledger, and his voice was as quiet as a mosquito.

Even so, Chen Duanli still noticed his son was there. He raised his head and explained: "The price of Jiang Zhenxiang has always been stable. Knowing its purchase price and weight, it can be calculated as the selling price, which is almost the same."

Chen Yu nodded, he knew that many seasoned officials and sea merchants could do it, and of course his father could do it too.

"Father, isn't this our family's account?" He asked in a low voice, if he kept accounts like this, he wouldn't be scolded by his elder brother, because elder brother also needs to read the account book, he likes to simplify, and he is Taking over my father's business is complicated and many things.

Chen Duanli nodded.

"Father, is this the account of the official ship?" Chen Yu leaned close to his father's ear, his voice was barely audible, he was very cautious.

Chen Duanli rubbed a small seal on the page of the account book. It was the official seal of Zong Zhengsi. His son was very careful and intelligent.

Chen Duanli was noncommittal, but only asked: "Do you want to help me, baby?"

Chen Yumeng nodded, and Chen Duanli said, "You have been learning Fanyu for a while. You can read the page of Japo Kingdom and write down the names of the goods."

"Okay, Dad." Chen Yu gently moved a chair and sat beside his father. He looked down at the ledger, carefully flipped through the pages, and found the page he needed.

Chen Duanli's dormitory, no matter how close his servants were, was not allowed to enter without permission, and the father and son concentrated on the matter at hand.Seeing how busy they were, Mrs. Xi shook her head lightly. She picked up the cold plate of food, walked outside the door, called the servants to take it away, and ordered the kitchen to make another, no, two.

When the husband feels hungry and wants to eat, it is probably already late at night, so as a supper, he also prepares one for Xiao Yu.

It was late at night, and the candles in the room were as bright as day, so quiet that only the sound of pages turning and writing was heard. Mrs. Xi sat aside and read the scroll in her hand, and looked up at their father and son from time to time, wanting them to rest earlier, but afraid of delaying them matter.

Mrs. Xi put down her book and went to help grind the ink. She saw a tall figure outside the window. She didn't make a sound, but she recognized it. It was Chen Fan.

Chen Fan originally wanted to say something to his father, but he saw his younger brother and father in the room together, the warm scene of the two of them settling accounts together.He had already had a dispute with his father about the account book of the official ship before, and this time he came so late, it was still because of this matter that bothered him.

Chen Fan believed that outsiders should not interfere with the affairs of the clan, and their Chen family had no obligation to help. This gang of domineering clansmen fought to the death, so what did they have to do with their family.

Under the shadow of the lamp, the teenager in the room was a little sleepy, he rubbed his eyes, his father asked him to go back to sleep, but he refused, he said that his father should also go to sleep.

Mrs. Xi smiled slightly, and persuaded everyone to go to bed earlier, it was almost the second watch.

Chen Duanli is still busy, there are only a few pages left in the account book on the case, and he needs to complete the tasks he is responsible for as soon as possible to avoid long nights and dreams.

Before he knew it, the watchdog had already struck, and Chen Yu fell asleep on the table, with his father's robe on his shoulders.

Chen Duanli closed the ledger and locked it into the box. He stood up, looked out the window, and saw a person under the tree in the courtyard. His eldest son stood outside for a long time, but he never came in.

He should still be upset.

Speaking of which, the temperament of the eldest son is most similar to him, sometimes very stubborn.

Chen Duanli pushed the door out and decided to talk to his eldest son. Chen Fan under the tree listened to his voice and looked towards his father.Under the moonlight, the father and son stood under the tree. Their heights were almost the same, and their physiques were also very similar.

Chen Duanli's words were very calm: "I roughly calculated that last year, the money earned by the official ship could have paid the eldest son's four months' monthly payment, but seven tenths of it went into the pockets of Zong Zhengsi's officials and cadres." He saw Seeing his son raised his head in astonishment, indeed, if he hadn't paid attention to it, he would not have felt how serious Zong Zhengsi's corruption and fraud were.

"As long as the income of the official ships is not corrupted, it can help to reduce the burden on the springs. Cao Si and the treasury will not have to be stretched every year to support the eldest son, and the people will not have to bear heavy taxes." Chen Duanli decided for this reason. Assist in downright decent.

"It's a good thing right now, it's good for both the officials and the people, but in the long run, my son is worried that he will not only have to deal with the Liu family at sea in the future, but also an untouchable and untouchable clan."

Chen Fan is very perceptive. He knows that when Zongzheng Zhao Bumin controls Zongzhengsi, he is choking off other Zongzi's opportunities to participate in maritime trade out of his own interests.When Zhao Bumin collapses, the eldest son no longer needs to use Zong Zhengsi's cadres, but can appoint cadres to do business overseas. They are more enthusiastic about participating in the Maritime Trade Fair.

"Dafan, there are countless competitions in the sea, which are never unavoidable. If there is no one, there will be another. In the future, if it is really as you expected, there will be a clan's maritime power rising, that may not be a bad thing." Chen Duanli turned his back Looking up at the moon sky, he was not worried.

Chen Fan was silent for a while, and he understood his father's words a little bit. In terms of Haimao, their biggest opponent is the Liu family. In fact, in this seaport, the Liu family is the opponent of all sea merchants.

The combined number of seagoing ships they own cannot compare to the Liu family.They have been suppressed by the Liu family in overseas trade. Once a maritime merchant force from the clan appears, it will be able to check and balance the Liu family.

"Da Fan, go and wake up Xiao Yu, and you should go to rest earlier." Chen Duanli felt that the eldest son had already understood that the night was so late, he should go to have a good rest.

Chen Fan was naturally reluctant, but after all, he went along the way, and went to his father's house to shake his sleeping brother awake.Chen Yu was sleepy, rubbing his eyes, and saw that it was his elder brother who woke him up, and he was a little awake.

The two brothers walked back to their dormitory for the same part of the way, so they had to walk together. Chen Fan walked fast in front, and Chen Yu slowed down in the back. He felt that if he was too close to his elder brother, his elder brother might feel uncomfortable.Since childhood, the two have not been intimate.

Chen Yu's dormitory arrived first, and Chen Fan had to go out of the courtyard to go to the next courtyard to return to his dormitory.Chen Fan walked away, and suddenly heard a quiet voice behind him: "Brother, I'm going to sleep, and my brother should also have a good rest."

Very gentle, seems a little timid.

"Go to sleep." Chen Fan did not turn around, but responded.

It sounds cold, and there is no emotion.

In the dark, no one paid attention to the man who was the elder brother, and then he turned to look at the younger brother, and he left only after the younger brother entered the room and closed the door.

The author has something to say: Director: You know too much, no wonder you are so annoying.

Chen Fan: Ordinary people are always jealous of my intelligence.