In March of the 41st year of the Qing Dynasty, Renxian was the county seat, and the snow was about to melt.
In the county town, the snow on the streets has already been cleared, and it has been transported out of the city and piled in some farmland.
Early in the morning, when the spring chill started to creep in, four detectives in thick clothes went to the Yamen to report for duty, then received their assignment and went to East Street to patrol with knives, and had breakfast on the street by the way. I happened to come across a roadside stall selling tofu curd and fried dough sticks, and it just opened. There were seats, so the four of us ate here.
"Gentlemen, what would you like to eat?"
¡°Four bowls of tofu puffs and three fried dough sticks per person, I¡¯ll treat you today!¡±
"Okay, guest, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon!"
The hawker went to serve the hot tofu puffs and told the mother-in-law to fry the fried dough sticks quickly. The portion of the bowl of tofu was very generous, half more than usual. It was filled with brine, dripping with cooked oil, and sprinkled with dried green onion spray. That fried dough stick is comparable to one and a half of the usual ones.
"Everyone was given a full ring and bonus. Thanks to Mr. Zhao, it's our turn to invite him. How embarrassing it is," said one of the detectives.
"Yes, I'll treat you to this meal today!"
"If you treat yourself to a breakfast and follow Mr. Zhao, are you afraid that you won't get any bonus?"
The three detectives talked to each other and arranged for breakfast.
Chief Zhao, actually Zhao Gongjian, is a temporary policeman in the county government, not a head catcher. However, due to his superior force and superb spear skills, the policemen in his team have made many meritorious deeds, and their salary and The bonus was much larger than usual, and many people were grateful and willing to go on missions with him.
In the middle of last year, Zhao Erbao and Zhao Falcon, who had been working as temporary errands in the Yamen for ten months, retired and resigned from their status as police officers. From then on, Zhao Tiedan brought in new recruits Zhao Gongjian and Zhao Houndou for rotation. After one month of training, he also resigned as a police officer.
After several months of experience, the father and son Zhao Gongjian and Zhao Houndou retreated from their rustic ways and gradually integrated into the local area. Now they lead a small team of agents on missions and perform well. He quickly gained the support of the detectives in the team.
When Zhao Gongjian heard this, he said with satisfaction: "Okay, I'll give you a chance, but I won't do it next time!"
Three police officers quickly competed for it, and one of them was very happy when he got it.
It is said that the three policemen followed him for several months, except for the benefits of full salary payment. The bonus for each person is also a few silver coins. It's not that Zhao Gongjian likes someone treating him to eat tofu nao, but it's the way to connect emotionally with the detectives. After inviting guests, the detectives felt free to follow him.
The four of them were on the mission for half a month, and they were all on East Street.
After breakfast, the host dropped some copper coins. The price did not change. The vendor was grateful for the gift. This was a common practice. For street vendors, if the yamen agents and martial arts disciples can pay a price, then it will be regarded as high-priced incense.
When four people passed by ¡®Yonghe Hall¡¯. Seeing that the bamboo curtain had been lowered, a police officer said: "Boss Zhao, do you want to go in and say hello?"
From more than a year ago to now, there have been five good players among the Yamen police officers, Zhao Erbao, Zhao Tiedan, Zhao Falcon, and now Zhao Gongjian, Zhao Xingou and his son, all of them have superhuman skills and superb spear skills. The detectives were not lacking in discernment and saw that the five of them were all warriors, and they were warriors who could rival Jiang Chao and Li Kuangfeng. This was approved by the county captain.
"The five of them have all fought against the hall masters and deputy masters of the Tiger Martial Arts Hall, and they all won easily. They suppressed the two martial arts schools to the point where they could not hold their heads up, and they also lost a lot of manpower. They only had to fight Jiang Chao and Li Kuangfeng. It's a pity that these two people didn't show up at all.
And everyone knew that all five of them came from the Yonghe Hall.
This makes 'Yonghetang' more mysterious among police officers and martial arts disciples, and their status has increased, so they dare not be presumptuous.
Zhao Gongjian nodded and said: "Brothers, wait a moment!"
¡°Teacher Zhao, go ahead!¡±
"It's more important to meet Mr. Zhang!"
""
Every day, when Zhao Gongjian and his fellow detectives pass by, they have to go in. Today is no exception.
Before anyone could reach him, the bamboo curtain was lifted, and a handsome boy, only seventeen or eighteen years old, walked out.
"Xiao Zhong, are you busy, sir?"
The young man quickly saluted Zhao Gongjian: "The master is currently receiving Mr. Li and has something else to say. If Butler Zhao comes, he should go directly to the backyard without greetings."
Receiving Mr. Li early in the morning?
Zhao Gongjian nodded, and went directly to the Zhang Mansion gate on one side without entering. Now there is a plaque in the Xiaozhuang Courtyard, and there are more servants.
Since everyone went to the Yamen to practice, the Zhang family bought a dozen boys and girls from the refugees who emerged outside the city to serve as servants. These people have innocent origins and are very malleable.??. The young boy named Xiao Zhong in front of him was smart and easily literate, so he was assigned to the 'Yonghe Hall' to clean the medicine hall and receive guests.
The concierge also has servants to look after it, horses and mules are also taken care of, vegetables and fruits are purchased, Xu Qing also has a maid, Zhao and Zhao Lanlan have also been promoted to manage the maids, and Aunt Zhao is responsible for the children. them. Not only that, Zhao Erbao became the general manager of the inner government, Zhao Gongjian became the steward of the outer government, Zhao Tiedan was responsible for the safety of Zhang Mansion and Zhang Weidong, Zhao Falcon and Zhao Xingou assisted Zhao Tiedan, and at the same time, they simply trained a group of servants, Give them the ability to defend themselves.
By this count, there are already thirty or forty people in the small Zhang Mansion.
"However, Zhang Weidong didn't care about these trivial matters and only sat in charge of the medicine hall. Xu Qinglai was responsible for all the big and small matters in the house and the accounting room. This woman enjoyed it and managed it in an orderly manner.
With so many people, the monthly expenses are not small, enough for 1 gold coin, all supported by 'Yonghetang' and Zhang Weidong alone. Fortunately, 'Yonghetang' has established a reputation among the upper-class people in Ren County, and even some businessmen come to see the doctor. This month's net income is 1 gold coin, so Mrs. Zhang will not worry about the Zhang family's expenses.
However, as a bedfellow, Xu Qing still noticed changes in Zhang Weidong.
It seems that he has lost a lot of weight than before, and he no longer teaches others or uses force, but only occasionally speaks out a few words. Zhang Weidong is more like an elegant doctor. He spends all his time in the medicine hall, preparing medicinal materials, reading medical books, drinking expensive tea, and treating people. He greatly reduces the number of times he goes out, but his appetite increases greatly.
Xu Qing asked many times, but Zhang Weidong handled them all.
In April, a sudden news made many people panic.
The county government issued a transfer order. Huang County Magistrate and Zhang County Magistrate were transferred from Renxian County. Hu Qiying entered the city and began to recruit troops. The general moved into the county government office, and the military and political affairs seized control, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Zheng County Lieutenant also took on a job and was promoted. When he became the county magistrate, he assisted the generals in managing county affairs.
After the transfer order was issued, Zhao Gongjian, Zhao Xingou and his son made an excuse to go out and hurriedly returned to Zhang Mansion to report the news.
Zhang Weidong also noticed that the atmosphere in the city was strange. Unfortunately, no bad news came from the front line, but small confrontations were commonplace.
"Close the medicine hall, Gongjian. You and I will go back to the backyard. In addition, please ask the manager and the chief of the guard!" Zhang Weidong asked Zhao Gongjian a few words and then ordered the boy to close the door.
Early in the morning, the medicine hall was opened and then closed, which was unusual in itself.
It will take a while. In the main room, Xu Qing, Zhao Lanlan, Zhao Erbao, Zhao Tiedan, Zhao Gongjian, Zhao Falcon, Zhao Xingou, Zhang Weidong, all the important people in the Zhang family were gathered.
Because father and son Zhao Gongjian and Zhao Xingou were in a hurry, they had not yet changed out of their detective clothes. Zhang Weidong asked Zhao Gongjian to talk about the personnel changes in the county government, and everyone felt depressed.
"We are summoning everyone because there have been changes in the county and the borders may have changed. Ren County is afraid of being unsafe. Therefore, everyone must find a way out early. That is to migrate again and leave Ren County!" Zhang Weidong swept everyone away and pointed out. theme.
"Leave Ren County? Brother Zhang, is the situation really so critical?" Xu Qing asked in shock.
Zhang Weidong shook his head and said: "I hope not. However, Hu Qiying's interference in political affairs is definitely not good news. This will only happen in emergencies."
After all, I have lived here for more than a year before I got used to the environment in Ren County, and I feel somewhat reluctant to leave. No matter how bad Ren County is. There is also a home here, and if we want to move, this home will have to be abandoned.
"Isn't there any news about the border war?" Zhao Erbao thought for a while and asked.
Zhao Gongjian replied: "Even if there is, Hound Dog and I are just detectives and have no access to the news from above. Moreover, the inspections at the city gate have been much stricter than usual recently. It is said that it is to prevent traitors and spies from entering Ren County to cause damage!"
Seeing that Zhao Tiedan was silent, Zhang Weidong said, "Tiedan, what do you want to say?"
Zhao Tiedan was stunned for a moment and said: "I listen to the master. The master often said that a gentleman will not stand behind a dangerous wall. If you want to leave, then leave in advance. Otherwise, if there is any major unfavorable news, you can leave even if you want to." No more. Moreover, there are more and more wounded soldiers every month, which also shows that Ren County is no longer safe. I am still thinking about a question. With the master¡¯s identity and status, and his medical skills, will Hu Qiying let the master leave? ? If you want to leave, I¡¯m afraid you have to find another opportunity and leave quietly!¡±
"Yonghetang" made great contributions to the treatment of wounded soldiers. Zhang Weidong's medical skills were superb, and he ranked first among the other seven medicine halls in Ren County.
If Zhang Weidong moves out of Ren County, it will inevitably affect some people. People's hearts will be unstable, and Ren County will be unstable.
Zhang Weidong glanced at him appreciatively. Zhao Tiedan didn't talk much, but he grew up very quickly. Xu Qing and others probably don¡¯t have this problem.Thinking of it, Zhao Tiedan thought of it.
"Tiedan is right, if we want to leave, we have to find another way!"
Xu Qing said hesitantly: "Brother Zhang, where are we going?"
"Leave Qing State and pass through Qi State, either to the Liu Xiang Dynasty or to the Great Qin State!" Zhang Weidong said. "Xiao Qing, choose one of the two, where do you think we can go to be safer?"
"Great Qin?"
"Then the Great Qin Kingdom!" Zhang Weidong found that when the Great Qin Kingdom was mentioned, a complicated look flashed across Xu Qing's face.
At night, a policeman in civilian clothes came to the door and brought a customs clearance document issued by County Lieutenant Zheng, or Magistrate Zheng, a private letter, and a note. There were only two words on the note: Hurry. Resigning county. The calligraphy was that of Zheng County Lieutenant, and Zhang Weidong recognized it at a glance, which was proof.
Speaking of which, Lieutenant Zheng is now a third-rate martial artist. Thanks to Zhang Weidong's guidance and guidance, he can be regarded as a registered disciple. Now, Zheng County Lieutenant also knows how to repay kindness, which makes Zhang Weidong very satisfied.
The policeman said: "My lord, at three o'clock tonight, the south gate will be opened for a stick of incense. At that time, Mr. Zhang will leave quickly, and there will be a change at the border!"
Zhang Weidong asked: "Where are your family members?"
"My lord and madam cannot leave, please take care of yourself, Mr. Zhang! Time is limited, I have to say goodbye!"
"Wait!" Zhang Weidong rewarded the man with a few silver coins and asked his servants to send him out.
Zhang Weidong went back to the house, quickly wrote a letter, sealed it, and packed two bags of medicinal materials to wake up Zhao Gongjian and Zhao Houndou. It happened that their police clothes could be borrowed.
"Master!"
"Hound Dog, deliver this letter and these two packets of medicinal materials to Mr. Zheng personally, and ride away! Bow and Arrow, the focus of your mission is to settle the grudges with the Tigers. Do not leave any important people behind. You must act quietly. You must Arrange the time and rush to the south gate at three o'clock, can you do it?" Zhang Weidong asked.
"Don't worry, sir, the tigers are just at the helm of the county!" Zhao Gongjian sneered.
"Be careful!" Zhang Weidong nodded and watched the two of them leave.
I have been dormant for more than a year, and now I am showing a showdown. Outsiders do not know the prowess of the seven warriors in the Zhang family, and only think that they are third-rate warriors, but in fact they have already entered the second-rate. With the second-rate versus the third-rate, with calculations in mind but not in mind, Zhao Gongjian was very confident about this trip.
Removing the important figures from the Tiger Martial Arts School also eliminated a major unsafe factor for Lieutenant Zheng.
Zhang Weidong woke everyone up again and announced the news of moving out overnight. Although everyone was shocked, they moved much faster, leading horses and carts, and packing up important supplies. (To be continued.)
PS: The fourteenth volume is over, and the fifteenth volume is next.
"Just because the fourteenth volume is a transition, Tiandao did not spend more words on some supporting characters. The fifteenth volume is different. It also involves the world of immortality, but we will wait and see the details.