Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

The rustling of reeds muffled the calls of children.

"What are you talking about? Come up here!"

One of them, panting from the front, climbed onto the deck from the bow, stretched his head and said to the people on the sandbank behind: "Brother, it's not good, Liuzi said that this group of people planned to kill all the folks, now, The village chief is leading the Zao households and is confronting them."

"Let's go! Come back with me!"

"But brother, what should we do with this ship?"

The man wanted to say whether he should just run away instead of going back to see him off, but seeing so many brothers' family members inside, he couldn't say anything else, so he turned to interception instead.

The eldest brother patted the side of the boat hard: "What else can we do? Of course we have to row out and then hide it!"

The water was not big, and soon the boat docked. More than a dozen people jumped off the boat and ran toward the salt fields outside the village entrance. The person who just spoke followed closely behind.

The eldest brother shouted while running: "Quick, take the guys!"

Originally, they had the intention to hide or flee, but that was based on the condition that their relatives were fine, just like the Liangshan heroes in folk rumors. Although "Water Margin" had not yet appeared at this time, after all, this thing encouraged rebellion. Jiang Xinghuo can't write it either, but some related legends and storybooks do exist, especially in Shandong and Jianghuai areas.

You must know that in history, Song Jiang and his group were ambushed by Zhang Shuye, the magistrate of Haizhou. After the ship was burned, Song Jiang was defeated and captured, and the uprising failed. The area of ​​Haizhou, in Jiang Xinghuo's previous life, was the Lianyungang area. It is the area currently under the jurisdiction of Huai'an Prefecture.

At the same time, Chef Hao was adjusting a military crossbow on a tree in a woodland near the salt field.

Chef Hao was riding on a tree. The military steel crossbow reflected a cold light under the warm sunshine of autumn and winter, and the wolf-toothed arrow on it was even more daunting to look at.

He has hidden the horses far away. Since there are no decent hills or mountains around the salt fields, there are only some swamps, so the only commanding height is here, and it is more than a hundred steps away from Xie Jin's location, even if It is a military crossbow, and it has basically reached the limit of its theoretical range.

Even so, Chef Hao is actually in a relatively dangerous position. It is still very difficult for him to escape unscathed, because both the Japanese troops and the Jinyi guards here have war horses, but because Because of the salt field, the war horses could not enter, so they were placed in the village and around the salt field.

It's a coincidence that in normal times, the guard posts must be spread far away. However, due to what happened last time, as the saying goes, "Every time you learn a lesson, you gain wisdom." This time, those in charge of the sentry duty in these armed forces have set the warning range. There were only a few dozen steps, and the main reason was naturally to protect the safety of the imperial envoy Xie Jin, so that the situation of personal assassination like last time would not happen again in the surrounding kitchens.

By some mistake, Chef Hao was given this chance.

Of course, it was just a hint, because Chef Hao only had a chance to shoot an arrow at the extreme range. If he missed, he would have to escape immediately, and even at the fastest speed, there was still a high chance of being caught.

But Chef Hao had no choice. He knew very well that since Shi Youmin entrusted him with such an important task, he would send someone to monitor his family.

It was impossible for him to escape quietly, because once this kind of news was leaked, it would be an out-and-out disaster for Shi Youmin, even if he was a third-grade official.

At this moment, Chef Hao said softly and put down the telescope.

In the open space in the middle of the salt field, there were a group of common people, officers, soldiers, and uniformed guards standing. The atmosphere on both sides was warm and harmonious.

Because Xie Jin has changed the subject.

“The state has national laws, but in addition to national laws, there are also human feelings.”

"Your Majesty is aware of the public sentiment and has now asked Shenfa Temple to revise the salt regulations in the Ming Dynasty Code. You have been exempted from the crime of selling surplus salt to make a living."

But at this moment, more than a dozen salt men rushed over here with weapons raised. Xie Jin, a scholar, even if he was just to take care of the people, he shouted and spoke at the top of his voice. To be honest, his voice was not very loud. It's not to the extent that it can spread dozens of steps.

The salt soldiers failed to notice the change in the situation in time, but the soldiers who were on guard for the Japanese army unsheathed their swords and strung several hard bows.

The scene was extremely embarrassing.

"Sanwazi, why are you back? Put your things down quickly, the imperial envoy has forgiven us."

Following the village chief's words, these salt men looked at each other and put down their weapons one after another. If that could be called a "weapon".

Xie Jin probably saw the specific situation. The effect of suppressing the enthusiasm first was good. The emotions of the kitchen households were aroused very well. The next step was to encourage them to stand up and report the real data.

This was Jiang Xinghuo's trick to teach him a comprehensive and thorough investigation of the salt affairs.

It's fine if the kitchen households can't remember anything else, but just like farmers of this era must remember how many acres of land they planted and how many kilograms of grain they harvested, they have an account of how much salt they produced. .

And as long as it corresponds to the salt farm's account books, it's easy to find out what's wrong.

Perhaps the intermediate data will have some errors due to the large base number, but the important thing is not the error, but the Zaohu's renewed trust in the imperial court, and the direct contact with the Zaohu who crossed the Salt Envoy's Yamen for the first time. , this is where it makes more sense.

Now that the kitchen households have gained their support, Xie Jin naturally doesn't mind giving a little favor to these reckless salt men.

Xie Jin walked down the high platform, and the surrounding guards formed a human wall, vigilantly isolating Xie Jin from the kitchen households.

"This is the time!"

Chef Hao put down his telescope, sat on the tree and picked up the strung steel crossbow.

The real final blow.

Because the military crossbow is not an arm-mounted crossbow, but a pedal-operated crossbow, which needs to be stepped on with the foot to wind it. He cannot wind it on the tree. After winding it below, he brings it to the tree.

Regardless of the actual conditions or the consideration of retreat, he only has this one chance.

Chef Hao's heart was beating fast and his breathing was a little short. He grasped the trigger tightly in his hand and aimed at the middle-aged official in official robes at the center of the crowd opposite.

Chef Hao took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

He didn't know whether he could hit it, but he had to try with all his strength. After all, it was the last chance. Even if there was only the slightest chance left, he had to be a dead horse and try to succeed as much as possible.

Chef Hao opened his eyes, feeling calm in his heart, and slowly pulled the trigger.

The bowstring sounded.

The sound was very small, just a "buzz", but in Chef Hao's ears, the movement seemed as loud as the explosion of ten thousand kilograms of black powder.

A gust of wind blew by, blowing away dead leaves all over the sky.

Chef Hao's eyes did not dare to blink, and he stared closely at the direction of the arrow in the distance.

At this moment, Xie Jin didn't know that danger was approaching him. He had just been surrounded by many soldiers and walked out. He was in a very happy mood and thought that his destiny had been rewritten, and he would probably be able to achieve success from now on.

However, he never thought that just before success, fate would play a joke on him.

The person next to him smiled very flatteringly, but Xie Jin's heart jumped a few times, his face suddenly changed, and he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Then, he heard a soft "puff" sound, which seemed...

What is the sound of something piercing the skin?

He turned around and saw an arrow stuck in his chest.

Blood flowed out.

There was silence all around, and everyone was stunned, including himself.

He raised his hand and touched his chest. The bright red viscous liquid dyed his fingers red, but his fingers could not stop the gushing blood. They overflowed along his fingers, like a blooming flower.

The light in Xie Jin's eyes gradually dimmed until it turned gray.

At this moment, he finally understood that all the praises, honors, and hopes he had received these days were all a scam, all illusions, just to make him embark on such a road of no return to the grave.

"Killing!"

"There's an assassin!"

"The imperial envoy is dead!"

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted into screams of fear and panicked footsteps, and Jie Jin's body lay lying in a pool of blood.

The crowds of people surged wildly around, rushing out as if they were chasing some savage beast behind them.

The Jinyi guards reacted quickly. Some rushed towards the direction where the arrows came from, while others went to find horses to pursue them.

In the chaos, a pair of black boots stayed next to Xie Jin's body.

Zhao Haichuan squatted down, stretched out his hands covered with bright red liquid, and held Jie Jin's pale face.

Jie Jin lay on the cold ground, tightly closing his bloodshot eyes.

Blood gurgled on the ground, forming a winding river and flowing into the snow-white salt fields.

"Sir, wake up!"

——————

Chef Hao didn't run very far, he still underestimated Jin Yiwei's ability.

Under the pursuit of the Jin Yiwei, limited by the terrain of Jianghuai, Chef Hao was chased and surrounded before he could run a few miles. After being injured, he failed to commit suicide and was captured alive.

But none of this can change the terrible situation of the imperial envoy Xie Jin.

If there is any luck in the misfortune, it is because the crossbow is on the edge of the theoretical limit of its range. According to the saying "a powerful crossbow cannot penetrate Lu Yi", this crossbow arrow without quenching poison did not penetrate very deeply. There is still hope for Jie Jin to be rescued.

With the second assassination of the imperial envoy, Huai'an Mansion also began to become silent.

This kind of vicious incident only happened once. If it happened again, it would be a slap in Zhu Di's face.

It's not that Shi Youmin doesn't understand this truth, it's that he has no choice.

Because as Jiang Xinghuo taught Xie Jin to "drain the fire under the cauldron", his secrets would surface sooner or later.

Instead of sitting back and waiting to be exposed, it's better to take the risk.

But Xie Jin's luck was bad, and Shi Youmin's luck was even worse.

Because not only was the assassin captured alive, but Xie Jin was only seriously injured but not dead.

Jiang Xinghuo in Nanjing heard about this, and Zhu Di was furious. Soon, Song Li, the Minister of Rites, rushed to Huai'an Mansion with a large number of troops, and the situation began to develop in the worst direction.

Although the Lianghuai Transport Salt Envoy Department has jurisdiction over more than 100,000 kitchen households, which is a very large number, it seems that the workload of re-stating is very large, but once the state machinery is in full operation, all these "seeming" obstacles cannot become hinder.

The pardoned Zao households began to provide data according to different salt areas. With the help of petty officials and even accounting gentlemen borrowed from merchant gangs, they re-checked the account books of the Salt Envoy Si Yamen. At the same time, the Salt Envoy Si Yamen It was also completely shut down.

The room was brightly lit, with a row of long tables covered with tablecloths. Below were dozens of tables arranged neatly, and thick account books were stacked on the tables. A man in his thirties or forties, with a goatee and a tall figure, The short, fat man was looking down at the compiled account books, occasionally using a brush to draw numbers on the paper.

At this time, someone walked over quickly, closed the door tightly, and said in a low voice: "Vice President Zhu, we found out."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Heng slowly closed the account book and raised his head.

"Oh, I see."

Zhu Heng's reaction was extremely dull, as if he just said "I ate today".

"This time it is not a frame-up, but genuine evidence, which has been found."

Zhu Heng didn't say anything, but just looked at the visitor quietly. After he finished speaking, he smiled lightly and said, "Shi Youmin is really brave."

In the torture room, Chef Hao, who was dying after being tortured, had completely lost his strength.

He had already recruited everything he knew just now.

Maybe it's because Jin Yiwei's methods are too powerful, or maybe it's because he misses his family, or maybe he was touched not long ago.

But no matter what the reason was, Song Li now had a reason to arrest Shi Youmin.

"This is an important witness. Give him medicine to save his life."

Just as Song Li was about to get up, Chef Hao struggled to open his red and swollen eyelids and looked at Song Li, his lips moving.

"What is he talking about?" Song Li asked doubtfully.

Zhao Haichuan came forward and put his hands over his ears. Don't ask why he did this, because there were many examples of people in Jinyiwei being bitten into one ear by angry prisoners, but biting the back of the hand was generally fine, not to mention for convenience. During the execution, he even wore gloves.

After struggling for a long time, Zhao Haichuan finally understood what Chef Hao was talking about.

"He said that his daughter should have been kidnapped by Shi Youmin and asked us to rescue his daughter. He is willing to die and be a witness."

When Song Li heard this, he looked at the bloody man in surprise and nodded quietly.

Afterwards, Song Li walked out of the execution chamber to visit Xie Jin.

"Scholar Xie, how are you?"

Jie Jin has passed out from the pain, his lips are pale and bloodless, and his eyelids are moving slightly, as if he is awake, but also seems to be trapped in a nightmare-like haze that is difficult to escape.

Song Li sighed secretly and looked at the two servants next to him.

The two unlucky guys smiled bitterly, but couldn't say anything, so they could only say goodbye and leave.

After they left, Song Li turned to ask the imperial doctor who came with him from Nanjing: "What should I do with the injuries on Bachelor Jie's body? Do you want to go to Nanjing to get a dose of allicin?"

The imperial doctor shook his head and said: "Xie Xuesheng's injury is very serious, and it cannot be solved by the allicin invented by the imperial master. I'm afraid... I'm afraid..."

"I'm afraid what's wrong?" Song Li asked with a frown.

"Scholar Xie fainted due to excessive blood loss due to an assassination. Although the arrow penetrated the flesh and got stuck in the ribs, it still injured his right lung a little. Whether he can wake up depends on whether he is strong enough."

The imperial doctor replied hesitantly, obviously he was very aware of Jie Jin's physical condition.

"This" Song Li was also a little worried. If Xie Jin went out in a carriage and went back lying on the bed, the Imperial Master would not look good.

"Xie Xie is young after all, and his body is still strong." The imperial doctor comforted him.

Song Li ordered: "You can go back and rest. I can stay here."

"Yes." The imperial doctor bowed and accepted the order.

"Well, go ahead." Song Li waved his hand.

When the imperial doctor left the room, Song Li frowned and looked at the unconscious Jie Jin with gloomy eyes.

Song Li held a towel that he took from the imperial doctor and wiped it with Jie Jin, but his mind was not on it at all.

He knew very well that Jie Jin could not die.

Because this is the first time His Majesty has sent an imperial envoy to Huanghuai. If he dies in Huai'an Mansion, it will make the whole matter even more out of control. The situation was originally persuaded by the Huanghuai Chief Envoy and the Water Transport Governor. It will be expanded soon.

At this moment, Xie Jin's eyelids suddenly moved.

Immediately, a glistening teardrop slid down his cheek.

Next, Xie Jin opened his eyes.

He looked around blankly, only to see that he was actually in bed!

Moreover, there was a man in the room, holding a towel to wipe his face.

"ah--"

He suddenly "exclaimed", well, it was actually just a vague whisper coming from his throat. Song Li couldn't even hear it clearly. He was still wiping Jie Jin's face mechanically with his hands, focusing on Think about what's next.

Jie Jin struggled to get up, but the pain in his chest made him fall to the bed again.

At this moment, Song Li finally discovered something strange about Xie Jin.

"Don't move."

Song Li hurriedly held down Jie Jin and spoke very quickly: "You are seriously injured and need to rest in bed. Do not move, otherwise the internal organs will bleed again, which will cause trouble."

After the towel was removed from his face, Xie Jin stared at Song Li blankly. It took him a long time to react, and murmured, "Song Shilang? Where am I?"

"Huaian Fucheng."

Song Li said: "Xie Xueshi was stabbed with a powerful crossbow. Fortunately, he was not completely successful. He only injured his lungs. The doctor and the imperial doctor who came over have properly treated Xie Xue Xie's injuries. They only said that he would wait for Xie Xue Xue to wake up. After surviving the most difficult stage, I also gave you the allicin from the Imperial Master. You don’t have to worry about the wound, inflammation, or infection. I don’t quite understand the words these imperial doctors heard from the Imperial Master. In short, just take good care of yourself. It’s nothing serious.”

"Assassinated"

Xie Jin seemed to remember something. His pupils dilated instantly, and he gritted his teeth and asked, "Who is it? Who did it?!"

His angry expression was completely different from before. Song Li knew that he was worried or even afraid. Someone wanted his life and wished he could return to the West as soon as possible.

If the first assassination was still under Jie Jin's control, then this second time, he really had to wander around the gates of hell before coming back.

"We are still investigating. We already have evidence, but we can't say anything yet."

After Song Li said that, he stood up and was about to call the imperial doctor. Xie Jin suddenly grabbed his sleeve: "Don't leave, Minister Song. Please tell me clearly, who assassinated me? Who wants to harm me? Tell me quickly!"

The anger and fear in his heart seemed to overflow from his voice.

Xie Jin is a great talent who is famous all over the world, but it is also the first time for him to face life and death. There is great terror between life and death.

"Bachelor of Understanding"

Song Li lowered his head, and after a moment of silence, he raised his head, stared at Jie Jin, and said seriously: "The only thing you can do now is to have a good rest, take good care of your body, and leave the rest to me."

Xie Jin's expression turned cold when he heard this, and he understood. After a moment of silence, he said, "Thank you, Minister Song."

"do not think too much."

Song Li smiled faintly: "Xie Xie, what you should be worried about most now is actually not how vicious or powerful the enemy is, but what kind of reward you will receive when you return to Nanjing this time."

"The Imperial Master appreciates you very much."

Afterwards, Song Li gave a few instructions to the door.

The imperial doctor who had not gone far was quickly chased back by his servants.

Song Li gently patted Xie Jin's shoulder with his fingertips, and said warmly: "Xie Jin, you need to recover first. If you have any needs, please feel free to ask. I will try my best to satisfy you. In addition, I will inform you about the mastermind behind the assassination." Your Majesty, don’t worry.”

Jie Jin breathed a sigh of relief and wanted to say something else.

Song Li waved his hand and asked several servants to take care of Xie Jin before leaving the yard.

Xie Jin looked at the empty courtyard behind the briefly opened door and stared blankly for a while before sighing.

After Song Li walked out, Zhao Haichuan was already waiting in front of the door.

"According to the clues provided by Chef Hao, we will first detain Shi Youmin, and then search for places where he may have hidden the huge amount of salt tax that he has accumulated over the years."