Chapter 46 Chapter 106 Brewing

A separate room was set aside for Ding Hao in the Yali of the Bazhou Mansion, at the end of the west courtyard, with a high wall on one side, the room was full of account books brought from Jieku in Zhutou Lane, and two yamen guards watched over the door. .The weather has started to heat up, the four windows are closed tightly, and the room is not ventilated, it is really difficult.Ding Hao only wore a waistcoat and a wet towel around his neck. He didn't look like an accountant at all. Fortunately, County Captain Zhao took good care of him, and ordered the servants to bring tea to serve him regularly, but the two messengers were ordered by County Captain Zhao, and did not call him back and forth to drink.The two gentlemen felt that the room was stuffy, so they brought a pot of tea, and sat on the aisle in the corridor with two sticks and a small table, chatting leisurely.

Ding Hao was not in a hurry to sort out the accounts. He first rearranged all the messed-up account books, then grabbed a big writing brush, and scribbled on the account books to make some marks that only he could understand.County Captain Zhao was worried about the progress of the matter, so he came to see him specially. Ding Hao explained: If you talk about bribery, the amount of money will not be less, so I will omit those trivial accounts, and only pick a single amount within a period of time For large transactions of more than one thousand taels, or for the same customer with a cumulative amount of more than one thousand taels within a period of time, write these separately into a book.It will be much easier to find the wrong loopholes from it.This is for the convenience of investigating the case. It is not necessary to clearly remember the quality and weight of each item like Xie Kuli keeps accounts. In addition, there is no need to record a large number of trivial matters with small amounts of money. Therefore, this rewritten case file It must look clearer.

Zhao Xianwei knew that his skills were more than that, but he didn't ask too much. Sometimes, pretending to be confused is the true wisdom to protect oneself.Zhao Xianwei nodded frequently, with a look of deep approval.He asked the two gentlemen to take good care of him and not to make any mistakes, so he left immediately. If Ding Hao didn't ask him for something, he would not show up again. Ding Hao was cleaning up the account books in the government office of the state capital. There was an officer from Jieku in Zhutou Alley to send a message to Xu Muchen, telling Xu Muchen that he would not have to report to the office every day for inquiries. Everything is correct, just sign and draw a deposit.This news made Zhutou Jieku's guys speculate, but Xu Muchen held his breath, and there was nothing unusual on his face.

Early in the morning, he still showed up at the counter on time, his clothes were still starched and neat, his hair was still combed meticulously, nothing different from usual. Then the day will not collapse. The little apprentice went to make a cup of fragrant tea as usual, but the shopkeeper Xu held the fragrant tea in his hand, but he didn’t drink the tea slowly as usual. He sniffed the aroma of the tea and closed his eyes to rest his mind, just like an old monk in meditation. Opening it, the guys became a little apprehensive when they saw it. They worked lightly and spoke softly, for fear of offending the shopkeeper.Only then did someone discover that the second shopkeeper, who had always been inseparable from the big shopkeeper, hadn't appeared.

Just when the guys felt that there was something wrong, shopkeeper Wang Er hurried in. Shopkeeper Wang looked a little tired, his eyes were red, as if he hadn't slept all night, it looked like something serious happened, and the guys' hearts were raised again. stood up, but no one dared to step forward to ask. Xu Muchen, who had kept his eyes closed all this time, heard that shopkeeper Wang Er had returned, so he opened his eyes abruptly. He looked at Wang Zhizhou who was panting slightly, and drank the gradually cold tea in his cup. He put down the teacup and walked into the inner room , Wang Zhizhou immediately followed in a hurry.

What letter?As soon as the two shopkeepers left, several guys gathered together and whispered. I don't know, but looking at the face of the second shopkeeper, it seems that something serious has happened. It's really worrying. Have you heard that Mr. Ding sent inspector Ding Haoding again, saying that he wanted to help the government sort out the accounts. What do you think Mr. Ding means? Go out to take the blame? Don't talk nonsense, the shopkeeper is Master Ding's confidant, so Ding Hao has only been in charge for a few days?Perhaps this was done to let the whole Bazhou City see that the Ding family had done nothing wrong, so they were so righteous.

Has our boss really never managed officials from the state capital through the pig's head? Hey!Do your job well, don't worry about what we shouldn't care about; don't inquire about what we shouldn't ask about; don't talk nonsense if we shouldn't talk about it.Misfortune comes out of your mouth, you know? understand.After being reprimanded by the older boss, the guys hurriedly dispersed. In the inner room, Wang Zhizhou wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, and then whispered: "Master, I paid a full 100 taels of money to buy Mr. Liu to reveal the news. It seems that the situation is not very good. These little officials usually You can get the news you want from them with two slings of money.

Xu Muchen smiled lightly: "This moment, that moment."Tell me, what's the news? Wang Zhizhou said: Ding Hao is indeed as the messenger who came to report the letter said, he helps to clean up the account books at the state government office every day.He sorted all the account books in sequence and time, and only copied down the large transactions, classified and summarized, and explained the ins and outs, so that the government could retrieve them one by one.He was busy with these things all day yesterday, nothing unusual. Heh heh, there are some things that don't need to be done in the open, especially big things. There are more official things done on the wine table than on the official case. Apart from cleaning up the account books in the government office, what else has he done?

Yesterday morning, he ate breakfast at Xingsheng Steamed Bun Shop, which was the bun shop in front of Dr. Xu's mansion.Sao Zhu'er came to the city to fetch medicine for Young Master Ding, and had breakfast with him there, but he couldn't find out what the two of them were talking about.At noon, Ding Hao left the government office and went to Si Seafood for dinner. Xu Muchen interrupted and asked: Which officials were invited? He was alone, and he ate in the lobby, and he didn't see anyone dining with him from the beginning to the end. The corner of Xu Muchen's mouth twitched, and he sneered: "Sihai Seafood Restaurant sells not live fish and shrimp, but also fresh parallel imports. They are all transported from Penglai Island in Shandong in seawater boxes or large urns filled with ice. The price is extremely expensive. He eats alone. Going to that kind of place to show off, it seems that Master Ding really paid him a lot of money for this errand.

Wang Zhizhou said again: "In the evening, he stayed at the Pingchuan Inn, where he had his meals. He ordered a few small dishes, drank a pot of wine, and then went back to his room to sleep. I watched him carefully all day and all night, and there was nothing unusual about him." Xu Muchen frowned slightly, and muttered to himself: That's it?This makes the old man a little confused, what is the boss's intention in playing this trick? Wang Zhizhou asked nervously: Big shopkeeper, isn't the owner trying to throw us out to take the blame? Xu Muchen sneered and said: He dares!He's not afraid that I'll break the can, and shake him out too?Then again, here it is.

He patted his heart, and said with a proud sneer: Those account books are just a superficial appearance, without me revealing the mysteries in them, anyone who can see the secrets in my Xu Muchen's account, even the entire Northwest, would never want to find another one.Don't worry, the boss has always been a good face, and now he is accused of being a profiteer. I don't know how many people in Bazhou City are waiting to see his jokes. He sent such a high-profile bullshit inspector to show his innocence. .Does that kid Ding Hao know how to account?snort! Only then did Wang Zhizhou feel relieved, and the two talked again. Someone came outside to pawn things, and Wang Zhizhou hurried out to receive him. Xu Muchen glanced at his back and smiled contemptuously. Xu Muchen never thought that one day the imperial court would come to check his accounts, but he did things for the Ding family and trafficked the top and bottom officials of the state government, which was also a shameful act, so he was very strict in accounting from the beginning to the end.Later, his ambition gradually grew, and he enriched himself with Yan Jiu and the others. Although he held Ding Tingxun's handle to make friends with officials, it is better not to tear his face after all, so the accounts are even more discreet.Now that the imperial court suddenly wanted to check his accounts, it was considered unintentional. He was confident that with his decades of experience in pawnshops, the accounts were flawless, and no one would be able to find any flaws. The problem is, it can't be found out from the account, but it can be broken through from the person.He did not do so many things alone. Over the years, he has also had many confidantes, and these confidants more or less know something about him. Now the government is only investigating him on suspicion, and has not sentenced him. Once they still can't catch him When he found a clue, he made up his mind to use torture to extract a confession, and there was no guarantee that someone would not do something against him.Although what they knew was not enough to kill him, it was not right after all. In the past few days, he sat there and twirled his beard every day, thinking about the group of people under him, who knows what is going on, who is more reliable, who is weaker, and if something happens, what should he do? Take precautions early.Thinking about these things made his hair turn white, and the beards under his chin were almost pulled out one by one. At this time, Ding Hao added to the chaos. To be honest, it wasn't that he looked down on Ding Hao. It was really difficult for thousands of people to find the hidden things. After a few days of exposure to pawn shops, this is not a knowledge that Tianzong Yingcai can learn without a teacher, depending on him?What can be found out. After such an analysis, Xu Muchen became even more convinced that the boss sent Ding Hao here not to deal with him, but to show his attitude in front of the people of Bazhou and stabilize the hearts of the Ding family.So he put Ding Hao aside, and began to select his cronies one by one: which one is not reliable?How much does he know about me?Once I confess something, do I have something to get caught? Xu Muchen twirled his beard and thought hard, the robe on his body was still wrinkle-free, but the wrinkles on his face were like ravines, getting deeper and deeper Ding's compound, the back house, Mrs. Lu warmed up the soup and came in through the side door, just as she saw Xunzhu'er going out through the front door.Mrs. Lu knelt down beside the short table, and said softly: "Master, it's time to drink the medicine." She held the medicine cup, blew a few breaths, and handed it to Ding Chengzong. Ding Chengzong took the medicine in his hand and took a sip. Mrs. Lu sighed softly: "If the officials feel bored, I would like to accompany you out to relax." .Let's find a place with mountains and rivers, so that you can relieve your worries. Ding Chengzong smiled lightly and said: "Ding's family is in the current situation, can I go away?"Why do you suddenly want to go out with me? Mrs. Lu said faintly: officials are not good at doing things, and they are bored in the back house every day, so they inevitably feel lonely.A while ago, the officials had a good conversation with Ding Hao, but Xue Liang is such a clumsy idiot, you can hold him to talk for a long time. Haha, you're thinking about it.Ding Chengzong laughed and said: Xue Liang sent the letter for Ding Hao.My husband is right, this Ding Hao is really good, he asked Shan Zhuer to send me a message, saying that he has a solution, which can send the people in the court to return with satisfaction, and keep my Ding family safe and sound , tell me not to worry. oh?Mrs. Lu was surprised and said: "My Ding family is in such a difficult situation. Everyone is helpless. The master is very worried about this. He only went there for a day, and then he thought of a solution?" Ding Chengzong laughed and said: You are wrong. Before he went, he was 70% sure, but there were still some things to be confirmed, so he didn't dare to talk too much at that time.Dumb?Haha, if he is an idiot, there are still a few people in this world who are not idiots. This person is truly as wise as a fool. Mrs. Lu's beautiful eyes flickered, and she smiled sweetly: "The officials are so happy, and the servants are also very happy."But the slave family is very curious, I don't know what kind of ingenious method it is, which can turn the world upside down? Ding Chengzong laughed and said: "He only said that he had a solution, but he didn't tell me what it is. How can I ask him? Everyone changes tricks, and each has its own ingenuity and difference."This kind of thing doesn't need to be revealed to others. Ding Chengzong rubbed his knees and sighed: I didn't see the wrong person. If the Ding family wants to survive, I can't do it. Now I can only rely on him.If the Ding family lets him go, it will be the biggest loss for my Ding family over the years! Young Madam Lu pursed her lips: Are the officials determined to keep him?Didn't you say that he's prematurely interested? Ding Chengzong nodded, raised his eyebrows slightly and said: He is a man of real talent and learning, and his position here is embarrassing, why not leave?If I were him, I would also leave.However, being a steward in the Ding family is completely different from recognizing your ancestors as the young master of the Ding family.If he started from scratch, he would work hard all his life, and he might not be able to have the situation of the Ding family today, would he stay? He put down the medicine bowl, and his expression became serious: Ma'am, Chengye and I are brothers of the same mother. As an elder brother, he should be more tolerant to his younger brother, so I don't want to say in front of my father how he usually messes around. something.However, now my father prefers the second brother to be the head of the family, but the second brother is really not that kind of material. For the Ding family's long-term plan, I can only lose the kindness of my elder brother.In fact, two days ago, I asked someone to collect some excuses for my second brother's misbehavior, and told my father to listen.Although dad dotes on his second brother, he is not confused. He will make the right choice between his second brother and the entire Ding family. Mrs. Lu was shocked: Didn't the official tell the master about the second uncle? Ding Chengzong nodded silently, and said deeply: Between the Ding family and brotherhood, I can only choose the former.I only hope that between the Ding family and the relationship between father and son, Dad can also make the right choice.It's just that I didn't pick it right. Ding Chengzong repented and said: The government is looking for trouble for my Ding family, so I added fuel to the fire and let my father know the true face of my second brother, cough!If it weren't for this, Dad wouldn't be so angry that he wouldn't be bedridden. Mrs. Lu was silent for a moment, then let out a soft breath and said: "Look at you, the medicine is cold, let me warm it up." Ding Chengzong said disapprovingly: Forget it, don't bother, I'll drink it up after a few sips. How can it be, you should drink it while it is hot when you are sick, I will go to heat it up.Mrs. Lu said holding up the medicine bowl. Ding Chengzong suddenly grabbed her wrist, Mrs. Lu's body trembled, and the medicine bowl in her hand almost fell over. Ding Chengzong said strangely: "What's wrong with you?" Me and I, Mrs. Lu's cheeks were flushed, and she spat softly: Who told the officials to scare the slaves? You haven't had anyone for a long time, so you can't be scared? Ding Chengzong's expression darkened, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Xiang Wu, my husband, I have suffered so much for you." Lu Xiangwu lowered his head and said in a quiet voice: "What do the officials say, marry the beggar according to the begging, marry the old man according to the old man."The slave family is your wife, so she should serve her husband from the beginning of her life.Suffering or not is fate, there is nothing to say. Ding Chengzong wanted to say something more, but he opened his mouth for a long time, then slowly closed it, and sighed bitterly.Lu Xiangwu lowered his eyes, picked up the medicine bowl and got up to leave. Ding Chengzong looked at her back, with a light and graceful figure, glossy satin hair, slender waist and plump buttocks, her charm was hard to hide, she was clearly a young woman in the prime of her youth, but he was already Ding Chengzong couldn't help but said sadly: "I have been busy with business these years, traveling around, and I don't even have a son and a half with you, otherwise I can comfort your loneliness a little bit."well!I'm sorry for my husband In Ding Ting's training room, the smell of medicine was strong.The weather was getting hotter, Ding Tingxun was still covered with a thick quilt, and the doors and windows were closed tightly, so there was no ventilation.In his early years, for the cause of the Ding family, he traveled all over the Northwest regardless of the cold or heat, exhausting his mind and mind, so his health has always been not very good.In the past few years, I have been pampered and treated well, so I don't often get sick. In fact, my body has become weaker, and my emotions have become more and more ups and downs, so I will inevitably be bedridden. He handed the medicine bowl forward, Yan Jiu rushed forward to take the bowl, Ding Tingxun coughed a few times, and asked slowly: "The government is investigating my Ding family's bribery case, what are the clues now?" Yan Jiu put the medicine bowl on the table, graciously helped him to lie down, and comforted him in a soft voice: Master, shopkeeper Xu's work is very safe, what can the government do to catch him?Besides, isn't this matter left to the young master? You are sick, and it is still important to take care of your health right now.Your illness is caused by worrying too much, so you can't worry about it anymore. Ding Tingxun snorted softly and said: If Zong'er has all limbs and he is allowed to handle this matter, then why should I worry about it?But now he!He tried his best to recommend Ding Hao, and the old man accepted him.Now Ding Hao has gone to Bazhou, how much money did he bring, and has he ever managed it? Yan Jiu smiled and said: Master, you also know that the eldest and young master is most like you, and he rarely mentions to others what he has in mind.If the young master doesn't mention it, the old slave doesn't dare to ask. Ding Tingxun waved his hand wearily: Forget it, I'll call him to ask later.You don't have to stay by my side all the time, Chengye is too young and has no experience in handling things.The matter of buying grain and grass is no small matter, you have to help him more, and this matter must not go wrong again. Yan Jiu bowed his waist and said: Don't worry, master, although the second young master is young and not calm enough, he is smart and flexible in handling things.Besides, on the ground in Bazhou, if those big grain growers don't sell their grain to our Ding family, who else can they sell it to?Don't worry about this matter, I guarantee that there will be no mistakes. snort!Ding Tingxun hesitated to speak, waved his hands weakly and said: "The old man wants to take a rest, you can go to work." Yes, the old slave resigned.Yan Jiu stepped forward to tuck the quilt for him, and then tiptoed back out. Ding Tingxun stared at the ceiling with his eyes open, not feeling sleepy at all.He was still thinking about the absurd things that Ding Chengzong told him about Ding Chengye's doing.In the past, he only felt that Chengye was not doing his job properly.However, after all, this is a common problem of the children of rich families, and it will naturally subside when they get older, so although they often reprimand him for this, it is not really a serious crime. However, only now did he realize that he had been shrewd all his life and wanted to be strong all his life, yet he had raised a son.It's nothing more than going out and going to the sex scene, flirting with actors, but he even went to the beehive (the male prostitute's house in the Song Dynasty).This made Ding Tingxun, who had always kept himself clean, feel sick just thinking about it. This time he was asked to purchase grain and grass. He also defaulted on, lowered prices, and embezzled some grain merchants. Can you stand the toss of this prodigal son?Moral heirs, more than ten generations; farming and reading heirs next; poetry and book heirs next; wealth heirs, no more than three generations.If you don't pay attention to personal morality, how can you talk about ethics?How to inherit my family business? Thinking of this, Ding Tingxun couldn't help but burst into tears: My two sons, now they can't inherit the family, and the business can't inherit the business. What evil did I do? God wants to punish me like this! In the blurred eyes of tears, a figure that he had never looked directly at, and even hated to look at, gradually became clear in his mind. Ding Tingxun's words echoed in his ears repeatedly: Li Di or Li Xian is a matter of the Ding family's life and death. Daddy can be sure. Be careful!