Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Zhang Guangdao and Bai Sheng were not allowed to enter the house, and they were squatting under the eaves at the moment.

Shen Yourong, who was always kind, looked very ugly.

She had recognized Bai Sheng before and knew that he was a famous rogue. Zhang Guangdao was injured on his right rib, had a hole in his clothes, and was stained with dried blood. At first glance, he was not a kind person.

Two gangsters came to the house. What if they kidnapped Brother Qi?

Shen Yourong was hiding in the house with her child in her arms. The door was closed and bolted.

Hearing Bai Sheng's shout, she knew that the father and son were back, so she opened the door and said, "Ms. sir, these two people are here to find Da Lang."

The door was closed and bolted, and his attitude was clear. Zhang Guangdao could see it clearly, and felt uncomfortable all over. He clasped his fists and said, "I'm desperate. I'm sorry to bother you two. When the child recovers, I will find another place to stay."

Zhu Guoxiang saw some villagers looking at him from a distance, so he walked straight into the house and said, "Come in and tell us more."

Although Shen Yourong was not happy about the bad guys entering the house, Zhu Guoxiang had already made a decision. She silently went to boil water to make tea, and took Bai Qi to the kitchen with her.

Zhu Ming glanced at the blood stains on Zhang Guangdao's body and asked, "Did the officers and soldiers attack the stronghold?"

When this matter was brought up, Zhang Guangdao couldn't hide his anger and said in detail: "Nine years ago, the government imposed heavy taxes, and Brother Yao and I rebelled. Also rebelling together was Zhu Er, who is now the chief bookkeeper. In the beginning, It went very smoothly, and the chief clerk who led the troops was killed. Later, the magistrate was alerted and many state soldiers were sent over. Some of the leaders of the rebel army were afraid, so they colluded with the officers and soldiers to set up an ambush. Brother Yao and Zhu Er were both defeated."

"Later, we hid in the mountains, and every time when food was collected, we would go down the mountain to plunder money and grain. Over the past few years, the government couldn't stand it anymore, and sent people to the mountains to recruit people. Brother Yao did not agree, but Zhu Er quietly agreed. . When we went to rob food again, he and the officers and soldiers ambushed us and killed us to a great defeat."

"Brother Yao took more than 20 of us, grabbed a boat and fled downstream. When passing by Heifeng Village, Brother Yao went to borrow food, but was left by the village owner Yang Jun to join the gang. Yang Jun also took his wife and sister, Marry Brother Yao as your wife."

"Brother Yao is loyal and skilled, and he is admired by the bandits. Among the twenty or so of us, Brother Yao takes the second place, I take the fifth place, and Brother Yao's nephew takes the ninth place. Again. Four people became the leaders of the village. Brothers Yang Jun and Yang Ying were afraid, so they got angry and killed Brother Yao, and I escaped with Brother Yao's children."

The merging of cottages is a scene from "Water Margin".

Ju Ming secretly thought that he was lucky. He was so hungry that he almost went into the mountains and surrendered to the bandits.

Zhu Guoxiang asked: "Where is the child?"

Bai Sheng said: "The child fell ill and had a fever. Grandma Yan took her to Baishitou and asked Dr. Sun to see the doctor."

Grandma Yan didn't want bad people to come to the house, but the child had a severe fever, and she couldn't bear it, so she took the initiative to take the child to see a doctor.

The father and son fell into silence at the same time. They had just received their household registration books and had not yet fully established themselves. At this stage, they did not plan to get involved with the gangsters.

Once an accident occurs, all previous efforts will be in vain.

Seeing their embarrassment, Zhang Guangdao raised his hand and said, "I will leave as soon as the child recovers, so you two don't have to be in trouble."

Bai Sheng, however, was extremely smart and quickly told the key to the matter: "Old member Bai and Bai Zongmin... it's just that member Bai had a grudge against him, and he was with the bandits. When Brother Zhang comes to the village, I'm afraid Old member Bai will be willing to do so. Accepted, but we can't enter the Bai family mansion, and we can't see Mr. Bai in person."

Zhu Ming quickly walked into the bedroom, took out the iron money from under the bed, and stuffed it into Zhang Guangdao's hand: "Brother Zhang Wu..."

"It's Brother Zhang." Bai Sheng corrected.

Zhang Guangdao held the money and asked, "What does this mean? I don't care about money."

"Brother Zhang, please listen to what I have to say." Zhu Ming's expression became serious. "When my father and son were in trouble, it was thanks to Brother Zhang to take care of him. Even when I was selling the Hu pen, I also relied on Brother Zhang to guide me. When a man is alive, every drop of kindness should be given. I'll repay you with the spring. Although I sold Hubi for dozens of dollars and spent a lot of money to buy the land, I can only repay you with this."

"I really don't want the money!" Zhang Guangdao pushed the money back.

Ju Ming stretched out his hand and pressed it back: "Whether Brother Zhang stays in the village or looks for another place, money will be needed to take care of the children. But is this the truth?"

Yes, raising children costs money.

Zhang Guangdao was short of breath and had to accept the money: "Thank you, Brother Zhu. I will remember this sentiment."

Although it is not convenient to take in the bandits at this time, Zhu Ming is reluctant to let go of the heroes who come to his door. He can only try his best to improve their goodwill: "Old Bai, I can help introduce them. Only he can make the decision to accept the two of them here. I My father and I are foreigners. Not long after we settled in Shangbai Village, we took in foreigners rashly and had no way to explain to the villagers besides Lao Bai. Brother Zhang, is this the truth? "

Zhang Guangdao nodded and said: "That's right, I was reckless."

Zhu Ming said to Bai Sheng again: "Bai Er, you stay here, I will take Brother Zhang to see Mr. Bai."

"I'll wait." Bai Sheng agreed.

Seeing his son go out, Zhu Guoxiang was quite pleased.

It is impossible to leave Zhang Guangdao directly. Because this is someone else's territory, they are not qualified to shelter the bandits. Otherwise, it will inevitably cause extreme dissatisfaction among members of the Lao Bai community, and even the villagers will be afraid of the father and son.

It would not be good to drive people away directly. This might offend Zhang Guangdao.

In what was originally a tricky and embarrassing matter, the son quickly took the initiative and completely resolved each other's embarrassment. He also showed kindness to each other and established a friendship, and by the way kicked the ball to Lao Bai.

It’s true that my son often gets nervous, but his ability to adapt is really strong!

But it was said that Ju Ming came to the Bai family mansion and said a few words to the disciples, and soon the servants invited them into the house.

"Xunshan Biao Zhang Guangdao, I've met the veteran!" Zhang Guangdao greeted with clasped fists.

Mr. Bai was basking in the sun outside. He raised his hand and said, "I have been paying homage to you for a long time. Please sit down and watch the tea!"

Zhu Ming explained the situation carefully and added: "Brother Zhang helped my father and son. He was desperate and his child had a fever. He had no choice but to come here to try his luck. He begged me to bring him here to see him. There are only senior officials in this area. With majesty, he is not afraid of the gangsters in Heifeng Village."

After listening carefully, Member Lao Bai confirmed, "The Black Wind Village is in turmoil. Is Yao Fang, the Iron-Armed Arhat, dead?"

"I was drunk to death by those traitors and stabbed in the back," Zhang Guangdao said through gritted teeth.

Member Lao Bai always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

I couldn't figure it out anyway, so I stopped thinking about it for the time being. Old Bai said: "I've heard of Zhang Guangdao's reputation a long time ago. You are a righteous person and have never done anything to repay kindness with enmity. I don't care for idlers here. , are you willing to work in the tea plantation in the mountains?"

"As long as we have a place to stay," Zhang Guangdao said quickly.

Officer Lao Bai made arrangements: "Then you will go to the tea garden. Lao Gu is getting older. Next year it will be you who will take care of the tea."

Zhang Guangdao cupped his fists and said, "Thank you very much for your trust, veteran!"

After the tea ban in Sichuan and Shaanxi, tea plantation owners needed to send the tea to the tea farms themselves.

There are already merchants waiting at the market, and official intermediaries are responsible for contacting buyers and sellers. Buyers and sellers cannot discuss business directly. After the price is negotiated and the business contract is signed, the tea horse company will directly draw interest.

At the beginning, 30% of the transaction price is taken as tea tax.

Because the tea was pumped too hard and the tea merchants were frantically lowering the prices, the tea farmers had to transport the tea themselves, which was already overwhelmed.

It was raining at that time, and the tea farmers were soaked to the skin. The intermediary didn't bring Jiaozi, so they just wanted to buy tea with a white note. Those who didn't want to sell had to transport the tea home in the rain. The tea farmers were so angry that they destroyed the tea market and surrounded the officials and intermediaries. It was not until the magistrate personally came forward to solve the problem. When the matter reached the emperor, Song Shenzong reduced the tea interest rate to 20%.

Every year when sending tea to the tea market, young men need to be organized to pledge the goods.

Zhang Guangdao fled here in embarrassment and was actually appointed as the person in charge of tea next year.

This kind of trust is really hard to come by.

Zhang Guangdao used to hate the old member Bai, but now he feels that the old member is still very good, much better than the Yang brothers in Heifeng Village.

Unexpectedly, the old member Bai added: "Yao Fang's child should be fostered in my family and let him study when he is older."

Zhang Guangdao was troubled and uncomfortable hearing these words.

It was obvious that the child was being held hostage, so Zhang Guangdao should have been angry. But he also said that if he wanted to send his children to study, they might become successful, so Zhang Guangdao had to be grateful.

It’s time to tame the eagle and beast!

It's a pity that Zhang Guangdao takes soft things rather than hard ones, and Lao Bai Yuanwai's approach is a bit redundant.

Zhang Guangdao is sincerely grateful for not detaining the child, even if he is allowed to work hard at critical moments.

After detaining the child, Zhang Guangdao felt a knot in his heart, and the kindness became much weaker, as if it was just a transaction.

Officer Lao Bai called a servant and took the two of them out.

Back at Shen Yourong's house, Zhang Guangdao clasped his fists and said, "Brother Zhu, thank you very much for what happened today! Now that I have found a way to survive, I can't ask for that money."

Ju Ming winked at him and said, "There will always be a time when money can be used. Things in this world can change at any time."

Zhang Guangdao thought about it carefully and felt that this statement made sense.

Moreover, he has a free and easy temperament, a fierce horse that cannot be tied down, and does not want to stay in the mountains for the rest of his life. Once you have the opportunity, you may have to leave with your children, so you must save money early to prepare.

"I've written it down," Zhang Guangdao said.

Ju Ming added: "The land my family bought is not far from the Tea Mountain. Let's have a drink together when we have time in the future. I saw Brother Zhang carrying a bow and arrow on his back that day. He must be an excellent archer. I want to learn archery from Brother Zhang."

Zhang Guangdao said: "Whether it's archery or guns and clubs, if Brother Zhu wants to learn, just come."

Unable to worry about the child, Zhang Guangdao kept waiting.

It wasn't until mid-afternoon that Mrs. Yan came back with the child in her arms: "After drinking the medicine, the fever has gone down a bit."

The servant of the Bai family said: "My husband also gave birth to a baby, and the milk is very abundant. The master asked me to help raise the baby. How to cook this medicine, Grandma Yan told me."

After sending the child to the Bai family mansion, Zhang Guangdao and Bai Sheng were taken to the tea garden by another slave.

When we arrived at the teahouse settlement, it was almost dark.

The servant said to a gray-haired tea worker: "Chief Gu, this man's name is Zhang Guangdao. The master asked him to be responsible for the tea next year."

"Then I can have a rest," the old tea waiter said as he sat there, "You can go ahead."

The servant bowed and left, seeming a little afraid of this man.

Zhang Guangdao stared at the old tea worker's left ear, which was half missing. He glanced at the tiger's mouth on his right hand again. It was a bit dark and he couldn't see clearly.

The old tea worker squeaked: "Don't look at it. When I was killing people and stealing goods, you were still sucking milk in my arms."

Zhang Guangdao smiled awkwardly: "But he is a senior in the world and dares to ask his name."

The old tea worker said: "Ask why there are so many things to do, I am a tea keeper. I don't have to be a tea keeper next year. If you do it, I will just stay at home and hold the baby. How happy I am. Lao Bai has a good reputation outside, and is a tea keeper. Just to prevent an accident, which thief would dare to come and rob it? Once you do it, you will know that tea is a very easy thing to do. "