Chapter 202 Caoyun Wharf

Nearly a thousand people in Wu Wangfu marched to the south. Accompanying by Li Ke, Xue Rengui, Yin Yang, Yuwen Hongtai and Pang Fei, Qin Mubai did not feel bored. After all, it's the heart of a 30-year-old, and this kind of sadness can still bear it. After being sad when he was young, Qin Mubai quickly adjusted his mood and began to look forward to the next stop of his life.

Throughout the ages, there have been many places connected in the officialdom. It is not uncommon for Beijing officials to be sent to the local government for further study, get some achievements and then be promoted. Qin Mubai knew that he was standing at a crossroads now and could not tolerate any mistake. If you do a good job, the future is boundless; if you make a mistake, bad luck is also certain.

After all, I have offended people in the court!

Xiangzhou, as Li Xun, a great soldier, said, is a must-have place for soldiers in ancient times. In ancient times, Xiangzhou was also known as Xiangyang, Xiangyang County. It is located in the Central Plains, connecting the Han River in the south, Jing and the west to the Han and Shu in the south. The east waterway can reach Wuyue directly. It is the hub of the Central Plains.

There is a lot of water in Xiangzhou, and the transportation is quite convenient. A piece of Han water is in front of Xiangzhou. Since ancient times, Hanshui has been a natural military barrier around Jingxiang and a way to make money. Speaking of Hanshui, it is worth mentioning that it originated in Hanzhong, which is the place where the Han Dynasty originated.

Han, the title of a nation. The Han nationality, Chinese, Chinese characters, Han culture... There is no need to repeat. As for Hanshui, the children of China from ancient times to the present naturally have more feelings for it.

The money, grain, cloth and iron in the Jingxiang area pass through Xiangzhou, and both water and land can be transported to the customs and taxes to the imperial court. The salt service in Wuyang area also relies more on the transportation here, starting from Xiangzhou to the southern states and counties. Therefore, the Caoyun Wharf in Xiangzhou can be said to be famous all over the world, and it has become an important fiscal revenue of Xiangzhou.

Therefore, Xiangzhou is not only an important town in the Central Plains and a must-have place for soldiers, but also a big piece of fat meat rich in oil. If it weren't for a prince like Li Ke, how could he easily get such a fat and vacant official position as the governor of Xiangzhou?

Naturally, the more prosperous and rich the place is, the more dragons and snakes are mixed, and there are all the people of the three teachings and nine streams. The inside story of the transportation terminal alone is very complicated. Whether it's an officer or a soldier, a civilian hooligan, who doesn't want to get fat here? In addition, when it comes to things that are exclusively sold by the imperial court, such as salt, rice and iron, there must be activities such as salt xiao private merchants. In the long run, there have been many underground "green forest gangs" in Xiangzhou. In fact, there are strong people with the nature of underworld who make benefits here. The government army turned a blind eye to them and took what they needed.

There are those old sons of Jingxiang and local officials and gentlers. Many forces are intertwined. A small Xiangzhou looks like a bullet land on the surface, but it is not as simple as it seems on the surface. There are policies and countermeasures, which have been the same throughout the ages. If it weren't for a capable person, it would be really hard to afford to come here.

Li Ke talked about this with Qin Mubai along the way. Obviously, he knew Xiangzhou very well. It turned out that he had served in Anzhou before, and he could go down the Han River to Anzhou, which was not too far apart. We also know more or less about the human feelings in this area.

"It seems that our trip is not easy, Your Highness." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Now I understand why the emperor allowed me to walk with you so simply. You are an assassin. I'm afraid it's not easy to suppress these local snakes in Xiangzhou without the help of the army!"

"Extremely true." Li Ke smiled slightly and said, "When you go to the local state or county, it's no better than the capital at the foot of the emperor. It's not good to say that there are no tigers and monkeys in the mountains to be called kings. Perhaps a little squire here will praise the long live of our emperor's son every day, but secretly he feels that he is the most indomitable person in this area.

"It's not surprising." Qin Mubai said, "In a group of people, if anyone is used to being worshipped or giving orders, it is easy to float over time. Moreover, the people standing on the top of the mountain and the people standing at the foot of the mountain are small to each other.

"Oh, that's a wonderful thing to say." Li Ke smiled after hearing this, "It seems that you are already in your heart?"

"It's hard to talk about it." Qin Mubai said, "When it comes to a new environment, you have to adapt for a while. I only heard that the Caoyun Wharf in Xiangzhou is the most prosperous and complex. Why don't we take a few people to dress up and go to the private clothes to inquire first. There is no news, more accurate than what I saw with my own eyes.

"Good." Li Ke agreed without saying a word.

A few days later, he took over the territory of Xiangyang County, the county seat of Xiangzhou. Li Ke called Quan Wanji and asked him to lead the brigade to continue to take the dry road south to Xiangzhou. Li Ke, along with Qin Mubai, took four relatives, including Xue Rengui, Yin Yang, Pang Fei and Yuwen Hongtai. Everyone disguised themselves and boarded the boat and went south to the Han River.

It was early spring, and the east wind on the river was very cold. A big sail passenger ship used to see in the south went down the wind and waves, accompanied by more than a dozen people, most of whom were peddlers and travelers.

Although Li Ke and Qin Mubai changed into ordinary official clothes, their detached temperament could not be concealed. In addition, the four people who accompanied him are all powerful and idle people, especially Yuwen Hongtai, who is like a god, is even more scary, so no one talks to them all the way, let alone trouble.

It makes everyone laugh and cry. Yuwen Hongtai, such a reckless man, was frightened and unstable as soon as he got on the boat. Like a little daughter-in-law entering the door of the evil mother-in-law's house, his face was a little pale. After getting on the boat, he shrank silently. After a few hours, he suddenly vomited and vomited.

Such a big guy, how can he get seasick!

"Wow... I knew I didn't follow!" Yuwen Hongtai wanted to cry without tears. When the boat walked all the way, he vomited all the way and cried like a child, making the people on the boat laugh over.

Down the stream, there are still a hundred miles of waterway to reach Xiangzhou. The Dafan passenger ship docked at several docks along the way to pick up passengers. Qin Mubai and others have also seen the Caoyun Wharf in Xiangzhou, which is indeed extremely prosperous and lively. Whether it is day or night, there are often passenger ships or cargo ships docking. The servants who take over the work here are waiting day and night, and it is often seen that the officials maintain order here. Occasionally, you can also see some tough people walking back and forth in the cabin crowd, and people dare not offend them at all.

"The transportation in Xiangzhou is related to the imperial court's salary tax and salt and iron transshipment, which is extremely important." Li Ke said, "Unto the founding of the Tang Dynasty and even the pre-Suspian period, the area of Jingxiang was full of salt scoopers, and countless salt taxes flowed into the hands of salt slings. In addition to stealing and selling private salt, the salt hawkers also have organizations to gather together, connect with the government's private iron weapons, and bully good people in the countryside. If it is in troubled times, the behavior of these salt tyrants is still reasonable, and some of them are also to fight against tyranny and seek a way to live. But today, the country is peaceful and the country is prosperous and the people are safe. These guys only want to enrich their own pockets, so they can't be tolerated.

Qin Mubai nodded and said, "I have also heard for a long time that Jingxiang is rich and prosperous, but there are also three teachings and nine dragons and snakes mixed, which is not as simple and calm as imagined. Over the years, the salt spies have been inexhaustible, almost on par with the king's law, and the local government seems to be unable to do nothing about them. If we can eliminate the salt stingers this time, it may be a good achievement.

Li Ke smiled and said, "Look, I'm thinking of it again. We have done what others can't do, which is a good political achievement. We don't know until we have an in-depth understanding of how powerful the salt shacks in Xiangzhou are.

Later, Li Ke asked the boatman and learned that there was a very famous ferry in Xiangyang County in front of him, called 'Baguidu', which is one of the largest transportation wharfs in Xiangzhou. Li Ke said, "Let's get off the boat and have a look. It's okay to stay there for a day or two. Anyway, we have also been to Xiangzhou. Let's look for people's livelihood."

"It's good."

Soon after, the group got off the boat. Yuwen Hongtai's legs were so embarrassed. If it hadn't been for Xue Rengui, who was so powerful, he would probably fall into the river when he got off the boat and walked on the sampan.

It was dawn, but the Eight Ghosts had already been lively.

Passenger and cargo ships are very finely divided. On the left is a passenger ship for passengers, and on the right is a larger cargo ship. Looking around, within a few miles of the water, the sampan was full of the whole wharf. Some officials roared loudly and commanded the ship to enter the harbor and dock. In such a cold early spring dawn, they wore short cardigans and rolled up their trousers, barefooted their chests, and carried the goods to the shore. There is a thin head of the piece counting next to it, which should be used to settle the salary.

Qin Mubai and other people came ashore from the side of the passenger dock, but they did not meet any idle people except for the pedestrians who got on and off the boat. After a big detour all the way, everyone intended to go to the freight terminal to see what happened. Unexpectedly, the two government officials at the entrance came out and stopped them.

"How, which ship are you the owner of?" The servant looked at several people warily and questioned.

"Oh...that one." Li Ke casually pointed forward and said with a smile, "Brother Guan, let me in. Our goods are being unloaded!"

"Oh!" The government official sneered, "Where did you come from, Mr. Fulang? This is not a place of wind and flowers, alleys and willows. Is it a place for you to have fun? Let's go, let's go, don't force the official to turn against each other!"

"What do you mean?" Li Ke's face sank, "My own ship is unloading. Can't I go in and have a look?"

"Let you get out, get out!" The servist was so impatient that he shouted, "Do you have to be unlucky here?"

"Hence." Another servant next to him seemed to be more clever. He looked at Li Ke and others and might be some bigwigs. He pulled the evil servant aside and apologized, "What on earth is this Langjun is going to enter the dock?"

"Didn't I just say that?" Li Ke was not angry and asked calmly.

"Lang Jun laughed. Lang Jun should be a businessman from other places, right? The yamen smiled and obviously had a bit of sarcasm, but he still said politely, "Any owner who goes in and out of Baguidu must have a special token issued by the county government. There is no need to say more, you can go in and out freely at any time. Lang Jun...do you ever understand?"

"What, do you have to ask for a token?" Li Ke was stunned for a moment, and then laughed dryly. "Well, I forgot it for a moment. When I go back to your county government, I will ask for it. What a nuisance, goodbye!"

The evil sneer: "Zhou Laojiu, is it easy to talk nonsense with these naughty people? It's quiet to walk with a stick directly.

Qin Mubai and others are here to find out what's going on, and they have been watching from the sidelines. On the contrary, Yuwen Hongtai, who vomited all the way, although his body vomited and lost his temper, he also suppressed his stomach. At this time, he couldn't help being annoyed. Hulala rushed up. He waved a big slap like a fan, slapped it on the face of the evil sman, and roared, "Look for it to clean up, I'll do it!"

The evil servant shouted and fell to the sky, like a piece of cement board ploping and falling to the ground, which shocked the people around him. Several government officials shouted and rushed over with knives and sticks, and the whole dock suddenly seemed to explode and became lively.

Li Ke, Qin Mubai and others were also a little annoyed, but after all, they didn't want to cause more trouble, so they quickly pulled Yuwen Hongtai back.

Li Ke cursed secretly: "Yuwen Hongtai, are you confused or something? There is no priority!"

Qin Mubai smiled slightly: "Son, it's not a good thing for Hong Tai to poke a basket. It's like destroying a hornet's nest. You have to try it, right?

"Oh!" Li Ke smiled and stopped talking. Looking at the group of people around in front of him, he cut his hands on his back and watched them laugh.

The evil servator was pulled up from the ground. He was afraid that he covered his head and wailed when he fell. The Zhou Laojiu next to him seemed to be a leader. He hurriedly persuaded the brothers behind him who were eager to fight. He came to Li Ke and said, "This prince, you are also a person who knows books and is not idle people, but Why do you have such a fierce person? It's inconvenient to cause trouble on the dock. Let's go!"

"You are a trouble-free person." Li Ke smiled and said, "By the way, what will happen if I don't leave today?"

Zhou Laojiu frowned, as if he showed a trace of anger and said impatiently, "We are busy. You'd better not stop pestering. Otherwise, it is possible to be killed in this dock. Let's go, let's go!"

"Haha, it's interesting!" Li Ke laughed and said, "What is the king's law in the Tang Dynasty that if you break into the shipping wharf, you will be beaten to death? I really want to open my eyes today!"

Qin Mubai next to him smiled and said, "The prince is so elegant today. I will accompany you. Brother Zhou is a good person, and we don't embarrass you. Why don't you ask your brother to step back and let me in and have a look? It's okay.

"Oh, you really don't know how to praise!" Zhou Laojiu gritted his teeth and cursed hatefully, took a step back, and suddenly waved his hand, "Kell them away!"

A group of government officials were about to rush up with knives, guns and sticks. Li Ke suddenly shouted, "Hold!"

All the government officials were stunned and really stopped. I couldn't help but wonder neatly in my heart: What a great prestige, even bigger than the style of the county magistrate!

Seeing that these yamen had been suppressed, Li Ke felt very good. He smiled and said, "You are in such a hurry to bombard us away. Is there anything shame in these eight ghosts? As officials and servists, are you selling private goods to commit adultery?

"Bae, nonsense!" The government officials were stunned at first, and then roared angrily, "Get out! Otherwise, take it all and go to your prison!"

"Haha, interesting!" Li Ke stroked his palm and laughed. He stepped back a few steps and smiled at Qin Mubai and Xue Rengui, "It's your turn. By the way, I really want to know which of you two fights better?

"It should be that he is more sway." Qin Mubai also smiled and followed Li Ke to take a step back. "And Yin Yang and Hong Tai, which turn can I take action? Hong Tai is ten for one!"

"It's stuffing me!" Yuwen Hongtai roared with thunder and was about to rush forward to hit people. The government officials only felt black in front of them, and a big black bear-like guy had rushed forward, which scared them a little.

Without waiting for Yuwen Hongtai's fists to meat, a bigger riot suddenly came from the dock, roaring like thunder, and there was a faint sound of swords and slashing. Several ships also seemed to have been overturned, and the large package of goods fell into the water, causing a huge splash.

"Oh, it's more lively over there than here!" Li Ke and others tiptoed to watch.

The government officials couldn't help looking back nervously. Yuwen Hongtai was stunned for a moment with his fist: "Is there such a big movement?"

"Bangbang-" Just then, a series of loud noises suddenly sounded on the dock, and someone shouted on a boat observation tower next to the gate: "The dock has changed, the dock has changed!"

All the government officials were like a magic spell. They immediately left Li Ke and others and rushed to the dock desperately. Only two or three people were left at this entrance to pull up the fence and stopped them with knives. They refused to give in.

"It seems that there is a good show. It's a good time for us to come." Li Ke smiled a little evilly and hooked his finger at Yuwen Hongtai, "It's your turn, Hong Tai. This broken fence can't stop you, can it?

"Haha--" Yuwen Hong Tai roared, like a locomotive hitting the fence with all its strength. A loud noise was accompanied by the fear of the government officials, and a fence fell down. Although Yuwen Hongtai was a huge man, he was extremely agile. He rolled up on the spot, picked up a knocked-overed government official from left and right, threw it away, and clapped his hands and said, "Son, this way is right, please!"

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Son, are we looking for trouble?"

"It's obviously not." Li Ke said with a serious face, "We are coming to watch this bustle!"