Chapter 1054: Testing Master Qianhu
Almost at the same time that Wan Fa received Gong Shiqi and his party, another fortune ship slowly docked at another dock about two miles downstream of the Qiantang River. Several laborers were waiting for the springboard to be set up. They wanted to rush forward to take the job, but when they saw that the men who got off the boat all had standard swords hanging on their waists, they immediately stopped in fear. Teams like this swaggering through the city with swords are either high-ranking dignitaries or military attachés. No matter which one they are, they are objects that ordinary people need to keep a safe distance from.
Not long after, a middle-aged man got off the boat. He was wearing a silk robe with five bats and a square scarf on his head. He had a thick short beard on his chin. He was not tall but quite powerful. He walked slowly from the gangplank with his hands behind his back. He stood down, his footsteps extremely steady. If there is a knowledgeable person, it can be seen from the way he walks that his footwork is very solid, which is a quality that only those who have practiced martial arts for many years have.
The man went down to the pier, looked around, and then said calmly: "It's getting late. Hire some people and move the luggage and items off the ship quickly. Don't miss entering the city today."
Immediately, the attendants greeted the laborers who were standing nearby and watched the excitement, and asked them to come over and do some work. A bold person came up and whispered to the attendant to inquire about the origin of this group. The attendant proudly responded: "My master is Mr. Qiao Nanqiao, a member of the Ningbo Prefecture Dinghaiwei Examination Thousand Households. This time he came to Hangzhou Prefecture to handle official business... You must be careful when carrying the box. There are many valuable items inside, and you cannot afford to pay for them if they are broken.”
Since he is the military attache stationed in Ningbo Prefecture, his behavior seems very reasonable. However, Hangzhou is the administrative center of Zhejiang. There are hundreds of officials in the city. These thousands of households are just military attachés from the fifth grade. He may still have some influence in Ningbo, but he is actually not a big shot in Hangzhou. After hearing this follower announce his master's identity, the laborers felt much more relaxed.
This group of people spent an hour unloading the goods at the pier, hired three carts and a four-person soft sedan, and then set off towards the Houchao Gate in the southeast of Hangzhou City. Fortunately, this place is not far from Hangzhou City, otherwise they would most likely not be able to enter the city before closing the city gate.
Houchaomen was first built in the Wuyue Kingdom during the Five Dynasties period. During the construction of the city, bricks and stones were packed in bamboo cages and transported to the bottom of the city by vehicle to serve as the city foundation, so it was named Bamboo Chemen. During the Southern Song Dynasty, this city gate was rebuilt. Because it is close to the Qiantang River and you can watch the ebb and flow of the tide every day, it was renamed Houchao Gate. The book "Old Martial Arts" written by Zhou Mi, a poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, also records that Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty went out of the city from Houchao Gate to watch the tide. There are also many pavilions built outside the tide-waiting gate, such as Yingjiang Tower, Cao Pavilion, Yingfa Pavilion, Zhangting Posthouse, etc.
When the team of Master Qianhu walked all the way to Houchao Gate, the soldiers guarding the gate were already moving the Juma lying on the roadside back to the city gate, preparing to close the business. Seeing this group of people coming in a hurry, the primary school leader waved his hands impatiently and said: "You guys stop it! You can't enter the city today. Come back tomorrow morning!"
"Sir, wait a minute, we are all our own people!" The entourage here hurried over and told the small school the identity of this group of people, and showed him the official document signed by Ningbo Prefecture Haiwei, It states that Qiao Nan, a member of the Qianhu family, went to Hangzhou to handle military affairs.
The colonel took another look at the people in front of him. Although they were not wearing military uniforms, they did have a chilling air that could not be concealed, and it did not look like they were pretending. Moreover, the swords worn by several people on their waists were obviously standard military equipment. Although the officer from the out-of-town guard station was not a high-ranking official when he arrived in Hangzhou, for a low-level officer like him, he was considered a big shot that could not afford to offend. He immediately called two of his subordinates, intending to pretend to check the few people entering the city. Is there any contraband on the cart?
Seeing this, the attendant added: "Please be careful when checking. These boxes contain many gifts for adults in the army. Among them are Haihan glassware shipped from the south. It is extremely easy to break. Please do not Touch it, otherwise it will be difficult to explain.”
After hearing this, the primary school officer naturally felt that one more thing was better than one less thing. He immediately omitted the inspection and asked his subordinates to let the team go into the city quickly. He was not really afraid of breaking some precious objects, but he knew that most of the officers of Ningbo Dinghaiwei were merchants who donated their money to serve as officials. There was no telling whether there were anything that could not be seen in the luggage in these cars. If the time comes out, everyone’s face will not look good. It would be better to just let them into the city, which would save them the trouble and allow them to collect the team and go back to rest early.
After the team was halfway into the city, another follower came over to thank the small school: "My lord told me that all the brothers have worked hard on duty. If you have some silver, please stop the team and have a drink." After that, he left a group of people. Fifty taels of silver were stuffed into the hands of the principal.
The principal was very happy now, and he quickly clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for the reward, sir!"
After this group of people entered the city, someone came to pick them up and took them to an inn not far from Houchao Gate to stay. This inn is also one of the industries operated by Haihan in Hangzhou City. However, considering the complex situation in the city and the status of Gaoqiao Nan's team, we did not clear the place like Cheng Fengxing before moving in. We just moved this inn The courtyard where Shangfang is located has been rented out, while operations in other areas continue as usual without any changes. Not long after Gao Qiaonan and his party settled in, the innkeeper came to ask for an audience.
"In the humble position of Zhang Wanfu, see Shangguan." The innkeeper is a man in his forties, with a harmless look on his face, but he is indeed very suitable for running a business like an inn that requires frequent dealings with people.
"Boss Zhang is free of charge." Gao Qiaonan was still very polite to his own people without any airs: "Has the Ministry of Commerce notified you before?"
Zhang Wanfu responded: "Beizi was notified five days ago and ordered people to tidy up the yard early. However, the instructions from above were unclear and did not provide any details. He only asked Beizi to cooperate with Shangguan. If there is any need, Beizi We will try our best to complete it.”
"The things we have to do in Hangzhou this time cannot be made public. You are from the Ministry of Commerce. The less you know, the safer it is for you." Gao Qiaonan explained a few words and then warned: "We This group of people lives in your hotel as Ming Army officers. You must be careful in your address from now on. You are now the innkeeper. I am a Ming Army officer and I am your guest here. There is no subordinate relationship, don’t let others take advantage of you!”
"Yes, yes, I remember." Zhang Wanfu was shocked and quickly changed his words.
Zhang Wanfu was not a professionally trained agent or soldier, but because he was from Zhejiang, the Ministry of Commerce chose him to run this inn in Hangzhou. As a result, he was recruited by the Ministry of Security as a part-time intelligence agent. In fact, his main job here is not to collect intelligence. Most of the time, he just presides over the business affairs of this inn. However, he has always kept his true identity a secret. Until now, no one around him knows his true identity. He is from Haihan. This time he received the team led by Takahashi Minami. This was the first time he had received a large number of people from Haihan since he joined the company in Hangzhou. Although he was a little excited to see his teammates from the same camp, he was more concerned about the unknown situation. I felt uneasy because the purpose of this group of people coming to Hangzhou was secret, and they all had dead faces. They were obviously not here to relax. With what Takahashi Minami said just now, his attitude was very clear, that is, he was not going to be involved.
Zhang Wanfu is not as active as Cheng Fengxing's Wan Fa. He only has a part-time status in the Security Department. If he wants to perform in such a secret operation, he is really risking his life. Takahashi Nan did not want to talk to him about the operational arrangements, but Zhang Wanfu wanted it. He did not want to take great risks and be involved in these things.
Gao Qiaonan asked again: "How far is it from Fengshan Gate?"
Zhang Wanfu answered truthfully: "It's just a promise."
Gao Qiaonan nodded noncommittally, and then ordered: "Tomorrow, find one or two guides who are familiar with the local area to take us around the city. Don't tell us our identities yet, just say that we are merchants from Zhoushan. We can pay you It needs to be richer, but one must be reliable and able to control one’s mouth.”
Zhang Wanfu responded: "This matter is easy to handle. Hangzhou is a big city in eastern Zhejiang. There are many idle people in the city who specialize in the tour guide business. Some of them have extensive connections and can even help officials from other places to open up connections." . The villain also knows a few reliable people and will call them over tomorrow.”
Takahashi Nan continued: "While we are staying at the inn, ask your guys not to enter or exit this courtyard at will. If you need anything, we will naturally ask it. Also, no matter what happens, you are just the innkeeper. There is no special relationship between people, understand? ”
"I understand, I understand! I understand!" Zhang Wanfu actually didn't understand what was going to happen at all, but he also knew it was best not to show confusion in front of the superior, so he immediately agreed before speaking. He was already thinking about how this group of people would prevent the store clerks from entering the yard, so as to avoid making them suspicious of the whereabouts of Takahashi Minami and others while they were staying in the store.
Early the next morning, Zhang Wanfu found two reliable tour guides, negotiated a high price of one tael of silver a day, and took the people from Gaoqiao South to go shopping around the city. In order not to attract too much attention, Takahashi Minami and his group, who had been transformed into businessmen, no longer carried swords when going out. Only a few of them carried daggers as self-defense.
These so-called tour guides are originally idlers with no fixed jobs. They can earn an incredible sixty-seven taels of silver a month from various miscellaneous businesses. It is relatively easy for someone to hire them as guides for a day or two. Of course, I would be happy to do the next job. If you take this kind of high-roller who is willing to spend money to visit Hangzhou, you might have a good time and there will be other rewards later.
However, the guide's plan may be in vain. The group of people they brought are not rich businessmen and scholars who come to enjoy the mountains and rivers, and they do not intend to pass the time in those gold-selling caves where they spend a lot of time and alcohol. Before coming to Hangzhou, Gao Qiaonan had a certain understanding of some important locations and regional landmarks in the city. After coming here, he conducted on-site inspections of the target areas to once again confirm the various paper documents he had previously mastered. information.
The places that Gao Qiaonan is interested in are, firstly, the locations of various government offices in the city, and secondly, in the neighborhoods where the residences of officials in the city are concentrated. Most of the things he has to do in Hangzhou this time will have to be done in these two places, so Gao Qiaonan must first confirm the environment in these places before discussing a specific action plan with Gong Shiqi, otherwise everything will just be Just talk on paper.
The two guides took Gao Qiaonan and others around several yamen in the east of the city. They saw that these foreigners had no intention of going to other places to eat or play. Although they didn't say anything, they showed a lack of interest. It was Takahashi Minami who saw it. He gave a hint to the person in charge of organizing the itinerary in the team. The person who understood the situation called the two of them to the side and explained to them: "You two, my Mr. Qiao is coming to Hangzhou for business this time, and he plans to find connections to donate money to fill the gap. Yes, you have to find the right place first, and then you can pay a visit later! If you two take good care of me, my master will definitely need your reward if things go smoothly.”
After hearing this, one of them said: "I know a few people in the Yamen. I wonder if Mr. Qiao wants to donate his fame, or does he want to buy an official position directly? If he wants to get the title of Juren, or donate to become a county magistrate, etc. Yes, the villain may be able to help think of a solution.”
These words may be effective in deceiving country bumpkins, but the person they are dealing with is also an old man in the field team of the Ministry of Security. He travels all over the country to meet many people. Naturally, he can see that this guide is just bragging and trying to defraud a few people of money for running errands. He sneers at the moment. : "The position that my master wants to donate is from the fifth grade to the top. Do you dare to take it? If you are not afraid of losing your head, you can try it."
The guide took a breath of air: "Fifth grade and up? How much silver will it cost..."
"This is just a small amount of money to my master, do you understand? Don't talk too much and do the things assigned to you well. You will be rewarded later!"
"I understand!"
The two guides exchanged glances, and both thought they had met a rich man this time. They have heard about spending money to donate official positions, but usually they are only low-level officials of the sixth or seventh rank, and they have to queue up to fill the vacancies. This uncle actually wants to spend money to donate to a fifth-rank official. Either he is stupid or he is bragging because he has too much money. cowhide. However, seeing how he swarms when he goes out and can afford to have so many bodyguards and followers, he is definitely not an ordinary country rich man. He is probably a wealthy businessman doing big business as he said. Such people have too much money and no place to spend it. It is possible for them to spend money to buy an official position to satisfy their addiction to officialdom.
(End of chapter)