Chapter 2582
Although these two people did not participate in the conversation in the study just now, they seemed to know the content of the conversation very well and knew why Bai Letong and others left in a hurry.
Hearing Dai Chengrong's evaluation of Bai Letong and others, Shi Chengwu showed no unhappy expression on his face and responded in a deep voice: "This is what their responsibilities should be. If they are convinced by your father with just a few words, then I really look down on them!”
Dai Chengrong said: "But Bai Letong is really a bit stubborn, which is a bit of a hindrance..."
"It doesn't matter!" Shi Chengwu raised his hand and patted Dai Chengrong's shoulder and said, "It's okay to let them touch the wall a little more. We just need to do our own thing well. We don't need to worry about these little things."
Dai Chengrong nodded slightly and did not continue to argue with Shi Chengwu. He and Shi Chengwu have known each other for many years. Although they are friends, they both know that they do not belong to the same class. Therefore, when the two of them have differences, Shi Chengwu's opinion will basically prevail.
Shi Chengwu didn't say this just to comfort Dai Chengrong. He knew the thoughts of Bai Letong and others better than Dai Chengrong. After all, he and Bai Letong were in the same circle and could better understand each other's thoughts. With their status, they don’t need to worry about other people’s thoughts in their daily work, let alone civilians like Dai Yingda and Li Fa. Although Dai Yingda is quite influential in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, to Bai Letong and others, he is just a relatively wealthy businessman, and there is no need to change his own rules for him.
Of course, out of friendship, Shi Chengwu would not tell such unpleasant truths in front of Dai Chengrong, lest he feel disgraced. The best way is to ask Dai Chengrong to stop paying attention to this matter and reduce contact with Bai Letong and others.
At this time, the three people who had just left Li Mansion and got on the carriage were also reviewing the previous conversation.
"Le Tong, you are still too anxious. If there is really a problem with Dai Yingda, you may have alerted the snake by expressing your attitude in person like this!" Tao Hongfang did not agree very much with Bai Letong's approach just now, and began to analyze it after getting in the car. The pros and cons.
Bai Letong responded: "I don't know this, but I really can't accept their challenge to the authority of the government! Look at Dai Yingda's tone of voice, as if he is the maker of the rules. I want him to understand what this country is. Who has the final say!”
Ning Zijing said: "You have already talked to Uncle Shi two or three times about the provincial examination, but I don't think he has been too active in handling this matter. I guess you won't make much progress if you go again." ”
Bai Letong said: "I have always felt that his attitude is a bit strange. I don't believe that these tricks of the rural trial can be hidden from his eyes. The information Hongfang has found is very detailed. We need to use the official It’s not difficult to find out the truth, but Uncle Shi refused to investigate thoroughly for various reasons. I always feel that something is wrong.”
Tao Hongfang said: "What do you think?"
Bai Letong hesitated for a moment before saying: "Uncle Shi said that those related households you found will be prohibited from participating in this year's provincial examination. But looking back now, I suspect that these people's participation in the provincial examination is just a pretense. The real purpose is to provide other people with services." Cover.”
Tao Hongfang said: "The 'others' you said should refer to the people Dai Yingda wanted to escort to pass the customs, right?" Bai Letong nodded and said: "Dai Yingda also said before that he did not pass Peng Yushan and Lu Qiu. He looked down upon the angry people and just asked me not to block the way. It can be seen that these people are taking advantage of him to do things for him. The only thing they are worried about is that I will kill them halfway and ruin the good thing. Today, Li Fa invited us over. Probably this is the real purpose.”
Ning Zijing said: "From Li Fa's point of view, it is understandable to want to be the middleman to make peace between the two parties. You have all heard about the cooperation projects they talked about before. If you pull out any of those projects, it is estimated that they will cost dozens or hundreds. An investment of 10,000 yuan. This is definitely a rare business opportunity for Qiong Lianfa, and Li Fa will definitely make every effort to maintain the cooperative relationship with Yangzhou Salt Merchants.”
"What Zijing said makes sense." Tao Hongfang nodded in agreement: "With the financial resources of Yangzhou salt merchants, it is difficult for anyone to firmly reject them. Not everyone can be like us and not be moved by money."
After Tao Hongfang said this, the three of them looked at each other and smiled. They come from prominent backgrounds and have not paid much attention to money since they were young. Naturally, no one can bribe them on this condition. Businessmen like Li Fa couldn't compete with them in terms of integrity. Faced with the cooperation conditions given by the Yangzhou salt merchants, it was certainly difficult to be as firm as them.
Bai Letong said: "The question now is, if we expose the matter, will Uncle Shi be on our side?"
Tao Hongfang and Ning Zijing did not say anything immediately. This matter involved too many interests from all sides, and even exceeded their previous knowledge. They were not sure at this time. For Shi Diwen, Is it more important to maintain the sanctity of the imperial examinations, or to protect the so-called overall situation?
Judging from Shi Diwen's previous words and deeds, it would not be surprising if he finally decided to protect the Yangzhou salt merchants. After all, according to the current information, many of the next large-scale projects in Hangzhou may have to rely on salt merchants to meet part of the costs. People contribute money and effort, and if Shi Diwen doesn't give him any benefit, it will definitely be unjustifiable.
Seeing that the two of them were silent, Bai Letong said to himself: "No matter what Uncle Shi's attitude is, I still have to see him again. At worst, I will run into another problem. If you want me to pretend not to know, continue to be here. If the Provincial Examination Office is messing around, I really can’t accept it! If you find it inconvenient, you don’t need to come forward, I will solve the matter myself.”
Tao Hongfang said: "You and I are brothers of the same spirit, of course we are on your side!"
Ning Zijing also smiled and said: "Even if Uncle Shi refuses to do what you want, he won't do anything to you. If you don't like your stay here, the worst we can do is go back to Sanya earlier."
Bai Letong's face relaxed a little, and he nodded and said: "Fortunately, I am traveling with you when I come to Hangzhou this time. If I came here alone and no one can discuss this situation, it would be really troublesome."
The next day, these three people put down the work at hand and went to visit Shi Diwen again. For them, they cannot tolerate the existence of a gray area that is neither black nor white in this matter. Now that they have discovered the clues, they must find out the truth.
(End of chapter)