Qiyuan.

Sitting in the warm and bright thatched cottage, Shen, Wu, and the heads of the Zhou family felt cold all over their bodies.

Qi Taizhong looked at the three of them solemnly and said slowly: "Maybe it is really the Mei family's report, maybe it is what the Yanyuan Yamen has collected over the years, or maybe it is obtained from other places. In short, the information you three families have left over the years The flaws that have not been wiped out are now in the hands of others. We need witnesses, and there are witnesses. We need physical evidence, and there is physical evidence. And the Bai family... The Bai family bit you in there, and of course, they also bit us. .It’s just that the Bai family can’t provide us with much conclusive evidence. However, the three of you are the closest to the Bai family on weekdays, so you are the most willing to give us evidence.”

After a while of scolding, Wu Pin heard this and said with a ferocious face: "Then, let's fight to the death!!"

But the old head of the Zhou family looked at Qi Taizhong and said in a sad voice: "Seventh Master, do you really want to drive us all away?"

Shen Cong, the head of the Shen family, said loudly: "This is their conspiracy! They want to divide us, kill us first, and then kill you! No one can escape!"

Qi Taizhong sighed, waved his hands and said: "In the direction of Jinling, Jiangnan Camp, and Governor Biao Camp have sent troops, so don't say any more angry words. However, I went to see Lin Ruhai and gave up my old face to make a request for you. A way out. Whether it succeeds or not depends entirely on you."

Although Wu Pin yelled the most decisively, his liver and gallbladder were split when he heard that the army had been dispatched. But when he heard that there was hope, he was the first to give up the thought of perishing together, and hurriedly asked: "Master Qi, you are so quick Tell me, how can I survive?"

The two old family heads, Shen Cong and Zhou Jiao, also asked questions one after another.

Qi Taizhong's face was solemn, his white eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he said slowly: "Your family is carrying the murder case of several families. If you don't have an explanation, no one can explain it. Lin Ruhai gave two ways. One is for the family to hand over twenty heads of legitimate descendants. , half of the family wealth, this matter will be over..."

Before he finished speaking, the heads of the three old families became furious and started making noises.

What a joke, twenty heads of direct descendants...

The richer the family, the harder it is to support their legitimate children.

If we really had to hand over the heads of twenty legitimate sons and grandsons at once, there would not be many legitimate descendants left in the three families.

Furthermore, half of the family wealth, what a huge amount it is!

At this moment, the three families all became violent and wanted to send dead soldiers to assassinate Lin Ruhai's whole family!

However, under Qi Taizhong's increasingly sharp gaze, the three families finally became quiet.

Chen Qiao, the head of the Chen family, frowned and said, "You have to let Master Qi finish what he has to say. If Master Qi really gives up and leaves you alone, will you still have a way to survive?"

The three families hurriedly apologized and asked for advice again and again.

Qi Taizhong paused and continued: "The second way is for the three of you to sacrifice all your wealth, save the lives of the whole family, and leave Yangzhou."

After that, he closed his eyes and let another burst of shouting and cursing sound.

After a while, the only sounds left in the thatched cottage were the sound of the three families gasping in despair. Qi Taizhongfang slowly opened his eyes, looked at them indifferently, and said: "The files of the Bai family have been expedited by 800 miles." He was sent to the capital and the punishment was planned: all the men would be killed, all the family members would sell off the Jiaofang Division, and confiscate the family property. This is a serious crime that will never be rectified."

In the midst of great terror, Shen Cong asked in a trembling voice: "Master Qi, where is the salt farm? What to do with the salt farm? If four of them are shut down at once, half of the salt in Jiangnan will be affected, so they are not afraid..."

Qi Taizhong sighed softly and said: "Let the four of us take over temporarily, but they will not sell to us, but to other small salt merchants, abolish the Salt Court Yamen, and reduce the number of intermediate officials... In the future, the salt affairs decree will be

Things have changed, and it is impossible for the eight families to take over the majority. Don’t doubt that the four of us are taking advantage of this opportunity. I have never lied in my life, so I can tell you that in the salt industry, the Qi family will also take its time.

It's time to give up. God's way is good, who can occupy Jinshan for a lifetime? I'm afraid that if you have a life to make money, you won't have to spend it. In the end, we are just merchants after all. I've said this, how to choose is up to you.

.”

The three families, who were originally full of suspicion and guessing that there were countless conspiracies and betrayals, no longer had any luck after hearing Qi Taizhong's words.

Even the Qi family has decided to slowly stop. There is really no third way...

Moreover, if there really is no way to survive, the three families will probably take risks and risk their lives.

It is not that they started a rebellion, but they ordered the salt people to destroy the salt fields and destroy the stored salt.

Together, these three companies can affect the supply of salt in at least several provinces.

Even the salt fields are destroyed, and the price of salt will start to soar immediately tomorrow.

But……

Now that the Grand Master of the Qi family has found a way out, who is still willing to die together?

Hui merchants and Shanxi merchants are still different. Shanxi merchants really dare to sacrifice their lives for money.

But Hui merchants...

Just looking at their enthusiasm for squandering a lot of money in daily life, you can tell that they will not sacrifice their lives for money.

Qi Taizhong looked at the old men from the three families who were kneeling on the ground begging for advice, and sighed helplessly: "If you have spent a lot of money and come back, as long as you are here, are you afraid that you won't be able to make any money? When it's time to make a decision, just make it. My old face,

It won’t last long. As expected, soldiers have surrounded your three families. By then, whatever they want, they can just take it for themselves. At this time, do you still need to be confused?!”

After hearing this, the heads of the Shen family, the Zhou family and the Wu family all bowed their heads in frustration and sighed.

If even the Qi family has this attitude, then they really have no way to change things.

However, as long as people don't die, they will take revenge sooner or later!

…

Yanyuan Yamen.

After coming out of Zhonglin Hall, Jia Qiang went to the guest house again.

Although Xue Ming was a figure he didn't know well, and he didn't even have a name in the Red Mansion, but after all, he was Xue Pan's second uncle and one of the owners of Feng Zihao.

His life and death still need to be taken care of.

But this time, it seemed that Xue Ming's condition was a little bad, and the imperial doctor hadn't left yet.

When Jia Qiang came in, cousins ​​Xue Pan and Xue Biao were wiping away tears...

When Jia Qiang saw this, she frowned slightly and asked, "Is Second Master Xue okay?"

Xue Pan wiped his tears, shook his head and said bitterly: "The imperial doctor said that it was all the fault of that beast from the Mei family for causing trouble. The second uncle became so angry that his condition worsened. He is still using needles now, I'm afraid..."

Jia Qiang felt a little troubled. At this moment, Doctor Wang pulled out the silver needle in his hand, stood up and walked over.

Xue Pan and Xue Biao asked anxiously: "Emperor Physician, how is my second uncle (father) doing?"

Dr. Wang shook his head and said: "The condition is really serious. I'm sorry that I can't do anything unless..."

Xue Pan and Xue Biao, who were already feeling cold, hurriedly asked: "Unless what?"

But he saw Imperial Physician Wang looking at Jia Qiang and said, "Unless Mr. Qiang can bring back some precious medicine from Tianning Temple, the ten-year-old precious medicine from Tianning Temple has a miraculous effect on high fever pulmonary gangrene. If this medicine is available,

Maybe 30% sure."

When Xue Biao heard this, he immediately knelt down in front of Jia Qiang, kowtowed and begged again and again.

Xue Pan also grabbed his big head and looked at Jia Qiang, saying: "How about I give you a few kowtows?"

Jia Qiang shook her head slightly and said: "Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. However, there are not many treasures in Tianning Temple... That's all. I'll have someone go get some more."

Doctor Wang added: "This Mr. Xue is already terminally ill. Even if he can be saved, his whole body will be weak and unable to move easily. Otherwise, it will be difficult to breathe and even life-threatening."

In Jia Qiang's opinion, what Xue Ming got was probably a small case of pneumonia.

However, in the era without antibiotics, the disease continued to worsen and eventually became irreversible.

After he went out and ordered people to get medicine, he came back and asked Xue Biao: "If there is anything you need me to do, just ask. You and I have known each other since our ancestors and have been friends for many generations. There is no need to be heretical."

Xue Biao and Xue Pan have two completely different personalities. Although they are one year younger than Xue Pan, they are much more stable, and they bow deeply to the end. They are very grateful. In the end, they feel a bit embarrassed: "Second Master Qiang, the other one is just like that."

, It’s just that my father’s situation makes it really inconvenient for him to travel, so he may have to spend some time here.”

In fact, Xue Biao was still a little ashamed. The Xue family also had a residence in Yangzhou Prefecture, but once Xue Ming moved out of the Yanyuan Yamen, it was almost impossible for Xue Ming to enjoy the treatment of the imperial doctor.

Coupled with the turmoil outside, he still felt that living shamelessly in the Yanyuan Yamen would be more conducive to his father's recovery.

Jia Qiang smiled and said: "There is nothing to be embarrassed about. We are relatives, and my great-uncle is not a stingy person."

Xue Pan on the side suddenly reminded: "Brother Qiang, if the precious medicine of Lao Shizi is useful soon, don't forget to send someone to inform the family. Also, ask aunt to send more New Year's gifts. From the Lin family, from Brother Qiang, the imperial physician

Yes, I... of course I don’t care, my family. But other people should not be stingy with their gifts."

Xue Biao responded naturally, and was surprised that this cousin had indeed changed his gender.

More than half an hour later, Tietou came back with a small jar of precious medicine. The imperial doctor used a secret method to make Xue Ming take it. Another hour later, the high fever in Xue Ming's body finally subsided and he woke up...

"Thank you...Thank you, Mr. Qiang..."

The redness on Xue Ming's face dissipated and turned pale. After knowing the cause and effect of being saved, he wanted to stand up and say thanks.

Jia Qiang persuaded him again, and after letting him rest in peace and recuperate, he said goodbye and left.

He knew something about Xue Ming.

The ancients said: Watch people when they are facing wealth, watch people when they are facing difficulties, watch people when they are neglected, watch people when they are drunk.

This is called the four views.

Jia Qiang had previously learned that after the death of his brother Xue Li, Xue Ming did not take the opportunity to bully Aunt Xue, the three orphans and widowers Xue Pan and Baochai. Instead, he wholeheartedly helped each other. This alone showed that his character was not evil.

Looking at his son now, he is calm, not frivolous, and has a good upbringing.

Let’s look at his reaction between life and death...

It doesn't matter whether he is a good or bad person, at least he is not a treacherous person.

Even if the root cause of the disease cannot be eliminated, it would be quite helpful to Jia Qiang if such an experienced businessman is allowed to sit on Jufeng Island.

However, he is not in a hurry, he still has to consider it carefully, and he must leave enough backup options.

After all, how could such an important stronghold be entrusted to others so easily...

…
To be continued...