Chapter 39 Cooperation
At the time of the year, the fog is cloudy, and the first clouds are dyed with gold. The entrance of Bodhi Temple was already lively, and the devout pilgrims got up early to burn incense to the Buddha.
Ming Huashang met with Jiangling and Ren Yao at the door. Ming Huashang asked, “Sister Ren, how is the matter going to Beidu?”
Ren Yao nodded, “I have arranged it. Today they will set off to Taiyuan Prefecture to inquire about the Wu family’s puppet squad. Don’t worry, they are used to doing this kind of thing, and they will bring back the news in a few days.”
Ming Huashang felt relieved and said, “Okay, then let’s visit Wei Mansion again to see if we can find out anything.”
Ming Huashang has also tried it before, but the servants of Wei Mansion gossiped, and they know what to say and what not to say. She stumbled on her for a long time and found nothing. But now it’s different. Ming Huashang found the slave who looked at the back door and asked, “What have your shopkeepers, the eldest son and the third wife in your house been doing in the past few days?”
The slave stared at them with a vigilant look: “How can the master’s itinerary be revealed to outsiders? What do you want to do? I will report to the official again…”
Ming Huashang and the other five entered the front door last time and enjoyed the treatment of VIP throughout the journey. The shopkeeper personally escorted them. The slaves who looked at the back door were not qualified to see them. Even if they were face to face, the slaves did not recognize them as the distinguished guests of the Cui family some time ago. Jiang Ling took out a string of money, but without looking at how much it was on it, he stuffed it directly into the slave’s hand: “Can you say it now?”
The slave wanted to push it back, but he subconsciously weighed the weight in his hand and hesitated. Ming Huashang saw that he rang the railway while it was hot: “We have no malice, we just want to do business with your mansion and learn more. Don’t worry, this is at the foot of the emperor, what can we do?”
The loyalty of the slave was ultimately inferior to the heavy copper coins. He accepted Ming Huashang’s reason, regardless of whether he could stand it or not, and said, “I told you that you are good people. The shopkeeper has been making puppets in the room these days, often keeping them all day, and even having to send food to him to the room. Others dare not delay the shopkeeper’s affairs, and they are all peaceful. Only the eldest son still goes out as usual and goes to the Nanshi to buy things for puppets.”
Ming Huashang asked, “I heard that shopkeeper Wei has stopped working in recent years. I didn’t expect that this time he made puppets. Which customer is this, which customer is such an honor.”
The slave shrugged: “What else? The Grand Lord’s craftsmanship is average. The third lady hit a ghost. She has been staying in the room for recuperation these days, and she is not even able to speak well. Who else can you expect except the shopkeeper to do it yourself?”
Ming Huashang asked: “Did the materials Da Langjun go to the Nanshi for the shopkeeper?”
“Yes.” The slave said, “The shopkeeper trusts Da Langjun the most, and the important orders are purchased by Da Langjun.”
Ming Huashang did see Wei Moyuan buying cloth and dyes when he was following him yesterday, which shows that the slave did not lie. The itinerary of the Wei family sounds normalMing Huashang asked, “Is there anything unusual about them during this period?”
“Exception?” The servant thought for a long time and said, “The shopkeeper is in a bad mood and has been angry several times. Is it abnormal?”
“Think.” Ming Huashang spent other people’s money very much, and she stuffed money to the servant again, and said with a smile, “Thank you. To be honest, we are not here to do business, but to investigate the rumors of haunted by the mansion. Our husband is well-educated and has no intention of career, but likes to listen to strange people and strange things. He is compiling a legend of strange stories. He heard that the puppet of the Wei Mansion is alive. He is very interested and sent us to inquire about the details. If there are any other matters related to the murder case, please tell us that as long as it is useful, one hundred yuan per person.”
The slave did not doubt Ming Huashang’s words. Now the literary style is prosperous. There are many famous hermits who do not like to be officials. They focus on talking about mysteries and discuss the Tao. Compiling stories about strange stories is also very popular in studying.
Since it was to make up stories, the slave had no psychological burden. One hundred yuan a piece of news was much more than he earned in the Wei family’s guard.
But the slave did not believe it and asked, “What is useful news?”
Whether it is useless depends on Ming Huashang. What if they cheat and don’t pay at all?
Ming Huashang saw this and brought Jiangling to him and said, “This is our husband’s book boy. Look at his temperament, are you still worried that our husband has no money?”
Jiangling was caught off guard and his expression was awkward. But he couldn’t break away from Ming Huachang, so he could only hold up to look at the slave with a smile, and he looked very rich.
After all, not all the stupid sons of any family can raise such a rich state.
The slave swept through Jiangling, and he really couldn’t tell that this was a book boy, but he believed that their family was very rich.
The servant’s doubts were dispelled unknowingly. The followers were so noble that the master dared not think about it! Can such a family still ignore this hundred or ten cents?
Ming Huashang said proudly: “Don’t worry, our husband is a famous man. He doesn’t care about money, but only about his confidant. As long as the story is good, the money is not worth mentioning at all! If you don’t have time, it’s okay to introduce friends. As long as the information provided is valuable, I will give the other party a hundred yuan and I will also give the brother a twenty yuan hard work.”
The slave was so happy that he couldn’t stop talking. He could make money as long as he talked. Where can I find such a good thing? The slave agreed: “No problem, I have people I know in the inner house, and I will ask them to inquire later.”
“Thank you.” Ming Huashang pointed to the locust tree on the corner of the street and said, “If you have any news, go to stand under the locust tree. Let’s come to find you. Brother, introduce more friends, and everyone who has money will make money together!”
After leaving the back door of the Wei family, Ren Yao held it all the way and finally said, “Er Niang, you are so generous.”
“Yes.” JiangLing Youyou said, “If you don’t know, you think you are spending your money.”
Ming Huashang said seriously: “Comrades-in-arms should trust each other and help each other. What is money worth? You are my most important teammates. I am willing to entrust your life and safety to you. As long as you say one word, I will go through fire and water, and I will never refuse!”
Ming Huashang’s words were loud and loud. Jiangling was excited when he heard such righteous words, but he didn’t care about hundreds of dollars. He said generously: “You are right, money has a price, and friendship is priceless. It’s too tiring to stand here. There is a restaurant in front of you who can see the locust trees clearly. Let’s go to the restaurant to drink a few drinks!”
Ming Huashang shook: “What if the Wei family goes out…”
Jiangling waved his hand carelessly: “This kind of thing makes people run errands, it’s so tiring to follow you. Come here!”
A few beggars came over carefully and asked, “What are your instructions?”
Jiangling gave them a few copper coins and said, “Take it to buy something delicious. After you have enough, you can help me stare at the Wei family. If someone comes out, you can follow me and see where they go and what they do, and then come to report to me. I will give you half of the copper coins. Do you understand?”
A group of little beggars responded happily, shouted “Your Madam is lucky,” and then rushed to buy food.
Jiangling watched the half-grown children running away, sighed slightly, turned to Ming Huashang and Ren Yao and said, “This group of beggars have been sleeping in the open since they were young, and they are very good at seeing people’s eyes. They are very clever and asked them to follow them. They are better than the servants trained by the Marquis’ Mansion. Han Jie said that they can’t be alarmed, and they just let them eat two more meals.”
Ming Huashang then understood Jiangling’s intention, yes, Luoyang is rich and prosperous, and the thoroughfare of the world. When walking on the street, no one yearns for the prosperity of the Shendu and the whole country, but many people were subconsciously ignored by them. This is the case with these beggars. No matter where they go or what they do, I am afraid no one will pay attention to it. Let them follow me and it is really silent.
Ren Yao looked at the backs of the children and frowned and asked, “Why don’t you give them more money? You can buy something for a few copper coins, at most it’s enough for them to have a meal.”
“That’s all.” Jiang Ling said, “The court has rules, and the streets also have rules. If they get too much, they can’t protect them at all, and they might kill their lives. Only when they have just enough money to eat can they fall into their mouths.”
Ming Huashang and Ren Yao were unheard of this kind, and Ren Yao was even more shocked. If Jiang Ling hadn’t said that she would have given the children enough money out of kindness. It would have been hard to say that there would be more children’s bodies in the Yin Ditch in Luoyang tomorrow.