Chapter 156

After thinking for a long time.

Shen Wansan raised his head and stared at his eldest son Shen Rong in front of him.

"Rong'er."

"Send a letter to your second brother, from now on, when the Shen family's merchant teams go out, they must increase protection. If our Shen family's servants are not enough, then spend money to find a security firm to escort the goods. Money is not the problem, goods and business routes are the key."

"Besides this."

"Let your second brother report to the officials, inform Beiping Prefecture, and spend more money to handle it."

"These necessary expenses cannot be saved."

"To deal with these well-trained people, we must use the power of the government." Shen Wansan said in a deep voice, with seriousness.

The current situation.

Shen Wansan could only think of this method.

One is to use the security firm to escort, which greatly increases safety, and the other is to use the government to suppress, after all, the rampant mountain bandits are also the government's business.

If it involves it, this is still the business of the Prince of Yan.

"Dad."

"I feel that even if we hire a security firm, it cannot be guaranteed, after all, this group of mountain bandits has ruthless means and is definitely trained death soldiers."

"As for reporting to the officials, now the Beiping army has gone on a northern expedition, and what is left are just some county soldiers with weak combat power. I guess even if they know, they will just go through the motions."

"But our Shen family's merchant teams cannot be delayed."

"Eighteen merchant teams have been looted, this is not only a loss of money, but also a loss of our Shen family's reputation."

"If it cannot be solved in a short time, our Shen family's business routes in Beiping Prefecture will also be snatched by other families." Shen Rong said worriedly.

Regarding this.

Shen Wansan was also helpless and could only shake his head: "Now, there are only the two methods I mentioned."

"If the security firm doesn't work, then we can only rely on the government."

"Of course."

"If the government of Beiping Prefecture doesn't act, then we will find a way to make a big deal out of it, let the imperial court pay attention, and let the current Emperor pay attention."

"The current Emperor hates evil as much as he hates his enemies. If it is really a bandit disaster, he will definitely not sit idly by." Shen Wansan smiled coldly and continued.

Hearing this.

Shen Rong and Shen Mao couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

"Father is wise."

"If this matter is stirred up to the imperial court and reaches the Emperor's ears, then this group of 'mountain bandits' will definitely be on a dead end." Shen Rong said with an admiring face.

"Let the government of Beiping Prefecture handle it first, if they can't handle it well, then find a way to make it big, after all, if this matter is not handled well, it will also offend the Prince of Yan." Shen Wansan said in a deep voice.

He naturally knows very well.

Beiping Prefecture is the fief of the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di.

If this matter is really stirred up to the imperial court by them, then it will be a slap in the face of Zhu Di, and in the future, his Shen family will inevitably be targeted by Zhu Di, which will not be a good thing.

"Also."

"Must find out clearly who is targeting our Shen family."

"Open spears are easy to dodge, hidden arrows are hard to guard against."

"If we don't find out, our Shen family will be too passive in the future." Shen Wansan said very seriously.

"Dad."

"This matter feels hard to check."

"After all, this group of mountain bandits is too good at hiding, they can't be found at all, and they didn't leave any traces after robbing and killing." Shen Rong said helplessly.

Investigation!

They can think of it, and Shen Wang in Beiping Prefecture naturally thought of it too, but the investigation was completely empty.

This group of "mountain bandits" comes and goes without a trace.

"In your opinion."

"Which family do you think this group of mountain bandits belongs to?"

"Don't think too much, just say the family you think is most likely."

Shen Wansan looked at his two sons and asked seriously.

Hearing this!

The two Shen Rong brothers thought for a moment.

"Dad."

"Could it be the Lu family?"

"This Lu family has always had various business entanglements with our Shen family. At the beginning, our Shen family competed with the Lu family for the porcelain business and was pitted by the Lu family. In the end, our Shen family snatched the Lu family's wine and tea business again, I'm afraid they are holding a grudge." Shen Rong thought for a moment, then looked at Shen Wansan and said.

"The Lu family?"

Shen Wansan thought for a while, and finally shook his head: "The Lu family, they don't have many business routes in Beiping Prefecture, although it is possible, it is highly likely not them."

"Then could it be the Cao family?"

Shen Mao mentioned again.

The Lu family.

The Cao family.

These are all the top three merchant giants in the Great Ming now, just like the Shen family.

They have business routes in porcelain, tea, wine, and many other aspects.

"The Cao family is even less likely."

"They are in Yunnan, Bashu, and other places, and there is no major conflict of interest with us." Shen Wansan also shook his head.

"If it's not these two families."

"Then the son really can't think of any other family." Shen Rong shook his head, unable to think of it.

"You say, is it possible that it is Zhu Ying?"

Shen Wansan thought for a moment, then widened his eyes and looked at his two sons.

Hearing this.

Shen Rong and Shen Mao were both stunned, then shook their heads one after another.

"Dad."

"Although this Zhu Ying is a bit powerful, and has now been granted a title for his military merits, he definitely doesn't have the financial resources to train death soldiers, and even arrange the death soldiers to Beiping Prefecture, right?" Shen Rong doubted.

Or rather.

He didn't want to believe in his heart that this was done by Zhu Ying.

"Dad."

"I actually think it's possible."

"This group of mountain bandits is only targeting our Shen family."

"If we talk about hatred, our Shen family and Zhu Ying are the real big enemies." Shen Mao said seriously.

"Zhu Ying."

"He is now the Daning Regional Military Commissioner, holding military power, and is in a high position with great power."

"Moreover, you also know the wine produced by his winery, it is almost in short supply. The north likes good wine and cannot be happy without wine. Relying on the wine from his winery is enough to support a large group of death soldiers."

"What's more, now Zhu Ying is not just running a winery, but also a restaurant, which is even more profitable."

"Judging from this, this group of mountain bandits might really be his doing." Shen Wansan thought, his face also becoming ugly.

"If it's really him, then it's really hard to handle."

"Now he has power and influence, and he also has money."

"It's very difficult for us to deal with him." Shen Rong's face changed suddenly.

"Dad."

"What should we do?"

"If it's really this Zhu Ying, then our Shen family will have a hard time doing business in the north in the future. Before, in order to avoid him, we even gave up our business in Daning Prefecture, but I didn't expect that he actually sent people to Beiping Prefecture to rob and kill our Shen family's merchant teams."

"He is really crazy."

"Should we report it to the government?" Shen Mao said in a flustered and helpless manner.

Hearing Shen Mao's words, Shen Wansan glared and scolded coldly: "Stupid."

"Without evidence."

"How to report?"

"I tell you."

"Now this Zhu Ying is riding high, and the current Emperor and Crown Prince value him highly. If you go to report him, it is no different from seeking death."

"At that time, our Shen family might offend the current Emperor." Shen Wansan glared fiercely.

"Then what should we do?"

"This kid Zhu Ying is no longer the Zhu Ying of the past. Now that he is targeting our Shen family like this, are we just going to endure it?" Shen Mao said very unwillingly.

"Now, the tables have turned."

"This Zhu Ying must want to fight our Shen family to the death."

"Robbing and killing our Shen family's merchant teams without even leaving survivors."

"This time he has gone on a northern expedition to Northern Yuan again, if he makes great contributions again, then it will really be incredible."

"Now he is a Count, in the future a Marquis, or even higher in power, our Shen family... sigh..."

Thinking of Zhu Ying's current status and identity, Shen Wansan's heart was filled with worry.

Now.

He is regretting more and more what he did at the beginning.

Sending Zhu Ying to Daning at the beginning was a bad move, this move completely offended Zhu Ying to death, after all, his Shen family wanted to put Zhu Ying to death.

And the second step was naturally to send death soldiers to Daning to assassinate Lin Fu and Shen Yuer.

This made the hatred between his Shen family and Zhu Ying even deeper.

Listening to what Shen Wansan said.

Thinking of the possibility of Zhu Ying's growth in the future, the faces of the two Shen Mao brothers were also extremely ugly.

"I hope he dies on the battlefield." Shen Mao said viciously.

"He is already a dignified Regional Military Commissioner, with thousands of troops protecting him, how could he die so easily?" Shen Rong said coldly.

"Now."

"We must also think of a way to see if we can ease the relationship with Zhu Ying, at least, don't let him be so hateful toward our Shen family." Shen Wansan said quietly, although he was a bit unconfident when saying this, it also seemed that he had to do so.

Although his Shen family has money, they are just merchants. When the current Emperor Hongwu is here, wanting to bribe officials with money is seeking death.

Ordinary small things are fine, but if you want officials to deal with Zhu Ying, no one will be willing.

"Dad."

"Based on what our Shen family did to Zhu Ying."

"Is there any room left?"

Shen Rong said solemnly.

"Let's try it."

"After all, Shen Yuer grew up in our Shen family."

"At worst, we can use Shen Yuer's life experience as a bargaining chip and tell Zhu Ying."

"Repay some kindness." Shen Wansan thought for a while and said in a deep voice.

"Dad."

"If his news is released, will the Huaixi, and the enemies of his family in the past blame our Shen family for taking her in?" Shen Rong worried.

As soon as these words fell.

Shen Wansan's eyes suddenly lit up: "Rong'er, you reminded your father."

"Shen Yuer's grandfather offended quite a few people at the beginning, almost the entire court was offended by him."

"If the court, especially the Huaixi, knows that Zhu Ying married his granddaughter, they might be even more aggressive in dealing with him."

"For our Shen family, that is a good thing."

Hearing this.

Shen Rong and Shen Mao's eyes also lit up.

"Dad is right."

"Dealing with Zhu Ying, our Shen family can't do it."

"But the Huaixi, and those people in the court can definitely do it." Shen Rong nodded immediately.

"Rong'er."

"I will write a letter."

"You find a way to contact Zhu Ying and give it to him."

Shen Wansan said in a deep voice.

"Yes." Shen Rong nodded immediately.

Just at this time!

Outside the inner hall.

"Master."

The voice of the Shen family steward came in.

"Come in."

Shen Wansan said in a deep voice.

The steward immediately pushed the door open and walked quickly into the inner hall.

"What's the matter?" Shen Wansan asked in a deep voice, staring at the steward in front of him.

This steward is naturally also deeply trusted by Shen Wansan, and many secret things are done by him.

"Young Lady just sent a message, I don't know if it's true or false."

"But it has already spread now." Steward Shen said respectfully.

"What news?" Shen Wansan asked immediately.

"Daning Regional Military Commissioner Zhu Ying made new contributions in the northern expedition, breaking the city on the first day and killing countless enemies."

"Now, the current Emperor has issued a decree to grant Zhu Ying's wife Shen Yuer the title of Fourth Rank Titled Lady." Steward Shen said in a low voice, while speaking, he also secretly looked at Shen Wansan with his peripheral vision.

As soon as these words fell.

The faces of Shen Wansan and his three sons all changed.

"Titled Lady?"

"She can actually be granted the title of Titled Lady?"

Shen Wansan gritted his teeth, somewhat unbelievable, and there was an unspeakable regret in the depths of his eyes.

Perhaps.

By this moment.

Shen Wansan truly regretted it.

"That cheap maid Shen Yuer can actually be granted a title?"

"This is equivalent to a man's title."

"Damn it."

"How can she be."

Shen Rong gritted his teeth and said.

But on the side.

Shen Mao complained: "If we had talked to Zhu Ying properly at the beginning and directly betrothed Shen Yuer to him, perhaps we wouldn't have needed to target Zhu Ying like that, and there wouldn't have been many things later, and our Shen family could have climbed onto Zhu Ying."

But as soon as these words fell.

Shen Wansan glared and said coldly: "Shut up."

Obviously.

At this moment, Shen Mao saying such words was slapping his father's face.

After all, all the planning at the beginning was done by Shen Wansan, and then his brothers went to implement it.

……

Time flies!

Northern Yuan territory!

The war is still continuing.

The Great Ming's attack is still continuing.

Now the Great Ming is winning victory after victory on the Northern Yuan battlefield, while the Northern Yuan is losing ground.

More than two months have passed.

The ten mutually supporting strong cities built by the Northern Yuan at the cost of countless manpower and material resources have been completely captured by the Great Ming.

The reason why it could be so fast.

Everything is because of Zhu Ying.

His breaking the city on the first day broke the balance of the war situation, and also allowed the army led by Lan Yu to successfully break through.

At this moment.

Northern Yuan capital, New Capital!

The city has been sealed and no entry or exit is allowed.

The entire city is shrouded in a strange atmosphere.

For the Northern Yuan.

Relying on the advantage of the city pass, it can no longer be defended.

Above the Northern Yuan court.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

"Our Great Yuan's ten strong cities on the border have completely fallen."

"Now the Ming army has killed from all directions toward our capital." A general knelt in the main hall and reported with a low face.

And the Yuan Emperor sitting on the dragon chair also had an ugly face.

Even if reinforcements arrived later, they still couldn't stop the edge of the Ming army.

"Prime Minister."

"Where are the troops of General Guili Chi deployed now?" The Yuan Emperor looked at Shilie Men and asked.

"Returning to the Emperor."

"General Guili Chi led the army to deploy at the Royal Pasture a hundred miles away from the New Capital."

"He is preparing to rely on the strength of our Great Yuan's iron cavalry to fight the Ming army to the death." Shilie Men said immediately.

"Our one hundred thousand iron cavalry will definitely be able to deal a heavy blow to the Ming army."

Regarding the cavalry, the Yuan Emperor is also very confident.

"So please don't worry, Emperor."

"In this battle, our Great Yuan's one hundred thousand cavalry, in the enemy of the main cavalry battle, the Ming army will definitely not be an opponent."

Shilie Men also said very confidently.

At this moment.

Although his Northern Yuan has continuously lost more than a dozen cities.

Even the Ming army is only one or two hundred miles away from his capital, but with the power of the cavalry, there is no fear.

"Emperor."

"To avoid accidents, to ensure the long-term survival of our Great Yuan."

"The minister feels."

"The Emperor should first withdraw to the northern frontier and return to our Great Yuan's ancestral land."

Grand Marshal Man Zi stood out and played loudly.

As soon as these words fell.

The Yuan Emperor frowned and said immediately: "Grand Marshal, what do you mean by this? Do you think our Great Yuan's iron cavalry is not an opponent of the Ming army?"

"Emperor, it's not that the minister is not confident."

"But for the sake of perfection."

"The Emperor is the foundation of our Great Yuan. If the Emperor has any loss, our Great Yuan will inevitably fall apart."

"If the Emperor returns to the hinterland of the northern frontier to sit in command, the boys can kill without fear. With the Emperor, the Great Yuan will make the boys have no worries."

"So, please think twice, Emperor." Man Zi said very seriously.

Above him.

He naturally sees the situation clearly.

He might think that many court officials wish for the Great Yuan court to perish, and even wish for the Yuan Emperor to die in the chaotic army, so that the many tribes checked by the Great Yuan court will lose their checks and balances, and eventually will become independent kings, free and unrestrained.

Although confident in the combat power of the iron cavalry, Man Zi's proposal is also for the long-term survival of the Great Yuan.

Only when the Yuan Emperor moves his carriage and guards the hinterland of the northern frontier, first, it can deter those tribes, and second, it can make the Great Yuan survive for a long time.

However.

As soon as his words fell.

Immediately, court officials stood out.

"Does the Grand Marshal look down on the combat power of our Great Yuan cavalry too much?"

"The Emperor is a body of ten thousand gold, guarding the capital, which is even more inspiring to the combat power of our Great Yuan boys. If the Emperor returns to the northern frontier ancestral land, then let the boys in the army know, they will think the Emperor abandoned them and fled in the face of battle."

"This will definitely affect morale."

"Not bad."

"The Emperor guarding the capital will definitely boost the morale of the army."

"The Emperor must not move the carriage."

"The minister agrees."

"This time our Great Yuan's elite boys have all been mobilized, except for the one hundred thousand iron cavalry, there are nearly four hundred thousand troops stationed in the capital."

"Why fear the Ming army?"

"Grand Marshal, your thoughts are too much..."

(End of chapter)