Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 52: Deep Roots

Huang Wenzhou begged for food along the way and escaped with difficulty, and finally arrived at Huaizhou City.

He first went to the Xue family shop in the city, introduced himself, and then met Xue the Cripple.

As soon as they met, Huang Wenzhou knelt on the ground and cried bitterly.

Seeing this, Xue Dacui hurried over to help.

Although Xue Dacuizi is a bandit, he has always been running a business in various places. He has close relations with major merchants nearby and has economic dealings with them. The Huang family is naturally no exception.

Especially after the Duke of Shanguo established the blockade, Xue Dacuizi secretly reached an agreement with the eight major salt merchants to raise the price of salt, secretly smuggle and sell salt, and make huge profits.

It is precisely for this reason that the blockade by Duke Shanguo not only failed to affect the economy of Fang Yong's area, but instead significantly increased Fang Yong's fiscal revenue.

"Why are you like this, nephew? Please get up quickly."

Xue Dacui said this and kindly pulled Huang Wenzhou up.

Huang Wenzhou said sadly:
"Uncle Xue, my father was in trouble. The old villain, Duke Shan, coveted the Huang family's property and slaughtered all of my Huang clan. I swear I will not be a human being if I don't avenge him."

Xue Dacui was shocked and said:

"How could this happen? You old thief is really not a good son! Don't worry, my dear nephew. Your family and I are old friends. I will report this to the general and ask him to make the decision for you!"

Huang Wenzhou expressed gratitude:
"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Xue. However, I dare not trouble you to run around for me. I only ask you to introduce me to someone else. I will then speak to the general."

After hearing this, Xue Dacui realized that Huang Wenzhou wanted to meet Fang Yong alone, so he agreed and said:
"My dear nephew, my father and I are brothers, so why bother? Since you have made up your mind, I will introduce you to him."

Soon, Xue Dacui went to find Fang Yong and explained the affairs of the Huang family to him.

Xue Dacuizi and Fang Yong explained:

"General, the Huang family is a wealthy family in Jianghuai. The family has been in business for hundreds of years and has a deep foundation. Although the main branch has been destroyed, the branch is still alive. His son Huang Wenzhou is eager for revenge and can definitely be used by the general!"

After listening to this, Fang Yong nodded in understanding.

What Xue Dacui said makes sense. These aristocratic families have been entrenched for many years, so it is not so easy to destroy them.

The tree has fallen, but the roots are still there. Although Duke Shanguo may feel happy for a while by doing this, there will inevitably be endless troubles afterwards. Huang Wenzhou may be the opportunity for him to destroy Duke Shanguo.

"Quickly bring Master Huang to meet me!"

Soon, Huang Wenzhou was brought over.

After the meeting, Huang Wenzhou still acted the same way. He first cried bitterly, then scolded Duke Shanguo for being a unfilial son, and then swore that he would be irreconcilable with Duke Shanguo.

Fang Yong also cooperated in the acting and said that he had hated Duke Shanguo for a long time.

The two of them had a common enemy, so their relationship naturally became closer.

Fang Yong sighed and pretended to be helpless:

"I feel very sorry for Mr. Huang's plight and would like to lend a helping hand. However, the Duke of Shan is defending the city and avoiding fighting. Although I have this intention, it is difficult to carry it out!"

Huang Wenzhou heard this and said:
"I admire the general's kindness and righteousness very much! Revenge is not something that can be achieved overnight. I would like to help the general strengthen his military first, and then we can work on revenge later.

Huang Wenzhou knew clearly that no one would help him for no reason. If he wanted revenge, he must first demonstrate his own worth.

Sure enough, after Fang Yong heard Huang Wenzhou's words, his eyes immediately lit up and he asked:

"What can Mr. Huang do?"

Huang Wenzhou Road:

"General, you may not know that Huo Tao, the current head of the Huo family in Foshan, is my uncle. I have heard that the general is short of iron materials, and the soldiers have no way to cast armor. Foshan is the first place in the world for smelting, and countless iron materials flow in every day. I would like to write a letter and ask my uncle to privately transport iron materials here to help the general accomplish great things!"

Fang Yong was overjoyed after hearing this.

That’s great. With sufficient iron, he can make armor continuously.

Huang Wenzhou solved his urgent problem.

This was not the end. Huang Wenzhou took out another booklet from his arms, handed it to Fang Yong, and said:

"This is the account book of my father's friendships with important officials in the court over the years. From high-ranking officials in the capital to local county magistrates, all are included in the book. I would like to present it to the general, perhaps it will be useful to you." Fang Yong took the account book and was even more excited.

In some ways, this material is even more important than iron.

However, the superior does not show his emotions on his face. Although Fang Yong was happy in his heart, he did not show it on the outside.

Fang Yong took the account book, but did not rush to check it immediately. Instead, he held Huang Wenzhou's hand and promised:

"Mr. Huang's surrender today is like a blessing in disguise. It is truly a great fortune for me. When my army becomes stronger, I will avenge Mr. Huang!"

Huang Wenzhou responded: "Thank you, General. I am very grateful. My name is Bowen. If you don't mind, I will follow you in the future."

Fang Yong: "I'm looking forward to this scene!"

After settling Huang Wenzhou, Fang Yong immediately summoned his trusted men to discuss strategy.

The account book provided by Huang Wenzhou contains dense records of hundreds of officials in the court, which is definitely a powerful tool.

Among them, the highest-ranking official recorded in the account book is a retired Shangshu. Although he has retired, the Shangshu's disciple still holds a high position, and is currently the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

In addition, the current Prince Zhongshun was also included in the account book. Not only did he have a large amount of financial transactions with the Huang family, but even the private salt in the capital was sold by Prince Zhongshun's people.

With this and the Guo family already succumbing to Fang Yong's rule, Fang Yong is very confident that he can use this opportunity to overthrow Duke Shan in the court!

After Fang Yong shared his idea with several people, except for Ma Laohei who thought that this was too easy for Duke Shan, everyone else agreed and suggested giving it a try.

Xue Dacuizi said that they could also contact other salt merchants in Yangzhou. These big merchants all have considerable influence in the court and can become a help in overthrowing Duke Shanguo.

Fang Yong readily agreed.

Wu Yuan also nodded in agreement.

However, after the meeting, Wu Yuan found Fang Yong alone.

"General, the strategy you proposed today can certainly overthrow the Duke of Shan Guo, but have you ever considered what will happen to the queen?"

Fang Yong frowned: "What happened after the fall?"

Wu Yuan said: "General, your real enemy is the court, the emperor, and Da Xi. Although you overthrow the Duke of Shanguo, you may be happy for a while, but the court will soon send generals to suppress them with troops. Who can guarantee that the generals who come again will not be more harmful to the Duke of Shanguo? Have you ever considered this matter?"

After listening to this, Fang Yong thought about it and felt that what Wu Yuan said made sense.

Although toppling the Duke of Shanguo might bring temporary relief, if the court sends someone else, the situation at that time would be unknown.

Thinking of this, Fang Yong immediately asked Wu Yuan for advice:

"I'm ashamed. I didn't think about it. Military advisor, please teach me how should I deal with this matter properly?"

Wu Yuan paced lightly and said:

"General, can you avoid the humiliation you suffered for a moment?"

Fang Yongdao:
"If you want to achieve great things, don't care about small humiliations!"

Wu Yuandao:
"The general is not fussy about small matters, and this is how he can succeed."

Fang Yong asked curiously:
"I still don't know what strategy the military advisor has?"

Wu Yuan whispered in Fang Yong's ear.

After listening to this, a smile gradually appeared on Fang Yong's lips.

"The military advisor is truly my Zhang Liang!"

Wu Yuan smiled calmly, "Zhang Liang is just a junior. I compare myself to Jiang Shang, but I am four years younger than him, which is my great regret. And compared to Baili Xi of Qin, I am six years older, which is my pride!"

Fang Yong couldn't help but laugh and joked after hearing Wu Yuan's arrogant words:
"I heard that Baili Xi was also called the Five Sheepskins Doctor because Qin exchanged him for five sheepskins. Now the military advisor compares himself to Baili Xi, but when he came, he had no sheepskins, only two beauties, so the military advisor should be called the two beauties' minister!"

After saying this, Fang Yong and Wu Yuan couldn't help but burst into laughter.

(End of this chapter)