Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 251 The Servant's Mistake
Wang Yuanbao traded up and down the Yellow River year-round, so he had a wide circle of people on both sides of the river, and he interacted with people from all walks of life.

Although Nan Jiyun was not very old, he had been making a living along the river for several years. He was brave and heroic, with outstanding skills. He was also public-spirited and willing to help those in distress. As a result, he quickly gathered a group of young men along the river and, like others, formed a society and started a boat transport business to make a living.

Because they charged fair prices and were honest and punctual, never stealing goods from cargo owners or delaying their journeys, Wang Yuanbao often hired them to transport goods, and that's how they became acquainted.

“Nanba is a man of honor and loyalty, and he would never do anything wrong. There must be some misunderstanding here…”

When Wang Yuanbao received a request for help from Nan Jiyun's companion, he rushed to the county government office to try and smooth things over. However, he was surprised to find that Nan Jiyun had offended Zhang Dai's subordinate.

Before their arrival, Zhang Dai had already learned about the situation, so he didn't waste any more words. He simply had Xu Shen's nephew, Xu Yun, report to the county government that Xu Shen, as the agricultural advisor, should use his position to lure Nan Jiyun and his party away from the county office.

Although Xu Shen's post as envoy had no official rank, his authority was extremely high. Local prefectures and counties were required to do their utmost to cooperate with him in all matters within the scope of his post.

Therefore, when people criticize Yuwen Rong's system of envoys, they often say that wherever his envoys go, the local officials act like servants, bowing and obeying orders.

The Kaifeng County government only arrested Nan Jiyun, but unexpectedly, dozens more people came to surrender, leaving them astonished and unsure of what to do. So they sent someone to notify Xu Shen, the victim, to come and identify the suspect.

Now that Xu Shen was going to take the person away, they were naturally happy to get rid of this hot potato. They immediately issued an official warrant and considerately offered to arrange for yamen runners to help escort the person.

Zhang Dai didn't want to make it look like a real prisoner escort, but the other side had dozens of strong men, and they hated Xu Shen with a vengeance. Even if he trusted Nan Jiyun's integrity, he still had reservations about the others.

So he returned to the cell door and said to Nan Jiyun, “You believe rumors, misunderstand the good, and hurt the local righteousness, which is truly infuriating. Now I will take you to see the facts and distinguish right from wrong before I punish you. You claim to be righteous, and I do not wish to punish or humiliate you arbitrarily. If you can guarantee that you will not run away out of fear of punishment, we will go out together now.”

Nan Jiyun frowned upon hearing this, while his companions said, "Ba Lang, be careful! These powerful people are treacherous..."

Wang Yuanbao walked in from outside, wanting to speak and persuade him, but Zhang Dai stopped him with a look.

After pondering for a moment, Nan Jiyun finally spoke: "We are already prisoners in a cage here. Since you said you would not torture or humiliate us, why don't you believe me? There are forty-seven of us here. If we lose even one of our members, we are willing to break a finger. If even our hands and feet are not enough to compensate, we will give our lives."

When Zhang Dai heard Nan Jiyun's words—sometimes involving pulling out tongues, sometimes breaking fingers, and sometimes even paying with one's life—he heard how bloody they were.

However, isn't this also the helplessness of ordinary people facing those in power? Their power and wealth are nothing to boast about; if they want to gain people's trust, all they have left is their life?

Nan Jiyun was definitely a person who would live up to his principles, so Zhang Dai believed him and immediately ordered the prison cells to be opened and the people released.

He didn't order the county government to send more guards to escort them; he simply led these people away from the county government office.

Seeing that these people were still looking at Xu Shen with some hostility, he didn't mount his horse. Instead, he walked beside Xu Shen's stretcher and said to Nan Jiyun, "You carry the wounded on the way. No matter what happens later, I will help you rescue your family!"

Nan Jiyun still regarded Xu Shen as a thug who had abducted women and children. Upon hearing this, his expression immediately turned cold. Wang Yuanbao, standing to the side, said urgently, "Nan Ba, don't be stubborn. Young Master Zhang is a man of his word. This order is already an attempt to avenge you! Otherwise, when you see the truth later, you will be even more ashamed!"

Upon hearing this, Nan Jiyun stopped insisting, stepped forward to help the next person lift the stretcher, and walked straight ahead with his head down.

The journey from Kaifeng County back to the weaving factory is more than ten miles, passing through villages and wharves, including many densely populated areas.

Nan Jiyun's companions were all river workers who made a living along the Yellow River, and they walked quite fast. Zhang Dai was also observing these people along the way. Although they all looked troubled, as if they were uneasy about the uncertain fate of this journey, they still followed closely behind Nan Jiyun. Some even joined them along the way, probably companions who had been wandering around seeking help and returning to the group.

When the group returned to the weaving workshop, not only were all forty-seven people present, but the number had actually grown to over fifty. Although they were dressed simply, they were all in high spirits and full of energy.

"The women and children of the village are all gathered here. You can go and ask them what kind of abuse and enslavement they suffered after entering this place. Ask as many questions as you want. Go!"

Zhang Dai pointed to the dwellings and weaving rooms in the weaving workshop and said to Nan Jiyun and the others.

Nan Jiyun's companions were still somewhat surprised and uncertain after hearing this, but he strode over to the weavers who were still working in the weaving workshop and asked them one by one. Seeing this, the others stepped forward one after another.

After a while, Nan Jiyun returned, looking very solemn. Upon approaching, he knelt down and bowed to Xu Shen, saying, "Lord Xu is a righteous man of admirable virtue. I was blindly believing rumors and made a rash mistake, which has led to this predicament. I await Lord Xu's punishment!" Xu Shen had done something perfectly but ended up with injuries all over his body, so he was naturally very indignant and had no good impression of Nan Jiyun. Upon hearing this, he simply snorted coldly and closed his eyes without saying a word.

While Zhang Dai certainly wanted to win over and recruit Nan Jiyun and his team, he also had to consider the feelings of the old man, Xu Shen. Seeing that Nan Jiyun had already frankly admitted his mistake, he spoke up, saying, "I summoned you here not to boast of my merits. Xu Shen's deeds were simply disaster relief and helping the needy, benefiting the local community. His noble sentiments cannot be slandered! You should tell the truth about where you went to gather information in the village and who spread false rumors about you. There is no need to hide anything anymore!"

"It was the employer who hired them to come to the countryside, a man surnamed Chen who was also from Kaifeng..."

After hearing the women and children recount their experiences of receiving relief from the weaving workshop, Nan Jiyun felt deeply ashamed. He then recounted the whole story: "We originally intended to rescue our families and leave, but unexpectedly, after the night attack, the Chen family suddenly launched an attack and steered the boat away. I intended to enter the city to investigate, but I was arrested by the county officials..."

"Do you know that Chen family merchant?"

After listening to Nan Jiyun's explanation, Zhang Dai was basically certain that this was a case of the thief crying "stop thief!" and trying to profit from both sides. So he looked at Wang Yuanbao and asked again.

"I've heard of him, but we're not close. I've heard that Chen Jiu has a bad reputation and likes to bully people with his power. He's asked people to come and see me several times, but I haven't seen him."

Wang Yuanbao quickly replied that although he was very respectful to Zhang Dai, he was still a figure in the business district along the river. Although he was not as powerful as an official or imperial envoy, he was always treated with courtesy by the local wealthy merchants wherever he went.

In particular, his vigorous promotion of the "flying money" scheme in Bianzhou over the past period has attracted many wealthy households in Bianzhou, all of whom want to meet him.

"Go see Chen Jiu and tell him that if he wants advance payment, we can discuss it. But all the Nan Ba ​​family members who were kidnapped in Pengchi the other day must be sent here. Not a single one can be lost! Anyone who offends me will not escape!"

Zhang Dai first said in a deep voice that he didn't have much time to waste here, and that such a powerful local magnate was not worth scheming against; he would just cast his line straight and fish.

Wang Yuanbao nodded in agreement at first, then asked again, "What if the person wasn't kidnapped by his family..."

"Then go and inquire, go and search! If you have no power to boast of, no wealth to boast of, and can't even be of any use in having a few informants, what makes you think you can lead him to wealth?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai let out another cold snort.

Wang Yuanbao was taken aback at first. The image of Zhang Dai walking into the money shop in early summer last year and declaring that he had deposited a fortune flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Even though they had known each other for a long time and had interacted many times, he still couldn't quite keep up with Young Master Zhang's train of thought. He could never learn such a self-righteous and matter-of-fact attitude.

After giving instructions to Wang Yuanbao, he said to Xu Shen, who was still resting with his eyes closed, "Lord Yuan does not like me, and I have no time to stay here for long. All the affairs here will be arranged as previously instructed. The weavers will be scattered in the villages, and the construction of the monument will be prepared in secret."

Furthermore, thoroughly search this place for the usual violations and illegal activities of Chen, the prefectural magistrate, including who in the prefecture has obstructed my actions. I will settle accounts with them individually upon my return!

The most important thing right now is to get the money and supplies to the areas that really need them as quickly as possible, rather than getting stuck on the way and getting into arguments. But Zhang Dai is by no means someone who will tolerate being bullied or swallow his pride. He always takes a detailed account of the difficulties he encounters in Bianzhou.

If Yuan Fu thinks he wouldn't dare to go to the Prime Minister's house to collect debts, he's sorely mistaken. Not only will he have to collect, but he'll also have to carefully calculate the interest. If you push him too far, he might just go and collect Yuan Qianyao's salary on his behalf!

After giving Xu Shen his instructions, he looked at Nan Jiyun, who was still bowing before him, and after a moment's thought, said, "Since Nan Ba ​​and the others are making a living by the river, then you will make up for your mistakes with work. You will accompany my team to transport goods eastward. You will be provided with food and clothing, but no wages. After the task is completed, all the wages will be paid to Xu Shen to help him recover from his injuries. Do you agree?"

"If you can find your lost family members, I will remember your great kindness and be willing to serve you. I dare not even ask for a commission!"

Upon hearing this, Nan Jiyun immediately bowed and said.

Zhang Dai hadn't originally planned to pay them wages; he was just saying that to make Xu Shen feel better. He would also give him a workers' compensation payment later, but he still needed to take a walk around to see how much money was left before making any decisions.

He trusted Nan Jiyun's character and integrity, and believed that anyone who knew him would have no doubt about it.

I also intend to build a water and land transportation team. Having them accompany me is to test their professional skills. If they pass the test, they will be the best foundation for building the team!
(End of this chapter)