Chapter 72

At sunset, under the escort of two columns of sailors, the sails slowly entered the port and appeared in the sight of everyone.

The shore was already crowded with people who came to greet the boat. When they saw the shadow of the boat, there was a commotion in the crowd at first, but as they gradually became clear, cheers erupted from all over. Those with family members on the boat were even more nervous and pushed their way to the front, anxiously waiting. .

Jiafu and Mrs. Meng had already come over. They were waiting in front of the pier now, with their eyes wide open and looking ahead. The boat was getting closer. Jiafu finally saw the figure of her brother Zhen Yaoting, crowded with a bunch of people on the bow of the boat. Some people were excited. Weeping, someone desperately waved and jumped towards the shore.

You must know that if the merchant ship falls into the hands of ordinary pirates, and the family pays the ransom, the people may not be able to come back, but if they encounter Japanese pirates, there is usually only one possibility, and that is the death of the shipwreck. Therefore, even though Master Gao also sent a navy to rescue, almost everyone couldn't believe that the hope that people could really be rescued was too slim.

But the most unlikely thing actually happened.

Seeing her son's figure, Mrs. Meng couldn't help crying with joy. Jiafu supported her, her eyes were red.

Zhen Yaoting saw Meng Shi and Jia Fu beside her a long time ago. She was ecstatic. As soon as the boat stopped, she put the board on the board, and went ashore quickly. She called out to Meng Shi and turned to Jia Fu. Called "sister" and asked her why she would return to Quanzhou at this time. Hearing what happened to Jiafu, he hurriedly opened his hands, turned around, and said, "I'm fine! I'm making you worry!"

Meng shi grabbed his son's arm, looked up and down, and saw that he looked really good, except that he was black and thinner, and there were a few scars on his neck and forehead. Wiping away the tears, asked Zhang Da and the rest of the people again, and learned that this trip was in distress, the ship and the goods were gone, and unfortunately one person died, but fortunately, Zhang Da and the rest of the people on the ship were not in serious trouble. Those who were injured were not seriously injured. After a few days of raising ashore, they would all be fine. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and bowed a few times in the direction of Mazu Temple.

Zhen Yaoting said: "Mother, if you want to worship, don't forget to worship the golden-faced dragon king as well. If there is no golden-faced dragon king this time, my son may not be able to come back!"

Meng Shi hurriedly asked the reason, and another person who had disembarked was already telling his family what happened.

It turned out that a few days ago, they were sailing at sea. On the way back, they encountered Japanese pirates and were caught up by the Japanese pirates. The ships of Japanese pirates are different from ordinary merchant ships. They are suitable for chasing at sea. They are flexible and fast. The Japanese pirates are extremely vicious. How could these ordinary merchant ships fight? This time, these Japanese pirates seemed to want to arrest people to build fortifications in their old lair. They were lucky enough to survive. A total of more than a dozen ships were hijacked, and valuable goods were robbed. The remaining ships were scuttled and sunk into the sea. All of them were locked in the cargo hold. When they were about to escape, they met the warship of the Golden-Masked Dragon King. After a fierce battle, the Japanese pirates were defeated. They died, they were killed, and the rest jumped into the sea to escape. Many people inside were escorted back, and they met the official army navy again on the way. The two sides met each other. Due to the special circumstances, the chief soldier did not fight the golden-faced dragon king, and took all the people back, and both sides left by boat.

During this calamity, the shipowners lost a lot, and some of them died unfortunately. At this moment, there were cries coming one after another, but the narrator was very talented, like a storyteller, who described the thrilling story at that time. , the golden-faced Dragon King was even more majestic and majestic by what he said, and everyone was fascinated and applauded continuously.

Zhen Yaoting said a few words, then looked around: "Sister, is Master Pei also here?"

Although he is the eldest brother-in-law in name, he is younger than Pei You'an, and as for his confidence, he is even less confident, so he is called Master Pei, and dare not call him brother-in-law.

Jiafu turned her head, the bank was crowded with people, and saw his figure standing on the bow of a naval battleship. Nearby were the tall man and other local officials, a middle-aged man who looked like a military general, presumably the Li Zongbing. , led a line of guerrillas and generals behind him, and was meeting him with a respectful expression. Pei Youan seemed to have been paying attention to this side, turned his head and glanced, and said something to the commander, as if telling him to wait a moment, and then he went up by himself. On the shore, he came to Jiafu's side.

Zhen Yaoting has always been a little restrained towards Pei You'an. After listening to him ask his own good, he hastily said that it is fine. In order to show that he is really good, he also waved his arm.

Pei You'an smiled, nodded, and turned to Meng Shi and Jia Fu: "Mother-in-law, Fu'er, I still have something to do here, it's best for Yao Ting to be fine, I'm relieved, I'll ask someone to take you home first, I'll take you home for a while. I'll be back later."

Although Pei You'an is dressed in casual clothes today, he has a natural temperament, and the jade mountain is bright. He really stands out in the crowd. The nearby people have noticed him long ago, and seeing that he is not young, even the governor Gao is respectful to him. There have long been rumors in Quanzhou that the daughter of the Zhen family had been married before, the Zhen family had received the favor of the emperor, and the old lady had been appointed, all because the son-in-law was a high-ranking official in Beijing. The tall young man, who must be the son-in-law of the high official of the Zhen family, looked at each other with awe, and when he saw him coming out of the boat, the surroundings quickly became quiet.

Mrs. Meng knew that when he was here, official entertainment was indispensable, not to mention that this time it was unfortunate. He had encountered such a thing as soon as he arrived, so he must have been even busier and hurriedly nodded.

Pei You'an personally put a few people on the carriage. When Lord Gao saw this, he also rushed over to see them off. When the Zhen family's carriage left, Fang boarded the battleship and entered the cabin. Then General Li immediately followed, and Lord Gao also Don't dare to enter, just wait outside with the rest of the officials.

Pei You'an smiled and said, "This time, I would like to thank you for the matter of Zhen's family. Not only did you protect the house, but also brought people back safely today."

Li Zongbing hurriedly saluted: "Master Pei's words are serious. This is because he is derelict in his duty first, and even if he is desperate, he must protect the Zhen family first."

Pei You'an said: "Although you have neglected your duty this time, you will still be able to respond in a timely manner afterward, and you will not cause more losses, and you will be deprived of your merits. I will listen to the various suggestions just now for you as appropriate. You need to keep in mind that you Guarding here, protecting not just one family, but thousands of people, we must not relax our vigilance at all times, and never allow such incidents to happen again!"

This Li Zongbing has been in Quanzhou for many years, and just met, he proposed to add an inspection department, expand soldiers, increase warships, and replace weapons. The troubles, the superiors have always been perfunctory and evasive, so that people are not in harmony, their precautions are relaxed, and there is collusion between the robbers in eastern Guangdong. Hearing Pei You'an's reply, he was overjoyed, and immediately knelt down and thanked him.

Pei You'an asked him to get up, and inquired about the situation of the robbers in eastern Guangdong and coastal defenses, and asked him to retreat tomorrow to check the terrain. : "Lord Pei, there is another matter in the humble position, I don't know if I should talk about it or not?"

Pei You'an said: "If it is about the people's livelihood of the court, it is."

Li Zongbing lowered his voice: "Sir, this time Young Master Zhen and others can return safely. The merit is the golden-faced Dragon King, and the humble position does not dare to take it. This Dragon King, the humble position was also ordered to go to arrest and suppress it two years ago, but he was hiding. Jinlong Island has a secret location and strong defense. Because he never harassed the coast, he passed by in a general way, so he was the one who took the lowly position. This time the Japanese pirates attacked, in addition to attacking Quanzhou, there was also Pinghai. Hearing that the lowly position attacked Pinghai The Japanese pirates on the road were surrounded and suppressed at sea before they had time to land. According to the officers and soldiers, it seems that it was also done by the golden-faced Dragon King..."

He paused for a moment: "The golden-faced Dragon King helped the government to suppress pirates. Originally, he made a great contribution, but in the past few years, I have been paying attention to this person secretly. I always feel that his origin is not simple, and this time I was finally able to meet him face-to-face. , think of a person."

"who?"

"It's General Dong Chengpiao Dong of the Tianxi Dynasty!"

"Why do you decide so?"

"My lord, I don't know, the humble post once served as a guerrilla under General Dong. Later, General Dong was convicted and lost his whereabouts. After several times, the humble post went to Quanzhou, and this time I finally met the golden-faced dragon king. Seeing that this person is really like the rumors, his face is covered with a mask, but he always feels that he has seen it somewhere, and looking at his banner, it seems familiar, so I boldly speculate. If this dragon king is really the general Dong of the year, he is a Man, he has been wronged first, and with this meritorious service, if he goes to the court, he will accept it even today.”

Pei You'an stared at President Li: "Have you ever told anyone about this?"

"This matter is all speculation, and it may not be true, so I didn't dare to tell others, because I knew that your lord is a close minister of the emperor, so I dared to tell you. Please make a decision at your own discretion."

Pei You'an pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "You are a loyal person and act cautiously. This official will recommend you in front of the emperor. This official will pay more attention to this matter. You must not disclose it to others."

Li Zongbing was overjoyed and grateful to receive such praise. He threw himself on the ground again to thank him, got up, and exited as ordered.

...

Jiafu went home with her mother and brother, went to see her grandmother first, and then checked her belongings. The report said that the warehouse was burned down, and a large ship full of goods was damaged. The sea ban was ordered, and once it was implemented, it would be unknown when and what month would be able to resume shipping. Merchants like the Zhen family who went to sea with their fleets would be severely damaged, as if their lifeline would be cut off.

But these are external matters. Fortunately, most of the people on board returned safely. That night, the Zhen family set up a meal in front of the hall to appease the frightened people on the boat, and to provide pensions to the families of the injured and the unfortunate deceased. Zhen's family had dinner. That night, Mrs. Meng tidied up the house for her daughter and son-in-law, and the two stayed there. The next day, Pei You'an went out. Accompanied by Master Gao and General Li, he inspected the coastal defense, increased or decreased the defense troops, and urged various places. Jointly deploy troops to encircle and suppress the robbers in Guangdong. They are busy, leaving early and returning late. Finally, on this day, there is news that the robbers who have been in trouble in Guangdong and Fujian for many years have been arrested and beheaded. Tell me, on the day Pei Youan returned to the city, the whole city celebrated, and the people rushed out to the streets to see the rumored appearance of Pei Xiang, and there were officials of all sizes and local gentlemen. Almost filled the Zhenjia Post Box.

That night, Pei You'an accompanied Jiafu to visit her grandmother Hu's room, and returned to the two-person house. He changed his clothes and said that he had something else to do and might not be able to come back tonight, so she didn't have to wait any longer. myself, take a break early.

Jiafu hugged his arm tightly, and pouted, "Why do you have to go out all night, and go out all night? Could it be that those people are arranging a flower feast again, please invite some bright clouds and ten colors, and call you a lamp. Appreciate the beauty, appreciate the evaluation?"

Pei You'an rejected all those banquets on the grounds of mourning. Jiafu naturally knew that it was only after seeing him here that she finally got free today, and she had to go out again in the evening. Having been with him for so long, she felt that he seemed to have something on his mind tonight, which was different from the things he was busy with before. Listening to the tone, he had to go out all night. , no matter how much trouble he makes, he won't really get angry, so he just lost a little temper with him.

Pei You'an smiled, squeezed her pouted little mouth like a morning glory, then hugged the person, whispered comfort, and coaxed for a while, Jiafu finally let go of his arm, but instead hugged her waist, Looking up at him, he said solemnly, "Big cousin, I know you should be in trouble, and I also know that I'm useless and can't help you. But I want you to know that your business is mine, even if I can't help you. I'm busy, and I hope you don't hide anything from me. I'm really not a child, I'm your wife."

Pei You'an looked down at her, the two looked at each other for a moment, and he said softly, "I'll be back tomorrow, you should go to bed earlier."

Jiafu suppressed the disappointment in her heart, slowly released her arms, and smiled: "I see, then be careful, I'll wait for you to come back."

Pei You'an raised his hand to support her head, lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, then turned to go out.

How much weight is still on his shoulders? And in his heart, how many secrets did he bear alone?

Jiafu watched his back go out, and a hint of depression slowly poured into her heart, and she guessed what happened to him tonight, but couldn't tell herself. While sitting there in a daze, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching. actually came back.

"Come on, I'll take you with me."

Pei You'an smiled at her and said.