Chapter 114: The Luo Family Feast (I)

In the 23rd year of Hongwu, a typhoon that had not been seen in a century swept across Guangdong, causing a major disaster in Guangdong. When famine and epidemics hit Guangdong, an unprecedented crisis occurred in the Guangdong officialdom. The empty shells in the disaster relief food made Zhu Yuanzhang furious and ordered Xuanfu to inquire on the spot. At the same time, Li Wei, a thousand households of Jinyiwei, were sent to Guangdong to investigate the case. For a time, storms over Guangdong were about to come, and the three major systems of politics, military and criminal justice were involved in this case. While the Guangdong senior officials were fighting, they were also accumulating.

The mediation attempted to reduce the consequences of the case, but none of them were in a position to take on the matter. When this situation of multi-party struggle was in a subtle way, the wealthy and gentry of the people played a role in making a match. The Luo family, a wealthy family in Guangdong, was commissioned by the left governor Hong Zhifan, held an unprecedented feast. They invited senior officials at Guangdong at the Luo Family Garden in Guangzhou, as well as Xuanwei and other participants in the fight between them, and built a platform for mediation and mediation between them.

The Luo family prepared for this feast for nearly half a month. They used all trade channels and transferred a large amount of supplies from Guangxi and Fujian, and used nearly a thousand slaves to participate in the preparation. The feast was scheduled for the Mid-Autumn Festival night on August 15th. On that morning, Li Weizheng led the Jinyiwei to Guangzhou City.

Night fell quietly, a bright moon hung in the east sky, and the Luojia Garden outside the south city was brightly lit. Thousands of lanterns shone this giant house in Guangdong, covering dozens of hectares, reflecting the stars in the night sky. Carriages came from the city. Left and right governors, prefects, right governors, left and right senators, assistants, experiences, prefects, procurators, county magistrates and other civil servants, as well as commanders, commanders, commanders, commanders, commanders, commanders, commanders, commanders, commanders and other military officers. In addition, Guangdong Xuanwei, deputy envoy, Jinyiwei, deputy Qianhu, and river envoy who had just arrived in Guangdong were also invited to participate.

In addition to officials, the Luo family also invited hundreds of gentry and wealthy families in Guangzhou and nearby counties to accompany them. Together with their families, more than 2,000 people gathered. Li Weizheng and deputy renowned Luo Guangcai rode a horse to the Luo family garden under the escort of dozens of Jinyiwei Guards. There were hundreds of carriages parked in the square in front of the gate, and they could not see at first sight. More than 50 servants were orderly organizing the carriages. The lights were on, and the Luo family gate was crowded with officials and gentry greetings.

It is true that this feast is a kind of mediation between the top leaders, but it is another rare emotional exchange for middle and lower officials. Their children can also know each other and establish their own interpersonal network. However, the most active one is the wealthy gentry in the local area where they are invited to accompany them. This opportunity to get to know high officials and nobles is extremely difficult to get, and maybe they can get a backer in this grand event. Therefore, the gentry brought their wives and children one after another. If their children can take this opportunity to be appreciated, it will be extremely beneficial to their family's development.

Standing on the steps were the three brothers of the Luo family, Luo Nansheng, Luo Beisheng and Luo Jingsheng. They were both over fifty years old and looked similar. They were all short and had a fat body. In addition, Luo Song, the eldest son of the head of the family, and the second son Luo Tang, also assisted in the welcoming guests. The shouts of two loud emcee one after another:

"Lord Zhang, the commander of Guangdong, arrived!"

"Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lord Xuanwei, arrived!"

"The right governor, Lord Han, is here!"

With the arrival of these high-ranking officials and nobles, the atmosphere at the gate also reached a climax. Luo Nansheng's face was covered in oil and he kept bowing to salute. However, his eldest son Luo Song stood aside, looking a little worried. The assassination failed during the day. Although the news he received was that the assassin he sent to commit suicide by poisoning and did not reveal himself, he was still a little uneasy. His father didn't know about this at all, and he didn't dare to tell his father.

After receiving the news of the assassination failure, Luo Song regretted it a little. Is it worth it to let the entire family take risks for a woman? Moreover, Li Wei is extremely cruel. If he knows about it, the consequences...

But things have been done, and regret is useless. He can only beg God for blessing, and the matter is left unresolved.

"Mr. Li, the Qianhu of Jinyiwei, is here!"

With the archer's shout, the entire stairs suddenly became quiet. When the Jinyiwei came, it seemed as if he had heard the most terrifying news. Everyone took a few steps back silently and gave way. Today, the Jinyiwei entered the city and started a killing campaign, which really made these famous socialites understand what thunderous and violent actions mean and what bloody means. They all knew that the Jinyiwei came to Guangdong to kill people. Luo Song's face changed drastically, and his eyes were staring at Li Weizheng who was walking up the steps without blinking.

Under the steps, more than twenty Jinyiwei came lined up, all wearing formal Jinyiwei uniforms and embroidered spring swords on their waists. Among them, Li Wei, a thousand-household Li Wei, was wearing a golden flying fish suit and a veil hat, with a solemn expression. Next to him was Luo Guangcai, a deputy Qianyiwei dressed in a golden Qilin suit, majestic, like a piece of black tower. In addition, behind Li Wei was a thin Jinyiwei captain, watching the surrounding situation vigilantly.

Luo Nansheng's face turned a little pale. He saw that the Jinyiwei was obviously not good, but he was the master, so he had no choice but to retreat. He laughed dryly. Luo Nansheng greeted him and said enthusiastically: "Welcome Lord Li Qianhu to the confinement. In Luo Nansheng, Lord Qianhu is willing to admire his face. It really makes the Penghu shine."

Li Weizheng bowed and smiled and said, "I just arrived in Guangzhou today. I didn't have time to prepare any gifts. Please forgive me."

"Where! Where! The Lord Qianhu is willing to come is the greatest appreciation. Luo is already very grateful, ha! ha!"

His dry laughter echoed in the air, and there was still silence around him. The atmosphere seemed quite awkward. Everyone was nervous. More than twenty people came to the Jinyiwei, all of whom were fully armed. This was not the way they came to the banquet.

At this time, Luo Ziqi, the Minister of Revenue, who was standing on the steps, laughed and walked up to him and bowed: "Brother Li is here to attend the banquet, which scared the master."

"Is that true?" Li Wei said with a smile: "Now Mr. Luo thinks how should I come to the banquet?"

"That's it!" Luo Ziqi glanced at the twenty Jinyiwei behind and smiled, "The master only invited Qianhu and Deputy Qianhu, but the Qianhu brought so many. Is that... a subordinate with a low status a little dissatisfied with the atmosphere of the banquet?"

"It turns out that Mr. Luo thinks that my subordinates are not very high." Li Wei sneered, then looked at Luo Nansheng and smiled, "Mr. Luo, do you think so too?"

"I dare not, villain dare not!" The sweat on Luo Nansheng's forehead had already come down.

"That's right. Since the master doesn't have this idea, what is Mr. Luo anxious?" Speaking of this, Li Weizheng suddenly raised his voice and said, "On the one hand, I am here to attend the banquet, and on the other hand, I will also do some official duties to let the Jinyiwei recognize the faces, so as not to cause unjust, false and wrong cases because of accusing the wrong person during the case."

This was a naked threat. His words made the silent gate suddenly become lively again, but there was just a low curse. Mr. Luo snorted, turned around and walked into the gate, ignoring Li Weizheng, and was thinking about how to impeach the emperor for the arrogant Jinyiwei Qianhu.

But the owner Luo Nansheng was extremely embarrassed. He stood there to greet or reject, and didn't know what to do. Suddenly, there was a burst of applause from the side, and a young woman walked out of the crowd with a smile. It was Fengya, Kikuchi who was protected by Luo Song.

"Okay! I have seen the toughness of the Jinyiwei. I can do whatever I want and act with my sword. This is a man. Unfortunately, you Jinyiwei don't recruit women, otherwise I will be the first to sign up." After saying that, she showed a charming smile to Li Weizheng.

There was an uproar on the steps, and everyone looked at this bold woman, whose daughter is this? Why is she so ignorant of the world? Luo Song was even more frightened and prayed to God in his heart that this Japanese woman should never expose her assassination.

When Li Wei saw that it was her, his suspicion was resolved. If the Luo family assassinated him had nothing to do with the Japanese silver ship case, how could Kikuchi Fengya appear here? Sure enough, the Luo family could not escape the relationship.

"Oh! It's Miss Fengya. I didn't expect to meet you again in Guangdong. Then I realized that the world is so small." Li Wei was surprised and his tone became gentle. Everyone felt relieved when they saw him meeting an old friend, and they all secretly hoped that this woman could comfort the devil.

Kikuchi walked up to the sky with a graceful and charming charm and said, "I remember that Li Qianhu was gentle and kind when he was in the capital. Why did he feel like he had changed his personality when he arrived in Guangdong, killing people during the day and recognizing people at night? Why bother? Tonight, on Mid-Autumn Festival, when will the bright moon come? Ask the sky with wine, it should be the time for thousands of miles to send lovesickness. It is better for Lord Li to give me this face. I will give you three cups later."

Li Weizheng smiled slightly, "Miss Fengya is very good at speaking. It's good. I almost forgot that tonight is Mid-Autumn Festival night, so it's really not appropriate to talk about business."

He smiled at his master Luo Nansheng and said, "Then I, a dozen brothers, will hand me over to Mr. Luo. Please treat me well."

"Absolute! Absolute!" Luo Nansheng felt relieved and quickly gave his third brother Jingsheng a wink, asked him to take the Jinyiwei to the other courtyard to drink and enjoy the moon, and then said to Li Weizheng: "Please follow me by the Lord Qianhu!"

"Then I'll disturb you." Li Wei, Luo Guangcai and his personal bodyguard Shisanlang walked up the steps. The moment he entered the door, he suddenly glanced at Luo Song, which scared Luo Song so much that his heart stopped beating.

As soon as he entered the door, Luo Guangcai suddenly laughed and said, "Sir, it seems that he has achieved his goal."

Li Weizheng smiled faintly and said, "Do you mean to scare some old, weak, women and children?"

"No! They had already scared this morning, and I was not talking about them." Luo Guangcai looked at Li Wei deeply and said, "I mean the Luo family."

"Maybe!" Li Wei shrugged his shoulders slightly and immediately ordered Shisanlang to say, "You go and look for it and see if Zhao Wuji is here."

He also needs to confirm one thing, whether the Luo family assassinated him was Zhao Wuji, or was it just the instructor of Kikuchi Fengya. He fought with Zhao Wuji many times, knowing each other's own and enemy, and he believed that Zhao Wuji would not make the low-level mistake of sending people to assassinate him. If it was really the meaning of Kikuchi Fengya, it would be interesting. This Japanese woman was actually destroying the Qin King's platform, or did she have other profound meanings?

Shisanlang agreed and hurriedly left. Luo Nansheng, the head of the Luo family, who was walking in front, slowed down. When they came over, he smiled and asked Li Weizheng, "Master Qianhu, was that woman your old friend just now?"

Luo Nansheng only contacted Zhao Wuji. He had never met the genius brother and sister. He saw that this woman was brought by his son Luo Song privately. Luo Nansheng didn't take it too seriously at first. There were always many women around his son, but when he was a Jinyiwei Qianhu, he bought the face of this woman. Luo Nansheng began to play a drum in his heart. Who is this woman? It seems that her identity is extraordinary. Don't be careless about making friends!

Li Weizheng was stunned. Luo Nansheng didn't know Kikuchi Fengya? He suddenly remembered that Chen Ying had said during the day that Luo Nansheng's son Luo Song sent someone to inquire about the assassin's situation. He immediately understood that he might have sent someone to assassinate him. He was afraid that the boy Luo Song did it without authorization. He might have been fascinated by this Japanese woman, but his father was not aware of it.

His mind changed, and a bold plan quietly sprouted in his heart. He immediately sneered and said, "I usually only buy face for two kinds of people. One is an old friend and the other is an enemy. The brother of this Japanese woman once had the intention of killing me in the capital. Later, their brother and sister suddenly disappeared, but they didn't expect to meet in Guangzhou. I was almost assassinated in the morning. I had to suspect that this was what their brother and sister did, but I didn't understand why she became the VIP guest of Mr. Luo."

Luo Nansheng was shocked and sweated coldly. Li Weizheng's meaning was clear, which was to imply that the assassination in the morning was related to their Luo family. Li Wei was almost assassinated after killing people in the morning. Luo Nansheng had heard from Xu Yanzong that he and his two brothers also sighed with him that the sky had no eyes. Why didn't he stab the devil to death? It was just a sigh of emotion and didn't take it seriously. But when things might lead him into it, he was suddenly panicked. This matter must not be a stupid thing done by his son.

He was immediately anxious and led Li Weizheng and Luo Guangcai to a VIP room. He then sued him and hurriedly asked his son to interrogate him.

As soon as Luo Nansheng left, Luo Guangcai, the deputy Qianhu who had been silent, suddenly said: "Sir, I have a premonition that the identity of this Japanese woman is never simple."

Li Weizheng immediately asked in a deep voice: "What did you find?"

He knew that Luo Guangcai never said anything false, and he must have a basis for saying this.

Luo Guangcai focused on his mind and said slowly: "Do you remember something I told you? Before I joined the Jinyiwei, I was in the Dinghai, Ningbo Prefecture, where I had dealt with Japanese pirates many times. I knew that the leader of a Japanese pirate was an extremely young Japanese woman nicknamed "Thousand-faced Moon Goddess". She was also a notorious female pirate leader. For some reason, I always felt that Kikuchi's elegant voice was very similar to her."

"Did you see this female pirate leader herself?"

Luo Guangcai shook his head and said, "I haven't seen it before, but once during a night war, I heard her voice, inspiring the Japanese pirates to charge forward in the wind, but they spoke Japanese. She just said eight words on the steps: 'Do whatever you want, walk with a knife'. I suddenly felt that it was really similar to her shouting in the night wind."

Li Wei was silent. If this Kikuchi Fengya was the leader of the Japanese pirates as Luo Guangcai said, then it would make sense for her to instigate Luo Song to assassinate her. She was also trying to make the idea of ​​a silver ship, deliberately provoking a conflict between herself and Zhao Wuji, and then taking the lee from the fire.

While meditating, a smile slowly appeared on the corner of Li Weizheng's mouth. Even the Japanese pirates wanted to get a share of the pie. This matter became more and more interesting.

Unlike the night banquet at the King of Chu Mansion in Wuchang, the Luo Family Garden does not have a palace-style building that can accommodate thousands of people. The banquet is set up in the open air and is divided into three places, one in the osmanthus garden, one in the central garden, and the other on the island of the artificial lake. The osmanthus garden is a place for women to have dinner together, and the central garden is a gathering place for ordinary gentry. The officials arranged it on the artificial lake island. After the three principled boundaries were divided, the rest of the seats were arranged more casually. This was a special instructed by the governor Hong Zhifan to create opportunities for private contact for various forces. Therefore, this way of gathering is a bit like a buffet in later generations. Everyone sat casually with wine glasses, slowly communicating conflicts and misunderstandings between each other, and as much as possible to reduce the upcoming earthquake in the officialdom in Guangdong.

But his master Luo Nansheng could not see him at this time. He was furious in a secret room. There were broken porcelain pieces that had fallen to the ground. Among them, his son Luo Song was kneeling in the porcelain pieces. He had been beaten to a bruised face by his angry father. Just now, he admitted that the assassination of Li Weizheng was his planner, and the assassin was a dead soldier raised by his Luo family for smuggling.

"How could I, Luo Nansheng, give birth to a fool like you. I only know how to play with women all day long, and finally get played with women. In the end, I was played by Qianhu, the Jinyiwei Qianhu, even the Prince of Ming Dynasty, you did it for a woman I had just known for two days, and it was a Japanese woman. Do you know that our Luo family will destroy the clan because of your stupidity! How did he kill County Magistrate Zhang this morning? With just one sentence, 'It would rather kill a hundred people by mistake than let one go', and then peeled off the dignified seventh-rank magistrate alive. Didn't you see it?"

Luo Nan was so angry that his whole body trembled, his eyes turned black and he almost fainted.

Although Luo Song was also very regretful, being beaten by his father aroused Luo Song's rebellious mentality. He said with a hard neck: "My son has sent someone to inquire. The assassin sent to commit suicide by taking poison and did not confess to us."

"Why are you so stupid!" Luo Nansheng rushed forward and kicked his son, then beat him hard: "Who told you that the person behind the scenes was the government? Is the assassin tried by the government? The assassin was not dead on the spot. Does it take two hours to attack the poison? He may not confess it? The Jinyiwei deliberately poisoned him to death just to confuse you, and let the government say that he did not confess. You sent someone to inquire. Isn't this just telling them that the person was sent by you?"

Luo Nansheng could no longer support him, and sat on the chair, gasping for breath. He could no longer be angry. Luo Song finally realized the serious mistake he made. He lowered his head and whispered: "Father, the child knows that he is wrong."

At this moment, the door suddenly opened, and Luo Nansheng's second brother Luo Beisheng hurried in and said, "Brother, why are you hiding here? Everyone is looking for you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly saw his nephew and exhausted brother kneeling on the ground. He was shocked and asked hurriedly: "Brother, what's wrong?"

"What happened?" Luo Nan said with all his thoughts: "Our Luo family is about to face a catastrophe. None of them will survive. I will be skinned." After that, his tears rolled down.

Luo Song slapped himself fiercely and cried: "Dad, my son really knew he was wrong."

Luo Beisheng was extremely shocked and quickly closed the door and asked again: "Brother, tell me what happened?"

Luo Nansheng sighed and pointed at his son and said, "In order to please that Japanese woman, this beast actually sent someone to assassinate Qianhu, the Jinyiwei, this morning."

"What!" Luo Beisheng was stunned. After a while, he stuttered and asked, "Is the assassination this morning done by our Luo family?"

"Second uncle, my nephew regrets it so much!"

Luo Beisheng was also extremely frightened. In the morning, Li Weizheng killed County Magistrate Zhang on false charges. This was equivalent to a serious warning to the Guangdong officialdom, showing his determination to kill. All officials were in danger and tried their best to hide their property to show their integrity. But the Luo family was fine and he delivered it to his door.

While being frightened, Luo Beisheng also retained a little sober. He suddenly discovered the strangeness and asked quickly: "How did Brother know about this?"

"It was Li Wei who was hinting that he already knew that it was our Luo family who did it, wait!" Luo Nansheng jumped up in shock. Only then did he realize the subtlety of it. What was Li Wei who was hinting at him?

He calmed down and waved his hand to his son, "Get out of here, don't let you have anything to do with that Japanese woman anymore."

Luo Song didn't dare to say a word, and hurried out.

When he left, the Luo brothers looked at each other and understood at the same time. Since Li Weizheng hinted to the Luo family, it means that there is still room for recovery. Luo Beisheng hurriedly asked: "Brother, what is the origin of that Japanese woman? Is it related to Zhao Wuji?"

Luo Nansheng nodded, "I have heard the rebellious son say just now that this Japanese woman was indeed brought by Zhao Wuji from the capital, and it is said that it is also related to the Southern Dynasties of Japan."

Luo Beisheng blinked his eyes, and he remembered that Li Wei was polite to this Japanese woman on the steps. It should be said that they were very familiar with each other, but they were definitely not friends. Otherwise, this woman would not have encouraged her nephew to do stupid things. He also thought of this Japanese woman being related to the smuggling silver of the King of Qin. Luo Beisheng suddenly had an extremely fearful thought in his heart.

He said in a trembling voice: "Brother, I suddenly feel uneasy. I am afraid that the Qianhu of the Jinyiwei is not here to investigate the disaster relief food case, but to investigate the smuggling of the King of Qin."

Luo Nansheng was like five thunderstorm. He sat down again, 'Yes, it must be so. This is the real reason why he killed County Magistrate Zhang with false charges. This is just a means of covering up his true purpose, so that everyone can believe that he is here to investigate the disaster relief food case.'

"Second brother, I'm afraid your feeling is right. Our Luo family is really dead this time."

"No! No! Brother, you are really confused." Luo Beisheng watched Qing. Seeing that his elder brother was in a dead end, he hurriedly woke him up and said, "Since he hinted at the elder brother, it means that there is still room for recovery for this matter. He is giving his elder brother a chance!"

"You mean, we betray the King of Qin?" Luo Nansheng understood what his second brother meant.

Luo Beisheng was so anxious that he stomped his feet, "Brother, you are so smart and confused. Who sent the Jinyiwei? Except for the emperor, who dares to investigate the King of Qin? Do you still want to hold the King of Qin at this time? In my opinion, if we cooperate with the Jinyiwei, maybe there will be a glimmer of life. Otherwise, even if the King of Qin smuggling case is not released, the Jinyiwei will still use the assassination case to destroy our whole family."
Chapter completed!