Jiang Ming is a young man from Jiang Ji Silk and Satin Village, a well-known Jiang Ji Silk and Satin Village in Xin'an County. He is only sixteen years old this year. He was recruited into Jiang Ji Silk and Satin Village half a year ago to become an apprentice. Although the apprenticeship has been in the next three years, Jiang Ji's boss only provides him with accommodation and will not pay him a share of his salary, but in the eyes of people around him, Jiang Ming still made a big profit.

It is not easy to find a job that can support your family in this world, especially those half-aged boys, who don’t eat much, have no skills, and are always frivolous in their work. Therefore, even if they have to work for three years for Jiangji Satin Village in vain, many people still want to send their kids in, to reduce their burdens, and to the other hand, after three years of study, they may be able to support a family.

Therefore, when Jiang Ji's boss chose Jiang Ming, a country boy who had never heard of, and entered his own silk shop, the crowd of jealous onlookers all said in private that Jiang Ming was the "insider" news that Jiang Ji was finally accepted into his apprentice because of the same surname as Jiang Ji's boss and perhaps a little related to his relatives.

But what these jealous onlookers didn't know was that Jiang Ji, which looked no different from other satin shops, was not that simple inside. Moreover, even if there was no Jiang Ming, who was privately considered by them to have entered Jiang Ji through the back door, Jiang Ji's satin shop would not have accepted their nephews and younger generations.

Because Jiang Ji, who is just a silk shop, is an absolute Dongchang base inside.

Unlike the Jinyiwei who had just recovered his vitality after the Emperor ascended the throne, when the late emperor was in the dynasty, the East and West factories led by the Jinyiwei were still more powerful than the East and West factories. Although the East Factory was always suppressed by the newly established West Factory, the lean camel was bigger than the horse. The East Factory, which was suppressed by the West Factory in the capital, not only left the main force to fight hard in the capital and the West Factory, but also began to scatter a large number of people out in order to achieve unexpected results. When the late emperor was about to die, he began to have the final madness, so that at this time, even the small Xin'an County had a stronghold set up by the East Factory.

The facts also proved that the final madness of the East Factory was of great benefit to the entire East Factory. When Zi succeeded to the throne today, he quickly began to severely suppress the powerful East Factory and the East Factory. At the same time, he strongly supported the Jinyiwei who had been suppressing him before. Soon, he dismantled and suppressed the East Factory and the East Factory that were rampant in the capital, making it difficult to breathe.

At this time, the various arrangements of the East Factory before finally worked. Compared with the West Factory, which concentrated all its strength in the capital, the East Factory was also miserable, but it had room for maneuver.

When the emperor didn't like the two factories in the east and west, the West Factory could only disperse a large number of fans while shrinking themselves and nestle in the courtyard wall of the West Factory. He did not dare to do anything, but the East Factory could break it into pieces and disperse a large amount of power into many strongholds set up before. Although he was also a bit frustrated, he was afraid that everything would be compared. Compared with the miserable West Factory, the East Factory's life was countless times stronger.

It was under this premise that Jiang Ming entered Jiang Ji and became an apprentice with the distant relative of the head of the Jiang Ji Silk and Satin Village family.

When he was just a young man, and he was young and inexperienced, Jiang Ming did not dare to have any temper after coming from the capital to this small Xin'an County. He followed the rules every day and followed the nominal master. In fact, Shangguan ordered him to be busy and tired all day long. He did everything he did was a "serious" business in the silk shop, and he had no connection with the original work of the Dongchang Factory. This inevitably made him feel a lot of complaints and dissatisfaction after he gradually became familiar with this place.

Although he knew in his heart that he would face a worse situation when he stayed in the capital at this time, this did not hinder his idea of ​​returning to the capital. Compared with the capital, the small Xin'an County was too boring and too calm.

The young man's thoughts are always revealed quickly. After seeing his thoughts, Jiang Ji Silk and Satin Village boss, Jiang Ming's boss, and Dongchang's chief Jiang Qin wanted to educate this young junior, hoping to let him understand his real situation at this time, not to have any dreams that are unrealistic, and honestly accept the peaceful days in the future.

Wang Jinbao, who was also driven here from the capital, was in a small inn in Yao Town, with a lower status than Jiang Ming, and his life was more boring than Jiang Ming, and his more ordinary life was undoubtedly the best example for Jiang Qin to educate Jiang Ming.

Jiang Qin, who had already made a decision in his heart, acted very quickly and ordered his subordinate He Er to drive the donkey cart and take Jiang Ming on the road.

It is about to pass on information with Wang Jinbao. In Jiang Qin's opinion, it is also a good time. I just hope that after suffering this huge impact, Jiang Ming, a young man, would give up the unrealistic idea of ​​making great contributions and returning to the capital, and be honest and contented, so as not to cause trouble for himself in the future.

...

Xin'an County is located in the Central Plains. Although there are also many farmers who raise silkworms and weave cloth around it, the quality of small households is far inferior to that of Jiangnan.

As a silk and satin shop, although more people buy cloth of lower quality, high-end silk and satin cannot be left out. Even if it is over the whole year, these high-end silk and satin may not be sold for a few pieces.

Although Yao Town is located in a remote location, it is actually based on the river, with a wharf, and a distribution center for north-south cargo exchange. However, this prosperous period born from north-south cargo exchange has lasted for a short period of time...

Therefore, every year when winter is approaching, when Jiangji Silk and Satin Village eats a batch of high-end cloth, Jiang Qin will order his men to drive a donkey cart to Yao Town. On the one hand, they can buy some high-end cloth, and on the other hand, they can exchange information with Wang Jinbao, who is in Yao Town without notice.

However, the second item that should have been the main task, but at this time it has long been downgraded to a "small" thing that is insignificant and easy to do...

But Jiang Ming naturally didn't know these situations. Since he arrived at Xin'an County, he has been staying in Jiangji Silk and Satin Village. Not to mention the kiln town outside the city, he didn't know even if there were several streets in Xin'an County. So this time, when he learned that he could not only leave Jiangji and Xin'an County like a cage, but also conduct secret contacts and exchange information, Jiang Ming was so excited.

He was just excited but did not notice the strange face and sympathetic eyes on He Er's face who was driving the car beside him.

The donkey cart didn't leave very quickly. Unlike Jiang Ming, who was excited about "ignorance", He Er, who had already experienced it several times, was not interested in this fact. In his opinion, this time, Wang Jinbao probably had to write some trivial matters to fool him.

Actually, I think about it. Even Xin'an County has nothing to pay attention to. It is even more remote. Only this season will there be a few days in the bustling Yao Town? What earth-shaking events can happen in this busy Yao Town?

He Er, who was chatting with the excited Jiang Ming, finally arrived in Yao Town before sunset. Looking at the familiar signboard of Dongsheng Inn, He Er couldn't help but sigh.

"Aren't I, like Wang Jinbao and Jiang Ming, longing to make great contributions and gain the blue eyes of the superiors, so as to jump into the sky, return to the capital, become a hawk under the factory, and then gain the appreciation of the emperor, and be at your fingertips. Unfortunately, all of these have become jokes."

Putting away his feelings in his heart, He Er stopped the donkey cart familiarly, let Jiang Ming look at the donkey cart here, and went to find the inn's friend by himself.

"Oh, this guest official, you want to stay in a hotel, right? Please, please." As soon as He Er jumped out of the donkey cart, a young man who looked only fourteen or fifteen years old ran out of the Dongsheng Inn, greeting He Erlai with a warm look on his face.

"Hmm?" Looking at the young man in front of him who had never seen before, He Er couldn't help but look up at the inn signboard. After seeing that it was indeed the four words "Dongsheng Inn", he couldn't help but ask, "Little Brother, has this Dongsheng Inn changed his employer?"

"Never." The young guy was naturally Bai Shier. When he heard He Er's question, he was a little stunned, not understanding how the other party asked such a question.

"So it's the shopkeeper He Er," Fortunately, Sun Ji, who saw this scene in the store, walked out in time. "Are you here to choose the silk from the south again?"

"Shopkeeper Sun." Seeing the familiar face, He Er couldn't help but relax and greet him, "Yes, the boss has a life, so I naturally have to go this trip."

"Since that's the case, then shopkeeper He asked." Sun Ji moved away and made a gesture of inviting him, and then instructed Bai Shier beside him, "Twelve, you lead this guy to the backyard, tie the donkey, use the best feed and water, don't be lazy or neglect, do you know?"

"Yes, I know." Seeing that he had not avoided the job in the end, Bai Shier's face suddenly collapsed, and he replied in a muffled voice.

Bai Shier led Jiang Ming to rush the donkey cart to the backyard without mentioning it. He Er, who followed Sun Ji into the gate of Dongsheng Inn, couldn't help but feel nervous after hearing Sun Ji's orders.

"Hey, Manager Sun, I remember, didn't you have a guy named Jinbao before? Why did you change someone after less than a year?" He Er, who was nervous but had no trace on his face, pretended to be strange.

"Hey, don't mention it." Sun Ji, who was already worried about this, heard He Er's problem at this time, and it was like a rushing river water found a gap. After pulling He Er to sit down, he slapped his thigh and told the story of what happened two days ago. "Shopkeeper He said, "Did I have committed Tai Sui recently or have I messed with something unclean? Otherwise, why did these messy things happen recently?"

"Ha, how could I know about this kind of thing? Shopkeeper Sun, you should find someone who knows it and ask carefully." He Er, who was already in a state of upside down, finally found the genes belonging to Dongchang that were engraved in his bones, suppressing the drastic changes in his heart, and said to Sun Ji with sympathy.

"Hey, I think so too," Sun Ji complained again, "But there is no such person in this kiln town? Brother, you have been in the county for so many years, but have you heard of such a capable person? I will introduce you to Brother Yu. In the future, Brother Yu will definitely be rewarded." Sun Ji, who did feel that he was involved in something unclean, asked hurriedly regardless of his face.

"The shopkeeper, you have everything done. Have you opened your room? I'll help the guy to bring the things to the room." At this moment, Bai Shier came out of the backyard and interrupted the conversation between Sun Ji and He Er.

"Oh, look at me, just say that I'm a mess," Sun Ji was a little annoyed when he interrupted him at this critical moment, but he still looked apologetic, "Brother, are you still the same as last year?"

"Well, it's the same as last year. Please trouble Manager Sun." He Er hugged and clasped his fists.

"Where is it, it should be, it should be." Manager Sun quickly replied, and then changed his face like a face-changing master in Sichuan opera. He looked at Bai Shier and ordered with an unhappy look, "Twelve, please lead Manager He to the guest room with a character named A, do things quickly, don't be frivolous, do you know."

"Shopkeeper He, please come here." Bai Shier, who had angered Sun Ji for some reason, felt that Sun Ji's attitude was a little puzzled, but he still said to He Er politely.

"It's my second brother." He Er glanced at Sun Ji, and a smile appeared on his face. "However, please don't worry, you and my friend, you and I will work harder. I'll deliver the things to the guest room first. I have something to talk about with your shopkeeper Sun."

"Yes, yes, yes," Sun Ji's face turned brighter after hearing He Er say this, and he waved his hand to Bai Shier and said, "You go first, I have something to talk about with Manager He."

Bai Shier, who had just heard something about the conversation, naturally knew what Sun Ji wanted to ask, so he curled his lips and turned around and left, leaving Sun Ji with a look of hope, and walked up to He Er again with a wine pot and two wine glasses.

"Come on, Manager He, let's talk while drinking, and chat while drinking."

"Ha, then I'll make Manager Sun spend money."

...

At night, He Er, who had been talking and laughing in the guest room before, even gave Sun Ji, lay on the bed in the guest room, with a gloomy expression on his face.

He thought this time would definitely be the same as in the previous few years. He stayed at Dongsheng Inn for three or two days, looked for an opportunity to throw a piece of information with Wang Jinbao, then bought a few pieces of good cloth, returned to Xin'an County, and just got the job done.

But unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the Dongsheng Inn, he heard a news that he couldn't believe - Wang Jinbao disappeared.

He Er suddenly heard this news and felt a sudden sudden heart. The first thing he thought of was that the other party could not stand the poor life in Yao Town and fled.

But He Er immediately denied this idea. Because the timing was wrong, he was judging others by himself. He Er believed that even if Wang Jinbao really wanted to escape, he should not leave at the moment when the joint was about to be connected. He could wait until the joint ended and wait until he left Yao Town before taking action. In this way, the news of his escape would have to wait at least a year before it was exposed, rather than being exposed immediately after escaping like now.

Eliminating the possibility of absconding, He Er not only did not relax, but instead became even more nervous.

Since Wang Jinbao did not abscond, there are only two possibilities for his disappearance:

1. Kidnapped.

2. Killed.

No matter which of these two types is, it is not good news for He Er.

Is there any value for a young inn who has no money or strengths worthy of being kidnapped or killed? Obviously there is no, but if he is really kidnapped or even killed, it will undoubtedly prove that those who know his identity and those who dare to take action after knowing his identity as Dongchang are not easy to deal with.

Wang Jinbao died as soon as he died. Although He Er had some sadness to hurt his kind, he did not feel much sadness. What he was afraid of was whether Wang Jinbao had told him the secrets of He Er and Jiang Ji Silk Village before his death, thus exposing the entire Dongchang stronghold and threatening the safety of the stronghold.

When he thought of this, He Er wanted to return to Xin'an County immediately and report the news to Jiang Qin. At the same time, he advised Jiang Qin to lead everyone to hide quickly. Even if he didn't hide, he should be fully prepared to prevent possible sneak attacks at any time.

But reason eventually prevailed. After all, these were just his speculations. He could not push the entire stronghold to the point of either advancing or retreating just because of his own speculations.

So, He Er sat up and his eyes became firm.
Chapter completed!