After Fang took office as the governor of Zhi, although he was honored as the "head of the border minister", he was not as good as the Beiyang minister, and not as powerful as Li Hongzhang and Yuan Shikai, he was much worse than Yang Shixiang. Moreover, since he arrived in Tianjin, he was reprimanded by Lin Guangyu several times. Although there were no substantial consequences, it was enough to make him feel depressed, especially after the Yongping incident and Zhang Xun incident, which made him more and more aware of the difficult situation in Zhili.

He did not agree with the court's proposal to improve the salt administration from the bottom of his heart, believing that this would deprive the governor of the world of the governor over the local finances, which was the beginning of the imperial court and local government. However, in the position of direct supervision, he had no capital to serve as a minister of the South China Sea in the past, and was repeatedly scolded by Lin Guangyu, at least on the surface he did not dare to oppose it blatantly.

Of course, the court's announcement of the investigation and prosecution of the salt merchants' claims that the court and Zhili family had half of the benefits of the court's and Zhili family also made Duan Fang feel excited. After the financial cleanup in the first year of the Reform Movement, huge financial holes in Zhili and Beiyang have appeared. Although Duan Fang does not have to be responsible for this hole, he has the obligation to fill the hole. This statement from the court is undoubtedly good news. Since it cannot stop the momentum of investigation and prosecution, it would be better to just follow the trend and get some benefits for Zhili, which became his second-preferred choice.

The arrival of Cen Chunxuan as an imperial envoy made Duan Fang feel even more uneasy - "official slaughter" is famous, and three corrupt groups were attacked in the first year of the Reform Movement, and Cen Chunxuan made a lot of efforts. When it comes to Xinjiang ministers, Duan Fang is just like other officials. It is not without any criticism, so he is also extremely afraid of Cen Chunxuan. It is said that it is better to have less than more things. Since Cen Chunxuan is determined to investigate and deal with illegal salt merchants, Duan Fang has absolutely no need to force the hindrance.

Therefore, when the salt merchant interest group seeks to see Duanfang, his attitude is extremely subtle and complex. But on the surface, he is still calm.

"Sir, we all believe that this move by the court is not good for the career and future prospects of the adults. This is not a problem between Boss He and Lord Zhang, but a problem with Changlu Salt Merchants and your place." The person who came was the general representative unanimously elected by Changlu Salt Merchants. His surname was Gao, and his strength was among Changlu Salt Merchants. He held a large number of citations.

Boss He is the key person in the Yang Cuixi case. It was he who accepted Yuan Shikai's trick of hiding the world to cover up Duan Zhigui's bribery of Zai Zhen. He falsely claimed that Yang Cuixi was the maid of his mansion. After the case was revealed and the world, this person was put into prison as a remnant of the Qing party. In the first instance, he not only confessed the interests of Changlu Salt Businessmen and the powerful people, but also directly explained the illegal activities between the salt merchants and the salt transport envoy of Zhili Zhang Zhenfang.

"I wonder how Boss Gao said?" How deep is the water in Changlu Salt Administration, it is naturally not convenient to rush in, so after understanding the other party's purpose, he could only be confused.

"Do you really don't understand?" Although the visitor was unwilling to expose Duan Fang and pretend to be confused in person, his words were still sharp. "The salt administration reform was just an negotiation between the court and the Changlu salt merchants, but Cen Chunxuan and Ze Gong were clearly attacking Lord Zhang, but the spearhead was pointed at Lord Zhang."

Duan Fang smiled bitterly: "What is Zhang Zhenfang's crime? It's not yet concluded. How does it involve me again? And even if Zhang Zhenfang is guilty, he is not the one I recommend. What should I do?"

"Sir, you are a little insincere about your words." The visitor lowered his voice and whispered, "I heard the reliable news. The Ministry of Finance will not only investigate and deal with a few related people this time, but more importantly, it will gather the power of salt administration."

“So what?”

"This has a huge relationship." The people who came became more and more mysterious. "In addition to the serious salt tax, Changlu Salt Merchants also paid additional funds for Zhili and Beiyang every year. The amount is never under the salt tax. If it is taken to the court in the future, this fee will not be used by Zhili. And..."

The visitor dragged his voice and took out a silver note from his arms and handed it to Duan Fang: "Sir, this is your annual routine."

Duan Fang took it and looked at it, and was secretly shocked. The silver note clearly stated that 20 taels were paid as soon as he saw the ticket. It seemed that the energy of these characters was really not small. It was such a big number at the right time. Li Hongzhang and Yuan Shikai probably had all made a lot of money in the past and subsequent direct supervisors.

Looking at the envy and yearning in Duan Fang's eyes, the person who came was already secretly laughing - he had been talking for a long time but it was useless, and it was still 200,000 yuan in silver.

However, Duan Fang slowly pushed the bill back. Although he was reluctant to leave, he still pushed it back.

"No reward is received without merit."

“

Do you have to be demanding on yourself?" Boss Gao pushed the silver bill over again, "You know what I know about this, I will never..."

"I'm very ashamed if I don't let it go." Duan Fang pushed it back again, "You may not be able to do your request."

"I only ask the adults to do it, but I don't ask for it to do it." The silver bill was pushed back again...

After a few rounds and turns, Duan Fang's rejection became stronger and stronger, and his words became more and more determined. The person who came could not say "disturbance" and left in a bad mood.

—

After the man left, Duan Fang's most capable confidant came out of the inner room: "Why do you refuse?"

"Otherwise, the things that the person entrusted will never be done." Duan Fang took a sip of tea, "Ze Duke thought about the great power of the salt administration and wanted to get it, and Cen Chunxuan was eyeing it. Although the 200,000 taels were said to be: "I know, but it is not easy to say what will happen in the future. If it is passed into Guan Tu's ears, wouldn't all the previous efforts be wasted?"

"That adult is watching the Ministry of Finance take action?"

"Otherwise, I can think through other channels."

The person who was inquiring about the news at Boss Gao's house was already waiting like an ant on a hot pan. When he saw him coming back dejectedly, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful, but he refused to give up his last luck and asked, "What's the big deal?"

"No, Dragon Boat Festival Bridge refuses."

"What should I do?" Everyone looked anxious, as if they had seen the terrible situation of converting the invoices in their hands into pieces of waste paper.

"Although the Dragon Boat Festival Bridge refused, it didn't say anything to death." Boss Gao said after calming down, "His opinion is just like ours, but he is not strong enough. He was also scared by Cen Chunxuan and dared not act."

Everyone thought, what's the point of helping? They were so scared that they looked more anxious.

After walking three circles in place, Boss Gao's face suddenly flashed with a hint of hideousness, and then disappeared invisibly. He said lightly: "Since that's the case, then we'll wait for death and wait for others to take us."

"How did this make it?" Everyone invested their wealth of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. In the interest, the Rong was so calm. Several people jumped up and said, "Or go find a few bosses Zhou and ask them to transfer one or two?"

"It's useless! I've already inquired. Lord Zhou went abroad for inspection. I'm afraid he won't be able to return to China for half a year. When he comes back, he will clear it up, and the daylily will be cold."

Alas...a long sigh.

"If you can trust me, I will find another way to find this 200,000..."

"Nature, naturally... As long as there is a way to save it, don't say that the 200,000 yuan will be fine." Everyone was already in a hurry to seek medical treatment. They were usually extremely smart iron roosters, and they didn't care about so much at this moment.

"No, it depends on my actions."

At Zhang Zhenfang's mansion, the traffic situation was unexpectedly quiet recently.

Seeing Boss Gao's arrival, Zhang Zhenfang only raised her head and said expressionlessly: "How about it, can't you walk at the Dragon Boat Festival Bridge?"

"It's true that it's not as expected by the adults. Cen Chunxuan doesn't have to leave. The only thing that can't be done is to leave. Zai Ze is involved in scamming with the tiger..."

"Then let's wait for death?" Zhang Zhenfang smiled miserably, "I, Zhang, took it upon myself, but what about you? A large amount of household business is cheaper."

"Why did you say this? How can we say it after years of friendship? Besides, we are all grasshoppers on the same line now, and it's just a difference between death first and then death."

"It's rare that you are so awake." Zhang Zhenfang said meaningfully, "The rabbit is so anxious that it bites people, let alone you and me?"

After hearing this, Boss Gao knew that the other party had something to explain, so he asked, "What should I do?"

"I heard that the revolutionary party is very rampant recently, assassination and explosions have happened frequently, so it is better to..."

"As the Lord said, the five ministers went abroad to inspect and were delayed by a bomb of the Revolutionary Party for half a year. If this were the case in Tianjin, it would have been a year or two..."

Hahahaha, the two of them laughed wildly.

After the laughter, Zhang Zhenfang lowered his voice: "It's not appropriate to take action immediately. This time, the imperial envoy did not have any guards to the imperial guards, but..."

"What the adults want is the same as someone, but where can I find a revolutionary party?"
Chapter completed!