第689节 北归（十四）

"Nan Chao" refers to paper money with Cao Cao's portrait on it, as called by people from northern China.
Due to credibility concerns, coupled with the bad example of Da Ming Bao Chao, northerners have been hesitant about accepting Nan Chao. Apart from commercial circles in port cities, Nan Chao's circulation in other regions of Ming Dynasty has been very slow, and its acceptance among the general public is not high.
无心插柳柳成荫。行商，尤其是行商的分支行业，各路东奔西窜的“道上”人马，对南钞的态度却是截然不同。
大哥们尤其喜欢这种方便隐秘携带的等价物。只要南钞能在天津周边换到各种物资，大哥们使用起来就毫无禁忌。
反正干完活也是要放松消费一拨的。
至于信用问题......滚球，大哥都不知道能不能看见明天的太阳，谁还在乎下个月南钞贬不贬值这种国际金融课题，又不是美联储。
唯一影响南钞在各路非法组织之间流通的，就只有假钞这个痼疾了。
不要小看明人。
能将一款假银锭做出一二十种工艺流派的族群，完全有能力搞出几款假钞用来流通的。
假钞嘛，看上去有点像就行了。反正大多数外地人都是没见识的土包子，哪天傻子不够用了再说。
于是，天津本地的画匠、绣师、古玩、丹青、销金铺等等行业迅速行动了起来，开始利用信息差赚起了快钱。
骤然而起的假钞风潮不光令受害者骂娘，连穿越众也是目瞪口呆，对古人的执行力有了更深刻的认识。
这之后紧急启动的“163x金融打假专项活动”，就是另外一个故事了。
总之，今天太行帮能熟练辨别南钞，那都是之前交过学费，付出过代价的。
众目睽睽之下，最终，负责验钞的师爷小弟举起了大拇指。
Looking seemingly drunken, but in fact, with eyes fixed and a hint of nervousness in his gaze, it was Chen Ge not Ha Bangzhu. Therefore, he revealed a brotherly smile, reached out to embrace the shoulder of Taihang Gu Dangjia, and laughed heartily as he downed the bowl of wine.
From this moment on, the two groups of people who were sincerely dealing with each other finally held a celebration banquet without any grudges.
The lively scene continued for a long time. It was not until seven in the evening when the drinks were all finished and the dishes were all eaten that it came to an end. In the end, there were only three people left on each side who could stay at the banquet, and they were all the right-hand men brought by their respective leaders. Among the guests, they finally became like their own family, good brothers who could speak freely without reservations.
在这种微妙气氛下，顾鸣终于借着酒劲，问出了一个他比较想知道的问题：为何广义帮之前要火并马贼？
别说什么分赃不匀。马匪那点份额，根本不值得广义帮坏规矩......要火并也应该联合人少的马匪火并太行帮才有赚头。顾鸣当时就在现场，他很清楚火并事件是广义帮一开始就谋划好的，是专门做的局。
事实证明，两帮人里真正的核心人物，这会就没一个醉的。
看到不约而同转过来注视自己的脑袋，原本醉醺醺的哈六，眼中同样透着清明。见问题来了，他不慌不忙，义正言辞地给出了解释：内卷+私仇。
哈六的回答并没有出顾鸣所料，跟他事先猜测的差不多。
相对于大部分人手都是“步兵”，机动能力弱的太行帮来说，全员拥有坐骑的广义帮和马匪，在“做买卖”的时候，确实存在一个功能重叠的问题。
The saying goes "two tigers cannot share the same mountain," which roughly means that there can only be one dominant force in a given territory.
"To be honest with you, brother, last year I raided a convoy at Duoyan Pass. Inside, I found some goods that belonged to my brothers."
"Oh, no wonder."
"Matters concerning the martial world should stay within the martial world. Brother, since Ma Jie dared to break my teeth and make me bleed back then, he shouldn't blame me for being ruthless towards him today."
"Deserving, deserving!"
That's right. Private hatred is a must, otherwise, it can't explain why there are so many horse bandits and why Ha Liu chose to target Ma Jie and his gang.
Putting down the last bit of doubt in his heart, Gu Ming picked up the hard box of cigarettes on the table and lit one up. Then, through the smoke, Gu Ming said seriously, "Brother Ha, although this is our first time doing business together, I feel that we have a connection and I am willing to consider you as my brother. I won't say much more, but if you ever need me in the future, just give me a call!"
Throughout, from the beginning when the tasks were assigned by the three parties, to the distribution of loot when Ha Liu generously made concessions, various details led Gu Ming to speculate: Ha Liu very much wants to cooperate with Taihang Gang.
This conjecture was proven shortly after the banquet began. At that time, Ha Liu unintentionally or intentionally slipped up and said: "There's still a big deal to be made this year."
And now, after a series of probing steps, Gu Ming finally expressed his intention to cooperate with this sentence.
"Here I am, waiting for my brother to say those words."
"Ha Liu's fingers hold a cigarette, with a serious expression on his face: "No need to wait for the future, brother, there's a big deal to be made right now. I want to team up with you again!"
```html“Say it, listen!”
Next moment, with a swish, Ha Liu extended his arm and swept everything in front of him under the table.
Next, Ha Liu solemnly took out his wallet from his pocket, unzipped it, and carefully took out a stack of papers from the compartment.```
将这叠泛黄的纸张放在桌面上，哈六轻手轻脚展开后，大伙凑过来脑袋仔细一看，却是一张脸盆大小的地图。
"
扫一眼地图，大致看到了城门、护墙、望台等用墨笔描绘的图形后，顾鸣顿时来了感觉：“莫不是哪家庄子的地形？”
吐一口烟，哈六盯着顾鸣看了半晌，这才下定决心，一字一顿地讲道：“安国谷家集。”
顾鸣以及心腹三人听到这句话，纷纷倒吸一口凉气：“好胆！竟是谷家集！”
```html

An'guo County is just south of Baoding. Since ancient times, An'guo has been the largest medicinal herb market in northern China. There are many wealthy merchants here, making it a place of abundant wealth. Gu Family Market, due to its geographical location at a three-way intersection and its convenient distance from An'guo, has undertaken a considerable amount of logistics work along the An'guo area.

```
The original name of Gu Family Collection was Gu Family Village, which was just a ordinary village. However, the current head of the Gu family is a visionary and has developed various commercial activities utilizing the advantageous geographical location. Over the past two decades, Gu Family Village has become known as a "Little An Guo" and has transformed from a village into a market town.
如此富裕的集镇，又缺乏官兵保护，自然是周边各路人马觊觎的焦点目标。然而谷家人也不是傻子，有了钱后，深沟高墙，土炮岗楼拔地而起，又从北边的唐河引来活水修了护城河，端地是固若金汤。
Previously, there were daring bandits who tried to raid the Gu family's compound, as well as large groups of refugees attempting the same thing. However, despite stealing some miscellaneous items from the outer market, these bandits were unable to breach the heavily guarded Gu family compound and suffered significant casualties. Their efforts yielded no gain and proved to be a losing battle.
所以今天得知这张纸是谷家集的地形图后，顾鸣第一反应，是咬到了铁核桃。可随后他勐然间意识到：不对，哈六这厮有绝活，能破门！
Sure, here is the translation while preserving the original HTML tags:```htmlInstantly realizing it, Gu Ming's heart was filled with excitement: Gu Family's stockade has been renowned in the martial world for decades, and the wealth inside far exceeds that of a Yixin Long trading caravan.```
如此一来，只需哈六开了围子大门......这不就是武火墩的翻版吗？
想通这一点的顾鸣，一边用热切的眼光逡巡着地形图，一边口中追问道：“兄弟，怎么个章程？”
With confidence and a plan in mind, Ha Liu pointed to a few spots on the map, enticingly saying: "My fellow brothers under my command have been working as stable hands at the Gu Family's village for a year and a half now. These spots are the probable locations for their larger and smaller silver vaults."
Speaking of which, Ha Liu Meng slammed his fist on the map at the main entrance: "As usual, my men will use the earthquake bombs to blast open the gate of the Gu family's stockade."
"After that..." Ha Liu looked at Gu Ming helplessly: "Brother, we don't have enough manpower, so I have to trouble you!"
“哈哈哈！”顾鸣这一刻笑得自然舒爽。
类似于广义帮这种马帮，讲究的是高速机动，来去如风。这种作战模式固然高精尖，但有个缺点：只能吃快餐，譬如抢个自带马车的商队。
But this time, they were facing a small town with a vast amount of wealth. The wealth included not only gold and silver, but also food, merchandise, furniture, and even women, including human trafficking victims.
这种属于菜式繁多的正餐，没有足够的牙口，吃不饱，还全给浪费了。
广义帮人手稀少，哪怕攻破了大门，后续还有很多需要限时的节目：巷战、挖掘银两、四下搜刮财物，装车挑担撤退等等需要大量人手的工作要做。
Gu Ming's heart is as clear as a mirror right now. Perhaps Ha Liu has been releasing goodwill all along, fearing that it will fall on this deal.
"What about afterwards?"
"As usual, we split the spoils fifty-fifty!"
"Hmph..."
When it comes to this, Gu Ming touches his chin and weighs it up: although Taihang Gang has provided manpower, the key to getting into Gu family's stronghold is Ha Liu's Earthquake Bomb in hand.
After using half a cigarette to finally understand the big question that science and technology are the primary productive forces, Boss Gu is no longer indecisive. He slammed his fist on the map and said, "Let's do this job, brothers!"
“哥哥豪气！”
闻言大喜的哈帮主，当即将桌上的先遣图......不是，是谷家集的地形图往顾鸣面前一推：“此图哥哥拿去，这就派人下山去查对。若有不妥之处，咱们也好及时调配。”
"Really?"
Even though he knew that the other party had a unique and powerful technique in their hands, making him overconfident, in this moment, Gu Dangjia was moved by Ha Gangzhu's heroic spirit. Putting away the map, Gu Ming made a firm decision: "Brother, when do we strike?"
"Hmm... I'm afraid it'll have to wait until after the New Year."
Ha Bangzhu explained the situation with enthusiasm: "This shaking landmine costs 1,200 taels of silver per unit. I have to return to Tianjin during the holidays to buy one and bring it back to use."
Gumming knew that Ha Liu had worked as a day laborer for the government soldiers, but he never expected this guy to have his own unique source of goods through this experience. After some consideration, Gumming, who had rich experience in robbery, offered his opinion: "We can't wait any longer than the 15th day of the first lunar month to act, otherwise there will be many escorts for the passing caravans and it will be troublesome."
"Let's follow big brother's lead!"
At this stage of coordination, in the communication method of shouting in the 17th century, it was already a precise tactical operation.
Next, Ha Liu arranged the itinerary: he himself will leave for Tianjin tomorrow and will definitely bring back Huan Di Lei before the 15th day of the first lunar month. He will leave the second-in-command Tu Er Ye as the liaison officer here.
图二爷随即和太行这边的联络官交流了几句。双方最终约定：联络官于正月初八前后，在某处靠近安国的联络点会面。到那时，双方约定好集结时间和地点，大部队在十五前完成集结。
商谈到这一步，今晚酒宴的真正目的才算是达到。时间，也已经是深夜时分。
如此，疲惫不堪的两路人马便草草散去休息。
——————————————————————
```htmlEarly the next day, Master Wu Fazheng squinted his eyes, awakened by the sunlight streaming through the crack in the door.
Squinting and shaking his head a few times, Wu Fazheng finally remembered that he had become a hostage of the bandits, confined in a dimly lit hayloft with no windows, only a door.```
侧头一看，矮胖的吴掌柜还未醒，正昏昏沉沉倒卧在草堆里。
"Sigh."
原本打算起身透过门缝看看情况的吴少爷，不再有动作。他怕吵醒了吴掌柜。
The shopkeeper Wu is getting older, and he has been traveling and fighting continuously. Besides, he hasn't eaten anything since yesterday, so he'd rather sleep to avoid the torment of hunger.
Just as he thought of this, young master Wu's stomach began to rumble uncontrollably.
There's no way out, we just have to endure it. Outside the door are ferocious bandits, and at this moment Wu Shao Ye dares not protest for human rights, otherwise having both his ears cut off would not be worth it.
Yesterday's battle, all the surviving members of Yi Xin Long were tied up and turned into human meat merchandise by the bandits.
After walking along the night road, most of the fellows were locked up in the donkey and cow sheds of the mountain village. Only Mr. Wu and Manager Wu, who were considered "high-end" meat, managed to sneak into the business single-room shed.
也就这样了。土匪自打昨夜开始就貌似很忙，压根没人在乎肉票的人权和健康状况。直到今晨，商务柴房里都没得到一滴水一粒米。
Fortunately, Master Wu knows the program and is not very worried about the future and his own life.
Since the bandits went through the trouble of abducting him instead of killing him with one blow, they will definitely contact the business to ransom him. When the business learns the news, they will definitely pay enough money to get him back first.
```htmlAs for retaliation, that's all in the future.
The above are default procedures. Yixin Long has encountered many situations over the years where the caravan lost and captives were taken, naturally knowing how to respond.```
只是眼下就需要先苦熬一段时间了。
就在吴少爷靠着墙，默念春秋，试图压制肠胃抗议时，门上响起了哗啦的锁声。
Next moment, the broken fan door was pushed open by two sturdy bandits with knives from outside and a not-so-tall figure appeared in front of Master Wu in back light.
"What's wrong, don't you recognize me?"
见吴少爷眯着眼没反应，来人轻笑一声：“说话还要把兄弟千刀万剐，这就认不清面貌了啊？”
“火贵！原来是你！”
怒目圆睁的吴法正，瞬间明白了来人是谁。