Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Force
The emperor was furious and did not even allow Zhang Wen to file a memorial to defend himself. With one word, "I am incompetent," he demoted him from the second-rank Minister of Personnel to the seventh-rank Director of the Ministry of Works, and sent him to Purple Mountain to maintain the Xiaoling Mausoleum.
Because his concubine was rude and disrespectful, Zhang Wen was demoted to the lowest position and became a laughing stock in the officialdom of the capital.
As for the princess's violation of the rules and leaving the palace without permission, it was deliberately suppressed. Those who knew something about the situation would only say that the Zhang family wanted to eat swan meat and overestimated their own capabilities by plotting against the royal family.
The Chen family's old house.
Wu Yong laughed non-stop, gloating over his misfortune. "Zhang Wen is truly ruthless, offending the entire inner court of the previous dynasty in one go."
Chen Ling'an just stared at the swaying shadows of the trees against the window in a daze.
After a long pause, he slowly said, "He is very utilitarian. He worked hard to climb to the position of Shangshu, and he will never be willing to live in loneliness."
"That's right!" Wu Yong chimed in. "He's been so anxious these past few days, like a madman, he's been running around the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate, trying to gather information, looking for fellow townspeople and teachers, and trying to curry favor with them. But unfortunately, no one's paying any attention to him—who made him anger the Emperor?"
Suddenly remembering that his own master had also angered the Emperor, he hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty is very different from him. Your Majesty is acting for the sake of state and justice!"
"Besides, the Emperor knows your loyalty, and he has no choice but to appease those officials, so he has only imposed a slight punishment."
Wu Yong secretly glanced at Chen Ling'an's face and said, "I'm not being nosy, but why don't we release a few of them to silence those censors? We can't put the Emperor in a difficult position."
He was referring to the officials that Chen Ling'an had arrested in the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion.
He has been detained until now, and anyone who tries to make peace has been rejected by Chen Ling'an. Those in prison have not gone crazy yet, but those outside can no longer sit still.
Some people were fanning the flames everywhere. Dozens of officials who hated the Jinyiwei jointly wrote a letter, listing ten major crimes of Chen Ling'an, including "fabricating charges and abusing power". They knelt in front of the Meridian Gate for a long time, which seemed like a death sentence for remonstration.
The emperor meant that if the case did not involve murder and the person had not committed the serious crime of rebellion, he should be released.
But Chen Ling'an didn't want to.
Not all scholars have the integrity of a literati. There are a few who cannot stand it, and what they say more or less points to Lord Chen.
As long as we continue to investigate, we will eventually find evidence against Chen Ge Lao.
As a result, the emperor got angry and not only scolded Chen Ling'an, but also asked him to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion. He told him to come back to work when he had figured it out.
Yesterday, Jinyiwei Commander Ji Gang came to the prison in person to release the prisoners. Wu Yong and his men received the order from Chen Ling'an, who only gave him two or three insignificant eighth-rank officials, and did not release any famous people.
"He's so angry his face has turned purple!" Wu Yong laughed twice and then carefully advised, "After all, he's your boss. That kid will definitely complain to the emperor. Now that you can't see the emperor, there's nothing you can do to appeal."
"The Emperor was already angry, and he's adding fuel to the fire..."
He looked at Chen Ling'an's increasingly gloomy face and was unable to continue.
Chen Ling'an suddenly stood up and said, "Go to the Imperial Prison."
Wu Yong was shocked and said, "The last time you went out to accompany Miss Zhang to look after the shop, you were reported. The emperor ordered you to reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors. There are so many eyes watching you. Don't take advantage of the emperor's favor and don't take it lightly!"
"I know." Chen Ling'an didn't even turn his head.
Wu Yong couldn't persuade him, so he could only sigh and follow behind.
-
The weather was so hot and humid that there was not a breath of wind, and the air seemed like it would catch fire at any moment.
Zhang Wen sat in the study with a gloomy face.
He has been running around these days, begging for help from everyone, and finally got someone to give him some advice, telling him to find a noble person.
That man was originally a retainer in the mansion of Lord Chen, and had a close relationship with the housekeeper. The housekeeper was deeply trusted by the Lord Chen, so all the housekeeper needed to do was say a few good words for him in front of the Lord Chen...
Of course, silver is indispensable, and it is not a small amount.
Opportunity is rare and will never come again, so Zhang Wen immediately went to Mrs. Jiang to get the money.
He apologized humbly, then cursed Aunt Yao with gritted teeth, then looked back on their sweet time with affection, and finally imagined his future journey in a heroic and exciting manner.
All that I have learned in my life is fully demonstrated at this moment!
But his throat was sore that it was smoking, and Mrs. Jiang just said one thing: I have no money.
How could she not have money? When she got married, her dowry stretched for miles. The first part went to the Zhang family, and the rest was carried out from the Jiang family.
That's really called ten miles of red makeup!
But Mrs. Jiang just refused to give in.
Zhang Wen was so furious that he almost blew off the roof of the main courtyard.
In fact, he had money in his hands. The salary he had received over the years, the interest from loan sharks, the gifts he had given to Jiang Shi, and the interest from the dowry and land that he had embezzled, all added up to a considerable amount.
He couldn't bear to do it.
Just as I was sulking alone, the door opened twice and Aunt Sun came in with some green bean soup to cool me down.
Because she went to the Yao family, Old Lady Bian kept her before she left. "It will be easier for you to have someone who understands your feelings by your side."
It's not easy at all!
She looked better when she was young, but ever since she gave birth, her body has become like a balloon, full of fat, which makes people lose interest in her.
Now, I feel disgusted whenever I see her persimmon-shaped face.
Zhang Wen was about to lose his temper when he saw Aunt Sun take out a purse from her inner garment.
His eyes widened.
"Here are three thousand taels of silver." Aunt Sun looked at him anxiously, "Master, please don't despise me if there's more or less."
Zhang Wen was ecstatic, but then became suspicious. "Where did you get so much money?"
Aunt Sun knelt down in fear and said, "I help the old lady manage the farms in northern Jiangsu and Huizhou. These are the gifts the old lady gave me as a dowry for Anyi."
The old lady's hands are so generous!
Zhang Wen's eyes flickered, and then he helped Aunt Sun up.
"You are the only one in the whole house who thinks of me. Don't worry, when I get through this, I will find a way to make you my equal wife."
"I dare not have such foolish thoughts." Aunt Sun was about to kneel down with a look of panic on her face.
"You deserve it." Zhang Wen patted her shoulder and hurried away with the banknote.
Three days later, late at night, he drunkenly pushed open Aunt Sun's door.
He was smiling tenderly and smiling brightly, holding her hand, putting his arm around her shoulders, whispering all sorts of sweet words to her, which made Aunt Sun's face flushed and her heart beat fast, and she opened her mouth and gasped for breath, like a fish out of water.
Zhang Wen left before dawn the next day, leaving a message for Aunt Sun to take charge of the household affairs temporarily.
Aunt Sun asked for hot water and took a full hour to wash.
She walked to the main courtyard with her head lowered and her eyes submissive.
Mrs. Jiang, wearing some half-new home clothes, sat by the window and instructed Zhang Xiaoman in her needlework.
The two of them were very close to each other and behaved very intimately. If you didn't know them, you would definitely think they were mother and daughter.
Aunt Sun pursed her lips tightly, then knelt down with a thud.
Mrs. Jiang was surprised and asked, "What is this for?"
But he didn't let her get up.
Aunt Sun raised her head, her face full of anxiety.
"Master was confused for a moment and asked me to take charge of the household affairs. I dare not do so. Please ask Madam to persuade Master to rescind his decision."
Mrs. Jiang glanced at her.
She wore a dark brown dress, no makeup, no hairpins or jewelry, and looked like someone who was "carrying a thorn stick to ask for forgiveness."
Mrs. Jiang picked up the teacup and sipped slowly. "What did I think? So that's what it is. Since it's the master's order, you just do it."
Without waiting for Aunt Sun to say anything else, Madam Jiang asked Mother Fang to give her the matching cards. "From now on, if there are any matters in the inner house, big or small, you don't need to answer me. Just ask Aunt Sun."
Aunt Sun was horrified, "Madam, no!"
"Don't refuse, Auntie." Xiaoman said with a smile, "Mother has worked hard for the Zhang family for half her life. It's time for her to take a break."
Seeing that they didn't look unhappy, Aunt Sun felt relieved, but she still hesitated. "Then... I'll take care of Madam for a few days?"
Mother Fang stuffed the pair of cards into her hand and said, "From now on, I'll have to trouble the Zhang family."
Aunt Sun held the cards like hot coals, slowly rising and saying, "I've never managed a household, so I don't know the ins and outs. Madam is the one who makes the decisions on major matters."
Mrs. Jiang smiled faintly and did not comment.
Xiaoman said, "Mother is going to Tangshan to escape the summer heat and will stay there for a while. Unless the Zhang family rebels, please don't bother her."
She said this with a smile and a teasing tone, but it made Aunt Sun's face change drastically.
"I just took over, and the wife wants to leave. Those villains will definitely say that I forced the wife to leave. How can I bear such a serious crime?"
As he said this, he was about to kneel down again.
Xiaoman put down the embroidery frame in her hand and said, "Why, to protect your reputation, you have to let your wife suffer?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Sun's knees could no longer bend. "I absolutely do not mean that..."
"Then I'll listen to you, Madam." Xiaoman interrupted her explanation, looked at the kettle leak on the corner of the table, and put the needle and thread into the basket.
Aunt Sun smiled apologetically and asked, "Miss, are you going out?"
"Um."
"Girl, take your fifth sister with you wherever you go. She misses her third sister every day. I've never seen her so affectionate with anyone else."
"Fifth sister, are you going with us to find Chen Ling'an?" Xiaoman smiled.
Aunt Sun smiled awkwardly and did not respond.
But he didn't leave. He helped Fang's mother serve tea and water, and volunteered to massage Mrs. Jiang's shoulders. "Even the old lady said that I have good hand strength."
Mrs. Jiang knew that she had something to say.
Sure enough, when Mrs. Jiang was the only one left in the room, Aunt Sun spoke.
"The third girl is good in every way, except that she is too bold and acts without thinking."
"Putting our family aside, let's talk about the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion and the Liu family. They are all close friends of Madam. Just looking at Madam, the Third Miss shouldn't continue to associate with Master Chen."
"She fulfilled her childhood dream, but she didn't think about how hard it must have been for her wife to be caught in the middle."
After saying this, he sighed deeply and seemed to be very worried.
Madam Jiang glanced at her sideways, "You just got the right cards, and you want to discipline the master?"
Aunt Sun gasped, knelt down hastily, and repeatedly stated that she had no other intentions, but was just straightforward and didn't know how to speak.
It was not until Mrs. Jiang showed some impatience that Fang retreated in fear and trepidation.
The wind blew, the green leaves of the persimmon tree in the yard swayed gracefully, the cicadas chirped in the distance, and the sunlight was scattered all over the ground.
The room was quiet. Mrs. Jiang just stared at the persimmon tree in a daze. Before she knew it, she was crying.
"Madam?" Mother Fang saw this scene as she walked in and her face turned pale with fright.
Mrs. Jiang said softly, "It's okay, I just remembered something from the past... This persimmon tree was planted by my husband and I when I first got married."
May you be blessed with happiness and be together forever.
Mrs. Jiang laughed.
Mother Fang was heartbroken.
"That heartless Zhang Wen, who refuses to repent and even deliberately slaps the wife in the face, and that Sun, who always looks honest, but I didn't expect she could be so evil."
He used the mistress's money to please the master, and even ran to the mistress to act cute. Didn't he know that he was looking at the mistress?
Don’t you think about where the Zhang family got the money? It was all embezzled from the wife’s dowry!
Mother Fang gritted her teeth, "This family is a den of wolves. Third Miss is right. Let them make as much noise as they want, Madam will just push it off and not do anything about it anymore!"
Mrs. Jiang sighed and said, "Never mind, I'll leave tomorrow."
Then he became worried, "Xiao Man refuses to go with me. I'm really worried about her being alone at home."
Mother Fang consoled her, "Madam, don't worry. With Master Chen here, no one dares to bully her."
For a moment they both laughed.
Having decided on the plan, Mother Fang ordered people to clean and arrange the Tangshan Villa, pack the luggage, select the accompanying servants, and other matters.
The main courtyard gradually became busy.
Around noon, Xiaoman came back with a red face from the sun.
I drank two bowls of iced mung bean soup in one breath.
"Don't drink any more, or you'll get a stomachache." Mrs. Jiang fanned her. "Where did he take you to play again? It's so hot!"
Xiaoman took the fan from her hand and started fanning herself.
"Don't mention it. I went to the Northern Pacification Office first. I heard that he was confined to reflect on his mistakes, so I ran to the Chen family's old house. But no matter how much I knocked, no one opened the door. I waited for him at the door for half a day and almost got burned out."
If I can’t go out, then I can’t help Xiaoman, right?
Mrs. Jiang no longer wanted to go to Tangshan.
"The master is busy getting promoted and making money these days, so he has no time to care about me. Mother is worried that it might be the warehouse."
"It's not as if it's a robbery."
"When mother is not at home, the master has a hundred reasons to open the warehouse - after all, he is the master of the Zhang family."
Mrs. Jiang was startled. "Then I can't leave."
Xiaoman whispered, "Don't worry, I went to the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion and asked my aunt to come and help tomorrow."
"Why did you call her over?"
"The secret of heaven cannot be revealed."
"You little brat!" Mrs. Jiang shook her head and smiled, handing her a brocade box.
Xiaoman opened it and saw a few silver notes, some small change, and the deeds to the three shops.
Her mind was a little confused.
Madam Jiang said softly, "When I leave, there will be no one to fill the deficit in the public treasury. They will inevitably have to cut back on the expenses of the mansion. Take it, and don't let yourself get away with it."
Xiaoman sniffed softly and put the box on the table. "I don't want it. I have money."
"Don't I know how much money you have?" Mrs. Jiang stuffed it back without saying anything. "Since you call me mother, you should treat me as your own mother. It's only natural for a mother to give her daughter money to spend."
"Otherwise, you are just going through the motions, just like everyone else, just after the money in my hand."
Don’t just pursue money, that’s totally wrong!
Xiaoman burst into laughter.
Fang's mother also said, "Just take it. Don't let your wife's sincerity go to waste."
Xiaoman clenched her hands gently.
Her stepmother was so kind to her even though she was born to a different mother and did not grow up with her. You can imagine how much she cared about the master and the old lady.
How painful it must be to have such a passionate and sincere heart trampled into mud.
She couldn't help but go to see Mrs. Jiang.
Mrs. Jiang was smiling, but her eyes were filled with confusion.
Xiaoman didn't know which mood she was in at the moment, regret for the past or worry about the future.
If you stay in an environment for a long time and get used to it, it will become extremely difficult to leave.
Perhaps Mrs. Chiang was just escaping temporarily and had not yet made up her mind to leave.
She wanted to give Mrs. Jiang a push.
The sky was getting overcast, the wind was getting stronger and stronger, the flowers and trees in the yard were rustling, and the rain threads were woven into a dense net, covering the mountains and fields.
Xiaoman was very worried about the next day's itinerary, but fortunately, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped early the next morning.
The ceremonial procession of the wife of the Marquis of Pingyang has also arrived.
There were more than ten carriages, plus dozens of guards, servants, maids, etc. from the marquis's mansion, which almost filled up the main courtyard.
Mrs. Jiang was a little stunned. "What are you singing about?"
"Didn't you tell me to bring more men and carriages?" Little Jiang asked back, "You also told me to inform Maosheng Pawnshop in advance that you had some items to pawn. What good stuff? You're so mysterious."
Virtual pawning means mortgaging valuables to a pawnshop at a very low price, and paying interest and ransom when redeemed.
To put it simply, it means paying a pawnshop to keep your things.
Because there is suspicion of helping officials who have committed crimes transfer their property, pawnshops generally do not do such business.
Maosheng Pawnshop is different. The shareholders behind it are all nobles. They dare to do what others dare not.
The wife of Marquis Pingyang is also one of the major shareholders.
As soon as Mrs. Jiang heard it, she knew Xiaoman was up to something!
Xiaoman stuck out her tongue. "Mom has a whole warehouse full of treasures. How can we load them all if we don't call a few more cars?"
She had always been bold and reckless, and Mrs. Jiang was used to it. She also knew that she was of clear mind and had no other intentions, so she just said "naughty" and didn't even say a word of blame.
A trace of displeasure crossed Xiao Jiang's face.
"Don't be angry. What I'm doing is called repairing the plank road in public while marching through Chencang in secret." Xiaoman pulled Mrs. Jiang's sleeve and shook it gently twice.
"The master is stingy and greedy. He almost hit my mother for a few thousand taels of silver. Who knows if he will forcibly smash the storehouse. And then there's Aunt Sun..."
He poured out all the bad things that had happened to him in the past few days, and Mrs. Jiang tried to stop him but it was no use.
This was explained to Mrs. Jiang.
"Let's close the gate, load the things from the warehouse onto the car, and then use Aunt's procession to send them to Maosheng Pawnshop."
Xiaoman smiled complacently, "No matter how arrogant the master is, he wouldn't dare to ask for things from Maosheng Pawnshop."
"I brought some rulers for Xiaoman. Mother Fang, take Xiaoman to pick some." Mrs. Jiang's face had turned pale with anger.
Xiaoman knew that the sisters had something to say, so she left quickly.
As soon as she left, Mrs. Jiang couldn't help but start cursing.
"You ungrateful bastard, I thought you'd learn a lesson and be more restrained, but you actually dared to bully you even more. Do you really think our Jiang family is dead?"
"He's been spoiled by me and takes my efforts for granted." Mrs. Jiang waved her hand and said indifferently, "Let's not talk about it. Out of sight, out of mind."
After all, they are sisters, and Xiao Jiang could immediately hear her sister's hesitation and confusion.
"Moving the dowry is not a trivial matter. What are your plans?" She didn't even want to call him "brother-in-law".
Mrs. Jiang was stunned for a moment. "I haven't thought about it yet. If Xiaoman hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have remembered the pile of things in the warehouse."
Xiao Jiang pondered, "How about... I find you a few stunning beauties, and you can control their lives. With them fighting for you, you won't have to worry about your backyard being in turmoil."
"Forget it now. Why push a few more miserable people into the fire pit and let me suffer alone?"
Mrs. Jiang smiled and shook her head. Slight crow's feet appeared at the corners of her eyes, and her eyes were filled with sadness.
"Sister..." Xiao Jiang choked and held her sister's hand tightly.
She was once such a bright and passionate woman, but now she is like a dead old well.
Maybe my sister herself doesn’t know, or perhaps doesn’t want to know, what this marriage has brought her.
Little Jiang suddenly understood why that devilish girl wanted to execute someone first and report to the emperor later.
"How about this? I'll send the things to Maosheng first and see how Zhang Wen performs in the future."
"If he still refuses to change his ways," Xiao Jiang sneered, "let's divide the property and move in separately!"
Mrs. Jiang obviously hadn't thought of this. "Xiao Man still wants to discuss marriage. If I make a big fuss, it won't be good for her. You have two layers of mothers-in-law above you. What will they think?"
I have suffered so much injustice, but I am still worried about causing trouble to others.
A pang of bitterness welled up in her heart. Xiao Jiang paused for a moment before saying, "My position in the Pingyang Marquis's Mansion is stable. The mothers-in-law won't make things difficult for me. As for Xiaoman..."
She looked out the window.
The rain did not fall through, the sky was half cloudy and half clear, thin gray clouds were moving slowly over the black eaves, and misty wet fog was floating among the grass and trees.
A figure flew around the yard, chirping and jumping, immediately dispelling the indescribable depression and melancholy.
Little Jiang also smiled like her sister.
"It was Xiaoman's idea. Why would she care about other people's opinions? In this child's heart, you are probably more important than marriage."
"I have three sons, but no daughter," Xiao Jiang sighed regretfully. "I'm afraid I'll never experience the meaning of 'caring' in this lifetime."
Mrs. Jiang said proudly, "That's right, my daughter is more useful than your three sons."
"I told you you're fat, but you're out of breath!" Little Jiang said with a smile, pushing her sister.
The laughter flew out of the window. Xiaoman looked back and knew that it was done.
They did not use the Zhang family's manpower. Mother Fang led a few confidants and quietly emptied the warehouse together with the people from the Marquis' Mansion.
As the golden crow set in the west, the Jiang sisters left the Zhang family one after another.
Zijin Mountain is quite a distance away from Zhang's residence. When Zhang Wen returned, the main courtyard was empty.
He didn't care: since Mrs. Chiang was unwilling to pay anyway, it would be better if he left.
Zhang Wen went directly to Aunt Sun's courtyard and asked for ten thousand taels.
Aunt Sun was so shocked that she jumped up from her chair, "How can I have so much silver?"
Zhang Wen was not satisfied.
"You have eight or nine farms under your control, and the annual income is at least five or six thousand taels. After more than ten years of accumulation, it must be at least 100,000,000. I only asked you to take 10,000, and you are unwilling?"
Aunt Sun secretly groaned, "How dare I disobey the master? There is really no other way - those are all kept by the old lady."
Zhang Wen sneered, "Don't bother talking about the old lady. Since you're in charge of her accounts, you have a way to get money."
"My mother is a person who only takes and never gives. Would she give you three thousand taels? You must have been greedy in private! How dare you fool me? You are no longer a slave just because you gave birth to a girl? I will sell you out for a word!"
Zhang Wen's sudden and violent outburst frightened Aunt Sun so much that she kowtowed and begged for mercy continuously.
Zhang Anyi, who was in the ear room, heard the noise, ran over and knelt down crying, begging the master to spare his life while holding Aunt Sun tightly with both hands.
Looking at that persimmon-shaped face that was exactly the same as Aunt Sun's, Zhang Wen felt even more annoyed.
The Zhang family is born with good looks, and every child is outstanding.
Even when Zhang Xiaoman first came to Beijing, he looked rustic and his face had the red wrinkles unique to country people.
But even if you put it in a crowd, it will still catch people's eyes.
Only this Zhang Anyi!
Zhang Wen couldn't help but curse, "You're so ugly, how can you be from the Zhang family?"
"Master!" Aunt Sun looked up in surprise, her face full of disbelief.
Zhang Wen snorted, "I don't care whether you steal or rob me, I want to see the banknote tomorrow, otherwise you will never see your daughter again."
Bang! The door slammed shut and then bounced open violently, shaking back and forth with a click and a click.
Aunt Sun stared blankly at the dark yard, her heart feeling as if it were immersed in ice water.
Zhang Anyi pushed her away crying, "Auntie."
"It's okay, it's okay..." Aunt Sun took a deep breath, "It's just silver, Aunt Sun has a way."
As long as her daughter can marry into a wealthy family and escape the shackles of being a "house-born child", she can do anything!
The next afternoon, Zhang Wen got the banknote as he wished.
This time he just said "hmm" and didn't even look at Aunt Sun.
Aunt Sun did not show any dissatisfaction and begged Zhang Wen for forgiveness in a humble manner.
This look obviously pleased Zhang Wen. He glanced at Aunt Sun and said, "After all, An Yi is the daughter of the Zhang family. I wouldn't agree to her marrying into a lower-class family."
Aunt Sun was delighted and looked even more respectful.
After seeing Zhang Wen off, she entered the small Buddhist temple.
The dull and monotonous sound of the wooden fish resonated back and forth in the silent courtyard until the sunset illuminated the window red, and the monotonous knocking sound stopped.
Aunt Sun went to Zhang Xiaoman's yard.
Jinxiu and several maids were having dinner outside. When they saw her coming, they all stood up and greeted her.
Aunt Sun quickly glanced at the table. On it were stir-fried pigeon with coriander, pickled shad, crystal winter melon dumplings, lotus seed pod tofu, four plates of stir-fried fresh vegetables, and two plates of exquisite dim sum: steamed chestnut flour cake with osmanthus sugar and bean yellow sesame rolls.
It is definitely not something that servants can afford to eat.
Jinxiu was clever. Seeing that she frowned slightly and didn't say anything, she smiled and said, "This was made by the small kitchen with the money paid by the third lady alone. It didn't take up the share from the public house."
Aunt Sun also laughed, "The Third Miss's monthly allowance is only a few dollars, how can she afford such extravagance? Seeing that the Third Miss is gentle and easy to talk to, you guys are taking advantage of her and I won't tolerate it."
"It's okay, I have money." Xiaoman came out from the inner room with a smile, holding up the account book in his hand, "Look, my mother gave me three shops, and in just a few days, I've made two hundred taels in profit."
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