Fenghou

Xu Xiantu took the letter and the gold medal and left slowly.

Zhao Gou walked to the window with his hands behind his back, staring into the distance. He was excited all night, thinking that Sichuan would return, but Xu Xiantu's words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing the enthusiasm in his heart, and a bad feeling arose in his heart. feeling.

……

Chen Qing's ship returned all the way, sailing with the wind, and the time was much shorter than before. In addition to carrying soldiers, the fleet returned this time with a large amount of Fujian group tea. These group teas are shipped to the northwest for sale, and the profit can be five times , if transported to the pastoral area for sale, the profit can be tenfold.

This morning, the fleet finally arrived in Wuhu. Wuhu County is a strategically important place on the Yangtze River. From here, you can enter Taihu Lake by taking Lishui, which is several days shorter than taking the Jiangnan Canal. It is a shortcut.

Wuhu is Zhang Jun's territory. There were about 3000 troops stationed before, but after the Song Army's defense line was pushed northward to the Huaihe River, Wuhu became the rear and no longer stationed troops. Now it has become the world of the Western Army. [-] troops are stationed in Wuhu , Waiting for Chen Qing's return.

One after another, Wanshi sea ships docked one after another, and the soldiers disembarked one after another to go to the camp to rest. Zhou Bandan led several officials to welcome Chen Qing back at the pier.

Chen Qing stepped forward and said with a slight smile, "I've kept joining the army waiting for a long time."

"Hehe! I thought I would have to wait for more than a month, but I didn't expect His Highness to come back in less than a month."

"This time it was relatively smooth, and there was no resistance."

"Is the sea safe?" Zhou Kuan asked again with concern.

"Forget it!"

Chen Qing shook his head with a wry smile and said, "There was a storm on the way to Penghu, and I almost lost my life at sea. As you can imagine, when the waves hit like a mountain, it was only the sea boat with ten thousand stones that supported it, and it was replaced by three thousand stones. The great ship is all lost."

"Sounds scary, but it seems that I'm an old man, it's better to be on the shore."

The two talked and laughed all the way, the soldiers escorted everyone into the camp, Zhao Yingluo took a dozen female guards and maids to her tent, and Chen Qing came to the camp of the Chinese army.

He sat down, took a sip of hot tea and asked, "The army is stationed in Wuhu, is there anything wrong?"

"Is there nothing wrong with the imperial court?"

Hearing that Zhou Kuan seemed to have something in his words, Chen Qing asked, "Did something happen?"

Zhou Kuan pondered for a while and said, "Zhang Jun sent someone here."

"How did he say?"

Zhou Kuan said slowly: "The attitude is very strange and a bit contradictory. On the one hand, he wants us to leave Wuhu as soon as possible, but he seems to be implying that it is not impossible for us to stay in Wuhu."

"Is there any written letter?" Chen Qing asked again.

"No, it was dictated by a confidant sent by Zhang Jun."

Chen Qing thought for a while and said, "How does the counselor understand Zhang Jun's intention?"

"Beizhi feels that Zhang Jun is probably trying to make a deal with us in private."

"Trade with Wuhu?"

Zhou Kuan nodded, "It should be, allow us to station troops in Wuhu in exchange for benefits."

Chen Qing sneered and said, "Isn't he afraid that the court will peel his skin after he finds out?"

"So the two parties need to negotiate, and the transaction between the two parties must be within the scope of his control."

Chen Qing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back. He admired Zhang Jun's vision. Zhang Jun knew exactly what he needed?He really needs a transfer. From Quanzhou to Jiangling Mansion, supplies and fresh water are needed on the way, the crew has to go ashore to rest, and even the goods need a transfer warehouse. Wuhu is undoubtedly an ideal transfer point, but Wuhu is also an important military location. It is too sensitive to use Wuhu as a transit.

"Your Highness can wait a little longer, I think the other party will come again soon."

Chen Qing nodded, this matter is not urgent, you can let it go.

At this time, Zhou Kuan took out another letter, "There is another important matter, which concerns Zheng Ping, and I must report it to His Highness."

Chen Qing was startled, what does it have to do with Zheng Ping?

Zhou Kuan handed the letter to Chen Qing, "This is a letter sent by Zheng Ping's father five days ago, please read it, Your Highness."

Chen Qing took the letter and read it again, his brows furrowed. The emperor actually wanted to persuade Zheng Ping to betray him, and he did not hesitate to set the conditions of the two princes.

Of course Chen Qing knew that Zhao Gou's target was not Zheng Ping, but Sichuan Road.

But since Zheng Tongquan wrote this letter to himself, it means that the Zheng family will not accept the court's solicitation, but rejecting the court like this will also bring disaster to the Zheng family.

Chen Qing continued to look down, and Zheng Tongquan had clearly expressed his attitude in the letter that the Zheng family did not accept the court's solicitation.

Next to Zhou Kuan said: "The sender is Zheng Tongquan's confidant family. He told me that Zheng Tongquan wrote a total of three letters. One is official and will be sent by the emperor to Zheng Ping. The second is the letter in the hands of His Highness. The third letter was addressed to Zheng Ping, and it was also sent to Chengdu by this servant, the humble officer understood what Zheng Tongquan meant, and in order to protect his family, he apparently agreed to the imperial court's request."

Chen Qing asked: "Did the counselor send someone to Lin'an to learn more about this matter?"

"It has been sent, and it is estimated that news will be sent back soon."

Chapter 872 Trading

At night, Chen Qing sat on the table and looked at the map. He was so engrossed that the tea next to him was already cold. At this moment, Zhao Yingluo quietly stepped forward to change the tea for him. Chen Qing suddenly woke up from his contemplation. , waved his hand and smiled: "The weather is still relatively hot, and drinking herbal tea is also good!"

They left Jingzhao in mid-April, and before they knew it, more than three months had passed, and it would be August in two days. The hottest days were spent at sea, and they didn't feel the heat much. Come quietly.

Before Zhao Yingluo objected, Chen Qing had already drank the herbal tea in one gulp, he was really thirsty.

Zhao Yingluo pursed her lips and asked with a smile, "What is my husband looking at so fascinated?"

"Does Yingluo still have an impression of Dangtu County?" Chen Qing asked with a smile.

"Dangtu County?"

Zhao Yingluo thought for a while, "It doesn't seem to be far from here, that's all I remember, and I didn't pay attention to the others."

"It's true that with Wuhu here, most people don't remember Dangtu. There is also a small port there, but it mainly supplies supplies along the way. The county is also small and the population is not large. Almost all of them go to Wuhu port to find work. Done."

"Why did my husband think of Dangtu County?"

Chen Qing said with a smile: "I need a transit place for supplies, otherwise it would be too far from Quanzhou to Jiangling, and it would be wasteful for Wanshi ships to sail on the Yangtze River, so there is a place for transit. Get off the goods and return to Quanzhou, and the goods will continue to be transported by inland ships."

"I understand what my husband means, so why not choose Wuhu?"

"Because I want to garrison troops, it's too sensitive to have thousands of troops stationed in Wuhu. The court will know about the boats coming and going here, but Dangtu is different. If I reach an agreement with Zhang Jun, he will cover it up for me. If there is no war, the imperial court will never know that I still have an army stationed in Dangtu County."

"Husband, I think it's a bit unbelievable. How could the court not know? An official passed by Dangtu and found out that it wasn't the court army. Don't you know?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "This is why you don't know some unknown rules in the Song army. Zhang Jun's army is called Zhangjiajun, Yue Fei's army is called Yuejiajun, and Han Shizhong's army is called Hanjiajun. Not all of these troops are given by the court. Some of the money and rations are their self-raised military salaries and grass. It was the same when I was in Qinzhou. These self-raised troops have no records in the Ministry of War and the Privy Council. They are actually private troops, so my army can pretend to be Zhang Jun’s. The private army is stationed in Dangtu."

"That's why Zhang Junda had the same idea, and wanted to make a deal with your husband."

Chen Qing nodded, "It should mean that!"

At this time, a female guard reported from outside the tent, "Report to the lord, Counselor Zhou told you that the messenger who was talking about during the day is here!"

When Zhang Jun's envoy arrived, Chen Qing nodded, got up and walked towards the big tent of the Chinese army.

……

Zhang Jun's emissary is his cousin Zhang Yuxuan, 30 years old, who served as Cangcao in Zhang Jun's army and was in charge of the logistics of the whole army. Funding is his sole operation.

Zhang Yuxuan was talking to Zhou Kuan, when Chen Qing walked in, Zhang Yuxuan hurriedly got up and saluted, "Please refer to King Yong for the humble job!"

"You're welcome, please sit down!"

The three of them sat down as guest and host. Chen Qing took a look at Zhang Yuxuan, vaguely familiar, and asked with a smile, "Have we met?"

"Reporting to King Yong, in the first year of Shaoxing, Beizhi also participated in the recruit contest, and once led five hundred soldiers to fight against King Yong."

Chen Qing chuckled, "That's how it is. I said it looks familiar. It's been eight years now."

Zhang Yuxuan also sighed: "The soldiers who followed King Yong to participate in the competition back then, I heard that they were the worst commanders. They followed King Yong, which was the most correct choice in life."

Chen Qing was a little surprised, "You guys even know this?"

"I just heard some rumors. We have never investigated the secrets of King Yong's army."

Chen Qing didn't take this matter to heart either, it was indeed a rumor, how could they all serve as commanders, and some unsatisfied guys are still headed now.

He smiled and said: "It seems that your commander also has something to ask for from me."

Zhang Yuxuan also smiled slightly and said, "Don't King Yong want to find a transit port in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River?"

Chen Qing chuckled, "It seems to be each other, I don't know what your commander wants?"

Zhang Yuxuan was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "Fire oil!"

Chen Qing asked lightly: "Fire oil is of great use to you?"

Zhang Yuxuan sighed and said: "To be honest with King Yong, our army's combat capability is not good. In the past, when we fought against the Jin soldiers or the puppet Qi army, we basically suffered repeated defeats and lost the city. Now, for a whole year, we faced the enemy's thirteen attacks without retreating, and the commander-in-chief was rewarded and canonized by the court and the emperor. As a result, there is not much left of the [-] barrels of kerosene traded in Jiangling, and our commander is very anxious."

Chen Qing appreciated Zhang Yuxuan's frankness, this way of negotiating made him feel very comfortable, at least the other party was very sincere.

"I am very grateful to your commander-in-chief for his sincerity, and I am also willing to help him fight against gold. I have considered that Wuhu's location is a little sensitive. Would it be better if it is placed next to Dangtu County?"

Zhang Yuxuan laughed, "King Yong and our commander wanted to go together. Our commander said that if King Yong takes Wuhu, he can give 1000 people. If it is Dangtu County, he can give 3000 people. Tu County can be handed over to King Yong, and even Tu County magistrate can be recommended by King Yong."

"If I am elected as Tu County, what will I have to pay?"

Zhang Yuxuan stretched out a finger, "[-] barrels of kerosene per year!"

The requirements are not high. With the current oil production in Fushi County, it is not a big problem to distribute [-] barrels to Zhang Jun every year.

Chen Qing asked again with a smile: "Then why does my army exist in Dangtu County?"

"Of course the army does not exist in the name of the Western Army, but uses the flag and designation of the Shaking Heaven Army. King Yong should understand what I mean!"

Chen Qing nodded, as he had expected, the Shaking Army was Zhang Jun's private army, with more than [-] soldiers, and the court knew that if the flag of the Shaking Army was erected, no one would come to make trouble.

Chen Qing smiled, got up and said: "The specific details are finalized by Zhang Canjun and Zhou Counselor. If the problem is not serious, we can arrange it before we leave."

……

In the morning of the next day, Zhou Kuan handed over to Chen Qing a detailed draft drafted overnight. This was drafted by Zhou Kuan himself. It could be seen that he took a rest very late. After all, he was old and looked very tired.

"Counselor Zhou has worked hard!"

Zhou Kuan said with a smile: "Time is tight, and you have to work hard to make it clear today. Zhang Yuxuan will rush back to Luzhou today to return to his command."

Chen Qing took over the draft and said: "Actually, I only care about two issues. One is how to arrange the port, and the other is how to arrange the county magistrate. Did you mention it?"

"There are two options."

Zhou Kuan turned a few pages, pointed to the terms and said: "This is the port. The current port of Dangtu is too small. It has a good harbor, but the pier is too small to berth Wanshi ships. We must invest in expansion. It also includes buying land and building warehouses.

What Zhang Yuxuan meant was to find a businessman to invest as a cover. That's what they did. The famous Wei's firm on the Yangtze River was run by Zhang's family. They can hand it over to expand the port, build warehouses, and then put it on the Wei's firm. Brand, and then, my idea is to hang the brand of Wei's Trading Company, we do it ourselves, and the other party agrees, but the condition is that an additional thousand barrels of kerosene will be added every year. "

Chen Qing said indifferently: "Just hanging a brand is not enough. A thousand barrels of kerosene is not so easy to earn. In case of any disputes in the fleet, Wei's Trading Company must come forward to resolve it."

"There is this one. If there is a shipping or port dispute, Wei's Commercial Bank will come forward to resolve it."

"Then how to deal with the armor and equipment of the Shaking Army, is it mentioned in the draft?" Chen Qing asked again.

"We have all the armor and equipment of the Shaking Army, and the other party will provide us with a hundred military flags."

Chen Qing nodded, "Tell me about being the magistrate of Tu County."

"There is no problem with the county magistrate. Zhang Yuxuan said that Dangtu's Jiang magistrate belongs to them. If we want to replace it with our own people, they can arrange it."

Chen Qing thought for a while and said, "Let's continue to use Zhang Jun's people! It's always inconvenient to replace my people."

Zhou Kuan suggested: "But I feel that we need to install one of our people, even if it is a county lieutenant."

"Yes! Just choose a civilian from the army to be the county lieutenant."

Chapter 873 Dangtu

That morning, Zhang Yuxuan hurried across the river by boat, and then Chen Qing and Zhou Kuan also took a boat to Dangtu County for inspection.

Dangtu County was originally the seat of the state government of Taiping Prefecture. Later, after the Jin soldiers attacked Jiangnan from Wuhu County, the imperial court transferred the state government of Taiping Prefecture to Wuhu County. After a few years, Dangtu County gradually declined.

Dangtu County is only about [-] miles away from Wuhu County, and it takes half a day to get there by boat. The Yangtze River has a Jiangxin Island in Dangtu County, which forms two waterways in the north and south. The South Waterway in the south of Jiangxin Island becomes a natural harbor. A large number of ships can berth on the South Waterway without affecting the main channel of the Yangtze River to the north of Jiangxin Island.

Chen Qing found out that the pier is actually not small, but a section is blocked by silt. After hiring people to clean up the silt, several Wanshi ships can dock at the same time to unload.

This discovery made Chen Qing quite happy. It was not about saving a little money, but at least two months of time.

Several [-]-stone ships that Chen Qing took slowly docked. The county seat was about two miles away from the wharf, and there was a flat official road leading directly to the county seat.

Chen Qing got off the big boat and looked around the pier. Opposite was a row of dilapidated shops, an inn, two restaurants, and a warehouse. It looked very depressed, and there was a large vegetable field behind it. Chen Qing was quite satisfied with the place, which was basically vacant land, so there was no need to demolish the house, just buy the land directly.

At this time, several officials hurried over on horseback. The leading official was the county magistrate Jiang Wenhui, who was about 40 years old and looked very fair and refined. He received a message from Zhang Yuxuan early in the morning that King Yong might come to inspect Dangtu County today. He sent someone to watch at the pier early in the morning. If there was a big ship coming, he would report it immediately.

Sure enough, just after noon, he really waited for him.

The soldiers stepped forward and stopped several officials. After a while, the soldiers brought Jiang Wenhui, the magistrate, to him. Jiang Wenhui bowed and saluted, "The next official is Jiang Wenhui, the magistrate of Dangtu County. Please see His Royal Highness King Yong!"

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "Does Jiang Zhixian know that I'm coming?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, Zhang Canjun told the humble official that His Highness may come to inspect Dangtu County today."