Fenghou

"That's not true! I heard that Qingshan went to take Bashu and became the highest administrative official on Sichuan Road..."

Lu Yihao interrupted him with a wave of his hand, "This is Chen Qing's choice, he values ​​Qingshan's ability and qualifications very much."

"But when Chen Qing wanted to marry Xiu'er, Qingshan was firmly against it, but I supported it. Without my support, Xiu'er would not have been able to marry Chen Qing! How come it's the other way around when it's time to repay her kindness? I can not understand."

"Do you think Chen Qing is repaying his kindness by using Qingshan?"

"Otherwise? Doesn't he have a suitable candidate for such an important position? Zhou Kuan is very good, why doesn't he use it? He must use someone from our Lu family."

Lu Datong's statement is not unreasonable. Chen Qing used the Lu family because the interests of the Lu family were the same as his own, but in Lu Datong's view, he was repaying the Lu family, so he should use himself who supported him back then, not the original Lu Qingshan who opposed his marriage made Lu Datong very unbalanced.

"What do you mean?" Lu Yihao was a little angry.

"I don't want a high-ranking job like Qingshan. With my qualifications, I can always be the chief official of Yizhou!"

"You're gone, what about your son Lu Yan? He is still being monitored by the Ministry of Criminal Justice. If I remember correctly, he must go to the Ministry of Criminal Justice to sign in every five days!"

"This... I asked the Ministry of Criminal Justice before, and the Ministry of Criminal Justice said that if I am willing to donate [-] yuan to the imperial court, then the remaining five years of the prison sentence can be pardoned. In fact, Hang'er has been pardoned and can leave Lin'an at any time. .”

"Where did you get the fifty thousand coins?"

"Brother, my house has been sold, and I'm renting a house outside now."

Lu Yihao suddenly understood that Lu Datong had spent all his family's wealth and valuables in order to bring his son back, and now he sold the house.So now he wants to work in Sichuan and Shanxi, to be a magistrate and have an official house to live in. He is thinking about it.

But after all, he is his own younger brother, and Lu Yihao couldn't bear to mess around so badly, so he nodded, "Okay! I'll write you a letter, you go to Jingzhao to find Chen Qing, remember to restrain your son , if he commits a crime in Sichuan and Shaanxi, no one can save him."

Lu Datong was overjoyed, and quickly said: "Brother, don't worry, Jiao'er is 30 years old this year, I plan to marry him and start a family, he has already settled down."

"Since you say so, I will believe you once."

Lu Yihao wrote a letter and asked the eldest son to take 100 taels of silver to pay the second uncle and let their family go west.

Chapter 884 Takako

In Dangtu County, the huge flag of Wei's Commercial Company was planted on the pier. Wei's Commercial Company spent [-] guan to buy [-] acres of land including the pier. They are doing a lot of construction work, dredging the pier, building warehouses, and leveling the pile. This makes the people of Dangtu County very much looking forward to it, which means that they don't have to go to Wuhu, and they can find very good jobs right at their doorstep.

Wei's Commercial Firm is indeed good. It has recruited thousands of people locally to participate in the construction. Even dozens of aunts who can cook have been invited to be cooks to cook for the construction site. The surrounding farmers are selling their products very well. There is no need to worry about selling at all, and all kinds of agricultural products are sent directly to the construction site.

Of course, this Wei's firm is only in name. It was an agreement reached between Chen Qing and Zhang Jun. It used Dangtu County as a transit point. In addition, it also stationed 3000 troops and erected the banner of the Shaking Heaven Army. Everyone knows that this is the direct descendant of the Zhang Family Army. , with the protection of the army and the backing of Zhang Jun, no one dared to trouble Dangtu County.

Zhou Kuan was ordered to stay there for one to two months to stabilize the situation in the southeast. To be precise, it was to stabilize the new interests of the Sichuan-Shanxi Army in the southeast. One was the newspaper office and the other was Dangtu County.

With Wan Yanchang's return to Hebei, the crisis of the newspaper office has been resolved, and Zhong Huan led fifty internal guards have also withdrawn to Dangtu County. The daily security of the newspaper office can be maintained by ten warriors from the intelligence station led by Wei Yanwu. .

The construction of Dangtu County is coming to an end, and the return time is already on the agenda.

This morning, a fleet of hundreds of [-]-stone cargo ships sailed into Dangtu County Wharf with a full load of goods. There was a short, fat middle-aged man standing on the bow. His name was Xin Deli, and his father was A Sichuan businessman believes that hard work will surely pay off, so he named his son Xin Deli.

When Chen Qing managed Qinzhou, there was a serious shortage of food. Zhou Kuan was ordered to go to Sichuan to purchase food. He stayed in Zizhou for three years. Xin Deli was the first batch of men recruited by Zhou Kuan in Zizhou. Promoted to Vice President.

This time he was transferred to Dangtu County by Zhou Kuan, responsible for operating Dangtu Port, and also responsible for Jiangnan procurement, purchasing a large amount of materials from Jiangnan, transporting them to Jiangling, and then transporting them from Jiangling to Bashu. Barrels of tung oil. Tung oil is mainly used for shipbuilding and furniture, but it is also an extremely important military material. Sichuan Road also produces tung oil, but the quality is lower and the price is more expensive.

Xin Deli saw Zhou Kuan standing at the pier, and he quickly asked his subordinates to arrange for the men to carry the goods ashore, and he jumped ashore. A dozen warehouses have been built on the shore, full of tuancha and dried fish purchased from Quanzhou , These tung oils can only be stacked in the open air, and they are covered with tarpaulins.

"Deli, how was your trip to Jiangnan this time?" Zhou Kuan stepped forward and asked with a smile.

Xin Deli bowed and sighed: "The abundance of materials in the south of the Yangtze River is amazing, especially silk, which can be sold to Sogdian merchants in Jingzhao, and can earn more than ten times the huge profits. This time, I purchased [-] barrels of tung oil and Ten thousand bolts of silk, the satin will arrive tomorrow, and I have another suggestion from the humble staff."

"Say, what's your suggestion?"

"Beizhi recommends not to use the signboard of Wei's Firm."

Zhou Kuan was taken aback, "Why?"

"Wei's business has a bad reputation. Although the government along the way did not dare to control it, ordinary businessmen and ordinary people are quite disgusted and unwilling to do business with Wei's business. In the end, the humble staff removed the banner of Wei's business to buy the goods. "

Zhou Kuan nodded, "Any other suggestions?"

"In addition, Beizhi suggested to set up a commercial firm in Pingjiang Prefecture and set up a large warehouse. Usually, the commercial firm purchases it in various places in the south of the Yangtze River, and then transports it to Dangtu regularly. When transporting, it can use the flag of Wei's Commercial Firm, but the commercial firm in Pingjiang Prefecture can change it. The name is better, you can use the Zheng family's Chengjihang, Chengjihang is very famous and has a very good reputation, but it needs the approval of the Zheng family."

Zhou Kuan laughed, "Chengjihang was originally called Chengqinghang, which was jointly established by His Royal Highness King Yong and Zheng Dutong. Just say hello, but have you decided on a candidate for the chief executive of this firm?"

"The Lu Fan recommended by the counselor to the humble staff is very good, he is practical and responsible, and he can be used as the chief manager of the firm."

Lu Fan is actually the eldest son of Lu Datong. Lu Datong has two sons who are completely different. The eldest son, Lu Fan, was born to a maid and is very honest. Lu Datong dislikes this son very much, especially when he became an adult and became a businessman. , which disgusted Lu Datong even more, so the eldest son Lu Fan has been doing business abroad all year round.

Later, Lu Datong's main wife gave birth to his youngest son, Lu Tang. Lu Tang was naughty since he was a child, but he was very clever, and he was loved by Lu Datong. Losing his official position also caused his uncle to be dismissed as prime minister.

But the eldest son, Lu Fan, was hated by his father, but he was extremely filial. He bought a five-acre house in Lin'an for his father to live in with his savings of [-] guan in many years of business. The son was exonerated.

Lu Yihao also felt worthless for Lu Fan, so he recommended him to Zhou Kuan. Lu Fan also came to Dangtu County to participate in the construction of Dangtu. Fan is a down-to-earth person, trustworthy and reused.

"Will Lu Fan escort tomorrow's silk fleet?"

"Exactly, this time, he was responsible for purchasing the silk and satin in Pingjiang Mansion. Tens of thousands of coins were handed over to him, and there was no mistake in the last penny, which is admirable."

Zhou Kuan had never had a good impression of Lu Datong, but he did not expect that he would have such a dutiful son, and he would not be treated well by him. This shows that Lu Datong's concept of right and wrong is problematic, and he has to remind His Royal Highness King Yong , this kind of person cannot be reused.

Zhou Kuan said again: "The commercial firm in Pingjiang Prefecture should be established as soon as possible, and you will be fully responsible for the construction of Dangtu. I will leave [-] internal guards to be responsible for the safety of Jiangnan procurement. In the future, the operation of Dangtu Harbor and Jiangnan The business is up to you."

Xin Deli nodded silently, "When will the counselor leave?"

"The fleet from Jiangling is estimated to arrive at Dangtu the day after tomorrow. I will set off in five days and return to Jingzhao."

……

In mid-September, five months after leaving Jingzhao, Chen Qing finally returned with his army.

Not surprisingly, Yu Lian gave birth to a son for Chen Qing. In fact, Chen Qing knew about it in Chengdu, and he was eager to return to Jingzhao.

The son has been two months old, and he has a thick head and a thick head. The little guy has great strength and strong calves. He looks like a military general.

Everyone likes a fat son who is healthy and strong, and Chen Qing also really likes this son, holding him in his arms and refusing to let go.

"Husband, the little guy only has one baby name Ying'er, and I expect you to give him a correct name!"

During dinner, Lu Xiu talked about the naming, and the whole family was eagerly looking forward to Chen Qing!

"Then call it Chen Ying!" Chen Qing said with a smile.

"An eagle's eagle? Not good!"

The one who objected was the child's biological mother, Yu Lian. She lowered her head and whispered, "Chen Ying thinks the name is too fierce and unlucky."

"Then why did you give him the baby name Ying'er?" Chen Qingxiao asked.

Lu Xiu explained with a smile: "When the child was born, an eagle happened to land on the roof. I thought it was a bit strange, so I gave the child the baby name Ying'er."

Chen Qing nodded, "So that's the case, then there are two names, one is Chen Ying, the heroic Ying, and the other is Chen Yan, who commemorates his mother's hometown, Yan'an Prefecture, choose one, you choose!"

After discussing for a while, everyone unanimously chose Chen Ying.

Chapter 885 Bingxun

Early the next morning, Chen Qing came to the official room where he had been away for nearly half a year, and immediately ordered someone to invite Guan Shigu and Zhang Miao.

Not long after, the two rushed over and bowed together, "See Your Highness!"

Chen Qing said with a smile: "I haven't seen you in half a year, it seems that everyone hasn't changed much."

Guan Shigu smiled slightly: "We haven't changed much, but Your Highness has changed a lot."

"What's changed in me? My skin has turned white. I looked in the mirror yesterday and it was still the same black!"

Zhang Miao said with a smile: "When you left, you were the county king. Now that you are back, you have become His Royal Highness King Yong. This is the biggest change."

The three of them laughed together, at this time, Jiang Yanxian and Zhao Kai also rushed over after hearing the news.

As soon as he entered the door, Zhao Kai yelled: "Where is the inventory? I heard that His Highness stripped Wei Guoshu's wealth. Where is the inventory?"

Chen Qing took out a thick booklet and handed it to him, and said with a smile, "I know you have the best nose."

"Of course, if you are not in charge of a family, you don't know how expensive it is. I have to support your hundreds of thousands of troops. I worry to death every month."

Chen Qing was taken aback, "Isn't it? Our family is so poor? Do we have to worry about it every month?"

Jiang Yanxian said with a smile: "Your Highness, don't listen to him. He calls everyone poor, especially at the end of the year. He just wants to take away a little bit of our welfare."

Everyone laughed, Zhao Kai rolled his eyelids and said: "When you meet people, you only talk a little bit, and you don't reveal your wealth. Do you understand? If you laugh and say all day, you have money! Spend it as you like! This old man would have made a fuss about it." It was squandered by you."

Chen Qing smiled and said: "The God of Wealth must be a qualified miser, this statement is true!"

Everyone laughed heartily.

At this time, Jiang Yanxian asked: "Why didn't Lu Qingshan come here with His Highness?"

"The situation on Sichuan Road is unstable now. I need him to sit in charge and implement the Shangshu Xingtai system, especially the Xingtai support envoy. Things are very complicated, so he will not come to Jingzhao for the time being. It is estimated that he will come to report to me in the spring of next year. At the same time, the transfer envoy, The Six Cao Envoys and Xingtai Support Envoys will also report to the Internal Affairs Hall."

According to Chen Qing's design, Shang Shu Xingtai Fuchang Shi is a high-ranking official parallel to the internal affairs counselor, and is directly responsible to himself, but the following offices and state Xingtai support envoys are still the same as before, reporting to the internal affairs hall.

Jiang Yan nodded first, "I'll report back to His Highness later, let the military department talk about big things first!"

Only then did Guan Shigu report to Chen Qing, "We just now know the real reason why Jin Guo signed a five-year armistice agreement with Song Dynasty."

"what reason?"

"The emperor of the Kingdom of Jin has decided to go to war against the Mughals. The emperor of the Kingdom of Jin, Wan Yanquan, is going to transfer Wanyan Wushu back to Beijing, but Wanyan Wushu refuses to go north because he is worried about being attacked by us in the Central Plains. Instead, he recommends Wanyan Nian It seems that Wanyan Nianhan is likely to come back and lead an army of [-] to attack the Mengwu tribe. Therefore, the Kingdom of Jin must stabilize the Song Dynasty and sign an armistice agreement with the Song Dynasty. But our chance out."

Chen Qing also knew the situation of the grassland. It was conquered by the Liao Kingdom before. After the Liao Kingdom was destroyed, the tribes in the grassland took the opportunity to stand on their own. For Hebul Khan, this person is Temujin's great-grandfather.

Hebul Khan refused to accept the jurisdiction of the Jin Kingdom and kept sending troops to harass the Jin Kingdom. In the year when Jin Taizong Wanyan Sheng died, the Mughal troops occupied the northern part of Datong Prefecture. Now the Jin Emperor Wanyan Quan has secured the throne and decided to Send troops to attack the increasingly arrogant Mongolian tribes, follow the example of the Liao Kingdom, and conquer the grasslands.

At present, the Kingdom of Jin has experienced internal and external troubles. The internal worry is that the Kingdom of Jin has been defeated repeatedly in the west in the past few years. It has only lost soldiers and generals, but has no profit. stable.

Foreign aggression means that the Kingdom of Jin is surrounded by three major enemies, the Mongolian Army in the north, the Sichuan-Shaanxi Army in the west, and the Song Dynasty Army in the south. Most of the land in the Central Plains signed an armistice agreement, which can be said to be humiliating and humiliating.

"The opportunity that Counselor Guan mentioned refers to Datong?"

"Exactly! Datong's [-] Jin soldiers will attack the Mughal army to the north, and the city of Datong will be empty."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Can we form an alliance with Habul Khan and properly support the Mughal Army?"

Zhang Miao shook her head, "I don't think it's right. Although the Mughal Army is fighting against the Kingdom of Jin, they are also unfriendly to us. They sent troops to attack our Fengzhou before, killing many Huihe herdsmen and robbing a large number of sheep. A few months ago, a group of 3000 Mongolian cavalry marched south along the Helan Mountains to attack Lingzhou, killing more than 300 Han farmers and destroying thousands of acres of wheat fields. It has become a knife on our heads, just like Xixia back then, so the humble office opposes and supports them."

Fengzhou in Sichuan and Shaanxi is the Hetao Plain at the top of the Yellow River's "Ji" shape. It used to be the Heishan Governor's Mansion in Xixia. , there are more than [-] households, about [-] people.

After the Western Xia was destroyed by the Western Army, the Heishan Governor's Mansion was restored to the name of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Fengzhou and Huihe slaves were also liberated, and became the people of the Song Dynasty like the Qiang people. Chen Qing exempted them from taxes, but asked them to use a relatively low tax The price is to sell fat sheep to the Western Army, and both parties can be regarded as benefiting from each other.

But the Mughals also took a fancy to the Hetao Plain, and began to send troops to harass. Chen Qing's [-] troops stationed in Fengzhou were no longer able to maintain the safety of Fengzhou.

Fortunately, the Kingdom of Jin decided to conquer the grassland, so the Mughals could not care about Fengzhou. The Western Army could not stand aside and watch the battle, but had to participate in the battle to protect their own vital interests.

The biggest benefit here is Datong City. If Datong City is empty, they must take the opportunity to occupy this extremely strong capital.

Of course, it is not as simple as directly attacking Datong City. There are more than a dozen state capitals including Xianzhou, Yingzhou, Daizhou, Shuozhou, Lanzhou, Linzhou, Fuzhou, Datongfu, etc., which are actually the north of Hedong Road.

Before Chen Qing's Western Army only captured Taiyuan Mansion in the central part, the Kingdom of Jin still had [-] troops in the north of Hedong Road, including [-] Jurchen Army and [-] Xie Congjun Army. The emperor drew a cake, promising the Xixia people to restore the country in Datong, so that some Xixia nobles still dreamed of restoring the country.

The northern part of Hedong Road also belongs to Wanyanchang's sphere of influence. Last year, Wanyan Helisa served as the governor of Xiping, commanding an army of [-].

Chen Qing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and said, "Attacking the northern part of Hedong Road is our established strategy. Even if the Kingdom of Jin doesn't attack the Mughal army, we will still send troops, but I need information. Candidate Zhang, is the intelligence department dispatched?"

Zhang Miao nodded, "Information points in several southern states have already been arranged, but Datong City is a bit more difficult, but Beizhi has already arranged, and it is estimated that they have already arrived in Datong City, and Beizhi arranged for Sogdians this time, only they showed up It’s more normal in Datong.”

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and then said: "Immediately order Niu Gao, the commander of the capital, to return to Jingzhao to report on his duties!"

Everyone immediately understood Chen Qing's intentions, this time he was going to use Niu Gao, who had always been prudent, as the main general to attack the north of Hedong Road.

……

After everyone retreated, Chen Qing left behind Zhao Kai, who was in charge of finance, and he knew that Zhao Kai must have something to say to himself.

Zhao Kai said worriedly: "Now our army is about 37, and the average monthly military expenditure has exceeded one million guan, including the soldiers' salaries, their food and drink, the normal update and replenishment of armor, and the manufacture of iron fire mines, etc. Wait, our annual military expenditure is 200 million guan, and if there is a war, the military salary will be doubled.

And Sichuan Road provides us with a maximum of 600 million guan in finance and taxation every year, our salt tax revenue other than Sichuan Road is 300 million guan, and the government and business trade profit is one million guan. In the end, there is still a shortfall of 200 million guan per year.

But the point is, it’s just military expenses. We still have government expenses, officials’ salaries, government expenses, care of orphans and widows, refugees, running schools, building bridges and roads, and buying food, livestock, etc., and we need 300 million yuan a year. .

In fact, our annual fiscal and tax gap amounts to as much as 500 million guan. Your Highness, Uncle Wei's Sichuan wealth and Lin'an wealth can only be used as a backup for war expenses, and cannot be used to make up the gap. "

"Counselor Zhao, just speak up! What exactly do you want to say?"

Zhao Kai said slowly: "His Royal Highness, the humble position means that the tax exemption period of Shanxi Road and Hedong Road will end, and tax collection will start, otherwise it will be unfair to Sichuan Road!"

Chapter 886 Research

Taxation is a big problem, and Chen Qing didn't agree to it in a flash of his head, but the annual shortfall of 500 million yuan must be solved, and if it is not solved, it will collapse.

Of course, the amount of currency can be increased, but this is actually a kind of taxation, seigniorage, which has been done in the past dynasties when the finances are not enough to make ends meet. It is even too late to increase the amount of copper mining. Issuing large amounts of money dilutes the purchasing power of the currency and directly deprives the people of their wealth.

In fact, Sichuan and Shaanxi are also investing new money every year, and the amount of money invested every year is not small, 30 guan. The new amount of money cannot solve the annual financial gap of 500 million guan.