lady, please calm down

Chapter 228
Li Kui went deep into Yingzhou for hundreds of miles in one breath, and finally got rid of the pursuers.

Night, Xu time.

Passing by a dilapidated village, I saw a faint light of fire in the village.

Li Kui immediately led his horse into the village, and smelled the smell of meat from a distance.
He was so familiar with this scent, he knew it was 'meat' as soon as he smelled it.

The reason why it is called "Thinking Meat" is naturally because of its endless aftertaste, which makes people miss it.

Before approaching the fire, Li Kui hid in the distance and observed for a while, only to see five or six skinny men gathered in front of a large cauldron, eagerly watching the rolling pieces of meat in the cauldron.

This kind of guy who can be blown away by a gust of wind can hit as many as he has.

After making sure that there was no one else around, Li Kui walked over carelessly. Regardless of the surprise of the few people, he picked up a piece from the boiling soup and gnawed it.

After a few men were stunned, they raised the fire sticks one after another angrily, "Wu Na man, if you don't want to die, just do it"

As soon as one of them yelled and cursed, Li Kui waved his knife and cut a gash more than a foot long between the chest and belly of that person.

The open-mouthed man who was still standing there in a daze didn't let out a miserable cry until the internal organs in his stomach splashed out from the opening.

The others were immediately frightened and did not dare to move again.

However, Li Kui was still holding the piece of meat with one hand, he ate and chewed, and said: "If you don't want to die, just stay here, and get some fodder and water for my horse. After a while, I will be full, and the rest share with you."

"Yes, yes, the hero spares my life, the little one will do it now"

Hai time.

Fan Gongzhi, Minister of the Ministry of War, who was sitting in Xinxi County in the rear, received Zhang Chunxiao's "reporting victory" document and came to Xiaojialing Army Village overnight.

"Chengli, is this good news true? Don't let the court lose face like the Taining Army did last time."

Fan Gongzhi called out Zhang Chunxiao's name, which showed that the two were close. When they first met, they asked a question cautiously.

Huaibei is not only an important taxation area for Daqi, but also an important border area.

The situation is corrupt and the court is uneasy.

Ten days ago, Fan Shangshu left Beijing for Shouzhou, intending to personally persuade Li Qiong to relieve the siege of Yingzhou.

On the way, he heard that the rebel army had entered Caizhou from the west, so he temporarily changed his mind and changed his way to Caizhou.

"My lord, there is absolutely no water in this big victory. The official saw the rebellion army's defeat with his own eyes on the wall of the stronghold. According to the preliminary statistics of the results of the battle just now, the four armies under Chen Du's command killed three of the rebel army in one battle. More than a thousand, more than seven thousand prisoners, and the remaining thieves scattered to the east."

Fan Gongzhi couldn't help being overjoyed when he first heard the results of the battle, but when he heard the last sentence, his face became serious again, "The thieves gathered [-] to [-] people, and quite a few escaped. Can Chen Dutong lead his troops to pursue them?"

"My lord, all of them met the enemy at noon and followed the rebels to the east."

"it is good!"

As soon as Fan Gongzhi finished speaking, he heard loud cheers from outside the village.

"Wan victories! Wan victories! All are victorious!"

The two people in the hall were surprised for a while, not knowing why, they hurried out, only to see that the gate of the military village was open, and the torches stretched for several miles inside and outside the village.

A team of blood-bathed robes was slowly entering the village. The leader was a red-maned horse with a pile of silver dragon scales and gold armor.

The sergeants on both sides kept shouting loudly.

Zhang Chunxiao stretched out his hand to grab a school lieutenant passing by, and asked strangely, "What's wrong? What happened?"

It was Wu Tong who participated in the pursuit who was caught. Hearing this, he couldn't help laughing, "My lord led his troops to capture Ma Jinxing, the military commander of the rebel army, and Wu Kaiyin, the leader of the bandit!"

"."

Fan Gongzhi and Zhang Chunxiao looked at each other, and they both saw strong joy on each other's faces.

In recent years, the Great Qi is full of wars, and the court is either struggling to deal with it, or has been repeatedly defeated by the rebellious army.

Da Qi really needed a victory to rebuild the court's prestige, otherwise the princes would not have rewarded and publicized it without discrimination after Li Qiong's victory.

And the great victory in front of him was not only witnessed by the appeasement envoy of Henan Road Economic Strategy, but also the bandit leader was captured alive!
I won, and I won happily!

There is no doubt about the victory!

With the presence of Chen Dutong, the danger in Huaibei can be solved!
Fan Gongzhi and Zhang Chunxiao looked at each other and smiled, each letting out a hearty laugh.

But half an hour later, the two couldn't laugh anymore.

In Haishi.

In the not-so-big meeting hall of the Xiaojialing military stronghold, when Zhang Chunxiao heard Chen Chu say that he had ordered the whole army to return to the camp after pursuing for eighty miles, he immediately said anxiously: "Dutong, although the thief was caught in this battle, First, there are still [-] to [-] thieves who are scattered, why not take advantage of the victory and pursue them? The thieves are scattered, and after their death, the weeds will inevitably regenerate!"

In Zhang Chunxiao's words, he expressed his strong desire to ask Chen Chu to lead troops to Linfu to suppress the thieves.

In the battle of Xiaojialing, most of the beheaded and killed were the old bandits who had rushed to the village and had no time to escape, and most of the escaped were the victims who had stayed behind.

If the imperial court hadn't been so slow and appeased the victims earlier, Wu Kaiyin's Shuntian Army would not have grown to such a large scale so quickly.

"My lord, to restore peace to the Huaibei prefectures, the focus is on how to provide relief! Not killing people."

Chen Chu's words were vaguely accusing the imperial court of not doing anything after the flood.

Fan Gongzhi, who was excellent at raising energy, still had a kind face, and Zhang Chunxiao, who was more familiar with Chen Chu, quickly smoothed things over and said, "Yuan Zhang, the imperial court has its own difficulties, and there are some things that you don't know about."

"My lord, there are difficulties in being a low-level official!" Chen Chu said.

"Hehe, Yuanzhang, just tell me what difficulties you have, and I'll see if I can help you relieve one or two." Fan Gongzhi smiled warmly.

"Master Fan, Master Zhang. This time Caizhou mobilized [-] soldiers, but Chen Tongzhi from our government organized thousands of victims and young people to support the daily supply of the soldiers. In addition, there are countless merchants and ordinary people involved. .Once we leave the border of Caizhou, the distance for the logistics supply of grain and grass will be greatly lengthened, and we need to divide troops to escort the grain and grass transportation. Moreover, the disease in Ying and Shou prefectures is rampant, and the lower officials cannot risk the lives of the soldiers."

What Chen Chu said was not an excuse for the crown
The smoothness of this battle is inseparable from the fact that Li Mule, Li Ke, and Luo Hong are in the bandit camp and sending messages every day.

Chen Chuyu opened up the whole picture of the battlefield, but Wu Kaiyin's eyes were smeared, and the screen was covered with the fog of war.

Given the extreme unequal information, Chen Chu was naturally the active party.

In addition, [-] soldiers went out, and the strong support from the rear was also indispensable.Chen Jingyan, Cai Yuan, and even Maoer organized young and strong local victims to transport food and grass.

Even Xiao Zhuzi's Sitong Passenger Transport was involved.

But without Caizhou, the foundation of these people is gone.

Furthermore, Chen Chu's side, as an official army, must assume the responsibility of guarding the land after entering a certain place, but every time a county town or pass is conquered, troops must be divided into guards.

But the rout soldiers didn't have such worries. After being turned into a small group, it was easier to come and go freely in the hometown where they were familiar with the geography.

At that time, Chen Chu's mobile force will become less and less, and he will definitely become passive.

Things that turn initiative into passivity cannot be done.

In addition to the above objective reasons, there is another subjective reason that makes Chen Chu unhappy.
That is, the opinions of the subordinates on the matter of exterminating the rebellious army are not unified.

Among them, Shen Zaixing, the former leader of the fleeing households in Bashan and Jiuzhai, was very opposed to the extermination of the 'rebel army'.

Yes, he did call Suncheon Army the Rebel Army.

Due to his background, Shen Zaixing naturally had a little sympathy for the Shuntian Army who also resisted Da Qi.

His logic is simple, Da Qi is bad, so those who resist Da Qi are good.

Chen Chu asked Tang Jing'an to read out the numerous murders committed by the Shuntian Army in Shou and Yingzhou, and Shen Zaixing stopped talking.

But in this expedition, he still claimed that he was sick, but it did not stop Tie Dan from leading the battle on his behalf.

Otherwise, the strongest cavalry under the Zhenhuai Army might complain of illness and quit fighting.

Chen Xiaoge who caused this matter is very depressed, Shun Tianjun is his mother's rebel army, bah!
Rebels?

The Yue family's army who "don't grab food to death from starvation, and don't demolish houses to death from freezing" is the rebel army.

The soldiers of workers and peasants who 'have a deep relationship with the common people' are the volunteers.

The rebels and the unrebels do not depend on who they are fighting against, but on whom they are fighting for.

The Shuntian Army is just a group of locusts who have no faith, no theoretical guidance, only know how to destroy, and only to satisfy their own selfish desires
All of the above were the reasons why Chen Chu didn't want to go abroad to fight.

Seeing Chen Chu's firm attitude, Fan Gongzhi and Zhang Chunxiao did not give up persuading. After all, in Huaibei at this time, except for a disobedient Li Qiong, only Chen Dutong's subordinates were available.

The two adults have a very gentle attitude, from being considerate of state affairs to personal friendship.

From the stability of Huaibei, there is no harm to Caizhou Baili. When it comes to the tragedy of Shou and Ying, I hope that Chen Dutong will act quickly to save the people from the fire.

Finally, Chen Chu finally vomited, "My lords, Ying and Shou prefectures are not under my jurisdiction. If the two lords insist on sending troops to the left-behind department of Caizhou, I need to agree to a matter."

"What's the matter, Yuanzhang tell me quickly!" Seeing Chen Chu let go, Zhang Chunxiao couldn't help being excited.

Fan Gongzhi still maintained a warm smile, he felt that this young general who was not good enough would not be so easy to talk to.

Sure enough, when Chen Chu opened his mouth, the two of them were startled.

"I can send troops to stay in the department, but when I go to fight in the outer government, I have to deal with the officials of the prefectures and counties because of money and food. The lower officials can prepare their own food, but the imperial court allows me to mobilize the power of the generals of the governments, appoint and remove generals. , the right to kill when necessary."

"."

"This"

Don't you want to 'allow you a thing'!

This is obviously three piles!
Dispatch troops, appoint dismissals, and kill people, isn't it obvious that you want to be a military governor!

There are Jiedu Envoys on the East Road, Hebei Road, and Northwest Road of Daqi, but even if there is one more military leader with such great power, it is too much.

After Chen Chu left, Fan Gongzhi and Zhang Chunxiao were silent for a long time.

In the end, Zhang Chunxiao said: "Lord Fan, the imperial court will not agree to this matter easily. We can help Chen Dutong find compensation from other places."

"Oh? Listen to what Chengli said." Fan Gongzhi rubbed his brows with a headache.

"Chen Dutong is young, and he is quite famous."

"What does Chengli mean?"

"My lord, have you forgotten that when Chen Dutong took office as Dutong, he asked for an imperial order for his wife?"

"Chengli means, please ask the imperial court to seal it again?"

"Yes, since he loves false fame, let's give him false fame. We can promote him to be a fourth-rank Mingwei general, and make his wife a fifth-rank official."

Although it is obvious that a fourth-rank general is ruled by the entire government, this kind of vain position that only cares about salary is far easier for the court to accept than the control of real power.

Fan Gongzhi can naturally figure out this truth, but he still worriedly said: "Then Li Qiong's record is in doubt, and he was granted the title of Dr. Jin Ziguanglu, his mother's second-rank wife, and his wife's third-rank lady. Chen Dutong's record is real. , can he be satisfied with these three melons and two dates?"

That's all I said, but Fan Gongzhi also knew that Li Qiong was able to get such a high reward because he was already in a high position.

However, Chen Chu's starting point was too low, and it would be too shocking if he was rewarded according to Li Qiong's standard.

But Zhang Chunxiao said: "Lord Fan, the imperial court can't give Chen Dutong a super-grade seal, but it can give him more."

"Huh?" Fan Gongzhi immediately understood Zhang Chunxiao's meaning, "Chengli means that the elders of Chen Dutong were also sealed?"

"No, Chen Dutong has no relatives in the Central Plains, but he loves his wife very much. The imperial court can enshrine Mrs. Chen's mother's parents. Even members of Chen Dutong's family can give him names to show the court's deep love .”

"Oh"

Fan Gongzhi stroked his beard and nodded.

This is because the quality is not enough, so the quantity is enough.

That night.

Caizhou City is brightly lit and bustling.

Compared with Linfu's uninhabited scene, it seems that all the suffering in the world has not happened here.

Drink as you drink, dance as you dance.

At the entrance of Baihua Lane, Yunxiu Pavilion.

Because of its good location, good decoration, and wonderful girls, Yunxiu Pavilion quickly became the leader in the Goulan business in Caizhou City.

Because of this, he also caused a run on his peers, but I don't want to, this Yunxiu Pavilion has fought with his peers several times, and neither black nor white suffers.

On the contrary, the first few companies that caused troubles would always attract black-and-white revenge from Lin Dali from Cao Bang, Kongmu Guan Ximen Gong from the government office, Gou Sheng from the head catcher and others afterwards.

After a long time, someone found out that Sai Diaochan, the owner of Yunxiu Pavilion, was from Tongshan, and everyone realized it in panic.

There were rumors that Sai Diaochan had an affair with Ximen Kongmu, and there were also rumors that Lin Dali was Sai Diaochan's adopted brother, and even more outrageous, that she was the concubine of Governor Cai Yuancai.
In short, it's okay to mess with it.

Yunxiu Pavilion, Fuqu Pavilion.

When the face was full of red wine, Wen Yuren, the young proprietor of Wen's Commercial Firm, took out a stack of large-value invoices from his bosom, and handed it to Zhao Kaiyuan.

When Zhao Kaiyuan saw the other party take out a stack of papers, he couldn't help frowning and glanced at Wen Yuren, who quickly explained: "Brother Zhao, this is Tongshan cargo ticket! Now in our Tang and Cai states, it is better than cash money Brother Zhao, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Zhao An when you get back.”

Wen Yuren had a humble smile on his face, but he secretly sneered in his heart: You have been in Caizhou for a few months, and you don't even know the ticket?Mud legs
"Oh? This is the ticket?" Zhao Kaiyuan picked it up and pretended to take a closer look, and took the opportunity to count it. It was correct with the amount agreed in advance. Then Zhao Kaiyuan stuffed it into his arms, pretending to be casual: "I heard that this ticket Is it also issued by my niece~'s firm?"

The word "tang" is very light, but the word "niece" is very heavy. Even after saying these two words, Zhao Kaiyuan paused for a while, and only finished speaking with satisfaction after Wen Yuren on the opposite side showed a look of admiration Words behind.

Wen Yuren hurriedly continued: "Exactly! Zhao An is very capable, and now we carry this ticket when we are doing business, it is far more convenient than carrying silver and heavy copper coins before."

Afterwards, Wen Yuren said to the two sisters who were waiting by his side: "You guys go out first, I will have something to say to Mr. Zhao."

Qing'er and Wen'er left the room after saluting.

When there was no one else in the room, Wen Yuren took out another cloth bag from his arms. After unfolding, there were two brown cylindrical roots inside, "Brother Zhao, what do you think is the difference between these two things?"

"It's no different." Zhao Kaiyuan picked up one casually, but couldn't tell the difference after comparing it.

Wen Yuren couldn't help smiling, and said in a low voice: "Brother Zhao, the one you took is called bitter bean root, and the one on the table is licorice. The former is worthless, while the latter is a hundred and two. The main medicine of Qinglong Decoction."

"." Zhao Kaiyuan glanced at Wen Yuren, hesitated for a moment before saying: "Didn't we agree, after this time, we will stop doing it."

"This time is guaranteed to be the last time. Don't worry, others won't notice. Besides, you are the uncle of Dutong and Anren. Who can do anything to you?"

Wen Yuren's words were not wrong. The other main ingredient of Daqinglong Decoction, Guizhi, was sent to the victims' camp last time, and there were many indistinguishable camphor branches mixed in it.

Daoist Taixu, who was in charge of inspecting and receiving the goods, seemed to see something was wrong, but after hearing that Zhao Kaiyuan was Zhao Anren's cousin, he laughed and said nothing.

"."

Zhao Kaiyuan was still a little uneasy.

Hearing Wen Yuren mention the Maoer couple, Grandma Seven was the first thing Zhao Kaiyuan thought of.

After all, Maoer and his wife were very busy, his cousin rarely saw Maoer and Chen Chu.

After hesitating for a while, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, let's do it one last time. I don't dare to do it again in the future. Otherwise, my seventh grandma will know, and I'm afraid she will drive me out of the Zhao family."

"Hehe, good. Brother Zhao, let's have another drink, and wish our brothers every success!"

Wen Yuren smiled brightly, but he didn't take it seriously in his heart. The dignified man was scared into such a state by an old woman who couldn't live for a few years!

child time.

After drinking and eating, Wen Yuren called Qing'er and Wen'er who were waiting outside into the room, laughed and said: "Brother Zhao, you can enjoy the blessings of this group of people tonight, my brother has a tigress, I need to go back .By the way, Brother Zhao, just be happy, I already know how to pay the bill.”

"Then thank you brother." Zhao Kaiyuan, who experienced this kind of treatment for the first time, blushed and was a little ashamed.

After Wen Yuren left, Qing'er fell into Zhao Kaiyuan's arms with a coquettish smile, but Wen'er said with a smile: "Master, wait a moment, I will go get you a basin of water to wash your face."

After Wen'er walked out of the Fuqu Pavilion with the washbasin in her hand, she turned around and went to Sai Diaochan's room.

After a while, Sai Diaochan went downstairs to a small courtyard in the back house.
"Oh? The Zhao family was really involved in the counterfeit medicine?"

"Back to Third Lady, Qing'er and Wen'er heard it with their own ears."

"Well, I get it." Cai Wei leaned on the bed, holding the case with one hand and shaking the round fan with the other.

"The slave's gone back." Sai Diaochan restrained her flamboyant temper a lot in front of Cai Wei, and was about to leave the room after speaking.

Cai Wei, who was frowning and contemplating, suddenly said: "Consider it, let Qing'er and Wen'er not mention this matter to the outside world, whoever dares to confide half a sentence, discount their hands and feet."

"Yes"

Sai Diaochan hurriedly responded in a low voice.

She knew that this was also for her.

But in his heart, he was puzzled. The third lady and Zhao Anren had been at odds for many years. If the news got out, wouldn't it be a good opportunity to bring down Zhao Anren?
The third lady didn't let it leak
And, why doesn't she look happy at all?

(End of this chapter)