I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 668 Target, Sinan City

On the Chenshui River west of Mayang, boats rowed in unison with oars on both sides, splitting the emerald green water and going upstream.

The mountains on both sides are high and the forests are dense, the peaks are dangerous and the rocks are steep.

There were four people standing on the bow, wearing plain robes and big hats, pointing at the scenery on both sides of the river.

"Brother Ziming, Tongren City is just ahead."

"Brother Qinglian, why is Tongren called this?"

"During the pre-Tang Dynasty, Tongren was divided into Sizhou, Jinzhou and Qianzhou. In the early Yuan Dynasty, two Xuanwei offices were set up in Sizhou and Sinan. There is a rock there, which is yellow and looks like gold and copper. It is called Tongyan.

In the middle of the Yuan Dynasty, it is said that a fisherman dived into the river at Tongyan and found three bronze men. Therefore, the Yuan court set up the Bronze Man and Small and Large Jiang Barbarian Military and Civilian Chief Office, which was affiliated to the Sinan Xuanwei Office.

In the 11th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty, the Sizhou and Sinan Xuanwei Offices were abolished and Tongren, Sinan, Shiqian and Wuluo Prefectures were set up. Now Wuluo has been incorporated into Sinan, and Shiqian is a small prefecture, which is actually under the jurisdiction of Tongren and Sinan.

Li Mingchun exclaimed: "Brother Qinglian is really well-informed and knowledgeable."

Qiu Qizhuo laughed loudly: "It's all because of poverty."

"poverty?"

"Yes. I am from Xiangxiang, Changsha Prefecture. I come from a farming family with 20 to 30 acres of land. Fortunately, my uncle took care of me and gave me enlightenment and lessons."

Luo Sheng added, "Not only that, Brother Qinglian has become my uncle's beloved son-in-law, and he and my cousin are happily married, and they are very affectionate and loving."

Qiu Qizhuo waved his hand, "Only after getting married do you realize the heavy responsibilities. Life is not as carefree as described in books. I still have to run businesses everywhere to support my family.

I was introduced by an old friend of my uncle to teach the son of a chieftain in Shiqian for three years, eight months in Guizhou and four months back in Hunan. The journey back and forth was tiring, but the tuition was not cheap and could support my family. "

Luo Sheng added, "Yes, there are many chieftains in Xiangxi, Guizhou, who admire etiquette. Teaching their children is hard work, but the rewards are good. It is the best way for poor scholars like me to make money to support our families.

Qinglian went there for a year and introduced me to a job teaching among the children of the chieftain of Tixisi. Brother Qinglian and I traveled to Changde and Tongren every year and have been there twice.

Qiu Qizhuo laughed, "That's right, thanks to the help of the chieftain of Tongren Sinan, my brother Wenjian and I were able to pass the examination and succeed in the autumn examination.

Li Mingchun laughed and said, "You three heroes from Yehou Academy have passed the provincial examination. Congratulations. Brother Dian'en, you didn't have to follow me."

Yang Yan replied somewhat embarrassedly: "Brother Ziming, you call us the Three Knights of Yehou Academy, so it is naturally impossible for Qinglian and Wenjian to come while I stay alone in Changsha."

Li Mingchun glanced at the three of them and said, "You two are truly so loyal and righteous.

However, this trip to Sinan is full of dangers, and you may even lose your life. You three must think twice, because Tongren City is ahead. If you regret it, you can change boats in Tongren City and go back. The governor will not blame you.

But once you pass Tongren City, you have to keep going and there is no turning back."

Qiu Qizhuo answered first: "Mr. Fengwu often wrote back to encourage us younger generations. He repeatedly told us that now is the time of great change, and we should be brave enough to take on the task.

The bigger the waves, the bigger the harvest.”

Luo Sheng echoed, "That's right. Mr. Feng Wu was trapped in adversity, but he never gave up and resolutely joined the Meilin government. He personally participated in the war and experienced life and death several times before he achieved what he has today.

He is a role model for our generation.”

Yang Yan said: "No matter how talented one is, if he is timid and cowardly and dares not take on responsibilities, he will ultimately be just a sour scholar."

Qiu Qizhuo concluded: "The three of us were lucky enough to pass the autumn examination last year and were listed as clerks in the Hunan Provincial Government. We were also fortunate to have a good opportunity and be selected to join the plan to pacify Yang and serve as the vanguard.

This is a great opportunity that no one else can get.”

Li Mingchun looked at Qiu Qizhuo, Luo Sheng and Yang Yan, and saw the determination and excitement on their faces. He thought of the hardships and dangers of this mission and couldn't help but be moved.

Li Mingchun looked at the river surface. The rolling Chenshui River flowed eastward day and night, joined the Yuanjiang River, and entered Yunmeng. He sighed in his heart and read aloud.

"People live by their destiny, and each has his own faults. With a calm mind and broad aspirations, I have nothing to fear!"

Ren Boan walked out of the cabin. He was wearing long clothes and trousers and a turban, and was dressed exactly like a Han merchant traveling to the Miao area.

"Brother Ziming, you are still reciting Qu Yuan's Nine Chapters."

"I speak my mind, I speak my mind." Li Mingchun laughed.

"I asked the boatman, and he said we'll arrive at Tongren Wharf in an hour. There must be spies of Yang Yinglong there, so everyone must be careful.

Don't show your true colors. Qinglian, Wenjian, Dian'en, the three of you are scholars hired to teach the chieftains' sons in Yinjiang and Sinan.

Ziming, you and I are business partners. I am in charge of the goods and you are in charge of the accounts.

Once we get ashore, the three of you will form a group, and Ziming and I will form a group. You guys know us but you're not familiar with us, so just head to Sinan one after the other."

Ren Boan talked about a lot of things to pay attention to.

Yang Yan was a little puzzled: "Do you have to be so serious?"

Ren Boan laughed, "To be honest with you four great talents, before I joined the Jinyiwei, I was always begging for food in the underworld. I was doing the same tricks as the Lahu Society."

"Lahuhui?"

"It's just the same way of cheating people out of money. But don't mind me, the Lahu Society I run specializes in cheating officials and wealthy families. It can be considered robbing the rich to help the poor. And I have clean hands and feet, no blood debts or sins.

The Jinyiwei has strict rules now, and those who are admitted are strictly examined. If I really had dirty hands, I would not be recruited to serve here."

Qiu Qizhuo smiled and said, "I see. When Brother Guangning found the three of us brothers in Changsha City, I felt that under his elegant and refined appearance, there was a bit of a gangster vibe."

"Haha, I've been in the underworld for a long time, and I've gotten into it. I also know that if I don't want to be exposed, the details are the most important."

Li Mingchun looked around and saw that everyone standing here was his own people. He couldn't help but ask Ren Boan: "I heard that Yao Dushi was originally supposed to be in charge of this matter. Why did it suddenly take over your position?"

"This matter was decided by the Governor. Didn't Ziming hear the Governor mention it?"

"I haven't heard the governor mention it."

Ren Boan thought for a moment and replied: "Yao Dushi is the most suitable person to preside over this matter. He has been traveling to Hunan, Guizhou, and southern Sichuan over the years, and is familiar with the local chieftains. But the problem is that he is too familiar with the border areas.

Many chieftains knew him, and wherever he went, there would be a lot of people greeting him.

He went to Youyang in the twelfth month to make arrangements, but he didn’t expect someone to recognize him as soon as he got ashore.”

Li Mingchun stroked his chin and said, "If he is a business man, it is a good thing to be familiar with people everywhere. But for him who is engaged in espionage, it is a bad thing."

"That's right. When Yao Dushi came back from Youyang, he realized the problem and reported it to Tang Dushi. Tang Dushi also felt it was inappropriate and discussed it with Yao Dushi. Yao Dushi then recommended me.

Although I am used to traveling around, I am completely unfamiliar with the customs and conditions in the Hunan-Guizhou border area.

Tang Dushi was undecided, so he reported it to Wang Duxian. After several discussions, Wang Duxian finally made the final decision and decided that I would replace Yao Dushi and go to Sinan City.

At this point, Ren Boan looked at Li Mingchun and said sincerely, "Fortunately, Ziming and Qinglian are here with us. Now I have a backbone. Ziming, you will be the one to steer the ship when we go to Sinan this time. You have been with the governor before, so you have a better understanding than us.

Qinglian and Wenjian, you are familiar with the situation here, please help us.

Dian En and I will obey your orders."

Li Mingchun understood the meaning of Ren Boan's words.

As Wang Duxian's secretary, he must know more about Wang Duxian's strategic intentions in making this plan than they do. When he arrives in Sinan City and needs to make a decision, he will know how to cooperate with the strategic goals of the plan and make the most appropriate decision.

"No problem. This is also the purpose of the governor sending me to Sinan City. Everyone, from now on, we will work together."

"it is good!"

When the boat arrived at the Tongren City Pier, Qiu Qizhuo and two other people went ashore first and found a small inn to stay in.

Li Mingchun and Ren Boan went ashore with four "associates" and, under the guise of being the shopkeeper and accountant of Changsha's "Xiang Changshun" store, visited more than ten stores in the city.

"Xiang Changshun" is one of the most famous shops in Changsha, specializing in the business of the Miao area in Hunan and Guizhou. It sells grain, sugar, and cotton cloth to the Miao area, and then takes in lacquer, tung oil, bristles, wood boards and other mountain products.

It is very famous in Liping, Tongren, Zhenyuan, Sinan and other places.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

The "Xiang Changshun" business regularly sends the shopkeeper and accountant to the nursery field every year. The first purpose is to check the accounts clearly, and the second is to collect demands from various places and collect good goods for transportation.

Shopkeeper Ren Boan and accountant Li Mingchun were warmly welcomed by all the merchants in Tongren City. Those who had current accounts would check their accounts. Those who did not have current accounts would also ask Ren Boan for a quotation.

They want to see if the price offered by "Xiang Changshun" is different from that of the old supplier. If the difference is not big, they can continue to maintain their old friendship. If the difference is so big that they are tempted, the friendship of many years will not work.

Qiu Qizhuo and his two companions found the person sent by Yinjiang Tusi to Tongren to pick them up that same day, and they set off with him the next day, heading straight for Sinan City.

Ren Boan and Li Mingchun stayed in Tongren City for six or seven days.

On that day, many merchants in Tongren City received a notice from the Tongren government office, asking them to collect some food and salt. It was said that a thousand wolf soldiers from the Yang family of Bozhou were going up the Yuan River from Changde, then up the Chenshui River to Tongren City in Chenxi County, then through Tongren to Sinan City, and up the Wujiang River into the territory of Bozhou.

While many merchants in Tongren City were busy, Ren Boan and Li Mingchun completed the reconciliation of accounts and "order" collection in Tongren City, and headed north along the official road to Sinan City.

After arriving in Sinan City, Ren Boan and Li Mingchun spent four days visiting a dozen shops in the city, reconciling accounts and collecting "orders".

That afternoon they returned to the inn.

They booked a small courtyard in the backyard of the inn and left two followers in the courtyard in turn to guard important documents such as "account books" and "order requirements".

"Li Lingshi, Ren Dushi, they are here."

When the two men entered the yard, an attendant came up to them and reported in a low voice.

"Okay. Be alert. This place is close to Bozhou, and the Yang family has many dogs."

"Yes!"

Li Mingchun and Ren Boan entered the main room and saw Zhang Yong, the chief of the Shuidejiang Chieftainship Office, and An Yue, the chief of the Barbarian Chieftainship Office, sitting in the room. Accompanying them was Yang Guian, the deputy chief of the Hunan Dispatching Bureau of the Pacification Office and the head of the Investigation Section.

The last time Zhang Yong and his three companions secretly visited Luxi City and returned to Sinan City after meeting with Wang Yi'e, Yang Guian disguised himself as a bell doctor and quietly followed them back.

Ren Boan was an acquaintance, so he introduced himself.

"Chief Zhang, Chief An, let me introduce you. This is Li Mingchun, Li Ziming, the official in charge of Governor Wang."

Li Mingchun bowed and said politely, "Hello, both of you. Last time when Governor Wang met with the four of you, I was left in Changsha to assist Ling Fansi with his work, so I didn't get to see you, which is a pity.

But not long after, I still saw you two again.”

Zhang Yong and Anyue looked at each other, feeling surprised and happy.

Governor Wang actually sent his clerk to Sinan City. It seems that he is determined to win.

"Li Lingshi, it's a pleasure to meet you." Zhang Yong and Anyue also said politely.

Li Mingchun got straight to the point. "Captain Zhang, Commander An, you two must know why you came to Sinan City. Now I want to know first. How is Sinan City prepared?"

Anyue immediately replied: "Li Lingshi, we have prepared everything according to the plan. Since November, a large amount of cement, threaded iron and other construction materials have been mixed in the goods of the caravan and transported to Sinan City, along with more than a dozen construction craftsmen from the Hunan Provincial Administration Office.

We reinforced the walls of Sinan City under the pretext of renovating the governor's mansion and expanding the Confucian Temple. The Qixingshan Confucian Temple in particular, although it was called the Confucian Temple, actually became a fortress occupying the commanding heights. "

Yang Guian echoed, "Don't worry, Li Lingshi. I'll bring a few followers with me, disguised, and take turns to inspect the construction site. One is to prevent the Yang family and other forces from spying, and the other is to supervise the quality of the construction.

We have all kept a construction log in accordance with the Ministry of Construction's construction requirements, which can be checked at any time."

"Okay." Li Mingchun said cheerfully, "My two lords, this matter concerns our survival. Please forgive me for being picky."

"Li Lingshi, you're too polite."

"Secondly, what unusual movements did the Yang family of Bozhou make?"

Zhang Yong replied: "We mobilized various connections and took advantage of the opportunity of visiting relatives during the Spring Festival. Under the guidance of Yang Zhushi, we conducted investigations on the Tusi near Bozhou.

Bozhou is close to our Yuqingsi, Wengshuisi and Rongshansi, and there are abnormalities everywhere. About six to seven thousand soldiers were stationed there during the New Year period.

Shiqian Prefecture is nominally under the jurisdiction of Sinan, but in fact it has been invaded by Bozhou in recent years. Longquanpingsi to our west, Miaominsi and Gezhanggeshangsi in the upper reaches of Wujiang River have become lackeys of the Yang family.

During the Chinese New Year, five to six thousand soldiers were quietly stationed there.”

Li Mingchun calculated, "In these places alone, Yang has dispatched 12,000 soldiers. Including those we don't know about, there may be 15,000 to 20,000 soldiers.

We preliminarily estimate that the Yang family had about 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers. Some troops had to be left in the old nest, some in the west to defend Shuixi, and some in the north to defend Luzhou and Chongqing, and the Guizhou Provincial Administration in the south.

From this, it can be deduced that all the mobile forces that Yang can currently mobilize are used to deal with Sinan. It seems that Yang Yinglong is also determined to win. "

Zhang Yong and Anyue nodded. "Yes, now it's like two groups of wolves, each ambushing the other. It depends on who can hold their breath. But fortunately, we are in the dark and the Yang family is in the light. The initiative is in our hands after all."

Li Mingchun continued to ask: "Is there anything else?"

Yang Guian replied, "Since February, as the 1,000 wolf soldiers of the Yang family set off to return home, there have been many more spies in Sinan City, most of whom are from the Yang family, and a few are from other chieftains."

"Watch them first, but don't alert them. We will strike back later."

"it is good!"

After waiting for ten days, Yang Guian came to report.

"Li Lingshi, Ren Dushi, the wolf soldiers of the Yang family who are returning home will arrive in Sinan City tomorrow."

"Good! The show is about to begin!"

(End of this chapter)