The prince is more stable

Chapter 659 Recruiting Another Famous General
Zhao Xiaoqian was greedy for money, but he didn't eat alone.

Eating alone can really get you into trouble. Since ancient times, people have been driven by self-interest. If others don't get a share of the benefits, who knows what evil thoughts and actions might come up?

Zhao Xiaoqian knew very well that if he wanted to obtain this windfall safely, he could not avoid Xu Jiang.

This deputy envoy is no pushover; such a large sum of money in the treasury couldn't be kept from him.

Since we can't avoid it, we can only share it with him.

Besides, tarnishing the reputation of this innocent deputy envoy would not do Zhao Xiaoqian any harm in the future.

I've already jumped into the latrine, why aren't you jumping in too? Aren't we brothers in arms anymore?
Xu Jiang stood outside the treasury, pointing at the gate and cursing loudly. After a long while, Zhong Jianzhong, with a strange smile on his face, dragged Xu Jiang inside.

Alright, let's divide the spoils together.

Xu Jiang couldn't refuse. The sight of him carrying money in his pocket was seen by hundreds of soldiers. How could he explain that?

He said he didn't take a single penny, but does anyone believe him?

I didn't get to eat any mutton, but instead got covered in the smell of mutton.

The process of dividing the money was pleasant, although Xu Jiang was probably still a bit too proud to do it, and remained passive throughout.

Zhao Xiaoqian gave a number, and he didn't argue. So he called Chen Shou in and loaded Xu's share onto the truck and sent it away.

Next up are the bigwigs of the Bianjing court. Zhao Xiaoqian wasn't lying about this; it's true that a share should be given to bigwigs like Zhang Dun, Zeng Bu, An Tao, and Cai Jing, about 100,000 taels each, with Zhang Dun receiving a larger share, 200,000 taels.

With the army campaigning far and wide, the imperial court patted its chest and said it supported them.

How can we support them? If we don't offer them real financial benefits, do they really think these big shots are so selfless, giving them whatever they want?
Only when individuals are well-fed will they not cause trouble or delays in official matters, and only then will the logistical supplies needed by the army, such as food and weapons, be continuously delivered to the front lines.

That's how realistic the officialdom is; Zhao Xiaoqian knew this long ago.

Not to mention this life, even if he were just a logistics supervisor in his previous life, Zhao Xiaoqian would send him a pack of cigarettes or treat him to a meal from time to time.

Therefore, whenever Zhao Xiaoqian lacked anything, from a standard computer to a ballpoint pen, mouse, and keyboard, he could get it immediately and often replace it with a new one.

You may dislike social etiquette, but you can't be ignorant of it, and you can't avoid it.

Xu stormed off, or perhaps not so much in a huff, but because he couldn't bring himself to accept the spoils openly. So he pretended to be furious as he fled the scene of the distribution, then went back to a secluded spot and shamefully spread his legs, letting the filthy money defile him.

It's understandable that a cultured person, especially a top scholar, would be a little thin-skinned.

Only Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhong Jianzhong remained in the treasury.

The two exchanged a smile. Zhao Xiaoqian looked at the piles of gold and silver, and finally, his eyes revealed a greedy glint that he could no longer hide.

“Old Zhong, you take 100,000 taels and have your trusted guards carry it. Don’t let the news leak out,” Zhao Xiaoqian rubbed his hands together, raised his arm and swung it forcefully: “I want one-third of the entire treasury, one-third of the remaining amount for the big shots in Bianjing, and one-third for the imperial treasury.”

Zhong Jianzhong smiled knowingly: "This subordinate will immediately transfer the soldiers patrolling the warehouse. By this time, until dawn, there was not a single person in the vicinity of the warehouse."

Zhao Xiaoqian gave him an approving look. For some reason, the famous General Zhong, who was known in the history books of his previous life, seemed more pleasing to the eye than he was in the history books. He was handsome and refined.

Zhong Jianzhong withdrew from the treasury, and Zhao Xiaoqian immediately summoned Chen Shou.

"Make your own estimate, send someone to the carriage shop to hire a few large carts, load up a third of them, and send your trusted imperial guards to escort them to Zhengding City for my wife, to make that silly woman happy," Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

Chen Shou was stunned when he saw the warehouse full of gold and silver. It took him a long time to come back to his senses.

"Your Highness means that this one-third is..." Chen Shou said in a trembling voice.

"That's right, they're all mine. I wasn't planning on taking them, but Old Zhong insisted. I couldn't refuse his kindness, so I reluctantly accepted... Hmm, if you look at me like that again, I'll have you stripped naked and hung on a flagpole, believe it or not?"

Chen Shou immediately lowered his eyes and became solemn, silent as a cicada in winter.

After giving instructions on loading and transporting the goods, Zhao Xiaoqian walked out of the treasury, looked at the starry sky, and let out a long breath.

Xu was defiled, the bigwigs in Bianjing gave him gifts, the imperial treasury was also satisfied, and he himself became extremely wealthy.

Happy!
…………

After sleeping until the afternoon, Zhao Xiaoqian woke up feeling refreshed and in a very cheerful mood.

Perhaps it's the power of that evil money, but my appetite has increased significantly, and I ate two more bowls of rice.

After washing up and having a meal, Chen Shou hurriedly came to report that two military officers were requesting an audience.

The two military officers had just arrived from the northwest, weary from their journey.

Zhao Xiaoqian had a vague premonition and hurriedly summoned him.

Two young, dark-skinned military officers, clad in armor, strode confidently into the backyard of the government office.

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately burst into laughter and stepped forward: "General Guo, Lao Zhe, you've finally arrived."

The newcomers were Guo Cheng, who had met Zhao Xiaoqian once before, and Zhe Keshi, who was ordered to lead 5,000 light cavalry to harass Western Xia and warn the Western Xia ruler. Both Guo Cheng and Zhe Keshi were generals under Zhang Jie of the Northwest Army. It must be said that the Northwest Army was quite remarkable, producing many famous generals. Zhao Xiaoqian had an advantage, easily recognizing who the famous generals were, so he recruited Zhe Keshi, and now he had recruited Guo Cheng as well.

I wonder what impression Zhang Jie has of Zhao Xiaoqian now. It probably isn't good. Anyone who has repeatedly poached someone's partner will make him furious and curse at home.

Understand, and respect.

I dare you next time.

Zhao Xiaoqian patted Zhe Keshi on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Old Zhe, you've worked hard. Are the soldiers alright?"

Zhe Keshi bowed and clasped his hands: "Your Highness, this humble general was ordered to harass the Western Xia. After dozens of battles, large and small, we killed more than 4,000 Western Xia border soldiers, destroyed more than ten Western Xia villages and tribes, and suffered nearly 1,000 casualties among our soldiers."

"It was not until Li Qianshun, the ruler of Western Xia, sent an envoy to Xia Prefecture to negotiate with Commander Zhang about the friction and conflict between the two countries that I led my troops back to Hebei."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded, saying that nearly a thousand casualties were not a large number and were acceptable.

Even with firearms, the Song army was not absolutely invincible; it would be naive to think that no one would die in battle.

"What was Li Qianshun's reaction? Does he still intend to form an alliance with the Liao Kingdom?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked.

Zhe Keshi shook his head: "Li Qianshun has learned his lesson and probably won't dare to move again. Moreover, Commander Zhang has received the Emperor's decree and has mobilized nearly 100,000 troops from the Northwest Army to patrol the Song-Xia border day and night. As soon as there are any signs of unusual troop movements in the Western Xia Kingdom, Commander Zhang will immediately send troops to enter the Western Xia territory."

"The Emperor's decree is that the recovery of Yan and Yun must be the top priority. Any barbarian vassals or tributaries who take advantage of the chaos to advocate for war shall be executed."

"Impressive!" Zhao Xiaoqian exclaimed.

As the strength of the Song Dynasty grew, Zhao Xu became more and more confident and spoke more and more domineeringly. This damned aura of dominance was even more intense than that of the Dragon King who had returned to the city.

"Old Zhe, you and your troops should return to your posts quickly. Hejian Prefecture has been captured by us, but we have only captured this one city out of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. There are many more battles waiting for you to show your skills. The honor of being the first to charge into battle awaits you. Let's see if you have the ability to claim it."

Zhe Keshi said excitedly, "Your Highness, look at my performance! My soldiers and I have been traveling day and night from the Northwest just to catch up with the battle to recover Yan and Yun. The brothers have been holding their breath for a long time."

After Zhe Keshi finished speaking, he took his leave. Before leaving, he patted Guo Cheng on the shoulder and said, "His Highness values ​​you. Your good fortune has come. Work hard for His Highness, and you will be promoted and make a fortune. His Highness will not mistreat his brothers."

Guo Cheng gave a few bitter laughs.

Zhao Xiaoqian winked at him: "General Guo, I went to great lengths to get the Privy Council to issue a transfer order, moving you from the Northwest to Hebei. Why are you still so reluctant? Are you afraid of being bullied by me if you come to serve under me?"

Guo Cheng smiled wryly and said, "Your Highness is too kind to me. How could I be unwilling? However, Commander Zhang has been kind to me and has valued me highly. Now that I have betrayed my old master and switched to a new one, I feel a little awkward. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"What old master or new master? You and I are both government officials, and the Emperor is our master. We dare not say this outside, or if someone with ulterior motives hears it, it will cause trouble, no big or small."

Guo Cheng hurriedly said, "It was my mistake."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded.

Guo Cheng was indeed someone he had gone to great lengths to recruit, after all, Guo Cheng was considered a famous general of the Song Dynasty in historical records. He had a very special strength, which was his skill in defense.

Historically, Guo Cheng served the Northwest Army throughout his life and made many military achievements against the Western Xia Army. Border commander Zhang Jie recognized his strengths and entrusted him with the defense of important cities and fortresses within the territory of the Song Dynasty.

The city he defended was impregnable, and the Western Xia army could not budge it in the slightest.

It was precisely because of his skill in defense that Guo Cheng gradually became a famous general.

Currently, Zhao Xiaoqian's generals are mostly skilled warriors who only know how to attack, and there is a severe lack of generals who are good at defense. That's why he went to great lengths to bring in Guo Cheng.

Of course, besides that, Zhao Xiaoqian also had a little hobby, which was to collect all the virtuous ministers and generals whose names were recorded in history books during his lifetime, just like stamp collecting. It was his personal hobby.

I wonder if gathering all seven famous generals will be enough to summon the dragon...

If all else fails, leading a group of famous underlings to collect protection money on the streets will be quite prestigious.

"Since you're here, make the best of it" means, since you've come, you might as well be buried here.

Guo Cheng: "…………"

"General Guo, following me in battles across the land is, on a grand scale, serving the government and the country; on a smaller scale, it's also for your own future and the future of your children and grandchildren."

“A true man should strive for fame and fortune on horseback. If you are still troubled by the difficulty of betraying your former master, I will not force you. You can turn around and return to serve under Zhang Jie in the Northwest. Then we can pretend we never met.”

The words were a bit harsh, and Guo Cheng's expression changed several times. After pondering for a long time, he finally bowed and clasped his hands: "This humble general, Guo Cheng, is willing to serve under His Highness the Prince."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled: "Alright. Guo Cheng, follow me, and I guarantee your talent won't go to waste."

Pointing to the ground beneath his feet, Zhao Xiaoqian said, "Now that you're under my command, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Your first task is to take over the defense of Hejian Prefecture. After the army sets off soon, I will give you 5,000 garrison troops, and you will be responsible for guarding the city."

"If our army captures another city in the future, you will be transferred to the new city to continue defending it."

"With General Guo by my side, I can be assured of peace of mind and never worry about my city falling again. Guo Cheng, can you do that?"

(End of this chapter)