Fenghou

Chen Qing nodded, "Is there any way?"

"There is no hope for Guancang, or we can only buy it outside."

Chen Qing was overjoyed, "Can food be bought outside?"

"I can buy some, but not too many, but there is another way for the villain?"

"What else can be done?"

"Many Qiang people live in the west and south of Qinzhou. They make a living by grazing sheep. You can ask them to buy sheep."

This is also a way. At present, Chen Qing has enough money. He has 20 taels of silver alone. The silver he got from Pingliang Mansion is deposited in Xianrenguan. He has already got it. In addition, they have hidden it in Zhongnan County. A lot of money, after a while, Chen Qing will find a way to get it all back.

At this time, Yang Yuanqing had already found the temporary barracks. In the northwest corner, it was actually the barracks of the former Jin Bing. Although the Jin Bing garrison only had 500 people, they occupied [-] mu of land and leveled a large racecourse. The golden soldiers withdrew, leaving the barracks just for Chen Qing and the others to use.

Chen Qing immediately ordered the army to camp in the northwest corner, and transported all the bricks, stones and wood from the official warehouse to build walls and sentry towers.

Soon, Hu Yanyun, who went to buy food, came back.

A total of [-] carts were transported, of which [-] carts were loaded with grain, and the other [-] carts were vegetables, meat, eggs and the like.

Hu Yanyun stepped forward and clasped his fists to Chen Qing, saying: "Qi reported to the control system, I only bought three hundred shi of grain in total, so I ran away from all the grain shops."

"Only three hundred stones!"

Chen Qing frowned, three hundred stones was only three thousand buckets, distributed to five thousand soldiers, about half a bucket per person, only six catties, enough to eat for three days, save a little for four days.

How can this work? Even if they go to the Qiang people to buy sheep now, it will take several days to go back and forth. Can the little grain in their hands last for that long?

Chapter 177 Reminder

The most spoils Chen Qing got were tents. He got [-] tents, and they were all sheepskin tents of Jinbing, warm in winter and cool in summer.

The second is war horses. Each of the [-] soldiers has a war horse. This is something that the soldiers of the Eastern Route Army could not imagine, and this is also an advantage of the Western Army.

The big camp has already been set up, and the seven hundred big tents are neat and orderly. The commanders and generals above all have their own independent big tents.

There are also military accounts, staff accounts, military affairs accounts, warehouse accounts, etc...

However, compared with the Eastern Army, the Western Army also has one of the biggest shortcomings, and that is food. Especially now, almost all the generals of the Western Army are facing a common crisis, that is, insufficient food.

This is to blame for Wanyan Wushu. He took away all the official rations in all states and counties, and the food was burned by Chen Qing's army, which led to the defeat of Wanyanwushu and the huge spoils Only there is no food.

Therefore, when various generals serve as the general managers of various places, they will face empty warehouses without a grain of food.

Chen Qing can't take care of others, but now he has to take care of the food problem of his 5000 people.

In the afternoon, Chen Qing called Zheng Ping and Yang Yuanqing to discuss countermeasures, and several civil officials were present.

Zheng Ping has already been promoted to commander by Zhang Jun, and Yang Yuanqing is still the commander. After the official edict arrives, he will be promoted to the rank of deputy commander at most.

When Chen Qing saw that Zheng Ping was about to speak, he knew that he was going to complain again, and stared, "Stop talking about those craps that I knew why I knew what I was doing today. Now we have to solve the food problem and say something useful."

Zheng Ping was silenced in advance, so he had no choice but to resentfully said: "If you are short of food, you have to buy it. When everyone goes to the merchant to buy food, the price of food will go up. It's better to buy it yourself. The sooner the better, the better. It didn't rise."

Chen Qing nodded, "This sentence makes sense, the key is where to buy it?"

"Definitely go to Bashu! You can't go to Guanzhong to buy it!"

"What about transportation?" Chen Qing asked again.

Zheng Ping scratched his head and said, "I'm not sure about this, there must be a way."

Yu Hou Zhou Kuan next to him smiled and said, "I have a solution for food transportation!"

"Talk about Zhou Yuhou!"

Zhou Kuan walked up to the map and pointed to the Zitong County Road south of Jianmen Pass: "We can rent several large warehouses at the Zitong County Wharf. The grain purchased from all over Bashu will be stored in the large warehouses by water, and then we will hire two The Shu Dao mule team has been delivering food to us for many years, and they can pass through the Immortal Pass, so as to ensure our food supply.”

Another Marquis of Yu, Zhang Miao, added: "The control must establish a special military ration transfer operation, including the procurement, transportation, security, transfer, etc. of military rations. This is a major event and must be taken seriously."

Chen Qing couldn't help but said happily: "The plan of the two of you is very good, please discuss it with the two of you, write a detailed plan, and hand it over to me within two days."

The two bowed and said, "The humble official must submit the report on time."

Seeing that Yang Yuanqing hesitated to speak, Chen Qing laughed and said, "Yuanqing has something to say, just say it!"

Yang Yuanqing said slowly: "Actually, the plan of General Zheng and the two Marquis Yu is very good, but it will take two or three months at the earliest to be effective. The distant water cannot quench the near thirst. The predicament in front of us must be resolved first. At least Solve the food problem for three months."

"Does Yuan Qing have any ideas?"

Yang Yuanqing said: "The solution is to buy grain, but it's just to buy nearby. The previous control mentioned buying sheep from the Qiang people and buying grain from farmers. In fact, we also forgot about a big household that may have grain."

Chen Qing said with a smile: "But you mean the wealthy gentry in Qinzhou?"

"Yes, they must have food in their hands."

Chen Qing nodded, "That makes sense. I'll figure out a solution for the big households in Qinzhou. Now there is one more thing, that is, we have to have money in our hands. Only when we have money can we buy grain. 20 taels of silver is part of it. We have to do it as soon as possible." Bring back the property hidden in Zhongnan County."

Zhang Xiao, the staff member who had been silent all this time, got up and walked to the map, pointed to the map and said, "We can take the Immortal Pass to Hanzhong, then take the Luotang Road north to Guanzhong from Hanzhong, and then use the mule team to take the Zhongnan Trail to transport the money out, and then go to Hanzhong. There should be no risk in returning the same way.”

After a pause, Zhang Xiao said meaningfully to Chen Qing: "I want to remind the governor that we must transport the money back before Zhu Shengfei takes office. There are waves, we only have 20 days at most."

Zhang Xiao's reminder made Chen Qing vigilant. He had met Zhu Shengfei. Although he was not a villain, he was definitely a cold-hearted person with a strong scholarly spirit.

It is indeed very dangerous for him to know this wealth.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, and said to Yang Yuanqing: "We happen to have [-] carts, please ask Yuan Qing and Niu Gao to bring [-] soldiers to complete this matter, and I will write a letter to Wu Dutong and tell him the matter." Make it clear that he will let you pass through the pass."

Yang Yuanqing nodded, "Xiaozhi will leave tomorrow!"

……

The barracks is still under construction, and hundreds of soldiers are busy building walls. The soldiers use glutinous rice lime slurry, boil a stone of glutinous rice to make it very sticky, and mix it into the lime slurry. Although there is no cement, the stone wall built Still very strong and hard to collapse.

Dozens of other soldiers were building a sentry post, using wood to build a three-foot-high sentry tower, which was basically flush with the city wall. Standing on the tower, they could have a panoramic view of the barracks and its surroundings.

At this time, Zhao Xiaoyi ran over, "Control, someone is looking for you outside!"

"who is it?"

"It seems to be the general judge of Qinzhou, surnamed Wang."

Coming back so soon, Chen Qing greeted him immediately.

I saw a man in his thirties standing at the gate of the barracks. He was wearing a Tsing Yi and a small hat. He had a face with Chinese characters, thick eyebrows, a big nose, and dark skin. He looked rather dignified. The people following him It was Du Min.

Chen Qing greeted him with a smile and said, "I have to bother Wang Tongpan to come to the door in person, I'm really sorry!"

Wang Tongpan is called Wang Huai. He is the eldest son of the Wang family, the most wealthy family in Qinzhou. He has a high prestige in Qinzhou. He was unanimously elected by the gentry in Chengji County as the political officer of Qinzhou. From time to time, he will also open a trial to judge various conflicts and disputes.

Wang Huai hurriedly bowed and saluted, "It's rude for a humble official not to know that the rule is coming, but the humble official is also very happy about the arrival of the rule."

"Wang Tongpan really welcomes me?" Chen Qing smiled lightly.

"How can you not welcome it?"

Wang Huai sighed and said, "I'm from the Song Dynasty, but I'm suffering under the iron hooves of the Jin soldiers. I watched the Jin soldiers wantonly killing people and humiliating women, but I can't do anything about it. The humiliation is unbearable. I look forward to it every day." Song Jun, it's finally here."

Wang Huai said it very sincerely. In fact, Chen Qing also understood that a wealthy family like the Wang family would have a good life in the Song Dynasty, but in the eyes of Jin Bing, they were fat sheep, and the whole family lived on the line of life and death. feel good.

"Wang Tong judge, please come to the big tent to speak!"

Chen Qing invited Wang Huai to his central army tent, the soldiers moved some stools, and the two sat down as guests and hosts.

Chen Qing pointed at Du Min and said with a smile: "Du Min used to work for our army at Jiandao Pass. I didn't expect to meet him here. He introduced me to Qinzhou's situation."

Wang Huai also smiled and said: "Du Min is very conscientious. When I was away, there was no one in the state government. Only Du Min stood by. I appreciate this. I have appointed him as the Sihu to join the army. All the finances of the yamen are under his control."

Du Min blushed a little, and stood aside in embarrassment.

Chen Qing laughed, he was promoted so quickly, this Wang Huai is very good!

Wang Huai said again: "General Chen must also know that a humble position is a wild way, not an official appointed by the court, but just temporarily elected by everyone to maintain the situation. Once the imperial court appoints a state official, the humble position will immediately hand over power."

Chen Qing shook his head, "The current situation is chaotic and I don't pay much attention to it. I don't care if Wang Tongpan is appointed by the court. The key is to be able to stabilize the situation and do things. I will write to the emperor in the future to explain the situation and ask the court to formally appoint Wang Tongpan." .”

Wang Huai was overjoyed, he was afraid that Chen Qing would be a man who put on an official tone and only recognized the rules of the court, otherwise he would not be able to continue as a wild judge. Du Min also told him that this Chen system is very pragmatic, and now he feels it personally , indeed.

Chen Qing smiled and said again: "I heard from Du Min that Wang Tong was sentenced to go to the countryside to collect taxes. How is the situation?"

Chapter 178

Wang Huai smiled wryly, "Where is the tax collection, it is to beg for alms. Two years after Jianyan, the government will no longer be able to collect taxes. Not to mention paying taxes to the court, even the government itself has no food to support. There are still some official land, and there are some shops in the city, which can collect some rents, but since last year, these rents have disappeared, the land has been left unused, and the shops have been closed.

But so many people in the government have to eat!I had to take turns to go to each Dabaozhai to ask for some money and food to maintain the government's expenses. This time I went to Zhoujiabao and Laoyuzhai. I got more than 100 yuan and more than [-] shi of grain. The officials owed three months of salary , too difficult. "

Chen Qing pondered for a while and asked: "I heard that you took the capital prison with you, did you bring the army?"

"It made the general laugh. The so-called army is fifty archers and yamen servants. This force is not enough to fill the teeth of Zhou Jiabao. They have five hundred elite archers, and they can't even attack the golden soldiers. I took the archers to go Those who carry food are not going to demonstrate."

It seemed that he had a high opinion of Wang Huai, thinking that he could restrain Qinzhou, but it turned out that was not the case at all. The situation in Qinzhou was even more severe than he had imagined.

Chen Qing asked again without showing any signs of expression: "Is it true that Qinzhou has no food at all?"

Wang Huai sighed, "It's really hard to answer this question. The government has no food, the common people don't have any food, and there isn't much food in the market, but you are wrong to say that there is no food in Qinzhou. Many big families have food. There is also food in the fort, as far as I have seen with my own eyes, there are at least a few thousand shi in the Zhou family fort, the key is that people will not give you food for free."

"If I buy it with silver, does Wang Tongpan think I can buy grain?"

"I don't know about the Fortress, but the big family must be looking for it. How long the food can be stored is of course not as real as silver!"

Chen Qing nodded, "I want to chat with the big families in Qinzhou. Can Wang Tongpan make arrangements for me, just in these two days!"

"no problem!"

Wang Huai readily agreed, "The major households in Qinzhou are all in Chengji County, I'll arrange it!"

"Also, can the Qiang people buy sheep?"

"But yes, but the price is relatively expensive. If you go to Hexi to buy a fat sheep, it will only cost a few hundred yuan at most. But Qiang people buy sheep here, and a sheep costs a lot. I bought it last year and I can't bargain."

"There is no problem with the price, but the quantity I need is relatively large, and I want [-] pieces."

Wang Huai thought for a while, "If the need is urgent, I can find a businessman who is very familiar with the Qiang people and take the general there. Five thousand sheep are no problem for the Qiang people."

Chen Qing said happily: "Then it's an agreement. Tomorrow, I will let the logistics general follow the merchant."

The two chatted for a while, Wang Huai stood up and said goodbye, Chen Qing sent him out of the barracks all the time, today's harvest was good, the two grain purchase channels were implemented, which made Chen Qing's heart a little lighter.

……

As night fell, Wang Huai returned to his own mansion. Wang's mansion can be called the largest mansion in Chengji County. It was built during the Song Renzong era. It has a history of fifty or sixty years ago. It covers an area of ​​more than forty acres. The house is full of pavilions.

Such a mansion was also ransacked by Jin soldiers in the third year of Jianyan. Fortunately, the Wang family escaped in time and only killed a few housekeepers. The house suffered heavy losses. The precious wood that the Wang family had collected for decades was all robbed. Go, the strange stone was smashed, except that the house was not burned down by a fire, everything else was seriously damaged.

Although the Wang family repaired the house, it has not recovered its vitality so far.

As soon as Wang Huai returned to the mansion, the housekeeper stepped forward and said: "The old master told me that as soon as the old master comes back, please go to his place immediately."

"I see, I'll go right away."

Wang Huai's father is Wang Yu, about 60 years old. He used to be the county captain and county magistrate of Chengji County, and later served as the general judge of Qinzhou. The terms of these three official positions lasted for 20 years. Later, when he was the deputy envoy of Shaanxi Road Transit, he abandoned his official position and returned to his hometown due to the invasion of Jin soldiers.

Although the eldest son Wang Huai is 35 years old, the Wang family is still dominated by Wang Yu. It can be said unequivocally that Wang Yu is the real head of the Qinzhou gentry.

Wang Yu was reading a book in the room when the eldest son Wang Huai's voice came from outside the door, "Father, do you want to see me?"

"come in!"

The door opened, Wang Huai came in from the outside, knelt down and bowed to his father, "Greetings to my father!"

Wang Yu waved his hand, "I told you, your knee is injured, so you don't need to salute in the future."

"My child remembers."

"Sit down! Don't stand there."

Wang Huai sat down, and Wang Yu immediately asked: "The Song army entered the city today, do you know?"

Wang Huai knew that his father must be looking for him for this matter, which is a big deal.

Wang Huai nodded, "I already know about it, and I visited their chief general an hour ago."

Wang Yu frowned, "Who is he? You didn't know him before you went to visit him?"

"Reporting to my father, Du Min of the state government knows this person and introduced me to the situation. This person is Chen Qing who blocked the Jin soldiers at Jiandao Pass."

"It was him!"

Wang Yu suddenly realized that Chen Qing had a great reputation on Xihe Road. He fought tens of thousands of Jin soldiers at Jiandao Pass. At the end of last year, he captured Pingliang Mansion, killed more than 2000 Jin soldiers, and opened a warehouse to release grain. This incident shocked the whole world. Xihe Road.

"What is his intention in coming to Qinzhou?"

"Father, he was personally appointed by the emperor as the envoy of the Qinzhou system last year. This time he led [-] troops here, which means he has officially taken office."